JOHNSTOWN — Work is scheduled to begin Monday on two Cambria County bridges, one on Route 219 near Northern Cambria and one that spans Route 219 near New Germany, PennDOT said.

The bridge that spans Emeigh Run in Susquehanna Township outside Northern Cambria will be replaced. An 8.1-mile detour will be in effect.

The $660,120 project is expected to be completed by late August.

Near New Germany, the bridge on Tower Road that spans Route 219 will be rehabilitated. Traffic will be reduced to a single lane during work.

That project is part of a $5.7 million project that will see three bridges on Route 219 in central Cambria County being rehabilitated and nearly 10 miles of Route 219 being resurfaced. The other two bridges are located where Pensacola Road and Route 22 intersect.

All work on that project is expected to be completed by the end of October.

Ex-junior fireman admits setting blazes

SOMERSET – A former junior firefighter has admitted setting two fires in Boswell.

Kenneth Roy Beeman, 19, of Boswell, pleaded guilty this week in Somerset County court to two counts of arson and one count each of recklessly endangering another person and criminal mischief.

Beeman admitted setting a fire Dec. 5, 2010, at a home in the 200 block of Quemahoning Street. He used matches to ignite insulation in the basement ceiling, police said.

He also admitted starting a basement fire Jan. 5 in a home on Main Street.

No one was injured in either fire.

Beeman is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 5 before President Judge John M. Cascio.

Police arrest 5 in shoplifting ring

INDIANA – Five members of a shoplifting ring have been charged with stealing several thousand dollars worth of merchandise from the Walmart stores in Indiana and Blairsville.

State police identified them as John J. Waldenville Sr., John J. Waldenville Jr., Angela Boggio, Marjorie Manno and a juvenile girl, all of Black Lick.

Police said the five conspired to steal the items on various dates in May and June.

Crash injures 2 from Cambria County

JEROME – Two people were injured in a one-car accident on Route 219 in Jenner Township, south of Jerome, just before 11 a.m. Friday.

State police said the driver, Joseph M. Lechene, 24, of Carrolltown, and Jenifer L. Peterson, 30, of Northern Cambria, were taken to Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown.

Both are in fair condition, a hospital spokeswoman said Friday night.

Lechene was southbound when his car went out of control, went off the roadway and struck a tree, police said.

Driver hurt in Richland accident

A driver was injured in a one-vehicle crash Friday morning in Richland Township.

Crystal Fyock, no age or  address available, was driving a Honda CRV south on

Route 219 when she lost control at the Scalp Avenue exit and the vehicle overturned, township police said.

The crash happened at 5:59 a.m.

Fyock was taken to Memorial Medical Center in Johns­town. A hospital spokeswoman said she was treated and released.

Boating law includes Wozniak amendment

A bill intended to close loopholes in the state’s law on boating while intoxicated has been signed into law.

The bill includes an amendment by state Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, that allows an offender’s driving record to be used to determine prior convictions.

The bill elevates the charge of homicide by watercraft from a third-degree felony to a second-degree felony, raising the maximum sentence for first offenders from seven to 10 years in prison.

“Hopefully, as the summer heats up and boaters load their coolers, they’ll understand that the law is tougher and tighter,” Wozniak said.

The law will take effect in 60 days.

Blood tests available at Windber hospital

WINDBER – Blood testing will be done from 7 to 10 a.m. July 23 at the laboratory at Windber Medical Center,

600 Somerset Ave., Windber.

A 12- to 14-hour fast is recommended.

A $30 donation will cover a variety of tests. Additional tests will be available for $20 per test.

To schedule an appointment, call 467-3493.

Walk-ins are welcome.

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