Published: February 03, 2009 11:30 pm      

In brief: DA to seek death penalty in homicide

District Attorney William Higgins said he will seek a death sentence for a man accused of shooting and killing his estranged wife in a McDonald’s parking lot in Everett.

John Lewis Gerholt, 38, of Mount Union, Huntingdon County, is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 24-year-old Karen Gerholt of Hopewell.

Authorities alleged that he fired two shots from a 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun at his wife, who was taking a break in the parking lot from her job at the fast-food restaurant. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two aggravating circumstances in the case would support a death penalty if a jury convicts Gerholt of first-degree murder, Higgins said. They are:

• A killing done while a protection-from-abuse order was in effect. Court records show that a PFA had been imposed by a judge eight days prior to Karen Gerholt’s death.

• That John Gerholt created a “grave risk” of death to another person in addition to the victim. Higgins said that patrons and workers at the restaurant were placed in such danger.

Fire damages tavern near Portage

PORTAGE – Fire caused moderate damage to Johnny Angel’s Tavern, located on Route 53 a couple of miles north of Portage.The fire was discovered just before 7 p.m. Tuesday by a PennDOT driver who saw flames and heavy smoke at the tavern, which had closed for the day, said Portage fire Chief Ray Lee.

Firefighters had the blaze under control in about 11/4 hours.

There were no injuries, he said. The structure was insured.

A fire marshal was asked to determine the cause of the blaze.

Mama Sue’s Pizza in Portage donated pizzas for firefighters, and the fire company’s ladies auxiliary made sandwiches and coffee, Lee said.

Also responding to the blaze were volunteers from Cassandra, Lilly, Cresson, Wilmore and Ashville.

Flight 93 groups to hold public session

SOMERSET – The Flight 93 Memorial Task Force and Flight 93 Federal Advisory Commission will hold a joint meeting Saturday.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Courtroom No. 1 at the county courthouse.

Progress reports on the temporary memorial, land acquisition, memorial design, fundraising and National Park Service activities will be presented.

Congress authorized the formation of the advisory panel to assist the Department of the Interior and National Park Service in creating a national memorial to honor the passengers and crew of Flight 93.

The task force is a grass-roots group of family members, residents, first responders, educators and other local and national participants.

Eastern Star donates wigs to cancer society

Members of the 6th District, Order of Eastern Star, Deborah Grand Chapter, Prince Hall Affiliation, donated about 40 wigs and hairpieces to the American Cancer Society.

The 6th District includes chapters in Johnstown; Williamsport, Lycoming County; and Mount Union, Huntingdon County.

The wigs and hairpieces were donated by Terrance Ballard of UP Do’s Boutique, 547 Horner St., said Deborah Y. Agnello of Richland Township, 6th District deputy grand matron.

Forest Hills alliance sets series of meetings

The Forest Hills Regional Alliance has scheduled community meetings at each participating municipality to gather public input on development of a multi-municipal comprehensive plan.

Representatives from the EADS Group will facilitate the meetings. Residents of the municipalities are invited to attend.

Wilmore Borough has held its community meeting.

Other meetings, in order of date, are:

• Adams Township Municipal Building, 5:30 p.m. Monday.

• Summerhill Borough Building, 7 p.m. March 5.

• South Fork Borough Building, 7 p.m. March 10.

• Summerhill Township fire hall, 7 p.m. March 12.

• Ehrenfeld Borough Building, 6 p.m. April 1.

• Croyle Township Municipal Building, 7 p.m. April 7.