Robert D. “Bob” WILLETTS, 68, of Wellsville, NY, died Friday, January 27, 2023 at his home.
Arrangements will be announced by OLNEY-FOUST Funeral Homes & Cremation, Crowell Chapel, 296 North Main Street, Wellsville, NY. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.
Brenda K. Nellis, 60, a longtime resident of Eldred, passed away with her loving family by her side on Thursday, January 26, 2023, in UPMC Cole, Coudersport, after a long illness.
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.
To express condolences, light a candle, or share a fond memory of Brenda, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.
 FacebookWebsiteBioLatest NewsState FormsPhoto GalleryContact Capitol Update Friday, January 27, 2023The latest news from the State Capitol You are welcome to contact me through this link.  Thank you to Galeton Area School District Superintendent Clyde Pierce for inviting me to the school last week for a tour and discussion of policy issues to support rural schools. Outreach Hours Set for Feb. 2  To help ensure access to state government information and services, I will host monthly outreach office hours at the following locations on Thursday, Feb. 2: • Emporium Borough Office – 9-10 a.m. • Port Allegany Borough Office – 11 a.m. to noon. Services available include assistance with any state-related issues or concerns, driver license and vehicle registration applications, and applications for various state programs, such as the senior citizen Property Tax/Rent Rebate and PACE/PACENET prescription drug assistance programs. Veterans Services Available  Area veterans are invited to contact my office to schedule appointments to talk with a representative from the American Legion to ensure they are getting the services and support they need.Due to changes initiated by the American Legion, appointments in the Bradford and Kane offices will be conducted virtually via a tablet. Appointments are required for meetings with the Legion representative, whether they are in person, by phone or by tablet. The schedule for January is as follows: • Coudersport office: Thursday, Feb. 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Coudersport office is located at 107 S. Main St. Please call 814-274-9769 to schedule an appointment. • Bradford office: Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Bradford office is located at 78 Main St., first floor. Please call 814-362-4400 to schedule an appointment. • Kane office: Wednesday, Feb. 22, from 9 a.m. to noon. The Kane office is located at 54 Fraley St., Suite 2. Please call 814-837-0880 to schedule an appointment. Assistance is available with issues such as compensation, education, pension, health care and death benefits. Veterans need not be a member of the American Legion to participate. New Speaker Blocks Action in House  With newly elected Speaker of the House Mark Rozzi (D-Berks) refusing to call the House into session, I joined most of my fellow House Republicans this week in signing on to a letter demanding we be called back to the state Capitol to do the people’s business.Unfortunately, we are one signature shy of what we need to force the speaker to bring us back into session. That means we are unable either to introduce or vote on legislation. Nearly a month into the new year, this is unacceptable. Please know that it is business as usual here in the district, where I and my office staff stand ready to assist you with any state-related questions or concerns. I also will continue doing all I can to force the speaker to bring us back into session so we may work on the important health, education, economic and other challenges facing the Commonwealth. GOP Appropriations Committee Starts Budget Conversation  House members got an early jump on the upcoming budget as they took part in a roundtable discussion about the state’s finances this week with Matthew Knittel, executive director of the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO). In the coming months, the House Appropriations Committee will be tasked with creating a fair annual state budget that respects taxpayers.Knittel discussed how changing demographics in the Commonwealth – by 2030, Pennsylvanians age 80 and over will increase by 22% — are putting a strain on state services and the budget that funds them. He also noted the surplus the state experienced in the current budget year was the result of short-term federal funding. By 2027-28, the state’s deficit is projected to climb to $3.1 billion. To learn more about the state’s economic outlook, click here. Newly elected Gov. Josh Shapiro will deliver his budget proposal to a joint session of the General Assembly in early March. Attention Students: House Fellowship Program Taking Applications  The Pennsylvania House Legislative Fellowship Program is accepting applications for its summer 2023 semester. The 13-week program is based at Pennsylvania’s Capitol Building in Harrisburg where fellows are assigned to work in House standing committees or leadership offices; are compensated for their work (which may also include college credit); and are provided the opportunities to draft and present their own legislation, attend meet-and-greets with various public officials and staff, and tour some of the Commonwealth’s historic public spaces, to name a few. Qualified applicants must be undergraduate juniors and seniors, graduate students or law school students; enrolled in a Pennsylvania college/university or a Pennsylvania resident enrolled in an out-of-state institution; and students of any major with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. For more information or to apply, visit www.pahousefellowship.us. Applications can be submitted via email to pahousefellowship@pabmc.net. The deadline to apply is March 1. |
Blair Dickinson is the Student of the Week. She is in the Early Childhood Education program at the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center. Blair is a Junior enrolled at Smethport High School. Upon graduation, Blair would like to work with children in a school setting.
Blair is a hard worker and finishes her work ahead of the timetable established for the course. She wrote many of her lesson plans ahead and completed her workbook in literally 2 months. With the time she freed up, she worked diligently towards the SkillsUSA District 10 competition. She represented the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center for Early Childhood Education on January 13th in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Blair holds two jobs currently. She works at Fox’s Pizza Den in Smethport and works after school for the YMCA program at Smethport Elementary. Blair is currently volunteering at Port Allegany Elementary and helps in Ms. Burr’s room.
She enjoys reading in free time, as well as spending time with her younger brothers. Last year, Blair won the Hamlin Bank Work Ethic Award on the Career and Technical Center’s Award Day for her math skills. We look forward to her efforts paying off as she strives to attain her Child Development Associate credential in the near future.
Penn College has scheduled three clock-hour Practical Nursing Programs for 2023 – two full-time programs in Wellsboro and Coudersport, and a part-time program in Wellsboro only. The first full-time program will start March 14, 2023, and the second full-time program begins September 11, 2023. Students will graduate approximately one year from the start of the program. The part-time program begins June 8, 2023, and students will graduate twenty-two months later.
Qualified nursing instructors provide classroom instruction in theory and nursing skills. Affiliation with UPMC allows for clinical experiences at UPMC Wellsboro and UPMC Cole. Other local healthcare affiliates are also utilized. Graduates earn a certificate in Practical Nursing and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam for licensure (LPN). Graduates find jobs in hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, private homes, physician offices, and other health-related offices.
Information Sessions to acquaint prospective students with the program are scheduled on Thursday, February 2; and Wednesday, February 15. Sessions will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Penn College/Wellsboro, 22 Walnut Street, and will be available live via Zoom at the Education Council’s Coudersport office at 5 Water Street. Learn how this Practical Nursing Program can help give you a great career boost! Registration is required. For more information, or to register for the Information Sessions, call Marie Van Ess at (570) 724-7703.
PA Forest Carbon Programs: The North Central Forest Landowners Association is sponsoring a free online workshop about Forest Carbon programs in Pennsylvania. This webinar will be provided by Penn State Extension Natural Resources staff Melissa Kreye and Calvin Norman and will be held live Thursday, February 23rd at 7:00 pm.
This meeting will give an introduction to carbon sequestration in forests and markets. It is for forest owners and land managers, offering an introduction to how forests store carbon, carbon markets, and opportunities in Pennsylvania. Following the presentation, there will be a question and answer session where invited speakers answer participant’s questions.
Melissa Kreye is an Assistant Professor of Forest Resource Management and she heads the Forest Benefits and Values Lab.
Calvin Norman is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Forestry.
To participate on Zoom, use the website below at 7 pm on Feb. 23rd. (Mark your calendar and save the link!) Or you can email ncfla2@gmail.com to receive an email with the link.
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://psu.zoom.us/j/91975683961
DISPATCHED: 01/26/23 20:40:44
MVAI : MVA WITH INJURIES
W HEBRON RD and ROUTE 44 N, Apt , HEBRON
Cross Streets : W HEBRON RD * CARPENTER RD.
Rescue 48-8, Engine 48-3 responded and provided hazard mitigation and traffic control ’til the vehicle was removed from a small creek.
Upon arrival of Chief Phelps the operator was still in the vehicle but self extricated with no injuries, CVAA/Medic assessed the Pt – they refused treatment.
The crash was investigated by PSP Cdspt and the vehicle was removed by Kightlinger motors. In all 21 personnel responded to the scene or stood by at the station.
On January 27 at 11:09 am Port Allegany, Smethport, Eldred, and Otto Fire Depts were dispatched for a second alarm commercial fire on Rt. 446 at the Eldred American Legion. Bradford tower one was also dispatched. The fire has been upgraded to a 3rd alarm fire with Olean and Portville being dispatched. Coudersport & Roulette have also been dispatched to the scene. Route 446 is closed.
Can I Ask Again?
By
B.J. Knefley
Can I ask again? Where are you? I’m asking more for myself than others as I had it come up in my reading today. Sitting here at my desk I’m wondering how to answer that. Where am I in life? Where am I in this journey? Is it where I want to be? What direction am I heading? So many ways to answer the question of where one is.
Recently I submitted two resignation letters. Ironically, they weren’t my first, but maybe my last. I’m retiring for the umptieth time. Someone asked if I’d get it right this time. I didn’t know I’d messed it up the first time. I just keep finding things to do, things I like doing. Afterall, it’s my life’s calling, not to retire but to help others. Essentially, it’s a life of service, and as long as I’m breathing, I suppose I’ll continue to do it. But to the question, “Where are you”, I’m not sure how to answer that. I guess I’m between assignments. I just don’t know what the next assignment is or even what it’s supposed to look like. Maybe I’ll write a book. Afterall, it’s something I’ve contemplated for the past 30 years, so maybe it’s time. But will that be enough to satisfy my soul?
It’s good to take stock of where we are in life. To ask some hard questions and to look within for answers. Sometimes we will find that we’re in a place that we don’t want to be. How we got there may not be our fault, but it will be if we don’t find a path out of that place. Sometimes people find a way to blame their situation on others and things. They don’t take responsibility for the events or the changes that need to happen. Sad when you think that some will choose to be a victim their entire life. Their blight in life becomes the fault of others. But is it? To ask introspective questions about life and our position in life is how we move forward into change. Taking responsibility to where you are is the first step in being where you’d like to be. Many don’t take it.
The challenge for each of us to is to ask the question, “Where do I want to be this time next year”. Then simply plot a course to reach that destination. Remember, a goal without a plan is only a wish. Think about it.
Abbott Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Supervisor – 2 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Allegany Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Supervisor – 4 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 2 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Austin Borough
Mayor – 2 yr term – Vote for One
Councilman – 4 yr term – Vote not more than Four
Councilman – 2 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Bingham Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 4 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Clara Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Supervisor – 4 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 4 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 2 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Coudersport Borough, First Ward
Councilman – 4 yr term – Vote for Two
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Coudersport Borough, Second Ward
Councilman – 4 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Eulalia Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Galeton Borough First Ward
Mayor – 2 yr term – Vote for One (combined with Second Ward)
Councilman – 4 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Galeton Borough Second Ward
Mayor – 2 yr term – Vote for One (combined with First Ward)
Councilman – 4 yr term – Vote for Two
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Genesee Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term -Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Harrison Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Hebron Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Hector Township
Supervisor –6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Homer Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Keating Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Oswayo Borough
Councilman – 4 yr term – Vote for not more than Three
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 4 yr term – Vote for One
Tax Collector – 2 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Oswayo Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Pike Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Supervisor – 2 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 4 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Pleasant Valley Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Supervisor – 4 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Portage Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 4 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 2 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Roulette Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Supervisor – 2 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 2 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Sharon Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Supervisor – 2 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Shinglehouse Borough
Councilman – 4 yr term – Vote for not more than Four
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Stewardson Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 4 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 2 yr term – Vote for One
Tax Collector – 2 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Summit Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 2 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Sweden Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Sylvania Township
Supervisor –6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 4 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 2 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Ulysses Borough
Councilman – 4 yr term – Vote for not more than Four
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 4 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 2 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Ulysses Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 4 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 2 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
West Branch Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
Wharton Township
Supervisor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 6 yr term – Vote for One
Auditor – 2 yr term – Vote for One
Constable – 6 yr term- Vote for One
County offices and terms on the ballot for May 16, 2023
COUNTY WIDE
Commissioners- 4-year term- Vote for not more than Two
Register and Recorder- 4-year term- Vote for One
Prothonotary- 4-year term- Vote for One
Treasurer- 4-year term- Vote for One
Sheriff- 4-year term- Vote for One
County Auditors- 4-year term- Vote for not more than Two
DISTRICT
Magisterial District Judges- 6-year term- Vote for One
55-4-03: Galeton B, Bingham, Harrison, Ulysses B, Ulysses T, Hector, Pike, West Branch,
Abbott, Stewardson
55-3-01: Coudersport B, Eulalia, Sweden, Keating, Homer, Summit, Wharton, Portage, Sylvania,
Austin B
55-4-01: Shinglehouse B, Sharon, Oswayo B, Oswayo T, Genesee, Pleasant Valley, Clara,
Allegany, Roulette, Hebron
School Directors offices and terms on the ballot for May 16, 2023
AUSTIN AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Region I – 4 yr term – Vote for One (Austin Borough only)
Region I – 2 yr term – Vote for One (Austin Borough only)
Region II – 4 yr term – Vote for One (Keating & Sylvania Twps)
Region III – 4 yr term – Vote for Two (Portage & Wharton Twps)
COUDERSPORT AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Region I – 4 yr term – Vote for One (First Ward & Eulalia)
Region II – 4 yr term – Vote for Two (Second Ward only)
Region III – 4 yr term – Vote for Two (Allegany, Hebron, Homer, Summit &
Sweden Twps)
GALETON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Region I – 4 yr term – Vote for One (Second Ward only)
Region II – 4 yr term – Vote for Two (First Ward, Gaines, & Elk Twps – Tioga Co)
Region III – 4 yr term – Vote for Two (Abbott, Hector, Pike & West Branch Twps)
NORTHERN POTTER SCHOOL DISTRICT
Region I – 4 yr term – Vote for One (Allegany, Ulysses Boro & Ulysses Twp)
Region II – 4 yr term – Vote for Two (Bingham & Genesee Twps)
Region III – 4 yr term – Vote for Two (Harrison & Hector Twps)
OSWAYO VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Region I – 4 yr term – Vote for One (North Sharon & Ceres Twp – McKean Co)
Region II – 4 yr term – Vote for Two (Shinglehouse Boro only)
Region III – 4 yr term – Vote for Two (Oswayo Boro, Oswayo Twp, South
Sharon & Clara Twp)
PORT ALLEGANY SCHOOL DISTRICT
At Large: 4 yr term – Vote for Four (Roulette & Pleasant Valley Twp/Annin, Liberty
& Port Allegany Boro – McKean Co
January 28–Winter in the Lumber Camp and Pennsylvania Elk Presentation: Outdoor fun in the snow with sledding, snow men, and snow art activities. Try your hand at cross-country skis, snowshoes, and ice skates (conditions permitting) with the help of equipment provided by PA DCNR and volunteer instructors. At 1pm go inside to join Jeremy Banfield, elk biologist for the PA Game Commission’s Deer and Elk Section, for an engaging overview of the Commonwealth’s elk management program.
