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MAI NLI NE newspapers

Vol. 166 No. 28

USPS 166680

Ebensburg, Pa.

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Since 1853

Newsstand Price 75¢

(814) 472-4110

24 Pages

Ebensburg Municipal Authority taking steps to improve security

By Kristin Baudoux

of Mainline Newspapers

It’s nice on the ice

Katy Dumm, Audrey Beyer, Brady Beyer and Levi George spend an afternoon skating at Lake Rowena Jan. 30. Photo by Kristin Baudoux.

During water plant operator Luke Byrne’s report at the Feb. 15 Ebensburg Municipal Authority meeting, he brought up an email discussion he had with authority member Renee Martin-Nagle regarding security measures at the water plant. Martin-Nagle asked about these measures in the wake of a recent cybersecurity attack in Florida earlier this month. A hacker had breached into the the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system of Oldsmar, Florida’s water plant. The hacker entered into the water plant’s computers remotely, where they were able to increase the levels of sodium hydroxide, or lye, from 100 to 11,100 parts per million. A lye count that high could cause severe gastrointestinal problems for anyone consuming the water. Fortunately, the water plant operator saw that the levels were being toyed with and was able to quickly adjust the levels back to a safe range, averting any possible danger to the public. Because of the incident, Martin-Nagle asked Byrne what steps the Ebensburg plant has in place to ensure that the town’s drinking water is safe to consume. “After talking with Renee about this, I ensured her that I contacted our SCADA provider and took the necessary steps,” Byrne said. Byrne said these steps included an overhaul of all the plant’s SEE SECURITY, PAGE 2A

CenCam eliminates per capita tax

By Allie Byers

of Mainline Newspapers

The Central Cambria School Board of Directors voted to eliminate the per capita tax for district residents at the Feb. 8 meeting. The $10 tax had been paid by each adult resident of the district and raised approximately $80,000 per year. In a press release from the district, board president Dennis Simmers stated that “the elimination of this tax came at the recommendation of our superintendent and business manager, both of whom are seasoned, veteran professionals in public education funding and finance. Our board is fiscally conservative and mindful of our missions: to be good custodians of the taxpayer’s dollar. Robust board debate preceded the majority vote to eliminate this tax.”

The elimination of the tax will go into effect for the current year and each subsequent year. In other matters, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and professional personnel Tricia Murin reviewed the ongoing curriculum mapping. “Every five years we’re going to revisit a certain subject,” said Murin. She added that the secondary level is a bit more complicated than the elementary curriculum. Administration will allocate time, resources and money to see if an update is needed at the five-year mark. The goal is to keep all subjects up to date with current student needs. According to Murin, every five years a department

County commissioners approve website redevelopment proposal

By Kristin Baudoux

of Mainline Newspapers

Cambria County will soon have an updated, more user-friendly website. During the Cambria County Commissioners meeting Feb. 11, the commissioners approved a proposal from digital.iway to redevelop the county website for an amount not to exceed $15,000. The proposal, selected through the request for proposal process, includes the preliminary design, migration, implementation of the learning management system and training for the departments.

Commissioner Scott Hunt said that because more people are going online using mobile devices, one of the major upgrades to the website is adapting it to better suit mobile devices. In addition, Hunt noted that because of the pandemic, many people are trying to avoid or limit their time in public spaces. Hunt said the upgrades will allow more county services and public records to be available

SEE TAX, PAGE 2A

online. “If someone doesn’t want to come here in person, if applicable, they can do everything they need to do online,” Hunt said. In other matters, the commissioners also approved the subrecipient agreement with Johnstown Area Regional Industries (JARI) to provide job training for low-income residents in the amount of $40,799.

SEE WEBSITE, PAGE 3A

Win No. 100

Central Cambria girls basketball coach Brittany Sedlock was honored by the team for earning her 100th career victory as coach of the Lady Red Devils. For story, see page 5B. Submitted photo.