Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

State Rep. Matt Gabler’s bill that gives a tax break to timber harvesters – similar to breaks already given to farmers and others in the agriculture industry – has passed the State House, and now heads to the Senate. Gabler’s bill would amend the Tax Reform Code to exclude the purchase of machinery, equipment and parts used in timbering, just as farmers currently enjoy a sales tax exemption on the purchase of tractors, combines, tools, feed, and fertilizers used in their operations. “Foresters and farmers both manage a crop, but the Department of Revenue does not allow them to both be classified under agriculture,” Gabler said in a news release. “That designation is the catalyst for my legislation, which will also protect local jobs, benefit consumers and help our local economy by allowing local timber producers to remain competitive.” Craig Timm, regional public affairs manager for Domtar, which runs the Johnsonburg paper mill, says the bill will directly support the forest pro...

Police and fire officials have finished their investigation in the fire at the Domtar paper plant in Johnsonburg, but they still don’t know what sparked the blaze. The fire started on the afternoon on July 12 in an underground wood chip transportation tunnel and, although it was under control the next morning, it was not completely extinguished until Wednesday. State Police fire marshal Greg Agosti says the “fire issues” between July 13 and Thursday were isolated to the above ground wood chip storage area near the tunnel system. The smoldering of the chip pile was a result of the tunnel fire. Agosti says although they don’t know what started the fire it is not considered suspicious. Domtar is now working on cleanup and repair. A dollar estimate for the damage is not available yet. Hundreds of firefighters from across the region, including McKean County, battled the blaze. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Extensive damage to an underground tunnel may delay the investigation of the fire at the Domtar Paper Company in Johnsonburg. State Police fire marshal Greg Agosti says much of Friday’s fire was in a 1,000-foot tunnel under the chip yard at the plant. He says concerns about air quality in the tunnel, and the danger of a collapse, may delay the start of the investigation until mid-week. He says he expects the investigation to be lengthy. No one was hurt in the fire that was reported at about 12:30 Friday afternoon. About 200 firefighters from at 25 departments in six counties – including McKean – helped battle the blaze until about 11 o’clock Saturday morning. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

UPDATE 6:08 p.m.: Firefighters from Bradford Township, Lewis Run, DuBois and Horton Township have been called to Johnsonburg because the incident commander says "it'll be a long night." They plan to "swap out" crews to give the firefighters on the scene a break. United Refining of Warren is on the way to Johnsonburg with 1,850 gallons of foam, foam pumps and five firefighters. UPDATE: The McKean and Warren County Emergency Management Agencies are headed to Johnsonburg with foam used to fight refinery fires. UPDATE: All crews were evacuated from the tunnel and firefighters have switched to defensive operations. UPDATE: Firefighters say due to the processes used by the plant, there are several chemicals present, including chlorine. Firefighters from Johnsonburg, St. Marys, Ridgway, Fox Township, Wilcox and Kane are on the scene. Brockway has been asked to stand by with an aerial and manpower. Live scanner here . ~~~ Firefighters in Elk County are...

DuBOIS – Volunteers are working to organize the Inaugural Golf Tournament For America’s Heroes, tentatively scheduled for Saturday, September 8, 2012 to be held at the DuBois Country Club with all proceeds benefitting the Wounded Warrior Project. Volunteers are requested who may be available to assist on the day of the tournament, or for any period of time prior to the tournament. Any amount of time would be appreciated. Opportunities for financial sponsorships range from $25 to $1,000 and up. Both corporate and individual donations are accepted. Domtar Paper Company’s DuBois Converting and Distribution Facility will host the event. Domtar Public Affairs Manager Craig Timm, Facility Manager Kip Jones and Administrative Assistant Ashley Blessel are currently working with State Representative Matt Gabler, and community members Julie Stewart and Carl Lias to organize the event. Inquiries regarding how to volunteer, contribute, or participate in the tournament may be directed to Ashley...

Members of the state House Timber Caucus toured the Domtar paper mill in Johnsonburg on Thursday, Jan. 27, as part of an examination of Pennsylvania's forest industry. The Johnsonburg facility is the biggest mill owned by the Domtar Corporation, the largest integrated producer of uncoated free sheet paper in North America and the second largest in the world based on production capacity. Pictured (left to right) are Jack Hedlund of the Allegheny Forest Alliance, Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk), Kathy Rapp (R-Forest/McKean/Warren), Brad Roae (R-Crawford), Martin Causer (R-McKean, Potter, Cameron), Gary Haluska (D-Cambria), Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango), Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion) and Ridgway-resident Dale Anderson of the Pennsylvania Forest Industry. Photo provided by House Republican Communications