Smell the air, true believers, Spring is here. Take in that fresh air and awesome blue sky.
This fourth week of March saw the GantDaily News Team hit the road and head to Brookville on Friday for a big case.
It was a hectic newsweek, with a drug bust on Interstate 80 and many court cases finally coming to light; one woman paid the price for leaving her children unattended while a local man was sentenced for trying to steal candy bars and Swedish fish.
The head of a local chamber of commerce stepped down and the county looked at the potential for a visitors’ center. A defense attorney concerned about the safety of those in attendance at an upcoming trial had a motion approved and one municipality approved helping with the purchase of a new fire truck.
Those are just some teasers of what’s to come in this week’s addition of the GantDaily Weekly Reload. So kick back, relax, and enjoy the Reload.
DuBois City Council Approves Purchase of New Fire Truck
DUBOIS – In a little over a year, fire fighters in the City of DuBois will have a new fire truck in their fleet.
DuBois City Council approved a bid for the purchase of a fire fire rescue pumper from Precision Fire Apparatus out of Missouri. Council agreed that the city will pay for $497,000 of the truck, with any over-runs or additional costs going to the fire department.
For that story click here.
Clearfield Borough Hears First Part of Financial Study
CLEARFIELD – Clearfield Borough has seen its share of woes in recent decades from a declining and aging population to loss of jobs, but according to Michael Weir of Michael Weir LLC of Pittsburgh, those same problems are being seen in cities and boroughs across Pennsylvania.
Weir was brought to the borough thanks to a grant from the Department of Conservation and Economic Development to look at trends with the borough’s finances and look at solutions to possible problems. The study was requested by the borough and was done as a proactive measure to prevent financial problems.
Click here for that story.
GantDaily on the Go: Clinger Prelim Set in Brookville Friday
BROOKVILLE – A man accused of killing two New Yorkers and leaving their bodies in Jefferson County is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Friday.
Jason Robert “Spike” Clinger, is accused of the double homicide of Davon Jones and Dianikqua Johnson. Their bodies were found by a hunter along Moore Road in Pine Creek Township in Jefferson County in November.
For that story click here.
And …
Clinger has Hearing, Homicide Charges Bound to Court of Common Pleas
BROOKVILLE – A DuBois man had charges of homicide, robbery and kidnapping held to court after a four-plus hour long hearing on Friday.
Jason “Spike” Clinger is accused of the murders of New York residents Davon Jones and Dianikqua Johnson in what appears to be a drug-related case.
For that story click here.
And …
Testimony in Double Homicide Gives Clues to Drugs in DuBois
BROOKVILLE – Details from a Jefferson County murder case provided some insight into the alleged drug culture in a Clearfield County community.
A 27-year-old Troutville woman testified during the murder trial of Jason “Spike” Clinger of DuBois in Jefferson County Court on Friday, providing details about how drugs are brought into the area and how they were sold.
Click here for that story.
Plans Resurrected for Clearfield County Visitors’ Center
CLEARFIELD – About a year and a half ago, plans were scrapped for a proposed Clearfield County visitors’ center, but thanks to the work of a Clearfield engineer and an approval by the Clearfield County Recreation and Tourism Authority, those plans have been dusted off and resurrected.
Richard Hughes of Hughes Engineering presented the CCRTA with a new proposal to build a visitors’ center off of Interstate 80 at exit 120.
For that story click here.
Woman Who Attempted to Smuggle Drugs Into Jail Waives Hearing
CLEARFIELD – A Fallentimber woman accused of trying to smuggle narcotics into her incarcerated boyfriend waived her right to a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.
Patricia Louise Waite, 19, is waived charges of delivery of a controlled substance and contraband into the Court of Common Pleas.
Click here for that story.
Drug Bust on Interstate 80 Nets Two
GRAHAM TOWNSHIP – Two Arizona men were arrested on Interstate 80 on Tuesday morning on drug charges.
Daryl J. Taylor, 26, and Michael J. Amodeo, 47, both of Tucson, were stopped for a traffic violation. The stop led to a consent to search the vehicle that revealed 40 pounds of marijuana; a stolen, loaded .45 caliber handgun, about 10 grams of crystal methamphetamine, paraphernalia and $4,219 in cash. Amodeo was found to have an outstanding bench warrant out of Westmoreland County.
For that story click here.
Motion Granted in Upcoming Cocaine Trial
CLEARFIELD – A motion submitted by defense attorney Steve Jarrett on behalf of his client Arnulfo Ureste to prevent clear and present danger to counsel, jurors, court personnel and the general public was granted in principle by Clearfield County Judge Paul E. Cherry on Tuesday. Jarrett expressed concern about the quantity of drugs to be brought into the courtroom during trial.
The judge, Jarrett and F. Cortez “Chip” Bell III, first assistant district attorney, discussed the motion briefly in sidebar. Conversation on the motion was not heard on the record. Copies of the motion had been provided to the media prior to Tuesday’s session of motion’s court by Jarrett.
Click here for that story.
Possible Grievance on the Way for DAEA
DUBOIS – DuBois Area School Board President Lloyd McCreight wanted to let the public aware of a possible situation between the board and the DuBois Area Educaion Association.
He wants a meeting with the DAEA, or else.
For that story click here.
Clearfield Chamber of Commerce Director Stepping Down
CLEARFIELD – She has spent the last four years promoting business and industry in the greater Clearfield area, but in a new venture, Janice Aleksivich will promote a Curwensville company.
Aleksivich will step down as director of the Clearfield Chamber of Commerce in the near future and will begin a new undertaking as marketing and advertising director for Lezzer Lumber Co. Inc. in Curwensville.
Click here for that story.
Suspected Arsonist Waives Hearing
CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield man accused of arson and reckless endangerment waived his right toa preliminary hearing on Wednesday.
Jerry Wayne Miller, 27, is charged with four counts of arson, recklessly endangering another person, criminal mischief and related charges.
According to court documents Lawrence Township Police were dispatched for a structure fire on March 18 at the Voyager Motel. Clearfield County Control indicated that there may have been entrapment at the scene, as caller said that Miller was making threats to harm himself.
For that story click here.
Police Release Photos of Suspect in Stolen Credit/Debit Card Investigation
WOODLAND – A wallet was reported missing from a Coalport Borough vehicle, and state police are now looking to the public to apprehend a man who might have been involved.
On Sept. 20, a wallet was taken from Coalport. One day later, a group of children found the wallet in a nearby stream. Missing were several debit and credit cards. On that same day, someone made about $500 in purchases at stores in Altoona using the stolen cards.
Click here for that story.
Clearfield Woman Sentenced for Endangering Children
CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield woman was sentenced to 45 days in Clearfield County Jail for endangering the welfare of her children.
Connie English was also sentenced to two years probation on that charge, shall not drink alcoholic beverages or enter Establishments that serve alcoholic beverages. She was also ordered by Clearfield County Judge Paul E. Cherry to complete the Nurturing Program at the Children’s Aid Society.
For that story click here.
Man Accused of Fleeing Police Sentenced
CLEARFIELD – A 23-year-old Hyde resident pleaded guilty to stealing candy bars and Swedish fish from the Hyde Uni-Mart.
Ricky Lucas was sentenced to time served, two years probation, was ordered not to enter the Hyde Uni-Mart, and submit to DNA testing on a charge of criminal trespass. On a charge of escape, Lucas was sentenced to two years of concurrent probation.
“It wasn’t worth if for the Swedish fish, was it,” Clearfield County Judge Paul E. Cherry asked Ricky.
Click here for that story.
Ramey Native Promoted to PSP Lieutenant
HARRISBURG – State Police Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller promoted Gregory M. Bacher of Houtzdale, Clearfield County, to lieutenant and assigned him as commander of the Investigative Services Section in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Harrisburg.
Bacher, 44, most recently served as supervisor of the Criminal Investigation Section at Troop G, Hollidaysburg.
A native of Ramey, Clearfield County, Bacher enlisted in the State Police in 1984. Following his training at the State Police Academy in Hershey, he was assigned to Troop F, Montoursville.
For that story click here.