BRADFORD MAN CONVICTED OF INDECENT ASSAULT
(MCKEAN COUNTY, Pennsylvania; November 13 ,2023): District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that, following a jury trial at the McKean County Courthouse, Manuel Diaz, of Bradford, was convicted of Indecent Assault.
During the trial, the juvenile victim testified about Diaz bringing about the touching of the sexual or other intimate parts without her consent while she was working on February 17, 2023. The victim was 14 at the time. Diaz was found not guilty of an additional charge of disorderly conduct.
Chief Michael Ward of the Bradford City Police Department investigated the case. Assistant District Attorney Sarah DuFresne prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth.
Defendant Diaz was ordered to undergo a Sexually Violent Predator Assessment. The law requires such an assessment for those convicted of a sex offense that requires sex offender registration under the law formerly known as Megan’s Law. The crime for which Diaz was convicted requires sex offender registration. Sentencing is scheduled for February 29, 2024, at 1 p.m.
Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://mckean.crimewatchpa.com/da/136029/post/bradford-man-convicted-indecent-assault
Lee Allen Howard, 61, of Jamestown, NY
Port Allegany – Lee Allen Howard, 61, of Jamestown, NY, passed away Sunday (November 12, 2023) at his residence in Jamestown.
He was born April 2, 1962 in Lafayette, IN, the son of LaVerne R. and LoRena Nadene (Baker) Howard.
Lee was a 1984 graduate of Brookville High School and a graduate of IUP.
Lee was a published writer/author, having written many published books in the horror genre.
Christine M. “Chrissy” Bagley Service Reminder
A Mass of Christian Burial for Christine M. “Chrissy” Bagley, will be celebrated on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the St. Marys Church, 315 Church Street, St. Marys, PA 15857.
Family and friends will be received at the St. Marys Church on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of the Mass. Lynch-Green Funeral Home and Cremation Services is handling the arrangements.
Richard L. Bretz, 92, of Smethport, formerly of Port Allegany, PA.
Richard L. Bretz, 92, of Smethport, formerly of Port Allegany, passed away Saturday (November 11, 2023) at Olean General Hospital, Olean, NY.
He was born December 7, 1930 in New Castle, PA, the son of Michael and Matilda (Plattner) Bretz. Dick was first married to Betty Daugherty in 1964. She passed away on March 7, 1983. He was then married to Phyllis C. McGavisk Swanson on April 12, 1986. She passed away on December 17, 2013.
Dick was a graduate of New Wilmington High School and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict.
Mr. Bretz was a mechanic employed by Quaker State of Farmers Valley, PA, retiring in 1992.
He had attended the Gethsemane Lutheran Church of Port Allegany, was a former member and Past Commander of the Lions Club of New Castle, PA. He was also a member of the VFW Post #2497 of Smethport and the American Legion; John Berg Post #976 of Crosby.
Lottie “Trudy” Whitesell, 70, of Shinglehouse, PA
Lottie “Trudy” Whitesell, 70, of Shinglehouse, passed away on Sunday (November 12, 2023) at her home after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born on June 01, 1953 she was the daughter of Winn and Ida (Bennett) Sidelinger. In 1977 in Bradford, Pa. she married Tom Whitesell who survives.
Trudy attended Otto-Eldred Schools.
Surviving including her husband of 46 years, is one brother, John, her niece and nephew Stacy and Keith, who were raised by Trudy and Tom, all living at home. She was also survived by her niece and nephews, Stephanie, Adam, Victor and one brother-in-law, Butch Dickerson, one sister-in-law Kay, and many cousins.
Suzanne M. (Unangst) Thomas, 87, of Mansfield, PA
Suzanne M. (Unangst) Thomas, 87, of Mansfield passed away Tuesday November 14, 2023, at Broad Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation. She was born on January 18, 1936 at home on 63 Pearl Street in Wellsboro to Arthur and Ellen (Short) Unangst.
Suzanne graduated from Wellsboro High School, and on June 14, 1964, she married Larue Thomas with whom she shared better than 30 years of marriage. She was a faithful, life-long member of the United Methodist Church of Wellsboro, where she taught Sunday School for more than 50 years, and loved and supported the children of her community, especially through involvement with Tioga County 4-H. She was especially proud of the milking station at the Fairgrounds in memory of Larue.
Sandra Ann (nee Fischer) Tucker, 78, of 1050 Theresia Street, St. Marys, PA
Sandra Ann (nee Fischer) Tucker, 78, of 1050 Theresia Street, St. Marys, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her children and grandchildren on Sunday, November 12, 2023.
Sandra was born on July 7, 1945 to the late George and Elsie (Straitwell) Fischer of St. Marys. She was a graduate of Central Catholic High School.
She was employed by Stackpole Carbon Company for a time, was a homemaker, avid crafter, belonged to the Grange, the Red Hat Society, and belonged to St. Mary’s Parish. Sandra worked with Prison Ministry, went to Rome with the Oblates, and was a Missionary Oblate of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. She also taught Catechism classes in her younger years, she belonged to the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Sandra also loved working on family history.
Sandra married the love of her life, Olin Tucker, Sr., on December 26, 1963, in St. Marys.
Mae Bilodeau Yale Serianni 89, of, St. Marys, PA
Mae Bilodeau Yale Serianni died on Monday, November 13, 2023 at her home at 133 Edward Road in St. Marys with her family present.
She was born in Toby, PA on May 24, 1934 to the late Frederick and Millie Matilda Bish Bilodeau. Besides being predeceased by her parents, she was preceded in death by her ten siblings: Rachel Reichard, Francis Strum, Twila Moyer, Ruth DePonceau, Alice Desantis, Dolph Bilodeau, Grace Keech, LeRoy “Bud” Bilodeau, Leo Bilodeau, and John Bilodeau in infancy.
Mae was married twice. Her first was to the late, Legrand “Cubby” Yale. Children from that marriage are: Marcia Yale, who died in infancy, Brenda (Randy) Feikls, and Tracy (Steve) Simon; grandchildren: Dylan (Brittany) Feikls, Ryan Feikls, Trent Feikls, Cara (Keith) Gore, and Hanna (Eric) Cooper.
Her second marriage was to Richard “Dick” Serianni, who survives. Mae’s step-sons include: Thomas Serianni, Robert (Lorna) Serianni, and Richard (Pamela) Serianni; step-grandchildren: Ryan (Cara) Serianni, Noah Serianni, and Angela Serianni.
Criminal Homicide in Jefferson County
CLOVER TWP. — Police are charging a Punxsutawney man with murder after he allegedly shot a woman to death in Clover Township, Jefferson County, Thursday morning.
Dakota Hamner Greeley, 20, faces charges of criminal homicide, murder and two counts of terroristic threats in the killing of his girlfriend, Trisha Renee Cole. Read more…..
Trisha Renee Cole, 25, of Reynoldsville, PA
Trisha Renee Cole, 25, of Reynoldsville, PA died tragically in Corsica on Thursday, November 09, 2023.
She was born in Coudersport, Potter County, on March 11, 1998, the only daughter of David Michael (Cole) Callor and Dawn Marie (Lunn) Cole of Reynoldsville. She is the paternal granddaughter of Shirley Mello of DuBois, and Fred Callor of Salem, Massachusetts, maternal granddaughter of Larry Lunn of Jay, Oklahoma and the late Juanita Lunn. Paternal Great-granddaughter of Shirley Naczas of DuBois.
Wellsville Police Blotter
Wellsville N.Y. Police Department
Wellsville Police arrested Kyle H. Lunn, age 27, of Richburg, charging him with Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle 3rd (Class A Misdemeanor), Speed in Zone (Infraction), Unlicensed Operator (Infraction), Unregistered ATV (Infraction) and Uninsured ATV.
The charges stem from short pursuit of an ATV on West State Street that ended on North Highland Avenue after the ATV was unable to negotiate the turn due to high speed.
Lunn was processed, issued an appearance ticket and released. Lunn is due to appear in Wellsville Village Court on November 21st at 4:30 pm.
MCKEAN COUNTY DRUG TASK FORCE CHARGES MAN WITH FELONY DRUG CRIMES
District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that Clyde Hoskins, of Buffalo, was charged yesterday by the McKean County Drug Task Force with drug crimes.
Detective Kolin Strawcutter charged Hoskins with Delivery of a Controlled Substance -Felony; Possession of a Controlled Substance – Misdemeanor; and Criminal Use of a Communicate Facility – Felony 3. The complaint accuses Hoskins of communicating with a confidential informant in October to set up a delivery of 2 “8 balls” of methamphetamine and then delivering approximately 7.84 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for cash.
Gayla Jo Baker, 64, of Coudersport, PA
Gayla Jo Baker “longtime resident of Coudersport and Sweden Valley”
Gayla Jo Baker, 64, of Coudersport, passed away Saturday, November 11, 2023.
She was born in Coudersport on Thursday, April 23, 1959, a daughter of John R. and Carlene E. (Brown) Baker.
Gayla was a graduate of Coudersport High School and was also a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh Bradford with a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing. Gayla had a lifelong career in nursing and healthcare and enjoyed helping others.
Celebration of life for William E. “Bill” Boger, II, 60, of Youngsville, PA
A Celebration of life for William E. “Bill” Boger, II, 60, of Youngsville, PA., who died September 10, 2023, will be held Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at First Lutheran Church, 119 W. Third Avenue, Warren, PA.., with Rev. Jeffrey Ewing, Pastor, officiating.
Family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 am in the church. Arrangements are being handled through the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Leonard C. Anderson
Smethport–A Celebration of Life will be held for Leonard C. Anderson on November 18, 2023, from 1-3 PM at the V.F.W. Post #2497 of Smethport. Military Honors will be accorded at 1 PM and the Celebration immediately following.
A full obituary was posted in a previous edition. Arrangements were handled by Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport.
Memorial service for Jane L. Cogan of Crosby, PA
Crosby–A memorial service for Jane L. Cogan will be held on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 at 11AM in the Crosby Community Church.
Jane passed away on Sept. 1, 2023 and a full obituary was printed in a previous edition.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport.
Judith Ann (Simson) DeVantier, age 80, of Wellsboro, PA
Judith Ann (Simson) DeVantier, age 80, of Wellsboro, PA, died on Saturday, November 11, 2023.
She was born on February 10, 1943 in Buffalo, NY, a daughter of the late Emmett and Arlene (Byer) Simson and was married for 60 years to Pastor Peter A. DeVantier.
Judy was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Wellsboro, PA, a LPN for 40 years working in western New York and Wellsboro, PA, a camp worker at Camp Pioneer, Angola, NY and a cook at the Trinity Lutheran School both for 10 years.
Announcing Leadership Potter County 2024
Leadership Potter County is a great opportunity for residents from throughout Potter County to learn about themselves, participate in collaborative experiences and engage in opportunities to become more civic minded.
What do you think makes a good leader? Do you see yourself in a leadership role in the near future or sometime during your career? Do you want to have an impact on the communities where you live and work?
