07/07/08

A Mills driver almost made it home safely early Saturday morning but is now facing DUI charges for a crash in which he received major injuries. State police here say 24 year old Allen Mowrey was speeding south when the right side tires on his Jeep Pioneer went off the road for about 120feet. Mowrey steered abruptly to the left causing the Jeep to come back onto the road and cross to the other side. Mowrey then tried to counter steer and sent the vehicle into a yaw which continued as it traveled across the southbound lane, struck an embankment and rolled over coming to rest on the highway. Mowrey was ejected from the vehicle, but righted the vehicle and drove it about 250 feet into the driveway at his residence on Marsh Creek Road. He was taken to Charles Cole Hospital by private vehicle for treatment of his injuries and police say when they interviewed him, they found he had been driving under the influence of alcohol. He is also facing numerous summary traffic charges as well.

A young child suffered minor injuries in a collision taking place just before 6:00 p.m. July 4^th at a Hebron Township intersection. Troopers said the collision occurred when Brett Haskins of Coudersport attempted to turn his southbound Subaru Outback onto Route 244 from Route 44 and turned into the path of a Dodge Intrepid driven by Terry Crain, also Coudersport. Both drivers escaped injury but a four year old girl in Crain’s car received minor injuries even though she was properly restrained.

 No one was hurt in a collision taking place last Thursday afternoon on Route 6 in Keating Township, McKean County. State police said Michelle Smith of Smethport failed to properly yield to oncoming traffic when she pulled her Dodge Caliber from Baker Road onto Route 6 in front of a Chrysler Voyager driven by Lloyd Daniels of Port Allegany. 

Jeffrey Switzer of Rew is being charged with DUI for a crash taking place early Sunday morning on Route 59 in Lafayette Township. Kane-based state police say Switzer refused treatment for minor injuries he suffered when his Oldsmobile sedan struck a driveway embankment about 3.5 miles east of Route 219 and flipped onto its roof, sliding several feet before coming to rest.

 Samuel Babcock, 40 of Port Allegany has been jailed in lieu of $20,000 bail after being arraigned July 4^th on charges of terroristic threats, reckless endangerment, simple assault and harassment. Troopers say they were called to a residence on Freer Hollow Road at about 2:30 a.m. for a domestic violence incident in progress. Upon arriaval, they allegedly found Babcock had thrown 30 year old Carrie Heffner to the floor and bashed her head off the floor several times before threatening her with a loaded 12 gaugeshotgun.

07/04/08

In the news this Independence Day, July 4th, the clock is ticking for an Illinois real estate investor who owns the former Adelphia Operations Center in downtown Coudersport.  Unable to find any tenants to occupy the opulent building in the middle of town, owner Bogdan Klek of suburban Chicago is now trying to find a buyer.

Earlier this year, Klek paid 3.6 million dollars through an internet-based auction. The building cost an estimated 30 million dollars to construct in 2000.  Klek’s purchase included the 72,000-square-foot brick, marble, granite and bronze building, designed to accommodate 275 employees; as well as asphalt parking for 260 vehicles across four different lots. Klek said recently that he has no intention of holding onto the property for long. Local officials have been concerned that if an occupant cannot be found, the property owner might be tempted to demolish the building and sell its material for their salvage value.

Another major drug bust was made this week in Bradford as part of an ongoing crackdown being spearheaded by the McKean County Drug Task Force. Six city residents were rounded up for selling crack cocaine, marijuana and prescription drugs to confidential informants. Police said additional arrests in and around McKean County are imminent.

The Bradford arrests came on the heels of a sweep by some 40 law enforcement officers in Olean, New York, resulting in the arrest of five men for dealing crack cocaine.

Long-time local attorney Harold B. Fink has decided to call it quits after a career in the field of law that dates back more than a half-century. The 80-year-old Fink, known to many as “H.B.,” has operated a private law practice based in Port Allegany for the past 20 years. He previously served as President Judge of Potter County. Prior to his election as judge in 1977, he was the District Attorney of Potter County for multiple terms and operated a law practice in Coudersport that opened in 1956. Fink cited declining health and a desire to spend more time with his family as major factors in his decision to retire.

 Plans are in place for a number of Independence Day holiday celebrations throughout the upcoming weekend. With the price of gas now pegged at more than four dollars per gallon, many local residents have decided to celebrate the holiday close to home. Of all the holiday weekend events, the Bark Peelers Convention at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum is probably the biggest attraction. It’s scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, opening at 10 am each day. Additional information on the Bark Peelers Convention is available by calling 435-2652.

 Three area communities are planning fireworks shows for Saturday night. The colorful display will be fired from downtown Austin, Galeton and Shinglehouse shortly after dark. Also on tap for the holiday weekend is the annual Coudersport New Century Club Strawberry Festival on Saturday. Serving of sundaes and strawberry shortcake gets underway at 10:30 am.

 In other news, Potter County Fine Arts Council has released the lineup for the sixth annual Dam Show, to be held over the July 18th and 19th weekend at the Austin Dam Memorial Park. This year’s show features several nationally known recording artists and country or bluegrass festival favorites, including the Hackensaw Boys, award-winning fiddler Michael Cleveland and a contemporary young band with local roots, The Slant. Details on the sixth annual Dam Show, including sound clips from many of the featured musicians, can be found at the website, DamShow.com.

 State environmental officials recently completed a study in McKean County that found some 73 illegal dumps, containing an estimated 165 tons of trash disposed of in an environmentally irresponsible manner. To date, some 25 Pennsylvania counties have been surveyed, identifying more than 2,600 illegal dumps. State officials expect to survey all 67 Pennsylvania counties by the year 2012.

 In other news, Coudersport Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with a non-profit organization to bring area residents the help in quitting smoking.

Chamber directors have accepted an offer by Clinical Outcomes Group Incorporated to meet with Coudersport area employers and bring their workers smoking cessation services, free of charge. Additional details will be announced.

 A variety of supplies are needed by local artists and volunteers to paint the Community Mural in Coudersport. It will be located on the Third Street side of the Penn-York Building, the home of the Potter County Education Council, facing the Coudersport Post Office. Contractor Larry Gibble has been applying a foundation coat of white paint to serve as a canvas for the massive mural. Organizers have put out a call for ladders, brushes and other donated supplies. The lower portion of the mural will be made up of tiles that people can paint to reflect what Coudersport means to them. Upper portion will be a painting depicting scenes that relate the history of Coudersport, with individual themes including nature, Native Americans, early settlers and farming. Monetary donations are being accepted. Business owners and local residents can sponsor a tile for 50 dollars.

07/03/08

Plans are in place for a number of Independence Day holiday celebrations throughout the upcoming weekend.Meanwhile, motorists are being warned about a strong crackdown on drunk drivers that begins at sundown today.State police from the Denton Hill, Kane and Emporium barracks along with local police departments throughout the region are partnered for this weekend’s “Red, White and Busted” campaign.

The Independence Day holiday has been a peak period for traffic crashes and fatalities, many of them attributed to impaired drivers.

“Red, White and Busted” involves the use of federal funds to cover increased sobriety checkpoints, additional police patrols, and heightened enforcement. 
Officers will be making arrests for driving under the influence of not only alcohol, but also marijuana and other illicit drugs, prescription drugs, and even over-the-counter medications. These can be measured through blood-testing if an officer has probable cause to suspect that a motorist is DUI.

Convicted DUI offenders face jail time, the loss of driving privileges, higher insurance rates, and other unanticipated expenses.

 With Independence Day falling on a Friday, nearly every local, county and state government office will be closed, including U.S. Post Offices. Many businesses will also be closed on Friday to give their employees a three-day weekend.

 Port Allegany Borough will get a jump-start on the holiday tonight with another in a series of Concerts on the Square. Music will be provided by the band “Crown” at the Port Allegany Town Square gazebo, starting at 6 pm. Refreshments will be available. Admission and parking are free.

 Of all the holiday weekend events, the Bark Peelers Convention at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum is probably the biggest attraction. Now in its 34^th year, the convention is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, opening at 10 am each day. There are events for children and adults, as well as exhibits and attractions blending entertainment with hands-on education about timber harvesting and local history.

Bark Peelers Convention re-creates the summertime celebrations lumber camp workers held to mark another successful season in the woods. Lumberjacks traditionally tested their skills in tobacco spitting, frog racing, ax throwing, greased pole endurance and, for the more adventurous, “birling” – which pits contestants on opposite ends of a floating log, trying to dislodge their opponent.

Visitors can watch wood craftsmen at work, stripping bark from freshly cut timber, carving, producing wooden shingles or whittling. A blacksmith demonstrates how horseshoes were made a century ago.

Entertainment includes performances by the popular jug band, Sadie Green Sales, and fascinating storytelling and history lessons by Rich Pawling.

Additional information on the Bark Peelers Convention is available by calling (814) 435-2652.

 Austin Pride Committee has scheduled that community’s annual Independence Day holiday fireworks display for Saturday night, shortly after dusk. Saturday is also the night for the popular Galeton Fireworks display, which will be fired off from the John J. Collins Memorial Park at about 10 o’clock. There are also big doings in Shinglehouse on Saturday with the annual Summer Fest. It kicks off with a parade at noon; music and games at the community park in the afternoon and evening, followed by a fireworks display after dusk. And, Coudersport New Century Club will tempt downtown visitors on Saturday with caloric treats during its annual Strawberry Festival. Serving of sundaes and strawberry shortcake gets underway at 10:30 am. Proceeds will benefit the club’s community service projects.

 Another successful Relay for Life was held last weekend by the Potter County Unit of the American Cancer Society. Pledges added up to about $64,000, under the $76,500 target, but an impressive total in an era of economic stresses. Relay for Life was shifted from its traditional home, CARP Field, to Strawberry Field near Charles Cole Memorial Hospital due to construction at Coudersport Area Recreation Park.

 State police from the Denton Hill barracks are investigating a break-in last weekend along Rt. 6, west of Coudersport. Officers say someone gained entry to a workshop owned by Joseph Turbett in Eulalia Township and stole a variety of tools, consisting of saws, drills and a sander, with a total value of about $500.

 A New York State man has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after becoming stranded in his car early Tuesday morning near the state border in Sharon Township. State police say 19-year-old Cody O’Dell of Rexville was eastbound on Honeoye Street, north of Shinglehouse, and backed over an embankment as he tried to turn around at about 1 am.

 Theft of $300 from a McKean County woman over the weekend is being investigated by state police from Denton Hill. Miranda Bailey of Smethport told troopers someone lifted three $100 bills from her purse while she was visiting a residence on Maple Street in the village of Roulette.

 A large quantity of liquor was removed from a rental unit on Telescope Road in Ulysses Township sometime between June 24 and last Saturday evening. A representative for the victim, listed by state police as L Enterprises of Elmira, N.Y., told state police the booze had a value in excess of $300.

07/02/08

Another Potter County office has settled into the Gunzburger Building, a former school and corporate office complex in downtown Coudersport. County Treasurer Krista Miller relocated her office from the courthouse over the weekend and opened for business on Monday morning. Anyone needing a hunting license, dog license, fishing license, or having other business with the county treasurer’s office should use the front entrance of the Gunzburger Building on North Main Street. Moving there later this month from the courthouse will be the offices of the Potter County Commissioners along with the county’s Fiscal Department. Also moving from the courthouse in the near future will be the offices of the Sheriff, Voter Registration and Elections, and Tax Assessment /Tax Claim Bureau. The Gunzburger Building was donated to Potter County by Time Warner Cable last year. That allowed the county to eliminate a plan to build a multi-million-dollar annex at the former Potter County Texaco property at North East and East Second streets.

Coudersport Emergency Services personnel responded to a bicycle accident Tuesday afternoon near the entrance to Coudersport Area Recreation Park. Witnesses said a Coudersport boy whose name was not released by police was injured when he was ejected from the bicycle while descending the steep East Seventh Street hill. He was transferred by helicopter to a distant medical facility.

 Local police were on the lookout last night for a probationer who fled from custody. Coudersport Borough Police also investigated a minor traffic mishap occurred on Tuesday near the Citizens Trust Company on First Street. There were no injuries.

 State police from the Kane barracks are investigating yet another theft of metals occurring sometime last Thursday afternoon or Friday morning. Troopers say unknown thieves broke a padlock and entered a steel shed owned by PetroNorth Limited on Chapel Fork Road near Smethport. Once inside, they loaded a vehicle with copper tubing, brass valves, wrenches, an electric motor and other items with a total value of about $1,500.

 A new school year has begun in the Coudersport Area School District with many uncertainties swirling. Among these is the critical position of Superintendent of Schools. The contract of Superintendent George Nuffer is expiring, but the district has not yet hired a successor. Also hanging in limbo is a proposal to combine some of the classes for fifth- and sixth graders at the Coudersport Elementary School under a new learning concept. These issues and others await action by the School Board in the coming weeks. Board members did recently approve the district’s 2008-2009 operating budget in the amount of 11.4 million dollars. Real estate taxes will remain the same, at 40.19 mills.

 Austin Pride Committee has announced plans for the community’s annual Independence Day holiday fireworks display. It’s set for Saturday night, shortly after dusk. The fireworks will be set off near the softball field on the grounds of the Austin Area School District. Saturday is also the night for the famous Galeton Fireworks display, which will be fired off from the John J. Collins Memorial Park at about 10 o’clock.

 About 300 spectators turned out for Saturday’s “Fastest Snowmobile Across the Pond” competition on Denton Hill. Proceeds from the event are being donated to Fisher House, serving disabled veterans. Organizer Neal Klimek expressed his appreciation to the many sponsors and volunteers who made the event such a success. Klimek said he is making arrangements for the highlights to be shown on the popular internet site, “YouTube,” as well as a local cable TV channel. First place went to Patrick Hoopes of Ulysses, who sped across the 535-foot pond full-throttle in less than six seconds.

 Austin Area School Board has adopted a tobacco policy that will take effect when students return to classes in the fall. A ban on student possession or use of tobacco products on school property remains in effect. Under the new policy, first-time offenders will be referred for the Smoking Cessation Program, sponsored by Drug and Alcohol Services. In addition, the student will be suspended from school for one day and, with a parent, will be required to meet with the school administration. Stronger sanctions will be in effect for second and third offenses.

 Also from Austin, we have news that the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society will dedicate a "town clock" during a community picnic on Sunday, starting at noon.

The clock stands 11 feet, six inches tall and has been installed at the corner of Main and Turner streets, near the town square. It has an old-fashioned appearance, with Victorian style ornamentation at the top, reading “Town of Austin.” Black and gold leaf trim surrounds an illuminated face. Ron Ebbert and his daughter, Andrea, have supervised the project with assistance from several volunteers.

 State police from Emporium are investigating a series of camp burglaries discovered in recent weeks. Someone broke into a seasonal home owned by Richard A. Bonzo of Rochester, Pa., along Rt. 872 in Grove Township and stole various items. Thieves also struck a camp in the same area between June 17 and June 20, breaking in and stealing items with a total value of $1,350. The camp is owned by Charles Henninger of Millersburg. Police are also trying to determine who took more than $4,000 worth of items from a camp on Wykoff Run Road, about two miles south of Apple Lane in Gibson Township, between June 1 and June 19. The victim is Frank A. Wolfe of Huntingdon.  Also from Cameron County, state police were summoned to a crime scene on Rt. 120 in Grove Township, just west of the Clinton County border, after someone broke into a pickup truck owned by Frederick Casher of Frenchville by breaking the driver’s side window. They made off with binoculars and cigarettes.

07/01/08

Route 219 from the Browntown Road to the intersection of the Warren Road in Bradford Township, McKean County was closed to traffic for several hour this morning for a clean-up of a crash.  Traffic was detoured using Routes 59 and 770 while crews worked in the area. No details were available at news time from Kane-based state police.

Charges are pending against an Austin driver following a one-vehicle crash early Sunday morning on Straight Creek Road in Jones Township, Elk County. Emporium-based state police said Richard Bennett Jr. 33, was headed east when his Toyota 4 Runner went out of control and a right hand curve, traveled off the side of the dirt road and 30 feet over an embankment before rolling onto its side and striking a tree.

 Several area thefts and burglaries are under state police investigation. Thieves took a large diamond plate design tool box containing a smaller tool box from a garage at the Larae White residence on West Branch Road in West Branch Township sometime over the past couple of weeks. The tool  box is designed to fit within the bed of a truck and contained a smaller tool box. Thieves entered the home of Eduardo Hoover on White Knoll Road in Harrison Township sometime over the past year and removed two diamond rings and a 13 chip stone wedding band from a locked gun cabinet and a floor jack located in the adjoining garage. Value of the stolen items is said to be almost $1500.

 Thieves took ornamental lawn ornaments from the front yard at the Fred Klinzing residence on West 5^th Street in Emporium during the early morning hours of June 23 and a landscaping light was taken at about the same time from the yard at the Betty Neff residence on Maple Street in that town.

 Troopers here have charged 19 year old Aaron Snyder of Westfield with harassment for an incident allegedly taking place Saturday night at the Ox Yoke Ice Cream stand in Galeton. Authorities claim Snyder deposited food items on the driver’s side window and door of a 2000 Pontiac Sunfire owned by Ashley Foil of Galeton when  it was parked in the lot while she worked at the ice cream stabnd.

 Two Emporium residents are facing similar charges for separate incidents. State police there say 33 year old Todd Steinberg struck his wife,  25 year old Lacie Steinberg on the head during an argument while she was holding a baby and John Tomaski Jr. is accused of pushing Emilie Skillman during an argument in their Spring Street Home early Sunday during a disagreement.

 Criminal mischief , disorderly conduct and public drunkenness charges have been filed against 30 year old Carmen Lampman of Coudersport in connection to an incident Saturday night at the Northwoods Tavern, Route 6 west of Coudersport. Authorities claim Lampman was asked to leave the bar when she became disorderly upon arrival and threw a glass container across the bar, then destroyed an illuminated sign as she departed the premises.

06/30/08

WFRM learned late this morning that Governor Ed Rendell and the legislature have reached a budget agreement, and as a result of the agreement state business will go on as usual tomorrow, July 1 and no state workers will be furloughed.

State police here have charged 47 year old George Herzing with reckless endangerment, simple assault and criminal mischief for an incident allegedly taking place last Thursday evening near his home on Ripple Drive in Costello. Troopers say during a neighborhood get together, Herzing ignited his homemade cannon and the unit malfunctioned and dispersed shrapnel as far as 100 feet away.  A 13 year old girl was hit in the stomach and a 14 year old girl was hit in the left leg. Both were taken to Charles Cole Hospital for treatment of their bleeding injuries.  Authorities said further investigation turned up hole in the vinyl siding of the Sarah Lucas residence and in the hole of the Shelley Graham residence nearby and a window in Herzing’s vehicle was also smashed.

 State police at Mansfield have cited a Knoxville resident for harassment for following a road rage incident victimizing a Harrison Valley man last week.  Troopers said the incident occurred when  Jerry Drake allegedly ran  Michael Trimble off the road when their vehicles met on the Boatman Road just south of Knoxville last Wednesday evening. Trimble turned around and confronted Drake about the incident when Drake stopped his vehicle. Then, Drake reportedly hit Trimble in the face while he sat in his vehicle.

 Troopers across the region have been kept busy investigating a number of recent burglaries and thefts. Sometime over the past couple of weeks, thieves took some Buffalo Bills collector’s items including a signed football and jersey from a house on Main Street in the village of Roulette owned by Bradley Jones of Palm Beach, Florida.  Sometime between 4:00 p.m. last Thursday and 9:30 a.m. Friday, thieves forced their way into a garage along Route 6 West in Roulette Township owned by Thomas Kisiel of  Coudersport and stole several tools and items valued at more than $1500 including a Makita tool set and cordless drill; a Dewalt cordless drill, Savage mark II .22 cal bolt action rifled with synthetic camo stock, black scope and blue barrel and an orange and white mode MS460 Stihl Chain saw with 20” blade.

 Thieves kicked in a door to gain entry to a garage on the Eleven Mile Road in Oswayo Township last Wednesday or Thursday and made off with a Husqvarna 346 chain saw with 18” blade; a Dewalt cordless tool set, Troy Bilt 7500 generator; a gray metal craftsman tool box with various tools and a white colored Cabela’s meat grinder. The garage and items, valued at almost $4500 belonged to Philip Urban of Shinglehouse.  Thieves also entered a house near Urban’s garage and removed a light colored antique desk belonging to Thomas Kemp, also of Shinglehouse. The desk is valued at $300 and opens like an old school desk at a 45 degree angle and has compartments for pencils, letters, etc.

06/27/08

Minor injuries were reported for a Johnsonburg driver and his passenger following a car/deer crash this morning on Route 155 in Liberty Township, McKean County. State police said Shawn Shipe swerved his northbound  Toyota Avalon in an unsuccessful attempt to avoid a deer which entered the highway. After killing the deer, the car went off the east side of the highway, struck a culvert and rolled over onto the driver’s side.  Both Shipe and Bryon Casilio of Saint Marys were taken to Charles Cole Hospital for treatment. Police said both men were wearing seatbelts and there will be no charges filed for the 7:00 a.m. accident.

An elderly Smethport man will be facing charges in district court for disorderly conduct, harassment and resisting arrest for an incident allegedly taking place Thursday afternoon at the McKean County Jail. State police say while visiting the lock-up, 85 year old Lester Watson exhibited disorderly behavior and when Sheriff Bradley Mason advised Watson he was under arrest, the suspect hit the sheriff in the chest.

 Another Smethport man has been charged with harassment for an incident reportedly taking place Thursday in a car traveling east on Route 6 near Lantz Corners. Troopers claim 35 year old James Yingling struck Shelly Bolt, 27 in the face with a closed fist during an argument.

 The  “egging” of a Kane area residence Thursday morning is being investigated by Kane based state police. Vandals smashed several eggs on the front porch step at the home of 81 year old Melista Patrick on Walnut Street at around 2:00 a.m. before taking off.

 PennDot says crews will resume excavation/digging work Monday at the Route 555/Driftwood Bridge. Workers from Clearwater Construction of Mercer will begin moving earth at locations on the project site but no work will be related to the contaminated soil area uncovered in March. Penn Dot continues to work with the Department of Environmental Protection to address the contaminated soil area excavated in march on the southern end of the work area.  The project is expected to be completed by August 2009 despite the delay incurred when the smelly soil was disrupted this spring.

 Adult Emerald Ash Borers, invasive beetles that destroy ash trees, have been found in  Mercer County according to the state  Department of Agriculture.The beetle was detected for the first time in Pennsylvania last summer and the commonwealth imposed a quarantine for Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, and Lawrence counties to help slow the spread of the beetle.  That quarantine will be expanded to include Mercer County. Survey crews have been hanging purple panel sticky traps in 35 counties across the commonwealth since the end of May.  The traps are designed to attract the adult beetles and help surveyors determine the spread of the invasive beetle. State and federal Emerald Ash Borer quarantines restrict the movement from the quarantine area of ash nursery stock, green lumber and any other ash material, including logs, stumps, roots and branches, and all wood chips. Due to the difficulty in distinguishing between species of hardwood firewood, all hardwood firewood—including ash, oak, maple and hickory—are considered quarantined.  Since many species of wood-boring insects, including the Emerald Ash Borer, can be spread through transport of infested firewood and logs, Campers and homeowners are encouraged to use only locally harvested firewood, burn all of the firewood on-site, and not carry it to new location.

06/26/08

U.S. District Court Judge Leonard Sand yesterday slightly reduced the prison sentences for Adelphia founder John Rigas and his son Timothy. In a written opinion, Judge Sand, who presided over the 2004 trial and imposed the original sentences, said that a ”minimal adjustment is appropriate” because an appeals court had reversed their conviction on one count of bank fraud last year because of insufficient evidence.  The judge reduced John Rigas’s sentence from 15 years to 12 and Timothy’s from 20 to 17. The Judge also reduced the $2,300 special assessments the Rigases were ordered to pay by $100 each but ordered all other terms and conditions of their original sentences to remain unchanged. They are currently serving time in a low-security federal corrections facility in Butner, North Carolina. 

A Friendship, New York couple escaped injury in one-vehicle crash Wednesday morning on Route 6 about a mile west of Galeton. State police said Kelly Snyder was traveling east when her GMC Envoy went off the road, hit a guardrail and traveled 30 feet down over an embankment before it struck a tree.  Snyder and her passenger, Chad Clark were both wearing seatbelts.

In regional news, Westfield police say  a youth believed to be 16 years old and from Arizona entered the closed Westan tannery illegally late Wednesday morning and fell into a vat of highly toxic tanning liquor. He apparently escaped immediate injury, police said. The youth was visiting the area with a cousin from Ohio. The boys were staying with grandparents in the Westfield area.He apparently  got some of the substance in his mouth, but said he didn’t swallow any. The boys entered the tannery, which has been closed for several years, illegally at about 11 a.m. and began walking through the sprawling complex, At some point, the Arizona boy fell into a vat of tanning liquor and could not get out. He was immersed only briefly before his cousin pulled him out. An area resident who saw the boys leaving the tannery called police. Westfield patrolman Mark Burdick went to the tannery, but the boys had fled on bicycles .After a quick search, he located the boys and escorted them to the Westfield fire department, where the boy was stripped and decontaminated with cold water. He was then taken to Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital in Wellsboro, where he was again decontaminated and released 

You no doubt have seen examples of natural gas drilling going on in the Twin Tiers lately. There will be an Oil and Gas Industry Job Fair Saturday at the McKean County Career Link on Davis Street in Bradford from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. A number of area oil and gas companies will be on hand to accept applications. Many of them have been running recruitment ads through area media. The Potter County Commissioners recently sent a letter to Representative Martin Causer support for House Bill 1373 which would close a loophole created when the Pa. Supreme court ruled in December 2002 that subsurface resources are not taxable thus depriving municipalities of a substantial amount of income. Causer . told WFRM last week that the oil and gas boom underway is not only good for the country but especially for the region.

06/25/08

Moderate injuries were reported for a Smethport man who was thrown off his motorcycle Tuesday afternoon while performing a wheeli on the irons Hollow Road a half mile south of Route 6 in Keating Township, McKean County. Kane-based state police said Ben Scott was not wearing a helmet and was taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.  He is facing various traffic citations.

Troopers at Kane are charging 21 year old William Logue, Jr. of Crosby with disorderly conduct and sale of tobacco to minors for an incident allegedly taking place last night at a residence on route 46 in Norwich Township. Authorities allege Logue gave a cigarette  which contained a concealed firework to a juvenile which exploded when the youth lighted up.  The victim was not hurt but Logue is now facing charges in district court.

  Curtis Wackwitz, 26, of Shinglehouse is being charged with harassment for an incident allegedly taking place yesterday afternoon at a residence on Canfield Hollow Road. State police claim Wackwitz threatened 23 year old Brandy Lyn Robson  during an argument.

 The investigation into a scam threatening an elderly Emporium couple Tuesday night continues. State police in that town say that a three Hispanic men in a newer gray or silver Cadillac pulled into the driveway of the Austin Kowell residence on Valley View Road at about 8:00 p.m. One got out of the back seat and went to the front door; knocked on it and told the residents that he worked for the state and need to cut trees behind their house  and asked the to show him the property line. While the residents and the visitor were out back, the two others got out of the car and went into house, rummaging through the interior. The suspects kept in contact with each other through wireless communication devises and when the residents felt something was amiss and headed back toward their house, the suspect that was with them started hurriedly speaking a foreign language into his wireless device. He then told the residents he had to leave and hurriedly left the house. All three jumped back into car and took off. Anyone with information about the crime or the suspects is asked to call the Emporium barracks at 486-3321.

 State police here are probing a couple of incidents with cold trails. Sometime since last Labor Day weekend, thieves entered the basement of a house on McGinnis Road in Genesee Township owned by Barbara Lee Cook-Benton of Arlington, Washington and removed 25 feet of three strand copper wire. And sometime since late November thievestook a radiator from a 1969 Chevrolet Boom Truck owned by Ted Heckman of Lancaster, PA while it was parked next to his camp located at the Corner of Tracey Brook and Greenhill Roads in Hebron Township.

06/24/08

A Shinglehouse driver is being charged in connection to a collision taking place Monday around noontime on Route 44 just north of the Delmar Road in Ceres Township, McKean County. Kane-based state police said 61 year old Dick Clark pulled out of a driveway onto Route 44 into the path of a northbound car driven by Jay McCleaft. After impact, Clark’s GMC pickup went off the road and struck a parked Buick sedan owned by Gordon Taylor and shoved it 60 feet along the berm.  McCleaft and his passenger Sandra Hodgins of Olean were both transported by ambulance to the Olean General Hospital for treatment of their injuries.  Clark apparently escaped injury.

State police at Kane have charged 44 Barry Robinson of Kane with violating a protection from abuse order for an incident allegedly taking place Monday afternoon. Authorities claim Robinson went to the home of Candy Robinson on Poplar Street in that town and verbally threatened her and her boyfriend even after being informed that Candy Robinson had a protection from abuse order filed previously against him.  The accused was committed to the McKean County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail after being arraigned before District Judge Cercone.

 In regional news, Mansfield-based state police are continuing their investigation into a burglary taking place last week on New Town Lane in Morris Township, Tioga County. Thieves made off with $600 worth of items from house owned by Gary Courtrade of York and caused $10 in damage to a vacuum cleaner. Stolen items included a digital caliper, six bottles of liquor, 16 boxes of reloaded ammunition, 100 feet of copper wire and a spotting scope.

 The Game commission says hunters and trappers took a total of 356 bobcats during the ’07-08 seasons, the third highest since the season began in 2000. Wildlife Management Unit 2G, which is the area south of Route 6 in Potter and McKean Counties led the state with 127.  It was followed by WMU 3B which had 72.  WMU 3A, which includes the area north of Route 6 in Potter, McKean, Tioga and Bradford Counties had a harvest of 33 while WMU 2F, which includes McKean County had a total of 31 cats killed.

 
Potter County business owners will now have a new option to promote themselves to visitors through the creation of travel packages.  The announcement of the new initiative was made to over 20 business owners at the Potter County Visitors Association’s (PCVA) annual dinner held at the Kettle Creek Hose Company in Cross Fork on Wednesday, June 18.  Merlin Benner of Nature Quest Inc. in Wellsboro told the group that their company is interested in partnering with Potter County businesses to create destination packages. Nature Quest will work in conjunction with PCVA to create and sell the packages. Any business or potential guide may express their interest to the PCVA office by calling 814-274-3365 or by emailing potter@penn.com.  A meeting with interested parties will be scheduled for late July.  The purpose of the meeting will be to explain in further detail the process and requirements that will be needed to participate in the program. 

06/23/08

A Morrisdale, PA man died early Sunday morning in a motorcycle crash on Route 155 five miles south of Port Allegany. Kane-based state police said 34 year old Jerry Williamson was traveling at a high rate of speed when his 2006 Honda CBR 1000 failed to negotiate a curve, traveled off the road and struck a guard rail. He was pronounced dead at the scene by McKean County Coroner Mike Cahill.

A Renovo resident has been committed to the Potter County Jail on various charges stemming from a vehicle pursuit Sunday afternoon in and around Emporium. State police there say the incident began when Trooper Miller observed John Poorman, Jr. 23, committing several traffic violations. When Poorman saw the marked unit, he allegedly increased his speed and began to flee on several Emporium Streets to the intersection of Portage and Oak Streets where his Mercury Sable failed to negotiate a curve and became disabled when it crashed into a section of guardrail. He apparently escaped injury.

 Troopers at Kane are continuing their investigation into a train derailment occurring at about 7:40 p.m. Friday at the crossing located on Champlain Hill Road near Route 446 in the village of Coryville. Four cars on the Western NY and PA railroad went off the tracks and blocked the road for several hours. Apparently there were no injuries.

 The investigation is also continuing into an aggravated assault taking place just after 1:00 a.m. Sunday at Seal’s Service Station on Route 446 in Eldred Township. Kane-based state police say a Black male, in his 20’s about six foot tall; a stocky white female in her 20’s with a cut on her right knee and another white female arrived at the business in a Green Chevy S-10 and proceeded to load scrap metal onto the truck. Owner Gene Seal noticed the lights behind his building and drove his truck to the location.  Seal confronted the suspects, asking that they provide him with identification, which they refused. The stocky female got into the S-10, backed up and then accelerated, hitting the left front wheel of Seal’s truck, creating enough clearance for them to escape. Seal followed them to the front of the building and when they tried to head north, Seal hit the left rear of their truck causing it to spin out. The suspects got out and took off on foot. Despite a search by Pennsylvania and New York State Police, members of the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s department and Portville police, the suspects were not located. 

 State police here are probing a couple of recent thefts. Sometime over the past three weeks or so, thieves took about $1100 in loose change from the home of James Whitney on Jameson Drive in Wharton Township. And, thieves recently forced their way into a camp on the East Fork Road owned by Sandra Holleran of Tarentum, PA. Once inside, they made off with a black 26” Sony Flat Screen TV, 16” x 26 “ wooden stand; 6 DVDS, a glass jar containing about $20 in U.S. currency; six bottles of liquor, miscellaneous articles of clothing, and two rugs, white with floral print. Value of the stolen items said to be about $750.

 Mark Watson, 29, of Coudersport has been cited for harassment for a domestic violence incident allegedly taking place Sunday morning. Troopers claim Watson shoved 22 year old Krista Eveland  while the two argued in their home on Chapell Drive. And, 25 year old Robert Crigger of Mills has been charged with harassment. State police contend he rang the door bell at  the home of George Schweigart just after 12:00 a.m. Sunday and proceeded to ask Schweigart meaningless questions after waking him up.

06/20/08

McKean County President Judge John Cleland has been nominated by Governor Ed Rendell to fill a vacant position on state Superior Court. The announcement came early this afternoon through a news release issued by the Governor’s office. The Governor is submitting the name of Judge Robert Freeberg of  Northampton County to fill the second vacancy on the Superior Court created by the election of two former Superior Court Judges, Seamus McCaffery and Debra Todd who were elected to the state Supreme Court last November. Cleland may have an easier time than previous nominees since he is a Republican being nominated by a Democratic governor. The Republican-controlled Senate  rejected an earlier group nominated by Rendell to succeed four judges who left before their terms were completed. Judge Cleland has served as President Judge of McKean County Common Pleas Court since 1984, when he was appointed to the bench by Governor Dick Thornburgh.  He was subsequently elected to a full term in 1985 and retained in 1995 and 2005.  For eight years, Judge Cleland served as the Co-Chair of the Education Committee of the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges and was responsible for planning the continuing education for the commonwealth’s trial judges.  He has also served on various Supreme Court committees addressing procedural rules, statewide court computerization, gender bias, the administration of the minor judiciary courts and bio-hazard security issues.Judge Cleland graduated from Denison University in 1969 and received his Juris Doctorate with honors from The National Law Center of The George Washington University in 1972.

 State police here have charged 50 year old Roger Carpenter of Coudersport with harassment for incidents allegedly taking place Tuesday afternoon. Authorities claim Carpenter telephoned Quinn Hanchett of Hanchett’s Auto Service in Hebron Township numerous times even after being told not to do so.

 Troopers at Kane are probing a couple of recent criminal mischief incidents in their district. Sometime between Tuesday and Thursday of this week, vandals damaged two wooden doors on  a house and barn along Route 6 in Liberty township owned by Patricia Crawford of Port Allegany.

 And, sometime between 4:00 p.m. Wednesday and 8:00 a.m. Thursday, vandals, using a BB gun, shout out two glass windows in a mausoleum in the Forest Lawn Cemetery on Route 66 in Wetmore Township, McKean County and damaged two solar lights at a nearby gravesite. Total damage estimated to be $400. 

A Smethport man will be sentenced on August 14 after pleading guilty this week in McKean County Court to 11 counts of theft. Clifford Easton, 37, admitted taking more than $7,000 from Wayne Concrete in Bradford between April and November 2007 while he was employed as an office manager at the plant and was in charge of processing tickets and taking payments.

 In other McKean County Court action, 44 year old Jay Beeman of Bradford pleaded guilty to institutional sexual assault. Beeman will be sentenced on July 31 for having sexual contact with a female inmate while he worked as a correctional officer supervisor at the McKean County Jail between December 31, 2007 and February 12, 2008. Beeman was suspended from his duties when authorities learned of the allegations but later resigned his position.

06/19/08

Minor injuries were reported for one passenger following a one-vehicle crash Monday morning in Hebron Township. State police said Krista Eveland of Coudersport  was headed west on the West Hebron Road just off of Route 44 when right front tire on her Hyundai Elantra blew causing the vehicle to veer off the road, travel about 45 feet, hit a tree and spin around clockwise before coming to rest. Eveland, Aaron Watson, 10, Hailey Watson, six months, Nathaniel Watson, 8, and Riley Watson, 5 were all taken to Charles Cole Hospital were Nathaniel was treated for minor injuries and released. Police said the driver and passengers were all properly restrained.

Matthew Baker, 32 of Roulette was released on $1000 bail after being arraigned Wednesday on a charge of violating a protection from abuse order. State police claim Baker drove past the home of Cheri Baker on Maple Street in the village several times, making an obscene gesture toward her in violation of a protection from abuse order already filed against him.

Chad Bell, 23 of Smethport was committed to the McKean County Jail earlier this week in lieu of $20,000 bail after being arraigned on three counts of access device fraud. Smethport borough police claim Bell used bank cards belonging to his parents David and Sarah Johnson several times between last December and January to obtain money which he then used to purchase cocaine. Authorities allege security photos at a bank ATM showed Bell withdrawing money on numerous occasions. Reportedly, some $4200 to $5,000 was taken from his parents bank account. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 30 before District Judge Bill Todd.

 The state Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement has cited the Option House, formerly located on Main Street in Bradford with serving alcoholic beverages to four 20 year olds between September and December of last year. An administrative law judge has the authority to impose penalties ranging from $50 to $1,000 for minor offenses and up to $5,000 for serious offenses.

06/18/08

State police at Kane have arrested 18 year old Janet Crandall of Smethport on charges of theft for incidents allegedly taking place between this past January 18 and April 23 at Rainy Day Farms on Hackett Hollow Road in Keating Township. Authorities claim Crandall removed money from a cash box in the feed store.  She was arraigned earlier today before District Judge William Todd.

The Coudersport Chamber of Commerce met Tuesday for lunch at Charles Cole Hospital’s Wellness Center. The Hospital’s CEO Ed Pritchford gave a report on changes at the hospital and challenges facing rural health systems.  Chamber President Stan Swank announced that the first of the season’s  Saturdays on the Square opens on Saturday, June 21, at the courthouse square. Singer and guitarist Tom Martin will perform from the gazebo and vendors will be set up around the square. There is no admission fee. Future Saturdays on the Square are scheduled July 19 and Aug. 16. The Merchants Committee is lining up entertainment and vendor arrangements. Vendors with an interest in participating should contact Stan Swank at the Jubilee, 274-8820. Dick Buchanan who heads up the arboretum committee reported that several improvements have been  made to the site and that the American Legion’s Wall of Honor will be dedicated in a ceremony later this summer. Swank said plans are coming together for the annual Chamber Awards Dinner, tentatively scheduled for Tuesday night, Sept. 23. A committee is lining up entertainment or a guest speaker. The Chamber is helping downtown businesses make  the best of the closure of the Specialist Mike Franklin Memorial Bridge, which carries U.S. Rt. 6 over the Allegheny River on East Second Street. All traffic that would normally pass through the business district is now being re-routed on Mill, Maple and Oak streets. PennDOT expects to have the one-span, 65-foot concrete bridge open by mid-August. Chamber leaders worked out an arrangement with the bridge contractor, A. L. Blades Inc. of Hornell, N. Y., to split the cost of two large billboards on the Rt. 6 gateways to promote shopping downtown. Chamber affiliates and supporters also donated money to pay for a business listing banner at the detour intersection at Oak and South Main streets.

  The Game Commission is reminding eigible landowners interested in enrolling in the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP), which is designed to help landowners manage deer on their properties, have until July 1 to submit an application for the 2008-09 hunting seasons to the appropriate Region Office.  Applications must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the agency by July 1. In addition, a map delineating the landowner's property boundaries must be enclosed with the application. DMAP applications may be obtained from the Game Commission's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) by clicking on "D.M.A.P." in the "Quick Clicks" box in the right-hand column of the homepage and then choosing "DMAP landowner applications." Applications also can be obtained from any Game Commission Region Office or the Harrisburg headquarters.Eligible lands for DMAP are: public lands; private lands where no fee is charged for hunting; and hunting club lands owned in fee title so long as the club was established prior to Jan. 1, 2000, and they provide a club charter and list of current members to the agency. Private hunting clubs are no longer required to own a minimum of 1,000 contiguous acres before being eligible.Coupons for DMAP antlerless deer harvest permits may be issued to landowners at a rate of one coupon for every five acres in agricultural operations or one coupon for every 50 acres for all other land uses.  Management plans will be required only when a DMAP applicant requests more than the standard rate for issuance of DMAP harvest permits.

Landowners must designate their boundaries in a manner approved by the Game Commission.  Landowners will receive one coupon for each DMAP permit allocated for their property, and they may give up to two DMAP coupons per DMAP area to a licensed hunter, who will then apply to the Game Commission for DMAP harvest permits.  Landowners may not charge or accept any remuneration for a DMAP coupon.  Hunters may possess up to two DMAP permits for a specific DMAP property in any given license year. DMAP permit allotments will be made separate from the general antlerless deer license allocations, and will be $10 for residents and $35 for nonresidents.

06/17/08

An Emporium woman is being charged with careless driving following a one-vehicle crash Monday around noontime on Cowley Hill Road in Portage Township.  State police said Sherry Guisto was headed west when she became distracted with some people on the road and allowed her Chrysler Sebring to drift off the road. Guisto overcorrected causing the sedan to fishtail; hit some guardrails and spin around 180 degrees before coming to rest.  Guisto escaped injury but her car had to be towed  from the scene.  

 Drug possession charges are being filed in district court  against 33 year old Jeremy Cramer of Genesee Township. Troopers say they  seized a quantity of marijuana and equipment used for the sale of the drug after obtaining a search warrant for his home on the Hickox/Ulysses Road Monday morning.

 The God’s Country Chapter of Trout Unlimited is hosting a Project Healing Waters event now through Friday at Big Moores Run Fish and Game Preserve. The program, initiated and conducted by members of the Federation of Fly Fishers and Trout Unlimited serves military personnel who have been wounded, injured or disabled to aide their physical and emotional recovery by introducing or rebuilding the skills of fly fishing and fly typing and by using and enjoying the skills on fishing outings and as lifelong recreation. The program started in Washington, DC, focusing on military personnel there, but has expanded nationwide and offers its services and programs to active military personnel and veterans.  Many area businesses donated money and equipment to the 15 vets from the Buffalo and Batavia, NY VA hospitals and members of the God’s Country Chapter are volunteering as guides and teachers.

  Cherry Springs State Park has been designated as the second International Dark Sky Park (IDSP) by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). The announcement was made last  week at IDA’s annual meeting in Tucson, Arizona.This certification recognizes Cherry Springs State Park’s exceptional commitment to dark sky protection and restoration on public lands. The IDSP program was established in 2006 by IDA, a Tucson based non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the nighttime environment. Cherry Springs State Park is located far from cities and among the forested plateaus of North Central Pennsylvania. Cherry Springs is nearly as natural as it was two centuries ago. The park is not only Pennsylvania’s signature dark sky area, but offers one of the last best views of the starry sky in the Eastern United States. Cherry Springs State Park experiences almost no “light pollution”— the adverse effect of obtrusive light caused by improper outdoor lighting. It drowns out the view of stars, comets, meteors, aurora, and the Milky Way, but also impacts humans and the planet in other ways. The state park has retrofitted all of their outdoor lights to be night sky friendly. Using readily available light fixtures that direct all light downward and combined with electricity saving 13-watt compact fluorescent lamps, there is more than enough light for visibility given the surrounding environment. Some areas of the park are even designated as no–light zones to protect owls, bats, and a host of indigenous mammals; and to allow astronomer’s and casual stargazer’s eyes to become fully dark-adapted. Once adapted to the dark night, it is possible to see thousands of faint stars that would be washed out from a suburban or city location. . In 2000 the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) declared Cherry Springs a dark sky site in the Commonwealth. By 2002 the park was providing regular stargazing programs for visitors that proved very popular. In 2003 Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation recognized the importance of the night sky above Cherry Springs and aided in implementing a strategic vision for the park that included telescope pads, observatories for rent, and educational materials all designed to facilitate the enjoyment of the starry sky.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Pennsylvania Outdoor Lighting Council (POLC) will sponsor a workshop next week on reducing light pollution.  It is co-sponsored by the Potter County Commissioner’s Office, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR – PA Wilds) and the Cherry Springs Dark Sky Fund and Association.The workshop will be held on Wednesday, June 25 from 6:50 – to 8:30 pm in the middle auditorium of the Gospel Tabernacle Church located on the west side of Coudersport, off of Route 6.  There is no fee for the workshop, but you must pre-register in order to attend.  You may register over the phone by calling the Lyman Run State Park office during regular office hours at (814) 435-5010.  Office staff will fill out a registration form for you and fax it to DEP.   Registration forms are also available at the Lyman Run State Park office, the Potter County Commissioner’s office and the Offices of the Potter County Education Council in Port Allegheny, Coudersport and Galeton.  If you have any questions, you may contact Workshop Coordinator, Jim McTish of DEP at jmtish@state.pa.us or  call (484) 250-5180. Locally, if you have any questions, you may contact Cherry Springs Dark Sky Fund and Association Director Maxine Harrison at (814) 435-2518.  Registrations must reach DEP by June 19.

06/16/08

 The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for all of the Pennsylvania and New York Counties in the WFRM listening area until 7:00 p.m. tonight. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Potter, McKean and Tioga Counties until 2:45 this afternoon and for  Cameron and Elk Counties until 3:30 p.m. today  An intense thunderstorm moved through Coudersport at about 1:45 p.m. this afternoon bringing along heavy downpour, thunder and lightning A quarter of inch of rain fell within just a few minutes. The storms are being touched off by a cold front moving through the region.  After enduring several days of above normal temperatures, residents will feel a stark difference Tuesday and Wednesday as the high temperature will be in the mid to high 50’s.

An Emporium teenager died in an ATV crash Saturday afternoon. Emporium based state police said 19 year old Clifford Akins was driving his 2007 Honda 400EX too fast for conditions when it went off of May Hollow Road on a left curve, traveled down an embankment and struck a tree.  Akins was pronounced dead at the scene by Cameron County Coroner Theodore Walters. Authorities noted Akins was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

 DUI charges are being filed against 35 year old Ronald Stuckey, Jr. of Austin following a fiery cash Sunday morning between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. on Route 155 in Portage Township. Troopers said Stuckey’s  ’98 Ford Escort  burst into flames when  it hit a guardrail after crossing the center line while headed south. Police said Stuckey, his passengers, 21 year old Gregory Rees also of Austin and a 16 year old boy were all hurt in the crash and the investigation continues.

 Numerous charges are pending against 50 year old Paul Potter of Mills after he was pulled over Friday evening on Route 49 in Harrison Township for an expired registration plate.  Police said further investigation revealed the vehicle had a fraudulent inspection sticker and that Potter was driving while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. He’s being charged with altered, forged, or counterfeit documents and plates, operating a vehicle without official certification or inspection, failing to have registration and title, careless driving and failing to use a seatbelt in addition to DUI.

 Troopers are also investigating a burglary taking place sometime between last Tuesday and Thursday at the home of Beverly Cook on the Corcoran Road in Genesee Township.  Thieves entered the house through a window, rummaged through the interior and made off with an unknown amount of coins and about $1000 in cash.

 Kane-based state police are investigating a camp burglary occurring sometime over the past couple of months on Route 6, just west of Route 219 in Hamlin Township.  Thieves forced their way into a camp owned by John Calvin of Darlington, PA and removed  two Home Light Weedeaters; two Husqvarna Chain Saws; about 25 bottles of assorted liquor; a .22 cal floating shotgun, two camouflage jackets and some $90 in coins. Total value of the stolen items is said to be $1540.

 32 bicyclists are traveling on Route 6 today between Wellsboro and Coudersport.  The bicyclists plan on staying in Coudersport tonight before heading out to Warren on Tuesday. They are part of the organization “Bike and Build” which raises money for Habitat for Humanity. Each participant must raise at least $4,000 and the group stops along the way to donate a day’s labor for Habitat projects. 

06/13/08

An Austin woman escaped injury Wednesday morning when her Jeep Cherokee struck and killed a bear on Route 872 about a half mile south of the Bark Shanty Road in Keating Township. State police said Kathleen Parsons was headed north just before 7:00 o’clock when the bruin jumped the eastern guardrail and entered the northbound lane.  Troopers said Parsons was wearing a seatbelt at the time. Her vehicle had to be towed from the scene.

State police at Emporium have charged a Driftwood woman with two counts of harassment for separate domestic violence incidents taking place earlier this week. Authorities claim that during an argument Tuesday evening, 28 year old Nicole Harvey grabbed James Ambrose, 47, by the throat in their home on Hicks Run Road.  Then, police say, early Thursday morning Harvey grabbed Ambrose by his t-shirt and ripped it.

 Troopers here are investigating an identity theft victimizing a Cross Fork woman. Carol Hyde told authorities she had received a letter from an attorney attempting to collect an outstanding debt on an account which she had not opened. The crime took place sometime over the past year.

 A couple of recent thefts are also being probed by state police here. Sometime over the past three months, thieves took two Remington 6 MM rifles, three Remington .22 cal rifles and one Remington 410 shotgun from the home of Terry Lewis on the North Fork Road in Harrison Township. The guns are valued at a total of $1200.  And sometime in mid May, thieves took a diamond ring, digital camera, lenses and a tool box from the home of Joni Chapell on Lanninger CreekRoad in Roulette Township. And, unknown persons stole $500 in cash from a truck belonging to Ray Kunkle of Galeton Tuesday night or Wednesday morning while it was parked at his home on the West Branch Road. Anyone with information about any of the incidents is asked to contact the local barracks at 274-8690.

 Unknown vandals caused $3500 in damage Thursday by scratching the paint on all four panels on a truck owned by Eugene Lampman while it was parked at his home on Willow Brook Road in Hector Township.

 If you are a Coudersport Borough property owner, lawn mowing had better be on your weekend schedule. Borough Manager Marlin Moore reminds home owners that lawns must be mowed on a regular basis. The grass must be cut on or before the height reaches eight inches andit should be cut to a height of four inches or less. He says, residents who are not cutting grass will be notified and will be given five days to mow their lawns. If it is not done by then, the borough will have the lawn mowed and the landowner will be billed plus additional penalties could be assessed by law.

06/12/08

State police locally have charged 25 year old Cody Housler of Austin with statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault for incidents allegedly taking place over the past few weeks. Authorities allege Housler inappropriately touched a 15 year old Coudersport girl on May 25^th and then had sexual intercourse with her on the morning of June 3 at a residence  on the Odin Road. After being arraigned before district Judge Annette Easton on the charges, Housler was committed to the Potter County jail  on a probation violation relating to similar charges.

An Elkland motorcyclist was flown by helicopter to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre for treatment of severe injuries following a collision Monday afternoon on Route 49  a half mile east of Harrison Valley. State police said the collision occurred when Donald Pierson of Harrison who was traveling east tried to make a left turn and crossed in front of 59 year old Robert Thompon who was headed west on a 1981 Honda. The cycle clipped the rear of Pierson’s Ford Bronco. Thompson was thrown off the cycle upon impact.  Police said he was wearing a helmet and protective clothing. Pierson as not hurt but is being charged with traffic violations in connection to the accident.

Mechanical failure is blamed for a one-vehicle crash Tuesday evening on Route 6 in Roulette Township. Troopers here said Brian Webster of Westfield was headed west when the steering mechanism on his 2003 International truck became disabled on a left curve. Webster tried to turn left, but the truck continued straight ahead , went off the road struck an embankment and utility pole before coming to rest. Both the driver and his passenger, Scott Webster of Inverness, Florida were wearing seatbelts and escaped injury.

Pennsylvania Crimestoppers is assisting Kane-based state police in locating 27 year old Kristopher Wilson, of Smethport.  Authorities say sometime between 11:30 a.m., Saturday, May 31, 2008 and 4:00 p.m., Sunday, June 1, 2008, Wilson removed a small safe and a small metal lockbox, which contained $1,700 in cash from a residence on East Valley Road, Keating Township, McKean County a 1999 Dodge Caravan from the residence and  drove  it to his father’s home  on Pump Station Road, Liberty Township, near Port Allegany. While at his father's house , Wilson allegedly removed a full size Stack-On Security Plus Gun Safe containing 15 guns and miscellaneous collectable coins and relics with a value of approximately $35,650.  The guns included two 20 Gauge Shotguns, four 12 Gauge Shotguns, seven Rifles, and two Revolvers.He then  left the Dodge Caravan at his father's and took a 2004 White Pontiac Vibe SW with a Pennsylvania Registration of GFS-5270.A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Kristopher Michael Wilson. The last known address for Wilson was 356 East Valley Road, Smethport, McKean County, Pennsylvania.  Wilson is also known to frequent the Somerset area of Pennsylvania.  He may also have ties to the Indiana, Pennsylvania area. Wilson is said to be 5’ 10”, weighs 170 pounds is  of medium build; has brown hair and green eyes. Anyone who knows of his whereabouts is asked to call Pennsylvania Crimestoppers Toll Free 1-800-4PA-Tips. All callers remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.

06/11/08

Potter County Coroner Kevin Dusenbury confirmed to WFRM earlier today that the body of 20 year old Jeremy Nealy of Galeton was recovered by divers Tuesday afternoon at about 5:30 from Lyman Run Lake. Authorities said  Nealy and four friends  been fishing when he and one of them decided to try to swim across the lake sometime before 8:00 p.m. Monday.  The friend became  tired and turned back, meeting his companions on the shore.  Nealy was never seen again until his body was pulled from 14 feet of water about 100 feet from shore Tuesday afternoon.He was pronounced dead at the scene by Potter County Deputy Coroner Ken Wingo. State police say the surface water temperature was 60 degrees and sub-surface water was about 50 degrees at the time. State police say a blood sample taken at Charles Cole Hospital confirmed Nealy had consumed alcohol prior to going into the lake. Gale Hose Fire Department  of Galeton was assisted by state police, DCNR personnel, and diving teams from Harrison Valley, Tioga County and  the McKean County Sheriff’s Department in the search.

State police at Kane have charged both people involved in a domestic violence incident Monday night at their home on Main Street in Eldred.  Troopers say they responded to a call of a “domestic” in progress and found that Lance Liskey had struck Erin Moore in the face with his fist and that she struck him in the knee with a baseball bat. Authorities say the argument continued with Moore hitting Liskey in the head with the bat. He was taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center by Eldred ambulance and is charged with simple assault and harassment while Moore was remanded to the McKean County lock-up in lieu of $20,000 bail after being arraigned on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment. Preliminary hearings for both have been scheduled for June 16. 

 Darnell Irvine, 46, of Bradford has been committed to the McKean County jail in lieu of $20,000 bail on a charge of indirect criminal contempt. State police at Kane say Irvine violated a Protection from Abuse Order filed against him in McKean County Court. 

 PennDot announces that with work continuing on the Route 6/Mike Franklin Bridge in Coudersport, two stop signs are being added to the local detour route tomorrow.  A new sign will be placed on Maple Street at Borie for eastbound traffic and another will be placed along Oak Street at Borie for Westbound.  With the addition of the two new signs, all traffic will be required to stop prior to entering the intersections.  Placement of both stop signs will feature “Stop Ahead” warning signs to alert motorists of the new patterns.

The official detour for the bridge replacement job uses Maple, Oak and Mill Streets. Eastbound traffic turns right onto maple Street (which is one-way during the detour) onto Mill and then back to Route 6. Westbound traffic turns left onto Mill Street, then Oak (which is one-way during the detour) then back to Route 6.  There have been several collisions at the detour intersections over the past several weeks and Coudersport borough police tell WFRM that the collisions have been caused, each time, by local residents or drivers familiar with the regular traffic patterns. 

06/10/08

As of news time this afternoon, a massive search was underway at Lyman Lake for a presumed drowning victim, a male approximately 20 years of age.  According to Lyman Run State Park Manager Chip Harrison, a group of young men had been fishing when two decided to try to swim across the lake sometime before 8:00 p.m. Monday.  One became tired and turned back, meeting his companions on the shore.  According to Harrison, they never saw the other swimmer again.  Authorities were notified a short time later. A Hasty Team search of the lake and shore line was conducted and diving teams began an underwater search but had to give up due to the darkness of night and murkiness of the water.  Diving resumed this morning with the assistance of emergency personnel using boats. A state police helicopter has been patrolling the lake from above. Harrison says Gale Hose Company of Galeton is being assisted by state police, DCNR personnel, and diving teams from Harrison Valley, Tioga County and  the McKean County Sheriff’s Department in the search.

Today’s gusty winds fanned a wildfire in north Coudersport at around noontime. According to Fire Chief Andy Dubots, staff from NALF  Company burned some wood at the firm’s lumber yard along route 44/49 this morning after a brief downpour but winds sparked the embers and sent flames up into a wooded area, causing some three acres to be blackened. Some 25 firefighters from Coudersport, Austin and Roulette responded to the scene with six pieces of equipment. Chief Dubots said he called in additional personnel due to the windy conditions and extreme heat. Fortunately there were no injuries and the blaze was declared out at 1:19 p.m.

 The state police fire marshal is investigating a fire Sunday night which destroyed a mobile home in the McKean County village of Ormsby.  No one was home when flames broke out at the home of Ray Walters around 9:30 p.m. Volunteers from Smethort, Hilltop, Rew and Lewis Run responded to the call and remained on scene for about six hours.

 The state Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement has cited the Northwoods Tavern of Coudersport with serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons and serving after hours. Authorities claim that this pat February 28, the bar provided alcoholic beverages to visibly intoxicated customers; served alcohol to habitual drunkards or people of known intemperate habits; failed to make patrons vacate the premises within a half hour after the 2:00 a.m. deadline to quit serving alcohol; permitted customers to possess alcohol in the building after 2:30 a.m.; allowed patrons  to enter the alcohol-serving premises between 2:30 and 7:00 a.m. even though the establishment does not have an extended hours permit and that alcohol was provided between 2:00 a.m. 7:00 a.m. Administrative law judges can impose fines ranging from $50 to $5,000 for serious offenses and licenses can be suspended or revoked based on the severity of charges.

 Meanwhile, a Tioga County bar has been charged with violating liquor laws. Officers contend that 25 year old Amanda Warren of Lawrenceville consumed alcohol while tending bar at Fred’s Lobster Garden in Tioga this past May 21.

06/07/08

A Kane man died in a one-vehicle crash late last night on Route 6 a half mile east of Route 219 in Hamlin Township.  Brian Evenson, 23, was pronounced dead at the scene by McKean County Coroner Mike Cahill.  State police said Evenson was ejected from his vehicle when it went off the road at a high rate of speed, struck a utility pole and then  a tree before coming to rest.

State police locally are probing the theft of some guns over the past three weeks or so from a Galeton residence. Thieves entered a detached two-bay garage on Rusty Lane owned by Carl Ripley and made off with a .22 cal. bolt action rifle with wood stock, black barrel, chrome colored bolt, scope and leather sling; a Remington Nylon 66 .22 cal. semi-automatic with black stock, chrome barrel and receiver with black scope and a 20 gauge single shot shotgun with wood stock and a black barrel. Value of the guns is said to be $300. Anyone with information is asked to call the Denton Hill Barracks at 274-8690.

 Troopers at Kane are investigating the theft of a wallet from a motor vehicle between 10:00 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m. Saturday. The wallet belonged to Timothy Keller of Bradford and was taken while his vehicle was parked along Route 59 in Ormsby.  The billfold contained Keller’s driver’s license, numerous credit cards, personal pictures and $57.00 in cash. Anyone with information about that theft is asked to contact the Kane barracks at 778-5555.

 For the first time ever, a Potter Countian won the 34^th annual God’s Country marathon.  Christian Byler, 24 of Harrison Valley finished the race Saturday with a time of 2:42:33. Byler, with a pace of 6:12 was well ahead of the “pack” the entire race. Thomas Lipsie, 40, of Indiana, PA came in second with a time of 3:06:42. Lipsie won marathon in 2006, 2004 and 2003. His best time was  2:47:19 in 2003.. Susan Kramer, 43, of Harrisburg won the Women’s Division with a time of 3:33:51. She was followed by Mindy Sawtelle, 35 of Indiana, PA who had a time of 3:35:02.  The heat and humidity slowed the times down and caused some runners to pull out before the finish line.  181 runners stepped off in Galeton at 8:00 a.m. and 152 crossed the finish line at the Court House Square in Coudersport.  The number participating was a substantial increase over last year.  The race is sponsored by the Potter County Visitors Association.

06/06/08

The 34^th annual God’s Country Marathon will take place Saturday on Route 6 between Galeton and Coudersport. As of news time, 175 runners had registered, a substantial increase over last year.  Because of the predicted heat and humidity, Race Director Kim Mitchell is asking people who live along  the race route, to be ready with garden hoses to provide a welcome splash to runners. Mitchell’s green Geo Tracker will be patrolling the route, loaded with water, Gatorade and other essentials. She says anyone who feels he or she must drop out due to dehydration will be given a ride. Water stations located almost every mile  along the course and the Tri-Town Volunteer Fire Department from Ulysses will have a “fog” unit near the Route 449 intersection to provide relief.  The runners will step off at the Galeton School at 8:00 a.m. and the first ones to cross the finish line will arrive at about 10:30 in the Court House Square, Coudersport. The Potter County Visitors Association, sponsor of the race, is asking as many people as possible to cheer the runners—along the course and at the finish line. Motorists are also advised to use extreme caution while traveling over the course.  WFRM-AM 600 will be broadcasting live from the finish line, starting at about 10:00 a.m. Saturday.

 A couple of 17 year old Northern Potter students are being cited in district court in connection to incidents taking place Tuesday afternoon on a school bus. State police claim a Harrison Valley boy caused driver  Francis Graves of Westfield to temporarily lose control of the bus when he squirted water on the driver’s head. And, a Genesee boy is accused of pouring a bottle of water on Graves’s head and hitting him with the empty bottle as he got off the bus. 

 July 31 has been scheduled as the sentencing date for a Coudersport woman who this week pleaded no contest  this week in McKean County court to charges of writing bad checks, possessing an instrument of crime, theft by deception and disorderly conduct.  Lisa Fongwoo, 44, was arrested last August when she was found to have eight forged American Express Travelers’ checks at the Bradford Wal-Mart and tried to pass a $500 one. Police said Fongwood became belligerent when she was detained.

 Kane-based state police are investigating a couple of recent thefts. Sometime Tuesday or Wednesday, thieves took a ceramic bear, frog statute and sign with the lettering “together forever” belonging to John Taylor of Lewis Run from the Lafayette Cemetery.  A stainless solar light on a post, solar powered angel light, two crosses and a sign reading “Mother” owned by Silvis Hervatin also of Lewis Run, were also taken from the cemetery. And  a Willow Bay parking permit and $40  in cash were taken from a vehicle owned by Glenn Boser of Bradford while it was parked along Route 46 near the Corydon Hotel in mid-May.

06/05/08

There’s water in Lyman Lake!  After about 8 years after the dam at Lyman Run was intentionally breached due to safety concerns, the new dam was dedicated in a ceremony earlier today. Park Manager Chip Harrison implored attendees to do a rain dance so the filling can be completed ahead of schedule.  Harrison explained  there are two more fill cycles before water starts going over the dam. Many summer activities are expected to resume within a few weeks. The park is sporting new flush toilets, hot-water water showers and improved campsites.   Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBeradinis was among a host of officials attending and said the rebuilding of the dam is a perfect example of how a community can come together to get a job done. He said the cooperative effort is the envy of many park officials across the entire country. Many speakers congratulated the park’s visitors, neighbors and community members who put the pressure on Harrisburg to have the county’s number one tourist destination re-opened.  The project was truly a bi-partisan effort, spanning three administrations, two Republican and the current Democratic administration under Governor Ed Rendell; and three boards of county commissioners.  Former Commissioner Chairman Ken Wingo related how his first board learned of the plans to drain the lake shortly after taking office.  Former Commissioner Cathy Bowers lauded the team effort in accomplishing the goal of rebuilding the dam and said its completion will be an important cornerstone in the current tourism plan.

A Port Allegany man suffered a broken leg Wednesday afternoon in an ATV accident near Potato City. Bureau of Forestry personnel say 42 year old Ronald Falk lost control of his ATV on gravel, struck a culvert and embankment before coming to rest. He was taken to Charles Cole Hospital by ambulance for treatment. Several area emergency services personnel responded to the scene.

 State police at Kane say they are charging 42 year old Timothy Kamats of Emporium with driving with suspended or revoked license following a  one-vehicle crash last Saturday afternoon in Norwich Township. Authorities claim a 1994 Suzuki Sidekick drven by Kamats , while headed east across a parking area of the state game lands, rolled over onto its side on a left hand curve.  Police say Kamats and passenger Ray Sage and a 17 year old boy righted the vehicle and abandoned it at that location.

 Troopers here are investigating the theft of two handicap parking signs and metal posts from the parking lot of the Ulysses American Legion Sunday between midnight and 8:00 a.m. Value of the stolen items is estimated to be $175.00.

06/04/08

The 34^th annual God’s County Marathon, sponsored by the Potter County Visitors Association will take place Saturday on Route 6 between Coudersport and Galeton. The runners will step off at the Galeton High School at 8:00 a.m. and the first ones to cross the finish line in the Courthouse Square will arrive about two and half hours later.  Kim Mitchell, Race Director, told WFRM that as of yesterday 168 runners had registered, an increase of about 23% over last year.  She also reports the response has been good this year for people to operate water stations. The goal is to have one for every mile of the 26 mile plus marathon and as of today, they are only short two. Anyone interested in setting up a water station may call Mitchell at 274-7177 or the PCVA office at 274-3365. WFRM will be broadcasting live from the finish line beginning at about 10:00 a.m. Saturday

The former board of Potter County Commissioners was recognized recently by the state Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums Associates as 2007 Volunteers of the Year. Cathy Bowers, John Torok and Ken Wingo were nominated by the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum Associates because they “served as true ambassadors of the Lumber Museum” here in Potter County. The Resolution stated that the former commissioners “promoted the facility, at every opportunity, to any group, organization or person who inquired about the museum, its programs and its potential to function as the center for telling the story of the commonwealth’s lumbering heritage.

 Kane-based state police have charged 57 yer old Michael Weimer of Smethport with criminal mischief and disorderly conduct for an incident allegedly taking place Saturday evening at a residence along Route 446 near Champlin Hill in Keating Township. Authorities claim Weimer recklessly backed into a yard where several children were playing and removed a Lincoln AC/DC Gasoline from the bed of his pick-up, intentionally causing damage to the equipment.

 A criminal mischief in the village of Roulette late last month is being investigated by state police here. Troopers say vandals poured sugar into the gas tank on a 1999 Ford Explorer owned by April Stuckey while it was parked at her home on Creekside Drive.  The damage required repairs be made to the engine, and the investigation is continuing. It’s not know if there is a connection, however a set of keys was found a week later at the same residence.  The key ring contained Ford, GM, Post Office and others. The owner may claim it at the state police barracks on Denton Hill call 274-8690.

 The Potter County EMA is advising listeners that propane tanks used for grills may be damaged by “meth” cooks.  The agency explains the illegal drug manufacturers are getting the propane tanks from the exchanges at Wal-Mart, Kroger, etc. and emptying them of the propane. Then, they are filling them with anhydrous ammonia. After they are finished with them, they return them to the store. They are then refilled with propane, returned to the store for consumers to buy. Anhydrous ammonia is very corrosive and weakens the structure of the tank. It can be very dangerous when mixed with propane and hooked up to our grills, etc.  You should inspect the propane tank for any blue or greenish residue around the valve areas. If it is present, refuse to purchase that one. Check out the following website for more details. Go to this link to see pictures of anhydrous ammonia corroded brass valves._http://www.npga.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=529_

06/03/08

Kane-based state police have withdrawn original charges and filed new charges against a Bradford man accused of leading police on a high speed chase during the early morning hours of May 6 when  Wade and Laura Swanson of Smethport reported their 2003 Dodge Ram truck had been stolen from their residence on Route 46 in Keating Township.  When troopers located the truck, Brian Uber, 33,  allegedly took off and led troopers, Bradford City Police and Pitt/Bradford police on a high speed chase until he drove the truck through a chain link fence at Dresser Manufacturing and entered the plant in an effort to escape .He was later located with the help of information from a Dresser employee. Authorities claim when they detained Uber, he was found to be in possession of a suspected illegal substance and drug paraphernalia. He was committed to the McKean County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail after being arraigned on charges. However, yesterday state police filed charges of theft, fleeing, three counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, two counts of criminal mischief, possession of a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia along with several summary traffic offenses. Authorities now say Uber’s crime spree began on May 1 when he stole a Dodge Intrepid belonging to Michael Magnano of Allegany, NY while it was parked in the lot at Zippo Manufacturing in Bradford. Troopers claim Uber drove the car to Emporium, filled it up with $45 worth of gasoline at the Sheetz store there, drove it to a Cameron County home looking for a former girlfriend and abandoned the car when it go stuck. He’s accused then, of stealing a Chevy Silverado owned by Arnold Hayes and driving it to the Bordell Crossroads on Route 46 where he abandoned it when it wrecked. It was near that location that he found Swanson’s truck and took off toward the Dresser Plant.

There were no injuries yesterday  in the third collision this spring at a  temporarily posted Coudersport intersection.  According to Borough Police Chief Lee Gross, the collision occurred when Steven Gallew of Montoursville who was headed north on Borie failed to stop  at the sign drove his pick up truck into the path of a tractor trailer operated by Kyle Yusko of Millerton which was headed east on Maple Street. Chief Gross told WFRM that in all three collisions, drivers familiar with Coudersport streets have failed to stop at the posted intersections which are part of the detour in place while the Mike Franklin Bridge is being replaced over the Allegany River near the Consistory.

 Minor injuries were reported for a Westfield driver following a car/deer accident Monday morning on Route 4005 in Brookfield Township, Tioga County.  State police at Mansfield said Teresa Kaminski swerved her northbound Chevy Monte Carlo to avoid a whitetail which came onto the road into her path. The car crossed the road and struck a creek embankment before coming to rest.

 A Mt. Jewett man who was found sleeping at the wheel of his car late last night in Hamlin Township, McKean County is being charged with DUI.  Kane-based state police say they found 37 year old David Stahli Jr. passed out in his car with the engine running, parked in a travel lane of the Halsey Road at the intersection with Campbelltown Road.

 Troopers here arrested 33 year old Misty Gleason of Gaines for DUI early Saturday morning when they allegedly observed her committing several traffic violations at the intersection of Germania and West Streets in Galeton.

Two Ulysses area teens have been cited for underage drinking by state police here. Authorities say while following up on an on-going investigation last Thursday evening on Kidney Road  in Allegany Township, they found a group of juveniles and two girls, ages 16 and 17 were allegedly found to have consumed alcohol.  Charges are being filed in District Court.

 An Austin man is accused of criminal mischief for an incident allegedly taking place during the early morning hours Sunday on Shea Street in that town. Authorities claim 46 year old John Valenti pulled five recently planted fruit trees belonging to Richard Lucx from the ground. Damage estimated to be $100.

06/02/08

It was almost exactly 23 years after the devastating  Kane Tornado when a severe thunderstorm tore through parts of the WFRM listening area Saturday evening . The National Weather Service posted a severe thunderstorm warning for Roulette, Shinglehouse, Genesee and other communities at about 6:14p.m. Almost a half inch of rain fell during the storm on Fishing Creek and hail was reported along the North Hollow Road in Sweden Township. Some 740 Allegheny  Power customers lost electricity in Roulette Township from the fire hall to Railroad Avenue and up Seymour Drive and were in the dark for about 12 hours.  On May 31, 1985 a tornado ripped through East Kane in McKean County, claimed three lives and destroyed several homes and damaged churches.  The torrential downpour from the tornado reached Coudersport that night at about 8:15 p.m.

An elderly Emporium driver received minor injuries in a one-vehicle crash Sunday morning on Route 120 in Lumber Township, Cameron County.  State police said 83 year old Samuel Demark was headed west when his Chevrolet Silverado went off the road and struck a utility police when he tried to make a left turn. Demark was taken by ambulance to Charles Cole Hospital, treated and released.

 Troopers here helped New York state authorities apprehend an alleged drunk driver early Sunday morning.  Colin Conney, 23, of Ulysses was stopped in Genesee after leading Allegany County Sheriff’s deputies on a chase into Pennsylvania. Authorities claim he was clocked doing 64 miles per hour in a 45 mph zone in the Wellsville area.  Charges of DUI are being filed here in Pennsylvania and he is no doubt facing charges, as well, in New York State.

 Kane-based state police are continuing their investigation into the theft of an automobile early last month. A 1997 Dodge Intrepid, owned by Michael Magnano of Allegany, New York was taken from the Zippo parking lot in Bradford on May 1 and was recovered  May 6 at a residence on Old West Creek Road in Shippen township, Cameron County.

Troopers here are probing a second incident within days occurring at the Ox Yoke Family Restaurant on Route 6 in Galeton. Sometime between 3:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Sunday vandals caused $200 in damage to the restaurant by breaking the glass in the front entrance door.

 Crews from Clearwater Construction resumed work on a limited basis today at the Route 555/Driftwood bridge beginning the relocation of the water line.  PennDot says no structure work will take place and no work at the site will be related to the contaminated soil area uncovered in March. PennDot continues to work with the Department of Environmental Protection to address the contaminated soil at the southern end of the project and will conduct a public meeting soon regarding the excavated soil situation. Work was halted with construction crews encountered foul-smelling dirt several weeks ago.

05/30/08

A New York state motorcyclist died in a Tioga County collision last night. 26 year old  Stephen Aguiar  of Beaver Dams was pronounced dead at the scene of the 8:00 crash in  Lawrence Township by deputy Tioga County Coroner Lee Strange.  Mansfield based state police said the collision occurred when 76 year old Ruth Stone of Lawrenceville tried to make a left turn from east Lawrence Road into the southbound lane of Route 15 into the path of southbound 2008 Yamaha.  The impact caused the cycle and operator to catapult over Stone’s Subarau Legacy sedan. Aguiar landed in the northbound lane and the cycle on the center line of the highway.  Stone was taken by ambulance to Arnot Ogeden Hospital in Elmira for treatment of undetermined injuries

The owner of one of the buildings destroyed by arson fires between June 13 and November 20, 2006 has increased his reward to $5,000 according to Coudersport based state police.  A seasonal home owned by Brian Farleigh localed on Hurlburt Road  was destroyed by an intentional fire on June 20 of that year. An ATV was used to break into the cabin and garage. Several items were stolen and an accelerant was used to burn the cabin to the ground. The blaze also caused large amounts of damage to a pole barn-garage building and its contents.  Anyone with information about the arson fire is asked to call the local barracks at 274-8690.  Callers who which to remain anonymous should call Pennsylvania Crimestoppers toll free 1-800-4PA-TIPS. The organization is offering a cash reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for those fires taking place in 2006 here in Potter County. Sometime between Tuesday June 13 and Saturday June 24 an accelerant was used to start a fire at a camp on the Dodge Hollow Road in Harrison Township. The building burned to the ground.  Then on November 20, 2006, an arsonist entered an abandoned house on the Holbert Farm in Bingham Township and used an accelerant in an attempt to burn down the house causing about $4,000 in damage. Authorities believe all of the fires are related.

Kane-based state police made three DUI arrests recently, two of them for the same man.  Roy Edinger, 31 of Kane was pulled over last Thursday night for an equipment violation and troopers allegedly found he was intoxicated. He was taken to Kane Community Hospital for chemical testing, but refused to take the test. He was subsequently charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance, careless driving, failing to use headlights and a seatbelt, and violating laws concerning restricting on alcoholic beverages. The following day, Edinger was requested to show up at the Kane barracks for processing of the DUI charge from the night before but he told police he had to report to the  McKean County Jail to serve a sentence on a previous arrest. Apparently officers convinced Edinger to show up at the barracks and when he did, he was allegedly intoxicated.  Since he had driven there by himself, he was subsequently charged with a second DUI and again refused to submit to chemical testing.  Ralph Gustafson, 56, of Smethport was arrested for DUI last Saturday afternoon when he was stopped on Bush Hill between Smethport and Port Allegany for an alleged traffic violation. He allegedly failed a field sobriety test and was placed under arrest for DUI.

 05/29/08

A Shinglehouse driver is being charged with failing to stay within roadways laned for traffic in connection to a head-on collision Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of Route 44 and South Mill Street in that town.  State police said Bernard Hope Jr. was headed north when he allowed his Buick Park Avenue to cross the center line and hit a Chevrolet commercial van driven by Steve Ackley of Wellsville. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts and escaped injury but both vehicles had to be towed from the scene.

State police are probing several recent burglaries and thefts in the area.  Sometime between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, thieves forced opened a side door at the residence of Audrey Monroe on Route 49 in Harrison Township. A quantity of Oxycodone and Percocet prescribed for Monroe was removed from the home. Value of the medications is said to be about $380.  Damage to the door and door frame is estimated to be $20. And, burglars pried open a side door at a house on DogtownRoad in Genesee Township sometime last week. It’s not known if anything was taken from the house owned by Robin Green of Wellsville and Connie Miller of Muncy, PA but damage is estimated to be $100

 Thieves made off with a green gas-powered Homelite weedeater from the home of Florence Hutchinson on Third Street in Roulette sometime last weekend. It’s valued at $50. 

 Someone took a registration plate off of an Isuzu box truck owned by Diamond Auto Glass while it was parked at the business on Route 6 West in Eulalia Township Monday night or Tuesday.  The plate bears Pennsylvania Registration YVA8813.

  Rep. Martin Causer is looking for Korean War Vets in the district so they can be honored at a ceremony next month.  Call his Coudersport office at 274-9769; his Bradford office at 362-4400 or toll free 1-866-437-8181 for more information.

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05/28/08

Coudersport-based state police are continuing their investigation into the death of 37 year old Kelly Amack at his home on Maple Lane in Austin Monday morning. The cause of death will not be known until the autopsy results are available, however Potter County Coroner Kevin Dusenbury told WFRM the death was not suspicious in nature.

DUI charges are being filed against 37 year old Shauna Rightnour of Douglassville, PA following a one-vehicle cash early Monday morning on the Loucks Mills Road in Ulysses Township.  State police said Rightnour was headed south when her Pontiac Grand Prix crossed the road and struck an embankment. She apparently escaped injury.

 Minor injuries were reported for a Trumansburg, NY motorcyclist following a spill Saturday afternoon on Route 6 just east of Telescope Road in Ulysses Township. Troopers said 54 year old Fred Kotler’s Harley Davidson fell onto its side when he tried to make a U-turn on the loose gravel shoulder. Kotler was taken to Charles Cole Hospital, treated and released.  Authorities noted he was wearing property safety gear at the time.

 An Austin teen is being charged with violating traffic code for entering or crossing roadways for a collision taking place mid-morning Tuesday on the Bark Shanty Road in Keating Township. State police say 18 year old Joshua Majot pulled his Pontiac Grand Am out of his driveway into the path of a  Jeep Liberty driven by Dayle Ann Youngleish of Coudersport. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts and escaped injury.

 Moderate injuries were reported for an Austin woman following a crash just before 3:00 a.m. Monday on Route 120 in Emporium State police said 44 year old Denise Osti was headed east when her Chevy Cavalier crossed to the other side, went up a curb and hit a tree where it came to rest. Troopers say charges are pending completion of their investigation.

 An Emporium teen and his passenger both received minor injuries in a crash taking place early Monday morning on Waldy Run Road.  Troops say 18 year old Nathan Pott became distracted and allowed his westbound Chevy Monte Carlo to go off the road, strike an embankment and roll over.  Both Pott and 21 year old Gerald Lewis left the scene but were apparently located a short time later.

 Barry Ezykowsky, 57,  of Genesee has been cited for harassment for an incident at his home Saturday afternoon. State police allege Ezykowsky grabbed 57 year old John Cyran by the arm and pushed him against his truck, causing a bruise during an argument.

 State police here and in McKean County are probing the theft of mail from mailboxes.  Earlier this week, someone took 15 pieces of mail from Jessica Wiley’s mailbox on Second Street in Roulette.  Thieves also took mail from a box on the East Valley Road near Smethport belonging to Charlene Hendrickson and from one belonging to Barbara Bowman on Pump Station Road, Smethport Monday or Tuesday.

 And, vandalism to another mailbox is being investigated by state police at Kane. Sometime over the past couple of weeks, vandals removed the post from the ground causing the mailbox owned by Joel Johnson of Smethport to fall to the ground. Damage is estimated to be $50.

05/27/08

The National Weather Service has issued a frost advisory for Potter, Cameron and McKean Counties in Pennsylvania and Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties in New York State from 3:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Wednesday.

 A Ulysses motorcyclist is facing charges following a crash Friday morning which resulted in major injuries. State police here say 23 year old Phillip Thompson was headed east on Route 49 when he tried to avoid a collision with a vehicle which was turning left into the Potter County Solid Waste Authority. Thompson’s 2006 Yamaha crossed the northern white fog line, went off the road leaving tire marks in the gravel and grass for about 190 feet; became airborne for 55 feet, struck an embankment, bounced three times on the ground, traveled another 130 feet before overturning and ejecting Thompson who landed  about 25 feet away. Thompson was flown by helicopter to Arnot Ogden Hospital in Elmira.

Area state police made several DUI arrests over the long Memorial Day Holiday  weekend including a Pittsburgh man who was allegedly operating his ATV on the Old Bradford Road in Hamlin Township, McKean County while under the influence.  State police said they were able to stop 40 year old Shawn Odell just after 2:30 a.m. yesterday.  Sandra Fox, 57, of Port Allegany was pulled over on Route 6 in Roulette Township Saturday at about 12:15 a.m. after allegedly committing several traffic violations.  Troopers claim they found an open container of “Keystone Light” beer inside her Kia Sportage.  Jerome Hayes, 21, of Bradford was stopped a couple of hours later on Route 6 a mile and half west of Coudersport Borough and was allegedly found to be DUI and driving with a suspended license. Kane based state police said they found Earl Grabowski in possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence when they pulled him over early Sunday morning on Route 446 in Eldred Township.

The state police fire marshal is investigating the cause of a blaze  Sunday night which destroyed a Smethport garage and a 1973 vehicle housed inside. Eldred Township volunteers assisted Smethport firefighters at the home of Jim Tanner.  No injuries were reported.

05/23/08

The Associated Press is reporting today that Judge Leonard Sand will issue a written ruling later on a motion by attorneys for John and Timothy Rigas to reduce their sentences.  They are currently serving 15 and 20 years respectively after being convicted in 2004 of conspiracy and securities and bank fraud which led to the bankruptcy of Adelphia Cable Communications. Defense counsel argued that since a lower court had thrown out one of the lesser counts of conviction, the court was required to redo sentencing. Judge Sand presided over the trial in Manhattan Federal Court. The father/son team appeared at yesterday’s proceeding via video link with the elder Rigas saying he did not feel well enough to testify.  Another son, James, who was never part of the criminal charges, did testify and reportedly told the court that the government was aggressive in its prosecution in the wake of the Enron  and WorldCom scandals and the September 11 attacks.  Timothy Rigas reportedly told the judge that they had relied of the best accounting and legal advice from professionals for their decisions.  The Rigases lost an appeal this past march seeking a new trial.

Smethport Area School officials have asked WFRM to announce that bus students will be arriving home about a half hour late today due to a transportation problem.

 A Potter County PennDot employee was honored at an awards luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion in Harrisburg this week.  George Van Gorder is a Transportation Equipment Operator B with more than 10 years of service with the department and officials say he is a key member of the Potter County Bridge Maintenance crew which was recently recognized through a District Most Valuable Performer Award.  That award was presented in response to the crew’s high quality/exceptional quantity of bridge maintenance work in the county. The Star of Excellence Awards are presented annually to employees who represent the department’s values of service, performance and integrity. The recipients span the breadth of the organization- from clerks, office personnel and highway maintenance workers to supervisors, engineers and bureau directors.

 State and local police will be out in full force this Memorial Day Holiday weekend in an effort to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries.  Last year, 17 people died and another 579 were injured in 897 crashes during the four-day Memorial Day weekend.  AAA says not only can speeding cause a serious crashes, aggressive behavior can result in more gasoline consumption. The organization says gasoline consumption rises dramatically at speeds over 60 miles per hour. So, maybe the high price of fuel this weekend, will cause some motorists to slow down.

 With the start of camping season, officials at the Allegheny National Forest are reminding visitors there is a current closure order prohibiting the use of any firewood in the forest unless it originated in Elk, Forest, McKean or Warran Counties or has been kiln-dried.  Anyone who knowingly moves firewood from quarantine areas can be fined up to $4,000 or be sent to jail. The closure is in place to help prevent the spread of dangerous beetles which have been discovered as far north as Pittsburgh and in Eastern Ohio. The trees in the national forest have no natural defenses against them and the forest could be devastated by an invasion.

05/22/08

A Coudersport teenager was hurt Wednesday morning in a rear-end collision on Route 6 west of the Borough. State police said 18 year old Kyle Gee failed to notice that the car ahead of him, driven by Donald Shuler was slowing for traffic and allowed his Buick Regal to run into the back of Shuler’s Subaru station wagon. Gee was taken to Charles Cole Hospital by Coudersport Volunteer Ambulance. Shuler escaped injury.  The coupe had to be towed from the scene while damage to the station wagon was said to be minor. Gee is being cited for two summary traffic violations.

A one-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon on Route 219 a mile north of Route 6 in Hamlin Township, McKean County sent a Mt. Jewett woman to Bradford Regional Medical Center. State police at Kane said Jodi Moreth was headed south when her Pontiac G6 went onto the western berm, re-entered the road, crossed to the other side and hit a tree. 

 The theft of some copper pipe from a Wetmore Township home is being investigated by state police at Kane. Sometime Monday or Tuesday, thieves entered the home on the Jo Jo Road through an attached garage; smashed a double paned window in an entry door and once inside removed $100 worth of new and old copper pipes. Damage was estimated to be $75.

A fire that may have started when a chicken brooder coop in Westfield caught fire destroyed a 40-by-50-foot barn early this yesterday morning. Firefighters from Westfield, Galeton, Harrison Valley, Chatham township and Clymer township responded to the 3:22 a.m. alarm and found the barn at Hector Corners fully involved in flames. Horses that lived on the first floor of the two-story barn were outside when the fire broke out and were not injured. The blaze did kill the chickens in the barn. The barn, owned by Rocky Pesley, did not contain any hay or farm implements. Firefighters were able to save the farmhouse adjacent to the barn, but the structure did sustain some damage.

U.S. Federal Judge Leonard Sand presided over a re-sentencing hearing today in Manhattan for John and Timothy Rigas according to Reuters News Service.  The Rigases were convicted in 2004 by a jury trial, presided over by Judge Sand, of concealing loans and stealing millions of dollars from Adelphia Cable Company, founded by John Rigas. A U.S. Appeals Court in May 2007 upheld their conviction on charges of conspiracy, and securities and bank fraud. According to the report, both waived their right to appear at today’s hearing.

05/21/08

An Eldred woman has been jailed in lieu of $350,000 bail after being arraigned before District Judge Bill Todd on charges of sexual assault and other offenses.  State police claim 35 year old Dorothy Albney of Newell Creek Road committed the crimes between January 2006 and June 2007  against a girl who was 13-15 years of age at the time.  A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for June 2 in front of Judge Todd. Albney is charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, rape, aggravated indecent assault, incest unlawful restraint and false imprisonment; endangering the welfare of a juvenile and corruption of minors among other offenses. The victim was reportedly removed from Albney’s home several months ago.

 Several Coudersport residents were plunged into darkness this morning when a tree brought down transmission lines at the corner of South East and East Streets.  Coudersport volunteer firefighters responded to the scene and were assisted by Borough Police and Public Works Department workers.  Electricity was restored by Allegheny Power personnel a short time after the 11:15 outage.

 The Sweden Township Police Department is investigating rubbish scattering along the Ice Mine Road. Someone has been leaving an amount of trash down over an embankment.  And, the Department is also investigating some loitering and prowling at night incidents on North Hollow Road and North Hollow Heights. State police are assisting in the investigation.

 No details are available yet from State Police regarding a vehicle crash just after 8:00 o’clock this morning on Route 6 near E & G Auto just west of the Borough. Coudersport Volunteer Emergency Services responded to the call.

05/20/08

A note to our “Snow Bird” friends: Snow was reported Monday morning in the Seven Bridges and Fishing Creek areas.  Callers told WFRM that snow was moving through their locales in sheets.  Tony Pierotti’s official precipitation report included a “trace of snow.”

 Rep. Martin Causer has introduced legislation to create the office of the State Director of EMS within the Department of Health.  Causer says he envisions the office as being similar to the office of State Fire Commissioner. The proposal comes in response to a recommendation by a special bi-partisan legislative commission charged with studying ways to improve the delivery of emergency services within the Commonwealth.  Causer, who represents Potter, McKean and Cameron Counties has been an EMS volunteer for many years and he says he believes the elevation of the position would make a good system better.

Natural Gas drilling is underway throughout the WFRM listening area and in fact, Potter County Register and Recorder Gary Kelsey made a recent report to the County Commissioners on the increased activity. Residents with questions about the Marcellus shale formation, natural gas exploration, mineral rights leasing and related issues will have a chance to learn more Thursday night.WPSU-TV will broadcast a one-hour live call-in program  at 7:00 p.m. entitled “Pennsylvania’s Gas Rush.”  The program will be simulcast statewide on Pennsylvania Cable Network and webcast via http://wpsu.org/gasrush/    Residents with questions can call during the show or submit questions between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. online.

05/19/08

A Cross Fork man was released on percentage bail after being arraigned last week on bribery charges. State police allege 55 year old James Gelzenlichter, is aware he is a suspect in an on-going investigation and was subpoenaed to the Galeton District Court on an unrelated manner. Police say after being released from the subpoena, Gelzenlichter handed an envelope to  trooper involved in the investigation into the other case and that the envelope contained a large sum of money.  Gelzenlichter was arraigned before District Judge Delores Bristol an a  felony charge of bribery in official and political matters. Judge Bristol set bail at $100,000 but accepted 10 percent. A preliminary hearing on the bribery charge is tentatively scheduled for this coming Wednesday afternoon.

Potter County Commissioner Susan Kefover escaped injury Saturday night when her car struck a deer on Route 6 in Ulysses Township. Troopers said Kefover was headed east when the whitetail came onto the highway in front of her Buick Rendevouz. The impact damaged the SUV’s  windshield. Kefover was wearing a seatbelt at the time, police said.

 Minor injuries were reported for a Smethport couple when their Buick Rendevouz wrecked Sunday morning  on Route 6 in Hamlin Township, McKean County. Troopers said Eric Holmberg lost control of his SUV on the wet road  when he tried to pass another vehicle. The unit slid off the road, struck a guardrail and rolled onto the driver’s side before coming to rest.  Both Holmberg  and his wife, Jodi, were taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center. Two young children escaped injury. The adults were wearing seatbelts and the children  were in proper child restraint seats according to police.

 A Ulysses woman has been cited for harassment for an incident allegedly taking place Mother’s Day on Baker Hollow Road in Hebron Township.  State police claim that when 37 year old Cari Smith dropp