Capitol Update by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint)
 Facebook Website Bio Latest News State Forms Photo Gallery Contact Capitol Update Friday, December 16, 2022 The latest news from the State Capitol Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account. You are welcome to contact me through this link. Snowmobile Season Begins Friday in Allegheny National Forest The opening of the snowmobile season is this Friday, Dec. 16, at 8 a.m. in the Allegheny National Forest. Snowmobile trails will remain open until noon on March 31, 2023. Sufficient snowfall is needed for the trails to be usable. All winter recreationists in the forest should be aware of the following changes in snowmobile use for the 2022-23 winter season: • Temporary re-route of approximately 3.45 miles of the Allegheny Snowmobile Loop near Four Corners in Highland Township, Elk County. The re-route uses Forest Road 661, the Timberline ATV trail, and Corduroy Road (T-323), a township road open to snowmobiles. The new route will be signed, and the former trail segment will be closed this snowmobile season. • Forest Road 141 and Forest Road 262 (Longhouse Scenic Drive) will be open to snowmobile use this winter. These roads were closed during the 2020-21 season due to construction. • Connector Trail #38 (The Lewis Run Snowmobile Bypass Trail) is located east of Marshburg on both private property and National Forest System lands. The 5.5-mile trail segment provides an alternative route to the main 1A trail that utilizes FR 455. It begins at Pine Acres Country Club and ends at the intersection of Forest Roads 188 and 455. • New Connector Trail # 39 (Bradford Airport Connector Trail) is located east of Marshburg on both private property and National Forest System lands. The new trail segment will provide access to the main 1A trail via Forest Road 310. Trail segments begin at the Bradford Regional Airport and the intersection of State Highways 59 and 219. The new trail ends at the existing snowmobile trail connector #38. In the Allegheny National Forest, there are approximately 365 miles of interconnected snowmobile trails and, when conditions permit, another 52 miles of trails are used for both snowmobiles and ATVs/OHMs. Everyone is asked to exercise caution as trail users may encounter vehicles, groomers, snowshoers, dogsled teams, hikers and cross-country skiers on the trails. Trail users are reminded to: • Stay on designated trails. • Practice “Leave No Trace” principles. • Follow T.R.E.A.D. principles. • Plan ahead and prepare for variable trail and weather conditions. • Remember, motorized vehicles are not allowed on the Allegheny Reservoir once it is frozen. Until there is a significant amount of snow on the ground, the maintained snowmobile trails will not be groomed. Trail condition reports will begin when adequate snow accumulates and will be updated weekly, or when conditions warrant. The snowmobile trail map and condition reports will be available here. You can also listen to condition reports by calling one of the forest offices and following the prompts: Bradford Ranger District: 814-362-4613; Marienville Ranger District: 814-927-6628; or the supervisor’s office: 814-723-5150. Congratulations, Byron!  |
Congratulations to Byron Sutton of Eldred on his retirement from PA CareerLink! Byron is concluding a long career of service to veterans, most recently serving as a veterans employment specialist assisting veterans in McKean, Potter, Cameron and Elk counties. I was honored to present him with a congratulatory citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. We were joined by Steve Pifer, program supervisor, McKean and Potter County Careerlink; and Bruce Jones, assistant regional director, Northern and Central PA CareerLink. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement, Byron! |
| New Law Allows for Faster Receipt of Childcare Background Clearances  |
| Pennsylvanians applying for childcare clearances can now receive most results electronically, instead of through the U.S. mail, thanks to a new law passed earlier this session. Act 12 of 2022 allows certain employers to conditionally hire an individual for up to 45 days before all required childcare clearances are obtained. The goal is to address the delay that employees who required childcare clearances were experiencing in receiving their paperwork via the U.S. mail. Because this process often took weeks, this prevented the timely hiring of employees and caused businesses and nonprofits to limit work and programs due to the inability to staff them. However, in addition to this legislation, businesses also asked for help in obtaining FBI clearances electronically to reduce another logjam in the hiring process. Legislators from both sides of the aisle worked for 18 months with state agencies and the Pennsylvania State Police to work this option out with the FBI. As a result, FBI background checks can now be applied for online and an electronic result received in as quickly as one day. Prior to this fix, it could take anywhere from 3-13 weeks for an applicant to receive FBI results. The shortened time to receive results will further safeguard children, aid applicants in obtaining positions of employment, and will aid employers in filling vacancies of positions that serve children. In addition to any email notification, all applicants will still receive results transmitted by U.S. mail. Here’s an overview of how to obtain childcare clearances online: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Certification – apply online at Pennsylvania Child Welfare Information Solution. Criminal background check performed by the Pennsylvania State Police – apply online at the ePATCH website. FBI fingerprint background check – register online for fingerprint submission at identogo.com. At this time, the National Sex Offender background check is not available to complete online. |
| Final Reminder for Rebate Program Applications  |
| Older adults and Pennsylvanians with disabilities have until Dec. 31 to apply for the state’s 2021 Property Tax/Rent Rebate program. Remember, assistance through my offices is always free. The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded. For additional information and applications, click here, or contact my office for assistance. |
| License Your Dog in 2023  |
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is reminding dog owners to license their pets for 2023.
All dogs three months of age and older are required to be licensed by Jan. 1 of each year. The fee for an annual dog license is $6.50, or $8.50 if the animal is not spayed or neutered. Lifetime licenses are available for dogs that have permanent identification such as a microchip or tattoo. Discounts are available for qualifying older adults and persons with disabilities.
Pennsylvania dog licenses are available for purchase through county treasurers. For more information, including contact information for your local county treasurer and license purchasing options, visit licenseyourdogpa.pa.gov.
…LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 1 PM EST MONDAY…
Lake Effect Snow Warning issued December 16 at 5:18AM EST until December 19 at 1:00PM EST by NWS Buffalo
DESCRIPTION: …LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS
EVENING TO 1 PM EST MONDAY…
- WHAT…Heavy lake effect snow expected. Total snow accumulations
of 1 to 3 feet in the most persistent lake snows. Winds gusting
as high as 35 mph. - WHERE…Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Southern Erie
counties. - WHEN…From 7 PM this evening to 1 PM EST Monday.
- IMPACTS…Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The
hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening
commute.
INSTRUCTIONS: Heavy snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling, be
prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.
Submit snow reports through our website or social media.
Issued By: NWS Buffalo (Western New York)
Permit Violation Issued to SENECA RESOURCES CO LLC in Hepburn Twp, Lycoming County
| PA Permit Violation Issued to SENECA RESOURCES CO LLC in Hepburn Twp, Lycoming County |
| Description: Environmental Health & Safety violation issued on 12/14/2022 to SENECA RESOURCES CO LLC in Hepburn Twp, Lycoming county. 78a81(a)2 – CASING AND CEMENTING – GENERAL PROVISIONS – Operator conducted casing and cementing activities that failed to prevent migration of gas or other fluids into sources of fresh groundwater. |
| Incident Date/Time: 2022-12-14 00:00:00 |
| Tags: PADEP, frack, violation, drilling |
| PA Permit Violation Issued to SENECA RESOURCES CO LLC in Hepburn Twp, Lycoming County |
| Description: Environmental Health & Safety violation issued on 12/14/2022 to SENECA RESOURCES CO LLC in Hepburn Twp, Lycoming county. 78a86 – CASING AND CEMENTING – DEFECTIVE CASING OR CEMENTING – Operator failed to report defect in a well that has defective, insufficient or improperly cemented casing to the Department within 24 hours of discovery. Operator failed to correct defect or failed to submit a plan to correct the defect for approval by the Department within 30 days. |
| Incident Date/Time: 2022-12-14 00:00:00 |
| Tags: PADEP, frack, violation, drilling |
Frances M. Shaw, 95, of Ridgway, PA.
Frances M. Shaw, 95, of Ridgway, passed away on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at Elk Haven Nursing Home following a lengthy illness.
She was born on January 30, 1927 in Flemington, PA, a daughter of Harold and Blanche Nearhood Fye.
On November 21, 1948, she married the late Rex Shaw, who preceded her in death on October 29, 2002. Together they shared more than 54 years of marriage.
Frances was a graduate of Clearfield High School and lifelong member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where she was also very active and enjoyed volunteering her time. She was a seamstress for many years for Brody’s. She enjoyed spending her time reading, gardening, and playing Dominoes. She also enjoyed getting together with friends at the Red Hat Society.
She is survived by one son; Scott Shaw and his wife Laura of Ridgway, by four grandchildren; Carol (Vince) Gaudino, Chris (Michelle) Shaw, Rose (Darren) Billock, and Hope (Jason) Brolsma, as well as by six great-grandchildren; Taylor, Dominic, Britney, Sydney, Parker, and Weston. She is also survived by her son-in-law; David Woelfel of St. Marys, and by numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Jeanne Woelfel, two sisters; Lillian Hetrick and Elizabeth Tomlinson, and by two siblings in childhood; Jimmy and Naomi Fye.
A Memorial Service for Frances M. Shaw will be held on Friday, December 23, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Trinity United Methodist Church, 19 S. Broad Street, Ridgway, PA 15853.
Burial will be in Parklawn Memorial Gardens.
There will be no visitation.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Krise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 130 Center Street, Ridgway, PA 15853 is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be offered to the family at www.krisefuneralhome.com
Think About It
What Is Christmas?
by
B.J. Knefley
What are your thoughts about Chrstmas? Is it just a holiday or is there a greater significance? This is how Linus summed it up in the 1965 classic “Charlie Brown Christmas”. “Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born in the City of Bethlehem, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men'”. That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”
I know that some will scoff and ridicule Linus summation of Christmas, and that is their prerogative. In some cultures celebrating Christ and Christmas is punishable by death. It’s nothing new, Christians have been martyred for 2000 years. Christ himself was crucified and by religious people who believed they were doing right by God.
We don’t get much persecution in this country. Oh it’s true we might get made fun of or ridiculed, but that’s nothing compared to those who suffer physical persecution. Persecution is nothing more than bullying and taken to the extreme, death can result. Maybe the reason we don’t get much persecution is because we’re just religious. We don’t do the one thing that Christ asked us to do, “Go make disciples”. We’re good at going to church and giving to worthy causes, but when it comes to really living out our faith, we fail miserably. Don’t agree? The next time you leave the parking lot at a church listen to the comments made about the other drivers. It’s hard to believe that these same people were just “praising” God.
What is Christmas? For many it’s a time to get, but for God, it was a time to give. Jesus said that there was no greater love than to lay down one’s life for another. Now that’s a gift and that’s what Christmas is all about. Think about it
Donna M. Cribbs, 83, of 1400 Million Dollar Highway, Kersey,
Donna M. Cribbs, 83, of 1400 Million Dollar Highway, Kersey, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at her residence with her family by her side.
She was born February 16, 1939 in her home in Kersey, daughter of the late Joseph and Martha Raffeinner Resch. She was a lifelong resident of the area and a graduate of Kersey High School, Class of 1956.
On July 21, 1962, in St. Boniface Church, she married the late, Donald L. Cribbs, who preceded her in death on February 19, 2012.
Donna is survived by three sons: Mike Cribbs (Amy) of St. Marys, John Cribbs of Kersey, and Dan Cribbs (Lynn Young) of St. Marys; six grandchildren: Cody Cribbs (Alyssa), Abbey Barber (Scott), Tyler Cribbs, Rikki Cribbs, Daniel “Ian” Cribbs, and Maddie Cribbs; six great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Margaret Resch of Kersey, Dolores Resch of Kersey, and Janet Resch of St. Marys; and many nieces and nephews.
Along with her husband and parents, Donna was preceded in death by her sister, Marilyn Wennin; and three brothers: Joseph, Donald, and Glenn Resch. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
She was a member of the St. Boniface Church. Donna took great joy crocheting and loved all flowers and plants. She was a long-time participant in the farmer’s markets downtown where people would line up to buy her baked goods, especially her pies. She was proud of her family and loved them very much, especially her grandchildren.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 10:00 AM in the St. Boniface Church with the Rev. Kevin Holland, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Morningside Cemetery.
There will be no visitation.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Penn Highlands Community Nurses Memorial Fund,757 Johnsonburg Road, Suite 200, St. Marys, PA 15857.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home. Online condolences may be offered at www.lynch-radkowski.com.
Majority Leader Bryan Cutler Issues Lawful Writs of Election
After being sworn-in to office Monday with an undeniable 101-99 Republican majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Republican Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) issued lawful writs of election for the 34th and 35th House Districts on Thursday.
“With the authority of a clear and undeniable majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and backed up by prior House precedent, Pennsylvania statute and the prior decisions of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, I am issuing these lawful writs of election to finally provide electoral certainty for the people of Allegheny County who are currently lacking representation in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives,” Cutler said.
“It is unfortunate we had to arrive at this conclusion today, but the illegitimate and illegal writs of election issued last week by the leader of the minority party in the House, with the cooperation of the Pennsylvania Department of State, forced this continued action and the ongoing litigation over those writs. This is what happens when Democrats continue to redefine terms to fit their singular belief of what is right and show their true nature as pure partisans, instead of as rational stewards of our shared institutions.”
Under these valid writs of election, the two special elections will be held on May 16, 2023.
“Holding these special elections on the date of the 2023 primary election will save Allegheny County money by not requiring the duplication of resources and election expenses and will allow plenty of time for the county to prepare for mail-in and absentee ballots,” Cutler said.
Candidates for the office will be selected by a process designated by their respective political parties, and the winner of the special election will take office after the results are confirmed.
Brockway Volunteer Hose Company’s officers for 2023
Brockway Volunteer Hose Company
The Brockway Volunteer Hose Company’s officers for 2023 are as follows:
Line Officers:
Chief- Mike Hoskavich
Deputy Chief- Devin Trentini
Truck Captain- Matt Furlong
Rescue Captain- Jack Knox
Rescue Lieutenant- Jesse Martinson
Fire Police Captain- Denny Smith
Company Officers:
President- Terry Fustine
Vice President- Jeff Knapp
Secretary- Nathan Knox
Treasurer- Brad Gankosky
Trustees- Derek Bennett
Paul Delio
Mark Pisarcik
Amelia Gail Crowley, 78, of 1550 W. Eldred Road, Eldred, PA
Amelia Gail Crowley, 78, of 1550 W. Eldred Road, Eldred, PA passed away Tuesday (Dec. 13, 2022) at her home.
Born March 5, 1944, in Abemarle, N.C.,, she was the daughter of the late George Ernest and Hazel Irene Hatley Rogers. Having just moved here from Jacksonville, Fla., she married Jack Stephen Crowley on Aug. 7, 1965, and they have lived in the Eldred area since 1968.
For most of her life, Gail was a homemaker. The last 19 years before retirement she worked as a home health aide for HomeCare and Hospice in Olean, N.Y. She enjoyed sewing and giving these various gifts to family and friends. Gail also loved to share her cooking and baking; her pies will especially be missed.
Gail was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Olean for many years. She served as a deaconess and a fellowship committee member for several years, and donated many of her silk floral arrangements for the church’s use.
Gail is survived by her husband and is the loving mother of four children; Stephen K. (Cindy) Crowley of Warner Robins, Ga., David P. Crowley of Eldred, Alisa L. (Jeff) Schmidt of Phoenix, Ariz., and Bradley M. (Stacy) Crowley of Smethport; grandmother to five grandsons and five granddaughters; five great-grandchildren; and an aunt to two nieces and two nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents.
Friends will be received at the Guenther Funeral Home Inc., 1303 E. State Street, Olean, on Monday (Dec. 19, 2022) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Funeral and committal services will be private. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, N.Y.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to HomeCare and Hospice, 1225 W. State Street, Olean, First Baptist Church, 133 S. Union Street, Olean, or to the Genesis House, 107 S. Barry Street, Olean.
Online condolences can be expressed at www.guentherfh.com.
Tractor-Trailer Rollover Crash with Heavy Fire on RT. 15
At 1:39 PM on Thursday, Blossburg, Liberty & Cogan House Substation have been dispatched to a tractor trailer crash on RT. 15 MM 169 with heavy fire. Driver is out of the vehicle. RECALL Cogan House. Dispatch Morris with a tanker. Vehicle is well off the roadway, fully involved in fire. Mansfield tanker requested.
Thomas M. “Tom” Spoon, 79, of Palmview, formerly of Coudersport, Pa.
PALMVIEW, Texas—Thomas M. “Tom” Spoon, 79, of Palmview, formerly of Coudersport, Pa., passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, in Mission Regional Medical Center, Mission, Texas.
Funeral arrangements, entrusted to the care of Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, Pa., are incomplete and will be announced with full obituary.
Lane Restriction on Route 15 NB in Covington Township, Tioga County
Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised of a lane restriction on Route 15 northbound in Covington Township, Tioga County, due to a tractor trailer crash.
Motorists can expect the right (driving) lane to be restricted north of Blossburg.
Motorists should be alert, slow down, expect delays in travel, and drive with caution.
While PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter storms, motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting http://www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.