Published: October 27, 2009 11:47 pm      

In brief: $248G coming to Somerset County

SOMERSET — The Somerset County commissioners said at their regular meeting Tuesday that $248,000 is coming in from the federal government.

The money is Community Development Block Grant recovery funding administered through the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

The funds will be distributed as follows: Somerset County, $80,300; and $33,500 apiece to Windber, Somerset Borough and the townships of Conemaugh, Jenner and Somerset.

Also Tuesday, the commissioners awarded a $69,300 con-tract for an emergency repair project on the Shaffer Covered Bridge in Conemaugh Township. The pact was awarded to Lone Pine Construction Inc. of Bentleyville, Washington County.

Route 22 Sheetz opening Thursday

EBENSBURG – The area’s second Sheetz store will open Thursday with a reception at 3:30 p.m. at the new complex in Cambria Township.

The Sheetz complex is located at Route 22 and Mini-Mall Road on 2.3 acres of a five-acre corner parcel, formerly part of the Ebensburg Center. Construction began in July.

After intersection improvements and a $1.8 million PennDOT upgrade, the complex has a store, gas pumps, a car wash and more than 50 parking spaces.

The store will have the typical Sheetz deli menu, plus an expanded menu that includes an espresso bar.

It joins Ebensburg’s first Sheetz, a small store and gas pumps at 948 W. High St.

Company officials have said that store will remain open.

Sheetz executives will present a donation to the Central Cambria Education Foundation at the ribbon cutting.

The state sold the land via a state Senate bill sponsored by Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, to Altoona-based CDM Ebensburg, a partnership of Altoona developer Donald Devorris, chairman of the Blair Companies; Bill Campbell, an executive with Hoss’s Steak and Sea House Inc.; and John McGregor, owner and president of Team Motors Inc.

IUP food drive to benefit pantry

INDIANA ­– IUP’s Office of Service Learning will hold a three-day food drive to benefit the Indiana County Community Action Program’s food bank.

Students will collect items and hand out informational fliers about ICCAP from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 4-6 at the Indiana Giant Eagle along Seventh Street.

IUP’s Office of Service Learning promotes professional and personal character development for IUP students through experiential learning opportunities that bridge the curriculum with community service.

Single police opening draws 26 applicants

EBENSBURG – Twenty-six applications were received for one full-time police officer position with the borough, council members learned at their meeting Monday evening.

Six applicants were rejected as not being qualified.

The next step is a written and oral exam. Council named Bill Gamble of Municipal Police Testing to give the written exam.

Joseph Stephan, Dick Hassinger and Ed Miller were appointed to a panel administering the oral exam.

The new hire will be Ebensburg’s fourth full-time officer.

Institute offering mom, baby workshop

LORETTO – St. Francis University’s DiSepio Institute for Rural Health and Wellness will host an event for expectant mothers.

“Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby” will be held from

8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 7 on campus.

Participants will be offered several sessions including nutrition, infant massage instruction, prenatal exercise, relaxation techniques, car seat safety, and infant/child CPR certification.

The $40 registration fee includes breakfast and lunch.

The workshop is sponsored by the DiSepio Institute for Rural Health and Wellness and St. Francis University Occupational Therapy Department.

To register or for further information, call 472-3923 before Friday or go online to www.francis.edu/DiSepioInstitute.htm.