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Spraying against former Gypsy moth to begin soon. See story below

Duke Center man arrested for several hundred child pornography images…vandals cause $20,000 in damage to Tri-County power line….Lawrenceville man arrested for violating PFA…State will be spraying against former Gypsy moth…..

 

McKean County

McKean County District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that, by two separate criminal complaints, 22 year old  Sebastian Herbert VanCamp, of Duke Center, has been charged with sex offenses against a child and child pornography. Trooper Eric Thompson of the Pennsylvania State Police – Lewis Run barracks- has charged VanCamp with sex crimes against a child from 12/4/2019-12/3/2021. The complaint lists the age of the victim as between the ages of 11 and 12. Trooper Thompson has charged VANCAMP with Rape of a Child (2 counts), Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse with a Child (2 counts); Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse on Child under 16 (2 counts); Statutory Sexual Assault (2 counts); Corruption of Minors (course of conduct); and Indecent Assault (5 counts). Trooper Robert Whyel of the Pennsylvania State Police – Computer Crime Unit- has charged VANCAMP with Child Pornography and Criminal Use of a Communication Device. According to the complaint, Computer Crimes received a cybertip that images of child pornography were found on a search engine. Cybertips are reported to the Computer Crime Unit from Internet Crimes against Children from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Trooper Whyel executed a search warrant and subsequently charged VANCAMP with possessing 933 images or videos of child pornography and 312 images or videos of child pornography depicting indecent contact. VANCAMP was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Richard Luther who set bail at $250,000 combined. VANCAMP is scheduled for central court at the McKean County Courthouse on April 27. If you suspect child abuse, please contact 911 immediately and report it to Childline at 1-800-932-0313. Charges (18) 3121(c) Rape of a Child (F1) 18-3121 Rape of a Child 18 3123 (B) Involuntary Deviant Sexual Intercourse with a Child (F1) 3123(b) Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse with A Child (F1) (18) 3123(a)(7) IDSI Person Less than 16 (F1) (18) 3123(a)(7) IDSI Person Less than 16 Yrs Age (F1) (18) 3122.1 A1 Statutory Sexual Assault (2 counts) (18) 6301 (a)(1)(ii) Corruption of Minors (F3) (18) 3126 (a)(7) Indecent Assault (3 counts) 3126 (a)(8) (2 counts) (18) 6312 (d) Sexual Abuse of Children (312 images/videos(indecent contact depicted)) (18) 6312 (d) Sexual Abuse of Children (933 images of nudity) Location 812 Main Street Smethport, PA 16749 Arrest Date Apr 19, 2023 Incident Type Sexual Offense Magisterial Judge Richard Luther  set bail at 250,000.

Potter County

Coudersport state police are investigating a major criminal mischief in West Branch Township on April 3. Vandals damaged a Tri-County Rural Electric power line valued at $20,000. Ryan Teed of Blossburg is also listed as a victim.

Tioga County

State police at Mansfield have charged a 41 year old Lawrenceville man for violating a protection from abuse order. Troopers did not release the suspect’s name but claim he violated the order placed on behalf of a 34 year old Tioga, PA woman  by sending her multiple text messages.

Statewide

In an effort to protect wildlife habitat, the Pennsylvania Game Commission plans to spray nearly 110,000 acres of state game lands this spring. Spraying will occur on 43 different state game lands – 109,180 acres in all – and will begin as soon as leaf-out occurs and spongy moth egg masses hatch, likely in late April and May.

Those participating in spring gobbler seasons or otherwise enjoying state game lands may encounter aircraft spraying forested areas for spongy moths. but disturbances are brief.

Spongy moths previously were known by the common name gypsy moth, but the Entomological Society of America changed the name last year. More information on spongy moths and the Game Commission’s spraying program, including a map updating the status of spraying is available on an interactive web page at www.pgc.pa.gov. Most of the blocks of forest to be sprayed can be treated within one day, often within only a few hours.The insecticide to be used is Mimic 2LV. Its active ingredient is tebufenozide. This agent generally is considered safe to humans. Most negative side effects happen with repeated, long-term exposure to high concentrations of the product. As with any chemical, it may cause eye or skin irritation if exposed, and it is recommended to wash any affected area if irritation occurs.The forests to be treated in the coming weeks have building populations of spongy moths that, if left untreated, could cause severe defoliation this summer.

This year’s spraying will occur in the following regions: Southcentral, 1,323 acres; Northcentral, 94,788 acres, Southeast, 3,107 acres, Southwest, 226 acres and Northeast, 9,736 acres. The Northwest Region had spraying last year, but the spongy moth population there seems to be in decline and, as such, no spraying is scheduled in that region.

Officials note that previous spongy moth impacts unfortunately led forests on state game lands to transition from mast-producing mixed-oak stands to stands dominated by birch and maple, which are not nearly as beneficial to wildlife.

Oak trees  are the main target of spongy moths, and they also provide the best and most reliable wildlife foods in some areas, but  in some areas birch and maple have replaced the oak stands lost to past spongy moth defoliation. This loss of acorn availability across such a potentially large area can have extremely detrimental impacts on wildlife populations ranging from chipmunks and squirrels all the way up to deer and bears. Even if the oak trees manage to survive damage caused by this defoliation, the reduction of acorn production can linger for years after.

After partnering with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to have game lands treated several times since 2008, the Pennsylvania Game Commission carried out its first independent spray contract in 2022. That program was, at the time, the largest-ever spray effort on game lands at approximately 63,000 acres. Similar to 2023, the bulk of those acres were in the Northcentral Region.