Fire undetermined
The cause of the fire that destroyed a local automotive warehouse earlier this month has been ruled as "undetermined."
Connellsville Police Chief Ed McSheffery said the cause of the early-morning fire that destroyed the building that house B.T. Brake Sales Inc. on Aug. 5 could not be pinpointed during the investigation by Connellsville City Fire Marshal Mike Long, so it was declared "undetermined."
McSheffery said the origin of the fire was toward the ceiling.
Firefighters were on the scene of the fire, located at 117 W. Peach St., for nearly six hours to mop up from the fire and roof collapse and the materials inside.
North Union
Hearing is
continued
The hearing for a Fayette County man accused of burglarizing an animal shelter has been continued to an undetermined date.
Craig A. Rugg, 20, of Connellsville, was charged by state police with burglary and related crimes for the July 4 break-in at the Steve Courson Humane Society of Fayette County in North Union.
According to a criminal complaint, an unidentified witness drove Rugg to the shelter and watched Rugg enter through a basement window. The witness said Rugg was inside for at least 10 minutes, emerging with a shirt wrapped around his bloodied hand.
His preliminary hearing before District Judge Wendy Dennis on Wednesday was continued.
Uniontown
Teens caught
burglarizing house
What would you do for a Klondike Bar?
A Fayette County teenager took the advertising slogan a little too far, landing himself and an accomplice in juvenile detention after police allege the pair were caught burglarizing a house.
Two Uniontown police officers went to a house on Braddock Avenue at 3:13 p.m. Wednesday after a witness saw two juveniles knock on the door, then wipe off their handprints when no one answered.
When officers Jonathan Grabiak and Jamie Holland arrived, they noticed two teenagers leaving the house from a basement stairwell, according to a police report. The teens ran when they saw the officers, but the officers were able to apprehend both.
One of the juveniles was carrying a box of Klondike ice cream bars. The other had a cell phone, $100 cash and a novelty $3 bill, according to police.
When police entered the house, they found it had been ransacked, with dresser drawers pulled out and closet doors opened. Someone had forcibly entered through the basement door, police said.
The homeowner was not home at the time. She later told officers the ice cream bars, phone, cash and $3 bill belonged to her. The items were returned to the woman.
The two suspects, both age 16, were taken to the Westmoreland County Juvenile Detention Center. They have been charged as juveniles with burglary, theft and criminal mischief, police said.
Dawson
Dance in
Dawson tonight
The Brownfield Community Center is sponsoring a dance from 8 p.m. to midnight tonight. The High Ryder Band will perform a variety of music for this event. Cost is $15.00 per couple, which includes meal. For more information, call 724-529-2930.
Uniontown
Food bank
distribution today
Liberty Baptist Church, 183 Oliver Road in Uniontown, will hold a food bank distribution from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight. Dinner and a movie will be offered at 6 p.m. Saturday; free to all. Small group studies will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday and worship at 11 a.m. with a baptism. Bible study groups are located near Uniontown during the different times of the week. For more information, call 724-626-1265 or 724-570-3730 or 724-437-2424.
Carlisle
Pancakes recalled
at Martin's Food Market
As part of a manufacturer's recall, Giant Food Stores and Martin's Food Markets removed from shelves Van's Wheat-Free Homestyle Pancakes. Van's Natural Foods announced a voluntary recall of the 12.4-ounce size boxes of Wheat-Free Homestyle Pancakes which have UPC code No. 8994769604. Product may contain buttermilk pancakes, which are not wheat-free and therefore pose an allergen issue.
Consumers with questions may call Van's Natural Foods at 323-585-5581, ext. 237.
All Class I and Class II product recalls of products carried in Giant Food Stores or Martin's Food Markets are posted at www.giantfoodstores.com and www.martinsfoods.com.
Harrisburg
Police presence
will be increased
Motorists will see an increased police presence on the highways starting today as more than 600 municipal police departments and Pennsylvania State Police will be joining in a national crackdown on impaired driving through the Labor Day weekend.
A key focus of the crackdown will be underage drinking and driving.
According to PennDOT, there were more than 1,400 alcohol-related crashes involving drivers age 16 through 20 across the state last year. Those crashes resulted in 45 fatalities.
PennDOT is reminding young drivers that the state's Zero Tolerance Law carries serious consequences for those under 21 convicted of driving with any amount of alcohol in their blood. For example, those younger than 21 convicted of driving under the influence with a .02 blood alcohol content or greater face a 12-to-18-month license suspension, 48 hours to six months in jail and fines from $500 to $5,000.
In addition, a vehicle does not have to be involved for intoxicated individuals under 21 to lose their driving privileges. Anyone under 21 convicted of consuming, possessing or transporting alcohol or lying about their age to obtain alcohol or carrying a fake ID faces a fine of $500, plus court costs and a 90-day license suspension for the first offense.
For more information on impaired driving, visit PennDOT's highway safety Web site: www.DriveSafePA.org.
Uniontown
PennDOT work
plan released
PennDOT District 12 announced the following tentative work plan for next week.
• Bridge crew -- bridge replacement on Route 1031 (Broadford/Owensdale Road).
• Shoulder cutting -- Route 21 (Uniontown/McClellandtown).
• Bridge flushing -- Route 21 (Masontown Bridge).
• Patching -- Route 2027 (Maple Summit Road) and Route 119 (Point Marion-Sycamore).
• Ditch cleaning -- Route 1002 (Banning Road).
• Base repair -- Route 2021 (Jumonville-Coolspring Road).
• Signs will be updated, downed signs will be replaced and work orders will be addressed on various routes throughout Fayette County.
PennDOT has a 24-hour toll-free number for residents to call to report any road maintenance concern. This number can also be used to report locations of dead deer on state highways. The number is 800-FIX ROAD (800-349-7623). PennDOT District 12 Web site is at www.penndot12.com.
All maintenance activities are conducted on a weather-permitting basis. Motorists should drive with caution through all work areas and be alert for signed work zones requiring the usage of headlights.
