Nikolas Schwartz, 3, admires the list of those who gave their lives in World War II during the Memorial Day parade, May 30, 2011.

Veterans, volunteer fire fighters, the Jim Thorpe High School band and cheerleaders and local government service workers all participated in the annual Jim Thorpe Memorial Day parade to honor those who served in all wars. The parade kicked off at Memorial Park and ended a few blocks later at the memorial on the East Side of town. Several residents paid their respects along with the participants.

JIM THORPE – Standing 8 feet tall, the newest statue of Jim Thorpe shows the sports legend with his right arm extended and his fingers stretched across a discus.

The second Jim Thorpe bronze statue was unveiled during ceremonies on Saturday, May 21, 2011. Photo by Jacob Schwartz.

The bronze tribute was unveiled Saturday – the day set aside in Pennsylvania as “James Francis Thorpe Day” and the first day of the 15th annual Jim Thorpe Birthday Celebration Weekend.

“Jim Thorpe is not your local high school athlete who did good. Jim Thorpe is not your national figure who did good. Jim Thorpe is an international icon who did great,” said Jack Kmetz, president of the Jim Thorpe Sports Hall of Fame, the group that spearheaded efforts to have the statue placed in the borough bearing his name.

The dedication brought elected officials, former Olympians, area residents and local athletes to Thorpe’s final resting place along Joe Boyle Circle. Members of the Lenni-Lenape tribe offered a tribute to Thorpe, who was of Native American descent, and state Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-122, read a resolution declaring Saturday as “James Francis Thorpe Day.”

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From the Times-News:

A ruling in U.S. District Court yesterday effectively thwarts an effort by Jack Thorpe to have the body of his father, Jim Thorpe the athlete, disinterred and transported to Oklahoma.

Attorney William Schwab of Lehighton, who is representing Jim Thorpe the town in district court pro bono, said yesterday’s ruling is a major victory for the community.

Judge A. Richard Caputo ruled that:

Jack Thorpe cannot receive any monetary award; not even attorney’s fees in the lawsuit.

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JIM THORPE – Replacing the bridge that carries Route 903 over the Lehigh River from its intersection with Route 209 will cost $22 million and take more than two years to complete, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

However, multiple issues first must be addressed.

Carbon County recently received communications from PennDOT concerning the new bridge connecting East Jim Thorpe to the borough’s downtown.

It will be located about 1,000 feet from the existing span, and will run straight from North Street across the river to connect with Route 209, rather than the sharp curve that now exists.

The existing bridge eventually will be demolished.

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JIM THORPE – Carbon County is not raising taxes for the ninth straight year, but the commissioners admitted 2012 could be a challenge as revenues from state and federal sources dwindle.

The board of commissioners Thursday approved a proposed 2011 budget with estimated expenditures of $46,371,023 by a unanimous 3-0 vote. Also approved were a capital projects funds budget of $2,450,000 and a special funds budget of $2,087,146.

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Lou Barletta, Republican candidate for congress, answers question during Candidates' Night at Penn's Peak, Monday. Photo: Times-News

Doyle Heffley, the Republican Candidate for Carbon County’s voice in the state legislature, said he would like to debate the Democratic candidate Justin Yaich.

Heffley was one of six candidates four of them Republicans, one a Libertarian candidate, and one an Independent seeking seats in Harrisburg or Washington who participated in “Candidates’ Night at Penn’s Peak” last night, Monday, Oct. 4, 2010.

The forum was sponsored by the Lehighton 9/12 Project and the Original Project 9/12 Tea Party of the Lehigh Valley.

Sandy Dellicker of the Lehighton 9/12 Project, organizer of the event, said invitations were sent to every candidate seeking state and national seats to give them an opportunity to present their platforms.

The forum was televised live by Blue Ridge Communications TV 13.

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Jim Thorpe attorney Gregory Lee Mousseau has been nominated by Gov. Edward Rendell to be appointed to the vacant judgeship in Carbon County.

Mousseau’s nomination must be approved by a majority of the state senate, and reportedly, that will not be a given.

Rendell, a Democrat, made the recommendation that Mousseau, a Republican, serve the Court of Common Pleas taking the seat of the late Judge David W. Addy, who died on Dec. 17, 2009, after serving three years on the bench.

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