DECEMBER DECEMBER
28 2021
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year New broadband law to bring high-speed internet to all of Pa. BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER
Susie Coffman A snowy owl sits on a post overlooking Seaward Avenue on Saturday afternoon.
Snowy owls visit McKean County Bird watchers in the Bradford area have been treated to an early Christmas gift — a visit by three or possibly four snowy owls. Bradford resident John Fedak, member and past president of Pennsylvania Society of Ornithology, said, “They’ve been in
several places in the county including the landfill, airport, at Kinzua Bridge State Park. “The first (sighting) was in Custer City,” he said. It came about two weeks ago, after the heavy rain. “It could be a bunch of them were migrating through and got hit with
that rain storm a few weeks ago.” One has been seen in the Marilla Reservoir area, while another was seen on Seaward Avenue. While it isn’t common to see the large, powerful owl of the Arctic tundra locally, it certainly isn’t unheard of, Fedak said.
“They only make it down in normal influx years,” he said, explaining “there was a really good breeding season. The birds disperse to the south.” He said there are only about 100,000 snowy owls
Snowy Owls continued on ........ page 3
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 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
“Let Us Fix Your Leaky Chimneys”
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.
federal infrastructure bill initially with the potential to obtain more after the authority develops a statewide plan for broadband expansion. “The COVID-19 pandemic proved once and for all that access to high-speed internet is not a luxury but a necessity,” Causer said. “Successful expansion of broadband comes down to coordination and funding, and this new law addresses both. It is what we need to get across the finish line of providing broadband to all who need it.” Under the bill, the authority would serve as a single point of contact for parties interested in developing broadband or having broadband developed, helping to minimize duplication and maximize the use of existing infrastructure. The authority would also be charged with
Rural Pennsylvania is getting closer to being connected to the rest of the world through the internet. On Dec. 22, Gov. Tom Wolf signed a law creating the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, an agency tasked with creating a cohesive, coordinated effort to bring high-speed internet service to underserved communities. State Rep. Marty Causer, R-Turtlepoint, said, “This is a major victory for rural broadband expansion. This will enable us to move forward in a direction where we can bring high-speed internet to all parts of Pennsylvania.” The bill to create the authority was penned by Causer, Rep. Clint Owlett, R-Wellsboro, and Rep. Tina Pickett, R-Sayre. The Commonwealth is expected to receive at least $100 million from the Broadband Law continued on .. page 2
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Broadband Law continued from 1 identifying access to funding sources and helping coordinate joint efforts for broadband buildout. “The statewide plan is critical to draw down federal funds,” Causer explained. “When a statewide plan is developed, we can draw down more funds. We really need to get moving on the statewide plan.” The legislator said this plan was developed by a bipartisan group, all of whom recognized that internet
access has become vital. “We were able to move it through very quickly,” he said. “We sat down, the House, the Senate and the governor’s office and worked through the legislation. We came to an agreement and started moving it
through. The Senate moved it in three days.” Gov. Tom Wolf signed it into law on Wednesday. “That really shows a bipartisan effort,” Causer said. “I think we can all recognize that we need it. The rural areas need it
desperately.” During the pandemic, many rural areas were unable to move to remote learning because so many students were without internet. One school district printed out packets for students, and sent the school bus on its regular route to serve as a delivery service for schoolwork. “The authority will develop a plan so no part of the Commonwealth will be left behind,” Causer said. When speaking on the House floor in regard to this bill, Causer used TriCounty Rural Electric as an example of a successful rural internet project. “They are bringing fiber to people’s homes,” he said,
adding that it’s the fastest internet to some of the most rural places in the state. Yet U.S. Route 6 between Smethport and Mount Jewett is only able to access the internet through DSL — dial-up service with a telephone line and a modem. “There are no other options. There’s an example of where we need a project to bring better service.” Owlett, who represents part of Potter County, “I’m confident this law is going to be a game-changer for our farmers, business owners, teachers, students, doctors, patients and all of us who have been hampered by slow or no internet service. I believe the funding and coordination facilitated
T
he ratio of alcohol to blood in the body is called the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). Two people drinking the same amount of alcohol can have drastically different BACs. Body weight, drink strength, amount of food in the stomach, time between drinks and even gender can all affect a person’s BAC and level of impairment. While a BAC of .08 is typically the legal limit, impairment can occur at much lower levels. A driver can be arrested with a BAC lower than .08 if a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe the driver is impaired. More importantly, any level of impairment significantly increases the likelihood of a traffic crash, putting your life and the lives of others in danger. The bottom line? If you plan on drinking, getting behind the wheel is always a bad idea.
3 WAYS ALCOHOL IMPACTS YOUR ABILITY TO DRIVE 1. Inhibitions are lowered, affecting judgment and coordination, even after one drink. 2. Reaction times are slowed, even after two beers. 3. Vision, balance, speech and movement are adversely affected. Source: AAA
“If you feel different, you drive different.”
Like drunk driving, drug-impaired driving is illegal. In 2017, 45 percent of drivers killed in fatal
crashes who were tested for drugs, tested positive. Whether obtained legally or illegally, drug-impaired driving can be deadly for drivers, passengers and others on the road.
- NHTSA
Here are some precautions holiday hosts and revelers can follow to avert drunk driving disasters, provided by the American Safety Council:
HOST THOUGHTFULLY
• Offer a mocktail, alcohol-free beer or other nonalcoholic beverage for guests choosing not to drink. • Ask guests who are drinking if they have a designated driver or transportations plans. • If someone has been drinking and might drive, offer your couch as a place to sleep. • Help guests who have been drinking arrange transportation through a ride-share app or taxi service.
CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY • Agree on a designated driver before you go out for the evening.
• Save the number for several local cab companies in your phone if you plan to drink, or make sure you have a ride-share app downloaded to your phone.
• Ask a friend if you can crash on his or her couch for the night if you’ve had too much to drink.
• If you’re attending a party and are concerned you may drink too much, give your keys to the host at the start of the evening, so he or she can hold on to them unless you are sober.
by this law will finally get broadband service to the ‘last mile.’” Pickett, who represents Bradford, Sullivan and Susquehanna counties, called it a great day in the fight for broadband in rural areas. “Broadband infrastructure is as vital to our communities and our economy as our utilities and transportation infrastructure,” she said. “I look forward to better connectivity for everyone in the Northern Tier.” The authority will dissolve in 10 years, or when all available federal funds have been exhausted. The law is effective immediately.
• Between Christmas and New Year’s Day, 40 percent of deadly crashes involve alcoholimpaired drivers. • New Year’s Day consistently ranks among the year’s deadliest days for alcohol-related traffic fatalities. • The most dangerous hours during the New Year’s holiday are between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Cannon & Dunphy S.C./Safer America study
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DECEMBER 28, 2021
Otto-Eldred’s Splain testifies in school funding trial BY JOELLEN WANKEL
Matthew Splain, OttoEldred School District y testified - Superintendent, ” Tuesday in Commonwealth d Court as part of the School r Pennsylvania n Funding trial, which began Nov. 12. The case, William Penn School District et al. v. s Pennsylvania Department of Education et al., includes e six school districts as petitioners: William Penn SD; Panther Valley SD; School District of Lancaster; Greater Johnstown SD; Wilkes-Barre Area SD and Shenandoah Valley SD. There are also four parents and two statewide associations listed on the case; Parents Jamella and Bryant Miller, parents of K.M.; Sheila Armstrong, parent of S.A.; Tracey Hughes, parent of P.M.H. from petitioner districts and the School District of Philadelphia and the statewide associations of the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools (PARSS) and the NAACP Pennsylvania State Conference. Splain is president of the board of directors of PARSS. The association’s members are 178 small rural districts located across Pennsylvania, including the majority of those in The Era’s coverage area, which
serve about 300,000 students between them. Information from the Public Interest Law Center indicates the petitioners “seek a long-term solution to decades of inadequate, inequitable school funding in Pennsylvania. The state Constitution makes the General Assembly responsible for ensuring a thorough and efficient system of public education, and school districts and parents claim that the state is failing to meet this legal obligation. In addition, the petitioners claim that the state maintains a funding system that discriminates against students in districts with low property values and incomes, violating the Constitution’s equal protection provisions by depriving students in these communities of the educational resources they need to succeed.” Splain’s time on the stand began shortly before 11 a.m. He testified through the day and will return to the stand today to conclude his testimony. During the afternoon, Splain was questioned about statements he made earlier in the day. One area of questioning focused on the challenges of staffing a small school district. Splain discussed the fact that the district is working to align the ELA
curriculum with current state standards. The need to address this issue is a result of losing the district’s director for curriculum and assessment, who left in the fall of 2021. The position opening provided a chance to address an ongoing staffing situation. “We have always had building level administrators. We tried to utilize the skills and expertise of the staff on hand, so we had the Special Ed supervisor acting as elementary building principal,” Splain explained. “For anyone that knows Special Education, that and being a principal is more than a full-time job. We had someone doing more than a full-time job for a couple of years.” Splain explained that the district adjusted staffing when the Director of Curriculum and Assessment left to have a Director of Special Education and Pupil Services and hire an elementary school principal. This leaves the tasks related to curriculum and assessment to the building principals. Questions focused on the summer school programs offered by the school district and the approximate number of students who take advantage of those opportunities, as well as the averages in ELA and
County Holds Line On Taxes For 2022 Budget POTTER COUNTY– Real estate taxes in Potter County will remain at their current rate for a fourth straight year. In addition, Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Barry Hayman and Paul Heimel have decided not to collect the $5.00 per-capita tax that many other counties levy. Real estate taxes will be 18.5 mills.
A mill is one-tenth of one percent, levied against a property’s assessed value. Because state law prohibits county governments from levying an income tax, property owners bear the heaviest tax burden. Next year’s budget calls for nearly $11.3 million in spending. It remains open for public inspection
Seneca Highlands CTC awarded competitive grant HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Education awarded a competitive grant to the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center in Port Allegany. A total of 39 centers were awarded nearly $1.5 million in grants to purchase new equipment aligned to training students for jobs in in high-demand through the Career and Technical Education Equipment Grant program. Seneca Highlands CTC was awarded $47,172. “There is an incredible number of job openings for skilled workers in communities throughout Pennsylvania,” said Wolf. “This equipment will allow young people to get the hands-on training they need for those good jobs that pay family sustaining wages. I am committed to making job training available so people can get the latest skills to succeed and fill the jobs with employers across the state.”
The list of recipients can be found on PDE’s website. The maximum grant is $50,000, and each grant must be matched dollar for dollar from a local source, which could include local school funds or contributions from business and industry partners. This funding furthers the Wolf Administration’s commitment to providing numerous pathways to success for all of Pennsylvania’s learners. To support this effort, the administration has invested in CTCs and other jobs programs, expanded apprenticeships that provide an income during training and realigned workforce development programs. There are more than 80 CTCs in Pennsylvania that offer a combination of classes and hands-on learning in programs approved by the Department of Education. Thousands of students earn industry credentials or certifications for local jobs in high demand, so they graduate on a path for success.
and comment at the commissioners’ business office. Anyone seeking to review it should call for an appointment at 274-8290, extension 207.
math for state assessments and the fact that the district’s proficient/advanced percentages are higher than the state average. It was also mentioned that it can be deceptive to look at percentage data for O-E, as the smaller size of the district means that each student is a greater part of the percentage. Testimony also focused on career and technical program availability, both within the district and through the local Intermediate Unit. When asked about whether small rural districts could rely on an Intermediate Unit for services the district cannot provide for itself, Splain said, “That was the way the IU was originally designed, but how they operate now depends on the individual intermediate unit. They are more limited in what they can provide because of the access to resources they have.” Splain also noted that the travel to the IU is a deterrent for some students who might otherwise benefit from services. Meanwhile, the plausibility of operating a center for the district itself is low. “We can operate one program, but an entire center wouldn’t be feasible,” he said.
Snowy Owls continued from 1 in existence worldwide, so seeing them here might just come down to pure luck. However, he cautioned, do not try to approach or feed the owls. “A lot of people get too close to them and it causes them to go off their daily rhythm,” Fedak explained. “Observe them from a great distance. You don’t have to be close to them to see them. “The people who have been taking pictures so far, they haven’t gotten close to the birds,” he said, adding that people have used telephoto lenses or zoom features and maintained a distance. “These guys are pretty harmless. They don’t have many humans where they are at,” he continued, saying they don’t show fear of people. Yet he strongly urged that people leave them alone. When they are off their daily rhythms, they don’t hunt well and can starve to death. “Watch them from a distance,” Fedak offered. “Use your car as a blind. Stay in your car.” If anyone sees one of the magnificent birds, contact Fedak so he can check on the bird safely. He can be reached at 814-366-2500. Fedak added that the birds may be sitting on the
ground, or on a car or a roof. This is normal behavior. “They are technically nocturnal hunters. During the day they just sit on the ground or on a telephone pole. Sometimes you will see one sitting in a tree.” The birds feed on mammals including rabbits, hares, voles, ground squirrels, ducks, geese and sometimes songbirds, as well as fish and carrion. The American Bird Conservancy said, “The magnificent Snowy Owl is a sight that stops even non-birders in their tracks. This huge white owl with cat-like yellow eyes blends beautifully into snowy winter landscapes. Like an Arctic blizzard, it appears unpredictably and infrequently in the lower 48 states, always causing a stir when it arrives. Snowy Owls have appealed to people from the beginning of time — Paleolithic cave paintings in France depict them alongside prehistoric lions and horses. Today, the species continues to be popular, with Hedwig of Harry Potter fame bringing the big white owls even more attention.”
Port Allegany church honors member PORT ALLEGANY — Port Allegany United Methodist Women honored Helen Caskey during the morning worship service Sunday for her many years
of service and participation in the church. Special Mission Recognition (SMR) pins offer a meaningful way to honor members and
non-members who have dedicated time and effort to service. She received a certificate and a small gold oval lapel pin.
Grant opportunity open for small arts organizations RIDGWAY — The application period is now open for Entry to Program Stream through the Elk County Council on the Arts. Marisa Gonzalez, public arts program manager, made the announcement Tuesday. The program is a new general operating support grant opportunity for small arts organizations and non-arts organizations or units of government with a history of at least one year of providing consistent arts programming or arts services in Pennsylvania and average annual revenue less than $200,000. The application period also is open for Program Stream, an existing funding opportunity. Entry to Program Stream and Program Stream grants may be used for operations,
programs, or projects. Entry to Program Stream is designed to be a pathway to attaining long-term general operating support. Grantees will typically remain in the program for one to three years before being recommended for Program Stream. Grant amounts for Entry to Program Stream are estimated to be a maximum of $2,000, while Program Stream grant amounts are estimated to be a maximum of $3,000. Both Entry to Program Stream and Program Stream are funded by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA), a state agency under the Office of the Governor, and administered regionally by the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA), PCA’s statewide network of
re-granting partners. Interested organizations should apply through their respective PPA partner organization. The ECCOTA serves as the PCA’s PPA partner organization for Elk, McKean, Potter, Forest and Cameron counties.
Additional details on how to apply can be found at ttps://www.eccota. com/entry-to-programstream. Applications to both Entry to Program Stream and Program Stream are due Feb. 15, 2022.
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DECEMBER 28, 2021
Smethport library receives grant SMETHPORT — Hamlin Memorial Library has received a $6,560 grant from PA Humanities as part of its $1.4 million recovery and growth program. Called PA SHARP (Sustaining the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan), the initiative provides flexible funding to strengthen and grow the humanities across the state. Grantees join the new PA SHARP Learning Network,
a special statewide learning group that fosters resource sharing, networking, professional development, and mutual support. “The humanities are on the ground putting people first by making spaces for new voices, supporting meaningful learning experiences, and fostering healing and resiliency in communities of all sizes,” said Laurie Zierer, executive director of PA Humanities. “PA SHARP further strengthens
this essential work through network building, financial support, and reimagining the possibilities of the humanities across the state.” The 92 recipients represent museums, historical societies, libraries, and other vital cultural institutions across Pennsylvania. They were carefully selected with an emphasis on equity and geographic diversity. Funds from PA SHARP aim to help address the ongoing impact of COVID-19
on the cultural sector by supporting creative programming, capacity building, and general operations. In addition to funding, the PA SHARP Learning Network will build a statewide community of people passionate about creating inclusive, engaged communities that are ready to lead the statewide recovery alongside PA Humanities. “The library is beyond thrilled to receive the SHARP grant. The grant will
We really appreciate your patience, cooperation and support through the challenges and changes this past year has brought to our community. Thanks for shopping locally, and may the year ahead be a happy, healthy and prosperous one!
We’re putting on our best to say, Hope you enjoy a great holiday! And when at last the year is through, We’d like to continue to serve each one of you! Happy New Year and many thanks for choosing us.
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506 State Route 6 West Coudersport, PA 16915 | 814-647-3318
ensure that we can continue to promoting literacy and creativity through library services and programs,” said Lorine Rounsville. Funding for PA SHARP comes from PA Humanities’ federal partner, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Recognizing the financial realities of the pandemic and the vital importance of the humanities to economic
and civic life, this legislation allocated to the NEH funds to “prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the coronavirus.” Additional funding comes from Spring Point Partners to support 16 organizations that serve Philadelphia’s BIPOC and new immigrant communities. The full list of PA SHARP grantees is available at pahumanities.org/pasharp.