The Gettysburg Times from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania • Page 2

WASHINGTON (AP) Sweltering heat and humidity prompted the electric power grid operator for the Mid-Atlantic region to urge customers to conserve electricity Wednesday to ease demand. PJM Interconnection, the electric grid operator for 13 Eastern states and the District of Columbia, urged customers to conserve electricity, if health permits, as a precaution especially between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. while demand approaches record levels. The grid serves 51 million people.

Pepco, a utility provider that serves the Washington area, urged customers to close curtains in their homes, keep air conditioner thermostats at 78 degrees and avoid using major appliances such as stoves, washers and dryers until temperatures drop in the evening. Temperatures on Wednesday hit 102 degrees at Reagan National Airport, breaking a nearly 80-year- old record by one degree, the National Weather Service said. At Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, the temperature hit 100, breaking the 1980 record of 99. The soaring temperatures prompted the weather service to post a heat advisory until 8 p.m. BY VERENA DOBNIK and DAVID CARUSO Associated Press Writers NEW YORK (AP) A torrential downpour sent water surging through New subway system and highway tunnels and across airport runways Wednesday, leaving thousands of commuters stranded and one big question: How could 3 inches of rain bring the largest mass transit system to a halt? The storm, which also spawned a rare tornado, hit just before dawn.

By rush hour, the subway system was virtually paralyzed when pumping stations became overwhelmed. Bedlam resulted from too much rain, too fast; some suburban commuters spent a half day just getting to work. big rain and it all falls said Ruby Russel, 64, as she sat waiting on a train in Brooklyn. She had been trying to get to Manhattan for three hours. The failure renewed a debate about whether the network of pumps, sewers and drains that protects the subways from flooding needs an overhaul.

Every line experienced some sort of delay as track beds turned into streams gurgling with millions of gallons of rainwater. The washout was the third time in seven months that the subways were disrupted by rain. Metropolitan Transit Authority engineers were asked to report back to Gov. Eliot Spitzer within 30 days with suggestions about how to deal with the chronic flooding. have a design issue that we need to think Spitzer said.

The National Weather Service said a tropical air mass dumped an extraordinary amount of rain in a short period of time. The worst was recorded between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m., with 2.5 inches falling on Central Park and almost 3.5 on Kennedy International Airport. Naturally, the stormwater sought the low ground, and that meant the subways. Water poured in through vents, drowned the signal system and flooded the third rail, forcing a shutoff of power on some lines.

MTA Executive Director Elliot G. Sander said the intensity of the rain was simply overwhelming. The drainage system can generally handle a maximum of 1.5 inches of rainfall per hour. timing and intensity of the storm took us by Sander said. The subway problems come as weather experts predict New York is due for a major hurricane.

A storm with 130 mph winds and a 30-foot storm surge could cause the Hudson and East rivers to overflow and bring with it more significant flooding than a severe rainstorm. Keeping the subway system dry is a challenge, even in regular weather. On an average day, hundreds of MTA pumps remove 13 million gallons of water from the system, which includes several tunnels and stations below sea level. Much of that water is groundwater that enters from sources such as streams. Public officials called for improvements in the drainage system after a similar rain-related shutdown in 1999, and the MTA made some changes after another round of paralyzing tunnel floods in 2004, when the remnants of Hurricane Frances washed out the subways for hours.

The sewer and stormwa- ter drains can handle steady rain, when it comes to these very intense, high inch-count rain events, over a short period of time, it is very said Michael Saucier, a spokesman for the Department of Environmental Protection. DEP Commissioner Emily Lloyd said the city is spending $300 million per year upgrading its piping systems and has been gradually building a more robust stormwater drainage system to replace the old combined sewers that handled wastewater and rain. In Manhattan, Times Square was one huge mess Wednesday, packed with many of the 4 million riders who rely on the subway system daily. Thousands waited for hours for any means of transportation, jostling one another to get on the few buses that arrived. The suburbs were no better: In Westchester County, hundreds of commuters were stopped on a Metro-North train due to track flooding.

Streams of people in business attire with briefcases, cell phones and BlackBerries in hand trudged through drenched streets toward the subway. But it, too, was flooded. The hordes then made a beeline for buses spotted up the street. The storms also created problems for the airports, where delays of up to an hour were reported. The National Weather Service said a tornado touched down in Brooklyn, where winds downed trees, tore off rooftops and wrapped signs around posts.

At least 40 homes were damaged. Tornadoes have hit New York City before, but not often. The National Weather Service had records of at least five, plus sketchy detail on the last reported tornado sighting in Brooklyn, in 1889. None was as strong as twister, which had winds as high as 135 mph. a once-in-a-lifetime said Jeffrey Tongue, a Weather Service meteorologist.

A woman on Staten Island died when a car got stuck in an underpass and another car came along and hit hers, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. A handful of people were injured, Bloomberg said. Lanie Mastellone, who lives in Bay Ridge neighborhood, awoke as her roof was coming off. Before escaping, she ran to get her late wedding ring. Associated Press writers Kiley Armstrong, Samantha Gross, Sara Kugler, Colleen Long, Karen Matthews and Cristian Salazar contributed to this report.

Gerard J. Cohee Sr. Gerard J. Cohee 81, of Biglerville and formerly of Glen Burnie, Md. After many years of suffering, Gerard J.

Cohee was called home to the Father on Aug. 7, 2007. Gerard was born on April 7, 1926 in Marcus Hook, son of the late James V. and Anna C. (Flanigan) Cohee.

He was a graduate of St. James High School and a 1949 graduate of Mount Saint College. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving in World War II and the Korean Conflict, where he attained the rank of LT. JG.

Mr. Cohee taught and coached at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Baltimore, Md. for 33 years and later taught at St. High School in Annapolis, Md. He was a faithful member of the Knights of Columbus and lived the Spirituality of St.

Francis of Assisi, belonging to the Secular Order of Franciscans for 37 years. Mr. Cohee is survived by his wife of 56 H. (Sullivan) Cohee and 13 children, Gerard J. Cohee Jr.

of Catonsville, Maribeth Cortina of Gettysburg, Anne Marie Hallinan of Carroll Valley, Margaret Cohee (Baynes) of Port Jefferson, Long Island, N.Y., Nora M. Cohee (Biekert) of Pylesville, James Cohee of Brooklyn, N.Y., Dennis Cohee of Linthicum, Maureen Cohee of Stevens City, Monica Quade of Green Backville, John Cohee of Baltic, Matthew Cohee of Timonium, Bridget Nevin of Martinsburg, W.Va., Julie Vorsteg of Bishopville, 41 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, James Sullivan of Wilmington, and two sisters-in-law, Kathleen Erolen of Warminster and Margaret Sullivan of Wildwood, N.J.; and many dear nieces and nephews.He was predeceased by his beloved sister, Mary Theresa Smith and three infant brothers. A Mass of Celebration of Life and Goodness will be held on Monday, Aug. 13 at 11 a.m. at St.

Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 22 W. High Gettysburg, with Father Bernardo Pistone, celebrant. Interment with full military honors will be held in Mount Saint Cemetery, Emmitsburg, following the mass. The family will receive friends and family on Sunday, Aug. 12, from 4 to 8 p.m.and on Monday, from 9 to 11 a.m.

at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Gettysburg. The Rosary will be recited on Sunday at the church at 4 p.m. The Monahan Funeral Home in Gettysburg is handling the funeral arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Little Sisters of The Poor, Maiden Choice Lane, Baltimore, MD 21228.

John John 85, of Gettysburg, died Monday, Aug. 6, 2007, at the Future Care of Chesapeake Nursing Home, Arnold, Md. Born Dec. 10, 1921 in Harrisburg, he was the son of the late Joseph and Edith (Meadows) He was the husband of the late Agnes (Larish) Mr. was a 1939 graduate of John Harris High School in Harrisburg.

He was a 1943 graduate of Shippensburg College. He received a master of science degree from Western Maryland University. After college, he taught third grade at the Middletown Elementary School in Middletown. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Air Force. After serving in World War II, he became an English and driver education teacher in the Gettysburg Secondary School.

Later Mr. worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Education in Harrisburg and then spent 15 years at Penn Manor High School in Millersville until his retirement. He sang with the Red Rose Choir for many years and later with the Hanover Choir. He also served as a battlefield guide in Gettysburg. He was a member of the Good Samaritan Lodge 336 Masons, Harrisburg Shrine, Gettysburg Elks, Gettysburg VFW Post 15, American Legion Post 202 and PSEA.

He is survived by one daughter, Molly of Severna Park, two grandchildren, Grace A. Walsh Elle D. Walsh and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, George and Joseph and two sisters, Eileen Keim and Frances Harper. Memorial services will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, Aug.

15 at the Gettysburg Presbyterian Church, 208 Baltimore Gettysburg, with the Rev. Dr. Daniel T. Hans officiating. Burial will be Wednesday, Aug.

15 at 3 p.m. in the Grantville Cemetery, Grantville. The Monahan Funeral Home, Gettysburg, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Ruth J. Jenkins Ruth Joyce Jenkins, 81, formerly of Thurmont, Md.

and recently of Green Acres Nursing Home, Gettysburg, died Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007 at the Gettysburg Hospital. She was the wife of Truman E. Jenkins, who died March 6, 1982. Born Nov.

27, 1925 in Wolfsville, she was a daughter of the late Jesse Milton and Edna Blanche Lewis Winfield. Mrs. Jenkins was a member of Thurmont Church of the Brethren. Surviving are five children, Linda J. Buswell and husband Dick of Cody D.

Michael Eavey and wife Patsy of Thurmont, William W. Eavey and wife Delores of Conowingo, Stephen E. Jenkins and wife Lavena of Artemas, and Diane K. Wise and husband Jeffrey of Fairfield; 11 grandchildren, Fallon Eavey of Conowingo, Matthew Eavey of Thurmont, Brian Faulkner and Raymond Faulkner both of Emmitsburg, Jason Jenkins and wife Arlene, and Ben Swope, all of Artemas, Gary Thrift and wife Roxane of Philipsburg N.J., RaeAnn Wagerman and husband Chris of Thurmont, Lori Warrenfeltz of Sharpsburg, and Elizabeth Wise and Amanda Wise, both of Carroll Valley; eight grandchildren, Cody Faulkner, Isabella Jenkins, Ally Thrift, Morgan Thrift, Colby Wagerman, Brody Wagerman, Marina Warrenfeltz and Dylan Warrenfeltz; two sisters, E. Grace Miller and husband Danny and Christine Lewis, all of Myersville, and a brother, Jesse G.

Winfield and wife Edna of Myersville, Md. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Suzanne C. Jenkins Faulkner; and a brother, Thomas L. Winfield. Mrs.

Jenkins is at the Robert E. Dailey Son Funeral Homes, P.A., 615 East Main Thurmont, where friends may call from 1-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9. The family will receive friends from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m.

Thursday at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 10 at the funeral home, with Pastor Joanne Gaver, associate pastor of Thurmont Church of the Brethren officiating. Interment will be in Creek Church of the Brethren Cemetery, New Windsor, Md. Honorary bearers will be Brian Faulkner, a grandson and Dylan Warrenfeltz, a great-grandson.

Bearers will be Jason Jenkins, Matthew Eavey, Gary Thrift, Raymond Faulkner Ben Swope, all grandsons; and Chris Wagerman. The family requests that memorials be made in memory of Mrs. Jenkins to the Green Acres Adams County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 595 Biglerville Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325. Abbottstown Al-Anon, for anyone who has been affected by someone drinking, will meet 8 p.m., Fridays at St. Lutheran Church, 130 E.

Water St. The Freedom Fighters Chapter of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Motorcyclists Inc. will meet Saturday at 1 p.m. at Paradise Cove, Route 30. For call 259-0661.

Adams County A group of Alcoholics Anonymous will meet today at 7 p.m. at the Prince of Peace Episcopal Church, Gettysburg. Biglerville The Biglerville High School Class of 1950 will meet Aug. 13 at 1 p.m. at Steak and Sea House.

Fairfield A dance will be held Friday at 7 p.m. at the Village Hall on Main Street. Gettysburg The Gettysburg group of Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at noon and 8 p.m., today at St. James Lutheran Church, located at the corner of Stratton and York Streets. Hanover The National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) will meet Saturday at noon at the Hanover Elks Lodge, Forney for a luncheon, a program, and a meeting.

Guests and prospective members are invited. For reservations or call 630-2425. Support and Deliverance Group meets every Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Praise and Worship Center, 17 Wayne for people who wish to overcome addictive habits over-eating alcoholism or drug addiction through Jesus Christ. For call Larry at 632-2773.

Elsewhere The Alternative to the Bar Scene Singles Dance, for ages 21 and over, will be held Friday, from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Knights of Columbus, 20340 Leitersberg Pike, Hagerstown, Md. For call 765-9320, 301739-4113 or visit http://www.geocities.com/theal- ternativeinc. A2 GETTYSBURG TIMES THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2007 Digest Gettysburg Times (USPS 218140) 717-339-2062 Is published daily except Sundays and Christmas and New Day by Times and News Publishing Co. 1570 Fairfield Road, P.O.

Box 3669 Gettysburg, PA 17325-0669 HOMEDELIVERY RATES 1 6 3 MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS 1 6 3 Periodicals Postage Paid at Gettysburg, PA 17325 POSTMASTER Send Address Changes to: Times Circulation Dept. P.O. Box 3669 Gettysburg, PA 17325 happening Deaths To list news of your upcoming event in call 334-1131 or in Littlestown, 359-7749. The deadline for entries is noon the previous day. Cohee News 334-1131 Intense rainstorm cripples NYC mass transit system AP HOTO ENNY NYDER A car sits crushed by a tree following a heavy storm in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York, Wednesday, Aug.

8, 2007. The skies were full of drama early Wednesday morning as a rainstorm charged through the metro area, sparking lightning and thunder and drenching the streets. Births Hanover Hospital Breanna Knaub and Cody Curry, Spring Grove, a daughter, Saturday, July 28. Jessica Seamans, New Oxford, a daughter, Sunday, Aug. 5.

Public asked to conserve electricity.