Regional news briefs

KANE -- Elected officials in Kane and Mt. Jewett have signed on to a project to stimulate economic growth along U.S. Rt. 6, being coordinated by the McKean County Economic Development.

They're hiring a consultant to link plans with initiatives already launched by the state, including the Pennsylvania Wilds tourist promotion activities.

Participating communities are getting $700,000 for improvements along Rt. 6 and a $250,000 revolving loan program to stimulate private investment. Goal is to establish McKean County communities along Rt. 6 as tourist destinations.

Recycling curtailed

RIDGWAY - Elk County Solid Waste Authority will remove the glass recycling bins from St. Marys on May 25.

The organization is no longer willing to absorb the $6,000 annual cost of recycling glass, about 60% of which comes from businesses. Bins for aluminum and plastic will be removed on July 27.

New cardiac unit

KANE - A cardiac rehabilitation unit has opened at Kane Community Hospital. Exercise equipment and heartmonitoring machines are now located on the second floor of the hospital.

The unit is open Monday through Friday to patients who participate. Counseling is available for stress, nutrition and other health-related and lifestyle issues.

Treasure Lake growing

DuBOIS - Treasure Lake's property control committee has approved 31 applications for new homes since May 2006.

Just over half of the property owners in the resort community north of DuBois are full-time residents.

Landfill expanding

MT. JEWETT -- The former McKean County Landfill at Hutchins, near Mt. Jewett, is being expanded by its owner, Rustick LLC.

Rustick is also asking the Borough of Mt. Jewett to treat the leachate collected from the landfill at the borough's sewage treatment plant.

The Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection has issued a permit allowing Rustick to accept garbage by railroad and expand the landfill. As many as 6,000 tons of garbage per day may be shipped by rail, once a rail siding is built later this year.

Rustick would be sending about 50,000 gallons of leachate per day to Mt. Jewett.

Clarion River project

RIDGWAY -- Several organizations have been working on a plan to boost tourism along the Clarion River in Elk County.

A series of options were laid out during a public meeting last presentations by the Pa. Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources, managers of the Allegheny National Forest and a representative of consulting firm Fermata Inc.

Among the recommendations are improving the management of primitive campsites along the corridor, developing better visitor information and fostering cooperation between the affected municipalities. Work could begin by June

Police chief retiring

PORT ALLEGANY -- Police Chief Don Carley, a fixture in Port Allegany for more than two decades, plans to retire in July.

Carley, who has served as chief for 23 years, previously served as a police officer in Kittanning. Port Allegany Borough Council will advertise for a successor.

Industrial park loan

ST. MARYS - St. Marys City Council intends to borrow almost $1.1 million with a twopercent annual interest rate from National City Bank. Funds will be used for the development of the Airport Industrial Park.

Among the work to be done: a new road, excavation and grading, sanitary and sewer lines. The project has an estimated price tag of $2.2 million. City Manager Dave Greene reports that at least two businesses are interested in locating in the industrial park.