PennDOT – District 3 News Releases
Lane Restriction Next Week on Route 220 SB in Woodward Township, Lycoming County
Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised of a lane restriction next week on Route 220 southbound in Woodward Township, Lycoming County, for a road maintenance project.
On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) maintenance crew will be milling and patching Route 220 southbound between west of Northway Road and Dome Lane. Motorists can expect the right (driving) lane to be restricted where work is being performed. Work will be performed between the hours of 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM, weather permitting.
Motorists should be alert, slow down, expect delays in travel, and drive with caution through the work zone.
Lorna J. Thornbury Memorial Scholarship Fund established at CRCF
The legacy of Lorna Thornbury, a devoted educator and lifelong advocate for children and families in the Olean community, will continue to shape young lives through the newly established Lorna J. Thornbury Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation.
The Lorna J. Thornbury Memorial Scholarship Fund was created by her family and loved ones to honor her extraordinary life, career and lasting contributions to early childhood education and the Olean community. The fund will provide an annual scholarship support to graduating seniors of Olean High School who plan to pursue higher education in fields aligned with Thornbury’s values and passions: education, healthcare and the social sciences.
William L. OTTO, Sr., 63, of Belmont, NY
William L. OTTO, Sr., 63, of Belmont, NY, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in his home surrounded by friends and family.
Born September 14, 1961, in Olean, he was the son of James and Pauline Morris Otto. A graduate of Portville High School, he attended Alfred Technical College. He was a self-employed handyman and mechanic. Bill was a social member of Belmont American Legion Post #808 and a member of the Belmont Grange.
Matthew J. Gray, 63, of Warren, PA.
Matthew Gray
Matthew J. Gray, 63, of Warren, PA., died Tuesday afternoon, April 8, 2025, after a courageous battle with Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma.
A complete obituary will be announced when available through the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., Warren, PA.
Please run in the Friday, April 11, 2025 edition of the. Warren Times Observer. Thank you, Mike
Gretta Lee Olmstead, 77, of Shinglehouse
Gretta Lee Olmstead “beloved wife, mother and grandmother”
SHINGLEHOUSE, PA—Gretta Lee Olmstead, 77, of Shinglehouse, passed away with her loving family by her side on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport, after a long illness.
John (Dick) Bair, 82
On April 10, 2025, John (Dick) Bair left these earthly bonds to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, surrounded by his loving family.
Born September 6, 1942, to John Lincoln and Thelma Hixon Bair, in Bainbridge, PA, Dick was the beloved husband to Carolyn Bair, nee Dews, for 53 years, beloved father to Richard S. (Margo) Bair, Elizabethtown, grandfather to Jake (Laurel) Bair, Hershey, PA, and Jessica (Mike) Farnish, Mt. Joy, PA. He was the proud great grandfather to Eli and Sophia Farnish and Ramsey and Fletcher Bair.
Dick’s lifelong occupation was in major household appliance service. Retiring in Tioga County in 2007, he fulfilled his dream of living in the mountains and living on his Lazy B Ranch. An accomplished horseman, he lived out many decades of owning and training horses. Adding to his great love of the outdoors was hunting.
Herbert A. “Mike” Russell Sr., 89, formerly of Smethport, Pa.
REDMOND, Wash. — Herbert A. “Mike” Russell Sr., formerly of Smethport, Pa., passed away Monday (April 7, 2025) at Evergreen Health System in Kirkland.
He was born Jan. 24, 1936, in Farmers Valley, Pa., a son of Walter and Violet (Hibbard) Russell. On June 6, 2000, he married Virginia (Bayer) Russell, who survives.
Mike attended Smethport schools graduating in the class of 1954 and he was employed by the United States Postal Service in Smethport, from which he retired in 1992 after 25 years of service.
Mike was a veteran of the Armed Forces having completed two enlistments in the U.S. Air Force. Serving first as an airplane mechanic and later as a missile technician.
Robert Raymond Richard Sr, 71, of Coudersport, PA
Robert Raymond Richard Sr, 71, of Coudersport, PA passed away Friday, April 4, 2025, at UPMC-Williamsport.
He was born July 21, 1953, in Reading PA, the son of the late Edwin J. and Geraldine D. (Becker) Richard, Sr. He married the former Susan G. Kern on July 6, 1974, and they have celebrated 50+ years of marriage. Robert graduated from Parkland High School, Orefield PA, class of 1970, and earned an electronic degree from Lincoln Technical Institution. He worked as an over the road and Shag Truck Driver. Robert was a Navy veteran and a member and Elder of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Coudersport PA. He was a member of the American Legion, Potter Post #192, and a former member, Elder, and Deacon of the Walnutport PA Seventh Day Adventist Church. Robert was the WVLH 106.7 FM Christian Lifestyle Radio Programmer out of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Coudersport, PA. He also managed the Church Attic, a non-profit organization supported by the church offering free clothing and household items.
Detour for Potter County Bridge Replacement Starts Monday
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced a temporary, three-day detour will be put into place on Monday, April 14, through Wednesday, April 16, routing traffic around a bridge spanning Oswayo Creek near the intersection of Derring Hollow Road, approximately 1.5 miles Southeast of Oswayo, in Hebron Township, Potter County. This will facilitate the work to replace the bridge, which will improve the overall condition rating of the bridge from poor to good.
Once in place, the three-day detour will utilize Routes 44, 49, and 449 to route traffic around the project site.
Once the detour is lifted, traffic will be reduced to one lane with temporary traffic signals as crews work to complete the bridge replacement.
Overall work on this project includes the replacement of the existing bridge with a new structure, reconstruction of the approaching roadway, and related construction. John Nastase Construction of Snow Shoe, PA, is the contractor on this $2 million project. PennDOT anticipates completion in October.
John M. Van Marter, 80
John M. Van Marter gave his final goodbyes on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. Born in Rio Tinto Nevada on May 3, 1944 to Clause and Ruby (McGlothlin) Van Marter. John was their second born, following his brother Michael just eighteen months older.
John grew up in Spokane Washington and this is where he would raise his family. First would be a set of blonde twins, Cathy (Robbie) Cabe and Sheila (Kevin) Paxson both currently of Smethport, PA. They were then followed by Steve (Rhonda) Van Marter of Albuquerque, NM, Russell of Genesee, ID and Tabby of Deer Park, WA.
James (Jim) Proctor, of Galeton PA
James (Jim) Proctor, of Galeton PA, went to be with the Lord, today, April 5th, 2025, surrounded by his family.
He was born June 1, 1940 to Charles and Josie Proctor. He was married to Beverly Proctor for 42 years before she preceded him in death in 2019. Jim loved to fish and hunt, watch the birds, feed the squirrels, spend time with his grandkids and he loved his cat, Buddy. He and his late wife, Bev, owned and operated their own company, J&B Carpets for over 25 years. He was in the National Guard from 1960 – 1966.
He is survived by his children, Bradley Proctor of Galeton and Mistie Metcalf of Potter Brook; a step-daughter Cheryl (Clyde) McClosky of Jersey Shore, PA; a step-son, Bobby Hillyard of Jersey Shore; five grandchildren, Sheena Metcalf of Potter Brook, Douglas Metcalf of Addison NY, Shanna (JC) Keefer of Williamsport, PA, Kelli (Joshua Aucker) McClosky of Mcelhattan PA, Kristi (Chris Frock) McClosky of Jersey Shore, PA; and nine great grandchildren, Anthony Foster, Rebekkah Metcalf, Hannah Metcalf, Alexis Keefer, Kayden Keefer, Jackson Keefer, Isaac Shirey, Layne Winters, and Wyatt Winters.
In addition to his wife, Beverly Proctor, Jim was predeceased by a step-son, Ronald Hillyard, his son-in-law, Donald (Dude) Metcalf, six sisters, his twin, Jane, June, Midge, Ruth, Pearl, and Juanita, four brothers, Bob, Charles, Bert, and Norman, and a great grandson, Steven Foster.
Arrangements and the cremation are under the care of Hess Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Galeton.
A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Second Chance Animal Rescue.
Second Annual Night At The Races Was Held April 5th
The second annual Night at the Races was held Saturday at the Port Allegany Moose Lodge #460 as the Rotary Club welcomed Jason Christopher from Acclaim Productions, LLC.
PITT-BRADFORD RECEIVES FIVE NATIONAL ADVERTISING AWARDS
The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has received five awards in the 2024 Collegiate Advertising Awards program, which recognizes U.S. colleges and universities for excellence in communications, marketing, advertising and promotions.
Pitt-Bradford received four Gold Awards and one Bronze Award in this year’s competition, which was judged by a panel of design and education marketing professionals with decades of combined experience who evaluate entries on creativity, layout/design, and overall quality and effectiveness.
Pitt-Bradford received a Gold Award for a sheet of eight stickers that featured school spirit-related images, including a panther paw and a Pitt-Bradford pennant; a 20-page brochure that admissions counselors when traveling share with prospective students; a series of postcards mailed to prospective students; and a new billboard along U.S. Route 219 in Limestone, N.Y.
ATTEND A JAW-DROPPING MAGIC SHOW THIS FRIDAY OR SATURDAY, APRIL 11 OR 12
Ryan Bliss
Kozmo and Ryan Bliss will perform illusion, misdirection and sleight of hand coupled with laughter and surprises in the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro. These incredible magicians have performed for some of the biggest stars in the world and will amaze audience members.
Tickets are available for the three magic shows. The first is at 7:30 p.m. this Friday, April 11. The second is at 2 p.m. and the third is at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, April 12. The doors will open for the 7:30 p.m. shows at 7:15 p.m. and for the 2 p.m. show at 1:45 p.m.
Kozmo