REGIONAL NEWS BRIEFS

Galeton facelift continues

GALETON -- Major construction in downtown Galeton resumed last week.

According to PennDOT, an ambitious community development project along U.S. Rt. 6 will cause traffic re-routing for several months.

Work last year included the demolition of seven buildings, drainage improvements, construction of retaining walls, sidewalk improvements and landscaping.

This season's work will include roadway widening and paving, street lighting, installation of a new traffic signal, sidewalk improvements, and landscaping.

A. L. Blades & Sons of Hornell is the contractor for the $3.8 million job. Detours will be in effect through September.

WoodMobile coming

JOHNSONBURG -- A traveling overview of Pennsylvania's $17 billion hardwoods industry will be making a stop in Johnsonburg on Tuesday, April 29.

The new WoodMobile exhibit was a gift of the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association, with assistance from many organizations across the state, including Penn-York Lumbermen's Club of Cameron County.

In its sixth season, the museum teaches about lumber products, history, and forest management. The van will also be featured July 5-6 during the Bark Peelers Convention at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Potter County.

School tax increase

ST. MARYS -- St. Marys Area School Board is considering a modest real estate tax increase to fund the district's 2008-09 operating budget.

Higher costs of natural gas and electricity, as well as maintenance projects, have increased district expenses, according to School Superintendent Murray Neeper. He recommended a one-mill increase in taxes.

Teacher and other professional salaries account for 57 percent of the budget.

Dam remains sound

RIDGWAY -- Elk County Commissioners met with Emergency Management Director Michael A. McAllister for an update on the East Branch Dam.

McAllister said that despite warnings issued after a recent U.S. Army Corps of Engineers inspection, the dam is in good shape.

County solicitor Tom Wagner criticized the Corps for "causing unnecessary and significant anxiety and fear."

"There's no evidence that there's been any change at the dam in 50 years," Wagner said.

Enterprise zone

DuBOIS - Three Clearfield County local governments are investigating development of an "enterprise zone" to stimulate economic development. The joint study by Sandy Township, the City of DuBois and Falls Creek Borough is being coordinated by Sandy Township Manager Dick Castonguay.

He said the region's chronic unemployment and depressed incomes would help it to qualify for the state program.

Businesses and industries locating in the zone would qualify for low-interest loans. As these were paid off, those funds would be re-loaned to other businesses.

BPW dinner Thursday

GALETON -- Popular folk band Jakob's Hollow will perform at the Galeton Business and Professional Women's Club annual dinner, set for 6 pm Thursday at the Galeton Area High School gym.

Tickets are $20 and are available at Galeton Drug, Delores Potter Beauty Salon, Richar Finance or by calling 435-6616.

Proceeds benefit community projects and an education fund for young women.

New veterans home

PORT ALLEGANY -- Work continues on a new Veterans Memorial Home on Rt. 155, between Port Allegany and Emporium.

It will replace a headquarters that burned last year. A foundation has been laid and other work is being performed at the joint home of the local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars chapters. Caulkins Construction is the contractor.

A leek supper will be held as a fund-raiser on May 3 at the VFW Pavilion.

Contract cafeteria work?

JOHNSONBURG - A proposal by the Johnsonburg Area School Board to bring in a contractor for cafeteria services has raised the ire of labor unions in the district.

Board members heard complaints from one union representing 11 cafeteria workers last week. They're considering contracting with a Pittsburgh firm, Nutrition Inc., to save money.

Union representatives cited the impact the decision would have on local families who depend on the cafeteria jobs for income and benefits.

Board members countered that contracting could save the district upwards of $35,000 a year and ensure that quality, nutritional and health standards were met.

Mistaken identity

FORKSVILLE -- More than a dozen people received medical treatment on Sunday after mistakenly eating skunk cabbage, under the assumption that it was leeks.

Forksville Fire Chief Randy Rosbach reported that 14 victims, ranging from children to those in their sixties, ate the noxious weed during a gathering on Wilcox Road. Paramedics and emergency medical technicians were dispatched to the scene. Victims were treated at hospitals in Williamsport, Towanda and Danville.

Water rule protested

RIDGWAY - Some homeowners are protesting a Ridgway Township ordinance requiring them to hook into the municipal water system. They took their case to the Ridgway Township Municipal Authority and the Board of Township Supervisors this week.

Speaking for the group of residents from along Rt. 120, Kathie Muth said the township was wrong to require residents to drink fluoridated and chlorinated water. She said a primary reason she and her husband purchased their residence was because of available spring water.

Muth said she is prepared to sue and she criticized township officials for investing in water line extensions to people who did not want the service.

Hot topic in St. Marys

ST. MARYS - Some area residents remain upset about high temperatures in the St. Marys High School classrooms. Candy Eckert, speaking on behalf of concerned parents, brought the issue to the attention of the St. Marys Area School Board this week.

She provided an information packet outlining the impact of high temperatures on students. Eckert noted that temperatures reach upwards of 90 degrees throughout second floor classrooms, making children vulnerable heat stroke, exhaustion, dehydration and other health effects.

She complained that the school administration has failed to address the issue for two years.

A board spokesman said consultants have been contacted, but no acceptable solution has been found. He added that a temperature control system quoted last year would have cost more than $1.1 million.