Black Forest Broadcasting

 

 

Mainesburg woman cited after her dogs chase neighbor’s chickens….Thief uses ATM card to steal $800 from McKean County woman…Knoxville man arrested for carrying concealed weapon and other offenses….Dubois woman accused of transporting unstamped cigarettes in McKean County…Senate committee hears testimony from people who have lost military veterans to suicide…

Tioga County

A Mainesburg woman has been cited for dog law violation-non animal cruelty. According to Mansfield state police, three dogs belonging to 30 year old Kassandra Mitchell were running loose and attacked a neighbors chickens. Mitchell was cited for failing to keep dogs confined to  her premises.

McKean County

State police at Lewis Run are investigating a theft by deception. A thief illegally used a credit/ATM CARD to steal $800 belonging to a 27 year old Smethport woman on March 16.

A 48 year old DuBois woman was arrested after being found in possession of seven cartons of unstamped cigarettes early last Thursday morning after her 2016 Chrysler Fiat pulled over on Route 219 in Sergeant Township.

Potter County

A Knoxville man has been arrested for DUI and carrying a concealed weapon. State police 36 year old Justin Schaar was observed by patrol officers committing numerous traffic violations with a 2017 Dodge Ram on Zepher Street in Ulysses just before 1:30 am February 18.

Elk County

The theft of two $20 bills at the St. Marys Walmart March 15 is being investigated by state police at Ridgway. Apparently the money belonged to a customer.

Statewide

While many people may assume war-related trauma is responsible for most military veteran suicides, the stigma associated with seeking mental health care and civilian life crises often precipitate these tragedies.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs in 2018 estimated approximately 20 veterans die by suicide each day. There were 240 Pennsylvania veteran suicides in 2020 according to the department’s data.

Committee members heard tear-filled testimony from family members of military veterans who took their own lives.

Operation Second Chance Founder Cindy McGrew testified about the various programs and services her nonprofit organization provides to help veterans struggling with mental health issues. She talked about several veterans who attended her organization’s programs and later told her they were considering suicide before they attended an Operation Second Chance event.

the Pennsylvania National Guard experienced 84 suicides dating back to 2007.

Veterans in crisis or their family members can contact the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988. Free and confidential support is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week.

A list of suicide prevention programs and initiatives is available on the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs website.