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.
First Digital Projector Installed at Ritz
CLEARFIELD – On June 5-6, the first digital projector was installed at the Ritz Theater in downtown Clearfield.
On the evening of June 5, viewers got their first taste of the Dolby sound and digital projection during the installation team’s trial run of Godzilla. The first movie to come in digital will be “X-Men.”
On June 6, Bob Knepp, theater owner, and his staff, received demonstrations on the new digital projection equipment.
DuBois Man Sentenced in Child Pornography Case
CLEARFIELD – A DuBois man accused of sharing child pornography on his computer was recently sentenced during plea and sentencing court in Clearfield County.
James J. Gearhart, 42, 360 Cain Rd., DuBois, pleaded guilty to 15 counts of sexual abuse of children and one count each of criminal use of communication facility and possessing instruments of crime. He was sentenced to six months to one year in jail and two years consecutive probation.
He was fined $1,550 plus costs. He was also ordered to complete the Project Point of Light Program. After an assessment by the sex offender’s board, it was determined he is not a sexually violent predator.
Three Pennsylvania Troopers Presented with Heroism Award
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania State Police recently announced that three state troopers have received the Pennsylvania Narcotics Officers’ Association Heroism Award.
State Police Cpl. Dennis D. Ulery of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation – Drug Law Enforcement Division, Cpl. Joseph Alessandro of Troop A – Greensburg and Trooper Dustin Sosak of Troop G – Hollidaysburg were presented the award for their selfless actions in rescuing Trooper Bradley Wilson, who was shot during the execution of a drug search warrant on Sept. 26, 2013.
This is only the fourth time in the Pennsylvania Narcotic Officers’ Association 25-year history that the Heroism Award has been given out.
Low-interest Deadline Approaches for PIDA & MELF Loans
CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Economic Development Corp. (CCEDC) has announced that it’s not too late to take advantage of the low-interest promotional opportunities with two major industrial development long-term financing programs that offer assistance for commercial and industrial businesses in Clearfield County.
Rob Swales, CCEDC chief executive officer, announced special promotions occurring with two long-term financing programs at the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) loan program and the Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund (MELF).
WJAC-TV: PA House Expected to Debate ‘Hybrid’ Pension Plan
HARRISBURG (AP) — A proposal backed by Gov. Tom Corbett to overhaul Pennsylvania’s pensions for future state and school employees is up for discussion in the state House of Representatives.
The proposal sponsored by Republican Rep. Mike Tobash is among a number of amendments scheduled to be debated Tuesday.
Tobash’s amendment would combine a limited traditional, defined-benefit pension with a 401(k)-style defined-contribution plan that would provide a smaller benefit than employees get under the present system.
Curwensville Man Sentenced to State Prison in Sexual Assault Case
CLEARFIELD – A 51-year-old Curwensville man, Richard Coy Bennett Jr., was sentenced to state prison for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy, announced Clearfield County District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. today.
On April 26, 2013, Cpl. Adam Gibson of the Pennsylvania State Police filed a criminal complaint against Bennett. He charged Bennett with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse; statutory sexual assault; sexual assault; corruption of minors; indecent assault; and selling or furnishing liquor or malt or brewed beverages to minors.
Allenbaugh Scholarship Established at Penn State DuBois
DUBOIS – In order to support Penn State DuBois students, William and Nancy Allenbaugh of DuBois have established the William and Nancy Allenbaugh Scholarship.
The scholarship will provide recognition and financial assistance to outstanding undergraduate students who are enrolled, or plan to enroll in the Human Development and Family Studies program at Penn State DuBois, who also have a need for funds to help cover college expenses.
Salary Board to Further Deliberate Prothonotary’s Request
CLEARFIELD – Yesterday, members of the Clearfield County Salary Board approved extending a temporary, part-time clerk in the Prothonotary’s office until next month’s meeting when they will further deliberate the status of the position.
Prothonotary Brian K. Spencer initially requested the salary board’s consideration to upgrade the temporary, part-time clerk position in his office to a full-time position. Or, he said he hoped it would at least consider an extension of the temporary, part-time clerk position, which was scheduled to dissolve June 30.
The temporary, part-time clerk position, he said, was capped at 600 hours, or six months, whichever came first. He said the clerk was to be paid out of the $7,000 budgeted for overtime and as of May 24, the clerk had worked 515 hours. Also, he said the clerk had been paid approximately $4,200 and his office had paid out another $1,500 in overtime.
Reynoldsville Man Leads State Police on High-speed Pursuit
WINSLOW TOWNSHIP – A 34-year-old Reynoldsville man, Bradley W. Rhodes, led DuBois-based state police on a high-speed pursuit on Monday.
State police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a motorcycle for a vehicle code violation. Rhodes then allegedly fled at a high rate of speed, leading state police on a pursuit that covered two municipalities.
EAB Grants Remand of Proposed Brady Twp. Disposal Injection Well Permit
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) has granted a motion from the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the voluntary remand to allow reconsideration of a permit decision for a proposed disposal injection well in Brady Township.
Windfall Oil & Gas of Falls Creek has proposed a frack/brine fluid disposal injection well to be located on Highland Street Extension in Brady Township. Frank Zelman is the landowner and lease holder with Windfall Oil & Gas.
In Pennsylvania, a Class 2 disposal injection well requires an EPA Underground Injection Control (UIC) permit. It also requires a state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) well drilling permit.
School Van Driver Accused of Showing up at CAMS after Smoking Marijuana Waives Hearing
CLEARFIELD – A school van driver accused of arriving at the Clearfield Area Middle School after smoking marijuana waived her right to a preliminary hearing during Centralized Court on Wednesday at the Clearfield County Jail.
Geraldine Elaine Bratton, 44, of Morrisdale has been charged with DUI; endangering the welfare of children; recklessly endangering another person; careless driving; possession of marijuana; and use/possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, at approximately 2:50 p.m. March 18, Lawrence Township police received information about a known female school van driver, Bratton. She had allegedly been seen smoking marijuana in the Clearfield Mall parking lot.
Clearfield Couple Headed to Trial for Allegedly Buying Synthetic Marijuana Online
CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield couple accused of buying synthetic marijuana online waived their rights to preliminary hearings during Centralized Court on Wednesday at the Clearfield County Jail.
Amber Renee Dick, 33, and Scott Allen Hockenberry, 37, both of Clearfield, have been charged with conspiracy/manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver; manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver; intentional possession of a controlled substance and use/possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, an agent received information about the sales of synthetic marijuana from an apartment on Park Avenue in Lawrence Township. Further, the agent learned that Dick and Hockenberry had allegedly purchased synthetic marijuana online, and the parcels would be shipped to their Park Avenue address.
Police: 17-year-old Male Accused of Rape
CLEARFIELD – A 17-year-old male has been accused of rape and related offenses, reported the Lawrence Township police today.
Police were dispatched to Clearfield Penn Highlands regarding an alleged rape incident. Upon arrival police found two female victims who were being treated in the emergency department.
Man Charged with Aggravated Assault after Alleged Knife Incident
PHILIPSBURG – A 58-year-old man was taken into custody on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person and harassment after an alleged incident involving a knife in the early morning hours Thursday on North 10th Street in Philipsburg Borough.
Local Wildland Firefighters Prepared for Deployment
PENFIELD – Wildland firefighters from the Moshannon State Forest are prepared to deploy out-of-state on an as-needed basis, according to Wayne Wynick, assistant district forester.
“We are at the beginning of what might prove to be a busy season,” he said. “The status of drought conditions and thousands of acres of insect-killed trees in a number of locations throughout the western United States makes the deployment of some of these resources a near certainty before the summer is over.”
Clearfield Borough Reviews Bids for Daisy Street Paving
CLEARFIELD – Last night, the Clearfield Borough Council opened bids for the proposed Daisy Street paving project.
Bids received included: Glenn O. Hawbaker – $96,792.60; HRI Inc. – $102,520; Jefferson – $98,645.34; and New Enterprise Inc. – $86,669.16. Bids are much higher than Engineer Todd Banks’ previously estimated cost of $63,000.
Borough Operations Manager Leslie Stott said the bids will be reviewed by borough engineer, Stiffler, McGraw and Associates Inc. and awarded at the regular meeting next week. It was noted the street crew will begin work on storm drains and curbing on Daisy Street next week in preparation for paving.
