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 Thursday, December 25, 2025, 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.
Boil Order has been lifted for all Fredonia water customers, including those in the Town of Pomfret. Disinfection has been restored. For more information call the Village at 716-679-2307 or the County Health Department at 716-753-4481.
URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service State College PA 147 AM EST Thu Dec 18 2025 …WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM FRIDAY TO 1 AM EST SATURDAY…
* WHAT…West winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected.
* WHERE…Central Pennsylvania.
* WHEN…From 1 AM Friday to 1 AM EST Saturday.
* IMPACTS…Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects including holiday decorations. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.
Sonoma, CA — Primavera Nueva Inc. is voluntarily recalling certain lots of its 4-count tamales because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
All of November through the week before Christmas, the Potter County Farmers Market will move indoors to the Riley Gallery, next to the Crittenden, on SATURDAY from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. The next market will be this Saturday, December 20th. Here is a list of who plans to be there and what they plan on bringing to the Market:
[NOTICES:
* The market moves indoor from November 2025 through the end of April 2026, each SATURDAY through the end of December 2025, then the first SATURDAY of each month beginning in January 2026.
* Market times have been established after many trial times over the years. If you are not able to visit us and would like something particular from one of the vendors, please contact them directly. They are willing to try to accommodate your request.
* If you are interested in joining the market this year or have any questions please contact …. Netra Baker, 814-598-0649 netrabaker2@gmail.com]
ME AND MY BOYS SOAP will be there on Saturday. We will have a selection of goat milk based products and some gift options available. If you need a unique gift item stop by the Riley Gallery on Saturday 11am to 2pm.
Marvin Jess BUTTS, 73, of Allentown, NY, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, went home to be with Jesus on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. A longtime resident of Allentown, he was born December 7, 1952, in Cuba, NY, the son of Martin DeYoe and Edith “Lorraine” Case Butts.
On August 15, 1975, in West Clarksville Baptist Church, he married the love of his life, Donna May Vincent, who survives. Marvin was raised in West Clarksville, graduated from BOCES and Richburg Central School in 1972, and attended Mohawk Valley Community College. He was first employed by Bentley Drilling Company. He then started a 31-year career with American-Olean Tile Company in Olean as a mural designer. In 2006, he joined his nephew, Eric Jones, as an artist with Give-A-Caricature for 18 years, retiring in 2024. He was a former member, trustee, deacon, and AWANA teacher with the West Clarksville Baptist Church. He became a member of the Allentown United Methodist Church in 2006.
BRADFORD, Pa. — Gabe Slocum is proof that internships pay off – literally.
Slocum, a mechanical engineering student who graduated Saturday from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, served as a manufacturing engineering intern at W.R. Case and Sons Cutlery Co. in Bradford during his last semester. The folks at Case were so impressed by his performance that they offered him a job – which he accepted and starts next month.
Slocum, who is from Holland, N.Y., south of Buffalo, is one of the first graduates of Pitt-Bradford’s four-year mechanical engineering technology program, which began alongside a new program in energy engineering technology in the Fall semester of 2022. The first few graduates have been those who were able to transfer into Pitt-Bradford from other programs.
Join us for a Holiday Paint n Sip on Friday, December 19 from 6:00-8:00. Price of the class is $30.00. All supplies included.
The Potter County Artisan Center is hosting a Christmas Open House with Santa on Sunday, December 21 from 2:00-5:00pm. Bring the kids for a special visit with Santa, a hands-on activity and holiday treats. Be sure to bring your camera or phone to capture a memorable holiday photo with Santa! No registration required.
A Young Artisan New Years Eve Open Studio will be held on Wednesday, December 31 3:00-4:30 pm. Price of the class is $15.00. Choose from a selection of projects and materials, from painting to crafts, while enjoying a New Years Eve celebration! Celebratory snacks and materials provided.
To register for these classes or events, please call the Potter County Artisan Co-op on 814-274-8165. The co-op is located at 227 N. Main Street. The co-op’s hours are Monday through Saturday 9:00-5:00.
Need an activity while visiting the area? Potter County Artisan Co-op can arrange a private group class for you and your friends at your convenience. Just call ahead or message us on Facebook.
Events and classes are supported in part by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the Elk County Council on the Arts, state agencies funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
I recently wrote about the idea of the unexpected. The unexpected are, of course, those things that happen that you didn’t expect. They can come in the form of death, illness, job loss, and natural disasters, or through a host of other avenues you didn’t see coming. Since my latest event, I have joined an online group called The Zipper Club. This refers to those people who have experienced open-heart surgery for a variety of reasons and have joined together as a support group to share their experiences to help others.
I’m a strong believer that you are more affected by how you respond to what happens to you than by what happens. It aligns with the question, do things happen to us or for us? The more we can stay out of the victim role, the better we will weather the storm. As a result of what I’ve experienced, I have learned and am learning a side of life I never knew existed. It has also opened up a whole new understanding and empathy for people I have never met but who share a common experience.
Kathy A. Lebon, of Warren, PA, died early Wednesday December 17, 2025, in her home, with her loving family by her side. A complete obituary will be published when it’s available through the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home Inc..
Rodney A. Johnson, 62, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Bradford, PA on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. Rodney was born on March 11, 1963 and grew up in Little Valley. He lived in Salamanca most of his adult life, and worked at Luminite for 41 years.
Rodney was a kind soul and always quick to help anyone in need. He was very mechanically inclined and liked to ‘tinker.’ When he wasn’t working on a project, he enjoyed reading, riding motorcycle, spending time outdoors and classic rock. Most of his Saturdays were spent visiting his daughter and playing with his grandson. Those closest to him, knew Rodney loved to cook and eat; especially spicy food. He even won a chili cook-off! Family traditions and celebrations were important to him. If you had the pleasure of speaking to him on a personal level you knew he loved a good laugh. He will surely be missed by his family and friends.
Richard G. SHARP, Jr., 76, of Ulysses, PA, died Monday, December 15, 2025 in Sena Kean Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Smethport.
Born September 26, 1949, in Wellsboro, he was the son of Richard G. and Roxie L. Houghtaling Sharp. On January 18, 1970, in Gold, he married Sharon Rose Langan, who predeceased him on July 16, 2022.
Kathleen R. “Kathy” Derrick, 77, of Shinglehouse, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in the Olean General Hospital, Olean, NY.
Funeral arrangements, entrusted to the care of Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, are incomplete and will be announced with a full obituary.
Wind Advisory issued December 17 at 12:37PM EST until December 20 at 1:00AM EST by NWS Binghamton NY * WHAT…Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected.
* WHERE…Portions of central New York and northeast Pennsylvania.
* WHEN…From 7 PM Thursday to 1 AM EST Saturday.
* IMPACTS…Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
The SHCTC Networking and Security instructor, Mr. Bryant, is proud to announce the Student of the Week, Ayden Blair. Ayden is a 12th grader at Smethport Area School District and a third-year student at the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center.
Ayden is an example of a student who overcomes adversity and achieves what he sets his mind to. Ayden exhibits an outstanding work ethic in shop labs, on theory assignments, and in earning certifications such as Chromebook Repair Academy.
Sharon L. Larkham, 65 of Bradford, passed away on Sunday, December 14, 2025 at Select Specialty Hospital, Erie.
She was born on October 21, 1960 in Bradford; a daughter of the late Guy and Geraldine Hess Larkham.
She was a 1978 graduate of the Bradford Area High School and a 1995 graduate of Lamson Junior College, Phoenix, AZ; where she earned her Associate’s degree in accounting.
She was employed by Rickabaugh Inc., Phoenix as a bookkeeper for several years until she moved back to Bradford.
She is survived by two sons, Brian Larkham of Tucson, AZ and Joshua Larkham of Tempe, AZ; one sister, Lisa (Eric) Schellhammer of Bradford; one brother, Steven (Sue) Larkham of Big Shanty; four granddaughters, Layla Saldana, Malaya Saldana, Malani Saldana and Valeniece Gonzales all of Arizona and several nieces and nephews.
At her request there will be no funeral services.
Memorial contributions in her memory can be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Mascho Funeral Home, Inc.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — White Castle Frozen Food Division has initiated a recall of 1,021 cases of its retail frozen 4-count cartons of Original Sliders due to undeclared milk and soy. The carton may contain Jalapeño Cheese Sliders. Jalapeño Cheese Sliders contain milk and soy, allergens that are not on the Original Slider carton label. Consumers with an allergy or sensitivity to milk or soy run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the product.
Eugene “Gene” House, 97, of St. Marys, PA, formerly of Emporium, passed away peacefully at Penn Highlands Elk, St. Marys, PA, on Tuesday morning, December 16, 2025.
He was born on July 9, 1928, in Emporium, PA, a son of the late Percival Lawrence and Elizabeth Cooper House. On October 24, 1953, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, he married the late Marie Griswold, who preceded him in death.
Gene proudly served his country in the United States Army as a medic, completing five years of military service. Following his honorable discharge, he returned home and dedicated over 40 years of service to Sylvania/GTE. During his career, Gene was known for his ingenuity, inventing and patenting the “Patty Pro” and creating multiple toys. While working at Caldwell Machining, he completed the journeyman tool and die maker apprenticeship and training course, fulfilling the apprenticeship agreement in accordance with the standards of the PA Apprenticeship and Training Council, the Federal Committee on Apprenticeship, and Caldwell Machining.
(Pictured from the left: Kiwanis Club of Bradford’s President Stacy Williams presents a check to Jennifer Gesing, Beacon Light Behavioral Health System’s Executive Director.)
For the 89th consecutive year the Kiwanis Club of Bradford held their Christmas party for the children of Beacon Light Behavioral Health System (BLBHS), an affiliate of Journey Health System (JHS). This year’s luncheon was held at Beacon Light’s main campus where Kiwanis Club members, children from BLBHS, and staff attended to sing carols, watch kids open presents from the Kiwanis.
“We’re truly grateful to the Kiwanis Club for being a steadfast partner in our mission,” stated Jennifer Gesing, BLBHS Executive Director.
The Kiwanis Club contributes money every year to buy gifts for the clients of Beacon Light’s programs. Kiwanis President Stacy Williams and over a dozen Kiwanis members attended the holiday giving event and presented a donation check.
After the gifts were unwrapped, the kids received refreshments and they will enjoy a variety special activities throughout the holiday season thanks to the Kiwanis’ generosity.
BARNESVILLE, Pa. (December 16) – Frozen lakes mean great ice fishing opportunities for anglers across Pennsylvania. Today, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission stocked more than a 1,000 Rainbow Trout at Locust Lake State Park in Schuylkill County. It’s one of the final trout stockings of 2025. While most people think of trout fishing in the spring when 3.2 million trout are stocked statewide, the PFBC stocks about 130,000 trout into 100 popular waterways during fall and winter. Anglers are reminded to be safe when venturing out onto the ice. If you are new to ice fishing, it is best to go along with an experienced angler to learn how to stay safe and catch fish. Anyone venturing onto the ice should wear a life jacket or coat with flotation built in. For ice safety tips and to find great places to fish, visit Fishandboat.com.
Trout were also stocked into Kaercher Creek Lake, Berks County today.
