In brief
DUI program planned Five state police stations, including Belle Vernon and Washington, are participating in a yearlong pilot program called “Operation CRISP” (Crash Reduction In Southwestern Pennsylvania), which is aimed at reducing alcohol-related crashes.
“Our goal is to take drunken drivers off the road before they cause crashes,” state police Commissioner Paul J. Evanko said. “This program has the potential to prevent injuries and save lives.”
Operation CRISP includes roving DUI patrols every other weekend for a year.
The dates will be staggered so that at least two stations will operate patrols each weekend. In addition, each station will conduct two sobriety checkpoints in the next 12 months.
The program is being funded by a state Department of Transportation grant.
Poker run announced
The River Valley Chapter of A.B.A.T.E. of PA (Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education) will hold its Freedom of Choice Poker Run on Saturday.
The run will leave Sweet Pea’s service plaza in Brownsville at noon and arrive at the Fayette County Courthouse in Uniontown at 12:30 p.m., where state and local officials will speak.
The group claims that the most common misconception of A.B.A.T.E. is that it is against the use of helmets by motorcycle riders and cares only about repealing the mandatory helmet law.
A.B.A.T.E. officials contend that the group is dedicated to defending and educating motorcyclists of their rights and safety when riding, and they encourage everyone to take the motorcycle rider’s safety course, no matter how much experience they have.
Group members said they also are active in the community, supporting local charity events and fund-raisers.
For more information, call Dave at 724-785-8861 or Mark at 724-785-4410.
Concert scheduled
The Greater Uniontown Children’s Choir will present its annual spring concert Sunday, June 9, at 6:30 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, Uniontown. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and will be available before the concert at the Dunbar Street entrance of the church.
The choir is under the direction of Marsha R. Brady of Connellsville, and Kelley Bell is the accompanist for the group. Fifteen students from 9 to 15 years old make up the choir, which will perform a wide variety of music.
The choir traveled to Baltimore in April to attend the Children’s Chorus of Maryland Choir Festival at Goucher College. More than 15 choirs from three states attended the festival, under the direction of Dr. Betty Bertaux.
The Greater Uniontown Chorale founded the choir in January 1998. They recently performed at Nemacolin Woodlands, Nemacolin Castle and Klay Winery. Students from the Fayette County area from ages 8 to 15 may audition for the choir.
The choir rehearses one day a week for two hours at Dunbar Borough Elementary School, across from the Fayette County Fairgrounds. The group will accept new members in September.
Bible school set
Central Fellowship Church, located at 316 N. Arch St., Connellsville, is sponsoring a vacation Bible school program, Courageous Kids Stepping Out for Jesus, for the kids of Connellsville June 3-7, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Courageous Kids is an interactive learning experience for kids in pre-kindergarten to sixth grade.
For more information or to register for Courageous Kids, call Central Fellowship Church at 724-628-3949.