Published: November 18, 2009 11:03 pm      

In brief: Firefighters battle blaze at EMF Development

Firefighters from numerous companies were at EMF Development Corp. on River Avenue in Franklin, where a fire was reported in a building around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Police and fire police were controlling traffic that was allowed to pass on River Avenue.

No further information was available late Wednesday.



Dedication set for veterans memorial

The Conemaugh Valley Detachment of the Marine Corps League will dedicate a recently completed veterans memorial at Bucknell Avenue and Wyoming Street in Westmont Borough at 10 a.m. Saturday.

The event includes a flag-raising ceremony and the unveil-ing of an honor roll, said Gerry Horvath, the league’s judge advocate. League commandant Randy Reynolds will speak.

The memorial was built on the Malek property by Marty Malek, using his own funds plus donations from the community. The Malek family thanks the community for the donations, Horvath said.



Hearing postponed in cemetery plot case

EVERETT – A preliminary hearing has been delayed for a man charged with stealing the burial plot next to his wife, whom he is accused of killing.

John Lewis Gerholt’s hearing on forgery, theft by unlawful taking and theft by deception has been rescheduled for Dec. 2 in Bedford County Central Court.

Police allege that Gerholt, 39, a native of Huntingdon County, shot and killed his wife, Karen Gerholt, 24, of Hopewell, on Nov. 9, 2008, in the parking lot of a Bedford McDonald’s where the mother of three children worked.

The killing ended a domestic battle that included a court protection-from-abuse order prohibiting John Gerholt from having contact with his wife.

Police allege that Gerholt forged the signature of the plot’s owner on documents that gave Gerholt ownership of the space next to his wife.



Turkey federation handing out birds

Johnstown-based Allegheny Plateau Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation has begun distributing 250 frozen turkeys among six area food pantries for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The distribution will continue through Saturday, chapter spokesman Bill Nagy said.

Pantries receiving the turkeys are Nanty Glo, Portage, Windber, St. Francis Sharing and Caring in Hollsopple, West End and South Fork, he said.

The chapter raised money to buy the birds during the Cambria County Fair at Ebensburg.

The turkeys are being distributed through the nationwide Turkey Hunters Care Program.



Pet adopt-athon set for weekend

Starfish To The Sea Animal Rescue, an agency dedicated to small mammals, will hold a two-day adopt-athon from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday and

3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at PetCo in Richland Town Center.

Guinea pigs, rabbits and birds will be available for adoption. Experienced small-animal caretakers will be on hand to answer questions.

Information sheets and fundraising items for sale will be available.

For more information, go to www.starfishtothesea.org or starfish.petfinder.com.



Cleanup planned at Stackhouse Park

The Powell Stackhouse Park maintenance committee will conduct a two-hour late fall cleanup beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Volunteers will meet at Ranger Station 1 near the Luzerne Street entrance of the park.

Volunteers should dress for the weather and bring gloves.



Applications due for holiday contest

LIGONIER – Applications are being sought for the fifth annual Gingerbread House Contest and Silent Auction at Ramada Ligonier, 216 W. Loyalhanna St.

Guidelines and applications for the contest can be picked up at Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce, 120 E. Main St.

All entry fees and forms must be received by Friday.

The houses will be on display and the public can bid on a favorite from Dec. 5-13 at Ra-mada Ligonier. Proceeds will be given to Christian charities.

Information: (724) 238-4200.



Punch in nose leads to lawsuit

A Christmastime ski break at a Claysburg resort turned violent when one guest punched another in the nose, and now a lawsuit has been filed.

According to the suit filed this week in U.S. District Court in Johnstown, Steve Kim of McClean, Va., and David M. Kelsey of Annapolis, Md., were guests at Blue Knob All Seasons Resort condominiums Dec. 27.

Kelsey went to Kim’s condo and asked one of his guests to quiet the noise. A short while later, according to the lawsuit, Kelsey returned and spoke to Kim. The suit says Kelsey then punched Kim in the face twice, causing him pain, headaches and amnesia.

Kim is seeking $75,000 from Kelsey.

A phone number for Kelsey could not be located.



Johnstown man faces federal drug charges

Maurice Larmont Taylor of Johnstown has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Johns-town on charges of distribution of cocaine base, commonly known as crack.

The indictment named Taylor, 30 of Messenger Street, as the sole defendent.

According to the indictment, on Aug. 26, Sept. 3 and Sept. 24, Taylor distributed less than 5 grams of cocaine base on each day.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 60 years in prison, a fine of $3 million, or both.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and the Cambria County Drug Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in the case.



Club raising funds for toy drive, firefighters

The Windber-based Big Rubbers Custom 4x4 Club Inc. will hold a Toys for Tots trail ride between Windber and Central City on Saturday.

The ride is open to all types of all-terrian and similar vehicles, said Douglas “Bear” Updyke, public relations coordinator.

Registration will begin at

8 a.m. at the Doe Valley Club’s headquarters in Windber, with the ride beginning from there at 11 a.m.

Participants must contribute a toy worth $20 or more or $20 in cash.

More information is available at www.bigrubbers4x4.org.

Also on Saturday, the club will hold a raffle to benefit the West Taylor Township Volunteer Fire Department’s generator fund.

Items related to 4x4 vehicles will be raffled off, Updyke said.

There also will be door prizes.