Pictured: Emporium Rotarian Denny Neal, Keystone Elk Country Alliance Conservation Education Director Ben Porkolob
Coudersport Rotary Club was pleased to invite Ben Porkolab from the Keystone Elk Country Alliance to our December 16, 2024, meeting at A&W West End Grill.
Ben taught at Cameron County schools for 22 years, as well as 2 years in Alaska and Nevada. He grew up in Kane. He has worked as a fishing guide in Alaska for 10 summers. He has taught Hunter Education for 17 years (and mentioned that Emporium Rotarian Denny Neal has taught this for 53 years!)
He is now Conservation Education Director for the Keystone Elk Country Alliance. Last year there were 260,000 visitors to the Elk Country Visitor Center. There are programs at the Center on weekends year round.
Penn State Dubois student interns to the Center get 2 credits and a paid stipend. The Alliance gives 3 scholarships each year to high school students and they reach over 6,000 students per year, from first-graders to high school biology students.
Mary Jo Sheldon, 66, of Warren, PA., died Saturday, January 25, 2025, at ST. Vincent Health Care, AHN, Erie, PA. She was born November 6, 1958, in Cleveland, Ohio. She was the daughter of Joanne M. D’Ercole Kantner and Harry E. Kantner, Sr. She was formerly of Lorain County, Ohio, moving to Warren in 1986.
Mary Jo was a graduate of Midview High School, Grafton, OH.
She was employed with the PA Department of Human Services as a drop in worker for 10 years. She volunteered with the Warren Chapter of the American Red Cross and Warren Special Olympics. She was a great cook, enjoyed reading, listening to music from the 60, 70, and 80’s. She enjoyed walking, especially spending time with family, laughing and enjoying life. She loved animals, watching television programs such as the Little Rascals, Mash, George Carlin, Whoopi Goldberg and Who’s Line is it anyway? She was a diehard Cleveland Browns and Indians fan.
A group of state lawmakers is urging customers of both Frontier and Verizon Communications to weigh in on the proposed merger of the two companies at a series of upcoming hearings to be held by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC).
In-person Public Input Hearings are scheduled as follows:
Monday, Feb. 10, at 6 p.m. at the George A. Smith Middle School Auditorium, 645 Kirkwood Pike, Quarryville, Lancaster County.
Thursday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. at the Wellsboro Fire Company Annex, 21 East Ave., Wellsboro, Tioga County.
Telephonic Public Input Hearing sessions will be held on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Participants can call in, toll free, at 866-759-6860 and use PIN Number: 71568747.
With sincerity and sorrow of heart, we offer the news of the passing of Jacqueline “Jackie, Jack” Granger Ward. aged 89 years old.
On April 16, 1935, our beautiful mother was born and raised in West Seneca, NY. until 1947 her family moved to Belfast, NY. Parents Gerald Floyd Granger Sr. and Dorothy Wilhelmina Elsaesser and her treasured siblings. Jackie graduated from Belfast Central School in 1947.
Mom married our father, Lawrence William Ward (Larry) on 10/23/1954 in Belfast, NY where they lived until 1956. Mom and dad then made a home in Friendship, Ny. First they found their home on Moss Brook Rd in Friendship until 02/15/1964 then they moved to Pennsylvania avenue, Jackie’s dream home. She presided here for her remaining years.
Jackie wore many hats throughout her life. She enjoyed knowing and helping her community.
She became a professional seamstress and upholsterer while still in High School. She also had many hobbies to include painting, drawing, stained glass, photography, cross stitch, knitting, crocheting, gardening, furniture refinishing and upholstery, carpentry! and stonework!
Charley E. BOOM, 86, of Westfield, PA, died Monday, January 27, 2025 in his home.
He was born May 19, 1938, in Blossburg. A 1957 graduate of Cowanesque Valley High School, he served honorably with the US Marine Corps from 1957 – 1960 and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, the Philippines, and Korea. On April 9, 1961, in the Westfield United Methodist Church, he married the former Sherell A. Dibble, who survives. A graduate of auctioneer school in Fort Smith, AR, he operated Col. Boom’s Auction Service. Charley and his wife owned and operated a dairy farm for many years and he was last employed as a NY State grape inspector. He attended the Cowanesque United Methodist Church and previously served as a Westfield Township Supervisor.
Robert H. MOON, Sr., 88, of Westfield, PA, died Sunday, January 26, 2025 in his home.
Born October 13, 1936, in Potter Brook, he was the son of Lynn H. and Violet Casey Moon. A U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, he served honorably from 1954 – 1959. On December 28, 1957, in Freeman, NY, he married the former Naomia F. Knickerbocker, who survives. Bob was employed by Eberle/Westfield Tanning Co., Ingersoll-Rand in Painted Post, NY, and the Borough of Elkland. He was a member of the American Legion.
Scott Walter Kane, 57, of Shippensburg, PA, passed away unexpectedly at his parents’ home in Wellsboro Monday January 27, 2025.
He was born January 29, 1967, in Wellsboro, to Walter “Bud” and Marquene “Markie” (Thomas) Kane. He graduated from Wellsboro Area High School, and earned his associate’s degree from Penn Technical College in Williamsport. He served in the US Air Force, and on February 10, 2001, he married Wendy Hayes. Scott was a member of the American Legion, enjoyed hunting and was an avid golfer. He had recently been enjoying making an effort to get back in touch with his military friends.
It is with great sadness, that her family announces the passing of Dexie Turner, at age 79.
Dexie was born in Meridian, Mississippi and moved north at 13, to Port Allegany, Pennsylvania, where she met and eventually married her high school sweetheart, Raymond Turner. Ray and Dexie moved to Averill Park as newlyweds in 1967. Dexie taught reading at Poestenkill Elementary for five years, before leaving to raise her children. She began working part-time as an aerobics instructor and ended up creating her own business as a fitness instructor and personal trainer. She adored her classes and her students for 35 years. Dexie was a passionate gardener, walker, and a self-taught gourmet cook. She was also the most kind, supportive, and non-judgmental friend, wife, and mother a person could have.
Location: The Schoolhouse, 225 South Street, Ridgway, PA 15853
Registration Required
Description: The CEC is teaming up with Natalie Aiello from Penn State Extension 4-H for a fun day of gizmos and gadgets, exploring simple machines and physical science!
Register online by February 11, 2025, using the following link:
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service State College PA 1011 AM EST Wed Jan 29 2025 …A SNOW SQUALL WILL AFFECT PARTS OF MCKEAN…POTTER…CAMERON… TIOGA…AND ELK COUNTIES…
HAZARDS…A snow squall accompanied by wind gusts up to 40 MPH which can rapidly reduce visibility to one quarter of a mile or less.
LOCATION AND MOVEMENT…At 1007 AM EST, the leading edge of a line of snow squalls extended from Corning to 21 miles southeast of Hornell to 12 miles south of Wellsville to Kane and moving southeast at 30 MPH.
THIS LINE OF SQUALLS WILL BE NEAR… Genesee, Elkland, and Harrison Valley around 1010 AM EST. Roulette around 1015 AM EST. Westfield around 1020 AM EST. Betula, Millerton, and Coudersport around 1025 AM EST. Keating Summit around 1035 AM EST. Denton Hill State Park and Keeneyville around 1040 AM EST.
SAFETY INFO… Use extra caution if you must travel into or through this squall. Rapid changes in visibility and potentially slick roads may lead to accidents. Slow down and maintain plenty of braking distance between you the the vehicle ahead. Allow extra time to reach your destination.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) Boating Advisory Board will meet on Monday, February 3, 2025, beginning at 10 a.m. at the PFBC headquarters located at 1601 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110. The meeting is open to the public.
Jeffery Gilbert, D.O. UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute
Throughout your life, it’s probably been true that your heart has never stopped. It works tirelessly to pump blood throughout your body day and night. This organ is vital to your life, and it is important to keep it healthy by reducing your risks for developing heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, so no matter your age, there are steps to take to care for your heart.
In response to the Office of Management and Budget’s Jan. 27 memo (M-25-13) regarding temporarily pausing certain agency grant, loan and financial assistance programs, the Department of Veterans Affairs today announced it has conducted a comprehensive analysis of all its federal financial assistance programs and consulted with OMB.
VA has determined that all 44 of its financial assistance programs will continue uninterrupted and that all VA programs and operations will continue uninterrupted.
“This will have no impact on VA health care, benefits or beneficiaries,” said Acting VA Secretary Todd Hunter.
Shinglehouse, PA—Kevin J. Dusenbury of Shinglehouse, PA, is announcing his candidacy for re-election for Potter County Coroner.
Dusenbury is a longtime resident of Shinglehouse. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Mortuary Science from Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer, who along with his wife, Patty, own and operate the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home in Shinglehouse since 1984.
His mortuary education and many years of being, first a Deputy Coroner and then Coroner since 1994, give him the knowledge and experience to serve not only the deceased but the families left behind. The Coroner’s Office and it’s Coroner are a medicolegal death investigator charged with the investigation of traumatic, suspicious, or unexpected deaths. The Office of the Coroner applies principles of both medicine and the law in the course of the investigation which ultimately determines a cause and manner of death for the person who has died. Dusenbury has investigated more than 4000 deaths since he began his career as Coroner in 1984. He has handled every imaginable death, from unexpected natural deaths, vehicle accidents, plane crashes, suicide, fire deaths, drownings, and homicides.
Dusenbury, who considers himself a fiscal conservative, has always given back (long before it was politically the “right thing to do”). Approximately $85,000.00 in grants have been received over the years for his office due 100% from the work his wife, Patricia, does in her position of Chief Deputy Coroner, a position she has never been paid to serve in.
Dusenbury has several Deputy Coroners who he said are wonderful, caring and ethical people…they all have backgrounds in either law enforcement or emergency medicine and fire service. Dusenbury said, “our deputies are the best professionals who along with myself and my wife respond to some of the most horrific death scenes one could imagine. The Office of the Coroner and it’s staff must possess physical strength, character, ethics and a heart and mind that can feel and sympathize with grieving family members on likely the worst day of their lives”.
Through many years of service, Kevin has made many connections and friendships with people he may have never known if not for them loosing a loved one and his office being there to help. From sitting in the hospital for hours while a family drives from their home to be told their child has passed away. To catch a devastated loved one who collapses in front of you when you go to their home to compassionately tell them there has been a crash and sadly their loved one has passed.
Kevin stated that a great deal of time and dedication is required to serve the citizens and visitors of Potter County who face the unimaginable loss of a love one.
Along with his daily duties, he has for years made himself, his deputies, and his vehicles available to any school who has requested a Prom Promise presentation which depicts the horrors of drinking and driving, with the students playing the roles of victims, parents, and the drivers of the vehicles in the mock accident (complete with wrecked vehicles, fire and ambulance personnel, local Police and the State Police). Dusenbury states, “our goal is to prevent tragedies by stark demonstrations of the dangers of drinking and driving”.
Fire prevention has been another cause Kevin is dedicated to spreading the word on, reminding people to check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, checking chimneys, furnaces, and wood stoves, etc. He said, “I have pronounced friends who have died from malfunctioning gas heaters that leaked deadly carbon monoxide. There is nothing sadder than going into a home where a fire death occurred only to find a smoke alarm that has no batteries in it”.
Another program Dusenbury brought to Potter County is “Child Death Review”. Along with other county officials, Human Services, and physicians examine the deaths of children occurring in Potter County. Death certificates are confidentially reviewed, medical records are examined, and educators and clergy are asked, “what could have been done to prevent this death?”. The title of this state/county committee would be better called Child Death Prevention. The bottom line end result is preventing tragedies in the hope we never have to review another child death.
Dusenbury has always been happy to share his Coroner’s office duties and his experiences with students at career day at local schools. He has also served on Suicide Prevention committees. In the days before digital publications showing the dangers of underage alcohol use, he delivered hundreds of posters he obtained fro the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. “I would make trips to all our schools as new posters and prevention publications became available”.
One of the saddest things that goes beyond the death of the person I am called to investigate is seeing hurting adults and most especially hurting children. “I’ve been in homes where children and elderly folks are living without the things you and I take for granted. I would go home and wonder what can I do to make those children’s lives a little better, a little brighter. I had heard of a gift program that a funeral home had started where people could bring in new, unwrapped gifts to the funeral home in memory of loved ones. Those items were then distributed by a Toys 4 Tots program in that community. I reached out to a dear friend of ours, Alice Reese, who along with others had started the Christmas House in Coudersport. I asked Alice, who knew the needs of our area well, especially at our schools, if it was possible that we help the Christmas House in this way. We launched our “Gift of Memory” program which just recently marked our 24th year of collecting toys, toiletries, etc. for infants to teens.”
Kevin is a member of the Pennsylvania State Coroner’s Association, the Pennsylvania Funeral Director’s Association, has previously served and currently serves on several committees. He is a life member of the Shinglehouse Volunteer Fire Department and is a former EMT.
The continued support from the community is greatly appreciated. Please visit, like and share my Facebook page, Kevin Dusenbury Potter County Coroner.
Please vote for Kevin Dusenbury, Potter County Coroner, for re-election on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Thank you!!!
Sunday night just before 11 pm, station 8 and station 2 were sent to Bordel Road for a structure fire. First arriving units requested a second alarm. Station 15 was to stand by at station 8. While en-route Squad 15-2 was upgraded to the scene. Station 15 crew did interior operations. A crew from station 3, that was on stand-by at station 2, was also requested to the scene. Tanker from stations 2,6,7,8, and 9 shuttled water to the scene. Station 11 supplied air. Penelec, BT and FT road crews also assisted. Squad 15-2 was back in quarters at 0519 hrs. Station 8 remained on scene until 0800 hrs. Original Post HERE
