Area news briefs

Couple, grandson perish

SHEFFIELD - Carbon monoxide poisoning claimed the lives of a Sheffield couple and their young grandson as they slept. The victims were identified as 49-year-old Steve L. Miller and his wife, Tammy R. Miller, 46, along with their grandson, Aidan Eckstrom, who was to turn three this week.

The incident occurred at a new home along Rt. 6 (W. Main St.) in Sheffield. Warrenbased state police summoned to the scene discovered a high level of carbon monoxide was present throughout the house.

A deputy coroner said a faulty vent for a natural gas heater may have caused the high levels of carbon monoxide in the home. The investigation is continuing.

Sheetz drops request

ST. MARYS -- Sheetz Inc. has withdrawn its request for a real estate tax reduction on the chain's newest convenience store and gas station, being built in downtown St. Marys.

A spokesman for Sheetz said the decision was reached because of some opposition expressed in the community.

"We believe the removal of condemned buildings in a deteriorated area, the construction of a new, attractive facility and the creation of new jobs will be of direct benefit to the City of St. Marys and other taxing jurisdictions," Sheetz said in a letter to the city. "However, because it is apparent that the application has created a debate among some in your community, we will withdraw the application."

Dump property sold

KANE -- Kane Borough has sold an 11-acre site that was used for many years as the town dump. The property was sold by bid to Lowell Gillespie of Kane for $7,500. It's located off Route 6 in Wetmore Township west of Kane.

The Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) closed the dump site several years ago, as part of a statewide crackdown on dumps and landfills that did not meet environmental standards.

Township to secede?

JAMES CITY -- Citizens of Highland Township want to secede from the Kane Area School District and have the township become part of the Johnsonburg Area School District.

Supporters have contacted the State Education Department for advice on the redistricting process.

About 90 students would be affected. The Highland Township Supervisors favor the plan.

Snowmobile trail?

KANE -- The Pa. Snowmobile Assn. is interested in acquiring a railroad right-ofway that is seen as a major attraction to snowmobilers in McKean County.

Representatives of that group are eying the Knox, Kane and Kinzua Railroad right-of-way between Kane and Marienville. For many years, the rail line was used by an excursion train that traveled from Marienville to Kinzua Bridge State Park, with a passenger stop in Kane. The route was abandoned in 2004.

Zoo plan progresses

CLEARFIELD -- Central Pennsylvania could have its own zoo.

Plans to build one in Clearfield County continue to move forward. The Central Pa. Zoological Society has proposed the project, if sufficient funds can be raised.

Officials near Clearfield have proposed locating the zoo in the Woposonock Natural Area, accessible from the Tyrone exit of Interstate 99. Zoological society representatives plan to tour the area soon.

Armory progressing

BRADFORD -- Plans to build a Pa. Army National Guard armory at the Bradford Regional Airport are progressing.

Construction will soon be put up for competitive bids. Work on the armory is expected to begin this year, at a cost of about $6.7 million.

Federal funding has been approved. The 32,500 sq. ft. facility will be built near the airport's access road.

Land sale considered

ST. MARYS -- The City of St. Marys is considering the sale of a prime piece of downtown real estate to Susquehanna Valley Development Corp. for construction of townhouses and commercial spaces. The land is currently used for parking.

Susquehanna Valley is already building a senior housing and a senior center complex in the area. The property in question is owned by the St. Marys Parking Authority.

Bypass to resume

BRADFORD - Work on the U.S. Route 219 bypass in Bradford will resume soon.

Construction of the $55 million, 6.93-mile roadway began last summer and continued until late December. A meeting of community leaders and PennDOT representatives will be held to discuss detours and related issues.

A second phase of the bypass project will take place between 2009-2010. That phase, which will include work on the northbound lanes, was pushed back a year due to funding issues. Phase I, the current work, was slated for two years.

Development stalled

MT. JEWETT -- An eightacre site next to the Veterans Memorial Club along Rt. 6 in Mt. Jewett may not be developed into several residential lots after all.

Its owner, Frank Ponikvar of Hamlin Township, objects to the borough's requirement that he bore under Rt. 6 to connect to the municipal water supply, when a closer water line is available adjacent to his land. Mt. Jewett Borough Water Authority believes the line Ponikvar wants to tap wouldn't provide sufficient flow for the residences.