REGIONAL NEWS BRIEFS

Drug arrests

SMETHPORT -- More than a dozen alleged drug dealers were apprehended last week in McKean County. The busts came as a result of a McKean County Drug Task Force investigation dating back several months and spearheaded by District Attorney John Pavlock.

Fourteen suspects were taken into custody in Bradford and Kane. At least four more arrests are imminent, Pavlock said.

Most of the suspects are facing charges of selling crack cocaine, prescription drugs and/or marijuana, he added.

Charter school delayed

MT. JEWETT -- Mount Jewett Charter School will not open until at least the 2009-10 school year, due to uncertainties on the school's legal status.

Kane Area School Board has challenged the charter school's application for state certification and the case could continue into September.

As a result of the delay, students from the Mt. Jewett area will be bused to Kane for classes. The former Mt. Jewett Elementary School remains closed.

'Jesus Power'

KERSEY - "Jesus Power Explosion" continues through Sunday at the Elk County Fairgrounds in Kersey. Renowned evangelist Mark Swiger is guest speaker for the weekend, with programs each night at 7.

Several area churches are supporting the Christian rally, which includes faith healing and training for mentors. Rev. Bill Braley of Living Waters Church in Ridgway is the organizer.

Ridgway plan continues

RIDGWAY - Development the Ridgway Riverfront Conservation and Development Project continues. A landscape architect, Roy B. Mann, has been drawing up plans to transform the riverfront into an area that would attract visitors and host cultural activities. Mann plans to present a first draft of the plan to Ridgway Borough Council in a public meeting next month.

ANF cutbacks aired

KANE - Cuts in federal funds to manage the Allegheny National Forest have offi cials looking for services that can be reduced or eliminated. ANF managers recently held two public meetings to discuss the matter.

One area targeted for cost reductions is Kinzua Beach. If the plan moves forward, a wastewater system, including shower rooms, along with a concession stand would be eliminated. Private sector partners would be solicited to develop a new facility, connected to the Wolf Run Marina system.

Similar arrangements are being considered for development of cabins, lodges, restaurants and other facilities near the Allegheny Reservoir.

Officials say choices will be difficult, but the idea is to save money by cutting facilities close to other similar ones, closing little-used facilities, and saving on reduced maintenance costs.

Much of the forest's recreation site infrastructure was built in the 1960s. The 800- square-mile national forest lies in Elk, Forest, McKean and Warren counties.

Treasure Lake Borough?

DuBOIS - Many residents of the Treasure Lake planned residential and recreational community outside of DuBois are pushing a plan to establish the village as a borough.

Incorporation would be required, severing the area from Sandy Township. Members of the Treasure Lake Property Owners Association have met with township officials and the Clearfield County Board of Commissioners to discuss the plan.

Property owners must petition the Common Pleas Court to begin the process. During the incorporation process, the residents would have to demonstrate that the new borough would be able to provide services, such as police and fire coverage, road maintenance and fiscal management.

Sandy Township Supervisors oppose the action, which would cost the township some $1.18 million annually in taxes at current rates. Residents of Treasure Lake also pay a $692 annual assessment to the association.

Driving the move to become a borough is deterioration of the village's infrastructure. Majority of the roads in Treasure Lake are in need of repair. Buildings and lakes are deteriorating, while maintenance equipment is in need of replacement. Sandy Township is prohibited by law from providing the services, due to the Treasure Lake property's private status.

If Treasure Lake became a borough, its gate would come down, major roads would become public and deed restrictions would have to be adjusted.

Oil drilling planned

WARREN - An energy company plans to exercise its rights to drill in sections of the Allegheny National Forest. Although the forest itself is federally owned, most of the gas, oil and mineral rights are privately owned.

PAPCO Inc. of Warren owns those rights on about 300 acres of land near the Rimrock Overlook and wants to drill for natural gas near the recreation trail and picnic area off Rt. 59, between Warren and Bradford.

Recreation and environmental groups are opposed. The U.S. Forest Service will have 15 days to file an objection with the Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection once PAPCO files a permit application.

A PAPCO spokesman confi rmed that upwards of 150 wells could be drilled over a 1,000-acre section that includes the Rimrock Overlook area. The production would require that several roads be created through the forest to reach the well sites.

Top shooters compete

RIDGWAY - Elk County played host to a major shooting sports competition this week.

The National Rifle Association held its Silhouette National Championships at the Ridgway Rifle Club.

There were 170 competitors in the smallbore rifle division and nearly 160 in the smallbore hunting rifle category.

Shooters came from Australia, Canada, California, Missouri, Texas, Tennessee, Montana, New Mexico and several other states.