Gayle Joan Tarbox, 77, of Gifford, PA
Gayle Joan Tarbox, 77, of Gifford, passed away Saturday (March 15, 2025) at her home.
She was born July 10, 1947 in Bradford, the daughter of Howard and Betty (Erskin) Hartman. On October 14, 1967, in Allegany, NY, she married Jerry Wayne Tarbox, who preceded her in death on September 10, 2014.
Gayle was a graduate of Smethport Area High School Class of 1965. She had worked at the Sears Catalog Store in the Bradford Mall for many years. She then worked at Zippo Manufacturing in Bradford for over twenty years before her retirement.
Causer Supports Bill to Aid Rural Health Care Access
Working to boost access to health care in rural communities, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) today joined a majority in the state House to approve legislation that would create a grant program aimed at boosting recruitment of health care providers.
“People in rural communities deserve access to quality health care without having to travel for hours to get it. It’s not just a matter of convenience but public safety,” Causer said. “One of the challenges facing our hospitals in providing that care is the ability to recruit physicians and other health care professionals to practice in areas like ours. This grant program would provide a valuable incentive to help.”
The Honorable Robert Lea Wolfe, of Spartanburg, SC and formerly of Warren, PA
The Honorable Robert Lea Wolfe, of Spartanburg, SC and formerly of Warren, PA., died peacefully Thursday, March 13, 2025, nine days after his 99th birthday.
He was the 12th President Judge of the 37th Judicial District, which encompasses Warren and Forest Counties, serving from 1970 to 1993, when he retired as President Judge. Following his retirement, he served another 13 1/2 years as Senior Judge, retiring from that position in 2006, at the age of 80, as then required by Pennsylvania Law.
Moul Bill to Allow Cash as Payment for School Events Advances
Today, the House Commerce Committee unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Dan Moul (R-Adams), which would make cash an acceptable form of payment for admission to school-sponsored events.
“Currently, many schools across our Commonwealth are rejecting cash as a form of payment for school-sponsored activities and are instead requiring spectators to use credit or debit cards. To make matters worse, some events, particularly those involving the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), conduct ticket sales exclusively online through an app,” said Moul. “These policies have disenfranchised many seniors, poor people and children who may not have credit cards, smart phones or the technical capabilities to access the internet to purchase tickets.
“Ticket purchases via the internet or apps also require buyers to surrender a lot of personal information. This is particularly troublesome for senior citizens, a group often targeted by scams. People simply want to see their child, grandchild or friends play ball. My billwould permit anyone willing to pay with cash – the legal currency of the United States – to gain admission to a high school sporting event or activity. We should be encouraging the public to attend, not shutting them out,” Moul said.
House Bill 685 now goes to the full House for consideration.
To see Moul’s comments and discussion in committee, visit https://repmoul.com/video/latestvideo
Bytes & Insights Workshops at Potter County Senior Centers
The Bytes & Insights workshops aim to bridge the generational digital divide by empowering senior citizens with accessible technological support while providing practical clinical experience for high school IT students. 9
This class will allow seniors to bring their technical questions and challenges, fostering a supportive environment for learning and interaction.
The Education Council’s Seniors 2 Seniors program provides Bytes & Insights workshops free to Potter County senior citizens.
ELEVATED RISK OF WILDFIRE SPREAD THIS AFTERNOON
A combination of dry and windy conditions this afternoon will create an elevated risk of wildfire spread across Central Pennsylvania. Minimum relative humidity values will range from 20
to 30 percent accompanied by southerly wind gusts between 20 and 30 mph.
Residents are urged to exercise caution if handling any potential ignition sources, such as machinery, cigarettes, or matches. Hold on to your cigarette butts! 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.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AGENDA
Meetings are being live streamed right on our website now:
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
AGENDA
March 19, 2025
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Roll Call
- 250th Committee
- County Forests
- Community Service Recognition Calendar
- NYSAC State Budget Update
- Executive Session (Matters regarding the employment history of a particular person and matters regarding the appointment, employment, or promotion of a particular person.)
- Unfinished Business
- New Business
- Good of the Order
- Adjourn
SFH Guaranteed Origination
March 18, 2025
Retraction of Non-U.S. Citizen Eligibility
The Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) is immediately terminating the temporary authority originally communicated on April 29, 2022. The authority allowed some non-U.S. Citizens to be eligible to apply for a guaranteed loan. As of March 18, 2025, the temporary authority is no longer valid. Updates to Chapter 8 of Handbook 1-3555 are forthcoming.
In addition, USDA is posting a Job Aid to help assist you in determining eligibility on the USDA LINC Training and Resource Library.
Thank you for supporting the Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program!
This is an Important Message from NY Alert
HEADLINE: NYS Missing Vulnerable Adult Alert Alert for PARIS COTTON on March 18, 2025 at 02:08 pm has been cancelled.
DESCRIPTION: The New York State Missing Vulnerable Adult Alert on behalf of the Cheektowaga Town Police Department for PARIS COTTON is now cancelled as of 06:14 pm on March 18, 2025.
BRADFORD WOMAN CONVICTED OF RAPE OF AN UNCONSCIOUS MALE (McKEAN COUNTY
McKean County District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that, following a two-day jury trial at the McKean County Courthouse, Donna Simons, 67, of Bradford, was convicted of sex crimes against an unconscious male victim at a Fourth of July party in 2024.
The trial concludes the investigation that began after the defendant was charged with performing oral sex on an unconscious young male at a residence in Bradford Township on July 4, 2024. The male victim and other witnesses, including preteens who witnessed the event, testified at the jury trial that the male victim was intoxicated from alcohol consumption and passed out. One of the witnesses recorded the event which showed SIMONS initially lying next to the young male victim, who appears unconscious, then SIMONS rubbing her breasts and hands on the male victim’s penis, and then SIMONS performing oral sex on the young male while he laid unconscious and barely moving. The video played for the jury also captured SIMONS making sexually explicit statements to the young people who were present.
Harrison & Muriel Dauer Stackpole Fund to offer grant funding to local groups
Elk County organizations are invited to apply for grants through the current round of funding available through the Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Fund, held at the Elk County Community Foundation.
The deadline to apply is April 15, 2025. The fund offers an open grant process that seeks to support causes and projects that improve the quality of life in our Elk County area.
Martha Nearing, 84, of El Paso, TX
Martha Nearing, 84, of El Paso, TX, passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in El Paso.
Born January 17, 1941, in Bradford, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Ida (Tyger) Simons. Martha was a 1959 graduate of Bradford High School.
Martha moved to El Paso, Texas, in 1962, where she would build a life filled with love, adventure, and many cherished memories. She enjoyed her youth as a Girl Scout, loved running away to the Mountains in Ruidoso, New Mexico, loved planting flowers, and especially treasured spending time with her family. Martha’s kindness, warmth, and loving spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her sparkle and legacy lives on in the hearts of her family and friends.
Laura M. (Bliss) Wirtz, 85, formerly of Eldred, PA
Laura M. (Bliss) Wirtz, 85, a loving wife, mother and grandmother, formerly of Eldred, passed away surrounded by her loving family, on March 16,2025 at her residence in WI.
Born on December 30, 1939 in Weston Mills, NY, she was the daughter of the late Lyle R. and Marjorie (Baker) Bliss. Laura was a 1957 graduate of Otto-Eldred High School.
On November 24, 1962, in Eldred, she married her longtime boyfriend, Philip R. “Stub” Wirtz, who survives.
Port Allegany Rotary Club Night AT The Races April 5th
The Port Allegany Rotary Club will once again host A Night at the Races, Saturday, April 5 at the Port Allegany Moose Lodge located at 35 Pearl Street. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and races begin at 6 p.m. The night will feature 11 high definition DVD horse races projected on a big screen – 10 horses in each race. Action race 11 – attendees can bid to buy a horse for this race at the end of race 10. There will be a best hat contest. There will be $2 (cash only) bests on each race, games of chance, 50/50 tickets, door prizes, a cash bar and food for purchase. The horses and jockeys will be sold in advance and randomly placed in races after all 100 are sold. To purchase, text 814-598-1942 for details. Tickets for the event are available from any Rotarian, at Karen’s Styling Salon, Davenport Port Beverage and JVB bank at a cost of $20. Race caller is “Racin’ Jason Christopher. You must be 21 to attend. No outside alcohol is permitted. .
Final 2025 workshops offer pesticide applicator recertification opportunities
Pennsylvania pesticide applicators seeking recertification credits can earn two core and two category credits in private category, 01 or 18 during an upcoming Penn State Extension workshop.
The “Agronomic Pesticide Update” workshops will take place in the following nearby locations:
Hoss’s Steak and Sea House in St Marys, Pa on March 19 from 10am to noon
Penn State DuBois Hiller Auditorium in DuBois, Pa on March 19 from 7pm to 9pm
McKean County Is Seeking And LPN For The County Jail
McKean County Jail LPN
McKean County is seeking a qualified and highly motivated applicant to perform the duties of a full-time Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at the County Jail.
Primary responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to:
- Conduct patient assessments, perform physicals, order medications, and provide healthcare as required for all inmates at the County Jail.
- Conduct blood draws, urine samples, pregnancy testing, and strep testing as necessary.
- Maintain an accurate filing system to ensure consistency and accuracy of treatment programs and the reports prepared for the physician.
- Train inmates and staff on health issues, such as medication dispensation and what to look for in each inmate’s condition.
- Work independently, as well as under direction; make critical decisions, often in stressful situations.
- Assure accurate filing systems and compliance with record keeping requirements.
- Serve on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week as needed.
- At times must fill in for Mental Health provider, giving guidance and counseling to inmates.
- Assist in managing and tracking the inmate prescription process to ensure appropriate care and eliminate the chances of medications abuse.
- Identify and develop patient care planning and monitor the plan.
- Schedule medical testing with the County Physician and/or hospital personnel.
- Conduct research for inmate medical records.
- Take physician orders and transcribe them.
- Assist with other such duties as may be assigned for the successful operation of the department.
Requirements for Candidates:
- Minimum requirement as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
- One-year experience with adults in a treatment setting.
Qualified candidates can apply by completing a McKean County job application and submitting a resume to Michele Jubon, Director of Human Resources, McKean County Courthouse, 500 West Main Street, Smethport, PA 16749, via email to mmjubon@mckeancountypa.gov, or by applying online at indeed.com. Applications are available in the Human Resources Department at the Courthouse or online at www.mckeancountypa.gov. McKean County is an equal opportunity employer, M/F/D/V.
Gerald Joseph Breindel, 88, of 553 Wolfel Avenue, St. Marys, PA
Gerald Joseph Breindel, 88, of 553 Wolfel Avenue, St. Marys, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025 at Pinecrest Manor Nursing Home.
He was born January 30, 1937, in St. Marys. Out of thirteen, he was the eighth child of the late John and Loretta Fritz Breindel. Jerry was a lifelong resident of St. Marys and was a graduate of Central Catholic High School, class of 1955 and was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Jerry began working part-time at B&R Electric on Railroad Street in 1953 while still in junior high school.