Thursday’s high, 40; Overnight low, 38; light rain overnight
FRI-SHOWERS, HIGH 52
NEW YEAR’S EVE-SHOWERS, LOW 41
NEW YEAR’S DAY-SHOWERS, HIGH 54
SAT NIGHT-SHOWERS, LOW 43
SUN-SHOWERS THEN SNOW AS TEMPERATURES DROP FROM A HIGH OF 47
Ridgway state police still looking for missing Wilcox man…State police investigated 488 vehicle crashes Christmas weekend…..PennDot advises property owners to have mailboxes ready in the event of snow arrival….
Elk County
The Pennsylvania State Police, Troop C – Ridgway Station is still attempting to locate missing person 42-year-old Russell MASON. MASON was last seen on 11/08/2021 in Wilcox, Elk County and his vehicle was located in Cranberry Township, Butler County at a shopping mall. He’s described as being between 5’10” and 6 foot tall, with green eyes and brown hair, balding in the front. MASON is believed to be suicidal. Anyone having information on the whereabouts of MASON is asked to anonymously contact the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers Toll Free at 1-800-4PA-TIPS (8477) or online at https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=107 All callers to Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers remain anonymous and could be eligible for a CASH REWARD for information that leads to an arrest, the solving of a crime/cold case or the location of a wanted person/fugitive or missing person.
Statewide
– The Pennsylvania State Police investigated 488 motor vehicle crashes, which killed six people and injured 90 others, during the Christmas holiday weekend from December 24-26, 2021.Alcohol was a factor in 8% of the crashes, including one fatal crash, and resulted in 181 DUI arrests. State Troopers also arrested 158 individuals on criminal charges and issued 4,007 traffic citations. 
CRASH DATA
Year Total Crashes Fatal Crashes People Killed People Injured Alcohol-Related Crashes Alcohol-Related Fatal Crashes
2021 (3 days) 488 4 6 90 41 1
2019 (3 days) 376 0 0 78 40 0
ENFORCEMENT DATA
Year DUI Arrests Speeding Citations Child Seat Citations Seat Belt Citations Other Citations
2021 (3 days) 181 1,131 24 124 2,728
2019 (3 days) 179 1,885 17 181 3,800
These statistics cover only those incidents investigated by the state police and do not include incidents to which other law enforcement agencies responded.
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic and mitigation efforts that were in place throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the time, statistical information was not collected during the 2020 Christmas holiday driving period.
With New Year’s Eve celebrations tonight, state police will once again be on the lookout for impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers. Remember to plan ahead for a safe ride home before heading out, especially if your holiday plans involve alcohol.
It’s been a mild winter so far, but that may change. PennDot says it is important that property owners make sure their mailbox is in the correct location to ensure the efficiency of both the mail service and the snow plowing operations should they become necessary. In addition, property owners should also inspect their mailbox to verify it has a strong support.Mail carriers will make every effort to deliver the mail. However, if the mailbox is not accessible to the carrier due to snow build up, or if it is not properly located along the roadway, you may have to pick up your mail at the post office.
PennDOT allows property owners to place mailboxes within the limits of the legal right-of-way along state owned roadways out of respect for the U.S. Postal Service’s need to deliver the mail and the mailbox customer’s convenience of delivery. But because some mailboxes are located in the legal right-of-way, damages are the responsibility of the property owner.
Normally, a mailbox is placed as far from the shoulder of the roadway as the carrier can reach from a vehicle and the mailbox rests on a firm support, the box should be able to withstand the windrow of snow from the plowing operations. Be sure your mailbox has a strong support.
Suggestions/Recommendations
Check your mailbox support often.
Clear snow from in front and on the sides of the mailbox, disposing of it properly, not on the roadway.
Consider using reflective tape or other material to make the mailbox easier to see during storms or dark hours.
Questions regarding the proper location of your mailbox along the roadway can be directed to your local post office.
Property owners who have followed these tips in the past and have still experienced damaged mailboxes may want to consider a cantilever mailbox support that will “swing” a mailbox out of harm’s way. Plans for building the cantilever mailbox support can be obtained by visiting PennDOT’s winter web page at Winter Preparation (penndot.gov).
The PA Department of Health updated Covid-19 information for counties in the Black Forest Broadcasting Service Area as of noon Wednesday December 29 , 2021 but has not since updated. Thus the totals remain the same. However, the New York State Health Department has updated their information.
CAMERON 430
ELK-2805
McKEAN-4951
POTTER-2292
TIOGA-4608
ALLEGANY (NY)- 6957
CATTARAUGUS (NY) 11,449