Black Forest Express

Sunday’s high, 79; overnight low, 61; 1.35” of rain weekend total

MON-CHANCE OF SCATTERED SHOWERS, HIGH 67

MON NIGHT-SHOWERS & THUNDERSTORMS, LOW 65

TUE-ISOLATED SHOWERS, HIGH 83

TUE NIGHT-MOSTLY CLOUDY, CHANCE OF SHOWERS, LOW 64

WED-SHOWERS LIKELY, HIGH MID 80s

WED NIGHT-MOSTLY CLOUDY, SHOWERS, LOW 63

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Series of thunderstorms wreak havoc in the region….Five pedestrians hurt when SUV driven by elderly Kersey man collides with parked car…Lewis Run state police look for hit and run tractor trailer….Guns taken in Tioga County burglaries …vandalism on an Elk County cornfield being investigated…Coudersport man arrested for trespassing on posted property…..Next on-air report after 12:06 pm today on www.blackforestbroadcasting.com

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A series of thunderstorms plagued the region this past weekend, dropping torrential downpours leading to minor flooding and gusty winds which downed trees and utility wires. No injuries were reported and damage was for the most part, minor. Coudersport volunteer firefighters were summoned Sunday afternoon when lightning hit Kaytee’s Restaurant on Route 6 west. Apparently damage was minimal as all units were back in service a short time later.

Five pedestrians were hurt last Thursday morning when an SUV driven by an elderly Kersey man went out of control and hit a parked car. State police at Ridgway explained 87 year old William Ginter was going south on the Bennetts Valley Highway when his GMC Terrain failed to make a left curve, traveled onto the should, went into some grass and became airborne into the Triple Dime Distillery, went into the parking lot and collided with a parked Kia Optima pushing it backwards into family members m from Pulaski, PA standing at the rear. Ginter was  taken to Penn Highlands Elk. Ryan Beraski, 43; and his wife, Alyssa, 40, were taken  to UPMC Altoona;  22 year old Alyssa Berasi was transported to Penn Highland Dubois; Austin Berasi, 19. and Cody Holmes.26.  refused treatment. All injuries were considered minor.

State police at Lewis Run are looking for a tractor trailer which pulled down some wires on Route 66 in Wetmore Township at around 11:45 am; Friday. The semi was going south near the intersection with Sawmill Road when the trailer hit low hanging electric wires  and yankned them off of a house. The rig continued on without the operator stopping to provide required information.

Mansfield based state police are investigating three burglaries taking place recently in Tioga County. Thieves stole about $1000 in  from the home of a 71 year old Middlebury Center man while he was gone for the day, from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm on July 23. Guns were taken from two homes. Burglars

A Walther Arms PPQ with a deep scratch on othe ejection port was stolen from a home of Bretts Lane in Roaring Branch between July 7 and August 7 and an Intratec USA was taken from the home on Warner Road in Westfield between 1:00 am and 9:00 am August 8. Both weapons are valued at $500 each.

Agricultural vandalism is being investigated by state police at Ridgway. Someone drove through the Pontzer Farm corn field on the Kersey Road in Fox Township between 1:00 am and 10:25 am this past Saturday causing $150 in damage.

A Coudersport man has been arrested for trespassing in Homer Township at approximately 10:25 pm on August 4. State police claim 61 year old Donald Snyder went onto a posted driveway on Pioneer Drive near Heth Road.

Obituaries

Charles A. “Chuck” Anderson, 89,of Shinglehouse, passed away unexpectedly at home on Thursday, August 15, 2019, after suffering an apparent heart attack.Born on Monday, August 4, 1930 in Dubois, he was a son of Elmer G. and Mary Shannon Anderson.  On August 27, 1955 in St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Force, he married Marion A. Lenhart, who survives.He  was a graduate of Weedville High School in Bennetts Valley.  Chuck served during the Korean War in the U.S. Air Force from 1948 to 1952, attaining the rank of sergeant. He was employed by Consolidated Gas (now Dominion Energy) in Ellisburg, retiring after 32 years of service.  In 1977 Chuck and Marion purchased the former Newton’s Bar in Shinglehouse which became Anderson’s Tavern, which they operated for many years.Chuck was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Shinglehouse.  He was a life member of the Shinglehouse American Legion Post 530 where he received his 50 year membership certificate in 2015, was a member of the Honor Guard, and was a life member of the NRA. He enjoyed solving crossword puzzles and spent many hours doing word searches. In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He loved spending time at their summer home in the Thousand Islands.Surviving besides his wife of nearly 64 years are two sons, Charles M. “Mickey” (Carol) Anderson of Chiefland, Florida and John L. “Lenny” (Robin) Anderson of Shinglehouse; three grandchildren, Eric R. (Rachel Fero) Anderson, Allison M. (Steven) Buller, and Megan A. (Aric) Stewart; a great-granddaughter, Zoey C. Buller; a sister, Rose Mary; and several nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, Chuck was predeceased by a brother, James Anderson; and a sister, Sara Woodring.Family and friends may call from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm on Sunday at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 South Union Street, Shinglehouse.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Monday, August 19, 2019, in St. Theresa Catholic Church, Shinglehouse with the Rev. Vincent Cieslewicz, pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, Smethport, in the absence of the Rev. Thomas Brown, as celebrant.  Committal services and burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Shinglehouse.Parish prayers will be recited at 3:30 pm on Sunday in the funeral home.Members of the Potter County Honor Guard will accord full military honors on Monday.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shinglehouse Volunteer Ambulance Association, PO Box 98, Shinglehouse, PA 16748 or to Shinglehouse American Legion Post 530, 1364 SR 44 South, Shinglehouse, PA 16748.Chuck’s family has entrusted his care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.To express condolences, view a video tribute, or share a fond memory of Chuck, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or our Facebook page, Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home.

Hebron Township Bee Balm                                                                            Gerri Miller

Thursday’s high, 79; Overnight low, 60; 1.40” of rain

FRI-CHANCE OF SHOWERS, HIGH 79

FRI NIGHT-SLIGHT CHANCE OF SCATTERED SHOWERS, LOW 60

SAT-SHOWERS LIKELY, HIGH 81

SAT NIGHT-SHOWERS POSSIBLE, MOSTLY CLOUDY, LOW 52

SUN-CHANCE OF SHOWERS  HIGH 84

SUN NIGHT-CHANCE OF SHOWERS, LOW 55

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Obituaries Mary Caldwell Jamestown (Coudersport) and John Owens, Costello

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Elk Expo is this weekend in Benezette, Last night’s thunderstorms caused flooding and other damage…Ridgway man jailed for illegal gun possession….Both drivers escape injury in road rage collision….Hit and run driver sought by state police in Coudersport…..

Just before the popular elk rut gets into full swing, the Keystone Elk Country Alliance and the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau host the largest elk celebration in the northeast during the annual Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Elk Expo, held on the grounds of the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette every August. The Elk Expo will feature antler scoring experts, a presentation by Pennsylvania Game Commission elk biologist Jeremy Banfield, calling contests, and more than 100 vendors to help ensure great entertainment, food, souvenirs, and a good time for the whole family. Other featured programing includes the Pennsylvania Game Commission elk tag drawing, Keystone Elk Country Alliance bull tag raffle, live music from Mis’ B Havin, The Wrangler Band, and Nick Forsyth.

Drawings

The Pennsylvania Game Commission will hold their annual elk tag drawing live at the Elk Expo in the ECCO Building on Saturday, August 17th. To be entered into the 2019 elk license lottery drawing, you must apply through the PA Game Commission website.  pa.wildlifelicense.com

The KECA bull elk tag raffle drawing will be held on Sunday, August 18th. 100% of KECA’s raffle proceeds directly benefit Pennsylvania’s Elk Country.

The Elk Expo is held on the grounds of the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette

GPS address: 950 Winslow Hill Rd, Benezette, PA..

Entrance to the Elk Expo and parking is free, however, there is a $3/car fee  to cover the expense of shuttle service.  See the map below for parking Elk Expo weekend. Last Shuttle to lots is Saturday 7:30 and Sunday 4:00.

Several intense thunderstorms pummeled region Thursday night. The National Weather Service posted severe thunderstorm warnings and extended their expiration time. Also Flash flood warnings were issued for parts of Potter and McKean Counties as meteorologists reported  three inches of rain had fallen within a short amount of time in some locations. Flooding was reported in Port Allegany. The Star hose Company posted an account of their evening on Facebook.

“Last night was a very busy evening for the Star Hose Company, as a severe thunderstorm rolled through Port Allegany. In addition to numerous reports of trees down on roadways, PAFD responded to a partial building collapse, two incidents for trees into a house, a vehicle vs. fallen tree car accident, several outside fires, and two Box Alarm assignments, one of them a working house fire in Liberty Township. PAFD was assisted with the deluge of calls by Roulette Chemical Engine Company No. 1, Port Allegany Borough Police and Street Department, and Allegany and Weston Mills (NY) Water Rescue Team. Just as members were regrouping from the storm, Box 3-7 was dispatched for the house fire. The Squad Company was first arriving and found fire in the crawl space and kitchen of the home. A MAYDAY was declared when a firefighter fell into a pond near the residence and required assistance getting back out. The firefighter was not injured. Units from Port Allegany, Roulette, Coudersport, Austin, and Smethport operated for about an hour before returning to service.” Several residents lost power. An outage began at about 6:00 pm Thursday in Port Allegany during the storm’s peak, and many customers were still in the dark by mid-day Friday.  Fortunately there were no injuries.

A Ridgway man has been jailed in lieu of $25,000 straight bail for illegally possessing a gun. Troopers at the Ridgway barracks were summoned when shots were heard coming from a vehicle near Sandy Beach Recreation Areas just after 8pm Wednesday evening. The driver of a white Cadillac CTS was ordered by three state police officers to stop but he fled the area and a pursuit followed. After allegedly committing several traffic violations Jones stopped his car and took off on foot but was apprehended a short time later. During the investigation, police learned that Jones had thrown a handgun out of the window. Having been  previously convicted of felonies, Adam Jones, 40, is not allowed to be in possession of a firearm. After being arraigned on felony and other charges, Jones was arraigned before a District Judge and was taken to jail.

Neither St. Marys driver was hurt in a road rage collision Wednesday afternoon on the Million Dollar Highway in Fox Township, Elk County. According to Ridgway based state police, the collision occurred when a 16 year old male driver passed 22 year old Nathan Damon at a high rate speed as both were headed both towards St.Marys. The teen driver spiked the brakes and Damon could not stop in time and rear-ended the  Ford Escape with his Chevrolet Silverado. Both drivers are being cited for careless driving .

State police at Coudersport are looking for a hit and run vehicle which caused  damage  in the east entrance parking lot at UPMC Dole between 6”50 a, amd 3”00 [, Wednesday. The unknown unit fled the scene in an unknown direction after hitting a  legally parked 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe.

                                                           Obituaries

Mary Catherine Caldwell completed her life’s journey on Aug. 5, 2019, with her daughter. Kimberly by her side at UPMC Chautauqua in Jamestown, N.Y.She was born Jan, 27,1937, in Charleston, W. Va. Her adopted parents were Burton and Clementine Crowell of Ulysses and Coudersport, Pa.On Oct. 12, 1957, she married James O. Caldwell, who in 2004 preceded her in death. They lived in Coudersport for many years. In 2005, Mary moved to Bemus Point, N.Y., to reside near her daughter and family.Mary and O’dell had one daughter, Kimberly (Bradley) Walters of Bemus Point, N.Y.; three granddaughters: Amy (Andrew) Walters-Flagg of Las Vegas, Emily Walters of Bemus Point and Lindsey Walters of Las Vegas, who loved their YaYa dearly; four brothers: Robert (Mary) Broyles, Frank (Sarah) Broyles, James (Kay) Broyles and Jack Broyles who preceded her in death; three sisters: Elaine Adams, Linda Kukura and Pam (Ken) Darroch; one brother-in- law, Ralph (Margaret) Caldwell; and one aunt, Rachel Broyles. Mary also had many nieces and nephews as well as great- nieces and nephews whom she enjoyed.For many years, Mary served her community of Coudersport, the most noted was becoming the first women Mayor. She also took a vision of restoring the old train depot in Coudersport into a reality to become the current borough offices which she great pride in. Mary was also a member of the Potter County OEDP board, Coudersport Borough Planning Commission and council women. Mary was known for her let’s get it done attitude and unique personality she brought to everything she did. After retiring, she enjoyed traveling, creating quilts and was passionate about her family genealogy. She penned several family (Caldwell, Broyles, Harvey) compiles which have been donated to libraries in the South to be shared with others who had her passion. While in Bemus Point, she enjoyed buzzing around the village on her scooter and riding the Bemus Point-Stow ferry.Mary was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the Confederacy which she was very proud to be a member of each.Mary, something about her was truly unforgettable once you met her. She loved chatting with people, was as they say “quite a character” and a very unique person. Her last written thoughts to be shared were “May God Bless all of my family and also my many friends I bid you all adieu”.A gathering will be held from 1-3pm Saturday August 17 at the Coudersport Arborretum.Any memorials can be given in love to any historical society, library or the Bemus Point -Stow Ferry. Arrangements entrusted to Hubert Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Send a condolence by visiting www.hubertfuneralhome.com.

John R. Owens, 72, of Costello, passed away Sunday, August 11, 2019 at his residence. John was born on February 27, 1947 in Coudersport, the son of the late Lewis & Erma (Berglund) Owens.   He married the former Denise Butler, who survives, on May 15, 2004, in Costello, and they have celebrated 15 beautiful years of marriage.John retired from Austin High School in 1999 after 30 years of service as a Special Education Teacher.  He was a graduate of Austin High School, Class of 1965 and graduated from Mansfield State College in 1969.  John attended the former Costello United Methodist Church and was a member of E.O. Austin Home Historical Society.  He was also a regular contributor to the A.S.P.C.A.  John was an avid genealogist and enjoyed collecting coins, fly fishing and teaching fly tying.Surviving, in addition to his wife, Denise, are two step-daughters, Jennifer L. Majot of North Tonawanda, NY and Amanda M. and her husband Norm Stuckey of Austin; grandchildren, Syarra E. Vossler and River, Collin and Leila Stuckey, special cousins, Anita Owens of Costello and Maria Svensson of Kinna, Sweden, his two cats, Ellie and Cleo, and many cousins both in the US and Sweden.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 24, 2019 at 2:00 PM at the Austin United Methodist Church, 26 Turner St., Austin, with Pastor Todd Lamer officiating.  Burial will be private.The family suggest memorial contributions in John’s name be made to the E.O. Austin Home Historical Society, P.O. Box 412, Austin, PA 16720 or the A.S.P.C.A., 424 E. 92nd St., New York, NY 10128-6804 or at aspca.org.Thomas E. Fickinger Funeral Home of Coudersport is in charge of arrangements.

 

 

 

Black Forest Express

Hebron Township Bee Balm                                                                         –Gerri Miller

Wednesday’s high, 82; Overnight low, 57

THU-SHOWERS & THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE, HIGH  77

THU NIGHT-MOSTLY CLOUDY, SCATTERED SHOWERS, LOW 62

FRI-MOSTLY CLOUDY, SHOWERS POSSIBLE HIGH 83

FRI NIGHT-MOSTLY CLOUDY, LOW 62

SAT-PARTLY SUNNY, HIGH 83

SAT NIGHT-PARTLY CLOUDY, LOW 66

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Legislative committees discuss animal health and biosecurity at Ag Progress Days…Lancasterl, PA motorist unhurt in car/deer collision…..Wellsboro motorcyclist hurt after bike hits rumble strips on Tioga County highway…..Two timber rattlers found in Sweden Valley area….

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The Commonwealth’s efforts to protect the state’s food supply through animal health and biosecurity initiatives was the focus of a joint meeting of the House and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs committees Wednesday during Penn State’s annual Ag Progress Days.

“Invasive species and animal diseases are significant threats facing all facets of our agriculture industry,” said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint), chairman of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. “We must work together at all levels to combat these dangers and protect our food supply, the livelihood of our farmers and the state’s overall economy.”

A major focus of the meeting was the growing threat of African swine fever (ASF). Though the disease has been in existence for decades, recent outbreaks of the disease in Europe, Russia and China – where an estimated 50% of the country’s swine population has died – is raising concern about further spread of the disease around the world.

According to Kevin Brightbill, DVM, state veterinarian and director of the Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), ASF is like no other disease and is caused by a highly resistant virus that can survive for a year or more in certain conditions. “This virus, unfortunately, would result in 100% mortality in any herd it came into,” he said.

Brightbill noted any outbreak in the United States could have an estimated $8 billion impact directly on swine farmers and a $20 billion impact overall when considering related industries. In Pennsylvania, the swine industry accounts for about $775 million in economic impact, with an estimated 3,100 swine operations employing 11,200 people.

Brightbill and others testifying at the meeting – including Agriculture SecretaryRussell C. Redding; Dr. Richard Roush, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State University; and Ernest Hovingh, DVM, Ph.D., of the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences with Penn State University – each noted the importance of investing in prevention efforts but also agreed “prevention is not 100%” and that protocols must be in place to identify and manage any disease outbreaks.

To that end, Roush noted Penn State is working with PDA in planning a Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Symposium early next spring to discuss preparedness for ASF and other threats with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials and others.

The state’s ASF task force also plans to hold several meetings to discuss its prevention and management plans, which are expected to be completed soon.

Whether dealing with ASF or other threats such as avian influenza, officials say farmers across the state need to comply with a variety of protocols to keep their farms clean and free of disease. While many farm operations prioritize 100% adherence to such policies, others may not be as vigilant, and that can lead to serious problems for the entire industry.

Recognizing the importance of animal health and biosecurity, lawmakers prioritized the issue in this year’s state budget, creating a new Pennsylvania Rapid Response Disaster Readiness Account to help ensure the Commonwealth can respond quickly to agricultural disasters, including using animal or plant health officials to contain an outbreak or threat, or providing an immediate response to a foodborne illness.

They also included in the budget a new $2 million appropriation for the Animal Health and Diagnostic Commission, $1 million for livestock and consumer health protection, and continued support for the Penn State Extension program, which plays a valuable role in educating farmers about protocols and practices to keep their farms safe.

A Lancaster PA driver escaped injury early Monday morning when his car hit a deer on Route 49 in Tioga County.  Matthew Lucas was going west when the whitetail came onto the road in front of the Honda HRV. Troopers said Lucas was unable to avoid the collision which happened about two miles east of the Merrick Hill Road.

A Wellsboro motorcyclist was hurt Wednesday morning when his Harley Davidson Fat boy went off of Route 15 in Liberty Township while making a left hand curve. The bike went out of control after encountering rumble strips and went onto the median where it laid down and slid into some safety cables along the east side of the medial Joseph Paxson was taken to Williamsport General  Hospital by ambulance.

Sweden Township police are advising Sweden Valley residents through social media that two Timber Rattlers were seen in the area this week. One was captured and will be relocated. The other was struck by an auto and got off the road  into the high grass – Rattle snakes are rarely found on the western side of Denton Hill and residents may be more complacent about the danger than those who live to the south and east.