Flood Insurance Rates Could Make Area Ghost Town

    by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor According to Commissioner Glen Fiebig, “Flood insurance is the topic of discussion for Cameron County,” and that held true at both the commissioners’ regular meeting on Thursday and a visit by United States Representative Glenn Thompson (R-PA) on Wednesday. Thompson visited Emporium as part of a tour […]

Thompson Visits Area, Hears Residents’ Flood Insurance Worries

    by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor United States Representative Glenn Thompson (R-PA) visited Emporium as part of a tour across Pennsylvania’s Fifth District to announce his re-election campaign on Wednesday, though conversation quickly turned to the rising premiums for flood insurance and the effects on residents. Constituents were given a chance to ask […]

Plea Arrangements Accepted On County Return Day

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Four plea arrangements were accepted on Tuesday as part of January’s Return Day proceedings at the Cameron County Courthouse. A fifth defendant was scheduled to enter a guilty plea to a case involving charges of Simple Assault, Harassment and Disorderly Conduct but a bench warrant was issued […]

Commissioners Discuss Variety of County Issues

    by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor Cameron County Commissioners discussed a variety of county-related issues during their regular meeting held Thursday in Emporium. Funds in the amount of $6,000 were approved to go to the Driftwood Borough to help cover the costs of repairs for residents who were without water for the better […]

Winter Feeding Suspected In Elk’s Death

    A trophy bull elk was found dead earlier this month on Pennsylvania’s elk range, the apparent victim of winter wildlife feeding, which is illegal for elk. Test results returned last week cited rumen acidosis as causing the death of the 6- by 7-point bull found Jan. 9 in Byrnedale, Elk County. The disorder […]

Hung Jury In Chapman Trial

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor A trial at the Cameron County Courthouse resulted in a hung jury and was declared a mistrial by Judge Richard Masson. It is believed to be the first time this has occurred within the county, according to District Attorney Paul Malizia and courthouse staff. The jury, which […]

Board Concerned Over Low Test Scores in District’s Schools

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Cameron County School District (CCSD) Superintendent Christine Holjencin discussed the district’s School Performance Profile released by the Commonwealth. Cameron County High School (CCHS) scored an overall 62.4% on the test, with scores ranging from 69.43% proficient or advanced in Mathematics/Algebra I and 56.25% proficient or advanced in […]

McManigle Home Raided Again

    For the second time in the past several months an Emporium woman was arrested for possession of controlled substances and paraphernalia. The arrest comes as part of a promise from Emporium Borough and county officials to crack down on illegal substances, most notably the designer drug known as Bath Salts or alpha-PVP. (Full […]

Driftwood Borough Without Water Last Week

    Residents of the Driftwood Borough were without water for much of last week after a water line break caused low pressure for some residents and no service at all for others. According to John McLaughlin of the Triple Divide Watershed Coalition of which the Driftwood Borough system is a member, the sub-zero temperatures […]

Local Emergency Planning Commission Accepts New Appointees

      At last week’s meeting of the Local Emergency Planning Commission (LEPC), new appointees were accepted following approval from the Cameron County Commissioners during their November 13 session. Sergeant Matt Siple, Emporium Borough Chief of Police, Corporal David Surra of the Pennsylvania State Police and Kenneth Weidow from the Elk County Hazmat Team […]

Zoning Requests Approved

Two cases came in front of the Zoning Board last week in Emporium. A Special Exemption was being sought for the first property, located at 520 North Broad Street, in order to function as a parking lot. Borough zoning ordinances prohibit a property within the residential district to be used in (Full story in the […]

Charges Filed Against Two More In Bath Salts Case

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Charges have been filed against two Emporium-area residents following a search prompted by the overdose of a young woman that occurred just before Christmas. Kimberly Rene Guisto and Calvin J. Lane III, of 109 Minard Road in Shippen Township, have each been charged with one misdemeanor count […]

Fragale Re-elected Boro Council President

by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor Emporium Borough Council held its reorganizational meeting prior to their regular meeting on Monday evening. Council unanimously re-elected Joe Fragale as President; LuAnn Reed as Vice President; Pat Vogt as President Pro-Tem; and Borough Manager Don Reed as Secretary/Treasurer. (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news […]

MedReturn Box Installed In Emporium Borough Building

    The Emporium Borough Building is now home to the area’s only MedReturn Box as part of Governor Tom Corbett’s Healthy Pennsylvania initiative. Twenty-nine Pennsylvania counties will have boxes located within their borders to help collect unused and unwanted prescription medications and other drugs, helping keep them out of the hands of children, off […]

Dangerous Cold Heading Our Way

Much of the United States will be subjected to sub-zero temperatures as a Polar Vortex draws freezing air from the arctic, dropping temperatures in north central Pennsylvania to as low as -15 degrees F. Some locations are issuing their first Wind Chill Warning ever as wind gusts into the thirties will cause the “feel like” […]

Local Bath Salts Arrests Continue

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Two Emporium youths have been arrested for possession of bath salts following a call for the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) to assist emergency medical personnel at a residence in Shippen Township located at 32 Pioneer Road in the Sylvan Heights neighborhood. (Full story in the Cameron County […]

Charges Expected Following Search

    A search warrant executed just prior to Christmas was obtained using information discovered through a separate incident and yielded a large amount of drug paraphernalia and other items within a Shippen Township residence. A home at 109 Minard Road occupied by Calvin Lane and Kimberly Guisto was the subject of a search after […]

Commissioners Set Tax Rate at 20.5 Mils

Commissioners passed Resolution #8 of 2013 setting this year’s tax rate at 20.5 mills for Cameron County residents. The millage rate reflects no increase over last year, and the total county budget shows $7,437,930.26 in expenditures. (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news stand)

Local Woman Arrested With $50,000 of Bath Salts

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor A local resident has been charged with multiple felony and misdemeanor counts following the execution of a search warrant at her Emporium residence. Hope McManigle, age 47, of 241 Dexter Street in the Emporium Borough, is being held on $25,000 straight cash bail after her arrest last […]

Who-Dunnit’ Shopping Game Saturday

by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor The Cameron County Chamber of Commerce has joined with Emporium merchants to help spotlight all the local shopping options available in “The Land of Endless Gifts” this holiday season. On Saturday, December 7, participants can try to solve a classic Who-Dunnit including a cast of well-known suspects from across […]

42 Property Owners Notified Of Upcoming Judicial Sale

  by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor County Solicitor Edwin “Tommy” Tompkins III presented updated information involving the long-anticipated Judicial Sale during the commissioners’ meeting held last Wednesday at the courthouse. As of Tuesday, the results of the recently-completed Tax Upset Sale were confirmed, with the only exception being the one property that sold during […]

No Tax Increase In Boro Budget

At their December regular meeting held on Monday night, members of the Emporium Borough Council unanimously voted to adopt the 2014 Budget, which decreased spending and kept taxation stagnant. Council approved the budget with expenditures in the amount of $1,156,438, down $18,311 from last year. This is the third year in a row the borough […]

School District Bills Paid After Much Debate

    by Amanda Jones  Echo News Editor A Cameron County School Board meeting that lasted well over three hours was held despite three absent members. The monthly bills were nearly left unpaid and a number of points were argued over throughout the meeting. Members Jan Hampton, Rich Harrier and Michele Rodich did not attend […]

Town Unites In Bath Salts Crisis

    by Amanda Jones  Cameron County Echo An educational program on Bath Salts and other designer drugs that have created an epidemic of drug abuse within Cameron County were discussed at a town hall-style meeting at the Emporium Volunteer Fire Department on Wednesday evening. (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news […]

‘Shop Small’ Comes To Emporium Nov. 30

    Emporium Land of the Endless Gifts has a gift for shoppers on Shop Small Saturday, November 30.  A number of retailers in the Emporium area will be giving a gift to you if you are one of the first to purchase an item from their store.  It is an American Express $25.00 gift […]

County Judicial Sale Details Coming Together

    County Solicitor Edwin “Tommy” Tompkins III has released the details and a tentative schedule concerning the highly-anticipated Judicial Property Sale, initially expected to be held this fall. The last judicial sale was held more than eighteen years ago, and it is possible that the sale being planned for May of 2014 will include […]

Local ALS Services Now Discontinued

    As of press time, the Cameron County Ambulance Service no longer has Advanced Life Support systems available for patients being transported to hospitals. Monday, November 18, the services were set to end due to fiscal concerns, according to a report from Roger Neyman, President of CCAS.   (Full story in the Cameron County […]

Change In Jury Selection Process

The small jury pool in Cameron County will likely grow thanks to a change in the jury selection process following a move to abolish the position of Jury Commissioner several months ago. Commissioners have been working with Judge Richard Masson to come up with a suitable system to replace the Jury Commissioners, who had been […]

Smith Sentenced To 14+ Years

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor An Emporium man found guilty of carjacking and other offenses by a federal jury has been sentenced to more than a decade in prison followed by supervised release, according to a report in the Bradford Era this week. Thomas Edward Smith, age 59, of Emporium, was found […]

Chapman Trial Postponed, New Jury To Be Chosen

A trial for Joseph William Chapman, age 29, was set to begin last Tuesday, October 29, at the Cameron County Courthouse, but was postponed to allow leave for Chapman’s attorney, Public Defender James Martin. A new jury will be selected for the trial, according to employees in the Prothonotary’s office. According to court dockets, a […]

Mountain View Natural Foods Opens

    A new store has opened in Cameron County that will carry organic food items and homemade baked goods using organic ingredients. Laura and Jim Lehman, of Rich Valley, opened Mountain View Natural Foods on Thursday, October 1, hoping to capitalize on the steady increase in demand for organically-produced foods and products.

Siple Named Chief of Police

Emporium Borough Council voted to offer the job of Chief of Police to Sergeant Matt Siple, currently serving as Officer-In-Charge of the Borough Police Department since the resignation of former Chief John Lovett. Vice President Luann Reed was the lone dissenting vote in giving Siple the nod over the other two applicants. Council members stated […]

Plea Deal Accepted In Osti Court Case

  by Amanda Jones Cameron County Echo An Emporium man arrested this spring on drug possession, unlawful restraint, weapons and paraphernalia charges accepted a plea bargain on Tuesday at the Cameron County Courthouse. Donald Arthur Osti, Jr., 35, had a plea deal approved that sentenced him to a total of no less than four months […]

Return Day in Cameron County Court

by Amanda Jones Cameron County Echo Return Day was held in the Cameron County Courthouse on Tuesday with Judge Richard Masson presiding over a number of cases involving drug and alcohol issues. An arraignment and plea hearing was held for charges of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia against Bryan Scott Andrus, age […]

Emporium Girl Crowned CPYFL Queen; Players Advance

McDonald stated that she wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. She enjoys rollerblading, playing the trumpet, reading, playing Minecraft and spending time with her friends. In addition to spending five years as a Storm Football Cheerleader in Cameron County, she also participates in band and recently signed up to continue cheerleading with […]

Few Contested Races In County Election

  Pennsylvania’s General Election for Municipal Officials will be held next Tuesday, November 5, for all registered voters. Throughout Cameron and Elk counties, voters will choose whether or not to retain Judge Richard A. Masson as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, 59th District. A number of municipal offices are up for election in […]

Endless Mountains Beautiful Backdrop For Ultra Marathon

    by Amanda Jones Cameron County Echo The first Sinnemahone Ultra Marathon Trail Run was held this past Saturday just outside of Emporium and featured runners from Cameron County and across the United States and Canada. Sixty-five people ranging in age from 16 years old into their 70s competed in the 50 kilometer–or just […]

Properties Sought To Participate in HOME Program

    by Amanda Jones  Cameron County Echo Commissioners announced that program manager Cliff Clark of the county’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority is seeking five or six properties to participate in this year’s HOME program, which uses federal funding to rehabilitate homes for seniors and disabled residents. Applicants must live in Cameron County, be 62 […]

Shutdown Ends, Debt Ceiling Debate Haulted – For Now

by Amanda Jones Cameron County Echo Congress has ended the shutdown; The Debt Ceiling Crisis has been averted. But, it is likely none of that will last very long. A deal struck in the eleventh hour to extend the current budget through January 15, just after the end of the holiday shopping season, and the […]

Don’t Miss The Scary Fun House!

    Local organizations, including the CCHS Band, SPCA, Cameron County Little League, Chamber of Commerce and Prospect Park Playground Assoc. are sponsoring “Admit One, Have Fun – Just Clowning Around,” a Scary Fun House across from Fox’s Pizza. (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news stand)  

Job Numbers Lagging Due To Shutdown

    Unemployment, wage and other statistics compiled by the Bureau of Labor and Industry are delayed for the months of September and October due to the 60-day federal government shutdown beginning October 1. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s website, “Due to the federal government shutdown that took place October 1-16, […]

Haunted Trail

    Come to Sinnemahoning State Park for a BOO-tiful evening! Stop at the Wildlife Center along Park Road and start your haunted adventure along the Lowlands Trail! Watch for ghosts, ghouls and goblins, and some scary native critters, too! Bring a flashlight to help light your way.   (Full story in the Cameron County […]

Alarming Findings Presented at ‘Straight Talk For Parents’

  by Amanda Jones Cameron County Echo Last week, approximately 30 community members gathered for an informational meeting called Straight Talk for Parents that discussed the burgeoning problem of substance abuse and addiction in Cameron County. Though the problem is prevalent in this area, it is becoming a larger issue across the state of Pennsylvania […]

Federal Shutdown Hasn’t Hit Locally, Yet

by Amanda Jones Cameron County Echo The federal government has been shutdown for a week as of the Echo’s deadline on Monday evening, and there is no end in sight according to reports out of Washington, D.C. Congress seems to be divided mostly along party lines as to how to proceed.   (Full story in […]

Borough Discusses Zoning Changes

Changes to Emporium’s commercial zoning ordinances are currently on the table, and a public hearing held prior to Borough Council’s regular meeting on Monday night drew about a dozen business owners to discuss concerns over new regulations. No official action was taken during the meeting, though a long executive session was held to discuss concerns […]

Driftwood Senior Center Opening Fast Approaching

  A brief meeting was held on Wednesday afternoon at the Cameron County Courthouse for commissioners to take action on a number of regular business items. An Engagement Letter was approved with Sharkey, Piccirillo, Keen & Hanzley, LLP in the amount of $26,000 for the 2013 Independent Audit. Commissioners reported that the 2012 Audit was […]

Grovanz To Represent CCHS at Flaming Foliage

  Elise Paige Grovanz will be representing Cameron County this year at the 65th Annual Flaming Foliage Festival in Renovo. Elise has actively participated in the CCHS Marching Band for six years, where she currently serves as drum major. Elise has been trumpet section leader for two years. She also actively participates in the concert […]

CCSD Reunification Drill Friday

  Students and staff at the Cameron County School District (CCSD) will participate in a Parent Reunification Drill on Friday afternoon as part of an ongoing effort to increase safety protocols at local schools. Parents of students attending CCSD received a letter last week detailing the exercise and the reasons for implementing such a drill. […]

School Board Votes On Asbestos Removal Contract

  by Amanda Jones  Cameron County Echo At a special meeting of the Cameron County School District’s Board of Directors held Thursday night, the five members present at the meeting voted unanimously to approve the lower of two bids received for asbestos abatement measures required in the high school gymnasium. Members Sandra Shields, Michele Rodich, […]

More Charges Filed Against Osti

  An additional charge has been filed against Donald Arthur Osti, age 35, of the Emporium Borough in a series of cases held against him in county courts. This newest charge, two first-degree misdemeanor counts of Possession of a Prohibited Offensive Weapon, was filed after a charge of Weapons of Mass Destruction was thrown out […]

Driftwood Senior Center Opening Awaiting Final Touches, Inspection

  by Amanda Jones Cameron County Echo  Commissioners held a short business meeting in Cameron County on Wednesday which focused mainly on proposed and in-progress construction projects within the county. The new Driftwood Senior Center building is mostly completed, but will not open until after the final inspections have been completed and approved, possibly sometime […]

Emporium Man Charged With Multiple Drug Offenses

  Charges of Possession of Controlled Substances and Drug Paraphernalia have been filed against an Emporium resident after results were received from the Pennsylvania State Police Crime Lab. Justin Austin, age 25, of 601 East Allegheny Avenue, was found sleeping in his parked car in the car wash parking lot on Emporium’s East End in […]

Borough Continues Search For Police Chief

  Five individuals have expressed an interest in applying for the open position of Emporium Borough Police Chief, though only two had finalized their applications, according to Borough Manager Don Reed. (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news stand)  

800-plus pound alligator

This 13-1/2 foot, 800-plus pound alligator was taken from Lake George, Florida on September 10 by Tim Hasselman of Emporium and Scott Gnan of Penfield. They were guided by captains Adam Delaney and Jeff Winkleman.

‘DCED On the Road’ in Emporium

Employees of Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development visited Emporium on Wednesday as part of a six-county tour of the region. Town hall-style meetings were held in a number of locations, with fifty-three state employees making sixty-five stops in the area this week as part of an outreach initiative to link services with local […]

New Charges Filed Against Stephanic

      by Amanda Jones Cameron County Echo New charges have been filed against a St. Marys man charged in the shooting death of an Emporium woman. Michael Stephanic, Jr., of 503 Brussels Street in St. Marys, has been charged with additional offenses that occurred on the same evening as the shooting but prior […]

Cameron County Court Return Day

    by Bruce Whitman Echo News Editor Preston Housler of Emporium was placed on 12 months probation and fined $300 last week in Cameron County Court after entering a guilty plea to a charge of simple assault. Judge Richard Masson also ordered Housler to pay all costs and fees associated with the charge. (Full […]

West Hicks To Open In Celebration of 100th Anniversary of Pa. Elk

    The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) will open the road through State Game Lands 14 in Hicks Run to private automobile traffic this Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for self- guided tours. This route is being opened for the first time in more than fifty years to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of […]

QCare Opens In Emporium

    by Amanda Jones Cameron County Echo A new service is available to residents of Cameron County at the Elk Regional Health Center (ERHC) clinic in downtown Emporium. Last Monday, Q Care Cameron County opened in the former office of Dr. Scott McKimm located at 410 North Broad Street. Patients will now be able […]

Jan Hampton Appointed To Vacated School Board Seat

    Amanda Jones Cameron County Echo Members of the Cameron County School District’s Board of Directors voted last night to appoint a new board member and Vice President to fill the positions left with the resignation of Amber Beldin last month. Jan Hampton, a former board member and the current Director of the Cameron […]

Woodland Students Are Wild About Nature

The “Wild about Nature” Field Day for 4th, 5th and 6th grade students for the eighth year in a row was held on a beautiful early Fall day. The venue was the Cameron County Fairgrounds. “I cannot imagine that many (if any) School Districts in the State have a program such as this offered to […]

Act 13 Funds Allocated By Commissioners

by Bruce Whitman Echo News Editor Cameron County Commissioners officially earmarked Act 13 funds for public works projects during their meeting last week. Act 13 money is distributed to counties and municipalities from funds collected from Marcellus Shale drilling activity by the state. (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news stand)  

County Upset Tax Sale Slated For Friday

    Cameron County’s delinquent property tax sale will take place Friday at the courthouse starting at 2 p.m. County officials list nearly 140 property owners as behind on their taxes. Properties on the list will go on sale to the highest bidder. In July delinquent property owners were notified by the county of their […]

No Elk Licenses For County Hunters

    Cameron County hunters missed out in the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s drawing for 2013 season elk licenses. One Elk County sportsman was lucky enough to be drawn for one of the coveted 86 licenses. The drawing was computer-generated and was held last Friday at Game Commission headquarters in Harrisburg. (Full story in the Cameron […]

Boro Seeking Applicants For New Police Chief

    Emporium Borough has officially started its search for a new police chief. The borough is accepting resumes for the full time Police Chief position from applicants who are Act 120 certified and have police and administration experience.   (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news stand)  

Area Feels Shock Of St. Marys Murder

    The killing of a St. Marys woman at her workplace earlier this month sent shock waves all the way to Emporium. June Talmadge, 48, formerly of Emporium, was shot and killed outside Eastern Sintered Alloys in St. Marys where she worked.   (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news stand) […]

Sweet Scentsations Opens In Emporium

    by Amanda Jones  Cameron County Echo A new Gift and Specialty store has opened on Fourth Street in downtown Emporium in the building formerly known as the Coffee Shop. Jackie Castina opened “Sweet Scentsations” recently, occupying the empty storefront that once housed E-Z Rolling before the federal government expanded tobacco regulations to include […]

Gravel Removal Project To Be Finalized Friday

    by Amanda Jones  Cameron County Echo Borough Manager Don Reed announced that the gravel removal project at the Black Bridge should be finalized on Friday after speaking with an engineer to ensure compliance with the parameters of the recently-granted permit. (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news stand)  

Local Man Charged In Tioga Incident

    Mansfield-based State Police Wednesday arrested a man said to be a resident of Emporium for dragging a road crew worker with his truck in  Tioga County. (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news stand)

Gas Drilling Returns To Elk State Forest

    by Andy Sidelinger, Forester Marcellus shale gas drilling has returned to the Elk State Forest. This past March Seneca Resources began the process of drilling for natural gas from the Marcellus shale layer in the East Branch Dam area of the Elk State Forest. Seneca has plans to drill multiple wells on at […]