Endeavor's Neat Numbers

12

A dozen members of the Pa. Army National Guard's Detachment 1, Co. B, based in Kane, were honored during a recent recognition dinner in St. Marys.

Special tribute was paid to these area soldiers who returned from the war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan: Amanda Leavitt, Angela Cribbs, John Kaspar, Ray Kelley, Bob Kennedy, Shannon Snyder, Hila Mears, Samantha Hackett, Ken VanGeisen, Steve Gabriel, Sheena Chollack, John Rickerson and Lack Bock.

Four retirees from the unit were also recognized: Danny Anderson and Bill Wurm, with 21 years of service each; Michael Woods, 28 years; and Cliff Green, 33 years. Steve Brougham and Barry Hughes also retired from the service. Company officers thanked the Cameron, Elk and McKean county commissioners for their support of the unit and the Letters from Home program.

13,633

On a related note, the Letters from Home program recently sent out 13,633 cards and letters of support to military men and women serving overseas, many of them from Cameron and Elk counties.

There were 2,921 recipients. The shipment included packages for two military hospitals, along with a Navy vessel, the USS Sullivan. Ten volunteers from Elkland Search and Rescue were among those helping with the packing and shipping. Additional information on Letters from Home is available from Chris Jovenitti at 965-5118 or on the Internet at www.lettersfromhomeprogram.org.

5

Five percent of smokers who try to quit this year will succeed, if past trends hold true. In any given year, 40 percent of the nation's 40 million smokers attempt to beat the addiction. Two-thirds of them are smoking again within a month.

74

The Sheetz chain has ruled the roost for northern P e n n s y l v a n i a b a s e d convenience stores, but a competitor is gaining ground. Country Fair is about to open its St. Marys store. That is the 75th store in the chain's western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and southwestern New York region. Country Fair is a wholly owned subsidiary corporation of United Refining Company of Warren.

63

Registered lobbyists in Washington D.C. outnumber their quarry, members of Congress, by a margin of 63 to one.

20M

American Refining Group will build a new hydrotreater and related systems at its refinery in Bradford. The $20 million investment will allow the plant to upgrade its fuel oil to meet new requirements for on-road diesel fuel and to upgrade its lube base stock production. A brick building will be demolished to make room for the additions. Groundbreaking ceremonies will be held Sept. 8. The unit should be ready for use by December 2007.

13

Only 13 percent of public school teachers recently polled believe the federal government's No Child Left Behind law is improving public education. Almost 70 percent of those polled said the need to meet minimum test scores for English and mathematics has pushed important subjects and activities out of the curriculum.

7,500

Expansion of the outdoor classroom is progressing at St. Marys Area Middle School. A $7,500 donation from C/G Electrodes will help cover expenses.

Weyerhauser has also been supportive, assisting with the operation of a trout nursery over the summer months. School officials are excited about the opportunity to teach students about alternative energy. Solar energy is already being generated. St. Marys Area School District has also been selected as one of 15 sites statewide to demonstrate a new system for providing power using small-scale wind turbines. St. Marys will receive a small-scale wind system, valued at about $10,000, and basic installation at no charge. The system will be mounted on a 35-foot tower and generate 1.8 kilowatts of electricity.

15

A federal study confirmed what many have known for years - drinking soda pop is a leading cause of obesity. A person who increases consumption by one can (12 ounces) per day will gain 15 pounds in a year.

1.6M

A compost site used to recycle vegetation and other organic waste in St. Marys processed 1.6 million pounds over the past year, much of it brush and grass.

The site is currently closed. City Manager Dave Greene said the action was necessary because the city has allowed a contract with Bob DeLullo to expire. He is a licensed vendor who has been recycling grass clippings, leaf waste and brush.

DeLullo is seeking a higher payment from the city, citing rising costs of fuel, liability insurance and personnel. Greene said the city may consider using DeLullo's services on a month-by-month basis. St. Marys may also rent a grinder from Clinton County. Cost would be $9,000 for three sessions. The city is required to recycle fallen leaves.

4

Officials in DuBois are concerned over a heroin epidemic in that city. Police have recently investigated four likely heroin overdoses, one of which was fatal.

The Valley News Dispatch ran a detailed analysis of the growing heroin problem, focusing on Elk and Jefferson counties. The story said much of the region's crime and the spike in people seeking drug abuse treatment can be traced to heroin users. Pittsburgh is the main supplier.