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eisurely isit L V VOL. 136 — NO. 34 THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2015 75 CENTS [L-V photo by Josh Walzak] WORK ON THE rehabilitation project at the Climax Tunnel in Porter Township began last week as crews from Francis Palo Inc. moved onto the scene. [Photo by Rusty Hartzell] A RIMERSBURG MAN was pulled from a burning, overturned coal truck after it went over an embankment and into a creek along Route 861 in Wildcat, Madison Town- ship (Clarion County) last Friday at around 4:10 p.m. State police said that Michael Wi- ant was driving west in the International Harvester truck when he lost control of the vehicle, struck a guiderail, snapped a utility pole in half and rolled down the embank- ment into the stream. The truck landed on its passenger side and caught fire. A pass- ing motorist pulled Wiant to safety. He was airlifted to a Pittsburgh hospital for treat- ment of major injuries, including burns and broken bones. Police said Wiant was cited for failing to drive at a safe speed. [L-V photo by Evanne Gareis] FIVE DAYS into the beginning of 2015, the “New Year’s baby” at Clarion Hospital has arrived. Aubry Jean Ann Adams was born on Jan. 5 at 5:48 p.m. to par- ents Jason Adams and Reba Miller. The newborn weighed 7 pounds 6 ounces and was 20 inches tall. The new family will reside in New Bethle- hem. As part of The Leader-Vindicator’s annual contest, the family will receive a number of gifts spon- sored by local busi- nesses. See Pages A-12 and B-10 for details. SEVEN-YEAR- OLD Keihin Rupp of Put- neyville was selected from a national pool of eligible racers to com- pete in the KTM Junior Supercross Challenge held during the profes- sional Monster Energy Super- cross Series in Phoenix, Ariz. on Saturday, Jan. 10. BLACK By JOSH WALZAK L-V Editor CLIMAX – Work began last week on a nearly $2 million rehabilita- tion of the former Climax railroad tunnel and surrounding area now used as part of the Redbank Valley Trail in Porter Township. Crews from Francis Palo Inc. moved in equipment and supplies to the tunnel site just prior to the new year and have commenced work on the first phase of the multi-phase project. Ron Steffey, director of the Al- legheny Valley Land Trust, which oversees the Redbank Valley Trails Association, said Friday that com- pletion of all phases of the project likely won’t happen until 2016. Right now, he said, work is un- derway on shoring up a 60-foot section of the tunnel ceiling, ap- proximately 100 feet inside the old railroad structure. “The bricks have fallen out of one area,” he said. Once that work is complete, workers will turn their attention to the west wing of the tunnel near the Climax Bridge, followed by work on the east wing. “The portals are usually in the worst condition because they see the most freeze and thaw,” Steffey said. Funding for the total project is Climax Tunnel repairs begin [Continued on Page A-8] By EVANNE GAREIS L-V Staff Writer PUTNEYVILLE – While most chil- dren his age are working on master- ing a two-wheeled bicycle, 7-year- old Keihin Rupp of Putneyville is winning dirtbike racing champion- ships. With more than four years of rac- ing experience under his belt, Kei- hin will take on 15 other competitors in KTM Motorcycles’ 2015 Junior Supercross Challenge (KJSC) held during the Monster Energy Super- cross Series held in Phoenix, Ariz. on Saturday, Jan. 10. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experi- ence for them,” Keihin’s dad, Chris Rupp, said. After submitting an online appli- cation, Keihin was selected by KTM Motorcycles as one of the 15 junior competitors out of a nationwide pool Area boy off to the races Putneyville youth chosen for televised dirtbike race [Continued on Page A-9] By RON WILSHIRE L-V Correspondent CLARION – After the Clarion County Commis- sioners decided not to serve as applicant for a $1 million commonwealth grant to help fund part of a planned assisted living unit at the Villas at Water Run in Monroe Township, a new applicant emerged and its president and CEO is a for- mer Clari- on County Commis- sioner. Clarion County Former county official works with WRC grant [Contin- ued on Page A-2] We may not have had a white Christmas, but it certainly has been a white first full week of January in our area. Just days after tempera- tures reached into the 50s, the region was hit with a cold spell which cooled things down into the sin- gle digits and teens. Local school children were not able to enjoy any sledding [Continued on Page A-9] By RON WILSHIRE L-V Correspondent MADISON TWP. – The Good Samaritan passerby who reached in and pulled a driver out of a fiery truck crash along Route 861 last Friday afternoon has stepped forward and is also crediting some divine assistance. Charlie Wyant, owner of the Fiddler Run Farm near New Bethlehem and an equine dentist, was driving on Route 861 when he saw the flames coming from the truck driven by Mike Wiant (no relation). “The truck was down in the creek and the engine compartment was pretty much on fire,” said Wy- ant. “I knew down there I wouldn’t have phone ser- vice so I hollered down and asked if there was anyone in the truck. Mike hollered back, ‘Yeah and I can’t get out.’ My heart just sunk at that time.” Looking back at the ac- cident during an interview Tuesday night, Wyant feels it is miraculous that the man lived. “I started down over the bank and said ‘Lord, you’ve got to help me,” said Wy- ‘Hero’ credits higher power for rescue [Continued on Page A-11] Rmbg. man pulled from burning coal truck in creek LV010815.indd 1 1/7/15 4:50:04 AM
