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ournal-herald THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2024 • Volume 43 – No. 50 ©2024, THE JOURNAL-HERALD. All Rights Reserved
CONTINUING: THE WHITE HAVEN JOURNAL ESTABLISHED 1879–145th YEAR, NO. 37
SINGLE COPY– 75¢ (USPS 277440)
CONTINUING: THE WEATHERLY HERALD ESTABLISHED 1880–145th YEAR, NO. 11
Weatherly looking to clean up, curb animals by Seth Isenberg At Weatherly Borough council’s meeting on July 22, a quality-of-life ordinance is being proposed to address things like junk vehicles, accumulation of garbage, high grass and weeds, putting household furniture or appliances outside, lack of cleanup of animals feces, maintenance of swimming pools, hazardous materials storage, and prompt removal
of snow and clearing of ice from sidewalks. Permits during construction will need to be displayed. Borough solicitor James Nanovic explained that the ordinance will allow for the code enforcement officer to issue a ticket for a violation, rather than sending out a notice. It’s quicker, so these properties can get cleaned up faster. Fines start at $25 for the first offense, and go to $50 for the second offense,
then $100 for the third in a year. Appeals will likely be handled by a committee established by borough council. Council voted to advertise the ordinance ahead of approval. The next order of business was to change the borough’s animal ordinance, restricting farm animals from all but the RA zones, though allowing six egg-laying chickens in all zones. No roosters will be allowed. Neither will goats, horses, pigs,
sheep and the like. A permit will be needed for the chickens. This was prompted by nearly a dozen complaints about animals and their odors. One complaint had health officer Tom Brezinski out looking at a home where there were at least 30 rabbits, 30 ducks, AND 30 chickens out back. Council member Joe Cyburt urged council members: “Let’s try it. We can change it” later.
See WEATHERLY, page 5
COG may bring tools to WH Police by Ruth Isenberg
THOUGH THE FORECAST IS UNCLEAR, the Catfish Derby will be happening this weekend in Linesville Park in White Haven. Rain doesn’t bother the fish, and it doesn’t bother most fishermen and women either, especially when they are competing for prizes. The annual event is a fund-raiser for the White Haven Volunteer Fire Company. There’s an entry fee to fish, but the public is welcome to come out and enjoy the food and entertainment. The entertainment schedule is still tentative because of the weather, but music is planned for JH: File photo both Friday and Saturday nights if possible.
Working with the Mountain Council of Governments may give White Haven Police Department some new tools. Borough manager Linda Szoke reported at the July 22 White Haven Borough Council meeting that through the COG, the police may gain access to a digital fingerprinting machine. Costs would be shared with other communities for the equipment, which may soon be mandated by the FBI to replace manual fingerprinting. Another potential area of cooperation could enable White Haven police officers to become certified to do truck inspections by working with other member municipalities. Council tabled updating the Police Department’s policies and
See WHITE HAVEN, page 5