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.
Man Sentenced to State Prison in Overdose Death
CLEARFIELD – A Millerton man will spend up to 10 years in state prison for supplying heroin to a man who died of an overdose.
Ryan Seth Ray, 25, 7 Pine Hill Dr., Millerton, pleaded guilty to drug delivery resulting in death, involuntary manslaughter, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia during plea and sentencing court in Clearfield County.
The charges stem from an incident at the Clarion Hotel in Sandy Township on July 26, 2013.
Clearfield Pumpkin Run/Walk and Fall Festival Return on Oct. 11
CLEARFIELD – The fourth annual Clearfield Pumpkin Run/Walk 5K and Fall Festival will return to downtown Clearfield on Oct. 11. The festival is hosted by the Clearfield Revitalization Corp. (CRC).
The day will start off with a timed 5K run/walk through the streets of downtown Clearfield. Participants can register by Oct. 1 to guarantee a race shirt.
Day-of registration will begin at 7 a.m. and the race will start at 8:30 a.m. Runners with pumpkins will be eligible for special prizes.
Curwensville Blueprint Team Moving Forward to Develop Strategic Plan
CURWENSVILLE – On Sept. 10, members of the Curwensville Area Blueprint Team attended training in Foxburg to learn the methods, tools and structure for developing its initial five-year strategic plan.
“This is a very exciting time for us all, as we now face the most challenging and rewarding benchmark of our work together thus far,” said David Rose of the Blueprint Team.
“We will take the information from our community survey results and our community vision to move forward in the coming months with the development of specific projects to address those needs and goals identified within our communities.”
Local Firefighters Respond to Western Fires
EMPORIUM – During the first part of August, lightning caused problems for firefighters in California, Oregon and Washington.
The National Preparative level went to a four, with five being the highest. It was decided that five more crews from the east were needed out west.
In Clearfield Schools . . . Parent Expresses Concern Over Communication, Safety Issues
CLEARFIELD – Although it’s not typical procedure for its committee meetings, the Clearfield school board listened to one parent’s concerns about the lack of communication from the district and school safety.
Jennifer Campolong of Clearfield was primarily concerned with procedures at the Clearfield Area Elementary School. Her concerns, communication and safety, go “hand-in-hand,” she said.
Clearfield Couple Accused in Assault Rifle Theft
CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield couple has been jailed for allegedly stealing an assault rifle from the Bob’s Army & Navy store, according to the Clearfield Borough police.
Police received a complaint about the alleged theft of an AK-47 assault rifle that occurred on or about Sept. 13. The rifle, police said, was taken from a display rack located in the gun department.
State Police Postpone Wilson’s Purple Heart Ceremony
PUNXSUTAWNEY – The Purple Heart Ceremony for Trooper Bradley Wilson, which was scheduled for Wednesday at Troop C Headquarters in Punxsutawney, has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date.
Wilson’s ceremony was postponed due to the death of Cpl. Bryon K. Dickson II, a seven-year member of the Pennsylvania State Police. Dickson was fatally wounded during an ambush attack at the Blooming Grove barracks on Friday.
House Advances Legislation to Improve Child Care & Development Block Grant Program
WASHINGTON, D.C – Last night, the U.S. House passed with unanimous support the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014, a bipartisan agreement between the House and Senate to modernize and reauthorize the Child Care & Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program.
U.S. Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-5), a member of the House Education & the Workforce Committee, issued the following statement:
CDBG Public Hearing Opens Sandy Township Meeting
DUBOIS – A public hearing regarding the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) opened Monday night’s Sandy Township Municipal Authority/Supervisors’ meeting.
This hearing was the first of two required hearings, which are intended to allow for public participation in the grant program.
WJAC-TV: PA State Police Identify Blooming Grove Shooting Suspect
BLOOMING GROVE – State police have identified the suspect in the shooting of two state troopers in northeastern Pennsylvania.
State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan identified the suspect as 31-year-old Eric Matthew Frein of Canadensis in Monroe County.
Woman to Stand Trial for Stealing from her Mother
DUBOIS – A DuBois woman will stand trial for taking more than $100,000 from her mother’s accounts.
Deborah Diane Hilliard, 57, 212 E. Weber Ave., DuBois, is charged with theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, two counts of theft by unlawful taking and access device fraud.
After a preliminary hearing, Magisterial District Judge James Hawkins ruled all charges be sent on to the Court of Common Pleas. Hilliard’s bail was set at $25,000, unsecured.
Theft Suspect Waives Charges
CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield woman has waived her right to a preliminary hearing on more than 2,800 counts of theft charges, according to online court documents.
Kathy A. Martin, 56, of Clearfield has been charged with 763 counts each of theft by unlawful taking; theft by deception; and receiving stolen property. She has also been charged with 549 counts of other reason access device is unauthorized by issuer.
Martin’s bail is currently set at $50,000 unsecured.
LT Supers Hold 2014 CDBG Public Hearing
CLEARFIELD – The Lawrence Township Supervisors held the first public hearing in the 2014 Community Development Block Grant application process last evening before its regular monthly meeting.
The purpose of the first public hearing is to provide opportunities for the general public to participate in planning for future projects by identifying needs of low- and moderate-income residents. It was noted that the township will provide technical assistance, on request, to groups of low- to moderate-income persons in developing proposals for CDBG funding.
Curwensville Superintendent: Lockdown Lifted
CURWENSVILLE – The Curwensville Area School District has lifted its “full, external lockdown,” according to Superintendent Ronald Matchock.
The district, he said, operated under a lockdown upon advice from the state police. He said the state police were engaged in an active search for a robbery suspect in the Grampian area.
Clearfield Historical Society Board Makes Plans for Bloody Knox
CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Historical Society Board of Directors met for their monthly planning meeting on Tuesday at the Kerr House.
The board heard a report about the upcoming Bloody Knox fall festival. The festival will take place on Oct. 12 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. The public is invited to come enjoy broom making, blacksmithing apple butter and apple cider.
There will be food cooking over the open fire and butter making and tasting with cornbread. The first 100 kids will be able to decorate a pumpkin.
Philipsburg Man to Stand Trial in Rape Case
CLEARFIELD – All charges were held for court against a Philipsburg man accused of rape after a preliminary hearing during Centralized Court on Wednesday at the Clearfield County Jail.
Kevin Karl Kephart, 49, of Philipsburg has been charged with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, terroristic threats, simple assault, indecent assault and harassment. His bail has been set at $100,000 monetary.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on the night of Sept. 8, Kephart had allegedly consumed alcohol and started being verbally abusive toward the victim. He was upset over a fine imposed against him.
Cases for 2 Suspected Drug Dealers Joined for Trial
CLEARFIELD – Two New York men charged with bringing drugs into the area will be tried together for their crimes.
Shaking Devine Saunders, 37, 8418 Rockaway Beach Blvd., Far Rockaway, NY, is charged with intentional possession of a controlled substance by person not registered, criminal conspiracy, manufacture/delivery/possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Edward Allen, 39, 431 Beach St., Far Rockaway, NY, is charged with intentional possession of a controlled substance, criminal conspiracy, manufacture/delivery/possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal use of communication facility.
WJAC-TV.COM: Slain Trooper Eulogized as Impeccable Officer
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) — A slain Pennsylvania state trooper is being remembered as an impeccable officer who always put his family first.
Police Commissioner Frank Noonan says everyone admired 38-year-old Bryon Dickson, who could always be counted on for advice and support.
Ralston Gets Up to 80 Years in Sexual Assault Case
CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield man accused of sexually assaulting teenage boys will be spending up to 80 years in state prison.
John Joel Ralston, 51, 10380 Krebs Hwy., Clearfield, pleaded guilty in Clearfield County Court to 10 counts each of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors and 11 counts of furnishing liquor to minors.
Judge Paul Cherry sentenced him to a total of 40 to 80 years in prison. In a second case, he pleaded guilty to indecent assault. He was given a nine-month to two years concurrent sentence for this crime.
Shaw Library Exceeds State Standards
CLEARFIELD – The Joseph & Elizabeth Shaw Public Library meets and exceeds state standards, announced Paula Collins, library director.
Each year, public libraries are evaluated on the ability to meet a set of standards. The 2014-15 “Independent Library Profile” indicates a library’s level of compliance with the standards to determine eligibility for state aid. This year, the Shaw library has met all of the required standards.
Clearfield Borough Council Hears Gun Safety Concerns
CLEARFIELD – Clearfield resident and business owner, Fred Weaver, addressed Clearfield Borough Council at last night’s meeting with concerns of negligence by Bob’s Army & Navy.
Weaver said he believed Bob’s Army & Navy’s behavior adversely affects public safety. Also, he’d like the borough’s Public Safety Committee to address it.
Clearfield Borough Council Updated on Projects
CLEARFIELD – Engineer Todd Banks of Stiffler, McGraw and Associates Inc. reported at Thursday’s Clearfield Borough Council meeting that the Stinky Run drainage repairs at Daisy and 12th streets are completed.
Banks also had the full permit package and plans for the Stinky Run reconstruction project ready to be sent to the state Department of Environmental Protection.