Star-Gazette from Elmira, New York • 18

4C Star-Gazette, www.stargazette.com, Friday, July 7, 2006 LOCALREGION Pittsburgh's downtown wireless network to offer 2 free hours Museum ship Intrepid hits sea for repairs Online Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership: www.downtown pittsburgh.com people will be able to use the service simultaneously to begin with, but the infrastructure has the capacity for 2,000 simultaneous users. More than 250 communities nationwide have or are preparing Wi-Fi service. In Philadelphia, EarthLink Inc. plans to have a network fully deployed over the city's 135 square miles by the third quarter of 2007. Wi-Fi hot spots already exist in some parts of Pittsburgh, where businesses and some office buildings offer them.

The new service will cover the Golden Triangle, up to Mellon Arena and into the Hill District and portions of the North Side. More than half the system will serve areas designated as low-income, said Councilman William Peduto. The Louisville, company has installed similar technology in Baton Rouge, and Los Angeles, Pisula said. Jteiavl? --tea- 4TI til i i 1 1- I ifc i 1 mS; A -1 a The USS Intrepid, a retired Essex-class aircraft carrier now serving as Sea-Air-Space Museum, is seen at this location at Pier 86 in New York City. World War II warship's $58 million makeover expected to take 18 months.

By RICHARD PYLE The Associated Press NEW YORK Using a hammer borrowed from the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid's tool shop, former crew member Felix Novelli banged three times on a brass bell to signal that the ship is about to go on leave from the Hudson River pier where it has spent the last 24 years as a floating military museum. That symbolic act dispelled any lingering fears among other crew veterans that their beloved ship, a heroic survivor of many World War II battles, might be towed off into the sunset and never return. Their concern had stemmed from scuttlebutt rather than solid information about an impending plan by the Intrepid's owners to send the 63-year-old warship off to a drydock for a major overhaul. That plan was formally confirmed Thursday by Gov. George Pataki, who said the state would add $5 million to city and federal funds, totaling $58 million, for the 18-month project.

Hector Giannasca, 81, of New Rochelle, N.Y., recalled that when he heard what was going to happen to the ship, he said, "I don't know if it will ever come back again." "But now that I heard from Governor Pataki and all the money that's being contributed to get fixed, I'm sure it will come back again," he said Thursday. Novelli, 81, a former plane handler on the Intrepid who later worked on tugboats in New York Harbor, said he never worried that the ship would be taken away permanently. "They can't do that," he said. "It has too much of a history. Too much blood was spilled." Of the 55,000 Intrepid crew members during World War II, about 1,500 are still alive, said Bill White, president of the Intrepid Sea, Air Space Museum.

Many in the metropolitan area serve as guides and hosts during anniversaries and other ceremonial occasions aboard the carrier where they once endured Japanese kamikaze attacks. Arnold Fisher, the chairman of the Intrepid's board of trustees and nephew of the late museum founder Zachary Fisher, called the carrier "a ship that lives and breathes." He POLICERECORD ELMIRA CITY POLICE Mark E. Brannon, 42, of Lake Street in Elmira, was charged Saturday with driving while intoxicated, first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, operating without headlights and driving an unregistered motor vehicle after a traffic stop on Madison Avenue. Justin A. McCall, 26, of Saxon-burg, was charged June 30 with driving while intoxicated after a traffic stop on Pennsylvania Avenue.

David L. Crouthamel, 33, of Grand Central Avenue in Elmira, was charged Saturday with second-degree harassment and disorderly conduct. David L. Rice, 37, of West Thurston Street in Elmira, was charged Monday with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle after a traffic stop on West Second Street. Lance Williams, 40, of Elm Street in Elmira, was charged Sunday with petit larceny at Tops Friendly Markets on South Main Street.

REGIONALNEWS HORSEHEADS Flying disc golf tourney set for this afternoon The Horseheads Town Youth Bureau will hold a flying disc golf tournament from 3 to 5 p.m. today at Thorne Street Park. There will be two divisions: 9 to 13 By DAN NEPHIN The Associated Press PITTSBURGH Computer users in downtown Pittsburgh will be able to go wireless in September under a deal offering limited free Internet access. Free wireless Internet access will be another amenity to attract people to downtown, said Michael M. Edwards, president and chief executive officer of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, in announcing the deal Thursday.

"This is something I know will attract and keep people," said Mayor Bob O'Connor, who climbed into a bucket lift to hang the first of some 55 transmission points from a light-pole. "This sends a great signal that we are progressive." Under the deal, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership is paying US Wireless Online $356,000 to design, con- GROMES, Richard A. Residing at Westover Hills Park, Wellsburg passed away, Thursday morning, July 6, 2006 at Arnot-Ogden Medical Center following an illness at the age of 67. Born on March 26, 1939, Richard was the son of Frederick Gertrude VanLuven Gromes. He married Bonnie Spear in 1975 and they have shared thirtyone wonderful years together.

Also surviving are children, Richard A. Jr. (Jennifer) Gromes, Elmira; Ronald A. (Kimberly) Gromes, Wellsburg; and Jolena (-Douglas Ames) Gromes, Elmira; six beloved grandchildren, Cassandra, Brittney, Natalie, Peyton, Mitchell and Douglas sisters, Eleanor White and Margaret Dimmitt; a brother-in-law, Charles Spear; and beloved friends, Walt Shirley Vandermark Richard was predeceased by his son, Randolph Gromes, sisters, Cora "Liz" Hutchings and Harriett Sickler. He was a truck driver for many years.

A loving family man and father, he opened his home to many foster children and was active in Division for Youth. He took enjoyment in watching his family play softball. Richard enjoyed socializing with his many friends and attended the Pennsylvania Avenue United Methodist Church. Family and friends will be received at Caywood's Funeral Home Gardens, 1126 Broadway, Southport, on Sunday afternoon between 1-2 p.m. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 2 p.m.

with his pastor, the Reverend Bill Vallet officiating. Committal services will follow in the Gardens at Caywood's. Interment will take place at the families convenience in St. Peter Paul's Cemetery, Elmira, NY. A.i ivwood GARDENS, LLC 1126 Broadway Southport, NY www.caywoodsfuneralhome.coin HOWLAND, Helen E.

(Orme) Formerly of Horseheads, NY Age 82, of North Fort Myers, FL, passed away on Wednes day, May 3, 2006, at the Hope Hospice Facility in North Fort Myers, FL, after a brief illness. Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service to honor Helen's life on Sunday, July 9, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. at the Olthof Funeral Home, 1050 Pennsylvania El mira, NY 14904. Lay Pastor John P. Knapp will celebrate her service.

Helen, known to many as "Aunt Helen," will be missed deeply by her fam ily and friends. A "Candle of Remembrance" may be left for the family in obituaries at www.olthof.com struct and operate the system, Edwards said. The partnership raised the money from foundations; the city did not provide funding, but council allowed the transmitters to be hung from utility poles. The service, to be completed in September, will allow people two hours a day of free Internet service. Users can also buy additional service at higher speeds for a daily, monthly or yearly fee ranging from $7.99 to $119.99.

US Wireless will also make money from advertising revenues. Timothy J. Pisula, US Wireless Online's executive vice president and chief technology officer, said 500 HUGGLER, Casper J. of Harrison Valley, PA 70, died Thursday, July 6, 2006. Arrangements (1-800-942-2258) are entrusted to the Olney Funeral Home Cremation Service, Ulysses, PA.

McCREICHT, Mary Elizabeth Age 93, died Wednesday, July 5, 2006, at Three Rivers Nursing Facility, Painted Post, NY, formerly of Elmira. Relatives and friends may call at the Kalec Funeral Home, Friday, July 7th, from 1-3 p.m. Funeral Service there Saturday at 10 a.m. Internment to follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park. PAYNE, Robert Sr.

Age 56, Bob passed away in Ocala, Florida, on May 16, 2006, after a hard-fought battle with lung cancer. He was bom in Fort Lee, Virginia and raised in Elmira, a member of the Southside High School, Class of 1967. After graduation, Bob married his high school sweetheart, Lorraine Ripley, and they have been inseparable for the past 38 plus years. Along with his wife, Lorraine in Ocala, Bob is survived by his son, Robert Payne, II of Orlando, FL, with his fiance, Karen OKeefe of Oviedo, FL. Rob and Karen will be married on July 15th, and while mourning the absence of Bob at the wedding, will honor his memory everyday by emulating the example of the wonderful marriage that Bob and Rainey shared.

Bob was also the father of Jerrod Payne, with wife, Jessica of Jacksonville, FL, and grandfather to their children, Aurora and Garrett. Predeceasing Bob in 1976 were infant twin daughters, Julie and Jana Payne. Bob is also survived by brother, Mclvin and wife, Marian Payne of Elmira; sister, Alice Holden of Elmira; and his twin brother, Arthur Payne of Gastonia, NC. Family also includes sisters-in-law with their husbands. Rose and Bob Barton, Darlene and Douglas Itjen, and Marlene and Brian Blauvelt, all of the Elmira area.

Bob was blessed with several special nieces and nephews, and though separated by the miles, remained involved and concerned in their lives ail of his life. Bob was employed at American Lafrance here in Elmira from 1967 until the plant closed in 1986. He and Lorraine moved to Ocala in 1988, where he became employed as a mechanical technician at Emergency One, building fire trucks and apparatus. Even while undergoing various aggressive therapies for lung cancer, Bob continued to work right up until the time of his passing and is sadly missed by his family of coworkers and friends at Love of his Online Intrepid: www.intrepid museum.org said the infusion of state and city funds made the much-needed renovation of the ship and related facilities possible. Landing on the flight deck in a New York National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, Pataki joined other politicians and officials in praising the Intrepid not only as a museum that draws 700,000 visitors a year but for educational programs for teens and support for military veterans and their families.

"Yes, it is a museum that tells the story of heroes of the past, but it is also a home for the heroes of today," Catherine L. Walker, 37, of Jud-son Street in Elmira, was charged Monday with petit Larceny. Garfield V. Thiel, 52, of Division Street in Elmira, was charged Saturday with a violation of the city's open container law forbidding carrying an open container of alcohol on public streets. Penny S.

Van Sickle, 29, of South Avenue in Elmira, was charged Monday with unlawful possession of marijuana. ELMIRA HEIGHTS POLICE Eric M. Collins, 20, of county Route 64 in Big Flats, was charged June 12 with driving while intoxicated after a traffic stop on college Avenue. Jason M. Savino, 29, of Spaulding Street in Elmira, was charged June 17 with fourth-degree grand larceny.

Gary E. Breinlinger, 47, of West 14th Street in Elmira Heights, was charged June 19 with driving while intoxicated after a traffic stop on East 13th Street. Elizabeth A. Mustico, 31, of Turn-berry Drive in Horseheads, was years old and 14 to 17. Information: 607739-3007 or 607739-3517.

STEUBEN COUNTY Sheriffs department will train at bank The Steuben County Sheriffs family, care of his family, and respect of his family was the ethic and purpose of Bob's life, and we celebrate his memory everyday. Bob was a lifelong non-smoker, and yet, still fell prey to lung cancer. Donations to the American Cancer Society, specific to lung cancer research, or the charity closest to your heart would be appreciated. ROSS Helen A. Age 102 formerly of 916 South Main Street Horse-heads, NY passed away on Tuesday July 4, 2006 at the Chemung County Nursing Facility in Elmira, NY.

It was Helen's wish that there be no calling hours and her Funeral Service be private at the Lynch Funeral Home 318 West Broad Street Horse-heads, NY with The Rev. Dr. Robert O. Sherburne officiating. Interment in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Elmira, NY.

It was Miss Ross's wish that in lieu of flowers those wishing may remember her through memorials to The Living Memorial Endowment Fund of The First United Methodist Church 1034 West Broad Street Horseheads, NY 14845. SWEET, (Kosloski) Dolores "Dee" Age 67, of Horseheads, died July 4, 2006 at home with her loving family by her side after a brief illness. A prayer service at the Kalec Funeral Home Inc. will be held Friday at 9 a.m. followed at 10 a.m.

by a Mass of Christian burial at St. Charles Borromeo Church. Interment to follow in Wood-lawn National Cemetery. UGOLEV, Patricia Ann (Yackel) Age 45, of Stratford, NJ passed away July 4, 2006 after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. Family and friends are invited to call at Olthof Funeral Home, 1050 Pennsylvania Elmira, on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m.

and 5 to 7 p.m. with funeral service there at 7:00 p.m. Interment will be in Bellona Cemetery, Bellona, NY, on Sunday, July 9, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. Those wishing may make memorial donations to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 5008 Brittonfield Stc.

300, East Syracuse. NY 13057. Those wishing may leave a "Candle of Remembrance" for the family in Obituaries at www.oIlhof.com. I vv' if The Associated Press Pataki said. The Essex class carrier, a key component of the U.S.

Pacific Fleet's Task Force 38, was slated for the scrapyard when Zachary Fisher, a real estate developer, rescued it and brought it to New York in 1981. It opened as a naval and air museum the following year and has gradually expanded its exhibits and programs since. Under the plan as outlined on Thursday by Leonard Hittner, president of the Association of Intrepid Former Crewmembers, the ship will go "on leave" as of Oct. 1, when the museum closes. On or about Nov.

11, Veterans Day, it is to be towed from its mooring at Pier 86 to the Bayonne Drydock and Repair in Bayonne, N.J., a distance of more than 3 miles, for "infrastructural repair, upgrade and maintenance," which could take 18 months to two years. charged June 24 with driving while intoxicated after a traffic stop on College Avenue. Brandon C. Wood, 21, of Taylor Road in Horseheads, was charged June 25 with driving while intoxicated after a traffic stop on Park Lane. Arnold T.

Tadder, 22, of Sterling Street was charged June 25 with criminal impersonation after a traffic stop on College Avenue. Christopher L. Fisher, 23, of Davis Street in Elmira, was charged June 28 with driving while intoxicated after a traffic stop on West 13th Street. Matthew E. Watkins, 31, no hometown provided, was charged June 28 with third-degree assault after a disturbance at Mano's Diner on College Avenue.

Kevin M. Jacobs, 21 of Erin, was charged June 30 with driving whtie intoxicated after a traffic stop on Prescott Avenue. The addresses listed in record items the last known residence of the accused or thes address the person gave to law enforcement officers are obtained by the Star-Gazette from police or court records. Department's Critical Incident Response Team will conduct training from 10 a.m. until about 6 p.m.

Saturday at the Avoca Bank on Main Street in Avoca. The intersection of Main and River streets will be closed during training. There will be signs posted in the vicinity during training. parlor being a home business. Vivian Medrek, 39, of Van Etten, who attended the meeting to practice notetaking for a course she is taking at the Elmira Business Institute, said after the meeting that she thought the people against the parlor were imposing their morality on others.

However, she said she could see their point that the parlor was out of character for their neighborhood. David Sheen, town supervisor, said the issue is now over unless the applicants start a lawsuit against the town. Tattoo: Southport shuts down parlor Continued from Page 1C Ennis and Hallett could not be reached for comment after the meeting. The parlor, which operated less than a month, closed down during the appeals process. Charles Street is an area of the town south of Elmira that is known as Universal Village.

Clairmont Ham, chairman of the Board of Appeals, said his board, which like the Planning Board is appointed, was taking another look at the issue because of the amount of complaints the prior approval had caused. The Planning Board had approved the parlor because the town code enforcement officer, Peter Rocchi, said the described business did seem to fall within the definitions of the zoning law for residential areas. Frank May of 950 Charles St. said the issue shouldn't be whether the parlor fits into the broad definitions giving in the zoning law but rather whether it meets the intent of the law. He asked whether anyone thought the men who passed the code in 1968 even conceived of such a thing as a tattoo and body piercing 1 i.