Chapman Sentencing Postponed Again

    Sentencing of a man found guilty of sexual violence against a child by a Cameron County jury last year has been postponed again. Joseph William Chapman, age 31, formerly of Coudersport, Austin and Emporium, will now be sentenced on September 22 on charges of statutory sexual assault and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse (IDSI) […]

Storm Team Wins Buffalo Bills Tickets For Hard Work In Training

    The Cameron County Storm Football Team was recently awarded tickets to the Buffalo Bills preseason game after the Storm coaches were the first affiliated team to be Heads Up Football certified. The Storm team joined the Olean Area Youth Football League (OAYFL) prior to the beginning of this season. The OAYFL offers a […]

District Releases Enrollment Numbers

    The Cameron County School District (CCSD) has released its enrollment numbers following a Right-to-Know request filed by the Echo. Enrollment numbers are typically included in the Back-to-School section the week prior to the beginning of school, but the district did not have them ready in time for that publication.

School District Demolishes Adjacent Building

  by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor A building owned by the Cameron County School District (CCSD) and adjacent to the Cameron County High School (CCHS) is in the process of demolition. The building, a former home at 427 Woodland Avenue, was purchased in 2009 at a cost of more than $70,000. Board members have […]

Split Verdict In Moate Trial

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor A jury trial held last week for an Emporium woman charged with resisting arrest and aggravated assault ended in a split verdict. Veronica Ann Moate, age 52, of East Allegany Avenue in the Borough of Emporium, was found guilty by a jury of her peers of two […]

Police Investigating Two Harassment Incidents

    Officers in Emporium are investigating two incidents involving harassment charges. Valerie Hostler, age 35, of 2 East Second Street, Apartment #1 in Emporium, is charged with a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief and harassment charges stemming from an incident that occurred on the Fourth of July. Hostler is accused of damaging items worth […]

Commissioners Receive Numerous Natural Gas Exploration Notifications

    Cameron County Commissioners have been receiving a number of notifications related to natural gas exploration activities in the area. A notification was received from Rettew concerning the Clermont to Rich Valley pipeline being installed by (NFG) National Fuel Gas Midstream Clermont, LLC, which will run through Shippen Township in Cameron County and Norwich […]

Stephanic Found Guilty of Murder

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor A jury has convicted a St. Marys man of murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend, a former Emporium resident. Michael J. Stephanic, Jr., age 46, was found guilty of first degree murder by a jury in Elk County following a three-day trial and an hour […]

Driftwood Under Boil Water Advisory

    Customers of the Driftwood Borough Water System are being told to boil their water due to low flow attributed to high water turbidity. It is advised to boil all water used for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, making ice or washing dishes. Water should be brought to a rolling boil for one minute and […]

Commissioners Discuss Deteriorating Buildings

  Cameron County Commissioners discussed the deteriorating conditions of several buildings that used to house apartments and a Fourth Street business in Emporium.  The former Admit One video store and an adjacent storefront on Fourth Street and a former apartment building on Greenwood Avenue just behind that location have seen better days. On the apartment […]

Borough Dealing With Residents’ Complaints

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Members of the Emporium Borough Council are dealing with a number of complaints received from residents. One property in particular, located on the corner of Fifth Street and Woodland Avenue, has received a multitude of complaints, most specifically related to a number of free range chickens being […]

County Fair Well Attended This Year

    This year’s Cameron County Fair was well-attended, with events, food and exhibits for the entire family. “We just want to thank everyone in the community for their continued support. Without everyone coming to the fair, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do,” stated Cameron County Fair Director Pat Kempher. “The whole […]

County Fair Opens Sunday

    The Cameron County Fair will be held this week, beginning Sunday, August 2 and running through Saturday, August 8 at the Cameron County Fairgrounds on Route 46 just north of Emporium. This year’s fair theme is “Harvest the Fun.” This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Miss Cameron County Fair Queen competition, […]

Serianni Granted Continuance During Court Return Day

Several defendants appeared for Jury Call during Return Day proceedings last Tuesday at the Cameron County Courthouse. Jon Raymond Serianni, age 41, of Mountain View Road in Sylvan Heights in the Emporium area, was granted a continuance during proceedings. Serianni, a former substitute teacher at the Cameron County High School, is charged with seven felony […]

Rattlesnake Claims Victim In Elk County

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor  A visitor to Elk County died after being bitten by a rattlesnake at a campsite in Southern Elk County last weekend. The victim has been identified as Russell Davis, age 39, of New Sewickley Township in Beaver County, and leaves behind his parents, a brother, several nieces […]

Motorcycle Charity Ride Raises $$$ For Make-A-Wish

    A motorcycle charity ride and auction to benefit Dream Makers for Make-A-Wish was held on Saturday, July 12 and raised a significant amount of money for the chapter. This is the 18th annual charity ride held to benefit the Cameron and Potter county Chapter, and all funds raised at the event will be […]

Helzel Heads To Trial

    A Cameron County resident will be heading to trial on charges including Indecent Deviate Sexual Intercourse (IDSI) with a Child following jury selection held on Tuesday. Arthur A. Helzel, age 36, formerly of 12361 Route 120 in Shippen Township, was charged in early 2013 with IDSI, rape of a child, statutory sexual assault, […]

Dangerous Conditions Close Portion Of Spring St.

    by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor Members of the Emporium Borough Council met last Monday to discuss a road closure due to deterioration on the East End. Spring Street is closed from the top of the hill to Route 120/East Allegany Avenue because the roadway is separating in the center and breaking apart […]

Serious Game With a Funny Name:

  Pickleball Has Come To Emporium   If you have noticed groups of people and lots of activity on the parking lot of the Free Methodist Church as you drive down Fourth Street, you have witnessed the newest activity to come to Emporium.   Pickleball is here to stay. There were 16 people playing last […]

Driftwood Boro Water Rates To Increase

    by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor Customers served by the Driftwood Borough Water System will see rate increases following an engineering study that showed insufficient revenue being collected to maintain the system. Nittany Engineering and Associates of Centre Hall presented the results of a recent study during last week’s Driftwood Borough Council meeting. […]

Shippen Township Working To Repair Prospect Park Levee

    by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor Shippen Township Supervisors are working with the Cameron County Conservation District (CCCD) to repair a section of levee in Prospect Park that is quickly deteriorating. Tires and other debris used as fill when the levee system was constructed is now falling out of the levee, and much […]

Wild Weekend Was Bigger, Better Than Ever

    by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor This year’s Weekend in the Wilds event was bigger than ever, and offered activities, food and fun for the entire family. The event kicked off Friday night with the ever-popular Pie and Ice Cream Social at the First Presbyterian Church on Fourth Street, featuring Penn State Creamery […]

County Commissioners Review Borough, Shippen Levee Project Notifications

    by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor Several notifications have been received by the Cameron County Commissioners concerning flood mitigation and control projects in Emporium and natural gas development activities. Last week, commissioners received notice that the Borough of Emporium has begun the process to apply for a Flood Mitigation Program Grant through the […]

School Funding Effected By State Budget Woes

    The Pennsylvania legislature and Governor Tom Wolf (D-PA) have been unable to reach an agreement on budget negotiations, and the state has been without a functioning budget since July 1. On Monday, it was announced that Wolf’s administration and top lawmakers from the state house and senate would meet to resume discussions on […]

School Board Votes To Raise Property Taxes

    by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor Members of the Cameron County School District Board of Directors met Wednesday evening to take action on two issues that went unresolved at their regularly scheduled meeting last week. During their last two meetings, members were unable to get a majority of members to agree on a […]

Charges Bound Over In Fatal Crash

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor The preliminary hearing in a case against an Austin woman charged with homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence (DUI) and related charges was held Thursday after several postponements. Katelyn Crosby-Wolfel, age 21, of Austin, is facing felony counts of homicide by vehicle and aggravated assault along […]

Weekend in the Wilds Kicks Off Friday Evening

    by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor This weekend, Cameron County will host the annual Weekend in the Wilds event, featuring artwork, music, food, fireworks and activities for children and adults. Weekend in the Wilds kicks off on Friday, July 3 beginning with a Pie and Ice Cream Social at the First Presbyterian Church […]

Driftwood Boro Water Customers Meeting

    The Driftwood Borough Council is inviting all Driftwood Borough Water customers to a town hall meeting. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 6th at 7 p.m. and will be held at the Driftwood Borough building.  All Driftwood Borough water customers are encouraged to attend this informative meeting.  

Celinski Enters Guilty Plea

    A St. Marys man entered a guilty plea to a charge of burglary just prior to a scheduled jury trial at the Cameron County Courthouse on Monday. Richard D. Celinski, Jr., age 41 of St. Marys, was charged with felony counts of burglary and theft by unlawful taking along with a misdemeanor count […]

School Board Unable To Agree On Tax Millage Rate

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor The Cameron County School District Board of Directors was unable to pass a tax millage rate during their regular meeting held on Thursday evening. Despite voting four times on various rates, the board was unable to come to a consensus. Only seven members were present for the […]

Plea Hearings, Probation Revocations Heard at County Court Return Day

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Several plea hearings and probation revocations were held during Return Day at the Cameron County Courthouse on Tuesday. Calvin Lane III,  age 42 of Driftwood, was re-sentenced on charges of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance following  a stint in jail for violation […]

Commissioners Updated On Progress of New 911 System

    Cameron County Commissioners heard a presentation by a representative of MCM Consulting on the progress of the regional 911 system and updates on the efforts to pass a house bill that would provide more revenue to local 911 funding. MCM President and CEO Mike McGrady emphasized cost savings and enhanced capabilities available through […]

Unemployment Rate In County at 7%

    According to the most recent job number postings, Cameron County’s unemployment rate is now 7.0%, much closer to levels prior to the start of the recession in 2007 than they have been in the past few years. At the height of the recession, in June of 2009, the rate was 18.7%. Prior to […]

Larger Share of Impact Fees Coming To County, Municipalities

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Cameron County and municipalities within its borders will be receiving a larger share of Impact Fees from unconventional well drilling through Act 13 this year. Cameron County is expected to receive $233,310.86 this year, up significantly from last year’s approximately $129,000 in funding.  

140 Hunters In This Year’s Snake Hunt

    The 2015 Sinnemahoning Snakehunt was held this past weekend at the Sinnemahoning Sportsmen’s Club (SSA). The annual hunt is sponsored by the Keystone Reptile Club (KRC) and the SSA, and draws hundreds of people to the scenic grounds of the club to watch snakes being weighed and measured, visit snakes during the “Kids’ […]

BWA Helps Landowners Test Water Quality

    The Bucktail Watershed Association has started a program to help local camp and landowners perform water quality testing on their favorite streams.  The BWA kicked off this program with presentations to the sixth, fifth and third graders at Woodland Elementary.  Students learned about watersheds, water quality, and how to test creek water along […]

Tree Trimming In Shippen Twp.

    Shippen Township Supervisors were notified of tree trimming activities that will be occurring within the township in the near future. West Penn Power notified the township that the company has hired Asplundh to perform tree trimming and removal, brush clearing and herbicide application on the West Creek Circuit in Shippen Township and the […]

New Items Headed To Little Museum

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor The Cameron County Historical Society received a number of new donations over the winter months that will be added to displays at the Little Museum in Sterling Run throughout the summer. A number of the items are from the former village of First Fork, near the site […]

Twenty Properties Sold At Judicial Sale

  by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor The 2015 Cameron County Judicial Sale was held on Thursday, with twenty properties included in the final sale list. The majority of the properties, twelve in total, were located in the Borough of Emporium. There were also two in Portage Township, five in Shippen Township and one in […]

Carnival Tickets On Sale

  The Cameron County Little League will be holding the carnival on Broad Street in Emporium from Monday, June 15th through Saturday, June 20th. There will be two matinees, one on Wednesday, June 17 and one on Saturday, June 20th, both start at 1 p.m. Price for the bracelet is $7.00.

Jones Attends State Land Tax Fairness Coalition Conference

  Cameron County Commissioner Phil Jones reported on his recent trip to Harrisburg to speak with legislators on behalf of the State Land Tax Fairness Coalition with Potter County Commissioner Paul Heimel and Clinton County Commissioner Pete Smeltz. “Everything went really well. The legislators really listened to us and talked to us. We had a […]

Drug Charges Filed After Traffic Stop

  Charges have been filed against a Cameron County man following a traffic stop in the Emporium Borough last week wherein he was discovered to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence (DUI). Gary Paul Boyer, age 59, of 260 Mulholland Drive in Shippen Township, has been charged with a felony […]

PSM BrownCo Nominee For Governor’s ImPAct Award

  An Emporium company was nominated for the third annual Governor’s ImPAct Awards, with a ceremony held  in May at the upscale Hershey Lodge in the Harrisburg area. PSM BrownCo was recognized for creating jobs that pay and their economic impact within the commonwealth and community. “We were nominated for job creation. We did not […]

Aunkst To Represent County At Laurel Festival

  The Wellsboro community is inviting the public to join in the weeklong Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival celebration Saturday, June 13 through Sunday, June 21. This family-friendly event includes the Pennsylvania State Laurel Queen competition. This year, Lakin Aunkst of Emporium will represent Cameron County High School and her community as a Pennsylvania Laurel Queen […]

Caldwell, Etchepare Take Top Spots In Class 0f 2015

    Cameron County High School proudly announces that Catherine Caldwell and Paul Etchepare have earned the titles of Valedictorian and Salutatorian of the Class of 2015, respectively. Valedictorian Catherine is the daughter of Tom and Carol Caldwell.  Catherine has participated in Marching Band – drum major, basketball, track, drama, cheerleading, and Gifted program.   […]

Crosby-Wolfel Hearing Postponed Again

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor A hearing for an Austin woman charged with homicide by vehicle for a Christmastime accident has been continued until June. Katelyn N. Crosby-Wolfel, age 21, was reluctantly granted a continuance at the beginning of May by Magisterial District Judge Barry Brown due to her failure to obtain […]

Water Withdrawal Options Discussed at Borough Council

    Emporium Borough Council members heard remarks from a representative of Keystone Clearwater Solutions concerning water withdrawal operations on Caldwell Corporation property in the borough. Keystone representative Keith Lupfer stated that his company has been contacted by a drilling operation to supply water to their worksite beginning in mid-June. The company is willing to […]

Area Commissioners To Gather For Tax Equity

    by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor Commissioners from several counties are heading to Harrisburg next week to push for increases in revenue that would bring millions of dollars into rural counties with large holdings of state-owned land. Commissioners Phil Jones (Cameron County), Paul Heimel (Potter County) and Pete Smeltz (Clinton County) will face […]

PA State Police Warn Of Online Scams

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) has issued recent warnings to residents involving dangers in online activities. Phishing attacks, just one type of online attack, cause global losses of as much as $1.5 billion per year, according to emc.com, and the amounts are expected to rise as phishing attempts and other scam attempts increase annually. Click […]

Election Official

  Jones, Thomas, Reed, Bogart To Face Off In November   by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor Official Municipal Election results for Cameron County have been released following canvassing completed on Friday afternoon. There were 55 absentee ballots that had to be counted following Election Day on Tuesday, along with a significant number of write-in […]

Cameron County Court Return Day

    Probation revocation hearings were held for Andrew James Beck, age 24, of Emporium, during Tuesday’s Return Day proceedings at the Cameron County Courthouse. Beck was sentenced on October 21, 2014, to serve 30 days to 12 months in jail following three separate incidents that occurred in 2013 and 2014. He entered a guilty […]

County Honors Deceased Veterans On Memorial Day

    Memorial Day was celebrated in Emporium with a parade, memorial service, veterans’ luncheon and baseball and softball games. The annual parade stepped off at 10 a.m. from Emporium’s East End, winding its way through town to the Big Flag Memorial on the far western side of town. The parade was led by Emporium […]

Commissioners Looking Into Deteriorating Local Properties

    by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor Cameron County Commissioners are reviewing several former residences in the Borough of Emporium that they have heard concerns over from residents regarding their deteriorating conditions. Three residential structures are being looked at for possible future demolition, following complaints from neighboring property owners that the buildings are falling […]

Memorial Day Parade

  Again this year the Cameron County Memorial Detail will be leading a parade on May 25th. The Detail has put out notices to many organizations to be in the parade and welcomes anyone who did not get a notice to come and join the parade, which will be gathering at Cameron County Vet’s and […]

CCC Presentation at County Historical Society

  More than seventy people attended a presentation on the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) hosted by the Cameron County Historical Society. Bill Jamerson, a Michigan native, has been presenting his program entitled “Dollar-A-Day Boys” for about twenty years, mostly touring in the mid west.

Graham Charged With Criminal Attempt To Possess Controlled Substance

An Emporium woman has been charged with criminal attempt to possess a controlled substance after a package containing illegal substances was discovered en route from China through an international airport. Candice Jo Graham, age 59, of Oak Grove Lane in Emporium, has been charged with one misdemeanor count of criminal attempt to possess a controlled […]

Hearings To Be Held On Sentencing Guideline Recommendations

  A number of public hearings have been scheduled to address recommendations on increasing sentencing guidelines advocated for by local district attorneys. Cameron County District Attorney Paul Malizia and Elk County District Attorney Shawn McMahon presented their case to the state’s Sentencing Commission in March in order to elicit support for increased sentences for individuals […]

Proposed Tax Increase Lacks Majority School Board Support

  by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor The Cameron County School District Board of Directors dealt with a number of budget-related issues during an explosive meeting held on Thursday night. A proposed tax increase did not pass, lacking one vote to receive a five-member majority. Members Marilyn Erickson, Robert Lininger, Shannon Penfield and Sandra Shields […]

Longtime IncumbentOusted By Voters

  Republican Nominations Still A Three-Way Game In this year’s Municipal Primary Election, 48% of voters turned out at the polls, representing 1,336 of the 2,779 voters registered in Cameron County. For registered Democrats, 44% cast a ballot and 51% for Republicans. In the race for two nominations for Cameron County Commissioners, three of which […]

Emporium Boro Names Merritt Police Chief

Members of the Emporium Borough Council voted unanimously to approve a new Chief of Police for the Emporium Borough Police Department (EBPD) during Monday night’s regular meeting. David J. Merritt, who has been serving as Officer-in-Charge of the EBPD since the resignation of former Chief Matthew Siple last fall, will take over the position following […]

Romanowski Charged With Inappropriate Contact With Minor

An Emporium man will face charges for inappropriate contact with a minor in the Cameron County courts. Luke Thomas Romanowski, age 22, is accused of felony counts of involuntary deviate sexual assault against a person younger than sixteen years old; statutory sexual assault; aggravated indecent assault and corruption of minors for incidents alleged to have […]

New Exhibits, Exciting Events Planned By Historical Society

by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor A number of exciting events and new exhibits have been planned for the coming year by members of the Cameron County Historical Society. The Little Museum, located in Sterling Run on Route 120 south of Emporium, will reopen over Memorial Day weekend and in addition to the vast and […]

Students Quiet, Respectful During Prom Promise Presentation

by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Students from Cameron County High School attended the Prom Promise presentation this past Friday. The program was part of a senior project by Noelle Austin, and included a mock accident with emergency response, a mock criminal arraignment and speakers from  law enforcement.

Deluccia, The River Honored By PA Wilds

by Tataboline Enos More than 200 people crowded into the Red Fern in St. Marys for the 2015 PA Wilds Dinner & Awards Banquet this month to hear from core partners involved in the effort to grow the region’s nature and heritage tourism industry and to celebrate this year’s Champions of the Pennsylvania Wilds. The […]

Little League Cleanup Day

There will be a “Spring Cleanup Day” at the Cameron County Little League Field on Saturday, May 9th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and if needed, Sunday, May 10th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Any time you can donate will be very much appreciated. We need volunteers, so managers, coaches, umpires, players, parents, […]

Ammonia Leak Causes Local Food Shortages

    An ammonia leak at a warehouse in New York State is causing food shortages at grocery stores in Pennsylvania and New York. Olivett’s Market in Emporium is one of thirty affected stores in Pennsylvania, with  shortages of dairy, produce, meats and frozen foods expected for at least the next week. Owners scrambled over […]

Reed Sentenced for Failure To Register As Sex Offender

  by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor A Tennessee man who failed to register as a sex offender when moving to the Emporium area entered a guilty plea and was sentenced on Tuesday at the Cameron County Courthouse. Clifford Justin Reed, age 36, who moved to the Emporium area from Clarksville, Tennessee around the first […]

Guilty Pleas In Home, Camp Burglaries

    Several defendants entered guilty pleas to charges related to breaking into homes and camps at return day proceedings held Tuesday at the Cameron County Courthouse. Two young men were charged with burglary for entering one camp and attempting to enter another, and also plead guilty to a charge of corruption of minors due […]

Judicial Sale Discussed at School Board Meeting

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Board Secretary Carl Mitchell read a portion of an email received from Cameron County Commissioner Jim Thomas concerning tax assessment of properties and the judicial sale during last week’s meeting of the Cameron County School District Board of Directors. According to Thomas, properties sold at judicial sale […]

LEPC Notified Of Discontinuation of Chemical Use at Local Facilities

    Members of the Local Emergency Planning Committee discussed the discontinuation of the use of chemicals at two different facilities near Emporium during their quarterly meeting held in April. A notice was received from Mid-Cameron Authority stating that they will no longer use gaseous chlorine at the sewage treatment facility. Due to this change, […]