Owlett’s energy bill approved by state house. See story below.
Five children die in Genesee, PA house fire and two adults seriously hurt……Cruelty to animals investigated in McKean County…State House has approved Owlett’s energy bill…..
The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Troop F Coudersport station is currently investigating a fatal residential fire that killed five children and severely injured two adults on Slingerland Road in Genesee Township, Potter County in the early morning hours of Monday, April 11.Genesse Volunteer Fire Company, along with multiple other fire companies from New York and Pennsylvania, were dispatched to a fire at 3:30 a.m. at the home of Charlie and Michele Erway. Upon the fire departments’ arrival, the house was engulfed in flames.Five juvenile victims were unable to get out of the residence. The Erways were able to get out of the home, but both sustained serious injuries while trying to rescue the children. They were both flown from the scene to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York. Authorities say the investigation is still active and ongoing. Preliminary information indicates there is nothing suspicious involved with the fire and that the fire started in the basement. The current medical condition of the Erways is not available at this time. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family.
Troopers at Lewis Run are continuing to investigate a report of cruelty to animals occurring on March 30 on Route 59 in Lafayette Township, McKean County. No further details were released.
A 30 year old Weedville man has been arrested for DUI following a traffic stop Saturday on the Bennetts Valley Highway in Jay Township. Troopers pulled over the driver just after midnight after allegedly observing him committing traffic violations.
No injuries were reported following a car/deer collision on Lower Road in Ward Township in Tioga County
Sunday morning. Troopers at Mansfield report the driver of a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee tried unsuccessfully to avoid hitting the whitetail which bounded onto the road. The Jeep went of the south side of the road and collided with a utility pole and a tree. The driver was using a seatbelt and the vehicle could be driven away so the accident is technically a non-reportable.
Recognizing the opportunity to help build energy independence for the Commonwealth and the nation, the state House on Monday approved Rep. Clint Owlett’s (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter) proposal to end a Wolf administration moratorium on subsurface leases under state land.
“By passing this bill, we are sending a message to the world that here in Pennsylvania, we are done purchasing energy from countries that want to hurt us,” Owlett said. “And we are certainly done relying on countries like Russia, which is committing war crimes against the people of Ukraine.
House Bill 2461 would open the door to more energy production in the Commonwealth by putting an end to the Wolf administration’s prohibition on subsurface leases first enacted in 2015. If enacted, the bill would help give the Commonwealth the ability to access some stranded gas from prior leases and, where it makes sense, create new ones.
Owlett noted the state already has some gas leases on state property that are generating healthy royalty payments to the Commonwealth. One company alone has paid $275 million in royalties over the last decade.
The bill also would create a grant program from the initial lease payments to help protect communities from flooding, keeping farmers’ topsoil in their fields and out of the Chesapeake Bay.
In addition to Owlett’s bill, the House also approved House Bills 2450 and 2451, which would open the Delaware River Basin for natural gas development and exploration.
The measures now go to the Senate for consideration.
The PA Department of Health reports, there have been 44,425 (+1) Covid 19 deaths in the state to date. Deaths in the Black Forest Broadcasting Service area to date are mostly holding steady.
Cameron 20
Elk 100
McKean 138
Potter 92 Tioga 192
All 154
Cat 221
COUDERSPORT, Pa.—Janise A. Ahearn, 66, of Coudersport, passed away with her loving family by her side on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, in UPMC Shadyside, Pittsburgh, after a long illness.
Born on Friday, November 4, 1955, in Bennington, Vermont, she was a daughter of Robert K. and Marcia M. Morey Forman. On October 3, 1978 in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, she married Timothy J. “Tim” Ahearn, who survives.
Janise was a graduate of Waverly High School in Waverly, N.Y. and was a graduate of Waverly College with a degree in dietary nutrition. Janise was an active duty military wife for 20 years. Being a mom and wife was her passion.
Janise was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Coudersport. She was involved with Cub Scouts in Virginia and Coudersport. She had served as a den mother and in Virginia had also served as a District Commissioner. Janis aided countless troubled youth. She enjoyed gardening. She loved the beach, the country, and horses, but her greatest love was her family.
Surviving besides her husband are three sons, Mark P. (Kelly) Ahearn of Coudersport, Andrew J. (Tania) Ahearn of Olean, N.Y., and Caleb K. Ahearn of Coudersport; eight grandchildren, Raven, Lily, Maddison, Skylar, Landyn, Conner, Tristen, and Hailey; three siblings, Loriel L. Shamblen of Bennington, Vermont, Robert (Cheryl) Forman of Joplin, Missouri, and Keith (Mary-Barbara) Forman of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; a sister-in-law, Mary Forman of Bennigton, Vermont; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Janise was preceded in death by a brother, Kevin Forman.
Family and friends may call from 12pm to 1pm on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at Christ Episcopal Church, 601 North Main Street, Coudersport, where a Eucharistic Mass will follow at 1pm with Mother Janis Yskamp, Priest in charge, officiating. A luncheon at the church will follow the service. The main meal, which was Janise’s favorite, will be provided. Friends are invited to bring their favorite dish to pass.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to To Fill A Backpack, 80 Burleson Avenue, Roulette, PA 16746.
Janise’s family has entrusted her care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.
To express condolences, light a candle, or share a fond memory of Janise, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.