It’s Pastor Appreciation Month and congregations are showing their gratitude for their pastors in a variety of ways.  At the Port Allegany Methodist Church in Port Allegany, Pastor Jim Cannestraci was honored with a skit during the morning worship service.  Pastor Jim was also treated to an after church luncheon of pizza and fruit with cupcakes and ice cream for dessert.  During the luncheon, a poster praising the pastor and containing some sweet treats was given.   Making the presentation were brothers Owen Carr and Darren and Dale Connelly, pictured here with Pastor Jim.  

A check for $1200 was presented to the Port Allegany Recreation Authority for use at the Community Pool.  Making the presentation was Michael Nasto, PAHS Class of 73 and past supervisor of the pool.   The money was collected through the Port Allegany HIgh School 70’s Reunion held this summer at the VMI.  Class members from 1970-1979 were invited to attend the reunion and to donate toward the Community Pool  and the donations could also be made in honor or in memory of someone.   

Donations came from Ty Johnson, Keith McKervey, Jan Rackish, Becky Causer Boorum, Brenda Sawyer Freeman, Ed Watkins,  in memory of Forrest and Emily Watkins; Denise Cameron, in honor of Carolyn Snyder and in memory of  Roland Dann; Wayne Foster, in memory of Roger Barrett;  Debbie Wells Anderson, in memory of Jim Anderson; Pam Eastman Fischer, who donated pool passes for families in need in honor of Dolores, Lance, Kevin and Alan Eastman and in memory of Lloyd Eastman, Alan Zlobec, John Thrash and Luann Zlobec Dougherty; Lynne Hamlin, in memory of Cary L. Hamlin, MD; Argery Bitchakas Cooke, in memory of the Bitchakas and Douvlos Families; Mike and Cherie Nasto, in memory of Cy Dann; Alicia Cunningham, in honor of the Port Allegany Community Pool for providing a great facility for youth and families; Saralyn Caskey Keck, in memory of Dale Caskey, Class of 1970; Brian and Bret Healy in memory of Robert and Theresa Healy; Janice Borowski Himes in memory of John and Marion Borowski; Debbie Strait Weiss gifted two family pool passes for families in need in honor of Helen Caskey and in memory of Helen Strait; Julie Wells James in honor of the James Family; and Teresa Borowski Taylor, in honor of the Borowski Family. 

Accepting the donation was Rec Authority Treasurer, Beth Naylor; current Pool Supervisor, Liz Valentine and Rec Authority President, Tony Edgell.  The next 70s Reunion, sponsored by the PAHS Class of 1973, will be held in July 2028.  Any student who attended PAHS during the 70s is invited and encouraged to attend.  Also invited are members of the faculty and staff during that same time period. 

Williamsport, Pa., October 24, 2023 – UPMC experts Amy Curry, D.O., colon and rectal surgeon, and David Kurz, M.D., urologist, will host a live, virtual discussion on Friday, Nov. 3, at noon, to discuss symptoms and types of urinary and fecal incontinence, and treatments including nerve stimulation and surgical options.  

This free program is offered virtually so that attendees can learn about incontinence treatments from the comfort of their home on a computer, tablet, or smart phone. A Q&A feature will also be available for questions to be submitted privately and at any time during the live presentation. 

Registration is necessary to access this session. Go to UPMC.com/VirtualEvents, scroll down, and click Register Now under “Conquering Urinary and Fecal Incontinence: Effective Treatment Options” to fill out the online registration form. 

For more information, email CommunityOutreach@UPMC.edu. 

Allegany Fire Dept. Technical Rescue Team

This project started back in 2018 with a grant from NYS to purchase a custom-built trailer. With just the shell, the team has put together one of the best, but underutilized, assets around. This trailer houses a command center with a desktop computer loaded with the latest first responder software, including CalTopo which is used by search and rescue teams throughout the world including NYS rangers and DEC.

Our drone team also calls this place home with 2 thermal drones which our pilots can legally fly in any weather day or night. We also have underwater search capabilities with an ROV, side scan sonar, and underwater camera system.

All this technology is watched on board with our 2- 43” touchscreen monitors, 2- 40” tv screens, and a remote 40” tv screen for outside monitoring. As with any command center, we have multiple radios for communication, along with a large awning, tents, tables, and of course heat and AC.

Of course, all the equipment wouldn’t mean anything without our team of drone pilots and IT technicians who run it. We continue to add to this project to support our fire district, but we are also available to any other first responder departments that may require our assistance during a large or long-duration incident.

Pennsylvania Game Commission – Northcentral Region

In an earlier press release, the Pennsylvania Game Commission announced the Board approval of acquisition of a new state game lands, SGL 338, in Jay Twp., Elk County.

This game lands came from a deal made with the Pennsylvania General Energy Co. (PGE) and will consist of 3,931 acres in the heart of the elk range. In addition to land acquisition, PGE will also make a $500,000 contribution to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for use in creating elk habitat in cooperation with the Game Commission.

Although this is exciting news, don’t mark this game lands on your scouting list quite yet! As with all Board approved acquisitions, further actions are necessary before the Pennsylvania Game Commission officially takes ownership of the property. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is not yet the property owner and an ownership date has not been determined.

Elk County- Tom Detsch, SGL Carbon Director of Site St Marys and Lacy Nicklas, Human Resources Manager presented a generous donation to Doug Gaffey, St. Marys Area United Way President; Jim Ryan, United Way Vice-President; Jason Gabler, United Way Corporate Campaign Chair; and Doug Bauer, United Way Payroll Chair.

SGL Carbon is a technology-based global leader in the development and manufacture of carbon and graphite-based solutions. Their products, made from specialty graphite, carbon fibers and composites serve the industries that are shaping the trends of the future including climate friendly mobility, semiconductor technology, LED, solar and wind energy, and the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries.

If you like all things spooky, mark your calendar for Poe & Masters of the Macabre, a literary evening that will take place Wednesday, Oct. 25, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Coudersport Public Library!

Several local readers will interpret some truly scary tales from American and World literature — including selections from the Grand Master himself, Edgar Allan Poe. There will be an audiovisual component as well.

Light refreshments will be served. This free program is geared to individuals from high school age through adult. For more information, call the Library at 814-274-9382. 

Pennsylvania State Police Near Closing of Cadet Application Cycle With No College Credits Required, Average Number of Eligible Applications Per Month Increased 240 Percent

​PSP continues to see an increased number of cadet applications after removing the college degree requirement to expand opportunities for Pennsylvania workers – and encourages Pennsylvanians interested in serving to apply for the current cadet application cycle before tonight’s deadline.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) reminds individuals wishing to serve as state troopers that the current cadet application cycle – with no college credit requirement – ends today, October 24. Those wishing to participate in this cycle should complete an application now at employment.pa.gov.