Top Ten Stores of 2014

    It is hard to imagine a more beautiful place to call home, this little slice of heaven in the north central Pennsylvania mountains. While we have had our fair share of hardships over the past twelve months, there have been stories of progress, improvement and community that continue to prove that Cameron County […]

CCHS Band Returns From Pearl Harbor Performance

    Members of the Cameron County High School Band recently returned from a trip to Honolulu, Hawaii which has been described as “amazing” and “life-changing” by attendees. “It was a great trip; it went very well,” said CCHS Band Director Dan Sensenig. “The kids were wonderful, and they met and exceeded our expectations by […]

Push For Funding Students, Not Districts, At State Level

          by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor A renewed push for a formula that would fund public schools per student rather than maintaining prior levels of state money is circulating in Harrisburg. A recent release by the Commonwealth Foundation shows a huge disparity in funding between growing and shrinking school districts, […]

Christmas in the Wilds Big Success

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Christmas in the Wilds was held this past weekend in Emporium, and crowds flocked to visit stores, restaurants and attractions in town as part of the event. A first this year was the House Decorating Competition, with prizes given to the first, second and third place winners. […]

Christmas Bird Count In Emporium

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Cameron County Birders will participate in the 115th annual Christmas Bird Count, organized by the Audubon Society this Sunday, December 21. The Audubon Society count is the longest running Citizen Science survey in the world, providing critical data on population trends for a wide variety of bird […]

County Community Chest Off To Great Start

    We are ten weeks into the 2015 Community Chest fund drive.  We have had a great start.  Through Dec. 8th, we collected $9,354 toward our $21,500 goal.  Thanks to all who have contributed.  This drive will run through September 30, 2015. Watch for our monthly updates.  Each month we will feature a write-up […]

Drug Related Charges Filed Against Boyer

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Charges have been filed against a Cameron County resident found to be in possession of multiple drug-related items and paraphernalia during a search by Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). Gary Paul Boyer, age 59, of Mulhollan Drive in Shippen Township, has been charged with one felony count each […]

Holiday Open House at Sinnemahoning State Park

    Sinnemahoning State Park kicks off the month of December with a “Holiday Open House” event. On Saturday, December 6th, Sinnemahoning State Park will host a “Holiday Open House” from noon to 4 p.m. in the Park Office and Wildlife Center. The Holiday Open House presents an opportunity for the community to view the […]

Bomb Threat Clears St. Marys Walmart On Black Friday

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Shoppers were ousted from the St. Marys Walmart Supercenter due to a bomb threat phoned in at the height of Black Friday activities. Ridgway-based Pennsylvania State Police have confirmed that an unidentified caller contacted the store at around 1:55 p.m. on Friday, prompting officials to clear the […]

Chances For Denton Hill Ski Area Reopening Looking Better

    Chances for Potter County’s Denton Hill Ski Area reopening are looking better, following a recent announcement by officials, and members of Denton’s Ski Patrol, who have renewed their certifications in anticipation of the season. According to Potter County Commissioner Susan Kefover, an independent contractor, Aramark, known for working with a wide range of […]

Substitute Teacher Under Investigation

  Alleged To Possess Lewd Photos of Minors   A tip from a student has led to an investigation into an employee of the Cameron County School District suspected of paying for lewd photographs of minors. Jon Raymond Serianni, age 40, of 71 Mountain View Road, was discovered to have paid for at least 190 […]

Search Warrant Uncovers Illegal Substances

    A search warrant served at a Shippen Township address last week uncovered multiple drug-related items and paraphernalia. A warrant for the residence of Gary P. Boyer, 260 Mulhollan Drive in Shippen Township, Cameron County, was served by Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Troopers on November 12.  

School Board Seeking Dean of Students

    Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor Members of the Cameron County School District (CCSD) Board of Directors voted to advertise internally for the position of Dean of Students and Academic Affairs. Superintendent Christine Holjencin stated that she would like to see the chosen candidate in the position by the beginning of the second semester. […]

Toy Drive Helps Make Season Bright

    Sign-ups are being held this week for the annual Toy Drive sponsored by the Cameron County Salvation Army. Parents can visit the Presbyterian Church on East Fourth Street in Emporium on Wednesday, November 19 from noon until 4 p.m. to sign their children up to receive Christmas gifts this year.    

Veterans Honored For Their Service

    Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor A full day of ceremonies in honor of past and present service members was held on Veterans Day through the cooperation of a number of Cameron County organizations. A formal ceremony was held at the Cameron County High School beginning at 9 a.m., followed by brief memorial services […]

Funding Coming To Complete Rail Trail

    A Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) Grant has been pledged to help continue work on a local recreational trail to connect Emporium to St. Marys. The West Creek Recreational Trail Association (WCRTA) received word recently that a $150,000 grant has been approved for completion of the western section, also known as Phase II, of […]

AST Receives GM Excellence Award

    American Sintered Technologies (AST), Inc., an Emporium-based company, has received a major award from General Motors (GM) for excellence in quality automotive parts. “Our management team is very grateful and appreciative of the hard work of our employees for creating quality parts to deliver to all our suppliers, especially GM,” stated Quality Assurance […]

Memorial Angels Selling Out Quickly

    Amanda Jones, Echo News Editor A project to benefit the Guy & Mary Felt Manor Living Auxiliary has really taken off, with all proceeds to benefit the facility’s residents this Christmas. “It’s been an amazing project,” stated Felt Manor Activities Director Pat Kempher. “We knew it would be popular, but we had no […]

County Commissioners Award Dam Siren Bid

    Amanda Jones Echo News Editor  Cameron County Commissioners awarded a bid for the George B. Stevenson Dam Project to install emergency warning sirens in areas of concern if the dam were to break. Two bids were received, but only one met bid specifications released to interested contractors. The bid was awarded to Federal […]

County Voter Turnout Higher Than Expected

    Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor While much of the country favored the Republican Party during last week’s election, Pennsylvania will be led by a Democrat. Governor Tom Corbett (R-PA) gave his concession speech on Tuesday night at the Omni Hotel in Pittsburgh within hours of the polls closing at 8 p.m. Fox News […]

Emporium Police Continue Designer Drug Arrests

    Echo News Editor Several new arrests have been made for use and possession of Designer Drugs in Emporium, and charges have been announced in arrests stemming from an incident last month. Following a July 20 incident in the Emporium Borough, Richard Olivett, Jr., age 35, was charged with misdemeanor counts of possession of […]

Misconduct Allegations Against Councilman Determined Unfounded

    Allegations of misconduct lodged against a council member during last month’s meeting were determined to be unfounded. Borough Manager Don Reed stated that an internal investigation was conducted and it was determined that there was no misconduct by council member Pat Garrigan. All costs to the borough have been compensated in full back […]

County’s Unemployment Rate at 6.8%

        Employment in the United States continues to improve as unemployment numbers crept closer to pre-recession levels in the latest data released this week by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Cameron County’s unemployment rate for September is shown at 6.8%. The recorded rate for December of 2007, the pre-recession numbers used for […]

No Ski Denton This Winter

        by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor A popular local skiing area will be closed throughout this season, though plans are in the works to reopen the slopes in future seasons. Ski Denton, the skiing portion of operations at Denton Hill State Park in nearby Potter County, will not be open this […]

Judicial Sale Results Changing the Look of Cameron County

    Amanda Jones Echo News Editor  A number of properties sold during the Judicial Tax Sale held this spring are slated for demolition, or have already been razed. Improvement work is being done on other purchased properties throughout the county. At Thursday’s meeting of the Cameron County School District’s Board of Directors, approval was […]

Nineteen Finish 50K Sinnemahone Ultra Marathon

    The second annual Sinnemahone UItra Marathon was held this Saturday, October 18. The race began at 7:30 a.m. on the West Creek Rail Trail at the corner of Broad and Third streets. Racers headed east through the borough and past the caboose on the east end, before heading across Route 120 into Shippen […]

Taxpayers Question Need For Additional School Principal

  Members of the Cameron County School District Board of Directors heard concerns from several parents, discussed and made changes to a number of policies and voted to approve the sale of three properties currently held in the county repository at their regular meeting held Thursday evening. The meeting did not begin until nearly 7:30 […]

Emporium To Celebrate 150th Anniversary

    The 150th Anniversary of Emporium’s Incorporation as a Borough and Cameron’s County Seat will be celebrated this Thursday and Friday at the Cameron County Vets Club located at 427 East Third Street. Thursday evening’s event, being held from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., is by invitation and reservation only, but the same displays […]

Borough Police Chief Resigns

    by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor Members of the Emporium Borough Council will meet in two weeks to seek a replacement for Emporium Borough Police Chief Matt Siple, who resigned this week. Siple served as Chief of Police for less than a year prior to tendering his resignation, though he had served as […]

Emporium Boro Police Dept. Victim of Theft

    A press release has been issued concerning an investigation of theft at the Emporium Borough Police Department. According to the statement released by Emporium-based Pennsylvania State Police, troopers are investigating an incident of theft from the borough police station, located in the basement of the Emporium Borough Building on North Broad Street.   […]

Sinnemahone 50K Saturday

    Nearly sixty participants have registered for the Sinnemahone 50K Ultra Marathon Trail Run, which will be held this Saturday, October 18 beginning along the West Creek Rail Trail in Emporium. Along with the race and the flea market, musical acts and food vendors that will be set up along Broad Street all day […]

Shippen Approves County’s Bid For Route 155 Property

    by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor Shippen Township Supervisors voted to remove another hurdle in the demolition of a former business property in Prospect Park during their regular meeting held last Tuesday. Supervisors approved a bid placed by Cameron County Commissioners for purchase of the former Furniture for Less store on Route 155 […]

STEM Presentation Given at Rotary

    Members of the Emporium Rotary Club heard a presentation from employees with the Austin Area School District concerning new STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) curriculum and initiatives being implemented. Superintendent Jerry Sasala, who taught at Cameron County for more than 30 years before taking an administrative position in Austin, discussed many of […]

Thomas Glover

  (1927-2014) Thomas R. “Pap” Glover, 87, a lifelong resident of Costello, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Sunday (Sept. 28 2014) after a long illness.    

First Fork Festival Saturday

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor The second annual First Fork Festival will be held at Sinnemahoning State Park on Route 872 from noon until five p.m. on Saturday, October 11. The event highlights local authors and artisans and the history and culture of the First Fork Valley amidst a backdrop of spectacular […]

Three Drug Arrests Made By Boro Police

    A press release from the Emporium Borough Police Department (EBPD) lists several arrests made in the past two weeks within the borough. On Thursday, October 2, EPBD was called to assist an agent with the State Probation and Parole Department who was making a home visit.      

Three Judicial Tax Sale Properties Awaiting Bid Approval

    A proclamation was made by the Cameron County Commissioners in recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Marsha Dippold, director of employment support with Dickinson Center attended the meeting to discuss the proclamation, and announce a disability awareness event being held at Dickinson next Thursday.      

Grant Money Coming To Benefit Local Projects

    The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts recently announced that more than $25,000 will be doled out to organizations working in the seven-county region covered by the Elk County Council on the Arts. The awarded grants will support arts activities within Cameron, Clarion, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, McKean and Potter counties in the coming year. […]

Resident Lodges Complaint Against Boro Councilman

Resident Lodges Complaint Against Boro Councilman   An Emporium resident lodged allegations of misuse of public assets against a member of the borough’s council during a regular meeting held on Monday night. Emporium resident Alvin Lyon accused Councilman Patrick Garrigan of having borough employees use borough equipment to unload his firewood and store it in […]

Continuing the Push for State Land Tax Equity

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Commissioners from rural Pennsylvania counties are continuing their push for tax equity when it comes to state-owned land. County Commissioners representing Cameron, Potter and Tioga counties are heading the State Land Tax Equity Committee in support of two tax relief measures that would have a significant beneficial […]

Sports Hall of Fame Charter Class Inducted

    by Rich Summers The Emporium Hometown Mentors held the inaugural Sports Hall of Fame induction at the Cameron County High School auditorium on Saturday night. During the event, hosted by Dave LaBrozzi, fifteen CCHS Alumni were honored. After Ken Ostrum led the audience in the singing of the National Anthem, longtime school nurse […]

Chamber To Make BBQ Competition Annual Event

    Cameron County’s first annual All Fired Up and Kicking Ash BBQ Competition drew large crowds to Fourth Street on Saturday afternoon. Four competitors set up their grills and smokers on Friday night in preparation for the all-day Saturday event, which coincided with Homecoming Weekend festivities.      

Be Careful What You Put On Facebook

    Information on Facebook can be easily accessed by friends and family, but also by criminals and law enforcement officials, as is evidenced by a recent investigation in Cameron County. Recently, a home on Route 120 that is owned by an Emporium man was left unoccupied while the owner was out of town.  

Local Job Numbers

    Cameron County slid out of the top spot for unemployment rates in Pennsylvania, now tied for fourth with Monroe County at a rate of 7.1%, appearing below Philadelphia, Forest and Huntingdon counties. The most recent PA Fast Facts report, released on September 26, shows that Pennsylvania’s rate for July 2014 was 5.7%.  

Autumn Festival Saturday

    Come and join us at Sizerville State Park to take an unforgettable trip back in time and reminisce about the simple life. On Saturday, October 4th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sizerville State Park will be celebrating its 24th Annual Autumn Festival.  

Inaugural Sports Hall Of Fame Inductions This Weekend

    Cameron County Hometown Sports Hall of Fame’s first class of inductees will be inaugurated this Saturday, September 27. The Hall of Fame is being sponsored by the Hometown Mentors organization. Events begin Friday night, when many of the 15 inductees will ride in the Area Transportation Authority (ATA) Trolley Car during the Homecoming […]

Fallen Airman’s Remains Laid To Rest

    by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor Ceremonies were held this weekend in honor of a local man killed while serving his country during the Korean War. “We strive to never leave a fallen comrade behind. It took 62 years, but Bill Turner is home,” stated Brigadier General Frank Sullivan, a native of Potter […]

Helzel Enters Guilty Plea

    A local man chose to avoid facing trial on charges of crimes against a child, instead accepting a negotiated plea arrangement that will see him evaluated by the sex offender board. Arthur Allen Helzel, age 35, formerly of Cameron County and New York State, pleaded guilty to one count of Indecent Deviate Sexual […]

Drug, DUI Charges Dominate Return Day

    Several defendants were sentenced for multiple violations during Cameron County Return Day proceedings held Tuesday in front of Judge Richard Masson. Jesse Michael Coffman, age 38, of 120 Garden Street in Emporium, was sentenced in one case, entered a guilty plea in a second and went through probation revocation proceedings involving an old […]

Commissioners Accept Zito Media Bid

    by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor During Wednesday’s meeting, the Cameron County Commissioners voted to accept the recommendation of MCM Consulting Group, Inc. on a provider for the new VOIP phone service at the courthouse. Three proposals were received, with the one submitted by Zito Media receiving approval due to its lower cost […]

Cameron County’s Fallen Korean War Airman Returns Home

    A two-county effort has been organized in order to honor a fallen community member. Air Force 1st Lieutenant William Turner was killed during the Korean War while on a flight from McChord Air Force Base in Washington to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska aboard a C-124 Globemaster cargo plane when it crashed […]

Cameron County Tech. Upgrades, Issues Complicate New School Year

    by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor A number of technology improvements within the Cameron County School District (CCSD) are upgrading and streamlining operations within the district, though problems have surfaced. Technology Director Dave Sullivan discussed facets of the new system that have been beneficial during the new school year, and updated the board […]

Cameron County School Board Updates, Changes Job Descriptions To Lower Costs

    by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor Approval was given for the new job descriptions for School Counselor positions. The school counselors will have added duties, including the High School Counselor taking over the position of Homeless Liaison; both counselors working with the Attendance Officer and implementing a Truancy Prevention Program; and other needed […]

Cameron County Commissioners Receive Gas Drilling and Well Permits

    Cameron County Commissioners announced several notifications received from companies working in the natural gas industry. Three notices were sent by Samson Energy for consumptive water use permits numbered NOI-2014-0314; NOI-2014-0308; and NOI-2014-0309.

Jurors Need Only Minutes To Find Chapman Guilty

    Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Jurors in Cameron County returned a speedy verdict in the retrial of a man who committed crimes against a child several years ago. Joseph William Chapman, age 31, formerly of Emporium, Austin and Coudersport, was found guilty of a first-degree Felony charge of Indecent Deviate Sexual Intercourse with […]

Shippen Township Grading Work Halfway Completed

    Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Shippen Township Supervisors announced that grading is currently being done on township roads, and projects are about halfway completed, according to Road Supervisor Garrett Ramsey. Ramsey also stated that they have received a lot of positive feedback from residents where work  has been completed. Additional grading work will […]

Borough Approves Agreement To Continue Water Withdrawal

    Members of the Emporium Borough Council approved an agreement with Keystone Clearwater Solutions for the continuation of water withdrawal operations from the Driftwood Branch from Caldwell Corporation property. For the next five months, Keystone can withdraw water between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., but must coordinate with Emporium Borough Police […]

Two Demolitions Expected In County

    Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Cameron County Commissioners approved submittal of a repository sale bid on two properties that went unsold at the recent Judicial Tax Sale. Bids were submitted on behalf of the County Commissioners, and must be approved by the municipality and school district before they can be accepted. Both structures, […]

Improvements Ongoing Within Cameron County

    A number of improvement projects in Cameron County are giving areas a much-needed face lift, while new construction is improving infrastructure and recreational/tourism opportunities. Resurfacing of the first section of the West Creek Rail Trail, running from the caboose on Emporium’s East End to St. Marys, is nearly completed. The second phase will […]

Emporium Historical Society Walking Tour Well Attended

    Amanda Jones Echo News Editor A Historical Walking Tour of Emporium held this past Saturday was well attended, with former residents coming from as far away as Buffalo, New York, and Seattle, Washington. The tour was sponsored by the Emporium Borough and hosted by the Cameron County Historical Society, and included about thirty […]

Cameron Co. Job Numbers

  Cameron County again reported a lower jobless rate in the most recently-released data available from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s Center for Workforce Information and Analysis. Rates calculated for the month of July show Cameron County down by a fraction of a percentage, from 7.3% in June to 7.1% in July.  

Additional Charge Filed Against Moate

    An additional charge will be added to the list of offenses against a local man, whose arrest led police to utilize a taser on a member of the man’s family. Magisterial District Judge Barry Brown determined that enough evidence existed for Emporium residents Veronica Moate, age 51, and her son, Jacob Moate, age […]

Research Hits Stone Wall

A stone wall that has long stood sentinel along East Fifth Street in the Emporium Borough is currently being rebuilt by a pair of local masonry workers. Mike and Joe Patton, who own Patton Building Company and specialized in carpentry and mason-work at Penn Tech in Williamsport, have toiled tirelessly to restore the wall to […]

School Board Whittles Away at Budget Gap

    by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor A workshop meeting of the Cameron County School District’s Board of Directors was changed to a special meeting in order for a number of measures to be approved in a timely manner. The main topic of discussion was continuing budget cuts required to bring the amount proposed […]

Several Hundred Flock To Sinnemahoning Snake Hunt

by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor More than 100 participants entered the Sinnemahoning Snake Hunt, held this past weekend and sponsored by the Keystone Reptile Club (KRC) and the Sinnemahoning Sportsmen’s Association (SSA). Several hundred spectators flocked to the grounds of the sportsmen’s club Saturday and Sunday, the beautiful weather bringing out scores of people […]

Four Judicial Sale Properties Back In County’s Hands

    by Amanda Jones  Cameron County Echo Cameron County Commissioners offered remarks on the recently-held Judicial Tax Sale, the first of its type to be held in the county in seventeen years. Commissioner Phil Jones presented information provided by County Solicitor E.W. Tompkins, stating that in total 18 properties were sold through the sale. […]

Cabin Kitchen Under New Management

    by Amanda Jones  Cameron County Echo Emporium’s own Cabin Kitchen and Bakery is under new ownership as of last week, and a number of changes are in the works for this iconic location. Jill Fryxell, a lifelong Cameron County resident, took over operation of the long-standing restaurant recently, and spoke to the Echo […]

Shippen Township Tables New Building Construction Discussion

    Shippen Township Supervisors discussed a number of proposed construction projects during their most recent meeting held on Tuesday evening. Talk of constructing a new Maintenance Building for the township was tabled until later this year as it would not be able to be started this season. Construction of a new building would take […]

Carnival Tickets

    The Cameron County Little League will have presale carnival tickets again this year. The carnival is June 16-21. This year tickets are available at Northwest Savings Bank (Sandy Bresslin), the Cameron County Little League field (Beth Newhouse), the Cameron County Courthouse (Staci Brown) and the Chamber office on 4th Street.  

Barr Takes Top Spot In Class of 2014

    Genna Kathleen Ruth Barr was named Valedictorian of the Cameron County High School Class of 2014 at Friday’s Commencement Excercises. Genna is the daughter of Eugene M. Barr Jr. and Bobbi Jo Barr.