SCSD Elects New Members

The Spring Cove School Board will have a decidedly different makeup with four new members set to take a seat at the table and two current members departing.

Unofficial results from last Tuesday’s general election show first-time candidate Gretchen Stern-Bettwy, who cross-filed, the leading vote getter with 2,386. Stern-Bettwy joins Republicans Andrea Moses, Misti Fisher, and Kevin Smith as newly elected school directors with Troy Wright the only incumbent to retain his seat.

Current board members Brian Gahagan and Samantha Snowberger came up short in their bids to hold onto their seats. Gahagan, Snowberger, and former Spring Cove Superintendent Rodney Green finished at the bottom three of the eight candidate field.

In other local contested races, Republicans Jimmy Grager and Austin McMonagle bested Democrat Carlee Ranalli for a four-year term representing Williamsburg Borough on the Williamsburg Community Scholl District. Republicans Joseph Detwiler and Adam Hileman secured seats representing Woodbury Township on the board while Barry England returns to represent Catharine Township.

Returning to the Claysburg-Kimmel School Board are Heidi Kennedy representing Greenfield 1, with one seat remaining open, Roger Knisely and Joseph Musselman return to represent Greenfield 2 and 3, with Knisley filling a four-year term and Musselman seated for two years.

Municipal races were mostly uncontested with the exception of Greenfield Township. Results say Republican Michael Childers bested Democrat Joseph Claar with an unofficial tally of 344 to 223.

Republicans Neil Gartland, Darin Meck, and Rob Dickson secured seats on Martinsburg Borough Council while Republican Mark Ayers returns to neighboring North Woodbury Township’s Board of Supervisors. Republican Heather Flaig returns to Catharine Township for another term as supervisor. Republican David Cunningham secured an unopposed supervisor’s seat in Taylor Township while Republican Barbara Ritchey secured a six-year term as Auditor.

In Freedom Township, Republican Tim James returns to the supervisor’s table for a six-year term while Republican Nathan Caldwell secured a four-year term. In the only contested township race, Republican Kim Bender overwhelmingly defeated Democrat Shanel Krebbs by garnering 515 votes to Krebbs’ 154.

In Roaring Spring Borough, Republicans James Musselman and Dane Noel return to council while newcomer Republican Derek Martin secured a first term.

County level races saw voters electing to return Judge Wade Kagarise to the bench in the Court of Common Peas while turning away President Judge Elizabeth Doyle in her retention bid. Fred Miller and Dave Consiglio were elected to 10-year terms on the bench.

The Board of Commissioners returns two incumbents, Republican Amy Webster and Democrat Laura Burke, while Republican newcomer Dave Kessling secured a seat. Democrat Carol Taylor finished fourth in the four-candidate race.

Blair County will also have a new coroner with Ray Benton securing the office, taking over for the retiring Patricia Ross.

Note: Unofficial election results can be found on Page A-3.