A court date for a Windber man accused of bilking an older Cambria County woman out of more than $800,000 has been rescheduled.

Andrew Solensky Jr., 54, of Somerset Avenue, will appear before District Judge John Barron of Upper Yoder Township on Oct. 29.

West Hills Regional police said Solensky befriended the woman in the early 1990s and became her caregiver and handyman.

Solensky allegedly billed the woman for home repairs that were never completed and inflated the cost of other items.

He faces one count of forgery and 18 counts of theft by deception.

Solensky was sent to Cambria County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bond.

Man in standoff charged, jailed

ALTOONA – An Altoona man who threatened to stab police and barricaded himself inside a second-floor bathroom with an 11-month-old child was jailed Tuesday on multiple charges.

City police were called to assist Blair County Parole and Probation office at 1617 2nd Ave., where George Rodgers was holed up inside.

After Rodgers refused to surrender, police forced their way in.

The suspect fled to the third floor, where he barricaded himself inside a cubby hole.

The child was recovered and taken to safety, police said.

Rodgers threatened to stab officers with a hypodermic needle and attempted to strike officers with a piece of wood, police said.

Police used pepper spray to subdue him.

Rodgers will be charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, endangering the welfare of children, reckless endangerment and simple assault.

He is being held in Blair County Prison until he is arraigned.

State House OKs bill to increase ATV weight

The state House on Tuesday passed legislation authored by Rep. Gary Haluska, D-Cambria, that would increase the maximum weight of ATVs and snowmobiles allowed on Pennsylvania’s trails.

Haluska’s proposal would update the state’s existing law to define Class 1 ATVs as weighing a maximum of 1,000 pounds when dry, including snowmobiles.

Currently, the law only allows ATVs to weigh a maximum of 800 pounds when dry, and Haluska said this outdated weight restriction is hurting Pennsylvania’s tourism economy.

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Pitt-Johnstown to honor Murtha

The Pitt-Johnstown Alumni Association is honoring U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, the recipient of the Pitt-Johnstown Alumni Association 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award, at a luncheon being held in his honor.

The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 31, at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Living/Learning Center Heritage Hall. To register for the luncheon, contact the Pitt-Johnstown Institutional Advancement Office at 269-2080.

For additional information, visit www.upj.pitt.edu/alumni.

Police have suspect in Internet fraud

DERRY – State police said Wednesday they believe they know who billed a resident’s account for $39.99 for Internet pornography.

Police said the man located a written check belonging to Stacey Phillips, 40, of Derry and used the account number to file an electronic check to pay for the porn. The incident occurred Sept. 22.

The investigation continues.

Senior Health Fair set for Monday

A Senior Health Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at the Greater Johnstown Community YMCA, 100 Haynes St.

The health fair, which is geared to older adults and those who care for them, will include various health assessments and information.

Maxim Health Systems will give free flu shots to those who qualify – Medicare eligible with Medicare card.

Information on the SilverSneakers Fitness Program will be available. A lecture of Total Hip and Knee Replacement will be given at 1 p.m.

Free chair massages and refreshments will be available.

March of Dimes seeks businesses to help

The Keystone Division of the March of Dimes is seeking businesses to participate in their annual Blue Jeans for Babies campaign.

Held during October and November, businesses may participate by allowing employees to wear jeans for a $5 donation which will give them a Blue Jeans for Babies button and the right to “dress down.”

For more information, contact Kimberly Tweedy at ktweedy@marchofdimes.com.

Food allergies program deadline is today

SOMERSET – A Penn State Better Kid Care program titled “Food Allergies – Safe Feeding Issues” will be presented from 7 to 9 p.m. at Somerset County Cooperative Extension’s conference room in Partners Hall at 6024 Glades Pike.

Advance registration is required by today. To register call Somerset County Cooperative Extension at 445-8911 ext. 7 or visit www.pakeys.org.

Free dementia screening available

Laurel Highlands Alzheimer’s Foundation will sponsorBernie Hornick 10/8/08 oct8 a free early dementia screening from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Senior Citizens Center, 550 Main St., Johnstown.

Appointments are required and refreshments will be served.

More information: 536-1555.

Farmers welcome to attend program

Cambria County farmers will have an opportunity to attend the No-Till and Cover Crop Field Day from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Dave Myers farm in Summerhill.

The program will emphasize utilizing manure in no-till systems, as well as no-till’s impact on reducing water pollution.

Pesticide credits will be available.

The event is sponsored by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Cambria County Conservation District.

Attendance is free and lunch will be provided by the PA Ombudsman Program.

Pre-registration is required by Oct. 10. To register, contact Lou Kopczyk at 472-2120.

Financial and other support for this field day is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts Inc. and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Chesapeake Bay Program.

Memorial offering candy exchange

Memorial Medical Center’s Conemaugh Diabetes Institute and Boscov’s are offering a treat for diabetic children ages 14 and younger.

Children with diabetes can bring their bags of candy in to the Boscov’s courtesy desk at either their Johnstown or Altoona location between Oct. 29 and Nov. 5 and have them exchanged for a Boscov’s gift certificate.

Participants must pre-register by calling (866) 641-3828.