Rick Barkley's Journal--Kayaking The Allegheny--Part 4

Away I Go

At a little after 7 Saturday morning, September 1, I took my first step into the water, and began the three week journey. I had chosen neoprene boots for the opening stage of the trip, thinking they’d keep my feet as warm and dry as anything, and having walked the first five miles before, I knew they’d be right footingwise. I crossed under route 49, and made my way downhill into the woods. I’d found an easy way to carry the Nashua, by the oarlocks, over my head. Progress was good, and I remember thinking that Gilliland was like so many other media types I’d been involved with before, that early in the morning out in the country, they didn’t come through often.

I’d been walking about 45 minutes or so, and my head was down a lot, picking my way through the rocks. They were sandstone, mostly flat, in a wide shallow stream bed, with only a trickle of water running through it, so I was making good time. Suddenly a bright flash of light in front of me startled me, and I looked up, only to see Don Gilliland perched on a log lying across the stream bed. As I took back everything I ever thought about him, he gave me an impish smile, and stuck out his hand.

He had missed me by no more than two minutes up at the start, and his uncle owned a farm up by the highway, so he knew the lay of the land. He talked to me about the start for a few minutes, relented to let me keep going, but mentioned to me that there was a tram road running along the stream bed, about 20 yards up the hill, that would end up at Seven Bridges, where I was to meet Bev, and the walking would be much easier. I declined his suggestion to subvert the project so early on, and struck out through the rocks again

I was a little down that the beavers I saw on the recon walk of the first stretch didn’t show up. The dams were all bigger now, but no wildlife photos for me. Somewhere between three and four hours, I reached Seven Bridges, but I have no idea where that name came from. The only bridge I knew or cared about, was the one over the stream, where Bev was waiting. It signaled the entrance into the Roger and Kerrie Dunn farm pasture, and thankfully, they had, as promised, shut off the electricity to the fence. I gulped some Gatorade, smiled a lot for Bev’s benefit, than a little before 11, I hopped back into the stream. Don had told Bev he believed the afternoon half of the day would be a lot tougher. He had no idea how correct he was.

Rude Awakening

As I made my way through the stream in the pasture, I was quickly aware of a major change in the conditions. The bed was now a sharp cut in the terrain, about 10 feet wide and three to five feet deep. Gone were the flat sandstones I had enjoyed, replaced by river gravel. Not the small stuff you can walk on, but large egg-shaped rocks, largely jutting up out of the water, which was now ankle to knee deep. Footing had deteriorated to the point where I was often making seven or eight steps, to gain one step forward. I had to fight for every step, because a fall would no doubt break something. The overhanging brush grabbed the Nashua at every turn, further taxing my balance, and even pulling it by rope left it victim to thorny crab apple limbs. I was sure the boat wouldn’t get through without puncture. I had duct tape in my day pack for that purpose, and wondered if I brought enough.

There would be greatly appreciated stretches where a silt bottom replaced the rocks, and I could actually look around a little at the terrain. This was all the more trip I had to experience to realize it isn’t best to expect to reach a certain point by a certain time. I suppose the smartest way would be to try to backpack enough gear to camp, and take more time walking. I can vouch for the fact that with a backpack on, I’m sure there’d be plenty of falls, grabbed by the tree limbs as well as slippery rock, meaning gear would no doubt suffer some damage.

I got two quick peeks at beaver swimming past me midway through the afternoon. Too fast for a picture, they came out of the dams back at me, then disappeared into the banks underwater. The water became waist deep in a couple spots, and I thought it would be best to switch boats. I would regret this decision almost immediately, but there was no way to know then. I didn’t want to fall into a deep hole with a loaded daypack.

Luckily, there was a gravel road leading from the stream out to the highway. It turned out to be beside the Rigas fish ponds, which had been used no doubt to entertain clients in the past, but now was open to the public. I walked to the highway, and miraculously, was able to get enough cell signal to call Bev. I told her to drive along 49 until she found me, and 20 minutes later, she did. We made the switch, I climbed in the Murlene, manned the paddle, and 50 yards later, around two quick bends, I was dragging the kayak over a deadfall. A steady diet of 12 more fallen trees assured me of a good night’s sleep.

Somewhere in the 3:30 range, I could see the roof of one of the Rigas Barns where I was to camp. The other barns came into view, and I felt a great relief and accomplishment. I had made it to the spot I had planned, and about the time I thought I could get there. Bev was on the small bridge over the stream with a camera, so I sat down in the boat and tried to paddle to the bridge. It was a pretty sad example of paddling, and would have been easier to continue walking and leading, but I felt the need to have some fun at the end of a day of mostly work.

Under the Stars

Bev went into town to find us something for dinner, while I set up camp. I changed, hung a clothesline, and tried to dry my clothes. It was during the change I saw the blisters on the ends of both big toes. I hadn’t felt a thing, probably because they were wet. About the size of quarters and rather pruned, I figured they’d be a problem soon enough, though they didn’t hurt at the moment. I just gave them some air, and moved to other things.

After talking about the day, and what lay ahead, Bev kissed me goodnight, and went back into town. I jotted some notes down, pored over the map, hoping for some paddling water, and took down the clothes. After dark, I couldn’t wait to see the stars, and it was a magnificent show. I had no idea what I was looking at, but I was amazed. The sky was just full to bursting, and everything was bright, so easy to see. The need for sleep finally took over, and I crawled inside my nylon condo.

I got an instant surprise when I emerged the next morning. The color white was everywhere. Frost covered any dense surface in view. Coffee was being delivered, and a little shivering got my heater going, as I started preparing for the second day.

Fourth Installment: Rick Barkley kayaked the Allegheny River from it's beginning near Gold, PA to it's end at Pittsburgh this summer. Solomon's words chronicled that trip from Rick's brief reports from the river. This is Rick's in depth journal of this adventure of a lifetime, presented in installments, as it is quite lengthy. I think you will find it very interesting. Editor.

Headwaters Chapter To Sing Tonight

The Headwaters Chapter presents "Music Man and More" Featuring "SEP" Saturday, November 10, 2007 at the Coudersport High School at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $8.00 in Advance, $10.00 at the door and $6.00 in groups of 4 or more.

PA Senior Tax Rebate Deadline Extended

PA Seniors Receive $219 million
in Property Tax/Rent Rebates
Application Deadline Extended to Dec. 31

So far this year, more
than a half-million older Pennsylvanians have received rebates on their property taxes because of the recently-expanded Property Tax/Rent Rebate program. We've delivered $219 million to older residents across Pennsylvania, and we've already surpassed by $98 million the amount of rebates issued last year.

We're making great progress in delivering tax relief to our seniors by using revenues from slots gaming. I recently visited with older adults from Steelton, Dauphin County; Pittsburgh, Allegheny County and Nanticoke, Luzerne County who have received rebates on their property taxes for the very first time.

Nearly 200,000 senior citizens who qualify for a rebate have not yet applied. I extended the application deadline until Dec. 31, so plenty of time still remains for those eligible renters and homeowners to submit an application.

I don't want one eligible older adult to miss out on receiving the help they need in paying their property taxes. I encourage you to review the eligibility requirements to find out if you or perhaps your parents, grandparents or friends “ qualify for a rebate on rent or property taxes paid in 2006.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The program expansion increased the income limit from $15,000 to $35,000, and since the program counts only half of Social Security as income, homeowners who more than $35,000 may qualify. The maximum rebate was also increased from $500 to $650.

The expanded household income limits and maximum rebate amounts for homeowners are:

• $0 and $8,000 $650 rebate
• $8,001 to $15,000 $500 rebate
• $15,001 to $18,000 $300 rebate
• $18,001 to $35,000 $250 rebate

Renters with incomes between $0 and $8,000 receive a $650 rebate and those with incomes between $8,001 and $15,000 receive a $500 rebate.

After more being debated in Harrisburg for more than 30 years, I am proud that under my administration, older Pennsylvanians are finally receiving the property tax relief they deserve. And this is just the beginning; property tax relief for all homeowners is expected next year.

I invite you to learn more about the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program and share this information with friends and family members. For more information and to request an application, visit www.PaPropertyTaxRelief.com or call 1-888-222-9190.

**

With the upcoming observance of Veterans Day, I want to salute and honor the more than one million Pennsylvanians who have bravely served in our nation's military in the past and continue to serve today.

Let us take time to honor the memory of those dedicated servicemen who never returned home, having made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our nation and its way of life. We must also pay special tribute to the courageous and valiant guardians of our freedom who remain listed as Missing in Action.

Those who serve our country will forever carry the virtues of liberty, freedom, and the right to independence. As American citizens, we owe an enormous debt to these men and women. On behalf of a grateful commonwealth and its citizens, I offer my humble and sincere thanks.

Governor Ed Rendell

Area Obituaries

SHINGLEHOUSE — James F. Shepard, 87, of Millport, died Friday (Nov. 9, 2007) in his home. Arrangements are under the direction of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home.

300 New Jobs--Tioga RR Saved

By Cheryl Clarke--Sun Gazette

WELLSBORO — Tioga County could see as many as 300 new jobs by 2009 if a gas storage and salt manufacturing facility is developed, according to an official with the company planning the project.

During the annual Growth Resources of Wellsboro dinner-meeting Thursday, Scott Canterbury, manager of engineering services with Dominion Resources Services Inc. of Clarksburg, W.Va., presented a slide show power point of a gas storage/salt manufacturing facility to be constructed in Tioga Township starting next March and continuing through 2009.

The salt production portion of the facility will be “brand new,” to Dominion, a natural gas transportation and storage services company, Canterbury told some 100 or so attendees at the dinner.

The $300 million project was announced earlier this year by Rep. Matt Baker, R-Wellsboro.

The project will consist of three portions, a gas storage facility, a brine processing facility and a salt production facility, Canterbury said.

The brine and salt facilities will take up between 10 and 20 acres, with the huge caverns each taking two and a half to three years to build, Canterbury said.

The overall facility will require some 1.25 miles of six-inch water transfer pipe, as well as four and a half miles of 10-inch and eight-inch brine transfer pipeline, a mile of 30-inch storage tie-over pipeline to the transportation system, two storage wells and cavern development.

But that’s only the beginning, Canterbury said.

Total natural gas storage capacity would be about 11 billion cubic feet in the two salt caverns and associated storage facilities.

“Eventually, we are planning on eight caverns, but there could be more,” he said, adding “future phases will add more caverns and gas-related facilities.”

The facility would generate about $7.75 million in local spending during the construction phase, Canterbury said.

Between 2009 and 2013, the construction phase of the plant, there will be between 150 and 300 jobs generating about $1.6 million annually, he said.

“The brine processing part of the project will need about 70 to 75 full-time professionally trained employees beginning in 2010, generating about $2.3 million annually,” Canterbury said.

It will produce about 600,000 tons of salt products per year which could include table salt, road salt and other products, depending on market demand.

Full-time employees will generate income taxes of about $40,000 annually, and real estate taxes on the facility will be about $28,000 annually.

Another part of the local organization, the Wellsboro Corning Railroad, will be a vital part of the project, Canterbury said.

In August, it was announced that the shareholders of the passenger train company, Tioga Central Railroad, would no longer operate and were putting the train company up for sale, said organization president Ferlin Patrick.

In October, an agreement was completed with Tom Miles and Sons, fourth-generation railroad businessmen, who will operate both the excursion and freight portions of the railroad business, Patrick said.

The Miles family, from Philadelphia, consists of Tom and his two sons, partner Tom Jr. and William, who will be the chief operating officer.

With the announcement of the approval of the Dominion project in September, new life was breathed into the railroad in the form of the Miles family, Patrick said.

“The Wellsboro Corning Railroad is a vital part of the brine processing facility,” Canterbury said.

“Local trucking also is a vital part, because both will be used to transport salt products, chemicals, services and disposal,” he added.

New service-related businesses and jobs are likely to spring up around the plant, including gas stations, restaurants and stores as local spending increases, he said.

“Real estate will also benefit as people look to locate here for jobs,” Canterbury said.

Working Structure Fire Reported On Route 248

Wellsville, Willing and Genesee Fire Departments have been dispatched to a working structure fire at 3105 NY State Route 248 in the Town of Willing.

On scene reports indicated flames showing at 8:40 pm.

Stocks Dive Again

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Rick Barkley's Journal--Kayaking The Allegheny Part 3

Conditioning and Practice

Through the winter of 2006, I’d been doing gym work and cardio at Chestnut Ridge Park, scrambling gorges and long hikes through the woods, as well as some lifting, guessing at whether I was strengthening the right muscles. Come spring, I got out on Lake Erie as soon as I could, knowing the waves and wind would be a big help, when I didn’t have time for a long paddle. A 10 mile jaunt from Sturgeon Point to Hamburg Beach was my longest stretch, but I wanted to know what a full day’s paddle would do. In May, I drove down to Indianwaters, and Josh took me up to the Kinzua Dam. I made the 25 mile trip in 5½ hours, and that counted a half hour stop for lunch, while I tried to work on the back strap of the seat. The time frame satisfied me, fitting in with what I expected, considering I had planned to do about 20 miles a day, and in 4 to 5 hours, allowing time to set up camp, dry out gear when necessary, and stretch old muscles. I was also pleased when, the next morning, I was able to roll out of the sleeping bag, pick up the Murlene, and hoist her onto the car, proof that I could handle the paddle and still function.

Final Arrangements

As we were getting our house ready for sale, I was squeezing in final arrangements and recon in my free time. I had discovered the river flowed right past a hotel called the Westgate Inn, on the west side of Coudersport, and decided it would be where I’d set Bev up for the first three days. It fooled me completely, appearing to be brand new, and I was pleasantly surprised to find it’s about 10 years old. I wanted a nice place for Bev to be, knowing she’d have a lot on her mind while this thing got going, and Westgate filled the bill. We met manager Shirley Curfman, who couldn’t have been sweeter to us, and obtained permission from ownership, for me to set up camp behind the building, next to the river, when I came through after Day 2.

All the folks who would be supporting along the way were given the best estimates I could come by as to when I expected to be in their locations, and the trip was set. I distinctly remember being quite antsy the last three weeks before the beginning, wanting to get going. At the same time, we were moving into our apartment, waiting for the house to close, and anticipating Bev’s own retirement. We were going through a myriad of emotions, and I think we did a magnificent job of dealing with it all at the same time.

I kept in touch with Steve Hannon, and the donations I saw coming in were getting me really pumped up, as I was approaching double the original goal. In fact, in mid-August, I was lamenting the fact I thought I ought to be doing better, when brother Dave, at the family reunion asked why. I told him in June, I had volunteered for the Ride for Roswell, a bike ride that raised 1.2 million dollars in one day. He asked me how many people took part. I said five thousand. He told me to divide it out. The answer was $240 each. I was at almost ten times that, so he lovingly told me to shut up.

Mock packing the kayak, getting a layer of duct tape to stick on the Nashua, buying every Ziploc bag in Erie County, notifying everyone who’d be involved along the way, checking the maps for the umpteenth time, assuring Bev I’d be okay, (it sure didn’t help that the teen got killed by a bear out west a couple weeks before the start. I still bet my bottom dollar they had open snacks in the tent), and it was time to head for PA. I remember feeling strongly disappointed, that the Buffalo media felt no inclination to support the effort for Roswell by doing any story about the End 2 End. Channel 2, the Buffalo News, not even the Hamburg Sun. Must be more political than I realize. I felt sure it would be a great help to fund raising, but Daybreak seemed a lot more interested in profit-making businesses. Politics.

First Surprise

One of the things Bev and I did once we got to Coudersport was to establish whether to go on Cobb Hill from the top or bottom. First, we drove to the top, and I started hunting downhill for the headwaters, as I’d seen them last year. I walked quite a while, and everything was dry. I returned to the car, and we drove to the bottom, where the river crosses route 49. I wanted Bev to go with me to see it, but the weeds and high grass proved more than she was equipped for, and after taking her back to town, I made the trek alone. I was surprised to see that the people who’d said the true beginning was at the two white PVC pipes were right all along. The spring coming out of the ground was so slight that the water wasn’t even running through the pipes, but underneath.

You could actually see the crevice in the rock, where the water was running out of. It was way too dark even in midday for the wrist camera to take a photo. It was good I spent the time finding this out though, because it would have been a long dry walk the next morning coming down from the top.

I made contact with Don Gilliland at the Potter Leader-Enterprise on my way back into town. I had first spoken with him earlier in the summer, and he’d shown an interest in the story. He said he’d try to be at the start in the morning. Bev and I enjoyed a nice dinner at the Maple Tree, and I tried to relax, figuring I wouldn’t get a lot of sleep that night. I was right.

Third Installment: Rick Barkley kayaked the Allegheny River from it's beginning near Gold, PA to it's end at Pittsburgh this summer. Solomon's words chronicled that trip from Rick's brief reports from the river. This is Rick's in depth journal of this adventure of a lifetime, presented in installments, as it is quite lengthy. I think you will find it very interesting. Editor.

Genesee Senior Defrauded

Coudersport-based state police are investigating an access device fraud which victimized a Genesee man last month.

Someone either used a debit card or checking account number belonging to 74 year old Douglas Collins of Genesee to make two separate purchases without his consent or knowledge. From WFRM

Galeton Driver Injured In Fox Hill Crash

A Galeton driver received minor injuries in a one-vehicle crash Wednesday morning on the Fox Hill Road just south of Loucks Mils Road in Ulysses.

State police said Lonnie Folz was headed north when his Ford Ranger went off the road while negotiating a left-hand curve.

The truck went through a barbed wire fence, traveled down and embankment and rolled over once coming to rest on its roof. Police said Folz was not wearing a seatbelt and the investigation is continuing. FRom WFRM News

Port Man Pleads To DUI On ATV

In McKean County Court action, a Port Allegany man pleaded guilty this week to reckless endangerment and operating an ATV under the influence of alcohol.

Troy Renner, 31, will be sentenced on December 13 for taking a six year old child on the ATV into the woods while he was intoxicated this past July 7. From WFRM

Public Hearing/ 100 Vote No On I-80 Tolls

People say no to Interstate 80 tolls at public meeting

DuBOIS - More than 100 people sent a loud and clear message to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Thursday regarding its proposed plan to toll Interstate 80, "We don't want it."

When Barry Schock, vice president of McCormick Taylor, the engineering firm selected by the commission to oversee the project, asked those in attendance at the first of two public presentations hosted by the commission at the DuBois Country Club, to raise their hands if they are in favor of the project. Not one person did.

PA State Trooper Resigns/ Gets Probation

ERIE, Pa. - An Erie state trooper charged with trying to intimidate people into pleading guilty to citations he had issued has resigned and will enter a special probation program for first-time offenders.

District Attorney Brad Foulk says he agreed to the deal, in part, because 28-year-old Blake Myers is in a National Guard unit scheduled for deployment next year.

Myers attorney, Tim Lucas, says his client wanted to put the matter behind him. Prosecutors say Myers used his authority to try to keep defendants from exercising their rights.

Lucas says acting like a "jerk" isn't a crime and that Myers should perhaps have been disciplined, but not charged with a crime.

Myers can have his record expunged if he completes the special probation.

,,,

Information from: Erie Times-News, http://www.goerie.com

Peterson's I-80 Toll Amendment Removed

WESB News: 11/09/07 - Anti-Tolling Amendment Removed

The anti-tolling amendment co-sponsored by Congressman John Peterson has been removed from the House-Senate Transportation Appropriations conference committee.

Peterson released the following statement on the removal of the amendment: “The state legislature failed the people of Pennsylvania by allowing Act 44 to pass, and unfortunately, the majority of their Washington representatives, at the behest of Governor Rendell, failed them, too, by backing the tolling of I-80.

He says he will continue to fight to see that I-80 remains a freeway.

Morgan AM&T To Get $1.6 Million

WESB News: 11/09/07 - Local Company Gets Federal Money

Morgan Advanced Materials & Technology in Elk and Potter counties will receive 1 point 6 million dollars to develop improved body armor for the military as part of the 2008 Defense Appropriations Conference Report.

In making the announcement, US Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey said the funds will help support the military as well as create jobs in Pennsylvania.

The Conference Report must now be approved by President Bush.

PA Man Killed In Head-On Crash

An Avis, Pa. man was killed Thursday night when the car he was driving collided head-on with a tractor-trailer on state Route 15 in Liberty Township, Tioga County.

Rodney James Fink, 54, was travelling northbound in the southbound lane of Route 15 at approximately 10 p.m. when he collided with the truck driven by Ryszard Siemienski, 43, of London, Ontario, Canada.

Fink, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene by Tioga County Coroner Ron Hagar. Siemienski, who was wearing his seat belt, didn't suffer any injuries.

Information from Sun Gazette

110 Employees To Be Laid Off

ConAgra has announced that 110 people will be laid off at their Milton, PA plant.

Prior to the layoff announcement, there were 800 hourly ConAgra employees and 75 salaried workers there.

The full-scale production plant manufactures a variety of ConAgra food, packages and ships it. The food includes Chef Boyardee, Healthy Choice, Crunch-n-Munch and Andy Capp varieties.

East Fork Sign Stolen

WESB News: 11/09/07 - East Fork Sportsman's Sign Stolen

State Police are investigating the theft of a sign at the East Fork Sportsman’s Club near Austin.

Police say vandals took the 3’ by 5’ sign sometime between October 27th and 30th. The white sign with black metal A-frame stand is worth $400 dollars.

Thieves Busy In McKean County

Kane-based state police have been kept busy investigating a number of recent thefts.

Thieves took $425 in cash from the home of Maxine Knapp on Route 155, Port Allegany between 6:00p.m. November 1 and 7:30 p.m. November 2.

Someone took some prescription “ADHD” pills from the home of Marcy Stahli on Route 46 in Otto Township during a brief period of time Monday night.

Potter County On Verge Of New Prosperity

In less than a year since Time-Warner announced it would close it’s Coudersport Call Center, a number of events are encouraging local leaders.

The Empereon Call Center, located in the former Adelphia/Time-Warner “Tennis Center” has begun employing workers.

AP Wagner which moved a call center from Costa Rica to Coudersport in May, employing several local residents, recently announced it’s expanding and needs to move to a larger building here in town.

And, Skip Becker, A Coudersport native tells WFRM that the northern tier is a step closer to having an transportation institute locate in the area.

Becker, who is the president of Capitol Trailways in Harrisburg told WFRM last winter that there is a terrible need across the nation for professional drivers and diesel mechanics.

In an exclusive interview this week, Becker told WFRM that Mansfield and Lock Haven Universities have pledged the money needed to do a feasibility study done. Becker says the study itself will probably take a couple of years to complete but in his opinion the technological infrastructure here would make Coudersport a logical site.

He says he has been working with now commissioner-elect Susan Kefover, Joe Pagano from the Redevelopment authority, Senator Joe Scarnati and Rep. Martin Causer on the idea.

National Debt Reaches 9 Trillion

Newspapers are reporting that the United States has reached 9 trillion in national debt. It took from George Washington until Ronald Reagan for our national debt to reach one trillion.

Bonas Gets $650,000.00 From Feds

WESB News: 11/08/07 - St. Bonaventure Gets Federal Funding

St. Bonaventure University will be getting 650 thousand dollars in federal funding for science and technology upgrades.

The funding provides $350,000 toward new science equipment for the new William F. Walsh Science Center, scheduled to open in 2008, and another $300,000 to upgrade and expand classroom technology for the University and local community use.

State Representative Randy Kuhl says St. Bonaventure is one of the finest institutions of higher education in the area and enhancements in science and technology are necessary to keep the University at the top of its game. He adds that the university is a critical part of the local economy of the Southern Tier, and the money will help the university continue to expand and upgrade its technological infrastructure.

Rick Barkley's Journal--Kayaking The Allegheny- Part 2

Working a Plan

Having all the incentive I needed, I had to get a handle on the river, better than I already knew. There followed through the latter part of the summer and fall, a series of recon trips, to see for myself what I had gotten myself into. I also needed some help with a couple places, and set about getting that accomplished. I made contact with a fellow named Steve Lauser of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, at the Kinzua Dam. I asked for help getting around the Dam, and he and Bob Hoskins were most co-operative giving me permission to cross over the trash boom, paddle to their private boat launch at the breast, and use of the restricted access road, going down over the hill past the fish hatchery, to re-enter the river. The trash boom is a line of large plastic pontoons, meant to catch floating debris, and keep it from going into the intakes at the breast. Kinzua’s not a spillway type dam, and the water could do damage to machinery that regulates the water flow through it. Each section of the boom is a couple feet in diameter, and about 8 to 10 feet long, and to have to portage around it all would mean hundreds of yards of difficult travel on a steep rocky bank. I was most appreciative of their generosity, and was pleased to cross it off my list.

Next came what I felt might be a tougher sell, the concrete viaduct through the city of Coudersport. An initial phone call to the Police Department brought me to the realization that going through warranted a $300 fine. In December 2006, I sent letters to four Coudersport government agencies, and said a little prayer. I called back to the Borough Manager’s Office in February, and Manager Marlin Moore informed me that I’d been brought up at the January meeting, and I’d been granted permission to go through.

This was major in the planning, as otherwise, I’d be walking and trundling the kayak through 13 blocks of downtown Coudersport, right down the main drag, through peoples’ yards, with Bev following me like we were the circus come to town. This took care of most permission arrangements, leaving the locks at the lower end to find out about.

I made contact with William Heyer, Lockmaster for all eight facilities, again through the Corps of Engineers. He told me, after I let him know what I was planning and why, that he’d make sure someone was there at each stop, provided I could get there during usual working hours. The upper five locks, 9 through 5, are only open on weekends, and Friday afternoon and Monday morning. I appeared, if on schedule, to be coming through mid-week, but he assured me I’d be able to pass.

My reasoning behind my schedule, was to allow Bev to meet me in Pittsburgh at the end, give us Sunday to get back home, and for her not to have to take time off work. Heyer had no problem with my schedule, and I was 3 for 3 getting arrangements for what I thought were major hurdles.

Back to the Beginning

I traveled back to Coudersport in the fall, to see once and for all, where I was to begin this trek. I found out the river came down over Cobb Hill on ground belonging to John Rigas’ family. Rigas, the deposed owner of the Adelphia Cable empire, had opened the land along route 49 northeast of town to the public, meaning I had nothing to fear taking a walk up the hollow to see the headwaters.

I unknowingly chose a poor time to check out the source, with the area having been hammered by repeated heavy rain throughout September. I ultimately found what I thought was the source, just a few hundred yards from a dirt road atop Cobb Hill. I was elated to see this, because it meant a really easy walk to start the journey. I returned to Buffalo satisfied with my effort, and continued planning every possible facet of the project.

What I would eat, where I would stay, what gear I would need, filled a lot of my head, and I spent a lot of time guessing, figuring, and refiguring, until I sometimes wondered if there was a clear cut answer. Over the next seven months, I would make at least four more trips along the river, trying to get as much of the route seen and identified as I could.

The Cell and the Net

As I realized how much stuff I didn’t have, I started pouring time and money into getting everything required. A lot of the gear wasn’t easy to find, especially when it came to my kayak. I have a Walden Scout, meant for hunting and fishing out of. It’s a fairly cumbersome craft, at 12’2”, and weighing almost 60 pounds empty. Very stable, I bought it mostly because I wanted it for weekend paddling and camping, and it had a 350 pound weight capacity, no bulkheads, and a lot of storage space. When it came time to rig it for the End 2 End, I needed bungee cord to hold gear on deck, a better seat, and a spray skirt.

The cord was no problem; drill a few holes, feed it through, knot it and stretch it, knot the end. As I was installing it, I found if I had to, I could sleep in the boat. Having to slide down in the nose with my hands over my head to tie up the cord, I found I could actually get comfortable. I hoped I never needed that discovery.

The seat was more difficult. The original equipment was a hard one piece bucket, very uncomfortable after an hour. Trying to find an adjustable padded seat was hard work, as the company had gone out of business. Repeated tries online to find out if seats existed led to a growing number of dead ends. After several months of searches, I found a boat company in Michigan, Meyers Boat, that was selling Walden kayaks. I contacted them, and found they were having padded adjustables made, and installing them in the new boats.

They agreed to sell me one, and I asked niece Mackenzie Steger, a student at nearby Eastern Michigan University, if she could pick it up and save shipping. It all worked, and I looked forward to increased comfort and longer paddling time. My joy was short lived, as the folks at Meyers forgot to send the template that would let me set exactly where the seat should be placed. A phone call told me it wasn’t going to happen, that they placed a kayak in a clamp device that guaranteed proper placement. Not only that, but online pictures told me the dimensions of the boat had changed. I measured as best I could, said another prayer, and squeezed the trigger on the drill. I got it in, and it held water.

The cockpit on a Scout is 52” long, and the boat is wide, as kayaks go, 32”. It added up to being very difficult to find a skirt that would stretch over it. Several months of disappointments finally gave way to contact with the Seals Company, a skirt manufacturing concern. I got lucky, when the sales rep owned a Scout, and told me which of their products would work. He was right, but getting it on alone was very frustrating, due to the fact that the cockpit lip wasn’t level. It dipped downward in the middle, making stretching from one end to the other impossible.

During that period of time, in the early winter of 2006, I had occasion to do a little paddling with the friend and niece who introduced me to kayaks, Kelly Nord. A weekend at Moraine State Park on Lake Arthur with Bev, Kelly, her husband Mark, and her parents, Mark and Susie Sloan, let me see how easily they attached their skirts, using Velcro. Theirs were factory made, but I felt sure I could get it glued on at home. I had to wait until spring to get weather to do trial fitting and application, but it ultimately worked, and turned a 15 minute ordeal into a 2 minute task that could be done while sitting in the kayak. I added Velcro to the cockpit cover as well, knowing I’d need it at night, to keep pests out of the boat when turned over away from rain.

Pound for pound, the most effort for the smallest item was in getting a kettle type guy for heating water. It had to be small, and it had to be simple. It took a couple months of free-time searching to come up with a 32 ouncer that was small enough.

Food wasn’t hard to come by, and I made the right choice when I wrote to Mountain House. Marie Mallard was great, agreed to sell me the entrées at wholesale price, and she shipped three cases to me from Oregon to New York for nothing.

During the summer, I went down to Coudersport, to walk the first five miles. I realized I’d need something lighter than a 60 pound kayak to manage this stretch, and decided to pursue a lightweight inflatable boat. I first tried EBay, where I made what I thought was a pleasant discovery. There was an auction for an inflatable, and the seller was Buffalo Liquidators, located about 4 miles from the house. I went to see them, and explained my situation. What a shock I got, when they weren’t even interested in talking about it. Although they buy lots of damaged carton items, and had several to sell, they couldn’t offer one, in spite of the fact they only got $45 for the one I watched. A company 3,000 miles away helps me out, and one 4 miles away from the cancer research center I was raising funds for couldn’t care less. Live and learn.

Undaunted, I found a vendor, got a boat, covered it with duct tape to help it make it through the brush, and savored the victory.

The Project Takes a Growth Spurt

There I was, happily plodding along through the planning stages, thinking if I made a thousand dollars for Roswell, I’d consider the whole thing a great success. Someone mentioned a website. I didn’t know the first thing about how it works, or how to do it, and I thought it’d cost a fortune. I talked to my brother Dave about how it all works, and he said he didn’t know much either. About a week later, he called and told me to go to www.end2end2007.org. Imagine my surprise! He built it, laid out the money, and kept it up, since late April 2007.

Next thing I know, there’s a blog for me to post on, and I know it’s been responsible for a good half of what we’ve managed to raise. I don’t know how to thank him for his time and effort, but I’ve tried to let him know. It took up a little more time for me to keep the blog current, but I think folks liked it, and it was fun to get my ideas and experiences out on the Net. This is kind of written out of time frame, reading after the trip, but we’re close to tripling what I originally thought we could do, and I didn’t want to wait until last to talk about it. Dave’s effort has been a big part of this success. Pledges and donations started coming in during March, and I quickly saw there was real possibility for a larger amount to be raised than I had expected, mostly due to the website and blog.

Second Installment: Rick Barkley kayaked the Allegheny River from it's beginning near Gold, PA to it's end at Pittsburgh this summer. Solomon's words chronicled that trip from Rick's brief reports from the river. This is Rick's in depth journal of this adventure of a lifetime, presented in installments, as it is quite lengthy. I think you will find it very interesting. Editor.

Fire In Downtown St. Marys

WESB News: 11/08/07 - Elk County GOP Headquarters Burns

The building that houses Elk County Republican Headquarters in downtown St. Marys was heavily damaged during a fire last night.

The building also houses several apartments, and the Crystal Fire Department had to rescue two victims from the burning building.

One fireman was hurt while battling the blaze. No reports on their conditions are available at this hour. Firemen were on the scene for more than 5 hours. The cause has not been determined yet.

Solomon's Words Set New Readership Record

Solomon's words set a new record yesterday when 742 readers logged onto this website. Thanks for telling your friends about us.

Teens, Galeton Woman Injured In Head On Crash

A 17-year-old Tioga County (Pa.) resident was flown Wednesday to Robert Packer Hopsital with injuries sustained when the car he was driving crossed the yellow line and struck another car head on at Route 6 at Mount Zion Road in Charlestown township.

The teen's passenger, a 16-year-old Tioga County resident, was treated and released at Soldiers and Sailors Hospital in Wellsboro.

The driver of the other vehicle, Heather Brelo, 28, of Galeton, also was treated and released at Soldiers and Sailors Hospital. From the Elmira Star Gazette

Area Obituaries

PORT ALLEGANY — Mildred A. Guncheon, formerly of 37 Church St., died Wednesday (Nov. 7, 2007) in the Lakeview Senior Care Living Center. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Switzer Funeral Home.

Rep. Marty Causer Has Local Hours Thursday

Thursday, Nov. 8:

Emporium Borough Office – 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Port Allegany Borough Office – 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Eldred Borough Office – 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Not A Good Day For The Stock Market

DJIA	13300.02	-360.92	(-2.64%)
NASDAQ	2748.76	-76.42	(-2.70%)
NYSE	9830.15	-272.26	(-2.69%)
S&P 500	1475.62	-44.65	(-2.94%)

Cops Say Galantine Was DUI

Troopers say their investigation has determined that 54 year old Larry Galentine of Port Allegany was DUI when his Ford Escort overturned on Route 155 south of that town on the evening of October 27.

The car went off the road, came back onto the road, crossed to the other side, hit an embankment and rolled over onto its roof. He was taken to Charles Cole Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries.

Police say he is also being charged with failing to drive at a safe speed and staying on the right side of the road. From WFRM News

Vote Totals in Potter County Commissioner Race

Voters completed their purge of the Potter County Commissioners office by electing three challengers. Republican Doug Morley, with 2557 votes, was the top vote getter in the Potter County race. He was followed by fellow Republican Paul Heimel with 2407 while Democrat Susan Sullivan Kefover, a former commissioner, came in third with a total of 1897 votes.

Incumbent Cathy Bowers, who survived the primary when her fellow board members Ken Wingo and John Torok were ousted by voters, came in fourth with a total of 1186 votes.

Bowers, a Republican who turned Democrat a few years ago told WFRM that she has congratulated the winners and is ready to move forward and added that she will be changing her registration once again.

There were some 748 write-in votes for Dr. Robert Wagner and perhaps Commissioner John Torok.

The new board of county auditors will be comprised of the top three vote getters in yesterday’s election, Patricia Nichols, Pauline Kleintop and Mike Fowler. Margo Germino came in fourth in that race.

Sheriff Ken Sauley, Treasurer Krista Miller, Register and Recorder Gary Kelsey and Prothonotary Amy Moshier, all Republicans, were unchallenged and sailed into another four year term.

Information from WFRM News

Tioga County Commissioners Re-elected

The three incumbent commissioners in Tioga County were re-elected Tuesday.

Penn Grade Crude Oil Up Again

WESB News: 11/07/07 - Local Oil Price Over $90 a Barrel Again

Although the price of oil fell Tuesday on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the price of oil locally is up over 90 dollars a barrel again.

American Refining Group is paying $91.75 per barrel for Penn Grade crude oil. That's 2 dollars and 75 cents higher than yesterday's price, and 75 cents higher than ARG's previous record-high price.

Dale L. Saulter

MILLPORT, Pa — Dale L. Saulter, 46, of Millport, formerly of Coudersport died Tuesday (Nov. 6, 2007) in Charles Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born July 24, 1961, in Coudersport, he was a son of Lavern R, “Barney” and Betty M. Potts Saulter. He was married to Peggy A. Chappell, who survives.

He was a graduate of Hebron Christian School and he was a graduate of the New Jersey School of Construction, where he graduated at the top of his class.

Mr. Saulter was owner and operator of New Penn Inc. Construction Company in Shinglehouse. Prior to that he had been employed by Wayne Paving and Gravel in Shinglehouse.

He was an avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting, fishing and archery. He also enjoyed snowmobiling and riding his Harley Davidson. He enjoyed being with his friends and family. He most especially loved attending his children’s many activities. His family was his life.

Surviving besides his wife are his parents of Coundersport; one daughter, Chelsea A. Saulter; and two sons, Tyler R. Saulter and Colton J. Saulter, all at home; two sisters, Suzanne M. (Dr. George II) Mosch of Clearfield; and Sharie R. (Dale) Anderson of Coudersport; one brother, Edward L. (Susan) Saulter of Taylorville, Ill; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins, and many friends.

Friends may call from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday. The Rev. Howard R. Burnham, pastor of the Hebron Union Church, and the Rev. Daniel P. Grimes, pastor of the Shinglehouse United Methodist Church will officiate. Committal services and burial will be in the Woodland Cemetery in Coudersport.

In lieu flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Greg Doane Pictures First Snowfall

Our First Snowfall

Our first snowfall of this autumn arrived last night.

posted by G.Doane @ 12:13 PM

Granpa's Harley

Rick Barkley's Journal--Kayaking The Allegheny

First Installment: Rick Barkley kayaked the Allegheny River from it's beginning near Gold, PA to it's end at Pittsburgh this summer. Solomon's words chronicled that trip from Rick's brief reports from the river. This is Rick's in depth journal of this adventure of a lifetime, presented in installments, as it is quite lengthy. I think you will find it very interesting. Editor.

14 Miles: The Adventure of My Life

“Just Keep Putting the Blade in the Water”

Dedication

To my amazing partner, my wife Bev, without whose help & support I could have never made it. She swallowed so much fear in the planning stages as well as while I was on the river, and was always where I needed her, with everything required for me to push on. I will happily spend the rest of my life repaying her.

I dedicate the victory of completing the journey to the toughest guy I ever met, Tim Bohen. He was in my thoughts many times through those three weeks, and I tried to face the minor adversities of the trip with the same strength.

Foreword

This journal, is not meant to be a primer for how to make this trip. It may be better termed as how not to. It is simply a story of what happened to me on my quest to raise money for a good cause, and try to do something unique. If a reader learns something from my experiences, all the better.

This story doesn’t contain all the necessary information to make the trip. I imagine most people intending to make this same trip would plan it better and quite differently, and there are several good sources of information which will be named in the story. When constructing this material, I decided not to separate it by days, but just to ramble through the trip, much as the Allegheny rambles through Western PA and lower NY. Don’t jump in your kayak expecting to ride along. There’s a lot to go through before we get there.

The Dream Comes to Life

In the 1970s, I had occasion to camp along the Allegheny a few miles downriver from Franklin, PA. I always enjoyed the area, and wondered what the river was like up and down from there. Over the years, I got to see pieces of it, and thought it would be fun to string the pieces together. Around 2002, I began to think concretely about paddling the whole thing, but knew little about a lot of the river. I checked some parts out online, and found a lot of it was built for paddling.

As I began putting the pieces together, the beginning became more and more intriguing. As I read more and more accounts about it, I realized there were a lot of conflicting descriptions, prompting my first visit to the area, in the fall of 2005.

The first thing I found was that the locals knew little about the exact spot, and where it lay. The Allegheny crosses route 49 near the tiny village of Gold, PA, and seems to come out of the woods on Cobb Hill above the highway. I was hesitant to hike the hill that first visit, not knowing who owned it. I got a couple different versions of who the owner was, so I stayed off the hill. In the meantime, I gathered information on things like the illegality of taking a boat through the concrete viaduct in Coudersport, and it was starting to look like an impossible task.

The Roswell Factor

I had garnered some info on other parts of the river, and the project was still a pipedream, until the summer of 2006. My wife Bev had some health problems, and while they weren’t cancer-related, the doctor she saw practiced out of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, a state of the art research hospital in Buffalo. Mostly because Bev held some concerns about the location of her appointment, I felt I should accompany her, just for moral support.

I was astonished by what I saw that day, at several levels. First, the place is beautiful, with a huge, light, airy atrium that greets everyone entering. A grand piano sits in front of a massive glass wall, allowing all possible sunlight to stream in. Every day, a pianist fills the room with music, adding a soothing feeling to the appearance.

The smell of fresh baked goods permeates the atrium, sold for patients, guests, and employees alike. In sharp contrast to this surrounding, are the faces of the people waiting to see doctors. To say they were worried, focused, tired, ill, doesn’t begin to describe what I saw. These people were in the fight of their lives, and there were patients there who’d been through what must have been Hell, but were still battling back.

Then, there were the young folks, male and female, walking the corridors, passing out magazines, snacks, and coffee, to those waiting for appointments. Most waiting areas were in mezzanines of upper floors around the atrium, and a walk around each floor displayed the number and condition of those suffering, and the loved ones who were there in support. It was moving, to say the least, to see teens spending their own time making the day as easy as possible for all. I remember thinking that, after we relocate to Florida this winter, that we should offer of our time to volunteer in a place like this.

While looking around in the atrium, I noticed a large poster on an easel near the piano. It announced an evening performance of the Buffalo Philharmonic in the Roswell courtyard in a couple weeks, free of charge. I mentioned it to Bev, and we planned to attend. We packed a picnic dinner, took a cooler and a couple lawn chairs, and spent another special couple hours. You think you’re going to just sit and listen to music, but it became so much more. Patients came out to listen, and for them, it was the equal of a Herculean effort. Sick, weak, with masks, they refused to stay in their rooms; instead, pushing their IV stands, they came from all directions, during the course of the performance. Those who couldn’t walk were brought in wheelchairs, until the courtyard was full of people in all states of physical condition.

The clinching moment came when I went to sign us up for a drawing for tickets to a BPO upcoming performance. As I waited in line, I glanced down at the memorial bricks that made up the walkways in the courtyard. Directly in my gaze, was the name Pamela Kuwik. Pam had worked where I did, at SoPark Corp., and had lost the battle with cancer the fall before. Bev knew something had happened when I came back to sit down, and it was difficult to explain at the time. Bless her heart, Bev’s great to understand my slightly overemotional side, and she patiently waited until I could explain. It was while we listened to the music, and I looked again around the courtyard, that I felt I couldn’t wait for Florida, but didn’t know how I could make a difference. It came to me that evening that I could use the End 2 End to raise money for this magnificent place, and I didn’t make a verbal vow, but inside, I became very clearly motivated to make the trip work, and use every power I could manage to do it in its entirety. I made contact with a young guy at Roswell, Steven Hannon, the Special Events Coordinator, applied for find-raiser status, and was approved. My thinking was, if I could make a thousand dollars in my journey, I’d consider it a success.

Former Coudersport Man Featured In Frederick, MD Article

Cars, painting drive agent's spare time
Originally published November 07, 2007


By Kate Leckie
News-Post Staff

	Photo by Sam Yu Skip Mason of the Frederick Office of Division of Parole and Probation sits in his office Tuesday afternoon. One of his hobbies is woodworking, like the toy train set he made that sits on his desk.

Criminals he meets in the course of his job might be surprised to learn Skip Mason and comedian Jay Leno are a lot alike -- when it comes to collecting antique cars.

A 30-year veteran of the Frederick office of the Division of Parole and Probation, Mason has a four-car garage any automobile enthusiast would covet.

Parked inside are a burgundy, two-door 1940 Chevrolet that belonged to his father-in-law, a yellow-and-black 1948 Willys-Overland Jeepster, a 1956 hardtop Thunderbird convertible in colonial white and a white 1965 Mustang convertible.

"I used to drive them quite a bit, but not too much lately ... except when I take them to shows," said Mason, 62, of Braddock Heights.

He drives a 2007 Honda CR-V to work.

Mason is all business at the courthouse, where he has worked as an agent since the late 1970s. He spent five years before that at the state Department of Social Services.

Since 1987, Mason's chief responsibility has been conducting investigations: on criminals awaiting sentencing and anticipating parole; on applicants hoping to work for parole and probation; and on convicted felons seeking pardons from the governor.

"I like what I do," Mason said this week from his second-floor office, which is decorated with evidence of his hobbies and a photograph at the 1998 signing of a bill he was instrumental in getting passed.

Sponsored by Delegate Sue Hecht, a Democrat from Frederick, the bill, passed unanimously, closed a loophole in Maryland's version of Megan's Law. That requires convicted sex offenders to notify authorities of their presence in a community.

Mason has had opportunities for promotion, but he passed them up, choosing to stay put, he said.

As a rule, promotions meant being transferred to another county.

"That didn't make sense to me," Mason said. "Here, I know all of the attorneys. I know all the judges."

Instead of taking the promotion and having to drive down the road, in 1986 Mason took a part-time job at the Maryland Counseling Center to cover the difference in pay.

Several hobbies and pastimes also keep him busy when he's not working.

For years, Mason sold wooden toys he made, including trains, at the Catoctin Colorfest in Thurmont.

On his desk sits one of his wooden timepieces that looks like a miniature grandfather clock.

He was impressed by a Boonsboro woman's paintings and the two conversed many times. The artist challenged Mason to take painting lessons from her.

She offered him a guarantee -- if he wasn't pleased with the results, she'd give him his money back.

The lessons were a success. "I was tickled pink," said Mason, who shared what he learned with his wife and daughter.

Mason has broadened his painting skills and is now taking a watercolor class at Frederick Community College.

Mason, based in Frederick all the years he's worked with the state, chuckled as he reminisced about how far he's come.

As a child in Coudersport, Pa., he was the only student in a one-room schoolhouse through the eighth grade.

Afterward, when his father moved the family to Pomona, Calif., the school's bathroom was larger than his previous schoolhouse.

"Talk about culture shock," said the man with the four-car garage.

Time Warner Lost 83,000 Subscribers--Triple Play Up

November 7, 2007

By Shirley Brady-- Cable 360

Time Warner Cable's third quarter earnings report this morning posted the company's largest quarterly net increases in triple play subscribers (220,000 adds, for 2.1 million total on Sept. 30) and digital phone subscriptions (275,000, for 2.6 million total).

The 2nd largest U.S. cable operator also lost a net 83,000 basic video subscribers in the quarter, continuing the third quarter trend of basic cable subscriber losses at Mediacom and Comcast.

Time Warner Cable's net quarterly profit declined to $248 million, or 25 cents per share from $1.2 billion ($1.20 a share) a year earlier, while revenue rose to $4 billion from $3.2 billion.

Supreme Court Election Winners

Seamus McCaffery and Debra Todd were the victors in the competition for two seats on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

With returns from 98 percent of precincts, McCaffery won 30 percent of the statewide vote and Todd had 26 percent for a pair of open seats on the court.

Superior Court Judge Maureen Lally-Green attracted 24 percent while fellow Republican Mike Krancer, a Montgomery County lawyer and former chief judge of the state Environmental Hearing Board, had 19 percent.

Maureen Lally-Green made a campaign stop in Potter County in July according to an article in the Potter County Leader-Enterprise. She was the only Supreme Court candidate to visit Potter County.

Potter County Commissioner Election Results

According to unofficial results broadcast on WFRM radio this morning, Potter County voters have elected Doug Morley, Paul Heimel, and Susan Sullivan Kefover as their new Potter County Commissioners.

Judge Cheryl L. Allen Is An Unofficial Winner

Pittsburgh lawyer Christine Donohue secured one of three open seats on Superior Court. Two Republicans, Allegheny County Judge Cheryl Lynn Allen and Pittsburgh lawyer Jackie Shogan, appeared to have won the other two.

With returns from 97 percent of the precincts, Donohue had 19 percent of the vote while Allen and Shogan each had 17 percent.

Judge Allen visited Potter County this spring where she spoke and sang at the Coudersport Gospel Tabernacle. She was the only Superior Court candidate to visit Potter County.

Erie Gets Foot Of Snow--Power Out

WESB News: 11/07/07 - Erie Area Without Power

A massive power outage is effecting the Erie area.

Penelec officials say the cause is the heavy snow which pulled down power lines. Currently there are over 15,000 customers without power. Penelec crews have been called in from Warren, Clearfield, Altoona and Cleveland, OH.

The Erie area got up to a foot of wet snow Tuesday.

McKean County Commissioner Results

In the race for McKean County Commissioner, the last of the New Directions team – Cliff Lane -- is out, and former commissioner Al Pingie is back in. The unofficial numbers are:

Joe DeMott - 3,980
Al Pingie - 3,216
Judy Church - 2,813
Cliff Lane 2,670

Coudersport Attorney Injured In Crash

WESB News: 11/07/07 - Accident Tuesday in Foster Township

A Coudersport man was injured in a one vehicle accident Tuesday morning on Derrick Road in Foster Township.

Foster Township Police say 39 year-old Jarret Smith drove off the roadway and down a seven-foot embankment. Smith was taken to BRMC for treatment of head lacerations.

Police say the accident was the result of a medical condition.

Area Obituaries

COUDERSPORT — Donald Eugene “Gene” Kelly, 66, of Coudersport, died Monday (Nov. 5, 2007) in Charles Cole Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are under the direction of the Fickinger Funeral Home.

SHINGLEHOUSE — Dale L. Saulter, 46, of Millport, formerly of Coudersport, died Tuesday (Nov. 6, 2007) in Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport, after a long illness. Arrangements are under the direction of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home.

Email: "Paul H. Swartz Sr."
*To:		<--TO Email REQUIRED!
*From:		<--FROM Email REQUIRED!

Paul H. Swartz Sr., 68, of Gaines, died on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007.

He was married for 50 years to Christine E. (Bell) Swartz.

Paul enjoyed NASCAR, camping and wildlife.

Surviving, besides his wife, are a son, two daughters, four grandchildren, one great grandchild, brothers and sisters.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 7, at the Carleton Funeral Home, Wellsboro, at 12 p.m. with the Rev. Kermit Shrawder officiating.

Sex Offender Arrested Near Millport

WESB News: 11/07/07 - Sex Offender From Derrick City Found

State Police have apprehended a registered sex offender from Derrick City near Millport.

Police say 45 year-old Charles Doner failed to register a change of address with State Police. Doner had been convicted of a sexual offense in August 2006.

He moved from Derrick City to Eldred and failed to notify police of a change in address. Doner has been sent to the McKean County Jail.

2 To 5 Inches Of Snow Possible Overnight

The national weather service has predicted the possibility of 2 to 5 inches of snow overnight in the snowbelt areas of Warren and McKean Counties.

Most of the accumulations will be in the higher elevations and some areas could get even more snow.

Drivers venturing into the snowbelt areas should be aware of possible slippery roads and of course bridges freeze before the roadways.

Election Results

WFRM Radio has announced that they will have the unofficial election results early Wednesday morning as they are available. WFRM is at 600 on your radio dial.

The Potter Leader-Enterprise will be on the newsstands late on Wednesday so that they can have the official election results for you.

Camp Burglary On Pine Hill Road

A camp burglary taking place over the past couple of weeks in Stewardson Township is being probed by state police here.

Thieves pried open a side door on a camp located on Pine Hill Road just off of Route 144 and once inside, rummaged through several dressers and cabinets.

The investigation is continuing and an inventory of stolen items is being compiled by the owner, James Beers, Jr. of New Cumberland. From WFRM News

Foreign Oil Up//Penn Grade Oil Down??

WESB News: 11/06/07 - ARG Lowers Oil Price; Gas Still Topping $3

The price of oil on the New York Mercantile Exchange hit a record high of nearly 97 dollars on Tuesday, but American Refining Group has lowered the price it pays for a barrel of Penn Grade crude oil.

Tuesday's price is 89 dollars a barrel. That's 2 dollars lower than Monday's price.

Gasoline prices are holding steady at an average of 3 dollars and 13 cents a gallon in the Bradford area.

Your Vote Counts---Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 6

by James Jones

Potter County voters have a choice of a blue ribbon slate of candidates for Potter County Commissioner in this year's general election on Tuesday, November 6, 2007.

Doug Morley (R), Paul Heimel (R) Susan Kefover (D and Cathy Bowers (D) are competing for 3 commissioner seats for the next 4 years.

While every one of these candidates has a long list of credentials qualifying them for the job of running the county and plotting our future, Susan Kefover stands out in my mind as a must elect.

This slender, unassuming woman does not particularly stand out in a crowd, until she opens her mouth and speaks.

She is a soft spoken person who exudes a positive, can do attitude. "She acts as a catalyst to bring people together, and inspires them to make things happen."

Susan has spent a lifetime making Potter County a better place to live and work. She has experience as a former Potter County Commissioner for two terms and has pledged to unite with the other two commissioners to move Potter County forward.

Superior Court Candidate Knows Potter County

Judge Cheryl L. Allen was the only candidate for the PA Superior Court to visit Potter County voters.

Judge Allen is Highly Recommended by the Pa State Bar.

She spoke on April 1 at the Coudersport Gospel Tabernacle.

She is running in the general election on Tuesday, November 6, 2007.

Shinglehouse Man DUI In Accident Last Week

State police here say 24 year old Jason Perkins of Shinglehouse was DUI when his Dodge Ram pick up struck a telephone pole along Route 44 after he pulled out of the parking lot at the Roadside Inn during the early morning hours on October 28. (Details were just released by troopers overnight last night).

A passenger in the truck, Jason Hadley, also of Shinglehouse was first taken to Charles Cole Hospital and was then flown by helicopter to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre for treatment of head injuries. Perkins suffered a minor lip laceration. Police said neither was wearing a seatbelt.

Information from WFRM News

Holy Smokes...There's Black Gold In Them Hills

WESB News: 11/05/07 - Oil, Gas Prices on the Rise

The price of oil locally has gone over 90 dollars a barrel. American Refining Group is now paying 91 dollars a barrel for Penn Grade crude oil. That's 2 dollars and 50 cents more than A-R-G paid on Friday.

Gasoline prices are on the rise, too. The average price in the Bradford area is $3.13 per gallon. That's a 10 cent jump since Thursday. In Cattaraugus County, at gas stations not related to the Seneca Nation of Indians, the average price is $3.15. The Senecas are closer to the national average of $2.96 a gallon.

The lowest price in the country is in Newark, New Jersey, at an average of 2-73. The highest price is in San Francisco at 3-28.

Port Woman Injured In Sunday Crash

A Port Allegany woman is being charged with failing to drive at a safe speed for a one-vehicle crash Sunday afternoon on Route 6 near West Pike which sent her to Charles Cole Memorial Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries.

State police here say Delores Smithmyer’s Pontiac sedan went off the road for about 300 feet and veered across the road when she overcorrected in an attempt to bring it back on the road. The unit went off the road and slid sideways through the yard at St. Marys Carbon before striking a metal sign post and tree. From WFRM News

SNOW!!

WESB News: 11/05/07 - Snow on the Way According to Mike Cejka

The season's first snowfall is coming. News 4 meteorologist Mike Ceka says wet snow will mix with rain tonight and Election Day Tuesday.

Ceka says ski country could see half foot of snow of “lake effect” by Tuesday afternoon.

Roulette Halloween Parade Pictures

WFRM website has some great pictures of the Roulette Halloween parade. Check them out. Click on the WFRM link on the right lower margin of this page.

Guns Stolen From Potter County Camp

WESB News: 11/05/07 - Long Guns Stolen in Camp Burglary

State Police are looking for guns after a camp burglary on Haskell Road in Allegany Township in Potter County.

State Police say some 15 to 20 long guns were removed in the theft sometime last week. The camp is owned by Samuel Hartlaub of Gettsburg.

Call Center Hiring Started

WESB News: 11/05/07 - Emperion Hires First 50 Workers

The first 50 workers have been hired at Empereon Marketing in Coudersport. The company is hoping to hire up to 600 new jobs by the end of 2008.

Empereon will operate a modern customer contact center at the former “tennis center” in west Coudersport, which was headquarters for a call center operated by Adelphia and, later, Time Warner.

Empereon is based in Phoenix, Ariz and is a customer contact center for cable companies and marketing companies.

PA Low Income Energy Assistance Opens

HARRISBURG
November 5, 2007-

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program -- also known as LIHEAP -- opened today to help Pennsylvania families and
individuals who need assistance paying winter heating bills, Secretary
of Public Welfare Estelle B. Richman announced.

"As home heating costs continue to rise, many families may
struggle to make ends meet this winter," said Secretary Richman.
"Through the LIHEAP program, eligible families and individuals receive
needed help, reducing the risk that they will be forced to choose
between heating their home and paying for necessities like food or
shelter."

LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by the
Department of Public Welfare that helps low-income households pay for
home heating fuel through cash grants and emergency furnace repairs
through crisis grants. During the 2006-07 LIHEAP season, nearly 370,000
families were helped through cash grants and more than 133,000 families
received crisis assistance.

For the 2007-08 season, a family of four with an annual income of
up to $30,975 can qualify for LIHEAP.

Cash grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel
and region. In addition to proof of income and household size,
applicants must provide a recent bill or a statement from their fuel
dealer verifying their customer status and the type of fuel that they
use.

Crisis grants up to $300 are approved for families experiencing
heating emergencies, such as mechanical breakdowns or unexpected fuel
shortages.

Applications for LIHEAP are available at County Assistance
Offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as
Area Agencies on Aging or Community Action Agencies. Families can also
apply for LIHEAP cash grants online at www.compass.state.pa.us.

The LIHEAP program is also part of Governor Rendell's Stay Warm PA
initiative. Visit www.staywarmpa.com <http://www.staywarmpa.com/> to
find out more about available assistance programs, energy conservation
and home weatherization tips. Stay Warm PA provides Pennsylvanians with
information to find the support they may need to keep their homes warm
and families safe.

For more information, call the toll-free LIHEAP Hotline at
1-866-857-7095, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.