Family and friends of Tioga County resident Valerie Vergason-Ridgway invite the community to a benefit being held in Valerie's honor from noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 20 at the Moose Lodge, 3 Goodrich Settlement Rd., Owego, N.Y. A barbecue by Ozzie's Brisket and BBQ Grill from Endicott, N.Y. will be served, which includes a choice of chicken or pork, and two side dishes. Cost is $10 per person, with 20 percent of the proceeds going toward the benefit.

Fun activities are planned at the event including basket raffles, a cake wheel, a 50/50, a lottery board, and auction items all day. A variety of music will also be played throughout the day, with a disc jockey stationed inside and the band "Silverheart" playing outside from 1 to 4 p.m.

Valerie, age 62 and a graduate of Tioga Central High School, was diagnosed in October 2013 with small cell cancer. After repeated bladder infections and noticing that her stomach had enlarged, Valerie became concerned. With no other symptoms evident, a kidney issue was her doctor's first opinion, although an initial CT scan showed an enlarged liver. Additional CT scans from her shoulder to her pelvis showed multiple cancer spots on her lung, lymph nodes, bone and liver.

Cancer specialists have explained to Valerie that she will never go into remission, so chemo treatments have been ordered indefinitely, the twelfth round having been completed on June 30. On June 23, Valerie had a port placed because her veins are no longer viable. Valerie also endures monthly shots injected into her bones, as well as regularly scheduled CT scans. Unable to work for quite some time, Valerie previously had six surgeries on her back and neck.

Valerie receives treatment at Lourdes Regional Cancer Center, Binghamton, N.Y. She is able to drive herself a majority of the time, but also needs help. Multiple trips from Candor to Binghamton take a toll on her, including separate trips for body scans and blood work.

Despite the intense treatment regimen, Valerie is thankful that she has had limited chemo side effects, although the latest chemo treatment did cause one unpleasant side effect. A significant issue she deals with has been lack of energy and the overwhelming feeling of always being tired. Complete hair loss has also affected her. She does attempt to do regular daily activities, including helping her 84-year-old mother when she can, however low energy level often restricts her. Valerie is also thankful to have her grandchildren nearby to help her when needed.

A committee of family and friends has joined together in organizing the benefit for Valerie Vergason-Ridgway. Proceeds will help Valerie with medical expenses and travel costs incurred for ongoing cancer treatments. For example, each bone shot that Valerie receives monthly is $4,000, let alone all the other mounting medical costs. Valerie does have insurance, but the extraordinary cost of her treatment is not fully covered by her medical plan.

Donations will also be accepted by anyone unable to attend the benefit. Checks can be mailed to WOTM (Women of the Moose), 3 Goodrich Settlement Rd., Owego, N.Y. 13827, to the attention of Valerie's Benefit.

A pitch tournament is planned on Sunday, Aug. 3 starting at 12:30 p.m. at the Moose Lodge. The cost is $25 for a two person team, and $5 of that will be set aside for Valerie's Benefit. Call (607) 258-4024 for information, or to sign up for the tournament.

Benefit organizers are looking for bands to participate at the July 20 event. Call Sheila Gallagher at (607) 258-4024 for more information. Auction items are also still being accepted. Refer to the Facebook page "Valerie (Vergason) Ridgway Cancer Benefit" or contact Gallagher for details.

Valerie is genuinely thankful for the support of her friends and family, and also the community. She has two sons, four granddaughters and one grandson.

On Friday, local realtor Doug Every appeared at the Tioga County Court in Owego, N.Y. with his attorney, George Awad. Sixty-two year old Doug Every, of 281 Thorn Hollow Rd. in the Town of Tioga is charged with second degree murder and tampering with evidence in connection with the stabbing death of 39-year old Milton Jump Jr. at the residence they shared on Oct. 23, 2013.

Doug Every had called 911 himself following the stabbing, which occurred at approximately 8:07 p.m., and was found in front of his home when officers arrived.

Thirty-nine year old Milton Jump Jr., who had family in Barton, N.Y., was found inside the kitchen with a fatal stab wound from a kitchen knife. Milton Jump Jr.'s funeral was held on Oct. 28. Doug Every is a longtime realtor in the area, who was working at Douglas R. Every & Associates Real Estate.

Friday's appearance was for a suppression hearing, but the attorney, Awad, requested an adjournment so that all hearings can be held on the same day, to include a Huntley hearing - a separate proceeding in a criminal action conducted solely for the purpose of determining the admissibility of extrajudicial statements made by the defendant. A suppression hearing is part of the pretrial process that can be used to decide what types of charges can be brought against a defendant. It can also be used to decide what evidence will be allowed in court.

The adjournment was granted, with a pretrial hearing planned for 1 p.m., Monday, Aug. 8, at the Tioga County Courthouse. Tioga County's District Attorney, Kirk Martin, held no objection to the adjournment.

According to Awad, a trial in this matter might not take place until late fall. "We're looking towards late fall," said Awad, "and after the Cal Harris trial." The district attorney did not offer comment on the matter.

Doug Every previously plead not-guilty on the charges, and remains released on $225,000 bond.

The new poll topic for The Daily & Sunday Review website this week is: What is your favorite activity at the Troy Fair?

- The Demolition Derby

- Visiting the livestock barns

- The Troy Fair Queen Pageant

- The concert

- The food

- The rides

- I don't go to the fair

Last week's question was: Do you think convenience stores in Pennsylvania should be allowed to sell beer?

As of the end of the poll period on Saturday evening, with 1,068 responses received, the breakdown was as follows: Yes, 674, 63 percent; No, 374, 35 percent; I'm not sure, 20, 2 percent.

The poll is not conducted scientifically and cannot be taken as an accurate measurement of community sentiment. It is an interactive feature for entertainment only.

To take part, visit the newspaper's website home page, which is at www.thedailyreview.com.

Residents in Towanda are about to benefit from a national backpack giveaway campaign. The Cellular Connection, the largest Verizon Premium Wireless Retailer in the U.S., in a joint effort with its customers, announced recently that it will be donating 100,000 backpacks full of school supplies to children through its School Rocks Backpack Giveaway. Last year, the company donated 60,000 backpacks.

More than 350 participating TCC stores across the U.S. are inviting local families to bring their children to the store between noon and 2 p.m. on Aug. 2 to pick up a backpack filled with pencils, paper, a pencil box, folders, glue and more. One backpack per child present will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. The participating store in Towanda is located at 833 Golden Mile Rd. Each participating TCC store will donate between 75 and 300 backpacks. All leftover backpacks will be donated to local schools.

"The backpack giveaway is a huge part of TCC's 'Culture of Good' movement that's all about making a positive impact on employees while benefitting the world," said Scott Moorehead, president and CEO of TCC. "It's how our company gives back to every community where we do business, and it involves every employee at every level. We're honored to have the ability to give back to those who need it."

Towanda residents have also joined the cause. Since the beginning of March, TCC customers have been given the option to round their purchases up to the nearest dollar with the difference going directly toward the School Rocks Backpack Giveaway.

In 2013, the National Retail Federation predicted the average person with children in grades K-12 would spend $86 on school supplies such as notebooks, pencils and backpacks. On top of that, nearly 16 million children in the U.S. live in poverty. TCC is doing its part to ensure that as many children as possible are set up for educational success.

Submitted by The Cellular Connection.

Longtime Wysox businessman Budd Clark, 97, has died.

He owned Clark Furniture for many years on Route 6 on The Golden Mile in Wysox.

Wysox Township Secretary Kurt Lafy said Clark was "a pillar of the business world of Wysox since I was a kid."

He said that he personally knew Mr. and Mrs. Clark because Mrs. Clark was his Cub Scout Leader.

"Mr. Clark was the nicest man. He had a smile for everybody all the time. He treated people with respect and dignity."

"What a gracious man he was."

Lafy had respect for Clark as a businessman, due to Clark's many years in business, through all economic times, which he said "speaks for itself."

"Wysox as a community is going to miss the presence of Mr. Clark."

Lafy said he was shocked to hear of Clark's passing.

"He still had a sharp mind. What a nice man, I'm so sorry to hear he passed away."

"You can't write glowing enough terms about Mr. Clark. There aren't enough words in the English dictionary to describe what a wonderful man he was."

Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; or email: reviewtroy@thedailyreview.com.

ATHENS - Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) will again welcome senior citizens ages 55 and older on Thursday, July 24 to the Lynch-Bustin Elementary School in Athens, for her 14th annual Senior Expo.

From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., seniors can take advantage of a variety of free health screenings and can obtain information about a host of public and private services and programs.

"To date, we expect nearly 70 different exhibitors to share information about the services and programs they offer and answer questions seniors may have," Pickett said. "Our expo has attracted more than 1,000 seniors in recent years, which makes it one of the must-attend events in our area."

Exhibitors will present information on topics such as health care, insurance, elder abuse, nutrition and exercise, financial planning, fraud protection, government services and veterans benefits. Refreshments will be offered.

Seniors can also protect themselves against identity theft by bringing their documents with personal and sensitive information to be securely shredded by North Central Sight Services Secure Document Shredding, free of charge. Attendees should look for the specially marked containers in the parking area.

"Even though we hold this expo during July, the school is air conditioned for comfort, and we'll all join in the cafeteria at 11:30 a.m. for my annual town hall meeting," Pickett added. "I invite all of the seniors who have been to past expos, as there is always something new to learn, and welcome any senior citizen, family member or caregiver who hasn't participated before to stop by for a few minutes or part of the day."

The school is located at 253 Pennsylvania Ave. in Athens. From Route 220, take the second Athens Business Exit to Pine Street. Signs will be posted directing participants to school parking. Shuttle services will be provided from the school's parking lot to the building's front door.

Anyone with questions about the expo can contact Pickett's Towanda office at (570) 265-3124 or her Sayre office at (570) 888-9011.

Submitted article.

The Tioga County, New York Fair got some well-deserved attention for the work put into reviving horseracing and refocusing on agricultural inclusion as the fair is restructured by the Tioga County Agricultural Society. New York State Commissioner for Agriculture and Markets Richard Ball visited the fair on July 8, 2014 in recognition of the importance of agriculture in Tioga County and the return of Sire Stakes horseracing.

"It's all about eye contact, we're really in the people business," Ball said of his visit to the Tioga County Fair. "County fairs across New York are a great opportunity for people to touch agriculture; it's a point of contact. Every fair is an opportunity we have to connect people with farmers, and the county fair celebrates that connection."

Jay Dinga is Regional Director of Business Development and Governmental Relations for American Racing and Entertainment, parent company of Tioga Downs Casino in Nichols. Dinga said he would not have missed Commissioner Ball's visit for anything.

"It's a great opportunity to promote agriculture," Dinga said, including horse breeding and related business. It also highlights the importance of programs like the Farm to Table program initiated this spring at Tioga Downs. Farm to Table is a collaborative effort intended to bring local farmers and producers together to offer local products and services. "We have a huge vested interest in agriculture," Dinga said.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tioga County Resource Educator Autumn Lavine said the commissioner's visit was a great opportunity to show off what the 4-H kids she works with have been preparing for the fair. That includes around 150 animals, plus many other exhibitions from the 300 kids Lavine said participate in 4-H in Tioga County.

Tioga County Legislative Chair Martha Sauerbrey said it was an honor to have Commissioner Ball visit the 2014 Tioga County Fair, and noted that agriculture is a very important business in Tioga County and deserving of the focus being put on farming during the fair. Recognizing the way the county has pulled together, marshalling both public and private contributions, Sauerbrey said she was impressed with the sheer number of people involved in preparing the Owego fairgrounds for the fair.

"I'm so pleased with the fair this year," Sauerbrey said, "getting so many people involved is what the county fair is all about."

Others also noted the work put into the fairgrounds. "I'm very impressed and grateful for all the Fair Board's work," Owego Mayor Kevin Millar said. "I've never seen the fairgrounds look better, and it's nice to see Commissioner Ball's visit in recognition of all the hard work," Millar added.

"I'm impressed with what the Fair Board has put together to revive the spirit and energy of the fair," Dinga said, "the grounds look sensational. It's great to see." Dinga noted there has been some talk of drivers bringing horses back to the Marvin Park fairgrounds to exercise their horses when the Tioga Downs facility is unavailable.

All the preparations were not lost on Ball. When asked about the Tioga County Fair Ball said "it's got a great feel, it reminds me of the fairs I used to go to with my father. It reminds me that America is alive and well in places like this."

SENECA FALLS, N.Y. - Field, forage, and equipment demonstrations abound at the August 5-7, 2014 Empire Farm Days and provide farmers with a look at the latest equipment innovations and technologies designed to enhance production efficiencies as well as offer new crop and revenue options. The event is held on 300 acres of the Rodman Lott and Son Farms in Seneca Falls, N.Y.

Daily field demos include forage chopping and handling and a new in-motion/drive-over scale at 10 a.m.; hay mowing at 11 a.m., tillage and GPS at 1 p.m., and hay raking, baling, processing and handling at 2 p.m. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, those 18 and older who area ready to test drive some "steel" can try Cat wheel loaders, backhoes and skidsteers, Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha 4-wheelers and utility vehicles, and Liftech skidsteers.

New in 2014 will be demonstrations of the new Rinstrum Drive Over Axle Scale for weighing trucks and forage loads. Trucks drive over the scale at 2-3 mph and the scale automatically calculates each axle weight and prints a receipt with truck ID and gross, tare, and net weights without stopping. These demonstrations will be held daily alongside the forage chopping field equipment demonstration at 10 a.m.

New field demonstrations highlight crop options and treatments. Seedway and DuPont are sponsoring a presentation on cover crops for northern climates and a demonstration of cover crop interseeding by Cornell University and Penn State/PSU for 2014. A team of PSU researchers and grains specialists designed an interseeder which sidedresses corn with fertilizer and a post-emergent herbicide while simultaneously planting a cover crop behind rows early in the season. DuPont provided a $15,000 grant to help build a small demonstration interseeder for the Friends of Northern Lake Champlain. Cornell Sustainable Cropping Systems Lab Assistant Professor Matthew Ryan will share the results of interseeding trials funded by the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program.

Birkett Mills is planting a field demonstration of buckwheat at Empire Farm Days for the first time. Representatives of the Penn Yan, N.Y.-based business are looking for growers interested in growing buckwheat for their custom milling operation.

Alltech will offer an in-field discussion of its Grain-Set foliar-applied micronutrient fertilizer developed to boost corn root systems, grain fill, protein and starch content, and yield.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is sponsoring demonstrations by the New York Soil Health Team of federal, state and local resource professionals, farmers and ag businesses on the difference healthy soil provides in terms of reduced runoff, increased infiltration, and improved water- and nutrient-holding capacity. The New York Soil Health Team is comprised of federal, state and local agricultural resource professionals, New York farmers and agricultural businesses. The USDA is sponsoring this Soil Health outreach in cooperation with the New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee.

The Cornell Recycling Agricultural Plastics Program will be demonstrating proper technique for baling used farm plastics with recycled-plastic products, supplies and equipment for storing and compacting plastic on display. A new one-hour baler operator certification course will be offered on-site.

Healthy soils benefit all crops, providing high-value housing for soil organisms, which in return create premium living space for crop roots.

For a full schedule of and information for the 2014 Empire Farm Days, including demonstrations of cattle handling, farm safety, horsemanship, small livestock care, alpaca fiber spinning, and agricultural plastics recycling visit www.empirefarmdays.com or call 877-697-7837. Admission is free, parking is $10.

Submitted article.

The Wellness Waggin,' a mobile small animal veterinary clinic sponsored by Four Winds Equine, is still up and running. It's been in two major accidents (got hit by a drunk driver) and had to have its motor replaced twice, but is still rolling and has walk-in hours in Waverly on Thursdays from 2 to 6 p.m. at Tom's Hardware and Feed, and in Ithaca on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Eddydale Farms.

You can make an appointment or just walk in. They have been doing Wellness visits and preventative Healthcare, short outpatient surgical procedures, dentistry, spay, neuter and full workups if necessary. Other times are available by appointment.

The Wellness Waggin' and Four Winds Equine will see small ruminants, chickens, rabbits, camelids, etc., and of course - horses.

The Wellness Waggin' deeply appreciates the donations that have been made so far and wants you to know what has been done with the money. It's been used to subsidize vet bills for the fixed income elderly, unemployed and disabled, and a couple of high school kids who wanted to pay their own way.

They have gone to people's homes and farms where populations of feral cats have chosen to take up residence and caught, spayed and neutered them. They have done some low price work for private rescues and low income families. Of course, they have helped out some wildlife.

Your generous dollars have been out there helping people help animals. Of course there are always more people who need help and funds dry up quickly. If you want to help you can visit the Wellness Waggin' yourself at the regular price and some of your money will be placed in the Robin Hood Grant - or if you would like to send a donation to the Robin Hood Grant you can mail it to 427 Washburn Rd., Spencer, N.Y. 14883 (makes checks payable to Four Winds Equine). Call (607) 589-4798 for more information or appointments.

A Waverly man accused of injuring Sayre Borough police officers while resisting arrest in March recently entered a guilty plea in the county Court of Common Pleas.

Jesse C. Carling, 23, pleaded guilty in June to four counts of simple assault and one count of disorderly conduct, all second-degree misdemeanors, according to information filed with the court. Carling will be sentenced at a later date.

Police originally charged Carling with four counts of simple assault, two counts of aggravated assault, and one count each of defiant trespassing, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and resisting arrest.

Carling and Zachary M. Ward, 23, of Sayre, were arrested at about 2:30 a.m. March 15 after attempting to force their way into the closed Flat Iron Bar, according to criminal complaints filed by borough police.

Ward pleaded guilty in June to one count of disorderly conduct, a third-degree misdemeanor, and one count of public drunkenness, a summary offense, according to court information. Ward's sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 11.

Ward gave police a false name, refused to provide identification to police and repeatedly pulled his arms from officers attempting to handcuff him, police said. Carling also struggled with police, refusing to enter the patrol vehicle and pushing his feet against the door opening, police said.

Carling became angry and belligerent inside a holding cell at the police station and began to scream and hit his head on the metal door frame, police said. An officer opened the holding cell door in order to restrain Carling to a bench, but Carling pushed the officer in the chest with both hands and knocked him into a work station, according to police.

Carling then put his hands on the officer's neck, causing scratches, and punched him in the head and face, according to police.

Officers deployed a stun gun on Carling and placed restraints on him, police said. Carling continued to kick and fight while being placed back in the holding cell. During the struggle, one officer injured his right hand and was later transported to Robert Packer Hospital for swelling and blackness in the hand and possible ligament damage, police said.

Amanda Renko can be reached at (570) 888-9652; or email: arenko@thedailyreview.com.

The Waverly Village Board of Trustees last week scheduled a public hearing for proposed zoning changes and began the process of declaring a William Street residence unsafe.

Board members voted at last week's meeting to hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. July 22, prior to the board's workshop meeting, on proposed changes to the village's commercial zone meant to maintain and grow business activity on Broad Street.

The amendment expands the commercial district to include both ends of Broad Street, clarifies definitions and adds language explaining how and when non-conforming structures may be rebuilt if destroyed. The zoning changes would turn several homes on Broad Street into non-conforming uses, as the commercial district prohibits residences on a structure's ground level. However, the houses would be grandfathered in as residential uses until destroyed by fire or other means.

Under the proposed changes, a property owner could not rebuild a damaged non-conforming structure if the damage totals over 100 percent of the property's assessed value. However, a structure with apartments or another residential use above the ground floor could be constructed on the lot.

The village and county planning boards have both approved the proposed changes. The Tioga County planning board must review any zoning changes within 500 feet of a municipal border, according to state municipal codes.

The board will also hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Aug. 12 on a residence at 214 William St., where the presence of rodents and large amounts of trash has been a concern for neighbors since last year.

The county's health department posted the property in Dec. 2013, but no action has been taken to clean up the residence, and the owner is in a nursing home without the means to perform the repairs, said mayor Dan Leary.

In order to declare the building unsafe under village codes, the board must give the property owner 30 days' notice, which they voted to do last Tuesday. The public hearing must be held at the end of the 30 days if no action is taken, said village attorney Betty Keene.

From there, trustees may vote to request proposals and hire a company to clean out the building, billing the property owner for the cost. After that step, an engineer will determine whether the deteriorating structure needs to be torn down, Keene said.

Amanda Renko can be reached at (570) 888-9652; or email: arenko@thedailyreview.com.

The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) was on the scene Monday in Springfield Township to investigate a fire that occurred at some oil tanks Sunday night following a lightning strike, according to a DEP official.

Daniel Spadoni, Community Relations Coordinator for the DEP Regional Director's Office in Williamsport, said a total of five oil and brine production tanks, for the Vavco oil wells along Brace Road, were involved.

He said a lightning strike Sunday night ignited a fire at the tanks.

He said these production tanks are connected to multiple shallow oil wells, and are located within an earthen containment structure.

According to Spadoni, the Troy Volunteer Fire Department extinguished the fire and the electric company disconnected the electric service to the production units.

No one was injured, he said.

"A DEP Water Quality Specialist was on scene (Monday) morning to investigate the incident and to sample a water supply well at a nearby residence," Spadoni said in an email, when asked for comment by The Daily Review.

"Vavco is initiating clean-up activities by utilizing a vacuum truck to remove contained fluids and will then begin excavating impacted soil," he continued. "The release is estimated to be around 80 barrels of oil, brine and fire suppressant foam, with most of it inside containment."

Bradford County Public Safety Director Robert Barnes said the incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. and emergency responders were back home by 8 p.m.

He described the tanks involved as three above ground oil tanks and one moisture-separator unit, with two tanks attached.

Barnes said they weren't huge tanks, about 15 feet high and 12 feet across.

With all the natural gas activity in the area, he noted, "people forget about the crude."

Troy Fire Chief Roy Vargson acknowledged the unusual nature of the incident, with the lightning strike at the tanks.

"It's the first time this happened to us, and they've been up there for years," he said.

Vargson said most of the oil burned off in the fire.

He noted that the lightning struck the tank located closest to the road.

Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; email: reviewtroy@thedailyreview.com.

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Departments of General Services and Transportation are seeking buyers interested in purchasing and preserving the historic Pond Eddy Bridge in Pike County.

According to DGS Secretary Sheri Phillips, her department is currently accepting letters of interest until Aug. 29, 2014 and bids until Sept. 5, 2014 from potential buyers willing to preserve the bridge in a new location.

Built in 1904, the Pond Eddy Bridge carries Route 1011 over the Delaware River in Shohola Township, Pike County. The two-span bridge is 504 feet long and 16 feet wide. Each span of the bridge is 252 feet in length. Both spans of the bridge are available as a set or individually.

"The Pond Eddy Bridge is a significant part of the history of the towns of Pond Eddy, Pa., and Lumberland, N.Y., where it served as the only connection point between the two towns since its construction," Phillips noted. "By no means is the life of this bridge over. There are many other ways this bridge can continue to be a part of our state's history."

Phillips noted that historic bridges can be successfully adapted to become bike and walking bridges on trails, in parks and on college campuses.

"There are many applications this bridge can be adapted to fit and the flexibility of purchasing the spans as a pair, or individually, will enable potential owners to cover a large or smaller crossing," Phillips said.

In addition to the Pond Eddy Bridge, 10 county and locally owned bridges are currently being marketed through PennDOT's Bridge Marketing Program. The program allows state agencies, municipalities, non-profit organizations, educational institutions and the general public to purchase historic bridges that would otherwise be dismantled during replacement or removal projects.

PennDOT and DGS partner on marketing state-owned historic bridges, inviting the public to own or reuse some historic bridges that are being replaced by newer structures.

"Bridges are a rich part of Pennsylvania's history, and we have the third-highest number of bridges in the country," PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch said. "While we sometimes have to replace historic bridges because of safety and modern traffic patterns, this program helps our historic structures live on in other uses."

Once a buyer is selected for the Pond Eddy Bridge, DGS will transfer ownership of the bridge to the buyer and PennDOT will remove the bridge and transport it to an agreed upon location.

While anyone can purchase eligible bridges through the program, the purchasers must agree that they will preserve the historical characteristics of the bridge and not sell it. New bridge owners are responsible for costs associated with the rehabilitation and future maintenance of the bridge.

For information on the Pond Eddy Bridge letter of interest and bid process, visit the DGS website at http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/state_surplus_property_program/1395/bridge_marketing/1634385.

For more information on the PennDOT Bridge Marketing Program and available bridges, visit http://paprojectpath.org/penndot-crm/bridges/bridges-for-sale or call 717-705-1484.

Submitted article.

The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) was on the scene Monday in Springfield Township to investigate a fire that occurred at some oil tanks Sunday night following a lightning strike, according to a DEP official.

Daniel Spadoni, Community Relations Coordinator for the DEP Regional Director's Office in Williamsport, said a total of five oil and brine production tanks, for the Vavco oil wells along Brace Road, were involved.

He said a lightning strike Sunday night ignited a fire at the tanks.

He said these production tanks are connected to multiple shallow oil wells, and are located within an earthen containment structure.

According to Spadoni, the Troy Volunteer Fire Department extinguished the fire and the electric company disconnected the electric service to the production units.

No one was injured, he said.

"A DEP Water Quality Specialist was on scene (Monday) morning to investigate the incident and to sample a water supply well at a nearby residence," Spadoni said in an email, when asked for comment by The Daily Review.

"Vavco is initiating clean-up activities by utilizing a vacuum truck to remove contained fluids and will then begin excavating impacted soil," he continued. "The release is estimated to be around 80 barrels of oil, brine and fire suppressant foam, with most of it inside containment."

Bradford County Public Safety Director Robert Barnes said the incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. and emergency responders were back home by 8 p.m.

He described the tanks involved as three above ground oil tanks and one moisture-separator unit, with two tanks attached.

Barnes said they weren't huge tanks, about 15 feet high and 12 feet across.

With all the natural gas activity in the area, he noted, "people forget about the crude."

Troy Fire Chief Roy Vargson acknowledged the unusual nature of the incident, with the lightning strike at the tanks.

"It's the first time this happened to us, and they've been up there for years," he said.

Vargson said most of the oil burned off in the fire.

He noted that the lightning struck the tank located closest to the road.

Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; email: reviewtroy@thedailyreview.com.

WYSOX TOWNSHIP - Congress' ability to meet two deadlines later this year will impact the feasibility of undertaking major road and bridge projects in the Northern Tier, including Bradford and Sullivan counties, officials said.

The officials made their comments at a meeting on Monday of the Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission's Regional Transportation Advisory Committee, at which the committee approved the proposed $225 million Northern Tier Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for 2015 through 2018.

The Northern Tier TIP includes the major road and bridge projects that have been prioritized for funding from 2015 through 2018 in Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga and Wyoming counties.

At a public hearing on the 2015-18 Northern Tier TIP, which was conducted at the beginning of the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee's meeting, Sullivan County Commissioner Bob Getz asked whether it was guaranteed that there would be funding for all the projects included in the TIP.

Deborah Suciu-Smith, an environment program specialist with the Federal Highway Administration, replied that unless Congress takes action to address the expiration of the federal highway bill, which will occur on Sept. 30, 2014, "not much will be done" that is included in the 2015-18 TIP.

After the meeting, Brian Baker, the regional planning program manager at the Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission, said that Congress must either extend the existing highway bill or enact a new highway bill so that funding can continue to flow to transportation projects.

At times in the past, Congress has passed an extension of an existing highway bill, while it worked on a new one, he said.

Suciu-Smith also said that if Congress did not act to restore funding for the federal Highway Trust Fund, projects in the 2015-18 Northern Tier TIP will be affected.

The Highway Trust Fund is forecast to go broke in August, the Associated Press has reported. The reason for the fund's shortfall is that revenue from the federal 18.4-cent-a-gallon gasoline and 24.4-cent-a-gallon diesel tax hasn't kept pace with transportation needs, the Associated Press has reported. The taxes haven't been increased in more than 20 years, while construction and other costs have continued to go up.

Due to the Highway Trust Fund's financial dilemma, states will experience cuts in federal transportation aid as soon as the first week in August, according to the Associated Press.

The 2015-18 Northern Tier TIP includes a lot of bridge replacement and bridge rehabilitation projects in Bradford and Sullivan counties, Baker said.

In addition to bridge projects, "probably one of the bigger projects" in Bradford County that is included in the TIP is the planned safety upgrade to the intersection of Wolcott Hollow Road and U.S. Route 220 in the Greens Landing section of Athens Township, Baker said. The upgrade includes the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection and other improvements, including the addition of a turning lane, said Dave Thompson, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.

The proposed 2015-18 TIP does not include any capital improvement projects that were recommended by a $195,000 study on traffic congestion on U.S. Route 6 in the Towanda-Wysox area, Baker said. The undertaking of the study had been prompted by the increased traffic congestion that resulted from gas drilling. The study was commissioned by PennDOT and completed in September 2012,

The traffic congestion has decreased over the last couple of years.

Federal dollars are a major source of funding for the projects in the TIP, Baker said.

Projects in the TIP also receive state funding, and, depending on the project, there could be local funding, too, Baker said.

The 2015-18 TIP must now be approved by the NTRPDC executive board, PennDOT and the Federal Highway Administration, Baker said.

James Loewenstein can be reached at (570) 265-1633; or email: jloewenstein@thedailyreview.com.

ATHENS BOROUGH - Officials are looking at ways to control the number of run/walk events in the borough following a request from the Athens Borough Fire Department board.

At Monday's council meeting, councilman Scott Riley read a letter from the fire board that recommended the council limit the number of events per year, due to a limited number of fire police to ensure participants' safety along the course.

The department finds it difficult to find enough volunteers to help, especially with the limited notice provided by some event organizers, the letter states.

The letter recommends that the council only allow four run/walk events in the borough per calendar year, on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The request follows similar action taken in April in Sayre Borough, where the council voted to limit the number of 5K events in 2014 in the wake of limited volunteer availability and increased interest in holding such benefits in the borough.

The Sayre council's action limited runs for the time being to the Guthrie Gallop, New Hope Counseling Center and Sayre Turkey Trot events. Those three runs all utilize a similar route that extends to Athens Borough, and runs often take place partially in both boroughs, council members pointed out.

Officials had alternative suggestions to allowing runs on a first-come, first-serve basis. The fire board's proposal could shut out smaller fundraising events, said borough manager Mark Burgess.

Suggestions included an application process, requiring organizers to provide 90 to 120 days' notice, asking organizers to provide their own volunteers to supplement the borough's fire police and limiting runs to routes that can be easily blocked off with barricades.

"A lot of these walks, they're benefit walks," Burgess said. "I'd really hate to see them reduced."

Amanda Renko can be reached at (570) 888-9652; or email: arenko@thedailyreview.com.

TROY - A 33-year-old Canton man who was charged with simple assault for a June 22 incident in Canton told a police officer that he was tired of not getting any help from state police over a theft, and was "taking things into my own hands," according to court papers filed with the office of Magisterial District Judge Jonathan Wilcox of Troy.

Brian Phillip Wesneski of DeMorgan Acres Lane, Canton, is charged with simple assault, disorderly conduct - engage in fighting, and summary harassment - strike, shove, kick, etc., the papers note.

Wesneski is accused of causing bodily injury to Troy Arthur Herkel, no age or address given.

In an affidavit, Canton Police Officer Trey Kurtz said that he received a call at home from the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) around 5:30 p.m. June 22 informing him that there was an assault in progress at an address on Center Street. Kurtz was the on-call officer.

The EOC told Kurtz "they could hear the victim screaming as he was being attacked," according to the affidavit.

After Kurtz arrived, the victim, Herkel, told Kurtz he had just been assaulted by Brian Wesneski in the upstairs bedroom.

"He explained that Brian had pulled in, yelling about his girlfriend's purse being stolen and then came inside the house uninvited and told Troy, 'I know you took her purse, I'll give you once (sic) chance to give it back.'"

Kurtz said that when Herkel told Wesneski he didn't know where it was, Wesneski attacked him, punching him in the face, side, and head.

Later, Wesneski, who Kurtz said was "very agitated," told him that someone got into his unlocked vehicle a month ago, while it sat in his driveway overnight, and stole the purse.

According to Kurtz, Wesneski stated, "I called the state police and they never found her purse then, so I'm tired of not getting any help from the law. I'm taking things into my own hands; if you have to charge me, then do it."

Kurtz noted that Wesneski "stated he had a feeling it was Herkel" who stole the purse and "he didn't care because he was taking matters into his own hands and didn't want help from the law."

"When asked why Herkel's face was swollen on one side, Brian stated he went upstairs to confront Herkel and when he asked where the purse was, Herkel kicked him in the face first, then Brian began hitting him in self-defense." Kurtz noted that Wesneski is "a lot bigger, muscular" than Herkel.

Kurtz wrote, "I informed Brian that he will be charged with simple assault for the injuries he caused to Herkel's face and in the future, he should call the police first instead of assuming and 'taking the law into his own hands.' Brian disagreed and stated he will just have a hearing and tell the truth that he was kicked in the face first."

Wilcox said Wesneski was sent a summons by certified mail and faces a preliminary hearing at 1:45 p.m. July 30.

Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; e-mail: reviewtroy@thedailyreview.com.

An unidentified woman was taken to a local hospital Sunday for treatment of severe burns following an early morning kitchen fire at a Waverly restaurant, according to the Waverly Police Department.

Police, the Waverly-Barton Fire Department and Greater Valley EMS were dispatched at about 5:44 a.m. Sunday to a reported fire at Sisters Family Restaurant at 2 N. Chemung St.

Police said they found an adult female lying on the ground outside the restaurant with obvious severe burns to her face, stomach and all four extremities. Paramedics treated the woman at the scene, then transported her to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre for further treatment, police said.

The Tioga County, N.Y. Fire Investigation Team found the fire, which started in the kitchen area, to be accidental, police said.

The restaurant, which opened for business just last week, will be closed until further notice.

Contact the newsroom at (570) 265-1632; or email: reviewnews@thedailyreview.com.

CANTON - The Bradford County Drug Task Force received kudos Monday at the Canton Borough Council meeting for its recent bust of a suspected heroin delivery operation in the borough.

In addition, it was announced that two tasers for the police department have arrived.

"I'm very appreciative of the Bradford County Drug Task Force over the recent activity in Canton," said Mayor John Vineski of the drug delivery bust. He said it was a step in the right direction.

"Absolutely," council president Ken Robertson agreed.

"It takes time to do these things, but they do get done," Robertson commented.

Vineski was impressed by the quick timeframes in which the county drug task force investigations took place and the suspects were arrested.

Robertson concurred, saying such investigations usually takes a year to two years.

The preliminary hearings for the people charged in the bust have been continued to later this month. Those charged include the following individuals:

- Barbara Christine Kennedy, 45, of East Tioga Street, Canton

- Samantha Lynn Laudenslager, 22, of East Tioga Street, Canton

- Thomas Rice, 58, of North Center Street, Canton

- Bobbi Rice, no age given, of North Center Street, Canton

During the police report, Police Chief Doug Seeley noted that the two tasers for the police department have arrived.

When asked for comment, Seeley thought the tasers would be beneficial for the police department.

He said he would rather use a taser on someone than shoot them.

Also, Seeley noted that the police have received two of the bulletproof vests that were ordered.

He thanked the American Legion, which made a donation for the purchase of one of the tasers, and the VFW, which donated money for two bulletproof vests.

Last month, Mike Kreischer was hired as a part-time officer, and Seeley provided an update to council Monday on Kreischer.

He noted that Kreischer recently received weapons training and was certified. After further paperwork, it's hoped that he can start work by the end of the month, Seeley said.

Seeley said June was a busy month for the police department.

In other business, borough administrator Amy Seeley told council that two bids were received for some repaving work on East Union Street, Trippe Street and High Street. The low bid was from Hawbaker for $172,372; Nelson and Streeter submitted a bid of $196,375. Council accepted the low bid.

Seeley also talked to council about the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau (EMVB) issue. She provided council members some materials to review regarding this matter.

The municipalities in Bradford County - including Canton Borough - will have the final say on whether the county will start to spend the revenue from its 3 percent room tax on its own or continue to send the revenue to the EMVB.

For the Bradford County commissioners' plan to go forward, the commissioners would need to designate a new tourism promotion agency for the county, according to Jean Ruhf, executive director of the EMVB.

But after the commissioners have designated the new tourism promotion agency, the governing bodies of municipalities, which together represent over 50 percent of the county's population, must pass a resolution approving the designation of the new tourism promotion agency for the county, Ruhf said.

The votes by the municipalities will need to take place prior to March 8, 2015, which is the date on which two of the commissioners have said they intend to sever the county's contract with the EMVB.

Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; email: reviewtroy@thedailyreview.com.

Saved from certain death

Kudos to the good Samaritan that stopped on the Memorial Park Bridge to pick up a white kitten that somehow was on the side of the road. The lady did a good job rescuing it.

Crossing illegally

How come they can't do something about people not using the crosswalks in Towanda?

A special person

Thank you Bill Shaw, for the countless hours, the weeks, the months, the nights and days of caregiving for Rowena during her long battle with cancer. You certainly were her best friend, neighbor and companion. You're a real good man.

More effort needed

This is for dog owners: Why can't you dog owners carry a bag with you and clean up your dog poop instead of leaving it for someone else? Would you want us to let our dogs go the bathroom in your yard or the edge of your yard? It's under the wooded areas too, such as on Packer Ave. - that has been used for a bathroom too. How rude!

Out of business?

Wondering if there were any answers to why the Wysox Exxon gas station has been closed for the last two weeks?

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