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AM=Altoona Mirror, CDT=Centre Daily Times, SJ=Milton Standard-Journal, DI=Daily Item, CS=Carlisle Sentinel, NI=News Item, LS=Lewistown Sentinel, PCT=Perry County Times, PN=Patriot News

Commissioners clamor over Courthouse in last night’s meeting (3-10-2010)
(LS) The Juniata Co. Commissioners had some heated discussion on weather proof windows & paint, all of which are part of a change order in the renovation work being done on the county’s aging courthouse. Commissioner Dale Shelley opposed the decision to get a more expensive paint for the dome of the courthouse saying a less expensive paint would last longer. Commissioner Theresa O’Neal voted against installing double-pane windows after architects found more problems as the older windows were being removed. The other 2 change orders that involved repairing roof & bell crib deterioration were both passed unanimously.

Career & Technology center budget fails to pass over admin costs (3-10-2010)
(LS) Citing a administration percentage that is too high, members of the Mifflin Co. Career & Technology Center did not pass a budget for the next school year during last night’s meeting in Mifflintown. The budget also allows for a rise in the cost of electricity & for an additional health sciences teacher. However the budget dispute came over administrative costs with committee member Travis Parkes saying that cuts should be made in the business office. Parkes felt the CTC’s business manager could split duties between both the Mifflin Co. & Juniata Co. School Districts, thus doing away with the position at the CTC. Other members felt that would impose too much work on the manager & that would be a “tough sell” for Juniata Co.

Committee approves Benninghoff’s election transparency bill (3-10-2010)
Monday, the House State Government Committee unanimously approved an election transparency bill sponsored by Rep. Kerry Benninghoff that would ensure voters know who is sponsoring political robo-calls. Under current law, when an individual or group airs a political television or radio commercial or publishes a print advertisement that directly targets a candidate, these forms of political communication must identify the sponsor. The law currently does not specify whether or not robo-calls–or pre-recorded political phone messages–are subject to this requirement. Benninghoff’s bill would close this loophole in the election law. Benninghoff said that, "If you’re pulled away from your family dinner to answer one of these robo-calls, you ought to at least be able to determine who’s sponsoring it.”

Former MCRP Chief to help with new Borough Police Dept. (3-9-2010)
(LS) In a 5-2 vote last night, Lewistown Borough Council voted to hire William Herkert to head the formation of the forthcoming Lewistown Borough Police Dept. Herkert, the former MCRP Chief who was fired 2 years ago, was the “best applicant” for the position, according to one council member. The Regional Police turmoil ultimately led to Lewistown voting to withdraw from the inter-municipal agreement to form its own department starting next year. Herkert will work part time for the Borough until the new police department is formed, at which time he will become police chief at a $58,000/yr. salary.

Mt. Union Borough Council mum on recent firings (3-9-2010)
(LS) Last Wednesday, the Mt. Union Borough Council voted to remove the Borough’s police chief, Nick Richtscheit, as well as to remove its Borough Manager, Eric Powell. So far, there's not been any reason given as to whay that decision was made. Richtscheit submitted a resignation to the council last month, citing personal reasons, but was ultimately fired last Wednesday. Now Richtscheit, with his lawyer, are pursuing their options legally by asking for a civil service commission hearing. The Mt. Union Mayor said the Borough will move forward, unsure of who will replace the fired chief, & hire 2 more officers to expand the department.

Pedestrian mall proposal nixed by State College Borough Council (3-9-2010)
(CDT) Last night, State College Borough Council said that South Allen Street will be kept open to traffic. By 4-2 vote, the council rejected the borough Transportation Committee’s request to study making a pedestrian mall between College & Beaver avenues. Last month, the commission added the possible study to its 2010 work plan, recommending that the council approve the plan. But when the request came up last night, Councilwoman Theresa Lafer promptly made a motion to deny it. She gave no explanation, but in the subsequent discussion, some Council members expressed reservations about a mall. Claiming that 90% of pedestrian malls nationwide have failed, one councilman said it would be a “huge transformation of downtown” that might attract “derelicts” at night & become a dangerous area.

Skid loader operator killed in a weekend accident (3-8-2010)
(LS) Mifflin Co. Coroner Daniel Lynch has released the name of 46-y/o Richard Royer of Back Maitland Rd. who was killed Saturday night while operating a skid loader. According to the report, the accident occurred around 5pm as Royer, who was the owner of Brannon & Royer Septic Pumping Service, was operating the skid loader near 1826 Back Maitland Rd. As he was operating the skid loader, the machine went off an embankment & fell 50 ft. into Jack’s Creek where Royer was then pronounced dead at the scene from blunt force trauma.

Local United Way puts out final plea before deadline (3-8-2010)
With only a week to go before the funding campaign closes, the United Way of Mifflin/Juniata is still short of making its projected goal. As the worst recession in a generation mires on, the agency raised its goal in order to meet increasing demands on services in our local area. The United Way now is appealing to the community for help staving off a major shortfall for its 2010 campaign. Right now, the United Way is at 75% of the $596,500 goal or $447,375. Marie Mulvihill, Executive Director said, “We are a long way from where we need to be, and time is running out”. Dick Calkins, Mifflin Co. Campaign co-ambassador sited 2 local events, the Elsesser Fire & the Lewistown Hotel, where significant numbers of people were displaced due to circumstances beyond their control, but whose needs were met almost immediately by local agencies providing services because of United Way dollars. Donations can be made to 13 East Third Street, Lewistown, by phone at 248-9636. or online at www.mjunitedway.org.

Lewisburg family of 7 loses their home over the weekend (3-8-2010)
(DI) About 50 firefighters battled a Buffalo Twp. blaze yesterday as it stampeded through a Lewisburg home, displacing 7 people. Ervin Martin, his wife & 5 children, were out when the fire began. White Deer Twp. Fire Chief Jim Messinger said, “It’s too early to tell what exactly happened, but fire marshals will be here & we should get some more information.” Martin said that he doesn’t have insurance on the home, but his family will have a place to stay. Messinger said that more than 1,000 ft. of hose was used to pump water from a nearby creek to the house, & White Deer was assisted by the Lewisburg, Milton, Mifflinburg & Turbot Township fire companies.

Charges re-filed against former Perry Co. judge (3-5-2010)
(PCT) Charges were refiled last week against a former Perry Co. president judge accused of assaulting his wife. The refiling may delay judicial reinstatement for 61-y/o Senior Judge C. Joseph Rehkamp, of Plymouth, PA, who told police he did push his wife, Valerie, during a Jan. 16 altercation, according to the affidavit of probable cause. The charges filed Feb. 23 came exactly a week after Luzerne Co. Magisterial District Judge Donald Whittaker dismissed the charges due to Valerie Rehkamp’s refusing to testify. The case will go on with or without Mrs. Rehkamp’s testimony, said Luzerne Co. DA Jacqueline Musto Carroll, as the Commonwealth has other evidence, including pictures of Mrs. Rehkamp’s neck & statements from Judge Rehkamp & others.

Bed bugs are biting in some Centre Co. beds (3-5-2010)
(CDT) Bedbugs are making a comeback, nationally & locally. David Manos, assistant director of housing for East Halls dormitories said that Penn State Housing has been tracking the change & since 2006, there have been 22 reported cases of bedbugs on the University Park campus, including 9 this academic year. Manos knows of no incidences of bedbugs on campus before 2006. Bedbugs were nearly wiped out in the US after WWII due to the widespread use of pesticides such as DDT. But now that experts use less toxic chemicals, the bugs are multiplying, according to an entomology professor at Penn State. To check for bedbugs, examine the entire bed, including the folds of the sheet & the seams of the mattress. Look for dark blood spots about the size of a pencil point. If you suspect you’ve already been bitten, check your skin for itchy red bumps.

Forecasters say spring is pushing in for the weekend (3-5-2010)
(DI) After a harsh winter, the weather in the Juniata Valley & across the snow-weary state will take a turn for the better this weekend. More springlike conditions will move from the southern Plains into the mid-Atlantic & Southeast by Sunday. Sunday will be the warmest day with temperatures here reaching near 50 degrees under mostly sunny skies. Tomorrow isn't too shabby either, with highs in the mid-40s. These temperatures will be 5-10 degrees above what we are use to seeing for early to mid-March. Another result of the warmer temperatures will be the shrinking snowpack which could disappear in most areas. This could, however, bring the threat of flooding, especially in areas that have seen record February snowfall.

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