TyronePA.com

On Tuesday, Tyrone Borough Code Enforcement Officer James Metzgar received a complaint dealing with an apartment building at 704, 706 and 708, Park Avenue. Metzgar went to the property and did a site inspection. In the back of the property, he found numerous violations under Ordinance No. 1216 of the Property Maintenance Code.
“What caught my attention was the rear roof, which has some structural issues,” said Metzgar. “There’s partial collapse right now (it was buckled), and any time you get into a roof where there’s structural issues involved, it’s an unsafe building.”
“The roof covering the front porch, garage and overhang is in very poor condition also,” said Metzgar. “The fascia board and joist members are deteriorated and exposed to the weather elements.”
Metzgar also stated that the back of the property contained rubbish, garbage and animal feces. He said there was a hatch basement that was completely open and causing a hazard.
“It’s just unsanitary conditions and absolutely unacceptable for any use of the building,” added Metzgar.
Other violations Metzgar reported were: a utility shed in the rear of the property had collapsed and is causing a hazard; numerous windows are missing and/or cracked and broken; and all insect screens and doors are missing and/or in very poor conditions.
Metzgar contacted the property owner, Jim Phillips of Tyrone, and notified Phillips that he was putting a Condemnation Notice on the building and that as the property owner, he had to notify his tenants that they needed to vacate the premises due to the structure being unsafe.
“I made an agreement with him that I would give them (the tenants) enough time throughout the night and partial morning to vacate the building, but after that, no one’s allowed back in the building,” said Metzgar.
The tenants of the three apartments were displeased, according to Metzgar, who had a police escort when issuing the Condemnation Notice. The tenants were all out of the apartment building by late Wednesday. He said his job is to make sure the buildings and structures are safe in the community, which he felt the Park Avenue structure was not presently safe for occupancy.
Phillips wasted no time to begin addressing the violations at the property. Metzgar said he informed Phillips of what needed to be done and he contacted a contractor to begin the process. The rubbish and garbage behind the property was already cleaned up Wednesday morning, and Metzgar commended him for his quick actions.
“I just let him (Phillips) know all the structural issues need to be taken care of first, to allow any occupancy back into the building,” added Metzgar. “Once all the structural issues are taken care of, he then can proceed with other violations that were addressed at the premises.”
On Wednesday, Phillips was given a compliance date of April 21, 2008 to address the building’s violations dealing with the rubbish and garbage on the property. Since Phillips has already complied with the trash issue, his next step will be to address the structural issues so the tenants can move back in.
Phillips didn’t agree that there was a structural issue with the building. He said that the roof Metzgar referred to was a porch roof, and that it didn’t warrant the tenants being removed from the premises.
“The tenants are irate about it, and I understand,” said Phillips. “But that’s his (Metzgar) call. I’m doing what I can to get things fixed up down there. I don’t have a problem fixing the things.”
He added, “I got the notice when the tenants did. I don’t think they should put the tenants out. It was blown out of proportion.”
Metzgar stated that this is a “very good example” of how to get the property owners working together with other property owners in the area with property maintenance. He said that he will continue to respond to complaints within the area, and that property maintenance is the issue he will be addressing this spring and summer.
“It’s unacceptable,” said Metzgar. “It takes just one property in the neighborhood to really degrade the rest of the properties in the area.”

Leadership conference
On March 9-11, the Tyrone FFA members attended the PA S.L.L.C. (State Legislative Leadership Conference in Harrisburg). Students attending the trip were: Jon Hoffman, Jamie Thompson and Samantha Walls. A total of 438 students attended this event and participated in many exciting activities such as seminars on dinner etiquette, professional image, parliamentary procedure, business correspondence as well as educational tours to Hershey’s Chocolate World and Milton Hershey School. While at the three-day conference students also had the opportunity to participate in mock legislative and caucus meetings where they discussed current House and Senate bills and toured the state Capitol building and attended a legislative breakfast with local politicians, including Representatives Jerry Stern and Mike Fleck and Senator John Eichelberger. In the first photo, from left: Rep. Jerry Stern, Jon Hoffman, Jamie Thompson, Samantha Walls and Ben Mordan, Tyrone Ag Teacher. In the second photo, from left: Rep. Mike Fleck, Jamie Thompson, Jon Hoffman and Samantha Walls. (Courtesy photo)

Nearly 15,000 hours of volunteer service for Epworth Manor, and more importantly, the volunteers who provided those hours, will be recognized as part of the community’s upcoming annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration.
The event, hosted by the residents, associates and administrators of Epworth Manor, is scheduled for Saturday, March 29 at 9 a.m. and will honor the 166 individuals who gave unselfishly of their time to serve as volunteers in the past year.
The theme of this year’s Volunteer Appreciation Celebration is “Epworth Manor Volunteers, Priceless Treasures”.
Entertainment at the celebration will be provided by accordionist Mario Crocetti.
“We are thankful for our volunteers and the wide variety of services they provide, including transporting residents to therapy sessions and activity programs, assisting the beautician and barber, and helping our residents during meal times just to name a few,” said Epworth Manor Volunteer Coordinator Carol Ayers.
Ayers will present gifts of appreciation to each volunteer at the celebration.
During the past year, these volunteers provided 14,818 hours of service to the residents of Epworth Manor.
Examples of Epworth Manor’s volunteer services include: mending residents’ clothing, conducting Bible study groups, working in the community’s greenhouse, as well as personal activities such as accompanying residents on shopping trips and outings or just spending social time with them.
Some student volunteers are a part of the Health Tech program, Tyrone Middle School Student Council and the Honor Society of Tyrone Area High School.
“We recognize the importance of our volunteers and their commitment to bring happiness to our residents, which in turn helps fulfill our mission of service to seniors. This celebration helps express our appreciation to our volunteers for the countless hours of service they provide,” added Robin Stern, executive director.
Anyone who is interested in making a difference in the life of someone at Epworth Manor by serving as a volunteer should contact Carol Ayers at 684-0320.

First Assembly of God Church has many spring events planned for the upcoming months.
With Easter this weekend, the church will host services on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. There will be no evening service on Easter Sunday so family and friends can spend time together.
The Spring Missions Convention will be held April 13-16. There will be five special missions speakers during the week. The speakers will represent the mission fields of Bulgaria, Greece, South Africa and the Baltic States.
Service times are Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Special services will be held Monday and Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. with the missions banquet being held Wednesday evening at 6 p.m.
The public is invited to attend these special convention services.
Also next month, another Olde Fashioned Hymn Sings is scheduled for April 27 at 6:30 p.m.
Participating in the hymn sing will be some of the best in local gospel music. Everyone is invited to join in the festivities.
In May, the church’s 10:30 a.m. worship service will be broadcast live over WTRN radio.
Mother’s will receive special recognition on May 11. In honor of Mother’s Day, all the mothers in attendance will be honored with a special gift.
In return, on Father’s Day, June 15, all the dads present in church will receive a gift also.
June 22 at 6:30 p.m. there will be a baptismal service for those wishing to be baptized in water. First Assembly members who wish to participate in this special event should contact Pastor Glunt.
Finally, he church will once again host its Sunday night fellowships.
The fellowship night is scheduled for the first Sunday of the month, immediately following Sunday evening service.
A new addition to the First Assembly lineup of events is “Friendship Dinners” which will be held after the morning service on the fifth Sunday’s of the month, when there is one.
The Friendship Dinners will occur four times a year and are being promoted to encourage fellowship and to allow a time for people to come to know others who attend the church.
Everyone is invited to come and make a friend.
First Assembly of God Church is located on 12th Street and Blair Avenue.

Alfred William “Bill” Grove, 76, of Port Matilda RD died Monday, March 17, 2008 at his residence.
He was born August 1, 1931 in Mount Union, PA, a son of the late William Ira Grove and Edna (Cramer) Grove Booth.
On December 15, 1956 in Mount Union, PA he was married to Norma E. (Carter) Grove, who survives at home.
She is survived by one daughter and one son: Robyn L. Grove of Beaver Falls, PA and Jeffrey L. Grove of Port Matilda, PA; one brother, Theodore Grove and his wife Fay of York, PA; two grandchildren: Josh L. Grove and Amanda L. Grove and two nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Wendell Grove.
He enjoyed camping, dancing, fishing and being with everyone.
He was of the Methodist faith, was a 1951 graduate of Mount Union High School and attended Williamsport Trade School for two years.
He was a machinist at HRB Singer and at Penn Tran, Bellefonte, from which he retired in 1993.
He then drove school bus for Confer Bus Company in Port Matilda from 1993 until this year.
A veteran of the US Navy, he served during the Korean Conflict.
He was a life member of Orbisonia American Legion Madden-Wennick Post 518 and the Port Matilda Fire Company.
He was a member of the Bellefonte VFW Post 1600, the Philipsburg BPOE Lodge No. 1173, was a Past Commander and member of the Philipsburg AM Vets Post 159, the Altoona Bavarian Aid Society and the Tyrone Hook and Ladder Fire Company.
He was a 44 year member of the Port Matilda Ambulance Club and was coordinator of Emergency Management of Worth Twp. and Port Matilda Borough.
Funeral Services will be held at the David K. Dahlgren Funeral Home, 228 N. Centre St. Philipsburg, PA on Saturday, March 22, 2008 at 11 a.m. with Layman Samuel D. Reese officiating.
Military honors will be conducted by the Moshannon Valley Independent Honor Guard following the service.
Burial will be in the Port Matilda Presbyterian Cemetery.
Friends will be received at the David K. Dahlgren Funeral Home, 228 N. Centre St. Philipsburg, PA on Friday, March 21, 2008 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
An Elks memorial service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Home Nursing Agency c/o Hospice, Parkview Center, Suite 7, 205 Park Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823 or to the American Cancer Society, 123 S. Sparks St. State College, PA 16801.
Online condolences may be made at www.dahlgrenfuneralhome.com.