Each New Year brings resolutions about the things we intend to change in the coming year. Perhaps we voice our desires to change what we wish to change or try something new. Perhaps we have dreams that are still unfulfilled, or we simply want our life to be different somehow. We are tired of the same old stuff. The same issues and frustrations are constant reminders that our lives have not gone anywhere. Our future looks as bleak as our past has been, and although we would like things to be different this next year, we don’t really hold out any hope.

I know a family that has been through much this past year. In fact, they have been through much over the past several years. Facing yet another issue, one of the parents asked whether anything good could come out of what they were dealing with. Seeing only the problem and the need to walk through yet another “issue,” the future didn’t seem all that hopeful. In these times, we might all like to crawl back into bed and wake up on a different day. But life doesn’t work that way, and although we might wish things would go away, the only way they will is when we jump into the midst of them. That is exactly what this family has done. Instead of letting the events of their lives control them, they are taking an active approach to working through them.

As an outsider looking into the lives of many people, I often observe things they cannot see. Take, for example, the family I was referring to. I have watched this family grow stronger. The couple’s relationship has grown stronger through their trials. Where they once lacked self-confidence, they are now willing to take steps they could not have taken a year ago. I have watched the whole family grow emotionally and spiritually. How are they doing this? They are practicing faith in a way that brings hope amid trials. Easy? No, but the outcome of their effort is making them stronger. Want life to change? Perhaps you’ll need to look past the trial and into the arena of faith that produces hope. Think about it.

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that Airport Road (Route 2018) is closed in both directions between Reading Turnpike Road (Route 2016) and Stony Lane in Ralpho Township, Northumberland County, due to a downed tree and utilities, in the vicinity of the Northumberland County Airport.

A detour using Reading Turnpike Road and Route 54 is in place.

Motorists should be alert, slow down, expect delays in travel, and drive with caution.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
1014 PM EST Mon Dec 29 2025
…LAKE EFFECT SNOW BANDS TONIGHT…

Strong westerly winds and moisture streaming off the Great Lakes has generated heavy bands of lake effect snow that will impact portions of I-99 in Centre County, I-80 between mile marker 140 and 190, as well as roadways in Cameron, Clinton, and Potter counties for the next few hours.

Bands of lake effect snow can quickly reduce visibility and cause rapid accumulations of snow. The reduced traction and blinding visibility of a snow band can make travel very dangerous very quickly.

Use extra caution if you must travel tonight and encounter bands of heavy snow, slow down and consider exiting the highway. Rapid changes in visibility and potentially slick roads may lead to accidents. Please use extreme caution and allow plenty of stopping distance. Avoid braking suddenly.

December 30, 2025 02:30AM

The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office has issued a TRAVEL ADVISORY for all of Cattaraugus County. Heavy snow and high wind is making travel very difficult, dangerous and nearly impossible in some areas. Motorists are asked to AVOID unnecessary travel until further notice.

A travel advisory does not mean all roads in the affected area are officially closed. However the public is encouraged to avoid any travel that could wait until the advisory is lifted and conditions have improved.

If travel is necessary, motorists are asked to leave extra time to reach their destination, have a winter emergency kit in their vehicle, be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions, and be observant of first responders and plows on the roadways.

For more information on weather and road closings visit https://weather.gov/buf, https://511ny.org and monitor local media including TV and radio. 
                                                            

Pleasant Valley Township is having an Emergency Vacancy Board meeting Tuesday December 30, 2025 at 6pm at the Pleasant Valley Township building. 

Pleasant Valley Township will hold the yearly reorganizational meeting at 8am January 5, 2026 at the Pleasant Valley Township building.

Montoursville, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has lifted the speed limit and right-lane-only commercial vehicle restrictions that were in place on an area roadway.

• Due to the winter weather impacting the region, the speed limit were reduced to 45 mph on Interstate 80 between the Clinton/Union County line and the Northumberland/Montour County line. All speeds are restored to their usual posted limits.

PennDOT is still treating roadways in the area and will continue until roads are clear.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.

HEADLINE: Wind Advisory issued December 29 at 6:36PM EST until December 30 at 7:00AM EST by NWS Buffalo NY

DESCRIPTION: * WHAT…West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

* WHERE…Cattaraugus County.

* WHEN…Until 7 AM EST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

INSTRUCTIONS: Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

Issued By: NWS Buffalo NY

HEADLINE: Snow Squall Warning issued December 29 at 6:45PM EST until December 29 at 7:30PM EST by NWS Binghamton NY

DESCRIPTION: The National Weather Service in Binghamton has issued a

* Snow Squall Warning for…
Southeastern Seneca County in central New York…
Schuyler County in central New York…
Northwestern Broome County in central New York…
Southwestern Madison County in central New York…
Southeastern Cayuga County in central New York…
Cortland County in central New York…
Chemung County in central New York…
Tioga County in central New York…
Southern Onondaga County in central New York…
Southeastern Steuben County in central New York…
Tompkins County in central New York…
Northwestern Chenango County in central New York…

Montoursville, PA – Due to winter weather, PennDOT is temporarily reducing the speed limit on a roadway in the region.

PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel, but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on the following highway:

• Interstate 80 between the Clinton/Union County line and the Northumberland/Montour County line.

On roadways with speed restrictions, commercial vehicles not affected by restrictions on these or other roadways must move to the right lane.

Although PennDOT crews have been treating roadways, the department’s primary goal is to keep roads passable, and they will not completely free of ice and snow. PennDOT will continue to treat roadways throughout the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear.

Major WSSI Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. through Thursday at 7:00 a.m.

The Winter Storm Severity Index has reached the major stage in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Wayne, Oswego, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Madison Counties for Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. through Thursday at 7:00 a.m. Expect considerable disruptions to daily life as there will be dangerous or impossible driving conditions and widespread closures and disruptions to infrastructure that may occur. 

Snowfall will begin in your area today. 18-24″ inches of snow is expected with snowfall rates of 1-2″ inches per hour at times, at times reaching 3″ per hour. Whiteout conditions are expected with low visibility because of high winds and lake effect snow bands. 

Snow Squall Warning issued December 29 at 5:37PM EST until December 29 at 6:15PM EST by NWS Binghamton NY

The National Weather Service in Binghamton has issued a

* Snow Squall Warning for…
Northwestern Seneca County in central New York…
Yates County in central New York…
Northwestern Steuben County in central New York…

* Until 615 PM EST.

* At 536 PM EST, a dangerous snow squall was located along a line
extending from near Newark to near Wellsville, moving east at 50
mph.

HAZARD…Intense bursts of heavy snow. Gusty winds leading to
blowing snow and visibility rapidly falling to less than
one-quarter mile. Wind gusts greater than 35 mph.

HEADLINE: Winter Weather Advisory issued December 29 at 5:46PM EST until December 31 at 7:00PM EST by NWS Binghamton NY

DESCRIPTION: * WHAT…Lake effect snow expected. Total snow accumulations between
3 and 7 inches with locally higher amounts possible. Winds gusting
as high as 50 mph will create blowing snow, which could reduce
visibility.

* WHERE…Steuben County.

* WHEN…Until 7 PM EST Wednesday.

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that Route 220 is closed in both directions between Route 42 in Davison Township, Sullivan County and Route 405 in Hughesville Borough, Lycoming County, due to a downed tree and utilities, two miles north of Glen Mawr.

A detour using route 405, Route 118 and Route 42 is in place.

Motorists should be alert, slow down, expect delays in travel, and drive with caution.

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, January 1, 2026 in observance of the New Year’s holiday. 

Winter Weather Advisory issued December 29 at 3:45AM EST until December 31 at 7:00PM EST by NWS Buffalo NY

* WHAT…Lake effect snow expected. Total snow accumulations 5 to 9
inches in the most persistent lake snows. Winds gusting as high as
55 mph.

* WHERE…Allegany County. The highest amounts across north and west
portions of the county.

* WHEN…From 4 PM this afternoon to 7 PM EST Wednesday.

* IMPACTS…Travel will be very difficult. The hazardous conditions
will impact the Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Forecast snowfall amounts could be higher
where lake bands persist during this long duration event.

INSTRUCTIONS: Lake effect snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling,
be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.

Submit snow reports through our website or social media.

Issued By: NWS Buffalo NY