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The Potter-Tioga Maple weekend is celebrating their 21st year of hosting the art of maple syrup creation. There are 17 participating farms and educational experiences throughout the two counties on March 15 and 16 from 10 AM - 4 PM. Photo by Andy Lychalk, Jr.
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Elizabeth M. (English) Frank, 99, of Wellsboro, PA passed away Wednesday April 5, 2023, at Shelia’s Care Home.
She was born March 25, 1924, at home in Delmar Township, to Elmer and Mildred (Fisher) English. She graduated from high school, earned a nursing degree in California and later in life graduated from Ringling Brothers Clown College in Sarasota Florida.
She was an accomplished business woman, she and her husband ran English and Reed’s Hardware, Reed’s Cable T.V., and the first laundromat in Wellsboro. When she moved to Florida, she was a successful Real Estate Agent. After Betty retired, she stayed active, loved to travel and dance, and was intent on helping people. She was a member of the united Methodist Church of Wellsboro, and the Clearwater United Methodist Church.
Betty is survived by her daughter: June Cooper of Wellsboro; five grandchildren: Warren Schnibbe of Oregon, Rhonda Radford of California, Kathy Rivera of Florida, Heather Covert of Wellsboro, and Nathaniel Cooper of Wellsboro; 10 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and special cousins: Matt and Joan Haslett of Oregon.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband: Walter Frank, her daughter: Sandra K. Schnibbe; and a favorite aunt: Florence Bradley.
Friends and family are invited to pay tribute to Betty’s life from 10-11 am on Monday, April 17, 2023 at the Tussey-Mosher Funeral Home, 139 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA with her funeral to follow in the funeral home, burial will be in the Wellsboro Cemetery.
BRADFORD – The McKean County Republican Committee will hold its Annual Spring Event on Thursday, April 20, at the Pennhills Club in Bradford.
The event will feature keynote speaker Mr. Lawrence Tabas, Chairman of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania. Several other candidates for local and county offices as well as statewide judicial candidates will also be attending.
The event begins with a social hour at 5 p.m., followed by the program at 6 p.m. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served. Cost is $35 per person with table sponsorships available.
RSVP by contacting Melissa Jo Smith at 814-596-8043 or melissajosmith5@aol.combefore April 13.
Christopher Mallavarapu, MD, FACC, SCAI, was awarded the UAHS Golden Stethoscope Award. Dr. Mallavarapu is the medical director of the cardiology program at OGH.
Olean, NY – Christopher Mallavarapu, MD, FACC, SCAI, was presented the golden stethoscope award on Tuesday, March 21. Dr. Mallavarapu, also known throughout the organization and community as “Dr. Chris”, is a cardiologist and medical director of the cardiology program at Olean General Hospital (OGH).
The golden stethoscope award is a result of nominations from employees and presented semi-annually to a physician who exhibits an exceptional level of professionalism, integrity, and teamwork in caring for patients and families, as well as interacting with hospital staff members and fellow physicians.
The award is presented to one physician throughout the entire Upper Allegheny Health System who meets the high standard of providing high quality patient care.
“Since the cath lab’s inception in 2013 until 2021, Dr. Mallavarapu was the sole provider performing life-saving procedures, taking calls 24/7, and providing all the cardiac care to patients during that time. He’s an effective communicator and has phenomenal bedside manner by putting his patients at ease answering all their questions and he thoroughly discusses diagnoses, procedures, and results with patients and their families,” according to his nomination. “He’s very knowledgeable, kind, compassionate, caring, and a great asset to the community and the organization.”
Dr. Mallavarapu has been at OGH since 2013 and has helped to expand the current interventional catheterization laboratory program, a valuable life-saving program for a rural community. He has performed over 12,000 cardiac catheterization procedures throughout his career.
Under his direction, the cardiac catheterization program has performed roughly 5,000 heart catheterization procedures, over 1,300 Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) procedures and over 730 ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) procedures. Though Olean’s population is a little over 13,000, under Dr. Mallavarapu’ s leadership, the cardiac catheterization program at OGH performs roughly 1% of all emergency heart attack procedures in New York State!
Dr. Mallavarapu earned his medical degree at State University of New York Downstate College of Medicine in Brooklyn, NY, completed his residency at SUNY Stony Brook in Internal Medicine. He also has completed fellowships in clinical cardiology, electrophysiology, and interventional cardiology all at University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia, Pa. Dr. Mallavarapu is American Board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, and interventional cardiology.
Clearfield, PA – Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 2 highlighted 2023 construction projects today during a press conference in Bellefonte. District 2 serves Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin, and Potter counties. Today’s event was held in Tallyrand Park in Bellefonte, where PennDOT officials discussed projects, impacts of funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and the coming National Work Zone Awareness week.
Improving and maintaining roads and bridges across Pennsylvania is a top priority of the Shapiro administration. Today’s event builds on Governor Shapiro’s commitment to ensuring that PA residents and visitors can travel across the Commonwealth safely and efficiently.
“2023 construction will bring improvements to roads and bridges that will enhance travel across our rural, northcentral region,” said District 2 Assistant District Executive for Construction, Steve Fantechi. “BIL dollars are being put to good use in meaningful projects across our nine counties.”
Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that a two-year roadway project is set to begin on Interstate 180 eastbound and westbound in Montoursville Borough, and Loyalsock, Fairfield, and Muncy townships in Lycoming County.
On Monday, April 17, 2023, the contractor, Glenn O. Hawbaker, will begin preparations to resurface Interstate 180 between Warrensville Road in Loyalsock Township and immediately west of the Lycoming Mall Road interchange in Muncy Township.
Motorists can expect daily traffic patterns including alternating lane restrictions where work is being performed. Work on this project will be performed primarily between Sunday through Friday, with work beginning at 7:00 PM each day and ending at 2:00 PM the following day, with some structure work being performed throughout the daylight hours on weekends.
Motorists should be alert, slow down, watch for lane changes, and drive with caution.
Glenn O. Hawbaker is the primary contractor for this $11.4 million highway resurfacing project. Work on this project includes mill and resurface of over 13 miles of roadway including entrance and exit ramps at Route 87 and the Fairfield Road interchanges, new lighting, guide rail upgrades, drainage, signage, and pavement markings. Additional work the removal and re-epoxy of 16 bridges throughout the project. These bridges span the Loyalsock Creek, Route 87, Fairfield Road, Route 220, Carpenter’s Run, Brushy Ridge Road, Wolf Run, and Muncy Creek. Work on this project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2024, with a winter shutdown in 2023.
Motorists should be alert, slow down, expect delays in travel, watch for lane changes, and drive with caution through the work zone.
0638 – 48,49 ,McKean 3 RIT Dispatched to Box 48-76 133 N Main St, Hotel Crittenden for a reported structure Fire.
0639 – Chief 48 Phelps responded and was immediately given updated information of 911 receiving numerous calls of heavy fire and smoke visible. Chief 48 was already on Main Street and could see the large column of smoke that had already filled the streets and immediately requested a second alarm assignment.
0640 – Chief 48 Phelps arrived on scene confirming a working fire on the third floor corner A/D with heavy smoke pushing out the eves of the whole building and established command . Chief 48 then entered the front of the building to division 3 and was unable to go beyond the stairs between floors 2/3 due to heavy smoke and fire. Chief 48 then began banging on and forcing doors to wake the occupants ( fire alarms were already sounding )and evacuated 6 safely from the 2nd floor. By the time all occupants of the second floor were evacuated the stairs back to the first floor were difficult to see/locate from the smoke and fire that had made its way down the stairwell.
0644 – AC Brad Tucker Roulette Chemical Engine #1 46 had arrived and met Chief 48 in the street and was assigned side C( back). Once AC Tucker got to the back he reported to command that he had several injured victims with people still on the 2nd story roof and fire escape. At this point Command requested 3 additional aerial trucks( Emporium, Genesee and Wellsville)to the scene due to the growing fire and due to the fact crews had not gained access to the 3 floor.
Engine 48-1 had arrived and crews secured their own water supply and went to work to get to the third floor to locate the fire. While crews were stretching attack lines Engine 48-1 utilized their Deck Gun to get large volumes of water on the fire.
0656 – Interior crews reported that they had located the fire and had water on it, needing additional FF’s. Truck 48-9 arrived and set up and vented horizontally the third floor, then immediately went to the roof where crews split with some going interior to assist the Engine crew.
Station 46 – Roulette secured their own water supply in side C and immediately began assisting the injured and stretching lines to the fire from that side.
0705 – Port Allegany 3 arrived and was assigned search responsibilities of division 2( command was uncertain if all had escaped.
0706 – Ambulance 46 transported 2 Pts to UPMC – Cole. Where all crews on scene were hard at work with patient care, rescue, fire suppression before all second alarm companies had arrived.
0719 – Command requested a Third alarm. In the next hour and a half fire and ambulance crews worked hard and transported a total of 5 Pts with one of them being transferred to a surgical unit in Williamsport.
0837 – Command reported that the fire was under control with heavy overhaul needed and in progress.
1241 – Command reported the fire and all operations complete and terminated command; returned all units.
In all 9 individuals were either rescued or self rescued to safety. 5 transported to the local hospital (1 transferred on )and 4 refused treatment. None of the injuries are considered life threatening.
In all 34 members from our department and approximately 110 from other departments where on scene. Their were no injuries to any First Responders during this incident.
The building was occupied by 4 businesses that are effected by this fire either by fire, smoke or water damage:
Hotel Crittenden
Jeff’s Barber Shop
Potter County Democratic Office
Maureen Cracknell’s Studio
The building is insured and an investigation into the fire by our department and the PSP Fire marshals unit determined that the fire began on the third floor and is undetermined at this time but still under investigation.
A huge Thank you to the following agencies that assisted on scene:
49 Coudersport Amb/Medics, 44 Austin, 46 Roulette, 10 Galeton, 3 Port Allegany, MA3 Amb/Medics, 39 Shinglehouse, 47 Ulysses, 20 Harrison Twp, 37 Genesee, 5 Westfield, 14 Emporium, 2 Smethport, 15 Bradford Twp, Drone 50,Red Cross, PEMA, Coudersport Boro ( Police, Public Works and Water Authority), PSP Coudersport, PSP Fire Marshals Unit, Potter Co DES, UGI, West Penn Power and Tioga Co 911 and dispatchers for meeting all of our needs.
The following businesses and individuals provided food/refreshments during and after the incident and there are some that we didn’t know and some that didn’t want to be known –
Thank you to the following:
Cream ‘n Sugar, Mama Made, Vinny’s Bar and Grill, Coudersport Fox’s Pizza Den, Jake Wilson Enterprises, Kaytee’s Family Restaurant and Marketplace, Subway Of Coudersport Inc., Wagner Ace Hardware, Sheetz, Sweden Valley Methodist Church, Coudersport Shop n Save, Moore Nutrition, Hershey Farms Market, Steve Green, Todd Brown – Ultimate Power, Mr. and Mrs. John Leete, C&N Bank and Kerry Ehrensburger.
We thank each and everyone of you that supported us during incident.
Dr. Matt Kropf, back left, director of the American Refining Group/Harry R. Halloran Jr. Energy Institute at Pitt-Bradford, and Allee Williams, back center, a senior energy science and technology student, watch workers install a large solar array atop the Duke Building last November. Pitt-Bradford will hold its inaugural solar energy conference in the building on April 10.
BRADFORD, Pa. – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will hold its inaugural Solar Conference on April 10 in the George B. Duke Engineering and Information Technologies Building.
Co-sponsored by the American Refining Group/Harry R. Halloran Jr. Energy Institute and the Pitt-Bradford Sustainability Committee, the conference is free and will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Those who wish to take part in all or part of the conference can see the full schedule and register at upb.pitt.edu/solar-conference-2023.
“This is a great chance for community leaders and landowners to learn the ins and outs of large-scale solar developments,” said Dr. Matt Kropf, director of the energy institute, who organized the conference with Christy Ruffner, executive director of philanthropy and strategic partnerships.
“Community members and students who are interested in learning more about solar issues in general will also be able to learn a lot here.”
The keynote speaker is Tom Murphy, Team Pennsylvania’s senior managing director of strategic initiatives.
Other presenters include Tim Mills, a senior project developer for New Leaf Energy; Daniel Dotterer, a sheep farmer; Dr. Beth Rezaie, assistant professor of mechanical engineering technology; Dr. Julia Morgan, assistant professor of philosophy; Kropf; Pitt-Bradford students; representatives of utility companies; and Navajo Power.
For an exciting opportunity to view bald eagles from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. this Saturday, April 8, on Sunday, April 16 and/or Saturday, April 22, join Leonard Harrison State Park Naturalist Bob Edkin at the Pine Creek Rail Trail Darling Run Access located 5 miles from the park on Route 362.
Other wildlife, including river otters, ospreys, waterfowl and songbirds, may also be seen.
Binoculars and spotting scopes will be provided.
The address is Leonard Harrison State Park, 4797 Route 660, Wellsboro, PA 16901-8970.
To get to Darling Run from Wellsboro or Galeton drive on U.S. Route 6, turn onto Route 362 and go about 1.5 miles to the Pine Creek Rail Trail parking lot at Darling Run in Ansonia.
The Eagle Watch will be held if there is only light, intermittent rain but not if it is a steady downpour.
Clearfield, PA – A leadership change took place recently in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) Engineering District 2, which covers nine counties in the North Central region.
Effective April 1, Tom Prestash is serving as District Executive for District 2, moving from the same position in District 9. Prestash succeed Tom Zurat who retired March 31, after more than 33 years with PennDOT.
“We’re thrilled to see Tom move to his home district to lead a talented team,” said Acting PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “We believe that our partners and customers across the region will benefit from Tom’s years of experience and leadership—making for a seamless transition.”
Prestash will now be responsible for planning and supervising the state highway system in PennDOT’s Engineering District 2 that covers Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin, and Potter counties. Within the nine counties, PennDOT owns and maintains 3,731 miles of state highway and 2,186 bridges.
Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Terah Bryant,
NORFOLK, Va. – Seman Aaron Haskins, a native of Coudersport, Pennsylvania, supports versatile missions while serving at Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron (HM) 12.
Navy Office of Community Outreach
Haskins joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Haskins serves as a logistics specialist.
Haskins attended Coudersport Jr/Sr High School and graduated in 2017.
Skills and values similar to those found in Coudersport are similar to those required to succeed in the military.
“My hometown taught me to have pride in my work, to have respect and to learn something new every day,” said Haskins. “You should always be expanding on your job in the Navy. In the Navy, a day without learning something is a day wasted.”
These lessons have helped Haskins while serving with the Navy.
How many times do we encounter hearing impaired people and wish that we could communicate with them? As we age, we gradually lose some of our hearing. Sign language can help. Also, mothers of pre-lingual children can use sign language as a tool with their little ones. Here is your opportunity to learn basic sign language that could help you or someone you care about.
This course will cover beginning sign language, the alphabet, conversational phrases and a variety of commonly used signs. In addition, basic facts essential to the correct use of the language will be addressed. A dedicated student could learn as many as 800 signs and understand signing and interpreting rules, basic deaf culture, and medical situations that cause deafness and loss of hearing. An intermediate course may be offered depending on interest.
This course will be taught by Sheri Greene and is scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays, April 25 – June 8, 2023 (not meeting the week of May 15th) from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Education Council’s Coudersport office. The cost is $160/person. The registration deadline is Tuesday, April 18th. To register or for more information, visit www.pottercountyedcouncil.org or call (814) 274-4877.
At 11:42 AM on Friday, Smethport Fire Dept. & MA 17 have been dispatched to a head-on two vehicle crash on West Water Street near Holmes Street. Port Allegany Ambulance dispatched for second patient.
I’m traveling now, going to different places, visiting family, and meeting new people. So far, I’ve been to six states covered over 1000 miles and seen a lot of beautiful scenery. I try to live with the idea that life is to be lived on mission. This ties into the idea that life has a purpose and it’s not about a career, retirement or even family. I believe that we all are created with a purpose. None of us are a mistake.
Living on mission means that every day has a plan. His! Living it out means listening. I’m not always good at that part as I have many squirrels running through my head that distract me, but I try. When I go into a store I’m asking, “Is there something I’m to do in here other than picking up what I think I’m going in for?” You’d be surprised how many times I have encountered someone that turned into a God moment. This past week has had many such adventures. However there has been an interesting observation that I’ve made with many people. They like God and Jesus, but not the church. I’m not necessarily surprised by this, but I was surprised about how many times it came up.
People are fed up with the “church” and they don’t have good things to say about it. But Jesus and God, they’re interested and willing to talk about it. Why do you suppose that is? Any ideas? For one, several have said that they see too much hypocrisy from the church. One even said that he didn’t see the church doing what Jesus said it to do. What he’s saying is that we’re good at going to church, but not good at being the church. That is a major issue. Sadly, I agree with his observation. So how do we address this. I’m glad you asked.
The simple answer is to “Be the Church”. Find ways to be the Church wherever you are. While you’re working or playing make it a part of your life. After all faith should be about a lifestyle not something that you practice just on Sunday. Could you imagine what would happen if every church throughout the country would be the church in their communities? What changes would we see? Think about it.
Mary Ann Lanzel, 91, a resident of Pinecrest Manor and formerly of 154 Wilson Road, St. Marys, passed away with her family by her side, Thursday, April 6, 2023 at Pinecrest Manor, after a lengthy illness. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home.
Revolution Farms of Caledonia, Michigan is voluntarily recalling the listed products packed between 3/3/23 and 3/11/23, because they 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.
At 5:45 PM on Thursday, Allegany Fire Dept. has been dispatched to 3765 Birch Run Road for a house fire. Allegany chief on scene reports light smoke showing from a working mobile home fire. Chief requests law enforcement to scene. Westons Mills & Knapp Creek dispatched for tankers & manpower.
UPDATE:
At 17:45 4/6/23 Allegany Fire department was toned for a possible structure fire at an address on Birch Run rd. Allegany Chief arrived on scene within 2 minutes and declared a working fire bringing the 1st alarm mutual aid to the scene. Chief 2 arrived seconds later and did a quick primary search.
The single wide trailer had light smoke in the rear along with light smoke coming from a vent on the B side of the structure. Primary search was negative and it was found that the electric vent fan in the bathroom ceiling was on fire and was extending to the attic area.
The crew from Engine 32 and Tower 6 made quick work of removing the fan and pulling ceiling around it to check for extension while the outside crew opened up one end of the peaked roof and started to remove insulation on that was smoldering.
Damage was contained to mostly the bathroom ceiling and the cause to be electrical in nature. Westons Mills and Knapp Creek responded to the scene to assist along with Deputy 4, NYSP, and National Grid. Believers Chapel was on scene to assist the family.
