What a week! The News Team brought you coverage of a Michigan woman accused of trafficking drugs, the Sandy Township Supervisors’ stance against Treasure Lake’s desire to become a borough and Clearfield School District’s superintendent resigning.
We also brought you coverage of a former Congressional candidate’s guilty plea, a meeting concerning water infrastructure and a Wallaceton man being sentenced to state prison.
For these stories and more keep reading the GantDaily Weekly Reload and have a safe Memorial Day.
Walker Pleads Guilty to Misdemeanor Charges
CLEARFIELD – Former Congressional candidate Derek Walker waived his right to a preliminary hearing and entered a plea of guilt to misdemeanor charges prior to his planned preliminary hearing date.
Court records indicated that Walker entered a guilty plea to disorderly conduct, invasion of privacy, harassment and defiant trespass. He was fined $399 and placed on one year of supervised probation. He is to have no contact with the victim or her family.
For that story click here.
Michigan Woman Busted on I-80 with Drugs has Hearing
CLEARFIELD – A Michigan woman accused of trafficking drugs through Clearfield County will have her charges held to court following a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.
Laverna March is charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, intentionally possessing a controlled or counterfeit substance by a person not registered, use or possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked.
State trooper Eric Guido testified that while on Interstate 80 westbound he attempted to pass a vehicle. He noticed that the plate on the vehicle was not securely attached, and subsequently initiated a traffic stop.
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Keltz, Barnett Resigns from CASD
CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield Area School District Board of Directors saw the resignation of both Superintendent Dr. Denise Keltz and Business Manager Jason Barnett at a special meeting Monday night. Both Keltz and Barnett had their resignations approved unanimously by the board.
Keltz served the district for four years. Her resignation, which is for retirement purposes, goes into effect Aug. 18.
“I’ve had a great experience here,” she said.
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Sandy Supers Against Proposed Treasure Lake Borough
DUBOIS – On Monday night the Sandy Township Supervisors took a stance against Treasure Lake’s efforts to become a borough.
The supervisors voted to aggressively oppose any action taken by Treasure Lake to become a borough. Supervisor Jim Jeffers abstained.
Township manager Dick Castonguay gave the supervisors touched on some of the issues that Treasure Lake and the township may be facing.
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Wallaceton Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Crimes
CLEARFIELD – A 65-year-old Wallaceton man was sentenced to state prison for the indecent assault of a then-4-year-old child.
The victim’s mother asked the judge to impose the maximum penalty possible on Charles Ardel English Jr.
“I don’t think sending him to county jail will do anything,” she said.
The victim’s mother also told the judge how it affected both of her children.
She asked the judge to impose a state sentence on English and indicated that no amount of sentence would make up for what he had done.
“I can only take solace in the fact that he is an old man and will rot in hell,” the mother said.
For that story click here.
CASD Approves Tentative Budget Increase
CLEARFIELD – Due to a shortfall, the Clearfield Area School District Board of Directors approved a tentative increase in the 2008-09 budget Monday night.
“It’s only a tentative increase,” Board Vice President Dave Glass emphasized following the meeting.
Business Manager Jason Barnett told the board the district was going to lose about $80,000 in vocational education funding. He also said the final reimbursement for Girard-Goshen, which is certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, was actually a decrease.
“We have a $200,000 shortfall. That’s just under two mills,” he said. “It’s real difficult to deal with.”
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Clearfield Man gets Jail Time for Assault
CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield man was sentenced to 60 days in Clearfield County Jail after pleading guilty to simple assault.
According to court records police and emergency personnel were dispatched to the residence of Harry Lee Merritts. A paramedic noticed that Merritts was highly intoxicated and had blood on his hand and arm. The paramedic asked Merritts what happened, and Merritts reportedly responded he had “knocked a guy out in his kitchen.”
Officers entered the residence and found the alleged victim lying in a pool of blood on the kitchen floor. Officers also noted that there was blood on the kitchen table and wall above where they man was located.
For that story click here.
Panel Hears Opinions on State Water Infrastructure
DUBOIS – A panel of four from the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force listened to public input at DuBois’ Clarion Hotel near I-80 exit 97. The panel consisting of Terry Maenza filling in for Kathy Pape, John Hood, Thomas Kuhn and state Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 Houtzdale, serving as chairman for this meeting.
The purpose of this task force was to get input on the aging water infrastructure of Pennsylvania and ideas on how to handle it. In response, Governor Edward Rendell gave an executive order, 2008-02 as amended, to create the task force in order to have a report ready by October 1 on cost effective and a sustained investment in the systems for water and sewage infrastructures. Some other responsibilities include estimated repair, maintenance and upgrade costs. Possible funding sources through different means.
Three speakers approached the panel and one of the panel members presented their reports and analysis of the situation, some views coinciding and some differing.
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