REGIONAL NEWS BRIEFS

District opposes tests

ST. MARYS -- St. Marys Area School Board has passed a resolution opposing a state plan to make students pass a competency test as a requirement for graduation.

School directors are concerned about the rule's impact on curriculum, professional development and expenses.

Board members also approved the long-discussed high school roof replacement at a cost of $2.15 million. Weatherproofing Technologies Inc. is the general contractor.

Airport targets Elk Co.

BRADFORD -- Bradford Regional Airport officials are targeting residents of Elk County with a marketing campaign. They hope to lure travelers who might be using other airports, including executives from the powdered metal industry.

The marketing campaign will later focus on Cameron and Potter counties.

Airport officials believe the facility is more appealing now that it has changed its hub city from Pittsburgh to Washington DC. United Airlines, under which the airport's carrier, Colgan Air Inc., flies, offers non-stop service from Washington to China.

New library planned

PORT ALLEGANY - A new library is in the works for Port Allegany. The Friends of the Library have pledged their support.

The larger library will have more space for a children's section and teen area, a community room, public lounge, and work space for the librarians. Technology services will be expanded.

Community groups are being asked to hold fund-raisers to support the new S. W. Smith Memorial Public Library. Board members are also applying for a $500,000 state grant.

'Kanefest' cancelled

KANE - Committee members last week decided to cancel the "Kanefest" event in Kane Borough.

Limited finances and anticipated increases in expenses, coupled with other festivals taking place in nearby communities, prompted the decision.

A public forum is scheduled for April 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Kane Area Community Center to discuss ideas for a community festival.

Ethanol plant

CLEARFIELD - A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Clearfield County Technology Park for the Bionol Clearfield ethanol plant.

Gov. Ed Rendell was among the guest speakers. He said Pennsylvania stands to benefit from broader production of corn-based ethanol and cellulose ethanol.

With $22 million in grants and loans from the state, the Bionol project closed debt financing of $205 million in February.

The corn-based ethanol plant is projected to begin operations in late 2009. A pilot cellulose plant is expected to open in 2010.

Bionol Clearfield will produce 108 million gallons of ethanol per year. It will be sold to Getty Petroleum and Marketing.

The plant will annually process about 40 million bushels of corn, supplied by rail from the Midwest. By-product grains will be sold to the cattle, poultry and pork markets.

Crackdown on dumping

SMETHPORT -- The McKean County Commissioners are cracking down on illegal dumping.

Jim Clark of Pa. CleanWays and McKean County Recycling Coordinator Mary Williams recently met with the board to discuss solid waste issues.

Clark said one illegal dumpsite on Pine Grove Road in Annin Township, near the Allegheny River, defies solutions. County officials discussed increasing patrols and mounting a surveillance camera at the site.

Violators face a fine of between $300 to $1,000 plus costs.

'Letters From Home'

ST. MARYS -- A regional "Letters From Home" program is making arrangements for another shipment of care packages to hundreds of soldiers serving overseas.

Anyone interested in helping Letters From Home should call Christine Jovenitti at 965- 5118.

Next shipment is set for April 20. Boxes will be filled on that day at the Sacred Heart Activity Center in St. Marys starting at 12:30 p.m. Volunteers are welcome.

New entrance planned

JOHNSONBURG - Entrance of a landmark building in downtown Johnsonburg will be restored as part of a partnership between the borough and the Pa. Historic and Museum Commission.

Plans for the work at the Johnsonburg Community Center were announced this week.

Under the state agency's guidance, the main entrance will be renovated to duplicate its original appearance, complete with cement pillars, native stone steps, and an attractive porch.

State funds will cover about 85 percent of the project cost. The borough will pay $10,000 and Elk County has agreed to use part of its Elk County Community Development Block Grant to cover the remainder.

Construction work will be put out for bids and the project will likely be completed by December.

The four story brick and concrete structure was built in 1920 by the New York & Pennsylvania Company, which owned the Johnsonburg paper mill, as a donation to the community. It remains one of the main gathering places for Johnsonburg residents. The building has a gym, ballroom, walking track, exercise area, kitchen, swimming pool, coffee shop, art gallery, photography studio and history museum.