Published: November 23, 2009 11:28 pm      

In brief | Man’s body found at site of truck crash

MARION CENTER – A Marion Center area man died in an accident in Rayne Township, south of Marion Center.

The body of David Frederick Biss, 54, was discovered by a passing motorist just before noon Monday, said Indiana County Coroner Michael Baker.

Biss’ northbound pickup apparently went out of control on Route 119 and struck a utility pole and several small trees before descending a steep embankment, he said.

State police said the accident happened between 10:30 p.m. Sunday and noon.

The embankment obscured the wreckage, Baker said.

An autopsy was scheduled today to determine if Biss had a medical problem while driving, Baker said.



Paralegal accused of acting as lawyer

SCHELLSBURG – A Somerset woman was charged with the unauthorized practice of law after she allegedly portrayed herself as an attorney and filed legal documents.

Lesa Kay Penrod, 42, of the 800 block of Main Street, is accused of filing a motion-to-dismiss brief with the office of District Judge Tonya Osman of Schellsburg in October.

State police Trooper Matthew Auker said Penrod filed the brief in an attempt to have bad check charges against her father dismissed. He was not named in court documents.

Auker said Penrod is a paralegal who practiced law by writing and signing the motion.



Jerome women charged with shoplifting

SOMERSET – Two women were charged with retail theft after state police said they passed merchandise between them and one walked out of Wal-Mart with a translucent case for an I-phone.

Jessica Wagner, 29, and Keri Wagner, 27, both of Jerome, made off with $120 worth of merchandise, police said.



Cross-burning investigation continues

NEW FLORENCE – Authorities have no new information on a cross burning that took place early Nov. 15 in the yard of the Walbeck family in West Wheatfield Township.

Trooper John Matchik said Monday that state police continue to investigate.



N. Cambria light up scheduled Friday

NORTHERN CAMBRIA – The borough’s Light-up Night will be held Friday at Fridman Park on Philadelphia Avenue.

The park will open at 6 p.m., and the program will begin at 6:30 with caroling, a live nativity and free hot chocolate.

New this year will be free horse-drawn “sleigh” rides from 6 to 9.

Everyone will receive a candle to light and a chance to win a prize. The grand finale will be the lighting of the park and town snowflakes at 7.

The Christmas pageant registration deadline is Monday.

Registration for the pageant, the decorating contest and the parade can be made at www.northerncambria.com or the borough office.

Members of the borough Christmas committee said they have raised only half of the money to fund these events.

Contributions may be made to the NC Civic Committee at the borough office, 1202 Philadelphia Ave.



Police planning seat-belt checkpoints

EBENSBURG – Police departments across Cambria County – including those from Ebensburg, Nanty Glo and Northern Cambria – will hold safety checkpoints Wednesday as part of Pennsylvania’s Operation Safe Holiday seat belt mobilization, which is taking place through Monday.

Special emphasis will be placed on motorists driving during the evening and overnight hours, when seat belt usage rates drop by more than 30 percent. For more information on Operation Safe Holiday, visit DriveSafePA.org.



Baltimore FBI office named for slain agent

BALTIMORE – The FBI’s field office in Baltimore was named Monday for a slain agent with ties to the Johns-town and Rockwood areas.

Thirty-three-year-old Special Agent Sam Hicks was fatally shot as he led officers on a drug raid at a home near Pittsburgh on Nov. 19, 2008.

Christina Korbe, the wife of the drug suspect sought, is jailed awaiting trial on charges she killed Hicks. She has acknowledged shooting Hicks, but said she thought he was an intruder.

Hicks’ widow, Brooke, and their son, Noah, 3, helped unveil a plaque inside the Sam Hicks Building.

Hicks was a Baltimore city police officer from 2002 until the FBI hired him in March 2007 and transferred him to Pittsburgh.

Hicks graduated from Pitt-Johnstown in 1999. His mother is a substitute teacher in Rockwood Area School District.