Laurels and barbs
Laurel: Johnstown-based custom vacuum truck manufacturer GapVax has secured two new major industry partnerships. Colorado sewer-cleaning nozzle distributor Warthog Sewer Nozzles by StoneAge announced that it is pairing its nozzles with GapVax's sewer trucks and jetters. GapVax has also recently become the sole U.S. manufacturer using Canadian company Can-Ex Technologies' sewer inspection camera.
Laurel: Greater Johnstown School District was one of 203 schools in the U.S. to win a highly competitive Community Oriented Policing Services grant this year. The $499,800 grant will go toward a mass communication system that will instantaneously alert faculty and staff in every school building of issues in any building, as well as speaker and strobe units and alarm acknowledge and alert call stations in each classroom. "The more you eliminate time taken to respond, the better the response," said Rebecca Castiglione, district federal programs and student services coordinator.
Barb: Richland Township police say they noticed an uptick in 2023 in the number of residents reporting scams and advise people to keep their personal information close. "Once 2024 hit, it spiked up," Officer Gage Hale said of the number of scam reports received by his department, adding: "Once your money is gone, there's not a lot we can do." People reported losing $10 billion to scammers in 2023, $1 billion more than in 2022, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
Laurel: A group of Somerset County sportsmen's clubs that sponsor youth field days hopes to expand from five locations to seven in 2025, and organizers are seeking support. Field days run from June through August – currently, one each at New Baltimore Sportsman's Club, Laurel Ridge Sportsmen's Club, Scullton Rod and Gun Club, Mountain Field and Stream Club and Quemahoning Rod and Gun Club. Associated costs come from targets, ammunition, hats, T-shirts and lunches for the kids who participate. Organizer Robert Reed said the community can reach out to the local sportsmen's clubs to donate or provide other types of support, or call him directly at 814-701-2515.
Laurel: Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the U.S. National Security Agency. "This is a great way to know that we are meeting the current needs of the (U.S.) National Security Agency and the (U.S.) Department of Defense," assistant professor of computer technology Greg Paonessa said in a release. "Now, we are confident that our programs provide students with the necessary tools to achieve certifications and meet the standards necessary for the industry."
Laurel: Earthmovers Unlimited has been removing trees that had been growing for years in the Conemaugh River by the old Conemaugh and Black Lick Railroad Co. building in Johnstown's West End. The work was part of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers effort to clean out the concrete-lined river channel where Coopersdale Bridge carries state Route 403 over the river and other nearby areas. "The primary goal of the project is to ensure the flood protection project keeps the community safe," said Patrick Moore, the project manager from the Army Corps of Engineers.
Laurel: Plans are in motion to develop a 30,000-square-foot build-ing at the Somerset County Technology Center that would house a new, larger welding technology program and the newly launched aviation maintenance course. Industry partners are throwing their support behind both programs and the school is looking into fundraising opportunities, said Karen Remick, the technology center's administrative director. Ten years ago, the welding program averaged 30 school-aged students. Now there are at least 70, and the program needs room to grow. Remick said: "We're at capacity. There's no more room."
