— U.S. Rep. Mark S. Critz, D-Johnstown, announced Thursday that he has co-sponsored his first bill, HR 1409, the Employee Free Choice Act.

The bill would remove barriers that prevent workers from forming unions and would strengthen penalties against companies that break the law during organizing campaigns and first contract negotiations.

The Employee Free Choice Act has been referred to the House Education and Labor Committee. It now has the support of 230 co-sponsors, including the 12th district’s late congressman, John Murtha.

Exec to jog for cancer aid

BEDFORD – Joel Kahl, 44, manager at Bedford Kenna-metal, will be jogging for the American Cancer Society.

Kahl will depart from Kennametal headquarters in Latrobe at 6 a.m. Saturday on a 60-mile trek down Route 30 and will finish at Bedford Square. The trip is expected to take about 15 hours.

He has raised a little more than $1,000 and has a goal of $1,500 by the end of his run.

For more information and possible times to see Kahl on his trip, call him at 623-4440 or Kevin Diehl at 285-0232.

Computer recycling available Saturday

The second annual free computer recycling event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Organizational Technology Systems, 1400 Eisenhower Blvd.

OTS considers the event a matter of environmental stewardship because such equipment contains high levels of lead, mercury and other pollutants, the company said in a release.

Last year’s event generated more than 12 tons of electronic equipment.

Desktop or laptop computers, printers, monitors, scanners and other computer peripherals will be accepted.

Data destruction service also will be available for anyone recycling devices containing hard drives. Deleting files and even physically damaging the machine might not be enough to prevent identity theft, the company said.

Anyone unable to attend the event can call OTS at 262-7600 to schedule a drop-off time.

PCN will air health care events

The Pennsylvania Cable Network will air coverage of the WTAJ-TV town hall on the federal health care act at 7 p.m. today and repeat it at 9 a.m.  Tuesday.

Immediately following this coverage, PCN will air the state House Insurance Committee hearing concerning the federal health care act. That program is slated to air statewide at 8:30 p.m. today and 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

PCN is a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization funded by cable television companies that voluntarily carry the network on their channel lineup.

Bridge rehab plans to be shown to public

URSINA – PennDOT will hold a public meeting and plans display  concerning the proposed Ursina Bridge rehabilitation project on Route 3047 (Second Street).

The meeting will be held in an open house format from

6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Ursina Borough Building, 418 Park St.

The project will include replacement of the bridge superstructure and minor roadway approach work. A detour route will maintain traffic during construction.

People can review and comment on the project and traffic control, as well as on potential environmental and community effects. PennDOT representatives will be available to answer questions and receive input.

Anyone requiring special aid or more information may contact the project manager, Bill Ratchford, at 696-7197 or wratchford@state.pa.us prior to the plans display.

Architect chosen for city senior center

EBENSBURG – The Cambria County commissioners have approved an agreement between Johnstown architect Jeffery Haman and the county Area Agency on Aging for planning and overseeing renovations to the Senior Activities Center in downtown Johnstown.

Haman will be paid $5,810 for his services, the commissioners said.

The agency has received a $142,500 grant for renovation work that will include converting part of the second floor into a cafe and providing new round tables for it, the commissioners said. An exercise track also will be built.

The changes are being made in an effort to attract more seniors to the centers, the commissioners said.