Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College
712 PM EST Tue Jan 23 2024
…ICY SPOTS REMAIN POSSIBLE OVER THE HIGH TERRAIN…
Temperatures have risen above freezing over most of the region.
However, the threat of light freezing rain on the ridgetops will
remain through Wednesday morning. If traveling over the higher
terrain, be alert for icy spots.
James H. “Jim” Cochran, age 82, of Wellsboro, PA
James H. “Jim” Cochran, age 82, of Wellsboro, PA, died on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.
He was born on January 5, 1942 in Wellsboro, PA, a son of the late Hiel and Loretta (Patt) Cochran and was married for 60 years to Linda L. (King) Cochran.
Jim was a lifelong truck driver and had driven for the H. W. Taynton Trucking Company, Wellsboro, PA for 20 years. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Potter County Community Garden Gearing Up for a Third Season of Growing.
It may be cold and snowing but plans for the 2024 Potter County Community Garden are springing into action. Applications for garden plots were released to the public on Monday, January 15th, and will be accepted until all spaces have been claimed. Three new plots were added to the garden in the fall, bringing the total to thirty-one garden beds with four being raised for handicapped or disability access.
William C. “Bill” Henry, 87, of Warren, PA, formerly of Lakewood, FL
William C. “Bill” Henry, 87, of Warren, PA, formerly of Lakewood, FL, passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2024, in his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in East Brady, PA, on April 28, 1936, the son of the late John and Florence Henry. Bill was a graduate of East Brady High School Class of 1954. He retired as a mechanical engineer, May 1, 1996, after 21 years of service from Cummins, Inc. of Lakewood, NY. He was of the Catholic faith and a former member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Warren, PA.
Bill enjoyed baseball and played every chance he got; in his later years he also played softball for local adult leagues in Warren and the surrounding areas. He enjoyed motorcycles, boating, hunting, snowmobiling, and golfing in Florida. In his later years he found a passion for model trains and airplanes. Bill was a member of the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club. He and his wife, Kathryn, enjoyed traveling and for their 50th wedding anniversary, they went on a cruise to Hawaii.
On August 24, 1957, he married Kathryn Bearfield in East Brady, PA and they spent 66 loving years together.
Eric W. Tampuu, 47, of Main St., Roulette, PA
Eric W. Tampuu, 47, of Main St., Roulette, PA passed away unexpectedly Sunday (Jan. 14, 2024) from injuries sustained in a snowmobile accident.
Born December 27, 1976, he was a son of Vello and Joanne Covone Tampuu.
Eric was a resident of the area for 14 years coming from New Jersey. He was a graduate of Lakewood High School, Lakewood, NJ, class of 1995.
He was a self-employed mason and logger for several years.
Eric was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling.
Surviving in addition to his mother, Joanne Tampuu of Port Allegany, are two sons, Eric W. Tampuu, Jr. of Bricktown, NJ, Travis H, Tampuu of New Egypt, NJ; a daughter, Alyssa Tampuu of New Egypt, NJ; a granddaughter, River Rose Tampuu of Bricktown, NJ; two brothers, Marcus J. Tampuu of Port Allegany, and Anthony V. Tampuu of Toms River, NJ.
Friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday (Jan. 27, 2024) at 11 a.m. in the Switzer Funeral Home, Port Allegany, with Rev. J.T. Madison, officiating.
Condolences can be made to: Marcus J. Tampuu, 999 Coleman Mills Rd., Port Allegany, PA 16743.
Eleanor M. Carpenter, age 93, of Westfield, PA
Eleanor M. Carpenter, age 93, of Westfield, PA passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 21, 2024 at the Green Home in Wellsboro.
Born June 2, 1930 in Gowanda, NY, she was the daughter of the late Martin and Mary (Klancer) Matekovich. She married Embert L. “Carpy” Carpenter in 1948 and they shared 64 years together until his passing on September 8, 2013.
Eleanor was a graduate of Gowanda High School and Westbrook Commercial Academy in Olean, NY. She was employed by Clark Brothers Co. in Wellsville, NY and the Free Press Courier in Westfield.
She was a member of the Clymer Baptist Church.
Eleanor is survived by her sons, James D. (Charis) Carpenter of Newport News, VA and Richard K. Carpenter of Westfield; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Per Eleanor’s wishes, there will be no services held.
Burial will follow a private family service in Card Creek Cemetery, Roulette, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Clymer Baptist Church, PO Box 5, Sabinsville, PA 16943 or to the Sabinsville Ambulance Association, PO Box 156, Sabinsville, PA 16943. Arrangements are in care of Kenyon Funeral Home, Westfield. www.kenyonfuneralhome.com.
Fern Plumley, 93 of Cowanesque, PA
Fern Plumley, 93 of Cowanesque, PA passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Saturday, January 20, 2024.
Fern was born April 14, 1930 in Brookfield Township Pa. She was the daughter of the late Iva (Cleveland) Vanzile and was adopted at an early age by her aunt, the late Margaret VanZile.
She was preceded in death in September 2000 by her husband of 51 years, Francis Plumley, the love of her life.
She remained mentally sharp, generous in spirit and deed, appreciative of visits with her friends, family and was a faithful member of The Cowanesque United Methodist Church for 70 plus years. She held many positions in the church.
She was a wonderful caring mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Fern was extremely close with her family. Her life was happy and joyful. Her positive uplifting approach to life was an inspiration to all that knew her. Fern always had an open door for family and friends.
Fern enjoyed many activities. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, hiking, traveling, sewing, knitting, crocheting, snowmobiling, camping, the great outdoors and she made an amazing 70 afghans to share.
She was a lifetime member of The Cowanesque Rod & Gun Club. She was inducted into the Voter Hall of Fame (50 years).
Fern was a 1947 graduate of Westfield High School. She taught Sunday School in the United Methodist Church and led the United Methodist Church Women’s Group for many years.
Fern worked at Clark’s Drug Store, Galeton Production, Northern Tioga School District and was co-owner and Manager of the VanZile Home for the Aged until her retirement. Her sweet, thoughtful and compassionate care was known throughout the area.
She was proud of the Cowanesque Valley School District, Church and her community for which she was active and involved.
Philip Green Jr., 62, of N. Tionesta Ave. in Kane, PA
Philip Green Jr., 62, of N. Tionesta Ave. in Kane, PA passed away Saturday (Jan. 20) at Penn Highlands Dubois. Born March 18, 1961 in Port Allegany, he is the son of Philip (Harvetta) Green Sr. and the late Donna (Klawuhn) Dugener. On June 4, 2005, in Kane, he married Jill Weirich, who survives.
Phil was retired from Kane Innovations.He was a member of the Kane VFW, the Kane Eagles Club and the Wilcox Sportsman club. He was also a very active member of the Kane Country Club. He loved hunting, fishing, golfing and traveling with his wife.
Mary A. “Mag” Bradybaugh, 95, of Park Ave. in Kane, PA
Mary A. “Mag” Bradybaugh, 95, of Park Ave. in Kane, PA was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus Friday, Jan. 19, 2024.
Born Dec. 10, 1928 in James City, she is the daughter of the late Joseph and Hazel (Chapin) Nunn. On July 1, 1950 in Kane, she married LeRoy Bradybaugh, who preceded her in death.
Mag loved the Lord and shared her Christian faith with her family and friends. Mag also was a member of the East Kane Methodist Church. She enjoyed spending time with her family and she loved to bake. If you came to visit her, she would always make you something delicious to eat. She loved to serve others and had such a kind and selfless heart.
McKean County GOP Hosts Petition-Signing Events
The McKean County Republican Committee is inviting voters to come out to any of five upcoming petition-signing events on Thursday, Jan. 25, from 5-7 p.m.
The events are scheduled at the following locations:
- First Church of God, 142 Main St., Eldred.
- Smethport Fire Hall, 109 S. Nelson St., Smethport.
- Port Allegany Veterans Memorial, 4743 Route 155, Port Allegany.
- Grace Lutheran Church, 79 Mechanic St., Bradford.
- Wilds Sonshine Factory, 3480 Route 6 West, Kane.
Petitions will be available for positions including President of the United States, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, state House of Representatives, state Senate, PA Attorney General, PA Auditor General and PA Treasurer.
For additional information visit our website www.mckeancountygop.org.
PennDOT Names Winners of Paint the Plow Contest in District 2
In connection with Winter Driving Awareness Week, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is pleased to announce the District 2 regional winners of the Paint the Plow safety outreach contest.
Paint the Plow is a statewide outreach aimed at promoting winter driving safety and fostering appreciation for high school art programs and student creativity. Students are invited to paint a plow blade with an original design based on a provided theme.
Elk County Catholic High School won the “Fan Favorite” award, which was determined by online voting through www.penndot.pa.gov/PaintthePlow. The plow depicts their mascot buckled up with winter, spring, summer and fall imagery to convey this year’s theme “Seat belts are always in season.”
Members of the public were invited to vote for their favorite plow from eight area high schools that entered in this year’s regional contest. Votes were accepted from January 8 to 15, 2024. Elk County Catholic High School received 666 of votes to win the 2023-24 “Fan Favorite” honor.
The winner of the “Judges’ Pick” award was Sugar Valley Rural Charter School of Clinton County. The student mural depicts the North American continent buckled in a seat belt and invokes imagery of the winter, spring, summer and fall seasons. The “Judges’ Pick” category winner was determined through judging by PennDOT representatives.
Portville Historical and Preservation Society Fund established at CRCF
The Portville Historical and Preservation Society (PHPS) recently established an agency endowment at the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation to support the agency’s efforts to preserve the long and rich history of the Portville community.
Ronda Pollock, the PHSPS founder, encouraged the agency to establish the fund to support the organization’s mission and programming and its long-term sustainability.
PHPS was established in 1986 and has focused on collecting, preserving and exhibiting historic materials pertinent to the past of the town and village of Portville and surrounding areas in the years since.
In the future, PHPS plans to extend its reach to a wider audience and become a destination in the study and enjoyment of New York State History, said Pollock.
Overnight Fire Dispatch
Allentown Volunteer Fire Company Inc.
Around 2:30am units were dispatched to assist Richburg with a structure fire on Hicks hill rd in the town of Wirt, Allentown 6,7,50,and 503 responded and assisted on scene until released by command.
Fire was contained by homeowner using a fire extinguisher as a result the structure sustained only minor damage, no injuries were reported.
Units were back in service shortly before 4am
Edward G. Harrier, 72, of 3542 Carey Hollow Rd., Allegany, NY
Edward G. Harrier, 72, of 3542 Carey Hollow Rd., Allegany, NY passed away peacefully Saturday (January 20, 2024) at the Olean General Hospital with his family present at his side.
Born February 6, 1951 in Olean, he was the son of Henry and Evelyn Dutton Harrier. On August 10, 1985 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Allegany he married Bonnie Boser who survives.
Ed joined the US Army at the age of 17 and served two enlistments during the Vietnam era, first from 1968 to 1970, and after nine months, a second from 1970 to his honorable discharge in 1973.
He worked as a machinist for Dresser Rand Co., retiring after 42 years.
Ed was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Allegany where he served as a trustee. He was also a member of the Allegany American Legion Charles Harbel Post 892 and was a dedicated part of its ritual team. He enjoyed being outdoors and gardening. He loved passing the time woodworking in his shop. He was also an avid Buffalo Bills fan.
His grandchildren loved spending time with their Papa and will truly miss him, and his loss will be felt deeply by his family and friends.
Ronald E. Wilcox, 53, of 1134 Promised Land Road, Portville, NY
“Fearless, Amazing Family Man & Loyal Trusted Friend”
Ronald E. Wilcox, 53, of 1134 Promised Land Road, Portville, NY passed away on Friday, January 19, 2024 at the Olean General Hospital.
Ron was born May 23, 1970 in Olean and was the son of Paul E. and Donna R. Dikeman Wilcox.
Ron attended Portville Central School. He drove long haul truck for a number of businesses including over the road for Cannon Express, Cargo Transport, NBS and Jaylor Trucking. Ron was a bartender at Randy’s Up the River, City Limits, Rumors and The Press Box. He drove taxi and he worked at the Pepsi Plant, Coach USA, Strohmans and Great Lakes Cheese. Ron was the founder of his own business Advance Detail and Wilcox Services selling the business after 20 years. More recently he worked at Empire Cheese in Cuba before going to work at Baer’s Auto Inc as a traveling salesman.
Ron was the “Volunteer Coordinator” at Chestnut Hill Cemetery where he did fundraising and organized cleanup events to help maintain the cemetery. He enjoyed spending his Sundays at the Bradford Speedway where he was a spectator, driver, pit support and a flagman. Ron loved life and he had a giving heart and a green thumb. He enjoyed flying kites, gardening, aquariums, and his pet dogs. Ron supported his community, Humanity, The Westons Fire Department and better treatment of our nations veterans.