Port Allegany man jailed for strangulation….tractor trailer accident caused by slush covered road…Elderly Genesee driver unhurt in one-vehicle crash…Attempted ID theft investigated in Tioga County…Pet owners reminded of responsibilities in all types of weather….

McKean County

A 55 year old Port Allegany man has been jailed for strangulation and related charges  for an assault allegedly  occurring on the afternoon of August 21 on Route 6 in Pike Township. When troopers investigated a report of 55 year old Darren Connelly of Port Allegany strangled a 6 year old Coudersport boy in car while they family was traveling to a family gathering. Police said during their investigation, they discovered Connelly threatened 50 year old Jane Connelly not to say anything while being interviewed by troopers. A warrant was issued for his arrest. Connelly was later picked up and committed to the county jail after being arraigned on charges of aggravated assault, strangulation, endangering the welfare of children, simple assault, reckless endangerment, intimidation of a witness and victim, harassment failing to use a safety belt and child booster seat.

Potter County

A tractor trailer operator escaped injury in a weather related accident last Thursday in Ulysses Township. State police said Yiesha Jones of Griffin, GA was going south on Route 449 when her Freightliner Cascadia 125 abruptly drove into a large amount slush and slid into a guard rail and continued for a distance before hitting  a utility pole pulling down electric lines causing them to lay down across the road.

No injuries were reported for an elderly Genesee driver following a one-vehicle crash last Tuesday afternoon in Allegany Township. State police report 87 year old Donald Keller was going west on Route 49 when his GMC Terrain went off the pavement onto a berm where it struck a ditch before stopping partially on the north side of the highway.

Cameron County

DUI charges are pending against a 53 year old Emporium man who was stopped by state police on the Sizerville Road in Shippen Township just after 1:30 Christmas morning. Troopers withheld the driver’s name but said he was pulled over when officers noticed his 2001 BMW committing traffic offenses.

State police at Mansfield investigated an attempted ID theft December 10.  Someone tried to open multiple credit card accounts in the name of 39 year old Jessica Warren of Westfield.

Both  34 year old Blossburg residents involved in a scuffle just before midnight December 19 in Hamilton Township have been charged with physical harassment. Mandy Clark and George Dyer will answer the charges in district court.

Statewide

State Police are reminding pet owners that they are required to provide the animals with basic needs, as defined by law, or face potential animal neglect and/or cruelty charges. Basic needs include the proper sustenance to maintain a healthy body weight, as well as clean, unfrozen water to avoid dehydration. Animals need just as much water in the winter as they do in the summer for their bodies to process food and help keep the natural metabolism working. Animals must also have access to an appropriate-sized shelter that provides protection from the weather, keeps the animal dry, and allows it to retain its body heat. The shelter must also be clean and sanitary.Veterinary care must be provided for pets in need of medical attention. According to Title 18, Chapter 55, Subchapter B of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, there are certain requirements that must be met if tethering a dog outside. Animals are often given as gifts and sometimes surrendered to shelters or rescues a few months later. To avoid this, consider the animal’s breed and inherent behavioral traits, its size as an adult and its needs as it gets older, and the costs to care for the animal, including veterinary expenses. All too often, “cute and cuddly” pets are forgotten as they grow and age. Consider supporting your local shelters and rescues with donations and even adopting an older pet that needs a loving home. For more information on the Pennsylvania State Police, visit psp.pa.gov.