The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA

Murtha provokes skirmish in House
The House on Friday overwhelmingly rejected calls for an immediate troop withdrawal from Iraq, a vote engineered by the Republicans that was intended to fail. Democrats derided the vote as a political stunt.
“Our troops have become the enemy. We need to change direction in Iraq,” said Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, whose call a day earlier for pulling out troops sparked a nasty, personal debate over the war.
The House voted 403-3 to reject a nonbinding resolution calling for an immediate troop withdrawal.
Cambria County hopes to avoid tax increase
Cambria County commissioners say they are combing through proposed expenditures to reduce spending in 2006 with state cuts in funding looming.
“Our goal is to hold the line on taxes. We’re hoping to achieve that,” Commissioner Milan Gjurich told reporters after Friday’s commissioners meeting.
Suspect held in attack on officer
Not even two zaps from a 50,000-volt stun gun and pepper spray could stop a drunken Quecreek man from attacking a Confluence police officer, authorities said.
Lee Elwin Workman Jr., 46, surrendered only after the arrival of state troopers and police from neighboring Summit Township and Meyersdale.
Costs taking toll on holiday travel
More Americans are expected to travel for Thanksgiving this year, but the growth in the number of expected travelers has slowed.
According to projection by AAA, the number of Americans expected to travel 50 miles or more from their homes will increase by less than 1 percent, to 37.3 million.
Travel growth is slowing because of significantly higher travel costs this year, according to the AAA.
Summerhill Township faces $50,000 deficit
Summerhill Township supervisors are facing a $50,000 deficit that will have to be covered by a 50 percent increase in municipal taxes unless deep cuts are made.
Such cuts in the 2006 budget likely would require layoffs in the maintenance department and police force. But officials vowed Friday to keep a tax hike at a minimum.
Soldiering on
When Ryan D. Bambling graduated from Conemaugh Township Area High School last year, he was looking for some assistance with college funding.
So he joined the Army Reserve.
Now the 19-year-old faces an uncertain future after enemy mortar fire in Iraq seriously injured his right arm.
Rabies alert spurred by skunk bite
A rabies alert has been issued after a woman hanging laundry in her back yard was bitten by a rabid skunk.
Trial under way in city murder
Tips concerning threats against a drug dealer named “Woo” initially led Johnstown police to investigate the possibility that Darnell Alexander had been slain by two Pittsburgh men, witnesses testified Monday.
But the probe shifted to Johnstown after Amanda DeAngelis, Alexander’s girlfriend, gave police information about his whereabouts the night he was killed, city Detective Thomas Owens said.
Inmate tried to arrange killing, authorities say
A Philadelphia man in state prison for theft now faces a much more serious charge: Attempting to arrange a murder.
Anthony M. Day, due to be released in a little more than two weeks from State Correctional Institution-Somerset, is accused of trying to plan for the killing of a witness in an upcoming rape case against him.
Suspect charged in city robberies
A man was charged with two robberies just minutes apart in downtown Johnstown on Monday morning.
City police arrested 40-year-old Robert Anthony Brown of the city’s Solomon Homes and charged him with robberies at Novelty Nook, 222 Bedford St., and Subway Sandwiches & Salads, 406 Main St.
Kernville: Business owners confident efforts will succeed
Neighborhood revival: Signs point to period of renewal for Kernville
Pat Aveni grew up in a kinder, gentler Kernville – a place where boys organized softball teams, men pitched horseshoes and families shopped at the corner store.
But for the 72-year-old, lifelong resident of the Johnstown neighborhood, those memories have nothing in common with the blighted homes and vacant lots that now dominate the streets outside her home.
So as city officials bubble with enthusiasm about a confluence of development initiatives that could lead to Kernville’s long-awaited revitalization, Aveni has a simple reaction:
It’s about time.
Voters head to polls Tuesday
Election watchers across the region are bracing for what may be one of the lowest voter turnouts in recent years Tuesday, despite predictions that the weather will cooperate.
South Fork artist creates winning Celebration logo
It’s almost midnight on New Year’s Eve, and the clock at Johnstown’s City Hall is about to strike.
This is the scene set by Karen Blaisdell of South Fork in her winning entry in the “Celebration Johnstown” logo contest sponsored by The Tribune-Democrat and Johnstown Magazine.
Celebration Johnstown is a family-oriented and alcohol-free gathering to ring in the new year. It will be held at various sites in downtown Johnstown.

Popular business directory searches