Virginia M. Stebick, 99, of Emporium, PA formerly of Keating Summit passed away at Guy & Mary Felt Manor, Emporium, PA on Wednesday afternoon (May 14, 2025). She was born June 30, 1925 in Emporium, PA a daughter of the late Albert and Margaret Zurflue Streich. On February 12, 1949 in Emporium she married the late John “Jack” Stebick.
Virginia enjoyed spending time with her family especially her grandchildren.
In a major win for ATV/UTV enthusiasts across the Commonwealth, a group of lawmakers announced portions of state highways could soon be opened to serve as connector roads between trailheads under a new PennDOT policy.
Reps. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford), Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) and Brian Smith (R-Jefferson/Indiana) have been vocal advocates for expanding ATV riding opportunities both for riders’ enjoyment and for the opportunities it can create for regional economies in the Commonwealth.
“This is fantastic news for ATV and UTV enthusiasts, as well as our communities,” Owlett said. “We’ve seen great things happen here in the Northern Tier since the ATV Regional Trail Connector pilot program launched in 2021, and this change could increase riding opportunities exponentially.”
At a meeting with PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll earlier this week, the lawmakers learned the agency has established a new policy that will help facilitate the opening of certain sections of state highways to serve as connector roads between trailheads. Under the policy, municipal officials can identify a specific section or roadway to serve as a connector and request a PennDOT review of their proposal. If PennDOT agrees, the municipality or municipalities in which the section of state highway is located must enact a resolution affirming the use of the road as a connector.
Hello, my name is Sabrina Burnside. Some of you may know me as that crazy lady with 11 kids, haha. Well, that may be true, but I love those kiddos more than life itself.
Most of you don’t know, since we prefer to keep our issues quiet and to ourselves, but our almost 3-year-old daughter, Magdalyna, has been sick for over a year. We have been searching for the reason, and after what seems like forever, we finally have that answer. She just got diagnosed with xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, a rare kidney disease, especially in young children. This is going to require more testing and removal of her kidney, which needs to be done at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
We have already made multiple trips to our local hospital as well as Geisinger in Danville, Pennsylvania. And now we will be traveling to Philadelphia. Now, as much as we hate to, we are asking for help to offset the financial strain this is causing. We have never asked for help and had hoped to not have to. But here we are.
We have always been willing to donate Dan’s artwork to anyone who asked to help others in situations like ours, so we are hoping our community shows us the same kindness we have shown them. This is a tough time for our family, but I know with time and the help and support of our little community, we will make it through this. Please consider helping my daughter. Thank you all in advance.
On May 12, 2025, at Coudersport Rotary Club’s meeting at A&W West End Grill, Paul Herzig introduced his speaker Larry Herbstritt. The local boy who made it to Hollywood and beyond.
Larry explained how his musical career evolved over time beginning in 1964 when he loved music enough to learn to play the guitar and with the influence of the Beatles, Reverend Robert Merten, and Jimmy Webb music it became his passion.
This passion helped him through higher education at Mansfield College as a Music major. He did not tell them he could not read music. The guitar was not an accepted instrument he had to train as a vocal major.
David Rudy Thiele, 67, of Rio Rancho, NM, formerly of Lewis Run, passed away Saturday, May 10, 2025, after a lengthy illness surrounded by family.
Born November 6, 1957, in Bradford, he was a son of the late George and Betty (Sankner) Thiele. Dave was a 1975 graduate of Bradford Area High School and was an accomplished football player. He was chosen to participate in the Big 30 game in 1975.
On February 12, 1980, in Olean, NY, he married his loving wife Mary Ann (Pavlovich) Thiele, who survives.
Ruth Fitzpatrick SOLLEY, 98, of Wellsville, NY, formerly of Zephyrhills, FL, Girard, OH, and Whitesville, NY, died Monday, May 5, 2025 in UR Jones Memorial Hospital after a short illness.
Born September 15, 1926, in Independence, she was the daughter of George and Mary Allen Fitzpatrick. On August 9, 1988, she married Elwood Lemar Solley, who predeceased her on October 21, 2021.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that Greylock Production, LLC., of Charleston, WV, has been approved for an Upgrade Partnership to improve nearly three and a half miles of Route 1003 (Loucks Mills Road) between Galeton and Ulysses boroughs in Potter County. The project includes full-depth roadway reconstruction, drainage improvements, and guide rail upgrades between West Pike and Loucks Mills. The improvements will result in the removal of a 10-ton weight limit posting from the roadway. PennDOT expects work to begin in the fall of 2025 and will issue an update on traffic impacts before construction begins.
“A safe, efficient transportation system is vital to the private sector industries that drive our economy and to the residents of Pennsylvania,” said PennDOT District 2 Executive Thomas Prestash. “This partnership further demonstrates the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to ensuring that rural areas have the same access to transportation as those in more urban areas.”
Under the terms of the partnership, PennDOT and Greylock will each contribute 50 percent of the project cost. The project is currently in the design phase and has an estimated contract value of $2.9 million.
“We are very pleased to partner with PennDOT to improve this road,” said Greylock Chief Operating Officer Ryan Deaderick. “Addressing ride quality issues that have arisen in recent years enhances our operations locally while also improving the quality of life for our friends and neighbors in Potter County.”
The two candidates running in the June 24 Republican primary for mayor will take part in a debate at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11.
Incumbent Mayor William J. Aiello and challenger Amy B. Sherburne will square off in Cutco Theater on the Cattaraugus County Campus of Jamestown Community College.
The League of Women Voters of Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties is sponsoring the debate in partnership with TAPinto Greater Olean. Richard Lee, co-editor of TAPinto Greater Olean, will serve as moderator.
During the June 11 debate, questions will not be taken from the audience, but members of the public are invited to submit questions for the candidates in advance of the debate. Questions should be emailed to cattarauguslwv@gmail.com by 7 p.m. June 4.
Individuals who have questions or need additional information should email LWVCAC President Margie McIntosh at cattarauguslwv@gmail.com
David C. Johnston “beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend”
David C. “Dave” Johnston, 69, of Oswayo, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, May 11, 2025, from injuries sustained in a tragic accident.
Born on Sunday, July 17, 1955 in Olean, NY, he was a son of Elvin “Buck” and Patricia Brizzee Johnston. On November 22, 1977 in Coudersport, he married Deanna L. Van Pelt, who survives.
Dave was a graduate of Oswayo Valley High School in Shinglehouse. In his early years, he worked in local oil and gas fields. For most of his working career, he along with his business partner and friend, Larry Coole, owned and operated D.A.L. Flagstone where eventually he and his son Dan worked together mining Pennsylvania Bluestone for 28 years.
Potter County Human Services (PCHS) is working closely with the Potter County Board of Commissioners, county departments, and others to assist individuals impacted by the planned closing of pharmacy services at the Rite Aid store in Coudersport, effective Wednesday, May 21. PCHS caseworkers are available to help clients of the agency’s Children & Youth, Aging, Mental Health, Coordinated Services, Drug & Alcohol and Intellectual Disabilities programs. This includes assistance in understanding the options available and transferring of prescription services to another pharmacy of choice. Updated information, including details on mail order and/or home delivery services, is being posted on the PCHS website (click here) and is also available at a toll-free phone number, 1-800-800-2560.
Those who preregister for the Laurel Festival 10K Foot Race by Friday, May 30 and pay the $25 entry fee will receive a free event T-shirt courtesy of First Citizens Community Bank on race day, Saturday, June 21 and be entered in the June 21 “Early Bird Drawing” with a chance to win $25 in Wellsboro Chamber Dollars to spend at any of the 42 participating area businesses.
The Laurel Festival 10K Foot Race will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 21, followed by the two-mile Fun Run/Walk at 9:05 a.m.
Registration, check-in and packet pickup will be at Packer Park on Queen Street in Wellsboro from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. on race day. The entry fee for the 10K is $25 and for the Fun Run is $5. Race day registrants pay in cash or by check.
