Potter County Veterans Services Committee invites military veterans from across the county to join them for an informal “coffee hour” at 10 am on Monday, Oct. 14, at American Legion Post 963 in Ulysses. Mike Pepper, county director of veterans affairs, will be on hand to discuss benefits and services available for vets. It’s part of an outreach effort to increase awareness and assist veterans in the application process.
Earlier this year, the Potter County Commissioners expanded veterans affairs staffing and relocated the department. The new location at 24 Maple View Lane provides additional space for enhanced privacy and record story, a waiting area and convenient parking. Contact information remains the same for both phone (814-274-8290, option 8) and fax (814-260-0047). Director Pepper and Veterans Services Officer Rene Kicklighter provide services by appointment on Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. More information can be found on the county website, pottercountypa.net, under Departments/Veterans Affairs.
Next public meeting of the Potter County Jail Board will be held at noon on Friday, Nov. 1, at the F.W. Gunzburger County Office Building auditorium. Telephone access will be available at 814-274-0844; PIN is #114477.
Board members are Commissioner Paul Heimel (chair), Sheriff Kevin Siska (vice chair), Commissioner Nancy Grupp, Judge Stephen Minor, District Attorney Andy Watson, and Commissioner Robert Rossman.
Those with questions or comments about the jail are reminded that they can submit them to the board through email sent to pcjailboard@pottercountypa.net.
Hands-on assistance continues to arrive in the flood-ravaged communities of Harrison Valley, Westfield and other areas hammered by the remnants of Hurricane Debby on Aug. 9-10. More than $2 million has already been approved for homeowners and renters. Residents of Potter, Tioga, Lycoming and Union counties are eligible for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FEMA can help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other needs caused by the disaster, including:
- essential items such as water, food, medical supplies, prescriptions, infant formula, diapers, personal hygiene items and fuel.
- rental assistance for hotel stays, stays with family and friends, or other options.
- repair or replacement of vehicles, appliances, room furnishings, computers, books, uniforms, tools, and other items required for school or work.
- moving and storage fees, medical expenses and child care.
Flood victims can apply by calling 1-800-621-3362 or visiting the website, disasterassistance.gov. Both FEMA and the Pa. Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) are providing services. A Disaster Recovery Center is open from 8 am to 6 pm on Monday through Saturday at the Penn-York Camp Camp and Resort, off Rt. 49 north of Ulysses. Similar centers are operating at the Valley Christian Church at 146 Maple Street in Westfield and in Cogan Station. At each site, flood victims can get in-person help to apply for federal assistance, update their applications and learn about other available resources. Those who are covered by insurance are advised to file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA can’t pay for covered losses. FEMA staffers are also making neighborhood visits, wearing laminated identification badges. Anyone who suspects fraud is advised to call 1-866-720-5721.
FEMA recent issued an advisory, “FEMA Assistance: Myths vs. Facts,” to address misconceptions that have been brought to the agency’s attention. To see the document, click here.
Also, the U.S. Small Business Administration has opened a Business Recovery Center at the Westfield Community Building. SBA offers help to businesses that experienced losses during the flood. Businesses and other property owners in Potter, Tioga, Lycoming and Union counties are eligible for both physical and economic injury disaster loans. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in Cameron, Centre, McKean and Clinton counties can qualify for economic injury disaster loans. More information is available at 1-800-659-2955.
Clean-up help remains available for Potter County residents affected by flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Debby. Pa. Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) has partnered with a volunteer organization, Pennsylvania Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (PVOD), to provide assistance. A call center remains in place to streamline recovery efforts and coordinate relief efforts. Volunteers are available to help with removal of debris and trees as well as general clean-up activities. Details are available at 1-844-965-1386. Additional information is available from PEMA here and PVOD here.
In response to a bipartisan effort to help those affected by flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Debby on Aug. 9-10, President Joe Biden on Wednesday granted a Major Disaster Declaration, triggering the release of federal funds. It was the result of an inventory of damage to personal and public property compiled by township, borough, county and state agencies with volunteer assistance, all kicking off even before the waters had receded. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Coordinating Officer Mark K. O’Hanlon pointed out that the declaration allows for financial assistance to affected individuals and households in Potter, Tioga, Union and Lycoming counties. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has established a website through which they can apply at DisasterAssistance.gov. They also may call the flood relief application hotline 1-800-621-3362.
Meanwhile, Randy Padfield, director of the Pa. Emergency Management Agency, said that PEMA is prepared to move quickly in response to the federal declaration. This could include deployment of a team to process damage claims in affected communities and establishment of disaster recovery centers, some of which could be mobile units traveling across flood-ravaged areas.
Seven members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation from districts affected by the flood signed on to an appeal spearheaded by U.S. Senator Robert Casey asking President Biden to issue the declaration. Congressman Glenn Thompson and Senator John Fetterman also supported the request. Earlier, a state disaster declaration provided an initial $5 million to deploy resources and personnel to the flood zone. The proclamation also waives some state regulations, including certain bidding and contracting procedures. PEMA is instructing residents and business owners to continue to report flood damage to their local township or borough.
Entering Harrison Valley on Rt. 49 after remnants of Hurricane Debby caused flooding.
Just three properties from an initial list of more than 200 were sold for non-payment of taxes during Monday’s Potter County Tax Claim Bureau (TCB) annual “upset sale.” Mohawk Road and Gun Club in Wharton Township was sold for $6,500. A property owned by Robert Mack on Crippen Road in West Branch Township also went for $6,500. Additionally, a camp in Ulysses Township owned by Cynthia Hanes was sold for $15,500. Proceeds from the sales will be divided by the TCB between the school district, township and county.
Typically, many properties offered at the upset sale attract little or no interest due to liens, mortgages, judgments and other title encumbrances. The five that did not sell on Monday will be offered via a judicial sale. If no bids are received, they will be placed in the county repository.