Published: June 24, 2009 11:11 pm      

In brief: Police identify victim of fatal accident

ASHVILLE — State police have identified the motorcyclist who died in a traffic accident near here Tuesday night as Robert Fagan of Altoona.

Fagan, 46, was operating a 1999 Harley-Davidson that hit the front passenger door of a car that was attempting to make a left turn off Route 53, police said.

Fagan was not wearing a helmet, police reported.

The driver of the car was identified as Robert Funicelli, 44, of Peoria, Ariz.

He was traveling north and had slowed to make the turn, troopers said.

Funicelli told police said that he didn’t see the motorcycle approaching.

Fagan applied the brakes in an attempt to stop, leaving a 10-foot-long skid mark on the road, police said.

The accident happened around 7:15 p.m.

Jeff Lees, Cambria County’s chief deputy coroner, said that death was caused by multiple blunt force trauma.

Authorities said the cyclist’s blood-alcohol level was 0.24 percent, three times the 0.8 percent defined as intoxication for adult drivers in Pennsylvania.

Greater Johnstown adopts budget

Greater Johnstown School Board has given final approval to a 2009-10 operating budget listing expenditures of $39,961,710 and revenues of $39,409,962.

The board approved using $551,748 from its fund-bal-ance account to balance the budget, said Debra A. Crowder, board secretary.

The real-estate millage remains unchanged at 46.8.

All other taxes also remain the same.

The 2008-09 budget is $38,882,901.

Superintendent Barbara Parkins has said the increase can be traced to rising costs for such things as salaries, benefits, supplies and fuel.

Kernville garden group meets tonight

The Kernville Community Garden Committee will hold a planning meeting at 7 tonight at the lot at 615 Franklin St., site of the future garden.

In case of rain, the meeting will be held in the Kernville Community Center adjacent to the lot.

Residents will discuss designs for the garden, where work is to begin in early July, said Kate Austin, an intern with the program.

Penn Highlands offers tuition aid

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is collaborating with the Southern Alleghenies Workforce Investment Board to assist those affected by the economic downturn.

Through the partnership, the school will offer a Tuition

Relief Program for the fall semester.

The program will provide financial assistance to eligible displaced workers to enable them to attend the college.

The program is funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

Those interested are being advised to contact the school as soon as possible.

Information: 262-3816 or www.pennhighlands.edu.