The widespread wintry mix last week chilled blood donations in the Greater Alleghenies Region of American Red Cross Blood Services, eroding supplies of several blood types, including Type O negative, known as the universal blood type.
"On Christmas Eve alone, inclement weather contributed to the cancellation of five blood drives and our collecting just 38.4 percent of goal, a deficit of 585 units. That's on top of more than 400 units lost off the schedule in recent days due to weather and other anticipated events," said Jim Starr, CEO. "These losses represent about one day's worth of blood collections.
"Our blood supply reserves, particularly O negative, A negative and B negative are extremely tight, with little more than a half-day's supply of O negative and B negative blood types. One major accident could wipe out available supplies," Starr said.
He added that to help boost supplies, the blood region was extending its gift card promotion to all blood drives held in the 100-county region on New Year's Eve.
Presenting blood and platelet donors at all Greater Alleghenies Region blood drives on Wednesday will receive a $5 gift card, while supplies last. Locally, a blood drive will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Westmoreland County Chapter, American Red Cross, 101 N. Main St., Suite 101, Greensburg.
Dunbar Township
Tax office
hours released
The Dunbar Township Tax Office will be open today from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Participants in the Connellsville Area Installment Plan who have any outstanding payments due are advised that according to the school district's policy the amount now due will be the 10 percent penalty on the face amount minus any payments and penalties already paid. A postmark of Dec. 31 will be accepted.
All unpaid real estate taxes will be returned to the Fayette Tax Claim Bureau, 61 E. Main St., Uniontown. Please contact the bureau at 724-430-1208 for further information.
Bullskin
Jewelry taken
from home
State police are investigating the theft of $6,000 worth of jewelry from a Pleasant Valley Road residence in Bullskin last week.
Police said someone forcibly entered the residence between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Dec. 23 and removed rings, necklaces and charms.
A .32-caliber handgun, valued at $300; 14 cartons of cigarettes, valued at $300; and about $400 cash were taken.
Anyone with information about the incident may call the Uniontown station at 724-439-7111.
East Huntingdon
Accident victim
in critical condition
A Tarrs man remained in critical condition Monday from injuries sustained in a one-vehicle crash in East Huntingdon.
Matthew J. Geiger, 27, is being treated at UPMC Presbyterian, according to a hospital spokesman.
Geiger was driving north on Route 3089 at 7:20 a.m. Friday when his vehicle went off the road about a half mile north of Route 31 and struck a guardrail and a rock wall before overturning, state police said.
Geiger was ejected from his vehicle, police said.
Connellsville
Weather art
is welcome
The Daily Courier welcomes weather drawings from local students.
The drawings are used in the weather package, which appears on page A2.
Please submit drawings to the Daily Courier, 127 W. Apple St., Connellsville, PA 15425. Make sure to include the name of the child and the school he or she attends. Call Roxanne Abramowitz at 724-626-3530 with questions.
Washington, D.C.
Grants will address
abandoned mines
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement announced that $298 million in grants is available in 2009 for states to restore abandoned mine lands, treat water quality problems associated with past mining, and, in some cases, to be put to other uses.
Pennsylvania will receive $29.9 million.
The funds may be used to eliminate health, safety and environmental problems caused by past mining practices, improve water quality by treating acid mine drainage and other uses. Funding will be distributed in accordance with the requirements of the 2006 Amendments to Title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act.
