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February 26, 2010
City Of Altoona Emergency Operation Information Craig Schaffer
Due to the high winds buffeting the area city officials in Altoona are providing emergency operation information.
The first step residents are being urged to take is to charge cell phones immediately.
If you lose electricity report your power outage to Penelec even if you know others in your neighborhood have called. The number is: 1-888-544-4877.
The city emergency operation center phone number is: 949-2550.
Police Identify Shooting Victim of Shooting at Altoona Bar Staff
We now know the name of the man shot earlier this week outside a bar in Altoona’s East End.
Thomas Vaughn is in serious condition at Altoona Regional after being rushed to the hospital following Wednesday’s altercation.
According to police investigators, two groups of men began fighting around 10:00 that night at the Kettle Inn – and that argument continued outside in the parking lot. Police say 38-year-old Alvin Zimmerman fired two shots from a small caliber handgun. One of the bullets struck Vaughn in the abdomen.
Zimmerman is facing attempted murder and several related charges. As of Thursday he remained lodged in the Blair County Prison in lieu of 20-percent of $150,000 bail.
Neighbors living in the area of Kettle Street and Walton Avenue call the bar a nuisance. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board denied their request to have the bar shut down last year.
Judge Sets Bail at $1-Million for Alleged Kidnapper Chris Forshey
A Blair County Magisterial District Judge has set bail at $1-million for an Altoona woman accused of kidnapping her half-sister’s baby in Massachusetts last week.
38-year-old Alyssa Dawn Johnson appeared in front of Judge Todd Kelly Thursday on a fugitive from justice warrant and for a charge of receiving stolen property filed by State Police. Judge Tim Sullivan ordered Johnson remain jailed on Wednesday because she is a flight risk.
Johnson was taken into custody Monday by State Police troopers and the U.S. Marshals. A hearing on her fugitive warrant is scheduled for today in Blair County Court.
Ex-Lieutenant Gov. Singel Won't Run for Murtha Seat Chris Forshey
Former Lieutenant Gov. Mark Singel says he's withdrawing as a candidate for the 12th District Congressional seat vacated by the death of John Murtha.
Singel, a Democrat, says the field of Democrats is too large and that the district needs to focus on a candidate who can move the district forward. Singel's withdrawal Thursday follows Murtha's widow's endorsement of the late congressman's longtime aide Mark Critz.
Other Democrats running include former Pennsylvania treasurer Barbara Hafer and Cambria County Controller Ed Cernic Jr. Prospective Republican candidates include William Russell, who unsuccessfully challenged Murtha in 2008, and Eighty Four businessman Tim Burns.
February 25, 2010
Man Shot Outside Kettle Inn Craig Schaffer
A man was shot in Altoona last night.
A little after 10:00 city police responded to the Kettle Inn bar at 411 South Kettle Street. According to witnesses at the scene an argument inside the bar between two groups of men escalated and was taken outside the bar where 38 year old Alvin Zimmerman of Hollidaysburg allegedly fired two shots from a small caliber handgun. One bullet struck a 29 year old victim in the abdomen. He was transported to Altoona Regional. There is no word on the victim’s condition.
Zimmerman was arrested and faces charges of Criminal Attempt Homicide, Aggravated Assault, Reckless Endangerment and other related charges.
Storm Expected to Bring Six Inches of Snow Chris Forshey
Another winter storm is coming our way.
The National Weather Service in State College says parts of Pennsylvania will experience extreme blizzard conditions as the storm moves across the state.
The storm will bring wind gusts up to 50 miles-per-hour.
PennDOT still has about $21-million of its $180-million winter budget allocation left to deal with the storm.
City Woman Burned While Smoking with Oxygen Chris Forshey
An Altoona woman is rushed to the hospital after being burned while smoking with oxygen in her home.
City fire crews were called to 1908 16th Street just before noon Wednesday. Fire officials say the victim was burned on her face – but she’s expected to be okay. Her name hasn’t been released.
Firefighters were called to the scene to assist AMED crews but say it was a flash fire that that didn’t cause damage to the home. Officials remind residents that it’s dangerous to smoke with or near anyone who is using an oxygen tank.
Altoona Asking PEMA for $112,000 to Cover Storm Costs Chris Forshey
The City of Altoona is asking the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency for $112,000 to help pay for snow removal and cleanup costs.
City Public Works Director Dave Dietrich told council Wednesday night that a snowstorm in January and the 30 inches of snow that fell in four days earlier this month exhausted his $35,000 yearly overtime budget.
Mayor Bill Schirf says council will do whatever it takes to make sure the roads are clear the rest of the winter.
Schirf
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Dietrich says one of the storms hit on a weekend and that cost his department $12,000 a day in overtime.
City Council Moves Forward with Plans for Traffic Study Chris Forshey
Altoona City Council will organize a meeting within the next month to speak with Garden Heights residents about traffic issues in their neighborhood.
The issue surfaced Wednesday night when a lawyer representing Boulevard Partnership again asked council to close an alleyway behind Yamato Chinese restaurant at the corner of Logan Boulevard and Plank Road. Attorney Rick Geig cited safety issues and says the restaurant wants to add an outside seating area. Council rejected the plan in 2006 after neighbors protested the move.
City councilman Mark Geis says he’s open to the idea – especially if it reduces the commercial traffic flow through the neighborhood.
Geis
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The developer of a new grocery store opening nearby gave the city $30,000 to research the issue.
City Officials to Remove Gospel Hill Flag Due to High Winds Chris Forshey
Altoona City officials say the flag on Gospel Hill will be removed later today.
Fire Chief Renny Santone says that’s because the high winds forecasted to hit the region could shred the flag to pieces.
The city has plans to open warming shelters if the power goes out.
Two Car Break-In Suspects Waive Hearings Chris Forshey
Two of the four suspects accused of breaking into more than a dozen cars in Altoona last week have waived their preliminary hearings.
Charges against 18-year-old Robert Dibert and 19-year-old Nathan Singer were forwarded to Blair County’s Court of Common Pleas for trial on Wednesday. Dibert and Singer were arrested along with 21-year-old Matthew Hicks and 21-year-old John Huber early Saturday morning. Altoona Police say the men allegedly broke into 17 cars during a crime spree throughout the city. Singer is also accused of assaulting a police officer who was trying to take him into custody.
Criminal court records also show Singer is now facing a new marijuana charge filed Tuesday by Altoona Police.
February 24, 2010
Fire Forces Evacuation of City Highrise Chris Forshey
Altoona fire crews quickly extinguished a kitchen fire that broke out in the former Penn Alto Hotel Tuesday afternoon.
City firefighters responded to City Hall Commons around 4:45PM after the building’s alarm sounded. Chief Renny Santone says a woman living in a fifth floor apartment put food on her stove and then left the unit to go visit a friend.
Santone says it’s always scary when fire breaks out in one of the city’s highrises.
Santone
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More than 100 people live in the building. Residents were allowed to return to their apartments in less than 45 minutes.
Gority: ‘I Wanted to Go Out on My Own Terms” Chris Forshey
Blair County Commissioner Donna Gority says she’s more than ready to retire -- and spend more time with her family.
During an emotional news conference on Tuesday, Gority reflected back on her 26 years in office by outlining many of the accomplishments she made since first being elected in 1982. She says she wanted to end her career on her own terms and felt now is the time.
Gority
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Gority insists that her health is fine and she plans to stay active in various community groups. And she says she will be available to help any potential contender’s campaign for the job. Gority’s fellow board members, co-workers and human services officials praised her for her tireless efforts, leadership and achievements following the announcement.
Meling, Tomassetti Will Seek Re-Election Chris Forshey
The 2011 race for Blair County Commissioner appears to be underway.
Following Commissioner Donna Gority’s formal retirement announcement on Tuesday, her fellow two Republican board members Terry Tomassetti and Diane Meling confirmed they will seek re-election to their posts.
But commissioner Tomassetti used to opportunity Tuesday to praise Gority for making her retirement decision now to allow others to get involved.
Tomassetti
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Commissioner Meling praised Gority for teaching her about the inner-workings of county government when she first got elected.
Tomassetti and Meling won’t be alone on the ballot. Democrat Jo Ann Nardelli, who challenged Gority four years ago for a seat on the board, has told WRTA News she will run a second time. Other potential commissioner candidates include former Sheriff Larry Field, who had no comment when asked about his future plans, and Controller Richard Peo who said he was “thinking about it.”
Altoona Man Accused of Selling Crack to PSP Trooper Chris Forshey
An Altoona man has been charged with selling drugs to an undercover state police trooper late last year.
Authorities say the 51-year-old Anthony Turiano sold crack cocaine to the trooper during the hand-to-hand transactions, which occurred in November and December of 2009.
Turiano was arraigned Tuesday in front of Magisterial District Judge Todd Kelly and lodged in the Blair County Prison in lieu of $30,000 bail.
PA Bar Names Panel to Review State Constitution Chris Forshey/AP
The Pennsylvania Bar Association is appointing a 30-member panel to consider possible changes to the state constitution.
The creation of the "constitutional review commission" was announced Tuesday amid continuing calls for holding the state's first constitutional convention in more than 40 years.
The panel has 18 months to complete its review and make recommendations. Its members include lawyers, judges and constitutional scholars. Association President Clifford Haines said its clear Pennsylvania's government is not working for its people. He said the panel will focus on areas that include legislative reapportionment, local government, public education and taxation.
The commission is chaired by former Commonwealth Court President Judge James Gardner Colins.
February 23, 2010
Fugitive Arrested In Altoona Craig Schaffer
A city woman wanted in Massachusetts for the kidnapping of a one year old child has been arrested in Altoona.
On Monday the U.S. Marshals Service, Western District Fugitive Task Force and Pennsylvania State Police combined to track down 38 year old Alyssa Johnson after receiving a tip that she might be in the area.
Johnson was taken into custody on the 2700 block of 7th Avenue without incident and placed in Blair County Prison as a result of a bench warrant for receiving stolen property. She is also wanted in Minnesota for theft of a motor vehicle which was recovered at the scene of the arrest. In addition, Johnson is wanted by State College Police on a vehicle theft charge.
According to police, Johnson abducted her 1-year-old niece last Thursday from a Swansea, Massachusetts gas station, The little girl was later found safe in a parking lot, about 110 miles away.
Police say Johnson has been in trouble with the law in seven different states and additional charges against her are pending here in Blair County
Gority Won’t Seek Re-Election Chris Forshey
Longtime Blair County Commissioner Donna Gority will retire at the end of her current four-year-term.
Speaking with WRTA News Monday evening, Gority said she recently made the decision to forgo re-election in 2011 to spend more time with her husband, two daughters and grandchildren. Gority has been Blair County’s democratic representative on the board since first being elected in 1982. She informed her colleagues of her decision on Monday.
While she’ll be leaving public office, Gority says she plans to remain active in several community groups, such as Operation Our Town, Leadership Blair County and Wise Women of Blair County. Commissioner Gority has called a 9:15AM news conference at the courthouse to discuss her decision.
PUC: 814 Area Code to Exhaust Numbers by 2012 Chris Forshey
Blair County residents may soon have to dial a ten digit phone number to reach their friends, neighbors or favorite business.
That’s because the 814 area code exchange is expected to run out of numbers by mid-2012. Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission spokeswoman Jennifer Kocher says there are currently two options on the table to fix the problem.
Kocher
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Kocher says the PUC began dealing with the issue in 2002, when the number of people using cell phones began to spike. The commission kicked off a series of meetings Monday night in Altoona, where officials met with residents and business owners concerned about the changes.
Anyone who wants more information on the issue or would like to give their own input can contact the Pennsylvania PUC at 1-800-692-7380 or visit them online at puc.state.pa.us.
Murtha's Widow Won't Run for His Congressional Seat Chris Forshey
The wife of the late congressman John Murtha will not run to finish the term of the House seat that he held nearly four decades.
The Murtha for Congress Committee said in an e-mail Monday Joyce Murtha feels it's "too soon after his death to be on the campaign trail." A special election to fill the rest of Murtha's term will be held on Pennsylvania's May 18th primary. Murtha died February 8th following complications from gallbladder surgery. Democrats running include former Pennsylvania treasurer Barbara Hafer, former lieutenant governor Mark Singel and Cambria County Controller Ed Cernic Jr.
Prospective Republican candidates include William Russell, who unsuccessfully challenged Murtha in 2008, and Eighty Four businessman Tim Burns.
Blair Courthouse Security Incidents Fell in 2009 Chris Forshey
The number of incidents of people bringing contraband into the Blair County Courthouse has dropped significantly over the past year.
That’s according to statistics contained in a new report released Monday by the Sheriff’s Department. Courthouse security supervisor Glenn Marinak says the number of people bringing knives, stun guns, drugs and other instruments of crime into the building fell by 41-percent in 2009.
Marinak
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Marinak says deputies are continuing to arrest a number of people who enter the building under the influence of alcohol or other narcotics. Security officials scanned more than 238,000 courthouse visitors last year. And they have scanned more than a half-million people since the system went into place in July 2007.
Senator Says He Has Nearly $2-Million to Run for PA Governor Chris Forshey/AP
State Senator Anthony Williams says he is running for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination and that he has nearly $2-million in cash and financial commitments.
Williams’ intentions were made known as he spoke Monday at a Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon, less than three months before the May 18th primary. Williams says some of his fundraising is coming from nontraditional Democratic sources, including school choice proponents and people who are "concerned about unions."
He says he is concerned with ensuring that public schools do a better job of preparing graduates to get jobs and rerouting job training money directly to small employers.
Specter Foes Agree to a Second Debate without Him Chris Forshey/AP
Senate candidates Joe Sestak and Pat Toomey plan to debate each other again without their opponents in the May 18th Primary Election.
Sestak, a congressman opposing Specter for the Democratic nomination, and former congressman Toomey, who is opposed for the Republican nomination by Johnstown activist Peg Luksik, staged a similar event last fall.
Toomey accepted Sestak's latest challenge Monday, but no date has been set. Both men accuse the fifth-term Specter of trying to hide from his record as a longtime Republican. Specter's campaign manager said he and Sestak squared off at a Democratic Party gathering earlier this month and their planned May 1st debate will be televised statewide.
Luksik campaign spokesman Steve Clark said Toomey needs to remember he is running against Luksik - not Specter or Sestak.
February 22, 2010
Penn St. Dance Marathon Raises Record $7.8 Million Craig Schaffer/AP
Penn State students raised a record $7.8 million at this year's Dance Marathon.
The annual 46-hour event wrapped up Sunday afternoon at the Jordan Center on the University Park campus. Organizers said 708 dancers took part with the aid of about 15,000 student volunteers.
They stayed on their feet to raise money for The Four Diamonds Fund, a charity which benefits pediatric cancer research and care.
In the fundraising competition among the university’s commonwealth campuses, Penn State Altoona students grabbed second place. According to the local participants in the event, the Altoona Campus raised a little over $70,000.
City Police Investigate Shooting Incident At Local Club Craig Schaffer
A woman’s car was shot at over the weekend while she attended a local nightclub.
City police say the shooting took place sometime between 1:30 and 3:30 Sunday morning at the UVA Club, located at 1804 Union Avenue,
The police report that when the female victim came out of the club she discovered that someone had fired a bullet into her 2000 Chrysler Sebring, which passed through the hood and disabled the engine. The woman reported having a dispute with a man inside the club earlier that night.
The investigation into the incident continues.
Good Samaritan Assaulted in Altoona Craig Schaffer
A man was assaulted over the weekend in Altoona as he tried to help a woman in distress.
According to city police, the incident happened between 1:00 and 1:30 Saturday morning in the Aldo’s Lounge parking lot behind the business on 4th Avenue.
The victim heard a woman scream for help and when he intervened two males attacked him. In the process he sustained extensive facial injuries.
The Altoona Police Department is asking anyone with information to call 949-2489.
Former Steeler In Trouble With The Law Again Craig Schaffer
A former Pittsburgh Steeler with a trouble past once again finds himself behind bars.
Carlton Haselrig was arrested Saturday and jailed on a probation violation. He’s accused of assaulted a child.
Johnstown police say that they were called to Haselrig’s residence for a report that he had assaulted one of his minor relatives. A 7-year-old received injuries that required a trip to the hospital and there were reportedly other children found hiding in the attic of the home because they were afraid.
According to Police the former Steeler lineman had been drinking.
Haselrig now faces child endangerment, reckless endangerment and simple assault charges.
Pa. Governor Wants White House To Revamp Strategy Craig Schaffer/AP
A governor who once led national Democrats say President Barack Obama's White House needs to change its political strategy.
Gov. Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania calls Obama "the best communicator in the history of political campaigning." But Rendell says it turned out that Obama didn't communicate very well in his first year in office - and that Republicans were able to "take the spin" right from the start.
For example, Rendell says Democrats didn't do a good job explaining the stimulus package and thus lost the PR war to the GOP.
Rendell, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, doesn't see a need for a White House shake-up. But he says White House officials "need to take a deep breath, look at what happened and revamp their strategy" - and rely on Obama's skills from there.
Rendell spoke on ABC's "This Week."
February 19, 2010
Four People Arrested In Altoona Car Break-in Spree Craig Schaffer
Four men were arrested overnight for allegedly breaking into several vehicles in Altoona.
City police say that around 2:30 am they responded to a complaint of vehicles being broken into in the area of the 100 block of East Logan Boulevard. Upon arrival at the scene police saw four males fleeing the area on foot. A search of the area turned up 21 year olds Matthew Hicks and John Huber, 18 year old Robert Dibert and 19 year old Nathan Singer. Dibert was found hiding under a pool deck and Singer fought with police before being taken into custody.
All four have been charged with theft from a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property and related charges. Singer was also charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, and disorderly conduct. Both Singer and Dibert had outstanding warrants from Roaring Spring where they are accused of being involved with stealing thousands of dollars worth of cash and other items from vehicles in that borough.
Police: Children Kidnapped During CYS Intervention Chris Forshey
Two Blair County women are facing kidnapping charges after an incident Thursday with Blair County Children and Youth Services.
A little before 3pm a CYS worker showed up at 18 year old Stephanie Miller’s 157 Skyline Court, East Freedom residence with a court order to take Miller’s 2-year-old daughter and 8-month-old son into protective custody. Miller, a Central High School Student, and her mother Michelle Miller, then fled with the kids.
Stephanie Miller, turned herself in with the children around 6:30 Thursday evening. Her mother Michelle was apprehended about an hour later. They both face charges of kidnapping and interfering with a public official.
The children have been placed with Blair County Children and Youth Services.
6th Avenue Blaze Ruled an Accident Chris Forshey
A fire that destroyed an Altoona home Wednesday night leaving a mom and her three children homeless has been ruled an accident.
City fire marshal Randy Isenberg says the blaze at 108 6th Avenue started behind a clothes dryer in a first-floor laundry room. Isenberg says a combination of lint, clothes and paper ignited setting a wall on fire. The home is a total loss.
Chief Renny Santone also confirmed Thursday that three firefighters were injured battling the blaze.
Santone
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Santone says the firefighters were treated for their injuries and have returned to work.
Troopers Investigating Bizarre Shooting Incident Chris Forshey
State Police at Hollidaysburg are investigating a bizarre shooting incident in rural Antis Township.
According to a police report, a 33-year-old Tipton man shot himself while trying to scare off two people who were reportedly following him. The incident happened along State Route 4023 near the Tipton Reservoir Wednesday night. Troopers say the suspect told them he was being followed by two men in a dark colored truck – when is own vehicle became stuck in some snow. The suspect claims two men exited the truck and began to approach him. He fired a handgun several times to scare the men off.
Troopers are asking anyone who has information to contact their Hollidaysburg barracks at 696-6100.
Federal Recovery Funds Bring Gamesa Employees Back to Work Craig Schaffer
A Cambria County wind turbine manufacturer that had to temporarily lay off 79 employees last November after new orders fell will be able bring back those workers and hire an additional 50 people thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
During a visit to the Gamesa Wind USA plant Thursday, Governor Ed Rendell announced $22.8 million in grants through the federal Recovery program that will not only put people to work at Gamesa, but will also create another 257 jobs at three large-scale wind farms.
$7.8 million of the state wide grant of $22.8 million will be used by Gamesa to install 19-two-megawatt wind turbines at the Chestnut Flats Wind Farm in Cambria and Blair counties. The project is expected to create 85 jobs.
Peo: Good Bookkeeping, Attentive Employees Stopped Fraud Chris Forshey
Blair County officials say good bookkeeping efforts and attentive employees are responsible for helping to end two fraud incidents uncovered in the county’s Cost and Fines Department.
Controller Richard Peo says it was an employee reconciling a bank statement that discovered that an outside group of individuals was using the office’s bank account to make fraudulent purchases. He says the employee was simply doing her job.
Peo
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The office’s statements are audited monthly. Three people face charges in connection with the fraud. In the second incident, Peo says an employee answering a customer service question helped to discover that a fellow employee was voiding receipts and preparing new ones in lower amounts. The employee has since been terminated.
PSU Altoona Gets $320,000 to Expand Nursing Program Christopher Forshey
Penn State Altoona’s Nursing Education Program is getting a big financial boost from Washington.
Campus officials announced on Thursday that 9th Congressman Bill has Shuster secured $320,000 in funding, which will be used to expand the nursing lab at the downtown campus. The money will also be used to purchase a range of low-to-high-fidelity mannequins, which will provide simulated clinical experiences to students in various degree programs.
The nursing program has been expanding over the years. Penn State Altoona admitted twenty-five students into the Second Degree option of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program when it launched in fall 2009. In sixteen months the students will be available for employment.
Official: PA Could Have Table Games by July 4th Chris Forshey
The chairman of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board says table games like poker and blackjack could be up and running in the state by the Fourth of July.
Board Chairman Gregory C. Fajt says that the new games could be operating on the early end of the six-to-nine-month time frame Governor Ed Rendell offered when he signed the table gaming legislation last month.
The gaming board on Wednesday issued more temporary regulations for casinos setting up table games, including training requirements for dealers and rules for a number of poker games.
The temporary rules are intended to speed up the approval process and will be in place for two years.
February 18, 2010
Harrisburg Man Arrested in Altoona For Domestic Assault and Robbery Craig Schaffer
A Harrisburg man was arrested overnight in Altoona on Domestic Assault and Robbery charges.
City police say that just after midnight 36 year old Johnnie Hughes kicked in the front door of a woman’s residence on the 1000 block of Lexington Avenue. After entering the home, police say Hughes smashed a phone on the floor and used the cord to try and strangle the woman. When the cord broke, Hughes allegedly began smashing other items in the home and started punching the woman in the head.
After the victim fled the apartment, Hughes allegedly stole several items from the woman’s purse before leaving the scene, only to return later and hide in a neighbor’s closet. Police had to use pepper spray to take Hughes into custody.
Hughes was charged with burglary, criminal trespass, robbery, simple assault, resisting arrest, and other related charges. He was placed in Blair County Prison in lieu of $25,000 straight cash bond and two out of county warrants.
Four Homeless After Flames Gut City House Chris Forshey
An Altoona woman and her three children are homeless after flames rip through their home.
The blaze broke out a little after 7:30PM Wednesday at the 108 6th Avenue home of
Tonya Dent. It took city firefighters more than two hours to bring the flames under control. Part of 6th Avenue was closed for about three hours.
The call came into the Blair County 911 center as a reported dryer fire. Officials haven’t said if that’s the exact cause. The house is a total loss.
The American Red Cross is assisting the family.
Welfare Officials Close Altoona Personal Care Home Chris Forshey
The Pennsylvania Department of Welfare has removed five people from a personal care home in Altoona after its owner was arrested last week on drug charges.
A welfare department spokesperson says residents living at McFarland’s Personal Care Home at 1122 15th Avenue were transferred to other facilities on Tuesday. Officials performed the emergency relocation after the home’s owner -- 65-year-old Sandra McFarland -- was jailed Thursday on numerous drug charges. City police discovered $10,000 in cocaine during a raid on her Broad Avenue home.
Welfare officials say they pulled the home’s license out of concern for the resident’s health and safety. McFarland is out of jail and is currently awaiting a preliminary hearing on the drug charges.
Bus Service from Altoona to State College Starts Monday Chris Forshey
Fullington Trailways will begin offering bus service between Altoona and State College next week.
Officials say the service will start on Monday. The bus company will provide two morning trips from Altoona to the Centre Region and then a morning and evening trip back.
Riders can board the buses at several points throughout Blair County. The first busses will board at Martin Grocery Store in Duncansville, Lowe’s in Altoona and Tyrone Park & Ride. The second bus will board at the Altoona Bus Terminal, Penn State Altoona and Tyrone Park & Ride. The busses will have three stops around Penn State University.
Travelers can purchase single, 10 and 20 day passes as well as discounted monthly passes. The service is being subsidized by PennDOT in an effort to get more motorists to carpool and ditch using their cars on a daily basis.
Pa. Man Gets 10 To 40 Years In Father's Murder Craig Schaffer/AP
A south-central Pennsylvania man who pleaded guilty to bludgeoning his father to death with a wood-splitting hammer has been sentenced to 10 to 40 years in a state prison equipped to treat him for what was described as severe mental illness.
Thirty-one-year-old Harold I. Turner of Clearville pleaded guilty in July to third-degree murder in the March 2008 death of Harold L. Turner. He fled after the murder but turned himself in later in Akron, Ohio.
Defense attorney Lesley Childers said his client heard voices telling him to attack his father. A psychiatrist told the court that Turner is in need of long-term psychiatric treatment.
Bedford County District Attorney William Higgins sought a minimum term of at least 10 years but a 40-year maximum in case treatment is unsuccessful, saying the community needed to be protected.
Police Release More Information About Armed Robbery Chris Forshey
Altoona Police have released security video from the armed robbery of a city drugstore over the weekend – and they need your help in catching him.
The video shows a man wielding a knife as he demanded prescription drugs from a clerk at the Broad Avenue Pharmacy on Saturday. No one was hurt. The suspect is described as a white male who is about 6-feet tall and weighs 150 pounds. He was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, brown coat, dark pants and white shoes. The robber got away with several bottles of the drug Suboxone.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Altoona Police at 949-2489.
Police: Man Charged in Oak Avenue Standoff Chris Forshey
An Altoona man has been arrested in connection with a police standoff late last week.
City police announced the charges against 46-year-old Terry Mulhern on Wednesday. The incident happened along the 2400 Block of Oak Avenue during the early morning hours of February 11th. Police say Mulhern was involved in a domestic dispute with his wife – and he had made several threats.
Mulhern has been charged with domestic assault, terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment. He was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Todd Kelly and released on bail.
Murtha's Immediate Successor to Be Decided May 18th Chris Forshey/AP
The special election to fill the term of the late U.S. Rep. John Murtha will be held on Pennsylvania's primary election day, May 18th.
Governor Ed Rendell made the announcement Wednesday.
That means there will be two elections involving Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district on primary day. One will decide the Republican and Democratic nominees to run in the general election in November. The other will fill the remainder of Murtha's term, which ends in January.
Murtha died Feb. 8 following complications from gallbladder surgery. He was first elected to the seat in 1974. Former Pennsylvania treasurer and auditor general Barbara Hafer says she will run in the race to succeed Murtha. State Senator John Wozniak said Wednesday he will not run.
February 17, 2010
Former Borough Clerk Accused of Stealing $100,000 Chris Forshey
A former Hollidaysburg Borough employee has been accused of stealing more than $100,000 from the municipality.
State Police at Hollidaysburg announced the charges against 31-year-old Heather Nicole Nolan on Tuesday. Nolan is a former borough clerk who was terminated after officials first discovered the money missing in August 2009. An independent audit shows that $103,236 went missing from January 2004 to July 2009.
Nolan has been charged with theft by unlawful taking, failure to make required disposition of funds and misapplication of entrusted property of government. Former borough finance director Robert Kuntz – who claims to have discovered the embezzlement – was terminated late last month.
Tractor Trailer Accident Knocks Out Power To Some Blair County Residents Craig Schaffer
Some folks in the southern part of Blair County are dealing with no electricity this morning.
The power has been off since around 11:30 last night for residents in Martinsburg, Woodbury Township, North Woodbury Township and Huston Township. The outage is the result of a tractor trailer knocking down a utility pole at the corner of Cross Cove Road and South Market Street.
The Red Cross has set up an emergency shelter at the Martinsburg Fire Hall.
Penelec officials reportedly are hoping to have power restored by 8:00 this morning.
Two Altoona Men In Custody On Drug Charges Craig Schaffer
Two Altoona men are facing drug charges following an attempted traffic stop by police Tuesday night.
Around 11:30 city police tried to pull over a vehicle driven by 18 year old Sergio Ceballos since they knew he had a suspended license. Ceballos tried to get away but after driving a couple blocks the vehicle got stuck in snow. Ceballos and a passenger in the vehicle, 23 year old Joshua Lowery, then fled on foot. Both men were eventually located by police and taken into custody.
As a result of the incident, 10-grams of crack cocaine were discovered.
Ceballos and Lowery have been charged with escape, possession with intent to deliver and other related charges.
Congressman John Murtha Remembered at Funeral Chris Forshey
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi remembered 12th District Congressman John Murtha as a friend to men and women in the military.
Pelosi spoke at Murtha’s funeral service on Tuesday and says Murtha's vocal opposition to the Iraq War in 2005 taught people "to make a difference between the war and the warrior."
U.S. Marine Corps Commandant General James Conway says he will remember Murtha as a fellow marine, patriot and a great American who always had the best interest of the military in mind.
Murtha’s daughter Donna also addressed the crowd.
Murtha
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A large congressional delegation attended the funeral, as did former President Bill Clinton. Murtha died February 8th at age 77 after complications from gallbladder surgery.
Meling: CDBG Money Flowing Again Chirs Forshey
Blair County’s CDBG money is again flowing in from Harrisburg.
Commissioner Diane Meling said on Tuesday that the money – which was being held since 2008 – has been paid to the county and dispersed to the grant recipients. The controversy led to the ouster of former county planning commission director Richard Haines in April 2009. Haines said the holdup stemmed from the difficulty the department had in reporting information to the state. Meling says those issues have since been resolved.
She says right now she just looks forward to working with the 2010 CDBG Program and making sure the money goes to fund the right projects.
Meling
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The commissioner’s are currently considering six projects but only have a small pot of money to dole out.
PennDOT: Nine Died on Local Roads in 2009 Chris Forshey
Nine people died on Blair County’s roadways in 2009.
That’s according to statistics released Tuesday by PennDOT, which also show the number of fatalities fell significantly from 2008, when 15 people died in traffic crashes. Three of those killed were not wearing seatbelts; one fatality was alcohol-related.
Across the state, the number of fatalities on Pennsylvania’s highways also dropped dramatically. PennDOT spokeswoman Pam Kane says 1,256 people died in accidents in 2009 – the lowest number since recordkeeping began in 1928. In 2008 the commonwealth saw 1,468 traffic fatalities.
Kane says while PennDOT is thrilled with the numbers, there is still a lot of work to do.
Kane
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PennDOT also says unrestrained fatalities decreased from 567 in 2008 to 451 in 2009.
PA Lawmaker Tries Again to Loosen Beer-Sales Law Chris Forshey/AP
Pennsylvania's beer-sales law is among the nation's most restrictive and is proving near-impossible to change. But a state senator said Tuesday that he will try again to loosen it and allow six-pack sales at beer distributors, groceries and conveniences stores.
Similar legislation pressed by Sen. John Rafferty of Montgomery County collapsed a couple years ago amid feuding between the stores, distributors, brewers and others.
Pennsylvania's law currently only allows six-pack sales in places where a patron can also drink beer. Distributors can only sell cases and kegs.
But over the past year, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has approved a number of liquor licenses for grocery stories that have dining areas.
Former PA House Aide Reveals Meeting with Corbett Chris Forshey/AP
A former top Pennsylvania House Democratic staff aide says he and two others met with Attorney General Tom Corbett shortly after news broke that employees of the Legislature had received bonuses.
Former director of staffing and administration Scott Brubaker testified today that Corbett was told about legitimate bonuses, but not about rewards handed out for campaign work.
Brubaker is the third witness to appear in the Dauphin County Court trial of former House Democratic Whip Mike Veon and three of his former aides. Brubaker says the February 2007 meeting in Corbett's office also included two other House Democratic staff aides, Mike Manzo and lawyer Reizdan Moore.
Both Manzo and Brubaker have pleaded guilty to charges brought by Corbett in the case. Manzo testified earlier.
February 16, 2010
Small Storm Drops More Snow on Region Chris Forshey
Another winter storm has brought more snow to our region.
According to the National Weather Service in State College about 2 to 4 inches of snow fell on Blair County in the past 24 hours.
Monday’s snowfall led to several accidents across the county, including serious accidents reported on Interstate 99 and on Frankstown Mountain. Crews worked throughout the night plowing and dropping anti-skid in an effort to keep the roadways cleaned.
Congressman Shuster Seeking Another Term Chris Forshey
Ninth District Congressman Bill Shuster is running for re-election.
Shuster held a news conference Monday in front of some supporters at the Hollidaysburg-Phoenix Volunteer Fire Company to make the announcement official. Shuster tells WRTA News he feels that he served the district well during his time in office – and he wants to return to Washington.
Shuster
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He says he can understand people’s ongoing frustration about what’s been happening in Washington and in the federal government. So far no one has announced their candidacy for the race.
Shuster was first ran for position in 2001 following the retirement of his father, and then he won re-elected in 2002 and has held the seat ever since.
Dignitaries to Attend Murtha Funeral Chris Forshey
Some big name dignitaries are making the trip to Cambria County today to attend the funeral for the late Congressman John Murtha.
Former President Bill Clinton, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen are scheduled to attend the service.
Pennsylvania Senator Robert Casey and 9th District Congressman Bill Shuster are also making the trip to Johnstown. Murtha’s funeral starts at 11:00AM at Westmont Presbyterian Church. A private burial service will follow.
Congressman Murtha – the first Vietnam Veteran elected to Congress -- died last week from complications of gallbladder surgery. An election will be held in May for his now vacant seat.
Former PA Treasurer Hafer to Seek Murtha's Seat Chris Forshey/AP
Former Pennsylvania treasurer and auditor general Barbara Hafer says she has decided to enter the race to succeed the late Representative Jack Murtha.
Hafer told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the pa2010.com Web site on Monday that after talking with Democratic leaders, she has decided to go forward with a campaign. Hafer said she would never be able "to fill Murtha's shoes, but would be honored to follow him."
She said, however, she would change her mind if the late congressman's widow, Joyce Murtha, were to decide to run. Other possible Democratic candidates include former lieutenant governor Mark Singel, state Sen. John Wozniak and Westmoreland County Commissioner Tom Ceraso.
Possible GOP hopefuls include retired Army Lt. Col. William Russell, who ran against Murtha in 2008, and Eighty Four businessman Tim Burns.
Chiefs Relocating to South Carolina Chirs Forshey
The City of Johnstown is losing its minor league hockey team.
Owners of the Johnstown Chiefs have asked permission from the ECHL to move the team to Greenville, South Carolina. The announcement was posted on the team’s Web site, which cited economical reasons for the move.
The Cambria County Commissioners say they are disappointed with the request, but say they understand it’s a business decision. Officials say they knew the team was having trouble filling seats at the War Memorial Complex.
February 15, 2010
Valentine’s Day Crash Injures Four in Blair County Craig Schaffer
Four people were severely injured in a head-on crash Sunday in Blair County.
The collision occurred around 6:30 pm on Vanscoyoc Hollow Road in Snyder Township. State Police say a car driven by 23 year old Christopher Diehl of Tyrone crested a hill in the middle of the roadway and crashed into an SUV driven by 37 year old Michael Friday, also of Tyrone.
In addition to the drivers, passengers in the vehicles, 18 year old Luke Christine and 18 year old Bethany Anders, both of Tyrone suffered severe injuries.
Altoona Regional is reporting that Diehl and Christine are in stable condition this morning while Anders is in serious condition. There was no word on Michael Friday’s status.
Altoona Pharmacy Robbed at Knifepoint Chris Forshey
Altoona Police are still on the hunt for the man who robbed a pharmacy at knifepoint on Saturday.
City police say a white male entered the Broad Avenue Pharmacy around 3:30PM wielding a knife. He demanded painkillers from a store clerk. Officers searched the area near the Jaffa Mosque for several hours, but were unable to find the suspect.
Police say the robber got away with several bottles of Suboxone. The suspect was wearing a dark brown colored jacket. Anyone with information is urged to contact Altoona Police at 949-2489.
Local Hockey Teams Not at Rink When Roof Collapsed Chris Forshey
Several youth hockey teams from Blair County were in the Pittsburgh area for tournaments on Sunday, but luckily none of them where at the Westmoreland County Ice Rink where part of the roof collapsed in.
Galactic Ice Hockey Director Dave Weaver tells WRTA News that local teams involved in the Mid-State Mustangs Hockey Program do compete at the Rostraver Ice Garden, but the four teams that traveled to Pittsburgh this weekend opted to play in other tournaments.
Weaver says local hockey players know the Rostraver rink well and he was just thankful that no one was hurt. Officials spent several hours searching the building with cadaver dogs and infrared cameras after a large part of the roof came down.
The collapse happened while a worker was resurfacing the ice during the hockey tournament. The worker wasn't injured. The cause of the collapse hasn't been determined.
Hundreds Turn Out For Viewing Of Murtha Craig Schaffer/AP
Hundreds of mourners braved light snow and bitter cold Sunday before entering a Cambria County funeral home and filing past the casket of late Congressman John Murtha.
The mourners ranged from Gov. Ed Rendell to average citizens and veterans who revered Murtha, a powerful Democrat who headed the House appropriations defense subcommittee. Rendell says Murtha's death cost him a plainspoken friend and cost Pennsylvania "the best ally we ever had" in Washington
Murtha died a week ago at age 77 after complications from gallbladder surgery.
Murtha held his seat in Pennsylvania's 12th district since 1974 and was the first Vietnam veteran elected to Congress.
FAA: Reports of Plane Crash Likely Meteors Chris Forshey
The Federal Aviation Administration says flashing lights in the skies over Blair County Friday night were likely caused by a meteor shower and not a crashing plane.
Emergency crews spent several hours searching Turkey Foot Valley Road and the area near Canoe Creek State Park after several people reported seeing the flashes in the sky around 10:30PM. The FAA says no planes are unaccounted for and there were no distress calls.
Crews stopped searching for the plane several hours later. The FAA says there were meteor showers in the skies over Pennsylvania Friday night.
PA GOP Backs Corbett for Governor, Toomey for Senate Chris Forshey/AP
Pennsylvania's Republican State Committee has endorsed Tom Corbett for governor and Pat Toomey for U.S. Senate.
Saturday's overwhelming endorsements at a Harrisburg hotel climaxed a two-day meeting, but came as no surprise.
Corbett, who's from Pittsburgh, is the state attorney general best known for his investigation of alleged corruption in the Legislature. His rival for the GOP nomination is state Representative Sam Rohrer of Berks County.
Toomey is a former congressman from the Allentown area who nearly defeated Sen. Arlen Specter in the 2004 Republican primary. He's opposed this year by Peg Luksik, an anti-abortion activist from Johnstown.
Penn State Says Student has Probable Meningitis Chris Forshey/AP
A Penn State student is being treated for what the school calls a probable case of bacterial meningitis.
The school said Friday the unidentified student who lives in a campus residence hall is being treated at Mount Nittany Medical Center. The university says friends and close contacts of the student have been called and offered medication. Meningococcal meningitis is a contagious and potentially fatal infection of the central nervous system.
It is typically not transmitted by routine contact, but is spread by saliva or close, prolonged contact with an infected person.
February 12, 2010
Overnight Standoff Ends Peacefully In Altoona Craig Schaffer
A standoff in the city last night apparently ended without anyone being harmed after about four tense hours.
All that is known at this time about the incident is that police closed off streets around a portion of Oak Avenue a little after midnight.
Media reports have one man being taken into custody around 4:30 this morning.
We’ll have more on this story as information becomes available.
City Woman Faces Charges After Thursday Drug Bust Craig Schaffer
An Altoona woman has been jailed after being arrested on drug charges Thursday.
The Altoona Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police Troop G Vice Unit joined forces to investigate the distribution locally of cocaine. Their efforts along with calls to the Push Out The Pusher Hotline led them to 65 year old Sandra McFarland’s residence at 2701 Broad Avenue. Around 8:00 last night police found digital scales, small baggies of what is suspected to be cocaine and one larger bag containing about 70 grams of suspected cocaine. The street value of the drug would be about $10,000.
McFarland was taken into custody on Possession and Paraphernalia charges. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday.
Funding for the investigation was provided by Operation Our Town.
Residents Still Digging Out Chris Forshey
The clean-up continues again today following Wednesday’s snow storm that dumped another 6 to 12 inches of snow on the region.
The City of Altoona lifted its snow emergency declaration at noon on Thursday. Assistant Fire Chief Tim Hileman says the city has now implemented ‘odd-even’ parking – with today being an ‘even’ parking day.
Hileman
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Hileman is also urging residents to dig out fire hydrants near their home. City plow crews will continue working 16 hour days until the streets are clear.
Plow Truck Sheers Off Gas Main; No Evacuations Chris Forshey
Blair County emergency officials worked quickly to contain a gas leak outside an Allegheny Township home Thursday.
The incident happened around 1:30PM at a 620 Burns Avenue near Veeder Root. Allegheny Township Police say a plow truck driver accidentally sheered off a gas main while attempting to clear snow from a driveway in front of the residence. The break sent a large white vapor cloud into the air.
Blair County Emergency Management Director Dan Boyles says his office was put on alert because of the large number of homes and business in the area. But Boyles says an evacuation wasn’t needed because fire and gas company crews worked quickly to fix the problem. No one was injured.
Third Winter Storm Eyeing Region Chris Forshey
We may not be out of the woods just yet.
Weather Channel Meteorologist Scott Landis says another winter storm is eyeing our region – and it could strike as early as Monday.
Landis
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Some early computer models indicate that another six inches of snow is possible. According to the National Weather Service in State College, 20.5 inches of snow fell over the weekend, while Wednesday’s storm dumped 11 inches of additional snow.
Forecasters say while the snow amounts may seem high, the Blair County region isn’t close to breaking any records.
Heller: Crime Down in Logan Township Chris Forshey
Logan Township’s crime rate fell 1.07-percent in 2009.
Police Chief Ron Heller also told the board of supervisors on Thursday that the number of serious offenses – such as burglaries and robberies – dropped by 8.2-percent. There were no homicides in the township last year. Chief Heller says the number of second class offenses increased 8.23-percent – and many of those arrests occurred near the Penn State Altoona campus.
Heller
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Heller says of the 672 second class offense arrests, 26-percent of them occurred in the Gwin Road and Juniata Gap Road area.
Friends, Co-Workers Remember Iorio Chris Forshey
Friends and colleagues of John Iorio are remembering the veteran Altoona Dog Law Enforcement officer as a public servant who always went out of his way to help others.
The 87-year-old Iorio died Wednesday afternoon from an extended illness. He would have celebrated his 50th anniversary with the Altoona Police Department in June. Logan Township Police Chief Ron Heller says Iorio was always there to answer questions and offer advice.
Heller
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Penn State Altoona Police Sergeant Chris Cohn worked with Iorio on the city police force and with the local DUI Taskforce.
Cohn
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Viewings will be held today and tomorrow at Santella Funeral Home. A funeral service will is scheduled for 11:00AM tomorrow at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Altoona.
February 11, 2010
Dog Officer John Iorio Dies Chris Forshey
Altoona veteran dog law enforcement officer John Iorio has died, a city official told WRTA News late Wednesday night.
Details about his death have not been released, but Iorio had been on leave since the beginning of January. He would have served 50 years in the Altoona Police Department this June. Iorio, who often boasted about being staying busy in his elder years, was also active in the Pleasant Valley Lion’s Club.
He was also known for passing out doughnuts and coffee on New Year’s Eve in an effort to help prevent people from drinking and driving. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
Snow Storm Wrecks Havoc on Region Chris Forshey
Blizzard-like conditions turned parts of Altoona and Blair County into a virtual ghost town Wednesday afternoon as the second winter storm in less than a week hammered the region.
Forecasters with the National Weather Service in State College say about six additional inches of snow fell on the region over a 24-hour period. By 7:00PM Wednesday the only vehicles observed passing in front of the Radio Campus on 6th Avenue were plow trucks and four-wheel drive trucks and SUVs. City plow crews have been working around the clock trying to keep the roadways clear.
City officials again opened their Emergency Operations Center to coordinate police, fire and highway department activities. Assistant Fire Chief Tim Hileman says most of the residents who phoned in had questions about parking.
Hileman
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PennDOT was forced to close several roadways in the Sinking Valley and Blue Knob areas because of blowing snow and piling snow drifts. Officials are urging everyone to be patient as they work to get the roadways cleared.
City Residents Find Vehicles Towed Chris Forshey
Several residents in Altoona found their cars missing because the city was forced to tow them off of its Snow Emergency Routes.
Assistant Fire Chief Tim Hileman said Wednesday he didn’t know exactly how many cars have been towed – but the number was over 50. Hileman says the city’s police and highway departments went out of their way to try and find the vehicle’s owners before actually towing them.
Hileman
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Hileman says workers in the city’s operations center left the owners of the vehicles know how to get their cars back. He says it’s all a matter of public safety and residents had plenty of time to get their cars moved.
Officials Prepare to Open Shelters if Needed Chris Forshey
Officials in Blair County and the City of Altoona worked closely with the American Red Cross and other agencies on Wednesday to make sure there are warming shelters in case residents begin to lose their power.
City officials say the centers are ready to be opened if needed. There has been no power problems reported in the county. Officials say their biggest concern was making sure the elderly have heat.
The Southern Alleghenies Chapter of the America Red Cross was ready to assist people in Blair, Huntingdon, Bedford and Fulton Counties if needed.
Blair Commissioner Sidelined Chris Forshey
Blair County Commissioner Donna Gority is back to work after being hospitalized over the weekend with chest pains.
Commissioner Gority said Wednesday she fell ill while attending an event Saturday night at the Bavarian Hall. She was absent from the county’s salary board meeting on Monday and the commissioner’s weekly meeting on Tuesday.
Gority was admitted to Altoona Hospital, where she underwent a stress test and Heart Catheterization. She says there were no blockages and everything is fine.
Funeral Plans Finalized in PA for Murtha Chris Forshey/AP
Funeral services for the late Representative John Murtha have now been finalized.
Murtha's family said Wednesday that a private viewing will be held from 3:00PM to 7:00PM on Sunday and Monday at Duca's Funeral Home in Johnstown.
A private funeral service begins at 11:00AM Tuesday at the Westmont Presbyterian Church, and a private burial service will follow at Grandview Cemetery. Family members say a public memorial will be held at the U.S. Capitol in the coming weeks. In lieu of flowers, they suggest contributions to the UPMC John P. Murtha Cancer Pavilion in Johnstown or the Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center in Windber.
Murtha died Monday at Arlington Hospital Center at age 77 following complications from gallbladder surgery.
One Dead, 18 Hurt in Interstate 80 Pile-Ups Chris Forshey
Emergency officials say one person is dead and 18 others are injured after two multi-vehicle pileups involved about 25 vehicles on a snowy Interstate 80 Wednesday morning.
State Police at Philipsburg say the first wreck started after two tractor-trailers jackknifed around 9:00AM on the eastbound lanes near the Penfield Exit, causing 12 more trucks and three cars to collide.
The second crash happened two miles back about a half-hour later as traffic slowed down for the first wreck. PennDOT spokeswoman Marla Fannin says that wreck involved seven trucks and one car. Authorities say the driver of the car, 57-year-old Steven Samuelson, of Orangeville, Ill., was killed.
The National Weather Service says there was moderate snowfall in nearby Clearfield at the time with a half-mile of visibility.
February 10, 2010
Rendell Proposes Lower Sales Tax But on More Items Chris Forshey
Governor Ed Rendell's proposal to expand the state sales tax is getting a mixed reaction in the Capitol.
The Democrat wants to eliminate dozens of sales tax exemptions to help offset billions in disappearing federal funding and spiking pension costs.
However, Rendell's fellow Democrats did not voice immediate support for his sales tax plan. And leaders of the Senate Republican majority say the sales tax plan is dead on arrival. Senate President Pro-Tem Joe Scarnatti says instead Rendell needs to press for cost savings in government.
Scarnatti
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Rendell proposed in his annual budget address Tuesday to raise spending by about $1-billion, or 4-percent, for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Democratic leaders said they support Rendell's proposed boost in funding for public schools.
PennDOT: Use Caution on Roadways Chris Forshey
PennDOT is urging motorists to use extreme caution as a second winter storm barrels down on the region.
A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect through Wednesday – and the National Weather Service says between 8 and 12 inches of snow will fall on Blair County before the storm moves out. That's on top of the 20 inches of snow many areas received over the weekend.
Several municipalities have declared Snow Emergencies. In Duncansville Borough, odd-even parking is in effect. And in the City of Altoona all vehicles must be removed from all Snow Emergency Routes.
A complete look at your forecast is coming up.
Blair Reaches Agreement with UMWA Union Workers Chris Forshey
The Blair County Commissioners have approved a new three-year contract with one of their largest unions.
The court related/court appointed workers represented by the United Mineworkers of America will receive a $594 rate increase of their base salaries for this year, and a three percent wage increases in 2011 and 2012.
Human resources director Diane Carland called the new contract a win-win for both sides.
Carland
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Carland says the union workers agreed to pay higher health insurance premiums and higher health insurance deductibles in exchange for the salary increases. About 300 employees are covered by the contract.
Funeral Arrangements in PA Announced for Murtha Chris Forshey/AP
Congressman John Murtha will be buried next week in the heart of the Pennsylvania district he represented for 3 1/2 decades.
Murtha's family said Tuesday that the viewing for Murtha will be Sunday and Monday at Duca's Funeral Home in Westmont. He will be buried Tuesday in Grandview Cemetery, also in Westmont. The times of the viewing and burial will be announced later.
Murtha, a longtime Pennsylvania Democrat, died Monday at a hospital at age 77 after complications from gallbladder surgery. Governor Ed Rendell must now decide when to schedule a special election to replace Murtha, who in 1974 became the first Vietnam War combat veteran elected to Congress and went on to win election to 18 terms.
Crash Kills Cresson Woman Chris Forshey
A two-car crash in Bedford County has claimed the life of a Cresson woman.
The accident happened Tuesday morning along State Route 30 near the Bedford Wal-Mart store. State Police say a vehicle driven by 27-year-old Alyssa Hoover was struck head-on by a pickup truck driven by 52-year-old Gary Washington of Bedford. Troopers say Washington lost control of his vehicle and crossed the center line of the roadway. Hoover was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in Hoover’s car – 32-year-old Amanda McConnell of Cresson – was injured. She was taken to the Altoona Regional Trauma Center.
The investigation into the crash is still ongoing.
Blair Declares State of Emergency, Applies for Federal Reimbursement Chris Forshey
Several Blair County municipalities may be reimbursed by the Federal government for the cost of their snow clean-up and removal efforts following this past weekend’s snow storm.
County leaders on Tuesday declared a State of Emergency locally to go along with the one already issued by Governor Ed Rendell. Blair County Emergency Management Director Dan Boyles says with both declarations, Pennsylvania is eligible for $15-million from Washington -- and Blair County will be eligible for $417,000 of that money to help cover the added expenses.
Boyles says the pot of money would be split among 24 municipalities and seven school entities eligible for the reimbursement. He says the money can be used to cover everything from overtime costs to hiring private contractors to remove snow.
February 9, 2010
Congressman John Murtha Dies at 77 Chris Forshey
Friends, colleagues and local elected officials are remembering 12th District Congressman John Murtha as a democratic hawk who held a lot of political clout on Capitol Hill.
The 77-year-old retired Marine Corps officer -- who became an outspoken critic of the Iraq war -- passed away Monday at a hospital in Arlington, Virginia after suffering complications from recent gallbladder surgery.
In 1974, Murtha became the first combat veteran of the Vietnam War elected to Congress. On Saturday, he became Pennsylvania’s longest-serving representative. 9th District Congressman Bill Shuster called Murtha a family friend who often came under fire by his critics and the media for simply doing his job.
Shuster
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Blair County Democratic Party Chairman Frank Rosenhoover called Murtha’s passing “a tremendous loss.” He says Murtha always put the people first.
Rosenhoover
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Murtha’s Republican primary challenger William Russell also issued a statement saying the news will be met with profound sadness by the hundreds of thousands of constituents Murtha served in Johnstown and throughout the 12th Congressional District.
Forecasters: 8 Inches of Additional Snow Coming Chris Forshey
Here we go again.
For the second time in a week a big snow storm is targeting the region. The National Weather Service in State College has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Altoona-Blair County area. Forecasters say 8 to 12 inches of snow is expected to fall on the region beginning Tuesday afternoon. That’s on top of the 20.5 inches of snow that fell over the weekend.
Altoona Public Works Director Dave Dietrich says city plow drivers are still cleaning up from the first storm. He’s urging residents to move their cars from the streets if possible and be patient until the second storm passes.
Dietrich
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Dietrich says the road crews will work diligently to clean up-the mess a second time as soon as the storm passes.
Blair Sheriff Changes Staff Hours to Address Overtime Issues Chris Forshey
Blair County’s new sheriff is adjusting the hours of his deputies in an effort to eliminate ongoing overtime expenses in the office.
Sheriff Mitch Cooper said Monday that a deputy is now on call weekdays from 8:00AM until 4:00AM the next day. Cooper says that’s so the office can be staffed with a deputy who is doing normal shift work and won’t have to be paid just for being called in.
Cooper
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Cooper says the union contracts allows for the staffing change. He says the new schedule will also allow more opportunities for the deputies to serve civil paperwork, arrest warrants and make transports throughout the county.
Cooper says the ultimate goal is to allow the office to generate more revenue while operating more efficiently.
Rendell Delivering Budget Plan Amid Tough Outlook Chris Forshey/AP
Governor Ed Rendell is delivering his annual budget speech for the last time as Pennsylvania faces a difficult financial future.
Rendell is expected Tuesday to call for higher spending on public schools and to discuss the massive financial problems looming for Pennsylvania after he leaves office.
The second-term Democrat is prohibited by the state Constitution from running for a third four-year term. That makes 2010 his last year in office. He'll address a joint session of the Legislature at 10:30AM. The governor is expected to announce an approximately $29-billion spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1. That's an increase of about 4 percent.
But recession-ravaged tax collections are lagging behind expectations, which may make it challenging to absorb spiraling pension and health care costs.
Rendell to Set Election Date to Replace Murtha Chris Forshey/AP
Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell says he will decide in the coming days when to schedule a special election to replace U.S. Representative Jack Murtha.
Murtha died Monday at Virginia Hospital Center after suffering complications from gallbladder surgery. Rendell has 10 days by law to schedule an election to replace the 35-year lawmaker.
Rendell must pick a day that is at least 60 days later. He says it would save taxpayer money to hold the election on the state's May 18 primary date. But he also says he might set it sooner if Congress plans to vote on extraordinary issues before then.
Whoever wins the special election will only serve through the rest of this year, unless they also win in the general election in November.
Malfunctioning Courthouse Elevator Fixed Chris Forshey
A malfunctioning elevator that forced the evacuation of the Blair County Courthouse last week has been fixed – at a minimal cost to the county.
Commissioner Diane Meling says the motor that melted down and filled the first floor corridor with smoke was under warranty. Meling says the county’s maintenance workers were able to make the repair – but they did incur some overtime hours.
The commissioners had worried about the expense of having to replace the motor. At least one county worker had to be rescued from the elevator after it malfunctioned.
Local Boy Scouts Celebrate 100th Anniversary Chris Forshey
Celebrating 100 years of Boy Scouts in America.
About 65 people gathered Monday at the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg to kick-off the Penn’s Wood’s Council – Chief Logan District local centennial celebration. The event included a re-dedication of the Scout Oath and Scout Law – two main principles under which boy scouts serve their communities.
Council Vice President of Administration Joe Keller says boy scouts has played a big role in the lives of thousands of local young men over the years.
Keller
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District Executive Mike Maples says there are nearly 1,000 boy scouts active in Blair County. Rededication ceremonies were also held in Altoona and in other communities throughout the council.
February 8, 2010
Digging Out from all the Snow Chris Forshey
Altoona City officials are urging residents to be patient as crews work to clean-up the 20-plus inches of snow dumped on the region over the weekend.
City plow crews have been working non-stop since the storm ended on Saturday trying to get the city’s secondary roads and alleyways completely opened to traffic. The massive storm caused the city to open its emergency operations center – which was also staffed by officials from Logan Township and Blair County. No major problems were reported. Altoona City Fire Chief Renny Santone says the big issue now is getting residents to shovel out the fire hydrants located near their homes.
Santone
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The National Weather Service in State College says between 18 and 20 inches of snow fell on Blair County over an 18-hour period. Parts of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia received more than two-feet of snow, prompting Governor Ed Rendell to declare a disaster emergency and activate the Pennsylvania National Guard.
City Man Steals Truck Left Warming Up Craig Schaffer
An Altoona man is in jail after allegedly stealing a truck over the weekend.
City police say around 2:45 Sunday morning Taylor Hanson, of 1214 11th Avenue, stole the truck he found parked and left idling to warm up at 7th Avenue and 4th Street. The owner of the truck followed Hanson and found him and the truck in the 800 block of Lexington Avenue. Hanson fled the scene on foot but was later located by police.
Hanson was taken into custody and placed in Blair County Prison and faces charges of Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Receiving Stolen Property, and Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle.
PA Democrats Will Have Open Primary for Governor Chris Forshey/AP
Pennsylvania's Democratic State Committee won't be making an endorsement in the contest for the gubernatorial nomination.
Two separate votes Saturday failed to produce the necessary two-thirds majority for any of the candidates.
State Auditor General Jack Wagner attracted the most support but fell far short of the total needed for an endorsement. Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato finished second. The state committee also endorsed former Philadelphia city controller Jonathan Saidel for nomination as lieutenant governor.
Earlier Saturday, the committee voted overwhelmingly to endorse Republican-turned-Democrat U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter for nomination for a sixth Senate term.
Rendell to Push School Aid, Bridge for Looming Cliff Chris Forshey/AP
When Ed Rendell delivers his annual budget speech for the last time Tuesday, the governor known for bringing a kitchen-sink full of priorities is expected to outline a narrower set of goals.
For one, the second-term Democrat has a short time to coax a politically divided Legislature. Also, Pennsylvania's recession-ravaged tax collections are likely to leave little room for an ambitious agenda.
Then there's the approaching November general election that many say will deter legislators from taking up controversial issues. Lawmakers expect an approximately $29-billion spending plan likely to include another hefty increase for public schools, perhaps Rendell's top priority. But lawmakers do not expect him to seek an increase in the state's personal income tax.
The governor has said he will revive last year's failed proposals to impose new taxes on the extraction of natural gas and sales of cigars and smokeless tobacco. He also is expected to try to start a discussion of how to address a huge, one-two financial punch - the expiration of federal stimulus aid in 2011 and a pension-obligation spike that will explode to $4-billion.
February 5, 2010
Snow Storm Eyes Blair County Chris Forshey
Get out the snow shovels.
Another round of winter weather is heading our way. PennDOT spokeswoman Pam Kane says crews spent much of the day Thursday preparing for this latest battle with Mother Nature.
Kane
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City plow crews also spent the day preparing for the big storm. Weather Channel forecasters say the Blair County region could be blanketed by 8-16 inches of snow by midday Saturday.
Fire Damages Barn Chris Forshey
A fire early Thursday morning heavily damaged a large barn at a farm in Antis Township.
Flames broke out around 3:30AM in the structure located at Watts Farm along Old Route 220 just outside of Bellwood. It took firefighters from several companies a few hours to extinguish the flames.
A damage estimate has not been released. Officials have not said if there were any animals inside the barn. A State Police fire marshal has been called in to look for a cause.
Audit Uncovers Embezzlement in Hollidaysburg Craig Schaffer
More information is coming out about missing money from a local borough.
Published reports say that when the 2008 audit was brought before Hollidaysburg borough council last week it showed that poor management led to funds being embezzled.
The Altoona Mirror is reporting that a State police investigation is underway. 15-significant deficiencies were discovered by the audit. No other information will be coming from the state police until the investigation is completed.
Finance Director Robert Kuntz was notified late last month that he was being let go by the borough.
Operation Our Town Awards Grants Chris Forshey
Some local non-profit organizations that provide community drug treatment and prevention programs have received a financial boost from Operation Our Town.
Approximately $100-thousand and funds was dolled out to 10 projects on Thursday. Commissioner Donna Gority, who sits on the grant committee, says the money is given out twice a year to groups who have projects that are proven to work.
Gority
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The money will go to such organizations as the Family Services SWOOP Program, the Bellwood DOOR after school program and Contact Altoona. Operation Our Town will begin receiving grant applications for a second cycle of funding in March.
Secretary Found Guilty of Changing Daughter’s Grades Chris Forshey
A former Huntingdon County High School secretary has been found guilty of falsifying her daughter’s grades – which were saved on a district computer server.
Jurors returned the 58 count guilty verdict against Caroline McNeal on Thursday just an hour after the closing arguments in her four-day-long criminal trial. McNeal could face a decade behind bars for her convictions on 29 counts of unlawful use of a computer and 29 counts of tampering with public records.
Prosecutors alleged that McNeal would improve her daughter’s grades while lowering those of her classmates in order to improve her daughter’s class standing.
Ebner Students Donate $760 to Red Cross for Haiti Relief Chris Forshey
The relief efforts in Haiti are getting a financial boost from some elementary students from Altoona.
School district officials say members of Ebner Elementary School’s student council donated $760 to the American Red Cross on Thursday. The students began collecting the money just a week ago.
All of the donations will go to help with the recovery efforts in the earthquake-ravaged nation. More than half of the school’s students participated in the fund drive.
PA Gets More Low-Income Federal Heating Aid Chris Forshey/AP
More grant money is available for the hundreds of thousands low-income families that are seeking help paying for winter heat in Pennsylvania.
State officials said Thursday that there is now more money for both cash grants and crisis grants through the federally funded LIHEAP program.
The amount of the cash grants to help pay winter heating bills is being increased by $100 to an average of $426 for the current season. Also, many vulnerable families will be eligible to receive an additional crisis grant, up to a maximum of $400.
Crisis grants can help a family afford a heating emergency, such as a fuel shortage, a furnace breakdown or a utility termination.
DeWeese tells Newspapers He'll Run for Re-election Chris Forshey/AP
State Representative Bill DeWeese says he'll run for re-election despite theft and conspiracy charges he faces in the Bonusgate scandal playing out in Harrisburg.
DeWeese, a Greene County Democrat, first announced the news through two newspapers in his 50th House District, the Observer-Reporter in Washington, Pa. and the Herald-Standard in Uniontown.
DeWeese has held the seat since 1976 and was formerly speaker of the House.
DeWeese says he "is highly confident of vindication" and says he wants to continue "fighting to represent" his district.
February 4, 2010
Fire Leaves Family of Four Homeless Staff
A family of four is homeless after a fire Wednesday destroyed their home in rural Snyder Township.
Dozens of firefighters from Blair, Huntingdon and Centre Counties responded to the blaze at 220 Ironville Road around 11:30AM. Tyrone Hookies Assistant Fire Chief David Hoffman says a neighbor spotted the flames and called 911. Hoffman says fire crews spent several hours brining the flames under control.
The owner of the home, Rob Bowser, says no one was home when the fire started and the family does have insurance. The American Red Cross is assisting the family.
The cause of the blaze is unknown and a State Police fire marshal has been called in to investigate.
Claysburg Man Charged with Assaulting Teenager Chris Forshey
A Claysburg man has been charged with sexually assaulting a teenaged girl.
State Police at Hollidaysburg arrested 29-year-old Daren Shawn Lasher on Wednesday. Lasher is accused of having sex with a 15-year-old Roaring Spring girl on November 30th. Police say Lasher and the teenager met while she was a runaway and had sex at a home along Mansion Drive in Greenfield Township. The victim was later located in Philipsburg and then taken to Altoona Hospital by her parents, where a Sexual Assault Evidence Kid was completed.
A DNA sample led police to Lasher. He’s been charged with statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and corruption of minors. Lasher was committed to the Blair County Prison in lieu of 10-percent of $75,000 bail.
I-99 Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Arrests Craig Schaffer
A traffic stop along I-99 Wednesday results in two people being arrested on drug charges.
State Police say that around 3:30 yesterday afternoon they stopped a vehicle driven by 26 year old James Rupp of Altoona about a quarter mile north of State Route 22. It turned out Rupp was driving with a suspended license and during a pat down of Rupp and his passenger, 24 year old Jessica Bilski of Pittsburgh, police found drug paraphernalia.
When questioned further, Bilski told the troopers that she had Heroin hidden in her pants. 44-bags of the drug with a street value of $1,300 were then seized.
Both Rupp and Bilski have been charged with Criminal Conspiracy, Possession with Intent to Deliver, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Both were commited to Blair County Prison with bail set at $25,000.
Altoona Curve Make Several Announcements Chris Forshey
Blair County Ballpark is getting a bit of a facelift ahead of the 2010 baseball season.
Curve officials announced on Wednesday that they plan to install protective windows on the exterior of the ballpark’s decorative archways. Team manager Rob Egan says the move is needed to protect the structural integrity of the facility.
Egan
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The curve also unveiled a new marketing initiative called ‘Curve Pa.’ Eagan says it’s the ball club’s chance to brand itself.
Egan
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Steamer is also getting a makeover. The mascot has been slimmed down and modernized with fresh clothing and a friendlier face.
Blair Leaders Await Details of Rendell’s New Budget Chris Forshey
The Blair County Commissioners say they will be paying close attention to Governor Ed Rendell’s budget address next Tuesday in Harrisburg.
Commissioner Terry Tomassetti says he’s expecting more state funding streams to be cut for mandated services. Tomassetti says it’s likely to be the same game Rendell has played over his previous seven years in office.
Tomassetti
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Tomassetti says with income tax levels down and state revenue collections trailing estimates, Harrisburg isn’t going to be able to step in and help out counties with their financial burdens.
Rep. John Murtha Listed in Stable Condition Chris Forshey/AP
Rep. John Murtha is in stable condition at a Virginia hospital, where he's been in intensive care stemming from complications related to gallbladder surgery.
Murtha Spokesman Matt Mazonkey described the condition but declined to provide any other details about the 77-year-old Pennsylvania congressman's health. Murtha underwent scheduled surgery last week and is currently at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she does not expect him to return before lawmakers recess for the President's Day break February 15th. Murtha was also hospitalized in December with gallbladder problems.
Democratic Endorsement May Elude Candidates for Governor Chris Forshey/AP
The chairman of the state Democratic Party says a rule that made its endorsement harder to get will probably prevent any of the gubernatorial candidates from being endorsed this year.
The 2004 rule changed the endorsement threshold from a simple majority vote of the Democratic State Committee to a two-thirds majority.
State party chairman T.J. Rooney says that makes a gubernatorial endorsement unlikely because the vote will be divided among four candidates. Sen. Arlen Specter is hoping for an endorsement from his new party when the committee meets Saturday in Lancaster.
That would be an important symbolic victory in the former Republican senator's bid for a sixth term. Specter faces a primary challenge from U.S. Representative Joe Sestak, who has sought to portray Specter as a political opportunist.
Penn State Moving Forward with Scientist Probe Chris Forshey/AP
Penn State University says it will proceed with an investigation into a leading climate scientist after an internal inquiry into alleged research misconduct stemming from leaked E-mails at the center of a controversy over global warming.
A university committee has been looking into E-mails pertaining to Professor Michael Mann or his work since late November, when computer hackers obtained messages between scientists from a British research center.
Mann's work has long criticized by skeptics of man-made global warming theories. A report Wednesday said the inquiry committee could not make a "definitive finding" on an allegation of inappropriate research conduct, warranting further investigation.
The report said other allegations contained "no substance."
February 3, 2010
Smoke Forces Evacuation of Blair County Courthouse Chris Forshey
A malfunctioning elevator motor filled part of the Blair County Courthouse with smoke Tuesday, forcing hundreds of county workers into the streets in the twenty-degree weather.
Commissioner Donna Gority says maintenance workers had to rescue a county employee from the elevator. She was uninjured. Hollidaysburg-Pheonix volunteer firefighters responded to the scene and used a fan to clear the smoke out of a first-floor hallway.
Commissioner Gority says the county will attempt to fix the aging elevator – which is located in the old section of the courthouse complex. Employees returned to their offices by 8:30AM.
Claysburg Senior High Student Delivers Baby at School Chris Forshey
Some tense moments at a Blair County high school Tuesday morning.
Administrators at Claysburg-Kimmel say a senior high student went into labor – and gave birth to her baby in the school nurse’s office. Emergency medical personnel were called to the school just before 9:00AM and were able to assist with the baby’s delivery.
Superintendent James O’Harrow says in his 39 years of school administration work it’s the first time an incident like this has ever occurred. O’Harrow says mom and baby are both reported to be healthy.
Rep. John Murtha Hospitalized in Intensive Care Chris Forshey/AP
Representative John Murtha has been hospitalized in intensive care stemming from complications related to gallbladder surgery.
Spokesman Matt Mazonkey says the 77-year-old Pennsylvania congressman underwent scheduled surgery last week and is currently at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington. Murtha was also hospitalized in December with gallbladder problems.
The 19-term Democrat was the first Vietnam veteran to serve in Congress. He leads the powerful House Appropriations subcommittee on defense spending.
City Apartment Building Blaze Ruled an Accident Chris Forshey
A fire Monday afternoon that damaged a vacant city apartment building has been ruled an accident.
Altoona Fire Marshal Randy Isenberg says the blaze at the Sunset Apartments on Broad Avenue was sparked by a welder’s torch. Records show Eric Lowey of Altoona purchased the building less than a month ago and Isenberg says Lowey’s brother Hershel had spent the day inside cutting out old pipes.
The two have been working to rehabilitate the building. Isenberg says the fire damage can be repaired, but he’s still unsure if the owner has insurance.
Blair Prison Reimbursed for Housing Illegals Chris Forshey
The Blair County Prison has been reimbursed for housing illegal immigrants.
Warden Michael Johnston told county leaders on Tuesday that Justice Benefits Incorporated of Texas has paid the county $7,000 since it signed up for the program.
Johnston
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Johnston says the money the county generates through the reimbursements will be used to lower other expenses at the prison facility.
Bank Makes Contribution to Summer Kid’s College Program Chris Forshey
A Blair County-based bank has made another large financial contribution to Penn State Altoona.
Chancellor Dr. Lori Bechtel-Wherry says the $100-thousand commitment from Investment Savings Bank will be used for the ongoing financial support of the Summer Kids’ College program, which doesn’t receive traditional university funding. Bechtel-Wherry says the money will be added to a previous endowment made by ISB in 2005.
Bechtel-Wherry
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The Summer Kids’ College is marketed to students in school districts all throughout the region. Bechtel-Wherry says over the years more than a thousand students have participated in the program.
February 02, 2010
Fire Damages Vacant City Apartment Building Chris Forshey
A fire Monday afternoon caused heavy damage to a city apartment building.
Altoona firefighters were called to the former Sunset Apartments at 2213 Broad Avenue shortly after 5:00PM. Chief Renny Santone says the blaze broke out in the basement and quickly spread to the upper floors.
Santone
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Santone says the building’s new owner had been working to rehabilitate the structure.
Santone
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No one was hurt. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
State Police Looking Into Case of Local Borough’s Missing Money Craig Schaffer
An investigation is underway involving Hollidaysburg Borough and the disappearance of an undisclosed amount of money.
A local newspaper is reporting that Finance Director, Robert Kuntz, no longer works for the borough but it’s not clear if he has resigned or was fired. According to the Altoona Mirror Kuntz is not involved in the state police investigation into the missing money.
The investigation, underway since last summer, should be wrapped up sometime next week. Charges are expected to be filed.
Sale of Dominion People’s Complete; Utility Gets New Name Chris Forshey
A Blair County utility provider now has a new name.
Dominion Peoples has been renamed People’s Natural Gas. The change came Monday with the official closing of the $780-million sale of Dominion People’s Pennsylvania operations to SteelRiver Infrastructure Fund North America LP.
Peoples Natural Gas – a subsidiary of SteelRiver – will serve 359,000 customers in 16 counties in Pennsylvania. The company also announced that Morgan K. O’Brien will be the new Chief Executive Officer of Peoples Natural Gas. In a written statement released shortly after the official closing, O’Brien said the company has plans to add new managerial and customer service level jobs at its locations across the state.
PSP: Vandals Targeted Parked Cars Chris Forshey
Authorities are looking for the vandals who smashed the windows out of several vehicles parked at two Antis Township businesses.
State Police at Hollidaysburg say it happened sometime during the early morning hours Friday at CRH Catering and Hostler’s Garage along Stadium Drive. Troopers say they have no leads and total damages are expected to top $1,500.
Anyone with information can contact the State Police barracks at 696-6100.
Opening Statements Begin in PA Corruption Trial Chris Forshey
A state prosecutor in a legislative corruption trial in Harrisburg says former House Democratic whip Mike Veon helped plan an elaborate conspiracy to spend taxpayer money on campaigns and other illegal uses.
Deputy prosecutor Patrick Blessington made his opening statement Monday at the trial of Veon and three of his aides. Blessington said Veon helped create a plan to motivate legislative employees to pitch in on campaigns. He said that over three years, the bonuses-for-campaigning cash amounted to $1.4-million and was a reason why the House Democrats were able to win back a House majority.
Veon lawyer Dan Raynak, attacked how prosecutors have handled the investigation and said they asked questions during the grand jury sessions that let witnesses know the answers they wanted to hear.
PA Hospitals to Accept Haitian Quake Victims Chris Forshey/AP
Governor Ed Rendell says Pennsylvania hospitals are volunteering to accept gravely wounded Haitians.
Rendell said Monday that at least 11 hospitals in Pennsylvania are responding to the request made by the U.S. military last week.
Carolyn Scanlan of the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania says the wounded Haitian earthquake victims could include amputees and paraplegics.
Scanlan
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It's not clear when exactly they'll arrive. State officials say that means teams from the federal government, and not Pennsylvania, will screen rescued Haitians getting off military flights and decide when and where they are treated.
An Altoona Regional spokesperson says the health system is not expecting to treat any Haitians.
PA Bill Would Protect Bake Sales from Inspections Chris Forshey/AP
Bake sales, chicken barbecues, fish fries and other charitable food sales would be safe from state health inspections under a bill on its way to the state House of Representatives.
The state Senate on Monday passed the bill unanimously. The bill is in response to a cease-and-desist order delivered last spring at St. Cecilia's Church in Rochester, near Pittsburgh.
Church officials say volunteers were cutting slices of homemade pies to sell at a fundraiser when a state food safety inspector warned them that selling baked goods made in an unlicensed kitchen is illegal.
The Agriculture Department says the inspector was just doing his job from the perspective of public health.
February 1, 2010
Pizza Deliveryman Robbed in Altoona Craig Schaffer
A pizza deliveryman was targeted by a thief in Altoona overnight.
City police say that around 1:16 this morning. The victim was making a delivery in the area of the 2600 block of Maple Avenue. Upon exited his vehicle the deliveryman was approached by the suspect. The two talked for a bit before the suspect pulled a knife and demanded money. There was a brief struggle between the victim and the suspect before the robber got away with an undisclosed amount of money. When last seen, the suspect fled the area in a dark colored vehicle.
The robber is described as a white male who was wearing a dark cap and dark clothing. His face was covered with a scarf.
An investigation into the robbery continues and the Altoona Police Department is asking anyone with information to give them a call.
Troopers Identify Crash Victim Chris Forshey
Authorities have released the name of the man who died in a two vehicle crash Saturday night north of the Bald Eagle Intersection on State Route 350
State Police say 69-year-old Paul Shimmel of Phillipsburg was traveling south towards Tyrone when his car crossed over the center line and striking another vehicle head-on. Shimmel was not wearing a seatbelt. He died at the scene.
Three people in the second vehicle were injured. They were taken to Altoona Hospital. Emergency officials had to cut Shimmel from his car. The roadway was shut down for several hours while officials reconstructed the accident.
The investigation continues.
Local Bowing Alley Argument Results In Assault And Arrest Craig Schaffer
One man has been arrested after an assault at a local bowling alley late last week.
City police say that around 11:49 Friday night the victim was asked to leave the Four Dees bowling alley after becoming intoxicated and arguing with 30 year old Richard Hollabaugh, of 628 South Logan Boulevard. The dispute between the two men continued outside in the parking lot at which time Hollabaugh knocked the victim to the ground with one punch.
Hollabaugh was arrested and charged with aggravated assault.
Local Teen Stabs Ex-Boyfriend Out Of Jealousy Craig Schaffer
Charges have been filed against a local teenager accused of stabbing her ex-boyfriend.
The 17 year old Altoona girl faces an attempted homicide charge after allegedly stabbing the victim in the chest December 20. Police say the girl was angry that the victim had a new girlfriend.
The victim, who was able to drive himself to the hospital, wasn’t seriously injured but was told that he was lucky to be alive.
The girl who was arrested Friday will be charged as an adult but her name is being withheld for the time being. She was placed in Blair County prison and faces additional charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, burglary, criminal trespass, and reckless endangerment.
Two Arrested Following Raid on City Hotel Room Chris Forshey
State Police narcotics officers have arrested two out-of-town men on drug charges.
26-year-old Leonard T. Currence of Reading and 22-year-old Leon D. Currence of Harrisburg were taken into custody Thursday after troopers raided a motel room at the Quality Inn in Altoona. The two men had been under surveillance for some time.
According to a police report, troopers uncovered $1,273, 8 grams of crack cocaine and 3 ounces of marijuana during the raid. Leonard Currence has been charged with the delivery of crack cocaine. He was also wanted on a parole violation for a prior drug charge in Blair County.
Leon Currance has been charged with possession with the intent to deliver crack cocaine and marijuana. He was wanted in North Carolina on a parole violation.
Both men are currently being held in the Blair County Prison.
Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Charges Chris Forshey
Two men are facing drug charges following a traffic stop in Blair County earlier this month.
State Police at Hollidaysburg say their investigation began January 20th after a motorist alerted police about a car driving recklessly on State Route 350. Troopers caught up with the car at the Bald Eagle intersection.
A search of the vehicle turned up drugs. Troopers say 26-year-old Vincent Marcinko of Grassflat will be charged with DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia and five traffic offenses. A passenger in the vehicle, 24-year-old Joseph Barger of Winburne is facing charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana charges.
Water Authority To Borrow $19.2 Million Craig Schaffer
A published report out today has says the Altoona Water Authority has borrowed $19.2 million through bonds for the most part to pay for the westerly sewer plant renovations.
The Altoona Mirror is reporting that the move won’t force the authority to raise rates, because new debt service payments will take the place of recently paid-off or soon-to-be retired debt.
With the westerly sewer plant renovations projected to run over $30-million, the authority plans to use $9.5-million of the borrowed money to pay for a portion of those costs.
A $1 million grant from the H2O PA program and a low-interest Pennvest loan for $20 million will cover the remaining costs of the westerly project.
$2.8 million of the bond money will go to refinancing old debt at a better rate, and $3.5 million of the bond money will go to construction costs at the new administration building being built on Chestnut Avenue.
Trial Begins for Former PA Representative Veon, Aides Chris Forshey/AP
The criminal trial of former General Assembly dealmaker Michael R. Veon and three of his ex-aides begins in earnest Monday with opening statements in a Harrisburg courtroom.
The case represents a milestone in the attorney general's three-year public corruption investigation of the Legislature – and it is also a significant factor in this year's Pennsylvania gubernatorial campaign.
Seven former House Democratic staffers who were arrested with Veon and the three others in July 2008 but recently pleaded guilty and are cooperating with prosecutors, and at least some are expected to testify. The only person to go to trial so far, former Rep. Sean Ramaley, D-Beaver, won a full acquittal in December.
Veon and the others are charged with conflict of interest, theft and conspiracy in what the attorney general's office alleges was a multi-million-dollar effort to siphon off public resources for private benefit.
Two-Day Lane Closure in Lakemont Craig Schaffer
PennDOT has announced that Leslie Avenue in Lakemont will be closed from Park Avenue to Keystone Street Monday and Tuesday.
The closure is necessary to allow for waterline relocation workand will be in effect between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m each day.
The work is part of an overall widening project on Park Avenue consisting of the construction of a five-lane roadway, curbing, signalization and the replacement of a single-span box beam bridge. In addition, the contractor will install signing, pavement markings, guide rail and drainage where necessary.
The $9.7 million project is expected to be completed by August.
PA Officials Fear Cost, Security of 9/11 Trial Chris Forshey/AP
Pennsylvania officials are expressing concerns about any move to bring the September 11th terror trial to the commonwealth, where one of the hijacked airliners crashed.
Two administration officials say plans are being drafted for locations outside of New York City for the trial of admitted 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four alleged al-Qaida cohorts.
Governor Ed Rendell says state officials are not "dead-set" against the idea, but have concerns about safety and want to know how much of the cost the federal government would pick up.
Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato said Pennsylvania residents are "acutely interested in seeing the perpetrators brought to justice." But he says "the last thing the commonwealth needs is a terrorist trial that raises security concerns and places even more of a burden on our taxpayers." |
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