UPDATE | Somerset Co., PA (WJAC) — Authorities in Somerset County are providing new details about an overnight shooting that left one man injured.
Somerset Borough Police Chief Randy Cox says that the victim, a Lancaster man, was reportedly shot, twice, outside the Holiday Inn Express.
Investigators say the victim was found outside the front door of the hotel, around 1:30 a.m. Thursday.
According to the victim, police say he was reportedly standing outside by his vehicle when a black Jeep pulled up.
Mother mourns the loss of her daughter in deadly house fire
MEYERSDALE – A house fire in Somerset County left three people dead and a community in mourning.
A broken heart was burned into the side of the house on Maple Valley Road.
"When I woke up this morning, I seen flames. And then firetrucks and everything came,” neighbor Melissa Frampton said. “All you could see was flashing lights clear up the hill, down the hill, up through here. It was a horrific scene.
Sideline Cancer prepares for The Basketball Tournament title game
JOHNSTOWN — Sideline Cancer is about more than just winning basketball games. Yes, the team is one win away from The Basketball Tournament's $1 million championship prize. But, this organization plays for the fight against cancer. The team sponsor is Hollidaysburg's Cathy Griffith. She's the president of the Griffith Family Foundation, which is an organization created in honor of Greg Griffith--Cathy's late husband. Greg lost a battle with cancer in 2011.
6 Sports high school football team of the week: Westmont Hilltop
WESTMONT -- Coming off a 30-0 road shutout win over Bishop Guilfoyle this past week, Westmont Hilltop is the week 2 high school football team of the week.
Here is what head coach Pat Barron had to say about the bounce back ability of his team to get back to 1-1 on the season in the ultra competitive LHAC. ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ6OlvLPA0mhtZqugpL%2B1v4yfmKdlqqS7pnuVZqqpp6KpwG60yKCfZquTnbywuIyfpqiskpa5rXnTnpimZZ%2BberW0xGaunp2bYsSmv9OmpqesXZ22rbjTqKc%3D
Community gathers for annual Johnstown Halloween parade
Johnstown, PA (WJAC) — The Johnstown Halloween parade filled the streets of downtown Tuesday night.
Community groups came together to put on the annual tradition, including the Discover Downtown Johnstown Partnership and the Cambria Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The parade route followed the traditional path: Starting at Sargent’s Stadium at the Point and traveling down Main Street.
Hundreds of community members stood along the sidewalks watching the festivities take place.
Local farmers react to potential lifting of Sunday hunting ban in PA
SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Lawmakers in Pennsylvania are looking to remove the ban on Sunday hunting, but some local farmers say this could be a change in the wrong direction.
Farmers in Somerset County say their farm is in a cooperative agreement with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. However, they say they’re urging state senators to vote in favor of the ban on Sunday hunting in the state.
John and Roberta Peck, of Fort Hill, say their farm has been in their family for over 200 years.
Rockwood man pleads guilty to tax evasion
Somerset Co., PA (WJAC) — Federal authorities say a Rockwood man has pleaded guilty to charges related to tax evasion and filing a false tax return.
Investigators say 44-year-old Jason Svonavec was previously charged following an investigation by the IRS.
Authorities say Svonavec allegedly evaded "tax liability," in 2017, by illegally expensing the construction of his home through two companies that he operates.
Officials say in 2018, Svonavec then reportedly filed false tax deductions on his income tax return related to the construction.
State representative pushes for increased focus on cursive in commonwealth schools
WJAC — State representative of the 139th district, Joseph Adams, says he’s working on legislation with educators and legal experts.
He says it’s aimed at emphasizing use of cursive writing in commonwealth schools. Adams says the benefits are significant.
"For obvious reasons. Number one, all the science points in that direction. The neurologists, the psychologists, the education people have all done a lot of research, over a long period of time.
Steelers signing WR Quez Watkins to free-agent deal
PITTSBURGH (WJAC) — According to ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler, the Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly signing wide-receiver Quez Watkins to a free agent deal.
The 25-year-old was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 6th round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
In four seasons with the Eagles, Watkins appeared in 49 games, where he caught 98 total passes, for over 1,200 yards and six touchdowns.
Watkins joins former LA Ram Van Jefferson as the newest Steelers' wideouts.
20 feet of pizza to be made in Punxsutawney for PACC 20th anniversary
PUNXSUTAWNEY - Ten local pizzerias and organizations in Jefferson County will team up this weekend to create a 400-square-foot pizza.
The event is being held to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Punxsutawney Area Community Center.
But the pizza challenge will also be a practice run and send-off for the owner of Punxsy Pizza, Scott Anthony.
Anthony, representing Punxsutawney, will head to California on April 9 to help break the Longest Pizza World Record for Guinness World Records.