The Daily Press
Gobbler’s Knob ready to welcome visitors on Groundhog Day
YOUNG TWP. — The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle has been busy preparing for Phil’s big day. Marcy Galando, Groundhog Club executive director, said that they’ve never had much trouble getting people to The Knob but getting them back down is...
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Complex decisions go into navigating winter weather concerns
ST. MARYS –Mother Nature has not been kind to area schools as of late, with both delays and early dismissals happening throughout the area just this week due to inclement winter weather. The National Weather Service issued a Cold Weather Advisory for...
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SMASD board members approve personnel items
ST. MARYS – Members of the St. Marys Area School District’s Board of Directors gave their approval to several personnel items during their recent monthly meeting. The retirement of Mandy Meyer, library aide at South St. Marys Street Elementary School,...
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SMASD continuing agreement with Post 103 related to maintaining Berwind Park
ST. MARYS – An agreement between the St. Marys Area School District and St. Marys American Legion Post 103 related to maintaining Berwind Park was approved in perpetuity by members of the St. Marys Area School District’s Board of Directors during their...
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O-I Glass Brockway-Crenshaw welcomes Glass4Good™ donations
Kersey - Residents of Kersey and other outlying areas may wonder where they can recycle their glass containers, as there is no curbside recycling program in Fox Township and glass is not accepted for recycling at the drop off center on Irishtown Road...
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SMAHS benefits from McDonald’s High School Sports Digital Fundraiser
ST. MARYS – Representatives from McDonald’s were on hand at St. Marys Area High School on Wednesday morning to present a check from a recent digital fundraiser that benefited the school’s athletic programs. McDonald’s owner/ operator John Coyle and...
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‘Cops vs kids’ dodgeball connects youth with local law enforcement
ST. MARYS – Friday was Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, and in celebration of the occasion, the Boys and Girls Club of St. Marys challenged members of the City of St. Marys Police Department to a game of dodgeball. According to Boys and Girls Club of...
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ECCHS holds annual Share Your Career Day
ST. MARYS – Elk County Catholic High School held its annual Share Your Career Day on Tuesday, January 6. This year’s event was structured as a career fair for all students in grades 9-12, featuring ECCHS Alumni, area business leaders, mental health...
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West Creek Abandoned Mine Drainage Treatment System construction was highlight of 2025 for Elk County Conservation District
ST. MARYS – The Elk County Conservation District had another busy year in 2025, and one of the biggest projects the organization was involved with was the construction of the West Creek Abandoned Mine Drainage Treatment System. Kate Wehler, District...
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Titchner reflects on tenure leading county’s recycling efforts
ST. MARYS – The end of 2025 also marked the end of an era for Elk County’s recycling efforts as longtime Elk County Recycling and Solid Waste Coordinator Bekki Titchner announced her retirement. Titchner has been the face of the county’s recycling...
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Aaron Straub reaches 1,000 wins with Crusaders
On Tuesday, November 23, 1982, the Elk County Christian Crusader basketball team opened their 21st season under the direction of the program’s ninth head coach, Aaron Straub. Forty-three years later, Straub remains at the helm of the program, and on...
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Miracle Minute raises $1,500 for The 3 Breastketeers
ST. MARYS – A Miracle Minute was held following the girls’ championship game at the Elk County Holiday Basketball Tournament at St. Marys Area High School on Tuesday evening, and $1,500 was able to be raised for The 3 Breastketeers. The 3...
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Little Dribblers Program has become an annual tradition
ST. MARYS – For 35 years, the Little Dribblers Program at Elk County Catholic has helped teach youngsters basic fundamental skills for the game of basketball, and the 36th year of the program is about to get underway with its first session on Saturday,...
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2025 was a busy year for St. Marys Public Library
ST. MARYS – The St. Marys Public Library has become much more than a place to simply borrow books and is instead a hub for activities in the community. Reflecting on the past year, St. Marys Public Library Director Leslie Swope described 2025 as...
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St. Marys Area Christmas Day Dinner prepared 485 holiday take-out meals
ST. MARYS - Ed Schlimm, who has been chairman of the event for six years, recounted how he had received a call a few weeks ago from a woman who was concerned about the cost of the meal. Schlimm said, “I told her they’re free, and she started crying on...
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Library heads into the holidays with Christmas Party
ST. MARYS – The St. Marys Public Library’s college workers held a Christmas Party event on Tuesday, and even the Grinch made an appearance to get into the holiday spirit. According to Jackie Schatz, she and fellow college worker Sarah Reedy started...
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Christmas Candlelight Service honors lost loved ones
KERSEY – Community members joined together to share the Christmas spirit on Thursday evening as Michelle Muccio-Krise and Roy Krise, owners of Lynch-Green Funeral Home in St. Marys and Krise Family Funeral Homes in Kersey and Ridgway, hosted a...
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SMCES’ ‘Lullabies for Baby Jesus’ fills Queen of the World Church with music and joy
ST. MARYS – St. Marys Catholic Elementary School students shared the true spirit of the Christmas season during their annual Lullabies for Baby Jesus elementary choir performance, held Wednesday, December 17, at Queen of the World Church. Now in its...
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2025 Big Buck Contest Winners
Last night The Ridgway Record, The Daily Press, and The Kane Republican sponsored the 21st Annual Big Buck Contest at the Johnsonburg Fire Hall. Here are the firstplace prize winners. Brady Bouch won the adult contest. Bouch is 22 years old and...
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Citizens honored for service to the city
ST. MARYS - Several citizens were recognized for their service to the city during Monday’s St. Marys City Council meeting. Among them were three outgoing city councilmen, a board of health volunteer and City of St. Marys Chief of Police Tom...
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Donuts with Santa at Fox Township Elementary School draws a crowd and spreads holiday cheer
KERSEY - Despite single digit temperatures, young families, grandparents, and visitors gathered at Fox Township Elementary School in Kersey on Sunday, Dec. 14 for a large dose of Christmas cheer. The school was festively decorated by event organizer...
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St. Marys takes part in National Wreaths Across America Day
ST. MARYS – St. Marys joined more than 5,500 participating locations celebrating National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, with the local ceremony taking place at noon in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Snowy and cold weather prevailed for the...
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Sarah Heary showcases ‘The Shuffle and the Deal’
SLIPPERY ROCK – Sarah Heary of St. Marys was one of eight seniors in Slippery Rock University’s Bachelor of Fine Arts program who had their capstone art projects displayed in the Martha Gault Art Gallery earlier this month. Heary’s project, titled “The...
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Sally Stanisch turns 104
RIDGWAY – Lifelong St. Marys resident Marcella “Sally” Stanisch turns 104 today, Dec. 12. She and her family celebrated her birthday at the Ridgway Fire Hall bingo game on Tuesday night. When asked what the secret to her longevity was, she replied,...
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Historical Society of St. Marys and Benzinger Township holds 61st annual dinner; honors volunteers
ST. MARYS – More than 85 guests attended the 61st annual dinner of the Historical Society of St. Marys and Benzinger Township on Sunday, Dec. 7 at Dream View Restaurant. Mayor of St. Marys and Historical Society Vice President Lyle Garner capably acted
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Tour highlights history of St. Mary’s Church
ST. MARYS – St. Mary’s Church has a long and rich history in the community, and for roughly an hour on Sunday afternoon community members were able to learn about some of it. St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart Church receptionist Bonnie Pearson, who is also...
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Concert Choir of Elk County sings of Christmas
ST. MARYS – The sound of Christmas music filled the air at Sacred Heart Church in St. Marys on Saturday evening as the Concert Choir of Elk County performed their 2025 Christmas Concert, “O Come and Sing of Christmas.” Fr. Tom Curry, pastor of Sacred...
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Vacant storefront windows get holiday makeover
ST. MARYS – With the Christmas season underway, holiday decorations have spring up all over the community. This is especially true in the downtown area, where festive displays can be seen in a number of windows. Some of those windows were decorated...
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SMAHS Music Department’s A Holiday Concert spreads Christmas spirit
ST. MARYS – There was plenty of Christmas spirit to go around at St. Marys Area High School on Wednesday evening as the St. Marys Area High School Music Department presented A Holiday Concert at 7 p.m. in Carpin Auditorium. The performance was under...
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Calypso & Company ready to welcome Santa Claus
ST. MARYS – Get your Christmas lists ready because Santa Claus will once again be making an appearance at Calypso & Company, located at 724 Washington Street in St. Marys, for meet and greets on three upcoming Saturdays. According to Leah Whiteman,...
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SMCMS students to spread holiday spirit with performance of ‘Believe’ Thursday evening
ST. MARYS – St. Marys Catholic Middle School students are set to help community members get into the spirit of the season with a free performance of “Believe,” a short Christmas story, on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. in the Elk County Catholic High...
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Nativity sets on display at 1886 Convent Chapel
ST. MARYS – The Christmas season is upon us, and to celebrate, a Christmas Nativity Exhibit has been set up in the 1886 Convent Chapel adjacent to St. Mary’s Church. According to Bonnie Pearson, receptionist for St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart Churches,...
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Light Up Night draws a crowd to downtown St. Marys
ST. MARYS – The downtown area of St. Marys was a busy place during the late afternoon and early evening hours on Saturday as families flocked to the various businesses and organizations that were offering activities for youngsters as part of this...
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Holiday Food Festival replaces Bah Humbug at Sacred Heart
ST. MARYS – A new take on a longstanding tradition is set to begin this year at Sacred Heart as the Sacred Heart Parish Social Committee replaces the event formerly known as the Bah Humbug with the Sacred Heart Holiday Food Festival. The Sacred Heart...
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Balloons Over Broadway Thanksgiving Parade transforms SMCES into NYC
ST. MARYS – The hallways and gymnasium at St. Marys Catholic Elementary School took on the feel of New York City on Tuesday morning as second grade students held their annual Balloons Over Broadway Thanksgiving Parade. According to St. Marys Area...
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Cameron Elk Suicide Prevention Task Force receives Program of the Year Award for Prevention Awareness Campaign
RIDGWAY - The Cameron Elk Suicide Prevention Task Force (CESPTF) received the Pennsylvania Rural Health Community Program of the Year Award on Nov. 21, the last day of Rural Health Week in Pennsylvania. Rural Health Day, Nov. 20, was established in...
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Deadline approaching for Elk Haven Christmas Card Fund
ST. MARYS – The December 3 deadline is quickly approaching for this year’s Elk Haven Christmas Card Fund, and community members are reminded that no extensions will be given. For those unfamiliar with the Elk Haven Christmas Card Fund, community...
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Outgoing school board members recognized
ST. MARYS – As they wrapped up their regular monthly meeting for November on Monday evening, members of the St. Marys Area School District’s Board of Directors took time to recognize two of their own who were participating in their last meeting as...
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American Legion Post 103 Distinguished Service Award given to Jeff Radkowski at annual banquet
KERSEY - At the St. Marys American Legion Post 103 78th Veterans Day banquet at the Red Fern on Nov. 9, Jeff Radkowski joined an esteemed list of Distinguished Service Award recipients that included his father Lou Radkowski. Master of Ceremonies Matt...
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Local veteran shares knowledge with students as a teacher and coach
ST. MARYS – United States Air Force veteran Tim Pearson realized when he was in high school that he wanted to pursue a military career. After retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel a decade ago and returning to the community, Pearson has been able to share...
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“The United Colors of Liberty” painted by 4,000 Elk County students was dedicated on Thursday
RIDGWAY - Executive Director of America250 PA Cassandra Coleman welcomed county and state officials, Elk County school children and residents, Bell Project Manager John Schlimm, and members of the media to the dedication of the replica of the Liberty...
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Reminder: Many political signs can be recycled
ST. MARYS – Another election is in the books, which means there is now an abundance of political signs and other campaign paraphernalia that are no longer needed. The Elk County Community Recycling Center in St. Marys reminds community members that...
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SMA Band Parents’ Holiday Bazaar happening Saturday at SMAHS
ST. MARYS – It may only be early November, but a tradition for many to kick off the holiday shopping season is set to take place this weekend with the annual SMA Band Parents’ Holiday Bazaar at St. Marys Area High School. The event will be held on...
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The following had cases before District Judge Mark Jacob of St.Marys:
Tonya Lynn Lovell, 42, of Ridgway, was waived in court on a M2 Default In Required Appearance. Unable to post bail Lovell was confined to Elk County Prison. Michele Ann Walczak, 42, of Ridgway, was waived in court on a F1 Burglary - Overnight...
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Joseph Piccirillo inducted into Pennsylvania Newspaper Hall of Fame
HERSHEY, Pa. — Joseph Piccirillo, a lifelong newspaperman of Ridgway, whose career has spanned more than six decades, has been inducted into the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association (PNA) Hall of Fame. Piccirillo will be recognized during the PNA’s 100th...
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Footlighters to perform “Don’t Talk to the Actors”
Next week the Footlighters of Elk County will perform the comedy “Don’t Talk to the Actors” by Tom Dudzick at the Footlighters Playhouse in the St. Marys Moose Lodge. The play’s description reads, “The best laid plans go awry when the cast and crew of...
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Michelle Muccio-Krise is Changing How We View the Funeral Profession
ST. MARYS — For most people, funeral homes are places they hope they never need — quiet, solemn, and often surrounded by a sense of mystery. But local funeral director and Elk County Coroner Michelle Muccio-Krise is working to change that perception,...
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Tablespoons Café & Deli marks 10 years serving the community
ST. MARYS — Tablespoons Café & Deli is celebrating a decade in business today, marking ten years of sandwiches, soups and steady community support. Owner Karen Mohney opened the popular downtown eatery in 2015. She said reaching the milestone means...
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ECC’s Haunted House draws around 300 people
ST. MARYS – The Elk County Catholic High School senior class held their annual Haunted House on Sunday evening, and this year’s two-hour event was once again well attended. According to Elk County Catholic High School faculty member Dawn Salter, who...
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Kinsley’s Birthday Collection: Spreading Kindness in Her Honor
ST. MARYS — Each fall in Elk County, a wave of kindness moves quietly through the community — one donation, one project, one act of giving at a time. Its name is Kinsley’s Birthday Collection, and its purpose is to spread joy in honor of a little girl...
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The Ridgway Community and Fire Department mourn the loss of their own
RIDGWAY – The sun shone brightly as the tears flowed freely Saturday, as the family, community and local fire departments gave their final farewell to Mason Neureiter, firefighter with the Ridgway Volunteer Fire Department and 911 dispatcher, who lost...
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Rain doesn’t stop Business Trick-or-Treat fun
A little rain couldn’t dampen the Halloween spirit in downtown St. Marys on Friday night as families came out for the annual Business Trick-or-Treat event. Around 100 local businesses participated, handing out candy and treats to costumed children...
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St. Boniface Then and Now Event honors Golden Grads
KERSEY - Over 150 people gathered in the social center of St. Boniface School on Saturday for a Then and Now reunion event for anyone who graduated from, attended, or was on staff, or just is interested in the school and its history. The last reunion...
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Potatoes the latest item to benefit going food drive
ST. MARYS – The food drive being held by the Elk County Conservation District and Elk County Community Recycling Center throughout the month of October continues to benefit from a challenge issued by Kate Wehler, District Manager of the Elk County...
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Jonnie Kmetz
For Jonnie Kmetz, life has always revolved around family, community, and a willingness to dive into the next adventure. Kmetz was born and raised in the area before heading to Pittsburgh for college. City life offered excitement, she said, but when it...
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Haunted Forest Volunteers Bring Frights — and Community Spirit — to Life
ST. MARYS — For the volunteers behind the Haunted Forest at Benzinger Park, the woods ring with laughter and screams. These sounds, more than proof of a good scare, signal what happens when a community comes together. The St. Marys Chamber of Commerce...
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Tractor trailer load of Pop-Tarts and Nutri-Grain bars benefits local food drive
ST. MARYS — When Kate Wehler, District Manager for the Elk County Conservation District, decided to hold a food drive to benefit food banks in Elk and Cameron Counties, she posted about the idea on her personal Facebook page and stated that she wanted...
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Haunted Forest gets underway tonight at Benzinger Park SMAHS Tri-M Music Honor Society holds annual Induction Ceremony and Solo Night
ST. MARYS — The walking trails of Benzinger Park are set to be filled with screams tonight and tomorrow as the annual Haunted Forest draws crowds from the community and beyond to the park to see what scares organizers have come up with this year. The...
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St. Marys Catholic Elementary School first graders living their faith in action
ST. MARYS — St. Marys Catholic Elementary School’s first graders had a wonderful opportunity to visit the Christian Food Bank on Friday, October 10. After collecting 141 pounds of food and raising about $350 during our September food drive, students...
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SMASD Board postpones action on superintendent’s resignation
ST. MARYS – While it was still business as usual at Monday’s regular meeting of the St. Marys Area School District’s Board of Directors, the pending resignation of St. Marys Area School District Superintendent Dr. Harley Ramsey drew a crowd of...
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Pioneer Day offers a variety of hands-on activities
BENEZETTE – Morning rain gave way to mild temperatures and partly sunny skies on Sunday afternoon for the Keystone Elk Country Alliance’s annual Pioneer Day event at the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette. While Pioneer Day was scheduled to take...
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SMAHS crowns Homecoming royalty
St. Marys Area High School crowned its 2025 Homecoming Queen ahead of Friday night’s varsity football game between the Flying Dutchmen and Punxsutawney Chucks. This year’s Queen was MaryAnna Sines. Sines was escorted by Tony Brouse. The runner-up was...
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Open House at Crystal Fire Department sees a good turnout
ST. MARYS-All the fire trucks and apparatus used by Crystal Fire Department were on full display on Thursday evening, and Sparky the Fire Dog and Smokey the Bear made an appearance and had their pictures taken with youngsters, some of whom wore red...
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SMA students’ creations to be featured in The Nutrition Group’s new marketing campaign
ST. MARYS – Kari Stake, regional manager for The Nutrition Group, addressed the St. Marys Area School District’s Board of Directors during their October workshop meeting to update them on a marketing campaign that will feature posters created by St....
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Pioneer Day set for Sunday at Elk Country Visitor Center
BENEZETTE – The Keystone Elk Country Alliance’s annual Pioneer Day will be taking place on Sunday from 1-4 p.m. at the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette with plenty of activities for attendees of all ages to enjoy. Since Pioneer Day got its...
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Weather station up and running on SMAHS/SMAMS campus
ST. MARYS – Visitors to the St. Marys Area High School and St. Marys Area Middle School campus have likely noticed that some interesting looking equipment has appeared in the grassy area in between the two buildings around the start of the school year....
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Lynch-Green Funeral Home teams up with youngsters to support nursing home residents
ST. MARYS – Community arts and crafts projects are not something typically heard about happening at local funeral homes, but for two hours on Sunday afternoon, that was exactly what took place at Lynch-Green Funeral Home’s Event Center in St....
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Commissioners proclaim October as National Disability Employment Awareness month
RIDGWAY- At their Oct. 2 meeting, the Elk County Commissioners welcomed Director of Employment Support Services at Dickinson Center, Inc. Marsha Dippold. She serves Cameron, Elk, McKean, and Potter Counties. Dippold noted that this year marks the 80th...
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Weather cooperates for Reading Under the Lights
ST. MARYS – For the first time in a few years, the weather cooperated and Reading Under the Lights was able to be held outdoors on the football field at St. Marys Area High School’s Dutch Country Stadium on Wednesday evening. The event took place from...
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Newly opened Whiskey River Home Furnishings suffers loss from a fire Tuesday evening
KERSEY - Someone driving on Old Kersey Road Tuesday evening spotted flames coming from the back of the building occupied by the newly opened furniture store Whiskey River Home Furnishings. Fox Township Fire Chief Scott Surra said that 28 members of...
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Dutch Manufacturing honored with award
ST. MARYS – St. Marys Area High School’s Dutch Manufacturing program was recognized as the St. Marys Fall Fest’s Organization of the Year during a brief opening ceremony held on Friday evening at Shawmut Park in downtown St. Marys. The Organization of...
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Parents hear about dangers children face online
ST. MARYS – The St. Marys Area School District partnered with Elk County District Attorney Beau Grove and Elk County Detective Gregg McManus to host a program on “Dangers in the Digital Age – What Families Need to Know to Keep Their Kids Safe” on...
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Ribbon cutting held for new 24/7 public access SaveStation at Benzinger Park
ST. MARYS – Late Tuesday afternoon, members of the community gathered at Benzinger Park at the softball field closest to the park office for a ribbon cutting held for the new 24/7 public access SaveStation and AED that was recently...
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Don’t be afraid to ask for that cup of sugar
For Sara Sidelinger, life has always been about roots— both the ones she tends to in her garden and the ones planted by her family. Growing up in Bennetts Valley, she learned that creativity and caring for others go hand in hand, a legacy passed on...
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