At 7:35 AM on Tuesday, Smethport Fire Dept. & Phoenix ambulance have been dispatched to West Main Street in Smethport for a tanker truck into a school bus crash. Reporting truck not leaking and not believed to be any injuries. There are 25 children on the bus who need to be evaluated.
Lois A. Thorwart, 78, of 114 Capri Road, St. Marys, passed away Monday, February 13, 2023 at Pinecrest Manor.
She was born August 20, 1944, in St. Marys, daughter of the late John and Winifred Bauer Schreiber. Lois was a lifelong resident of the area and a graduate of Central Catholic High School, Class of 1962.
On March 2, 1965, in the Sacred Heart Church, Lois married Daniel P. Thorwart, who survives. They were blessed with nearly 58 years of marriage.
Along with her loving husband, Lois is survived by two daughters: Deborah Auman (Tom) of St. Marys and Michelle Mannino (Joe) of Warriors Mark, PA; two sons: Michael J. Thorwart (Teresa) of Holland, PA and Joseph D. Thorwart (Deanna) of St. Marys; seven grandchildren: Kylie Centore (Vincent), Samantha Thorwart, Michael Thorwart, Daniel Thorwart, Zachary Thorwart, Noah Thorwart, and Riley Mannino; two sisters: Mary Lee Engel (Tom) of St. Marys and Laura Kilmer (Galen) of Sabula; four brothers: Donald Schreiber (Jean), Thomas “Peeps” Schreiber (Judy), Steve Schreiber (Judy), and William Schreiber, all of St. Marys; and by several nieces and nephews.
Lois was a member of the Sacred Heart Church. She enjoyed baking and being outdoors where she would admire all that nature had to offer, in particular, flowers and animals. She had a strong affinity towards all animals and would often feed the squirrels through her window. Nothing brought her more joy however than the time she spent with her family, especially her grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church on Friday, February 17, 2023, at 10:15 AM, with the Rev. Kevin Holland, officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Thursday, February 16, 2023 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to Pinecrest Activities Department, c/o Megan Bolden, 763 Johnsonburg Road, St. Marys, PA 15857 or to the Elk County Humane Society, 1029 E. Eschbach Road, St. Marys, PA 15857.
Online condolences may be offered at www.lynch-radkowski.com.
William M. Colestro, 84, formerly of Bradford and Ellicottville, passed away, Sunday February 12, 2023, at Absolut Care in Westfield NY.
Born May 25, 1938, in Alliance OH, he was a son of the late Joseph Henry Colestro and Alice (Steck) and her husband Joseph Bizzaro.
Growing up in Bradford, Bill was a 1951 graduate of St. Bernard. His skills in basketball and football resulted in a basketball scholarship for Rochester Institute of Technology where he studied art and design. Later, active in the Bradford Youth Basketball League, many people in Bradford fondly called Bill “Coach”. He also provided leadership and support for the Bradford Central Christian Rambler Association. Many Good Fridays until a few years before his death you would find Bill in St. Bernard kitchen baking excellent fish dinners for hundreds of people followed by an evening at the Italian Club.
On February 16, 1961, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed near Pearl Harbor at Hickam AFB in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was an aircraft mechanic and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and was the fearless Center of the Hickam AFB Football Team. He was honorably discharged on August 6, 1964.
He was a Master Carpenter and contractor and worked on homes and condos in Bradford and Ellicottville NY. After his hard days at work, he enjoyed kicking back with his friends and coworkers, and having beers at the Ellicottville American Legion Post #659 and the Little Valley VFW. He enjoyed telling jokes and playing cards, especially SCAT. He had an excellent voice and would often be asked to sing the Irish favorite, Danny Boy, or Louis Armstrong’s Wonderful World.
Surviving is one daughter, Debra (David) Wilber, and their children, Mary and Abby, one son, Joseph Colestro, one stepdaughter, Lisa (Brett) Crassi, and their children, Ariana and Briella, and one stepson, Jesse Grzankowski, and several great-grandchildren, one brother, Jim (Ann) Colestro, of Bradford, and Bill’s former wives, Molly Colestro, and Janice (Grzankowski) Colestro, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather, his first wife, Mary (Gigliotti) Colestro, two brothers, Charles Colestro, Robert “Bob” (Freda) Colestro of Streetsboro, OH and one sister, Judith (Walter “Red”) Smith of Lexington, KY.
Friends will be received on Thursday February 16, 2023, from 11:00 am to Noon at Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes, Inc. 33 South Ave. where funeral services will be held at Noon with Fr. Jim Gutting of St. Bernard Church, officiating. Following the service Military Honor’s by members of the United States Air Force and the Honor Guard from the American Legion Post 108 of Bradford will be accorded at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Bernard Cemetery.
Memorial contributions if desired may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com
Doris V. Vinca, 96, of 66 Little Gilbert Lane, Bradford, passed away Saturday, February 11, 2023, at The Pavilion @ BRMC.
Born September 14, 1926, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late Carl and Gertrude (Myers) Lyons.
Doris was a lifetime resident of the area and was a 1945 graduate of Bradford High School.
On February 2, 1946, she married Peter F. Vinca, who preceded her in death on May 11, 1987.
She was employed at Zippo Manufacturing Company for 29 years.
She was a member of the Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church. Along with other volunteers in the church she was active with Nancy’s Quilts, where they made dozens of lap robes for the area nursing home residents. She also volunteered at the Bradford Area Public Library up until the age of 78.
Doris was very focused on her family and always made time for them. She cooked all the yearly holiday meals on her own, doing so into her early 90’s. She enjoyed knitting, reading, going to church, and taking care of her beloved cat Mittens.
Surviving are her four sons, Peter (Leona) Vinca, of Eminence, KY, Pat (Gladys) Vinca, of Bradford, Neal (Cathleen) Vinca, of Bradford, and Ken (Pam) Vinca, of Smethport, nine grandchildren, Michele Matoka, Teri Vinca, Wendy Vinca, Tony (Josie) Vinca, Ann (Pat) Vinca-Nolan, Matt Vinca, Leah Vinca, Erica (Kyle) Freer, and Sarah (Luke) Rittberg, 14 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two sisters, Evelyn Meador, and Jean Marie Kemick.
Friends will be received on Thursday, February 16, 2023, from 9:30 am to 11:00 am, at the Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, where funeral services will be held at 11:00 am with John Kearns, ALWL, officiating. Burial will be in Willow Dale Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
Memorial contributions, if desired, can be made to the Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bradford Area Public Library, or the McKean County SPCA.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com
Christine M. Hetrick, 75, of 642 Vermont Road, St. Marys, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, February 12, 2023 at her residence.
She was born August 5, 1947, in St. Marys, daughter of the late Leo T. and Marie Wildnauer Jacob. Christine was a lifelong resident of the area and was a graduate of Elk County Christian High School, Class of 1965. She was a retired employee of the St. Marys Carbon Company.
On March 29, 1974, in the First United Methodist Church, Christine married the late Paul D. “Denny” Hetrick, who preceded her in death on September 16, 1994.
Christine is survived by her daughter, Amy Buerk and her husband Toby of Erie; and by her two grandchildren, Ben and Nathan.
Along with her husband and parents, Christine was preceded in death by her brother, Howard T. Jacob. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Christine was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Friday, February 17, 2023, at 11:00 AM, with the Rev. Thomas More Sikora, OSB, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Friday morning, from 9:00 AM until 10:30 AM.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 325 Church Street, St. Marys, PA 15857.
Online condolences may be offered at www.lynch-radkowski.com.
Wayne S. ERWAY, 80, of Genesee, PA, died Monday, February 13, 2023 in Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, NY.
Arrangements will be announced by Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.
BRADFORD, Pa. – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has hired Dr. Pamela Thompson as its new assistant dean of academic success and advising, who will lead the effort to ensure students have the academic support they need to succeed.
Thompson comes to Pitt-Bradford with 30 years of professional experience. That experience includes 17 years of designing and delivering academic support to students at Alabama A&M University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and master’s degree in psychology-personnel administration. Additionally, she holds a doctorate in urban higher education from Jackson (Miss.) State University.
The Community Foundation for the Twin Tiers (CFTT) recently joined a new collaboration with Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Partnership for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Program. “We are excited to provide our Pennsylvania scholarship recipients the opportunity to grow their total financial package making college more affordable, reducing financial burdens after graduation,” states Tom Shoemaker, CFTT Board Chair.
PHEAA conducts the matching funds program for the purpose of assisting Pennsylvania students attending an approved Pennsylvania institution of higher learning and distributing federal or other funds to be used as aid to students in meeting their cost of attendance. The Community Foundation for the Twin Tiers serves as the PATH partner for students from Bradford, Sullivan, Potter, and Tioga County PA. Qualifying Students who are recipients of one of CFTT’s scholarships may be eligible to receive additional grant money. Pennsylvania scholarship recipients will automatically be submitted for PATH consideration by CFTT.
In order for the Community Foundation for the Twin Tiers to submit an applicant for a PATH grant, the applicant must:
For more information about the scholarship program contact Charity Field at 570.888.4759. To view scholarships offered by CFFT, visit the website at www.twintierscf.org.
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Founded in 2003, the Community Foundation for the Twin Tiers serves 5 counties, Bradford, Potter, Sullivan and Tioga counties, PA and Tioga County, New York. The Foundation is committed to building philanthropic resources that will sustain healthy and vital communities now and into the future. The Foundation currently manages over 179 funds valued at over $10.2 million dollars and has awarded over $1.2 million in grants and scholarships since inception, positively impacting hundreds of lives in the region.
As part of the MPF® Advisory Council, Stacey will share her unique perspective and industry expertise to help enhance the products and services the MPF program offers. The advisory council, which meets in Chicago, is comprised of members from various banks, each of whom who may serve a term of up to 3 years.
Florence C. “Puggie” Iorfida, 85, of 129 Straub Avenue, St. Marys, PA passed away with her family by her side Sunday, February 12, 2023, at her residence.
She was born December 13, 1937, in St. Marys, daughter of the late James and Alice Curry Harlan. Florence was a lifelong resident of the area, a graduate of St. Marys High School, Class of 1956, and was formerly employed by Stackpole Carbon and Kronenwetter Nursery School.
On March 3, 1962, in Queen of the World Church, Florence married Louis S. Iorfida, who survives. They were blessed to share 60 years of marriage.
Along with her loving husband, Florence is survived by her daughter, Mary Jo Fennell of Lansdale, PA and her two grandchildren, Anna and Ava.
In addition to her parents, Florence was preceded in death by her brother, Larry Harlan. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Puggie, along with her husband, was a committed member to the community. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Church. She enjoyed reading and yard sales. Above everything, she cherished each moment with her husband, daughter, and grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Florence will be celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church at a future date to be announced, with the Rev. Thomas Curry, OSB, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
There will be no visitation.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to Catholic Charities Counseling & Adoption Services, 32 South St. Marys Street, Franklin Center, St. Marys, PA 15857 or to Make-A-Wish, The Gulf Tower, 707 Grant Street, 37th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
Online condolences may be offered at www.lynch-radkowski.com.
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 Saturday, February 18, 2023, through Monday, February 20, 2023, in observance of the Presidents Day holiday.
Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website.
Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services
A complete listing of PennDOT driver and photo license center closings in 2023 is available online. If you are planning to visit one of PennDOT's On-Line Messenger Service Centers, please call ahead for hours of operation during holidays.
Motorists can check conditions on major roadway 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 1,000 traffic cameras.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following twitter regional alerts.
Coudersport Public Library will present “American Voices”, an evening of readings featuring short stories by classic and contemporary American authors, on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Library.
Genres will include Classic, Horror, Cowboy and Impressionistic readings, led by local readers. This event is geared for a high school age through adult audience. All are invited to attend, discover new authors and revisit old favorites.
This is a free event; donations to support the Library’s general operations are always welcome. Refreshments will be served. Reservations are not required, but are appreciated for planning purposes; please call the Library at 814-274-9382, or email coudersportlibrary@gmail.com, if you plan to attend.
You may have never heard of scholarship displacement, but the Elk County Community Foundation, the McKean County Community Foundation, and our local students have dealt with it for many years. This occurs when colleges and universities reduce a student’s financial aid package by subtracting the scholarship amount when the student receives a private scholarship, such as one from the Community Foundation.
On Friday July 8, Governor Tom Wolf signed into law HB1642, a sprawling public school system bill that includes a ban on scholarship displacement at public colleges and universities. This makes Pennsylvania the fourth state in the country to eliminate the practice of colleges and universities reducing a student’s financial aid package when the student receives a private scholarship.
The ban went into effect immediately and will positively affect awards for this academic year. The fact that a new law or regulation was successful in the first year it was proposed is very unusual. However, once Community Foundations and other scholarship providers showed the legislature what was happening and what scholarship displacement was, representatives were eager to address it right away.
PACFA, the Pennsylvania Community Foundation Association, joined a statewide coalition of scholarship providers to initiate the call for elimination of scholarship displacement in 2018. Paula Fritz Eddy, Community Foundation Executive Director, and PACFA Board Member, explains, “As a community foundation, our duty is to carry out our donors’ intent. When we award a scholarship to a student on behalf of a donor, and the university then reduces that student’s financial aid package, which essentially eliminates the scholarship’s benefit to the student, and defeats our donor’s purpose in awarding the scholarship. We are pleased with the passage of HB1642.”
With over 170 scholarships available from our local Community Foundations to area students in 2023, this bill will make an immediate positive impact within our region. Students can apply now through March 7 for these scholarships by visiting the Elk County Community Foundation and McKean County Community Foundation websites.
The Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies is the parent company of the McKean County Community Foundation and the Elk County Community Foundation. For more information, please contact the Community Foundation at 824-834-2125 or 844-238-2289.
