2 2022
community
AUGUST
p o t t e r m c k e a n
county
Austin • Coudersport • Crosby • Eldred • Gifford • Kane • Lewis Run • Mt. Jewett • Otto Eldred • Port Allegany Ridgway • Roulette • Smethport • Turtlepoint
Photo Provided Shown are some of the individuals connected with the CASA of McKean County program, who helped on the day of the successful ‘Golf Fore Kids’ All Ladies Tournament. Shown in the picture are Becky Koza, CASA Administrative Assistant; Bob Esch, CASA Board President; Katy Pude, CASA Board Vice President; Christy Sullivan, CASA Board Member and primary organizer for the event; Mike Ward, CASA Board Member, Suzy Meyer-Page, CASA Executive Director; Julie Cleland, CASA Board Secretary; Brenda Baker, CASA Volunteer Advocate; and Christy Graham, CASA Board Treasurer. Missing from the picture are Patsy Arrowsmith, CASA Board Member, Jim Wiseman, CASA Board Member; and Kim Mooney, CASA Volunteer Advocate.
CASA of McKean County’s ‘Golf Fore Kids” Ladies Golf Tournament a success
The Inaugural CASA of McKean County’s ‘Golf Fore Kids’ All Ladies Golf Tournament at the Pennhills Club on July 16, was a success with 65 women playing a 9-hole scramble format raising funds for the CASA of McKean County Program. Nearly $12,000 was raised for CASA of McKean County during the fun-filled event. Ladies enjoyed three Fun Holes that challenged non-golf-related skills. A wide variety of raffle packages were available to be won by the ladies. “The ‘Golf Fore the Kids’ inaugural event surpassed all expectations! I am thrilled on behalf of the McKean County CASA board to have the support of local businesses in McKean
County and over 65 ladies coming out for an entertaining day. The event proves that coming together in an amusing and unique tournament for experienced golfers and non-golfers alike is a recipe for success. Having fun volunteers to ensure the days’ activities flowed seamlessly was instrumental in laughter all day long. With a foundation of this wellreceived event, plans are already underway for next year’s theme and date which will soon be announced. The CASA board is excited to have this as one way to help raise much needed funds for the mission of CASA,” said Christy Sullivan, CASA board member and primary organizer for the event. CASA of McKean
Pet boa constrictor strangles Pa. owner; police investigate
FOGELSVILLE (AP) — A man’s pet boa constrictor wrapped itself around his neck, sending him to a hospital, where he died several days later, authorities in Pennsylvania said. Elliot Senseman, 27, died Sunday morning at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, the Lehigh County coroner’s office said. The cause of death was was listed as anoxic brain injury due to asphyxiation by constriction, and the manner of death was ruled accidental. “A boa constrictor-type snake approximately 18 feet in length constricted around the neck of Mr. Senseman, thus causing the anoxic brain injury (complete lack of oxygen to the brain),” the coroner’s office said Monday. Police were called to a home in
Fogelsville, in eastern Pennsylvania, shortly after 2 p.m. Wednesday on a report of a man in cardiac arrest with a snake wrapped around his neck. An officer was able to shoot the snake’s head without hurting the man, who was given medical aid and taken to the hospital. Upper Macungie Township police and the coroner’s office are investigating. Police told WTXF-TV that the snake was the man’s pet and that several other snake enclosures were found in the home. Investigators don’t know the circumstances of the attack because “the dire situation” precluded “extended interviews ... about the snake, its origin, or anything along those lines,” Lt. Peter Nickischer said Monday.
County would like to thank their sponsors that aided in making this event a success. The Title Sponsor was Zippo Manufacturing. Premier Golf Sponsors were the Philo and Sarah Blaisdell Foundation; Greg and Cherie Booth; and Drillers, LLC. The American Refining Group sponsored the golf carts. Kessel Construction provided funds as the 19th hole sponsor. Dr. Steven Hermann was the sponsor for the wine hole. The Premier Silver sponsor was the Mount Jewett Rotary. The #2 Fun Hole was sponsored by Karl and June Ross while the #9 and #18 Fun Holes were sponsored by To Fill A Backpack. Many hole sponsorships were
garnered for the event. The sponsors include Tom and Patsy Arrowsmith; Frederick Fesenmyer; Rich Johnson; Law Offices of Robert L. Saunders; John and Julie Cleland; Kate Still; State Line Supply Company; Episcopal Church of the Ascension — Bradford; John and Christy Sullivan; Haberberger Disposal; Lick N Sip; and the Highlands Airbnb — Kane. In-Kind Donations are those individuals or businesses that donated items for the raffle, funds for the prizes, or a gift of their time to help with the event. These individuals include Sue Aljoe, Patsy Arrowsmith, Tom Arrowsmith, Brenda Baker, Marsha Bauer, Lindsay Burns, Cindy Calcagno, John
Calcagno, Jeff Carson, Julie Cleland, Katie Close-Caruso, Bob Esch, Christy Graham, Tim Hall, Jr., Mary Jo Hardy, Benny Kay, Becky Koza, Suzy Meyer-Page, Kim Mooney, Greg Page, Katy Pude, John Rook, Kate Still, Christy Sullivan, John Sullivan, Sue Townsend, Becca Ward, Mike Ward and Jim Wiseman. The following businesses donated items to the event: Bell’s Meat Market, Crescent Beer, Flickerwood Winery, Logyard Brewing, Northwest Bank and Pennhills Staff. Bradford High School Golf Team Members (Sophie Cornelius, Bella Rhoades, Alexia Corigiani) helped on the golf course during the event. CASA of McKean County is a non-profit
organization that works diligently to recruit, train and support volunteer advocates for our county’s most vulnerable children. Children who have experienced abuse and neglect and are in the foster care system. Since May of 2015, CASA volunteers have logged nearly 7000 hours of volunteer advocacy for children in McKean County. The money raised from this event will help give more of these vulnerable children a voice in the court system. For questions regarding becoming a CASA volunteer advocate or donating to the program, call (814) 568-2170 or visit the CASA of McKean County website at www. casamckean.org.
House Republican leaders pen letter, encourage universities to roll back tuition increase HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus Leaders Wednesday sent a letter to the heads of the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University, Temple University and Lincoln University encouraging each institution to roll back announced plans to increase tuition and fees for the upcoming academic year. According to the Leaders’ letter, the recent news that Gov. Tom Wolf will be using a pandemic response discretionary account to provide these universities with their sought-after 5% increase should lead these universities to halt planned tuition increases. The full letter to the universities: Dear Presidents Allen, Bendapudi and Wingard, and Chancellor Gallagher: As you are aware, the Pennsylvania General Assembly worked very hard to ensure we supported the students and families attending your institutions in the recently enacted state budget and related legislation. The funding provided in the budget guarantees the Commonwealth’s longstanding relationship
with your institutions continues and discounted tuition rates at your schools can be provided to Pennsylvania residents. In recent days, it has been made public that Gov. Tom Wolf intends to provide each of your schools with additional funding outside of the scope of legislative authorization as part of pandemic responserelated discretionary funding he was provided in FY 2022-23. First, given that this money is being provided outside of the normal scope of legislative approval, it should be viewed by you, and will be viewed by us, as a onetime influx of money that will not be considered as an appropriation of the Legislature to your school. As such it would not be included in the base funding for your institutions that is traditionally driven out through non-preferred appropriations. Second, and most importantly, given that this additional funding equates to the 5%;o funding increase each of your schools sought at the start of the budget process, we encourage each of you to freeze already-announced
plans to increase tuition at your institutions or stop consideration of tuition increases. We were disappointed to learn that almost immediately after your FY 202223 state funding was approved, Pitt, Penn State and Temple announced tuition increases for the coming academic year. In at least two instances, the state flat-funding appropriations over last year was cited as a cause for the tuition increase. Given the recent news about receiving additional funding for the 2022-23 academic year, it would only be prudent to roll back these decisions for all students, but at a minimum, for Pennsylvania residents attending your institutions. We would like to remind you that Pitt, Penn State and Temple have large endowments with endowments at Pitt and Penn States larger than or equivalent to the amount in the Commonwealth’s Rainy Day Fund. Rather than take a punitive posture towards Pennsylvania’s students and families attending your institutions by raising tuition and fees, the recent funding news coupled with
large endowments upon which you can rely to help offset inflation-led cost increases makes now the perfect time to reverse course on tuition increases. We hope you will give this request all appropriate consideration as you, and Pennsylvania’s families, continue to plan for the upcoming academic year. Sincerely, The letter was signed by all eight members of the House Republican Leadership team: House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/ Mifflin), Speaker Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster), House Appropriations Committee Chairman Stan Saylor (R-York), House Majority Whip Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/ Forest), House Republican Caucus Chairman George Dunbar ( R - We s t m o r e l a n d ) , House Republican Caucus Secretary Martina White (R-Philadelphia), House Republican Caucus Administrator Kurt Masser (R-Northumberland/ Columbia/Montour), House Republican Policy Chairman Martin Causer (R-McKean/Potter/ Cameron).
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AUGUST 2, 2022
Emporium couple jailed for alleged $164K theft from wife’s employer BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER
An Emporium couple are behind bars for allegedly stealing more than $164,000 in a year from the gas station where the wife served as manager. Jennifer Weichman, 49, and Dean Weichman, 53, both of 55 Sizer Run Road, were arraigned Monday before District Judge Barry Brown and jailed — the wife in lieu of $164,314.79 bail and the husband in lieu of $82,157 bail. She is charged with 62 felony counts, while he is charged with 49 felonies, all relating to theft. According to the criminal complaint, Emporium Police Chief David Merritt was contacted by the owner of Fuel-On, identified only as Sayed in the complaint, in June of 2022 regarding an employee stealing money and falsifying spreadsheets and accounting numbers. The complaintant said he believed it had been happening for some time, as the company accounts found almost $180,000 of cash missing from 2021 to the present. Jennifer Weichman had been manager for two years, and was the sole employee responsible for sales accounting, inventory, lottery machines, food ordering, taking cash deposits to the bank and entering cash deposits into the accounting system, the complaint stated. Sayed told police that an employee who was checking the accounting had taken another job, and no one had been overseeing it for some time as they had to train a new employee. When unaccountedfor money was discovered, Sayed began taking a closer look. The accounting showed that Weichman had been entering smaller amounts of cash as deposits than the point-of-sale system was recording, and that lottery tickets and cigarettes were always short in that store as well, the criminal complaint stated. When Sayed spoke to Weichman about it, she did not dispute the amount of money missing, and offered to pay the money back either by getting a loan or paying it back
by payroll deduction, the complaint stated. Merritt interviewed past employees and people who knew Weichman and learned that Weichman was also giving gasoline, groceries, vape cartridges and tobacco items to her family members. She would order food from FuelOn’s suppliers, and have her husband take it home for their family’s use, the chief stated. Weichman also allegedly used FuelOn’s suppliers to cater her daughter’s wedding in 2021, and had the invoices paid by the gas station’s accounts, the complaint stated. She would also take boxes of cigarettes, claim to be delivering them to the Johnsonburg Fuel-On store but keep them for her own use, or give them to family members or friends. Some of the deliveries she would take to the local Moose Club and have the invoices paid by the gas station, the complaint alleged. An employee told Merritt that Weichman always had large stacks of cash, and would get gift cards from local stores like Dollar General and Rite Aid, and would use those cards to pay her bills, according to the criminal complaint. Through further interviews, Merritt learned that during the last year, when Weichman and her husband were going to the Moose Club daily, between $11,000 and $23,000 was being put into a skills game a week. Since the couple were removed from the board of the club, weekly totals of those games have decreased to about $3,000, the complaint stated. One person told Merritt that Weichman said the bartenders at the club should be grateful for her, “that if she had not put so much cash through the machines there would not be enough money for paychecks,” the complaint stated. Merritt said through his own knowledge, Weichman always had a large amount of cash, and she and her husband had purchased several vehicles and a utility vehicle within the last few years. Fuel-On employees told Merritt they had seen her removing money from the safe, right out
of the skills games and placed it in her pocket or with her cell phone, which she would take with her when she left the store, according to the complaint. Sayed told police that Weichman said she would pay back the money as long as he didn’t involve the authorities. Merritt stated that Weichman’s husband had to be aware of the alleged criminal activity and conspired with her, and both benefited from her thefts, the complaint stated. The charges against her are 12 counts of theft by unlawful taking, 12 counts of receiving stolen property, all thirddegree felonies; 12 counts of knowledge that property is proceeds of an illegal act, first-degree felonies; one count of organized retail theft, a third-degree felony; one count of conspiracy to commit retail theft, a thirddegree felony; 12 counts of conspiracy to receive stolen property, third-degree felonies; and 12 counts of conspiring with knowledge that property is proceeds of an illegal act, firstdegree felonies. Dean Weichman is charged with 12 counts of knowledge that property is proceeds of an illegal act, first-degree felonies; retail theft, a third-degree felony; 12 counts of conspiring with knowledge that property is proceeds of an illegal act, firstdegree felonies; 12 counts of receiving stolen property, thirddegree felonies; and 12 counts of conspiring to receive stolen property, third-degree felonies. Both are scheduled to appear before Brown on Aug. 11 for preliminary hearings. M e a n w h i l e , this is not Jennifer Weichman’s first brush with the law. She had been employed as a legal secretary for the late Harold B. Fink in Port Allegany when, from April 2005 to July 2007, she took about $19,000 which belonged to the firm. At the time of her arrest, Fink was 80 years old and was fighting cancer. He passed away before she was sentenced. Weichman served seven years of probation for her conviction in that case.
Brown, Peterson receive Nightingale Award at BRMC, OGH Natalie Brown, RN, received the second quarter Nightingale Award at Bradford Regional Medical Center. “Natalie has been a member of the BRMC team for 21 years and has worked in cardiology as well as covering departments such as psychology and the medical floor. Words used to describe her include compassionate, dedicated and devoted to patient care. She recently sat with a
patient who was going through a personal crisis for over an hour in the office. Natalie is a patient-centered nurse who holds a hand, supports the sick and those in need and consoles those whose life has been shattered,” according to her nomination. Leasa Peterson, RN, received the second quarter Nightingale Award at Olean General Hospital. “Leasa provides exceptional care to her patients and is often
complimented on her soft, kind demeanor. She also provides great post-op education to her patients and will follow up with them at home. In addition, she has stepped into the charge nurse role and is also the first person to tell someone they are doing a great job,” according to her nomination. The award is a quarterly recognition of nursing excellence determined by nominations from the medical staff.
Photo Provided Caitlin and Emma Webster of Bradford, Pa., participated during a previous summer program at St. Bonaventure’s Quick Center for the Arts.
Art programs for children to be offered in August at St. Bonaventure S T . B O N AV E N T U R E , N.Y. — The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure University will host a series of drop-in programs and summer experiences this August to keep local children creative and engaged in the arts through the end of their summer vacation. “After being unable to run our typical summer programs for the past two years because of COVID precautions, we’re thankful to once again be offering summer camps and art classes for children,” said Sean Conklin, assistant curator and museum educator at the Quick Center. “We’re coming back in a big way, with several summer programs at the museum to engage children with different art interests and experience levels.” Programs include two separate, two-day, fee-based summer experiences. Superior Sculptors, a program designed for children ages 8 to 10, will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 16 and 17. It will focus on the three-dimensional
works in the Quick Center’s collection. Participants will have the opportunity to work with clay, found objects, and wood or mosaic mediums, designing vessels and fine art sculptural forms. The cost is $15 per child. Art Forms and Functions, for children ages 10 to 13, will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 23 and 24. This program focuses on many rarely displayed items in the museum’s collection. Participants will learn about various artmaking processes that produce works that are both beautiful and functional including acrylic and wood laser printing, jewelry and candle making, and resin pouring. The cost is $25 per child. Registration is required for both programs and fee discounts are available. A third program, Museum Mondays, offered every Monday in August (Aug. 1, 8, 15 and 22), is designed for the region’s youngest community members, children ages 3 to 6, who must be accompanied by
an adult guardian. At each session, participants will be read a story, enjoy a snack, and complete an art activity designed around a specific artist or theme. The program is free, with all materials provided, and children may attend as many sessions as they wish. Registration is required, however, in order to help Quick Center staff plan for supplies and snack options. “This year, I really wanted to create experiences to engage children of varying ages, interests and abilities,” said Conklin. “I designed activities that focus on our museum collection and that offer the opportunity to expand participants’ interests or introduce them to new artists or artmaking tools and techniques. To learn more about the program offerings and to register, go to www.sbu.edu/QCAsummer-experiences or contact the Quick Center by phone at (716) 375-2494 or by e-mail at quick@sbu. edu.
CLEARFIELD — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) would like to remind motorists across the region about line painting operations. District 2 PennDOT serves Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin and Potter counties. Line painting must be done under dry weather conditions, so all line painting activities are weather dependent. Motorists will find line painting information available on permanent and portable message boards in the region — especially on I-80, I-99 and major roadways like Route 322 and 219. In some locations, information may also
be available through the Highway Advisory Radio System at 1640 on the AM dial. Annual painting helps to improve the visibility of road lines and enhances roadway safety. With safety the number one concern during all painting operations, drivers should be aware that: · Line painting activity is a slow-moving operation. “LINE PAINTING – WET PAINT” signs and flashing lights are mounted on the back of equipment to warn motorists of the painting operation. · Motorists should stay at least eight to ten car lengths behind line painting equipment to avoid running over wet paint.
The paint spray guns are two inches off the roadway surface and cannot spray a vehicle. Paint can only get on a vehicle if a driver runs over wet lines. · PennDOT asks that motorists be patient when stopped or slowed behind the line painting operation. Use of patience and the appropriate distance between a driver and the paint truck will help lower the potential for damage from wet paint. PennDOT will paint as many roadways as possible while warm weather continues. Availability of paint supplies may have an impact on the number of roads PennDOT can address this year.
PennDOT reminds motorists of line painting activities across region
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AUGUST 2, 2022
Seventh victim of Carpenter discloses allegations to state police BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER
A seventh victim of accused rapist Darvin Carpenter has come forward, and 42 new criminal counts have been added to the 224 counts already lodged against him. Carpenter, 51, of Park Street, Bradford, is in McKean County Jail on $5 million bail — believed to be the highest bail ever set in the county. According to the Lewis Run-based state police, a seventh victim disclosed abuse by Carpenter, alleging multiple indecent assaults taking place between 2015 and 2017. The new charges are as follows: two counts of corruption of minors, thirddegree felonies; 10 counts of indecent assault by forcible compulsion, firstdegree misdemeanors; 10 counts of indecent assault of a victim less than 16, seconddegree misdemeanors; 10 counts of indecent assault without consent, seconddegree misdemeanors; and 10 counts of distribution of a small amount of marijuana, misdemeanors. The alleged assaults came to light when one of the victims, approximately 13 years of age, was interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of McKean County, and disclosed that Carpenter had touched her in a sexual manner several times, beginning when she was in 6th grade. A second victim told state police that when she was 12 to 15, Carpenter would buy her cigarettes and make her perform sex acts when she was a juvenile. She told
police about a third victim who witnessed the assaults and was assaulted as well, the complaint alleged. The third victim said that when she was 12 to 16, Carpenter would give her cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana and force her to perform sex acts, the complaint alleged. Police received information about two additional victims. The fourth victim told police Carpenter had raped her from when she was 5 until she was about 12, and estimated it happened more than 100 times, the complaint alleged. The fifth victim said Carpenter asked her multiple times when she was a juvenile, age 12 to 17, to perform sex acts on him. She did not do so. He also touched her inappropriately when she was a juvenile. When she was an adult, he forced her to perform a sex act on him, the complaint alleged. The sixth and seventh victims disclosed assaults to the state police after Carpenter’s arrest. The charges for the assault on the sixth victim are as follows: two counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse on a victim less than 16 and one count of criminal solicitation of IDSI on a victim less than 16, all firstdegree felonies; three counts of aggravated indecent assault, seconddegree felonies; corruption of minors, a third-degree felony; indecent assault by forcible compulsion and indecent exposure, first-degree misdemeanors;
indecent assault on a victim less than 16 and indecent assault without consent, second-degree misdemeanors; and distribution of a small amount of marijuana, a misdemeanor. The other charges against him are as follows: 10 counts rape of a child, 10 counts rape by forcible compulsion, 10 counts involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, 10 counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a victim less than 13, 20 counts involuntary deviate sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion, one count of aggravated indecent assault of a child, and 25 counts of criminal solicitation of IDSI with a victim less than 16, all of which are first degree felonies; two counts of corruption of minors and one of indecent assault of a victim less than 13, all third-degree felonies. He is also charged with 20 counts of sexual assault, seconddegree felonies; 24 counts of indecent assault by forcible compulsion, 13 counts of indecent assault of a victim less than 13, all first-degree misdemeanors; 23 counts of indecent assault of a victim less than 16; and 18 counts of indecent assault without consent, all second-degree misdemeanors. Carpenter is represented by the McKean County Public Defender’s office. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for July 28 at Central Court. The case remains under investigation, according to law enforcement.
Kane mother, son jailed for safe full of drugs with price list BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER
A Kane mother and son were sent to McKean County Jail following arraignments early Thursday on charges involving drugs and stolen weapons. Marily WoodfordMcMahon, 61, of 220 Haines St., and her son, Paul McMahon, 28, are both charged with altering a mark of identification and seven counts of receiving stolen property, all second-degree felonies; one count of possession with intent to deliver controlled substances, a felony; five counts of possessing offensive weapons, first-degree misdemeanors; one count of possession of a controlled substance and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, all misdemeanors. According to the criminal complaint, on Wednesday, state police executed a search warrant at the Haines Street residence of Woodford-McMahon, where her son was known to frequent. She was at the residence when police arrived, and McMahon showed up shortly thereafter; both were detained, police said. During the search
of the residence, drugs, paraphernalia, illegal firearms, stolen crossbows and firearms were seized, the complaint stated. Also seized was a safe containing multiple bundles of glassine bags containing suspected fentanyl, a 28-gram bag of marijuana, a scale, multiple pills inside a prescription bottle with the label peeled off, multiple marijuana smoking pipes, multiple Suboxone strip containers and a handwritten list of all the drugs and what prices they sold for, the complaint stated. Also in the safe were three sets of brass knuckles. Inside the home, police found two sawed-off shotguns, one with a barrel length of 14 inches and the other with a barrel length of 17 inches, the complaint stated. Inside WoodfordMcMahon’s bedroom police found three crossbows, a 12 gauge shotgun, a .308 rifle with a brown stock and scope, a single shot .22 rifle and an SCCY 9 MM Model CPX-2TTRD, all of which had been reported stolen through the Kane Borough Police Department, the complaint stated.
Also during the bedroom search, multiple small bags of marijuana for personal use were located, along with paraphernalia. When McMahon was taken into custody, he was searched and found to be in possession of a bag of methamphetamine, a clear plastic bag consistent with those used to package narcotics and bulk currency that was bundled with rubber bands, the complaint stated. During an interview by police, WoodfordMcMahon said all the marijuana located in the room was hers, the complaint stated. Both were arraigned before on-call District Judge Rich Luther and remanded to jail in lieu of $400,000 bail each. Preliminary hearings are scheduled for Aug. 4 in Central Court.
Photo Provided Penn Highlands Healthcare is opening the Stern Center for Behavioral Health early this fall.
Penn Highlands to open state-of-the-art Center for Behavioral Health
DuBOIS — Penn Highlands Healthcare is opening the Stern Center for Behavioral Health. Located at Penn Highlands DuBois East, this new $22 million hospital offers inpatient and outpatient therapeutic care to help children and adolescents manage their emotions and deal with life situations. A staff of licensed professionals develops individualized and structured treatment plans using a multidisciplinary approach to address the unique behavioral health needs of children and adolescents. In addition, the new Center will offer addiction medicine, and expanded outpatient behavioral health services for adults. The building is designed to keep patients safe and comfortable. Features include a total of 44 child and adolescent beds; private inpatient rooms; a safe, secure and supportive environment; private
and separate inpatient and outpatient entrances; walk-in clinic for children, adolescents and adults in crisis. (Opening late 2022); Outpatient Center for counseling and assessment for mild to severe behavioral health conditions; comfortable Group Therapy rooms; and a courtyard and several atriums that provide a tranquil environment. Areas designed especially for children include play therapy rooms, a functional gym for physical exercise, sensory stimulation room, seclusion room, classroom and a cafeteria for group dining. “The need for behavioral health services for children and adolescents has never been greater,” said John Sutika, president of Penn Highlands DuBois. “At Penn Highlands Healthcare, we recognize the importance of providing the care that these children and teens require in order
to better cope with the situations they face and to be mentally, emotionally and behaviorally prepared for daily living.” In remarks during an Open House on Monday, Sutika thanked David Stern, president and CEO of Paris Companies, for his philanthropic gift which helped make the new Stern Center for Behavioral Health in DuBois a reality. This Stern Center for Behavioral Health is expected to start welcoming patients early this fall. The next phase of this project, which will total $39 million, includes the addition of 22 adult beds, an eight-bed high acuity unit and renovation of the existing 20 beds on the second floor for the substance abuse treatment unit. When the project is completed, the Penn Highlands Stern Center for Behavioral Health will offer a total of 118 child, adolescent and adult beds in the Penn Highlands Stern Center for Behavioral Health in DuBois.
Pennsylvania casinos reach new record for gambling revenue
HARRISBURG (AP) — Casinos and other operators in Pennsylvania set a new annual record for gambling revenue, state regulators said Tuesday, rising above $5 billion for the first time amid surging betting on online casino games and a post-pandemic return to the casinos’ slot machines and table games. Operators in one of the nation’s largest commercial casino states won more than $5 billion from gamblers in the 12 months through June 30, according to the figures from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board That was about 30% higher than the $3.9 billion recorded in the previous fiscal year, and slightly above the previous calendar year high of $4.7 billion reported in January.
The rebound continues after pandemic-related shutdowns sapped casino revenue in 2020. The casino winnings came from 16 casinos, including four new minicasinos authorized under a 2017 law, as well as fantasy sports operators and truck stops. Revenue in casinos from slot machines grew to $2.4 billion and from table games to above $1 billion. Online gambling, in just its fourth year, grew again to pass $1.2 billion. Sports
betting, in just its fifth year, added $325 million in revenue. Pennsylvania legalized both sports betting and online gambling as part of an aggressive gambling expansion in 2017. Pennsylvania has been neck-and-neck with New Jersey for No. 2 in commercial casino revenue behind Nevada, according to figures compiled by the American Gaming Association. Pennsylvania is No. 1 in tax revenue from gambling, according to the association’s figures.
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AUGUST 2, 2022
New judge assigned in 2018 Nuzzo homicide by vehicle case BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER
A new judge has been assigned to the 2018 homicide by vehicle case against former Kane attorney Marc Nuzzo. In the case that was filed in March of 2019, Nuzzo, 45, now of Martinsburg, W.Va., is charged with causing the Sept. 5, 2018, head-on collision on U.S. Route 219 near Mead Run Road that claimed the life of Stanley “Guy” Austin. Nuzzo has been out on $100,000 bail since his arrest on March 29, 2019. The case, which remains ongoing in McKean County Court, had been before Senior Judge John B. Leete from Potter County. Leete has retired from senior judge status, and the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts has named Senior Judge Edward D. Reibman of Lehigh County to hear the case. McKean County’s judges, President Judge John Pavlock and Judge Christopher Hauser, had recused themselves from the case in 2019. Since the case was filed in the McKean County Court of Common Pleas, defense counsel James P. Miller has filed numerous motions asking for extensions of time, a motion to disqualify McKean County District Attorney Stephanie
Vettenburg-Shaffer from prosecuting the case, appeals to the Superior Court and to the state Supreme Court, as well as other motions filed under seal and motions seeking to have Nuzzo declared incompetent to stand trial. Leete denied the motion, and ruled Nuzzo was fit to stand trial. The docket also noted that the prosecution has attempted to schedule the case on several occasions for hearings or status conferences and to identify trial dates. At two different times, Shaffer has sought sanctions against Miller for delays in the case. There appears to be one appeal still under consideration in the Pennsylvania Superior Court, from a sealed order issued May 20, 2021. Co-counsel is listed as attorney Christopher Martini of St. Marys. Last month, Shaffer filed a request to list the case for trial.
A status conference with Reibman has been set for 2:30 p.m. Aug. 2 using online conferencing. According to police, at 8:37 p.m. Sept. 5, 2018, a Jeep Compass driven by Nuzzo was traveling south on Route 219 when it crossed the double-yellow line and accelerated, attempting to pass a tractor-trailer that was also traveling south. When Nuzzo’s Jeep was in the northbound lane, it struck head-on a northbound Ford Escape driven by Austin, containing five passengers. After the impact, the Escape caught fire. Passing motorists stopped to help the people from the burning SUV, according to the criminal complaint. Austin, 53, died 15 days later from injuries sustained in the crash. Several of his passengers at the time of the crash suffered serious injuries, the complaint noted. Nuzzo is charged with homicide by vehicle and three counts of aggravated assault by vehicle, third-degree felonies; involuntary manslaughter, a firstdegree misdemeanor; six counts of recklessly endangering another person, second-degree misdemeanors; and seven summary traffic offenses.
Casey announces over $5 million for Northwestern PA airports WASHINGTON — Tuesday, U.S. Senator Bob Casey, D-Pa., announced over $5 million in federal funding for Northwestern Pennsylvania airports. Erie International Airport is receiving $5,020,986 to reconstruct its taxiway and Bradford Regional Airport is receiving $150,000 to improve its parking lot. Both projects will improve airport safety and passenger experience while creating jobs in Northwestern PA and supporting tourism in the PA Wilds region. “Pennsylvania’s airports connect us
to each other and the rest of the world. When we upgrade them, we improve air travel and support economic growth in the Commonwealth. I look forward to seeing the improvements these projects will make for Erie International Airport and Bradford Regional Airport and I will continue to bring infrastructure investments to Northwestern Pennsylvania to support economic development in the region,” said Casey. This investment is made possible through funding provided in the Fiscal Year 2022
federal spending bill for the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program. Erie International Airport has already received $1.4 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, bringing the total federal investment to over $6.4 million since Dec. 2021. Bradford Regional Airport has already received $295,000 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, bringing the total federal investment to $445,000 since Dec. 2021.
BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER
to help as well. County aid applications were approved for Bradford Township for $8,532.76 for road paving and road projects; Kane Borough for $5,686.52 to encumber for future use; Foster Township for $8,366.66 for anti-skid for winter maintenance; Smethport Borough for $2,906.60 for future use; Corydon Township for $982.79 road repairs to Stickney Trail and Yohe Road; Lafayette Township for $4,308.79 for paving Fairway Drive; Mount Jewett Borough for $1,593.82 for winter maintenance/ snow removal; Wetmore Township for $4,624.24; and Hamlin Township for $2,148.25 for winter maintenance material. The commissioners also approved projects under the Phase One Recovery grants from the American Recovery Program. Funds were approved as follows: Bradford Regional Airport, $50,000, for state and federal aviation projects; Eldred Senior Center, $5,696, for projects to enhance
appearance and increase attendance; McKean County Fair Association, $86,500 for a master plan, engineering, grange building renovation and technology; McKean County Historical Society, $17,000, for safety updates, security, interactive tours and collection preservation; McKean County Industrial Development Council, $300,000, for a revolving loan fund; and Port Allegany Senior Center 50+ Club, $12,000, for a covered outdoor area with a grill and seating, covered entrance, update refrigerator and a computer station. In other business, the commissioners approved the sale of several properties from the McKean County Repository, and a series of Department of Human Services agreements. The next meeting will be on Aug. 23 at 10 a.m. The next meeting, normally held the second Tuesday of the month, will be canceled because the commissioners will be away at a conference.
Commissioners approve grants, honor Marasco
The McKean County commissioners held a moment of silence at the beginning of Tuesday’s meeting in memory of attorney Joe Marasco, who passed away recently. Commissioner Chairman Tom Kreiner said Marasco had served with the public defender’s office in juvenile matters. The majority of the meeting was spent approving county aid applications and grants from the American Recovery Program, the first of which was aimed at helping Bradford’s soup kitchen. The commissioners unanimously approved a $10,000 grant for emergency food shortage relief to the Friendship Table, to be spent on food. Earlier this month, the Table’s manager had explained that with inflation and more people facing financial hardship, the soup kitchen’s shelves were becoming bare. Community groups have undertaken drives
Pennsylvanians encouraged to fight the bite, protect themselves from mosquitoes HARRISBURG — Summertime is for swimming pools and lemonade, not for mosquito bites and diseases like West Nile Virus, so the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is encouraging residents to Fight the Bite and protect themselves. “The best parts of summer aren’t itchy bites and being sick, so we want people to protect themselves from mosquitoes and mosquito-borne illnesses,” said Acting DEP Secretary Ramez Ziadeh. “It doesn’t take much to Fight the Bite and protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes. Common sense and insect repellent can go a long way towards a safe and happy summer.” One human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) has already been reported in Pennsylvania this year. Symptoms of WNV in humans are typically like those of a mild flu, but the virus can lead to a more serious condition that includes swelling of the brain, muscle convulsions, coma, paralysis and death. Since DEP first began monitoring for the virus in 2000 there have been 48 fatal cases of West Nile Virus in Pennsylvania. There are many things people can do to protect themselves from mosquitoes. Eliminate standing, stagnant water near your home – bird baths, kiddie pools and other
outdoor decorations can be mosquito breeding grounds if the water sits for a few days. Keep gutters clean of debris. Wear insect repellent or long sleeves when mosquitoes are active, usually around dawn and dusk. Repair window screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home. Clean up litter in your neighborhood. Just a single cap from a plastic bottle can be home to 300 mosquito eggs. “Standing water is where mosquitoes breed, and it doesn’t take much for mosquitoes to lay eggs,” said Jennifer Stough, water program specialist for DEP’s Vector Management Program. “Mosquitoes are weak flyers and won’t travel far from where they are born – if there are mosquitoes in your backyard or neighborhood, they are likely laying eggs there as well. If you’re being bitten by mosquitoes, they are 9 times out of 10 coming from your property. Get rid of even small amounts of standing water around your home.” Use of commonly sold insect repellents, like those using DEET, Picaridin, or other EPA-registered repellents, can also cut down on mosquito bites, and possible exposure to the virus. Long pants and sleeves are also an important way to cut down on possible exposure to
mosquitoes. “With the right precautions it’s possible to be safe and still get all of the physical and mental health benefits that having fun outdoors provides,” Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. DEP conducts regular surveillance and control to manage mosquito populations around the state. As of July 15, DEP and county vector programs have detected 68 WNVinfected mosquito pools in 19 counties. DEP and county partners throughout the state will also conduct routine, localized spraying to control infected adult populations of mosquitoes. These operations are conducted when and where deemed necessary based on recent population survey results. “Control operations are a strong tool, but they are not a substitute for preventive measures like eliminating standing, stagnant water,” said Stough. DEP will continue to survey affected communities to monitor mosquito activity and WNV. DEP biologists have initiated a survey of the mosquito population to determine the risk for further human illness. If necessary, adult mosquito populations will be reduced. These efforts will continue through October.
Entries sought for McKean County Fair
E A S T SMETHPORT — The 116th McKean County Fair is being held August 14 through 20, at the Fairgrounds in East Smethport. A variety of entertainment and ground acts, as well as carnival rides will be there. Anyone interested in entering livestock, produce, homemade goods, photography, art work or a variety
of other items can make a fair entry. The deadline to make entries for the McKean County Fair is Friday, July 29. Entries can be submitted online at the Fair’s website, www. m c k e a n c o u n t y f a i r. net, in person at the fair office or via US Mail to McKean County Fair Office, P.O. Box 40, East Smethport, PA 16730. All entry forms must
be submitted by 5 p.m. on the 29th. The fair office will be open the week of July 15 through 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Entries mailed via post office must be postmarked no later than the 29th. For questions, or more information call the fair office at (814) 887-5361 during business hours.
Kane man jailed for burglary, theft of weapons BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER
A Kane man is in McKean County Jail for allegedly stealing weapons, running from police and refusing to tell police where the stolen weapons are located. Ryan T. Bray, 32, is charged with burglary, a firstdegree felony; five counts of theft by unlawful taking, second-degree felonies; criminal trespass — breaking into a structure, a second-degree felony; and flight to avoid apprehension, a thirddegree felony. According to the criminal complaint, at just before 10 a.m. on Sunday, a Kane homeowner flagged down a Kane policeman and asked him to meet him at a convenience store. The officer did, and the man said his house had been broken into and five firearms and three crossbows were taken. The man told police he believed that Bray had done it, as he was known to them and had broken into their home when the resident and his wife were sleeping. The police officer followed the couple home. Bray was in a bedroom in the upstairs of the
residence. When asked where the guns were, he said he had stolen them. He tried to force the door closed on the resident, but when he was unable to, he “turned around and jumped out of his second story bedroom window. He ran into the woods towards the railroad tracks,” the complaint stated. The officer asked state police to assist with apprehending him, the complaint stated. Troopers saw Bray at one point and ordered him to stop, but he did
not comply. He was apprehended at 1:34 p.m. that day at the Kwik Fill on Fraley Street, according to the complaint. While in custody, Bray refused to disclose to police the location of the stolen weapons, the complaint stated. He was arraigned Sunday afternoon before District Judge David Engman and remanded to jail in lieu of $300,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Central Court on Thursday.