Rite Aid LayoffsJul 18, 2008Rite Aid Corp., the nation's third-largest
drugstore chain, is laying off 44 corporate employees as it works
to absorb 1,850 stores it acquired last year.
Company spokeswoman Karen Rugen said Wednesday that the cuts
amount to less than 3 percent of the work force at Rite Aid's
headquarters and nearby corporate offices.
She said the company added many more jobs to its corporate staff
when it acquired the Brooks and Eckerd stores and distribution
centers.
With the integration almost complete, the company analyzed the
size of the staff and decided to eliminate some of those jobs.
Rugen said some laid-off workers are being offered jobs
elsewhere in the company.
People who do not accept another job with Rite Aid will get
severance and outplacement help.
State Senator Faces LawsuitJul 18, 2008The estate of a 14-year-old Westmoreland
County boy found shot to death with a state senator's gun intends
to sue the senator, his wife and son.
The one-line notice filed Friday preserves the statute of
limitations, which runs out Monday, the second anniversary of Louis
Farrell's death.
The guns belongs to state Sen. Robert Regola, a freshman
Republican running for re-election.
Family attorney Jon Perry says the Farrells believe the senator
didn't safely store the gun and that his son, Bobby, 18, may know
how Louis got the weapon. The death has been ruled a suicide, but
the family disputes that.
Regola says a wrongful death suit will only prolong the tragedy.
He was acquitted last week of charges he recklessly stored the gun
then lied about that at a coroner's inquest.
Puppy Mill RaidedJul 18, 2008An Amish man is accused of running a
puppy mill on his southeastern Pennsylvania farm.
State police and agents of the Pennsylvania Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals arrested 54-year-old John Blank on
animal cruelty charges Thursday on his farm near Cochranville. The
raid was filmed by crews from the reality show Animal Cops, which
is accompanied the PSPCA.
PSPCA program officer Elaine Scapalla says of the more than 100
dogs on the farm, 21 were taken to the agency's Philadelphia
shelter. She says they were found crowded in cages and suffering
from a variety of ailments and injuries.
According to records from the state Department of Agriculture,
Blank has a license to have as many as 250 dogs at his kennel.
Tree Service Worker Struck By Car In Blair CountyJul 17, 2008Blair County police said a tree service worker was injured Tuesday when he was side-swiped by a car on a Blair County Road.
The crash happened on Route 36 in Freedom Township just before 8 a.m. Police said Justin Thompson, 19, of Osceola Mills, had just finished putting up "Road Work Ahead" signs so he could trim trees along the road when he was clipped by a car.
Officials said Thompson works for Tri-County Tree Services, a contractor hired by PennDOT. He was standing on the running board of his truck when a car driven by a Martinsburg woman rounded the bend, side-swiped his truck, and struck him in the process. Police said it was not yet clear if the woman was speeding.
Just hours before the crash, road crews had complained to police about drivers speeding past them on the road.
"Sometimes people are late for work (and) just ignore the signs," said Terry Dellinger of the Freedom Township Police Department.
Thompson was transported to Altoona Regional Hospital and his condition was not immediately known.
Police said the crash remains under investigation. As of noon, they had not yet determined if any charges will be filed.
Huntingdon County Man Struck By TrainJul 17, 2008A Huntingdon County man is in the hospital Wednesday night after being struck by a train in the Village of Barree.
State police said 20-year-old Shaun Hannah ducked under a crossing arm and tried to cross the track in the Village of Barree, but he didn't make it. It happened just before 5 p.m. at the Barree Road Crossing near Alexandria. Witnesses said they watched the Norfolk Southern Train come to a screeching halt.
"The train knocked him down onto the tracks," said John Vargo.
Hannah, who lives just down the road from the track, was flown to Altoona Regional Health System with severe injuries.
Meanwhile, police spent the evening trying to figure out what happened. They were talking to witnesses in Barree, as well as the train engineer. Officials from Norfolk Southern also launched their own investigation.
Trains pass through Barree everyday, but local residents said what happened on those everyday tracks has rocked the usually quiet town.
"I've been back here six years and this is the first incident we've had at this crossing that I know of," said State Trooper Andrew Lynn.
Curve To Host Benefit Softball GameJul 16, 2008The Altoona Curve will host a special benefit softball game this Saturday, which will help raise money for the families of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard's 2-112 Infantry Stryker from the 56th Brigade of the 28th Infantry Division. That unit will be deployed for training in September and will be sent to Iraq at the beginning of 2009.
The softball game, which is being sponsored by East Coast Gun Sales, will take place from 4-6 p.m. at Blair County Ballpark, prior to the Curve's 7:05 p.m. game on Saturday against the Harrisburg Senators. Ballpark gates will open at 3. Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard will play against a team comprised of members of the Altoona Fire Department and the Logan Township Police Department.
Tickets for the charity softball game cost $9 and $5 of each ticket sold will benefit the 2-112 Infantry Stryker and their families. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the local Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Altoona Fire Department or Logan Township Police Department, at East Coast Gun Sales, and at the Logan Valley Mall Recruiting Station. Tickets are good for entrance to the charity softball game and a UPMC Health Plan Home Run Junction ticket for that night's 7:05 p.m. Curve game.
Fans already holding tickets to the July 19 Curve game can purchase a $5 voucher to attend the charity softball game. Starting at 5:30 p.m., when ballpark gates open to the public for the 7:05 p.m. Curve game, fans will only be required to show their Curve game ticket to gain entrance.
Saturday is shaping up to be a fun night at Blair County Ballpark, beginning with the benefit softball game from 4-6 p.m. The first 2,000 fans through the gates will receive the first in a series of six collectible Tenth Anniversary Team Photoballs. The first giveaway ball will feature Adam Hyzdu and Zach Duke. Also, former Curve players Brady Borner and Justin Kaye will make appearances as part of the Curve's Tenth Anniversary Salute to 2005. And last but not least, fans are invited to renew their wedding vows during the 7:05 p.m. game. East Coast Gun Sales will serve as the night’s sponsor.
Local Fire Departments Get GrantsJul 16, 2008Congressman John P. Murtha announced today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has released Assistance to Firefighters Grants to 12th District volunteer fire departments.
“Nearly 75 percent of our nations 35,000 local fire agencies are volunteer,” commented Murtha. “Their jobs are made more difficult by shrinking budgets that don’t have the flexibility for funding equipment, training or new vehicles. These grants help our firefighters and EMS organizations respond safely and efficiently, so that they can do a better job protecting our communities.”
These competitive grants are provided to fire departments and nonaffiliated EMS organizations to enhance first responders’ ability to protect the health and safety of the public and that of first-responder personnel. Since 2004, Assistance to Firefighters Grants has provided a total of almost $2.75 billion to first-responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, and vehicles.
Cambria County
John Carroll Ambulance Service $109,250 (Vehicle Acquisition)
Somerset County
Scalp Level and Paint Fire Company $69,136
(Operations & Safety)
Lean Pockets Being Recalled In PAJul 16, 2008– As part of a manufacturer’s recall, Giant Food Stores and Martin’s Food Markets have removed from shelves packages of frozen Lean Pockets Spinach Artichoke Chicken sandwiches. Nestle announced a voluntary Class I recall of the 9 oz. package of Lean Pockets sandwiches that have a UPC code of #4369508326 with a “best before” date of November 2009 because they may contain pieces of plastic. The product will also contain the establishment number P7721A on the side of the package.
Consumers who have purchased the Lean Pockets Spinach Artichoke Chicken sandwiches listed above are urged to return them to the store for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Nestle USA at 1-800-350-5016.
All Class I and Class II product recalls of products carried in Giant Food Stores or Martin’s Food Markets are posted at www.giantfoodstores.com and www.martinsfoods.com.
Coffee Pot To Attract Fairgoers To BedfordJul 16, 2008The countdown to the 2008 Bedford County Fair has begun. Organizers are encouraging people to come visit this year for more than one reason. Fairgoers can ride the rights, eat the food, watch the animals and see a piece of their counties history. The 1925 Coffee Pot was rescued & moved to the entrance of the Bedford County Fairgrounds in 2003. It was created as an example of early automobile-era architecture and designed to attract customers. The fair kicks off on Sunday and lasts until the 26th at the Bedford County Fairgrounds.
Widow Of Murdered Dentist Says She Had Nothing To Do With ItJul 16, 2008The widow of a murdered Blairsville
dentist says she had nothing to do with his killing, which is
allegedly the work of her state trooper boyfriend.
Michelle Yelenic has repeatedly declined to comment on the
slashing murder of her husband, Dr. John Yelenic, in April 2006.
The Yelenics were divorcing at the time and her live-in boyfriend,
Trooper Kevin Foley, is awaiting trial in the killing.
But Michelle Yelenic now says in court documents that she had
nothing to do with the murder.
She filed her denial in U.S. District Court, Harrisburg, where
some of the dentist's heirs have filed a wrongful death suit
against her and the Pennsylvania State Police.
The state Attorney General says Foley killed Yelenic during a
bloody struggle at the dentist's home.
Reward Offered In Old Murder CaseJul 16, 2008The family of a Westmoreland County woman is
offering a $10,000 reward for information in her rape and slaying
15 years ago.
Stephanie Coyle was 74 when she was murdered in her garage
apartment in Arnold on July 16, 1993. Arnold is about 20 miles up
the Allegheny River from Pittsburgh.
Police say Coyle was found nude and the killer carved a design
in her back. Coyle lived alone. She was a widow who raised four
children by working as a barmaid and other jobs.
Authorities and FBI profilers who have reviewed the case believe
her killer was local and may have known Coyle, but no one has ever
been charged in the killing.
Her son, Dan Coyle, says she didn't heed warnings from her
children about living alone.
Reward Is Offered After Dog Is Fed Crushed GlassJul 16, 2008Fayette County humane officials are
offering a reward to help catch someone who fed crushed glass to a
dog in Connellsville.
The dog is recovering, but had to have stitches in his tongue
and suffered a collapsed lung. The 4-year-old mixed breed will be
susceptible to emphysema and other problems due to the lung
injuries.
Authorities say someone gave the dog ground beef laced with the
glass while the dog was being kept in an outdoor kennel last month.
The owner sought help when she noticed the dog's mouth was bloody
the next morning.
The Fayette Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is
offering the reward and helping to investigate the incident.
Officer Injured In ArrestJul 16, 2008Two men arrested on Decker Avenue in Johnstown and an officer is hurt in a fight.
Police say Jermaine Simms tried to force a woman into a car at gunpoint.
When police arrived to arrest him, his father Paul Junior attacked two officers.
One officer was partially tazed by another officer. The officer was treated but will be ok and back at work today.
Second Arrest Made In Blue Knob MurderJul 16, 2008A second arrest is made in a Blair County murder.
44–year–old Donna Hawk of Johnstown now being held in the Blair County Prison.
Police say she drove her boyfriend, Shawn Dugan to Pittsburgh in the victim’s car.
This after he reportedly shot and killed Marcus Chromy outside a hunting cabin in Blue Knob.
Police also say Hawk sold the murder weapon to a local gun dealer.
Jury To Get Manslaughter Case TodayJul 16, 2008A Cambria County man charged with involuntary manslaughter takes the stand.
John Anthony is the former owner of the Moxham Personal Care Home in Johnstown, where Gregory Hawks died in 2006.
Prosecutors say Anthony did nothing to save him after Hanks passed out on a hallway floor.
Closing arguments begin this morning, the jury will then get the case.
Babysitter Sentenced In Death of ToddlersJul 15, 2008A 20-year-old baby sitter will spend 11{ to 23
months in the Erie County Prison because two toddlers drowned while
she slept following a night of partying.
Brittany Steward, of Waterford Township, has been sentenced
after pleading guilty to two county of endangering the welfare of
children. Prosecutors dropped involuntary manslaughter and other
charges in exchange for Tuesday's guilty plea.
Prosecutors say Steward stayed out all night drinking even
though she knew she would be watching the children the next day.
Her 20-month-old half sister, Jenna Walker, and a friend,
2-year-old Maggie Kovski, wandered out of the house and drowned in
a pond on May 30, 2007.
Steward will also be on probation for more than three years
after she gets out of jail.
