In brief
Property owners cited Uniontown code enforcement officer Myron Nypaver filed citations against the following landlords and property owners for alleged property maintenance code violations.
The citations were filed at Magisterial District Judge Mark Blair’s office stemming from inspections conducted Sept. 14.
– Five citations were filed against Russell B. Mechling of 46 Belmont Circle alleging:
Overcrowding at 189 N. Gallatin Ave., with 10 people living in the two-bedroom residence;
No smoke detectors in sleeping areas in 189 N. Gallatin Ave.;
A large accumulation of garbage in the rear of 31 Millview St.;
A garage in the rear of 33 Millview St. was in disrepair and had a large of amount of garbage inside;
A garage at 22 Millview St. was in disrepair, contained a vehicle in disrepair and had an accumulation of garbage.
– Kenneth Aston of Hopwood was cited with not having smoke detectors in sleeping areas at 88 Walnut St. and not maintaining the residence, which was deemed to be not structurally sound or sanitary.
– Edith Morrison of 129 Walnut St. was cited for overgrown weeds at 129 Walnut St.
– Mary E. Davis of Bassett, Va., was cited for owning a structure at Rear 120 Walnut St. that was unfit for human occupancy, with missing windows and an accumulation of garbage.
– Timothy A. Lowery of 25 Kerr St. was cited for leaving a burned-out structure at Rear 114 Walnut St. unsafe and a danger to the general public for several years.
– Louis Scheggia of Chalk Hill was cited for having a dilapidated, unstable and unsecured vacant structure at 135 Walnut St., which has been condemned for several years.
– Another property owner – Timothy Swaney – was cited having bags of garbage and vehicle tires in the driveway, and cans and debris on the front porch of his residence at 51 Bierer Ave.
State police commended
Gov. Ed Rendell commended state police for their work in stemming the flow of drugs and contraband on state highways.
He said Pennsylvania was one of only three states to win the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Drug Interdiction Assistance Program Award.
“We are doing everything possible to stop the transportation of drugs and other contraband across the commonwealth,” Rendell said. “We are committed to making our communities safer, better places for everyone. Our interdiction efforts are a critical part of this strategy and I am pleased with the members of the state police and Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller for their aggressive work.”
Miller said the department initiated the Operation Shield training program, which is designed to help troopers identify and stop fugitives, weapons, contraband and terrorist movements on state highways.
Troopers trained through Operation Shield have made more than 500 criminal arrests, apprehended 100 fugitives and 200 undocumented aliens; and seized 50 weapons, 35 vehicles, $3 million in counterfeit goods, $2 million cash, two pounds of marijuana and several kilos of cocaine, heroin and other drugs.
Yough bridge to open
The newly built Youghiogheny Lake Bridge on Route 40 between Henry Clay Township and Addison Township in Somerset County will be opening next week.
The new bridge connects Fayette and Somerset counties over Youghiogheny Lake. While the new bridge was being built, traffic was maintained on the old bridge, said the state Department of Transportation.
Temporary lanes of traffic have been established for traffic; these lanes are 10.5 feet wide and will accommodate traffic, but caution is advised. Barriers will be reset and lighted channeling devices also will be set to delineate the new phase travel lanes, PennDOT said.
The contractor for this $25 million project is G.A & F.C. Wagman Inc. of York.
Taxes due
The Connellsville city treasurer will accept 2003 per capita tax payments until Sept. 30 at the municipal building. Any delinquent notices will be turned over to the Central Tax Bureau on Oct. 1. Treasurer Judy Keller said that payment will be $11 on or before Sept. 30 and $17 if payment is made after Oct. 1.