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PennDot says it’s ready for storm, Farm Vitality grants boosted…Galeton teacher arrested for open lewdness…..

Statewide
With freezing rain forecasted for today, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 3 is advising motorists in north central

Pennsylvania to be aware of changing weather conditions and limit travel if possible.
The department says it is prepared and has sufficient amounts of salt and anti-skid on hand. Crews will be treating roads in the region during the storm and until roads are clear.
Weather predictions call for freezing rain, which could cause potential icy conditions. Road surfaces, bridge decks and overpasses can be icy.
Although PennDOT crews will be treating roadways, the department’s primary goal is to keep roads passable, not completely free of ice and snow. PennDOT will continue to treat roadways throughout the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear.
For those who need to travel during winter storms, the department reminds motorists to “Know Before You Go” by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com.
PennDOT maintains nearly 40,000 miles of state-administered roadway and 25,400 bridges, which translates to approximately 95,000 snow lane miles. During the winter months, the public can find plow-truck locations and details of when the state-maintained roadways were last treated by selecting the “PennDOT Plow Trucks” in 511PA legend.
Winter Driving Advice
While 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.
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.
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.
Follow PennDOT on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.

Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding has announced that the PA Agricultural Business Development Center has boosted funding by $200,000 to meet demand for Farm Vitality Planning Grants. The PA Farm Bill grants fund strategic business planning to expand, diversify, or transition ownership of farms to the next

generation.The program, initiated as part of the PA Farm Bill in 2019, has accepted 308 applications to date, funding more than $2,003,439 in project planning, financial and technical expertise to feed farm growth and sustainability.Farmers and prospective farmers are eligible for up to $7,500, to cover up to 75% of project planning costs. Applications for the program exceeded the funding originally available, and the PA Agriculture Business Development Center has set aside additional dollars to meet demand for the program. Applications will be accepted until funds are exhausted. Apply online through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s single electronic application. Full program guidelines are published in the February 18 edition of the PA Bulletin. Farm Vitality Planning Grants can be combined with other PA Farm Bill funding, including these programs, to help plan and finance farm transitions:
Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program, which provides tax credits as an incentive to those who sell or rent agricultural assets to beginning farmers. Twenty-one farm owners have received Beginning Farmer Tax Credits, saving them collectively $343,009 on their taxes and helping them pass the torch to the next generation to take up farming.
Beginning Farmer Realty Transfer Tax Exemptions through which the department has certified 44 beginning farmers purchasing preserved farms and generating $492,311 in tax savings on the sale of those farms.
Next Generation Farmer Loan Program, which uses federal tax-exempt financing to reduce a farmer’s interest rate for capital purchases, such as the purchase of farmland 2022 to help young families fund farm expansions and purchases.
For planning resources, financing and other information visit the Agricultural Business Development Center at agriculture.pa.gov.
For more about other PA Farm bill initiatives and investments to support Pennsylvania agriculture, visit agriculture.pa.gov/pafarmbill.

Potter County
State police at Coudersport arrested 26 year old Morgan Jo White of Galeton for open lewdness. Troopers claim White who was a long term substitute teacher, employed by the Galeton School District changed her clothing in front of a 17 year old male student inside the classroom on December 21. The crime is considered a third degree misdemeanor.