Richard A. SURDAM, 70, of Galeton, PA

Richard A. SURDAM, 70, of Galeton, PA, died Thursday, April 24, 2025. A gathering to celebrate Richard’s life will be held Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM at 1303 South Brookland Road, Ulysses, PA. Please bring a picture or memory to share. Food, drink, and music provided. Please contact Sheila Blass at 570-439-2432 with questions. Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.
St. Marys Sportsmen Volunteers Celebrate 90 Years of Service at Recognition and Awards Banquet
St. Marys, PA — The St. Marys Sportsmen Volunteers proudly celebrated their 90th anniversary with a Recognition and Awards Banquet held at Gunner’s Restaurant in downtown St. Marys on May 10, 2025. The event honored nearly a century of conservation leadership, outdoor education, and dedicated volunteer service that has helped shape the outdoor legacy of Elk County.
Bill Simbeck, Vice-President of the Sportsmen Club, welcomed attendees and reflected on the founding of the organization in 1935. He spoke of the original members’ vision to promote responsible hunting, protect natural habitats, and build a lasting community around a shared love of the outdoors.
Penn College Softball Hopes to Rock Cleveland

Cleveland, Ohio, is the home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Pennsylvania College of Technology softball coach Angela Stackhouse hopes that her squad does some rock ‘n’ rolling of its own there later this week.
Playing what Stackhouse called the program’s “most difficult” regular-season schedule to date paid postseason dividends, and now her team will compete starting on Thursday in the NCAA Division III Cleveland Regional Championships.
Missing the Point

by
Pastor B.J. Knefley
Have you ever missed the point? I know I have. Sometimes, it’s easy to overlook the point when we don’t have our eyes and ears open. A friend of mine shared a situation they recently experienced where another person missed the point in something they were trying to convey. How does that happen? It occurs when we become fixated on one thing and overlook everything else.
Several years ago, I went to pick up my four-year-old granddaughter for the day. When I arrived at her house, her mother, my daughter, said she wasn’t going. Not only was she not going, but she was also grounded in her room. It seems she had cut the screen out of her window with a knife. I went into her bedroom to talk to her and see if I could somehow redeem the situation. On the dresser, I saw pieces of the screen cut into one-inch squares. As I talked to my granddaughter, I asked what she was making. Through her sobs, she said, “I was making firewood.” I quickly realized my daughter missed the point.
Penn College Archers Set for Nationals, Softball Regional Bound

Pennsylvania College of Technology archers take to the biggest stage this coming week in the USA Archery Collegiate Target Nationals, and for the second year in a row, the women’s softball team is headed to the NCAA Division III Regionals.
Archers will compete Thursday through Sunday at the Hope Sports Complex in Lansing, Michigan, and the softball team awaits the outcome of Monday’s 11 a.m. selection show on the ncaa.com website when the 64-team field, regional sites and first-round opponents in the double elimination tournaments on Thursday through Saturday will be announced.
WEDNESDAY IN MCKEAN COUNTY – PennDOT, Highway Safety Network, Bradford City Police to Hold Press Conference on Pedestrian Safety at Bradford Area High School

Bradford, PA – On Wednesday, representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 2, the Highway Safety Network (HSN) and Bradford City Police will hold a press conference on pedestrian and crosswalk safety.
Fresh & Ready Foods Voluntarily Recalls Ready-to-Eat Sandwiches and Snack Items Sold in Arizona, California, Nevada and Washington Due to Possible Listeria monocytogenes Contamination

Fresh & Ready Foods is voluntarily recalling some ready-to-eat sandwiches and snack items sold in Arizona, California, Nevada and Washington. This voluntary recall is being initiated due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
Anthony Laktash, Jr., 81, of Eldred, PA

Anthony Laktash, Jr., 81, of Eldred, passed away Friday (May 9, 2025) at Wellsville Manor, Wellsville, NY.
He was born June 4, 1943 in Uniontown, PA, the son of Anthony, Sr. and Sarah (Bloom) Laktash. On June 5, 1965, in Eldred, PA, he married Roberta Goldsmith, who preceded him in death.
Anthony was a graduate of Uniontown High School and a graduate of Penn State DuBois campus with an associate degree in computer science.
He served in the U.S.Navy as a Navy Seal and did two tours in Vietnam. He received a Good Conduct Medal and the Purple Heart for his service. He worked several different jobs over the span of his working career, his last employment was from Zippo Manufacturing in Bradford, from where he retired.
Richard E. Whitesell, 82, of Wellsville, NY

Richard E. Whitesell, 82, of Wellsville, NY, died Sunday, May 11, 2025, at the home of his son. He was born September 24, 1942, in Whitesville, he was the son of the late Irving E. and Thelma Edith (Latten) Whitesell. On March 30, 1990, in Stannards, he married Shirley A. Nye, nee O’Brien, who predeceased him on December 11, 2021.
Dick attended Andover High School. He was employed by various companies and organizations, including Walter Babbit, Rochester Button Company, Shorts, and was the caretaker of Woodlawn Cemetery for many years. Dick enjoyed pulling ponies and later farming with his son, Rick, and two great grandsons, Ricky and Charles.
Edward Charles Lynch, 81

Edward Charles Lynch, 81, passed away peacefully on Good Friday, April 18th, 2025, in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was born in St. Marys, PA on November 15, 1943, son of the late Joseph W. Lynch, Sr. and Angela M. (Dieteman) Lynch. Ed graduated from ECCHS in 1961 and from St. Francis College in 1965. He attended Mortuary School and was employed by the Joseph W. Lynch Funeral Home in St. Marys PA for a number of years before entering the real estate business. He then moved to Lake Havasu City, AZ, where he worked as a salesman, NEMT driver, and worked for a short time for the Havasu Herald newspaper. He was an avid hunter in his early years and enjoyed the Toastmasters Club.
He will be fondly remembered by his friends at Our Lady of the Lake, the local McDonald’s breakfast club, and other local shops in Havasu City where they regularly hung out solving all the world’s problems!
Philip L. “Toby” Mangus, 82, of 100 Rockland Avenue, Bradford, PA

Philip L. “Toby” Mangus, 82, of 100 Rockland Avenue, Bradford, passed away Wednesday, January 22, 2025, surrounded by his loving family at Bradford Regional Medical Center.
Born January 5, 1943, in Bradford, he was a son of the late Ralph and Angeline “Angie” (George) Mangus. He was a 1962 graduate of Bradford High School.
On July 9, 1964, he was drafted into the United States Army. He served with Company D 249th Engineer Brigade 7th and was honorably discharged on June 23, 1967. He was awarded the National Defense Service and the Rifle Sharpshooters Badge.
Danny E. Fox, 81, of 286 School Street Rixford, PA

Danny E. Fox, 81, of 286 School Street Rixford, passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at Bradford Regional Medical Center.
Friends are invited to a Memorial Service on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in the Rixford EUB Church at Noon. A Celebration of Life will follow in the Otto Township Fire Department.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com
Linda M. Hurd, 61, of Clara, PA

Linda M. Hurd
“beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister”
Linda M. Hurd, 61, of Clara, passed away with her loving family by her side on Friday, May 9, 2025, in the Olean General Hospital, Olean, NY, after a short illness.
Born on Tuesday, July 2, 1963, in Coudersport, she was a daughter of Lawrence and Sophia Denhoff Snyder. On September 25, 1982 in the Hebron Union Church, Hebron Center, she married John P. Hurd, who survives.
Steven G. Hoden, 76 of Warren, PA

Steven Hoden
Steven G. Hoden, 76 of Warren, PA, died Sunday, May 11, 2025, at UPMC Hamot, Erie, PA. Steve was born August 14, 1948, in Warren, PA. He was a lifelong Sheffield and Warren area resident.
He was a 1966 graduate of Sheffield High School. He had served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War as a Specialist 4th Grade. He had received the purple heart, combat infantry badge, national defense service medal, Vietnam campaign medal and 2 V device for valor medals. Steve had worked with the Jones Chevrolet when they were located in Sheffield, Pa., and was employed with Betts Industries as a supervisor for 45 ½ years, retiring in 2012.
Laura J. NELSON, 86, of Genesee, PA

Laura J. NELSON, 86, of Genesee, PA, died Friday, May 9, 2025 in her home. Born June 5, 1938, in Ulysses, she was the daughter of Monroe Martin and Gertrude Mitchell Carpenter. On November 9, 1956, in Potter Brook, she married Charles M. Nelson, who predeceased her on December 4, 2023.
New Grains Gluten Free Bakery Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Eggs, Soy, and Milk in Bakery Products

New Grains Gluten Free Bakery is recalling a variety of products, including breads, bagels, cookies, and croutons, because they may contain undeclared eggs, soy, and milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs, soy, or milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products.
Myrtle A. Baker, 80, formerly of Russell Lane, Emporium

Myrtle A. Baker, 80, formerly of Russell Lane, Emporium, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, May 10, 2025, at Sweden Valley Manor in Coudersport, Pennsylvania. She was born on January 5, 1945, in St. Marys, PA, the daughter of the late Joseph H. and Mae (Iddings) Schweikart.
Mikell R. Haskins, Coudersport, PA Celebration of Life

COUDERSPORT, PA—Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life for Mikell R. Haskins, at 1pm on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Sweden Valley Faith United Methodist Church Social Hall, 1456 East Second Street, (Route 6, Sweden Valley), Coudersport.
Please join us to help celebrate the great life of this wonderful woman who touched so many lives and share some of your favorite memories of her.
Mikell passed away on December 12, 2024.
Mikell’s family entrusted her care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.
For further information, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com
Beautiful Olean Fund established to support garden, streetscape beautification

A new charitable fund has been established at the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation to support and sustain the vibrant, community-driven beautification efforts that have transformed the City of Olean over the past decade.
The Beautiful Olean Fund, created by members of the Oelan Beautification Committee and initially funded by SolEpoxy, will provide ongoing support for the maintenance and enhancement of public gardens and streetscape features throughout the city. The Olean Beautification Committee will serve as the fund advisors and may recommend grants that help maintain and improve the gardens and green spaces that now define much of Olean’s downtown corridor.
Olean’s revitalizations began in earnest in October 2013 with the acceptance of a $6.5 million Federal TIGER grant, followed by an $865,000 New York State Grant for Green Initiatives. These investments funded the transformative North Union Streetscape Project, also known as Walkable Olean, completed in 2016. The project introduced 59 gardens, a planted median, three roundabouts and two islands – effectively reshaping the city’s downtown walkability and aesthetics.
Theft Arrest In Bradford

On April 30, 2025, the City of Bradford Police Department responded to a reported stolen bicycle at 183 East Main Street. Following an investigation, officers determined the value of the stolen bicycle to be over $500.
Officers were able to obtain surveillance footage, which led to the identification of the suspect, Joshua Dwanye Hanes, as the individual responsible for the theft.
On May 7, 2025, officers located and apprehended Joshua Hanes, taking him into custody for the theft. Magistrate Richard Luther subsequently arraigned the defendant and remanded him to McKean County Jail on $5,000 percentage bail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
PVA Violation Arrest In Bradford

On May 9, 2025, the City of Bradford Police Department responded to a call at 2 Bushnell Street, the High Rise Apartments, regarding unwanted persons trespassing on the premises. Upon arrival, officers located a male and female individual inside the building without permission. Further investigation revealed that the male, identified as Todd Stahli, had an active protection order in place prohibiting contact with the female he was with. As a result, Stahli was taken into custody for violating the protection order. He was subsequently arraigned by Magistrate Luther and remanded to McKean County Jail.
Hearings are scheduled in the matter. The City of Bradford Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals in our community. We take incidents of this nature seriously and will continue to work diligently to protect victims of domestic violence and hold offenders accountable for their actions. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. For more information, please contact the City of Bradford Police Department.

















