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Jefferson County-News Center, Punxsutawney, PA (2026)

08/27/2026

Duo Charged After Allegedly Stealing Donation Container from Philipsburg Sheetz

PHILIPSBURG, Pa. — Two individuals are facing felony charges after allegedly stealing a cash donation container from a Philipsburg Sheetz earlier this month, according to police.

Police say the incident occurred around 1:35 a.m. on Aug. 12 when David Jalonski, 47, of Lock Haven, allegedly entered the store and removed a donation container holding cash before fleeing.

Investigators allege Jalonski left the scene in a vehicle driven by Melissa Ostrom, 36, of Morrisdale.

According to police, Ostrom later admitted to driving the vehicle during questioning. Authorities obtained a search warrant and reportedly recovered the donation bin and cash during a search of the vehicle.

Jalonski was charged with felony robbery and theft by unlawful taking, while Ostrom was charged with felony conspiracy to commit robbery.

Both were lodged in the Clearfield County Jail.

08/27/2026

Knox Township Firemen's Homecoming Set for Labor Day Weekend

KNOX DALE, Pa. — The Knox Township Volunteer Fire Department will host its 55th Annual Firemen's Homecoming over Labor Day weekend, bringing four days of food, entertainment, family activities, and community events to Knox Dale. Events will be held at the Knox Twp Fireman's Park along Markton Road.

Festivities begin Friday, Sept. 4, with a Super Bingo event at 6:00 p.m., with doors opening at 4:00 p.m.

Saturday's schedule includes a homemade breakfast, softball tournament, community parade, live music by Gregg Notto, Midway Kids Games, library activities, the 23rd Annual Gun Bash, and fireworks by BOOMVILLE at approximately 9:00 p.m.

Events continue Sunday with breakfast, a community church service, softball tournament games, a chicken barbecue, live music, and the popular 31st Annual Demolition Derby, which begins at 2:30 p.m. A co****le tournament will follow at 7:00 p.m.

The celebration concludes Monday with breakfast, the softball tournament finals, a tie-dye craft activity, and the Basket Raffle and Prize Drawings at 2:00 p.m.

Basket raffle tickets will be available throughout the weekend. The kitchen will be open from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday, and 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sunday and Monday.

08/27/2026

Groundhog Rescued After Getting Head Stuck in Plastic Jar

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — This groundhog may not be Punxsutawney Phil, but it still managed to attract plenty of attention after finding itself in a tight spot.

According to a post on Pittsburgh's Public Safety Department Facebook site, Animal Care & Control Officers encountered the animal Wednesday with a plastic jar stuck over its head. The officers successfully removed the container and released the apparently relieved groundhog back into the wild.

No predictions were made about the weather, although the furry animal likely learned a valuable lesson about sticking its nose where it doesn't belong.

Pittsburgh Animal Care & Control praised the officers for helping keep local wildlife safe, “one jar at a time.”

08/27/2026

Punxsutawney Driver Injured in Rose Township Work Zone Crash

ROSE TWP., JEFFERSON COUNTY— A Punxsutawney man suffered minor injuries Monday afternoon after rear-ending a pickup truck in an active work zone along State Route 36 in Rose Township, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

The crash occurred at approximately 4:24 p.m. on August 24 on Route 36 north of Stone Road in Jefferson County.

Police said Edward S. Miller, 57, of Punxsutawney, was driving a 2012 Ford Escape through a work zone where traffic was being controlled by a flagger. A 2022 Toyota Tacoma operated by Scott E. Taft, 52, of Rouseville, had stopped for the flagger when Miller failed to stop and struck the rear of the pickup.

Miller, who was wearing a seat belt, suffered suspected minor injuries and was transported by Jefferson County EMS to Penn Highlands DuBois for evaluation.

Taft was also wearing a seat belt and was not injured, according to the report.

State police cited Miller in the incident.

08/27/2026

BROCKWAY MAN JAILED AFTER ALLEGEDLY THREATENING TROOPERS DURING DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE

SNYDER TOWNSHIP, JEFFERSON COUNTY — A 40-year-old Brockway man is being held in the Jefferson County Jail after allegedly assaulting a woman and threatening to kill responding Pennsylvania State Police troopers during a domestic disturbance in Snyder Township.

According to court documents, David James Coakley, 40, faces charges of Simple Assault and Resisting Arrest, both second-degree misdemeanors, along with summary counts of Harassment and Disorderly Conduct.

State police responded to a residence along Route 28 at approximately 10:22 p.m. on August 23 after receiving reports of a domestic dispute. Dispatchers advised troopers that Coakley allegedly possessed a firearm, and a caller reported hearing gunshots from the residence.

Police met with a woman who had fled the home and expressed concern for family members still inside. Troopers approached the residence and encountered Coakley outside, where he allegedly ignored commands, taunted officers, and ran back into the house.

According to the affidavit, Coakley resisted officers' attempts to take him into custody and repeatedly threatened to kill troopers before being detained.

Investigators said the incident began during an argument in which Coakley allegedly spat on a woman and grabbed her leg in an attempt to cause bodily injury. The woman reportedly fled when Coakley went into the basement, where she knew a firearm was stored.

Court records indicate Coakley was arraigned on August 24 before Magisterial District Judge David B. Inzana. He was unable post bail.

He remains incarcerated at the Jefferson County Jail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 7 at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Inzana.

08/26/2026

Punxsutawney Woman Charged After Traffic Dispute

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. — A Punxsutawney woman is facing charges after police say she stopped her SUV in the roadway, confronted another driver, and then falsely claimed she was not behind the wheel because her license was suspended.

According to Punxsutawney Borough Police, Leanne K. Mantini, 45, was charged with False Reports to Law Enforcement, Driving with a Suspended License, and several summary offenses.

Police say witness video showed Mantini stopping her vehicle near the intersection of Orchard and Ridge Avenues, exiting the driver's seat, and approaching another vehicle. Investigators allege she later admitted she lied about driving because her license was suspended due to a DUI.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 8 before Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock.

08/26/2026

Coroner’s Office Thanks Community for Helping Locate Diesel

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office is thanking the many individuals and organizations who helped locate and care for Diesel, a dog involved in last Thursday’s fatal crash on Interstate 80.

After Diesel was reported missing following the crash, community members quickly shared information and spread the word about the missing dog. The office specifically recognized Steve Keller for locating Diesel and caring for him until further arrangements could be made.

The Coroner’s Office also thanked the Pennsylvania State Police, Seneca Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Bauer, Deputy Coroner Logan Fleeger, and Fleeger’s fiancée, Gabi, for their assistance and care.

“This was a difficult and tragic situation, but the effort to bring Diesel to safety demonstrated the compassion of our community,” Coroner Greg Furlong said. “Diesel received a full examination by a veterinarian, and fortunately, no major or life-threatening injuries were found. We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped locate Diesel”.

Furlong and Chief Deputy Jason Stiver searched for the dog immediately after the accident with no sightings. The dog was found the next morning by Keller along Interstate 80 near the original scene of the accident.

08/26/2026

Punxsutawney Man Charged After Allegedly Exposing Himself to Two Girls

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. — A 63-year-old Punxsutawney man is facing felony and misdemeanor charges after allegedly exposing himself to two young girls on Railroad Street.

According to a criminal complaint filed by Punxsutawney Borough Police, Barry Allen Craft, 63, has been charged with Corruption of Minors (Felony 3), Indecent Exposure (Misdemeanor 1), Open Lewdness (Misdemeanor 3), and Harassment (Misdemeanor 3).

Police said the incident occurred between 10:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on August 12. Two girls were sitting on a porch when Craft, who was on a neighboring porch, reportedly became upset and exposed himself while making inappropriate remarks.

Officers interviewed Craft on August 16. According to the affidavit, Craft acknowledged he began pulling down his pants but claimed he stopped because the girls were young. Police noted that Craft also admitted he intended to expose himself.

Craft is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on September 8 before Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock, according to court records.

08/26/2026

Indiana County DA Rules Officer-Involved Shooting Justified

INDIANA, Pa. — Indiana County District Attorney Robert F. Manzi Jr. has determined that an Indiana Borough police officer was justified in using deadly force during a June 28 incident that resulted in the death of Andrew Herman, 36.

According to Manzi, Pennsylvania State Police conducted a comprehensive investigation that included reviews of body camera footage, mobile video recordings, witness statements, forensic evidence, medical records, and interviews with responding officers.

The incident began around 7:00 p.m. when Indiana Borough Police responded to a reported domestic dispute in the 100 block of North Cherry Avenue. During the encounter, Herman allegedly picked up a shovel, threatened an officer, and fled the scene.

Investigators said an officer pursued Herman and attempted to take him into custody. During the struggle, Herman reportedly produced a pocket knife and repeatedly stabbed the officer. The officer deployed a Taser, but Herman continued the attack, eventually stabbing the officer multiple times in the head, neck, and shoulder.

Police said the officer then fired his weapon, striking Herman and ending the assault. Herman died at the scene.

Manzi concluded the officer's actions met Pennsylvania's legal standard for the use of deadly force, stating the officer reasonably believed such force was necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury.

Indiana Borough Police Chief Justin Schawl said the officer has recovered from his injuries and remained on administrative leave during the investigation. Schawl expressed sympathy for all those affected and thanked emergency responders and assisting law enforcement agencies for their support during the incident.

08/26/2026

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania residents now have a new way to voice concerns about proposed artificial intelligence data centers planned across the Commonwealth.

The Shapiro Administration has launched Your Voice on Data Centers , https://www.pa.gov/governor/topics/data-centers, a website that allows residents to provide feedback on proposed projects and report whether developments have support from local communities and elected officials. The site also allows users to comment on whether proposals are meeting the state's GRID (Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development) requirements.

The new website follows Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Executive Order 2026-05, which established stricter standards for AI data center development in Pennsylvania. The order requires developers to meet requirements related to energy costs, community engagement, workforce development, transparency, and environmental protection before receiving Commonwealth support.

“Your comments, letters, and texts have led me to take a hard look at data center development in our Commonwealth,” Shapiro said. “Because this is how good government is supposed to work. Constituents express concerns on an issue, and their elected leaders listen, hear them out, and take action accordingly.”

The state has also launched a public Data Center Permit Tracker, an interactive map that shows proposed project locations, permit status information, and unconfirmed developments across Pennsylvania. State officials say they are currently aware of at least 100 proposed data center projects, though most have not yet entered the permitting process.

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