Published: March 27, 2008 11:40 pm      

In brief

Fire damages city’s

Republican headquarters

Johnstown police and firefighters late Thursday night were at the scene of a small fire shortly after 9 at Cambria County Republican Committee headquarters,

636 Main St., in downtown Johnstown.

Ann Wilson, executive director of the Committee, said that the front window of the headquarters, located on the first floor of the multi-story building, was smashed and that there was a fire in the reception area. No one was in the headquarters at the time, she said.

What’s scary is that there are occupied residences on the floors above committee headquarters, she said.

Sherry Lynn Harshberger, who lives in one of the residences and who operates the nearby Sherry Lynn’s Ballroom Dance Center, said she was holding a class when one of her students, who had gone outside, said the fire department was at her building.

Harshberger, who ran over, said she saw the broken window and smoke in the building.

A fire department spokesman said a man who also lives in one of the residences learned from his girlfriend that there was a fire. The man said he ran downstairs, climbed through the broken window and extinguished a fire that was burning on top of a desk by smothering it with a drape, the spokesman said.

The fire is under investigation, he said.

Roxbury group hosting

71st candidates forum

Roxbury Civic Group will hold a candidates’ night for the 71st district at

5:30 p.m. Monday at Roxbury Church of the Brethren on Sell Street, Johnstown.

Interested citizens from Roxbury and the 8th Ward are welcome.

Man charged with DUI,

fleeing two accidents

A downtown Johnstown man will face Cambria County Court action on charges that he fled the scenes of two accidents that he caused in Johnstown while driving under the influence of alcohol.

Kenneth C. Huntzinger, 54, of the Connor Towers, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday before District Judge Michael Musulin, of downtown Johnstown. He has been released on bail.

Johnstown police said Huntzinger was inbound on Fairfield Avenue just after

1 p.m. when he struck the rear of a car that was stopped at the red light at Fairfield Avenue and D Street.

Huntzinger fled the scene and a short time later struck a car that was stopped at the red light on Route 56 East at the intersection with Napoleon Street, police said. Huntzinger fled the scene of that crash also, police said.

Huntzinger was found at his residence a short time later and was suffering from injuries received in the accidents.

The drivers of both cars that Huntzinger struck received neck injuries, police said.

Cafe hosting

shelter fundraiser

JENNERSTOWN – Our Coal Miner’s Cafe will host a dinner from 4:30 to

7:30 p.m. Monday to support The Next Step Center, Somerset County’s temporary homeless shelter.

There will be no charge for the ham dinner, but all donations will go to the center.

The mission of The Next Step is to provide a safe and comfortable environment for Somerset County residents in need of emergency shelter. It also makes referrals to agencies and provides information to encourage self sufficiency and permanent housing.

Vocational center holding

public meeting

The Johnstown District Office of Vocational Rehabilitation will hold a public comment session on Pennsylvania’s Combined Agency State Plan from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Hiram G. Andrews Center, 727 Goucher St., Johnstown.

The public meeting provides a forum for residents to present ideas and suggestions on how the state’s vocation rehabilitation plan can better serve the needs of people with disabilities.

IRS offering help with

stimulus payments

The Johnstown office of the IRS will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday to help residents with economic stimulus payments.

Those on Social Security, railroad retirement and veterans benefits or with a low income are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity. The office is at 319 Washington St. downtown.

Davidsville Christian

taking registrations

Davidsville Christian School, 197 Pender Road, Johnstown, is currently accepting registration for the 2008-09 school year.

The school offers Christian education for pre-school (ages 3 and 4) through grade 12.

For more information, call 479-2525.

County employees receive

hike in mileage pay

EBENSBURG – Cambria County commissioners have approved a 2-cent increase in the mileage reimbursement for employees.

Employees now will receive 501/2 cents a mile, said Ron Baker, human resources director. The county’s mileage reimbursement, under terms of union contracts, is tied to the rate paid by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, he said.

Johnstown rock band

to play at Chiefs game

The Johnstown classic rock band Desperadoes will play Sunday at the Chiefs hockey game at the Cambria County War Memorial arena.

The band will begin playing at 3:45 p.m., then during intermissions and after the game. Game time is 5 p.m. for the Chiefs’ game with the Trenton Titans.