Solomon's words for the wise: 3/16/08

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Fishing Creek Will Have Sunrise Service

March 23

There will be an Easter Sunrise Service at the Fishing Creek United Methodist Church beginning at 6:30. It will be followed by a breakfast in the community building.

Easter Sunrise Service At Turtlepoint

Turtlepoint Evangelical Church at will have an Easter Sunrise Service at 7:00 am March 23rd and will be followed by a pancake breakfast at 8:30 am. Worship service will be at 10:00 am.

Special Service At Roulette Baptist

The First Baptist Church on Main Street in Roulette is having a special Resurrection Service on Sunday, March 23, 2008 at 10:30 AM with a fellowship meal to follow.

We hope you will join us as we worship our Risen Savior.

Jeff Stroehmann--A Man With A Plan For PA

By James Jones

Photos by James Jones for Solomon's words

Well here goes. This is a story about Jeff Stroehmann, a candidate for the 5th District US Congress, and a man with a plan to reinvent rural Pennsylvania. I met with Jeff for an hour and a half last Tuesday at the Maple Tree Restaurant in Coudersport.

Upon my arrival in Coudersport, my attention was immediately diverted to Jeff Stroehmann's campaign bus, parked on the corner, in front of the Potter County Courthouse. I found a parking spot and walked across the street to get a couple of pictures of this campaign bus decorated up with Jeff Stroehmann's campaign ad.

It was literally a mobile billboard showing a map of the 5th Congressional District, with Jeff Stroehmann's invitation to vote for him, and a bigger than life picture of Jeff displayed on it. In the driver's seat was Jeff's campaign manager, SS6 Christopher Bain, USA Retired.

Well, I want to tell you, I don't know a whole lot about this candidate at this point, but, he certainly got my attention, as well as everyone else in town, when I saw that portable billboard. We were to meet at 10:00 am so I went to the Maple Tree. Jeff's office had told me that he was to meet the Potter County Commissioners first before his interview with me. It was several minutes after ten, as I sipped my coffee, and began to wonder if Jeff was going to show up. Just about that time, he and his campaign manager came through the door and introduced themselves.

The introductions were brief. After telling me about Christopher Bain, his disabled veteran campaign manager, he started to tell me his plan for re-inventing Pennsylvania, starting with the 5th District as a demonstration of what could be done nationwide across the US.

Jeff started describing his work at Moran Industries in Watsontown. This company moves freight. They have employed some innovative programs to move freight farther for less money, thus being more competitive and making a profit. They are using the railroads, which crisscross the central Pennsylvania area to move trailer loads of freight long distances. These trailers are then unloaded and hooked up to big rigs that will then take them the relatively short distances to their destinations. Stroehmann says the cost of moving freight by train is much less than by truck, railroad

s are much cheaper to build than interstate highways, and greenhouse gasses are reduced substantially.

The district is within a day's trucking range of 40% of the population of the northeastern US making it possible for truck drivers to be home most every night after delivering their loads. This would save fuel and help reduce the price as the demand would be lessened.

Jeff shares Senator John Peterson's conviction to prevent tolling of Interstate 80. He says a toll free interstate is the life blood of the entire Central Pennsylvania area. Tolling 80 would drive out the industries we have that depend on transportation of their products and prevent other industries from locating here. Tolling would trash this area's economy even more.

Jeff envisions developing many locations with the railroads to allow this type of loading and unloading. He also talked about exploiting this system for moving freight from the 5th District to and from Canada. Truckers now experience long delays clearing the border. A train would be able to move through the border at a much faster pace than the equivalent amount of truck freight.

Making shipping freight cheaper and more efficient, Jeff says industry would move to this area because they would be more competitive because of the freight savings. This also would cut down on the amount of long haul trucks on our Interstates, thus making maintenance less costly and making it easier for passenger cars, without so many trucks on the road. Truckers would have shorter routes, and be able to spend more time with their families.

Jeff Stroehmann's grandfather was the founder of Stroehmann Bakeries, that has supplied the bread area residents have eaten since our youth. His father, who died at a relatively young age, worked tirelessly to make Stroehmann's Bakeries the best bakery ever. Although Stroehmann's Bakeries are no longer owned by the Stroehmann family, Jeff was constantly exposed to the arts of doing business.

Jeff is shown in this picture doing work for his fire department

Jeff is a Vice President of Moran Industries in Watsontown. He also owns and operates his own Stroehmann Excavating business. He is a former Township Supervisor, was once the county GOP Chairman, and a former President of the Woodward Township Volunteer Fire Company. As a community leader, he has been involved in the Red Cross and Boy Scouts. He is divorced,42, and lives with his 2 year old daughter in Linden, PA. (near Williamsport)

Stroehmann's plan for energy independence for the 5th District is to develop the assets we have right here. We are sitting on a wealth of natural gas deposits,tons upon tons of waste coal, which could be used to generate electrical power and heat for manufacturers right here without having to depend on far off sources. By eliminating transportation, these resources could be made less expensive.

Landfills produce methane gas which can be harnessed, again, to make electricity and heat for a companion industry placed next to these landfills. These industries could produce ethanol from cellulose, which comes from the grasses that are abundant in our area and wood scrap that is left in the woods after logging. Cheaper energy would make this area more attractive to many industries, this providing rural Pennsylvania with more good paying jobs and helping to stop the brain drain, we suffer as our talented youth move on to greener pastures.

Stroehmann wants to encourage oil and gas drilling in the 5th District, and on the continental shelf, but he agrees that these companies realizing record prices for their products, should pay local taxes on their facilities and production in Pennsylvania, to help keep real estate taxes lower, as they do in other states.

Stroehmann wants to develop brownfields, sites of previous industry that polluted before regulation. These sites are usually in ideal locations for industry and could be rehabilitated for new industry, rather than taking valuable land from other uses to build plants.

He mentioned the ingenuity of the area, citing Sylvania in St, Marys, who, faced with a new law banning incandescent light bulbs that they produce, is in the process of developing a new light bulb that would be more energy efficient and not have the danger of mercury poisoning that the fluorescent light bulbs from China have.

He says he is concentrating on solutions, rather than problems. We all know what the problems are. He wants to make Pennsylvania more business friendly by encouraging the reduction of Corporate taxes so as to be more competitive with other states.

He wants to promote a high deductible health plan where the employer and employee would share a $2500.00 tax deductible savings plan, with insurance coverage for amounts over this amount. Insurance would be very affordable with this high deductible. If you didn't use the money in your health account, you would have saved it. He says he would see employers band together to negotiate rates for large groups of employees, thus getting better rates. He said capping medical lawsuits would go a long way in keeping doctors here in Pennsylvania.

Although not a veteran himself, Jeff is dedicated to our veterans, telling that he had visited several at Walter Reed Hospital.

He says Charles Cole Hospital in Coudersport would be a great place to develop as a veterans hospital, so our veterans would not have to travel so far for medical help. It is a well equipped hospital that could serve many more patients.

He envisions Potter County as a great place for veterans to retire, to enjoy our rural life, and not have to pay the inflated housing prices in the city and suburban areas. The extra business would be good for the hospital and would attract more doctors.

Stroehmann would attempt to utilize the fiber optic capacity of the Coudersport area to attract a veterans processing center, using experienced call center people to do customer service work for the needs of our veterans, citing the tremendous amount of veterans returning injured and requiring services. He said that type of call center would provide good paying jobs doing inbound customer service.

He says "I see how excited and receptive people are when the learn about my business background and my strategic plan. From industrial leaders, to health care professionals, local leaders and everyday hard working people, they understand that I am the candidate with a plan and a track record. I look forward to moving rural Pennsylvania forward and fighting for our needs in Washington, DC."

Stroehmann calls himself a pro life conservative who believes in less government spending, secure borders, and our right to bear arms. He wants to eliminate the death tax and make the Bush tax cuts permanent.

He says the War in Iraq has drawn out the terrorists so we can fight them there, rather than on our own soil, and that as congressman, he will do everything he can to make sure our military has all the resources it needs, and that our veterans are taken care of.

Jeff Stroehmann is impressive. He is a man with a plan for Potter County, for the Fifth District of Pennsylvania, and for the United States. Jeff Stroehmann deserves your consideration as our next US congressman. I invite you get more information on Jeff Stroehmann on his website at JeffStroehmann.com

Stroehmann is one of nine Republican candidates for US Congress in the 5th District.

Thar's Lost Civil War Gold In Them Thar' Hills!!

WESB News: 03/22/08 - Update on Lost Gold in Elk County

We have an update on a story we told you about last month concerning a man who believes there’s lost gold buried in Elk County.

Dennis Parada thinks a Union convoy taking it to the mint in Philadelphia during the Civil War lost the gold. Parada needs permission from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, but he says they’re still dragging their feet.

He says the DCNR has told him he needs more proof before he can start digging. Parada runs a treasure hunting business in Clearfield and says the gold is in the Village of Dents Run near the Cameron County border.

Parada and his partners made some initial digs in 2005, turning up artifacts that included bones, a shattered bottle, a pocketknife, tin cans and two bullets. The state halted that effort.

WILDFIRE AT WRIGHTS

RECALLED AT 1:55 pm
Roulette and Austin Firemen have been dispatched to assist Port Allegany firemen at the scene of a wildfire at the Village of Wrights south of Port Allegany.
File Photo
REMINDER: This time of year, dry grass and stiff breezes make it easy for fire to get away from you. Use extreme caution when burning to avoid starting a wildfire.

Cantalopes From Honduras Suspected Cause Of Salmonella

FDA Warns of Salmonella Risk with Cantaloupes from Agropecuaria Montelibano (March 22)
Sat, 22 Mar 2008 08:42:00 -0500

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an import alert regarding entry of cantaloupe from Agropecuaria Montelibano, a Honduran grower and packer, because, based on current information, fruit from this company appears to be associated with a Salmonella Litchfield outbreak in the United States and Canada. The import alert advises FDA field offices that all cantaloupes shipped to the United States by this company are to be detained.

Anonymous said...: Is this risk still currant?; Wednesday, May 14, 2008 12:05:00 PM EDT
Solomon's words for the wise said...: To check for updates:
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA; Wednesday, May 14, 2008 2:43:00 PM EDT

Williamsport Area Firm Using Canola For Fuel/Feed

An interest in canola

Williamsport area firm exploring alternative energy form

By PATRICK DONLIN - pdonlin@sungazette.com
Williamsport Sun-Gazette

What grows in earth can help save the earth.

Processed canola seed products can be used to heat homes, fuel vehicles and feed animals, all possibilities created and explored by Susquehanna Smart Fuel.

From his 1380 Radio Club Road, Fairfield Township plant, Josh Leidhecker houses a variety of equipment that can store and grind seed products.

He and his two business partners, Matt Young and Josh Lepley, are confident that canola seeds can radiate benefits for the community. All three are lifelong county residents.

“We’re passionate about the environment, conservation and keeping waste to a minimum,” Lepley said.

Two years ago, Leidhecker began collecting waste oil from local restaurants. “It started because of cost savings,” he said. “I was interested in finding more affordable fuel options.”

Filtering what some viewed as garbage, Leidhecker sought to convert sludge into fuel for his off-road vehicles and home heater.

The restaurant waste oil retrieved by the company, free of charge, comes in barrels and Leidhecker either filters it himself or takes it to other refineries.

Restaurants interested in getting paid for their waste oil may consider special plumbing filters, but no local restaurants Leidhecker works with are doing this.

Interested in making more restaurant contacts, Leidhecker said: “I would like to have every restaurant in the Susquehanna Valley participate.”

Research proved to Leidhecker that canola offers many benefits. Compared to soybean and sunflower seeds, he said canola seeds offer the most oil per acre farmed and the highest promise for biodiesel.

Contracting local farmers to grow canola for market prices varying from $11 to $12 per bushel, Leidhecker is counting on them to grow about 300 acres of product this spring, so it can be harvested in August.

The farmers contracted are “just your normal, everyday farmers,” according to Lepley.

Yields of 2,000 to 3,500 pounds of oilseed per acre are possible.

Growing and processing canola here is a new concept.

Produced mainly in Canada and Western Europe, the moniker “canola” stems from the description of “Canadian Oil Low Acid.”

Most of the canola production in the United States is concentrated in the upper Midwest and the Dakotas.

Canola oil can be used for cooking, lubrication and to power vehicles if a $2,000 fuel delivery system is installed, according to Leidhecker.

He doesn’t produce canola biodiesel, but does give oil to a company known as Lake Erie Biodiesel to further process. The biodiesel manufactured there can be used for home heating oil or as a diesel fuel replacement for vehicles, with no fuel system conversion necessary.

Canola oil and canola biodiesel each had a recent market value around $4.70 per gallon. Both forms also share the same environmental benefits, Leidhecker said. That includes less emissions, better fuel economy and less dependence on foreign oil, he added.

Leidhecker’s company produces canola pellets. Canola seeds are valuable in the production of food pellets for farm animals, while the canola chaff is used to make pellets to be burned in home heating furnaces.

Production at the Montoursville-area plant stems from the canola seeds grown by farmers in the counties of Lycoming, Tioga, Union and Columbia.

With a storage bin space of 50 tons, Leidhecker uses an air fan to dry the seeds to an acceptable moisture level for crushing.

Dried seeds are routed through an auger used for transport to a seed cleaner. This cleaner shakes the seeds and blows air on them, Leidhecker said.

The air blown helps separate the chafe, comprised of stalks and weeds, from the seeds.

Seeds are directed to a vessel above the company’s press, while the chafe goes into a separate bin.

Two screens shake the seeds back and forth, which further refines them from any residue. Gravity drops seeds into the press, where oil is separated from seed matter.

That seed matter exits the machine as animal feed pellets, while the oil gets directed to separate gravity-filtering bins.

Not to be forgotten, the chafe is further processed into furnace pellets. “It’s turning junk into something useful,” Young said.

Chafe goes into a hammer mill that Leidhecker said pounds the matter into material with a sawdust-like consistency.

Directed into a pellet mill, a die forms the furnace pellet shape that exits the machine.

Marketing for around $300 per ton, Leidhecker sells the animal feed pellets. He plans to make the furnace pellets available soon, which are worth about $180 per ton.

Growth potential is considerable for Leidhecker’s company, which includes the divisions known as Susquehanna Mills, Smartrecycling and Smartheat.

His press can crush more than 100 different types of seeds, and he’s already begun experiments with the camelina seed.

As Leidhecker plans to add three more presses soon, farmers may also consider growing camelina. This seed, he said, shows a lot of promise as it doesn’t require much fertilizer and pesticides.

Leidhecker is expecting to add 250 tons of seed storage space in the near future.

This summer, he hopes to contract farmers to grow canola in the winter.

Coudersport Easter Festival Today (Sat.,Mar. 22)

The Coudersport Merchants Group's Annual Easter Festival will be held throughout the town on Saturday, March 22, 2008.

Activities will be centered at the courthouse square. .

It opens with two craft/vendor shows starting at 9 am at the St. Eulalia Parish Center, on the corner of South Main and Chestnut streets and at the former Rocky’s Pool Hall on East Second Street..

Activities at the square start at 11 am. The Easter Bunny volunteer will be on hand for photos. There will be food, music, face-painting, games, three Easter gift baskets to be given away at 4 pm and a coloring contest.

A highlight will be an Easter Egg Hunt at 3:30 pm, with three age groups from kindergarten to fifth grade. They’ll line up at the courthouse square, the Potter County Texaco lot across from the county jail, and the Park United Methodist Church lot at Third and North East streets.

Morgan AM&T is providing the candy-filled eggs for the hunt. Several other businesses and individuals have stepped up to make sure this year’s festival build on the success of last year’s debut.

Area Obituaries

GIFFORD--Benny R. Toothman, 75, of 3627 Route 646, Gifford, passed away Friday (March 21, 2008) at Hamot Medical Center in Erie. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.

COUDERSPORT — John S. “Jack” Wilson, 83, of Coudersport died Wednesday (March 19, 2008) at Sweden Valley Manor. Arrangements are under the direction of the Fickinger Funeral Home.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Big Rig Drivers Contemplating Shutdown Protest

Interstate Trucking May Come To Unscheduled Halt Over Holiday Weekend

Weekend Events From WFRM Calendar

March 21-Tonight

Coudersport Gospel Tabernacle will present Broken Bonds, an original play with mime and song at the sanctuary on the Port Allegany Road starting at 7:00 pm. The public is welcome and there is no admission charge.

March 22

American Legion Post 192 Club’s Annual Birthday Party will be held at the Coudersport American Legion beginning with dinner at 6:00 p.m. Cost is $7 per person. Reservations due March 17. Call 274-7560 to make yours

March 23

There will be an Easter Sunrise Service at the Fishing Creek United Methodist Church beginning at 6:30. It will be followed by a breakfast in the community building.

March 23

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Youth Group will serve breakfast from 9;00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the church social hall at 3 Borie Street, Coudersport. Both breakfasts by donation. Proceeds will benefit the youth group’s trip to the national youth conference.

Governor Rendell May Have Lied About Lumber Museum Funding

WFRM
Rep. Martin Causer reports funding for the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum here in Potter County may be questionable.

In a radio interview, the lawmaker said Governor Rendell recently said at a reception that he was releasing the money but later, his own office said that was not the case.

Causer says the expansion project has been planned for three years and the administration needs to release the Capital Budget dollars.

Anonymous said...

You do a great many things for our county Mr. Causer, Thank You and keep up the good work.

Saturday, March 22, 2008 7:18:00 AM EDT

Anonymous said...

I THINK THAT EVERTHING THAT COMES OUT OF "FAST EDDIES MOUTH IS A LIE"
can we impeach him?

Saturday, March 22, 2008 9:54:00 AM EDT

Second Gobbler Applications Must Be In By April 1

WFRM
The Game Commission is reminding Pennsylvania hunters interested in applying for a second spring gobbler tag they have until April 1.

Applications are available on page 38 of the 2007-08 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations, which is provided to each license buyer, or by going to the agency's website www.pgc.state.pa.us), and clicking on "Spring Turkey Tag Application" in center of the homepage.

Fees 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.

Applications also are being accepted over-the-counter at any of the six Game Commission region offices and the Harrisburg headquarters. Applications will be processed and mailed from the Harrisburg headquarters.

The spring gobbler season is set for April 26-May 26, and the daily limit remains one bird. Hunters are allowed to submit only one application for the special wild turkey license during a license year.

Hunters still are able to take one spring gobbler as part of their general hunting privileges. However, the special license enables the agency to afford those hunters interested in this additional opportunity to take a second spring gobbler in any Wildlife Management Unit

Drugs In The News Locally

WFRM

In other McKean County court action, 32 year old Christopher Safford of Port
Allegany pleaded guilty this week to violating state drug laws. When Safford moved out of a residence in that town last September, another person found spoons containing residue which turned out to be morphine. He will also be sentenced on April 24.

A Wellsville man will be sentenced April 2 in Potter County Court after recently pleading guilty to possession of narcotics with intent to deliver. According to Potter County District Attorney Dawn Fink, 21 year old Roy Austin sold 18 grams of marijuana to an undercover agent for $320 in Genesee on February 23, 2005.

State police at Kane have charged 23 year old Kenneth Reed III of Crosby with violating state drug laws. Authorities claim when they pulled over a vehicle last night on Route 46 near Reilly Hollow in Keating Township to arrest the driver for outstanding warrants, they discovered Reed who was a passenger in possession of drug paraphernalia.

PA Lost 8,000 Jobs In February

WESB News: 03/21/08 - PA Reports 8,000 Jobs Lost in February

Pennsylvania reported a loss of 8,000 jobs in February, a faster rate of decline than job losses nationally.

The unemployment rate also rose slightly. Pennsylvania last reported a monthly drop in jobs in September, when the state reported 8,200 fewer jobs than in August.

The monthly decline was less than one-fifth of one percent of the total, but still three times the rate of job losses nationally in February.

The state's unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.9 percent, above the national rate of 4.8 percent.

Anonymous said...

Wake up Rendell, are you so busy fattening your own pockets that you are stepping over a dollar to pick up a dime?

You will not get such a great "retirement" package for yourself if our state goes down the tubes! You had better touch base with the business people and workers in rural PA not just your
buddies in unions!

Saturday, March 22, 2008 6:20:00 AM EDT

Anonymous said...

PA is on it's way to becoming a "broke" state just like NY. Seeing that we our neighbors why not follow in their footsteps? Let start by relaxing the stipulations on becoming a state trooper and use them as a cash generator rather than what they were meant for...namely protecting the public. Take a ride around our neigboring communities and tally up how many police vehicles you see. It's ridiculous and not warranted for our area but seatbelt, speeding, and DUI is a super way to make easy money. I would rather our goverment use my tax money to fund public works projects rather than additional police force salaries. Lewis Black said, "Just build a thing, hire people to build the thing, people will pay to see the thing, thus stimulating the f!@#$% economy." Maybe not that simple...but you get the principle.

Monday, March 24, 2008 9:33:00 AM EDT

State Mental Health Hospitals Won't Close

WESB News: 03/21/08 - DPW Won't Close State Hospitals

The state has decided not to privatize and merge its mental-health services for inmates after negotiating an alternative plan with unions that opposed the idea.

In August, the state announced plans to close Mayview State Hospital near Pittsburgh by the end of this year and said it was exploring the consolidation of state-run forensic units at Warren, Mayview and Norristown state hospitals.

Its plan called for creating two regional facilities run by private companies at the Torrance and Norristown state hospital campuses.

State Representative Kathy Rapp called for a moratorium on the closing of state hospital and forensics units, along with a study of how widespread serious mental illness and substance abuse are in state and county prisons across Pennsylvania. Warren State Hospital’s forensics unit currently employs 50 people.

It serves almost half of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.

PA Deer Harvest Is Down From Previous Year

WESB News: 03/21/08 - PA Deer Harvest Down 11 Percent

Last year's deer harvest in Pennsylvania was down 11 percent from the previous year's harvest, according to a report released Friday by the state game commission.

Hunters harvested an estimated 323,070 deer in the state's 2007-08 seasons.

Dr. Christopher Rosenberry, Game Commission Deer Section Supervisor says that report cards sent in by hunters show the antlered deer harvest on the opening day dropped more than 50 percent from 2006.

Daily harvests for the rest of the two-week season were similar to 2006 In this region's wildlife management units, the harvest was down by 5,600 for antlered deer and 3,900 for antlerless deer.

WMU 2F: 4,800 (7,200) antlered, 7,100 (8,000) antlerless;
WMU 2G: 5,100 (7,200) antlered, 6,600 (4,600) antlerless;
WMU 3A: 3,400 (4,500) antlered, 7,800 (8,800) antlerless

Fire Will Not Increase Gasoline Prices At United Stations

WESB News: 03/21/08 - United: Fire Shouldn't Affect Gas Prices

Thursday's fire at United Refining is not expected to affect gas prices. United's director of retail marketing Greg Latimer says more than 370 company-owned service stations will receive gasoline from the company's reserves.

Latimer says because of the reserves customers of Kwik Fill stations and Red Apple and Country Fair convenience stores should not be affected. Latimer said there are contingency plans if the shutdown extends beyond a few days.

The company expects the cutback on production to last only 3 or 4 days.

Candidates debate Iraq strategy

By Mike Joseph

- mjoseph@centredaily.com

FRANKLIN — On the fifth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, Democratic candidates for the 5th Congressional District differed on the terms of withdrawal of U.S. troops while Republican candidates generally agreed that the war should be finished.

Their remarks came during a forum Wednesday sponsored by the Venango County Veterans Coalition. All three Democratic candidates for the open congressional seat addressed a sparse audience of veterans. Six of the nine Republican candidates attended.

Clearfield County Commissioner Mark McCracken and Lock Haven Mayor Rick Vilello, two of the Democratic candidates, said with little qualification that the United States should pull its troops from Iraq, though they did not elaborate.

“I think we need to get out now,” said Vilello, whose Web site notes a $12 billion per month cost of the war. “We’ve won the war but we’re losing the occupation.”

McCracken, slightly more nuanced, says on his Web site that a key player in financing the coming plan for Iraq must be Saudi Arabia. He said Wednesday that the next U.S. president should produce a multinational plan to stabilize Iraq.I clearly feel it is the time to bring out troops home,” he said.

Bellefonte’s Bill Cahir, a Marine Corps reservist and two-tour Iraq veteran, was endorsed this month by Vote Vets.org and says on his Web site that the coming new Iraq policy should protect U.S. allies inside Iraq, promote security for Turkey, Jordan and Israel, and consider the long run “instead of just pulling up stakes and marching out.”

He told the veterans Wednesday that “we need to map our way out of Iraq but there are things we need to do to promote stability, such as provincial elections.”

Republican candidates included former Centre County commissioner Chris Exarchos, Lycoming County business executive Jeff Stroehmann, Clarion Mayor John Stroup, Clarion Baptist pastor Keith Richardson, Centre County health care professional Glenn Thompson and Clearfield County financial consultant Derek Walker.

Not present were Clinton County insurance agent John Krupa, Elk County funeral director Lou Radkowski and Centre County real estate developer Matt Shaner.

Stroehmann, who proclaimed himself “the veterans’ candidate” while acknowledging that he is not a veteran, said Wednesday that the U.S. troops in Iraq need to be allowed to “finish the job.”

Walker agreed. “The cost of losing is a lot greater than the cost of winning,” he said.

“We should not go into a war without finishing it,” Exarchos said. Withdrawing without finishing the job, he added, may mean returning to worse circumstances.

Thompson, whose son Logan was wounded four months ago by a landmine near Baghdad, said Logan will return to his Army unit in Iraq in eight days. “Things are going well” in Iraq, Thompson said, because commanders on the ground are making decisions. Stroup, conflating Afghanistan and Iraq operations as the “war on terror,” said that “that commitment means we have to follow through.”

Richardson addressed veterans affairs but did not take up the Iraq issue, though he says on his Web site that “Congress should fully fund the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and reject timetables for withdrawal and retreat.” Mike Joseph can be reached at 235-3910.

Solomon's words appreciates Mike Joseph, and the Centre Daily Times allowing us to republish their articles on the 5th District Congressional Race.

Student Writes About Jeff Stroehmann

Mr. Jones,

Good Evening, my name is Ashley Dowling. I am a student at Mansfield University in Tioga County. I grew up in Wellsboro and currently live in Liberty. I like to read your blog when I am at school and find your articles entertaining and informative. Recently you had a picture of a Congressional candidate's campaign bus on your blog with a story about Jeff Stroehmann. I saw the bus at Mansfield University the day before it was in your town. Do you know when your larger article about Jeff will be published? I really liked the fact he actually came to Mansfield University and spent time there. He also seems to be the only candidate with original ideas. But I am really interested to see your more in depth article because you have a very fair journalistic approach. Will it be up this week? Thank you for your time.

Ashley Dowling

Hi Ashley,
Thanks for the e-mail. Yes I will be writing an article about Jeff Stroehmann soon. I have hesitated in writing this quickly, as I feel I don't want to miss passing on every bit of his interview to my readers. Jeff has a very elaborate plan for this part of Pennsylvania, addressing many of the concerns we as residents have, both regionally and locally. Please bear with me until I am able to put this article together. It is important and I want to do it right. Jim

We Have Mail

Hi Mr. Jones:
Just dropping a line to say "Hello."
I'm a fellow journalist, having written for The Bradford Era and Olean Times Herald. I'm also reporter for the Endeavor News and Tri-County Sunday. Currently, I'm editor at Pitt-Bradford's newspaper and a first year student.
Also I see you were a publisher. I'd like to learn more about this. I actually want to start my own newspaper one of these days.
And you're from Roulette. I'll be in Keating Summit this weekend; my grandparents have a camp up there.
Hope to hear from you,
Alex Davis

p.s. Nice web site.

Hi Alex.
Thanks for the e-mail. To answer your questions: When I was a teenager, I had a keen interest in reporting the news from my hometown of Bolivar, NY. I worked through John W. Sanford in Cuba, NY, who operated the Allegany County Bureau for the Olean Times Herald at that time.

While in high school, I landed a job with the now defunct Buffalo Courier Express covering Allegany County, NY, which I held for a time.

I was the top editorial winner in 1958 at the St. Bonaventure Press Day event. My editorial "On Integration" won first in competition with hundreds of entries. That win helped me to get into St. Bonaventure University in the Fall of 1958, where I was on the staff of the school paper there. Costs of college and the realization that journalists didn't make a heck of a lot of money at that time, motivated me to drop out of school in the Spring of my first year.

My parents published a shopping guide and helped me start my own shopping news in the Portville and Eldred area. Advertising was the name of the game back then and news took a back seat to making a living.

In the following years, I was engaged in many enterprises from repairing TV;s to running a bulldozer, having a retail supermarket, a tv & appliance store, a furniture store, a flea market, and the last 15 years, a dump truck driver hauling asphalt.

Last year I started "Solomon's words" to try to fill a need for faster news reporting in the Potter County area. Always being a news junkie, I was reading about ten news sources online, trying to get the news from my area. Thus "Solomon's words" was started as I published the news I found pertinent to this North Central PA area, and added my own stories as they developed.

I feel that news online is the wave of the future, as it offers instant stories and pictures to it's readers.

I spent some time in Philadelphia in 2002, and was impressed when the TV stations had 3 news helicopters reporting live over the scene of news events. We'll never have that here in Potter County, but, the internet makes a good second choice.

It is not my intention to take anything away from the newspapers and radio stations that do a great job of reporting in their corner of the world, but to bring that news together, where my readers can keep up to date with what they need to know.

At 67, I don't know if I will ever live long enough to make this a paying proposition, but a young fella like you would be in on the ground floor starting an online newspaper now. My phone number is in the book. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Jim

Mt. Jewett Man Pleads Guilty In Fatal Crash

WESB News: 03/21/08 - Mount Jewett Man Pleads Guilty

A Mount Jewett man has pleaded guilty to causing an accident that killed another Mount Jewett man.

23-year-old Jason Roth was pulling out of the parking lot of the Don't Know Tavern on Route 219 on June 9 when his car went out of control, rolled over and hit some small trees. 24-year-old Ian McCloskey was a passenger in Roth's car, and died at the scene.

Roth will be sentenced April 24.

Anonymous said...: apparently people like to make their own versions of the situation.; Tuesday, May 27, 2008 6:27:00 PM EDT

Anonymous said...: I think we all should put ourselves in the shoes of both families affected by this accident. My heart goes out to all. If you are judging I suggest you look in the mirror and ask yourself if you have ever driven while intoxicated. We all make mistakes and I hope this young man will be able to move on with his life. May God Bless all.; Tuesday, July 8, 2008 6:28:00 PM EDT

Phyllis M. Flynn, 77, Ellisburg, PA

ELLISBURG, PA. -Phyllis M. Flynn, loving wife and mother, 77, of Ellisburg, died Tuesday (March 18, 2008) in the Jones Memorial Hospital, Wellsville, N.Y., with family at her side.

Born July 2, 1930, in Andrews Settlement, on her grandparents’ farm, she was the daughter of Robert and Blanche M. Woodcock Storey. She was a graduate of Genesee High School, Class of 1948. On April 24, 1949, in Andrews Settlement, she married John E. “Jack” Flynn, who survives.

She was employed as a secretary by an oil company in New York City, worked at Galeton Production and was a milk hauler for canned and bulk milk when female truck drivers were rare, retiring from Sunnydale after many years. She was a member of the Ellisburg Union Church.

Surviving besides her husband are two daughters, Connie (Kenneth) Miller of Muncy and Robin (Boyd Jr.) Green of Wellsville; two sisters, Marian Stilson of Gold and Edith Gill of Pittsburgh; and nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by two sisters, Betty Lathrop and infant Shirley Storey.

Friends may call from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday (April 2, 2008) at the Olney Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ulysses, followed by a brief prayer service at 4 p.m., with the Rev. Paul M. Karges presiding. Burial will be in Fox Hill Cemetery, Ulysses.

Memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 175 Pine St., Suite 101, Williamsport, PA 17701 or to the Genesee Volunteer Ambulance, Genesee, PA 16923.

Shinglehouse Man Pleads Guilty In 2 Cases

WFRM
A Shinglehouse resident will be sentenced on April 9 after pleading guilty recently in Potter County Court to receiving stolen property and providing alcohol to minors for two separate cases.

Jeremy Dailey, 21, was arrested June 17 when Shinglehouse Borough Police went to his home while investigating another incident and found him passed out on the couch.

Police told Dailey why they were there and asked him about a red cooler on his living room floor. Dailey and two of his friends said they didn’t know whose cooler it was that it just appeared there during a party they were having. A victim told police the cooler belonged to her.

Then, on July 6, Dailey was arrested on a charge of furnishing alcohol to minors. Shinglehouse police observed Dailey, who was only 20 years old at the time, and others drinking beer at his home on Maple Street.

After obtaining a warrant, police discovered Dailey in possession of beer and he admitted he had been drinking.

Authorities also discovered a shopping cart taken from the Shinglehouse IGA and nine orange road cones belonging to Clara Township which were reported stolen in March 2007.

Dailey told police he borrowed the cart from the IGA but that was refuted by store management. Dailey admitted to being present while others stole the cones.

Case Of Closed Bank Robber Bound Over

WFRM
A Liberty, PA man has been bound over to Tioga County Court on a felony county of attempted bank robbery and a misdemeanor of possessing an instrument of crime.

During a hearing yesterday, Joan Blackwell, employee of the Citizens and Northern Bank in Liberty, testified that she saw 28 year old Christopher Koch put on an orange mask while sitting in his green Subaru outside of her office window, then get out a shotgun just before the bank was set to close at noon last Thursday.

Blackwell testified she and a
co-worker saw him try to open the locked door. They wrote down the license plate on the Subaru as he drove off and they called Mansfield-based state police.

According to State Trooper Gary White he and a fellow trooper tracked the number and arrested Koch at his home on Mountaintop Road in Liberty about 2 and a half hours later. There, they found the ski mask, shot gun and pair of gloves that Blackwell testified Koch tried to use in his botched robbery.

PA Game Commission--Here Are The Bear Facts

WFRM
The Pennsylvania Game Commission reports hunters took a total of 2,360 bears during the 2007 seasons .This harvest ranks ninth in the overall Pennsylvania bear harvests.

In 2005, hunters set a record harvest of 4,164 bears. Officials said given the weather conditions hunters encountered and two substantial bear harvests in the previous two years, a harvest like that fell within the all-time top ten, still is a fine season .

Bears were taken in 49 counties. The largest bear taken was a 727-pound (estimated live weight) male taken in Dingman Township, Pike County, by Scott Spaeth of Philadelphia on Nov. 28.

In all, nine bears taken by hunters weighed 600 pounds or more.

Harvest in the Northcentral region were as follows Northcentral: Clinton, 171 (226); Lycoming, 139 (222); Tioga, 121 (149); Cameron, 118 (70); Potter, 106 (189); McKean, 103 (139); Clearfield, 81 (136); Elk, 62 (87); Centre, 60 (103); and Union, 27 (43). Last year’s figures are in parentheses. Clinton County led the state in bear harvest.

State Police List Arrests

Coudersport State Police
•Kris M. Holtz, 19, of Shinglehouse, was charged March 7 with harassment.

•Sean R. Easton, 40, of Genesee, Pa., was charged March 14 with driving while intoxicated after a traffic stop on state Route 449 in Genesee Township.

Sheriff Named Warden At McKean Co. Prison

WESB News: 03/21/08 - Commissioners Name Warden; Abolish Board

McKean County Commissioners abolished the prison board Thursday.

Then they installed Sheriff Brad Mason as McKean County Jail Warden. The changes are effective immediately and will save McKean County around $80,000.

Mason says he’ll name two assistant wardens to the staff at the jail.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Kwik Fill In Coudersport Gets New Gas Pumps

James Jones photo for Solomon's words
Kwik Fill in Coudersport was closed Thursday and again on
Friday while crews
installed new gas pumps. The new pumps will make it easier
for the men manning the pumps.

James Jones photo for Solomon's words
The new pumps won't take credit cards. Cards have to be
processed the same as they were with the old pumps.

Fire Damages United Refining Plant

WESB News: 03/20/08 - Fire Limits Production at United Refining

The crude oil processing at United Refining Co. will be limited or shut down for at least three days while crews repair damage from a fire at the plant early Thursday morning.

United Refining is still trying to determine how much oil they will be able to produce until the damage is repaired, according to company spokesman Larry Loughlin. He said the refinery processes 65,000 to 70,000 barrels of crude oil on a typical production day.

The fire broke out at 12:56 a.m. when a pump failed on the east side of the plant, Loughlin said. He says people near the facility might have heard what they thought was an explosion when a pressurized pipe exploded because of the heat of the fire.

Falcon Cams Watch Birds In Harrisburg

WESB News: 03/20/08 - It's Time for 'Falcon Cam' Again

The story of two Peregrine falcons that have nested on the ledge of Harrisburg’s Rachel Carson State Office Building since 2005 continues this year before a worldwide audience now that the cameras that broadcast their experiences are live online.

Two cameras will chronicle the falcons round-the-clock while streaming the footage live. D-E-P Secretary Kathleen McGinty says viewers may be able to see the eggs arrive within the week.

Based on data recorded at the site from past nesting seasons, the first egg should arrive sometime around March 25.

In each of the past two years, the female falcon has laid a “clutch” of five eggs. The eggs should begin to hatch around Mother’s Day and the young falcons” will begin to take their first flights around Father’s Day. DEP's Falcon Pages

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Coudersport--Annual Easter Festival Saturday

The Coudersport Merchants Group's Annual Easter Festival will be held throughout the town on Saturday, March 22, 2008.

Activities will be centered at the courthouse square. .

It opens with two craft/vendor shows starting at 9 am at the St. Eulalia Parish Center, on the corner of South Main and Chestnut streets and at the former Rocky’s Pool Hall on East Second Street..

Morgan AM&T is providing the candy-filled eggs for the hunt. Several other businesses and individuals have stepped up to make sure this year’s festival build on the success of last year’s debut.

Peterson Gets Funding For 2 Tioga County Lakes

By GEORGE OSGOOD
Star-Gazette Wellsboro Bureau

TIOGA – Recreation facilities at Hammond and Cowanesque lakes will see major improvements in the coming construction season, thanks to a special appropriation by Congress.

Congress made a special allocation of $709,000 for the work, walked through the legislative body by U.S. Rep. John Peterson, R-Warren.

Improvements include new flush toilets at the Stephenhouse Run pavilion, campground improvements at two loops at Hammond Lake, an upgraded and enlarged boat-launching area at Hammond, rehabilitation of shelters and two or three campgrounds at Cowanesque Lake, and water, sewer and electric work.

The project begins this spring and should be completed in September, said Marilyn Jones, operations project manager for the Corps flood-control and recreation facilities.

Peterson, Jones and others participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the works today.

Betty G. Ordway, 77, Ulysses, PA

Ulysses, Pa. -Betty G. Ordway, 77, of Ulysses, died Wednesday (March 19, 2008) in Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport, Pa.

Born Jan. 1, 1931, in Corning, N.Y., she was the daughter of Paul C. and Addie Mae Baker Gotshall. After the death of her mother, she was raised by her aunt and uncle, Ada Seavey and C. Allen Hulbert. On Nov. 30, 1950, in Coudersport, she married Walter Robert Ordway, who predeceased her on Jan. 30, 2008.

Betty was a self-employed beautician and a nurse’s aide at Cole Manor in Coudersport. She was a member of the Ulysses United Methodist Church, DAR, and served as a Republican committeewoman.

Surviving are a son, Robert (Betty) Ordway of Italy; a daughter, Heather (Brian) Easton of Ulysses; two grandsons, Kurtis Easton and Joseph Easton; three brothers, Paul (Betty) Gotshall Jr. and James (Sheila) Gotshall, both of Addison, N.Y., and Wilford “Bud” Hulbert of Wellsville, N.Y.; a sister, Pauline Hampton of Franklin, La.; and nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, aunt and uncle, she was predeceased by three sisters, Clara H. Kreisher, Nina H. Davis, and infant Mary Agnes Gotshall; a brother, Arthur Gotshall; and her stepmother, Kathryn Gotshall.

Friends may call from noon-3 p.m. Saturday at the Olney Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ulysses, with Funeral Services following at 2 p.m. Pastor Harold Kiel will officiate. Burial will be in Ulysses Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Tri-Town Volunteer Ambulance, Ulysses, PA 16948 or to the Ulysses Library, Ulysses, PA 16948.

Howard F. Bloom, 68, Bolivar, NY

BOLIVAR -

Howard F. Bloom, 68, passed away Tuesday (March 18, 2008) at Jones Memorial Hospital.
Mr. Bloom was born on May 29, 1939 in Roulette, Penn. to Frederick and Stella (Forrester) Bloom. He worked for many years at Rochester Institute of Technology in maintenance and later as a laborer for PWI in Wellsville.
Howard is survived by two daughters, Carol (Joe) Capute of Andover and Christine (Charles) Stone of Addison; one son, Frederick Bloom of Addison; two granddaughters, Kaelyn Capute and Sara Miller; one brother-in-law, Arthur Burrows of Franklinville; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by a sister, Edna Demark and a nephew, Mark Burrows.
Howard was an avid bingo player and enjoyed crafts of many varieties.
Friends may call on Saturday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Baker-Swan Funeral Home, Andover. The funeral service will be held Saturday at 6 p.m. immediately following the visitation with Rev. Carol Schweigart of Brookside Wesleyan Church, Wellsville, officiating.
Memorial contributions in Howard’s name may be made to American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, NY, 10305-1425.

Area Obituaries

Obituary Policy: Solomon's words will publish a complete obituary, with a picture, for area residents free of charge, if the funeral home will e-mail that information to shurfine40@gmail.com

CORYVILLE — Lucille V. Langfitt, 88, of Moody Loop Road, died Wednesday (March 19, 2008) at the Lakeview Senior Care Center in Smethport. Arrangements are under the direction of the Frame Funeral Home.

EMPORIUM — Richard E. Victory, 78, of 100 Parkway Drive, Emporium, died Wednesday morning (March 19, 2008) at Elk Regional Health Center, St. Marys. The Barnett Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of arrangements.

ELLISBURG--FLYNN, Phyllis of Ellisburg, PA,77, died Tuesday, March 18, 2008. Arrangements (1-800-942-2258) are entrusted to the OLNEY Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ulysses, PA.

ULYSSES--Betty G. Ordway, 77, of Ulysses, died Wednesday, March 19, 2008.
Friends may call at the Olney Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ulysses, on Saturday, March 22, from noon to 2 p.m., with funeral services at 2 p.m.

SHINGLEHOUSE — Helen C. Stevens, 70, of Shinglehouse, formerly of Tateville, Ky., and Genesee, died Sunday (March 16, 2008) in Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport, after a long illness. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home.

EMPORIUM — David R. “Randy” Petty, 55, of 193 Carson St., died Tuesday morning (March 18, 2008) at his residence. The Barnett Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of arrangements.

HORNELL, N.Y. — Laura V. Yeoman, 91, of Smethport, Pa., formerly of Hornell, died Monday (March 17, 2008) at Sena-Kean Manor, Smethport. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dragon Funeral Home, 38 Church St.

ULYSSES — Harry H. Mayer, 65, of Westfield, died Sunday in the Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Olney Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

PORT ALLEGANY — Judith Marie Kennel of Port Allegany died Monday (March 17, 2008) at her residence. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced with a full obituary by the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes Inc.

PORT ALLEGANY — Imogene J. Thielges, formerly of Fishing Creek Road, Roulette, died Monday (March 17, 2008) in the Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Switzer Funeral Home and will be announced with a full obituary.

PORTVILLE - Dorothy Smith Manning of 109 S. Main St. died Sunday (March 16, 2008) in Cuba Memorial Hospital’s Skilled Nursing Facility.

Anonymous said...

Your blog is such a service to our community and its people. Thanks to your TIMELY information, I became aware of the passing of an old friend with whom I had lost contact. I am thus able to attend the memorial service instead of reading about it after the fact. Thank you for your countless hours spent for our benefit.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008 8:37:00 AM EDT

Bradford Man Held Woman Down So Another Man Could Rape Her

WESB News: 03/20/08 - Bfd Man Facing Rape Charges

A Bradford man has been charge with rape after an incident last September on Mechanic Street in Bradford.

Court records indicate that 25 year-old Robert Newland is facing kidnapping, false imprisonment and conspiracy to commit rape charges.

Newland is facing the charges after allegedly holding a woman down in a van so another man could rape her.

Newland is in the McKean County Jail on $10,000 dollars bail.

Morning Crash Near Smethport

BREAKING NEWS: 7:40 am----3-20-08
Smethport emergency services are responding to a single vehicle crash on Route 6 East of the Boro.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Easter Egg Hunt In Roulette

Roulette's annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held March 22nd at 1:00 pm in the lot across from the Human Services Building on North Street in Roulette. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held March 29th.

To book the Roulette Community Park on Route 6, call 544-9967.

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Leadership Seminar Opportunity

Leadership Seminar Opportunity. This is being held in the Twin Tiers area. It is being held at a church auditorium but there is no religious affiliation to it. It is all about Leadership. Many of you remember Clint Pearsall, the awesome management trainer from Adelphia University. He will be the MC for the event. Morning and afternoon snacks and lunch are included in the pricing along with seminar materials.

On Friday, April 18^th, there is going to be attending a powerful and effective leadership seminar. It's a LIVE International Simulcast called MI Simulcast: Advance. Inspirational giants like John Maxwell, Patrick Lencioni, Bill Taylor Andy Stanley and Dick Vitale, as well as Andy Andrews and Kevin Carroll will gather together for this unforgettable leadership training event, focusing on the distinct qualities that all great leaders share. You can check it out at www.maximumimpact.com/mis.

Tickets purchased in MARCH are $59.00 >Tickets purchased in APRIL are $69.00

Tickets may be purchased by going to WWW.FBCNY.COM, and downloading an order form.

Instructions are on the form.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Hope you can attend.

Doris Lambert

Potter County Seminar Coordinator

Oswayo Valley Senior Class Play Next Week

The Oswayo Valley Middle/High School senior class is presenting a dessert theatre melodrama titled “Buried Secrets” or “It’s All My Vault” on the stage of the Oswayo Valley Elementary School in Shinglehouse, Pa.

This is the first senior class play that an OVMHS senior class has presented in over two decades.

The Class of 2008 will present the melodrama as a fundraiser for their senior class trip to Toronto. The senior class of 42 students is working as a team to put on the dessert theatre production not only as actors, but also as waiters, waitresses, stage crew, set builders, scenery painters, ticket sellers, and ushers.

Senior class advisors, Amy Metcalf, a 1987 alumna and Megan Dow, both new to theatre productions, have teamed with 1988 alumna, Cheri Thomas, who wrote the play to bring this theatre production to the school.

Opening night for the dessert theatre will be Friday, March 28, 2008 at 7:00 pm. On Saturday, March 29, there will be a matinee at 2:00 pm and an evening performance at 7:00pm. Tickets are $10.00 per person and can be purchased from a senior class member, at the OVMHS main office, or at Northwest Savings Bank and Sprout’s Drugstore in Shinglehouse. Tickets are on sale now.

Upcoming Events From WFRM Calendar

March 21

The Shinglehouse Masons and Eastern Star will serve a fish fry at the Masonic Hall on Oswayo Street from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Choice of fried or three kinds of baked fish. Donation, $7.00 for adults, $5.50 for children. Take-outs available.

March 21

St. Bibiana’s Church in Galeton will serve their famous fish fry from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Menu includes Icelandic haddock, French fries, coleslaw, roll and beverage. Adults, $8.50; children $6.00. Sundae bar, $1.00. Take-outs available by calling 435-2864.

March 21

There will be a fish fry to benefit Relay for Life at the Roulette fire hall from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Cost is $8.00. Dinner includes baked/battered fish, baked potato/French fires, coleslaw/applesauce and roll. Take-outs available by calling 544-7762.

March 22

The Coudersport Merchants Group's Annual Easter Festival will be held throughout the town. Activities will be centered at the courthouse square. . It opens with two craft/vendor shows starting at 9 am at the St. Eulalia Parish Center, on the corner of South Main and Chestnut streets and at the former Rocky’s Pool Hall on East Second Street.. Activities at the square start at 11 am. The Easter Bunny volunteer will be on hand for photos. There will be food, music, face-painting, games, three Easter gift baskets to be given away at 4 pm and a coloring contest. A highlight will be an Easter Egg Hunt at 3:30 pm, with three age groups from kindergarten to fifth grade. They’ll line up at the courthouse square, the Potter County Texaco lot across from the county jail, and the Park United Methodist Church lot at Third and North East streets. Morgan AM&T is providing the candy-filled eggs for the hunt. Several other businesses and individuals have stepped up to make sure this year’s festival build on the success of last year’s debut.

March 22

March 23

There will be an Easter Sunrise Service at the Fishing Creek United Methodist Church beginning at 6:30. It will be followed by a breakfast in the community building.

Coudersport Bridge Detour Is Now In Effect

Cars travel over the RT.6 Bridge on East Second Street
for the last time until the new bridge is done in August
"Solomon's words" photo by James Jones

WFRM
The new traffic pattern in Coudersport is now in effect while the Route 6/Mike Franklin Bridge near the Consistory is being replaced.

Coudersport Borough police tell WFRM they are strictly enforcing the four new stop signs of Borie Street which have been placed there to assist with the additional detour traffic on Oak and Maple Streets.

All four of the stop signs have flashing red lights to give further warning to local traffic not accustomed to stopping at those intersections.

Coudersport Resident Pleads Guilty To DUI

WFRM
A 20 year old Coudersport resident will be sentenced on April 2 after pleading guilty recently in Potter County court to DUI and miscellaneous traffic charges.

Potter County District Attorney Dawn Fink said Derek Stout was arrested by state police following a one-vehicle crash last July 12 in Sweden Township.

Stout fell asleep at the wheel of his car, causing it to go off the road and strike a utility pole and a large rock with the front end. The impact propelled the car causing it to fly across the road and lane nose first before rolling over onto the roof.

Troopers responding to the scene found Stout exhibiting signs of intoxication. Chemical testing at Charles Cole Hospital confirmed a blood alcohol content of .11%, in excess of the legal limit for adults of .08%.

Burglars Hit Sheds In Coudersport & HarrisonValley

WFRM
State police here are probing a couple of recent burglaries of storage sheds.

Sometime between February 1 and March 16, burglars cut a hinge and removed a padlock attached to a storage shed owned by Lewis Eccher on the Townline Road, Coudersport. It’s not known if anything was taken from the shed which is located next to Eccher’s house.

Then sometime last week, thieves took a red two drawer tool box containing various wrenches, screwdrivers, and sockets valued at a total of $100 from a storage shed owned by Jesse Chaffee on the Harrison Fox Hill Road in Harrison Valley.

Original Production At Gospel Tabernacle Friday

Darlene Forsythe invites everyone to come to see the
production of "Broken Bonds" with mime and song
at the Coudersport Gospel Tabernacle on Good Friday.
The event is open to the public and there is no admission charge.
For more information, please call the church office 274-7573.

Accident Reported On Rt.44 North of Shinglehouse

BREAKING NEWS: 2:40 pm--3-19-08
Shinglehouse Emergency Services have just been dispatched to a vehicle accident on Route 44, one and a half miles north of the Boro. Early reports from the scene indicate no injuries involved.

Anonymous said...

From what I've heard the car just needed pulled out of the ditch. Non reportable to PSP.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008 3:26:00 PM EDT

Anonymous said...

From the sounds of things the car just needed pulled out of the ditch.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008 3:32:00 PM EDT

29 Charged In Methamphetamine Bust

WESB News: 03/19/08 - 'Operation Family Cookout' Nets 29

The state Attorney General’s Office today announced it has charged 29 people with running what prosecutors are calling the “oldest known methamphetamine manufacturing operation in northwestern Pennsylvania.”

The investigation, known as "Operation Family Cook-Out," began in March 2007 and focused on the illegal trafficking of methamphetamine by James and Ronald Frey of Albion.

According to the criminal complaint the brothers manufactured methamphetamine at each of their residences, packaged and sold the drug from their homes between 1994 and 2007. They allegedly sold meth for as much $50 per half gram during that time.

Attorney General Tom Corbett says the Frey brothers have been making a business out of cooking methamphetamine for 14 years. Today their business is shut-down and a significant hole has been put in the Erie meth market."

Corbett will be on the LiveLine this afternoon discussing meth and other issues.