PREREGISTER BY FRIDAY, MAY 30 FOR LAUREL FESTIVAL 10K & TWO-MILE FUN RUN/WALK
Those who preregister for the Laurel Festival 10K Foot Race by Friday, May 30 and pay the $25 entry fee will receive a free event T-shirt courtesy of First Citizens Community Bank on race day, Saturday, June 21 and be entered in the June 21 “Early Bird Drawing” with a chance to win $25 in Wellsboro Chamber Dollars to spend at any of the 42 participating area businesses.
The Laurel Festival 10K Foot Race will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 21, followed by the two-mile Fun Run/Walk at 9:05 a.m.
Registration, check-in and packet pickup will be at Packer Park on Queen Street in Wellsboro from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. on race day. The entry fee for the 10K is $25 and for the Fun Run is $5. Race day registrants pay in cash or by check.
CHILDREN 12 AND UNDER INVITED TO PREREGISTER THEIR FAVORITE PETS for LAUREL FESTIVAL PET PARADE BY FRIDAY, JUNE 6
Children, 12 and under are invited to preregister their favorite pet for the 2025 Laurel Festival Pet Parade by noon on Friday, June 6 to winfun prizesonJune 15.
Or decorate their bikes and join in the fun. Individuals and groups are welcome.
The Laurel Festival Pet Parade, sponsored by Dr. Kristine Shaw of the Grand Canyon Veterinary Hospital at 23 Water Street In Wellsboro, is being held on Sunday, June 15 at 1:30 p.m. It’s free.
A favorite pet can be a cat, dog, guinea pig, turtle, goat, lamb, horse, cow or whatever each youngster has.
The Port Allegany CMA Church Ignite Youth Group Car Wash

The Port Allegany CMA Church Ignite Youth Group will be holding the annual car wash at 414 E. Mill Street in Port Allegany on SAturday, May 17th from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Car washes are by donation. Lunch will also be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit the youth group and their upcoming events. You are invited to stop by and support this great group of teens. Pictured: Parker Rudolph, Sierra Wiley, Thomas Beeson, Christian Zirckel and Aiden Berkefelt. This event is being held as part of the Port Allegany Town Wide Yard Sales, a community service project of the Rotary Club.
Turtlepoint Farmers Market
The first Turtlepoint Farmers Market is in the books. The Farmers Markets will be held the 2nd Saturday of each month, May through October. Organizers are requesting that vendors sell good that are grown, made and/or created by the seller. The events will be held from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. For further information, check out their Facebook page.
Susan L. Topor, 79, of Belfast, New York

Susan L. Topor, 79, of Belfast, New York, passed away Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Wellsville Manor Care Center after a lengthy illness.
Born on May 19, 1945, in Olean, she was a son of Paul Seth and Beulah Castle. She is survived by her longtime companion of 39 years Larry W. Young, Jr.
She attended school in Olean.
Susan absolutely adored her children and grandchildren and loved spending time with them. After her children were grown, she spent countless hours volunteering for several local organizations.
PennDOT McKean County Maintenance Work Schedule for the Week of May 12

Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the following schedule of maintenance activities in McKean County the week of May 12. PennDOT performs year-round maintenance in its mission to provide a safe, efficient transportation system, and the scope of work in McKean County for the coming week is as follows:
Manual Patching
McKean County Residents Mobilize Against Massive Wind Project — Petition Gains Momentum
McKean County Residents Mobilize Against Massive Wind Project — Petition Gains Momentum
McKean County, PA — A growing number of residents across McKean County are speaking out against Swift Current Energy’s proposed 600-megawatt Black Cherry Wind project, which includes wind turbines and battery storage installations spanning Hamlin, Keating, Norwich, Liberty, and Sergeant Townships.
The project, now active in the New York Independent System Operator’s (NYISO) interconnection queue under ID C24-298, would involve the construction of over 100 turbines, each standing 500–700 feet tall. Critics say the turbines would create noise pollution across the valleys, flashing lights at night, deforestation of scenic ridgelines, and increased risk to local wildlife and water sources.
“There’s been no township-wide vote, no community input, and no clear local benefit,” said one of the organizers. “The electricity is expected to go to New York, not our homes, but we’re left with the environmental and quality-of-life costs.”
Concerns include:
– Environmental degradation in the Allegheny National Forest
– Risk to endangered species such as the wood turtle
– Potential oil leaks into sensitive streams like Blacksmith Run
– Decline in property values, peace, and rural character
– Lack of transparency and public engagement
The group launched a Change.org petition, which has already gathered hundreds of signatures. The petition urges township supervisors to deny permits and calls for federal environmental investigation.
Petition link: https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-black-cherry-wind-project-in-mckean-county-pa
Organizers welcome residents from neighboring counties to join the conversation and stay informed. “This isn’t just about energy. It’s about protecting what makes this area special,” they said.
-Mckean County Against Black Cherry Wind Project
MAX BLAIR OPENS 2025 FLYNN’S TIRE/GUNTER’S HONEY TOURING SERIES SEASON WITH HIS 1ST “BILL LAW MEMORIAL” WIN WORTH $4,000; STATELINE SPEEDWAY RECORD 49 HOVIS RUSH LATE MODELS PARTICIPATED

(Busti, NY)…After five consecutive rainouts to open the season, the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Dirt Late Model Flynn’s Tire/Gunter’s Honey Touring Series was finally able to kick-off 2025 on a beautiful Saturday evening at Stateline Speedway. It was the first event under the new ownership of Bill Catania as a huge crowd watched an all-time Stateline record high 49 Chevrolet Performance Late Models from six states plus Ontario, Canada race in the eighth annual “Bill Law Memorial”!
Duck Race in Galeton

The Galeton 4th of July Parade Booster Club held their annual duck race. Ducks floated down the West Branch side of Pine Creek. Shown in photo in Berger Lake is Stacy McInroy corralling the ducks to be saved for next year’s event. Monetary winners were Cora Shadle, Macie Casher, and Troy Heckman. Proceeds of the race is used to help offset the costs of bands at the Galeton Independence Day parade held the first Saturday in July. Photo by Andy Lychalk, Jr.
Dorothy K. (Krause) Smith, 94, of Wellsboro, PA

Dorothy K. (Krause) Smith, 94, of Wellsboro, passed away Monday, May 12, 2025, in her home surrounded by family.
She was born December 16, 1930, to Harry D. and Florence (Briston) Krause in Wellsboro. Dorothy graduated from Wellsboro High School in the class of 1949. On August 19, 1950, she married Carl L. Smith and together they enjoyed 74 years of marriage. She and her husband Carl owned and operated the family dairy farm, Smith Piano and Organs, Radio Shack, and Smith’s RVs.
Christian Ross Howard, 43, of Port Allegany, PA

Christian Ross Howard, 43, of Port Allegany, passed away Friday (May 9, 2025) at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
He was born June 24, 1981 in Kane, the son of Christian J. and Carol (Burgason) Howard. On September 25, 2022, in Westline, PA, he married Jan L. Himmelreich, who survives.
Ross was a 1999 graduate of Kane High School and of the Culinary Institute through IUP in 2000. He worked as a chef in several locations. He cooked for the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, FL, Glendorn of Bradford, PA and the Westline Inn of Westline, PA. He recently was employed at Morgan Advanced Materials of Coudersport, PA.
UPMC Physician: Prioritize Women’s Health All Year Long

Ethan Gable, M.D.
UPMC Magee-Womens
Mother’s Day, celebrated each May during Women’s Health Month, is a great reminder to honor the women who shape our families and communities. But as we pack away the flowers and cards, it’s important to remember that women should prioritize themselves – and specifically their health – beyond just one day a year.
From adolescence through menopause and beyond, women experience a range of health needs that deserve consistent attention and care. Obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYNs) play an essential role in supporting women at every stage of life by providing preventive screenings, diagnosing and managing conditions, and serving as a trusted resource for reproductive and overall health.
Comprehensive Care at Every Life Stage
A woman’s health needs evolve with time. Regular visits with an OB/GYN help ensure those needs are addressed early and appropriately, whether related to menstruation, family planning, menopause, or overall wellness.
Key areas of focus include:
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.





















