Black Forest Broadcasting

Photo courtesy of Austin Volunteer Fire Department—see story below

….Several area firefighters  battle Wharton Township wildfire….Lewis Run driver cited for DUI after crash….Elderly Rixford woman accused of hitting construction worker…Two Rew residents arrested for disorderly conduct and drugs….Theft of services probed in Elk County….Drugs and paraphernalia left in rental car…..Troy woman arrested for shoplifting in Mansfield….

Potter County

Several area volunteer fire departments battled a wildfire Saturday evening in Wharton Township. First responders encountered large amounts of smoke and a blaze on the other side of the river, moving uphill. The command asked for response from DCNR, Coudersport, Emporium and Sinnemahoning departments.

A short time later Command requested availability of an air drop, an additional brush truck from Port Allegany  and notified National Fuel as Fire was nearing their well area. The Austin Ambulance was diverted from the scene in response to a UTV accident with injuries. The Coudersport ambulance arrived at the wildfire to cover for the Austin department. Austin volunteers provided a landing zone for two medical helicopters and then returned to the wildfire which was finally extinguished about four hours after the 6:00 pm call and the site was turned over to DCNR at 11:00 pm An estimated 20 plus acres were blackened but no injuries were reported despite the extreme heat and rough terrain. The department thanked all of the mutual aid companies, Austin Baseball Association, Perry’s Store and Austin VFW for food and ice and community members who cooked food and took beverages to the scene.

McKean County

DUI-drug  charges are pending against a Lewis Run man following a one-vehicle crash last Wednesday afternoon in Lewis Run. According to state police 66 year old Mark Pingie was going south on Big Shanty Road when his Jeep Cherokee went off the road and entered a ditch. Pingie did not require treatment for minor injuries.

An elderly Rixford woman has been warned by state police for allegedly failing to give information render aid after her SUV  hit a construction worker on Route 346 in Otto Township last Monday afternoon. State police said 71 year old Susan Collins was going east when her Jeep Compass hit Caley Colberg of Glen

 Campbell, PA. Troopers claim Collins continued traveling on Route 346 and turned left on Brooklyn Street to leave the scene. Colberg  did not require transportation to a hospital.

A 40 year old Eldred man has been arrested for threatening a 28 year old Eldred woman during an argument last Sunday evening on Eaton Hollow in Eldred Township  Troopers claim the suspect made threatening and alarming statements toward the victim.

Two Rew residents have been arrested for disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia. The charges were filed after state police responded to a house on Northland Road in Keating Township last Tuesday night. The names of the suspects were not released but were listed as a 32 year old man and a 26 year old woman.

Elk County

State police at Ridgway  are investigating a theft of services in Highland Township Friday morning. Someone illegally dumped stolen firewood and trash at the Highland Hotel between Tuesday and Friday of last week. Anyone with information is encouraged to call state police at 814-776-6136.

Cameron County

A 17 year old Emporium driver has been arrested for speeding for a one-vehicle crash last Monday evening in Shippen Township. Troopers claim the teen driver ‘s Jeep Cherokee failed tot make a turn on Barr Hollow Road while headed west. The Jeep slid off the road and went into a ditch where it overturned. The youth was not hurt.

Tioga County

Troopers at Mansfield are investigating drugs and paraphernalia found in a rental vehicle in Covington Township June  13 or 14. The discovery was made when the vehicle was returned to Matthew’s Motors on the North Williamson Road and the investigation is continuing.

A 66 year old Troy woman was arrested by state police at Mansfield for shoplifting  at Walmart on the afternoon of June 16. The suspect, whose name is being withheld, allegedly tried to steal $180.62 worth of merchandise.