TyronePA.com

Back in May of 2007, Tyrone Police Chief Joe Beachem and borough police officers Jessica Barlick and Billy Mayes were sworn into the United States Marshals Service, Western District of Pennsylvania – Johnstown Fugitive Task Force.
In January of 2008, Officers Josh Franks and Matt Lutz were also sworn in, and Officer Dustin Rhoades will be sworn into the fugitive task force this month.
This fugitive task force is an “ad hoc” (as needed) task force with its primary mission being to seek out and arrest, in a joint coordinated manner, persons who have un-executed state and federal warrants lodged against them.
The Tyrone officers receive fugitive warrants, which are primarily violent and drug felonies and some violent misdemeanors, and if the officers can’t locate the fugitive and that person is on the run, these sworn in officers can pursue the fugitive across state lines.
The fugitive task force is under the supervision of the US Marshal Service criminal investigator Deputy US Marshal. The officers are allowed to seek and execute arrest and search warrants supporting a federal task force. They are not authorized to participate in federal drug investigations unless they are also deputized by DEA or the FBI.
All of the officers were sworn in as Deputy US Marshals, which gives them the authority limited through the task force, but it gives them the authority to go after a person(s) anywhere in the United States.
If a fugitive does relocate to another state or is on the run, the task force must contact the marshals service and get approval; then get approval by the Blair County District Attorney Richard Consiglio for extradition in case the fugitive is found.
The task force warrants, investigative and arrest reports are maintained by the agency responsible for the investigation. The warrants designated for task force assistance are entered into the US Marshal Service Justice Detainee Information System (JDIS) for tracking and disposition status.
Chief Beachem said that by having himself and other police officers deputized, they have been able to find three fugitives thus far. Two of the fugitives were in Arkansas, and one fugitive was in Altoona, but was traveling from New York and New Jersey also.
“The one case we had was a possession of child pornography, 35 counts, and we couldn’t find – the guy basically went into the dark,” said Beachem. “We turned it over to the marshals and we had the guy within two days.”
He added, “The fugitives that were in Arkansas were found only hours after we submitted it through our task force.”
Beachem said that much of the success of the task force thus far is possible because of the eagerness and cooperation of District Attorney Consiglio to apprehend fugitives, especially ones with drug warrants.
“This task force is a good tool, and so far we are three for three,” stated Beachem. “We’ve been trying to send a message that number one, drug dealers shouldn’t come here; and if you’re a violent felon, this isn’t the place to come to commit your crime.”
He continued by saying that the marshal service has access to resources that Tyrone doesn’t have, and having the department and some of its officers involved is a great benefit to the community. It’s another safeguard in place to protect residents.
“I want people to understand that if you come here to commit a crime, you can go wherever you want to and we may still be able to come after you,” said Beachem.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re in California or right here in Pennsylvania.”

Residents living in and around the Tyrone community can soon be screened to reduce their risk of having a stroke.
Life Line Screening is scheduled to be at the Tyrone American Legion Post No. 281 on February 26, and appointments will begin at 10 a.m.
The complete screening package now includes a new heart rhythm screening and checking for irregular heartbeat, which is a major risk factor for stroke.
A stroke, also known as a “brain attack,” is ranked as the third leading killer in the world, and the leading cause of nursing home admissions.
Stroke often occurs without warning, but painless screenings can help identify risk for stroke, vascular diseases or osteoporosis early enough for physicians to begin preventive procedures.
Screenings are non-invasive and easy to obtain. They help identify potential health problems such as blocked arteries and irregular heart rhythm, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and hardening of the arteries in the legs, which is a strong predictor of heart disease.
A bone density screening to assess osteoporosis risk is also offered and is appropriate for both men and women.
Interested individuals can register for a wellness package with heart rhythm for $149. All five screenings take 60 to 90 minutes to complete.
According to information provided by Life Line Screening, the company was established in 1993, and has since become the nation’s leading provider of vascular screenings. Ultrasound teams are on staff to travel to local communities, bringing the screenings to local residents.
For more information regarding the screenings or to schedule an appointment, call 1-877-237-1287 or visit the website at www.lifelinescreening.com.
Pre-registration is required.

Tyrone native Johnn Molburg captured second and third place finishes last weekend in New Hampshire.
He placed second in the Adult two-dog Speed class at the Tamworth Sled Dog Skijoring race on Sunday, finishing the eight-mile course with a total time of 00:26:26.
Molburg also ended the day with a third place finish in the Adult six-dog Speed class at the Tamworth Sled Dog Race.
He finished the 12-mile course with a total time of 00:51:31.
The events were hosted by the New England Sled Dog Club.
The Tamworth Sled Dog Race was sanctioned by the International Sled Dog Racing Association and counts towards the International Championship Series for Sled Dog Racing.
To learn more about this event, or sled dog racing in general, individuals can visit www.isdra.org.
Molburg travels throughout the United States and Canada to race each year.
According to his profile with the International Sled Dog Racing Association, Molburg has been racing sled dogs since 1957. He has received many national and international awards and medals throughout his career.
Molburg is sponsored by Arctic Star Sled Dog Company.
The ISDRA was formed in 1966 by Canadian and American mushers to organize and unify the sport of sled dog racing. Today, ISDRA annually represents over 100 days of sled dog racing and thousands of individual race performances. Competitions are held for adult and junior divisions and team sizes range from unlimited to one-dog. Racing action begins in mid-October and ends in late March with multiple ISDRA sanctioned events occurring on any given weekend during January and February. Annual membership averages 850 with 55 to 75 sanctioned events.
For more information, visit www.isdra.org.

In honor of Catholic School’s Week, St. Matthew School held an open house. Following mass, everyone was invited to share in fellowship in the new gathering space between the school and church. Teachers were on hand in their classrooms for interested individuals, and registration was held for the 2008-09 school year. Mrs. Helen Saylor was honored as teacher of the year and Joan Everhart was recognized for her volunteer efforts, receiving the Flame of Faith award. (The Daily Herald/Amanda Golden)

Access device fraud
State police reported on January 24 that someone used a credit card owned by Cathy Jean Shoenberger of Tyrone without her authorization.
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Struck vehicle
Michael N. Mangia, 77, of RD2 Tyrone told state police that on January 27 an unknown actor struck his vehicle and fled the scene. The incident occurred along Mountain View Lane off Bell-Tip Road.
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Fled the scene
On January 28, state police reported that Idan J. Skillings, 28, Bellwood was traveling east along Ridge Road in Warriors Mark Township and while negotiating a slight right hand curve, Skillings fell asleep and lost control of the vehicle he was driving. Skillings went off the roadway on the right hand side and struck the embankment. After impact with the embankment, the vehicle struck a pole and flipped onto its roof. Skillings fled the scene after the crash. Police reported he was not wearing his seat belt.
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Smooth Operator enforcement
Members of the PA State Police/Hollidaysburg Patrol Unit and Trooper 7 (Helicopter), held a Smooth Operator detail on January 31 along I-99 between the Pinecroft and Bellwood Exits. During the course of the operation, 41 traffic citations were written. The vast majority of these citations were for speeding violations. Additional Smooth Operator details will be held again in the near future.
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Crash
On February 1, state police reported William K. Potts, 68, Tyrone was traveling east along SR 4025 in Snyder Township. While Potts was negotiating a right curve, his vehicle slid on the ice and crossed over the center yellow lines. Potts’s vehicle impacted a vehicle in the westbound lane operated by Shonda J. Moon, 28, Tyrone. Potts was not wearing his seat belt, and police reported that it was unknown if Moon was belted. No injuries were reported.