Area News Briefs

Burglary, fire probed

WILCOX - A burglary and fire at a Jones Township business remains under investigation by state police from Ridgway.

Sometime around 4:30 last Thursday morning, someone broke into Wilcox Beverage and stole soft drinks, beer, food, money, a computer and a .22 caliber handgun.

Moments after the thief or thieves departed, Wilcox Fire Department was summoned to a fire at the business. Damage from the fire was estimated at $150,000.

Cameras in buses

JOHNSONBURG - Johnsonburg Area School District is installing more cameras in school buses to control behavior and document infractions.

Elementary Principal Dennis Crotzer requested the additional cameras, citing 50 incidents of behavior problems reported to him since the classes started up in September. High School Principal Donald Wismar said the cameras would also help him to better deal with behavior issues.

School board members agreed to purchase four more cameras, at a cost of $1,500 each.

New school tactic

KANE - Leaders of the charter school plan in Mt. Jewett approached the Kane Area School Board last week with a proposal that might help them acquire the now-closed Mt. Jewett Elementary School.

They told the board that two local business owners are willing to allow the district to store materials at their properties, which would allow the school building to remain vacant. Kane Area School Board originally planned to use the school as a warehouse.

Mt. Jewett mayor Tom Geer said Brian Sees and Ted Howard would make available warehouse and storage space equal to or greater in size than the Mt. Jewett school.

Geer also said local Boy Scouts would help to move the items now stored in the school to the new storage areas at no cost. The school board acknowledged Geer's comments, but did not discuss them.

Mt. Jewett Charter Coalition hopes to have the school in operation by next August.

Robbed at knifepoint

ST. MARYS - St. Marys City Police continue to track down leads in an armed robbery that occurred Saturday at 3:10 a.m. at the St. Marys Minit Mart convenience store, 770 Washington Street.

Police said the thief entered the store, displayed a knife to the clerk and demanded money. The clerk handed over $250 in cash and was ordered to stay in the rest room.

The thief's face was concealed during the robbery. He is about six feet tall with a thin build. Elk County Crimestoppers is offering a reward for information leading to an arrest. The organization can be reached at 1-800-775- 2030.

Teen hurt on ATV

SMETHPORT - A McKean County boy was injured Sunday afternoon when the allterrain vehicle he was driving collided with a car.

State police from Kane said the victim, a 15-year-old Smethport resident whose name was not released, had been riding across a field. He pulled out onto East Valley Road in Keating Township in front of a car being driven by James Shaffer of Smethport.

The boy was thrown from the ATV and hit the windshield of the car. He was treated at Bradford Regional Medical Center for injuries described by police as moderate. Shaffer and a passenger were not injured.

New cable operator

ST. MARYS - St. Marys Cable Television is now owned by Zito Media, based in Coudersport. Zito operates the cable television and high-speed data operations in Coudersport, Emporium, Austin, Roulette, Port Allegany, Hazen, Treasure Lake, Weedville and the surrounding areas.

The local St. Marys cable office will remain open, under the direction of Joe Dunkle. Zito plans to rebuild the cable system in St. Marys to offer a broader array of services and improve picture and sound quality.