The Dam Show, billed as a weekend of music, art, colorful lights and summer fun, will return to Austin Dam Memorial Park in Southern Potter County on Sept. 9 and 10.Last year, The Dam Show was held at the Genesee Environmental Center due to the deteriorating condition of the access road to the Austin Dam Memorial Park. The road is being widened and stabilized to accommodate show traffic and a free shuttle bus will run between the parking area at Austin Area School and the park. Read The Complete Story in the Star Gazette.
A Roulette man was sentenced to serve 6-14 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated assault, and endangering the welfare of a child. Both chares were felonies. 29 year old John Post is facing the charges for inflicting life-threatening injuries on his six month old son last August.
Editor's Note: I know the little boy that was injured. My close friend has taken the child in through the foster care system, and loves him like his own son. The little boy is doing wonderful. He's in a safe and loving home, and is in good health. The only reason I bring it up, is that so often, the "happy ending" in these stories never gets told. In this case, I know this boy, and he is a happy and sweet little boy, and I can't wait to see him grow up and live a normal life. He's extremely lucky to be alive.
A Roulette Man is in jail in lieu of 15 thousand dollars bail for sexual assault charges. State Police say 22 year old Shawn Scharlau is facing 18-20 counts of rape, indcent assault, indecent exposure, corruption of minors, and indecent sexual assault involving a boy and a girl under the age of 13.
Sweden Township Police Chief Bryan Phelps, and Potter County Children and Youth Headed up the investigation. A Hearing is set for August 22 before District Judge Annette Easton.
A Hiker from Maryland had to be flown to Geisinger Medical Center after a fall at the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Park Manager Chip Harrison says the 36 year old man was walking along the Turkey Path in Colton State Park when he fell 50-100 yards down the hill. Other hikers heard his call for help, and he was rescued. The helicopter was called in as a precaution.
A Sharon Township theft is under State Police Investigation.
According to a report from the Coudersport Barracks, A Three diamond pendant with a gold chain is missing from the home of 73 year old Nancy Babcock. The incident happened sometime over the past several months.
An Adelphoi village therapist was injured in an incident at the Harrison Valley Facility this week. According to a State Police Report, sometime Tuesday Morning, a 13 year old resident slammed a door on the fingers of Jessica Plank. Harassment charges have been filed.
A Tuesday Fire is under investigation. According to Austin Fire Cheif Don Clinton, a camp on Route 872 in Wharton township caught on fire at about 4:20 PM. Firefighters from across the region responded to help. One firefighter was injured in while tackling the blaze.
It's not clear what caused the fire at this point.
Several local signs have been defamed. WFRM Radio reports that vandals used black spray paint to write "Home of Nazi's" and a swatstika on signs along Route 6 near Burtville. The word Nazi was mispelled as Natzi. Similar vandalism happened on a "Welcome to Coudersport" sign located near Charles Cole Memorial Hospital.
Anyone with information is asked to contact State Police at 814-274-8690
An award-winning documentary on the 2004 reunion of Coudersport's very own rock band, Ollie and the Go Gos, will make its public debut on Saturday afternoon at the Coudersport Theatre. Read Paul Heimel's Complete Story in the Bradford Era Online.
Residents seeking up-to-date information on follow-up activities related to the June 30 Norfolk Southern train derailment and spill that affected Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek can now log on to the Department of Environmental Protection’s Web site. “A number of McKean and Cameron county residents have reported to us that the derailment has had a profound affect on their lives and that they would like to know more about ongoing activities,” DEP Northwest Regional Director Kelly Burch said. “We’ve issued several news releases regarding follow-up activities at the derailment site and established a public document repository at the Cameron County Conservation District Office to keep the public informed,” Burch said. “The Web site is one more tool for residents to stay current with all the accident-related activities.” The Web information includes a brief history of the derailment, its environmental consequences and actions that Norfolk Southern will have to take to restore the health of the watershed. There also is a link to all DEP news releases, so when new information becomes available, residents will have immediate access. To view the information, go to www.depweb.state.pa.us. On the left side of that homepage, click on “Northwest” or “Northcentral,” then “Community Involvement” and then “Norfolk Southern Train Derailment.” On Aug. 14, DEP issued a notice of violation to Norfolk Southern. An NOV is a formal notice to the company that its actions violated numerous state environmental regulations. Under state law, the company could be subject to penalties of up to $35,000 per day, starting from the date of the original spill and continuing until the violations cease. The NOV cites the railroad for the ongoing discharge of pollution and encroachments into commonwealth waters, the unpermitted disposal of wastes, and release of hazardous substances. About 44,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda or lye, spilled when 28 railroad cars derailed. Some of the sodium hydroxide entered Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek and wiped out aquatic life and fish from the accident site near the McKean County village of Gardeau to a point 7.5 miles downstream at the mouth of Fourmile Run near Emporium in Cameron County. An unknown amount of sodium hydroxide also soaked into the ground in and around the derailment site, and this residual material must be addressed to ensure a complete recovery of Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek. For more information on water quality, visit DEP’s Web site at http://www.depweb.state.pa.us , Keyword: “Water Quality.”
Environmental Education Programs For Weekend Of August 25, 2006
Come join us at Sizerville State Park as we explore the outdoors. The following programs will be offered this week:
Friday, August 25, 2006 6:00 PM Snakes with the PA Fish and Boat Commission Join us for a live presentation at the campground amphitheater. Waterways Conservation Officer Bill Crisp of the PA Fish and Boat Commission will present a special program on the Snakes of Pennsylvania. The program will include the venomous species of our state, with special focus on the Timber Rattlesnake. Live snakes will be on hand. Dont miss this one!
Saturday, August 26, 2006 3:30 PM WILDTHINGS - Come out and visit Sizerville State Park. Relax, cool off and take a dip in the pool. At 3:30 p.m., during the adult swim, ages 18 and up, meet the Park Naturalist at the Environmental Education Building, across the parking lot from the pool, and investigate what animals live right here in the Park. We will be searching for salamanders, frogs, toads, butterflies and more! If you are interested in participating in the program, bring shoes, bug spray, sunscreen lotion and water. We will be hiking through sunny fields, or in the woods.
8:30 PM MAMMALS - What is a Mammal? Do mammals hop, swim, trot, or fly? Come out and meet some of the mammals that can be found in the Pennsylvania Wilds! Meet the naturalist at the Campground Amphitheater.
Sunday, August 27, 2006 11:00 AM TRACKS AND TRACES, MORNING HIKE - Many times the only signs of wildlife we ever see are the traces they leave behind tracks, scat, etc. Join the park naturalist for a short hike and learn how to identify some common tracks, traces and discuss outdoor ethics. Meet the naturalist at the Campground Amphitheater. Mosquitoes and other biting bugs are abundant, so remember to bring your bug spray. Additionally, we suggest that you would wear long pants.
Evening programs will be held at the Campground Amphitheater, if the weather is NOT cooperating, programs will be held in the Environmental Education Building (across the road from the park office). Dress accordingly for the weather; Sizerville can be damp and chilly, even through the duration of the summer. Insect repellant is also recommended.
Causer, Scarnati Announce Museum Grants Awarded to Potter,
McKean and Cameron Counties
RepHARRISBURG - Rep. Marty Causer (R-Turtlepoint) and Sen. Joe Scarnati
(R-Brockway) today announced grants from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. The grant money is being allocated in the following amounts:
· Potter County - Potter County Commissioners, archives and records
Management, $6,186.
· McKean County - Eldred World War II Museum, $7,700.
McKean County Historical Society, $10,000.
· Cameron County - Cameron County Historical Society, $1,000.
Lumber Heritage Region of Pennsylvania, public history
and education $5,000.
"I have been a long-time supporter of the Historical and Museum Commission's grant program, and I'm pleased that the commission's peer review panel selected local organizations for recognition and funding this year," said Causer.
The commission's grant programs help to fund a broad range of historic activities, which are supported by state appropriations each fiscal year.
"These museums do an excellent job of preserving and portraying the rich history of the region," said Scarnati. "Certainly our area will continue to benefit from these museums' valuable work."
Come join us at Sizerville State Park as we explore the outdoors. The following programs will be offered this week:
Friday, August 18, 2006 8:30 PM SHADOW OF MISUNDERSTANDING - Join the park naturalist as we identify Pennsylvanias native snakes, ways to distinguish non-venomous and venomous snakes from each other, the benefit of having snakes, and the vital role they play in our environment.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
3:30 PM WILDTHINGS - Come out and visit Sizerville State Park. Relax, cool off and take a dip in the pool. At 3:30 p.m., during the adult swim, ages 18 and up, meet the Park Naturalist at the Environmental Education Building, across the parking lot from the pool, and investigate what animals live right here in the Park. We will be searching for salamanders, frogs, toads, butterflies and more! If you are interested in participating in the program, bring shoes, bug spray, sunscreen lotion and water. We will be hiking through sunny fields, or in the woods.
8:30 PM EXPLORING THE PLANETS Do you know which planet is home to the largest mountain in the entire solar system? Or which planet revolves around the sun faster than other planet in the solar system? Answer these questions and so much more as we explore the planets.
Sunday, August 20, 2006 11:00 AM TRACKS AND TRACES, MORNING HIKE - Many times the only signs of wildlife we ever see are the traces they leave behind tracks, scat, etc. Join the park naturalist for a short hike and learn how to identify some common tracks, traces and discuss outdoor ethics. Meet the naturalist at the Campground Amphitheater. Mosquitoes and other biting bugs are abundant, so remember to bring your bug spray. Additionally, we suggest that you would wear long pants.
If the weather is NOT cooperating, evening programs will be held in the Environmental Education Building (across the road from the park office). Dress accordingly for the weather; Sizerville can be damp and chilly, even through the duration of the summer. Insect repellant is also recommended.
Causer Says Grant Program Available to Help Senior Centers
RepHARRISBURG - Rep. Marty Causer (R-Turtlepoint) encourages local senior centers to apply for $4 million worth of grants now available to help senior centers improve their facilities and services. The Senior Community Center Grant Program is administered by the Department of Aging and is designed to support and enhance the role of senior community centers in the continuum of aging services.
Grant applications will be accepted until Sept. 22, 2006. To expedite the awards, money will be granted to centers on a rolling basis.
Grants awarded to senior centers will be divided into two categories: capital assistance projects and the capacity building projects. Assistance projects will receive up to $200,000 toward renovations, repairs, equipment, furnishings or acquisition of land or facilities and construction, while building projects will receive up to $10,000 to help pay for administration, fundraising or help in growing the programs and services offered at senior centers.
Last year's state budget, for 2005-06, included $3 million in funding for senior centers. These funds though were later vetoed by the governor. Since the governor's 2006-07 budget proposal did not include the needed funding for senior centers, the legislature fought to appropriate the $4 million in the current state budget. As some senior centers closed for lack of funding last year, these grants will help support senior centers located throughout Pennsylvania that provide major benefits to the state's older residents.
Senior centers that want to apply can visit Causer's Web site at www.RepCauser.com for more information and to download a grant application.
Senior centers with questions about the grant process should contact the Department of Aging at 717-783-6207 and ask to speak with someone from the Division of Consumer Community Support Services.
CHERRY SPRINGS, Pa. - From a clearing on top of a 2,300-foot mountain and with the naked eye, the wispy Milky Way seems close enough to touch. You can't of course, but here at Cherry Springs State Park, you can get a better view of the heavens than probably any other place on the East Coast. As night's veil descends on a Saturday evening early this summer, more and more stars appear, shining brighter as the sun drifts ever below the horizon. Read the Complete Story in the Centre Daily Times
Leonard F. "Tiny" Treat Sr., 79, of 48 Conable Ave., Roulette, died Saturday (Aug. 12, 2006) in Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Switzer Funeral Home.
Ouch. This hit me like a ton of bricks. "Tiny" Treat was of no blood relation. But I had no grandfather nearby. My mom's dad died when I was a kid after years of alcoholism, half way across the country. My dad's dad lives near St. Louis.
I think it was the summer after eight grade. I was not a popular kid. In fact, my best and only friend was my little brother Jake. We spent a lot of time together, but Summer is baseball season, and Jake was busy getting beaned by Little Leaguers.
So while looking for something to do, I met up with Shaun Chilson. He lived over on Railroad Avenue, and he spent a lot of time with his grandparents on Ought Street. So when we were plotting our summer mischeif of campfires, mountain biking, rafting the Allegheny, and other Potter County fun, we needed a headquarters.
His "GeePa" was glad to supply us with a place to put our adventures together, and supplies for the journey. We would stop by Tiny's house, and load up our backpacks with soda, hot dogs, chips, and a miscellany of junk food items, but only after Tiny and his wife made sure we had a proper supper.
We'd use his hose to wash the mud off of our bikes, we'd use his air compressor to blow up our raft, we'd borrow his hammer to drive the tent stakes in the ground.
I hate to say that we "used" him so much... the truth is, Tiny was a generous man who gave us everything we needed. I remember crashing in his garage when our tent got rained out. I remember when he remodeled the loft, and he would let us play pool.
I was a bonehead.. and popped a ball off of the table, and it smashed into the glass cabinet that housed his wonderful wood carvings. Tiny's daughter Rhoda was going to help us sneak some glass in to fix it, so we wouldn't get caught, but Tiny found out. He rolled it off like it was not a big deal. His eyes were laughing. "Ha. I remember being a kid," flashed unsaid in his brow.
Luckily those wood carvings weren't damaged. He had hundreds of whimsical and beautiful figuires. He was a master whittler.
He was a good man. A generous man. A loving man. I know that his family will miss him the most. So to the Treats, and Weimers, and Chilsons, and every other offshoot, I'm sorry for your loss. We all feel echoes of your pain.
News Advisory WHAT: Area seniors will have the opportunity to gather a variety of useful information on programs and services at Causer's fourth annual senior expo.
WHO: Rep. Marty Causer, representatives of various state and local agencies and organizations.
WHEN: Aug. 18, 2006.
TIME: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Sports and Fitness Building gymnasium.
The Department of Environmental Protection has issued a notice of violation to Norfolk Southern in the aftermath of a June 30 McKean County train derailment and sodium hydroxide spill that caused severe pollution of Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek. This citation reflects the reality that the waters of Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek and the aquatic life that existed there were devastated as a consequence of the spill, DEP Northwest Regional Director Kelly Burch said. Pennsylvanias tough environmental laws give us the ability we need to hold parties accountable when there are incidents such as this, and we do plan to hold Norfolk Southern accountable.
An NOV is a formal notice to the company that its actions violated numerous state environmental regulations. Under state law, the company could be subject to penalties of up to $35,000 per day, starting from the date of the original spill and continuing until the violations cease.
The NOV cites the railroad for the ongoing discharge of pollution and encroachments into commonwealth waters, the unpermitted disposal of wastes, and release of hazardous substances.
About 44,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda or lye, spilled when 28 Norfolk Southern railroad cars derailed. Some of the sodium hydroxide entered Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek and wiped out aquatic life and fish from the accident site near the McKean County village of Gardeau to a point 7.5 miles downstream at the mouth of Fourmile Run near Emporium in Cameron County.
Assessments of the Driftwood Branch, below its confluence with Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek, showed a lesser impact to the number of aquatic insects.
An unknown amount of sodium hydroxide also soaked into the ground in and around the derailment site, and this residual material must be addressed to ensure a complete recovery of Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek.
Norfolk Southern consultants began work last week to install monitoring wells for groundwater sampling and borings for soil sampling as part of the site assessment plan to determine the depth and breadth of contamination. More equipment will be brought on site this week to continue that work.
The sodium hydroxide raised the pH of the water in Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek to a level that devastated aquatic life and fish. The pH is a measurement for determining levels of acidity and alkalinity, with higher levels signaling alkalinity.
As a temporary measure, Norfolk Southern is applying a citric acid solution at the spill site to neutralize the pH of the sodium hydroxide still leaching from the soil into the stream. This effort has resulted in normal pH readings in Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek. As a result, DEP advises avoiding the section of the creek from the mouth of Big Fill Run to a point 1,000 feet downstream.
We continue to review other sections of the Norfolk Southern site assessment plan, including those dealing with schedule of work and conceptual site restoration, Burch said. We have advised Norfolk Southern that the department will soon set an enforceable schedule for implementing the actions described in the assessment plan and ultimate final restoration plan.
DEP has made its public files relating to the train derailment available for review at the Cameron County Courthouse for the convenience of residents living in McKean and Cameron counties.
The Cameron County Conservation District is housing the document repository at its office in Room 105 of the courthouse, 20 E. Fifth St., Emporium. Residents should contact Jan Hampton at 814-486-9353 or via e-mail at ccconservation@cameroncountypa.com to arrange an appointment for a file review.
A Crash on Route 44 headed toward Cherry Springs stopped traffic Thursday for three hours. State Police report 24 year old Ryan Harvey of State College lost control of a 1978 Autocar Dump Truck when the engine shut down for no apparent reason. The dump truck lost steering and brakes, went across the road and struck an embankment.
An OnStar subscriber arrived at the scene of the accident shortly, and contacted emergency personnel. Harvey was taken to Charles Cole, and emergency crews worked for three hours to clean up the scene.
