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n WFRM NEWS ARCHIVE |September, 2003 3 Back
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03/31/08 Kane-based state police say mechanical failure was the cause of a one-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on the Gardeau Road in Norwich Township. Troopers said Lori Haynes of Austin was headed north when her Chevy Tahoe went off the road after rounding a right hand curve, struck a tree while going over an embankment, spun around counterclockwise and struck another tree with the passenger rear door before coming to rest. Police did not report if Haynes or her three passengers, ages 17, 14, and 6 were injured. State police in two counties are continuing their investigation into a crash involving a vehicle which was reported stolen. Todd Peterson of Kane told authorities his 1979 Jeep CJ-5 was stolen between 7:30 Saturday and Sunday at 4:30 a.m. while it was parked in the lot at the American Legion in Wilcox. The Jeep was found at about 4:30 a.m.on Route 321 near Kane after it rolled over onto the passenger side coming out of a left hand curve. The unknown driver fled the scene. State police here say a harassment charge against a Roulette man is being filed before District Judge Barbara Easton in connection to an argument taking place last Wednesday night in the village. Authorities claim 33 year old Donald Snyder threatened his neighbor 26 year old Michael Gallina with physical violence during a disagreement. An Emporium teen is being charged with criminal mischief for an incident allegedly taking place early Sunday morning on the Rich Valley Road. State police claim 18 year old Ryan Hunt drove his vehicle across the lawn at the Mark Arbaratis residence, causing $200 in damage. A similar incident taking place last Thursday or Friday on the Valley View Road in Shippen Township remains under investigation. Unknown vandals damaged the lawn at the Greg Berry home by driving over it. The Northern Tier Cultural Alliance has been conducting a
survey to inventory barns across the Northern Tier. While there have been
several responses, committee members say there are still many that are not yet
documented. If you have a barn and would be willing to complete a form and
sendsome photos, please download a form from our website:www.ntculturalalliance.org
or contact us at
info@ntculturalalliance.org .
03/27/08 The IRS recently sent out letters notifying taxpayers about the scheduled for mailing the economic stimulus checks. Anyone who files a 2007 tax return will automatically receive their check, however, there is a concern about those who do not normally file and income tax return, such as social security recipients, veterans, retired railroad employees etc. If they receive at least $3,000 per year in some form of income, they will need to file a 1040A form in order to receive their check. The effort to get the word out was discussed during yesterday’s meeting of the Potter County Commissioners. Sherry Hoffman, the director of the county’s aging services, identified those who will need to file a short form. Hoffman says the county’s senior center managers will be available to help seniors fill out the short form. And she adds, she has checked with area tax preparers who say they will provide the service for a small fee.
An Emporium man has been jailed after in lieu of $10,000 bail after being arraigned before District Judge Donald Wilhelm on game law violations and several violations of the State crimes code including reckless endangerment. State police say a warrant was issued for Matthew Grimone for several game law violations including illegally shooting a deer but did not release any further details. State Police based in Mansfield are asking for the public’s help in solving solve a recently burglary near Wellsboro.According to Police sometime between Monday and Wednesday night, someone broke into a car parked in a lot near the junction of State Routes 6 and 287 in Delmar Township. The thief stole a Sony amplifier and subwoofers from the 1995 ford aspire. Anyone with information is asked to call State Police based in Mansfield at 570-662-2151. The Department of
Environmental Protection and the Mid-Cameron Authority have agreed on a
completion date for the authority's new sewage treatment plant in Emporium
Borough, Cameron County, according to DEP Northcentral Regional Director Robert
Yowell who said “we have agreed to extend the deadline for completion of the
plant until A McKean County resident died early this morning in a one-vehicle crash on Route 446 in Eldred. State police said a northbound Ford Escort driven by 46 year old Robert Sisson went off the road and into a ditch where it struck a culvert and overturned several times before coming to rest on its roof in the ditch. Sisson, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene by the McKean County Coroner. After some conflicting information developed concerning funding for the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum here in Potter County, State Representative Martin Causer and Senator Joe Scarnati yesterday announced that the $5.4 million in state funding for an expansion project will be released. Rep. Causer said the money has been in the works for three years and he’s glad Governor Rendell has okayed the release. The money will go toward the expansion of the museum’s exhibits and its visitor center to supplement existing attractions such as the 1912 Shay-geared logging locomotive, Barnhart log loader, Brookville locomotive and restored CCC cabin. Causer had reported last week that the Governor had indicated at a public gathering that the money would soon be released but when questioned about it, the Governor’s office said that wasn’t the case. Causer said yesterday that the announcement is outstanding news for not only Potter County but the entire region adding, “the lumber industry is not only an important part of our history—it also has a vital role to play in our future.” Sen. Scarnati agreed, saying “given the growing interest in our region as a tourist attraction, the investment in the Lumber Museum could not have come at a better time. Just as the lumber industry continues to be an important contributor to the local economy, the tourism industry is increasingly generating jobs and investment in the region.” The lawmakers praised the work of county government and tourism leaders who have long supported the museum and especially the Lumber Museum Associates, who have been a driving force for the project. The Museum opens for the season on April 1. Pennsylvania farmers who signed up for an eligible crop insurance policy by March 17 will receive an automatic premium reduction of up to $175 per policy, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said today. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency will provide a premium reduction of up to $175 per non-catastrophic, or buy-up, crop policy for eligible Pennsylvania producers, thanks to an estimated $4 million in additional funds that were made available to 15 states through a crop insurance assistance package. Pennsylvania’s share is approximately $1 million, or 25 percent of total assistance. Pennsylvania farmers have already received $1.5 million in state crop insurance premium assistance for 2008, said Wolff.The premium reduction will be applied automatically to all eligible 2008 policies. If the total producer-paid premium is less than $175, the amount of premium reduction will be capped at 100 percent of the producer premium due. Producers will receive assistance for each eligible policy they hold. Administrative fees will not be covered.For more information on Pennsylvania’s crop insurance program, call 717-705-9511 or visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us/cropinsurance. DUI charges are pending against a Coudersport woman who was stopped on Rotue 6 just east of Route 44 in Sweden Township late Wednesday night. State police say they pulled Jennifer Labenne over for a traffic violation and allgegedly found her driving under the influence of a controlled substance. She was taken to Charles Cole Hospital for chemical testing.
03/26/08 Coudersport-based state police have recovered several hand and power tools over the past few months which they believe may have been stolen from several victims. The tools include a Dremel Multi Pro Tool, a Craftsman 40 PC Rethreading tool set; a Black and Decker drill bit kit, a torque measuring instrument, steering wheel puller, Ryobi 3/8” VSR power drill, Dewalt DW250 drywall screw driver, Snap-On 12 volt timing light, Skil Circular Saw, and a tool bag containing various Craftsman and Snap-On wrenches plus multiple other hand tools. Anyone who may have lost tools recently is asked to call the local barracks at 274-8690 and describe their missing items. With the Route 6 bridge replacement detour in effect, PennDot is reminding walking students and their parents that they should be using the school bus to travel to and from the Coudersport High School. Students can catch the morning bus at the corner of East and Oak Streets. The bus drops students off in the afternoon at the corner of East and maple Streets. Both of the stops are located on one-way sections of the official detour. The stops were added for walking students in order to make travel too and from the high school convenient and safe during the bridge project. Pedestrians who must cross Mil Street are urged to do so at the one-way traffic section or beyond the detour route. Officials say they appreciate cooperation from pedestrians during the project. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is reporting that
hunters harvested an estimated 323,070 deer in the state's 2007-08 seasons.
That's down 11 percent from the previous seasons' harvest. Hunters took 109,200
antlered deer in the 2007-08 seasons, down 19 percent from the previous license
year's harvest of 135,290. Also, hunters harvested 213,870 antlerless deer in
2007-08, a five percent drop from the 226,270 antlerless deer taken in
2006-07. Report cards sent in by hunters show the antlered deer harvest on the
opening day, Nov. 26, dropped more than 50 percent from 2006. Daily harvests for
the rest of the two-week season, Nov. 27-Dec. 8, were similar to 2006.The
firearms season's opening day antlerless deer harvest also dropped nearly 50
percent from 2006. However, the antlerless harvest throughout the remainder of
the two-week season increased and, in due course, erased some of the opening
day's harvest shortfall according to officials.
03/25/08 A Mill Hall driver is facing charges here in Potter County following a one-vehicle crash early Sunday morning on the Loucks Mills Road near Bailey Hill Road in Ulysses Township. Troopers said a 1994 Chevrolet Geo Tracker owned by Jeffrey Kreger of Waterville, PA entered a sharp corner too quickly, traveled across the road, struck a snow bank, overturned and came to rest right side up just off the road. The driver departed the scene but was located nearby and was identified as 21 year old Logan Dorwart. He’s been charged with driving with suspended license, driving too fast conditions, seatbelt violations, driving on the wrong side of the road and accident scene clearance. DUI charges have been filed against 23 year old Marshall Dulski of Smethport following a one-vehicle crash Sunday evening about a half mile east of Route 6 in Liberty Township, McKean County. State police said their investigation revealed Dulski was intoxicated when his ’95 Buick Regal wrecked on the Lower Grimes Road. State police here are investigating the theft of about 100 feet of copper gutters from an abandoned building on Commercial Street in Genesee last week. The gutters are valued at about $500 and were taken from the building owned by Adam Chapman of Wellsville. Troopers are also probing another case of identity theft victimizing an area resident. Unknown persons used a debit card belonging to Janet Bowser of Ulysses to rack up nearly $740 in unauthorized charges. A camp burglary taking place in Genesee Township over the past few weeks is also being investigated by state police here. Thieves forced open the front door at a camp on Wiles Road owned by Gerald Hart of Wellsville and broke several windows from inside the building.
03/21/08 A Mt. Jewett man pleaded guilty yesterday in McKean County Court to several charges relating to a fatal crash last June 9 on Route 219. Jason Roth, 23, will be sentenced on April 24 for involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault by motor vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol while DUI, DUI incapable of safe driving; DUI with a blood alcohol content of .18 percent and reckless endangerment. Roth’s passenger 24 year old Ian McClosky also of Mt. Jewett died in a collision which occurred when Roth tried to pass a Subaru SUV driven by Karianne James of Kane, as both were headed south on Route 219. When Roth tried to re-enter his lane, the rear of his Mustang clipped the front of the SUV and the impact sent the coupe rolling off the east side of the highway where it struck several trees. McClosky was pronounced dead at the scene. Roth was taken to Kane Community Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. Neither had been wearing a seatbelt. James and her passenger, Elisha Brown of Mt. Jewett were both wearing seatbelts and escaped injury. In other McKean County court action, 32 year old Christopher Safford of Port Allegany pleaded guilty this week to violating state drug laws. When Safford moved out of a residence in that town last September, another person found spoons containing residue which turned out to be morphine. He will also be sentenced on April 24. A Wellsville man will be sentenced April 2 in Potter County Court after recently pleading guilty to possession of narcotics with intent to deliver. According to Potter County District Attorney Dawn Fink, 21 year old Roy Austin sold 18 grams of marijuana to an undercover agent for $320 in Genesee on February 23, 2005. State police at Kane have charged 23 year old Kenneth Reed III of Crosby with violating state drug laws. Authorities claim when they pulled over a vehicle last night on Route 46 near Reilly Hollow in Keating Township to arrest the driver for outstanding warrants, they discovered Reed who was a passenger in possession of drug paraphernalia. Rep. Martin Causer reports funding for the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum here in Potter County may be questionable. In a radio interview, the lawmaker said Governor Rendell recently said at a reception that he was releasing the money but later, his own office said that was not the case. Causer says the expansion project has been planned for three years and the administration needs to release the Capital Budget dollars. The Game Commission is reminding Pennsylvania hunters
interested in applying for a second spring gobbler tag they have until April 1.
Applications are available on page 38 of the 2007-08 Pennsylvania Digest of
Hunting and Trapping Regulations, which is provided to each license buyer, or by
going to the agency's website
www.pgc.state.pa.us), and clicking on "Spring Turkey Tag Application" in
center of the homepage. 03/20/08 State police at Kane say they are looking for 22 year old Chad Cobb of Bradford in connection to a hit and run taking place Sunday night at about 9:40 p.m. on Main Street in Lewis Run. Cobb was attempting leave Jose’s bar when he backed his Chevy Blazer into a car, then while going forward, hit a mailbox and struck pedestrian Darin Gonzales of Lewis Run in the left leg, then hit a truck and car while trying to flee the scene. Gonzales was taken to Bradford Regional Medical center for treatment of minor injuries. Authorities say all of the vehicles were legally parked.
A Shinglehouse resident will be sentenced on April 9 after pleading guilty recently in Potter County Court to receiving stolen property and providing alcohol to minors for two separate cases. Jeremy Dailey, 21, was arrested June 17 when Shinglehouse Borough Police went to his home while investigating another incident and found him passed out on the couch. Police told Dailey why they were there and asked him about a red cooler on his living room floor. Dailey and two of his friends said they didn’t know whose cooler it was that it just appeared there during a party they were having. A victim told police the cooler belonged to her. Then, on July 6, Dailey was arrested on a charge of furnishing alcohol to minors. Shinglehouse police observed Dailey, who was only 20 years old at the time, and others drinking beer at his home on Maple Street. After obtaining a warrant, police discovered Dailey in possession of beer and he admitted he had been drinking. Authorities also discovered a shopping cart taken from the Shinglehouse IGA and nine orange road cones belonging to Clara Township which were reported stolen in March 2007. Dailey told police he borrowed the cart from the IGA but that was refuted by store management. Dailey admitted to being present while others stole the cones.
A Liberty, PA man has been bound over to Tioga County Court
on a felony county of attempted bank robbery and a misdemeanor of possessing an
instrument of crime. During a hearing yesterday,
Joan Blackwell, employee of the Citizens and Northern
Bank in Liberty, testified that she saw 28 year old Christopher Koch put on an
orange mask while sitting in his green Subaru outside of her office window, then
get out a shotgun just before the bank was set to close at noon last Thursday.
Blackwell testified she and a The Pennsylvania Game Commission reports hunters took a total of 2,360 bears during the 2007 seasons .This harvest ranks ninth in the overall Pennsylvania bear harvests. In 2005, hunters set a record harvest of 4,164 bears. Officials said given the weather conditions hunters encountered and two substantial bear harvests in the previous two years, a harvest like that fell within the all-time top ten, still is a fine season . Bears were taken in 49 counties. The largest bear taken was a 727-pound (estimated live weight) male taken in Dingman Township, Pike County, by Scott Spaeth of Philadelphia on Nov. 28. In all, nine bears taken by hunters weighed 600 pounds or more. Harvest in the Northcentral region were as follows Northcentral: Clinton, 171 (226); Lycoming, 139 (222); Tioga, 121 (149); Cameron, 118 (70); Potter, 106 (189); McKean, 103 (139); Clearfield, 81 (136); Elk, 62 (87); Centre, 60 (103); and Union, 27 (43). Last year’s figures are in parentheses. Clinton County led the state in bear harvest. 03/19/08 State police here are probing a couple of recent burglaries of storage sheds. Sometime between February 1 and March 16, burglars cut a hinge and removed a padlock attached to a storage shed owned by Lewis Eccher on the Townline Road, Coudersport. It’s not known if anything was taken from the shed which is located next to Eccher’s house. Then sometime last week, thieves took a red two drawer tool box containing various wrenchs, screwdrivers, and sockets valued at a total of $100 from a storage shed owned by Jesse Chaffee on the Harrison Fox Hill Road in Harrison Valley. A 20 year old Coudersport resident will be sentenced on April 2 after pleading guilty recently in Potter County court to DUI and miscellaneous traffic charges. Potter County District Attorney Dawn Fink said Derek Stout was arrested by state police following a one-vehicle crash last July 12 in Sweden Township. Stout fell asleep at the wheel of his car, causing it to go off the road and strike a utility pole and a large rock with the front end. The impact propelled the car causing it to fly across the road and lane nose first before rolling over onto the roof. Troopers responding to the scene found Stout exhibiting signs of intoxication. Chemical testing at Charles Cole Hospital confirmed a blood alcohol content of .11%, in excess of the legal limit for adults of .08%. The new traffic pattern in Coudersport is now in effect while the Route 6/Mike Franklin Bridge near the Consistory is being replaced. Coudersport Borough police tell WFRM they are strictly enforcing the four new stop signs of Borie Street which have been placed there to assist with the additional detour traffic on Oak and Maple Streets. All four of the stop signs have flashing red lights to give further warning to local traffic not accustomed to stopping at those intersections. Speaking of bridges, employees from Neumeyer Environmental Services of Pittsburgh were collecting soil samples from various locations today around the PennDot Bridge in Driftwood. On March 10, PennDot workers discovered a strong order when the soil was disturbed near the bridge. PennDot immediately stopped digging and closed the location until samples could be obtained and analyzed. While the material in question is not believed to be hazardous, workers will be wearing personal protective equipment while obtaining the samples to comply with OSHA regulations. Department of Environmental Protection staff were there to monitor the collection of soil samples.
03/18/08 PennDot has asked WFRM to let motorists, especially local residents know, that traffic patterns have changed in Coudersport to accommodate the detour necessitated by the reconstruction of the Route 6/Mike Franklin Bridge near the consistory. Although Route 6 remains open today, officials anticipate the bridge will be closed starting Wednesday if materials are received. During the project, Oak and Maple Streets have become one way at Mill Street. Oak runs westbound and Maple runs eastbound. A number of new stop signs have been erected on Borie Street and motorists are advised to observe them. In fact, Coudersport Borough Police Chief Lee Gross has asked WFRM to remind drivers to pay strict attention to the new stop signs and flashing lights in order to prevent collisions. PennDot anticipates the project will be completed in mid-August. Meanwhile, the Liberty Township supervisors n McKean County, have apparently reversed their plans to close the Brooklynside Road to all through traffic. According to a report in today’s Bradford Era, Port Allegany contractor Brad Greenman donated equipment Monday to repair the damaged road surface which was then filled with limestone. The road has taken a beating since PennDot closed Route 6 near the Pittsburgh Corning Plant to replace two bridges. The official detour takes motorists over Route 155 to the Larabee Y then on route 446 and 46 to Farmers Valley to Smethport. But local motorists know the detour over the Brooklynside road is about 7 miles shorter. According to the newspaper report, Rep. Martin Causer attended yesterday’s special meeting of the Liberty Township supervisors and expressed optimism that the township would get state funding to repave the local road and that the repaving might begin as early next month as soon as the asphalt plant reopens. Icy road conditions are blamed for a one-vehicle crash this morning on Route 6 in Hamlin Township, McKean County. State police said Kathleen Danielson of Mt. Jewett was headed east when her Ford Ranger slid off the road and struck a tree, then spun around clockwise before coming to rest in the eastbound lane. Danielson was wearing a seatbelt and escaped injury. Police said she will not be charged due to road conditions at the time of the accident. A Smethport man has been jailed in lieu of $2500 bail after being arraigned on charges of simple assault and harassment. State police claim that 42 year old Thomas Fitch grabbed 35 year old Teresa Reynolds by the neck and choked her; punched her in the left eye and flipped a table at her causing a thigh injury while they argued late last night in their home on the Fitch Road. In recent Potter County court action, 50 year old Constance Hults of Westfield was ordered to spend 23-1/2 months on probation, pay a $150 fine, perform 25 hours of community service and pay restitution in the amount of $135 for simple assault. Potter County District Attorney Dawn Fink explained that Hults was arrested on January 8, 2007 after throwing a metal canister at her husband during an argument, causing an eye injury which required five stitches. William Telek, 27, of Coudersport was ordered to spend 90 days to five years in jail; pay a fine of $1600; perform 25 horus of community service; attend DUI safe d riving school, be subject to a Drug and Alcohol evaluation and follow the recommended treatment; attend AA and NA meetings and the DUI Victim Impact panel. He was arrested last May 5 when he tried to leave the parking lot in his vehicle after stealing some Slim Jims from the local Sheetz store. When Coudersport Borough police responded, they found Telek was intoxicated. After failing a field sobriety test, he was taken to Charles Cole Hospital where testing confirmed a blood alcohol content of .21%, almost three times the legal limit. 03/17/08 The State Police Fire Marshall is probing an arson which caused about $1 million in damage early Sunday morning in Kane. Authorities say someone burglarized the 44’ x 160’ building on Biddle Street owned by B. Sloan Cornell of Marienville and then set the building on fire before 2:15 a.m. The building housed two steam locomotives, a diesel locomotive, a luxury passenger box car built in 1890 and restored in the 1930’s along with numerous locomotive parts and railroad related equipment. Cornell owned the Kinzua, Knox, Kane Railroad which took passengers across the historic Kinzua bridge which was destroyed by a tornado in the summer of 2003. Even though the route was changed, interest fell off and the railroad apparently was not operational for the last couple of years. A couple of hit and runs over the weekend are under state police investigation. Troopers at Kane say a known suspect ran into two vehicles parked at Jose’s Bar in Lewis run late Sunday night and struck a pedestrian who was treated at Bradford Regional Medical Center for a leg injury. State police locally are probing a hit and run taking place between 3:00 and 4:15 p.m. Saturday on the West Branch of Fishing Creek. An unknown vehicle, possibly a red Ford, while headed north went off the road and struck a ditch about 3/10ths of a mile north of the Fishing Creek Road, struck a Dominion Gas marker and a wooden split rail fence on private property. The driver failed to report the crash to authorities or property owners and anyone who has any information about it is asked to call the Denton Hill Barracks at 274-8690. John Cooley, 36,of Shinglehouse has been jailed in lieu of $1500 bail for violating a protection from abuse order. State police contend that during an argument last Wednesday around lunchtime, Cooley headed toward his wife, Debra, during an argument and raised his right arm putting her in fear of being struck. After being arraigned before District Judge Delores Bristol, on a charge of criminal contempt, Cooley was committed to the Potter County Jail. A Galeton man has become the latest area victim of identity theft. State police say 62 year old Milton Thomas Shatto of Galeton noted three suspicious charges to his checking account while reviewing a recent bank statement and police have determined the charges were made without his knowledge or permission. The investigation is continuing. Local residents will no doubt be using more gasoline getting around town over the next few months as a detour went into place earlier today as work gets underway to replace the Route 6/Mike Franklin Bridge over the Allegheny River near the Coudersport Consistory. The detour uses Maple, Oak and Mill Streets. Oak Street is one-way westbound and Maple, one-way eastbound through the project which is expected to be completed by mid-August. Temporary signals and signs are in place directing traffic. A walkway will be maintained over the Allegheny while the bridge is being replaced. A.L Blades & Sons, Inc. of Hornell is the contractor for the $1.5 million project.
03/14/08 Fire of undetermined origin destroyed a Eulalia Township home late last night. According to First Assistant Coudersport Chief Bryan Phelps, firefighters were summoned just after 11:00 p.m. to the home of Norton Cole on the Troupe Road and when the first firefighters arrived on the scene, flames were shooting through the roof. A third alarm was sounded bringing in tankers from Austin, Roulette, Shinglehouse, Ulysses and Port Allegany. Tri-Town Fire Department from Ulysses provided an engine to stand by at the local hall. Water was shuttled from Mill Creek about three miles from the house and Phelps said due to road and weather conditions, Coudersport’s Engine 48-3, a Four Wheel drive unit was the only engine able to access the burning structure and laid all 1200 feet of large diameter hose. Some 45 volunteers responded and were on scene for about three hours. Phelps told WFRM the house was uninsured and the loss is estimated to be about $80,000. He said the Red Cross and local ministerium have stepped in the help Cole who is now staying at a relatives home. Cole was not at home when flames were discovered by a neighbor. A 21 year old Kane woman is being charged with failing to stay on roadways laned for traffic following a one-vehicle crash Wednesday on Route 210 in Lafayette Township, McKean County. State police said Jessica Heasley was in the fast lane when she attempted to pass another car on the three lane highway. Her Ford Focus went off the road, struck a guardrail and bounced back to the other side of the road, striking guardrails there before coming to rest on the west side of the highway. Heasley escaped injury,. A Liberty, Pennsylvania resident made Paul Harvey News today for being a “not so bright” criminal. Christopher Koch, 28, was arrested yesterday by Mansfield-based state police on charges of criminal attempt robbery and possessing instruments of crime. Authorities say Koch arrived at the Citizens and Northern Bank on Main Street in Liberty, Wednesday morning at about 11:40 a.m.and waited inside his vehicle. At 12:01 p.m., a minute after the bank closed for the day, Koch got out of his vehicle wearing an orange ski mask and carrying a shotgun. When he could not get inside, he took off in his vehicle, but bank employees were able to copy down the registration number and summoned police. The vehicle was located at Koch’s residence on Mountain Top Road and the gun, ski mask and gloves were also found there by police who took the suspect into custody. A couple of area residents have been sentenced after being arrested in separate probation checks in Roulette last year. Jennifer Sisson, 34, was arrested on September 13 after Potter County Probation Officer Eric Hensel discovered her at the home of Jeff Jones smoking marijuana. Sisson pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced that same day to pay a $200 fine and all court costs. Rebecca Hadlock, 28, of Port Allegany was arrested last April 13 when a probation officer inspected her residence in Roulette Township and found a hypodermic syringe andmetal spoon containing a metal spoon containing a white powdery substance which later tested as oxycodone, a schedule II controlled substance. Hadlock admitted ownership and use of the drug paraphernalia. She was ordered to spend one year on probation, perform 25 hours of community service and attend Alcoholics Anonyomous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings. A Port Allegany man was sentenced this week in McKean County court to a prison term of 12 to 36 months for his third burglary conviction. Christopher Rethmel, 24, entered the Pizza Palace in Port Allegany last September and destroyed various items. He was deemed eligible for boot camp.
03/13/08 Neither Emporium driver was hurt in a collision Wednesday afternoonon route 155 in Shippen Township Cameron County. State police at Emporium said the crash occurred when Anna Kossman made a left turn, while southbound, in front of a northbound Dodge Stratus driven by Ashley Songer. Troopers locally have made a couple of recent DUI arrests. A 17 year old Potter County youth was pulled over Monday afternoon on Route 6 a mile east of Route 449 for an alleged traffic violation and found to be driving under the influence. Rodney Robinson, 51, of Langhorne, PA was pulled over on West Street in Galeton Tuesday night for a “reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation” and allegedly found to be driving under the influence. Charges against both are being filed in District Court. Kris Holtz, 19, of Honeoye Road Shinglehouse has been charged in District Court with harassment for an incident allegedly taking place last Friday night at his residence. State police claim Holtz struck or shoved 20 year old Jessica Hopkins of Olean during an argument. Emporium-based state police have charged Desiree Reider of Brian Hill Road, Emporium with simple assault for an incident allegedly taking place Wednesday afternoon at her home. Authorities say Reider “brandished a firearm” during a dispute with 27 year old Eric Reider of St. Marys. Troopers here are investigating a couple of recent thefts. Sometime over the past couple of months, thieve took various scrap metal items from the James and Claire Shepherd Estate located along the Herrington Road near the intersection with the Eleven Mile Road in Sharon Township. The scrap mostly contained copper/brass pipe and pipe fittings and was valued at about $1000. Thieves removed a padlock to enter a shed located on Bailey Hill Road in Ulysses Township owned by Carl Labar of Shinglehouse over the past three months. A white microwave oven, a 10” x 13” scenery painting and a 10 x 13” flower painting were stolen. Anyone with information about either incident is asked to call the local barracks at 274-8690. A burglary at a residence on the Westline Road in Lafayette Township, McKean County is being probed by state police at Kane. Thieves went into the home of Jennifer Pomeroy and removed about $425 worth of personal items.
03/12/08 No one was hurt in a collision Tuesday morning in Keating Township, McKean County, State police at Kane said the collision occurred when Amber Johnson of Smethport was traveling west on Route 6 was attempting to turn left onto Irons Hollow Road just as Julio Montesvelez of Roulette tried to pass her. Severe damage was reported for Johnson’s Chevy Uplander while Montesvelez ‘s Ford Econoline sustained only minor damage. Troopers at Kane overnight released details about a one-vehicle crash involving a teenage driver Saturday afternoon on Route 44 in Ceres Township. Authorities said the 17 year old Shinglehouse girl lost control of her ’95 Toyota Camry while headed south. The unit spun counterclockwise off the road and struck a guard rail before coming to rest in the southbound lane. She was taken to Charles Cole Hospital for examination and is being cited for failing to drive at a safe speed. A Rew man was released on $5000 bail after being arraigned on charges of simple assault and harassment following a domestic violence incident allegedly taking place late Monday night at a residence on Route 646 in Keating Township. Kane-based state police claim 36 year old Grant Lewis struck 34 year old Charlotte Shugars in the head, injuring her right eye, inside upper lip and back during an argument. In recent Potter County court action, 49 year old Dorothy Buchanan of Coudersport was placed on probation for 18 months for making false reports to law enforcement and unsworn falsification. According to Potter County DA Dawn Fink, on May 21, 2006 Buchanan told state police that her daughter, Holly Duell had beat her granddaughter with a metal rod a couple of days earlier and that her granddaughter had told her that as well as the girl’s uncle, Sean Scharlau. Upon further investigation, and a subsequent interview, Scharlau admitted he was the one who hit the girl. Buchanan was also ordered to pay a $50 fine and perform 25 hours of community service. Another Coudersport woman will be sentenced on April 9 for her second DUI. Becky Sue Olson, 26, was arrested last November 6 following a collision in front of the Northwoods Tavern, west of Coudersport. According to the DA Olson had been drinking at the bar and left to take a friend home. When she returned, she turned into the parking lot in front of another car. Olson eventually admitted drinking and her blood alcohol was found to be .11%, above the legal limit of .08%. Members of the Potter County Planning Commission last night
approved a series of regulations to control the location of wind turbines in the
county borders. Among the provisions is a requirement that the wind generating
unit be located no closer than 2,000 feet from a neighboring occupied dwelling.
Decisions on the wind turbine regulations came after more than four hours of
debate. Planning Commission members agreed to take one more look at a series of
amendments to the county's Subdivision and Land development Ordinance before
sending them on to the Potter County Board of Commissioners for consideration.
The final draft could be completed by the end of the 03/11/08 An Olean driver escaped injury in a one-vehicle crash occurring at about 3:30 this morning on Route 219 in Lafayette Township, McKean County. State police said Rick Coleman’s 2007 Toyota Tacoma began fishtailing on a patch of black ice and when he attempted to regain control, the southbound truck spun clockwise across the road and into a ditch, coming to rest on the driver’s side. Police say Coleman will be cited for driving a vehicle at an unsafe speed and failing to stay within roadways laned for traffic. Troopers at Kane are charging both people involved in a domestic violence incident early Sunday morning at a camp on the Guffey Road in Hamlin Township. Authorities claim 28 year old Angel Banks of Austin and 38 year old Wade Bunker of Mount Jewett began arguing and that Bunker grabbed Banks by the hair, pushed her to the floor and slapped her across the face. Banks is accused of slapping Bunker across his face. In recent Potter County court action, a former Roulette resident was placed on probation for 23 months for theft of some prescription medication. According to Potter County DA Dawn Fink, 27 year old Justin Cochran now of Swain NY was at the home of Jennifer Pinchock in Roulette this past June 28 and asked to use the bathroom. Pinchock observed that Cochran did not go into the bathroom, but went into her bedroom and took 26 Darvocet pills from a pill bottle. Cochran was also ordered to pay a $250 fine, perform 25 hours of community service, undergo drug and alcohol evaluation and take part in any recommended treatment. In other court action, Roy Doty, 64, of Dalton, NY was placed under house arrest for ten days followed by five months of probation for DUI and speeding. DA Fink explained that the house arrest for Doty was due to medical problems resulting from a one-vehicle crash last July 23 on the Genesee Road. Doty was injured when his car traveled off the road and came to rest in a ditch. When police arrived, they found Doty conscious and alert, but he was airlifted to Geisinger Medical Center for treatment of his injuries and chemical testing at the hospital confirmed an alcohol level of .10%, slightly more than the legal limit. Doty was also ordered to pay a fine of $525, undergo drug and alcohol evaluation and comply with all treatment recommendations. The Coudersport Mock Trial Team beat Bald Eagle High School Friday during the regional semi-finals held at the Lycoming County Courthouse before the Honorable Judge Nancy Butts. The local team will attend the regional finals March 20 at the United States District Courthouse before the Honorable Judge James McClure beginning at 1:00 p.m. The local team, most returning from last year, has already surpassed last year’s success. The team is coached by Enrichment Teacher Theresa Daniels and Attorney Advisor Andy Watson who tells WFRM the members have been working diligently for about two months in reading, interpreting and preparing voluminous case materials and exhibits. The statewide mock trial competition involves a complex kidnapping case.
03/10/08 A 22 year old Genesee resident has been jailed in lieu of $100,000 total bail on two different sets of charges relating to sex crimes. State police locally claim Christopher Brian Inzana had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 14 year old girl from Ulysses over the summer of 2006. He was arraigned before District Judge Barbara Easton on numerous counts of statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, all felony counts and several misdemeanor counts of indecent assault and corruption of minors. Bail was set at $75,000. Inzana was also arraigned before Judge Easton on felony charges of dissemination of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and criminal use of communication facility. Police said an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force located child pornography over the internet that led them to Inzana’s home computer. The task force downloaded three child pornography files from Inzana’s computer initially and contacted State Police Troop F Crimes unit who enlisted help from the local barracks. A search warrant was issued and officers allegedly found that Inzana who was a secretary/treasurer of the Genesee Fire Department had downloaded child pornography files onto the department’s computer. Both computers were seized and police say they anticipate finding additional pornographic files and will issue another news release. Judge Easton set bail at $65,000 for the pornography charges. A couple of Austin residents pleaded guilty late last month to selling malt or brewed beverages without a liquor license. State police say charges were filed agains 80 year old Thomas Glover and 51 year old Katherine Glover resulting from an investigation at the Austin-Costello Sportsmen’s Club November 2006 to November 2007. The Glovers paid fines and costs after pleading guilty to one count. A Harrison Valley teen is being prosecuted through juvenile court on charges of falsely reporting injuries to agencies of public safety. State police claim the youth faked seizures and was taken to Charles Cole Hospital on four different occasions last week. The juvenile allegedly reported injuries during the seizures for which he received treatment. State police at Mansfield have cited 58 year old Robert Mallery of Shinglehouse with criminal mischief and criminal trespass for an incident allegedly taking place Friday afternoon between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. Troopers claim Mallery cut a chain anD padlock off the front gate to Global Timber Products property on Route 414 in Liberty to retrieve logs that he had not been paid for. The Coudersport Falcons lost to Kennedy Catholic Sunday afternoon in state play-off action at Clarion University 58 to 43 to end their undefeated season However, Coudersport wrestler, Dirk Cowburn won the state championship in the 152 pound class in Hershey Saturday. He’s only the second Coudy wrestler to bring home a state championship. Tom Storey took first, statewide back in 1989.
03/07/08 Once again the weather is the top news story. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for all of the Pennsylvania and New York Counties in the WFRM listening area from 3:00 this afternoon to 1:00 a.m. Sunday. An intense winter storm will move out of the Gulf States today and through Pennsylvania Saturday causing snow to develop over the region by early evening possibly mixing with some sleet and freezing rain in some areas. Precipitation will continue into the overnight before finally tapering off as snow showers or flurries later in the day Saturday and Saturday night. Total snowfall will likely approach a foot across far northwest Pennsylvania. Freezing rain may accumulate up to one quarter of an inch further south. A winter storm warning mans significant amounts of snow or ice are expected or occurring. Any travel is strongly discouraged. Those with travel plans in the warned area are advised to choose an alternative route or should use extreme caution if travel is unavoidable. Flooding is anticipated in the southern part of the state. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is advising that gusty winds coupled with the heavy snow could topple trees and produce scattered power outages. Due to the potential for blizzard like conditions, travel conditions on Saturday through Sunday night could be hazardous. It’s a good idea to make sure disaster supplies are on hand such as flashlights, battery-operated radio, first aid kits, emergency food and water, non-electric can-opener, essential medicines, prescriptions, cash, credit cards important legal documents and sturdy shoes. Motorists within Pennsylvania can call toll free 1-888-783-6783 for interstate road conditions. Because of the anticipated bad weather, the Coudersport Falcons state play-off game scheduled for tonight against Kennedy Catholic has been postponed until 5:00 p.m. Sunday. We will have the game on WFRM and on our website, wfrm.net. The spelling Bee and spaghetti supper scheduled for tonight at the Galeton School have been cancelled and the Easter egg hunt scheduled for Saturday at Bridgeport Academy in Port Allegany has been postponed until next Saturday, March 15.
In other news, Kenneth Mack , 60 of Ulysses, charged with raping two mentally disabled women last year has waived his case into Potter County Court. State police at Coudersport charged Mack with six felony counts each of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault and sexual assault, and six misdemeanor counts of indecent assault.According to Police, Mack had sex with mentally disabled 58- and 22-year-old Potter County women last summer who were in a respite program at his home and that the women's disabilities were so serious that they were incapable of giving consent.According to court documents, Mack gave police a written confession in which he admitted having sexual contact with the women. He told police the sex was consensual. Daniel Terrette, 48 of Shinglehouse has been sentenced to a jail term of 90 days to five years after being found guilty of DUI during a jury trial. According to Potter County DA Dawn Fink.Terrette was arrested on Decemember 16, 2006 when state plice investigated a snowmobile crash on Honeoye Street in Sharon Towsnhip. Terrette’s ATV went across the highway, rolled over 360degress and came to rest on the highway. When police interviewed Terrette while he was sitting in the Shinglehouse ambulance, the observced a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and he had blood shot and glassy eyes. He admitted to troopers that he had consumed 10 beers. Chemical testing conducted at Charles Cole Hospital confirmed an alcohol level of .21%, almost three times the legal limit Terrette was also ordered to pay $#1,650 fine and perform 25 hours of community service. The Coudersport High School Mock Trial Team swept top honors this week at the district competition in Smethport. The team, consisting of Emma Brink, Joe Bartholomew, Brian Wetzel, Melissa Gerner, Aaron Chisolm, Sara Bunch, Sheldon Carpenter and Kristy Kamper was in Williamsport today to compete in regional competition agains Bald Eagle High School of Williamsport. Attorney advisor is local attorney Andy Watson. The contest is sponsored statewide by the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Coudersport wrestler Dirk Cowburn won his match this morning at the state tournament in Hershey beating Mike Brant of West Mont Hilltop 16-7 to advance to the semi-finals taking place tonight.
03/06/08 Tri-County Rural Electric told WFRM earlier today that crews worked into last evening restoring power to about 400 members who lost theirs during the Tuesday night ice storm. During the peak of the storm, some 4200 members in Potter, Tioga and Bradford Counties lost power. Outages were also reported in McKean County. Some 3000 residents were in the dark for several hours into Wednesday morning in some locations, especially in Bradford, Derrick City Eldred and Smethport. After a spring-like day today with temperatures in the forties and sunshine, the area is bracing for yet another winter storm which could deliver a mixed bag of precipitation or heavy snow Friday night into Sunday . The National Weather Service, this afternoon, issued a winter storm watch for several counties in the WFRM listening area including Potter, McKean, Tioga Counties in Pennsylvania and Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties in New York State.One-driver was hurt in a collision at about 7:00 a.m. Wednesday on Route 6 east of Coudersport. State police said the crash occurred when Linda Hurd of Shinglehouse, a Sweden Valley Manor employee was attempting to turn right into the home’s parking lot and Douglas Watson of Coudersport who was traveling behind her, was unable to stop before colliding with Hurd’s car and tried to steer off the south berm to the right just as Hurd began to turn right into the parking lot. The Watson truck then hit the sedan. After impact, the truck continued on and struck a sign post owned by Sweden valley Manor. Hurd was taken to Charles Cole Hospital for treatment of unknown injuries. Watson escaped injury but is being charged in connection with the collision. Coudersport Volunteer emergency services personnel responded to the scene. A Wellsboro teenager died Wednesday night when she was thrown out the back of a Jeep Liberty driven by her mother when it collided with another vehicle on Route 287 just north of the Baldwin Run Road in Delmar Township. State police at Mansfield said Tracey Monks was headed south when her Jeep spun out of control on a patch of ice, crossed to the opposite lane and was struck by a Chevy truck driven by Charles Smith of Middlebury Center. The Jeep continued spinning clockwise off the road and 15 year old Kelsey Monks was ejected through the rear hatch and landed about 25 feet from the vehicle in a wooded area. Her mother was flown to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre for treatment of serious injuries; a 13 year old female passenger was flown by helicopter to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. Smith was treated at Soldiers and Sailors Hospital in Wellsboro for moderate injuries; his wife Donna, was flown to Robert Packer Hospital; and a 14 year old male passenger in the truck was taken to Soldiers and Sailors Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. Route 287 was closed for about three and a half hours and several area emergency services departments responded. An investigation into the collision is continuing. The Coudersport Lady Falcons lost a heartbreaker last night to Avonworth 53-51in overtime at Clarion High School in the second round of state playoffs, bringing an end to a 26 game winning streak. The Lady Falcons, District 9 champs, ended the season with a record of 27 wins and 3 losses. Meanwhile, the Coudersport boys will play Kennedy catholic in the state quarterfinals Friday night at Clarion University. Tip off is 7:00 p.m. Advance tickets will be available until 2:00 p.m. in the High School office. Student tickets are $3.00 if purchased in advance. All tickets will be $6.00 at the door. If you can’t make the trip, you can catch all of the action right here on WFRM and on our website wfrm.net.
03/05/08 While downtown Coudersport did not suffer much from the ice storm, yesterday and today, outlying areas were not so lucky. In fact significant icing was reported in Bradford and Wellsville and the northwestern part of Potter County was hard hit with trees giving way to the heavy ice overnight and into the morning hours. Northern Potter, Oswayo Valley and Wellsville Central schools cancelled classes today while Austin, Coudersport, Galeton, Port Allegany and Hebron Center Christian Schools all had a two-hour delay. Power outages were reported in Harrison Valley, Shinglehouse and on Sweden Hill and Tri-County Cooperative told WFRM this afternoon that crews were working to restore power to some 1750 members. Accumulations of ice on electric lines and trees caused numerous outages across Tri-County’s service territory beginning at about 9:00 o’clock last night. During the course of the night, more than 4200members lost power with the bulk of them occurring north of Route 6 in Potter, Tioga and Bradford Counties as well as in higher elevations of Tri-County’s service territory. The remaining outages were concentrated in the Westfield area of Tioga County where about 1100 members were still without power as of noon today. Pockets of outages also remained this afternoon in the Coneville area of Potter County and some communities near the Tioga Bradford County line. The utility hopes to have all power restored by the end of the day and the public is warned to stay away from any downed power lines as they could be still energized . To report downed wires call 1-800-343-2559. Forecasters say Thursday should be somewhat pleasant with partly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-forties, giving us a slight reprieve before another system brings significant rain or a mixed bag of precipitation Friday afternoon and evening. No details are available at news time from state police regarding a collision at about 7:00 a.m. today on Route 6 east near Charles Cole Hospital and Sweden Valley Manor. Apparently at least one person was hurt. The Coudersport Falcons boys basketball team advanced to the state quarterfinals last night by beating Union 47-55. The undefeated Falcons will return to Clarion University Friday night to play Kennedy Catholic in the state quarterfinals. Meanwhile, The Lady Falcons will play Avonworth tonight in the second round of state playoffs at Clarion High School. We will have both games on WFRM and on our website wfrm.net.
03/04/08 Potter, McKean, and Tioga Counties remain under an Ice Storm Warning through Wednesday afternoon. There is a Freezing Rain Advisory for Cameron, Elk and Clinton Counties and a Flood Watch for all of the Pennsylvania Counties in the WFRM Listening Area while Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties in neighboring New York State are still under a Winter Storm Warning. As temperatures drop this afternoon and evening, the precipitation is expected to change over to freezing rain and wet surfaces may turn into ice according to the National Weather Service. Heavy rain averaging between 1.5 to 2.5 inches and melting snow will likely result in minor flooding of streams and creeks. Because of the predicted bad weather, there are a number of cancellations and postponements to pass along. The Weight Watchers Meeting scheduled for tonight has been cancelled so has tonight’s meeting of Smethport Cub Scout Pack Number 501 . Bingo at the Port Allegany Fire Hall has been cancelled. Charles Cole Hospital’s Wellness Centers in Coudersport and Smethport are closed for the afternoon and evening. The Catholic Daughters Meeting scheduled for tonight at St. Eulalia’s Parish Center in Coudersport has been postponed until Thursday night at 7:00 o’clock. The Potter Coutny Conservation District Board meeting scheduled for tonight has been postponed until next Tuesday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m. However, the Coudersport boys Vs. Union at Clarion University will go on as scheduled with a 7:30 p.m. tipoff. Those fans who would rather not make the trip can catch all of the action on WFRM and on our website, www.wfrm.net. The Associated Press reports Adelphia Communications founder John Rigas and his son, Timothy, lost their final appeal this week of their convictions for fraud that led to the collapse of the nation's fifth-largest cable television company. The Supreme Court rejected the appeal without comment. The John Rigas who is now 83, is serving a 15-year prison term, while his son, the former chief financial officer, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York last year upheld their convictions on charges of securities fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud. Lawyers for the Rigases argued that fraud charges should be thrown out because accounting terms were not explained to the jury and because the Rigases properly followed accounting rules during transactions that the government said were fraudulent. The downward spiral to bankruptcy began in March 2002 after Adelphia said in a footnote to a press release that the company had approximately $2.2 billion in liabilities not previously reported on its balance sheet. State police locally have charged 23 year old Paul Carlson of Driftwood with theft and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Authorities claim this past Saturday, Carlson who was employed by Trish Blouse of Cross Fork, stole $40 in cash from her house and drove her 1994 Chevy truck to Renovo without permission. He and the truck were found in Renova and he was taken into custody. Charges have been filed before District Judge Delores Bristol. PennDot’s toll free pothole hotline is once again in effect. Motorists may call 1-800-FIX-Road or 1-800-349-7623 to report their favorite pothole. PennDot asks that only potholes on state roads be reported with as much specific information as possible.
03/03/08 WFRM received phone calls and emails from listeners today reporting geese were observed flying over the Two Mile Road near Port Allegany and Bark Shanty area near Austin this morning. With the thermometer nudging 60 degrees and sunny skies, today, we wonder if spring is just around the corner. But alas, the weatherman says we’ll have another taste of winter over the next few days. An ice storm warning, winter storm watch and a flood watch have been posted for the WFRM listening area through Wednesday. A storm system is expected to move into the region tonight bringing heavy precipitation. As the mercury drops down close to the freezing mark, there is the potential the system will produce a significant amount of ice or potentially heavy rainfall. Heavy rain, combining with a significant snow pack could lead to flooding in low lying areas. As of this afternoon, the National Weather Service State College office was predicting that rain may mix with freezing rain and/or sleet at around daybreak Tuesday before changing back to all rain. With the temperatures hovering in the mid-thirties throughout the day Tuesday, significant icing is possible Minor injuries were reported for a Ulysses woman following a one-vehicle crash last Wednesday on snow-covered Loucks Mills Road in Hector Township. State police said Dana Reid was a passenger in her Toyota Camry which was being driven by June Nyman also of Ulysses when it skidded across both lanes and slid down a 50’ foot embankment. Reid was taken to Charles Cole Hospital, treated and released. Nyman was not hurt. State police at Kane made two DUI arrests within minutes of each other early Sunday morning. Michael Notto, 36 of Ryenoldsville was pulled over after begin observed committing several traffic violations on East Main Street in Bradford and police allegedly determined he was DUI. When troopers responded to a disabled motorist call on Route 155 near Dunbar Crossing in Liberty Township, the allegedly determined that 30 year old William Althouse of Port Allegany was also DUI. Charges against both are being filed in district court. Troopers at Kane are also investigating a harassment taking place Friday afternoon at a residence on the West Eldred Road. Marc Gross, 28, is accused of grabbing a 24 year old woman by the neck, striking her in the jaw and kicking her in the back. Mansfield-based state police report that a 12 year old Tioga County boy who ran away from home Saturday was safely located at a former family member’s residence in Potter County and was returned home later. Both Coudersport teams advanced into the Sweet 16 round
of the state basketball playoffs with wins in St. Marys over the
weekend.Coudersport's boys continued their undefeated season with a 70-40 win
over Homer Center on Friday night.
0/29/08 The National Weather Service has issued a snow advisory for the Pennsylvania counties in the WFRM listening area. Snow will overspread the area this afternoon through the evening hours. The steadiest snow will taper off to snow showers before midnight. The snow will fall moderate to heavy at times with snowfall rates of up to one inch per hour. Visibility at the times of heavier show will be between one quarter and one-half a mile. Total snow accumulations will range from 4 to 7 inches. PennDot says it is ready for the latest storm with crews prepared to treat or plow roads as weather conditions warrant but advises motorist for the possibility of white-outs quickly developing. Motorists are also reminded of a new Pennsylvania law which requires the use of headlights anytime windshield wipers are used. Accumulated ice and snow must also be removed from vehicles before driving. If you must travel during poor conditions, take along a cell phone, snacks, water, extra clothing, blanket and shovel and or a bag of anti-skid material. A Sinnemahoning couple has been jailed in lieu of $100,000 bail each in connection to the death New Year’s Day of a guest at their house. Emporium borough police claim 28 year old Shawna Coffman and her husband Jesse, 32, gave a 38 year old Melissa Marshall crushed substance which she “snorted.” She was taken unresponsive from their home later and was pronounced dead at Elk Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Coffman was arraigned on charges of drug delivery resulting in death; second degree murder; possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and theft. Her husband was arraigned on charges of conspiracy to commit drug delivery resulting in death, possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. Kane-based state police have filed additional burglary and theft charges against a 30 year woman from that town. Heidi Lynn Horton remains lodged in the McKean County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail on charges filed last September for several daylight burglaries taking place in the Kane area. Police say there are still several burglaries in McKean,Warren, Elk and Jefferson Counties taking place between April and October of last year which may also have been committed by Horton. You may remember Rex, the Air Force Dog who was adopted by his handler, Jamie Himes Dana, now Mangan, who is originally from Hazel Hurst in McKean County. Mangan and Rex were part of a bomb-detection team in Iraq and she was seriously wounded in June 2005 when their vehicle drove over a roadside bomb. Mangan, after retiring from the service the Air Force went to the requesting to adopt Rex. It took an act of congress signed by the President for that unprecedented request to be granted. Rex and Mangan were guests of the first family at a state of the union speech, as noted by Paul Harvey the following day. THE BRADFORD ERA is reporting today that Rex now needs surgery to replace his tear ducts. The condition leaves him vulnerable to infections and there is the possibility if left untreated, Rex could lose his eyesight. Anyone wanting to find out how they might help can contact Mangan at jrmangan@mckeancountypa.org. The Potter county Commissioners during their meeting yesterday, followed their predecessors and agreed to borrow a $900,000 tax anticipation loan to meet expenses over the next few months until taxes are received. Chairman Doug Morley said the loan is similar to a commercial line of credit and must be repaid by this coming December 31. Commissioner Paul Heimel reported that he and Josh Hoffman, a contracted IT specialist and confidential secretary Lucinda Weakland who has considerable computer and internet experience have formed an informal committee to update the county’s information technology which will include a re-launch of the county’s website. In sports, the Coudersport Boys will play Homer Center tonight at the St. Marys High School in the first round of state play-offs. Tip off is 7:00 p.m. The Coudersport Girls will play Blairsville Saturday afternoon, also at St. Marys. Starting time is 4:00 p.m. We will have both of those games on WFRM and on our website, www.wfrm.net. The Austin girls, meanwhile will play Mount Alvernia at Hempfield High in Greensburg, Saturday beginning at 3:00 p.m.
02/28/08 A Mansfield man received minor injuries in a one-vehicle crash Monday afternoon on Route 872 in Wharton Township. State police said 43 year old John McConomy was driving a Verizon truck northbound when it drifted off the road upon approaching a curve. The GMC 7500 went into a skid when McConomy steered in a futile attempt to keep it on the road. The truck spun across the road, hit a shoulder, rolled onto the passenger side and came to rest partially in a shallow pond about 10 feet from the road. Austin Volunteer Emergency Services responded to the scene. Potter County EMA personnel cleaned up a hydraulic fluid leak into the pond. The driver was taken by Austin Ambulance to Charles Cole Hospital and is being cited for failing to stay within his traffic lane. No injuries were reported for a Driftwood driver whose SUV wrecked Sunday afternoon on Route 555 in Gibson Township, Cameron County. Emporium-based state police said William Clark, 59, swerved his GMC Envoy to the right to avoid a collision with an oncoming vehicle and hit some large rocks on the side of the road. Troopers said Clark will not be cited. The cause of a fire which destroyed a Shinglehouse area garage early Wednesday morning is not yet known but is believed to have been accidental in origin. Firefighters from Shinglehouse and Portville responded to the 4:00 a.m. call at the Barb Green residence on the Kings Run Road and kept flames from spreading throughout the adjacent house even though one room was damaged. Firefighters from Bolivar, Portville, and Alma also reported to the scene while the Westons Mills and Allegany departments stood by under the mutual aid system. Kane-based state police have charged 40 year old Leon Bedner of Kane with DUI after being called to a place on the Dwight Road a mile east of Route 321 in Wetmore Township around 3:15 a.m. Wednesday. Authorities allegedly found Bedner passed out behind the wheel of his vehicle which was sitting in a ditch. A burglary last week at the Sylvania Inn Restaurant on Route 6 in Ulysses Township is being investigated by troopers locally. Someone entered the business between 8:00 p.m. last Monday and 6:30 a.m. the next day through the front door without force and removed about $3000 in cash. Troopers are also probing vandalism to a vehicle parked in the rear lot of the Corner Café in Ulysses earlier this week. Vandals left a four foot long scratch on the rear left quarter-panel on a 2006 Dodge truck owned by Joanne Petrosewitz of Coudersport. Anyone with information about either of these incidents is asked to call the local barracks at 274-8690.
02/27/08 Yesterday’s snowfall resulted in some minor crashes. A 16 year old girl from Kane escaped injury at around 8:20 a.m. when her Ford Ranger slid off the Greendale Road in Wetmore Township, McKean County and hit a tree. The girl received minor injuries but did not require treatment. Police said she will not be cited because of the poor road conditions at the time of the crash. However, a Smethport driver is facing charges following a crash at about 1:00 p.m. on the West Eldred Road near the Beers Road. Troopers said 19 year old Syndee Ball was headed north when her vehicle went off the snow covered highway and struck a ditch. She escaped injury.State police at Kane are also investigating an identity theft victimizing a 66 year old Kane man. Thieves obtained credit card information belonging to the victim, and over the past few months made internet purchases totaling about $83.00. In regional news, Martin C. Carlson, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, has announced that a Bradford County man was sentenced recently by U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley to serve more than three years in federal prison for attempting to manufacture and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. William T. Johnson, II, age 24, of Wyalusing pleaded guilty to the offense on October 10, 2007. Johnson committed the offense in August 2006.Johnson’s prosecution resulted from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pennsylvania State Police. Judge Munley also ordered Johnson to be placed on two years of supervised release after serving his prison sentence. Johnson must also pay a $100 special assessment and pay restitution to the Pennsylvania State Police for the costs of the clean-up and disposal of the substances used to manufacture the methamphetamine. Bradford County has been called the “Meth Capital” of the United States and in fact two Bradford County sheriff’s deputies were killed a couple of years ago when they tried to serve a warrant at a meth lab. Ninth and 11th grade students in each of the Potter County School districts will have the opportunity to participate in a TeenScreen Program in the next few weeks. TeenScreen is a national mental health and suicide risk screening program that offers parents the opportunity for their teens to receive a voluntary mental health check. Parents are being sent a consent letter through the mail and an informational packet explaining the program and what will happen if their child screens positive. The students must also agree to the screening. Projected screening dates are the week of March 3 at Austin; the week of March 10 at Coudersport; the week of April 7 in Northern Potter, the week of April 14 at Galeton and the week of April 21 at Oswayo Valley. 02/26/08 The National Weather Service has extended the Winter Storm Warning for Potter, McKean, Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties until noon Wednesday. Several inches of snow had fallen by mid-afternoon today and more is expected before the system moves northward to Maine. This afternoon’s snow may mix, at times, with sleet or freezing rain. As a result of weather conditions, the Junior High Basketball games, Coudersport at Cameron County have been postponed until Wednesday and Bingo at the Port Allegany Fire Hall scheduled for tonight has been cancelled. An Oswayo driver is being charged with DUI following a crash Sunday evening on Route 44 in the village of Coneville. State police said 66 year old Clair Weir was traveling too fast for conditions when his southbound ’94 Thunderbird went off the road, struck a guardrail then came back onto the highway “entering into a right side leading yaw”, crossed a bridge sideways, went off the other side of the road, went up over a curb, traveled across the bridge walkway, struck the concrete bridge and rotated counter clockwise before doming to rest about thirty feet from the second point of impact. Weir was apparently uninjured but was taken to Charles Cole Hospital. Coudersport and Shinglehouse volunteer emergency services responded to the scene. There were no injuries in a collision Monday afternoon on Liberty Township route 488 near Port Allegany. State police at Kane said the collision occurred when Lena Manning of Shinglehouse was attempting to turn around her Chevy Corsica on the North Brooklynside Road and struck a 2006 PT Cruiser driven by Pamela Kellner of Port Allegany. Authorities said both drivers and passenger in the Kellner car, Robert Kellner were all wearing seatbelts. In recent Potter County Court Action, 52 year old Mary Hittle of Benton, Pennsylvania was admitted to the ARD program for six months on DUI and related charges. According to District Attorney Dawn Fink, Hittle was arrested last September when a state police patrol officer observed her car erratically weaving on the Potter Brook Road and fluctuating speed. After stopping Hittle, the trooper discovered an expired inspection sticker. Hittle failed a field sobriety test. Under conditions for being admitted to ARD, Hittle was ordered to refrain from any illegal drugs or alcohol and to be of good behavior; attend DUI safe driving school and the DUI Victim Impact Panel; undergo Drug and Alcohol evaluation and follow recommended treatment; pay all costs and fees and perform 25 hours of community service. In regional news, the state police fire marshal is investigating two fires occurring this week in Tioga County. A house in Westfield was destroyed by a blaze Monday morning. The two-story house was occupied by Tom and Jasmine Shadle and their four children, ages two through eight. Mrs. Shadle and the two youngest children were home when flames erupted in an upstairs bedroom. Authorities said there were no heating devices in the room. Damage has been estimated to be $100,000. And, A hunting camp near Little Marsh early Sunday morning was destroyed by fire Sunday morning. The fire was reported around 2am along Swing Gate Road in Chatham Township and by the time firefighters arrived, the camp was fully engulfed in flames. No dollar estimate of damage
02/25/08 The National Weather has posted a Winter Storm Warning for Potter, McKean, Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties from 7:00 a.m. Tuesday until 7:00 a.m. Wednesday. Some eight inches of snowfall possible and the snow may mix with sleet and freezing rain throughout the day Tuesday A Galeton woman is being charged with DUI, careless driving, and improper entrance to a highway following a collision Friday afternoon on Union Street in that town. State police said a 2000 Ford Focus driven by 37 year old Amy Zinn was struck by a 2006 Suzuki operated by Cassandra Emery, also of Galeton as Zinn backed out of the parking lot at the Wonder Bar. Both drivers and a 12 year old girl in the Emery car were wearing seatbelts and escaped injury. However, a Shinglehouse woman was hurt Sunday morning in a crash on the Carley Hill Road in Clara Township. State police said Kendra Mehl was headed west when her Chevy Truck went out of control on a right hand bend on the snow-covered road, struck an embankment, rolled onto the drivers side and slid along the road, for a ways before striking the embankment again, and overturn onto all four wheels where it came to rest. Mehl was taken to Charles Cole Hospital by Roulette volunteer ambulance. Troopers are looking for an unknown vehicle which damaged some parked cars and utilty poles Friday morning on Route 49 in Harrison township. Authorities say that at a round 8:30 a.m. the eastbound vehicle went off the slippery road and struck a 1994 Chevy Cavalier and 1992 Chevy Sierra 1500 parked at Bears auto body; then hit a mail box and utility pole on private property crossed to the other side and struck another mailbox and electric pole. The driver took off without notifying police or property owners. A 19 year old Genesee resident is being charged with fleeing and eluding police for an incident allegedly taking place Saturday night in Ulysses. . Troopers said the incident began when they tried to stop Cody Kibbe near the intersection of Route 49 and Baker Street. Kibbe led police in a westerly direction for about two miles before pulling over. He’s also being charged with reckless driving, careless driving, failing to stop at two stop signs, failing to yield at a yield sign and speeding. Simple assault charges have been field in district court against 22 year old Coltin Main of Galeton in connection to an incident taking place during the early morning hours Sunday, February 17. State police say a female motorist became stuck near the intersection of Nauman Road and Fox Hill Road at a round 3:00 a.m. and went to the James Hoopes residence for help. While Hoopes was helping the driver, he and Main began arguing and then Main allegedly punched Hoopes in the left eye with a closed fist and jumped on him after he fell to the ground. The investigation is continuing into an identity theft victimizing a Roulette resident. Matthew Schutter, 37, told state police when he received a bank statement for January transactions, he found several unknown charges for internet purchases and a deposit of which he was unaware. State police at Mansfield are probing the forgery of an insurance check. Troopers say someone forged John Briggs’s signature on a $1500 check from Millville Insurance Company to help with the costs of making repairs following a recent fire at his Wellsboro home. The theft of a gun from a Wharton Township camp is being investigated by state police here. Thieves caused $1000 in damage last week when they broke into a storage shed at a camp owned by Michael and Loretta Gulvas of DuBois located on Bailey Run Road. The gun is valued at $450. And there is apparently good news coming from Sinnemahoning State park where officials say that staff members and park visitors have observed a pair of adult bald eagles in the area around the George B. Stevenson reservoir. The discovery of a dead adult female eagle last fall led to concerns that Sinnemahoning may have lost a member of the long-standing resident breeding pair. While it has not yet been confirmed that these eagles are the original resident pair, they have been observed perching in the branches surround the existing nest and it seems likely that the dead eagle was a transient. Testing showed the eagle died from natural causes. The twin-district champions at Coudersport Area High School will both open their state playoff appearances with games at St. Marys Public High School next weekend.The undefeated Coudersport Falcon boys, now 27-0, will take on Homer Center, with a record of 21-7, Friday night at 7 o’clock. Meanwhile, the Coudersport girls, riding a 25-game win streak and 26-2 overall, will be at St. Marys on Saturday afternoon for a 4 o’clock tip-off against Blairsville, which is 12-15.Winners of next weekend’s games will move into the state’s Sweet 16 next Tuesday and Wednesday nights, while the losers are eliminated.The Austin Area School girls’ team will also enter the state tournament on Saturday, but the Panthers have to take care of some unfinished business first. They’ll be traveling to Kane Area High School tonight for their rescheduled playoff game against Clarion High School. Tonight’s winner plays on Saturday night at Allegheny College in Meadville against District 10 champion Farrell. The loser of tonight’s Austin vs. Clarion game travels to Greensburg on Saturday afternoon to meet District 7 champion Mount Alvernia.
02/22/08 A Smethport teen escaped injury in one-vehicle crash this morning on Route 46 in Norwich Township. State police said 18 year old Zachary Herzog was traveling too fast for conditions when his Dodge Dakota slid out of control on the snow-covered road and struck a guardrail. The truck had to be towed from the scene. Herzog is being cited with failing to drive at a safe speed. Troopers here are investigating the theft of some money Wednesday night at the Denton Hill Ski area. Someone removed $200 in cash from a wallet belonging to Melissa Tomb of Middlebury Center between 7:30 and 7:40 p.m. The money consisted of a $100 bill; four 20’s and two ten dollar bills. A Burglary earlier this week at the Tom Mix Camp in Gibson Township, Cameron County is being investigated by state police at Emporium. Thieves kicked in a door and removed several items. The investigation is continuing. In recent Potter County Court Action, a couple of area residents were admitted to the ARD program on DUI and related charges. William Furman, 22, of Genesee was arrested this past July 29 by Coudersport Borough Police when an officer observed him doing a power brake burnout in front of the patrol car as he left the Northwoods Tavern. After being pulled over, Furman failed a field sobriety test. He was then taken to Charles Cole Hospital where chemical testing confirmed an alcohol level of .18%. The legal limit in Pennsylvania is .08%. Patrick Allison, 49 of Austin was arrested on August 11 also by Coudersport Borough Police who observed his car crossing the center line and doing almost 41 mph in a 25 mile per hour zone near Peet Street. Allison denied he had been drinking but his BAC was found to be .13%. According to District Attorney Dawn Fink, both me were ordered to refrain from using any illegal drugs or intoxicating beverages, pay all costs and fees, undergo Drug and Alcohol evaluation and follow through on recommended treatment; attend the DUI Victim Impact Panel Presentation. Each was ordered to surrender his drivers license, Allison for 30 days and Furman for 60. For the first time in, at least, recent history, both Coudersport Basektball teams are District 9 Champs with a perfect season record. The girls beat West Forest 65 to 38 last night at Clarion University to clinch the title while the boys beat DuBois Central Catholic 61 to 41 to take home the championship, also at Clarion University. The boys will a District 6 fourth-seeded team in the first round of PIAA State Playoffs Friday night while the girls will play against a District 6 fourth-seeded team Saturday afternoon. Sites to be announced. Tickets will be on sale at the Coudersport High School Office Monday. On another note, the Austin girls consolation game scheduled for tonight against Clarion at Kane has been postponed until Monday night at 7:00 p.m.
02/21/08 Just think what the forecast would be if we had not had a Hoodie Hoo Day celebration! The National Weather Service has posted a Winter Weather Advisory for most Pennsylvania Counties in the WFRM listening area from 1:00 a.m. Friday through 1:00 a.m. Saturday. A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for Clearfield and Clinton counties for the same period. Counties in the advisory area may receive 4-6 inches of snow, with some locations getting as much as 8 inches. The counties in the Warning area will receive 5-7 inches, with some locations getting up to 10 inches and a significant amount of sleet and freezing rain as well. WFRM will keep you informed with updates on this storm as new data becomes available. THE BRADFORD ERA is reporting today that the U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from 27 year old Timothy Williams formerly of Coudersport to hear his case. Williams was convicted of third degree murder for the shooting death of veteran Kane police officer Steve Jerman on February 20, 1999. Williams was critically wounded in the shoot-out which occurred when the officer stopped him for erratic driving. Williams whose blood alcohol content was found to be .18% claims he was too drunk to know what happened but based his appeal on claims that Becky Lucrezi Olsen was overheard bragging that she had killed Jerman, not Williams. She and Matt Seeley, both also of Coudersport, were in the back seat of the car when it was pulled over. Two women, Marian Kay Nersinger and Michelle Nelson have subsequently been found guilty of perjury for lying under oath that they heard Lucrezi Olsen brag she was the killer. State police who investigated their statements found them to be untrue. Williams is serving 22 to 47 years in state prison. In recent Potter County Court action, two area residents have been admitted to the ARD program for a period of 10 months. Cynthia Fernstorm, 33, of Roulette was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia after a state trooper stopped a speeding car in which she was a passenger this past August 10 in Homer Township. After the officer activated the patrol car’s emergency lights and sirens, he saw a plastic baggie being thrown out the window. Fernstrom admitted that the baggie was hers and that it contained marijuana. When he searched the vehicle driven by Amanda Duell, he found drug paraphernalia which Fernstrom also admitted belonged to her. Jaime Nickerson, 18, of Galeton was charged with two counts of selling or furnishing alcohol to minors for an incident taking place last July 15 in Shinglehouse. Dickerson was found to have taken a 30 pack of Bud Light beer into a residence where a juvenile and two minors consumed the beverage. Both defendants were ordered to pay all fines and costs; be on good behavior, refrain from using any illegal drugs or intoxicating beverages and to perform 25 hours of community service. PennDot announces that work will begin on a replacement project Monday for two Route 6 Bridges in Port Allegany. One bridge spans the Allegheny River and the other spans the railroad tracks. Both are 60-70 years old. PennDot says replacing them at the same time should minimize the inconvenience and travel impact on the public. One detour will be used for both projects, using Route 46, Route 446, and Route 155. The project should be completed by early October. 02/20/08 A Galeton man who died last week in a snowmobile crash near Lyman Run had an alcohol level almost three times the legal limit according to Potter County deputy county coroner Ken Wingo who said 27 year old Carl “Rusty” Akers was traveling between 65 and 70 mph on his Kawasaki Nitro 1000 snowmobile when it slammed into two trees late Thursday night. Wingo told WFRM that an autopsy conducted at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport confirmed that Akers’ blood-alcohol level was .22%, the legal limit in Pennsylvania is .08% Akers likely was killed upon impact, Wingo said. His body was not found until the following day by a DCNR worker who was grooming trails.A Bradford man has been released on $10,000 bail after being arraigned on charges of institutional sexual assault. Kane-based state police claim 44 year old Jay Beeman had inappropriate intimate contact with a 30 year old female inmate while he was a Correctional officer at the McKean County Prison between December 31, 2007 and February 12, 2008. In recent Potter County Court action, 68 year old Edwqrd Green of Turtlecreek, PA was ordered by Judge John Leete to spend 30 days to six months in jail and pay a $750 fine for his second DUI conviction. According to Potter County DA Dawn Fink, Green was arrested this past June 16 near Cowley Hill when Coudersport-based state police received a call from a concerned citizen that Green “was all over the road.” State police at Emporium also alerted the Coudersport barracks that they too had received complaints regarding the same vehicle. When troopers arrived at the scene, the found Green had pulled over to relieve himself and was sitting in the driver’s seat with the keys in the ignition. The troopers detected a strong odor of alcohol on the defendant and admitted to “having a couple.” Chemical testing conducted at Charles Cole Hospital confirmed an alcohol level of .11%. During their February 14 meeting, the Potter County Commissioners reminded property owners that March 1 is the deadline to apply for reduced school taxes under the “homestead exemption” established to enable school district real estate tax reductions for owner-occupied homes. Applications were recently mailed to property owners who previously were denied or have not responded. These applications must be received by the Potter County Assessment Office no later than March 1 to qualify the property owner for the homestead exemption for the current tax year. The commissioners said there is information from the state some relief will be passed along to property owners this year from gaming revenues, but Commissioner Paul Heimel said it’s the responsibility of the taxpayer to follow through. Chief Assessor Joe Lewis says “Many property owners in Potter County applied and were qualified in 2005 These properties are still qualified, provided the applicant still owns the property. However, many eligible property owners still have not applied. To find out more, call the Potter County assessment office at 274-0488. If necessary, property owners can fill out a blank application at the Assessment Office, located in the basement of the courthouse. Office hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. 02/19/08 An Austin man has been charged with one count of simple assault and two of harassment for an incident allegedly taking place at about 4:00 a.m. Sunday in the Golden Acres Trailer Park here in Coudersport. State police said 29 year old John Conerby who had been visiting Dustin Crosby, became angry when Crosby prepared to go to bed for the night. Conerby is accused of grabbing Crosby by the shirt, throwing him down, jumping on top of him and punching him several times in the face with a closed fist. Crosby’s wife Margaret heard the commotion and was elbowed by Conerby in the face when she tried to pull him off of her husband. Conerby fled the scene and the Crosby’s called police. Dustin Crosby was taken to Charles Cole Hospital by ambulance for treatment of his injuries. Harassment and simple assault charges have been filed against 49 year old Donna Clark of Driftwood for two separate incidents recently. State police at Emporium say that Clark contacted Joanna Wigfield of Driftwood last Thursday afternoon and threatened violence on her and then on Saturday afternoon, she allegedly struck William Clark in the head during an argument. She was remanded to the Elk County Jail after being arraigned on the second set of charges. Troopers here are looking for the thieves who “borrowed” a snowmobile belonging to a Harrison Valley resident earlier this month. The thieves took a 2000 Bombardier Ski-Doo belonging to Jay McConnell from a wooded area about a mile south of his home on Route 49 and drove it to an area on Dodge Hollow about three miles away. When confronted by McConnell, the criminals returned the snowmobile and took off. McConnell was unable to identify the suspects. A Coudersport couple escaped injury in a one-vehicle crash Sunday morning on the North Hollow Road about a half mile north of Route 6 in Eulalia Township. State police said Gregory Rollason was headed north when his Toyota 4 Runner slid out of control on the icy highway, struck an embankment and rolled over onto its roof, coming to rest in the southbound lane. Both Rollason and his wife, Denise, were wearing seatbelts at the time. Emporium-based state police are investigating a criminal mischief taking place between 6:00 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 a.m. Sunday in the parking lot of the Sinnemahoning Sportsmen’s Club. Vandals punctured all four tires on a 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier owned by Nathan Ball of Sinnemahoning causing about $450 in damage. A Nelson woman has been charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police and speeding for an incident allegedly taking place last night in Lawrence Township, Tioga county. Mansfield based state police say the incident began after an officer stopped 55 year old Dianne Rao for speeding on the Bliss Road. When he returned to the patrol car, after warning Rao to wait, she took off and was stopped about a mile and half down the road. Following arraignment, she was release to a family member. Representative Martin Causer is seeking information about Korean War Veterans living in the 67th district so he can honor them for their service to the country. All area Korean War Vets are asked to contact his Bradford office at 362-4400 to provide him with their names, address, phone numbers, branch of service and rank. Vets can also register online at RepCauser.com. All vets who contact him will be invited to a recognition ceremony this spring in which they will be presented with certificates and medals as tokens of appreciation.
02/18/08 A Galeton man died Thursday night when the snowmobile he was riding went off a state forest road and struck several trees. Carl “Rusty Akers, 27, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, along Lyman Run Road, 11 miles west of Galeton, at 9:55 Friday morning by Potter County Deputy Coroner Ken Wingo. Akers was riding his Kawasaki Nitro 1000 snowmobile on Lyman Run Road sometime before midnight on Thursday and became separated from others with whom he was riding. His snowmobile left the road, traveled 65 feet and struck several trees. Akers, who was wearing a safety helmet and full protective gear, died instantly according to Wingo who listed the cause of death as head and neck injuries. Akers' companions searched for him, but could not find him. His body was found at about 7:30 Friday morning by a DCNR worker who was grooming roads for riders. A Wellsboro snowmobiler was taken to Soldiers and Sailors Hospital for treatment following a rear-end collision Saturday morning on the Cross Fork Road about a mile north of Route 44 in Stewardson Township. State police said Thomas Brown was following Joy Huth of Millerton and did not see that she had stopped her 2005 Ski-Doo GTX Brigadier and ran his 1999 Ski-Doo Forumula III in the back. Huth apparently did not require treatment for her minor injuries. Three Galeton area residents have been charged with violating state liquor laws after police came upon their vehicle Saturday night parked at the intersection of the Junction Road and Horton Road in Abbott Township. State police said they found 22 year old Christopher Richar of Gaines, the driver, was in possession of an open container of alcohol and was DUI. They also discovered that 21 year old John Blass of Galeton and an open container and that he had purchased the alcohol for Richar and fellow passenger 20 year old Scott Nealy, also of Galeton. State police at Kane are continuing their investigation into an incident taking place at around 3:00 Sunday in the Gold Eagle Hotel in Eldred. Troopers say 34 year old Tammy Vaughn of Eldred punched 22 year old Jessica Bundy and 34 year old Kelly Austin of Port Allegany as they tried to escort her out of the bar when she became disorderly and a nuisance to other patrons. Vaughn re-entered bar through another door for which she had keys and was hit by an unknown assailant. Vaughn who was taken to Olean General Hospital for treatment of minor injuries and is being charged with harassment and disorderly conduct as police look for the person who hit her. Based on a recommendation by the state's drought task
force, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A.McGinty on
Friday lifted the drought watch declaration for 20 counties including Potter,
Cameron on Elk in the WFRM Listening area. The drought watch was first declared
in 58 counties last August following weeks of below-normal rainfall that
resulted in precipitation deficits
02/15/08 A couple of Potter County drivers are facing summary traffic charges following separate crashes earlier this week. Troopers say 67 year old Virgil Nye of Genesee has been cited for traveling too fast for conditions following a one-vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon on route 449 in Genesee Township. Nye’s Dodge pick-up began pulling to to the right and went off the road. When he over-corrected the truck crossed to the other side of the raod and hit a utility pole before coming to rest over a small culvert. The truck was pulling a trailer full of slab wood which spilled upon impact. Nye was unhurt. State police say charges are pending against 41 year old Thomas Weitzel of Oswayo upon completion of their investigation into a one-vehicle crash Thursday evening on Route 44 in Hebron Township. Weitzel’s southbound Ford pick-up crossed the highway, struck some guardrails and continued on for about 200 feet before coming to rest on the west side of the road. Weitzel also escaped injury. A Ulysses woman has been admitted to the Potter County ARD program for 16 months on charges of simple assault and harassment. Judge John Leete also ordered 27 year old Teri Mills to pay all costs and fees, refrain from using any illegal drugs or intoxicating beverages; to be on good behavior and perform 25 hours of community service. According to Potter County District Attorney Dawn Fink, state police were called to the home of Mills and Jason Greiss last August 18 for a domestic violence incident and found that Mills had struck Greiss in the face; had thrown several cooking pots and dishes and a wooden knife block. And, as the argument escalated, she took a large kitchen knife and pointed it at Greiss. In McKean County Court action this week, 44 year old Randall Taylor of Port Allegany was admitted to the ARD program there for theft and receiving stolen property . Last April 22, Taylor was found in possession of a tractor-trailer owned by a Texas company that had been reported stolen. Kane-based state police have asked Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers to help them locate 26 year old Donald DeFilippo, formerly of Bradford. He was arrested last April 15 for possessing cocaine and failed to show up for court. A warrant has been issued for his arrest. He’s described as being 5’9”, weighs 170 pounds, has brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information as to his whereabouts is asked to call toll free 1-800-4PA TIPS. All callers remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000. The Pennsylvania Wilds initiative has received the
national Phoenix Award from is receiving the national Phoenix Award from the
Society of American Travel Writers. The award is one of four being made in
recognition of major conservation and
02/14/08 A Port Allegany man was seriously injured in a collision Wednesday morning on Route 6 in Roulette Township. Troopers said the collision occurred as Christopher Burr tried to pass an International truck operated by Kevin Bisher of Roulette which was beginning a left turn from the eastbound lane onto the Trout Brook Road. That section of highway was closed to traffic as rescue personnel worked to extricate Burr from his heavily damaged 1985 Mercedes Benz sedan. He was taken to Charles Cole hospital for treatment. A 4 year old boy received minor injuries while three girls, ages 7, 1 and 8 months escaped injury. All of the children were taken to the hospital as a precaution. Troopers said Burr was not wearing a seat belt but the children were in proper restraints. Bisher who wore a seatbelt was not hurt. Volunteer emergency services personnel from Roulette and Port Allegany responded to the scene. Authorities say Burr will be charged with various summary traffic violations. Charges are also pending against a PennDot driver following the crash yesterday of a snowplow on Route 59 in Lafayette Township, McKean County. State police at Kane said 46 year old David Confer of Rew lost control of the plow at around 3:30 a.m. while negotiating a right curve. The truck crossed to the other side of the road, struck a ditch and hit a utility pole, dragging down power lines. Confer was not hurt but residents of immediate area were without power for some time. A motorist who did not see the downed wires was trapped in his vehicle until Penelec personnel could shut of the power. And that section of highway was closed to traffic for several hours. Neither Emporium driver was hurt in a rear-end collision Monday afternoon on Route 120 in Shippen Township, Cameron County. State police said David Burgett failed to see a Chevy half-ton pick up operated by Christopher Crosby which had stopped in the eastbound lane to make a left hand turn, and allowed his Chevy Blazer to run into the back of the truck A McKean County man was sentenced earlier this week in Erie Federal Court on child pornography charges. U.S. District Judge Sean McLaughlin ordered 39 year old Christopher Ausherman to spend 112 months in prison, but granted a request that the time be served at the Federal Correctional Facility McKean in Lafayette Township. Ausherman must spend 10 years on supervised release after completing his prison term and he must also register as a sex offender. He was arrested in early 2007 after a neighbor told police he had seen child pornography and Ausherman’s computer. Investigators found multiple computer printed photographs, Cds, movies and images depicting child pornography in his home. In return for Ausherman’s guilty plea, a charge of possessing child pornography was dismissed.
02/12/08 Ol’ Man Winter just doesn’t want to give up. Some four inches of snow fell in the WFRM listening area Tuesday afternoon through early today, and a round of freezing rain before the morning commute forced the delay in the start of classes for many area schools. Galeton and Smethport School Districts cancelled classes for the day. Slippery road conditions no doubt were a factor in a multi-vehicle pile up on Route 6 near the Trout Brook Road in Roulette Township. State police closed that section of the road for a period of time and told WFRM there was “entrapment.” Route 59 in McKean County was closed to traffic for several hours today after a snowplow hit a utility pole and pulled down some electric wires. The forecast for Thursday calls for a mix of clouds and sun and a high in the 30s. But forecasters already are advising that a n’oreaster may be headed our way late this coming weekend. A Smethport woman received minor injuries Tuesday afternoon when her car overturned on Route 6 about a mile west of Coudersport .State police said Brenda Young was headed east when her Nissan Murano went out of control on the snow-covered highway. When Young tried to regain control, the car went off the road, struck an embankment and rolled over onto the passenger side. She was taken to Charles Cole Hospital by Coudersport Volunteer Ambulance. Police say she is being charged with failing to drive at a safe speed. No one was hurt in a three-vehicle crash Tuesday morning on the Hickox-Ulysses Road in Bingham Township. According to Coudersport-based state police 19 year old Brett Nichols of Ulysses was traveling north too fast for road conditions when his Ford Ranger slid out of control on a right curve. Nichols abruptly steered to the left to avoid another vehicle which was stopped in his lane preparing to turn left and struck a southbound Dodge Ram driven by Walter Hewitt of Genesee. The Nichols pickup went off the road, crossed a ditch and struck the right side of a Chevy S-10 operated by Turner Polen of Genesee which was stopped in a private drive waiting to enter the highway. Nichols is being cited for failing to drive at a safe speed and failing to stay in roadways laned for traffic. DUI charges are pending against 22 year old Gregory Rees of Austin following a couple of crashes early Sunday morning in Portage Township. Authorities say Rees’s Ford Ranger went off the road and hit a porch at a house located at 32 Stiner Street, Austin. Rees then allegedly fled the scene, northbound on route 872 where the truck hit a section of guardrail. Rees continued on for a couple of miles until his truck went off the side of the road, traveled down a 10 foot embankment, and became stuck. Rees apparently left the scene but was later located and placed under arrest. He was not injured in any of the mishaps. In recent Potter County Court action, 53 year old David Bedelyon of Ulysses was ordered to spend 18 months on probation for theft , pay a $250 fine; and make full restitution to PennDot. According to Potter County District Attorney Dawn Fink, while employed by PennDot, Bedelyon helped himself to welding rods, 80 gallons of diesel fuel and various other vehicle maintenance products valued at a total of $1900 stored at the Genesee stockpile.
02/11/08 Today’s frigid temperatures and dangerous wind chill levels, thanks to an Alberta Clipper caused a two-hour delay in the start of classes at many area schools. Potter County Senior Centers were closed and seniors receiving home-delivered meals were advised to use their “Blizzard Boxes.” EMA weather observer Tony Pierotti told WFRM that the wind chill at 7:00 a.m. was -18 degrees. As if that’s not enough, Mother Nature has some more winter weather for us. The National Weather Service has posted a winter storm watch for the WFRM listening area from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning. A storm system will bring snow back into the area Tuesday with several inches accumulation possible through early Wednesday morning. The snow may briefly mix with sleet and freezing rain Tuesday night. A winter storm watch means there is a potential for significant snow or ice accumulation that may impact travel. The exact path of the system is uncertain, however if snow or ice becomes imminent, the National Weather Service will issue a winter storm warning. DUI charges are being filed against a Whitesville, NY driver following a crash early Saturday morning in Genesee. Daniel Ordway, 27, was turning south from Academy Street onto the West Bingham Road when he allegedly swerved to avoid another vehicle and allowed his Ford truck to go off the road and hit a sign where he encountered state police who placed him under arrest for driving while intoxicated. A Port Allegany woman was hurt Friday afternoon in a rear-end collision on Route 6 in Liberty Township. State police report Leslie Kio had stopped her Dodge caliber to turn onto the upper Grimes road and was struck by a 2000 Saturn driven by James McDonald of Mt. Jewett. Kio was taken to Charles Cole hospital for treatment of minor injuries. McDonald is being cited for speeding. A17 year old Bradford teen is being cited for speeding following a three vehicle crash on icy Route 219 Saturday night. State police said the teen’s Pontiac Grand Am slammed into the back of a Ford Escort station wagon driven by Cheryl Peterson of Mt. Jewett which had stopped for an earlier crash. Peterson was able to steer her wagon after impact and only struck the drivers side rear bumper on a Jeep Cherokee driven by Michael Clouser. All three drivers and their passengers escaped injury.. One driver was hurt in a collision taking place Saturday night on Route 219 in Sergeant Township, McKean County. State police said Brandon Crouse of Randolph, NY was headed north near Burning Well when his Ford F250 began to fishtail on a left curve. The pickup traveled across the road, struck a guard rail then began to rotate in a circle and was struck by a southbound |