Teenager injured in truck-tractor crash

SOMERSET – A teenager was injured seriously in an accident involving a farm tractor and a tractor-trailer around 1:30 p.m. Monday on Route 31, three miles west of Somerset.

The 17-year-old victim, who was driving the farm tractor, was taken by medical helicopter to Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown with life-threatening injuries, state police said. His name was not released.

Police said both the farm tractor and truck were traveling west with the truck following the tractor. Police said the tractor was traveling at a slow rate of speed and was attempting to make a left turn onto Windsor Street. Police said the truck, driven by William E. Rose Jr., 41, was attempting to pass the farm tractor on the left side. Rose did not realize that the tractor was turning and struck it, the report said.



Aluminum stolen from Tire Hill sign company

DAVIDSVILLE – Conemaugh Township police are searching for thieves who made off with more than $1,000 in aluminum from a Tire Hill sign company.

Police said aluminum plates, angles, and tubing were taken from the Minahan Sign Co. on Tire Hill Road between Aug. 1 and 4.

Anyone with information is asked to contact township police at 288-1400.



Two men accused of stealing copper

Two Johnstown men were released from jail on unsecured bail Monday after a preliminary hearing where they were accused of stealing $5,000 worth of copper.

Adam Michael Smith, 27, and Karl Henry Smith, 22, both of Woodvale Avenue, waived their right to a preliminary hearing Monday before District Judge Mary Ann Zanghi of Vinco.

They allegedly stole the copper from Norfolk Southern Corp. last month. Police from East Conemaugh and Johnstown were called to the Plum Street area, where two men in dark clothes allegedly were using an all-terrain vehicle with no headlights to drag a large wooden spool of wire down the street.

Police found a knife, handheld radios, two quad runners, bolt cutters, a cellular phone, binoculars and a large wooden spool of copper wire.

The Smiths were charged with theft and related offenses.



Gannon offering classes at Richland High School

Gannon University once again will offer its master of education in curriculum and instruction program in Johnstown.

Classes will be offered at Richland High School on Saturdays during the school year, and for two one-week sessions in the summer. The first course will begin Aug. 23.

The program consists of 37 credits, including 12 credits of electives. The degree can be completed in as few as five semesters.

Tuition is $485 per credit and is guaranteed for the length of the program.

Applications will be processed until the program reaches full enrollment.

For more information, contact Gannon’s graduate admission office at 871-7474 or www.gannon.edu/edoutreach.



Travel-lane switch not expected to cause delays

A travel-lane switch began Monday in a construction zone on Route 219 near the

Route 30 interchange in Jenner Township.

The contractor, Swank Associated Companies Inc. of New Kensington, is working in the passing lane of the roadway.

There should be no delays because of this change. Motorists are encouraged to obey traffic-control devices within the work zone and be aware of any changes that occur.

This $2.2 million project is expected to be completed by mid-August 2009.



Beams will be set today on Route 281 bridge

PennDOT announced that motorists can expect delays today on the Route 281 bridge over Beaverdam Creek near Stoystown.

The contractor will be setting beams that will require a crane to be in the travel lane of the bridge.

Traffic will be stopped during placement of the beams and motorists can expect 10 to 15 minute delays during the process.

The overall project consists of replacing the existing structure with a single span, adjacent box-beam bridge.

The project also includes roadway approach work, guiderails and drainage updates.

Mingo Creek Construction LP of Meadow Lands, Washington County, is the contractor for the $1.7 million project, and this phase is anticipated to last for one day.