Archive - Apr 2012
April 26th
Back in February, Governor Tom Corbett unveiled a $27.1 billion state budget proposal that held the line on taxes while making deep cuts in higher education assistance.
The spending plan is reportedly only a 1-percent decrease from last year's budget; however, Corbett's initial plan calls for cuts of over $300 million from 14 state-owned universities and a small reduction in funding for public schools.
According to David Mitchell, the current director of Corbett's northwest regional office out of Erie, the proposed budget continues to be the hot topic in Harrisburg.
Regardless of the random snow earlier this week, motorcycle riders have been taking advantage of the early spring and mild weather to rev up and head on down the road.
As the parent of a child with autism, Lisa Witherite of Sykesville is part of a rapidly growing group. With autism diagnoses up sharply in the U.S., 23 percent over two years according to a Center for Disease Control study, more parents than ever before are faced with the difficulties associated with raising an autistic child.
April 25th
Mary A. Foley, 92, of Montmorenci Road, Ridgway, died Wednesday morning on April 25, 2012. Mary was born in Philadelphia on March 26, 1920, daughter of the late Joseph and Anna Loughery. On April 15, 1942 she married Vincent Foley, who preceded her in death on Jan. 3, 2005.
She was a member of St. Leo Catholic Church and had worked for North Central Regional Planning and Development Commission for over 30 years.
With the completion of the Letters From Home program, volunteers recollected their various experiences with the organization throughout its nine-year history.
On Sunday, Letters From Home held its final letter-stuffing, followed by a retirement ceremony inside the Sacred Heart Parish Center in St. Marys, where the organization has been headquartered since its founding.
The state’s recently enacted voter ID law did not adversely effect the voting process in Tuesday’s primary election in Elk County, according to the county’s elections office.
“We didn’t have any problems here in Elk County,” said Kim Frey, the director of Elk County’s Bureau of Elections and Voter Registration. “My poll workers said everything went fine for them. It didn’t seem to be a real big issue.”
Officials at the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission [NCPRPDC] held a quarterly full board meeting Wednesday afternoon, with workforce development dominating the conversation.
Key North Central officials were joined by U.S. Congressman Glenn 'GT' Thompson (R-5) via teleconference as the legislator highlighted H.R. 4297, the Workforce Investment Improvement Act of 2012.
On Wednesday, April 18, the U.S. House of Representatives passed another 90-day extension of surface transportation programs. House leaders plan to use the extension legislation as a vehicle to begin a conference committee with the U.S. Senate, which has already approved a two-year, $109 billion reauthorization bill.
The House measure extends federal-aid highway, safety, transit, and other programs funded by the Highway Trust Fund at Fiscal Year 2011 levels in lieu of a new, multiyear reauthorization.
April 24th
Glenn E. “Buzz” Powell, 82, of Brookville, died Monday morning, April 23, 2012, at the McKinley Health Center in Brookville. He was born on Feb. 28, 1930 in Ringgold, the son of the late William G. and Arveta M. (Snyder) Powell. On March 9, 1952, he married Charlotte M. (Smith), who preceded him in death on Feb. 22, 2001. He served his country during the Korean War with the United States Army and was a recipient of the Purple Heart. He was the owner and operator of Powell’s Garage and Rebuilds in Roseville and enjoyed sprint car racing.
There weren't many surprises in Tuesday's Pennsylvania primary election results in Elk County. As of press time, with all 33 precincts reporting, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney captured the Pa. Republican presidential nomination and will face President Barack Obama in the fall. Romney easily outdistanced former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Texas Congressman Ron Paul and former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum to take the nomination.
