Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that a bridge replacement project continues on Wallis Run Road (Route 1003) in Gamble Township, Lycoming County.
The week of Monday, June 30, 2025, the contractor, Nestlerode Contracting Company, Inc., will begin reconstruction of the roadway Roaring Run Creek.
Traffic Impacts
Wallis Run Road remains closed between Murray Run Road and Logue Hill, while the contractor replaces the bridge over Roaring Run Creek.
A detour using Southard Road (Route 1004), Calvert Road, Beech Valley Road/Field Station Road (Route 1004), Rose Valley Road (Route 1001/1008), and Kellyburg Road (Route 1006) is in place.
Motorists should drive with caution in the area and follow the signed detour.
Nestlerode Contracting Company, Inc., is the prime contractor on this $640,000 bridge replacement project. Work on this project includes removal of the existing structure and replacement with a new box culvert, approach roadway reconstruction, guiderail installation, paving, line painting, and other miscellaneous construction. This project is anticipated to be completed in the fall 2025.
Montoursville, PA – Motorists who travel Interstates 80 and 180 in north central Pennsylvania are advised a pavement marking project continues next week.
Week of Sunday, June 29, 2025
The contractor, Kriger Construction, Inc., will continue removing raised pavement markings along Interstate 80 in Columbia County. This work will be performed during daylight hours Monday through Thursday.
The contractor will also continue installation of recessed pavement markings along Interstate 180 in Northumberland County next week. Work will be performed at night Sunday through Thursday.
Motorists will experience single lane conditions where work is being performed.
Project locations include the Interstates 80 and 180 include Columbia, Lycoming, and Montour counties. This project is expected to be completed in July 2025, weather permitting.
Kriger Construction, Inc. is the prime contractor on this $1,400,000 improvement project.
Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that a two-year highway improvement project continues on Interstate 180 in the City of Williamsport, Loyalsock Township, Fairfield Township, and Montoursville Borough, Lycoming County.
The week of Sunday, June 29, 2025
Interstate-180
The contractor will continue milling the westbound lanes between the bridge spanning the Loyalsock Creek in Loyalsock Township and Exit 25 (Faxon).
(NEW) On Tuesday, July 1, the contractor will begin paving the westbound lanes between the Loyalsock Creek and Exit 25 (Faxon) in Loyalsock Township.
Motorists can expect alternating lane restrictions where work is being performed.
Work will be performed between the hours of 7:00 PM and 6:00 AM, weather permitting. No work will be performed on this project between Thursday, July 3 and Sunday, July 6.
Glenn O. Hawbaker is the prime contractor for this two-year, $14 million, highway improvement project on Interstate 180 between Brushy Ridge Road (Route 2026) in Fairfield Township and the Route 15 interchange in the City of Williamsport. Work on the project includes the mill and resurface of 11 miles of I-180 between Basin Street (Route 2062) and Warrensville Road (Route 2022), this work includes the Faxon (Exit 25) and Route 15 (Exit 29) interchanges, base repairs, high friction surface treatment, tree removal, drainage upgrades, guide rail and signal upgrades. Additional work includes updated highway lighting, bridge preservation work, and pavement markings. Work on the project is anticipated to be completed in the fall 2026 and includes a winter shutdown.
Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that a bridge replacement project is set to begin next week on Cummings Creek Road (Route 4027) in Farmington Township, Tioga County.
Starting on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, Cummings Creek Road will be closed between Route 249 and Route 49, while a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) bridge crew begins removal of the existing bridge at the intersection with Elkhorn Road (Route 4024). Work on the project includes removal of the existing bridge, installation of a new box culvert, roadway reconstruction, guide rail, paving, and line painting.
Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that a roadway resurfacing project continues on Route 220 in Lycoming County.
The week of Monday, June 30, 2025, the contractor, Suit-Kote Corporation will continue application of a micro-surface treatment on Route 220 between the City of Williamsport and Linden. Micro-surface will also be applied on Route 220 northbound between Pine Creek and Route 287. Motorists can expect alternating lane restrictions during daylight hours where work is being performed.
District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the woman charged with firing a weapon in the vicinity of two Troopers in May, 2024 was convicted after a two day jury trial held last week at the McKean County Courthouse. Sharon VANDRISH was convicted of 2 counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person (Deadly Weapon Enhancement) and 2 counts of Terroristic Threats (Deadly Weapon Enhancement).
Corp. John Schall filed the criminal charges against VANDRISH for the conduct on May 9, 2024. After a series of incidents where the Pennsylvania State Police were dispatched by a home security company to a property on Route 59 where VANDRISH was located – one that the Troopers would later testify involved her threatening to shoot them for trespassing – State Police went to the residence again on May 9, 2024. The incidents escalated and frequently involved a home security alarm activation resulting in their dispatch or vehicle alarm after they arrived to threats to the responding officers.
The City of Bradford Police Department has announced the arrest of Michael J. Keller, who was taken into custody on Monday, June 17, 2025, in connection with a string of recent burglaries at the First Presbyterian Church in Bradford.
Keller is alleged to have unlawfully entered the church on three separate occasions—June 13th, 15th, and 16th—using a set of stolen keys. In response to the repeated incidents, Bradford police initiated a targeted investigation, including the deployment of multiple cellular trail cameras inside the church on the afternoon of June 16th.
Video and still images from the surveillance footage captured Keller at 2309 hours bypassing two secured doors, gaining access to the church office, and removing two checkbooks before exiting the premises. On June 17th, officers apprehended Keller without incident.
He was subsequently arraigned by District Judge Todd and remanded to the McKean County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail.
The City of Bradford Police Department commends the officers involved for their swift and thorough response in this case and continues to work closely with the First Presbyterian Church to ensure its security.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The writer of Genesis 5:24 states that “Enoch walked with God.” Think about that for a moment. What does it mean that he walked with God? Have you ever walked with anyone? I’ve walked with some who walked too slow, and I’ve also walked with those who were virtually running. (One of my daughters walks this way.) So what would it mean to walk with God?
Temperatures in Chautauqua County tomorrow, June 27, will feel like 92 degrees. Visit https://bit.ly/44Np2s3 for information about how to prepare and stay safe during high heat. Keep children and pets in air conditioning if possible. IF OUTSIDE: wear light-colored loose clothing and a hat. NEVER leave children or pets in a car.
If you have signs of heat stroke, seek medical attention immediately. Signs of a heat stroke are:
Dolores “Dollie” Wilber of Smethport, PA passed away on June 22, 2025 at Lakeview Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, Smethport.
Born July 14, 1936, in Portville, NY, the daughter of Edith Franklin Confer and William Goldsmith. The Granddaughter of Vernal and Martha Proper, who raised her. On January 21, 1966, at the First Church of God in Eldred, PA she married William Wilber who passed away September 23, 2011.
Donald P. Frye, 83, of Smethport, passed away Monday (June 23, 2025) at his home.
He was born March 18, 1942 in Danville, PA, the son of Paul and Mae (Becker) Frye. On June 13, 1962, in Elkton, MD, he married MaryKay Read, who died April 18, 2023.
Don was a ramp service handler, employed by Eastern Airlines for many years.
The Community Foundation for the Twin Tiers (CFTT) is proud to announce the awarding of over $182,000 in scholarships to 104 deserving students across Pennsylvania and New York for the 2025 academic year.
These scholarships support students in Bradford, Potter, Sullivan, and Tioga Counties in Pennsylvania, as well as Tioga County in New York.
This year’s recipients include students from a wide range of backgrounds, all demonstrating excellence in areas such as academics, leadership, community service, athletics, music, and other outstanding achievements.The 2025 Potter County scholarship recipients were recently recognized as part of this annual initiative. Scholarships are made possible through 86 dedicated scholarship funds currently administered by CFTT. These funds were established by generous individual donors, families, and corporations, many in honor or memory of a loved one.
Claudia Kay (Morris) Sprague, passed away peacefully, with her daughter and daughter-in-law by her side, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, just shy of her 85th birthday.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
CERES TOWNSHIP will be adopting a Solar Farm Ordinance. The purpose of the Ordinance is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of Ceres Township; provide for the safe, effective, efficient, and orderly operation of solar farms within the Township; protect and preserve historic agricultural and recreational activities within the Township; protect and preserve the Township’s environmental and ecological assets, wetlands, and other ecological and environmentally sensitive areas; protect and preserve the open spaces, viewscapes, and rural aesthetics of the Township; and to provide regulations that balance the often-competing interest of property owners, their neighbors, and the community.
The Ordinance defines a Solar Energy System as any part of a system that collects or stores solar radiation or energy for the purpose of transforming it into any other form or usable energy. Including the collection and transfer of heat created by solar energy to any other medium by any means. This ordinance will require any Solar Farm project (with 50 or more panels) to submit application with fee and escrow to cover any project related cost the Township may incur. These amounts will be set by resolution.
Application will require name, address, and phone number of the applicant, any authorized representative of the applicant, the proposed operator, and real property owners of the land parcel being utilized, project description, life of components, and possible future expansions. Proof of permission from property owner, three views of solar farm, site plan, noise impact study, glare study, environmental and ecological impact, proof of environmental compliance, transportation plan, job creation, tax impact, and decommissioning plan will need to be submitted as well.
Set-back, greenbelt screening, light, noise, glare, fencing, wiring, drainage, will have guidelines. Liability insurance will be required. A public hearing will be held on the solar application prior to any final determination. A complete copy of this ordinance may be reviewed at the Township Building on Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays 8am to 4pm or by calling 814-697-6948 for an appointment. The public may view this ordinance until July 1, 2025 @ 6:00 at which time a meeting will be held to adopt the Ordinance. CERES TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS
BRADFORD, PA – Open Arms Community Church invites the public to a special outdoor event, Church In Town, on Sunday, June 29 at 10:00 AM in the parking lot of their new location at 71 Congress Street.
This family-friendly event features an outdoor worship service followed by a free community lunch, and is open to everyone—whether you regularly attend church or have never been.
After relocating to their new building, the church has spent the past several months settling in, creating a welcoming space, and reaching out to the community. Now they’re inviting neighbors to visit and experience what Open Arms is all about.
“The mission of Open Arms Community Church is Real People Helping People Become More Like Jesus as a Family,” says Lead Pastor Zoe Hatcher. “To help people be more like Jesus, we need to model what He did—He moved into the neighborhood. (John 1:14, The Message). By bringing our services outside the four walls of the church, we’re showing our community that we love them and want to be with them. That’s how family starts—by building relationships. We want everyone to know they’re welcome to worship with us, even if they’re not yet comfortable stepping inside a church building.”
Pastor Dan Robinson adds, “Some people give church buildings a bad rap, like just because they don’t always attend, they may not be welcome inside the building. By inviting people to our location in the heart of the city, we are creating a welcoming environment where people can come, relax, hear God’s word, and meet a new family who is ready to welcome them with open arms—no pun intended. It’s easy to come to an outdoor event! Show up, say hi, and have a bite to eat!”
Whether you’re curious about church or just looking for a warm meal and friendly faces, Church In Town is a no-pressure opportunity to connect, worship, and belong.
Silas Austin Hyde, two-month-old son of Kaitlyn Smeltzer and Bryon Hyde of Lewis Run, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at home.
Silas was born on April 4, 2025, in Buffalo, NY.
He is survived by his parents, Bryon Hyde and Kaitlyn Smeltzer, of Lewis Run, one brother, Perseus Hyde, his grandparents, Shannon Hyde, and Stephanie McCamey, paternal great grandparents, David (Bobbea) Southard, maternal grandparents, Gary Smeltzer, and Rachel Hutchison, maternal great grandparents, Gerald (Jerry) Hutchison, and Naomi Smeltzer, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission again is seeking input from the public in surveying wild turkeys this summer. The Annual Pennsylvania Wild Turkey Sighting Survey runs July 1 through Aug. 31.
Public participation is important for turkey population management. Survey data allow the agency to determine total wild turkey productivity and compare long-term reproductive success within Pennsylvania and across states, as this is a standard methodology used across the country. Data also are used in the turkey population model to track population trends.
Turkey sightings can be reported through the Game Commission’s website at https://pgcforms.pa.gov/TurkeySightingSurvey. This is a new URL from last year. The mobile app no longer is available.
Four recent Portville Central School graduates were awarded the Dr. Donald A. Wormer Family Scholarship through the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation.
Adriana Ensell received $1,500, while Brielle Fidurko and Owen Faulkner received $1,200. Zoey Hoak was awarded $600.
Dana Earl Hess, 49, of Galeton, PA, formerly of Westfield, PA, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family after a valiant fight with pancreatic cancer.
Born February 6, 1976 in Wellsboro, PA, he was a son of Elwyn “Barney” and Tina (English) Hess, who both survive. Dana was a 1994 graduate of Cowanesque Valley High School and then attended the Pittsburgh Institute for Mortuary Science where he received his degree for funeral directing. On June 5, 1999 in Westfield, he married his Dear, the former Jean “Jeannie” Amann, who survives. High school sweethearts, they more than enjoyed, they built a beautiful life together for 26 years. After graduating from mortuary school, Dana worked at Vickery Funeral Home in Troy, PA, Weber Funeral Home in Allentown, PA and then finally, he and Jeannie purchased Hess Funeral Home in Galeton in 2007 and have been operating it together since.
In 2020, Dana and Jeannie also purchased what is now Murphy’s Pizza in Galeton in hopes of keeping himself busy and giving them a place to have fun and meet people in better circumstances than as the funeral director. He loved delivering pizza with a huge smile on his face. Murphy’s also gave them an opportunity to give back to the community. He frequently donated pizza to many organizations and churches in the area. Even taking 30 pizzas to Westfield after the flood, just to hand them out to people. He found great joy in providing pizzas to the area churches for their Vacation Bible Schools.
Dana’s great passion was helping people. He strove every day to try to make someone else’s day better, however he could. He loved the Galeton community and always tried to be reputable, respectable, compassionate, loving, and caring to all those he served through the funeral home and those that he saw in the community every day. He was only in a suit when he had to be. He worked to be a member of Galeton, not just the funeral director. Dana was an Eagle Scout and a member of Clymer Baptist Church in Sabinsville, where he and Jeannie started dating at a youth group function 35 years ago as teenagers. He loved Irish Setters and all of Galeton saw him and his buddy, Alex, walking every day. Alex was 14 years old and stayed with Dana until the end. He was then let go to be with Dana and his girl Gracie.
A more contagious smile and laugh will be hard to find. A bright light has gone out on earth, but he is with his Savior in Heaven waiting for his Dear and his many family members and friends.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Jeannie Hess of Galeton and his parents, Barney and Tina Hess of Westfield, are a brother, Gregory (Laurie) Wood, Knoxville; a sister, Jeannine (Chris) Louca, Westfield; a brother, Miroslav (Vera Trnkova) Trnka, Czech Republic; a sister, Marinka (Antii-Markus Rantatorikka) Wuorenmaa, Finland; two nephews, Allan (Kassie Burch) Wood, Knoxville and Andrew Louca, Westfield; two nieces, Evelyn Louca, Westfield and Courtney (Johnny) Daum, Elmira, NY; a great niece, Willo Wood, Knoxville; three brothers-in-law, Francis, Scott and Freddie Amann; a sister-in-law- Pam “Sue” Whitmire; an adopted surrogate mother-in-law, Jessie Cole; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A private service for family only will be held at the Clymer Baptist Church in Sabinsville, with Pastor Kyle Horton officiating. Friends and the community may call on Saturday, June 28, 2025 from 11:00am-1:00pm at his parents’ family farm at 52 Mill Creek Lane, Westfield.
Funeral Services will follow at 1:00pm with Pastor Sherry Elliott and Daniel Brelo officiating. Interment will be made in the Sabinsville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Goodyear Hose Company, the Gale Hose Ambulance Association or to Clymer Baptist Church. Arrangements are being handled by the Hess Funeral & Cremation Service, Kenyon Funeral, Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home and the Matthew X. Merlin Funeral Home.
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE DEVELOPING THIS AFTERNOON…
Numerous showers and thunderstorms, some strong to possibly severe in intensity, will be developing quickly across the Northern Mountains of Pennsylvania as we head into the mid afternoon hours. This part of the state is between a cold front drifting south from Western New York and near a boundary of slightly cooler air that moved north from early morning showers and storms near Dubois and State College.
Expect scattered strong thunderstorms through 5 pm containing
Wind gusts up to 50 MPH. * Hail up to penny size. * Brief very heavy rainfall.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
The storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from your National Weather Service.
Gerald Vaughn, 77, of Eldred, passed away Thursday (June 19, 2025) at Sena Kean Manor, Smethport.
He was born July 9, 1947 in Olean, the son of Edward G. and Marie (Baker) Vaughn. On September 4, 1971 in Smethport he married Alice J. Burdick, who survives.
Mr. Vaughn was a graduate of Otto-Eldred High School and was a veteran of the Vietnam War.
Photo provided Find Bigfoot (pictured) for a chance to win $250 in cash.
For the sixth year in a row, From My Shelf Books & Gifts at 7 East Avenue in Wellsboro, the local bookstore owned by author Kevin Coolidge, is hosting a Totally Ninja Raccoons scavenger hunt at 25 Wellsboro area businesses.
This year’s hunt has a twist. Instead of searching for the three Totally Ninja Raccoon brothers, youth and adults are asked to help the raccoon brothers find Bigfoot at participating businesses.
