INDIANA – The aggravated assault case against Stephen C. Shesko of Seward will be scheduled for trial in Indiana County court, said his attorney, James Ecker of Pittsburgh.

Ecker said he waived a formal court arraignment that had been scheduled for Thursday.

Shesko is charged in connection with the Nov. 26 death of Erick D. Melius, 28, of Belsano.

Melius was a passenger in a van when he came upon a group of 28 bear hunters in Buffington Township on Nov. 24 and began yelling obscenities at them, state police said.

When Melius took a swing at a hunter, Shesko ran up and began kicking and punching him, police said

Melius went to Memorial Medical Center but checked out against a doctor’s advice.

He died two days later.



Turnpike closing planned for weekend

BREEZEWOOD – All four lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike between Breezewood and Carlisle will be closed late Saturday and early Sunday so that a contractor can demolish the last of three bridges that carry roads over the highway, the state Turnpike Commission said.

Beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, eastbound traffic will be diverted at Breezewood, and at 11:45 p.m., westbound traffic will be diverted at Carlisle in Cumberland County.

Motorists will be provided with detour instructions.

One lane in each direction is expected to be reopened by

4 a.m. Sunday, and the remaining two lanes are expected to be reopened by 8 a.m. Sunday.

The work is being done to accommodate a plan to widen the turnpike.



Ex-home operator waives hearing

PORTAGE – A Johnstown woman charged with neglect of a care-dependant person waived her preliminary hearing, an employee at the office of District Judge Galen Decort said Thursday.

Charges filed by the Summerhill Township Police Department against Cara Bennett, 51, of the 300 block of Keiper Lane, were forwarded to Cambria County court.

Bennett was the administrator of the now-closed Brunnet’s Personal Care Home when a resident was sexually attacked by another resident.

The facility was closed by the state Department of Welfare in late December and the residents were moved to other locations.

Police said Bennett failed to follow medical orders for follow-up care of the victim and did not seek psychiatric help for him.



Seward cracks down on problem properties

SEWARD – Seward Borough Council has welcomed a new member, adopted a dilapidated-structures ordinance and agreed to hold a spring cleanup.

Shawn Shaftic was sworn in at Tuesday’s meeting and will fulfill the term vacated by Ken Lynch Jr., who moved from the area earlier this year. Lynch was in the final year of his term.

Council approved the dilapidated-structures ordinance that was discussed at last month’s meeting, said borough secretary Pat Solich.

The ordinance is designed to help the borough deal more effectively with problem properties.

The ordinance is available for public scrutiny during borough office hours, Solich said.

Council agreed to hold a spring cleanup day and tentatively set it for May 9. The borough is in the process of making arrangements with its trash hauler for that date, Solich said. When the date is finalized, the borough plans to advertise it via a flier at various locations.

The cost to haul items away is $10 a pickup truck load and $20 for refrigerators that still contain coolant.



Grocery-growing workshop available

SOMERSET – Penn State Master Gardeners in Somerset County will conduct “Growing Your Own Groceries” on Wednesday at Laurel Arts,

214 S. Harrison Ave.

The session will deal with starting a home vegetable garden and will be held from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and again from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Topics covered will include what and how to plant, where and when to plant, how to take care of a garden and when to harvest. There will be time for questions and answers.

The county’s master gardeners are trained by Somerset County Cooperative Extension.

What the extension office terms a minimal registration fee will be charged.

The deadline to sign up is Monday. To register or obtain more information, call the extension office at 445-8911, ext. 7.



Chain saw safety workshop offered

EBENSBURG – The Allegheny Mountain Woodland Association will hold a chain saw safety workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 25. The event will begin with a classroom session at the Ebensburg Borough Office Community Room.

Michael Nelson, a forester for the state Bureau of Forestry, will provide a training session that includes a classroom component and a hands-on demonstration.

Everyone completing the program will receive a chain saw safety certificate.

Participants who own their own saws and safety equipment are encouraged to bring them.

The cost is $10 for AMWA members and $20 for nonmembers.

Call 472-8560 by Thursday to register.