Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home 17th Candlelight Remembrance Ceremony
Our 17th Candlelight Remembrance Ceremony was held on Saturday, December 23 at 5pm at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner. We had a large turnout of family members who came to light their loved one’s candle. If there was not a family member present, our daughter, Kathryn, and our granddaughter, Gwynne, lit that candle. We keep these families that have lost a loved one this year in our thoughts and prayers. 102 candles were lit for those who passed since our last ceremony and an extra candle was lit in memory of all those we have served in the past 39 years.
Shapiro Administration Reminds Pennsylvanians of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Supports, Public Assistance Programs, and Other Resources Available During the Holiday Season
Harrisburg, PA – Members of the Shapiro Administration today reminded Pennsylvanians of resources that are available to support them during the holiday season and beyond. The departments of Human Services (DHS), Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), and Health (DOH), came together to reinforce the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to helping Pennsylvanians throughout the year, especially during the holidays.
“The holidays can be a joyous time as we gather with our loved ones to celebrate the season, but we know that this season comes with added responsibilities and expectations that can cause stress and lead to feelings of loneliness, anxiety or depression. Please know that if you are going through hard times, you are not alone – it is always okay to reach out for help if you need an extra hand, and the Shapiro Administration is here to help no matter the time of year,” said DHS Deputy Secretary for the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Jen Smith.
Some of the available resources highlighted at today’s event include:
Northern Pennsylvania Regional College Dean’s List Fall 2023
Warren, PA: Northern Pennsylvania Regional College has announced students who achieved Dean’s List recognition for Fall 2023.
Students take classes at one of our over 20 different instructional locations and include Alicia Gingrich of Galeton.
The Dean’s List recognizes the academic achievements of students who remained in good academic standing and earned a 3.0 GPA or greater during the Fall 2023 term. This outstanding scholarship contributes to the high reputation for excellence at NPRC. A complete list of Dean’s List students for the Fall 2023 term can be found at regionalcollegepa.org/nprc-announces-deans-list-for-fall-2023/.
PUC to Investigate Rate Increase Requests by Community Utilities of Pennsylvania Inc. for Water and Wastewater Services
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to suspend and investigate proposed rate increase requests by Community Utilities of Pennsylvania Inc. (CUPA) for water and wastewater services.
CUPA provides water service to approximately 3,257 customers in portions of Monroe, Northampton and Pike counties and wastewater services to approximately 3,832 customers in portions of Monroe, Chester and Pike counties.
Light Up A Life 2023
The Cole Foundation celebrated our annual Light Up A Life event on December 7, 2023. The campaign raised over $21,000 for Hospice and Cancer patients in our service area.
While celebrating the holidays, many of us are reminded of family members and loved ones. Light Up A Life offers a unique and meaningful way to express your appreciation for those who you love and cherish.
UAHS Hospitals to Provide Christmas Meals for Patients
BRADFORD, PA / OLEAN, NY – Upper Allegheny Health System (UAHS) hospital campuses, Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC), and Olean General Hospital (OGH), are providing patients with a special holiday meal who cannot be home for the Christmas holiday on December 25.
For those who will be patients at BRMC and OGH as well as residents at the Pavilion on Christmas Day, the hospitals will be offering a festive complimentary meal. In addition, patients also receive a gratuitous meal for an invited guest to dine with them on Christmas Day. Additional patient guests may purchase a holiday dinner for $5.40.
2024 WINTER OUTINGS SERIES TO START MONDAY, JAN. 1 WITH FIRST-DAY HIKES AT THREE STATE PARKS
The 2024 Step Outdoors Winter Outings Series will begin on New Year’s Day, Monday, Jan. 1 with First Day Hikes at three state parks, according to organizer Tim Morey, a natural resource specialist with the Hills Creek State Park Complex. Preregistration is not required for the hikes.
“In 2017, Step Outdoors expanded from being a Tioga County-based program to including activities in both Tioga and Potter counties,” said Morey, a member of the Step Outdoors Network. “For the first time in 2019, we offered activities not only in January and February but in March, too” he noted.
WARD MANUFACTURING IS HAMILTON-GIBSON’S SEASON SPONSOR FOR 2024
Pete Guidi (left), Ward Manufacturing president and chief operating officer,
presents a check to Thomas Putnam, Hamilton-Gibson Productions’ artistic
director, to honor Ward’s commitment to be HG’s Season Sponsor in 2024.
Hamilton-Gibson Productions has announced that Ward Manufacturing is HG’s Season Sponsor for 2024.Ward is continuing its financial support of HG for the third year in a row. The company was HG’s season sponsor in 2022 and 2023 and will be again in 2024.
Roaring 20’s Fundraiser at the Museum
“Flappers” Lori Szymanik (left) and Heather Klimek sample the goods at the Eliot Ness Museum bathtub gin exhibit.
PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for Christmas Holiday
Harrisburg, PA – 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, December 23, 2023, through Monday, December 25, 2023, in observance of the Christmas 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; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.
PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for New Year’s Holiday
Harrisburg, PA – 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, December 30, 2023, through Monday, January 1, 2024, in observance of the New Year’s 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; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.
COLLABORATIVE GRANT AWARDED TO RESTORE FRESHWATER MUSSELS IN WEST BRANCH SUSQUEHANNA RIVER
HARRISBURG, Pa. (December 18) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is pleased to announce that a conservation partnership, of which it is a member, has been awarded a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chesapeake Watershed Investment for Landscape Defense (ChesWILD) grant to restore freshwater mussels to the West Branch Susquehanna River (West Branch).
The grant was awarded to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC). They and the project partners will take a comprehensive approach to mussel and river restoration through research, education, and community outreach. In addition to WPC and PFBC, partners include the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania at Lock Haven, and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission.
Penn College teams closing out 2023
During the week leading up to Christmas Day, only wrestlers saw action for Pennsylvania College of Technology.
Closing out the 2023 portion of the college’s athletics schedule, the men’s basketball team will be in action Friday and Saturday at Juniata College’s Doc Greene Tournament and the women’s basketball team will be at Keystone College on Saturday.
WRESTLING
On Friday at the 90th Wilkes University Open, 149-pounder TJ Martin, of Honesdale, was the lone Wildcat place winner — finishing sixth — and became just the second Wildcat in program history to medal at the “Rose Bowl of College Wrestling.”
Donna J. SEYMOUR, 74, of Colorado Springs, CO, formerly of Endwell, NY and Knoxville, PA
Donna J. SEYMOUR, 74, of Colorado Springs, CO, formerly of Endwell, NY and Knoxville, PA, died Thursday, December 21, 2023.
Born May 12, 1949, in Elkland, PA, she was the daughter of Merle C. and Almira Libbey Beebe. She was married to David J. Seymour, who predeceased her on April 20, 2014.
A 1967 graduate of Cowanesque Valley High School in Westfield, PA, she earned a degree in German from Mansfield University. Donna worked several administrative jobs throughout her life in Endwell, NY and Arlington, TX before retiring to be near her children in Colorado Springs.
Ralph M. Young, 80, of Austin, PA
AUSTIN, PA—Ralph M. Young, 80, of Austin, PA passed away in his home on Thursday, December 7, 2023.
Born on Tuesday, June 1, 1943 in Plainfield, NJ, he was a son of Howard and Ruth Manning Young. He had been previously married to Jacqueline Piltz Young, Nadine Young, and Bonnie Yeaples Young.
Mr. Young proudly served as a Pennsylvania State Trooper for more than 25 years, retiring as a Corporal. Ralph later served as a Pennsylvania Constable. Prior to enlisting in the Pennsylvania State Police, he was a plumber.
While residing in Plainfield, he was a volunteer for Plainfield Search and Rescue. Ralph served on the Austin Area School Board and also served on the Seneca Highlands IU-9 Board. He was a member of Eulalia Lodge # 342 F. & A.M. in Coudersport. He enjoyed horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and riding his side-by-side. In general, he enjoyed the outdoors.