YOUNGSVILLE FIREFIGHTERS TO HOLD DRILLS NEAR LIBRARY THIS WEEK

You may recall from an article back in September 2023, that the Youngsville Library Board had to make a difficult decision about whether the library should acquire the property next to where is currently stands in order to ensure and protect the ability for the library to have permanent access to their current sewer line that ran through the property someone else owned.

The residence located on the property is in blighted condition.

Although it was a costly blow financially for the library to acquire the parcel of land next to the library, it was deemed a necessary choice after careful consideration by the Youngsville Library Board members. The hope is to eventually be able to extend parking spaces/options for library patrons onto the acquired property. But first the Youngsville Library reached out to the YVFD and invited volunteers from Youngsville and the surrounding fire departments to use the property for various rescue drills and training. Having a location to freely carry out fire and rescue drills for these departments is a very important ‘pay it forward to the community’ decision. Currently the building that stands on the land is uninhabitable.

The Youngsville VFD and the Youngsville Library have been working together to complete the proper paperwork and meet state and federal regulations so that local, area, and regional firefighters can perform various training drills within the blighted building. Various preparation activities, drills, and volunteers will be diligently working near the property on Second Street from Sunday through Sunday, March 10.

“We just want to let residents in the borough and those who live near the library know that they might see some volunteer fire department activity near the Second Street property; we didn’t want anyone to worry or be caught unaware,” said Library Director Kristy Wallace. “Of course we contacted the borough office, DPW, and YPD, so they are all aware that there will be various prep and drills happening from March 3 through the 10th. Depending on what type of drills the fire department volunteers might be performing there could be fire trucks around and maybe a siren call or two. Residents could see trucks from Sheffield, Pleasant, Wrightsville, Starbrick etc. There will also be inspectors from DEP and other agencies too. In case the drills take longer than expected, the library will be closed on Monday, March 11.”

Free Rent Rebate Help: There are still spots available to receive free, one-on-one rent rebate help on Tuesday, March 5th from 10 am – 2 pm at the Youngsville Public Library. You must pre-register for a ½ hour time slot by calling Area on Aging at 814-4-723-3763 ext. 139. No walk-ins for March 5th. There are free, hard copies of rent rebate forms available at the library (if you need a landlord signature) but no booklets. There is also a “What you need to bring Checklist” for your March 5th appointment with an Area on Aging representative.

If you are 65 or older, and either a homeowner or renter whose income is $45,000 or less you might be eligible for “rent rebate” money from the state. You might also qualify if you meet any of these additional eligibility criteria: widows or widowers 50 and older, any person with a qualifying disability 18 or older. If your residence is a mobile home in a park, you could qualify for both property tax and rent rebate (must have rent certificate and paid tax receipt with you on the date of your appointment).

You will need the following (applicable) documents for your scheduled appointment: 2023 income, Social Security (SSA 5)-1099, etc. proof of paid 2023 property tax, Driver’s license/proof of age, proof of disability, completed renter’s corticate, proof of death (i.e. spousal death certificate).

Love Your Library Giveaway: Youngsville Library’s 14th annual “Love Your Library” Raffle Extravaganza is happening now through March 31st. This year there are 13 uniquely themed choices filled with everything from gift cards, to cash, and even a complete “4-piece Little Women” doll-collector’s set. Each themed option has a minimum value of $100. For a $5 donation, participants will receive 5 tickets to be used toward the theme(s) of their choice. Chances are available in $5.00 increments ($10, $20, $35 etc.). All proceeds directly benefit the Youngsville Public Library.

A link to a detailed list of the 13 options are on Youngsville Library’s homepage of their website: YoungsvilleLibrary.org. You can also download a mail-in “Raffle Request Form” from the website’s homepage, if you’d like to support the library but can’t visit the library during regular business hours. Directions on completing the form are on the sheet and super easy to follow. Hard copies of the mail-in Raffle Request Form are located at Youngsville Hardware, Simple Dicks, Forester Restaurant, and the Youngsville Borough Office.

More on next page continued Love Your Library

“This is our a very important fundraiser for our library,” Wallace said. “We excited this year because we actually have two more themed-options to choose from this year, which is really great. For example Youngsville Hardware donated last year but this year they’ve also added a $50 gift certificate towards ice cream at ‘Scoops’ which is their seasonal ice cream stand. It opens in late May and features cones, shakes, sundaes, etc. made

with Pot O’ Gold ice cream. You can even buy pints and quarts if you’d prefer at both Scoops in the summer or year-round at their Hardware Store.”

“Our library is so grateful to all the businesses that donate to this annual Fundraiser. Thanks to the support from various restaurants to Jackson Valley and from area gas stations to retail stores like KAMS and Outlet City there are really so many great options to choose from this year. Please check out the library’s website or March’s Steppin’ Out for the specifics and please support the area businesses that support and value our library.” Questions call: 814-563-7670. Library hours are Mon & Wed 10 am – 6 pm, Tues 10 am – 3 pm, and Fri 11 am – 4 pm or visit: YoungsvilleLibrary.org

BOROUGH NEWS

Borough Spring Cleanup: The annual Youngsville Borough Spring Clean Up date will be Saturday, May 11 from 8:00 am – Noon. The Boro Spring Clean up is for Boro residents only, ID (proof of Boro residency) is required. Location: Borough Building Parking Lot (40 Railroad Street). Cost: $15 per car or $25 per truck. Please NO: tires, batteries, paint cans, propane tanks, desktop/laptop computers, computer monitors, computer peripherals (accessories), televisions, or any other electron devices, or other hazardous materials. Questions about Spring Clean up day, call 814-563-4604.

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS

YVFD Craft Show: The Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting a craft show on Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 10 am – 3 pm. Vendors are needed. Cost is $20 per table, plus a donation item for the YVFD Chinese Auction. Please call Cindy at 814-563-2277 to reserve your vendor table. Thank you from the men and women of the YVFD.

Thursday Bingo: Bingo open to the public every Thursday night at the Youngsville American Legion (10 N. Main St). Bingo starts at 6 pm, Kitchen opens at 5 pm. Kitchen is also open to the public on Bingo nights. No smoking allowed at Youngsville American Legion from 5 pm – 9 pm on Bingo nights.

Lent Fish Fry: Youngsville Free Methodist Church (179 Davis Street) will have Friday Fish Fry Dinner Fundraiser each Friday-during Lent-from 5:00 – 7:00 pm now through March 22. Take out is available. Cost is $13 donation per fish fry dinner and includes: fish, choice of potato, choice of coleslaw or applesauce.