Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.

✓ Unlimited website access 24/7 ✓ Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 ✓ The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more!

With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime.

As a current print subscriber, you receive 24/7 access to our website and online e-edition at no additional charge. All you have to do is activate your access.

Sorry, no promotional deals were found matching that code.

Promotional Rates were found for your code.

Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading.

Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.

Welcome! We hope that you enjoy our free content.

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in or create an account to continue reading.

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribe purchase a subscription to continue reading.

Thank you for signing in! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.

Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.

Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.

Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.

Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.

Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.

Checking back? Since you viewed this item previously you can read it again.

Sun and clouds mixed. High 76F. Winds light and variable..

A few passing clouds. Low 57F. Winds light and variable.

HELLBENDERS: May God have mercy on your soul if you ever find yourself face to face with… the HELLBENDER!

Unfortunately, due to humans wreaking havoc on the salamanders’ environments, they are considered near-threatened. Not to fear though, the population in North Western Pennsylvania is coming back.

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) could always use some more volunteers to help out with the hellbender surveys and this is by far the best way to get a closer look at these magnificent creatures in the wild.

Warning: do not go looking for hellbenders on your own. Especially do not go looking for hellbenders with the intent of catching one. Not only is this incredibly dangerous (for the hellbender, not for the person) but there’s also a pretty hefty fine involved if you’re caught.

Environmentalists are working area waterways to clean up the messes and assess the living conditions for these cuties.

Alysha Trexler is a watershed scientist with the WPC, and the official “Queen of Catching Hellbenders”. “It’s like trying to catch a water balloon, covered in snot. Nothing else feels like one. They secrete a nasty substance that resembles rubber cement. You have to go slow and calm, but once you get your hands on one, you can’t let go,” said Trexler.

According to Eric Chapman, director of Aquatic Science for WPC, who has been working with hellbenders for over 20 years, “Finding hellbenders means that the waterway has had a stable water quality for some time. They’re kind of like the canary in the coal mine. Amphibians are always the first group to drop off due to environmental changes, because they’re so sensitive.”

For the full blog, go to visitpago.com/hellbenders-in-the-pa-great-outdoors-2/

Please help local businesses by taking an online survey to help us navigate through these unprecedented times. None of the responses will be shared or used for any other purpose except to better serve our community. The survey is at: www.pulsepoll.com $1,000 is being awarded. Everyone completing the survey will be able to enter a contest to Win as our way of saying, "Thank You" for your time. Thank You!

Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.

Error! There was an error processing your request.

Would you like to receive our ads to go? Sign Up Today!

Would you like to receive our breaking news? Sign Up Today!

Would you like to receive notice about our circulation promotions and contests?  Sign Up Today!

Get the latest local and national news.

Would you like to receive our daily news? Sign Up Today!

Would you like to receive our lifestyle headlines about food and wine, Bradford area living, local history and more? Sign Up Today!

Get our expert short-term forecast, summary of the weather details and news of any severe weather.

Would you like to receive our Latest Obituary Notices? Signup today!

Would you like to receive our sports news? Sign Up Today!

Includes our e-Edition at no extra cost!