Former First Lady Of Pennsylvania Passes At 92

Former Pennsylvania first lady Mary Jane Leader has died at the age of 92, according to a family spokeswoman Leader, the wife of Gov. George Leader, a Democrat who led the state for four years in the late 1950s, died Tuesday at her home in Hershey, according to a release issued by the family’s nursing home business.

Mary Jane Leader is a native of Williamsport who grew up in York, where she attended high school with her future husband. She held management roles in family businesses until the time of her death.

Survivors include the former governor, to whom she was married for 71 years. She’s also survived by two sons and a daughter. A third son predeceased her.

Funeral services in Hershey are planned for Saturday.

Casey Calls for Ban on ‘Bath Salts’

Supports Legislation Adding Chemicals to List of Controlled Substances

WASHINGTON, DC— U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is supporting legislation to add MDPV and mephedrone, synthetic chemicals being sold across the country and marketed as “bath salts” and “plant food” to the list of controlled substances. The chemicals have a similar effect on the body as cocaine and methamphetamines. The dangerous ingredients in the salts, MDPV and mephedrone can be snorted, smoked and injected to receive a deadly high.

“There is ample evidence that these so-called bath salts are a dangerous substance being used like meth or cocaine,” said Senator Casey. “Action needs to be taken to get bath salts off the shelf and out of our communities.”

There have been numerous reports of bath salts being linked to violent behavior and deaths. An individual in Scranton charged with attacking a priest was reported to be high on bath salts at the time of the attack.

The Combating Dangerous Synthetic Stimulants Act (S.409), introduced by Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), would immediately add the ingredients in bath salts to the list of controlled substances. While the United States Attorney General and the Drug Enforcement Administration have announced they are currently investigating the effects of the synthetic drugs, this legislation would immediately add the synthetic drug to the list of controlled substances rather than waiting for the lengthy pharmacological research process.

MDPV (methylenedioxypyrovalerone) and mephedrone are the main ingredients of these so-called ‘bath salts,’ and are now being sold online, at convenience stores and in smoke shops under names like Tranquility, Zoom, Ivory Wave, Red Dove and Vanilla Sky. According to numerous reports, the chemicals found in these bath salts and plant foods cause effects similar to those caused by cocaine and Methamphetamines, including hallucinations, paranoia and suicidal thoughts.

The two synthetic chemicals, mephedrone and methylenedioxypyrovalerone are uncontrolled substances with no known medicinal purpose. The harmful impact of these powders has been recognized around the world and countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Israel have acted quickly to ban these substances. Similarly, several states, including North Dakota, Florida and Louisiana have now banned the sale of these chemicals within their jurisdictions.

EPA Recognizes Saint-Gobain with 2011 ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award
Saint-Gobain, the world leader in sustainable habitat, recognized for outstanding leadership in energy management

Saint-Gobain, the world's largest manufacturer of building products and a leading producer of glass containers and innovative materials, has been awarded the ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The award recognizes the Company's outstanding leadership in energy management and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Through its U.S. subsidiaries, the Company becomes the first and only manufacturer of glass containers or fiber glass insulation ever to receive the award.

"This prestigious award recognizes Saint-Gobain's commitment to building a more energy-efficient future and reducing the environmental impact of our business at every stage, from product design, through manufacturing, to point-of-sale and end-of-life disposal," said Gilles Colas, President and CEO of Saint-Gobain Corporation. "We are proud to help lead the drive to save energy not only through responsible manufacturing practices, but also through the development of sustainable, energy-efficient building products and solutions for communities around the world."

This is the third consecutive year that Saint-Gobain and its North American subsidiaries have been recognized by the EPA with an ENERGY STAR Award. Saint-Gobain was awarded the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award in 2009 and 2010, but this is the first time the Company has attained the prestigious level of Sustained Excellence. Saint-Gobain's accomplishments will be recognized at an EPA awards ceremony in Washington, DC, on April 12.

"Saint-Gobain has earned EPA's highest ENERGY STAR award - the 2011 Sustained Excellence Award," said Elizabeth Craig, Acting Director of EPA's Office of Atmospheric Programs. "Saint-Gobain's long term leadership and commitment to energy efficiency demonstrates the types of accomplishments that we can all achieve in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting our global environment. We look forward to their continued partnership and leadership."

The EPA is recognizing Saint-Gobain for its leadership in implementing a wide range of process improvements and energy management practices over several years. In 2010 Saint-Gobain businesses in North America were able to reduce their energy intensity (the amount of energy used to produce a unit of product) by 3.8 percent -- equivalent to the amount of energy needed to make shingles for new roofs on 1.2 million typical U.S. homes or enough fiber glass insulation for more than 182,000 typical U.S. homes. In addition, the Company reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by more than 131,000 tons last year.

Saint-Gobain also received praise for its employee energy-awareness programs. Through these efforts, Saint-Gobain employees personally contributed to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of 11,000 tons, the equivalent of the annual greenhouse gas emissions from over two thousand passenger vehicles.

"Beyond efforts to improve energy efficiency in each of our facilities, we believe every employee can contribute to reducing energy use whether by implementing a major energy-saving project in a plant or simply turning lights out when leaving the office," said Colas. "The Company, and all employees, will continue to work towards further reducing our carbon footprint for years to come."

About Saint-Gobain in North America
Saint-Gobain, the world's largest building products manufacturer, has its North American headquarters in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. As the world leader in sustainable habitat, Saint-Gobain is committed to inventing solutions to help professionals and communities around the world build and renovate comfortable, healthy, economical and energy efficient buildings. The company has over 265 locations in North America, and approximately 19,000 employees. Saint-Gobain businesses in North America include CertainTeed, a leading North American manufacturer and supplier of exterior and interior building products, Verallia, one of the leading glass container manufacturers in the United States, and Norton, the largest global manufacturer and supplier of performance engineered abrasives. In the United States and Canada, Saint-Gobain reported sales of approximately $7.3 billion in 2010. For information about Saint-Gobain in North America, visit www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com

About Saint-Gobain
Saint-Gobain, the world leader in habitat markets, provides innovative solutions to meet today's challenges of growth, energy efficiency, and environmental protection. With 2010 sales of $53.2 billion, Saint-Gobain operates in 64 countries and nearly 190,000 employees. For more information about Saint-Gobain, please visit www.saint-gobain.com.

About ENERGY STAR®
ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants associated with energy use. Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 60 kinds of products as well as new homes and buildings. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $18 billion on their utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas equivalent to those of 34 million cars. Products, homes and buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR prevent emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the EPA. For more information, go to energystar.gov.

If Governor Tom Corbett’s budget were adopted and other projections came true, the Port Allegany School District could face a shortfall of nearly $1.3 million in its 2011-12 budget, superintendent Tony Flint told the Port Allegany School Board Monday night.

That was the bottom line on a “snapshot analysis” he went over with the board at its regular March meeting. It reflected an assumption that there would be $3,519,397 in local revenues and $8,989,492 in state revenue, while expenditures would be about $13,806,036.

Still, Flint said he did not foresee coming to the board to request a millage increase. Besides, “Back in December we agreed that we would not raise millage beyond the index, 2.1 percent, (so) we could raise millage enough to get $48,000.” Obviously that would not take care of the shortfall.

In answer to a question from board member Ed Babcock, Flint said he believes there will be considerable give and take in the Pennsylvania legislature between now and final budget adoption.

Although legislators representing the school district’s legislative districts have expressed general support for the governor’s proposed budget, which would cost area school districts about $12 million in revenue as he sees it, Flint said, “I find it unbelievable that our legislators can believe it is okay” to allow those cuts in support for public schools.

Flint said that the board has been prudent in placing funds in reserve, so there are reserves of more than $2 million. He said he will not recommend using the major portion of that to compensate for state aid cuts this year, but that he will propose that the board and administration undertake planning for how the district will handle a possible famine in state support for schools.

The board voted to approve Act 93 administrative salaries. They are Flint, $111,733; secondary principal Marc Budd, $90,030; elementary principal Terry Kriner, $86,674; assistant principal Matthew Schwenk, $71,007; business manager Judith Bodamer, $65,008; technology coordinator Thomas Jordan, $51,533; cafeteria supervisor Judith Howard, $38,599.

Flint said the raises are 2.5 percent, except for Jordan’s, which is 2.4 percent.

The roll call vote on the salaries came after a brief executive session, requested by board member Denise Buchanan.

Appointed to fall supplemental positions were Sara Bishel, majorette and color guard advisor; Brad Stewart, marching band director; Robert Raudenbush, boys’ golf coach; David Roae, girls’ golf coach; Aaron Clark, boys’ head soccer coach; Matthew Lawton, assistant boys’ soccer coach; and France Reilly, cross country coach.

Steve Frison, Tom Murphy and Hunter Conway will continue as volunteer track coaches, and Jason Luther, Scott Lowery and Jeff Schultz will continue as volunteer baseball coaches for the 2011 season.

The board adopted a resolution transferring the district’s No Child Left Behind allotted funds to IU9 for administration.

Flint was authorized to designate $800,000 for anticipated increases in retirement and health insurance costs.

Added to the substitute lists were Regina Smith of Emporium, as a social studies and family and consumer science teacher; and Rebecca Anjeski and Roseann Penick of Port Allegany for support staff.

Act 80 day requests for September 26 for testing and curriculum analysis and November 8 for parent-teacher conferences will be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

In an information item, the board was informed that elementary teachers Cassandra Foster, Jennifer Funk, Amanda Stuckey and Jason Luther, and elementary school nurse Jessica Rohrer have been rated satisfactory during the last four months of their third year of employment, and thus have qualified for professional employee status (tenure).

SHINGLEHOUSE—The company often referred to as Wayne Paving is working its way through the bankruptcy process it launched last January, when it filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (Title 11).

At that time, the company that also does business as Wayne Companies and Wayne Paving and Contracting filed under the name of Wayne Gravel Products, Inc.

Currently the company seeks to sell personal property, primarily construction equipment, located at 262 Route 44, Shinglehouse, the companies’ headquarters, and various other locations, for $185,000. Another company mentioned as part of the “Debtor” is Little Lisa, Inc. The president of the Wayne companies is Wayne A. Stephen.

Thomas J. Minarcik of Elderkin Martin Kelly Messina, Erie, said the sale of equipment is related to the latest reorganization plan being offered by the companies. A hearing on the proposed sale of the advertised items is scheduled for 10 a.m., March 29, in the Bankruptcy Court Room in the U.S. District Court for Western Pennsylvania, in Erie.

Minarcik said he anticipates that the latest plan will be ready for creditors to vote on in early May.

The 20 companies holding the largest unsecured claims against Wayne Gravel range from Cemex, of Chicago, with $642,466.06 owed to it, down to BASF Construction Chemicals of Chicago, $5,401.66.

IA Construction is listed as due more than $70,196. Lesser amounts are owing to Erie Insurance, a Shinglehouse tire and rental company and Wayne Stephen himself.

Estimates of assets and estimates of liabilities fall in the $1 million to $10 million range, but liabilities outweigh assets considerably.

At the time of the Chapter 11 filing, the Wayne Companies’ Web site said the company was headquartered in Shinglehouse with satellite offices in Bradford and Springville, N.Y. Its service area was said to be “primarily Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania, but “new opportunities have taken us to areas as far as Maine and Florida.”

The site stated that customers included government agencies, private and public institutions, commercial and industrial enterprises, contractors and homeowners.

Coudersport and Warren were listed as locations for Wayne Companies, along with the Shinglehouse, Springville and Bradford bases.

Wayne Companies put up a concrete ready mix plant in Bradford in April, 2006. Construction projects including work on the Route 219 bypass were the apparent reasons for adding concrete preparation capacity there.

The Potter-McKean Players will hold open auditions for their May dinner theater production from 7:30 to 9 p.m. March 21 at the Gethsemane Lutheran Hall in Port Allegany and from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 28 at the Laurelwood Inn in Coudersport.

Vocalists are needed for musical selections, and actors are needed for the play, “Who Murdered Who?” Actors will be asked to read from the script. Prepared material is welcome.

Dinner theater performances are scheduled for May 14 at the Masonic Consistory in Coudersport and May 21 in the Veterans Memorial building near Port Allegany.

Rehearsals will run three nights a week, beginning April 4 and continuing through the performance dates.

The group will also hold a board and general meeting at 3 p.m. March 20, at the Laurelwood Inn in Coudersport.

People To People Student Ambassadors - Michael Ernst, Rebecca Lathrop and Tyler Bee, all students at Port Allegany High School, are raising funds for a People to People Student Ambassador Educational Trip to Europe (England, France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, and the Netherlands) this summer.The trio will leave July 9 and return July 29. To raise funds for their trip, the following events have been planned: Soup and Dessert Benefit Supper, April 17 from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church located on Arnold Avenue. Cost is $5/person. There will also be a Chinese Auction and 50/50 drawing. There will also be an Easter Dinner raffle which includes ham and all the trimmings. Winning ticket will be drawn April 17. On May 7, a Chicken Barbecue, Baked Sale and Car Wash have been planned and will take place at the Jubilee. Further details will be announced as they become available. Pam Fischer Photo/Story

Thanks, Mike! - Mike Farber talks with Peggy Kallenborn during an Open House Retirement Party held in his honor Saturday afternoon at the Moose Family Center. Mrs. Kallenborn read a letter she had written commending Farber for his compassion as a pharmacist, his dedication to his customers and to the community of Port Allegany. Her sentiments were echoed by those in attendance. Farber has been a great supporter of high school music, sports and a wide variety of community events throughout his 37 years at the Port Allegany Pharmacy. He repeatedly went above and beyond the call of duty for his customers, always willing to lend a helping hand. Also pictured are members of the Port Allegany Pharmacy Staff and Farber's wife, Lynn, as he thanked them once again for their assistance in running the popular drugstore and gift shop. Pam Fischer Photos/Story

Sidewalks have emerged from winter snow and ice, and walkers are being challenged to put them to good use.

There have been do-it-yourself walking programs, and the Senior Center’s Healthy Steps one, but an additional way will be the WalkWorks program, which won backing from the Port Allegany Borough Council last week.

One practical form of backing will be the installation of banners on standards, primarily street lights, along the defined route. Council members voted to do that, and chose the style of signage to be used locally, at the council meeting last Monday night.

Claudia Caminite is project coordinator for WalkWorks. She told the borough council that her agency will deliver the signage to the borough by May. The borough will handle installation.

The WalkWorks route is 1.8 miles long. Beginning at the intersection of Pearl Street and Mill Street, it travels up Mill to Oak street, heads northwest on Oak and goes down Arnold Avenue to Pine Street, veers northwest to Chestnut, travels a block southwest to Church Street, heads back to Arnold, then to Pearl, and finally back to the starting point.

The project is the offspring of the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health’s Center for Rural Health Practice and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Stated goals are to “identify and mark safe walking routes that are accessible to people of all ages and abilities, establish guided community-based walking groups, and impact policy related to pedestrian transportation in the built environment.”

Caminite explained that WalkWorks is “getting groups together in your community to get out and get walking. “Sign up and get or stay healthy and fit and shed a few pounds just in time for summer,” she urged, in a letter handed out to the borough council.

The counties included in the program, besides McKean, are Cambria, Crawford, Greene, Venango and Washington.

Showcase 2011 - The Elementary Ensemble, Junior Show Choir and Senior High Show Choir performed both Friday and Saturday nights during Showcase 2011. The show ended with the traditional Hand in Hand done by the Combined Choirs. Their hard work earned them standing ovations from packed audiences. More photos from this event will appear on this week's picture pages.

Later in the program, the group presented Flight and The Safety Dance with soloist Aaron Majot. Members of the Senior High Show include Michelle Armendariz, Caitlyn Bachman, Bryanna Baer, Dennis Ballway, Bambi Barber, Jacob Baxter, Elliott Binder, Megan Bishel, Sara Borro, Cora Bova, Charles Buchanan, Wesley Caulkins, Julia Collver, Shelby Dates, Brittani Dickinson, Gabrielle Drabert, Ben Edgell, Jordan Edgell, Renee Edgell, Kayla Ford, Crystal Geneaux, Sarah Gordon, Colleen Hardes, Cheyenne Helo, Dustin Hoffman, Logan Hutton, Adam Johnson, Carli Johnston, Dane Kio, Garrett Gio, Kaylee Kio, Kiersten Kio, Ken Kysor, Sam Kysor, Aaron Majot, Anna McJunkin, Kira Nolder, MaKayla Ramadhan, Brittany Reinard, Mary Rosenswie, Alesha Shatley, Zachary Sigafoes, Tyler Smith, Jacob Stehle, Dallas Taylor, Lucas Turner, Shane Whitney, Hannah Wise, Jacob Wise and Jena Young.

The Junior Show Choir presented Turn the Lights On, He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother with soloists Deven Bolling and Logan Hutton, and The Varsity Drag. Members of the Junior Show Choir include Ashley Ahearn, Ashley Anderson, Debbie Andrus, Allisen Austin, Bryanna Baer, Devin Bolling, Nikki Borro, Daniel Bishel, MiKayla Burgess, Cory Burr, Matthew Causer, McKaila Daniels, Shelby Dates, Lynae Delacour, Kaitlyn Donnelly, Hannah Ernst, Farrah Fischer, Cameron Fryer, Kaitlyn Goodreau, Emily Gordon, Kelly Haggard, Caitlyn Harvey, Dustin Hoffman, Logan Hutton, McKenna Johnson, Monica Johnson, Dane Kio, Eli Knapp, Adam Koehler, Charles Kysor, Joyanna Landes, Malari Lapp, Samantha Metzger, Victoria Miles, Amber Naylor, Hannah Pearson, MaKayla Ramadhan, Rikki Rennells, Jacob Robbins, Drew Rosenswie, Brooke Roys, Christina Safford, Ben Setzer, Cynthia Setzer, Mia Snyder, Desiree Speed, Jefferson Stehle, Garrett Talkington, Dallas Taylor, Alyssa Thomas, Anna Undercofler, RJ Veilleux, Daniel Wright, Sarah Wright and Jena Young.

The Elementary Ensemble sang A Broadway Song, Grandma's Feather Bed with soloists Makenzie Burr and Caroline Wise, and Mary Had A Little Blues. Members of the Elementary Ensemble include Jacob Anderson, Kacie Appleby, Clark Barber, Madison Barker, Haley Bayline, Jena Borowsky, Makenzie Burr, Shaylei Burr, Morgan Causer, Kennedy Dates, Isabella Distrola, Ethan Edgreen, Katie Ernst, Daniel Fernstrom, Autumn Freer, Sydney Fitzsimmons, Leah Garzel, Daniel Harris, Daulton Helo, Melissa Kelley, Frances Kujawski, Hannah Lathrop, Riley Lawton, Abby Matthews, Joshua Mealy, Emily Miles, Marcus Murphy, Rebekkah Pinchok, Zarek Price, Paige Robinson, Brianna Roys, Evelyn Russell, Alaina Saltsman, Marianna Seefeldt, Emily Stepp, Daniel Stuckey, David Talkington, Emi Tanaka, Keely Tarbox, Mason Taylor, Mira Terrette, Brock Veilleux, Caroline Wise, Nick Woodruff, Bladon Yeager and Julia Young.

Local Violinist - Ninth grader Leia Fuller played the violin solo in "Theme from Schindler's List" at the Coudersport School band concert Tuesday night. Martha Knight Photo/Story

Powder Puff Derby - The Northern Star Service Unit held their annual Powder Puff Derby Saturday at the Moose Family Center. Winners at that competition are pictured (left to right) Sheryl Kelley, Fastest Daisy Scout, first place overall; Hannah Torpey, Fastest Brownie Scout, second overall; Melissa Kelley, Fastest Junior, third place overall; and Linea Kelley, Fastest Cadet. Winning the Sponsors' race was Garry Taylor and the Leaders' race was a tie between Nicole Torpey and Shirley Bigley. Involved in the event were 68 scouts, 17 leaders and 16 sponsors. More photos from this event will appear on an upcoming picture page. Pam Fischer Photo/Story

STAR HOSE LADIES AUXILIARY HELPS PURCHASE RESCUE EQUIPMENT - The Star Hose Ladies Auxiliary is helping fund new rescue equipment for the Port Allegany Fire Department. The group is providing nearly $1,000 toward the purchase of rescue harnesses and protective covers for breathing air lines used in confined space and other technical rescues.

According to Fire Chief Fred Roys, firefighters received a grant from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) in order to purchase ropes, harnesses, and sophisticated communications equipment used to perform technical rescues.

Each year, Volunteer Fire Departments can apply for grants from PEMA of up to $15,000. However, because the government’s administrative costs are deducted from the program’s funding, the actual amount given to responders is less. “We budgeted $15,000 for the equipment this year, but the actual grant we received was only about $12,000,” said Mike Johnson, Star Hose financial secretary. “We were able to negotiate some better pricing, but the final cost of the equipment still ended up being about $1,000 more than the grant award.”

According to Chief Roys, the Fire Department did not have funds to make up the difference until the Ladies Auxiliary agreed to help bridge the gap. “We considered not purchasing as many harnesses as we had budgeted for, but the Auxiliary wanted to help us out and they agreed to fund a couple of the harnesses as well as protective air line covers,” said Chief Roys. “That worked out great because we were still able to get all the equipment we really needed even though the grant came in for less than we expected. We are very grateful that the Auxiliary was able to help us out with this project.” Pam Fischer Photo/Story

Race For The Library - Laura Nelson, Kari Stake and Bonna Tanaka are pictured as they work on plans for a 5K Walk/Run race to be held May 7. Registration will take place from 8 to 8:30 a.m. on the Town Square. The registration fee is $20 and a free t-shirt will be given to all who pre-register. Registration forms are available now at the First National Bank Branch Office, J and J Service, S. W. Smith Library, Port Freeze or online at www.huenix.com/fundrun. All registration forms need to be dropped off or mailed to the library before May 1. The race will begin at 9 a.m. sharp and will begin and end at the Town Square. Prizes will be awarded. The committee hopes to raise $3,000 which will benefit the S. W. Smith Library Building Fund. Not into the race, but would still like to help the library? There is fun for the entire family with face painting, a visit from Yogi the Clown, food, games and music from DJ Bob. Questions about this event should be directed to Kari Stake at 558-0640. Pam Fischer Photo/Story

Seniors Shine! - Showcase Seniors are pictured with their

directors, Kenneth J. Myers and Annamaria Myers. They are (front) Cora Bova, Ken Kysor, Shane Whitney, Garrett Kio, Renee Edgell; (middle) Alesha Shatley, Brittany Drabert, Colleen Hardes, Julia Collver, Crystal Genaux, Anna McJunkin; (back) Mr. Myers, Tyler Smith, Carli Johnston, Lucas Turner and Mrs. Myers. This was the last Showcase for the Class of 2011 performers. More photos from this event will appear on this week's picture page. Pam Fischer Photo/Story

J. H. Basketball Action - Christian Moses and Brooke Roys are pictured during Monday's

Junior High Basketball action between the Port Allegany Gators and the Austin Panthers. The Gators defeated the Panthers in both games. The Gators are on the road to Oswayo Valley on March 22; and to Otto-Eldred on March 24. They host Coudersport on March 29 and end their season March 31 in Northern Potter. Pam Fischer Photos/Story