AREA NEWS BRIEFS

Fiber loop approved

SMETHPORT - A Coudersport company has been retained to build a fiber-optic "ring" in McKean County to bring high-tech telecommunication services primarily to business and government users.

The McKean County Commissioners last week signed off on a construction and ownership agreement with Zito Media. The $1.1 million, 79-mile loop will be located primarily in McKean County, with small sections in neighboring counties.

It's being described by the commissioners as a publicprivate partnership to spur economic development. Construction of the loop will begin next month and should be completed by August. It will interconnect businesses and government offices in Bradford, Smethport, Kane, Eldred, Lewis Run, Port Allegany and the Bradford Regional Airport. Schools and health care facilities could also benefit.

Eventually, the high-speed data capabilities will be made available to residential users.

A Zito Media spokesman said the company would like to expand the fiber loop to Potter, Elk and Cameron counties.

Oil, gas wells drilled

MT. JEWETT - Leaseholders are starting to cash in on the oil and gas reserves they own in the Allegheny National Forest. At the same time timber harvests have declined, drilling of oil and gas wells is on the rise.

Companies holding subsurface rights have the authority to construct access roads to wells drilled in the 513,000-acre forest. This has raised protests from a citizens' group, the Allegheny Defense Project (ADP).

School needs roof

ST. MARYS -- St. Marys Area School Board members are sorting their options for replacement of the high school roof.

Rob Midford, project manager for contractor Weatherproofing Technologies Inc. of Beachwood, Ohio, said there are hundreds of bidding line items for a project as comprehensive as a new roof for a large school building.

Board members also heard from St. Marys native Scott Taylor, manufacture representative for Firestone Building Projects, who said his company would offer comprehensive warranties covering any defects.

Officials estimate that the roof project will take about six months to complete.

Charter school opposed

KANE - Economics are at the heart of the Kane Area School Board's opposition to a charter school being formed in Mt. Jewett.

Business Manager Steve Perry told board members that if the school draws 100 students from the district, the net loss to the operating budget would be upwards of $600,000. He said the school district would be obligated to pay $5,700 for every child attending the school, as well as $10,800 for each special education student. The district also would be responsible for transporting students.

Mt. Jewett Charter School Coalition plans to operate a charter school for prekindergarten through fifth grade. Kane Area School Board last week rejected the coalition's application. An appeal is now before the Pa. Board of Education.

Sent to state prison

CLEARFIELD - A racetrack operator who repeatedly slammed an occupied firetruck with his pickup last July has been sentenced to state prison.

Robert Delisle, who operates Gambler's Raceway Park in Lawrence Township, used his pickup to ram the firetruck, which was occupied by five members of Hyde Park Volunteer Fire Company. He was angered by the volunteers' refusal to stand by at the track after Delisle failed to pay the company.

Without fire protection available, that night's races had to be cancelled.

A jury convicted Delisle, a Clearfield resident, of assault, disorderly conduct and related charges. He was sentenced to eight months to four years in state prison and must pay restitution of more than $43,000.

One of the occupants who was injured in the incident testified at Delisle's sentencing hearing.

Delisle also took the witness stand, apologizing for his actions and claiming that did not realize the firetruck was occupied.

Gas driller pollutes

KUSHEQUA -- A natural gas drilling company has been cited for contaminating drinking water in the McKean County village of Kushequa last year.

Atlas Energy Resources is being fined for violating the state's Clean Streams Law and Oil and Gas Act after allowing gas to migrate into an underground storage tank for the village. The leak led to several explosions in a well on the Young Kinzua Lease in Hamlin Township.

Atlas operates more than 6,600 oil and gas wells in four states.

The community water well and two private wells were affected. Multiple companies have been drilling oil wells in the Kushequa area over the past several months.

Landfill stinks

RIDGWAY - Members of the Elk County Solid Waste Authority are trying to determine how to deal with a series of complaints about foul odors emanating from the landfill near Kersey.

Recycling/Solid Waste Coordinator Bekki Titchner told authority members that the number of complains is growing. She will further investigate what steps can be taken to eliminate the odors.

Titchner also recommended that the authority offer free tire recycling for a limited time and she reminded members that the organization will accept computers and other electronic items for recycling on Saturday, March 15.