HARRISBURG — Rob Gleason of Johnstown was re-elected chairman of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania on Saturday at the party’s  annual winter meeting.

Also re-elected were  Vice-Chairwoman Joyce Haas, Secretary John McNally, Treasurer Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh and Assistant Secretary Peg Ferraro.

“I am humbled to have earned the trust and support of our members and am honored to serve another four years as the chairman of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania with Vice Chair Joyce Haas and the rest of our leadership team,” Gleason said in a statement.

“This exciting weekend has provided us with an opportunity to discuss our party’s future growth and success, and as we leave Harrisburg today united and strong, we do so with a renewed energy to deliver Republican victories in 2013 and 2014.”

Gleason added a statement pledging party support for Gov. Tom Corbett’s agenda.



Memorial service set for World War II vet

A U.S. Army honor guard from Fort Meade, Md., will present colors during a memorial service for Joseph F. Burinda, 93, of Central City, at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Mary’s Russian Orthodox Church cemetery.

He died Wednesday at Somerset Hospital.

The honor guard will honor Mr. Burinda’s service during World War II in France, Rhineland and central Europe as part of the 131st AAA Battalion Unit D and 301st Field Artillery Battalion.

Also presenting during the service will be the Central City American Legion, of which Burinda was a 53-year member, and the VFW.

Burinda attained the rank of corporal. He received the American Service Medal, European Service Medal, three Bronze Stars, Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

Burinda was the last surviving member of the 131st AAA Battalion Unit D.



Police recover heroin during gun probe

Johnstown police recovered several bundles of heroin on Saturday during an investigation into shots fired on Cypress Avenue.

Police Sgt. Patrick Goggin said officers responded to a report of two groups of black males involved in a running gunbattle near Cypress and Frederick Street around 2:45 p.m.

A witness said two groups of men confronted each other and began shooting, he said.

Goggin said police then heard 15 to 20 shots fired on Central Avenue and recovered about $1,000 worth of heroin.

No one was reported injured in the shooting, he said.

The investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information may contact city police at 800-281-1680.



Flight 93 Memorial sets mark for visitors

SHANKSVILLE – A record number of people visited the Flight 93 Memorial in Somerset County last year, the National Park Service said.

Park Superintendent Jeff Reinbold said nearly 350,000 visitors came to the memorial in 2012, the first full calendar year after the permanent memorial was dedicated on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

Members of the Flight 93 Advisory Commission were to be briefed on the numbers at their quarterly meeting Saturday and get an update on visitor center construction due to start with a groundbreaking in spring or early summer.

The memorial marks the crash site of a hijacked United Airlines jet that investigators believe was intended for a Washington, D.C., target before the 40 passengers and crew fought back.



Meyersdale schedules kindergarten sign-ups

Meyersdale Area Elementary School has opened registration for children who will be eligible to attend kindergarten in the fall. Call the elementary school office at 634-8313, ext. 3, if you have a child who will be 5 years old before Sept. 1.

Kindergarten screening will be held May 3. A kindergarten readiness orientation will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at the elementary school. Call 634-8313, ext. 3, to register.



Jenner supervisor on state association panel

Keith Barnick, a Jenner Township supervisor, has been appointed to the publications-public relations committee of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors.

The group provides input on the association’s publications and public relations activities.



Indiana man accused of shoplifting

INDIANA – An Indiana County man was jailed Thursday after he was accused of taking items from Wal-Mart and not paying for them.

David James Prushnok, 21, of the 200 block of Forest Ridge, Indiana, allegedly attempted to steal $329.91 in merchandise from Wal-Mart in White Township, and then attempted to get a refund, state police said.

Prushnok was charged with retail theft and sent to the Indiana County Jail after failing to post $5,000 bond.

A day earlier, Prushnok allegedly entered Wal-Mart and obtained two items and took them directly to the service desk for a refund without ever buying them, troopers said.

He completed the return and was given a gift card for $296.71. A charge of retail theft is expected to be filed in that case, troopers said.



Technology centers receive state grants

Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center will receive $3,920 and Bedford County Technical Center will get $10,000 through the state’s Career and Technical Education Equipment Grant program.

The local schools were among 25 statewide that received a total of $1.64 million.

Through a competitive process, the grants provide funding for state-of-the-art equipment. Grants must be matched dollar-for-dollar by the school.

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