Area News Briefs

Killed in Iraq

BROCKWAY -- An area soldier was killed last Tuesday in Iraq.

Christopher E. Loudon, a second lieutenant in the Army, was one of four servicemen killed by a roadside bomb that exploded as they were riding by in a Humvee on patrol in Baghdad.

Loudon, 23, of Brockport, was a 2001 graduate of Brockway Area High School. He leaves behind a wife and a five-year-old daughter.

Loudon was attached to the 4th Infantry Division based in Fort Hood, Texas.

"He was doing what he wanted to do," Randy Loudon said of his son, an Eagle Scout who recently earned an environmental science degree from Slippery Rock University.

Circus is coming

ST. MARYS - The Russian American Kids Circus is coming to St. Marys Area High School on Saturday, Nov. 4, for a 7:00 p.m. performance.

Young people are welcome to attend a circus fun workshop at 6:15 p.m. on the night of the circus. The workshop will showcase spinning plates, balancing skills and other acts. Tickets are available in advance and at the door. For more information, call (814) 772-7051.

Taxes hold steady

SMETHPORT -- The county portion real estate taxes in McKean County will likely hold steady in 2007, according to County Administrator Richard Casey.

He and the Board of Commissioners are working on a budget that's likely to call for about $30 million in expenditures. Salaries, health insurance premiums and fuel costs are all rising in 2007, Casey noted. However, medical insurance cost increases may be lessened by McKean County's involvement in the Northern Counties Health Insurance Purchasing Cooperative.

Recycling boosted

ST. MARYS -- A task force in the City of St. Marys is working on a broad plan to persuade residents to recycle nearly every item that's traditionally tossed in the garbage.

An electronics recycling center is open on occasional Saturdays and, soon, a fluorescent light and battery recycling program will open.

Household hazardous waste collection will take place in May 12. A compost site is open every day, accepting grass, leaves, trees, bushes, plants, garden residue, chipped shrubbery and tree trimmings.

Curbside pickup of aluminum, glass and other recyclables takes place twice per month on many streets.

ARG project nears

BRADFORD - American Refining Group expects to begin construction of a major addition at its Bradford refinery by the end of the year.

The new "hydrotreater" is mandated by federal law as part of ARG's plan to produce ultralow sulfur diesel fuel in Bradford.

The $20 million project is slated for completion by the end of 2007. It will occupy a small lot near the main refinery off North Kendall Avenue. A brick building previously used as a boiler house will be razed.

The fuel will be used in trucks being built as of the 2007 model year. Refineries are required to have no less than 80 percent of their diesel fuel refined as ultra-low sulfur.

Fire destroys sawmill

BROCKWAY - A Saturday morning fire destroyed a Snyder Township sawmill.

Fire officials said an electrical malfunction triggered the fire Brockway Forest Products Inc., owned by Todd Watt. It was formerly Fremer Lumber Sawmill.

Damage to the open-air building containing saws and stored lumber was estimated at $275,000.

Consultant: 'close schools'

KANE - A consultant recommends that Kane Area School District consolidate operations in two buildings, with elimination of Mt. Jewett Elementary School and the Chestnut Street Elementary School in Kane. Dr. Daniel Dancu, a consultant from Butler, prepared the recommendation for the Board of Education for a fee of $23,860.

Dancu recommends building an addition at Kane Middle School to house a prekindergarten program through fifth grade and renovating the building for sixth through eighth grade classes. He also recommends renovation and expansion of Kane High School for grades nine through 12.

Mt. Jewett Elementary School would be closed after the current school year. No costs are listed in Dr. Dancu's report.

Some school district residents believe the Mt. Jewett and Chestnut Street buildings can be upgraded, but Dancu advises against it. He pointed out that new construction would qualify for state reimbursement, but renovations may not. He also points out that enrollment has dropped at Mt. Jewett Elementary School, which now has classes for only second through fifth grades.

Developer seeks damages

PORT ALLEGANY -- Businessman Bill Burleson Jr., who is now a member of Port Allegany Borough Council, is suing the borough for financial damages. He claims that he suffered losses due to delays in approval of his plan to develop a prominent lot on North Main Street.

Burleson's Benton Place plan was eventually approved and development work is underway.

Burleson says he and his wife lost rental income and potential tenants, while incurring expenses, when borough officials withheld approval of the plan. The Burlesons are represented by Erie attorney Neal R. Devlin.

Boost for academics

BROOKVILLE - Brookville Area School District has been selected to participate in a State Education Department pilot program to boost academic standards.

As a "Project 720" school, Brookville will revise its academic standards while using new approaches for encouraging students to develop career plans. The district was awarded a $65,000 grant.

Higher tax opposed

KANE -- Opponents of a $42 increase in Kane's annual Emergency and Municipal Services (EMS) tax spoke out at last week's Borough Council meeting.

Council voted 4-3 to up the tax from $10 to $52, the maximum allowed by state law. Final action is expected at council's Nov. 13 meeting.

The EMS tax is assessed against anyone who works in Kane. One opponent, Sterling Watts, complained that the tax discriminates against those who work. Another protester, Anastasia Watts, said if an increase is necessary, it should be more modest, or phased in over several years.

Borough Manager Patrick Nuzzo said Kane avoided higher taxes this year by using a $35,000 windfall from the sale of the county landfill. Now, however, the borough needs to make up for the loss of revenue stemming from the removal of parking meters. Kane has also lost money traditionally paid through a tax on TV cable service, since more cable customers have switched to a satellite dish.