Emporium's parking meters are now certified after much debate. All 153 meters were checked earlier this week by a Bureau of Rides and Measurements representitive, Brian Coffman. So, a note to all those visiting this part of the state, do not forget your change.

There is a new office in Emporium and its goals are to promote Cameron County through news and feature articles and pictures.

Alex W. Davis officially opened his self-employed office yesterday. He will be practicing his journalism and photography skills here.

It is a center point for those that have news items and those that need interviewed for key stories.

According to Davis, the small office will be open most of the time during the summer months and some weekends during the fall, winter, and spring seasons.

West Side Gallery, an art showcase in downtown Emporium, recently opened for the 2005 season. The main exhibit is the Woodland Elementary artwork done by the students.

Over 250 pieces of masterpieces are at the Gallery. Students were motivated by their art teacher, Paul O' Hara to create artwork.

Kindergarten thru third graders work will be shown for the first three Saturdays in June. Fourth thru sixth graders can be seen on june 25 and July 21 (Art Fest).

The art museum operating hours are Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. It is located at 307 East Fourth Street in Emporium. Stop in- it is a real treat.

Roulette Township Supervisors will have their monthly meeting on Monday, June 13, 2005, 7 PM at the Township Hall. Citizens are urged to attend the monthly meetings and become involved in the government of their township. All are welcome to attend. There is a Public Comment Period, but if a citizen wants a specific item addressed, they should call the Township Hall (544-7549) and ask the Secretary, Lucille Church, to place them on the agenda.

Governor Ed Rendell has released a portion of the state funds allocated for the rehabilitation of Kinzua Bridge State Park. About one million in state capital budget funds have been released to be used for planning and design of the project, which will include stabilization of the remaining structures of the Kinzua Viaduct, as well as a park clean up and the construction of a new interpretive center and museum. This one million is part of seven million dollars set aside as part of last year’s budget to be used for the project.

County lawmakers have been begging the governor for the full seven million for months now.
The county lost an estimated seven million in revenue last year when only 32 thousand people visited the Bridge, down from 188 thousand in 1999.

Honeywell has sold its wax operations to The International Group Incorporated. The sale includes the plant at Farmers Valley. The Farmers Valley wax maker has been in several hands over the past several years. The sale includes plants in Titusville and Marshall Texas. International Group has announced the closing of the Texas plant, and focus on ops in Titusville. It’s not clear how the Farmer’s Valley plant will be affected.

Hamlin Township firefighters rolled to a small fire at the Temple Inland plant in Mt. Jewett. Coals from a machine had fallen to the floor, and were creating smoke and sparks. Crews were able to put out the coals and contain the problem. The firefighters were on scene about two hours.

Another Pennsylvania Soldier has died. The Department of Defense releases this morning that 21-year-old Lance Corporal Robert T. Minniger of Sellersville died Monday from wounds sustained in Fallujah. The Marine fought in the II Marine Expeditionary Force based out of Camp Lejeune.


Editor's Note:
Just Remember, with all the vitriol about the war: No matter WHAT side your on in this situation, American Troops are putting their lives at risk, and not every wife, or mother, or son or daughter gets their prayers answered just the way they were hoping.

That Butter Pecan Ice Cream may need to go back to the store. Mislabeled tubs of ice cream sold at TOPS stores and GIANT food stores were sold without the notification that the ice cream could contain pecans. So patrons who bought butter pecan ice cream that are allergic to pecans, should bring those tubs back to the store.


Editor's Note:
Does any one else see a DUH!!! here?

Computerized hunting licenses are in the works in Pennsylvania. The Game commission says they were working on licenses that can be purchased over the internet, and printed off. The new licenses would be much smaller than the current bulky tags, and would be not need to be displayed on the back.Game Commission officials haven’t said when or if the new changes might take effect.

Kane School district could get a 10 percent increase in the property tax. Monday’s school board budget committee proposed the increase, which would raise taxes about 36-45 dollars on average this year.
The board will vote on the tax increase Wednesday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kane middle school auditorium in a public meeting. Even with the proposed tax increase in place, Kane would still rank last in taxes among school districts in both McKean and Elk Counties.

The State House is attempting an outlaw of internet hunting in PA.
The practice involves logging on to the internet, and using a remote camera and rifle to shoot animals at fenced in game ranches elsewhere in the world.
The bill would make the practice a third-degree misdemeanor, although some legislators said the bill could be difficult to enforce.
Six states have banned internet hunting.The US Humane Society describes internet hunting as “pay per view slaughter”


Editor's Note: OK, call me barbaric, but as long as someone eats the meat, I dopnt have a problem with this. It would be a great opportunity for people who love hunting but can't get to the woods to experience hunting.

Summer is here, and its time to start looking at West Nile precautions. State officials are already taking steps to monitor the mosquito borne virus. So far, no birds, horses, or mosquitoes have tested positive.

A map on the U.S. Geological Survey Web site shows that in McKean County, samples of mosquitoes have been taken and sent in. Those results are not known.

In 2004, West Nile Virus was identified in 46 birds, 163 mosquito pools, 9 horses, 37 chickens and 16 people, with two human deaths.Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water and officials recommend getting rid of any standing water as soon as possible. Discarded tires, clogged Roof gutters, plastic wading pools, wheelbarrows, birdbaths, and various containers should be checked frequently to prevent standing water.

A Roulette woman reported a burglary occurred on May 27. Police say unknown suspects entered through the back door of a trailer on Railroad Avenue belonging to Lucinda Benson White. White has not reported anything stolen in the incident.

A Burglary was reported in Galeton. State Police say sometime in May burglars broke into a property at Spruce Tree Lane belonging to Valerie Klien , busting the garage doors.

A Genesee grocery store was burglarized Monday Night. State Police say Reed’s Market was broken into, and burglars made off with 200 in cash, and an unknown number of cigarette cartons. Police are still tabulating the total damage and losses. Anyone with information is asked to contact the State Trooper Barracks in Coudersport.

A Potter County seasonal home was rummaged sometime between last week and Tuesday night. Richard Smith of Rittman Ohio returned to his property on Bryant Hollow Road in Oswayo to discover someone had entered the house and looked through his personal belongings. Coudersport State Police are investigating.

Adelphia creditors are asking the bankruptcy court to scrap the 715 million dollar settlement. The committee hopes to turn over the settlemtns, because they feel the government’s case against Adelphia isn’t strong enough to warrant the settlement.

Creditors say the government may have been overzealous in their attempt to seize Rigas owned assets, claiming new evidence shows less case against the Adelphia enterprise itself.

Hamlin Township firefighters rolled to a small fire at the Temple Inland plant in Mt. Jewett. Coals from a machine had fallen to the floor, and were creating smoke and sparks. Crews were able to put out the coals and contain the problem. The firefighters were on scene about two hours.

The feds are looking into Michael Hancock’s Case. The 28-year-old fugitive shot himself on a highway in Maine after police and federal agents discovered his location and closed in on him.

Now federal investigators are looking for someone to charge. Hancock skipped out of a court date in Erie, and was convicted in absentia for the purchase of an illegal silencer.

He then disappeared, and launched a nationwide manhunt.

Officials are trying to determine if anyone should be charged for aiding and abetting the fugitive.
Hancock had been living with his girlfriend, 48 year old Kim Vinelli of Bradford in a rented home in Windham, Maine. She was questioned after the car chase, and released.

Hancock’s father, John Charles Hancock, hopped in his car and drove to Maine Thursday after receiving a suicidal call from his son. He was also questioned by the FBI.

Neither Vinelli nor the elder Hancock has been charged.

Yesterday’s countywide terrorism drill was a success, albeit a bit realistic. Volunteers and EMT trainees actually acted out two scenarios, with a bomb going off at the airport, and a terrorist taking hostages at the courthouse. The mock attacks left a number of pretending victims, which were taken to decontamination units at Bradford Regional, and treated according to the rules of Triage.

The drill was organized by the Northwest central Pennsylvania Counter Terrorism Task Force, and involved the FBI, and numerous local fire departments and police and emergency organizations.

Are you doing anything this summer? Why not come to a Bible Study on Wednesday's, 3:30-4:30 p.m., at the Emporium First United Methodist Church.

The dates are as follows (and are subject to change):

June 8
June 22
June 29
July 6
July 13
July 20
July 27
August 3
August 17



If you have any questions, contact the leader of the Bible study, Alex Davis.

Area young poeple will once again man the stations at Cameron County playgrounds.

The following is who will manage what playground and where: Matt Reed, West End; Eirik Gulien, South Park; Kristen DeLucia, Third Street; Keith Topolski, Prospect Park; Angie Taylor, Driftwood and Sterling Run; and Arts and Crafts Supervisor Heather Smith.

West End, Third Street, West End, and Prospect Park will run from 9:00 a.m. to noon. It will also run from 6-8 p.m. Driftwood will be from 8:30 p.m. to noon and Sterling Run from noon until 3p.m.

American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in Emporium on June 9 from 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at the VFW. Take a pint of blood for this deserving cause!

Kelsey Lewis will represent Cameron County in the 64th Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival in Wellsboro, June 11 through 19. "Memory Lane", with a focus towards famies, is the theme for this year.

Lewis is the daughter of Pat and Andrea Lewis, both employed by the Cameron County School District. This young lady is a member of the National Honor Society and also the National Art Society. She has lettered in basketball, golf, softball, and track.

A welcoming ceremony for the queens will get underway on June 17 at Acradia Theater. That Saturday, the canidates will cruise through the parade garning their beautful floats. Saturday night, June 20, the crowning begins at the Wellsboro High Shcool at 8:00 p.m. The queen for this year's festivites will be awarded $1000, with the runner-up will receive a gift of $500. She will join many other girls who are running for the queen spot and is wanting those from Cameron County to support her.

Many young children took part in the 51st Annual Drum and Henry Kids Derby at the Rod and Gun Club in Emporium last Sunday. With 1,700 fish stocked, about 300 hundred kids tried to catch them to win prizes. Kids won prizes by chance- using a raffel and a case of good luck.

Limited to three fish and some nice prizes, those that participated got to have food and sodas- free of charge by Derby Fishing Committee. A Good Humor ice cream truck also made an appearance presenting each child with a free cold treat.

Local businesses, the Emporium Foundation, and clubs donated the money for the food and drinks, as well as Gary Brown donated the fish to be put in the pond.

The pond will continue to be open for the kids until June 19. Ages include those that are 14 and younger.

The Allegany National Forest Vacation Bureau is sponsoring a free educational and training seminar to help businesses get access to grants, loan and business assistance programs. The seminar will be next Monday, June 13th from 10 to noon at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Speakers will include the Progress fund, Business Resource Center, Clarion Small Business Development Center and North Central Regional Planning and Development.

The Elk County Coroner’s office has officially ruled in the death of Todd Boardman. The Smethport man was died of hypothermia. He was found on April 17, 14 days after his disappearance.

Monday morning’s heavy storm caused a one-vehicle accident in Lafayette Township. Kane-based state police report that a tree was knocked down by the storm and a branch went through the windshield of a 2003 Chevy Truck driven by Allen Buzard Jr of Jamestown as he was traveling north on Route 219 at 10:30 a.m. Buzard was taken to Bradford Regional Medical center by Mount Jewett ambulance for treatment of minor injuries. Local loggers, PennDot and Lafayette Volunteer Fire Department assisted at the scene.

PA Clearways in McKean County has registered one thousand tires so far for the June cleanup program. Cleanways reps say they still have room for one thousand more. Tire collection will be held on Saturday June 18 form 8 to noon.. McKean County Residents can dispose of car and light duty truck tires for $1.25 per tire. Tires should be brought to the American Legion Parking Lot on Route 155 in Eldred. In addition, participants must pre-register and pre-pay at the McKean Extension Office.

Olean residents will have to pay more for their garbage. SDS of Olean says rising costs have prompted an increase from 1.04 to 2.13 per bag. Price increases could vary from contract to contract. SDS has contracts in several NY towns, and Port Allegany, PA.

In Potter County Court, a Galeton man was sentenced to 2 years in jail, and 2 years probation on charges of reckless endangerment. 22-year-old Michael Stahli became combative while being arrested in Galeton. He broke the right hand of a police officer. He was sentenced the day before to 90 days in jail for public drunkenness

A Shinglehouse woman was injured in a Saturday night crash. 39 y ear old Peggy Seibert swereved to miss a deer along State Route 44 in Eulalia Township when she struck a speed limit sign and utility polce. Seibert apparently left the scene and did not notify police right away. She faces charges for not reporting the accident.

A Kane man has been charged with selling or giving alcohol to minors. Police say 21-year-old Terry Lee Carlson of Kane provided alcohol to three underage suspects on May 26th. The underage drinkers were then involved in a traffic crash in Wetmore Township.
The investigation continues.

State Police are in possession of a set of keys found along Route 6, in front of the old Jack’s Restaurant. The keys were found Sunday. The keyholder can claim by calling state police.

One Emporium man is in the hospital, and another refused treatment for minor injuries after a crash in Lumber Township in Cameron County. State Police say 24 year old Hollie Rosen attempted to pass a another vehicle, when she came directly into the path of a Pickup truck driven by 32 year old Charles Ullman coming from the opposite direction. The collision flipped Ullman’s truck off the road, and Ullman was ejected from the vehicle. HE was taken to Elk Regional Health Center. His passenger Robert White was not treated for minor injuries. Rosen was not injured.

An Emporium man faces harassment charges after he struck a man in the head. 21 year old David Hulick was cited by State Troopers Saturday afternoon after he reportedly struck 20 year old Gary Small in the head.

May was a big month for traffic tickets in McKean County. State Troopers in Kane wrote 390 tickets and gave 458 warnings. Police reported 16 DUI arrests, and 22 injuries occurred in 36 crashes. Eight of those crashes were a result of DUI.
Police say 90 criminal offenses were investigated, and 42 were cleared.

A Smethport man was arrested for DUI on Water Street in the Smethport Boro. 29-year-old Michael Cunningham was stopped for a traffic violation, State Troopers say Cunningham was driving under the influence. Charges are pending in District Court.

My family and I went camping with some friends at Allegany State Park in NY State. The park has a very interesting feature called the "Stone Tower".



The tower is not very tall, it has two stories. It's covered in magic marker grafiti inside, but the view was worth it. In the distance, a little part of Salamanca can be seen.




Another interesting site we saw:

Near the "Red House" at Red House Lake, these Parks Department Electric cars were left charging. The cars use only an electric engine. Their top speed is around 45 miles per hour, so they work out fine in the park for transporting staff back and forth.

For more pics, visit my personal blog. http://go.to/joshuakhatcher.com

Unknown litterbugs scattered beer bottles and cans on the front lawn and parking lot of the Roulette Baptist Church some time after 9pm Sunday night. Anyone with information is asked to contact the church at 544-7731 or PA State Police at 274-8690.

Greg Doane has officially signed on as a Roulette Editor.

Greg is a talented photographer, and has been submitting photos and stories via email for quite some time.

He's also one of those stand up guys that no one ever talks bad about, because he's real, he's honest, and he's a heck of a nice guy.

Thanks for signing on Greg!



So since we have three contributing editors, it's important to note at the bottom of each post just which of us submitted the story! (Greg goes by the alias "Zack")

Strong storms passed through Roulette late this morning. I captured this on my camcorder, then transferred it to digital format. It was taken thru my living room window.


After the storm.

G.Doane

Cameron County Ministerial Association held their second annual "Bike Blessing" on Broad Street in Emporium yesterday. More than a dozen people came to get their bike a blessed and also to grab a bite to eat. Here, the Rev. Rock Pifer gets ready to "bless" a bike.