Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

HARRISBURG - Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane, Acting State Police Commissioner Marcus Brown and Federal Bureau of Investigation representatives today announced that murder charges have been filed against a Beaver County man accused of killing Katherine “Kathy” Dolan Heckel of Lock Haven, Clinton County, in 1991. Loyd Groves Loyd Groves, 65, 239 Fourth St., Beaver, Beaver County, has been arrested and charged with one count of murder in the first degree and one count of murder in the third degree related to Heckel’s disappearance 24 years ago. “For more than two decades, investigators have worked to bring to justice the man responsible for Kathy Heckel’s disappearance,” Attorney General Kane said. “This is a testament to the commitment and collaborative efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. We hope that the arrest of Loyd Groves brings some relief to her family, friends and colleagues. We will fiercely pursue these charges.” The Office of Attorne...

People driving at 70 mph on Interstate 80 can start doing it legally next month – at least on parts of the road. 88 miles of I-80 – from Exit 101 in DuBois to mile marker 189 in Clinton County will have the 70 mph limit starting August 11. News Release: Pennsylvania moved ahead with steps to make travel more efficient today as the Pa. Turnpike activated its 70 mph speed limit from Blue Mountain (Interchange 201) to Morgantown (Interchange 298) and PennDOT announced it will launch 70 mph pilot projects on a pair of interstates next month. “As we increase the speed limit on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, motorists need to increase their restraint behind the wheel accordingly,” said Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “Remember, even though we’re increasing the speed limit, motorists still must obey the law and drive safety. After all, 70 mph is the maximum speed, not the mandatory speed.” The Turnpike’s new 70 mph signs were put in place yesterday; it took Turnpike maintenance employees about s...

Two people have been arrested in connection to the burglary at Perry’s Corner Store in Austin last week. 24-year-old Evan Heller of Renovo and 29-year-old Shawna Shay of Milesburg are each charged with burglary, theft, receiving stolen property, prohibited possession of a firearm and criminal mischief. State police say with the help of the US Marshal Service, several other state police agencies and the federal bureau of alcohol, tobacco and firearms they were able to find Heller and Shay and items linking them to the burglary. Heller is in Potter County Jail. Shay is in Clinton County Jail. Their bail is a quarter of a million dollars each. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Last week we told you about projects in Bradford and Potter County that will be receiving money to improve availability and affordability of housing. Today, Senator Joe Scarnati sent us list that includes seven additional projects. According to Scarnati the $1,303,653 awarded within the 25th Senatorial District is part of more than $8.45 million being distributed to groups in a total of 22 counties through this round of funding. Scarnati explained that the funding comes from Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Fund and Marcellus Shale impact fees. The PHARE program is administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency which works to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for older adults, low and moderate income families and people with special housing needs. “As the need for housing within our region continues to grow, it is essential that we make sure our communities have the support that they need to ensure peo...

By Travis Lau PA Game Commission Year after year, Labor Day weekend kicks off a period of increased activity on Pennsylvania’s elk range. As elk begin ramping up their routines ahead of peak bugling season, visitors flock in greater numbers to areas where they can see the wild spectacle unfold. In a typical year, an estimated 75,000 to 100,000 people visit Elk County alone during the two-month span between Labor Day and Halloween. But 2013 isn’t a typical year in regard to Pennsylvania’s elk. Rather, it’s an extraordinary one. This year marks the 100th anniversary of efforts to restore elk to Pennsylvania, and in commemoration of that landmark anniversary, special events are planned each weekend through Columbus Day at sites on the elk range. With the added attractions and excitement over the anniversary, it’s hard to say how many people might make Pennsylvania’s elk country a destination this year. But there seems this year to be even more of a buzz than usual surroundin...

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Game Commission officials today announced that 52 elk were harvested by the 65 hunters awarded elk licenses for the recently concluded 2012 elk hunt, which was held Nov. 5-10. Of that total, 19 were antlered and 33 were antlerless. The heaviest antlered elk was taken by Richard Tratthen, Jr., of Scott Township, Lackawanna County. He took a 840-pound (estimated live weight), 8x8 on Nov. 7, in Jay Township, Elk County. Other large antlered elk (all estimated live weights) were: Robin Carleton of Mansfield, Tioga County, took a 775-pound 7x7 on Nov. 7 in Covington Township, Clearfield County; Roger Rummel of Nanty Glo, Cambria County, took a 758-pound, 7x7 on Nov. 8, in Covington Township, Clearfield County; Charles Ulrich of Allenwood, Union County, took a 729-pound 7x7 on Nov. 5 in Karthus Township, Clearfield County; and Charles Cahill, Jr., of Upper Darby, Delaware County, took a 720-pound 6x6 on Nov. 7 in Covington Township, Clearfield County. ...

A Lycoming County man was charged today by agents from the Attorney General's Environmental Crimes Protection Section with illegally dumping well production water - commonly known as brine. Attorney General Linda Kelly identified the defendant as John Elwood Marsh, 47, 6 Drake Lane, Jersey Shore, Lycoming County. Marsh is a tanker truck driver for Gas Field Specialists, Inc., which is a subcontractor to Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. Kelly said that Marsh is responsible for hauling "gas buster tanks," which are tanks used to hold gas well production water (brine) after it is extracted from wells. According to the criminal complaint, on Feb. 1, 2012 Marsh's truck became caught in the mud along a rural road in Clinton County causing his gas buster tank to become stuck in a ditch. In order to lighten the tanks and try and move the trailer from the ditch Marsh allegedly opened a discharge valve on the back of the trailer. The charges state that the valve, which was open ...

Harrisburg - The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources today named John Hecker as manager of the Moshannon State Forest District based in Clearfield County. He formerly headed silviculture and timber management at the Bureau of Forestry’s headquarters in Harrisburg. “John brings a wealth of technical and administrative skills to his new post after having served most admirably in a variety of prior forestry positions,” said Bureau of Forestry Director Daniel Devlin. “His interpersonal skills will be a strong asset as he works with district employees, residents and state forest visitors.” Heading one of 20 state forest districts across the state, Hecker will oversee forestgrowth management, personnel coordination, infrastructure maintenance and fire prevention and suppression. He also will manage service foresters who provide support, direction and technical assistance to private forest landowners. Headquartered in Penfield, Clearfield County, Moshannon State Forest District i...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) filed an amendment with Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) to a must-pass bill that would restore Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) status to 16 rural Pennsylvania counties. The special designation helps small businesses in rural Pennsylvania gain access to federal contract opportunities which helps grow their businesses and create jobs in the region. “The unemployment rate may have ticked down slightly, but the economy is still incredibly hard for middle class families in rural Pennsylvania. This program helps our businesses grow and we must fight to keep it in place,” said Senator Casey. “Right now the government needs to be doing everything it can to help our small businesses, not pull the rug out from under them. My amendment would put Pennsylvania’s small businesses back in this program, and I’ll be making a strong push to get it included in the final bill.” Citing a reduced unemployment rate, the Small Business Admini...

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, and Lycoming counties as natural disaster areas due to drought and excessive heat that occurred June 1st through August 30th, 2011, according to U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson. Farmers and producers in the contiguous counties of Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clinton, Crawford, Forest, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin, Potter, Tioga and Warren also qualify for natural disaster assistance. "It’s vitally important that our producers are able to overcome these difficult circumstances and continue providing food and fuel to our communities and local economies," said Representative Thompson. “Those among our rural communities and farmers that have been disproportionately impacted by these disasters should utilize this support.” Producers in both primary and contiguous counties are eligible to be considered for Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans (EM) and the Supplemental Rev...