Some shots from the Memorial Day Parade

Study suggests Pa. tourism commission, tax changes

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A new state-funded study says Pennsylvania should create an independent tourism commission and change the handling of county hotel room tax revenue.
The study by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a legislative research agency, looks at ways to help promote tourism in the commonwealth, The (Scranton) Times-Tribune (http://bit.ly/M3Hbb9 ) said.
State spending for tourism promotion has dropped sharply in the past few years, leaving tourism promotion agencies to rely more heavily on hotel room tax revenues. Gov. Tom Corbett has proposed $3 million for tourism in the 2012-13 fiscal year, which would be $1 million less than current funding. In addition, a half-century-old state subsidy for ad campaigns by regional tourism promotion agencies ended this year.
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Pa. tourism promotion faces challenges - News - Republican Herald

Pa. tourism promotion faces challenges - News - Republican Herald

"Almost 70 percent of the income for 45 tourism promotion agencies in mid-sized counties comes from the hotel room tax, the center study said. The amounts ranged from a low of $10,500 in rural Cameron County to $2.8 million in Monroe County, the heart of the Poconos."

Causer's Stream Obstruction Removal Bill Clears House Committee

HARRISBURG – The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee today approved legislation authored by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) to streamline the process for removing potential flood hazards from streams.
“The process for removing obstructions such as gravel bars from our streams is not only inefficient and cumbersome but also a threat to public safety,” Causer said. “The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been unable to offer a solution to the problem, and we simply cannot wait any longer.”

House Bill 2359 aims to create a clear, efficient and effective process to better manage stream obstruction problems without an unnecessary, complicated and expensive permitting process. The bill also includes measures to further expedite stream clearings when such activities are deemed to be an emergency by local, county or state authorities.

“In Emporium, Cameron County, borough officials have been trying to remove a gravel bar for more than five years but have been unable to get the go ahead from DEP to do so,” Causer said. “And they aren’t the only ones. There are other communities in our area and across the state that have experienced similar roadblocks. It’s just ridiculous.”

Causer and other lawmakers in rural areas of the state questioned DEP Secretary Michael Krancer extensively about the issue of gravel bars during House Appropriations Committee hearings earlier this year, and the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held an informational meeting on the topic as well.

The bill passed the committee by a vote of 21-2. It now goes to the full House for consideration.

Stream Obstruction Removal Bill Clears Committee

BREAKING: McKean County Jail Escapee, America’s Most Wanted Fugitive Captured

MCKEAN CO. – A prison escapee and alleged sexual predator has been captured in Chautauqua County, NY.

Joseph Chapman, 28, was arrested yesterday by New York State Police after a local resident recognized him from an episode of America’s Most Wanted.

Chapman has allegedly been living under the name Joshua Tompkins, near Arkwright, NY.

Chapman escaped from the McKean County jail in 2007 after walking away from a morning work detail, and has been wanted on charges involving the sexual assault of a child and rape.

Officials say Chapman has made a habit of targeting single women with children. Police say he preys on their insecurities and low self-esteem — or in some cases, developmental disabilities — in order to weasel his way into their life. Chapman relies on the internet as his facilitator.

Chapman is currently incarcerated in the Chautauqua County jail awaiting extradition.

Austin/St. Marys Residents Arrested For Arson Fire In Emporium

3 Arrested In Arson Fire At Playground 
A St. Marys man and two Austin residents have been arrested in connection with an arson fire that damaged the interior of the recreation building at the Prospect Park  playground along Arch Drive in Shippen Township, Cameron County on March 23, 2012.


After a joint investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Investigation Section at Emporium, and the PSP Fire Marshal Unit, the identity of the persons responsible for the crime have been identified. In a news release today, Criminal Investigator Trooper James P. Yoder, and PSP Fire Marshal Trooper David Surra have listed the accused persons who are believed to be responsible for this crime. Charged are:


Joshua Burger, 20, Parade Street, St. Marys, PA, was taken into custody on May 15, 2012 at a residence in Ridgway, PA. He's was arraigned  before District Judge Mark Jacob on charges of Arson(F1); Arson(F2); Burglary(F2); Arson(F3); Arson(F3); Criminal Mischief(F3); Criminal Mischief(F3), and Criminal Trespass(F3). Judge Jacob set bail at $50,000. straight. Burger was unable to post bail and was committed to the Potter County Jail.


Charles Goff, 19, RR 1, Austin, PA, was taken into custody at the Potter County Jail and arrested on May 9, 2012 and arraigned before District Judge Barry Brown on a charge of Criminal Trespass(F3). Judge Brown set bail at $10,000. unsecured. Charles Goff was recommitted to the POtter County Jail on unrelated charges filed by the Austin Police Department.


Erica Goff, 20, of RR 1, Austin, PA, was taken into custody and arrested on May 15, 2012 at an Emporium residence. She was arraigned on charges of Criminal Trespass(F3) before District Judge Mark Jacob. Judge Jacob set bail at $2,500. unsecured. Goff was released.


The arson incident that occurred on March 23, 2012 was intentionally set, igniting combustible materials inside a cabinet in the recreation building. The fire was quickly extinguished by members of the Emporium Fire Department, containing the damage from combustion to the area of origin. The remainder of the interior of the structure sustained heat and smoke damage.

Local Gymnasts compete at NY States

Kamme Guisto and Cassie Frey traveled with the Bradford Flames Gymnastics team,to Brockport, NY, to compete in the New York YMCA Gymnastics State Championships.

Kamme competed at Level 5 and scored 8.50 0n vault (3rd Place), 7.90 on bars, 8.55 on beam (5th Place), 8.05 on floor routine and finished with a 33.00 overall score.

Cassie ,competing at Intermediate Prep-op level, scored 9.30 on vault earning a Champion medal, 8.10 on bars (4th Place), 8.30 on beam (4th Place), 8.65 on floor routine (4th Place) and finsished with a  34.35 overall score for a 4th Place finish.

Cassie will be competing for Pennsylvania Championships on May 6th at Quakertown, Pa.

John W. Valenti, 50, of Austin, PA

John W. Valenti, 50, of Austin, died Sunday (April 29, 2012) of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in Liberty Township, McKean County.

Born on July 23, 1961, in Coudersport, he was the son of the late Joseph B. and Alma H. Johnson Valenti. On May 12, 1984, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin, he married Rhonda K. Ripple, who survives.

John was a 1979 graduate of Austin High School. He was a lifetime tool and die machinist, working for various companies, including Philips/ECG and GKN Sintered Metals, both in Emporium, and most recently with Morgan AM&T in Coudersport. He had also achieved his CDL license and worked with Werner Trucking.

He was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin and was a Third Degree Knight with Knights of Columbus Council #1355. He was also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #368 of Emporium, the Sons of the American Legion and the Southern Potter County Snowmobile Club.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Marcia T. Valenti of Austin and Karina H. (fiancé Kevin Chelton) Valenti of Erie; one sister, Vera E. Valenti of Austin; four brothers, James P. (Missy) Valenti, Joseph M. (Sue) Valenti, Jeffrey G. (Ali) Valenti and Jesse L. (Michelle) Valenti, all of Austin; one aunt, Marcia (Earl) Asperger of Emporium; and many nieces and nephews.

John was looking forward to his first grandchild, due in July.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends are invited to John's Life Celebration beginning with visitation at the Fickinger Funeral Home of Coudersport from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Augustine Catholic Church with the Rev. Joseph Dougherty, pastor, as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Augustine-St. Paul Cemetery in Costello.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Augustine Catholic Church, P.O. Box 271, Austin, PA 16720; or to a charity of the donor's choice .

To share fond memories of John, visit www.lifecelebration.com

Local Gymnasts compete at NY Championships

Kamme Guisto and Cassie Frey traveled with the Bradford Flames Gymnastics team,to Brockport, NY, to compete in the New York YMCA Gymnastics State Championships.

Kamme competed at Level 5 and scored 8.50 0n vault (3rd Place), 7.90 on bars, 8.55 on beam (5th Place), 8.05 on floor routine and finished with a 33.00 overall score.

Cassie ,competing at Intermediate Prep-op level, scored 9.30 on vault earning a Champion medal, 8.10 on bars (4th Place), 8.30 on beam (4th Place), 8.65 on floor routine (4th Place) and finsished with a  34.35 overall score for a 4th Place finish.

Cassie will be competing for Pennsylvania Championships on May 6th at Quakertown, Pa.