News briefs from around the area

Emporium Rotary members heard about Citizens Against Physical, Sexual and Emotional Abuse from director Billy Jo Weyant (right). CAPSEA now has an office in the Reid's Hometown Emporium building. Weyant, who has been with the organization since 1990, said CAPSEA offers services for all ages. A "transitional housing" program has gone well for three years and is funded through grants. Additional information is available on the Internet at pavisnet.capsea. She is shown with Program Chair Kris Fapore. In other news, Rotarians welcomed Al Neyman as a new member.

Fatal car crash

LEWIS RUN - A Bradford man died Sunday morning in a three-vehicle accident on U.S. Route 219 in Lafayette Township. State police from Kane identified the victim as Patrick G. Thompson, 53.

Police said Thompson was driving south at about 10:15, when, for an unknown reason, his car crossed into the northbound lane, just south of Lewis Run Borough, and struck a tractor-trailer head-on.

The truck pushed the car into the southbound lane, where it was struck by another southbound car, driven by Kristin Marie Strickland, 23, of Bradford. The other two drivers were not injured.

Fire investigated

RIDGWAY - State police from Ridgway and other authorities are investigating a fire which occurred at about 4:40 last Sunday morning at a home on Dewey Circle in Ridgway. The home is owned by Melissa and Gregory Cornwall.

Police said the fire originated on the rear porch of ranch home. Melissa J. Cornwell, 31, and two adult males were present inside the structure at the time of the fire, as were three children. One adult male had to be rescued by the fire company and transported to a hospital in Pittsburgh via medical helicopter.

Ridgway Borough Police confirmed that drug paraphernalia was found in the residence. The fire caused an estimated $125,000 in damage, police said.

Elk County election

RIDGWAY - Elk County voters elected a new county commissioner and a new sheriff in the municipal election. About 38 percent of the county's 20,038 registered voters turned out.

Former Commissioner Ronald T. Beimel, a Democrat, won a four-year term along with incumbents June Heigel Sorg (Democrat) and Dan Freeburg (Republican). Commissioner Christine Gavazzi did not seek reelection. Republican Bob Schmidt finished fourth with 2,507 votes.

Democrat Jeffrey C. Krieg won the sheriff 's race, outpolling Republican Joseph Burno Manno Sr., 5,534 to 1,743. Krieg succeeds Tom Kontes.

In the race for three four-year terms on the St. Marys City Council, incumbents Steven A. Skok and Denny Nero were reelected. Rick Gabler Jr. won the third seat. Bob Roberts finished fourth.

In the St. Marys Area School District, James Baumgratz defeated Timothy A. Hockman, 816-563, for a two-year term.

Budget approved

PORT ALLEGANY - An operating budget for 2008 has been approved by Port Allegany Borough Council. The $2.02 million budget calls for about $190,000 less in spending than this year's plan and freezes real estate taxes.

Residents will pay slightly higher fees for fire protection, street lighting and the library.

A $52 Emergency and Municipal Services Tax, or Local Service Tax, will apply to anyone working in the borough and having an annual income of more than $12,000.

Port A. gets extension

PORT ALLEGANY - State environmental officials have backed off on their original deadline for the Borough of Port Allegany to upgrade its sewage treatment plant. The borough now has two more years, until December 2010, to eliminate overloads and bypasses.

Port Allegany is already committed to a $4.5 million expansion of the sewage treatment plant and construction of a flood protection dike. That plan would require acquiring some land currently part of Indian Echo Golf Course, which has been closed since 2005.

Military support group

RIDGWAY - An Elk County woman is seeking additional volunteers from throughout northcentral Pennsylvania for the Military Family Support Group she has formed.

June Johnson of Ridgway first formed the MFSG when her son was serving in Kuwait.

"It's a non-profit group of concerned and caring people who meet to gather ideas to help our loved ones in the armed forces and support one another in these stressful times," Johnson said.

Current activities include writing notes to soldiers, sending holiday cards to veterans hospitals in Erie and Altoona, collecting coupons to send to military bases and creating posters to be hung at area businesses. Those interested in volunteering or looking for support may contact Johnson at 772-4170.

Business relocating

ST. MARYS - Work is progressing steadily on a site which will soon be the new home of Industrial Steel and Pipe Supply on Environmental Drive behind Quala-Die Inc. in St. Marys.

A 38,000 sq. ft. structure is planned, with opening forecasted for May 2008. After Industrial Steel relocates, the city will purchase the present site on Depot Street for construction of a parking garage.