Potter & McKean County Community Source | 10/26/21

OCTOBER

26 2021

Smethport’s Jenna Gregory wins No. Tier cross country title

Halloween happenings in McKean County Provided Smethport coach Bill Stephen (left) and Jenna Gregory (right). This is Stephen’s fourth year coaching Gregory.

BY JESSE KOLODKIN SMETHPORT — Jenna Gregory is running towards District 9 supremacy and Smethport’s cross country star isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Gregory is a senior at Smethport and won the North Tier League Championship for varsity girls on Oct. 19. Not only did Gregory come in first, she was over a minute faster than Courtney Martin, who came in second.

“It was a good race,”

said Gregory. “I’m really excited to be league champions and my team also won. So that was really cool. I’ve never had a team that won the league so that was super exciting and I’m proud of my teammates.

It was a good race, I was ahead so it was kind of hard to push for a fast time but I felt strong, I felt good so I’m happy with it.”

The last time Gregory and Martin competed in states, Gregory came in eighth overall while Martin

came in 12th. The improvement Gregory has made bodes well for her and for Smethport as districts’ approach.

Gregory is the daughter of Holly and Kirk Gregory and the younger sister of Darion Gregory, who is currently a track athlete at St. Bonaventure. Smethport coach Bill Stephen has coached the whole family through the years and he found similarities between the siblings.

“Both benefited from a

work ethic,” said Stephen.

“Neither one was a natural runner when they started out. In junior high, (Jenna) used to get beat by her own teammates. And she’s put in the time and effort in order for her to excel.”

“I started running in seventh grade,” said Gregory. “Pretty much my whole family runs. Just from there I kept doing it and getting better and I love it now… I definitely

Cross Country continued on .. page 3

There are some spook-tacular events coming up in McKean County to celebrate the Halloween holiday this year.

The Bradford VFW Events Center will host a Halloween Bingo, After Dark Special, at 6 p.m. on Oct. 29 at 94 Barbour St. Costumes are welcome at this event. Games will begin at 7 p.m. with proceeds to benefit Pennsylvania homeless Veterans.

The Bradford Family YMCA will host their annual Trunk or Treat event from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 29 at 59 Boylston St. This event is free for community members. For more information call 368-6101 or visit

www.ymca.org/locations/ bradford-family-ymca.

Join the staff of the Magic Bean Cafe for a frightful night of spooky fun during their Halloween Bash at 8 p.m. on Oct. 30 at 17 Kennedy St. in Bradford.

This event is open to the public with a $5 cover — the cover will include food and drink. Guild members enter the event for free.

There will be a costume contest, pumpkin decorating, music, dancing, spooky games and more.

For more information call 596-0018 or visit facebook. com/themagicbeancafe.

Outside of Bradford,

Halloween continued on ......... page 3

How to reduce risk of home fires this holiday season Safety might not be the fires. Such tragedies can be nearby fireplaces or candles near curtains or other decorations. first thing people think averted with a few simple drift in their direction.

• Recognize that loca• Turn off all lights and of as the holiday season safety measures. extinguish all lit decorative items when leaving the home or going to bed.

Lit candles and menorahs should never be left unattended. The NFPA recommends turning tree lights and exterior decorative lights off when leaving the home or going to bed.

• Utilize a fire screen on fireplaces. Embers can catch on trees, decorations or anything else that’s flammable if they escape the fireplace. Fire screens prevent that from happening by ensuring embers from burning logs stay in the

approaches. Faith, celebrations, decorations, and holiday dinners all come to mind when considering the holiday season. But that doesn’t mean safety should be left out of holiday planning.

Fire safety bears special consideration during the holiday season, when the prevalence of fire hazards like Christmas trees, holiday lighting displays and other decorative items increase the risk for home

• Tend to your tree. Live Christmas trees are awe-inspiring, but they also pose a significant fire risk. The National Fire Protection Association urges celebrants to purchase only healthy trees with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.

Such trees are less likely to dry out, especially when well-watered throughout the season. Dry trees can catch fire more easily than healthy trees if embers from

tion matters when decorating. The NFPA notes that Christmas trees should always be placed at least three feet away from any heat source, including fireplaces, space heaters, heat vents, candles, and even overhead lights. If decorating with candles, never place them on the tree or on tables where other flammable decorations have already been placed.

Chanukah menorahs should never be placed

fireplace. Like candles and menorahs, fires burning in a fireplace should never be left unattended. Make sure all embers have been extinguished before leaving the home or going to bed.

• Keep discarded trees away from your home.

A 2014 analysis from the NFPA found that none of the ten days with the largest share of Christmas tree fires were before Christmas.

Dried out trees still pose a fire risk even after they’ve

been removed from a home.

When discarding a tree at the end of the holiday season, place it at the curb or keep it a safe distance away from your home and garage until you can.

Fire safety measures are an important component of the holiday season that can prevent this joyous time of year from turning tragic.

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OCTOBER 26, 2021

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OCTOBER 26, 2021

Halloween continued from 1 the Port Allegany Veterans Memorial Home will host a Halloween Party from 8 p.m. until midnight on Oct. 30 at 4743 Route 155 in Port Allegany. Musical entertainment from DJ Jesse and a costume contest. For more information call 6422547 or visit facebook.com/ PortAlleganyVMI. The Mount Jewett Veterans Memorial Club will host a Halloween Costume Party at 8 p.m. on Oct. 30 at 61 E. Main Street.

Musical entertainment will be provided by DJ Elmo while snack and drink specials are offered. Members

and guests are welcome to attend, ID will be required. Cash prizes will be awarded at 10:13 p.m.

The Halloween holiday this year will be celebrated in Mount Jewett on Sunday, Oct. 31, beginning at 5 p.m. with a Costume Parade on Main Street followed by a Costume Contest at the Volunteer Fire Department Fire Hall at 5:20 p.m.

From 5 to 7:30 p.m. Trunk or Treating will be available in the Volunteer Fire Department Fire Hall lower lot while general trick-ortreat hours in Mount Jewett will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Foster Township and the city of Bradford will be holding trick-or-treat hours from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

on Sunday, Oct. 31.

Lafayette Township’s trick-or-treat hours will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 31.

Residents are asked to leave their porch lights on if they wish to participate.

Participants are encouraged to follow COVID-19 safety measures.

Otto Township trick-ortreat hours will remain the same as last year — 6 till 7:30 p.m. on Halloween.

There will also be the Trickor-Trunk option in the Otto Park during the same hours.

Smethport will hold trick-or-treat hours from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 31.

State approves grant for homeless assistance, prevention H A R R I S B U R G — Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin announced a grant for McKean County for homeless assistance and prevention.

The grant, for $189,498, is for A Partnership in Housing Inc. and YWCA Bradford.

The funding is

provided through the federal Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program.

“ESG funding has been an invaluable tool for regions across the state to tackle homelessness in their communities and provide housing options that are safe and reliable,” said Davin. “We are pleased to get these resources to onthe-ground community

organizations that are trusted in their neighborhoods to assist individuals and families experiencing or facing homelessness.”

A total of $5,456,081 in ESG funding was approved for 17 municipal grantees and five non-profits who will administer regional projects covering 25 counties.

Dental Assisting program offered in Port Allegany, St. Marys The Northern Pennsylvania Regional College, in partnership with the Potter County Education Council (PCEC) and the Community Education Center of Elk and Cameron Counties (CEC), is offering a Dental Assisting course.

The 60-hour program prepares students for entry level positions in one of the fastest growing health care positions – Dental Assisting. The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with all areas of pre-clinical dental assisting and provide training in the professional skills required to function as an assistant in the dental practice.

This course covers these key areas and topics: Administrative Aspects — The history of dentistry and dental assisting; introduction to the dental office; the legal aspects of dentistry; policies and guidelines. Clinical Aspects — Introduction to oral anatomy; dental operatory; dental equipment; introduction to tooth structure; primary and permanent

teeth; the oral cavity and related structures; proper patient positioning; dental hand-pieces; sterilization and other areas.

This course will meet at the PCEC’s Port Allegany office at 219 Edison Bates Drive, Port Allegany, for live instruction and at the CEC office at 4 Erie Avenue, St. Marys, for interactive video conferencing from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Oct. 26 through Dec. 16 and Saturday, Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

This course is also ideal for students interested in pursuing a future as a Dental Hygienist.

All students are required to attend at the Port Allegany location on Tuesday, Nov. 30. The cost of the program is $1,699 per person and includes 60 instructional hours plus a required 40-hour internship.

There are a limited number of scholarships available for eligible students.

For more information about scholarships, contact Kristie Bennardi at kriben@ keystoneruralhealth.com.

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This program meets the necessary requirements to take the Dental Assisting National Board Radiation Health and Safety Examination. The DANB Radiation Health and Safety exam fee is included in the cost of tuition. Students can sit for the exam upon successful completion of the course and with instructor recommendation.

Students need to be a high school graduate or GED holder and 18 years old prior to taking the certification exam. The registration deadline is Monday, Oct. 25.

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Eldred man cited for harassment SMETHPORT — An Eldred man has been cited by state police for allegedly shoving another man in an altercation at 300 Main St., Eldred, on Oct. 18.

Matthew S. Windsor, 51, a member of the

Otto-Eldred School Board, is being cited by Lewis Run-based state police for harassment and disorderly conduct, both summary offenses.

According to the complaint, police were called

to the Main Street location for a report of harassment.

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Cross Country

benefits from it. She’s been in every invitational, near the top.”

Gregory is just one of District 9’s runners to gain notice state-wide in recent years. Smethport in particular but the district as a whole has started to improve its cross country abilities and Stephen thinks it’s finally starting to get some deserved recognition.

“I think we’re getting more noticed the last several years,” Stephen said. “I go back to when her brother was in school, (Darion), we had 14 kids in the top 100 at states’. Every year we seem to have a couple of kids do well at states’.”

Here is the scary part for other runners hoping to challenge Gregory — she might not even be at her best.

“Last year we ran better times,” said Stephen.

“A couple really good runners from St. Marys, she had the push… there hasn’t

been much push (this year).

Hopefully her best is yet to come.”

The road to states won’t be easy, neither will the district championships.

There are some fast runners in the district and the course in Ridgway can be a challenge.

“It’s got a fairly decent hill,” Stephen said. “The difficulty depends on the weather. If it’s rainy, it gets a little soggy, makes the footing slippery. (You) don’t get a good push off.

You slide around. If the weathers good, you can get a good time, when it’s not, gets wetter in a lot of places, gets spongy.”

While she and her coach are hoping for medals in both district and state championships, no matter what happens, running will be in Gregory’s future. She has not decided on where she wants to go to college, but you can bet it will have a running team.

continued from 1 have an awesome coach, Mr. Stephen is great. He pushes me and definitely knows what he’s talking about.”

Lots of coaches and players talk about work ethic, coming in early and leaving late. But there is a difference between talk and action.

“Her long day, she runs 13 miles,” Stephen said.

“Most kids would not put that time and effort in. She runs rain or shine. Some kids might use weather as an excuse. She runs farther than anyone else usually. She might run a mile to cool down after a run…

She’s one of the last to leave (practice).”

“You definitely try to win and be the very best that you can,” Gregory said.

“I want to finish so that when I’m done running, I gave everything I had into that race. I pushed myself, I gave it my all, I didn’t just go out and jog. When I’m done I want to feel good about how I performed.”

Health is important, too, and Stephen is grateful that Gregory has managed to avoid the injury bug so far.

“I told her, the key thing is staying healthy,” said Stephen. “That’s what we’ve put in, the time we’ve put in, we’ll reap the

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OCTOBER 26, 2021

McKean County GOP to hold Save America Rally SMETHPORT — The McKean County Republican Committee will hold a Save America Rally at 5 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Hamlin Lake Park.

The rally will highlight the need to get out and vote in the upcoming general

election to elect judges who will strictly follow the constitution to save our great nation! Republican statewide judicial candidates on the ballot have been invited to speak along with our federal and state elected officials. Candidate

information and campaign materials will be available.

The committee is providing light refreshments, including cider and donuts.

For additional information visit the committee website at http://www.mckeancountygop.org.

Region sees increased cases of COVID-19 There were 43 additional cases of COVID-19 in the region as of Oct. 21, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

McKean County’s total was 4,997 total cases, with 21 more cases than one day earlier, and 153 more than one week earlier. In one month, that’s an increase of 777 positive cases of COVID-19.

There were 85 deaths reported as of Thursday, 9 more than a month ago.

Elk County’s total was 4,012, with 13 more cases than one day earlier, and 123 more than a week earlier. That’s an increase of 581 cases in a month’s time.

There were 56 deaths reported as of Thursday, an increase of 9 in the past month.

Potter County’s total was 1,831, six more cases than one day earlier, and 58 more than a week earlier. In one month, there have been 390 additional positive cases of COVID-19.

There were 44 deaths reported as of Thursday, an increase of 15 in the past month.

Cameron County’s total on Thursday was 486, three more cases than one day earlier, and 23 more than a week earlier. There have been 96 additional cases of

COVID-19 in a month.

There were 11 deaths reported as of Thursday, one more than a month earlier.

As for vaccines, McKean County has had 2,984 partially vaccinated and 15,139 fully vaccinated, with 509 receiving boosters. The health department indicated 41.1% of county residents are fully covered.

Elk County has 1,189 partially vaccinated, 15,056 fully vaccinated and 14,198 receiving boosters. The health department reported

that 55.7% of county residents are fully covered.

Potter County has 794 partially vaccinated, 5,045 fully vaccinated and 242 receiving boosters. The health department indicated 33.8% of county residents are fully covered.

Cameron County has 200 partially vaccinated, 2,196 fully vaccinated and 121 receiving boosters. A total of 54.4% of county residents are fully covered, the health department noted.

The basics of diabetic eye disease Diabetes affects millions of people across the globe, and its prevalence has risen significantly in recent decades. Data from the World Health Organization indicates that the number of people with diabetes nearly quadrupled between 1980 and 2014. Life with diabetes can be challenging, especially when the disease leads to additional complications like vision problems.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases notes that diabetes affects the eyes when blood glucose, or blood sugar, is too high. The damage to the eyes caused by diabetes occurs over time and can contribute to poor vision and, in certain instances, blindness. As their vision worsens, people with diabetes may be diagnosed with diabetic eye disease, which is an umbrella term used to describe a handful of conditions.

Which conditions are included under the umbrella of diabetic eye disease?

The NIDDK notes that diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma are some of the conditions included under the umbrella of diabetic eye disease.

Though they might all be

more quickly in people with diabetes.

Glaucoma Glaucoma also is an umbrella term that refers to various conditions that cause damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve is a bundle of nerves that connects the eye to the brain.

The NIDDK notes that diabetes doubles a person’s chances of having glaucoma. Glaucoma is often marked by gradual vision loss, and the National Institutes of Health note

referred to as diabetic eye disease, each condition is different.

Diabetic retinopathy Diabetic retinopathy affects the retina, which is the inner lining at the back of each eye. The retina senses light and turns it into signals that the brain then decodes. When a person has diabetic retinopathy, damaged blood vessels affect the retina. These blood vessels may weaken, bulge or leak into the retina during early stages of the disease. If the disease worsens, some blood vessels may close off and cause new blood vessels to grow on the surface of the

retina. Serious vision problems can develop when this occurs.

Diabetic macular edema The Mayo Clinic reports that diabetic macular edema occurs when tiny bulges protrude from the vessel walls and leak or ooze fluid and blood into the retina. This leakage causes swelling in the macula, which is the central part of the retina.

This is a serious issue, as the NIDDK notes that the macula is necessary for reading, driving and seeing faces. Swelling in the macula can eventually contribute to partial vision loss or blindness.

Cataracts Cataracts is not exclusive to people with diabetes. However, the NIDDK reports that the risk for cataracts is greater for people with diabetes than it is for people who are not diabetic. Cataracts are a condition marked by a clouding of the lens of the eye. According to the Cleveland Clinic, when a cataract clouds over the lens of the eye, the eye cannot focus light in the way it needs to. That can lead to blurry vision or vision loss.

Cataracts can occur naturally as a person ages, but the Cleveland Clinic notes that cataracts can form

that as glaucoma worsens, individuals may begin to notice they can no longer see things off to the side.

Early treatment of glaucoma can prevent further damage, though there’s no cure. If glaucoma is not treated early, it can lead to vision loss and blindness.

Diabetic eye disease can have serious consequences.

Individuals with diabetes must be vigilant and address any issues with their vision immediately.