Published: September 03, 2008 10:05 pm      

In brief: Two head to trial in church vandalism

A man and a woman will face Cambria County Court action on charges they vandalized Trinity Asbury United Methodist Church in Johnstown’s Kernville neighborhood on July 22.

Joshua James Galla, 20, of the 100 block of Tunnel Street, Summerhill, and Allison Cadwallader, 20, of the 900 block of Caldwell Avenue, Portage, each waived their right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday before District Judge Leonard Grecek of Roxbury.

Both defendants are free on bail.

A third person charged in the incident had earlier waived his right to a hearing.

City police said the three gained entry through a window that had been left open in the locked church. They discharged two dry-chemical fire extinguishers inside the church.

Three break-ins under investigation

SOMERSET – State police in Somerset are asking the public’s help in solving three burglaries that occurred in the past several days.

Someone entered an unlocked home on Whistler Road in Quemahoning Township between Aug. 27 and Wednesday and removed a safe from a bedroom closet.

The safe contained documents that include the victim’s name, troopers said.

Authorities also are looking for burglars who broke into Mike’s Auto Sales on Lincoln Highway in Quemahoning Township on Wednesday.

Someone used a blunt object to force open the main door and rummaged through file cabinets, though nothing appeared to be taken.

The other incident happened Tuesday or Wednesday when someone used a blunt object to force open a concession stand window at the Community Sports Park in Ferrellton, Jenner Township.

The burglar made off with candy, hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and other items, troopers said.

Anyone with information on the crimes may contact state police at 445-4104.

Heroin overdose victim found

INDIANA – Borough police are investigating the heroin overdose of an unidentified white male, age 25.

The man was found in the 1000 block of School Street at 12:30 a.m. Sunday, police said.

He was transported by ambulance to Indiana Regional Medical Center, then flown to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh for further treatment.

Directory provides guide to programs

Somerset County Health and Welfare Council has published a directory containing more than 100 programs and agencies that serve county residents.

The resource guide can be used by professionals and laypersons to gain an understanding of services provided and contact information for programs ranging from

children to seniors, family to community, and health to legal.

The directory may be purchased for $7, plus $5 shipping and handling, by calling Patty Churchey of Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries at 443-0854 or by stopping by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, 601 N. Center Ave.

Miners reunion, health fair set

WINDBER – The United Mine Workers of America Health & Retirement Funds, together with Windber Medical Center, will hold the third annual Miners Reunion and Health Fair on Friday.

The event will run from

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the grounds of SS. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, 141 Hoffman Farm Road.

The event is for active and retired coal miners and their families.

The Pennsylvania Black Lung Coalition will provide free lung screenings.

Geistown firefighters receive federal funds

Geistown Volunteer Fire Company has received $247,000 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The money is expected to go toward vehicle acquisition.

The award comes through the department’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants. The grants enable departments to buy equipment and response vehicles, conduct health and safety programs and receive training.