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Belfast Historical Society honors two longtime business owners
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9 2026
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Hart Comfort House of Allegany County inspired by two mothers how to get started on their new project. Yet, they had no idea how successful that project would become 14 years later. On Jan. 17, the Hart Comfort House will celebrate 14 years of service to the community and giving comfort care to more than 300 people who were at the end of their lives. The Comfort House of Allegany County received its official nonprofit 501(c)(3) status in 2009. The Porters had gathered like-minded friends from both the medical community and the community at large to establish a facility to provide 24-hour care, free of charge, to local people who were terminally ill and living the last three months of their lives. The fledgling group
BY KATHRYN ROSS
WELLSVILLE — They never dreamed it would be as successful as it is but never doubted the generosity of the people of Allegany County and the clubs, organizations, businesses and individuals of Wellsville. During the first decade of the 21st century, longtime Wellsville residents Dave and Janice Porter, like many of their peers, faced the dilemma of dealing with an aging and ill parent. Dave’s mother, not wanting to spend her final days in a nursing home, was living in a comfort house in Wayland. “I didn’t know what a comfort house was,” Dave said. “I’d never heard of such a thing.” At that time in the
Mary Ellen Hart
county there was Hospice Care of Allegany County, which provided nursing care for patients in their own homes, two to three times a week. After Dave’s mother’s passing, the Porters decided more than sporadic nursing care was needed. They decided to create a comfort house to serve county residents. Both the Porters have a long history of community involvement and service and knew
Photo provided The children of Mary Ellen and Gerald Hart donated the home they grew up in to start Comfort House of Allegany County.
house in the county. She talked with her nine brothers and sisters and they decided to donate the house where they had been raised by Mary Ellen to the project. The Hart house was located at 141 E. State St. in the village of Wellsville. Mary Ellen Hart had been a registered nurse
was looking around the county for a house they could rehabilitate for that purpose when they got their biggest surprise. Christy Hart, who had lost her mother, Mary Ellen Hart, in the summer of 2009, had heard about the project to create a comfort
who worked at Jones Memorial Hospital and as a private nurse, teaching her children the value of helping others. After 2 1/2 years of renovation work, with help from Alfred State College students Hart Comfort House continued on PAGE 4
Degnan is acting Allegany County DA, Jones takes seat as judge
Peter J. Degnan
BELMONT — Peter J. Degnan was sworn in Wednesday as acting district attorney of Allegany County, assuming the role following the election of former DA Ian M. Jones to Allegany County Court Judge. Degnan takes office with more than three decades of experience in criminal law, having served the residents of Allegany County and surrounding communities in a variety of legal capacities. His professional background
Ian M. Jones
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includes extensive work as a private practitioner, public defender and conflict defender/assigned counsel administrator. Degnan also has extensive experience in prosecutorial and supervisory roles. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his commitment to fairness, public safety and the integrity of the criminal justice system. “I am honored by the opportunity to serve as acting district attorney for Allegany County,”
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Degnan said. “I thank Judge Jones for his years of dedicated service as district attorney and wish him every success on the county court bench. “I look forward to continuing the office’s work on behalf of victims, law enforcement and the community,” he added, “while ensuring that justice is administered fairly and professionally.” As acting DA, Degnan will oversee all prosecutorial functions
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of the office, working closely with law enforcement agencies, court personnel and community partners to promote public safety and uphold the rule of law in Allegany County. Jones, a former assistant county attorney in Family Court, served as first assistant district attorney under former DA Keith Slep before running for DA in 2023 upon Slep’s retirement. Jones announced his intention to run for judge early in 2025.
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