Saturday, August 02, 2003

Mosquitoes targeted

The state Department of Environmental Protection says it will spray pesticides in Westmoreland County to reduce an unusually large population of mosquitoes capable of carrying the West Nile virus.

Weather permitting, the spraying will occur Tuesday during the afternoon and evening in Mount Pleasant Township. DEP employees using handheld and backpack spraying equipment will apply the pesticides sumithrin and permethrin directly to vegetation and in wooded areas.

Thus far this year, no West Nile virus has been found in birds and mosquitoes collected in Westmoreland County. The state Department of Health this week reported its first eight human cases of West Nile virus this year, including a 46-year-old man from Allegheny County.

Fire death ruled suicide

James Skowronek apparently set fire to each building on his family's 200-year-old Bell homestead Wednesday night, then went inside the flaming farmhouse and shot himself, officials say.

Westmoreland County Coroner Kenneth Bacha yesterday said the 46-year-old former coal miner died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Skowronek's remains were found Thursday morning in the burned-out ruins of his house on St. James Church Road, where state police fire marshals said four separately kindled fires consumed the house, corn crib, barn and equipment shed.

The flames were spotted by a neighbor at about 9 p.m.; firefighters from 11 area departments assisted at the fire.

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