03/10/2010 - As many of you know, there will be a benefit concert on Saturday March 13 @ 7:00 p.m. to benefit Jami Craig as she continues to recover. The act is a mentalist named Craig Karges.  He has been seen on dozens of network television shows including Jay Leno and Larry king Live.  Check him out at [...] Related posts:

1. Pa. Firefighters Call for Compensation Law By Paul Paterra – TRIBUNE-REVIEW Pennsylvania’s firefighters are lobbying for...

03/10/2010 - Black Diamond Fire boots Receive The Seal Of Acceptance From The American Podiatric Medical Association The First and Only Fire Boot to Receive the Coveted APMA Seal WOBURN, MA (March 9, 2010) – Black Diamond is pleased to announce it is the first fire boot company to be awarded the coveted Seal of Acceptance from the American [...] Related posts:

1. Three new medical helicopters to join West Mifflin-based STAT MedEvac By Tom Fontaine TRIBUNE-REVIEW Original Article Link West Mifflin-based STAT...
2. Follow Hoopie World on Twitter, Mailing List, & RSS Feed Be sure to follow Hoopie World on Twitter.  You will...

03/10/2010 - On February 16th, 2010, Penn Hills stations 222 and 221 were alerted for an accident with entrapment on Nadine Road.  The crew cut out the windshield of the vehicle to free the operator. For more information and pictures visit Penn Hills Station 222’s site at http://www.rosedalevfd.org/ Related posts:Penn Hills Responds to Residential Structure Fire Penn Hills Fire [...] Related posts:

1. Penn Hills Responds to Residential Structure Fire Penn Hills Fire Companies were dispatched to Sampson Street in...
2. Penn Hills Responds to Vehicle Accident with Vehicle on Fire On Thursday, January 28th, Penn Hill responded to a motor...
3. Penn Hills MVA – Frankstown at Verona Road On July 18th, 2009, Station 225 and 227 Rescue were...

03/10/2010 - On Tuesday, February 16th, 2010, another area barn collapsed.  This one in Elizabeth Twp at the Fallen Timber Stables on Fallen Timber Road.  The roof over the indoor arena portion of the stables collapsed.  Here is the report from Central VFC’s site: At 11:22 Township Fire was alerted for a reported Barn Collapse with unknown injuries, [...] Related posts:

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03/10/2010 - Carbon VFC responded to a head-on accident on February 15th, 2010 on Lincoln Highway.  Here is the report from their site: A vehicle driving the wrong way on the Lincoln Highway caused a head-on collision involving two cars around 2030 hours (8:30PM) on Monday, February 15th, 2010. The crash sent one person to the hospital with [...] Related posts:

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12/21/2009 -

Shortly before 1:00 P.M. on the afternoone of Friday, December 18th, Hope Fire Company was alerted to a working vehicle fire inside an attached garage. Immediately after dispatch, Reliance Captain 1204 (Bloom) advised he was in the area with a working fire. Given the report by 1204 and the smoke column visible from the down town area, Chief 1100 (Butterworth) requested two additional engines be added to the box for manpower due to the time of day. Engine 11-10, with a crew of five, arrived on scene of the working fire and hit a hydrant laying 500' of LDH supply line. Truck 12-16 arrived on scene with 11-10, took the address, and set up to go to the roof for ventilation of the split level house. The engine crew streched two 1 3/4" handlines and entered the "A" side of the structure to begin an interrior attack. Engine 13-10 (Sandy Ridge) arrived and established a secondary water supply. An aggressive interrior attack was made with the assistance from the crews of Mountain Top fire Company of Sandy Ridge, Chester Hill Hose Company, Columbia Fire Company of Osceola Mills, and Houtzdale Fire Company. Medic 23-51 was standing by on scene and provided firefighters with refreshments. The fire was contained to the garage and upstairs bedrooms that were well involved upon arrival. While not considered suspicious in nature, the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal was called to determine the cause of the blaze. No injuries were reported and the house, which is considered to be a total loss, was insured. Crews from the Philipsburg Fire Department and surrounding companies were on scene for approximately four hours. Engine Rescue 17 (Morris Township) was on stand-by in their station for Philipsburg.

Units operating on scene: Engines 11-10, 12-10, 13-10, Clfd 14 and Clfd 22-2. Truck 12-16, Rescue 11-18, Clfd Squad 23, Medic 23-51, and 23-52.

Command: Chief 1100 (Butterworth)          Operations: Deputy 1101 (Huber)

12/01/2009 -

Spring Smoker Gun & Money Raffle
Pig Roast

Hope Fire Co. Recreation Center
500 Sixth Street
Philipsburg

Saturday, March 20, 2010
Doors Open at 5:00 p.m.

Donation: $10.00 per ticket
1 Guest per Ticket - $5.00 at door

10 Guns

1.     Remington 700 CDL, Bolt, Wood, Blued, Various Calibers
2.     Marlin 925M, Blot, Wood, Blued, 22Mag
3.     Mossberg 500 Pump, Wood, Blued, 3”, 12 or 20 Gauge
4.     Remington 870 Express, Pump, Hardwood, Blued, 3”, 12 or 20 Gauge
5.     Marlin 915YP, Lever, Camo, Blued, 22LR
6.     Savage 10 Predator, Bolt, Mossy Oak, 223, 204, 22-250, 243
7.     Mossberg Silver Reserve, Wood, Engraved, Over/Under, 3”, 12 Gauge
8.     Henry H001, Lever, Wood, Blued, 22LR
9.     Rossi Youth Combo, Single Shot, Synthetic, 410 Barrel and 22LR Barrel
10.   Ruger 10/22, Semi, Hardwood, Stainless Steel, 22LR

(All gun prizes will be awarded in the form of a Wal-Mart Gift Card)

10 Cash Prizes

1.     $500
2.     $250
3.     $150
4.     $200
5.     $150
6.     $400
7.     $250
8.     $150
9.     $200
10.   $250

Ticket stub must be shown at the door.
Winner responsible for all PIC fee's
PA Small Games of Chance License No. 2505

Tickets can also be obtained by contacting any Hope Fire Company member.

03/09/2010 -

Someone shot two windows in the Dingman-Delaware Elementary School between Thursday evening and Friday morning.

PA State Trooper Kevin Varcoe reports someone used a small caliber weapon and shot two windows at DDES on Route 739, between 5 pm, March 4 and 7:30 am, March 5.

Varcoe said the projectiles traveled across he classroom and hit a block wall. Small lead fragments were found on the floor where the projectiles had hit.

Anyone with information concerning this incident should contact PSP Blooming Grove at 570-226-5718.

03/09/2010 -

A Westfall man was arrested last Thursday for inappropriately touching a minor last November in Milford.

Milford Police Department and the PA State Police arrested Harold Thompson, Jr., on March 4. Police allege he inappropriately grabbed a minor in November 2009 at location on Mott Street in Milford Borough.

Thompson was arraigned before District Magistrate Deborah Fischer and he was remanded to the Pike County Correctional Facility in Lords Valley after he failed to post $25,000 bail.

03/04/2010 -

With warming temperatures and melting snows possible this weekend, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) warns motorists to take precautions while driving and not to attempt to pass through high water caused by blocked drains. PennDOT urges motorists to be aware of safety hazards that may pose a potential risk and to DRIVE FOR CONDITIONS.
 
Be aware of standing pools of water in poor drainage areas and those areas still blocked by ice and snow. They could cause hydroplaning and loss of control. Motorists are always urged to drive for conditions they encounter. PennDOT warns motorists not to drive across roads covered with water because the water may be deeper than it looks. Motorists who encounter water covered roads are encouraged to turn around and seek another route. Motorists are also warned not to attempt to drive around barriers on any closed roads.
 
Water can affect your ability to see clearly and maneuver a vehicle. Hydroplaning--when a vehicle’s tires lose contact with the roadway and ride on a film of water--also can happen at any speed and on any road surface.
 
Here are some other tips for safe driving during wet weather:

• DO NOT attempt to drive over a flooded or closed road. Turn around and go another way;

• DO NOT underestimate the destructive power of fast-moving water. Two feet of fast-moving flood water will float your car. Even slow moving water can sweep cars off a road or bridge;

• DO NOT attempt to drive around downed trees or utility lines. Turn around and go another way;

• Slow down. Driving a little slower on wet surfaces is always a good idea;

• Try to stay at least two car lengths behind the car in front of you;

• Check your wiper blades – replace them if they feel “pitted” or rough to the touch. Ice or small pebbles on the windshield may have damaged them during the winter;

• Check your headlights – both low and high beams – before heading out to see if all of the bulbs are working;

• Use headlights and windshield defrosters to make sure you can see ahead and behind you as clearly as possible;

• As you travel, monitor weather reports for the latest information;

• Keep your automobile fueled. If electric power is cut off, gasoline stations may not be able to pump fuel. Have a small disaster supply kit in the trunk of your car;

• If you are in your car and water begins to rise rapidly around you, abandon the vehicle immediately.
 
Motorists within Pennsylvania may call PennDOT’s 24-hour, toll-free road condition hotline by dialing “511.” PennDOT also encourages motorists to visit its travel information page at www.511PA.com before heading out.
 

03/02/2010 -

A 26-year-old Maryland man pleaded guilty in the strangulation death of a Lakeville man who disappeared in December 2006.

Duna Turon Bulow of Glenn Burne, MD, pleaded guilty to one count of  Voluntary Manslaughter, graded as a Felony of the First Degree. He was arrested in March 2008 on charges he murdered Leonard Richard Prahl, 55, in his Lakeville home and dumped the body in a ravine in Jessup, Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

The body was found in February 2007. According to court records Prahl and Bulow had become friends in December 2006 when Prahl was visiting family in Maryland and the two men returned together in Prahl’s car to Lakeville.

In December, Bulow told a man he met for a drug deal in Maryland he had worked for a man and strangled him. Bulow then showed the man the body in the trunk of the car. Bulow also told two other people he had strangled Prahl.

The Wayne County District Attorney said in a release that evidence at trial revealed Bulow was staying with Prahl in Lakeville, on Dec. 15, 2006, when Prahl prepared the defendant a drink. After the drinks, Bulow became suddenly groggy and unstable. He  passed out in the home’s kitchen.

He awoke naked on the couch in the living room and  with lubrication on his buttock. Bulow suspected he had been raped, by Prahl whom he knew to be a homosexual. Enraged he attacked Prahl in his bedroom and strangled him. He then dumped the body in Maryland.

Bulow had been expected to plead guilty to criminal homicide last November, but changed his mind before the plea was entered in Wayne County Court.

Bulow will be sentenced April 15.

03/01/2010 -

PennDOT officials said Route 739 will be limited to one lane Tuesday through Thursday for testing borings for a bridge replacement project.

Subsurface borings will be conducted near the Route 739  bridge over an outlet to McConnell Creek in Blooming Grove Township from Tuesday March 2 through Thursday, March 4. Route 739 will be down to one lane between I-84 and Route 2006 during the work.

03/10/2010 -

School board members Tuesday night discussed the Waynesboro Area School District’s school resource officer position, but were unable to reach a resolution over how it can be funded.

The SRO position currently is filled by Waynesboro Police Officer Travis Carbaugh.

Several directors stressed that while they believe the SRO position is beneficial, paying for it is a legal matter.

The position, created in 2008, was previously paid for with grant funding, which is now exhausted.

Conflicting opinions

Some directors used case law to explain that using school district funds to pay for the SRO would be illegal, while others referenced information recently received from the Pennsylvania Department of Education that cited a provision in the school code that allows school districts to hire a school policeman.

Solicitor James Flower said he considered the information received from the department of education as partially correct.

“What I was told from PDE was only half correct,” he said.

He referred to the school code and explained that school districts can hire a school police officer as an employee of the school district, but cannot pay an officer who is employed by a municipality.

Director Leland Lemley asked Flower if it was correct that PDE does not have the authority to override legislative law.

“Correct,” Flower said.

He noted that a school officer could exercise the same authority as an officer in a municipality if Waynesboro receives court approval.

Null and void

Lemley stressed to the members of the public in attendance at Tuesday night’s meeting that the SRO salary and benefits have never been paid for with school funds.

He contended that eight days after the board approved the addition of an SRO in early 2008, then-Superintendent Barry Dallara went with Director K. Marilyn Smith to sign an agreement with the Borough of Waynesboro.

Lemley added that since Dallara was not authorized by the board to sign such a document, the agreement with the borough becomes null and void.

“I wasn’t with Mr. Dallara when that was signed,” countered Smith, who said she is a strong proponent of the SRO position.

“I’m not going to apologize for helping to bring this person to our school district,” Smith added. “When I came on this board 15 years ago, we rarely had expulsion hearings. Now, we’re having more than our fair share.”

Lemley said it’s a matter of law.

“You wanted us to challenge the law on other issues,” Director Pat Heefner said, referring to the controversial decision to allow the Gay-Straight Alliance to become a club at the high school last year.

“The safety of our children is the most important thing,” Director Bonnie Bachtell said.

“I hear you, and I know you’re saying what will make good press tomorrow morning,” Lemley responded.

Decision tabled

Smith requested that the information received from PDE be put in writing and sent to the board for next week’s meeting.

Director Brenda Lucas asked how the board could pay for the position if it was legal, when significant cuts already are being made to the 2010-11 preliminary budget.

Director Chris Lind said to use school funds to pay for the SRO position most likely is not legal, but noted that whether Dallara had the power to sign the agreement or not, a commitment was made with the borough.

Directors unanimously tabled action on the subject until the next meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 16.

How it works

The resource officer position was created through a three-year cooperative effort between the school district and the Borough of Waynesboro. Carbaugh earns $46,841.60.

Under the agreement, the borough paid 75 percent of the SRO’s salary and benefits during the first year, 50 percent the second year and 25 percent the third year while WASD paid 25 percent the first year, 50 percent the second year and now needs to cover 75 percent of the cost.

The borough received a state grant to pay for its portion of funding. WASD received grant money with assistance from the late Sen. Terry Punt, but those funds have been exhausted.

School districts cannot use tax money to pay for certain items, including school resource officers, that area not listed under the school code, according to Flower, who last month cited a 1958 Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that has been used as case law as recently as 1999.

‘Cost-saving asset’

Local resident Amos Miller, whose grandchild is an elementary school student, offered his support for the SRO position during public comment.

“I can’t in recent memory remember anything about anyone doing such an excellent job,” he said.

He called the SRO a “cost-saving asset” and questioned why Waynesboro is having difficulty determining how to fund the position.

“If it’s against the law, why isn’t the attorney general’s office investigating all the schools with school resource officers in Pennsylvania?” Miller asked.

“This is for the sake of the children,” he continued. “I’m not one who typically comes here and asks you to spend money.”

Lemley requested that Flower share the case law with Miller after the conclusion of the meeting.

On the Net

www.wasd.k12.pa.net

03/10/2010 -

Billie Finn has been selected Tuesday to fill the open seat on the Waynesboro School Board left by the February resignation of Borough of Waynesboro representative Dr. Mindy Rouzer, but not without disagreement.

The vote

Finn, 62, of Clayton Avenue and Jim Kohler, 43, of Commerce Street were the two candidates interviewed by school board directors just over a week ago.

A retired certified public accountant, Finn said in last week’s interview that she would bring vision, focus and a financial background to the board and is interested in addressing students’ performance on the Pennsylvania System of Schools Assessment.

Finn will fill the remainder of Rouzer’s term, which expires in December 2011.

Director Chris Lind nominated Finn to fill the position. It was seconded by Vice President Leland Lemley. The motion passed with Brenda Lucas, Lind, Lemley, President Ed Wilson and Firmadge Crutchfield, who joined this portion of the meeting by phone, in favor. Against the motion were Bonnie Bachtell, K. Marilyn Smith and Pat Heefner.

An earlier motion to select Kohler, made by Bachtell and seconded by Smith, was defeated in a 5-to-3 vote.

Opinions

Prior to nominating Kohler, Bachtell said she believed he was best for the job because he is a known community member with a vested interest in the district, where his child attends school.

“We were very fortunate to have two very fine candidates,” she said.

She made note of Finn’s financial background and said she believes that area of expertise already is well represented on the board.

“I think with the times we have now, we don’t have enough (directors with a financial background),” Lind said.

Lemley also cited Finn’s business and financial background, as well as her interest in the education of children.

Heefner said that although both candidates were qualified, she supported Kohler because he was an example of someone who had grown up in the community and returned to raise a family here and who wants to give back to his hometown.

“We bemoan in this community ... that we educate them, they go off to college and they never come back,” she said.

03/10/2010 -

A number of area fire departments were called to a blaze this morning on Knobsville Road, just off U.S. 522, that destroyed the main building of Elvey’s Flowers and Greenhouses, 135-A Knobsville Road.

Crews were called to the shop around 7:30 this morning. The building housed the flower shop as well as two upstairs apartments. Three attached greenhouses also sustained severe damage.

Travel on U.S. 522 north of McConnellsburg was restricted today following the fire.

Look for more information in Thursday's Record Herald.

03/10/2010 -

The most recent reports provided by Franklin County law enforcement officials.

No injuries reported

QUINCY — No one was hurt in a two-vehicle accident at 8:45 a.m. Friday on Route 997 at Pine Hill Road.
Pennsylvania State Police said Jessica D. Dean, 34, of Fayetteville stoped was stopped in the southbound lane waiting to make a left turn onto Pine Hill Drive when her 1997 Ford Explorer was rear-ended by a 2003 Ford Taurus driven by Jean R. Pletcher, 80, of Quincy.
Pletcher was cited for driving to fast for conditions, police said.

Two face charges

STATE LINE — Two people, whose names were not provided, face simple assault charges as the result of a physical altercation at 8:04 a.m. Friday on Sherwood Drive.
The fight involved a 40-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man, Pennsylvania State Police said.

White tailgates stolen

The sheriff’s office in Washington County, Md., recently investigated the theft of tailgates from three white Ford pickup trucks.
Two thefts occurred last Wednesday in the Williamsport area and involved a 2008 F-150 and a 2006 F-250.
The third was from a brand new F-350 at Hagerstown Ford on Massey Boulevard in Hagerstown on Friday.

Driver hurt

MERCERSBURG — One driver suffered minor injuries in a two-vehicle accident Thursday on Route 416 at Orchard Road.
Pennsylvania State Police said Shayna E. Rice, 17, of Chambersburg pulled her 2000 Audi A4 from the stop sign at Orchard Drive and into the path of a 2002 Ford F-150.
Rice was taken to Chambersburg Hospital after the accident, police said.
The time of the accident and the name of the other driver were not provided.

Tires damaged

SHIPPENSBURG — Holes were punched in the tires of a truck owned by a Shippensburg woman between midnight March 1 and 7 a.m. March 2 at 21 Tiffany Drive, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 264-5161.

Card door damaged

CHAMBERSBURG — The door of a Chambersburg woman’s car was scratched at 4:45 p.m. Feb. 18 at Wendy’s on Lincoln Way West.
Anyone with information is asked to call Pennsylvania State Police at 264-5161.

Fraudulent purchase attempted

CHAMBERSBURG — Someone tried to purchase a vehicle using the name of a woman, whose name and address were not provided, at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 23, at 2040 Lincoln Way East, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
 

03/09/2010 -

Three men, including two brothers, were arrested shortly after the armed robbery of the M&T Bank at 930 Dual Highway late Monday morning.

During the 10:55 a.m. holdup, some employees and customers were ordered into another room at gunpoint and forced to lie face down on the floor, according to Hagerstown police.

Several employees also were made to go into the vault, where two of the men — wearing hooded parkas and armed with handguns — took an undisclosed amount of cash.

Keith Darnell Wilson, 38, of Washington, D.C., Leroy Robinson, 58, of Clinton, Md., and Darnell Edward Stewart, 49, of Fort Washington, Md., are charged with assault, reckless endangerment, armed robbery, robbery, use of a handgun in commission of a crime of violence, theft and wearing, carrying or transporting a handgun.

Robinson and Stewart are brothers, and police identified Stewart as the group’s driver.

What happened

The 911 call center received several reports of the robbery in progress. Callers included bank customers who were able to lock themselves in a bathroom, police said.

After the holdup, the robbers fled on foot toward Manor Drive, where a dye pack in the money went off. Police responding to the robbery saw the men running away.

Wilson was seen discarding a parka and was caught on Pangborn Avenue. A loaded handgun and a ski mask were found on the ground nearby and Stewart was with Wilson, police said.

Robinson was caught at the rear of the Weis shopping center, where he was seen removing a parka.

A loaded handgun was found in the jacket pocket, along with gloves and the bag used to carry money from the bank, police said.

Evidence of the dye pack was found on the bag and Robinson’s jacket.

The investigation is continuing with the assistance of the FBI. Hagerstown police were aided by Maryland State Police and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department.

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