Indiana Gazette from Indiana, Pennsylvania • 4

Page 4 Wednesday, February 28, 2007 REGION The Indiana Gazette GEORGE M. DURING THE ANNUAL Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet, held Feb. 24 at the Homer City United Methodist Church, Jonathan Hunyady and Thomas Arone received the Cub Scout Arrow of Light award and crossed over from Webelos into Boy Scouts. From left are Tricia Hunyady, Webelos leader; Jonathan Hunyady; Dennis Mack, Troop 24 Scoutmaster; Thomas Arone; and Joe Arone, assistant Webelos leader. Transit authority briefed on proposed changes Gerald Blair, executive director of the Indiana County Transit Authority and the IndiGo bus service, briefed authority members Monday on a new proposal by Gov.

Ed Rendell to raise additional money for mass transit in the state. Earlier this month Blair participated in a conference call with other transit directors and Karen Rae, deputy director of public transit. Rae and her staff briefly explained a proposal by the Ren- SCOUTS HONORED Mark Baker Mark Allen Baker, 51, of Indiana, died Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007. The son of Allen D.

and Ruth "Faye" Baker, he was born Oct. 8, 1955, in Pittsburgh. Mr. Baker was a 1973 Purchase Line High School graduate. In 1991 he graduated with a bachelor's degree in safety science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Since 1991 he worked as a safety engineer in the construction field and environmental consulting. He was employed by Conestoga-Rovers and Associates of Pittsburgh. He was formerly a coowner of Nan's Inn in Clymer. He was a past master of the former Benjamin Franklin Masonic Lodge 753 in Indiana and current member of the Indiana Franklin Lodge 313, a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers, as well as the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 670 in Clymer. Mr.

Baker enjoyed model trains and watching NASCAR racing. He married the former Nancy J. Smith on May 24, 1975. He is survived by Nancy, his wife of nearly 32 years; his two sons, Matthew J. Baker and wife Tracy, Clymer; Michael A.

Baker, Indiana; a grandson, Nathan James Baker; his father, Allen, Commodore; seven siblings: Neal A. Baker and companion Darlene, Hillsdale; Susan F. Baker and husband Robert McNiel, Winchester, James A. Baker and wife Kelly, Commodore; Jonathan A. Baker, Commodore; Lydia F.

Banfield and husband Andrew, Glenshaw; Nathan. A. Baker, Commodore; Rebecca F. Barnes and husband James Front Royal, nine nieces and nephews, a father-in-law, James C. Smith, Indiana; a sister-in-law, Janet K.

Ross and husband John, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his mother on April 27, 2004, a brother, Daniel A. Baker, a sister, Elizabeth F. Baker, his paternal grandparents, John and Belva Baker, his maternal grandparents, William and Catherine Walters and his mother-in-law, Beatrice B. Smith.

Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Rairigh Funeral Home Ltd. in Hillsdale. The Indiana Franklin Lodge 313 will conduct a Masonic service at 7 p.m.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Ronald Marshall presiding. Interment will be in East Union Presbyterian Cemetery in Taylorsville. Henry William Buggs, 88, of Indiana, went to be with the Lord on Monday, Feb.

26, 2007. The son of Edward and Margaret Stern Buggs he was born Oct. 1, 1918, in Indiana. Mr. Buggs was a graduate of Indiana High School where he played basketball.

He was a member of the A.M.E. Zion Methodist Church in Indiana. During his life, he was employed by Colonial Motors, Koch Pontiac, Fisher Scientific and the Manos and Indiana theaters. He was a World War II veteran who in 2006 received an award for his military service. His hobbies included traveling, collecting antiques and listening to blues music.

He is survived by his children: William Henry Buggs, Pittsburgh; Susan Lee Heberer and husband Bill, Indiana; Cherie Henry Buggs Kay Williams, State College; and Gregory Edward Buggs, Indiana; a former wife, Virginia Buggs, Indiana; a brother, Edward Buggs Greensburg; 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Beatrice Margaret Buggs; a son, Richard Otis Buggs; a grandson, Dane Antwon Buggs, and three sisters: Helen and Louise Buggs and Luella Redd. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the John A. Lefdahl Funeral Home in Indiana, where a funeral service will be at 11 a.m.

Thursday with the Rev. Robert Scholfield officiating. Military rites will be provided by VFW Post 1989. Interment in Oakland Cemetery will be private. Joseph Santus Joseph R.

Santus, 71, of Blairsville, died Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007, at his home. He was born Nov. 11, 1935, in Luciusboro, the son of Joseph A. and Annie (Senick) Santus.

He was a member of SS. Simon and Jude Roman Catholic Church in Blairsville, and was a long-time member of Kangaroo Hunting and Fishing Camp. He retired from Blairsville Westinghouse after 40 years of service. Mr. Santus is survived by his wife of 52 years, Donna (LassickCiteroni) Santus, Blairsville; three daughters: Jerri Santus, Latrobe; Victoria Houser and husband Dr.

Bryan, Blairsville; and Barbara Santus Kelly, Blairsville; a son, Joseph "Spike" Santus, Fertigs; his grandchildren: Eden Copeland, Philadelphia; Dr. Lin- coln D. Loucks, Harrisonburg, Curtis Houser, Charlotte, N.C.; Nikki L. Loucks, Latrobe; Joleen R. Loucks, Albany, N.Y.; Aaron Kelly, Blairsville; Ryan Kelly, Blairsville; Jalyn Mattie Loucks, Latrobe; and two greatgrandchildren: William Barr Copeland and Eliza Rennee Copeland.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the James F. Ferguson Funeral Home, Blairsville, where a wake service will be held at 8:30 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m.

Friday at SS. Simon and Jude Roman Catholic Church, Blairsville, with the Rev. Chester J. Raimer as celebrant. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

TOMORROW'S FUNERAL BUGGS, Henry William, 11 a.m., John A. Lefdahl Funeral Home, Indiana DEATH ELSEWHERE The Associated Press Walker Edmiston LOS ANGELES Walker Ed- his own puppets, including miston, an actor who was the Kingsley the Lion and voice of many cartoon and pup- Ravenswood the Buzzard. pet characters, including Ernie In the 1960s and 1970s, he the Keebler elf in TV commer- voiced many characters on cials, has died. He was 81. shows created by Sid and Marty Edmiston died of complica- Krofft, including Dr.

Blinkey and tions from cancer at his home in Orson the Vulture on "H.R. PufnWoodland Hills Feb. 15, said his stuf" and Sparky the Firefly on daughter, Erin Edmiston. He "Bugaloos." worked until becoming ill in Jan- Edmiston also had acting roles uary, she said. in episodes of such TV series as Edmiston was born Feb.

6, "Gunsmoke," "Mission: Impossi1926, in St. Louis, and ble" and "The Dukes of Hazzard," moved to Los Angeles in 1947. and performed for nearly 20 In the 1950s and early 1960s, years on "Adventures in Edmiston had a children's show Odyssey," a radio series proon local television, "The Walker duced by the nonprofit group Edmiston Show," which featured Focus on the Family. Nursing home death investigated LIGONIER, Pa. (AP) A virus infamous for infecting cruise ship passengers has made dozens of people ill and was partly responsible for a patient death at a western Pennsylvania nursing home, officials said.

Norovirus has sickened about half of the 87 patients and 80 direct-care patients and staff at the Bethlen Home in Ligonier since Feb. 16, according to Ann Donovan, nursing director of the 96- bed facility. Tuesday marked the first day that no new cases were observed so officials at the home and the BRIEFS Blood drives planned The Indiana Gazette dell administration to levy a tax on oil companies' gross annual profits on business done within the commonwealth. Blair described the proposal as a unique plan that could help address the critical issue of transit organizations receiving additional state funds. The consulting firm of Abrams-Cherwony Inc.

has completed its interviews with the authority's employees and passengers and its evaluation of current IndiGo routes. Recommendations from the consulting firm could result in some route changes, possibly before Indiana University of Pennsylvania students return to campus in the fall. The authority agreed to purchase an accessible high-roof van from Rohrer Bus Sales of Duncannon for $68,725. The van can transport 12 passengers and two others in wheelchairs. The purchase still needs approval from PennDOT.

Blair also reported to the authority board that IndiGo had a slight increase in ridership in January, compared with January 2006. Honus Wagner baseball card on way to its new owner LOS ANGELES (AP) The "Mona Lisa" of baseball memorabilia, an almost mint condition 1909 Honus Wagner tobacco card, arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday in the company of an armed guard but without its new owner, a mysterious Southern California collector who shelled out most of a record $2.35 million for it. The tiny scrap of colored cardboard, barely inches tall and not quite 2 inches wide, made an auspicious arrival at a Dodger Stadium news conference, carried to the podium in a formidable-looking black valise by a grim-faced, equally formidable-looking armed guard. As SCP Auctions officials removed and opened a small red case to reveal the card's cover one featuring a youthful and handsome Wagner in his Pittsburgh Pirates uniform, his hair parted down the middle camera flashes popped and heads craned for a better look. Even the guard, the burly offduty Lt.

Michael Florio of the Los Angeles Police Department, cracked a smile. As a baseball fan, he said afterward, he rated the opportunity to hold the card right up there with his other great sports memory, having seen Los Angeles Dodgers Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax pitch. "The T206 Honus Wagner card has long been recognized as the most iconic, highly coveted and valuable object in the field of sports memorabilia," said Dan Imler, managing director of SCP Auctions. "Its legacy has transcended popular culture." He and SCP's president, David Kohler, went on to rattle off a raft of facts and figures about the Wagner card, omitting only the name of the person who bought it. Although SCP acquired a minority stake in the card, the two said, the principal buyer has insisted on anonymity.

"He said, 'Hey, let's let the world know and have a news conference, but I don't want my name out there," Kohler said. "We have to respect that." The previous owner, Brian Seigel Las Vegas, told The Associated Press he sold the card to a Southern California collector who approached him, unsolicited, last year. They closed the deal last week. Homer-Center holds Act 1 hearing The Homer-Center school board held its required Act 1 hearing Monday to address public concerns regarding a possible shift in taxes. The board has proposed a referendum that would enact a personal income tax of 1.3 percent to replace the current earned income tax of 0.9 percent, according to District Superintendent Dr.

Joseph Marcoline. The board addressed questions about how the shift will affect taxpayers and what is covered by a personal income tax compared to an earned income tax, Marcoline said. About 30 people attended the hour-long public hearing. The board is expected to pass a resolution March 8 to include the referendum question on the May primary ballot, Marcoline said. Pu Punxsutawney plans negotiations PUNXSUTAWNEY More contract negotiations between the Punxsutawney Area School District and the Punxsutawney Area Education Association are scheduled for March 15 and April 4.

Representatives for both sides The Indiana Gazette The Indiana Gazette met for about hours Thursday, but no settlement was reached, according to Dr. J. Thomas Frantz, district superintendent. The 220 Punxsutawney teachers went on strike Feb. 5 for 10 class days in protest of being without a contract since July 2004.

They returned to the class- Airbus to cut 10,000 jobs over the next four years The Associated Press Space Co. said Airbus planned to offer its Meaulte plant in PARIS Airbus will cut France, Nordenham in jobs over four years, par- many and Filton in Britain to inent company EADS said today vestors and had already reas it unveiled a restructuring ceived bids. plan aimed at helping the EADS also said it planned to planemaker recover after delays sell or close three other Airbus to its A380 superjumbo and sites Saint-Nazaire-Ville in other setbacks. France and Varel and Laupheim European Aeronautic Defense in Germany. The Indiana County chapter of the American Red Cross will hold blood drives at the following times and locations: Clyde 2 to 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Faith Lutheran Church. Penn Run noon to 6 p.m. March 2, Christian Outreach Center. Indiana noon to 6 p.m. March 5, Church of the Brethren, Type drive.

Indiana 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 11, St. Bernard of Clairvaux church. Blairsville noon to 6 p.m.

March 13, Elks Lodge Marion Center 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 14, Marion Center High School. Indiana noon to 6 p.m. March 15, Indiana County Red Cross Chapter, 610 Kolter Dr.

Indiana 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 17, Indiana Mall, Race Car Show. Armagh 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

March 29, United High School. Homer City 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 30, Homer-Center High School. Ernest 10 a.m.

to 3 p.m. March 31, Rose Inn, SWA Motorcycle Association. Indiana noon to 6 p.m. April 2, St. Thomas More Newman Center.

Creekside noon to 6 p.m. April 9, Creekside United Methodist Church. Dixonville 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 12, Polyvision.

Plumville noon to 6 p.m. April 20, Volunteer Fire Hall. Indiana noon to 6 p.m. April 23, Elks Lodge Blairsville 1 to 7 p.m. April 27, Pease's Taekwondo Academy.

Indiana 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 28, Indiana Mall. Saltsburg 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

April 30, Saltsburg High School. For an appointment, call (800) GIVELIFE. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended. Individuals in good health who are age 17 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds are eligible to donate blood every 56 days. For more information, call (724) 465-5678.

Reed planning legislative breakfast Rep. Dave Reed, R-Indiana, has invited local residents to a legislative breakfast at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Chevy Chase Community Center, 640 N. Fifth Indiana. Reservations are required to room Feb.

19. The teachers could strike again this school year and still complete 180 days of instruction by June 30. Salary increases for the teachers, teachers' contributions to their health insurance coverage and an early retirement incentive are among the issues still separating the two sides. Country Living at It's Move in condition. 3 bedroom, 2 bath Split Entry on 1.39 level acres.

2 car garage, large family room with a pellet stove. $168,000 Member Board www.joyrealty.com of Realtors ensure enough food is available. To make a reservation, call Ashley Essay in Reed's district office at (724) 465-0220. BEST! state Department of Health believe the virus has run its course. The virus is not usually fatal, Donovan said it contributed to the death of a 91-year-old patient on Sunday.

That man already had a weakened heart. Norovirus is common in institutional settings where large numbers of people are in close contact. It is spread by direct or indirect contact with feces of an infected person. State health department spokesman Richard McGarvey said the home has taken all necessary precautions. Loy Really 724-349-6900 1163 Grant Indiana, PA 15701 1-888-349-6800 2 University Square 3, Suite 104.