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9/1/2010 State Police discover remains in Southern Indiana County UPDATE: County Coroner rules death Homicide : Indiana County’s Coroner is confirming the remains found in a 55-gallon barrel in Southern Indiana County are human.  As we reported Wednesday, Indiana-Based State Police said they found the barrel in connection with a recent investigation of robberies and burglaries in the area that lead police to search a body of water off Newport Road in Burrel Township.  The Allegheny County medical examiners office is being called in to examine the remains.  Our Indiana News Bureau reports Indiana County Coroner Michael Baker ruled the death a Homicide Wednesday, and the cause will be determined after further testing is done on the remains.  The identity of the person has not yet been determined, but Baker said that a tissue sample has given him a tentative identification.  He will continue to investigate, including performing forensic dental examinations to confirm the victim’s identity before informing the family and the public.  Baker says he hopes to have a complete dental analysis done by Friday. Read more WPXZ news
9/2/2010 Charges of ethnic intimidation dropped in Clearfield County Cross Burning Case Charges of Ethnic intimidation and arson have been dropped in a Clearfield County Cross-Burning case.  According to the Gant-Daily, Ryan Held was facing those charges, along with charges of Reckless Endangerment, Criminal mischief and harassment in connection with an incident on August 21.  According to testimony, the 18-year-old Woodland Woman saw a burning cross and a gas can outside her home just after midnight when one of her friends pointed it out to her.  She also said that she received a text message from Held containing a racial slur.  Defense attorneys in their closing argument said that the charges of reckless endangerment and ethnic intimidation should be dropped, as the charge of ethnic intimidation requires the action to be assaultive to a person of race or damage done to property of a person of race, which he said did not happen.  District Judge James Hawkins agreed and dropped the charges of ethnic intimidiation but Held still faces the summary charges of criminal mischief and harassment. Read more WPXZ news
9/2/2010 Punxsy woman arrested, suspected of DUI A Punxsutawney woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI after she wrecked her van and ran from the scene.  Punxsutawney-based state police say that 22 year old Kelly Baxter was driving along East Branch Road in Henderson Township and she was going too fast to go through a downhill left curve on a dirt road.  The van slid across the road and crashed into an embankment on the opposite side.  She fled the scene and travelled on foot to the Punxsutawney Hospital, explaining to attendants that she was in an ATV crash.  She would later admit to crashing the van.  She’s currently under arrest, and charges are pending the results of blood tests. Read more WPXZ news
9/2/2010 Punxsy Superintendent to meet the public tonight Punxsutawney Citizens will get the chance to meet the new Punxsy School District Superintendent today at a picnic on the school grounds.  The Picnic was organized by the school board and the Punxsy Chamber of Commerce.  Complimentary Hot dogs, Chips and Soft Drinks will be available, and the public is invited to attend the picnic.  This will take place at Jack LaMarca stadium, just to the left of the bleachers as you enter the stadium near the scoreboard.  The Picnic will start at 4:30 and run until 6:30 tonight. Read more WPXZ news