APRIL
20 2021
Final PA, NY Corporate Cup rosters announced
Photo by Fran De Lancey In front, from left, are Tonia Hartzell, Angie Wright, Deb Wright and Mikele Bay, executive director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of McKean County. In back are Suzy Meyer-Page, executive director of the Court Appointed Special Advocates of McKean County; Smethport Mayor Wayne Foltz; Fella Wright; and McKean County District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer.
Inaugural ‘Stand Against Child Abuse’ walk a success
File photo Pennsylvania’s Madalene Cowburn (3, Bradford) fights through a tackle attempt from New York’s Sarah Carlton (18, Wellsville) during the 2020 Corporate Cup Soccer Showcase at Bradner Stadium in Olean last August.
BY PATRICK KOTNIK BY FRAN DE LANCEY SMETHPORT — About 100 people participated in the first Stand Against Child Abuse Community Awareness Walk on April 10 in Smethport. After organizing at the Smethport Fire Hall, the walkers, led by Officer Kevin Seipp of the Smethport Police Department, proceeded west on Water Street to State Street and north to the courthouse where walkers and other members of the public planted 131 pinwheels, one for each of the children and families that
received services from the Children’s Advocacy Center of McKean County in 2020. Located in Smethport, this agency is a child-focused facility that serves child victims of abuse and families by providing cooperative services in a child friendly environment to reduce trauma and promote healing. A brief program followed on the courthouse steps. Offering remarks were Mikele Bay, executive director of the CACMC; Suzy Meyer-Page, executive director of the Court
Appointed Special Advocates of McKean County; McKean County District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer; Smethport Mayor Wayne Foltz; and Tonia Hartzell, family advocate at the CACMC. In her opening remarks, Bay said child sexual abuse is a major national problem, citing statistics that show one in ten children will be sexually abused before their eighteenth birthday. “A majority of these victims,” Bay noted, “will not tell for at least a year, while half of the victims will wait more than five years before telling.”
Meanwhile, 90 percent of the cases are never reported with a like number of offenders — family, neighbors, babysitters, community members, coaches and authority figures — familiar with the victims. Bay said a lesson learned from the COVID-10 pandemic and its resulting isolation is the importance of reporting in stopping or preventing child abuse. In remarks directed to the audience, she said, “If you have a suspicion of child abuse, please report it to Childline and to our local
Child Abuse continued on ........ page 2
represented in this showcase. Bradford is represented the most between the Pennsylvania boys and girls rosters with four on the boys and seven on the girls. For New York, Allegany-Limestone has the most players on the boys’ team with six, while Olean is represented with six players on the girls’ team. Warren’s Jereme Bickling will be leading the Pennsylvania girls team. His assistants include Samantha Zimmerman (St. Mary’s), Steve Graeca (DuBois), Warren Shaw
OLEAN, N.Y. — Both the boys’ and girls’ final rosters for the annual New York/Pennsylvania Corporate Cup Soccer Showcase have been announced. The fifth annual Corporate Cup Showcase is set to take place on July 25 at Bradner Stadium in Olean, N.Y. The girls will play at 5 p.m. followed by the boys at 8 p.m. This event pits high school Pennsylvania and New York soccer players against each other and showcases the top players from the two states. Grades 9-12 are also Cup Rosters continued on ....... page 2
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APRIL 20, 2021
Cup Rosters continued from 1 (Bradford) and Julie Esposito (Brockway). The Pennsylvania boys team will be coached by Warren’s Denny Flatt with his assistants including Matt Erickson (DuBois), T.J. Weaver (Elk County Catholic), Mike Shaffer (St. Mary’s) and Chris Darling (Warren). Hinsdale’s John Fitzpatrick will be leading the New York girls and will be assisted by Mark Emery (Bolivar-Richburg), Dan Freeman (Olean), Duane Powers (Belfast), Aaron Wight (Cuba-Rushford) and Courtney Malia (Hinsdale). Finally, the New York boys will be headed by Cuba-Rushford’s Nick Perillo and assisted by Devin Kinney (Hinsdale), Jon Luce (Allegany-Limestone), Mike Zilker (Bolivar-Richburg) and J.J. McIntosh (Portville). Last year’s showcase saw the Pennsylvania boys earn their first win since the series began in 2017, while the Pennsylvania girls won their second straight. Below are the rosters. PA Boys’ players: #0 Parks Ordiway, SO., Warren #1 Jack Darling, SO., Warren #2 Ciaran Conneely, SR., Bradford #4 Ethan Little, SR., Bradford #5 Justin Kalgren, SR., DuBois #6 Andrew Kane, JR., Bradford #7 Jared Marchiori, JR., Brockway #9 River Cramer, JR., Port Allegany-Smethport #10 Noah Bash, SR., Brockway #11 Jake Mullins, JR., Curwensville #12 Aaron Myers, SO., Johnsonburg #13 Matthew Palmer, JR., St. Mary’s #16 Jaydon Warnick, JR., Bradford #17 Ryan Langworthy, SR., Northern Potter #18 Lewis Painter, SR., Brockway #19 Ty Guilds, JR., Port Allegany-Smethport #20 Collin Kline, JR., St. Mary’s #22 Timothy Brannock, FR., Elk County Catholic #24 Vini Nunes, SR., St. Mary’s #25 Anthony Messi-
neo, SO., Elk County Catholic #26 Justin Mishic, JR., Kane #30 Josh Greville, JR., Kane #32 Jack Benninger, SO., Ridgway #34 Alex Ferry, SR., Warren PA Girls’ players: #2 Kamryn Fontaine, SO., DuBois #3 Chloe Davis, SR., Curwensville #4 Emily Graeca, FR., DuBois #6 Chloe Shaw, SR., Bradford #7 MacKenzie Lucas, SR., Bradford #10 Abbie Nuzzo, JR., Bradford #11 Breanne Spencer, JR., Curwensville #13 Emily Prince, JR., Bradford #14 Stefanie Hoyt, JR., DuBois #15 Jasmine Carney, FR., DuBois #17 Eliza Brook, FR., Warren #18 Rylee Wadding, JR., DuBois #19 Lauren Placer, JR., Bradford #20 Kyla Johnson, SR., St. Mary’s #22 Alyssa Fuchs, SO., Warren #23 Ella Ordiway, SO., Warren #24 Marissa Miller, JR., Bradford #27 Kyleigh Wilson, SR., Warren #28 Mariah Allen, SO., DuBois #31 Audrey Smith, SO., Warren #32 Madalene Cowburn, SO., Bradford #33 Riley Maxim, JR., DuBois #37 Georgie Bickling, SO., Warren #50 Rosalyn Page, SR., Coudersport NY Boys’ players: #1 Hudson Kwiatkowski, JR., Allegany-Limestone #2 Zach Luce, SO., Allegany-Limestone #3 Quintin Allen, SO., Olean #4 Noah Steinbroner, SR., Ellicottville #5 Ethan Shields, SR., Randolph #6 Bryson Rozler, SR., Randolph #7 Connor Bates, SR., Allegany-Limestone #8 Chance LaCroix, JR., Allegany-Limestone #9 Joe Magro, SR., Olean #10 Alex Linderman, FR., Olean #11 Nate Petryszak, JR., Portville #12 Mitch Ward, SO., Fillmore #13 Damion Brown, SO., Hinsdale #14 Jackson Cool, FR., Fillmore #15 Thomas Carls, JR.,
Portville #16 Reece Redeye-Desposito, SR., Salamanca #17 Ryley McKnight, SR., Allegany-Limestone #18 Chandler Wirth, JR., Cuba-Rushford #19 Hunter Stuck, JR., Bolivar-Richburg #20 Matt Weaver, JR., Belfast #23 Bryce Butler, SR., Ellicottville #24 Jack Conroy, SO., Allegany-Limestone #88 Jamison Caldwell, SR., Ellicottville NY Girls’ players: #0 Preslee Miller, FR., Fillmore #1 Sophia Templeton, JR., Fillmore #2 Kendall Artlip, JR., Portville #3 Emera Aquila, SR., Genesee Valley #4 Audrey Hurlburt, FR., Ellicottville #5 Paxton Retchless, SR., Olean #6 Mandy Hurlburt, JR., Ellicottville #7 Rylie Gumtow, SR., Olean #8 Grace Russell, FR., Fillmore #9 Alexis Gibbons, SR., Olean #10 Fransisca Childs, SO., Hinsdale #11 Hope Russell, FR., Fillmore #12 Madison Jones, JR., Olean #13 Delaynie Moore, JR., Olean #14 Emily Gibbons, FR., Olean #15 Olivia Paterniti, SO., Allegany-Limestone #16 Christy Childs, JR., Hinsdale #17 Lindsey Veno, SR., Hinsdale #20 Kyra Pence, SO., Randolph #21 Teagan Kosinski, SO., Portville #22 Tess Spangenburg, JR., Falconer #23 Brooke Butler, FR., Ellicottville #29 Natalie Philp, SR., Randolph #99 Miranda Waterman, SR., Randolph
Bradford Senior Legion baseball signups The Bradford Senior Legion will be having baseball sign ups. If you are between the ages of 15-19 and you are interested in playing, please contact Joe Roulo
Child Abuse continued from 1 Children and Youth Services.” Bay also thanked Deb Wright, who planned the day’s events, assisted by her husband, “Fella,” and daughter, Angie. In her remarks, Meyer-Page explained that CASA trains community volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in the foster care system. “Authorized by the Juvenile Act, the CASA serves as the eyes and ears of the court by providing information the judge needs in order to make a decision in the child’s best interest,” Meyer-Page said. “A trained CASA volunteer investigates the child’s circumstances, provides fact-based information and makes written recommendations to the court.” Meyer-Page explained the difference between CACMC and CAC, both of which have “advocacy” in their names. “We both advocate for abused and neglected children but typically at different times in the abuse and neglect case,” she noted. “CACMC provides forensic interviews and victim support in a child abuse case. CASA provides an independent voice for children and presents information and written recommendations about the child to
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at 814-558-3757. This team will be made up of players from the Bradford, Otto, Shinglehouse areas. All players must be signed up by 5/01
the Court. Our investigations are about the child’s circumstances, and we are not trying to determine if abuse or neglect has occurred. Our investigations are not forensic in nature.” Since CASA of McKean County was founded in 2015, 50 volunteer advocates have been trained, serving 85 children. There is a need for additional advocates, Meyer-Page said. Saying that April is child abuse prevention month, Vettenburg-Shaffer commented that this is the second consecutive year that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread isolation, which, while is recommended to avoid illness, has created an increased opportunity for child abuse to occur and the increased likelihood it will not be reported. “The outside adults who normally see a child — teachers, coaches and parents of their friends — don’t have the same access to children and don’t have the opportunity to be the child’s voice,” Vettenburg-Shaffer stated. “We call on everyone else to fill that void. We are asking that everyone take an active approach to being the voice for a child. Don’t let isolation be the reason that child abuse stays hidden.” In closing, she said, “Be seen as the voice for a child. And be the voice for a child.” Smethport Mayor Wayne Foltz made remarks about the support system for child abuse victims. He also lauded the efforts of Police Chief Pat
Warnick and Officer Kevin Seipp for their efforts in supporting and informing the public about this event. In her remarks, Hartzell referred to a simple, powerful greeting used by the Maasai tribe in Kenya, among the most accomplished, but fabled and fearsome tribes in Africa. “Surprisingly, that greeting passed among the Masai warriors is ‘And how are the children?’” After seeing the high value the Masai place on children’s well-being, Hartzell said, “I wonder how it might affect our consciousness of our children’s welfare if in our culture took to greeting each other with that same daily question. I wonder if we heard that question and passed it along to each other a dozen times a day, if it would begin to make a difference in the reality of how children are thought of or cared for in our own country.” In comments directed to parents, Hartzell said, “An abuser can be anyone; trust your child. If they are brave enough to tell you, be brave enough to move forward and get justice for your child.” Speaking about this event that she started planning more than a month ago, an obviously elated Deb Wright said, “I’m really proud of our town and how the people responded to the awareness campaign about preventing child abuse. It’s been a great community event, and we plan to make it an annual event.”
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APRIL 20, 2021
Shelander named executive VP of Cutco OLEAN, N.Y. — Kathy Shelander of Eldred, Pa., previously chief financial officer for Cutco Cutlery Corporation, has been promoted to executive Vice President of the company, effective April 1. Shelander joined Cutco on May 15, 1990 as an accounting intern for Vector Marketing Corporation, another Cutco subsidiary. She was then hired full-time in May 1991 as a staff accountant for Cutco. She was also a cost accountant, accounting supervisor, accounting manager and controller before being promoted to chief financial officer on June 1, 2011. Shelander is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University,
where she earned her bachelor and master’s degrees. She lives in Eldred with her husband, Mark. They have two daughters, Chelsea and Alyssa.
Kathy Shelander
County conservation district holding poster contest SMETHPORT — The McKean County Conservation District is sponsoring a poster contest for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The theme for posters is “Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities.” There are different grade divisions: K-1; 2-3; 4-6; 7-9; 10-12. Prizes will be awarded for winners in each division. The Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group (AHUG) is a supporting partner for this contest and a prize sponsor. This local contest is a qualifier for entries to move to the state level, and potentially national level poster competition. These are sponsored by the PA Association of Conservation Districts and the National Association of Conservation Districts. The overall winner at each grade division will have the opportunity to advance. Posters can be submitted in person or digitally to the Conservation District
Blessing Boxes and Community Cupboards established The communities of Otto-Eldred, Pa. have come together to plan, build, install and fill eight Blessing Boxes and Community Cupboards in Duke Center, Eldred and Rixford. The red boxes with white roofs are available 24/7 with small food items, hygiene items and small clothing items such as socks. All items are new and free to anyone needing them. Take what you need. Leave what you can. They are located at the Eldred and Duke Center United Methodist churches, Fox’s lot, West Eldred Road, Indian Creek Road, Otto firehall, Duke Center Post Office and the Rixford Well back parking lot.
Remove Rust
Here’s an idea: Remove rust from household tools by adding salt to 1 tablespoon lemon juice until it forms a paste. Apply the paste to rusted area with a dry cloth and rub away the rust.
AUTO Federal REAL ID Enforcement Begins Oct. 1, 2021 Harrisburg, PA – With only six months left until the federal enforcement of REAL ID begins for commercial domestic air travel and other federal purposes, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is reminding Pennsylvania residents who want a REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and photo ID cards to gather their needed documents as soon as possible to ensure they leave plenty of time to get their REAL ID before the federal enforcement date. To date PennDOT has issued approximately 1.1 million REAL ID products. REAL ID is a federal law that affects how states issue driver’s licenses and ID cards if they are going to be acceptable for federal purposes, such as boarding a domestic flight or entering
a federal building that requires federally acceptable ID upon entry. A federally acceptable form of identification (whether it’s a Pennsylvania REAL ID driver’s license or ID card, a valid U.S. Passport/Passport Card, a military ID, etc.) must be used for these purposes on and after October 1, 2021. There is no requirement that any resident obtain a REAL ID; PennDOT continues to offer standard-issue driver’s licenses and photo IDs. “Although October may seem far away right now, we encourage our customers who want a REAL ID to get one as soon as possible,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “We continue to focus on providing the best possible customer service to all of our custom-
ers as the federal deadline approaches.” Since March 1, 2019, PennDOT has processed about 5.4 million customers, with more than 1.1 million individuals choosing to opt into the REAL ID program. The remaining 4.3 million have chosen not to participate or use an alternative federally acceptable form of ID come the October deadline. PennDOT paused REAL ID issuance in March 2020 due to COVID-19 out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of public health and resumed issuing REAL IDs in September 2020. Additionally, the federal Department of Homeland Security postponed the enforcement date for REAL ID from October 1, 2020, to October 1, 2021, in response to COVID-19 and the national
emergency declaration. “We want to do everything we can to encourage residents interested in applying for a REAL ID to start the process now and be aware of all the proper documentation needed,” said Gramian. “This will help ensure our customers have their REAL ID well in advance of the October 1, 2021 deadline.” For a full list of driver license centers and their services, please visit the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website, www. dmv.pa.gov. More information about REAL ID in Pennsylvania, including frequently asked questions and information on documents required for REAL ID, can be found at w w w. p e n n d o t . g o v / R E ALID.
office in Smethport. Deadline for entries is Friday, May 14, 2021 by 4:30 pm. Contact the district for further information.
Smethport man indicted for allegedly impersonating U.S. Marshal ERIE — A Smethport man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly impersonating a U.S. Marshal at an accident scene in January. Ernest Lathrop Sr., 59, 856 Wolf Run Road, was charged with false impersonation of an officer or em-
ployee of the United States, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen Kaufman. According to the indictment, on Jan. 31, Lathrop pretended to be a marshal at the scene of a traffic accident by activating emergency lights on his vehicle and telling people there that he
was a marshal. The law provides for a maximum sentence of 3 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. The actual sentence imposed would
be based on the seriousness of the incident and a prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Trabold is prose-
cuting the case on behalf of the government. The U.S. Marshal’s service and the FBI conducted the investigation leading to the indictment.
palooza’21 all week • May 14-27 • Olean, New York
As the entire world enters into a ‘new’ normal, Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce is presenting a new option for this year’s Home Show. GOACC is also partnering with Olean Times Herald in the promotion efforts for our vendors. The normal route at the Olean Rec Center wasn’t an option as the numbers for inside large gatherings wouldn’t be conducive for our show. A member committee/board member mentioned the pavilion in Lincoln Park as an option for a one day show -- great idea! Like the popular Farmers Market but a home renovation market... with options for more space available throughout the park. Those two alternatives brings a limit of 40 businesses. We tossed in virtual and in-your-store choices -- we feel that they will get a great promotion bang for their buck! Please read through the opportunities below and give us a call with questions.
palooza’21 OPTIONS •Virtual Vendor FEE:$250 •quarter page ad in the home show guide $230* •30s video^ of your business product/service for the show and your use after, ^This is limited to the first 20 vendors to sign up with payment.
•promotion of your business for 14 days from May 14-27 consisting of ads in the Bradford Publishing Company’s publications, OTH online directory, website listing, social media posts, Facebook event page posts. •placement of your business on the palooza’21 savings passport •Booth Space - One Day Show - May 21 • Lincoln Park Pavilion, Olean, NY (Limit 20) FEE:$350 •a 10 x 10 space under the pavilion - one 8 ft table provided, no chairs $290* •all options under virtual vendor •Park Space - One Day Show - May 21 • Lincoln Park grounds, Olean, NY (Limit 20) FEE:$300 •a 10 x 10 space in the park - one 8 ft table provided, no chairs or no tent •all options under virtual vendor $250* •Virtual Palooza Vendor FEE:$350 •one of ten Facebook Live demos during palooza’21 week $290* •all options under virtual vendor *Greater Olean Area Chamber Member Price
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APRIL 20, 2021
Port Allegany man facing 91 counts after alleged car chase BY RUTH BOGDAN
Photo by Wade Roberston Catching a beautiful rainbow trout like this is a real thrill and provides a feeling of accomplishment.
What makes a trout fisherman? BY WADE ROBERTSON I have spent all my life trying to become a better trout fisherman. This has become a perpetual quest, I guess, a study and a pursuit I dearly love, one seemingly fused to my sinew and bone. If you stand and look upon a sparkling trout stream, its pristine waters, the rapids, runs, holes, undercuts, mossy rocks, overhanging trees, stony beaches and all the countless details that a life filled stream presents so beautifully to your wondering eyes, you’ll marvel at just how picturesque and even poetical that stream is. Each is a living, moving, ever changing entity with its own personality and particular traits. Each stream and the trout in it can become a study in its own right, your challenge to come to know, love and understand it’s secrets. Trout are at all times sensitive to presentation. Even trout straight from the stocking truck, which have not yet developed a fear and wariness of man, insist on their worm, spinner, minnow, fly or other presentation meeting a certain criteria before they will bite it. Sure, there are some trout in the lot that are bolder than others and less wise, but the great majority expect their meal to behave in certain ways that appear natural to them or appeal to their instincts. That is why even in a hole full of hungry trout there are some fishermen who cannot catch more than one or two, if any. Their presentation is so unnatural, their tackle so unsuited to the task, that the trout’s basic instinct is to ignore it. Trout fishing is all about details — every detail you have ever noticed over the years and new details you just recognized today. They all have to be examined, categorized, compared and then analyzed for success. Where do I begin? Well, I will make a stab at it; but, remember, beginning angler, that trout fishing is a lifetime pursuit with a constant learning curve. The first thing an aspiring trout angler has to master is his or her equipment. Someone just beginning would be wise to start with a lightweight spinning outfit, 6-pound test line and a No. 8 hook. Regarding reels, I prefer a small, very light spincast reel for many reasons. My little Zebco I like first and foremost because it is so trouble-free. Open face reels tangle aeasily, especially when you are just learning, but if you prefer an open face, fine. I would also suggest a light, 6-foot rod over a shorter 5-foot. The longer
rod has many advantages, the biggest being a gentle cast still producing good distance. This is very important; a hard cast can snap your salmon egg or worm off the hook, not good at all. The longer rod also allows a more natural drift and will place your bait, spinner or spoon more accurately with less effort. Shorter rods are lower to the water, pulling the bait back at you during the drift and the shorter arc during hookset drastically reduces your ability to bury the hook in the fish’s jaw. Can you use a 5-foot and still catch fish? Yes, but everything is so much more challenging and when you are learning, more frustrating. Once you have picked your equipment, whatever it may be, take the time to practice, practice, practice with it. Accurate casts are critical. You simply must be able to hit a gallon milk jug at 30 feet or farther. You must also be able to judge the length of your cast to within inches. Knowing how to judge your cast length allows you to place your bait tight against that log or undercut bank. If the bait is close to the trout’s place of security it will dash out and grab it. If it is a foot farther away, they may just watch it float right on by. Once you have mastered your equipment it is necessary to study the stream and recognize where the fish like to lay or hide. As mentioned before trout like undercut banks, logs and rocks. They feed in the tails and heads of pools and rest in the deeper, slower, water where they feel safe. A common mistake is failing to cast far enough upstream or above the area the fish are holding in. Your presentation takes time to sink and during the time it is sinking, the current is sweeping it rapidly downstream. If it is not on or near the bottom before it reaches the trout you won’t get a hit. Many times it is necessary to cast 20 feet upstream or more to accomplish this. Also, trout will in time associate the splash of any bait close to them as danger and dash off or simply ignore you. Once you have done enough correctly to trigger a strike, you have to recognize how different types of strikes feel and act accordingly. Just last week we were catching some small brown trout. These pesky little devils were light hitters, took at least 30 seconds to get the worm far enough into their jaws to hook and if they felt too much tension on the line, immediately dropped the bait. You had to be very delicate in everything you did. It was great training for my daughter who screamed in frustration a couple times,
but soon got the hang of it. So, in summing up; be a master of your equipment, cast with deadly accuracy, place your bait upstream of the fish and let the current sweep it to them. If and when they hit, react accordingly, judging your hook set to the trout’s feeding patterns that day. All this is just the tip of the iceberg aspiring angler, but it is a solid start to a fascinating journey. (Wade Robertson is an award-winning outdoor writer whose articles have been published in Pennsylvania Outdoor News, Pennsylvania Game News, Fur, Fish & Game and other publications. His email is wadewrites3006@gmail. com.)
PORT ALLEGANY — A Port Allegany man is facing criminal charges and 82 summary traffic violations for allegations that he led Lewis Run-based state police on a high speed chase Monday afternoon. Robert L. Hamilton II, 30, of 3589 Route 155 North, was arraigned April 14 before District Judge William Todd on charges of fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, a third-degree felony; three counts of recklessly endangering another person, second-degree misdemeanors; driving while license is suspended or revoked related to a DUI, a third-degree misdemeanor; and three counts of DUI-controlled substance, misdemeanors. Among the long list of summary traffic violations are transporting animals in a cruel manner, trespassing by motor vehicle, and numerous counts related to speeding and unsafe passing. The criminal complaint states that on Monday afternoon a state trooper who was driving south on Route 155 in Annin Township saw a car driven by Hamilton that was traveling north. The trooper recognized Hamilton and Hamilton’s passenger — Christina Hamilton — as he dealt with them March 9, when he arrested Robert Hamilton for allegedly driving while suspended and possessing marijuana and paraphernalia. As Hamilton’s car passed, the trooper watched
Hamilton accelerate and try to hide his face, court records indicate. The trooper also believed Hamilton’s license was still suspended. The trooper turned around — an action that took 10 seconds — and paced his patrol vehicle at 100 mph in an attempt to catch up with Hamilton. He turned on his lights and siren, too. The trooper traveled about 2.1 miles at 100 mph before he saw Hamilton’s car again, according to court records. During the chase, the officer reported that Hamilton’s car passed at least four vehicles in no-passing zones without using any turn signals; at one point he passed a vehicle that was coming around a curve, the complaint indicated. He allegedly traveled at 100 mph in speed zones that ranged from 40 mph to 55 mph, and his car veered into the wrong lane on multiple occasions. The trooper discontinued his pursuit when the car reached a 55 mph zone on Route 46 just north of Bordell Road. The trooper drove toward Smethport Borough, and as he reached the intersection of Route 46 and U.S. Route 6, he saw tire marks that went through a yard on the west side of Route 46, as well as a Smethport police vehicle and a Pennsylvania Game Commission vehicle with their emergency lights on behind the Smethport Beer Distributor. Hamilton’s car had crashed into a tree. The
HOME & GARDEN Electronics and household hazardous waste collection set KANE — An upcoming electronics and household waste collection event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 12 at Kane Area High School. Pre-registration is required. To register, visit h t t p : / / w w w. e c s r. n e t / , choose the June 12-McKean County event and follow the steps to register and reserve a time slot. There is a cost per pound, which varies by item or material. Cash, check or credit card will be accepted for payment, which is due the day of the event after all items are accounted for and weighed. For further information, contact Maddie Stanisch at
the McKean County Conservation District at 814887-4020. There is limited space for the event.
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trooper pulled over and approached Hamilton, who said “he is sorry for putting my life in danger,” the complaint stated. The trooper then observed a Game Commission warden holding Christina Hamilton at gunpoint, so the trooper assisted by holding her at gunpoint while the warden got her out of the car and detained her, according to the complaint. Christina Hamilton said she was in pain, so the trooper called for EMS. Robert Hamilton told EMS he had neck pain but was cleared by medical personnel with no major injuries, the complaint stated. There was a puppy in the back seat of the car about three to four weeks old that was unsecured. Also, Robert Hamilton had bloodshot eyes, constricted pupils and smelled like marijuana, and his car smelled like burnt marijuana, according to court records. However, law enforcement officials did not find anything drug-related when they searched the car. The complaint stated that a blood test at Bradford Regional Medical Center showed that he had methamphetamine and marijuana in his system. Robert Hamilton is in McKean County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail, and a preliminary hearing is set for Monday. It is unclear if any charges are pending against Christina Hamilton; there appeared to be none as of Wednesday afternoon.