Published: January 19, 2009 10:56 pm      

In brief: Stepuncle charged in girl’s disappearance

The stepuncle of a Somerset Township girl who went missing was charged Sunday night with interfering with child custody and concealing her whereabouts.

Mark Allen Suter was incarcerated in the Somerset County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bond.

He also will be charged with resisting arrest, state police said, and other counts are pending consultation with the county district attorney’s office.

The missing girl, Abigail Judith Fogle, 14, was found at a Somerset business late Saturday.

Truck wreck closes Route 422 for hours

BELSANO – A section of Route 422 in Blacklick Township was closed for about four hours Monday afternoon and evening after two trucks collided west of here near the Indiana County border.

State police said a truck driven by Ralph A. Dumm, 44, of Nicktown, was westbound when it crossed into the opposite lane, where it collided with an eastbound truck driven by James E. Cassatt, 40, of Revloc.

Neither driver was injured, police said.

Black Lick man hurt when SUV hits tree

BLAIRSVILLE – A Black Lick driver was injured when he wrecked a 2001 Dodge Durango on Palmerton Road around 3 a.m. Sunday.

State police said the SUV driven by James Kozich, 35, left the road and the driver’s side struck a tree.

Police said Kozich was transported to Indiana Regional Medical Center. He was listed in fair condition Monday at Memorial Medical Center.

Passenger Laura Hood, 24, also of Black Lick, was uninjured. She left the area on foot.

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash, police said, and investigation will continue.

Fundraiser collects $2,100 for funeral

A fundraiser brought in $2,100 toward the funeral expenses for Michael A. Berger, 50, of Richland Township, who died Jan. 4.

Christian Diane, president of the Cumberland Chapter of the Keystone Alliance, said a benefit show was held Jan. 9 at Lucille’s bar on Washington Street in Johnstown. The money came from the door cover charge, an auction, community donations and performers’ tips.

Berger was a truck driver with several local companies.

Among his survivors is his wife, Crystal A. Berger.

Vo-tech hosting skills competition

Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center will host the District 8 SkillsUSA competition today.

More than 275 students from 10 vocational-technical schools will participate in the daylong event, competing in more than 56 categories.

Winners will proceed to the state SkillsUSA competition in April at Hershey.

It’s Dairy Day in Laurel Highlands

BERLIN – Laurel Highlands Dairy Day, sponsored by Somerset County Cooperative Extension, will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Berlin Community Building, 700 North St.

Registration is $10.