The GM5 for April is here!
The top five news stories for April involved a former Fifth Congressional District Candidate, the mayor of Clearfield Borough responding to recently enacted security measures, police asking for the public’s help in finding two suspects, a statement by a former Fifth Congressional District candidate and a fatal fire in Brockway.
Keep reading the GM5 for a quick recap of these stories.
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.
The woman stated that there was a disturbance on the second floor of her apartment. She related to police that she and a male companion had entered her apartment after meeting at a local tavern. Both were long-time friends. When they entered her apartment at 2 a.m. the apartment was warm so they left the door open. The two began to talk and became intimate.
Several minutes passed before they allegedly heard Walker make a statement about the video ending her job. Both the woman and the man told police they saw Walker with a cell phone in his hand. They reported that they got the impression that Walker taped them.
For the rest of that story click here.
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.
Click here for that rest of that article.
Clearfield Borough Police Department Seeks Public’s Help
CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield Borough Police Department is requesting assistance in identifying the male and female in the picture who may have information concerning a theft that occured on April 11 at a business in Clearfield Borough.
For that story click here.
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.”
Click here for that story.
Multiple Fatalities Reported in Brockway Fire
BROCKWAY – State police in DuBois, in concunction with the Brockway Borough Police Department are investigating a fatal house fire that occurred on Pershing Avenue in Brockway.
According to state police the fire was reported tot he Jefferson County 911 Center at 2:42 a.m. Thursday morning. Police report that a single family home was destroyed and that there are multiple fatalities associated with the incident.
A press conference will be held later this afternoon at Brockwayville Depot in regard to this incident.
The Clearfield-Jefferson Chapter American Red Cross is providing its services to the surviving family members of the fire in Brockway. Health Services, Disaster Mental Health and Client Services volunteers are responding. Red Cross volunteers are also providing canteen services to the disaster workers.
For that article click here.