Foreclosure Activity Surges Across Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Region

Locator map of the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Metropolitan Statistical Area in the northeastern part of the of . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Regional foreclosures advanced at the state’s highest percentage among metropolitan areas in 2013.

Property repossessions, home auction notices and mortgage default activity in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metro area soared by 60 percent, compared to 2012, according RealtyTrac, a Los Angeles-area company that tracks national foreclosure trends.

Foreclosures climbed in the area during all four quarters of the year and the annual increase was largest proportionately among state metro areas, RealtyTrac data show. York’s 32 percent increase was the second-largest jump.

The region experienced eight straight quarters of foreclosure declines before activity accelerated in the first quarter of 2013.

Read more: http://citizensvoice.com/news/business/foreclosure-activity-surges-across-region-1.1619761

Bon-Ton Eliminates COO Role

The Bon-Ton Stores said Friday it will eliminate the position of chief operating officer, terminating Barbara J. Schrantz effective Sept. 14.

The York-based department store chain made the announcement in a one-sentence filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Schrantz joined The Bon-Ton in 2005 as a senior vice president, becoming an executive vice president in 2009 and COO last year.

The company did not immediately explain the move or say who will assume Schrantz’s duties.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/725367_Bon-Ton-eliminates-COO-role.html#ixzz25Q5yxy5V

PennDOT Looking At Mass Transit Coordination In Central Pennsylvania

Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties will be participating in a PennDOT sponsored mass transit study aimed at making regional mass transit better.  The study will look at Capital Area Transit, Red Rose Transit, redrabbit and Lebanon Transit see how these four systems can best work together to benefit the Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York metropolitan areas.  The goal is to enhance service while making all four transit systems more cost-effective.

13 Storm Related Deaths In Pennsylvania

Last week’s massive flooding in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has left 13 people dead.  The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) listed 13 possible storm-related deaths on Sunday in the following counties:

3 Lancaster, 2 Bradford, 2 Dauphin, 2 Lebanon, 1 Chester, 1 Luzerne, 1 Philadelphia and 1 York.

Central PA Flooding Claims Five Lives

Flood waters have claims five lives in the midstate and two people are missing.  Dauphin, York, Lancaster and Lebanon counties all reported deaths related to flooding.

Front Street in Harrisburg has flooded.  The Shipoke section of Harrisburg was evacuated along with the Governor’s Mansion.  Several blocks in Midtown had power shut off to force residents to evacuate.  An 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew has been issued by the mayor’s office.

The Susquehanna River at Harrisburg is predicted to crest at 26.5 feet at around 8 p.m. this evening.

City Of York Mulling Fire Company Regionalization Option

Image via Wikipedia

The City of York, PA has four fire stations and a staff of 67 firefighters.  However, like all municipalities, York is looking at ways to cut costs.  Kim Bracey, York’s Mayor, said she will not close/merge any fire stations or cut staff if it will cut response time.  However, Mayor Bracey said the Fire Committee is looking into options like regionalization and cooperative agreements with other fire services organizations, including volunteers.

Emergency services costs are a big-ticket budget item and Bracey said city government needs to be responsible stewards of the taxpayer’s money.  If working together as a regional fire department can achieve the same high-quality results, at a lower cost, that option needs to be explored.  It has worked for many police departments.  York County already has regional police departments.  The Fire Committee will present their fire/EMS modernization plan to the public on April 5^th.

The City of York has 43,718 residents (2010 census) and a land area of 5.20 square miles.  Mayor Bracey was the city’s Community Development Director before being elected mayor.

York’s Olde Towne East Neighborhood Transformed

Olde Towne East was a down and out neighborhood in York.  Blight, crime, vacant buildings and low property values.  Read this article about how Olde Towne East rose like a phoenix from the ashes and now their neighborhood is a source of pride in York!

http://www.newpa.com/strengthen-your-community/success-stories/million-dollar-makeover/index.aspx

Oyster Festival And More In York Sunday October 17th

Image via Wikipedia

If you are looking for something fun to do Sunday afternoon, then York is the place to be.  The Annual Oyster Festival in York features family friendly fun, tons of food (not just oysters), live music & more.

The festival runs from 11 am to 4 pm at the Agricultural and Industrial Museum.  Click on the link below for all the details and other links about the festivities!

http://ht.ly/2Sgcx

Harley-Davidson – Same “Stuff” Different State

Harley-Davidson is at it again, only this time the focus is on Wisconsin not York!  Harley has decided their operation in WI is costing too much money so they are going to make the same contact offer they did in York.

You can read my post about the York contract here for details.  Sources are saying Harley intends to persuade their WI workers to accept this contract or they will close WI and move the work to York.

 https://roysrants.wordpress.com/2010/06/22/harley-davidson-whittles-away-at-its-workforce/

Here is as link to a Milwaukee newspaper with more information on the contact specifics there:

http://www.jsonline.com/business/102351189.html

717 Area Code To Run Out Of Numbers in 2012

The 717 area code is running out of numbers.  Area code 717 was split in 1998.  The northern counties, formerly in 717, became 570.  Now it seems the 717 area code is back to square one.

Population growth in South Central Pennsylvania is creating a need for more phone numbers.  York County is projecting a 12.4% increase over the 2000 census.  Lancaster County will also show an increase of about 7%.  Other “717” counties are growing as well.

Two options are being considered.  1.  An overlay like 610 & 484 or 2. creating another entirely new area code.  73% of York County business owners who responded to a survey said they preferred the overlay option.  Either option costs businesses money.

The Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission is holding hearings to get public opinion on how to proceed.