Smethport Area School District will have a 2 hour delay today.

Hamilton-Gibson Productions will present Miss Holmes Returns by Christopher M. Walsh on February 14, 15, 21, and 22 at 7:30pm and February 23 at 2:30 pm at the Warehouse Theatre in Wellsboro. This is the sequel to Miss Holmes, which HG performed to acclaim in 2019 and features the original cast returning to the roles of Sherlock, Watson, Mycroft, Lestrade, and Mrs. Hudson. The play opens on Valentine’s Day, when a special Valentine’s Gimlet cocktail will be available for purchase and can be brought into the theater.

Skip the crowded sports bars and join the fun at Ignite Church for the Big Game Party on Sunday, Feb. 9.
Doors open at 6 pm at 35 Lafayette Ave., Lewis Run, and the game starts at 6:30 pm. The church will have all the game day essentials: food, fellowship, and football.
“Ignite Church is a welcoming community that strives to create a space where everyone feels valued and accepted,” said Pastor Greg Newkirk. “We believe in building relationships and making a positive impact on our community.”

St. Marys, Elk County – Rodney Snyder and George Swanson of Matheson Gas proudly presented a generous donation to the St. Marys Area United Way. Located at 203 West Creek Road in St. Marys, Matheson Gas is a global leader in the production and supply of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, hydrogen, and other gases.

Doug Gaffey, Corporate Campaign Chair, and Doug Bauer, Vice President of St. Marys Area United Way, gratefully accepted the donation on behalf of the organization.

Matheson Gas’s contribution, combined with other generous donations from local businesses and individuals, played a pivotal role in helping the St. Marys Area United Way achieve its fundraising goal for the 2024 campaign. As the United Way relies heavily on community support, these donations are vital in funding local nonprofit organizations that address the health, education, and welfare needs of the region.

Thanks to the success of the 2024 campaign, the United Way has been able to provide essential funding to a range of local organizations, including:

Attention Seniors! My office is once again hosting a series of Property Tax/Rent Rebate Clinics across the region to help eligible residents apply for rebates on rent or property taxes they paid in 2024. No appointments are necessary to participate in the clinics, and there is no charge for assistance.

The first clinic will be held next Thursday, Feb. 13, from 1-3 p.m. at the Kane Senior Center.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program benefits eligible residents 65 years and older; widows and widowers 50 years and older; and people with disabilities 18 years and older. This year’s income limit is $46,520 for both homeowners and renters; be sure to exclude 50% of Social Security or railroad retirement income. The maximum rebate is $1,000.

Visit www.RepCauser.com/events for a detailed list of documentation needed to apply for the rebates.

Dog missing in Turtlepoint- My brother and his family’s dog Finn took off following deer in the woods behind his house on Long Hollow Road in Turtlepoint on Monday, Feb 3rd around 5:30pm and hasn’t been seen since. It’s been 2 nights and his family is worried sick about him being lost and freezing. If anyone is willing to help search, please reach out to Michelle Causer, Hannah Causer, or Sarah Causer, or me to get Brian Causer’s number. My number is (814) 598-7717.

Please share this post and spread the word to those who don’t have Facebook.

Johnsonburg, Pa.:  Jim Pennington, Jr., President of the Rolfe Beagle Club, and other club members are hoping that waterfowl, particularly mallards, will benefit from their latest habitat project at the club, installation of a mallard nesting box on their front wetland.  “We meet for coffee on Sunday mornings, and then spend two hours doing something to benefit wildlife at the club,” said Jim.  “This Sunday it was installation of a mallard nesting box,” finished Jim.

Tom Henry, the new Game Warden for western Elk County stopped by to meet club members last Sunday and he helped Bill Maiers, Ray Erich, JoAnn Schiafone, Jim Pennington, Jr., and Mary Hosmer install the new mallard nesting box.  A nice benefit of Tom stopping by was the delivery of Operation Game Thief (OGT) orange hunting hats to the volunteers.  Thank you, Tom.

Coudersport, Pa. — Prospective pesticide applicators can gain a foundation of knowledge about safe and proper handling and use of pesticides by attending the “Private Pesticide Applicator Exam Prep,” a Penn State Extension workshop aimed at those who may need to become certified private pesticide applicators to apply restricted-use pesticides on their farm or property.

The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 12 in Coudersport at the Penn State Extension Potter County office, 216 Gunzburger Building, 1 N. Main Street.

Pheasant hunters, don’t put away your gear just yet.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission will be releasing approximately 8,400 pheasants, mostly hens, to provide additional hunting recreation in the last two weeks of pheasant season, which runs through Feb. 28.

“The Game Commission purchases the pheasant chicks raised on our game farms from a private sector supplier,” said Wildlife Operations Division Chief Ian Gregg. “During the 2024 production season, we requested our supplier to raise additional pheasants to be held through the fall and early winter as an ‘insurance policy’ against any disease issues that might arise in the supplier’s primary breeder flocks. Although highly pathogenic avian influenza is known to be present on the Pennsylvania landscape, and it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of a future disease outbreak that could impact 2025 production, the primary breeder flocks have remained healthy to date and it is not feasible for the ‘backup’ birds to also be held into the upcoming breeding season. Therefore, these surplus pheasants will be released a few weeks before the end of the pheasant season to provide late-winter hunting opportunities.” 

Releases are planned to occur during a two-day window next week, on Wednesday, Feb. 12 and Thursday, Feb. 13 at select locations in each of the Game Commission’s six regions. Hunters should be aware, however, that logistical issues could result in last-minute changes to the planned schedule.

The locations expected to receive birds in the February stocking are as follows: