MedleyStory

Jury selection scheduled for 3 high-profile Centre Co. cases

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:04:11 -0400

Jury selection is set for June 4 for three separate Centre County trials including cases involving rape, an aggravated assault and a vehicular homicide.

On that day, jury selection will start in the trial of Cenk Esenbel, 36, of Flushing, N.Y. Esenbel is charged with homicide by vehicle in connection with a fatal tractor-trailer crash in October on Interstate 80.

Police said Esenbel's rig rear-ended a dump truck in Marion Township, pushing the truck off the road and onto its side. The truck's driver, 24-year-old Kyle Royer, was killed.

After the crash, police said they learned that Esenbel was driving with a suspended license.

That will also be the start of jury selection for the trial of a Huntingdon County woman accused of crashing her car in College Township last July after allegedly huffing from an aerosol can.

Julie Dick-Carson, 39, is facing felony counts of aggravated assault while driving under the influence and child endangerment. Police said her 1-year-old son was in the back seat of the car at the time of the crash. Police said her car was airborne for about 90 feet before slamming into a group of trees along Spring Creek.

And jury selection will also begin on June 4 for former Penn State University wrestler Andrew Long, who is facing attempted rape charges.

A 55-year-old woman said she awakened to find Long in his underwear in bed with her last August. The woman was in State College to help her son move in to his residence for the fall Penn State semester. Long was also charged by police in Ames, Iowa, in February.

Stay with 6 News, WJACTV.com and WJACTV.com Mobile for continuing coverage.

Cambria Co. commissioners disagree on need for full-time finance director

Wed, 23 May 2012 13:26:35 -0400

The two Republican Cambria County commissioners are at odds with their minority colleague and the county controller over the county's need for a full-time finance director.

Controller Ed Cernic Jr. first came forward about the need for position and Democratic commissioner Tom Chernisky said the need is there. But the other two commissioners, both Republicans, said they disagree.

Republican Commissioner Doug Lengenfelder said, "I don't look at this as one person is right, one person is wrong. I really believe we've got a difference of opinion in terms of what might be workable."

Earlier this year, longtime chief finance director Mike Gelles left. Gelles was paid more than $70,000 a year. Since then, David Knepper stepped in as the chief clerk and makes $30,000 a year.

Even though the two Republican commissioners disagree, Chernisky said, "I do believe we need a full-time chief clerk, a full-time persona in that office dealing with the budget every day, just like the commissioners. We deal with the budget day in and day out. … Make this a win-win situation for the county and get things done and not slow government and save taxpayers' dollars."

Cernic said he also thinks there should be a full-time budget director at the courthouse to help make decisions. In a statement, Cernic told 6 News, "The commissioners want to leave the $150 million operation of Cambria County government to run itself because they will not give the authority to their staff to make decisions when they're not there."

Lengenfelder said he disagrees.

"There isn't anything that is going on in terms of the budget where someone is going to die right now if we don’t have something signed," he said.

Either way, both Lengenfelder and Chernisky said a compromise is needed to better the county. The commissioners said the decision on hiring a full-time finance director will more than likely be decided on Thursday at their monthly meeting.

Stay with 6 News, WJACTV.com and WJACTV.com Mobile for continuing coverage.

Former Johnstown Chiefs player named new hockey team's head coach

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:20:08 -0400

Former Johnstown Chiefs player Jason Spence will coach a new hometown hockey team at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena.

Earlier this month, Johnstown hockey fans learned the sport would return to the arena. On Wednesday, Johnstown Sports Partnership LLC announced the new North American Hockey League entry will be called the Tomahawks.

The team's colors will be red, white and blue, and its logo will feature an American Indian head over crossed tomahawks.

Spence comes to the Tomahawks team from a job as assistant for the former Chiefs franchise, which is now the Greenville Road Warriors.

Stay with 6 News, WJACTV.com and WJACTV.com Mobile for continuing coverage.

Swimming beach closed at Kooser State Park in Somerset Co.

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:11:16 -0400

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has closed the swimming beach at Kooser State Park in Somerset County because of low water levels and algae growth.

The beach will be closed to swimmers indefinitely and state officials plan to dredge the lake after Labor Day to help improve conditions there. Park officials say water along the beach is normally 4 to 5 feet deep, but is only about 18 inches now due to heavy sedimentation.

The beach closing will not affect boating, fishing or other activities at the lake. Fish caught in the lake are also still safe to eat.

The 250-acre park and lake attract about 100,000 visitors each year.

Back To Work Wednesday - May 23, 2012

Wed, 23 May 2012 11:33:48 -0400

PA CareerLink Somerset County is working to fill these job openings:

Maintenance Person- Please provide specific details regarding job duties, job skills, days and hours of work, and any special requirements. We have 55 rental units in our company. General Maintenance with references and experience is accepted.
Carpenter-Constructs, repairs, restores and installs structures such as floors, doors, walls, windows, stairways, furniture, cabinets, shelves, and roofs.
Delivery Driver and Technician Medical Equipment Patient Services CDL Hazmat Tanker Endorsements-
Team Hospitalist-Responsible for high quality and cost-effective medical management of patients identified as being under the care of the Hospitalist program.
Heavy Equipment Operator-Heavy Equipment Operators & Mechanics needed in the Somerset Area. Experienced with CAT equipment. Established company offering excellent pay and benefits.
Cook-Be able to cook short order items and also prepare for banquets. 20 to 30 hours a week. Be available 7 days. Pay depends on experience. Will provide some training, but must have basic knowledge. Drug testing. Stop by club anytime to apply.
Fire Cleaning Technician-Prior cleaning experience is helpful. Training specific to this industry is provided. Candidates must have a clear criminal background history.
Water crew chief-Looking for hard working individual who would like to work with a growing company.
Terrific opportunity to work with a disaster restoration specialist. Competitive wages and benefits.
Learn to become a certified water, smoke , and odor specialist. Must be available 24/7 ON CALL, on a rotating basis
Pool Attendants-Pool attendants will be expected to perform light duty cleaning as well
Electrician-MUST HAVE A MINIMUM OF 2- YEARS EXPERIENCE AS AN ELECTRICIAN- RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL. Must have hand tools. WAGE NEG DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE- PLEASE USE THE APPLY FUNCTIONS AND CALL THE EMPLOYER TO APPLY
Welding/fabricating- experienced

For more details call 814-445-4161

Customer Service Representative

We are currently recruiting for long term customer service positions with dental and vision benefits offered after 90 days. This is a great opportunity to use your excellent customer service skills in an office environment assisting callers with questions regarding utility services. Qualified candidates must possess problem solving skills, be able to type at least 25 wpm, have great customer service skills, strong computer skills and the ability to work as part of a team. Earn up to $9.75 per hour with bonus structure. Additional team-based bonuses and incentives are awarded monthly. Apply today – call 888-JOB-TEAM or visit www.advanceteam.com.

Sargent’s Personnel Agency is working to fill these job openings:

CDL Drivers: local travel only
FT Accountant: Bachelor’s degree req’d
FT Sales Representative
FT DME Specialist
PT Sales Associate
FT Medical Clerical Float
FT, PT Typist
FT, PT Proofreaders
PT Legal Secretary
Laborers
Substitutes and Tutors: auto, drafting, bldg maintenance, and others
FT Case Manager: Punxsutawney area
FT HVAC Technician: exp req’d, cert pref’d

For more details call 814-536-7877

PA CareerLink Cambria County is working to fill these job openings:

Penn Highlands is searching for a FT Academic and Career Counselor and a FT Assistant Bursar

For more details call 814-533-2493.

PA CareerLink® Bedford County has the following openings:

Part time Dock Worker
Screen Printer and Embroiderer
Patient Service Technician/Local Delivery Driver – Temporary
Draftsperson
Welder

Interested applicants can contact our office at 814-623-6107 or visit our website at www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us.

PA CareerLink®Bedford County will host a JOB FAIR on Thursday, May 31^st, 2012 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at our office. We are located at One Corporate Drive, Suite 103 Bedford, PA within the Bedford County Business Park. Please bring your resume and be prepared to meet and speak with representatives from various companies.

“Is a Career in Welding Right for You?” this workshop will be held on Wednesday, May 23^rd from 9 am to 11 am for individuals interested in Welding Careers. Topics of discussion will include: What Welders do, Skills necessary, Where to get Training, Why YOU should consider welding. Please call us at 814-623-6107 to reserve a seat.

Autistic boy found nearly three hours after he wandered away from home

Tue, 22 May 2012 22:17:28 -0400

Police are crediting local police and the overwhelming support from neighbors and local business owners for helping to search for a missing autistic boy Tuesday morning.

Ferguson Township police told 6News that the mother of 5-year-old Robert Emel was reported missing from his Park Crest Terrace apartment around 10:30 a.m., sparking an intense search by numerous local and state authorities, as well as Penn State police and members of Centre Region Emergency Strike Team.

Authorities activated Code RED, sending automated phone calls with an alert about the missing boy and his physical description, to homes and businesses within a five-mile radius of the apartment complex.

According to Sgt. Robert Glenny, the mother of one of the boy’s friends at Park Crest Terrace, returned home after receiving the Code RED alert.

“She went home because she remembered that she left her door unlocked and that’s where that child happened to be,” said Glenny. “He had gone in there, locked the door and he was playing in there. He was gone for (2.5 hours) and now he’s home safe and sound and we’re all happy.”

Glenny said the boy did not respond when officers first knocked on the door during an door-to-door search of the complex.

The incident appears to be accidental but police are investigating.

Moshannon Valley Correctional Center will stay open, expanding and adding jobs

Tue, 22 May 2012 20:19:39 -0400

After months of speculation about the Moshannon Valley Correctional Center closing its doors, the Clearfield County commissioners announced on Tuesday that it will stay open.

Clearfield County Commissioner John Sobel said that the Federal Bureau of Prisons announced recently that they have come to an agreement with the prison and signed a new four-year contract to keep open the facility.

"It's good news in the sense that they do provide a lot of well paying jobs to the folks here in Clearfield County as well as just over the line in Centre County," said Sobel.

The Moshannon Valley Correctional Center is owned by The Geo Group Inc., based out of Florida.

The facility in West Decatur is a federal prison for illegal immigrants that have committed a crime in the United States.

Officials said that there has been no escape at the prison since it opened in 2006.

Sobel said that the Moshannon Valley Correctional Center is one of the prisons inmates are sent to to finish their sentence.

They are then deported back to their countries.

Sobel said that under the new contract the facility will stay open until 2016.

Officials said that the Federal Bureau of Prisons can re-evaluate its decision every year. That means layoffs and a closure could happen, but Sobel said that he doesn't expect to see that happen.

Not only will the facility be staying open, but it was announced that the prison will begin an expansion project.

Sobel said the prison currently has 1,495 beds. Under the expansion project, an additional 325 beds would be added.

Officials said that the expansion will also allow the facility to add eight new staff positions.

Sobel is thrilled for the future of the facility.

"If it is going to be creating some new jobs, I think that is great for this area," he said.

Power Plant construction employs hundreds of local union members

Tue, 22 May 2012 19:27:33 -0400

Work is underway to upgrade the Homer City Power Plant.

It's been labeled as one of the dirtiest in the country, but new scrubbers are being added to the chimneys to cut down on air pollution.

General Electric said it could breathe new life into the economy.

Environmental groups called for the government to shut down this plant, but the owners agreed to meet federal clean air standards and told 6News it's an investment that will keep people working.

The coal-fired power plant has stood above Homer City for 43 years, and it will continue to burn.

"The work force is going to ramp up to about 600 in the fall, and it will stay at the level for about seven or eight months," Senior Vice President of Communications for GE Andy Katell said. "So a lot of people on site and that's on top the regular plant employees who number approximentaly 265."

Iron workers, many of them experts in their trade are laying the ground work for the environmental upgrades that will also improve the economy.

"These are primarily craft workers from the local union halls, and they work onion construction which by definition are temporary jobs. In this case it's a huge infrastructure project with a lot of moving parts, and people, and equipment and technology," Katell explained.

GE said the work may be temporary, but there's always the need for maintenance to keep the new installation running properly.

"It is critical to the community, both from an economic standpoint and employment standpoint, to keep it running we're putting in this money to make it compliant with new expected regulations from the federal government; and that will create even more opportunities not only for short term construction jobs, but also for some additional employment to keep this new pollution control equipment operating," Katell said.

Katell told 6News when the project is complete, 10 additional workers are expected to be hired to maintain the scrubbers.

He told us the economy is also getting a boost because the plant pays nearly $3 million in local and state taxes.

Johnstown Generals sponsors left with empty promises

Tue, 22 May 2012 19:25:14 -0400

The Johnstown Generals have vowed to march on but the indoor football team is losing support in the community. 6 news first uncovered that players were not being paid and the team was deep in debt.

Team officials had previously said they need more support from the community. Now one local business owner that did sponsor the Generals said the team took their money and ran.

Robert Barmoy owns the Woodside Bar and Grill in Johnstown. He said when the Generals came to him for some financial help, he jumped at the chance. But when things fell apart, he said he was left with empty promises and lost a good deal of money.

A sports enthusiast himself, Barmoy said he became a sponsor of the Generals because he wanted to help a local organization and, at the time, he said he was promised a great deal.

"I was promised team meetings here where they would bring the guys up to eat dinner and watch game film in the back ... Which they never did," said Barmoy. "I was told that I would have signs on the walls in the arena. That never happened... I was told I would be in the game program, but when I went down to the game [there was] no program.

Barmoy said the team also dropped the ball when it came to its own players.

"They were promised they would have food on their table, they were promised they would have somewhere to live," said Barmoy. "They were told they'd have jobs."

Barmoy said that's why he ended up hiring two of the players to work as bouncers in his restaurant.

"Apparently I'm the only one who has anybody working for them," said Barmoy. "I had to give them food at times to take home because they had no money. They were told they were going to get paid and never got paid."

Barmoy is not upset about the money he lost, he just wanted what he was promised.

"It's just a bad situation. Everybody got burn," said Barmoy. "They made comments that no one in the area sponsored them, that no one helped them, no one came to the games ... Well this is why."

Barmoy isn't the only local business owner upset; the Generals did have a few other local sponsors. A manager at the Corner Coffee Shop in Geistown told 6 News they too are angry with the entire situation.

Calls into former and current owners of the team have not been returned.

Search for missing Johnstown man enters second week

Tue, 22 May 2012 19:24:09 -0400

This Friday will mark two weeks since 82-year-old Daniel Voytko went missing.

Authorities have been busy searching from the sky and on the ground, but so far there's been no trace of him.

Search and rescues crews say they're not giving up.

Crews spent the day Tuesday searching the area around Voytko's home, along with different areas he was known to frequent.

"We checked a couple more vacant structures that were down here-," said Johnstown police officer Mark Britton. "[We] went into what they call the Claybanks and checked by the railroad tracks."

So far, police know of only two people who saw Voytko the day he disappeared.

"We're kind of hoping that whoever those two gentlemen were that spoke to him, that they could call in and maybe give us an idea of whether they left before him or he left before them," said Britton. "[Hopefully] to give us an idea of where he could have been heading or if he did get a ride."

Volunteers from the Bedford County Wilderness search team canvassed the area Tuesday with the help of Jesse, a search dog.

"We retraced the steps that he usually takes when he takes his walks to see if [Jesse] could pick up his scent, to see if he was in bushes or abandoned houses," said Carol Thompson of the Wilderness search team.

By giving Jesse a piece of Voytko's clothing, her handlers said she knows what to do.

"She knows that is the scent she's looking for," said Thompson. "She will pretty much ignore any other scent in the area."

Rescue efforts came up empty Tuesday, but police said they're not giving up.

"We really need to keep this in peoples' minds," said Britton. "We're going to do everything we can to keep searching for him and hopefully find him."

As always police ask anyone with information to give them a call.

Upgrades at Homer City Power Plant underway

Tue, 22 May 2012 19:15:38 -0400

The decision to upgrade the Homer City Power Plant came down in early April.

The plant was under harsh criticism by environmental groups for the quality of the air that's emitted.

Once the Department of Environmental Protection gave the approval, the plant started to put the design to work.

It's not often cameras are let inside to see the operation of the plant, but on Tuesday, our crews were allowed in to see what the construction looks like.

The Homer City Power Plant has been called among the dirtiest in America, but it also employs about 265 people and powers up to two million homes.

Plant owners tell 6News the $750 million is a major investment.

"A few weeks ago, we started the ground operation for installing pollution control equipment on two of the three generating units here at the Homer City Generating Station," Senior Vice President of Communication Andy Katell said.

General Electric is powering up for a $750 million construction project that's expected to last two years.

The view from above shows where the 150-foot tall scrubbers, or nids, will be built for Chimneys one and two.

"The primary ones you see working with steel are iron workers. They're putting in reinforcement bars and on Thursday they'll be pouring concrete over the bars and those are the foundations for the pollution control equipment," Katell explained.

Katell said the third chimney has had the pollution control equipment installed since 2001 in an effort to keep up with air control regulations.

"Over time, the government in this country has increased the regulations to clean up the air and the operators and owners of the plant wanted to remain complaint so as new regulations kick in we spend the money to install the new equipment to clean up the emissions even further," Katell said.

By 2014, Katell said tons of polluting gases like Sulfur Dioxide will be removed along with bag houses to remove any particulate matter like dust.

"And we made the calculation in the long term, this plant is going to be economically viable, competitive in the power market, and that it made sense to invest what will be up to $750 million in the scrubber equipment," Katell said.

Katell told 6News one of the biggest challenges for GE will be to complete the project in the two year time frame.

Johnstown man helps Haiti recover after earthquake

Tue, 22 May 2012 19:05:08 -0400

A Johnstown native isn't keeping his ambition within city limits.

He's taking his need and trade to better a third world country following a devastating earthquake.

Not many people can say at 27-years-old you've been on nearly a dozen trips to help the people of a third world country.

In the two years that Travis Knipple has spent responding and rebuilding the southern section of Haiti, he's seen an impressive rebound from its people.

Knipple is wrapping up his month visit to the states.

At the end of this week, he'll be heading back to Haiti for three months.

"It's been amazing to see that I go to this country where they seemingly have nothing compared to here, but they don't let that slow them down," Knipple explained.

In the two years the devastating earthquake hit the southern part of the country, the projects Travis had a hand in are already paying off for the Haitian people.

"We did the water project that we're providing water to a community of 2000 people. It's been great to see the changes: The kids getting healthier; farmers going from just barely having a garden for their family to actually having enough food to go to market and sell and building up the economy in the area. The amount of livestock has pretty much doubled, and it's all because they've got clean water now," Knipple said.

He's also providing power to the less fortunate.

"Some of the other projects I've worked on, I've installed solar panels for several different orphanages."

Travis is looking to expand that project during his next trip.

He also plans on training the willing to create and sustain employment.

"I'm going to start an electrician school and basically they'll come and go to school for a week and then I'll take them as an apprentice on a job and train them up so they can do the work on their own," Knipple said.

His biggest challenges when traveling are shipping and lack of resources, but despite it all, Travis said the Haitian people are resilient.

"I look at Haiti and see a pretty bright future. It's just going to take a while to get there."

Travis makes all of his trips without having an income.

He said Facebook has been a huge help in the donations he's received, and wouldn't be able to make the trips without the support.

To learn more about Travis and his goals go to: www.f1engineering.org

Cruisin' For Courtney Fundraiser turns huge support

Tue, 22 May 2012 18:54:48 -0400

The nice weather brought hundreds of people out for the Cruisin For Courtney Fundraiser on Sunday.

Before doors even opened, organizers said people were lining up to donate to the cause.

The fundraiser is benefiting 11-year-old Jake Clotz of Johnstown this year.

He was paralyzed after a severe car accident when he was just 18-months-old.

The event had dozens of antique cars on display and local race cars from the Bedford Speedway.

The families of Courtney Rummell and Jake Clotz said they were overwhelmed by the community's support.

"Just so blessed that people can have it in their heart for a child they don't even know to help him out and make his day so special; I mean he loved that," Jeri Williams said.

"We're just blessed to have this many people come out and celebrate Jake and celebrate Courtney's memory and help a family in need," Anita Rummell said.

Jake Clotz's adoptive family is hoping to raise enough money for a wheelchair accessible van and ramp to their house.

Speed Traps: Where police are hiding

Tue, 22 May 2012 18:04:32 -0400

Police departments in Cambria and Centre counties wrote 6081 speeding tickets last year.

Officers in both counties tell 6News they work hard to crack down on speeders on their own, but get some help from PennDOT.

PennDOT has compiled a list of the top roads for aggressive drivers. Police departments with jurisdiction over those roads, get aggressive driver grants to pay for increased patrols.

Here's a list of those roads.

Cambria:

Rt. 22
Rt. 219
Rt. 1036 (Rowena Drive)
Rt. 36
Rt. 56
Rt. 3016 (Bedford Street/Johnstown Expressway)
Rt. 53
Rt. 271

Centre:

Rt. 3014 (Atherton St.)
Rt. 26
Rt. 322
Rt. 220

Clearfield:

Rt. 322
Rt. 80
Rt. 219
Rt. 153
Rt. 255

6 News obtained a list of all the speeding citations written in Cambria and Centre counties, and discovered police were targeting most of those roads on the list.

We also found out some other hot spots for speed traps. Watch the video to find out where you're most likely to get pulled over.

State police seize more than $1 million worth of heroin during traffic stop; baby in vehicle at time of bust

Tue, 22 May 2012 13:52:36 -0400

Pennsylvania state police seized more than $1 million worth of heroin during a traffic stop Monday on Interstate 99 in Blair County.

Amanda Okelley, 27, and Derrick Samuels, 44, both of Pittsburgh, are in the Blair County Jail on $100,000 bond.

Police said Okelley's 6-month-old daughter was in the back seat of the car at the time of the incident. The baby has been placed in the custody of Blair Children and Youth Services.

State police said the car was stopped for traffic violations, but a search by a drug dog turned up 2,000 bricks of stamped bag heroin, which is 100,000 individual stamped bags.

The value of the drugs is estimated between $1 million and $1.5 million.

Punxsutawney teen charged with homicide while DUI for triple-fatal crash

Tue, 22 May 2012 10:31:32 -0400

A 19-year-old western Pennsylvania man who survived a high-speed crash in November has been charged with drunken driving, vehicular homicide and other crimes in the deaths of three friends in his vehicle.

Online court records don't list an attorney for 19-year-old Blair Smith, of Punxsutawney, who was arrested and jailed Monday after he was unable to post $100,000 bond.

Police believe Smith was driving more than 70 mph in a 35 mph section of Route 839 near Dayton, Armstrong County, when he lost control of his car and crashed on Nov. 11.

Eighteen-year-old Sean McConnaughey, and 19-year-old Joel Riggleman and Dylan Behrendt died from their injuries and Smith was critically injured. All graduated from Punxsutawney High School last year.

Police say Smith's blood alcohol content was over the 0.02 percent limit for drivers under 21.

A family member who answered the door at the home Smith was arrested told 6News that he questions the investigation and the charges, but declined to comment further and asked for privacy for the family.

Relatives of the victims who were reached by phone Tuesday night declined to comment about the arrest.

A friend and former classmate of the victims and the accused told 6News that the tight-knit community was rocked by the crash six months ago and that many are upset that the sole survivor has been charged with felonies while recovering from serious injuries and the crash and rollover.

“Half the town was there at the funerals -- a lot of crying. I was pretty devastated by it all. I think it’s not fair for Blair to go to jail or anything. Nobody really knows who was driving,” said Taylor Malone. “He broke his back and everything. He can’t walk much, it hurts. He’s been through enough as it is. This just makes it worse.”

Smith is incarcerated in the Armstrong County Jail on $100,000 bond and is set to face a judge at a preliminary hearing on the charges next week.

Pa. House panel endorses state budget plan

Tue, 22 May 2012 09:57:45 -0400

A key legislative committee has endorsed a Senate-approved $27.7 billion state budget plan after a debate that split the panel along party lines.

The Republican majority on the House Appropriations Committee on Monday shoved the bill to the House floor on a 21-14 vote after blocking a series of Democrats' amendments.

Republicans ruled the amendments out of order because they would increase state spending by about $300 million more than is expected to be available in the year that starts July 1.

Democrats cried foul in a discussion that lasted two and half hours. They insisted that the extra money will be available and that the amendments would spare popular programs such as kindergarten programs at schools, day care, hospitals, nursing homes and others that otherwise will be cut.

Stay with WJACTV.com, WJACTV.com Mobile and 6 News for continuing coverage.

Indiana Co. woman leaves $860,000 to local animal care groups

Tue, 22 May 2012 09:55:06 -0400

A retire bank teller and secretary who later groomed dogs before she died nearly two years ago has left more than $860,000 to be split between two western Pennsylvania animal care groups.

The Indiana Gazette reports that 85-year-old Mary Johnston's bequests are just now coming to light, although she died in September 2010.

Johnston, of Indiana, had dogs, cats and birds as pets. She never married or had children.

Her will stipulated that the Indiana County Humane Society and another local group, Four Footed Friends, were each to receive $431,366 from her estate.

The Humane Society plans to use some of the money to buy a vehicle for an officer who investigates animal abuse, and some for the fund to build a new $1.7 million facility.

Search continues for missing elderly Johnstown man

Tue, 22 May 2012 09:41:55 -0400

Crews are continuing their search for an elderly Johnstown man who has been missing for a week and a half.

Police said 82-year-old Daniel Voytko left his Corrine Street home in Johnstown around 3 p.m. on May 11 for a walk around the block. He has not been seen or heard from since.

A Pennsylvania State Police helicopter and search dogs will be out again on Tuesday to search for him. Last week, family members posted fliers hoping someone had seen him. Police said search dogs picked up a scent last week, but came up empty.

Voytko was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt and a tan baseball hat with the word "Alaska" on it.

Family members said Voytko is suffering from dementia.

Anyone with information or who thinks they may have seen him is asked to call police or Cambria County's non-emergency line at (800) 281-1680.

Stay with WJACTV.com, WJACTV.com Mobile and 6 News for continuing coverage.

Somerset Co. teens get lost while kayaking

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:08:33 -0400

A trio of kayakers packed up their gear, got a ride from their parents and hit the water around 6 p.m. Sunday.

But when their parents couldn't get ahold of them a few hours later, they said police assumed the boys were out partying and took their time trying to find them.

"It was just a hot day and we wanted to get out and do some fun so we decided to get our kayaks and our boats and just go down the river for a little bit," said Ryan Stephens.

Kayaking is an activity they've done many times before.

"I've been kayaking ever since I was a little kid," said Stephens.

"We do it a lot," said Zach Kuncher. "We go fishing on them, go down the river, all kinds of things."

The trip was only supposed to take about an hour and they were to meet up with their parents down the river, but instead things went wrong.

"It started getting dark and the rapids flipped my buddies Nate and Ryan," said Kuncher.

"All of our phones got wet so we couldn't call for anybody and we were already too far down the river to even track back up," said Stephens.

And when the boys didn't show, their parents started to panic.

"They never showed up and no one answered their phones," Christina Shaulis. "I started to get really worried and I called 911."

Fortunately the boys said they knew basic survival skills.

"We just decided to pull off to the side and make a fire and get dry because it was too dark to see anything," said Stephens. "We couldn't do anything really, so we just thought the best choice was to wait till daylight and get out safely."

But when their parents called for help, they said police didn't seem worried.

"They assumed that they were partying," said Shaulis. "They assumed that they took kayaks and went to a party."

The guys said they're thankful they made it out safely, but they feel that crews should have been out searching earlier.

"It makes me feel really bad that the cops are thinking we're out partying when we're trying to have a good time," said Kuncher.

"I'm glad that they found them," said Shaulis. "I'm glad that they're OK, but I felt that when we had called, they needed to search then."

The investigating officer was not in Monday afternoon but 6 News did talk with another officer at the state police barracks who said it's standard procedure when someone is reported missing, they do some questioning and searching themselves before they call for search and rescue crews .

22nd annual Showcase for Commerce kicks off this week

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:07:21 -0400

Organizers are busy gearing up for the 22nd annual Showcase for Commerce. The two-day event is a chance for local businesses to connect with defense contractors from around the nation.

Some of the biggest decision makers in the U.S. military products industry will be in town for the next few days.

"It's been hugely successful over the last 20 years in connecting some of the prime defense contractors with local companies looking for defense work," said event organizer Bob Layo.

Layo said the event has played a huge role in attracting defense contracts to the Johnstown area over the years.

"That has produced nearly $4 billion in economic activity for the greater Johnstown region," said Layo.

The showcase was created by the late U.S. Rep. Jack Murtha as a way to highlight the local defense industry and show what they have to offer.

"He was certainly the influential person that kind of brought this together and kind of worked with local industries to get them ready to do government contracting and defense work," said Layo.

And while many expected the event to dwindle with the passing of Mutha, organizers said they expect the showcase to grow.

"It's still going strong and we hope it will continue for many years into the future," said Layo.

While the event is only open to businesses and pre-registration is required, organizers said the doors will be open to the public Thursday.

"There's opportunities for local citizens to see the magnitude of the industry locally and they'll get an opportunity to see some very unique displays," said Layo.

River Sojourn Under Way In Clearfield County

Mon, 21 May 2012 18:27:27 -0400

The West Branch of the Susquehanna River was named "Best Adventure Destination for 2012" by the National Geographic.

The recent designation has been drawing in more people to Clearfield County.

On Sunday morning, a river sojourn kicked off along the West Branch in Curwensville.

Organizers said that the four-day, three-night journey consists of 60 people kayaking 85 miles down the West Branch.

"What's so cool about the West Branch is that it starts up way up in the headwaters and really small towns up here and it travels all the way down to Williamsport and it has so much different character," said Sarah Koontz of Tioga County.

On Monday part of the sojourn consisted of a river cleanup. The event was sponsored by GenOn Energy.

"Anything that you might find in someones back yard that could get washed up into the stream, we found," said Bill Baker of GenOn Energy.

Monday morning organizers said that they already surpassed the one ton of trash they collected last year.

Visitors to the county and employees at GenOn are hopeful that people will be more assertive in keeping the waterways clean.

"Watersheds are very valuable for fish and wildlife habitat and their valuable for us for recreation, so think before you do those types of things because its your back yard, too," said Baker.

"West Branch is a great resource and unfortunately its not recognized the way it should be always but it's so important to keep it clean to give the best viewpoint to anybody visiting the area," said Koontz.

The sojourn will continue through Thursday.

Special Needs Kids Have Their Own Prom

Mon, 21 May 2012 18:19:57 -0400

This past weekend was prom weekend for several schools in the northern tier.

Hundreds of students danced the night away.

On Monday morning, 75 special needs kids had their own prom, where they danced the day away instead of hitting the books.

"The best part of it is seeing them happy, dancing, meeting new people from other school districts and socializing with their peers," said life skills instructor Gretchen Clark.

Three years ago, Clark decided she wanted to bring the life skills prom to the Dubois Area High School.

Since then she and her fellow staff members said it has been a success.

"The unity that they form, even the other kids from the school districts that came today, they all come together and dance like they have been friends for years," said life skills instructor Dan Minns.

Organizers said special needs students from six school districts throughout Clearfield, Jefferson and Elk counties joined in on the fun.

"We have such much fun. It's like hard to explain. You come and you just dance, and dance and dance and boom, it's so much fun," said 11th grade student Emeline Kerr.

"I love to dance with my friends," said ninth-grade student Dorian Murray.

Life skills instructors said it is important that special needs kids also get to have a fun-filled prom.

"I think we need to provide as many opportunities as we can for our kids that the regular-ed kids get, too," said Minns.

Organizers said that they are pleased that from the first year the event had 30 kids, and this year they saw 75 students.

PICKUP TRUCK DAMAGES YARD

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:08:36 -0400

SANDY TOWNSHIP, Pa. --

Police say Elijah David Hollenbaugh was damaging yards by driving a pickup truck through them Saturday.

He refused to stop for officers while speeding through Treasure Lake, police said.

Police said Hollenbaugh attempted to go around a police vehicle but hit the guide rail and cruiser, then attempted to pass another police vehicle, causing him to travel off road and blow out a front tire.

Continuing on Bay Road, he caused another vehicle to drive off the road, according to police.

Hollenbaugh then pulled off the road and attempted run but turned around and surrendered to police.

He was then taken into custody, transported to Dubois Regional Medical Center for a legal blood draw but refused, according to police.

He then was transported to Clearfield County Jail and was charged with aggravated assault, general impairment, fleeing and eluding police, reckless driving and criminal mischief.

The passenger in the vehicle gave a statement and was released.

Pickup Truck Damages Yard