Labels: fun, pictorial, summer

"Plate du jour. Wanda Shirk, of Ulysses, Potter County, has the Pennsylvania personalized license plate THK 4YSF on her car. Even a cop who wrote a speeding ticket liked it, but she still had to pay, she said. :

Read the Complete Story in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.

Labels: wanda shirk

A is for Allegheny, as any Pittsburgher would guess, all 325 miles of this winding river’s course. The name, bestowed by Native peoples whose interactions with the waterway go back many centuries, translates to something akin to “fair waters.” From a headspring on a Potter County hillside in northwestern Pennsylvania, the Allegheny gathers enough water from a small section of western New York and a large portion of Western Pennsylvania to conclude her run at Pittsburgh’s Point with flow averaging 2 billion gallons a day.

Read the Complete Story in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.

Labels: Allegany river, potter county

The full board of the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission met Wednesday morning. The board approved the officers nominated by the Nominated Committee.
Read the complete story in the St. Mary's Daily Press.

A Coudersport woman was charged earlier this month with stalking after an incident on Snowman road. Police say 39 year old Darlene Bess is accused of hand delivering 295 pages of correspondance to Bradley Giannotti between April and December of last year.

Labels: coudersport, police, potter, stalking

David Mensch of Port Allegany has been named as the new board president fort the Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit 9 board of directors. Mensch is a school director in Port Allegany, and has been an 1u9 director for two years. He served as a biology teacher at Port Allegany High School for 36 years.

Labels: education, iu9

According to a report in the Potter Leader Enterprise, State Rep Marty Causer, and staff at US Senator Arlen Specter's office is surprised to hear that the county wants to by the Time Warner School building.

Officials told Leader editor Donald Gilliland that Potter County Commissioners had previously agreed that it was first priority to attract jobs to that building, and to keep it on the tax rolls.

So a move to make it the courthouse annex should be a last option, according to Causer.

Labels: adelphia, coudersport, leader enterprise, time warner

Starting at the start of 2007, a new deal inked between Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and the Route 6 Heritage Corp. will put the Heritage Corp. in charge of the Northern regional management of Keep PA Beautiful.

Labels: route 6

The Potter Leader Enterprise has posted last week's front page online.

Read it here.

frontpage.pdf

From the Potter Leader Enterprise

Labels: leader enterprise, potter

Endeavor News:
Small towns have the opportunity to not only survive but thrive in the electronic and mobile economy of today. As long as they quit thinking… well, small. That according to Bill Fontana executive director of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. He spoke to about 45 people at a community workshop Tuesday evening at Legion Post 192 in Coudersport.
To Read the Complete Story, pick up this week's edition of the Endeavor!

Labels: coudersport, economy, endeavor

WFRM.net reports:
Sweden Valley Manor is inviting community members to become pen pals with several of the home’s residents. Mary Jones, Director of Customer Relations, says staff will help interested persons get started by providing a couple of stamps and stationery. She says there is no requirement as to how often letters are sent, and even postcards will be welcome. Emails are also acceptable. Jones says Sweden Valley Manor will provide brief “bio” information of the resident to make corresponding easier. For more information, call her at 274-7610.
from wfrm.net

Labels: Sweden Valley Manor, wfrm

Endeavor News reports:
At least three companies have expressed an interest in locating a call center in Coudersport once Time Warner Cable (TWC) pulls out of town. Although the inquiries are now merely in the talking stages, they do offer glimmers of hope for more than 500 TWC employees whose jobs will vanish in just over two weeks.
For More Information, Grab this week's copy of the Endeavor.

Labels: adelphia, call center, coudersport, endeavor, time warner

WFRM.net reports:
A report in today’s BRADFORD ERA may be slightly misleading according to Potter County Commissioner Chairman Ken Wingo. As WFRM reported earlier this month, Potter County was asked by the Bradford Regional Airport Authority to give up its seat on the authority because the County never was a paying member of the authority. Today’s news story says the decision is a direct result of the “financial difficulties facing the county in light of the Time-Warner Cable layoffs.” The Commissioners had just completed preparing the 2007 county budget days before the announcement by the giant media company that it would be closing the Coudersport call center, laying off some 500 workers in early February. Chairman Wingo told WFRM that the commissioners believed there were other priorities for the county and that the board felt the $15,000 payment to stay on the authority was excessive for an 8th class county, especially when Cameron County which is also an 8th class county is required to pay only $3,000.Wingo told WFRM that if the situation changes, the county might be interested it going back on at some point and said that some recent changes with the airport are attractive to Time Warner in terms of the 75 or so employees who are expected to stay here, for awhile at least. Flights from Bradford are going to Dulles Airport in the Greater Washington. DC area and the location is convenient for Time Warner as it is close to their Virginia headquarters. Originally, Cleveland was to be the hub with fewer flights. Wingo added that the change in hubs, might even mean a few more Time Warner jobs being located in Coudersport in the future.
from wfrm.net

Labels: airport, bradford era, wfrm

State police in Coudersport have charged a woman with stalking and harassment for allegedly hand delivering and mailing about 295 pages of correspondences to her victim from April of 2004 to December 2006.

Police said Darlene L. Bess, 39, of Coudersport, was asked several timed to stop her course of action, but the conduct continued.

Charges were filed in the district court.
from the Star Gazette

U.S. Rep. John Peterson, R-Pa., is blasting a Democratic energy tax plan that seeks to recoup billions in lost royalties from offshore drilling. The money would then be used to promote a renewable fuels effort.
Read the Complete Story in the Bradford Era.

WFRM.net reports:
Coudersport Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed three
new members to its Board of Directors at this month's meeting. Directors who began their terms include Coudersport High School Principal Alanna Huck, Morgan AM&T Human
Resources Director Mark Moore and retiree Gerald Montgomery. Those three join incumbent board members Mike Harris, Paul Heimel, Dolores Gartside, DougMorley, Jole'e Mack and Stan Swank. The annual election of officers was held. Results were: Gerald Montgomery, president; Mike Harris, first vice-president; Stan Swank, second vice-president; Doug Morley, treasurer; and Paul Heimel, secretary. Directors discussed steps the Chamber can take to help the Coudersport area cope with the job losses expected when Time Warner closes two customer centers and the Adelphia Estate wraps up its Chapter 11 bankruptcy activities. State Assemblyman Martin Causer and Gov. Ed Rendell have volunteered to attend upcoming Chamber meetingsto discuss ways the state can help and exchange ideas on Coudersport's current situation Stan Swank, the chamber's liaison with the Coudersport Area Merchants Assn., said that group is also anxious to step up its activities this year. Swank put out a call for other business operators to join the merchants' group..The Chamber is also looking into offering group health
insurance options to boost membership and sponsoring new events, such as a three-on-three basketball tournament and a "lunch on the square" series, to stimulate downtown commerce.
from wfrm.net

WFRM.net reports:
Potter County Public Defender Brent Petrosky discussed his office’s increasing work load during the January 4 commissioners’ meeting. Petrosky said that now the county has a full-time District Attorney, his caseload in increasing. Chairman Ken Wingo asked Petrosky if he knew of any movement on the state level to provide additional funding to counties to increase staffing in Public Defenders’ offices as the legislature did when it created full-time DA positions. Petrosky said he was not aware of any formal activity but suggested in might be coming up in the future as he is not alone in the problem. In response to a question from Chairman Wingo, Petrosky said a new computer system will help his office’s efficiency because he and his secretary will be able to keep track of cases and arrests by “hooking” into the Prothonotary and Judge’s systems. He told the commissioners he appreciates their support with a recent authorization for a full time secretary.
from wfrm.net

WFRM.net reports:
Coudersport-based state police are investigating a couple of recent burglaries in the northern part of the county. Sometime Sunday night or Monday morning, thieves broke a window on the southern side of Connie’s Market on Route 49 in Harrison Township to gain entry. They exited the building through the broken window, taking along a cash register containing about $120 in currency and coins and about 30 packs of cigarettes. Value of the stolen items is said to be nearly $600 and damage to the window is estimated to be about $100. And, sometime over the past couple of weeks, thieves entered a camp on Route 49 East in Bingham township and removed several assorted brass and copper piping and plumbing pieces from the house and a variety of radiators, alternators, wires etc. from antique tractors and pick up trucks stored in a nearby shed. The camp is owned by John and April Shimkanin of California, Pennsylania. Entry was made through a cellar window. Any with information about either incident is asked to contact the local barracks at 274-8690.
from wfrm.net

WFRM.net reports:
Several DUI defendants were recently admitted to the Potter County ARD program. Matthew Mills, 44 of Renovo was arrested this past September 3 in Ulysses Township after being stopped for summary traffic violations. His alcohol level was found to be .13%. Michael Schock, 32, of Lancaster was arrested over the 4^th of July weekend in Galeton with an alcohol level of .12%. And, 30 year old Jason George of Altoona was arrested on September 29 in Homer Township. His BAC was also .12%. The legal limit in Pennsylvania is .08%. All three were ordered to pay all court costs and fees and the fees for ARD; attend DUI Alcohol Safe Driving School and the DUI Victim Impact Panel and to perform 25 hours of community service. Mills must also surrender his driver’s license for 30 days.
from wfrm.net

WFRM.net reports:
Will there be an airport in Potter County’s future? Potter County Commissioner Chairman Ken Wingo, responding to a question from WFRM during the January 4 meeting, said it may be an issue worth revisiting as a means of attracting employers to the area. Wingo said several years ago there were matching funds available but a previous board of commissioners abandoned the idea. The chairman who is experienced in aviation, says the county is the only one in the state which does not have a municipal airport but adds that the recent upgrading of the Bradford Regional Airport to Essential Air Service will help in the interim with a increase in the number of flights available and a decrease in the cost.

from WFRM.net

WFRM.net reports:
Even though Pennsylvania has had a mild winter so far, with little snow fall, Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences say there is a State Animal Response Team in place and ready to go if a disaster should strike but Penn State Extension Educator Norman Conrad says volunteers are needed to work with anything from household pets to livestock. He says volunteers don’t necessarily have to be a lion tamer or a dog handler. He says the system is looking for people that can do the very simple things such as answer the phone, run a computer, help feed and water animals etc. You can find out more by visiting the website www.pasart.org. According to Potter County EMA project coordinator for the Citizen Corps, Linda Williams, Potter County does not yet have a county animal response team, but there is one in McKean County and one is being formed in Tioga County. She says the counties are planning to work together on responding to a disaster but suggests anyone interested in participating contact Jim Clark with Penn State Cooperative Extension in Smethport, 887-5613.
from wfrm.net

WFRM.net reports:
Even though Pennsylvania has had a mild winter so far, with little snow fall, Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences say there is a State Animal Response Team in place and ready to go if a disaster should strike but Penn State Extension Educator Norman Conrad says volunteers are needed to work with anything from household pets to livestock. He says volunteers don’t necessarily have to be a lion tamer or a dog handler. He says the system is looking for people that can do the very simple things such as answer the phone, run a computer, help feed and water animals etc. You can find out more by visiting the website www.pasart.org. According to Potter County EMA project coordinator for the Citizen Corps, Linda Williams, Potter County does not yet have a county animal response team, but there is one in McKean County and one is being formed in Tioga County. She says the counties are planning to work together on responding to a disaster but suggests anyone interested in participating contact Jim Clark with Penn State Cooperative Extension in Smethport, 887-5613.
from wfrm.net

WFRM.net reports:
During the January 4 Potter County Commissioners’ meeting, the board approved a lateral transfer of Monica Fourness from Part-time Secretary/clerk in the Prothonotary’s office to full time Secretary/clerk in the Public Defender’s office. Since it is a lateral transfer, there is no change in the salary. The board also agreed to hire Mary Lou Fourness on an emergency basis to fill the vacancy in the Prothonotary’s office until the vacancy can be formally advertised and subsequently filled as required by the union. The Commissioners also accepted the resignation of Brandi Goulding as 911 Data Entry Secretary effective February 9, 2007. She has been employed in the position since August 2003. The board also nominated Commissioner John Torok to the Potter County Conservation District board for a term of one year and accepted the resignation of Dale Hoffman as an Associate Director of the District. His term expires on December 31, 2008 and the District provided a list of possible replacements for consideration by the board. They also appointed Commissioner Catherine Bowers, George Hults Amy Jo McLain and Joe Pagano to the Overall Economic Development Program Committee of the North Central Regional Planning and Development Commission, all for a two year term .

from WFRM.net

Charles Cole Memorial Hospital reports tat a Port Allegany woman has given birth to the first baby born in 2007.

Rhonda Rupert gave birth to the seven pound, 3.4 ounce baby at 7:38 in the morning on New Year's Day. Bailey Lynn Rupert joins a 10 year old brother.

Rhonda's brother Ron Rupert Jr. was the New Year's Baby in 1977.

(I graduated with Ron in 1996)

Us Bankruptcy Judge Robert Gerber says he'll confirm Adelphia's plan to emerge from chapter 11 bankruptcy. Gerber says Adelphia has satisfied the requirements of the Bankruptcy code.

I drove by Denton Hill the other day, and I noticed a ton of skiers out hitting the slopes. Despite the fact that it was 40 degrees and raining, there was snow on the mountain.

Denton Hill pulls water from resevoirs, and uses high tech equipment to turn the water into snow, and spray it on the hillside.

Despite warm weather, skiing is still a popular draw in the area.

I'm sure though, that there can't possibly be as many skiers as there would be with a good six to eight inch base of natural snow. And the local economy does better when those skiers come in as well.

So... raise your glass... here's to snow!

Level (3), formerly known as Telcove, is cutting several jobs by the end of February. The Potter Leader Enterprise reports that less than 15 jobs in accounts payable, payroll, purchasing, and procurement will be gone by the end of February, with some of them gone as soon as January 12.

At a selling price of 14 million, Citizens Trust Bank Company, with offices in Coudersport, and McKean and Cameron Counties has been sold to Citizens & Northern Bank out of Wellsboro.

Citizens Trust has assets valued at about 142 million dollars. It has been in operation for more than 100 years.