Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Shapiro Administration announced new military themed license plates will be available throughout the Commonwealth. Recently passed legislation allows the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to now offer Pennsylvanians’ license plates honoring military members and their families. Two of these new plates – the Air Medal license plate and the Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans license plate – recognize veterans’ special contributions during their service.
“These plates are yet another opportunity to show our appreciation for the sacrifices of our military members and families,” said PennDOT Acting Secretary Mike Carroll. “As always, we are proud to recognize our military community and their accomplishments.”
Wellsville Police arrested Michael A. Russo, age 23 of Rochester, charging him with Forgery 2nd (Class D Felony) and Grand Larceny 4th (Class E Felony). The charges stem from an investigation conducted by Wellsville Police of an altered/forged check that was passed in the Village of Wellsville in July of 2022. Russo was located by the New York State Police and turned over to Wellsville Police. Russo was processed and arraigned before Wellsville Village Justice Thompson. Russo was released and is due back in Wellsville Village Court on April 4th at 4:30 pm.
Penny J. Anders, 67, of Shinglehouse, PA passed away on Friday, March 17, 2023, in UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport, after a long illness.
Born on Wednesday, October 26, 1955 in Port Allegany, she was a daughter of Willard Tompkins Sr. and Jean M. Roper Tompkins Thompson.
Penny was a graduate of Oswayo Valley High School in Shinglehouse. She had been employed as a home health aide and later was employed as a bartender/cook at the former Carlow’s Tavern in Shinglehouse. She was also employed at the Roadside in Shinglehouse in the same capacity.
She collected cow memorabilia. She enjoyed watching her sons mud bog and compete in demolition derbies.
Surviving are four sons, Scott (Amy) Veley of Angelica, N.Y., Jesse (Angel) Veley of Belmont, N.Y., Gary (Rebecca) Veley of Friendship, N.Y., and Michael (Nicki O’Daniel) Veley of Allentown, N.Y.; twelve grandchildren, Nick (Kelsey) Veley, Andrew Veley, Marcus Veley, Miranda (Justin) Zajicek, DJ (Alyssa) Drake, Brandon (Sidney) Ryan, Jordan Veley, Nicole Veley, Kyle Veley, Jeffrey Hinkle, Matthew Veley, and Joseph Veley; eleven great-grandchildren, Aubrille, Remington, Kinsley, Valentina, Peyton, Rhaea, Iris, Bryson, Briella, Rhett, and Adaline; four siblings, Marie M. (Mark) Wolf of Allegany, N.Y, Willard W. Tompkins of Shinglehouse, Jeff L. (Valerie) Thompson of Duke Center, and Thomas N. “Tom” Thompson of Shinglehouse; and several nieces and nephews.
In keeping with Penny’s wishes, there will be no public visitation or funeral services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shinglehouse Volunteer Ambulance Association, PO Box 98, Shinglehouse, PA 16748.
Penny’s family has entrusted her care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.
To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Penny, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.
Smethport–Patrick M. Weakland, 88, of Boerne, TX, passed away peacefully on December 21, 2022 at home with family, following a brief illness.
Pat was born on November 4, 1934 in Asheville, Pa to Helen (Sherry) and Modestus Weakland and was the oldest of their ten children.
On October 17, 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, Malvina Westrick, who passed away in May of 2022. They were married for 68 years.
In the late 50’s they moved to Hamburg, NY, where they lived for over 40 years and raised six children.
Pat worked as a professional landscaper for Turtle’s Nursery for over 25 years and later, retired after 20 years at the Ford Stamping Plant.
Pat and Mally retired to Mount Jewett, PA in 1996 and lived there for 20 years before moving to Boerne, TX.
Whether it was putting in a vegetable garden, tending to his landscaping or helping a neighbor, he never sat still long; generous with his time and talents for family, friends and his church.
In addition to his wife, Mally, he was a preceded in death by his son, Amandus, his brother, Roy and his sister, Elizabeth Brennan.
He is survived by five children: Karen (Del) Eulberg; Lucinda Weakland; Wayne (Anna) Weakland; Jeanette (Mark) Ernewein, and Judi Kogler; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by three brothers: Earl Weakland, Harvey Weakland and Robert Weakland, and four sisters: Edna Miller, Stella Kline, Verna Petrie, Dorothy Teribury.
A funeral mass will be held March 25th at 11:00am at St. Elizabeth Church, Smethport, PA. Burial will be in St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Smethport.
In lieu of flowers: Masses or donations to St. Judes’ Childrens’ Hospital are appreciated. Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport.
Darlington Township, PA – Today, the Shapiro Administration announced plans to maintain a long-term, physical presence in Darlington Township, Beaver County to continue assisting residents impacted by the Norfolk Southern train derailment that occurred on February 3 in East Palestine, Ohio.
Starting on Thursday, March 23, staff from the Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture, Environmental Protection (DEP) and Health (DOH) will be onsite at the Darlington Township Building, 3590 Darlington Rd., Darlington, PA 16115 every Thursday from Noon to 5:00 PM to meet with residents. Additional staff will be available via video conferencing during that time, as well. In addition, state agencies are working with Township staff to ensure they can help residents access state resources related to the derailment.
Staff from Commonwealth agencies and Beaver County also plan to hold open house events Thursday evenings from 6:00 – 8:00 PM to offer one-on-one discussion to individuals who attend, as well as provide resources and information.
Penny Jo Wilson, 52, passed away Saturday (March 18) at her residence in Russell City, after a lengthy illness. She was born on July 15, 1970 in Kane, the daughter of the late Leland “Bud” and Margaret (Nearing) Wilson.
Penny had worked at the Ruth Smith Center in Sheffield for many years. She also had worked at Pepe’s Pizzeria for several years and had worked for Lakeshore Home Health Care. Penny enjoyed her family and friends and loved her pets.
She is survived by one brother, Gail (Bonnie) Wilson of Lewis Run; two sisters, Jennifer Hutchins of Kane and Ginger (Steve) Yasurek of Russell City and two nieces and two nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her fiancé Jim Seth.
Services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations may be made to the Elk County Humane Society, 1029 E. Eschbach Rd. St. Marys, PA 15857.
The McKean County Juvenile Probation Department is seeking applicants to perform duties of Boondocs Staff in the McKean County Boondocs Program. This program is run under the direction of the McKean County Juvenile Probation Department and is slated to operate for eight weeks, Monday thru Friday, from June 12, 2023 to August 5, 2023.
The requirements for this position are:
Be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED. College students are encouraged to apply, applicants working towards a college degree in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology, Education or related field are preferred but not necessary.
Ability to work at least 40 hours per week from June 13, 2023 to August 5, 2023.
An interest in working with court involved youth ages 14-17.
Valid and clean state driver’s license.
Clean child abuse and criminal history.
Ability to pass a drug screen.
Ability to perform physical labor as necessary.
Ability to work predominately outdoors
How to Apply:
Interested applicants should apply by submitting a cover letter and resume to:
John Bickford, Chief McKean County Juvenile Probation
HARRISBURG—Attorney General Michelle Henry announced today that the City Manager for the City of DuBois and Executive Director of the DuBois Area United Way, John “Herm” Suplizio, was arrested on charges related to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from public accounts.
Suplizio, 62, of Clearfield County, allegedly committed $620,815 in fraudulent transactions, using funds from city bank accounts and the Dubois Area United Way account to pay his personal credit card bills, make political donations, and gamble. The majority of the funds came from accounts for Community Days, an annual summer event presented by the DuBois Volunteer Fire Department, for which Suplizio and his secretary were the sole signatories.
“Suplizio was a trusted public official who should have been acting in the best interests of his community,” said AG Henry. “Instead, he betrayed that trust by stealing hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars for his own personal use. This egregious violation of the trust Pennsylvanians put in their officials is disgraceful. Today’s arrest is a reminder that no one is above the law, and that everyone who holds public office in Pennsylvania is accountable to the people.”
A Grand Jury investigation found that, in addition to the fraud, Suplizio used his position as City Manager to enter into contracts with businesses for which he received personal benefits. From 2014-2021, Suplizio also provided false information on his tax returns, paying for numerous charges with public money and claiming those charges as unreimbursed expenses on his taxes.
Suplizio was charged with five counts of Theft by Unlawful Taking; one count of Conflict of Interest; one count of Misapplication of Entrusted Property; and eight counts of Fraudulent Return.
This case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Summer Carroll. All charges are accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
