Join us for a night of fellowship and great music at the Port Allegany CMA church located at 414 E Mill st. Port Allegany. The date is February 21st 6pm-8pm. This is a free event with music by Christian artists, Michael and April Prutsman of the band, “Chord Of Three Stands” You can find out more about their ministry at https://www.facebook.com/share/1BQ5N7Fjhq/
Light Refreshments will be served following the concert.
A love offering will be collected.
Please invite your family and friends! It is sure to be a great night.
OLEAN, N.Y., February 17 – The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation’s Community Fund grant application process is open, with grant applications due April 15.
The Community Fund makes possible two rounds of annual funding, one in May and one in November, for unrestricted grants intended to support projects and initiatives that respond to the changing needs of the community.
Applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations or a government entity or school district.
BRADFORD, PA — Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) submitted a formal closure notice to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania effective today, with anticipated closing of inpatient, emergency, and long-term care services bymid-2026, pending Pennsylvania Department of Health approval.
The region’s declining population and severely reduced patient census that was already minimal in 2019 combined to create financial losses averaging $10.1 million each year since 2021.
In Elmira, NY, on August 4, 1942, Nancy Lynn Benedict was welcomed into this world by Byron & Elouise Benedict. She then ascended into heaven on February 16, 2026, as a result of a decision to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior.
Nancy grew up on the family farm in Whitneyville, PA with her two brothers, John T. Benedict (deceased) and Robert E. Benedict. She helped with the farm chores and enjoyed driving the tractor as she helped mowing down hay on various fields for the Federal soil bank program, as well as haying at other local farms. She continued to enjoy driving tractor all through her life.
Graduating from Wellsboro High School in 1960, she continued to Mansfield Teachers College, earning her degree in Elementary Education in 1964. While in college, she worked at the local Drive-In Theatre selling popcorn and taught guitar lessons in Mansfield. Upon graduating from Mansfield, she worked for 10 years (1964-1974) teaching 2nd Grade students at Portville, NY Central School District. During these years, she also worked to earn her Master’s Degree at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY.
In 1974, she was asked to serve as a summer missionary with Child Evangelism Fellowship (C.E.F.) of Tioga County, PA. During that summer, she experienced an intensive and fruitful training by teaching and evangelizing with C.E.F. She then made the decision to follow God’s leading and to serve full-time as a Missionary for C.E.F., Inc.
Nancy served 35 years with C.E.F., starting as a summer missionary teaching 5-Day Clubs in Tioga County, PA. She then continued on as a C.E.F. local director in Northumberland, PA (1974-1989) with her best friend Welda Bell. Then they accepted new positions in C.E.F. as co-director of the state of Maryland (1989-1994). From 1994 until November 2001, Nancy served at the International Headquarters of C.E.F. in the United States of America Ministry Department in Warrenton, MO. From 2003-2009, she returned to Maryland serving as the State Director of C.E.F., training volunteers to teach God’s word to boys and girls.
Through her years of service, she considered it a privilege and joy to conduct training classes for teachers, as well as plan and orchestrate Vacation Bible Schools, Good News Clubs, Day Camps, and Overnight Camps.
Nancy’s hobby and joy was camping (glamping). She spent many winters in Florida camping with family and friends.
Nancy is a member of Bell Run Church and has enjoyed ministry in several capacities. Surviving is her life-time best friend, co-worker and confidante, Welda Bell. We wish to thank the Bell Family of Shinglehouse (Welda Bell, Ed Bell, and Nani Bell, and Patsy Colbey) for their adoption and un-ending love and care for Nancy.
Also surviving are her brother, Robert (Cynthia); nieces, Tammy Mengee and Maria Frank (Dan), both of Wellsboro, PA; nephew, Tyler Benedict (Tammy Jo) of Mansfield, PA; eight great nieces and one great nephew; and seven great-great nieces and nephews; cousins, Donald Benedict (Helen) of Mainesburg, PA, Donna Baker of Roseville, PA, and Joy Kerr of Phoenix, Arizona.
Donations may be made to C.E.F., to help continuing Nancy’s mission, resulting in more children hearing the Good News (https://www.cefonline.com/get-involved/ways-to-give), or to the charity of your choice.
A life celebration will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2026, from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. at Buckheit Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., 637 Mansfield, PA. A service will follow at 2:00 P.M. with Edward Bell officiating. www.buckheitfcandcrematory.com
If you love trout fishing, there was a sure sign of spring today, as annual trout stocking operations got underway ahead of Pennsylvania’s spring trout season! Opossum Lake in Cumberland County received the first stocking of the year, which included cutting a hole into the ice with a chainsaw. This year, the Fish and Boat Commission, with the help of volunteers, will stock 3.2 million trout into 684 streams and 130 lakes. Trout stocking occurs in all 67 counties.
The most common species being stocked is Rainbow Trout, but anglers will also have the chance to catch Brown Trout, Brook Trout, and golden Rainbow Trout.
All waters managed as Stocked Trout Waters are now closed until 8 a.m. on the Opening Day of Trout Season on Saturday, April 4, with the exception of Mentored Youth Trout Day on Saturday, March 28th.
For the 2026 trout stocking schedule, regulations, and more information on trout fishing, visit Fishandboat.com.
PA Wilds Champion Award nominations due by April 6
The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc. (PA Wilds Center) is pleased to announce that DuBois Country Club in DuBois, Clearfield County, will be the location for the 2026 PA Wilds Dinner & Awards. Planned for Thursday, July 30, this special event is the premier networking opportunity in the Pennsylvania Wilds. The theme for this year’s event is “The Power of Partnerships.”
Located along the I-80 Frontier landscape within the Pennsylvania Wilds region, the DuBois Country Club served as the venue for the annual PA Wilds Dinner in 2017 and 2019. The nonprofit will return to the venue for 2026, using its spacious facilities and convenient location as the backdrop for the night’s celebration.
(left to right): Jill Grosch (Field Rep. for State Rep. Martin Causer), Tamara Bleggi (Field Rep. for State Sen. Cris Dush), Will Hunt (PA Route 6 Alliance Board/Potter Co. Planning), Nancy Grupp (Potter Co. Commissioner), Shelley Butler (Coudersport Chamber of Commerce), Caroline Powers (Coudersport Chamber of Commerce), Danielle Stilson (PA Route 6 Alliance), Daniel Glotz (PA Route 6 Board President/Warren Co. Commissioner), and Candace Hillyard (PA Route 6 Executive Director).
Recognizing outstanding people, groups, and communities along PA Route 6!
The PA Route 6 Alliance is requesting nominations for their 16th Annual “Do 6” Awards, which recognize individuals, groups, projects, and communities that exemplify and advance the Alliance’s mission of protecting, preserving, and promoting the scenic, cultural, historic, and recreational resources across the 11-county corridor of PA Route 6.
Johnsonburg, Pa.: Ron Holly, new hunter at Rolfe Beagle Club’s Statewide Coyote and Fox Hunt or Trap this year, showed he was having a good time at his camp in McKean County over the last weekend by bringing in three coyotes. Ron shoots a .243 rifle with a thermal scope and uses a Fox Pro electronic call. He hunts private lands predominantly.
Ron started off Friday evening near 9:00 p.m. by harvesting a female coyote weighing in at a hefty 37.6#. On Saturday evening near 10:00 p.m. he was able to harvest a pair of coyotes that came in together. The male coyote weighed in at 33.0# and the female weighed 33.8#. Congratulations, Ron.
Hunters are reminded that if they choose to participate during the second weekend of this hunt or trap from 2/20-22, they must have their registration postmarked by Thursday, 2/19.
Weigh-in is at 4:00 p.m. every day. Categories include coyote, fox, largest female coyote, and largest female fox. Additional information at the Facebook Page, Rolfe Beagle Club.
Penn College is scheduled to open its season on Saturday, hosting Juniata College at the Lycoming Valley Intermediate School in a doubleheader starting at noon.
Last season: 18-18 overall, 11-7 all UEC, 11-5 UEC regular season.
Coach: Chris Howard, 19th season. Career record: 377-283.
Top returning position players (last season’s key stats): Junior outfielder Dallas Griess, of Williamsport (.369 BA, 3 HR); junior shortstop Shawn Townsend, of Hatboro (.410 BA, 50 hits, 13 doubles, 33 RBIs); senior infielder Ethan Stahl, of Cogan Station (.381 BA); junior third baseman Jaydon Goebel, of Honey Brook (.372 BA, 42 runs scored, 3 HR); junior outfielder Matt Munoz, of Tobyhanna (.336 BA, 1.000 fielding %); junior outfielder John Croasdale, of Milford, New Jersey (.360 BA); sophomore infielder Levi Purnell, of Snow Shoe (.343 BA, 5 HR, 32 RBIs); junior second baseman Jaiden Augustine, of Dillsburg (.296 BA).
Cynthia S. Buckheit, 80, of Port Allegany, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
Born November 10, 1945, in Port Allegany she was a daughter of the late Martin and Marian (Forslund) Sawyer.
Cindy was a woman whose life was marked by faith in the Lord and her quiet strength was an encouragement to those around her. From a young age, she loved the Lord and remained devoted to Him throughout her life. Her relationship with Christ shaped every part of who she was as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and servant. Her family will always remember her smiles and her hugs, her “Lord Bless Yous”, and that she always waved goodbye from the porch. To know Cindy was to be prayed for and loved. She lived out the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:18, praising the Lord in every situation, good or bad. Though our hearts grieve, we rejoice in the promise of eternal life and the assurance that she is now in the presence of her Savior, hearing the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Smethport – Jill R. Jordan, 69, of Smethport, passed away Sunday (February 15, 2026) at Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport.
She was born December 23, 1956 in Sedailia, MO, the daughter of James Gotshall and Lois Hults . On August 31, 1974, in Eldred, PA, she married Thomas B. Jordan, who survives.
Jill was a 1974 graduate of Port Allegany High School and received her CNA from BOCES in Olean, NY. She worked as a CNA for several years, and ultimately worked at Char-Lo Ceramics of Port Allegany, PA, along with her family.
She was a member of the Smethport Red Hats and the Allegheny Mountain Engine & Implement Association.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by:
A daughter: Erin (Alvin) Loveless of Smethport
Three grandchildren: Odin Loveless, Landon Loveless and Kelsey Peters
One sister: Joy Fortner of Port Allegany
Two brothers: Jamee Gotshall of Tennessee and Tim Gotshall of Eldred
And several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Jill was preceded in death by a son, Clinton B. Jordan, on June 28, 2016.
Gary W. Wolfe, 71, of Middlebury Center, passed away Saturday February 14, 2026, at his home.
He was born August 23, 1954, in Keyser, WV, the son of the late Leonard W. and Frances E. (Fanto) Wolfe.
He married the former Gloria A. Fuller, and they have been married for 52 years. Gary graduated from Keyser High School, Class of 1972, and owned and operated Wolfe Communications retiring in 2025. Gary was a faithful servant of the Lord and enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a member and supporter of the Navajo BIC Mission, Bloomfield, NM, and made many visitations with shut-ins.
In addition to his wife, Gloria, Gary is survived by sons: Kristopher Wolfe, and Anthony (Jessica) Wolfe both of Middlebury Center; mother-in-law, Lois Fuller of Middlebury Center; brothers-in-law: Rex (Danelle) Fuller of Middlebury Center; and Floyd (Kate) Fuller of Millerton; grandchildren: Mitchell Wolfe, Alexandra Wolfe, Kaitlyn Wolfe, Garrett Wolfe, and Alyssa Wolfe, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Gene Fuller.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date. The family suggest memorial contributions in Gary’s name to be made to the Navajo BIC Mission, 240 NM – 57, Bloomfield, NM 87413.
His arrangements have been entrusted to the Tussey-Mosher Funeral Home 139 Main Street Wellsboro, PA 16901. To share a memory or condolence with his family visit www.tusseymosher.com.
Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service for Lila J. McLaughlin, 83, of Cyclone, at 1pm on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Hilltop Baptist Church, 3695 PA-646, Gifford, PA, with Pastor Max Simms, officiating.
Lila’s family has entrusted her care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.
Aerial photo of previous volunteers at Tionesta Lake.
Tionesta, Pa.: Garrett Baker, Habitat Coordinator for the RGS Upland Bird Hunt Chapter here in NC PA said, “We could still use a few more volunteers for the alder cutting we have planned on March 1 (Sunday) at the Army Corps of Engineers Tionesta Lake. Volunteers do not need to have any special skills.“
If volunteers are willing to help on this project, please contact Garrett Baker at bakgar42@yahoo.com because we need to know what kind, and how many, of tools to bring to support the volunteer effort.
Johnsonburg, Pa.: Brady Nussbaum and Reese Ehrensberger, predator hunters from St Marys, combined to bring in four predators to Rolfe’s weigh station on Sunday, 2/15. Reese started off their success by calling in an 8.8# female red fox on Friday at 11:00 pm just outside of the City of St. Marys. Reese continued his successful shooting on Saturday near 2:00 a.m. with the harvest of another red fox, this time a male, weighing in at 9.4#. This red fox was harvested on another piece of private land in Elk County.
Dense Fog Advisory issued February 17 at 6:41AM EST until February 18 at 7:00AM EST by NWS Buffalo NY
* WHAT…Visibility as low as one quarter mile at times in dense fog.
* WHERE…Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Northern Cayuga, Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Ontario, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany Counties. Greatest duration of dense fog expected across hill tops, and near the eastern Great Lake shorelines.
* WHEN…Until 7 AM EST Wednesday. Visibilities may improve slightly this afternoon and evening before lowering again tonight.
* IMPACTS…Hazardous driving conditions due to low visibility.
INSTRUCTIONS: If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.
