READERS—This issue is printed in our old format, due to a printing problem. Look for a return to our regular style next week.
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the
ournal-herald THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024 • Volume 43 – No. 38
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CONTINUING: THE WHITE HAVEN JOURNAL ESTABLISHED 1879–145th YEAR, NO. 25
(USPS 277440)
CONTINUING: THE WEATHERLY HERALD ESTABLISHED 1880–144th YEAR, NO. 51
Northern Lights light local skies A huge magnetic storm 93 million miles away on the surface of the Sun this past weekend allowed the northern lights to be visible in the Poconos. The aurora borealis (northern lights) are the result of electrons resulting from explosions of plasma and magnetic fields in the sun’s corona colliding within the upper reaches of Earth’s atmosphere, causing geomagnetic storms when directed at Earth. Mark F. Peterson was lucky enough to get a glimpse of the celestial show from his front yard in Lake Harmony at 11 p.m. Friday when there was a break in the clouds. He writes, “From my vantage point, the night sky looked like it had a purplish tint to it and my iPhone camera was able to enhance the color with slow shutter speed.”
Foster awards demo bids by Jim Dino
The Foster Township Supervisors awarded bids for the demolition of two double homes, one that will clear an entrance to Freeland that could possibly be a commercial development. At their latest meeting May 8, the supervisors awarded a $15,700 contract to Brdaric Excavating, Luzerne, to tear down a home at 104-108 Centre Street–and get the
site “pad ready” for a developer to build something there. Combined with the removal of underground gas tanks at the former Heller’s Gas Station, the curve that takes Route 940 into Centre Street will be clear. The township owns both halves of the home, which is in such disrepair that it would be dangerous to enter. All of the work is being done with a 209,445 Local
Shares Account (LSA) grant the township obtained for the project. There is one more double home — which is still occupied — between the site and the MMI Preparatory School. The supervisors also intend to use some of the grant money to put in crosswalks and decorative street lighting to dress up the intersection and make it more attractive to a developer. See FOSTER, page 5
TEMPORARY BRIDGE PARTS were delivered to repair the damaged bridge on Ochre Mill Road in Packer Township on Monday. Supervisor chair Robert Selert said the single lane bridge is 50 feet long and is rated for 80,000 pounds. The aluminum culvert needed to make the final repairs has been ordered, but may take three to six weeks to be delivered. For a look at the temporary bridge as of Tuesday afternoon, turn to page 6. JH: Ruth Isenberg