News briefs from the area

Drug raid conducted

BRADFORD - McKean County Drug Task Force performed a raid at a hotel on South Avenue in Bradford last weekend.

District Attorney John Pavlock and Sheriff Brad Mason said the raid resulted in drug charges being filed against 19-year-old Percy Turner of Buffalo as well as two Bradford women, Tonya Bennett and Misty McCullen.

Police said they seized "a substantial amount" of crack cocaine and other illegal narcotics.

Overheated classrooms

ST. MARYS - A second school building in the St. Marys Area School District is too hot, causing students to be uncomfortable and inhibiting their learning, according to some parents.

School board members last week discussed complaints about excessive heat at the Fox Township Elementary School. Earlier, they agreed to take steps to reduce temperatures at the South St. Marys Street Elementary School.

Two parents of affected children urged the board to take corrective measures, even if they are costly. They pointed out that even when the weather is cold, the school classrooms are so hot that teachers routinely open the windows. Board member Jim Herzing said he had determined that some classrooms have temperatures of as high as 86 degrees.

The board took no action, but vowed to continue investigating.

Tax hike approved

JOHNSONBURG - Taxes are going up in Johnsonburg, based on a 2008 operating budget approved last week by Borough Council.

The real estate tax will rise by one-half mill. Revenue derived from the higher tax will be used primarily to replace the borough's 40-year-old streetlights.

A final vote on the borough's $1.7 million budget is expected in December.

Winery opens

SHEFFIELD - A new business, Allegheny Cellars Winery, has opened in Warren County.

It's owned by Alan Chapel and located along U.S. Rt. 6 in Sheffield. Chapel said he expects the winery to be an attraction for tourists.

He is using white and red grapes from various vineyards in the northeastern U.S. Chapel is also offering collectible bottles bearing local names for different flavors.

Chinese being taught

SMETHPORT - Smethport High School students will be able to learn Mandarin, the Chinese language, starting in January, through an Internetbased class offered by Seton Hill University.

Credits earned in high school will be transferable to some colleges. Next year, the school will add Arabic, Japanese and Russian through the affiliation with Seton Hill. Expenses will be paid for through a state grant.

Airport budget approved

BRADFORD - Bradford Regional Airport Authority approved a $528,772 budget last week that will not require additional spending from participating counties.

Additional revenue from timber sales and oil and gas wells have helped the authority avoid having to seek higher county allotments. McKean County's share is $168,000. Elk County will contribute $24,445 and Cameron County will pay $5,432.

Airport officials believe a change of hub cities from Pittsburgh to Washington will spur an increase in the number of travelers using the airport. Meanwhile, officials are attempting to boost economic development on airport grounds with the creation of a multi-tenant center.

School project progresses

DuBOIS - A multi-million dollar project in the DuBois Area School District is nearly complete. Work includes new athletic fields, tennis courts and a new all-weather track, new parking lots and drainage. A wetlands mitigation area has also been established.

Neeper returning

ST. MARYS - Members of the St. Marys Area School Board last week agreed to extend the contract of School Superintendent Murray Neeper through June 2011.

Members also agreed to support the proposed Western Pennsylvania Conservancy land acquisition project in Jay Township, to remediate acid mine drainage in the area.

School plan progresses

KANE - Design plans for the new elementary and middle school building in Kane are moving forward.

Architects have recently met with school officials to discuss the proposed building plans.

A public hearing is slated on Dec. 3 to provide information on the general scope of the project. School officials hope to solicit construction bids next summer and construction could begin by October 2008.

Brine discharged

CORYDON TWP. - The investigation into the devastating discharge of brine in a section of the Allegheny National Forest remains under investigation.

An employee of Dallas- Morris Drilling Inc. whose identity has not been made public dumped the contaminated water along Forest Service Road 173A in Corydon Township, McKean County, on June 14.

The resultant destruction of trees and other plant life wasn't evident until weeks later. The discharged destroyed about $25,000 worth of timber.

I-80 tolls opposed

DuBOIS - A public hearing on the proposal to place tolls on Interstate 80 served as a rallying session for opponents of the plan.

About 125 people turned out at the DuBois Country Club to voice their opposition during a hearing held by McCormick Taylor, the engineering firm picked by the state to implement the tolls.

No one spoke in favor of the tolls. Federal approval is needed before Pennsylvania can proceed with the plan. Studies on economic impact, traffic diversion and social and environmental effects must first be conducted. Tolls could go into effect as early as 2010.

Under a measure approved by the state legislature, toll revenue would be spent on maintenance of Interstate 80 and on highway and bridge projects across the state.

Treasure Lake Borough?

DuBOIS - A committee representing property owners is investigating whether a borough should be formed in a section of Sandy Township known as Treasure Lake. The committee will discuss the comments from recent public meetings and make a recommendation to the board of directors. A petition for incorporation could be filed with the Court of Common Pleas by March.

New senior center

BYRNEDALE - The village of Bennetts Valley is getting a new senior center and community hall. Plans call for a $500,000 building to be constructed on Plum Street, St. Joseph's Terrace near Route 255.

A senior center now in operation services about 70 members from Jay, Benezette and Huston townships.