June 4 - June 10

Indian nation unitesOne day after asking the Supreme Court to hear its argument for the return of Jim Thorpe's body to his native Oklahoma, the Sac and Fox Nation took its campaign to the streets.The tribe launched a "Bring Jim Thorpe Home" campaign in Oklahoma City with readings from a play at the Leadership Square Atrium.Palmerton plans consideredPalmerton Area School District is considering several financial scenarios for a proposed $21 million renovation project.The project includes expansion of the district's junior high school, complete with its own cafeteria and kitchen, a multipurpose turf field and air-conditioned classrooms.Architect is hiredCarbon County Commissioners are moving forward in preparation of a multimillion-dollar multiuse fire training facility in Nesquehoning.The commissioners voted to approve an agreement with architect Steven J. Elton of Bethlehem, for the fire and emergency services training facility project.The costs associated with Elton's services are $280,125 for the emergency operations/training center; $43,000 for the fire and police training tower and burn building; and $9,200 for the observation building.The project will provide fire departments with live fire training sites, a drill tower and other training necessities, as well as give police, county departments and EMS services classroom and training options that normally are completed in other counties.Gypsy moth spraying plansWhile area residents are battling the onslaught of gypsy moths, Carbon County officials are already looking ahead to 2016.Commissioners are urging property owners who have at least 23 acres of land and have concerns about gypsy moths to call the gypsy moth program coordinator after voting to submit a letter of intent stating that Carbon County will again participate in the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, Division of Forest Pest Management's gypsy moth suppression program.Carbon was the only county in the state of Pennsylvania to participate in the program this year.Tamaqua to lease RushThe Rush Elementary School in Hometown, one of three elementary facilities owned by the Tamaqua Area School District, will undergo its second major change in use in the past five years.On Tuesday night, the Tamaqua Board of Education voted unanimously, with two members (Mark Rother and Thomas Rottet) absent, to lease the building to Behavioral Health Associates of Lehighton.