by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Members of the Cameron County School District Board of Directors set the budget and tax levy for the coming year and hired a new superintendent during their regular meeting held Thursday night. Residents of Cameron County will see no tax increase this year. The board voted to […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Abandoned vehicles across the borough will be removed by municipal officials in the coming months, according to an announcement from the Emporium Borough Council this week. For several months, council members have been working with Borough Manager Don Reed, the borough solicitor, Police Chief David Merritt and […]
Five Emporium residents were arrested recently through three separate investigations highlighting intergovernmental cooperation. Richard Douglas Housler, age 33, was recently arrested for charges stemming from a November 2015 sale of a controlled substance to a confidential informant working with the drug task force. Housler is accused of selling three suboxone strips to the […]
Police in Elk County recently arrested an Emporium man for allegedly selling narcotics in the parking lot of a St. Marys restaurant. St. Marys City Police arrested 48-year-old Daniel James Uber, of Route 120 near Emporium, on June 2 after an off-duty state trooper called in a suspected drug deal in the parking […]
One blighted Emporium building has come down, and another is now slated for demolition. The former Jasper Harris & Son building located on East Fourth Street is officially down, and grading and finishing work will occur over the next several days. Demolition was completed ahead of the June 18 completion date given by […]
More than 30 people braved rainy conditions to attend a candlelight vigil held in honor of the Orlando shooting victims in Emporium on Wednesday evening. The vigil was organized by the Cameron County Ministerial Association which consists of about a dozen churches in Emporium, Driftwood, Sinnemahoning and Sterling Run. “It was such a […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Work to correct ordinance violations at a number of properties across Shippen Township continues. Garbage issues at a home just outside of Truman have been remedied with the help of an outside governmental agency. Issues with the yard of a second home, near the fairgrounds, have also […]
The Cameron County Little League will be selling advance carnival tickets again this year at the following locations: K of C, Cameron County Chamber office, Cameron County Courthouse (Staci Brown), and at the Little League field (Beth Newhouse or Sandy Bresslin). Bartlebaughs Amusements will be in Emporium the week of June 20th through […]
Hundreds of people flocked to the Sinnemahoning Snake Hunt this weekend, held at the Sportsmen’s Club in Sinnemahoning. The event is hosted by the sportsmen’s association and sponsored by the Keystone Reptile Club, which hosts several other Snake Hunt events throughout the year. Sinnemahoning is the largest of those events, and it drew […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor At Monday’s workshop meeting of the Cameron County School District Board of Directors, Duane Vicini, President of the Education Consortium of the Upper Allegheny (ECUA), presented information on the Rural Regional Community College of Pennsylvania. The community college, which had its formation authorized several years ago but […]
Shippen Township Supervisors scheduled a special meeting later this month to open bids for stone to be used to repair a section of levee in Prospect Park. The township, county and Mid-Cameron Authority are working together to make repairs to the levee which not only offers flood protection to nearby residents but also […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Olivett’s Market, owned originally by Joseph Olivett and most recently by his sons, Rick and Tim, will be transferred to Olean Wholesale as of July 5 after a sales agreement was finalized over the past few weeks. Joe Olivett opened the store in 1939 using $50 he […]
This year’s Sinnemahoning Snake Hunt is scheduled for this Saturday, June 11 and Sunday, June 12, at the Sinnemahoning Sportsmen’s Club. Hunters with valid reptile-harvesting permits from the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) are invited to participate in the hunt. Entries are taken for rattlesnakes, copperheads and non-venomous species.
Members of the Emporium Borough Council are in contact with Eldred Borough officials to share information on levee issues. Eldred’s levee system was recently discredited, and now residents are being forced to pay much higher flood insurance premiums on their properties. “Small municipalities are dealing with water issues. We have to work together […]
The Cameron County Conservation District (CCCD) will celebrate fifty years of service to the county during an event planned for June 11 at Andrews’ Farm. The celebration will be held from 1-5 p.m., and is free to the public. Educational folk singer Van Wagner will entertain during the event. Wagner is an award-winning […]
During Thursday’s meeting, Cameron County Commissioners discussed several issues that are being debated in the state legislature that could increase revenue into the region if they are passed. Commissioner Phil Jones is on the steering committee for the State Land Tax Fairness Coalition, organized to leverage the state to increase the Payments-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILT) […]
Long-time Cameron County business Olivett’s Shur-Fine Market will soon be under new ownership. Olean Wholesale, a company that has served as a supplier to Olivett’s for the nearly eighty years the business has been in operation, will take over the store as of July 5. “The new owners plan to come in […]
Cameron County High School proudly announces that Trae Smith and Logan Clingan have earned the titles of Valedictorian and Salutatorian of the Class of 2016, respectively. Valedictorian Trae is the son of Mike and April Smith. Trae will attend Edinboro University where he will major in the biology/chemistry program to help prepare him […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Cameron County Commissioners commended Driftwood Borough officials on upgrades to the water system and other improvements being made in operations. Driftwood Mayor Joseph Williams spoke recently with commissioners and the Echo on ongoing improvements. “There has been a ton of work done but what stands out is […]
Get the kids’ fishing equipment ready for the Drum and Henry Fishing Derby. It is the 62nd year that this event has provided youth 14 years old and younger the opportunity to enjoy a fun-filled day of fishing. This event will take place June 5th on the Bucktail Rod and Gun Club Pond […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Memorial Day celebrations in Cameron County kicked off with a parade featuring veterans, the Cameron County Honor Guard and high school marching band and Little League teams. The parade included a float carrying veterans of the armed services, and a number of other veterans walked the parade route. […]
Family-owned for 77 years, a fixture in Emporium An era is ending. Olivett Market, the Emporium grocery store founded by the late Joe Olivett in July of 1939 with a $500 loan from his mother, Theresa, will close its doors at the end of business on July 4th and reopen on July 5 […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Members of the Cameron County School District Board of Directors continue efforts to balance expected revenues with expenditures prior to passage of a budget for the 2016-17 school year. At the last meeting, held a little more than a week ago, the projected deficit stood at around […]
Trae Smith, competing for Cameron County track and field, brought home a first place finish at the 2016 District 9 Class AA Championships last Friday with a win in the javelin. Smith had a toss of 178’8” in the event held at Brookville High School, outdistancing the second place finisher by almost fifteen […]
Cameron County Commissioners commended Driftwood Borough officials on upgrades to the water system and other improvements being made in operations. Driftwood Mayor Joseph Williams presented an update to commissioners recently on improvements to the water system, which have significantly increased efficiency. “The Mayor and council have accomplished many good things with the water […]
Virgil Chamber is the guest speaker at the 2016 EHS/CCHS Alumni Banquet. The banquet is being held at the Cameron County High School Saturday evening. Chambers is a 1966 graduate of Cameron County High School. He participated in varsity football and track during his junior and senior years. One of the first wrestlers […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Defendants appeared at the Cameron County Courthouse on Tuesday to face charges including drug possession, retail theft and driving under the influence (DUI) in front of visiting Judge John Foradora, of Jefferson County. Cameron County Judge Richard Masson was unable to attend due to a medical issue, […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Counties and school districts continue to wait on funding promised by the state despite the passage of last year’s budget and the looming deadline for this year’s budget negotiations to begin. PlanCon funding is still up in the air for the 2015-16 school year, according to an […]
Members of the Cameron County School District (CCSD) Board of Directors adopted the preliminary general fund budget for the 2016-17 school year during Thursday night’s meeting. The preliminary budget lists expenditures in the amount of $12,601,089. Board Secretary Carl Mitchell stated that there is currently a projected $500,000 shortfall, but employees are looking […]
An Emporium man was resentenced on charges including institutional vandalism following a revocation of his probation that occurred last year. Francisco Soto, age 31, was ordered to serve 24 months in the State Intermediate Punishment Program (IPP), but was given credit for time served since the date he was committed to the Department […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Cameron County Commissioners recently proclaimed the month of May to be Community Action Month in Cameron County in honor of the fifty-year effort to improve the quality-of-life for low-income residents of the area. Northern Tier Community Action Corporation (NTCAC) was founded in 1966 as part of President […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Heroin has arrived in the tri-county area, according to treatment specialists speaking at a question and answer session held at the Cameron County High School Tuesday night. Employees of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services (ADAS), the agency that serves Cameron, Elk and McKean counties, held the session […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor The Emporium Borough now officially owns several properties along East Fourth Street that are slated for demolition. The former Admit One building, adjacent storefront and rear apartment building were approved for purchase by both the Cameron County Commissioners and Cameron County School District, paving the way for […]
Emporium was named a Tree City, USA during Arbor Day celebrations held Thursday on North Broad Street. For the 28th year, Emporium has been honored with this title, which is only bestowed upon about 3,400 communities across the country. “This is pretty significant. There are not too many municipalities in Pennsylvania that have […]
The Second Annual Dirt Digging PA Treasure Hunt held this weekend at the Cameron County Fairgrounds saw the number of attendees almost triple over the event’s inaugural year. Around 100 people attended on both days of the event despite rainy, overcast and chilly conditions. Last year, the event drew about 30 people each […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor An Emporium man who pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography last fall was sentenced to serve five years on probation on Tuesday at the Cameron County Courthouse. Jon Raymond Serianni, age 42, of Mountain View Road in Sylvan Heights just outside the borough of Emporium, will serve five years […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor An Emporium woman involved in an incident that led to her being tasered by police has been sentenced for her involvement. Veronica Ann Moate, age 53, of Emporium, was sentenced to serve 24 months on probation by Cameron County President Judge Richard Masson last week. Moate was […]
Cameron County Commissioners offered an update on the process of reopening the Third Street Playground following a partial building collapse that closed the popular Emporium Borough park. “We will have to wait until Russ Braun (building inspector) meets with the property owner to make sure the building is safe and secure. We can’t […]
Two defendants arrested through the use of a confidential informant and undercover state police officer were sentenced on Tuesday’s Return Day proceedings at the Cameron County Courthouse. Michael Robert McNally, age 30, of Austin, was paroled on Tuesday after spending 58 days in county jail on one felony count of possession of marijuana […]
Students at Woodland Elementary were excited as they prepared incubators for this year’s delivery of pheasant eggs. On Wednesday, April 13, 600 pheasant eggs were delivered to the designated classrooms. This year there are 10 classrooms at the Woodland School and three in the High School that are participating in the program. Each […]
Charges have been added to a criminal complaint against an Emporium man suspected of stealing items from automobiles. A preliminary hearing was held Thursday for Dakota W. Berry, age 18, of Emporium, who has been charged with the thefts. Initially, Berry had been facing five misdemeanor counts each of theft from a motor […]
Cameron County Commissioners are continuing outreach efforts to businesses and the community through industrial site tours, participation in educational initiatives, roundtable discussions with department heads and a re-launch of the county’s website. Commissioners most recently visited the Lewis & Hockenberry sawmill operation in Rich Valley, which employs 30 people full-time. A number of […]
For Other Communities In anticipation of installing Hometown Hero Banners honoring past and present service people from Warren County, Revitalization Of Youngsville Association (ROY) members, Nancy Roberti Holmberg and Joanne Oviatt visited Emporium on April 5 to learn how Emporium created their successful program. Christine Slusarick, President of Sylvan Heritage Council, who […]
Supervisors in Shippen Township are moving forward on plans to address chronic ordinance violators. “Ordinance violations are being sent. We’re trying to take care of some problems that have been ongoing for some time,” said Supervisor Phil Brown during their monthly meeting held Tuesday. “Our hope is to get these problems taken care […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor An Emporium man has been arrested on suspicion of breaking in to a number of cars across the Emporium Borough and surrounding area. Dakota W. Berry, age 18, of Lindenwood Drive in Emporium, has been charged with five counts of theft from a motor vehicle, five counts […]
The Cameron County Canoe Classic race was held this past Saturday in Cameron County. Despite windy, cold conditions, 89 canoes and kayaks registered for the race, which included a number of recreational and competitive classes for women, men and mixed couples. Highs were in the fifties but it was periodically windy and overcast, […]
Emporium Borough Council approved a move to enter a bid on a blighted property in the business district. The property contains three buildings: two storefronts on Fourth Street and an apartment building in the rear facing Greenwood Avenue. The lot and buildings went unsold in last year’s Judicial Tax Sale and have been […]
The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for Cameron County has declined slightly from the prior month’s numbers. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that Cameron County’s rate was calculated at 6.6% in the most recently-released data covering the month of February. Approximately 100 of the county’s 2,200 workers are considered unemployed—anyone without […]
Children are being barred from entering the newly-remodeled Third Street Playground in the Emporium Borough due to the partial collapse of an adjacent building. Cameron County Recreation Director Holly Manginell stated that the playground will be closed until the area has been deemed safe again. “We’re just really glad there was no one […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Conditions for the 42nd Annual Cameron County Canoe & Kayak Classic scheduled for this Saturday, April 2, are not favorable at this point, but organizers are hopeful that spring rains will fall this week and make the river navigable. The optimum flow rate, in cubic feet per […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Six defendants appearing for jury call hearings prior to jury selection were able to negotiate plea arrangements or were granted more time to work out deals at monthly return day proceedings held Tuesday in Cameron County. Four of the six defendants agreed to terms in negotiated plea […]
Sentencing was held for a woman accused of providing controlled substances to minors during return day proceedings at the Cameron County Courthouse on Tuesday. Melinda Buchanan, age 39 of Driftwood, was ordered to report to jail on Monday following sentencing proceedings last week. Buchanan entered an open guilty plea to two counts of […]
A man found guilty by a jury last September of several crimes against a child was sentenced Tuesday in the Cameron County Court of Common Pleas. Arthur A. Helzel, age 37, formerly of Emporium, was ordered to serve 12 1/2 to 25 years in prison, and with credit for time served while awaiting […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor A motion to suppress evidence in the case against a local woman charged with vehicular homicide has been denied by Cameron County Judge Richard Masson. The motion, which was filed in August of 2015, sought to have blood test result evidence thrown out due to more than […]
Meet Emilia and Jacob. They are 9-year-old students of Woodland Elementary and were each diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of five. They, along with several other local children are affected by Type 1. On Sunday, May 1 at the St. Mary’s High School, Emilia and Jacob’s Sweet Soles, will walk […]
Employees of Penn State Extension offices across the state could be out of jobs on July 1 if funding is not received from the state to support operations, according to Penn State officials. Jobs in all 67 counties are at risk, with as many as 1,100 people expected to be out of work. […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor A new program is benefitting veterans in the area by identifying and assisting individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. A grant in the amount of $199,000 was utilized to set up the homelessness prevention program by the Northern Tier Community Action Corporation (NTCAC) […]
Two events held at the Cameron County Vets Club over the past week were very well attended. Last weekend, an open house was held to celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the founding of Miller-Raffaele VFW Post #6221 in Emporium. Saturday, the VFW Auxiliary held the tenth annual Cash Bash, with proceeds earmarked for […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Cameron County Commissioners toured several factories in an ongoing effort to work with local industrial facilities. GKN, RaCoh, AST, North American and Gerg Tool and Die were visited in the latest round of tours, and commissioners have held or planned meetings with representatives of the Seneca Highlands […]
Procedures have been developed by employees of the Emporium Borough concerning nuisance vehicles scattered throughout town. Borough Police Chief Dave Merritt presented a copy of the letter that will be sent to the vehicle and property owners that was developed through cooperation between the borough manager, police department and solicitor.
Prior to the commissioners meeting, a hearing was held for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME programs by economic development director Cliff Clark. New regulations require two separate hearings be conducted as part of the administrative requirements to receive grants. The second hearing was held prior to the Driftwood Borough Council […]
An arrest by the United States Marshals’ Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force on Friday will see a local man returned to Elk County to face sentencing. John Anthony Raspatello, age 62, of Brusselles Street in St. Marys, was found to be hiding in a camper along Route 219 in Limestone, New York, at […]
The final Little League sign-ups will be held on Friday, March 11th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 12th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Memorial Hall. The sign-ups are for boys and girls ages 4 to 16. A parent must be present to sign forms and pay registration […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor The Department of Education has released documentation detailing steps that must be taken by school districts in Pennsylvania before they can close. The two-page document released earlier this month is in response to an undisclosed number of requests for guidance on how school districts can cease operations […]
The Cameron County Little League will be holding sign-ups four days this year at Memorial Hall for boys and girls. Sign-ups will be Friday, March 4th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 5th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be two more sign-ups the following weekend; Friday, March […]
Members of VFW Post #6221 are preparing to celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the club in Emporium. An open house has been planned, to be held at the club on Sunday, March 6 from 2 p.m. till 4 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided. Post members are requesting participation from […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Plans are in the works for this year’s Cash Bash, hosted by the Cameron County VFW Post #6221 Auxiliary organization. The Cash Bash will be held on Saturday, March 12 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Vets Club on Third Street in Emporium. The first […]
Cameron County’s unemployment rate dropped nearly one-half of a percent in December 2015 reporting, according to data released by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry in February. The December seasonally-adjusted rate was recorded at 6.7%, down 0.4% from November. The rate is still slightly higher than it was one year ago when […]
Long-time Cameron County resident, Mr. James Baker will be inducted into the District IX Coaches Association 2016 Wrestling Hall of Fame on Saturday, February 27th. The ceremony will be held prior to finals of the 2016 District IV-IX Tournament held at Clearfield High School. Mr. Baker received a football scholarship to Edinboro University, […]
by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Cameron County Commissioners are continuing efforts to reach out to local businesses and industry to offer support. Over the past several weeks, county officials have visited several locations in and around Emporium, are working to complete an informational packet and are researching training and cooperative employment programs […]