9 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 by Rob Hinkal Photography The ANF nearly closed the Twin Lakes Rec. Area in Wilcox. That is until Laura Funaki stepped up and saved it. Pictured from left are Teressa Walker, Laurie Storrar, Laura Funaki, Louise Avery, Laura Lynch, Paul Prencipe (members of the Friends of Twin Lakes board).
Wilcox woman who saved Twin Lakes from closure receives PA Wilds award
KANE — The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc. (PA Wilds Center) would like to congratulate the recipients of the 2022 Champions of the PA Wilds Awards. The winners were honored at the 2022 PA Wilds Dinner & Awards, which was held July 28, 2022, at Bald Birds Brewing in Jersey Shore, Lycoming County. The Champion of the Pennsylvania Wilds Awards celebrate individuals, groups, organizations, communities and businesses that in the last year have made significant contributions to help grow and sustainably develop the outdoor recreation economy and nature tourism
in the Pennsylvania Wilds in a way that creates jobs, diversifies local economies, inspires stewardship and improves quality of life. There are nine award categories open for public nominations each year. The region’s county governments, visitor bureaus and many local organizations participate in the effort, along with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Department of C o m m u n i t y and Economic Development. Laura Funaki, president of the Friends of Twin Lakes board in Wilcox (Elk County), received the 2022 PA Wilds
Champion Award for Great Places. Due to capacity and budget restraints, the Allegheny National Forest was originally going to close Twin Lakes Recreation Area. Friends of Twin Lakes saved the area and is now bringing in guests every weekend during camping and travel season. The award was presented by Nathan Reigner, PhD, DCNR’s Director of Outdoor Recreation. “The 2022 Champions are a slate of outstanding community members and organizations that make an enormous contribution to the vitality of our region. We are so proud to be able to honor these deserving individuals and organizations for their efforts at the
first PA Wilds Dinner & Awards banquet to take place in nearly three years,” said Beth Pellegrino, PA Wilds Center Board Member and Outreach Committee chair. Also receiving awards this year include the following; Dan McGinley, AJ Dereume and Jory Serrian from the Inner Circle of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club received the 2022 PA Wilds Champion Award for Event of the Year. Carol Ann Simon Cillo, a fine artist serving Lock Haven (Clinton County) who works primarily with ceramics and acrylics, received the 2022 PA Wilds Champion Award for Artisan of the Year. Ron and Teresa
Kodish, organizers of the Smoked Country Jam Bluegrass Festival in Cross Fork (Clinton County), received the 2022 PA Wilds Champion Award for Best Brand Ambassador. Andrea Skirpan and Brian Bonner, co-owners of Belle Mercantile in Bellefonte (Centre County), received the 2022 PA Wilds Champion Award for Business of the Year. Dale Luthringer, an Environmental Education Specialist for Cook Forest State Park, received the 2022 PA Wilds Champion Award for Conservation Stewardship. Lu Ann Potter, one of the founders of Project Coffee House in Clinton County and now Project Nature
C.A.M.P. in Lycoming County, accepts the 2022 PA Wilds Champion Award for Inspiring Youth. Glenn Vernon and Claudia Albertin, architects who collaborated on The Gamble Mill in Bellefonte (Centre County), accept the 2022 PA Wilds Champion Award for Great Design. Katie de Silva, vice chair of the PA Wilds Planning Team and planner for Clinton County, received the 2022 PA Wilds Champion Award for Member of the Year. Meredith Hill, who has been involved with the Pennsylvania Wilds since its inception roughly 20 years ago, was chosen as the recipient of the 2022 PA Wilds Champion Award for Outstanding Leader.
Pa. aims to fight robocalls by joining McKean County Conservation task force that would sue scammers District holds electronics collection
Tired of annoying robocalls? Pennsylvania is joining a new task force that aims to help reduce the number that you receive. State attorney general Josh Shapiro announced earlier today that Pennsylvania has joined an AntiRobocall Litigation Task Force. The task force, made up of 50 attorneys general, aims to investigate and take legal action against telecommunications companies responsible for bringing a majority of foreign robocalls into the United States. “Robocall scammers are relentless,” Shapiro
said in a press release. “The best way for us to fight back against them is by working together to track their behavior across the country. I’m dedicated to doing all that I can do to ensure these calls stop plaguing Pennsylvanians.” According to the press release, the task force has issued civil investigative demands to 20 gateway providers and other entities that are allegedly responsible for a majority of foreign robocall traffic. These providers, the group argues, are not taking sufficient action to stop these kinds of calls and in some
cases appear to be intentionally ignoring them in return for steady revenue. Over 33 million scam robocalls are made to Americans every day, according to the National Consumer Law Center and Electronic Privacy Information Center. These calls include people pretending to be Social Security Administrators, A m a z o n representatives and more. It’s estimated that $29.8 billion dollars was stolen via scam calls in 2021. To help protect yourself from robocall scammers: • Be wary of callers
who specifically ask you to pay by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. • Watch out for prerecorded calls from imposters posing as government agencies. • If you suspect fraudulent activity, immediately hang-up and do not provide any personal information. • You can report any and all suspicious robocalls to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection by visiting OAG’s website, emailing scams@ attorneygeneral.gov, or calling 800-441-2555.
LEWIS RUN — The McKean County Conservation District hosted an electronic and household hazardous waste collection on July 28 at the Bradford Airport. In response, there were 250 vehicles at the event with over 30,000 lbs. of electronics and 8,000 lbs. of household hazardous waste collected. The Conservation District worked with Noble Environmental, an industry leading environmental services company headquartered in Pittsburgh. The collection was set up as a drive-thru electronic and household
hazardous waste event. Originally scheduled from 3 to 7 p.m., due to the overwhelming response, the timeframe was extended from 2 to 7 p.m., with each time slot triple booked. This was done to help as many McKean County residents properly dispose of their electronics and household hazardous waste. “A special thank you to the Bradford Regional Airport for allowing us to use their facility for the event,” expressed a representative of the McKean County Conservation District. “Look for more recycling events in 2023.”
AUGUST 9, 2022
PennDOT closing Rte. 4017 for 6 weeks
CLEARFIELD — The Pennsylvania Department of Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n (PennDOT) announced that its Potter County Maintenance Division will close Route 4017 (Sunny Side Road) Monday, August 15 and implement a detour using Route 44 and Route 1009 (Bell Run Road). PennDOT expects the work to
take approximately six weeks. The closure allows maintenance crews to replace the deck surface of a bridge spanning a branch of Oswayo Creek in Shinglehouse Borough near the entrance to the Shinglehouse Assembly Park. The 12-foot bridge is weight posted for 15 tons for single and combination vehicles.
Replacing the deck surface will allow PennDOT to lift those postings and improve the structure’s overall rating from “poor” to “good.” PennDOT’s Potter County Maintenance Division will complete all work associated with this project and may reopen the bridge sooner if work progress allows. All work is weather dependent.
Bradford native publishes book of personal essays
Ann Hajdu Hultberg, a longtime Bradford resident and retired English teacher, has published a book of personal essays titled “Something to Hold on To, Stories of Courage, Perseverance, and Love.” In her book, Hultberg addresses a wide range of personal, poignant and light-hearted topics: her father’s difficult and dangerous escape from Soviet-controlled Hungary in 1956; the year her daughter, as a young teenager, thought everything family related was so uncool; her sonin-law’s confusion when she offered him a “little blue pill,” which he later learned was a Tylenol PM; and her seeking refuge in her bedroom closet as a way to deal with anger, distress or embarrassment. The book can be purchased from Hultberg, who will sign copies, by contacting her at ashes21@atlanticbb. net. She also will sign copies from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Main Street Mercantile. Books are also available for purchase at bookbaby.com under the bookshop tab. Amazon and Barnes & Noble are taking pre-orders with a shipping date of Sept. 7. Writing the book was a labor of love for Hultberg, who, for the past four years, had been writing these stories, many of which appeared separately in various publications. However, she had no intention of assembling them into a collection until her friends encouraged her to do so. “Each chapter includes stories of the things we hold on to,” Hultberg said, “whether it’s an actual object like rosary beads or a prayer card, or intangible things such as love, our realizations, or a sense of humor. It’s what we hold
on to through both good times and bad. “The stories are my perspective of the values learned in growing up in Bradford, of being raised by a father who escaped the Soviet Invasion, and how those experiences affected me. My hope is that you will both laugh and cry at these poignant moments we experience in life.” In the first essay “Something to Hold on To,” Hultberg writes of her father, his twomonth journey escaping from Soviet-controlled Hungary, and his death from an aneurysm 38 years later. As her father lay dying, Hultberg’s mother tucked into his folded hands the prayer card he had carried with him the night he escaped Hungary. When he died, Hultberg took the prayer card out of her father’s hands. “I carry it with me every Christmas Eve,” Hultberg writes, “as a reminder of dad’s struggle and gratitude for freedom.” In “Ashes to Ashes,” Hultberg writes of her beloved dog, Ashes, a Shih Tzu and poodle mix who lived with the family for 19 years, and how difficult it was to let
her go. “The first time I held her, I rubbed her small, wet nose and new soft fur as black as my onyx ring against my cheek, which puffed out in a smile. … The last time I held her, 19 years later … I rubbed her small, dry nose and bristly fun, now a mountain pine gray, against my wet cheek.” “I witnessed loved ones passing away, but nothing prepared me for the death of a furry family member, where we spent every day, almost 7,000 of them, together.” Hultberg, who born in Buffalo, N.Y., grew up in Bradford and is a 1976 graduate of Bradford Area High School. A graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and St. Bonaventure University, she spent 34 years teaching English at Limestone and Allegany school districts in New York state. She also taught composition and was a studentteacher supervisor at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. She and her husband, Ken, live in Bradford. Their daughter, Tess, is all grown up, married and no longer embarrassed by her parents.
Photo Submitted Annual Kiwanis Club’s trauma doll distribution was held on Wednesday across the Bradford area. From left are Kira Schine, YMCA Associate Child Care Director; Lori Johnson, President, Kiwanis Club of Bradford; Amanda Brinker, BRMC ER Manager; David Monroe, BRMC CAO.
Area agencies receive Trauma Dolls from Kiwanis Club The Kiwanis Club of Bradford is once again distributing trauma dolls to area agencies and the local hospital to assist providers in helping children cope in difficult situations. The blank dolls are packaged with crayons for children to draw on to express their emotions or to describe where they are in pain or where they hurt. Each child keeps their doll to hug for comfort. The program began in 2016 with the distribution of 100 dolls and has continued annually ever since. The overwhelming response led to the request of another 52 dolls this year. Kiwanis Club members and friends cut, sewed, stuffed, and
Department of Human Services, YWCA Victims Resource Center, as well as BRMC’s Emergency Department, pediatrics, First Step Medical Clinic, and others. The program helps Kiwanis meet the objective of “Serving the Children of the World.” Agencies that would be able to use these dolls can contact the Kiwanis Club of Bradford for more information.
Mt. Jewett Swedish Festival August 12TH, 13TH, 14TH, 2022 Friday
6:00pm - Opening Ceremony - “Crowning of the Swedish Festival Royalty” - Center Street Stage 6:00pm - 8:00pm - Axe Throwing with Forest Carlson Lot beside the Post Office 6:00pm-9:00pm - Caricature Artist - Eric Jones, Center Street 6:00pm-9:00pm - Leif Ericson Viking Ship ‘Noresman’, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Lawn 6:00pm-10:00pm - Phantom Entertainment Services, Center Street 7:00pm - Coloring Contest Winners, Center Street Stage 7:30pm - 8:00pm - Prince and Princess Contest, Center Stage 8:00pm - 9:00pm - Pun-Off, Center Street Stage 9:00pm - 1:00am - McDee Jay, Mt. Jewett Firehall 9:30pm - 11:30pm - Dan Roche Acoustic, Center Street Stage
6:00pm-6:30pm- Jr. King & Jr. Queen Contest, Center Street Stage 6:00pm-8:00pmAxe Throwing with Forest Carlson, Lot beside the Post Office 6:00pm-4:00pm - Leif Ericson Viking Ship ‘Norseman’, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Lawn 6:00pm - 10:00pm - Phantom Entertainment Services, Center Street 6:30pm - 7:30pm - Alberta’s Pie Auction & Winner Announcement, Center Street Stage 9:00pm - 11:30pm - Glow Party with DJ Scottie Smith, Center Street 9:00pm - 1:00am - County Lines, Mt. Jewett Firehall 9:30pm - Fireworks sponsored by Georgia-Pacific, Center Street
Sunday
8:00am Check In - Kinzua Bridge Challenge - Kinzua Bridge 10K-5K - 2mile walk-1mile fun walk. Sign up at wolfcreektrackclub.com. Bib chip timing! Noon - Announcement of the Pet Contest Winners Memorial Gazebo Noon - 12:30pm - Pet & Bike Parade Registration, Memorial Gazebo, Pet 8:00-12:00pm - Breakfast at the Mt. Jewett Veterans Memorial Club. & Bike Parade to start at 12:30 Sponsored by the Smethport Trap Team 9:00am - Children’s Bike Race - Former Keystone Building - Sponsored by Noon - 1:30pm - Kimber and Silver Fox Center Street Stage Noon - 2:00pm - Grace Notes Studio, Heritage Park Gazebo the Mt. Jewett Area Ambulance Association 10:30am - 11:00am - Alberta’s Pie Contest Entry - Drop-Off Center Street Noon - 4:00pm - Axe Throwing with Forest Carlson Lot Beside the Post Office Borough Building 11:00am - 1:00pm - Axe Throwing with Forest Carlson, Lot beside the Noon - 5:00pm - Phantom Entertainment Services, Center Street Noon - 6:00 pm - Leif Ericson Viking Ship ‘Norseman’, St. Mattew’s Post Office 11:00am - 1:00pm - Swedish Meatball Contest - Heritage Park Gazebo Lutheran Church 1:00pm - Viking Ship Races, Main Street 11:00am-1:00pm - Nebo Chapel Open House - Nebo Chapel 1:00pm - 3:00pm - Family Crafts - ALL ages Welcome! St. Matthew’s 11:00am-1:00pm- Family Crafts - ALL Ages Welcome! St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Lawn Lutheran Church Lawn 2:00pm - Human Foosball, Mt. Jewett Community Park 11:00am-2:00pm-Swedish/American Smorgasbord, St. Matthew’s 2:00pm - Ice Cream Eating Contest, Lick N Sip Lutheran Church 2:00pm - 3:30pm - John Meade, Center Stage 11:00am-3:00pm-Caricature Artist-Eric Jones, Center Street Noon-2:00pm - Children’s Cornhole Game, Library Backyard, Sponsored 2:00pm - 4:00pm - CNK Face Painting Center Street 4:00pm - Softball Game - Old Timers vs. Youngsters, Mt. Jewett by the Library Community Park Noon-4:00pm- Patrick Moffett Memorial Car Show - 10am-12pm 4:00pm - 5:00pm - Family Feud, in front of Center Street Stage registration, Mt. Jewett Firehall Lower Parking Lot 5:00pm - 6:00pm - J.I.M. Band, Center Street Stage Noon-4:00pm - Leif Ericson Viking Ship ‘Norseman’, St. Matthew’s 6:00pm - Closing Ceremonies - Center Street Stage, Raffle Winners AnLutheran Church Lawn nounced, Baby Contest Winner Announced, Swedish Meatball Contest Noon-5:00pm- Phantom Entertainment Services, Center Street Winner Announced, Crowing of the Swedish Festival Teen Queen Noon-sold out- Chicken BBQ, Mt. Jewett Firehall 12:30pm-Maypole Dance, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Lawn 1:00pm - 2:30pm - Miss McKean County Fair Queen & Candidates Talent Showcase, Center Street Stage 1:00-3:00pm - The Viking Challenge Games, Lot beside the Post Office 9:15am Saturday - Seventh Day Adventist Church 8:30am Sunday - Hazel Hurst United Methodist Church 1:00pm - 4pm - CNK Face Painting, Center Street 9:15am Sunday - Seventh-Day Adventist Church 3:00pm - 4:30pm - Brianna Blankenship, Center Street Stage 3:00pm - 5:00pm Axe Throwing with Forest Carlson, Lot beside the Post 9:30am Sunday - Kushequa Union Church 9:30am Sunday - St. Matthews Lutheran Church Held at Nebo Chapel Office 11:00am Sunday - Westline Community Church 4:00-6:00pm- Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides, Old Elementary School 11:15am Sunday - Mt. Jewett United Methodist Church Yard 6:00pm Sunday - Mt. Jewett Assembly of God 5:00pm -Parade sponsored by Seneca Resources Company, LLC
Saturday
Sew Much More 2nd Annual
Prices range from $50-$500
packaged the dolls for distribution. Agencies previously receiving the dolls include the YMCA preschool program, Bradford City Police, Bradford and Foster Township Police, along with the Bradford City Fire Department Ambulance, Bradford Area School District, Children’s Advocacy Center of McKean County, McKean County
Trunk Show
Cash & Carry, Bridal Inventory Reduction Making room for new gowns!
Church Services
Saturday, Aug. 13th from 10:00am to 3:00pm
One of a Kind • Dozens of Dresses |Sizes 2-26 • Various Styles & Colors
127 N. Main Street • Coudersport, PA | 814-335-8681 Tue, Thu & Fri 9am-5pm • Wed 9am-3pm or by Appointment
Sweden Valley Manor
Outpatient Therapy
OPEN HOUSE Tuesday, August 16 Drop in between 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm 1028 E 2nd St Coudersport PA Meet & Greet
|
Tour therapy gym
Appetizers & Refreshments Swedenvalleymanor.com
814-274-7610
Door Prizes Chair Massages by Bare Beauty Studio
n s
y
,
s e e
AUGUST 9, 2022
3
Welcome
to
the
116th
Annual
McKean County Fair MONDAY, AUGUST 15TH - SATURDAY, AUGUST 20TH, 2022
Enjoy the fair!
THANK YOU SPONSORS
Real Estate | Estate & Wills | Family Law Criminal Law | Oil & Gas Lease Negotiation
For making this page possible!
814-642-5133
Olson & Tenglund
112 N. Main St. Coudersport, PA (814) 274-8881
219 N. Main St., Port Allegany
2022 United Steelworkers ANNUAL CLAMBAKE Saturday, Sept. 1 7 t h at Noon
Have Fun At the Fair! ‘
• Flurries • Shakes • Sundaes • Flavored Cones OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 11AM - 10PM
95 Marivn Street
Hardware
814-887-2582
SUPERMARKET
$10 A PERSON, BRING A FRIEND!
d
ENJOY
SMETHPORT, PA
Enjoy the Fair!
THE FAIR
HEALTHCARE & REHABILITATION
15 West Willow Street Smethport, PA 16749
HAMLIN BANK AND TRUST COMPANY www . hamlinbank . com
The bank ThaT Takes care of iTs cusTomers 671 E. Main St. With Offices in: Bradford, PA Smethport • Kane •
814-368-5555
ROLL ON INTO TRI-COUNTY TIRE FOR HOT SUMMER DEALS!
155 East St. • Smethport, PA • 814.887.5100
H artle -t arbox Funeral Homes, Inc.
LAKEVIEW 814.887.5716
Delicious fast food sandwiches and deep fried foods!
Have Fun at the Fair!
The USW Local 10-0607, will be hosting our annual clambake at the
Keating Sportsman Club 9737 Rte 46 Smethport, PA
303 N. Main St. Port Allegany, PA 814-642-2517
Large choice of soft serve treats..
Costa’s
• Food • Drinks • Raffles
r
400 W. Main St. Smethport, PA (814) 887-7777
Mt. Jewett • Eldred • Bradford
“Two locations to serve all your funeral home needs”
SMETHPORT Sports Boosters
Stephen F. Tarbox, Supv. Smethport, PA
814-887-5565
Robert J. Hartle, Supv. Port Allegany, PA
814-642-2621
McKean County Fair MONDAY, AUG. 15th SATURDAY, AUG. 20TH, 2022
School Bus Contractor Full Service Garage Work
Have Fun at the Fair!
814-887-5811 81 EAST VALLEY ROAD SMETHPORT, PA 16749 AFTER HOURS: 814-887-5473 | 814-366-0965
BUCHANAN BROTHERS’ PHARMACY, INC.
WWW.MCKEANCOUNTYFAIR.NET MONDAY, August 15th
TUESDAY, August 16th
Pre-Registration Exhibits Accepted..................9:00-12:00 PM 4-H Livestock Weigh-in ........................................ 12:00 PM Pet Show ................................................................ 1:00 PM Judging of Exhibits ................................................ 1:00 PM Rabbit Judging ...................................................... 1:00 PM Sunshine Shows Amusements .....................5:30-10:00 PM Grand Parade ......................................................... 7:00 PM Mounted Shooting................................................. 7:30 PM Four Alumni Queens ....................................... 8:00-10:00 PM
4-H/Open Horse Show ......................................... 10:00 AM 4-H/Open Dairy Show........................................... 10:00 AM Sunshine Shows Amusements .....................5:30-10:00 PM 4-H Pony Rides....................................................... 6:30 PM Take 3.............................................................6:00-9:00 PM Tyler Caulken..................................................7:00-9:00 PM Jeep Obstacle Course............................................. 7:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, August 17th
THURSDAY, August 18th
4-H/Open Judging for Swine, Beef and Sheep....... 8:00 AM 4-H Open Goat Show Sunshine Shows Amusements .....................5:30-10:00 PM Minature Horse Pull ............................................... 6:00 PM Brianna Blankenship......................................6:00-9:00 PM Senior Livestock Showmanship Challenge............. 6:00 PM Talent Contest ........................................................ 7:00 PM Drag Races ............................................................. 7:30 PM
Horse & Pony Judging ......................................... 10:00 AM Tami Johnson, Joe Rolick & John Moore Music.....1:00-2:00 PM Sunshine Shows Amusement.......................2:00-10:00 PM 4-H Livestock Sale .................................................. 6:30 PM Tami Johnson, Joe Rolick & John Moore Music.....5:00-7:00 PM Hannon’s Remedy..........................................6:00-9:00 PM Tractor Pull ............................................................. 7:30 PM Barn Dance...................................................9:00-11:00 PM
SPCA DAY
Caring for you and about you. Professional CBD Products at ALL 5 LOCATIONS 5 Convenient Main Street Locations Coudersport 274-8660
oy nj
Smethport Westfield 887-5375
Eldred
367-2327
225-4723
th e fa ir
!
E
Elkland
258-7332
ENERGY DAY
VETERANS DAY
FRIDAY, August 19th 625 North Union Street Olean, NY • 716-372-8888 Mon-Fri 7:30am – 5pm, Sat 8am – 12pm 11 Buckler Drive & Route 6 Roulette, PA • 814-544-7543 Mon-Fri 8am – 5pm, Sat 8am – 12pm
WWW.CLOSESLUMBER.COM
PEPSI FAMILY DAY
Pepsi Family Day Events......................................... 12:00 PM Touch a Truck .................................................1:00 -5:00 PM 4-HPony Rides........................................................ 3:00 PM Sunshine Shows Amusement.......................1:00-10:00 PM Goat Obstacle Course & Animal Dress Up................4:30 PM Queen’s Coronation Contest .................................. 5:00 PM Queen’s Coronation Celebration ............................ 7:30 PM JD Casper with Darkwater Duo .....................8:00-11:00 PM
SENIOR CITIZENS DAY
SATURDAY, August 20th FIRE PREVENTION DAY
Demonstrations by Local Fire Departments.....11:00-5:00 PM Sunshine Shows Amusement.................... NOON-10:00 PM Karaoke Contest ..................................................... 1:00 PM Beautiful Baby Contest........................................... 3:00 PM Registation for Auction Items ................................. 2:00 PM Auction................................................................... 2:30 PM Demo Derby ........................................................... 6:00 PM County Lines ................................................8:00-11:00 PM Removal of Exhibits ............................................... 9:00 PM
4
AUGUST 9, 2022
Fenton’s attorney seeking to suppress all evidence in murder case BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER
Is the command “just hang with that officer” considered official police detention? Is the statement “I think I should probably get a lawyer” enough to trigger one’s right to remain silent? These are some of the questions asked by Public Defender Phil Clabaugh, the attorney for Anthony Fenton, 38, of Bradford, in a brief to support a motion to suppress evidence in a murder case against his client. Fenton is accused of assaulting Tammy Prosser on May 10, 2021, in their Main Street apartment, which led to her death two days later at Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, N.Y. While Fenton alleged that Prosser fell down the stairs, emergency responders said the injuries didn’t indicate that, as bruising on her body matched the sole of Fenton’s boot, the criminal complaint alleged. Fenton had called 9-1-1, saying that Prosser was unconscious and needed immediate help. Police responded with paramedics. Prosser was on the floor between the bed and the wall and showed no signs of life, according to testimony at the preliminary hearing. Fenton was removed from the room where she was being treated. He said he wanted to leave, but police did not allow him to leave on his own. Instead, Chief Mike Ward went outside with him. While paramedics worked on Prosser in the upstairs apartment, Fenton was kept outside on the sidewalk, first with Ward, and then with Officer
Jason Putt. Clabaugh asserted in the brief that the officers were detaining Fenton for approximately 15 minutes before taking him in handcuffs to Bradford City Police station, the motion read. While Ward told Fenton, “I just don’t know what happened yet so you have got to stay with us,” and to “just hang with that officer” while Ward went back inside, Clabaugh said it was obvious that Fenton was not free to leave. “Defendant was held at police discretion and prevented from leaving the area outside of his residence for approximately 35 minutes” before he was advised he was being detained. Calling it a “functional equivalent of an arrest,” Clabaugh argued there was “no probable cause that a crime had been committed to justify the detention.” Therefore, he argued, the detention was unlawful and all evidence and statements obtained as a result should be suppressed as a matter of law, the motion stated. Clabaugh also argued that the statements made in a subsequent interview with Ward and McKean County Detective Ryan Yingling should be suppressed as well. After Fenton was taken to the police station and held for nearly four hours, he was interviewed for nearly 2.5 hours by
Ward and Yingling, Clabaugh said. He was advised of his Miranda Rights and did sign a waiver. However, about a minute after signing the waiver, he expressed that he wasn’t sure he should, and added, “I think I should probably get a lawyer.” The attorney wrote that Yingling told Fenton it was his decision. Shortly thereafter, Fenton said he thought he should wait to see if Prosser lived or died, “because if she dies I am going to be looking at a murder charge and I am not gonna sit here and say anything to incriminate myself,” the motion read. Yet the interview continued for two more hours, Clabaugh wrote, and argued that anything that came from the interview should be suppressed. Next he addressed a search warrant for Fenton’s boots, which was served at the McKean County Jail, which is outside of the jurisdiction of the Bradford City Police. Before obtaining the warrant, Officer Putt called the Lewis Run based state police and spoke to the officer in charge, advising them of the warrant. The warrant was applied for through District Judge Bill Todd and granted, Clabaugh wrote. However, he argued, it should be suppressed because Putt did not seek consent from the state police for the warrant, he only advised them that he was seeking it. No decision had been made on the suppression motion as of Friday. Fenton remains incarcerated in McKean County Jail without bail. He is charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.
Elk Co. Fairgrounds granted $7,500; grants available for others
ST. MARYS — The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) awarded $7,500 from the Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Family Fund to the Elk County Fairgrounds. This fund is an open grant that supports worthy projects that provide services for the residents in the community. Applications for the next round of grants from this fund will be accepted through Oct. 15. The Elk County Fairgrounds received a grant with a goal to provide a smooth, paved, safer, surface for all who enter the grounds; to become ADA compliant. The grant will assist them to pave a 431-foot by 12-foot area to improve access and mobility for anyone with disabilities, and to be able to provide many entertainment options to the entire community regardless of any limitations an individual may have. The Elk County Fair benefits 6,000
people a year. The buildings and grounds are rented throughout the year for other nonprofit fundraisers, weddings, and church gatherings. Thousands of dollars in grants are currently available to 501©3 organizations, municipalities, and faith-based organizations through the Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Family Fund. If you have questions about the application process, whether or not your organization qualifies, or would like to speak to someone about a project, call the Foundation office at (814) 834-2125 or visit the Foundation website at www. elkcountyfoundation. org. The Elk County C o m m u n i t y Foundation provides the administrative and investment management services that make it easy for donors to accomplish their charitable wishes, while improving
the quality of life in our communities. The Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies is the parent company of the Elk County Community Foundation and the McKean County Community Foundation.
Gas prices drop 9 cents in a week BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER
Gas prices have come down nine cents a gallon in the past week, averaging $4.573 per gallon in Bradford. “We continue to see average gas prices falling in every state, with the national average down for the seventh straight week,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Even better, nearly 20 states have also seen their average decline to $3.99 or less, with over 70,000 stations now at that level or below,” he continued. “The outlook is for a continued drop in most areas, however, some supply tightness in areas of the Northeastern U.S. could push prices up slightly until inventories rise, or imports do. For now, Americans are seeing prices nearly 90 cents lower than their mid-June peak and are spending close to $330 million less on gasoline every day as a result. As long as oil prices hold
at these levels or lower, we’ll see another decline in most areas this week.” The average in Brookville was $4.422, in DuBois, $4.477; in Erie, $4.460; and in Warren, $4.558, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Pennsylvania was priced at $3.99 per gallon Sunday while the most expensive was $5.64 per gallon, a difference of $1.65 a gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 15.9 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.17 per gallon on Monday. The national average is down 65.5 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands $1.02 a gallon higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand increased from 8.52 million barrels per day to 9.25 million barrels per day last week. The estimated rate is 80,000 barrels per day lower than last year, but it could slow pump price decreases if the trend holds. Additionally, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 3.3 million barrels to 225.1 million barrels, signaling that higher demand reduced inventory last week. New survey data from AAA found that drivers are making significant changes to cope with high pump prices. Almost two-thirds (64%) of U.S. adults changed their driving habits or lifestyle since March, with 23% making “major changes.” Drivers’ top three changes to offset high gas prices are driving less, combining errands, and reducing shopping or dining out.
Grant funding available for environmental educational projects HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection announced that $900,000 in grant funding is available for environmental education projects. Environmental Education Grants are available to schools, colleges, nonprofit community and environmental organizations, county conservation districts, and businesses. “This grant supports environmental education projects that engage teachers, youth and residents in actions that help protect Pennsylvania’s abundant natural resources and preserve its beauty,” said DEP Acting Secretary Ramez Ziadeh. While all education project topics are considered, priority areas are water quality, climate change, and environmental justice. Project examples
include tours, demonstrations, and hands-on learning experiences, and workshops on stream monitoring, rain gardens, wetlands, green infrastructure, and other watershed stewardship; solar and other renewable energy, alternative transportation, energy conservation, and other approaches to address climate change; and improving air quality and community and municipal partnerships to address local environmental challenges. Projects in Cameron, McKean and Potter counties were awarded funds in a recent round of funding. Three programs were for conservation districts while the fourth was for a hands-on environmental education series. Projects with a local focus may receive
up to $5,000 and regional or statewide initiatives may receive up to $30,000. Projects that engage students and teachers at three levels, local, state, and national, may be awarded up to $85,000. DEP will hold a live webinar on Sept. 27, 2022, from noon to 1:30 p.m. regarding this grant funding. Program staff will review the application process, offer tips, and answer questions. The webinar is free, but registration is required. Registration details are forthcoming. E l e c t r o n i c applications must be submitted through the Keystone Login (first-time users will need to register.) This grant round has an application deadline of Friday, Dec. 9, by 4:59 p.m. Instructions are available at Environmental Education Grants.
PennDOT closing Rte. 4017 for 6 weeks CLEARFIELD — The Pennsylvania Department of Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n (PennDOT) announced that its Potter County Maintenance Division will close Route 4017 (Sunny Side Road) Monday, August 15 and implement a detour using Route 44 and Route 1009 (Bell Run Road). PennDOT expects the work to take
approximately six weeks. The closure allows maintenance crews to replace the deck surface of a bridge spanning a branch of Oswayo Creek in Shinglehouse Borough near the entrance to the Shinglehouse Assembly Park. The 12-foot bridge is weight posted for 15 tons for single and combination vehicles. Replacing the deck
surface will allow PennDOT to lift those postings and improve the structure’s overall rating from “poor” to “good.” PennDOT’s Potter County Maintenance Division will complete all work associated with this project and may reopen the bridge sooner if work progress allows. All work is weather dependent.