— Laurel: Few issues stir the emotions of our readers as do those involving the welfare of animals. Therefore, we would be surprised if the Humane Society of Cambria County has difficulty raising the $8,500 it needs to install fencing for a dog-running area. “Whenever we have potential adopters, we want them to interact with (the dogs) as much as possible,” Executive Director Jeannine Gailey said. “It’s nice to have them off the leash and let them run.” She said that a fenced running area has been a longtime dream of hers for the nonprofit. We urge readers to help make that dream come true.

Laurel: Area car clubs increasingly are gathering on weekends, showing off members’ vehicles, pleasing audiences – all while raising funds for great causes. From 4 to 8 p.m. today, an estimated 300 prized trophy vehicles will be displayed as part of the fourth annual Johnstown Galleria Super Cruise in Richland Township. Participants are being asked for a $5 donation while gawking for spectators is free. “While most are classic, vintage and hot rods, we welcome anyone who is proud to show their vehicle,” said George Cveykus, event coordinator and secretary of Cover Hill Car Club. Fire and military equipment also will be displayed. Proceeds go to Crime Stoppers to help capture lawbreakers.

Barb: Yuk. Gross. Childish. Take your pick. As our Randy Griffith reported in a story Tuesday, “Even locked up in the county jail, some troublemakers continue to be a nuisance for their neighbors, Somerset Borough leaders say.” Council members were told that on at least three occasions over the past few years, county jail inmates have flushed massive amounts of bedsheets, toothpaste tubes, medicine containers, snack bags and other items into the borough’s sewers, causing backups into nearby homes. Solicitor John Dirienzo offered to draw up an ordinance, saying, “This will take it from being something that just shouldn’t happen to something that can’t happen without a permit and pretreatment.” What a shame.

Laurel: Happy birthday to the Scalp Level Church of the Brethren Home. The “old folks home,” started 90 years ago on 30 acres of farmland, has evolved into a thriving community serving residents with varying levels of need. “We’re not just a nursing home. We’re much more,” CEO Thomas Reckner said. “It’s almost unheard of for a business to be around that long.” Indeed. It takes wise management decisions and hardworking and caring employees. Here’s to another

90 years.

Laurel: A tip of our cap to 28-year-old Tom Facciani, this year’s winner of the City Golf Championship at Berkley Hills course in  Upper Yoder Township. “I’m very happy to have won,” first-time winner Facciani said after posting a 73 for a

1-under 212 total. “I would have liked to have finished with a better score, but I will definitely take it.” Facciani beat out Derek Hayes, Sunnehanna club champion, with Richland senior Brady Moran grabbing third. Aaron Patalune, the 2011 Greater Johnstown champion, finished fourth. Annually, this is one of the most prestigious area tournaments.

Barb: On to Cambria County court goes another of those all-too-frequent cases where a trusted keeper of the people’s money is charged with stealing it. Lisa Flynn, 46, is facing trial on charges she stole more than $10,000 while she was Portage Township treasurer from 2007 through March of this year. The thefts were uncovered during an annual audit. The good news is that she hopes, in the words of her attorney, to “resolve this amicably.” “Restitution at this point is approximately $20,000,” township Solicitor Calvin Webb said.

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