In Its Biggest Contract, High Steel To Fabricate Half Of The Steel For Approaches Of The New NY Bridge

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Lancaster County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

High Steel Structures has won its biggest contract ever, triggering new jobs at its Lancaster and Williamsport plants.

High Steel has been picked to fabricate half of the steel for the approaches of The New NY Bridge.

To be completed in 2018, The New NY Bridge will replace the deteriorated, congested Tappan Zee Bridge over the Hudson River north of New York City.

High Steel, founded in 1931, will fabricate 50,000 tons of steel for the approaches of the new bridge, to have eight passenger lanes and four emergency lanes.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/931218_In-its-biggest-contract–High-Steel-to-fabricate-half-of-the-steel-for-approaches-of-The-New-NY-Bridge.html#ixzz2nTWOUude

Scranton Mayor Vetoes Council’s Revisions To His Budget

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Lackawanna County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Mayor Chris Doherty on Friday vetoed city council’s revisions to his proposed $130.2 million budget.

Council will hold a special meeting Monday at 5:30 p.m. to vote on whether to override or sustain the veto, council President Janet Evans said.

A split council on Thursday raised and lowered some salaries and added two positions in the mayor’s budget. The amendments did not change the budget total or the 57 percent tax increase and 69 percent trash collection fee hike.

Council voted 3-2 on many of the amendments in a split that had Councilmen Bob McGoff, Pat Rogan and Jack Loscombe, who are all returning to council in 2014, forming a bloc to pass the amendments, and Council President Janet Evans and Councilman Frank Joyce, who are departing council, dissenting.

Read more: http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-mayor-vetoes-council-s-revisions-to-his-budget-1.1601207

Mega Millions Jackpot Soars To $550M, And Beyond?

There was no winner in the “Mega Millions” game on Friday night. The jackpot has been boosted to $550 million, according to lottery officials. The next drawing is Tuesday at 11 p.m.

The winning numbers in Friday night’s drawing were: 19-24-26-27-70, Mega Ball: 12

With the Friday the 13th drawing failing to produce any winner lucky enough to claim the fifth-biggest jackpot ever, officials raised the jackpot amount by $125 million. That now ranks as the fourth-biggest.

Paula Otto, the Virginia Lottery’s executive director and Mega Millions’ lead director, told The Associated Press early Saturday that she expects the amount to rise even higher before the drawing. It could approach or surpass the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever claimed, $656 million in March 2012.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/Mega_Millions_jackpot_hiked_to_425_million.html#RRVWeTLFeyyqs8AZ.99

Philly Ups Aggressive Tactics In Fighting Blight With CLIP Bill

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Philadelphia County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

CODE OFFICERS looking to rid nuisance conditions in locked-up, vacant lots around town just might get a pair of shears to gain access, if a bill becomes law by the end of January.

Legislation passed in City Council on Thursday would allow workers in city’s Community Life Improvement Programs, or CLIP, to clip the locks on vacant and abandoned fenced-in lots whose owners are either lost, unknown or unresponsive.

The ordinance, sponsored by Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, gives greater power to CLIP, which works to improve the appearance of neighborhoods and eradicate blight.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20131215_City_ups_aggressive_tactics_in_fighting_blight_with_CLIP_bill.html#VPr0fYt2tSrQLCqu.99

UPDATED: Weather Service Issues Storm Warning, 6 Inches Possible

POTTSTOWN — Weather forecasters are calling for more snow today, with a possible accumulation of 6 to 8 inches across the region.

According to the National Weather Service, “there will be enough cold air in place for a widespread snowfall to occur, and there is the potential for significant accumulations” as a low pressure system moves across the Northeast today into Sunday. As the system moves away, temperatures, which have been dipping into the teens at night for the Philadelphia region, could rise, causing the snow to turn into sleet and freezing rain, the weather service warned.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties and the Philadelphia region from 7 this morning through 5 a.m. Sunday as a result. In addition to the heavy accumulation, the weather service warned a quarter inch of ice could accumulate at the end of the storm Sunday morning. The weather service warned travel conditions could be hazardous as bridges and overpasses could become slippery. “Bridges and overpasses tend to ice up first,” it said.

The heaviest snowfall times will be between 3 p.m. and midnight when snow will fall an inch an hour with visibility only one half mile, the weather service said. Temperatures will only be in the 20s and possibly into the teens in the Poconos. Gusty winds are also possible, the weather service said.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20131213/updated-weather-service-issues-storm-warning-6-inches-possible

Local Chef Signs On At The Abraham Lincoln Hotel In Reading

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Berks County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay most likely had bigger challenges for chef Andrea J. Heinly on Season 5 of Fox’s “Hell’s Kitchen,” but serving 160 French tourists carved top round in her new job as banquet chef at the Abraham Lincoln hotel definitely was top of the list of her new challenges.

“I didn’t know a lick of French,” Heinly said.

The French tour group is just the beginning of what’s in store for the 37-year-old Reading resident.

Heinly’s goal, she said, is to make the Abe the best place in Reading, the top banquet facility.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article/20131214/MONEY/312149985#.UqyRsfRDsxI

Christmas Tree Sales Still Going On At The Mosaic Garden In Pottstown!

The best selection of trees are still available for purchase at the MOSAIC Community Garden! Prices range from $20-$40. Garden committee members are available to assist you with the purchase of your tree by appointment all weekend long! A beautiful, locally-grown tree it right at your fingertips! Please take advantage of this great offer. Contact Laura Washington at (484) 300-2410 to arrange an appointment or to find out more!