Black Forest Broadcasting

 

Residents encouraged to be vigilant against mosquitos. See Story below.

Pittsburgh man wrecks car in McKean County…state police at Lewis Run are investigating several recent burglaries including theft from parked vehicle…theft of catalytic converter…and trail cameras…..Both people charged in connection to Elk County argument….PA residents urged to be vigilant against mosquitoes….

McKean County

A Pittsburgh man escaped injury in a one-vehicle accident last Thursday in Lafayette Township, McKean County. Troopers report Frederick Smith failed to maintain his lane position when his Ford Escape was being passed. The car went off the right side of Route 59 and struck a ditch.

State police at Lewis Run are investigating  several recent thefts.. Thieves stole a pack of Newport cigarettes, an Oni Chargeable battery, a pink charging cable and $150 in cash from a 2014 Ford owned by Tammie Antonuccio of Kane on July 20 in Mt. Jewett.

The theft of a catalytic converter last Friday or Saturday in Eldred Township is being probed by state police at Lewis Run. The JPME catalytic converter, valued at $400, was taken from a Jeep Wrangler owned by a Wellsville man while it was parked on the Barnum Road.

Troopers at Lewis Run are also looking for a trailer registration plate stolen from Longhouse Scenic Drive and the Elijah Boat Launch… in Hamilton Township between July 15 and 17. The plate bears registration XNK0714 and belonged to 31 year old  Imperial PA man.

Thieves took three trail cameras from along Route 46 in Norwich Township this past Sunday. The cameras belong to Wayne Shavalier of Port Allegany.

 Anyone with information any of the thefts is asked to contact the Lewis Run barracks at 814.368.9230.

Elk County

Both people involved in an argument on the Million Dollar Highway last Saturday evening  in St. Marys have been charged with harassment. State police at Ridgway claim a 53 year old St. Marys man and a 50 year old Fox Township woman are both responsible.

Statewide

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is encouraging residents to Fight the Bite and protect themselves against mosquitos who can carry diseases such as West Nile Virus.

One human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) has already been reported in Pennsylvania this year. Symptoms of WNV in humans are typically like those of a mild flu, but the virus can lead to a more serious condition that includes swelling of the brain, muscle convulsions, coma, paralysis, and death. Since DEP first began monitoring for the virus in 2000 there have been 48 fatal cases of West Nile Virus in Pennsylvania.

There are many things people can do to protect themselves from mosquitoes.

Eliminate standing, stagnant water near your home – bird baths, kiddie pools, and other outdoor decorations can be mosquito breeding grounds if the water sits for a few days.

Keep gutters clean of debris.

Wear insect repellent or long sleeves when mosquitoes are active, usually around dawn and dusk.

Repair window screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.

Clean up litter in your neighborhood. Just a single cap from a plastic bottle can be home to 300 mosquito eggs.

Use of commonly sold insect repellents, like those using DEET, Picaridin, or other EPA-registered repellants, can also cut down on mosquito bites, and possible exposure to the virus. Long pants and sleeves are also an important way to cut down on possible exposure to mosquitoes.

DEP conducts regular surveillance and control to manage mosquito populations around the state. As of July 15, 2022, DEP and county vector programs have detected 68 WNV-infected mosquito pools in 19 counties.

DEP and county partners throughout the state will also conduct routine, localized spraying to control infected adult populations of mosquitoes. These operations are conducted when and where deemed necessary based on recent population survey results.

DEP will continue to survey affected communities to monitor mosquito activity and WNV. DEP biologists have initiated a survey of the mosquito population to determine the risk for further human illness. If necessary, adult mosquito populations will be reduced. These efforts will continue through October.

More information on mosquitoes, WNV, and other mosquito-borne diseases can be found at dep.pa.gov/westnile.