WESB.com reports:
A tornado has reportedly touched down in Kanesholm. Emergency radio reports
indicate that the touchdown was at about 11:15 Friday night. We'll have more
information as it becomes available.

Last Week, the Hatcher Family took a trip to Niagara Falls. Read About the Adventure Here.

23 year old Dustin Petteys of Port Allegany was cited for harassment after a
Liberty Township Incident. According to State Police. Petteys threatened to
harm 47 year old Francis Ludwig, Jr. of St. Marys last Friday.

31 Year old Smethport Man David Calhoun is facing assault charges after a
Sunday Morning Fight on West Water Street in Smethport.

State Troopers say Calhoun threw a punch in the face of Sergio Herrera
during an argument.

An Eldred Home was damaged by fire at around 3:30 Tuesday afternoon.
According WFRM Radio, the home on Route 446 was owned by Edward and Tamara
Reitler.

Firefighters from Eldred Township, Eldred Borough, Olean, Portville,
Smethport, Otto Township, and Port Allegany responded. 180 thousand dollars
in damage is estimated.

Firefighters were on the scene for 12 hours.

Speeding Citations are pending aginast a Smethport man after a crash Tuesday
morning.
According to State Police, Gary Howes was driving on Route 59 when he hit a
deer, went off the road, struck a tree, and flipped his Monte Carlo over.

Howes was taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center For Treatment. The
extent of his injuries have not been released

A Pittsbrigh man is in jail after a Wednesday morning incident. According to
Police, Joseph Laughling threatened Greg Meeker of Kane on his property.

LAughling left the scene on foot, and was later arrested at his camp for
making terroristic threats, trespassing, harrassment, and disorderly
conduct.

Bradford Regional Airport will receive $950,000 in federal funding to help build a new parallel taxiway connecting the facility's terminal with its main runway. Read the Complete Article in the Bradford Era Online.

The Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Center Season will kick off September 30 with a performance from one time teen hearthrob David Cassidy.

The concert will be September 30 at the Bromely Family Theater in Blaisdell Hall at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford at 7:30.

Although, if you're looking for cheaper entertainment, Josh Hatcher and the Revolt will be playing at the Linger Longer Cafe in Allegany NY that evening. Find out more at http://www.myspace.com/joshhatcher

Steel Girders are going p ont he Route 219 Bridge over Forman Street next
week. Elm Street will be closed near the 219 Bridge as well on Thursday.

Flaggers will be rerouting traffic.

Outgoing Township Supervisor Cary Frido was replaced by Don Cummins at the
Bradford Township Meeting last night.

Frigo resigned back in July, Cummins has lived in Bradford Township for 27
years. He has run for supervisor before, but has never been elected. He was
appointed at last night's meeting to serve the remainder of Frigo's term,
which lasts for three years.

County Commissioners in McKean County are concerned about an Allegany
National Forest PLan that would limit recreation and timber harvest at the
Tracy and Chestnut Ridge Areas.
WESB.COM reports
The Alternative C Proposal could effect the Kinzua Beach and Willow Creek
Recreational Areas.

Residents seeking up-to-date information on follow-up activities related to the June 30 Norfolk Southern train derailment and spill that affected Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek can now log on to the Department of Environmental Protection’s Web site.
“A number of McKean and Cameron county residents have reported to us that the derailment has had a profound affect on their lives and that they would like to know more about ongoing activities,” DEP Northwest Regional Director Kelly Burch said.

“We’ve issued several news releases regarding follow-up activities at the derailment site and established a public document repository at the Cameron County Conservation District Office to keep the public informed,” Burch said. “The Web site is one more tool for residents to stay current with all the accident-related activities.”

The Web information includes a brief history of the derailment, its environmental consequences and actions that Norfolk Southern will have to take to restore the health of the watershed. There also is a link to all DEP news releases, so when new information becomes available, residents will have immediate access.

To view the information, go to www.depweb.state.pa.us. On the left side of that homepage, click on “Northwest” or “Northcentral,” then “Community Involvement” and then “Norfolk Southern Train Derailment.”

On Aug. 14, DEP issued a notice of violation to Norfolk Southern. An NOV is a formal notice to the company that its actions violated numerous state environmental regulations. Under state law, the company could be subject to penalties of up to $35,000 per day, starting from the date of the original spill and continuing until the violations cease.

The NOV cites the railroad for the ongoing discharge of pollution and encroachments into commonwealth waters, the unpermitted disposal of wastes, and release of hazardous substances.

About 44,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda or lye, spilled when 28 railroad cars derailed. Some of the sodium hydroxide entered Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek and wiped out aquatic life and fish from the accident site near the McKean County village of Gardeau to a point 7.5 miles downstream at the mouth of Fourmile Run near Emporium in Cameron County.

An unknown amount of sodium hydroxide also soaked into the ground in and around the derailment site, and this residual material must be addressed to ensure a complete recovery of Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek.

For more information on water quality, visit DEP’s Web site at http://www.depweb.state.pa.us , Keyword: “Water Quality.”

A damaged Marlin Model 19 shotgun was found Wednesday near the Annin
Township Building. State Police are not sure who the owner is.

5 thousand feet of copper wire are missing from a railroad in Hamlin
Township.
State Troopers are looking for the theives that stole the wire from support
poles along Campbelltown Road, just south of route six.

Environmental Education Programs For Weekend Of August 25, 2006

Come join us at Sizerville State Park as we explore the outdoors. The
following programs will be offered this week:

Friday, August 25, 2006
6:00 PM Snakes with the PA Fish and Boat Commission – Join us for a “live”
presentation at the campground amphitheater. Waterways Conservation Officer
Bill Crisp of the PA Fish and Boat Commission will present a special program
on the Snakes of Pennsylvania. The program will include the venomous
species of our state, with special focus on the Timber Rattlesnake. Live
snakes will be on hand. Don’t miss this one!

Saturday, August 26, 2006
3:30 PM WILDTHINGS - Come out and visit Sizerville State Park. Relax, cool
off and take a dip in the pool. At 3:30 p.m., during the adult swim, ages 18
and up, meet the Park Naturalist at the Environmental Education Building,
across the parking lot from the pool, and investigate what animals live
right here in the Park. We will be searching for salamanders, frogs, toads,
butterflies and more! If you are interested in participating in the program,
bring shoes, bug spray, sunscreen lotion and water. We will be hiking
through sunny fields, or in the woods.

8:30 PM MAMMALS - What is a Mammal? Do mammals hop, swim, trot, or fly?
Come out and meet some of the mammals that can be found in the Pennsylvania
Wilds! Meet the naturalist at the Campground Amphitheater.

Sunday, August 27, 2006
11:00 AM TRACKS AND TRACES, MORNING HIKE - Many times the only signs of
wildlife we ever see are the traces they leave behind…tracks, scat, etc.
Join the park naturalist for a short hike and learn how to identify some
common tracks, traces and discuss outdoor ethics. Meet the naturalist at the
Campground Amphitheater. Mosquitoes and other biting bugs are abundant, so
remember to bring your bug spray. Additionally, we suggest that you would
wear long pants.

Evening programs will be held at the Campground Amphitheater, if the weather
is NOT cooperating, programs will be held in the Environmental Education
Building (across the road from the park office). Dress accordingly for the
weather; Sizerville can be damp and chilly, even through the duration of the
summer. Insect repellant is also recommended.

RepHARRISBURG - Rep. Marty Causer (R-Turtlepoint) and Sen. Joe Scarnati

(R-Brockway) today announced grants from the Pennsylvania Historical and
Museum Commission. The grant money is being allocated in the following
amounts:

· Potter County - Potter County Commissioners, archives and records

Management, $6,186.

· McKean County - Eldred World War II Museum, $7,700.

McKean County Historical Society, $10,000.

· Cameron County - Cameron County Historical Society, $1,000.

Lumber Heritage Region of Pennsylvania, public history

and education $5,000.

"I have been a long-time supporter of the Historical and Museum Commission's
grant program, and I'm pleased that the commission's peer review panel
selected local organizations for recognition and funding this year," said
Causer.

The commission's grant programs help to fund a broad range of historic
activities, which are supported by state appropriations each fiscal year.

"These museums do an excellent job of preserving and portraying the rich
history of the region," said Scarnati. "Certainly our area will continue to
benefit from these museums' valuable work."

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Rep
BRADFORD - Rep. Marty Causer (R-Turtlepoint) would like to invite all area
seniors and their families to his fourth annual Senior Expo on Friday, Aug.
18, at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Sports and Fitness Building
gymnasium.

The free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and lunch will be
provided.

"The vast amount of information available at the expo will provide area
seniors with answers to many of their health care questions," Causer said.
"I am hoping seniors and their families will take advantage of this
opportunity and come out this year to educate themselves on health care,
safety, nutrition, housing, recreational opportunities and much more."

State, county and local vendors will be on hand to distribute information
and answer seniors' questions. Among those scheduled to attend the expo are
the American Red Cross, Bradford Center of Diabetes and Nutrition Education,
City of Bradford police and fire departments, Pennsylvania Treasury Bureau
of Unclaimed Property, McKean County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program,
the McKean County Visiting Nurse Association, and the Hamot Medical Center.
Various free health screenings will also be available to seniors at the
expo.

Causer encouraged all seniors who cannot attend the expo in Bradford to
attend his second event at the Coudersport Consistory in Coudersport on
Wednesday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information on the senior expo in Bradford, contact Causer's
Bradford district office at (814) 362-4400. Information on the later event
in Coudersport is available by calling Causer's Coudersport office at (814)
274-9769.

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Come join us at Sizerville State Park as we explore the outdoors. The
following programs will be offered this week:

Friday, August 18, 2006
8:30 PM SHADOW OF MISUNDERSTANDING - Join the park naturalist as we identify
Pennsylvania’s native snakes, ways to distinguish non-venomous and venomous
snakes from each other, the benefit of having snakes, and the vital role
they play in our environment.

Saturday, August 19, 2006

3:30 PM WILDTHINGS - Come out and visit Sizerville State Park. Relax, cool
off and take a dip in the pool. At 3:30 p.m., during the adult swim, ages 18
and up, meet the Park Naturalist at the Environmental Education Building,
across the parking lot from the pool, and investigate what animals live
right here in the Park. We will be searching for salamanders, frogs, toads,
butterflies and more! If you are interested in participating in the program,
bring shoes, bug spray, sunscreen lotion and water. We will be hiking
through sunny fields, or in the woods.

8:30 PM EXPLORING THE PLANETS – Do you know which planet is home to the
largest mountain in the entire solar system? Or which planet revolves around
the sun faster than other planet in the solar system? Answer these questions
and so much more as we explore the planets.

Sunday, August 20, 2006
11:00 AM TRACKS AND TRACES, MORNING HIKE - Many times the only signs of
wildlife we ever see are the traces they leave behind…tracks, scat, etc.
Join the park naturalist for a short hike and learn how to identify some
common tracks, traces and discuss outdoor ethics. Meet the naturalist at the
Campground Amphitheater. Mosquitoes and other biting bugs are abundant, so
remember to bring your bug spray. Additionally, we suggest that you would
wear long pants.

If the weather is NOT cooperating, evening programs will be held in the
Environmental Education Building (across the road from the park office).
Dress accordingly for the weather; Sizerville can be damp and chilly, even
through the duration of the summer. Insect repellant is also recommended.

Beginning Tuesday, August 22nd through Friday, August 25th, and Monday,
August

28th through Friday, September 1st, the Sizerville Pool will be closed due
to the

lifeguards returning to school and work. The pool will be open on Saturday
and

Sunday, August 26th and 27th and Saturday, Sunday and Monday, September 2nd,
3rd

and 4th from 12 noon until 6pm each day, weather permitting.

The pool will close for the season at 6pm on Monday, September 4th,
2006. The

concession stand hours will be the same as listed above. If you have any
further

questions, please call the park office at (814) 486-5605.

RepHARRISBURG - Rep. Marty Causer (R-Turtlepoint) encourages local senior
centers to apply for $4 million worth of grants now available to help senior
centers improve their facilities and services.
The Senior Community Center Grant Program is administered by the Department
of Aging and is designed to support and enhance the role of senior community
centers in the continuum of aging services.

Grant applications will be accepted until Sept. 22, 2006. To expedite the
awards, money will be granted to centers on a rolling basis.

Grants awarded to senior centers will be divided into two categories:
capital assistance projects and the capacity building projects. Assistance
projects will receive up to $200,000 toward renovations, repairs, equipment,
furnishings or acquisition of land or facilities and construction, while
building projects will receive up to $10,000 to help pay for administration,
fundraising or help in growing the programs and services offered at senior
centers.

Last year's state budget, for 2005-06, included $3 million in funding for
senior centers. These funds though were later vetoed by the governor. Since
the governor's 2006-07 budget proposal did not include the needed funding
for senior centers, the legislature fought to appropriate the $4 million in
the current state budget. As some senior centers closed for lack of funding
last year, these grants will help support senior centers located throughout
Pennsylvania that provide major benefits to the state's older residents.

Senior centers that want to apply can visit Causer's Web site at
www.RepCauser.com for more information and to download a grant application.

Senior centers with questions about the grant process should contact the
Department of Aging at 717-783-6207 and ask to speak with someone from the
Division of Consumer Community Support Services.

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Governor Edward G. Rendell announced last week an additional $2.7 million in Growing Greener II investments to clean state waterways and reclaim mine-scarred lands. Some of that money is coming local:

CAMERON COUNTYAllegheny Enterprises Inc. - $32,078 to address ongoing abandoned mine discharges that are currently degrading the Sinnemahoning Creek.

McKEAN COUNTYBouquin Property, Foster Township - $537,311 to plug 90 abandoned oil wells some of which are leaking oil, eliminating environmental, health and safety problems.

News Advisory
WHAT: Area seniors will have the opportunity to gather a variety of useful
information on programs and services at Causer's fourth annual senior expo.

WHO: Rep. Marty Causer, representatives of various state and local agencies
and organizations.

WHEN: Aug. 18, 2006.

TIME: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Sports and Fitness Building
gymnasium.

The Department of Environmental Protection has issued a notice of violation
to Norfolk Southern in the aftermath of a June 30 McKean County train
derailment and sodium hydroxide spill that caused severe pollution of
Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek.
“This citation reflects the reality that the waters of Sinnemahoning-Portage
Creek and the aquatic life that existed there were devastated as a
consequence of the spill,” DEP Northwest Regional Director Kelly Burch said.
“Pennsylvania’s tough environmental laws give us the ability we need to hold
parties accountable when there are incidents such as this, and we do plan to
hold Norfolk Southern accountable.”

An NOV is a formal notice to the company that its actions violated numerous
state environmental regulations. Under state law, the company could be
subject to penalties of up to $35,000 per day, starting from the date of the
original spill and continuing until the violations cease.

The NOV cites the railroad for the ongoing discharge of pollution and
encroachments into commonwealth waters, the unpermitted disposal of wastes,
and release of hazardous substances.

About 44,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda or lye,
spilled when 28 Norfolk Southern railroad cars derailed. Some of the sodium
hydroxide entered Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek and wiped out aquatic life and
fish from the accident site near the McKean County village of Gardeau to a
point 7.5 miles downstream at the mouth of Fourmile Run near Emporium in
Cameron County.

Assessments of the Driftwood Branch, below its confluence with
Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek, showed a lesser impact to the number of aquatic
insects.

An unknown amount of sodium hydroxide also soaked into the ground in and
around the derailment site, and this residual material must be addressed to
ensure a complete recovery of Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek.

Norfolk Southern consultants began work last week to install monitoring
wells for groundwater sampling and borings for soil sampling as part of the
site assessment plan to determine the depth and breadth of contamination.
More equipment will be brought on site this week to continue that work.

The sodium hydroxide raised the pH of the water in Sinnemahoning-Portage
Creek to a level that devastated aquatic life and fish. The pH is a
measurement for determining levels of acidity and alkalinity, with higher
levels signaling alkalinity.

As a temporary measure, Norfolk Southern is applying a citric acid solution
at the spill site to neutralize the pH of the sodium hydroxide still
leaching from the soil into the stream. This effort has resulted in normal
pH readings in Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek. As a result, DEP advises
avoiding the section of the creek from the mouth of Big Fill Run to a point
1,000 feet downstream.

“We continue to review other sections of the Norfolk Southern site
assessment plan, including those dealing with schedule of work and
conceptual site restoration,” Burch said. “We have advised Norfolk Southern
that the department will soon set an enforceable schedule for implementing
the actions described in the assessment plan and ultimate final restoration
plan.”

DEP has made its public files relating to the train derailment available for
review at the Cameron County Courthouse for the convenience of residents
living in McKean and Cameron counties.

The Cameron County Conservation District is housing the document repository
at its office in Room 105 of the courthouse, 20 E. Fifth St., Emporium.
Residents should contact Jan Hampton at 814-486-9353 or via e-mail at
ccconservation@cameroncountypa.com to arrange an appointment for a file
review.

A Route 6 crash took out the electricty. According to State Troopers, a pickup truck crashed into a utility pole and a fence at the Smethport Motel and Drive In.

High school seniors in McKean County drink, smoke and use more drugs than in past years - and more than their peers nationwide, according to a 2005 survey conducted through The Guidance Center and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

Read the Complete Article in the Bradford Era Online.

The McKean County Fair kicks off today, August 14 . Weigh-ins for 4-H livestock starts at noon, with judging at 1. A pet show will be at 1 o'clock. The fair parade and queen crowning starts at 7 tonight.

A few old oil wells kicked back some oil August 9, spilling hundreds of gallons of crude oil. According to WESB Radio, the wells were about 30 feet from the Allegheny River in Venango County.

The cleanup work started Thursday, and crews are still working on placing absorbent pads along the water to soak up any oil that went in the river.

Four houses on Kennedy Street destroyed by fire Thursday - Bradford Era Article
Four homes were destroyed by fire early Thursday morning on Kennedy Street, leaving 11 people homeless and nearly an entire city block decimated.
Red Cross seeks funds to assist families displaced by fire - Bradford Era Article
The fire Thursday that destroyed four houses on Kennedy Street and left 11 people homeless couldn't have come at a worse time, not only for the families affected, by also for the local chapter of the American Red Cross.

MEADVILLE -- The Department of Environmental Protection has approved a
permit for the addition of a railroad siding and an increase in waste volume
for Rustick LLC’s McKean County Landfill in Sergeant Township, McKean
County.
The permit modification grants Rutick the approval to increase the facility’
s average daily volume from 1,000- to 1,500-tons-a-day and to change the
landfill’s maximum daily volume from 1,000- to 1,800-tons-a-day.

“As the result of an environmental assessment and our study of the
engineering and technical aspects of the project, DEP has determined that
Rustik’s expansion project meets the commonwealth’s standards for municipal
waste facilities,” DEP Regional Director Kelly Burch said.

During the permitting process, landfill operators must demonstrate that
proposed landfill construction or expansion projects would generate social
and economic benefits that clearly outweigh potential environmental harms.
This environmental assessment, commonly called a harms-benefits test, is the
initial screening mechanism before a full technical review.

During the technical review stage, DEP studies the engineering and technical
features of the application to ensure that the plans meet the department’s
stringent regulations for landfill design and construction.

For further information, visit the department’s Web site at
www.dep.state.pa.us, Keyword: “Waste Management”.

After decades of neglecting the tourism potential of 2.1 million acres of public land and surrounding towns in 12 primarily rural, naturally spectacular, northern tier counties, the state plans to spend almost $200 million dollars to promote it.
Branded Pennsylvania Wilds by state marketers, the project focuses on a swath of rolling woodlands that blankets the Allegheny Plateau and drapes in lush folds across the Appalachians. It's a landscape where the state's bulging elk herd, tallest trees, grandest canyon, wildest woodlands and darkest skies can be found.
It's also a sparsely populated area where the political landscape is decidedly conservative, historically short on cooperation between the counties and long on distrust for any government not populated by neighbors. And a cyclical economy defined by natural resource extraction -- logging, wood products production, oil and natural gas drilling and mining -- has helped foster an underlying tension between development interests and conservationists. Read the Complete Story in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.

According to WQRM Radio, A Smethport man was flown out August 6 to an out of town hopital. The report indicates that the man was feeding his dogs when he heard a tree snap. Apparently he was injured by the falling tree, and had to be shipped out to another hospital.

The man's name has not been released.

Former Beacon Light employee Janel (Roller) Riel has filed suit against Beacon Light Behavioral Health Systems.

Riel was involved in a swimming accident at Heffner Resevoir in May of 2004 when Dustin Dembinski drowned. She was terminated after the drowning.

Riel is asking for over 25 thousand dollars in response to her loss of income, and inability to obtain work.

By JUDITH O. ETZEL
Their pricing structure mirrors the high volatility of crude oil in the market.
As international crude oil prices soared Monday, the birthplace of the petroleum industry tagged right along on the money spree. Read the Complete Story in the Oil City Derrick Online.

A Rixford man implicated in several Eldred Burglaries waived his case to county court this week. 18 year old Jess Schneideris accused of collaborating with his roommate, Francis Yeaples to break into the Otto-Eldred Elementary School, the Eldred Tasty-Snax, and JT's Tavern. The pair are in jail, awaiting further charges that they broke into the Otto-Eldred High School, and the Otto Township Recreation Park and Pool.

37 year old Michael Songer of Port Allegany has waived his case to court. He is accused of stealing more than 25 hundred dollars from the Port Allegany American Legion and VFW while working there as a bartender and manager. He's free on 3 thousand unsecured bail.

Te 36th annual Swedish Festical in Mount Jewett will kick off this weekend.

A large Viking ship (with vikings) is set to be the main event. the half size ship will be set up on Main and Center Streets all three days. The theme this year, according to event chair Beth Carpenter is "A Ship, A Dream, A Land of Vikings"

The Swedish Festival kicks off with opening ceremonies Friday at 6.

According to Foster Township Police, a Smethport man is facing charges of rape.

32 year old James Faulkner was charged after a parent called police. Faulkner allegedly met at 16 year old girl on August 2 at Burger King in Foster Township, and then assaulted her behind the Bradford Mall.
Faulkner is in jail in lieu of 10 thousand dollars bail. Preliminary Hearings are set for August 23.

Port Allegany was the location of a burglary over the weekend. State Police report someone broke into D and D Stone on Route 6 sometime between Friday afternoon and Sunday afternoon.

According to reports, a propane torch, a volt meter, and a fire extinguisher were stolen.

Smoke bombs were also found at the scene.

The Benton Place Project in Port Allegany was given approval by the McKean County PLanning Commission. Developer William Burleson plans to put a parking lot and a Dollar General Store on his property on Benton PLace. The DEP approved the project, and Borough Council has voiced no objections this time around.

A year and a half od negotiations are over, thanks to a contract deal between the Bradford Area School District and the Bradford Area Education Association.
Teachers accepted the fact finding report, though both parties reportedly had to make concessions, in many ways, it was mutually beneficial. The contract is set until 2009.

The Bradford Era reports that US Senator Rick Santorum and PA Governor Hopeful Lynn Swann will be in the area Friday and Saturday.

Former Pittsburgh Steeler Lynn Swann is set to stop in Coudersport early Friday Morning, and then he will be touring Zippo at about 10:30. Santorum will be visiting Beacon Light Behavioral Health at 8 AM. He'll visit Coudersport Saturday afternoon.

Lewis Run's Borough Council's regular meeting Tuesday Night was tide up over water issues again.

One resident wants to know if McCourt Label or Control Chief is to blame for the water problems, and wonders if they will have to pay it.

Chairman Frank Langianese says McCourt has made an agreement with the State DEP to pay a settlement. McCourt still contests that they did not contaminate the well.

The Bradford City Water Authority will begin securing up to 5 million in bonds for it's current projects. The Marilla Dam will cost an addition 3 million bucks. A new centrifuge system is set to be installed at the water treatment plant, with a price tag of up to 1.5 million.

The authority will use a Pittsburgh firm to seek out the best deals for bonds.

American Refining Group is set to appear on the Pennsylvania Cable Network August 13.

PCN was in Bradford to tour the facility in July. ARG is getting ready to celebrate 125 years of refining oil. It's the oldest continuously operating refinery in the country.

Rep
BRADFORD - Volunteer emergency response organizations in Cameron, McKean and
Potter counties have been awarded nearly $270,000 in grants from the state,
Rep. Marty Causer (R-Turtlepoint) announced today.

"This is great news for each and every one of us living in Northwest
Pennsylvania because these grants will help our dedicated volunteers
continue their mission of providing public safety in our communities,"
Causer said. "As a volunteer emergency responder myself, I understand the
challenges these men and women face, and I commend them for their
outstanding hard work and dedication."

The funding for the grants comes from a $25 million grant program
administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of
the State Fire Commissioner.

The grant money may be used for construction or renovation of a fire or
ambulance company facility, to purchase or repair equipment, to provide
training, or to reduce existing debt.

The following is a list of local fire and ambulance companies and the amount
of their grant awards:

Cameron County

a.. Bucktail Volunteer Fire Department, Driftwood - $9,500.
b.. Emporium Fire Department Inc., Emporium - $9,500.
c.. Sinnamahoning Volunteer Fire and Ambulance - $9,500.

McKean County

a.. Eldred Borough Volunteer Fire Department Inc., Eldred - $9,500.
b.. Hilltop Volunteer Fire Department Inc., Cyclone - $9,796.80.
c.. Port Area Ambulance Service Inc., Port Allegany - $5,496.49.

(MORE)

Page 2 - Fire and Ambulance Grants

a.. Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department, Bradford - $12,339.
b.. Corydon Township Volunteer Fire Department, Bradford - $9,814.87.
c.. Derrick City Volunteer Fire Department, Derrick City - $9,500.
d.. Eldred Township Volunteer Fire Department of McKean County Inc.,
Eldred - $9,814.87.
e.. Lewis Run Volunteer Fire Department, Lewis Run - $10,129.74.
f.. Mt. Jewett Fire Department, Mt. Jewett - $9,814.87.
g.. Mt. Jewett Area Ambulance Association, Mt. Jewett - $4,622.55.
h.. Otto Township Volunteer Fire Company, Duke Center - $9,500.
i.. Port Allegany Fire Department-Star Hose, Port Allegany - $12,653.87.
j.. Rew Volunteer Fire Department, Rew - $9,500.
k.. Smethport Fire Department Inc., Smethport - $7,500.

Potter County

a.. Austin Volunteer Fire Company Inc., Austin - $5,496.49 for EMS
operations; $9,500 for fire company operations.
b.. Coudersport Volunteer Ambulance Association, Coudersport - $5,496.49.
c.. Gale Hose Company No. 1 Inc., Galeton - $5,469.01.
d.. Genesee Township Volunteer Fire Department, Genesee - $5,496.49 for
EMS operations; $9,500 for fire company operations.
e.. Kettle Creek Ambulance Association, Cross Fork - $5,221.67.
f.. Tri-Town Volunteer Ambulance Association, Ulysses - $5,496.49.
g.. Germania Fire Company, Galeton - $9,500.
h.. Goodyear Hose Company No. 1 Inc., Galeton - $9,500.
i.. Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Company, Harrison Valley - $9,500.
j.. Kettle Creek Hose Company No. 1, Cross Fork - $9,500.
k.. Shinglehouse Volunteer Fire Company, Shinglehouse - $9,500.
l.. Tri-Town Fire Company, Ulysses - $9,500.

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Smethport High Students will be paying more for lunch this year.

According to WQRM Radio, in Smethport, High School Lunches will bump up to
$1.40, and elementary students will pay $ 1.30.

Business Manager Sue Jordan says the increase will pull in more than 4
thousand dollars in new income this year.

Two local fairs are set to recieve money from the 4.4 million dollars
Pennsylvania Fair Fund. The Potter County Fair, which starts next week, will
recive a little over one thousand dollars to replace the dining hall septic
system.

The McKean County fair will recieve almost 12 hundred to cement the
livestock complex.

It's fair time!

(take your pictures of any local fair or carnival and email them to us at
editor@rouletterebel.com)

According to police, 26 year old Kevin Barber is in jail after his alleged
involvement in a Liberty Township break in, and three other possible home
break-ins since last week.

He's in jail, awaiting 25 thousand dollars bail.

The DA's in both Cameron and McKean counties are investigating the train
derailment that flooded the Gardeau area with sodium hydroxide, and then
completely cleared out a local creek of aquatic life for 15 miles or more.

McKean County District Attorney John Pavlock told the Bradford Era, "we are
opening a file as far as gathering information. We're looking to determine
if we need to be involved or if we don't need to be involved. Nobody should
read into that that we are or aren't going to take any certain action, just
that we're going to gather information so we can get the complete picture.
Once we get all the information, we'll take a thorough look at it."

Other reports indicate that Norfolk Southern Railroad has cited the train
divers for the accident.