(McKean County, March 11, 2025):  District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer announced today that she will not be running in the upcoming election to fill a vacancy in the county’s 2^nd judge seat left after the retirement of Judge Hauser in 2024. 

McKean County has two County Judges – President Judge John Pavlock and the position formerly filled by Judge Hauser that is temporarily filled pending the upcoming election results. 

DA Vettenburg-Shaffer:  “Over the last several years, and, with more urgency in the last few months, I have received numerous inquiries on my intentions as to the judgeship that was expected to be vacated when one of our Judges retired.  In 2024, applicants submitted letters of interest seeking to be appointed to the position on a temporary basis.  I declined to submit my name for consideration for the temporary appointment and, now, I am announcing I will not run to fill the seat formerly.  Myself, and other senior members of our bar association, understand our obligations to ensure that the legal system in the County runs efficiently. To that end, I have decided to remain as the District Attorney and in the role that I believe I am currently able to serve most effectively.  I have been the District Attorney since 2016 and I am very proud of our accomplishments (the DA’s Office and McKean County Law Enforcement) and we continue to work to fulfill the criminal justice goals we have set.  In fact, we are not done with the work I envision for our local criminal justice system. 

I appreciate the important role of Judge and I hold it with the utmost respect.  And I hold the position of District Attorney with similar respect.  At the present time, my focus will remain on prosecution and community outreach for which I am very fortunate to have a voice.”  

** On October 9th, 2024, at approximately 0014 hours, City of Bradford Police responded to a call at the Holiday Inn Express, located at 30 Tarport Drive, regarding a large box truck striking the building and parked motor vehicles before fleeing the scene. Upon arrival, officers located the box truck in the downtown area and attempted a traffic stop. The operator, later identified as John Albert McWhinnie of Shelburne Falls, MA, fled from the vehicle on foot to evade officer contact.

Further investigation revealed that the box truck had been stolen from the Bradford Era, located at 43 Main Street, prior to the incident. The stolen vehicle had caused extensive damage to several parked vehicles and the Holiday Inn Express building, resulting in a large hole in one of the bedrooms and significant damage to the front overhang drive-through. Through diligent efforts, including scouring video footage and conducting numerous interviews, City Police were able to identify the driver as John Albert McWhinnie. It was determined that McWhinnie had fled the Bradford area back to Massachusetts. On March 10, 2025, the City of Bradford Police had McWhinnie extradited back to Pennsylvania, where he was arraigned by Magistrate Richard Luther.

McWhinnie was remanded to the McKean County Jail after failing to post $150,000 cash bail. Preliminary hearings are scheduled in the matter. The City of Bradford Police Department would like to thank the public for their cooperation and assistance in this investigation. The department is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community and will continue to work tirelessly to bring those responsible for criminal activity to justice. 

Dr. Widad Emil Bazzoui, age 95, of Bradford, passed away at home, on March 6, 2025 with his wife and members of his devoted family by his side, He was born May 7,1929 the first-born son of the late Emile and Mary Homsey Bazzoui, in Baghdad, Iraq. 

Widad graduated from the American Jesuit High School in Baghdad, Iraq in 1946. He finished his medical education at the Royal Medical College of Iraq in 1953. He completed his Internal medicine Residency in 1954 and practiced Internal Medicine for five years in service to the Iraqi government as an internist in the outlying tribal areas of the country. You can learn more about his amazing life by reading his memoir, ‘The Man From Baghdad’.

The County of Cameron announces that 2025 real estate and per capita (personal) tax bills have been mailed to all property owners and residents.

Residents are encouraged to review their tax statements upon receipt. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your bill, please refer to the contact information provided on the tax notice. Each bill includes details on payment deadlines, accepted payment methods, and applicable discounts or penalties.

The County reminds residents to submit payments on time to avoid late fees or subsequent bills from the county’s delinquency collection agent, Keystone Collections Group, or one of the municipality’s appointed collection agencies. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring a smooth tax collection process.

For further information, please contact the appropriate tax office as listed on your bill.

Throughout March, Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and Olean General Hospital (OGH), Kaleida Health facilities, are offering a variety of classes and support groups designed to provide health education, encouragement, and community connection.

Whether you are managing a health condition, navigating a loss, or caring for a loved one, programs offer valuable guidance and are open to the public.

The Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Workshop helps individuals take charge of their diabetes with expert guidance and support. The comprehensive program at OGH covers key aspects of diabetes self-care, including meal planning, medication management, and lifestyle strategies. The workshop will take place in the OGH Education Center on the first floor. The dates and times are as follows:

Wednesday, March 12, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Wednesday, March 19, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Diet-focused session)

Wednesday, March 26, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

For more information regarding the diabetes education and support workshop or to register, call (716) 375-4127.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
752 AM EDT Tue Mar 11 2025
…ELEVATED RISK OF WILDFIRE SPREAD THIS AFTERNOON…

A combination of dry and windy conditions this afternoon will
create an elevated risk of wildfire spread across Central
Pennsylvania. Minimum relative humidity values will range from 25
to 35 percent accompanied by wind gusts between 20 and 30 mph.

Residents are urged to exercise caution if handling any potential
ignition sources, such as machinery, cigarettes, or matches.
If dry grasses and tree litter begin to burn, the fire will have
the potential to spread rapidly.

For more information about wildfire danger and wildfire
prevention and education, please visit the Pennsylvania Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources website at
http://dcnr.pa.gov/Communities/Wildfire.

Belmont, NY – All Democrats registered to vote in Allegany County are invited to participate in the second in a series of general sessions on Saturday, March 15 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the David A. Howe Library, 155 N. Main St., Wellsville, NY.  The session will take place in the Nancy Howe Auditorium on the ground floor of the library, which is accessed from the back of the building.  Sign-in begins at 9:00 a.m.; the doors open at 9:20 a.m., so please dress for the weather.

Attendees will hear from candidates for local office and other special guests. The session will begin with a plenary discussion on current affairs and end with a roadmap for the party’s efforts in 2025.  We anticipate a lively, informative, consensus-building discussion.

Advance registration is required.  Please use this link: https://forms.gle/FM7x9zT69yPMWiLZ9

“Pirate School: Sea Dreams,” a fun show for the whole family, is at 7 p.m. this Thursday, March 13 in the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.

Included in “Pirate School: Sea Dreams,” a riotous, interactive variety show suitable for all ages, are: magic, eye-popping puppetry, slapstick sword play, bubble-play, booming cannons, lively audience participation, and a rich score of music and cartoon-like sound effects. Where else can the young and the young at heart participate in a sea battle, or find a talking skull and the world’s only wearable pirate ship.