Statement as of 5:36 PM EDT on May 31, 2008
Carolyn C. Walizer, 76, of Ulysses, PA, died Saturday, May 31, 2008 in her home.
Born December 16, 1931, in Altoona, PA, she was the daughter of Karl A. and Gwendolyn Wood Chelgren. On July 22, 1955, in Bellwood, PA, she married Elery H. Walizer, who survives.
A 1953 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, she retired from the Northern Potter School District in 1996 after over 43 years of teaching vocal and instrumental music, elementary and junior high art and library.
Active in extracurricular work at school and civic work in the community, she was the girls varsity volleyball and basketball coach, yearbook advisor and did staging for class plays and school musical productions.
She was the first woman to be elected to the Ulysses Borough Council, where she presided as president for eight of her ten years. During those years, the town’s sewage and water systems were installed. Mrs. Walizer also helped organize the Potter County Solid Waste Authority, serving as secretary-treasurer.
Most recently, she was a member of the Northern Potter School Board for eight years, and a representative to the Seneca Highlands Intermediate Nine Board for seven years. Traveling extensively, she and her husband visited all 50 states and 31 foreign countries.
Surviving besides her husband, Elery, are: two sons, Herbert L. (Teresa) Walizer of Jacksonville, FL and Elery Jon (Charlinda) Walizer of Pennsdale, PA; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Karl (Emily) Chelgren of Eugene, OR; and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Marilyn Woodhall.
Friends may call Wednesday, June 4, 2008 from 2:00 – 4:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 PM at the Olney Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ulysses, PA.
Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM, Thursday in the Ulysses First Baptist Church. The Rev. Thomas Shatto will officiate. Burial will be in Wood Family Cemetery, Grampian, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ulysses Library, P.O. Box 316, Ulysses, PA 16948.
For story and pictures of a medical helicopter crash in Pottsville, click here to go to WNEP-TV.
Foreign Ownership of Toll Roads | |
Jules Delgotto sends this article on leasing toll roads.
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Tornado watches are posted today in an area from Pittsburgh to State College and back well into Ohio. Thunderstorms there have the potential to spawn tornados.
Although at the present time, there is no storm activity (8:00am) in the Northern Tier, it might be advisable to keep an eye on the weather today in case the storms should shift to the north.
On May 31, 2008, the First Seventh Day Baptist Church of Hebron will be celebrating their 175th anniversary of ministry.
The church invites you to join them for this most happy occasion.
Schedule of Events--
9:45 Sabbath School
11:00 Sabbath Worship
12:30 Lunch
2:00 Hymn Sing/Praise time
3:00 Anniversary Celebration Program
5:00 Evening Meal
Get FREE SHIPPING on photo gifts, including Mugs, at the Kodak Gallery this Father's Day.
May 31
The Port Allegany Town-wide Yard Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to ????? You can sign up at the Port Allegany Pharmacy, Fox’s Pizza or the Northern Tier Thrift Store. Costs for the event are $10 for a permit and $20 for the square. Sponsored by the Port Allegany Rotary Club.
May 31Potter County Habitat for Humanity will have a volunteer day at
the Habitat House at Fourth and Hill Street, Coudersport, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Anyone 18 and over, wishing to volunteer is welcome. The group is hoping the house can be completed on Saturday and the family can move in.
Take your own lunch. Coffee and doughnuts will be available.
May 31
The West End Trailblazers Snowmobile Club will have a chicken barbecue from 11:30 until gone just off of Route 6 at the Fishing Creek intersection in Roulette. $6.50 for dinners, $4.50 halves only. Watch for signs.
May 31
The Genesee United Methodist Church will be serving the 2nd annual Mitford Meal from 4 to 7pm, at the church on Main St. Genesee. Featuring all home cooked meal of meatloaf, potatoes, veggies, salads and delicious breads and desserts from author, Jan Karon's popular cookbook. Free will offering will be accepted to benefit Missions.WFRM News
Kane-based state police made three DUI arrests recently, two of them for the same man.
Roy Edinger, 31 of Kane was pulled over last Thursday night for an equipment violation and troopers allegedly found he was intoxicated. He was taken to Kane Community Hospital for chemical testing, but refused to take the test. He was subsequently charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance, careless driving, failing to use headlights and a seatbelt, and violating laws concerning restricting on alcoholic beverages.
The following day, Edinger was requested to show up at the Kane barracks for processing of the DUI charge from the night before but he told police he had to report to the McKean County Jail to serve a sentence on a previous arrest. Apparently officers convinced Edinger to show up at the barracks and when he did, he was allegedly intoxicated.
Since he had driven there by himself, he was subsequently charged with a second DUI and again refused to submit to chemical testing.
Ralph Gustafson, 56, of Smethport was arrested for DUI last Saturday afternoon when he was stopped on Bush Hill between Smethport and Port Allegany for an alleged traffic violation. He allegedly failed a field sobriety test and was placed under arrest for DUI.
Get FREE SHIPPING on photo gifts, including Mugs, at the Kodak Gallery this Father's Day.
WESB News: 05/30/08 - New Women's Health Doctor at BRMC
Officials at Bradford Regional Medical Center are announcing the immediate appointment of Kenneth B. Goodrich, M.D., a board-certified specialist in women's health services, to provide care at the former practice of Peter Delneky, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
"We're certainly sorry to see someone of Dr. Delneky's caliber leave the area but feel certain that the obstetrical patients and gynecology services will be maintained at the highest levels for patients in our coverage area," said Rhonda Chilson, Director of Practice Management at Bradford Regional Medical Center.
Dr. Goodrich provides services at BRMS OB/Gyn in the Suzzalo Medical Arts Building at 159 Interstate Parkway, located across the street from the Medical Center. Dr. Delneky, who recently announced his relocation plans, assumed the practice in December 2005 following the unexpected death of gynecologist and obstetrician Manhot Lau, M.D. For more on this story, visit the 1490 NewsBlog.
WESB News: 05/30/08 - McClain Found Not Guilty
Former Foster Township Police Officer Todd McClain has been found not guilty of taking money from the Foster Township Police Station.
He had been accused of taking the money in 2006 from Chief Jeff Wolbert's office and a file drawer used for the McKean County Drug Task Force.
The not guilty verdict came after a four-day trial in McKean County Court.
98 Graduate from
Newest Troopers Assigned to Stations Across the state
“Pennsylvanians have come to count on the State Police to provide the highest possible level of law enforcement services,” Governor Rendell said. “These new troopers will help protect our residents and ensure the safety of our communities.”
State Police Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller said Governor Rendell’s 2006-07 budget increased the department’s complement to 4,673; the highest number of troopers in the state’s history.
Cadet Ethan M. Brownback of
Also receiving awards were:
Major John W. Laufer III, director of the state police Bureau of Training and Education, supervised the training of the class, which was the 126th class to graduate from the
None of the new troopers were from Potter, McKean, Cameron, or Tioga Counties.
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Pennsylvania environmental officials have ordered a partial shutdown of natural gas drilling operations by two companies in the state's northcentral region. More from Philly Burbs.
State Police-Coudersport
Daily Reporter
Troopers report Jerome M. Hayes, 21, of Bradford, Pa., will be charged with driving under the influence and summary traffic violations after a vehicle stop at 2:38 a.m. Saturday on Route 6, Eulalia. He was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and with a suspended driver’s license.
Troopers report a person(s) were involved in a theft between Friday and Saturday at a Kio Road, Coudersport, resident’s garage. No further information was available Tuesday.
Troopers report Sandra K. Fox, 57, of Port Allegany, Pa., will be charged with driving under the influence and numerous traffic violations after a traffic stop at 12:16 a.m. Saturday on Route 6, Roulette. Fox allegedly had an open container of beer in the vehicle.
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The Wellsville Daily Reporter is reporting today that the Allegany County Legislature is not going to appeal the decision to award benefits to the family of Volunteer Firefighter Ronald Thomas.
Ronald Thomas died April 29, 2007, while trying to rescue individuals during the Greater Wellsville Trout Derby.
WELLSVILLE - For the third time in a month, police have made an arrest after a knife incident in the Wellsville area.
On Thursday afternoon, Amity-based state police charged Jared L. M. Wagoner, 18, of Scio, with first-degree assault, three counts of criminal possession of a weapon and fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence.
According to the arrest warrant, on May 25 at 12:29 a.m., near Alma Pond, Wagoner allegedly stabbed and sliced Richard A. Derringer of Bolivar. Click to read "Third knife arrest in a month in Wellsville," by John Anderson in the Wellsville Daily Reporter.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has agreed to render an opinion as to whether local communities have any right to regulate where gas wells and their associated facilities may be located.
The communities of Oakmont and Salem had attempted to stop drilling in certain locations, but, their lawsuit failed in both the County Court and the Commonwealth Court on Appeal.
Their appeal to the PA Supreme Court will decide if the PA Oil and Gas Law which was enacted in 1986 supercedes all local laws.
Star Gazette
State and municipal police in Pennsylvania will participate from June 3 to 5 in Operation Roadcheck, a program designed to take unsafe commercial vehicles off the roads.
“Highly trained and certified State Police personnel and municipal officers will be stopping commercial vehicles around the clock to inspect safety equipment and drivers’ licenses, endorsements and log books,” State Police Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller said.
During last year’s Operation Roadcheck, State Police inspected 2,795 commercial vehicles and found 28 percent were unsafe to operate.
The Centre Daily Times is reporting this morning that Uni-Mart has filed a petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to allow it to seek a buyer for the chain of 283 stores.
As part of the plan, 45 under-performing stores will close. The location of the stores slated to close were not disclosed. Read more in the Centre Daily Times.
JONAK, James "Jim" Paul, M.D.
Age 67, died at his home in Hartfield, May 20, 2008.
Dr. Jonak was a native of New York State and graduated from Olean High School, class of 1958. He received his B.S. Degree from St. Bonaventure University and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry from the University of Buffalo, and then completed four years of extensive research with the Department of Experimental Therapeutics at Roswell Park Memorial Institute in Buffalo.
In 1976 Dr. Jonak received his M.D. degree from the State University Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. He served his family practice internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse and was elected president of the Corning Hospital Medical Staff in 1978. Throughout Jim's career, he was also a family practice physician in Virginia for an HMO in Richmond; Fort Chiswell Medical Center, Wytheville; Ft. Eustis McDonald Army Hospital and retired from the Riverside Hayes Medical Center in the fall of 2007.
Civil War reenactment was a major part of Jim's past time. He enjoyed portraying soldiers of both the North and South because he wanted reenactments to allow people to be educated about both sides in the Civil War. His compassion, dedication, and genuine concern for his patients, family and friends were the cornerstone of his too short life.
Jim's life will be remembered and treasured by many including his wife of 23 years, Holly Jonak; three brothers, Thomas Jonak and wife, Barbara, Rochester, New York, Dr. Michael Jonak, Las Vegas, Lawrence Jonak and wife, Eileen, Olean, New York; sister-in-law, Gaile Felli and husband, James, Watkins Glen, New York; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A celebration of Dr. Jonak's life journey will be held Saturday, June 7, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel of Hogg Funeral Home, 3098 George Washington Memorial Highway, Hayes, Virginia 23072. The family will receive friends from 9:00 until 10:00 a.m. prior to the service.
Inurnment will be private. Holly would like to invite friends back to their home following the service for a time of food and fellowship.
To continue Jim's educational legacy and passion for helping others, contributions may be made to: St. Bonaventure University, Attn: University Advancement/Dr. James P. Jonak Memorial, P.O. Box 2519, St. Bonaventure, New York 14778 or the Gloucester-Mathews Free Clinic/in Memory of Dr. James P. Jonak, 2276 George Washington Memorial Highway, Hayes, Virginia 23072.
Editor's note:Dr. Jonak was a fellow classmate at Olean High School in 1958
WELLSVILLE - Earl R. Brundage of Babcock Woods Road passed away Tuesday (May 27, 2008) at Highland Healthcare Center in Wellsville.
Officials to talk about Medicaid
BRADFORD, Pa. - A young girl’s plight with the Medicaid system that left her broken leg untreated for days has prompted a state representative to set up meetings with the Department of Public Welfare in Harrisburg. Read what Representative Martin Causer is doing to try to correct this problem so it won't happen again in The Olean Times Herald.
REED TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- A flatbed truck carrying 5,400 chickens in steel cages overturned just after 7 a.m. Thursday on a Pennsylvania bridge, reported WGAL-TV in Lancaster.
The eastbound lanes of Route 322 at the Clarks Ferry Bridge have since reopened and the mess has been cleared. However, authorities said as many as 3,800 chickens were killed in the crash. The truck was taking the animals to a slaughterhouse.
Get FREE SHIPPING on photo gifts, including Mugs, at the Kodak Gallery this Father's Day.
WFRM News
Rep. Martin Causer is looking for Korean War Vets in the district so they can be honored at a ceremony next month. Call his Coudersport office at 274-9769; his Bradford office at 362-4400 or toll free 1-866-437-8181 for more information.
WFRM News
Thieves made off with a green gas-powered Homelite weedeater from the home of Florence Hutchinson on Third Street in Roulette sometime last weekend. It’s valued at $50.
Someone took a registration plate off of an Isuzu box truck owned by Diamond Auto Glass while it was parked at the business on Route 6 West in Eulalia Township Monday night or Tuesday. The plate bears Pennsylvania Registration YVA8813.
WFRM News
State police are probing several recent burglaries and thefts in the area.
Sometime between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, thieves forced opened a side door at the residence of Audrey Monroe on Route 49 in Harrison Township. A quantity of Oxycodone and Percocet prescribed for Monroe was removed from the home. Value of the medications is said to be about $380. Damage to the door and door frame is estimated to be $20.
And, burglars pried open a side door at a house on DogtownRoad in Genesee Township sometime last week. It’s not known if anything was taken from the house owned by Robin Green of Wellsville and Connie Miller of Muncy, PA but damage is estimated to be $100
WFRM News
A Shinglehouse driver is being charged with failing to stay within roadways laned for traffic in connection to a head-on collision Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of Route 44 and South Mill Street in that town.
State police said Bernard Hope Jr. was headed north when he allowed his Buick Park Avenue to cross the center line and hit a Chevrolet commercial van driven by Steve Ackley of Wellsville.
Both drivers were wearing seatbelts and escaped injury but both vehicles had to be towed from the scene.
May 31
The Port Allegany Town-wide Yard Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to ????? You can sign up at the Port Allegany Pharmacy, Fox’s Pizza or the Northern Tier Thrift Store. Costs for the event are $10 for a permit and $20 for the square. Sponsored by the Port Allegany Rotary Club.
May 31Potter County Habitat for Humanity will have a volunteer day at
the Habitat House at Fourth and Hill Street, Coudersport, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Anyone 18 and over, wishing to volunteer is welcome. The group is hoping the house can be completed on Saturday and the family can move in.
Take your own lunch. Coffee and doughnuts will be available.
May 31
The West End Trailblazers Snowmobile Club will have a chicken barbecue from 11:30 until gone just off of Route 6 at the Fishing Creek intersection in Roulette. $6.50 for dinners, $4.50 halves only. Watch for signs.
May 31
The Genesee United Methodist Church will be serving the 2nd annual Mitford Meal from 4 to 7pm, at the church on Main St. Genesee. Featuring all home cooked meal of meatloaf, potatoes, veggies, salads and delicious breads and desserts from author, Jan Karon's popular cookbook. Free will offering will be accepted to benefit Missions.
Thank you for posting this information. The trike and the hearse were everything my brother would have wanted. I wanted to give you a picture of his actual ride, but could not find a way to attach it.
WESB News: 05/29/08 - Woods is Smethport's Valedictorian
Megan Woods has been named valedictorian of the Smethport Area Junior-Senior High School Class of 2008.
Megan plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and major in nursing. She also plans to play for the Lady Panthers volleyball team.
She is the daughter of Daniel and Kimberly Woods. Diana Phalon has been named salutatorian. She plans to attend St. Bonaventure University and major in history. She also plans to play softball for the Lady Bonnies. She is the daughter of Ted and Sue Phalon.
Dr. Justin Puller, Smethport's 1996 valedictorian, will be this year's speaker for commencement ceremonies on June 6.
... Frost advisory in effect from 4 am to 8 am EDT Friday...
The National Weather Service in State College has issued a frost
advisory... which is in effect from 4 am to 8 am EDT Friday.
Mainly clear skies and calm winds tonight will allow the
temperatures to dip into the lower and mid 30s across the region.
This will allow areas of frost to form. Lows tonight should be a
few degrees milder than last night... and most if not all locations
will remain above freezing. But... it will still be too cold for
sensitive plants to be left unprotected outdoors.
A frost advisory means that a widespread frost is expected in the
advisory area. Sensitive plants may be killed if left unprotected
outside.
1490 NewsBlog
05/28/08 - Former Asst. Warden Sentenced
A former assistant warden at the McKean County jail has been placed two years probation by McKean County Court.
45 year-old Robert Windsor Jr. of Eldred had entered a no contest plea to charges that he took money from inmates accounts while he worked at the jail.
Windsor was also ordered to repay the county restitution of $10,000 dollars.
LOCK HAVEN — A former state trooper entered a last-minute guilty plea to several lesser charges Wednesday afternoon, on the eve of a scheduled jury trial for rape and sexual assault.
A jury trial was set to begin today at 8:30 a.m.
Orval Kent Foods Recalls Single Limited Production Run of Amish Macaroni Salad Sold Under the Orval Kent and Yoder's Brand Names (May 28)
Thu, 29 May 2008 12:02:00 -0500
Orval Kent Foods is voluntarily recalling approximately 23,000 pounds of Amish Macaroni Salad that may pose a health risk. This voluntary action is being taken in response to the results of a test conducted on a single package of Amish Macaroni Salad by the Ohio Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Food Safety, for E. coli O157:H7.
According to WJAC-TV, Lockheed Aircraft is moving 135 jobs from South Carolina to Richland Township in Cambria County, PA. The jobs average $60,000.00 a year.
BREAKING NEWS: 12:45 PM--5-29-08
The Shinglehouse Fire Department has been dispatched to a wildfire on the Horse Run Road. Initial information indicated that there are possible exposures. The fire is reported under control at 1:06. Fire out--1:35 pm.
Richard E. “Dick” Payne
“loving husband, father, & grandfather”
Shinglehouse, PA---Richard E. “Dick” Payne, 63, of Shinglehouse, PA, died Wednesday, May 28, 2008 in his home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born June 15, 1944 in Johnstown, PA, he was a son of Earl E. and Clara L. LaBarr Payne. On September 5, 1993 in Shinglehouse, PA, he married Helen D. Phillips, who survives.
He was a graduate of Lake Lehman High School in Dallas, PA, class of 1962 and a graduate of Duffs Business Institute in Pittsburgh, PA. Mr. Payne was employed by Stromberg-Carlson Corporation as a telephone central office equipment installer traveling all over the United States. Later he was employed by Breezewood Telephone Company, retiring as general manager in 1990. He then worked as a consultant for C.C.S. in Factoryville, PA.
He was a member of Sharon Lodge #598 F. & A.M in Shinglehouse, a member of Everett Lodge #524 F. & A.M. in Everett, PA, and a member of the Coudersport Consistory. He was also a member of the NRA, a 25 year member of the Breezewood Volunteer Fire Company, and a member of the former Oswayo Valley Lions Club in Shinglehouse, PA. Mr. Payne enjoyed hunting, fishing, 4 wheeling, woodworking, riding his motortrike, and traveling.
Surviving besides his wife are four children: Joseph R. (Kim) Payne of Breezewood, PA, Laurie A. (Jamie) Karstetter of Roaring Spring, PA, M. Scott (Sheila) Fuller of Tunkhannock, PA, and Kris P. (Theresa) Fuller of Syracuse, NY; twelve grandchildren: Aaron J. Payne, Kasi M. Payne, Preston J. Karstetter, Bryan Whitfield, Kelli Whitfield, Michael S. Fuller, Marisa S. Fuller, Aimee L. Wilder, Sierra P. Wilder, Maggie A. Fuller, Rebecca C. Fuller, and Justin T. Fuller; one great-grandson, Owen Paul Whitfield; a sister, Susan P. Smith of Aliquippa, PA; and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Payne was predeceased by his parents.
Friends may call on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA where funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. The Rev. Russell J. Horning, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Shinglehouse, PA, will officiate. Committal services and burial will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Shinglehouse, PA.
Members of Sharon Lodge #598 F. & A.M. will conduct memorial services on Friday evening at 8:30 p.m. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Patterson Cancer Center, 1001 East Second Street, Coudersport, PA 16915 or to the Oswayo Valley Rod & Gun Club, PO Box 186, Shinglehouse, PA 16748.
SHINGLEHOUSE — Richard E. “Dick” Payne, 63, of Shinglehouse, died Wednesday (May 28, 2008) in his home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. Arrangements are under the direction of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home.
PORTVILLE - Richard E. Warner, formerly of the Portville-Ceres Road, died Tuesday (May 27, 2008) at Olean General Hospital after a long illness, surrounded by his family.
SHINGLEHOUSE, Pa. - Curtis L. Crooks of Shinglehouse died Sunday (May 25, 2008) at Olean General Hospital after a long illness.
WELLSVILLE - Angeline “Nellie” Newark of Fairview Avenue passed away Tuesday (May 27, 2008) in her home surrounded by her family.
... Freeze warning in effect from 1 am to 8 am EDT Thursday...
The National Weather Service in State College has issued a freeze
warning... which is in effect from 1 am to 8 am EDT Thursday.
High pressure with clear skies and light to calm winds will allow
temperatures to fall into the upper 20s and lower 30s late
 |
DUI charges are being filed against 37 year old Shauna Rightnour of Douglassville, PA following a one-vehicle cash early Monday morning on the Loucks Mills Road in Ulysses Township. State police said Rightnour was headed south when her Pontiac Grand Prix crossed the road and struck an embankment. She apparently escaped injury.
Minor injuries were reported for a Trumansburg, NY motorcyclist following a spill Saturday afternoon on Route 6 just east of Telescope Road in Ulysses Township. Troopers said 54 year old Fred Kotler’s Harley Davidson fell onto its side when he tried to make a U-turn on the loose gravel shoulder. Kotler was taken to Charles Cole Hospital, treated and released. Authorities noted he was wearing property safety gear at the time.
An Austin teen is being charged with violating traffic code for entering or crossing roadways for a collision taking place mid-morning Tuesday on the Bark Shanty Road in Keating Township. State police say 18 year old Joshua Majot pulled his Pontiac Grand Am out of his driveway into the path of a Jeep Liberty driven by Dayle Ann Youngleish of Coudersport. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts and escaped injury.
Moderate injuries were reported for an Austin woman following a crash just before 3:00 a.m. Monday on Route 120 in Emporium State police said 44 year old Denise Osti was headed east when her Chevy Cavalier crossed to the other side, went up a curb and hit a tree where it came to rest. Troopers say charges are pending completion of their investigation.
An Emporium teen and his passenger both received minor injuries in a crash taking place early Monday morning on Waldy Run Road. Troops say 18 year old Nathan Pott became distracted and allowed his westbound Chevy Monte Carlo to go off the road, strike an embankment and roll over. Both Pott and 21 year old Gerald Lewis left the scene but were apparently located a short time later.
Barry Ezykowsky, 57, of Genesee has been cited for harassment for an incident at his home Saturday afternoon. State police allege Ezykowsky grabbed 57 year old John Cyran by the arm and pushed him against his truck, causing a bruise during an argument.
State police here and in McKean County are probing the theft of mail from mailboxes. Earlier this week, someone took 15 pieces of mail from Jessica Wiley’s mailbox on Second Street in Roulette. Thieves also took mail from a box on the East Valley Road near Smethport belonging to Charlene Hendrickson and from one belonging to Barbara Bowman on Pump Station Road, Smethport Monday or Tuesday.
And, vandalism to another mailbox is being investigated by state police at Kane. Sometime over the past couple of weeks, vandals removed the post from the ground causing the mailbox owned by Joel Johnson of Smethport to fall to the ground. Damage is estimated to be $50.
By Donald Gilliland
This week in the Leader-Enterprise: the judge in the
Rigas case is considering arguments for a shorter
sentence after one charge of bank fraud was overturned
by an appeals court;
Potter County Commissioners say
they are "very close" to releasing their proposal for
regulation of the construction of wind turbines in the
county;
Mother of fallen Iraq soldier speaks at
Memorial Day service at the Courthouse;
Cherry Springs
Star Party begins the summer star gazing season in
Potter County;
Northern Tier Cultural Alliance Barn
Dance in Colesburg draws over 200 people;
nurses from
Cole Memorial Hospital find adventure and fulfillment
on a mission to Honduras;
local track and field
athletes place at state championships;
Northern Potter
and Coudersport high school softball and baseball
seasons come to an end at district playoffs.
Adelphia Was Nation's Fifth Largest Cable Company
By James Jones
Former Presidential Press Secretary Scott McClellan's statements about how the Bush Administration managed the press, to influence the start of the Iraq War, lends a great deal of credibility to the Rigas family's claims that they were the victim of Bush's media blitz against them to prove that Bush was doing something about corporate corruption.
The famous perp walk, after the Rigases had offered to turn themselves in, done in front of all the media news cameras, and the government publicity campaign to convict the Rigases, guaranteed that John and Tim Rigas didn't have a chance in court.
Outside financial experts, and their companies, paid millions of dollars in fines as a result of the Adelphia episode. These were the experts that the Rigases relied on to make sure that this company, that John started from scratch in the tiny Boro of Coudersport, PA, was doing everything according to hoyle as Adelphia grew to be the 5th largest cable company in the United States.
As I have written before, John, who was characterized as not knowing what color socks to put with his suit in a Buffalo Evening News interview a few years ago, could not have had the kind of knowledge that it would have taken to pull the wool over the eyes of these professional financial experts.
And even when testimony of one of the main men, involved with finance in Adelphia, in another proceeding, was in direct conflict with testimony he offered in the Rigas case, the Rigases appeals were denied. The government had decided to make the case against this small town entrepreneur stick like glue. They were an easy target.
The unprecedented media blitz of the bigtime media, manipulated by the Bush Administration, all but guaranteed that the government would get a conviction. The average juror wouldn't have a clue about the finance doings of a corporation the size of Adelphia. Axe murderers have been accorded a fairer trial in this country than John and Tim Rigas.
There is nowhere in this country that the government's media blitz did not reach. There is nowhere that a trial could be held that the jury pool was not contaminated by the media manipulation of the Bush Administration.
Every story written by the mainstream media, since the Adelphia story broke, has been tagged with the government's allegations of the Rigases misconduct.
The truth behind the story is that John Rigas started a business from nothing and worked hard and grew it to a multimillion dollar corporation. In the process, he became well to do. That is a crime in itself for many who weren't so fortunate.
What you didn't see the mainstream media report was how sleepy little Coudersport, a farm town in remote Potter County, was transformed into a booming location with many new jobs and new houses built on the mountains and in town. How many existing businesses were thriving, and new business ventures were started.
Residents for miles around Coudersport, for the first time in their lives, were able to find jobs with decent pay and benefits, thanks to the Rigases. Coudersport got a McDonalds, and a Sheetz that was open 24 hours a day, and a Subway. You hear people complain about what has happened since the demise of Adelphia here, but, working conditions here were pretty bad before Adelphia. John was determined to keep control of the corporation, so he could keep the company in Coudersport, his home town.
No one knows the extent of how many times John Rigas came to the aid of his employees or townspeople. John could have written the book on giving back. The championship golf course he was building would have put Potter County on the map with a great tourist attraction. The cell phone operation that was nearly ready to go online, would have offered nearly complete coverage in Potter County and most of western Pennsylvania with unlimited talk time.
Adelphia, could have survived as a stand alone company, showing a profit for the first time, just before being liquidated to Time Warner and Comcast who dumped the Coudersport operation like a hot potato. Schlyer and Cooper were given millions and their job was to liquidate the company.
And Judge Leonard Sand can't believe the audacity of the Rigases who refuse to admit that they are the scoundrels that the Bush Administration has painted them. John Rigas still has the audacity to believe the American justice system will set him free because he didn't do anything wrong.
Solomon's words has been provided with a copy of James Rigas's statement of testimony before Judge Leonard Sand in the recent re-sentencing hearing. It is lengthy, but very informative, giving voice to the Rigases side of the story which has never been published in a concise form without the government's propaganda. Click here to read this document on another page.
Great article Dad!!! Should be called "The Rigas Railroading" Brad Jones
John Rigas Good? John Rigas Bad?
Did the Rigases do these things?
1.Lied about the source of $1.6 billion used to buy company stock and debt and stole
2. Took $51 million in illegal cash advances.
3. Spent $26.5 million in company money to buy timberland near their home and $13 million to build an Adelphia golf course on land owned by the company and the family.
4. Paid for antiques, family residences and a personal trainer.
5. Hid over 2 Billion dollars in off the books undisclosed debt.
It's quite a bunny jump from Scott McClellan to John Rigas. I guess if we believe George Bush had it in for the Rigas Clan for his own gain then it logically follows the entire war is a fraud because it's a product of the Bush Media machine too.
Why can't we just move on and call it what it is:
Rigas - good in the past for Potter County
Rigas - Not so good since committing crimes
Meanwhile, I sit and watch my property value here in coudersport go down and my gas & food bill go up.
Always ask Cui bono? it always leads you to the truth.
to anonymous above...
1. Lied to whom? The banks, outside counsel, Deloitte and board of directors clearly knew that coborrowed funds were used to make security and stock purchases.
2. Again clearly documented advances as part of outside counsel approved estate planning for john rigas.
3. Mr. Jones clearly describes the benefit of the planned golf course and it really would have helped your property value.
4. Clearly documented transactions that were meticulously documented regardless of what name appeared on the paycheck.
5. Hid? Hardly. Disclosed the amount in the March 27th Press Release and prior to that, based on Deloitte's recommendation, the disclosure said either party, meaning Adelphia or the Rigas Family entities could borrow up to the full amount of the co-borrowing credit facilities which was over $3 billion - any discerning investor would/could have assumed the full amount had been borrowed.
So, your property value falls, but if it weren't for Adelphia, it wouldn't have been worth beans in the first place. But, remember, property values aren't exactly wonderful anywhere in the country right now...or do you want to blame John Rigas for that too. Please do some reading and get your facts straight.
Yes, thank you, for the facts about John and his advisors, you have outlined the essence of a conspiracy. Two or more people acting in concert which breaks the law.
Their actions violated the law.
"Jurors found that the Rigases lied about the source of $1.6 billion used to buy company stock "
Hid from stock holders - Off the books, only disclosed on 2/27. thats a no no for public companies, gotta put on the books
Why do you excuse them for their ignorance?
The fact that none of them claimed to know they were breaking the law does not and can not excuse them, except in potter county, where rigas apologists reign supreme.
I firmly believe Mr Rigas believes he did noting wrong, but that is a weak defense.
Are we a nation of law or a nation of men?
Do you truly believe Mr Rigas & company & advisors did not break the law as charged? Was it all a fiction?
Or is it that the Bush administration, the media, the review accountants, the attorneys, the judge, the talking heads, the jurors (anyone else I should include?) met in a dark smokey room and voted to get Adelphia, John & Tim?
Is that the prevaling conspiracy theory?
The next time I get stopped for a traffic violation, should I refer to the "Rigas Defense" and garner sympathy from the officer & the potter county public.
Read the trial transcript & the statutes for enlightenment or track down one of the review accountants and ask them what they thought of the "books". I have heard them speak.
Leave the red herrings, media conspiracies, goverment plots, quaint stories about the man with mis matched socks & santa clause demeanor behind.
Find the law, buy the transcript & see how the actions by all parties impacted the law. Nothing more, nothing less.
Hopefully you will ease through only mild state of cognitive dissonance on your way to revelation.
It's a shame, we all make mistakes, some bigger than others.
Our job is to forgive, not forget.
Be a lover of truth, this time they broke the law & everybody has to pay, some more than others.
PS. I don't blame John Rigas for my falling property values, everyone knows it the fault of reptilian alien shape shifters annointed by the queen of england. :)
The fact of the matter is they got caught! And now that they got caught .They need to take the face the penalties that go along with it. My personal opinion is that John get put of prison and let his boy take all of it. John built it up from nothing to what it was. Then he turned it over to his greedy son that never had to work a day in his life for a dam thing!!
If they still wanted to keep taking money from the company then they shouldn’t of added stockholders to the company. It went from being just the family money to everybody’s money! And now that it did happen were suppose to feel sorry for the family for ruining Coudersport. Heck they affected almost the whole United States with all the jobs people lost. There was a family that moved out here from California bought a brand new house in Coudersport didn’t even live here a year lost his job. What about him and his family.
Looks like Level 3 is next company to be leaving Coudy. Every week there laying more people off, another Rigas Company. So have they helped Coudersport? I think Coudersport was doing fine before they decided to tear the whole place down and but parking lots and a big building in town that no one will ever use. And Sheetz was long here before Adelphia took off.
We should thank a Tom Majot not a John Rigas for bringing that to town. Also thank him for the Dollar General, Movie Gallery also.
So do I feel sorry for them sitting in jail? I do for John Yes, but for Tim Hell no! Let John out to let him come back to see what happened to Coudersport. That should be tough enough punishment for him to deal with. And let Tim sit in prison and maybe add some to it !Father Builds it up from nothing to a Empire and boy ruins it!
Regardless whether they right or wrong or whether they knew or didn’t know what they were doing. You cannot honestly tell anyone that he deserves to live out the rest of his life in prison. We see everyday rapists, murders, drug dealers, and child molesters that get less time than someone that did as much if not more good than he did badly. It is a joke that he is sitting in a prison cell period end!! What is really sickening is that John and Tim are sitting in prison while there is one free individual that was directly involved from day one that is walking the streets of Coudersport everyday of the week. Funny how you get off Scott free when you turn on someone like a rabid dog!!
1) Who honestly thinks that a golf course out in the middle of nowhere...right next to a huge dairy farm would be good for the area?
2) I really wish that i had 100 pairs of bedroom slippers from a fancy hotel.......
in response to DumAnDummer:
1. Where else CAN you put a golf course? In the middle of downtown?? Golfers go for miles to find new and challenging golf courses and many of the people that moved to this area were glad to hear/see it happening.
2. The slippers were like $2 a pair. The govt lawyers spend more than the total of all 100 pairs on a simple lunch!!
The only thing I have really read about this case were the court papers themselves. They showed that an accounting system was set up to allow all money from Adelphia and smaller Regas family businesses to be in essence pooled into one fund, then all expenses from adelphia and the private Regas companies to be paid from that one pooled source, thus mixing private funds with a publicly held company. This was not only unorthadox accounting practice but also illegal. Several (non-Regas family) Adelphia board memebers resigned once they saw how it was set up. I find it hard to believe that John Regas didn't know what was happening and his son certainly had to have known as well as other family members involved in the smaller Regas companies.
PressWASHINGTON - Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan writes in a new memoir that President Bush relied on an aggressive "political propaganda campaign" instead of the truth to sell the Iraq war, and that the decision to invade pushed Bush's presidency "terribly off course.'
The Bush White House made "a decision to turn away from candor and honesty when those qualities were most needed" , a time when the nation was on the brink of war, McClellan writes in the book entitled "What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception."
The way Bush managed the Iraq issue "almost guaranteed that the use of force would become the only feasible option."
"In the permanent campaign era, it was all about manipulating sources of public opinion to the president's advantage," McClellan writes. Read this revealing AP story in the PhillyBurbs.
This makes me sick to my stomach! I am SO GLAD I never voted for Bush! Eight years of Republican-led congress/presidency has sent this country right down the toilet. Worst government in recent history. Bush should have been impeached long ago. Makes the Clinton impeachment look ridiculous! Let the Democrats win in the fall and take this country back to what it should be!!
I can't wait for the sequel!
There is gonna be a sequel right?
How could the author pack all this action into just 400 pages?
I gotta know if the boy-king turns it all around in the end.
Don't leave me hangin' McClellan.
A lot of allegations, very little or no proof. Is that the way we deal with an unpopular President, Even Clinton got teated better. I'm not a Bush fan, but let's not make judgements base on allegations with little or no proof. By the way thae author of the book was never in any of the meetings, his clearance wasn't high enough. How would he know
Jim and Cynthia Jones of Roulette, PA are celebrating their 5th wedding anniversary
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
JIM AND CYNTHIA
it is a pleasure to know both of you
Alvin Van Horn
Happy Anniversary, Jim & Cynthia. I wish you many, MANY more years of wedded bliss. Thank you for allowing me and the rest of your readers this brief glimpse into your personal life.
Mandy
Authorities are investigating the death of a 37-year-old Austin man.
Police say Kelly Amack of 12 Maple Lane was found at his home.
He was pronounced dead by Potter County Coroner Kevin Dusenbury. An autopsy has been scheduled, and police will release more information as it becomes available.
STEADMAN, Myrtle E. ,Age 91, formerly of Westfield, PA, passed away Sunday, May 25, 2008, at Charles Cole Hospital, Coudersport, PA.
She was born October 7, 1916 in North Fork, PA, the daughter of Robert and Ruth Paddock Gill. She was a homemaker and was employed by Electri-Cord Manufacturing in Westfield, PA for 30 years. She attended the Wesleyan Church.
She is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Larry and Sandra Steadman, Knoxville, PA; daughter and son-in-law, Ellen and Francis Graves, Westfield, PA; grandchildren, Lynne Lewis, Elkland, PA, Todd Steadman, Rochester, NY, Timothy Steadman, Hamlin, NY, Cynthia Kizer, Pottstown, PA, John Steadman, Paoli, PA, Jeffrey Graves, Watsontown, PA, Darlene Oakes, Turbotville, PA, Donna Love, Turbotville, PA, Jay Steadman, Omaha, NE, Jo Ellen Steadman, Muncy, PA; great-grandchildren, Timothy Steadman, John Steadman, Victoria Steadman, Matthew Lewis, Cameron Lewis, Danielle Graves, Ashley Graves, Tyler Graves, Dominique Graves, Alexis Graves, Ellen Oakes, Emily Love, Jesse Love; sister, Doris Dibble, Westfield, PA; sisters-in-law, Georgia Swimeley, Westfield, PA, and Elizabeth Steadman, Orlando, FL; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Steadman, son, Duane Steadman, and grandson, Steven Graves.
Friends are invited to call at the Kenyon Funeral Home, 222 West Main St., Westfield, PA, Friday, May 30, 2008, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted at the funeral home Saturday, May 31, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. Ed Heyler, offc. Burial will be in Brookfield Cemetery, RD., Westfield, PA.
Memorial donations may be made to the Brookfield Cemetery Assn., c/o Charles Metcalf, 821 Brookfield Rd., Westfield, PA 16950.
BURROUS, Richard J. ,AKA Great Big Grandpa
Passed away on May 23, 2008 surrounded by family at home to join those loved ones who went before him. He was born September 2, 1933, grew and became loved by five children, thirteen grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Many adventures filled his life, but now he is on the greatest adventure of all! A Memorial Service will be led by his Pastor of seven years, the Rev. John Prouty. On Friday, May 30, 2008, at the West Pike Baptist Church of Galeton, PA, there will be a family visitation from 10-11 a.m. followed by a Memorial Celebration Service at 11 a.m.
Solomon's words contacted Tim Haley today to see how the Journey Across The Nation project was progressing and we received this email from Tim in answer to our questions. Tim is acting as support for Bruce Trowbridge who is running and bicycling across the USA this year to raise money to drill wells in Africa. Tim writes:
Hey Jim,
I am currently driving out to Oregon with our accessorized car, exclusively for the journey and organization. Bruce will be flying out to Portland this Thursday. The website, www.journeyacrossthenation.com, should be complete other than the blog portion. Our first blog will be posted the night before Bruce begins his performance. The journey begins on June 1st. Bruce is a second semester Senior at St. Bonaventure University. He attends First Baptist Church of Galeton. I attend the Alliance Church. We also received our first invitation in Eugene, Oregon (lodging). We'll keep you posted over the next few days.
Thank you, Tim
Solomon's words will be following their journey in their blog as it's posted.
Thanks for the update on Tim and Bruce - we'll be watching for more!
 | from | Sam Several | |
| reply-to | abginrh17@yahoo.com | ||
| to | shurfine40@gmail.com | ||
| date | Tue, May 27, 2008 at 1:09 PM | ||
| subject | You're a jerk!!! | ||
Anonymous said...What in the world is this?!
If people do not like Solomons then do not click on the button!
The choice is yours.
I for one enjoy the up-to-date news as far as I am concerned this is better than a daily paper. I do not have to throw it away after I have read it, or posted on it!
Keep up the good work as there are far many more people out here that LIKE your news page. For the ones that do not, don't read it!
Thank you once again,
Vicki Sherwood
It is funny to me that people get so bent out of shape over the smallest things. I agree with the comment above "if you don't like it don't look at it". My husband works away from home and with this blog he is able to keep up on all the local news. Thanks so much and keep up the good work.
Anonymous said...I think the only JERK here is the person who posted the first message. Keep up the good work Solomon.
Anonymous said...I am happy to say that I know Jim , and like his sight very much. As far as anyones affiliations that is their business.
I like Jim as a person and as far as solomons word's there ia a lot of articles that would not be published around here if it wasn't for Jim. as Vickie said if you don't like his sight don't open it,
I check it often during the day as do many others.
keep up the good work
Jim & Wilbur
(we can see who the jerks are)
alvin van horn
Anonymous said...I love your site I check the news several times a day keep up the good work. From Port Allegany
Jim-
I travel for my job and your site is how I keep up to date on what is going on at home. You provide a very valuable and appreciated service to me. My daughter lives in NC and she keeps updated on 'home happenings' via your site. Your postings are informative, unbiased and often heartfelt. Thanks for enabling me to visit 'home' as often as i want to during the day when I am gone! God bless you!
Jim,
Please don't let this negativity deter you from what you OBVIOUSLY love doing. I enjoy the writings on your blog. Keep up the GREAT work!!!
Mandy
Hey Jerk, That's my dad your talkin about! He spends hours every day informing all of us about what's goin on up there! Like Vicki said, If you don't like it,don't look @ it !! Get a life loser!! Brad Jones - Palm Beach, Fl.
I also love your site for up to the minute news!! My daughter in law told me about it and I have passed it on to everyone in my address book, from Harrison Valley to the Poconos on to Florida. Everyone I have talked to loves the site. WE ARE THE MAJORITY!!
Jane Hilfiger - Harrison Valley, PA
Jim, Please keep up the good work. As I said before, it's makes being away from home bearable. Thanks again for this site. Audrey from the Eastern Shore of MD
.. Frost advisory in effect from 2 am to 9 am EDT Wednesday...
The National Weather Service in State College has issued a frost
advisory... which is in effect from 2 am to 9 am EDT Wednesday.
Much drier air will move in from the north this evening and
tonight. This will allow the skies to clear out. The winds will be
from the north at 5 to 10 mph initially tonight... but should die
down to less than 5 mph in the valleys before sunrise Wednesday.
The temperatures tonight should dip to the mid 30s... and some
locations... especially the sheltered valleys... may flirt with the
freezing mark. This will allow frost to form in many valley
locations tonight. The hill tops may stay just windy enough to
keep frost from forming there.
A frost advisory means that a widespread frost is expected in the
advisory area. Sensitive plants may be killed if left unprotected
outside.
Sun Gazette
HARRISBURG — A statewide survey to determine the extent of the spread of a troublesome beetle will get under way this week, commonwealth agriculture officials said.
The emerald ash borer, a beetle known for its destructive nature, was detected last year in Butler and Allegheny counties. A quarantine was imposed there and in Beaver and Lawrence counties to restrict movement of nursery stock, green lumber and any other ash wood, including firewood.
The borer is a wood-boring beetle that is native to China and eastern Asia.
Adult emerald ash borer are dark green and measure about 1/2-inch long and 1/8-inch wide. They fly from early May to September and live as larvae the rest of the year beneath the bark of ash trees.
When they emerge as adults, they damage the trees, leaving D-shaped holes in the bark about 1/8-inch wide.
Beginning this week, the state will place bright purple boxes on ash trees, 15- by 24-inch sticky traps, to attract and capture adult borers in a survey to assess how far the invasive beetle has spread in western Pennsylvania,
“Emerald ash borer has the potential to devastate our ash tree population,” said Dennis Wolff, agriculture secretary for Pennsylvania. “By using these traps, we will be able to determine if the threat has moved further east in the state. If so, we can identify the next steps to protect the trees.”
The Department of Agriculture will use a crew of 70 surveyors to place the traps across 35 of the state’s 67 counties, which will be divided into 1.5-square-mile grids. Each grid area will receive one trap, with 10,000 traps to be distributed,.
Each of the purple traps will be labeled with the department’s Web site and toll-free pest hotline, which is 1-866-253-7189.
The rest of the state’s counties will be surveyed by other state and federal agriculture agencies, officials said.
State officials said campers and landowners in the counties within the quarantine area are reminded to use only locally harvested firewood, to burn all their firewood on site and to not to carry it to other sites because the borer can spread that way.
People who suspect they have seen emerald ash borers should contact the state agriculture department
WILSON, Elsie M.
Age 90, of Galeton, PA, died Sunday, May 25, 2008, at the Green Home, Wellsboro, PA.
Born August 4, 1917 in Cross Fork, PA, she was the daughter of the late James and Nellie (Frances) Jerles. She was married to Willard Wilson, who predeceased her in 1992.
Elsie worked at the William R. Karschner & Sons Insurance Company. She enjoyed quilting, crocheting, and having her many friends come to visit her.
Surviving are a sister, Ava Vogt, Wellsboro, PA; sister-in-law, Janette Baker of Galeton; five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Betty L. Zinn-Jordan, West Pike, PA; and many friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Elsie was predeceased by a son, Charles Jordan; a grandson, Charles Jordan, Jr.; six brothers and one sister.
Friends may call on Wednesday, May 28, 2008, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Hess Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Collins Chapel, Galeton, and on Thursday, May 29, 2008, from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the West Pike Baptist Church.
Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. John Prouty officiating. Interment will be in Parker Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the West Pike Baptist Church.
Jeffery Craig of Shinglehouse and Donna Sloan, of Eldred look at medals posthumously awarded to their son US Army Staff Sergeant Heathe Craig, who died June 21, 2006, in Afghanistan.
The medals were presented during services Monday morning in Veterans Square.
Also Monday, a marker was unveiled in Veterans Square to honor Master Sergeant Thomas Maholic of Bradford who also died in June of 2006 in Afghanistan.
For more on Memorial Day, visit the 1490 NewsBlog.
The Coudersport Merchants will meet at the Hotel Crittenden beginning at 8:00 a.m. Business owners and managers are invited to attend and take their ideas.
May 28
State police at Emporium will have a free child safety seat check at the barracks from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For more information, call 486-3321. The check should take 20-30 minutes to complete. Take your child safety seat, vehicle manual and seat instructions.
May 29
The 9th Annual Lift Charity Golf Classic will be held at the Bavarian Hills Golf Course in St. Marys. The tournament will be a four-person scramble with a1:00 p.m. shot gun start. Entry fee is $50 for members and $70.00 for non-members. Cash prizes will be awarded to winners. Each player will receive a duffle bag, favors, light lunch and dinner etc. Call 800-341-LIFT to sign up.
May 31
The Port Allegany Town-wide Yard Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to ????? You can sign up at the Port Allegany Pharmacy, Fox’s Pizza or the Northern Tier Thrift Store. Costs for the event are $10 for a permit and $20 for the square. Sponsored by the Port Allegany Rotary Club.
PORTVILLE - Thomas C. “Tom” Washburn of 34 Dodge Creek Road passed away Monday (May 26, 2008) at Olean General Hospital.
Shelley L. Morris-Fluent, 39, of 10282 Parkwood Drive, Findlay, Ohio, formerly of Eldred, passed away Saturday (May 24, 2008) at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland. Arrangements are under the direction of Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
WILSON, Elsie M. ,Age 90, of Galeton, PA, died Saturday, May 25, 2008. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hess Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Collins Chapel, Galeton, PA.
EMPORIUM — John W. Heitzenrater, 82, of 440 E. Allegany Ave. died Saturday (May 24, 2008) in Elk Regional Health Center, St. Marys. Arrangements are under the direction of the Barnett Funeral Home Inc.
PORT ALLEGANY — Mildred A. Redmond, 96, of Port Allegany, died Thursday (May 22, 2008) at the Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport. Arrangements are under the direction of Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes Inc.
kWESB News: 05/26/08 - Fire Claims Vintage Auto
A fire destroyed a garage and vintage automobile Sunday night in Keating Township.
Smethport Fire Chief Steve Field says that the garage, owned by Jim Tanner was fully engulfed when they arrived. Field says a 1973 car was lost in the fire.
Anonymous said...FYI - The PA Gas Rush show which aired on Thursday is also on Podcast on the site for those who missed it.
http://wpsu.org/gasrush/
HARRISBURG, PA
State House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese on May 29, 2007 introduced House Bill 1373, legislation that would allow counties, municipalities and school districts to impose property taxes on oil, gas and other minerals.
The legislation amends the General County Assessment Law of 1933 to include "coal and other valuable minerals, natural gas, coal bed methane gas and oil" as property that may be subject to taxation by local government and school districts.
HB 1373, which has 23 cosponsors, was referred to the House Finance Committee for consideration. A copy of the bill can be downloaded using the link below.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in December 2002 that state law failed to explicitly recognize oil and gas as taxable. The case involved a challenge by the Independent Oil & Gas Association of Pennsylvania of Fayette County’s assessment of oil and gas.
DeWeese is a Democrat representing Greene County, as well as parts of Fayette and Washington counties.
To download a copy of the proposed legislation use the following link:http://www.pogam.org/uploads/news/HB_13_1180483200.pdf
WINGATE — 
When Bald Eagle Superintendent Dan Fisher looks at red dots plotted on aerial photos of his school district, he sees $1.5 million that he thinks should be flowing into his district’s coffers.
He’s rallying support for a change in state law to make that happen.
The dots on the photos represent natural gas wells drilled in recent years. Seven years ago, only a handful of dots — Fisher calls them “chickenpox” — existed.
Back then, so did a gas-well property tax. The district drew $65,000 annual in tax revenue from those few wells until the state Supreme Court killed the tax in 2002, ruling that it wasn’t authorized by state law.
Now, Fisher flips to a more recent map of Burnside Township and sees a chickenpox epidemic of sorts. Looking at the dozens of red dots representing newly drilled gas wells, Fisher can’t help but wonder how much tax revenue his district could be receiving annually if the gas companies were still paying property taxes.
“I think $1 million, $1 million and a half is a really conservative estimate,” he said. Read more on
pending legislation to restore the tax on natural gas.
Snow Shoe Township resident Don Morgan thought $200 an acre for gas rights to his 48-acre property sounded like a good deal, especially compared with the $3.50 an acre he gets each year under a soon-to-expire lease.
Then he heard
about other landowners getting offers of $600, $800 and even $2,500 an acre in some places.
“I don’t feel like I was ripped off, but you feel like you got left out,” said Morgan. “I did what I thought was the right thing at the time.”
He’s one of many Pennsylvania residents flooded with offers from gas companies combing the state in hopes of tapping into gas reserves.
Natural gas is a hot commodity. Demand is climbing for energy — particularly clean-burning energy that doesn’t have to be imported — and natural gas prices have increased sharply, if not steadily. Read more in the Centre Daily Times.
Wilbur A. Wagner, 93, of Wellsville, NY and Citrus Springs, FL, formerly of Ulysses, PA, died Friday, May 23, 2008 in the Wellsville Manor, Wellsville, NY.
Born May 8, 1915, in Ulysses, he was the son of Orlo and Lida Empson Wagner. On March 8, 1941, in Addison, NY, he married the former Jeannette E. Dykins, who predeceased him on July 12, 1990. On September 3, 1998, in Ulysses, he married the former Margaret Mulford Watkins, who survives.
A 1933 graduate of Lewisville Vocational School in Ulysses and a graduate of Bryant and Stratton School of Business in Buffalo, NY, he served honorably with the US Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theatre.
Mr. Wagner owned and operated Wagner Hardware in Ulysses for many years, retiring to Citrus Springs, FL in 1979.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Ulysses, founding member of the Community Congregational Christian Church in Citrus Springs, FL, Tri-Town Volunteer Fire Company (charter) in Ulysses, Carl E. Hyde American Legion Post #963 (charter) in Ulysses, Lewisville Lodge #556 F & AM in Ulysses, Coudersport Consistory, Sons of the American Revolution General James Potter Chapter, served as a director and chairman of the Ulysses board and the corporate board of First Citizens National Bank, and served as president of the Northern Potter School Board. An avid golfer, he was a member of the Coudersport Golf Club and the Citrus Springs Golf Club.
Wilbur had a lifelong love of music and sang in a quartet for several years.
Surviving besides his wife, Margaret, are: a son, Rev. Ralph O. (Susan) Wagner of Tempe, AZ; a daughter-in-law, Carolyn Wagner of Ulysses; foster daughter, Ann (William) Norman of Jersey Shore, PA; six grandsons, Andrew J. (Julie) Wagner of Turlock, CA, Nathan (Shihching) Wagner of Glendora, CA, Michael (Tiffany) Wagner of Coudersport, James W. Wagner of Ulysses, Eran (Melissa) Stone of Pompano Beach, FL, and Shawn Norman of Jersey Shore, PA; nine great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Betty Dykins of Glastonbury, CT; a step-daughter, Ann McCarthy of Belfast, NY; and a step-son, Barry (Diana) Watkins of Owego, NY.
In addition to his first wife, Jeannette, he was predeceased by a son, James A. Wagner; a grandson, Gregory J. Wagner; a sister, Sylvia Wagner; and a brother, Raymond Wagner.
Friends may call Wednesday, May 28, 2008 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the Olney Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ulysses, PA, with a Masonic Service following at 8:30 PM.
Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM, Thursday in the Ulysses First Baptist Church. The Rev. Anna Shirey will officiate. Burial will be in Ulysses Cemetery.
Military Rites will be accorded by members of the Potter County Honor Guard.
Memorials may be made to the Ulysses Library, Ulysses, PA 16948.
Clair L. Hyde, 86, of Ulysses, PA, died Friday, May 23, 2008 in his home.
Born October 26, 1921, in Ulysses, PA, he was the son of Lawrence and Lois M. Cook Hyde. On July 4, 1946, in West Pike, PA, he married the former Patricia R. Connolly, who predeceased him in 1990.
A 1941 graduate of Lewisville Vocational School in Ulysses, he served honorably with the US Army Air Force in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He was employed by PennDOT, Chase Oil Co., and Tioga Petroleum Co.
He was a charter member, past commander, and chaplain of Carl E. Hyde American Legion Post #963 in Ulysses. He was a member of the Tri-Town Volunteer Fire Company (charter) in Ulysses, the Ulysses Area Improvement Association (charter), Ulysses Lions Club (charter), the Ulysses, Pomona and State Granges, Northern Potter Sportsmen’s Club, Potter County Anglers, and served as a boy scout leader.
Clair was an avid hunter, fisherman, and gardener. He loved to tell stories, sing, and eat ice cream. He especially loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Surviving are: a son, Lyle (Sue) Hyde of Ulysses; a daughter, Darlene Jackson of Galeton, PA; a son-in-law, Berwyn Calcote of Mills, PA; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, W. Elaine Flewellyn of Ulysses and Phyllis Connolly of Stafford, NY; and nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by a daughter, Tamara K. “Tammy” Calcote in 2006; four brothers, Carl in 1946, Ronald in 1960, Bernard in 1995, and Harold in 2006; and a sister, Mildred Hyde in 2006.
Friends may call Tuesday, May 27, 2008 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM at the Olney Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ulysses, PA, where Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday at 10:00 AM. The Rev. William M. Grover and the Rev. Brad J. Miller will co-officiate.
Military Rites will be accorded by members of the Potter County Honor Guard.
Burial will be in Ulysses Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Carl E. Hyde American Legion Post #963, Ulysses, PA 16948.
Gladys B. Angood, 83, of Shushan, NY, formerly of Ulysses, PA, died Friday, May 23, 2008 in her home.
Born September 25, 1924, in Ulysses, she was the daughter of Lawrence E. and Mabel Evans Buck.
She was a 1942 graduate of Lewisville Vocational School in Ulysses. On April 2, 1943, in Ulysses, she married Dexter R. Angood and was his helpmate for 60 years. Dexter predeceased her on September 24, 2003.
Gladys was a member of the Ulysses First Baptist Church, Tri-Town Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary, and served as a Republican Committeewoman. She owned and operated a ceramic shop in Ulysses for several years and was employed as a secretary at the RG&E nuclear plant in Rochester, NY.
Surviving are: a daughter, Donna Whitmire of Shushan, NY; two sons, Ronald Angood of Coudersport, PA and Lewis Eugene Angood of DeLand, FL; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Grace Kear of Ulysses, Louise Miller of Campbell, NY, Jean Howe of Walnut Creek, CA, and Dorothy Erway of Coudersport, PA; two brothers, Raymond (Sylvia) Buck of Ulysses and Robert (Jeannette) Buck of Genesee, PA; and nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a sister, Lois Wilson; and a brother, Roger L. Buck.
Friends may call at the Ulysses First Baptist Church on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 from 12:00 – 2:00 PM, with Funeral Services following at 2:00 PM. The Rev. Robert N. Hubbard will officiate. Burial will be in Ulysses Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Ulysses First Baptist Church or the Tri-Town Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary, both of Ulysses, PA 16948.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Olney Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ulysses, PA.
WESB News: 05/24/08 - Ulysses Man Hurt in Crash
A Ulyssses man is being treated for major injuries suffered in an accident Friday morning on Route 49 in Ulysses Township.
Police say 23-year-old Phillip Thompson was trying to avoid a collision with a vehicle that was turning into the Potter County Solid Waste Authority when his motorcycle went out of control, left the road, went airborne, bounced four times and flipped over.
Thompson was flown by medical helicopter to Arnot-Ogden Hospital in Elmira. Police say he was wearing a helmet.
A frost advisory remains in effect from 11 PM this evening to
9 am EDT Sunday.
High pressure will build southeast and become centered across
Pennsylvania early Sunday... accompanied by clear skies and light
wind.
Low temperatures on Sunday morning will range between 33 and
37 degrees over most of the area... causing the widespread
formation of frost on the first official day of the growing
season.
A frost advisory means that a widespread frost is expected in the
advisory area. Sensitive plants may be killed if left unprotected
outside.
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
The Marcellus Shale rock formation hasn’t had much of an impact in McKean County yet, but experts expect that to change.
During a statewide television call-in show – Pennsylvania's Gas Rush – a panel answered questions about gas and oil drilling in general, and Marcellus Shale in particular.
Marcellus Shale is a layer of black shale 6,500 to 7,000 feet underground. It covers about 34 million acres in parts of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and New York.
With new drilling techniques, it may be possible to produce 50 trillion cubic feet of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale formation. That's about how much natural gas the United States uses in two years.
The Allegheny National Forest is rich in Marcellus Shale. But Ron Giiius of the Department of Environmental Protection said at this point there's no interest in drilling for Marcellus Shale in the forest, but there's no telling what the future holds.
"Right now," Gilius said, "primary interest is in Lycoming, Susquehanna, Wayne and Tioga (counties) and the upper northeast corner.
As for private landowners, attorney Lester Greevy Jr. of Williamsport said attention to details is important when negotiating a contract with a gas drilling company.
He said landowners will be given a standard lease that favors the industry. The way to change that, he said, is by putting addendum in the contract.
Among the addendum could be the company's right to put pipelines on your property or using your property for storage.
He also talked about an option to extend, explaining that a lease typically lasts for five years with an option on the part of the gas company to extend for another five years.
"If you look at what prices were five years ago," Greevy said, "and what prices are now, and you imagine what price may be five years from now – you certainly would not want that option."
Another part of the contract should include how you can use your land.
"It should be tailored for your use of the land," Greevy said.
He said it's important that landowners use an attorney who is well-versed in oil and gas rights.
Another important aspect of land ownership is knowing how much land you actually own.
"When you're getting paid 2,500 bucks an acre," Greevy said, "you might wanna go out and make sure all your acres are counted."
The phone lines were full during the entire hour-long program, which did not surprise Gilius. He said DEP currently spends most of its time answering telephone calls about Marcellus Shale.
Penn State Cooperative Extension is holding a series of informational meetings on Marcellus across the state, but none have been scheduled yet in this region.
Howard Beale said...This is a good site for Pa Gas Lease Information.
http://www.pagaslease.com/
| | ||
| WILSON, Elsie M. ,Age 90, of Galeton, PA, died Saturday, May 25, 2008. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hess Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Collins Chapel, Galeton, PA. | ||
PORT ALLEGANY — Mildred A. Redmond, 96, of Port Allegany, died Thursday (May 22, 2008) at the Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport. Arrangements are under the direction of Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes Inc.
ULYSSES — Gladys B. Angood, 83, of Shushan, N.Y., formerly of Ulysses, died Friday (May 23, 2008) in her home. Arrangements are under the direction of the Olney Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
ULYSSES — Clair L. Hyde, 86, of Ulysses died Friday (May 23, 2008) in his home. Arrangements are under the direction of the Olney Funeral Home & Cremation Service.
Wilbur A. Wagner, 93, of Wellsville, NY, formerly of Ulysses, PA, died Friday, May 23, 2008. Friends may call Wednesday, May 28, 2008 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the Olney Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ulysses, PA. Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM, Thursday in the Ulysses First Baptist Church. The Rev. Anna Shirey will officiate. Burial will be in Ulysses Cemetery. Military Rites will be accorded by members of the Potter County Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to the Ulysses Library, Ulysses, PA 16948. A complete obituary will be available Monday.WFRM
A Potter County PennDot employee was honored at an awards luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion in Harrisburg this week.
George Van Gorder is a Transportation Equipment Operator B with more than 10 years of service with the department and officials say he is a key member of the Potter County Bridge Maintenance crew which was recently recognized through a District Most Valuable Performer Award.
That award was presented in response to the crew’s high quality/exceptional quantity of bridge maintenance work in the county.
The Star of Excellence Awards are presented annually to employees who represent the department’s values of service, performance and integrity.
The recipients span the breadth of the organization- from clerks, office personnel and highway maintenance workers to supervisors, engineers and bureau directors.
WFRM
State and local police will be out in full force this Memorial Day Holiday weekend in an effort to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries.
Last year, 17 people died and another 579 were injured in 897 crashes during the four-day Memorial Day weekend.
AAA says not only can speeding cause a serious crashes, aggressive behavior can result in more gasoline consumption. The organization says gasoline consumption rises dramatically at speeds over 60 miles per hour.
So, maybe the high price of fuel this weekend, will cause some motorists to slow down.
WFRM
With the start of camping season, officials at the Allegheny National Forest are reminding visitors there is a current closure order prohibiting the use of any firewood in the forest unless it originated in Elk, Forest, McKean or Warren Counties or has been kiln-dried.
Anyone who knowingly moves firewood from quarantine areas can be fined up to $4,000 or be sent to jail.
The closure is in place to help prevent the spread of dangerous beetles which have been discovered as far north as Pittsburgh and in Eastern Ohio. The trees in the national forest have no natural defenses against them and the forest could be devastated by an invasion.
Alex Davis from Emporium was part of the University of Pittsburgh team that won second place in the recent annual newspaper competition.
Alex Davis, a freshman public relations major from Emporium, was assistant managing editor.
Alex is known locally for his contributions as a reporter and graphic artist in the "Endeavor News" that circulates and gathers news in the Coudersport and Emporium areas.
Alex looks forward to the day when he can start his own newspaper. He has a dedicated nose for news and has reported for several newspapers in the area.
Solomon's words offers our congratulations to Alex and his co-journalists for their recent recognition.
WESB News: 05/23/08 - UPB's Source Wins Award
The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s student newspaper, The Source, has received a second-place award in the American Scholastic Press Association’s annual newspaper competition.
The award was based on issues from the Fall 2007 semester, during which time Ed Nolter, a senior public relations major from Bradford, served as editor; Anna Chiodo, a senior public relations major from Bradford, was managing editor; and Alex Davis, a freshman public relations major from Emporium, was assistant managing editor.
Tim Ziaukas, associate professor of public relations, is the paper’s adviser.
Nurse and patient safety still waits for Senate
One year ago this week, the state House of Representatives passed legislation to ban mandatory overtime for nurses and other health-care workers. Since last May, however, the Senate has refused to even move the bill out of committee.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania nurses are still being disciplined and even fired when they won't or can't work multiple shifts. Mandatory overtime is unfair to nurses and dangerous for the patients they care for.
Pennsylvania hospitals can be staffed without relying on mandatory overtime. Other states have banned the practice, and it is already prohibited in some Pennsylvania hospitals. In these places, patients are receiving quality care.
The House worked diligently to get the bill to the Senate. It's been a year and now, we're asking for your help. Urge the Senate to pass this legislation to improve patient care and nurse safety in our hospitals.
Thank you for your time. More information on this and other state-related issues can be found at www.pahouse.com
Anonymous said...You've got to be kidding me! How many times does the same Government judge get to hear the same case!?? I thought the appeals process was to be heard by an unbiased judge?!! The govt. has completely destroyed the local economy there,the Rigas family and Adelphia!! I lost stock too but as long as the govt. has that "Do as I say ,not as I do" attitude;what right do they have to put dying 83 yr. old men in jail!!I have known Mr. Rigas for twenty years and he would not intentionally defraud anyone!Did they make mistakes? Of course they did!The Govt. was looking for a scapegoat and they found them!Sending Mr. Rigas to prison for "life" makes it all better,doesn't iT?? Not!!Bush continues to do what he wants,ignoring court orders and started a war we can't win by "defrauding"the american people!!Vice Pres.Cheney's company Halliburton,has "defrauded" the taxpayer out of trillions of dollars in the last half a dozen wars.Hundreds of dollars for a toilet seat or a bolt.or food services!!Investigations have confirmed this but nothing has been done!? How can the govt. expect the people to live by the laws,when they show total disregard themselves??Give me a break!! Send John Rigas home to his family! They are already suffering the rest of thier lives.
Brad Jones
It appears to me that John Rigas is a good and decent man who earned his riches through hard work but became overwhelmed by the complexity of the rules and regulations that surround the business world. If one of his employees needed an operation, instead of asking his legal counsel for an opinion on how to proceed, he simply reached into the corporate cash drawer and paid for it, the old school way. He would worry about the details and the legalities later. But the legalities ensnared him.
At a time when GW Bush's buddies at Enron were caught stealing millions,(or was it billions?) the Bushies needed to find a high profile corporate executive to perp walk on nation television and John Rigas was the unlucky target.
The Bush Administration wants John Rigas' to stay in jail because they say he's a danger to society. What hogwash. The danger to this society is George W. Bush, not John Rigas. Let Mr. Rigas out of jail; Let Bush take his place.
Anonymous said...Smoke and Mirrors if you ask me...
Why do you think none of the news programs talked about the cost of oil, gas and diesel for so long?
Smoke & Mirrors, our media and government are darn good at that.
Kept us up to date on the bull going on between Mr. O and Mrs. C until it has made us choke!
Our government have become a big joke to all us tax payers and every other country.
Mr. Bush has tarnished his image with me forever...the damage that was done to our community and Mr. Rigas as well as his family is unforgivable! Shows you how smart our leaders are doesn't it? Shut down a tax paying business to prove a point?! Hurt a good man and his family that have done so much for others. But lets use the tax payers money on illegal's here that are killers, drug dealers and the list goes on. Sign them up for all you can Washington and Harrisburg...medical, education, makes me mad every time I think about it!
Makes you wonder why we even get up every morning and go to work, feels like we are fighting a fight that we will never win....idiots!
Vicki Sherwood
Anonymous said...Reduce their sentences? I almost choke on my chicken barbeque when I read posts from the Rigas booster club like the above. I'm sure the Rigas clan are very nice people and they have done alot for the county in the past. They key word being the PAST. But, when will people stop drinking the Rigas flavored cool aid? If only they would leave the non-sequitors and red herrings out of their reasoning process, they might come to an understanding of what happened within the company. Read the trial transcripts. These people are civil corporate criminals who stole from a public company & devistated people and entires communities. Let go of the Robin Hood mentality. I can't run my business that way and neither can they. We are still feeling the effects of their actions, in shame, declining real estate values and the division it has created among the local people. Yet, everyone is still pointing fingers and no one has enough character to take ownership of their actions. They are like children caught in the act. The Rigas's still own many properties worth a great deal of money. So I cry not for them. Let us leave
them where they are and move on.
May 24
The Northern Tier Cultural Alliance (NTCA) is sponsoring an Old
Time Barn Dance as part of the 2008: Year of the Barn project at the Waterwheel Barn in Colesburg - just outside Coudersport on Rt. 49 in Potter County - for a chance to experience the fun and artistry of old time square dancing and calling. There will be a $3
admission fee. Activities begin at 6 PM with a Moveable Feast Potluck Supper sponsored by the Potter County Food Matrix. Take a dish to pass. At 7:30, the Barn Dance will begin with Live Music and Master Callers Harry Erhard of Port Royal, PA and Ray Wetherby of Belmont, NY Also in them line-up is Natalie Phelps of Coudersport who has been documenting and learning old-time calls that she remembered hearing when she played in dance bands as a teenager in the 1950's. The dance is being filmed for a DVD that will be available in early 2009.
May 24
The Roulette Alumni Association will have its 70th annual banquet and dance at the Roulette Fire Hall. Social hour is from 5-6 p.m. Music to be provided by DJ Fat Kid and dancing will be from 9:30 pm to 1 am. Tickets are $15/person and each member may invite one guest. Reservation deadline is May 9 and tickets must be picked up by the end of the day on May 13. You can make reservations by contacting Luke Baker at 814-544-7159, or Tammy Price at 814-544-9928.
May 24
The Potter County Relay For Life will be presenting Nashville Singer/Songwriter George Ducas with Penny Eckman (“Penny Sings Patsy”) at the Coudersport Consistory.Tickets in advance - $20. At the door $25. Show times begin with Penny Eckman at 7 p.m. and George Ducas at 8:30 p.m. All proceeds benefit The American Cancer Society, Potter County Relay for Life. For a list of ticket locations, log on to www.events.cancer.org/rflpapottercounty.
THE CONCERT HAS BEEN CANCELLED!!WE BELIEVE THE George Ducas CONCERT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
A workers’ compensation law judge has ruled the family of Ron Thomas, a Wellsville volunteer firefighter who died last year while trying to make a rescue, should be compensated for his death.
Thomas dove into the Genesee River during the Greater Wellsville Trout Derby to try to rescue individuals.
Judge Keith Freedman made four points in his decision, reportedly issued last week. He ruled that Thomas’ death on April 29, 2007, at the Greater Wellsville Trout Derby, happened in the line of duty. Thomas was acting as a volunteer firefighter as defined by the Volunteer Firefighters Benefit Law.
He also ruled Thomas’ actions and death are covered under the benefit law and that he was authorized to act as a volunteer firefighter under the statute; that Susan Thomas is claimant to be the surviving widow; and that there will be a hearing at 10:30 a.m. June 16 in Hornell to consider possible additional dependents, proper award and reimbursement of funeral expenses.
According to the ruling, the issues to be resolved were whether Thomas was acting as a firefighter under the VFBL and whether Thomas’ death happened in the line of duty and was compensable.
Testimony from Wellsville Fire Chief Dave Pinney was noted in the decision. Pinney had said Thomas acted in a way any other volunteer fireman or rescue person would have acted. Pinney also said Thomas’ action at the scene would have been required of him in his capacity as a firefighter. Sue Thomas’ attorney had noted the Wellsville Volunteer Fire Department did respond to the call.
Attorneys for the county argued that the evidence showed Thomas was acting as a “good samaritan” at the time of his death, not as a volunteer firefighter. The contention was that Thomas was at the derby not as a firefighter, but for recreational purposes, and that he was never dispatched as a firefighter.
County Fire Coordinator Paul Gallmann said he received a copy of the ruling Wednesday, but had gotten a call from John Fleischman, Thomas’ brother-in-law, on Friday regarding the decision.
“On the 16th of June, if the county doesn’t appeal, there’s a hearing to determine the award,” said Gallmann.
County Attorney Thomas Miner could not be reached for comment this morning.
I had to think about how to be politically correct when I responded to this report, especially the comments of the Attorneys for the County. "Evidence shows Thomas was acting as a "good Samaritan" at the time of his death, not as a volunteer firefighter. The contention was that Thomas was at the derby not as a firefighter, but for recreational purposes, and that he was never dispatched as a firefighter."
I cannot not fathom how they came up with that statement. 24 years ago when I was sworn in as a volunteer firefighter in West Mifflin, PA, I took an oath to help anyone, anytime and to do my best to save a life. (I cannot remember the exact words, but these are close.) I do not know an emergency services worker, Fire, Police or EMS, both career or volunteer that is not "on duty" 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We do not have the privilege of only working 9-5 and having "recreational" time without an emergency occurring. Firefighter Thomas may not have been on a "dispatched" call at the time, but he would have been "dispatched" sooner or later to try to rescue the individual who fell in the river. Firefighter Thomas acted as any emergency services worker would have acted, whether "dispatched or not” He attempted to save a life that was in danger. He should be commended for what he did by the County, not have attorneys try and pick apart what he did and whether he did it as a volunteer firefighter or not. His family should not have had to go through this. Is it not tragic enough that they lost a husband and father in the line of duty, trying to save someone, and now have to go through having someone try to downgrade what he did.
And to close, ask any emergency services worker who loses a brother or sister, Firefighter Thomas did answer his last dispatch. As said in John 15:13; “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for a friend.”
Daily Reporter
Coudersport, Pa.-based State Police
Troopers report a boat was found at 1:25 p.m. Saturday in the Allegheny River in Roulette. The owner may claim the boat at the Coudersport barracks by giving a physical description of it.
Troopers report a person(s) removed 225 gallons of kerosene, valued at $945, from an outside fuel tank at a seasonal residence on Apple Lane, Austin. The incident happened between Oct. 27, 2007 and Friday. Anyone with information should contact troopers at (814) 274-8690.
Troopers Friday reported charging Cari E. Smith, 37, of Ulysses, Pa., with summary harassment after an incident at 10:30 a.m. May 11 at property on Baker Hollow Road, Hebron. Smith allegedly struck a Colora, Md., man on the right shoulder and left side of his head during an argument.
Daily Reporter
Wellsville Village Police charged Robert J. Sutton, 50, of Galeton, Pa., at 2:06 p.m. Thursday with endangering the welfare of a child after investigating alleged inappropriate actions by Sutton. He is due to appear Tuesday in Wellsville Village Court.
Daily Reporter
Troopers reported Wednesday charges will be filed against Tammy L. Dennis, 41, of Genesee, Pa., after she allegedly wrote a check for $86.03, returned on a closed account, to a Genesee business. The incident happened April 2.
Troopers reported Wednesday charges will be filed against Jeffrey R. Martin, 24, of Ulysses, Pa., after he allegedly wrote a check for $54.82, returned on a closed account, to a Genesee business. The incident happened Jan. 27.
Troopers reported Wednesday charges will be filed against Ashley Williams, no age reported, of Wellsville, after she allegedly wrote a check for $64.90, returned on a closed account, to a business in Genesee. The incident happened March 2.
Daily Reporter
BELMONT — The driver in a June 2007 fatal accident was sentenced to five years probation Thursday in Allegany County Court, District Attorney Terrence M. Parker reported this morning.
Judge Thomas Brown also revoked the driver’s license of Joseph A. Arnett, 36, of Bradford, Pa., and ordered him to pay $2,593.89 in repairs, a $50 DNA fee and a $270 surcharge.
Arnett pleaded guilty Thursday to felony second-degree vehicular manslaughter stemming from the accident, which happened June 24 at the intersection of Routes 305 and 19 in Belfast.
Arnett was driving north on Route 305 when he did not stop at the stop sign at the bottom of a hill. The vehicle went across Route 19, struck an embankment and went airborne, flipping over near the old River Valley Farms.
Devon Brunell, 23, of Cuba, a passenger in the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.
BREAKING NEWS: 9:30 AM----5-23-08
Coudersport Emergency Responders and Medic 6 have been dispatched to a two vehicle motor vehicle accident at the intersection of South East and Chestnut Street in the Boro. One person is reported injured.
WESB News: 05/23/08 - McKean County Looking to Sell Properties
McKean County Commissioners want to sell the properties not currently listed on the county’s tax rolls.
The four commissioners say the repository now has 134 properties which are not on the tax rolls.
People interested in acquiring properties on the repository can submit bids to the county’s Tax Claim Bureau.
Scarnati's Transportation Plan
Anne Holliday, WESB News Director, details in depth, PA Senator Joe Scarnati's transportation plan on her 1490 NewsBlog.BREAKING NEWS:
Ulysses Fire and Ambulance were dispatched at 7:30 this morning to a motorcycle accident on Route 49 near the Potter County Solid Waste transfer station.
A medical helicopter was sent to the scene where one person was reported injured.
Sat. MAY 24th – WATERWHEEL BARN DANCE, at the Waterwheel Barn on RT. 49 in Colesburg
Last year one of our own local musical heroines won a grant from the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts to study under some mighty fine Square Dance calling legends.
In celebration of the Northern Tier Cultural Alliance’s “Year of the Barn” project, and to celebrate the culmination of her year long quest, NATALIE PHELPS will “host and call” an old fashioned Barn Dance sponsored by the Food Matrix, and featuring a dish to pass for the Moveable Feast Pot Luck! Swing your partners!
7:30 Live music and Caller, bring a dish to pass, $3 at the door.
More info? Call Natalie at 274-7605
PORT ALLEGANY — Mildred A. Redmond, 96, of Port Allegany, died Thursday (May 22, 2008) in Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport. Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Home Inc., Port Allegany, is in charge of arrangements.
BRADFORD, Pa. - Roland W. Johnson, 98, of 200 St. Francis Drive, formerly of Rose Terrace Apartments and Larabee, Eldred Township, passed away Wednesday (May 21, 2008) at the Bradford Ecumenical Home.
WELLSVILLE - Nicholas Di Biase, 77, of Center Drive, died on Tuesday (May 20, 2008) at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.
Al VanHorn says come to Austin
this weekend................................
CHICKEN BBQ IN AUSTIN
on SATURDAY 5/24/08
ALSO LOTS OF SALES IN TOWN
AND THE FAMOUS FISHING
DERBY FOR KIDS AT THE AUSTIN
COSTELLO SPORTSMAN CLUB
AND COLD ICE CREAM AT BIG MIKES
Anonymous said...we will be there Alvin. Some of the nicest people I know live in Austin. Austin gets better everyday because of it;s residents.
Anonymous said...forgot to mention the chicken bbq benefits the pride committee and the fireworks on july 5th
thanks jim and wilbur
alvin
A Coudersport teenager was hurt Wednesday morning in a rear-end collision on Route 6 west of the Borough.
State police said 18 year old Kyle Gee failed to notice that the car ahead of him, driven by Donald Shuler was slowing for traffic and allowed his Buick Regal to run into the back of Shuler’s Subaru station wagon.
Gee was taken to Charles Cole Hospital by Coudersport Volunteer Ambulance.
Shuler escaped injury.
The coupe had to be towed from the scene while damage to the station wagon was said to be minor. Gee is being cited for two summary traffic violations.
BREAKING NEWS: Appeals court says Texas had no right to seize hundreds of kids from polygamist ranch
Anonymous said...What a suprise, goverment authorities overstepping it boundaries.
Jim
as of last night at about 9:30 pm
at sheetz in coudy gas is now 3.95 9/10 per gallon
and it will probably go up again
Alvin VanHorn
WESB News: 05/22/08 - Scarnati Unveils New Transportation Plan
State Senator Joe Scarnati has introduced a new transportation funding plan that would eliminate the possibility of imposing tolls on Interstate 80 or leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Among the elements of Scarnati's plan are evaluating the operating expenses of the turnpike through an independent auditor, and using the proceeds from any cost-saving recommendations to supplement statewide transportation funding; changing the way the state police is funded; and enacting legislation authorizing the Commonwealth to enter into public-private partnerships.
Scarnati says the plan "requires the general assembly and the governor to make tough budgetary decisions," but he's confident that his colleagues will "see the merit in this fiscally prudent transportation funding plan."
Scarnati's Transportation Plan
For more on this story, visit the 1490 NewsBlog
Judas Joe Scarnati finally sees the light! Last year he buckled under and agreed to Gov. Rendell's plan to Toll I-80. I wonder what changed his mind? The upcoming election, maybe.
Wendy Holbrook Writes: You know spring has sprung when the peepers are singing and the bears are looking for dinner. My daughter Hannah Holbrook took these pictures on Tuesday, May 20 th at our home in Gold.
WFRM Calendar
The opening day for Sizerville State Park’s pool is Friday, May 23, 2008 from 4pm-7pm.
The pool will be open weekends and Memorial Day May 26 from 11 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Weekday hours will be 4 .m. to 7:00 p.m. daily until June 7 when summer pool hours of 11:00 am until 7pm will begin until mid-July when it will close as part of a park improvement project.
"Solomon's words" set a new record yesterday when we had 1541 readers for the day.
Wilbur sends a big THANK YOU to our readers for passing the word.
Please continue to tell our advertisers you saw their advertising on Solomon's words.
Their advertising keeps our online publication FREE.
Anonymous said...careful Jim
Wibur will want a raise!
Natural Gas Leasing............
Be Informed---Don't Get Taken
Recent gas well leasing and drilling in the Potter-McKean County area has brought many agents wanting to lease mineral rights to the area.
Residents should be aware that leases which brought only a few dollars an acre a few years ago, are now going for $2,500. an acre or more.
WPSU is doing a special call-in broadcast and webcast, Thursday night, detailing some of the ramifications of leasing for oil and natural gas, that everyone in the area who has property to lease should watch.
The live, state-wide call-in television broadcast and webcast "Profits and Pitfalls of Natural Gas Leasing for Landowners" is Thursday nite from 7 to 8 p.m. You can also see it via the Internet at Pennsylvania's Gas Rush.
The show will center on natural gas exploration and drilling (and the implications of the Marcellus Shale rock formation); lease negotiations and addenda; and financial, environmental and infrastructure impacts.
Honoring Our Korean War Veterans Korean War veterans living in the 67th District will be recognized at a ceremony on Saturday, June 14 10:30 a.m. University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s Bromeley
Family Theatrein Bradford The Korean War is also known as the Forgotten War. It’s time we remember this war, remember the veterans, and remember the sacrifices they made for us and for our country. Register Now to Attend the Ceremony Veterans who wish to attend the event but have not yet registered their information with my office should do so as soon as possible, either by calling my Bradford office at 814-362-4400 or registering online at www.RepCauser.com. We need you to provide your name, address, phone number, branch of service and rank. Everyone who attends the ceremony will be presented with certificates and commemorative medals from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
WASHINGTON - On a day oil prices leaped to unheard-of highs, senators lined up Big Oil's biggest executives and pummeled them with complaints that they're pretending to be "hapless victims" while raking in record profits.
"Where is the corporate conscience?" Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., asked the top executives of the five largest U.S. oil companies.
"Is there anybody here that has any concerns about what you're doing to this country with the prices that you're charging and the profits that you're taking?" Durbin asked.I read another article on this matter last night...just unbelievable.
As far as I am concerned these executives DO NOT CARE, they are all making more money than ever and have been since the war in Iraq started. These men are raping the USA and the sad part about it is our government has sat back and allowed this to happen.
The Federal Government can pinch any business by regulating them to death and the president can step in and step up to get a handle on this matter. Guess what, not gonna happen.
I'd keep wasting tax payer dollars by inviting the executives to Washington to explain their record breaking profits to, DUH! Start auditing their asses to death like you do every other business in the USA!
Vicki Sherwood
i recently watched a news interview with exxon's ceo he basically said that they would keep raising the price of gas as long as they wanted because even if more people start using public transportation us poor bitter,bible thumpin,gun totin,(which OBAMA wants to take away)people who live in rural areas still have to drive to get anywhere. it is time to wake up and
let government know that we are not going to stand for this anymore
by excersising your right to VOTE.
alvin
What bothers me more is that these congressmen sit in judgment of these oil companies while at the same time restricting the exploration and drilling for oil so that we wouldn't have to be so dependent on foreign oil. And how much of that gallon price of gas is federal & state taxes? I say ease up on the regulations and lower the taxes.
Whatever happened to "Laissez Faire", right? I understand your point, Ms. Sherwood, and furthermore, I agree with it.
As I was thinking about the state of our economy, it occurred to me that a lot of our problems come from extreme over-regulation. To put it simply, our economic system is no longer a free-market system.
That's not good.
Joel R. Zink
WESB News: 05/21/08 - GOP Offers Solutions to Energy Crisis
Congressman John E. Peterson, R-Pa., along with the Republican Conference, unveiled a solutions based approach to solving our nation's energy crisis, at a press conference on the steps of the U.S. Capitol this morning.
Peterson, who has been sounding the alarm on a looming energy crisis for over six years, issued the following statement: With the price at the pump reaching a new record high daily, and the cost of natural gas soaring, Americans are sick and tired of this do-nothing Congress.
From rural America to the big cities, Americans are struggling to cope with the rising cost of energy. Americans deserve a solutions based approach not the finger pointing Democrats are accustomed to , to help alleviate the burden on senior citizens, the working poor, small business, and middle-class America.
House Republicans have waited 18 months for Speaker Pelosi to bring energy production legislation to the floor; yet, all we get is tax and blame legislation. For more on this story, visit the 1490 NewsBlog.
AMEN! Finally someone in the "hallowed halls of congress" has the guts to say exactly what we need to do! Work on developing "alternative energy", but for the 50 or so years it will take to develop them to the point where they can replace crude oil and gasoline, we must drill in the anwr, offshore, and in the western U.S. where reserves are huge, build refineries and take away much of OPEC's power over us.
We need an energy "Marshall Plan" or $4.00 per gallon gasoline will be looked upon as the good old days. Who will step up and risk their political career?
'Squawk Box' Guest Warns of $12-15-a-Gallon Gas
Robert Hirsch, an energy advisor, says CNBC morning show prediction was a citation of the 'Dean of Oil Analysts.'
By Jeff Poor
Business & Media Institute
5/21/2008 3:38:13 PM
It may be the mother of all doom and gloom gas price predictions: $12 for a gallon of gas is “inevitable.”
Robert Hirsch, Management Information Services Senior Energy Advisor, gave a dire warning about the potential future of gas prices on CNBC’s May 20 “Squawk Box”. He told host Becky Quick there was no single thing that would solve the problem, due to the enormity of the problem.
“[T]he prices that we’re paying at the pump today are, I think, going to be ‘the good old days,’ because others who watch this very closely forecast that we’re going to be hitting $12 and $15 per gallon,” Hirsch said. “And then, after that, when oil – world oil production goes into decline, we’re going to talk about rationing. In other words, not only are we going to be paying high prices and have considerable economic problems, but in addition to that, we’re not going to be able to get the fuel when we want it.”
Hirsch told the Business & Media Institute the $12-$15 a gallon wasn’t his prediction, but that he was citing Charles T. Maxwell, described as the “Dean of Oil Analysts” and the senior energy analyst at Weeden & Co. Still, Hirsch admitted the high price was inevitable in his view.
“I don’t attempt to predict oil prices because it’s been impossible in the past,” Hirsch said in an e-mail. “We’re into a new era now, and over the next roughly five years the trend will be up significantly. However, there may be dips and bumps that no one can forecast; I wouldn’t be at all surprised. To me the multi-year upswing is inevitable.”
Maxwell’s original $12-15-a-gallon prediction came in a February 5 interview with Energytechstocks.com, a Web site run by two former Wall Street Journal staffers.
“[Maxwell] expects an oil-induced financial crisis to start somewhere in the 2010 to 2015 timeframe,” Energytechstocks.com reported. “He said that, unlike the recession the U.S. appears to be in today, ‘This will not be six months of hell and then we come out of it.’ Rather, Maxwell expects this financial crisis to last at least 10 or 12 years, as the world goes through a prolonged period of price-induced rationing (eg, oil up to $300 a barrel and U.S. pump prices up to $15 a gallon).”
According to associate of Maxwell at Weeden & Co., Maxwell is out of the country and currently unavailable for comment.
Maxwell’s biography on the Weeden & Co. Web site said he “has been ranked by the U.S. financial institutions as the No. 1 oil analyst for the years 1972, 1974, 1977 and 1981-1986,” according to polls taken by Institutional Investor magazine.
“In addition, for the last 17 years he has been an active member of an Oxford-based organization comprised of OPEC and other industry executives from 30 countries who meet twice a year to discuss trends within the energy industry.”
Although Maxwell’s prediction is for the long-term, not everyone supports high-end predictions, even in the short-term. CNBC contributor and the vice president of risk management for MF Global (NYSE:MF) John Kilduff said on “The Call” May 7that he expected gas prices to drop following the Chinese Olympics, as China’s economic boom slows down.
PORTVILLE - A memorial service for Naomi M. Henry, formerly of Portville, who died Dec. 10, 2007, will be held Thursday (May 22, 2008) at 11 a.m. in the Johnson Memorial Chapel of Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Portville. The Rev. Dr. Anthony Evans will officiate. Burial will follow.
Amie Taylor's nanny goat had her babies Monday. Find our more here.
If you're not reading the 1490 News Blog posted by Anne, you are really missing out. Anne does a great job of bringing you the news from McKean County and beyond.
She goes into some depth and subjects you won't usually find in most of the news blogs.
You'll find her blog on our favorites list or click here.
Gosh Jim, thanks for the kind words! It's nice to know I'm appreicated :)
And thank you for bringing us Potter County news ... and beyond!
Phlebotomy--The art of drawing blood for examination or donation.
Mandy Knapp, the Port Allegany woman who publishes the "Off On A Rant" blog has passed her course, and is now a phlebotomist. She asks for our prayers to find her a job using her new skills.
Mandy is a wonderful writer. You can read her blog here.
Jim,
As always, thank you for your undying support of my Blog.
Tonight at BOCES in Olean, graduation commencements were held for my Phlebotomy class. What an exciting event it turned out to be. Again, please pray that I can find a job...and quickly!
Mandy
Jeff DePrimo, the Pennsylvania soldier killed in Afghanistan was from Pittston, PA, hometown of Port Allegany School Nurse Lt. Col. Richard Berrettini, who died in January after his vehicle was hit by a explosive device in Afghanistan.
Also killed in the attack were a Navy lieutenant and an interpreter serving with the Provincial Reconstruction Team. The driver and gunner for the vehicle, both Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers, were injured in the attack and evacuated to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.
More information from PA Dept. Of Military Affairs website.
My husband is also over in Afghanistan, so if anyone knows the fears and emotions that a soldiers family goes thru, I think I do. My heart goes out to the family and our prayers stay with them as well as our soldiers that are still there. I recently went thru a tragic loss of my best friend last year and the only words that gave me any comfort were 'peace, be still'. Sometimes when you feel you should be out running around trying to undo what's already happened you have to remember that HE is God and HE is with you always. All you have to do is be still and listen because you will feel his comfort. With that, I pray for peace for the family and hope they feel the support of the military family.
I just found out about this today. I am a fellow soldier of Lt. Deprimo. I am currently serving in the Sinai Peninsula. He was in my home unit back at Pittston. I am shocked to hear that we have lost such a great asset. He was truely one of the best leaders I've known and he took care of his troops. I just hope the rest of the guys come home safe. All my thoughts and prayers go out to his friends, family and fellow soldiers. I'll miss ya 1LT Jeff Deprimo.
- Sgt Borland, Douglas R.
Luzerne County Soldier Dies in Afghanistan
Posted: May 21, 2008 03:03 PM
Last Updated: May 21, 2008 03:26 PM
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| First Lieutenant Jeff DePrimo of Pittston was killed this week by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. | |
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By Ryan Leckey------WNEP-TV 16
The military confirms a soldier from Luzerne County was killed this week in Afghanistan.
People who knew Pittston native First Lieutenant Jeff DePrimo opened up about the 35 year old who lost his life just months after arriving overseas.
They're still in shock after learning Tuesday about the soldier's death.
The father of the 35 year old got the news at work.
There isn't a lot of activity on this day at Barber Ford in Exeter. Inside the car dealership along Wyoming Avenue the emotions are still raw.
One of the owners, Matt DePrimo, was visibly shaken. He not only lost an employee who left to fight as a soldier in Afghanistan, he lost his nephew, First Lieutenant Jeff DePrimo.
"It's just a tragic loss to lose a young man who cared about so many people and so many things," Matt DePrimo said.
Matt's nephew is a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard based in West Pittston.
The 35-year-old soldier was killed in Afghanistan this week.
"The Humvee he was in was hit by a roadside bomb. There were four people in the vehicle. He was the only one who was killed. We don't know the condition of the others who were with him," the soldier's uncle said.
It's not just the soldier's coworkers and family who are remembering him but people from the high school he attended as well.
Holy Redeemer High School principal Jim Redington learned of the death of the former student Wednesday morning. "Immediately the name was all too familiar to me," he said.
Redington was the assistant principal at the once Seton Catholic High School where he first met the National Guardsman.
He described Jeff DePrimo as an honor roll student focused on his studies and music. Many knew DePRimo as an accomplished guitarist who shared his talents.
"To sum it all up, this is a quality young man who gave the ultimate in supporting and defending his country," Redington added.
The DePrimo family is still making funeral arrangements for the fallen soldier.
WFRM
The Sweden Township Police Department is investigating rubbish scattering along the Ice Mine Road. Someone has been leaving an amount of trash down over an embankment.
And, the Department is also investigating some loitering and prowling at night incidents on North Hollow Road and North Hollow Heights. State police are assisting in the investigation.
BREAKING NEWS: 3:40 PM--5-21-08
Port Allegany Emergency Responders are on scene of a car into a tree crash in front of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Home on Main Street in the Boro. One person is reported injured.
I drove by this accident scene just moments after it happened. When I saw that minivan crashed into the tree, my heart just jumped into my throat when I saw the "School Students" sign on it. My mind immediately thought about what would happen if my preschool-aged children were in an accident on their minivan bus and it instantly brought tears to my eyes. I hope and pray that all involved turn out to be okay.
Star Gazette
A fire that may have started when a chicken brooder coop in Westfield caught fire destroyed a 40-by-50-foot barn in northwestern Potter County early this morning.
About 30 firefighters from Westfield, Galeton, Harrison Valley, Chatham township and Clymer township responded to the 3:22 a.m. alarm and found the barn at Hector Corners fully involved in flames, Clymer Fire Chief Richard Patterson said.
“They had just gotten some baby chicks (Tuesday),” Patterson said. “We think the heater in the brooder coop overheated and started the fire. That’s all we can figure right now.”
The barn was owned by Rocky Pesley, Patterson said. Horses that lived on the first floor of the two-story barn were outside when the fire broke out and were not injured, he said. The blaze did kill the chickens in the barn. The barn did not contain any hay or farm
implements, he said.
Firefighters were able to save the farmhouse adjacent to the barn, although the structure did sustain some damage.
“The flames were really rolling that vinyl siding right up the house,” Patterson said. “I would say that about two-thirds of the siding on the house melted from the heat before we could get a lot of water on the house.
“There is very little water supply in that area,” he said. “We had to rely on water we carried on tankers. We even called in extra tankers from other departments. That makes it a real fight.”
But it was a fight that firefighters were not able to win.
“That barn was ablaze when we got there,” he said. “There was nothing to save except the house, and we managed that.”
The barn was an old structure that had recently been “fixed up,” Patterson said. He estimated damage at about $40,000.
“That’s what it would cost to replace a barn that size,” he said.
It took firefighters about two hours to bring the blaze under control, Patterson said. Some remained on the fire scene until 6 a.m.
There were no injuries, he said.
A former congressional candidate charged in the waning days of the April primary campaign with two felonies and four misdemeanors in connection with an incident involving an ex-girlfriend, yesterday pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors.
Derek Walker, 32, of Clearfield, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct, invasion of privacy and harassment, and a summary count of defiant trespass. As part of the plea agreement, the other charges against him, which included felony counts of burglary and criminal trespass, were dropped.The charged were brought against Walker on April 17, just five days before the April 22 primary in which he was vying against eight other candidates to become the Republican nominee to the seat now held by U.S. Rep. John Peterson, R-Peasantville. Peterson in January announced plans to retire at the end of the year.
According to courtpapers, Walker walked through an open door into the home of his ex-girlfriend on Aug. 25, 2007, and used his cell phone to videotape her being intimate with someone else. The criminal complaint also accused him of stalking, by having contact with her on two other occasions, despite a police officer's warning to stay away.
However, in the final days of his campaign, Walker aired commercials in which the woman — who was not identified — gave him her endorsement and decried the charges against him.
Walker, who spent $844,350 of his own money on the campaign, lost the nomination to Centre County resident Glenn Thompson.
Walker, contacted by the Centre Daily Times early Wednesday afternoon, said he didn’t know whether he had pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors.
“You’re going to have to read about it somewhere, pal,” he said before hanging up.
RIDGWAY - Elk County EMS Director Mike McAllister discussed the lightning strike that hit the 911 Center Sunday during Tuesday's Elk County commissioners meeting.
"Sunday a little after 3 p.m. we took a direct lightning strike to the tower. It was a catastrophic hit that came in on one of our radio antennas and came down through the system," McAllister said. "We did experience some sporadic outages throughout the building. At no point in time did we have any 911 failures. We were always able to receive 911 calls."
In the 18-19 years McAllister has had a presence at the center, lightning has only affected it twice. He said this strike was a "power hit" and there was equipment sparking as a result. No workers were hurt.
McAllister said if 911 calls would have failed to be received, there are other locations in the county they are directed to and answered.
"The radio system itself took the majority of the damage," McAllister said. "Everything we do, pretty much, has multiple redundancies within it. When the radios go down the first thing we do is bring in the Ridgway Fire Department so then we have mobile radios there, along with the county's mobile radios."
McAllister said the 911 center was back on line with radios to the emergency, fire and EMS services within a couple of hours. The secondary and tertiary systems are being reconstructed. McAllister said the center will be fully operational in the near future.
"We are able to communicate with all of our fire departments, ambulances and police services within minutes by phone. We let them know what happened, as is written within our policies and procedures," McAllister said. "If we get a call and can't contact them by radio, we can contact them directly at their station to dispatch them."
After there was an assessment of the radio system damage, back-up radio systems were brought in.
"All fire, police and EMS radios intercommunicate," McAllister said. "The infrastructures which have been put in allow us to lose a radio and put another one in, rather than keeping six or seven different types of radio. With this contingency plan, we don't necessarily have all the bells and whistles we do during normal operation, but our main goal is to be able to receive 911 calls from the public and be able to get those calls out to the proper agencies so they can respond to them."
In response to rumors that the system went down and there was no contingency plan, McAllister reiterated several times : "At no point in time did we have any public safety issues as far as being able to dial 911 and not being able to reach someone. Courier Express
Tonight-
Pastor Earl Wall from Canada will be ministering tonight, Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at the evening service at 6:30 PM in the sanctuary of the Coudersport Gospel Tabernacle.
The public is invited to attend.
BREAKING NEWS: 11:15 AM 5-21-08
Coudersport have just been dispatched to a report of electric lines down and sparking on Chestnut Street in the Boro.
WFRM UPDATE:Several Coudersport residents were plunged into darkness this morning when a tree brought down transmission lines at the corner of South East and East Streets.
Coudersport volunteer firefighters responded to the scene and were assisted by Borough Police and Public Works Department workers. Electricity was restored by Allegheny Power personnel a short time after the 11:15 outage.
A Lamaze Child Birth Preparedness Class will begin this evening at 7:00 pm at the Coudersport Wellness Center. For more information or to register for the 6-week class, phone 274-5470.
May 21
A Veterans Outreach Specialist will be on duty at THE Bradford CareerLink from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. for the convenience of area veterans and their families.
May 21
There will be a child safety seat check point at the Denton Hill State Police Barracks from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. Take your child safety seat, vehicle manual and child safety seat instructions. The check should take about 20-30 minutes per seat. Call the State Police Barracks at 274-8690 for more information.
BREAKING NEWS: 8:10 AM --5-21-08
Coudersport emergency services and medic 6 have been dispatched to a car crash on Route 6 by E & G Auto. Initial reports indicate 2 vehicles with one person injured.
SMETHPORT — Sandra L. Nick, 66, of Smethport died Tuesday (May 20, 2008) in the Bradford Regional Medical Center after a short illness. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes Inc.
PORT ALLEGANY — Francis “Frank” Gaberseck, 73, of Coudersport died Tuesday (May 20, 2008) in the Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes Inc.
SMETHPORT — Rosalie Cook, 76, of Smethport died Monday (May 19, 2008) in the Bradford Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes Inc.
Money, Money, Money! The state wants more money! Surprised? Not me...
Permit fees, fines....whatever.
These companies are NOT dumping toxic waste, they are digging up dirt, get it dirt!
But this is why we can not drill for oil in our good old USA, another example of government hard at work!