Area News Briefs

Fire destroys barn

ULYSSES -Fire of undetermined origin destroyed a landmark barn along Rt. 49, near the Potter-Tioga County border, Monday night.

About 60 volunteer firefighters from Westfield, Clymer Township, Galeton, Elkland, Knoxville and Harrison Valley responded to the fire just west of Cowanesque Valley High School at the Steve and Stan Brubaker farm. The large barn was valued at $250,000.

The blaze originated in an empty hayloft. The Brubakers were able to save all but one of their 50 dairy cows. The investigation is continuing.

Sheetz faces reviews

ST. MARYS -The Pa. Transportation Department hasn't yet signed off on the building of a new Sheetz gas station and retail store in downtown St. Marys.

City Manager Dave Green reports PennDOT wants to see a left turn phasing signal placed at the intersection of Brusselles and South Michael streets. In addition, the department would like the Brusselles Street entrance to the new Sheetz store to be widened by about 13 feet.

'Greener' grants

RIDGWAY -The Elk County Board of Commissioners will distribute about $1 million in statesupplied "Growing Greener" grants for environmental improvements over the next six years.

Eligible projects include watershed protection, community revitalization, acid mine drainage abatement, drinking water improvement, and wastewater conservation partnerships. Applications will be accepted until Aug. 21.

Playground fencing

FORCE -Community leaders will be erecting a fence to protect the playground in Force from damage being inflicted by all-terrain vehicles. About 200 feet of fencing will surround the facility.

The project, which will cost about $4,000, is being financed through a portion of the county's Community Development Block Grant. Kessler Enterprises of DuBois was the successful bidder.

Soldier off to Miss.

JOHNSONBURG -U.S. Army Specialist Spc. Ryan Gapinski, who recently returned from Iraq as a member of the Pa. National Guard, has been deployed to Mississippi.

The Johnsonburg soldier will train medics who will be sent to the war zone in the coming months. An emergency medical technician, Gapinski has served for six years. He is the son of Edwin and Lou Ann Gapinski of Johnsonburg.

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 site 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. 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 business plan. Additional information is available from Brian DeGuire at 885-6931.

New home for PCVA

COUDERSPORT -Potter County's official tourist promotion agency has a new home.

The Potter County Visitors Association has relocated from Renziehausen Plaza in west Coudersport to a former law office near the traffic signal at the corner of Main and Second streets.

Executive Director David Brooks said the higher visibility has already resulted in additional foot traffic, which will help PCVA be more effective in promoting Potter County tourism and economic development. The new PCVA office is right around the corner from the Coudersport Area Chamber of Commerce office, allowing the two organizations to continue working in concert.

Big Mill Creek plan

ST. MARYS -The new Elk Fresh Water Association is working on a multi-faceted approach to cleaning up Big Mill Creek. Chairman Jeff Buchheit says the stream "has the potential to become a great recreational area, if the acidity problem can be solved."

His group envisions camping grounds close to the stream and development of mountain biking, cross-country skiing and hiking in the region. The association hopes to make stream improvements and create access areas.

About a dozen water quality sampling points will be established on Big Mill Creek and tributaries Cherry Run and Ellithorpe Run to monitor results of acid reduction efforts.

Celebration Sept. 30

PORT ALLEGANY -Port Allegany's celebration of its 125th birthday on Sept. 30 is shaping up.

A dance, with music by the 4 Jays of Erie, will be held. Participants are encouraged to dress in Victorian garb. A parade, a geocaching event with a historical theme, and a fireworks display are also planned.

Waives right to hearing KANE -The former secretary for District Judge Barbara Boser has waived her right to a preliminary hearing on charges of mishandling funds. Frances Paul, 42, of Bradford, now faces charges in the McKean County Court of Common Pleas, pending a possible settlement with the prosecutor's office.

She is represented by defense attorney Anthony Clarke. Paul is charged with theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, and misapplication of entrusted property. Police allege that, between 2003 and 2005, Paul mishandled more than $13,000. She is also accused of withdrawing funds from the Foster Township Parks Department for her own use.

Recycling abuses

ST. MARYS -Too many people are violating the rules for recycling plastic, cans and other items in St. Marys. City Councilmen Steve Skok has issued a plea to area residents to be more responsible.

He said residents continue to deposit unacceptable materials at the recycling containers off Depot Street and South Michael Road.

Only No. 1 and No. 2 plastic bottles are acceptable in the plastic containers. Newsprint, catalogs, magazines, flyers and corrugated cardboard (broken down) are accepted in the paper container. Steel and aluminum cans must be separated; the same goes for mixed paper. Security cameras will be placed at the recycling site and violators will be pursued. If the abuses continue, the recycling program may have to be discontinued.

Elk County Solid Waste Authority has confirmed that the county's recycling efforts are being jeopardized by contamination of recycling bins, not just in St. Marys, but throughout the county. The landfill operators in McKean County charge a $75 fee for each contaminated load. Additional costs are being incurred in sorting.

Forum on wetlands

KANE - Officials of Wetmore Township in McKean County cited their opposition to state laws designed to protect the sensitive environmental areas, commonly known as wetlands, during a public forum this week at the Wetmore Township Building.

The township supervisors scheduled the forum to air complaints about policies which have blocked a land development along Route 6, west of Kane, and the construction of a home along Route 66 at Laurel Avenue, just south of the borough.

Wetmore Township Supervisor Ron Conklin claims the township must be more open to development in order to generate tax dollars for the township, county and Kane Area School District. Supervisors Steve Dyne and Chip Peterson share Conklin's sentiments. Dyne argued that regulations being enforced in the township are arbitrary.

State Assemblywoman Kathy Rapp said she would contact the Pa. Dept. of Environment Protection for responses.