Wellsboro man charged with a host of traffic violations by Coudersport based state police…..three crashes investigated by state police…..Shinglehouse teen accused of assaulting woman during argument…Several DeWalt tools stolen in McKean County…Port Allegany man jailed on sexual assault charges…Starting Saturday 814 phone customers will have to dial all ten digits….Pennsylvania’s trout season opens statewide tomorrow …Pennsylvania ahead of most states for virus vaccinations…..
Thursday’s high, 51; Overnight low, 17; light coating of snow
MOSTLY SUNNY TODAY BUT COOL HIGH OF 35
CLEAR TONIGHT AND LOW OF 18.
MOSTLY SUNNY TOMORROW HIGH 49. MOSTLY CLEAR.
TOMORROW NIGHT LOW OF 33.
EASTER SUNDAY MOSTLY SUNNY HIGH 57
SUNDAY NIGHT OF 31
Potter County
Coudersport based State Police have charged 23 year old Levi Mack of Wellsboro with a host of crimes after stopping his 2009 Jeep on Germania Road in West Branch township on February 4 for an alleged traffic violation. Upon further investigation troopers say they determined that Mack was driving the vehicle while intoxicated. He’s been charged with unsafe driving, having a blood alcohol level of .16% and greater, careless driving expired inspection sticker, no seatbelt and failing to use turn signals.
An Austin woman escaped injury and in one vehicle accident occurring yesterday at around 10:30am on the First Fork Road in Sylvania Township. Kayla Kio was going north when a tire on her Ford Explorer blew causing the unit to go off the road and into a small ditch.In an attempt to avoid collision with an oncoming vehicleKio overcorrected causing the vehicle to go back into the ditch and roll over.She was taken to UPMC Cole were medical evacuation, but police say she was not hurt.
A Gaines driver and her passengers escaped injury in a vehicle crash occurring yesterday at about the same time on Pine Hill Road in Stewardson Township . April Cole was driving a Ford Escape, making a left hand curve the slid off the road, after encountering a patch of ice and snow. The SUV hittinga ditch on the right side before coming to rest at that location. Cole’s passengers were identified as Daisy Scheerof Galeton and a 13 year old boy, but no one was hurt.
Both drivers and their passengers escaped injury in a collision Wednesday morning at the intersection of Route 449 and 49. In Ulysses Township.According to Coudersport Based State Police,the collision occurred when Matthew Quinn of Bethlehem who was driving a Nissan ultimum entered the intersection to travel south onRoute 449 and collided with a Nissan driven by a 71 year old Walter Schoenlyof Genesee. Police said both drivers and their passengers Anasimone Quinn and Lorraine Schonly were using seatbelts and
State Police did not release the name of a 16 year old boy from Shinglehouse, who is facing charges of physical harassment for an incident allegedly taking place Wednesday afternoon on the Ceres Road in Shinglehouse. Troopers claim that the youth and a 43 year old woman were arguing when the teen allegedly assaulted the female victim and the non traffic citation was filed against the 16 year old.
McKean County
State Police and Lewis Run are investigating the theft occurring from a building on Route 6 in Keating Township between last Friday and this past Tuesday. Several DeWalt tool, owned by a 63 year old Morrisdale man were taken from the location. Anyone with information and is asked to contact State Police at 814-368-9238
A 40 year old Port Allegany has been arrested for DUI State Police at Lewis Run plane explain when they stopped his 2003 Ford on Route 6 in Liberty Township McKean County, Sunday Monday evening, they determined he was driving under the influence. He was taken to UPMC Cole For a blood draw and charges are pending lab results.
Bill Renner, 19 of Port Allegany has been arrested for statutory rape and sexual assault in connection to an incident allegedly taking place this past January 13 on Route 155 in Annin Township, McKean County. Police say that Renner surrendered to police on his own. He was transported to the McKean County Jail, in lieu of $25,000 bail after being arraigned on charges of statutory sexual assault weapon of minors, indecent assault of a person less than 16 years of age and distributing a small amount of marijuana, not for sale. Police began investigating following a Childline call which identified the victim as a 15 year old girl from Oil City.
Elk County
Troopers at Ridgway are investigating a report of child endangerment occurring Sunday evening on the Ofneski Road in Ridgway Township. Police claim 26 year old Ryan Hayes of Ridgway was the sole caregiver for three month old boy while being severely under the influence of a controlled substance.
Region
Tomorrow is a dreaded day for some phone customers. Beginning Saturday April 3, all calls made within the area code 814 must be placed using the area code plus the seven digit number. Seven digit calls within the area will no longer be completed. The new 582 area code will not be assigned until May 1 and will be mostly south of the Black Forest Broadcasting service area.
Beginning April 3rd, all calls made within area code 814 must be placed using the area code plus the seven digit telephone number. Seven digit calls within this area will no longer be completed. The new 582 area code will not be assigned until May 1st.
Things you need to know:
- Your telephone number, including area code, will not change
- You will need to dial the area code + telephone number for all local calls
- You will continue to dial 1 + area code + telephone number for all long distance calls
- What is now a local call will remain a local call
- The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay
You can still dial just three digits to reach 911.
Make sure important safety and security equipment, such as medical alert devices, and alarm and security systems are programmed to dial a 10 digit number. Please contact your medical alert or security provider if you are not sure whether your equipment needs to be reprogrammed to accommodate the upcoming change to 10 digit local dialing.
For additional information please visit http://www.puc.pa.gov
Statewide
Pennsylvania’s statewide trout season opens tomorrow, Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. Anglers are reminded that this Saturday’s opening day is a single, statewide event for all 67 counties. This change was implemented in 2021 to provide anglers with two more weeks to enjoy trout fishing statewide, reduce travel associated with multiple opening days, and minimize overcrowding on many popular waterways to allow anglers to comply with social distancing guidelines associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
To participate in trout fishing, anglers ages 16 and older must obtain a Pennsylvania fishing license and a trout permit. Licenses and permits are available using the FishBoatPA mobile app, online at www.fishandboat.com, and in-person at nearly 700 license issuing agents.
To complement thousands of miles of wild trout streams across Pennsylvania, the PFBC will stock approximately 3.2 million adult trout in 701 streams and 128 lakes open to public angling. All waters have been stocked prior to opening day, and in-season stockings are scheduled to replenish some of the most popular waters throughout April and May. A complete stocking schedule can be viewed using the FishBoatPA mobile app or on the PFBC website.
During the spring season, anglers may keep up to five trout per day with a minimum size of seven inches. Complete trout fishing regulation can be found on the Trout page of the PFBC website.
In 2021, anglers will have an excellent chance to catch large, trophy-sized trout. This year, the PFBC will stock approximately 60,000 brood fish, which are 2 ½ year-old and 3 ½ year-old hatchery-raised Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Brook Trout measuring 14″-20″. The allocation of these large trout will remain at increased levels established in 2020, which was more than double the allocation in 2019. Roughly 70% of these large fish have been stocked into streams and lakes during the preseason prior to opening days of trout season, and 30% will be stocked during in-season replenishment stockings.
In 2021, the PFBC will also continue to stock large numbers of golden Rainbow Trout. In addition to being stocked during the preseason period before opening day, these highly prized fish featuring vibrant golden-orange pigmentation and weighing an average of 1.5 pounds, will be stocked during in-season replenishment stockings. The allocation of approximately 13,000 golden Rainbow Trout in 2021 matches numbers established in 2020, which exceeded the 2019 allocation by roughly 40%. Approximately 80% of golden Rainbow Trout will be stocked during the preseason, and approximately 20% will be stocked in-season.
Cold Water Safety
The PFBC reminds anglers who will be fishing from boats this trout season to wear a life jacket. From November 1 through April 30, boaters are required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or on any kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. The requirement applies to all Pennsylvania waters.
Sudden cold-water immersion, or cold-water shock, occurs when a person is unexpectedly plunged into cold water below 70ºF resulting in an involuntary gasp where water is often inhaled. This uncontrollable reaction causes panic, hyperventilation, inhalation of water, and inhibits the ability of a person to swim.
According to Pennsylvania boating accident reports, nearly 80% of all boating fatalities occurred because boaters were not wearing life jackets. A disproportionate number of deaths happen between November and April.
Catch-and-Release Fishing Techniques
The PFBC reminds anglers of proper catch-and-release fishing techniques when harvest is not permitted or when anglers choose to practice catch-and-release fishing during the 2021 trout season.
The techniques listed below will ensure that released fish have the best chance to survive and contribute to future angling enjoyment.
- Land your fish as quickly as possible and don’t play the fish to exhaustion. Excessive stress and exhaustion increases post-release mortality.
- Use a landing net (rubber or rubberized mesh is best) to better control your catch and reduce trauma associated with handling.
- Keep the fish in the water as much as possible. The chance of a fish being injured increases the longer it is held out of the water.
- Wet your hands, your net, and other materials that touch the fish. Don’t handle fish with a towel or rag. This helps to keep a fish’s protective mucus or slime layer in place.
- Hold the fish upside down while removing the hook. This can calm the fish for quicker unhooking and release.
- Use hemostats or long nose pliers to aid in removing a hook quickly and safely. Use barbless hooks or pinch down barbs on existing hooks with small pliers to make removing hooks easier.
- When not possible to remove the hook without harming the fish, cut the line or harvest to eat (subject to season, length, and creel limits).
- Avoid contact with the gills and do not handle by placing your fingers under the operculum (gill cover).
- Hold the fish upright underwater after unhooking until it can swim away on its own. If necessary, gently hold the fish out of strong current until it revives.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 1, there were 3,893 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 1,028,750. Here in the Black Forest Broadcasting service areaMcKean County has 2402 confirmed cases, Tioga 2163, Elk 1358; Potter 847 and Cameron 186. In neighboring New York State Cattaraugus County has 4827 confirmed cases in Allegany 3041 casesThere are 2,075 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 420 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. The trend in the 14-day moving average number of hospitalized patients per day is about 4,300 lower than it was at the peak on December 25, 2020. The current 14-day average is also below what it was at the height of the spring peak on May 3, 2020. However, the moving average of number of hospitalized patients has started to increase.
Statewide percent positivity for the week of March 19 – March 25 stood at 7.6% slightly more than the previous week.
The most accurate daily data is available on the website, with archived data also available.
As of 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, there were 27 new deaths identified by the Pennsylvania death registry, reported for a total of 25,120 deaths attributed to COVID-19.
According to the CDC, as of Thursday morning, April 1, Pennsylvania has administered first doses of vaccine to 32% of its eligible population, putting it three percentage points ahead of the national average.
Vaccine providers have administered 5,309,424 total vaccine doses as of Thursday, April 1.
This week, a total of 5,870,320 doses will have been allocated through April 3:
Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home, even if fully vaccinated. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.
There are 4,143,418 individuals who have tested negative to date.
In licensed nursing and personal care homes, there are 69,294 resident cases of COVID-19, and 14,283 cases among employees, for a total of 83,577 at 1,576 distinct facilities in all 67 counties.
Approximately 26,503 of the total cases are among health care workers.
A commonwealth COVID-19 vaccination guide explains the current process for getting one. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877-724-3258.
Vaccine provider map to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.