Photo courtesy of Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department, See story below.
Coudersport woman seriously injured in car/deer collision….both people involved in domestic violence assault have been charged…McKean County woman victim of on-line gift card scam …grants available for families needing help in paying water bills….state announces Lyme disease art contest for children…
Potter County
A Coudersport woman was seriously injured in a one-car accident Monday afternoon in Allegany Township, Potter County. Coudersport based state police report Jennifer Herbst was going west on Route 49 near Lent Hollow Road when a deer hit the driver’s side door on her 2005 Suzuki Grand causing the SUV to go out of control, go over a guardrail and travel down a 30 foot ravine where it came to rest upside down. Herbst was able to get out of the wreckage and flagged down a passerby who took her to UPMC Cole. Coudersport Volunteer fire department responded to the scene.
Both people involved in an argument on the morning of January 29 at a home on West Main Street in Galeton have been charged with physical harassment. Troopers say their investigation determined both a 27 year old Coudersport man and a 28 year Galeton woman subjected each other to unwanted physical contact during a disagreement.
Troopers at Coudersport are investigating trespassing in Sylvania Township. Timothy Sleeth of Hollidaysburg reported snowmobilers were traveling across his property on the Costello Road on the afternoon of January 29. Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 814.274.8690.
McKean County
Another ID theft is being investigated in the region. State police at Lewis Run report 65 year old Linda Messer of Port Allegany was the victim of an online scam which required her to purchase gift cards Wednesday. Police remind the public to be vigilant about possible scams.
A possible child abuse case in Otto Township is being probed by troopers at Lewis Run the incident allegedly took place last Thursday afternoon on Grant Street and the victim is listed as a 16 year old Duke Center girl.
Tioga County
DUI charges are pending against 31 year old David Conklin of Gillett, PA after a one-vehicle crash early Sunday morning in Jackson Township, Tioga County. Troopers responding to the roll over of a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt on Route 328, they found Conklin had been driving his 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt under the influence.
Region
The state Health Department reports the number of deaths in Pennsylvania now totals 42,035. Deaths in the Black Forest Broadcasting Service area to date are mostly holding steady.
Cameron 19
Elk 86
McKean 130 (+1)
Potter 88 (+1)
Tioga 187 (+1)
Allegany (NY) 145
Cattaraugus 208 (+1)
Statewide
Applications Now Being Accepted for Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)
For those in need of some help with their water bills, the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is a temporary emergency program designed to help low-income families pay overdue water bills.LIHWAP is a grant, so you don’t have to repay the assistance you receive. LIHWAP crisis grants may be available if you have an emergency situation and are in jeopardy of losing your water service. You can receive one crisis grant for your drinking water service and one crisis grant for your wastewater service, up to $2,500 each. Crisis situations include past-due water bills, termination of utility service, danger of having utility service terminated (you received a notice that service will be shut off within the next 60 days). For how to apply and more information about the program, see the program website.For more information on Lyme disease, visit the Department of Health’s website or follow the Department of Health on Facebook and Twitter. The state Health Department reports the number of deaths in Pennsylvania now totals 42,035. Deaths in the Black Forest Broadcasting Service area to date are mostly holding steady.
Statewide
As the number of Lyme disease cases in the state and across the nation continues to rise, officials from the departments of Health (DOH), Education (PDE), and Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) today encouraged Pennsylvanians to participate in the 2022 Lyme Art Contest to promote awareness of the prevalence of ticks and the types of diseases they carry.The art contest is open to children in first through sixth grade. Entries must be received by 5:00 P.M.,Friday March 11, 2022. Contest materials can be found on the Department of Health’s website. The Lyme Art Contest was created in 2019 to educate children, scout troops, youth community programs, and their peers about where ticks are found and how to 
prevent encountering ticks in their habitat. This year’s finalists will be notified by mail and will be invited to an award ceremony in May 2022.
In Pennsylvania, there are reports of up to 10,000 Lyme disease cases per year and more are likely unreported. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a short course of antibiotics. However, if the infection is left untreated, it can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.
Ticks are usually found in shrubs, weeds, leaf litter, and tall grasses, but can be found anywhere there is grass. So, it is important to take the proper steps to decrease the chances of getting bitten. When outside, cover exposed skin, wear light colors to help detect ticks, and use insect repellent that contains 20 percent or more DEET. Use permethrin spray on shoes, clothes and gear before spending time outdoors. After being outside, check yourself, your kids, and your pets thoroughly for ticks and remove any that are attached. Then, take a shower to help remove any ticks that you may have missed. You can also throw your clothes in the dryer using high heat to help kill any ticks that might still be left.
DOH, PDE and DCNR encourage Pennsylvanians to be safe when enjoying the outdoors and want to remind people of the benefits of recreating outdoors despite the risk of tick-borne illnesses. Those benefits include:
Improving cardiovascular health;
Strengthening muscles and bones;
Reducing chances of suffering chronic diseases;
Reducing stress levels and improving mental health; and
Becoming more socially connected.
For more information on Lyme disease, visit the Department of Health’s website or follow the Department of Health on Facebookand Twitter.