Published: October 23, 2009 11:56 pm      

In brief: Laurel Crest nurses picket at courthouse

EBENSBURG — About 40 union nurses from Laurel Crest and their supporters picketed at the courthouse Friday and attended the Cambria County commissioners meeting to ask that the county honor retirement benefits, including medical coverage, after the county nursing home is sold.

The commissioners said that the county will meet its legal commitments, including retirement benefits and any medical coverage for eligible employees under county policies that includes years of service and age requirements.

The registered nurses and licensed practical nurses are members of Service Employees International Union District 1199P.

The 370-bed nursing home is being sold to Grane Healthcare for $14.25 million, with ownership scheduled to change at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1.

SEIU’s contract with the county will expire Dec. 31, and union said it hopes that Grane will agree with it.

PCN will air candidate profiles

Pennsylvania Cable Network, PCN, will air profiles of state judicial candidates leading up to the Nov. 3 election:

• 9 p.m. Monday: Profiles of two judges running for retention.

• 8 p.m. Tuesday: Profiles of Commonwealth Court candidates, repeating at 2 p.m. Oct. 31, 9 a.m. Nov. 2 and 1 a.m. Nov. 3.

• 8 p.m. Wednesday: Profiles of Superior Court candidates, repeating at 4 p.m. Oct. 31 and 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. Nov. 2.

• 9 p.m. Thursday: Profiles of the Supreme Court candidates, repeating at 8 p.m. Oct. 31; 4 p.m. Nov. 1; and 3 and 8 p.m. Nov. 2.

In addition, a debate between the two Supreme Court candidates, sponsored by the Pennsylvania League of Women Voters, will be aired at 4 p.m. Sunday.

Encore presentations will be aired at various times.

Additional information on the candidates and the schedule is available at http://pcntv.com.

Milk producers to discuss prices

MARTINSBURG – Producers upset about the prices they are receiving for milk will meet Monday at Central High School here.

A milk punch reception will be held at 6:30 p.m., followed by the meeting at 7.

The meeting is aimed primarily at dairy producers in Cambria, Somerset, Bedford, Blair, Centre and Huntingdon counties, organizers indicated.

Speakers will include Dave Rama, owner of The Cattle Exchange; Sherry Bunting, agriculture writer for Farm-shine; and Lucas Sjostrom, spokesman for the Dairy Price Stabilization Program at Holstein Associate USA.

Those with questions may call Keith and Melissa Brumbaugh, 793-3538, or Eric and Jennifer Frederick, 793-9108.