Thursday’s high, 42; Overnight low, 34; .42” rain

FRI-PERIODS OF RAIN, HIGH 51

FRI NIGHT-LOW 41

SAT-RAIN, HIGH 45

SAT NIGHT-RAIN, LOW 42

SUN-RAIN TAPERING OFF, CLOUDY HIGH 56

SUN NIGHT-LOW 31

To hear today’s forecast, click on arrows below.

Coudersport Snow fest still scheduled for Saturday…Dog Sled race near Wellsboro cancelled but alternate plans are in place….Injuries reported in a three-vehicle pile up in Otto Township Thursday….Local firefighters called out for possible natural gas leak…Burglars damage door and filing cabinet in Elkland’s notary public office. 

 To hear today’s podcast, click on arrows below.

 

Photo by John Eaton

Mary Beth Logue is shown with one of her Alaskan husky sled dogs. She will have eight to twelve of her huskies with her at the Pine Creek Rail Trail at 9 a.m. this Saturday, Feb. 24 for a display and presentation.

The lack of snow on the Pine Creek Rail Trail coupled with a forecast that calls for the temperature to rise to 55 degrees this Saturday, Feb. 24 have led organizers to cancel the inaugural Canyon Sled Dog Challenge, a mid-distance event to test the abilities of teams of 6 or 8 dogs and their musher, running from Ansonia to Tiadaghton and back.

Instead, a special free event for the public will be at the Darling Run Access to the Pine Creek Rail Trail at 9 a.m. this Saturday. To get to the Darling Run Access, take Route 6 to Shippen Township, turn onto Route 362, drive about 1.5 miles, turn right, enter the access area slowly and park.

Mary Beth Logue, a mid-distance sled dog racer who lives in Trout Run, Pa.  will have eight to twelve  of her Alaskan huskies with her at Darling Run as well as racing equipment and supplies

Volunteers from Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries will be at the Darling Run Access with beverages and snacks available for purchase with all proceeds to benefit the animals in their care.

At 11 a.m., this Saturday Logue will also have her huskies, sled and equipment on display at the Burnin’ Barrel at the Ansonia Valley Inn in Shippen Township (GPS Address: 5440 Route 6, Wellsboro, PA 16901). This will give people a second opportunity to meet this musher and her dogs and dress like a musher and stand behind her sled to have their photos taken for free. The Burnin’ Barrel will open at 11 a.m. for lunch. There will be three varieties of Straub beer on tap. A representative from Straub will be on hand with a limited supply of T-shirts and pint glasses. .Straub Brewery of St. Marys, Pa. is the sponsor of the challenge.

The organizers of the Canyon Sled Dog Challenge include the Pennsylvania Sled Dog Club, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Forestry and the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce. “We are planning to hold the Canyon Sled Dog Challenge in 2019 if there is enough snow

If there is enough snow, there will be sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. If it is cold enough to allow borough employees to create a rink in the park, there will also be ice-skating. Children and adults are asked to bring their own equipment. A limited number of snowshoes, cross-country skis and ice skates will be available to borrow and use at the park during Snow Fest.

New this year is the Snow Fest 5K Run/Hike. Entry and waiver forms can be picked up, completed and dropped off at the Coudersport Elementary School at 802 Vine Street and at the Coudersport Borough Office at 201 South West Street through Friday, Feb. 23. “Registration will also be in the main pavilion beginning at 12 p.m. on the day of the event,” said  Adam Clinger, organizer. There is no entry fee. Everyone will participate for free. The 5K will start at 1 p.m. near the main pavilion. The 3.1-mile out-and-back course will be well marked and easy to follow plus people will be stationed along the 5K to ensure no one gets lost. The runners and hikers will follow a trail that starts in the park, pass the Coudersport Mobile Home Park and Coudersport Reservoir where they will turn around and head for the finish line near the main pavilion. Prizes will be awarded in two categories, children 12 and younger and adults, 13 and older.

A geocaching trail with five hidden caches will provide fun and excitement for adults and children who want to give geocaching a try or are already hooked. Bill Daly, a geocaching enthusiast, will be in the main pavilion with sample caches (containers) and pamphlets on geocaching. He will also have global positioning system (GPS) units available for people to use at the park. Those who own GPS units are encouraged to bring them. A PowerPoint program will walk beginners through geocaching. It will be running continuously on a television set indoors in a building next to the main pavilion. “It should take between 30 minutes and an hour for participants to find all five caches,” Daly said. Participants will be within walking distance of the pavilion. “Find out how easy and fun it is to not only use a GPS unit, but to also go geocaching, a high-tech treasure hunt for all ages,” said Daly.

Returning to demonstrate his trebuchet will be Coudersport Borough Councilman Brian Ruane who is also the president of Potter County’s Habitat for Humanity.

The trebuchet will be set up in the baseball field next to the main pavilion with announcements made as to when and in what direction it will be fired.

Ruane and four of his employees at Northern Tier Trading Company at 239 Route 6 in Coudersport built the trebuchet to use during the first Snow Fest held on Feb. 14, 2015. He has demonstrated it at every Snow Fest since. “

“So instead of snowballs, the first year we filled balloons with water and tried shooting them. The water froze so we were actually shooting ice balls. One of them almost hit the scoreboard. We were asked if we could shoot something else that would not damage anything it happened to hit,” he said.

Mary and Larry Hirst and other members of the Potter County Bird Club will be at the interactive Winter Bird Feeding display to introduce interested youngsters and adults to the basics of identifying birds that visit backyard feeders. They will talk about the different types of bird feeders and birdseed and show youngsters how to make a treat using peanut butter and a pine cone that they can take home for the birds in their backyards.

Andy Kulp, Andy’s mom Betty Jean Kulp and Dawn Mahon will be selling hot dogs, chili, hot cocoa, coffee and water with the proceeds to benefit the To Fill a Backpack program “to send elementary and high school students to school with the supplies they need.”

Anyone is welcome to set up an outside booth or to do a demonstration. For more information, call the borough office at (814) 274-9776.

The Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department  responded to a call of a possible natural  gas leak Thursday night on Burrows Road in Sweden Township. Firefighters set up air monitoring devices and met with the owners.  The property, including out buildings was thoroughly checked by fire department members, Department of Emergency Services  Department of Emergency Services  Coordinator Glenn Dunn and a Department of Environmental Protection staff member no combustible readings or lessening of oxygen levels were found. All units were back in service a couple of hours later.

Minor injuries occurred in a three-vehicle chain reaction collision at about 8:15  Thursday morning in Otto Township, McKean County. Kane based state police report the accident happened when a car driven by 45 year old Marjorie O’Connor of Eldred, while traveling east, hit a patch of ice and slid across the center line where it impacted a car driven by 75 year old  Frank Hill of Rixford head-on.  O’Connor’s car then spun around and was rear-ended by a car driven by 53 year old Johanna Peterson of Eldred.

About an hour later, both drivers escaped injury in a minor rear-end collision on Route 44 near the Bells Run Road in Ceres Township. A 53 year old man was going north on Route 44 when his vehicle spun out of his lane and into the opposite lane where it was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by a 23 year old man. Since there were no injuries and the vehicles could be driven away, the accident was considered “non-reportable” and thus the names of the drivers were not released.

No one was hurt in collision Tuesday afternoon in Ridgway Township, Elk County. According to Ridgway based state police, Carl Hanshaw of Ridgway drove his Chevrolet Blazer onto Route 219 from Beaver Drive in front of a Nissan Versa driven by Shara Franco of Dubois.l

State police at Mansfield investigated two recent burglaries  in Tioga County. An unknown burglar forced his ay into the office of Edward Brimmer Notary Public on Route 49 in Elkland overnight Tuesday. The door handle and a filing cabinet were damaged in the burglary. And someone tried to enter a home on Red House Lane in Lawrenceville through a locked windo during the early morning hours of February 11.

Wednesday’s high, 68; Overnight low, 34; .02” RAIN /FREEZING RAIN

THU-CLOUDY WITH MIXED PRECIPITATION HIHG 38

THU NIGHT-RAIN, LOW 31

FRI-CLOUDY,  AFTERNOON SLEET & FREEZING RAIN, HIGH 52

FRI NIGHT-LOW 38

SAT-CLOUDY, HIGH 48

SAT NIGHT-RAIN, HIGH 40

To hear today’s forecast, click on arrows below.

Two more bridges to be named for Potter County veterans…..Causer hosts property tax/rent rebate clinics…..Traffic change coming on Fox Hill Road near Ulysses…….State police in  looking for hit and run driver whose image was captured on camera….Natural gas leak investigated Tuesday afternoon in Coudersport….Church in neighboring county torched…..

To hear today’s podcast, click on arrow below.

Freezing rain early this morning forced the cancellation of classes at Austin, Coudersport, Galeton, Northern Potter and Oswayo Valley. The Oswayo Valley Library as closed and emergency services personnel responded to numerous traffic accidents, some with injuries.

Two more Potter County bridges will be named in honor of area veterans who died in service to the country under a new state law,  according to Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint)

Under Act 9 of 2018, the bridge located on Avenue A over the Allegheny River in Coudersport Borough is designated the Commander Philip F. “Jet” Palmatier Jr. Memorial Bridge. The law also designates the bridge on Sunnyside Road over the Oswayo Creek in Shinglehouse Borough as the PVT Malon Stanley Memorial Bridge.

Palmatier was born in Coudersport in 1950, graduated from high school with honors and was appointed to the United States Naval Academy. On Dec. 10, 1990, Palmatier was flying a training mission over the Gulf of Mexico when his TA-4 Skyhawk collided with another jet, killing him.

Stanley, also a native of Potter County, was drafted into the United States Army at the start of World War II and served in the 1st Cavalry Division. He was among the forces that stormed Leyte Island under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and was killed in action in 1944 while providing cover for his fellow troops who were ordered to retreat. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for his service.

Causer sponsored House Bill 1510 to name both Potter County bridges. His proposal was added to another bill naming several other bridges across the Commonwealth. That bill was signed into law by the governor on Feb. 15.

Rep. Causer is hosting several events designed to help eligible senior citizens and people with disabilities file for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program over the next couple of weeks. There is no fee to participate, and no appointments are required. The schedule is as follows:

Thursday, Feb. 22

Harrison Valley Community Building, 205 E. Main St., Harrison Valley – 9-10:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 27

Kane Senior Center, 100 S. Fraley St., Kane – 1-3 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 28

Emporium Senior Center, 213 ½ S. Maple St., Emporium – 9:30-11 a.m.

Port Allegany Senior Center, 216 N. Main St., Port Allegany – 1-2:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 6

Bradford Senior Center, 60 Campus Dr., Bradford – 9:30-11 a.m.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with disabilities. Eligibility income limits are set at $15,000 for renters and $35,000 for homeowners, excluding 50 percent of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits.

Free assistance with filing the forms is also available at Causer’s offices in Bradford (78 Main St., first floor, phone 814-362-4400); Coudersport (107 S. Main St., Room 1, phone 814-274-9769); or Kane (55 Fraley St., phone 814-837-0880). Forms and additional information are available at www.RepCauser.com.

PennDot is advising motorists that temporary flagging, followed by temporary automatic flagging devices, will be in place soon on a section of Route 1001 in Potter County.

A large volume of truck traffic is travelling from a gas well site on Tom May Road in Ulysses Township and moving through the intersection of Fox Hill Road (Route 1001) and Tom May Road (T-455). To facilitate traffic movement and enhance safety at the intersection, flaggers will be place as early as tomorrow, February 22.

Starting in early March, the flaggers will be assisted by temporary automatic flagging devices and warning signs on Fox Hill Road. The temporary automatic flagging devices will be short and portable and will be located on each side of the intersection.  Advance signage on Fox Hill Road will include message boards displaying the messages “Construction entrance ahead” and “Trucks entering highway”. Signage on the temporary devices will direct drivers to “Stop here on red signal”.

PennDOT expects this traffic pattern to be in place through early June and reminds motorists to be alert for these changes at the intersection. Drivers should always buckle up and obey posted speed limits.

To help make decisions as to whether to travel during winter weather, motorists are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 850 traffic cameras. Users can also see plow truck statuses and travel alerts along a specific route using the “Check My Route” tool.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

For regional updates on Twitter, follow www.twiiter.com\511PAStateCOLL

Coudersport based state police are looking for a hit and run driver whose vehicle damaged a parked truck, Sunday afternoon in the Pine Creek Inn parking lot in Pike Township. While backing up, the unknown vehicle hit a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado owned by Zack Cowburn of Coudersport. The driver took off without notifying Cowburn or authorities.  Anyone who can ID the driver is asked to contact State police @814.274.8690.

A suspected natural gas leak Wednesday afternoon in Coudersport Borough caused a response from the Coudersport  Volunteer Fire Department. Firefighters were dispatched at about 2:45p to Apartment 2 at 117 N. Main Street. All occupants were safely evacuated and the building was turned over the owner and UGI Utilities.

Out of the area but of interest. Investigators report a Clearfield County church was torched early Wednesday morning.  Police discovered that someone had intentionally set fire the exterior of the Lutheran Fellowship Church on Pine Street in Curwensville.  The extent of damage was not reported.Anyone who has information is asked to call State Police Marshal in Ridgway or the Curwensville Police Department.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday’s high, 72; Overnight low, 42, no precipitation

 WED-MOSTLY CLOUDY, HIGH 65

WED NIGHT-CLOUDY, LOW 31

THU-MOSTLY CLOUDY CHANCE OF WINTRY MIX, HIGH 38

THU NIGHT-LOW 34

FRI-MOSTLY CLOUDY, CHANCE OF SHOWERS HIGH, 46

FRI NIGHT-LOW 42

To hear today’s forecast, click on arrow below.

Obituaries: William Daniels, Port Allegany & Gordon Winston, Turtlepoint

Fatal collision near Coudersport Monday night….Tioga County Pre-teen charged with felony assault and strangulation…Workshop planned for township and municipal officials next week in Potter County…..

To hear today’s podcast, click on arrow below.

Coudersport based state police late Tuesday  afternoon released information about a fatal head-on collision Monday evening on Route 6 in Eulalia Township. Troopers explained Stephen Dilik of Coudersport going east  and failed to properly negotiate Cemetery Curve allowing his Jeep Grand Cherokee to cross into the westbound lane where it collided with a Cadillac Deville driven by Michael Kellar of Smethport. Both drivers had to be extricated from their vehicles and were taken to Charles Cole Hospital by Coudersport Volunteer ambulance .Police said EMS personnel performed life saving measures enroute to the hospital but Dilick died later. Kellar is listed in fair condition. Coudersport Fire chief Bryan Phelps told Black Forest Broadcasting that both the Eastbound and Westbound lanes were closed to traffic initially and the eastbound lane was opened later, with fire police directing vehicles and providing lighting  through the crash zone for  the State police forensics and accident reconstruction units  All units were finally back in service after midnight

A 12 year old Tioga County boy is being charged with assault causing serious bodily injury for a domestic violence incident taking place the night after Christmas at a home on Wellsboro Street in Tioga Borough. State police report they were called to the home after the youth entered his parents’  bedroom, placed an object over his mother’s face to deprive her of oxygen and  held it there until she turned purple then put her in a choke hold until she turned purple. When his father removed the boy from the bedroom, he turned on the father and hurt in in a fight. Troopers took him into custody and felony charges of strangulation (now a stand alone crime) and aggravated assault and misdemeanor simple assault were filed through Tioga County Juvenile probation.

Drug possession charges have been lodged against a Mansfield resident stopped by troopers at the Coudersport Barracks. Troopers claim when they pulled over 19 year old Caleb Gile on Route 6 at Denton Hill State Park Sunday afternoon, they found him in possession of a small amount of marijuana and related drug paraphernalia.

Yesterday we reported that Pennsylvania voters will soon face changes. In an effort to thwart election meddling, Gov. Wolf has directed that all new electronic voting machines have  paper ballot back-up. New congressional maps will be in place before the May 15 primary whether they are drawn by the Republican legislature; protesting Democrats or the Supreme Court.  And, Rep. Matt Baker has vacated his office in the State House to assume a federal appointment. He represented Bradford, Tioga and part of Potter County and the vacancy will foster a competitive race.

Township and Municipal officials are also facing new state laws that have added responsibilities and opportunitites.

Elected officials and administrators will have opportunity next month  to receive training during a two-day “boot camp” at the Gunzburger Building in Coudersport. Potter County Commissioners Doug Morley, Susan Kefover and Paul Heimel approved a proposal by Planning Director Will Hunt to provide the class from 9 am to 4 pm on Friday and Saturday, March 2-3. Officials from Potter, Tioga and McKean counties have already signed up for the March training and registration remains open. Instructors are being provided by the Pa. State Assn. of Boroughs. Among topics to be covered are: Meeting Procedures, Sunshine Law, Managing Public Comment, Committees and Boards, Ordinances and Resolutions, Bidding Requirements, Fire and Police Management, Personnel Management, Municipal Budgeting, Taxation Requirements, Basic Planning and Zoning, Risk Management, Public Works and Code Administration. More details are available from PSAB’s Terri Dickow at 1-800-232-7722, extension 1042, or tdickow@boroughs.org.

Obituaries

William E. Daniels, 70, of Katherine St., passed away Sunday (Feb. 18, 2018) peacefully at his home, with family at his side.

     Born December 14, 1947, in Austin, PA, he was a son of Lloyd R. and Mary E. Eicher Daniels.

    William was a former resident of the area, coming from Avon, NY, where he lived for over 30 years.  He was a graduate of Port Allegany High School, class of 1966.

     He was employed as an electrician by Sabin Metal Corp., Scottsville, NY, for many years, before his retirement.

     He was an avid softball player who played softball for the Sabin Metal Corp. team, for many years. He also enjoyed hunting and the outdoors.

    Surviving in addition to his longtime companion, Tina Roach, with whom he lived with, are two sons, Robert W. Daniels of Avon, NY, William (Theresa) Daniels of Roulette, PA, three daughters, Stacy M.  Daniels of Livonia, NY, Tonya Andrus of Coudersport, Jacki Daniels of Ulysses; several grandchildren; four brothers, Terry R. (Karen) Daniels, George W. (Judy) Daniels, and Lloyd R. “Buster” (Karen) Daniels all of Port Allegany, Richard L. Daniels of Mt. Pleasant, PA; two sisters, Susanna Irwin of Port Allegany, and Jean A. (Curt) Linker of Dayton Beach, FL; and several nieces and nephews.

      He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Ronald W. Daniels, and three sisters, Barbara A. Pinchock, Patricia A. Taylor, and Judith A. Morton.

     At William’s request there will be no visitation.  A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday (Feb. 21, 2018) in the Birch Grove Mennonite Church, Port Allegany, with Rev. Deborah Mallery, officiating.

     Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Switzer Funeral Home, Port Allegany.

Condolences can be made to:  Stacy M. Daniels                      Tina Roach

                                                      6295 S. Lima Rd.                     61 Katherine St.

                                                       Livonia, NY. 14487

Gordon A. Winston, 88, of Route 155N, passed away Friday (Feb. 16, 2018) in Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport.

    Born September 2, 1929, in Alma, NY, he was a son of Milton L. and Neva I. Whitney Winston.  On Aug. 12, 1950, in Port Allegany, he married Neva R. Griswold, who died Feb. 7, 1999.

    Gordon was a longtime resident of the area and attended the Turtlepoint school. He left school, so he could help his father run the family farm. Later he went to work for Annin Township and later became township supervisor until his retirement in 1994.  He was a longtime farmer raising dairy cows until 1967, then raising Herefords until 2010, when he retired from farming.

    He was a member of the Loyal of Order of Moose, Lodge 460, Port Allegany, and the Eldred Legion.

    Surviving are two daughters, Barbara M. (Gary) Caulkins of Port Allegany, and Cindy I. Winston of Turtlepoint; a son, Dr. Grant M. Winston of Houston, TX; four grandchildren: Paula J. Brown of Elkmont, AL, Cole J. Caulkins of Missouri, Wesley C. Caulkins of Indiana, PA, Mick (Jodee) Caulkins of Port Allegany; four great grandchildren: Britt Scrivner, AL, Gage, Shaylee, & Briar Caulkins of Port Allegany; and several nieces and nephews.

    He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Neva, two brothers, Basil M. and Merle D. Winston; and a sister, Bertha M. Bell.

    Friends will be received from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 24, 2018) in the Turtlepoint Evangelical Church, where a memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. with Rev. Anthony Edgell, pastor, officiating.

    Memorials can be made to McKean County SPCA or S.W. Smith Library.

    Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Switzer Funeral Home, Port Allegany.

Condolences can be made to:  Barbara M. Caulkins

3236 Route 155

Port Allegany, PA. 16743