On Feb. 17, a decade of memories and the place we called home was left a blackened mess. For 15 years, as a TV news anchor and reporter, I have told this story over and over, but never imagined one day it would be mine.

That night, my daughter and I escaped our burning home. What happened that night, I will never forget.

I won’t forget the Richland firefighters and every face as they tried to save our home and, against all odds, rescued my children’s beloved pets. Nor will I forget the Richland officers who gave us coats and words of comfort.

Thanks to assistant fire Chief Jason Ober and his sister, Tina. Just to help, they took our blackened pets to Kritter Cuts; the owners getting out of bed to gently wash and bring them to us just to be kind.

Thanks to the Johnstown police and Chief Craig Foust. They were there for us that night. My husband is blessed to work with such great friends.

Thank you to Lou Mihalko, who was at our side within minutes, making calls and is now rebuilding our home.

Thanks also to some great kids. In the following days, bags of clothes and toys showed up at our hotel; there was kindness from dozens of students at Richland Elementary School.

And finally to neighbors and all our friends – your calls, cards and gifts remind us how blessed we are, and what life is really about.

We may have lost what was inside our home that night, but what we gained in our hearts we would never trade.

Sherry Stalley-Frear

Richland Township



Cambria Connected has state-of-art services

In response to “Help get Johnstown on high-tech highway, a March 6 letter by James Bilitski:

Google’s high-speed fiber Internet offers some interesting possibilities for the future, and Bilitski’s efforts should be commended.

Cambria County is already a winner on the information super highway. Commissioners P.J. Stevens and Milan Gjurich, and former Commissioner Bill Harris foresaw the needs of the next decade in 2007 by beginning construction on the Cambria Connected System. Beyond providing state-of-the-art 911 communication services, Cambria Connected is providing high-speed Internet to communities around the county.

From the hustle and bustle of Johnstown to the scenic lands of northern Cambria, high-speed reliable Internet is available to the residents, businesses, schools and universities of Cambria County. In addition, the system provides cost savings to the county government and the customers.

Perhaps most significantly is the people who make Cambria Connected work.

The system is owned by Cambria County and managed day to day by Brian Feist, director of the Cambria County Department of Emergency Services.

The network itself is operated by Conxx Smart Technologies and Steve Ettien, owner of Diamondback Consulting, both with offices in Richland Township.

The premier residential service provider, In The Stix Broadband, is based in Loretto.

Together these pieces make Cambria Connected successful.

Just as important, and unlike other infrastructure providers, these are local companies and local employees providing 21st-century solutions to our neighbors.

Visit www.cambriaconnected.net for more information.

Matt Sernell

Vice president, Pennsylvania Operations Conxx Smart Technologies



Tolling Route 219 might offer solution

Route 219 North from Carrolltown to the New York state line has languished for 40-plus years under PennDOT’s control.

I suggest building the four-lane, limited-access highway as a toll road.

I know toll roads are unpopular in this region, but this toll road must be built of necessity.

First, the General Assembly must come on board. It needs to approve the hiring of an appraisal firm, which would have two main tasks: To determine how much it would cost to build the road, and to determine whether the toll road would generate a profit.

Next, the Federal Highway Administration would need to OK the building of a toll road and approve its construction with asphalt rather than concrete.

A new authority would need to be created. For example, a Thruway Authority that would be independent of both PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.

It would be empowered to build the four-lane highway.

The authority would go into the New York City bond market, for example, and obtain all the necessary money to construct and operate the highway.

If the tolling process would be approved, in five or 10 years a four-lane, limited-access highway would become a reality.

This highway would potentially be an economic powerhouse for this region.

Remember that a toll road is better than no road.

Paul Rinker

Lilly