Black Forest Broadcasting

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…First significant snowfall of the season hits region….PennDot offers winter driving tips….Another catalytic convertor stolen in Tioga County…Ridgway man arrested for DUI after crash…..

Region

Volunteer emergency services personnel responded to a number of accidents throughout the region during Tuesday’s snow storm. Details were not available at news time.

With the arrival of the  first significant winter weather this week, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), is providing motorists with winter driving advice for motorists to

consider if traveling is necessary.  Winter Driving AdviceWhile PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter storms, the department  provides the following advice to those who need to drive in winter weather.

    Carry a winter emergency travel kit. (including layers of clothing and blankets)

    Listen to weather and travel advisories, but if you do not have to travel in bad weather don’t.

    Keep your gas tank at least half full.

    Slow down and increase following distance.

    Avoid sudden stops and starts.

    Beware of roads that may look wet, but are actually frozen, often referred to as ‘black ice.’

    Use extra caution on bridges and ramps, where ice can often form without warning.

    Carry a cellphone in case you have service.

    Do not use cruise control while driving on snow-covered roads.

    State law requires you to turn on your headlights when your wipers are on.

    Use your low beams in particularly bad weather, especially in cases of heavy or blowing snow.

    Remove ice and snow from windows, mirrors, and all vehicle lights before you drive and as often as needed.

    Remove snow and ice from the hood and roof of your vehicle. State law states that if snow or ice from your vehicle strikes a vehicle or a person and causes death or injury, you can be ticketed.

    Do not park or abandon your vehicle on snow emergency routes.

    Do not pass or get between trucks plowing in a plow line (several trucks plowing side by side).

    Make sure someone else knows where you are going and when you expect to arrive in case you run into an emergency and need help, someone will know where to look for you.

    If you do become stranded, it’s better to stay with your vehicle until help arrives. Run the engine every hour or so, but make sure the tailpipe is clear and keep the downwind window cracked open.

    Do not drink and drive, and always wear your seat belt.

While snow is falling, PennDOT will have crews treating roadways around the clock, but the department tries to keep the roads passable rather than completely free of ice and snow. PennDOT will continue to treat roadways through the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear.

While PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter storms, motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com.  511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts.

Follow PennDOT on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.

PennDOT reminds motorists to pack an emergency kit for their vehicles. A basic kit should include phone chargers, non-perishable food, water, blanket, small shovel and warm clothes. When preparing an emergency kit, motorists should take into account special needs of passengers such as baby food, pet supplies or medications and pack accordingly.

PennDOT also reminds citizens that downloadable materials, including home and car emergency kit checklists and emergency plan templates, are available at http://www.Ready.PA.gov. Citizens can also find information about getting involved in local emergency response efforts and other volunteer opportunities through the ReadyPA website.

For more winter driving tips and information on how PennDOT treats winter storms, visit http://www.penndot.gov/winter

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Tioga, Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Montour and Columbia counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District3.

Tioga County

Mansfield state police are investigating the theft of another catalytic converter. The part was taken from a 2004 Ford in a building on Seymour Hill Road in Sullivan Township between September 30 and October 5. Several catalytic convertors have been stolen in Tioga and Potter Counties over the past several months. Anyone with information about the latest theft or any of the other thefts is asked to call state police at 570.662.2151.

Elk County

A 27 year old Ridgway man has been charged with DUI following a one-vehicle crash on November 3 in Ridgway Township. State police say the suspect (whose name they withheld) was diving a 2014 Nissan Altima which wrecked on  the Montmorenci Road just before 2:00 am. Troopers claim when they investigated, they determined  the suspect had been driving under the influence of alcohol and was taken to Penn Highlands Elk for a legal blood draw.

Upcoming Events

November 17: Senior Lunch & Learn—Port Allegany

The S.W. Smith Memorial Public Library will have a  free senior Lunch and learn by Eddie’s on Main. Open to adults 60 and older from noon to 1:00p. Limited seating. Call 814.642.9210 to register.

November 17: Bloodmobile—Coudersport

The American Red Cross will  have a bloodmobile at the Coudersport Consistory from12:30 to 5:30 pm.

November 18: Fish Fry—Shinglehouse

The Shinglehouse Masonic Lodge will hold a Friday Fish Fry ,  from 4-7pm. You get a choice of fried fish, or 4 kinds of baked fish. Take-Outs will be available. Proceeds will go to charity.$12 donation. The Shinglehouse Masonic Hall is located at 136 North Oswayo Street.

November 17 & 18: Safe driver course—Coudersport

The AARP Smart Driver Course will be held from noon to 4:00p at the UPMC Cole Wellness Center. $20 for AARP members, $25 non-members. Pre-register 814.573.5542.

More Events found on our Calendar page.