NOVEMBER
9 2021
McKean County attorney makes history with election to Pa. court Maryland Air National Guard A-10s of the 175th Wing must train by simulating all types of weapons delivery and mission sets which can range from 20,000 feet to 100 feet. The low-flying training zone currently proposed is over much of the local region.
Air Guard jets’ low-fly zone over region closer to reality BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER A proposal for a low-flying training zone for Air National Guard jets over the region has taken a step closer to being implemented. Last week, the Air National Guard released an environmental assessment on the proposal, finding no significant impact. The low-fly zone, which would extend over McKean, Elk, Cameron, Potter, Clinton and Tioga counties and into New York state, would be for training for the Maryland Air National Guard A-10C Squadron. The proposal is for flights of Warthogs between 100 feet above ground to 7,999 feet, two hours a day with no more than 6 total aircraft, 170 days a year including weekends. Nighttime operations would be at above 1,000 feet. The flights would normally be between 10 a.m. and noon, and between 2 and 4 p.m. The majority of the flight time would be at higher altitudes, with 10 minutes or less below 1,000 feet. “No supersonic
operations, release of chaff and flares, ordnance deployment, weapons firing, infrastructure changes or ground disturbance would be conducted” in the lowfly zone, the assessment noted. “A 1,000 feet above ground level floor would be implemented over sensitive areas of concerns,” the assessment noted, including above Kettle Creek State Park. A 500-foot floor will be instituted over state parks, Sinnemahoning Creek and Austin Dam. An “altitudinal mitigation map” was prepared to address concerns from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources “for the most critical sensitive areas,” the assessment noted. While the project has been in the works since 2019, on Friday, one local tourism official said her organization hadn’t been included in the planning. Linda Devlin, executive director of the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, said, “The Allegheny National Forest is not being given any consideration as to what the
low MOA flights will do to the abundant wildlife, or to the human recreational activities occuring in our region. Visitors come to our region to experience nature’s beauty, the sound of birds chirping, the flight of an eagle overhead, and the crunch of leaves underfoot as they hike along a trail. They come here to escape from the noise of civilization.” Calling the number of flights in the plan excessive, Devlin said, “If this was a high income residential area, this flight schedule would never be proposed. It is being proposed with no input or outreach to the people who reside here or to the over 3 million visitors per year who come here to recreate.” She added that she’s hopeful the Kinzua Bridge State Park will be included in the state park exemption. In the environmental assessment, it is noted that noise levels would increase by 1.5 A-weighted decibels at most in noise sensitive areas, and would not generate “individual acoustic events loud enough
to damage hearing or structures.” Several flight constraints would be in effect in certain areas during certain times of the year, the assessment noted. The air space would not be used during times when wildlife are most active, early mornings and late evenings. The potential impact on the elk herd was discussed in the assessment, with the National Guard concluding there would be limited impact, because the frequency of the flights below 1,000 feet would be extremely limited. “The influence of noise may impact the quality of the tourist experience; however, noise from aircraft would not contribute appreciably to the overall background levels throughout the region,” the assessment read. The draft assessment is available for public review at libraries in Bradford, Coudersport and Galeton and online at https:www.175wg.ang.af.mil/ The 45-day comment period ends on Dec. 15.
Stacey Wallace
BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER BRADFORD, PA. — Local attorney Stacy Wallace made history on Election Day. The Bradford resident is the first person from McKean County to be elected to serve on a higher court. While four McKean County judges have served on higher courts, all were appointed to do so. Wallace was the top vote-getter Tuesday in Pennsylvania for a judgeship on the Commonwealth Court, receiving 27.33%
of the vote, or 1,319,452 tallies. In second was her “slate mate” Drew Crompton, an appointee to the Commonwealth Court who was seeking an elected term. He received 25.71% of the vote, or 1,241,578 tallies. Crompton has a bit of a local connection as well, as he served as chief of staff for former state Sen. Joe Scarnati. Wallace was happily surprised at the victory.
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How audiologic rehab can help people with hearing loss Hearing is easily taken for granted. Unless a person has experienced temporary or permanent hearing loss, it can be hard to imagine a life in which hearing is compromised or completely lost. But that is precisely the life hundreds of millions of people across the globe live every day. According to the Hearing Health Foundation, 360 million people across the globe suffer from hearing loss. Within the United States,
the number of people with hearing loss doubled from 2000 to 2015. Coping with hearing loss can be difficult. Hearing loss sufferers may feel disconnected from family and friends because they can’t engage as fully in conversation as they once did. In addition, adjusting to simple pleasures like listening to music after hearing loss can be difficult.
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National Fuel foundation announces $157,500 in grants WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. — The board of directors of the National Fuel Gas Company Foundation (Foundation), the charitable giving arm of National Fuel Gas Company (National Fuel), recently held its quarterly meeting and approved Foundation grants totaling $157,500. According to David P. Bauer, Foundation President and President and CEO of National Fuel, these contributions will help numerous communities meet critical needs. “Food insecurity is a vital and continuous need that has only been exacerbated by the pandemic,” Bauer said. “Each year, the Foundation proudly supports food banks that serve the communities where we live and work, and, this year, we are happy to have expanded giving in this crucial area.” Second Harvest Food Bank of
Northwest Pennsylvania was one of several food banks to receive funding. The board approved grant requests in both New York and Pennsylvania that support emergency shelters, health and human services, and veterans services. The Trail Association of the McKean & Elk Divide (via Headwaters Charitable Trust), which was one recipient, promotes the development and maintenance of non-motorized recreational trails and trailheads in McKean and Elk counties. The National Fuel Gas Company F o u n d a t i o n is a 501©(3)
private foundation funded entirely by National Fuel through shareholder funds to better establish National Fuel’s commitment to the community. Foundation focus areas include the underserved/economically disadvantaged, education, community vitality/economic impact, and veteran services.
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NOVEMBER 9, 2021
Pitt-Bradford offering FAFSA completion nights The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford financial aid staff will offer free FAFSA completion workshops in Kane and Bradford. These sessions allow families of students who plan to attend college next year to complete the Free Application for Student Aid online with help from a financial aid staff member. Students do not have to be
planning to attend Pitt-Bradford. Those interested should bring their 2020 Federal tax return and related W-2 forms. Families should also bring their FSA User IDs if they have them and investment statements for assets other than retirement accounts. The Kane event will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 in computer lab Room 105 at the Kane Area High
School. The Bradford workshop will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 18 in Room 158 of the Richard E. and Ruth McDowell Fitness Center at Pitt-Bradford. For more information, contact Deborah Woodley, assistant director of Financial Aid, at (814) 362-7550 or woodley@pitt.edu
Oswayo Valley Elementary switches to remote learning SHINGLEHOUSE — Oswayo Valley Elementary School students are learning from home, beginning Thursday. According to a letter from Superintendent Jed Hamberger dated Nov. 3 and posted to the school’s website, there are “multiple confirmed cases and quarantined students and staff within the elementary school.”
Hamberger stated that students will be learning virtually through Nov. 10. While elementary extracurriculars are canceled, all instruction for junior high and high school students will continue in-person and athletic events for those students will continue as scheduled. Meal pick-up for elementary students will be conducted from 11
a.m. to noon today at the Elementary School front entrance bus loop. Parent-teacher conferences for elementary students will be conducted at the previously scheduled time but will be via phone or virtual meetings. Due to the transition to remote learning, Veterans Day activities will be delayed. On Nov. 11, Hamberger stated the
flag raising will be held and Taps will be played and viewed by the entire school, with a video posted to social media to allow the community to celebrate remotely with the students. The events originally scheduled for Veterans Day are tentatively rescheduled for Nov. 15, after students have returned to in-person instruction and circumstances allow.
New Assistant District Attorney Begins Service Potter County has a new assistant district attorney. He is Edward V. Reeves, who has relocated to the county after operating a private legal practice for many years in southeastern Pennsylvania. Reeves succeeds McKean County resident Kord Kinney in the part-time position, working for District Attorney Andy Watson. The office is also staffed by County Detective Jacob Rothermel, Victim/Witness Services Coordinator Anita Mead and administrative personnel Emily Robinson, Sarah Chapell and Katrina Croke. Reeves (left) earned his bachelor’s degree from
“I am looking forward to Reeves said. He added that Penn State University. He was awarded his law de- having meaningful involve- he has familiarized himself with the county’s system and recent reforms, such as pre-trial diversion and specialty courts in place for criminal cases involving offenders with addiction or mental health issues. “I have a lot of admiration for the way the criminal justice system operates here and I look forward to being a part of it,” Reeves said. He became familiar with Potter County as a child and has frequently visited to enjoy the outgree by Temple University. ment in Potter County’s door attractions, including He has been a member criminal justice system the International Dark Sky of the Pennsylvania Bar and working closely with Preserve at Cherry Springs District Attorney Watson,” State Park. Association since 1992.
McKean Attorney continued from 1 “Being from a rural county in northwestern Pennsylvania, I knew I was going to have to work harder than my opponents,” she said. “I visited all 67 counties — several multiple times.” She added that she doesn’t see this as her victory, but, “This is ‘our’ victory.” “God placed countless right people in my life all throughout the Commonwealth. People throughout the state have been thanking God daily for His continued favor in my campaign and thanking Him that no weapon formed against me would prosper,” Wallace said. “I decided several months ago to only speak of victory and not to focus on or speak ill about my opponents,” she continued. “My steadfast thought was that I had to know I did everything I possibly could — after all this is to serve others. And that I would rather have the pain of exhaustion than the pain of regret. “Yet until today, I never truly felt exhausted,” Wallace said. “My family, slate mates (Kevin Brobson, Megan Sullivan and Crompton), and grassroots workers provided me with a solid foundation to facilitate my ability to succeed.” The Commonwealth Court is primarily responsible for matters involving state and local governments and regulatory agencies. It also acts as a trial court when lawsuits are filed by or against the state. The court is made up of nine judges and terms are 10 years. The court generally decides cases in three-judge panels and sits
in Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. Wallace explained she will have office space in the judicial center at Harrisburg and have a chamber in McKean County, likely in Bradford. “I anticipate that I will have clerks at both offices, likely two here and two in Harrisburg,” she said. In McKean County history, judges Thomas Morrison, Joseph Willson, Glenn Mencer and John Cleland have served on higher courts. According to information from the McKean County Court of Common Pleas, Judge Thomas Morrison took office in McKean County in 1877, and was later appointed to fill a vacancy on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. He retired in 1911. Judge Joseph Willson was nominated by President Dwight Eisenhower on June 8, 1953, to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, assuming senior judge status on Oct. 18, 1968, which he held until his death on Aug. 3, 1998. Judge Glenn Mencer was one of the original judges appointed to the Commonwealth Court, an appointment made by thenGov. Raymond Shafer. He served from 1970 to 1982. Judge John Cleland was appointed to the Superior Court by Gov. Ed Rendell in July 2008, and served as an interim judge through 2009. Wallace clerked for Cleland when he served on the Superior Court. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Wallace graduated from Duquesne University Law School in 2004. She is the president of the McKean County Bar Association and a small business owner as well.
Hauser wins retention as McKean County judge SMETHPORT — Judge Christopher Hauser won retention to a second term as second judge on the McKean County Court of Common Pleas. According to the unofficial results from
the McKean County Department of Elections in Tuesday’s vote, 5,298 voted yes to retaining Hauser, while 1,475 voted no. The judgeship is a 10year term. Hauser was elected in 2011.
Hauser, who has lived in Bradford nearly all his life, graduated from Bradford Area High School, received a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from Washington and Jefferson College, and
attended the Dickinson School of Law, where he obtained his juris doctorate degree in 1979. After working at the Department of Justice in Harrisburg, Hauser joined the Bradford law firm of McDowell,
Port Allegany man sentenced for concealing knife at jail SMETHPORT — A Port Allegany man was sentenced recently in McKean County Court to serve time in jail for charges including concealing a weapon in his underwear at the county jail. James J. Jones IV, 36, was sentenced to 161 days to 5 years, given credit for 161 days of time served, and ordered to perform 75 hours of community service for charges including possessing weapons or implements for escape, disorderly conduct and DUI. He is eligible for parole, but only to an inpatient treatment facility. Also in court recently, Timothy Comilla, 36, of Erie, was sentenced to 9 to 24 months in the custody of the Department of Corrections with credit for 58 days of time served, and made eligible for boot camp. He was found guilty at trial on a charge of criminal trespass. According to the criminal complaint, on the morning of Feb. 5, 2020, a Congress Street resident woke up to find Comilla standing at the foot of the victim’s bed. The victim did not know Comilla’s name, but the person recognized him from a couple weeks prior, when he allegedly stopped at the
home with his girlfriend to solicit money. Jonathan J. Johnson, 34, of Smethport, was sentenced to 7 to 24 months in the custody of the Department of Corrections, given credit for 196 days of time served, and was deemed boot camp eligible for charges of possessing paraphernalia, tampering with evidence, criminal mischief and simple assault. Clifford Carpenter, 51, of Ridgway, was sentenced to 12 to 24 months incarceration on a charge of corruption of minors. He is to have no unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18. According to the criminal complaint, between Jan. 31 and Feb. 2, 2020, in Mount Jewett Borough and Hamlin Township, Carpenter touched private areas of a 13-year-old girl outside of her clothing. At one point, he allegedly told her he was going to take her “parking,” and explained that parking is “s.e.x.” Carolyn Levar, 36, of Bradford, was sentenced to 89 days to 12 months in jail with credit for 89 days time served, three months consecutive probation and 50 hours community service on charges of criminal conspiracy of concealing the
whereabouts of a child and obstructing the administration of law enforcement. According to the criminal complaint, Levar and another person hid a child in Erie from McKean County Children and Youth Services, who had an emergency custody order. Jesse Chapman, 43, of Kane, was ordered to serve 12 months probation and complete 50 hours community service for a charge of simple assault. Thomas Ford, 40, of Port Allegany, was sentenced to 3 to 6 months incarceration, driven credit for 191 days of time served, ordered to serve 9 months of probation and to perform 20 hours community service for flight to avoid apprehension and DUI. Shawn Beimel, 46, of Kane, was sentenced to 10 days to 12 months
incarceration, given credit for 10 days of time served, and ordered to perform 75 hours community service on a charge of simple assault. According to the criminal complaint, in July, Beimel grabbed a woman around the neck with his right arm, causing bruising to her neck. Earl Knight, 23, Roulette, was ordered to serve 12 months probation and perform 15 hours community service, and to pay a fine of $2,500 for accidents involving damage to a vehicle or property. Amanda Harris, 29, of DuBois, was sentenced to 30 days to 6 months in jail, given credit for 59 days of time served and ordered to perform 50 hours of community service on a theft charge.
McDowell, Wick & Daly in 1979, becoming a partner in 1983. He is a past president of the McKean County Bar Association. From 2000 to 2006, Hauser served as Bradford
City’s Magisterial District Judge. He and his wife, Virginia Digel Hauser, live in Bradford Township.
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Audiologic rehabilitation services can help people adjust to hearing loss. The American Speech-Language Hearing Association notes that the following are just some ways that audiologic rehab can help people adjust to hearing loss. • Rehab helps families understand their loved ones’ hearing loss. Audiologic rehab will help people and their families adjust to hearing loss by discussing that loss with family. Family members are often frustrated by conversations with relatives who have hearing loss because many simply don’t understand what their loved one is experiencing. Audiologists may play a
recording for families that simulates their loved one’s hearing loss so they can understand exactly what their relative is going through. That can help family members become more patient as people adjust to hearing loss. • Rehab can help people understand their hearing aids. Audiologists explain how hearing aids work and how to maintain them. Various hearing aids are available to people with hearing loss, and audiologists will be able to explain how each type works and answer any questions patients have now and in the future. • Rehab can help people with hearing loss and their families communicate more effectively. Audiologists can provide tips on how to improve families’ listening and how to communicate more effectively. Such tips can make it easier to transition to life with hearing loss. • Rehab can teach those
with hearing loss to use visual cues. People without hearing loss may not recognize it, but the ASHA notes that everyone uses his or her eyes to get visual cues about what people are saying. Rehab can help people with hearing loss fine tune these skills to make up for their loss of hearing. Audiologic rehab can help people adjust to life after hearing loss. Learn more at www.asha.org. • Rehab can teach those with hearing loss to use visual cues. People without hearing loss may not recognize it, but the ASHA notes that everyone uses his or her eyes to get visual cues about what people are saying. Rehab can help people with hearing loss fine tune these skills to make up for their loss of hearing. Audiologic rehab can help people adjust to life after hearing loss. Learn more at www.asha.org.
This image shows the proposed appearance of the new community mausoleum to be constructed at McKean Memorial Park.
New mausoleum proposed for McKean Memorial Park JOELLEN WANKEL A community mausoleum is in the works for McKean Memorial Park. Cassy Platko, owner and manager of McKean Memorial Park, explained that the construction is an effort to provide for the needs of the area’s families as they say a final goodbye to a loved one. Platko took over ownership of the park, located on Route 59 in Lewis Run, at the end of March. “In today’s world, people tend to move away from the normal in-ground burial and would like to
have the option of a mausoleum or niche entombment,” Platko said. “We want to provide options to meet the needs of the community.” According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), in 2010, 53.3% of those who died were buried while 40.4% were cremated. In 2015, that balance had shifted, as 45.2% were buried and 47.9% were cremated. The projected data for 2021 shows that only 36.6% of those who died will be buried, while 57.5% will be cremated. For 2025, that shift will increase:
30.9% will be buried and 63.3% will be cremated. A lot of that was attributed to the coronavirus, as social distancing and mask requirements have significantly delayed funerals and burial plans at times. The community mausoleum will include 128 cremated ashes in columbarium niches and 80 full size entombments in the crypts. “We incorporated a stone look as accents to the mausoleum to match our stone entrance, and stone tower that is located here at the Park,” Platko said. While more expensive
than an in-ground burial, a mausoleum provides the benefit of permanent name engravings, plaque depictions and vases for flower arrangements. The enclosures are secure and will remain dry, providing a dry, comforting location for a final resting place. As with any significant project, the initial cost for construction requires funding. That means those interested in this burial option should reach out to Platko by calling 814-368-8575 or by emailing mckeanmemorialpark@outlook.com sooner rather than later. The level of interest and
pre-sales for the project will be the deciding factor for when it can be completed. “The mausoleum we are planning is a big expense for a small business, but we feel it is needed to serve the community,” Platko said. “In order to make this project financially feasible we are trying to pre-sell spaces in the mausoleum to help us with construction costs.” If everything goes well with pre-sales for the mausoleum niches, Platko said the hope is to begin construction in the spring or summer of 2022. Once the foundation is in, she noted, the entire project can be
completed in three to four months. “A small business, like a cemetery, can’t build it tomorrow,” Platko said. “We are looking to save funds to get it built as soon as possible.” Platko explained the addition is convenient also because the McKean Memorial Park is more centrally located in the county and is available to serve more areas than just Bradford. She also noted that if the proposed mausoleum sells all available space, Platko would add another to the park.
Deadliest 48 Hours Since Pandemic Declared Things took a turn for the worse with the COVID-19 coronavirus in Potter County and throughout the region between Monday and Wednesday. There were a record 612 new cases confirmed across nine counties and the death toll grew by 22. Some 33 new cases were confirmed and two more people died in Potter County. Active case count in the county rebounded to 127. Vast majority of those infected were not vaccinated. A case is considered active, and the victim highly contagious, if COVID-19 was confirmed over the past two weeks. Pa. Dept. of Health points out that the actual number of active cases is likely much higher, since the statistics only include those who were tested — and relatively few tests have been administered in recent weeks. Public health officials recommend testing for those who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 or those who believe they
may have been exposed to the virus. Free testing is available at UPMC Cole for physician-referred patients. Tests are also being administered at Buchanan Brothers Pharmacy (visit the website here or call 1-800-635-8611) and Rite Aid Pharmacy (website here or call 814-274-0439). More than one in eight Potter County residents age five and older has now been confirmed as a COVID-19 victim, which is far above the national average and a troubling measure of the disease’s pervasiveness and the continual public health risk that it poses. There have been 1,940 cases confirmed with 49 deaths (see chart below). At the same time, Potter County’s vaccination rate is barely half the statewide average and is growing at a pace of only about 10 people per day. As of Wednesday, the figure stood at 5,919 residents (5,941) age 5 and older, or 39 percent. Statewide, 76.5 percent have been vaccinated. UPMC Cole offers the vaccine to eligible patients at its outpatient
appointment for an adult, call 814-274-5460; for pediatric patients, call 814-2749198. Buchanan Brothers Pharmacy in Coudersport administers the vaccine by appointment; call
814-274-8660. Rite Aid pharmacies continue to book appointments. To access the online reservation form, click here. Across the region, there were 62 more cases
and another three deaths in Tioga County between Monday and Wednesday; 55 cases with three fatalities in McKean County; 46 cases and three deaths in Clinton County; 125 cases and three
deaths in Cattaraugus County, N.Y.; 153 cases and three fatalities in Lycoming County; 49 cases and four deaths in Elk County; and 80 cases with one death in Allegany County, N.Y.
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