Potter County Today

State Parks Director John Hallas today announced the Pa. Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is seeking proposals to operate a downhill ski and four-season recreation center at Denton Hill State Park in Potter County. The park includes a downhill ski area that has been closed since the winter of 2014. A new master plan for the park includes infrastructure improvements to the ski area and positions a concessionaire to grow recreational opportunities in all four seasons, Hallas said. DCNR is committing $10 million in capital improvements to support the implementation of a master plan for the park.

The operator would lease approximately 700 acres and work with DCNR to create a year-round park operation with a winter mountain recreation focus, Hallas said. The design phase of this project will coincide with the award of a concession lease agreement. DCNR intends that the selected concessionaire will work with it to help identify and prioritize improvements during the design process. Proposals are due by July 9.

Find more information about the Denton Hill State Park master plan on the DCNR website.

Potter County Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB) members unanimously adopted their 2021 strategic plan last week. It’s a detailed document that identifies the issues, challenges, priorities and steps that will be taken as the many elements of the county’s criminal justice system work together to improve outcomes. CJAB officers are: Judge Stephen Minor, chair; District Judge Kari McCleaft, vice chair; and Colleen Wilber, Potter County Human Services, facilitator. Overall goals in the CJAB action plan for the new year include:

• Continued work on a Pretrial Diversion Program for Potter County and development of more comprehensive re-entry services for inmates being released from the county jail.
• Partnering with the National Data-Driven Justice Initiative to measure effectiveness and outcomes of criminal justice strategies, better inform decision-makers, and improve information sharing.
• Education and investigation into Medication-Assisted Treatment,],
• Transitional/half-way housing for offenders along with an increased focus on skills training and employment needs.
• Partnering with the National Stepping Up Initiative to improve the handling of cases involving criminal offenders with identified mental health issues.