18 2022
community
JANUARY
p o t t e r m c k e a n
county
Austin • Coudersport • Crosby • Eldred • Gifford • Kane • Lewis Run • Mt. Jewett • Otto Eldred • Port Allegany Ridgway • Roulette • Smethport • Turtlepoint
Dog sled demo races to be featured at Winter Fun day
State Park Environmental MOUNT JEWETT — The Mount Jewett sleds with bike wheels. They won’t do a Bridge to Kinzua Bridge Trail Club (MJ2KB), in competition race as these are young dogs Educational Specialist Holly Dzemyan, the conjunction with the Kinzua Bridge State that are in training, running for exhibition event has been able to secure three teams of sled dogs which will be participating. Park staff, will host a Winter Fun day on only at this time.” So far, with the assistance of Kinzua The three confirmed teams are coming from noon until 3 from Scranton, Warren p.m. on Saturday, Center and Syracuse, Feb. 5, at the N.Y. Kinzua Bridge The Warren Center State Park and group, Sled Dogs Knox and Kane of Smokey Hill is a small sled team. It curRail Trail. rently consists of seven This inauSiberian Huskies, gural event will of which several are be held whether dogs getting a second there is snow chance. accumulation “We sled, cart and on the ground scooter for recreation or not, and has and make a appearfeatures which ance’s to benefit sanctuaries, shelters and will interest enorganizations in edtire families. ucation and/or fund From dog sledraising,” according to ding demo races, the groups Facebook cross country page. skiing, snowWhile the sled dogs shoes, hiking and are a unique attraction, informational it is not the only event power-point planned for the Winter presentations. Fun day. Stroup will “We will be showing a rail trail have dog sleds PowerPoint presentarun the Knox & tion in one of the classKane Rail Trail rooms at the Visitor’s beginning from Center providing inthe Skywalk, for formation on the Knox approximately a & Kane Rail trail and mile to the first the MJ2KB trail club. set of benches The Kane Travel Girl & interpretive signs on the trail, Scout Troop 90008 where they’ll will be selling hot coturn around and coa and hotdogs. And run back — one cross country skis and sled at a time,” snowshoes will be relayed Carolyn available at the park Stroup, president of Provided for adults and chilthe Mount Jewett to dren to try out. Kinzua Bridge Trail A member of the Warren Center group, Sled Dogs of Smokey Hill, is pulled on a wheeled cart Club. “If we do not by his pups during a training exercise. have snow, they will run pulling
Many local nursing homes continue to limit visitors Due to the concern over the rise in COVID-19 cases and the emergence of the omicron and delta variants, most area nursing homes are continuing to limit visitation. The Bradford Ecumenical Home updated its information on Jan. 10. Currently no residents have tested positive for COVID while seven staff members at the Ecumenical Home have tested positive, as well as three staff members at Chapel Ridge. If the surrounding community shows a county positivity rate of 10% or greater, indoor visitation is restricted. Outdoor visitation continues to be the preferred method of visitation. The nursing home may be able to access Civil Monetary Penalty funds from the state to purchase items to facilitate outdoor visitation in winter weather. At the Pavilion at Bradford Regional Medical Center, all visitors must stop at the main information desk in the lobby, where a room number and current visitation restrictions will be outlined. Bradford Manor currently has no restrictions for visitation, except that visitors must wear a mask at all times. Lakeview Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Smethport is open for regular visitation, according to director Terry Lopus.
Sena Kean Nursing and Rehabilitation Center continues to follow recommendations of the CDC, Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH), and other federal, state, and local authorities to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading. Every person who enters the building is screened before they can access resident areas. This includes taking temperatures, as well as looking for signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat. The Lutheran Home at Kane released a statement on Jan. 4 stating that the high county positivity rate remains a concern. In order to protect their residents, they ask individuals visiting to continue to follow these procedures: all visitors must self-screen when entering the building; and all visitors must wear a mask at all times. Sweden Valley Manor in Coudersport’s website states that outdoor visits, electronic visits and window visits will continue to remain an option for visiting with loved ones. However, stricter guidelines for indoor visitation can be located on their website at https://hcfinc.com/ Unfortunately, residents who are in quarantine/observation are unable to have visitors until they are out of quarantine, with exceptions
for Compassionate Care visits. Elk Haven Nursing Home in St. Marys reports in a statement released this week that they have no residential cases of COVID-19 and two active staff COVID-19 cases. Visitation protocols may change daily based on facility outbreak testing, COVID-19 positive residents or staff in the facility, or directives from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and DOH. Family and friends are encouraged to connect with their loved ones through calling, video chat, window visits, on social media and/or by other avenues that the facility is able to offer. Pinecrest Manor in St. Marys updated their COVID-19 information on Jan. 7, with five staff and two residents positive for COVID-19.
Visitors are still required to screen upon entry by taking their temperature and filling out a questionnaire. If someone is COVID positive, experiencing signs or symptoms or has been exposed, they are not to visit. Also, residents who are in quarantine or are COVID positive will not have visitors during their isolation period. Guy and Mary Felt Manor in Emporium is open for visitation. However visitors must submit to a respiratory check, wash/sanitize their hands, and wear a mask for the entirety of the visit. Should any individual, regardless of vaccination status, be preparing to visit a nursing home in McKean County, they should check its website or call before visiting to find out any updated specific guidelines or instructions.
Bradford native named Professional Deer Manager of the Year The National Deer Association named Bradford native Dr. Krysten Schuler of New York as its 2021 Professional Deer Manager of the Year. Schuler, who graduated from Bradford Area High School, is a wildlife disease ecologist and assistant research professor at Cornell University’s Wildlife Health Lab, and she serves on NDA’s Science and Research Advisory Committee. She now lives in Port Byron, New York, with her husband, Dr. Brian Weidel, and son, Rhys. “Dr. Schuler is a national leader when it comes to scientific wildlife management, and her work to help slow the spread of CWD in recent years particularly stands out,” said Nick Pinizzotto, NDA President and CEO. “In addition to her impressive work in the field and in the laboratory, she has been a great friend and resource to NDA having previously been a board member of the former National Deer Alliance and now serving on our critical Science and Research Advisory Committee.” Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is the single largest issue impacting the future of deer management and hunting, and Dr. Schuler’s work is making great strides in this arena. Schuler’s work on New York State’s Risk Minimization Plan and the Surveillance Optimization Project for Chronic Wasting Disease (SOP4CWD) has received national acclaim. In 2021 the SOP4CWD project has brought together 23 states and one province in eastern North American to
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Bradford Ecumenical Home to bring on intern Bradford Ecumenical Home Inc. has been announced as the recipient of a paid college internship award for Marketing and Admissions. The award, granted by LeadingAge PA, a state trade association representing not-for-profit senior service providers, will provide $6,000 to cover the costs of hosting a paid college intern within the organization for a period of 8 to 10 weeks. Lisa Johnson, CEO, stated, “As healthcare compliance continues to evolve, we appreciate that LeadingAge PA has recognized our desire to provide current and future workplace support to the senior living field by enhancing students’ professional experiences.” A selection committee comprised entitrely of volunteer members from LeadingAge PA chose Bradford Ecumenical Home, Inc. as one of five award recipients from the submissions that were received. The paid college internship program was created by LeadingAge PA to increase awareness among college students about the opportunities and rewards available to them by pursuing a career in the field of long-term care. Interested college juniors or seniors focusing on Marketing are encouraged to apply for this paid internship by sending a resume to Bradford Ecumenical Home Inc., attention Lisa Johnson, CEO. Areas of study may include Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, Social Work, or other related field. Review of candidates to begin March 2022.
Tree trimming to start in Potter County
McKean Co. commissioners handle property matters SMETHPORT — The McKean County Commissioners dealt with several property related matters at Tuesday’s meeting. The commissioners approved a sales agreement for a 1.9-acre parcel and a 100-foot right-of-way from First Street to the summit of the hill. The county has purchased the parcel for $20,000 to provide additional communication transmission opportunities. Several sales from the county tax repository were approved. The properties included the following: 66 Church St., Hamilton Township, to Ricky and Margaret Mahney, for $300; 116 Summer St., Bradford, to Herbert Leininger, for $300; 48 Hobson Place, to Shannon Douglas Love, for $1,025; 16 Fairbanks Ave., Bradford, to William Hodgdon, for $825; 8 Harris Court, to Patrick Dowell and Jenny Cabisca for $320; 198 E. Main St., Bradford, to David Taylor, for $500; 20 E. Corydon St., to Robert Peterson, for $5,000; 101 High St., to
CLEARFIELD— The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is advising motorists that work to trim and remove trees is set to start next week on two different routes in Potter County. This work will enhance motorist safety and extend the useful life of the roadway surface. Locations for this work are Route 6 in the Sweden Valley area and Route 44 north of Coudersport in Eulalia and Hebron Townships. Work could begin as early as Monday, and is expected to last for several
William Hodgdon, for $525; Institute through the end of and 13 Rochester St., to the year. The service provides notifications to crime David Taylor, for $500. Also at the meeting, the victims in Pennsylvania in commissioners approved accordance with state and an application for assistance federal guidelines. The next regular meeting for the McKean County Department of Emergency of the commissioners will Services to apply to the be held at 10 a.m. Jan. 25. Hazardous M a t e r i a l Response Fund to update the efficiently and effectively for County Hazard the benefit of deer and deer Mitigation Plan. hunters. Also apSchuler received a bachproved was the elor’s in biology from the designation of University of Notre Dame, Gerard Rettger a master’s in wildlife ecolas designee to continued from 1 execute for and ogy from Oklahoma State on behalf of the University, a PhD in wildlife county for the allow data-sharing, visualiza- sciences from South Dakota HMGP Hazard tion, and modeling to inform State University and is now Mitigation deer managers. It has taken a a co-director of the Cornell Planning Grant. regional approach to provid- University Wildlife Health A maintenance and ing free online tools to wildlife Lab. For her PhD, she caught service agree- agencies that provide data for deer with helicopters, darted ment for SAVIN decision-making. This is the them, and trapped them to was approved first large-scale effort of its understand chronic wasting between the kind related to CWD. The disease (CWD) as an emerging county and the models created from this proj- disease at Wind Cave National P e n n s y l v a n i a ect will help deer managers Park. D i s t r i c t allocate limited financial and She spent three years folA t t o r n e y s personnel resources most lowing her study deer around
Deer Manager
by foot, air, car, and horseback. Now, as a wildlife disease ecologist, she works on understanding the linkages between the animal, its environment, disease, and conditions or situations (including human activities) that may influence disease emergence. Previous winners of NDA’s Professional Deer Manager of the Year Award include Land & Legacy, Bronson Strickland, Darren Boudreaux, Blake Hamilton, Mike Staten, Tony Vidrine, Vic Blanchard, Craig Harper, Dave Moreland, Karl V. Miller, Steve Shea, Erich Long, Rans Thomas, Grant Woods, Dave Edwards, Mickey Hellickson, Chris Pevey, and Gary Alt.
625 North Union Street Olean, NY • 716-372-8888 Mon-Fri 7am – 5pm, Sat 8am – 1pm 11 Buckler Road & Route 6 Roulette, PA • 814-544-7543 Mon-Fri 8am – 5pm, Sat 8am – 1pm
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weeks. Work will occur on weekends if necessary. Tree trimming and tree removal provide “daylighting” to the roadway, allowing sunlight to speed snow and ice melt during the winter months. It also enhances sight distance at some locations and lessens the potential for old and dead trees to fall onto the road. Motorists may encounter short delays as roadway flaggers enforce an alternating traffic pattern Patriot Tree Surgeons of Allentown is the contractor for this job.
JANUARY 18, 2022
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Cyclone man jailed after highspeed chase A Cyclone man was sent to McKean County Jail following an alleged high-speed chase with police while a child was in the vehicle. Francis Kramer Jr., 48, of Route 646, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a second-degree felony; fleeing or attempting to elude police, a third-degree felony; DUI; recklessly endangering another person, a second-degree misdemeanor; driving with a suspended license, a third-degree misdemeanor; and multiple traffic offenses including careless driving and reckless driving. According to the criminal complaint, at 9 p.m. Jan. 6, a state trooper was traveling west on Route 59 just west of Smethport with a white van traveling in front of him. The trooper ran the license plate for the van. It came back to Kramer, but it was expired and Kramer’s license was
suspended related to a DUI charge. The trooper observed the van pass other traffic at a high rate of speed, without using a turn signal. The trooper sped up to attempt a traffic stop, but the van sped up despite the poor weather and poor road conditions, reaching speeds of 85 mph and passing several other vehicles, the complaint stated. When the van reached just west of Bingham Road, it slowed to turn around to head back toward Kramer’s residence. The pursuit concluded in the driveway of 4462 Route 646 in Cyclone, and Kramer was taken into custody. A juvenile was in the passenger seat during the incident, the complaint stated. Kramer was arraigned before District Judge Bill Todd and remanded to McKean County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail. A preliminary hearing will be held Jan. 24 before Todd.
Pa. House hearing on rural health care Jan. 19 in Bradford BRADFORD — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Majority Policy Committee will hold a hearing next week in Bradford to hear from industry professionals about the plight of rural health care. The committee is chaired by Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, and is cohosted by Rep. Kathy Rapp, R-Warren. The hearing is set for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford — in the University Room at the FrameWesterberg Commons Building, 300 Campus Drive. The public is invited. This will not be an event where the public will have a chance to speak. Rather, it is a House committee hearing, where invited guests testify and committee members question them. “It’s not a town hall meeting,” Causer explained. “The public is invited to attend, and the hearing is being live-streamed on our website so people who can’t make it can watch.” He added that all who attend must follow the university’s COVID-19 guidelines, which includes masks are required while inside campus buildings. On the agenda for the day are representatives from hospitals, a nursing home, an ambulance service and more.
The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with a welcome, followed by testimony from Keara Klinepeter, acting secretary of the state Department of Health. The hospital panel follows at 9:50 a.m., with Mark Papalia, president of UPMC Kane; Dr. Jill Owens, chief medical officer of Upper Allegheny Health System; Rick Allen, CEO of Warren General Hospital; and Janie Hilfiger, president of UPMC Cole and UPMC Wellsboro. A health professional panel will begin at 10:30 a.m., with Dr. Nathaniel Graham, general surgeon; Anne Hardy, former director of the Bradford Regional Medical Center emergency room and nursing administration; Sally Scrivo, EMT, owner of Bradford Area Transport Service; and Charlotte Floravit, CEO of The Lutheran Home at Kane. At 11:15 is the state and local organizational panel, with Lisa Davis of the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health and Janie Walters of Rural Health Redesign Center/ Pennsylvania Rural Health Model. The agenda noted written testimony has been submitted by Chris Benson, a nurse for Mercy Flight of Western New York and for Port Area Ambulance Service. “Bringing all the pieces together takes some time,”
Causer said Wednesday. A few of the people will be testifying remotely, he explained. Owens will be accompanied by Mary LaRowe, interim CEO of Upper Allegheny Health System, and Don Boyd of Kaleida, parent company of Upper Allegheny. “There’s a lot of great information that will be presented,” Causer said. “I think we need to take a close look specifically at rural health challenges. Health care is struggling all over, but this will take a look at rural areas and the challenges we’re facing. “We’re also going to discuss potential solutions,” he added. Regarding the officials planning to testify, Causer said, “They immediately accepted the invitation.” “It really is all about gathering information, talking about challenges and getting to some solutions,” Causer said. “Some hearings don’t talk about solutions, but we’re at a point where we need to talk about solutions.” In fact, it’s the job of the policy committee to develop solutions, he added. While acknowledging issues with the service integration between Bradford and Olean, N.Y., hospitals will be discussed, Causer added, “It is bigger than
625 North Union Street Olean, NY • 716-372-8888 Mon-Fri 7am – 5pm, Sat 8am – 1pm 11 Buckler Road & Route 6 Roulette, PA • 814-544-7543 Mon-Fri 8am – 5pm, Sat 8am – 1pm
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Bradford. Rural health care is struggling.” Hospitals all across the nation are struggling, he added. When a hospital in a large city struggles with overcrowding and staffing shortages, it trickles down to hospitals like Bradford’s as well. In conversations with Sally Scrivo, who operates a transport ambulance rather than an emergency ambulance, Causer learned how much those issues trickle down. “Sally told me she was taking a patient to a Buffalo hospital and was sitting there with the patient for three hours waiting for (the Buffalo hospital) to find a bed for the person. That’s taking up an ambulance crew for three hours when she could have been back in Bradford transporting someone else.” Causer added, “Rura hospitals were struggling before the pandemic and the pandemic has exacerbated the problem.” This is the second in a series of hearings hosted by the Policy Committee to address health care challenges The first was held late last year at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Video of the prior hearing, as well as a live stream of the upcoming hearing will be available at www.pagoppolicy.com.