SEPTEMBER
21 2021
McKean County fills planning, veterans posts
Photo byBarb Davis The Big 30 Charities committee awarded its annual Don Raabe Memorial Scholarship to Smethport Area High School at Friday’s football game. Pictured are, front row (from left): Brice Benson (Smethport superintendent), Anna Steward (assistant principal), Amber Berlin (cheerleading advisor), Doug Dickerson (SAHS principal), Bob South (President, Big 30), Theresa Harris (senior class advisor), Rick Woodring (athletic director), Adam Jack (head football coach). Back row (all Big 30 committee members): Pat Warnick, Tim Piller, Rick Austin, Bill Funk, Max R. Simms, Warren Semmel).
Smethport awarded Raabe Memorial scholarship by Big 30 committee BY JEFF UVEINO SMETHPORT — Smethport Area High School was awarded the 2021 Don Raabe Memorial Scholarship at Friday’s home football game against Port Allegany. The scholarship, awarded annually by the Big 30 Charities committee, is given based on recommendations from the coaches, cheerleading and homecoming advisors involved in the Big 30 football game. “It’s our way of thanking Don Raabe for thinking of putting the game
on,” said Bob South, the Big 30 committee’s president. “It was his idea, and he came to a bunch of us in the younger days, and we decided to do it. When he died, the committee decided that we wanted to continuously honor him each year. This was how we did it.” The game features players, cheerleaders and homecoming queens from across the region. After the game and the two weeks of practice that precede it, coaches and advisors rate the group of participants from each school in three categories
that they feel best shows off the game and its message. Whichever school earns the highest score receives a $1,000 scholarship for a student in its rising senior class. Smethport won Pennsylvania’s scholarship, while Salamanca won New York’s. Players Ryli Burritt, Braedon Johnson, Kameron Rounsville and Adenn Stevens were each impactful in PA’s 35-0 triumph over NY in this year’s game. They were joined by Smethport cheerleaders Kassidy DiDomizo, Cadence Gamet and Haley
Snyder, as well as homecoming queen Chloe Costa. South and members of the committee presented Friday’s award. “They made us feel really glad that Smethport won this year’s award,” South said. “They made us feel very welcome, and they always do.” A plaque, which was also awarded by the committee, will be displayed at the school in honor of the members of Smethport’s class of 2021 that earned the scholarship for a graduating senior from the class of 2022.
Photo by Fran De Lancey From left, Richard Fry and Alvin Loveless have accepted positions in McKean County. Fry will be the county’s planning director, while Loveless takes over the role of veterans affairs director.
SMETHPORT — Richard M. Fry of Roulette has been tapped by McKean County Commissioners to fill the role of the McKean County Planning Director, while McKean County has named Alvin D. Loveless of Smethport as the new Director of Veterans Affairs. Fry is a 2008 graduate of Port Allegany High School and a 2012 Seton Hill University graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in history. He served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard for nine years and currently holds the rank of Captain. Fry has been employed by McKean County Children and Youth Services since 2016 and began his role as Planning Director on Monday. As Planning Director, Fry is tasked with serving the 22 municipalities in the county, overseeing the economic development initiatives and continuing
projects established in the McKean County Comprehensive Plan. “The role of Planning Director is a multifaceted position, and I am looking forward to the challenge,” said Fry. “I will be working closely with local and regional partners to develop projects and secure funding for the economic benefit and improvement of our communities.” At the bi-monthly commissioners’ meeting, Fry was also named to the board of The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission. His office is located in a county annex building on Route 6. Loveless is a 2006 graduate of Port Allegany High School. He enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard during his junior year of high school. Loveless served with C
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HOME & GARDEN Should I DIY?: 3 questions to determine if it’s best to renovate on your own A do-it-yourself mentality has taken hold in millions of households across the globe. Popular television channels like HGTV and DIY Network as well as accessible home improvement content on apps like YouTube has inspired many homeowners to tackle renovation projects around their homes. Taking such initiative is admirable, though it also can prove costly if homeowners end up biting off more than they can chew. Home improvement videos and television shows have a tendency to oversimplify renovation projects, potentially giving homeowners a false sense of confidence in their DIY abilities. A concerted effort on the part of homeowners to determine if it’s best to renovate on their own or hire a professional should always be the first step of any renovation project. No two homeowners are the same, but the following three questions can help homeowners determine if DIY is their best option. 1. Can I afford to DIY? Professional home improvement projects are costly for a variety of reasons. Materials can be
costly, but so are the tools and labor necessary to do the job right. Homeowners may not have the tools necessary to complete complicated projects. Specialty tools can be expensive to purchase or even rent, and the cost of acquiring such tools should be included in any DIY project cost estimates. Labor also factors heavily into professional projects, and for good reason. Talented contractors have unique skills that have been developed and perfected over many years. Those skills can ensure projects are completed quickly and correctly. Labor may seem costly, but such costs may ultimately prove to be a bargain compared to the cost of fixing DIY mistakes. 2. Do I have the time? Projects that are minor in better suited for weekend Homeowners must descope and don’t require warriors than more complitermine how much time the use of potentially costly cated renovations. specialty tools may be
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they have to complete a project before deciding to do it themselves. No one wants to spend months staring at an unfinished renovation project. Homeowners who are already pressed for time may not be able to complete projects in a timely fashion, which can make homes less comfortable and even less safe. 3. Can I pull this off ? DIY projects can instill homeowners with a sense of pride in their homes, but it’s imperative that homeowners considering the DIY option conduct an honest assessment of their skills. A lack of renovation experience does not necessarily mean a homeowner cannot successfully complete a DIY project. But in such instances, it may be
best to start with small, straightforward projects and then gradually move up to bigger, more complicated projects as skills are fine tuned. And homeowners who have never been at their best with a hammer in hand should not be ashamed to leave the work to the professionals. Television shows and online tutorials can make renovations appear easier than they actually are. Homeowners considering DIY renovations can ask themselves a handful of questions to determine if they’re ready for the challenge of renovating their homes on their own.
• 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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Smethport School Board approves site agreement BY FRAN DE LANCEY SMETHPORT — The Smethport Area School Board approved a site agreement Monday whereby the district will become a satellite delivery site for the Rural Regional College of Northern Pennsylvania. District Superintendent Brice Benson explained that if requested, the district will support access to the college’s course offerings for our residents. In the past, the district has been a remote site for the RRCNP. The board also approved a Cyber Services agreement with the Warren County School District — Open campus. The district will act as a third party provider for students who are seeking full-time on-line instructional programs. In another unanimous vote, the directors approved a resolution presented by bond counsel to refinance the district’s general obligation
bonds, Series E of 2018, and the issuance of general obligation bonds, Series of 2021, to provide the district with the funds required to advance refund a portion of the district’s general obligation bonds, Series of 2018. Directors also OKd the modifications to the district’s Health and Safety Plan, with the final document being approved unanimously. The current and most up-to-date Health and Safety Plan can be found on the district’s website. The American Rescue Plan and the U. S. Department of Education require that plans must include certain sections. Districts, will to the greatest extent practicable, implement prevention and mitigation policies in line with the most up-to-date guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the reopening and operation of school facilities in order to continuously and safely reopen
and operate schools for in-person learning. Districts are to ensure the continuity of services, including, but not limited to services to address the students’ academic needs, which may include student health and food services. Last, the district will maintain the health and safety of students, educators and other staff and the extent to which it has adopted policies and a description of any such policy on the safety recommendations established by the CDC. In his report, Maintenance Supervisor Greg Rounsville noted the McClure Company’s HVAC project at the high school is essentially completed. The company will return in October to adjust the airflow. Due to an executive session and an earlier public meeting, the board’s meeting was late in starting.
UPMC Cole welcomes new nurse practitioner
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COUDERSPORT — UPMC welcomes nurse practitioner Jesse Minor to the Ear, Nose, and Throat and Primary Care teams at UPMC Cole. Minor received his associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in nursing from the State College of Florida, Bradenton, Fla., and a master’s degree in nursing from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine in Standish. Additionally, he has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Valley Forge University, Phoenixville. “I look forward on expanding my healthcare experience by joining Dr. Reed and Dr. Tronetti’s teams to continue to provide safe and reliable care close to home in the four
counties we serve,” said Jesse Minor. “It has always been important to me that our patients do not have to travel great distances to receive the care they deserve.” Minor is accepting new patients and referrals. He sees patients at UPMC Cole, 1001 E. 2nd St., Coudersport, and UPMC Port Allegany Community Health Center, 45 Pine St., Port Allegany. To schedule an appointment, call 642-2505. For more information on UPMC services available in north central Pa., visit UPMC.com/ northcentralpa.
Eldred Township Volunteer Fire Department Windfall Rd., Eldred
County Posts continued from 1 Company 1/112th Infantry out of Lewis Run and was deployed on several federal and state missions, including a deployment to Iraq from 2008 to 2009. Loveless was honorably discharged from the Pa. National Guard in August 2018. He began his tenure with McKean County in 2019 as a corrections officer at the McKean County Jail. Loveless began his duties as the Veterans Affairs Director on Aug. 24. His
office assists veterans and their families with benefits including healthcare, compensation for service related disabilities and pensions. Veterans Affairs is also available to assist families with death benefits and burials. “I have a passion for serving our veterans and families in McKean County and am pleased to be afforded this opportunity,” Loveless said. “One of my priorities will be upgrading processes to utilize electronic filings to streamline the claims process.” The Veterans Affairs office is located on the first floor of the McKean County Courthouse, with hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday. Veterans and their families are encouraged to make an appointment, although walk-ins are welcome also. The Veterans Affairs office also provides services in Bradford at the Veterans Administration office on Monday mornings.
Gun Show
Sat. Sept. 25th: 9a-4p Sun. Sept. 26th: 9a-3p
5.00 Admission
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Buy, Sell, Trade & Browse
Kitchen Will Be Open ALL LOCAL & STATE LAWS OBEYED
“Let Us Fix Your Leaky Chimneys”
Otto Twp. supervisors discuss blight BY JIM MILLER DUKE CENTER — At their monthly meeting this past Wednesday, the Otto Township supervisors, with the help of the seven residents present, discussed at length the overall appearance of the township and the negative effects of unkempt properties. The consensus was that a lack of pride and self esteem, more than low income, is responsible for the unsavory appearances of several properties, which reflect poorly on the township as well as the individuals. Possible solutions discussed included hiring a code enforcement officer, increasing ordinance-violating fines, and leading by example, i.e., having the township workforce improve the appearances of public entities (roadways, parks, signs, etc.). Everyone was in agreement that it is A) a problem, B) there is no easy fix, and C) it is basically a question of people’s community pride. Any township resident with suggestions/positive feedback is asked to contact a supervisor. Jane Larson and Marilyn Kahle notified the supervisors that several properties do not have their house numbers displayed per the 9-1-1 mandate that has been on the books for more than a year. Those in violation will be contacted and expected to comply immediately. For safety more than convenience, visible address numbers are required. After receiving a much larger than expected estimate on a walking/cycling path in Memorial Park, the supervisors unanimously agreed to use the Covid-19 funds for improvements
in the park, which will include maintenance of the existing trail. C.J. Kaluza suggested improving or extending the sidewalks in Duke and Rixford, giving walkers other options than the park. The supervisors will consider all improvements and utilize the funds where they will have a positive impact on the township’s residents. The building currently housing the township offices, along with the Duke Center Post Office, will be assessed this week. The Armstrong Telephone Company wishes to sell it, and the supervisors are interested in purchasing it. The assessment, along with the asking price, will be disclosed and discussed at next month’s meeting. A contract to supply the three township workers with clothing was approved, with Mike Ogilvie voting no. Tom Merry will provide the supervisors with other companies that offer this service and they will choose one next month. It was unanimously agreed to waive the building permit fee for the construction of a greenhouse by the Otto-Eldred School District. This will be used by the school district in conjunction with their FFA program. And, lastly, a couple signs that the seasons are changing: bids will be advertised for this year’s purchase of salt and sand for the township roads; and trick-or -treat hours will remain the same as last year—6 till 7:30 p.m.. There will also be the Trickor-Trunk option in the Otto Park during the same hours.