Johnstown City Manager Kristen Denne has received accreditation by the International City/County Management Association, a national leadership and management organization assisting local governments.
Denne is one of about 1,200 local government management professionals accredited though the organization’s voluntary credentialing program.
Accreditation requirements include senior management experience, a college degree and a demonstrated commitment to integrity, education and professional development.
“We are extremely fortunate to have a city manager of this caliber in Johnstown,” Councilwoman Ann Wilson said in a news release.
Pro bull riders stampeding to arena
The Professional Bull Riders Inc. will make its next stop on a new PBR Touring Pro Division in Johnstown.
The tour will take over the Cambria County War Memorial on April 23 and 24 for two days of bull riding action at the PBR Johnstown Invitational Touring Pro Division.
About 40 of the top riders each will face off against 2,000 pounds of bovine fury for two hours of nonstop action.
The PBR promises an up-close look at this tough sport, surrounded by pyrotechnics, fireworks and rock music.
The action will begin at 7:30 p.m. both days.
Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday and can be purchased at the War Memorial box office, by phone at (800) 745-3000, or online at ticketmaster.com.
Discounts are available for groups of 14 or more people.
For information about group sales, contact Patty Blue at 536-5156, ext. 148, or pblue@warmemorialarena.com.
Government workers earn Wii medals
SOMERSET – So it wasn’t the Winter Olympics.
But Olympics music was played and gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded Tuesday for winning Somerset County government workers taking part in a Wii wellness program.
Medals were presented for best performance in baseball, golf, home-run derby and bowling on the Wii game console, said human resources director Vince Pavic.
County employees participated on their lunch hour, Pavic said.
Area Agency on Aging employee Hilary Strope took home a gold in bowling, awarded during the county commissioners regular meeting.
“It was just a lucky day,” she said.
About 35 county workers took part in the exercise, said Strope, who is a member of the county’s wellness committee.
St. Vincent de Paul joins hunger challenge
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will participate in the annual Feinstein Challenge to Fight Hunger in America this month and in April.
The Feinstein Foundation of Rhode Island provides $1 million in grants to be divided among organizations reporting they collected monies and food to feed hungry families during the two-month period.
The society operates five food pantries – in Altoona, Carrolltown, Ebensburg, Johnstown and Patton – serving about 1,400 families per month. It also runs family kitchens in Johnstown and Altoona that serve a noon meal to more than 200 people per day at each site.
Anyone interested in making a cash donation can send a check to SVDP Feinstein Challenge, 927 Franklin St. Johns-town, Pa. 15905.
Individuals, schools, parishes or other organizations wishing to conduct a food drive can contact the society’s office at 539-4627.
Animal disease training available
HARRISBURG – Animal disease response training sessions scheduled around Pennsylvania will enable farmers, veterinarians and first responders to become frontline defenders against animal illness or agriterrorism, Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding said.
Nine training sessions will be held throughout the state beginning Friday.
Trainers from Kirkwood Community College in Iowa will present the free training.
Courses will focus on biosecurity, quarantine procedures, personal protective equipment and disease disposal, cleaning and disinfection. The college was one of only 14 applicants selected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to deliver the training.
The state Agriculture Department is recommending the courses for agricultural producers, veterinarians, animal health-care providers, law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel and others.
Dates for training in the area:
• Friday, in Clearfield.
• Saturday, in Altoona.
• Monday, in Indiana.
Registration and more
information about the courses is available at agpreparedness.org.
