Mall Mulling

Link to July 31 Warren Times Observer article.

Excerpt:
Since the mall opened in 1979, he said, the number of people in the targeted retail trade area has declined from 130,000 to 90,000.

That makes Warren County a "C" market in retailing terms, said Zamias, and also makes it difficult to attract smaller retailers to fill the many vacant spaces at the mall

Rae Gardner

Rae K. Gardner, 83, a resident of the Rouse Warren County Home, Youngsville, Pa. died there Tuesday morning, July 29, 2008 after an extended illness.

He was born July 12, 1925 in Warren, Pa. to the late John (Tip) and Mabel Knupp Gardner. He has resided in Warren County most of his life, growing up in Scandia, Pa. where he owned and operated a beef farm.

Rae was a veteran of the U.S. Army as a private serving with Battery A, 532nd Field Artillery Battalion in the Pacific Theatre.

He was employed with the former SmithHorton, National Forge Company, was a truck driver with the former Hammond Iron Works and was owner and operator of his own trucking firm. He was also employed as a millwright with Interelectric and G.T.E. Sylvania.

He was known by his family as always being a great dad and provider. He could fix anything, and he especially enjoyed remodeling and renovated numerous homes.

He was a avid hunter, fisherman and marksmen. He was known for having a great sense of humor. Rae was a member of the Warren American Legion Post 135.

He is survived by his children, Shiela Rae Birt and her husband, Eldon of Akeley, Pa., Rae K. Gardner, of Warren, Pa., John K. Gardner and his wife, Edie of Scandia, Pa., Dan K. Gardner and his wife, Linda of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Paul L. and Jed A. Birt, and Daniel J. Gardner; four stepgrandchildren, Jamie and Michele Mumau, and Jennifer and Jolene Nobles; and two greatgrandchildren, Molly and Haylie Birt. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years, Virginia I. Hamblin Gardner whom he married June 20, 1945 in Warren, Pa., who died September 8, 2003; and one sister, Doris Dibble.

City wants to see timeline for apartments proposal

Link to July 30 Warren Times Observer article.

Excerpt:
After 16 years of sitting vacant, the former school building on East St. at Third Ave. may be converted into apartments.

City of Warren officials want to see a timeline from the building's owner within a month.

The former elementary school and central office building of the Warren County School District was purchased by Robert Huck for $12,500 when the district's administrative offices were moved to the Curwen Building at Warren State Hospital.

Repairs to Tonawanda Creek Road in Clarence may be near

Link to July 30 Buffalo News article.

Excerpt:
Four years ago, Republicans on the Erie County Legislature staged a news conference beside the washed-out Tonawanda Creek Road in Clarence to complain that legislative dithering was blocking repairs.

Four years later: Another news conference sprang up Tuesday to announce that maybe, just maybe, repairs to the still-crumbled Tonawanda Creek Road will begin in time for it to reopen in late 2009.

Off the Beaten Path

Link to July 24 Valley Advocate article.

Excerpt: I've lived in the Pioneer Valley for 13 years. During my time here, I've spent hundreds of Saturday afternoons wandering around Northampton. Therefore, I'm well versed in many of downtown Northampton's feature attractions—Pulaski Park, Thorne's Marketplace, the Iron Horse, Fitzwilly's and Faces, to name a few. But, as I realized while traipsing down Main Street on a sunny day last weekend, I hadn't ever taken the time to discover the not-so-well-known aspects of Northampton.

Planners offer preference for South Arterial

Link to July 29 Great Falls Tribune article.

Excerpt:

The entire preferred route would begin on Gore Hill near Interstate 15 interchange and go as far as the vicinity of 57th Street. Access points would be constructed near the lower end of Upper River Road, Fox Farm Road, 13th Street South and 26th Street South.

The purpose of the road is to reduce congestion and improve safety on 10th Avenue South, improve street network mobility and provide an additional Missouri River bridge crossing south of 10th.

In 2030, the full arterial project would cost $208 million for a two-lane arterial and $285 million for a four-lane road, Finch said.

Cell tower at Beaty?

Link to July 29 Warren Times Observer article.

Excerpt:
Beaty Middle School may be getting an additino to its property

On Monday night, the school district's Physical Plants and Facilities Committee debated leasing a parcel of land on the Beaty property to Liberty Towers to erect a 120 to 130 foot tall cell phone tower.

Liberty Towers proposed paying the district $800 a month in return for placing the camouflaged tower on the school property.

The lease would be increased by 3 percent each year.

The tower would be constructed to look like a pine tree.

Rooms for Rent

Link to July 29 Warren Times Observer article.

Excerpt:

The Allegheny National Forest headquarters and its 85 employees are due to say "goodbye" to downtown Warren in less than two months.

The departure of the federal agency for its new building in North Warren could potentially leave a large "hole" in downtown Warren, but efforts are continuing to find a new tenant or tenants for the Spiridon Building.

Dean Spiridon, owner of the building which has been home to the Forest Service for the past 35 years, said on Monday, "A couple of people are interested in renting some space."

Margaret Taylor

Margaret H. Taylor, 82, formerly of 118 Conewango Ave., died on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at the Rouse Home.

Mrs. Taylor was born May 20, 1926, in Pittsburgh, the daughter of the late Clarence and Ruth (Sturr) Haslett. She was a 1944 graduate of Warren High School. Following graduation, she was employed by American Airlines as a stewardess and later by Mennen Inc. and Gulf Oil. She returned to Warren in 1950 after marrying Benjamin H. Taylor, Jr. in 1949, owner of Taylor Pharmacy.

She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Warren and the Warren Women's Club.

She is survived by two sons, Benjamin H. Taylor, III, Erie and Scott C. Taylor and his wife, Joy, Warren; a daughter, Gail Taylor Bost and her husband, Steven, Nashville, TN; a sister, Helen Korb, Sarasota, FL; a brother, William Haslett, San Diego, CA; and seven grandchildren, Benjamin H. Taylor, IV, Boulder, CO, Angela Bridges Ortado, Baltimore, MD, Maggie Suzanne Taylor, Baltimore, MD, Adam Lawrence Taylor, New Tripoli, PA, Andrew Taylor Bost, Nashville, TN, Christopher James Taylor, Pittsburgh, PA and Sarah Elizabeth Taylor, Warren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin H. Talyor, Jr.; and a brother, Lawrence Haslett.

Facade Restoration Project Begins

Link to July 28 Jamestown Post-Journal article.

Excerpt:

Despite the appeal of loft-style living and the architectural character of so many buildings in downtown Jamestown, some are just not much to look at and the upper floors remain mostly neglected and unoccupied.

With a substantial grant through the Gebbie Foundation, the Jamestown Renaissance Corp. has begun work on several downtown buildings in hopes of restoring their facades and ultimately luring developers and residents into the top floors.

Sandra Jo Cervola, Obituary

Sandra Jo Ceriola Shannon, 58, of 130 Shannon Lane, Warren, Pa., died at 11:25 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2008 at her home after an extended battle with cancer.

To all who knew her, Sandi was a caring friend. She loved being with her family and friends many of whom became "family" and to be part of Sandi's family at one point meant to always be "family."

She was born in Warren, Pa., on July 16, 1950 to the late Angelo Ceriola and Bernadine R. Ceriola Goyda of Warren, Pa., where she had resided her entire life.

Sandi was a 1968 graduate of Warren High School.

She was a tax practitioner for 27 years, during which time she earned her tax practice courses thru Penn State.

Sandi retired from TAWC where she worked as a bus driver, a program and fiscal assistant.

She was a member of the Warren Moose Lodge Ladies Auxiliary.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband and soul mate, Daniel Shannon, whom she married September 7, 2002 at Buckaloons; and three children, Jora Lyon and her husband, Michael, Rob Carrington and his wife, Bambi and Michael Shannon and his wife, Tara.

Sandi loved spending time with her six grandchildren, Nick and Alex Lyon, Taylor Carrington, Aislyn Cassidy and Michael Shannon. They will miss playing and learning from her.

She is also survived by a sister, Cheryl L. Taylor and her husband, David; brothers, Anthony J. Ceriola and his wife, Sandra and Jeff Ceriola and his wife, Jess; several close friends, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

Burger Master soon will serve only memories

Link to July 18 Great Falls Tribune article.

Excerpt:
On Saturday, cars will make their way up the Burger Master ramp on 10th Avenue South to order flying pizza burgers, shakes and onion rings for the last time.

After the last burgers are served, the restaurant, a longtime Great Falls staple, will close its doors.

Owner Anne Knapstad said it was a series of unfortunate incidents that led to the restaurant's closure, which will leave 10 or 11 employees without a job.

Knapstad and her husband, Keith, who live in Denver, bought Burger Master five years ago. Anne's sister ran the restaurant until she became ill. Anne stayed in Great Falls for about a year to run the restaurant and care for her sister.

She said she is ready to return home.

Bustling Busti

Link to July 18 Jamestown Post-Journal article.

Excerpt:
The Busti Hamlet has already seen its first developmental success through the hard work of three dedicated individuals.

Lorrie Grey's son Carl, a chef, and her daughter, Amanda Grey Johnson, a former waitress, had always felt opening their own diner would be a fun project. When the family discovered a building available for lease in Busti, the project moved from a mere idea to a full, operating diner in a matter of weeks.

Erie County is the destination of choice for local retirees

Link to July 16 Buffalo News article.

Excerpt:

So where's the destination of choice for Erie County's baby-boomers as they age? Would you believe Erie County?

A University at Buffalo survey of more than 480 county residents, ages 50 and older, revealed that 82 percent of them would prefer to remain in their current homes for as long as possible. And of those who moved between 1995 and 2000, 75 percent stayed within the Western New York region, according to data from the last census.

"Contrary to conventional wisdom, there is not a mass exodus of the region's older residents to the Sunbelt," said Debra Street, a UB professor of sociology and the lead researcher on the survey. "Overwhelmingly, their preference is to remain not only in this region, but in their current homes."

Rimrock controversy illustrates fuzziness of OGM/surface rights

Link to July 16 Warren Times Observer article

Excerpt: When the U.S. Forest Service and the state Department of Environmental Protection face a proposal that will impact the Allegheny National Forest's soil, streams or wildlife, the law is clear.

When the concern is visual impact, the lines get more fuzzy.

In the case of Rimrock, a recreation destination that Bradford District Ranger Tony Scardina has publicly "identified as an area that we consider to be one of our best recreation areas," the lines are under a lot of scrutiny.

Saving the streets

Link to July 13 Erie Times-News article.

Excerpt:

Paul Gambill learned to dodge the gunfire the first week he and his family moved into their house at East 23rd and Holland streets.

It was October 1993, and the city of Erie was fighting a surge in drug-related violence that turned some already troubled neighborhoods into a modern-day version of the Wild West.

Bump in the road jolts first day of Route 5 detour

Link to July 12 Buffalo News article.

Excerpt: Though traffic was backed up for miles on Friday — the first day of a long-term detour to accommodate the $55 million Outer Harbor Parkway project — engineers said the end result will make driving along the lakefront much simpler.

When I attended UB, I used to like to take state highway 5 -- the scenic route -- from Silver Creek to Buffalo, a much more interesting drive than the Thruway. It included a close-up view of the industrial decline of Lackawanna.

Population decline continues

Warren Times Observer, July 12, 2008

Some Warren County municipalities gained a few people, some held their own, but most lost population between 2006 and 2007.

The U.S. Census Bureau this week released its annual population estimates for boroughs, cities and townships.

The estimates are for the period between July 1, 2006 and July 1, 2007.

The Census Bureau previously estimated that Warren County's overall population declined from 41,167 to 40,986 during the one-year period, but the information released this week provides estimates for individual municipalities within counties.

According to the Census Bureau estimates, the City of Warren's population declined from 9,479 in July 2006 to 9,440 in July 2007.

Although the drops were not nearly as precipitous as the decreases recorded in other years since the official 2000 Census, all boroughs in Warren County also lost a few people between July 2006 and July 2007.

For instance, Youngsville Borough's estimated population fell from 1,683 to 1,680, but in previous years in this decade, Youngsville had been losing 20 to 30 residents per year.

Warren County Planning Director Dan Glotz said that the figures provided by the Census Bureau are estimates based on historical data and a formula.

However, Glotz said that in the county's comprehensive plan, adopted by county planners last year, there was a projection that "the county's population loss would at some point grind to a halt and then somewhat reverse itself."

The county's plan identified nine areas of the county where some residential or commercial growth could be expected, Glotz said.

Those areas, most in the Rt. 62 and Rt. 62 corridors, were selected based on trends and the availability or planned availability of infrastructure such as highways, sewer service and utilities, he said.

"We could still see that growth," Glotz said.

Sugar Grove Borough's estimated population in 2007 stood at 559, compared to 563 the prior year.

Tidioute Borough's population slipped from 729 to 724.

Clarendon Borough's population declined from 518 to 514.

In Bear Lake Borough, the population dipped slightly from 178 to 176.

Two townships in Warren County - Freehold and Sheffield - had small gains in population between 2006 and 2007, according to Census Bureau estimates.

Freehold Township's population increased from 1,354 to 1,357 and Sheffield Township gained one person, placing the estimated population at 2,216.

In other townships of Warren County, the 2007 estimated population, with the 2006 population in parenthesis, are as follows:

Brokenstraw Township: 1,982 (1,989)

Cherry Grove Township: 218 (219)

Columbus Township: 1,626 (1,635)
Conewango Township: 3,585 (3,611)

Deerfield Township: 315 (316)

Eldred Township: 667 (671)

Elk Township: 525 (527)

Farmington Township: 1,269 (1,277)

Glade Township: 2,158 (2,172)

Limestone Township: 396 (398)

Mead Township: 1,462 (1,470)

Pine Grove Township: 2,522 (2,537)

Pittsfield Township: 1,469 (1,476)

Pleasant Township: 2,356 (2,370)

Southwest Township: 530 (533)

Spring Creek Township: 857 (860)

Sugar Grove Township: 1,804 (1,806)

Triumph Township: 274 (275)

Watson Township: 305 (306)

Whitefish leads growth in Montana cities

New census statistics show that Whitefish is the fastest growing Montana city since the start of the decade, while Billings remains the largest.

The population of Whitefish increased by 60 percent from the 2000 census to 8,083 residents by the summer of 2007. But it is still only the 11th largest city in Montana.

Billings, with an estimated population of nearly 102,000, topped the population list. It grew by 13.4 percent over the same time frame.

The other fastest growing places by percentage are: Kalispell (42.7), Belgrade (40.5), Columbia Falls (40.3) and Bozeman (38).

The data, put together by the U.S. Census bureau, estimates Montana’s population at 957,861 in 2007, up 6.2 percent from 902,195 in the 2000 Census. It estimates Montana’s population will surpass 1 million between 2015 and 2020.

The largest population drops were seen in Hysham, which lost nearly a quarter of its population, along with Flaxville and Medicine Lake, which lost a fifth of their residents. But those towns have just a few hundred residents, making them susceptible to large percentage fluctuations.

Of places with at least 1,000 residents at the start of the decade, Scobey and Plentywood were at the bottom with a 17 percent drop. Butte-Silver Bow and Anaconda-Deer Lodge County both declined by just about 6 percent over the time frame — although they picked up residents in the last year.

The four largest cities have grown over the decade. Missoula, the second largest at 67,165, grew by 17 percent. Great Falls grew by just under 4 percent to 58,827. Bozeman increased by 38 percent to 37,981.

Butte-Silver Bow dropped to 31,967 and has fallen behind Bozeman over the course of the decade in the ranking of the state’s largest cities.

Helena, with 28,726 resident, has grown 11 percent and is getting close to surpassing Butte. The Capitol city currently is the state’s sixth largest city.

The smallest town tracked by the census is Ismay, in the far eastern part of the state. It has held steady at about 25 residents since 2000.

Buffalo's population continues to decline: Search the Census figures to see how other areas are doing

Link to July 10 Buffalo News article.

Excerpt:
The losses reflect a continual decline in population that has plagued much of the state outside New York City for the last half century.

The good news for Erie and Niagara counties from the estimates released today is that the losses were almost minimal — none had a population drop of more than one percentage point.
The City of Good Neighbors lost 2,552 of those good neighbors between July 1, 2006, and July 1, 2007 — a 0.93 percent decline.

Niagara Falls also posted a loss during that period, with 369 leaving the city, reducing the population by 0.71 percent.

A few suburban towns posted gains, albeit tiny ones. Wheatfield boasted the biggest, drawing 605 people — a 3.78 percentage increase. In addition, Orchard Park added 445 people and Clarence, 57.

Overall, Erie County said goodbye to 5,001 residents while Niagara County lost 165.

Cleaning Up After The Party

Link to Warren Times Observer article.

Excerpt:

Warren held quite a party over the weekend, and when it was over there was quite a mess to clean up.

The cleanup was the responsibility of the city's Department of Public Works, along with a number of volunteers.

According to DPW Superintendent Mike Reinke, six workers from his department worked from 4 until 8 a.m. Saturday to clean the downtown streets.

Neglected homes and vacant lots leave Buffalo residents angry

Link to July 6 Buffalo News article.

Excerpt. If there’s a forgotten Buffalo neighborhood, a street abandoned and left for dead, it’s Ruhland Avenue. Walk down the quiet, tree-lined avenue, and you might think you’re in rural North Collins instead of the East Side. Walk a little farther and you’ll discover seven out of every 10 properties on Ruhland are vacant and abandoned.

Buffalo’s housing crisis, the result of 50 years of population loss, has rapidly accelerated in recent years. The city is now a community where 23 percent of the housing units are vacant, according to a 2006 census estimate.

That translates into about 18,000 houses, or about one of every five properties in the city. The lion’s share are on the East Side and West Side.

The crisis is so big, so widespread, experts say, it may represent the single biggest challenge facing Buffalo’s neighborhoods.

Safety not forgotten at guardless beach

Link to July 5 Warren Times Observer article.

Excerpt: Beach enthusiasts spent the hot Thursday afternoon at Chapman Dam Park. They are pictured playing by the beach dock where water bacteria is test regularly

Plan ahead to avoid holiday bridge delays

Link to July 3 Buffalo News article.

Excerpt: Several Web sites offer road-trippers updated traffic conditions, including http://www.peacebridge.com/http://www.niagarafallsbridges.com/and www.nittec.org . Traffic volumes are expected to pick up from daily averages, as well as from the Independence Day holiday last year, which fell on a Wednesday.

Kathy Fritz (Obituary)

Kathy M. Fritz, 57, of 7 Ditmar Street, N. Warren, died peacefully, Monday, June 30, 2008 at her home, following an extended illness.

Kathy was born October 30, 1950, in Oak Park, Illinois, the daughter of Dr. Karl J. Fritz of Warren, and the late Erma M. Baldwin Fritz.

She was a 1968 graduate of Warren High School and a 1972 graduate of Duquesne University, Pittsburgh with a BA in Music Education.

She taught music for several years in Pittsburgh, returned to Warren for a brief time, then returned to Pittsburgh and worked for twentyfive at PNC Bank.

In 2002, she returned again to Warren permanently, and she worked for Community Resources for Independence and the Warren Achievement Center, while providing for her parents.

While living in Warren, she was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, where she taught LOGOS for six years, served as cochairman of the stewardship committee, and participated in Companionship in Christ, Disciple, and the Jolley Class Sunday School.

She enjoyed music, reading, the outdoors, and the companionship of her dog, Baxter. She found pleasure in time spent with family and friends.

In addition to her father, she is survived by, two sisters, Wendy Lyle and her husband Jeff, Coopersburg, PA and Karen Miller and her husband Tom, Kalida, Ohio; a niece, Adele Kleman and her husband Brian, Perrysburg, Ohio; a nephew, Brent Miller, Fairborn, Ohio; a greatnephew, Gavin Kleman; an aunt, Ardis Frost, Erie; and three cousins, all of Erie.

Friends will be received at the First United Methodist Church, 200 Market Street, Warren for one hour prior to a funeral service that will be held there at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 3, 2008, with Rev. William Starr, pastor, First United Methodist Church, officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 200 Market Street, Warren, Pa. 16365, the Cancer Center of Warren, 2 Crescent Park, Warren, Pa. or to Hospice of Warren County, 2 Crescent Park, Warren, Pa. 16365

Burial will be in the Pine Grove Cemetery.