The GantDaily.com weekly reload gives readers a look back upon the most noteworthy stories of their work week. It contains the big headlines, as well as a few stories you might have missed. It might even include a story or two of the lighter side.
The GantDaily.com reload will be posted each weekend for your perusal. For most part, the reload will be filled with local headlines, but every now and again, a state, world or national story will make the list.
Camera to Portray Elk’s Point of View
Information gained through partnership will provide valuable new perspective
What does an elk eat?
With footage captured by a tiny video camera placed on a Pennsylvania elk recently, researchers soon will find out.
The research initiative is a product of a partnership between the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Keystone Elk Country Alliance, a Pennsylvania-based non-profit organization headquartered at the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette.
Sara Jane Mattern Grants Awarded by CCCF
CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Charitable Foundation recently awarded grants from the Sara Jane Mattern Fund to three organizations in Osceola Mills.
This year the Osceola Mills Community Library, the Osceola Mills Community Historical Foundation and the Osceola Mills United Methodist Church will split more than $1,200.
This was the first year for grants from the Sara Jane Mattern Fund. Mattern, who died in 2011, was raised in Osceola Mills and very community-minded, according to her attorney, Larry Seaman.
Dead Cellphones, Devices Banned from U.S.-bound Flights
Windsor Genova – Fourth Estate Cooperative Contributor
Washington, DC, United States (4E) – Cellphones, laptops and other electronic devices that cannot be turned on during an inspection of U.S.-bound travelers at foreign airports will not be allowed in the flight, the Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) said Sunday.
The measure is meant to thwart possible explosives disguised as electronic devices from being taken aboard U.S.-bound planes.
The TSA also said travelers will be subject to additional airport screening such as pat-downs.
Pennsylvania State Police Report 695 Crashes During Fourth of July Holiday
HARRISBURG – During the Fourth of July holiday driving period, 247 people were injured and eight people were killed in crashes investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police.
State troopers investigated a total of 695 crashes between July 3 and July 6. Of those crashes, 72 were alcohol-related, including two of the fatalities. Two of those killed were not wearing seat belts.
During the same period, state troopers arrested 487 people for driving under the influence.
CNB BANK Raises $22,250 for local ACS Programs
CLEARFIELD – On June 26, CNB Bank hosted its third charity golf tournament and raised $22,250 to benefit local American Cancer Society programs.
The money raised has been donated to the ACS to make the services of Hope Lodge and the Wig Program available to local families.
Not alone in this endeavor, customers and vendors of CNB reached out with donations. Gifts for participants and Chinese auction, food, beverage, cart and tee sponsorships, cash donations, team sponsors and printing allowed CNB to exceed its expectations.
Gabler to Host Event for Disabled and Senior Citizens
ST. MARYS – State Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk), along with representatives from Life and Independence for Today (LIFT), will host a Disability and Aging Resource Expo on July 24, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the Johnsonburg Fire Hall, 99 Clarion Rd., Johnsonburg.
“A wide variety of service providers from across the state will be on hand for this event, which is a great opportunity for senior citizens and their families, as well as members of our community living with disabilities, to check out all that is available to them,” said Gabler. “My staff and I, along with members of LIFT, are looking forward to the opportunity to spend time with the people in our area.”
LIFT was established in 1987 by people with disabilities who realized the need for such a service. In addition to providing independent living skills training, they can assist with advocacy issues and offer peer mentoring services.
Resident Questions Sandy Manager, Supers
DUBOIS – A resident questioned the Sandy Township manager about his qualifications and called out the supervisors during Monday night’s meeting.
During public comment, resident Pamela August criticized the supervisors and the Township Manager Dave Monella. August has been pushing for the clean-up of Pentz Run since the flooding in June of 2013. August feels that the township hasn’t been working as quickly as possible.
Monella reported during the regular meeting that after speaking with the solicitor about legal concerns, he’s had township employees resume the clean-up of Pentz Run. He’ll continue to assign employees based upon their availability.
Businesses Work with Students and PennTAP to Assess Energy Usage in Facilities
UNIVERSITY PARK – Executives at Kurtz Bros. in Clearfield have built a strong relationship over time with the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP).
The school supplies, equipment and furniture distributor recently opened its doors to a group of students who conducted an energy audit of the facility and they discovered two minor leaks in the company’s compressed air system.
Monty Kunes, Kurtz Bros. president and chief executive officer, said one of the leaks would have been difficult to detect without the specialized equipment, and he suspected the machine would have continued to leak air unnoticed if it weren’t for the energy engineering students in EGEE 494A who visited the plant as part of their class.
Hanna: State System Board Keeps Tight Rein on Tuition
$99-a-semester increase approved; LHU president’s contract extended
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Mike Hanna, a five-year member of the State System of Higher Education Board of Governors, said the panel was able to keep a tight lid on tuition at the 14 state universities it manages.
“Despite flat funding for the fourth consecutive year and operating with only slightly more revenue than we had 17 years ago, the board approved a modest 3 percent tuition increase, which mirrors the expected rate of inflation,” said Hanna, D-Clinton/Centre. “It is commendable that State System universities will remain the lowest-cost, four-year college option in the state.”
Hanna said the base tuition rate for full-time, resident undergraduate students attending any of the State System universities this fall will be $3,410 a semester, or $99 more than current rates, and $6,820 for the full academic year.
Corbett Administration Announces Investments in Housing throughout Marcellus Shale Region
HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Corbett has announced investments in housing made by his administration across the Marcellus Shale region to address needs created by the growing natural gas industry presence in Pennsylvania.
Since 2011, $49.8 million from natural gas and federal funding sources has been invested in housing initiatives by the Corbett administration. The impact of that funding has been multiplied by leveraging it to attract additional investments of$311.5 million from the private sector and other public sources.
This funding has been used to construct new housing and to rehabilitate existing housing, depending on which approach was deemed best to address housing shortages in communities. Investments have been made in both single-family and rental housing.
Salary Board Addresses Requests from Sheriff, President Judge and Prothonotary
CLEARFIELD – During yesterday’s monthly meeting, members of the Clearfield County Salary Board addressed requests from the sheriff, president judge and prothonotary.
Sheriff Wesley B. Thurston advised his Chief Deputy Sheriff, Robert E. Snyder, had resigned effective June 27. Since then, he said Deputy Sheriff, Mark Coudriet, has been acting as the chief deputy sheriff and will through July 28.
Thurston requested that the board adjust Coudriet’s salary since he’s agreed to fulfill the duties previously handled by Snyder. Commissioner Joan Robinson-McMillen asked if the county paid the acting chief deputy sheriff the same as the chief deputy sheriff who left or negotiated a middle rate.
Sandy to Take Ownership of Christ the King Manor’s Waterline System
DUBOIS – The Sandy Township Supervisors approved taking ownership of Christ the King Manor’s waterline system at Monday night’s meeting.
The supervisors noted it’ll benefit the township, as it’ll run a waterline through the manor’s system rather than around it. It was also noted that each of the cottages will receive water meters.
When asked by Supervisor Dave Sylvis, Engineer Perry Bowser said the township didn’t inspect the manor’s waterlines as construction occurred directly. However, Bowser noted inspections were conducted and the information was turned over to the township.
WJAC-TV: Parents Sue Over Son’s Suicide at SCI Cresson
By: WJAC Web Staff and The Associated Press
PITTSBURGH — The parents of an inmate who hanged himself in a state prison in Cambria County have sued the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections for misusing solitary confinement to deal with mentally ill inmates.
The State Correctional Institution at Cresson where 23-year-old Brandon Palakovic killed himself in July 2012 was closed last year.
Before that happened, the U.S. Department of Justice found that the prison allowed prisoners with serious mental illnesses “to simply languish, decompensate and harm themselves in solitary confinement for months or years on end.”
CRC Receives Contribution from Grice Gun Shop
CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield Revitalization Corp. (CRC) has received a donation from Grice Gun Shop in the amount of $1,000.
Grice Gun Shop has continued to be a partner of the CRC. It has also been instrumental in the revitalization efforts of downtown Clearfield.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Set to Become Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed with bipartisan support the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (H.R. 803), legislation that will help put Americans back to work by reforming the nation’s outdated workforce development system.
The legislation is based upon the House-passed SKILLS Act that was recently passed by the Senate and now is set to become law upon the President’s signature.
“America’s competitiveness depends upon a qualified and trained workforce,” stated U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson.
Warrior Resiliency Conference Slated for Aug. 1-2
BROOKVILLE – Hoping to support military veterans in the region, the Brookville Church of God is hosting a Warrior Resiliency Conference Aug. 1-2. The two-day event is free to veterans.
Vietnam combat veteran Phil Downer will present a series of “dynamic, insightful and interactive” sessions. He was one of the men featured in the documentary “The War Within.” He’ll discuss the conflicts, mistakes, struggles and breakthroughs that he has experienced in the dual war zones of live combat and relational conflict as a civilian:
Corbett: PA to Receive Federal Dollars for Local Parks, Outdoor Recreation
HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Corbett has announced that Pennsylvania will receive $1.37 million from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund for local park, outdoor recreation and conservation projects.
“These funds will be awarded through DCNR as part of our grant program that helps local communities plan, acquire and develop parks and trails and conserve natural areas,” Corbett said.
“Providing opportunities for close-to-home recreation is important to communities, to attracting businesses and workforce retention, and to the health of our citizens.”
Since 1965, Pennsylvania has received almost $165 million in LWCF funds. LWCF dollars require a 50-50 match, and help municipalities leverage additional funds to acquire park land and improve recreational amenities.
Governor Corbett Signs Budget that Invests a Record $12 Billion in Education
HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Corbett today signed into law the 2014-15 state budget that invests a record $12 billion in state funding for students in Pennsylvania’s early, basic and postsecondary education systems. This represents an increase of $323 million, or 2.8 percent, over last year’s budget.
“I am pleased with the additional investments that this budget makes into the students of Pennsylvania” Corbett said. “This budget directs funding to areas that will support student achievement and ensure that students are prepared for postsecondary success, whether they choose to enter the workforce, further their education or enlist in the military.”
Since taking office, Corbett has increased funding for early, basic and postsecondary education from $10.8 billion to $11.9 billion – an increase of more than $1 billion.
DePasquale Says Gov. Corbett Should Have Vetoed Budget
Budget relies on one-time funding gimmicks creating over billion dollar deficit next year
HARRISBURG – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today said Gov. Tom Corbett should have vetoed the entire 2014-15 budget because it is unsustainable and fails to improve schools. He issued the following statements:
On veto of entire budget:
“As the state’s chief fiscal watchdog I can appreciate the governor’s careful review of the budget before taking action, but he should have vetoed the entire spending plan because it is based on overly optimistic revenue projections and one-time funding sources.
Corbett Signs Budget and Fiscal Code, Vetoes Specific Legislative Appropriations
HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Corbett today signed House Bill 2328, the 2014-15 state budget, and House Bill 278, the 2014-15 Fiscal Code.
Concerned with the revenue assumptions used by the House and Senate in crafting their budget, the governor chose to use his line-item veto authority to reduce spending and ensure the state was meeting revenue estimates.
“Every day, Pennsylvania families sit around their kitchen tables figuring out how to make ends meet,” Corbett said. “Balancing income against spending is how the state budget is supposed to work as well. As elected leaders our duty is to sit around the budget table and answer tough questions.
Clearfield Borough Pleased With Progress of Stinky Run Repairs
CLEARFIELD – Last night, the Clearfield Borough Council reviewed progress on repairs to the Stinky Run underground water channel, where it crosses Daisy Street at 12th Street.
Borough Street Commissioner Fred Long said the street crew is working on head walls and laying pipe and will be ready to lay concrete next week.
Search for Joey Lynn Offutt Continues 7 Years after Disappearance
SYKESVILLE – Although there have been no substantial leads, police and family members continue their search for a Sykesville woman who has been missing for seven years, according to the family’s Web site, findjoey.org.
Seven years ago in the early morning of July 12, 2007, authorities responded to a fire at Joey Lynn Offutt’s Sykesville home. After the fire was extinguished, the remains of Offutt’s six-week-old son were discovered. However, Offutt and her car, a red Saturn with Virginia license plates, were missing.