Man arrested; $20,000 worth of tools recovered

A Hyndman man was found in possession of approximately $20,000 worth of stolen tools. State police obtained a search warrant for a residence on Second Avenue in Hyndman Borough where Joseph David Gordon, 28, was renting a garage. A large number of tools were seized from a shed on the property. Of the $20,000 worth in tools seized, approximately $13,584 were confirmed as stolen. Some tools, approximately $6,929 worth, were returned to Hickes and Associates, who were working at the Hyndman Sewer Plant. More tools, worth around $6,655, were returned to the John H. Shaffer lumber mill, located in Londonderry Township. Gordon was also found to have scrapped the wheel of a BMW belonging to a 34-year-old female of Hyndman Borough. He had also removed white aluminum posts, part of the soccer goals, from the Hope for Hyndman Charter School, between Nov. 30 and Dec. 28 and is facing charges of theft and receiving stolen property in that incident. Gordon was taken into custody on Jan. 30 and charged with burglary, theft, receiving stolen property and false reports, for allegedly providing false information during the investigation. Suspected marijuana was also found at the residence on Second Avenue and has been sent to the lab for testing. Bail was set at $80,000 straight on burglary, theft, receiving stolen property and false reports, and $15,000 straight for theft of the BMW wheel. The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected. Anyone who has had tools stolen is asked to call Trooper Matthew Bonin, the investigating officer, at the Bedford state police barracks, at 623-6133. A description of the tools will be checked with the remaining unclaimed tools.

Special Olympics state Winter Games coming up

More than 300 athletes and 135 coaches will participate in the games Feb. 12 through 14. Opening ceremonies will begin 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12 in downtown Johnstown. Competition begins on Feb. 13, including cross-country and snowshoeing at Blue Knob Four Seasons Resort. Other events will occur at Hidden Valley Four Seasons Resort, the Cambria County War Memorial and Panet Ice in Johnstown. For more information, call toll free 800-235-9058 or visit www.specialolympics.org.

District Deaths

CRAWSHAW, Timothy Jon "Tim," 43, of Cassville.

GARDNER, Richard M. "Dick," 78, of Everett, formerly of Baldwin and South Park townships.

NELSON, Janet R., 87, a resident of Donahoe Manor, formerly of South Milk and Water Road, Everett.

REIGHARD-BLACK, Avanell E. (Allison), of Duncansville, formerly of Claysburg. (Arrangements by Miller Funeral Home, East Freedom, are incomplete)

SNYDER, A. Virginia, 87, of E. Pitt Street, Bedford, formerly of Manns Choice.