Area news briefs

Alleged Internet predator

ERIE -- A McKean County man has been arrested for allegedly attempting to sexually solicit what he believed was a 13-year-old girl.

James E. Whitman, 47, of Foster Township was nabbed in a sting operation conducted by the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit. Through an Internet connection, the two set up a location to meet in Erie. Last Saturday, Whitman arrived and was taken into custody.

He has been charged with criminal attempt at unlawful contact with a minor, a firstdegree felony; and criminal attempt at unlawful contact with a minor and criminal use of a communication facility, both third-degree felonies. A preliminary hearing is scheduled Jan. 22.

Country Fair opening

ST. MARYS -- The newest Country Fair gas station and convenience store will open on the Million Dollar Highway, across from the entrance to Wal-Mart near St. Marys, next Friday.

The manager is Scott Schrecengost, a Clarion native who began working for the chain 15 years ago as a part-

time sales associate. The store will have 35 full- and part-time employees.

Country Fair operates 74 stores in western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and southwest New York. It is a wholly owned subsidiary corporation of United Refining Company of Warren.

New pastor arrives

PORT ALLEGANY -- The Rev. Kristen Rae Nelson has arrived as new pastor at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Port Allegany. A native of Fairfax, Minn., she is a graduate of Chicago’s North Park University and North Park Theological Seminary.

Church members recently bid farewell to long-time members Bob and Lucille Stromberg, who are moving to Cromwell, Conn.

Tax to the max

RIDGWAY — Ridgway Borough Council voted to raise the borough’s occupational privilege tax from $10 a year to the state-allowed maximum of $52 a year. Anyone who works in the borough and earns at least $12,000 a year is subject to the tax, which comes up for final approval on Dec. 18.

Council has tentatively adopted a 2007 budget calling for $4.9 million in expenses. There will be no real estate tax increase.

Industrial park plan

ST. MARYS — St. Marys City Council has established an Airport Industrial Park Project Fund at National City Bank. It’s another step in the long process of establishing a location to attract employers to a 53- acre area near the airport.

State funding has already been secured to partially pay for the site work. Tentative plans call for establishing fiveacre lots for prospective industries. City Manager Dave Greene reports that some potential employers have already expressed an interest in starting a business at the site.

First Night plans

BRADFORD -- New Year’s Eve will be celebrated in Bradford with family-based activities during the day, teen music at night, and the traditional ball drop followed by fireworks as the new year arrives.

Plans have been announced for the city’s First Night observance. On the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 31, there will be music, ice-skating, swimming, bowling, movies, a magic act, karate demonstration and other entertainment.

‘Our Town’ to air

PORT ALLEGANY -- The latest program in the “Our Town” series on WPSX-TV, Channel 3 locally, features Port Allegany. It was set to debut last night and will be repeated.

Mayor Joe DeMott is among the local residents who appears on camera. He describes the borough’s origins as “Canoe Place” and the importance of the lumber era in Port Allegany’s development. Glass manufacturing will also be spotlighted.

Another portion of the program focuses on upcoming renovations to the business district.

Airport grant in limbo

DuBOIS -- DuBois Regional Airport is likely to lose $850,000 in federal money due to a decline in passengers.

The airport must have at least 10,000 passengers fly out in a year to qualify for a $1 million Federal Aviation Administration grant. Entering November, the 2006 passenger count was less than 7,300. If the airport fails to reach 10,000, the federal grant is reduced to $150,000.

Meanwhile, the airport has announced new flight times to take effect Dec. 17. The times will be more accommodating to the business traveler. Flights will depart on Monday through Friday at 7:15 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 4:25 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., and on Saturday at 2:15 p.m. Sunday’s departures will be at 10:15 a.m. and 4:25 p.m.

Additional changes to the schedule include a 9:30 a.m., 4:15 p.m. and 9:10 p.m. arrival Monday through Friday. Also, planes will arrive 7:05 p.m., Saturday at 2:00 p.m and Sunday at 4:15 p.m. and 9:10 p.m.

Taxes by credit card?

BROOKVILLE -- Jefferson County residents may be able to pay their taxes and other county bills by credit card.

A measure being considered by the Board of Commissioners would allow individual row offices and district judges to determine for themselves whether to accept credit card payments. Doing so would allow more business to be conducted through the Internet. One company lobbying the commissioners has offered to provide credit card processing for a 2.45- percent fee.

Taxes going up

ST. MARYS -- St. Marys City Council has put its final stamp of approval on a significant increase in real estate taxes. By a 6-1 vote, Council approved a 3.5-mill tax hike. Councilman Dick Dornish cast the lone dissenting vote.

The property tax levy will be just under 11 mills. That works out to $275 in school real estate taxes for a home with the median value of $50,000. The increase in revenue will cover debt service, street lights, fire protection, library service, ambulance coverage, and parks and recreation expenses. The St. Marys budget for 2007 totals nearly $5.5 million.

New Catholic priest

PORT ALLEGANY -- Father Jerry S. Priscaro has

been named parochial administrator of St. Gabriel the Archangel Church of Port Allegany and St. Mary’s Mission Church in Roulette.

A former resident of New Castle and Erie, Fr. Priscaro worked in the restaurant business before he began his religious education. He served as a chaplain in the U. S. Air Force and was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1993.

He has served in Sharon, Hermitage and Erie and has been active in many community organizations.