Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Several pre-schoolers suffered minor injuries, and a St. Marys man is dead after his car hit a school bus Thursday afternoon in Clearfield County. Police say 33-year-old Jason Trask was on Bennetts Valley Highway when his car went to the path of the school bus in the opposite lane. The bus driver, 37-year-old Chrystal Miller of Curwensville, tried to avoid the crash, but the vehicles collided in the middle of the road. Trask was pronounced dead at the scene. Miller was taken to Penn Highlands DuBois for treatment of unspecified injuries. 12 pre-schoolers were on the bus, but only a few suffered minor injuries. Police are waiting for toxicology reports before concluding their investigation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Bellefonte man has been sentenced to spend up to 18 months in jail and pay more than $20,000 in fines and costs after pleading guilty to poaching three bull elk in Clearfield County, one of them among the largest on record in Pennsylvania. 25-year-old Frank Buchanan Jr. poached the elk during two nights in September. The largest of the three bulls had a 10- by 9-point non-typical rack. If it had been legally taken, it would rank as Pennsylvania’s third-largest bull elk ever. Two other men charged in the incident waived their preliminary hearings. 46-year-old Jeffrey Bickle, also of Bellefonte, and 20-year-old Cody Lyons of Milesburg are due back in court November 19. Game Commission photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG – The state House on Monday unanimously passed legislation authored by state Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk) that would recognize the contributions of Clearfield and Elk County veterans to our communities and our country. House Bill 1135 now moves to Gov. Tom Corbett’s desk for his signature into law. “Officials from Huston Township and Johnsonburg Borough approached me about designating roadways in honor of our veterans, and it was a pleasure working with all of them to get this accomplished,” Gabler said. “Both communities are very proud of their veterans, and this is just another way to show that pride. It has been a pleasure working with the Huston Township supervisors, Johnsonburg Borough Council and Johnsonburg Mayor Theresa Cherry to enact this fitting tribute to our local veterans.” House Bill 1135 would designate the Route 153 bridge over the Bennett Branch in Penfield as the Huston Township Veterans Memorial Bridge. Additionally, it would re-name the ...

PennDOT will start line-painting operations next week in Clearfield County. On Monday they will be painting lines in both the eastbound and westbound lanes from mile marker 120 in Clearfield County to mile marker 139 in Centre County. On Tuesday, they plan to paint from mile marker 123 in Woodland to mile marker 96 in DuBois. Signs and flashing lights mounted on the back of the moving equipment will warn motorists of the painting operation. PennDOT says motorists should stay eight to 10 car lengths behind the painting equipment to avoid running over wet paint. They say running over wet lines is the only way to get paint on your vehicle. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

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...

HARRISBURG - Museums and historical societies in Pennsylvania have been awarded a total of $2 million for 130 grants, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25) and Speaker of the House Sam Smith (R-66). Scarnati explained that the grants were awarded as part of the state’s Cultural and Historical Support program, which is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC). The goal of the program is to strengthen the Pennsylvania museum community through providing general operating support to museums and official county historical societies that are not supported by other state agency funding programs. “Our Commonwealth is fortunate to have outstanding museums and historical societies across Pennsylvania,” Senator Scarnati said. “I am glad that these grants will help offer assistance to historical sites so that they can continue to provide excellent educational opportunities within our communities.” “Museums inspire curiosity and allow peo...

15 Fatalities in McKean County Last Year Harrisburg – The number of highway deaths on Pennsylvania roads tumbled to a record low last year when 1,208 were recorded, the lowest number since recordkeeping began in 1928, PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch announced today. “Though Pennsylvania has made significant progress in reducing highway crashes and deaths, our efforts to ensure that all travelers reach their destinations safely will remain paramount,” Schoch said. “However, our efforts cannot reach their potential if drivers refuse to do their part by observing traffic laws and always using common sense on our roads.” While the number of highway deaths dropped in many types of crashes, there were significant decreases noted in unbuckled, speeding and single vehicle run-off-the-road related deaths. Unbuckled fatalities dropped from 503 in 2012 to 425. Speeding-related fatalities also decreased from 262 in 2012 to 193 last year. Deaths attributed to single-vehicle, run-off-the-roa...

A man who stole more than 70 guns from a Clearfield County store has been sentenced in federal court to five years’ probation. 36-year-old Justin McElheny of Irvona stole the guns from December of 2007 to October of 2011. They included revolvers, pistols and rifles of various calibers. Prosecutors say, at the same time McElheny had the stolen guns he was unlawfully using Percocet, Oxycontin, Roxicet and Vicodin. http://www.justice.gov/usao/paw/news/2014/2014_march/2014_03_21_02.html The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Gov. Tom Corbett has signed a death warrant ordering a man be executed for the rape and murder of a 2-year-old Clearfield County girl in 1988. 55-year-old Stephen Rex Edmiston has maintained his innocence since he was convicted in 1989 in the abduction of Bobbi Jo Matthew from her home. The death warrant sets the execution for April 16, but more appeals are likely and that would push the date back. News Details The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Clearfield County man is dead after his own tractor-trailer ran him over Monday evening in Sergeant Township. Police say 72-year-old Melford Teats of Grassflat was standing in front of his truck tractor on Temple Drive at about 5:30 p.m. They believe he was looking into a mechanical issue when the rig rolled forward on top of his legs. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are continuing their investigation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

UPDATE: I-80 has re-opened. Clearfield – PennDOT advises drivers that Interstate 80 westbound near Penfield remains closed due to winter weather. The road is closed from mile-marker 113 to mile-marker 111. Additionally, I-80 eastbound from the DuBois/101 interchange to the Clearfield 120 interchange is now closed due to winter weather. Drivers are being detoured around these closures and PennDOT advises that detour routes are slow moving. PennDOT now expects the roadways to re-open by noon, depending on weather conditions and temperatures. PennDOT reminds drivers to use caution as they travel and give themselves extra travel time this morning. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Two facilities in the 25th Senatorial District have been awarded a total of $3.145 million in low-interest loans to make major improvements to their water systems, according to Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25). Scarnati said the loans were awarded through the state’s PENNVEST Program. The Emporium Water Company in Emporium, Cameron County, and the Huston Township Water Authority in Penfield, Clearfield County were selected to receive the funding. Emporium Water Company will utilize its $2.5 million loan to complete updates, including installation of a 10,000 gallon finished water tank, pump station and waterline in the Sylvan Heights area. A 500,000 gallon finished water tank and transmission will also be constructed near Britton Road in Shippen Township. The project includes rehabilitation of the Wheaton tank and system-wide upgrades as well. Huston Township Water Authority will use its $645,000 loan to install 18,550 feet of 8-inch plastic water mains, a new concrete met...

Part of Interstate 80 in Clearfield County was closed for about 11 hours today after a tanker caught on fire about three miles from Penfield. The tanker hauling powered lime caught fire at around 7 a.m. A two-mile stretch of road was closed before crews were able to open one lane. The lane restriction was between mile markers 114 and 116, according to PennDOT. The restrictions were lifted at about 6 p.m. No one was hurt. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A 17-year-old disabled youth from Warren had a dream come true in Clearfield County. Matt Bunk was hit by a truck at only 18 months of age leaving him partially paralyzed and only the use of his left arm. Matt has always wanted to go hunting but never thought he would get the chance to do so. In late September, thanks to the North Central PA Pheasants Forever Chapter 630’s Youth Foundation Hunt program, Matt was able to spend several days afield at Fork Ridge Ranch which is a new outdoor adventure and hunting complex near Frenchville. Pheasants Forever members provided Matt with ammunition, bird dogs and handlers, plus an ATV equipped with a special seat in front of the machine with an adjustable shooting rest. After some practice rounds and adjustments, Matt started his wing shooting adventure. Soon the dogs were pointing birds hiding in the dense cover. With some help from his brother Will, Matt was able to take aim and harvest several flushing pheasants and chukar part...

It was an unusual sight at Penn State DuBois on Wednesday as more than two dozen male students walked together around campus wearing red high heels. The walk also took them off campus, and down Liberty Boulevard, as women showing their support to the cause walked alongside the guys to cheer them on. The men were participating in 'Walk a Mile in Her Shoes', a men's march meant to raise awareness of the battle against rape, sexual assault, and gender violence. The event was organized by Passages of Clarion, Clearfield and Jefferson Counties, in conjunction with the Penn State DuBois Office of Student Life. The idea behind the march is to get men more involved in issues surrounding sex crimes. "Most of the time people think of sexual violence as a women's issue, but men are really the ones who can make a difference," said April Fleck, a prevention educator with Passages. "We want men to become aware of what they can do to step in and stop these th...

One of the people involved in a fiery car crash on September 21 in Clearfield County has passed away. 48-year-old Rebecca Towne of Ridgway died last night from severe injuries she sustained in the crash. Towne, her husband and two of her children, along with the other driver, were all trapped inside their vehicles and were pulled out by witnesses. Towne was an on-air personality at The Hound radio station in Ridgway. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A man who unlawfully shot a bull elk will spend a year on probation, and must also pay a fine of $5,000 to replace the trophy elk. 18-year-old Timothy Lee Gormont of Clearfield shot the elk with a rifle on July 15 in Lawrence Township in Clearfield County and left it there. In August he was charged with unlawful killing or taking of big game. Gormont was also fined $500 to compensate the state for a reward given to a witness who came forward in the case. Photo provided by the Clearfield County DA's office . Regional Wildlife Management Supervisor Anthony Ross officially measured the antlers to determine the elk’s Boone and Crockett score. The antlers for the unlawfully killed elk resulted in a gross green score of 300 points and a net score of 289 5/8 points. 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...

Harrisburg – State Police and PennDOT are encouraging motorists to participate in free child passenger safety seat checkups throughout Pennsylvania as the agencies mark National Child Passenger Safety Week, Sept. 15 – 21. In addition, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, has been designated as “National Seat Check Saturday.” “I urge all parents and caregivers to get their seats checked, because using the right seat in the right position is so important to children’s safety,” PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch said. “Anyone who transports children has the responsibility to make sure they’re legally and correctly secured – that’s why we work with police and safety partners to make child safety resources available year-round.” PennDOT funds resources such as training and educational materials for 145 fitting stations across Pennsylvania, at which more than 5,000 car seats were checked last year. The checkups are designed to teach drivers the proper installation and use of child safety seat...

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...