Off-Broadway Hit “Music City” Has Roots in Tioga County, Bus Trip Planned
A new country-rock musical with strong ties to Tioga County is taking the stage in New York City after over a decade of development. Originally premiering as “Smile” at the Deane Center in Wellsboro in February 2013, the production has evolved into the hit musical Music City, which opened at the West End Theater in New York City in October 2024.
Written by Peter Zinn and featuring popular country-rock hits by JT Harding, Music City tells the story of a group of songwriters navigating the challenges of the early 2000s. Set in Nashville during a time of societal upheaval, the show explores the lives of its characters as they struggle to make their mark on one of America’s most iconic music scenes.
“Set in the early 2000s, in a Nashville fractured by the American methamphetamine crisis and the Global War on Terror, Music City’s hardscrabble band of songwriters struggles to leave their mark on one of America’s wildest music scenes,” says Chloe Rabinowitz of Broadway World.
With an updated storyline and new songs, Music City features a dynamic soundtrack, including familiar hits written by JT Harding like “Smile” by Uncle Kracker, “Somewhere With You” by Kenny Chesney, “Sangria” by Blake Shelton, “Alone With You” by Keith Urban, and many more.
Mason Ashcroft, 18, of Hemlock Ave. in Kane, PA.
Mason Ashcroft, 18, of Hemlock Ave. in Kane, passed away Thursday (Jan. 9) in UPMC-Presbyterian. Born March 24, 2006 in Twenty-Nine Palms, CA, he is the son of Bryan Ashcroft and Lindsay (Hicks) Vito.
Mason was currently employed at Walmart in St. Marys and had also worked at Lillians Ice Cream Stand. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
Catherine (Kay) Rhodes, 93
Catherine (Kay) Rhodes passed away and went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 10,2025 after very brief illness.. Catherine was born October 25, 1931 in Snowden, Pa, to John and Anne (Swenson) Brown, whom preceded her in death. Catherine married Daniel Rhodes in 1949 in Meadville Pa, he preceded her in death in 1997. She resided with her son Gary and Daughter in Law Joyce in Wilcox, Pa.
PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that all driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Saturday, January 18, 2025, through Monday, January 20, 2025, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications, and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website.
Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; REAL ID pre-verification; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.
A complete listing of PennDOT driver and photo license center closings in 2025 is available online. If you are planning to visit one of PennDOT's On-Line Messenger Service Centers, please call ahead for hours of operation during holidays.
James S. Monks, Sr. age 88, of Wellsboro, PA
James S. Monks, Sr. age 88, of Wellsboro, PA, died on Thursday, January 9, 2025. He was born on May 8, 1936 in Wellsboro, PA a son of the late Hugh and Margaret (Dartt) Monks and was married to the late Kathleen E. (Maynard) Monks.
Jim worked for the Army Corps of Engineers at the Tioga Hammond Lakes and enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping and the STPR.
2 Penn College Teams Have a Perfect Week
Pennsylvania College of Technology wrestling and women’s basketball teams both are coming off unbeaten weeks.
Wrestling
After a 21-day layoff, Penn College went 3-0 on Saturday in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Duals hosted by Pitt-Bradford. The Wildcats topped Alfred State 30-17, beat Pitt-Bradford 37-15 and downed Penn State Behrend 29-13 to improve to 4-0 in all duals.
Individually for Penn College, Carter Davis of York at 165, Nicholas Woodruff of Wyalusing at 197 and Nicholai Brotzman of Marietta at 285 finished the day with 3-0 records. Justin Adams of York at 125, Blake Dergham of Slatington at 133, TJ Martin of Honesdale at 149 and Travis Green of Manchester, Maryland, at 174 finished 2-1.
New Radiation Oncologists Welcomed to Mildred Milliman Radiation Medicine Center
Olean, NY – The Mildred Milliman Radiation Medicine Center, a Kaleida Health facility,
operated by Olean General Hospital (OGH), welcomes two new radiation oncologists. Varun Chowdhry,
MD, MBA, and Joshua Regal, MD, PhD, both Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center physicians,
are filling the shoes of Dr. Gregory Hare who retired earlier this fall.
Bill Daley, 85 of Warren, PA
William “Bill” Francis Daley
Bill Daley passed away peacefully at the age of 85, at his home on January 7th, 2025.
He was born on June 3rd, 1939, in Warren, Pennsylvania to the parents John Michael and Mary Anita (Hultquist) Daley. He was a lifelong resident of Warren but for two years in Erie.
Thomas A. Krivonyak, 63, of 182 Trailer Court Drive, Emporium
Thomas A. Krivonyak, 63, of 182 Trailer Court Drive, Emporium, passed away January 5, 2025 at his residence.
He was born May 29, 1961 in St. Marys, son of the late Basil and Doris Brennen Krivonyak. He was a graduate of St. Marys Area High School, Class of 1980 and a proud veteran of the United States Army.
Mary C. Urbanski, 79, of Warren, Pa
Mary C. Urbanski, 79, of Warren, Pa, died on Friday January 10, 2025, in the Warren Manor.
She was born in Warren, Pa, on April 25, 1945, the daughter of the late Frederick and Evangeline Baxter Urbanski. Mary was a Warren area resident all of her life.
‘BALANCING WILDLIFE AND AGRICULTURE’ TOWN HALL MEETING HELD AT PENNSYLVANIA FARM SHOW
In a joint effort to address concerns and reports of increased deer pressure on agriculture crops across the state, a joint town hall meeting was held on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show to discuss crop damage caused by deer and other wildlife.
The meeting was led by an expert panel consisting of Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Chris Hoffman, and Hunters Sharing the Harvest Executive Director Randy Ferguson.
“Pennsylvania’s wildlife belongs to all citizens of this great Commonwealth,” said Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith. “With habitat loss, crop depredation, and other wildlife challenges that are facing us, it is vital that we work together to find a solution that is agreeable to everyone and keep hunters on the front lines of managing healthy wildlife populations.”
This meeting was part of a continuing conversation between these stakeholders, some of which arose during last year’s legislative push to remove the broad prohibition on Sunday hunting to allow the Game Commission to regulate Sunday hunting completely. Farmers in many cases depend on hunters to manage deer on their properties and limit crop losses, in turn providing hunters with opportunities to hunt and fill tags. It’s a mutually beneficial solution.
“We are thankful for the partnership between the agriculture and hunting communities to find beneficial solutions that allow farmers to better control the deer population and give hunters access to the sport,” said Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding. “It’s also important for us to remember that hunters play a pivotal role in providing lean protein through Hunters Sharing the Harvest. It’s our hope that new solutions for helping to control the deer population on agriculture lands will result in an increase in contributions of venison to Hunters Sharing the Harvest.”
Lake Effect Snow Warning issued From January 12 until January 16
DESCRIPTION: * WHAT…Heavy lake effect snow expected. Total snow accumulations 8
to 16 inches in the most persistent lake snows. Winds could gust
as high as 35 mph, resulting in blowing and drifting snow.
* WHERE…Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Southern Erie
Counties.
* WHEN…From 1 PM Monday to 4 AM EST Thursday.
* IMPACTS…Travel will be very difficult with very poor visibility
and deep snow cover on roads. The hazardous conditions will impact
the Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes.
INSTRUCTIONS: Heavy snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling, be
prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.
Submit snow reports through our website or social media.
Issued By: NWS Buffalo NY
Carolyn Washburn, 79, of Olean, NY
Carolyn Washburn “beloved mother and grandmother”
Carolyn Washburn, 79, of Olean, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2025, in the Olean General Hospital, Olean, after a brief illness.
Born on Friday, July 20, 1945 in Shinglehouse, she was a daughter of Gerald E. Stonemetz and Edna M. Dean Stonemetz.
Carolyn was a graduate of Oswayo Valley High School in Shinglehouse, PA. She was employed at The Rehabilitation Center in Olean, retiring after many years of service.
Carolyn attended church throughout her lifetime, being a faithful servant of God. She was an avid reader and crafter. She was a wonderful baker. Her greatest love was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.