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Trooper Says He's Innocent Of Murder Jul 24, 2008
A state trooper who lived with the widow of a murdered Blairsville dentist says he had nothing to do with the killing. Forty-two-year-old Trooper Kevin Foley says he didn't conspire to cause or cover up the death of Dr. John Yelenic in April 2006 and denies making statements that he planned to kill Yelenic. Foley is jailed awaiting trial in Yelenic's murder. But his denial is contained in his response to a wrongful death suit Yelenic's heirs have filed against the Pennsylvania State Police, Foley and Michelle Yelenic in U.S. District Court, Harrisburg. Michelle Yelenic was divorcing her husband and living with Foley when the dentist was slashed to death. She filed papers denying any role in the murder last week and has never been charged criminally.
Management Blamed For Deadly Mine Accident In Indiana Co. Jul 24, 2008
Federal authorities blame poor communication for a fatal accident in an Indiana County coal mine. The Mine Safety and Health Administration says management failed to ensure there was direct communication between section workers and contract surveyors Feb. 25 at the Nolo Mine in Buffington Township. The agency says the mining crew and surveyors were not fully aware of each other's activities. Surveyor Bruce Edward Makin of Ebensburg died after being struck by a coal-hauling shuttle inside the mine operated by Amfire Mining Co. Makin was working for CME Engineering of Latrobe. The federal agency says Amfire has taken corrective action. Messages left Wednesday evening at Amfire and CME Engineering were not immediately returned.
Bomb Explodes At Golf Course Jul 24, 2008
State police say someone used a pipe bomb to make one hole a lot bigger than normal on a Westmoreland County golf course. State police say someone exploded a suspected pipe bomb in the hole of the fifth green at Valley Green Golf Club sometime between 9 p.m. Tuesday and 5 a.m. Wednesday. Police are still searching for a suspect and are at a loss to explain the incident. Frank Powaski, who works in the golf club's pro shop, says the explosion created a hole about a foot-and-a-half in diameter on the green. Powaski says players are still using the green because another regulation size golf hole has been cut into another location.
Clearfield County Fair Set To Open Jul 24, 2008
Two days and counting until the gates to the 2008 Clearfield County Fair open. Hundreds of thousands expected to walk through before it wraps up on August 2nd. Here's just a quick look at some of the excitement. The 4–H judging gets underway Saturday the 29th at 9:00am. On Sunday the queen contest begins at 3:00am. A firefighter training show will highlight Wednesday beginning at 8:00pm. You can rock out on Friday night with Great White at 8:00pm, and tickets are almost sold out for Saturday night’s concert with Chris Daughtery beginning at 8:00. For more information or to see the weeks schedule you can access the Clearfield County Fair’s website by clicking on the banner at the top of our website.
Nascar Murder Plot Jul 24, 2008
The two men at the center of a murder plot in Bedford County are headed to trial. Police say Allen Bridges and his son Jacob tried to hire an inmate to commit murder. But instead of money, they offered Nascar memorabilia. Investigators say Allen Bridges was facing drug charges, and wanted to kill a witness. Both men waived their hearings and could stand trial in 6 weeks.
Police Search For Serial Robber Jul 24, 2008
A serial robber could be on the loose in the Alleghenies. The FBI and police believe the same man is behind holdups in Indiana, Clearfield, and Jefferson counties. Surveillance photos from bank robberies in Punxsutawney and Dubois this month show similarities in the photos. The latest robbery happened Monday at the Community First Bank in Punxsutawney. A man with a similar description also robbed a general store in Clymer. No word yet if investigators have any leads.
Somerset Airport Gets Boost From The State Jul 23, 2008
The Somerset County Airport is getting $350,000 to replace outdated aircraft storage t-hangars, which are a revenue source for the airport. PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E., says in all, 18 airports will be able to make safety improvements and upgrade facilities with the help of a $3.9 million investment by the commonwealth. “Our thriving aviation industry employs thousands of Pennsylvanians,” Biehler said. “This funding will help these airports become better places for customers and employees.” Funding for the grants comes from revenue from the state’s jet fuel tax and is administered by PennDOT’s Bureau of Aviation. The funds leverage more than $1.6 million in local matching funds. The investment is separate from the $5 million Governor Edward G. Rendell recently announced for the Transportation Assistance Program, which is funded through state capital bond dollars in the general fund. That program was expanded to $10 million
Pennsylvania currently has 133 public-use airports and heliports and 14 airports have scheduled commercial service.
Amusement Park Peeing Arrest Jul 23, 2008
A 15-year-old boy has been fired from his job at Idlewild Park in Ligonier for allegedly taking cell phone pictures and video of a woman undressing in a water park changing room. Police have also charged with boy with disorderly conduct, but are not identifying him because of his age. Ligonier police say the incident happened Monday and that the boy erased the images before police could view them. A park spokeswoman confirmed the boy had been fired but referred all other comment to the police. Police say the boy attached the phone to cords on a broom handle so he could lift the device over a changing room wall. The woman notified security when she saw a red blinking light on the phone.
GPS Tracking For Sex Offenders? Jul 23, 2008
Pennsylvania's auditor general says the state should use global positioning satellite technology more widely to monitor the locations of convicted sex offenders. Auditor General Jack Wagner on Tuesday recommended changes to state law that would require five years of GPS monitoring for sex offenders who don't comply with Megan's Law after they leave prison. Wagner says sexually violent predators whose victims are children also should be subject to similar tracking immediately after they're released. Megan's Law requires sex offenders to register their addresses with state police. Wagner says the state lost track of nearly 10 percent of 9,800 registered sex offenders in early June. Wagner says at least 14 Pennsylvania counties already use GPS technology to track certain registered sex offenders.
New Voting Process For Centre County Jul 23, 2008
Centre County will go to paper ballots read by optical scanners in the November election. The county Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 Tuesday in favor of the estimated $924,500 equipment purchase. The board may vote as early as Tuesday to finalize the contract with Election Systems & Software. The county will purchase voting machines on which voters use pens to fill out the paper ballots, and scanners that read those ballots. The equipment replaces a paperless touch-screen system Centre County purchased two years earlier. Critics say those systems lack a
Jul 23, 2008Van Plunges Off Overpass Jul 23, 2008
A Westmoreland County woman is dead and her husband and two children injured after their sport-utility vehicle plunged 60 feet off a highway overpass. An autopsy is set for 41-year-old Jeannine Palandro, of Murrysville. The Westmoreland County Coroner expects it will confirm the woman died of multiple trauma injuries from the crash about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday on the Route 66 toll road in Hempfield Township. Police say the woman was a passenger in the vehicle driven by her husband, who lost control of it for some reason. The vehicle fell between two concrete overpass supports and crashed on roadway below. The woman's husband and children are in Pittsburgh hospitals. Their names and conditions are not available.
Stopping Gas Thieves Jul 23, 2008
The Sheetz chain of convenience stores is implementing a new ``Pump First'' card to try to cut down on the number of gas thefts. Motorists who use cash or write a check to fill up their tanks will now have to get a ``Pump First'' card. The card is linked to the motorists' driver's licenses and allows customers to activate the pump. When they finish pumping gas, they can go inside the store and pay. If a driver leaves without paying, the ``Pump First'' card helps Sheetz and law enforcement officials identify the driver. The cards are being offered at Sheetz stores in parts of West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The Altoona-based Sheetz has more than 350 locations in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio and North Carolina.
Work Continues On McNally Bridge Jul 22, 2008
PennDOT continues work on the Route 219 (North Star Way) McNally Bridge over Stonycreek River in Conemaugh Township, Somerset County July 23rd and 24th. Work includes removing the neoprene drain trough and cleaning the drainage system. Traffic will be reduced to one lane, and daylight signing will be in place to control traffic with Pennsylvania State Police assistance. Swank Associated Companies, Inc., of New Kensington, is the contractor for the $2.2 million project and work is anticipated to be completed by mid-August 2009.
Turnpike Back Open Jul 21, 2008
State police say the Pennsylvania Turnpike has reopened in both directions following a closure of a section of about 90 miles for more than four hours due to a traffic accident Sunday evening. Police say the 5:41 p.m. crash at mile marker 140 in Napier Township, Bedford County, involved a tractor-trailer and other vehicles. Officials said the tractor-trailer rolled over and ignited. Police say there were injuries, but no one was killed. State police say the highway was shut down in both directions between New Stanton and Breezewood after the crash and had reopened in both directions shortly before 10 p.m.
Bricks For Sale In Bair Jul 21, 2008
In Blair County, a demolition project will soon begin.
The former Lincoln School is coming down, after the Tyrone Area School District closed the building in 1999. But alumni who want a piece of their old stomping grounds are in luck. The excavation company is headed by alum of the school who plans to sell the bricks to alumni for a dollar each money raised will be donated to the salvation army. Asbestos removal is continuing at the school, with demolition expected to begin soon. The demolition itself will take about 30 days.
