Causer Bill Removing Prohibition on Manufacture, Ownership of Automatic Knives Now Law
HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) to end the state’s prohibition on automatic knives was signed into law Thursday by the governor.
“This change in law will benefit the Commonwealth’s outdoor enthusiasts and tradespeople who find automatic knives helpful in their work and activities,” Causer said. “It will also benefit knife manufacturers here in the state who have been at a competitive disadvantage with manufacturers in 43 other states where there was no prohibition on these tools.”
Prior law prohibited individuals from repairing, selling, dealing, using or possessing an “offensive weapon.” Included in the definition of an offensive weapon, along with bombs, grenades and machine guns, was automatic knives. The new law authored by Causer simply removes automatic knives from the list of prohibited offensive weapons.
However, someone in possession of an automatic knife with the intent to employ it criminally would still be in violation of the state’s Crimes Code, ensuring there is a mechanism in place to continue to protect the community while also removing an outdated restriction on law-abiding people.
Act 119 of 2022 takes effect in 60 days.
Veteran Resident Honored at The Laurels
Wellsboro, Pa., November 3, 2022 – Clifford Murray, a resident at The Laurels, part of UPMC Senior Communities, and a World War II Navy veteran was recently honored by Family Hospice, part of UPMC Home Healthcare of Central Pennsylvania, and U.S. Veterans Affairs. During the ceremony, Clifford was pinned with an American flag, given a certificate in honor of his service and presented with a star of a retired flag. This was made possible by UPMC’s We Honor Veterans program. Pictured is Clifford and representatives of UPMC. To learn more about We Honor Veterans at UPMC in North Central Pa., call 570-320-7691.
Beautiful weather welcomed the annual Coudersport Rotary Halloween Parade
Beautiful weather welcomed the annual Coudersport Rotary Halloween Parade on October 29, 2022. Thank you to everyone who participated and all our First Responders who helped to make it a reality! More photos are on their Facebook page.
Lillian O. Bliskey, 96, of Elk Haven Nursing Home, St. Marys and formerly of Johnsonburg and Lady Lake, FL
Lillian O. Bliskey, 96, of Elk Haven Nursing Home, St. Marys and formerly of Johnsonburg and Lady Lake, FL, died late Tuesday night, November 1, 2022 at Elk Haven following a brief illness. She was born on January 22, 1926 in Johnsonburg a daughter to the late Francis C. and Bertha Mae Armagost McAlee. On June 25, 1947 in Holy Rosary Church she married her grade school sweetheart Eugene F. “Gene” Bliskey. He preceded her in death on November 30, 2015.
Lillian grew up in Johnsonburg and graduated from Johnsonburg High School Class of 1943. She attended Nursing School in Erie and received certification as a Registered Nurse. She was a member of Holy Rosary Church and the Christian Women’s Assn. She had been a member of the Johnsonburg Elk’s Women’s Aux.
Lillian had retired as a private duty care nurse in Lady Lake FL after 29 years of serving her community. She had also worked as a nurse at Penntech Papers in Johnsonburg for many years and at Andrew Kaul Memorial Hospital for many years.
Lillian is survived by her children Beverly Paff of Sorrento, FL, Deborah, Mrs. Frank Roos of Placerville, CA, Joseph John Bliskey and his wife Etta Dietz of Ridgway and Kery jo Leader and her life partner Hugh Dornisch of Ridgway. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Patrick Geitner, Nichole, Mrs. Matt Bean, Joshua Paff and his wife Shelly, Isaac Paff, Abram Paff, Patrick Paff and his wife Jen, Frankie Roos and his wife Nicole, Morgan, Mrs. Justin Walling, Courtney Bliskey and his wife Ester, Chelsa Bliskey and her companion Josh Kleinpeter, Angel, Mrs. Joe Fritz, Chad Leader and his wife Annie and Nate Dornisch and his companion Hannah Freeburg and she is also survived by her great-grandchildren; Patrick Geitner, Jr., Addie Geitner, Julia Geitner, Laten Paff, Elijah Paff, Hadley Roos, Jocelyn Bliskey, Jaylon Bliskey, Isaac Fritz, Halle Fritz, Benji Leader, Lottie Leader and Hanna Baddock. She is also survived by a brother William “Bill” McAlee and his wife Eileen of Utica, NY.
In addition to her parents and husband, a daughter D’Arcy Geitner. Lillian is predeceased by brothers Father Eugene McAlee and John R. “Jack” McAlee and a sister Cleo Sheets.
Funeral Services for Lillian O. Bliskey will be conducted at a later date and will be announced by the Anthony F Ferragine Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 401 Chestnut Street Johnsonburg, Pa
If desired, memorial contributions should be made in her name to Elk Haven Nursing Home, 785 Johnsonburg Rd., St. Marys, PA 15857.
Wolf Administration Touts Decriminalization of Fentanyl Test Strips, Further Commits to Fight Against Overdose Deaths
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Jen Smith and Acting Health Secretary and Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson today praised Governor Tom Wolf’s continued commitment to address the overdose crisis by signing into law legislation that will avoid opioid overdose deaths. This measure (House Bill 1393) amends The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act of 1972 to no longer define fentanyl test strips as drug paraphernalia.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, 78% of the 5,343 overdose deaths statewide in 2021 involved fentanyl.
“Fentanyl is undetectable through sight, taste, and smell. Unless a drug is tested with a fentanyl test strip, it is nearly impossible for an individual to know if it has been laced with fentanyl,” said Secretary Smith. “We continue to encourage all Pennsylvanians to equip themselves with the life-saving drug naloxone, and now with the legalization of fentanyl test strips, individuals have an additional tool to fight the overdose crisis. This legalization is a big win in the harm reduction space, allowing individuals to be more informed given the large amount of fentanyl in our drug supply — this small strip of paper could save their life.”
FTS are a low-cost method of helping to prevent drug overdoses and reducing harm. These small strips of paper can detect the presence of fentanyl in all different kinds of drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, etc.) and drug forms (pills, powder, and injectables), providing people who use drugs and communities with important information about fentanyl in the illicit drug supply.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid, nearly 100 times more potent than morphine. In the medical setting, fentanyl can be used to treat patients with chronic pain, such as pain associated with advanced cancer or severe pain following surgery. Illicit fentanyl, on the other hand, is primarily manufactured outside of the United States, illegally brought into the U.S. and distributed and sold on the illegal drug market. It is sold as powders, nasal sprays, and pills that are made to look like prescription opioids. Fentanyl is being mixed with other illicit drugs, primarily heroin, to increase its potency. Mixing fentanyl with other drugs increases the likelihood of its use leading to a fatal overdose.
“The legalization of fentanyl test strips will undoubtedly help save the lives of Pennsylvanians by reducing drug overdoses,” said Dr. Johnson. “Many people take the deadly drug without knowing it. Now, they can use test strips to identify the presence of fentanyl, so they are not accidently exposed to the drug.”
Harm reduction is a proven public health approach that minimizes the negative consequences of drug use, saves lives, improves health outcomes, and strengthens families and communities. This approach recognizes that there will always be individuals using and misusing legal and illegal drugs, and addresses the conditions of their use. Other harm reduction tools include syringe services programs, which the Wolf Administration also strongly believes should be legalized by the General Assembly.
There are numerous ways that Pennsylvanians can access life-saving naloxone. Dr. Johnson signed standing orders allowing members of the general public and first responders to obtain naloxone from their local pharmacy and through a partnership with Point Pittsburgh and NEXT Distro, Pennsylvania supports a statewide mail-based naloxone program for individuals to request medication for personal use.
To learn more about the Wolf Administration’s efforts in combatting the disease of addiction, visit pa.gov/opioids.
Gasbarre expansion to triple size of its St Marys facility
Gasbarre Products Inc is reported to be expanding its facility in St Marys, Pennsylvania, USA, with an investment of some $5.8 million. The company has leased a 14,000 m2 facility in St Marys, which will triple the size of its current location and create sixteen new jobs, while retaining a further 156 employees across four locations statewide. Gasbarre also plans to relocate operations from Plymouth, Michigan, to the expanded facility.
Gasbarre received a funding proposal from the Donor Committee for Enterprise Development (DCED) for a $64,000 Pennsylvania First grant. As part of its expansion project, the company has committed to creating new jobs at its St Marys facility within three years.
“Our investment in the new facility in St Marys provides an opportunity for Gasbarre to continue to grow and flourish where we have manufactured for nearly fifty years,” stated Alex Gasbarre, CEO. “The work ethic and skills provided by past, current, and future Gasbarre team members provide a strong base for this move. We look forward to adding new team members in the coming months when the move process is completed. The people of Elk County and St. Marys will be key to our success.”
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Names Top Bidders in 11th
Restaurant License Auction
Straub Brewery Wins License in Benezette
Harrisburg – Following validation of bids received by the Oct. 31 deadline for the 11th
restaurant license auction authorized by Act 39 of 2016, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
(PLCB) has issued Notices of Selection to top bidders on 20 licenses.
Winning bids range from $25,111 for a license in Benezette Township, Elk County to $460,751
for a license in Uwchlan, Chester County. The average winning bid in the auction was $154,833.
The number of bids received for each of the 20 licenses receiving bids ranged from one to
seven.
Sixty-nine total bids were received, and one license in Cambria County received no bids.
Winning bids and bidders were posted to the PLCB restaurant license auction web page
following opening of bids Wednesday morning, Nov. 2, and subsequent bid validation
RECALLS
Issue With “Gluten Free” Labeling on Cedar Creek Popcorn Box Containing Gluten
Cedar Creek Popcorn of Sac City, Iowa is recalling its 18 oz. Old-Fashioned Caramel Holiday Popcorn Box because the side of the box features a Gluten Free claim when there are elements with gluten contained in the product. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat run the risk of serious or life threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
Cedar Creek’s 18 oz. Old-Fashioned Caramel Holiday Popcorn Box was distributed nationwide at Tractor Supply Company stores. It carries a UPC code of 025606000612.
The product comes in a cardboard box