Area News Briefs

Heritage community

SMETHPORT -- Leaders in Smethport are teaming up to take advantage of the borough's designation as a "heritage community."

Smethport Area Chamber of Commerce and a stakeholders' group participated in a recent two-day workshop geared toward building customer service skills in employees.

Seeking millions

ST. MARYS -- The City of St. Marys is applying for millions of public dollars to revitalize its downtown. At last week's meeting, City Council took another step in that direction, agreeing to seek $1.5 million in state Growing Greener II money for "Impact St. Marys."

Funds would go for projects such as streetscape improvements, road reconstruction and a massive parking garage at the current Industrial Steel and Supply lot. That business is being relocated. It's part of a broader $4 million plan to revitalize the downtown area.

Trial postponed

SMETHPORT -- The trial of a McKean County man accused of shooting an acquaintance in May 2004 was postponed this week when his court-appointed defense lawyer opted out of the case due to a conflict of interest.

Defendant Terry Bundy of Port Allegany is claiming that the shooting of David Kelly was not intentional.

Defense lawyer Joe Marasco removed himself from the case after learning that another of his clients will be called as a prosecution witness. Judge John Yoder ordered that a new defense attorney be appointed.

Firefighters trained

ST. MARYS - Members of the Crystal Fire Department recently enhanced their training for effective responses to accident scenes during a two-day course in Chicago.

They learned about vehicle safety, design, restraints, extraction, fires and alternative fuels. Attending were Deputy Chief Mike Kraus, Assistant Chief Jim Heary Jr., Captain Ron Samick Jr., Lt. John Diebel and Safety Officer Mike Bauer Jr., all certified emergency medical technicians. Kraus, Bauer and Heary are also state fire instructors.

St. Marys Auto Body paid a portion of their expenses.

Flights to China?

BRADFORD -- Local air travelers will have convenient access to China after direct flights from Washington, D.C., to Beijing begin next March.

Soon, the Bradford Regional Airport is expected to change its "hub city" to Washington, where the non-stop route would be offered. It's a welcome development to industries in the region, many of which have stepped up their trade with China and the Asian market.

Carving federal grant

RIDGWAY - Elk County Planning Commission members have recommended several projects for funding through the county's Community Development Block Grant, a federal allotment to stimulate economic growth and support public works.

By unanimous vote, they recommended designating $48,500 for improvements at the Bennetts Valley Senior Center; $43,600 for work at the Johnsonburg Community Center; $41,000 for improvements at the Lake City Community Center; and $17,250 to upgrade bathrooms at the Jones Township Community Center. Several smaller expenditures are also being recommended to the Elk County Board of Commissioners, which makes the final decisions.

Tax increase likely

PORT ALLEGANY - Port Allegany Borough Council plans to increase real estate taxes by one mill in 2007.

Among increased expenditures expected next year are borough contributions to the approximately $1 million downtown "streetscape" renewal project.

Borough Manager Dick Kallenborn said Port Allegany also expects a slight decrease in wage tax revenue due to job eliminations. Kallenborn also advised Borough Council that there could be considerable expenses in 2007 for new sewer pipes.

School to close?

MT. JEWETT -- The closing of the Mt. Jewett Elementary School at the end of the current school year appears inevitable. Kane Area School Board last week rejected each of the consolidation options that would have kept the school open.

The board for years has been trying to decide how to address physical defects in the district's four school buildings. The most recent consultant's study calls for a reduction in the number of buildings to two, each of which would be renovated. School Superintendent Sandy Chlopecki said it's not possible to estimate the renovation and closing costs until the district picks a plan which is approved by the state.

'Renwick Highway?'

ST. MARYS -- The Pa. House of Representatives has approved a bill to rename a portion of South St. Marys Street for a former state legislator and community leader. The measure is now before the Senate. The four-lane portion of Rt. 255 in St. Marys, from the Fox Township line to the former St. Marys line, would be named the William F. Renwick Memorial Highway. Renwick, who died in 1981, served in the House from 1954 to 1978. He was a leading advocate of outdoors and environmental issues, as chairman of the House Game and Fisheries Committee.

He previously served on St. Marys Borough Council and was active as a member of St. Marys Sportsmen's Club, Knights of Columbus, American Legion and Elks. Renwick was also a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of World War II.

Asbestos violation

BRADFORD -- A Bradford area property owner is being fined by the Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection for violations stemming from his disposal of asbestos from a demolition site.

DEP announced the fine of $40,780 against John Kohler, owner of the former Evans Rollerdrome in Foster Township, this week. Kohler, who eventually corrected the violations and properly disposed of the asbestos, was accused of failure to notify DEP and related offenses. His lawyer, Steve Beckman of Erie, plans to file an appeal.