Potter & McKean County Community Source 3/15/22

15 2022

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MARCH

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

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

Casey backs bill to provide relief at gas pump saying this legislation would require oil giants WASHINGTON — With — not independent progas prices rising in recent ducers — to return half of days against a backdrop their “excess profits” to of continued Russian agAmerican families. gression in Eastern Europe, “This is just one step we U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., can take to joined his lower costs Senate colfor families leagues in and build introducing an econthe Big Oil omy that Windfall works for Profits Tax families, Act. not corpoThe act rations,” is aimed said Casey. at curbing T h e profiteering price of a by oil comgallon of panies and gasoline providing is up over Americans a dollar relief at the gas U.S. Sen. Bob Casey from a year pump. ago, and This legislathe price tion would impose a new of a barrel of oil is double excise tax on oil extracted what it was before the panor imported by large oil demic. Russia’s invasion corporations, and revenue of Ukraine has further disraised from a tax on the rupted an already volatile windfall profits of these global oil market by recompanies would be reducing supply and leading turned to consumers in the governments to limit imform of a quarterly rebate. ports of Russian energy to “Between Putin’s war help protect the Ukrainian driving up gas prices and people. big oil companies profiteerAt the same time, big oil ing off the rise, hard workcompanies are reaping ing Americans are getting near-record profits. In 2021, squeezed at the gas pump,” ExxonMobil’s profits Casey said. “It has never jumped over 60 percent been more clear that we over pre-pandemic levels need to reduce our depento more than $23 billion. dence on foreign oil and Over that same time pebuild an energy economy riod, the price of a gallon that works for middle-class families.”

The senator continued, Relief at pump continued on ....... page 4

A thin blue leash: Bradford police look to add K9

BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER

Photo provided This photo shows the Bradford City Police Department in the 1980s, including their K9 German Shepherd officer named Josh.

BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER BRADFORD— The city’s police department is proposing to bring on a new officer with some specific qualifications — people skills, attention to detail, a strong nose, soft fur and a powerful bark.

Chief Mike Ward and

Mayor James McDonald said that for the first time in 40 years, a K9 may be joining the force — through the generosity of the Blaisdell Foundation, its executive director and a former mayor, Ron Orris, and its board, chaired by George Duke.

The measure to bring on a K9 officer will be on the agenda for Tuesday’s city council meeting.

When it came time to think about names, there was one that quickly rose to the top — Duke.

“It seemed fitting,” Ward said.

“I’ve been working on collecting information to put the project together,” the chief said, adding that the mayor, city administrator Chris Lucco, Orris, District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer and

BCPD K9 continued on ................ page 2

7 things to know before replacing windows The decision to replace windows often comes down to aesthetics and necessity. Drafty windows can reduce energy efficiency in a home, requiring HVAC systems to work harder to keep interiors comfortable.

The harder the HVAC must work, the more homeowners will pay in energy costs.

Old windows also may be points of entry for water and insects. Despite the importance of windows, Money magazine advises that new windows make up only a fraction of the home’s total exterior “envelope,” resulting in only about 5 to 15 percent of total energy savings.

But there are still plenty of reasons to invest in new windows.

1. Vinyl or aluminum may be best. Lumber is farmed rather quickly today and solid wood products may not stand up to elements as well as wood used a half-century ago. To avoid rot, vinyl windows often are an affordable and durable choice. Homeowners also have the option of wood windows with aluminum cladding, which are long-lasting.

2. Moisture problems indicate windows need to be replaced. Condensation that shows up as fogging

between double-pane windows or on the inside of windows indicates that the windows are starting to fail.

If installing a vapor barrier in the basement or crawl space, ventilating properly when showering or cooking, or using a dehumidifier indoors does not remedy the situation, it might be time to replace windows.

3. Windows add curb appeal. Beyond functionality, replacement windows immediately update the look of the home and can

improve curb appeal since they are one of the most prominent features on the exterior of a home. If a house needs an update, replacing windows and can be a quick and affordable update.

4.

Consider other

window. Plus, older homes with attractive windows complement one another.

To keep energy bills down, think about adding insulation to the attic and basement — which is a good idea even if you are replacing windows.

5. The wrong windows can adversely affect home value. The National Association of Realtors says homeowners get about 73 percent of their replacement window investment back when they resell a home.

But choosing the wrong windows might lower the value of the home. It’s important to match the look of the original windows, including window material and the divided light pattern (the number of panes in each window) with the energy-efficient upgrades. original windows.

Sometimes older windows can be salvaged, especially if they are not damaged and only moderately drafty.

Replacing panes, sash cords, weather stripping, and even glazing may be less expensive than replacing a

6. Think about soundproofing, too. When upgrading windows, also think about how certain windows can cancel out noises and make homes more soundproof. Some windows can help reduce outdoor distractions like leaf blowers or lawn mowers.

7.

Proper installation is key to longevity.

Replacement windows are only as good as their installation in many cases. Poor installation and orders of standard rather than custom sized windows could result in poor fitting and seals. Homeowners should carefully vet and review window replacement contractors to find the best professionals for the job.

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MARCH 15, 2022

Potential signs of kidney disease Chronic kidney disease is a significant threat to millions of people across the globe.

According to the National Kidney Foundation®, 10 percent of the worldwide population is affected by CKD, which affects people of all ages and races.

Though there is no cure for CKD, the kidney health experts at World Kidney Day note that treatment can slow or halt the progression of the disease. That underscores the importance of learning to recognize potential signs of kidney disease.

• Energy loss: The NKF notes that a severe decrease in kidney function can cause toxins and impurities to build up in the blood, resulting in feelings of fatigue and weakness. Such a buildup also can make it hard for individuals to concentrate. Anemia, a blood disorder characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood, is a complication of kidney disease and can cause weakness and fatigue.

• Difficulty sleeping: Kidneys that are not functioning properly will not effectively filter toxins in the blood and expel them through urine. The NKF notes that individuals may

the blood.

• Increased urge to urinate: The NKF notes that this symptom often occurs at night and is a byproduct of damage to the kidney filters.

Some additional signs of kidney disease include foamy urine, persistent puffiness around the eyes, swollen ankles and feet, and muscle cramps. World Kidney Day reports that individuals can lose up to 90 percent of their kidney

experience difficulty sleeping when toxins remain in their blood.

• Blood in urine: Blood in the urine can be indicative of a host of conditions, including tumors, kidney stones or an infection. But it also can indicate CKD, as healthy kidneys are often effective at keeping blood cells in the body while they filter waste. The Mayo

Clinic notes that certain foods, including beets and berries, can affect the color of urine. But urine should generally range from a pale yellow color to a deep amber. Any visible sign of blood in urine or urine that is dark or orange in color should be brought to the attention of a healthcare provider right away.

• Dry, itchy skin: Dry,

itchy skin may not seem like a potential indicator of kidney problems, but the NKF reports that such a symptom may indicate the presence of a bone disease that often accompanies advanced kidney disease.

These symptoms appear because the kidneys can no longer help the body maintain an appropriate balance of minerals and nutrients in

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BCPD K9 continued from 1 so many others have supported and helped with the project.

McDonald said, “This would have been a missed opportunity if we didn’t go after it.”

“Duke” will be trained in many aspects of police work — like detecting drugs, tracking people, protecting the handler and other officers, and apprehending a suspect running from police.

“It’s a valuable tool for going after the bad guys, but there’s so much more.

It’s not limited to just that,” McDonald said.

Ward explained the dog could be used to track a lost child, an Alzheimer’s patient who might have walked away from their home or a lost hunter.

“There’s so much training that goes into these animals,” McDonald said.

“For six weeks the officer will train with the dog that is chosen.”

The dog will come from Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville, where the training will take place.

Currently there are three city patrolmen who have expressed interest in taking on a K9 partner. Ward said a panel of law enforcement and private sector professionals will consider the three applicants and choose by early April.

Ward said all three applicants are “very good at their jobs and we are lucky to have such qualified candidates to choose from.”

Taking on a K9 partner is a full-time commitment.

The dog lives with his

partner as well as works with him.

Ward said the training would begin in June, and by the end of July or beginning of August, the partners would be back in Bradford and on the job.

“We believe wholeheartedly that this will lead to more investigations, arrests and prosecutions of drug trafficking crimes,” Ward said. “That’s something in the police department we all take seriously.

We definitely think there’s a need for this. It’s a good addition to the department.

It should have a positive impact only.”

The two explained the idea came about last year, and Orris set the wheels in motion for the police force to learn more about it.

Orris told The Era that a friend of his, Denny Heindl, had told him about helping DuBois police get a K9 officer. “We decided to have them come up here,” Orris said.

The police chief and city manager accompanied the K9 officer to Bradford, where “we got to see the dog in action,” Orris said.

It brought back memories for him, back to 1983 when a German Shepherd named “Josh” was the partner of Officer Robert Pile under Chief Vincent Borrelli and Mayor Orris.

And interestingly, Terry Lopus was on city council at the time, as he is currently.

Orris said he took the idea of a K9 officer back to the board of the Blaisdell Foundation, with a PowerPoint presentation about the benefits the dog could have for the community.

“Let me tell you, (Ward) put together probably one of the best PowerPoints for

our board,” Orris said. The board approved the measure, fully funding the program’s set up and training.

“He had every possible detail about how it could help the community. I could see he had a lot of passion for wanting this to happen.”

Orris said he believes people in the community will be thrilled to meet “Duke.” And, he said, the K9 program is going so well in DuBois that they are considering getting a second dog.

Regarding Bradford’s project, McDonald said, “This project wouldn’t have happened without Ron.” For her part, Shaffer said she’s excited to welcome Officer Duke to the law enforcement family.

“We have had a lot of success with K9s,” she said. K9 handler Bob Rinfrette is retired from the Cattaraugus County, N.Y., sheriff’s office, but he and his dogs work with the district attorney’s office. Rod Johnson, who has bloodhounds, also works with Shaffer’s office.

“Our K9s are frequently used to detect narcotics at area facilities including schools and jails at the administrators’ requests,” Shaffer said. “We have other K9s who have tracked the scent of a person — both missing persons as well as fleeing suspects.”

Community Blood Bank to bring Bloodmobile to Port Allegany PORT ALLEGANY — The Community Blood Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania and Western New York is bringing the Bloodmobile to the S.W. Smith Memorial Public Library at 201 E Maple Street in Port Allegany from 2 to 6 p.m. on March 31.

Make an appointment to give blood by calling (814) 688-3996 or register online at http:// fourhearts.org/events/sw-smith-memorial-publiclibrary/

function before they experience any symptoms and most people with CKD experience no symptoms until the condition has reached an advanced stage.

However, learning to recognize potential indicators of kidney disease and reporting them to a healthcare professional can lead to early detection and potentially slow the progression of the disease.

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Relief at pump continued from 1 of gasoline rose from an average of $2.69 to $3.41 and currently stands at over $4.

According to Casey, under this bill, large oil companies that extract or import at least 300,000 barrels of oil per day (or did so in 2019) will owe a per-barrel tax equal to 50 percent of the difference between

MARCH 15, 2022

the current price of a barrel of oil and the pre-pandemic average price per barrel between 2015 and 2019. Smaller companies accounting for roughly 70 percent of the domestic production would be exempt, so oil giants like Exxon Mobil and Chevron cannot simply gouge consumers further without the threat of losing market share.

Revenue raised from the windfall profits of big oil companies would be returned to consumers in the form of a quarterly rebate.

With oil currently priced at more than $120 per barrel, the levy would raise approximately $45 billion

per year. At this price, single filers would receive approximately $240 each year, while joint filers would receive roughly $360 each year.

This legislation is led by U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and cosponsored by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.). U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna, D-Calif., also introduced the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Old Jail House Museum to reopen SMETHPORT — McKean County Historical Society has announced the re-opening of the Jail House Museum and schedule for special programs for 2022.

The museum had been closed due to the COVID pandemic. At a recent meeting, the board of the Historical Society announced the museum will reopen on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. beginning April 5 with additional times by appointment. Call (814) 887-5142 to schedule an appointment.

In addition, several special programs are planned for the 2022 season: — April 2nd — Jane Berrettini will lead the

Earth Day Walk at 1 p.m. starting at Shawmut Grade trailhead parking lot off Route 6 at west end of Smethport, walking to the old County Farm where Sandi Tunno will talk about the garden program.

— May 12th — “History of Surveying” will be presented at Hamlin Memorial Library in Smethport at 7 p.m. with Greg Bell explaining advances in equipment and methods over the last two centuries.

— July 14th — Laura Guncheon is scheduled to discuss the new countywide glass recycling effort in cooperation with Ardagh and RecycALL of Port Allegany.

— Sept. 15th — Guest

speakers from Dresser Industries, Bradford will present a program on the history of this local manufacturer.

— Oct. 1st — “Arts on the Island” will be held at Hamlin Lake Park under direction of Bart Barton and Pam Burlingame. There will be numerous food and craft booths in conjunction with a car show for special interest autos, trucks and motorcycles.

Fall Dinner for museum members and guests will be held at a date and time to be announced, with Steve Appleby talking about the history of the former munitions factory in Eldred.