Cameron County Echo

Following is Woodland Elementary School’s 2nd Nine Weeks Awards List: (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news stand)  

Attention All Seniors in High School! The Elk County Community Foundation has distributed all post-secondary or vocational school scholarship applications to Cameron County School District, Kane High School, Elk County Catholic High School, Johnsonburg High School, Ridgway High School and St. Marys Area High School guidance departments. Each scholarship that is available has a different […]

The Cameron County Collaborative Board held its monthly meeting on January 15 at Memorial Hall.  Following program reports given by the Cameron County Family Center, members were treated to a presentation by Jan Hampton of the Cameron County Conservation Department.   (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news stand)

    Two individuals are jailed in connection with the robbery of a bank in the city of Erie that occurred on Thursday afternoon. Jessica Lynn Grovanz, age 29, of Rich Valley Road in Emporium, has been charged in connection with the robbery according to several Erie, PA news outlets. (Full story in the Cameron […]

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Cameron County residents, along with those in parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio and the Midwest, were treated last week to Snow Rollers, an uncommon sight brought about by a combination of fierce winter weather, rising temperatures and howling winds. Snow Rollers are the official term for the often […]

by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor Cameron County is one step closer to its highly-anticipated Judicial Sale according to Emporium Borough Manager Don Reed, who informed borough council of the progress at their Monday night meeting. Reed stated that County Solicitor Tommy Tompkins planned to file paperwork on approximately 50 properties this Wednesday, with official […]

    Part of the American Dream has always included owning property. Families want a home, a place to call their own. Homeownership comes with a number of benefits, especially to growing children who are more likely to succeed in school, and subsequently in life, due to the stability and structure that owning a home […]

    Thomas Tarantella is not a politician by nature, but he is working on that. Tarantella visited the Aroma Café in Emporium last week to introduce himself to the people he hopes will be his constituents after this year’s United States Congressional elections. He has announced his intent to run on the Democratic ticket […]

    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 […]

    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 […]

    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 […]

    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 […]

    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 […]

    Four schools in the 25th Senatorial District have been selected to receive Pennsylvania school safety grants, according to Senator Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson). The Cameron County School District will receive $60,000 for SRO.

    Midtowne Sports Bar & Grill, 36 E. 4th St., Emporium Boro, was issued a citation on January 15 for violations of Sales in excess and Sales to VIPS on July 28, 2013 and October 31, 2013.  

The Barbara Moscato Brown Library announces its fourth quarter memorial donations. Given in honor of Pastor Jeremy Caskey by His Parents: Gerald and Debbie Caskey: Turkish Delight, by Gerald & Debbie Caskey  

Cameron County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the United States Army Field Band this spring.  On Saturday, March 22, at 7 p.m. The Volunteers will present a free concert at Cameron County High School Auditorium.  

    Free tax counseling and preparation for Pennsylvania taxpayers with low and moderate income, with emphasis for those 60 and older, is available from AARP Tax Aide in Cameron, Elk, McKean and Potter counties. This service runs from February 10 through April 4. Qualified preparers will be offering help with personal income tax returns […]

    The officers and directors of the Sinnemahoning Sportsmen’s Association held their regular monthly meeting January 19. Linda Burrows reported total membership for 2014 is 3,455, shooting for a goal of 5,000.

Use Chamber Bucks Gift Certificates Just Like Cash   In December, almost $3,000 worth of Chamber Bucks were purchased.  The gift certificates spend like cash at any of the chamber member locations on the back of the gift certificate.  If you are in a business and see the sample gift certificate, you know they accept […]

    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 […]

    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 […]

    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 […]

    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 […]

      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 […]

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 […]

    Guy and Mary Felt Manor recently became certified to offer the Music and Memory program to its residents. Out of 16,000 long-term care facilities in the United States, less than 200 homes have achieved this certification. This will allow the Manor to offer the therapeutic benefits of personalized music through a life-changing program […]

    The Cameron County Community Chest Board of Directors wishes everyone a very Happy New Year.  As of January 14, $10,050.50 has been collected toward our $20,500 goal, which puts us at 49% of the goal.  Thanks to all who have contributed so far. This month’s featured organization will be the Community Nurses, Inc. […]

    National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation has submitted to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) its required annual Purchased Gas Cost projection for gas purchases to be made beginning August 1, 2014, through July 31, 2015.  Based upon current information, the company is projecting that overall gas supply charges beginning August 1, 2014, will […]

    On Christmas Eve, Lucille Vinca celebrated her 104th birthday in the familiar comfort of her own home where she and her husband raised their four children. Her son, David, is the only sibling that lives in the Lewis Run area. He lives in the family home and is her primary caregiver with assistance […]

It’s a new year with new hopes, dreams and expectations. The Manor is looking forward to serving our community again this year. We celebrated National Maintenance Day on January 15 with a special breakfast for some of the residents and the maintenance department. Everyone seemed to have a great time. Thank you to Phil Jones […]

    In the winter of 2011-12, the Bureau of Forestry Elk State Forest in cooperation with Penn State University, West Virginia University and the Pennsylvania Game Commission participated in a study of Golden Eagles across the Appalachian Mountains from Georgia to Maine. The purpose of the study was to document the frequency and duration […]

    Win big at bingo on February 1st at the Emporium Firehall! Doors open at 6 p.m. with bingo called from 7:00 to 10:00. Minimum payout is 50 percent of every game called. All proceeds benefit Cameron County High School Boys Basketball Team. (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news stand)

    Cameron County Chamber of Commerce & Artisan Center is offering a basket making class to celebrate the arrival of spring!  Students will have the option of selecting either a Friday or Saturday class on March 21 or 22. (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news stand)

    Elk Regional Health Center, an affiliate of Penn Highlands Healthcare, urges local residents to use good judgement during this year’s flu season when visiting family or friends in the hospital or Pinecrest Manor.  If you or a family member is currently ill, please refrain from visiting until you feel better.  By following this […]

Residents of Pennsylvania can ring in the New Year with 10 free flowering trees by joining the Arbor Day Foundation any time during January 2014. By becoming a part of the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation, new members will receive two Sargent crabapple, three American redbuds, two Washington hawthorns, three white flowering dogwoods. (Full story in […]

    Cole Memorial recently recognized Robin Hammersley, RN-BSN, of the Home Health Department through the “Honor Your Caregiver” program. The “Honor Your Caregiver” program, sponsored by The Cole Foundation, provides patients and their families the opportunity to show their gratitude to a Cole provider, nurse, therapist, housekeeper, office or any other caregiver who played […]

    The Cole Memorial Medical Group’s Emporium Health Center located at 288 Sizerville Road is now open later on Mondays for patients requiring acute care, in addition to regular hours on Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news stand)

    Elk County Catholic School System is hosting “Information Night” on Wednesday, January 29. There will be a session at each school, and the times and agendas are as follows:   (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news stand)

    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 […]

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 […]

    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 […]

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” […]

    While it might be winter, landowners can begin making plans to help wildlife this spring – and beyond – by planting tree and shrub seedlings offered by the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Howard Nursery. The 2014 seedling order form is available online, and sales began Jan. 6. (Full story in the Cameron County Echo […]

    by Amanda Jones Echo News Editor A young boy will be honored after helping with rescue efforts to extract his grandfather from a remote site in Cameron County. Hayden Merkey, a 12-year-old Boy Scout, was hunting with his grandfather in Gibson Township in November of 2012 when the two slipped and fell several […]

    Following are the Cameron County secured real estate transactions for December: (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news stand)

The James Zwald Chapter #314, comprising Cameron and Elk counties,  will be sponsoring  fly tying classes during the months of January and  February. This will be  six lesson  classes and will teach the course for beginners through experience  fly tying. The chapter has enlisted the help of   expert tiers from Cameron and Elk counties […]

    The Small Games of Chance reporting requirement for local clubs and organizations has been delayed until 2015, according to Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25). Scarnati explained that The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has announced that Club licensees and eligible organizations will not be required to submit electronic annual reports to the Department by February […]

    Barbara Moscato Brown Memorial Library Building Fund  Memorials for 2013: (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news stand)

    A. Ramani Murugappan Arya, MD, family medicine specialist for the Cole Memorial Medical Group (CMMG), recently received board certification from the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Arya has been with Cole Memorial’s Bowman Health Center in Smethport for over three years. She completed her medical education at Kasturba Medical College of Manipal […]

by Jeanne M. Wambaugh, District Forester Elk State Forest When I think of a tree, I think of how beautiful it is.  The reflection cast upon the snow in the stark winter afternoon. The contorted branches now barren of leaves, have icicles dangling at the tips.  Snow lies in the crotches of the branches.  How […]

    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 […]

    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 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)

This 4-H shooting sports program will once again be offered through Penn State Cooperative Extension. The program teaches youth how to safely use and care for air rifles and other equipment related to shooting sports. (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news stand)

    Emporium Rotary celebrated its 75th year by inducting 10 new members this year. They include, Kristin Summerson, Gary and Diana Boden, Christina McFall, Jim Thomas, Dale Kern, Ben Bickford, Dr. Lynn Hummel, along with newest members, Joshua Parslow, inducted December 10 and sponsored by Rotarian, Mark Saline and Kristie Bennardi, inducted December 17 […]

    by Ray Savel The Sinnemahoning Sportsmen’s Association held its regular membership meeting immediately followed by the officers and directors meeting, on December 15th. Linda Burrows reported total membership for 2013 as 4,778 and total membership for 2014 at 2,879. Linda would like to have 5,000 members for 2014. The more members the club […]

Northwest Savings Bank upgraded Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in Emporium to accept cash and check deposits. The new service will allow Northwest customers to make a deposit through the ATM, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without envelopes or deposit slips.   (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news stand)

    James Miller was Program Chair at the December 17th Rotary luncheon meeting.  His guest speaker was Mr. Lynn Newcomer, Principal of the Woodland Elementary School.  Mr. Newcomer started at the school district in 1982 as the high school Spanish teacher, then in 2004 became Vice Principal at CCHS and in 2007 became the […]

    The Bucktail Watershed Association will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, January 7, 2014, at 6:30 p.m. at the Cameron County Courthouse in Emporium. Jake Tomlinson, Habitat Coordinator for Trout Unlimited’s (TU) Eastern Abandoned Mine Program, will give a presentation on TU’s Brook Trout Habitat Initiative, including improving and expanding suitable habitat for […]

    The first grade classes at Woodland Elementary celebrated the Christmas season with a morning of Grinch activities. When asked how each child would help the Grinch’s heart grow, they responded as follows: (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news stand)

    Emporium Garden Club announces Cameron County resident Josh Kuleck took home the tailgate package!  The drawing was held in conjunction with Christmas in the Wilds and included a Penn State corn hole game plus snacks and other goodies. (Full story in the Cameron County Echo on the news stand)

    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 […]

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 […]

  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 […]

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 […]

    Community Nurses, Inc. recently announced that it has been named a Top Agency of the 2013 HomeCare Elite™, a recognition of the top-performing home health agencies in the United States. Now in its eighth year, the HomeCare Elite identifies the top 25 percent of Medicare-certified agencies and highlights the top 100 and top […]

Cameron County Drama will be presenting Frank Capra’s holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” adapted by Doug Rand on Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. Ticket prices are $5.00 and kids 6 and under are free. In our American culture, “It’s a Wonderful Life” has become almost as familiar as Dickens’ […]

    Remember or Honor your loved one this holiday season through a donation to “Love Lights a Tree.” The special tree is located in the lot next to the Citizens & Northern Bank. Lights are lit, and proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society, which is dedicated to cancer research, service and education. (Full story […]

If you are a fine artist or craft artisan living in the PA Wilds region you are encouraged to apply to the PA Wilds Artisan Trail.  Likewise, shops, restaurants, lodges, galleries, visitor centers and other retailers in the region who currently sell or are interested in selling handcrafted items by PA Wilds Juried Artisans and […]