1/31/06

The State Labor Department reports that Potter County’s jobless rate dropped 3/10ths of a percent from 6.1% to 5.8% between November and December which was a considerable improvement over December 2004 when the unemployment rate was 7.7%.  Jobless rates in neighboring counties for the same period were 6.4 in Cameron; 5.2% in McKean; 5.0% in Elk and 4.8% in Tioga. The jobless  rate in Pennsylvania and the entire country was 4.9% during the same period.

Slippery roads are blamed for several recent crashes.  James Churchill of Cross Fork received minor injuries early Monday morning when his southbound vehicle slid off of Route 44 near the Hungry Hollow Road, struck an embankment and rolled onto the driver’s side.  He was taken to Charles Cole Hospital by Germania Volunteer Ambulance.  No one was hurt Sunday at around 8:30 a.m. in a crash on Route 120 in Driftwood. State Police said Ralph Stoltenburg, Jr. of Butler was headed east when his Toyota Four  Runner slid out of control on a patch of black ice, struck an embankment and rolled onto its roof. Both the driver and his passenger Kay Robinson, also of Butler were wearing seatbelts at the time.  About 45 minutes later, Kathleen Morton of Emporium received minor injuries when her Chrysler Cirrus slid back and forth an icy section of Route 46 just North of the Old North Creek Road in Shippen Township Cameron County   and struck some guardrails. Morton was not wearing a seatbelt. And, about five minutes after that crash Terence Bane of Leonardo, NJ escaped injury about a mile further south of icy Route 46 when his Ford pick-up slid to the other side of the road, struck an embankment and spun around hitting the bank a second time before coming to rest.

David Hubbard, 21, of Smethport was arraigned this past weekend on sex-related charges and is awaiting a preliminary hearing on March 8.  Authorities allege Hubbard committed the crimes November 5 at a Bradford residence. He’s charged with involuntary deviant sexual intercourse and indecent assault.

State Police at Emporium have charged Michael Leightly with several offenses in connection to a burglary taking place on January 21 at an apartment on W. Allegheny Avenue in that town. Troopers allege Leightly entered the apartment of  Tina Bargerstock and Karen Foley and removed some prescription medications, cigarettes and about $30 in cash.  Leightly is charged with burglary, theft, possession of a controlled substance, receiving stolen property, making false reports to law enforcement and criminal trespass.

1/30/06

A Harrison Valley teen was seriously injured in a one-vehicle crash Friday night at the intersection of Pleasant Valley and Lane Roads in Harrison Township. State police said 18 year old Jason Teller’s Chevy S-10 while headed east on the snow and ice covered Lane Road, slid through the intersection, off the road, and rolled onto its roof, down a 20 foot embankment before coming to rest on the driver’s side. Teller was taken to Charles Cole Hospital by Tri-Town Volunteer Ambulance and was flown by helicopter to a regional trauma center.   Kane-based state police investigated a couple of hit and run crashes taking place over the weekend. Scott Nickerson, 26, of  Port Allegany, is accused of leaving the scene of a one-vehicle crash on Route 346 in Otto Township early Saturday morning.  Authorities claim Nickerson left the scene without notifying police after his  westbound Toyota Camry crossed to the opposite side of the highway, traveled about 40 feet in a ditch before striking a cement culvert. Police say numerous charges are being filed against Nickerson. Troopers are looking for a two-tone extended cab pick up which struck two vehicles parked in the lot of the Mountain Inn on Route 36 in Sergeant Township Saturday night.  The unknown vehicle backed into a Mercury Tracer owned by Charles Hamilton of Mt. Jewett and pushed it ten feet backwards, then continued to back up, striking the passenger side door and front fender on a Pontiac Grand Am owned by Deana Calla of St. Marys.

A Smethport man has been charged with cruelty to animals after allegedly shooting and killing his neighbor’s dog late Friday night.  Authorities say Frank Hudak, Jr. used a 7 mm Ruger to  fatally shoot a 2-1/2 year old Chocolate lab belonging to James Arthurs Jr. when it went onto his property.

An apparent theft of a couple of pistols from an Austin business  is being probed by state police here. State police say an audit conducted by an agent of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bureau of Perry’s Country Store on January 17 found that two Jennings Model J-22 , 22 cal. pistols were missing from the store and no paperwork relating to the sale of the weapons was found.  Anyone with information is asked to contact state police locally at 274-8690.

State police at Kane are warning the public that a mailing scam has recently surfaced in Eldred Township.  Authorities say victims are requested to submit 5% of their alleged winnings in an international lottery, in order to receive their entire winnings.  Police advise residents not to respond to the scam and never give out personal and/or banking information to unknown parties over the phone, e-mails or by regular mail  that it’s wise to remember the adage,  “if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.”

1/27/06

WFRM has confirmed published reports that Coudersport District Judge Annette Easton has been re-instated to hear criminal cases.  Potter County President Judge John Leete on Tuesday, issued a brief order rescinding his order of December 9 “in its entirety, effective immediately.  In an administrative capacity on December 9, Judge Leete ordered that Judge Easton be barred from hearing criminal cases filed by state police and Coudersport Borough Police officers Collins and Wenzel and any cases prosecuted by then District Attorney Jeff Leber and assistant District Attorney Andrew Watson.  The cases were reassigned to District Judge Barbara Easton in Shinglehouse. Leber had brought a suit alleging that Judge Annette Easton had maintained a derogatory list of law enforcement personnel creating a bias in her court. Judge Leete dismissed the motion saying he did not believe he had jurisdiction to rule on the matter as presented but added that as supervisory judge, he would consider the matter on an administrative basis. The following day he issued the order which effectively removed all criminal cases from the Coudersport District Court.  Newly elected District Attorney Dawn Fink was sworn into office earlier this month.

In McKean County court news  this week, 31 year old Robert Cooper of Eldred pleaded guilty to aggravated indecent assault, and statutory sexual assault. He was charged with tracking down a 14 year old girl from an internet chat room, and having sex with her when her parents were not at home.  The state Sexual Offender Assessment Board will perform a pre-sentencing assessment to determine if Cooper is a sexually violent predator under Megan’s law. He will be sentenced on April 27

And, 45 year old David Kelly of Port Allegany was ordered to spend two years on probation for simple assault resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. The charges were filed after Kelly assaulted his caretaker and struggled with police while he was being arraigned. Kelly was shot during a fight over a bag of marijuana in an apartment over a bar in Port a couple of years ago.  Terry Bundy is accused of attempted homicide in the case and is awaiting trial.

Three McKean County residents have charged with numerous offenses including theft, burglary, criminal conspiracy, and criminal trespass in connection to a burglary taking place between September 16 and 19, 2005 in Otto Township. Authorities allege 19 year old Allen Howard and 21 year old Shaun Howard both of Bradford and 19 year old Jessica Gebauer of Eldred went through a window at the residence on the Prentisvale Road and removed a window, Emerson DVD Player/4-head VCR combo, DVD movies, computer disks and software valued at a total of $1250.  Shaun Howard is also charged with driving while operating privilege was suspended or revoked.  All three were released on bail following arraignment on the charges. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 8 before District Judge Richard Luther.

The West End Trailblazers Snowmobile Club announces its 4^th annual Winterfest will be held Saturday, despite the mild temperatures and lack of snow cover.  Events have been modified and will include horse drawn wagon rides, children’s games, a clown, face-painting and food. The Winterfest will be held from 10:00 to 4:00 at Kaple’s Farm on Main Street in the village.

1/26/06

A teenage couple from York, PA  is facing numerous charges here in Potter County.  Their capture occurred after state police were summoned to the Sylvania Restaurant on Route 6 in Ulysses Township Tuesday  afternoon when they left without paying for their meal.  Jacob Schaffer, 18, and a 17 year old girl were located at a nearby camp and taken into custody. During the investigation, authorities found that the pair had  recently burglarized a camp on Telescope Road, Ulysses.  As we reported early this week, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, snack items, a BB gun and DVD/VCR player were taken from the camp owned by Richard Tobias of Shoemakerville.  It was also determined that the couple had pumped a quantity of gas into their car at Connie’s Market in Harrison Valley at about 9:30 Monday evening. A store employee provided police with a description of the blue Toyota Camry sedan and license number.  Further investigation revealed that both were wanted in York County on probation violations. Both were arraigned on charges of burglary, theft, criminal trespass, retail theft and possession or consumption of liquor by a minor.  Schaffer is also charged with corruption of minors. He was committed to the Potter County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail while the girl was taken to the juvenile detention facility in Wellsboro to await further court action.

Slippery roads contributed to a couple of crashes Wednesday morning.  Amy Bittner of Shinglehouse was treated at Charles Cole Hospital for minor injuries after her Eagle Sedan slid off of Route 44 a mile south of Route 49 in Eulalia Township and overturned, coming to rest against a ditch. She’s been charged with speeding and driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked.

No one was hurt in a minor fender bender about 20 minutes later at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Ulysses Township. State police said Stephen Heck, Jr. of Ulysses was descending the Museum’s driveway when his Ford F350 slid into a speed limit sign along the west berm. Both Heck and his passenger, Scott Crumrine of Austin were wearing seatbelts at the time.

Both drivers escaped injury in a collision earlier that day at an Emporium intersection. State police there said Regis Malizia of Emporium was driving a Jeep Cherokee which slid on an icy patch through the intersection in an Orion II buss operated by Walter Holly also of Emporium.

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners on Wednesday approved five options that will increase the State Game Lands system by more than 418 acres. The options were two land purchase agreements, one donation and two land exchanges. The donation was for

72 acres plus in Eldred Township, McKean County adjoining State Game Lands 301.The tracts are being purchased by Dominion Transmission Inc., as required compensatory mitigation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for wetland impacts associated with constructing a pipeline and will be deeded directly to the Game Commission.  The two tracts, comprised of 35.82 acres and 37.56 acres, include 50 acres of wetlands: 35 acres of forested wetlands; 10 acres of emergent wetlands; and five acres of scrub-shrub wetlands.  In adding to the existing wetlands on SGL 301, the new parcel consists of a rare stand of trees comprised of balsam fir, swamp white oak and black ash.  The donation also will improve access from State Route 1011.  SGL 301 currently contains 2,905.2 acres in McKean County. 

1/25/06

A Galeton family is recovering after being overcome by carbon monoxide Tuesday morning.  Galeton emergency services personnel were summoned around 7:00 a.m. to the David Piquadio residence on Lower Germania Street.  According to First Assistant Chief Gib Reuf, Piquadio’s  son awakened feeling ill at around 5:00 a.m. and went downstairs to the living room. His father woke up sometime later, went down into the basement to check things out, stumbled and fell, briefly knocking himself out. When he came to, he called 9-11. He and his son were able to walk out to the ambulance but a female victim had to be taken out by ambulance personnel. All three were treated at Charles Cole Hospital.  Chief Reuf said the family was very fortunate as the carbon monoxide levels in the house, an hour later even after venting, were at a deadly level.  He said the family had turned the boiler up the  night before because of colder temperatures and the flue was plugged, allowing the deadly gas to build up in the house.

Coudersport Volunteer firefighters were called out at around 7:30 this morning to the Steven Furman Residence on Route 6 west where a breaker for the hot water tank had burned up, filling the house with smoke.  According to Assistant Chief Roger LaBar, it was an older type of fuse box, and the overload blew the glass right out of the screw-type fuse.  Damage was confined to the breaker itself. The situation was under control in about 20 minutes and all units were back in service a short time later but within minutes the department responded to a crash a half mile north of the Route 44/49 intersection. Apparently at least one person was injured but details will not be available from state police until later.

State police in Emporium are probing another theft involving prescription drugs. Sometime between noon and 5:00 p.m. this past Saturday, thieves  went through an unlocked door at the West Allegheny Avenue apartment occupied by Karen Foley and Tina Bargerstock and removed some prescription medications, cigarettes and about $30 in cash. On January 16, thieves went through a basement window at a house on East 6^th Street and removed 80-85 Vicodin tablets from the bedroom of the Cortney Housler residence.

1/24/06

A road rage incident taking place at around 12:30 p.m. Saturday is being probed by state police locally.  Jason Howell of Westfield told authorities that an unknown man, driving a dark blue or black full-size Dodge or Ford  pickup, overtook him on the North Branch Road in Harrison Township, cut him off, jumped out of his truck, opened the drivers door on Howell’s Jeep Wrangler, yelling and screaming at Howell, then struck him with a backhand fist across his face. The suspected then got into his truck and continued heading north towards Whites Corners, NY. Howell told police the suspect is a white male, with fair complexion, about 6 feet tall with stocky build.  His truck had a blue light on top and sported a modified hood.  Howell provided police with registration number BKS5092. Anyone who can provide additional information is asked to contact state police at 274-8690.

Yesterday’s freezing rain and snow left area streets created slippery roads throughout the region, resulting in a number of mishaps, most of them minor.  State police locally say David Elliott of Dalmatia, PA escaped injury around noontime when his Ford Ranger went out of control on snow and slush covered Route 44 about a half mile west of the Lycoming County line in Stewardson Township.  The pick-up began fishtailing, spun around across the highway and struck a tree before coming to rest. Details about other crashes have not yet been provided by state police.

The state police fire marshal is investigating the cause of a blaze which destroyed a Bradford Township home Monday afternoon.  Members of the Comilla family were alerted by a smoke alarm. They were able to escort the two family dogs out of the burning structure and called 9-1-1. From a neighbor’s house. Damage is estimated to be $200,000 for the contents and Brown Avenue home.

A couple of fights were investigated by state police locally over the past week. Police say a harassment charge has been filed against one of two 16 year old girls involved in an altercation last Tuesday evening at 745 Northern Potter Road in Genesee Township . One of the girls is from Genesee , the other from Ulysses. And troopers say charges are pending in connection to an incident taking place early Saturday morning on Main Street in the village of Roulette .  Authorities say a 20 year old and a 21 year old male began fighting when one of them allegedly pushed a female juvenile to the ground.  When police investigated, they allegedly found two juveniles under the influence of alcohol and one in possession of drug paraphernalia. Authorities say charges are pending completion of their investigation.

A camp burglary taking place over the past week  off of Telescope Road in Ulysses Township is being probed by state police here. Thieves forced open a window on the rear of a camp owned by Richard Tobias of Shoemakerville , PA. After gaining entry, the thieves made off with a variety of alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, snack items, a Red Rider BB gun and a Symphonic DVD/VCR player.

1/23/06

Just as we were getting used to spring-like weather in January, Ol’ Man Winter paid a return visit, delivering freezing rain, sleet and snow to the WFRM listening area early Monday morning. Galeton schools and Penn College of Technology were the only ones having a delay. All other schools were on their regular schedules.  The slippery roads caught some motorists unawares. A compact car slid out of control on Cemetery Curve, west of Coudersport at about 6:00 a.m. The car skidded off the road and came to rest among some weeds. Coudersport volunteer emergency services responded.  A couple of hours later, emergency personnel were called to a crash on Route 44 near Shinglehouse. Details on both will not be available until later.

Injuries were reported in a couple of DUI crashes occurring early Friday morning. State police locally say 25 year old Travis McKeirnan of Austin was driving under the influence at around 5:00 a.m. when his Chevy Blazer traveled off of Railroad Street in that town and struck a utility pole.  McKeirnan escaped injury but his two passengers, 20 year old Crystal Smith of Roulette and Teresa Siebert of Austin were taken to Charles Cole Hospital for treatment of minor injuries and during the course of the investigation, state police say they determined Smith had consumed alcohol and have since cited her for underage drinking. A couple of hours earlier, Danielle Connor of Cyclone lost control of her Chevy Cavalier on Dwights Road in Wetmore Township, McKean County while headed north. The car went off the road and struck a tree. Connor  and her passengers, Jared Kohut and Keith Morrison, both of Kane were all taken to Kane Community Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. DUI charges have been filed against Connor.

Barton Landon of Oswayo escaped injury Saturday afternoon when he swerved his Oldsmobile to avoid a bear on Brizzie Hollow Road about a half mile north of Route 244.  The car became disabled when the undercarriage struck a culvert. It’s not known why the bruin had emerged from his long winter’s nap except, maybe he too was fooled by the mild weather.

A 15 year old McKean County youth has been charged in juvenile court with aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, unlawful contact with a minor and harassment. Kane-based state police allege the crimes were committed against an 11 year old girl last Thursday afternoon on Looker Mountain Trail in Rixford.

1/20/06

The state police fire marshal is investigating a fire which destroyed an Otto Township home  Thursday afternoon.  Firefighters from Otto Township, Rew, Port Allegany, Eldred Township and Eldred Borough battled the blaze at the two-story home occupied by Bruce and Tracy Stone and their four children. There were no human injuries but several family pets perished in the fire. The house on Looker Mountain Trail was owned by Frank Barton of Rixford.  The Red Cross is assisting the family.

Tanya Comfort of Crosby escaped injury Tuesday night when her Toyota 4-Runner wrecked on Route 46 about three miles south of the McKean/Cameron County line.  State police said the SUV slid out of control on the icy road, skidded into a ditch and rolled over onto its side.

In regional news, state police in Towanda are investigating a robbery taking place between 5:45 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Wednesday at Smokin’ Joe’s Tobacco Shop in the Village of Fassett.  The robber was wearing a gray ski mask, black sunglasses, light brown/yellow zip-up hooded sweatshirt, and baggy gray sweatpants when he ordered a clerk to hand over money at gunpoint. The clerk stuffed an undisclosed amount of cash into a green knapsack and the thief left the store, possibly fleeing on foot. Anyone having information about the hold-up is asked to call Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers Toll free at 1-800-4PA-Tips. All callers will remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) says he’s renewing his commitment to boosting the availability and quality of emergency medical services across Pennsylvania. Causer’s House Bill 1282 proposes transferring state-level EMS responsibilities from the Department of Health to a news created Emergency Medical Services agency. The bill was introduced by Causer, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Ambulance Association. The recommendation was the result of a study conducted by a special bipartisan legislative commission charged with studying ways to improve the delivery of emergency services in Pennsylvania. Causer, who began volunteering as an EMT at age 16 says “we have a good system, but it could be better.” 

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced Thursday that the Lumber Heritage Region will be receiving an $89,000 grant to develop and market a Smethport Mansion District walking tour and the creation of a Civilian Conservation Corps educational video and new interactive exhibits at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Potter County.The Route 6 Heritage Corridor will be given $90,000 to plan and implement regional workshops to help develop US Route 6 businesses, communities and agencies develop and achieve  corridor goals and to do a Heritage Community work plan for Galeton and Coudersport.  The Lumber Heritage Region includes, Potter, Cameron, Elk, McKean, Forest and Warren Counties.

1/19/06

Five people have been charged in connection to two separate timber thefts taking place in late 2004 in Elk County.   Benjamin Tokarcik, 22, Richard Tokarcik, 42 and David Crowell, 51 all of Brockway are accused of cutting down a cherry tree in September 2004 on land owned by John Kocjancic of Johnsonburg. The tree was cut into three logs and removed from the property located off of Walburn Run Road in Horton Township. The tree was valued at $1000.  They are chargd with theft, criminal conspiracy, and receiving stolen property.  Richard Tokarcik, Jr. and two Brockport residents, 39 year old Brian Lemmon and 29 year old Julie Hanson are facing charges for a similar incident allegedly taking place in December 2004 in which another cherry tree was removed from land owned by Edward Kocjancic of Kane and sold to Brookville Wood Products. That tree was valued at $2,000.  All three are charged with criminal conspiracy and receiving stolen property while Lemmon and Tokarcik are also charged with theft.  

Several mishaps were reported across the district Tuesday and Wednesday, but fortunately there were no injuries. State police here say Janine Morley of Genesee was headed north on Route 44 Tuesday night just before 8:00 p.m. when her Ford Taurus began fishtailing while going up a hill, spun around, struck an embankment and rolled over, coming to rest on it’s roof in a ditch. Charges are pending against 19 year old Ronald Willetts of Shinglehouse following a collision Wednesday morning on the McCrae Brook in Ceres Township, McKean County. State police said Willetts was lost control of his Dodge Dakota, allowing it to go off the road and run into three parked vehicles.  A Kane driver has been cited for failing to change his address on his vehicle registration. Troopers discovered that Wednesday morning  after a Buick sedan driven by Chara Ayars spun out of control on slippery Route 6 near the railroad crossing in Wetmore Township, slid off the road, skidded about 75 feet and struck a tree.

An Oswayo man has been charged with criminal mischief for an incident allegedly taking place Tuesday night in that borough. John Vaneerman of Cyclone told state police that Derick Taft had damaged the tail lights and rear bumper on his Ford Taurus while it was parked at an East Main Street residence just before 8:00 p.m.

1/18/06

Tuesday’s freezing rain arrived about 12 hours later than what some forecasters had predicted. The first glazing was observed locally at around 5:00 p.m. and even though temperatures rose through the night into the low 40’s, it wasn’t enough to melt the ice off of many secondary roads in time for the morning commute. However, the Northern Potter School District was the only one in the immediate WFRM listening area to close for the day, after an initial two-hour delay.  Gusty winds throughout the day Wednesday have ushered in cooler temperatures and flurries but the mercury will rebound on Thursday into the mid-forties, making this still one of the mildest Januarys in recent history.

A Randolph, NY driver has been cited for speeding following a crash last night on the West Eldred Road, near the Fowler Brook Road in Eldred Township, McKean County State police said Lynn Gatz was headed north when his sedan went off the road and struck a utility pole. Gatz was taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center as a precaution but was released a short time later.

A Potter County jail inmate has been found to be wanted in New York State.  Sean Piccarreto, 29,  of Rochester, was arrested last week by state police here who claim that during December, the accused stole a check book belonging to Thomas Wheeler of Harrison Valley and then cashed several of the victim’s checks at Kibbe’s BusyMart.  While processing Piccarreto, state police  learned he is wanted by New York State authorities for felony DWI charges. He’s since been arraigned and is now awaiting extradition to the Empire State. Another 29 year old New York resident was apprehended this week in Tioga County on a warrant for assault and aggravated criminal contempt.  Matthew Wheeler of Horseheads was committed to the Tioga County jail in lieu of $50,000 bail awaiting extradition to Chemung County, NY.

State police here have charged 42 year old Tonya Sparks with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.  Troopers claim 76  year old Etelka Mattison loaned her car to Sparks on November 17 with the understanding it would be returned the next day and Sparks has allegedly failed to return the car and has been using it for the last two months.

The Associated Press is reporting today that Adelphia is asking the bankruptcy court to erase more than $3.5 billion in claims made against the cable company.  According to the AP report, the effort is part of an overall strategy by Adelphia to disallow more than $8 billion in claims filed against it during its bankruptcy proceeding.  A hearing on the matter has been scheduled for March 1 in New York City.

Adelphia’s Coudersport employees have issued an appeal for public support of their “Support Our Troops” campaign. Last year, the committee sent out nearly 60 care packages and more than 150 Valentine's Day greetings and letters of support.

Local soldiers, sailors and Marines who are on active duty will receive care packages and messages of support, in time for arrival by Valentine’s Day. The deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 24.

Students from Coudersport Area School District and the Hebron Center Christian School are preparing personalized messages. Adults from the community are also being encouraged to provide personal cards and letters.

In the period immediately following Christmas, there is often a decline in expressions of support for our troops. With so much attention focused on the needs of those affected by Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters, it’s critical that we keep our military personnel in mind.

Here’s how you support the drive between now and Jan. 24:  --The best way to help is a financial donation (made out to "Support Our Troops"). The money will be used to cover shipping costs and purchase specific items recommended by the families of each service member. Collection jars have been placed in several Coudersport area businesses. Donations can be sent to: Support Our Troops, c/o Northwest Savings Bank, 302 N. East St., Coudersport PA 16915.

--Collection boxes for care package items donated by the public are being located in the lobbies of the Adelphia School Building and the Operations Center, both on North Main Street. The following items will be accepted: international calling cards, plastic-coated playing cards, shoe inserts and insoles, music CDs, DVD movies, hometown themed T-shirts, Xbox and PS2 games, foam footballs, frisbees, hackey sacks, new or gently used paperback books and magazines (sports or outdoors preferred), small hand-held games, portable MP3, CD or DVD players, dental floss, deodorant, vitamins, antibiotic cream and batteries (AA preferred).

--The only food items that are being accepted are beef jerky (brand-name only and no pork products), tuna in a pouch, Slim Jims and powdered Gatorade in packets (very popular).

Area military organizations and community organizations are being asked to assist the Adelphia volunteers by donating to the cause and helping to compile a list of area active-duty personnel deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and other foreign nations. If you know of someone from the area who is deployed with the armed forces and would appreciate a care package, please contact Lorraine Yarborough at 274-6992 or Paul Heimel at 274-6329.  Adelphia’s team of volunteers has received valuable assistance from the U.S. Defense Department and a non-profit military support groups, 4 The Troops.

1/17/06

A Smethport bus driver has been charged with careless driving following a crash Monday afternoon in which a seven year old passenger was injured. State police said 67 year old Nancy Nick lost control of the 1998 Chevy van when she reached to move a book bag and the unit crossed to the other side of the highway and struck a dirt embankment. The youngster suffered minor injuries while Nick was unhurt. Minor injuries were also reported for an elderly Harrison Valley driver whose SUV wrecked Monday morning on the Whites Corners Road in Harrison Township.  Troopers said 75 year old James Keating lost control of his Chevy Blazer on a right hand curve. The vehicle began to fishtail and crossed both lanes of the highway, before running into a tree along the west berm.  Keating was taken to Soldiers and Sailors Hospital in Wellsboro for treatment.

Emporium-based state police are probing the theft of some prescription medication from an East 6^th Street residence Monday. Sometime between 6:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. someone entered the home of Cortney Housler through a basement window and removed 80-85 Vicodin tablets from her bedroom.

A criminal mischief taking place between 2:00 p.m. Saturday and 5:00 p.m. Sunday is being probed by State Police here.  Vandals punctured a tire on Lori Witucki’s car while it was parked at her residence on Main Street in Genesee.

1/16/06

The investigation is continuing into a theft victimizing an elderly Galeton resident over the past several months. Authorities say a known suspect took bank information from 84 year old Howard Heggenstaller, wrote checks and withdrew money from the account without the victim’s complete knowledge.

Kane Based state police ay 24 year old Erika Hess of Bradford received minor injuries in a crash at about 1:00 a.m. Monday on Route 646 three miles north of Route 346 in Otto Township when her Chevy S-10 went out of control while rounding aright hand curve. The truck went off the road, struck a dirt embankment, then came back onto the highway before coming to rest in the northbound lane. Hess has been cited for speeding.

A Coudersport woman and her 13 year old passenger received moderate injuries Saturday afternoon on Route 872 about a mile south of the Ladona intersection in Eulalia Township. State police said Cheryl Ianson was headed south when her Dodge SUV slid off the icy highway and overturned.  Neither the driver nor the passenger was wearing a seatbelt.

Severe injuries were reported for a Smethport teen whose car wrecked Sunday afternoon on Route 770 in Keating Township. State police said 18 year old Sarah Gee  was not wearing a seatbelt when her westbound Saturn Coupe went out of control on an icy patch, slid off the road and struck a tree. It took several minutes before emergency workers could free her from the wreckage. She was flown by helicopter to Hamot Medical Center in Erie.

DUI charges are pending against 56 year old Susan Petriello of Ulysses following a collision last Thursday evening on Route 49 near the Ulysses Lumber Mill. State police said Petriello suffered moderate injuries when her eastbound Dodge Neon ran into a tractor trailer driven by Aubry Francois of Quebec Canada which was turning east onto 49 from the mill. Petriello was taken to Charles Cole Hospital for treatment of her injuries and was allegedly determined to be DUI. The truck driver escaped injury.

A “brotherly” fisticuff Thursday evening ended up in one teen being treated for a broken nose and bruises and the other being charged with assault and harassment. Authorities say the youths argued at their home on Simmons Hill Road in Hector Township and one of the was taken to Charles Cole Hospital for treatment. Police did not even reveal the ages of the boys.

Troopers at Emporium are probing the theft of a Harley Davidson sign from a garage owned by Nora Cressley on Route 120 in Shippen Township, last Thursday during daylight hours. The orange and black sign was valued at $150.

1/13/06

The 90^th annual Pennsylvania Farm Show will wind up tomorrow in Harrisburg, and maybe for the first time ever, the weatherman has cooperated with spring-like weather to make the trip easier to make.  Several area FFA members received the prestigious Keystone Degree during ceremonies earlier in the week. Potter County members being honored included Beau Risser, Brandon Cole, Byron Mills, Caleb Morris, Chris Baker, Dan White, Emily Martin, Glenn Dunn, Jr., Kurt McCaslin, Philip Risser and Eric Peangetelli. As mentioned in an earlier newscast this week, Potter County Maple Producers Charles Nelson and Larry Hamilton brought home awards from the Farm Show.

State police here are investigating a criminal mischief taking place yesterday on the Sunnyside Side Road in Sharon Township. Vandals, using a hand saw cut three-quarters of  the way through a 16 foot Blue Spruce, about three feet off the ground before departing. The tree was located in the yard at the Frank Lyautey residence.

A 16 year old Roulette girl has been arrested on charges of underage possession of alcohol. State police allege they found the teen in possession of two cans of beer Wednesday evening just before 7:00 p.m. at a location along Railroad Avenue in the village.

Troopers at Emporium are investigating a scattering of rubbish incident taking place sometime over the past week on Waldy Run Road, two and a half miles off of old North Creek Road in Shippen Township.  Several items were dumped along that road and anyone who may have information about it is asked to contact the Emporium barracks at 486-3321,

1/12/06

A Rochester, NY man has been committed to the Potter County jail in lieu of $20,000 bail on charges of theft, fraud and forgery. State police claim that 29 year old Sean Piccarreto stole a check book belonging to Thomas Wheeler of Harrison Valley  in mid-December and then cashed several checks at Kibbe’s BusyMart. 

State police at Kane have charged Patrick Dowell of Lewis Run with burglary, harassment  and DUI for an incident allegedly taking place Tuesday night on Pine Run Road in Lafayette Township.  State police claim that Dowell went to the home of  David Baker attempting to collect $1600 he was owed.  Dowell reportedly threatened Baker several times and said he wasn’t going to leave until he collected his money. Baker was able to call police and when they arrived, they allegedly found that Dowell had driven to the residence while under the influence of alcohol.  After being arraigned on the charges, Dowell was released on his own recognizance.

Scott Banner of, 48 of Kane has been charged with DUI after troopers were called about an erratic driver headed south on Route 219 near Lantz Corners Tuesday night. The caller described the vehicle and gave a partial license number. When police pulled Banner over, they allegedly found him to under the influence.

A theft and criminal mischief incident  taking place between December 26 and this past Wednesday in Corydon Township. Someone cut a copper gas line and removed a four tank regulator and two 100 pound propane tanks from property on Holy Hemlock Lane owned by Bradford NuGas.

A couple of Potter County  maple producers have received awards at the 90^th Annual Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. Charles Nelson of Genesee received three first place awards for his maple products and Larry Hamilton of Ulysses received four prizes for his maple products including the “Best of Show” syrup.  Flickerwood Wine Cellar in McKean County received five bronze medals and one silver during judging earlier this week.

PennDOT has announced that crews will be making emergency repairs on Main Street in Austin, near the Borough office on Friday, January 13 from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Delays and a possible minor detour can be expected.

1/11/06

The Potter County Visitors Association is hosting a public meeting on the Pennsylvania Wilds at the Coudersport American Legion beginning at 5:30 p.m. this afternoon. Representatives from the state department of Conservation and Natural Resources will give an update on the status of Lyman Lake, the efforts concerning the Dark Sky park at Cherry Springs State Park, and the business incubator project at Sinnemahoning State park. Officials from the Pennsylvania Tourism office will present a review of past and futures advertising campaigns and various business development projects that are currently underway.  There will be a time for questions and answers and the public is encouraged to attend.  The Pennsylvania Wilds is an initiative that has developed over the past two years to coordinate and promote tourism in 12 central Pennsylvania counties, including Potter, McKean, Cameron, Elk, and Tioga, among others. During last week’s meeting of the Potter County Commissioners, the board voted to support the concept of the Wilds, but tabled action on an ordinance regarding the Wilds until the document can be studied by County Solicitor D. Bruce Cahilly.

An Austin woman received moderate injuries in a one-vehicle crash Monday afternoon on Cowley Hill Road about two miles east of Route 155 in Portage Township. State police said Sharon Geci was headed east when her Ford Explorer went out of control after negotiating a left hand curve, fishtailed back and forth across the highway several times before it struck the guardail with the  front end, then the drivers side. The SUV then traveled over the guard rail and rolled onto the driver’s side, coming to rest in a ditch. A five year old female  passenger received minor injuries. Geci was not wearing a seatbelt and the youngster was not riding in a child safety seat, according to police.

State police at Kane have cited Suzanne Evens of Port Allegany with careless driving following a one-vehicle crash Tuesday morning on Route 155 about a half mile south of Route 446 in Eldred Township. Troopers said Evens was headed south at about 10:20 a.m. when she nodded off, causing her sedan to go off the road and strike several trees.

Minor injuries were reported for a Kane driver and her passenger after a collision Tuesday afternoon on Route 321 just north of Route 6 in Wetmore Township. Authorities said the collision occurred when Nathan Mealy of Kane attempted to make a left turn just as Erin Bowen, also of Kane tried to pass him while both were headed south.  The Bowen GMC Jimmy glanced off the left front fender of Mealy’s Ford F250 then spun out of control when Bowen tried to regain control, spun off the road and rolled over coming to rest along the highway on the drivers side.  Her passenger was identified as Daniel Krowenwetter, also of Kane.

1/10/06

The Potter County Commissioners, during their January 5 meeting, approved a resolution authorizing a revolving loan in the amount of $900,000 from the First National Bank of Port Allegany with the annual interest rate of 4%.  The tax anticipation loan must be repaid before the end of the calendar year, and funds will be available for Potter County Human Services as well as county obligations.  Jim Kockler, PCHS Executive Director who attended the meeting thanked the commissioners for including Human Services in the loan, noting that payments and reimbursements from the state are sometimes slow in arriving and this will give the department flexibility to continue its programs without compromising services.  The 4% rate was the lowest submitted by area banks. The commissioners said Northwest Savings had offered 4.45%; Citizens Trust, 4.64% and First Citizens (Wellsboro office), 5.85%.

State police here are investigating a cruelty to animals incident taking place Saturday between 12:30 p.m. and 1:45 in Oswayo Township. Richard Nelson, Jr. of Oswayo told authorities he found his five month old puppy dead at the end of his driveway and troopers say it appears the dog had been shot with a small caliber weapon after possibly being injured or struck by a vehicle. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police locally at 274-8690.

An Emporium man has been charged with harassment for a domestic violence incident  allegedly taking place Monday in his home. Authorities claim 52 year old Ernest Reuthers kicked his wife, Theresa in the ankle, causing injury.

The persons suspected of dumping garbage along the Jo Jo Road in Wetmore Township, McKean County has been cited for scattering rubbish. State police at Kane say their investigation found that 24 year old Jeffrey Eastman of Kane was the one who left three boxes of trash and animal carcasses along that road near Kane Stone which were discovered on Sunday.

Apparently there was no damage when volunteer firefighters were summoned to a residence in the Coudersport Mobile Home Park early Tuesday. Volunteers were called just before 3:00 a.m. to the Robert Smith home but apparently nothing was found and all units were back in service a short time later.

1/09/06

Moderate injuries were reported for a Smethport woman following a crash Sunday morning on Route 46 about a mile south of the North Creek Road in Cameron County. State police said Carrie Kisko, who was not wearing a seatbelt,  was hurt when she was thrown around the inside of her 2002 Jeep Liberty station wagon after it slid across the snow-covered road and hit a guardrail at around 6:30 a.m.Three Potter County teenagers escaped injury in two separate crashes on Saturday.  Elizabeth Paisley, 18, of Genesee was able to climb out of her Ford Explorer after it slid across icy Route 49near Cobb Hill Road in Allegany Township at about 2:30 p.m. and rolled over.  Adam Knapp, 18, of Coudersport was headed north at about 7:20 p.m. when his Pontiac Grand AM went off the road while rounding a right hand curve on Route 449 about six miles south of Genesee and struck a guardrail. Both Knapp and his passenger, Steven Bernard, also 18 and from Coudersport, were wearing seatbelts.

Troopers here are probing some recent burglaries occurring in Bingham and Harrison Township. Sometime over the past month, thieves took a 20 pound propane tank with regulator from a camp on the Whitehead Road in Bingham Township owned by Gill Contant of Coudersport. The tank is valued at $20. During the past six weeks, would-be thieves broke a window and damaged a deadbolt at a camp located about a half mile south of the village of North Fork owned by Stanley Rothenberger of Perkiomenville, pa but apparently took nothing.  And, sometime between 11:00 p.m. last Wednesday and noon on Thursday, someone took a small stack of firewood belonging to Joseph DeAngelis, Jr. from his residence at about the same location.

1/06/06

A Coudersport woman was hurt yesterday in a three-car collision in Bradford. City police said the pile up occurred when a truck driven by Denise Lyons of Bradford was traveling on the wrong side of East Main Street and struck a car driven by Melinda Brown of Coudersport, then continued on and struck a second car driven by Michael Roarty of Looker Mountain Trail.  Brown was taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center for treatment. Lyons has been charged with DUI, driving with suspended license, reckless driving and other traffic offenses.  She reportedly tried to leave the scene but was stopped when a witness grabbed her keys.

Injuries were reported for an Emporium woman and her passenger Regional Medical Center for following a one-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon on Route 120 about three miles east of that town. State police said Jeannie Hoffower lost control of her northbound Dodge Neon, causing the unit to go off the road and roll over before coming to rest. Both women were taken to Elk Regional Medical center for treatment of their injuries. Police said Hoffower was wearing a seatbelt, but her passenger,  Kim Guisto, also of Emporium was not.

In McKean County Court news, a Roulette man has withdrawn his guilty plea for aggravated indecent assault claiming he is innocent of the crime.  David Page, 46, was charged with rape, sexual assault, unlawful restraint and aggravated indecent assault for an incident allegedly taking place in November 2004 in Port Allegany. Police claimed Page had sexual intercourse without the victim’s consent but he claims sex was consensual.  He had entered the guilty plea in August but will now go to trial as soon as a date can be set by the court.

Area police are advising residents of a series of scams taking place across the region. Kane Borough police report that some businesses have received letters from Market Media in Plattsburgh, NY.  The letter contains an invoice number and date with description of services; gives a price and has an attached envelope with return payment and sometimes a toll free number listed. Police say there is no such business and the perpetrators are counting on some people just paying the phony bill without investigating. State Police at Emporium say they have come across several scam mailings and telephone solicitations in Cameron County recently.  Police warn that if an offer cannot be easily verified, if it requires you spending money to win an unconfirmed prize or if the offer requires personal financial information for a prize, it is probably a scam.  Police say never release personal information to those requestors. And  a Muncy man who was attempting to obtain a loan from a company called the Citilife Financial group. The man was faxed a copy of a loan agreement then asked to send $850 dollars to an address in Canada to secure the loan. He was then contacted to send an additional $850 dollars and refused, requesting that his money be returned. Police were contacted and say the website and telephone number are not longer in use, and the investigation continues.  Authorities suggest checking with the Pennsylvania Securities Commission at www.psc.state.pa.us or call 1-800-600-0007 to learn more about money scams.

01/05/06

The State Police Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of a fire which destroyed a 100’ x 32’ foot barn on the West Valley Road near Crosby in McKean County Wednesday morning.  A cow and several chickens were killed in the blaze but there were no human injuries. Damage to the barn owned by Kenneth Doutt is estimated to be about $150,000.  Volunteers from Norwich Township, Smethport, Port Allegany, Eldred Township and Emporium Fire Departments responded to the scene while Eldred Borough and Clermont companies stood by under the mutual aid system.

Troopers here have charged a Smethport driver with speeding in connection to a collision taking place around noontime back on December 27 in the village of Gold. Authorities said the collision occurred when Clifford Fillhart III failed to notice that Rachel Howe of Genesee was slowing for a vehicle ahead, and allowed his Toyota Camry to run into the back of  Howe’s Ford Explorer. Both drivers escaped injury as did three passengers in Fillhart’s car and a teenage passenger in Howe’s car.

State police are also looking for a black 2003 Chevrolet  truck which caused $400 in damage to a sluice pipe at the end of the driveway on property owned by Kathryn Cook on East Honeoye Street about a half mile south of the New York State line.  The incident took place during the early morning hours of November 29, 2005.

Each year preparations are made for the arrival of the New Year¹s Baby at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport. Some years, the little one arrives on January 1 and some years it¹s several days before the new arrival claims the title. This year, things were quiet in the maternity unit at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital until the evening of January 3 when Emily Myers checked in and shortly thereafter became the mother of triplets!
 
This is an especially exciting time for the staff at the Hospital because Emily is a nursing supervisor at the hospital. She and her husband, Thomas Myers, Jr., had known for several months that their family was to grow dramatically in size some time in early 2006. The babies were due in late February and plans were in place for the babies to be delivered in Elmira,
N.Y. where there is a neonatal intensive care unit.
 
A sudden complication indicated that the babies would be need to be delivered at the local hospital. First to arrive was Thomas A. Myers III, who weighed four pounds, 10.6 ounces. His arrival was followed shortly by sisters, Savannah at four pounds, 4.9 ounces and Sierra at four pounds, 7.7 ounces. Dr. Celso Backes was assisted by Dr. Barbara Wotherspoon for the Caesarian delivery and pediatricians Dr. Mary Ann Rigas, Dr. Chevaughn Daniel and Dr. Phillips Wedemyer cared for the newborns.
 
Soon after birth, the babies were transferred to Arnot Ogden Hospital in Elmira, N.Y. All three are doing well, according to their mother, and are expected to remain in the neonatal intensive care unit there for several weeks before they will return home.
 
Thomas and Emily Myers live in Coudersport and have an older daughter, Adelaide, who is two. Maternal grandparents are Garry and Bonnie Jeannerat of  Marble, PA. Paternal grandparents are Thomas and Debra Myers of Knox, PA. Maternal great-grandmother is Ruth Jeannerat of Clarion, PA. Paternal great-grandparents are Jane Rudler of Franklin PA and Bill and Janet Myers of Buckhorn, PA.
 
Area merchants have donated prizes for the new arrival and most agreed to triple their offerings which include baby gifts, gift certificates and savings bonds.

01/04/06

DUI charges are being filed against a Coudersport woman following a “non-reportable” crash Monday night on Route 44, just south of Old Route 49 in Eulalia Township.  Troopers said Heidi Honey’s Dodge Daytona went off the road and became stuck in a mound of plowed snow. When officers investigated, they allegedly found her to be driving under the influence and took her to Charles Cole Hospital for chemical testing.  Honey is also being charged with failing to have insurance, failing to stay on roadways laned for traffic, speeding and careless driving. She escaped injury in the mishap.

Potter County Commissioner John Torok announced during a board meeting last month, that the Department of Agriculture will be conducting a “Chem Sweep” this spring.  According to Torok, farmers who have out-of-date, obsolete, not-approved chemicals will be able to take them to a designated place for pick up.  Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2006 and the pick-up will be conducted this coming July or August. Applications will be available in the Potter County Commissioners’ office in the court house and are also available online at the Department of Agriculture’s website. There will be no cost or penalties assessed.

Speaking of agriculture, nearly half-a-million people will attend the largest indoor agricultural exposition in America next week in Harrisburg and experience Pennsylvania’s agricultural achievements. This year’s Farm Show is themed An Agricultural Tradition for Generations and many displays, events and activities will be focused on the shared experiences visitors have enjoyed for the last 90 years. Ag Secretary Dennis Wolff will unveil a new, groundbreaking initiative on Thursday, Jan. 12, that will transition farms whose farmers are nearing retirement and preserve the number of active farms in the state. The Secretary has invited the public to help open this year's show by attending the annual Farm Show Dinner, Friday, Jan. 6. The 7 p.m. dinner begins with a reception an hour earlier. Country Legend, an internationally acclaimed band, will provide entertainment. Tickets are $40 and seating is limited.The 90th anniversary Pennsylvania Farm Show  will feature some 10,000 animals, 8,000 competitive exhibits and 270 commercial exhibitors. In addition, more than $370,000 in premiums will be offered to exhibitors. Admission is free. Parking is $5. For more information, or to make a reservation for the opening dinner, visit www.farmshow.state.pa.us. In keeping with a long-standing tradition, WFRM-AM 600 will be broadcasting daily reports from the Farm Show.

01/03/06

Kane-based state police say bald tires and excessive speed were the cause of a one-vehicle crash Monday afternoon on Route 155 just south of Rock Run Road in Liberty Township, outside of Port Allegany. Troopers said David Lipps of Bradford lost control of his 2002 Ford Mustang when he tried to pass another vehicle. The coupe spun off the road and struck a utility pole. Lipps escaped injury but his passenger, Casey Abbott., also of Bradford was taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries.

Two Genesee area teens have been charged with harassment for an incident allegedly taking place Monday afternoon at the intersection of Route 244 and the Smoker Road in Genesee Township. Authorities say the 15 year old boy and 16 year old girl residing at 1138 Smoker Road, Genesee used inappropriate language and hand gestures toward the 11 year old victim and hit the victim in the eye and temple.

 Troopers at Kane have also filed harassment charges in two separate incidents investigated recently by their department.  Authorities say that while investigating a custody dispute in mid-December, the grandfather told them he was upset over the type of discipline his three year old grandson had received from the mother’s boyfriend, 19 year old James Baker of Smethport.  Police say Baker reportedly put hot sauce in the child’s mouth in an attempt to punish him and the investigation is continuing.  And, one of the McKean County Jail inmates involved in a fight during the morning of December 24 has been cited for harassment. State police allege 19 year old Darryl Sherlock of Warren punched 42 year old Terry Isadore in the head several times. Both are currently serving time on other charges.

Volunteers at the Christmas House in Coudersport will be accepting non-perishable food to be given to Katrina victims in Mississippi. Alyce Reese tells WFRM that volunteers from Stepping Stones who took toys to Mississippi for Christmas found that food is a daily issue for the survivors. Mrs. Reese will be accepting donations at the Christmas House from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. January 8, 9, 10 and 11.  Please no glass containers or rusty or bad cans.

01/02/06

Coudersport-based state police say they will release more information when charges of attempted rape are filed against a known suspect. Authorities claim that while investigating another rape case involving the suspect, they learned that he allegedly committed the crime between June 7 and August 5, 2004 at a Main Street Coudersport residence while the female juvenile was under his care and supervision. Troopers say the young girl was able to escape to a secure area and lock herself inside until her mother arrived. State police here apprehended a man wanted in New Jersey as a fugitive from justice. Police took 34-year-old John S. Malaczewski into custody Wednesday afternoon at a residence on Blass Hollow Road in the Galeton area. Arraigned before District Judge Barbara Easton, the accused was committed to the Potter County Jail, pending extradition. According to police, Malaczewski was wanted by Little Egg Harbor Township Police in New Jersey for stealing firearms, knives, jewelry and a stereo system, and for illegal possession of weapons.

A Kane teenager escaped injury, but the car she was driving was severely damaged, in a one-vehicle crash shortly after 9 o’clock Sunday morning on Rt. 6 in Hamilton Township. State police from Kane said 18-year-old Adrienne Lee lost control of the car while she was rounding a curve and the vehicle crashed into the guide rails. Lee, who was wearing her seat belt, will be cited for a safe speed violation, police said.

Minor injuries were reported for another Kane resident and a young passenger following a crash at around noontime Sunday. State police said Angela Allegretto lost control of her GMC Jimmy while negotiating a left turn. When she oversteered, the SUV went off the east side of the road and rolled over.  Allegretto and her three young children were taken to Kane Community Hospital where she and an 8 month old child were treated.  The other two children, ages 4 and two years, escaped injury.

A Hebron Township resident reported an incident of harassment by communications to police over the weekend. Joseph D. Dubots, age 34, told state police at Denton Hill that an unknown victim telephoned his residence at about 3:20 Friday morning, making threats against his life and property. Police are continuing their investigation. Meanwhile, state police from Kane are investigating a similar incident, in which an unknown person made harassing phone calls on two occasions to a Keating Township resident. Police did not release the victim’s name.

State police from Kane are also investigating a criminal mischief incident occurring to a private property next to the Otto-Eldred High School in Duke Center. Sometime between Christmas Eve and this past Friday morning, motor vehicles were driven onto the lawn of Edward Lyons. Spinning tires caused about $500 in damage, police said.

A Kane resident faces a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol, after being stopped for a turn signal violation in the borough on Friday night. State police from Kane said 58-year-old Dennis D. Rockwell was also cited for two traffic violations.

Both individuals were charged with simple assault and harassment after state police from Emporium responded to an altercation at a home along Rt. 120 in Shippen Township on New Year’s Eve at about 10 o’clock. Police said a verbal dispute between Dennis M. Cressley, 46, and Nora B. Cressley, 41, became physical.

Police also report that somebody made off with a red and white neon sign from the front of the Gold Country Store at the intersection of Rts. 49 and 449 in that northern Potter County village. The incident occurred sometime between Christmas night and this past Thursday morning.

And state police investigated a break-in at the Roulette Fish and Game Club on Seymour Drive sometime between late Thursday and 8 o’clock Friday morning. The culprit used blunt force to gain access, then rummaged through cabinets and pried open a cash drawer, but apparently did not take anything, according to police.

Members of the E. O. Austin Historical Society in the Borough of Austin have announced that their replica of the home occupied by the town’s founder, E. O. Austin, is now open for public tours. The structure, a nearly identical match, is located on the town square, a stone’s throw from the site of the original. Inside is a collection of valued memorabilia that tells the story of Austin’s formative years on through the town’s contributions to World War II. Ron Ebbert, the driving force behind the project, points out that Austin has a very rich heritage, as well as a reputation for rebounding from adversity, such as major fires and the tragic flood of 1911. Free museum tours will be offered beginning today and continuing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 1:00 to 4:00, and on Thursday nights from 4:00 to 7:00. A grand opening ceremony will be held at the museum on May 14.  

In local sports, the spotlight shifts back from high school wrestling to basketball this week. The Coudersport Falcon boys, fresh off a championship in the local holiday basketball tournament, travel to Galeton for a make-up game tonight. Junior varsity competition starts at 6 o’clock and the varsity game will follow.

Smethport High School won the team title and several local wrestlers were crowned champions during Friday’s highly competitive Olean Big 30 Wrestling Classic. Among the individual winners were the Oswayo Valley duo of Zeke Drake and Trent Filer, as well as Coudersport’s Joe Cumby and Kody Frederick.

02/28/06

A teenage passenger was hurt in a rear-end collision Monday just before noon near Connie’s Market in Bingham Township. State police said the collision occurred when William Potter of Ulysses, who was traveling east failed to notice that Bonnie Norton, also of Ulysses, had stopped her eastbound car, waiting to make a left turn into the parking area, and allowed his Mercury Grand Marquis to run into the passenger side rear of Norton’s Chevy Cavalier. Potter’s sedan continued on after impact, into a ditch on the south side of the road. Ruth North, 18, was taken to Charles Cole Hospital for evaluation of back pain.  Both drivers and two passengers, ages 16 and 10 months in the Norton car escaped injury.

Troopers overnight released details about a couple of crashes taking place over the weekend. Authorities say Matthew Triponey of Shinglehouse escaped injury Sunday afternoon when his Dodge Stratus hit snow on the Eleven Mile road in Oswayo Township, spun 180 degrees, slid off the road and struck four fence posts and a pine tree before coming to rest. The investigation is continuing into a crash taking place early Sunday on Route 449 about two miles north of Route 6 in Ulysses Township. State police said Chad Casher of Wellsboro, was traveling north on the snow-covered road when his Chevy Corsica slid off the road while negotiating a left hand curve, and traveled through a pull off area and struck a tree.  Casher and three passengers, Amanda Allman of Oliver, NY and two unknown females, fled the scene on foot.

 The Coudersport Lady Falcons will be playing Elk County Catholic tonight in District 9 Class A play-offs. Tip off time is 7:00 p.m. at the Pitt-Bradford gym.  We will be broadcasting the game on AM 600 WFRM starting at about 6:45 p.m. and the game will be streamed over the internet from our website, www.wfrm.net.  Just  follow the prompts to hear the game on your computer. The Coudersport boys will be playing Ridgway tomorrow night, also at Pitt-Bradford. That game will also air on WFRM-AM.

2/27/06

A Wellsville, New York woman is facing numerous summary traffic charges following  a one-vehicle crash last Thursday morning near the intersection of Butter Creek Road and East Honeoye Street in Sharon Township. State police said Tracy Goodwill has headed west when her Ford-150  pick-up went out of control on a right hand curve, crossed the road, struck an embankment and went up an embankment before rolling onto the passenger side where it came to rest.  Two young children were taken to Olean General Hospital for treatment of minor injuries while the driver and a third passenger escaped injury. Goodwill has been cited for careless driving, failing to drive at a safe speed, and obstructed view. 

DUI charges have been filed against 58 year old Ronald Metzler of Roulette following a “non-reportable” crash Saturday evening on Route 6 about two miles east of Port Allegany. State police said Metzler’s Chevrolet Lumina slid off the icy road and went into a ditch and when police investigated, they allegedly found him to be driving under the influence.

A Smethport man has been charged with DUI, damage to unattended vehicle, careless driving, failing to drive at a safe speed and other summary traffic offenses in connection to a hit and run taking place early Saturday morning.  State police at Kane claim 31 year old Jason Carter lost control of his GMC Safari van while talking on a cell phone. The vehicle went off of Route 6 and struck a legally parked Ford Windstar van owned by Liu Hong of Arcade, NY and pushed it about 60 feet, coming to rest at the intersection of Franklin Street. Carter allegedly left the scene but was located a short time later at his W. Water Street residence.

State police locally are looking for a vehicle with a damaged oil pan following a hit and run on Sweden Hill Road Friday between 2:00 and 11:00 a.m. Friday.  The eastbound vehicle went off the road, traveled across the driveway at the James Wenrich residence, struck a fence post, then continued across the cement base of the fence post, backed up, just missing a bench and took off in an easterly direction, leaving an oil trail. 

A couple of Austin area residents are facing terroristic threat charges following separate incidents on Thursday.  A student at the Austin Area School is being processed in Juvenile Probation Court after allegedly threatening the life of Cathy Dewey, a Learning Support Teacher at about 1:15 that afternoon.  Clarence Pritt, 60, is accused of throwing a chair and hitting a young girl in the hand during an incident at a Keating Township residence taking place at around 5:30 p.m. State police  also contend Pritt threatened 43 year old Kristie Jo Pritt while grabbing her around the neck  and threatened 18 year old Shawn Pritt while grabbing and pushing him.

2/24/06

Coudersport-based state police are asking for information which will help them piece together what actually happened to 39 year old Jennifer Pinchock of Roulette Wednesday night.  She was found lying on Main Street in the village near the entrance of the Horseshoe Trailer Court where she lives, bleeding with a serious head wound. She was lifeflighted to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre where she is reported to be in critical, but stable condition. So far, police have determined that Pinchock became intoxicated while drinking in Port Allegany and called a known suspect asking for a ride home. During the ride back to Roulette an argument became physical.  Troopers say Pinchock may have jumped from a moving vehicle which caused the serious head injury but the investigation continues. Authorities say they will not release any further details so as not to hinder the investigation which is on-going. They promise details will be released later and ask that anyone who saw Pinchock after 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, to contact them at the local barracks, 274-8690.

Victoria Smith, 33, of Shinglehouse has been released on unsecured bail after being arraigned on charges of simple assault and harassment for an incident allegedly taking place early Thursday morning at a residence on Honeoye Street. State police claim Smith struck 29year old Daniel Calhoun multiple times during an argument, causing cuts, abrasions and a chipped tooth.

James Hoopes, 24,of Ulysses has been charged with fleeing and eluding police for an incident allegedly taking place late Wednesday night on Route 6 about a half mile east of Route 449 in Ulysses Township.  Troopers claim Hoopes led a patrol car on a mile chase when he first failed to stop when they tried to pull him over for speeding.  He was taken into custody a short time later without further incident.

Emporium-based state police are probing a burglary taking place Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. at the home of Ann Heglen on Howard Circle in that town. Someone entered the residence during that period of time and stole various prescription medications. 

The Potter County Human Services Area Agency on Aging held their annual Holiday Meals Program Fundraiser from November 2005 - February 2006 with great success. All donations received will be used to help offset the cost of home delivered meals, commonly referred to as "meals on wheels" during the winter months when the need for this service is often greater. Donations collected totaled $17,829, which will cover the cost of 4,165 home delivered meals or approximately three months worth of home delivered meals. Persons donating $20 or more will receive five winter scene note cards, drawn by local artist Laurie Shear, as soon as they are received from the printer. During the Holiday Meals Program Fundraiser, donations were received from the general public, businesses, churches, unions and other organizations. Proceeds from Sweden Valley Manor's Annual Golf Tournament were also donated to the Holiday Meals Program fundraiser. Skyline Fleet Management, who manages the Adelphia vehicle fleet generously donated $2,000. Holiday Meals collection cans were located at the following businesses: Erways, Under The Lilacs, Potter Leader-Enterprise, Books In The Den, Buchanan Bros. Pharmacy, Hotel Crittenden, Valley Hardware, Shinglehouse Citgo, Shinglehouse IGA, Galeton IGA, Shinglehouse Saloon, Costas, Coudersport Fox's Pizza and Mac's Country Store 

In addition to monetary donations, Potter County Penn Dot collected over 500 canned goods which were given to needy seniors. Brittany Krog, Penn Dot's Vo-tech Student Intern, coordinated this event. Two individuals also donated $1,200 to purchase gift certificates for groceries, which were distributed to senior citizens to help them cover the cost of their Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

 The finale' of the Holiday Meals Program Fundraiser was the third annual Chicken-n-Biscuit dinner held on February 19, 2006 sponsored by the Hotel Crittenden. Staff of the Area Agency on Aging served as waitresses/waiters for the dinner and provided a wide array of deserts. A profit of $649 was earned from the Chicken-n-Biscuit dinner.

Donna Foust, Director of the Area Agency on Aging, said the community support has been overwhelming for the home delivered meals program. Foust advised that a waiting list for new home delivered meals consumers had been in effect for six months in 2004, due to funding shortfalls. "The generous donations received over the past two years have provided the needed financial support to postpone the need for another waiting list for home delivered meals." Foust reported "the AAA serves over 1,300 home delivered meals each month at a cost averaging $5,800. Both hot and frozen home delivered meals are prepared and delivered in Potter County.  Many recipients are homebound and too frail to cook a balanced meal. Some recipients have such low incomes that they cannot afford to purchase nutritious food. Others may be recuperating from an illness or injury and cannot cook. Most of us do not have to worry where our next meal is coming from, but there are some senior citizens that rely on home delivered meals as their main, and sometimes only meal."

"Due to the increasing need for home delivered meals and lack of adequate funding, the AAA relies on donations all year to keep the program running to meet the demand." Foust commended everyone who has supported the home delivered meals program though donations and/or volunteer efforts. She said that without the devotion of home delivered meals volunteers this program would not be as successful. " Many friendships have been made and sometimes the meal volunteer is the only person the home delivered meal recipient sees all week," Foust added.

Donations are accepted all year long and can be mailed to: Potter County Area Agency on Aging, P.O. Box 241, Roulette, PA 16746. All donations received for home delivered meals are only used to purchase meals for eligible senior citizens.

2/23/06

Coudersport-based state police are asking help from the public to shed light on an aggravated assault incident apparently taking place early this morning in the village of Roulette. Authorities say 39 year old Jennifer Pinchock was found lying along Main Street in front of HorseshoeCourt Drive bleeding from an apparent head trauma.  She was airlifted to Robert Packer Hospital where she is listed in critical condition. Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 274-8690. 

State police at Kane report they are investigating a case of unstamped cigarettes. They say a 48 year old female suspect was pulled over Wednesday on Route 219 at Meade Run Road in Hamlin Township when a patrol officer noticed suspicious activity in her vehicle. Authorities say they obtained permission to search her car and found 237 packs of unstamped cigarettes inside. The investigation is continuing.

In regional news, a fire caused by workmen using a cutting torch caused minimal damage at the River Valley Country Club Wednesday morning. The men tired to put the fire out themselves and suffered smoke inhalation. They were treated at the scene by EMTs with the Sabinsville Ambulance Company.  Firefighters from the Cray Hose Company in Westfield were assisted by members of the Knoxville and Clymer departments. The club is located along Bailey and Burrous Road in Westfield Township, just east of Westfield Borough in northwestern Tioga County.

It now appears that the case of an anthrax infection with a connection to Mansfield University may have been caused by exposure to untreated animal hides.  Yesterday afternoon the Pennsylvania Department of Health notified area media including WFRM that a man who had collapsed during a dance performance last Thursday night at the university  is being treated at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre for an anthrax infection. Health officials held a public meeting last night at Mansfield to assure students and the community at large  that there was no health threat for them or personnel taking care of 44 year old Vado Diomande.  Officials believe he may have contracted the disease from raw animal hides that he imports from Africa to make drums.  In fact, he had just returned from a trip to Africa before falling ill at Mansfield.

2/22/06

The State Health Department late this afternoon issued a news release confirming that a 44 year old New York City resident who performed at a recent musical event at Mansfield University has tested positive for a case of inhalational anthrax. The man is being treated at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre and is said to be in stable condition. PA DOH Secretary Dr. Calvin Johnson says the man poses no public health threat of transmitting anthrax to the community or the health care providers caring for him. Dr. Johnson says the department has sent a team of public health experts to Mansfield University to talk with and answer questions from any member of the community who may have attended the musical event on Thursday, February 16 at Mansfield where the man performed. There will be a meeting tonight at 7:30 at Straughn auditorium on campus.  The meeting is open to all students and the public.  Officials say transmission of anthrax from human to human is extremely rare, but they are holding the meeting to answer questions and concerns students and the community may have.

Coudersport-based state police are looking for a late model tan or silver car involved in a hit and run last evening on Route 49 about a half mile west of the Bingham Road  in Ulysses.  Troopers say the incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. when the unknown car passed an International dump truck operated by Derek Hamilton of Ulysses while headed east. When the car turned back into the eastbound lane, it clipped the front of the truck. The driver apparently stopped near that location, while Hamilton drove for another half mile to a place where it was safe to pull over. He waited there for the other driver who failed to show up to exchange information. Police say the car would have damage on the right rear. Anyone with information about either the car or the incident is asked to contact the local barracks at 274-8690, 

A Roulette man was almost victimized Tuesday by a telephone scam. State police say an unknown person called Ronald White and told him that he had won a prize and all he had to do to receive it was to provide the caller with his bank account information.  White did not give out the information but police are asking that anyone who has had a similar experience to contact them at the local barracks.

A couple of area residents have been committed to the McKean County jail in lieu of $2,500 bail after being arraigned on charges of burglary, theft, criminal conspiracy, receiving stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia. Authorities claim Carrie Winston of Port Allegany and Adam Rotino of Tennessee Road, Coudersport entered an apartment on Elm Street in Bradford on Sunday and stole a DVD player, movie and a watch. A syringe was allegedly found in the couple’s car. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 8.

Vandalism to a mail box on the North Fork Road in Harrison township is being investigated by state police here.  The mailbox, owned by Ralph Snyder was damaged sometime between 6:00 p.m. Monday and 7:00 a.m. Tuesday.

McKean County DA John Pavlock issued a news release Tuesday afternoon stating that he has fully recovered from a bad sinus infection and allergic food reaction which sent him to Charles Cole Hospital on February 14. Pavlock had been arguing in McKean County Court during a hearing for convicted murderer James McMahon when he became ill and the proceeding had to be halted. McMahon who was found guilty in 2001 for killing Link McDowell during a barroom fight in Bradford is seeking a new trial claiming ineffective counsel during his original trial.

2/21/06

The 9^th annual Chocolate Lover’s Fantasy held on February 11^th at St. Eulalia’s Parish Center in Coudersport was a huge success according to Randi Lawrence of A Way Out which benefits from the fundraiser.  Lawrence told WFRM more than 200 people attended the event, and more than $4500 was raised  to  help the non-profit organization which provides a variety of services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.  The event featured a silent and traditional auction of crafts, artwork, and merchandise. Grand prize winner in the Chocolate Contest  was Celeste Hamilton, bakery manager at the Coudersport Jubilee for her Chocolate Caramel Roses Cake, which also took first place in both taste and appearance.  Other winners were Victoria Willoughby for her Chocolate Pinwheel Cake; Natalie Stenhach, Chris Herzig and Kelly Dickerson for their Torino Brownies; and Louise Schaub for her Triple Chocolate Peanut Butter Delight. Entertainment  was provided by the Keystone Express Barbershop Quartet; the Coudersport High School Show Choir; the Essence of Motion Dancers and bass singer Zachary Gascon, accompanied by pianist James Young. 

A St. Marys woman received minor injuries in a one vehicle crash Sunday morning on Cowley Hill Road in Portage Township.  State police said  19 year old Angela Astin was traveling too fast for road conditions when her Chevy Cavalier hit an icy patch, crossed to the other side, struck and struck an embankment.  She was taken to Elk Regional Medical Center in St. Marys for treatment.

 A harassment by telephone incident  is under investigation by troopers. An unknown person made threatening calls to Annette Sims of Austin several times Monday morning within a ten minute span of time.

 State police at Kane have filed harassment charges against all three people involved in an incident last November.  Authorities claim 21 year old Tasha Elliott of Bradford and 26 year old Diane Lozada of Utica, PA made harassing phone calls to Stephanie Gallik of Bradford. Gallik has been charged for harassment and making false reports to law enforcement authorities.

2/20/06

Area fire departments were kept busy over the past weekend but fortunately, despite extremely cold temperatures, and extensive damage, there were no injuries. A Hebron Township family was left homeless when fire of undetermined origin destroyed their home on West Hebron Road Sunday . Some 40 volunteers from Roulette, Coudersport, Port Allegany and Shinglehouse responded to the 5:27 p.m. call to the Randy Pesock residence and remained on the scene for several hours. The state police fire marshal has been asked to investigate the blaze. A storage building housing building and roofing supplies on the Ulysses/Hickox Road  in Bingham Townshp was leveled by a fire discovered by a passerby just before 10:00 a.m. Saturday. The building and contents, belonging to Kleintop Contracting were uninsured according to Tri-Town Assistant Chief Earl Jordan. A vehicle which was parked inside the building was also destroyed. And the cause of a fire which destroyed a home near Bradford Saturday morning remains under investigation.  Damage at the home on Valleybrook Drive owned by Tom and Jane Bowes was estimated to be $150,000 to $200,000. No one was home at the time flames broke out at around 6:30 a.m.A number of vehicle crashes, some weather related and others alcohol related, were investigated over the weekend by area state police. Rachel Bachman, 21, of Ulysses escaped injury Saturday morning when her Dodge Stratus fishtailed on Route 449 and rolled over onto its roof. Norman Huupt of North Bend, PA also escaped injury when his Dodge Stratus wrecked in Keating Township, southern Potter County Saturday afternoon when it went out of control on the snow-covered Route 155 after he passed two other vehicles. The car slid about 1000 feet before skidding off the road, the hit an embankment and traveled another 40 feet in a culvert before coming to rest. Colleen Duffy of Bradford escaped injury Friday afternoon  when her Ford Explorer slid off the snow and ice covered Route 246 about a mile east of Route 646 in Otto Township, McKean County and hit some guardrails.

 DUI charges are pending against Kirk Chester of Rochester, PA following a crash Friday night on Route 146 in Sergeant Township, McKean County. State police said Chester was headed west when his Ford F-150 slid out of control on the snow-covered road and rolled onto the passenger side. Timothy McGonigal, Jr. of Pittsburgh was partially ejected through the passenger side window. He was first taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center and late transferred to Hamot Medical Center in Erie.  Chester and a second passenger James Ermin of Tarentum, PA escaped injury.

2/17/06

Kane-based state police only Friday at noontime released details about a Port Allegany man’s accidental death earlier this week.  Troopers say 44 year old James Spiegel died between 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and 9:00 a.m. Thursday when a kerosene heater in his workshop on Pine Grove Road  ignited his clothing. Authorities say Spiegel was apparently intoxicated and tried unsuccessfully to exit the building.

State police here are investigating a theft involving a Roulette woman’s checking account between December 14, 2005 and January 25, 2006. A known suspect is believed to have taken about $3,000 from Christine Bowser’s account and moved it into an online PayPal account. Authorities are withholding the suspects name pending completion of their investigation.

 A criminal mischief taking place on property located in Bingham Township across from the Northern Potter High School this past Tuesday or Wednesday is also being investigated by state police here.  Someone took down a 50 foot section of electric fence owned by Crystal Kinchen. Troopers said no permanent damages were sustained and Kinchen’s horses were not injured.

The Potter County Commissioners during their regular meeting Thursday, approved an ordinance authorizing the county to enter into an intergovernmental cooperation agreement to establish the Pennsylvania Wilds planning team.  The agreement provides for the cooperation with other 11 other participating counties on mutual planning issues and concerns. The Rendell administration has established the Pennsylvania Wilds as a tourism destination and has pumped money into promoting the area as well as making improvements to state parks in the region in an effort to attract more visitors.  Governor Rendell, a Philadelphian, was intrigued with the beauty of  the central part of the state while campaigning for office. As mayor of Philadelphia, he promoted tourism there to put the city’s budget into black ink.

2/16/06

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for eight counties in Pennsylvania including Potter, McKean Cameron and Elk Counties from 4:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Friday. Forecasters say a strong cold front will blast through the region early tomorrow. Winds may reach 45 mph at times with gusts as high as 60 mph also possible.  The most likely time for the high winds are right as the front passes and a few hours immediately after. The front will likely pass through our area between 5:00 and 9:00 a.m. turning winds from the south to the west and increasing them sharply.  Take action to secure trash cans, lawn furniture and other loose outdoor objects.  The high winds may topple trees, down power lines and damage some structures. Listen to WFRM for updates.

A Genesee woman lost nearly $400 in a recent telephone scam.  State police say Vicki Kelly received a phone call just before 9:00 p.m. Monday from a man who claimed to be an employee of First Citizens Bank of Philadelphia.  The caller told Kelly she was entitled to a $10,000 grant but in order to receive the money, he had to verify her account information. Once that was done, $399.00 was withdrawn from her account via Tele-Check. Kelly did not receive the Federal grant money and has stopped payment on the Tele-Check. State police locally request anyone having information regarding this incident or who has had a similar incident to contact them at the local barracks, 274-8690.

A Manheim man is facing DUI and drug related charges after being pulled over at a State Police traffic stop Wednesday afternoon on Route 872 about a half mile south of Bark Shanty Road in Keating Township.  Troopers claim 42 year old Steven Daggett was found to be in possession of suspected marijuana as well as paraphernalia. He was taken to Charles Cole Hospital for chemical testing and police say charges are pending completion of their investigation.

A Galeton man has been charged with violating a protection from abuse order which was set to expire at the end of the month. According to Coudersport-based state police, Charles Culp physically prevented Crystal Kinchen from leaving her home on the Northern Potter Road in Bingham Township Sunday afternoon, threw a phone and made verbal threats. After being arraigned on the charge, Culp was released on $3,000 bail.

Another Galeton resident has been charged again with disorderly conduct for the conduct of his animals.  Troopers say that a goat belonging to Dan Mock went onto property owned by David Burrous located on Crippen Run Road in West Branch Township. The latest transgression occurred Tuesday morning around 9:30 a.m. Mock has previously been cited for allowing his goats and sheep to go onto the Burrous property.

2/15/06

It’s not known when a hearing in McKean County Court will resume after it was quickly stopped yesterday when District Attorney John Pavlock became ill.  The DA reportedly was taken by ambulance to Charles Cole Hospital in Coudersport for treatment of an undisclosed ailment. The hearing was being held on behalf of convicted murderer James McMahon who claims the attorney during his 2001 trial  provided ineffective counsel because he did not use intoxication as part of his defense.  In Pennsylvania, first degree murder can be considered as third-degree if the defendant was so drunk he was unable to deliberately decide to kill. McMahon was found guilty of first degree murder for stabbing Link McDowell to death during a brawl at the Bradford Hotel in March of 2001.  He was represented by attorney Dennis Luttenauer  during the trial. Luttenauer  testified during yesterday’s proceeding.

State police at Kane have charged 35 year old Richard Miller of Bradford with harassment for an incident allegedly taking place early Wednesday morning at the home of Katherine Meeks in Gifford. Authorities claim Miller shoved Meeks during an argument. Charges have been filed in District Court.  A burglary at a house undergoing renovation on Vira Drive in Lafayette Township is also being investigated by state police at Kane. When Darrell Myers of Erie returned to the house Tuesday, he found that someone had broken a window in the front door and had gone throughout the house but apparently took nothing. And, DUI charges have been filed against 55 year old Terry Montgomery of Kane after a state police patrol allegedly observed him “driving erratically” at about 6:15 p.m. Friday on Route 6 in that town.

The Potter County Board of Elections announces that petitions are now available in the office for Democratic and Republican County Chairman and Democratic and Republican Committeeman and Committeewoman.  The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The petitions must be returned to the office before the close of business on March 7, 2006.

2/14/06

The Potter County Commissioners are expected to adopt an ordinance at their regular meeting this Thursday authorizing the county to enter into an intergovernmental cooperation agreement to establish the Pennsylvania Wilds.  The agreement will allow Potter County to cooperate with 11 other counties in Central Pennsylvania on planning issues and concerns related to implementation of the PA Wilds initiative.  The board postponed a decision at their January 5 meeting saying they wanted the proposed ordinance to be reviewed by county solicitor D. Bruce Cahilly. The vote is scheduled for Thursday’s meeting which will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the commissioners meeting room on the first floor of the courthouse. The meeting is open to the public and anyone who wishes to express an opinion on the ordinance should attend.

No one was hurt in a one-vehicle crash Monday morning on Honeoye Street about three miles east of Shinglehouse. State police said Robert Burkett of Allegany, NY was headed east when his vehicle slid off of the icy road, went into a ditch, struck a driveway over the ditch, then continued easterly, going up an embankment before flipping over onto the drivers side. Burkett and his two passengers, Michael Marcella of Bradford and Adam Dowd of Limestone were all wearing seatbelts at the time.

Troopers here are investigating a hit and run taking place over the past couple of weeks on the North Fork Road about a half mile east of the Kibble Road in Harrison Township. An unknown vehicle struck a 2000 Black Pontiac Grand Am owned by Josh Williams of Ulysses while it was parked next to the driveway at his residence.

Amanda Lunn, 25 Coudersport has been charged with assault and harassment for an incident allegedly taking place last Tuesday evening at her home on the Tennessee Road in Hebron Township. State police claim Lunn shoved at 17 year old girl to the ground when the two argued,

Pennsylvania Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest of an Elk County woman.  Crystal Gail Dickant, 26, is described as being 5’0” tall, has short red hair and freckles on her face. State police at Ridgway claim Dickant illegally obtained a debit card from Stargate Mobility in Brockport this past November and illegally withdrew $1,2000 from the bank account, using ATMS in Ridgway, Brockway and DuBois. Her last know address was Broad Street, Ridgway. She is also known to frequent the DuBois and Pittsburgh areas.  Anyone with information as to her whereabouts is asked to call 1-800-4PA-Tips.All callers remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward up to $2,000.

2/13/06

An elderly Hebron Township woman and her pets were safely evacuated from her burning home Sunday afternoon by neighbors.  Coudersport, Roulette and Shinglehouse fire departments were summoned at 12:55 p.m. by a “Life Link” call to 9-1-1 to the home of  Delores Wilson on the West Hebron Road when a fire erupted in a bedroom. The blaze was declared under control at 12:25 p.m. and all units were back in service less than an hour after the call.  According to Coudersport Fire Chief Glenn Dunn, the cause of the blaze was a malfunctioning lamp on a bedroom dresser. Firefighters were able to keep the flames contained to one room although there was some minor smoke and water damage elsewhere in the home. Damage was estimated to be about $30,000 and Dunn said the home, owned by Tom Wilson  is fully insured. Mrs. Wilson was taken to Charles Cole Hospital by Coudersport Volunteer Ambulance as a precaution but was later released.  Some 55 volunteers answered the call. Roulette and Shinglehouse Ambulance departments also responded.A Genesee Township teen escaped injury when the truck he was driving caught fire Sunday afternoon on Route 1010 about a half mile south of Hickox. State police said the 16 year old driver was headed south when smoke began to emit from the undercarriage of his Dodge Ram 3500 and ceased to operate, coming to a stop in the southbound lane before becoming engulfed in flames. The youth was able to get out safely and the flames were extinguished by members of the Genesee Volunteer Fire Department.

Troopers are looking for a white or light colored car involved in a minor collision last Thursday evening on Route 6 a half mile west of Coudersport Borough.  State police said Colleen Deboer of Roulette was headed east negotiating a left hand curve when the unknown westbound vehicle crossed over into her lane. Deboer swerved to miss the other car, but it sideswiped her Oldsmobile Alero and continued on without stopping. Deboer was not hurt.  

Cynthia Murphy, 43, of Eldred  was charged with DUI after another motorist called police and followed her car on Route 446  into Eldred borough early Sunday morning. Troopers say the caller identified Murphy’s Chrysler Sebring and stayed with it until they arrived on the scene.

Disorderly conduct charges have been filed against 48 year old Dan Mock of Whaler Run Road, Galeton after his sheep and goats were observed running at large and eating shrubbery and corn on property owned by David Burrous  on the Crippen Road last Wednesday morning.  State police say it has been an ongoing problem and that Mock has failed to keep his animals secured.

State police have charged Barry Bankert of Hanover, PA and Terry Bankert of Dover, PA with criminal trespass for an incident taking place this past November 23 on property owned by the Judson Hunting Club on Meeker Hollow Road in Pike Township.  Police say the two suspects tracked a wounded bear onto the posted property and retrieve it. Members of the club were also tacking the bear and allegedly saw the Bankerts get the bear and confronted them about it. Club members were not able to obtain the identities of the suspects but provided police with a registration plate number which led to their recent arrest.

2/10/06

Senior Ryan Jones became Coudersport High School’s all-time scoring leader for boys’ basketball last night. Jones swished a long three-pointer to surpass Mike Wetzel as the most prolific scorer in boys’ basketball history at the school with more than 1,800 points. Kim Tingley, a four-year star for the Coudersport girls’ basketball team, holds the all-time record. Jones finished the night with 26 points as Coudersport defeated Northern Potter, 65-46, to clinch the Northern Tier League championship. Ryan is the son of Gary and Linda Jones. His two brothers, Nathan and Ian, also played basketball at Coudersport High. Nathan went on to star at Daemen College in New York State and is now a school teacher and basketball coach. Ian will be attending law school. As for Ryan Jones, college basketball is likely in his future, and he has been courted by several scouts, but he has not yet committed to a school. All three drivers were hurt in a three-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon near Port Allegany. State police said the collision occurred when 21 year old Elizabeth Sherman of Bradford failed to see vehicles operated by Edna Taylor and David Baumgarner, both of Port, stopped on Route 6 waiting to make a left turn onto Benson Hollow Road and allowed her Chevy Cavalier to run into the back of Taylor’s Dodge Intrepid. The impact forced Taylor’s car into the back of Baumgarner’s van.  Moderate injuries were reported for both Sherman and Baumgarner while Taylor, who was in the middle car, suffered serious injuries. Apparently all three were transported to an area hospital for treatment.

Another Port Allegany resident was hurt in a one-vehicle crash Tuesday morning on Baker Road just east of the Prospect Hill Road intersection.  State police said Dian Batt was traveling west when she drove onto the berm to pass another vehicle, and her Chrysler sedan traveled about 40 feet through deep snow before hitting a tree.  She was taken to Charles Cole Hospital for treatment.

Troopers at Emporium are looking for a red late-model Ford truck whose operator drove off Friday morning  at around 6:15 a.m. from the Uni-Mart without paying for $15.01 in gasoline. Anyone who can provide information is asked to contact the barracks at 486-3321. 

A theft by deception taking place over the past month, victimizing a Smethport woman is under investigation by state police at Kane. Authorities say someone called Kathy Jo Frontino posing as a representative of Wal-Mart offering her special promotions. Apparently when Frontino provided banking information to receive the offers, the criminal accessed her checking account and removed about $85, without the victim’s permission.

In McKean County court news, a Roulette man has been sentenced one to three years in state prison for theft, receiving stolen property, criminal trespass and criminal mischief.  Richard Akins, 21, was arrested after taking money from a woman’s purse on October 6 and then three days later, he kicked in the door and stole some items from inside a Bradford apartment. 

2/09/06

A Gaines, PA family is homeless after a fire of undetermined origin destroyed their home on Route 349 Wednesday afternoon.  The Goodyear Hose Company was summoned at 1:40 p.m. to the double-wide home occupied by Scott Keaton and Tanya Earle and their two children ages five months and five years.  According to First Assistant Chief Gary Ruef, Sr., several passersby phoned 9-11 and the first firefighters arriving on the scene found the home “well  involved” prompting Ruef to call for a second alarm which brought in volunteers from Germania, Clymer, Westfield and Wellsboro.  Coudersport and Harrison Township departments  responded under the mutual aid system.  Chief Ruef praised all of the responding departments telling WFRM, “they did a real fine job.”  There were no  injuries. Two dogs safely escaped from the home but a family cat perished.  The Red Cross is providing temporary housing and is assisting the family with their immediate needs. The state police fire marshal has been called in to determine the cause, but Chief Ruef says it’s believed to have been accidental.  The house is owned by Mike Smith, who lives next door, and damage is estimated to be in the $40,000 range.

A Bradford man has been jailed in lieu of $5,000 cash bail for violating Megan’s law. State police allege 40 year old Thomas Barnes, a registered sex offender,  failed to provide authorities with employment information between November 2004 and November 2005 as required by law. He was taken to jail after being arraigned before District Judge Michael Kennedy.

Two other McKean residents are facing a variety of charges in two separate embezzlement cases. Richard Yovichin II, of Bradford,  is accused of stealing some $3000 from the Federal Correctional Instituted-McKean Employees’ Union while he served as president between January 2002 and December 2004. State Police  claim the defendant used his position to make personal purchases on a credit card totaling some $3700.  He was released on his own recognizance to await a preliminary hearing on February 21.  Stephanie Cramer, also of Bradford is charged with stealing more than $200,000 from her employer over a three-year period beginning in 2002 and ending in 2005.  Authorities claim Cramer used a rubber stamp containing the signature of Randy Hall, one of the owners of Orchard Apartments, Inc. to forge checks totaling more than $236,000.

An Emporium man received minor injuries Tuesday afternoon when his Toyota pick-up overturned on the Reed Run Road just south of Bark Shanty.  State police said James Roberto was headed south when his truck went off the road, struck an embankment and rolled over onto its roof.  He was taken to Charles Cole Hospital by Austin Volunteer Ambulance.

2/8/06

PennDot crews are working to repair a section of Route 6 east of Coudersport on Denton Hill where a huge bump suddenly developed this week, affecting both lanes of travel.  Signs have been erected to warn motorists to slow down while traveling through the area and to watch for maintenance workers.  Officials say vehicles traveling faster than 15 mph risk severe damage.

State police at Kane say a Canadian driver escaped injury in a one-vehicle crash late Sunday night on Route 219 about a mile north of Burning Well in Sergeant Township. Troopers say 32 year old Anton Barkov of Toronto lost control of his ’92 Lexus after passing another vehicle on the slippery highway. The sedan slid back and forth across the highway, then struck an embankment on the eastern side, and rolled over onto its roof, coming to rest upside down facing west. Barkov was wearing a seatbelt.

State police at Kane have charged a Rixford woman woman with assault and harassment for an incident allegedly taking place last Thursday night at the Foster residence on Dennis Hollow Road in Otto Township. An argument between William Foster and Deniece Abbey erupted into a physical altercation when Abbey struck Foster.  When Regina Lawson of Duke Center arrived at Foster’s request to provide transportation from the scene, Abbey allegedly struck her and pulled her h