Ridgway police look for arsonist….St. Marys woman jailed for public drunkenness and related offenses Area Emergency Departments receive $445,000 in state grants…63% of state’s population vaccinated…
Wednesdays’ high, 85; overnight low, 64; .50” of rain (TST)
THU-SCATTRED SHOWERS, HIGH 74
THU NIGHT-MOSTLY CLOUDY, SHOWERS LOW 63
FRI-SCATTERED SHOWERS, HIGH 75
FRI NIGHT-MOSTLY CLOUDY, LOW 57
SAT-MOSTLY SUNNY, HIGH 78
SAT NIGHT- MOSTLY CLOUDY, LOW 58
Elk County
State police at Ridgway are looking for an arsonist in connection to a fire which caused $50,000 in damage to a camp on the Pigs Ear Road in Highland Township between 6:00 and 7:00 pm June 30. The camp, owned by Joshua Wright of Beaver Falls, PA was not insured.
Troopers at Ridgway have arrested a 49 year old Smithton, PA man for scattering rubbish, theft of services and criminal trespass. Authorities claim the suspect, driving a 2006 Cheverolet Blazer, dropped off a TV at the Benezette Township building at around 9:45 am June 27. He did not have an account with the township or Advanced Disposal and it is illegal to leave TVs at that location.
Cameron County
A St. Marys woman has been jailed for public drunkenness and related offenses for an incident allegedly taking place Monday afternoon on West 5th Street in Emporium. State police say they were called to that location on a report of an adult woman being disorderly along the highway. The investigation found that Mertz reportedly lifted her dress exposing herself to two teenage boys who were walking along the road. Following arraignment on charges of corruption of minors, indecent exposure, open lewdness and other summary offense, Mertz was committed to the Elk County prison.
Both Emporium residents involved in an argument have been cited for assault. According to Emporium state police, when they were called to 57 Sycamore Street shortly after 1:00 am Monday, they arrested 53 year old man and a 37 year old woman for simple assault and harassment.
Potter County
A North Bingham driver and his young passenger escaped injury in a one-vehicle accident Monday afternoon in Coudersport. According to state police, Shane Blake was going east on Route 6 West when his Dodge Ram crossed the road, went over a curb and collided with a tree. Both the driver and his 9 year old female passenger were using seat belts.
Region
Fire and emergency response organizations in Cameron, McKean and Potter counties have been awarded more than $445,000 in grants from the state, according to Rep. Martin Causer.
The funding comes from an ongoing grant program created by the Legislature and administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC). All funding comes from the proceeds from slot machine gaming, and not General Fund tax revenue.
Since its inception, the program has provided approximately $7.4 million in funding to fire and ambulance companies in the three-county area. Projects eligible for funding include construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, or reduction of existing debt. This year, the funding may also be used to offset revenue loss due to limited fundraising opportunities resulting from COVID-19 restrictions.
Following is a list of local fire and ambulance companies and the amount of their grant awards. All companies that apply and meet requirements outlined by OSFC receive funding.
Cameron County
Emporium Fire Department Inc., Emporium – $11,520.24.
Mountaineer Search and Rescue, Emporium – $11,520.24.
McKean County
Bradford City Fire Department, Bradford – $8,993.20 for EMS operations; $14,550.44 for fire company operations.
Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department, Bradford – $14,906.94.
Corydon Township Volunteer Fire Department, Bradford – $12,054.98.
Derrick City Volunteer Fire Department, Derrick City – $12,233.23.
Eldred Borough Volunteer Fire Department Inc., Eldred – $8,993.20 for EMS operations; $11,520.24 for fire company operations.
Eldred Township Volunteer Fire Department, Eldred – $11,698.48.
Hilltop Volunteer Fire Department, Cyclone – $11,698.48.
Kane Volunteer Fire Department, Kane – $11,698.48.
Lafayette Township Volunteer Fire Department, Lewis Run – $11,876.73.
Lewis Run Volunteer Fire Department, Lewis Run – $11,520.24.
Mount Jewett Area Ambulance Association, Mount Jewett – $8,993.20.
Mount Jewett Fire Department, Mount Jewett – $11,520.24.
Norwich Township Volunteer Fire Department, Crosby – $11,520.24.
Otto Township Volunteer Fire Department, Duke Center – $8,543.70 for EMS operations; $11,520.24 for fire company operations.
Port Allegany Fire Department, Star Hose Company No. 1, Port Allegany – $14,906.94.
Port Area Ambulance Service Inc., Port Allegany – $8,993.20.
Rew Volunteer Fire Department, Rew – $11,876.73.
Smethport Fire Department Inc., Smethport – $12,411.47.
Potter County
Austin Volunteer Fire Department, Austin – $8,993.20 for EMS operations; $12,767.97 for fire company operations.
Coudersport Volunteer Ambulance Association, Coudersport – $8,993.20.
Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department, Coudersport – $14,372.20.
Gale Hose Company No. 1 Inc. EMS, Galeton – $8,993.20.
Genesee Volunteer Fire Department Inc., Genesee – $8,993.20 for EMS operations; $11,520.24 for fire company operations.
Germania Fire Company, Galeton – $11,235.
Goodyear Hose Company No. 1 Inc., Galeton – $12,054.98.
Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Company, Harrison Valley – $12,946.22.
Kettle Creek Ambulance Association, Cross Fork – $3,342.08.
Kettle Creek Hose Company No. 1, Cross Fork – $11,520.24.
Roulette Chemical Engine No. 1 Inc., Roulette – $8,993.20 for EMS operations; $11,876.73 for fire company operations.
Shinglehouse Volunteer Fire Department, Shinglehouse – $8,993.20 for EMS operations; $12,054.98 for fire company operations.
Tri-town Fire Company, Ulysses – $12,946.22.
Statewide
The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed that between 12:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 7, there were 186 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 1,213,321.
CAMERON-212
ELK-1583
McKEAN-2908
POTTER-1068
TIOGA 2603
ALLEGANY-3562
CATTARAUGUS-5729
There are 292 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 58 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. More data is available here.
Statewide percent positivity for the week of June 25 – July 1 stood at 1.1%–down from the previous week…
As of 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, July 6, there were 10 new deaths identified by the Pennsylvania death registry, reported for a total of 27,718 deaths attributed to COVID-19. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.
According to the CDC, as of Tuesday, July 6, Pennsylvania has administered first doses of vaccine to 63.3% 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, July 6, 60.8% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated while 76% have received their first dose.
According to the CDC, as of Tuesday, July 6, Pennsylvania ranks 5th among all 50 states for total doses administered.
Vaccine providers have administered 11,774,334 total vaccine doses as of Wednesday, July 7.
First/single doses: 6,766,707 administered
Second doses: 4,007,627 administered
5,456,210 people are fully vaccinated; with a seven-day moving average of more than 13,600 people per day receiving vaccinations.
1,310,497 people are partially vaccinated, meaning they have received one dose of a two-dose vaccine.
The department continues to urge Pennsylvanians to follow CDC for wearing a mask where required by law, rule and regulations, including healthcare, local business and workplace guidance. For the protection of themselves and others, individuals who have not yet been vaccinated or are partially vaccinated, are still encouraged to wear a mask when in public.
In licensed nursing and personal care homes, there have been a total of 72,075 resident cases of COVID-19 to date, and 15,560 cases among employees, for a total of 87,635 at 1,599 distinct facilities in all 67 counties. Approximately 29,043 of total cases have been among health care workers.
All Pennsylvanians age 12 and older are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. Use Vaccine Finder to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.
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.