Ms. Sophia Behringer is a Senior member of the Gator cheerleading squad. She is a foreign exchange student from Germany and is participating in her first Gator sports.

Aside from cheerleading and her academics Sophia is involved as a member of the Yearbook staff. Her favorite class in school is Sociology and her father is her biggest athletic influence.

From Coach Austin:

“Sophia brings so much love and kindness to our squad, and everyone thinks the world of her. She had never cheered before, as they don’t have a cheer squad where she is from, but you would never be able to tell because she is a fast learner and makes it look so easy.”

Sophia’s message to younger athletes in Port Allegany is to “enjoy it and listen to your coach. She or he knows what they are doing.”

After Sophia’s year in Port Allegany she plans to attend college and volunteer in Africa.

Original Facebook Post HERE

Joyce K. Bennett, born December 30, 1937, in Olean, NY, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2024, at the age of 86. A longtime resident of Rixford, PA, Joyce leaves behind cherished memories and a legacy of love.

She was predeceased by her parents, Albert A. and Dorothy B. (Dibble) Bennett; her brother, Leonard Bennett; and her sisters, Norma Johnson and Marjorie Childs (Lance). She is survived by her brother, Tom Bennett (Debbie), of Rixford, PA; her sister-in-law, Jean Bennett, also of Rixford, PA; her brother-in-law, John Johnson; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Joyce will be laid to rest at McKean Memorial Park alongside her parents. In keeping with her wishes, there will be no public viewing, and the family will hold a private service for family members only.

Joyce will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, and devotion to her family. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

Ridgway, Pa- Dickinson Center, Inc. (DCI) is currently working on their 14^th annual Pat Work Memorial Christmas Project to provide gifts to children in the region this holiday season. This project was named after Patricia “Pat” Work who was a therapist at Dickinson for many years prior to her passing in 2003. Pat worked with children and always made an extra effort at Christmas to make sure they had gifts.

This year, DCI has 75 children referred to the project. Children are referred by DCI employees based on their need. The children or their families provide wish lists that include both toys and clothing sizes. Angel trees are developed based on those wish lists and shared with staff, board members, and local community supporters to fill the wish lists. The DCI employees who made the referrals deliver the gifts to the families before Christmas. 

For the past few years, Dickinson has received very generous donations from the employees of Morgan Advanced Materials. Employees from both the St. Marys and Coudersport Morgan locations support the project by purchasing a large variety of toys, games, etc. Their support has been critical in the project’s success. 

Bradford, Pa.:  The opening Saturday of firearms deer season on the Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative (KQDC) was a good day for Colton Eschrich from Bradford, Pa.  Colton harvested and then brought an antlered deer to the KQDC Deer Check Station on SR 59.  Colton’s buck dressed out at 143#, had nine points, and was found to be 3 and ½ years old. 

Each hunter that harvests an antlered deer receives a raffle ticket for a $250 prize drawn after the Deer Check Stations close on the second Saturday.  Colton’s raffle ticket was drawn on Sunday, 12/8, as the winner of the $250 antlered deer raffle prize.  Congratulations, Colton.

Colton expressed his appreciation for the service the Deer Check Stations’ volunteers provide to hunters, and to the land managers that provide a quality place to hunt deer.

The KQDC is managed for Quality Deer and a Quality Forest Ecosystem to provide a Quality Hunting experience.  Other goals are to provide quality forests for landowners to manage for timber products, local employment, numerous outdoor recreation activities, and quality habitat for all wildlife.

The Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative is an on-going demonstration, begun in 2000, of how hunting can be used to meet the goals of multiple publics for managing deer.  A partnership of forest landowners, forest managers, biologists, hunters, and local businesses developed the program which relies on hunters to manage deer density on a representative forested area.  The program is conducted on a 74,000-acre forested demonstration area in northwestern Pennsylvania.

The Tiadaghton Audubon Society, based in Wellsboro, is hosting its annual Wellsboro-Mansfield Circle bird count on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. The deadline to sign up is next Sunday, Dec. 22.

Those that want to participate by being assigned to cover a specific area in this bird count circle are asked to contact the Tiadaghton Audubon Society by emailing tasmember@yahoo.com or by calling Tiadaghton Audubon Society members Sean and Robin Minnick at 570-948-9052.

“Anyone interested is welcome to contact me for more information,” said Sean Minnick.

Mansfield-Wellsboro Circle bird count volunteers will get their area assignments via email.

Each individual count is performed in the “count circle,” which has a diameter of 15 miles (24.14 kilometres). At least 10 volunteers are needed.

Every participant counts each bird they see as he/she/they follow their assigned route.

Winter Storm Watch issued December 9 at 2:01PM EST until December 13 at 1:00PM EST by NWS Buffalo NY

DESCRIPTION: * WHAT…Heavy lake effect snow possible. Total snow accumulations
of more than 1 foot possible in the most persistent lake snows.
Winds could gust as high as 35 mph, producing blowing and drifting
snow.

* WHERE…Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus
Counties.

* WHEN…From Wednesday afternoon through Friday afternoon.

* IMPACTS…Travel could be very difficult with deep snow cover on
roads and very poor visibility.

INSTRUCTIONS: Narrow bands of heavy snow could bring rapidly changing road
conditions and visibilities. Localized travel problems will be
possible.

During lake effect snow, the weather can vary from bands of locally
heavy snow with greatly reduced visibilities to dry conditions just
a few miles away. Be prepared for rapid changes in weather,
visibility, and road conditions.

Issued By: NWS Buffalo NY

Earlier today my husband was traveling from the top of 872, to Galeton Pa. He had a 10 ft. Extension ladder in the bed of his pick-up, needless to say he lost it somewhere. If found please call 814-274-7817. Thank you.

Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) is reminding older adults and Pennsylvanians with disabilities they have until Dec. 31 to apply for the state’s 2023 Property Tax/Rent Rebate program.

“We significantly expanded eligibility for the program this year, and increased the maximum rebate,” Causer said. “I encourage anyone who qualifies or thinks they may qualify to contact our offices for free assistance with filing for the benefit.”

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.

Income limits increased this year to $45,000 for both homeowners and renters, and the maximum rebate also increased to $1,000. Remember to exclude 50% of Social Security when determining income.

Embark on an adventure like no other! This is your chance to dive into epic storytelling, forge friendships, and develop key life skills – all while having an amazing time.

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is more than just a game; it’s a gateway to creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Students become heroes in a world of their own making, working together to solve puzzles, strategize, and defeat challenges. With a focus on teamwork and storytelling, every session taught by Brent Bryant, Networking and Security Instructor at Seneca Highlands CTC, is a chance to explore, problem-solve, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Whether your student is a seasoned adventurer or new to role-playing games, they’ll be guided by experienced facilitators in a safe, welcoming environment. No special experience or materials required – just imagination!

It is being called the largest ever by organizers.  Cameron County Christmas began with a week of shopping small where more than $15,000 was spent at local businesses.  Shoppers were asked to track spending and then were entered to win chamber bucks provided by C&N Bank.

Friday night the parade stepped off with more than 25 participants.  Taking home fan favorite was Singers Auto Service with owner Jimmy Singer wowing the crowd with his dance moves on the train car from Polar Express.  Caroline Gleason joined the parade marking the first time equestrian riders took part.  Gleason was awarded the chamber prize.  St Mark Catholic Church received the reason for the season award with the live nativity float.  Cameron County Girl Scouts brought home the organization award by singing Rudolph and enjoying a ride in a pickup complete with a red nose!  Members of Cameron County High School Marching Band decorated clothing with lights and wowed the crowd with holiday music.  Emporium Hardwoods Rockin Round the Christmas Tree drew loud applause as it drove the route.  Decorated with a large guitar and tree pulled by a tractor trailer the float was the winner of the business category. 

April Mase, RD
Food and Nutrition, UPMC

As we recover from Thanksgiving but with many more celebrations ahead, you may find it challenging to not overindulge this holiday season. Perhaps you also hosted—or were a guest—encountering food allergies or sensitivities that might need more attention in your next gathering. With a little preparation and communication, everyone can enjoy the holidays without compromising their health.

There will be a special Committee of the Whole meeting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 11.

Agenda items include proposed amendments to our Classification, Compensation, and Evaluation Plan; end of year contracts; and any other business that may come up between now and then.