Fire department cited for violations

A preliminary hearing was continued today for a Masontown woman accused of assaulting a state police trooper during her arraignment earlier this month.
State police said Janet Dorothy Burge, 66, of 2226 McClellandtown Road was charged before Magisterial District Judge Wendy D. Dennis with aggravated assault and simple assault after she allegedly struck Trooper Heather Clem in the face during her arraignment on drunken driving charges May 11.
According to Trooper Michael Irwin, the assault occurred as Burge became upset and combative when learned she would be going to prison if she could not post bond for the DUI case.
She allegedly struck Clem in the face and caused multiple injuries.
During a preliminary hearing last week, Magisterial District Judge Joseph M. George Jr. bound the DUI charges filed May 11 against Burge to Fayette County Court.
Following the preliminary hearing, she was remanded to the Fayette County Prison on a combined $12,500 straight cash bond.
A new hearing date has not been set.

Masontown man sues troopers

A Masontown man has sued two state police troopers, alleging that they conspired to cover up assaultive actions when he was arrested outside his home in 2006.
Frank Revak, 50, of Masontown claimed in the suit, filed Tuesday in federal court in Pittsburgh, that Trooper Nathaniel Lieberum pepper sprayed him on three different occasions, and his supervisor, Cpl. Brian Barnhart did nothing to stop it.
The suit, filed by attorney Joel Sansone, indicated that police followed Revak to his home on around 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 11, 2006. When Revak arrived at his home, Lieberum got out of the police car and ordered Revak out of his vehicle, the suit stated.
See tomorrow’s Herald-Standard for more information.

Masontown to hold spring cleanup days

Masontown will hold its spring cleanup days May 5-9 and May 12-16.

The borough will pick up one load per family, and items such as tree branches and cuttings should be no longer than 4 feet and must be bundled and stacked.

The following materials will not be collected: concrete blocks or building materials, furniture, tires and appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, hot water tanks and televisions.

Those wishing to have the borough pick up items for spring cleanup days should call the borough office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The number is 724-583-7731.

Some charges dropped against Masontown man

The most serious charges against a Masontown man accused of dragging another man underneath his car while drunk were withdrawn this week.
Blaine E. Burge, 41, was charged last month before Magisterial District Judge Randy S. Abraham with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, terroristic threats, driving under the influence of alcohol, accidents involving death or personal injury and three traffic-related charges following the incident on River Avenue around 10:45 p.m. March 17.
According to Fayette County Court records, police withdrew the major charges against Burge Monday. Records also indicate that Burge waived the remaing charges for DUI, accidents involving death or personal injury and traffic-related violations to Fayette County Court.
For more information, see Josh Krysak’s article in tomorrow’s Herald-Standard.