Area News Briefs

Fatal cycle crash

WELLSBORO - A Harrisburg woman died in a motorcycle crash on Central Avenue in Wellsboro on Sunday

Debra Trude, 54, was pronounced dead at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital in Wellsboro following the 3:54 p.m. crash. Her husband, George Trude, also of Harrisburg, escaped serious injury.

Wellsboro Borough Police said the motorcycle went out of control on a left curve and Debra Trude was thrown from the vehicle. Police said the motorcycle's kickstand was down when the vehicle went out of control and may have dragged on the pavement, causing George Trude to lose control of the bike.

Debra Trude was wearing a helmet, and alcohol was not involved in the crash, police said.

Chamber relocating

ST. MARYS - St. Marys Area Chamber of Commerce, Marienstadt Corp. and the Economic Development Authority are moving to the former Choice building on South Michael Street.

They'll operate a "welcome center" at the 11-year-old building, which is being donated to them by owner Jules Bender. Renovations there will cost an estimated $85,000.

Transportation plan

RIDGWAY - Elk County is working to develop a transportation plan that will guide decisions on highway and bridge projects over the next 20 years.

Surveys will be sent out to municipal officials and be available at municipal offices, post offices, and other public places throughout the county. The plan will focus on all types of transportation issues, from highways and bridges to aviation and bicycle paths.

New veterans' post

PORT ALLEGANY - Port Allegany Veterans Memorial Inc. is partnering with another local organization, Portage Development Group, to rebuild the veterans post that was destroyed in a recent fire.

Goal is to have the building constructed next year, as cost effectively as possible. Earl Stromberg of Port Allegany is chairing the committee.

Foreign trade zone

BRADFORD - Officials are working to establish a Foreign Trade Zone at Bradford Regional Airport. Designation would allow companies to significantly cut business costs by exempting foreign products from duties or certain excise taxes.

The zone also helps offset customs advantages available to overseas producers who compete with those in the U.S. It would be set up where the airport's new multi-tenant center is being located.

Planting trees

RIDGWAY - Ridgway Heritage Council is planting about 70 maple trees to spruce up the downtown area. Another 30 or more trees will be planted next spring.

Council members are also planning to host a conference of the Oil Heritage Region Alliance next year, featuring workshops, art, recreation, and historical programs.

Health conference

ST. MARYS - Dr. Sandra Steingraber, an ecologist, author, and cancer survivor, was featured speaker Elk Regional Health System's third annual Health and the Environment Conference. Much of her presentation was based on her heralded book, "The Falling Age of Puberty in U.S."

She explained that early onset of menstruation increases a girl's risk of getting breast cancer later in life, by as much as 50 percent at age 12, compared to age 16.

Among the likely causes of early puberty are chemical activity in the body triggered by obesity, physical inactivity, psychosocial stressors, low birth weight, formula feeding and chemical exposures, Steingraber said.

She also explained that children who are breast-fed often grow into leaner adults. Additionally, Steingraver said elements in plastic materials and the use of pesticides and herbicides can hijack the endocrine system and alter maturation.

Art gallery opens

KANE -- ArtWorks at the Depot, a new art gallery housed in the historic Kane Depot, opened last week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The mini-museum, which has free admission, features work by area artists. It is a joint project of the Kane Area Chamber of Commerce, Depot Preservation Society and the Kane Area Development Center.

Taxes may increase

SMETHPORT - The McKean County Board of Commissioners this week put property owners on notice that real estate taxes will likely rise in 2008. Rising health insurance and fuel costs are two of the factors that have driven the county's need for more tax revenue.

Taxes have held steady for three years at 6.75 mills to fund a budget that stood at $28.9 million in 2007. A proposed budget will be made available for public review in early December.