Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

ST. MARYS, Pa. – Ross Porter of Smethport receives one of the Champion of the PA Wilds awards Thursday at the PA Wilds Planning Team’s annual luncheon at the Diamond View Restaurant in Smethport. Ross is flanked by, on the left, Meredith Hill of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and his wife, Jovanna. Porter, mayor of Smethport and owner of the Mansion District Inn, has been instrumental in developing the Smethport Mansion District Walking Tour brochure as well as creating and placing several historical site signs throughout Smethport. Both projects have enhanced heritage tourism in McKean County. Coutese of the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau

A small group of business owners, citizens and organizations from across the 12 ½ county Pennsylvania Wilds region have earned awards for their contributions in sustainable tourism development. The PA Wilds Initiative, a state-local collaborative effort, aims to grow the nature and heritage tourism industry across 12 ½- counties of rural Pennsylvania as a way to help diversify local economies, revitalize communities and improve quality of life. Each year, the PA Wilds Planning Team, a guiding body for the Initiative, gives out a small number of “Champion of the Pennsylvania Wilds” awards to recognize outstanding efforts related to the Initiative’s main components -- economic development, planning, community revitalization, community character stewardship and conservation. The Planning Team consists of more than 50 partners and stakeholders from across the PA Wilds, including county governments, economic development organizations, state and federal partners, and heritage and tourism org...

Some people ran unopposed in Tuesday's election. McKean County Sheriff Brad Mason received 4,123 votes. Among the 33 write-in votes that were cast for the position were one for Elmer Fudd and one for Santa Claus. McKean County Judge John Pavlock, who was appointed to the bench shortly after he won the primary election, received 4,103 votes. There were 28 write-ins. Acting District Attorney Ray Learn garnered 3,863 votes. There were 18 write-ins. Lewis Run Mayor Albert Montecalvo got 64 votes. Smethport Mayor Ross Porter, who was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident last week, received 242 votes. Doug Caldwell received 285 votes for Kane Borough Mayor. There were 8 write-ins. As for the numbers in the contested elections, Dave Feely garnered more votes than the other Bradford Area School Board candidates with 1,688. Pat Vigliotta took in 1,642; Carla Manion 1,584; Joe Troutman 1,422, Shane Oschman 1,413; and Rita Dincher 862. Jim Evans received the most votes in the Bradfor...

Smethport Mayor Ross Porter suffered several broken bones in an accident Thursday afternoon on Route 59 in Keating Township. Police say Porter's vehicle went out of control and hit a culvert and a tree. He was trapped inside the vehicle when emergency crews arrived on the scene. Porter was first taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center then flown to a hospital in Pittsburgh.