February Operation Our Town Meeting Held

By Rebecca Fry and Kylie Barony

On Wednesday, February 7th at 7:00 AM, the February Operation Our Town meeting was held.

The Tyrone Police Department reported the rising issues with Blizzard and the prescription drug abuse. Blizzard was recently confiscated, but there is now a new kind that has been recently discovered with the usage of jewelry cleaner. In State College, there have been three arrests made due to Blizzard usage. In Tyrone, the usage of prescription drugs is the most abused drug. The officer in attendance went on to say that in many places around town, there has been new graffiti. They have a suspect based on the “tags” that the person has been using.

Dave Taylor, owner and founder of The Door in Bellwood, stated he would like to start a housing project for people in need for a home. He would like to make this available to families for 3-6 months to give them stability. He would also like to give teen mothers the option of living at a building that would prepare them for life physically, mentally, and spiritually. He ended with saying, “I think it’ll help the community with all its other problems.”

The ELM (Every Life Matters) foundation is giving out free pregnancy tests. To those that have negative test outcomes, the adults talk to teens about decisions that they will have to make for themselves for their futures. For the positive test outcomes, the organization offers any needs that the mother and child may need, such as diapers, food, clothes, etc.

Kathy Stonebraker presented the Young Lungs at Play program. She told how the organization is trying to make local playgrounds tobacco free.

The next Operation Our Town meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 7th.