JOHNSTOWN —
A small natural gas fire in a rural part of Lower Yoder Township has been extinguished.
A contractor and crews from the well’s West Virginia-based operator closed a valve Monday afternoon that was leaking a small stream of natural gas into the air.
The small flare-up occurred Sunday after a pressure regulator failed at the gas well and escaping gas was ignited by a burner used to warm gas produced by the formation below, T&F Exploration spokesman Dave Mashek said.
“T&F notified the state Department of Environmental Protection and local emergency responders in accordance with state regulations,” he added, noting there was no environmental or safety risk to the community.
Holiday Shopping Bazaar will be held Thursday
More than 40 area vendors will be at Somerset Country Club, 416 Plank Road, on Thursday as part of Chamber Holiday Shopping Bazaar.
From 3 to 6 p.m., customers can browse and shop from an array of local businesses, nonprofit organizations and home-based companies offering a variety of items and gifts in one convenient location.
This first-time event is designed to showcase what businesses and services the region has to offer not only during the holiday season but year-round.
The list of those participating range from chain retailers such as Giant Eagle to local merchants that include Somerset Candy Co. and Cascio’s Fruit Market to small owner-operator vendors and artisans.
Light refreshments will be available for those in attendance.
The event is free and open to the public.
For additional information, call 445-6431 or info@somersetcountychamber.com.
Pitt-Johnstown to host annual Light Up Night
Pitt-Johnstown will usher in the holiday season at its sixth annual Light Up Night beginning at 5 p.m. today.
The community is invited to attend the event, which will take place at University Square, where the Goodwill Arches will be illuminated.
Members of the UPJ concert choir will lead the audience in traditional holiday songs while PJ the Mountain Cat, the school’s mascot, will lead the traditional stroll under the arches.
In keeping with the spirit of goodwill, the Staff Association Council will be collecting nonperishable food items and monetary donations for the Walnut Grove Emergency Food Bank.
Backroads literary magazine will be collecting clothing for the YWCA.
Collection bins will be available at the event.
Cambria approves lease for communications tower space
EBENSBURG – The Cambria County commissioners have approved a lease agreement with MultiComm for communications tower space to improve 911 radio communications along the Route 53 corridor in the Ashville area.
The additional tower space – at a cost of $200 a year – should address 80 percent of the problems, Steve Ettien, the county’s informational system director, said.
President Commissioner Douglas Lengenfelder said the county continues to work on finding ways to eliminate the “dead spots” in the radio transmissions.
County owned bridge slated for replacement
GALLITZIN – The Wildwood Bridge, a Cambria County-owned span, is expected to be replaced in two years,
the county commissioners were advised last week.
The bridge is located on Ice Plant Road between Loretto and Gallitzin. It is slated for replacement under a program that is 100 percent funded by the federal and state governments.
The commissioners gave their OK to procedures to be followed by the state Department of Transportation – which will oversee the project – in selecting a consultant for engineering and construction inspection.
Group raises $1,500 for Windber Area Museum
The Community Recreation Circle of Friends recently held a fundraiser to raise money for the Windber Area Museum.
The group was able to present a $1,500 check to the museum.
Dolores Block is the group’s president.
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