Published: March 25, 2009 11:13 pm      

In brief | Cambria Democrats holding rally tonight

The Cambria County Democratic Committee will kick off the primary campaign with a rally at 7 tonight at Ace’s Lounge, 316 Chestnut St., Johnstown.

Five other rallies will be held throughout the county before the wrap-up breakfast at 9 a.m. May 16 at Ace’s, said Helen Whiteford, county Democratic chairwoman.

The other rallies, all scheduled for 7 p.m., are scheduled as follows:

• April 2: Parkway Restaurant in Portage.

• April 23: East Taylor Township fire hall.

• April 30: Gallitzin Italian Club.

• May 7: Joey Del’s Lounge, Scalp Avenue.

• May 13: St. Benedict Community Center, north of Ebensburg.

In addition, election supplies will be distributed to committee members at 7 p.m. May 11 at the county courthouse in Ebensburg and 7 p.m. May 12 at Ace’s.



Post office plans passport event

The Johnstown post office, 111 Franklin St., will hold a passport fair from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday to provide information and accept passport applications.

Those attending are asked to enter through the Locust Street doors and follow the signs to the passport area.

Beginning June 1, U.S. citizens must present a passport book, passport card or other travel documents approved by the U.S. government to enter Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

Information on the cost and how to apply for a passport book or passport card can be found at www.usps.com/pass-port or by phone toll-free at (877) 487-2778.



5K race to benefit PHCC scholarships

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will hold its Sprint to Success 5K run/walk Saturday at the college’s Richland campus.

The race will begin at 9:30 a.m. with registration from 8 to 9:15 a.m. at the college’s auditorium entrance.

Awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers. Awards also will be given to three male and female finishers based on age groups.

Cost is $18 on the day of the event and $15 if preregistered.

Those who preregister are guaranteed a T-shirt.

Proceeds will benefit the college foundation’s scholarships and special projects.

Registration forms are available at www.pennhigh-lands.edu or by calling 262-6434.



Employment fair targets veterans

Veterans Leadership Program/Veteran Community initiative will hold a job fair from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday in the Seminar Theater at the Hiram G. Andrews Center, 772 Goucher St., Upper Yoder Township.

Representatives from SCI-Pine Grove, CTC, Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries, Safari Contract Cleaners,

2010 Census and Geneva College will be on hand to discuss employment possibilities.

More information: 255-7209.



Eighth-grade girls spot fire, call 911

Two alert eighth-graders spotted bushes on fire along Helen Street on Tuesday and called 911 before the blaze could take hold.

Maura McGrath and Hannah Murphy happened to be walking by the home of Louise Makuchan when they saw the fire, said Sue Denovich, secretary at the girls’ school, Our Mother of Sorrows in Westmont. The bushes caught fire after embers fell from the chimney attached to Makuchan’s pellet stove.

Makuchan stopped by the school Wednesday with a thank-you note and $50 for each girl, the secretary said.

“The house was fine; it was a stone house,” Denovich said.

“At one time, she (Makuchan) thought kids with cell phones was not a great idea. Now, she changed her mind.”

And how about the young heroines?

“The girls were all embarrassed by the announcement over the PA system,” Denovich said.



Birthday party raises $2,700 for burn aid

Two Conemaugh Township Area Junior High School girls raised more than $2,700 on March 7 for the International Association of Fire Fighters’ Burn Foundation.

Page Prebehalla and Kristan Rouser asked guests invited to a party celebrating their 13th birthdays to help burn victims instead of buying them gifts.

Their churches and the public also supported the effort.



Scouts collect food for church’s pantry

Members of Boy Scout Troop 183, sponsored by St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 35 Locust St., Johnstown, collected about 50 bags of nonperishable food for the church’s food pantry.

Scoutmaster Penn Whitlow said the boys collected the food in the West Hills during the past weekend. The collection was the troop’s service project for March. About 30 Scouts participated.



Beginnings receives $1,100 grant

Beginnings Inc. has received a grant of $1,100 from the Clinton Arthur Thomas and Kermit Bennett Thomas Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation.

The money is to be used for general operating support.

Beginnings, at 111 Market St., Johnstown, offers services including “early intervention” for special-needs children.



Ebensburg moves to save money

EBENSBURG – Borough Council members did some financial housekeeping this week and ended up with higher interest rates on their investments and a better deal on one loan.

Borough Manager Dan Penatzer told council members Monday night that the interest rate on Ebensburg’s money market account has fallen to 1.07 percent.

Proposals from various banks yielded an offer from Mainline National Bank for 2.75 percent.

Council approved the transfer of $1 million to Mainline, which will result in an additional $16,800 in annual revenue, Penatzer said.

Council members also agreed to refinance a $94,000 loan through First National Bank, which will save $3,000, Penatzer said.



Workshop will focus on water sources

SOMERSET – A workshop for those who get their drinking water from wells, springs or cisterns will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. April 7 at Somerset County Cooperative Extension’s office, 6024 Glades Pike.

It is being co-sponsored by Penn State Cooperative Extension and Westmoreland County Conservation District. The presenter will be Bryan Swistock, an extension water resources specialist from Penn State.

The registration fee is $5 per person. Checks should be made payable to Westmoreland County Extension Fund and can be mailed in advance to Dana Rizzo, water quality extension educator, Westmoreland County Cooperative Extension, 214 Donohoe Road, Suite E, Greensburg, Pa. 15601.

The workshop is limited to 50 people. The registration deadline is April 3.



Highmark buys right to name science center

PITTSBURGH – Highmark Inc. has bought the naming rights to the Carnegie Science Center’s center for sports and health.

Highmark SportsWorks is expected to open this fall adjacent to Pittsburgh’s North Shore science museum.

Formerly UPMC SportsWorks, the old building closed last summer and was demolished to make way for a North Shore Connector T-station.

Highmark President and CEO Ken Melani says the emphasis will be on helping children and families discover the science of sports and health.