The News Team was busy this week. We brough you coverage of the ongoing dispute between Clearfield Borough’s mayor and council, charges being filed against a Fifth Congressional District candidate and a fatal fire in Kersey.
We also brought you news regarding the status of Clearfield Borough’s fire companies, a proposed gift to Clearfield Borough, a former president visiting the area, and the hearing for a man accused of selling cocaine in the area.
For these stories and more keep reading the GantDaily Weekly Reload.
5CD Candidate Walker Facing Criminal Charges
CLEARFIELD – Six days before the primary, Fifth Congressional District Republican candidate Derek Walker has been charged criminally.
Walker faces burglary, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, stalking and related charges.
According to court documents, the criminal complaint was filed on Thursday, April 17.
It is alleged that on Aug. 25, 2007 officers Vince McGinnis and Nathan Curry were called to meet with a Clearfield woman.
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And …
Walker Releases Statement Regarding Charges
CLEARFIELD – Fifth Congressional District candidate Derek Walker released the following statement regarding the charges filed against him:
“These charges are false. The entire matter is politically motivated — any thinking citizen in our area understands that charges of this nature brought 5 days before an election are clearly motivated by politics.
I have never had a conversation or been questioned by the DA or any representative from his office. I am confident that the residents of our region will see this entire matter for what it is — politics at its worst.”
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Fatality Under Investigaiton in Kersey
KERSEY – Ridgway-based state police reported that a state police fire marshal, members of the Depeartment of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Fox Township fire chief conducted an investigation into a brush fire that claimed the life of a Kersey man Thursday morning.
According to police 85-year-old Milton Badeau was tending a controlled burn when the fire escaped the burn area and began to consume natural cover in the vicinity.
Badeau attempted to extinguish the fire with a garden tool but was overcome by smoke and flame, according to police. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Elk County Deputy Coroner Robert Sorg.
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Bill Clinton Touts his Wife’s Presidential Qualifications
CLEARFIELD – A small group began to form at about 2:30 p.m. and hours later grew to line the oval and street in front of the middle school, as local citizens awaited for former President Bill Clinton to tout his wife, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton’s qualifications to lead the nation at Thursday night’s “Solutions for America” event.
More than 800 filled the gymnasium’s bleacher seating, while hundreds more stood in a gated area. The estimated 1,000 attendees remained for nearly another two hours in anticipation of the former president’s arrival. Chants of “we want Bill” rang out and turned into a welcoming applause.
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Clearfield Borough Council Considers Novey’s Gift
CLEARFIELD – Clearfield Borough Council is considering what to do with a potential gift of land.
It was announced at Wednesday’s meeting that Gladys Novey and her son Martin are offering to gift their property, 2 W. Pine St., along the river, to the borough.
According to a letter from Timothy Durant, on behalf of his clients to the borough, the land is assessed at $63,000. The letter also states that the Novey’s intend to move their operations to their Martin Street property within the next 12 months.
According to the terms of the agreement, if the borough were to accept the gift, the property would be transferred ‘as is.’ The borough would have to agree to hold the grantor harmless and indemnify her against claims which may arise from prior use of the property.
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Clearfield Borough Mayor Responds to Police Station Security Policy
CLEARFIELD – Clearfield Borough Mayor Patty Gilliland responded Wednesday night to a recent Clearfield Borough Council decision to secure the Clearfield Borough Police Department.
Gilliland has stated in the past that she believes the measures limit her ability as mayor to perform her duties in relation to the police department. The borough enacted the new policy in March. According to the policy no person outside the working staff of the Clearfield Borough Police Department will be allowed to enter the department’s secured areas without a police escort. At no time shall any person outside the sworn officers of this department and the clerical staff be permitted within the secured sections of the building unless they have an escort of uniformed personnel, clerical staff or the chief of police.
The mayor stated in her report that under the borough code, the mayor shall have full charge and control of the chief of police and the police force. Gilliland stated that the mayor is the head of the police department and should be recognized as that by the borough employees. She asked that council convey that to the chief and that the chief contact the mayor with concerns.
For that story click here.
Three Construction Projects in Clearfield Borough’s Future
CLEARFIELD – Clearfield Borough will be busy with construction activity in the coming months.
Jim Kling, code enforcement officer for Clearfield Borough and an engineer representing JJ Powell discussed JJ Powell’s plans to construct a new building in the Clearfield County Technology Park. The building will at the end of the park new the Lawrence Township Line and will replace the companies existing facilities near Clearfield Bank & Trust.
Kling noted two issues with the project. The first was an area for the stormwater drainage. Kling stated that JJ Powell intends to use a system that was part of the old Harbison Walker site. Kling said the problem is that system is loaded with silt.
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Clearfield Fire Department Merger Topic of Discussion at Council Meeting
CLEARFIELD – On Wednesday night the majority of Clearfield Borough Council approves supporting the Clearfield Fire Department merger of the four companies into one department using a one-building concept.
The issue was last discussed at Clearfield Borough Council’s committees meetings last week.
Council member Barry Reddinger asked Fire Chief Brett Owens if all four companies were for the move.
“I would say the bulk of the membership is,” replied Owens.
For that story click here.
Pittsburgh Man has Hearing on Drug Charges
CLEARFIELD – A man accused of possessing and delivering cocaine had charges held to court following a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.
Jerome Brown of Pittsburgh is charged with two knowing or intentionally possessing a controlled substance by a person not registered, four counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of criminal use of a communication facility.
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Altoona Reverend’s Body Found in Bilger’s Rocks
CURWENSVILLE – A death investigation is currently underway after a man’s body was found Tuesday morning in Bilger’s Rocks Park, the DuBois State Police reported today.
According to the police report, the Rev. Fred L. Romig passed away between 2:30 p.m. Monday and 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
For that story click here.
More Charges Filed Against Dr. Larry Adams
STATE COLLEGE – Dr. Larry Adams was charged Monday related to an ongoing drug investigation of his alleged involvement in illegal activity with pre scri ption narcotics. This is the third round of charges Adams is facing in this case.
Attorney General Tom Corbett said that Adams, 48, 100 Hillcrest St. Philipsburg, is already facing 49 counts from two previous sets of drug charges stemming from a grand jury investigation last summer that found that Adams illegally prescribed narcotics to two drug-dependent people in return for cash and other favors.
Corbett said that these new charges came about when the investigation revealed two new witnesses who said that Adams liberally prescribed narcotics to them in return for favors.
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Top of the Line Motors Men Sentenced to State Prison
CLEARFIELD – Two men were sentenced to state prison for deceptive business practices in relation to their automobile business.
Jerry Miles Jr. and Jerry Miles Sr. of Top of the Line Motors in DuBois were sentenced to three-to-eight years in state prison with five years of probation to run consecutive to the prison terms. The men also received a number of concurrent probation and prison sentences. Both men were also sentenced for multiple charges of bad checks. Both men were ordered to submit to DNA testing and pay fines and court costs.
Both men were also ordered to pay restitution. Jerry Miles Jr.’s restitution total was $423,502 and Jerry Miles Sr.’s restitution total was in the amount of $426,995.
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