Archive - Mar 2012 - News Article
March 16th
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Roger Steele, chairman of the Groundhog Festival Committee, said his members are “real close to putting on the best event ever.”
After dedicating “thousands” of volunteer hours, Steele said the committee has almost finalized this year’s festival schedule and is now looking for community sponsors.
“We’re fortunate to have great sponsors,” Advertising Chairperson Dee Lyle said. “People in the community help us out that way. They make it possible for us to put this on for the community. It’s basically what it comes down to.”
BROOKVILLE — Tuesday, the Jefferson County Commissioners proclaimed the week of March 26-30 as Weather Emergency Preparedness Week.
Tracy Zents, director of emergency services for Jefferson County, said the week is crucial in preparing the county’s residents for possible severe weather outbreaks.
“(We need) to be prepared to take immediate action in the event of bad weather,” he said.
Zents also said the timing of the proclamation is also important, because the county is more susceptible to thunderstorms and tornados during the spring.
March 15th
BROCKWAY — A recent update to Megan's Law, signed by Gov. Tom Corbett late last year, means sex offenders in Pennsylvania are now facing stricter registration and notification requirements.
A few aspects of the law, signed Dec. 20, took effect Feb. 18.
One of the changes that took effect deals with homeless offenders, and is a change about which the Rev. Jack Wisor, director of the Just for Jesus Homeless Ministry in Brockway, recently voiced concerns.
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Monday, the Punxsutawney Garden Club asked Punxsutawney Borough Council for help in replacing the hayracks that were removed from the light standards for the downtown traffic light replacement project.
“We feel the beautification projects the Garden Club manages throughout the year make a great deal of difference in adding to the charm of the community,” Garden Club President Gloria Kerr said.
She said there is a fear that to replace the hayracks on the new light standards might damage the new poles.
March 14th
WALSTON — Young Township sewage customers who become late on their sewer bills could find themselves knee-deep in something else.
Wednesday, the Young Township Board of Supervisors displayed its new sewage shut-off device to be used with late-paying sewage customers.
These devices will be used at the discretion of the township supervisors for the most delinquent sewage customers, Chairman Andrew Meterko said.
He said these devices will be installed after a 48-hour shut-off notice is given to the customer, and is in accordance with the township’s sewage rules and regulations.
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Goodwill has opened a new donation center in the Groundhog Plaza, near Burger King. The building was provided by Bob Johnson, of Johnson Motors in DuBois, and the space was provided by Joe Varacallo, of Developac Realty.
March 13th
PUNXSUTAWNEY — With the right bid, you could have the luck of the Irish this Saturday.
The Punxsutawney Rotary Club is going green for its annual Rotary Radio Auction, but that’s only because this year, the annual event lands on St. Patrick’s Day, again broadcast live from BFG Electroplating on WPXZ-FM 104.1.
“It’s on St. Patrick’s Day, and everyone has to wear green when they’re calling in to bid, or we just have to paint everything green before it goes out,” said Rotarian Tom Chelgren.
TROUTVILLE — A dryer fire caused $100,000 in damage to a Troutville family’s home located along Walnut Street Monday.
“It was a working fire when the alarm was first reported by a neighbor at 8:53 p.m.,” Brady Township Fire Chief Russ Perks said.
Perks said flames were coming from the back of the residence — which is owned by Joan DuBeck — when firefighters arrived.
Perks said the tankers were refilled at Weis’ pond.
BIG RUN — It’s no surprise, when one thinks of it.
John London, Big Run’s official “Frog Man,” said Tuesday, “If you take all those dates, add them up and divide and look at the average ... the average date is March 19, which is very close to the first day of spring.”
Tuesday morning, London reported that his friend, Bob Fisher, heard the peepers in the Big Run swamp peeping around 9:30 p.m. Monday, March 12 — just eight days before the official first day of spring, March 20.
“He said they peeped last night, but didn’t croak,” London said.
March 12th
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Work has resumed on the downtown traffic light project, with the cement contractor replacing curb ramps.
Borough Manager Ben White said at Monday’s Punxsy Borough Council meeting that the last of the curb ramps will be constructed this week.
Power Contracting will also resume installing the new traffic signals in preparation for activation within the next few weeks, he said.
