NEW ORLEANS — The christening of the USS Somerset has been set for July 28.

The ship will be christened by Mary Jo Myers, the ship’s sponsor and wife of retired Air Force Gen. Richard Myers. Mrs. Myers will break a bottle of champagne across the Somerset’s bow, thereby officially naming it.

The San Antonio-class transport dock joins sister ships the USS New York and USS Arlington, all named for the terrorist sites of 9/11.

Somerset County President Commissioner John Vatavuk and his wife Janet are expected to attend as guests of Ray Mabus, secretary of the Navy.

Motorist charged in fatal Bedford crash

BEDFORD – A man whose vehicle crossed the center line and slammed into an oncoming vehicle in Bedford Township, killing a 5-year-old boy, had a blood alcohol level of 0.18 percent, more than twice the legal limit to operate a vehicle, state police said.

Cory Franklin Childers, 23, of Bedford also had narcotics in his system at the time of the April 29 crash, police said.

Childers has been charged with homicide by vehicle while DUI, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, homicide by vehicle, DUI, involuntary manslaughter and a number of summary counts.

Childers, who is in the Bedford County Jail on a parole violation, was arraigned by District Judge Cyril H. Bingham of Bedford and returned to jail. His preliminary hearing is set for Wednesday in Bedford County Central Court, Everett.

Police said Childers was traveling north on Business Route 220 near the Bedford turnpike interchange when he crossed into the southbound lane and struck a vehicle driven by Amanda Jean Winters, 28, of Hagerstown, Md.

The 5-year old, not named by police, was thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.

Loretto driver facing jail sentence

EBENSBURG – A 21-year-old Loretto man faces a prison term when he is sentenced July 24 by Judge Patrick Kiniry in a fatal traffic crash in which he was driving drunk.

Kevin McElheny pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide, involuntary manslaughter and drunken driving in the August, 2010, crash in which 19-year-old Daniel W. LeComte of Ashville was killed. State police said LeComte was a backseat passenger in a Jeep Cherokee that went out of control and hit a tree. The accident happened around 3 a.m. Aug. 7, 2010, on Lemon Drop Road in East Carroll Township. LeComte died three days later.

Under a plea agreement, prosecutors are recommending a 16- to 32-month jail term, followed by five years probation.

McElheny, who was 19 at the time of the accident, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.104 percent, police said.

Poker run planned to benefit Wilmore girl

 EBENSBURG – A poker run to benefit Kylie Klock will be held Saturday, starting at

1 p.m. from the Ebensburg Mini Mall.

Registration will begin at

10 a.m. at Yesterday’s Party.

There will be five stops, ending at the Lilly fire hall. Raindate is July 28.

Kylie, the 19-month-old daughter of Dana and Brad Klock of Wilmore, was diagnosed at the age of 10 months with Pompe disease, a rare neuromuscular disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness, serious heart problems and breathing difficulties.

She has to undergo biweekly treatments at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, has follow-up doctor appointments and is on daily medications.

Information: info@become-a-friend.org or by calling (814) 341-0346.

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