Southmont firefighters extinguish home fire
Fire of undetermined origin started a fire in the attic and roof of a home in the 100 block of Violet Street in Southmont on Friday afternoon.
The home is owned and occupied by Beverly Fine.
Firefighters had the fire under control in about 10 minutes, said Southmont Deputy Fire Chief Mike Butler. He said firefighters did a good job of protecting the home’s contents from water damage through the use of salvage covers.
Butler described damage as minimal to the three-story home.
Also responding to the 1:30 alarm were volunteers from Westwood, West Hills, and Upper Yoder and Lower Yoder townships.
PennDOT invites comments on bridge rehabilitation
PennDOT said it will host a public meeting and plans display for the Krings Bridge Rehabilitation on Route 4041, Kring Street, in Richland and Stonycreek townships in Cambria County and Conemaugh Township in Somerset County.
The display will introduce the projects and allow the public a chance to review and comment on the proposed project, construction and detour, as well as comment on potential environmental and community effects. PennDOT representatives will be available to answer questions and receive input.
The meeting will be held in an open house format from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday at the Conemaugh Township Building, 1120 Tire Hill Road.
Two motorists killed in Westmoreland crash
GREENSBURG – Two Westmoreland County men were killed when their vehicles crashed Thursday afternoon on Route 119 in East Huntingdon Township.
Joseph B. Halley, 18, of Hunker, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Westmoreland County coroner’s office. Norman J. Peretti, 49, of Scottdale, was pronounced dead at Frick Medical Center.
State police said Halley had been traveling northbound in a 2000 Dodge Neon, and Peretti was southbound in a 1999 Chevrolet Metro.
Halley’s vehicle crossed a grass median into the southbound lane and struck the other vehicle, police said.
Witnesses are asked to call state police: (724) 832-3288.
Greater Johnstown holds line on school taxes
Taxes in the Greater Johnstown School District will remain the same in 2008-09, the board decided in adopting a tentative budget.
The proposed budget calls for outlays of $37.6 million, down about $1 million from the current budget, Superintendent Barbara Parkins said.
The district was able to reduce the budget mainly because of the 39 teachers who retired in the past year, she said. Newer teachers have lower salaries than the veteran educators who retired, she said.
The millage remains at 46.8 mills.
For a property with a $10,000 assessed value, the taxes would amount to $463.
The budget will be open for public inspection for 30 days, with final adoption in late June.
Police warn residents to keep cars, homes locked
BERLIN – Police in Berlin Borough are warning residents to keep cars and homes locked. Authorities noted a recent increase in burglaries and thefts, mostly involving unlocked vehicles and homes.
Anyone who witnesses a crime or suspicious activity may contact Berlin police: 445-1525.
Tennis Center announces summer programs
EBENSBURG – The borough’s new Tennis Center is now offering several summer programs and an all-you-can-play tennis pass.
Junior programs include Future Champions for ages 9 to 16, and Quickstart Tennis, in various groups for ages 4 to 8. Pee Wee Tennis is for youngsters with some beginner experience, followed by Next Level.
The summer unlimited pass runs through Sept. 22 for members of the center.
For more information, go to EbensburgTennisCenter.com or call 471-2980.
Local News
In brief
- Local News
-
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
-
Cambria abolishes 16 jobs
Following through on promises to cut budget costs, the Cambria County commissioners voted Thursday to abolish 16 positions, including nine full-time jobs.
-
Blogging with heart
Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. -
Wozniak defends his support of drilling bill
State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, one of only seven Democrats to support the Marcellus Shale legislation adopted this week, said the bill protects the environment and provides help to local communities impacted by the natural gas drilling.
-
Businessman hoping to unseat Wozniak
Tim Houser uses two words – “challenging opportunity” – to describe his goal in this year’s elections.
-
Judge tosses evidence in robbery
A Cambria County prosecutor said he’ll have to drop robbery charges against a Twin Rocks woman after much of his evidence was suppressed by a judge.
-
Shooting defendant pleads to attempted murder
A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty Thursday in county court to attempted murder and theft in a Nov. 18 home invasion in which the homeowner was shot.
-
Garrett man sought in Somerset crime
An arrest warrant has been issued for Samuel McFarland Jr., 33, of Berlin Street in Garrett in connection with Saturday’s robbery of two boys outside Dollar General on East Main Street in Somerset.
-
City man shot during alleged burglary
A Johnstown man was shot during a burglary attempt in Indiana County and then burglarized a home in Armstrong County before he was arrested, authorities said Thursday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
