In 2022, the federal EPA granted an initial permit to Roulette Oil and Gas Co., LLC, for a waste injection well to dispose of production fluids from the company’s 270+ conventional gas wells. The site of this proposed injection well is in Clara Township in western Potter County.

Before reaching its decision, the EPA had given public notice and provided a 90-day period to accept public comments, followed by a virtual hearing held in February 2021.  In its “responsiveness summary” to concerns raised in the comments and submitted at the hearing and also accepted in an extended comment period, the EPA acknowledged that although they had received comments concerning environmental and quality-of-life impacts (such as, noise, air, light, and soil pollution and truck traffic and impacts on roads), those matters were outside the “jurisdictional scope and purview of UIC (Underground Injection Control) regulations of the EPA’s permitting process” and were therefore not considered in the agency’s issuance of the permit. (https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-12/roulette_responsiveness-summary-to-public-comment_final.pdf)

Now the final permit must be approved by PA’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which has NOT provided public notice, nor has it agreed to a public comment period or hearing.  Instead, they have offered a “conference call” with a limit of two or three speakers voicing their concerns and objections to the proposed well.

A group of local citizens, the Clara Township supervisors, and members of various water protection groups, are rejecting DEP’s offer and are calling for the same public participation as was offered by the EPA.  Since the DEP should and must consider impacts beyond the EPA’s jurisdiction, the public has the right to participate, particularly as the COVID pandemic required a virtual hearing by the federal agency, which likely prevented many concerned citizens from participating in that process in 2020-21.

This group of concerned citizens and stakeholders urges readers to either call DEP officials, including Acting Secretary Rich Negrin (717-705-4700); DEP Office of Oil & Gas Management Acting Secretary Kurt Klapkowski (570-327-3636); and Tom Donohue, Environmental Program Manager for District Oil and Gas Operations (412-442-4000), or use DEP’s website https://www.dep.pa.gov to contact these individuals.  Ask them to provide public notice, a comment period, and a public hearing before issuing a permit for this injection well.

We can expect neither transparency nor accountability from our government agencies if we don’t demand it.

Mary Anne Heston

Hector Township

The sheer number of crashes & vehicles stuck on the hill has made it impossible to post the information as all counties are talking at once.

The storm has made roads slippery throughout the 6 counties that we cover.

Best advise is stay home if you don’t have to make emergency travel. It is extremely hazardous out there.

Clearfield Co., PA (WJAC) — Authorities in Clearfield County say a family of four was displaced following an early morning blaze in DuBois.

DuBois Fire Chief Mike Federici says that multiple crews were dispatched to the blaze at a residence along South Highland Street, around 4:30 a.m. Thursday.

Authorities say the family was able to escape the fire unharmed but the house was deemed a total loss.

Liberty Township

Liberty Township, McKean County

Route 155 Building

March 9, 2023

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Liberty Township was called to order at 8:30 A.M. by Chairman Dick Brown, Supervisor Neil Shepard, Supervisor Fred Ernst, Secretary Cindy Speeth, Mary Grace Collier-Kisler and Ed Vicic were present.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all.

REPORTS:

1. Ambulance Report for February, 2023 was presented and there were 13 calls for Liberty Township.

2. Fire report for February, 2023 was presented and there were 11 calls for Liberty Township.

3. Secretary’s Report for February 9, 2023 was presented and unanimously accepted on a motion by Supervisor Shepard and a second by Supervisor Ernst.

4. Treasurer’s Report for the month of March, 2023 was presented and unanimously accepted on a motion by Supervisor Shepard and a second by

Supervisor Ernst. Chairman Brown stated that in the General Fund there were bills paid in the amount of $24,733.96, revenues received in the amount of $4.611.32 and a balance of $105,661.69. In the State Fund there were bills paid in the amount of $6,917.26, revenues received in the amount of $201,179.11 and a balance of $250,858.86. In the Sewer Fund there were revenues received of $0 and a balance of $1434.64 which was paid to the Boro of Port Allegany. The Sewer account was closed out and from now on all of the remaining sewer customers will pay directly to the Boro of Port Allegany.

CORRESPONDENCE:

1. Chairman Brown presented PennDot monthly newsletter.

2. Chairman Brown presented a letter from the McKean County Planning Commission approving the Michael Kallenborn Subdivision.

3. Letter from the PA Game Commission notifying us that they are intending to do four Skinner Creek Road bridge projects.

All correspondence was made available to the public.

NEW BUSINESS:

Chairman Brown told the secretary to put out bids to be opened at the April, 2023 meeting. The bids will be for 1500 tons of 19 mm, more or less and 1800 ton of 9.5 mm, more or less for both FOB and delivery to Coleman Mills, Open Brook and Two Mile. The Supervisors wanted to make sure that the bid stated that the company that won the bid had enough trucks to deliver it all on the same day.

Mary Grace Collier-Kisler spoke about the 2022 library statistics report for Liberty Township. First of all she thanked Liberty Township for upping their donation to the library from $500 to $2000. Liberty Township has 608 library accounts and they had checked out 1,650 items in 2022.She said that the library is now back to pre-pandemic numbers. Also, the amounts being raised by fundraising is about the same as the amount being raised by donations. That shows that people are interested in keeping the library going and are willing to work at it.

OLD BUSINESS:

None

PUBLIC CONCERNS:

None

As no further business was brought before the Board, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:10 a.m. on a motion by Supervisor Shepard and a second by Supervisor Ernst.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lucinda Speeth

Secretary/ Treasurer

Clearfield, PA – Due to snowy, wet conditions across the region, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) in District 2 is advising motorists in northcentral PA to avoid unnecessary travel during the storm. Winter weather is expected through Saturday morning. Additionally, it is possible that speed restrictions will be implemented on various roadways during this weather event.

Restrictions will be communicated via variable message boards, the 511PA traveler information website and smartphone apps. Motorists can also sign up for personalized alerts on the website.

DESCRIPTION: …WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THIS
MORNING TO 7 AM EST SATURDAY…
* WHAT…Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 7
inches.
* WHERE…Wyoming, Cattaraugus, Allegany, and Southern Erie
counties.
* WHEN…From 9 AM this morning to 7 AM EST Saturday.
* IMPACTS…Plan on snow covered and slippery road conditions with
poor visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the Friday
evening commute.

INSTRUCTIONS: Periods of snow will result in snow covered roads and limited
visibilities. Slow down and use caution while driving.
Submit snow reports through our website or social media.

Issued By: NWS Buffalo (Western New York)

In this fast-paced 90-minute presentation, former technology director, technology facilitator and current CTC teacher, Brent Bryant, will showcase 30+ free/freemium tools to facilitate formative assessment, improve lesson engagement and streamline instructional tasks.

Recent feedback from Brent’s very popular 30+ Tech Tools Presentation at the PA Integrated Learning Conference: “Very useful info – looking forward to sharing with my teachers!” “Best session this week!” “Thank you…so easy to access the tools you shared!” “Great resource list, thanks!” “Great session! Actually showed things we can use inside and outside the classroom!”

This session is intended for 5^th through 12 grade teachers and will be offered in person on Wednesday, March 15 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the Education Council’s Coudersport office. It will also be available live, remotely via Google Meet. Participants will receive hyperlinks for resources as well as priority registration to future in-depth sessions on the presented resources.  The cost is $25/person. To register, call (814) 274-4877 or go to www.pottercountyedcouncil.org.

Murphy’s Law 101

by

Pastor B.J. Knefley

Murphy’s law states “If something can go wrong, it will and usually at the worst possible moment”. Such has been my day today. It started out okay but for the next several hours it has gone down hill. It probably started when I decided to have new tires put on my car. After a wait of several hours the tires were on and I was on the Interstate. Within a few moments I quickly became aware that my steering wheel had a very noticeable vibration. I returned to the store for another hour. Finally, all is good, or so I thought. The vibration? It’s still there, perhaps not as bad but it’s still there. I decide to go home and deal with it tomorrow. Back on the Interstate, the tractor and trailer that I’m passing decides to come over into my lane. As I hit the brakes and go towards the shoulder, I find that the road is icy and the shoulder is covered with snow. As I start to slide the truck pulls back and I quickly recover and find my way back into my lane. Whew that I was close!

As I get closer to home, I hear a noise coming from what appears to be my left rear tire. Great! Now what I wonder? It appears it has something to do with my emergency brake. I decide that this will be another thing to look at in the morning.

I have four goldfish in a pond outside which I’m trying to get into their tank inside the house. I had cleared the ice off the pond last night only to find that it’s frozen over again. Not as bad as it had been but bad enough that it too will have to wait.

Needless to say, I’m annoyed and tired. I’ve got a lot to do and to top it off I’ve been having more breathing issues related to asthma. Stress sometimes affects this. So, what I need to do is chill. How? Writing helps as it gets it out. It’s what talking can do but I’m in no mood to talk. A good cup of coffee would be good too and that will be done in the next couple of minutes. Perhaps it’s best to remember that I’m not in control and that these things happen. Jesus said to cast all our burdens upon him, so I’m casting. I can’t control what happens, but I can control how I allow it to affect me. Think about it.