Published: July 28, 2008 10:44 pm      

In brief: Johnstown man hit woman with baseball bat, police say

A Johnstown man was jailed after police said he hit a woman with a metal baseball bat when she wouldn’t lend him money.

City police said Edward Malik Johnson, of the 600 block of Von Lunen Road, was in the Horner Street area Saturday when he attempted to borrow $20 from a woman.

When she refused, Johnson allegedly slapped her and then hit her on the left side with a baseball bat causing two red welts, police said.

He then took $21 from her and left.

Johnson, 34, was arraigned by on-call District Judge Mary Ann Zanghi of Vinco on counts of simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment.

He was sent to the Cambria County Prison after failing to post $2,500 bond.

Woman killed, husband hurt in motorcycle crash in N.J.

VINELAND, N.J. – A Mineral Point woman was killed and her husband injured in a motorcycle-car accident about 3:15 p.m. Friday in Vineland, N.J.

Eloina Blansett, 52, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to The Daily Journal in Vineland. She was a passenger on a motorcycle driven by her husband, Dennis Blansett, 53, who was admitted to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City with head injuries, the newspaper said.

Vineland police told the newspaper that the motorcycle was eastbound on Chestnut Avenue when an oncoming car making a left turn cut in front of the cycle.

Both were wearing helmets, the paper said.

The accident is under investigation.

Gambling charges against Meyerdale man dropped

MEYERSDALE – Gambling charges against a Meyersdale man allegedly involved in a poker tournament have been withdrawn, authorities said.

Samuel R. Ferraro Jr., of Broadway Street, had been charged by state troopers with the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement with misdemeanor gambling in connection with a tournament at the Meyersdale Lodge No. 76 Loyal Order of Moose.

Somerset District Attorney’s office withdrew the charges last week.

Shade-Central City hires music, band instructor

CENTRAL CITY – Robert Lane is the new music and band instructor for the Shade-Central City School District.

Lane graduated from Seton Hill University with a degree in music and has been studying percussion for 13 years. He also has worked with bands and drum corps in eastern Pennsylvania for eight years.

He is conducting an organizational band meeting for students in the high school cafeteria at 6 p.m. Aug. 6 and meeting with band boosters there at 7:30 p.m.

Faulty tow rope blamed in boating accident

INDIAN LAKE – A malfunction or failure of a tow rope may have sent three children crashing into rocks at Lake Stonycreek Sunday afternoon.

Ray Flores, 52, of Johnstown was operating the boat pulling the three on a large innertube-like float, said Emil Svetahor, regional manager for the state Fish and Boat Commission.

All three youths were taken to Memorial Medical Center by medical helicopter.

Their names and conditions were not released. The investigation continues.