An Olympic-style torch run will be held at noon Monday in Johnstown’s Central Park. The event is being held in anticipation of the Transplant Games
– an athletic competition for organ donor recipients to be held in July in Pittsburgh.
A relay run will include local athletes – all transplant recipients – who will serve as torch bearers.
A rally will be held in the park following the relay.
Johnstown Mayor Thomas Trigona and organ donor families and recipients will take part in the rally. The public is invited.
To learn more about organ and tissue donation visit donatelife-pa.org, core.org or donors1.org.
Two teens killed in wreck
LATROBE – A wreck just before 11 p.m. Thursday claimed the life of the driver and passenger in a
1999 Audi A4.
The car was driving at high speed on Route 130 when driver James R. Stulga, 19, of Irwin, lost control and struck multiple trees, state police said.
Also killed was Brian P. Shervin, 19, of Landisville.
Witnesses said a yellow Volkswagen Golf GTI possibly was racing the Audi prior to the crash. Anyone with information should call the Greensburg barracks: (724) 832-3288.
Richland Twp. bridge work scheduled
PennDOT will begin work to rehabilitate the Mount Airy Drive bridge over Route 219 in Richland Township on Monday.
Work on the project will consist of deck joint replacements, repair of the concrete piers, applying an overlay to the bridge deck, substructure repairs and resurfacing of approach roadway.
The work will require a detour following Mount Airy Drive, Oak Ridge Drive, Galleria Drive and Solomon Run Road back to Mount Airy. The detour is about three miles.
Swank Associated Cos. of New Kensington is the contractor for the $495,500 project that is anticipated to be completed by late August.
Inclined Plane extending hours
Beginning July 7, the Inclined Plane will open earlier in response to requests by morning commuters. The funicular will be opening at 8 a.m. on weekdays.
“With the rising cost of gas, we’ve seen more people using the incline as a way to commute to work in the morning,” said CamTran Chairman Ed Cernic Jr.
The gift shop will not open until 9 a.m., so riders are encouraged to buy tickets ahead of time.
The cost of 10 one-way tickets is $10. For 22 tickets, the cost is $20.
Two hurt in Jefferson Twp. ATV crash
BAKERSVILLE – Two people were injured when their ATV crashed in Jefferson Township on Thursday evening.
State police said Charles VanHorssen, 61, of Somerset was driving the ATV through a field along Grove Avenue when it went up an embankment, crossed the road, struck a large rock and hit some trees.
VanHorssen and a passenger, Patricia Pirozzi, 24, of Pittsburgh, were flown by medical helicopter to Memorial Medical Center, authorities said. Pirozzi was listed in fair condition Friday morning. A condition report on VanHorssen was not immediately available.
Another passenger, Michael Nahay of Pittsburgh, was not injured, police said.
The crash happened at 6:55 p.m.
Turnpike to offer E-ZPass sign-ups
SOMERSET – The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will offer three days of instant E-ZPass sign-ups Monday through Wednesday at its two newly rebuilt and expanded service plazas.
Sign-up teams will be working from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the North Somerset Plaza at milepost
112 westbound and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Oakmont Service Plaza at milepost 49 eastbound.
Registrants should have their driver’s license, vehicle registration car and a major credit card.
Persons wishing to enroll in the electronic fare collection program will be able to register and receive an E-ZPass tag.
An account can be opened for as little as $38.
