Richard Lee “Rick” Graves, 56, of Bradford, passed away Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at his residence.
Rick was born in Bradford, on January 26, 1969, he was a son of Candice (Witchen) Graves, of Olean NY and the late Richard Taylor.
He was a 1987 graduate of Bradford High School.
For many years he worked in the local oil fields, and for the past 15 years he was employed in the maintenance department at Bradford Regional Medical Center.
Patricia Edith (Shelley) Mayer, age 91, died Nov 9, 2025 at the home of her daughter in Canadohta Lake, PA.
A daughter of Ida Leet Shelley and Arthur Shelley. She was a lifetime resident of Pierce Brook and graduated from Smethport Area High School.
A very active person in the community, she was a charter member of the Smethport Ambulance Service, served on the board of directors as secretary, was an ambulance driver, EMT and EMT instructor. She was a disaster liaison for American Red Cross, serving in Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. She manned the EMS first booth at McKean county fair for 20+ years.
Judith R. Enis, 82, of Smethport, passed away Tuesday (November 11, 2025) at her home in Smethport.
She was born November 20, 1942 in San Diego, CA, the daughter of Joseph Hammond and Lois Elizabeth (Carter) James. On October 18, 1980, in Westline, PA, she married Edward W. Enis, who died April 19, 2006.
We are pleased to announce that the Seneca Highlands CTC Engineering student of the week is Julie Smith. Julie is a senior at Port Allegany Area High School, where she participates in track and field.
At the CTC she is a member of the National Technical Honor Society. She consistently completes all of her work while displaying quiet leadership in the engineering shop. Julie also works part-time at Lakeview Rehabilitation Center.
After graduation, she plans to continue her education at Youngstown State University in the Pre-Med program to become an orthodontist.—
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn.” Benjamin Franklin
Allegany Dems’ Holiday Silent Auction Fundraiser:
Bid Online through Nov. 24th
Belmont, NY — Dozens of items are up for auction, and you can bid from the comfort and convenience of your home or phone. Lucky winners will have their items in time for Thanksgiving.
Visit http://alleganydemocrats.betterworld.org/auctions/fall-2025-online-auction to bid on jewelry, clothing, memorabilia, gift certificates, pottery and art, lottery tickets, hand crafted items, experiences, food items, books, wine, and more.
Shop privately and securely from your phone or laptop. The auction software retains your information until bidding ends and the winner’s card is charged, and then all data is wiped from the server. What could be simpler!
Contact info@acdcny.org for more information.
Do you know anyone who can walk through a yard sale or flea market, pick up what others see as junk, and turn it into something valuable? I know I have. I’ve been with family members who enjoy reselling other people’s junk, and I’ve watched them pick up something and resell it for much more than they paid. It’s not that I don’t notice it; I just see it differently. I call it getting past the stink.
I don’t care whether it’s people or things; we often pass by without noticing their value. With people, it’s their appearance or age that catches our eye. It’s about the context in which we see them. How we interpret their situation will influence how we respond. Sometimes, we struggle to look past their smell. But we must remember that one person’s smell might be another person’s treasure, and just because we don’t notice it doesn’t mean it’s not there.
Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) issued the following statement after voting “yes” to a series of bills making up the 2025-26 state budget package.
“When it comes to the state budget, it’s about much more than just numbers. It represents the state’s prioirities for the year ahead and beyond.
“This year’s budget finally removes roadblocks and puts policies in place that will allow our energy industry to reach its full potential. Pennsylvania has always been an energy powerhouse, but we’ve missed out on thousands of jobs and billions in economic growth in recent years because of slow permitting and the threat of higher costs associated with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). This budget agreement sets new standards for permitting and permanently removes the state from RGGI.
On the morning of October 30, 2025, officers responded to an incident at the Bradford Regional Medical Center involving a male subject later identified as Jeffery S. Stack, of Bradford. Upon contact, Stack became combative and actively resisted officers’ attempts to take him into custody.
After a brief struggle, Stack was safely secured and transported to the City of Bradford Police Department for processing. During transport and while in custody, Stack caused damage to a patrol vehicle and continued to act aggressively toward officers, making verbal threats of harm upon his eventual release.
Additionally, Stack assaulted two officers during the course of this incident. Stack was subsequently arraigned before District Magistrate Richard Luther, who set bail at $250,000 straight. Unable to post bail, Stack was remanded to the McKean County Jail.
On November 9, 2025, at approximately 0951 hours, City of Bradford Police responded to a disturbance call at 27 Charlotte Avenue. Upon arrival, officers heard screams for help and witnessed a female, later identified as Breanna L. Wood, crawling out of an upstairs window on the roof.
Upon entering the residence, officers found an adult male victim who had been stabbed twice by Wood just moments prior. The victim was injured and bleeding. Officers immediately apprehended Wood and took her into custody for the alleged offense. The investigation revealed that Wood used a metal tool to stab the victim. The victim reported being in fear for his life, believing he would be killed by Wood’s actions.
Wood was transported to the City of Bradford Police Department and subsequently arraigned by Magistrate Luther. She was remanded to McKean County Jail on $50,000 cash bail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Carolyn Louise McMichael, 82, of Wellsboro, passed away November 7, 2025, at Esther’s House Center for Hospice, Elkhart, IN.
She was born December 20, 1942, in New Castle, the daughter of the late Arnold and Dorothy (Mahon) Berfield. Carol graduated from Galeton High School in 1960, where she was an active student, participating as a cheerleader and serving as Galeton’s candidate for the Laurel Festival Queen.
Daniel L. Chappell “beloved brother and uncle”
Daniel L. Chappell, 54, a lifelong resident of Shinglehouse, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 8, 2025, in the Olean General Hospital, Olean, NY.
Born on Sunday, July 11, 1971 in Olean, he was a son of Donald R. and Bonita A. Hemphill Chappell.
Daniel was a graduate of Oswayo Valley High School in Shinglehouse. He was previously employed at Walmart and Big Lots, both in Olean.
John J. Wilber Sr.
John J. Wilber, Sr., 88, a lifelong resident of Little Genesee, passed away in his home with his loving family by his side on Sunday, November 9, 2025, after a long illness.
In honoring John’s wishes, there will be no services or further obituary published.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in John’s name may be made to SPCA Serving Allegany County, PO Box 181, Belmont, NY 14813.
John’s family has entrusted his care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA.
To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of John, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.
William H. Grandin “beloved father, grandfather, brother, and uncle”
William H. “Bill” Grandin, 87, a lifelong resident of Roulette, passed away peacefully in his home with his loving family by his side, on Friday, November 7, 2025.
Born on Tuesday, November 21, 1937, in Roulette, he was the son of Major William and Beverly L. Palmeter Grandin. On September 14, 1957, in Newark, NY, he married Irma Molina, who passed away on May 12, 2018. Bill and Irma were married 60 years.
Bill was a graduate of Roulette High School, Class of 1955. He honorably served in the US Air Force.
Christopher M. PIAQUADIO, 72, of Galeton, PA, formerly of Fort Walton Beach, FL, died Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
A gathering to celebrate Chris’s life will be held Saturday, November 15, 2025 at the Galeton Moose, 5 E. Main Street, Galeton, PA beginning at 1:00 PM.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.
Ronald C. “Newt” NEWTON, 81, of Scio, NY, died Friday, November 7, 2025 in UR Jones Memorial Hospital, Wellsville. Born April 13, 1944, in Portland, OR, he was the son of Leslie E. and Arlene Grinolds Newton.
A graduate of Scio Central School, he served in the US Air Force. Ron was employed as a truck driver by Southern Tier Express for 40 years. He was a member of the Coven Motorcycle Club and was a car enthusiast traveling the area for car shows and his car clubs. He also enjoyed hunting, tinkering on his cars, collecting guns, and telling stories.
Helen C. MONROE, 89, of Canandaigua, NY, formerly of Wellsville, passed peacefully Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at Light Hill Comfort House, Canandaigua, surrounded by her loving family. Born March 24, 1936, in Silver Springs, she was the youngest daughter of George and Anne Grady Crichton.
Helen grew up in Wellsville and was a proud graduate of Immaculate Conception School and Wellsville High School (Class of 1953). Helen went on to attend and graduate from DuBois Business School in 1954. She was employed by Sinclair Oil and First Trust Union Bank where bank members would patiently wait in line for a chance to do some banking while chatting with her. She was welcoming to all and never missed an opportunity to strike up a conversation with someone.
District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the woman who was convicted at a June jury trial of shooting in the direction of Troopers at a camp in Marshburg resulting in a 9 hour stand-off in 2024 has been apprehended and extradited back to Pennsylvania.
Sharon VANDRISH failed to appear at her scheduled sentencing hearing on August 14th. A bench warrant was issued for her.
She was captured in New York and held in custody until she was extradited back to Pennsylvania through a Governor’s warrant obtained by the District Attorney’s Office. A bench warrant hearing was held on November 6th as required following the apprehension of an offender on a bench warrant. At the hearing, the District Attorney argued that VANDRISH’s bail should be revoked given her failure to appear and flight and announced that there is a warrant for VANDRISH from a Federal agency seeking to remove her from the United States as she is a Canadian citizen. VANDRISH remains incarcerated and her sentencing has been rescheduled for January. A motion to forfeit the monetary bail previously posted has been filed by the District Attorney’s Office and is pending.
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WOMAN CONVICTED OF FIRING SHOT WHILE POLICE ON PROPERTY (MCKEAN COUNTY, Pennsylvania: June 23, 2025): 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. When they arrived at approximately 7pm, VANDRISH set off her car alarm and shot a firearm in the vicinity of three Troopers who had set up a perimeter in the rear of the property. One of the Troopers radioed in that he was trapped by a shed on the property as it was unknown where VANDRISH had shot and what would happen next.
Another Trooper ran to check on him and, together, they all escaped injury. Corporal Schall yelled over the loud speaker to drop the firearm but VANDRISH responded that she was not dropping the firearm and, also, that they needed to get off the property and she retreated to the residence. Over the next 9 hours, the Pennsylvania State Police and their Emergency Response Team known as S.E.R.T. attempted to negotiate her surrender on a warrant for her arrest. Route 59 was closed during the incident until she eventually surrendered to police at approximately 4:00 am on May 10, 2024.
District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer: “Police are often the target of violence and threats merely for performing their duties – some for which they can prepare and take precautions and others they cannot because they are required to respond every time they are dispatched. In this case, the offender fired a shot while Troopers were in the vicinity on the same property. Some offenders may attempt to avoid criminal responsibility by asserting they did not shoot directly at an officer but, merely, in the area they were standing. But we will still hold them accountable for the risk to life they have created. If an offender intentionally shoots at an officer, they will be charged with Attempted Homicide.
In this case, the offender shot in the vicinity of the Troopers, resulting in charges that show a reckless disregard for the safety of the Troopers and for using a firearm to convey a threat. In this case, we sought the deadly weapon enhancement because it is an appropriate element that will allow for an enhanced penalty since a weapon was used. The Troopers were at significant risk during this event and I am thankful that each of them was uninjured.” Sentencing was scheduled for August 14.
Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://mckean.crimewatchpa.com/da/136029/post/canadian-woman-convicted-firing-toward-troopers-extradited-back-mckean-county-remains
William E. “Bill” COON, 78, of Galeton, PA, formerly of Gaines, died Saturday, November 8, 2025 in his home. Born December 10, 1946, in Indiana, PA, he was the son of James Harrison and June Louise VanHorn Coon. He was married to Carol Lee, who survives.
A 1966 graduate of Punxsutawney High School, he served honorably with the U.S. Air Force from 1966 – 1990. Bill and his wife, Carol, owned and operated the Log Cabin Inn in Gaines for 15 years. He served as Director of Tioga County Veteran’s Affairs Department for 15 years.
Bill’s life revolved around family, friends, and his church. He hunted every year from October to January.
Ruth Elaine (Campbell) Zuchowski, 82, of Antrim, passed away at home Wednesday, November 5, 2025. She was born May 2, 1943, in Blossburg, to Edgar and Lucretia (Starkweather) Campbell and was raised by her great-uncle and aunt, the late Jesse and Lenora Ellison. She graduated with the Wellsboro Class of ’61 and shared 44 years of marriage with Philip Zuchowski. Ruth was a homemaker and had been active in Antrim Trinity Episcopal Church most of her life. In addition to her family, Ruth had a great love of all animals.
Ruth is survived by three sons: Randolph Zuchowski of Antrim, Nicholas (Melinda) Zuchowski of Antrim, and Brett (Sherri) Zuchowski of Wellsboro; granddaughters: Bethany and Kailey Zuchowski; brothers: Howard (Donna) Campbell of Wellsboro, Francis Button of Austin; brothers in law: Ernest Lewis of Nelson, Steve Harris of Millerton, and George Parker of Brown Lee. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters: Lucille Parker, Donna Harris; brothers: Ernest (Mary Lou) Campbell, Robert Button; and sister-in-law: Brenda Button.
Friends and family are invited to a memorial service 10am Saturday November 29, 2025 at the Trinity Church of Antrim. Her family has entrusted the Tussey-Mosher Funeral Home 139 Main Street Wellsboro, PA 16901 with her arrangements. To share a memory or condolence with her family visit www.tusseymosher.com.
BRADFORD, Pa. — Thirty first-year students got a head start on college life this fall through a new program at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
In August, the University of Pittsburgh offered its Provost’s Academy on the Bradford campus for the first time. For a week before their peers arrived, students who chose to enroll in the academy got to know one another, learned about campus resources, and spent small-group time with professors.
On November 7, 2025, at approximately 2134 hours, City of Bradford Police responded to a domestic dispute at 39 North Street. A passerby reported a disturbance with visible blood, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult female with visible facial injuries. Additionally, an adult male was found lying on the sidewalk, suffering from a severe bleeding injury to his upper left arm. The wound appeared to be caused by a sharp force instrument. Police officers quickly applied a tourniquet to control the bleeding until Bradford City EMS arrived on the scene.
Both individuals required immediate medical attention, with the male being transported for emergency care at BRMC. The residence was secured, and a search warrant was executed to gather evidence of the assault and locate the weapon used. The City of Bradford Police are actively investigating this incident, conducting interviews, and performing necessary testing.
The department is seeking assistance from the public and urges anyone with information regarding this incident to come forward. If you have any information, please contact the City of Bradford Police at 814-887-4911 or visit the police department at 18 Kennedy Street, Bradford, PA 16701.
Your cooperation is crucial in helping us resolve this incident. The City of Bradford Police are committed to ensuring public safety.
Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://mckean.crimewatchpa.com/bradfordpd/68048/incidents/assaultstabbing
