22 2022
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NOVEMBER
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Austin • Coudersport • Crosby • Eldred • Kane • Lewis Run • Mt. Jewett Port Allegany • RIDGWAY• Roulette • Smethport • Turtlepoint
Photo by Tina Toole Participants use a grip hoist to move a giant boulder into position for the Tracy Run North Branch stream crossing. From left are Tom Moutsos (NCTA Regional Trail Coordinator), Jeff Manelick, Katie Currier (Forest Service Recreation Management Specialist), Sam Zembardo, Randy Thomas and Mike Toole.
ANF Chapter of North Country Trail Assoc. recaps year, looks forward BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER
Nearly 100 miles of the North Country National Scenic Trail passes through the Allegheny National Forest, and the ANF Chapter of the North Country Trail Association maintains and promotes it. This year, the ANF Chapter held monthly guided hikes, the Allegheny-100 Hiking Challenge (A-100) held in June and a completion patch offered for hiking all the NCT miles through the ANF. Member Tina Toole explained, “The monthly hikes traveled over a variety of terrains and attracted up to 20 people each month. The A-100 was
held in its usual format for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic.” She added that the hike lived up to its reputation as a “unique and successful event.” “On Friday, June 10, 148 hikers started out from the Route 346 Willow Bay trailhead on a personal challenge of hiking either 25, 50, 75 or 100 miles in 50 hours,” Toole said. “Although only 50% of the hikers met their challenge, all enjoyed the time on the trail. Participants came from 16 states or provinces, with the farthest being the state of Washington, to be part of this hiking challenge.” She explained that
maintenance is a yearround priority for the local chapter, with routine maintenance and special projects. “One project worked on throughout the year was reblazing 27.5 miles of trail,” Toole said. “Each year about one quarter of the ANF section is reblazed so that the blazing is more visible. This year the NCT was blazed from Route 321 Chappel Bay Trailhead to Henry’s Mills Trailhead.” Another project tackled included repair work on a dozen bridges and staircases, while still others included nine bog bridges and two stone crossings to get over marshy areas
or streams and one staircase to get up a steep bank. Five trail re-routes were constructed, Toole said, for a variety of reasons, “to move the trail off of an oil road, to go around a giant blowdown, to avoid a stream crossing or to cross a stream at a safer place. The final and longest reroute was to move the trail to a different spot over the two branches of Tracy Run in Tracy Ridge. This will allow safer crossings of the two branches.” She explained that on the north branch, a stone crossing has already been constructed and on the south branch of Tracy, a bridge will be built
Study: Pennsylvanians see wildlife habitat as important result of prescribed fire HARRISBURG (TNS) — Wildlife habitat management ranks high among Pennsylvania supporters of controlled fires — also known as prescribed burns — according to a new Penn State study of public perception of the landscape m a n a g e m e n t technique. In New Jersey, where the Pine Barren forests experience wildfires that can threaten areas of human populations, supporters of controlled fires rank reducing fire risk as a higher priority. Setting planned, controlled fires can do both, but the researchers wanted
to gain a deeper understanding of how to win public support for prescribed burns in the Mid-Atlantic, where the fires are increasingly used. “We are moving to a more uncertain future where fire risk is larger, and one of the tools that managers have in their toolbox is prescribed fire,” explained Erica Smithwick, distinguished professor of geography and associate director of the Institutes of Energy and the Environment at Penn State. “It’s important to work at the interface between managers and communities in order to sustainably steward our
landscapes moving forward, especially under uncertainty.” P u b l i c understanding of the use of controlled burns is growing, but still developing in Pennsylvania. While last week’s forest fire burned in Elk County — the heart of the Pennsylvania Elk Range — misinformation began circulating that linked the wildfire to a controlled burn by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The agency quickly responded by noting that it had not done a controlled burn in the area of the forest fire. To help managers better understand c o m m u n i t y perceptions of
controlled burns, the researchers surveyed forest managers and recreationists in New Jersey, a state that has practiced prescribed burns for more than 100 years, and in Pennsylvania, which adopted the practice in 2009. While the study revealed strong community support for prescribed burning, views of specific concerns and benefits differed between managers and recreationists and between recreationists in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the scientists reported in the Journal of Environmental Management.
next year. For the coming year, priorities continue to be maintenance and outreach. “One priority is to increase the safety of hikers by building bridges over both Tracy Run South Branch and Johnnycake Run in the Tracy Ridge area,” Toole said. “These streams often run quite high and fast and can be quite dangerous. The Forest Service has already approved these bridges, so now the challenge will be to move in all the materials by boat and get them to the sites.” The second priority, she explained, is the construction of a 1.25 reroute of the trail off of Branch Road. “This will make the ANF section totally roadless, except where the trail crosses large bodies of water on road bridges,” she said. The final priorities
are outreach based. The ANF Chapter would like to revamp the existing hike program to have more varied offerings, including some guided hikes for the disadvantaged. Chapter member events that will introduce new members to other members and the ANF are also planned. There are many ways to become involved with the ANF Chapter. Participate in hikes or other events, like the Allegheny-100 Hiking Challenge. There are also many ways to volunteer. Lend a hand at trail work days, adopt a section of trail, assist at events, serve on a committee or simply hike the trail and report problems. For more information on the chapter, visit https:// northcountrytrail.org/ trail/pennsylvania/ anf/
Federal funds awarded to Elk County for food and shelter needs
RIDGWAY — After the widespread fires in Elk County, the county has been awarded $15,083 and $46,617 in federal funds made available through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program. The monies were provided to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in
the county. A local board consisting of the County Assistance Office, Salvation Army, Red Cross, County Commissioners, Food Banks, Northern Tier Community Action Corporation and the United Way will be responsible to determine how the funds awarded will be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area.
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NOVEMBER 22, 2022
Kane man charged with causing another’s fentanyl OD death BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER
A Kane man is in jail on $1 million bail for allegedly selling another man fentanyl, leading to an overdose death. Paul Robert McMahon, 28, of Kane, but who was already incarcerated on other charges, is charged with drug delivery resulting in death, a first-degree felony; three counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, felonies; three counts of criminal use of a communications facility, third-degree misdemeanors; one count of involuntary manslaughter, a firstdegree misdemeanor; and one count of recklessly endangering another person, a seconddegree misdemeanor. According to the criminal complaint, McMahon sold fentanyl to Alex Kirsten on May 4, May 5 and May 6, which led to Kirsten’s death on May 6. At 2:45 p.m. on May 6, McKean County 911 received a call due to Kirsten, 35, being found unresponsive at a Pine Street address in Kane. Members of
the Kane Volunteer Fire Department, Kane Borough Police, McKean County District Attorney’s Office and Emergy Care Ambulance responded to the scene, where Kirsten was pronounced dead, the complaint stated. At 4:44 p.m. May 6, District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer contacted state police to request they take over the investigation as Kirsten’s death appeared to be an overdose. Trooper Eric Thompson arrived on the scene at 5:36 p.m. While searching the scene for evidence, multiple items of suspected drugs and paraphernalia were located and seized, the complaint stated. An autopsy on Kirsten was performed May 9 and the report concluded that his death was caused by fentanyl toxicity. Lab reports indicated the residue in a metal spoon seized at the residence contained fentanyl, according to the complaint. The trooper found that Kirsten and McMahon had communicated three
times — the 4th, 5th and 6th — in regard to Kirsten buying drugs from McMahon. Communication records indicated Kirsten had bought drugs from McMahon on those occasions, the last of which was two hours and nine minutes prior to his death. On Aug. 1, state police interviewed McMahon, who allegedly admitted to distributing controlled substances to Kirsten on the three days in question. On the day of Kirsten’s death, he “provided the victim with a clear taped up bag that he believed contained heroin based on what and where it came from,” the complaint stated. M c M a h o n was arraigned Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge David Engman who, at Shaffer’s request, set bail at $1 million. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Nov. 28 at Engman’s court in Kane. McMahon remains incarcerated. He is facing charges in five other cases involving drugs, theft, firearms, and threats.
New grant to fund devices to prevent tractor rollover deaths
UNIVERSITY PARK — Farmers in Pennsylvania can get state reimbursement to pay for retrofitting their older tractors with life-saving rollover-protection structures — often referred to as ROPS — aided by a new Penn State program. Tractor rollovers are the most frequent cause of death on farms, greatly contributing to the occupational fatality rate for farmers that is 800% higher than other industries, according to Judd Michael, professor of agricultural and biological engineering. He added that seven out of 10 farms go out of business within five years of a tractoroverturn fatality. Roughly half of the tractors in the U.S. are unprotected, noted Michael, Nationwide Insurance Professor of Ag Safety and Health in the College of Agricultural Sciences, who is coordinating the Penn State program. It channels funds for tractor rollover protection structures from a three-year $250,000 grant from the Pennsylvania
C o m m u n i t y and Economic Development. The grant was received in part due to the efforts of Pennsylvania legislators and farmers who pushed for the funding that could save many lives. Michael noted that 26 Pennsylvania farmers are thought to have died during the 2015-21 period from roll-overs in tractors that did not have a ROPS device. ROPS are 99% effective in preventing injury or death in the event of a tractor overturn when used with a seatbelt, Michael pointed out. “We encourage all Pennsylvania farmers to take advantage of this free program to retrofit their older tractors with a ROPS system that is proven to be a lifesaver,” he said. “Farmers are eligible for a 70% reimbursement through the Penn State program for the average $1,200 cost of the ROPS, with a $500 cap on their outof-pocket costs.” Penn State’s Department of Agricultural
Engineering is partnering with the Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety to administer the initiative. Interested parties should go to https://www. ropsr4u.org/ to learn more about the ROPS program, get on the waiting list and be approved for funding. They can also email Peggy Newel at png1@psu. edu to request more information. “There is currently a wait list of more than 200 Pennsylvania farmers, so others wanting to be added to the list should apply as soon as possible, due to it being a first-come, first-serve system,” Michael said. “The first third of the farmers on the list can expect to receive correspondence notifying them of the availability of funds before the end of December.” The Pennsylvania effort is part of the National ROPS Rebate Program. In just over 13 years (2006-19), more than 2,950 tractors have been retrofitted in 17 states.
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3
NOVEMBER 22, 2022
Survey reflects a nearly 26% price jump in Thanksgiving dinner cost
Keep Pa. Beautiful launching cigarette litter recycling
ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Farm Bureau’s 2022 Market Basket Survey shows the price of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner saw a double-digit price jump from last year’s meal. The average total price, which includes a 16-pound turkey and other common items found on a holiday dinner table, is $66.39, about a 26% increase over last year’s price of $52.59. Our volunteer shoppers found turkey prices to be about $1.89 per pound in New York State, which is 43 cents per pound over last year’s average price in this informal survey. This price is slightly above the national average of $1.81/lb. As we move closer to Thanksgiving, turkey prices may drop in the stores, reflecting sales in the final days before the holiday. The New York numbers revealed price increases over last year in nearly every
category, except for fresh cranberries which saw a 30-cent decrease. The most notable increases were for stuffing mix, brown-and-serve rolls, and frozen pie crusts. This year’s survey also includes a similar increase for an expanded menu that includes a four-pound ham, fivepound bag of russet potatoes and a package of frozen green beans. When those prices are included, the total meal price jumps to $82.16 or a 22% increase over last year’s number. New York shoppers found bargains on hams compared to the national numbers, with a four-pound ham costing $10.08 or $1.56 less than the national average. There are several reasons for the increased costs of this year’s meal. They reflect the continued supply and demand issues, higher commodity prices because of the war in Ukraine, as well as the increased costs for packaging and transportation. Despite
those increases, most of those higher costs do not trickle down to the farmer who receives only about eight cents of each dollar consumers spend on food at the store. The rest goes to pay for things like marketing, processing, and transportation of the food. This dinner price represents the greatest increase since the survey began more than three decades ago and will undoubtedly make it more difficult for some families to afford a big holiday dinner. But it is important to put the cost into context: at just under $6.64 per person for a family of 10, New Yorkers still enjoy one of the most affordable food supplies in the world. This survey is one of the responsibilities of the NYFB State Promotion and Education Committee and is part of the national effort with the American Farm Bureau Federation.
HARRISBURG (TNS) — Pennsylvania added 2,000 jobs in outdoor recreation in 2021, according to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. That represented an increase of about 4% from 2020, reaching a total of 152,000 jobs related to outdoor pursuits ranging from boating and fishing to RVing to hunting and shooting. The job growth resulted from $13.64 billion contributed to the state’s gross domestic product, which was about 1.6 percent of Pennsylvania GDP in 2021. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources released the statistics, noting that the state has the sixth largest outdoor recreation economy in the U.S. “This latest round of economic data proves again that the excellence of Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation is the product of our remarkable landscapes and strong partnerships,” said Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner, who is charged with increasing outdoor recreation in the state. “ O u t d o o r recreation continues to be a thriving and significant industry within the commonwealth and this data helps us better understand what we are doing
well, while also providing guidance on where we can grow this industry for its own sake and to improve the lives of Pennsylvanians. “Unlike economic development through other i n d u s t r i e s , development through outdoor recreation also stimulates physical health, mental wellbeing, social cohesion and environmental sustainability.” Among core outdoor activities, recreational vehicle camping makes up the greatest single contribution to Pennsylvania’s outdoor economy, exceeding $700 million in value added in 2021, up 17 percent over the previous year. RVing is followed by substantial e c o n o m i c contributions from boating and fishing ($555 million); hunting, shooting, and trapping ($354 million); and ATV and motorcycle riding ($304 million). These outdoor activities also spur additional economic activity in supporting industries, including nearly $4 billion of travel and tourism activity from and more than $1 billion from local recreational trips made by Pennsylvanians. N a t i o n a l l y, outdoor recreation generates $862 billion in economic output, accounting for approximately 3 percent of all jobs in America.
Reigner noted that recreation activities are diversifying, with new users inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic and empowered by new recreation technologies from advanced gear to more readily available information. A d d i t i o n a l l y, remote work has made possible recreation-based lifestyles that attract remote workers to become new residents in communities with abundant and accessible recreational opportunities. Reigner noted that pay in the outdoor recreation sector is as an area where Pennsylvania can make progress, pointing to outdoor recreation workers making about 57 percent the wages of the average Pennsylvania worker, $44,623 in 2021, compared with $77,884 for all salaried jobs in the state.
Report: Pa. outdoor recreation sees 4% increase in jobs
GREENSBURG — Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n to implement the Cigarette Litter Prevention Program (CLPP) at 14 state welcome centers in 2022-2023. The program hopes to raise awareness to travelers about the issue of proper cigarette butt disposal using messaging and marketing campaigns and placing ash receptacles at entrances to rest stop buildings. The effectiveness of the program will be measured by comparing a pre and post program scan or physical count of cigarette butts and other tobacco products. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has a partnership with Terracylce to expand the program to include recycling and composting of the cigarette butt waste. Cigarettes collected through CLPP are shipped to Terracycle where the various materials that make up a cigarette are separated and processed. The filters are melted into hard plastic that can be remolded to make new recycled industrial products, such as plastic pallets. The residual tobacco and paper are separated out and composted in a specialized process. “We’re shining a light on this program for America Recycles Day to emphasize that even the smallest pieces of litter, like a cigarette butt, when disposed of responsibly can make a huge difference. Not only can we reduce the amount of cigarette and tobacco products that are littered, but the collected butts can be recycled into something useful,” said Shannon Reiter, president of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “We are honored to partner with PennDOT to assure our welcome centers are clean and beautiful for visitors and residents alike and we’re grateful to Keep America Beautiful for the funding that allows us to continue to invest in this highly effective program.”
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Photo provided Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is teaming up with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to implement the Cigarette Litter Prevention Program at 14 state welcome centers in 2022-2023
According to Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s 2019 Pennsylvania Litter Research Study, over 500 million pieces of litter were found on Pennsylvania’s roadways. Of the total estimated litter, 186.2 million or 37.1 percent were cigarette butts. Cigarette butts that are thrown on the ground can contaminate soil and ground water with chemicals and heavy metals; fatally impact birds, animals and marine life who often mistake them for food; and the filters,
made of cellulose acetate, never fully disappear from the environment. In support of America Recycles Day, all Pennsylvanian’s are encouraged to take the #BeRecycled pledge and promise to actively choose to live a recycled lifestyle by recycling at home, work, school and on the go; buying products made with recycled content; and educating and encouraging friends, family, and neighbors to take the #BeRecycled pledge. Visit kab.org.
4
NOVEMBER 22, 2022
Drop-off sites open for Operation Christmas Child
(Gretchen McKay/Post-Gazette/TNS) Ramps, sometimes called wild leeks, look like scallions but have a stronger garlicky flavor. They grow wild in Appalachian regions in the spring.
As the Thanksgiving season approaches, many families and children are giving thanks and giving back — to children in need around the world through Operation Christmas Child. Shoebox gifts prepared by generous donors and filled with toys, hygiene items, and school supplies may be dropped off now during National Collection Week, Nov. 14 — 21. More than 4,500 drop-off sites are now open. The Samaritan’s Purse project will collect its 200-millionth shoebox this year!
L o c a t i o n s include First Baptist Church in Bradford, along with others in Allegany, Olean and Salamanca, all in New York. Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts to children worldwide for nearly three decades. In 2022, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 11 million children. This season, there’s still time for individuals, families, and groups to transform empty shoeboxes into fun gifts. The project of
Samaritan’s Purse partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need. Find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage. Participants can find the nearest drop-off location and hours of operation as they make plans to drop off their shoebox gifts. The online lookup tool is searchable by city or ZIP code. Signs at each location will identify the drop off.
Ramped up: Higher Columbia Gas demand for wild leeks reminds customers threatens plant
UNIVERSITY PARK — Early spring enthusiasm for ramps — also known as wild leeks — may be causing lower crop yields and threatening communities of the forest herb, according to Penn State researchers. Eaten for thousands of years by Native Americans, ramps are valued for their strong garlic-like aroma and delicious onion-like flavor. More recently, they have become popular among foodies and restaurant chefs, leading to an increased demand by urban consumers and a higher price point for the spring plant. A new study by a team of Penn State researchers shows that waiting a month longer before harvest, which typically occurs between March 1 and May 30, would go a long way toward conserving communities of the wild onions and would increase the plants’ yield overall. Found primarily in the forests of Appalachia, ramps’ newfound popularity raises concerns around supply, noted Eric Burkhart, associate teaching professor in ecosystem science and management. The leaves, stems, bulbs and flowers of the plant are all edible, and ramps can be used and cooked the same as field-grown, domestic onions. “With even modest harvests from ramp patches, it can take years and years for those plant populations to rebound,” he said. “With the increased interest and demand for ramps, we want to learn and promote how
to best steward wild populations of ramps and see how we can protect this cultural keystone resource for future generations.” Burkhart’s research group in the College of Agricultural Sciences has been studying populations of eastern forest plants such as ginseng, golden seal and ramps for more than a decade, assessing harvest levels, foraging practices, and investigating both the prospects and best practices for forest farming, an agroforestry practice that many Pennsylvania forest landowners increasingly are interested in. The results of this ramps study are straightforward, according to team member Sarah Nilson, assistant professor of biology at Penn State Beaver, who spearheaded the research. Ramp harvesting is mainly about digging, which is labor intensive, she explained. “If foragers would just wait a little longer, they can actually collect the same weight of ramps with less effort because the plants are larger,” Nilson said. “We will be trying to promote this little saying: Fewer ramps per pound is more ramps in the ground.” In findings recently published in Agroforestry Systems, the researchers reported that ramp harvest timing greatly influences harvest weights. Total ramp and bulb weight increased 250% and 400%, respectively, between early season and late season stages,
they pointed out. Also, they noted, three-leafed ramp plants were significantly larger than two-leafed ramps. “Based on the study’s results, two ways to promote ramp conservation are to delay ramp harvests until about 30 days after emergence in the spring to ensure that the maximum bulb size has been reached, and to select three-leafed plants, which are generally larger in size,” the researchers suggested. “By targeting mid-late season plants, foragers are putting less of a dent in the population, especially if they are selling commercially.” According to Burkhart and Nilson, these results suggest that consumers are an integral factor in conservation. In this regard, educational materials and events are currently being developed for the spring 2023 harvest season to help share information about these and other relevant findings the team has made regarding best practices for ramp foragers, Burkhart said. Joshua Lambert, professor of food science, and Teal Jordan, research technologist and laboratory manager contributed to the research. Funding for this research was provided by Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, through its Wild Resource Conservation Program Grant, and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
of carbon monoxide safety
CANONSBURG — With colder weather settling in the region and furnaces expected to work longer to keep homes warm, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania e n c o u r a g e s customers to stay safe by recognizing the risks of carbon monoxide (CO). Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, noncorrosive gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, natural gas, propane or oil) burn incompletely. Even though natural gas doesn’t contain carbon monoxide, it can be produced when there’s not enough oxygen present for natural gas, oil, or any other fuel to burn properly. Carbon Monoxide Prevention Tips: Purchase carbon monoxide detectors or make sure yours are operating properly; Make certain all fuel-burning equipment (coal, wood, natural gas, propane, pellet stoves, kerosene, and fuel oil) is installed, inspected, and operating properly; Hire a professional to install all fuelburning appliances, including ovens,
stoves, and clothes dryers; Do not cut off or restrict air sources to appliances; P r o v i d e adequate indoor ventilation when using fireplaces or unvented space heaters; Never burn charcoal indoors or in an enclosed space; Clean chimneys and check for blockages; Open garage doors before starting vehicles; and Do not heat a home with a gas oven or burn anything in a fireplace that is not vented. Carbon monoxide may cause any or all of the following symptoms: Human symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, irregular breathing, ringing in the ears, seeing spots, feeling ill or tired at home but feeling fine away from home, loss of consciousness, and
respiratory failure. H o u s e h o l d symptoms include foul-smelling or stale air, the smell of exhaust fumes, a yellow or orange flame on natural gas ranges and stoves, soot around the outside of a chimney, furnace or water heater flue vent, or large areas of condensation of water vapor on walls or windows. Don’t ignore the warning signs. Carbon monoxide can be fatal within five minutes at high concentrations. If you think carbon monoxide is present or your CO detector sounds, leave the area to get fresh air, immediately call 911 and Columbia Gas at (888) 460-4332, and DO NOT GO BACK until repairs are made and it is safe to reenter. To learn more about how to stay safe from CO, visit www. C o l u m b i a G a s PA . com/CO.
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