The GantDaily.com weekly reload gives readers a look back upon the most noteworthy stories of their work week. It contains the big headlines, as well as a few stories you might have missed. It might even include a story or two of the lighter side.
The GantDaily.com reload will be posted each weekend for your perusal. For most part, the reload will be filled with local headlines, but every now and again, a state, world or national story will make the list.
PHOTOS: Garage Fire in Curwensville
CURWENSVILLE – Firefighters responded to a first-alarm structure fire Sunday night at Rowles Garage on Filbert Street in Curwensville.
Judge Rejects Guilty Plea in Cemetery Vandalism Case
CLEARFIELD – A guilty plea by a Clearfield man accused of vandalizing an area cemetery has been rejected in Clearfield County Court.
Darrin Robert Thompson, 26, 108 High St., Clearfield, an inmate of state prison, was pleading guilty to institutional vandalism, criminal conspiracy, intentional desecration of public monument, intentionally desecrate historic burial lot or place, criminal mischief, public drunkenness and two counts of selling or furnishing liquor or malt or brewed beverages to minors.
Solensky to Present History of Air Mail
DUBOIS – Seventy-five years ago, DuBois and Clearfield counties were a part of history. On May 14, 1939, DuBois and Clearfield were both stops on the newly conceived air mail pickup route, one where the planes did not land but snagged the mail while in flight.
PSP: More than $14K Stolen from Fire Company
PHILIPSBURG – One person has been accused of forging checks and stealing more than $14,000 from the Reliance Fire Company, Philipsburg, between Jan. 28 and March 25.
According to the state police at Philipsburg, a known Philipsburg male wrote 35 checks from the fire company’s checking account. Further, the checks totaled $14,496.95.
Treasure Lake Fire Ruled Accidental
SANDY TOWNSHIP – A Treasure Lake fire has been ruled accidental, according to the state police at Ridgway. The fire occurred at 1:25 p.m. today at 133 Greater Inagua Ct., Treasure Lake in Sandy Township.
CRC Receives Grant to Help Local Theater
CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield Revitalization Corp. (CRC) has received $30,000 in Redevelopment Grant-to-Loan funding from the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to assist the Ritz Theater in its transition to digital technology.
Verdict Expected Today in Aggravated Assault Trial
CLEARFIELD – The verdict is expected today in the trial for a Houtzdale woman who has been accused of throwing a beer bottle and seriously injuring another woman at a birthday party in August of 2012.
Sabrina C. Gardner, 23, of Houtzdale has been charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. Clearfield County President Judge Fredric Ammerman is presiding over the trial.
April 21 is Deadline to Register to Vote in Pennsylvania Primary
HARRISBURG – Secretary of the Commonwealth Carol Aichele has reminded Pennsylvanians that April 21, is the last day to register to vote for the May 20 primary election.
In the primary election, voters will nominate candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, U.S. House of Representatives, state House and Senate, and will elect members to Republican and Democratic state committees.
State Police to Accept Expired, Unwanted Prescription Medication
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania State Police will accept unwanted, expired and unused prescription drugs on April 26, as part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Take-Back Day is a national initiative, conducted in partnership with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), aimed at encouraging the public to dispose of expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs that are prone to abuse and theft.
Thompson Announces Agriculture Grant Opportunities for Beginning Farmers
BELLEFONTE – U.S. Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-5) has announced a grant opportunity to help train and educate the next generation of agricultural producers through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP).
“The recent Farm Bill reformed and improved many important programs, including the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program,” stated Thompson.
CLEARFIELD – The Friends of the Shaw Public Library started its annual fund drive on Monday.
The Friends have set a goal to raise $15,000 during the 2014 campaign and hope the community can assist them in meeting and exceeding their target amount.
Teamwork Key to Success at Children’s Advocacy Center
UNIVERSITY PARK – Recent legislation enacted in Pennsylvania to protect children and prevent child abuse and neglect will substantially strengthen the efforts of Centre County’s new — and first — children’s advocacy center.
The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) of Centre County opened in February and shares a building and partnership with Mount Nittany Health.
Fair Concert/Gate Special Ends Today
CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Fair concert/gate ticket special ends today. Concert tickets purchased by the end of the day will include free gate admission, reminded Brenda Morgan, fair marketing/promotions director.
Tickets can be ordered online via the official fair Web site, www.clearfieldcountyfair.com. Tickets purchased after today will require a separate gate pass.
Woman Found Guilty of Simple Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person
CLEARFIELD – A jury deliberated for approximately 45 minutes yesterday before finding a 23-year-old Houtzdale woman, Sabrina C. Gardner, not guilty of aggravated assault. She was found guilty of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.
The charges stemmed from an incident at a birthday party on Aug. 18, 2012. After an argument, Gardner yelled at the victim who turned around. At that point, Gardner “whipped” a beer bottle at the victim, causing severe injuries to her left eyeball and mouth, according to testimony given yesterday.
PSP: Bomb Threat Found on Bathroom Wall at P-O
PHILIPSBURG – A bomb threat was written on the bathroom wall and found Tuesday at the Philipsburg-Osceola Area High School, reported the state police at Philipsburg.
Bomb dogs responded to the scene from the Pennsylvania State Police and the Penn State police to search the school. The auditorium, state police, was searched first.
Corbett Signs Additional Child Protection Bills
AMBLER – Gov. Tom Corbett has signed into law four pieces of legislation that will further protect Pennsylvania’s children from child abuse.
The new laws will expand and further define mandatory reporters and the reporting process, increase penalties for those mandated to report suspected child abuse who fail to do so, and provide protections from employment discrimination for filing a good faith report of child abuse.
“I’m signing four crucial bills that demonstrate our commitment to helping protect innocent children from the monsters that would do them harm,” Corbett said.
Sheriff’s Office Releases First Quarter Activity
CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Sheriff’s Office has released its report of activity for the first quarter of 2014:
Sheriff’s real estate sales were conducted on three separate days, and a total of 74 properties were processed for sheriff’s sale. A total of 27 sales were actually completed with the remainder being stayed or continued.
Also, a total of 16 personal property sales were prepared. However, only two sales were completed with the remainder being stayed or continued.
Second Bomb Threat Found at P-O
PHILIPSBURG – For the second consecutive day, Philipsburg-Osceola Area High School officials found a written bomb threat, reported the state police at Philipsburg.
On Wednesday, school officials contacted the state police after finding another bomb threat directed at the school. The school, state police said, was subsequently evacuated for a thorough search of the building and grounds with several K9s trained in explosives detection.
U.S. Jobless Claims Rose 2K to 304K in Week Ended April 12
Nathan Andrada – Fourth Estate Cooperative Contributor
Washington, DC, United States (4E) – The number of people who filed claims for unemployment benefits in the U.S. climbed slightly last week but stayed near the lowest level in seven years, a sign of improvement in the job market.
Gabler: WhiteWave Purchases former International Custom Products Building
DUBOIS – State Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk) is applauding Colorado-based WhiteWave Food Company’s decision to purchase the former International Custom Products building on Oklahoma Salem Road in Sandy Township.
The move by WhiteWave, which produces brand names Alpro, Earthbound Farm, Horizon and Silk, will create more than 100 new jobs at the former site.
Bomb Threat Found at P-O Middle School
CHESTER HILL – A bomb threat was found today at the Philipsburg-Osceola Middle School in Chester Hill Borough, reported the state police at Clearfield.
State police were notified about a suspicious note found at the school and immediately responded with multiple bomb dogs. State police initiated an investigation by clearing the school and finding it safe.
Clearfield Borough Council Approves Paving List
CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield Borough Council reviewed paving projects last night as recommended by the Street Department and approved the list for bid.
Borough Operations Manager Leslie Stott said Community Development Block Grant funds will be used for some of the proposed paving projects. Streets under CDBG funding include High Street to the borough line and onto Byers and Daisy streets from 10th to 14th streets.
Five CNB Employees Hold Combined 200-Plus Years in Banking
CLEARFIELD – Five, long-time employees of CNB Bank, Robin L. Hay, Edward H. Proud, Larry A. Putt, Susan J. Shimmel and Dennis J. Sloppy were recognized for serving 40 or more years in the banking industry at the Pennsylvania Bankers Association (PBA) Spring Summit Group 6 meeting held on April 9 at the Calvin House in Duncansville.
