Staying Home For The 4thJul 03, 2009It's not the gas prices – but the shaky economy that's keeping people closer to home this 4th.
AAA a says they expect lots of people to stay home during the holiday weekend, with only 10 percent of travelers across the country saying they plan to travel more than 50 miles.
Man Wearing Underwear Only Breaks Into SchoolJul 03, 2009A bizarre story out of State College, where police found a man wandering through a school wearing only his underwear and a tie.
Police say they found Stephen Fletcher at the Radio Park Elementary School Thursday morning, he told police he was there to take a shower. Fletcher was also carrying scissors and a pencil.
Former Dr. Withdraws Guilty PleaJul 03, 2009A former Centre County doctor changes his mind and withdraws his “guilty but mentally ill plea” he had entered in court.
Michael Fuentes was charged alongside Doctor Larry Adams with illegally distributing large amounts of prescription drugs. Fuentes now says his mental health issues prevented him from understanding the requirements associated with the guilty plea
Fireworks And Groundhogs For The 4thJul 03, 2009Thursday's dreary weather didn't keep people away from the Punxsutawney groundhog festival which features lots of live entertainment. People were flocking to the festival to kick off the Fourth of July weekend. If you want to check it out — it runs through Saturday, and wraps up with a big fireworks show.
Fire Damages Home In PortageJul 02, 2009A fire in Cambria County chases a family from their home. The blaze broke out late Wednesday in Portage, at a home along the 600 block of Orchard Street.
An estimated $60,000 in damage was done, and one firefighter received a back injury while battling the fire and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
The five people who lived in the home escaped safely...the fire is believed to have broken out in an upstairs bedroom. A state fire marshal is investigating the cause.
Preventing Accidents Turns Into Drug Arrest In Cambria CountyJul 02, 2009An effort to stop aggressive-driving, turns into a drug bust in Cambria County.
This after officers in Summerhill Township stopped a car along Route 53 on June 19th. Inside the car, police found way more than they ever expected.
19-year-old Quinn Abdul Baxter, of Johnstown and his pasenger 29-year-old Christopher Aaron Smith of Maryland were both arrested, and remain in the Cambria County Prison.
Officers sound a loaded 9 mm pistol with its serial number filed off, 12 bags of heroin, two 8-balls of crack cocaine and cash.
Both men are charged with drug possession, possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, illegal possession of a firearm with an altered serial number and criminal conspiracy. Baxter also was charged with the summary offense of driving without a license.
For Sale Sign At Planet Ice In JohnstownJul 02, 2009Planet Ice is for sale.
Graham Roustan owns the building, and says while it and the land are up for sale; Planet Ice will remain a tenant. An ad for the building was published in Wednesday’s paper, and so far there are two investors interested. Roustan says not to worry, selling the building does not mean his company, Roustan United, is in trouble.
River Walk Project Near Tech Park In Johnstown Kicks OffJul 02, 2009Ground is broken for a new project in downtown Johnstown... A river walk near the Tech Park.
Built along the Stonycreek River, it will link to the Sandyvale Cemetery Trail and other sites. Officials say projects like these will help attract new businesses to the Kernville area. The project is slated to be done in September.
Law Enforcement Cracking Down on Impaired Driving Over the 4th HolidayJul 01, 2009During the July 4th holiday travel period in 2008, 467 senseless impaired driving-related crashes and 33 fatalities occurred.
That's why the Pennsylvania Driving Under the Influence Association says both state and municipal law enforcement officials will be out in full force cracking down on drunk drivers during the Fourth of July holiday period with an aggressive "Red, White and Busted" impaired driving enforcement campaign. Increased sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and heightened enforcement activities will be deployed to show zero tolerance for anyone caught driving impaired.
The message is simple: If you're caught driving impaired, you will be arrested. No exceptions. No excuses. DUI arrests include impairment by alcohol, illicit drugs, prescription drugs and even over-the-counter medications or a combination thereof.
Last year in Pennsylvania, approximately 52,239 people were arrested for the crime of DUI. Those arrests included 9,100 drugged driving charges up from 8,643 in 2007.
Impaired driving is the most frequently committed crime both in the Nation and in Pennsylvania. It is also the most preventable crime. Simply make the conscious and deliberate decision to not drink when you are impaired.
In the last six years, 3,283 Pennsylvanians were senselessly slaughtered in impaired driving crashes. In 2008 alone, 12,867 impaired driving-related crashes occurred resulting in 531 fatalities. Of the total fatalities in 2008, about 34% were caused by impaired driving.
Organizers are issuing these safe and simple tips to making this a 4th to remember.
Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
Before drinking, designate a sober driver and give that person your keys;
If you're impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely;
Use your community's Sober Rides program;
If you happen to see someone driving a vehicle in an unsafe manner or suspect that it is an impaired driver on the road, call 911 immediately.
Property Reassessments In Bedford Co. Moves ForwardJul 01, 2009Frustrated and disappointed, residents in Bedford County get some bad news.
Property reassessments have some residents facing up to a 17,000 percent increase. A meeting Thursday at the courthouse was packed, those who attended had hoped for some good news, but instead commissioners voted to move forward with the reassessment despite admitting mistakes.
Latest In Dawn Miller Murder MysteryJul 01, 2009After police announce they're close to making an arrest in a local murder mystery — the suspect's attorney says he doesn't know what the police are talking about.
Dawn Miller disappeared in 1992 — after getting into a car in Bellefonte with two men on her way to Williamsport.
Last week — Williamsport police announced an arrest would be made. This after a suspect says he knows who killed dawn miller, and where it happened in Centre County. But the suspect’s attorney is surprised. since Williamsport isn't in centre county.
Centre County investigators have said little in the Miller case. Court documents have remained sealed since last October.
Historic Flood Trail Makes It's National MarkJul 01, 2009The Path of the Flood Trail is officially on the national map.
Congressman John Murtha was on hand in Cambria County for a special dedication. The trail marks the historic route of the 1889 Johnstown Flood. In all, 22 trails in 13 states are now part of the US National Trails System. The organization recognizes trails that connect people to local resources and history.
Crash Claims The Life Of Commodore ManJun 30, 2009 An investigation is underway into a deadly crash in Indiana County.
Coroner Mike Baker says 35-year-old Jodi Ferrier of Green Township, died at the scene along Fir Road, about one and a half miles south of Route 286.
It's believed the truck in which Ferrier was inside, was driving at a high rate of speed before the driver lost control, the vehicle struck a utility pole and a tree. Ferrier was ejected from the vehicle through its rear window and onto the roadway.
Coroner Baker says an investigation is still ongoing to determine whether Ferrier was the driver or a passenger in the truck. The other occupant, a female, has not been identified. She sustained minor injuries, and was treated at Indiana Regional Medical Center.
An autopsy is scheduled for today at Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown.
On-Line Game Lets Pennsylvanians Balance The BudgetJun 30, 2009That’s the question asked by a new online game with a serious purpose. “You Budget PA” (www.youbudgetpa.org )is a game that allows anyone to try to balance the Pennsylvania state budget by making choices about increasing revenue or making cuts in programs.
Pennsylvania is facing a budget deficit of historic proportions. This shortfall could get in the way of protecting our quality of life and building a strong future for all Pennsylvanians—if we let it.
As our state lawmakers wrestle over what to do, Keystone Progress wanted to give Pennsylvania taxpayers the opportunity to weigh the same options: Which programs do I cut? What’s more important, education for kids or health care for low-income families? What’s the right balance? Governor Rendell’s budget proposed some major cuts. The Republican-led Senate passed a draconian budget that slashed many programs. But with a $5.8 budget hole, it’s clear that belt-tightening isn’t enough. There will also need to be some new sources of revenue to fulfill the constitutional requirement of a balanced budget.
After participants balance the budget, they will have the opportunity to send their solutions to their legislators.
YouBudgetPA is produced by Keystone Progress, a multi-issue progressive advocacy organization with over 200,000 online subscribers. The data and analysis in YouBudgetPA is based on the work of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, an independent think tank that develops progressive solutions to create a just and prosperous Pennsylvania.
War Memorial GM Suspended With Pay Amid InvestigationJun 30, 2009The general manager of the Cambria county war memorial is suspended with pay as state police investigate allegations of fraudulent ticket sales.
The advisory board also making the decision to promote Assistant GM Tom Grenell acting general manager. It all stems from a raid at the war memorial last week and at Jim Vauters home.
Promoters claim more tickets were sold than they reported. So far, no charges have been filed.
Quemahoning Pipeline Officially DedicatedJun 30, 2009The Quemahoning pipeline in Somerset County – getting its official dedication.
Somerset county commissioners say the pipeline will not only bring water to communities, but also to bring jobs to the area. The 26 million dollar project has been in the works since 2001.
Commissioners estimate the project will bring in about 27,000 jobs over the next 10 years.
