Archive - News Article
June 15th, 2011
PUNXSUTAWNEY â Punxsutawney Borough Council discussed the proposed Sawmill Run bridge replacement Monday, with a consensus that closing areas of West Mahoning Street completely for three months was a better option than dealing with 10 temporary traffic signals for nine months.
Public Works Chairman Roger Steele said the bridge replacement will take place during the 2012 construction season.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â With a newly-renovated childrenâs section, the Punxsutawney Memorial Library is ready to begin its summer reading program this week.
Through the efforts of Director Coral Ellshoff, new furniture has replaced disintegrating items that had been used in the library since the early 1970s.
âThe older furniture was original to the library when it was built in 1974,â she said. âIt had served us really well, but it had started to show its age because this is a really well-used area of the library.â
June 14th
BIG RUN â Those who attended the Big Run VFW Post 9044 Flag Day program Tuesday learned that patriotism has no age requirement.
BELL TOWNSHIP â Vandals struck a remote portion of the Mahoning Shadow Trail recently, as someone drove a truck into the gates of the trail located between Bair Road and Elbell Road, Bell Township.
Two of the trailâs directors, Howard Glessner and Bob Anibaldi, said the group that maintains the trail, the Rails-to-Trails Association, is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those who are responsible for the damage.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â Itâs a two-award year for Thomas R. Chelgren.
Just four months after he was named Punxsyâs 2010 Man of the Year during the annual Groundhog Eve banquet Feb. 1, the Punxsutawney chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution named him the recipient of its Community Service Award during its annual Flag Day Dinner Tuesday at the Punxsutawney Country Club.
The chapter also saluted The Punxsutawney Spirit and Editor Tom Chapin with its first-ever Certificate of Appreciation for the newspaperâs continued coverage and support of the chapter.
June 13th
PUNXSUTAWNEY â Punxsutawney Borough Council announced news that everyone has been waiting to hear for the last six years: That the Area Transportation Authority (ATA) terminal in Punxsutawney is ready to move ahead with construction within the next few weeks.
Monday, council President Susan Glessner said it has been six years since the project first began, which involved the demolition of a group of buildings along North Findley Street.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â A Punxsutawney school board member and administrator recently learned that while public education business and issues may be challenges, thatâs also the case for those who work, raise families and serve their countries in the National Guard or Reserve.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â Every year prior to the start of summer, a huge amphitheater canopy is set up by members of the Lions Club, the Groundhog Festival Committee, REACT and the community in preparation for the summerâs festivities.
âWe all owe a huge part of the help to the Lions Club,â Groundhog Festival Committee Chairman Roger Steele said. âThey provide us the manpower to get this thing up. We also consult Punxsy Phil for the best day for weather.â
Plantation B&B is Juneâs âGarden of the Monthâ
PUNXSUTAWNEY â The winner of the June "Garden of the Month" is Julie Branken's Plantation Bed & Breakfast along Route 119, just south of Punxsutawney.
"I love the plants, but I never research, or I'm (not) one of those people who go and learn about what flower goes where," she said. "I just do what I feel."
Arriving from South Africa more than 13 years ago, Branken moved into where the plantation is now and started to "fix the place up."
June 8th
NEW BETHLEHEM â A local Marine who was a graduate of Redbank Valley High School, New Bethlehem, was killed Monday while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Sgt. Joseph M. Garrison, 27, of New Bethlehem, was an infantryman assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force of Camp Lejeune, N.C., according to the 2D Marine Division Public Affairs.
