The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA

Local News

July 7, 2009

Portage council tackles variety of complaints

PORTAGE — It’s summertime, and the living is easy.

But not for Portage Borough Council members, who are dealing with issues of merchandise on a sidewalk, a partially demolished mobile home, a family moving back into a burned home and complaints about loud teen dances.

Hoping not to discourage local startup businesses, council will allow the owner of Friend’s Variety Mart to continue to display merchandise on the sidewalk outside. But it is drawing the line at blocking passage.

The store opened on Main Street about a month ago, and in recent days an increased amount of goods showed up on the sidewalk and around parking meters in front of the store.

Borough officials are looking into ordinances that may prohibit sidewalk merchandise displays outside except for special events.

The question is whether current conditions make the walkway inaccessible for the handicapped, Borough Manager Bob Koban said.

Council will allow the merchandise for now, but only if the display is reined in a bit, board President Sharon McCarthy said.

“If he keeps it against the building, it’s OK, until we do more research,” she said.

Council also is in a holding pattern regarding a single-wide mobile home on Blair Street.

Efforts to have it demolished recently came to a halt over property tax issues and a demolition permit, borough officials said.

The robin’s-egg-blue trailer is difficult to miss, McCarthy said of the former home, which has been sitting around for two months.

Concerns about a house in the

600 block of Orchard Street surfaced this week after word reached council that the occupants were moving back in following a July 2 fire.

Harry Breathard Carbaugh, 66, of Portage, was charged with arson in the blaze. He is scheduled to appear today before District Judge Galen Decort in Portage.

An estimated $60,000 damage was done to the 21/2-story home, displacing five residents. The blaze started in a second-story bedroom.

Ron Cadwallader Jr., superintendent of the Portage water system, said occupants requested that water service be restored following the fire.

“They’re moving back in, but the state police fire marshal said they were allowed on the first floor to clean up, but not the second floor,” Cadwallader told council.

The greatest damage was in a bedroom and the attic.

Council will monitor the situation.

And borough police will keep a closer eye on the Sun Dance, a teen night club at Caldwell Avenue and Bedford Street.

Councilwoman Rebecca Chobany has fielded complaints about noise coming from the club and the patrons.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
  • Pennsylvania Budget_Denn.jpg $27.1B budget proposed

    Gov. Tom Corbett on Tuesday proposed a budget of $27.1 billion, with no tax increases, deep cuts to higher education assistance and a range of cost-cutting in services for the poor, elderly and disabled.

    February 7, 2012 1 Photo

  • Pennsylvania Budget.jpg Highlights of Gov. Corbett's state spending plan

    Read on to see a bulleted list of Gov. Tom Corbett’s $27.1 billion state spending plan for the year that starts July 1.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • Universities face steep cuts

    State universities still trying to recover from deep cuts last year would have their public funding slashed even further under a budget plan unveiled Tuesday, leading some institutions to warn of a choice between maintaining buildings and offering academic programs students need to graduate.

    February 7, 2012

  • Plan hurts middle class, local Democrats contend

    While members of his own party praised Gov. Tom Corbett’s fiscal restraint, some local Democratic lawmakers said the Republican’s proposed budget panders to corporate interests while inflicting pain on the middle class.

    February 7, 2012

  • Senate approves proposed fee on shale drilling

    The state Senate voted today to impose a fee on natural-gas drilling in Pennsylvania and expand regulations for the booming industry, a milestone in a debate that has raged in the Capitol for several years.
    Senators voted 31-19 to approve the 174-page bill that would fund road work and environmental clean-ups and give local governments the power to decide if the fee would be imposed on their local wells.
    “Could we have done better? Supposedly, but it has taken three years to get this far,” said supporter Sen. John Wozniak, D-Johnstown, among a handful who crossed party lines. “It is time to turn the page.”

    February 7, 2012

  • griffith mug 12-2011.JPG Blogging with heart

    I've got so much stuff for this Sunday's American Heart Month package, that some of the stories will spill over onto Monday. But I don't know what to leave out, or hold for the next week, so it looks like a double hit this week.

    February 7, 2012 1 Photo

  • Gas Drilling Dimock_Denn.jpg Pa. gas drilling fee bill debate ends without vote

    Pennsylvania, the only major gas-producing state that does not tax the taking of natural gas from its soil, moved closer Tuesday to imposing a fee on the drilling in the vast Marcellus Shale reserves that have transformed the state in recent years.

    February 7, 2012 1 Photo

  • portage_8 Detour hurting some Portage businesses

    Craig Mazzarese’s business depends heavily on drive-by customers, but since last week fewer drive-bys have been stopping

    February 7, 2012 2 Photos

  • Local airport funding intact

    Airport leaders here are breathing sighs of relief after Congress approved funding to support local commercial air service through 2015.

    February 7, 2012

  • With state revenue tight, Westmont seeks school budget input

    The Westmont Hilltop school board on Tuesday night held a public forum at the middle school to explain why the district, already one of the most efficient in the state, must raise taxes each year.

    February 7, 2012

Poll

Do you support Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed state budget for fiscal year 2012-13?

Yes, I support his proposed budget.
No, I don't support his proposed budget.
I don't know anything about it.
     View Results
AP Video
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House' Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo. Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner Romney Congratulates Santorum, Focuses on Obama Paul Says Results Help Him Rack Up Delegates Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate' Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
House Ads
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com