Published: January 28, 2009 11:18 pm      

IN BRIEF | Jobless may qualify for more benefits

State Sen. John N. Wozniak, D-Westmont, is urging unemployed workers to find out if they are eligible for another extension of benefits recently approved by the federal government.

Many unemployed workers who were limited to 26 weeks of benefits now can receive as many as 33 additional weeks, he said.

Some limitations apply to the extension and recipients should check with the unemployment office about their eligibility, he said.

“Times are very difficult for unemployed workers and their families,” Wozniak said in a news release.

“Worsening conditions have prompted the federal government to act, and that will help families get by until work is available.”



Blocked city street should reopen soon

Traffic restrictions around Johnstown’s former Washington Street parking garage should begin to ease next week.

A portion of Washington Street is expected to open early next week, City Manager Curt Davis said.

The street has been closed from Franklin Street to Market Street since the parking garage partially collapsed Nov. 25.

However, Davis said a portion of Locust Street will remain closed while a demolition contractor continues to clear the garage site.



Pitt-Johnstown offers help with financial aid

Pitt-Johnstown’s Financial Aid Office will hold a financial aid workshop from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Living/Learning Center Heritage Hall.

Professionals will be available to address individual concerns and to answer any questions that families may have regarding the financial aid process.

Families with high school seniors and juniors can benefit from the information presented, a release from UPJ said.

The workshop is free and open to the public.



Somerset prothonotary seeks re-election

SOMERSET – Somerset County Prothonotary Angie Svonavec is seeking election to a fourth term this year. She is seeking the Democratic nomination in the May primary.

The prothonotary is the keeper of a county’s civil records.

“I wish to continue my work to modernize the prothonotary’s office to meet the growing needs of the courts,” Svonavec said in a release. “While it is my responsibility to ensure historic records are preserved, I am also committed to technological upgrades to manage current cases.’’

Svonavec said her office is seeking money through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to clean and organize civil papers dating to the founding of Somerset County in 1795.

She serves on the executive board of the State Association of Prothonotaries and Clerks of Courts.

Svonavec lives in Somerset with her husband, John Kuhn, and is the daughter of Don and Jane Svonavec. A graduate of Cambria-Rowe Business College in Johnstown, she worked in medical records at Somerset Hospital before being elected.

She attends St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church.



PennDOT sets meeting on Napier bridge work

SCHELLSBURG – PennDOT will hold a public meeting and plans display for two bridge projects in Napier Township, Bedford County.

The projects are the Route 4018 (Rocklick Hollow Road) bridge over Rocklick Creek and the Route 4020 (Hinton Road) bridge over Dunnings Creek.

The meeting will be held in an open-house format from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Napier Township Building in Schellsburg.



Man accused of hiding stolen ATV

MEYERSDALE – A Meyersdale man was charged with receiving stolen property after authorities said he hid a stolen ATV in a wooded area.

Daniel Richard Horning, 22, of 11th Avenue, also was charged with criminal mischief.

Shawn Grenke had loaned a 1997 Yamaha Banshee ATV to a friend in August, and the vehicle later was stolen, state police in Somerset said in a court document.

Troopers said the ATV was probably “hot-wired” because all keys to the vehicle were accounted for.

The ATV was found days later in a wooded area. The property owner said Horning was dating his stepdaughter and asked to keep the vehicle there.

Troopers said they could tell the ATV was hot-wired and there was no key for the ignition.

Horning was arraigned Tuesday by District Judge Douglas Bell of Meyersdale, the on-call magistrate, and released on nonmonetary bond.



Five more charged in Richland melee

The remaining five of the six men involved in a fight outside a Richland Township establishment early Jan. 11 have been charged for their alleged roles in the incident.

Township police this week filed simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct charges against Lukas Glen Barnes, 23, of the 200 block of Saddle Ridge Drive, Harrisburg; Jamie Neil Fair, 24, of the 400 block of East Main Street, Somerset; William Sosa, 22, of the 1100 block of McKinley Avenue, Johnstown; Lucas Perry Emeigh, 24, of the 400 block of West Main Street, Somerset; and Joseph Loui Eppolito Jr., 24, of Arbutus Village.

Charged earlier was Travis Michael Reighard, 23, of the 500 block of Russell Avenue, Johnstown. He was accused of cutting Barnes on the chest with a box cutter during the fight.

A preliminary hearing for the seven was scheduled for March 17 before Pavlovich.



Clymer motorist charged with DUI

PENN RUN – Charges of driving under the influence and reckless driving have been filed against a Clymer man whose vehicle struck three parked cars, state police said Tuesday.

A vehicle driven by Frank Schatko, 68, hit the cars on Route 286 near the Cherryhill and Green townships line on Jan. 4.



Police: Woman sent cash to fake grandson

LATROBE – Margaret Reed, 78, of Latrobe wired cash to a person pretending to be her grandson who called Jan. 20 and said he needed money, state police said Wednesday. The amount was not released.