Broadcasting 24/7 and publishing weekdays with updated news and events for and about Potter, Cameron, Elk, Mckean, and Tioga Counties in North Central Pennsylvania
….$12,000 camper stolen in Hector Township…Pills stolen on East Second Street Coudersport….Duke Center woman scammed out of $6500….Lumber stolen in Annin Township….Catalytic converter stolen in Ceres Township……PennDot announces changes in driver’s licenses
Potter County
The theft of a camper from Hector Township between July 29 and this past Friday is under investigation by state police at Coudersport. The 40 foot brown and white Big Country gooseneck camper belonging to a 70 Wellsville man was taken from Teed Hollow Road and is valued at $12,000.
Coudersport state police are investigating the theft of some pills from a location on East Second Street in Coudersport early Saturday morning. Police did not indicate if the Doxepin pills were stolen from Sweden Valley Manor or UPMC but both facilities are located on East Second Street.
McKean County
A 57 year old Duke Center woman was scammed out of $6500 last Friday. The victim sent gift cards to a crook posing as a financial fraud department representative. Authorities said “let it be known any phone calls were someone is requesting payment by gift card is a scam.”
The theft of some lumber in Annin Township remains under investigation by state police at Lewis Run. Thieves stole 36 2x8x16 boards from along Route 155 between August 20 and September 7. The lumber is valued at $691.00.
A burglary in Ceres Township Sunday evening is being probed by state police at Lewis Run. Thieves stole a catalytic converter and burglarized the residence on Kings Run Road belonging to a 47 year old Coudersport man.
Both Smethport residents involved in a scuffle last Thursday night on Reilly Hollow in Keating Township have been cited for harassment. A 36 year old man and a 43 year old woman injured each other during an argument.
A Coudersport driver suffered minor injuries in a one-vehicle accident last Thursday afternoon in Otto Township. According to state police, Benjamin Simms was going north on Route 46 when his 2004 Jeep Wrangler went off the road on a left curve, struck a guard rail and spun about 45 degrees before stopping in the middle of the road.
State police at Lewis Run are filing drug possession charges against 42 year old Steven Burgess of Bradford. Troopers claim Burgess was a passenger in a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox they stopped on Jackson Avenue in the city last Thursday morning for a traffic violation. He was allegedly found in possession of drug paraphernalia.
A Brookville man is facing drug possession charges after being stopped by state police on Route 219 in Lafayette Township Saturday morning. Police claim drugs and drug paraphernalia were observed in 42 year old John Solomon’s vehicle.
Drug possession charges are also being filed against a 43 year old Houston, TX man and a 25 year old Greenvlle, MS man in McKean County. Troopers claim when they stopped a 2022 Nissan Altima on Route 219 in Sergeant Township Saturday evening, they found the suspects in possession of a controlled substance and related drug paraphernalia.
An ID theft is being investigated by state police at Lewis Run. Someone used personal information belonging to a 31 year old Port Allegany man to open a checking account last Thursday morning without his knowledge.
A Bolivar, NY driver is suspected of hit and run on Route 155 in Liberty Township Saturday evening. Troopers claim Jeffrey Barnes failed to stop when his northbound Chevrolet Silverado went off the road and hit a mailbox. He was later identified as the driver.
Elk County
State police at Ridgway withheld the name of a 28 year old St. Marys man accused of criminal mischief. Troopers claim the suspect broke a window in the front of the Hideout Bar in Jay Township Sunday night after a verbal dispute with patrons.
Statewide
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) HAS announced that, as part of ongoing security enhancements it is updating the design and enhancing the security features of its driver license and identification card products.
The department is piloting the new products at the Summerdale Driver License Center in Enola beginning this week. All Driver and Photo centers will transition to the new products by mid-November 2022. The new products will be phased in over the next four-year renewal cycle and will replace existing products. Both current and new card designs will be in circulation during the transition period.
Both standard and REAL ID compliant products will use the new design and security features. REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania, and customers are able to opt into REAL ID. Beginning May 3, 2023, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, photo ID card, or another form of federally acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight or enter a federal building or military installation that requires ID. More information about REAL ID can be on the REAL ID page on the Driver and Vehicle Services website.
The cards look different and have additional enhanced security features that improve fraud prevention and protect from counterfeiting and alteration.
Some of the enhanced features include:
Guilloche Security Design, a feature that includes sophisticated techniques to embed a variety of customized security patterning into the credential, using non-commercial software developed specifically for high security documents (banknotes, passports, ID cards, etc);
Optically Variable Ghost Portrait and Variable Data with UV, features that change their appearance when the viewing angle of the card changes, which moves them from fully visible to non-visible. The card also includes an ultraviolet (UV) response that fluoresces under UV lighting. The UV response is fixed – visible under UV light regardless of viewing angle;
Dynamic Look Through Element (DLTE), a dynamic feature with gold metallic tint that is visible under direct lighting.
The new cards comply with American Association of Motor Vehicle Association (AAMVA) 2020 specifications.
Customers may obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through on the Driver and Vehicle Services website. Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.
Follow PennDOT on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.