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PA House Republicans Outline Priorities With Budget Proposal

Harrisburg – Today, Pennsylvania House Appropriations Chairman Bill Adolph (R-Delaware County) introduced House Bill 1437, the House Republican budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2013-14. The proposal spends $28.3 billion, which is a $578 million or 2.1 percent increase over the current fiscal year.

“The House budget proposal outlines priorities related to education, health and human services, environmental protection, public safety, job creation and government transparency,” Adolph said. “We are recommending a $100 million increase for basic education; supporting the governor’s priority to put 300 new state troopers on the streets; restoring funding for programs that deal with diseases like diabetes, ALS and epilepsy; providing funding for county conservation districts; and increasing funding for the Office of Open Records.”

According to Adolph, the most recent preliminary revenue estimate prepared by the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) on May 1 was used as the starting point to craft the House budget proposal. The IFO report forecast state revenue collections will be less than anticipated in February.

 “Given the revenue challenges forecast by the IFO on May 1, the House had to essentially start from scratch when drafting the House proposal. The House had to look at what was possible with the revenue reality that developed since February,” said Adolph.

The budget contained in House Bill 1437 was based on current law and does not factor in any policy proposals currently being considered by the legislature.

“The House budget assumes current law as we stand here today. The House has a strict calendar that needs to be followed to pass a budget on time. We do not have the luxury of waiting until June 30 to introduce a budget after we know what policy decisions are made by the Legislature,” said Adolph. “There is a lot that still needs to be negotiated, and I am sure the outcome of those negotiations will be reflected in a final budget that is passed by June 30.”

House Bill 1437 is scheduled to be considered by the House Appropriations Committee on Monday, June 3. More details on the House Republican budget proposal can be found at www.PaBudget.com .

Latest Weather News

The National Weather Service in State College has issued a FLASH FLOOD WARNING for Northwestern McKean County along with Warren County until 4:45am EST.

Upwards of 2” (possibly more in some areas) is possible in the affected areas overnight.

Port Allegany man stopped Monday evening

State police in Kane tell Port Allegany Online a 60 year old Port Allegany man was stopped last evening at 6:50pm.  Investigating Trooper David Surra initiated a stop for a speeder along Route 6, near Open Brook Road in Liberty Township.  Trooper Surra tells Port Allegany Online that Gilbert Emery Amell was stopped for exceeding the 55MPH limit on that stretch of roadway.  Upon the stop, Troopers Surra determined Amell to be DUI, at which time he was taken into custody.  Charges were filed in District Court.

Severe Weather Warning

* AT 1012 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. THESE SEVERE STORMS EXTENDED FROM
  WESTON MILLS TO BRADFORD TO GRAND VALLEY...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.
  THESE STORMS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF
  60 MPH.
* LOCATIONS INCLUDED IN THE WARNING...
  KANE...WARREN...CHAPMAN STATE PARK...COLUMBUS...CORYVILLE...
  COUDERSPORT...CROSBY...

CYCLONE...ENTERPRISE...GARLAND...GENESEE...
  HARRISON VALLEY...JAMES CITY...KEATING SUMMIT...KINZUA BRIDGE STATE
  PARK...KINZUA DAM...LOTTSVILLE...LUDLOW...MARSHBURG AND NORWICH.

OTHER NOTABLE LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING... SKI DENTON SKI AREA AND
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - BRADFORD.

THIS WILL IMPACT THE FOLLOWING MAJOR ROADS...ROUTE 6...ROUTE 62...
ROUTE 219...STATE ROAD 46...STATE ROAD 59...STATE ROAD 66...STATE
ROAD 446...STATE ROAD 449.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THIS LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS HAS A HISTORY OF PRODUCING WIND
DAMAGE IN WARREN COUNTY. DO NOT STAY OUTDOORS.

DOPPLER RADAR HAS INDICATED SOME WEAK ROTATION WITHIN THESE STORMS.
WHILE NOT IMMEDIATELY LIKELY...A TORNADO MAY STILL DEVELOP.  IF A
TORNADO IS SPOTTED...ACT QUICKLY AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IN A
STURDY STRUCTURE...SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM ON THE
LOWEST FLOOR.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCE DAMAGE. MOVE INSIDE A PERMANENT BUILDING
NOW TO BE SAFE FROM STRONG WIND GUSTS.

PLEASE REPORT HAIL...STRONG WINDS OR WIND DAMAGE TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE THROUGH TWITTER OR FACEBOOK.

Scholarships available for Pitt-Bradford STEM camps

Bradford, PA – Full need-based scholarships remain for students aged 5 to 18 to attend two science-based camps at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford next month.

Pitt-Bradford has a limited number of full scholarships for qualifying North Central Pennsylvania children to attend either X-treme Science Camp or its Crime Solving 101 Summer Enrichment Class.

The scholarships are made possible by a $3,171 grant from the North Central Workforce Investment Board Youth Council to promote learning about science, technology, engineering and math by students between the ages of 5 and 18. Of that, $2,250 in funding is still available, according to Ray Geary, executive director of Pitt-Bradford’s Division of Continuing Education and Regional Development.

Children who are eligible live in low-income households, including those households with an income below 235 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Level, which comes to an annual income of $55,343 for a family of four.

Other considerations are whether a student has dropped out or is at risk of dropping out of school, is in foster care, is homeless, is the child of incarcerated parents or has a disability.

Crime Solving 101 is for youths 13-18 and will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon June 17-20. Students will use hands-on methods and strategies to conduct a criminal investigation. Concepts introduced will include understanding the criminal justice system, probable cause and case law; obtaining and writing search and arrest warrants; learning interviewing skills; taking forensic photographs and more. Those teens participating will take advantage of Pitt-Bradford’s Crime Scene Investigation House and will have a one-of-a-kind opportunity to gain insight into what it’s like to be a real detective under the guidance of an expert in the field of policing and criminal investigations.

X-treme Science Camp is for children who have finished first through sixth grade and will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon June 24-27 on Pitt-Bradford’s campus. Children will participate in hands-on labs and activities dealing with different areas of science. Campers will learn about plants, birds, stream life, water quality, chemistry, physical science and more. 

Scholarship applications and registration forms are available from the Pitt-Bradford Division of Continuing Education and Regional Development on the second floor of the Seneca Building. For more information, call (814)362-5078 or email contined@pitt.edu.

Virginia A. Franklin, Life-long resident

Virginia A. Franklin, 88, of Port Allegany, passed away Sunday May 26th, at the Sena Kean Manor, Smethport, after a brief illness.

She was born on July 26, 1925 and had been a life long resident of Port Allegany. She was the daughter of William & Lillian Lehman Franklin.

She is survived by her nephew Larry Baker of Port Allegany and niece Beverly Baker McNamara of Williamsburg, Virginia. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, a brother, Gordon Franklin and a sister, Marion Franklin Baker.

In keeping with Virginia's wishes, there will be no visitation or services.

Memorials, if desired, can be made to the McKean County SPCA, 80 Glenwood Ave., Bradford, PA 16701. Online condolences can be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport.

Congratulations Stacey and Jason

Stacey Jo (Rohrer) and Jason Tronetti from Smethport, PA is pleased to announce the arrival of Carsten Jay Tronetti who was born on May 25th at Cole Memorial. Carsten weighed 8lbs. and 9.2 ounces.  He joins his brother Clay and sister Coral.  

Maternal Grandparents: Karen Harmon of Port Allegany, PA; Clyde Rohrer of Coudersport, PA.

Paternal Grandparents: Gary and Mary Tronetti of Port Allegany, PA.

4 Generations

Family and friends gathered at the Port Allegany Senior Center Saturday afternoon to help Ethlyn Ford, seated left, celebrate her 95th birthday. Beside her is daughter Carolyn Hawver. Standing at left is granddaughter Valerie Higley Bechtel, and rounding out the fourth generation is great-grandson Isaac Bechtel.  Martha Knight Photo

Willard W. Tompkins, Jr., Great-Grandpa

Willard W. Tompkins, Jr., 80, of Champlin Hill Rd, died Friday (May 24, 2013) in The Pavilion at Bradford Regional Medical Center, Bradford.

He was born Sept. 27, 1932 in Kane, a son of Willard W. and Helen Reed Tompkins, Sr. On Oct. 16, 1971, in Coryville, PA, he married Constance E. Miles, who died Feb. 24, 2013.

Mr. Tompkins had worked at Pittsburgh Corning, Port Allegany, the former chemical plant in Port Allegany, Ethan Allen of Eldred, and ultimately was a self employed salvage dealer, owning and operating Tompkins Junkyard.

He is survived by
two daughters: Marie Mae and Penny Jean Tompkins
one son: Willard W. Tompkins, III
two sisters: Gertrude DeHaven of North Chili, NY, Betty J. Carrey of Desert Hot Springs, CA
Step Sons: Dennis Earl Green of Port Allegany, Donald Green, Jr. of Newell Creek, PA, and Danny Green of Bradford, PA
step daughters: Linda Gordon of Port Allegany, and Debbie McKee of Eldred, PA.
Several grandchildren and great grandchildren

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one sister, Erlene Roberts.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 10AM to 11 AM at Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc, 105 N Main St, Port Allegany, PA, where funeral and committal services will be held at 11:00 am from the funeral home, with the Rev. Glenn Hamilton, pastor Emeritus, of the Lighthouse Community Free Methodist Church, officiating.  Burial will be in the Grimes Cemetery, Port Allegany.

Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc, Port Allegany.

James Thielges, Brother & Grandpa

Jim Thielges, 62, of 2230 Peet Brook Road, lost his 12 year battle with cancer on Wed., May 22, 2013, at home, showing his strength and courage throughout these years.  He was an inspiration to everyone who knew him.

Jim was born May 27, 1950 in Port Allegany, PA and was a son of Dale and Imogene Dufton Thiegles.  Jim worked at Elliott's Saw Mill, and as a groundskeeper in different places while living in Florida.  He was a self employed owner/operator of "Jim's Handyman and Cleaning Service" until his retirement in about 2010, due to his illness.  Jim loved to ride his Harley with Susie.  He also enjoyed fishing, and camping and spending time with his family.

Jim is survived by Susie Tucker, his life long companion of 23 years, and she was the love of his life.

Jim is also survived by one son, Michael (Jess) Thielges of Crosby, PA; one daughter, Michelle Reis of Saxonburg, PA; one stepson, Rob L. (Julie) Rees of Stayton, OR; a sister-in-law, Mindy Tucker of Port Orange, FL; four grandchildren, Amanda, Brandon, Shyanne, & Joshua; two brothers, Dale Thielges of Port Allegany, PA, and Bob Thielges of Two Rivers, AK; three sisters, Joanne Petrosewitz of Coudersport, PA, Janice (Gary) Lias of Falls Creek, PA, and Marguerite Parker of Port Allegany, PA; and several special nieces & nephews.

No visitation will be held.  A memorial Service will be held at a date & time to be announced. Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. #646 E. State Street, Olean.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society for Melanoma Research, P.O. Box #22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 or to the American Kidney Foundation, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite #300, Rockville, MD 20852.  Online condolences may be made by visiting http://www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com/.

Incumbents, former council member get nominations/By Martha Knight

Four incumbents have won the Republican nominations for the four Port Allegany Borough Council posts up for election this November, and a former council member won the Democratic primary, also, without opposition in May 21 balloting.

 

Republican nominees are David A. Fair, with 104 votes; Francis (Sam) Dynda Jr, 126; Judith A. Taylor, 125; and Andrew M. Johnson, 148. Numbers reflect results from both election districts in the borough. Results were unofficial pending validation by the McKean County Board of Elections.

 

Former council member Lewis Duell received 30 votes from fellow Democrats. His candidacy will make the November election a best-four-of-five contest.

In his first time seeking elective office, George Riley received 138 votes to become the Republican nominee for mayor. Incumbent Don Carley did not seek another term. Riley had no primary opponent, and no one sought the Democratic nomination.  Martha Knight Photos

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