Sailor’s family asks to keep service private

Friends and family of a fallen sailor are asking area residents to show their support today by displaying U.S. flags and patriotic yard signs in their neighborhoods.

Samuel Lewis Stiles’ family, anticipating the possibility of large crowds for his 11 a.m. funeral service at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Richland Township, has requested that the public respect their wishes for the event to remain a private affair for family and close friends. Instead, the public should pray for them, church officials said.

The 25-year-old petty officer second class will be laid to rest this afternoon.

Stiles was found dead at a Nagasaki, Japan, train station on Oct. 28. His death is under investigation.

Purple Heart chapter awards $500

BEDFORD – The Military Order of the Purple Heart

Chapter 992 recently presented a check for $500 to the Military Moms and Friends of Bedford.

Wanda Ickes, welfare officer, made the presentation with Louise Richards, treasurer, and Debbie Stellfox, co-president.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart meets at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at VFW Post 9219 at 219 Ferguson Road, Schellsburg. All Purple Heart recipients are encouraged to attend, officers said.

Luminary lighting service planned Saturday

Forest Lawn Memorial Park will hold its annual Remembrance Luminary Lighting Service at 3 p.m. Saturday at the chapel on the cemetery grounds.

This is the fifth year for the service, which is highlighted by the reading of the Remembrance List of those who died from 2011 through the present. Special requests also will be read.

The public is invited to attend.

County official backs move to cut her post

EBENSBURG – At first glance, Jury Commissioner Vickie Long might seem like the last person who’d support a county decision that will cut her position next year.

But the Republican jury commissioner said she sought the seat three years ago knowing it might be a one-term deal.

“I’m in agreement with the commissioners’ decision,” Long said, noting the jury commissioner cuts will be a real savings to taxpayers.

 She said she also supports the decision of Commissioners Mark Wissinger and Doug Lengenfelder to turn over the duties to the court administrator’s office – a move many counties across the state have taken.

“It’s a natural fit,” she said.

Event set for prospective grad students

Cresson – The Mount Aloysius College Division of Graduate and Continuing Education will hold an introductory reception Wednesday for area residents considering graduate school.

The event will be held at 6 p.m. and will include light refreshments.

Graduate school offerings at Mount Aloysius include master’s degrees in business administration, community counseling and general psychology. Program coordinators for all three graduate programs will be joined by financial aid counselors. Presenters will discuss coursework and answer questions.

Anyone wishing to attend should call to register at 886-6406 or email gce@mtaloy.edu.  

State art contest focuses on aviation

Youngsters are invited to learn about aviation and express their creativity through the PennDOT Bureau of Aviation’s annual art contest.

This year’s contest theme, “50 Years of American Space Flight,” encourages pupils to learn more about aviation, from airplane development to flights into space.

Entries will be judged in two divisions: First through third grades, and fourth and fifth grades. Entries must be postmarked by Nov. 29.

There will be 22 statewide winners, with one winner from each division selected from each of PennDOT’s 11 district offices. Winners will receive a certificate and an enlarged copy of their entry.

For more information, call (717) 783-8800.

Cyber security group lauds IUP

IUP was one of seven universities in Pennsylvania and 118 in the nation recognized by the National Cyber Security Alliance for its work in connection with National Cyber Security Awareness Month.

The Information Technology Services team at IUP has created resources including an information protection plan and mobile device security guidelines for students and faculty members. It also created a mini-website devoted to National Cyber Security Awareness Month and released weekly cybersecurity tips through its online news presence.

The National Cyber Security Alliance is a nonprofit organization that works with government, industry, nonprofit and academic sectors to help people use the Internet safely and securely.

 

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