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PORTAGE – A Portage man, who authorities said sexually assaulted two underage girls, faces criminal charges in Cambria County Court.

Andrew David Maul, 19, of the 700 block of East Knox Avenue, waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Wednesday before District Judge Galen Decort of Portage.

County detectives said Maul allegedly had sex with a

14-year-old at his home had sex with a 15-year-old girl in the back seat of his vehicle.

The incidents took place beginning in July 2011.

Maul was charged with statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault and corruption of minors.

He is free on bond.

PennDOT auctioning used equipment

HARRISBURG – PennDOT is auctioning its used equipment in an online sale ending at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

 There are 161 items up for bid, including snowplows, anti-icing trucks, motor graders, excavators, wheel and backhoe loaders, asphalt equipment, dump trucks, spreaders, skid steers and generators.

More information is available on the website: www.asset-auctions.com by typing “47434A – PennDOT.”

Registration is required to bid.

Lunch focuses on bullying, suicide

The Windber Research Institute will host a community lunch and learn from

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday.

The event will focus on bullying and suicide and will include panel discussion on current bullying-prevention topics.   

James Bozigar will present information about the topic.  WRI trainers will be on hand to discuss the recent cost benefit analysis of bullying prevention programs and the implementation done in partnership with the Highmark Foundation and the Center for Safe Schools.

Reservations are not necessary. For information, email: k.good@wriwindber.org.

LCB member quits amid investigation

HARRISBURG – A 15-year member of the state Liquor Control Board is resigning as state ethics investigators probe whether he improperly took gifts from agency vendors.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that P.J. Stapleton, an Indiana native, wrote Gov. Tom Corbett on Thursday that his last day would be Friday.

A liquor board spokeswoman said Stapleton is referring questions to his attorney, Hank Hockeimer. Hockeimer’s office said he is out until Monday.

Stapleton’s term expired in May, but he continued serving in the $72,000-a-year post on an interim basis.

Corbett has nominated Philadelphia attorney Ken Trujillo to replace Stapleton on the three-person board.

The Inquirer said Stapleton and other liquor board officials were named in a March report by the state inspector general about gifts that included wine and tickets to sporting events.

Altoona hospitals  get tough on smoking

ALTOONA – A Blair County hospital system is banning tobacco, and says it won’t hire tobacco users, starting Jan. 1.

The Altoona Regional Health System rules will require applicants to be screened for nicotine. Those who fail can reapply after

90 days.

Despite the ban, hospital officials said they won’t require new workers to abstain from tobacco once they’re hired, though it will be encouraged.

People who already work for the hospital can use tobacco when they’re not at work, but will also be offered programs to help them quit using tobacco.

The Altoona Mirror reported Friday that the ban extends to vehicles parked in hospital lots and means workers who wish to take smoke breaks will have to clock out and leave the hospital property to do so.

Visitors could be kicked off the property for repeated violations.

Pittsburgh hiker, 73, found safe on Laurel Ridge

ROCKWOOD – A 73-year-old Pittsburgh woman has been found after she went missing overnight at Laurel Ridge State Park.

Officials with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said Jane Connelly became disoriented when she was on the Laurel Highlands hiking trail and was reported missing about 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

The woman had her dog with her, and took shelter overnight, using the animal to keep warm until searchers found her at about

8:30 a.m. Friday.