Hits & Misses
HIT: It’s second nature for volunteer firefighters to come to one another’s assistance. In many of our farther-flung communities, volunteer fire companies rely heavily on mutual aid from firefighters in neighboring communities. The Rices Landing Volunteer Fire Department in Greene County took that concept to a whole new level recently when folks there learned that West Finley Volunteer Fire Company in Washington County was looking for a loaner fire engine while its was repaired. Long story short, Rices Landing brought an extra fire engine it had in storage to West Finley, and when the folks from Greene County found out about the brake problems of the West Finley truck, they told the West Finley firefighters just to keep their engine for as long as they need it. That’s mutual aid at its best.
HIT: It no doubt caused some disruptions for parents who unexpectedly had their children home from school on Thursday and Friday, but credit Avella Area School District for taking a proactive approach when a mold concern arose. Superintendent Cyril Walther said the district had air-quality samples taken when “a teacher reported an odor in a classroom, and we had concerns about that.” The tests showed elevated mold spore counts in both the elementary and junior/senior high buildings, and the decision was made immediately to close the schools for a thorough cleaning. The elevated readings, according to a contractor hired by the district, most likely resulted from high levels of humidity outside combining with cooler, air-conditioned temperatures indoors. Avella could have just waited for the cooler, less humid weather that arrived in the area today to resolve the issue, but it did the right thing by putting the health of students and staff first.
HIT: It’s no secret that police officers have been under greater scrutiny in recent years. They hold an important role in the community and can wield much power over people. But when you need them the most, they’re right there for you and can save your life. That was proven Wednesday when at least two police officers confronted a gunman hell-bent on killing his estranged wife at a packed magistrate’s office in Masontown where 60 people were awaiting their hearings. Masontown police Sgt. R. Scott Miller engaged the shooter Patrick Shaun Dowdell, but was wounded in the hand. Another unidentified police officer from German Township approached Dowdell and shot him dead. When the rampage was over, Miller and three others were injured. It could have – and probably would have – been much worse if it weren’t for the quick actions by those police officers. They and others in the line of duty deserve our gratitude.