|
n WFRM NEWS ARCHIVE |October - November - December 2006 3 Back
to Archive (Past Months) |
|
12/29/06 The Potter County Board of Commissioners will be meeting on Friday morning to take action on the county’s 2007 operating budget. At last report, Commissioners Ken Wingo, Catherine Bowers and John Torok were prepared to approve a 14% increase in the county’s real estate tax to cover higher operating expenses in the county’s 6.1-million-dollar budget. The real estate tax would rise from the current 10.8 mills to 12.3 mills on each property’s assessed value. The commissioners report that higher health insurance costs, utility expenses and salaries are among the main factors in the need for higher taxes next year. Friday morning’s session starts with a salary board meeting at 10:30, followed by the board of commissioners meeting on the 2007 budget. Both meetings are open to the public. Pittsburgh Corning officials have confirmed that at least 50 jobs at the company’s Port Allegany plant will be eliminated no later than the end of next month as a melter and related operations are shut down. Employees say Pitt-Corning has cut back production at Port Allegany because it can import glass blocks from China at less cost than manufacturing them locally. The company is operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, based on millions of dollars owed to lenders, suppliers and plaintiffs in class action lawsuits stemming from employees’ exposure to asbestos in the workplace.
The park surrounding one of Potter County’s most popular tourist attractions, the Austin Dam along Rt. 872, will be the site of major activity in the coming year. Austin Dam Memorial Park will once again be the focus of a Pennsylvania Conservation Corps project, according to a spokesman from the Austin Dam Memorial Association. That group is determined to make the park an even more attractive destination for everyone from history buffs and curiosity-seekers to picnickers and outdoor enthusiasts. Over the years, the association has tackled the major challenges of land acquisition, brush-clearing, road-building and construction of a pavilion and picnic facilities. It has been accomplished almost entirely through private donations and fund-raisers. The group’s goal is to have the park in tip-top shape in time for the 100-year anniversary of the Austin flood of 1911.
Additional details have been released by police on a Christmas morning fire that left five Smethport residents homeless. Leonard Hess, who is a member of the Smethport Volunteer Fire Department, awoke at about 3:30 Christmas morning to the smell of smoke and crackling sound of a fire at a garage-apartment unit along Rt. 446 in the borough. Hess was able to help another adult and three children to safety. Investigators believe the fire started on the exterior of the building and spread in the direction of the apartment. Volunteer firefighters were able to douse the flames before they consumed the structure, limiting damage to an estimated $15,000. Firefighter Hess was treated for smoke inhalation.
Bradford Regional Airport Authority members expect 2007 to be a year of considerable progress at the facility. Airport officials report that they will see increased revenue from nearly 40 active oil and gas wells on airport property. Other economic development activities on airport land could also provide revenue, now that a water and sewer project is complete. Subsidies from participating counties will remain unchanged: McKean pays $168,000; Elk pays $24,000; and Cameron pays more than $5,000. Potter and Warren counties are also members of the authority. Revenue sources include sale of jet fuel, fees paid by Colgan Air to operate flights at the airport, and various rental units.
Libraries in Potter and Tioga counties are becoming more automated, thanks to a federal grant covering new software. With each library’s catalogue of books and periodicals to be posted on the Internet and with book checkout, circulation reports and overdue notices being automated, local librarians will have more time to assist patrons, while users will be able to search their libraries or others in the region much more efficiently.
Cooler weather and a dusting of snow have the operators of Ski Denton in Potter County hoping for a successful winter ski season. Co-owners Scott Carts and Shawn Schoonover, who took over the ski area in April, are planning to build on prior operators’ efforts to establish the former Denton Hill Family Ski Resort as a year-‘round recreational facility. They added mountain biking in May and are planning to tie-in Ski Denton’s activities with the beefed-up advertising of attractions along U.S. Route 6 and other tourist promotion activities. And, in local sports, three of the four games in the Coudersport Holiday Basketball Tournament Wednesday weren’t decided until the final minute, setting the stage for some high drama in today’s final round. WFRM will bring you live coverage of tonight’s back to back championship games, starting with the girls’ basketball rivalry between Northern Potter and Coudersport at about 6 o’clock, followed by the boys’ championship game between Coudersport and Union High School at about 7:45. In Tuesday’s openers, Northern Potter’s girls edged Kane, 43 to 40, and the Coudersport girls drubbed Cowanesque Valley, 65 to 9. The boys’ games saw Union squeak past Northern Potter, 74 to 72, while Coudersport pulled away late for a 60 to 49 w 12/28/06 The Potter County Board of Commissioners will be meeting on Friday morning to take action on the county’s 2007 operating budget. At last report, Commissioners Ken Wingo, Catherine Bowers and John Torok were prepared to approve a 14% increase in the county’s real estate tax to cover higher operating expenses in the county’s 6.1-million-dollar budget. The real estate tax would rise from the current 10.8 mills to 12.3 mills on each property’s assessed value. The commissioners report that higher health insurance costs, utility expenses and salaries are among the main factors in the need for higher taxes next year. Friday morning’s session starts with a salary board meeting at 10:30, followed by the board of commissioners meeting on the 2007 budget. Both meetings are open to the public. Pittsburgh Corning officials have confirmed that at least 50 jobs at the company’s Port Allegany plant will be eliminated no later than the end of next month as a melter and related operations are shut down. Employees say Pitt-Corning has cut back production at Port Allegany because it can import glass blocks from China at less cost than manufacturing them locally. The company is operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, based on millions of dollars owed to lenders, suppliers and plaintiffs in class action lawsuits stemming from employees’ exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The park surrounding one of Potter County’s most popular tourist attractions, the Austin Dam along Rt. 872, will be the site of major activity in the coming year. Austin Dam Memorial Park will once again be the focus of a Pennsylvania Conservation Corps project, according to a spokesman from the Austin Dam Memorial Association. That group is determined to make the park an even more attractive destination for everyone from history buffs and curiosity-seekers to picnickers and outdoor enthusiasts. Over the years, the association has tackled the major challenges of land acquisition, brush-clearing, road-building and construction of a pavilion and picnic facilities. It has been accomplished almost entirely through private donations and fund-raisers. The group’s goal is to have the park in tip-top shape in time for the 100-year anniversary of the Austin flood of 1911.
Additional details have been released by police on a Christmas morning fire that left five Smethport residents homeless. Leonard Hess, who is a member of the Smethport Volunteer Fire Department, awoke at about 3:30 Christmas morning to the smell of smoke and crackling sound of a fire at a garage-apartment unit along Rt. 446 in the borough. Hess was able to help another adult and three children to safety. Investigators believe the fire started on the exterior of the building and spread in the direction of the apartment. Volunteer firefighters were able to douse the flames before they consumed the structure, limiting damage to an estimated $15,000. Firefighter Hess was treated for smoke inhalation.
Bradford Regional Airport Authority members expect 2007 to be a year of considerable progress at the facility. Airport officials report that they will see increased revenue from nearly 40 active oil and gas wells on airport property. Other economic development activities on airport land could also provide revenue, now that a water and sewer project is complete. Subsidies from participating counties will remain unchanged: McKean pays $168,000; Elk pays $24,000; and Cameron pays more than $5,000. Potter and Warren counties are also members of the authority. Revenue sources include sale of jet fuel, fees paid by Colgan Air to operate flights at the airport, and various rental units. Libraries in Potter and Tioga counties are becoming more automated, thanks to a federal grant covering new software. With each library’s catalogue of books and periodicals to be posted on the Internet and with book checkout, circulation reports and overdue notices being automated, local librarians will have more time to assist patrons, while users will be able to search their libraries or others in the region much more efficiently. Cooler weather and a dusting of snow have the operators of Ski Denton in Potter County hoping for a successful winter ski season. Co-owners Scott Carts and Shawn Schoonover, who took over the ski area in April, are planning to build on prior operators’ efforts to establish the former Denton Hill Family Ski Resort as a year-‘round recreational facility. They added mountain biking in May and are planning to tie-in Ski Denton’s activities with the beefed-up advertising of attractions along U.S. Route 6 and other tourist promotion activities. And, in local sports, three of the four games in the Coudersport Holiday Basketball Tournament Wednesday weren’t decided until the final minute, setting the stage for some high drama in today’s final round. WFRM will bring you live coverage of tonight’s back to back championship games, starting with the girls’ basketball rivalry between Northern Potter and Coudersport at about 6 o’clock, followed by the boys’ championship game between Coudersport and Union High School at about 7:45. In Tuesday’s openers, Northern Potter’s girls edged Kane, 43 to 40, and the Coudersport girls drubbed Cowanesque Valley, 65 to 9. The boys’ games saw Union squeak past Northern Potter, 74 to 72, while Coudersport pulled away late for a 60 to 49 w 12/27/06 12/26/06 Gallon by gallon, Potter County’s popular Lyman Lake is refilling. A ribbon-cutting at the new dam at Lyman Run State Park will be scheduled sometime in the spring. By then, Lyman Lake should be restored as tiny Lyman Run is impounded to create a source of recreation for thousands. The lake will be refilled naturally by the creek, as well as rains and snow melt. A drawdown of the 40-acre lake began in April 2000 after state officials declared the dam to be unsafe. In July 2003, construction bids were accepted for the 17-million-dollar replacement of the dam. Built in the early 1950s, the Lyman Run experienced seeps and leakage almost since its construction.
A Cameron County woman and her teenaged son are facing arson charges for the August fire that destroyed several homes in the City of Bradford. State police from Kane on Friday nabbed Debra Miczo (MICK-zo), 47, and 19-year-old Terry Bornheimer. Charges stem from an early morning fire that began at a home Miczo owned at 170 Kennedy Street and spread to three other houses, destroying all of them and leaving 11 people homeless. Both defendants were jailed, with preliminary hearings set for Jan. 10.
Potter County’s elected officials will receive annual salaries of more than $41,000 and up starting in 2008, with two-percent increases over the three years that follow. Commissioners Ken Wingo, Catherine Bowers and John Torok have approved two-percent salary increases for nine county positions. The three commissioners elected next year, as well as the treasurer and sheriff, will start at $41,634 in 2008. Those salaries will go up by two percent for the next three years. The prothonotary and the register and recorder will each be paid $47,582 in 2008, with two-percent increases over the ensuing three years. The commissioners also approved two-percent raise for the jail warden and the three elected county auditors. Meanwhile, state police were kept busy over the extended holiday weekend, citing several suspects for driving under the influence of alcohol. Police at Kane charged 37-year-old Larry Green of Port Allegany with DUI after his pickup truck ran off Rt. 155, north of Port Allegany, and struck a tree early Sunday morning. Green escaped injury and damage to his truck was light. Another Port Allegany resident, 28-year-old Christopher Burr, was cited for DUI early Sunday morning after he turned into a private driveway that he mistook for a dirt road in Bingham Township, Potter County, and was detained by the property owner until state police from Denton Hill arrived. A Turtlepoint resident who suffered minor injuries when his Ford Ranger wrecked on Rt. 155 in Liberty Township early Sunday morning is facing DUI charges. Police at Kane reported that Hubert E. Amell (AIM-mull) dozed off at the wheel while he was northbound shortly after 2:30. The vehicle drifted off the south berm, plunged into a ditch and overturned.
12/22/06 The Boil Water Advisory for Austin Borough has been lifted. Austin Borough officials told WFRM that the order has been lifted as of this afternoon, 12/21/06. State police locally are probing a couple of different incidents. Sometime this past Tuesday or Wednesday, someone stole some scrap copper and brass from a garage owned by Edmund Lacher on Maple Street in the village of Roulette. No value of the metal was given. And troopers are investigating the apparent theft of a handgun from the home of Roben Reynolds in Keating Township sometime over the past 18 months. Reynolds told authorities he hid a Black German-made .22 cal revolver in his home and can’t find it. A Roulette businesswoman is being charged with writing bad checks to a supplier. Troopers say Faith Cornelius, of Faith’s Café and Country Store wrote a check in early November to Maplevale Farms, Inc. in Clymer, NY which was returned due to insufficient funds. Authorities claim Cornelius failed to make the check good as agreed upon by the supplier. Charges are pending with District Judge Barbara Easton. 12/21/06 After months of wrangling, Potter County finally has a Victim Witness Coordinator. The Potter County Commissioners acknowledged today that Christy Steiner has “in processed,” is on the job and will now get paid. The situation began this past summer when the new District Attorney Dawn Fink fired Robin Freeman who had been hired by former District Attorney Jeff Leber. Freeman filed a grievance with the union representing county employees. The matter was resolved and an employee of the DA’s office temporarily assumed the responsibilities until a permanent coordinator could be hired. During the interim, the commissioners and district attorney discussed whether or not the position should be a contract position or a union position. The DA lobbied for a contract position. Commissioner John Torok agreed with her, saying that he always thought it should be on a contractual basis but said since it had been advertised as a county job, it had to remain that way for the time being. In late November, the commissioners agreed to hire Christy Steiner, at DA Fink’s recommendation for the position, but up until yesterday Steiner had not shown up in the courthouse for “in processing” which would put her on the county payroll. During today’s meeting, the commissioners revealed that a recent high-court ruling determined that county commissioners do not have authority to vote on department head’s hiring and firing. The county salary board, made up of the commissioners and county treasurer and the involved department head, has the authority to create positions; set salaries and abolish position, but not act on hirings or firings. That is left to the department head. A Shinglehouse man is facing charges in connection to an ATV mishap last Saturday night in that town. State police said 47 year old Daniel Terrette was involved in a “reportable” crash with his 2006 Suzuki four wheeler on Honeoye Street near Plank Road. Police claim that when the investigating officer arrived on the scene, Terrette exhibited signs of alcohol impairment. He declined treatment for minor injuries but was taken to Charles Cole Hospital for chemical testing. Charges are pending the results of the tests. Troopers here and in Emporium are investigating two recent separate thefts of gasoline. A full one-gallon red plastic gasoline can belonging to Dean Lampman of Ulysses was taken Wednesday between 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. from a locating along side Lehman Hollow Road. Between 3:00 p.m. December 12 and 6:00 a.m. December 18, thieves stole about 10 gallons of fuel from a truck owned by Mid-Cameron Authority while it was parked on the South Mountain Road in Emporium, A minor criminal mischief is also being investigated by state police at Emporium. Vandals damaged the tailgate on a truck owned by Terry Sonnenberg of Emporium last Wednesday or Thursday while it was parked at his residence.
12/20/06 Ralph “Bucky” Phillips was sentenced Tuesday in Chautauqua County court to life in prison without parole after pleading guilty to aggravated murder and attempted murder for the murder of one state and the wounding of another. Judge Richard Kloch denied Phillips’ request to withdraw his plea. Phillips shot Troopers Joseph Longobardo and Donald Baker Jr. at a stakeout on August 31 near the home of his former girlfriend. Longobardo died a few days later. Baker continues a long recuperation from his wounds. After appearing in Chautauqua County, Phillips was taken to Buffalo where he pleaded guilty to escaping from an Erie County NY jail last April. He was then transported back to Chemung County for sentencing for the wounding of State Trooper Sean Brown near Elmira in June. Phillips, a career criminal, escaped prison in April, days before he was scheduled to be released on parole. He crisscrossed the New York State/Pennsylvania Border until September 8 when he was taken into custody near Warren. He’s suspected of committing numerous burglaries and thefts while on the run. Additional charges have been filed against three Northern Tier suspects in connection to the seizure of a methamphetamine lab in Tioga County by agents from the Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation on August 30. Richard Franklin, 31, of Cayuta, N.Y.; Sharon Terry, 45, of Osceola and Ashley Adams, 24, an inmate at the Tioga County prison, were charged with criminal conspiracy to manufacture, deliver or possess with intent to deliver methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. The trio had been originally charged with less serious degrees of meth possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. They were arraigned Tuesday in Elkland District Court and bail was set at $20,000 each. Pennsylvania hunters may apply for a second spring gobbler tag beginning Jan. 1. Second spring gobbler applications are available on page 38 of the 2006-07 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 App" in the center of the homepage below "The Outdoor Shop." Hunters also may apply over-the-counter at any of the Game Commission's six region offices or Harrisburg headquarters, however, licenses will be printed and mailed later. Fees set by state law for the special license are $21 for residents and $41 for nonresidents. Mailed applications for special wild turkey licenses must be sent to: Pennsylvania Game Commission, Special Spring Gobbler License, P.O. Box 61317, Harrisburg, PA 17106-1317. The application period closes on April 1, and the spring gobbler season is set for April 28-May 26. Hunters are allowed to submit only one application for the special wild turkey license during a license year.
12/19/06 Potter County officials say the Governor’s Action Team has been activated and is working to soften the blow in the wake of the recent announcement by Time Warner Cable that it will be closing its Coudersport Call Center by early February. Potter County Commissioner Cathy Bowers said all communications about the Team are being filtered through the county’s Redevelopment Authority. She said “it’s being worked on,” but “I can’t give any information as it has to come from the Redevelopment Authority” adding that the agency is the logical entity to help fill the void when some 500 jobs are eliminated. Her comments were made this morning during a meeting of the Coudersport Chamber of Commerce. Doug Morley chairman of the Redevelopment Authority and a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors said the emphasis right now should be on helping the 500 workers and to assure them that every effort is being made to help them. Morley told WFRM later in the day that this is the perfect time of the year for local residents to show their concern and compassion by offering to help or even just listen to their concerns. Expressing optimism that the community will emerge from this setback successfully, Morley also assured the public that as progress is made, information will be made public.Lyman Run State Park officials announce that the Lyman Run Road from the Billy Lewis Road to the park has been closed to public travel until further notice due to deteriorating road conditions caused by the movement of heavy traffic and trucks which are involved with the Dam construction project. Lyman Run Road is open from it’s entrance on West Branch Road to the park Office where an observation area parking lot has been established for those wishing to view the dam construction. Hunters should be aware that this parking is limited to observation visitors only. Hunters may park their vehicles in the ATV parking lot or along Lyman Run Road. Anyone with questions about the road is asked to contact either the Lyman Run State Park Office at (814) 435-5010 or the Bureau of Forestry District 15 Office at (814) 274-3600.For more information about Lyman Run State Park, call toll free 1-888-PA-PARKS. A Northern Tier family has increased a reward for information on a deadly hit and run to $10,000. Rhonda Fromm of Lawrence Township, Tioga County was killed in October when a trailer unhitched from a pick up truck struck her car causing it to flip upside down and crash into a guard rail on Route 287. Fromm who was driving died at the scene and her husband is recovering from the injuries he suffered in the crash. The trailer skidded to a stop but the pickup driver took off without even stopping. State police found that the trailer had been stolen recently from a Tioga County business. Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers has offered at $2,000 reward leading to the arrest of the driver and last week, members of the Fromm family pooled their resources to add another $8,000 to the fund. Tips are being taken by Mansfield State Police at 570-662-2151. 12/18/06 A Wellsville, NY man has been charged with DUI and fleeing and eluding police in connection to an incident allegedly taking place Sunday morning at a round 3:00 a.m. on the Harrison Fox Hill Road in Harrison Township. Troopers claim they observed Chad Potter committing several traffic violations and that when they tried to stop him, he took off at a high rate of speed. Potter eventually stopped and was taken into custody without further incident. He was arraigned before on-call District Judge Annette Easton and is facing charges before District Judge Delores Bristol.A Gaines motorcyclist received minor injuries in a mishap taking place Saturday morning in Pike Township. State police said Robert Owen was headed east on the Galeton road when his Suzuki traveled through a guide wire and overturned several times down an embankment. Police say charges are pending against Owen In McKean County court news, 43 year old Terry Bundy of Port Allegany pleaded no contest to aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury to another person, possession of an instrument of crime, reckless endangerment, and possession of a small amount of marijuana for an incident taking place in May of 2004 in an apartment over a Port Allegany bar in which David Kelley was shot in the face in an argument over a bag of marijuana. Judge John Yoder ordered Bundy to serve 5 to 10 years in state prison, less the 945 days he has already served while awaiting trial. In December 2004, Bundy pleaded guilty to the same charges but later withdrew the plea a month later claiming he was innocent and misunderstood the applicability of a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years imprisonment. Since then, he’s been represented by several different lawyers, some of whom tried to get the case thrown out of court because of delays. Bundy was scheduled to go to trial today. And according to published reports, Ralph “Bucky” Phillips wants to withdraw his guilty pleas for killing one New York state trooper and wounding two others. Phillips claims a letter he thought two officers he shot in Chautauqua County on August 31 were bounty hunters. One of the troopers died from his wounds a few days later. Phillips claims he pleaded guilty last month in exchange for charges against his daughter and her mother being dropped. Patrina Wright and Kasey Crowe are charged with hindering prosecution. Phillips escaped from a New York State prison in early April and remained on the run until September 8 when he was taken into custody near Warren, PA. He’s suspected of committing numerous crimes across the twin tiers, including vehicle and gun thefts, burglaries and thefts. 12/15/06 Austin Borough officials have asked WFRM to announce that a “boil water” advisory is now in effect, until further notice. Officials say surface water may be responsible for the town’s water supply to fall below the required chlorine free residual level. Recent heavy rains, flooding and run-off may have caused the problem and until it is corrected, residents are advised to boil all water used for cooking, drinking and brushing teeth. State police at Kane say equipment malfunction may be the cause of a one-vehicle crash this morning which resulted in moderate injuries for a Smethport woman. Kelli Swanson’s 1995 Toyota Corolla went off of Route 6 in Hamlin Township, struck some guardrails, veered across both lanes, hit a culvert and rolled over onto its roof. Swanson was taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center, treated and released. A 50 year old Port Allegany man has been committed to the McKean County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail after being arraigned on burglary charges stemming from an incident allegedly taking place this morning just before 3:00 a.m. State police allege Glenn Gallup went to the home of Norma Ostrander and Steven Hardway on the Upper Portage Road; entered the bedroom where they were sleeping and brandished a handgun threatening the pair. A struggle ensued and Gallup was disarmed and taken into custody by state police. Troopers here have charged 18 year old Crystal Vanzine of Fourth Street Roulette and a 16 year old Coudersport boy with harassment for an incident allegedly taking place Sunday evening. Authorities claim the two made harassing phone calls to a 16 year old boy residing on Lannager Creek Road in Roulette Township.
12/14/406 State Senator Joe Scarnati advises that he has been working closely with local and state development agencies to assist in retaining or replacing jobs in Potter and McKean Counties following the announcement by Time Warner Cable that it will be closing the Coudersport call center in early February, cutting 500 jobs. The senator says he’s been involved in several meetings and discussions to ensure that every resource is being fully utilized to assist in the retention and replacement of those jobs. He says an effort is under to market the “wonderful community, tremendous workforce and sound facilities” the area has to offer. Scarnati, who will be the first President Pro Tempore of the senate from this part of the state in many years, says he remains very optimistic in overcoming this setback and is pleased with the cooperation of everyone involved. Meanwhile, a bankruptcy judge in New York City is considering arguments made last week by Adelphia Communications lawyers in a hearing on whether the company can distribute what cash it has left to its creditors. Most of the company’s operations were divided up between Time Warner and Comcast in late July, leaving essentially cash to be given to bank lenders and creditors in the case. If the fifth amended plan is approved, the bankruptcy will move into its final stage after more than four years of negotiations and disputes among creditors. Adelphia filed for bankruptcy protection in June 2002 when stock value plummeted following the revelation the company had $2.3 billion in off the books indebtedness. Founder John Rigas and his son Timothy were found guilty of criminal charges relating to the company’s meltdown, but are appealing their convictions. In a crime of the times, State Police at Emporium are investigating a text messaging harassment case taking place during a 45 minute period Wednesday morning, victimizing a woman from Emporium.
12/13/06 A tractor-trailer driver was hurt in a one-vehicle crash early this morning on Route 120 in Shippen Township, Cameron County. State police at Emporium said Ronald McConnell of Reynoldsville lost control of his rig while headed east. The unit traveled across the road and struck a utility pole before rolling over. He was taken to Elk Regional Medical Center by Emporium ambulance for treatment of minor injuries. No one was hurt in a collision Monday morning at the and Eldred Township intersection but state police are charging one of the drivers. Troopers said Maureen Raught of Eldred pulled her Plymouth sedan from the Barnum Road onto Route 346 in front of a Ford Econoline Van driven by Danny Holly of Duke Center. No details are available yet from Coudersport-based state police regarding a one-vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon on the North Hollow Road in Allegany Township. According to 9-1-1 Dispatch, a car was reported over an embankment and apparently at least one person was injured. Coudersport volunteer emergency services responded to the scene. Rep. Martin Causer announces he has secured a $500,000 grant for Galeton Borough to be used toward the town’s ongoing sanitary sewer project. The borough authority is working to upgrade its system to meet DEP standards. Specifically, the authority’s combined sewer system, which collects both sanitary wastewater and storm water runoff was not able to handle the volume of water produced during wet periods. PENNVEST has previously approved a $771,000 grant to the authority and a $5 million low interest report.
12/12/06 The Potter County Commissioners tell WFRM that their research of the local work force employed at the Time Warner Call Center in Coudersport, shows that 259 are Potter County residents. Another 108 are from McKean County 30 are from Cameron, 17 from Tioga. 110 workers commute daily from Allegany County in New York State and another 66 come from Cattaraugus County. The balance come from surrounding counties. The information comes as behind-the-scenes efforts continue to find employment for a majority of the workers when Time Warner closes the Coudersport Call Center in early February, eliminating 500 jobs. The cable giant announced last week that if could not justify the expense of keeping the local call center open. Employees, meanwhile, tell WFRM that they were assured by the company, in August when it assumed some of the Adelphia assets, they would be employed for at “least a year.” Maureen Huff, Corporate Director of Communications for Time Warner told WFRM that all employees desiring to work in a “call center environment” are being offered the opportunity to transfer to another call center. Kane-based state police are investigating the theft of some medicine from the Sena-Kean Nursing Home located on Route 6 in Keating Township. Sometime between November 24 and this past Saturday, someone took a Fentanyl patch packet from a storage compartment. The schedule 2 controlled substance is a narcotic analgesic and has an estimated retail value of $150. Anyone with information is asked to call the Kane Barracks at 778-5555. The theft of a Baby Jesus statute from a residence located at the intersection of Green Street and Fulton Street in Smethport during a 15 minute period late Saturday night is also under state police investigation. The statue belonged to Joyce Green and was taken from a nativity scene in her front yard.
12/11/06 Time Warner’s Corporate Communications Director Maureen Huff told WFRM over the weekend, that the cable giant “does not own” any call centers in Canada. Her comment was in response to an assertion by a Time Warner employee, or former employee, that calls from other parts of the country are already being sent to Canada, and that some customers in California have filed a class action suit because of the poor quality of the calls going to Canada. Huff says that one out of the four types of calls the company receives are outsourced to a company which “may” outsource to Canada but she says the other three out of four calls are handled by various call centers in the United States. As for the lawsuit, Huff earlier said she could not comment on pending litigation. The extended Coudersport community, meanwhile, continues to scramble following the announcement last week that the local call center will be closed and 500 jobs will be eliminated here by early February. Last Thursday’s snowfall was a factor in a number of crashes investigated by area state police who released details over the past weekend. Michelle Houghtaling of Winter Haven, Florida escaped injury at around 9:30 a.m. when her Volkswagen Jetta slid off of Route 6 just east of the McKean County line in Roulette Township and hit a large rock along the berm. A few minutes later, Lisa Thomas of Kane lost control of her Ford Ranger on Route 321 in Wetmore Township, McKean County while headed north. The pick-up slid off the road, struck an embankment and rolled onto the driver’s side. Thomas and her husband, David, had to be extricated from the wreckage by Kane Volunteer firemen. They were taken to Kane Community Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. They’ve been cited for having “bald” tires on the truck. A couple of hours later, Terry Anderson of Rixford escaped injury when his Pontiac Aztec went off snow-covered Route 6 in Wetmore Township and struck a section of metal guardrail. Injuries were reported for a Bradford driver and his passenger later that afternoon following a collision on Route 66, also in Wetmore Township. State police said Henry Weigner lost control of his GMC van while negotiating a left hand curve. The unit crossed the center line and collided with a log truck driven by James Myers of Mt. Jewett. Weigner and his passenger Arthur Holland, Sr. of Eldred were both taken to Kane Community Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Myers was not hurt. Troopers here have charged a Harrison Valley man with cruelty to animals. Authorities say Fancis Burton complained to them that his dog had been stolen, but when they investigated, they allegedly found that Burton had abused the dog and was taken from him for its safety and welfare and has been turned over to the S.P.C.A. A burglary at Empson Repair on Route 49 in Ulysses overnight Thursday is under investigation by state police here. Thieves entered the building through the front door and made off with cash and checks totaling about $1000 and left the door open. Coudersport Borough Council is looking for interested persons to serve on the Borough Planning and Shade Tree Commissions. Two vacancies exist on each board. Anyone interested is asked to call the Borough office at 274-9776.
12/08/06 As Coudersport continues to reel from the not totally unexpected news this week that Time Warner will be closing the Coudersport call center in early February, eliminating some 500 jobs, community leaders have begun a response to soften the blow. The Renaissance Committee, made up of a variety of representatives from the public and private sector held an emergency meeting yesterday. And, the Coudersport Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, during their regular meeting yesterday, wrote an open letter of support to the affected workers pledging to help them through the transitions, assuring them that community leaders are working to bring other employers into the area, and expand opportunities at existing companies. A glimmer of hope was mentioned at the meeting. Within hours of the announcement, a West Virginia firm inquired about the feasibility of establishing a call center in Coudersport. Now that the other shoe has dropped, marketing efforts may be more effective.Commissioner Cathy Bowers told WFRM this morning, that it was difficult to try to market facilities when the owners (Adelphia and now Time Warner) were in place but now that the cable giant has announced plans to leave, the facilities and an in-place workforce become marketable assets. Meanwhile, a Time Warner employee or former employee, notified WFRM that the company has been outsourcing phone calls to Canada for sometime.In our phone interview Thursday with Maureen Huff, Time Warner’s Corporate Communications director, Huff responded to our question about where call center jobs would be moved and after a seemingly long pause…Huff answered “North America.”Today, when questioned about calls going to Canada, Huff acknowledged that’s true even though the company does not have a cable system in Canada, which was part of the company’s argument for closing the call center in Coudersport—it does not operate the cable system here, ZitoMedia does. However, Huff said call centers are often located in the “footprint” of a system. It should be noted that Time Warner does provide service in Bradford and Shinglehouse among other area communities. When asked if she could confirm that some California customers had filed a class action suit against Time Warner because of poor service when calls are outsourced to Canada, Huff said she could not comment on pending litigation. State police at Emporium say that charges are pending against a Roulette man following a head-on crash Thursday afternoon on the Rich Valley Road. Authorities said a Chevy Blazer driven by William Sherwood went out of control while rounding a curve, crossed the center line and struck a tractor-trailer driven by Dorman Moore of Emporium, head on. Sherwood and his passengers, Jessica Seeley of Gaines, Billy Joe Woods of Roulette and four children all suffered moderate injuries and were taken to Elk Regional Medical Center for treatment. With an additional 465 bears taken during the extended bear season that was open last week in certain parts of the state, Pennsylvania Game Commission preliminary harvest reports reached 3,099 bears, which moves this year's harvest into the number two overall position in state bear harvests. Updated preliminary results also now show that the first-ever, two-day archery bear season resulted in a harvest of 74; the traditional, statewide three-day season resulted in a harvest of 2,560. The top six bear harvest counties continue to hail from the Northcentral Region. The leading county was Clinton with 225, followed by Lycoming, 222; Potter, 188; Tioga, 149; Clearfield, 136; and McKean, 136.
12/07/06 Today is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and in the words of Potter County Commissioner Chairman Ken Wingo, “Time Warner dropped a bomb (yesterday) on the community. The cable giant who purchased some of Adelphia’s assets announced Wednesday that it will be closing its call center in Coudersport in early February, eliminating 500 jobs, despite previous assurances that a majority of jobs would remain intact. In a prepared statement, Maureen Huff, Corporate Communications Director for Time Warner said approximately 75 workers, primarily those in IT and Engineering would stay in Coudersport. Huff told WFRM in a phone interview Thursday that all workers will be given the opportunity to relocate to other Time Warner call centers “providing they wish to continue working in a call center environment.” Those who do not, will be given severance packages and assistance in finding other employment and/or training. Huff said the primary reason for closing the Coudersport call center is that the company found it would not be profitable to operate a call center where it does not operate a cable system. Local cable companies, Coudersport, Port Allegany, Roulette and Emporium among others were returned to the Rigas family prior to the sale of Adelphia assets to Comcast and Time Warner. Those companies, and others recently acquired are now owned by the Rigas family’s new company, Zitomedia. Huff assured WFRM that Time Warner call centers would remain in “North America,” and admitted that the plan to close the Coudersport Center was “on the table” from the start, prior to the purchase of Adelphia’s assets. While not totally unexpected, the timing caught local officials off guard. The Potter County Commissioners had just completed the 2007 budget and announced it would be available for public inspection beginning December 8. The Coudersport Area School District approved a resolution Monday night to borrow $9 million to add new classrooms to the Coudersport Elementary School. Wednesday’s announcement prompted county and borough officials to begin scrambling for some sort of recovery plan. The coldest weather of the season has arrived in the area, bringing along a couple of inches of white stuff. PennDot announces that this year, it will be using anti-icing/pre-wetting in Potter County. The operations involved PennDot trucks spraying a salt brine solution onto dry highways to help keep snow from boding immediately to the pavement. The technique is used prior to freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall and drivers are advised to approach and pass the salt-brine truck with caution. A Galeton driver escaped injury in a one-vehicle crash Tuesday evening on Paul Hollow Road about a mile and half west of Route 144 in West Branch Township. State police say weather and roadway conditions were factors when Joshua Blass’s Subarau Forester went off the road and hit a tree after he swerved to avoid a deer. Jenny McCleary, 28, of Bradford is facing DUI charges following a one-vehicle crash early this morning. Kane-based state police said McCleary’s westbound sedan rolled over several times after failing to negotiate a curve on Route 59 near Route 646 in Keating Township.. McCleary suffered minor injuries. One of her passengers, Maissie McKenyon of Bradford suffered moderate injuries. Both were taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center. A second passenger, Steven Burgess of Smethport was unhurt.
12/06/06 The National Weather Service is advising that colder weather with snow showers and squalls will move into the area Thursday and Friday. Several inches of snow are possible across the northern and western mountains Thursday into Friday morning with snow squalls possibly bringing a quick coating up to two inches in some locations. Northwest winds will increase to 15 to 25 miles per hour following the front leading to blowing and drifting of snow. Visibility could be reduced to under one quarter of a mile for brief periods in some places. PennDot says accumulation is expected to be greater in Potter, Cameron, McKean, Elk and Northern Clinton Counties where snowfall could exceed six inches and advises that maintenance crews will be out prior to the snowy weather performing pre-treatment on major highways and will remain as changing weather conditions make necessary. Motorists are reminded to drive according to road and weather conditions and to allow extra distance when following another vehicle and allow extra travel time. And, PennDot is urging motorists to remove all ice and snow from their vehicles noting that under a new state law, they will face fines from $200 to $1000 if snow or ice that falls from their vehicle causes injury or death to other motorists and pedestrians. Meanwhile, the Rubber Manufacturers Association is advising SUV drivers that four-wheel drive may help with traction in the snow but it doesn’t help with braking or preventing skidding. The organization also reports that winter tires deliver approximately 25% more traction than all season tires. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is using the prediction of winter weather to suggest that residents assemble storm kits for their homes and vehicles. PEMA recommends having drinking water, a first-aid kit, canned/non-perishable food, a non-electric can opener, battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries available in an easily-accessible place in your home. Maintain an extra supply of any needed prescription or over-the-counter medicines. Also, know how public warnings are issued on radio and television and learn what each kind of broadcast weather alert means. For example: · “Winter weather advisory” means weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous, especially to motorists; · “Winter storm watch” means be alert, a storm is likely; · “Winter storm warning” means take action, a storm is in or entering the area; and · “Blizzard warning” means snow and strong winds will produce near-zero visibility, deep drifts, and life-threatening wind chill -- seek refuge immediately. While this week’s storm may not bring significant snowfall, the agency says it is a good time to get ready for bad weather we may experience over the next few months.
12/5/06 Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced that agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit have arrested a McKean County man accused of using the Internet to sexually solicit what he believed was a 13-year old girl and traveling to Erie to have sex with the girl. Corbett said the "girl" was actually an undercover agent from the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit, which was created in January 2005 to identify and apprehend Internet predators before they can harm children. This is the 62nd arrest since the creation of the Child Predator Unit. Corbett identified the defendant as James E. Whitman, 47, 60 Corwin Lane, Bradford. Corbett said that according to the criminal charges, Whitman used a Yahoo Internet chat room to sexually proposition an undercover agent who was using the online identity of a 13-year old girl.The criminal charges state that between Nov. 27 and Dec. 1, 2006, Whitman engaged in a series of online chats with the agent. During the first chat, Whitman identified himself as a 47-year old from northwestern Pennsylvania and quickly turned the conversation toward sexual topics, asking the girl about her sexual experience and discussing the sex acts he wish to perform with her. According to the criminal charges, Whitman contacted the undercover agent the following day, asking her to email photos of herself. During another chat the following day, on Nov. 29, 2006, Whitman allegedly sent the girl three nude photos, including a picture of him engaging in sexual activity. Corbett said that during the November 29th chat Whitman allegedly proposed that he meet the girl on Friday, December 1, in Erie, providing a detailed explanation of what he wanted the girl to wear and what sex acts he wished to perform with her. In addition, Whitman allegedly asked the girl if she was deleting the chat transcripts from her computer, explaining that “we don’t need to get caught. The criminal charges state that during a telephone call with the undercover agent on November 30th, Whitman again repeated his desire to meet in Erie the following day. He also allegedly provided a description of the vehicle he would be driving and the clothing he would be wearing. Corbett said that on Friday, Dec. 1, 2006, Whitman was arrested by agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit and Erie Police when he arrived at the pre-arranged meeting place in Erie. Corbett said agents seized a digital camera, computer storage disks and a stuffed toy bear from Whitman’s vehicle following his arrest. Agents from the Child Predator Unit also executed a search of Whitman’s McKean County home. Whitman is charged with one count of criminal attempted unlawful contact with a minor, a first degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Additionally, Whitman is charged with one count of criminal attempted unlawful contact with a minor (obscene performances) and one count of criminal use of a computer. Both are third degree felonies, which carry a maximum penalty of seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine. Whitman was preliminarily arraigned on Friday, Dec. 1, 2006, before Erie Magisterial District Judge Thomas Robie and lodged in the Erie County Prison in lieu of $300,000 bail. He was ordered to have no contact with minors and prohibited from using a computer. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 22, 2007, before Magisterial District Judge Robie in Erie. State police across the region have investigated a number of vehicle crashes over the past few days. A Galeton couple escaped injury Sunday night when their vehicles collided after striking a fallen tree on Route 44 near Patterson State Park. Troopers said Charles Brown’s Dodge Ram van hit the tree after cresting a hill. The unit continued on for a short distance, and stopped partially blocking the road. Linda Brown was following her husband, and her Hyundai SUV struck the tree and then the van before coming to rest. Margaret Gail of Genesee escaped injury Monday afternoon when her Chevy Blazer overturned after skidding on the snow-covered Kinney Road in Oswayo Township. A 17 year old driver from Genesee received minor injuries Monday morning gwhen his 1995 Pontiac Bonnevill sedan slid of the ice-covered Hickox/Ulysses Road and struck a telephone pole, shearing it off. The youth was taken to Jones memorial Hospital for treatment. Allis Brinkly of Kane received minor injuries in a crash late Sunday night on Route 219 in Lafayette Township. Brinkly’s Chevy Blazer slid sideways across the slippery road, and rolled down an embankment, coming to rest on it’s wheels. Brinkly was taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center. Minor injuries were also reported for Michelle Buchholz of Smethport following a crash Monday morning. State police said her Ford Taurus skidded off the road and went down a slight embankment before coming to rest. Troopers here have charged Chadwick’s Flooring and Restoration of Smethport with writing a bad check. Authorities claim the business issued a worthless check in the amount of $2728 in mid-September and failed to make the check good.
12/4/06 Friday’s gusty winds which ushered in a dramatic change in the weather, caused power outages throughout McKean County and part of Potter County. The winds may have been responsible for a one-vehicle mishap at about 5:30 p.m. on Route 59 four miles west of Lafayette Township, McKean County. State police said Ronald Burdick of Eldred was headed east when a falling tree struck his Ford F250. Both Burdick and his passenger< Jim Mead of Wellsville were taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center by private vehicle for treatment of their injuries. A St. Marys driver and his father received minor injuries in a one-vehicle crash Friday morning on Route 120 in Shippen Township, Cameron County. State police said 21 year old Michael Trumbull was headed west when his Ford F350 went off the road while negotiating a slight left hand curve and went off into a grassy area where it rolled over coming to rest in a culvert. Both the driver and his father, Frederick Trumbull were wearing seatbelts. An Austin driver is facing charges in connection to a crash taking place last Monday morning on Route 155 two miles south of the McKean County line. Troopers said a Ford Explorer driven by James Nichols, went off the road, struck a tree and rolled over. Nichols allegedly fled the scene without notifying police and is being charged with failing to drive in roadways laned for traffic as well as failing to make notification of a crash. The theft of a pick up truck from a Smethport residence is being probed by Kane-based state police. The 1991 light blue Ford F150 was taken from the intersection of Route 6 and Irons Hollow sometime Friday night or Saturday morning. The truck is owned by Randy Vangor and bears PA Registration YTA9112. It has a snowman on the antenna, a front license plate with the words “USA #1” and a dent in the passenger door. Authorities said the keys had been left in the truck. State police are also investigating the theft of 11 bags of aluminum cans from the Mt. Jewett American Legion post at around 9:30 p.m. Saturday. The bags were being being stored unsecured on the south side of the building and are valued at slightly more than $60 and were taken by thieves driving an SUV. It’s not known if there is a connection, however the Port Allegany VFW and Eldred Vets’ Club were both illegally entered last week. Congressman John Peterson announced Friday that the US Department of Homeland Security has awarded a grant of more than $187,000 to the Coudersport Volunteer fire department for the purchase of a new engine to replace a unit serving the community for more than 25 years. The new engine will have seating for vie, and features a 1,500 gallon per minute pump, high tech foam system, scene lighting, four wheel drive capabilities , and in-cab Self-Contained breathing apparatus, state of the art communications equipment, air brakes and a diesel engine.
12/1/06 With a change on the calendar, comes a change in the weather. After one of the mildest Novembers on record, the twin tiers braced for the arrival of a winter storm today which had wreaked havoc in the western United States. The mercury reached 61 degrees in the afternoon, before turning around and heading south. The National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm warnings for Potter, McKean, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties today as heavy rainfall and gusty winds arrived in the area. A high wind warning remains in effect through tonight throughout the listening area and a flash flood watch is in effect through the evening for the Pennsylvania portion of the WFRM listening area. It’s not known if there is a connection or not, but Kane-based state police are investigating a break-in taking place between 11:20 p.m. Wednesday and 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the Port Allegany American Legion on Route 155 South. Someone kicked in .a steel door to gain entry, and once inside, rummaged through the cash register and several drawers and cabinets but apparently nothing was taken. Damage amounted to $200. Someone broke a window to enter the Eldred Vets club at about 3:15 a.m. Thursday. The intruder made off with one of three empty money bags. The theft of two 100 pound propane camps from a camp located on Route 59 in Corydon Township, McKean County over the past couple of weeks is being probed by state police at Kane. The bottles are serviced by NUGAS and are labeled as such. Police say this is an on-going problem in the Cyclone area and the investigation is continuing. Ralph “Bucky” Phillips pleaded guilty in Erie County (NY) court yesterday to escaping from the Alden, NY state prison on April 2. He remained on the loose until September 8 when he surrendered to police near Warren, PA. While he eluded police, Phillips killed one New York State trooper and wounded two others. He pleaded guilty for those crimes earlier this week and will likely spend the rest of his life in jail. In McKean County court news, 18 year old Chad Hadden of Port Allegany was sentenced this week to one year on probation for terroristic threats. Hadden admitted writing a message on a bathroom wall at the Port Allegany High School saying there would be another incident like Columbine at the school. Coudersport's Falcons face a tough challenge tonight
11/30/06 It has been one of the most consistently mild Novembers in recent history, but the region will experience a rude awakening with the arrival of December tomorrow. A strong storm system is expected to move through the area tomorrow bringing gusty winds and heavy rainfall. The mercury will plummet from an early high near 60 into the 40’s and 30’s by day’s end. The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the Pennsylvania portion of the WFRM listening area from Friday afternoon through Friday evening as expected intense rain could create flooding problems in a very short amount of time. The rain may be heavy enough to overwhelm storm drains and small creeks and sterams may exceed their banks very rapidly. A flash flood watch means that conditions are favorable for locally heavy flooding which may lead to very dangerous flash flooding. Ralph “Bucky” Phillips will likely be spending the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty yesterday in two New York State counties and today in a third. On Wednesday, Phillips pleaded guilty to attempted murder for the wounding of NY State Trooper Sean Brown in Chemung County this past June. Later in the day, he entered guilty pleas for the aggravated murder of NY State Trooper Joseph Longobardo and the attempted aggravated murder of his partner, NY State Trooper Donald Baker, Jr. on August 31 in Chautauqua County. He was expected to plead guilty in Erie County today to an escape charge. Phillips used a can opener to escape from a New York State Prison in early April, shortly before he was due to be released on parole. He remained on the run until September 8 when he was captured near Warren, PA following an extensive manhunt that involved police agencies from both Pennsylvania and New York. He’s suspected of numerous car and gun thefts, break-ins and other crimes committed across the Twin Tiers while he was on the run. State police here are probing the theft of a digital camera from a Penn Dot vehicle while it was parked in the driveway of a residence on Main Street in Harrison Township October 26-30. The Kodak Model c330 bears the serial number KCGET60924588. Troopers are also looking at an attempted camp burglary taking place along Seymour Drive in Roulette Township last week. Someone pried the lock off an 8’ x 10’ utility shed owned by Leonard Hummel of Hollidaysburg. It was a lot of work for naught early this morning. State police at Kane say someone broke a window to enter the Eldred Vets Club at around 3:15 a.m. and then made off with one of three empty white money bags. The state labor department reports Potter County’s jobless rate dropped from 6.7 % to 6.1% in October. The figure compared to 5.9% in Cameron County; 5.4% in McKean, 5.1% in Elk and 5.0% in Tioga. Pennsylvania’s jobless rate for the period was 4.3% while the national rate was 4.4%. The state game commission estimates some 2553 bears were taken during the regular three-day season last week. Another 73 or so were taken during the state’s first ever two-day archery bear season. The top five bear harvest counties in the regular season hailed from the Northcentral Region. The leading county was Clinton with 213, followed by Lycoming, 196; Potter, 180; tioga,142; and Clearfield, 130. The largest bear was taken in West Branch Township, Potter County. The 693 pounder was shot Monday afternoon by John Eppinette of Adamstown.
11/29/06 According to ABC News, Ralph “Bucky” Phillips pleaded guilty earlier today in Chemung County New York for the wounding of a state police officer this past June. He’s expected to also plead guilty in Chautauqua County to the wounding of a second state trooper and the murder of a third, in a possible deal to avoid the death penalty. Phillips will be sentenced on December 20 for the Chemung County shooting. He is also facing charges all across the twin tiers for burglaries, gun and vehicle thefts conducted while he was on the run this past spring and summer after escaping from a New York State prison a few days before he was due to be released on parole. He was finally taken into custody on September 8 near Warren, Pennsylvania following an extensive manhunt which involved law enforcement from both Pennsylvania and New York. Black ice is blamed for a one-vehicle crash Monday morning on the East Fork Road in Summit Township. State police said Atlee Yoder of Ulysses lost control of his 2003 Chevy Truck when it hit a patch of black ice. The unit slid into an embankment and rolled onto the eastbound lane, blocking it for a time. The number of highway fatalities, injuries and total crashes investigated by State Police during the five-day Thanksgiving holiday driving period all dropped compared to the same period last year, according according to Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller. He said 11 people were killed and 379 others were injured in the 1,066 crashes to which State Police responded during the holiday driving period that began Nov. 22 and ended Nov. 26. During last year’s five-day Thanksgiving driving period, 13 people were killed and 503 others were injured in 1,738 crashes investigated by troopers Noting that studies by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation show that seat belt usage in Pennsylvania is on the rise, Miller said the holiday statistics indicate that far too many drivers and passengers still fail to buckle up. Miller said 103 of the 1,066 crashes, including two of the fatal crashes, were alcohol-related. State Police issued 6,490 speeding citations, arrested 369 individuals for driving under the influence, cited 476 people for not wearing seat belts and issued citations to 63 for failing to properly restrain children in child safety seats during the holiday driving period.During the same period in 2005, troopers wrote 4,500 speeding citations, arrested 292 drivers for DUI, cited 237 individuals for not wearing seat belts and issued citations to 53 people for not properly restraining children in child safety seats. State Rep. Martin Causer and Sen. Joe Scarnati announced yesterday that a $299,000 plus grant has been awarded to Smethport borough to help fund the expansion of the Hamlin Memorial Library.
11/28/06 Pennsylvania’s two-week concurrent deer
season entered it’s second day today as hunters cope with mild
temperatures and the lack of tracking snow. The Game Commission
is asking hunters who take a research deer to report their
harvest to the agency via a variety of phone numbers. In recent
years, Pennsylvania Game Commission researchers have captured
and marked nearly 2,500 white-tailed deer in many areas of
Pennsylvania. Captured deer are marked with plastic ear tags and
many have radio collars around their necks.The Game Commission
is asking hunters to treat deer with radio collars and ear tags
as any other deer. If the deer is legal for harvest, and a
hunter wishes to harvest it, he or she should. If a hunter
harvests an ear-tagged or radio-collared deer, the agency asks
that they report it. As a result of budget constraints,
toll-free numbers on the ear tags and radio collars have been
discontinued. The Game Commission apologizes for the
inconvenience and offers the following alternatives for
reporting marked deer: Contact one of the following phone
numbers: toll-free at 877-PSU-DOES; the Game Commission
Northcentral Region at 570-398-4744; the 643-1831; the Game
Commission Southwest or the Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife
Management at 717-787-5529. And, the Game Commission says that improperly
field-dressing a deer carcass and warm weather can impact the quality of venison
quickly if a harvested deer isn't handled A Harrison Valley got their deer Sunday night, but probably not the way they wanted. Sate police here said Amy Keim was driving a Ford Ranger on the Kibbie Road in Harrison Township at about 9:00 p.m. when a whitetail jumped from an embankment and hit the windshield. Keim tried to stop and hit an embankment, causing the truck to roll over onto its right side. Police said both Amy and Travis Keim received minor injuries. A Bradford man has been jailed in lieu of $50,000 cash bail after being arraigned early this morning on charges of receiving stolen property and attempted aggravated assault. State Police at Kane say the incident began at about 12:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Wimpy’s Restaurant at the intersection of Route 346 and 446 in Eldred Borough when 28 year old Ronald Bliss flagged down a state police patrol car and asked for directions to Bradford. When the officer inquired about Bliss’s identity, he found the car had been stolen in New York State. Officers claim he resisted cooperating with them and tried to kick and spit on them. The Lewis Memorial Library in Ulysses is getting tough on patrons who fail to return items. State police locally are charging an 11 year old from Academy Street with retention of library property after the youth failed to return two DVDs which were due back to the library on August, 11, 2006.
11/27/06 Pennsylvania’s two-week rifle deer season opened earlier today, and some residents have observed that more camps are filled this year than in recent years and prior to the start of the season, several reported seeing bucks with larger racks this fall—perhaps an indication that the Game Commission’s controversial antler restrictions are working. Successful hunters are encouraged to consider participating in this year’s Hunters Sharing the Harvest Program which channels donations of venison to local food banks, soup kitchens and needy families. As part of the program, hunters are encouraged to take a deer to a participating meat processor and identify how much of their deer meat—from an entire deer to several pounds—that is to be donated to the program. Hunters donating an entire deer are asked to make a $15 tax-deductible co-pay and the program will cover the remaining processing fees. However, a hunter can cover the entire processing cost, which is tax deductible as well. For more information, call 1-866-474-2141. A Coudersport woman suffered moderate head injuries Saturday around noon time when she was thrown off her ATV while crossing Whitney Creek Road in Hebron Township. Vivian Spoon, 66, was flown by helicopter to Altoona Hospital. State police said Spoon was not wearing a helmet when her Bombardier Traxter 500 hit a pothole. Both drivers were hurt in a collision about an hour later on Route 6 about two miles west of Coudersport. State police said 84 year old Dorothy Stevens of Wellsboro was headed east when her car drifted into the opposite lane and into the path of a car driven by Sue Hawkins of Bradford. Police said Hawkins tried unsuccessfully to avoid a collision but her car was struck in the driver’s side door. Both drivers were taken to Charles Cole Hospital for treatment. Stevens has been cited for careless driving. Roulette and Coudersport volunteer emergency services personnel responded to the scene and assisted with traffic control. Charges are pending against a Port Allegany driver following a hit and run collision Friday afternoon on the Lower Grimes Road in Liberty Township, McKean County. Kane-based state police said 33 year old Thomas Bennett backed up and fled the scene after his Olds Cutlass struck a Ford Escape driving by Frances Stauffer, also of Port Allegany, head-on. Bennett is then accused of pulling off the road and behind an old barn before fleeing on foot. He was located after an investigation and was determined to be the driver. No one was hurt in a collision taking place Sunday morning at the Larabee “Y” in Eldred Township. State police said 21 year old Jason Ledwith of Cyclone went into a right turn too fast and caused his 1999 Saturn to spin out of control and into the northbound lane where it struck the rear of a Dodge pick up driven by Patrick Eaton of Eldred. State police here are investigating the theft of a dog. Police say a known female suspect is accused of taking a Jack Russell Terrier belonging to Francis Burton of Harrison Valley while they were at a social engagement last week. Anyone who can provide more details about the incident is asked to call the local barracks at 274-8690.
11/23/06 Two days of bear hunting have produced a preliminary harvest of 2,185 bears, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission reports. Game Commission employees processed 723 black bears on Tuesday, the second day of state's three-day bear season. In 2005, when the state record bear harvest was set, agency personnel processed 2,875 bears on the first two days of season; 2,262 in 2004; 2,299 in 2003; and 2,022 in 2002. The top nine bears processed at check stations over the first two days of season all had estimated live weights that exceeded 600 pounds. The largest was a 693-pound male taken by John D. Eppinette of Adamstown, in West Branch Township, Potter County, at 3:30 p.m. on Monday. Another 600 plus pounder was shot in Allegany Township, Potter County by Jonathan E. Kio of Ulysses, also Monday afternoon. That bruin weighed in at 607 pounds. The top bear harvest county in the state after the first two days was Clinton with 177, followed by Lycoming, 161; Potter, 158; Tioga, 123; and McKean 117. The three-day season ended at sunset Wednesday and final figures are not yet available from the Game Commission. Pennsylvania’s two-week deer season opens Monday.The crime unit at the Denton Hill State Police barracks is assisting the fire marshal’s office in probing an arson fire in Bingham Township Monday between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Someone poured an ignitable fluid on the wooden floor at an abandoned house owned by Arlie Holbert of Genesee, set fire to it and left. Trooper Norman Fedder in the fire marshal’s office, told WFRM that damage was minor and was confined to the floor itself. But anyone with information is asked to contact the local barracks at 274-8690. An East Smethport man has been jailed after he was caught naked, crawling in a stream early Tuesday morning. Troopers at the Kane barracks were called to the Allen Street area of East Smethport at about 5:00 a.m. when neighbors complained of an intoxicated man staggering outside their homes. Tracy Holley, 40, was committed to the McKean County jail in lieu of $500 bail awaiting further court action. 11/22/06 With the new dam at Lyman Run
State Park nearing A Claysburg, PA resident is facing a host of charges here for an incident allegedly taking place on the afternoon of November 10 on Route 44 about a mile north of the Tennesee Road in Hebron Township. State police allege 19 year old Dennis Weyandt was operating a 2004 Polaris ATV on the highway and failed to stop when the patrol car’s sirens and lights were activated. The pursuit which lasted more than three miles ended when the ATV turned onto a gas line where the patrol car could not go. However, officers were able to obtain the license plate number and subsequently determined Weyandt was the operator. He’s being charged in District Court with reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, attempting to flee or elude a police officer, reckless driving, inspection and title violations, and a variety of other summary traffic charges. Bureau of Forestry Rangers tell WFRM that the cement truck crash Friday afternoon on Lyman Run Road was caused when the Wayne Paving truck went out of control while descending a hill. Driver Herbert Watson III of Austin was unable to regain control and the unit picked up speed as it traveled down the hill, spilling a small amount of concrete in the process. Watson was taken to Charles Cole Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The truck was totaled. Authorities said Watson was hauling cement to the park where an improvement project is underway. DUI charges are being filed against a Friedens, PA woman following a one-vehicle crash Friday evening on Route 6 just west of Route 219 in Hamlin Township, McKean County. State police said 41 year old Deanna Griffith was headed east when her Cadillac sedan went off the road, struck a utility pole with the passenger side; spun a round and continued rotating in an easterly direction before striking a second utility pole. Griffith was taken to Kane Community Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. An inmate at the McKean County jail has been charged with aggravated assault for a fight taking place early Monday. State police claim 24 year old Douglas Thomas punched fellow inmate Robert Whyte about 17 times in the head and face and also kicked him in the head during a fisticuff. The theft of a chain saw from a Hector Township residence is being probed by state police here. Someone took the orange and white Model 290 Stihl Chainsaw from the front porch of the Art Glover home on the Phoenix Run Road sometime between last Wednesday and Saturday. The saw had a 20 inch bar and is valued at $450.
11/20/06 The Game Commission says prospects are good throughout the commonwealth for the three-day bear season which opened earlier today. Biologists are looking for a harvest of some 2,500 to 3,000 bruins. Hunters took a record number of 4,164 last year. The state’s six largest black bear harvests, all exceeding 2,600 bears, have occurred over the past six years. Lycoming led the state last year with a harvest of 313, followed by Tioga, 242, Clinton, 227, Potter, 214 and Cameron, 172. The Game Commission says prospects are good throughout the commonwealth for the three-day bear season which opened earlier today. Biologists are looking for a harvest of some 2,500 to 3,000 bruins. Hunters took a record number of 4,164 last year. The state’s six largest black bear harvests, all exceeding 2,600 bears, have occurred over the past six years. Lycoming led the state last year with a harvest of 313, followed by Tioga, 242, Clinton, 227, Potter, 214 and Cameron, 172.Coudersport Borough’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2007 is available now for public inspection at the borough Office on South West Street from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00p.m. Monday through Friday. The $2.2 million spending plan holds taxes at their current level. No details are available yet from the Bureau of Forestry regarding a one-vehicle crash. Friday night near Lyman Run. Rangers returned to the scene today and were unavailable to provide details, however according to the Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department, a truck owned by Wayne Paving and Concrete in Ceres was “totaled” but there were no injuries. The local fire department was called out Saturday to help with the possible clean-up of a fuel spill, but there was none and the volunteers and unit were back in service a short-time later. Both drivers escaped injury in a rear-end collision Friday evening at the intersection of Route 120 and the Industrial Road in Shippen Township, Cameron County. State police said the mishap occurred when David Burgett stopped his Dodge Caravan to make a left turn onto the Industrial Road and was struck in the rear by a Mazda Protégé driven by 18 year old Nicholas Guisto. Both drivers are from Emporium. A couple of criminal mischief incidents are being investigated by area state police. Culprits threw a Bud Light glass bottle scratching a sign owned First Citizens National Bank in Genesee, causing about $30 in damage. The incident took place between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning g And, State Police at Kane are probing a criminal mischief taking place in the same time frame at the Pine Acres Golf Course on Route 770 in Lafayette Township. Unknown persons drove onto the fairway causing damage to the turf. The Coudersport Falcons did not need the “home field” advantage to beat Johnsonburg 34-14 in PIAA play off action Saturday. The game had originally been scheduled for Friday night in Coudersport but had to be postponed until Saturday and moved to Clarion University. The Falcons will play Curwensville Saturday at Clarion for the District 9 Championship. They have beaten Curwensville twice this season already. 11/17/06 With torrential rainfall Thursday causing some streams to go over their banks, the National Weather Service issued a flood warning for Potter, Clinton and Lycoming Counties until 4:45 p.m. Nearly two inches of rain fell during a short period of time and flooding was reported in some areas. Sartwell Creek was over its banks at Burtville and the Allegheny River spilled over at the usual “high water” places between Coudersport and Port Allegany. Flooding was also reported in the Eldred area and some sections of highways were briefly covered before the water began to recede as the sun came out in late afternoon. More than two inches of rain fell in some locations, much of it during a short period of time in the afternoon which overloaded storm sewers and ditches. The soggy conditions have impacted the District 9 PIAA Playoff game between the undefeated Allegheny Mountain League Champions, the Coudersport Falcons and the Johnsonburg Rams scheduled for tonight. The poor field conditions at Coudersport Recreation Park prompted officials to postpone the game until Saturday at Clarion University with a 12:00 noon kick-off. WFRM-AM 600 will be broadcasting the game, starting at about 11:45 a.m. and we plan on streaming it over the internet at http://64.8.91.16:8000.Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions will be hosting Michigan Saturday at Beaver Stadium in the last regular season contest. The pre-game show begins at 10:30 a.m. on 96.7 WFRM-FM with a noon kick-off. The Ludlow man charged with giving fugitive Ralph “Bucky” Phillips cover in late August pleaded guilty this week to hindering apprehension or prosecution, lending or giving a firearm to a person prohibited from possessing it. Todd Nelson, 31, was immediately sentenced to 23-1/2 months in the McKean County jail and was given credit for time served since his arrest on August 31. State police recovered some 30 guns at Nelson’s home which they believed were stolen by Phillips from a Chautauqua County, New York gun dealer earlier that month. Phillips was taken into custody on September 8 near Warren, PA and is currently awaiting trial on the murder of one New York State Trooper; the wounding to two others and numerous burglaries and thefts across the Twin Tiers. Characterized as a “career criminal” Phillips escaped from a New York State prison in early April and remained on the run until he was surrounded by Pennsylvania and New York State Police after allegedly stealing a car in Warren. In another McKean County Court News, 42 year old Frances Paul pleaded guilty to eight counts of misapplying funds. Paul admitted failing to deposit various funds collected by District Judge Barbara Boser’s office while she was employed there as a secretary from January 2, 2003 to August 19, 2005. In return for her plea, some charges were dismissed. Paul will be sentenced on January 11.
11/16/06 Heavy rain throughout the region has prompted the National Weather Service to post a flash flood warning for Potter, Clinton and Lycoming Counties until 4:45 p.m. today. Locations in the warning area include Coudersport, Galeton, Genesee, Kettle Creek State Park, and Shinglehouse among others. A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring. If you are in the warning area, move to higher ground immediately. Residents living along streams and creeks should take immediate precautions to protect life and property. Never attempt to cross swiftly flowing waters or waters of unknown dept by foot or in an automobile. Turn around and go another way. A Coudersport woman escaped injury in a one-vehicle crash Wednesday morning on Route 449 about a half mile south the village of Gold. State police said Margaret Shaffer was traveling too fast for conditions when she swerved to avoid a couple of deer on a left hand curve. Her 2007 Chevy Impala went off the road and traveled down an embankment, coming to rest on its roof. The sedan had to be towed from the scene and Shaffer is being charged with speeding. A Maryland driver was released on $5,000 unsecured bail after arraigned before District Judge Annette Easton on DUI charges. David George, 45, of Hagerstown was stopped on West Honeoye Street in Shinglehouse election night for several vehicle code violations and troopers allege he was driving under the influence of alcohol when they pulled over his Chevy Astro van. Troopers are also investigating a criminal mischief taking place sometime between Sunday November 5 and Saturday November 11 in the northern part of the county. Dannette Wright of Genesee told police someone keyed her car, probably while she was staying with friends on Second Street in Harrison Valley. In McKean County court news, 18 year old Alex Loucks of Port Allegany was released on $2,000 unsecured bail after being arraigned on charges of corruption of minors. Authorities allege Loucks had several sexual encounters with a 15 year old girl over the past few months. He’s scheduled for a preliminary hearing November 28 before District Judge Bill Todd. Another McKean County resident is also scheduled for a preliminary hearing that day before Judge Todd. 23 year old Richard Williams is charged by Port Allegany Borough police with criminal mischief, criminal trespass and public drunkenness for an incident allegedly taking place on the night of October 3. Police claim Williams used an ax to cause $1,960 in damage to signs at Citizens Trust Company and another $768.00 to a pane of glass at a business located at 4 N. Main Street. He was released on $2500 bail after arraignment.
11/15/06 A Roulette resident has been charged with rape and related offenses and his mother has been charged with witness intimidation. Coudersport-based state police claim 19 year old Kevin Butler molested a 15 year old girl last December while she was sleeping at his residence on Railroad Avenue. Authorities claim 45 year old Rhonda Butler intimidated the victim a couple of months later into changing her story to Potter County Children and Youth Services regarding the incident. Kevin Butler has been charged with one count each of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and corruption of minors and two counts each of aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault. Rhonda Butler has been charged with one county on intimidation of witnesses or victims. State Police locally say numerous charges are pending against a 21 year old Coudersport driver following a collision Monday night on Route 6 west of Coudersport borough. Authorities said Zachary Easton was speeding when his 2006 Pontiac Coupe went out of control on a curve and struck the passenger side door on a Toyota Pick up driven by Mitchell Corey of Port Allegany. After impact Easton’s car continued on for a short ways before hitting an embankment. Corey’s truck came to rest in its lane on the highway. Both drivers were taken to Charles Cole Hospital for evaluation and were later transferred to Hamot Medical Center in Erie for treatment of moderate injuries. Easton was wearing a seatbelt, Corey was not. Police say Easton is being charged with DUI, speeding, failing to stay on roadways and careless driving and that other charges may be filed pending completion of the investigation which is continuing. DUI charges are also pending against an Emporium driver following a minor collision Saturday evening at the intersection of Route 46 and Woodland Avenue. State police say Eleazar Quinonez backed his Dodge van onto Route 46 in front of a Buick Sedan operated by Russell Beck, also of Emporium Both drivers escaped injury and damage to the vehicles was minor but when police investigated, they determined Quinonez was driving under the influence. Minor injuries were reported for a 14 year old Coudersport boy following a dirt bike crash on the Troupe Road in Eulalia Township, Tuesday afternoon. State police said the youth was an inexperienced rider and lost control of his 2004 Pantara while trying to slow down. Kane-based state police are investigating the theft of some guns from a Port Allegany area home late last month. Thieves took three guns from a cabinet at the home of Robert Strait on Annin Creek. One is a Remington .270; another is a Winchester .243 and the third is an old Army issued 30.06. They are valued at a total of $750 and anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Kane Barracks at 778-5555. Troopers are continuing to investigate the theft of some guns from a Sartwell Creek residence earlier this fall. 11/14/06 The Potter County Department of Aging is once again appealing to residents and businesses to support the annual Holiday Meals Program fundraising efforts. The program provides about 270 nutritious meals a week to homebound seniors who are unable to cook for themselves. The program, year round, helps enable seniors to remain independent and in their own homes and communities as long as possible. The need is greater over the winter months. Persons donating $20 or more will receive five beautiful winter scene note cards drawn by Potter County artist Laurie Shear as long as the supply lasts. The printing of the cards has been donated by the POTTER LEADER ENTERPRISE. Those wishing to make a donation this holiday season should send their check, payable to the Potter County AAA, to Potter County Human Services Area Agency on Aging, c/o Holiday Meals, P.O. Box 241, Roulette PA 16746. For more information, call 814-544-7315 or 1-800-800-2560. Fifty senior citizens have received $50 gift certificates from grocery stores in Galeton, Ulysses, Genesee, Shinglehouse and Coudersport to help offset the cost of their holiday meal. Ed Clancy, former owner of Penn Valley Resort in Genesee and Purdue Farms, Inc. donated the funds to the Potter County Department of Aging to help needy seniors purchase food for their Thanksgiving dinner. Clancy encourages the recipients to “count their blessings and spend quality time with family and friends over the holiday season.” Meanwhile, successful deer hunters are encouraged by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to consider participating in the state's Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH) program, which channels donations of venison to local food banks, soup kitchens and needy families. Pennsylvania's HSH program is recognized as one of the most successful among similar programs in about 40 states. As part of the program, hunters are encouraged to take a deer to a participating meat processor and identify how much of their deer meat - from an entire deer to several pounds - that is to be donated to HSH. If the hunter is donating an entire deer, they are asked to make a $15 tax-deductible co-pay, and HSH will cover the remaining processing fees. However, a hunter can cover the entire costs of the processing, which is tax deductible as well. HSH established a statewide toll-free telephone number - 866-474-2141 - which also can answer hunters' questions about where participating meat processors can be found or other general inquiries about the program. Details are still not available from Coudersport-based state police regarding a collision taking place Monday night at about 10:15 p.m. on Route 6 west of Coudersport. Volunteer Emergency Services personnel from Coudersport and Roulette responded to the scene apparently at least one person was flown to a regional medical facility.
11/13/06 An elderly Sabinsville driver received minor injuries last Thrusday morning when his Dodge Dakota pick up truck struck a Penn Dot truck parked on the Phoenix Run Road. State police said William McMahon was headed south when he swerved to avoid two Penn Dot workers working on the West Berm, and hit the Penn Dot Ford F-350 head-on. The investigation is continuing. DUI charges are pending against 20 year old William Davis of Kane following a crash Sunday morning on Route 321 in Wetmore Township. Kane-based state police said Davis lost control of his 1994 Chevy Lumina on a left hand curve. The sedan bounced off a curb on the east side of the road, crossed the center line, spun counterclockwise, struck a mailbox and a curb on the west side, continued spinning in a northerly direction before coming to rest against a sign at the East Kane United Methodist Church. Davis received minor injuries in the crash. State police here have charged three area residents with underage drinking after being tipped off there might be an underage drinking party in an apartment over Genesee Hardware on Main Street in that town early Saturday morning. Jeff Easton and Erik Hilliard, both 18 and from Genesee and a 17 year old from Ulysses are facing charges in district court. A couple of recent thefts are being probed by troopers locally. Sometime since October 22, thieves made off with two five gallon buckets containing Ford truck parts from a truck belonging to Bonnie Brison while it was parked at her residence on the Dodge Road, Shinglehouse. And someone took two yellow “Cattle X-ing” signs from along the Peet Brook Road owned by Cifton Saulter, last Thursday night or Friday morning. Anyone with information about either incident is asked to call the local barracks at 274-8690.
11/10/06 In McKean County Court News, 37 year old Michael Songer of Port Allegany has been sentenced to six months on probation for stealing more than $2000 from the Port Allegany American Legion while employed there between August 2005 and April 2006. The money has since been paid back. A Portville driver escaped injury in a one-vehicle crash Thursday at about 6:00 a.m. on Route 6, a half mile west of the Bloomster Hollow Road in Hamlin Township, McKean County. A Chevy Impala driven by David Vattes went off the road and struck some guardrails after he swerved to avoidfour deer in the highway. River Valley Country Club in Westfield Township, Tioga County, has offered a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest of those who vandalized the club's golf course this fall. Vandals damaged the 18th green on the course on the night of Sept. 30 or the early-morning hours of Oct. 1, causing about $5,000 in damage. Anyone who saw the vandalism occur or observed a vehicle on the course is urged to contact Trooper Don Wolfe at 570-662-2151. On regional news, New York State Trooper Donald Baker, Jr. has been transferred from Hamot Medical Center in Erie to the Albany, NY to continue his recovery after being shot on the night of August 31 in Chautauqua County as authorities hunted escaped felon Ralph “Bucky” Phillips who was apprehended September 8 near Warren, PA after being on the run from more than five months. Phillips, who escaped from a New York State prison in early April is suspected of shooting Troopers Baker and Joseph Longobardo on August 31 and Trooper Sean Brown earlier in the summer near Elmira. Longobardo died three days later from his wounds. Brown has recovered and has resumed his duties. 11/09/06 Potter County is one of three in a pilot project developed by aPenn State Cooperative Extension-led team to close the “digital divide” of access to the Information Superhighway. Called "Connecting Rural Communities," the project is a Web-based resource intended to help communities, organizations and individuals increase the availability and use of broadband service and other digital tools. The online guide can be found at http://www.connectingcommunities.info. William Shuffstall, community and economic development extension educator, says the project is part of an initiative by the Penn State-based Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development to train educators to help economically-stressed communities increase the adoption and use of broadband services and other technology tools. Three Pennsylvania counties -- Potter, Susquehanna and Somerset – are piloting the project, which Shuffstall hopes to expand to additionalcommunities. Extension educators in participating rural communities receive in-depth training in such topics as "Introduction to Digital Development Framework" and "Connecting Your Community," which they draw upon to teach residents and community leaders. The "Connecting Rural Communities" project was developed by a team of cooperative extension staff from Penn State and the University of Minnesota. The work was funded through the Southern Rural Development Center at Mississippi State University.A Harrison Valley driver received minor injuries in a mishap occurring Wednesday just before 11:00 a.m. on the North Hollow Road in Sweden Township. Authorities said Jason Lewis was taken to Charles Cole Hospital by private vehicle after his car went off the road and overturned in a ditch. Coudersport Volunteer Emergency Services responded to the scene and cleaned up a small fuel leak. All units were back in service about a half hour later. No injuries were reported for an Emporium woman following a one-vehicle crash Monday evening on Route 872 near the entrance of the Austin Dam Park. State police said a Ford Explorer driven by Sandra Richards struck some guardrails after she swerved to miss a deer. Foster Township police have charged 21 year old Brandon Plowman of Rew with harassment for an incident allegedly taking place Monday night at the Uni-Mart on Bolivar Drive. Authorities claim Plowman struck his ex-girlfriend, 19 year old Elizabeth Santiago while they were both in the store. Charges are being filed before District Judge Rich Luther. 11/08/06 Potter County voters did not follow their fellow Pennsylvanians in yesterday’s general election. While Democrat Governor Ed Rendell easily won re-election statewide, voters here gave the margin of victory to Republican challenger Lynn Swann. Robert Casey, Jr. was easily elected as US Senator, knocking off incumbent Republican Rick Santorum. However, Santorum was the winner here in Potter County. Incumbent Congressman John Peterson, a Republican had a wide margin here and won the 5th district handily. Rep. Marty Causer was unopposed. Potter County Director of Elections Sandy Lewis told WFRM today that the election went smoothly all across the county. She said poll workers and voters both seemed to like the new electronic voting machines. Lewis said the counting was complete and things were wrapped up before 11:00 p.m. despite a heavy turnout of over 50%. State police here have charged a suspect with three counts of aggravated assault, indecent assault and two counts of indecent assault for crimes allegedly taking place on Railroad Avenue in the village of Roulette between December 1999 and June 2001 while the suspect was 14 and the victim, nine years of age. Troopers also say they have recovered several items taken in camp burglaries taking place between December 2005 and this past June. The break-ins occurred i |