As our region prepares for a cold spell next week, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the churches and libraries that are opening their doors to provide warm spaces for community members in need.

We encourage residents to take advantage of these facilities if they need a warm and safe place during the extreme cold weather. Additional details, including updated library schedules and other warming locations, will be shared as they become available.

Thank you to all the organizations and individuals who have stepped up to support our community during this challenging time. Your compassion and generosity embody the spirit of unity and care. Please see attached list and current schedule of participating Churches and Libraries.

For more information or updates, please contact Allegany County Office of Emergency Management at (585) 268-5290 or oesinfo@alleganyco.gov.

Tuesday 1/21/25- Ulysses and Oswayo Valley Centers are closed due to cold weather.  Stay home – keep warm.

Penn College has scheduled Information Sessions for their upcoming LPN course beginning in September. When you enroll in the full-time Practical Nursing program, you’ll be on your way to a fulfilling career in just one year. With skilled faculty, hands-on learning labs, 1,546 hours of instruction, and access to Penn College student services, you’ll be confident and ready to take the Practical Nursing licensing exam (NCLEX-PN), and if you want to advance your career, we have pathways to get you there.  

To learn more, attend one of the Information Sessions that are scheduled for Thursdays, January 16 or February 13, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at Penn College/Wellsboro, 22 Walnut Street, or live via Zoom at the Education Council’s Coudersport office at 5 Water Street. Registration is required. For more information or to register for an Information Session, call Wendy Joachim at (570) 724-7703.

The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation will open its 2025 scholarship application process on January 31.

Students can apply through the online scholarship portal at cattfoundation.org/apply-for-scholarships.

By completing the universal application, students become eligible for over 100 scholarship opportunities tailored to various interests and career goals.

In 2024, CRCF awarded $312,853 in scholarships to 172 students across 249 awards, including continuing payments for multi-year scholarships.

Scholarships are available to students throughout the region, including, depending on the criteria of each fund, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Chautauqua and McKean (PA) counties for a multitude of career aspirations.

 On Monday, January 13, 2025, the Coudersport Area Lions Club presented Coudersport Senior Center volunteer, Nancy Lent, with a check for $250.00.  The Lions Club made this donation during the Senior Center’s well-attended and delicious Soup and Bake Sale.  The Lions hope the donation will help the senior center as they provide vital information,  interesting speakers, games, and activities for the seniors of our community.

The Coudersport Senior Center is located at 200 Chestnut Street. It is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8 AM – 2 PM.  A lunch is served, which needs to be pre-ordered.  New members and volunteers are always welcomed.  Stop by the Senior Center for a copy of the monthly lunch menu and activity schedule, or call 814-274-7887.

The Coudersport Area Lions Club meets the first Monday of each month at 3:30 PM in the Ambulance Hall located at 122 E 2nd Street.  The Lions Club is a volunteer organization that supports our local community through service projects.  If you are interested in finding out more about the Lions, please feel free to join us at one of our meetings, or call 814-203-3664.  

I got up this morning to a temperature of 11 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold, you say? For some, perhaps, but for others, it’s a matter of perspective. Why is that? Why does a person’s perspective play a great part in how they see things?

A quick look at the long-range forecast shows that it will get much colder, with a couple of days at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Yet some take it in stride and prepare differently, while others will view it as one of the worst couple of days of the new year. Me? I’ll take it in stride and enjoy it. Why? As I said before, it’s always a matter of perspective.

Williamsport, Pa., January 15, 2025 – Ganga Ranasuriya, M.D., UPMC Pulmonology in North Central Pa., has been honored with the 2024 Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) Everyday Hero award. Dr. Ranasuriya was nominated by a patient and selected for exceptional dedication and outstanding care. 

PAMED’s Everyday Hero Award is designed to showcase talented physicians who don’t view themselves as heroes, but to patients and colleagues they are. The award aims to highlight physician members who go above and beyond in their daily practice to provide exceptional care to their patients.