Breaking News

Outdoors

State of the Susquehanna: a closer look at our river

The Susquehanna River. If you live anywhere in central Pennsylvania, you have a connection, probably more than one, to the river. It stretches over 444 miles from Cooperstown, New York to the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. The majority of the river runs right through the heart of Pennsylvania, draining the state’s largest watershed, providing fresh water, electricity and recreational opportunities to tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians. The first European to explore the Susquehanna River, named for the Susquehannock people that inhabited its lower regions, was Etienne Brule in 1615. ...

Williamsport fish ladder still hampered by some gate issues

The Williamsport fish passageway, a mechanical gated ladder system that allows fish to pass around the dam on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River near Hepburn Street, is still not operational due to gate malfunctions that have lingered throughout the spring and summer months. “The crew tried freeing the gate again today with recommendations from the gate manufacturer but were unsuccessful,” said Luke Ulsamer, of DCNR-Tiadaghton, which oversees the structure’s operation and maintenance, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. “I’ll need to consult with our team to figure out a ...

PFBC encourages anglers, boaters to take advantage of fall and winter

HARRISBURG — During its quarterly business meeting, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission encouraged anglers and boaters to take advantage of the many fall and winter fishing and boating opportunities available across the Commonwealth and reminded everyone to make safety a priority while enjoying the water. Board vice president and District 2 Commissioner John Mahn, Jr. reminded anglers and boaters about the annual cold weather life jacket requirement that begins on Nov. 1, 2024, and lasts through April 30, 2025. “Especially during this early portion of the cold weather ...

Check station for elks allow people to see large animals up close

Mercy Melo isn’t exactly sure why check stations are so popular among residents during hunting season. All the Wildlife management supervisor for the Northcentral Region of the Game Commission knows is that numerous people show up every year for the annual events. The week of Nov. 4-9 is ...

Bear check station in Trout Run moved to Hepburn Township

For a number of years, area residents have called the Trout Run Fire Hall home when it comes to bear check stations for hunting season. But this year, that location is being changed.  There’s eight check stations in the entire Northcentral Region when it comes to hunting, and the Trout Run ...

Reflections in Nature: Jack Frost seems to have come early this year

Jack Frost came to the mountains early this year. We had scattered frost in some areas of Bradford County by the beginning of October. Usually, we will not have a frosty visit from Jack Frost until late October. Have you ever wondered why the name Jack is used in many of our sayings, such as Jack Frost, jack o’ lantern and jack of all trades. “Jacky Frost, Jacky Frost, Came in the night. left the meadows that he crossed, All gleaming white.” According to a popular Scandinavian legend, Jack was an elf that the Norse Vikings named Jokul Frosti, meaning Icicle Frost. ...