HIGHLIGHTS FROM January 28th Game COMMISSIONERS MEETING
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners met today in Harrisburg. Among other business, the board preliminarily approved the 2023-24 hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits. The proposed seasons and bag limits are included in a separate news release. Other meeting highlights follow.
NEW ANTLERLESS LICENSE PROCESS PROGRESSING
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today took preliminary action to restructure the state’s process for obtaining antlerless deer licenses.
Until recently, state law had required antlerless licenses be issued only by county treasurers. Hunters seeking antlerless licenses would send applications and receive licenses by mail in what was considered an outdated and inflexible process.
PRELIMINARY 2023-24 HUNTING & TRAPPING SEASONS APPROVED

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to the 2023-24 hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits.
Modifications proposed for the 2023-24 seasons include:
· For black bear, WMUs 1B, 2C, 4A, 4B and 4D would be removed from the extended firearms black bear season because of declining nuisance complaints in these units.
· For elk, the proposed archery season would be a week later than in 2022-23 to provide additional time between the license drawing and the beginning of the season.
· For furbearers, WMUs 3B and 4E would be opened to river otter trapping because habitat and population data indicate that these units can support sustainable otter harvest.
· For small game, a significant expansion of opportunity for put-and-take hunting of captive-reared bobwhite quail in most of Pennsylvania is proposed through an earlier season opening date, later season closing date, and removal of the daily bag limit. Also, adjustments to crow season dates and addition of Thursdays as hunting days are proposed to shift hunting opportunity from the peak breeding season to the fall and winter months.
GET PASSPORTS NOW FOR EIGHTH ANNUAL CHILI WITH A CHANCE FOR CHOCOLATE TASTE-OFF WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO WIN 13 BASKETS OF CHOCOLATES
The Eighth Annual Chili With A Chance For Chocolate Taste-Off is Saturday, Feb. 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Wellsboro. There will be 13different types of chili to taste at 13sites with an opportunity to win one or more of the 13fun and unique baskets of chocolates.
In addition, passport holders are welcome to stop in at Century 21 Gold Star Real Estate to spin the wheel for a surprise.
“This year’s taste-off will feature some new and exciting chili to tickle all taste buds,” said Jim Howe, organizer. “Passports are limited to 400 due to the event’s popularity. That ensures that every passport holder has a chance to taste them all,” he said.
Rolfe Beagle Club Reminds Hunters that Deadline is Approaching to Register for 7th Annual Statewide February Coyote and Fox Hunt or Trap

Johnsonburg, Pa.: Thursday, February 9, is the last date to register for Rolfe Beagle Club’s 7th annual Statewide Coyote and Fox Hunt or Trap. The hunt is scheduled for two weekends in February, 2/10-12 and 2/17-19. Your registration must be received or postmarked on Thursday, February 9, if you plan on hunting both weekends.
Registration must be received or postmarked no later than Thursday, February 16, if you are going to participate in the second weekend only. All registrations must be received at the Rolfe Beagle Club, 1016 Long Level Road, Johnsonburg, PA 15845. Registration must include a phone number or an email. Questions may be addressed to wlhab9@gmail.com.
Weigh-in is at 4:00 p.m. every day. Categories include coyote, fox, and largest female coyote or largest female fox. Additional information at the Facebook Page, Rolfe Beagle Club.
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Note to reporters: Photo 1 – “Big Dog” Hoffman and fellow hunters with harvest.
Dennis E. Estes, 54, a lifelong resident of Shinglehouse, PA

“friend to all”
Dennis E. Estes, 54, a lifelong resident of Shinglehouse, PA passed away with his brother, Doug, and his friend, Bob, by his side on Thursday, February 2, 2023, in UPMC Susquehanna, Williamsport, after a long illness.
Born on Friday, July 5, 1968 in Olean, N.Y., he was a son of Richard R. “Dick” and Barbara M. Loudenslager Estes.
He was a graduate of Oswayo Valley High School, Class of 1986, in Shinglehouse. Dennis served honorably in the US Army. During his lifetime he was employed as a logger, owned and operated a construction business, and also was a truck driver until he became ill.
Dennis was an extremely social person. He was the life of the party, always having a story and a joke to tell.
Surviving are a son, Mason R. (Britany Matz) Estes of Concordia, Kansas; a daughter, Taylor M. Hurrle of Eldred; two brothers, Douglas R. (Bonita) Estes of Shinglehouse and Daniel A. (Sabrina) Estes of Rincon, Georgia; several nieces and nephews; and many friends, including Robert “Bob” Austin of Shinglehouse, who helped care for Dennis in his failing health.
In addition to his parents, Dennis was predeceased by two brothers, David E. Estes and Donald R. “Donny” Estes.
In keeping with Dennis’s wishes, there will be no public visitation or funeral services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shinglehouse Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 475, Shinglehouse, PA 16748 or to the Shinglehouse Volunteer Ambulance Association, PO Box 98, Shinglehouse, PA 16748.
Dennis’s family has entrusted his care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.
To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Dennis, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.
Vivon L. “Wimp” Wenner, 89, of Medina, NY

Vivon L. “Wimp” Wenner, 89, of Medina, NY, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 29, 2023 at Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, NY.
Born on January 23, 1934 in Tioga, County, PA, he was the son of the late Robert L. and Grace (Shephardson) Wenner.
Wimp graduated from Smethport High School, PA in 1951 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, having sailed the Seven Seas. On returning he moved to the Medina area with his late wife, the former Lettie G. (Moore) Wenner, who passed in 2002. He was employed as a welder with Harrison Radiator for 42 years, retiring in 1995. He was a member of the Middleport Methodist Church and enjoyed his retirement years.
Wimp is survived by his three children, Donald Wenner of Batavia, NY, Vivian (Kevin) Callahan of LeRoy, NY, Vivon (Jean) Wenner II of Medina, NY, 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are eight siblings, Shelba Roselli of Georgia, Barba (Danny) Paget of Johnsonburg, PA, Betty (Dave) DeGray of Arizona, Velva Norlin of Johnsonburg, PA, Beverly Wenner of Florida, Donald (Linda) Wenner of Johnsonburg, PA, Bobby Wenner of Mount Jewett, PA, Sandy (Dave) Thorwart of Johnsonburg, PA and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents and wife, Vivon is predeceased by a daughter, Vicky Richards and four siblings, Shirley Priest, John Wenner, Linda Kilhoffer and Darwin Wenner.
As per Vivon’s wishes. There are no calling hours or service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Vivon;s name to the American Heart Association 25 Circle St, Rochester, NY 14607.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Bogan & Tuttle Funeral Home, 226 Pearl St. Medina, NY 14103.
Please light a candle or share a memory of Vivon at: www.bogantuttlefunerals.com
Rotary Contributes To Eagle Project

Coudersport Rotary Club was very pleased to present a $200 check to Dalton Miller for his Eagle Project at their January 30, 2023, meeting at A&W West End Grill.
Dalton will build a “Care Closet” at the Coudersport Jr/Sr High School for students who need personal hygiene items, non-perishable food, and clothing items.
Howard W. JACKSON, 88, of Wellsville, NY

Howard W. JACKSON, 88, of Wellsville, NY, passed away Friday, February 3, 2023 in Highland Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Wellsville, after a short illness.
Born August 13, 1934, in Wellsville, he was the son of Millard D. and Viola E. Sanford Jackson. On December 26, 1954, in Alfred, he married the former Virginia E. “Ginny” Fagner, who predeceased him on April 29, 2013.
A graduate of Wellsville High School, he was employed by Dresser-Rand in Wellsville as a machinist and then worked in the maintenance department. After retiring from Dresser, he worked for Lehman’s Lawn Care. Howard was a former member of the Genesee Valley Beagle Club and Dyke Street Hose Co. He loved hunting, fishing, camping, going to stock car races, playing bingo, picking wild berries, and gardening. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He made lots of friends while he was at Highland Park.
Surviving are: his daughter, Joan (Leslie) DaHill of Friendship; four grandchildren, Cathy Lewis, Jeffrey (Ashley) DaHill, Jennifer (Dan Stives) DaHill, and Tina (Travis) Fadjo; nine great-grandchildren, Natalie, Blake, Bryce, Rylee, Kayla, Claire, Maya, Soul, and Eli; three great-great-grandchildren, Liam, Jaxon, and Harper; a sister, Claudia Ackley of Andover; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Jackson and Sandra Jackson; nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Virginia, he was predeceased by a daughter, Janet Jackson; three sisters, Carol Clayson, Barbara Morrison, and Martha Hall; and four brothers, Royce Jackson, Mildred Jackson, Jr., Jerrold “Jerry” Jackson, and Alan Jackson.
A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 AM, Saturday, February 11, 2023 in Knights Creek Evangelical Methodist Church. Rev. Carl Kemp will officiate. Burial will be in Knights Creek Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Highland Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 160 Seneca St., Wellsville, NY 14895. Arrangements are under the direction of OLNEY-FOUST Funeral Homes & Cremation, Crowell Chapel, 296 North Main Street, Wellsville, NY. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.
Christine Brown, 78, of Galeton, PA

Christine Brown, 78, of Galeton, PA, passed away on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at her daughter’s home in Reading, PA surrounded by her family.
Born March 8, 1944 in Reisterstown, MD, she was a daughter of the late Kenneth and Millie Sue (Roake) Cornett. She was married to Harry Brown, Sr. who preceded her in death.
Christine was a homemaker and enjoyed riding snowmobiles, gardening, going for rides in the mountains and spending time with her family.
Surviving are three sons, Harry Brown, III, Ulysses, PA, Charles (Marnie) Brown, Gold, PA and Joseph (Cathi Hershey) Brown, Galeton; two daughters, Cathy (Joy Shaner) Brown, Gaines, PA and Josey (Michael) Gillis, Reading; four grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; a brother, Dudly Cornett, Washington State; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, Christine was predeceased by a daughter, Christine Brown; four brothers, Leroy, Richard, Joseph and Jimmy Cornett; and longtime companion, Franklyn Hitzel.
A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 11:00am at the Hess Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Galeton. Rev. Frank Billman will officiate. Interment will be made in West Hill Cemetery, Galeton. Memorial contributions may be made to the funeral home.
2 facing drug charges after deadly Elk County overdose, police say
ELK COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — Two people are facing multiple drug charges after officers responded to a fatal overdose in Elk County Wednesday, according to police.
According to a criminal complaint, Crystal Hause, 37, arranged a meeting through Facebook messages to meet Dustin Smith, 39, in order to purchase drugs for the victim.
Police say that, once Hause obtained the drugs, she delivered them to the victim who then smoked heroin and fentanyl. Read more here………..
Causer Announces Local Fire, Ambulance Grants
BRADFORD – Fire and emergency response organizations in Cameron, McKean and Potter counties have been awarded more than $425,000 in grants from the state, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) announced today.
“Our fire and EMS companies across the state, and especially in rural areas like ours, are struggling financially and these grants go a long way toward helping to meet their needs,” Causer said. “We owe a great debt of gratitude to the men and women who work so hard to protect our communities, and I am pleased we can continue to support them with this valuable funding.”
The funding comes from an ongoing grant program created by the Legislature and administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC). All funding comes from the proceeds from slot machine gaming, and not General Fund tax revenue.
Since its inception, the program has provided more than $8.2 million in funding to fire and ambulance companies in the three-county area. Projects eligible for funding include construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, or reduction of existing debt.
Following is a list of local fire and ambulance companies and the amount of their grant awards. All companies that apply and meet requirements outlined by OSFC receive funding. Companies must file a grant agreement with OFSC to receive their grants.
Cameron County
- Cameron County Ambulance Service Inc., Emporium – $10,000.
- Emporium Fire Department Inc., Emporium – $11,861.25.
- Mountaineer Search and Rescue, Emporium – $11,861.25.
McKean County
- Bradford City Fire Department, Bradford – $10,000 for EMS operations; $15,000 for fire company operations.
- Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department, Bradford – $15,000.
- Clermont Volunteer Fire Department, Mount Jewett – $11,861.25.
- Corydon Township Volunteer Fire Department, Bradford – $12,598.14.
- Derrick City Volunteer Fire Department, Derrick City – $12,598.14.
- Hilltop Volunteer Fire Department, Cyclone – $12,106.88.
- Kane Volunteer Fire Department, Kane – $11,861.25.
- Lafayette Township Volunteer Fire Department, Lewis Run – $12,106.88.
- Lewis Run Volunteer Fire Department, Lewis Run – $11,861.25.
- Mount Jewett Area Ambulance Association, Mount Jewett – $10,000.
- Mount Jewett Volunteer Fire Department, Mount Jewett – $12,106.88.
- Norwich Township Fire Department, Crosby – $11,861.25
- Otto Township Volunteer Fire Department, Duke Center – $11,861.25.
- Port Allegany Fire Department, Star Hose Company No. 1, Port Allegany – $15,000.
- Port Area Ambulance Service Inc., Port Allegany – $10,000.
- Smethport Fire Department Inc., Smethport – $12,045.
Potter County
- Austin Volunteer Fire Department, Austin – $10,000 for EMS operations; $13,335.03 for fire company operations.
- Coudersport Volunteer Ambulance Association, Coudersport – $10,000.
- Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department, Coudersport – $15,000.
- Gale Hose Company No. 1 Inc., Galeton – $10,000 for EMS services.
- Genesee Volunteer Fire Department Inc., Genesee – $10,000 for EMS operations; $11,861.25 for fire company operations.
- Germania Fire Company, Galeton – $11,861.25.
- Goodyear Hose Company No. 1 Inc., Galeton – $12,598.14.
- Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Company, Harrison Valley – $13,826.29.
- Kettle Creek Ambulance Association, Cross Fork – $5,567.
- Kettle Creek Hose Company No. 1, Cross Fork – $11,861.25.
- Roulette Chemical Engine No. 1 Inc., Roulette – $10,000 for EMS operations; $12,352.51 for fire company operations.
- Shinglehouse Volunteer Fire Department, Shinglehouse – $12,598.14.
- Tri-Town Fire Company, Ulysses – $13,826.29.
HAMILTON-GIBSON’S WINTER THEATRE ARTS CAMP IN ELKLAND TO END WITH PUBLIC PERFORMANCES OF THE MUSICAL “CATS” THIS SATURDAY, FEB. 4

At 7 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 4, the 35 fourth through tenth graders participating in Hamilton-Gibson’s Winter Theatre Arts Camp are giving public performances of the one-hour adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical “Cats” at the Clark Wood Elementary School Auditorium at 110 Addison Hill Road in Elkland.
All of the characters in the play are cats of various ages and sizes, each with a distinct personality.
The show is a full hour of singing and dancing with very little dialogue. The music is unique and fun as are the costumes, make-up and scenery.
Admission is Pay-What-You-Can at the door.
AUDITIONS FOR ALL AGES FOR HG’S WOMEN’S PROJECT “THE MOONS OF JUPITER” ARE THIS SATURDAY, FEB. 4 AND THIS COMING MONDAY, FEB. 6
Auditions for three male and eight female roles and the 11-member Greek chorus for “The Moons of Jupiter,” a play being produced by Hamilton-Gibson’s Women’s Project, are this Saturday, Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. and this coming Monday, Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Warehouse Theatre Gallery at 3 Central Avenue in Wellsboro.
Auditions for the chorus only will be at 9 a.m. this Saturday, Feb. 4, also in the Gallery. “That should make it faster for those auditioning for the chorus only,” said Director Lilace Guignard.
“The job of the Greek chorus is to explain to the audience what has happened in the world,” she said.
“I am encouraging children, teenagers and adults to try out for the Greek chorus, especially those who are interested in being on stage but not in memorizing a lot of lines,” said Guignard.
“It’s important to me that children who can memorize some lines and follow directions be part of the Greek chorus because they are most affected by climate change, which is what this play is about,” Guignard said.
“On the other hand, I know the script might not be as much fun for children. Even though there are fun and silly moments and it ends with hope, the overall play does not shy away from dark intensity,” she said.
The eight female roles are: one astrophysicist, three goddesses who are the daughters of Zeus, and four famous male scientists. The three roles for men are: Zeus, king of the gods, his son Hermes and a bartender.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 21 and 22 and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 23 in the Warehouse Theatre at 3 Central Avenue in Wellsboro.
For more information about the auditions, email the director at lilacemellin@gmail.com or call the Hamilton-Gibson office at 570-724-2079.
Bradford Woman Arrested For Violating Protection Order

On February 2nd, 2023 at approximately 1017 hrs City of Bradford Police responded to 44 East Corydon Street for a disturbance.
Upon arrival Officer located Nicole Kornacki on scene and there was and active Protection from Abuse Order in place that evicted her from that property.
Officers placed Kornacki under arrest for the violation and during arrest discovered she was in possession of Controlled Substances and paraphernalia.
Magistrate Cercone arraigned Kornacki and she was remanded to McKean County Jail on $5000 cash bail.
Arrest Date: Thursday, February 2, 2023 – 10:17am Reference ID: 2023-02021018 Charges: PFA Violation and 780-113 A16 Possession Controlled Substance Incident Type: Drugs / Narcotics Violation Source: City of Bradford Police Department
Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://mckean.crimewatchpa.com/bradfordpd/68048/arrests/kornacki-nicole-m-pfa-violation-and-780-113-a16-possession-controlled-substance























