September 6, 2010
According to Philipsburg based state police, a total of 26 vehicle crashes were investigated during the month of August. The one of the main causes of these crashes is distracted driving. Area motorists are advised that devices such as cell phones should not be used while driving. If a call or text message is received while the vehicle is moving, drivers should pull over before taking the call or reading the message. Police are also reminding motorists that seatbelt usage is the law in Pennsylvania. Motorists and passengers must wear seatbelts at all times or face extra fines when pulled over for traffic violations.
The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare saved taxpayers nearly $690 million dollars during the 2009-2010 fiscal year through fraud and abuse detection and other cost-recovery efforts. The savings included more than $614 million dollars in costs avoided or recovered from private insurers and other third-party sources for services that otherwise would have been paid through state-funded Medical Assistance; and $75 million dollars through the department's fraud and abuse detection. For more information about the Department of Public Welfare's efforts, visit www.dpw.state.pa.us.
The PA State Police Fire Marshal at the Ridgway Station and the Clearfield Borough Police Department conducted an origin and cause investigation into a fire that damaged a 48'X32' wood frame duplex residential structure, early Sunday morning, along the 600 block of Daisy Street in Clearfield Borough. The building was not occupied at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported. The investigation as to the cause of the fire is continuing. Anyone with information regarding the fire is asked to contact the Clearfield Borough Police Department at 765-78-19. Damage is estimated at approximately $100,000. Officers and the Clearfield Fire Department were assisted at the scene by the Lawrence Township, Hyde, Curwensville, and Grampian Fire Departments.
Lawrence Township Police investigated the complaint of damage to an unattended vehicle and property by a Montgomery Run resident. According to reports, unknown individuals drove through the home owner's yard. Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to contact the Lawrence Township Police Department at 765-15-33.
September 4 & 5, 2010
Losses are estimated at approximately $6,000 dollars in a theft from a substation site in Philipsburg Borough. State troopers from the Philipsburg barracks say unknown perpetrators entered a locked fence enclosure along state route 322 sometime in the past 2 weeks and removed 5 rolls of copper ground wire. Area recycling facilities are being asked to be on the look out for anyone attempting to sell large amounts of unused copper wire. Anyone with any information concerning this theft is asked to contact state police at 342-3370.
Labor Day weekend travelers can take a moment to rejuvenate through a safety break this holiday weekend. PennDOT District 2 has announced a safety coffee break center will be in service at the Interstate 80 westbound rest area in Centre County. Volunteers from the Bellefonte Area Fine Arts Boosters will staff the rest area at mile marker 146 in the westbound lanes. The rest area is located west of Snow Shoe Exit 147. The "Safety Break" center will be in place through Monday. Hours of operation at the center will depend upon available volunteers and supplies. For information on how your non-profit group can sponsor a "Safety Break", contact the PennDOT District 2 offices in Clearfield.
Visitors interested in the history of the region are invited to Black Moshannon State Park in Philipsburg this weekend for several special programs. Tonight, beginning at 7:00PM at the park amphitheatre, guest speaker Joe Harding will take a look at life in the Moshannon Valley in the 1700's. Guests can find out how people dressed, how they survived, and what it was like to live in the Moshannon Valley area 200 years ago. Sunday afternoon at 5:00PM, visitors can see what it was like to attend a one-room schoolhouse in the late 1800's and early 1900's. For more information about these and other programs at Black Moshannon State Park, visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us or call 342-5960.
The State Senate unveiled a new website this week that will make it easier for users of mobile devices to access legislative information. The website, www.palegis.us, is designed for users of mobile devices such as the iPhone, BlackBerry, and Droid. Visitors can use the site to contact members of the General Assembly, to search for bills by number or keyword, to read bill text, and to access information about legislative committees. The mobile website was developed by the Legislative Data Processing office.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has announced that all driver license and photo centers will be closed today and Monday in observance of Labor Day. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online through PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services website at www.dmv.state.pa.us. Driver and vehicle online services are available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week and include driver's license and vehicle registration renewals. There are no additional fees for using online services.
According to Philipsburg based state police, a total of 26 vehicle crashes were investigated during the month of August. The one of the main causes of these crashes is distracted driving. Area motorists are advised that devices such as cell phones should not be used while driving. If a call or text message is received while the vehicle is moving, drivers should pull over before taking the call or reading the message. Police are also reminding motorists that seatbelt usage is the law in Pennsylvania. Motorists and passengers must wear seatbelts at all times or face extra fines when pulled over for traffic violations.
DuBois area drivers should expect nighttime delays this week as work continues on a countywide roadway project. No work will occur on Monday in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Milling on Routes 219 & 255, otherwise known as "Bee Line Highway", will take place from 6:00PM to 6:00AM Tuesday, Wednesday, and possibly Thursday. Traffic delays are likely. Drivers could encounter stopped or slowed traffic through the work areas, and motorists should be alert for roadway flaggers. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes if possible.
A mandatory statewide food safety course designed to meet the food certification requirements for food service managers, chefs, caterers, cooks, health officials and inspectors will be offered this month by Penn State DuBois in partnership with the Penn State Cooperative Extension. Participants in the ServSafe Program who complete the course and pass the examination will receive their ServSafe Certification from the National Restaurant Association and may apply for the state Department of Agriculture certificate required by the Food Employee Certification Act. The 13-hour class will meet from 9:00AM to 4:30PM on Thursday, September 16 and Thursday, September 30, at Penn State DuBois. For more information, call 375-4836.
The Department of State has taken disciplinary actions against 80 licensed or commissioned professionals and organizations since July. A comprehensive list of sanctions imposed by the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs is available online at www.dos.state.pa.us. Locally, a Madera woman had her nursing license suspended for at least one year based on her guilty plea to insurance fraud, false reports to law enforcement authorities, receiving stolen property, and disorderly conduct. Also, a DuBois man was indefinitely suspended by the Pennsylvania Board of Pharmacy because of felony charges. Anyone who suspects unlicensed activity by an individual or facility, or who has been a victim of unethical treatment, can file a complaint either online or through the bureau's hotline at 1-800-822-2113.
The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare saved taxpayers nearly $690 million dollars during the 2009-2010 fiscal year through fraud and abuse detection and other cost-recovery efforts. The savings included more than $614 million dollars in costs avoided or recovered from private insurers and other third-party sources for services that otherwise would have been paid through state-funded Medical Assistance; and $75 million dollars through the department's fraud and abuse detection. For more information about the Department of Public Welfare's efforts, visit www.dpw.state.pa.us.
September 3rd, 2010
Members of the Pennsylvania Senate met with Federal Officials Wednesday to discuss why I-80 tolling was rejected. Member of the Senate Transportation Committee and Police Committee members met with the acting Chief Counsel for the Federal Highway Administration, Thomas Holian. The Chief Council told the legislators the states application to toll Interstate 80 was rejected because the state was planning to use money generated by the tolls to fix other roads and boost funding for mass transit. The guidelines of the federal program stipulate toll money generated by interstate highways must only be used to repair the highway that is being tolled, and cannot be used elsewhere.
Lawrence Township Police report responding to a single vehicle crash along State Route 322 near Charles Road Wednesday afternoon. According to reports the driver crossed two lanes of travel, jumped the curb and continued along an embankment. The vehicle left the embankment and spun around coming to a final rest on the roadway. One of the three occupants in the vehicle was flown by medical helicopter to an area hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries, while another occupant was transported to Clearfield Hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries. Traffic was delay for a time along State Route 322 as only one lane of travel was open due to the crash.
The Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania State Police have agreed to increase funding for inspections in the coming year that will ensure waste haulers are obeying state laws. The unannounced roadside inspections, commonly known as FracNet and TrashNet, have removed hundreds of unsafe and illegally-operated waste vehicles from the roadways, including trucks operating in support of Marcellus Shale gas drilling operations. In the first half of 2010, roadside inspections by the state police and DEP found that more than 40 percent of the large trucks serving the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry were operating in violation of state motor carrier safety regulations. During enforcement operations, DEP inspectors check to ensure that waste vehicles have proper signage and required authorizations, and that daily logs specifying the origin and type of waste are accurate and up-to-date. Vehicles are checked for weight and leakage, the presence of working fire extinguishers and to verify that loads are properly enclosed and secured. State police teams check vehicle braking systems, exterior lighting and other equipment that plays a role in operational safety. They also check drivers for appropriate operator licenses.
An update has been issued for PennDOT's Hospital Avenue/Dixon Avenue realignment project in DuBois for next week. No work will be performed on Monday, Sept. 6, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. The contractor will be excavating and grading South Main Street between Grove Avenue and Dixon Avenue in preparation for paving. This work will be in the lane that is currently closed and will not affect traffic. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained on South Main Street. Motorists are advised to watch for slow moving and stopped vehicles through the entire work zone.
September 2nd, 2010
It has been announced that $20.5 million in state and federal investments that will create 1,400 jobs in the rapidly expanding clean energy industry. The funding will benefit 40 diverse energy projects that will generate or save the equivalent of more than 10 billion kilowatt hours of electricity over their lifetimes. That's enough energy to power 1 million average homes in Pennsylvania for one year—and reduce carbon emissions by nearly 9 million tons, which is the equivalent of removing 1.5 million passenger cars from the roads for one year. Locally in Clearfield County the Curwensville Area School District is slated to receive nearly $575,000 for a closed-loop geothermal heat pump system that will reduce energy costs and substantially reduce the amount of air quality emissions which is currently produced from burning coal.
After searching for over 5 hours, slightly after Noon Wednesday the 15 year old missing Hyde juvenile was located by authorities. The teen, described as mentally disadvantaged, was located between Curwensville and Grampian along rails to trails, 9 to 10 miles from his home. Officials report, after hearing a news story about the missing teen, a concerned citizen contacted authorities slightly after noon and stated they had seen someone matching the description of the missing teen along rails to trails earlier in the morning. A short time later the boy was located said to be uninjured. Numerous agencies assisted in the search including: Lawrence Township and Clearfield Borough Police Departments; Clearfield Sheriffs Department; Lawrence Township, Clearfield and Curwensville Borough Fire Departments; Clearfield Station 1 river rescue; Elkland Search and Rescue of St. Marys; Heaven Scent and Track and Trail dog units as well as the Pennsylvania State Police Aviation Unit of Montoursville.
The Clearfield Area School Board has announced a special meeting will be held this evening. The meeting is being held for general purposes and will take place at 6pm this evening in the Library of the Clearfield Elementary School.
September 1st, 2010
Area residents will have the opportunity to donate blood at upcoming American Red Cross blood drives. Today from 10am until 4pm donations will be taken at the Penn State Dubois Campus. Friday from Noon until 6pm donations will be taken at the Clearfield Donor Center at 440 Front Place. Donations will also be taken at the Clearfield Donor Center Monday from 8:15am until 2pm. Individuals age 17 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. In Pennsylvania 16-year-olds may give blood with signed parental permission. For information about upcoming Blood Drives or to schedule a donation, visit redcrossblood.org.
The state House Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing this week on two bills that would grant campus police the same law enforcement and arrest powers currently given to municipal police officers. Currently municipal police and State Police are burdened with responding to emergency calls on college campuses throughout the state. Legislator note that by granting campus police arrest powers, municipal police and State Police could focus on protecting residents of local communities. Under both bills, the jurisdiction of campus police would be limited to the grounds and buildings of colleges and universities.
August 31, 2010
State route 879 and route 322 were shutdown for a period of time Friday afternoon due to an incident under investigation by Lawrence Township Police. Reports say an individual had climbed over the railing of an overpass on Friday and was threatening to jump. With the assistance of the Clearfield County Sheriff's Department, police were able to subdue the individual and pull her to safety. Clearfield Borough Police, Clearfield County EMA, Clearfield EMS, Hyde & Mill Road Fire Companies, and PennDOT personnel assisted authorities at the scene.
Charges are pending in an incident of theft from a Bradford Township coal company. Clearfield based state police say someone stole approximately 800 feet of railroad tracks from a wooded area along Shiloh Road earlier this month. After suspects used acetylene torches to cut the rails, they were cashed-in as scrap metal to a salvage business. No estimate was given as to the total amount of losses and damages in the incident. Police have not released the names of the suspects. The investigation is continuing.
A New York motorist was flown via medical helicopter to Altoona Hospital following a single vehicle mishap along state route 350 near Sandy Ridge. Philipsburg based state police say the driver left the roadway for unknown reasons and struck several trees. Members of the Mountain Top Fire Company, Mountain Top Ambulance Service, and Mo-Valley EMS assisted state troopers at the scene.
Details are sketchy in an incident that happened at the Clearfield County Jail over the weekend. Lawrence Township Police say someone attempted to smuggle contraband into the jail. No further details have been released in the incident. Charges are pending further investigation by prison officials & corrections officers.
Several state representatives have authored legislation to prohibit telemarketers from contacting an individual's cell phone via text message if they have signed up on the "Do Not Call List." House Bill 26-75 would add text messaging to the scope of the "Telemarketer Registration Act," making it illegal for companies to send unwanted texts to registrants on the state's Do Not Call List. Any telemarketer caught texting a prohibited individual would face consequences similar to those for calling a person on the Do Not Call List, including civil penalties of up to $1,000 for each violation. Individuals can register their home and cellular phones by visiting the Pennsylvania Attorney General's website at www. attorneygeneral.gov. Consumers without Internet access can register by calling 1-888-777-3406. Anyone who's been improperly contacted by a telemarketer can register a complaint with the state attorney general's office.
The Pennsylvania Department of State has taken disciplinary actions against 203 licensed or commissioned professionals and organizations since June. A comprehensive list of sanctions imposed by the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs is available online at www.dos.state.pa.us . Locally, the state Board of Pharmacy suspended the license of a Brockway man, based on his felony convictions under the Drug Act. Also, the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing suspended the license of an Elk County man for his failure to comply with the terms of his Voluntary Recovery Program agreement. Anyone who suspects unlicensed activity by an individual or facility, or who has been a victim of unethical treatment, can file a complaint with the Department of State by calling toll-free 1-800-822-2113.
August 30, 2010
A 26-year old Rimersburg man lost his life, Friday, in a 3-vehicle crash which occurred in Paint Township, Clarion County. A 76-year old Shippensville woman was northbound on SR 66, attempted to turn into a local farmer's market and pulled into the path of the Rimersburg man who was southbound on the same highway. Upon impact the man was thrown approximately 180 feet from his vehicle. A third vehicle, driven by a Pittsburgh motorist, received damages from debris in the crash. The 26-year old Rimersburg man was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers from Clarion based State Police are continuing the investigation.
State Police at Clearfield are asking for the public's assistance regarding an incident of Criminal Trespass and Theft of a Motor Vehicle which occurred in Beccaria Township, Saturday, around 4:30 AM. A 60-year old Beccaria man's shed was broken into along Heaverly Boulevard and unknown individuals removed a 1989 gold and silver Ford F-150 pickup from the location. Anyone with information concerning the Theft is asked to contact State Police at Clearfield at 857-3800.
PennDOT officials expect to open the Route 30-07 bridge in the village of Carnwath later this week. Crews have been working for the past two months to replace the old one-lane bridge with a new, two-lane, concrete box beam bridge. The bridge spans Potts Run in the village of Carnwath, Knox Township and is expected to be re-opened to traffic on Friday. After Labor Day, crews will be working on miscellaneous construction items in order to complete the project. During that work, some daylight lane restrictions will be necessary and drivers should be alert for daytime flagging. The total estimated cost of this bridge project is $682,000 dollars.
State troopers from the DuBois barracks are alerting motorists that a DUI Checkpoint will be conducted sometime during the month of September. The checkpoint will be conducted along roadways in Clearfield & Jefferson Counties that have a high occurrence of DUI-related crashes. During the checkpoint, officers will conduct a brief interview to determine if a motorist is impaired by alcohol or controlled substances. Drivers can expect to be delayed for a short period of time during the checkpoint
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is calling for nominations of citizens willing to participate in one of four Citizen Advisory Committees to help gather input related to the deer management goal of reducing deer-human conflict in three local Wildlife Management Units next year. Committee members are needed for Wildlife Management Unit 2-D, which includes Jefferson County, Unit 2-F, which includes Elk County, and Unit 2-G, which includes Clearfield & Centre Counties. Nominees must live in the Wildlife Management Unit they wish to represent. For more information on the Citizen Advisory Committee, or to download a nomination forms, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission website at www.pgc.state.pa.us .
Last week, PennDOT launched a revamped "Survival 101" traffic safety program for students in grades six through 12 that focuses on a range of driver behavior issues. The program, first introduced in 2003, has been updated to include distracted driving and fatigue in addition to seat belt use, impaired driving and aggressive driving. During the previous school year, more than 650 programs were presented to more than 35,000 students statewide. These programs can be requested through PennDOT's highway safety website, www.DriveSafePA.org
August 28-29, 2010
The investigation is continuing into a case of Access Device Fraud in Ramey. Clearfield based state police say someone obtained credit card information belonging to a 31 year old Ramey resident and made at least 6 purchases on the internet, totaling more than $2,000 dollars.
No estimate was given as to the total amount of losses and damages in the burglary of a Reynoldsville social club. DuBois based state police say someone forced their way into the Reynoldsville American Legion Post #392 last week and removed an undetermined amount of cash. Anyone with any additional information concerning this burglary is asked to contact state police at 371-4652.
No injuries were reported in a 2 vehicle mishap on Interstate 80 last week in Sandy Township. State troopers from the DuBois barracks say a Punxsutawney motorist slammed into the rear of a vehicle that had slowed for traffic in a work zone. The force of impact caused one of the vehicles to travel of the roadway and roll over. Sandy Township Fire Department personnel assisted state police at the scene. Charges were filed in the mishap.
A 17 year old Osceola Mills motorist escaped injury in a single vehicle accident that happened in Rush Township, Centre County. Philipsburg based state police say the youth was traveling along state route 970 when he failed to round a curve. The vehicle struck an embankment and a tree, causing it to roll over. No estimate was given as to the total amount of damages in the mishap.
Lawrence Township Police are currently investigating several incidents that happened earlier this week. Police were called to a local nursing home for the report of stolen prescription medication. Authorities were also alerted to a possible telephone scam. An unknown caller attempted to get credit card information from a Lawrence Township resident. No further details have been released. Both incidents are still under investigation.
PennDOT District 2 officials have released this week's update for the Hospital Avenue-Dixon Avenue Realignment Project in DuBois. Workers will be installing waterline on South Main Street between Grove Avenue and Dixon Avenue, as well as excavating and grading South Main Street between Grove Avenue and Dixon Avenue in preparation for paving. This work will be in the lane that is currently closed and will not affect traffic. The overall project will re-align Hospital Avenue with Dixon Avenue and improve access to DuBois Regional Medical Center. The $4.2 million dollar project is scheduled to run through late November of this year.
After several incidents at the Delaware County Prison in which violent criminals were improperly released due to clerical errors, state lawmakers are introducing legislation to require public notification of prison escapes or accidental discharges. Earlier this month, on two separate occasions, inmates who had a history of robbery, assault, and firearms charges were mistakenly released from the facility. The prisoners involved in these incidents are still at large. The proposed legislation would specify notification requirements for all state, local, and community-based correctional facilities in the event of a prison escape, accidental release, unauthorized absence or removal of a detained person.¥ The legislation would apply to adult and juvenile offenders, as well as criminals confined to mental health facilities.¥ Residents within a two-mile radius of correctional facilities would receive notification, along with schools within a 10-mile radius
The Dubois Campus of Penn State University will hold an information and demonstration session on the Continuing Education Department's Telecommunications Technologies Certificate Program in St. Marys next week. Those who complete the 115 hour course and earn the industry recognized certificate will be qualified for jobs in some of the fastest growing fields in the country including telephone and computer networking, cable and satellite system operation and repair, and more. The information and demonstration session is scheduled to begin at 5:00PM on Tuesday, August 30 at the Community Education Council in St. Marys. To register for the information session, call 375-4836.
August 27, 2010
State Representatives have introduced H.B. 176, which would ban the sale or use of "K2," a synthetic marijuana responsible for numerous emergency room visits by teens and children, and a drug which causes severe health effects in its users. State officials stress the drug is so new, no federal or Pennsylvania law exists to give police the right to arrest those possessing K2. K2 is a blend of herbs treated with chemicals to produce a marijuana-like high in users, and nearly always causes unwanted side effects in its users. Due to the fact it is not a controlled substance it is sold openly on the internet and in some incense shops under names like "Spice," "Demon" and "Hawaiian Haze." Some patients have needed to be tranquilized by doctors after smoking K2, and the drug can cause symptoms such as a fast heart rate, confusion, nausea, agitation, anxiety, elevated blood pressure, hallucinations and seizures.
PennDOT has issued an update for I-80 work in Clearfield County next week. Westbound motorists are reminded the right travel lane will remain closed from mile-marker 115 to mile-marker 112 until September 1. Starting September 1, all westbound lanes will be open for Labor Day holiday travel. Speed will remain at 55 mph through the holiday. Motorists traveling eastbound from August 27 through September 2, are alerted the passing left lane will be closed from mile-marker 105.5 to mile-marker 113. During these dates, nighttime paving will take place from 5pm to 5am. September 3, all eastbound lanes will be open for Labor Day holiday travel. Speed will remain at 55 mph through the holiday. All work on the $53 million project is weather dependent and expected to run through October.
DuBois School Board accepted the resignation of board member James Mackie Wednesday due to a change of residency. Superintendent Timothy Deluccia presented Mackie with a certificate of appreciation for his time served on the board. Those who reside in Mackie's district who are interested in serving on the School Board should apply. The board opening would be advertised immediately. Deluccia said candidates would be interviewed to fill the opening, and the district has 30 days to fill it. Mackie's term expires in November, 2011.
DuBois Area School District has met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standards at all of its elementary schools, middle school and high school, Superintendent Timothy Deluccia announced at Wednesdays school board meeting. AYP standards were met by each subgroup as well, including IEP students and economically disadvantaged students. Deluccia said 73.2 percent of students in grades 3-8 and 11 scored advanced or proficient in reading and 75.8 scored advanced or proficient in mathematics. DASD's attendance rate was 95.2 percent, and its graduation rate 83.49 percent.
August 26th, 2010
A Philipsburg Teen is facing charges of Ethnic Intimidation and Arson following an incident early Sunday morning in Bradford Township, Clearfield County. Police report that slightly before 12:30am Sunday an 18 year old woodland female and 16 year old black male discovered 2 crosses were found to be on fire in the front yard of the female's residence. 19 year old Ryan Mark Held of Philipsburg was arrested Wednesday on numerous charges including Ethnic Intimidation, Arson, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Criminal Mischief and Harassment. Ryan Mark Held was arraigned and released on $5,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for next Wednesday.
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources officials report some Pennsylvania state parks will allow Canada goose hunting when the state's early resident Canada goose season opens next Wednesday. The statewide season, designed to reduce local nuisance geese populations, runs through Saturday, Sept. 25. Non-migratory Canada goose populations have increased drastically in recent years, causing crop damage and nuisance problems in residential neighborhoods. Park visitors often complain about goose excrement on state park beaches and other facilities, and water quality at some state parks has been adversely affected. Licensed hunters should contact individual park offices for local starting dates and other details. Some parks are closed to hunting. Also, with the early season starting date falling prior to Labor Day, some parks will not allow hunting until Tuesday, Sept. 7, the day after Labor Day. Sunday hunting is not permitted in Pennsylvania. Complete details regarding hunting seasons and bag limits can be found on the Pennsylvania Game Commission's website at pgc.state.pa.us.
August 25th, 2010
Officials have released that 42 mosquito Samples and one bird have recently tested positive for West Nile Virus. Locally mosquitos have tested positive in Corsica, Sykesville and Punxsutawney Boroughs in Jefferson County and Homer City Borough in Indiana County. DEP and County Staff report they will be responding by increasing surveillance and control activities as needed.
Work will begin today to replace the Surveyor Run Bridge in Clearfield County. The bridge is located on State Route 879 in Goshen Township, near the village of Surveyor and near the Girard Township line. The current 3-span bridge will be replaced with a new cast-in-place box culvert. Drivers should remain alert for daylight flaggers and an alternating traffic pattern. Work on this $1.3 million job is expected to last through mid-November.
First Energy Solutions has proposed am 18-month municipal aggregate plan to the City of DuBois. Brenda Fargo of First Energy pitched the plan to DuBois City Council at its meeting Monday, stating it would save city residents about 6 percent on their electric bill next year. After rate caps come off of electricity on Jan. 1, 2011, city residents would see a cost increase of about 20 percent. First Energy's municipal aggregate plan has been used in Ohio for several years, and the proposal is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania. The company is pitching the plan to home rule chartered municipalities and the like. The municipal aggregate plan is an opt out plan - residents would be automatically enrolled in the program and given two opportunities to opt out. Similar plans have been pitched to the municipalities of Edinboro and Sharon.
The City of DuBois is accepting bids to bring its water wells into production. DuBois City Council voted, 5-0, last night to accept bids to start the process of bringing its six test water wells into production. Doing so would require the water wells to undergo 72-hour testing and larger casing. Well casing would be expanded from 8 to 12 inches in diameter.
August 24, 2010
Emergency personnel had to extricate a passenger from a vehicle involved in an accident in Washington Township, Jefferson County Saturday night. DuBois based state police say a vehicle being driven at a high rate-of-speed by a Ridgway man skidded off of Arch Street Extension around 9:30PM and sheared-off a utility pole. The driver and one of the passengers were both ejected from the vehicle. Another passenger was trapped inside and had to be freed by volunteers from the Brockway & Falls Creek Fire Departments and Brockway Ambulance Service. Charges are pending in the mishap.
Philipsburg based state police are looking into the theft of medical equipment from a vehicle last week in Philipsburg Borough. State troopers say an electric nerve stimulator was stolen from a vehicle parked at a North Centre Street Business late Wednesday afternoon. The equipment was contained in a black bag with a white "RS Medical" logo on the front. No estimate was given as to the total amount of losses in the incident. Anyone with any information concerning this theft is asked to contact state police at 342-3370.
Clearfield Borough Police are looking into a HIT & RUN incident that happened late Saturday night. Reports say an unknown vehicle skidded into a driveway along South Fourth Street and struck the rear of a truck parked at the residence. Following the collision, the HIT & RUN driver fled the scene. Police are searching for a vehicle with extensive front-end damage in connection with the incident. Anyone with any additional information should contact Clearfield Borough Police.
Lawrence Township Police were contacted by an individual who lost his horse while riding along McGeorge Road over the weekend. The horse is described as being a brown & white mare, wearing a saddle. Anyone who may have seen this horse or know of its whereabouts should contact Lawrence Township Police at 765-1533.
Motorists are being reminded that railroad work along Liberty Boulevard in DuBois will cause some lane restrictions on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Crews will remove the existing concrete panels and replace them with a bituminous rail seal. Various lane restrictions will be in place over the two days as work progresses at the northern end of Liberty Boulevard, near the intersection with Route 255.
August 23, 2010
With back-to-school season beginning soon in Pennsylvania, motorists and students are reminded to watch out for one another. Pennsylvania's school bus stopping law requires motorists approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended to stop at least 10 feet from the bus. Motorists convicted of violating Pennsylvania's school bus stopping law face a $250 fine, five points on their record and a 60-day license suspension. Motorists must also exercise caution in school zones. Schools are hubs of pedestrian and vehicle traffic, so motorists are required to slow down to the posted speed limit of 15 miles per hour in school zones. Violations carry a fine and three points on the driver's record. Students also share responsibility for remaining safe and should avoid using cell phones or wearing headphones to prevent distractions while walking near traffic. For more tips, visit the School Bus Safety link under the Traffic Safety Information Center on PennDOT's highway safety website at DriveSafePA.org .
Clearfield Based State Police report investigating another incident at the Curwensville Lake beach area. Sometime between 4pm Friday and 12:30 Saturday afternoon unknown individuals broke into a concession stand at the beach area of the lake and removed a box of ice cream bars. Recently the beach area has incurred numerous incidents forcing lake officials to close the beach area between the hours of 9pm and 8am.
More than 600 municipal police departments and Pennsylvania State Police will target impaired drivers during the national impaired driving campaign, which runs now through Labor Day. According to officials, statewide there were more than 450 alcohol-related crashes and 16 fatalities on the weekends surrounding the Labor Day holiday last year. Motorists are reminded that DUI convictions carry strong penalties that include fines, jail time and license suspension. Repeat offenders also are required to equip their vehicles with ignition interlock systems after serving a one-year license suspension. Ignition interlock requires drivers to blow into the device in order to start the vehicle. If the device detects alcohol, it prevents the vehicle from starting. The device also tests drivers at random times during the subsequent operation of the vehicle. Individuals are required to pay all program-related costs, which include installation, routine monitoring and maintenance of the interlock device at a service center. These costs average approximately $1,000. More than 5,700 Pennsylvania drivers currently have ignition interlock systems. Last year, these systems prevented more than 47,000 impaired driving attempts and logged more than 45-million sober miles driven.
August 22, 2010
Damages are estimated at approximately $150,000 dollars in a Saturday morning fire in Decatur Township. According to the State Police fire marshal, the blaze occurred at a 2-story home and attached garage along Martin Road sometime after 1:00AM Saturday morning. The investigation is continuing. Anyone who may have witnessed the early stages of the fire is asked to contact the state police fire marshal at 938-0510.
State Troopers from the Clearfield barracks are asking for the public's assistance in their investigation of a burglary in Osceola Mills. According to reports, sometime in the past 2 months, unknown perpetrators entered a home along Stone Street and removed a furnace. No estimate was given as to the total amount of damages in the incident. Anyone with any additional information concerning this theft is asked to contact state police at 857-3800.
Motorists should expect delays this week as work progresses on a local roadway project. Milling and paving will continue along Routes 219 & 322 from the village of Luthersburg, west to the Jefferson County line. Traffic delays are likely. Drivers will encounter stopped or slowed traffic throughout the work area, and motorists should be alert for roadway flaggers. This $6 million dollar project covers numerous routes across Clearfield County. All work is weather dependent and is expected to be finished in October.
PennDOT District 2 officials have released this week's update for the Hospital Avenue-Dixon Avenue Realignment Project in DuBois. Beginning at 6:00PM on Monday, Hospital Avenue will be closed between Prospect Street and the hospital's main entrance. All traffic on Hospital Avenue, including traffic to DRMC and the Medical Arts building, will be detoured. Workers will be excavating and paving portions of the new roadway. The detour is expected to be lifted sometime late Tuesday afternoon. The overall project will re-align Hospital Avenue with Dixon Avenue and improve access to DuBois Regional Medical Center. The $4.2 million dollar project is scheduled to run through late November of this year.
A DUI-related crash in Philipsburg Borough is currently under investigation by Philipsburg based state police. Reports say a 23 year old Philipsburg man lost control of his vehicle while traveling through the intersection of 8th & Spruce Streets around 2:30AM Saturday morning. The vehicle came to a final rest after striking a shrub and a tree stump. After state troopers arrested the motorist for DUI, he was transported to Mt. Nittany Medical Center for blood alcohol testing. Authorities were assisted at the scene by volunteers from the Hope & Reliance Fire Companies.
August