Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

State Rep. Marty Causer read to kids at the Bradford Family Center this morning. They read "Number One Sam" as part of the "Pennsylvania One Book, Every Young Child" early literacy initiative. Learn more here: http://paonebook.org/ . Photo from https://www.facebook.com/repcauser . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG) – The Pennsylvania Department of Education has taken steps to establish Pennsylvania’s first Rural Regional Community College, announced Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25), Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) and Senator Scott Hutchinson (R-21). According to the legislators, the newly created community college is being established with the goal of offering two-year associate degrees, as well as training and certificate programs to underserved areas of the Commonwealth. Curriculum of the college will be determined by the Board of Trustees, based upon the future workforce needs of the designated region of Cameron, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, McKean, Potter, Venango and Warren counties. “I am very excited that groundwork for launching the Rural Regional Community College is now in place,” Senator Scarnati stated. “This will be the first community college to offer greatly needed higher educational opportunities to northwestern Pennsylvania. Thanks to input by edu...

HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) issued the following statement in response to news that Ski Denton at Denton Hill State Park may not open this season for financial reasons: “I am deeply disappointed by the prospect of Ski Denton at Denton Hill State Park being closed this winter. The park is a wonderful place enjoyed by so many of us in the area, and it has great potential to offer year-round recreation. Despite years of calling on the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to step up and invest in the park’s infrastructure, the facility has been virtually ignored by state officials. Considering the financial boost the state gets from the thousands of acres of state-owned land in our region, it is certainly fair to expect some of that money to be invested here at home. “I have spoken with DCNR in recent weeks about this situation and am encouraged the department has agreed to conduct a feasibility study to identify ways to not only improve skii...

HARRISBURG – The state House today declared October as “Down Syndrome Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania with unanimous passage of a resolution authored by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint). “It is important to bring awareness to this condition to help ensure it is properly diagnosed and that early intervention and treatment are administered,” Causer said. “It is equally important to help educate the public at large about what Down Syndrome really is and how much people living with the condition can and do contribute to our society.” Due to advances in medicine, the average life expectancy for a person living with Down syndrome has increased from just 25 years of age in 1983 to 60 years of age today. It is estimated that this genetic condition occurs in approximately one in every 800 births. The population of people living with Down syndrome in the United States is estimated at more than 400,000. House Resolution 1078 passed the House unanimously. More information about Dow...

HARRISBURG – The Bradford Family YMCA has been awarded a $386,429 grant for after-school programs for students in the Bradford Area School District, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) announced today. The three-year grant was awarded by the state Department of Education through the federal 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Program. It is a three-year grant. “This is another great example of what can be accomplished when people and organizations work together,” Causer said. “I commend and congratulate the leaders at the Y and the school district for taking the initiative to offer programs that will better prepare our students and ensure their academic success.” More than $23 million was awarded to 64 school districts and community-based organizations in 29 counties across the state. The funding supports educational resources to help increase student academic achievement. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) today announced the Greater Bradford Senior Activity Center was awarded a $28,375 grant through the state Department of Aging’s Senior Community Center Grants Program. “The Bradford Senior Center provides a great service to the senior citizens in our community by offering meals, activities and the opportunity to socialize with their peers,” Causer said. “I was pleased to support the center’s grant request and encourage more area seniors to take advantage of this service.” The grant funds will be used for a new furnace and air conditioning system, as well as new carpeting. In Elk County, the Jones Township Senior Center will receive $44,000 for capital improvements and the Bennetts Valley Senior Center will receive $3,700 for computer upgrades and a sound system. Grants totaling $2 million were awarded to 67 senior centers statewide. The grants, which are supported by state lottery funds, will be used to modernize, encourage technology ...

HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) was recently named a “Guardian of Small Business” by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). The award reflects his backing of policies that support small businesses, which account for more than half of all private sector jobs in the state. According to the state Labor Department, 98 percent of all Pennsylvania businesses employ fewer than 100 workers. “Supporting small business means supporting jobs for people in our region and across the Commonwealth,” Causer said. “I have always believed that government needs to stay out of the way of our employers and let them grow and thrive, and I appreciate the contributions that small employers make to our workers and the local economy.” Among the pro-small business issues addressed in the General Assembly this session are the eliminating the inheritance tax on small business assets, repealing a tax on business loans, closing a loophole in the Workers’ Compensation Ac...

HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) will host a Firearms Safety and Rights Seminar on Monday, Oct. 27, at the Smethport Fire Hall. People who wish to attend must register in advance by visiting www.RepCauser.com or calling 1-866-437-8181. Seating is limited. “This region is home to many gun owners, and it is important for all of us to be knowledgeable about our rights and responsibilities, and to practice safety when using or storing our firearms,” Causer said. “The free seminar is an opportunity to refresh our memories and discuss these important issues.” The seminar will feature a presentation by Ray Learn, McKean County District Attorney, and Roger Sager, McKean County deputy sheriff and long-time firearms instructor. The two will discuss Pennsylvania’s concealed carry laws, the Castle Doctrine and other valuable information regarding state gun laws and gun safety. The seminar runs from 6-8 p.m. The fire hall is located at 109 S. Nelson St. in Smethpor...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Ground was broken this morning for the new visitor center at Kinzua Bridge State Park, and Senator Joe Scarnati says the center is an important cog in the machine that’s putting this part of the state back together. He said to say the northwest region of the state has suffered economically recently would be an understatement. “It’s been a tough time,” Scarnati said, “but it’s all of these great attractions that is only going to enhance” the area by bringing in more visitors, more business for local shopkeepers, and the opportunity for more jobs. “This state park is a crown jewel in our state park system,” he said. Scarnati also said having a year round visitor center was the right way to go. During the ceremony before the groundbreaking, several people talked about their memories of the bridge before a tornado toppled part of it in 2003. State Rep. Kathy Rapp said her grandfather used to take her to the bridge when she was a little g...

HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) will host the 12th Annual Senior Citizens Expo on Friday, Aug. 8, at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Sports and Fitness Building gymnasium. The free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and lunch will be provided. “There are many programs and services available to help senior citizens and their caregivers, but it can be difficult and time-consuming to track down all of the necessary information,” Causer said. “The expo makes it easier and more convenient by bringing service providers and senior citizens together in one place. “I encourage people to come out and take advantage of this opportunity,” he added. State, county and local vendors will be on hand to distribute information and answer questions. Information about health care, insurance, nutrition and exercise, fire safety, financial planning, fraud protection, government services, hunting/fishing and personal safety will be available. Health screenin...

The McKean County Republican Committee has unanimously elected Stacy Wallace of Bradford as chairman of the McKean County Republican Committee. Wallace succeeds state Rep. Martin Causer of Turtlepoint, who has served as chairman for the last four years. He chose not to run for re-election because he felt the goals he set when he was elected had been reached. Upon her election as chairman, Wallace resigned her position on the Republican State Committee. Lyle Stewart of Bradford was appointed to replace her. The committee also re-elected Ken Kane of Kane as vice chairman and Gayle Bauer of Bradford as treasurer. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG – A Smethport bridge will be named in honor of the Bucktail Regiment under legislation sponsored by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) and approved by the General Assembly. House Bill 1929 designates the Route 6 bridge over Marvin Creek as the Bucktail Regiment Memorial Bridge. “The members of the Bucktail Regiment saw it as their duty and responsibility to serve and protect their country,” Causer said. “It is a privilege to have the opportunity to honor their dedicated service, which helped to make our country what it is today.” The Bucktail Regiment was a group of young recruits from Cameron, Elk, McKean and Tioga counties that rose to the defense of the Union following the bombing of Fort Sumter in April 1861. It was so named because its members adopted the tail of the whitetail buck as their badge of honor and adorned their caps with it. The 700 troops were mostly young woodsmen, lumberjacks, raftsmen, hunters and farmers. As part of the federal army, ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) wants to protect the Allegheny National Forest and ensure the National Forest Service adequately manages our cherished woodlands before continuing to acquire additional property. Sen. Toomey joined Sen. John Thune and a group of seven senators in appealing to the Chairman and top Republican on the committee that designates funding for the National Forest Service that “Congress should ensure that the Forest Service prioritize limited resources to adequately manage the lands for which it is currently responsible, rather continue to acquire additional property.” “Our Allegheny National Forest is the gem of northwest Pennsylvania and a treasure all Americans can enjoy,” said Sen. Toomey. “The ANF, like other national forests, must be cared for and proactively managed to improve forest health before the government seeks to acquire more land with taxpayer dollars.” Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson, whose district includes most of the ...

HARRISBURG – Recognizing the significant differences between shallow well drilling and drilling in the Marcellus Shale, the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee today approved legislation that would require the state to adopt separate regulations for the two distinct activities. House Bill 2350, sponsored by Reps. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint), Kathy Rapp (R-Warren) and Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk), would direct the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) to separate both existing and proposed regulations for the drilling, alteration, operation and plugging of unconventional gas wells and conventional oil and gas wells in the Commonwealth. “When it comes to regulations, it’s very important to recognize the vast differences between conventional drilling and drilling in the Marcellus Shale,” Causer said. “Conventional wells are shallow and have significantly smaller well pads. Their overall impact on the surrounding environment is far less than that of deep, Marcellus...

HARRISBURG – Legislation to bring fairness and accountability to the collection and distribution of funds for ATV- and snowmobile-riding opportunities in the Commonwealth was the subject of a public hearing at the state Capitol on Wednesday, said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint), prime sponsor of the measure. House Bill 2047 would direct the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to maintain separate ATV management and snowmobile management accounts to ensure an equitable distribution of those funds. “DCNR is currently unable to identify how much it spends on ATV trails versus snowmobile trails, but considering the number of trail miles on public lands for snowmobiles outnumbers those for ATVs by a 10-to-1 ratio, it sure looks as if there are some inequities,” Causer said. He pointed to the situation in Cameron County, 60 percent of which is state forest land owned by the Commonwealth. “People in Cameron County pay their ATV registration fees, yet...

The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) today announced a $90,000 grant has been awarded to Biomaxx Inc. for an equipment upgrade at its facility in Ulysses, Potter County. The grant, awarded through the state’s Alternative and Clean Energy Program, is expected to support the creation of nine new full-time jobs. “It is always encouraging to see new investment being made in local business operations,” Causer said. “In addition to the state grant, the company is investing more than $180,000 in the project to grow production at the facility.” Biomaxx, which is based in Pittsford, NY, will apply the grant toward the purchase and installation of wood brick fuel production equipment at the Ulysses facility. The new equipment is part of the company’s plan to optimize its existing wood pellet manufacturing plan and add the wood brick fuel production line. The new equipment will produce wood bricks at a capacity of 6,000 tons per year and will use lower grade raw material. ...

State DEP Secretary Christopher Abruzzo and other agency officials met with several McKean County oil and gas producers and area lawmakers recently to learn more about the differences between conventional and unconventional drilling and how proposed regulations impact them differently. State Rep. Marty Causer says they visited a site in Hamilton Township outside of Kane, where a well was being actively drilled; Big Shanty Road in Lafayette Township, where a conventional well was being fracked; the Penn-Brad Oil Museum; an old-time well site in Ottow Township in the Village of Rixford; and American Refining Group. Causer will be introducing legislation soon that would ensure that regulations for conventional and unconventional drillers are different, and will not negatively impact the conventional drillers. Picture from Causer's office. See more pictures at Facebook.com/1490wesb . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

McKean County Democrats voted like the rest of the state in Tuesday's primary and chose Tom Wolf to challenge Governor Tom Corbett in this fall’s General Election. But, while Senator Mike Stack of Philadelphia got the nod for lieutenant governor in the state, he came in third in McKean County behind Mark Smith and Mark Critz. Stack faces off against current Lt. Governor Jim Cawley in November. Kerith Taylor of Brookville beat her challenger in the Democratic primary for the 5th Congressional District seat and will face incumbent Glenn “GT” Thompson in November. Voter turnout in McKean County was dismal with only 2,677 of 21,024 registered voters casting ballots. That’s less than 13 percent. Of the 1,790 Republicans who voted 1,474 voted for Corbett; 1,516 voted for Cawley; 1,602 voted for Thompson; and 1,681 voted for Marty Causer. 1,573 people cast ballots for Stacy Wallace to be the Republican State Committeewoman. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947 ...

State Rep. Marty Causer presents State Rep. Kathy Rapp with a plaque recognizing her years of service to McKean County. Because of legislative redistricting Rapp will no longer be representing the four townships in McKean County she had been. WESB photo