Published: December 26, 2008 10:48 pm      

In brief: Two die in separate Indiana County accidents

Two Indiana County residents died from injuries they received in traffic accidents on Wednesday in Indiana County.

Brett Shaulis, 45, of Clarksburg, a driver, died at 3:25 p.m. Friday in the intensive-care unit of Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown, Cambria County Chief Deputy Coroner Jeffrey Lees said. The cause of death was a severe head injury, he said.

Shaulis was eastbound on Route 286 in Conemaugh Township, located in the southwestern part of Indiana County, just before 1 a.m. when his pickup truck went out of control, climbed an embankment and overturned, Lees said. Shaulis, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle, he said.

The ice- and snow-covered roadway was a factor in the accident, Lees said.

State police said a Marion Center woman died from injuries she received in a one-car accident at 9:50 a.m. on Rayne Township Route 493 south of Marion Center.

Paula R. Elkin, 60, lost control of her vehicle on the ash-covered roadway, slid down a hill and struck two trees while sliding broadside, police said.

Power outage leaves hundreds in the dark

GALLITZIN – About 900 Penelec customers in Gallitzin lost power for a while just before 8:30 p.m. Friday when a 46,000-volt line connecting substations at the summit in Cresson and in the Eldorado section of Altoona was disrupted.

Penelec spokesman Dennis Platt said service was restored to the majority of customers within one hour.

The disruption was caused by high winds and rainy conditions, he said.

Scholarship contest targets underage drinking

Central Pennsylvania high school seniors interested in winning a college scholarship can participate in the third annual “Words to Be Heard” Scholarship Contest sponsored by the law offices of Edgar Snyder & Associates.

Students are asked to write a proposal for a program that would teach preteens and teenagers the consequences associated with underage drinking and drunk driving.

The grand prize winner will receive a $2,500 scholarship to the school of their choice, the second-place winner will receive $1,000, and three runners-up will receive $500 toward their educations.

All entries must be postmarked on or before Jan. 31.

For more information, call (800) 394-3660, ext. 4412,

or www.edgarsnyder.com.