Pennsylvania hunters harvested about 11% more deer in the 2024-25 hunting seasons than they did the year before, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission estimates released today.

The statewide 2024-25 harvest is estimated at 476,880 deer, 175,280 of them antlered deer and 301,600 antlerless.

By comparison, the statewide 2023-24 harvest was estimated at 430,010 deer.

Most of that year-over-year increase is attributable to the antlerless deer harvest. The 2024-25 buck take was up 2% over the year before, and 9% over the most recent three-year average. The 2024-25 antlerless harvest increased 17% over the year before and 21% over the three-year average.

3 Day Estate Sale! March 28, 29, 30 Friday and Saturday 9am to 5, Sunday 9am to 2pm

68 Walker Ave. Bradford, PA (1 way street, do not block the road or driveways).

Refrigerator, Freezer, Washer, Dryer, dining furniture, books, Zippos, living-room furniture, electric recliner,

Loom, CDs, records, movies, full bed, dressers, humidor, vintage glass, European items, yarn, hutches, Kitchen-aid, exercise equipment, shelves, trunks, carvings, hand tools, power tools, antique burners, TVs, VCR, clocks, radios, cameras, stands, fine china, sterling plate items, paintings, collector items, lamps, towels, bedding, kitchen items, and so much more.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) alerts drivers that work will restart on Monday, March 31, on sidewalk installation along Route 4014 (Maple Avenue) and Route 4017 (Shaffer Road) in the City of DuBois and Sandy Township in Clearfield County. This will improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians and motorists along these routes.

This project, which first got underway in summer of 2024, includes sidewalk and trail improvements on Maple Avenue between the intersection of 7th Street and Shaffer Road, and continues on Shaffer Road to the intersection of the Beaver Meadow Walkway. Curb installation, signing, placing of pavement markings, and drainage improvements will also be completed as part of the ongoing Maple Avenue improvement project opportunity 7800

Alternating lane closures will be utilized with flaggers providing traffic control during daylight hours. Motorists are asked to stay alert and watch for workers in the roadway.

John Nastase Construction of Snow Shoe, PA, is the contractor on this $896,000 project. PennDOT anticipates completion in May.

Motorists are advised that a bridge replacement project is set to begin next week on Canada Road (Route 2025) in Covington Township, Tioga County. The bridge was damaged beyond repair in August 2024, after excessive rain from Hurricane Debby caused flash flooding in the region. 

Starting on Monday, March 31, 2025, the contractor, L.C. Whitford Company, Inc., will begin construction of the new bridge over Marvin Creek. The bridge will be replaced with a pre-stressed concrete beam bridge.

A detour using Old State Road (Route 2022) and Williamson Road (Route 2005) is currently in place. 

L.C. Whitford Company, Inc., is the prime contractor for this $1.2 million bridge replacement project. Work on this project includes construction of a pre-stressed concrete beam bridge, approach work, paving, line painting, and guide rail upgrades. Work on this project is anticipated to be completed by September 2025, weather permitting.

Motorists should be alert, slow down, expect delays in travel, and drive with caution.

Congratulations to Aidan Homell, our Culinary Arts Student of the Week for the week of March 24, 2025! Aidan has come a long way in his three years in the program, consistently showing growth, dedication, and passion for the craft.

He is currently working in a restaurant in his hometown of Smethport, PA, where he continues to sharpen his skills. Aidan strives for perfection in the kitchen, always stays busy, and brings a great personality to every task.

We’re proud to share that Aidan has successfully passed both the NOCTI practical and written exams—a major accomplishment!

Way to go, Aidan! Keep cooking with heart and purpose!

Johnsonburg, Pa.:  The. Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) Upland Bird Hunt Chapter is proud to announce they will offer an individual, one-on-one, bird dog training clinic on Saturday, May 17, at the Rolfe Beagle Club in Johnsonburg, Pa.  This training clinic is for new bird dog handlers or experienced bird dog handlers that want additional help with training their dog.  This training is an extension of the Upland Bird Hunt Chapter’s popular Future Hunter and Handlers’ Clinic.  “We call this the Train the Trainer Clinic,” said Tom McPherson.

Each will receive two hours of one-on-one time with an experienced bird dog trainer.  All dogs must be of a pointing breed.  You must register your dog in advance so the proper training materials will be available at the Rolfe Beagle Club.  Register with Bethany Ford at bjmf989@gmail.com.

Registered dogs must be 8 months old as of mid-May, 2025.  Registration will be accepted via mail at the Rolfe Beagle Club, 1016 Long Level Road, Johnsonburg, Pa., 15845.  Registration must include your name, address, email, breed of dog and dog’s name, and any training needs you may want to work on.  You can sign up for the 8:00 a.m. or the 10:30 a.m. start time; reference your preferred time slot.

Cheers to 50 years

Happy 50th wedding Anniversary !! Fuzz and Gary Pesock

Most motorists, pedestrians and cyclists have strong opinions – and perhaps some nightmarish anecdotes — when it comes to highway safety issues. But relatively few of them take advantage of opportunities to speak out. A regional organization charged with collecting public input and presenting recommendations to the people who can make a difference is going the extra mile this year to change that.

North Central Rural Transportation Planning Organization is holding a series of public meetings across its six member counties. Next session will be held at 10 am on Friday, March 28, at the F.W. Gunzburger County Office Building front conference room. In-person and online attendance will be available. To access by Microsoft Teams, Click here to join  To join by phone, dial 1-412-634-6334 and enter conference ID 862 092 217#

Purpose is to improve safety for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and transit riders through targeted projects funded by PennDOT and the U.S. Dept. of Transportation. A $5 billion federal program, “Safe Streets for Roads and All,” includes similar planning activities across the nation. Agencies such as North Central are following the federal Safe System Approach for a structured decision-making framework. Once the Safety Action Plan is in place, local governments will be able to use it to support grant applications.

North Central kicked off the project in early 2024 with representatives from its six member counties, two PennDOT engineering district and other stakeholders. More information is available online by clicking here or by sending email to Amy Kessler at amy@northcentral.com.

A combination of dry and breezy conditions this afternoon will create an elevated risk of wildfire spread across all of Central Pennsylvania, including the Northern and Western Mountains and Susquehanna Valley. Minimum relative humidity today will range from 20 to 25 percent across much of the Central Ridge and Valley Region of the state with some places across South Central PA dipping into the upper teens (%).

Across the Northern and Western Mountains of the state, Min RHs will be in the upper 20s to around 30 percent. Westerly wind will increase and gust between 20 and 25 mph this afternoon. Residents are urged to exercise caution if handling any potential ignition sources, such as machinery, cigarettes, or matches. If dry grasses and tree litter begin to burn, the fire will have the potential to spread rapidly.

For more information about wildfire danger and wildfire prevention and education, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website at http://dcnr.pa.gov/Communities/Wildfire.

State Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) will hold his satellite office hours on Thursday, April 3, at the following locations:

• Emporium Borough Office – 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Port Allegany Borough Office – 11 a.m. to noon.

Services available include assisting constituents with state-related issues or concerns, assistance with driver license and vehicle registration applications, and help in filling out applications for various state programs, such as the senior citizen Property Tax/Rent Rebate and PACE prescription drug assistance programs.

People who cannot make the satellite sessions may contact Causer’s offices in Bradford at 78 Main St., first floor, telephone 814-362-4400; or Coudersport, 107 S. Main St., Room 1, telephone 814-274-9769; or Kane, 54 Fraley St., Suite 2, telephone 814-837-0880. Information is also available at www.RepCauser.com or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/RepCauser.

The Allegany County Board of Legislators has appointed Charles Bessette of Wirt to fill a vacancy in its Third Legislative District. On March 26, 2025, after passing Board Resolution No. 138-25, Bessette was sworn into office by the Honorable Thomas P. Brown.

Bessette is a 30-year resident of the Town of Wirt and served 35 years with the United States Postal Service, including 6 years as managing Postmaster for Allentown, Alma, Richburg, and Little Genesse. He also served as President of the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus-Allegany Postmaster Association from 2011 to 2015 and as Adverse Action Representative for United Postmasters and Managers from 2012 to 2023.