RV Fire Hospitalizes Four including Heroic Fireman
McKean – Three women and two firefighters were hospitalized after an RV caught fire on Interstate 79 in Erie County. At about 10:30 Tuesday morning three women were traveling to the Poconos when their RV caught fire on I-79 between Edinboro and McKean, the fire spread rapidly and trapped the women inside. A firefighter from the McKean Volunteer Fire Department named Nick Kulbacki entered the flaming vehicle without a respirator to rescue the women inside and passed them to other firefighters through a broken window. Mr. Kulbacki, all three women, and another firefighter were all taken to UPMC Hamot for treatment. I-79 North was closed for about two hours as crews battled the fire and cleared debris.
Fraudsters Lead Police on Chase
Cranberry – Two men were arrested on Friday after allegedly leading police on a high-speed chase in Venango County’s Cranberry Township. One of the men was Julian James from Bronx, New York, was allegedly attempting to fraudulently withdraw money from another person’s bank account using a fake ID, the other was the driver, a local man from Moon Township named Oluwakayode Ajayi. Pennsylvania State Police officers say when the jig was up the two men tried to flee along Route 322 but ended up crashing into two parked vehicles where they were apprehended. Police found several cell phones, fake IDs, checks, receipts, and fraudulent credit cards after the arrest.
Man Airlifted After Fall from ATV
Linesville – A 19-year-old Linesville resident had to be airlifted to UPMC Hamot for serious injuries after falling off of an ATV over the weekend; on Wednesday, the Pennsylvania State Police in Meadville released details of the crash. Tyler Odam was one of two passengers of an ATV that came to an abrupt stop on Patch Road due to engine problems. Tyler fell off of the ATV and hit his head on the road, he was taken back to the driver’s home and met by paramedics who determined that he was severely wounded and called for the helicopter. At press time there were no available updates on Tyler Odam’s status.
Local Bakery Raises Funeral Funds for Teen Girl
Fairview – Main Street Cakery and Cafe of Fairview has been collecting donations for a local girl who was killed in a Sunday crash on I-79. 17-year-old Cadence Gannoe was ejected from a rolling vehicle on Sunday afternoon and suffered fatal injuries; she was an employee of the cakery and much beloved by her coworkers. Main Street Cakery and Cafe is collecting donations to help her parents pay for funerary and other expenses and in addition, according to social media posts, both locations will be closed this weekend in respect of her burial. Cadence’s family also has a GoFundMe campaign, at press time it had raised about $44,000 out of its original $10,000 goal.
Venango Pride in the Park
Oil City – Venango County Pride in the Park is taking place rain or shine at Hasson Park in Oil City from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday. The First Presbyterian Church of Oil City on Bissell Avenue has generously donated it’s parking lot for attendees of the event, who can catch a free shuttle bus from CATA to the park. The event includes a free picnic lunch, live music, drag race, limbo competition, and more. Search for Venango Pride in the Park on Facebook for more information.
One Found Dead in Fire
New Castle – Lawrence County authorities are working to determine the cause of death of a woman who was found dead during a fire in New Castle. The fire happened Monday afternoon in a third-floor apartment of Vista South Apartments on Mercer Street, most of the complex’s residents are elderly and many need personal nursing assistance. Firefighters from the New Castle Fire Department found one elderly woman who was known to be only partially mobile deceased inside the apartment the fire originated from. The Coroner has not released the woman’s name until a cause of death is determined and the PA Fire Marshall has taken over investigating the fire.
AG Henry Sues Rape Kit Manufacturer
Pittsburgh – The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Leda Health Corporation are officially in a legal contest involving the marketing of the company’s at-home rape kits. Attorney General Michelle Henry says the Pittsburgh-based Leda has deceptively advertised their products as a viable alternative to rape kits performed by hospitals and medical centers when they fail to meet the commonwealth’s evidentiary standards. Leda has filed a suit against the Attorney General, claiming that their cease-and-desist order is a violation of the company’s First Amendment rights.