Archive - News Article
February 17th, 2011
BROOKVILLE — Wednesday, the Jefferson County Commissioners — Paul Corbin, James McIntyre and Jeffrey Pisarcik — gave their opinions on President Obama’s proposed budget and the future of federal funding in the county.
While Brookville Borough Council Tuesday said the proposed budget calls for the elimination of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding — of which the county received more than $240,000 last year — Corbin and Bill Setree, of the Department of Development, said the reduction will likely be in the neighborhood of 10 percent.
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Thursday, at the Crimson Village, Punxsutawney had more added to its history with the unveiling of a free-standing replica of the former public library from the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The piece, created and built by local artist Jeff Marshall, was revealed after a period of time when the Punxsutawney Rotary Club was seeking something to add to its existing Circle of Trees effort.
February 16th
DUBOIS — The concept isn’t new, but the results are staggering.
Today, on-site preparations officially begin for THON, a shorter name for the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, which, since 1973, has raised funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer.
While THON is a year-long effort with several events over the course of the year, the culmination of those efforts begins Friday and runs through Sunday — a 46-hour dance marathon held at the Bryce Jordan Center.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson Wednesday addressed the continuing budget process currently underway in Washington, D.C.
He explained the House of Representatives has the dual duty of amending a continuing resolution to fund the federal government for the remainder of the fiscal year, which will conclude Sept. 1, while at the same time reviewing President Barack Obama’s proposed budget for the Fiscal Year 2012.
Efforts to sustain government under continuing resolution
PERRY TOWNSHIP — A Reed Road house in Perry Township was nearly destroyed by a fire that broke out shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday.
According to reports, the house was owned by Betty Kennedy, 91, who lived in the residence with her great-grandson, his wife and two-year-old child, all who escaped the burning structure safely.
The house was fully involved when the alarm was called into Jefferson County 911, which prompted Perry Township Assistant Chief Tim Fetterhoff to call for a second alarm.
February 15th
PUNXSUTAWNEY — The Punxsutawney Area School District’s use of the SchoolReach program hit a snag during a recent snow day, but should be on its way back to working properly.
During the school board’s voting meeting Monday, Super-intendent Dr. Keith Wolfe said because there were so many text messages being sent from School-Reach, the Verizon system blocked them as spam.
Punxsutawney Borough Council is exploring options regarding a proposed west end storm sewer project near the Punxy Plaza, but Monday, borough engineer Brian Sekula of the EADS Group reported that the firm has hit a wall in obtaining the right-of-way for the storm sewer project.
Sekula said the firm has made numerous requests via phone and e-mail for a meeting with Punxy Plaza representatives on a draft right-of-way agreement. But he said reps for the plaza have not responded to the request.
Gallery 131, Pleasant Avenue, in Punxsy, owned by Delbert Highlands, has the entire upstairs dedicated to works by local artists, and will be the site of an exhibit, “From a Crooked Barn,” at 7 p.m. Friday by Brandi Elkin, who describes herself as an abstract artist with a twist.
While Elkin enjoyed drawing and coloring as a child, she continued her passion by taking art classes in high school. She plans to continue art education, possibly attending college.
February 14th
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Beginning Monday, PennDOT, Punxsutawney Borough Police and Pennsylvania State Police are targeting aggressive drivers in an effort that runs through March 27.
Shawn Houck, PennDOT District 10 safety officer, said Monday that PennDOT is supporting a statewide crackdown on aggressive driving as part of this year’s distribution of nearly $2.1 million in federal funds, which supports police efforts to reduce the number of aggressive-driving crashes.
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Monday, Punxsutawney Borough Council took no action regarding a proposal former probational Punxsutawney Borough Police Officer Sean Weaver made at the Jan. 10 council meeting.
According to the Jan. 10 minutes, Weaver said it was requested that he have his attorney, Jeffrey S. DuBois, draft an agreement to bring a fair, equitable and amicable end to the lawsuit that he filed against the borough relative to his release at the end of his probationary period.
