McKean Potter Source 4-26-022

26 2022

community

APRIL

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

Photo Provided Last year’s Chamber of Commerce award winners included, from left, Community & Spirit: Kristin and Tim Asinger, pictured with Heidi Scrivo Passmore, chamber executive director; Steve Morgan, representing Exemplary Business: Futures Rehabilitation Center Inc.; and Dave Monroe and Bill Black, representing Director’s Award: Kids & Cancer. Not pictured is Legacy Award: Dr. Steven Hardin.

Chamber awards set for May 12 The Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual meeting & award presentation on May 12 at the Pennhills Club.

The event includes the presentation of five annual awards to the Bradford Community.

The five awards include Exemplary Business, Community & Spirit, Director’s Award, Small Business and Legacy

Award.

Each year the chamber looks forward to having the opportunity to recognize the businesses, organizations and citizens who contribute to this great community through their hard work, volunteerism and community spirit.

“The community had a great response to our request for nominations,”

stated Barb Kervin, board president. “One could only have a sense of gratitude as you looked at the list of well-deserved nominees.”

This event could not occur without the support of our members and our sponsors. Zippo Manufacturing as the Signature Sponsor contributes to our ability to present these awards.

UPMC is a welcomed new sponsor and member this year. Northwest Bank, Blaisdell Foundation and American Refining Group also make this possible.

The chamber will also kick off the celebration of its 140th anniversary.

This year’s award winners will receive an original collectible Case Knife and our local

representatives will present citations. Winners will be announced at the event. Last year’s winners included: Exemplary Business: Futures Rehabilitation Center Inc.; Community & Spirit: Kristin and Tim Asinger; Director’s Award: Kids & Cancer; Legacy Award: Dr. Steven Hardin.

The Annual Meeting

will take place on May 12 at Pennhills Club with social hour starting at 5:30 p.m. and the presentation at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 for one person or two for $85.

Tickets can be purchased online at bradfordchamber. com or by calling the chamber at 814-368-7115.

Instrument drive at Smethport High SMETHPORT — The Smethport Band Boosters is holding an instrument drive on Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Instruments, except banjos and pianos, of any condition will be accepted

at the high school entrance.

Donations will help increase the inventory for the instrumental music program of the Smethport Area School District, which is under the direction of Emily Housler.

Bradford woman charged in alleged burglary Photo Provided Straub Brewery partnered with the St. Marys Box Company to develop locally sourced, environmentally sensitive packaging for their 16 oz. returnable bottles which lead to long term collaboration. Front Row: William Brock, Straub president/CEO, Cathy Lenze, Straub VP of Sales & Marketing, and George Hasselman, Straub Marketing Associate. In the back Row: Don Pistner, president and Tom Pistner, vice president of St. Marys Box Company.

Search for eco-friendly packaging leads ST. MARYS — In honor of Earth Day 2022, Straub Brewery announced that St. Marys Box Company is manufacturing packaging for Straub’s returnable bottles. Of the estimated 9,000 breweries operating in the United States, Straub is the one of the only remaining breweries that produces a returnable package.

According to William Brock, president and CEO of Straub, “the returnable package is extremely important to Straub, and they are committed to producing the package over the longterm. The 16 oz. returnable offers our customers the opportunity to buy our beer in a reusable, fortified glass

bottle. Instead of throwing the bottles away, they can be returned to the brewery, where they are cleaned, sanitized, and refilled. This package is good for the environment and lowers the cost, allowing us to pass those savings onto our customers.”

To maximize the ecofriendly nature of the product, the packaging also needed to be reusable.

Historically, Straub relied on vendors from outside of the region, requiring large volume orders and additional transportation costs.

In the hopes of finding an alternative, Straub turned to St. Marys Box Company for a solution. Tom Pistner, vice

president of St. Marys Box Company explained that the opportunity was welcomed despite the complexities. The design challenge was to create packaging that was sturdy enough to carry the heavier bottles along with a durability that could match the bottles in terms of reusability. According to Pistner, “The significance of the returnable bottle is that it can be used over and over.

Our challenge was to identify a case design that was equally environmentally friendly as the bottles and compatible with Straub’s packaging equipment. The design work took well over six months; however, in the end, I believe we delivered

the product that Straub needed.”

As a sign of a successful collaboration, St. Marys Box is now manufacturing the packaging for all of Straub’s bottled beer, and they are now working on design solutions for their canned beer. According to Brock, “This has been a great collaboration and partnership.

It just makes sense in so many ways. St. Marys Box Co. offers quality products at fair pricing, and allows us to buy in quantities that we need. The bonus is that like Straub, they are a locally owned family business, and buying local always makes a big difference.”

BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER A Bradford woman was arraigned Tuesday on allegations, including burglary, for an incident Saturday on Lorana Avenue.

Eileen Clayton, 47, of 2 Bushnell St. Suite 315, is charged with burglary, a second-degree felony; criminal trespass and two counts of access device fraud, third-degree felonies; theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, first-degree misdemeanors.

According to the criminal complaint, on Saturday, police received a call for a theft that occurred at a Lorana Avenue residence.

The victim said he had received a call from Northwest Bank asking if he had attempted three transactions at Walmart for

around $1,000 each. He had not. He checked his wallet and found his debit card was missing, as was $50 in cash. He called police to report the theft, the criminal complaint stated.

Police went to Walmart, and found video footage of a woman attempting to use the card. Police described the woman to the victim, who said it sounded like Clayton. Police went to her residence, and she admitted to taking the items and using the card without permission, the complaint stated.

She had used it at Walmart and at Choice, police said.

Clayton was arraigned Tuesday before District Judge Dom Cercone and released on $1,500 unsecured bail. She is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 4.

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APRIL 26, 2022

Port Allegany High names honor roll

ARG to commence maintenance shutdown American Refining Group Inc.’s Bradford refinery operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with almost no exceptions.

ARG’s next maintenance shutdown begins April 24 and is scheduled through May 12.

One concession to the constant stream of production is the maintenance shutdown known as turnaround, which all refineries must undergo. During turnaround, the refinery’s process units are taken off-line for optimization and to make any necessary repairs.

A methodical procedure will be followed to safely bring down ARG’s process

units and purge hydrocarbons from the system.

During this process, the main refinery flare will be active; this is necessary to ensure the safety of everyone working at the facility and in the community.

Nearly all of ARG’s refinery personnel (approximately 200 employees) are involved in turnaround.

Planning and scheduling began in 2020, and includes more than 200 contractors who support the effort.

“We conduct these major maintenance turnarounds approximately every three years to ensure the ongoing safe and reliable operation of our facility,” said Robin Augustine,

ARG vice president of operations. “Because we operate around the clock, it requires a full process shutdown to accomplish this work.”

Bulk loading of gasoline and diesel fuel at Foster Brook as well as lubricant blending and packaging operations will continue during turnaround in order to serve customers without interruption.

Beyond increased vehicle traffic and some parking congestion around the refinery, the community should not be inconvenienced by the shutdown.

ARG President and Chief Operating Officer Jon Giberson said, “Our

refinery is always active, but that is even more true during turnaround; a significant number of employees, contractors, trucks, ATVs and heavy equipment will be moving about the facility throughout much of each day.

“Our top priority, in light of the increased activity and manpower needed to accomplish this massive undertaking, is to bring another 100 percent safe turnaround to a close,” Giberson concluded.

For more information about ARG, visit www. amref.com or follow the refinery on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Poll: Voters want Rescue Plan money to beef up Pa. state parks, forests HARRISBURG (TNS) — Most Pennsylvanians want the state to use a chunk of federal American Rescue Plan funding to cover part of a $1.4 billion backlog in renovations and maintenance in state parks and state forests, according to a poll of likely Pennsylvania voters.

The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, which commissioned the poll, reported that 66% of Pennsylvanians agree that state lawmakers should place a high priority on funding for state parks and forests.

“Pennsylvanians — no matter who they are, where they live or what political views they hold — support investing in our state parks and forests and protecting our precious natural resources,” said Brad Mallory, PPFF board chairman.

The organization also noted that the poll shows 67% of likely voters support using as much as $125 million of the state’s share of the federal on the maintenance and repair of state parks and forests.

Support for using American Rescue Plan funding also was broadbased and bipartisan, including support from 62% of Democrats, 66% of Independents, and 73% of Republicans, according to PPFF. “Throughout the pandemic, it was universally recognized that outside was the place to be for our own health and wellness. State parks and forests provide a way to experience the great outdoors close to home thus the use of these public spaces exploded” said Marci Mowery, president of PPFF. “Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation

believes an important role that our parks and forests play is in protecting and improving human health.”

In 2020 nearly 47 million visitors were recorded at state parks alone, an increase of 26% over the previous year. And, PPFF stressed, heavy use is continuing.

Parks and forests also have proven their economic value in Pennsylvania, noted the foundation.

According to an Outdoor Recreation Industry study, Pennsylvania ranks fifth in the nation in terms of consumer spending on outdoor recreation, generating $29.1 billion in consumer spending annually, supporting 251,00 jobs, and generating $1.9 billion in state and local tax revenue.

The likely voters in the poll were told that PPFF estimates that state parks

and forests face a $1.4 billion backlog of infrastructure renovations and deferred maintenance, including much-needed repairs to roads, bridges, trails, dams, water and sewer systems, cabins, restrooms, and other visitor facilities.

When told that state forests serve as a natural filter to remove harmful pollutants from Pennsylvania streams, rivers and lakes, 79% of likely voters agreed that the state should invest in state forests to protect clean water and reduce flooding.

The statewide poll, conducted Feb. 21-28 by Susquehanna Polling and Research, interviewed 701 Pennsylvania likely voters.

PPFF supports 121 state parks and 2.2 million acres of state forest by coordinating volunteers, activities and donations through its 48 chapters.

Federal convictions of Erie residents ERIE — Two Erie residents were convicted in separate cases in federal court on Tuesday. In one case, the charges stemmed from fraudulent tax filing as a freelancer and in the second case, charges were derived from a violation of the straw purchase laws.

In the first case, Senior United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Erika A. Grandberry, 47. She has been sentenced in federal court to three months in jail and ordered to pay $66,789 in restitution on her conviction of violating federal tax laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced.

According to information presented to the court, Grandberry, while working as a freelance tax preparer,

knowingly and repeatedly reported false and fraudulent income and expenses for nonexistent businesses on Individual Tax Returns from 2015 to 2017.

Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Chung commended the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Grandberry.

In the second case, Senior United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Kathryn Nicole Shaw, 25. She has been sentenced in federal court to one year probation on her conviction

of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced.

According to information presented to the court, from March 9, 2020, to July 21, 2020, Shaw conspired with two co-defendants to violate federal straw purchase laws and acquired firearms for a co-defendant who was prohibited from possessing firearms based on prior criminal convictions.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.

PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to

identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.

Aspart of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Chung commended the Pennsylvania State Police, Conewango Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Shaw.

Ron White to perform at casino in July SALAMANCA, N.Y. — One of the funniest voices in comedy is returning to Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino when Ron White takes the stage inside the Seneca Allegany Event Center on July 30 at 8 p.m.

Tickets go on sale this Friday at noon.

Ron White is a comedy

legend who rose to fame as part of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. Known as the scotch drinking, cigar smoking funnyman, White has built a career by telling brutally honest stories brimming with punch lines and bursting with laughs. His popular stand-up routines have

earned him multiple Grammy nominations, four Number One albums on the Billboard Comedy Charts, three top-rated, one-hour comedy specials, a book on the New York Times Best Seller List, CD and DVD sales in the tens of millions, and a place among the most popular

and successful comedians in America.

This is an 18 years and older show. Tickets start at $45.

Other upcoming shows include The Highwaymen Live! On May 21 and Rick Springfield on June 25.

PORT ALLEGANY — Marc Budd, High School Principal, has announced that the following students in grades 7 through 12 have been named to the high honor roll for the third nine-weeks marking period.

Students named to the HIGH HONOR ROLL have maintained an average of 3.745 and above on a 4-point scale.

Grade 12: River Cramer, Isaiah Debockler, Abrianna Dowell, lan Dynda, Daniel Finn, Kaleb Green, Aleczander Kiser, Sawyer Prince, and Syrus Sauers.

Grade 11: Brielle Budd, Riley Coleman, Julia Conklin, Levi Culver, Lily Duell, Drew Evens, Isaac Fessenden, Kristopher Herbert, Shane Lawton, Thea Petruzzi, Jett Ruding, Olivia Schott, Madeline Smith, Camerynn Stambaugh, Evin Stauffer, and Madelynn Triplett.

Grade 10: Isaac Barber, Braylon Button, Alana Corey, Henry Kisler, Saxon Palmer, Brayden Pearsall, Julia Postlewait, Peyton Stiles, Levi Wilfong, and Miska Young.

Grade 9: Tyler Carinci, Aidan Clark, Joshua Colton, Grace Finn, Sarah Long, Azriel Luk, Lily Madison, Ella Moses, Joy Ou, Isabelle VanNette, and Juuso Young.

Grade 8: Isac Amell, Kami Archer, Brayden Babcock, Aiden Bliss, Brynn Evens, Madison Fillhart, Tristan Kiser, Owen Kisler, Lily Lehmier, Kendra Meade, Natale Redmond, Alexander Schott, Ethan Tarbox, and Nicholas Wilfong.

Grade 7: Collin Ableidinger, Gianna Glasgow, Alayna Palmer, Isaac Postlewait, and

Lillianne Reed.

Students named to the HONOR ROLL have maintained an average of 3.245 up to 3.744 on a 4-point scale.

Grade 12: Ryan Bowser, Colin Dexter, Davon Cromer, Bryn Easlon, Ty Guilds, Dylan Haskins, Amber Hurd, Garrett Johnson, Cody Kline, Madison Kottwitz, Patrick Kujawski, Elizabeth Long, Clarissa Moses, Sapphire Nichols, Rylie Simpson, Payton Spencer, and Anthony Wiley.

Grade 11: Noah Archer, Chloe Cramer, Aidan Emerick, Maya Kephart, Blaine Moses, Allie O’Shea, Sierra Peters, and Mikya Stake.

Grade 10: Olivia Barth, Jennifer Baxter, Trenton Bunnell, Paige CrumThreadgill, Amber Funk, Lacy LaChine, Jossalynn Mereen, Alex Smith, and Collin Stuckey.

Grade 9: Bryce Ableidinger, Saige Causer, Montez Clark, Jacob Colton, Austin Hamilton, JordanJones, Raelin Meacham, Skyler Pelchy, Willow Sauers, Derek Smith, Joshua Veilleux.

Grade 8: Corbin Bridenbaker, Hayden Brown, Cricket Carpenter, Alivia Dowell, Micah Emerick, Madison Errick, Tyler Fessenden, Jarrod Funk, Allen Hefner, Julian Kaple, Trey Kiser, Isla Lehmier, Julie Smith, and Jorganna Youngs.

Grade 7: Jordan Bailey, Kaydence Beaver, Liam Hawver, Sienna Lathrop, Brock Marsiglio, Gavin Moses, Tessa Rendos, Isabella Stiles, Connor Valentine, Garrin Wright, and Derrick Xaros.

Airbnb to sue renter of Pittsburgh property where party was held before shootings PITTSBURGH (TNS) — Airbnb intends to file a civil suit against the person who rented the East Allegheny unit where two teenagers died and nine others were shot at an underage party early Sunday.

The company had said Sunday that the renter would be banned for life from renting through Airbnb, which has strict policies against guests holding parties. ”We will pursue legal claims and damages based on violation of Airbnb’s Community Standards and Terms of Service, nuisance, and that the guest booked the listing under false pretenses,” the company said in a statement.

Under its agreement with property owners, Airbnb insures them against damages by renters.

As part of its agreement with renters, Airbnb won’t publicly identify them and won’t say what the renter told the company it planned to do during the rental unless the company receives a court order.

Airbnb has taken down the rental listing for the property at 900 Madison Ave., which is owned by 900 North Group LLC. The owners could not be reached for comment.

The property continues to be listed through another rental service, Vrbo. Under

that listing, the second and third floor of the building, plus a rooftop deck, rents for $599 a night.

It’s described as a 2,000-square-foot, threestory loft close to amenities such as sports stadiums, the Strip District and the National Aviary.

Here’s part of the owner’s description of the property: ”Facing the city skyline the loft has a rooftop deck and full view of Pittsburgh...Two of the three bedrooms [have] their own view of the city, as well as the common living areas, which include the living room and the third floor loft. ”The third floor loft offers a bar, wine cooler and lounge. Exposed brick and open ceilings give the space unique industrial character. There is plenty of lounge space on the rooftop deck, again with a stunning view of the city skyline. We are passionate about design and incorporate our favorite art and decor in the apartment.”

The apartment also features hardwood floors in many rooms, winding staircases between floors and a long balcony. Some rooms have partially exposed brick walls and a brick support column runs up the center of the space.

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APRIL 26, 2022

Wolf continues to support Pennsylvanians through American Rescue Plan Program STROUDSBURG — At the Pocono Family YMCA Thursday, Governor Tom Wolf was joined by Representative Maureen Madden to call on Pennsylvania’s Republicanled General Assembly to finally act to support the success of Pennsylvania families by passing legislation for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)funded $500 million PA Opportunity Program, which would send $2,000 checks to Pennsylvanians.

“Pennsylvanians should not have to choose between paying for utilities or groceries, childcare or gas.

We have the opportunity and the means to ensure they’re not struggling, to

ensure their success,” said Gov. Wolf. “I’m asking the General Assembly to unite across aisles on this for the sake of every Pennsylvanian — for when they succeed, our commonwealth succeeds.

Let’s get this money out of our coffers and into the pockets of Pennsylvanians.”

Despite a $1.7 billion proposal by Gov. Wolf, Pennsylvania is sitting on more than $2 billion in federal ARPA dollars that remain without a plan and uncommitted.

With continued inaction by the legislature, the money will be sent back to the federal government by December 31, 2024

Little Mountain Winery opens its doors in Duke Center

BY DANIELLA GRIESBAUM DUKE CENTER — Wine lovers throughout the area will be glad to know that a new winery featuring dry to sweet — white, red, blush and fruit wines — is set to open this week.

The Little Mountain Winery will open its doors at 205 Kansas Branch Road for the first time at 5 p.m.

Thursday.

“In a quiet little town, our winery is a peaceful destination to enjoy a little wine and some country hospitality,” owners Kathy and AJ Curtis said.

The Curtises have been making their own wine for many years, and after

some encouragement and good timing, plans fell into place to open Little Mountain Winery in their own community.

“Family and friends encouraged us to open a winery and we always thought about having a winery for a retirement adventure! So, after my husband retired early we thought, let’s do it,” explained Kathy Curtis.

“We also wanted to do it for our community. We live in such a great place with great people.”

The family-owned and operated business, where the furniture and decor was all crafted by AJ Curtis himself, will feature

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a selection of wines for customers to select from when they visit.

“We have a dry white wine made from diamond grapes that we call Diamond Dust,” Kathy Curtis said. “We also have a sweet diamond. We also have ‘Red Rock,’ a semidry blend named after Red Rock Hill outside of Duke Center. And ‘Gene’s Berry Patch’ in memory of our cousin.”

Not only is the new winery accessible to cars and SUVs, it has ATV and snowmobile access as well.

That is an important feature to the adventurous Curtis couple, who in their free time enjoy, “hiking back

in the woods with our two dogs and spending a lot of time in the summer outside with fires at night.”

The Little Mountain Winery’s regular hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, from noon until 8 p.m. on Saturdays and from noon until 5 p.m. on Sundays.

For more information about the Little Mountain Winery email littlemtnwinery@yahoo. com or follow the winery on Facebook at Little Mountain Winery.

“We just wanted to share our area with people and share our wine!” exclaimed the Curtis’.

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APRIL 26, 2022

Bradford Sanitary Authority to host stormwater workshop

BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER The Bradford Sanitary Authority is reminding residents of the upcoming backyard conservation rain barrel workshop scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday at 410 Seaward Ave. Adam Causer, watershed specialist for McKean County Conservation District, and Sandy Thompson, district manager, met with the authority in January to set up the workshop.

Danielle Rhea from Penn State University will be presenting the course material on rain barrels, rain gardens and reducing stormwater.

The workshop is limited to the first 30 applicants.

Residents attending from the City of Bradford will be provided paperwork in order to apply for stormwater credits once their rain barrels have been put into use. Each submitted application and rain barrel deployment will be field checked to see if residents are eligible for up to a 15% credit on their stormwater fee.

There is room for 16 more applicants.

At Tuesday’s meeting, authority members were updated on the continuing issue with the NPDES permit.

Essentially, changing pollution regulations from the state Department of Environmental Protection will mean the authority will be in violation. The options are to build more facilities or capacity, or derate the treatment plant capacity.

The DEP is open to the authority weaving the permit renewal application along with a permit amendment application for a possible path to adjusting the limits based on the treatment plant’s demonstrated ability.

Executive Director Steve Disney explained the authority and Gannett Fleming “are beginning the local limits re-evaluation process to comply with the time requirements for those activities.”

Fleming will prepare the sampling plan and submit it to the EPA for approval.

When that process has been completed, the revised local limits will be provided to contributing municipalities for adoption.

Disney said the 2021 wasteload management

report, and the 2021 Industrial Pretreatment Program have been submitted.

The 2021 financial audit has been completed and is available for review at the BSA office.

In his report to the board, Disney said the treatment plant had hosted several events, including a certification, a tour for environmental science majors from Pitt-Bradford and legislators and have a webinar scheduled for April 28 on the reed bed project.

He updated the board on the enviro-mix corrosion issue in the secondary treatment tanks/troughs.

The tanks were drained and inspected, and the corrosion appears to be limited to one back header, Disney said.

The next project for the authority is the replacement of worn and poor condition grating throughout the facility.

Field operations included inspection, assessment and cleaning of 297 lineal feet of the sanitary sewer system in the past month, and 1,023 lineal feet of the stormwater system.

Camp Cadet seeks volunteer nurse or paramedic PUNXSUTAWNEY — The Pennsylvania State Police, Troop C, Camp Cadet Program is currently seeking a volunteer nurse or paramedic to compliment the camp staff this summer. Camp staff members reside on campus throughout the week of the camp and all meals and single occupant lodging accommodations are provided.

The duties required of the Camp Cadet Nurse include: the administration of first aid, the storage, scheduling, and dispensing of all camper medicines, and the maintenance of all camp emergency medical supplies and camper medical records. In addition, criminal records checks, including Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Certification, are required.

The camp will take place on the campus of Clarion University, July 24th thru July 29th, and is for boys and girls, 13 to 15 years of age, from Clarion, Clearfield, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, McKean and Northern Indiana counties.

Interested individuals are asked to contact Trooper Bruce A. Morris at brmorris@pa.gov or by calling 814-772-2399.

Fill dirt available from PennDOT maintenance work in Forest and Warren counties OIL CITY — Spring road maintenance season will be under way soon and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) Forest and Warren County maintenance offices expect waste fill dirt will be available as crews tackle activities such as ditching, shoulder cutting, pipe replacement, and other operations.

Fill dirt left over from PennDOT maintenance operations is available to property owners who request the material, and whose property is accessible and located near work areas.

Property owners must sign a release form (Form M-666) which is available by contacting the Warren County maintenance office at (814) 723-3500.

The form must be signed before any fill dirt is delivered. Forms expire at the end of each year and new ones must be signed annually.

Currently, PennDOT anticipates having fill dirt available from work throughout both counties.

Message boards are also placed near work areas to alert residents and property owners of the availability of fill dirt.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties at www. penndot.pa.gov/District1 Information about infrastructure in District 1, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot. pa.gov/D1Results.

Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot. gov.

Follow local PennDOT news on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.

How to cut costs on home renovations

Do you still have an avocado green kitchen? Is your living room dank and dark? Perhaps there is only one bathroom for a family of six? Answering yes to any of these questions could serve as the catalyst for a home renovation project.

Home improvement projects come in all shapes and sizes — some with huge budgets and others that are more cost-conscious.

Regardless of what homeowners hope to achieve with their renovations, a common goal across any price point is

a desire to save as much money as possible. Home renovations can be expensive, but there are ways to cut costs.

• Assess the merit of the project. Remodeling magazine annually publishes a “Cost vs. Value Report” that lists the average cost and return on investment homeowners can expect of various types of projects. If you’re planning to sell your home soon, it may be best to focus on repairs and renovations that will generate the most substantial ROI. • Hire a contractor.

Even avid do-it-yourselfers

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can sometimes benefit from a contractor’s expertise, particularly for complex tasks. Don’t waste money by trying tough jobs yourself; rely on an experienced

contractor who can get supplies for less money and will do the job right the first time. Compare bids from several different contractors and figure out the best value.

• Refurbish existing features. Rather than a complete gut and rebuild, figure out where you can revitalize existing fixtures and more. For example, refinishing existing cabinets can save you up to 50 percent compared with the cost of new cabinetry, according to Angi (formerly Angie’s List), a cost comparison and business review resource.

• Choose midgrade materials. Certain materials may be all the rage but they come with a higher price tag. Angi reports that granite counters could be $60 to $100 per square foot.

However, a composite or

laminate that looks like granite and wears well may be $10 to 40 per square foot.

Figure out where you can choose middle-of-the-road materials for maximum value.

• Avoid peak seasons.

You’ll pay more to install a deck or a pool right before the outdoor entertaining season. There also may be a premium to get work done right before a major holiday. Therefore, consult the calendar to find an off time for a renovation and book it then to save.

• Do some prep work.

You might be able to save by doing some of the demolition and preparatory

work yourself. For example, you can tear up old carpeting before the installation of new tile floors.

Perhaps you can mend and patch up walls before a paint job.

• Buy a display item.

Former showroom kitchens and baths often are sourced at a fraction of their recommended retail prices, according to Real Homes, a home remodel guide based in the United Kingdom.

Retailers often update their displays and you may score existing showroom items at a discount.

Renovations can be expensive, but there are many different ways to cut costs.