Theft reported at fire-gutted home
MILL HALL - A family that had its house destroyed by fire Saturday night reportedly had insult added to that injury when personal property was stolen from the home late Sunday or early Monday. The fire destroyed a two-and-a-half story home in an upscale, rural development, at the property of Carol and Rob Matheney of Parson Drive, Bald Eagle Township. The total loss was estimated at $325,000. On Wednesday, Tpr. William Ritrosky of the Pennsylvania State Police at Lamar reported somebody entered the damaged residence after 7 p.m. Sunday and before 8:30 p.m Monday and stole a blue topaz ring and several medieval hatchets. The individual or individuals then fled in an unknown direction by unknown means, police said.
Endangering children
BELLEFONTE - Kathy Hackett of Moshannon was sentenced Tuesday to 45 days to 23 and one half months in prison for a felony count of endangering the welfare of children. The sentence will be followed by two years of probation.
According to Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller, the charges stem from acts in late 2010 and early 2011 along the German Settlement Road where Hackett allowed her 9-year-old daughter to live in a home covered with filth and the leavings of five dogs. Hackett had worked with Children and Youth Services to remove the clutter but persisted in the unsanitary and deplorable conditions, Parks Miller said.
Opal ring stolen
LOGANTON - A white gold, opal stone ring bordered by four diamonds, two to a side, was stolen between Sunday and Tuesday at the home of the owner, Rachel Amanda Hill, of 614 Rauchtown Road, Greene Township, Tpr. Timothy Wright of the Pennsylvania State Police at Lamar said. Police said the ring was valued at $500 but did not say how the jewelry was discovered to be missing.
Cause of fatal crash
BELLEFONTE - Earl Ripka, 68, of State College, died of chest trauma in an accident Tuesday on Interstate 99 in Patton Township, Centre County Coroner Scott A. Sayers said. The announcement came after an autopsy. Sayers said the manner of death was accidental. Ripka died of injuries suffered when his Suzuki and a Dodge pickup collided. Ripka was attempting a U-turn when his vehicle crashed into the truck head-on, police said. Ripka's vehicle skidded into the median strip before rolling over three times, police said. The truck driver, Mitchell R. Koptchak, 30, of Philipsburg, was taken to Mount Nittany Medical Center and was treated for a minor injury, police said.
Vandalism at park
SALONA -Somebody took mud from the baseball field and threw it onto the dugouts and backstop at Long Run Recreational Park in Lamar Township, Tpr. Timothy T. Eiler of the Pennsylvania State Police at Lamar said. Police said individuals also put paper towels in the bathroom sinks and on the floors. Anybody with information is asked to call state police at 726-6000.
Criminal trespass
BEECH CREEK -A construction office and garage were entered late Saturday or early Sunday along Masden Lane in Beech Creek Township, Tpr. Spencer Ickes of the Pennsylvania State Police at Lamar said. Police said a key was used to enter a portion of the property owned by Leon Kanagy, but nothing was stolen.
Car hits embankment
LOGANTON - Molly McKinnon of Plantsville, Conn., crashed her 2010 Nissan Sentra on Interstate 80 Monday at 4:48 p.m., Tpr. Shane Buffone of the Pennsylvania State Police at Lamar said. Police said McKinnon suffered minor injuries after her auto left the road and crashed into a rock embankment.
Attempted suicide
BEECH CREEK - An attempted suicide was investigated Sunday at 3:25 p.m. at 215 Main St., Beech Creek, Tpr. Christopher Wilson of the Pennsylvania State Police at Lamar said. Police said the incident involved a 41-year-old Renovo man.
Cabin burglarized
BEECH CREEK - Some $2,010 in property was stolen between April 21 and Saturday at a cabin on the Forester Road in Beech Creek Township, Tpr. Spencer Ickes of the Pennsylvania State Police at Lamar said. Police said somebody entered the property of Frank Fye of Beech Creek and stole a Honda generator and gas can from the shed. Damage amount to $10, police said.
Windows broken
MILL HALL - Somebody broke the windows of several vehicles Saturday afternoon or evening at Martin Motors in Bald Eagle Township, Tpr. Christopher D. Wilson of the Pennsylvania State Police at Lamar said. Police ask anybody who might have seen something to call 726-6000.
