JUNE
1 2021
Concerns raised about McKean County’s emergency radio system BY JOELLEN WANKEL
Photo provided From left are Celeste Baker, Sabrina Tanner, Smethport Guidance Counselor Brian Lawson, August Cox and Jenna Gregory. The students won Bonnie Scholar awards.
Four Smethport juniors win Bonnie Scholar awards SMETHPORT — In recognition of their academic achievement and service to the school and community, four juniors at Smethport Area Junior-Senior High School have earned the Bonnie Scholar Award, a scholarship that carries a $20,000 scholarship annually — $80,000 over four years of study at the St. Bonaventure University. In addition, the students, August Cox, Sabrina Tanner, Celeste Baker and
Jenna Gregory, all National Honor Society members, have received certificates of scholarship. The university has invited these students to schedule a visit to the campus this summer. All Bonnie Scholar Award recipients who visit the campus in person prior to Aug. 31 will receive an SBU t-shirt as a gift. High schools were invited to nominate up to five students from the junior class who met the following
qualifications: maintaining a minimum grade point average of 85, exhibiting involvement in or leadership qualities through school or community activities and desiring to attend a college that fosters the mission represented at St. Bonaventure University. SBU’s Office of Admissions scholarship committee determined the winners. These four students represent all four Smethport students nominated by
Brian Lawson, guidance counselor. August is the daughter of Tony and DiAnn Cox. Her extracurricular activities include marching and concert band, golf, mock trial, DECA, student council and statistician for track and field. She is also junior class president and NHS treasurer. In the community, she volunteers at the McKean
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activate their pagers. “The consequences of the county thus far ignoring my repeated warnings has now escalated to that of a real-life safety hazard for our firefighters,” Johnson wrote. He also voiced his intent to be more active in raising awareness for this issue and lobbying for its resolution. “The citizens of McKean County deserve to know that firefighters may be left unaware of a life-ordeath emergency and they deserve to have an answer as to why,” Johnson concluded. McKean County Commissioner Carol Duffy explained May 21 that she and Johnson have had conversations regarding the issue. Johnson mentioned email exchanges in his letter, which Duffy confirmed as she explained, “Alex has been in touch with me regarding the paging issues. Each and every time that he emails me, of course our director is aware, and he has been pulling in people to troubleshoot and try to assess the situation and come to a solution. “So far the testing has not really shown anything. Our director, I believe, has some additional people coming in next week to try and help with that situation. We are trying to come
PORT ALLEGANY — A fire at a residence on Church Street in Port Allegany May 19 put a known issue with the county’s emergency radio system at a tipping point. Star Hose Company Chief Alex Johnson wrote a letter to county officials in an effort to bring the issue to resolution. Addressed to Tracy Carl, director of the McKean County Department of Emergency Service and McKean County Commissioners Carol Duffy, Tom Kreiner and Cliff Lane, the letter noted Johnson had been in touch with many of the above (with the exception of Duffy) the morning of May 19, outlining concerns about “the shortcomings of the McKean County emergency radio system.” He noted that this has been an ongoing conversation, and that the commissioners acknowledged they were aware of the problem prior to May 19’s emergency. Johnson further explained that the fire at 55 Church St. in Port Allegany Borough led to three firefighters requiring treatment for overexertion. Meanwhile, Johnson stated that six members of the department did not receive the alert for the call, as the county’s system did not Raised Concerns continued on page 4
No. Pa. Regional College celebrates inaugural commencement WARREN — In a virtual ceremony held May 22, Northern Pennsylvania Regional College (NPRC) celebrated the achievements of 17 graduates in its inaugural commencement ceremony. NPRC’s students have remained resilient during the challenges of the pandemic. Local residents graduating from NPRC include Darian Bruno, who graduated with honors and received an Associate of Applied Science in early childhood education and a certificate degree in general studies. Bruno attended Otto-Eldred High School. During Saturday’s ceremony, Jacob Meyer, a spring graduate from St. Marys, shared his story of finding his path in business administration. After hopping from job to job, he ended up at a pizza shop in Erie where he started as a driver, worked his way up to assistant manager, and became manager the day after his assistant manager promotion. A year later, he moved back to St. Marys with his now wife and looked into college, but money and location were a barrier. He didn’t qualify for loans or grants and was at a loss until he heard about NPRC — local classes, affordable, and has a degree he is looking for. Meyer addressed his fellow graduates expressing, “The only way for NPRC to work is if we, as students, believed in ourselves and never gave up. NPRC helped us every step of the
way and now here we are because we believed in ourselves and never gave up.” Sen. Joseph B. Scarnati III, a third-generation businessman and public servant of more than 30 years, joined Meyer and NPRC as the honored commencement speaker. Now recently retired, he was elected to represent the 25th Senatorial District in 2000 and served Pennsylvania for 20 years.
Scarnati was a catalyst in the development of NPRC as the author and primary sponsor of the legislation that established a regional college in northern Pennsylvania and led to the creation of the Northern Pennsylvania Regional College. Scarnati’s message was one of hope and unity. He closed his remarks by sharing with NPRC graduates, “Life is a journey we go
through together, not alone. Use the skills and knowledge that you have gained here at NPRC to be a bridge to unite others in a world that continually creates barriers between us.” NPRC’s commencement ceremony can be found at https://regionalcollegepa. org/commencement-2021/ The Northern Pennsylvania Regional College is authorized by the Pennsylvania Department
of Education to award associate degrees and certificates in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The NPRC’s mission is to provide affordable and accessible post-secondary education to the residents of northern Pennsylvania. NPRC provides education to a nine-county region comprising Cameron, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, McKean, Potter, Venango and Warren counties.
Classroom instruction is powered through live, interactive audio-visual communication technology that connects classrooms together across the region, allowing for robust classroom discussion and real-time student/instructor interaction. NPRC is pursuing accreditation.
Photo provided Northern Pennsylvania Regional College celebrated its inaugural commencement on Saturday. Commencement ceremony participants included, from left, Susan Snelick, NPRC president; Kate Brock, board of trustees chairperson; Jacob Meyer, Class of 2021 student speaker; Mindy Saunders, dean of curriculum and instruction; and Dr. Linda Fleming, outgoing vice president of academic and student affairs.
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JUNE 1, 2021
Ulysses students among winners of Upper Pine Creek Trout Tournament Scholarship Six seniors from five high schools in Tioga and Potter counties — including one student at — Northern Potter High School in Ulysses — were awarded the Upper Pine Creek Trout Tournament Scholarship for Wildlife, Ecology and the Environment on Sunday during the annual tournament. Presenting the $500 scholarships to the students were Pennsylvania Grand Canyon Snowmobile Club President Jim Baney and Cheryl Gross, a member of the club’s board of directors, along with Seneca Resources Company LLC representatives Jim Westbrook, district production foreman, and Wayne Fletcher, environmental health and safety representative. The event took place at the snowmobile clubhouse at 4814 Route 6, 12 miles west of Wellsboro. Carter Anderson of
Allegany Township, a senior at Northern Potter High School in Ulysses, is the son of Jon and Keri Anderson, both of Coudersport. “The scholarship and working for a year will help me financially so I can graduate with less debt,” he said. In the fall of 2022, Carter plans to attend Paul Smith’s College in Paul Smiths, New York and major in forestry. He is taking a year off before going to college to work as a forestry consultant either with the state of Pennsylvania or with a private company. “With Seneca Resources partnering with us this year, we were able to award six $500 scholarships,” said Baney. Seneca Resources is the exploration and production segment of National Fuel Gas Co. The snowmobile club has been presenting
scholarships to graduating high school seniors every May since the tournament began. The only exception was in 2020 when it was cancelled due to the pandemic. The club awarded two $100 scholarships each year from 1991 to 2007; three $300 scholarships from 2008 to 2018; and three $500 scholarships in 2019. Each student completed an application for the 2021 scholarship that included writing short essays. The first was on what they see as major wildlife, ecological, and/or environmental issues in their areas. The second was how their chosen career field would allow them to have a positive influence on these issues. “Each student’s answers were very thoughtful and reflected well on them, their education and families,” Baney said.
HOME & GARDEN
Photo provided Representatives with CASA of McKean County prepare to walk in the Walk.Run.Thrive event including Becky Koza, CASA staff; Julie Cleland, CASA board secretary; Brenda Baker, CASA volunteer; Karen Haberberger, CASA volunteer; and Jessica London, CASA staff.
CASA participates in Walk.Run.Thrive fundraiser CASA of McKean County raised almost $3,000 from its fundraiser affiliated with National CASA/GAL’s Walk.Run. Thrive virtual event earlier this month. The focus of the event was to increase awareness about the CASA program.
In the competition between board members and volunteers of who could get the most money in donations, the board members were victorious. Several volunteers, board members, and staff participated in the virtual walk. CASA of McKean
County invites individuals to become a CASA volunteer at any time throughout the year. Anyone who is interested in changing a child’s story by becoming a CASA volunteer can apply at www.casamckean.org or call at 814-568-2170 with questions.
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What’s Going on with Dimensional Lumber Prices? BY CALVIN NORMAN Extension Educator
Many have noticed the sharp increase in the price of dimensional lumber (e.g. 2x4s, oriented strand board, and plywood) at home improvement depots and lumber yards. This crunch is being felt by homebuilders as well, and it will likely result in an increase in the price of newly built homes. The sharp increase in price arose as a result of the confluence of several known constraints, novel issues caused by COVID-19, and multiplied by several long-running issues within the industry. PA INSIGHT One key thing to understand is that while most lumber and wood products have seen recent rises in price, this is increasingly true for softwood lumber rather than hardwood lumber. Softwood lumber, often referred to as framing lumber or SPF Lumber (spruce, pine, fur) is a major component of the building industry, most notably for homes. When homes are finished, they are furnished and decorated with hardwood lumber in the form of flooring, mouldings, stairs, cabinets, and furniture. Hardwood lumber prices have seen an increase in cost but not to the same magnitude as softwood lumber. Pennsylvania has 16.62 million acres of forested land, of that roughly 90% is hardwoods. While Pennsylvania is not known for softwood lumber production, the Commonwealth does lead the nation in the volume of hardwood growing stock, production of hardwood lumber, and export of hardwood lumber and wood products. Pennsylvania hardwoods are known worldwide for
their superior quality. CONSTRAINTS IN THE CANADIAN MARKET About a third of dimensional lumber on the floor of lumber yards in the US comes from conifers harvested in Canada— mainly British Colombia, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. These provinces have experienced large beetle outbreaks and wildfires, which killed and threatened millions of acres of mature forest. Almost 90% of the land in Canada is Crownlands— land owned and managed by the Canadian government (provincial or federal). The Canadian government responded to these threats by conducting large salvage harvests to cut any trees left that had value and to mitigate future threats. These rates of harvesting were artificially high and unsustainable. In 2020, the Canadian government lowered the amount of timber harvested to bring harvesting back to sustainable levels. This policy change was predicted to cause an increase in timber prices. Another constraint is the ongoing softwood trade dispute war between the United States and Canada, which dates to the 1980s. This dispute is the longest and largest running trade dispute between the US and Canada; at its core is a difference in land ownership and industry subsidization. Instead of buying stumpage (standing trees) from private landowners or owning land— like American timber companies—Canadian timber companies buy stumpage directly from the Canadian government. The United States government and timber industry believe that the Canadian government sells stumpage for a below-market rate, thereby subsidizes their timber industry. The
Canadian government disputes this and has brought the dispute before the World Trade Organization (WTO) several times. To protect the American timber industry a large import duty has been placed on Canadian softwood. The duty has changed over the years. Over the course of the Trump administration, the duty was increased to up to 24% on Canadian softwood and required cash payments. This duty has been disputed by the Canadian government and is currently under review by the Biden administration. These factors have greatly reduced the supply and availability of softwood from Canada. The impact of both constraints were known and a moderate increase in prices was predicted as a result. What no one predicted was how these constraints would combine with the effects of COVID-19. EFFECTS OF COVID-19 Many sawmills were closed at the beginning of the pandemic out of concern for worker safety. In most states, they were declared necessary and could re-opened shortly after the initial closing. But producers were slow to reopen mills—they had to learn how to work with COVID-19 and they thought the number of housing starts (the largest consumer of dimensional wood) would slow just like in 2008. Housing starts did not slow, and producers decided to sell their inventory down rather than ramp up production. Producers made this decision because they were worried that construction would stop as a result of the pandemic and there would be no one to buy their products.
Besides a tight supply of dimensional lumber, producers and consumers are struggling with logistics. With most Americans in their homes and the threat of COVID-19, online shopping skyrocketed. Logistical assets (trucks, trains, and ships) switching from moving lumber and logs to other more profitable products like electronics, and the price of shipping has greatly increased. COVID-19 also complicated international shipping—border crossings were closed and were slow to reopen, inspector’s activity was/is restricted, and communications were lost as people transitioned from their offices to workfrom-home. This brought the important, but greatly decreased supply of logs and timber from Canada almost to a halt. Additional there was an increase in retail demand. Americans have spent over a year at home with nowhere to go and nothing to do, as well as an influx of money from government stimulus checks, so many people started doing home improvement projects. To do these projects, they needed large amounts of dimensional lumber, which tightened an already stressed market. S Y S T E M I C MULTIPLIERS Prior to the 2007-2008 Financial Crisis, there were many small sawmills and wood producers, but many
of them were either bankrupted or bought up by larger companies as a result of the crisis. This consolidation has left the forest products industry with a few large mills that are owned by a few companies. These companies are highly risk averse as a result of the lessons they learned in the Financial Crisis. They do not keep a large supply of inventory on hand, and as a result, were not able to meet increasing demand. During 2020 when the global pandemic began there was a drop in new residential construction starts and permits, but completions remained relatively steady. Midway through 2020 starts and permits rose rapidly. At this time both the softwood and hardwood industries were struggling to secure the raw materials needed to keep up with the demand for lumber. Among many reasons, this is in part due to staffing issues brought on by the pandemic and landowners choosing to hold off selling their timber due to the economic uncertainty. These increases in new construction paired with current supply issues and greater DIY demand was and is resulting in higher prices. National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/ Wells Fargo (WF) Housing Market Index (HMI) is a gauge of builder opinion on the relative level of current and future
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single-family home sales. If this reading is above 50 that indicates a favorable outlook on home sales; below 50 indicates a negative outlook. In November the HMI reached a record high of 90. Also, since April 2020 US consumer confidence has been trending upwards. This indicates that Americans are growing more upbeat about the economy and the labor market. Traditionally this a sign that household spending may pick up more broadly in the coming months. CONCLUSION It is unlikely that increase prices will increase stumpage prices because there is plenty of wood in the forest, and the issues are mainly on the mill-side. This spike is a result of a constricted supply from Canada, an increase in retail demand, strong growth in new housing construction, constrained shipping, and decreased production. New mills are very large, technologically advanced, and expensive to build, so it is unlikely that any will be built to increase supply. Without other changes, it is likely that dimensional lumber prices will remain elevated.
• Wood • Coal • Pellet • Corn • Fireplaces • Boilers • Furnaces • Liners • Hearth Products • Stove & Chimney Pipe • Custom Log Homes • Log Siding • Rough Cut Lumber • Firewood • Wood Pellets
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JUNE 1, 2021
In kayaking, learn to read the water BY WADE ROBERTSON With the ever-growing number of canoes and kayaks on the water today, safety should always be in the back of everyone’s mind. I thought it important to review how potentially dangerous obstacles such as rocks, sunken trees, fast rapids and other dangers shape the water’s surface, how to read those signs and to react safely to them. Any underwater obstacle forces water to flow around it. The amount of disturbance this causes on the surface depends on current speed. A very slow, sluggish current may create no or very little surface sign. In those conditions your best bet to avoid striking them is watching carefully and wearing polarized sunglasses. However, the focus of this article is on rivers and streams, which normally have a clearly defined current flow, any obstruction producing signs the canoeist or kayaker can see, read and react to. Let’s start with what will be your most common read, dangerous or otherwise rapids. When approaching rapids the great majority of the time your major concern is simply staying in deeper water and avoiding the shallows where you’ll scrape and grind your bottom on gravel or rocks, even going aground. Approaching your average set of rapids you’ll notice a “V” of smoother water, the point of the V facing downstream away from you. The shallowest areas will have tiny waves or ripples while the deeper water remains smooth. This V extends downstream past the initial and growing ripples or waves on either side. Simply aim for the very center of the V, the tip of the smooth water, and the odds are you’ll float smoothly through. However, larger rocks, logs, limbs or other objects may be concealed beneath any rapids fast moving waters. These cause the water rushing over them to stand up, creating a larger, higher wave than those surrounding it. Current speed and volume determine wave size, shape and height Slow, lazy rapids have small waves, faster rapids larger. If you see an
isolated wave two or three times bigger than those immediately surrounding it, be sure and steer to one side, do not attempt to float over it. The largest waves of this size may have foaming, white water on top. As you pass by look closely to
current pose a threat? Do you need to wait for help? The important thing is to not upset your craft by panicking or a making a poor decision. A safe resolution is much more likely when you take the time to decide the best course of action.
type of rapids over, you doesn’t feel safe or experienced enough, beach and walk your craft down. There’s no shame in this, you’re simply being smart and safe. Occasionally, in classed white water or high flood
Photo by Wade Robertson Many people have discovered the fun and adventure of canoe and kayaking. Though very safe, there are times in every float on a river or large stream when you will have to make decisions on how to handle rapids or snags.
see what caused that wave and remember exactly how the wave looked for future reference. Anytime you run a set of rapids be prepared and alert. Seat yourself in the exact center of your craft, bows pointed directly downstream, never float through rapids sideways, and remain balanced, poised, and ready to paddle ahead or backward. An unexpected obstacle lying across the current may remain unseen until the last second, but by strongly back paddling you can slow yourself and avoid it completely or strike at a much lower speed drastically lowering your odds of upsetting. If you do strike and “ride up” onto a rock or log, do not panic. Keep still and remain balanced; this will greatly reduce your odds of turning over. Above all remain calm; steady yourself with your paddle if possible. Then calmly and carefully assess your situation. How deep is the water around you, how cold? Can you climb out on the obstacle and refloat yourself? Is it possible to simply push myself backward off the obstruction? Is the water warm and shallow enough to exit your craft safely? Does a fast and powerful
If a previously unseen rock, log or other obstacle looms ahead with only limited reaction time you must decide immediately how to best avoid the danger. Those new to the sport must remember your canoe or kayak turns from the “middle.” Any turn rotates around the crafts center, not the ends. Constant attention to the changing water conditions in front of you is necessary for safety. That simply little V in the water, like a small animal swimming, may be the tip of a broken, sharp, tree limb and they may be others beside it just below the surface. Always be observant and on guard. Watch especially for swift currents threatening to sweep you under low hanging branches, into a steep bank, log jam or other obstacle. The main current flow on tight turns rushes straight ahead, smacking into the obstruction leaping high and then falls to the side. If you’re a competent paddler, in charge of your craft, back paddling your way down the shallowest, inside of the turn’s a proven method. Again, keeping out of the fastest water, moving downstream slowly, in complete control of the canoe or kayak, avoids the danger. If, after looking this
water on local streams and rivers you may encounter deep, fast, powerful rapids with large standing waves in the center 2 or 3 feet tall or higher. They’ll be located in the center of the previously mentioned V and should be avoided by casual canoeists and kayakers. As you enter these powerful rapids the current accelerates quickly, sucking you into a turmoil of boiling water. Once committed to your course there is no turning back and you’ll swim or sink according to your decisions. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of learning to emergency stop by backpaddling and learning to turn rapidly from side to side while back paddling. Practice on smooth calm waters at first, in the rapids when you’re comfortable. Like braking a car, it’s an absolutely necessary skill. Also, study and “read” the water, paying attention to every disturbance on its surface, determining what caused it and why. There’s always something to learn. Enjoy your kayak or canoe, have fun, practice your skills, wear and use the proper safety or flotation equipment and be safe; it’s a great sport.
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Commissioners’ Proclamation Honors U.S. Constitution POTTER COUNTY — Potter County Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Paul Heimel and Barry Hayman recently issued a proclamation to mark the anniversary of the U.S. Constitutional Convention, which convened on May 25, 1787. The proclamation was disseminated to other Pennsylvania counties for their adoption in advance of the anniversary date. The board saw the occasion as an opportunity to pay tribute to those public servants who
gathered in Philadelphia to craft the enduring document that forms the foundation of our freedom and self-governance. The commissioners also called upon the people of Potter County to educate themselves on the Constitution — including its 27 amendments adopted to protect Americans’ rights. They encouraged the citizens of Potter County to play an active role in their local government, whether by seeking public office, volunteering with
community organizations, attending public meetings of local government agencies or exercising their right to vote. And lastly, in celebrating the opening of the Constitutional Convention, the three commissioners renewed their own commitment to support, obey and defend the Constitution. A copy of the proclamation is available at the commissioners’ business office; 814-274-8290, ext. 207; pcexecsec@pottercountypa. net
County Historical Society’s Old Jail Museum. Sabrina’s parents are Jack and Nicole Tanner. At school, she participates in basketball, marching, concert and jazz bands and is drum major for the marching band. Her volunteer activities in the community include altar server at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church and assisting those in need around the community. Also active in musical groups, Celeste is a member of the concert, marching and jazz bands and represented Smethport at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association’s District Band. Her other scholastic activities are mock trial, student council, softball, volleyball and Peer Helpers. In the community, Celeste works part-time at Costa’s Supermarket and volunteers with the Smethport Fire Department. She is the daughter of Brian and Holly Austin. Jenna is a well-known runner, participating in cross country and track. She is also a member of the student council, choir, DECA and Peer Helpers. Her parents are Kirk and Holli Gregory.
AUTOMOTIVE When will self-driving cars hit the road? Tech afficionados often know when the latest gizmos and gadgets are slated to hit the market and be made available to consumers. Anticipation tends to build around everything from the latest version of a popular smartphone to a new incarnation of a beloved gaming system. But perhaps no advancement in technology is as highly anticipated as the self-driving car. Industry experts note that the hype around self-driving cars, sometimes referred to as autonomous vehicles, has existed since 2004, when United States military experiments involving self-driving vehicles in the Mojave Desert garnered both attention and excitement. That anticipation and excitement waned as 2004 was left further and further behind in the rearview mirror, but the race to become the first auto manufacturer to build and offer driverless vehicles is still very much on. For example, in 2018 General
Motors indicated its intent to make a fleet of self-driving taxis available in San Francisco by 2020. That did not come to fruition, though other auto manufacturers, notably Tesla, have indicated they have their eyes on potentially offering autonomous taxis in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic complicated, and likely delayed, the arrival of self-driving automobiles, though it remains to be seen just how much the pandemic affected the arrival of driverless vehicles. A recent report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance noted that many auto manufacturers who have worked on self-driving technology had initially set their sights on deployment in 2021. However, lab closures and social distancing measures enacted in response to the pandemic may have made it highly unlikely that 2021 will be the year the world sees its first fleet of self-driving taxis hit the road.
Potter County Clears Way For ‘NextGen 911’ Potter County has signed on for improvements to its emergency communications network through migration to the long-awaited “NextGen 911.” Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Paul Heimel and Barry Hayman approved an agreement that paves the way for a system that will reduce response times and improve interagency communications. A 2015 state law calls for all 911 systems to be upgraded to a digital (internet protocol) system. NextGen 911 provides a faster, more
resilient system that allows voice, photos, videos and text messages to flow from the public to the 911 network. It also improves dispatch center management of call overload, natural disasters, and transferring of 911 calls based on location tracking. To pave the way for NextGen 911, Potter County completed a $4 million systemwide upgrade in 2018-19. The project involved 14 communication towers with fiber-optic service, microwave relay technology and other infrastructure.
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Raised Concerns continued from 1 up with a solution to that.” Duffy explained that an all-encompassing solution would require more intensive planning and budgeting, with a focus on where potential funding may come from for that type of project. “We certainly put the safety of our citizens at the forefront and want to address issues as quickly as possible. I just don’t know that there’s an immediate solution, and that’s frustrating. It’s frustrating for everyone. It’s our topography
in McKean County. We’ll just try to address it as we can,” Duffy said. The coronavirus pandemic has shown just how important the area’s emergency services department and first responders are, as well as how hard they work, Duffy said. “With the pandemic, our emergency services have really stepped up. They have been trying to assist with the vaccine issue, doing mini clinics. They have put in a lot of overtime,” Duffy said. “The commissioners had to address the safety concerns for our staff, so to have people in and out to start a new project was difficult. Everything was paused when the pandemic hit. We had to pivot and address things as they came. They have done a good job, and
we will definitely look at our infrastructure.” Duffy said she had spoken with Johnson and committed to updating him with news as efforts progressed. “I think we are working together on this to try to come to a solution. I told Alex, ‘I appreciate your passion.’ They all have that passion, and that is important in our community,” she said. Various legislators and news media were tagged in the social media post, including PA State Rep. Martin Causer and Senator Cris Dush, as well as the Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner, The Bradford Era and the Olean Times Herald, the Port Allegany Reporter Argus and numerous television stations.
JUNE 1, 2021
Smethport woman jailed for alleged assault on 2 state troopers A Smethport woman is in McKean County Jail on charges alleging she assaulted two state troopers who were attempting to take her to the hospital. Kelly Sturtevant, 26, is charged with aggravated assault, a second-degree felony; two counts of simple assault and one of resisting arrest, second-degree misdemeanors; and criminal mischief, a summary offense. According to the criminal complaint, on May 20, at 4:40 p.m., two state troopers were attempting to place Sturtevant into custody for transport to Bradford Regional Medical Center for evaluation. She was placed in hand restraints, but was able to slip
out of them and had to be “taken to the ground” for troopers to be able to regain control of the situation. While on the ground, she continued kicking at the troopers, and was placed in the front seat of a patrol car with both hand and foot restraints. During the course of the trip from Smethport to Bradford, Sturtevant attempted to unbuckle her seatbelt several times, and was successful in the area of Jackson Avenue and Mechanic Street in the City of Bradford, the complaint stated. She also kicked the computer and mobile video recording device in the car, along with the steering wheel while the car was in motion. The trooper
who was driving was able to stop the car, and summoned another trooper for assistance, the complaint read. While the troopers were attempting to “gain compliance” from her, she bit one trooper in the left hand, breaking the skin, and kicked a trooper in the groin area, the complaint stated. Troopers were able to subdue her and transport her to the hospital. She was arraigned May 22 before District Judge Rich Luther and remanded to jail on $50,000 bail. She is scheduled for a preliminary hearing June 2 before District Judge Dom Cercone.
Shinglehouse man sentenced to 10-20 in prison years for rape
Photo provided Star Hose Company No. 1 battled this fire on Church Street in Port Allegany May 19. Several of the department’s members did not get the call due to an issue with the county’s emergency radio system.
SMETHPORT — A Shinglehouse man who is accused of sexually assaulting a teen will serve 10-20 years in state prison. Jason M. Milliken, 43, was sentenced Thursday in McKean County Court before President Judge John Pavlock. Milliken pleaded guilty Jan. 21 to charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse of a person less than 16 years old, a first-degree felony; recklessly endangering another person, a second-degree misdemeanor; and incest of a minor, a second-degree felony. Milliken has credit for 253 days of time served. In addition to the prison term, he will serve three years
of consecutive probation, and he was ordered to pay $2,845.41 in restitution. He must register as a sex offender for his lifetime. His husband, Aaron D. Waters-Milliken, is serving 10-20 years in prison also for similar allegations that happened at the same time. Prior to ordering the sentence, Pavlock said that while this is a substantial sentence for Jason Milliken, Milliken “sentenced the victim for life,” as the boy will still have to deal with any worry, memories or trust issues related to the assault. District Attorney Stephanie VettenburgShaffer said Milliken violated his duties to the boy “in the worst way possible,
not only by sexually assaulting him but also exposing him to disease.” Milliken pleaded guilty on Sept. 5 to allegations that he and his spouse had a 14-year-old spend the night at their residence in Shinglehouse. They were drinking alcohol, then all three went to sleep in the same bed with the 14-yearold sleeping between the two adult men. Jason Milliken had sexual contact with the teen, which exposed the teen to a communicable disease; the teen had to take medication to protect himself from getting the illness and must undergo testing for several years, according to the information to which he entered his plea.
Gov Wolf, Attorney General, Women’s Health Caucus Rally in Support of Reproductive Rights Governor Tom Wolf last week joined Attorney General Josh Shapiro, members of the Women’s Health Caucus, and stakeholders to discuss the damaging effects of the general assembly’s proposed anti-abortion legislation and reaffirm a commitment to protecting reproductive rights in Narberth. “Today, I am reaffirming my commitment to uphold Pennsylvanians’ right to make their own health decisions,” said Gov. Wolf. “Politics do not belong in a doctor’s office and there is absolutely no place for politicians to come between an individual and their doctor. It is despicable that members of the legislature are
actively working to criminalize health care decisions that individuals and their doctors need the freedom to make on their own.” This week, Pennsylvania’s General Assembly proposed anti-choice legislation, with Governor Wolf vowing to veto any anti-choice legislation that lands on his desk. Rally speakers shared their perspective on the proposed legislation and reproductive rights: “We’re seeing a continued, sustained assault on the fundamental right to reproductive health care across the country, and the latest attack has come right here in Pennsylvania,” said AG Shapiro. “Defending
Pennsylvanians’ rights in court is nothing new to my office. Throughout the entire Trump era, we protected reproductive health care and the right to have a safe, legal abortion. And with enough of our voices speaking up and speaking out, these kinds of extreme, reckless bills will never become law.” “I can tell you, from my multiple perspectives as an expert in this topic, that removing reproductive choice will create a slippery slope whereby the government dictates what we can and cannot do with our bodies,” said clinician and advocate Dr. Erica Goldblatt Hyatt. “Research consistently demonstrates
HEALTH& WELLNESS
that when choice in pregnancy is taken away—longterm psychological health suffers. Not the health of monsters, but of people who are often already parents, often valuable members of our community, doing the very best that they can.” “I am thrilled that Governor Tom Wolf is here in my hometown, Narberth,” said Women’s Health Caucus co-chair Rep. Mary Jo Daley. “Governor Wolf is a strong advocate for women and their reproductive rights. In Harrisburg, he has been the backstop on every single bill that would take these rights from women. “ “Access to abortion is part of the fundamental rights we, as humans, have
to our own bodies,” said Sen. Amanda Cappelletti. “Those attacking this right are needlessly shaming people who can become pregnant and echoing the dangerous national trend of attacking a person’s right to bodily autonomy. Politicians need to leave these extremely private and personal decisions up to patients and their doctors. I will continue to fight against this rhetoric and any policy that hurts Pennsylvanians who can conceive.” “It’s unacceptable that it’s 2021, and women remain under attack regarding their own personal health care and beyond,” said state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., who is co-chair of the Women’s
Health Caucus and a member of the Pennsylvania Commission for Women. “The anti-choice legislators in the Republicancontrolled Generally Assembly cannot be allowed to run over women’s rights while refusing to tackle the issues women need us to address, like supporting mothers and their children after birth and decreasing the increasing rate of maternal mortality due to lack of access to health care and other resources. I will continue to fight for the right of women to make these deeply personal and private decisions with the help of their family and doctors and without government interference.”
Potter vaccine rate far below state average POTTER COUNTY—COVID-19 coronavirus is still with us and the disease continues to take lives, as evidenced by the latest report from the Pa. Dept. of Health. There were six more confirmed cases in Potter County between Monday and Wednesday. The new positive test results push the overall case count since the pandemic began to 1,175 with 23 COVID-related deaths. DOH also says there are 48 “active” cases in the county. A case is considered active, and the victim contagious, if a positive test result occurred over the past 14 days. There are 19 active cases in the Coudersport area, 10 in Shinglehouse, six in Roulette, five in Harrison Township, three in Galeton, two each in Ulysses and Genesee, and one in Austin. DOH advises that the actual number of COVID-19 infections in a locale is likely four or more times higher than the detected cases. Also between Monday and Wednesday, some 103 new cases were confirmed in counties bordering Potter. There were 12 cases and another death in McKean County; 15 cases in Tioga; 31 cases in Lycoming; six cases in Clinton; 19 cases and one more death in Cattaraugus County,
N.Y.; 14 new cases two deaths in Allegany County, N.Y. (visit the website here or call 1-800-635-8611) and Rite Aid Statewide, the case count rose by 3,589 to 1,198,595. There Pharmacy (visit the website here or call 814-274-0439). were 71 more COVID-related deaths, increasing that count to 27,123. As of Wednesday, more than 4,353 Potter County residents age 18 or older have received the COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine, an increase of 18 over the past 48 hours. Some 3,070 have been fully immunized. Potter County’s combined full and partial vaccination rate — roughly 36 percent of the adult population — is far lower than the statewide figure of 70 percent. Buchanan Brothers Pharmacy in Coudersport administers the vaccine by appointment; call 814-274-8660. UPMC Cole offers two options for residents to set up vaccination appointments. One is a telephone hotline, 814-274-5460. The other is an online resource, vaccine.upmc.com. Rite Aid pharmacies continue to book appointments. To access the online reservation form, click here. Three testing sites for the virus remain available in Coudersport. In addition to the testing available at UPMC Cole for physician-referred patients, tests are also being administered at Buchanan Brothers Pharmacy