07/31/2010 - Just a quick note that Hoopie World was mentioned on the Fire Critic website last week during his Monday Morning Shoutout.  The article here discussed state-wide and regional fire news sites, and was focused on TNFireNews.com.  Check them out for fire news and information from Tennessee. For those who haven’t checked the Fire Critic site out [...] Read more...

07/31/2010 - I’m excited to announce a new project here at Hoopie World that I hope I get a lot of participation from the viewers. I have started a western Pennsylvania firefighting timeline to give a visual look at some of the rich history from this area in relation to fire departments and firefighting incidents. This is a work [...] Read more...

07/31/2010 - July 14th, 2010 – 09:40 – Clairton units have been dispatched to Clairton Works for an explosion in the B Battery with multiple personnel entrapped.  Additional EMS units have been requested to the scene.  Glassport 161 and Jefferson Hills 180 have been placed on standby. The mill is now reporting whole B battery is on fire. Update [...] Read more...

07/31/2010 - While browsing the web, I saw an interesting post on the Watchdesk stating that the National Firefighter Challenge is considering coming to Pittsburgh for the Pittsburgh Fire Expo in October.  This information is per Chris Cerci, who has competed in these events before.  This would be a great event to have come to Pittsburgh, and [...] Read more...

07/31/2010 - I know, I know, don’t all faint at once.  The heat wave is hot enough, we have enough fainting going on around us.  If you come to Hoopie World with any frequency, you’ve noticed that not much have changed over the last couple months.  I’ve been thinking a lot of what direction to take [...] Read more...

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.

07/31/2010 -

Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement announced that age compliance checks were conducted at various  licensed establishments in Wayne and Pike counties, Tuesday, July 27. Supervised underage buyers are used to see if they are able to purchase alcoholic beverages.
Four establishments were checked and one was found in violation in that the underage buyer was served alcoholic beverages. The other three, which passed the compliance check, were Crazy Fingers, Paupack Twp.; Kenny’s Restaurant Inc., Lords Valley and the Cuckoos Nest (McKean/Bates Properties Inc.), east of Hawley.

07/30/2010 -

ATVs were stolen from two storage sheds on a property on Overlook Drive, Sunrise Lake development, Dingman Township. Between July 7 and July 24, unknown persons entered the shed by force, said Trooper Varcoe. Taken were two 2001 Yamaha Kodiak 400 ATVs, each green in color.
One had a VIN of #JY4AJ03Y61A003952 and the other had a VIN of #JY4AJ03Y01C009962.

Anyone having information is asked to call the State Police at 226-5718.

07/30/2010 -

State Police in Honesdale are investigating the theft of a vehicle in Hawley.

Police say sometime between midnight on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon, an unknown number of persons removed a white, 1987 Cutlass Ciera from the Torte Knox Parking Lot located on Keystone St., in Hawley.

Anyone with information is asked to call State Police in Honesdale at (570) 253-7126. Tpr. Semler is the investigating officer.

07/29/2010 -

An arrest was made Friday, July 23, after multiple water bottles were thrown from a vehicle, ant another following behind.
Trooper Frank Orlando stated that Tanner Leigh Coluccio, 18, of Shohola, allegedly threw the bottles he was riding in, while traveling SR 2001, Milford Road. This was north of the intersection with SR 739, at 6:15 at night.
The bottles were thrown at a vehicle being driven by another 18-year old from Dingmans Ferry, with a passenger, 26, from Dingmans Ferry. Both vehicles were heading southbound.
Disorderly conduct charges were filed against Coluccio with District Court.

07/29/2010 -

 Unknown persons entered a house on Tamarack Drive, Pocono Mountain Woodland Lakes, Dingman Township, Saturday, July 24. The burglary took place in broad daylight, between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
They entered by unknown means and removed several pieces of jewelry from a  bedroom, said Trooper Kevin Varcoe.

Anyone having information is asked to call the State Police at 226-5718.

07/31/2010 -

Police captured one of two men who allegedly robbed a bank Friday, set fire to their get-away car and then fled in a second get a away car Friday afternoon.

Robert Gene Harris, 29 of Orrtanna and another man — who has a large build — allegedly entered the M&T Bank, 1750 Philadelphia Ave., at 1:35 p.m., displayed handguns and fled with an undisclosed amount of money, according to Pennsylvania State police.

Eleven people, including five employees, were inside the bank at the time of the robbery, police said.

Harris and the other man fled the scene to the area of Siloam Road, where they set fire to their get-away vehicle.

The two men then fled Siloam Road in a green Dodge Neon.

Harris was caught by police a short time later and charged with robbery, theft, criminal mischief, receiving stolen property and simple assault. He was taken to Franklin County Jail.

07/31/2010 -

Washington Township police have charged two men with robbing the Blue Ridge Food Mart at gunpoint at 9:17 p.m. Tuesday.

Michael Reed, 21, of 329 Linganore Ave., Hagerstown, and Russell Runk, 24, of 4781 Railroad Ave., Broad Top have been charged with robbery, theft, simple assault and conspiring to commit robbery, theft and simple assault, according to police.

Both men are being held in Washington County, Md., on related charges.

Witnesses told police two people entered the store and demanded money from the clerk. Both displayed weapons, police said.

The robbers left the store and were seen leaving the store parking lot in a small maroon Dodge sedan with a gray stripe along the bottom, according to police.

07/31/2010 -

The most recent reports provided by area law enforcement officials.

Man skateboards without helmet

WAYNESBORO — Christopher Sharpe, 28, of 17637 Old Sabillasville Road, Sabillasville, was allegedly skateboarding without a helmet at 8:46 p.m. July 14 in the Dunlap Family Skatepark at Pine Hill Park, 12684 Mentzer Gap Road, according to Washington Township police.
Sharpe was charged for violating the township ordinance on using helmets.

Gas meter box damaged

WAYNESBORO — A vehicle drove through a lawn and damaged a protection box for a gas meter at 9:17 p.m. July 15 at 13426 South Ave., according to Washington Township police.
Anyone with more information is asked to call police at 762-1447.
    
Tires punctured

WAYNESBORO — Two vehicles had their tires punctured at 12:54 a.m. July 18 at 13225 Seneca Drive, according to Washington Township police.
Anyone with more information is asked to call police at 762-1447.

Teen cited for relationship

Kiersten Elizabeth Cole, 19, of Fayetteville has been charged with corruption of minors for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old.
Pennsylvania State Police said the relationship began when the other person was 14 years old. Incidents occurred at 795 Roxbury Road, Southampton Township, and 111 W. Main St., Fayetteville, between February and June.

Archery items stolen

SHADY GROVE — A number of archery-related items were stolen from an unlocked garage at the home of Preston R. Shaw Jr., 2027 Buchanan Trail East, between 1:30 a.m. and noon Thursday, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
A Matthews Switchback camouflage solo cam bow and whisker biscuit bow rest and a black and camouflage Horton three-bolt crossbow with a triple dot sight were taken.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 264-5161.

Jewelry, document box taken

SHADY GROVE — Pennsylvania State Police said several pieces of valuable jewelry and a document box were taken from a shed in the Shady Grove area between July 16 and 18.
The red document box has two birds painted on the front.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 264-5161.

Minor injuries reported

GREENCASTLE — Minor injuries were reported in a two-vehicle accident at 12:56 p.m. Thursday on U.S. 11 at the northbound Interstate 81 ramp at Exit 3.
U.S. 11 was closed for 15 to 20 minutes after the accident.
Pennsylvania State Police said Eugene Newling Jr. of Stephens City, Va., turned his Ford F250 from the ramp into the path of a Mercedes driven by Nancy Conrad of Hagerstown.
Both drivers were taken to Washington County Hospital in Hagerstown, police said.

Methadone contributes to crash

SHIPPENSBURG — A woman, whose name was not provided, was driving under the influence of Methadone during a crash on at 5781 Cumberland Highway at 6:40 a.m. Wednesday, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
The woman’s northbound 1996 Plymouth Voyager ran off the road and hit a mailbox.
She drove back onto the road and continued to her home at 6002 Cumberland Highway, police said.

Man cited for harassment

FAYETTEVILLE — Alexander Angel Hartung, 31, of Orrtanna was cited for harassment and public drunkenness after an incident at 9:01 p.m. Thursday at 6236 Chambersburg Road.
Pennsylvania State Police said Sharon Ann Quigley, 53, of Fayetteville suffered head injuries when Hartung reportedly pushed her to the ground.
Hartung then fled east on foot and troopers said they saw him stumbling and falling into the path of traffic on U.S. 30.

Mailbox damaged

SHIPPENSBURG — A mailbox at 816 Crescent Drive was damaged between 9 p.m. Monday and 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 264-5161.

07/30/2010 -

A 16-year-old passenger was killed Thursday afternoon in a two-vehicle accident near the intersection of Tomstown and Mentzer Gap roads.

Angelena K. Robinson of Waynesboro was pronounced dead at the scene of the 1:50 p.m. crash.

Robinson was the passenger in a Mitsubishi Eclipse that was traveling north on Tomstown Road when a southbound Pontiac GT driven by Mary E. Bonebrake, 53, of Mont Alto crossed the center line and hit the Eclipse head-on, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

Robinson was not wearing a seat belt, according to Franklin County Coroner Jeffrey R. Conner.

Police had not released the name of the female teen who was driving the Eclipse by press time today.

Bonebrake was flown to York Hospital for treatment of major injuries and remains in the intensive care unit, police said.

The teen driver suffered moderate injuries and was taken by ambulance to Washington County Hospital, Hagerstown.

Pennsylvania State Police are still investigating the accident and will look at skid marks, vehicle functions, intoxication and medical conditions, according to Trooper Ed Asbury, Pennsylvania State Police public communications officer.

Robinson was an employee at the Waynesboro McDonald’s and had just completed her junior year at Waynesboro Area Senior High School.

Dangerous intersection

“I can’t believe this happened,” Virginia Shirey, a resident of Quincy who was trying to get home right after the accident, said. “I drove this intersection one hour ago.”

Shirey added the intersection is very dangerous for drivers, especially when people are getting water at the pump.

“You can’t see if anyone is coming down the hill,” Shirey said.

Maps on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation website indicate that 3,800 vehicles travel Mentzer Gap Road and 2,100 travel Tomstown Road daily.

Mentzer Gap is serving as a detour during a bridge repair project on Route 997 and has seen increased traffic flow.

“I’ve had people pass me (in a no passing zone),” Shirey said.

07/30/2010 -

A Thursday evening fire on Cumberland Street — also known as U.S. 40 — in Clear Spring destroyed three vacant row houses and spread to a fourth that had occupants.

The fire caused an estimated $500,000 in damage and displaced a woman, her daughter and granddaughter, who reportedly all lived in the damaged home.

The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the fire.

Firefighters were dispatched to the blaze around 5:45 p.m. Thursday and had the fire under control by about 8 p.m.

Close to 15 fire companies from Washington and Franklin counties responded with more than 100 firefighters to the scene.

Firefighters initially attempted to enter the homes and smother the flames from inside. However, they soon were forced to return outside to fight the fire because of its intensity.

As some firefighters worked to get flames under control, others tried to douse nearby historic buildings on the street as a precaution.

The fire is believed to have originated between 113 and 115 Cumberland St., site of the former Overbrook Hotel, and then continued into 115 and 117 Cumberland St.

No injuries were reported.

Constructed in the 1800s, the homes did not have residential fire sprinklers and it is not known if they had working smoke alarms.

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