MEADVILLE -- The Department of Environmental Protection has fined the
owner of the former Evans Rollerdome in Foster Township, McKean County,
$40,780 for ignoring asbestos regulations when he demolished the
building last year.
"When DEP found out through a published news report that owner John R.
Kohler planned to demolish the roller rink and an adjoining building, we
contacted him to explain the regulatory requirements regarding asbestos
notification and removal," DEP Northwest Regional Director Kelly Burch
said. "Those discussions proved fruitless. Despite our efforts, the
owner failed to follow the law."

Kohler submitted late and incomplete notification about the proposed
demolition, and he did not have a state-certified representative on site
during the demolition. In addition, Kohler was cited for numerous other
violations regarding removal, storage and disposal of asbestos.

Kohler eventually corrected the violations and properly disposed of the
asbestos, but months of negotiations on a consent assessment for civil
penalty were unsuccessful, leading to today's fine.

Because asbestos in certain forms has been determined to cause serious
health problems, DEP regulates the removal, collection, transportation
and disposal of asbestos-containing materials to protect public health.

State regulations stipulate that it is illegal for anyone to engage in
any asbestos-related occupation without proper certification from the
state Department of Labor and Industry. A certified individual must
thoroughly inspect a commercial building for asbestos prior to any
renovation or demolition.

Whether asbestos is found or not, the property owner and/or contractor
must send an inspection notification to DEP and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency at least 10 working days prior to the start of the
project.

Asbestos is a generic term used to describe a variety of natural mineral
fibers. From the early 1930s until the 1970s, manufacturers used
asbestos to strengthen products and to provide heat insulation and fire
resistance. Asbestos also resists corrosion and is a poor conductor of
electricity. Because few products contained all of these properties,
asbestos was widely used in the construction of homes, schools and other
buildings.

Nationwide, approximately 5.7 million cubic feet of regulated
asbestos-containing material is disposed of annually, most of it taken
to landfills where it is covered by soil or other debris to prevent it
from being released into the air.

To obtain copies of the regulations regarding asbestos removal and
demolition, property owners should contact the DEP Northwest Regional
Office Air Quality Program at 814-332-6940.

Information on asbestos and related regulations also is available on the
DEP Web site at www.dep.state.pa.us, Keyword: "Asbestos."

One local church is standing behind a young man who is less than half the
man he used to be. Open Arms Community Church is hosting a benefit concert
to help out with traveling expenses for the Willoughby family.

Justin Willoughby has lost as 480 pounds. That’s as much as a bale of cotton
the size of a refrigerator. Most of the weight was lost without any surgery,
but when Justin reached a weight loss plateau, it helped to have friends in
high places.

After Willoughby’s story went nationwide, New Jersey plastic surgeon Dr.
Barry DiBernardo heard the news, and offered to remove the 19 year old’s
excess skin, at no charge. The Willoughby’s packed up and headed to New
Jersey, for a television taping with Inside Edition, and the first, and most
dangerous part of the surgery, as 22 pounds of skin was cut from his abdomen
and chest.

“The doctor took the skin and spread it out on the floor to see how far it
stretched, and it was about three to five feet of skin,” says Willougby.

While the surgery and doctor’s visits are free to the Willougby family,
travel to and from New Jersey, and hotel stays are putting their strain on
the family budget. “We really just have enough to get by, and we don’t have
the gas money and the other expenses to make the trips.”

Open Arms Community Church has helped with funds for a few trips, and now
they are opening up for an opportunity for the community to support
Willoughby, as he heads down on October 17th for an evaluation on the next
surgery to remove the extra skin from his arms and legs.

From 7:30 until 10:00pm Saturday Night, local bands will take the stage at
Open Arms during the “Rock 4 Justin” to help foot the travel bills. Artists
like Josh Hatcher and the Revolt, Mike Miller from Fluidity, Jordan Strauss,
and others will be showcasing their talents, without charging a cover.

“There’s really no admission cost, we just ask that people give what they
can at the door to help out Justin,” says Outreach Pastor Josh Hatcher.

Willoughby will also perform a few of his own original rap songs as well, “I
like performing, and it gives me a chance to do that, and there will be
bands that I enjoy listening to,” says Willoughby.

“It’s not just a Christian concert either,” says Hatcher, who says that the
event will have music of many genres, for many different tastes. “We’re
still finalizing the line-up, and there are still a few slots open for other
bands that want to participate.”

When asked about all the national media attention that his weight loss has
garnered, Willoughby is excited, not because of any attention it brings him,
but for how it’s allowed him to help others.

“When my story was picked up by the Associated Press, a man in Alaska read
it. He weighs 800 pounds, and he had given up on weight loss, and life
altogether. He’s been in contact with me, and I’ve been trying to help him
out by sending him positive emails, and praying for him. I think it’s
awesome that God has been able to use my story to reach people on the other
side of the country,”

For more information on the Rock 4 Justin, log on to openarmsbradford.org

KANE REPUBLICAN- Mt. Jewett's new part-time police officer is a young woman who is a criminal justice student at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

The Mt. Jewett Borough Council, acting during a special meeting Wednesday, voted 5-1 to hire Nataliya A. Miroslavna as the borough's part-time police officer. Read the Complete Story Here.

Tribune Review: A series of stabbings and a fight involving three Pittsburgh area men early Sunday in Clarion is raising questions for police there -- including whether the victims went too far in trying to stop a knife-wielding aggressor.

Read the Complete Story Here.

HARRISBURG – In an effort to reduce losses from fires caused by cooking,
Governor Edward G. Rendell has proclaimed Oct. 8-14 as Fire Prevention Week
in Pennsylvania. The theme for Fire Prevention Week is “Prevent Cooking
Fires: Watch What You Heat.”

“It is always important to be careful with fire, whether you are outside or
inside,” the Governor said. “It is especially important to pay attention in
the kitchen because cooking fires can quickly get out of control and cause
serious damage.”

During this week, residents, schools, businesses and civic organizations are
encouraged to participate in fire prevention activities that will be focused
on safe cooking and to make sure their homes, workplaces and schools are
equipped with smoke detectors and fire suppression systems.

“Cooking equipment is involved in more than 100,000 home fires each year.
Most of these fires start because people do not pay attention when they
cook,” said State Fire Commissioner Edward A. Mann. “Please stay in the
kitchen and pay attention when cooking. If you must leave the room, turn
off the stove and all cooking appliances.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, there were 3,675 fire
fatalities and nearly 18,000 fire-related injuries in the United States in
2005. In Pennsylvania, the state Department of Health reported 179 civilian
fire deaths, not including seven firefighters who died in the line of duty.

The Office of the State Fire Commissioner offers these tips for safer
cooking:

Stand by your pan:

· Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling or boiling
food.
· If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off
the stove.
· If you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly, remain
in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that the
stove or oven is on.
· Keep in mind that you should avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling
sleeves while cooking. Loose clothing can catch fire if it comes in contact
with a gas flame or electric burner.

No kids allowed:

· Keep kids away from cooking areas by enforcing a "kid-free zone" of three
feet (one meter) around the stove.
· If you have young children, use the stove's back burners whenever
possible, and turn pot handles inward to reduce the risk that pots with hot
contents will be knocked over.
· Never hold a small child while cooking.

Keep it clean:

· Keep anything that can catch fire -- pot holders, oven mitts, wooden
utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels or curtains away
from your stove top.
· Clean up food and grease from burners and the stovetop.

For more information about Fire Prevention Week, visit the Office of the
State Fire Commissioner Web site at www.osfc.state.pa.us.