Archive - News Article

Judge sentences Overbeck to 19 1/2 to 40 years in prison for Big Run arsons

May 16, 2012

BROOKVILLE — Wednesday, Judge John H. Foradora sentenced a former Big Run Volunteer Fire Department member to 19 1/2 to 40 years in a state correctional facility on numerous arson charges.

Anthony Overbeck, Big Run, was arrested Aug. 10, 2011, and charged with a number of crimes that included arson and related offenses in connection with a fire at a two-story unoccupied residence at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Union Street in Big Run. He also confessed to seven other fires that occurred in the Big Run area last year, including one that destroyed Big Run Carpet June 19, 2011.

Police: Enforcing new anti-texting law almost impossible

May 16, 2012

BROOKVILLE — After two months, local police officials say the state’s new ban on texting is nearly impossible to enforce.

Locally, Brookville Borough Police and Punxsutawney Borough Police officers have not issued any texting-ban citations.

And statewide, the Pennsylvania State Police have issued only 44 citations since Gov. Tom Corbett’s new law went into effect March 8.

Program cuts at Jeff Tech will affect 27 students

May 16, 2012

REYNOLDSVILLE — As another school year is ending, some students at Jeff Tech are not wondering about their summer plans, but about what course of study to pursue next year.

May 3, the Jeff Tech Operating Committee voted unanimously to eliminate the marketing/retailing and lumbering programs offered at Jeff Tech.

This action affects 27 undergraduate students.

Council OKs rezoning request for new one-stop medical facility

May 15, 2012

PUNXSUTAWNEY — Monday, Punxsutawney Borough Council approved a request to rezone the area of Prushnok Drive from industrial to town center commercial to accommodate the planned construction of a new health care facility in that area.

The zoning change had already been approved by the Planning Commission.

Cyclist stops in Punxsy as part of Canada-to-Florida trip to fight cancer

May 15, 2012

PUNXSUTAWNEY — Call it a very intense training regiment.

Twenty-two-year old Mathieu Krsnik, of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, has visited Boston and locations in New York state, but he hopes to see much more — all before the second weekend in June — of the United States on a cycling trip all the way to Florida.

Board president explains Jeff Tech program decision

May 15, 2012

Board president explains Jeff Tech program decision
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Monday, Punxsutawney Area School Board President Gary Conrad confirmed that the Jeff Tech Joint Operating Committee voted unanimously to discontinue its lumbering and marketing/retailing programs, but plans to offer other shops in their places.

Facing declining enrollment and funding issues, the committee voted to
discontinue the programs May 3.

Sherry to fill council vacancy

May 14, 2012

PUNXSUTAWNEY — Punxsutawney Borough Council appointed Jaime Sherry of Highland Avenue, Punxsy, as the newest council member to succeed Robert Reesman, who was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Susan Glessner after her resignation earlier this year.

Reesman recently resigned because he was moving out of the borough.
Council President Larry Chenoga said Sherry was the first person to submit her application for the position, and that was the order in which council would vote on the candidates.

PASD board gives preliminary OK for budget

May 14, 2012

PUNXSUTAWNEY — Monday, the Punxsutawney Area School Board approved its preliminary 2012-13 budget.

The preliminary budget calls for revenues of $34,361,096 in revenue — an increase of $1,498,602 over the 2011-12 budget — which includes funds that were taken away last year by the state but have since been restored.
The proposed spending plan also calls for $39,399,198 in expenses — an increase of $685,446, a 1.77 percent increase over last year.

CYS board honors two couples as Foster Parents of the Year

May 14, 2012

PUNXSUTAWNEY — Monday, foster parents throughout Jefferson County were recognized during the annual Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner at the Punxsutawney Country Club.

Foster parents, board members and local dignitaries all gathered to honor the dedication and care that foster parents provide to youngsters.

The event, hosted by the Jefferson County Children & Youth Services (CYS) Advisory Board, is held in May every year as part of Foster Parent Appreciation Month.

With warm weather here, residents reminded of code violations

May 13, 2012

PUNXSUTAWNEY — It's that time of year to dust off the lawnmowers and cut the grass — and property owners who don't will be hearing from Punxsutawney code enforcement officer Mary McHenry.

"The lawn mowing season began a little bit earlier than last year with the warm weather back in March, which has caused grass mowing violations to start early,” McHenry said.

Many people have mowed their grass a couple of times already, which causes those who haven't to stick out.