15 2022
community
NOVEMBER
p o t t e r m c k e a n
county
Austin • Coudersport • Crosby • Eldred • Kane • Lewis Run • Mt. Jewett Port Allegany • Roulette • Smethport • Turtlepoint
Era photo by Daniella Langianese Police Chief Mike Ward rakes debris into a pile while other volunteers and city workers gathered additional litter to place in a pile for easier disposal into the vehicles which hauled the trash away from the Elm Street site.
Community rallies Wednesday to clear debris from homeless camps BY DANIELLA LANGIANESE
A l t h o u g h Wednesday began with a bit of a chill in the air, many area residents showed up in their work gear and clothing ready to get to work volunteering their time to pick up debris and left-over construction materials from area homeless encampments. Area volunteers pitched in with the City of Bradford Police Department and the Pennsylvania Department of Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n (PennDOT) to clear litter wreckage left in
wooded areas around the Bradford area — specifically the previous homeless encampment off Elm Street. However, according to Police Chief Mike Ward, there were five additional sites which were tended to Wednesday by volunteers and city workers alike. Ward, Parks Director Chip Comilla and a supervisor from PennDOT organized the cleanup efforts. Besides employees from Bradford’s Department of Public Works (DPW), interim Mayor Tom Riel there
were approximately 20 community members, as well as local business owners who aided in the cleanup efforts, said Ward. “Today is a testament to civilians who cared enough to volunteer their time to clear a mess they were not responsible for making,” explained Ward. “The work was completed more quickly than I had expected. The group of individuals helping made fast work of clearing five different sites which contained an extreme amount of debris.
“Each of the five sites is now clean and more importantly safe — they have all been restored to their natural state,” concluded Ward. According to Ward, PennDOT Supervisor Scott Majot who helped organize these efforts between the City of Bradford and PennDOT. Major was also able to provide two PennDOT employees and two very useful pieces of machinery which helped to clear the debris. A d d i t i o n a l personnel who aided in this project were
PennDOT, partners stress dangers of aggressive driving
CLEARFIELD — The Pennsylvania Department of Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n (PennDOT), Ferguson Township Police Department and Highway Safety Network held a media event today near the intersection of Blue Course Drive and West College Avenue where they stressed that aggressive driving behaviors are significant contributing factors to crashes and fatalities on our roadways. They explained that police conduct high visibility enforcement details each year to curb these behaviors and reduce the number of crashes on Pennsylvania roadways. “It’s about stopping crashes and saving lives,” said Ryan Hendrick, Ferguson Township Police Sergeant. “Slowing down and increasing
your following distance not only keeps you from being pulled over, but it also significantly reduces your chances of being injured or killed in a crash.” In addition to aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding and tailgating, Hendrick said law enforcement have been cracking down on violations of the state’s Move Over Law during the current wave of aggressive driving enforcement. The wave started Monday, October 24, and continues through Sunday, November 13. Hendrick explained the state’s Move Over law requires drivers approaching an emergency response area who are unable to safely merge into a lane farther away from the response area that they must “pass the emergency
response area at a speed of no more than 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit and reasonable for safely passing.” He explained an emergency response area is where an emergency vehicle has its lights flashing, or where road crews or emergency responders have lighted flares, posted signs, or try to warn travelers. Hendrick noted that changes enacted to the law in 2021 included the creation of a new point system that imposes two points for failure to merge into the lane not next to the emergency response area. Changes also set fines at $500 for first-time offenders, $1,000 for a second offense, and $2,000 for a third or subsequent offense. Third or subsequent offenses also require a 90-day license suspension.
Josh Woods, Community Traffic Safety Project Coordinator with the Highway Safety Network, reminded drivers that the school bus stopping law requires them to stop at least 10 feet away from buses with their red lights flashing and stop arm extended. Motorists meeting or overtaking a stopped bus or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped must stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety. If a physical barrier such as a grassy median, guide rail or concrete median separates oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping.
six employees of Bradford’s DPW, who supplied trucks and hand tools; two members of local church organizations; residents Dan and Danielle Brinksy, as well as Bradford Police Officer Seth Shephard. “There were so many different factions of the Bradford community who showed up to lend a hand,” said Ward. The morning was not without its challenges though. Ward reported while cleaning abandoned homeless
encampments around the Bradford area one camp was found occupied by one adult female and her dog. “The individual and her pet were removed from the site before it was cleaned,” reported Ward. “Staff from Bradford’s YWCA were alerted and the female is now receiving services rendered by the organization.” Moving forward Ward said the police department will be stay vigilant to the issue and address future issues as they arise.
Stops signs to be added to Constitution Avenue As the fall and winter weather conditions approach, the City of Bradford is placing Stop signs in the area of Constitution Avenue and Spring Street, as this portion of the roadway is going to be narrowed to one travel lane. In May, the City of Bradford identified a significant erosion problem on the North side of Constitution Avenue where the Bolivar Run Creek has been eroding the embankment and undermining small portion of the roadway. The city immediately hired an engineering firm which has significant experience in road and waterway project to develop a plan to take remedial actions. An emergency permit was requested
from the Department of Environmental Protection and was ultimately issued. Due to the length of time it has taken from identification of the hazard to being able to start the project, the city and the engineering firm have determined that with the likelihood of increased water flow in the creek that further failure is likely imminent and will pose a risk to persons and property if the road is not partially closed until the quotes are received and work can begin. City Council will vote at tonight’s meeting as to whether or not to move forward with obtaining quotes in hopes to have the work completed in the next 30-60 days.
2
NOVEMBER 15, 2022
Two poll workers unhurt in Tuesday incident BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER
Two poll workers in the City of Bradford were “shot” with Orbeez water beads Tuesday at the Eagles Club polling location on East Main Street. Neither were injured. “The report is someone drove by and discharged a BB gun at someone,” said McKean County District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer. “We don’t believe it was in an attempt to sway the election,” Shaffer said. “It very likely could have been juveniles.” The two who were targeted described the perpetrators as appearing to be juveniles. Orbeez are small, squishy water beads used in crafts and children’s games. While they aren’t a lethal projectile, they
can cause injury when shot at people. Shooting these at people is apparently a TikTok challenge — one with real life consequences, as criminal charges can and will be filed against perpetrators. Bradford City Police Chief Mike Ward said the incident is under investigation, and the perpetrators will face criminal charges when caught. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bradford City Police. “There have been incidents countrywide of juveniles using these water pellet guns to shoot other persons that aren’t participating in a game or anything,” Ward said. As of Tuesday evening, this was being considered an isolated incident. Shaffer explained her office ran a hotline on Tuesday for electionrelated complaints,
arrived at 2205 Winslow Hill Road at approximately 7:45 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3 with ambulance services to discover that the unconscious male was deceased. An investigation
COUDERSPORT — Penn College has scheduled three clockhour Practical Nursing Programs for 2023 — two full-time programs in Wellsboro and Coudersport, and a part-time program in Wellsboro only. The first full-time program will start March 14, 2023, and the second full-time program begins Sept. 11, 2023. Students will graduate approximately one year from the start of the program. The part-time program begins June 8, 2023, and students will graduate twenty-two months later.
Qualified nursing instructors provide classroom instruction in theory and nursing skills. Affiliation with UPMC allows for clinical experiences at UPMC Wellsboro and UPMC Cole. Other local healthcare affiliates are also utilized. Graduates earn a certificate in Practical Nursing and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam for licensure (LPN). Graduates find jobs in hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, private homes, physician offices and other health-related offices.
Information Sessions are scheduled to acquaint prospective students with the program on Thursday, Nov. 10, Monday, Nov. 21, Thursday, Dec. 1, and Monday, Dec. 12. Sessions will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Penn College/Wellsboro, 22 Walnut Street, and will be available live via Zoom at the Education Council’s Coudersport office at 5 Water Street. Registration for the information session is required. For more information, or to register, call Marie Van Ess at (570) 724-7703.
as they do during each election. There were two complaints — an alleged harassment in Kane and the “shooting” in Bradford. Regarding the Kane complaint, she said. “It almost sounded like a national hotline that called about the one in Kane. I contacted Chief Heath Boyer. He was satisfied that the election was going smoothly in Kane.” Shaffer said she can’t recall that her office has ever had a significant complaint in the past. “In the past we’ve gotten very few election complaints and the ones we received in the past have always been very minor,” she added. She reiterated that anyone with information about the Bradford incident CLEARFIELD — Andrews Settlement Motorists should contact the city police. The Pennsylvania in Oswayo and encounter
Tree trimming underway in Potter County
Police investigating death in Benezette Township RIDGWAY — Ridgway based Pennsylvania State Police responded to reports of an unconscious male in his vehicle on Thursday, Nov. 3. According to state police, they
Penn College to offer Practical Nursing courses in 2023
into the death of Terence Post, 76, of Millersville, is ongoing. Assisting at the scene were Elk County Coroner Michelle Muccio and the Bennetts Valley Ambulance Service.
Department of Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n (PennDOT) is advising motorists that work to trim and remove trees is underway on a section of Route 244 in Potter County. This work will enhance motorist safety and extend the useful life of the roadway surface. Over the next four to five weeks, crews will be working between Oswayo and
Allegany townships. Work could occur on weekends if necessary. Tree trimming and tree removal provide “daylighting” to the roadway, allowing sunlight to speed snow and ice melt during the winter months. It also enhances sight distance at some locations and lessens the potential for old and dead trees to fall onto the road.
may short delays as roadway flaggers enforce an alternating traffic pattern during this operation. Drivers should remain alert for flaggers and stopped or slowed traffic. All work will be done during daylight hours and is weather dependent. Patriot Tree Surgeons of Allentown is the contractor for this job.
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4
NOVEMBER 15, 2022
Wolf Administration reminds residents to use caution during Tropical Storm Nicole
Several area fire departments battle wildfire on Winslow Hill in Benezette
BEN EZ E T T E — Several fire departments from in and around the TriCounty area battled a wildfire in Benezette for nearly 10 hours on Wednesday. Jay Township Volunteer Fire Co. Chief/Incident Commander Brandon Kowalski said they were dispatched to the area at 3:22 p.m. Wednesday. The blaze began in the village of Grant in Benezette around State Route 555, before spreading up Winslow Hill. The first priority once on scene, said Kowalski, was to save two structures near the base of the fire, a home and a camp. Kowalski said one person at the home was treated for minor smoke inhalation, but no other injuries were reported from the blaze. Aside from some melted siding, the home and camp were saved, according to Kowalski. Crews were combatting the wildfire from both the top and the bottom of Winslow Hill. Due to the terrain and location, firefighters worked fully hands-on, having to carry the equipment with them as they moved, said Kowalski, referring to the challenging area as “rugged, deep and rocky.” “I was cycling crews in and out regularly, (so they could) go to EMS command for rehab and refreshments,” he said. Following the first containment of the fire, there was what Kowalski calls a “fireline jump,” which was, at first, out of their line of view. Luckily, it was caught and handled in time, with about a third of the fire personnel needed for the initial call. On steep hills such as this, and with windy and dry weather conditions, “fire-line jumping” is common with wildfires, according to Toby Herzing, public information officer for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)’s Elk State Forest region. All it takes is for “one little leaf to catch fire,” he said. Typically, they anticipate the possibility of wildfires occurring in the spring. Autumn temperatures have been warmer over the past couple of weeks, though, leaving leaves on the ground and dry weather conditions, said Herzing. Once the fire
departments consider the blaze “contained,” it is then handed over to DCNR officials, which occurred at 12:33 a.m. Thursday. State Route 255 was also shut down for traffic control, being that all fire apparatuses were staged on the road, and to prevent accidents or anyone getting hurt, Herzing said. As of Thursday afternoon, DCNR crews were still working on some containment efforts, including “mopping up,” or extinguishing all of the hot spots and monitoring the area, Herzing continued. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, as well as the amount of acreage the blaze covered. The primary focus currently is making sure the fire is fully contained. Being that Benezette is largely known for its wildlife population, Herzing noted the blaze spread slowly enough that animals such as elk, deer and bear should have been able to escape the area quickly. DCNR will be working alongside the Pennsylvania Game Commission following this process, as they take care of this particular area. A “pat on the back” for local fire departments All eight Elk County fire companies were on scene, including Jay, Fox, Highland and Horton townships, St. Marys, Johnsonburg, Ridgway and Wilcox, said Kowalski. Clearfield County fire departments on scene included ones based in Clearfield, Lawrence Township, Karthaus, North Point, Penfield and DuBois City, as well as Emporium and Sinnamahoning departments out of Cameron County, Brockway and Sykesville of Jefferson County, Kane of McKean County and Renovo of Clinton County was on standby, Kowalski confirmed. Also on scene was Elkland Search and Rescue, Elk County EMS, DCNR, PGC, Bennetts Valley EMS, St. Marys Ambulance, the American Red Cross out of Bradford, and PennDOT. Herzing was sure to note that DCNR could not take on situations such as these if it weren’t for the dedication of the volunteer firefighters. Even battling flames up to 20-plus feet in the air on the rough terrain, Kowalski said the responding crews were willing and
determined to take on the challenges. All fire departments are struggling with the lack of younger members, he added, who are needed to replace the older ones. The importance of these volunteers is crucial, and this situation is a great example of that. Outpouring of community support Responders on scene received many prayers, words of kindness and donations from the local community throughout this call, Kowalski said. GetGo Cafe and Market of St. Marys donated 10 cases of water, as well as an individual from Sinnamahoning; Benezette United Methodist Church opened its doors for personnel and anyone in need; and Weedville Wesleyan Church donated money for food, to name a few. “There were lots of prayers for our safety and well-being while we were on that call. That means the world to us to see that, and to get that support,” said Kowalski. Kowalski also noted the two shifts of 911 dispatchers at the Elk County Office of Emergency Services, who did a “phenomenal job” at handling the requests they received during this call. A word from the Pennsylvania Game Commission Both Herzing and Kowalski confirmed that this wildfire was not started due to a controlled burn done by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, as was circulating on social media outlets. In a timely statement, the PGC responded: “The Pennsylvania Game Commission joins the rest of the community in sharing our appreciation for the first responders on scene tonight, working to get the wildfire under control in the Benezette area. “The agency only conducts prescribed fires on state game lands, and it did not conduct one in the Benezette area today (Wednesday), as is being (incorrectly) reported on various social media pages.”
HARRISBURG — With heavy widespread rainfall anticipated across the state Friday and overnight into Saturday due to Tropical Storm Nicole, the Pennsylvania Department of Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania E m e r g e n c y Management Agency (PEMA) reminds Pennsylvanians to exercise caution during periods of heavy rain and be alert for potential flooding on roadways and in low-lying areas. Rain is expected to begin tomorrow morning and continue throughout that day and overnight. The heaviest rain is expected in the northwest region of the state, which could receive between 4 and
6 inches of rain, with rates of up to an inch per hour during the heaviest downpours. Much of the state could receive between 2 and 4 inches of rain. “Our crews have been preparing for days by clearing out debris around drainage inlets and under bridges while readying equipment,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “With the forecast amount of rain, we remind the public to not drive on roads that are covered with water because even shallow, swiftly flowing water can wash a car from a roadway.” Motorists should watch for ponding on roadways and flooding in poor drainage areas while traveling. “Based on the current forecast,
we’re not expecting widespread flooding due to this storm system,” said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. “However, you should be aware for the possibility of flooding on roadways and plan out several routes to get to your destination so that you don’t put yourself, your loved ones and first responders in danger.” The Pennsylvania Department of Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n (PennDOT) warns motorists not to drive across roads covered with water because even shallow, swiftly flowing water can wash a car from a roadway. Also, the roadbed may not be intact under the water. Never drive around barricades or signs on closed roads – Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
CNB announces dividend
CLEARFIELD — The Board of Directors of CNB Financial Corp. declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.175 per share of common stock payable on Dec. 15,
2022 to common stock shareholders of record as of Dec. 1, 2022. CNB Financial Corporation is a financial holding company with consolidated assets
of approximately $5.3 billion. CNB Financial Corporation conducts business primarily through its principal subsidiary, CNB Bank.
Gas prices rising again BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER
Gas prices are rising again, but for once, Bradford was a little behind the times, with gas prices below average at the beginning of the week. According to GasBuddy, prices have risen 8.1 cents to $4.06 per gallon as of Monday. In Bradford, Monday’s average was $3.999; in Brookville, $3.836; in DuBois, $4.057; in Erie. $4.047; and in Warren, $3.999. Prices in Pennsylvania are 21.2 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 49.8 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has risen 3.4 cents in the last week and stands at $5.32 per gallon, GasBuddy reported. The cheapest station in Pennsylvania was priced at $3.24 per gallon on Sunday while the most expensive was $4.79 per gallon, a difference of $1.55 per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has risen 6.2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging
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$3.78 per gallon on Monday. The national average is down 11.5 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 37.8 cents per gallon higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data. “Just over half of the nation’s 50 states saw gasoline prices rise last week, pulling the national average back up for the time being due to big jumps in the Great Lakes and continued increases in New England and mid-Atlantic states,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “For now, the rise in the Great Lakes, brought on by tight supply, has already started to ease, and declines should start again. In the northeastern U.S., prices are likely to inch up a bit more,” he continued. “National diesel supply remains tight, but supplies of diesel did see a slight rise last week. The majority of stations, especially away from the East Coast and Northeast, should have very few issues with diesel supply,
though some stations in those regions could see diesel delivery times slip. Brief outages at a limited number of stations are possible, but with refineries continuing to churn out product and maintenance wrapping up, I’m optimistic the situation will improve.” According to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand dipped slightly from 8.93 million barrels per day to 8.66 million barrels per day last week. Also, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 1.3 million barrels to 206.6 million barrels. This tighter supply and fluctuating oil prices have contributed to higher gasoline prices. At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate increased by $4.44 to settle at $92.61.Crude prices rose due to several factors including the dollar dropping in value, concerns over restrictions in China and Russian oil production cuts..