Noxious Weed Found in Smethport Area, Potentially Harmful to Livestock

Local Landowners Encouraged to Identify and Cut Plants, Contact Hotline
HARRISBURG, Pa., June 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Goatsrue, a noxious weed that was recently discovered in Smethport, McKean County, may be fatal to sheep and cattle, but poses no human health threat, Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding said today.
Redding said the main infestation is localized to a two-mile radius of Smethport Borough, Keating Township and adjoining municipalities, and is related to the dredging of Hamlin Lake and the distribution of the fill material to local properties. Small isolated populations of the weed have been found elsewhere in McKean County and in Cameron, Elk and Potter counties.
A legume, goatsrue is about 4-5 feet tall at maturity with 8-inch pinnate leaves with smaller leaflets and 20-50 purple to white flowers. Flowering begins in June and each flower produces a one- to two-inch pod with mustard colored seeds.
"The Department of Agriculture has surveyed and identified the infestation and is actively working this summer on eradication," said Redding. "However, we encourage livestock producers and landowners in the Smethport area to protect their animals by becoming familiar with this plant and inspecting their hayfields and pastures."
Redding added that if landowners find any flowering plants, they cut the plants down to ground level to keep them from reseeding. Contact the Agriculture department field technician at 814-414-7680 to report the infestation or leave a message on the toll-free noxious weed hotline at 1-877-464-9333.
Goatsrue grows best in moist areas in full sun. It can be found along irrigated waterways, cropland, pastures, fence lines, roadways and wet, marshy areas.
For more information about goatsrue, including a brochure with pictures of the plant, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us and search "Goatsrue," or contact Noxious Weed Program Manager Melissa Bravo at 717-787-7204.
Media contact: Jean Kummer, 717-787-5085
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Photo of the Day

This barred owl was on the hunt in the Mason Hill area this evening

COMMUNITY PROJECT at Black Bridge

The Cameron County Snowmobile Club will be rehabilitating the railroad bridge at the west end of Emporium ("black bridge"). If you would like to help with this worthwhile project, they are scheduling workdays for June 26 and 27. They will be putting down 1" decking on the rr ties to facilitate pedestrians and snowmobiles. Charge up your screw guns and bring a saw or two and lend a hand.

UPDATE: Rebert is 'person of interest' in Fickel, Smith murders

Former Oakfield resident charged Friday in Pa. shooting deaths
By Scott DeSmitdesmit@batavianews.com
Sunday, June 13, 2010 2:08 PM EDT
He lived within a mile of Bill Fickel and Kevin Smith and knew both of them when all three attended Clarence High School.Now, Steven P. Rebert is being called a “definite person of interest” in the unsolved murders of Fickel and Smith, the first time in five years that the two cases have been publicly linked.“At the time we did not think they (the murders) were related,” Genesee County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster said. “But this perks our interest.”Rebert, 45, of Emporium, Pa., was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of murder for the shooting deaths of James and Vicky Shugar in Jefferson County, Pa. on April 12. Pennsylvania state police contacted police in New York because Rebert is a former resident of Clarence and OakfieldThe break in the case came when Rebert was arrested June 3 in the town of Alabama and charged with criminal possession of a weapon, Sheriff Gary Maha said....MORE

Photo of the Day

Keegan playing with a glow stick....smiley face

Suspect arrested in murder of western Pa. couple

The Associated Press
Updated: 06/11/2010 10:47:48 PM EDT

BROCKWAY, Pa.—A suspect has been arrested in the murders of a western Pennsylvania couple found shot in their basement two months ago.
James and Victoria Shugar, both 61, were found fatally shot April 12 inside their home in Snyder Township, about 85 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
On Friday, authorities announced they were arresting 45-year-old Steven Patrick Repert, of Emporium.
Repert is charged with homicide and related counts. Authorities did not comment on an alleged motive.
Jefferson County District Attorney Jeffrey Burkett says Repert was arraigned Friday evening and would be committed to Jefferson County jail without bail.
It wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney.

FBI: Mexicans chased away US agents after shooting

We are at war....not just in Iraq or Afghanistan, but much closer to home!

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico – Pointing their rifles, Mexican security forces chased away U.S. authorities investigating the shooting of a 15-year-old Mexican by a U.S. Border Patrol agent on the banks of the Rio Grande, the FBI and witnesses told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The killing of the Mexican by U.S. authorities — the second in less than two weeks — has exposed the distrust between the two countries that lies just below the surface, and has enraged Mexicans who see the death of the boy on Mexican soil as an act of murder.
Mexico's government says the number of Mexicans injured by U.S. immigration authorities has increased this year.
Shortly after the boy was shot, Mexican soldiers arrived at the scene and pointed their guns at the Border Patrol agents across the riverbank while bystanders screamed insults and hurled rocks and firecrackers, FBI spokeswoman Andrea Simmons said. She said the agents were forced to withdraw....MORE