Clara Township voters decide to move ahead with home rule charter….St. Marys woman arrested for shoplifting at Walmart….Kane motorcyclist seriously hurt in collision……McKean County jury convicts Mt. Jewett resident of sex crimes….9.7 million Pennsylvanians vaccinated….
Tuesday’s high, 81; Overnight low 39
WED-SUNNY, HIGH 84
WED NIGHT-INCREASING CLOUDS, LOW 55
THU-MOSTLY SUNNY, THEN A MIX HIGH 86
THU NIGHT-MOSTLY CLOUDY, LOW 59
FRI-MIX OF CLOUDS & SUN, THE CLOUDS INCREASING HIGH 87
FRI NIGHT-CLOUDY, LOW 59
While there were not many contests locally in yesterday’s primary, the most interesting issue was a decision by an overwhelming majority of Clara Township Potter County to move forward with establishing a home rule charter for the small township which has only 139 total registered voters. Yesterday’s vote was 49 yes and 16 no. Seven seats were open for the study commission. Unofficial winners were in boldface): Robert Wylie 45; Nicole Green 35; Travis Green 39; Steven Mehl 49; Shane Pease 46, Colleen Farr 48; Diana Buchsen 38; Brianna Broscius 32; Gary Buchsen 39.
Pennsylvania voters approved all three questions and a referendum on yesterday’s ballot.
The PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 1 TERMINATION OR EXTENSION OF DISASTER EMERGENCY DECLARATION was appoved
Yes — 1,031,128 votes (53.61%)
No — 892,093 votes (46.39%)
PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 2 DISASTER EMERGENCY DECLARATION AND MANAGEMENT
Yes — 1,039,897 votes (53.58%)
No — 900,920 votes (46.42%)
PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 3 PROHIBITION AGAINST DENIAL OR ABRIDGEMENT OF EQUALITY OF RIGHTS BECAUSE OF RACE OR ETHNICITY
Yes — 1,380,797 votes (71.36%)
No — 554,215 votes (28.64%)
STATEWIDE REFERENDUM-ACT 2020-91 Allowing fire, ambulance departments and rescue squads to expand indebtedness
Yes — 1,386,992 votes (72.19%)
No — 534,353 votes (27.81%)
State police at Ridgway have charged a 29 year old St. Marys woman with shoplifting. Troopers allege the suspect, whose name was not releases, tried to leave the store with $103.21 worth of goods without paying for them. The merchandise included two USB cords, a Popsocket, purse and miscellaneous cosmetic items.
DUI charges are being filed against a 27 year old Smethport man after a one-vehicle mishap Saturday evening in Keating Township, McKean County. Lewis Run state police allege the driver of an eastbound 2017 Dodge Ram was DUI when it hit a bridge rail causing the front wheel and tire to come off. The truck continued over the bridge before stopping.
A 40 year old Hudson Florida man has been charged with DUI after troopers stopped his 2000 Ford Excursion on Route 155 in Annin Township, McKean County early last Friday morning. The suspect was allegedly found to be driving under the influence of a controlled substance. He was taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center for blood testing.
A Kane motorcyclist was seriously injured Friday evening in a collision in Mt. Jewett. Troopers report the collision occurred when 74 year old Marian Smith of Mt. Jewett who was traveling north on Berg Lane began a left turn into a parking space as 19 year old Braden Dougherty of Kane who was going south coming out of a left curve came upon Smith’s Toyota Rav 4 but was unable to stop his Harley-Davidson Sportster in time. The bike continued on its left side until it collided with a parked 2011 Chevrolet Impala. Dougherty was taken to UPMC Hamot for treatment of serious injuries. Smith was not hurt but was charged for failing to use a turn signal.
An elderly Mt. Jewett woman escaped injury last Tuesday afternoon when a large rock flew off of a large eastbound red truck and struck the windshield on her westbound Honda CRV. Anyone who has information is asked to call the Lewis Run barracks at 814.368.9230.
McKean County District Attorney Stephanie L. Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that, on May 18, 2021, following a jury trial at the McKean County Courthouse, Kevin S. Brown, of Mount Jewett, was convicted of Statutory Sexual Assault (defendant 11 or more years older than victim) – Felony 1; Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse on a victim less than 13 years of age – Felony 1; Sexual Assault – Felony 2; Corruption of Minors as a Course of Conduct -Felony 3 ; Corruption of Minors – Misdemeanor 1; 2 counts of Indecent Assault (victim less than 13 years of age) – Misdemeanor 1.
The case was investigated by Trooper Neil Ginther of the PA State Police – Lewis Run barracks. The crimes occurred between September 24, 2016 – August 14, 2019 in Mount Jewett. The case was prosecuted by McKean County 2nd Assistant District Attorney Ashley M. Shade. The defendant was ordered to undergo an assessment pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (formerly Megan’s Law). Sentencing will be scheduled following receipt of the assessment.
Yesterday’s trial was the first jury trial held in McKean County following the expiration of the judicial emergency order during which jury trials were suspended due to COVID-19 precautions.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 18, there were 1,730 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 1,188,845.
CAMERON-204
ELK- 1570
MCKEAN-2824
POTTER-1008
TIOGA -2490
CATTARAUGUS-5625
ALLEGANY-3458
There are 1,436 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 342 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19.
The trend in the 14-day moving average number of hospitalized patients per day is coming down, after peaking at 2,661 patients which is slightly below what it was at the height of the spring 2020 peak of 2,751 patients on May 3, 2020. The full 14-day moving average since the start of the pandemic can be found here.
Statewide percent positivity for the week of May 7 – May 13 stood at 5.3% down from the previous week.
As of 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 17, there were 38 new deaths identified by the Pennsylvania death registry, reported for a total of 26,871 deaths attributed to COVID-19. County-specific information and a
According to the CDC, as of Tuesday morning, May 18, Pennsylvania has administered first doses of vaccine to 54.8% of its entire population, and the state ranks 9th among all 50 states for first doses administered by percentage of population.
According to the CDC, as of Tuesday morning, May 18, 49.1% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated.
According to the CDC, as of Tuesday morning, May 18, Pennsylvania ranks 5th among all 50 states for total doses administered.
Vaccine providers have administered 9,785,235 total vaccine doses as of Tuesday, May 18.
4,242,190 people are fully vaccinated; with a seven-day moving average of more than 60,600 people per day receiving vaccinations.
1,653,191 people are partially vaccinated, meaning they have received one dose of a two-dose vaccine.
5,895,381 people have received at least their first dose.
This week, a total of 10,154,160 doses will have been allocated through May 22:
300,320 first/single doses will have been allocated this week.
297,520 second doses will have been allocated this week.
To date, 9,785,235 total doses have been administered through May 17:
First/single doses: 5,895,381 administered
Second doses: 3,889,854 administered
Fully vaccinated people may choose not to wear a mask indoors or outdoors unless the business or organization requires it, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
There are 4,526,726 individuals who have tested negative to date.
In licensed nursing and personal care homes, there are 71,472 resident cases of COVID-19, and 15,150 cases among employees, for a total of 86,622 at 1,591 distinct facilities in all 67 countiesApproximately 28,370 of the total cases are among health care workers.Hummingbirds: Jewels in Flight – Virtual Program
The hummingbirds have returned to Sinnemahoning State Park. You are invited to ! join the park educator online Thursday from 12:00p to 1:00p to learn about these beautiful tiny birds and how you can invite them to visit your backyard. Photo-filled PowerPoint presentation followed by question-and-answer session.
This virtual program will be held online using Microsoft Teams. In order to share the link with all who are interested, pre-registration is required for all online programs. To register, please go to DCNR Calendar of Events at https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/sinnemahoning_state_park.
For help with registration or for more information, contact the park office at 814-647-8401 or reply to this email.