Latest news with #CambriaCounty
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Campus notes, June 29, 2025
Honors are signified as follows: ***with highest distinction; **with high distinction; *with distinction. The following area students received bachelor of science degrees from St. Francis University, Loretto, Cambria County: Bella Schlouch, Brecknock Township, nursing; Amalia Bradburn, Spring Township, health science; Elizabeth Fry, Reinholds, marketing. Commonwealth U. The following area students graduated from Commonwealth University this spring: Bloomsburg campus *Christian Ambrose, Robesonia; Sophia Blank, Boyertown; Mya Canfield, Ryan Duffy, **Mia Noland and Taylor Yerger, Douglassville; *Bradford Crosby, Reading, St. Lawrence; **Jamie Decker, Nicole Gagliardi and **Christian Skidmore, Breinigsville; Kathleen Eisenhofer, Bern Township; **Emma Felegie, Brooke Perretta, ** Breanne Tinney and Owen Westerfer, Gilbertsville; Cody Fink, Denver; Claudia Huey and Anya Kissinger, Myerstown; Amanda Kaczmarczyk, North Heidelberg Township; Gabriel Kichline, Mohrsville; Isabella Lovera, Exeter Township; **Meredith Mace, Kutztown; Alyssa Martin, Shillington; Sarah Patrick, Barto; Ashley Sergent, Elverson; George Tomoiaga and Rylee Wenzel, Spring Township; Lock Haven campus *Braden Bartman, Gilbertsville; Seamus Filoon, Wyomissing; Taylor Hartner, Douglassville; Alexis Lehr, Myerstown; *Kayla Maciejewski, Ruscombmanor Township; Cade McLaughlin, Ontelaunee Township; Megan Mengel, Wyomissing; Miranda Patches, Oley; Erin Powers, Douglassville; Ruby Pruitt, Spring Township; Abigal Rea, Bern Township; Kylie Sourbeck, Kutztown; Mansfield campus *Danielle Drain, Denver; Baldwin Wallace *Alyson Hand, Birdsboro, received a bachelor of arts degree in arts management and entrepreneurship from Baldwwin Wallace University, Berea, Ohio. Scranton honoree Gabrielle M. Bingener, Barto, received the J. Timothy Cannon Award for Excellence in Neuroscience and a full-tuition Presidential Scholarship from the University of Scranton. Honor society Evan Hetrick, Boyertown, was elected to membership in the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at Penn State University. Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Leadership conference Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg student Logan Schoen, Mertztown, attended the Future Business Leaders of America Collegiate National Leadership Conference in Dallas. Schoen qualified for the NLC based on the results of the Pennsylvania FBLA Collegiate State Leadership Conference. CU-Bloomsburg's chapter was named Distinguished Chapter at this year's NLC, and Schoen took eighth place in Foundations of Technology. Items are submitted by the colleges involved.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Yahoo
Windber man accused of sexually assaulting. impregnating teen
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A Windber man faces felony sexual assault charges, accused of impregnating a 14-year-old girl. Benjamin Burkett, 31, allegedly started a relationship with the teen on Snapchat and took her to his Windber home six times this year to engage in sexual acts, Windber police said. Police said Burkett allegedly admitted knowing the girl was just 14 years old at the time. Investigators said the teen spoke with staff at the Cambria County Child Advocacy Center for a forensic interview after the teen discovered she was pregnant. She told the Advocacy Center staff that Burkett would allegedly pick her up near her Cambria County residence and drive her to his home in Windber, police said. Investigators also said the two allegedly exchanged nude photographs. Burkett is accused of aggravated indecent assault, sexual assault, sexual abuse of children, corruption of minors and indecent assault involving a person less than 16 years old. He is also charged with unlawful contact with a minor. Burkett was released from Somerset County Jail after a bondsman had posted a surety bond for his $100,000 bail, online court records show. Burkett faces a July 23 preliminary hearing before District Judge William Seger in Windber.
CBS News
04-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
8 charged after game wardens take down poaching ring in Cambria County
Eight people pleaded guilty to dozens of charges after the Pennsylvania Game Commission said wardens took down a poaching group in Cambria County. The Game Commission said a lengthy investigation into the taking of 11 white-tailed deer and a gray fox in Cambria County between 2023 and 2024 resulted in 35 charges and more than 70 years' worth of license revocations. Authorities said the investigation began when a game warden checked the license of one of the suspects while they were fishing in Indiana County. When the warden asked about the guns and ammunition found in the vehicle, the Game Commission said the suspect admitted to shooting deer at night using a spotlight. After serving three separate search warrants, investigators determined eight people were poaching deer at night while using spotlights. They also failed to tag deer, took bucks that didn't meet antler restrictions, used tags from other states and exceeded the legal limits, the Game Commission said. Jason Wise, Sandra Wise, Daniel Wise, Issac Keith, Dan Sodomont, Marina Morgan, Dennis Corson and Levi Corson all pleaded guilty to summary counts. They were ordered to pay $35,000 in restitution and they lost their hunting and trapping privileges for a combined 70 years. "Great work by all wardens involved in ensuring these senseless crimes didn't go unpunished, helping to uphold the law and protect our wildlife for current and future generations," the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Southwest Region wrote on Facebook. People are encouraged to report wildlife crimes by calling Operation Game Thief at 1-888-PGC-8001 or by going online.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Longtime firefighter, department president 'leading the way' in Dunlo fire service
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Denny Gdula has been a volunteer firefighter for 54 years. When Gdula was 16 years old, the place to hang out was the Adams Township Volunteer Fire/Rescue station at 180 Pitcairn Ave. in the village of Dunlo. He played ping-pong and pool there – and developed a lifelong commitment to community service that spread to his family. Rick Gdula joined the department after Denny Gdula, his older brother. Front Lines logo 'I got involved so he could enjoy more time with his boys, who were reaching Little League age,' Rick Gdula said. 'Denny was a firefighter, EMT and paramedic, and he ran our ambulance. He was chief for a lot of years, too, and a caring Adams Township supervisor. 'The people who were around our fire department all looked up to Denny. So many people followed after him to become EMTs or paramedics, and that helped the community out a great deal, with him leading the way.' Gdula's father, Jim, also joined after his son and served as president of the department for many years until he died. Denny Gdula's sons, and Rick Gdula's, too, are members of the department, as well as Denny Gdula's grandson. At one time, his wife Denise, a registered nurse, was a paramedic with the department. Today, Denny Gdula, 70, is president of Adams Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 in Dunlo, which serves half of Adams Township in Cambria County. 'I forget how many fire companies were in Cambria County when I started, and now the number has probably been cut in half,' he said. The Dunlo station has survived because of community support, he said. 'In a small community like this, people will step up,' he said. 'Financially, we get supported well. And a lot of people who don't belong to the fire department, if we have a big function and need help, all we have to do is give them a call and they are happy to show up.' Dunlo firefighters had responded to 58 calls so far this year as of Thursday. The department responds to an average of 150 calls a year, Gdula said. Over the course of his career, he has helped people through a lot. He said he's probably the only firefighter in the fire department who was active the night of the 1977 Johnstown flood. 'I'll never forget those next two or three days after the flood,' he said. 'We were from here to there to everywhere, cleaning up, making our way, checking on everybody. There was so much destruction. That was one thing that never left me and never will. But since then, I've probably responded to a couple hundred structure fire calls, vehicle accidents – it's a hard thing to describe, what a volunteer does.' He said people may not realize all that firefighters can do and will do. 'We'll pump your basement, get your cat out of a tree,' he said. 'Just this morning, there was a carbon monoxide alarm, so you learn that their furnace was malfunctioning; you shut their furnace off and ventilate the house. There's just anything imaginable.' Gdula retired four years ago from his full-time job of 30 years as an Adams Township public works supervisor. Prior to that, he worked for Bethlehem Steel Corp. and M. Glosser & Sons steel company. 'As a volunteer firefighter, you miss a lot of sleep, and a lot of work at times,' he said. 'You might go out at 4 a.m. in the morning (on a fire dispatch), and you are supposed to be at your job at 7 a.m., but you don't get back until 8 a.m., so there's a lot of things volunteers do that people don't realize.' The department has about 30 or more volunteers from ages 16 through 70, he said. 'The future looks promising,' he said. 'We have 12 junior firefighters. They come and train, so it does look good.' Adams Township is also fortunate to have two fire stations, he said. The Dunlo station works with the Adams Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 station in St. Michael on almost every call, he said. At 70 years old, Gdula said he recognizes that he can't do what he used to be able to do, but he has no plans for stopping any time soon. 'Once you've been a volunteer firefighter for as long as I have, you feel obligated when the whistle blows to go,' he said.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fallen remembered, veterans honored in Cambria County on Memorial Day
CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Memorial Day is a day to remember America's fallen military members, and many state leaders attend various services across the Commonwealth. Senator Wayne Langerholc attended Sandyvale's dedication service in Cambria County, honoring the men and women from the county who gave their lives fighting for our country. The service also honored veterans in attendance with a special pinning ceremony. Langerholc spoke about his great-uncle, who was killed in World War II. He shared how special this day is to honor his uncle, as well as others who have served. Veterans who spoke at the service expressed how the day has turned into a celebration for many Americans, but remembering why we have the day is what's important. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
