Archive - Dec 2011 - News Article
December 20th
BROOKVILLE â About 100 Brockway and Snyder Township residents and public officials attended a hearing Monday at the Jefferson County Courthouse pertaining to the Just for Jesus (JFJ) Challenge Homeless Outreach Ministry in Snyder Township.
The hearing was held jointly by the Jefferson County Commission and the Snyder Township Board of Supervisors, co-chaired by Ed Ferraro, Snyder Township solicitor, and James Dennison, county and Brookville Borough solicitor.
December 19th
BROOKVILLE â The large courtroom in the Jefferson County Courthouse was filled to near capacity Monday when residents of Snyder Township and Brockway attended a public hearing that addressed community concerns with the Just For Jesus Group Home, located in Snyder Township.
The Jefferson County Commissioners called the meeting in conjunction with the Snyder Township Supervisors to discuss the Just For Jesus ministry group home's ability to provide proper housing for its residents.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â A Punxsutawney resident recently shared his concerns with Punxsutawney Borough Council about PennDOT's new downtown traffic light system.
Joe Ferrara, of Church Street, expressed concern about cones set up in the middle of the sidewalk at every intersection, as well as two-inch conduit protruding about 18 inches above the sidewalk surface with wires.
Ferrara said that he was told by now-former council member Roger Steele that there would be control cabinets installed on the sidewalk.
December 18th
PUNXSUTAWNEY â Punxsutawney Borough Council bid farewell to three exiting members, the fire chief and a retiring firefighter at last Monday's meeting.
Donna Lellock, Robert Reesman and Roger Steele attended their final meeting last Monday, as three new members will join council. The term of Punxsutawney Fire Department Chief Paul Hense expires at the end of the year, and Lindsey firefighter Joe Gianvito is retiring from active duty.
"We're not losing these people, as they will continue to serve the community in different ways," council President Susan Glessner said.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â The Grace Place Apartments at the corner of Pine and North Gilpin streets officially opened for business Friday, as the ribbon was cut by a host of dignitaries.
"It's an honor to be standing in this place, thanks to a few people who had a vision," Rev. James E. Steingrass, president of the Jefferson Area Lutheran Social Ministry (JALSM) said prior to Friday's ceremony.
(The Spirit is pleased to share with our readers vignettes of life in the 19th century as originally reported in past issues of the newspapers. These reproduced stories include their original headlines and spelling.)
Local Intelligence
(April 22, 1896)
Setting a Good Example
December 16th
PUNXSUTAWNEY â In what has become a Punxsy holiday tradition â right up there with snowflake lights and the Barclay Square Christmas tree â local residentsâ donations again topped those from last year during the Make-A-Wish Foundationâs annual âLight Up a Childâs Lifeâ campaign.
As of early Friday evening, the tally for the week-long 2011 campaign was $79,447.86, topping the 2010 total of $73,285.
ANITA â Just ask Chris Moore, because thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, kids facing battles similar to his should be careful what they wish for.
After Chris, who as been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, and his family learned that he was eligible for a wish, his mother, Tammy, brought the paperwork to Wish Assistant Polly Mills.
Millsâ question to the family was, when they would like to see Chrisâ wish fulfilled.
âI didnât realize that was how it worked,â Tammy said. âI thought it had to be approved by a board of some kind.â
December 15th
PUNXSUTAWNEY â For Dan Prutznal, it can be tough being a Green Bay Packers fan in Steelers Country.
âLast week, someone brought in a copy of Sports Illustrated, and in the cafeteria, where I eat lunch with the kids, I held it up,â showing a piece about the Packers, he said. âThe kids were just hollering: âBoo, Packers,â âI donât like the Packers.â Every time they see me ... itâs all in good fun.â
PUNXSUTAWNEY â In times of tragedy, Drinda and Brian Smith believe it is good for people to get together and interact with others to begin the healing process.
A little over a month has gone by since the tragic passings of Joel Riggleman â Drinda and Brian's son â Dylan "Shorty" Behrendt and Sean McConnaughey in a single-vehicle accident Nov. 12 in Armstrong County.
