Effective this June, drivers convicted under Paul Miller’s Law will pay a fine.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) are reminding Pennsylvanians to put down the phone while driving or they will be forced to pay a fine starting June 5, 2026. In 2024, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Paul Miller’s Law, which prohibits the use of hand-held devices while driving, even while stopped temporarily due to traffic, a red light, or other delays. Drivers can still use their phones to alert authorities in the event of an emergency and use hands-free technology to make phone calls, use a GPS, and listen to music.

Beginning June 5, 2026, drivers convicted of using a hand-held device while driving will pay a $50 fine, plus court costs and other fees. Pennsylvania also enforces a texting-while-driving ban that prohibits drivers from using mobile devices to send, read, or write text-based communications while their vehicle is in motion. Additionally, depending on the circumstances, drivers who violate Paul Miller’s Law or the texting-while-driving ban may also be convicted of Homicide by Vehicle or Aggravated Assault by Vehicle, and given increased sentences.

Members of the District Attorney’s Office, Adult Probation, Maintenance Dept., and McKean County Law Enforcement Leaders “Wore Blue” to show support for child abuse victims and child abuse prevention efforts.  April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  If you suspect child abuse, report it to Childline at 1-800-932-0313 and call 911.

The Black Forest Falcons Trap Team competed in a home meet on Tuesday evening against the Otto Eldred Bird Dawgs. The Falcons secured a strong victory with a final score of 192 to 165.

Leading the team were the following top 8 shooters: 

1. Kelby Striech – 25

2. Avery Torrey – 25

3. Ethan Hamilton – 25

4. Taylor Knowles – 24

5. Carson Cooney – 24

6. Hunter Hanes – 23

7. Chase Hamilton – 23

8. Carson Heimel – 23

Liam Hunt 23

The Black Forest Falcons will host Smethport in their next meet on April 9th at 4:00 PM.

Thank you for your continued support of our student-athletes.

In case you haven’t noticed, life can be tough. The plans we make don’t always turn out the way we expect. Our hopes and dreams sometimes fall short despite our best efforts. We wonder why we can’t seem to move forward when it looks like everyone else is living the dream. Even though we can’t see into their lives, they seem to have it all together. Maybe you’ve even complained about the unfairness of the world. Perhaps we’ve even wondered why we can’t get ahead.

So, what is the problem? Is it me or us? Is it something we’ve done or haven’t done, or just luck? Why do bad things happen to good people? I am one of the good people, aren’t I? Why does it feel like a cloud of doom is always hanging over us? If there were a raffle for a broken leg, I’d probably win.

I’m at my lowest point in life, and I don’t know which way to go. Is that how you feel? Are you in a place where it seems like you’re going nowhere? Did you know many people think they’re moving forward but are actually stuck in the same spot you’re in? Yes, you might believe you’re heading in the right direction when you’re only staying afloat because you’ve already hit rock bottom. You just don’t realize that it’s truly rock bottom.

The Apostle Paul was a champion for his faith. As a Jew and a teacher of the law, he was dedicated to stopping the followers of Jesus. Seeing himself as aligned with God and as someone chosen to serve as His instrument, he aimed to find and destroy those he believed were corrupting Judaism. But Paul soon found himself lying flat on his back. Blind and helpless on the ground, he could only look up. Although he couldn’t see, he could hear, and what he heard made him ask, “What do you want me to do, Lord?” Instead of complaining, he looked for direction. Maybe that’s part of our problem. Instead of asking for help, we complain and whine about life when we could surrender to the one who can bring meaning into our suffering. Think about it.

We are proud to recognize Ethan Edwards as Student of the Week for his great work and representation of the Homeland Security program at Seneca Highlands CTC. Ethan is a junior at Smethport Jr./Sr. High School and a 2nd-year student in the Homeland Security program.  Ethan completes any task that is asked of him and is always willing to try new things. When problems arise, Ethan is not afraid to work through them. He’s not afraid to ask questions if/when he is unsure of something. Ethan demonstrates leadership qualities in the program.  
Congratulations on earning this award! Keep working hard and doing your best—we are proud of you, Ethan! 

The Shinglehouse Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Association hosted a conversation with state EMS leaders this week to discuss the many challenges facing emergency medical services in rural areas, such as rising costs, regulatory burdens, staffing shortages and increased demand for services. Pictured from left are Anthony Martin, director of the state’s Bureau of EMS within the Department of Health; Shinglehouse EMS Captain Amber Salada; Rep. Martin Causer  (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter); and EMS West Executive Director Brian Shaw.

Plant a petunia to grow at home with gardening tips provided by Yolie Canales during the free Golden Afternoons program at 1 p.m Tuesday, April 14, in the lobby at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro. There will be free refreshments, too.

Men and women ages 65 and older who want to participate are asked to RSVP before 3 p.m. next Friday, April 10 to ensure enough petunia plugs and other needed supplies will be provided. To RSVP,  visit deanecenter.com/, email director@deanecenter.com, or call 570-724-6220.

For this program, there will be at least eight different varieties of petunias donated by Sarah Leister of Leister’s Farm Market located at 4886 PA-287 near Wellsboro. 

A single petunia plug, when properly cared for and matured, can produce 
dozens to over 100 flowers at a time, depending on the variety and growing conditions. 

One of the donated petunia varieties is the popular Danziger Amore Queen of Hearts. It is known for its striking large blooms that feature a distinct red and yellow heart-shaped pattern. This is an early-flowering, mounded, and vigorous annual that thrives in full sun, making it ideal for hanging baskets, containers, and, landscapes. 

Another is Headliner Lipstick. Its stunning, pink, fragrant blooms are drought, frost, and heat tolerant, do not require deadheading, attract hummingbirds and butterflies, and are perfect for medium-sized baskets.

Six of the petunias are Proven Winners Supertunia hybrids, including Royal Magenta; Mini Vista Plum Veined and Indigo; and Vista Snowdrift, Bubblegum, and Paradise. They each do well in full to partial sun and grow from 4-12, 6-12, or 12-24 inches, depending on which variety is chosen.

“We always have a lot of fun,” said Canales. “People can select the petunia plug they want to plant.”.

For each participant, Canales will pre-fill a 4.5-inch deep, square, black plastic planter with moisturized soil and fertilizer. She will talk about the water and fertilizer needs of a petunia plug as it grows and when to replant the flowers in a garden, outdoor pot, or hanging basket.   

For 15 years, Canales and her husband ran Tioga Nursery, growing plants and flowers as a business in greenhouses on their Charleston Township property on Route 6, just outside of Wellsboro

Bradford, PA — The United Way of the Bradford Area is currently accepting applications for the second quarter of Quarterly Impact funding for 2026. Deadline to apply is May 1, 2026, award announcement on May 20, 2026 and fund distribution set for June 1, 2026 to award recipients.

Eligible non-profit agencies may submit a request for up to $1,500 for Quarterly Impact funds. Awards will be given to programs or initiatives with the potential to make an immediate impact on the local community while being essential to the agencies mission.

Priority will be given to those who have not received prior funding, who have supplied all necessary documentation, and request funding for programmatic costs.Quarterly Impact applications may be received by visiting United Way’s website at uwbanews.com, the United Way office, or by request at sarah.lonzi@uwbanews.org.

Along with the application, it is being requested of applicants that a detailed budget of planned expenditure be included. All applications are reviewed by a committee comprised of United Way Board members, with recommendations being presented to the full board for final approval. For more information regarding the application process, please contact the United Way.

BRADFORD, Pa. – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Office of Admissions will offer two Saturday visits April 4 and April 18.

                Saturday visits include a small group tour, brunch and a chance to meet with an admissions counselor. They will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

                Weekday visits are also available at 10 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays when the university is open and include lunch. Registration is requested for all admissions events.

                For those unable to visit camps in person, a new virtual tour offers 360-degree views of 50 locations on campus, including engineering labs, art space and hands-on training classrooms as well as outdoor spaces, athletic facilities and residence halls.

                To make a registration or view the virtual tour, visit upb.pitt.edu/visit-campus.

Monday closed 

Tuesday 11 to 6 

Wednesday 11 to 6

Thursday 11 to 6

Friday 11 to 6. 

Saturday 10 to 4 

70 percent off. 

$1.25 cards on  Thursday.

Potter County Human Services

is hiring for the following positions:

Aging Care Management Supervisor 1

(Local Government)

Potter County Area Agency on Aging

Posting Dates: March 23, 2026-April 5, 2026

Drug & Alcohol Prevention Specialist

(Local Government)

Potter County D & A

Posting Dates: April 1, 2026-April 14, 2026

County Caseworker 2

(Local Government)

Potter County Children and Youth Services

Posting Dates: March 31, 2026-April 13, 2026

Apply at: www.employment.pa.gov

Applicants may call 814-544-7315 with questions.              

 Potter County Human Services is an Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action Employer

“The Potter County Housing Authority will have a public hearing on April 15, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., at 109 Market Street in Coudersport, PA. The hearing will cover the annual submission of HUD-50077-CRT-SM-Civil Rights Certification. The submission of this form is required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to meet the 5 Year and Annual Plan submissions for Qualified Authorities.”

Effective March 31, 2026, at 9:30 p.m., W. Brooke Harris, Chairman of the Board of Legislators, declared a State of Emergency for Allegany County. This Declaration was made after consultation with and recommendations from Allegany County Sheriff Scott Cicirello, Director of the Office of Emergency Management Scott Golden, and Superintendent of Public Works Tom Windus.

This local State of Emergency was declared because of severe weather occurring in the County of Allegany, including heavy rain causing widespread flooding, hazardous travel, and multiple road closures. These dangerous conditions are expected to continue through the night and the next several days, which have already and may continue to cause widespread damage and threaten public safety.

In addition, the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office is recommending that motorists use extreme caution and only travel if necessary. Sheriff Cicirello further reminds motorsits to:

• Slow down and allow extra travel time,

• Watch for flooded roads, washed out shoulders, and debris,

• Obey all road closure signs and barricades, and

• Turn around and find an alternate route if standing water is encountered.

The Emergency Declaration will remain in effect for thirty days or until rescinded or renewed by a subsequent order.

The National Weather Service in State College PA has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for…
Southeastern McKean County in north central Pennsylvania…
Potter County in north central Pennsylvania…

* Until 915 PM EDT.

* At 827 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from Shinglehouse to near East Branch Dam, moving east at
60 mph.

HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE…Radar indicated.

IMPACT…Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Severe thunderstorms will be near…
Betula, Roulette, and Port Allegany around 830 PM EDT.
Keating Summit, Coudersport, and Genesee around 840 PM EDT.
Denton Hill State Park and Harrison Valley around 850 PM EDT.
Lyman Run State Park and Cherry Springs State Park around 900 PM
EDT.
Galeton around 910 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by these severe thunderstorms include
Austin, Ulysses, Oswayo, Sweden Valley, and Ski Denton Ski Area.

This includes Route 6 from west of Port Allegany to Galeton.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Stay inside a well built structure and keep away from windows.

Flash Flood Warning issued March 31 at 8:38PM EDT until April 1 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY

DESCRIPTION: FFWBUF

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for…
Northern Allegany County in western New York…
Southwestern Livingston County in western New York…

* Until midnight EDT tonight.

* At 838 PM EDT, gauge reports continues to indicate rises on area
creeks and streams from earlier thunderstorms, especially along
the Canaseraga Creek. Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.5 inches
are possible in the warned area.

HAZARD…Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE…Gauges reported.

IMPACT…Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include…
Dansville, Rushford, Houghton, Caneadea, Ossian, Canaseraga,
Birdsall, Short Tract, Rossburg, Fillmore, Swain, Ossian Center
and Hardy Corners.

INSTRUCTIONS: Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded
roads. Find an alternate route.

Issued By: NWS Buffalo NY

On March 31st Port Allegany Ambulance was dispatched to Rt. 155 for a cardiac emergency

On March 31st Smethport Fire Department was dispatched to Rt. 59 for an electrical emergency

On March 31st Bradford Twp. Fire Department was dispatched to Minard Run Rd. For a tree down in the roadway

On March 31st Fox Fire and Ambulance were dispatched to Dagus Mines Rd. and Hemlock Lane for an automated crash notification

On March 31st Coudersport Ambulance was dispatched to S. Main St. For a man fallen

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued March 31 at 7:38PM EDT until March 31 at 8:15PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY

DESCRIPTION:

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for… Northwestern Wyoming County in western New York… Erie County in western New York… Northeastern Chautauqua County in western New York… Western Genesee County in western New York…

* Until 815 PM EDT.

* At 736 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Evangola State Park, or 14 miles northeast of Dunkirk, moving northeast at 60 mph.

HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE…Radar indicated.

IMPACT…Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include…Buffalo, Cheektowaga, West Seneca, Clarence, Lackawanna, Kenmore,
Depew, Amherst, Tonawanda, and Lancaster.

This includes Interstate 90 between exits 48A and 58.

INSTRUCTIONS: Damaging wind gusts have been observed.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

Issued By: NWS Buffalo NY