News briefs from around the area

Truck driver killed

RIXFORD - An Eldred man died as a result of injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident Friday night at about 9:20 near Rixford in McKean County.

State police from Kane said 39-year-old James "Jim Bob" Roberts was not wearing his seat belt while driving east on Pa. Rt. 246, just west of Rixford. His pickup truck left the road and hit a concrete bridge. Roberts was pronounced dead at the scene due to blunt force trauma to the head. A 13-year-old male juvenile riding in the passenger's seat was taken to Hamot Medical Center in Erie for treatment of injuries.

Charter school planned

MT. JEWETT - A proposed charter school in Mt. Jewett received widespread support during a community meeting last week. The Mt. Jewett Charter Coalition was formed in response to Kane Area School District's decision to close the community's elementary school.

Organizers would like to have the charter school opened in time for the 2008-09 school year. About 40 students at the Mt. Jewett school would still be transferred to the Chestnut Street Elementary School in Kane for the 2007-08 school year.

Dave Craig, principal and superintendent of the Tidioute Charter School, and Tom Pendleton, an Erie attorney who represents the Mt. Jewett Charter Coalition and other charter schools, spoke at last week's meeting.

Craig said the Tidioute Charter School has 275 students in kindergarten through 12th grade and a waiting list of students from communities outside Tidioute.

Coalition members have already established some ground rules. Only statecertified teachers would be hired. No tuition would be charged. School districts would pay fees to the charter school based on the number of students attending from within that district.

The coalition has asked the Kane Area School Board for permission to use the vacated Mt. Jewett Elementary School.

Hometown Festival

ST. MARYS - The St. Marys Hometown Festival will take place September 7-9.

Events are still being planned. So far, a car show, firefighters' water battles, toy run, games and refreshments are in place.

Questions concerning the festival should be directed to Verb Kreckel at 834-1874.

Fire ruled arson

DuBOIS -- An early morning fire on April 11 in Sandy Township near DuBois has been ruled a case of arson by a Pa. State Police fire marshal. The investigation continues.

The fire destroyed three businesses in an historic building on the Oklahoma- Salem Road: Cozy Acres Furniture, Diamond Auto Glass and Fullington Bus Terminal. They were located at a building that was once the headquarters for local aviation.

Kevin Finley, owner of Cozy Acres Furniture, leased space to Diamond and Fullington. The furniture business was a total loss. Fullington and Diamond have set up new DuBois business locations. Much of the contents from Diamond Auto Glass was salvaged.

Youth summer camps

BRADFORD -- Several youth camps are scheduled this summer at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. They include:

- Kinzua Fly Fishing School; for more information, call 362-0989.

- Science in Motion day camp, June 11-15; call 362- 7570.

- Health Career Camp; call 362-5078.

- Children's Theater Camp, June 17-23; call 362-2522.

- Penns Woods Jeep Jamboree, June 19-24; call 530-333-4777.

- Basketball, three age groups; call 362-5276.

Dementia unit funded

ST. MARYS - Elk Regional Health Center recently received a $200,000 grant from the A.J. and Sigismunda Palumbo Charitable Trust for the hospital's 10-resident dementia unit at Pinecrest Manor.

That separate wing allows those with dementia and Alzheimer's disease additional freedom while providing greater security. They still have access to services in the nursing home, such as group events, a beautician, as well as physical, occupational and speech therapy.

Discounts on medicine

SMETHPORT -- McKean County residents will soon be able to obtain prescription drugs at a lower cost. The county commissioners are joining in a managed pharmacy benefit services agreement with the National Association of Counties (NACo).

Uninsured or underinsured residents will be able to obtain a free discount drug card and use it to save an average of 20% off the cost of prescription drugs at participating pharmacies. The savings will vary depending on the drug and quantity of it purchased.

New ECHS head

RIDGWAY -- Mary Kalinowski has been named director of the Elk County Historical Society. A Ridgway native, Kalinowski recently returned to the area.

She has been a lifelong student of local history, with a particular interest in the area's logging, tanning and coal mining industries that put Ridgway on the map.

Among the organizations plans are a Strawberry Festival in June, oral history on local hotels, and activities to generate interest in history among Elk County youth.

Yard sales May 18-19

ST. MARYS -- Townwide Yard Sales return to St. Marys May 18-19. The St. Marys Area Chamber of Commerce will promote registered sellers who pay a small fee by placing their locations on a widely distributed map and advertisements.

Chamber leaders are confident that they'll be able to build on last year's roster of 30 sellers.