Four recent area graduates have been awarded scholarships via the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation.
Brody Frame of Olean received the Arnold McHone Sr. Manufacturing Scholarship for $2,500, while Cameron Golisano of Portville received $1,000.
Established by Yvonne McHone in memory of her husband and founder of McHone Industries, Arnold McHone, the Arnold McHone Sr. Manufacturing Scholarship is for graduating seniors or graduates from any high school in Cattaraugus County pursuing a technical education at any post-secondary one-or two-year institution in any field related to manufacturing.
You’ve heard of the Winter Blues, but what about the Sunshine Boost?
While cold, dark winter days can leave many of us feeling sluggish or down, the longer, sunnier days of summer offer an easy, natural way to support both physical and mental health. Just 10 to 15 minutes of sunshine can make a big difference in how you feel throughout the day.
Mood RegulationMorning sunlight helps reset your body’s internal clock, also known as your circadian rhythm. This rhythm controls your sleep-wake cycle, and when it’s off, you may feel groggy, irritable, or low-energy. Exposure to sunlight early in the day tells your body it’s time to be awake and alert, setting a healthy pattern for sleep and mood.
July 21, 5:30 PM UPDATE: Roads Impacted by Flooding, Downed Trees or Utilities in North Central Pennsylvania
Montoursville, PA – Motorists in north central Pennsylvania are advised the following roads in the area (listed by county) are closed or have a lane restriction due to flooding, downed trees or utilities. Updates will be sent periodically.
Leisa A. SMITH, 72, of Wellsville, NY, died Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Jones Memorial Hospital. She was born August 5, 1952, in Coudersport, PA, the daughter of the late Lawrence H. and Frederika E. (Henry) Smith.
Maureen McDonald, Instructor, helping an enrollee.
Proud father with two daughters enrolled in the program.
Mt. Jewett, Pa.: Women from five different states attended the first weekend session of Women’s Introduction to Wingshooting offered by the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) at the premier Mt. Jewett Sportsmen’s Club in McKean County in NC PA over the last weekend. Women attended from California, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. “This was our largest enrollment ever,” said Bethany Ford, Leader of this unique Women’s Shooting program, taught by women.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (July 21) — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will hold its quarterly business meeting on Monday, July 28, 2025, beginning at 10 a.m., at its Harrisburg headquarters, located at 1601 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110. The meeting is open to the public.
The complete schedule and agenda for this meeting is available on the PFBC website (Fishandboat.com). Public comment will be accepted in person.
This meeting may be viewed remotely by joining the webinar from your internet browser using this link.
If prompted, enter the webinar access number code: 2868 301 8706 Password: public (782542 from phones)
To listen to the meeting by phone, call: 1 (408) 418-9388 Access code: 286 830 18706 Password: 782542
Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the following schedule of maintenance activities in Potter County the week of July 21. PennDOT performs year-round maintenance in its mission to provide a safe, efficient transportation system, and the scope of work in Potter County for the coming week is as follows:
Route 1011 (West Bingham Road/Hickox-Ulysses Road) between Route 49 in Ulysses Borough and Route 1010 (Genesee Mills Road) in Genesee Township. Monday, July 21, through Friday, July 25. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control during daylight hours.
Route 1013 (Bingham Centre Road) between Route 1011 (West Bingham Road/Hickox-Ulysses Road) and the New York-Pennsylvania State line in Bingham Township. Monday, July 21, through Friday, July 25. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control during daylight hours.
Lane Closures on I-99 Southbound Announced for Wednesday Night
Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that drivers should expect alternating lane closures on Interstate 99 southbound at a bridge spanning Route 550 (Buffalo Run Road) overnight on Wednesday, July 23, as crews return to complete final sealing of the concrete slab that expanded and buckled during the extreme temperatures last month.
PennDOT stated that the contractor completing the repairs will begin work at 6:00 PM on Wednesday and hopes to finish by 6:00 AM the following morning but noted that all schedules are weather dependent. One lane will remain open throughout the overnight hours. However, PennDOT urges motorists to exercise caution in this and all work zones, obey posted speed limit and work zone signage, and always buckle up.
K9S RECEIVE CERTIFICATIONS (MCKEAN COUNTY, Pennsylvania: July 18, 2025): District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer congratulates K9s Dixie, Olive and Roxy on their recent completion of course requirements for advancement in Mantrailing.
K9s Dixie and Olive, along with their handler Ruth Mayes, successfully completed the requirements for Advanced Mantrailing by the National Network of Canine Detection Services.
Microsurfacing Project Set to Begin in Columbia County
Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that a microsurfacing project is set to begin on several routes in Berwick Borough, Briar Creek Township and South Centre Township, Columbia County.
Beginning Wednesday July 23, 2025, the contactor, Suit-Kote Corporation, will begin the project which includes the following roads:
Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the following schedule of maintenance activities in McKean County the week of July 21. PennDOT performs year-round maintenance in its mission to provide a safe, efficient transportation system, and the scope of work in McKean County for the coming week is as follows:
Bridge Maintenance & Cleaning
Route 1011 at a bridge spanning Fowler Brook three miles north of Coryville in Eldred Township. Monday, July 21, through Friday, July 25. PennDOT will implement a detour using Route 346 and Route 446.
WEEDVILLE, PA – July 19, 2025 — The Elk County Democratic Committee hosted its first of hopefully many more Chairman’s Mimosa Brunch on Saturday, July 19th, at Elk Mountain Winery in Weedville, bringing together Democrats from across the county for a festive and gorgeous morning and early afternoon of conversation, civic engagement, and community building.
Attendees had the opportunity to enjoy gourmet brunch offerings, wine and champagne mimosas, and tastings from the winery, all while hearing from one of Pennsylvania’s leading judicial candidates. Judge Stella Tsai, currently serving on the Court of Common Pleas and a candidate for Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, was the featured speaker. She is highly recommended by the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
Emergency Flood Repair on Elk Grove Road in Sugarloaf Township, Columbia County
Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised of single lane conditions on Elk Grove Road (Route 4049) in Sugarloaf Township, Columbia County, for an emergency flood repair project.
Starting Monday, July 21, 2025, the contractor, Rylind Construction Company, Inc., will be performing emergency flood repairs along Elk Grove Road between Sandy Run Road and Skiz Road. Work includes installation of rock armour along Fishing Creek, shoulder back up, paving, and line painting. Motorists should expect single lane conditions controlled with a stop sign at each end of the construction area. Work will take place during daylight hours.
Motorists should be alert, slow down, and watch for construction vehicles entering and exiting the construction area. Work on this project is anticipated to be completed by Friday, August 1, 2025, weather permitting.
Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40). All of this sounds good, but what if you cannot love yourself?
I’ve lived long enough to know that sometimes it’s hard to love ourselves. We tend to be our own critics, seeing every wrong and mistake we’ve ever made, and we often don’t forget them. Our past becomes what holds us back from moving forward. We wonder if people would love us if they truly knew us as well as we know ourselves. Instead of love, we are critical and even self-loathing. Shame and guilt shadow our lives as we struggle to let go of things we have done. In the quiet moments of life, do we ever let go and truly love ourselves? Is that why it is so hard to love our neighbor? Is the problem of loving ourselves stifled by our inability to forgive ourselves?
Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) announced his annual Senior Expo, planned for Aug. 1 at Wellsboro Area High School, has been postponed.
“Due to construction issues at the high school, we had to make the decision to postpone the event,” Owlett said. “We are disappointed but hopeful we can reschedule for later this year.”
The 2025 Break the Chains Festival will be held Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26 on the Port Allegany Town Square. The BTC Festival brings awareness to all and hope to survivors of addictions, depression and self-harm. There will be live music throughout the day, food booths, games and activities for the kids, information booths as well as local vendors. Hours for the festival are from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Pictured from the BTC Board are Trudi Bowser, Lynn Keck, Macie Delahoy, Amanda Miles-Rudolph and Parker Rudolph.
After a very successful foray at states competition last month, the Black Forest Falcons Youth Trap Team competed against over 2500 of the best shooters at SCTP Nationals in Marengo, Ohio this weekend. Thirty two shooters from the Austin, Coudersport, Galeton, and Northern Potter school districts competed in their respective divisions during two days of competition. The Intermediate Beginner (first-year shooters) squad of Austyn Matteson, Eli Darrah, Isaac Ostroski, Boone Faulstick, and Avery Torrey finished third overall in their division with a score of 893/1000. Additionally, Austyn Matteson finished in the top 10 (8th) out of 213 beginner shooters.
The Intermediate Advanced squad of Chase Hamilton, Isaac Gledhill, Alexis Risser, Cael DeLong, and Haylee Hanes finished tenth overall in their respective division with a score of 898/1000. Carson Cooney led the scoring for the Falcons (194) followed by Taylor Knowles (193), Owen Gill (192), Owen Daniels (192), Izayah Freeman (191), Ethan Hamilton (191), Austyn Matteson (191), and Ty Daniels (190).
The Black Forest Falcons, led by head coach Brad Empson and assistant coaches Joe McClellan, Chase Cooney, Ron Gill, Kevin Gledhill, Mike Daniels, Derek Hamilton, Wes Crowell, Jordan Herr, Tom McDonald, and Loren Fitzgerald, finished on the podium at Nationals for the second time in three years. Well done Black Forest Falcons and coaches!
The Black Forest Falcons organization would like to thank the Black Forest Conservation Association (BFCA) and the community for all their support!
Tyrel J. Woelfel, 33, of Kersey, passed away on Saturday, July 19, 2025, as a result of a UTV accident.
He was born on February 19, 1992, in Ridgway, the son of Robert and Judy Lundy Woelfel.
On December 28, 2021, he married Shannon Bradburn. Together, they built a beautiful family, welcoming three children into the world: Jaxtyn, Maverick, and Mayzilyn. Ty especially cherished his role as a father, and his children were his greatest joy.
District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer congratulates K9s Dixie, Olive and Roxy on their recent completion of course requirements for advancement in Mantrailing. K9s Dixie and Olive, along with their handler Ruth Mayes, successfully completed the requirements for Advanced Mantrailing by the National Network of Canine Detection Services. K9 Roxy and her handler Rod Johnson received certification by the National Police Bloodhound Association for Mantrailing to work as a Mantrailing team.
The K9s, part of the Tracking Unit of the County Detectives’ Bureau K9 Unit with the District Attorney’s Office, train throughout the year to keep their skills sharp and are frequently called to assist first responders. These beautiful K9s, along with their K9 teammates and handlers, are often seen at area events such as the McKean County Fair and National Night Out.
If you would like a K9 at your event, please contact the District Attorney’s Office at (814) 887-3312.
On July 18, 2025, at approximately 1:51 a.m., City of Bradford Police responded to a fight in progress at JJ’s Saloon, located at 413 East Main Street. Upon arrival, officers learned that a male, identified as Shane A. Rice, had entered the bar with a baseball bat and engaged in a physical altercation with multiple individuals inside the establishment. The male had fled the scene just prior to police arrival.
A short time later, officers located Rice walking on North Kendall Avenue and took him into custody for disorderly conduct. During the arrest and subsequent search, officers found Rice to be in possession of illegal substances, including methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, digital scales, and pills. These items are considered illegally possessed controlled substances and paraphernalia.
Rice was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver, Possession of Controlled Substances, Possession of Instrument of a Crime, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Disorderly Conduct. Magistrate Luther arraigned Rice on these charges and set bail at $100,000 straight. Rice was remanded to McKean County Jail, and preliminary hearings are scheduled in the matter.
The City of Bradford Police Department encourages anyone with information about illegal drug activity or tips to contact us through our Crimewatch or Facebook sites or by calling 814-887-4911. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Remember, if you see something, say something. Your tips can help keep our community safe.
Jason T. Hunt, 43, of Wellsville died Friday, July 11, 2025, at Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo.
Born August 18, 1981, in Wellsville, he was the son of James and Lois Pensyl Hunt, who survive. Jason graduated from Wellsville High School in 2000 and worked at Air Preheater, Dresser Rand, and Tim Shea Plumbing and Heating before enlisting in the United State Marine Corps in April 2004. On February 18, 2006, in Wellsville, he married Jessica LaFleur, of Cuba.
After completing basic training at Parris Island, S.C., he attended Marine Combat Training and Field Radio Operator training at 29 Palms, California, before being assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
His first deployment to Iraq took him to Fallujah in 2005, as radio operator for Weapons Company, Dragon Platoon. The company’s main mission during that deployment was hunting for improvised explosive devices along military supply and transportation routes. About two weeks into that mission, the platoon spotted a suspicious vehicle on the roadside. Jason volunteered to drive a Humvee to push the car out of the way, and what happened next was caught on camera by a CNN new team. The car was loaded with explosives that were remotely detonated, engulfing the Humvee in a ball of fire and knocking the cameraman to the ground. Jason was able to escape the attack and went on to pull security while the rest of the platoon pulled equipment and ammunition from the wreckage. The video from that incident has been used in many documentaries and Hollywood films about the war in Iraq. A week or two later, a vehicle in the convoy he was traveling in overturned in a canal. Jason dove in and rescued three people who were trapped underwater, pulling them out of their vehicle and to safety.
In 2006, Jason deployed to Iraq a second time, to the city of Ramadi. At that time, it was one of the worst sniper threats in world, and Marines were under constant fire, dodging bullets and improvised explosive devices while fighting the insurgency door to door in close urban neighborhoods. He was assigned to Kilo Company, 3rd Platoon on that rotation. He lost a lot of brothers there. The injuries he accumulated there and in Fallujah led to his medical retirement as a Corporal in 2008. Corporal Hunt was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a combat V for valor, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, a Good Conduct medal, in addition to ribbons and medals associated with his war time service in Iraq, and a Sharpshooter designation for his Rifle qualification badge.
LeRoy “Stub” B. Young, 81, passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Heritage Springs Memory Care in Montoursville, PA.
He was born July 25, 1943, in Wellsboro, PA, to the late Francis A. and Margaret (VanOrder) Young. LeRoy was the youngest of five siblings. He was married for 62 years to Sue E. (Wilcox) Young.
