Potter & McKean County Community Source 3/1/22

1 2022

community

MARCH

p o t t e r m c k e a n

county

Austin • Coudersport • Crosby • Eldred • Gifford • Kane • Lewis Run • Mt. Jewett • Otto Eldred • Port Allegany Ridgway • Roulette • Smethport • Turtlepoint

McKean County gets update on broadband

Thompson retains most of 15th in redistricting

BY JIM ECKSTROM

Photo provided Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (center), Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, speaks with a supporter Saturday during a campaign event at the Smethport Fire Department.

The McKean County Commissioners met with Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, and Sen. Cris Dush, R-Brookville, earlier this month to provide an update on the county’s broadband initiative and to request support for future broadband projects.

McKean County is challenged with low population centers and geographic elevations that result in spans of county structures, both residential and business, with limited or no internet. The McKean County Broadband initiative has funded a fixed wireless network, providing tower

site locations throughout the county to begin to fill in these gaps of service.

There are currently six sites with towers available to internet service providers to broadcast internet wireless signals. The towers were existing sites or newly constructed in locations that will expand broadband availability throughout McKean County. The existing network is projected to serve 9,734 structures, which is approximately 32% of all structures within the county.

During the meeting, Bob Veilleux, economic development liaison for the

county, presented information, including maps on the accomplishments and upcoming projects including an initiative in the Eldred area. This project is scheduled to be completed this summer and will provide service to another 1,000 structures.

“Support from both legislatures will be vital to secure grant funding further expand broadband countywide,” said Commissioner Tom Kreiner.

“This meeting brought our efforts in McKean County to the forefront as the state develops the Broadband

Development Authority,” said Commissioner Carol Duffy. “I think our initiative serves as a best practice standard for what can be accomplished in a rural county in a short time.”

A federal grant through the National Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s and Information Administration was submitted in collaboration with the state Department of Community and Economic Development. This grant will assist in providing service to four areas including the Bolivar Drive

Broadband Update continued on .page 2

Wednesday he will run in the new 9th District, challenging fellow GOP Rep. Dan Meuser of Luzerne County, according to the Daily Item of Sunbury.

Thompson represents the 15th Congressional District, which i n c l u d e s McKean, Elk, Cameron, Warren, Forest, C l a r i o n , Ve n a n g o , Armstrong, Jefferson, Clearfield and Indiana counties and portions of Centre, Cambria and Butler counties.

Keller’s 12th District includes Potter County in its most northwest point, Susquehanna County in its northeast, and down to Perry and Mifflin counties in the south central part of the state.

The new 15th District includes Warren, McKean, Potter and Tioga counties across the Northern Tier and Armstrong, Jefferson, Clearfield, Centre, Union and Snyder counties across its south, which also included a northern third of Indiana County. In its heart the district includes Elk, Cameron, Forest and Clarion counties, while it also includes large portions of Venango County in its west and Lycoming County

U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson said Wednesday that he will run for re-election in the redrawn 15th Congressional District, while a fellow GOP congressman whose district was erased set his sights elsewhere.

Thompson, R - C e n t r e County, made his announcement to seek eighth term following a 4-3 ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that updated congressional district lines.

“While I am deeply disappointed the court-drawn map excludes a few counties and communities that I currently represent, those individuals know they will always have my support,” Thompson said in a statement. “I am also fully committed to delivering results for every community in PA-15 and continuing with top-notch constituent services our residents deserve.”

Thompson was the clear winner in the scenario that essentially combined the existing 15th District with much of U.S. Rep. Fred Keller’s 12th District, which will cease to exist.

Keller, a Republican from Snyder County whose current district includes Potter County, said Rep. Thompson continued on ..... page 3

Early-blooming spring flowers The arrival of spring is a welcome occurrence for many people. Budding flowers are among the harbingers of spring. Spring flowers can revitalize winter-weary people just when they need it most — and provide reassurance that brighter, warmer and longer hours of sunlight are just around the corner.

Cold-tolerant flowers are hardy enough to start blooming before the last frosts have dissipated.

Other flowers will begin to fill in as days warm

a little bit more, according to Better Homes and Gardens. Home gardeners looking to warm up their gardens with early blooms can use these flowers in their early-season containers, window boxes and planting beds.

• Pansy: Pansies prefer cool weather, which can make them one of the best flowers to plant in early spring and late fall. Pansies come in a variety of colors, so there’s bound to be an offering that will blend with any homeowners’

landscape design.

• Creeping phlox: Also known “moss phlox,” creeping phlox is a short ground-cover that is a herbaceous perennial. Phlox produces small, fragrant flowers in dense clusters, which can attract wildlife, such as butterflies, to their mats across the soil surface.

• Snowdrops: Snowdrops can peek out even when there is snow still on the ground — sometimes as early as January and February. But

their name is actually a reference to their appearance, as snowdrops have three white petals that hang down like drops dripping off the stem.

• Violets: These flowers are closely related to pansies and, as a result, prefer cool seasons. Violets are generally slightly smaller than pansy blooms, but they can be just as beautiful. But as with pansies, violets will start to fade when the heat arrives.

• Crocus: Crocus plants are relatively small, only

reaching three to six inches in height. However, their grass-like leaves are some of the first sprouts that can be seen among bulb and corm plantings. Preferring full to partial sun, these gold, purple, lavender, white, or yellow flowers can be enjoyed during the earliest days of spring.

• Daffodil: Daffodil bulbs produce cheerful, yellow flowers in early spring. They’re one of the most recognizable flowers thanks to their familiar shape and fragrant aroma.

• Lenten rose:

Hellebores, also called the Lenten rose or Christmas rose, can tolerate light frosts. These blooms get their name from the time of year when they bloom, which is typically around the Christian Lenten season. Despite their name, these delicate flowers are not actually related to roses, however.

Early-blooming flowers give winter-weary gardeners hope that spring has arrived.

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MARCH 1, 2022

Bean tops field at Eskimo Shoot and Ax Throw

Al Bean finished as the high aggregate individual scorer at McKean County Rifle Club’s 2022 Eskimo Shoot and Ax Throw.

Aggregate scores were calculated from four categories — shotgun, rifle, pistol and ax throw. Bean’s 56 points beat out second-place finisher Brock Byerley, who finished with 46. Dan Mackey and Doug Byerly finished tied third

with 44 points, while Doug Byerly was also the high senior scorer.

In the team scoring, the team of Brock, Jennie and Doug Byerly took first place with 121 points, while Mackey, Kevin Lindahl and Larry Forquer were second with 106 points. Bean, Rob Drummond and Leroy Stanton were third with 97 points.

Complete individual

and team results, with awards: Competitor Total Award Al Bean 56 High aggregate Brock Byerley 46 2nd aggregate Dan Mackey 44 3rd aggregate Doug Byerley 44 High senior Rob Drummond 39 1st ax Bob Mosier 38 2nd rifle Kevin Lindahl 34 1st rifle Doug Pine 34 2nd shotgun Jennie Byerley 31 High woman Sean Pine 29 3rd ax Larry

Charges from alleged standoff bound to court at hearing All charges against an Eldred man who allegedly shot at police in a standoff in January were bound over to court Feb. 23.

Christopher Eaton, 34, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault — fear of serious bodily injury to designated individuals, second-degree felonies; two counts of recklessly endangering another person and one of fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, second-degree misdemeanors.

According to the criminal complaint, at 8:47 a.m.

Jan. 30, state police were dispatched to 1262 Prentisvale Road in Eldred Township to check on the welfare of Eaton. Police described the area as being moderately populated with houses in close proximity on both sides of the road.

Troopers arrived on the scene and pulled into the driveway. They exited their vehicle and heard Eaton yelling from inside the residence to get back in their truck and leave, the complaint stated.

A distraught female was on the front porch of the residence, crying. She said everything was not OK, and

that she was on the phone with 911.

Eaton continued yelling and fired a shot out the second-story window in the direction of the troopers. The troopers got back in their vehicle and left the driveway. Eaton began barricading himself inside the residence as more state troopers began to arrive.

At 9:43 a.m., troopers established a perimeter around the residence “for what was now a barricaded gunman incident,” the complaint stated.

Police placed the female into a patrol vehicle, and found that she was a relative of Eaton’s who was communicating with him through a messenger app on her phone. He told her that he was going to “have a shootout with the police,” the complaint read. He sent a similar message to his wife.

Troopers were able to contact him and try working toward a peaceful resolution. During the negotiation, Eaton opened the door and placed two long guns on the front porch.

However, police determined it was too dangerous

to attempt to retrieve them.

Eaton took both guns back inside the house and discharged a second shot from inside, the complaint stated.

At 10:34 a.m., a trooper saw Eaton come out of the house, put two guns in the back of his mother’s vehicle, then get in while holding another firearm, and drove east on Prentisvale Road, with troopers in pursuit.

The pursuit ended at 625 West Eldred Road in Eldred Township, where Eaton ultimately surrendered peacefully, the complaint stated.

When troopers entered Eaton’s home, they discovered he had put a dresser in front of an open window, “creating a shooting perch in which to shoot at the troopers in the driveway,” the complaint stated.

Along with recovering two boxes of birdshot and a spent cartridge of bird shot, troopers found a single live .44 Magnum round “with the letters ML written in black marker on the shell casing,” according to the complaint.

Eaton remains jailed on $200,000 monetary bail. He is represented by Warren attorney Alan Conn.

Forquer 28 2nd ax Ronnie Byerley 121 Gary Horn 86 Washy 28 1st pistol Katie Jennie Byerley Doug Katie Horn Bob Mosier Horn 27 1st shotgun Chris Byerley Doug Pine 72 Washy 24 2nd pistol Gary Kevin Lindahl 106 Sean Pine Callie Horn 21 3rd rifle Callie Dan Mackey Larry McIntosh McIntosh 9 3rd shotgun Jeff Forquer Ronnie Washy 59 Wolfe 7 3rd pistol Rob Drummond 97 Chris Washy Jeff Wolfe Team ScoreBrock Al Bean Leroy Stanton

Broadband Update continued from 1 and Seaward Avenue areas of Bradford, Marshburg area, and the Village of Wetmore.

A second grant application was submitted by SkyPacket Networks to the PA Unserved Underserved Grant Program to provide service to the area of Route 6 between Smethport and Hazel Hurst including Irons Hollow, Bloomster Hollow and Kasson areas.

If funded, these two projects would provide service to another 2,800 structures throughout the county.

“The definition for broadband has been service with 25 megabytes per second (mbps) download and 3 mbps upload,” stated Veilleux. “At the federal level, this has been changed to 100 mbps download and either 20 or 100 mbps upload, which limits the technology that can be used to provide service and will dramatically increase the costs for future

development.”

In rural areas, including McKean County, a major concern with this change is that areas that already have 25/3 service are going to be competing for the same grant dollars as areas that have no service or who have service that is below the 25/3 threshold.

Sean McLaughlin, GIS Director, prepared detailed maps showing the reach of wireless service along with an overlay of existing service from other providers.

The map graphic shows the projected service area of the current network, the Eldred project, and the two pending grant applications.

“The effort is collaboration between county departments including planning, economic development and GIS along

with federal and state programs and private internet providers,” said Rick Fry, planning director. “We are focused on funding, implementation, connectivity and changing legislation.”

Moving forward, the McKean County is developing a Countywide Broadband Plan that considers the changes in the federal definition of broadband, grants that have been awarded to ISPs through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Program, and identifies options to provide service to the areas that are underserved or have no internet service. McKean County will develop the plan in preparation of the collaborative work with Pennsylvania’s new Broadband Authority.

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MARCH 1, 2022

Rep. Thompson continued from 1 in its east.

By far, the greater portion of the new district includes more of Thompson’s current district than Keller’s.

“I look forward to meeting the hardworking families, farmers, small business owners and veterans in the counties that were added to PA-15,” Thompson said. “In many instances, this will be a reunion, because I have previous represented many of

these counties during my time in Congress.”

Thompson, whose district will remain the largest geographically in Pennsylvania, is the Republican leader of the House Agriculture Committee and a senior member of the House Committee on Education and Labor.

He and his wife, Penny, live in Howard Township.

The state Supreme Court broke a partisan deadlock over the new map that otherwise broadly adheres to the outlines of current congressional districts, as the state loses one seat because of low population growth.

The Democraticmajority court picked a

17-district map that had been proposed by a group of Democratic-aligned voters who sued last year in an effort to get the court involved.

There is still a lawsuit in federal court challenging the map approved Wednesday by Pennsylvania’s justices.

The court made the decision on the district map after Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republicancontrolled Legislature deadlocked on a new plan.

Four of five Democrats on the court formed the majority in Wednesday’s decision, while one Democrat, Justice Debra Todd, sided with the court’s two Republicans in opposing it.

Olean General, BRMC present Golden Stethoscope awards

Commissioners allocate grant funds SMETHPORT — The McKean County Commissioners doled out Community Development Block grant funds at Tuesday’s meeting.

The total amount was $245,162, and it was given out as follows: $30,000 for an ADA compliant entry at the Port Allegany Senior Center; $30,000 to Smethport Borough for ADA compliant parking and restroom at Hamlin Lake Park; $131,033 to McKean County for Homeowner Housing Rehabilitation in Kane, Foster Township, Eldred Township and Keating Township.

The commissioners also approved Bradford Township’s CDBG allocation of $102,016. That will be distributed as follows: $73,654 for LMI Homeowner Housing Rehabilitation and $10,000

for spot demolition.

The commissioners also noted that under human resources, Julie Comes, office manager at the district attorney’s office, will be retiring March 4; Rick Ausin, assistant warden at the jail, will retire April 1; and Sherry Dumire resigned from the conservation district, effective Feb. 18.

The commissioners approved a proclamation naming February Career and Technical Education month.

A fact sheet was presented from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which stated one in five U.S. adults experience mental illness each year.

In Pennsylvania, 1,814,000 adults have a mental health condition — which is more than six times the population of Pittsburgh.

More than half of Americans reported that

COVID-19 has had a negative impact on their mental health, NAMI reported. In February, 39.8% of adults in Pennsylvania reported symptoms of anxiety or depression, and 25.7% were unable to get needed counseling or therapy.

One in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year. In Pennsylvania, 447,000 adults have a severe mental illness. Seven in 10 youth in the juvenile justice system have a mental health condition.

The commissioners reminded veterans that a virtual resource fair is being held today from 1 to 3 p.m. over Zoom. Host sites are available across the county, including the Port Allegany Vet Club, Smethport VFW, Mount Jewett Vet Club, Kane VFW, Bradford VFW and Eldred American Legion.

Bradford YWCA named as recipient of Purple Leash Project grant

Dr. Cory Mathias

Dr. Raza

Dr. Shafi Raza of Olean General Hospital and Dr. Cory Mathias of Bradford Regional Medical Center were both presented with the Golden Stethoscope Award.

The awards are a result of nominations from employees and are presented semi-annually to physicians who exhibit an exceptional level of professionalism, integrity and teamwork in caring for patients and families, as well as interacting with hospital staff members and fellow physicians.

According to his nomination, Raza is dedicated to not only the patients and staff at Olean General but the community as a whole. He is known for being kind and is regularly helpful to our staff.

“It is evident that Dr. Raza cares very much about going above and beyond,” his nomination states. “Dr. Raza makes our patients feel better also by his personality and availability. It is evident he believes medicine is not the only thing that makes our patients feel better.”

A hospitalist at OGH, Raza earned a medical degree at Liaquat Medical College in Pakistan and completed a

family practice residency at St. Elizabeth Medical Center. He is certified by the American Board of Family Practice.

Mathias joined Smethport Family Practice in November 2020. Since then, he has taken on-call coverage for pediatrics and has cared for inpatients at BRMC, according to his nomination.

“We have had several patients comment on his patient care and bedside manner. Every time I have asked Dr. Mathias to do something, he has generously agreed which betters the practices and the community,” his nomination said.

Mathias earned a medical degree at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed a general surgery internship and family medicine residency at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Wash. He specializes in family practice and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Before relocating to the area, Mathias served in the U.S. Army and was medical director of Soldier Centered Medical Home in Missouri, where he cared for patients of all ages as well as managed an ICU.

Pa. reaches new COVID vaccine milestone Gov. Tom Wolf announced Feb. 23 that Pennsylvania has reached a new COVID-19 vaccine milestone with 95% of Pennsylvanians ages 18 and older receiving at least one vaccination.

“The uplifting reality is that most people are doing what they can to protect their health,” Wolf said. “I would like to thank Pennsylvanians who have been vaccinated, not just for themselves but for the people around them. We know that vaccines are safe and effective and our best defense against COVID-19.”

As of Feb. 23, Pennsylvania vaccine providers have administered 28,685,125 COVID-19 vaccines.

“If you still have not received your COVID-19 vaccination, second dose or booster, I urge you to visit a vaccine provider today,” said Gov. Wolf.

Vaccines are free and available across the commonwealth. To find a vaccine provider near you, visit vaccines.gov.

As of last week, McKean County has had eight new cases reported Feb. 22, four Feb. 21 and 17 on Feb. 18.

Potter County had three new cases reported Feb. 22, two Feb. 21 and four on Feb. 18.

Elk County had two new cases reported Feb. 22, eight on Feb. 21 and seven on Feb. 18.

Most recently, Cameron County had one case reported on Feb. 21 and four cases reported on Feb. 18.

Also, the Pennsylvania Department of Health provided a COVID-19 update and new information about the value of getting vaccinated during pregnancy.

A new study supports the effectiveness of the vaccine for infants whose mothers were vaccinated while pregnant. Officials explained the study finds that infants were 60% less likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 in the first six months of life if their mother was vaccinated during pregnancy.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and professional

medical organizations, like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, recommend COVID-19 vaccination at any point in pregnancy.

According to the CDC, as of Feb. 21, 76.2% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated.

This percentage reflects all 67 counties in Pennsylvania.

The Department of Health analyzed the following vaccine data within its 66-county vaccine jurisdiction; Philadelphia is a separate vaccine jurisdiction: — 85,760 vaccine doses were administered in the past week, including 33,853 booster doses and 9,635 pediatric doses.

— The total number of vaccines administered dropped by 21.6% compared to the previous week.

The state health department reports that the daily average number of cases was 2,608. The CDC ranks Pennsylvania 27th in excess deaths related to COVID-19.

Purina and the nonprofit RedRover have awarded five Purple Leash Project grants to help local domestic violence shelters make pet-friendly transformations, upgrades and provide resources to survivors and their pets, including outdoor pet play yards, kennels, supplies and veterinary care.

A recipient of one of the five grants awarded this year, the YWCA of Bradford in McKean County, Pennsylvania will receive $19,000 to create a separate building on the property to house pets so that their owners can be close and care for them, all while accommodating survivors who may be allergic to dogs or cats.

“We are very excited about this project as it can alleviate one of the many barriers survivors face when leaving a potentially life-threatening situation,” said Angela Erway, the YWCA’s Director of Communications and Development.

According to YWCA Program Director Shelley Alcorn, the YWCA was at one time fortunate enough to have two shelters, one being pet-friendly.

“When we combined the two shelter spaces, we saw the impact it was having on survivors coming into shelter, not being allowed to bring their pets.

There was additionally the added worry of those in shelter who have allergies and the liability of animals reactions to those who they are not used to,” explained Alcorn. “In 2021, we began seeking grants that would help alleviate these barriers that our community was facing. In Dec. of 2021, we were notified by the Purina Purple Leash Project that we were awarded money to develop a safe space for animals, separate from the shelter, but on the same property. This will allow survivors who are fleeing domestic violence to seek shelter for not only themselves but family pets as well.”

Unfortunately, all too often, if a victim decides they are going to leave a volatile situation, the family pet is the first thing an abuser will threaten to harm if they leave.

“It is incredibly hard for a victim and their

children to come into our shelter, into a new setting with other individuals who they may not know.

This grant will allow us to have families bring a positive piece of home when they come to shelter,” said Alcorn.

Through the Purple Leash Project, Purina and RedRover are working to create more pet-friendly shelters and provide more resources so that survivors with pets can escape abuse and heal together.

Currently only 15% of domestic violence shelters in the United States allow pets and almost half of abuse survivors, 48%, will delay leaving their abuser if they can’t take their pet with them into a shelter.

“The Purple Leash Project is focused on easing a survivor’s decision to leave abuse,” said Nina Leigh Krueger, CEO and President of Purina.

“Knowing that there are resources available to them and their four-legged family members aides in their decision to leave. By working together with RedRover, we’ve helped to provide more than 33,000 safe nights for domestic abuse survivors and their pets with much more work to be done.”

The other four shelters funded this year will use their Purple Leash Project grants to fund projects and services unique to the needs of their location: Family Violence Prevention Center in Ohio will receive $46,055 to build on-site kennels and create an outdoor fenced-in play area with the remaining funds going toward pet supplies, laundry supplies and air purifiers for bedrooms and their indoor dog room.

The Rhode Island Sojourner House will receive $21,800 to house pets at one of their three shelters and foster care through the Rhode Island Society for

the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The Spring in Oklahoma will receive $10,000 to build kennels, a visitation area, and an outdoor play area and Services to Abused Families in Virginia will receive $7,950 to renovate the barn on the property to house dogs and cats and create a bathing station for the pets to stay clean and sanitary during their stay.

With this latest round of funding, 30 grants totaling more than $500,000 have now been gifted to domestic violence shelters across the US by Purina. Since the Purple Leash Project was founded in 2019, Purina has provided more than $1 million in funding and is working together with RedRover toward a goal of helping to ensure that at least 25% of domestic violence shelters are petfriendly by 2025.

“We are so grateful for Purina, RedRover and the Purple Leash Project for providing funds that allow us to build a safe haven for animals whose owners are fleeing a domestic violence situation,” said Alcorn.

“Our program team is very excited to begin this adventure as our community can vastly benefit from these resources.”

The purple leash serves as a visible symbol of an invisible struggle for domestic abuse victims and their pets. Purple represents domestic violence awareness, and the leash symbolizes the unbreakable bond between pets and their owners.

To learn more about the Purple Leash Project, donate or sign up for ongoing updates, visit w w w .

PurpleLeashProject.com.

If you know someone who is being abused and ready to leave with their pet, they can find information on pet-friendly shelters in their area at www.

SafePlaceForPets.org.

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MARCH 1, 2022

North Central seeking project submissions RIDGWAY — North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission is asking for project

profile submissions seeking funding through the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Completing North Central’s online Project

Profile questionnaire is the first step for local officials to pursue project funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission and other state and federal partners.

Connie and Sandy Wolfinger (left) visit with students from the Northern Potter School District’s agriculture education class.

Wolfinger Family Fund gives area school districts a boost The Wolfinger Family Donor Advised Fund at the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation recently provided $3,450 in support to area school districts to support a number of special projects and educational programs.

Harold “Sandy” and Connie Wolfinger established the Wolfinger Family Fund in 2019 and designed the fund to provide annual support for educational programming and enrichment opportunities for area students.

The Coudersport Area School District received $1,000 — $500 each for a virtual reality project and for a sixth-grade field trip to the Challenger Learning Center of the Twin Tiers Region.

The $500 grant for the virtual reality project will help purchase Oculus Quest VR headsets that will be utilized in the school’s STEM lab by students in grades 7-12.

The headsets will “provide students with memorable and immersive experiences that would otherwise not be possible,” explained Coudersport teacher Theresa Daniels.

“Virtual reality provides the ability to practice skills in a safe environment and in a manner that utilizes a participant’s motor skills, which ensures better knowledge and skill retention,” she said. “VR can transport students from their desks to the Roman ruins, let them mix volatile chemicals and see the reaction without being physically harmed, and allow them to not only see but interact with virtual worlds.”

The $500 grant for the Challenger Learning

Center field trip will allow the school to take its entire sixth grade class to the Challenger Center to experience the Rendezvous with Haley’s Comet.

The rendezvous experience allows students to experience a simulation of the flight and study of Haley’s Comet.

The Northern Potter School District received a grant of $500 that will support a project at the district to establish a food plot on the district’s forested land.

The district will then utilize trail cameras to allow students to study wildlife populations, especially whitetail deer.

According to Lacey Miles, the school’s agriculture education teacher, students will work to plan, plant and maintain the plot area. Students will also soil sample using testing kits from Pennsylvania State University to understand the nutrient needs of the soil.

“This gives a range of kids the chance to learn about the unique circumstances that our school has to offer,” said Miles. “Many of our students are interested in conservation and ag mechanic careers. This project gives them a chance to explore and expand their knowledge of those possible careers.”

Ellicottville Central School received $500 to help the school provide a concert by performing artist Jared Campbell.

Campbell uses songwriting and storytelling to encourage youth to embrace positive forces in their life. This will be the second time Campbell has performed for both elementary and middle/high school

students in Ellicottville, Superintendent Bob Miller said.

The Smethport Area School District received a grant of $500 to support the purchase of a rowing machine for the school’s fitness center.

The rowing machine will be available for use by students in grades 7-12. The machine will be available for use in physical education classes and after-school programs. According to Kim Cavallaro, Smethport physical education instructor, the rowing machine can also be an important tool in helping injured athletes rehab and recover.

The fund also provided a $950 grant to the Belvidere High School in Belvidere, N.J., to provide for the purchase of furniture and classroom materials to restructure a classroom for a high school teacher caring for some 110 students.

The Wolfingers have provided grants to the school district as it is one with a special family connection.

Sandy’s mother Dorthy Wolfinger and her sister Alice Wilhelm were lifelong residents of Belvedere and attended schools there from grades 1-12. Alice also taught kindergarten at Belvidere for many years. Sandy and all of his siblings, Ray, Carol and Kirk Wolfinger, attended Belvidere from kindergarten on.

Donations can be made to the Wolfinger Family Donor Advised Fund at CRCF, 301 North Union St., Olean, NY 14760 or online at cattfoundation.org.

Chicken & Rice Casserole

2 cups cooked rice 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese 1 1/2 cups cooked, chopped chicken breast meat 1 can (12 fluid ounces) Evaporated Milk 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted 1 tablespoon diced jalapeños (optional)

PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Lightly grease 2-quart casserole dish.

COMBINE rice, cheese, chicken, evaporated milk, onion, eggs, cilantro, butter and jalapeños in prepared dish; stir well.

BAKE for 45 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

FOR FREEZE AHEAD: PREPARE as above; do not bake. Cover; freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Uncover.

PREHEAT oven to 350° F. BAKE for 60 to 70 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Serving Size: 4

Projects must serve businesses and residents in one or more of the region’s six counties: Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, and Potter. Profiles may be submitted online at http://www.ncentral. com/call-for-projects/. The deadline to submit Project Profiles is 4 p.m. March 25 but North Central will accept rolling submissions and work with applicants to cultivate their projects to a state of readiness.

When applicants submit a 2-page Project Profile, it helps staff at North Central learn about upcoming projects that are important to our region’s communities.

Each year, ARC-funded projects leverage additional public funding for the development of access roads, business expansion, healthcare upgrades, water and sewer upgrades, student development, job creation and retention, and more.

These projects have led to improvements in our region’s health, education, and workforce, as well as the tax base of our local municipalities.

The simple, self-explanatory 2-page Project Profile form collects basic information about projects, including contact information, project description, type and readiness, regional

impact, project partners, and total project costs.

While not all projects will be selected to receive funding, it is important for North Central to learn about all our communities’ priorities so we can share these needs with our state and federal partners. As projects are reviewed, our staff can discuss them with other agencies/partners and help to better cultivate projects for future funding cycles.

For questions or further information regarding Project Profile submissions, contact Sherry Dumire, Brittany Wortman or Amy Kessler or 814-773-3162.