A Smock man gave a written confession to state police at Uniontown about shooting a horse of Michael Shawn Fisher of Smock after the man caught four of Fisher's horses on his property and eating his planted corn, according to police.
The man got a revolver and fire a number of times in the direction of the horses, which all fled towards Fisher's property.
The following day, the man found a black and white paint quarter horse dead on his property and moved the dead horse with heavy equipment to the farm dump, burying it in a shallow grave. The man then burned tires on top of the grave to reduce the pungent odor.
Charges of animal cruelty are to be filed at District Justice Rick Vernon's office.
Encampment
George Washington's men are returning to Fort Necessity. Re-enactors portraying the Virginia Regiment will encamp in the Great Meadows at Fort Necessity National Battlefield July 19 and 20.
The re-enactors will answer questions throughout the day and demonstrate the use of black powder muskets following the ranger programs at the fort. Visitors are welcome to visit the encampment.
Fort Necessity National Battlefield is located 11 miles east of Uniontown on Route 40. Admission for the park is $3 per adult; children 16 and under are admitted free. The fee is collected at the park's visitor center and is valid for seven days.
For more information on this and other programs at Fort Necessity, call 724-329-5512 or visit the park's Web site at www.nps.gov/fone.
Tentative work plan
PennDOT District 12 announces the following tentative work plan for this week — all activities are conducted on a weather-permitting basis. Motorists must drive with caution throughout all work areas and be alert for signed work zone requiring the usage of headlights:
To report any road maintenance concerns, call 1-800-FIX-ROAD (1-800-349-7623). Visit the Web site at www.penndot12.com.
Applications
Photos are still being accepted for the 22nd Annual “All Babies Are Beautiful Smile-A-Thon” sponsored by ParentWISE Inc. to be held July 26 at the Kirk S. Nevin Arena at Lynch Field, Route119 north, Greensburg. Deadline for entries is July 24.Parents interested in registering their child or children in this fun event need only submit a 5” x 7” photo of the child(ren) along with $5 per child entrance fee. All photos receive a number that will correspond to a collection jar that each entrant's family, friends and neighbors are encouraged to fill with donations to the agency. Photos will be on display in the arena lobby from noon until 4 p.m. Entrants must have been born July 25, 2000 or after to be eligible. Photos will be returned.
Children not collecting sufficient donations for a grand or category prize, but still collecting $25 or more, will be eligible for prizes in a random drawing to be held during a special awards ceremony honoring major winners.
Full details and registration forms are available from the ParentWISE office by calling 724-837-5410. Registration forms are also available at Sears Portrait Studio, Westmoreland Mall; and Wal-Mart, Hempfield Plaza. Entries are being accepted at the agency's office, 409 Coulter Avenue, Suite. 2, South Greensburg, or at above- listed sites.
National conference
The Autism Society of America will hold its national conference July 16 to 20 at the David Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh. Leading researchers will present the latest findings in autism research and autism experts and advocates will address important issues related to autism that are facing our nation. The society will announce a major national awareness initiative on the benefits of early diagnosis and intervention in improving the outcomes of individuals with autism. For more information about the conference, visit the Web site at www.autism-society.org or call Ronita Wisniewski at 301-657-0881 ext. 118.
Road projects </b.
PennDOT District 12 has announced several road repair projects in the area.
Traffic advisory
In an effort to reduce traffic accidents on Route 40 through Henry Clay, Wharton, North Union, South Union and Menallen Townships and Route 119 through Bullskin, Connellsville and Dunbar townships, the state police at Uniontown will be routinely instituting the following traffic enforcement programs: STEAD (DUI enforcement), SPARE (aerial speed enforcement), Yellow Jacket (speed enforcement with use of PennDOT equipment as radar vehicles) and CENTIPEDE & TAG'D (speed and aggressive driver enforcement). Those programs will run at random times and locations on Routes 40 and 119 North for the remainder of 2003. Results of the programs will be sent to the media when they have been completed.
Missing
Roy Raymond Wiggins, 62, of Versailles was missing after going fishing with his nephew near Scott Haven Road in Sewickley when the two went back to Wiggins' vehicle to sleep, and the nephew woke to find Wiggins gone on July 13 at 4 p.m., according to state police at Greensburg.
Wiggins, who's also a Parkinson's victim, was located in Versailles Borough after an area search by state police helicopter, Westmoreland County blood hounds and fire departments from Lowber, Rillton and Sutersville on quads.
Investigation
State police at Greensburg are investigating the death of William Lester Beeman, 48, of Youngwood after Beeman's family failed to reach him, they contacted police to check on him.
When the landlord assisted the police into Beeman's residence, they found Beeman, who appeared to be deceased for several days, in the hallway.
An autopsy was performed by the Westmoreland County Coroner's Office, which, along with the state police at Greensburg, is investigating the pending incident.
DUI legislation
House Bill 4, authored by House Transportation Committee Chair Rick Geist (R-Altoona), lowers the state's blood alcohol limit to .08 percent and mandates more intensive treatment and harsher penalties for people who drink and drive in Pennsylvania.
House Majority Leader Sam Smith (R-Punxsatawney) explained that the impetus for the comprehensive rewrite of Pennsylvania's driving under the influence (DUI) law was the federal governments directive to lower the state's blood alcohol limit to .08 or risk losing highway construction funds.Crafters wantedCrafters are wanted for the Ohiopyle Mountain Festival to be held Aug. 2 and 3. This outdoor festival is held at the Ohiopyle falls area. Cost is $50 per space; juried show. Request an application by calling 724-329-8594.
