It was the news: stories of 2007 TOP

Waterways and wetlands that were damaged in a June 2006 lye spill will benefit from a landmark settlement between the state and Norfolk Southern Railway.

A large part of the $7.35 million settlement will support environmental restoration work. Norfolk Southern completed cleanup and will continue monitoring the restoration efforts.

The June 2006 spill occurred near Gardeau, McKean County, and wiped out fish and aquatic life in Big Fill Hollow and an 11- mile segment of Sinnemahoning Portage Creek in Cameron County. It also affected the fisheries in the Driftwood Branch of Sinnemahoning Creek.

Train engineer Michael Seifert faces trial for risking a catastrophe and reckless endangerment.

2 Consolidation plan voted down

Cameron County went back to the drawing board after a revolutionary plan to drastically restructure local government through a home-rule charter was shot down by township and borough officials.

Only two of the county's seven municipalities were in favor of putting the issue before voters countywide. One study found that expenses could be reduced across the county by as much as $500,000 a year if the township and borough governments were dissolved and replaced with a consolidated system.

Acres of land were littered with mangled train cars and their contents following a derailment in the summer of 2006. Norfolk Southern, the responsible company, spent millions restoring the wild area in which the crash occurred and then in 2007 agreed to a settlement that cost them another $7.35 million. Opponents countered that the home rule charter would lead to less local government representation. The plan called for a nine-member countywide council to be elected. The offices of county commissioner, township supervisor, borough council member, mayor and several others would have been eliminated.

3 Population Plummet

A mid-census report confirmed what many had suspected: job losses and an aging population resulted in steady population decreases for Cameron County through the first half of the decade.

In June 2005 then-District Attorney Tommy Tompkins, right, invited reporters to his office to discuss local law enforcement's plan 'war on drugs.' In the two years following, dozens of arrests were made, but Tompkins didn't get the opportunity to prosecute many of them. He did not run for re-election and stepped down last week. In this file photo, reporters Bruce Whitman (foreground) and James Meade listen as Tompkins lays out the enforcement plan. A report from the Pa. Data Center pegged the population at 5,489 as of July 2006, a dropoff of more than eight percent from the July 2000 figure of 5,974. At the same time, more retirees are relocating to the region and more high school graduates are moving away, a larger proportion of long-time residents are reaching the end of their life expectancy.

4 Drug arrests reveal extent of problem

A task force that had been gathering evidence of drug law violations rounded up more than a dozen suspects in arrests that sent shock waves through the community. Arrests resulted from a combined effort of Emporium Borough Police, Pa. State Police and a regional drug task force.

The Emporium NAPA store, a long time fixture in the community, was completely destroyed by fire on Dec. 6. Emporium Volunteer Fire Department and companies from around the area who helped battle the blaze are credited with saving an adjacent building. Investigators determined that an electrical malfunction started the fire in a wall cavity on the second floor. Owner Dave Stewart hasn't decided if he'll rebuild. Marijuana and cocaine were identified as the most widely abused drugs in the county. Abuse of prescription drugs is also a major concern. The crackdown sparked debate about the roles of law enforcement, religious leaders and professional counselors in detecting and responding to drug abuse.

5 New commissioners, DA elected

The year 2008 brings major changes in some of Cameron County's most influential public offices. Newcomers JoAnn Smith and Phil Jones join incumbent Glen Fiebig as the new board of county commissioners.

Veteran commissioners Tony Moscato and Patrick Rodgers opted not to run for re-election. Long-time Cameron County District Attorney Tommy Tompkins changed his mind and decided not to seek reelection. Paul Malizia replaces him.

6 County reaches out for help

Rising expenses forced the county commissioners to raise taxes from 21 to 25 mills in 2007.

More favorable economic conditions, including higher "in-lieu of taxes" payments for state-owned land, kept the tax rate the same for 2008. Concerned about the county's long-term future, the commissioners contracted with Susquehanna Group Advisors for financial consulting.

7 New Driftwood bridge

After 65 years of use and several years of planning, the one-lane bridge on Route 555 in the southern Cameron County village of Driftwood is finally targeted for replacement.

Weebull's Steakhouse Bar & Grill and the Masonic lodge are both scheduled for demolition. A landmark monument honoring the Bucktails brigade from the Civil War will not be disturbed. The bridge was shut down in September so crews could make emergency repairs. It re-opened with a 13-ton weight limit.

The new structure will accommodate heavier vehicles and better serve local industries, tourists and residents. Clearwater Construction Inc. of Mercer plans to start the work in February.

8 Emergency services

Cameron County improved its emergency services in 2007. A new radio communications tower on Grove Hill expanded emergency communications coverage.

Meanwhile, Advanced Life Support (ALS) was introduced by Cameron County Ambulance Service. It covers Emporium Borough as well as Shippen, Lumber and Portage townships with paramedics and a roster of over 30 people, some on staff and others as volunteers.

9 Fewer deer, more elk

While the deer herd in Cameron County continued to decline in numbers, the state put a heavier emphasis on the Pennsylvania elk herd, found predominantly in Elk and Cameron counties.

Pa. Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources announced a 30-year deal with Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to build and operate an Elk Visitors Center on Winslow Hill in Elk County. It should be open by spring 2009.

10 Downtown changes

The Rite Aid pharmacy and convenience store chain came to Emporium, while Lundberg Pharmacy on Fourth Street closed. After an initial bidder backed out, Emporium Borough sold the former Tino's Italian Restaurant building at Fourth and Broad streets - formerly the town library.

It will become headquarters of GTC Computers. Meanwhile, the former Puff tobacco outlet was renovated and opened as Aroma Bakery and Cafe. HONORABLE MENTION:

NAPA Fire

Fate of the NAPA Auto Parts site in downtown Emporium remains uncertain. A roaring fire in December caused heavy damage. Owner Dave Stewart said he has not yet decided whether he'll rebuild at the Fourth Street location or choose another option.

Volunteer firefighters from Emporium and surrounding communities saved the adjacent Midtowne Sports Bar and Grill and its upstairs apartments during a lengthy battle under frigid conditions.

Boost in natural gas leases

Natural gas companies are looking to tap into Cameron County's vast reserves. The DEP issued a modern-day record number of permits for drilling in 2007. Three factors have fallen into place to attract gas producers: higher prices, increased demand and improved extraction technology. Drillers are interested in shallow natural gas caches that were originally explored a quarter-century ago. Pockets of gas located in remote areas of Cameron County were not economical to tap in prior years.

Downtown flooding

addressed

Borough officials got to the root of the flooding problems in downtown Emporium, removing sediment and debris that had built up in underground piping and making other adjustments to improve drainage.

Tom Mix Homestead sold

A final chapter was written in Cameron County's connection with the late movie and western rodeo cowboy, Tom Mix. The property where Mix was born and spent his early childhood was sold and converted to a campground. A variety of Tom Mix memorabilia is on display at the Little Museum at Sterling Run.

Felt Manor wing opens

A new Assisted Living Wing opened at Guy and Mary Felt Manor in downtown Emporium. Ten residents can be accommodated.

It addresses a growing demand for supervised living facilities in an era when the Cameron County population is steadily aging. Felt Manor also renovated its 40-bed nursing home. Estimated price tag of the two projects was $3 million.

Day Care Opens

St. Mark Church opened a public day care center, addressing a need that existed for several years. In many households, both parents work and quality day care service has been difficult for many to obtain.

Aversa out; Reed in

Donald "Stretch" Reed replaced Rob Aversa as Emporium Borough Manager. Aversa was relieved of his duties during a heated Emporium Borough Council meeting.

He had held the post since June 2004. Among his opponents' complaints was Aversa's unilateral action to bring a Ridgway-based Advanced Life Support operation to Emporium, which was seen by some as an affront to Cameron County Ambulance Service Inc.

School administration

shuffle

Cameron County Area School Board members established several temporary positions to temporarily cover for the 2006 departure of Superintendent Dr. Stephen Bugaj and the resignation of High School Principal Myron Crumrine in 2007.

Board members said they'll hire Clyde Moate as the new superintendent of schools as soon as he is certified. In the meantime, Moate, Carl Mitchell, Lynn Newcomer and Bill Floyd hold down temporary positions that allow the district to meet state requirements.

Arson verdicts: guilty

Jurors convicted the man accused of setting his southern Cameron County business on fire more than five years ago to collect an insurance claim. John Floyd Carey Sr. was found guilty of arson, insurance fraud and mail fraud after a trial in U.S. Middle District Court, Williamsport. In a separate arson case, a mother and son from Emporium face prison terms for conspiring to burn a home in Bradford to qualify for welfare payments. That blaze spread to three adjacent structures. Debra Miczo and son Terry Bornheimer must also pay $200,000 in restitution.

Baseball team makes

final four

Cameron County's high school baseball team came within a whisker of advancing into the state championship game, losing to rival Johnsonburg in the PIAA Semifinals. Many of the same athletes were members of a varsity football team that claimed the Allegheny Mountain League North Division title.