Amish girl found; dad in the slammer

The Erie Times News reports that 17-year-old Mary Gingerich was found in McKean County. She had apparently been taken there by her father, Edward, who served five years in prison for killing and disemboweling his wife. Edward is now in Crawford County jail (bond: $100K), as are his brothers, for their role in concealing Mary's whereabouts. I get the feeling this guy isn't going to go away easily.

Convicted Amish killer back in the area?

The Meadville Tribune reported today that Amish man Edward Gingerich, who was convicted of manslaughter in connection with the gory killing of his wife in 1993, has been back in the area for several months. He had stopped taking his medication for schizophrenia nine months before the crime. He served five years and one day in prison.

His 17-year-old daughter has been reported missing, according to State Police. The Tribune notes that Gingerich had been living in Michigan in a community for troubled Amish. That must have been a fun place. Too bad they didn't keep him.

Times-News vs. Tribune

I'm a subscriber to the Erie Times-News (the paper version) and read the Meadville Tribune online, except for Thursdays when I buy it because of the Bravo! section. I've often wondered if I'm missing out on a lot of Cambridge-area news by not reading the Tribune regularly. Both papers seem to cover the major events in town (for example, they both had a few follow-up articles when beer bandit Casey Castile confessed to knocking off the Saegertown beer distributor in January and will soon be charged with two more robberies in Millcreek).

But it seems like the Tribune has more of the "community news" type of things day-to-day--like when the borough will be flushing hydrants and similar items. I've never been overly impressed with the Times' Crawford County Neighbors section on Fridays. But I'm just not sure it's worth paying $120+ a year for a Tribune subscription.

Neither the Times nor the Tribune, unfortunately, seems to regularly cover Cambridge Borough or Township meetings, but I guess we haven't seen that since the days of the Independent-Enterprise in Edinboro.

Beer bandits behind bars

The Erie Times-News reported today that Casey Castile and Tandi Davis are being held in the Crawford County jail after robbing $1,700 from Springs Beer last Friday. Castile's bond is $75K, Davis's $35K. I'm guessing there won't be a spaghetti dinner any time soon to raise money for them.

As a sign of community support for Scott at Springs Beer, everyone should buy an extra case of beer this week. If you don't drink beer, buy the case anyway, and I'll drink it for you.

Beer bandits identified but still at large

Police are looking for Casey J. Castile, 20, of Saegertown and his girlfriend Tandi Elise Davis in connection with the robbery at Springs Beer on Friday night. They were last spotted in a green Dodge Stratus, PA plate GHM-3767.

More information (and a photo of Castile) available in this Erie Times-News article. No word yet on whether the police plan to charge Davis's 2-year-old son as an accessory to the crime.

Beer bandits and a baby

A couple with a 9mm handgun and a baby robbed the Springs Beer Distributors last night. Apparently the bandits--a black female driving and a white male in the passenger seat--were last spotted in a white Chevy Blazer with the Utah plate 362-UJT. More details in this Meadville Tribune article.

One less place for (weekday) breakfast

I walked by the Crossbow Inn on Thursday morning and was surprised to see that it wasn't open. At some point, the hours changed and I didn't notice--the Crossbow now opens at 11 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

I always thought that the Crossbow offered a tasty breakfast--but I guess you would have to pull in a pretty substantial business to justify opening early in the morning every day of the week.

There goes the neighborhood

Today, a depressing example from our stellar inmate population in town:

Patricia Newton was expected to testify this week against her husband, who is on trial for sexually assaulting a young girl. Patricia Newton is serving a term of 2 1/2 to 5 years at SCI-Cambridge Springs for raping a child and setting up a webcam in her home. (More information here.)

Ugh.

Spelling grade: F

Update: The spelling error on the sign has been corrected by a PENNCREST employee. Way to go!



An image captured today just after school was dismissed. I really hope it's a joke. Otherwise, it's just shameful.

"Easter" Break?

Am I the only one who can't believe that, in 2007, a public school is still using the word "Easter" to describe a vacation?

History day heroes

Friday's Erie Times-News had a good article about the success of Cambridge Springs High School students at History Day competitions at the regional and state level. Looks like there are a variety of good projects--from exhibits to documentaries--being produced by local students.

Local radio station founder honored

Cambridge Community Radio Association Chairman Sam Reese received an "e-chievement" award from etown, a nationally syndicated radio show. The award recognizes people who are working to make a lasting difference in their communities and beyond. Sam was recognized for his work with WXCS-92.9 FM in Cambridge Springs-Edinboro, which he helped found and which recently celebrated its third anniversary.

No one injured in four-hour police standoff in Cambridge Springs

The Meadville Tribune reported yesterday that a suicidal woman from Corry was involved in a four-hour standoff with Cambridge Springs police on South Main Street on Sunday night. Notes the Tribune: "She tied a rope around the roof of a shed and her neck and was standing on a landing, threatening suicide."

State police were called for assistance, and a Crawford County probation officer finally convinced the woman to come down from the shed.

It's clearly a sad situation--but I can't help but think it was also a waste of local, county and state resources for the considerable time spent responding to her cry for help. It wouldn't surprise me if our tax dollars are paying for this woman's medical treatment.

Community clean-up day: Saturday, May 5

Mark your calendars: the Cambridge Springs community clean-up day is Saturday, May 5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Recycling Center on Snow Alley.

Get rid of your junk for a pittance--$5 for a trunk load, $10 for a pick-up truck or van load; and $25 for a dump truck load. No tires, hazardous waste or liquid paint will be accepted. Metal and car batteries should be kept separate from other items.

As you can probably imagine, this is a popular event with local residents, so be prepared to wait in line to drop off your items.