Published: June 23, 2009 11:27 pm      

In brief: Motorcycle operator dies of crash injuries

ASHVILLE — The operator of a motorcyle traveling on Route 53 in Dean Township was killed when his cycle and a car collided at 7:17 p.m. Tuesday.

The name of the cyclist, a male, was being withheld prior to notification of family members, said Jeffrey Lees, Cambria County chief deputy coroner.

The cyclist died of multiple blunt force injuries, Lees said.

An autopsy will be performed today at Memorial Medical Center to pinpoint the cause of death.

The cycle was traveling south and the car north. The accident happened as the car was making a left turn, Lees said.

Other information, including the name of the car’s driver, was not immediately available.

Windber councilman gains spot on ballot

SOMERSET – A Windber Borough councilman who lost in the Democratic primary in May has won a chance to appear on the ballot in November as a Republican.

Following a hearing Tuesday, county officials ruled that Simon “Red” Ohler had gained enough write-in votes in May to garner the sole remaining Republican nomination for Borough Council.

The ruling came after Ohler petitioned the county election board to combine write-in votes cast for various spellings of his name.

That means there likely will be four Republican candidates in the Windber council race in November: Beth Ann Gustkey, James Spinos, Jodi Gahagen and Ohler.

The latter three still must formally accept GOP nominations, since all they won spots through write-in votes.

The four Democratic candidates are George Ledney, Barry Jerley, Sonja Pekala and Spinos, who was the top vote-getter among Democrats in the primary.

Two drivers hurt in four-vehicle wreck

INDIANA – Two people were taken to a hospital Tuesday after a four-vehicle crash on state Route 22 in West Wheatfield Township.

State police in Indiana said Diane L. Clawson, 51, of Pittsburgh, was driving a 2002 Oldsmobile sedan at 8 a.m. when she apparently fell asleep and crossed into the other lane.

Her car struck three other vehicles before overturning.

Clawson was taken by ambulance to an area hospital.

Shawn A. Pearce, 39, of Johnstown, was airlifted to a hospital with injuries to both legs, troopers said.

He was driving a 1996 Ford Contour.

The other two drivers escaped injury, troopers said.

Authority to unveil water protection plan

The public is invited to a meeting at which Greater Johnstown Water Authority will detail plans to protect its drinking water.

The session is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the authority’s headquarters at 640 Franklin St. in the city’s Kernville neighborhood.

Authority officials have been working with the state Department of Environmental Protection to formulate a “source-water protection program.”

The plan covers subjects including emergency response, public education and forest management.

Ride will benefit injured motorcyclist

A benefit motorcycle dinner ride will be held Thursday to benefit a Richland Township family that has been devastated by medical bills and reduced income.

The event will benefit Ed Berringer and his wife, Sue.

Registration will begin at 5 p.m. at the J&M parking lot on Washington Street behind the Johnstown Flood Museum downtown. The ride will depart at 6 p.m. and end at the Greater Johnstown Fellowship.

A monetary donation is requested.

Ed Berringer was a truck driver for CVS Pharmacy and is a licensed minister.

On Sept. 20, after leading a motorcycle rally in Altoona, Berringer was stopped at a red light when his vehicle was rear-ended by a pickup truck.

After two major surgeries and an extensive stay in a hospital and rehabilitation center, Ber-ringer is paralyzed from the waist down as a result of a spinal cord injury. He is continuing physical rehabilitation at home.

A benefit account has been established at AmeriServ Bank in the 8th Ward.

Checks should be sent with the notation “for the Benefit of Ed Berringer” to AmeriServ, 1059 Franklin St., Johnstown, Pa. 15905.

Candy thief hits concession stand

GARRETT – Someone stole cases of candy from the concession stand at the Garrett baseball field, state police in Somerset said Tuesday.

The victim was listed as Corey Christner, 45, of Garrett.

The incident occurred between June 8 and 11.

Task force targets alleged drug dealers

BEDFORD – The Bedford County Drug Task Force and state police rounded up 10 suspected drug dealers in a raid that began around 7 a.m. Tuesday.

A list of suspects and charges was to be released later, District Attorney William Higgins said.