Reimbursement sought

Blair County is asking for $23,540 from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts to cover 2025 expenses associated with support services for the use of senior judges.

Commissioners Amy Webster and Laura Burke voted Thursday to submit the request for reimbursement.

President Judge Wade A. Kagarise advised that the amount was calculated through the use of a formula. But he also noted that the amount increased in 2025 due to the greater reliance on senior judges. Through 2025, the county had two vacancies on its five-member judicial bench.

Foundation OK’d for custody use

Blair County’s court administration office has secured approval on use of the Bair Foundation for potential use in custody matters requiring supervised visitation. The cost is $24.57 per 15-minute increments.

President Judge Wade A. Kagarise recommended the agreement as an option for meeting Kayden’s Law requirements affecting parties in custody cases who cannot pay for supervised visits. Kayden’s Law, which took effect in 2024, requires judges who discover an ongoing risk of abuse or violence while handling custody cases to craft orders allowing only supervised visitation.

“Sometimes the court pays when people can’t,” Kagarise told commissioners Amy Webster and Laura Burke, who voted Thursday to approve the agreement.

Kayden’s Law developed after a 7-year-old Bucks County girl was slain in 2018 by her father during an unsupervised visit.

Energy program eyed

Blair County leaders are expected to evaluate four entities that have expressed interest in creating a County Facility Energy Conservation Services Program.

Commissioner Amy Webster said Thursday that the proposed program will address heating, ventilating and air conditioning issues at county properties and suggest a plan for addressing them, maybe one or two at a time.

No time frame was offered in connection with the county’s review.

Compiled by Kay Stephens