
Photo Courtesy Marilyn Erickson
According to Verizon Wireless, a recently constructed 250-foot cell phone tower in the Town of Grove will be active within a week, a welcoming sign to locals and the operators of Swain Resort.
“At this point, Verizon’s committed to service at the end of September and they’re right on track,” said Supervisor Mike Johnsen, who spoke to Verizon officials last week to confirm service was expected as planned.
“We’ve been trying to get cell service in here for more than three years and we’re just happy that Verizon found a need for it. With 100,000 visitors annually at Swain, plus the presence of town residents, clearly demonstrates there’s a need for it,” said Johnsen, adding, “Anything positive for the ski center is good for the town ... We need to let skiers know they’ll have cell service here.” More...
A concerted effort by the Potter County Tax Claim Bureau (TCB) whittled the list of properties being put up for bid at the annual upset sale to just nine — and there were no buyers for any of them. Next phase of the state-mandated effort to get the properties back on the tax rolls is a continuance sale, scheduled for 10 am on Monday, Sept. 27, at the Gunzburger Building in Coudersport. TCB Director Todd Brown said an estimated nine properties will be put up for public bids at Monday’s sale.
Owners of the properties still owe their 2008 school district, municipal and/or county taxes and can prevent a sale by making payment prior to Monday’s sale. The TCB staff has made repeated efforts to collect the taxes on each property. Potential bidders on Monday are forewarned that the county does not guarantee clear title — mortgages, liens and other encumbrances may apply.
Eventually the properties could be designated for a judicial sale. In that procedure, the county sets a minimum bid in an attempt to recover outstanding taxes, interest and costs, while all mortgages, liens and encumbrances are wiped clean.
More information on Monday’s continuance sale is available by calling the Tax Claim Bureau at 274-0488.
Trooper Michael Hamilton of the Fillmore state police barracks reported that the driver, Steve Lewandowski, 37, of Spencerport was taken by MercyFlight to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester at around 2 p.m. Wednesday after striking a guardrail with an ATV.
Lewandowski was knocked unconscious with a large contusion across his head and was in guarded condition as late as last night, Hamilton said, but a patient service representative at Strong reported that he has been released as of this morning.
Richard Miller, 39, of Rochester, a passenger on the ATV, was taken to Noyes Memorial Hospital after being knocked unconscious and suffering a shoulder injury, but Hamilton indicated he was not as badly injured. More...
An important deadline is nearing as the county prepares for the Nov. 2 general election. Director of Elections Sandra Lewis advises eligible residents in Potter County that the deadline to register to vote, to change party affiliation, or to report a change of address is Monday, Oct. 4. Among the races on the ballot are Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and seats in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.
A state-operated website, VotesPA.com, offers voter education resources that can help residents prepare for registration or for voting on Nov. 2. To be eligible to vote, a Pennsylvanian must have residency for at least one month before the election, and must be at least 18 years old on Nov. 2, 2010. Printable voter registration applications and county contact information are among resources found at the state’s website.
More information is also available from Director Lewis at 274-8467.
Next meeting of the Potter County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) will feature a presentation by a representative of Range Resources on natural gas well site emergency management issues and related topics.
Range is an independent oil and gas company operating in the Appalachian, Southwestern and Gulf Coast regions. Range holds the gas rights to a considerable amount of acreage in the Marcellus Shale region.
All fire departments, ambulance services, fire police and other emergency responders are welcome to attend the meeting, which will start at 11 am on Tuesday, Sept. 28, and be held in the Emergency Operations Center at Maple View.
The gas well presentation is scheduled for 1 pm. Those planning to attend should confirm by calling 274-8900.
Anyone with an interest in gardening is encouraged to attend a special program scheduled for Thursday night (Sept. 23) from 6:30 to 8:30 in the Forestry Bureau building at Emporium. Penn State Cooperative Extension offices in Potter, Cameron, McKean and Elk counties are combining forces for the comprehensive workshop, entitled “Preparing the Garden for the Next Growing Season.” It’s an opportunity for hobby gardeners or those with a stronger interest to benefit from recent lessons that have been learned. Among the topics to be covered will be:
The cost of $5.00 per participant will cover refreshments and handouts. Those enrolled in the master gardener program will be eligible for update credits. The Forestry Bureau is located at 258 Sizerville Road (Rt. 155) on the eastern outskirts of Emporium.
Micheal Schoonover, 24, and Amanda Ayers, 23, both of Bradford, PA, are in McKean County Jail after facing burglary charges, and neither were able to post their $20,000 monetary bail.
Schoonover and Ayers are accused of breaking into a house at 246 South Avenue.
A witness called to report that the pair had forced their way into the house. When police arrived, Schoonover was trying to barricade the front door. Police then entered through another door, and took Schoonover into custody. More...