Thursday’s high,80; Overnight low, 64; .33” of rain

BE A FEW ISOLATED SHOWERS TODAY A HIGH OF 79.

POSSIBLE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TONIGHT LOW 60.

MOSTLY SUNNY TOMORROW LESS HUMID. A HIGH OF 75. MOSTLY CLEAR TOMORROW NIGHT, LOW OF 48.

AND ON SUNDAY SUNNY WITH A HIGH OF 68

PC Commissioners confirm two more cases of Covid-19… PA has a 69% recovery rate…..Rep. Causer will resume veterans’ representatives sessions….Farmers market open this afternoon in Coudersport…..Virtual trail hike planned for tomorrow in Cameron County…Coudersport volunteer fire department will have a drive-thru chicken bbq Saturday…No foul play suspected in death of North Carolina man at Stevenson Dam…Eldred man accused of threatening another…Theft of items from Mills, PA residence investigated by State Police

This is not what we wanted to hear there’s been an increase in COVID-19 cases in the region. Commissioner Barry Hayman announced yesterday that there are now two more cases here in Potter county and he’s asking people to continue to mask up and follow  the CDC guidelines. “I do want to refer to the fact that we are now at the end of our first week and the green phase and originally wanted to say how blessed we are with only four confirmed cases of COVID. And no fatalities. And the sure you plan to say something. News changes that. And we were told this morning, we have two more cases of COVID confirmed but we’re so blessed because we have no fatalities in the county. And I guess what’s prompting me to say this or to bring this up is that I know we’re all tired of hearing and learning and talking about and dealing with COVID but it doesn’t care. It doesn’t go away. It’s a virus and we have to be mindful of that, I had a friend email me last week late last week with  the slogan that ‘if you care you wear’ and and I guess what’s bringing me to this point is more and more, I’m seeing fewer and fewer folks masking up. Now the beauty is we live in an area where you don’t have to be masked very long. usually only when you go to the store or in town unless of course you’re an employee and a business that requires you to, to wear a mask and that is difficult. And while we’re blessed in so many ways, there are some of us that are still suffering. And we’re all cognizant of that. If you’re a business man or woman and had to close down and lost your source of income, or if you’re an employee of those businesses and were furloughed, that’s  a severe price to pay. And again, we’re mindful of that. But I get a little discouraged when I hear people get upset about the fact they feel that their rights are being somehow infringed upon by being asked to wear a mask. And it really belies the point the fact that we have two more cases were notified this morning, belies the fact that this is not an infringement on anybody civil rights. This is a simple public health request. And by wearing a mask, you’re demonstrating probably in the most simplest form and the most basic form, human kindness and concern for others.”

Potter County  Commissioner Barry Heyman announcing the  county now has six cases. You can hear the complete discussion about COVID-19 by the Potter County Commissioners during yesterday’s meeting, on our website, Black Forest broadcasting.com. Elsewhere around the region, Tioga has 19; McKean, 13 Elk 6; Potter 6; and Cameron 2. Across the border in New York State, Allegany County has 49 and Cattaraugus has gone up to 91.

The Department of Health distributed the fourth shipment of the investigational antiviral medication, remdesivir, to treat patients in the hospital with COVID-19. Yesterday, 4,400 doses of medication were sent to 73 hospitals. The federal government distributed the shipment to the department on Wednesday, June 3 and this entire allotment has been shipped to Pennsylvania hospitals.

The Department of Health first distributed 1,200 doses of the medication to 51 hospitals across Pennsylvania on May 12. A second round of 7,938 doses was sent to 79 hospitals on May 15 and May 18, and a third round was distributed to 81 hospitals on May 22. The hospitals that have received these shipments were determined based on the number of COVID-19 patients at the hospital over a recent seven-day period, and the severity of the illness of those patients based on whether they are on a ventilator. The department will continue to work with its federal partners to acquire more doses of this medication to serve more patients across Pennsylvania.

Remdesivir is given to a patient through an IV once per day for up to 10 days, depending on how critically ill the patient is. According to the FDA, remdesivir may help decrease the amount of coronavirus in the body, which may lead to a faster recovery.

Meanwhile The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 4, that there are 537 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 73,942. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.

There are 5,817 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 75 new deaths. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the department’s website. There are 618 patients who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure, which are considered probable cases and not confirmed cases. There are 416,942 patients who have tested negative to date. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. In nursing and personal care homes, there are 15,848 resident cases of COVID-19, and 2,740 cases among employees, for a total of 18,588 at 613 distinct facilities in 45 counties. Out of the total deaths, 3,895 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. Approximately 5,601 of our total cases are in health care workers.

In an effort to ensure area veterans receive the services and support they need, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) announced he will resume hosting a veterans service representative from the American Legion at his local offices this month.

Appointments by phone are encouraged; however, in-person appointments are also available. To protect the health and safety of veterans and staff, only one appointment will be scheduled per hour to allow for cleaning and social distancing. To avoid overlap with others, veterans should not arrive early for their appointments. At the request of the Legion representative, they also must wear a mask.

The schedule is as follows:

Kane office: Wednesday, June 10, from 9 a.m. to noon. The Kane office is located at 55 Fraley St. Please call 814-837-0880 to schedule an appointment.

Bradford office: Wednesday, June 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Bradford office is located at 78 Main St., first floor. Please call 814-362-4400 to schedule an appointment.

Coudersport office: Thursday, July 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Coudersport office is located at 107 S. Main St. Please call 814-274-9769 to schedule an appointment.

Assistance is available with issues such as compensation, education, pension, health care and death benefits. Veterans need not be a member of the American Legion to participate.

The Potter county Farmer’s Market is open  from 1 pm to 5 pm today. Here is a list of who will be there and what they plan on bringing.

Card Creek Bakery will bring a variety of fresh homemade bread, and in addition, will bring a few assorted greens.

Barbara’s Creations will be there with bags, scarves, zipper jewelry, baby shoes, and puppets.

Mahlon Davenport will be bringing woodcrafts, bowls, bird houses and feeders, cutting boards, etc., as well as rhubarb.

Mike Thompson will be bringing really nice beet greens, spinach, radishes, Spring onions, and  lettuce, as well as Rough Ryder Brand knives and will be doing knife sharpening.

Miles Farm Produce will be there with Rhubarb, Asparagus & Parsley.

Blue Marble Farm will be there with Mini Romaine Lettuce, French Breakfast Radishes, Green Garlic and more. We will also have a few vegetable plants and Black Raspberry plants.

Card Creek Wine will be there with an assortment of artisan wines.

The Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department will have a chicken barbecue starting at 11 and continuing until gone. Drive through pick up. $10 for a dinner; $7 for a half.

Saturday  is National Trails Day.  A virtual hike is planned in Cameron County.  Participants are encouraged to select a trail in the county and take a selfie.  Use the hashtags #NationalTrailsDay and #HikeCameronCounty when posting to social media.  The chamber of commerce will randomly select winners from the posts. “This is one event where you can social distance,”  says executive director Tina Solak.  The chamber is continuing to plan for a golf outing and Weekend in the Wilds.  Admitting both of those events may look different as the chamber will follow the Covid-19 guidelines from the PA Department of Health.

Emporium based state police say no foul play is suspected in the death of 75 year old Richard Zemencik of Pinehurst North Carolina whose body was found Wednesday evening north of the Boat Launch area at Sinnemahoning State Park.. State police were assisted at the scene by several area emergency departments.

State Police at Lewis Run, have arrested a 22 year old Eldred man for criminal mischief. Authorities claim that when they went to a report of a domestic incident on Edson street in Eldred borough Sunday morning, they found the hood of a 2011 Chevrolet belonging to a 55 year old Eldred  man damaged and charges have been brought against are being brought against the 22 year old suspect, whose name was not released.

 A Kane driver escaped injury in a car deer collision occurring early Monday morning on Route 321. In Wetmore Township McKean County, Rochelle Causer, was driving a Dodge Caravan north when several deer came onto the highway Causer overcompensated causing the vanV to go off the road and strike a guardrail.

A 26 year old Eldred resident as been arrested for harassment for an incident allegedly taking place Tuesday afternoon on the Coleville  Road in Ott Township. Authorities claim that the suspect whose name was also not released, antagonized and threatened a 51 year old man and charges are being filed in District Court

 A criminal mischief occurring at 136 School Street in Wetmore Township, McKean County is being probed by troopers at Lewis Run. Someone vandalized a roadway  at that location Tuesday.

Troopers at Lewis Run are also investigating a forgery taking place earlier this week. A fraudulent check had been withdrawn from an account belonging to a 28 year old Kane woman in the amount of $42.000.

Troopers at Lewis Run are also investigating a pornography/ obscene material incident occurring sometime since early March of possible child pornography in Lewis Run Borough.

 Coudersport based State Police are investigating a burglary taking place on Route 49 West in Harrison Township Monday. An  empty red gallon gas tank and catalytic converter were stolen from property owned by Bruce Madison of Mills. Anyone with information about that the left is asked to call the state police barracks had 814-274-8690

Wednesday’s high, 77; Overnight low, 54; .16” of rain

SHOWERS AND MAYBE A RUMBLE OF THUNDER OR TWO TODAY A HIGH OF 76.

SHOWERS TONIGHT LOW 62

CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS TOMORROW WARMER A HIGH OF 81.

SHOWERS TOMORROW NIGHT LOW 63.

ON SATURDAY CLEARING SKIES, A HIGH OF 80

OVERNIGHT LOW OF 54.

Mindee Lyon, left, development manager for the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s Healthy Food Hub in Williamsport, accepts a $20,000 check from Bobbi Kilmer, president and CEO of Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative, and Craig Eccher, president and CEO of Tri-County Rural Electric Cooperative. The donation will be used to fill COVID-19 crisis response boxes with food products that the Food Bank will distribute to area food pantries. The donation included $5,000 from each electric cooperative, along with $10,000 in matching funds from Co-Bank, a cooperative bank that offers financial services to cooperatives, including Claverack and Tri-County, across rural America.

 It’s almost Mountain Laurel time…Claverack, Tri-County Electric team up to support Central Pennsylvania Food Bank….DOH releases Dental Health guidance….number of cases in PA now over 73,000 with a 68% recovery rate…Red Cross Bloodmobile this afternoon in Eldred….Ridgway passenger arrested for drug possession…Minor injuries reported for Elkland driver….

 The breathtaking scenery transitions into our well-known dark skies that are filled with glorious stars. Fresh, clean air fills your lungs with the reminder that nature is doing her magic to restore and revitalize us even during our toughest times .Each year June brings the beautiful blooms of Pennsylvania’s state flower, the Mountain Laurel appear. While Mountain Laurel are celebrated across the region as these perennial blossoms fill the landscape with hues of violet and pink, Wellsboro annually hosts the state’s Mountain Laurel Festival each year but this year due to Covid-19 concerns, festivities are being curtailed (check out the event page on the website for updates – www.VisitPotterTioga.com).

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has released an update to the dental health care guidance as part of the commonwealth’s phased COVID-19 reopening plan. This guidance allows dental health care providers the ability to safely provide oral healthcare, including routine cleanings.

“This latest update provides dentists the opportunity to resume non-emergency dental care, including routine care, if they can provide it safely,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine. As more dental procedures are performed during the phased reopening, dentists should prioritize dental care for the highest need, most vulnerable patients first.”

Dental providers should follow protocols outlined by the CDCOpens In A New Window for all procedures. Providers should ensure they have the appropriate amount of personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies to support their patient volume. The appropriate level of PPE, according to CDC guidance, must be available for all dental care practitioners including dental hygienists prior to providing any dental treatment. Providers should regularly check CDC guidance when providing care as recommendations and guidance could change frequently

All patients should be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 before arriving at the practice and social distancing should be maintained while in the practice. Patients should wash or sanitize their hands frequently and wear a mask when not undergoing treatment. Tele-density should continue when possible as patients may be able to be treated virtually.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 3, that there are 511 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 73,405. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are 5,742 total deaths in Pennsylsvania  attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 75 new deaths. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the department’s website.

Things are returning. The  Red Cross is having a blood mobile today at the the First Church of God on Main Street in Eldred from one to 5:30pm. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while and are asked to make temperature checks and practice social distancing. All donors throughout the month of June will receive a $5 gift card from Amazon.

Saturday is National Trails Day and a virtual hike is planned in Cameron County. Participants are encouraged to select a trail in the county and take a selfie. Use the hashtag national trails day and hashtag hike Cameron county when posting to social media, the Chamber of Commerce will randomly select winners from the posts.

The Coudersport volunteer fire department will have a drive -thru chicken barbecue on Saturday at the fire hall beginning at 11am  and continuing until gone. $10 for a dinner $7 for a half.

 Ridgway based the police have arrested 21 year old Frederick Moore  of Ridgeway for possession of drug paraphernalia. Troopers pulled  a 2008 Chevrolet Impala over Monday evening on Boot Jack Road and Shelvy Summit Road in Ridgway Township for a traffic violation .Officers  say they noticed marijuana smoke emanating from the vehicle drug paraphernalia was seen, the passenger 21 year old Frederick Moore of Ridgeway was arrested for having drug paraphernalia. He was taken  to the barracks where he was fingerprinted and photographed. Charges are pending. In District Court.

Mansfield based state police report and Elkland man received minor injuries in  a one vehicle crash occurring back on May 23 at  around 9pm on Route 49 in Nelson Township, Tyler Heffner was driving a Dodge Stratus and was stopped at the intersection of Cummings Creek Road and Route 49. While attempting to make a left turn on the 49 and for unknown reason, Hefner lost control of the vehicle, which traveled north on Route 49 and struck the guardrail on the far side of the highway. Coming to final rest facing Northwest. He was taken to Soldiers and Sailors Hospital for treatment of minor injuries

Troopers at Mansfield report another car deer encounter.  A Binghamton, New York driver escaped injury when his 2014 Infiniti hit deer on Route 15 in Richmond Township, Tioga  County Tuesday afternoon. Edward Mungo was traveling north when the deer bounded onto the highway in front of the SUV. Mungo was unable to avoid the collision but was not hurt.

Tuesday’s high, 77; low 67; 1.25” of rain overnight from a thunderstorm

MOSTLY CLOUDY TODAY A HIGH OF 75.

PARTLY CLOUDY TONIGHT A LOW OF 50.

PERIODS OF CLOUDS AND SUN TOMORROW A HIGH OF 76.

PARTLY CLOUDY TOMORROW NIGHT, A LOW OF 51.

FRIDAY MOSTLY SUNNY, QUITE A BIT WARMER, HIGH 82

CLOUDS ARRIVING  FRIDAY NIGHT LOW OF 50 IS JUNE 3.

Voter turnout was said to be light across the state. For yesterday’s primary election and yesterday’s only regional contest Cris Dush appears to be the winner for the Republican nomination for state senate with an unofficial lead of a two to one margin or 68% of the vote to defeat Herman Supalizo if Dush’s  victory holds,( he had an unofficial lead of 10,000 votes). He will face Democrat Margie Brown in November, in  a contest to replace outgoing Senator Joe Scarnati,  a Republican who has served the 25th senatorial district for many years.  Brown was unopposed in the Democratic primary. The 25th senatorial district encompasses all of the counties in the Black Forest Broadcasting service area. This was the first election where voters could mail in ballots without having to be absent from their voting district. Governor Tom Wolf has extended the deadline for mail in ballots to be counted by one week.

 The COVID-19 has resulted in high unemployment rates across the nation and it is no exception here in the Black Forest Broadcasting Service Area. Potter County went from  9% in March to 15.7% in April, McKean  County saw an increase from 8% to 18.6%;. Cameron County  went from 9% to 24.7% Tioga County went up from 7.4 to 15.4%. And Elk county which had the worst rate in Pennsylvania, went up from 7.8% to 25.7%. During the period, Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was 15.1% while  the national figure jumped to 14.7%.  Center county had the best rate in Pennsylvania but of course it also went up from 4.5% to 10.4%.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12am. Yesterday, there are 612 additional positive cases of COVID-19 bringing the statewide total 270 2894 all 67 counties in Pennsylvania Have COVID 19th here in the Black Forest Broadcasting service area, the total has gone up with the addition of another case in Tioga County making their total 19. The King County has 12 cases elk six, Potter four and Cameron county two in nearby New York State kind of wrongness catalog is kind of held steady at 89. Well, Allegheny has gone up to 48 cases, there are 5667 total deaths and Pennsylvania attributed to COVID-19. An increase of 100 new deaths county specific information is available on the health department’s website. There are 616 patients who have a positive serology tests and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high risk exposure which are considered probable cases and not confirmed cases. There are 399,361 patients have tested negative to date and a Pennsylvania has a recovery rate of 60 7% most of the patients hospitalized are 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older in nursing and personal care homes. There are 15,660 resident cases of COVID-19 and 2696 cases among employees for total 18,356 at 609 distinct facilities in 44 counties, none of them here in the Black Forest Broadcasting service area. Out of the total deaths 30 597 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. Approximately 50, 523 of the total cases are in health care workers .

Things are beginning to return. The Nessmuck Rod and Gun Club members will meet tonight at seven o’clock outdoors at the club pavilion near Wellsboro to  allow for social distancing.

The Red Cross we’ll have a blood mobile tomorrow at the First Church of God on Main Street in Eldred from 1 to 5:30pm. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while after drive. Donors are asked to make temperature checks and practice social distancing. All donors through the month will receive a $5 gift card from Amazon. All types of blood are needed. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of ID are required. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states 16 with parental consent must weigh at least 110 pounds and being generally good health.   High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

 And a phased reopening of the FW Gunzburger County Office building by the Potter County Commissioners took effect on Monday in compliance with the green phase of Governor Tom Wolfe Corona virus pandemic executive order. Public health and safety measures are in effect access is limited To the main street entrance, where masks and hand sanitizer are available. Many services can be accessed remotely through telephone or the internet. The Potter county commissioners will be meeting on Thursday at 11am. During the green phase of the executive order the public can also participate in person or by telephone.  If you wish to participate by phone dial 814-274-0844 and enter the PIN 1144 77 when prompted

The Coudersport volunteer Fire Department will have a drive- thru chicken barbecue Saturday at the fire hall beginning at 11am and continuing until gone. $10 for dinner $7 for a half.

 Coudersport based state police are continuing to investigate a domestic violence assault allegedly occurring on May 24 at around 2pm at a home on Reed Run Road in Keating Township.  A 39 year old Emporium woman told police that she had been assaulted by a known male at that location. The  investigation is continuing.

Car/ deer encounters continue to plague area motorists. A Smethport  motorcyclist was injured Sunday afternoon on the Glen Hazel Road in Jones Township, Elk County when his Harley Davidson Heritage softail hit a deer while he was negotiating a right hand curve the motorcycle hit the deer and Marshall Shunk  was flown by helicopter to UPMC Hamot  for treatment of serious injuries.

Emporium  based a police report that an elderly Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania man escaped injury in a car/ deer accident occurring Monday afternoon on Route 120 in Gibson Township. 75 year old Michael Zampogna was going east on a curve when he noticed a deer crossing the road, Zampogna tried to swerve to avoid contact but  his Chevy Avalanche went off the road and into a ditch, struck a log and continued on for a short distance before coming to final rest against another log.

Mansfield based state police say that a driver escaped injury with a collision with a deer on Route 49  in Lawrence Township Monday morning. The GMC Yukon was going west on Route 49 when it struck a deer which had entered the highway.  There was only minor damage reported and no injuries so the accident is considered a “non reportable”.

A criminal trespass occurring Sunday afternoon at 16 Pleasant Valley Road in Pike Township Potter County was investigated by troopers at the Coudersport barracks.  Someone driving  a 2004 Jeep trespassed on land belonging to Michael Kelly of Galeton.  The suspect left the scene before police arrived and the investigation is continuing.