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Winners announced for political committee races

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:25:00 -0400

By Amy Revak

Herald-Standard

For some local Fayette County races on the ballot for the May 18 municipal primary, receiving just one vote was enough to win.

According to unofficial election results issued from the Fayette County election bureau, some Republican committee winners won by receiving only one vote. Although Democratic committee candidates must receive at least 10 votes to secure a position, for Republicans the requirement is that only one vote is received, and that the person is a registered Republican in the precinct.

Voters in each of the county’s 98 precincts were selecting committee members for both the Democratic and Republican parties.

Another difference in the parties is that while Democrats select one committeeman and one committeewoman separately for each precinct, Republicans select two committee people, regardless of gender.

Larry Blosser, head of the election bureau, said 13 races were decided this week by drawing lots, after they ended in ties. The results have been signed the first time by the three members of the election board, and will become official in about a week if no challenges are received.

Despite the requirements for 10 votes for Democratic committeemen and women and one tally for Republican committee members, races that do not show winners did not have any successful candidates.

Following is a list of the unofficial winners for the two parties in each precinct and the number votes they received:

Belle Vernon Borough: Democratic committeeman, Joseph W. Lopez, 70; Democratic committeewoman, Carolyn Cherocci, 75. Republican committee member, Sue Ann Horan, 1.

Brownsville Township: Democratic committeeman, Donald Angelo, 118; Democratic committeewoman, Alberta Angelo, 114. Republican committee member, Steven Conaway Sr., 1.

Brownsville Borough Ward 1: Democratic committeeman, Robert S. Petriello, 112; Democratic committeewoman, 101. Republican committee member, John Arthur Johnson, 1.

Brownsville Borough Ward 2: Democratic committeeman, Jack J. Lawver Jr., 122, Democratic committeewoman, Melody Lane Kozis-Yeardie, 111. Republican committee member, Irene M. Franks, 1, Robert A. Franks, 1.

Brownsville Borough Ward 3: Democratic committeewoman, Stella Broadwater, 86. Republican committee member, Nena Kaminsky, 2.

Bullskin Township District 1: Democratic committeeman, Kyle Quinn, 374. Republican committee member, Beverly Fencil, 256.

Bullskin Township District 2: Democratic committeeman, Matthew W. Keefer, 135, Democratic committeewoman, 143. Republican committee member, John Mulhorn, 3, Alex Tinker, 2.

Bullskin Township District 3: Democratic committeeman, John Bud Neckerauer, 120, Democratic committeewoman, Laura M. Zelenka, 85. Republican committee member, Deborah Baran, 1, Virginia Martin, 1.

Connellsville Ward 1: Democratic committeewoman, Barbara Ann Mongell, 38. Republican committee member, Joseph Romesburg, 1.

Connellsville Ward 2: Democratic committeeman, Harold E. Hartz, 68, Democratic committeewoman, Loretta A. Coleman, 68. Republican committee member, Danielle Richter, 2.

Connellsville Ward 3: Democratic committeeman, John Robert Hartz, 130, Beverly Hartz, 126. Republican committee member, Joan Miller, 1, Betty Flynn, 1.

Connellsville Ward 4: Republican committee member, Sandra Rae Dolde, 9, Donald A. Dolde, 5.

Connellsville Ward 5: Democratic committeeman, Lee A. Winterhalter, 127.

Connellsville Ward 6: Democratic committeeman, Shawn Pilla, 183, Democratic committeewoman, Carmalee A. Porter, 197. Republican committee member, Michael Petrone, 1, Randal Lee Heinbaugh, 1.

Connellsville Township: Democratic committeeman, Donald R. Hann, 187, Democratic committeewoman, Patricia Jean Basinger, 211. Republican committee member, Ruth Ann Burd, 1.

Dawson Borough: Democratic committeeman, Eugene Lint, 36, Democratic committeewoman, Patricia Ann Lint, 34.

Dunbar Township District 1: Democratic committeeman, Fred K. Davis, 118, Democratic committeewoman, Kathryn Davis, 23. Republican committee member, Lorenzo Lee Maley, 2, John R. Smith, 1.

Dunbar Township District 2: Democratic committeeman, Richard W. Baker, 68, Democratic committeewoman, Sandra Lee Murray, 67. Republican committee member, Roddy Rummel Sr., 1.

Dunbar Township District 3: Democratic committeeman, Al Ambrosini, 221, Becky Ambrosini, 228. Republican committee member, Sandra Crocetti, 1, Adam McDowell, 3.

Dunbar Township District 4: Democratic committeeman, Charles S. Fetsko, 203, Democratic committeewoman, Judith Kosisko, 219. Republican committee member, Joshua Buhler, 1, Jane Novak Laurion, 1.

Dunbar Borough: Democratic committeeman, Bob Opst, 125, Democratic committeewoman, Peggy Zadell, 122. Republican committee member, Norman Gordon, 4, Mark Pepe, 2.

Everson Borough: none

Fairchance Borough: Democratic committeeman, Thomas L. Tanner, 268, Democratic committeewoman, Teresa M. Tanner, 249. Republican committee member, Fred Robinson, 1, Stanley I. Rogers, 1.

Fayette City Borough: Democratic committeeman, Herbert Vargo Jr., 83, Democratic committeewoman, Dawn R. Vargo, 81. Republican committee member, Jeff Riker, 2, Joe Dorcon, 1.

Franklin Township District 1: Democratic committeeman, Joseph E. Bollibon, 175, Democratic committeewoman, Ida P. Junk, 179. Republican committee member, Robert M. Huston, 66.

Franklin Township District 2: Democratic committeeman, Terry R. Brady, 123, Frances Brady, 117. Republican committee member, Janet Dean Trees, 69, Marion J. Dean, 63.

Georges Township District 1: Democratic committeeman, Allen Shazer, 115, Democratic committeewoman, Terri Shazer, 107. Republican committee member, Michael Harmon, 2.

Georges Township District 2: Democratic committeeman, Paul Smolley, 209, Democratic committeewoman, Kathy M. Shanaberger, 232. Republican committee member, Garry Ankrom, 3, Donald Burik, 3.

Georges Township District 3: Democratic committeeman, Donald E. Moats, 158, Democratic committeewoman, Brenda J. Moats, 155. Republican committee member, Tim Volek, 1.

Georges Township District 4: Democratic committeeman, Theodore A. Flowers, 110, Democratic committeewoman, Stella Slovak, 112.

German Township District 1: Democratic committeeman, Jim Ferranti, 267, Democratic committeewoman, Margaret Willis, 163. Republican committee member, Curtis L. Johnson, 5, Cynthia L. Johnson, 5.

German Township District 2: Democratic committeeman, Joseph Holonich, 92, Democratic committeewoman, Rose Marie Molnar, 101.

German Township District 3: Democratic committeeman, Gerald A. Lindsey, 81, Democratic committeewoman, Noelle A. Winkler, 109. Republican committee member, William McCormack, 1.

German Township District 4: none

German Township District 5: Democratic committeeman, Franklin Easter, 22, Democratic committeewoman, Nancy J. McGalla, 50.

German Township District 6: Democratic committeewoman, Betty Nicola, 60. Republican committee member, Terry Ryan, 8, Carol A. Galbraith, 1.

Henry Clay Township: Democratic committeeman, Donald Clyde Burnworth, 84, Democratic committeewoman, Pansy Burd, 82. Republican committee member, Lulu Guthrie, 15, Heather Savage, 3.

Jefferson Township District 1: Democratic committeeman, Paul Harvey, 255, Democratic committeewoman, Vicki Olexa, 258. Republican committee member, Dolores Willson, 84, Ryan Warner, 72.

Jefferson Township District 2: Democratic committeeman, Michael S. Liptak, 86, Democratic committeewoman, 82.

Lower Tyrone Township: Democratic committeeman, Fritz Antonini, 164, Democratic committeewoman, Linda A. Cottom, 166. Republican committee member, Sharon Ferris, 1, William Henry Keffer, 1.

Luzerne Township District 1: Democratic committeeman, Ronald A. Ritz, 10, Democratic committeewoman, Betty J. Ritz, 10.

Luzerne Township District 2: Democratic committeeman, Gregg P. Downer, 299, Democratic committeewoman, Cheryl Terravecchia, 293. Republican committee member, Melvin G. Baxter, 1, Joshua W. Hale, 1.

Luzerne Township District 3: Democratic committeeman, Keith Mayle, 65, Democratic committeewoman, Teresa Mayle, 63.

Luzerne Township District 4: Democratic committeeman, Edward Bohna, 50, Democratic committeewoman, Petina Buchheit, 20.

Luzerne Township District 5: Democratic committeeman, Joseph R. Monovich, 71, Democratic committeewoman, 67. Republican committee member, Audrey Marker, 2, Lucille Hill, 1.

Luzerne Township District 6: Democratic committeeman, Larry D. Ulery Sr., 102, Democratic committeewoman, 104.

Markleysburg Borough: none

Masontown Borough District 1: Democratic committeeman, John M. Chatlak Jr., 185, Democratic committeewoman, Donna R. Chatlak, 294. Republican committee member, Stephen J. Corcoran, 6, Ira Corcoran, 1.

Masontown Borough District 2: Republican committee member, Lawrence Swift, 1, Dave Wingard, 1.

Menallen Township District 1: Democratic committeeman, Garry Marks, 159, Democratic committeewoman, Barbara “Babs” Rohaley, 167. Republican committee member, Ken Hager, 21.

Menallen Township District 2: Democratic committeeman, John Grahek Jr., 229, Democratic committeewoman, Dorothy J. Grahek, 227. Republican committee member, David Dowling, 3.

Menallen Township District 3: Democratic committeeman, David Kacmar, 144, Democratic committeewoman, Rita J. Yantko, 154. Republican committee member, Justin Gaydos, 1.

Newell Borough: Democratic committeeman, John E. Matty III, 75, Nicki Marie Todaro, 78. Republican committee member, Charles R. Wilson, 1, Lynn Steiner Sr., 1.

Nicholson Township District 1: Democratic committeeman, John E. Black, 102, Democratic committeewoman, Sheryn Porupski, 83. Republican committee member, Ed Bertovich Jr., 1.

Nicholson Township District 2: Democratic committeeman, Joseph S. Moats, 64.

North Union Township District 1: Democratic committeeman, James M. Mari, 240, Democratic committeewoman, Pamela Louise Hudson, 392. Republican committee member, Ed Bobcheck, 1, Matthew Thomas, 1.

North Union Township District 2: Democratic committeeman, Pat Livingston, 441, Democratic committeewoman, Peggy DeHanis, 451. Republican committee member, Zona Butler, 126, Robert Butler, 3.

North Union Township District 3: Democratic committeeman, Mark Martin, 141, Democratic committeewoman, Frances Yartz, 141. Republican committee member, Andrew W. Palya, 2.

North Union Township District 4: Larry J. Russman, 173, Democratic committeewoman, Jerrilyn Jerri Lemansky, 191. Republican committee member, David Show, 72, Stephanie J. Stiner, 62.

North Union Township District 5: Democratic committeeman, Walter E. Lehman Jr., 98, Democratic committeewoman, Judy Cole, 101. Republican committee member, Sarah Provance, 3, Keithette Quarrick, 2.

Ohiopyle Borough: Republican committee member, Mark McCarty, 5, Elizabeth McCarty, 3.

Perry Township District 1: Democratic committeeman, Robert D. Johnson, 264, Democratic committeewoman, Pamela M. Newmeyer, 267. Republican committee member, Connie L. Molchan, 99, James Warner, 64.

Perry Township District 2: Democratic committeeman, David Morris, 42, Democratic committeewoman, Lois Morris, 41.

Perry Township District 3: Democratic committeeman, Calvin Ramsey, 20, Democratic committeewoman, Regina Doemling, 17.

Perryopolis Borough: Democratic committeeman, John C. Boone, 260, Democratic committeewoman, Philly Black, 291. Republican committee member, Tacy Behana, 1, Gerald T. Morrison, 1.

Point Marion Borough: Democratic committeeman, Danny Rhodes, 102, Democratic committeewoman, Patricia C. Shaffer, 92. Republican committee member, Mike B. Martisko, 1, Robert L. Butterworth Sr., 1.

Redstone Township District 1: Democratic committeeman, Richard Dean Stogran, 79, Democratic committeewoman, Lora L. Stogran, 75. Republican committee member, Thomas J. Zimmerlink Jr., 3.

Redstone Township District 2: Democratic committeeman, Richard J. Worley, 175, Democratic committeewoman, Marietta L. Allamon, 179.

Redstone Township District 3: Democratic committeeman, Nick Petrus, 81, Democratic committeewoman, Shirley Petrus, 78. Republican committee member, Christa Patterson, 1, Gary Patterson, 1.

Redstone Township District 4: Democratic committeeman, Frank L. Lucci, 113, Democratic committeewoman, Juanita L. Thomas, 112.

Redstone Township District 5: Democratic committeeman, Edward Adams, 212, Democratic committeewoman, Patricia G. Hennessey, 219. Republican committee member, Jon Marietta, 1.

Saltlick Township District 1: Democratic committeewoman, P. Jane Tlumac, 49. Republican committee member, Allan Ferens, 2, Joshua Laymon, 2.

Saltlick Township District 2: Democratic committeeman, David Shepler Sr., 92, Democratic committeewoman, Laura Mae Shepler, 89. Republican committee member, Jane Dively, 2, Robert Minear, 1.

Saltlick Township District 3: Republican committee member, Kelly Brown, 1, Curtis L. Harper, 1.

Smithfield Borough: Democratic committeeman, Roger Muilenburg, 86, Democratic committeewoman, Karen Muilenburg, 81. Republican committee member, Jesse J. Moats, 30, Herman J. Moats, 19.

South Connellsville Borough: Democratic committeeman, L. Guy Napolillo, 154, Democratic committeewoman, Gina Hough, 146. Republican committee member, Dave Lohr, 95, Dale Provance, 1.

South Union Township District 1: Democratic committeeman, Marty Reagan, 754, Democratic committeewoman, Delores Martin, 728. Republican committee member, Michael J. Hosier, 193, Whitney Wendy Baur, 178.

South Union Township District 2: Democratic committeeman, Palmerino P. Sabatine, 302, Democratic committeewoman, Connie Belle, 313. Republican committee member, Donald M. Miller, 8, Fred Junko, 1.

South Union Township District 3: Democratic committeeman, Robert Madison, 335, Democratic committeewoman, Jodi Rae Teets, 301. Republican committee member, James C. Woods, 1.

Springfield Township District 1: Republican committee member, Roxanne Kern, 5, Darla McFadden, 2.

Springfield Township District 2: Democratic committeewoman, Agnes D. Shipley, 65. Republican committee member, Rick Burkholder, 86, Jan L. Show, 1.

Springhill Township District 1: Republican committee member, Esther L. Shaffer, 2, Lester A. Shaffer, 2.

Springhill Township District 2: Democratic committeeman, Robert E. Grimm II, 111, Democratic committeewoman, Rosemary K. VanSickle, 104. Republican committee member, Rosemary Rockwell, 2.

Stewart Township: Democratic committeeman, Lloyd A. Williams, 29. Republican committee member, David Van Nosdeln, 16, Candace Scarlett, 9.

Uniontown Ward 1: Democratic committeeman, James R. Sileo, 159, Democratic committeewoman, Kelly L. Malosky, 168. Republican committee member, Russ Rhodes, 85, Odilia A. John, 38.

Uniontown Ward 2: Republican committee member, Mark Rafail, 1.

Uniontown Ward 3: Democratic committeeman, Leonard Springer, 128, Democratic committeewoman, 101. Republican committee member, Charmaine L. Sampson, 26, Mary Ellen Keteles, 2.

Uniontown Ward 4: Democratic committeeman, Jeffrey M. Wallace, 118, Democratic committeewoman, Rebecca Reed, 121. Republican committee member, William Judy, 1.

Uniontown Ward 5: Democratic committeeman, Thomas Bill Gerke, 141, Democratic committeewoman, Kathy Gerke, 137. Republican committee member, Gary N. Altman, 78, Matthew D. Dowling, 49.

Uniontown Ward 6: Democratic committeeman, William I. Menarcheck, 69, Democratic committeewoman, Margaret R. Sintich, 70. Republican committee member, Mary Machesky, 1.

Uniontown Ward 7: Democratic committeeman, John J. Boyle III, 163, Democratic committeewoman, Maureen Farnella, 164. Republican committee member, J. Ron Metros, 65, William J. Hubbard, 44.

Upper Tyrone Township: Democratic committeeman, Charles B. Cook, 144, Democratic committeewoman, Katie B. Cook, 142. Republican committee member, Daniel Friend, 108, Gertie Friend, 84.

Vanderbilt Borough: Democratic committeeman, Lance Winterhalter, 60, Democratic committeewoman, Mary Jane Winterhalter, 47. Republican committee member, Martin J. Riggin, 1, Joshua Thomas, 1.

Washington Township District 1: Democratic committeeman, Joe Grata, 282, Democratic committeewoman, Valerie Canigiani, 431. Republican committee member, Daniel Hoffman, 2, Kathleen K. Gregg, 1.

Washington Township District 2: Democratic committeeman, Joseph W. Malaspina, 119, Democratic committeewoman, Jamie Miller, 83. Republican committee member, Jeffrey Smith, 23.

Washington Township District 3: Democratic committeeman, Richard B. Triggiani, 55, Democratic committeewoman, Millicent Sellers, 74.

Wharton Township District 1: Democratic committeeman, Mark A. Kashery, 195, Democratic committeewoman, Pamela L. Kashery, 189. Republican committee member, Jeanne Moore, 22, John D. Lewis, 2.

Wharton Township District 2: Democratic committeeman, Phil Mahoney, 49, Democratic committeewoman, Gayle S. Mahoney, 44. Republican committee member, Ima Jeanne Maust, 5, Lawrence L. Lieb, 1.

Legion demolition

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 00:34:00 -0400

A crew of Ritenour & Sons Construction Co. remove the debris while demolishing the former American Legion Post 51 building along North Gallatin Avenue in Uniontown. See Sunday's edition of the Herald-Standard for more details.

The Veneration of the Cross

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 00:31:00 -0400

The Rev. John Butler, preist of All Saints Roman Catholic Church of Masontown, carries the cross down the center aisle during "The Veneration of the Cross" services. The Good Friday service allows the worshipper the opportunity to pay respect to the cross by coming forward and kissing or touching the feet of the cross.

Spring beauties

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 00:29:00 -0400

A sure sign of spring, Brandi Henderson of Dunbar, working at a roadside along Route 119 in Dunbar Township selling Easter flowers.

Georges Township house destroyed by fire

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:08:00 -0500

GEORGES TWP. — A volunteer firefighter suffered a leg injury as he worked to extinguish a burning house in Georges Township early Friday

The fire broke out at the vacant house, which was being renovated, on Collier Road shortly after 2 a.m. and quickly engulfed the residence in flames.

Volunteer firefighters from Collier, Smithfield, Fairchance and Hopwood battled the heavy blaze but were unable to stop the two-story home from collapsing. It took firefighters about 30 minutes to quell the blaze, according to emergency personnel.

When the house collapsed, one of the firefighters who was scrambling away from it suffered an injury to one of his legs, officials said. He was taken by ambulance to the Uniontown Hospital for treatment.

The cause of the blaze has not been determined and the state police fire marshal was called to investigate.

The house was previously hit by fire earlier this year.

The firefighter’s identity and condition were not available Friday, however, officials did note that the injury was not considered serious.

No one else was injured as a result of the fire.

Santa arrives in Farmington

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:05:00 -0500

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus arrive via a horse drawn carriage to the annual light up in Farmington Friday evening. Farmington hosted the annual event with carolers and the A J McMullen Middle School Band.

Neither snow, nor rain...

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 07:42:00 -0400

A bicyclist uses an umbrella to protect himself from the pouring rain along Morgantown treet in Uniontown on a dreay autumn morning Saturday. Ed Cope/Herald-Standard

Apple-deep in buckwheat

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 08:14:00 -0400

Thomas Myers scoops a basket full of apple that were used to make apple cider at the 60th annual Buckwheat and Pancake Supper. The Ohiopyle-Stewart Volunteer Fire Department held its annual event on Friday and Saturday. The department served and estimated 5,000 people over the two-day event.

Truck crashes into church

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:34:00 -0400

Thankfully, no one was injured when his unattended tractor-trailer truck plowed into a church in Uniontown Friday morning.
City police said the truck crashed into the wall of Christ United Methodist Church at the corner of Fayette Street and Beeson Boulevard shortly before noon, embedding the front of the truck inside the building.
Officer David J. Rutter, city police crash reconstruction specialist, said the driver of the truck, William Holali Yaw Agbemasu of High Point, was making the first delivery of his truck-driving career to Mundell's Furniture in Uniontown when he left the vehicle unattended.
Rutter said Agbemasu went into the store but apparently forgot to set the vehicle's emergency brake allowing the idling rig to run amok down an alley, past a gas station and other businesses headed toward Frank's Auto Supermarket before crashing into the church.
Agbemasu said that he just got the job driving trucks for Corsicana Bedding Inc. of Corsicana, Texas, after being without work for two months.
Agbemasu said he thought he deployed the emergency brake, but firefighters who responded to the crash said they found that the brake was not in use while the truck rolled down the alley.
"This was apparently his first trip on his first day," Rutter said. "Unfortunately, things didn't go as he had hoped."
During the trip down the narrow alleyway, the truck sideswiped a few buildings, causing minor damage to the trailer, and also sideswiped a parked vehicle before crashing into the church, Rutter said.
Bob Shaffer, who works at the Salvation Army on Fayette Street, said he was in the alley taking a smoke break when he saw the unmanned truck roll past him, missing him by only a few feet.
"At first I wondered what was going on because a truck can't turn around in the alley and then I saw that no one was driving," Shaffer said. "It was moving about 20 miles an hour when I heard the boom and it hit the building."
Uniontown firefighters and employees from Burnsworth's Garage in North Union Township worked for more than an hour to stabilize the building with cribbing blocks and lumber supplied by O.C. Cluss Lumber Co.
"The fire department worked diligently to shore up the building to prevent further collapse," Rutter said.
After much preparation, the truck was slowly pulled from the brick around 1:30 p.m., leaving a gaping hole in the side of the three-story church.
Oil and other fluids from the truck also poured into the basement of the church, where firefighters worked to mop up the mess.
The building sustained serious damage from the impact, with interior walls damaged from the force of the collision.

School bus wreck

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:14:00 -0400

Veterans stage courthouse rally

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:51:00 -0400

Signs that read "Freedom Don't Come Free/ No politics in veteran office," were held by a people in the crowd of veterans that gathered to speak about the need to get someone to run the VA office that will keep the job for longer than a year.
The county has lost six veterans affairs directors due to resignation in the last five years. The most recent director to depart, Floyd "Wayne" Coddington, left in August after eight months in the position.
While Coddington claimed he didn't get supplies and meddling by politicians, others who have left have spoken about the low pay.
The position pays about $31,000.
Although Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink initially called for posting and filling the position immediately after Coddington's departure, she initially didn't get the support to do that.
Commissioners Vincent Zapotosky and Vincent A. Vicites first said they wanted to review the salary and job description and later decided to implement a hiring freeze throughout the county, citing concerns about funding shortfalls because of the state budget impasse.
After a tentative state budget agreement was announced a week ago, Vicites and Zapotosky signed off on filling the position. There were no changes made to the job description.
Donald Coleman, a Vietnam veteran who organized the rally, spoke first. Throughout the nearly 90-minute rally, numerous veterans, an employee of the veterans affairs office and the three county commissioners were among the speakers.
Coleman, wearing an "All Gave Some, Some Gave All" T-shirt, said veterans have been pushed aside too long. He said the problem of why the county can't keep a veterans affairs director needs resolved. Coleman said the office should have "nothing to do with political stuff."
Bill Pitts, a Vietnam veteran, set the theme of the rally by repeatedly saying that hiring a director who would serve the county's 14,004 veterans should be a "T.P. or top priority."
"There are 14,000 veterans in the county who deserve top priority," Pitts said.
Pitts, who was part of a group of veterans who had attended Thursday's commissioners meeting, said he saw numerous prices of contracts on the agenda, but said veterans are priceless.
"We need to fund this office. We need to quit fighting amongst ourselves," Pitts said. "Anything they need in the office they should be given immediately. That office is in shambles."
Many of the veterans who attended served in Vietnam. Ralph Mazza of Franklin Township, a World War II veteran, said he came home to a grateful nation and Vietnam vets came home and they were treated like dirt, which he said was wrong.
"I've had many of you thank me for my service. I thank you for your service," Mazza said.
Vietnam veteran Jim Clark said the county wasted nearly a quarter of a million dollars on a scuttled countywide reassessment that wasn't needed and he doesn't believe there isn't money for the office. He said neighboring counties pay directors more than $30,000.
Zapotosky, the commission chairman who took office in 2008, said he got the message the vets were sending about the need to work together to get a good director for the office.
"I got it. Let's work together and let's get the damn thing right," Zapotosky said.
Vicites, whose late father Joseph L. Vicites was a national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said he is committed to work with his colleagues to get the problem fixed. He said he has worked toward enacting transportation, computer and software improvements in the office, but maybe the salary needs to be made higher.
"Let's work together. My commitment is to continue to improve this office," Vicites said.
Zimmerlink said some of the veterans may think the commissioners have a lack of commitment to the office, but that is not the case. She said they all care about veterans.
Zimmerlink recalled her grandmother showing her a telegraph from the war department saying that her son was just killed in action. That son, who was 18 or 19 years old, is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Zimmerlink said.
Zimmerlink said some counties across the state don't acknowledge veterans liaison committees, and Fayette County has always used the committee to help hire a director. She said she would continue to work with the committee.
Madonna Nicklow, who works in the veteran affairs office and has been blamed for some problems with past directors, said everyone who goes in the office is treated with respect.
Joe Mickens, a Korean War veteran, said everyone needs to quit talking the game and get down to doing what needs to be done.
Coleman said if there is a problem in the office, it needs to be handled.
The rally also included an opening and closing prayer and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Fish kill probe continues

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:48:00 -0400

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection said it has not pinpointed the source or cause of the golden algae, which occurs worldwide, but usually in coastal water with high salt and mineral content.
"This particular algae requires a brackish environment, like salt water. Our water quality reports and West Virginia's indicates that the brackish environment was created by Blacksville No. 2 (coal mine)," said Pennsylvania DEP spokeswoman Helen Humphreys.
Independent biologists hired by Consol Energy, which owns Blacksville No. 2, determined that golden brown algae caused the fish kill, but additional studies are needed to find the source and cause of the bloom, said Consol spokesman Tom Hoffman.
Blacksville No. 2 has been discharging water into creek, under a state permit, for more than a year while fish have been living in the creek, Hoffman said.
The algae might be native to the stream or it could have deposited from waterfowl or bait buckets fishermen might have used in other states, he said, adding that the algae is common in southern states.
Brackish water might have caused the algae to bloom, but sewage or cattle waste might also could have triggered the bloom, Hoffman said.
"The (Pennsylvania) DEP said brackish water made it bloom, but we've been discharging for quite some time, which suggests to me something else changed to make the algae bloom if it has been there for a while," Hoffman said. "This is a complicated situation in which there may have been a number of factors."
The Pennsylvania DEP has a standing request for West Virginia DEP's water studies and wants to evaluate the studies regarding the algae, Humphreys said, noting that the department is also looking at drainage from Consol's inactive Blacksville No. 1 mine as a possible source of the algae.
"While it appears that saline- and mineral-rich environments are conducive to the growth of the golden algae in Dunkard Creek, we aren't sure if the algae was introduced into the creek or if it just proliferated due to favorable conditions," said West Virginia DEP Secretary Randy Huffman. "It could have been transplanted in a number of ways, including waterfowl, water transport or even waders of fishermen who have fished in affected waters in other states."

The department is asking that no one transport water from the creek to avoid the possibility of spreading the algae to other watersheds.

Dead fish were first reported in Dunkard Creek to the West Virginia DEP on Sept. 1 and then to the Pennsylvania DEP on Sept. 8.
Residents in Greene County reported seeing various species of fish, including some large muskellunge, dead and floating in the creek.
The Pennsylvania DEP said at least 18 species of fish and at least 16 species of mussels have been killed in the stream. One of the species of mussels is classified as endangered and the state Fish and Boat Commission is considering placing another one of the species on the endangered list.
The 38-mile creek flows from Monongalia County, W.Va., to Greene County at its confluence with the Monongahela River.
All available information indicates that golden algae is not known to cause human health problems, and no immediate harmful effects have been recorded in mammals and birds observed eating dead and dying fish and drinking the water in areas with golden algae, according to the West Virginia DEP.

Golden algae, scientifically called prymnesium parvum, produces toxins that can affect gill-breathing organisms and the most visible result of a fish kill caused by golden alga is dead and dying fish and mussels of all species and sizes, according to the West Virginia DEP.

While it may be difficult to determine how the algae came to be in Dunkard Creek, the agency acknowledges the severity of the situation and is committed to continue to work with the other involved agencies to determine the extent of damage and what can be done to control the problem, Huffman said.

"Narrowing down the cause will allow us and anyone who may be found to be responsible to find a solution," said Huffman. "Some members of our investigation team are now turning their attention to finding ways to minimize or eliminate the algae bloom. We are also evaluating what can be done to prevent this from happening in the future, in Dunkard Creek and other watersheds."

He said algae experts from West Virginia University, North Carolina and Texas helped link golden algae to the fish kill.

West Virginia looked at other possible causes such as mining, oil and gas drilling and algae.

During a Sept. 18 flyover, officials noticed rust-colored cloudy water from the south fork of the West Virginia fork of the creek downstream to the Pennsylvania border.

Residents in Greene County also reported seeing murky, discolored water.

Officer cited for harassment

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:47:00 -0400

State police said off-duty officer Autumn H. Fike, 44, of Dunbar was cited after an altercation with Jeremy Turek, 24, at Lemont Sportsman's Club.
Police said Turek was charged with simple assault, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness following the same incident and Alexis Marie Metros, 24, of Dunbar was charged with simple assault.
Police said the incident began when a state trooper reported that Turek shined a laser pointer at him while he was responding to a separate incident at the location.
Police said that after the officer confronted Turek about the laser pointer and the safety risk of shining it at a trooper, he left the scene and Fike and Metros then confronted Turek on their own about the incident and tried to take the laser pointer from him.
An altercation ensued during which Turek struck Metros and then was struck multiple times in the face.
Police said all three suspects were drinking at the time of the incident.

Teen charged after altercation

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:44:00 -0400

Officer Travis Shandor said the boy, who was not identified, was charged in Fayette County Juvenile Court with aggravated assault, simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct following the incident Wednesday afternoon.
According to Shandor, the incident began after Principal Bob Manges and the student concluded a meeting at the school about the child's behavior.
Shandor said when the student learned he was being sent home for the remainder of the day, he began to yell and swear and became unruly.
During the incident, the student allegedly grabbed Uniontown Area School District police Officer Alfred Malik and refused to let go of him while continuing to swear, Shandor said.
He also threatened Malik and the principal, shouting that he would return to the school and "kill them all," Shandor said.
The boy was taken into custody with the help of Manges and another school officer.
Shandor said multiple witnesses, as well as the alleged victims, described the attack to police.

Obama closes summit

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:42:00 -0400

"We've brought back the economy from the brink" said President Barack Obama in a new conference following a day of talks with 18 nations and the European Union at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Route 40 accident injures three

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 08:24:00 -0400

Veterans planning rally

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:52:00 -0400

Coleman, who said he has no political ties or aspirations, said all veterans and their families are needed at a rally slated for 11 a.m. Friday in front of the Fayette County Courthouse.
Flyers announcing the rally say the purpose of the gathering is to get answers about the veterans affairs director position.
"Why can't Fayette County keep a V.A. director?, Why do they leave office so soon?, Why can't Fayette County give this position top priority?," the flyers state.
With more than 17,000 veterans, Fayette County has more veterans per capita than most other counties.
The county has lost six veterans affairs directors in the last five years. The most recent director to depart, Floyd "Wayne" Coddington, left in August after eight months in the position.
When he resigned, Coddington said he is not a political person but he believes that requests to delve into sensitive information that he received were politically motivated, and he said he would not break the law. Coddington claimed he didn't receive the tools necessary to run his office, adding that Commissioner Vincent A. Vicites personally asked him to dabble into people's private records in violation of medical privacy laws.
Vicites said he did not ask Coddington to release any information that he was not permitted to release.
"I always told him to follow the law," Vicites said.
While some of those who have left have said the pay is too low, Coleman said it's not all about that issue; it's also about the politics that is involved with the job.
Coleman, who has been distributing flyers announcing the event as well as making an appearance on a local radio station, said he would like the veterans who attend the rally to be able to ask questions and "speak their peace."
Coleman, recently selected as a member of the Fayette County Veterans Liaison Committee, said he simply wants the county's veterans to be served.
"We have a problem in the county keeping VA directors," Coleman said.
Coleman said he would like to see the politics kept out of the position, and for the director to be able to do their job.
"We're at war," Coleman said, adding that more veterans are coming home to Fayette County all the time.
Coleman also is asking veterans in a separate flyer to attend Thursday's commissioners meeting at 10 a.m. in the public safety building. He has requested to be placed on the agenda to speak about the issue.
"All veterans of Fayette County are requested to assemble for the meeting to show their support for our veterans association director's position. It is imperative that we support all measures to have our local government be held accountable for spending appropriations for that office," the flyer states.
The veterans liaison committee, of which Coleman recently became a member, has been instrumental is interviewing and recommending candidates for the veterans affairs director position in the past.
Although Coddington left his position in August, the commissioners have not yet advertised for or filled the position. There is currently a county hiring freeze because of a lack of a state budget.

Fayette gets $1 million in stimulus money

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:50:00 -0400

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on Friday announced a $900,000 Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the Fayette Industrial Fund, Georges Township and the Fairchance-Georges Joint Municipal Sewage Authority in Smithfield to make road and water infrastructure improvements to serve the Fayette Business Park in Georges Township.
"That's fantastic news,'' said Mike Krajovic, president of Fay-Penn Economic Development Council.
"We have been working on that, trying to secure funding to make very urgent repairs to roads in the business park. Some of those roads are over 30 years old and need significant repairs. We have in the past applied for funding through federal EDA and also have put in for support from the state through its infrastructure program,'' he said.
"I was just speaking to our construction manager who estimated we would have to spend $10,000 to make emergency repairs to the roads just to get us through this winter. To me, that's just wasting money. But with the stimulus funds, we can do the job right,'' he said.
He added that the Fayette Industrial Fund will put up matching funds for the grant, although he wasn't sure specifically how much. When reached by telephone Friday, Krajovic said he had not yet heard of the EDA grant approval.
"This is something that has been needed for several years,'' he said.
Krajovic explained the funds will be spent repairing the roads, taking out a pump station and improving the sewer system, which also will benefit Georges Township and the Fairchance-Georges Joint Municipal Sewage Authority.
He was not sure when the work could begin and doubted it could start before winter.
"We will have paperwork to do to follow up on this and then, with proper bidding procedures, we will have to award contracts and we have to prepare specifications. It may not be possible to get it done this year,'' he said.
Meanwhile, the project, made possible because of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, is expected to create additional jobs and private investment in the region.
"The Obama administration is committed to creating jobs, encouraging innovation and improving our nation's economic competitiveness," Locke said. "This grant will help create new jobs and boost private investment by making the critical infrastructure improvements needed to help boost current and future business development at the Fayette Business Park."
President Barack Obama signed the stimulus package Feb. 17. Locke said it is providing immediate relief for American families and jump-starting billions of dollars in new projects that are creating jobs, improving infrastructure and strengthening local economies.
"I am pleased to see the stimulus funds at work in Fayette County," U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., stated in a press release. "The infrastructure improvements to Fayette Business Park will spur growth and further the public-private effort to create quality employment opportunities in the region."
"These funds will help Fayette County grow by creating jobs and improving infrastructure," said U.S. Sen. Bob Casey. "This is another example of how the recovery act is helping to move our country and our local communities forward."
"With the future completion of the Mon/Fayette Expressway, our region, and in particular the Fayette Business Park, is ripe for further economic growth," U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha, D-Johnstown, stated in the press release announcing the grant. "This funding will put in place the infrastructure needed to attract new businesses and jobs, and is yet another example of federal stimulus funds working in Fayette County."
Locke said the Department of Commerce is a voice for Main Street businesses. It focuses on creating jobs by fostering innovation and opening markets to U.S. products.
EDA is an agency within the U.S. Commerce Department and supports the economic development needs of distressed communities throughout the United States. Its mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.
Additional information on how EDA investments are helping distressed communities create a positive and sustainable economic future can be accessed online at http://www.eda.gov
.

Car robber sentenced

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:49:00 -0400

Levaughn Brown, 19, was convicted of robbery of a motor vehicle earlier this month following a trial before President Judge Conrad B. Capuzzi.
Uniontown police charged Brown and his brother with robbing Maria Clemente of Uniontown on Dec. 9, 2008, as she was delivering newspapers in Pershing Court. Police said Brown asked her if she had a screwdriver to help him fix a broken down car, then told her he was going to take her car.
Police said he showed her a gun before fleeing in her Chevrolet Corsica, which was recovered several days later.
At trial, Capuzzi dismissed charges of robbery, theft by unlawful taking and simple assault.
Leron Brown, 18, of Pittsburgh also faces charges that he conspired with his brother to rob Clemente and steal her car.
Leron Brown was supposed to appear for trial this month in court, but did not. There is a bench warrant out for his arrest.

Man charged with assault

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:47:00 -0400

Uniontown police Officer Frederick Kampert said Derrick Anthony Bass, 19, was charged before Magisterial District Judge Michael Defino with aggravated assault, simple assault, harassment and criminal mischief following the alleged beating of Jamie Sapp, 19, of Point Marion.
Kampert said the incident occurred at 8:30 p.m. at a location on Grant Street.
Sapp told police that she looked at Bass' cell phone, which made him yell at her and strike her repeatedly in the left ear.
Kampert said Sapp then tried to run from Bass but tripped and fell and, injuring her knee and dropping her car keys.
Kampert said Bass took the keys and refused to give them to Sapp.
Bass then struck Sapp several more times and pulled her by the hair. Kampert said he also used a rock to smash the windshield of Sapp's vehicle before he returned the keys to her.
Sapp was taken to the Uniontown Hospital for treatment. Kampert said she suffered a ruptured eardrum, contusions on both sides of her face, a contusion on her chest and a sprained knee.

Woman charged with threatening bus driver

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:46:00 -0400

Police Detective Donald M. Gmitter said the warrant charges Nakia Janelle Williams, 29, of 167 Walnut St., Uniontown, with terroristic threats, unauthorized school bus entry, three counts of disorderly conduct and harassment.
According to Gmitter, the incident occurred at 7:17 a.m. Sept. 3 when bus driver, Rose Jordan, no address available, stopped at a pickup location at the intersection of Walnut Street and Bailey Avenue.
Gmitter said that after several students boarded the bus, Williams then boarded the bus and asked Jordan if she had called her son a name the day before.
Jordan told police that she immediately asked Williams to step from the bus but she refused and yelled and began swearing at Jordan.
Gmitter said Jordan told police that she tried to explain that Williams' son would not sit down while aboard the bus the day before, but was interrupted by Williams who continued to swear at Jordan.
Williams told Jordan that she would slap her if she ever called her son anything but his given name, Gmitter said.
He said that Williams continued to block the entrance to the bus and that several students were not able to get onto the bus before Jordan drove from the scene to flee Williams.
Williams also is wanted on charges of terroristic threats and two counts of harassment in an unrelated incident that occurred July 13 on North Street in Uniontown.
Anyone with information regarding Williams' whereabouts is asked to call police at 724-430-2929.

All Saints school gets new principal

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:43:00 -0400

Steven Dorko, principal of St. Sebastian School and in his eighth year as a teacher and administrator at Belle Vernon Catholic School, also is serving as principal of All Saints.
Trent Bocan, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Greensburg, made the announcement in August.
The former principal of All Saints, Bernard Kubitza, left earlier this summer to become president and principal of Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School in Altoona.
Bocan also announced that Lori Sagosky, who is in her 10th year as a teacher and administrator at All Saints, will be the lead teacher at the Masontown school and be responsible for its daily operations.
"This team approach will provide strong, effective leadership at All Saints Regional School,'' Bocan said. "Steven Dorko and Lori Sagosky have shown their commitment to Catholic education in their service as teachers and leaders at their schools. This team approach wil serve both schools well.
"Steven has been an extremely effective leader at St. Sebastian and we are confident he will provide that same commitment to excellence as the academic and faith formation leader at All Saints,'' Bocan said.
Dorko has a bachelor's degree in elementary education, a master's degree in educational administration and his principal certification for kindergarten through 12th grade from California University of Pennsylvania.
He served in a variety of teaching and administrative capacities at St. Sebastian School for five years before being named principal in August 2007.
"I am looking forward to working with Lori, the faculty, staff and parents at All Saints Regional School. They really care about the school and they do everything they can to support it,'' Dorko said.
Sagosky has a bachelor's degree in elementary/early childhood education, a master's degree in education and instructional certifications in early childhood and elementary education and as a reading specialist.
"I look forward to working with Steve and sharing resources and ideas,'' Sagosky said. "I believe this leadership approach will serve All Saints Regional School well. We have many dedicated people here, from the parents, staff and faculty to the pastor, Father John Butler, and many other leaders in the parish, community and diocese.''
Dorko said the St. Sebastian School leadership team will include Kathy Warfield as lead teacher and Bill Domiano as assistant.
"St. Sebastian School has a strong faulty and staff team in place. The school is moving in a great direction, and I expect that to continue as I serve as principal of another school,'' Dorko said.
Dorko lives in Irwin with his wife, Lori.
Sagosky lives in Masontown.
Warfield is in her 39th year as a teacher and administrator for Catholic schools in the diocese. A principal for 10 years at the former Epiphany of Our Lord School, Monessen, where she also taught for 27 years, Warfield teaches English, science, social studies and health to fourth- and fifth-graders at St. Sebastian and religion to fifth-grader students. She has a bachelor's degree in elementary education with certification in early childhood development from California University, where she also took graduate classes. She and her husband life, Harold, live in Monessen.
Domiano is in his sixth year as a teacher at St. Sebastian School. He teaches computers for grades kindergarten through 8th grade and science for seventh-graders. He has a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and lives in Leechburg.

LAW ORDER

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:37:00 -0400

Men charged
State police charged Roy Arnold "Bucky" Baker, Jr., 23, of 207 Baker Lane, Nemacolin with avoiding apprehension, resisting arrest and three counts of aggravated assault from an incident on August 29 involving a warrant.
Police said they approached the 200 building where Baker was staying at Parkview Knoll when he ran into the woods.
Police continued to pursue Baker by foot and apprehended him shortly after. Police also found a hypodermic needle they seized for evidence located near a fence Baker jumped over.
Baker was taken into custody and transported to the Greene County Prison where he remains on $35,000 straight cash bond.
He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Lee Watson in Carmichaels where he will appear on September 24 for a preliminary hearing.
Additionally, police charged Charles David "Buddy" Baker, 19, also of 207 Baker Lane, Nemacolin, with avoiding apprehension, obstructing the law, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest from an incident Sept. 2, when police arrived at father's residence to issue an active bench warrant for failure to appear on a felony offense of burglary, conspiracy and theft.
Police approached the residence and were told by Misty Fike, Baker's girlfriend, that he wasn't there and she had not seen him all day.
After searching a the residence police found a hole in the floor inside the main entry door covered with a piece of sheet metal and a rug they lifted and found Baker crawling away from underneath the trailer as they arrested him.
Police took Baker into custody and transported him to the Green County Prison where he remains on $35,000 straight cash bond.
He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Lee Watson Friday and will appear on Sept. 24 for a preliminary hearing.
Cumberland Twp.
Burglary charges
State police charged Jamie Lee Shriver, 21, of 3 Riviera Mobile Home Park, Dilliner, with burglary, theft by unlawful taking and criminal trespass after responding to a burglary on Aug. 21 at property owned by Robert Headly of 417 Nemacolin Road, Carmichaels in which $11,321 in jewelry was stolen.
While on scene, police observed the back door to a garage was kicked in along with another door through the garage leading to the kitchen with drawers opened and items moved about throughout the residence.
Police then observed the bedroom where they found multiple jewelry boxes opened and emptied.
According to police, Headly was with his wife in Uniontown during the time of the indicent and when they returned home found the sliding glass doors on the back porch were opened where Shriver allegedly exited.
Police estimated the damage to the doors at $2,485.
When police met with Shriver he admitted to taking the jewelry and medication from the home and left from the sliding glass doors into the woods.
Shriver also told police he was alone and forcibly entered the residence when he knocked on the door and no one answered.
Police took Shriver into custody and remanded him to the Greene County Prison on $50,000 straight cash bond.
He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Lee Watson Friday with a preliminary hearing set for Sept. 24.
Cumberland Twp.
Receiving stolen property
State police charged Clarence Burt Frenden, 33, of 185 Maple Street, Carmichaels with receiving stolen property and sales of firearms in connection with an incident May 28, 2008 when he allegedly sold a stolen .22 pistol to an undcover informant.
Police said Frenden sold the gun to the undercover informant for $125 and also asked him if he wanted to purchase marijuana.
Police conducted a gun ownership search and found the gun was registered to George Matelska who reported it stolen from his residence.

Frenden was taken into custody and transported by police to the Greene County Prison on $15,000 straight cash bond.
He was arraigned Friday before Magisterial District Judge Lee Watson with a preliminary hearing set for Sept. 24.
North Union Twp.
Simple assault
State police are continuing to investiage an incident involving Hilary A. Price, 19, of Newell and a known female who were engaged in a verbal argument Wednesday at 3 p.m. at a service station on Route 51.
Police said when the known female attempted to get inside the vehicle Price drove away with her hanging on the side of the vehicle.
The victim eventually got back into the vehicle police said and left the scene while sustaining minor injuries.
Monongahela Twp.
Theft
State police said Greensburg Environmental Contracting Systems Inc. reported someone stole a Stihl chainsaw, Husqvarna chainsaw and Stihl chop saw between Monday and Tuesday from a utility trailer parked at 340 Stoney Hill Road.
Franklin Twp.
Harassment
State police charged Timothy John Gorda of Waynesburg with harassment and disorderly conduct Thursday after he allegedly played loud music in Mountain View Gardens and threatened the manager after he was confronted.

Cumberland Twp.
Men charged
State police charged Roy Arnold "Bucky" Baker, Jr., 23, of 207 Baker Lane, Nemacolin with avoiding apprehension, resisting arrest and three counts of aggravated assault from an incident on August 29 involving a warrant.
Police said they approached the 200 building where Baker was staying at Parkview Knoll when he ran into the woods.
Police continued to pursue Baker by foot and apprehended him shortly after. Police also found a hypodermic needle they seized for evidence located near a fence Baker jumped over.
Baker was taken into custody and transported to the Greene County Prison where he remains on $35,000 straight cash bond.
He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Lee Watson in Carmichaels where he will appear on September 24 for a preliminary hearing.
Additionally, police charged Charles David "Buddy" Baker, 19, also of 207 Baker Lane, Nemacolin, with avoiding apprehension, obstructing the law, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest from an incident Sept. 2, when police arrived at father's residence to issue an active bench warrant for failure to appear on a felony offense of burglary, conspiracy and theft.
Police approached the residence and were told by Misty Fike, Baker's girlfriend, that he wasn't there and she had not seen him all day.
After searching a the residence police found a hole in the floor inside the main entry door covered with a piece of sheet metal and a rug they lifted and found Baker crawling away from underneath the trailer as they arrested him.
Police took Baker into custody and transported him to the Green County Prison where he remains on $35,000 straight cash bond.
He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Lee Watson Friday and will appear on Sept. 24 for a preliminary hearing.
Cumberland Twp.
Burglary charges
State police charged Jamie Lee Shriver, 21, of 3 Riviera Mobile Home Park, Dilliner, with burglary, theft by unlawful taking and criminal trespass after responding to a burglary on Aug. 21 at property owned by Robert Headly of 417 Nemacolin Road, Carmichaels in which $11,321 in jewelry was stolen.
While on scene, police observed the back door to a garage was kicked in along with another door through the garage leading to the kitchen with drawers opened and items moved about throughout the residence.
Police then observed the bedroom where they found multiple jewelry boxes opened and emptied.
According to police, Headly was with his wife in Uniontown during the time of the indicent and when they returned home found the sliding glass doors on the back porch were opened where Shriver allegedly exited.
Police estimated the damage to the doors at $2,485.
When police met with Shriver he admitted to taking the jewelry and medication from the home and left from the sliding glass doors into the woods.
Shriver also told police he was alone and forcibly entered the residence when he knocked on the door and no one answered.
Police took Shriver into custody and remanded him to the Greene County Prison on $50,000 straight cash bond.
He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Lee Watson Friday with a preliminary hearing set for Sept. 24.
Cumberland Twp.
Receiving stolen property
State police charged Clarence Burt Frenden, 33, of 185 Maple Street, Carmichaels with receiving stolen property and sales of firearms in connection with an incident May 28, 2008 when he allegedly sold a stolen .22 pistol to an undcover informant.
Police said Frenden sold the gun to the undercover informant for $125 and also asked him if he wanted to purchase marijuana.
Police conducted a gun ownership search and found the gun was registered to George Matelska who reported it stolen from his residence.

Frenden was taken into custody and transported by police to the Greene County Prison on $15,000 straight cash bond.
He was arraigned Friday before Magisterial District Judge Lee Watson with a preliminary hearing set for Sept. 24.
North Union Twp.
Simple assault
State police are continuing to investiage an incident involving Hilary A. Price, 19, of Newell and a known female who were engaged in a verbal argument Wednesday at 3 p.m. at a service station on Route 51.
Police said when the known female attempted to get inside the vehicle Price drove away with her hanging on the side of the vehicle.
The victim eventually got back into the vehicle police said and left the scene while sustaining minor injuries.
Monongahela Twp.
Theft
State police said Greensburg Environmental Contracting Systems Inc. reported someone stole a Stihl chainsaw, Husqvarna chainsaw and Stihl chop saw between Monday and Tuesday from a utility trailer parked at 340 Stoney Hill Road.
Franklin Twp.
Harassment
State police charged Timothy John Gorda of Waynesburg with harassment and disorderly conduct Thursday after he allegedly played loud music in Mountain View Gardens and threatened the manager after he was confronted.

Nature's artistry

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:04:00 -0400

Weather-worn planks serve as a backdrop for the fallen leaves in the mountains near Ohiopyle recently.

Change in the trees

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:23:00 -0400

Riddled with holes, turning leaves are mixed with lingering green in the mountains of Stewart Township near Ohiopyle. Ed Cope/Herald-Standard

Prayer gathering held at courthouse

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:48:00 -0400

"We want to remember what happened in our nation on 9/11 and the people who are still fighting terrorism in our nation and around the world,'' said Frey, who served as county coordinator for a national prayer movement on Sept. 11 coordinated by Awakening America Alliance.
Frey, who is pastor of Mountaintop Faith Ministries in Stahlstown, Westmoreland County, first coordinated the Fayette County prayer gathering in 2008 when she was hosting a crusade in the local area. She returned to coordinate another gathering this year that once again included prayers by local ministers and music from singers, as well as Common Ground Ministries from Broken Arrow, Okla.
Fayette County Commissioners Vincent Zapatosky and Vincent Vicites also addressed the small but attentive crowd that gathered to remember the day when terrorists hijacked four American jetliners to use as weapons, flying two into the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in New York City and one into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., while passengers overcame the highjackers on a fourth airplane before they could reach their destination and instead crashed into a field in nearby Somerset County.
Zapatosky, the commission chairman who formerly worked with U.S. Rep. Frank R. Mascara, D-Charleroi, remembered being about to have breakfast at the Capitol when the terrorist attacks occurred.
"D.C. was like an Alfred Hitchcock film. No one knew where to go,'' he said.
Recalling that Congress stood on the Capitol steps that night to sing "God Bless America,'' he noted the first thing they did when they met was to pray.
"They asked what they could do but they also asked God for help,'' said Zapatosky, who then talked about the importance of prayer in daily life, saying, "We have to rely on ourselves but we also look for spiritual guidance. I do that every morning.''
He said, "Let's not forget what happened on Sept. 11 and keep a vigil for those who lost their lives. We're living in the greatest nation in the world and with help from God it will continue to be the greatest nation.''
Vicites remembered being in a commissioners meeting when the attacks occurred. The meeting was adjourned and the commissioners went to the 911 center to deal with the situation. An hour later, Vicites was walking back to the courthouse when he saw a sight that touched him deeply: local veterans had lined the streets of Uniontown with American flags.
"It was such a wonderful show of patriotism and symbolic of how we pulled together as a country,'' he said. "That type of mindset has to continue every day.''
Other speakers included the Rev. Randy Winemiller of Poplar Run Church of God of Prophecy near White, who told a story of a soldier who lost a leg when stepping on a landmine during the war. The soldier never complained but worked hard to recover from his injuries and even enjoyed the opportunity to jog at the White House with President George Bush.
Winemiller spoke of soldiers, police officers, firefighters and others, saying, "We honor all of them today and say thank you for your service.''
The Rev. Mark Sholtis of Normalville United Methodist Church noted the compassion of Americans and how the county readily responds to those in need. But he noted faults of society, including greed and changes in standards of morality.
He urged people to examine their lives, and continue to use prayer, commenting, "No one is too insignificant to change the world.''
Other participants included lay speaker David Priemer of the Buchanan Church of God in White; the Rev. Donna Stenger of the Church of God of Prophecy in Oliver, North Union Township; the Rev. Daryl McDavis of Trinity Church of God in Christ in McKeesport; Larry Frey, husband of Margaret Frey, and Trinity Cardine from New Salem.
Margaret Frey ended the gathering by asking people to say the Pledge of Allegiance and also talked about the power of prayer.
She said, "We have to believe it does make a difference.''

Shanksville Memorial

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:41:00 -0400

Visitors to the temporary 911 Memorial near Shanksville, Somerset County held a Flight 93 flag as they sang "God Bless America".

This year commemorates the eight anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

Golfers robbed

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:00:00 -0400

According to the state police in Belle Vernon, Cade Stevens, 25, allegedly came out of a wooded area near a putting green wearing a mask and carrying a shotgun and approached the golfers. He ordered them to empty their pockets and lay on the ground. One of the men was pushed to the ground with the shotgun, at which time the golfer and Stevens struggled, according to police.
The golfer was struck on both sides of the face with the weapon and also received several scratches on his hand and neck before giving Stevens his money clip containing about $80.
The incident occurred around 4:50 p.m. Stevens was later located by police and arraigned by video before Magisterial District Judge Robert Breakiron.

Connellsville holds 911 ceremony

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:34:00 -0400

The Connellsville Veterans Commission hosted the annual ceremony.
As a U.S. flag hung from a New Haven Hose Volunteer Fire Company truck waved in the early morning breeze, former Vietnam veteran and master of ceremonies Gerald Browell recalled the events of the fateful morning eight years ago.
"It began in New York City at 8:46 a.m. when American Airlines Flight 11, under terrorist control, crashed into the World Trade Center North Tower," said Browell. "Seventeen minutes later, at 9:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 175, under terrorist control, crashed into the World Trade Center South Tower."
The scene then changed to Arlington, Va., continued Browell, where at 9:37 a.m., American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon.
During the next 30 minutes, the South Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed and a fourth passenger plane crashed into a Somerset County farm field.
The horrific tragedy continued when at 10:28 a.m., the North Tower fell to the ground.
"The death toll was nearly 3,000 people that day from 95 different nations and territories," said Browell. "We must never forget the innocent victims of the 9/11 attack on America.
"We must ensure that they did not die in vain; we must never forget."
Keynote speaker Bob Topper said that he, along with others across the nation, watched in disbelief as the second airliner cut through the World Trade Center's South Tower.
"We watched helplessly as if it were something in a horrible fictional movie," he said.
The Fayette EMS administrative director, paramedic and New Haven fire chief said the ambulance service was dispatched to the scene of the United Airlines Flight 93 crash in Shanksville, making it an integral part of the tragic day.
"The reality of the situation struck me as I arrived to a devastating scene of utter destruction," he said. "Firefighters, police officers and emergency services personnel responded to help in any way we could, yet we could do nothing but stand and look in disbelief."
Countless people, said Topper, including the Flight 93 passengers who overtook the airplane from the terrorists, emergency responders and others became heroes that day.
Their heroism must be remembered, he added.
Topper said that throughout his 35 years as a firefighter and paramedic he has witnessed many acts of selflessness by his fellow first-responders.
"I have witnessed hundreds of firefighters, police and EMS personnel in Seward and Johnstown after the flood as they searched diligently for days hoping to find survivors and recovering remains," he said. "I have witnessed these same heroes in boats in Point Marion as they rescued people from second-story windows after the Monongahela River overflowed its banks to 10 feet of water in the streets.
"I've been to fires and watched my brother firefighters - paid and volunteer - risk their lives searching a burning structure that may still be occupied, even if it was only to save the family pet.
"There have been countless EMS calls where lives were saved because our people had the right training, equipment and the ability to pull it all together for a positive outcome."
When called upon, he added, they respond.
Topper urged those gathered at the Veterans Plaza to honor the 9/11 heroes, but also to remember the daily sacrifices made by members of the Connellsville police and fire departments, auxiliary police and emergency service providers as well as those who perform the same duties across the country and the men and women of the Armed Services.
"I ask that you please pray every day that they, our heroes, return to their families at the end of those duties," he said.
Also taking part in the ceremony was the Connellsville Area High School band under the direction of Tim Martin; the Rev. Raymond B. Hill Jr., pastor of the Otterbein United Methodist Church; American Legion Post 762 adjutant Ted Davis; and American Legion Post 301 secretary Tom McFadden.

Champs Back In Action

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:58:00 -0400

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu comes down with his first interception of the season in the first half of last nights game against the Tennessee Titans. Robert Esquivel/Herald-Standard

Changing Hands

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:32:00 -0400

Workers guide a new sign into place at the drive-thru for First Niagara Bank (former National City Bank) on Church Street in Uniontown. John F. Brothers/Herald-Standard

Annual pilgrimage opens 75th year at Mount St. Macrina

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:14:00 -0400

“This mountain is our Byzantine Catholic Church in the United States,’’ said Archbishop Basil M. Schott, celebrant and homilist for the opening Divine Liturgy. “This mountain has been a unifying force.’’

Schott, who is metropolitan archbishop of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh for the Byzantine Catholic Church, talked about the many people who gathered here through the years at the Uniontown home of the Sisters of St. Basil the Great for the annual Labor Day pilgrimage.

“They have come here together as one family, one church to worship God and to ask the help of his mother to direct you and me,’’ said Schott.

Commenting on the anniversary, he said, “We’re a part of history today.’’

Sister Seraphim Olsafsky, provincial for the Sisters of St. Basil the Great, gave a welcome at the end of the Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated at the Mother of God Shrine.

She also spoke of the history of this site, saying, “The very air of Mount St. Macrina abounds with the prayers, sacrifices and loving relationships of all the pilgrims who walked on these grounds and searched for the Divine.’’

The pilgrimage continues through Monday.

State inspects tri-county slurry dams

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:52:00 -0400

Department of Environmental Protection dam safety inspectors examined two impoundments in Fayette County, 11 in Greene County and nine in Washington County. Most of the impoundments in Greene and Washington counties contain slurry from washing coal removed in long-wall mining operations.
All the dams are classified as high-hazard structures not because they are unsafe, but because they would pose a threat to life and property if they collapsed, said DEP spokesman Tom Rathbun.
"It doesn't mean they're hazardous. They would cause loss of life or property if they failed," Rathbun said.
High-hazard designations result in safer dams because state law requires two annual inspections of those dams, and DEP Secretary John Hanger said he ordered a third inspection to ensure the structures are being monitored and maintained.
"Pennsylvania has one of the most comprehensive dam safety programs in the country, with strict regulations for the construction, inspection and maintenance of these structures, and a program of regular inspections for dams that could endanger lives and property in the event of a failure," Hanger said.

He continued, "I ordered that these enhanced inspections in addition to regularly scheduled inspections for Pennsylvania's coal ash and other waste impoundments so that we can reassure the public that these facilities are being monitored and maintained in good condition."

High-hazard impoundment owners hire engineers to conduct inspections and the DEP reviews those inspection reports. The DEP then conducts its own inspections, Rathbun said.
Some maintenance problems were found at some of the dams, but no serious structural or operational problems were discovered. The inspection reports will be reviewed and the DEP will assist dam owners with any potential safety or structural problems that may be found, Rathbun said.
In addition to the DEP inspections, he said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is performing inspections of a few dams in the state and nationwide for states that don't have dam safety programs.
In Fayette County, the Labelle slurry pond and the Russell Minerals Inc. pond were inspected.
In Greene County, two Bailey Mine impoundments, the Blacksville No. 1 Mine impoundment, two Cumberland Coal Resources impoundments and four Emerald Coal Resources impoundments, the South Saddle Dike and Hughes Hollow Dike were inspected.
In Washington County, four Maple Creek Mine slurry ponds, two Mon View Mining slurry ponds, Champion Processing Inc.'s Duck Pond, Pristine Resources Inc.'s Horne slurry pond and Eighty-Four Mining Co.'s West Dike were inspected.
Rathbun said the U.S. Department of Homeland Security does not want the DEP to reveal the exact locations of the impoundments for security reasons.
In Tennessee, two coal ash impoundments owned by the Tennessee Valley Authority collapsed, flooding homes and fouling waterways and several hundred acres of farmland in December.

Proposed zoning ordinance draws questions in Menallen

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:49:00 -0400

Residents Susanne Teslovich, along with Roberta Berger, said they would like for their properties to remain zoned A-1, which is for agricultural purposes.
Teslovich told the supervisors that she was upset because she was told a map that contains the layout of the new zoning areas does not exist, but there was such a map in the room where Thursday's meeting was being held.
Supervisor Robert "Tweety" Yatsko said, "It doesn't technically exist because it isn't finalized, and it could change."
Because the zoning ordinance has not been adopted, it means that it is not part of public record and does not fall into the newly established open records law, he added.
The supervisors then went on to explain the reason why the map was currently in the room is because it is the same place the zoning steering committee meets.
Resident Edward Rinkhoff questioned why the township is choosing to handle its own zoning, and expressed worry that it would result in a property tax increase.
"Our goal is to stay rural in nature, grow a little and not have to raise our taxes," said Supervisor Joe Petrucci. "We want to do it right."
After much discussion, the supervisors voted to suggest to the zoning steering committee to keep Teslovich's property zoned as A1.
Berger also expressed to the supervisors her concern over the condition of a bridge over Jennings Run. She said the bridge looks like it is deteriorating underneath.
Supervisor John Yantko said he believed that particular bridge is inspected by the state Department of Transportation every two years. He told Berger that he would look at the report and find out when it was last inspected.
In other matters, trick-or-treating in the township has been scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.
Fall cleanup in the township has been scheduled for Oct. 19-23. The supervisors said residents are encouraged to place hard-to-dispose items at the edge of their driveway on their regular collection day. Items that are prohibited include tires, batteries, paint and other toxic materials.
Those who are elderly or need assistance moving their items to the proper disposal point are asked to call the township office ahead of time.
The supervisors also issued a reminder to residents that burning is limited to Saturdays only until Oct. 1. At that time, burning will be allowed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Also, the supervisors reminded residents to cut their grass because there have been a lot of citations issued this year.
The next township meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 1.

Fundraising effort

goodwinl@heraldstandard.com — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:47:19 -0400

Approximately 90 riders participated in Sunday's Connellsville POlice Officers Association (CPOA) Bicycle Poker Run. The proceeds of the event benefit the CPOA Scholarship Fund and the School Safety Patrol annual trip. Among the bikers leaving from the Yough Park is Rick Miller, who is towing his sons, Tyler and Troy. Following is Miller's wife, Sherri.

Back to school

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:45:00 -0400

Hits utility pole

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:45:00 -0400

Area woman grows miracle flower

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:45:00 -0400

Parade marks the start of the 42nd annual Mountain Area Community Fair

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:45:00 -0400

Man charged with making bogus calls

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:45:00 -0400

Officer Dave Hromada said that after police identified the suspect, a 52-year-old Uniontown man, they warned him to cease making phony calls to 911 or charges would be filed against him.

Hromada said the calls began around 2 a.m. when police were summoned to a location on Connellsville Street for a report of a woman waiving down cars. When officers arrived, Hromada said police were unable to locate anyone.

Over the next few hours, police said Fayette County 911 received five more reports of a woman trying to stop cars, begging for money and buying crack cocaine.

Hromada said he drove to the location and watched the suspect standing by himself on Connellsville Street and then observed him walk to a pay phone and report further unfounded activity.

Hromada said that following the warning from police, the man returned to his residence and Fayette County 911 dispatchers received no additional calls from him.

Police probe scam case

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:45:00 -0400

George Thomas Cumberland, 43, of 515 Independence Ave. in the Holiday Mobile Home Park told authorities he received a letter that told he would be paid for participating in a Consumer Research Project.

Trooper Kiprian S. Yarosh stated in a press release that the letter contained a check, and directions for Cumberland to cash it, and return a portion of it to the firm.

So, police said, he did.

Cumberland told police he deposited the check, and sent a MoneyGram to a recipient in Canada. However, Yarosh said, the check Cumberland deposited was fake.

The ultimate cost of the scam to Cumberland was $3,544, police said.

The case in under investigation by state police, but Yarosh said he intended to forward the matter to the state Attorney General's office.

Uniontown man faces assault charges

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:45:00 -0400

This time, however, he will be charged as an adult because he has since turned 18.

Uniontown police Officer Frederick Kampert said Timothy Bradley of Uniontown was charged with simple assault, two counts of harassment, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief for assaulting his 17-year-old girlfriend on Aug. 22.

Kampert said police filed the latest charges against Bradley after he got into an argument and started to chase his girlfriend around her car while parked near Ester Street.

Kampert said that the girl, who was not identified, was able to climb into her vehicle, but Bradley grabbed the partially opened window and pulled on it until it shattered. He then tried to climb into the vehicle, Kampert said.

During the struggle, Kampert said Bradley bit the girl's face, and when he forced her from the vehicle, pushed her onto the ground and assaulted her.

Kampert said she was eventually able to flee from the area and contact police.

While Kampert was interviewing the alleged victim, he said that Bradley repeatedly called the girls' cell phone and, when Kampert intervened and answered one of his calls, continued to call and pretended to be the girl's father.

Kampert said the girl was taken to Uniontown Hospital for treatment.

The incident comes less than two months after Bradley, then 17, was charged as an adult with attempted homicide and related charges after he allegedly fired multiple gunshots at Robert Harris, 16, and Randy K. Dennis, 18, both of Uniontown, on June 26, Uniontown police said.

One of the bullets allegedly struck Dennis in the buttocks, police said. Bradley's attorney, Samuel J. Davis, filed a petition in early July in Fayette County Court asking that the matter be transferred to juvenile court.

Davis said his client got the gun after being repeatedly threatened by Harris. Davis contended that Harris shot at Bradley earlier in the day, and Bradley got the gun "out of fear."

According to police, Bradley drove up to 39 Murray Ave., got out of the car and started firing. Police said they found .380-caliber shell casings on the ground. He then fled the scene and turned himself in to police a few days after the shooting.

In the petition, Davis indicated Bradley is "amenable to treatment, supervision and rehabilitation ... and deserving of the opportunity to receive this type of treatment.

"The defendant is completely willing to complete any type of program, counseling or rehabilitation that would be imposed by the court as part of the juvenile court system," he wrote.

Davis also indicated that Bradley would "suffer great harm" if he were sent to jail as an adult offender.

Judge John F. Wagner granted the motion in late July.

Commissioners OK energy study

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:45:00 -0400

Before Commissioners Vincent Zapotosky, Vincent A. Vicites and Angela M. Zimmerlink took the action, county manager Warren Hughes said two proposals were received - from CLT and Chevron of Landsdale. Hughes said both proposals were fairly equal, but CLT had extensive experience with other counties in our area.

Hughes said the company would conduct a complete study of everything that uses energy in the courthouse, including electricity, natural gas and water and evaluate where cost savings can be realized. Having the study conducted does not cost anything.

If in the future the commissioners decide to make the changes to make items such as light bulbs more energy-efficient, a loan could be obtained to do the work and the loan would be paid off using the savings. Hughes said a similar study was conducted years ago but did not move forward.

The Fayette County Housing Authority recently took action to enter into a contract to make public housing units more energy-efficient. The company agreed to pay the difference if the savings are not realized. The authority voted to enter into an energy service agreement with Ameresco of Framingham, Mass., which includes a scope of work of $908,332. The cost includes all the work associated with replacing items such as thermostats and toilets with more energy-efficient models. The authority has 1,323 units in 17 sites throughout the county.

Andre Walters, director of funding and asset planning, said the authority would essentially get all the energy-efficient fixtures for free because the cost of the project will be paid using the savings in the utility bills the authority will realize.

Walters explained the authority entered into a contract with Ameresco in 2007 for an energy audit in which the company looked for savings that could be realized by installing more energy-efficient fixtures.

Walters said Ameresco presented the complete energy audit last year, which estimated the annual savings to the authority would be $101,545. He said a loan will be obtained to do the work, and the savings from the utility bills will be used to pay the loan.

Hughes said the issue came up years ago and a study was done but at the time the commissioners didn't proceed with the efficiency upgrades. He said in May 2003 an engineering firm conducted a study but the company wouldn't later guarantee the projected savings.

In other agenda items during Thursday's meeting, the commissioners voted 2-1 to ratify approval of a three-year agreement with Maximus Consulting Services Inc. in the amount of $9,000 a year for 2008, 2009 and 2010 to develop central services cost allocation plans.

Zimmerlink voted against the action, saying she felt competitive proposals should have been sought. Vicites said Maximus has been handling the work for years and there is "no learning curve."

In other action, the commissioners voted to seek a request for proposals for the county's workers compensation coverage for a one-year policy.

The commissioners voted to hire several employees during the meeting, including Joni L. Miller and Bridgette A. Davis, both for the position of county caseworker I in the Fayette County Children and Youth Services office, at a rate of $25,709 annually; and Carson Campbell as a full-time small bus transit operator at an annual salary of $19,773 and Jill Streit as a part-time program specialist at a rate of $12.38 an hour, both in the office of Human and Community Services/Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation.

The commissioners announced that they are accepting letters of interest for people interested in serving on the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission Loan Review Committee. Any interested person should be either an economic development professional, or a banker who understands economic development.

The letters should be sent to Kathy Winkler at 61 E. Main St., Uniontown Pa. 15401 or to kwinkler@fayettepa.org

Man to stand trial for homicide

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:45:00 -0400

Trooper John F. Marshall said Ronald Lee Higinbotham, 44, of 603 Spring St. was charged before Magisterial District Judge Joseph M. George Jr. with criminal homicide in the death of Carmen L. Higinbotham, also of Brownsville.

According to Marshall, the charges were filed after Ronald Higinbotham used his car to run over his wife following an argument shortly before midnight on Route 40 near the intersection with Searights Road in Menallen Township on June 21.

Fayette County Deputy Coroner Marisa Springer pronounced Carmen Higinbotham, 30, dead at the scene at 12:59 a.m.

Following testimony from Marshall on Friday morning, Magisterial District Judge Joseph M. George Jr. held all charges against Ronald Higinbotham for Fayette County Court.

Marshall testified that when police found Carmen Higinbotham's body lying in the westbound lane on Route 40, investigators noted that pieces of green paint from an automobile and shards of glass from green ground-effects lighting from a vehicle were discovered around the body.

Marshall testified that police then received a phone call from Ronald Higinbotham, advising officers that "he might have run over his wife."

Marshall testified that Trooper Andre Stenson from the Belle Vernon station then responded to Ronald Higinbotham's home, where they found the suspect as well as a lime green Hyundai Tiburon with damage to the driver's side of the car on the front and rear.

Marshall testified that Ronald Higinbotham told investigators that he and his wife had attended a luau party at a residence on Route 40 earlier in the evening on June 21. He said his wife had some Jell-O shots and he had been drinking spiced rum mixed with Coke, Marshall testified. Marshall testified that Ronald Higinbotham said the couple left the party between 11:30 and midnight, and began arguing.

"He told us that she struck him in the eye, she struck him in the lip and advised him that the marriage was over," Marshall testified.

Marshall testified that Ronald Higinbotham then told police that his wife got out of the passenger side door of the car and he somehow ran her over.

Ronald Higinbotham told investigators that it was "like I hit a deer," and that he "left the scene and went home," Marshall testified.

Marshall also testified that Ronald Higinbotham told other officers that he felt Carmen Higinbotham had "set him up" and was cheating on him.

Marshall testified that Ronald Higinbotham kept repeating that his wife had jumped from the passenger door and he had somehow run her over.

He testified that when he tried to explain to Ronald Higinbotham that it was physically impossible for his story to be accurate because the damage was on the driver's side of the vehicle Ronald Higinbotham just continued to say that his wife jumped from the vehicle.

He and Trooper John Weaver testified that blood, hair and skin were visible along the undercarriage of the car from front to back on the driver's side.

Marshall testified that an autopsy conducted by forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht revealed that Carmen Higinbotham died from multiple injuries to her head and abdomen.

He testified the death was ruled a homicide.

In his closing arguments, defense attorney Samuel J. Davis argued that the prosecution did not meet the state's burden of proving intent by Ronald Higinbotham to kill his wife.

"It is undisputed that he ran over his wife...but is there one iota of evidence, directly or circumstantially, that he intended to run over his wife?" Davis said. "To ask the question is to answer it. There is none in this case."

District Attorney Nancy D. Vernon countered that the act of running over his wife, coupled with his apparent disregard for her as he fled the scene, shows the malicious nature of the killing.

"She was severely crushed. She was severely mutilated," Vernon said. "He basically slaughtered her on the roadway."

Six children, including two adopted children, survive Carmen Higinbotham.

Ronald Higinbotham remains in the Fayette County Prison without bond.

Conviction partially nullified

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:45:00 -0400

In 2001, David Robertson, 44, was convicted of two counts of criminal conspiracy to commit homicide in the shooting deaths of Edward and Karen Povlik. The Povliks were killed between late in the evening on Dec. 31, 1994, and Jan. 1, 1995, in their home.

Robertson was sentenced to 5 to 10 years in prison for each conviction, and the sentences ran consecutively.

The court ruling indicates that one of Robertson's convictions should be nullified and one sentence vacated, meaning he could be eligible for parole.

State police and Fayette County prosecutors alleged that Robertson procured the gun used to kill the Povliks, and Gerald Powell was the actual triggerman.

Both were charged with two counts each of criminal homicide and conspiracy to commit homicide.

In a separate trial, jurors acquitted Powell - who faced the death penalty - of all charges.

Jurors acquitted Robertson of homicide, but they convicted him of two counts of conspiracy to commit homicide.

But a ruling from the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals found that Robertson could only be convicted of and sentenced for one count of conspiracy.

The judges essentially found that multiple victims does not equal the ability to charge and convict on multiple conspiracy counts. The only way that can happen, the court found, is if there were different agreements to commit the crimes.

It took several years for police to charge Robertson, and they also charged Powell as his co-conspirator. Robertson was arrested in the killings in 2000 after police got additional information. He was extradited from Florida.

After his conviction, Robertson filed direct appeals to the state courts, and then filed post-conviction appeals. When those were denied, he filed a federal appeal in Western District Court in Pittsburgh.

That appeal also was denied, and he pursued the case to the 3rd Circuit Court.

The court found that prosecutors should have charged only one conspiracy count. To file two, they would have needed to prove that Robertson and Powell entered into two agreements - one to kill Edward Povlik and another to kill Karen Povlik.

The ruling indicated they did not do so.

"The fact that both Edward and Karen Povlik were killed cannot, by itself, support the inference that Robertson and Powell entered into separate agreements to commit each murder," the court found. "The commonwealth had to prove that the murders were the result of separate agreements or conspiratorial relationships, and ... it failed to do so."

"The commonwealth introduced evidence that Robertson and Powell were the only conspirators for both murders; that Robertson obtained a single revolver that was consistent with the weapon used to commit both murders; the Edward and Karen Povlik were killed at the same time and in the same place. Nothing in this evidence regarding the commission of the murders would allow a rational jury to conclude that the murders were the result of two separate conspiracies," the ruling read.

The appellate court remanded the case to the district court, and indicated a judge there should "order the commonwealth authorities to free Robertson unless he is re-sentenced in the Pennsylvania courts for a single count of conspiracy within a period of time affixed by the district court."

Down in the 'Hollow'

goodwinl@heraldstandard.com — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:32:17 -0400

Black Dog Hollow performs Thursday at Storey Square as part of the ongoing summer concert series in downtown Uniontown. Band members (from left) are Tom Rebar, guitar; Greg Carvlin, bass guitar; Pete Harris, drummer; Shawn Behanna, saxophone; Jim Black, keyboard; Patrick Jones, lead singer and harmonica; and George Preaux, guitar. Ed Cope/Herald-Standard

Blaze claims Habitat for Humanity home

goodwinl@heraldstandard.com — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 08:18:05 -0400

CARDALE - With tears streaming down her face, Doreen Bugai walked through the sodden and blackened remains of her daughter's mobile home in Redstone Township Wednesday morning.

"This was all new and the wiring had just been put in," Bugai said, as she pointed out appliances inside the home as her son Ed led her through the burned mobile home.

Bugai said the home was destroyed by fire early Wednesday, just days before her daughter, Damara Bugai, and her two children were set to move in.

"I just don't understand why someone would do this," Doreen Bugai said.

Doreen Bugai of Dunbar Township said she and Fayette County Habitat for Humanity recently placed the mobile home on the lot located on East Street in Cardale with the intention of establishing a permanent residence for Damara Bugai and her children.

However, that dream was shattered when fire ripped through the home around 2:40 a.m.

"I came home from work and saw flames coming from the door and a window and called 911," neighbor Brian Crawley said.

Volunteer firefighters from several stations quickly arrived on scene but the home still sustained significant fire, smoke and water damage.

State police fire marshal Cpl. Russ Freed said he examined the home early Wednesday and determined that the blaze was intentionally set.

The fire comes less than two weeks after neighbors complained to the Redstone Township supervisors that the mobile home placed on the property was more than 30 years old and in poor condition.

Habitat for Humanity affiliate manager Jackie Shrum said that she followed all codes and regulations in proceeding with the project on East Street.

"All the wiring was done, and all the setbacks were met," Shrum said. "We got variances and had met all the legal standards to place the trailer here. This was going to be a quick fix for a family in need of a home. In my years with Habitat for Humanity, I have never seen anything like this."

Shrum said the nonprofit organization received a variance from the Fayette County Office of Planning and Zoning allowing the mobile home to be two feet closer to the property line than called for in the regulations.

While she said that the mobile home had not been refurbished on the exterior, it would have been refinished after the interior work was completed.

Doreen Bugai said the project cost her more than $6,000 and had become a community project for some.

"The Greater Bethel Baptist Church in Uniontown donated their time here over the last few days helping seal the roof and work on the windows," Doreen Bugai said. "We had so much help from many people. It was a blessing."

While she said she is thankful for the help she received in trying to make a home for her daughter, she said she is particularly chilled by an incident that occurred a few weeks ago at the East Street lot when a resident approached her.

"I was asked how I could put my child and grandchildren in a death trap to burn alive," Bugai said. "Now the house has burned. Apparently my family was not welcome here."

Some neighboring residents were at Doreen Bugai's side Wednesday as she inspected the remains of the home.

"We have Crime Watch people that live up and down this street, yet no one saw anything," Chris Teets said. "People complain about drugs being sold here, but when something like this happens, no one says a thing." Leah Saluga agreed.

"I went to a Neighborhood Crime Watch meeting recently and tried to let people know that Damara Bugai was a good person. She works as a nurse at Highlands Hospital in Connellsville, and that this trailer would be fixed up," Saluga said. "I was not allowed to continue to speak and was removed from the meeting. I don't understand why this happened."

Freed said while there is speculation by some Cardale residents regarding who set the fire, no suspects have been named and the blaze remains under investigation by state police.

Now that the home has been destroyed, Doreen Bugai said her daughter and grandchildren will live with a relative until she can find a residence.

She and Shrum said they are trying to take a positive outlook.

"This project is done," Shrum said. "This family will not move in here, but we will find a safe place for them. In fact, we just received a three-bedroom trailer that is ready for use. Now we just have to find a place to put it."

"I helped so many people in this community cope with their diabetes and I am glad I did, but it is hard to understand how someone could be so vicious," Doreen Bugai, who has worked as a patient advocate for nearly a decade in Fayette County, said. "But I do hope God blesses the people who did this, and now, with the help of Habitat for Humanity, I will find a place where my family can live safely and are welcome."

Car crash ends in blaze

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:53:00 -0400

Car crash ends in blaze

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Car crash ends in blaze