Area News Briefs

Superintendent leaves

RIDGWAY -Ridgway Area School Superintendent Gary Elder is leaving the district to become middle/high school principal at Oswayo Valley. He served in Ridgway Area School District for three years.

"Working with kids and faculty is what I really love," Elder said. He has been active in more than a dozen local community organizations.

Improved bus service

ST. MARYS - The Area Transportation Authority is taking steps to better accommodate those traveling around the City of St. Marys.

Mike Imbrogno, executive director and chief executive officer of ATA, said the authority hopes to soon build in the city's new parking garage along Depot Street.

With daily bus routes to St. Marys from the surrounding area -including Emporium, Johnsonburg, Ridgway and Penfield -travelers coming to the area for work, hospital visits or shopping will have a convenient location to board, exit or transfer buses. Imbrogno said ATA is also considering a new bus route around the city to better serve visitors and residents.

Two teens killed

CORSICA -Two Brookville teenagers were killed in a vehicle accident early Saturday on Interstate 80. State police from Clarion

said a 1997 Chevrolet coupe operated by Cody Reed, 18, and a 2003 Ford Coupe driven by Mark James Tolomei Jr., 19, collided at about 1:25 a.m. just west of the Strattanville exit. Reed and his passenger, 19year-old Jessica Black Wiser, were ejected from their vehicle. They were pronounced dead at the scene. Neither Tolomei nor a passenger in his vehicle was injured.

Housing for seniors

ST. MARYS - Construction of a new senior citizens apartment complex and adjacent senior activities center is expected to get underway soon in downtown St. Marys.

Susquehanna Valley Development Group officials said this week they are almost prepared to begin construction of "Marienstadt Place." The facility will feature diagonal parking on both sides of the building. It will run from the railroad tracks down to Depot Street, with an access road being built off from Depot.

Beacon Light sued

SMETHPORT -A former Beacon Light Behavioral Health Systems employee who was on duty when a 14-year-old boy drowned at Heffner Reservoir in 2004 is suing Beacon.

Janel Riel, represented by attorney H.B. Fink of Port Allegany, claims Beacon Light failed to have in place a policy on swimming by clients, as required by the Pa. Dept. of Public Welfare. Riel faced criminal

charges, despite findings that the boy's death was accidental, and entered the accelerated rehabilitative disposition program.

The suit alleges that Beacon Light officials made untrue statements to exonerate the organization from responsibility. Riel has been unable to secure suitable employment and has suffered financial damages in excess of $25,000, according to the suit. Beacon Light is represented by attorney Joseph Selep of Pittsburgh.

Country Fair coming

ST. MARYS The Country Fair convenience store on the Million Dollar Highway is scheduled to open sometime in November. Located along Route 255 and Arbutus Lane, the new store will be the newest and most modern in the chain.

The 5,050-square-foot facility will include a seating area, a drive-up window an ATM and 16 gasoline positions. The current site of the new convenience store was chosen due to its high traffic volume and growth area.

Country Fair is expected to employ up to 30 fulland parttime people, including managers and associates.

Hospital expansion

BRADFORD -Bradford Regional Medical Center's $14.5 million expansion project continues. The current phase - a five-story addition for outpatient services and other functions -will be completed by December.

The new structure will also have a cancer center, heart center, vascular surgical suite, neurosciences suite and pediatric offices. Renovation of the emergency and surgical departments will start early next year at the latest.

Red Bank Creekfest

NEW BETHLEHEM - The first Red Bank Creekfest will be held Saturday, Aug. 26, in New Bethlehem.

That waterway was once an important part of the region's transportation system and a source of recreation. New Bethlehem Area Chamber of Commerce wants to recall that heritage while highlighting recreational opportunities the creek has to offer and the potential for tourism in the valley.

Creekfest begins at 3:00 p.m. with free paddle boat, kayak, canoe and boat rides. A pig roast is planned, as well as live music.

Music fest continues

BRADFORD -Folk music, contra dancing and jamming with old-time instruments continue through Sunday during the Heart of the Alleghenies Folk Music Festival at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

Workshops include fiddle styles, hammered dulcimer, finger picking, lap dulcimer, ornamenting fiddle tunes, banjo and others. There will be instruction in Old Time Round and Square Dances, as well as foot clapping and foot percussion workshops.

Wetlands controversy

WETMORE TWP. - The definition of "wetlands" is being challenged by the Wetmore Township Board of Supervisors. Board members say actions by the state could render much of the private land in that McKean County township unsuitable for development.

Currently, the wetlands designation is stalling work at the Northwest Development site,

adjacent to Zook Motors on Route 6. The Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) has identified the property as wetlands.

Federal and state grants have funded a new sewer line and access road, but the DEP will not allow any building in the area because it meets criteria as a wetlands providing critical wildlife habitat.

Cabinet plant destroyed

MARIENVILLE -A landmark building in Marienville was destroyed by fire last Thursday. The fire claimed the National Forest Products factory, a producer of kitchen cabinetry.

The building was the home of Glass Container Corp., one of the region's leading employers, from 1914 to 1982. Fire Chief Bob Snyder said the cause of the early morning blaze remains under investigation. Most of the equipment and inventory was destroyed.

Early morning stabbing

KEATING TWP -A McKean County man was stabbed in the chest during an early morning domestic altercation near Smethport on Saturday.

State police from Kane identified the victim as William M. Campbell. Police said they've charged Heather M. Campbell, 27, with aggravated assault and related charges as a result of the incident at the couple's Wolf Run Road home.