Return of Flood City Music Fest draws 'huge crowds' to downtown Johnstown

 Posted on May 29, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  126 words  |  Christie Applegate

JOHNSTOWN, Pa (WJAC) — The annual AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival returned this weekend after being cancelled last year due to the pandemic. The festival, which is organized by the Johnstown Area Heritage Association, drew huge crowds this year. Three stages at People's Natural Gas Park were filled with live music for community members to enjoy. "I think people are just overjoyed to be back enjoying live music again. Our event makes it possible for people to be rather spaced out, of course we're outside, and everything is very well ventilated. [Read More]

Blair County animal shelter closed due to yellow jacket infestation

 Posted on May 28, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  154 words  |  Christie Applegate

Blair Co., PA (WJAC) — The Central PA Humane Society in Blair County announced Thursday that the shelter will be closed until further notice due to a large insect infestation. According to a Facebook post from the shelter, a large swarm of yellow jackets has created a hive above the cat kennel area. Officials say the hive has damaged the ceiling area, allowing the wasps to freely enter the shelter. [Read More]

Bruhat Soma dominates spell-off to win Scripps National Spelling Bee

 Posted on May 28, 2024  |  5 minutes  |  991 words  |  Barrett Giampaolo

OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — Bruhat Soma insisted he was nervous during the idle hours as he waited to take the Scripps National Spelling Bee stage, and he felt even more pressure to perform given that he hadn't lost a spelling bee in eight months. He never showed any nerves in front of the microphone, though, and when the bee abruptly went to a lightning-round tiebreaker known as a "spell-off," he could not have been more comfortable. [Read More]

Chestnut Ridge official facing charges for not reporting sexual assault gets bail reduced

 Posted on May 28, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  204 words  |  Merlyn Hunt

BEDFORD COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Patrick Isgan is facing charges for a reported role he played as Chestnut Ridge's Middle School Vice Principal in not allegedly not reporting sexual assault incidents involving students. Isgan made a court appearance Wednesday looking to lower his bail. A judge's decision was made to reduce the bail amount from the original $1 million to $100,000 with only 10 percent ($10,000) having to be posted. [Read More]

Denver to replace police officers with drones for some 911 calls amid budget cuts

 Posted on May 28, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  376 words  |  Christie Applegate

DENVER (TND) — The Denver Police Department (DPD) will soon use drones as first responders after the city cut millions from the force's budget to aid migrants. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston announced in April a plan to cut a combined $45.9 million worth of expenses from city agencies. The police department alone received a cut of $8.4 million, while the fire department's budget was slashed by $2.5 million. A DPD spokesperson confirmed to The National Desk (TND) Tuesday drones are becoming a more substantial part of their operations and could soon replace humans for some 911 calls. [Read More]

New antique store opens in Johnstown

 Posted on May 28, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  197 words  |  Christie Applegate

A new and exciting store is opening in Johnstown this week. 'Luck of the Draw' is an antique and rare collectibles store owned by Nicole Gorzelsky. What started out as a hobby has ultimately turned into a lifestyle for Gorzelsky. After years of yard sales, auctions, and flea markets, she accumulated a vast collection of items that she decided to turn into a business venture. Her unique knowledge of antique items has even promoted her to become a local resource for people. [Read More]

Punxsutawney school board approves resignation of co-principal

 Posted on May 28, 2024  |  3 minutes  |  440 words  |  Brenda Moya

UPDATE | Jefferson Co., PA (WJAC) — Officials with the Punxsutawney Area School District confirmed to 6 News that the school board has officially accepted the resignation of co-principal Paul Hetrick. District officials say Hetrick submitted his resignation on Monday and the school board voted to approve it on Tuesday. Hetrick said in a statement that he was resigning from his position due to "personal struggles." The school district confirmed that Hetrick is no longer an employee and a disciplinary hearing that was scheduled for next week has now been cancelled. [Read More]

'A once in a lifetime kid:' West Branch senior breaks school wrestling record

 Posted on May 27, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  371 words  |  Delta Gatti

Clearfield Co., PA (WJAC) — A local wrestler secured his spot in his school's record books with the most wins in program history. Tuesday night was a cause for celebration at West Branch as Landon Bainey etched his name into school history with 144 wins. "Landon is a once in a lifetime kid to coach." Landon Bainey now sits at the top of West Branch wrestling history as the senior broke the record in his very last home dual, capping his dual meet career at 73-0. [Read More]

Berlin man claims famous ancestry

 Posted on May 27, 2024  |  3 minutes  |  581 words  |  Barrett Giampaolo

BERLIN, Pa. (WJAC) — Most people can share at least one story about a run-in with someone famous. Even fewer people can say they're related to someone famous. A Somerset County man is in that niche group, and you'd be hard pressed to find someone more well-known than his cousin. Without giving away his last name, Ralph, a Berlin resident since 1983, took a very big interest in his family's genealogy. [Read More]

Hollsopple woman used pages from "spell book" to set car on fire

 Posted on May 27, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  254 words  |  Merlyn Hunt

CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — Police say a Somerset County woman is accused of using pages from a spell book to set a vehicle on fire. According to a criminal complaint, 47-year-old Kristy Malzi, of Hollsopple, is facing charges related to reckless burning, terroristic threats and simple assault. Officers say they were called July 30 to BK’s Klassics on Bedford Street in Stonycreek Township for reports of a vehicle arson. [Read More]