School Choice Info Meeting Scheduled

A special showing of the movie “Waiting for Superman” will be held at the Tuesday, January 10^th meeting of the Indiana/Armstrong Patriots located at the Smith Complex near Elderton beginning at 6:30 PM as a part of educating citizens and taxpayers about school choice.  The meeting is open to members and non-members of the Patriots organization.

According to statistics provided by Patriots Media Chair Pat Leach, every 17 minutes, an act of violence—rape, robbery, assault– occurs in Pennsylvania’s 143 failing school districts. These school districts are located in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, York, Harrisburg, Erie and other locations. Leach says the educational system keeps dumping money into these failing systems who are failing the students.  She said good teachers cannot be expected to teach in these hostile environments.

Leach said the cost to keep someone incarcerated in prison is $38,000 annually and feels it would be better use of money rescuing students from these failing schools and improving quality of education rather than send them out in society ill prepared. Students without basic skills to earn a living often end up in prison or become a part of the growing welfare system.

To learn more about the many facets of school choice go the website of the Commonwealth Foundation at www.CommonwealthFoundation.org.

The Smith Complex is located at 2340 Smith Road just outside of Elderton. More information on the Indiana/Armstrong Patriots is available at their website at: www.indianaarmstrongpatriots.com

‘Timber Scam’ Suspect Captured

by Jonathan Weaver

A police hunt for a scam artist in Pennsylvania counties – include Armstrong -  ended in Blair County during the weekend.

Fielding

James Fielding, Sr., 47, had warrants for his arrest in Jefferson, Warren and Crawford County – as well as before the state parole association – due to owing more than $70,000 stolen from homeowners while running a fictitious business called “Lone Wolf Timber.” Fielding tried to buy timber from country homes, but re-sold the contract to legitimate companies to make double the profit.

Crawford County Sheriff’s Deputy Lt. Neil Fratus said how he was captured.

“He was captured Saturday, December 10 in Blair County at a Sheetz gas station by Pennsylvania State Police – Hollidaysburg barracks. One of the troopers was going into the gas station and Mr. Fielding happened to be pulling out. The trooper recognized the vehicle, saw the license plate matched with what we had and pulled in behind him,” Fratus said.

Fielding was reportedly cooperative and thanked state police for his capture ‘because he was tired of running.’

Blair County is an estimated 3 ½ hours from Crawford County.

Fielding was taken into custody, arraigned and is currently incarcerated in the Warren County Jail due to the restitution owed. He will return to Crawford County Friday. 

Charges will be administered through various county agency police departments.