News
Initiative works towards new college
The Community College Initiative effort led by Tuscarora Intermediate Unit (TIU) continues to make progress. The initiative facilitating the development of a community college that will serve Fulton, Huntingdon, Mifflin, and Juniata counties was introduced to local government groups and community organizations throughout the past year with great success.
Commissioners from Juniata and Mifflin counties have pledged financial contributions and discussions are continuing in the other surrounding counties. Dr. Marsha Soult, who is working with the Community College Initiative, has been meeting with local school districts and other community groups to solicit additional financial support. If successful, TIU will help establish Pennsylvania’s 15 th community college.
Lewistown Hospital named five-star facility
Lewistown Hospital was given a Five-Star rating according to The State of the Hospital Industry- 2005 Edition, a report on the financial position of the US hospital industry by Cleverly & Associates. The Community Value Index for hospital ranking was created to provide a measure of value that a hospital provides its community. The CVI is composed of nine measures that assess a hospital’s performance in three areas:
- Financial viability and plant reinvestment
- Hospital cost structure
- Hospital charge structure
Hospitals that received the highest scores in their respective size/geographic group where included in the “Community Value Index Top 100 Hospitals” group. The distribution of hospitals within the “Top 100” ranking is based on the proportion of combined net patient revenue for each comparison group to the total net patient revenue for all hospitals in the CVI study. In addition to the Top 100 Hospitals ranking, those hospitals that achieved CVI scores within the top quintile (20%) of all hospitals in the study were designated as “Five-Star Hospitals.”
"To have Lewistown Hospital make the 'Five-Star' grade is an outstanding accomplishment," said A. Gordon McAleer, President/CEO. "It means we are a value-leading hospital with above-average performance in financial management, reinvestment, and low cost and efficient operations. Our ability to continue to effectively manage our finances and use capital efficiently will assure performance success in the future. This is good news for the Hospital family and community."
New highway construction continues at full speed
The new section of Route 22 is scheduled to be completed by 2006 with a ramp into the MCIDC Park – this highway will connect with Route 322.
There are currently three major new highways traversing the region. The newest section, completed not long ago, goes from the Reedsville area and connects to the Seven Mountains limited access highway. Having previously funneled into two lanes, this new section of highway allows quick, easy, and safe traveling on a four-lane, limited access highway.
The second section will leave Route 322 at the Electric Avenue exit and travel along Big Ridge paralleling Route 22 West with a convenient exit at the Mifflin County Industrial Park . This section of highway will bypass two-lane highways through or around town, eliminating congestion and time delays. Route 322 will be easily accessible with this new section.
The third section, the Narrows Section, connects Route 322 just beyond the Archrock Exit and Lewistown. Upon completion of this section, Route 322 from Harrisburg to Lewistown will be a four-lane, limited access highway making a smooth transition to Route(s) 78, 11, 15, 81, and 83. For pleasure or work, this is a beautiful, scenic stretch of Pennsylvania highway designed for safety, speed, and ease of driving.
Monument Square renovation progressing
The sprucing up of Monument Square is being planned to help establish downtown Lewistown as a regional center for heritage, arts, and entertainment.
Working together, Downtown Lewistown, Inc. and SEDA Council of Governments – Community Resource Center have formulated a downtown enhancement strategy for Lewistown.
A four-block area surrounding Monument Square is included in the proposed Kish Creek Riverwalk, which forms a gateway to downtown Lewistown. This will coincide with renovations to the old Embassy Theater, the old courthouse renovations, and building upgrades in the downtown Lewistown area.
Governor Rendell presented a state grant of $481,000 to Downtown Lewistown, Inc. for the renovation process at a ceremony at the Old Historic Courthouse in Lewistown.
|
