MedleyStory

Man arrested after three county crime spree

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:56:14 -0500

A man is in police custody after a bizarre crime spree spanning three counties. Investigators say Clinton Edwards has been on the run since last week committing thefts throughout Cambria, Indiana and was finally arrested in Armstrong County.

Richland Police said they have had a warrant for Edwards since last week. Security at Walmart nearly caught him, but he went on the run again.

Richland Township Police said Clinton Edwards of Johnstown has been on their radar for some time. They believe he’s been involved in home invasions, and large-scale retail thefts at Walmart.

"We almost captured him in the commission of a felony up here in Richland that took place at one of the retail stores, but he slipped away from us, and he's been on the run ever since,” Detective Thomas Keirn with Richland Police said.

Detective Thomas Keirn said they’ve been searching for Edwards for weeks. He finally turned up Wednesday morning in Indiana County.

"We got information from the Pennsylvania State Police in Indiana that they had our suspect involved in a shooting in their area, and at least in the early morning hours they had not had him in custody yet,” Keirn said.

Police said Edwards was shot several times then fled to Armstrong County. State Police in Kittanning said Edwards broke into a home in Plum Creek Township. The victim said he ransacked the house, took money and tried to take a cell phone before the homeowner woke up and called police.

"Mr. Edwards was one of those guys, the longer that he's out there, it seems the more brazen he would get [with] violent confrontations with the police, running from us. [We’re] really happy to have this guy in custody at this point,” Keirn said.

After running through three counties, Edwards was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital for treatment and released to police.

Police said Edwards is facing a substantial amount of charges in Cambria County alone, but with his recent run-ins, he’s looking at charges out of Indiana and Armstrong County as well.

Benefit planned for Altoona EMT battling cancer

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:18:38 -0500

BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. --

Local residents are stepping up to help an area man who has the reputation of always being there to help others.

Mark Bennett, who is an Altoona EMT, was recently diagnosed with cancer. Bennett is scheduled for surgery later in February and his medical bills are starting to pile up, so his friends have organized an even to help him with those costs.

Organizers will hold a benefit basket party and spaghetti dinner for Bennett on Sunday, Feb. 19, at the Vintondale VFW. The cost will be $10.

Bennett said any donations he doesn't need will be turned over to another fundraising effort to help a Patton firefighter recently injured in a car crash.

Sandusky attorney: Neighbors' concerns 'unfounded'

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:02:12 -0500

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. --

The attorney for Jerry Sandusky, who is on house arrest awaiting trial on child molestation charges, says reported concerns in the neighborhood about his client "are totally unfounded."

Pennsylvania state prosecutors are seeking changes in Sandusky's bail conditions after getting complaints that he's been watching children in a nearby schoolyard from his back porch.

Sandusky attorney Joe Amendola on Tuesday night called it "unfortunate" that some people want his client incarcerated "even before he has an opportunity to present his defense and prove his innocence in court."

The attorney general's office argues in court papers that the former Penn State assistant coach shouldn't be allowed outside unless he's getting medical treatment. Prosecutors also oppose his bid to see his grandchildren.

A hearing in Centre County Court is scheduled Friday on Sandusky's bail conditions.

Wednesday's Centre Daily Times reported that 100 seats for Friday's hearing will be made available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Court officials said the public will be admitted starting at 9:30 a.m. for the 10 a.m. hearing.

Bellefonte police said no streets will be closed and traffic will not be disrupted.

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

Local educators grapple with proposed Pa. schools funding

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:59:47 -0500

Pennsylvania educators who say they are still grappling with about $860 million in state funding cuts this year are criticizing the governor's proposed public school budget for next year.

Michael Crossey, president of the state's largest teachers union, says the budget uses "smoke and mirrors" to mask a funding loss of up to $94 million.

Administration officials argue that some education funds would increase. Gov. Tom Corbett has made school reform a key platform of his administration.

The Republican governor unveiled his proposed state budget on Tuesday. It still needs legislative approval.

Corbett's spending plan for 2012-13 also calls for $3.7 million to implement new teacher and principal evaluations. In addition, it seeks $15.4 million to implement the Keystone Exams for high school students.

In light of the proposed funding freeze for public schools in Pennsylvania, Windber School District officials are determining how to balance next year's budget. According to Wednesday's Daily American, the school district is facing a $1.6 million shortfall next year.

Windber School Board president said tax increases, program and staff cuts and even consolidation talks are all open for discussion.

At Tuesday night's Westmont Hilltop School Board meeting, the threat of another tax hike was a hot topic.

Taxpayers said the district is making it difficult for those on fixed incomes to meet their obligations, but school board members said Westmont is one of the few districts in the state that bases its tax rate almost exclusively on residential properties.

Westmont board members said if taxes are increased, they will remain under the state index.

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

Pa. House debates gas-drilling for 2nd day

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:09:08 -0500

HARRISBURG, Pa. --

Pennsylvania's House of Representatives is in its second day of debating a bill to impose a fee on natural-gas drilling and toughen regulations over the booming industry.

Wednesday's House debate comes two days after the 174-page bill was unveiled. The Senate passed it Tuesday, and House approval would send it on to Republican Gov. Tom Corbett, who negotiated it with Republican legislative leaders.

Democrats weren't part of the negotiations and many are critical of the bill.

A couple of conservative groups said the fee is really a tax, while exploration company Range Resources says it will provide strong, more predictable regulations that are more costly.

Local governments would have the power to decide whether to impose the fee on their local wells. Pennsylvania is the largest gas-producing state that doesn't tax it.

Santorum sweeps Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:12:30 -0500

WASHINGTON --

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum won Republican presidential caucuses in Minnesota and Colorado on Tuesday, a stunning sweep that raised fresh questions about front-runner Mitt Romney's appeal among the ardent conservatives at the core of the party's political base.

Santorum triumphed as well in a nonbinding Missouri primary that was worth bragging rights but no national convention delegates.

Santorum's three-state sweep raised fresh doubts about Romney's ability to win over conservative voters. And it gave Santorum grounds for claiming that he -- not Newt Gingrich -- is the strongest conservative alternative to Romney.

"Conservatism is alive and well in Missouri and Minnesota," Santorum told cheering supporters in St. Charles, Mo.

Returns from 83 percent of Minnesota's precincts showed Santorum with 45 percent support, Texas Rep. Ron Paul with 27 percent and Romney -- who won the state in his first try for the nomination four years ago -- with 17 percent. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich trailed with 11 percent.

It was closer in Colorado, where returns from all the precincts showed Santorum with 40 percent of the vote to 35 for Romney. Gingrich had 13, and Paul claimed 12 percent.

The victories were the first for Santorum since he had a 34-vote win in the lead-off Iowa caucuses a month ago.

"I don't stand here to be the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney. I stand here to be the conservative alternative to Barack Obama," he told his supporters.

Romney showed no sign of disappointment in remarks to supporters and his campaign moved swiftly to take the sting out of the Missouri vote.

"This was a good night for Rick Santorum. I want to congratulate Sen. Santorum, but I expect to become the nominee with your help," Romney told supporters in Denver.

Missouri Republican Sen. Roy Blunt, a Romney supporter, congratulated the winner but noted the state's delegates are still up for grabs.

Blunt said, "Mitt Romney has the organization and the resources to go the distance in this election, and I believe he'll ultimately win our party's nomination."

Santorum had faded far from the lead in the primaries and caucuses and Gingrich seemed to eclipse him as the leading conservative rival to Romney when Gingrich won the South Carolina primary late last month.

But Tuesday night was grim for Gingrich, who spent the day campaigning in Ohio, one of the primary states on March 6. His campaign went into a downward spiral after he won the South Carolina primary in an upset. The former speaker was routed in the Florida primary to Romney, then finished a distant second in Nevada over the weekend.

Paul, a Texas lawmaker, has yet to win a primary or caucus. He claimed credit for a strong second-place finish in Minnesota and said he was optimistic about his chances in Maine.

There were 37 Republican National Convention delegates at stake in Minnesota and 33 more in Colorado, and together, they accounted for the largest one-day combined total so far in the race for the GOP nomination.

Not until primaries in Michigan and Arizona on Feb. 28 is the campaign likely to regain the intensity that characterized the first few weeks of the year.

Then it roars back to life with a 10-state Super Tuesday on March 6 with 416 convention delegates at stake. Georgia, where Gingrich launched his career in Congress, is the biggest prize that night with 76 delegates. Next is Ohio, which has 63 delegates at stake and where early voting has already begun.

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

Annual Polar Bear Plunge to help Special Olympics

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:04:51 -0500

SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. --

For the second straight year, the Polar Bear Plunge will be making a splash at the Quemahoning Reservoir in Somerset County.

This year's plunge on Saturday will also kick off the Special Olympics Winter Games.

The young and old will be taking a leap into the frigid water to raise awareness for the Special Olympics, and many of them will be festively dressed when they do it because this year's theme is Mardi Gras.

Chairperson Paula Eppley-Newman said taking the plunge is invigorating.

"Once I did it, it was one of the most exhilarating, awesome experiences I have ever had in my entire life," said Eppley-Newman.

Last year was the first time the Polar Bear Plunge was held in the area, and even though there was just a few weeks to prepare, Paula said the 2011 event turned out to be fairly successful and raised $12,000. This year and they've already surpassed that.

"Our goal originally was 300 to 400 people and we wanted to raise $100,000. We're about a quarter of a way there, but that's what's registered online. But, there's a lot of people I know that are plunging and have not shown up on the registration yet," Eppley-Newman said.

Money that is raised from the plunge will go toward the expenses for the Special Olympics Winter Games.

"With the housing, the transportation, with the venues you have to use. Though everybody is very generous with us, there still are expenses that go along with that," Eppley-Newman said.

Organizers said if people are too scared to plunge, they can always be "chickens."

Eppley-Newman said, "You can raise funds and say, 'I'm too chicken to plunge,' and you will get a T-shirt that says, 'Too chicken to plunge,' and you can stand there and watch the rest of us go in. But guarantee you won't have as much fun as we will."

Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the plunge is at 1 p.m. Eppley-Newman said she encourages everyone to attend early to enjoy the festivities and support the Special Olympics.

Local rural airports stay open with federal funding extension

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:14:39 -0500

The program that keeps the Cambria County Airport alive through federal funding has been renewed for another three years.

This is something local lawmakers and the airport authority were lobbying for. We learned that if the Essential Air Service was phased out of the bill, all services would have been shut down by July.

It’s all about convenience if you ask most travelers who are arriving or departing the Cambria County Airport.

"Especially even in the winter too, you don't know what your drive is going to be like and I work in Johnstown, so I can often come straight from work here and get a flight, and it's just so much easier for me,” Mary Kashurba of Somerset said.

In order to keep the convenience, there’s an aviation bill that provides more than $60 billion in federal funding to rural airports across the country. That funding is what keeps the commercial airlines on the runway in Johnstown.

"Without this funding, no small airport can operate. You have to have this to augment the cost to fly passengers from a rural area like Johnstown into Pittsburgh or Washington D.C.,” Bill Polacek with the Johnstown Airport Authority said.

All of the federal subsidies that are distributed are based solely on the taxes placed on airline tickets, which keeps the prices in check.

"This time when I figured in tolls, and gas, and parking, I don't think it was any more expensive for me to fly out of here, which is why I did it,” Kashurba said.

Without the federal money, the Airport Authority said the cost of a ticket wouldn’t be affordable.

"You're looking at flights going anywhere from $150 to $300 and $400, and people just aren't going to pay that,” Polacek said.

For the next three years, the airport is hoping to prosper from business travelers and the general public.

"There's a good connectivity to bring customers in and out, and brings your customers right to your doorstep,” Polacek said.

"It's important to me. I fly probably at least a few times a year, but yes, I would probably go more places if I could get there more easily,” Kashurba said.

The Blair County Airport is also included in the Essential Air Service extension. Between the Blair and Cambria County, there’s about $3.5 million split for each annually.

Lifeless dog survives; two men found guilty of abuse

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:19:37 -0500

Authorities in Centre County said the two men responsible for the malnourishment of two dogs in a local mobile home park have been found guilty of animal abuse charges.

Court documents show that a neighbor concerned with the welfare of two mixed-breed dogs in a pen behind a mobile home on Franklin Manor Lane contacted Patton Township police in November.

An officer who spotted a lifeless dog inside the doghouse called officials with the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, who removed Stella that day, and took away Cuddles the following day.

Humane Law Officer Jack Ardrey told 6News that after a local veterinarian declared Stella dead, he loaded her into his truck and brought her to his office in Lycoming County for a necropsy.

“When I was unloading the dog, I noticed it had one gasp of air. I immediately called the Loyalsock Animal Hospital, transported her over and that’s when they started their emergency procedures on her,” said Ardrey. “This is the first time I’ve seen an animal in the poor of condition make a full comeback. When I picked her up, she was literally like picking up a towel. There was absolutely no form to her at all.”

According to a non-traffic citation and court documents obtained by 6News, Jason Smith and John Long were found guilty of a summery animal abuse charge, even though they did not show for the hearing.

A copy of the order imposing sentence said Smith and Long must pay $2,037.39 in fines, court costs and restitution.

When contacted at his home Tuesday, Smith told 6News they were not his dogs and he was not told that there was going to be a hearing on charges filed against him.

PSPCA County-Appointed Prosecutor Elizabeth Anderson said Stella and Cuddles are expected to make full recoveries and have been adopted by loving families.

"We know that they've come from a bad place. We know that they've had a rough start. So we put extra effort into making sure that behaviorally and medically, we can meet their needs and get them into a much better place than where they came from,” said Anderson. “I don’t know if it’s the economy, I don’t know if people have just given up on their animals or they don’t have any places to take them to get care. I just don’t know what the factors are, but I think there has been an increase, at least from my perspective.”

To report suspected animal abuse, you’re urged to contact local police or call the PSPCA cruelty hotline at 1-866-601-SPCA.

For more information or to donate to PSPCA, go to http://pspca.org/support-us/

Victim Services doing more with less

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:42:25 -0500

Social service agencies were anxious to hear Gov. Tom Corbett's budget proposal on Tuesday. An organization that helps abuse victims in Cambria County says it will again be doing more with less.

With the governor's proposed budget, the Department of Welfare could see a reduction in funding of about three percent. For Victim Services of Cambria and Somerset Counties, that means a decrease of about $3,000, which is a drastic cut for such a small agency. But their director said it's nothing new; they've been struggling for several years.

"Our funding has been declining about 30 percent over the past five years," said Wanda Vavrek of Victim Services. "It doesn't sound like a lot but it has a big impact on a small agency that provides services for sexual assault victims ... so any funding cut is drastic for us."

Corbett's proposed budget is just that, and allocations could certainly change before it's finalized. But Vavrek said it's fair to say they're not going to receive any additional funding.

"Even if it's level, it's still a cut for Victim Services because it's a lot more challenging to continue providing services with the funding that we are currently receiving," said Vavrek.

Victim Services has felt the decrease in funding worse than ever this year. Vavrek said the agency is used to seeing two to three cases of rape a month, but with the recent Sandusky sex-abuse scandal, they've been seeing two to three cases a week.

"What we're seeing is more survivors calling in for services that had been assaulted perhaps five to ten, sometimes fifteen years ago," said Vavrek. "[They're] understanding that it's OK to call in, that you can still come in and have services available to you."

Even with an increase in clients and potentially a further decrease in funding, Vavrek said the agency will find a way to continue to provide their services.

Local school administrators react to governor's proposed budget

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:08:56 -0500

Governor Tom Corbett unveiled his proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year on Tuesday. It's being called bad for some industries, but better for others. The state is facing a pretty substantial shortfall and the Governor said he has to take action.

"I am submitting to you a budget proposal that is at once lean and demanding," said Corbett. "In the coming week we will sit down to work out the final details as we map out our course, but this map does come with boundaries. We will not spend more than we have."

One of the biggest industries that will take a hit under the proposal is higher education. Last year universities received nearly 20 percent less in state aide.

The proposed budget calls to cut yet another 20 percent from the 14 state-owned universities. That's about $330 million less funding than this year. Even greater cuts could be coming to state-related universities

The governor is seeking to slash 30 percent in assistance from Penn State, Pitt and Temple.

Community colleges would loose about 4 percent of funding. The state-run organization which provides financial aid, would have ~~six~~ 6 percent less money to work with in the upcoming year.

For public education, the story is a bit different. The budget doesn't call for any cuts. School districts are still trying to recover from cutbacks last year.

The governor's proposed budget is something public school administrators anticipate every year. But after what seemed like drastic cuts last year, many administrators braced themselves on Tuesday hoping for better news.

Like many districts across the region last year, Conemaugh Township was forced to cut costs by furloughing administration and staff members, cutting programs and making students pay fees to participate in sports and other activities.

"Our budget process touched upon really all of the kids, kindergarten through 12th grade," said Conemaugh Township Superintendent Gary Buchsen. "This is a different time in education and level funding forces districts to continue to cut services for kids."

On Tuesday, Corbett made some clarifications, saying the cuts that districts faced last year were actually holes made by the Rendell Administration when they used stimulus funds to pay for the states share of basic education funding.

"Those funds were one time only earmarks by the president," said Corbett. "The last thing they were intended for was continuing yearly operating costs such as salaries."

According to Corbett, there will be no public education cuts in the state budget. In fact, he said more taxpayer money will be used in the basic education funding formula than ever before. But even if schools receive level funding, Buchsen said that won't address the additional needs and burdens upon districts.

"From health care to pension obligations, to special education, to all of those costs that are increased year over year, I think that's the concern moving forward, especially with rural schools in western Pennsylvania," said Buchsen.

While the governor is proposing to leave the basic education funding formula at it's current level, his final budget won't be approved for several months. And Buchsen said that makes it hard for school districts who are forced to start planning for next year, right now.

Pa. Senate approves first fees on shale drilling

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:05:07 -0500

HARRISBURG, Pa. --

Pennsylvania moved closer Tuesday to imposing a fee on the drilling that has transformed the state through the exploration of its vast Marcellus Shale reserves. It is the only major gas-producing state that has not been taxing the taking of natural gas from its soil.

The state Senate voted in favor of fees that could raise $180 million in the first year and perhaps more than $1 billion in the first five years. The measure would require new rules, including the online disclosure of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking.

It could pass the House on Tuesday night. Opponents called it a giveaway to energy companies, saying its environmental provisions are too weak.

Since 2008, Pennsylvania has been mobbed by energy companies drilling at least 4,000 wells across the state.

Sandusky's attorney files motion for transcripts to prepare for defense

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:05:40 -0500

The attorney for a former Penn State University assistant coach accused of sex abuse crimes against children has filed a motion to prepare for trial.

Jerry Sandusky is accused of numerous sex crimes against children. His attorney, Joe Amendola, said on Monday he filed a motion seeking transcripts to help him prepare Sandusky's defense case.

Amendola said he wants prosecutors to provide him with copies of grand jury testimony by anyone the attorney general intends to call at Sandusky's trial.

The motion will likely be considered at a hearing Friday in Bellefonte. Amendola said he also plans to file formal opposition this week to the prosecution's request to have an out-of-county jury hear the case.

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

Tests under way for Marcellus Shale drilling in Elk State Forest

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:26:32 -0500

Seismic testing has begun to determine the potential for Marcellus Shale drilling in Elk State Forest.

The Bradford Era reports the testing began Saturday on an 11-square-mile area that includes the heart of Pennsylvania's elk population.

Conservation officials said the testing could continue into summer.

A state oil and gas forester said only about 25 percent of the land being surveyed is owned by the state.

In the meantime, state lawmakers could vote as early as today on a long-awaited version of an impact fee for Marcellus Shale drillers in Pennsylvania. A joint House-Senate committee voted 4-2 Monday night in favor of a Republican version of the bill.

Negotiators said the total fee for all current gas wells would total $180 million, but that amount would rise as more wells are drilled.

Democrats oppose the bill and call it a "sweetheart deal" for the gas industry that doesn't protect the environment.

2 more suspects named in Indiana Co. armed robbery

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:16:41 -0500

INDIANA COUNTY, Pa. --

Two more suspects have been named in connection with a burglary and armed robbery at a home in Indiana Borough.

Police identified 20-year-old Samuel Gooden and 19-year-old Tarique Godson as suspects.

Gooden was taken into police custody and Godsen remained at large as of Tuesday afternoon.

Police said in all, four people broke into the home and stole money and narcotics and also assaulted a resident. The other two suspects were already facing charges.

Anyone with information about Godson's whereabouts is asked to call police.

Pa. gov unveils $27.1 billion hold-the-line budget

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:51:13 -0500

HARRISBURG, Pa. --

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett is proposing a hold-the-line budget of $27.1 billion, with no tax increases, some cuts to higher education assistance and a range of cost-saving measures in services for the poor and disabled.

Corbett unveiled his budget Tuesday as the state grapples with lackluster tax collections and higher costs for debt, health care and pensions. Cuts would be widespread across state agencies.

Under the proposal, Corbett would cut an asset tax that businesses pay. The budget would also institute hundreds of millions of dollars in cost-saving measures to offset a rising tab for services for the poor, elderly and disabled.

With regard to education, public schools would see a small reduction, community colleges would see a 4 percent funding decrease, and the state agency offering financial aid to students would see a 6 percent cut.

The proposed state budget seeks to cut $330 million, or 20 percent, from 14 state-owned universities.

Corbett wants to reduce aid to Penn State, the University of Pittsburgh and Temple University by about 30 percent. He also said he's creating a statewide panel to examine higher education.

Corbett's budget proposals to cut and consolidate welfare programs are getting mixed reviews from advocates for the poor and county government. He proposed eliminating cash payments through the state-funded General Assistance program and consolidating several programs into a new block grant to save hundreds of millions of dollars.

Advocates at Community Legal Services in Philadelphia said General Assistance provides only about $200 a month for the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians. They said folding mental-health services in with unrelated services will make it more difficult for mentally ill people to get help.

Brinda Penyak of the Pennsylvania County Commissioners Association said her group likes the block-grant approach to welfare services because county officials will have far less red tape to cope with.

Corbett's budget proposal needs legislative approval. Stay with 6 News, WJACTV.com and WJACTV.com Mobile for continuing coverage.

Book sales to help the blind

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:01:08 -0500

Book sales to help the blind

It's something writers only dream of; having their book published, and for one Johnstown resident that dream has come true.

It took Jim Baroni a year and a half to write his first book, "The Legend of Rachel Petersen." It took him another six months to have it published.

Jim Baroni credits his wife for encouraging him to write a book.

"Whenever I do a Christmas card or birthday card, I put my own words on there and she kept saying, ‘You oughta write a book.’ And one day we were taking a walk in the woods, and we found a lone grave there and that gave me the inspiration to write the book," says Baroni.

The book is set in Western Pennsylvania. Jim says he wanted it to be spooky, and accomplished just that by scaring one of his readers.

"I did not like the ending, and I said what was wrong with the ending? She says it scared me and I could not sleep that night," says Baroni.

But what Jim says he really hopes to accomplish is to raise enough money to sponsor a dog through the Lions Club Leader Dogs for the Blind. A portion of the proceeds from his book will go to the organization, which is close to his heart since his older brother was born blind.

"He's very adept at what he does; he never let his handicap get in his way," says Baroni.

It is common to have someone who is blind go through more than one leader dog in their lifetime, and just to have one can also be expensive.

"I would love to be able to sponsor a dog, but the cost is $40,000 per dog."

Jim says it's too soon to tell how well his book is doing, since he just started selling it in December. But has said despite the outcome, he hopes to try and continue to raise money for the Lions Club.

If your interested in purchasing the book, it's available on the website, www.amazon.com.

Shippensburg University offers Plan B contraceptive in vending machine

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:39:04 -0500

   SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. --

Students at a Pennsylvania university can obtain an emergency contraceptive from an usual source -- a health center vending machine.

   The vending machine inside Shippensburg University's Etter Health Center provides Plan B along with condoms, decongestants and pregnancy tests.

   Vice President for Student Affairs Roger Serr said the machine was installed following a request from the school's Student Association and a survey found 85 percent of student respondents supported it.

   Plan B is available without a prescription to anyone 17 or older.

   The cost of the drug isn't covered or subsidized by the school. Instead it is supplied for $25, the school's cost to the pharmaceutical company and less than at off-campus pharmacies.

   Shippensburg is a school of about 8,300 students about 125 miles west of Philadelphia.

Jury dismissed in 2009 Altoona sandwich shop killings

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:44:12 -0500

HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. --

A Blair County judge has dismissed a jury chosen last month for the trial of an Iraq war veteran in the deaths of two people during the robbery of a central Pennsylvania sandwich shop almost three years ago.

A 12-member jury and two alternates had been selected last month for the trial of 31-year-old Nicholas Horner in the April 2009 robbery of the Subway store in Altoona.

The state Supreme Court halted the process after an appeal of a decision barring an insanity defense. The high court last week declined to overturn the ruling.

According to The Associated Press, Blair County President Judge Jolene Kopriva ruled Monday that too much time would have elapsed between jury selection and the start of the trial. Jury selection is now scheduled for March 12.

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

Altoona considers distressed city status

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:18:09 -0500

In the wake of a growing deficit and weakening revenue stream, city council members decided that they have run out of options and will pursue the possibility of declaring Altoona as a distressed municipality.

At a work session inside City Hall on Monday evening, officials said they have balanced the budget over the past three years with a deficit, by dipping into the remaining reserve, and have reduced more than two dozen positions through attrition.

“The citizens of Altoona don’t realize that we have been doing things to reduce costs in the city, yet give them the best possible safety protection and the best possible services that we can offer,” said Mayor William Schirf.

Although an Act 47 declaration could lead to a property or earned income tax hike, City Councilman Bruce Kelley told 6News that it could prevent cutbacks for public service departments.

“People have come up to me and said, ‘Please, we can’t afford to lose anymore firefighters or police,'” said Kelley. If we’ve made all the cuts we can make, and we’re running a bare-bones operation, there’s not much more we can do.”

Kelley said a countywide property reassessment would be helpful, but that Altoona is in need of an immediate fix.

“Not having reassessed longer than any other county of all 67 in the state, that is down the road. If the county commissioners said tomorrow at their meeting ‘let’s reassess’, it might be four or five years before we see any benefit,” said Kelley. “The same with looking at home rule charter. Is it worth looking at? Absolutely, but our problems are right now.”

Altoona city council is expected to vote on the distressed municipalities resolution on Feb. 22.

Aiden's story: A baby with a broken heart inspires others

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:15:15 -0500

Tuesday starts Congenital Heart Defect Awareness week. 6 News talked to a local family whose baby has spent every day fighting for his life because of multiple heart defects.

In the 24 hours little Aiden Braatz was brought into this world, he changed his parents’ life forever. He was born with Shones Complex. At 20-months, he’s had two open heart surgeries, and only expecting more.

Aiden Braatz was born May 19^th, 2010. To his parents, everything seemed normal. He was a happy, healthy baby.

"The nurse had said, well we're going to take him for a couple more tests, and you should be on your way, but then she came back in, it was kind of long about an hour or so later, and I said, is something wrong? And she said he was breathing a bit faster than they'd like and they're going to keep him for some more testing,” Aiden’s mother Angela Braatz said.

That news was when their whole life flipped upside down.

"Aiden had a complex heart condition his aortic valve was severely narrowed, and the only way they could save his life was to balloon open his aortic valve to let blood flow to the rest of his body,” Braatz said.

Aiden had his first procedure just days after he was born. His first open-heart surgery came just months later. By November, his heart was failing again, and Aiden was entering his second open-heart surgery to fix another two valves.

Through all of the scars and stitches, it never stopped Aiden from smiling.

"I think he's a tough guy, I really do. I've said it from day one, he's a miracle,” Braatz said.

The Braatz family is taking the inspiration Aiden gave them to inspire others through the American Heart Association.

"We keep asking them what's next. What's out there? What can be done?” Travis Braatz said.

“It's going to directly affect him and other heart babies. All that money will go to the research and awareness of heart disease and congenital heart disease which is so near and dear to our heart,” Braatz said.

Aiden’s heart surgeries will come with his growth spurts, but his parents are doing everything they can to raise money and awareness for the American Heart Association. Aiden’s story will be shared at the Heart Ball on February 18^th.

6 News investigates rise in copper thefts

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:47:18 -0500

Copper and scrap metal prices are again on the rise and more thieves are on the hunt. They're breaking into construction sites and even ripping pipes and wires out of homes. 6 News investigated the rising crime.

"You can do this considerable amount of damage in only a half an hour," said West Hills Police Detective George Musulin. "If you go in with a pair of wire cutters, and if you know what you're doing, it doesn't take a lot of time to commit an act like this."

That's about all it took to strip a home in suburban Johnstown. The homeowner was in the hospital. After police took the suspected thieves into custody, they said they told officers they stole the copper to put food on the table.

Copper prices are on the rise again, now over $3 a pound, making copper thieves more daring and desperate.

In September, thieves chopped down utility poles in Somerset County and snipped live wires to retrieve copper wiring. In doing so, they knocked out power to about 60 Penelec customers and put their own lives at risk.

Home security cameras were rolling as a man stripped telephone poles on a street in Cambria County. All it took was a few snips. (delete extra spaces) Police arrested the man, but it left neighbors feeling scared and vulnerable.

Thieves are targeting not only copper, but aluminum, brass and other scrap metals. We've even heard reports of people stealing rain gutters from homes and businesses.

"It could be very dangerous," said Musulin. "If someone doesn't know what they're doing and they go and cut a main power source, then they could get electrocuted or they could even cause a fire... causing the home to burn down."

So what can you do to protect yourself?
* Along with your house, make sure outside sheds and garages are also locked.
* When away from home, ask family and friends to keep an eye on things.
* Put lights on a timer device or use motion-sensor lights.
* Businesses should move trash receptacles and ladders away from buildings to make it difficult for thieves to reach rooftop refrigeration units.
* And mark copper pipes with bright paint, or engrave them. Thieves may stay away because scrap metal dealers could become suspicious.

"It's a sign of the times," said Musulin. "With the economy the way it is, people are out of work and if they have the means to find a location like this and feel that they can get away with it, they're going to do it."

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, scrap metal thefts and the damage left behind cost over $1 billion a year.

Scrap metal dealers in our area are required to keep records of every transaction they make.

Police discover drug-growing operation in Johnstown apartment

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:41:41 -0500

A large marijuana-growing operation is dismantled after police find over three dozen plants in a Johnstown apartment. Investigators said the home had all the makings of a large-scale drug enterprise, including heating lamps and humidifiers.

Police said a person at the root of the operation unknowingly summoned officers to the front door. Police were actually searching for a wanted juvenile on Friday night when they happened upon an entire marijuana-growing operation.

Police said they saw a man standing in a large window on the second floor of a house on South Street, waving at them to come inside. When officers started making their way upstairs they said the man realized who they were, yelled, "police" and then disappeared.

Officers said Joseph Bravo, Jr., 49, opened the door and that's when they discovered several bottles of alcohol and a marijuana pipe lying on a table. Bravo was quickly taken into custody before police made their way inside the home.

Officers said they found an entire room full of marijuana plants, as well as equipment used to grow the drugs. For that, they arrested another man, Mark Horner, 53, who they said was conducting the operation.

"He had additional lights and an irrigation type set-up for the plants and had aluminum foils on the walls to reflect the heat," said Johnstown Police Chief Craig Foust. "It was a rather elaborate growing operation for being inside a residence."

Police said that Horner and Bravo lived in the same building, but rented separate apartments. Horner is facing several drug charges after admitting to growing the marijuana for his own use. Bravo is facing charges for lying to police and possessing drug paraphernalia.

Pa. gas-drilling bill may pass Monday, senator says

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:03:20 -0500

   HARRISBURG, Pa. --

Pennsylvania's top-ranking state senator says he's hoping for a speedy vote in his chamber on sweeping legislation to impose a drilling fee and update safety regulations on the booming natural gas industry.

   Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati said he hopes senators will vote on the bill by Monday night. The proposed compromise hasn't been released publicly or amended into a bill, but Scarnati says he believes it'll get enough votes to pass.

   The provisions were agreed to by the Legislature's Republican leaders and fellow Republican Gov. Tom Corbett, without input from Democrats.

   Under the bill, the impact fee would rise and fall with the price of natural gas and inflation. Counties would have the option to impose it, but a critical mass of municipalities could override a refusal.

Police: Pa. dad was drunk picking up even drunker son after DUI

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:40:57 -0500

BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. --

Police say a father was drunk when he drove to a police station to pick up his even drunker son who had been arrested for drunken driving after he was found passed out in his car.

Online court records don't list attorneys for 44-year-old David Peterson Sr. and 24-year-old David Peterson Jr., who list the same home address in Bellwood.

The Altoona Mirror reported Monday that city police charged both men with drunken driving and other violations for incidents that occurred early Jan. 20. The elder Peterson faces a preliminary hearing Feb. 22 and his son on Feb. 15.

Police said the father's blood-alcohol content was one-and-a-half times the state's legal limit when he drove to the police station, while his son's was slightly more than double the legal limit.