William L “Roy” Besecker, 94, of Kane, PA
William L “Roy” Besecker, 94, of Kane, PA peacefully passed away on Monday (Dec. 19, 2022) at Pinecrest Manor, St. Marys.
Roy was a lifelong resident of Kane. Born June 6, 1928 in Kane, he was the first born child of the late Agnes Johnson Besecker and Ira L Besecker. On July 11, 1952, in Kane, he married Clara A. “Pudge” Johnston of Kane.
Roy graduated June 5, 1946 in Kane. He started with UNG, United Natural Gas, June 1951, which later became National Fuel Gas, retiring on Oct. 1, 1985. Roy was a Fraternal brother of Kane Masonic Lodge #566 for over 50 years, a 32 degree of Coudersport Consistory, Shriner, Zem Zem Temple, Kane VFW, United Methodist Church, and the Methodist Men of Kane.
Roy, after retirement, enjoyed traveling with his wife Pudge and later his girlfriend Rose. He loved woodworking and could find him in his workshop building something his entire life. Roy was a very active person always working on, tinkering with, or fixing anything you could imagine.
Roy is survived by his son, Roger L. Besecker of Oakland Park, Fla.; his brother Ralph Besecker of Melbourne, Fla.; sister-in-law Marianne Johnston of Kane; nephew Randal (Mary Jean) Besecker of Walnut Creek, Calif.; niece Melissa Besecker of Los Angeles, Calif.;, niece Kelle (Johnston) Bari of Kane, nephew Dan (Lauren) Johnston of Kane, nephew Todd (Karen) Johnston of Westerville, Ohio, and niece Ruth Ann (Ron) Hallberg of Kane.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents, wife, son William L Besecker, Jr., brother Raymond “Ray” Besecker, brother Richard “Dick” Besecker, nephew Dean Besecker, and longtime girlfriend Rose Reigel.
Friends will be received at the Cummings Funeral Home on Jan. 6, 2023 from 3 to 6 p.m. with a Masonic Service taking place at 5:45 p.m. The funeral ceremony will follow at 6 p.m., with the Rev. Calvin Cook, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Mount Tabor Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the United Methodist Church, 112 Greeves St., Kane PA 16735, the Shriners, 1645 W 8th St, Erie, PA 16505 or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences can be expressed at www.cummingsfh.com.
Blaykelynn Mae BELL, infant daughter of Autumn Button and Brendon Bell
Blaykelynn Mae BELL, infant daughter of Autumn Button and Brendon Bell, was stillborn Thursday, December 22, 2022 in UPMC Cole, Coudersport, PA.
Surviving besides her parents are: four brothers, Julius, Allaki, Dominic, and Huntley; two sisters, Letty and Aurorah; maternal grandparents, Matt and Holly Kio; paternal grandparents, Larry and Carol Bell; maternal great-grandparents, Duke and Sally Kio and Shirley and Jim Van Pelt; paternal great-grandfather, Tom Bell; aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.
Dorothy S. Dart, 89, of Smethport, PA
Dorothy S. Dart, 89, of Smethport, PA passed away Monday (December 26, 2022) at her residence.
She was born February 22, 1933 in Smethport, the daughter of Claude and Luetta (Daley) Slade. She was married to Berlin G. Scott, who preceded her in death in 1981. She then married Gerald McGee, who passed away in 1992. She was then married to Lawrence Dart, who preceded her in death in 2007.
Dorothy was a Smethport High School graduate and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at Clarion University.
She was an elementary school teacher at the Cyclone Elementary School, the East Smethport Creative Center, and lastly at Smethport Elementary School until her retirement in 1992.
Dorothy was a life-long member of the Regular Baptist Church of Smethport, and a member of the McKean County Historical Society, PSEA, the Smethport Garden Club, the Red Hatters, and volunteered at Sena Kean Manor for many years.
She is survived by:
Three sons: Stanley T. (Debbie) Scott, Mitchell G. (Karen) Scott, both of Smethport, and Bradley A. Scott
A special “daughter in love”: Reletta (Lester) Lapp of Cyclone
Seven grandchildren: Meghan (Christopher) Hornberger, Randy (Lindsey) Scott, Brianna (Dalton) Mack, Bradley (Brandy) Scott, II, Ben Scott, Susan (Andy) Kipp and Cassandra Scott
Four great grandchildren: Zoey, Aaron, Madeline, Olivia (and more on the way)
At Dorothy’s request, there will be no visitation or services. Instead, the party she wished for family and friends is being planned for summer 2023 in a joyful celebration of her life and ever-present smile. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Smethport.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Regular Baptist Church of Smethport. Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport.
Jack W. Wilson, 72, a lifelong resident of Hebron, PA
Jack W. Wilson, 72, a lifelong resident of Hebron, PA passed away with his loving family by his side on Saturday, December 24, 2022, in UPMC Cole, Coudersport, after a long illness.
Family and friends may call from 4pm to 6pm on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at the Hebron Seventh Day Baptist Church, 13 E. Carley Hill Road, Roulette, where a Celebration of Life will follow at 6pm with Pastor Steve Hinton, officiating.
A complete obituary will follow.
Jack’s family has entrusted his care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.
Mahar, Pappas funds give nonprofits a holiday lift
OLEAN, N.Y., December 14, 2022 — Area nonprofits again received a boost around the holiday season from the Mahar Family Foundation Fund and the Rose Pappas Foundation Fund at the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, which together supported 23 grants.
The 23 grants supported 19 organizations and totaled $6,700.
The Mahar Family Foundation, established by Mrs. Francis (Roberta) Mahar Jr. and the late Francis Mahar Jr., memorializes Francis Mahar Sr., Margaret Mahar, Daniel Mahar and Francis Mahar Jr. and recognizes Mrs. Francis (Roberta) Mahar.
DEP Awards $12.2 Million to Support Counties’ Progress in Restoring Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today awarded $12.2 million in 2023 Countywide Action Plan (CAP) Implementation Grants to county teams across Pennsylvania’s share of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed to support their progress in reducing nutrient and sediment pollution to restore the health of local streams, rivers, and lakes.
“In every county, local leaders and partners in agriculture, conservation, and other areas are carrying out measures they’ve determined will have the biggest impact in reducing pollution and bringing the benefits of a healthy watershed to their communities,” said DEP Acting Secretary Ramez Ziadeh. “DEP is committed to doing everything it can to support this unprecedented grassroots action and progress. The 2023 CAP Implementation funding will enable teams to build on their previous years’ successes and launch new projects, accelerating Pennsylvania’s Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan.”
Barbara A. “Bonnie” Wright, 76, of 1012 Lafferty Lane, Bradford, PA
Barbara A. “Bonnie” Wright, 76, of 1012 Lafferty Lane, Bradford, PA passed away Sunday, December 25, 2022, at UPMC Hamot.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com
Douglas A. Burge, 61, of Russell, PA
Douglas A. Burge, 61, of Russell, PA, died Monday, December 19, 2022, of natural causes.
He was born June 22, 1961, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was the son of the late Donald L. and Nancy C. Kramer Burge. He was a former resident of Lewis Run, PA., and has resided in Russell, PA., for the past 13 years.
Doug was employed with PennDOT as a truck driver. He was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing.
He is survived by his good friend, David R. Morrison of Warren, PA., 2 Brothers – Donald Burge and wife, Paula of St. Cloud, Minn., Erik Burge of Knoxville, TN., several nieces, and nephews.
A private funeral service will be conducted at the convenience of the family.
Those wishing to place memorials may do so through Paws Along the River, 212 Elm Street, Warren, PA. 16365. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com
The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. has the honor of providing funeral arrangements.
DCNR to Celebrate the New Year with First Day Hikes Across Pennsylvania Public Lands
Harrisburg – The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) today announced it will host nearly 60, guided hikes in 34 state parks and three forest districts on New Year’s Day as part of the nationwide “First Day Hike” effort. Designed to promote a healthy start in the new year, these hikes offer families an opportunity to begin rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on January 1.
“First Day Hikes are a great way to start the new year in natural spaces, which we hopeful will continue throughout the year,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “These hikes are also a reminder our state parks and forests are open for healthy outdoor adventures in all four seasons. I encourage Pennsylvanians, and those visiting for the holidays, to consider taking a hike and to make the time to connect with park staff and like-minded outdoors enthusiasts. Now is the perfect time to begin building meaningful bond with our public lands.”
State parks staff and volunteers lead the hikes, which are usually about one or two miles, but can be longer depending on the park and its terrain. The following Pennsylvania state park and forest facilities are participating during daylight hours January 1, 2023:
COVID-19 Update – Process Changes in 2023
Allegany County Department of Health (ACDOH) has received official notification that effective
January 1, 2023, the New York State Department of Health will be decommissioning the current
system utilized for positive case investigations of COVID-19.
Beginning with the New Year, it will be unlikely that Allegany County residents receive a phone call regarding COVID-19 test results.
If any resident has specific questions about testing positive or isolation guidelines, the Health
Department remains available to answer all questions. ACDOH will remain in contact with New
York State COVID officials and will provide updates to residents as they become available. We
anticipate updates again regarding the COVID-19 situation mid-January 2023.
Effective January 16, 2023, ACDOH will discontinue the acceptance/submission of positive
home tests for cases of COVID-19. This means that if you test positive for COVID-19 with a home
test, you will not be required or able to submit your results on the Allegany County website.
Home testing for COVID-19 is still a useful tool if you are sick and need rapid testing at your
fingertips. CDC guidelines for isolation remain in effect. If you test positive for COVID-19 and need
Affirmation of Isolation paperwork for school or work, then please visit our website at
www.alleganyco.gov and go to the red box for COVID-19 information to download and/or print
your paperwork.
Please keep track of your COVID-19 test results, you may wish to notify your healthcare provider of any positive test result, as treatment options may be available to you.
Please call the ACDOH at 585-268-9250 if you have any questions regarding COVID-19. Useful
information FAQs will remain available on the County webpage for COVID-19 or the CDC website
for isolation guidance if you test positive for COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
ncov/your-health/isolation.html
HAMILTON-GIBSON’S “CATS” WINTER THEATRE ARTS CAMP TO OPEN IN ELKLAND ON THURSDAY, JAN. 12; IT’S FREE; REGISTER NOW
Fourth through tenth graders who live in Northern Tioga School District communities and attend public or private schools or are home schooled are invited to participate in Hamilton-Gibson’s “CATS” Winter Theatre Arts Camp in Elkland. It’s free.
The deadline to register for the free camp is Friday, Jan. 6.
First Citizens Community Bank Helps Sponsor Nick’s Closet
We have been supporters of the agricultural community for over 150 years, and we are so very proud to help sponsor Nick’s Closet, an organization raising money to establish a closet of Official FFA Dress for all who participate in FFA. Nick’s Closet was established to honor Nicholas Elizalde, a 14 year old freshman at Saul High School who was killed in a shooting while leaving a football scrimmage. Nick was a former FFA Member. Pictured are the students who will be attending this years’ Pennsylvania Farm Show at their last fitting.
Lego Club Takes A Break At Barbara Moscato Brown Library
The Barbara Moscato Brown Memorial Library Lego Club members are pictured during their Holiday session on Tuesday, December 20, where they enjoyed some special treats during their building fun. Lego Club will be taking a break December 27, but will be back in session the first Tuesday in January at 3:30 p.m. Ages 5-12 are welcome to attend and no registration is needed at this time. The Library is also seeking LEGO donations (brand name only please in the standard size), bases and figures are especially desired.
