Motorists are advised that a two-year roadway improvement project is set to begin next week on Route 414, Route 2005 (Blockhouse Road), and Route 2007 (Williamson Road) in Liberty Borough and Liberty Township, Tioga County.
On Monday, April 22, 2024, the contractor, Glenn O. Hawbaker, will begin preparations to replace a culvert on Route 414 (Water Street) and Blockhouse Road. Work includes building an access road next to Route 414, just north of Liberty Borough. Motorists should expect large construction vehicles pulling on and off the roadway.
On Monday, April 29, 2024, Water Street and Blockhouse Road will be closed in both directions between Shaffer Hill Road and just south of Bloss Mountain Road, while the contractor begins work to replace an 84-inch culvert. Additional work includes utility relocations, drainage work, paving, and line painting.
A detour using Route 15 and Bloss Mountain Road will be in place. Motorists should be alert, expect delays in travel and drive with caution.
Olean General Hospital (OGH), a member campus of Upper Allegheny Health System (UAHS), hosted a plaque revealing ceremony for the newly added comfort care rooms. The two comfort care rooms were named in memory of Ben and Rose Schwabenbauer as their son, Bryan Schwabenbauer, made contributions to OGH to bring the rooms to fruition.
The ceremony was held on Tuesday, April 9 on the second floor of OGH, just down the hall from the redesigned comfort care rooms. A presentation that included Steven Jackson, OGH Foundation, president, Gregory Hare, MD, radiation oncologist, Pastor Vickie Hedlund, pastoral care, and Ronald Higley, BSN, RN, nurse manager, OGH, all spoke on how the generosity of Bryan and his family will impact countless others in the community as well as memorable moments of Bryan’s parents from providers who oversaw their care.
John H. Young, 83, of 524 East Kaul Avenue, St. Marys, PA passed away Monday, April 15, 20234 at Penn Highlands Elk.
He was born May 20, 1940, in St. Marys, son of the late Joseph and Helen Johnston Young. John was a lifelong resident of the area and a graduate of St. Marys High School, Class of 1958. He was formerly employed by the St. Marys Daily Press, Metaldyne, Osram Sylvania, and most recently at Lenze and Lenze apartments.
On May 5, 1962 in St. Boniface Church, John married Judy Himes, who survives. They were blessed to share 61 years of marriage.
RIDGWAY – The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission (North Central) announces a new series “Fostering Economic Prosperity: Programs and Success Stories.” The series aims to highlight the significant contributions of the organization to the economic growth and community development in the six-county region it serves.
North Central serves Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, and Potter counties, and for more than five decades the commission has played an integral role in advancing the region toward a prosperous future marked by growth, innovation, and improved quality of life.
Established in 1966, the commission has dedicated itself to supporting local businesses, planning for the future, and initiating projects and programs with our federal, state, and local partners that bring widespread benefits to the region.
Headquartered in Ridgway, the commission is dedicated to creating sustainable development and progress through comprehensive planning, economic, and community development initiatives. The commission has been a cornerstone for regional collaboration by providing invaluable support to local businesses and communities.
North Central was created after Congress passed the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, a significant piece of legislation that led to the creation of a nationwide network of Economic Development Districts (EDDs). The legislation laid the groundwork for locally rooted, regionally coordinated economic development strategies across rural America.
The legislation created approximately 400 EDDs across the country who have played key roles in fostering collaboration among public, private, and nonprofit sectors of business while creating a comprehensive, strategic roadmap for regional growth.
North Central is also one of seven Local Development Districts (LDDs) in Pennsylvania and falls under the umbrella of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), which encompasses 423 counties across 13 states stretching from southern New York to northern Mississippi. The region covers 206,000 square-miles and is home to 26.3 million people.
The ARC represents a collaborative economic development effort between the federal government and its 13 member states, including Pennsylvania. At the state level, the Department of Community and Economic Development works in partnership with the ARC and LDDs to identify and promote projects aimed at enhancing community capacity and driving economic growth, striving to achieve socioeconomic parity with the rest of the country.
North Central is funded through a combination of federal, state, local, and private dollars, and services, which enables the commission to carry out is mission to promote economic growth and development across the six-county region.
North Central fosters collaborations among public, private, and nonprofit sectors of business while creating a comprehensive, strategic roadmap for regional growth, with a focus on business and industry, transportation, planning, human services, broadband, and more.
Executive Director Jim Chorney, who took on the role in 2018, said the organization is dedicated to strengthening the six-county region.
“I want people to know there is no wrong door here at North Central,” Chorney said. “We are here to partner with business and industry, individuals, and local municipal governments in a collaborative effort to make the entire region stronger.”
North Central Board Chairman Dave Glass, who also serves as a commissioner for Clearfield County, said the organization is primed to improve the quality of life in the region.
“North Central is helping businesses and residents in these six counties to move ahead from an economic development and community infrastructure perspective,” Glass said.
North Central’s unwavering commitment to the region’s growth, resilience, and collective success is a hallmark of decades of dedicated service, planning, and collaborative efforts, and is a testament of what can be achieved when communities come together and envision a brighter future.
####
The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission is a premier regional development organization that serves the public and private sector through a wide range of economic, community, infrastructure, human services, and technology programs for Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, and Potter Counties.
Even though Otto-Eldred Bird Dawgs fell to the Smethport Trap Team with a score of 168 to 182, it was a beautiful afternoon to break targets. The sunshine helped the athletes exhibit positive sportsmanship and great attitudes.
The top tooters for the Bird Dawgs were Tayton Roys and Sebastian Zona (senior) each with a score of 23; Abram Austin (senior), Nick Brown (senior), Gavin Silvis (senior), and Korrie Turek (senior) earning a 21 each; and Braiden Greenman and Tyler McElhattan (senior) each with a 19.
For the Smethport Trap Team, Colton Furgeson had the top position with an almost perfect score of 24; Brayden Cosper, Jackie Davis, Konor Miller, Elizabeth Slade, and Aiden Tanner each earned a 23; Damyan Baker earned a 22; and Owen Szuba finished out the top 8 with a score of 21.
All teams in the Southern Tier League will travel to Bradford Gun Club to finish out the season with a 50-bird shoot on April 23.
At 8:59 AM on Thursday, Angelica, Belfast & Belmont Fire Depts. were dispatched to a chicken coop fire with exposures at 7687 County Road 16 in the Town of West Almond.
At 8:58 AM on Thursday, Clymer Fire & EMS & Westfield Fire Dept. was dispatched to a vehicle in the ditch in Clymer Twp. on the Beechwood Lake Road with one male injured.
Wellsville Police, acting on an Indictment Warrant issued by the Allegany County Court, arrested Brian N. Whitcher, age 50 of Wellsville, charging him with 3 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 5th (Class D Felony) and 3 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 5th (Class D Felony).
The charges stem from an investigation into the sale of controlled substances (Methamphetamine) in March of 2023 and December of 2023. Whitcher was processed and committed to the Allegany County Jail without bail. Whitcher is due to be arraigned in Allegany County Court at a later date.
ATV enthusiasts are invited to experience riding trails in northcentral Pennsylvania that comprise the Northcentral Regional ATV Trail.
ATV riders will have the unique opportunity for long-distance travel by permit on:
Designated state forest trails and roads
Designated local (township) roads
Designated PennDOT-administered roads
2024 Riding Season
The Northcentral Regional ATV Trail will operate during the 2024 summer riding season, which begins on Friday, May 24, 2024, and ends on Sunday, September 29, 2024.
On April 17, at 4:16 pm. Kane fire and Ambulance were dispatched for a car vs pedestrian crash at Fraley and Birch St. The Kane Fire Dept. has been recalled
WELLSBORO/COUDERSPORT, Pa., April 17, 2024 — After 45 years of esteemed service and leadership, Janie Hilfiger, president, UPMC Cole and UPMC Wellsboro, has announced her retirement. Her official last day with UPMC is April 30. Effective May 1, Dan Glunk, MD, will serve as interim president, UPMC Cole and UPMC Wellsboro.
“Janie has been an exceptional leader, partner, and community advocate, and under her leadership, UPMC Cole and UPMC Wellsboro have made a significant impact on the health of all of the communities we serve in Potter and Tioga Counties,” said Patti Jackson-Gehris, president, UPMC in North Central Pa. “Janie has dedicated her entire life to caring for people – first as a nurse and then in various leadership roles, and her passion for nursing and supporting rural health care were evident in everything she did. We wish her well as she embraces her next chapter.”
Dr. Glunk, who is also an internal medicine physician, will continue to serve as regional chief quality officer, UPMC in North Central Pa., in addition to providing interim leadership to UPMC Cole and UPMC Wellsboro.
“I am grateful that Dr. Glunk will be serving in this new capacity. He has deep roots in this region and a history with Wellsboro, Coudersport, and the surrounding communities. Through his role as chief quality officer, he’s become very familiar with UPMC Cole and UPMC Wellsboro and I am confident his leadership skills and expertise will ensure we remain focused on providing quality care with an exceptional experience at our hospitals and facilities in the northern tier,” said Jackson-Gehris.
Joan Christine Stiver, 84, born on June 10, 1939, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. She was the cherished wife of Tom Stiver for 53 years and a devoted mother to four children. Born to loving parents, Harold “Copey” and Rose Anderson, who preceded her in death along with an infant brother, Arthur. Joan grew up in a close-knit and fun family of seven siblings, along with their loving spouses, and many nieces and nephews. Together, they shared countless cherished memories, forming unbreakable bonds within both the Anderson and Stiver families. She leaves behind a legacy of closeness and care that defined her family’s bond.
Her eldest son, Ron, who passed just 10 months ago, remained especially endeared to her heart. Ron’s wife, Sharon, has been a guardian angel on earth, providing comfort and support along with their beautiful son and Joan’s grandson, Josh. Her daughters, Robin (Carmen) DeStevens and Bunny Comilla have always been her unwavering pillars of support, overflowing with boundless love and affection. Her grandchildren, Angie (Dave) Sheeley and Nick Comilla along with her great-grandchildren Cami & Ellie Sheeley, were all constant sources of laughter and joy, infusing her life with vibrant energy and happy moments. Son, Jim Stiver and granddaughter Sydney were also loved members of her family.
Family was the cornerstone of Joan’s life, and she treasured every moment spent with her loved ones. She took immense pride in her children and found strength in raising them to be resilient and independent individuals. Her love knew no bounds, extending to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who brought immeasurable joy into her life.