Noteworthy
Highway named for war hero
WEST MILTON - A 12-mile stretch of road from Route 642 to Route 54 through Northumberland and Montour counties was named United States Army Specialist Zachariah W. Long Highway in honor of a Milton war hero Saturday.
"I'm truly honored to have a part in dedicating this portion of highway in honor of Army Specialist Long, a patriot who bravely fought to protect our country in Iraq," said state Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-108) during a ceremony at West Milton State Park.
Long, a former Milton resident, was killed in 2003 at the age of 20 in Iraq while participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He graduated from Milton Area High School in 2001, enlisting in his junior year in the Army Delayed Entry Program. Upon completion of basic training, he was assigned to the 519th Military Intelligence Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, N.C., working as a long range surveillance specialist. He was deployed to Iraq in February 2003 and was killed outside Mosul, Iraq, on May 30, 2003.
After receiving a letter from Long family friend Harold Wholheiter, legislation to dedicate a local highway in honor of Long (House Bill 1792) was sponsored by Culver. State Reps. Kurt Masser (R-107) and Fred Keller (R-85) co-sponsored the bill, and Sen. John Gordner (R-27) and his staff guided the legislation through the Senate. Gov. Tom Corbett signed the bill into law on Dec. 21.
Butler burn ban
FOUNTAIN SPRINGS - The Butler Township supervisors announced residents are banned from outdoor burning until May 22 due to the prevalence of wildfires in the county. The Schuylkill County Commissioners also announced a burn ban throughout the county at their meeting Wednesday.
Office closed for election day
COAL TOWNSHIP - The Coal Township municipal office, code office, tax office and street department will be closed on Tuesday because of the primary election.