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Gerri Miller

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twin tiers for 29 years

Copyright: 2008 G.R. Miller. All Rights Reserved.

November 28, 2008

Thursday’s high: 43, Overnight low: 23

Breezy, overcast with a few flurries

The National Weather Service has issued a Lake Effect

Snow Warning for Cattaraugus County

A Lake Effect Snow Advisory for Allegany County until

6:00 a.m. Saturday

Car/Deer Collisions Investigated
It’s the time of year for car/deer collisions and area state police report investigating a couple recently. A Shinglehouse couple escaped injury Sunday night in on Route 44 a half mile south of the Legion Road in Sharon Township when their Dodge van struck a whitetail which had come onto the highway in their path. Troopers said both the driver, Lowell Dickerson and his wife, Celia where wearing seatbelts and escaped injury. A Port Allegany driver and her passenger also escaped injury in an encounter with a deer on Route 6 in Liberty township Thursday night. Authorities said Kari Stake was headed east near the Brooklynside road when her Ford Explorer hit a deer. The impact caused disabling damage to the SUV. Stake and her passenger Michael Backus, also of Port were also wearing seatbelts and escaped injury.

Summary Traffic Charges being Filed after Crash
Minor injuries were reported for 30 year old Timothy Bittner of Eldred following a crash around noontime Tuesday on the Kinney Road a half mile west of Route 244 in Genesee Township. State police said Bittner lost control of his Chevy S-10 while rounding a right hand curve. The pick-up traveled off the road and went over an embankment into a culvert where it came to rest.

DUI Charges Pending Against Downstate Driver
State police here say they are filing DUI charges against 44 year old Eugene Graybill II after pulling him over last Saturday night on the Bean Hill Road south of Germania when he allegedly failed to use his turn signal while making a right hand turn. Police say they determined he was driving under the influence of alcohol and took him to Charles Cole Hospital for chemical testing.

Coudersport Woman Charged with Biting
Troopers locally have also charged 29yer old Angela Elliott of North Main Street Coudersport with harassment in connection to an incident allegedly taking place Tuesday night in her home. Authorities claim Elliott bit the left collar bone and right shoulder of a 30 year old male victim during an argument.

Port Allegany Man Charged with Criminal Trespass
Kane-based state police have charged 54 year old Billy Taylor, Sr. with criminal trespass after he allegedly entered the home of Janet Taylor on Route 155 in Liberty Township Wednesday morning after being told he was not privileged to do so.

Looking for Missing Money
Coudersport-based state police say they are looking for the thief who stole cash from a dead man earlier this year. Troopers said while conducting their investigation into the death of Mark Higley which occurred during the early morning of September 5, they discovered that prior to being transported to Charles Cole Hospital, Higley had $300 in cash in his wallet but it was missing upon his arrival at the hospital. The money is apparently the property of Jane Higley of Port Allegany. The investigation is continuing.

Potter County Still Leads State in Bear Harvest
Two days of bear hunting have produced a preliminary harvest of 2,518 bears, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission reports.In 2007, 1,638 bears passed through check stations the first two days. In 2006, 2,185 bears were taken. In 2005, when the state record bear harvest was set, agency personnel processed 2,875 bears through the first two days of season; 2,262 in 2004; 2,299 in 2003; and 2,022 in 2002. After the second day, Potter County still led the state in the number of bears taken with 256 (87 in 2007), followed by Tioga, 205 (102); Lycoming, 195 (97); McKean, 126 (80); and Clearfield, 98 (70). The three-day statewide season concluded on Wednesday but there is an extended season in some WMUs.

Enhanced Traveler Information Services Coming
Starting next summer, motorists across Pennsylvania will have access to additional statewide travel information according to an announcement from PennDot.By next summer, 511 Pennsylvania will provide free traveler information services such as travel delays, road and weather conditions and regional tourism information that will be accessible via the Internet and phone. Users will be able to register for proactive travel alerts, provided through e-mail and text messaging. The 511 system will also provide transit and air travel information in metropolitan areas around the state. PennDOT plans to expand services in the future. The Federal Communications Commission designated 511 as the nationwide three-digit telephone number for traveler information. Thirty-three states have 511 services. Telvent Farradyne was recently selected as the contractor to lead the development and execution of Pennsylvania’s 511 system.
In the meantime, PennDot says travelers can access current traveler information at: www.dot.state.pa.us. Motorists will find travel conditions for all Pennsylvania interstates, as well as travel advisories, weather forecasts and traffic cameras. The travel page also includes a winter driving guide, the “Ice and Snow, Take it Slow” brochure. The guide provides winter driving tips and includes a list of what should be included in a simple emergency travel kit. PennDOT also reminds travelers that weather-related road condition information for all Pennsylvania interstates can be obtained by calling the interstate road conditions hotline at 1-888-783-6783 for in-state callers; out-of-state callers should dial 717-783-5186.