Area News Briefs

Armory on course

BRADFORD -- Location of a Pa Army National Guard armory at Bradford Regional Airport is on course, with bids already received. A time frame for construction has not been set.

The armory is part of the 56th Brigade's transformation to a Stryker unit as part of an overhaul of the nation's armed services. The $6.7 million armory will be situated on a 23.5-acre lot near the airport's access road.

Airport officials believe the armory will generate other development in the area. Tentative plans call for construction to start sometime before October.

Health clinic opens

JOHNSONBURG - Elk County Regional Health Center has opened a new outpatient rehabilitation facility in Johnsonburg. It's the hospital's fifth clinic; the other four are located in Emporium, Ridgway, Kane and St. Marys.

Physical, occupational and speech therapy services are offered at the new clinic, headed by rehabilitation director Mark Hoffman.

About 60 patients per week are expected to use the clinic. The staff is trained to deal with general rehabilitation, orthopedic injuries, head trauma, pediatrics and postsurgical issues.

No teachers' pact

BROOKVILLE -- School officials and the teachers' union at Brookville Area School District have been unable to settle on a new labor contract, despite hours of negotiations.

Both sides concede that they are far apart in their proposals. Teachers continue to work under the terms of an expired contract, and have already been notified that they'll receive retroactive pay amounts ranging from $4,670 to almost $16,500 once a settlement is reached.

Union negotiators are holding firm on their demand for pay increases of between 3% and 3.5% for each of the next four years, as well as a retirement bonus in the form of eight years of post-retirement health insurance at district cost.

That package will once again be considered by the full school board next week.

Supporting 'Habitat'

PORT ALLEGANY -- Port Allegany Presbyterian Youth are supporting the Habitat for Humanity chapter serving McKean and Potter counties with several activities.

On May 19, members will participate in a homeless awarness project by sleeping outside, in cardboard boxes, overnight.

Last week, the organization held a karaoke contest that raised more than $200 for Habitat. Top winners were Regina Eck, Lauren Claypool, Lauren Delacour, Amber Burford and Meagan Culver.

Renaissance group meets

JOHNSONBURG -- A new organization dedicated to the charting Johnsonburg's future held its inaugural meeting last week.

Johnsonburg Renaissance Foundation plans to focus on fund-raising and long-term strategies to keep young people in the community.

Other goals include rehabilitation of dilapidated structures, beautification and support of community organizations.

Next meeting of the organization, which is open to the public, will be held at noon on Thursday, May 17, at the Johnsonburg Borough Building.

Airport access road

DuBOIS -- A new Rt. 830 access road to the DuBois Regional Airport is likely to be open by July, but a section of it could open even sooner, according to the Clearfield- Jefferson Counties Regional Airport Authority.

Currently, traffic to the airport is diverted over Allens Mills Road, causing some delays.

PennDOT will eventually create a new two-lane Rt. 830 along the existing corridors of Horm Run and Sensor roads, west of the airport. A new Interstate 80 interchange and a 410-foot bridge have already been completed, between the Reynoldsville and DuBois/ Brockway interchanges. The airport is responsible for linking to Rt. 830 and will expand its parking area.

'Stinkfest' Saturday

BRADFORD -- "Stinkfest," a celebration of the odorous leek, is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday in Bradford.

Activities are centered on East Main Street, between Penn and South Kendall avenues. Highlighting Stinkfest, now in its sixth year, will be a "Lil' Stinker" parade at 3:30 p.m. Also on tap are leek cuisine, family entertainment, live music, a dunk tank and outhouse races.

Leeks are wild onions growing in many shady, forested sections of northcentral Pennsylvania.

Parking is available at Dresser Manufacturing Co. on Fisher Avenue and Phillips Auto Depot on South Kendall Avenue.