* ANYONE in Salamanca with camera systems, please review footage from 9:30 am until now. This male has still not been located. Patrols are actively looking, the sooner we get Monte out of the high heat the better
Monte T Vanburen, 85 yrs old, left residence at 101 Washington St. approx. 9:30am wearing gray sneakers, jeans, dark gray or green t-shirt and a dark colored field and stream hat
Monte has known heart issues and possibly dementia, if you see encounter Monte please call Salamanca PD at 716-945-2330 / 2331
Elma A. Finelli, age 92, a lifelong resident of Elkland, PA passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Born April 25, 1931 in Ontario, Canada, she was the daughter of the late Fred V. and Rose M. (Perno) Ascenzi.
Elma graduated from Elkland High School in 1949 and State Beauty School of Williamsport in 1974. She married Zackre Finelli, Jr. on August 26, 1950 and they shared 67 years together until his passing on August 1, 2017.
Elma opened a beauty shop in her home and this is where many friendships would be made. She loved her home and was always looking for ways to improve it and loved her gardens, which she enjoyed sharing with everyone from weddings, gatherings and numerous prom photos.
Elma loved her Elkland community; she never missed a school function / play, church bazaar, graduation or gathering. She enjoyed antique shopping and driving around town in her Cadillac or Lincoln. She was a longtime member of St. Thomas Catholic Church.
Elma is survived by her sister, Josephine Andrysick; nephews, Jim Andrysick and Guy (Julie) Andrysick; niece, Joy (Dan) Robertson; five great nieces and nephews and many many dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Zackre and her brother in law, Edward Andrysick.
Family will receive friends at Kenyon Funeral Home, 214 W. Main St., Elkland on Monday, June 5th from 3:00 – 7:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 111 First St., Elkland on Tuesday, June 6th at 11:00 AM with Father Joe Kutch officiating. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery. www.kenyonfuneralhome.com.
Charles “Pete” R. Miller, age 89, of Elkland, PA passed away surrounded by his loving family on May 28, 2023 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY.
Born December 13, 1933 in Knoxville, PA he was a son to the late Robert and Lera (Bates) Miller. Pete was a proud Army veteran, serving as a M1 Armor Crewman from 1954 to 1956 where he toured in Okinawa, Japan. On December 8, 1956 he married June Kay Chilson and they celebrated 66 loving years together before his passing.
Pete was said to be a dedicated hard worker, he enjoyed working at his own company, Miller’s Construction, which he started in 1957. Pete was a member of the Tioga County Honor Guard and a member of the United Church of Nelson, where he was a past elder of the church at one point. He enjoyed being outdoors; working with flowers and stones and feeding the deer and birds. Pete was always as active as he could be and going outside whenever he had the chance. He was very proud of his four boys and all their accomplishments throughout their lives.
Pete is survived by his loving wife; Kay Miller of Elkland; sons, Shane (Micki) Miller of Guys Mills, PA, Mitch (Theresa) Miller of Nelson, PA, Marty (Peggy Shay) Miller of Nelson, PA and Blaine (Lisa) Miller of Eldred, PA; 7 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Paula and Jeanette; and a few nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by both his parents; brothers, Robert and Jack Miller; and sister, Jane Eldridge.
Family and friends are called to the United Church of Nelson Sunday, June 4, 2023 from 2:00 – 3:00pm. A celebration of life will be held immediately following at 3:00pm with Pastor Michael Denelsbeck officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at the Nelson Cemetery.
Memorial donations can be made in his honor to the United Church of Nelson at 75 Village Dr, Nelson, PA 16940 or to the Nelson Cemetery at Cemetery Rd, Lawrenceville, PA 16929. Arrangements are in the care of Kenyon Funeral Home, www.kenyonfuneralhome.com
Roselyn M. (Oddie) Slocum, age 80, of Elkland, PA passed away Saturday, May 27, 2023 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY due to a fall at her home.
She was born December 26, 1942 in Mansfield, PA and was the daughter of Lorraine Bryant and Robert Frye.
Oddie is preceded in death by husband Gary W. Slocum February 17,2023 and son David Scott Slocum on September 29, 2017.
Early in her life she worked as a beautician out of her home and later as a dental assistant for Dr. Jeffrey Shultz for a number of years. Oddie loved to decorate and rearrange her home. She had a green thumb and enjoyed taking care of her house plants. She could make anything bloom or come to life. She loved shopping especially finding a treasure or a good deal. Most of all, Oddie had a great sense of humor and loved a good laugh! She would always say, “I needed that laugh”.
She is survived by her sister Patricia Harriger of Corning, NY and children: Kim (John) Rimmer of Elkland, Karen (Tom) Fischer of Williamsport, Kay (Kevin) Burris of Painted Post, NY and Ward (Abby) Slocum of Lawrence, KS; nine grandchildren, Clinton (Christina) Slocum of Williamsport, Drew (Carlee) Slocum of Mechanicsburg, Jason (Tiffany) Hetzel of Osceola, Jamie (Brian) Clemons of Adams Center, NY, Christopher (Ashlea) Collum of Tioga, Jordan (Janelle) Collum of Tioga, Preston, Rosie and Bill; niece Brittany Rhoads and nephew Brian Rhoads,19 great grandchildren, Sebastian, Jai, Yuna, Jensen, Kenlee, Taigen, Briana, Benjamin, Rebekah, Jessa, Lauren, Weston, Gracie, Remi, Olivia, Brock, Parker, Delaney and a great great granddaughter, Jordyn.
The family will receive friends at Kenyon Funeral Home, 214 W. Main St., Elkland on Friday June 2, 2023 from 11:00 – 1:00PM. A memorial service will be held immediately following at 1:00PM with Pastor Jamey Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Osceola.
In lieu of flowers the family would like for each of you to spend time with your loved ones. www.kenyonfuneralhome.com.
Josephine H. Fitzsimmons, 75, of Pine Grove Rd., Port Allegany, PA passed away unexpectedly Monday (May 29, 2023) at the family camp, in Ripley, NY.
Born Nov. 9, 1947, in Annin Township, PA, she was a daughter of Charles and Naomi H. Ryan Homell. On May 16, 1964, in Port Allegany, she married Larry S. Fitzsimmons, who survives. They were married 59 years.
Josephine was a lifetime resident of the area and attended Port Allegany High School.
She was employed with Sena Kean Manor, as a certified nurse’s aide, before her retirement.
She enjoyed gold prospecting, metal detecting, fishing & camping, and collecting glass along Lake Erie’s shore. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
Surviving in addition to her husband, Larry, is a son, Larry S. (Mary) Fitzsimmons, Jr. of Port Allegany; three daughters, Tina J. (Brad) Bandish, Tammy L. (Mike Jones) Fitzsimmons both of Port Allegany, Terri S. (Michael) Herbstritt of Bradford; 6 Grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren; a brother, Wayne J. Homell of Port Allegany; three sisters, Patricia (Bob) Misterta of Warren, PA, Emelene (Gary) Pesock of Turtlepoint, Nancy Babcock of Port Allegany; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers: Charles “Chuck” Homell, Jack, Robert, Dick and Ronald Klawahn; and four sisters: Marge Walters, Marie Cullin, Donna Duninger, and Sandra Mericle.
Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Switzer Funeral Home, Port Allegany.
Condolences can be made to: Larry S. Fitzsimmons, 1134 Pine Grove Rd., Port Allegany, PA 16743.
Patricia Ann Gilmore BONNER, 77, of Sabinsville, PA, died Friday, May 26, 2023 in her home.
Born April 27, 1946, in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of Daniel and Sarah Griggers Dever. On June 29, 1968, in Maple Glen, she married Douglas F. Gilmore, who predeceased her on January 10, 1999. On October 7, 2007, in Queens Landing, MD, she married Andrew J. “Drew” Bonner, Jr., who survives.
A graduate of J.W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School in Philadelphia and beauty school, she was employed by various salons as a beautician. A beautiful person is an understatement for Patty. She was full of light and had a fire in her eyes. She loved people and there was never a stranger that she wouldn’t make a friend. Her laugh was contagious and her heart was so big.
She never turned down an opportunity for a good time and most will remember her dancing any moment she had. Patty was a fighter, strong and stubborn, who put everyone else before herself. Her love of art, nature and animals embodied her true spirit of kindness and love.
Her friends and family meant the world to her, most of all her boys, Dougie and Timmy. After losing the first love of her life, Doug Gilmore, in 1999, her husband for over 30 years, Patty was able find happiness again with Drew Bonner, who adored his “Cuppycake” and was by her side for over 20 years.
Surviving besides her husband, Drew, are: Douglas (Teresa) Gilmore, Jr. of La Plata, MD and Timothy (Allyson) Gilmore of Sellersville; a granddaughter, Sydney Noelle Gilmore; a sister, Kathleen Dolin of Langhorne; two step-children, Dawn (Andrew) Higgins of Aston and Patrick (Bridget) Bonner of Drexel Hill; three step-grandchildren, Kayla, Andrew, and Owen; nieces and nephews.
In addition to her first husband, Doug, she was predeceased by a brother, Daniel Dever, Jr.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM, Saturday, June 3, 2023 in St. Bibiana Catholic Church, Galeton. The Rev. Christopher Wheeler will be the Celebrant. Burial will be in West Hill Cemetery, Galeton.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org. Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.
Rose Marie Aranyos Moore, 98, formerly of Canterbury Court, Warren, PA died peacefully at the John and Orpha Blair Hospice House, on May 29, 2023, lovingly remembered by her family and friends.
Rose was born October 4, 1924 in Northampton, PA to Martin F. Jandris and Anna (Karner) Jandris. She was the 4th child of 14 siblings. She was a wonderful mother who always put her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren ahead of herself.
She loved dancing to polka music and cooking German-Hungarian meals for her family, especially her chicken and dumplings.
Surviving are her children Dennis (Lucille) Aranyos of Center Valley, PA, Atty. John A. (Marian) Aranyos of Warren, PA, Jane Aranyos Magni of Mechanicsburg, PA, Thomas (Sheila) Aranyos of Titusville, FL; eight grandchildren: Lisa Aranyos (Kyle) Kichline, Derek (Megan) Aranyos, Cheryl Aranyos Wahl, Rachel Aranyos (Jason) Anderson, Michelle Magni (Mateusz) Cebula, Alek (Styliana) Aranyos, Ari Aranyos, and Dr. Antony Aranyos; four great-grandchildren, Lauren Kichline, Bentley Wahl, and Leonardo and Dominic Cebula.
Rose Marie was preceded in death by her husband John E. Aranyos, whom she married on October 5, 1946 and who died in 1968, a second spouse, Thomas Moore in 1985, and a son-in-law, Regis Magni in 2022.
There will be no visitation. Private services and interment will be at the convenience of the family in Holy Savior Cemetery, Bethlehem, PA, with her late husband, John E. Aranyos.
Memorials may be made to Warren General Hospital, Kinzua Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, or the John and Orpha Blair Hospice House, Warren.
The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements
Robert J. Vennard, Sr., 72, Bolivar, NY passed away Sunday, May 28, 2023 at Olean General Hospital after a lengthy illness.
In addition to his wife Debra, Robert is survived by his children, William “Billy” Vennard Bolivar; Jessica (Steven) Buchholz, Belfast; Robert J. (Meagan) Vennard, Jr., Perry; seven grandchildren; three brothers, Thomas (Linda) Vennard, Florida; David Vennard, Cuba; Charles Vennard, Cuba; two sisters, Mary Vennard, Bolivar; Susan (Edward) Slocum, Little Genesee; along with several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents.
Visitation will be held on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 10:00-noon at which time funeral services will be held with Rev. Elva Cornell officiating. Burial will be in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Bolivar, New York.
Memorials may be made to the Allegany County Cancer Services, (P.O. Box 534, Wellsville, New York 14895).
COUDERSPORT, Pa.—Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service for David L. Benton, 76, of Coudersport, at 1pm on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the Coudersport Alliance Church, 7 Alliance Avenue, Coudersport, with Pastor Josh Dean, officiating.
Members of the Potter County Honor Guard will accord military honors on Saturday at the church.
David passed away on March 26, 2023.
David’s wife entrusted his care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.
“Blessed, because she believes” Luke 1:45, Edna (Osborn) Hastings, 88, of Wellsboro, PA peacefully passed away early Sunday, May 28, 2023, in her home, surrounded by family.
She was born August 5, 1934, in Morris, to Harry and Grace (Broughton) Osborn. She graduated from Charleston High School, and on June 27, 1953, she married Frank Llewellyn Hastings, with whom she shared 63 years of marriage.
While she had worked as a waitress at the Penn Wells, she worked primarily at Citizens and Northern Bank where she finished her career as the Head Bookkeeper. Edna was an avid reader and enjoyed her morning visits to Dunkin Donuts, she got satisfaction from quilting and bird watching, and had a profound interest in her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. She was a devoted Christian, a member of God’s Family Fellowship and had a passion for loving others.
Edna is survived by her son: Michael Hastings (Kay) of Mint Hill, NC; her daughter: Machele “Mickey” Pennell (Robert) of Wellsboro; two grandchildren: Clark Hastings (Nicole) and Rex Hastings (Taylor); three great-grandchildren: Emma, Avery, and Athen; and her faithful cats: Noah and Moses.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two daughters: Susan and Alta; and three sisters: Mary Blackman, Helen Horton, and Nila Osborn.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate Edna’s life at 11:00am Saturday, July 8, 2023 at God’s Family Fellowship. Her family will provide flowers, in recognition of her memory, Edna would prefer you to be kind, or take five minutes and pray for someone in need.
Edna’s family has entrusted her arrangements to the Tussey-Mosher Funeral Home, 139 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901, to share a memory or condolence visit www.tusseymosher.com.
Patricia A. Erway, 88 of Covington, PA passed away Saturday, May 27, 2023 at the Bradford County Manor.
Patricia was born on July 11, 1934, the daughter of the late Frank C. and Ruth E. Plotts, and grew up in Watsontown. While attending Mansfield State Teachers College, she met her husband Preston M. Erway, and they were married on November 28, 1953.
She worked while Preston was in medical school in Philadelphia, and the couple settled in Wellsboro where Dr. Erway practiced as a family physician and Patricia raised a family of four children. She and Pret celebrated 59 years of marriage until his passing on March 19, 2013.
Patricia was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Wellsboro and sang in the church choir. She was also active with the Friday Club and the Wednesday Morning Musicales. Patricia loved music and played piano since her childhood. She was also accomplished in needlework, enjoyed traveling with her husband, spending time with her family and friends, reading and scrapbooking.
Patricia is survived by a son, Brian F. (Jeanne) Erway of Rochester, NY; daughters, Kathryn R. (Lynn) Heck of Natural Bridge, VA; Jill L. Erway of Mansfield; sisters, Nancy (Dan) Aunkst of Watsontown; Judy (Hoyt) Keiser of Tunkhannock; six grandchildren; Galen Erway, Felisa Erway, Meghan (Jason) McFall, Abbey (Morgan) Taft, Nathan Heck, Zackary Erway, and two great grandchildren, Aiden McFall and Jude Taft.
In addition to her husband and parents, Patricia was preceded in death by a son, Kevin Erway, and a sister, Frances Gallagher.
There will be no visitation and a celebration of Patricia’s life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are entrusted to Tussey-Mosher Funeral Home, Wellsboro. To share a memory or condolence with her family visit www.tusseymosher.com.
John Tyrone Goerlich, of Warren, PA., and formerly of Orlando, FL died Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at his residence with his mother and sisters at his side.
A complete obituary will be announced when available through the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., Warren, PA.
Caroline J. Easton, 86, of Coudersport, PA passed away on May 28, 2023, at Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport.
She was born on January 10, 1937, in Coudersport, the daughter of the late John and Angeline (Mohar) Gaberseck. On May 10, 1958, she married Edward L. Easton, and celebrated 54 years of marriage until his passing on December 9, 2012.
Caroline graduated from Austin Area High School. She worked many years as a secretary for both her husband and daughter at the Potter County District Court 55-301. She was a member of the St. Eulalia Catholic Church and the Catholic Daughters of America. Caroline was a hard worker. She plowed snow, with her husband, for many businesses and friends in the area. She always made time to visit with people at the hospital. She also loved spending time with her family, cooking, animals, and polkas.
Caroline is survived by a daughter, Annette L. Easton of Coudersport; a step son, Edward L. Easton, Jr of Herndon; a daughter-in-law, Jean Easton of Braselton, GA; grandchildren; Scott (Amber) Easton, Jayna (Eric) Edwards, and Jared Easton, step grandchildren; Edward (Leslie) Easton III, Ellen (Tad) Ostrowski, and Brandon Easton, a great grandson, Jack Easton, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and parents, Caroline was preceded in death by sons, Timothy and John Easton, brothers; John, Joe, Bill, and Frank Gaberseck, and a sister, Mary Gaberseck Benca.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held, Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 11:00 am at St. Eulalia Catholic Church, 6 East Maple Street, Coudersport, with Rev. Daniel Hoffman, officiating. A private burial will be in St. Eulalia Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions in Caroline’s name be made to the church.
The family has entrusted Caroline’s arrangements to the Thomas E. Fickinger Funeral Home, 210 N. East St., Coudersport. To share a memory or condolence visit www.thomasfickinger.com.
At 3:33 PM on Tuesday, Genesee, Ulysses & Coudersport Fire Depts. have been dispatched to the Barnett Road for a wildfire with several pieces of logging equipment involved. Willing requested with tanker. Roulette standby at Coudersport. Neighbors report heavy black smoke has now lessened.
Pictured (left to right) Thea Petruzzi, Olivia Schott, Shane Lawton and Madelynn Triplett.
The Port Allegany High School Class of 2023 graduation speakers have been announced as follows: Thea Petruzzi, Valedictorian, Olivia Schott, Salutatorian, Shane Lawton and Madelynn Triplett. Topic for the 2023 speeches is TIME. Madelynn Triplett will speak on Tenacious; Shane Lawton will speak on Individuality; Olivia Schott is speaking on Memories and Thea Petruzzi will speak on Empathy. Petruzzi is also the Class of 2023 President and will give the Welcome Address.
Commencement exercises will be held Friday night at 7 pm. at PAHS. High School Principal Marc Budd will announce the graduates and PASD Superintendent Gary Buchsen will award the diplomas. The Commencement Band under the direction of Brad Stewart, will provide music. Senior Class Advisors are Penny Peine and Seth Lowery.
A.S.K. Foods, Inc. of Palmyra, PA is voluntarily recalling select 30 oz. containers of Wegmans Penne Rigate Mozzarella Salad because it may contain undeclared milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.
The recalled Wegmans Penne Rigate Mozzarella Salad was only sold at Wegmans stores in New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.
The recalled Wegmans Penne Rigate Mozzarella Salad was packaged in a plastic container where the top lid label indicates Penne Rigate Mozzarella Salad, Net Wt 30 OZ (1 LB 14 OZ) 850 g., and the container side label indicates Macaroni Salad, Net Wt 40 OZ (2 LB 8 OZ) 1.13 kg. The recalled product has a code on the lid that states “3515-2” and “USE BY 06/1/23.”
Get ready to power up and level up your video game-design skills at our action-packed video game camp! Join us and discover the exciting world of gaming, from its fascinating history to the booming video game industry of today. During this immersive camp experience, students will have the chance to dive deep into the world of gaming and explore what it takes to create a real-life video game. Through interactive workshops, hands-on activities, and expert-led sessions, you’ll learn the essential skills needed to design, develop, and launch your own video game.
This camp, taught by Brent Bryant, CTC Networking Instructor, is for students entering grades 5 – 9. It is scheduled for Monday, June 26 through Thursday, June 29, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the Seneca Highlands CTC Networking Classroom. The cost is $20 per person. To register, visit www.pottercountyedcouncil.org or call (814) 545-1333.
The week of 5/21/23, thirteen students in Mr. Bryant’s Networking and Security shop at the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center earned industry-recognized certifications.
The students (grade level, school district, certification) were: Garry Strait (10th, OESD, PC Pro), Danica Larson (10th, KASD, PC Pro), Owen Peterson (12th, KASD, PC Pro), Lane Crawford (10th, PASD, Network Pro), Charles Clancy (12th, AASD, PC Pro), Dylan Clancy (10th, AASD, PC Pro), Levi Burrous (11th, CASD, PC Pro), Gabriella Salamone (12th, CASD, PC Pro), James Burks (10th, OVSD, PC Pro), William Myers (11th, SASD), James Peffer (12th SASD, PC Pro), Nicole Hockey (10th, CCSD, PC Pro), and Zachery Abbott (10th, NPSD, PC Pro).
The certificates each come with a $1000 employment guarantee, ensuring the examined skills are workforce-ready. For more information on the Networking and Security program, feel free to contact Mr. Bryant at bbryant@iu9ctc.org or (814) 642-2573. For more information on the benefits of industry certifications, go towww.testout.com.
Abdalla Sholi, M.D. Medical Oncologist, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
June 4th is National Cancer Survivors Day, a celebration of life dedicated to the millions of cancer survivors, their support persons, and care teams to raise awareness of the challenges and accomplishments those who are affected by cancer take on.
Care After Cancer Treatment
Cancer care doesn’t just stop once you’ve completed all your treatment sessions. There can be late or long-term effects that occur due to the treatment received to fight your cancer. Your doctor will create a personalized plan during a Cancer Survivorship Program appointment with you to help you cope with these effects in addition to making referrals for whatever mental, social, or spiritual concerns you may have. Some of these services include but are not limited to:
Nutrition coaching
Social services
Physical therapy or exercise programs
Financial counseling
Home care
Support groups and psychotherapists
Psychological and interpersonal care resources like these will help you transition from cancer diagnosis to cancer survivorship.
Making Healthy Choices
After going through cancer treatments, it’s important to keep up with the care of your health. Your body has already gone through so much; making certain lifestyle choices will either help or hurt the chances of your cancer returning.
There is no hard evidence that there are any health benefits to drinking alcohol. In fact, drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancer returning and the susceptibility of other diseases. To destress, light physical activity like taking a walk is a great alternative to give your body a serotonin boost.
Another misconception is that smoking is a way to relax your body. However, nicotine actually creates the same stress hormones that your body produces when it experiences fear. Smoking also leads to cancer in addition to other health issues like heart problems and possible stroke.
Your diet plays an important role after fighting cancer and making small and gradual changes can help benefit you in the long run. Make it fun by trying new healthy foods and keeping the ones you like in your meal prep. Whole grains, fiber, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables are also all great options to start incorporating into your favorite recipes.
You are not alone in your fight against cancer. At UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, our oncologists help guide you from prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and everything in between. From our cancer centers in Williamsport, Coudersport, and Wellsboro, Pa., we offer you and your family the resources you need to fight cancer and get back to the life you love.
Abdalla Sholi, M.D. is the medical director of Medical Oncology at UPMC Hillman Cancer Centers in Coudersport, Wellsboro, and Williamsport. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is one of the largest integrated cancer networks in the U.S. To learn more, visit UPMC.com/CancerNCPA.
Rick Bosworth of the Port Allegany Moose Lodge FC is pictured with Makayla Alcorn, a Headley’s Headliners volunteer after presenting a check for $1,000 to the group. The donation, proceeds from a spaghetti dinner held recently at the Moose, benefit the Pastor Randy Headley Memorial Award for Community Service. Students at Port Allegany High School are given the opportunity to apply for the awards by volunteering in the community, schools and churches. Pastor Randy served the Port Allegany United Methodist Church and several others in the area. He loved serving his church and community and loved spending time with and supporting the youth of the community. The award is given to help keep his memory alive and to encourage more youth involvement in service to their school, community and churches.
Whether in their backyards or high on a mountain, it’s almost certain Pennsylvanians will encounter young wildlife this time of year.
While some young animals might appear to be abandoned, usually they are not. It’s likely their mothers are watching over them from somewhere nearby.
So when encountering young wildlife, be it deer, birds, raccoons or other animals, the best thing you can do is leave it alone.
“Well-intentioned people might step in to help a young animal that appears to be alone, not realizing its mother is nearby and it’s not in need of help,” said Matthew Schnupp, the Game Commission’s wildlife management director. “That’s one reason why leaving young wildlife undisturbed in the wild typically is the best solution when encountering young wild animals.”
Adult animals often leave their young while they forage for food, but they don’t go far and they do return. Wildlife also often relies on a natural defensive tactic called the “hider strategy,” where young animals will remain motionless and “hide” in surrounding cover while adults draw the attention of potential predators or other intruders away from their young.
Deer employ this strategy, and deer fawns sometimes are assumed to be abandoned when, in fact, their mothers are nearby.
The Game Commission urges Pennsylvanians to resist the urge to interfere with young wildlife or remove any wild animal from its natural setting.
Such contact can be harmful to both people and wildlife. Wild animals can lose their natural fear of humans, making it difficult, even impossible, for them to ever again live normally in the wild. And anytime wildlife is handled, there’s always a risk people could contract diseases or parasites such as fleas, ticks and lice.
Wildlife that becomes habituated to humans also can pose a public-safety risk. Some years ago, a yearling, six-point buck attacked and severely injured two people. The investigation into the incident revealed that a neighboring family had illegally taken the deer into their home and fed it as a fawn, and they continued to feed the deer right up until the time of the attack.
It is illegal to take or possess wildlife from the wild. Under state law, the penalty for such a violation is a fine of up to $1,500 per animal.
Under no circumstances will anyone who illegally takes wildlife into captivity be allowed to keep that animal, and under a working agreement with state health officials, any “high risk” rabies vector species confiscated after human contact must be euthanized and tested; none can be returned to the wild because the risk of spreading disease is too high.
Animals infected with rabies might not show obvious symptoms, but still might be able to transmit the disease. Though any mammal might carry rabies, the rabies vector species identified in the agreement are: skunks, raccoons, foxes, bats, coyotes and groundhogs.
People can get rabies from the saliva of a rabid animal if they are bitten or scratched, or if the saliva gets into the person’s eyes, mouth or a fresh wound.
Only wildlife rehabilitators, who are licensed by the Game Commission, are permitted to care for injured or orphaned wildlife for the purposes of eventual release back into the wild. For those who find wildlife that truly is in need of assistance, a listing of licensed wildlife rehabilitators can be found on the Pennsylvania Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators website, www.pawr.com.
If you are unable to identify a wildlife rehabilitator in your area, contact the Game Commission by phone at 1-833-PGC-WILD or 1-833-PGC-HUNT.
