Area News Briefs

Army medic killed

ELDRED -A McKean County native, Staff Sgt. Heathe Craig, died during an evacuation attempt in a wartorn section of Afghanistan on June 21. Craig, 28, was the son of Donna Sloan of Eldred and Jeff Craig of Ceres Township.

An army medic, he was assigned to an air ambulance unit that was attempting to rescue a fallen soldier when a hoist malfunctioned, causing his death. Among survivors are his wife, Judith, a son and a daughter. Memorial services were held last week at his mother's home in Eldred.

Sheetz coming soon

ST. MARYS -Buildings at the corner of Brussells, South Michael and Depot streets in St. Marys will be demolished, to make way for a new Sheetz convenience store and gas station on the lot.

Owners of Sheetz received approval from the Pa. Historical and Museum Commission to raze the buildings, which were placed on the Historical Register years ago. PennDOT approval is also expected. Underground utility lines and pipes are being marked to avoid damage during the excavation work.

Jail official charged

SMETHPORT -A former assistant warden of the McKean County Jail has been charged with felony theft charges for allegedly stealing more than $22,000.

Robert D. Windsor Jr., 43, of Eldred, is accused of tampering with inmates' commissary banking accounts through fraudulent entries in a ledger book. McKean County Controller Tom Ball ordered an audit as part of the investigation, prior to charges being made by state police at Kane.

Dementia unit coming

ST. MARYS - Ground has been broken for a new Alzheimer/dementia unit on the St. Marys campus of Elk Regional Health Center. The 6,000-square-foot project, expected to cost $950,000, will provide living arrangements for "higher functioning" dementia patients, according to Marie Rucinski, assistant director of nursing.

The unit will be able to accommodate between 12 and 16 patients. Rucinski said planners studied similar facilities in DuBois, Kane and Bradford. Some staffers will receive specialized training in dealing with dementia patients. The unit will qualify for Medicare and Blue Cross reimbursements.

New prison warden

BRADFORD -Helen Marberry will take over the warden duties at the Federal Correctional Institution in McKean County on July 23. Marberry succeeds James Sherman, who has been transferred to a new position in Philadelphia.

She was employed in corrections positions in Missouri before joining the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 1991. Since then, Marberry has served as a special agent, associate prison warden and, most recently, as warden of the federal prison in Milan, Mich.

Lung program starting

RIDGWAY -Elk Regional Health Center is starting a new Pulmonary Rehab Program for those suffering from chronic lung diseases. Located on the Ridgway campus, the 12-week program will open on July 11.

Patients must have a physician's referral and meet other criteria. They'll be offered help with topics such as breathing retraining, energy conservation, nutrition, medications, stress management, relaxation and community resources. ERHC also plans to offer a smoking cessation program.

Katrina victims visit

COUDERSPORT -Four victims of Hurricane Katrina were in Coudersport recently to thank some of the people who came to their assistance after that disaster. D. Ray and Maggie Shavers of Mossport, Miss., along with their teenaged daughter and her friend, visited the congregation of Park United Methodist Church.

They thanked Lou Karija, who is Coudersport's public works director, and others who helped the Shavers family return to their flood-ravaged home. The Rev. Dennis Adams, Darryl Wright and Andrea Turton joined Karija on a mission trip to Mississippi. Later, Karija and his niece, Stephi Floulis, 19, traveled to Mossport to continue the work.

Christian camp planned

RIDGWAY -Flying Dove Ranch, a non-denominational Christian camp, will likely open by next April. It will be located on Route 948 near Montmorenci Road on an 80acre parcel donated by Andy and Diana Buehler.

The site features a five-acre pond where a lodge is being constructed with kitchens, a social hall and a recreation center. Bunkhouse-style cabins will also be built. Spokesman Charlie Steger described Flying Dove as a youth and adult retreat with an emphasis on outdoor recreation and fellowship.

Military support event

KERSEY -A Military Support Weekend will be held July 14 and 15 at the Fox Township Park in Kersey. The organizers from the Letters from Home Program are calling it "Operation Enjoying Freedom."

Children of all ages are welcome to participate. They can camp overnight and participate in activities that mirror some of the basic training all U.S. military personnel have completed. They will also be creating greeting cards for the troops and collecting items to be placed in care packages. Movies and games will also be part of the weekend. For additional details, call 7811982 or 965-5118.

Landfill pact okayed

SMETHPORT -An agreement okayed this week by the McKean County Board of Commissioners sorts out financial, ownership and liability arrangements between the county and Rustick LLC, a private company that purchased the county landfill near Mt. Jewett.

Rustick will be responsible for any environmental issues that arise, with the county being exempt from liability.

Rt. 219 truck woes

RIDGWAY -Residents of Ridgway remain disturbed by the increase in truck traffic on U.S. Rt. 219 through the town. They spoke their minds this week during a public hearing.

PennDOT has proposed diverting northbound traffic from the Rt. 219 bypass up Depot Street and onto Main Street, then onto Rt. 219 North (North Broad Street). This would eliminate some truck traffic within the historic downtown area. The project would not, however, affect any traffic using Rt. 219 southbound or any other route. It also would not affect traffic beyond the intersection of North Broad and Main streets, toward the rest of the downtown area.

Residents raised concern over remaining truck traffic on North Broad and the fact that southbound traffic patterns would remain unchanged requiring trucks to continue to speed up on East Main Street in order to complete the climb up Boot Jack Hill. Parents cited increased danger to children on both Osterhout and North Broad due to an increase in truck traffic.

PennDOT will hold another hearing when more data have been compiled.

Camp for disabled

DAGUS MINES -An organization has been formed in the area to help disabled people access the outdoors. The "Handy Camp" will focus much of its attention on hunting and fishing. Brian DeGuire, Dan Whitman and Gary Streich are the officers.

DeGuire reports that Handy Camp has a tentative location selected and is seeking a combination of private and government funding. The proposed location includes 10 square miles of land in an area of Elk County.

The leaders envision a shooting and archery range, a small lake and acres of hunting land. They would also like to raise turkeys and develop a deer farm. Later on, the plan calls for fish rodeos, clay shoots and guest instructors, specifically those who have invented products for use by disabled outdoorsmen.

According to DeGuire, Handy Camp will link with national organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and the National Wild Turkey Foundation, as well as local outdoor clubs. Clarion University has been assisting with the camp's business plan.