8/31/2010

 

PENNDOT CUTBACKS

Governor Ed Rendell's 472-million-dollar transportation funding
shortfall translates into an annual spending gap of up to 300-million
dollars on highway and bridge projects.  PennDot District Executive Dan
Cessna says until funding improves, the agency will mothball future
design work and concentrate primarily on system critical work.  Cessna
also says most engineering projects already underway are fully funded,
but unfunded or partially funded initiatives. He adds PennDot could
deploy "design builds" to trim future project lag times once funding
rebounds.

OIL PRICE

Oil prices settled 47-cents lower Monday at 74-dollars-70-cents a barrel.

SEIZURE MAY HAVE CAUSED WRECK

Officials believe that it could have been a seizure that caused a fatal
car accident in Fairview over the weekend. Late morning Saturday,
19-year-old Ryan Stafford all of a sudden went left of center, into the
guide rail and then into a tree. He was trapped in the wreckage and
subsequently died as a result of blunt force trauma. Toxicology results
are not back yet, and could take weeks, but he is not believed to have
been intoxicated.The teen reportedly had episodes with seizures prior to
the fatal accident.

TRUCKS OFF THE ROAD

Nearly 200 commercial trucks are taken off of PA roadways in a one-day
initiative to make sure rural and non-interstate highways are safe. The
Commonwealth Rural Roads and State Highways detail or C.R.A.S.H., was
conducted on Wednesday, August 25th by state police motor carrier
enforcement teams across the state. The teams inspected 1,263 trucks
total placing 198 of them at least temporarily out of service.
Thirty-four drivers were also put out of service. The most common
problems were brakes out of adjustment and broken exterior lights.

FATAL CRASH

A Rimersburg man is dead after a fatal car accident in Clarion County.
Police said that driver 76-year-old Ruby Norton of Shippenville was
headed north on 66 in Paint Township late last week when she crossed
paths with 26 year old Brian Rozanski who was headed in the opposite
direction at a high rate of speed. Norton was trying to turn into a
local market when she turned in front of Rozanki. He was fatally thrown
180 feet and his helmet was knocked off of him upon impact. A third man
from Pittsburgh was hit with debris from the crash.

AMNESTY WEEK BIG HIT

The first annual Amnesty Week in Crawford County is being considered a
success…That’s according to comments made in a press release by Crawford
County President Judge Anthony J. Vardaro. A total of nearly
14-thousand-eight-hundred dollars was collected and payment plans were
established to recover another 2,800 dollars in the next few months. Of
that amount collected, nearly 12-thousand of that was restitution to be
paid to victims of crimes. A meeting will be held shortly for those
involved to critique this year and to discuss plans for the future.

SESTAK UNDER ATTACK

U.S. Representative Joe Sestak took a beating from Republicans Monday
for an energy earmark request.  The Delaware County Democrat and U.S.
Senate nominee, sponsored a 350-thousand-dollar request for the
nonprofit Thomas Paine Foundation in order to research a new type of
wind turbine.  The money would apparently go to an offshoot, for-profit
company created by the foundation's president dedicated to developing
turbines and energy-related equipment.  This past March, the House
banned giving earmarks to for-profit companies.  A Sestak spokesperson
said the company's president should be blamed as he allegedly misled
Sestak when pitching the project.

ITS BACK TO SCHOOL

With back to school comes walkers and riders, and new drivers…Survival
101 is one of three traffic safety programs offered by PennDOT this
year. 'Survival' focuses on keeping drivers alert and not distracted or
impaired. The ‘Back Is Where It’s At’ program, which is for elementary
students, focuses on seat belts, air bags and the importance of placing
child passengers in the back seat. The 'Sixteen Minutes' program is for
high school students and presented to a small group by a trooper.
Marianne Warner of Penndot is saying that is all boils down to one goal
in the end.
Warner says that kids especially have to realize that the most dangerous
thing about being a teenager is turning 16 and having the new
responsibility of driving. Visit www.drivesafepa.org for details on how
to bring the program to your school.

_________________________________________

8-30-2010

 

DIEHL ARMSTRONG MAY FACE OUTSIDE JURY

A federal judge has vowed to decide quickly whether to bring in an
outside jury for the trial of a Western Pennsylvania woman charged with
masterminding a much-publicized bank robbery seven-years ago. 
Sixty-one-year-old Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong is charged with organizing a
2003 bank heist in Erie that killed a pizza deliveryman who was forced
to wear a collar bomb while robbing the bank.  The defense argued during
a hearing on Friday that choosing a jury in Pittsburgh would ensure
impartiality.  Prosecutors said a careful screening process would
eliminate any problems.

IS THE BIRTH RATE DOWN DUE TO THE ECONOMY?

New figures on birth rates are raising questions about whether women are
holding off on having kids due to the economy.  Estimates from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show just over
four-point-one-million children were born last year.  That's a drop of
more than two-and-a-half percent from the previous year, which saw a
similar drop from the year before that.  The CDC noted that the birth
rates in 2008 and 2009 seem to show that they're being affected by the
recession, which started in late 2007.

ONE DEAD AFTER CRASH

A Cambridge Springs man is dead after driving off the road and into a
tree. Police said 19-year-old Ryan Stafford was in Fairview just north
of Hawthorne Ridge Road when he went left of center, into the guide rail
and then into a tree. Stafford became trapped upon impact and died at
the scene. It happened late Saturday morning. Officials haven’t
commented why Stafford lost control.

COLLEGES FOCUS OF ILLEGAL CONSUMPTION ENFORCMENT

College kids in Northwest PA are about to get a reality check when it
comes to underage drinking. There’s a new police initiative for colleges
and universities in and around the surrounding areas of Crawford, Erie,
Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Venango, and Warren Counties. According to a
press release, during the Fall 2010 Semester, Liquor Enforcement
Officers from the PA State Police and the Bureau of Liquor Control
enforcement, will work with local law enforcement to crack down on the
illegal consumption. Authorities are warning kids that state laws will
be aggressively enforced.

LABOR DAY TRAVEL UP

AAA projects the number of Americans traveling this Labor Day holiday
weekend will increase 9.9 percent from 2009, with approximately 34.4
million travelers taking a trip at least 50 miles away from home. Last
year, 31.3 million Americans traveled during the Labor Day holiday. On
the local front, approximately 1.2 million Pennsylvanians will travel
this holiday. Of those traveling, 1.1 million will be driving,
66-thousand anticipate flying to their destination, and 54-thousand will
be traveling by an alternative form of transportation i.e. by boat,
bus, motorcycle, train, etc.

HIGH SPEED CHACE IN CLARION AND FOREST COUNTIES

A Meadville man will face charges after leading police on a high speed
chase Saturday. Police said they went to pull over 23-year-old Tommy
James Fenstermaker for a traffic violation when he took off reaching
speeds of 100-plus miles-per-hour. Fenstermaker took police through
parts of Clarion and Forest Counties before they were forced to lay down
spike strips. He was finally arrested in Tionesta Township on route 36,
and is now in the Warren County Jail on a parole detainer.

BUTTERFLIES DECLINING

The number of Monarch Butterflies is declining, but there are actions to
take to make sure they never become extinct. Pat Lace, the Penn State
Master Gardener of Crawford County says they are trying hard to create
environments called “waystations” that are suitable for sustaining the
Monarch.
Anyone can make their own way station and have it certified. Upon
certification, your site will be included in the International
Waystation Registry, which is an online database. The butterflies are
gently tagged and therefore able to be identified. To track the
butterflies and to learn more visit www.monarchwatch.org/ws.

SEX OFFENDER FOUND OUTSIDE OF US

A local sex offender is found in the Dominican Republic after years of
eluding law enforcement. Police say that Dennis Alan Crawford Jr.
formerly of Waterford is being extradited to Miami and then back to PA,
after reportedly moving south to avoid having to register with Megan’s
Law. According to the criminal complaint, Crawford was released from
jail in 2002, and had to subsequently register his whereabouts
afterwards. He did register initially, but eventually failed to do so.
In 2006, an anonymous call came from the Dominican Republic Missionary
worker that Crawford was there with his wife and three kids. Police
believe that he was there working in a Christian Missionary, possibly
teaching kids on a daily basis. He is expected to face charges.
_____________________________________________

8-27-2010.

 

20 MILLION IN THE FIRST MONTH OF TABLE GAMES

Table games helped Pennsylvania's nine casinos rake in nearly
20-million-dollars during their first month in operation.  The state
Gaming Control Board announced the games made more than
17-point-five-million-dollars.  That's on top of the two-million-dollars
in state taxes and 350-thousand-dollars in local taxes.

TRANSGENDER DRIVERS GIVEN CHANGE

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has changed its licensing
policy to accommodate transgender drivers.  Transportation officials
announced this week an agreement with the advocacy organization Equality
Pennsylvania.  Following 26 other states and the District of Columbia,
PennDOT has adopted a policy to allow drivers to change gender on their
licenses if they are living full-time in the new gender.  The old policy
required people to prove they had a sexual reassignment surgery before
their gender was changed.

NEW CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN

New claims for jobless benefits fell more than expected last week, but
the Keystone State is still leading the nation in insured unemployment. 
The Labor Department reports there were 473-thousand new claims for
jobless benefits filed in the week ending August 21st nationwide. 
That's a decrease of 31-thousand from the previous week's nine-month
high.  The nationwide insured unemployment rate was
three-point-five-percent, compared to Pennsylvania's
four-point-seven-percent, which according to the Labor Department, is
the highest insured unemployment rate in the U.S.

OIL PRICE

Oil prices settled up 84-cents Thursday to 73-dollars-36-cents a barrel.

MAN ARRESTED WITH STOLEN VEHICLE

A Maryland man is arrested in Meadville for allegedly driving a stolen
vehicle from Virginia. Police said 37-year-old Michael Kelley of
Baltimore was discovered on Willow Street at the intersection with South
Main earlier this week. Kelley was placed in the Crawford County Jail
on 15-thousand dollars bail.

FAIR-DAY 7

It’s Day 7 of the Crawford County Fair, and after 2 nights of music,
it’s now time for the USA-East Sanctioned Truck and Tractor Pull. That’s
happening at 7 p-m. Before that though, there’s a horse pull at noon in
the Grandstand, a 4-H Rabbit Demo in the Rabbit Barn at 3, and the
Dairy Princess will be at the Heritage Hall Dairy Barn at 6 p-m. Go to
their website www.crawfordcountyfair.net for more details.

TOUR DE TAMARACK

The 17th Annual Tour de Tamarack Bike Race is set for Sunday on Labor
Day weekend. It’s happening Sunday, September 5th starting at 9 a-m, and
the money raised will go to the French Creek Recreational Trails
Association. Nina Bell, wife of Steve Bell, who initially started up the
race says they decided to do this 17 years ago because the terrain
spoke for itself.
Don’t worry if you’re not a pro though, there are three different level
courses that cyclists can take. The citizen’s course is set for beginner
bike-riders, the intermediate is set for those willing to push the
limits, and the elite race is for experienced or pro-cyclists. They will
start at Oak Grove Park and ride around Lake Tamarack. There’s also a
free Kid’s Race. Find registration and award information at
www.tourdetamarack.com.

SUSTAINABLE FEAST IN PITTSBURGH

As an egg-based Salmonella scare continues across the nation, but in
Pennsylvania this weekend, food produced on small, organic farms is
taking the spotlight. The Rachel Carson Homestead Association is holding
its Sustainable Feast in Pittsburgh; a chance to connect consumers with
farmers who use traditional 'old school' methods. Spokesperson Fiona
Fisher for Rachel Carson Homestead Association…
The Sustainable Feast happens Sunday, at 1p-m at the Rachel Carson Bridge in Pittsburgh.

FUGITIVE NAILED IN FRANKLIN

The PA State Police at Franklin nab a fugitive after receiving a useful
tip. Twenty-year old Kamau Nixon was wanted for a failure to appear on a
weapons charge, and authorities found him at a Park Avenue home in the
Sugarcreek Borough Thursday morning around 9:30. When they went to take
him in though, marijuana and drug paraphernalia were reportedly laying
out in plain view. More charges are expected to follow.

HEAD ON IN FRANKLIN

A nasty head on collision on route 8 at Pone Lane in the Sandycreek
Township, Thursday afternoon…Police said that driver 86-year-old Corrine
Heckler failed to yield to oncoming traffic while trying to turn onto
Pone Lane. Officials said that 44-year-old Brian Moore, the other
driver, tried to avoid the crash, but couldn’t. Charges are pending
against Heckler. No word on any injuries, but both cars sustained
disabling damage. ______________________________________________

8-26-2010

 

CRAWFORD COUNTY FAIR

It’s Day 6 of the Crawford County Fair. Tonight marks the second big
night of country music with Kellie Pickler and Darius Rucker  taking the
stage at 7:30. As for the rest of the day, there’s more harness racing
at noon, a light horse demonstration at one, and also a 4-H Swine Demo
at six. For a complete schedule visit www.crawfordcountyfair.net.

ROCK IN RIVER FEST THIS WEEKEND

Franklin is celebrating their annual Rock In River Fest and PA Stone
Skipping Championship Competition this Saturday in Riverfront Park.
Along with the stone skipping contest, there’s also a chicken BBQ, rock
painting, a petting zoo and kayak rides. As far as the stone skipping
goes, at 1 p-m the Youth and Amateurs will throw, and then at 3, the
professionals will compete.

SMUGGLING DRUGS INTO PRISON

A Meadville woman faces charges now after she allegedly tried to supply
her boyfriend with drugs while in the Crawford County Jail. Police said
23- year-old Jan Price made an unauthorized visit to him in a
maintenance barn Tuesday evening where she tried to hand him off the
marijuana. Price, however, was spotted by a security guard. She too, was
then placed in the Crawford County Jail on 25-hundred bond.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE RIGHT TO VOTE FOR WOMEN

Ninety years ago today, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was
ratified, giving women in PA, and across the country, the right to vote.
Olivia Thorne of the League of Women Voters in PA says the struggle to
secure that right started long ago. According to Thorne, the
ratification was just one part of the work needed to make sure women
make it to the polls in 1920.
However though, nationwide in 2008, only 73 percent of voter-eligible
women were even registered to do so. Thorne says she’d like to see more
women involved in government in the coming years.

GOOGLE PHONE

Google's linking its email directly to telephones with just a click of a
button or mouse.  People on the Internet giant's free Gmail service can
now click "call phone" from their chat buddy list.  They can enter
numbers or contact names and be put through to that person's cell phone
or land line directly from their email account.  Google's promising the
calls will be free to American and Canadian phones through the rest of
the year.  Overseas calls would be as low as two cents a minute.

INTERNET OUTAGE

An Internet outage that affected most state websites Wednesday has been
resolved.  For a short while, the unemployed could not file claims
online and taxpayers could not make payments.  The governor's website
was also down.  Pennsylvania government websites with independent
servers, including the departments of Public Welfare and Transportation,
were not affected.  The cause of the outage has not yet been
identified.

GRILL RECALL

Char-Broil has recalled its vertical gas smoker because it could
explode, causing the door to burst open and hurt users.  The fuel hose
on the smoker is to blame.  When the temperature is set on low it
doesn't let enough gas flow causing the flame to go out and propane to
build up inside the smoker.  When the flame is reignited, an explosion
occurs blasting the door open.
The recalled product was sold at Walmart and other retailers from March
2008 until June of this year.  Consumers who own one of these smokers
should stop using it immediately.  More information can be found by
calling Char-Broil at 1-866-671-7988 or visiting Charbroil.com.

ELECTRIC CARS IN OHIO

The Ohio Department of Transportation is asking for more than
eleven-million dollars in federal grant money to help bring electric
cars to the state.  ODOT is asking for eleven-point-three-million
dollars to, quote, "electrify Ohio's transportation system," by placing a
network of plug-in electric cars across the state.  According to the
state's grant application, the plan calls for ODOT to place 136 electric
vehicles and more than 800 charging stations in eleven Ohio cities next
year and in 2012.
______________________________________________

8-25-2010

 

RUNNING OUT OF GAS LANDS A MAN IN THE SLAMMER

Problems for a Chicago man passing through Cussewago Township, Crawford
County. Police said Anthony Ray ran out of gas in the vehicle he stole
in Ohio  on 79 South in the middle of the afternoon Monday. Police
believe that Ray was headed to the Pittsburgh area to visit family. The
stolen car belongs to Michael Hribar of St. Petersburg, Florida. Ray was
taken into custody for receiving stolen property and for Act 64
charges. He was placed in the Crawford County Jail in lieu of
25-thousand dollars bond.

EGG CHECKS FOR SALMONELLA

The Food & Drug Administration will conduct hundreds of inspections
of egg producers to make sure they're following the agency's new safety
rules.  The announcement follows a Salmonella outbreak that prompted a
recall of more than half-a-billion eggs from farms in Iowa.  Meanwhile,
the FDA has ordered the recall of 380-thousand pounds of deli meat for
possible Listeria contamination.  The brands of ham, salami, cooked
bacon and pepperoni were sold to Walmart by Zemco Industries of Buffalo,
New York.

CRAWFORD COUNTY FAIR

It’s Day 5 of the Crawford County Fair, with the first of the two big
country shows being tonight. Everyone has something they look forward to
at the fair and that’s why we took to the streets and found out what
people love the most.
Tonight Phil Vassar will take the state at 7:30 followed by Josh Turner.
Other highlights for today include harness racing at noon and a “Make
It With Wool” contest at 10:30 this morning at the Office Pavilion. A
complete schedule is available at www.crawfordcountyfair.net.

OIL INDUSTRY SAYS GOV PLAN ILLEGAL

The oil industry swiftly responded to Governor Ed Rendell's plan to tax
its profits by calling it illegal.  Rolf Hanson, the executive director
of Associated Petroleum Industries of Pennsylvania, said the governor's
idea was first proposed in 2007, when it was found to violate federal
rules on interstate commerce.  Rendell told state lawmakers on Monday
that an eight-percent tax on the gross profits of oil companies could
help raise a billion-dollars for much-needed transit and road repairs. 
Hanson claimed that if the tax were enacted, many small oil companies in
the state would be forced to lay off workers.

HORSE EUTHANIZED

A horse has to be euthanized after it was hit by a car just after 3 a-m
Tuesday in Crawford County.  Police said driver 43-year-old Nick Gable
of Meadville was southbound on 6/19 in Hayfield Township when he came
across several horses in the middle of the road. Gable was able to avoid
all but one of the horses belonging to Robert Field of Meadville.
Gable’s car was severely damaged, and he was taken to the Meadville
Medical Center to be checked out.

LIQUOR PRICES GOING UP

It will soon cost more money to purchase a bottle of liquor in the
state.  Pennsylvania's Liquor Control Board adopted a policy change that
will generate millions of dollars but also has angered bar and
restaurant owners.  Liquor Control Board officials say prices will jump
from 50-cents to two-dollars a bottle, depending on their size starting
January 4th.  Restaurant organizers may plan a legal challenge, claiming
the new fee could cost consumers and business owners hundreds of
millions of dollars.

NEW BLOOD FOR SCHOOL BOARD

The Oil City school board is welcoming its newest member. Former chief
of police in Oil City, Fred Weaver, was made official on Monday night.
Weaver is finishing the term of Lori Horn.

OIL PRICE

Oil prices settled two-percent lower Tuesday at 71-dollars-63-cents a barrel.
_______________________________________________

8-24-2010

 

DAY FOUR

It’s Day 4 of the Crawford County Fair, and there’s a packed schedule as
usual. Today’s big event is the Hell Drivers  Auto & FMX Bike Show
starting at 7:30. Also, during the day some of the other highlights
include, Cake Decorating at 1:30, Yesterday’s Sound will sing at the
Office Pavillion at 2, and at 7 there’s a FFA Junior Dairy Show. Seniors
65 and over get in free today from 9 to 5. Visit
www.crawfordcountyfair.net for a complete list of events for the week.

LEEPER FIRE

A weekend fire does extensive damage to the top part of a house in
Leeper. Officials said on Sunday afternoon the fire started in the attic
due to an electrical problem. The fire did about 60-thousand dollars
worth of damage to the home on route 66. No one was injured in the fire.
Phillip and Michelle Rankin are listed as the victims.

GOV WANTS TO TAX OIL COMPANIES TO FILL TRANSPORT HOLE

Governor Ed Rendell is still trying to come up with money for
transportation in the state. In a meeting with lawmakers Monday, the
governor proposed modifying the state's tax structure to increase the
amount oil company profits are taxed to eight-percent.  His plan also
included increasing motor vehicle fees to match inflation, increasing
the four-year driver's license fee by four-dollars and raising the fee
for a certificate of title from 22-dollars-50-cents to 31-dollars. 
Pennsylvania needs to come up with three-billion dollars to repair and
maintain the transportation infrastructure.

BIRDWATCHING

When one thinks of the Bartramian Audobon Society, it might be common to
think that this is simply an organization that watches birds. However,
that’s only one part of it. Member of the society, Kathie Goodblood says
you don’t have to be an avid “birdwatcher” to be a part of the group.
Goodblood says birds are really just a part of the bigger picture –
connecting to many aspects of nature. The Bartramian Audobon Society is a
local Chapter of the National Audobon Society.  The local chapter
covers Venango, Butler, Mercer and Lawrence Counties. Their meetings are
held at the Jennings Environmental Education Center in Slippery Rock.
All meetings are free and open to the public.

OHIO CASINO COMMISSION TO BE NAMED

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland plans to name the members of the new Ohio
Casino Control Commission by next month.  The governor will pick seven
people from a pool of 37 candidates who want to regulate gambling across
the state.  The candidates include two people who strongly opposed last
year's casino ballot measure.  Strickland administration officials say
casino oversight will cost about four-point-eight-million dollars to
start up and require about 158 full-time employees.

ACTING SECRETARY OF CORRECTIONS NAMED

PA Governor Ed Rendell announced Monday that he's named Shirley Moore
Smeal as acting secretary of the Department of Corrections.  Moore Smeal
is the first woman to hold the post of prison system leader.  Rendell
said Moore Smeal was mentored by outgoing chief Jeffrey Beard for the
past ten-years.  The governor said he was confident in her ability to
lead the department to ensure "secure, safe and humane conditions for
inmates and employees."

TOOMEY VERSUS THE STIMULUS

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Pat Toomey is taking aim at the
federal stimulus bill during his four-day bus tour this week.  At the
first stop at the Pennsylvania Press Club in Harrisburg Monday, Toomey
sought to connect his Democratic opponent Joe Sestak to the
787-billion-dollar stimulus package, bailouts, higher spending and
staggering debt.  Toomey pledged he would be a senator dedicated to
limited government and reform, as well as extending the Bush tax cuts. 
Today, Toomey will travel through Central Pennsylvania before heading
west.

COULD PA RACE TO THE TOP?

The "Race to the Top" winners are expected to be announced today. 
Pennsylvania was among the 19 states chosen to move forward in round two
of the competition.  In round one, the Keystone State came in seventh
place.  If selected, Pennsylvania will be awarded millions of dollars to
fund education reform.

EZ PASS TO JUMP

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has doubled the annual service fee
for an EZ Pass.  The fee increases from three to six dollars, and will
be charged to pass holders on their anniversary date.  However,
officials said with a ten-percent toll hike set to take effect next year
for motorists who pay manually, EZ Pass users will hardly feel the
brunt - they'll only pay a three-percent hike.

OIL PICE

Oil prices settled 72-cents lower Monday to settle at 73-dollars-ten-cents a barrel.

______________________________________________

8-23-2010

 

HOME TOTALED BY FIRE

A Venango County home  is destroyed by fire. Officials said late last
week, eight fire companies responded to the call. The two that lived
there, Nathan and Nichole Ritchey, apparently escaped unharmed, but the
fire did extensive damage to the Rocky Grove home. The fire started in
the kitchen around 2 a-m. Crews were on scene most of the night.

ROLLOVER CRASH SENDS 2 TO HOSPITAL

A Crawford County car crash sends two to different hospitals. Police
said Friday, just after 5 p-m, 19-year-old driver Jacob Thomas Laird of
Springboro lost control on Shermansville Road as he crossed with the
intersection of Agnew Road in Summit Township. He rolled over several
times after driving into a ditch. He was transported to Meadville
Medical Center. His passenger, a 17 year old female from Linesville, was
flown by helicopter to Hamot.

ERIE COUNTY MAN ARRESTED ON WARRENTS

A Waterford man is busted after being wanted on 9 warrants in multiple
jurisdictions. Police said Alfredo Johnson was taken into custody Friday
evening at the Cherry Hill Apartments in Oil City. He reportedly had
marijuana and suspected cocaine on him when he was discovered. He was
placed in the Venango County Jail on a parole detainer and will face
additional drug charges.

RULES FOR GAS CO EMPLOYEES

National Fuel Gas is again trying to ease the minds of their customers
by providing safety tips for house calls. They are reminding their
customers that any employee that goes to a call will have a photo I.D.
If it’s not easily visible, customers should ask to see it. If they do
not have one, there is a phone number to call to verify that they do, in
fact, work for National Fuel. That number is 1-800-365-3234. In
addition, customers are reminded that National Fuel employees do not
conduct door-to-door sales of gas supply. Visit www.nationalfuelgas.com
for more details.

PUMPKINFEST

As summer winds down and fall approaches, the fruits of fall are already
starting to pop up everywhere. Pumpkinfest, which is always the second
weekend in October, will be here in the blink of an eye, and this is a
very special year.
That’s event co-organizer, Judy Hughes who says they will have a puppet
show, a Locks of Love Hair Drive, and even a real-life Elvis
impersonator. She says they are continuing the tradition of smashing
something from a free-falling pumpkin, but they don’t know what it will
be quite yet. Pumpkinfest will be held inside Conneaut Lake Park.

LOCAL EGGS PERFECTLY SAFE

In the face of a nationwide salmonella epidemic, the Pennsylvania
Department of Agriculture is working to ensure residents that local eggs
are perfectly safe.  Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding on Saturday
reassured consumers that state-produced eggs certified under a voluntary
program meet the nation's highest safety standards.  Mr. Redding said
shoppers should look for the "PA Preferred" logo of a gold checkmark in a
blue keystone when buying eggs.  Those products have undergone the
state's Egg Quality Assurance Program, which is designed to reduce
contamination.

FAITH IN HEALTH CARE FALLS

A newly released poll finds the number of Americans who say they're
confident they'll be able to pay for and access healthcare in the future
has tumbled by five-percent since December.  The Thomson Reuters
Consumer Healthcare Sentiment Index is based on a monthly survey of
three-thousand people.  The consumers are asked if they've had trouble
paying for or had to postpone care in the previous three months and if
they expect to in the next three months.  In each case, responses in
July were more pessimistic than they were last December.

IMPAIRED DRIVERS TARGETED

The PA State Police are telling drivers to mind their P’s and Q’s when
on PA roadways. More than 600 municipal police departments and the PSP
will target impaired drivers from now through Labor Day. Last year,
there were 16 fatalities during the Labor Day holiday driving period
alone. There were also over 450 alcohol-related crashes. The website
www.DriveSafePA.org has valuable information about safe traveling in PA.

CRAWFORD CO FAIR QUEEN

And the winner is…20 year old Katie Steider of Cochranton. She took home
the second annual crown and title of Miss Crawford County Fair Queen at
last night’s pageant. She’s a junior at W&J College.

_____________________________________________

8-20-2010

LOOK OUT ITS ROAD RAGE

Road rage got the best of two men traveling on I-79 in Mercer County. On
Wednesday morning, police said 49-year-old Todd Lewis of North
Carolina  and an Erie man were forced to merge in a construction zone.
Hand gestures were exchanged, and when he passed the unidentified man
from Erie, Lewis reportedly shouted and brandished a pistol. Lewis was
later taken into custody and charged with carrying a firearm without a
license, simple assault, and disorderly conduct.

MAN WANTED FOR ATEMPTED MURDER IN DETROIT ARRESTED IN VENANGO CO

A Venango County man was arrested earlier this week after police learned
a man was wanted for attempted homicide in Detroit. Officials said
23-year-old Calvin Ludy of Franklin faces firearms charges as well. He
was placed in the Venango County Jail. His bond was set at 500-thousand
dollars.

ONE CAR CRASH CLAIMS LIFE

A Tionesta man is dead after a car accident in Troy Township. Police
said 21 year old Jacob Dietrich was on route 408 when he lost control of
his SUV and slammed into an embankment. He was not wearing a seatbelt
and was fatally ejected when the vehicle rolled over several times.

POLICE PERSUE COCHRANTON MAN

A Crawford County man is having the book thrown at him after police
pursuit that went on for over a half an hour. Officials say 63-year-old
Gary Consla of Cochranton went through a couple of counties before
police were able to corral him. It happened in June where Consla led
police through Mercer County, into Venango County, and back into Mercer
County. He is faced with 15 counts from that incident but is reportedly
already in the Crawford County Jail on unrelated charges.

FARMERS MARKET

In an outsourced, manufactured world, sometimes it’s nice to step back
and enjoy the quality of local produce. That’s why the first annual
Conneaut Lake Heritage Farmers Market is set for tomorrow from 9 to noon
at the Our Lady Queen of the Americas Catholic Church at the corner of
9th and Route 6. One of the organizers, Judy Hughes, says you are only
going to find nothing but local goodies here.
Expect to see fruits and veggies, herbs, plants, honey, maple syrup and
more. Prepared food by the vendors must be from certified kitchen. Visit
www.conneautlake.com for more details.

EGG RECALL

Hundreds of illnesses have already been linked to a salmonella outbreak
involving eggs, but many more cases are expected.  Often, it can take up
to three weeks before the illness is reported to the CDC after a
patient is feeling better.  Federal officials have linked the
contaminated eggs to Iowa-based Wright County Egg.  The company has set
up a website for people to visit, it’s www.eggsafety.org.

PA UNEMPLOYMENT REACHES HIGH

New claims for unemployment benefits have reached a nine-month high and
Pennsylvania shows the highest insured unemployment rate in the U.S. 
The Labor Department reports half a million new claims for jobless
benefits were filed in the week ending August 14th.  It's a jump of
12-thousand from the previous week and the highest level since the
middle of last November.

TRANSPORTATION MEETING MONDAY

Governor Ed Rendell will meet with state lawmakers on Monday to outline
his budget plans to fix Pennsylvania's crumbling roads and bridges.  At a
news conference yesterday, the governor refused to reveal specific
tactics to fund the transportation system.  However, Rendell reportedly
mentioned ideas such as higher state gasoline taxes, increased driving
license and vehicle registration fees and a new tax on oil company
profits.  State officials say it's unclear whether proposals for
increased taxes would get any bipartisan support in the fall elections.

GAS TAX INCREASE COULD SOLVES PA'S TRANSPORT PROBLEMS

Governor Ed Rendell says a gas tax increase to help cure the state's
budget woes would practically go un-noticed by taxpayers.  Rendell
released poll results on proposed ideas to fill the three-billion-dollar
gap Thursday, and although the majority approved increased
transportation fees and a tax on oil company profits, a gas tax hike
didn't fair well.  The governor is pushing for a four-cent-per-gallon
increase on the state's gas tax, and says most people wouldn't even
notice the change.  Total taxes and fees on a gallon of gas in
Pennsylvania is close to 50 cents.

DOG KENNEL RULES TIGHTENED

Following passage Thursday by the Independent Regulatory Review
Commission, a new law that tightens restrictions for dog kennels in PA
is close to taking full effect.  The measure was passed in 2008 and
requires kennels to have proper ventilation, cage flooring and
lighting.  The attorney general will now review the regulations to make
sure they're lawful.  If approved, the measure will officially take
effect.

OIL PRICES

Oil prices fell 99-cents Thursday to settle at 74-dollars-43-cents a
barrel.__________________________________________________________________________

8-19-2010

SHAKE UP ON THE FAIR BOARD

On the eve of Crawford County Fair Week, there is some shuffling going
on within the board. Morris Waid has stepped down as the Fair Board
President  and Fred Wagner will continue to be on the panel. Waid, who
reportedly headed up the effort to install cameras that caught Fred
Wagner, the county treasurer, allegedly stealing money, resigned earlier
this week with vague reasoning. Walter Dunn will replace Waid. Wagner
is accused of pocketing hundreds of dollars from the fair office.

GOV SUTS EDUCATION SPENDING

Governor Ed Rendell proposed a budget-balancing tactic Wednesday that
would shave 50-million-dollars off education spending.  The cut would
still leave school districts with 200-million-dollars more than last
year.  Rendell's proposal comes as the state attempts to fill a
282-million-dollar budget gap due to decreased federal Medicaid
funding.  School districts will start receiving letters notifying them
how much state funding they will receive.

OHIO GOVE ATTACKS OPPONET-JOB KILLER

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland continues to press Republican opponent John
Kasich about his support for "job-killing" trade deals with China.  The
governor is running a series of TV and radio ads blasting Kasich for
supporting the deals during his time in Congress.  Strickland officials
say the governor supports trading items with China but does not like
Ohio jobs moving overseas.  Meanwhile, the Kasich campaign continues its
claim that almost 400-thousand Ohio residents lost their jobs under
Strickland's administration.  Ohio's unemployment rate stands at
ten-point-five-percent.

PEOPLE WAITING TO OWN HOMES

The housing slump could be extended as more people wait to become
homeowners.  A survey by Trulia.com found two-thirds of renters planning
to buy will wait two or more years to become homeowners. Of those
renting, 27-percent don't plan to buy, while 72-percent would like to
become homeowners.

HEADACHES LINKED TO OVERWEIGHT TEENS

Overweight teenagers who smoke and don't exercise are three times more
likely to get headaches and migraines.  The study showed overweight
teens were 40-percent more likely to have persistent headaches. Those
who smoked increased their chances by 50-percent.  Teens who exercised
less than two times a week were 20-percent more likely to get recurring
headaches.  The findings were published in the journal "Neurology."

100 STATE JOBS TO BE CUT

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell has announced 100 state employees will
lose their jobs, but officials are still working to determine what
departments are in jeopardy.  Rendell previously estimated about 200
layoffs, but a high number of retiring employees, a hiring freeze and
elimination of unfilled positions helped officials reduce the number by
half.  Retirements jumped by an estimated two-thousand above average
this year.

SPA WORKER SENTENCED FOR SEX CRIME

One of the workers at the Toyko Spa in Vernon Township is sentenced to
time served after her guilty plea. Officials said 59-year-old Ok Sun
Kolsa was arrested after she illegally propositioned an undercover cop
at the massage parlor. She has already spent 64 days in the Crawford
County Jail. Now authorities say there are zoning problems that need
corrected within the business.

OIL PRICE

Oil prices settled 35-cents lower Wednesday at 75-dollars-42-cents a barrel.

DRAKE WELL MARATHON

This Sunday will be off to a running start bright and early with the 3rd
Annual Drake Well Marathon. Jamie Beechey, the Director of Leisure
Services, at the Ed Myer Complex in Titusville, says there is one runner
in particular, Dana Casanave, that will be there as part of a mission.
That website is www.52beginnings.com. Casanave who is from Leesburg,
Virginia is running all over the country for her cause. At the same
time, money raised from the event will go to two causes. The first cause
is the construction of 5.3 miles of the Queen City Trail. This will
eventually hook to the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail that’s been in the
works. The second cause is the Titusville Rotary Club, in their effort
to eradicate polio around the world. Beechey said that participants must
be at least 16 years old. The cost is 80 dollars for the full marathon
and 50 dollars for the half. The kick off is at 7 a-m. For more details
on how to register visit www.drakewellmarathon.com.

___________________________________________________

8-18-2010

 

HOME INVASTION COUPLE ARRESTED

The two people that were wanted in a Titusville burglary were arrested
earlier this week in Ohio. Back on August 4th  police said 27-year-old
Jeffrey Scoch of Titusville and 26-year-old Valerie Bodien of Oil City
allegedly made a woman and her small child stay in a bedroom while the
two rummaged through the home on West Spring Street. Police found the
pair in Andover. Charges span from burglary to false imprisonment,
amongst others.

NEW PROPOSAL WOULD MANDATE SICK TIME

There is new pushing legislation that would mandate workplace sick
leave.  The bill is currently before the House Labor Relations
Committee.  The proposal would grant one hour of paid sick time for
every 40 hours a person works, or up to six-and-a-half days per year. 
Forty-six-percent of the state's workforce in private companies are not
getting sick leave and many are forced to go to work ill, possibly
infecting their co-workers.

OIL PRICE

Oil prices settled up 53-cents Tuesday to 75-dollars-77-cents a barrel.

TOOMEY ONTOP OF SESTAKE POLL SAYS

Challenger for U.S. Senate Pat Toomey is leading Democrat Joe Sestak
according to the latest Rasmussen poll.  Toomey currently has 46-percent
support compared to Sestak's 37-percent.  Five-percent of those polled
chose another candidate and the remaining are undecided.  Elections for
the United States Senate will be held on November 2nd.

GAS PRICES DROP AGAIN

Gas prices went down about a nickel in Western PA this week. According
to the Weekly Triple-A Fuel Gauge Report, the average current local
price of a gallon of regular is approximately 2.73. The National average
price of a gallon of regular is sitting at just over 2.74. Local
average area prices include Meadville at 2.78, Erie at 2.81, and Clarion
and DuBois at 2.70.

TEEN HEARING LOSS'S GROW

A new study shows noise-induced hearing loss has increased over the past
15 years in America's teens. The American Speech-Language Hearing
Association, attributes this largely to the prevalent use of MP3 music
devices and to loud music at concerts and clubs.  Researchers found
cases of mild or worse hearing loss in adolescents have risen by
70-percent since 1995.  They say it's critical to turn down the volume
on MP3s and take extended breaks from listening to audio devices.  For
more advice on preventing hearing loss visit www.ListenToYourBuds.org.

TRUCK ROLLOVER ON 80

An International Harvester truck rolls onto its side on I-80 in Clinton
Township, Venango County. Late Tuesday morning just after 11:30, police
said 80 year old driver Wendell Schwab of Venus swerved to avoid hitting
a vehicle in front of him and went off the roadway, hitting an
embankment. Schwab suffered minor injuries.

EMS UNVEILS EMERGENCY RESCUE BUS

Crawford County has a newest edition to the rescue team – this time in
the form of an over-100-thousand-dollar emergency rescue bus. What used
to be an old CATA Bus is now a mobile command, communication and
rehabilitation vehicle for the county. Crawford County EMA Director
Allen Clark says this vehicle offers a new set of services.
Federal funding came from the US Department of Homeland Security through
the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to the Northwestern PA
Emergency Response Group. The amount, totaling just over
97-thousand-five-hundred dollars was used to turn the transportation bus
into an emergency response vehicle. The bus can be used to assist
public safety personnel at fires, search and rescue missions, hazardous
materials incidents, or any other special events.
______________________________________________

8-17-2010

 

TITUSVILLE DRUG ARREST

After months of investigating, two Titusville  residents are arrested on
several drug-related charges. Police said 27-year-old Kenny Evans and
23-year-old Sheena Delp were both arrested after their West Walnut
Street home was searched. Officials reportedly found illegal drugs along
with paraphernalia.  They are both facing over 20 charges a piece.

MARIENVILLE FIRE

A devastating fire in Marienville has fire officials investigating what
happened. In the wee hours of the morning on Sunday, the home of Vernon
and Jennifer Songer broke out in flames. No one was home at the time of
the fire on South Forest Street. Although, the damage estimate is coming
in around 200 thousand dollars.

51 YEAR OLD CHARGED IN INCIDENT WITH 4 YEAR OLD

A New Bethlehem man is being investigated after allegations of indecent
assault against a 4 year old Rimersburg girl. The 51-year-old man’s name
was not released, but police say the assault allegedly took place last
Friday sometime between 3 p-m and Midnight at a residence in Red Bank
Township.

NYC MAYOR TO STUMP FOR SESTAK

Mayor Michael Bloomberg is coming to the keystone state today. Mayor
Bloomberg will throw his support behind Joe Sestak's Senate bid this
morning in Philadelphia's Progress Plaza.  Mayor Bloomberg cites
Sestak's independent, pragmatic mindset for his endorsement.

DEATH PENALTY FOR MENTALLY CHALLENGED

State lawmakers debated Monday whether defendants considered mentally
challenged could be sentenced to death.  The U.S. Supreme Court ruled it
cruel and unusual punishment to execute a person who is mentally
challenged.  State district attorneys, however, requested the right to
threaten the defendant with death and prevent judges from determining
one's mental state during pre-trail.  A proposed bill would provide
clear standards to determine one's mental state.

SURVEY:US CONCERNED ABOUT JOB AND PAY CUTS

A new survey finds U.S. workers remain concerned about potential job and
pay cuts.  According to a Gallup poll, about one in every four
Americans who has a job still worries about being laid off in the near
future.  While the results show those fears have eased slightly since
2009, they remain high compared to previous years.  The poll also shows
many workers also worry they will experience reduced benefits.  The
latest findings are from Gallup's annual Work and Education Survey
conducted earlier this month among adults in more than one-thousand U.S.
households.

STATE WILL ADVERTISE TAX AVOIDERS

Those who didn't partake in Pennsylvania's successful tax amnesty
program are facing public embarrassment.  The state Revenue Department
announced yesterday that the department's website will soon feature a
list that details the 39-thousand tax liens remaining against
individuals and businesses across the state.  The tax delinquents owe
the state a total of 233-million-dollars.  When a two-month amnesty
program ended in June, the state collected 261-million-dollars in
previously unpaid taxes.

OIL PRICE

Oil prices settled 15-cents lower Monday at 75-dollars-24-cents a barrel.

ROAD CHANGES IN O.C.

PennDOT is making major changes at an Oil City northside intersection –
the three-way stop at Spring Street, Graff Street and Colbert Avenue
will be converted to a one-way stop with the stop signs on Graff and
Spring Streets removed. According to Press Safety Officer Marianne
Warner, drivers westbound on Colbert Avenue will need to remember that
vehicles on Graff and Spring Streets will no longer stop. They will need
to wait for a safe gap before proceeding through the intersection.

LIBERTY THE SECOND

The Conneaut Lake Area Historical Society presents “The Liberty, the
Second Boat” on Saturday, September 4th at Ice House Park. Conneaut Lake
Area Historical Society Board President George Rutherford says they got
lucky that Mother Nature saw fit to preserve this one-of-a-kind boat.
The boat went under in 1922 due to sabotage and was dug up in 1985. The
engine in the Liberty is one of only three in the world like it. It was
used as a prototype for aircraft in World War I. Ironically enough, the
Liberty’s engine is the only one that still works. Rutherford says they
will start up the engine twice on Saturday, September 4th – once at noon
and again at two. Visit www.conneautlakehistory.com for more info.

_____________________________________________________

8-16-2010

MARINE RETURNS HOME

The body of an Ashtabula Marine arrived home over the weekend.
Twenty-year-old Marine Lance Corporal Kevin Cornelius was killed back on
August 7th in Afghanistan. They flew him into the Erie Airport on
Saturday afternoon. Funeral services were Sunday and again today. He
will eventually be laid to a final rest at the Arlington National
Cemetery.

BIKE-DEER ACCIDENT SEND A MAN TO THE HOSPITAL

A Cambridge Springs man is hurt after being thrown off his motorcycle.
Police said 18 year old Justin Cartwright was on 408 in Cambridge
Township when he collided with a deer that ran out into the road. It
happened about a quarter after 5 on Saturday afternoon. Cartwright was
taken to Hamot for abrasions to his body. His bike skidded 345 feet off
the road. He was wearing a helmet.

DUI CHECKPOINT

A DUI checkpoint was conducted in Clarion County over the weekend. On
Saturday, police said they arrested two for DUI, one for underage
drinking, and one for public drunkenness. Ten citations were also handed
out. That’s according to the PA State Police at Clarion and the Clarion
County Sheriff’s Department.

NEW BETHLEHEM BANK ROBBERY

Police are on the hunt for a man after a bank robbery in New Bethlehem.
Late last week authorities said a thin, tall black man robbed the
Clarion County Bank and sped away south in a brown Ford toward routes 28
and 66. Police said they didn’t get a good description of his face as
he was wearing a disguise. He didn’t appear to have anyone with him. The
specific bank was not named and police did not disclose how much money
was taken.

LIBERTY THE SECOND

This Labor Day weekend, Conneaut Lake is the place to be for a dose of
local history. That’s because the Conneaut Lake Area Historical Society
presents “The Liberty, the Second Boat” on Saturday, September 4th all
day. The boat is unique because it was sunk in the 1922 and brought up
from the bottom of the lake in 1985. The boat was actually in decent
condition because most of the time it was preserved in the frozen mud.
It has since been restored and kept in the museum and Jean Shanley, a
board member for the Historical Society explains why it will be on
display…
And not only is the engine a prototype for the aircraft, Shanley says
there are only 3 engines like this in the entire world – and ours is the
only one that still works. She says people come from all over the
tri-state area to see this boat and how it’s withstood the years.

GAS PRICES RISE, BUT FALL EXPECTED

The price of gasoline increased about four cents a gallon over the past
three weeks, but is expected to fall after Labor Day.  The September
holiday weekend marks the end of the summer driving season and
higher-than-usual demand.  According to Trilby Lundberg, editor of "The
Lundberg Survey," lower crude oil prices will also eventually trickle
down to the pump.  Currently, the average nationwide price of regular
gas is two-dollars-77-cents a gallon.

SHORTAGE OF PORK BELLIES RAISE THE PRICE OF BACON

Your breakfast just got more expensive. The price of bacon is going up,
as there is a shortage of pork bellies.  In June, the price of pork
bellies hovered at around 95 cents a pound.  This month, it's risen to a
dollar-40 due to a drop in the hog supply and higher demand.  The U.S.
Department of Agriculture says at the grocery store, prices for bacon
have gone higher by more than a dollar per pound since last year.

RENDELL SAYS WE HAVE TO LET MOSQUE BE BUILT IN NYC

Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell says Americans have the
right to practice religion wherever they choose.  Speaking with CBS's
"Face the Nation," Rendell called plans to build a mosque blocks away
from Ground Zero unfortunate, but it's a constitutional issue.  Plans to
build a Muslim mosque just two blocks from the site of the September
11th terrorist attacks have sparked heated debate on both sides.  The
decision is ultimately up to officials in New York.

NEW BANK RULES

A new bank overdraft protection policy takes effect today.  Sunday was
the deadline for customers to inform banks to allow ATM and debit
transactions beyond account balances to be covered by a fee.  "Newsweek"
reports the moves are the second part of a federal crackdown on
overdraft fees.  Last month, banks were prohibited from automatically
adding overdraft protection on new accounts.  The nonprofit group Center
for Responsible Lending had expressed concerns that banks and credit
unions were pressuring consumers to opt for overdraft coverage.

VENANGO COUNTY WRECK SENDS FRANKLIN MAN TO HOSPITAL

A Franklin man is flown to a Pittsburgh hospital after a Saturday
morning motorcycle wreck in Irwin Township, Venango County. Police said
39 year old Terry Reagle of Franklin lost control of his bike on 208,
and it threw his passenger 42-year- old Mary Smith of Meadville off the
bike. She was treated at the scene, but Reagle was suffered major
injuries after being thrown underneath the bike. Reports did not
indicate why he crashed.
______________________________________________

8-13-2010

 

OIL PRICE

Oil prices fell two-dollars-28-cents Thursday to settle at 75-dollars-74-cents a barrel.

JEFFERSON COUNTY MURDER TRIAL

A man heads to court for the death of two people from Jefferson County.
Officials said 45 year old Steven Rebert of Emporium is accused of
robbing and killing Vicki and Wayne Shugar – both 61 years old. It
happened in April just days after another double murder in Conneaut
Township, in Crawford County. Shugar was originally arrested in mid-June
and placed in jail without bail. Rebert is also facing charges in New
York in a separate case.

COUNSELING KEY TO KEEPING HOME

With millions of Americans struggling to avoid foreclosure, a new report
by the Urban Institute finds those who receive counseling are
60-percent more likely to keep their homes.  Marietta Rodriguez,
director for homeownership and lending at Neighborworks America, says a
number of non-profit agencies have HUD-certified counselors available to
help.  The service is provided free of charge by the federal government
under the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program which
began operating in 2008.

POLKA FEST

After a ten year hiatus, the Penn-Ohio Polka Festival is back and coming
to the Beach Club inside Conneaut Lake Park. Featuring the “Dream Team
of Polka Bands,” it’s happening Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, August
20th, 21st, and 22nd. Larry Walk, the event organizer, says it doesn’t
matter if you know how to Polka or not, people will grab you and show
you how. Along with the dancing, there’s also going to be ethnic food, a
Beach party on Saturday, and a Polka Mass on Sunday. To order tickets
and to find out times visit www.clphotelconneaut.com.

BRIDGES WILL SUFFER IN STATE BUDGET

State lawmakers contend shortfalls in funding will significantly
increase the number of structurally deficient bridges in Pennsylvania. 
According to officials with the Transportation Commission, the state
will only be able to repair an average of 250 deteriorating bridges and
roads each year under current funding.  That's compared to the 500 that
PennDOT was fixing under one of the most aggressive bridge programs in
the nation over the past three years.  The commission also released its
long-range plan for transportation improvements at
51-point-six-billion-dollars in road, bridge, transit, aviation and rail
projects over 12 years.

DIEHL-ARMSTRONG HEALTHY TO STAND TRIAL IN PIZZA BOMBER

Apparently the woman who is allegedly connected to the bizarre pizza
bombing death is healthy enough to stand trial. Officials say they
believe 61 year old Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong was a key player in Brian
Wells’ death. Wells, a pizza delivery man, was first forced to rob a
Summit Township bank, and then a bomb was strapped around his neck. He
died while sitting along side the road after the bomb detonated. That
happened back in 2003 and now Diehl-Armstrong is expected to be on trial
in October. Proceedings were delayed a number of times after claims of
mental illness and cancer arose. But now doctors are saying her trial
shouldn’t affect her treatments.

LIQUOR PRICES CLIMB

If you think you've been spending more on liquor lately, you're not
alone.  Ohioans are setting records for the amount spent on liquor
because of high premium liquor sales and a rise in prices.  The Ohio
Department of Commerce Thursday said liquor sales for the 2010 fiscal
year were a record high of 742-point-seven-million dollars.  That was
nearly 13-million dollars more than the previous year.  The amount sold
wasn't the most in volume, however.  That came in 1987 when
ten-point-nine-million gallons of liquor was purchased.  Last year's
total was ten-point-eight-million
gallons.______________________________________________

8-12-2010

 

SANTORUM MAY RUN

Former Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Rick Santorum is considering a possible
presidential run.  Santorum represented Pennsylvania's 18th District in
the House from 1991 to 1995, before serving in the Senate until 2007. 
He since joined the Pittsburgh law firm Eckert Seamans Cherin &
Mellot.  The Republican says he's trying to gauge how much support he
would have if he ran for president in 2012.  Santorum is in the process
of making several trips to Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, which
are the first big primary and caucus states.

GOVS PLAN TO FILL BUDGET HOLE

Governor Ed Rendell has sent a proposal to state lawmakers outlining how
he would like to fill the now 292-million-dollar budget shortfall.  The
proposal came a day after Congress designated 688-million of a
26-billion-dollar state aid bill to help Pennsylvania fund Medicaid and
save teachers' jobs.  Rendell's plan includes a cut the boost in
education spending, money from the Marcellus shale extraction tax and a
nearly two-percent cut across the board. Legislators are expected to
comment on Rendell's plan next week.

OHIO MAKES THE TOP TEN

Ohio is in the top ten in the nation for foreclosure filings.  Filings
continued to climb in July, marking the 17th consecutive month that the
filings exceeded 300-thousand.  Numbers from RealtyTrac show foreclosure
filings in July increased almost four-percent from June.  One out of
every 397 U.S. residences received a foreclosure filing in July. 
Nevada, Arizona and Florida were the states with the highest foreclosure
filing rates.

TAX DODGING DOCTOR

A Titusville doctor is sentenced after failing to file a tax return for a
few years. Officials said OB-GYN Ruth Rickerson made over 100-thousand
dollars a year in the early 2000’s but didn’t file taxes for three of
those years. According to reports, Rickerson said she fell on tough
times from building a new office along with other hardships. Although
she is known for taking in the less fortunate patients, the judge still
sentenced her to 6 months house arrest, and 5 years of supervised
release. She must also pay back the money she owes.

STRESS AND PREGNANCY

A new study shows stress may make it harder for women to get pregnant. 
Researchers periodically measured the stress chemicals in 274 British
women aged 18 to 40 for six menstrual cycles as part of the Oxford
Conception Study.  They found that women with the highest concentration
of alpha amylase in the first cycle were 12 percent less likely to
conceive than women with the lowest level of the stress chemical.

CRAWFORD COUNTY AMNESTY WEEK TO BEGIN

Don’t forget that next Monday starts Amnesty Week in the Court of Common
Pleas in Crawford County. This is a chance for non-violent offenders in
the county to avoid being arrested from outstanding bench warrants. The
list of those who are eligible is available at
www.crawfordcountypa.net. Anyone on the list may contact the Sheriff and
make arrangements to appear next week. Amnesty day is Wednesday, August
18th from 3 to 7.

VETS GROUPS TO CELEBRATE THOSE WHO SERVE

The words “job hazard” take on an entirely different meaning when you’re
talking the difference between life and death every day. That’s why the
Guardians USA VETS, Blue and White are hosting a “Salute to Our
American Heroes” this September 11th at the All Season’s Market Place in
the Millcreek Mall Pavilion. Steve Smith, a Vietnam Vet and Member of
the Blue and White says this is to honor and celebrate all the men and
woman that help keep the country safe – both overseas and right here at
home.
The event starts at 10 and runs ‘til 5. Expect to see a bike, car, and
truck show along with vendors. All proceeds will be donated to local
veterans and organizations. Visit www.guardiansblueandwhite.4t.com for
more information on how to join in.

______________________________________________

8-11-2010

WAGNER CHARGED

The Crawford County Treasurer  and fair board member is charged after a
hidden camera observed him taking money. Officials said 71 year old Fred
Wagner was taped taking hundreds of dollars from the fair office and
putting it in his pocket. Investigators are saying it happened about 7
times, that he was caught on camera. The exact amount taken is not known
at the moment. Wagner was released on 25-thousand dollars unsecured
bond and awaits his preliminary hearing which is on October 20th.

OIL CITY ARREST IN BURGLARIES

An Oil City man is facing charges after an alleged series of burglaries.
Police are accusing 29 year old Nathan Dale of swiping over 11 thousand
dollars worth of power tools mainly in the Oil City area. Although
items were also reportedly stolen from the Meadville Area. Police
believe he was selling the stolen goods. He was lodged in the Venango
County Jail on 75-thousand dollars bond.

ONLINE GAMBLING NOT SO HOT

Internet gambling isn't exactly catching on.  Only four-percent taking
part in a new Rasmussen Reports poll say they've gone to gambling
websites, compared to 94-percent who haven't.  Meanwhile, two-thirds of
those surveyed have gambled in a casino at least once.  But the public
is divided over whether online gambling should be outlawed.  Just under
45-percent think it should be illegal, 41-percent disagree.

GAS PRICE JUMPS

Western PA motorists will pay a little over 7-cents more this week for a
gallon of self-serve, regular unleaded gas.  The current local average
price is 2.78 on average a gallon.  The national average price of gas is
also 2.78, up 5-and-a-half cents from last week. According to the
Weekly Triple-A Fuel Gauge Report, current local area average prices
include Meadville at 2.84, Erie at 2.85, and Clarion at 2.82.

CALL BEFORE YOU DIG

National Fuel is again reminding residents to call before you dig. The
phone number to call is 811 or go online at www.call811.com prior to any
excavation projects. It is required by PA state law, and it can prevent
accidental damage to underground utility lines. Homeowners and
contractors should call at least 3 business days, but no more than 10
days ahead of the start of the project.

ARREST WARRANT ISSUED IN RAPE

Police say they may know who raped and kidnapped those people near the
Kinzua Dam last week. An arrest warrant has been issued for 35 year old
Mike Beaulieu of Maine after he allegedly kidnapped two people who were
in the middle of a picnic at the dam. He reportedly tied up the man
while he kidnapped and raped the woman. The man was able to free himself
to alert the authorities, but the man was gone by the time officials
got there.

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

“The Random Acts of Kindness” are happening again today in Northwest PA.
Windstream, a high-speed internet, tv, and phone provider went around
Meadville Tuesday buying people cold drinks and ice cream, surprising
citizens with flowers and filling up their gas tanks. Today the crew
will be in Cochranton and Sandy Lake doing the same thing. The company
commented that this is just their way to say “thank-you” to their loyal
customers. Christina Wilson with Windstream says they’ve been going all
over the place trying to make people’s day. So if someone in a big green
vehicle comes up and wants to pick up your gasoline tab, consider
yourself lucky today!

_______________________________________________

8-10-2010

 

LAKE MAN IN JAIL AFTER ATTACK

A Conneaut Lake man faces trouble after allegedly punching, kicking, and
threatening a woman. It happened early Sunday morning  about a quarter
after 5, where police say 35 year old Blaine Eric Fobes threatened the
unnamed 26 year old woman on Ellis Road in Sadsbury Township with a
knife or similar object. He was placed in the Crawford County Jail in
lieu of 10 thousand dollars bond.

GREAT LAKE CLAIMS LIFE

It was a deadly weekend at Lake Erie for one teenager. Officials are
saying a 14 year old boy drowned in the lake after a strong current
swept him away Sunday in Westfield, New York. The boy was with his 13
year old sister when it happened. Reports say 45 year old Joseph
Polisoto jumped in and was able to save the 13 year old girl, but not
the boy. Polisoto and the girl were pulled from the water to safety, but
the boy was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at a local New York
Hospital shortly after. Earlier in the day, 2 boaters in North East
Township were successfully rescued from the water after their boat
capsized on the lake due to higher-than-normal, choppy waves and a dead
engine.

OIL PRICE

U.S. light, sweet crude for September rose 78 cents ending at 81-dollars-48-cents a barrel.

ASHTABULA GRAD KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN

An Ashtabula Lakeside High School graduate has died in battle in
Afghanistan.  WKYC-TV reports 20-year-old Lance Corporal Kevin Cornelius
was one of two Marines killed by a prisoner trying to escape Saturday
in southern Afghanistan.  Cornelius was killed on the birthday of his
father, who is Ashtabula Police Captain Jerry Cornelius.  There is no
immediate word on funeral arrangements for the killed Marine.

200 STATE JOBS TO BE CUT

Governor Ed Rendell has some good news for state workers.  He announced
Monday less than 200 government jobs will be cut pending approval of
millions in federal aide for the state.  The U.S. House is expected to
pass the critical funding bill, which means 600-million dollars for the
state of Pennsylvania.  The estimated layoffs have sharply dropped from
the previous guess of 12-thousand.

THE TRANSPORTATION BATTLE CONTINUES

Pennsylvania's Governor has been urging state lawmakers to pass
legislation which will shore up the Commonwealth's crumbling highways
and lay a foundation for future transportation investment.  Governor Ed
Rendell asserts he has the support of Pennsylvania residents because
they can "accept the need for greater funding."  The governor wants the
General Assembly to return to Harrisburg next week to hammer out a
revised funding measure to for infrastructure and cash-strapped public
transit agencies.

INTERNET NEUTRALITY?

Google and telecom giant Verizon have come up with a proposal for
Internet neutrality but consumer groups and the FCC are howling in
protest.  "USA Today" reports four public advocacy groups have a
petition against the move signed by 300-thousand people.  Meantime, the
Federal Communications Commission says consumers' interests should come
ahead of those of big companies.  The idea announced by Google and
Verizon would urge Congress to allow websites to set fees for faster
Internet service under certain circumstances and would prohibit the FCC
from regulating high-speed web traffic.

MARCARRIBEAN

The countdown is on for MARCarribean Nite, the Meadville Area Rec
Complex’s major fundraiser for the year. It’s happening this Friday with
doors opening at 6. Chris Nuzback from the MARC explains what’s new
this year.
She says to get ready for some exotic food and games by the pool - and
of course the crowning of the King and Queen Kahuna. According to their
website www.marc4fun.com, past proceeds have gone to replacing dasher
boards in the ice rink, replacing the roof, and also to purchase new ice
skates and lounge chairs. Tickets are 25 dollars and are only available
in advance at the MARC.

YOUR CHANCE TO INFLUENCE CITY GOVERNMENT

If you want a say in how Oil City is run, this is your forum to discuss
procedure. There’s a public meeting at City Hall tomorrow at 4:30 to
discuss city departments and duties by those employees. The public is
invited to give their input into any revisions City Council might make
to the current manual. This could mean either adding or getting rid of
city jobs depending on the needs of the community.

-- ______________________________________________

8-9-2010

 

THE HIGH COST OF JUSTICE

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court does not skimp on paychecks.  According
to a recent Pittsburgh "Tribune-Review" analysis, the state's justices
are paid over 186-thousand-dollars a year.  Only two other states pay
their top judges more than that.  Meanwhile, Pennsylvania's seven
justices each have five to seven law clears, a car lease and private
offices, topping out at over a million-dollars each in taxpayer dollars
per year.

"FAKE WEED" THE SUBJECT OF STATE ACTION

A state legislator is on a mission to stop the spread of "fake weed." 
Known commonly as K2, the substance is legally sold as incense but can
be smoked to receive a marijuana-type high that can't be traced in drug
testing.  Lehigh County Representative Jennifer Man has proposed
legislation that would outlaw the possession, sale, use or distribution
of K2 in Pennsylvania.  Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana
and Missouri have similar laws in place.

DEATH ON THE HIGHWAY

A Florida man passes away after a traffic accident on I-80 West in
Clarion Township. Police said 78-year-old Harold Storicks of Lake Placid
died Saturday, after crashing back on Monday, August 2nd. After a
fender bender with 42-year-old Charles Shrack on Ashland, Ohio, the two
tried to go to a safer location to exchange info. In the process though,
Storicks, who police believe suffers from diabetic dementia, ended up
rear-ending Shrack’s tractor trailer while trying to move to safety –
which ended up being the fatal blow.

CAR HITS TREE

A Vandergrift man is flown to a Pittsburgh hospital with serious
injuries after crashing in Clinton Township, Venango County. It happened
Sunday evening about 6:30 on Witherup Roadwhen 55-year-old John Varhola
lost control of his vehicle and hit a tree. He had to be extricated
from his vehicle and was flown to UPMC Presby.

PRE TEEN SEXUAL ASSAULT

Police are now investigating an indecent assault case involving two 12
year old boys. According to reports, a 12 year old Shippenville boy is
accused of inappropriately touching another 12 year old boy from Clarion
on several occasions. It reportedly went on from June 21st through mid
July in various places throughout Clarion and Mercer County. The
allegation was filed through the Clarion County Juvenile Court.

WORK IS OUT THERE!

Even with the national unemployment rate hovering around
nine-point-five-percent, employers say they can't find enough qualified
workers.  "The Wall Street Journal" reports some employers are blaming
continuing extensions of jobless benefits while others blame the housing
collapse as well as a huge skills gap.  Now that the unemployed can
collect up to 99 weeks of benefits, some employers say the jobless have
less incentive to accept work.  Also, millions of people can't move to
take a job because they owe more on their homes than they're worth.

PENNDOTS PHILLOSOPHY-USE IT, PAY FOR IT

In a couple of weeks, Governor Rendell is expected to call a special
session of the state legislature into session to help solve the state’s
looming transportation budget deficit. Local PA House Rep, Brad Roae
says one of the main problems to be dealt with is mass transit. He says
he thinks, he who uses it, should have to pay for it.
Roae commented that the people who actually use the system filter about
30 percent of the cost, while the other 70-perfect is funded by state
and federal money – a-k-a your tax dollars. Roae says that Governor
Rendell’s idea to bring money into state includes raising taxes items
like gas, driver’s licenses and registrations. The transportation budget
shortfall is currently 472-million dollars.

______________________________________________

8-6-2010

TITUSVILLE TERROR

A Titusville woman and her baby are terrorized as burglars invaded their
home on West Spring Street Wednesday.  Apparently the robbers, a man
and a woman, both had panty hose on their heads. The woman managed to
escape with her 18 month old baby out the window and safely made it to
the neighbors. The police were called but the suspects got away. Now
police are looking for any tips.

GOODELL VISITS THE STEELERS

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell visited the Pittsburgh Steelers training
camp in Latrobe Thursday.  Goodell met with Ben Roethlisberger but
refused to say whether he will reduce the quarterback's six-game
suspension at the beginning of the season.  However, when speaking with
media at St. Vincent College, Goodell said Roethlisberger has worked
very hard to "improve and focus himself" and is moving forward in a
positive way.  Roethlisberger said he's been getting more involved in
community service, including working with the Salvation Army and the
Ronald McDonald House.

OIL PRICES

Oil prices settled 46-cents lower Thursday at 82-dollars-one-cent a barrel.

KELLOG SETTLES RECALL PROBLEM

The Kellogg Company has resolved problems that caused the food maker to
voluntarily recall several popular brands of breakfast cereal in June. 
The Food & Drug Administration said it received no further
complaints about an off-taste and chemical odor from boxes of Corn Pops,
Honey Smacks, Fruit Loops and Apple Jacks cereals.  Initial complaints
to the FDA prompted the company to voluntarily recall 28-million boxes
of the cereal from stores across the U.S.  The FDA's announcement comes
days after some lawmakers wanted more information on what chemical may
have caused the foul smell.

HIGH RISK PLAN OFFERED

The state is now accepting applications for its high-risk health
insurance plans.  The program will provide up to 35-hundred
Pennsylvanians with preexisting conditions medical insurance.  The
policies will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis and will
cost 283 dollars a month.  Pennsylvania chose to create its own system
rather than tapping into a federal plan.

BLUE STREAK FUNDRAISER CONTINUES

There’s more money up for grabs in Northwest PA from Pepsi. The drink
company has been running a campaign called Refresh Everything where they
are giving out money to the projects with the most votes. Although the
Blue Streak in Conneaut Lake Park just missed winning the 50 thousand
dollars, now The International Rett Syndrome Foundation in Warren is up
for 250-thousand dollars and is currently in first place. Only the top
two in this category will get the money. To vote, visit
www.refresheverything.com.

GOVERNORS TRAVELING TRANSPORTATION TOUR

Governor Ed Rendell took aim at Pennsylvania's crumbling bridges
yesterday while on his bus tour around the state.  In Western
Pennsylvania, the governor said, the state has 5,646 bridges that have
been deemed structurally deficient.  Rendell is calling on legislators
to return to Harrisburg for a special session on August 23rd to address
the problem of transportation funding.  According to the Transportation
Advisory Commission, Pennsylvania is short approximately
three-point-five-billion-dollars a year in investments in bridges,
roadways and transit.

WINSLOW AWARD

The 42nd Annual Greater Meadville Area Day was Thursday along with the
2010 Winslow Award Dinner. The award was first given to Dr. Harry
Charles Winslow in recognition of his 85th birthday in 1969 and has
since been given to community figures who show exceptional skills in
leadership.
Last night though it was announced that Rob Smith Jr. of Acutec
Precision Machining, amongst various other organizations, was the latest
recipient.
Scott Dunkleberger, the director of the Center for Business Financing in
the PA Department of Community and Economic Development was in
attendance last night for the announcement and explained why Meadville
is unique in terms of business.
Dunkleberger says he’s spent about 20 years fighting for money to be
filtered into this area for development. People like Smith though, he
says are what the town needs to survive the economic roller coaster to
stay on top.

THEFT FROM AN ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR

Apparently the sparkle and shine was too much for one Delmont woman to
resist. 44 year-old Debbra McAdams has since been arrested for selling
the jewelry she allegedly stole at an arts and crafts fair in Warren
County. Police say they are now investigating the theft of a 59-hundred
dollar diamond ring  they say went missing after McAdams went to a
Clarion Jewelry Store. It’s not the first time, it’s happened either.
McAdams is reportedly accused of stealing about 37-thousand dollars
worth of jewelry from various locations about Western PA. She’s
currently in the Westmoreland County Jail.

FUGATIVE APPREHENDED

A fugitive from Texas is discovered and arrested at a Vernon Township
hotel. About a quarter to 4 a-m Thursday morning, police said 27 year
old Miguel Rodriguez was found to be in the same room while police were
arresting local fugitive Robert Karl Conaway. Rodriguez was then finger
printed and it was confirmed that he was wanted by the state of Texas.
His bond was set at 15 thousand.

THEFT AND DRUG CHARGES FILED

A Clairton man finds himself on the wrong end of the law after allegedly
stealing a car and possessing drugs. The vehicle was reportedly from
the Pittsburgh Area. Police said 36 year old Jason Aaron Martin was
pulled over on 79 North in Hayfield Township Wednesday afternoon. His
bond was set at 30 thousand.
_________________________________________________

8-5-2010

 

ATTACK AT KINZUA POINT

Police are now looking for a man who reportedly attacked a couple who
was having a picnic at gunpoint at the Kinzua Point Information Center
in Warren County Wednesday afternoon. The man is being described as a
white male somewhere between 30 and 40 with short, thin hair. He is also
about 5’9 and slender.  The man was tied up with rope and duct tape and
then he shoved the woman into his truck and left. The man was able to
break free and called for help, but not before the woman was raped by
the suspect. The woman was found by search crews later, but the suspect
fled the scene. Police believe he drives a black pick up truck with
Maine plates.

7-11 ROBBERY

A 7-Eleven in Clarion is held up by a man in a hunting suit. The man
robbed the store at Main and Eight Avenue around 5:30 a-m Wednesday in
an early morning spree that ended with him getting away on foot with an
undisclosed amount of cash. The man apparently had a hand gun with him.
He was described as a 32 year old white male about 5-foot-10. The
suspect is still at large.

MEDICAL PROBLEM LEADS TO SPECTACULAR CRASH

A Brookville woman becomes airborne in her car after a reported medical
condition caused her to lose her vision. The state police at Clarion
said 77 year old Joyce Aaron flew off of I-80 west in Clarion Township
after crossing over both lanes. She was taken to the Clarion Hospital,
but was not charged. It happened just before noon on Tuesday.

DEBATE ENDS ON FUNDING BILL

The U.S. Senate voted in favor of ending debate on a critical funding
bill which could grant Pennsylvania 600-million dollars.  Governor Ed
Rendell announced Tuesday the federal funds are needed in order to
balance spending, and prevent some 12-thousand state workers from being
laid off.  Though plans to stop debate on the 26-billion-dollar state
financial aid bill have been shot down, the aid Pennsylvania is relying
on is still not a guarantee.  The Senate now has to decide whether or
not to approve the money.

HOW HOT IS IT?

It may feel like the hottest summer ever, but not according to National
Weather Service figures.  Weather officials say the month of July fell a
few degrees short of cracking the region's top ten list for the warmest
July on record.  Cleveland has recorded only 12 days this summer of 90
degrees and above, and the high of 95 on July 23rd has been the hottest
day of the year so far.  But the National Weather Service says the high
humidity has made the weather feel hotter.

OIL PRICES

Oil prices ended down eight-cents Wednesday at 82-dollars-47-cents a barrel.

WINTER FORCAST

With all the humidity and temperatures pushing 90 on a regular basis,
sometimes it’s hard to remember that in just a few short months, we’ll
be knee deep in snow and frozen slush once again…Accuweather.com out of
State College, PA says that the east coast is not expected to experience
another “Snowmageddon” like it did in 2009. Meteorologist Frank Strait
explains they predict this year’s winter by looking at a set pattern.
Although he says we’re not out of the water – the Northeast is expected
to get much colder, much sooner than it did last year. According to the
Winter 2011 Report, the cities that are expected to get
heavier-than-normal snowfall include Chicago, Omaha, Minneapolis,
Detroit, Cleveland, Seattle and Portland. The South and southern Plains
will escape the worst of the winter weather with warmer and drier
conditions compared to last year. And if you don’t like any kind of
precipitation at all, head to Southern California. They are expected to
enter a drought for the winter.

_____________________________________________

8-4-2010

 

STATE JOBS ON THE LINE

Over 12-thousand state government jobs are in jeopardy if 850-million
dollars in federal aid doesn't come through.  Governor Ed Rendell  said
Tuesday the recently passed 28-billion-dollar budget depends on millions
in federal funds to balance spending, and a lack of funds would force
massive cuts.  Teachers and local government employees would take the
biggest hit.  The federal aid holdup stems from a dispute within the
U.S. Senate regarding the 26-billion-dollar state financial aid bill and
its impact on the federal deficit.  U.S. senators are expected to vote
on the bill today.

ROLLOVER AT 100 MPH

Police are saying a high speed rollover crash in Crawford County could
have been in the triple digits. The two Titusville men driver 23 year
old Joshua Elslager, and passenger 21 year old Justin Fill were
reportedly traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour in a sports car
about 3 a-m on Monday when a tire blew and Elslager lost control. It
happened on Route 8 in Oil Creek Township. Fill was treated at the
Titusville Area Hospital, but Elslager was rushed to Hamot in Erie.

DEAD TEEN REVEALED

Mercer County authorities have identified a teen who drowned in the
Shenango River on Monday.  Fifteen-year-old Brandin Norris was swimming
in the river near an apartment complex in Sharon.  Fire Chief Terry
Whalen said the river drops off suddenly to 17-feet deep and, combined
with the swift undercurrent, is extremely dangerous.

PITTSBURGH TOP SPORTS CITY

It may come as no surprise to native Pittsburghers, but the Steel City
is a great place to live for sports fans.  According to "Forbes"
magazine, fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers are the second best sports
fans in the nation.  "Forbes" credited the spirited "Steeler Nation"
with spreading their love for the Black and Gold all over America,
particularly Washington, DC and Denver over the past two years. 
Pittsburgh Penguins fans weren't far behind, coming in at number seven,
thanks to leading the NHL in merchandise sales.  The Boston Red Sox
topped the list at number one.

OIL PRICES

Oil prices settled up one-dollar-21-cents on Tuesday to land at 82-dollars-55-cents a barrel.

GAS PRICES HOLD

Gas prices remain largely unchanged since last week in Western PA.
According to the Weekly Triple-A Fuel Gauge Report, the average price of
a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is approximately 2.71, down less
than a penny from last week.  The national average price for a gallon of
self-serve regular gasoline is about 2.73. Current local area average
prices include Meadville at 2.76, Clarion at 2.69, and Erie at 2.77.

STUDENT TAXES

Tax time is never without its complications, but there are steps to make
the process easier if you’re a student who works a summer job. The
Titusville Area United Way is offering up some tips to make filing taxes
a whole lot easier for the year. First, check your Employee’s
Withholding Allowance Certificate, better known as a W-4 to make sure
the correct amount is being withheld from your check for taxes. Remember
that tips are subject to taxes and as well as self-employment. There
are also special rules to know if you’re a newspaper carrier and or an
ROTC student. To learn more visit www.titusvilleunitedway.com.

THUNDER IN THE CITY

The signs are already hanging around town, and in T-2 days it’s time
again for Thunder In the City in Meadville. Bikes and Classic Cars are
all invited downtown for this two day celebration, but don’t worry if
you don’t already have something to wear - the vendors have it covered…
That’s Kathleen Bishop, the new head of the Meadville-Western Crawford
County Chamber of Commerce who says she looks forward to the 2nd annual
rally. Friday night will have music in Diamond Park, and on Saturday
there will be Classic Cars lined up around the park along with a Bike
Parade into Downtown Meadville. It’s all happening this Friday and
Saturday, August 6th an 7th. If you want a complete schedule visit
www.meadvillechamber.com.

______________________________________________

8-3-2010

FATAL COLLISSION

A Titusville man is killed in a head-on collision on route 77 in
Crawford County…Officials say Sunday night  just before 9:30,
37-year-old William D. McCray Jr. was on his Kawasaki Motorcycle in
Richmond Township when he attempted to pass another vehicle on a hill.
An oncoming car then crashed head on with the motorcycle ejecting McCray
and subsequently killing him. The driver of the car was reportedly not
seriously hurt.

TEEN DIES IN MERCER COUNTY RIVER

Mercer County rescue crews have found the body of a teenager in the
Shenango River.  Emergency officials said someone called 911 to report
the boy had been swimming in the river near the Parkside Manor apartment
complex on Sterling Avenue.  He went missing shortly before 3 p.m.  His
body was reportedly found near the Budd Street Bridge.  The victim's
name has not been released.

SUNDAY FATAL UPDATE

More details are being released about a New Kensington woman facing
vehicular homicide and DUI charges…Those charges are in connection to a
car crash that killed her 14-year-old son.  Police report 39-year-old
Christa Logue was driving her son, Josh Gibson, home after a baseball
tournament when her minivan crashed on Interstate-79 near Edinboro
Sunday afternoon.  Gibson was thrown from the vehicle and pronounced
dead at the scene, while Logue was treated for minor injuries at an Erie
hospital.  Police said Logue swears she did not drink that day, but did
have a few the night before.

OIL PRICES

Oil prices settled two-dollars-39-cents higher Monday at 81-dollars-34-cents a barrel.

RED IS A KEY COLOR

A new study indicates any man wanting to capture a woman's attention and
affection should consider wearing the color red.  Published in the
"Journal of Experimental Psychology," the study shows red may make a man
appear more attractive, more powerful and more sexually desirable to
women.  The researchers learned females tend to view men in red-colored
clothing as being of higher status and more likely to earn a better
living.  Among primate species, the color red is usually found on alpha
males.  In many human societies, ruling classes consider red clothing as
a status symbol.

DRUG ARREST IN FRANKLIN

A Venango County man is arrested following an alleged drug delivery.
Police said 53 year old Victor Luce of Franklin is facing drug charges
because a delivery was reportedly made to a 52 year old man right before
he died back in early March. Luce was released on 10 thousand dollars
bail. His preliminary hearing is later this week.

SEX CRIMES NET UP TO 22 YEARS

Up to 22 years in prison was the sentence for a Venus man convicted of
sexually assaulting seven underage girls. Officials say the convictions
also reflect the inappropriate behavior with two more girls. Forty-four
year old Richard Marsh was found guilty of 17 out of 31 counts against
him. Police say the girls were ages 12 to 15 and that drugs and alcohol
were involved. The assaults reportedly happened at his home in Pinegrove
Township from 2004 to 2007.

VENANGO SEARCH

A search is launched for a missing person in Plum Township. Over the
weekend early Sunday morning, the search for Martin Leroy Graham ensued
after he was reported missing by the family. The PSP helicopter, search
dogs, and manpower were all used. Graham was located a while later. No
word on Graham’s condition.

FLYING VEGIES?

Maybe you’ve heard of throwing rocks at cars, but what if your car got
pelted with a flying vegetable? A 49-year-old woman from Springboro
claims that people were throwing ears of corn at passing cars on West
Road in Cussewago Township late Tuesday evening. Police are asking
drivers to keep a look out for these corn-throwers and to catch a
description of them.

GUNS STOLEN

Several firearms are stolen from a home in Cussewago Township…Police
said several guns including four .22 rifles, three 12 gauge shotguns,
two Winchester 30-30 rifles, one .45 auto handgun, and one .357 handgun
were all taken from the North Mosiertown Road residence. The victims are
listed as a 44 year old female and a 54 year old male both of
Saegertown.

VETS ORGANIZATION FUNDRAISER

The Guardians USA Vets Blue and White is there for the men and women who
serve our country. Now is an opportunity that the community can help
give back and show appreciation. Tami Barnard, the secretary of the
group says this is simply an organization designed to help comfort those
in need. She says it’s all worth it to see their reactions.
There is a motorcycle run on August 21 and a Salute to Our American
Heroes Ceremony on September 11th. Barnard says that this is our chance
to show our military members how grateful we are for their services.
For more information on how to give back visit www.guardiansblueandwhite.4t.com.

___________________________________________________

8-2-2010

 

NATURAL GAS JUMPS

National Fuel has announced their annual price adjustment for the gas
supply charges. Effective August 1st, there will be an increase that
raises the monthly bill of a typical residential customer in Northwest
PA using 95-cubic feet annually from 76.21 to 91.74 or by 20.4-percent.
The primary reason for the increase, according to a press, is the
completion of a refund of previous over-collections that has been
included in rates for the past year.

HOMICIDE BY VEHICLE

A New Kensington woman is charged with Homicide by Vehicle after
reportedly causing her son’s death. Police said 39-year-old Christa
Logue was traveling south on I-79 Sunday afternoon about a quarter after
3, when she lost control and drove off the road. Officials say Logue
was driving under the influence in south Erie County when her 14 year
old son Josh Gibson was ejected from the car and killed. Logue was
arraigned Sunday night and her bond was set at 50 thousand dollars with
special instructions that she’s not to touch drugs or alcohol and that
she enter a treatment program. Drugs and alcohol were both reportedly
found in the vehicle.

MAN ARRESTED IN SHOOTING DEATH

A Butler County man was arrested over the weekend in connection to the
shooting death of his former brother-in-law.  Forty-nine-year-old Thomas
Smith was charged Saturday with the death of 56-year-old Clifford
Stevenson.  Stevenson's body was found last Thursday at the home he and
Smith shared off William Flynn Highway in Mercer Township.  Relatives
said Smith suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and was off his
medication.

9 OF 10 TEXTING

Nearly nine out of ten teenage drivers admit to engaging in
distracted-driving behaviors, including texting on a cell phone.  That's
the finding of a survey by "Seventeen" magazine and the Triple-A auto
club.  "USA Today" quotes the Triple-A's William Van Tassel a saying
"teens continue to drive distracted even when they recognize the
dangers."  He points out driving is, for most teens, their first real
adult responsibility but there are still teens whose brains aren't fully
developed.

DRINKING AT A HIGH

The U.S. drinking rate is at a 15-year high.  The latest Gallup poll
shows 67 percent of American adults drink alcohol.  That's up slightly
from last year but still short of the all-time high of 71 percent from
1976 to 1978.  Beer remains the most popular alcoholic beverage of
choice, especially among men, young drinkers and people in the Midwest. 
Wine is the favorite among women and older Americans.  Liquor trails in
last place.  The poll finds that Americans with the lowest incomes and
education levels are the least likely to drink.

VENANGO FILM FESTIVAL

It’s the 4th annual Venango Digital Film Festival going on this
September, but hurry because entrees to be in the festival are almost
due. Any video showcasing Western PA is accepted and different styles
are encouraged. Sufana Chowdhury, this year’s event coordinator gives
the details on what it’s all for…
According to their website www.vdff.org  it’s happening September 17th
at the Crawford Center in Emlenton, the 18th at the DeBence Museum in
Franklin, and the 19th at Rhoades Auditorium in Oil City. Submissions
are due by August 6th, and at the very latest August 13th. There will be
cash prizes for the winners. Check out their website for more details
on how to enter www.vdff.org.

CELL PHONE OUTAGE AFTER WRECK

Cell phone customers may have had a tricky time with their phones this
weekend after a car wreck in Crawford County. According to the EMA
office of Crawford County, 911 service was temporarily interrupted
Saturday afternoon after someone hit a utility pole in Woodcock
Township.

LEGISLATORS URGE GOV TO SPEND BOND ON TRANSPORTATION

A couple of prominent Pennsylvania Republicans are urging Governor Ed
Rendell to spend a bond earmarked for pet projects on the state's
struggling transportation system instead.  Hempfield state Senator Kim
Ward and Allegheny County Republican Committee Chairman Jim Roddey say a
share of the 600-million-dollars should be used to repair roads and
bridges.  The money is from the Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program
and was used by the governor and legislators to reach a budget deal on
time this year.  Under the program, Rendell gets nearly
300-million-dollars to spend on development projects, while the
Legislature will divvy up the rest.

VENANGO COUNTY FAIR

The Venango County Fair starts today and will run through Saturday. They
are on route 62, three miles south of Franklin. Get ready for a goat
show, barnyard Olympics, great “fair food” and more. Visit
www.venangocountyfair.com for a complete schedule list.

4 TO HOSPITAL AFTER WRECK

A rollover accident on I-80 in Richland Township, Clarion County sends 4
to the hospital Friday. Police reports said that the 50 year old male
driver became distracted and lost control, rolling over several times. A
47 year old female passenger was flown to a Youngstown Hospital. The
rest of the car’s occupants were taken by ambulance to UPMC northwest
for treatment.