Regional news briefs

Va. Tech victim mourned

ST. MARYS -- Monday's shooting rampage at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Va., hit home in St. Marys with news that a young man with local connections was among the 32 victims.

He was identified as Jeremy Herbstritt, 27. A 1998 graduate of Bellefonte Area High School, Herbstritt was attending Virginia Tech as a graduate student studying civil engineering.

Herbstritt's parents, Mike and Peggy Meier Herbstritt, are St. Marys natives who now live in Centre County. His grandparents are Thomas and Mary Snelick Herbstritt of St. Marys.

Fire being probed

DuBOIS -- Investigators continue to probe the cause of an April 11 fire that destroyed three businesses in an historic building on the Oklahoma- Salem Road, near DuBois.

Cozy Acres Furniture, Diamond Auto Glass and Fullington Bus Terminal were destroyed in the early morning blaze at a building that was once the headquarters for local aviation. State police fire marshals are heading the investigation.

Kevin Finley, owner of Cozy Acres Furniture, leased space to Diamond and Fullington. He is working with insurance representatives to determine coverage details. Finley said his business place and contents were a total loss.

Fullington and Diamond have set up new DuBois business locations. Much of the contents from Diamond Auto Glass was salvaged.

Burglaries in Smethport

SMETHPORT -- Two recent burglaries in Smethport may be related, according to state police fromKane.

Last Friday night or early Saturday morning, someone broke into the NAPA Auto Parts store on West Main Street and removed a safe containing about $250 in currency while causing an estimated $100 worth of damage.

Also, a thief broke into the home of George Roach on Rt. 6 in the borough sometime Saturday morning and stole a safe, as well as three types of prescription medicine. Police estimated the value of the stolen items at $620.

Jail health care woes

BROOKVILLE - The Jefferson County Commissioners are joining with other county governments in seeking relief from the escalating costs of medical care for prisoners in the county jail.

Counties must pay the medical bills as long as the prisoner is in the county jail. The commissioners are lobbying Congress to provide federal assistance for medical benefits. They're also seeking changes in the law to require inmates to be more responsible for their medical bills.

Blood analysis planned

PORT ALLEGANY - Port Allegany Rotary Club and Charles Cole Memorial Hospital are teaming up for a multiphasic blood analysis on Saturday, April 28, from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Port Allegany High School.

Tests will also be available for the prostate specific antigen and the thyroid specific hormone. Appointments are required by calling 260-5392.

Yard sales May 18-19

ST. MARYS -- Townwide Yards Sales return to St. Marys May 18-19. The St. Marys Area Chamber of Commerce will promote registered sellers who pay a small fee by placing their locations on a widely distributed map and advertisements.

Chamber leaders are confident that they'll be able to build on last year's roster of 30 sellers.

Support for Habitat group PORT ALLEGANY -- A youth group has been formed in Port Allegany to support the Habitat for Humanity organization.

Kim Nelson is heading the effort, based on a youth division of the national Habitat program. A karaoke contest was held this week to raise money for active HFH organizations in Potter and McKean counties. On May 19, the young members will raise money by sleeping in boxes overnight to gain an understanding of homelessness.

Additional information is available from Kim Nelson at 598-0235.

Invasive plants growing

KANE -- Forestland owners, including the National Forest Service, are planning an attack on an invasive plant, Japanese knotweed. The species is gaining a foothold in sections of McKean and Warren counties, including sections of the Allegheny National Forest (ANF).

Japanese knotweed and other invasive plants are detrimental to the native environment, according to the state Pa. Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). They are causing declines in native plants, insects, birds and animals, according to DCNR.

Manual removal of knotweed could require deep exacavation, so ANF officials and others are considering the use of chemicals repeatedly injected into the plant stems.

A new ANF management plan permits the use of herbicides.

Facing theft charge

PORT ALLEGANY -- The man accused of stealing of stealing more than $5,500 while he was employed by the Port Allegany Moose Lodge will appear for a preliminary hearing on April 30.

Michael Songer, 37, was released after posting $5,000 bail at his arraignment before District Judge Bill Todd.

He is charged with stealing the money while employed as a bartender between September 2005 and February 2007.

Songer pleaded guilty last year to stealing $2,000 from the American Legion post in Port Allegany while employed there. He was sentenced to six months' probation and has reimbursed the post.