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May 28, 2010
Altoona Man Arrested For Attempted Homicide Craig Schaffer
A vicious attack results in attempted homicide charges against an Altoona man.
City police say that on Thursday they were contacted about an incident that happened around 2am Wednesday. The caller asked police to check on the welfare of a woman residing on the 600 block of 23rd Avenue. When officers arrived on scene they saw that the woman had multiple knife wounds in addition to other signs of assault.
An investigation revealed that on Wednesday the woman had been involved in an argument with 35 year old Devon Rochester that turned violent when Rochester knocked her down and started hitting her. According to police, Rochester then began to slash the victim with a kitchen knife while telling her he was going to kill her.
The victim got away but the following day she was assaulted again by Rochester who took the cell phone she was using to call for help and he began hitting her with it until it broke.
Rochester was taken into custody and in addition to the attempted homicide charge he faces aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering and domestic abuse charges. He was placed in Blair County Prison on $75,000 bail.
Police Chase of Motorcycle Rider Ends With Arrest Craig Schaffer
A Loretto man has been arrested by Hollidaysburg Police after leading them on a chase through the area.
The incident started just after 2am Thursday when police saw 28 year old Adam Garber riding his motorcycle on Blair Street with a passenger facing the wrong direction. When police tried to stop Garber near Sunset Drive he allegedly fled the scene. Police chased Garber on Route 22 toward Geesytown to Juniata Valley Road, onto Upper Reese Road, and back to Juniata Valley Road before he lost control of the bike.
Garber, who was arrested after crashing, is charged with fleeing police and driving under the influence as well as various summary traffic violations.
The unnamed passenger, who fled the scene on foot, may also face charges.
Penelec: 19,000 Customers Lost Power Chris Forshey
Penelec crews are looking for the source of a power outage that left 19,000 customers in the dark for about 20 minutes on Thursday afternoon.
Company spokeswoman Beverly Green says customers first began dropping off the grid around 2:25PM. The outage affected customers in Altoona, Hollidaysburg, Duncansville, the Loop Area and extended down Route 22 into Alexandria in Huntingdon County.
Green says the outage was likely caused by some type of equipment failure and not by Thursday’s hot and humid 85-degree temperatures. Most customers had their power restored before 3:00PM.
About 3,000 Valley Rural Electric customers in Williamsburg, Frankstown Township and Carson Valley were also in the dark for about five minutes due to the same outage.
Logan Addressing Recycling Issues Chris Forshey
Logan Township’s Board of Supervisors says more background work needs to be done before their willing to make changes to the township’s current recycling program.
John Frederick of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee asked the Township Thursday to expand the recycling program and add collection routes and days that mirror the City of Altoona’s schedule.
But supervisor Jim Patterson says the board needs to address other issues, such as the impact the changes will have on haulers and how the program is enforced.
Patterson
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Patterson told Frederick to meet with the haulers and work out compromises that work for both sides. He says only then will the board consider changes that everyone can work with.
Logan Introduces Personal Wind Turbine Ordinance Chris Forshey
Logan Township is moving forward with a plan to regulate small-scale wind turbines.
The ordinance was introduced at Thursday’s meeting. The board began addressing the issue earlier this year after some residents showed an interest in turbines. Supervisor Ed Frontino says it protects the rights off both the property owners and their neighbors.
Frontino
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Frontino says board members aren’t too worried that the windmills will be popping-up everywhere.
Frontino
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The ordinance will sit for public review before it’s formally adopted next month.
Gas Prices Drop Ahead of Memorial Day Holiday Chris Forshey
Good news for travelers this holiday weekend – gas prices have dropped-off a bit.
According to Triple A, the cost of unleaded gasoline has fallen more than 9-cents per gallon in some parts of Pennsylvania. Locally, gas is selling for around $2.79-per gallon. Prices aren’t as low as last year, thought – consumers traveling for the Memorial Day weekend spent an average of $2.38 in Pennsylvania.
A Triple A spokesperson says despite the ongoing recession and bleak economy, more people are expected to travel this year compared to 2009.
Rendell Abandons Sales-Tax Overhaul Proposal AP
Govern Ed Rendell is abandoning his plan to cut the state sales tax rate but increase revenue by extending it to more types of purchases.
The Democrat told reporters at a Thursday news briefing that he now thinks the proposal is too complicated and politically charged to pass in an election year.
In his state budget address in February, Rendell advocated cutting the tax from 6-percent to 4-percent and extending it to dozens of things that are currently exempt, including candy and gum, firewood and personal hygiene products. The governor says he's standing by his other tax proposals, which include plans to impose a severance tax on natural-gas extraction and extend the tobacco tax to cigars and smokeless tobacco.
He says he believes those proposals have strong public support.
Panel Issues Report on PA Kids for Cash Scandal AP
A state panel investigating the "kids for cash" scandal in northeastern Pennsylvania is recommending stronger oversight for the state's juvenile justice system.
The Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice issued dozens of recommendations Thursday.
The panel was created last August to look into the causes of the judicial scandal at the Luzerne County Courthouse and to suggest ways to prevent a recurrence there or elsewhere. The commission found that corruption "has been deeply ingrained" in Luzerne County for many years and spread blame among prosecutors, public defenders and probation officials.
Former judges Michael Conahan and Mark Ciavarella are charged in federal court with racketeering for allegedly taking millions of dollars in kickbacks to place youth offenders in for-profit detention centers. Conahan has agreed to plead guilty.
May 27, 2010
No injuries Reported in Overnight Fire in Altoona Craig Schaffer
A fire overnight in Altoona is under investigation.
The call came in just after 3:30 AM. When officers arrived on scene they were able to wake up the residents living in the apartments in the building located on the 300 block of 7th Avenue and get them all safely out of the structure.
Police and fire crews worked together to put out the fire.
We’ll have more on this story as information becomes available.
Annual Report Puts City Fire Department In Good Light Craig Schaffer
Altoona firefighters responded to just under 24-hundred calls last year.
That was part of the information divulged at last night’s City Council meeting.
Included in the annual fire department report presented by Deputy Chief Tim Hileman, it was reported that the department had a very good average response time in 2009 thanks in large part to the location of the different stations.
Hileman
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That quick response time was put to the test during 47 structure fires in the city last year.
Other items of interest included in the 2009 report were; there were four cases of arson reported, 4pm was the time the most calls came into the fire department, and the least busy days for firefighters were Sundays.
City Fire Marshall Reports No Fire Fatalities In 2009 Craig Schaffer
Retiring City Fire Marshall Randy Isenberg gave his last annual report to city council last night.
Isenberg told council members that his department took part in 60 investigations in 2009. Among them there were no fatalities.
Isenberg
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Isenberg also noted that of the nearly $48-million worth of property and contents affected by fire in 2009 over $46-million of that was saved due to the efforts of local firefighters.
Wednesday night was the last time Isenberg will address city council as Fire Marshall as he has announced his retirement concluding 29 years of service in the Altoona Fire Department.
Mayor Bill Schirf has proclaimed June 1st as Fire Marshal Randy Isenberg Day in Altoona.
No Recount, Conklin Wins Democratic Lieutenant Governor Nomination AP
There will be no recount of votes for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.
Jonathan Saidel has asked the state not to go through with the costly recount which basically means state Rep. Scott Conklin is the nominee.
No recount of votes means a savings of about $500,000 for the state.
The unofficial returns provided by the counties as of 4 p.m. Wednesday showed Saidel trailing Conklin by 3,846 votes.
Conklin will run with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Onorato of Pittsburgh. They'll face Republicans Tom Corbett and James Cawley.
Conklin also will be on the November ballot seeking re-election to his 77th District seat. He'll face Republican Joyce Haas.
Eichelberger Introduces Legislation to Address Problems Stemming from Methadone Treatment Craig Schaffer
On Wednesday Senator John Eichelberger announced the introduction of a package of three bills to tackle the numerous concerns that have arisen from the recent expansion in the usage of the prescription drug, methadone.
The use of methadone, both as a treatment for opioid drug addiction and for pain management, has expanded by nearly 700 percent from 1998 through 2006.
At the same time, there has been a corresponding increase in the illegal diversion of the drug to those without a prescription, an increase in poisoning deaths related to methadone, an increase in the rate of methadone deaths in younger individuals, and an increase in impaired driving.
Eichelberger says Pennsylvania’s law has not kept pace with the changes in the prescription of methadone---and too frequently with deadly consequences. He cited two examples, one involving a woman with a prior history of falling asleep at the clinic, who went on to cause an auto accident that paralyzed a young man. The other example was the 2006 death of Karl Hottenstein, who died from just one liquid dose of methadone that was diverted from a clinic.
The first bill (named in memory of Karl Hottenstein) would:
1. Require all methadone clinics to be open 7 days per week, 365 days per year to limit take-home dosages which can be diverted (currently, clinics only stay open 7 days on a voluntary basis).
2. Require that Narcan (an antidote used to counter the effects of opioidoverdose), be given to all patients starting methadone treatment.
3. Require testing for Benzodiazepines.
4. Require a patient who is using Benzodiazepines to obtain a signed waiver from a psychiatrist before providing methadone. (Benzodiazepines possess sedative, hypnotic, AND muscle relaxant actions, and are frequently used by methadone users in combination with methadone to get “high.”)
5. Not allow methadone patients to receive permission to take methadone home for the first six months of treatment (current regulations provide for 3 months).
6. Require investigation and reporting in all methadone-related deaths.
7. Develop protocols for determining when methadone is no longer an effective treatment for an individual enrolled in a methadone program.
The second bill would improve highway safety by requiring a designated driver when a patient’s methadone dosage is initiated or increased, as well as providing for expanded testing for other substances which in combination with methadone increase the incidence of impaired driving. The bill would also require a methadone clinic to immediately revoke any take-home permissions upon notice of arrest or conviction of a patient for driving under the influence.
Finally, the third bill would amend Pennsylvania’s DUI provisions in Title 75 to reflect that driving under the influence of more than the prescribed dose of methadone is a violation, and to provide enhancement for driving under the influence of any amount of alcohol or other drugs while taking methadone, making the offense one of high impairment.
Blair County Police Begin Click it or Ticket Campaign Craig Schaffer
Police departments across Blair County will hold a number of safety checkpoints as part of this year’s Click it or Ticket seat belt enforcement effort which runs through June 13.
The first will be held this evening from 5-7 in Blair Township.
Additional safety checkpoints will be held over the next three weekends as a part of the campaign. Special emphasis will be placed on motorists driving during the evening and overnight hours, when seat belt usage rates drop by more than 30 percent.
Penndot Unit Criticized In Report To Be Disbanded AP
Gov. Ed Rendell is disbanding a special unit of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation that a grand jury said exists only to expedite paperwork for legislators seeking to win favor with voters.
The panel that investigated the state legislative corruption scandal criticized the 35-person unit in a scathing assessment of the Legislature released this week.
Rendell spokesman Gary Tuma said Wednesday that the unit will be disbanded in the next few days and the employees reassigned elsewhere in PennDOT. However, he said PennDOT will continue to help legislators with constituent requests through "normal administrative channels."
The report also says the House Democratic and Republican caucuses employ - at a cost of nearly $900,000 a year - dozens of people to expedite processing of mostly routine PennDOT paperwork for businesses and other constituents.
May 26, 2010
Two Year Old Killed In Traffic Accident Craig Schaffer
A traffic accident in Logan Township has claimed the life of a two year old boy.
Police say a little after 5:00 Tuesday evening Tyler Irwin of 1507 East Pleasant Valley Boulevard, Apartment C, ran into traffic on the boulevard from an apartment building across the street from the Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company. Three northbound vehicles missed the child before he was hit by southbound vehicle.
The toddler was taken to Altoona Regional Trauma Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Initial results of the investigation into the accident indicate that no charges will be filed against the driver involved. Reconstruction of the crash shows the driver was apparently traveling well under the posted speed limit and that he had no opportunity to stop when the boy ran in front of him.
Officials say the victim had tried to follow his father across the busy roadway.
Fire Damages Altoona Business Chris Forshey
Fire damages an Altoona strip club.
Flames broke out on the front porch area of Coconuts on the 2300 Block of Union Avenue shortly after 3:00PM Tuesday. Assistant Fire Chief Ed Barstow says crews had the blaze under control in just minutes. No one was in the building at the time. A small amount of smoke did get inside the structure.
A damage estimate has not been released. Altoona Fire Marshal Randy Isenberg is investigating the cause.
Meling, Gority Support Hiring Kuntz as Finance Director Chris Forshey
The Blair County Commissioners have officially approved the hiring of a new finance director, but the vote wasn’t unanimous.
Commissioners Diane Meling and Donna Gority supported the hiring of Robert Kuntz on Tuesday, while Commissioner Terry Tomassetti cast the dissenting vote. Meling says Kuntz is experienced and she called him the right man for the job.
Meling
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Meling and Kuntz had previously worked together for more 15 years at Hollidaysburg Borough.
Kuntz began his position on Monday and his salary has been set at $55,000 a year.
Blair to Make Property Records Electronic Chris Forshey
Blair County’s Property Assessment Office is getting a major technological makeover.
County leaders announced the project on Tuesday at their weekly meeting. Gene Porterfield of 21st Century Appraisals told county leaders that his company will convert all of the office’s paper records into an electronic database.
Porterfield
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Commissioner Terry Tomassetti says the new system will allow realtors and others who rely on the office to access the information from outside the courthouse for a small fee.
Tomassetti
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The total project cost is expected to top $300,000. The commissioners say if all goes well, the new database should be completed by next spring.
New FBI Documents Detail Murtha's Role in Abscam Chris Forshey/AP
Newly released FBI documents are detailing the role of the late Representative John Murtha in the Abscam scandal, the law enforcement sting that damaged the congressman's reputation early in his political career.
The documents on the FBI's 3-decade-old investigation state that during the course of the operations, Abscam developed federal criminal cases against 15 people.
The Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania was never charged, but the government named him as an un-indicted co-conspirator. He testified against two other congressmen. FBI agents captured Murtha on videotape turning down a $50,000 bribe offer, while holding out the possibility that he might take money in the future. Murtha died in February.
The FBI documents characterized the videotaped session with Murtha in which the congressman was asked for his cooperation in gaining permanent resident status for an Arab sheik.
Unofficial Returns Released In Lt. Gov. Race; Conklin Leads AP
Pennsylvania elections officials say Rep. Scott Conklin, Democrate from Rush Township, leads Jonathan Saidel by 3,862 votes after tallying unofficial returns from all 67 counties in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor.
Secretary of State Pedro Cortes announced the margin Tuesday, a week after ballots were cast for the party nomination.
Saidel is close enough to trigger an automatic recount under state law.
Cortes says the recount could start next week if Saidel doesn't waive it. It's expected to cost about $500,000.
Toomey: Sestak Should Clear the Air on Job Offer Chris Forshey/AP
Republican Senate candidate Pat Toomey says Representative Joe Sestak should clarify what job the White House offered him to drop his primary challenge to Senator Arlen Specter.
Speaking at an event Tuesday outside Philadelphia, Toomey said he prefers to focus on issues but "it would be helpful" if Sestak cleared the air about the job offer.
Sestak and the White House have declined to discuss the offer in detail, but Sestak has said he was offered a job to avoid challenging Specter. Sestak defeated Specter, a longtime Republican who switched parties last year, in last week's primary. Toomey spoke at an appearance with Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele in Blue Bell.
Sestak's campaign has yet to comment on the issue.
May 25, 2010
Blair Hires New Finance Director Chris Forshey
Blair County has a new finance director.
Robert Kuntz began his position Monday with the county. He will be responsible for overseeing the budgets of various departments and for seeking out financial efficiencies. Kuntz had previously worked for Hollidaysburg Borough – but was terminated in February by the board who decided to go in a different direction after another employee was charged with theft.
Commissioner Donna Gority says Kuntz is experienced and ready to get back to work.
Gority
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Kuntz will take over for Tim Brown, who left the position to join Logan Township. Kuntz salary will be set at $55,000 and his hiring is expected to be formally approved at today’s commissioner’s meeting.
Claysburg High School Student Laid to Rest Chris Forshey
A Blair County community gathered to say goodbye to one of their own on Monday.
Friends, family members and classmates of 17-year-old Kristen Aungst fought off tears as the Claysburg-Kimmel High School junior was laid to rest. Aungst was killed in a one-vehicle crash last Tuesday on her way to the district’s Spring Choral Concert. She was remembered as a popular cheerleader who was a member of the school’s chorus, band and National Honor Society.
Police say their investigation into the crash that killed Aungst is still ongoing.
Roaring Spring Man Skates On Drug Charges Craig Schaffer
Drug charges against a Roaring Spring man have been dropped.
Blair County Judge Tim Sullivan ruled Monday that an improper search led to the arrest of 35 year old Dennis Dodson Jr.
The incident occurred in October when Dodson showed up at a friend's home while police were executing a search warrant for drugs. The search warrant was valid only for the residence, outbuildings and a shed on the Imler-area man's property. Judge Sullivan ruled that the search of Dodson that turned up Adderall, morphine and Xanax was illegal and the charges of illegal possession of drugs and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia against him were dropped.
PA Tax Amnesty Program Nets $51-Million, So Far Chris Forshey
Halfway through Pennsylvania's tax amnesty period, the state has fielded about 29,000 applicants that together amount to nearly $51-million in overdue taxes.
One corporate taxpayer sent the state a payment for $1.2-million. Officials said a surge in applications is expected in the weeks before the period ends June 18th. Under the special program, the Revenue Department is waiving penalties and half the interest.
The state expects to collect about $190-million.
PA Employee Unions Pushing Higher Taxes Chris Forshey
A coalition of union groups is pushing for a 2010-11 Pennsylvania state budget that relies on higher taxes and closing corporate tax loopholes rather than on cuts.
Leaders of the newly formed coalition said at a Capitol news conference that the state should impose new taxes on natural gas extraction, smokeless tobacco and cigars to cope with the shortfall in revenue.
AFL-CIO president-elect Rick Bloomingdale said "reasonable taxes are not some kind of dirty word" and that people "have the idea that you can just cut, cut, cut without there being any consequences." State budget talks are expected to pick up steam in the coming weeks as the June 30 end of the fiscal year looms.
Governor Ed Rendell is expected to face tough heat from the state’s Republican Senate majority who wants to make major budget cuts.
Santorum Touts Conservative Agenda in PA Capital AP
Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum is not yet a candidate for president, but he's holding open that possibility as he advocates repealing the national health-care program and criticizes President Barack Obama.
Santorum, who was ousted by Democrat Bob Casey in 2006, spoke Monday before a group of mostly lobbyists and other political insiders at a Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon in Harrisburg.
Santorum calls the health-care program "Obamacare" and is criticizing the Democratic president for refusing to work with Republicans on the bill. He also criticizes the administration for taking too soft a stance with Iran, which he calls the greatest threat to world peace.
The 52-year-old Santorum is among a number of Republicans weighing a 2012 White House bid. He's not ruling out the prospect but says he's a long way from making a decision.
Rendell: Tea Party Movement Will Weaken Republican Party Chris Forshey
Governor Ed Rendell says the Tea Party movement may have some momentum now, but ultimately it will weaken the Republican Party.
Rendell made the comments while appearing Sunday on CNN’s ‘State of the Union’ program. Rendell said – quote – ‘the tea party movement has some power now, particularly in the primary elections, but ultimately the movement will weaken the party.’ He cited the unsuccessful campaign of Utah Senator Bob Bennett and Governor Charlie Crist’s move to become an independent.
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty – who also appeared on the show with Rendell – disagreed, saying the Tea Party movement is seeking change and organizers are using their energy and ideas to tell those in Washington America has had enough with lawmakers who are out of touch with citizens.
May 24, 2010
Fireworks Lead To Arrests of Two City Men Craig Schaffer
Two Altoona men are facing various charges stemming from misuse of fireworks over the weekend.
Altoona police say that 20 year old Shane Suloff and 26 year old Matthew Pelton both of 11th Street were seen by police early Saturday throwing fireworks on 6th Avenue. Suloff and Pelton are accused of fighting with the arresting officers while being taken into custody. Police say Pelton appeared to be intoxicated.
Charges against Suloff include propulsion of missiles on roadways, escape, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Pelton faces simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, propulsion of missiles, and other related charges.
Cott Gets Up To 5 Years In Pa. Corruption Case AP
A former Democratic employee in the Pennsylvania Legislature received a 21-month-to-5-year sentence Friday for his role in a conspiracy to divert state resources to wage political campaigns.
Brett Cott's sentence exceeded even what prosecutors had asked for, and Dauphin County Judge Richard Lewis ordered him jailed immediately, rejecting his lawyer's request that he be allowed to remain free on bail while he pursues an appeal.
Lewis called the 38 year old Cott's actions "a violation of the public's right to a fair and equitable electoral process" that was "unmistakably far over the line."
Cott was fined $11,000 and ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution. He was convicted in March of felony theft, conspiracy and conflict-of-interest charges for what prosecutors described as a wide-ranging scheme to use legislative employees and public resources to run campaigns. He was acquitted of 39 counts.
Sentencing for his co-defendant and one-time boss, former Rep. Mike Veon, D-Beaver, is scheduled for next month. Veon attended the three-hour hearing but declined comment afterward.
Pennsylvania’s Employment Situation: April Craig Schaffer
Pennsylvania’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 9.0 percent in April, remaining unchanged from the March rate.
Pennsylvania’s rate remained below the national rate of 9.9 percent and has been at or below the national rate for 85 of the past 88 months. The state’s rate was up 1.2 percentage points from April 2009, while the U.S. rate was up one percentage point from a year ago.
Pennsylvania’s seasonally adjusted civilian labor force – the number of people working or looking for work – rose by 12,000 residents in April to 6,470,000. The majority of the labor force gain was due to an increase in resident employment of 10,000, which grew for the fourth consecutive month, while resident unemployment inched upward by 2,000. Pennsylvania’s labor force was up 38,000 from its April 2009 level.
Pennsylvania’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs rose by 34,000 in April – the largest single-month gain since February 1996.
In April, eight of 11 supersectors added jobs, with the biggest gains seen in professional and business services up 12,200; trade, transportation and utilities up 8,300; and leisure and hospitality up 5,900. Manufacturing was up 4,400 in April – the third consecutive monthly increase.
Pennsylvania’s jobs count was down by 28,600, or 0.5 percent, from April 2009. This was the smallest over-the-year job decline for the state since October 2008. The United States’ job count was down by nearly 1.4 million jobs (or 1.0 percent) from April 2009.
Blair Business To Receive Military Award Craig Schaffer
A local company is being recognized for its support of employees who serve in the United States military.
On Tuesday the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, will present officials of McLanahan Corporation with the Patriot Award.
The award was created to bring attention to those who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees.
McLanahan employee, Frank Shauf, an airspace command and control operations officer in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, nominated company officials for the award.
Altoona Curb And Sidewalk Project To Affect Traffic and Parking Craig Schaffer
A traffic note for motorists traveling through Altoona this week.
Beginning Tuesday, traffic will be reduced to one lane and parking will be prohibited on 6th Avenue from 27th Street to Union Avenue for curb and sidewalk replacement.
The project will also include tree planting and roadway widening and is expected to be completed by late July.
Route 36 Travel Restrictions Craig Schaffer
The contractor is set to begin concrete patching on Route 36 between Allegheny Street and Blair Street in the Borough of Hollidaysburg.
Crews will be working between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. starting this evening. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction during this time. This work should last approximately one month. During this time the contractor will also begin concrete patching work on the ramps off Route 36, traffic will be shifted to the shoulder while this work takes place.
Overall work on this $2.9 million project, which is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, includes concrete patching, bituminous overlay, milling, shoulder upgrades, ADA curb ramps and traffic signal upgrades.
The entire project should be completed by mid-October.
May 21, 2010
Three Arrested in Jewelry Store Robbery Chris Forshey
Two adults and a juvenile have been charged with robbing a jewelry store at the Logan Valley Mall.
It happened just after 1:00PM Thursday. According to Logan Township Police, a black male walked into Kranich’s Jewelry and asked a salesperson see some Rolex watches. After trying one on, the suspect took off through the mall.
Police Chief Ron Heller says an attentive shopper first tried to stop the suspect.
Heller
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Employees were able to get a description of the getaway car. The vehicle was stopped by an Allegheny Township police officer along the State Route 764 onramp to Route 22. Heller identified the suspects as 19-year-old Thurran Turner, 19-year-old Darrell Reed and a 17-year-old juvenile.
Heller
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The trio has been charged with robbery, retail theft and several related felony charges. They are currently lodged in the Blair County Prison.
Police Set to Enforce Seatbelt Use Chris Forshey
PennDOT and the Pennsylvania State Police will be introducing an air, land and speed campaign as part of this year’s Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement effort.
The detail will run from May 24 to June 13. PennDOT safety spokeswoman Pam Kane says approximately 450 municipal police departments will supplement the State Police effort with traditional traffic enforcement. Kane says with the significant amount of traffic anticipated for the Memorial Day holiday weekend, it’s a good time to remind motorists to buckle up.
Kane
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Kane says police will be looking for one group of people in particular.
Kane
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Officers will issue two tickets and two fines if someone isn’t buckled-up. According to PennDOT, unrestrained fatalities dropped to a record-low of 451 in 2009, down from 567 in 2008.
Toomey Launches New Ad Just Two Days After Election Chris Forshey
Just when you thought they went away...they’re back.
Less than 48-hours following Pennsylvania’s May Primary Election a new political advertisement has hit the airwaves in Altoona and all across the state. Republican Senatorial nominee Pat Toomey is touting his record to influence voters six-months ahead of the November election.
A Toomey campaign spokesman was unavailable to discuss the reasoning behind the move. Toomey and his Democratic challenger Joe Sestak had a close primary race and had been advertising heavily for weeks ahead of the election. Political experts say you can expect to see those ads until the very end.
The Republican and Democratic National Parties are likely to pour millions of dollars worth of advertising into the upcoming Senate race.
Post-Election Poll Shows Sestak Edging Toomey Chris Forshey
Democratic Congressman Joe Sestak’s victory over longtime Senator Arlen Specter for his party’s nomination Tuesday has given him a bounce in support in Pennsylvania’s general election for U.S. Senate.
The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of likely voters released on Thursday shows Sestak picking up 46-percent of support over Republican nominee Pat Toomey’s 42-percent. Nine-percent of those surveyed remain undecided.
Two weeks ago, Sestak and Toomey were in a virtual tie. On Tuesday, Sestak beat Specter 54-percent to 46-percent in the Democratic primary. Toomey easily won the Republican nomination on by picking up 82-percent of the vote over Peg Luksik.
Democrat Critz Sworn-In After PA Win Chris Forshey/AP
Democrats are welcoming Mark Critz to their ranks after he dashed Republican hopes of capturing a Pennsylvania House seat seen as a possible bellwether for the midterms.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi swore-in Critz Thursday after he won a special election to fill the final months of the late Representative John Murtha's term.
The longtime Murtha aide beat Republican Tim Burns on Tuesday. Both candidates will meet again this fall. Murtha had held the seat for 36 years, but Republicans were counting on opposition to congressional Democrats and tea party-driven discontent to carry them to victory.
Critz stressed his ties to his old boss, who was chairman of a House Appropriations panel steered millions of federal dollars to his district. Murtha died in February.
May 20, 2010
City Man Arrested In Domestic Violence Incident Craig Schaffer
An Altoona man was arrested overnight after allegedly threatening several people with a gun.
A little before 1AM a disturbance was reported at a residence on the 100 block of North 7th Avenue. City police say that during an argument, 23 year old Cory Fetterman pulled a handgun on his ex-girlfriend and five other people. After making threats against the group he allegedly shot the gun into the air. No injuries were reported.
Along with domestic violence charges Fetterman is facing simple assault, terroristic threats, reckless endangerment and drug charges.
Democratic Nomination for Governor Remains Undecided Chris Forshey
More than a day after the primary polls closed in Pennsylvania; the race for the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor remains undecided.
According to the Department of State, more than 99-percent of the state’s voting districts have reported their final numbers. Centre County state Representative Scott Conklin continues to hold just a 4,000-vote lead over his primary challenger, Jonathan Saidel. The hold-up lies within 76 voting districts in Philadelphia and nearby Delaware County.
A DOS spokesman on Wednesday said he could not speculate as to what was responsible for the delays in the two counties. But Conklin campaign spokesman Tor Michaels told WRTA’s Dave Shannon that if the vote is within less than a half of a percent, it will automatically trigger a recount. As for the delay, Michaels wouldn’t speculate either.
Michaels
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More than 75-percent of all Democrats in Blair County backed Conklin in Tuesday’s primary.
Nominees Corbett, Onorato, Talk Taxes, Reform Chris Forshey/AP
Gubernatorial nominees Tom Corbett and Dan Onorato are talking about reforms they'd like to see and their differences on tax policy.
In separate appearances in the Pittsburgh area Wednesday, both candidates renewed their pledges to try to force reforms on the Legislature.
The candidates have different views about a proposed severance tax on the natural-gas drilling in Pennsylvania that has expanded rapidly as companies rush to tap the Marcellus Shale formation.
Onorato says he wants a severance tax enacted as soon as possible. Corbett says taxes would chase away an industry that has yet to establish itself and that state can make more money by taxing income and services that the industry will provide.
Dissatisfaction With Geist and Shuster Revealed in Vote Count Chris Forshey
The anti-incumbent movement that’s been the focus of several key elections in other states may also be playing out here in Blair County.
Unofficial elections returns show that nearly 20-percent of the county’s registered Republicans did not back 79th District State Representative Rick Geist or 9th District Congressman Bill Shuster. Under votes typically occur when a voter is eligible to pick a party representative but chooses not to do so. An under vote can also happen when a voter chooses instead to write-in a candidate.
30th District State Representative John Eichelberger and State Representative Jerry Stern each had a minimal amount of under votes. Both Geist and Shuster could potentially have challengers in the November election – as Democrats put up last minute write-in candidates who are vying for their positions.
Bike Club Riders Host Ride to Remember One of their Own Chris Forshey
A local bike club gathered Wednesday night to remember one of their own.
50-year-old Ken Voyto was killed last week after being struck by a car while riding with others along State Route 453 in Snyder Township. Voyto was a member of the Blair Bicycle Club and members held the ride last night to honor and remember him.
The event was part of the National Ride of Silence to honor bicyclists who have been killed or injured on the road. A makeshift memorial has been constructed at the crash site. Club officials are also using the event to remind motorists to be on the lookout for bicyclists on state and local roadways.
Leaking Tanker Causes Traffic Problems on Route 22 Chris Forshey
Hazmat officials worked quickly to stop a chemical leak Wednesday morning in Cambria County.
The incident happened along State Route 22 near Dishong Mountain in Jackson Township and caused long traffic delays. Officials say a tanker truck began leaking hydrochloric acid onto the roadway.
Hazmat crews spent about three hours cleaning up the spill. No injuries were reported.
Rendell Sets Up Panels to Implement Federal Health Law Chris Forshey/AP
Governor Ed Rendell is setting up an internal working group and a panel of experts to help state government begin implementation of the federal health-care reform bill that passed Congress earlier this year.
Rendell on Wednesday signed an executive order that established the two entities. He says the state needs to begin setting up a program to provide insurance for adults who have been denied coverage because they have an existing health problem.
That's referred to as "high-risk pools" in the legislation. Rendell says the new federal law is expected to save the state between $280-million and $650-million over eight years, depending how many people sign up for coverage.
PA Secretary of State Announces He is Leaving Chris Forshey/AP
Pennsylvania's chief elections official is leaving the Rendell administration for a job in the private sector.
Secretary of State Pedro Cortes announced Wednesday he will be taking a job with San Diego-based Everyone Counts, a company involved in helping soldiers, overseas residents and the disabled to vote.
He's been a member of Democratic Governor Ed Rendell's Cabinet since 2003. Cortes says he'll be helping the company develop its Latin American business, and will remain based in Harrisburg. His last day is June 11. A successor hasn't been named.
The Department of State oversees elections, investigates fraud within charitable organizations and licenses about 800,000 professionals.
May 19, 2010
Claysburg High School Student Killed in Car Crash Chris Forshey
A Claysburg High School Student has been killed in a one-vehicle accident.
Around 6:30 pm 17-year-old Kristine Aungst, of 1784 Ski Gap Road, was traveling on that road about a mile from Dunning’s Highway when she lost control of her car, struck a silo and a tree before rolling the vehicle into a barn.
Aungst was a junior at Claysburg High School and was on her way to perform in the district’s spring concert.
Grief counselors will be on hand at the school the rest of the week. The crash remains under investigation. Coroner Patty Ross says an autopsy is scheduled for later today.
Blair Voter Turnout Tops 20-Percent Chris Forshey
Voter turnout was relatively light throughout most of Blair County.
Official records show that 28-percent of the county’s registered Republicans and 20-percent of the country’s registered Democrats went to the polls.
Elections Director Ingrid Healy-Tucker says her office fielded calls from several voters registered to third parties who didn’t realize they couldn’t vote in a primary election. But she says she had enough staff on hand to answer questions and point voters in the right direction.
A total of 18,590 cast a ballot on Tuesday.
PA Governor Primary Winners: Onorato and Corbett Chris Forshey/AP
Dan Onorato, a county executive from western Pennsylvania, has won a four-way race for the Democratic nomination for governor. He'll face GOP state Attorney General Tom Corbett in November.
Onorato, the highest elected official in Allegheny County, had 44-percent of the vote with returns Tuesday night from one-third of the state's 9,233 precincts.
Each of the other candidates had 25-percent or less. They are state Senator Anthony Hardy Williams of Philadelphia, state Auditor General Jack Wagner of Pittsburgh and Joe Hoeffel, a suburban Philadelphia county commissioner.
Corbett easily swept to victory over Sam Rohrer in the GOP primary. Democratic Governor Ed Rendell is completing his second term and is barred from seeking a third.
Specter Rejected by PA Democrats in Bid for 6th Term Chris Forshey
U.S. Senator Arlen Specter on Tuesday was defeated in a Democratic primary in his bid for a sixth term after taking the risky step of switching from the GOP.
Voters picked U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak as the party's nominee and rejected the 80-year-old Specter in his first Democratic campaign since his Republican Party defection. With 85-percent of precincts reporting, Sestak received 435,630 votes, or 54-percent; Specter received 384,027 votes, about 46-percent.
The vote also was a defeat for President Barack Obama, who supported Specter when he abandoned the Republican Party last year. Specter thanked his supporters during his concession speech at a downtown Philadelphia hotel.
Specter
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Specter called Sestak to congratulate him and to offer his support heading into the fall election.
Pat Toomey Wins GOP Senate Nomination in PA Chris Forshey
Former U.S. Representative Pat Toomey is the Republican nominee to run for Senate in Pennsylvania.
Toomey won the nomination on Tuesday night, beating Johnstown activist Peg Luksic. Toomey lost the 2004 nomination to five-term Senator Arlen Specter. But Specter switched to the Democratic Party last year after concluding he could not beat the more conservative Toomey again in a GOP primary.
The 48-year-old Toomey represented the Allentown area in Congress for six years after a career in the private sector working in finance and running restaurants. He went on to run the anti-tax group Club for Growth until last year.
Critz Wins Special PA Election, Retain Murtha’s Seat Chris Forshey/AP
Democrats will retain control of the seat held for decades by the late Pennsylvania Rep. John Murtha after winning a special election to fill the final months of his term.
Both parties viewed the contest as a test for the fall. With 70-percent of precincts reporting late Tuesday, Murtha aide Mark Critz had 53-percent of the vote compared with nearly 45-percent for businessman Tim Burns. Critz and Burns will have a rematch in the November general election after also winning their parties' nominations in the Pennsylvania primary.
Murtha died in February of complications from gallbladder surgery, setting off a dash to the special election.
Ward, Raugh Easily Defeat Kaneshiki for State Committee Chris Forshey
Republicans Judy Ward and Patricia Raugh have been re-elected to represent Blair County on the Republican State Committee.
The duo had been challenged by Tea-Party activist Louis Kaneshiki. Ward secured 20-percent of the party’s vote – Raugh received 22-percent. Kaneshiki came in last with just over 12-percent of the votes cast. Hollidaysburg attorney Bruce Erb and Blair County Assistant District Attorney Wade Kagarise were easily re-elected to their spots on the state committee.
On the Democratic side, Blair County Commissioner’s candidate Jo Ann Nardelli topped party chairman Frank Rosenhoover in the overall number of Democratic State Committee votes. Nardelli received 51-percent of the party vote and Rosenhoover came in second with 48-percent. Both will continue to represent the local Democratic Party at the state level since two candidates could be elected.
White House Distances Obama from Specter Chris Forshey
President Barack Obama kept some distance from longtime Sen. Arlen Specter as the Pennsylvania Democrat faced a tough election in Tuesday's primary.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Tuesday that while Obama was following the Pennsylvania race - he wasn't watching it that closely.
A year ago, Obama said Specter would have his "full support" after the Republican lawmaker switched to the Democratic Party. But Obama made only one personal appearance for Specter - eight months ago, at a Philadelphia rally. Specter aides also asked Obama to make an 11th-hour trip to Pennsylvania, but the White House made it clear last week that wouldn't be happening.
Gibbs says the White House had been involved in the primary and is proud of what it contributed. But officials say Obama aides had been hoping to avoid a repeat of the Massachusetts Senate race earlier this year, when Obama made a last minute trip to campaign for Democrat Martha Coakley, who would go on to lose the seat by Sen. Edward Kennedy. Obama also stumped on behalf of losing candidates in Virginia and New Jersey.
BASD Residents Facing 5.85-Mill Tax Increase Chris Forshey
Residents living in the Bellwood-Antis School District are facing a 5.85-mill tax increase for the 2010-11 school year.
School board members gave preliminary approval to their $16.4-million general fund budget in a 5-4 vote during their regular meeting Tuesday night. That means an average property owner with home valued around $100,000 will pay an extra $62.71 per year.
District officials say they needed the additional money to help salaries and benefits because there were no additional state subsidies. And the district is planning for a 2012 financial spike in the cost of their retirement contributions. The budget will be formally adopted in June 1st.
Homes in the Bellwood-Antis School District are now being taxed at 100-percent of their accessed value and will roll the district’s millage rate back from 115.3 to 92.325 mills for 2010-11 school year.
Police: Motorcycle Chase Topped 150 Miles-Per-Hour Chris Forshey
State Police say an Altoona man is facing serious charges after leading troopers on a high speed chase in southern Blair County.
The incident happened Sunday afternoon around 1:30PM on Interstate 99 at Mile Marker 22. According to a police report, a trooper attempted to stop 23-year-old Troy Douglas on his motorcycle for a speeding violation. That’s when Douglas allegedly fled from troopers at speeds topping 150 miles-per-hour.
Douglas was eventually stopped 20 miles away along State Route 56 in Bedford County. He’s facing charges of fleeing and eluding a police officer and could lose his license because of the excessive speed.
Crash Sheers-Off Fire Hydrant Chris Forshey
A woman was taken to the hospital after her car sheered-off a fire hydrant.
The accident happened around 5:30PM Tuesday on the 2100 Block of 7th Avenue. Altoona Assistant Fire Chief Ed Barstow says the woman apparently lost control of her vehicle, hit a parked car and then struck the hydrant. Her name has not been released.
Barstow says the city’s fire hydrants have internal mechanisms that keep them from spraying water once they are damaged. City police are investigating the crash.
May 18, 2010
Voters Head to the Polls for Primary Election Day 2010 Chris Forshey
It’s Election Day today in Blair County and all across the state.
Polling stations will open at 7:00AM and remain open through 8:00PM. Elections officials spent much of the day Monday assembling and testing voting machines in each of the county's 97 precincts.
Voters and political pundits will be keeping a close eye on several key battles today – mostly at the state in federal levels. Democrats and Republicans will be choosing their party candidates for governor. And all eyes are on the race for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Senator Arlen Specter. Specter is facing a tough re-election battle from Congressman Joe Sestak, who is slightly ahead in the polls.
Locally, voters are selecting their candidates for the 9th District Congressional seat, 79th and 81st District State Representatives and 30th District State Senator. Write-in campaigns have been mounted in two of the races. And there are three candidates for two seats on Blair County’s state committee delegation.
Most county offices are closed today. If you have questions about polling place locations or need help with a specific voting issue, you can contact the county Elections Office at 693-3287.
Voters Encouraged to Go to the Polls Chris Forshey
Blair County political observers are encouraging registered voters to get out and cast a ballot today.
Non-presidential election years typically only draw about 20-percent of all registered voters locally. Elections officials say while some voters changed political parties, there were not an abnormal amount of new registered voters.
Blair County’s polling stations will remain open until 8:00PM, and then the results will be calculated at the county’s highway yard in Hollidaysburg.
WRTA Talk Show Host Addresses Grassroots Election Effort Chris Forshey
A WRTA Radio talk show host says he will consider accepting the Democratic nomination for 79th District State Representative if enough people write-in his name on the ballot today as they go to the polls.
Dr. John McGinnis addressed the issue briefly during his Monday afternoon ‘Open Mic’ radio program. McGinnis told his audience that friends and supporters of his decided to push to get his name on the ballot after he criticized the party for not putting up any candidates to challenge Republicans in a variety of local races.
McGinnis is an Associate Professor of Finance at Penn State Altoona and wasn’t actively seeking public office. He will need to secure at least 383 write-in votes from Democrats before he can even appear on the ballot. If that happens – longtime 79th District State Representative Rick Geist may have a challenger in the November election.
Duncansville Woman Arrested on Heroin Charges Chris Forshey
A Duncansville woman is in the Blair County Jail facing drug charges.
State Police narcotics officers arrested 42-year-old Pamela Louise Queen of Muleshoe Estates on Monday. According to a police report, undercover agents made four hand-to-hand heroin buys from Queen in February and March.
A warrant for her arrest was filed May 3rd. Queen was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Steve Jackson and jailed on $40,000 bail. She faces a preliminary hearing May 25th.
Huntingdon County Coroner, Passenger Killed in Crash Chris Forshey
The Huntingdon County coroner has been killed in a one-vehicle crash.
State Police at Lewistown say 44-year-old Ron Morder died just before 1:00PM Monday when the garbage truck he was driving left the roadway, struck a tree and overturned near the Mifflin-Huntingdon County line. Morder and a passenger, 44-year-old Harold Kenneth Knable were both pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers say Morder and Knable were not wearing seatbelts.
Blair County Coroner Patty Ross is remembering Morder as a simple, hard-working family man who was not a politician. Ross says Morder spent his life serving the community as both an EMT and a volunteer firefighter.
State Police are still investigating the details of the crash.
Spring Cove School District To Raise Taxes Craig Schaffer
Another Blair County School District will be raising taxes.
On Monday the Spring Cove school board approved a tentative $23-million budget for next year which includes a 3-mill tax increase. The average taxpayer will see an increase of $31.66 a year. School officials say no staff cuts will be needed.
The budget will be available for public review until June 21 when it is expected to be adopted.
Previously the Altoona and Hollidaysburg Area School Districts had announced proposed budgets that include tax increases.
Specter, Sestak Stump for Votes Across PA Chris Forshey/AP
The final push is on as Senator Arlen Specter tries to hold off a primary challenge from U.S. Representative Joe Sestak.
Both candidates swept across the state Monday as they make their last pitch to voters before today’s Democratic primary.
Sestak told a coffee shop full of voters in Pittsburgh that Specter's "time has come and gone." Sestak has spent much of the campaign painting Specter as a political opportunist for switching parties last year. In a stop at a suburban Harrisburg airport, Specter called Sestak's criticism below the belt and cast himself as the best advocate for Pennsylvania because of his long experience in Washington.
A poll released Monday shows the race is too close to call, the latest of many tough election challenges for the fifth-term Specter.
Woman Gives Birth Inside Philipsburg Sub Shop Chris Forshey
Tense moments at a Philipsburg Subway sandwich shop Monday after an employee gave birth to her baby inside the restaurant’s bathroom.
Paramedics say 21-year-old Amanda Rummel’s baby didn’t wait until Rummel was able to get to the hospital. Rummel – who had been having pains -- went to the bathroom to rest when she suddenly went into labor. A Clearfield County doctor who was eating lunch inside the sub shop was able to assist with the emergency delivery.
Rummel and her newborn were taken to Clearfield Hospital. Officials say the new mother, father and baby are all doing well.
PA Board Approves New Water Regulations for Gas Drilling Chris Forshey/AP
A Pennsylvania state government board is giving its approval to a new set of regulations designed to protect the state's waterways from the waste byproduct of drilling in the Marcellus Shale natural gas formation.
The Environmental Quality Board on Monday passed rules that govern the handling of wastewater with heavy concentrations of dissolved solids.
The regulations still need approval of legislative committees and the Independent Regulatory Review Commission. Officials say the Monongahela River has shown elevated levels of dissolved solids several times over the past two years.
The board is also advancing regulations on well construction and how drillers must respond to incidents of gas migration, such as gas seeping into homes or water wells.
May 17, 2010
WRTA Talk Show Host Makes Last Minute Ballot Move Craig Schaffer
State Representative Rick Geist may get a little competition in November if a local talk show host is successful in his last minute campaign to get on the ballot Tuesday.
WRTA afternoon host John McGinnis says he wants voters to write in his name when they go to the polls Tuesday. McGinnis says he needs 383 Democrats to write his name in for the 79th District State Representative.
McGinnis says that his decision to wage this late campaign is the result of several democrats approaching him a few weeks ago asking him to make a run for the seat.
Altoona Man Facing Rape Charges Craig Schaffer
A city man was arrested over the weekend on rape charges.
19 year old Mark Korman was taken into custody on Saturday at his 1113 3rd Avenue home.
In addition to the rape charge, Korman is facing aggravated indecent assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault and indecent assault charges.
Police are not releasing any other details involving the case at this time.
Operation Our Town holds Crime Clean-up Day Craig Schaffer
Volunteers and community members met early Saturday morning in downtown Altoona to cleanup what was left behind by recent acts of vandalism.
Operation Our Town’s Gang Roundtable and the Pennsylvania Gang Investigators Association came together to hold the Crime Clean-up Day.
Groups made up of volunteers, community leaders, law enforcement personnel, and members of the Central Blair Rec Commission hit the various parks and public spaces in the city to clean up graffiti.
Todd Negola, Vice President of the Pennsylvania Gang Investigators Association, tells WRTA News that the graffiti problem is two sided.
Negola
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Negola says his organization is trying to bring together law enforcement and local communities together to address the ongoing problem.
Over 140 volunteers showed up Saturday to take part in Altoona’s first ever Crime Cleanup Day.
Former Pres. Clinton Campaigns In Murtha Seat Race AP
Former President Bill Clinton lent his Democratic star power Sunday to the party's candidate locked in a tight race to fill the western Pennsylvania seat held by the late Rep. John Murtha.
Clinton called Murtha's top aide, Mark Critz, a "how-to" guy with the goods to bring economic development and jobs to a blue-collar district hit hard by the recession.
Golfing buddies with Murtha, Clinton said the late congressman would want his supporters to vote for Critz in Tuesday's special election. Murtha died in February of complications from gallbladder surgery following 36 years in office.
The Republican candidate is businessman Tim Burns, who in part is hoping to capitalize on growing discontent with congressional Democrats to win the seat.
Sestak Predicts He'll Win Close Pa. Senate Primary AP
U.S. Rep Joe Sestak predicts he'll win Pennsylvania's hotly contested Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.
Sestak appeared on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday and refused to say whether he would support his opponent if he loses.
Sestak is challenging five-term Sen. Arlen Specter, who switched parties last year after 28 years as a GOP senator. The moderate Specter has been endorsed by President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party.
Sestak, a former Navy vice admiral, says Specter switched parties to save his job. Specter contends he willfully risked GOP fury by supporting Obama's economic stimulus bill.
Budget Crunch Forcing Hard Decisions On Pa. Courts AP
The state budget crisis may soon force the court system to make some dramatic changes in how it conducts business.
The judiciary depends on the Legislature and governor to determine how much it will get, and its funding level is currently $305 million. The Rendell administration has proposed holding that figure at the current level for the fiscal year that starts July 1.
The judiciary says the proposed budget - now passed by the House - is about $30 million too low.
Talks over the coming year's budget will get under way in earnest next month.
May 14, 2010
House Fire Overnight In Altoona Investigated Craig Schaffer
Fire crews were called out overnight to battle a structure fire in Altoona.
Around 2:15am the call came in that a house was burning at 407 26th Street. Early reports indicate the fire may have started in the attic and that the home is a total loss. No official damage estimate has been made though at this point.
The family members living in the home were able to escape safely.
We’ll have more on this fire as information becomes available.
Altoona Man Ordered to Repay Bank $157,000 Chris Forshey
An Altoona man has been ordered to repay First Commonwealth Bank more than $157,000.
Herbert Starbird was also sentenced to one year of house arrest and seven years of probation on Thursday by a Blair County judge. Police charged Starbird criminally last year after he failed to pay back more than half of the $280,000 First Commonwealth had mistakenly deposited into his account in 2007. A jury found him guilty in March on charges of theft and receiving stolen property.
District Attorney Richard Consiglio says he was surprised Starbird didn’t get some type of jail time considering the large sum of money.
Consiglio
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Defense attorney Tom Dickey contends that the case should have been resolved in civil court.
PSP Looking for Missing Juvenile Staff
State Police at Hollidaysburg are looking for a missing juvenile from Frankstown Township.
Troopers say the 17-year-old male disappeared sometime between 7:30PM April 29th and 3:00AM April 30th from a home on Autumn Drive. Two 17-year-old juveniles are listed as defendants on a police report – but troopers have not said what their connection to the disappearance is. The missing juvenile is described as a runaway.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police.
Logan’s Healthcare Increases 19% Chris Forshey
Logan Township will shell out more than expected in healthcare expenses this year.
Township supervisors said Thursday their Highmark plan offered through the Steelworker’s union will go up 19-percent. Supervisor Joe Metzgar says the township budgeted for a lesser amount based on estimated numbers at the time.
Metzgar
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Metzgar says all township workers are on the Steelworker’s plan – and it doesn’t expire for another two years. He says the board will likely revisit the healthcare issue when the current contract expires.
Logan Expecting $19,500 in Winter Storm Reimbursements Chris Forshey
Logan Township can expect to be reimbursed $19,500 from the federal government for costs incurred during two February snow storms.
Finance director Tiffany Noonan told township supervisors Thursday that the highway department spent about $26,000 for cleanup from the storms – and the township can expect to be reimbursed 75-percent of the amount.
Supervisor Ed Frontino says considering the federal and state budget situations, he’s just happy the township is getting something back. He says the township was proactive in preparing for the storms and that in turn also saved money.
Frontino
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Blair County municipalities are eligible for the federal reimbursements because PEMA officials declared a state of emergency due to the large amounts of snow that fell on the region.
Crime Clean-UP Day Scheduled for Saturday Chris Forshey
The City of Altoona is hosting a Crime Clean-Up day Saturday and officials are looking for a few good volunteers.
The event is being sponsored by Operation Our Town and The Pennsylvania Gang Investigators Association. Police Chief Janice Freehling says volunteers will work to remove graffiti from public spaces and parks throughout the city. She says it’s a good way for residents to get involved and help beautify their city.
Freehling
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If you are interested in helping, the Crime Clean-Up Day gets underway at 8:30AM at the Penn State Altoona Downtown Conference Center.
Specter: ‘I’m Not too Worried About Poll Numbers’ Chris Forshey
Incumbent U.S. Senator Arlen Specter says he’s not too worried about recent poll numbers that show challenger U.S. Representative Joe Sestak has moved ahead of him.
Speaking to a group of supporters on Wednesday, Specter said he’s been in tough re-election races before and he’s always come out on top. Several of the polls show Specter and Sestak either tied, or Sestak with a slight advantage.
New television ads that began airing in media markets across the state on Tuesday show President Obama supporting the state’s senior senator. Pennsylvania’s primary election is set for next Tuesday.
Sestak Gains Ground on Toomey in PA Senate Poll Chris Forshey/AP
A new poll shows Republican Pat Toomey has lost ground to Democratic congressman Joe Sestak, a potential opponent in Pennsylvania's fall general election for U.S. Senate.
The Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday also shows Toomey continues to lead Democratic incumbent Senator Arlen Specter.
Against Specter, Toomey leads 47-percent to 40-percent. Against Sestak, the former Lehigh Valley congressman gets 42-percent while Sestak gets 40 percent. Toomey led Sestak a month ago, 42-percent to 34-percent. Quinnipiac says the Sestak-Specter Democratic primary is too close to call. The election is Tuesday. Toomey is considered the front-runner for the GOP nomination.
The telephone poll of 1,161 Pennsylvania voters was conducted during the week that ended Monday. The sampling error margin is plus or minus 2.9-percentage points.
PA Foreclosure Rate Shows No Sign of Easing Chris Forshey/AP
The high number of Pennsylvania homes entering the foreclosure process isn't easing.
New figures out Thursday from foreclosure listing firm RealtyTrac Inc. showed more than 5,500 Pennsylvania homes received at least one foreclosure filing in April.
That's down less than 3-percent, or about 150, from March, but it was one of the highest monthly totals since RealtyTrac began collecting the data in April 2005. More than 1,400 of those properties were seized. Nationally, foreclosure filings dropped at a faster rate of 9-percent from March to April.
Pennsylvania's foreclosure rate is two-fifths the national rate, with one in every 1,000 homes receiving a foreclosure filing last month.
May 13, 2010
Colgan Wins Contract for Altoona-Blair County Airport Chris Forshey
Colgan Air has won a federal contract to continue providing essential air service from the Altoona-Blair County Airport.
The U.S. Department of Transportation made the announcement on Wednesday. Colgan will continue to offer three non-stop, roundtrip flights per day from Altoona to Washington-Dulles International. The contract is for a two-year period and Colgan will continue to fly under the United Airlines Express banner.
Airport manager Chuck Pillar says for passengers it will be business as usual.
Pillar
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The federal government will pay Colgan more than $3.3-million over the life of the contract to subsidize the flight. That’s up from the $2.8-million Colgan was getting under the previous contract. Colgan will also provide the same service to the Johnstown-Cambria County Airport.
Altoona’s Crime Rate Fell 4-Percent Chris Forshey
Altoona’s crime rate dropped 4-percent last year.
Police Chief Janice Freehling told city council Wednesday that serious crimes, including homicides, aggravated assaults and burglaries fell more than 18-percent. Freehling says the number of secondary offenses, such as DUI’s, fraud and vandalism rose 2.6-percent.
Freehling says the number of drug violations fell from 429 in 2008 to 363 in 2009 – and that’s because of the city’s directed drug patrols and the efforts of Operation Our Town.
Freehling
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Alcohol violations continue to be a problem. Freehling says 311 people were arrested for DUI and 303 citations were issued for public drunkenness. Officials say Altoona’s overall crime rate is about 8-percent lower than other Third Class cities in Pennsylvania.
Accused Local Sex Offender Captured in Tennessee Chris Forshey
An accused sex offender from Blair County has been captured in Tennessee.
U.S. Marshals say they have arrested Dennis Heidler and he’s now in custody. Heidler was charged in 2003 with fondling a child from Altoona. He skipped a court appearance in 2006 after skipping out on a court date on charges of indecent assault and corruption of minors.
Heidler remains in the Knox County Jail awaiting extradition back to Blair County.
Mayor: Gateway Project on Track Chris Forshey
Altoona City officials are planning to move forward with their gateway improvement project this summer but Mayor Bill Schirf says it likely won’t include as many properties as in the past.
Speaking with WRTA News Wednesday night, Mayor Schirf said a large part of the reason is the projects proposed location.
Schirf
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Schirf says he feels there is still interest in the program and past projects have been successful. He says the city will be working closely with the Altoona Regional Health System and the Nehemiah Project in making this year’s project a success.
Vandalism Reports Surface in 12th District Race Chris Forshey
The race for the 12th Congressional seat left vacant by the death of Representative John Murtha has taken an ugly turn.
Officials with the campaigns of Democrat Mark Critz and Republican Tim Burns say they’ve been victims of vandalism. Burn’s campaign reports that several campaign signs were either removed or cut from their posts with chainsaws. A Critz campaign spokesman says several staffers’ cars have been severely keyed in the past several days.
Neither side is pointing fingers at the other, but officials for both campaigns are asking supporters to focus on the issues. Police are investigating.
Governor’s Candidates Respond to Rendell Criticism Chris Forshey
Gubernatorial candidates criticized by Governor Ed Rendell are telling their side of the story.
Democrat Rendell on Wednesday chided state Attorney General Tom Corbett, the Republican front-runner, and Democrat Jack Wagner, the state auditor general, for promising to cut spending even as they are seek increases in their own agencies' budgets.
Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley says most of the increase in the attorney general's budget would be funneled to counties to help pay the salaries of full-time district attorneys and the rest is for salary increases required under a labor contract that Rendell administration negotiated. Rendell also criticized Corbett saying the attorney general’s office has more than 500 of the 17,000 state vehicles that Corbett is criticizing.
Wagner's campaign said the auditor general's budget has actually decreased slightly since Wagner took office in 2005.
Abortion Rights Group Endorses Sestak Chris Forshey/AP
The national abortion-rights group NARAL says its political action committee is endorsing Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania's Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.
Wednesday's endorsement by NARAL Pro-Choice America goes against five-term Sen. Arlen Specter, a Republican-turned-Democrat who touts his record of standing up for abortion rights. The endorsement may surprise few people, given that NARAL officials are unaware of ever having endorsed Specter.
NARAL's political director Elizabeth Shipp says Sestak's consistent votes in line with the group's beliefs during his two terms in Congress leave no question where he stands.
She says Specter tends to vote in line with NARAL on a matter of convenience, rather than conviction. The groups says it has more than 250,000 identified supporters in Pennsylvania.
May 12, 2010
Blair Beefing Up Staffing at Tax Claim Bureau Chris Forshey
Blair County officials are beefing up the staff in the county’s Tax Claim Office.
Countly leaders approved the hiring of Judy Negri on Tuesday. Commissioner Terry Tomassetti says while Negri will work primarily in the office, she will also be a clerical float who can fill-in at other places.
Tomassetti says the board decided to make the hire because the Tax Claim Office has been busy since it was reopened more than a year ago.
Former board members outsourced the office to XSpand in 2006 – but the company decided to get out of the tax claim business because of the financial turmoil in the housing market.
Blair Pension Plan ‘Minimally Stressed’ Chris Forshey
Blair County’s pension plan has been deemed minimally stressed.
That was the word Tuesday from county leaders following a meeting with their retirement plan actuary. Commissioner Terry Tomassetti says the ruling wasn’t unexpected.
Tomassetti says he hopes the county continues to have the financial ability to keep adding money to the pension plan to help make up for some of the contributions that were skipped over the past decade.
Mid-May Snowfall Hits Central PA Chris Forshey
The calendar might read May – but that didn’t stop Mother Nature from brining snow to our region on Tuesday.
A mix of snow, sleet and rain fell across most of Blair County for a two-hour period beginning around lunchtime. At least an inch of snow fell on Blue Knob Mountain and on the higher elevations in Cambria County.
WRTA Weather Channel Meteorologist Scott Landes says the wintry conditions were caused by a cold air mass aloft that mixed with precipitation in the lower atmosphere.
Landis
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Landes says it is uncommon for snow to fall in May.
Landis
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Landes says the good news is that warmer weather will be returning within the next few days – and then it should stay until at least September.
Officials Mark National Travel Rally Day Chris Forshey
Local elected officials, business owners and event promoters say they want to make sure tourism remains a vital part of Pennsylvania’s economy.
About 50 people gathered Tuesday at Lakemont Park in Logan Township to mark National Travel Rally Day. Officials say tourism is one of the state’s top industries -- but the lagging economy hasn’t helped to attract new visitors. Tourism promoters estimate that some 20,000 people across the Alleghenies work in the industry – and without new faces, that number could drop drastically.
Organizers say when people come into the region they spend money on food, lodging and other items – and that creates a positive ripple effect. They want state lawmakers to do more to encourage new people to check out what the region has to offer.
PA Activist Asks U.S. Court to Toss Ethics Gag Rule Chris Forshey
A political activist in Pennsylvania wants a U.S. appeals court to toss out a law that prevents people from saying they have filed a complaint with the State Ethics Commission.
Lawyers for activist Gene Stilp say the gag order violates free-speech protection. State officials say they don't want people tipping off public employees to potential investigations. The three judges hearing the case noted that complainants can freely discuss what they tell ethics investigators. The ban only prevents people from announcing they have filed a complaint.
Stilp paid $500 to settle an ethics complaint for telling reporters in 2007 he planned to ask the commission to investigate alleged taxpayer-financed polling by House Democrats.
PA State Police Make Record Number of DUI Arrests Chris Forshey/AP
Pennsylvania State Police say they made a record number of DUI arrests last year while the number of alcohol-related fatalities dropped more than 10-percent.
Commissioner Frank Pawlowski says troopers made 16,900 DUI arrests in 2009, a 4-percent increase over the previous year.
At the same time, the number of alcohol-related fatalities investigated by troopers dropped from 161 to 141. According to figures released Tuesday, the number of all alcohol-related crashes was also down slightly.
Pawlowski says the expansion of a drug recognition expert program deserves some of the credit. The number of drug-influence evaluations rose from 693 in 2008 to 1,118 last year.
The numbers don’t include DUI arrests made by local or municipal police officers.
Polls Show Sestak Takes Lead from Specter Chris Forshey
Some new polls out Tuesday suggest that incumbent U.S. Senator Arlen Specter may be in some serious political trouble.
Surveys release this week from Rasmussen Reports and Muhlenberg College both show U.S. Representative Joe Sestak now leading Specter 47 to 42-percent. Both Sestak and Specter are in a hotly contested race for Specter’s U.S. Senate seat.
Specter has seen his support decline in recent months as undecided Democrats began throwing their support behind Sestak. Several newspapers are also reporting that a Franklin & Marshall College poll due out later today also shows Sestak with similar lead over Specter.
Rendell Backs Halt to Gas Leasing in Public Lands Chris Forshey/AP
Governor Ed Rendell says the cash-strapped state government is leasing more public forest land to a company that wants to drill for natural gas in the vast Marcellus Shale reserve.
As a result, Rendell said Tuesday he will support legislation to temporarily halt additional leasing of state forest land for gas drilling. Rendell says Houston-based Anadarko Petroleum Corp. has agreed to pay Pennsylvania $120-million for the right to drill on 33,000 acres in northcentral Pennsylvania.
The company owns the rights to surrounding tracts. The additional land is considered "disturbed" because it has been leased for shallow gas drilling in previous decades, although no drilling is actively occurring.
Still, a bill to halt new leasing of state forest land for drilling appears unlikely to pass the Senate.
Report: PA Judge's Sister Got Extra Campaign Cash Chris Forshey/AP
A state Supreme Court justice, shortly after she was sworn in, turned over more than $30,000 left in her campaign coffers to her sister's senatorial campaign.
The Legal Intelligencer newspaper reported Tuesday that Justice Joan Orie Melvin's unused campaign funds were sent January 18th to the campaign of state Sen. Jane Clare Orie of Allegheny County. Attorney Jack Orie is the brother of the women. He said it's a common practice.
The Code of Judicial Conduct does not specifically bar such activity. However, groups including the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges have advised judges against the practice.
May 11, 2010
Attempted Armed Robbery In Altoona Investigated Craig Schaffer
City police are investigating an early morning armed robbery attempt in Altoona.
The incident happened a little before 3:30. Police say the female victim told them she had been asked by an acquaintance to give a man she didn’t know a ride to a convenience store. When they arrived in the area of the 700 block of 18th Street the man pulled what appeared to be a gun out of his waistband and threatened the woman and demanded she give him her purse. The victim stopped the vehicle and ran to a nearby convenience store to call 911.
The suspect was last seen fleeing the area on foot. He’s described as a stocky, white male, approximately six feet tall.
Anyone with information in concerning this incident is asked to contact the Altoona Police Department.
Two Truckers Killed in Bedford County Crash Chris Forshey
Two have died in a multi-vehicle crash in Bedford County.
The accident happened around 6:30AM Monday along State Route 56 on Pleasantville Mountain and involved two-tractor trailers and three passenger cars.
Troopers say the accident is under investigation but preliminary reports indicate atractor-trailer hauling ice cream lost control heading eastbound, down the mountain. The tractor-trailer hit the back of a car driven by Nathan Vogel of Johnstown and pushed that car into the westbound lane. The big rig then hit a westbound tanker truck head-on as it was rolling onto its side. The truck then hit eastbound cars driven by Stanley Fickes of Imler and Mary Kauffman of Osterburg.
Vogel and Kauffman sustained moderate injuries and were flown to Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown. Fickes and a passenger escaped injury. Both truck drivers were pronounced dead at the scene. The police have not released their names pending notification of family.
Hundreds of cartons of ice cream spilled at the scene had to be cleaned up and Hazmat crews and the Department of Environmental Protection were both called in to take care of leaking refrigerated liquid carbon dioxide but officials say there was no environmental threat.
Higher School Taxes On The Way In Altoona Craig Schaffer
It looks like local tax payers are going to take another hit in the wallet soon.
At Monday evening’s Altoona Area School District Board meeting, the proposed 2010-11 budget with a 2.875-mill increase was passed unanimously.
If no changes are made to the budget next month most taxpayers will pay $35 more in taxes.
According to budget figures, the district will use $2.6 million of its reserve fund to balance the $89.2 million budget.
A final budget must be passed in June after it has been on public display for 30 days.
Blair Tables Request for Salary Increases Chris Forshey
Blair County Salary Board officials have delayed a vote on a request by the county’s Register of Wills & Recorder of Deeds to change the titles and salaries of workers in her office.
Mary Ann Bennis asked county leaders Monday for permission to use fees generated by her office to pay for the changes. Bennis says the move will be cost-neutral to the county. The motion also involves leaving a part-time position vacant.
In all, the salary adjustments total just over $30,000. Bennis raised fees charged by her office last year. The commissioners say they need more time to review the request – and they need to make sure the new titles don’t interfere with union representation.
Controller Richard Peo, who is a salary board member, say’s he’ll likely vote against the move because the money should be used to cover the other expenses in the office that are subsidized by county taxpayers.
No Decision on Airport FBO Chris Forshey
The Blair County Airport Authority is still reviewing proposals from two parties interested in taking over the airport’s fixed-based operations.
Officials said Monday that they still had questions about the proposals submitted by Degol Aviation and a group of pilots who are interested in providing the service. No timeline was given on a decision. The bids were open April 21st and the authority has 60 days to act upon or reject them.
The authority began looking for a new FBO two months ago when PennAir stopped providing fuel at the airport – a violation of its contract. The authority is currently providing fueling services. Commissioner Diane Meling says PennAir has removed its airplanes from the facility and the board has taken back possession of the PennAir building.
Lit Cigarette Forces Brief Evacuation at Valley View Home Chris Forshey
A cigarette is to blame for the brief evacuation of the independent living wing at Valley View Home Monday evening.
City firefighters were called to the building around 6:30PM after someone smelled smoke inside the building. Officials say the odor came from a lit cigarette that was smoldering inside a planter outside an exterior door. A small amount of smoke got pushed into the facility.
An employee sprayed the planter with a garden hose. There was no damage to the building.
‘Beating the Odds’ Rally Inspires Students Chris Forshey
Thousands of local elementary school students gathered at Blair County Ballpark on Monday to learn about adversity and how to accomplish their goals and dreams.
The rally – known as ‘Beating the Odds’ -- is meant to inspire the students and show them that anything is possible. Guest speakers included Quinton Aaron of the movie Blindside, a Southwestern Airlines pilot who as a kid dreamed of flying and many others.
The Golden Knights even parachuted into the stadium. Organizers say ‘Beating the Odds’ hosts’ similar events all across the country and more than 5,000 local youngsters participated in the educational opportunity.
‘Tag Team - Take 2’ Results in 1,738 Citations Chris Forshey
State Troopers and municipal police officers issued 1,738 traffic citations during a three-day special enforcement detail last week.
The operation was dubbed ‘Tag Team –Take 2.’ Officers targeted roadways with a ‘2’ in them – including Routes 220, 22, 322, 422 and 522 in our region. PennDOT says 946 speeding tickets were issued and police wrote a total of 475 warnings.
Five motorists were pinched for DUI – and 93 were cited for seat belt violations. PennDOT used the ‘Tag Team – Take 2’ program to help address aggressive driving on Pennsylvania’s busiest roadways.
Specter to Keep 'an Open Mind' on Kagan Chris Forshey/AP
Senator Arlen Specter was a Republican when he voted against Elena Kagan for confirmation as solicitor general. But now that she's nominated for the Supreme Court - and now that he's a Democrat - Specter says he'll keep an open mind.
Specter says he voted against Kagan at her confirmation hearing for solicitor general because she didn't answer basic questions about how she'd handle the job.
That was also back when Specter was the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee. He switched to the Democratic Party last year. On Monday, Specter said the solicitor general position is "distinctly different" from Supreme Court justice and noted Kagan's "exemplary" credentials.
Specter says he hopes Kagan will answer questions on executive power, abortion and warrantless wiretapping during confirmation.
PA Tax Amnesty Program Generates $28-Million, So Far Chris Forshey
Pennsylvania revenue department officials say the state’s tax amnesty program has generated $28-million in its first two weeks.
Those who still owe back taxes have just over a month to pay up. Officials say more than 20,000 applications have been mailed or faxed in thus far. The state received its single, largest payment of $548-thousand from a corporation who owed back taxes last week.
Pennsylvania’s tax amnesty website has so far garnered more than 140,400 hits – and individuals have placed 34,400 calls to the PA Tax Amnesty hotline. The state is waving all penalties and half the interest for delinquent tax payers through June 18th in hopes of generating $190-million for the state’s coffers.
May 10, 2010
Glider Pilot Escapes Serious Injury in Crash Chris Forshey
A Pittsburgh man escaped serious injury Sunday when the glider he was piloting crashed in rural Blair County.
911 operators received the call about the crash around 2:15PM. Sinking Valley Assistant Fire Chief Dave Miller says 66-year-old Leslie Dutka had taken off from the glider port in Julian and lost the lift on his plane. Miller says firefighters were able to pinpoint Dutka's location – which was just off McMullen Road on the back side of Brush Mountain – by using air horns.
Miller
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Miller says Dutka was located just before 4:00PM. He suffered a head and left ankle injury – but was responsive and out of the plane. He was taken to Altoona Regional for treatment of his injuries. The FAA will investigate the crash.
Travel Advisory For Blair Motorists Craig Schaffer
Starting today work will begin on a $1.2 million bridge project in Altoona.
The work on Mill Run Bridge will consist of the replacement of the structure over Mill Run located at Broad Avenue and 31st Street.. In addition there will be traffic signal upgrades and resurfacing and repairs to the bridge approaches.
Motorists are advised to use caution while traveling through this work zone.
Broad Avenue and Logan Boulevard will be reduced to an 11 foot single lane during construction. Because of the reduced lane width, a truck detour is in place. Trucks will be re-routed on a 1.2 mile detour from Logan Boulevard to Route 764 to 31st Street.
This project is expected to be completed by mid December.
PA Governor Hopefuls Rake in Cash Ahead of Vote Chris Forshey/AP
The six men seeking to be Pennsylvania's next governor are raking in campaign donations in the period leading up to the primary election that'll be held in a week and a half.
Reports filed Friday with state elections officials show the candidates collected about $5-million in contributions in the five-week period that ended Monday.
Democratic candidate Anthony Hardy Williams is disclosing the largest donations, about $2.5-million plus in-kind contributions that he values at $200,000. Among the other Democrats, Dan Onorato reports $942,000, Joe Hoeffel $215,000 and Jack Wagner $187,000.
Republican hopeful Tom Corbett says he took in $924,000 while fellow GOP candidate Sam Rohrer collected $232,000.
3 PA Papers Make Endorsements in Governor's Race Chris Forshey/AP
Three Pennsylvania newspapers have endorsed Attorney General Tom Corbett for the Republican nomination in the governor's race, while two endorsed Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato for the Democratic nomination while the third gave its nod to Auditor General Jack Wagner.
The Patriot-News of Harrisburg said Onorato stood out in a strong field, citing his cost-cutting efforts and knowledge about the challenges faced by local governments. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette also cited his "day-to-day experience" with such things as taxes, budgets, unions, and county services.
But the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review accused Onorato of a "troublesome disregard for the rule of law" and praised Wagner as "an effective watchdog for taxpayers."
All cited Corbett's long history of public service and the fact that his investigation into legislative corruption had targeted members of both political parties.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review also urged voters to pick retired Navy admiral Joe Sestak as the Democrat and former congressman Pat Toomey as the Republican in the U.S. Senate race.
Lawmakers Pushing Blues To Continue Funding Adultbasic Craig Schaffer
Funding for the state's adultBasic program is set to end Dec. 31, when the Community Health Reinvestment Agreement expires.
Without sustaining funds, 50,000 low-income individuals could lose their health insurance coverage by the end of the year.
House Majority Leader Democat Todd Eachus, of Luzerne County, has introduced legislation that would ensure that the adultBasic program would receive sustainable funding from the four nonprofit Blue Cross/Blue Shield companies through 2014.
Eachus
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Eachus said a 2008 survey on Pennsylvania's uninsured showed that nearly 12 percent of the Commonwealth's 19-to-64-year-old citizens were without health insurance coverage.
The Eachus extension would serve as a bridge until the new federal health insurance program is implemented in Pennsylvania, likely by 2012.
Pennsylvania's Tough Decisions on Early Education Craig Schaffer
A just-released report shows the recession has been forcing Pennsylvania to make tough financial decisions when it comes to the education of the youngest students.
'The State of Pre-School 2009,' from the National Institute for Early Education Research, indicates that several years of increases in the number of pre-school programs nationwide tailed off last year. A dozen states are now considering cuts in pre-K funding for 2011. Marci Young is project director for Pre-K Now, a program funded by the Pew Center on the States. She says the benefits kids take away from a good pre-K program shouldn't be taken lightly.
Young
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Governor Rendell has proposed a 'no growth' early childhood education budget for the upcoming fiscal year. There's a fear that once federal economic recovery funds run dry, programs in the state now using them, like preschool, could face what some are calling an economic cliff, in two years.
May 7, 2010
Bike Rider Killed On Snyder Township Road Craig Schaffer
A bicycle rider was killed last night on what has become a deadly BlairCounty roadway.
50 year old Kenneth Voytko died after being struck by a car driven by Gerald Patton of Tyrone near ReservoirPark in SnyderTownship.
State Police say the fatal accident happened around 7:15 as Patton was traveling north on State Route 453 and Voytko was riding his bike southbound on the same road. Police say that the car and bike collided at the intersection of Schoch Hollow Road when Patton made a left hand turn and the glare of the sun blinded him to the oncoming bicycle.
Voytko died of blunt force trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene by Blair County Deputy Cororner Paul Kerns.
On April 24th, Blue Knob Volunteer Firefighter Rex Walters died just a half mile south of Thursday's crash site when the tractor trailer he was driving for his employer crashed into a telephone pole.
Tyrone Loses Top Cop To Butler County Community Craig Schaffer
A local borough will have to start looking for a new police chief after learning this week that their top cop has been hired in Butler County
Tyrone Police Chief Joe Beachem is headed for Saxonburg Borough to be their new chief of police.
After nine years as chief of police in Tyrone, Beacham, who hails from Butler County, says he wanted to move closer to his parents.
It’s not clear when Beacham will leave his current post for his Saxonburg position.
Boil Water Notice Issued for Grazierville Chris Forshey
Altoona Water Authority customers living in the Grazierville area are under a boil water advisory because of a water main break on Thursday.
Officials say the water should be boiled for at least a minute before consuming it. Residents are also advised to use boiled water for ice cubes, washing dishes and when cooking food. The water authority says some of the water might appear cloudy or distorted.
Crews are working to fix the problem and will make an announcement when the problem is fixed.
Three Charged with Operating Massive Cocaine Ring Chris Forshey
Three men are under arrest for allegedly pushing more than a half-million dollars in cocaine through the region.
State Attorney General’s Office narcotics agents arrested Raymond Darcangelo and his brother David on Thursday. Agents say the duo worked together to move more than $500,000 of the drug throughout Cambria, Clearfield and Somerset Counties over the past two years. The charges were recommended after an ongoing investigation by a statewide grand jury.
Agents also say Patrick Martella was one of the Darcangelo brothers’ associates who bought the cocaine on a regular basis and moved more than $150,000
worth of the drug throughout Cambria County and the surrounding areas. Drug investigators first raided Martella’s home in 2008.
All three suspects are facing multiple felony drug charges.
Blair Officials Set to Review County Pension Funds Chris Forshey
Blair County officials will find out next week how their pension fund has been performing.
Commissioner Terry Tomassetti says the county will meet with its actuary – which is typically done once a year. Tomassetti says while the fund took a hit over the last two years because of the battered stock market, but he’s hopeful the fund will continue to recover and head in a more positive direction.
The commissioners began making contributions to the fund two years ago – but deposits were not made for the last decade. Tomassetti says that’s because the fund has been able to sustain itself because the stock market was riding at all-time highs.
PSU Altoona ‘For the Future’ Campaign Underway Chris Forshey
Penn State Altoona is embarking on a campaign to raise $20-million dollars over the next four years.
‘For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students’ is now officially underway. It’s a university-wide philanthropic initiative that officials hope will bring in more than $2-billion by June 2014.
Penn State Altoona Development Director Susan Woodring says the Altoona Campus has already met half its goal through the silent part of the campaign. She says the ultimate goal for the money is to make sure a Penn State education is obtainable for anyone.
Woodring says the money will also be used to help select and retain the best faculty members. University officials are asking faculty, staff and alumni to contribute to their efforts – in hopes that it will motivate others in the community to do the same.
Worshippers Attend National Day of Prayer Service Chris Forshey
Dozens of local worshippers gathered in Hollidaysburg Thursday for the 59th annual National Day of Prayer.
Several local politicians attended the nondenominational service at the First United Methodist Church. The event was hosted by local pastors and Precious Life director Reverend Scott Maganella was the keynote speaker.
Those in attendance say this year’s National Day of Prayer took on new meeting – that’s because a U.S. judge recently ruled the event violates the first amendment. The issue is being appealed.
Worshippers say they disagree with the ruling because this country was built on a rich Christian heritage – and the event is a description of free speech.
Sestak Unleashes First Attack Ad on Specter Chris Forshey/AP
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Joe Sestak is airing his first TV attack ad in his effort to unseat five-term incumbent Arlen Specter.
The ad first aired Wednesday night follows Sestak's core message that party voters can't trust the Republican-turned-Democrat.
The Democratic primary in the closely contested race is May 18. Specter is a centrist who at times defied Republican party leaders. He has sought to highlight his votes for President Barack Obama's health care and economic stimulus plans. The ad shows Specter in clipped video footage saying "my change in party will enable me to be re-elected." An unseen announcer follows with "Arlen Specter switched parties to save one job, his."
It also shows footage of Specter being endorsed in 2004 by then-President George W. Bush.
Effort to Combat Childhood Obesity in PA Advances Chris Forshey/AP
A proposal that backers say would be the most comprehensive in the nation to motivate public schools to combat childhood obesity has a preliminary stamp of approval.
The Pennsylvania State Board of Education voted Thursday to advance a draft regulation that would set a minimum daily exercise requirement of 30 minutes and toughen nutritional guidelines for fat and calories in public schools.
The vote was 15-1. The draft still faces a public review by lawmakers and a state regulatory board that could take months. The measure would greatly increase the exercise that most students currently get during school hours and banish many of the processed foods served in schools.
The concept has support from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, although a representative said concerns remain over cost and scheduling.
May 6, 2010
Fire Destroys Vacant Home Chris Forshey
A fire early Wednesday night destroyed a vacant home in Logan Township.
Flames broke out just after 6:00PM at the one-and-a-half story house located in a wooded area off Porta Road. Newburg assistant fire chief Kirk Weyant says most of the second story was engulfed in flames when the first crews arrived on scene.
Firefighters had the flames under control within an hour. Weyant says he isn’t sure if the home is insured. A state police fire marshal has been called in to investigate.
City Officials Work to Get Smoke Alarms into City Homes Chris Forshey
It could help save your life. A program that gives smoke detectors into homeowners who need them is now underway in Altoona. Operation Save-a-Life officially kicked-off Wednesday.
City fire marshal Randy Isenberg says the goal of the program is to make sure no one dies in a house fire simply because they weren’t alerted to the danger.
Isenberg
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The smoke alarms are paid for through a grant from the state fire commissioner’s office.
Local Fire Companies Get Much-Needed Financial Help Chris Forshey/AP
Some local fire companies are getting some much needed grant money to purchase new equipment.
The money is being awarded to the Duncansville Fire Company Number 1 and the Pinecroft Volunteer Fire Company through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
Duncansville Fire Company will get $261,250 – they money will be used for the purchase of a new pumper tanker truck. The Pinecroft Volunteer Fire Company was awarded $73,388 for operational and safety equipment, including 15 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, spare air cylinders and other equipment.
9th District Congressman Bill Shuster says the grants will allow rural fire companies to purchase equipment they couldn’t afford through fundraising alone.
Eichelberger Initiates Study to Investigate State Manadates Chris Forshey
State Senator John Eichelberger has co-sponsored a senate resolution to establish a task force to study the impact of state mandates on Pennsylvania’s boroughs, townships, cities and counties.
Eichelberger says them The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania estimates that up to 80-percent of a county's budget is made up of directives from outside entities, including human services plus courts and corrections. He says each year more and more mandates go unfunded and local governments pay the price.
Eichelberger says the legislature needs to fully understand the financial impact the mandates have on local taxpayers.
Eichelberger
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The task force would be composed of experts familiar with the funding and operation of programs implemented by local government units. It should take year to complete.
Miracle League 2010 Season Opens Saturday Chris Forshey
Miracle League of Blair County baseball officials are getting ready to kick of the league’s fourth season this weekend.
Opening season games get underway on Saturday at 10:00AM. The league offers those with handicaps a chance to experience America’s favorite past time in a safe environment. League President Joe Reed says everyone gets to play and each year the number of participants increases.
Reed
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The league is open to anyone with a disability. Players currently travel from Blair and surrounding counties. Games are held at Fiore Field off Maryland Avenue in the Eldorado section of Altoona. The public is invited to attend the games.
National Democratic Group Helps Pay for Specter Ad Chris Forshey/AP
A national organization that helps Democrats get re-elected to the U.S. Senate is spending money to help Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter fend off what’s shaping up to be a difficult a primary challenge.
A Democrat Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesman said Wednesday the organization is helping pay for a Specter TV ad. The ads are airing in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Altoona and shows Specter speaking about his record in front of a backdrop of the Pittsburgh skyline. Spokesman Eric Schultz wouldn't say how much the committee spent or whether it plans further aid.
The ad comes as a new Quinnipiac University poll shows challenger Joe Sestak closing in on Specter, who switched parties last year. Specter is still leading, 47-percent to 39-percent, but that's narrowed from a 21-point gap a month ago.
Senate OKs Bill to Shed Investments in Iran, Sudan Chris Forshey/AP
The state Senate is advancing a bill to require Pennsylvania's two largest pension funds and the state Treasury Department to divest investments in companies that do significant business in Iran or Sudan.
Senators approved the bill 42-7 on Wednesday; five months after the House unanimously approved a similar bill.
A spokesman for the House Democratic majority says the issue is important and the caucus will take a look at the Senate bill. The sponsor, Democratic Sen. Mike Stack of Philadelphia, says 28 other states have adopted similar divestment policies. He called the bill a moral and fiscally responsible way to combat terrorism and genocide.
The bill would not apply to mutual funds, hedge funds or other investment vehicles that invest in such companies.
May 5, 2010
Preparations Are Underway for The Return of Tour de ‘Toona Craig Schaffer
Following a year off in 2009, the International Tour de ’Toona returns this summer.
Races in Blair, Bedford, Cambria, and Somerset counties are scheduled from August 23 to August 29.
The annual race was canceled last year as a result of the economic downturn and a loss of sponsors.
Race officials are looking for volunteers to help with the event.
Sheetz Suds Sales at Altoona Store to Resume Soon Chris Forshey
Sheetz says beer sales should resume at its Altoona superstore within the next few days after a state board granted approval of a new license last week.
Executive vice president Louie Sheetz says Tuesday the company is finishing up training workers and setting up its "convenience restaurant" at its 17th Street location to meet Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board requirements. The board last week allowed Sheetz to serve beer in the store and sell it for takeout. The ruling covers just the one Sheetz location.
The company initially started selling beer at the Altoona store six years ago, though sales have been suspended at times due to appeals. The Malt Beverage Distributors Association of Pennsylvania says it plans to appeal the latest ruling.
Juniata House Fire Ruled Accidental Chris Forshey
A fire that damaged a Juniata home Monday night has been ruled an accident.
City fire officials say the blaze at 800 North Sixth Avenue began outside the structure when one of the home’s occupants tried to exterminate a spider’s nest using hairspray and a lighter. Four people have been displaced from the rental property.
Flames spread to the inside causing about $20,000 in damage. The home is insured.
Blair Drug & Alcohol Agency Prepares for July 1st Transition Chris Forshey
Blair County’s Drug & Alcohol treatment services will officially begin operating as a stand-alone agency July 1st.
Administrator Judy Rosser told county leaders Tuesday that the group is in the process of finalizing office space in Hollidaysburg and will move out of the courthouse by the end of summer. Rosser says right now the group is trying to secure some funding to officially begin its operations.
Rosser
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Rosser says that by becoming a private entity, the group can provide more treatment services without all the administrative overhead. The county will then contract with the new agency for its drug and alcohol services.
Blair Replaces Stone Walkway Because of Liability Concerns Chris Forshey
Blair County officials say they decided to remove the old flagstone walkway in front of the county courthouse because it has become a liability.
Workers have spent the last few days preparing to install a new concrete surface later this week. Commissioner Diane Meling says officials had to do something because people were tripping on the flagstone squares – and the leads to the potential of a lawsuit if someone is severely injured from a fall.
Meling
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Meling says it was also difficult for employees to remove snow from the uneven surface. County workers are doing the construction and officials are using left over bond money to cover the cost of the materials.
Manchin, Brown to Campaign in Race for Murtha Seat Chris Forshey/AP
Two more notable political names are coming to Pennsylvania to campaign for candidates in the competitive special election race to fill the term of the late Representative John Murtha.
West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin appeared Tuesday night at a rally in Washington, PA, with Democratic candidate Mark Critz to talk about jobs and the economy.
Critz was a former top aide to Murtha, who died in February. U.S. Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts is scheduled to come to Washington County on May 14 to campaign for Republican candidate Tim Burns, a millionaire businessman from Eighty Four.
The race is being closely watched by political observers around the country as Democrats try to fend off GOP gains this fall in the midterm elections.
Undecideds May Tilt PA Senate Primary Race Chris Forshey/AP
Political observers say undecided voters make up a big enough slice of the registered Democrats that many believe they could tilt Pennsylvania's closely contested primary race in Representative Joe Sestak's favor - if enough of them actually vote.
With two weeks left until the May 18 election, Sestak and Senator Arlen Specter are spending millions on TV ads to sway those voters.
Specter for months had led in fundraising and polls. In his bid for a sixth term he is endorsed by President Barack Obama and other party leaders. Recent polls, however, show Sestak catching up, a sign that voters are increasingly making up or changing their minds as they find out more about Sestak.
Pollsters say undecided voters who show up at the polls are more likely to support Sestak -- that’s because those who are going to support Specter have likely already made up their mind.
A Quinnipiac University poll that surveyed likely Democratic voters through Sunday showed Sestak trailing 47-percent to 39-percent, a month after he trailed by 21 points. Fourteen percent of voters remain undecided, and more than one-third of those who picked a candidate also say their decision is not final.
May 4, 2010
Speed Enforcement Crackdown Begins Chris Forshey
Speeders beware. A three-day crackdown targeting aggressive drivers is underway in Blair and surrounding counties.
The event – dubbed Tag Team Take 2 – is a collaboration of the Pennsylvania State Police, PennDOT and local municipal police departments. PennDOT District 9 executive Tom Prestash says officers will be targeting all highways with two’s in them.
Prestash
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Prestash says police are looking for standout speeders and those who don’t wear seatbelts.
Prestash
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Officials say troopers could be wearing camouflage or hiding in marked PennDOT trucks in an effort to catch speeders.
Wal-Mart Scraps Antis Township Wal-Mart Chris Forshey
Plans to build a Wal-Mart Supercenter in Antis Township appear to be officially scrapped.
Developers of the 150 acre site located at the intersection of Old Route 220 and Sabbath Rest Road at the Pinecroft Interchange of Interstate 99 have officially put the property back up for sale. Wal-Mart began the process several years ago to secure the proper permits to make the project a reality.
A Wal-Mart spokesperson had previously told WRTA News the project was just on hold. Antis Township’s board of supervisors had approved the project and developers were in the process of presenting their plans to PennDOT and the Department of Environmental protection.
Rendell: Layoffs, New Taxes to Fill PA Budget Gap Chris Forshey/AP
Governor Ed Rendell is calling for tax increases to limit the number of state employee layoffs or furloughs that are likely to result from Pennsylvania's growing state budget shortfall.
Rendell said Monday that action must be taken to fill a $1-billion budget gap.
His comments were spurred by news of a 12-percent shortfall in April tax collections. He says legislators must consider imposing new taxes on cigars, smokeless tobacco and natural gas extraction. He also advocates closing loopholes in business taxes and eliminating a 1-percent incentive for retailers that submit sales-tax money on time.
Rendell also wants the Legislature to contribute money from its reserve. He and legislators have yet to begin serious budget negotiations ahead of the July 1 start of the new fiscal year.
PA Legislators Trying To Bridge Transportation Funding Deficit Chris Forshey/AP
State legislators will begin an attempt today to close a pair of serious budget gaps. Lawmakers are trying to find nearly 500-million dollars to repair crumbling bridges and roads as well as keep mass transit running.
At the same time, they are trying to close a gap in the general fund which is expected to go beyond a billion dollars. Governor Ed Rendell opens a special session later today, which will consider new taxes and fees as well as look at doing away with spending that is deemed unnecessary in order to come up with the transportation funds.
Some lawmakers say they plan to look at public-private partnerships and outsourcing more highway maintenance duties to PennDOT contractors.
Three Motorists Pinched During DUI Enforcement Detail Chris Forshey
Three motorists are facing drunk driving charges after a roving patrol detail conducted Saturday night by the Blair County DUI Taskforce.
Coordinator Sergeant Chris Cohn says officers from seven municipalities participated in the event. Police arrested four minors for underage drinking and issued 46 traffic citations and warnings.
Officials say they plan to host more drunk driving enforcement details now that warm weather has returned to Central Pennsylvania.
Stolen Cargo May Belong to Larger Chop Shop Operation Chris Forshey
State Police say they have uncovered numerous stolen items in an abandoned cargo trailer located in rural Rush Township, Centre County.
Troopers say the stolen cargo trailer from North Carolina was actually found in March. Officials have been working to identify owners of the electronics and automotive parts and say the case may be part of a much larger chop shop operation.
State Police investigators say they don’t know if any local people have been victimized. They are asking anyone who may have bought an item from someone who typically wouldn’t be in the business to contact the Hollidaysburg barracks at 696-6100.
Williams Hits Onorato Record in First Negative Ad Chris Forshey/AP
State Senator Anthony Hardy Williams is airing the first negative TV ad of Pennsylvania's gubernatorial campaign, and it's aimed at Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato.
Williams' campaign said the commercial began airing Monday in markets that include Pittsburgh.
The ad attacks Onorato's claim that he has kept county unemployment low and accuses him of breaking faith with constituents by increasing fines and fees as well as imposing a new tax on alcoholic drinks. Onorato's campaign calls the ad misleading. It cites Williams' votes to increase his pay and his pension in the Legislature as evidence that he is against reforming state government.
Onorato is the front-runner in a Democratic primary race that also include state Auditor General Jack Wagner and Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel.
May 3, 2010
Weekend Fire Destroys Vacant City House Craig Schaffer
A fire over the weekend that destroyed an abandoned home in Altoona is being considered suspicious.
The vacant house located on the alley between 1st and 2nd Avenues and between 18th and 19th Streets went up in flames around 10pm Saturday. A downed electrical wire initially made trouble for firefighters but the flames were contained to just the one building. Fire crews didn’t put out the last of the flames until around 2am. No injuries were reported.
Fire Officials say that there was no electricity running into the house.
A cause has not yet been determined and the city fire marshall is investigating.
Family Dispute Leads to Charges Against Antis Township Man Craig Schaffer
An Antis Township man is facing charges after an incident over the weekend.
State Police say that a little before 5:30 Sunday morning they were investigating 29 year old Michael Reed Junior, of 1112 Riggles Gap Road, in an unspecified matter when Reed began to verbally and physically abuse his father. Reed then turned his abuse toward the state troopers, pushing Trooper Eugene Jenkins and then pushing his father into Trooper Thomas Laskey. When an attempt was made to arrest Reed, he fought with the troopers.
Reed, who was placed in Blair County Prison in lieu of $20,000 bail, is facing Aggravated Assault and Resisting Arrest Charges.
92 More Jobs Lost At Bedford County Bicycle Plant Craig Schaffer
The company that makes Cannondale bicycles says 92 more workers at a south-central Pennsylvania manufacturing center will lose their jobs.
Workers at the Bedford County plant said they were told that the layoffs will occur in July.
A year ago, Cannondale's parent company, Cycling Sports Group, said it was moving the manufacturing arm out of the county and would use the facility as a bicycle testing laboratory and for service. Some 200 jobs were eliminated at that time, and the latest layoffs are the final step in that transition.
Inquirer Endorses Wagner, Corbett In Pa. Gov Race AP
The Philadelphia Inquirer is endorsing state Auditor General Jack Wagner for the Democratic nomination in the Pennsylvania governor's race and state attorney general Tom Corbett for the Republican nomination.
The Inquirer on Sunday called Wagner the Democrats best choice for fiscal leadership, saying he is "already taking a focused, unbiased look at how Pennsylvania can do a better job managing its budget."
The paper praised Wagner's proposals, such as an end to expensive one-bidder contracts and state contracts linked to political donations, and his calls to eliminate state worker bonuses, cap political donations and have an independent commission redraw legislative district lines.
In its GOP endorsement, the paper praised Corbett's efforts to shake up what it called "the corrupt culture that has taken hold in Harrisburg."
Specter, Sestak Square Off In Live Debate AP
Pennsylvania's two Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate dueled over character issues, crime, the war on terror and their devotion to Democratic principles in a live debate Saturday.
During the hour-long event between fifth-term incumbent Arlen Specter and challenger Joe Sestak attacked each other relentlessly - Specter on Sestak's Navy record and Sestak on Specter's Senate votes that defied Democratic Party ideals.
Specter, first elected in 1980, is seeking a sixth six-year term in the Senate. He switched parties last year after falling out of favor with the GOP over his vote for the stimulus bill. The 80-year-old Philadelphian is endorsed by President Barack Obama.
The 58 year old Sestak, a second-term congressman and former Navy vice admiral from suburban Philadelphia, trails in the polls and fundraising. He was elected to Congress in 2007, the highest-ranking former military officer ever to join the institution.
The debate at a Philadelphia TV station is likely to be their last appearance together before the May 18 primary.
Yard Waste Drop-Off Available For City Residents Craig Schaffer
If you spent part of the weekend cleaning up the yard or working in the garden you can get rid of the yard waste courtesy of the City of Altoona.
Starting today yard waste drop-off for city residents is available Monday through Friday through October 29th.
All items must be in brown compost bags. Loose items will not be accepted.
The drop-off site, located at the city highway yard at 5010 6th Avenue, is open 8:30
a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Any questions should be directed to the city highway yard at 949-2212. |
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