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Articles by Brad Pedersen
Why the Proposed Rule on Terminal Disclaimers Should Not Be Finalized
“The USPTO should tighten restriction practices and enhance examination of continuation applications. It must leave for Congress the policy decisions on how best to address ‘patent thickets’ for drug-related inventions.” The proposed rule changes to Terminal Disclaimers to overcome double patenting have not yet been finalized.
Bouncing Back and Rebuilding Stronger with Brad Pedersen, Lomi on Apple Podcasts
Failures might knock you down, but the real test is how you rise. In this episode, Brad Pedersen, founder of Lomi, shares the crucial lessons of his entrepreneurial journey and explains how learning from failure can lead to building a more robust business model. About Brad Pedersen Brad Pedersen is an entrepreneur with a knack for innovation and sustainability. In 2008, he founded a leading toy company in Canada and later merged it to co-found Basic Fun.
IP Watch Dog Master’s Seminar on Patent Prosecution & Portfolio Management 2023
BARNES & THORNBURG EMAIL DISCLAIMER Before sending mail to your intended recipient, you must first understand the implications of communicating with Barnes & Thornburg LLP and agree to the following terms. Barnes & Thornburg LLP appreciates your visit to the firm’s web site. Our site is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.
Hirono and Tillis Give Vidal One Month to Answer Questions on Abuse of PTAB Process
“These activities represent clear abuses of the IPR system. Yet, to date, it does not appear the USPTO has taken any steps to sanction those involved or otherwise act to deter future copycats.” – Senators Hirono and Tillis Senators Mazie K.
Set Better Standards for Quality to Save the U.S. Patent System
“What is needed to keep pace with the exponential increases in knowledge and innovation is a more tailored approach to patent examination and protection coupled with clearly defined benchmarks for the quality standards expected from the patent system.” A recent New York Times Editorial Board opinion urged comprehensive reform of America’s patent system by focusing on a few examples of what the Board views as “bad” drug-related patents.
Hearing for North Buffalo man accused in assault postponed
Brad Pedersen is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-543-1303, ext. 1337, or bpedersen@tribweb.com . According to a criminal complaint filed by state police, he met up with Blake Crissman, 23, also of North Buffalo, and two of his friends, around 4:40 a.m. at the Union Baptist Church parking lot on Church Road, then shot at Crissman's Jeep. Police said nobody was hurt.
Manor Township tobbery hearing postponed
The preliminary hearing for the Ford City man accused of robbing Sheetz in Manor Township at gunpoint has been postponed until Jan. 12, so he can find an attorney. District Judge Gary DeComo issued a continuance Tuesday for the case against Michael Paul Zilla, 37, who is accused of robbing the convenience store on Route 422 on Christmas Eve. “These are serious charges, and he needs to have an attorney to represent him,” DeComo said, noting that Zilla had not applied for a public defender.
Armstrong County employees' raises in question
The incoming Armstrong County Commissioners will decide on pay raises in January. The county's current elected officials' salaries are: Armstrong County officials will determine if its employees will receive wage increases during a salary board meeting on Jan. 7.
Armstrong County Jail siren installed
An emergency siren is up and running at the Armstrong County Jail, and officials are planning to hold its first official test in early January. County officials plan to test the siren — which is a continuous loud tone that sounds for several minutes, similar to an air raid siren — on Jan. 7, between 10 a.m. and noon, said Sheriff Bill Rupert. “It's been installed and will be used any time there's a problem at the jail,” Rupert said. He said officials plan to test it at least once a month.
Kittanning Salvation Army fulfils Christmas wishes
A line of people on Wednesday stretched out of the front door of the First United Methodist Church of Kittanning's Covenant Center and down North Water Street. Each one was eagerly awaiting their turn to receive gifts for their children, and food for their families, from the Kittanning Salvation Army during their annual holiday distribution. “This is crazy,” said Lt. Amber Imhoff, as she scrolled through a list of who should receive which package of toys. “But it's a great kind of crazy.
Service station sinkhole repair to begin in February
After more than two years of preliminary work, repair of a large sinkhole at the former Butler Petroleum service station is expected to begin in mid-February. Officials from Butler Petroleum have a permit to begin repairing the sinkhole once a concrete culvert is installed to replace the one that caved in, according to John Poister, spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Project Joy offers gifts for Armstrong Health Center residents
The normally quiet dining room in the Armstrong County Health Center was aglow with the songs, gifts and the Christmas spirit Tuesday, as more than 100 came together for Project Joy. The room was overflowing with smiles and laughter while health center employees and Santa Claus distributed large gift bags full of loot, donated from local businesses and community members. “I got a new coat, some sweats and some shirts,” said resident George Marranconi with a big grin. “This is just so wonderful.
Footprints in the snow lead police to suspect
Footprints in a thin layer of snow led police to an Abbotstown man accused of trying to burglarize a home in Madison. Police charged Judah Greenfield Sliker, 36, of Beaver Creek Road, with felony charges of criminal attempt and making terroristic threats, a misdemeanor count of harassment and a summary charge of public drunkenness, after he was accused of trying to break into a home on Madison Road Friday.
Charges filed in 84 Lumber theft
An East Franklin man faces theft charges after he was accused of taking checks, cash and a crowbar from the 84 Lumber store in North Buffalo. North Buffalo Police charged Heath D. Kuntz, 40, with felony charges of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy, a misdemeanor count of possession of an instrument of crime and a summary charge of retail theft.
Candlelight vigil set to remember those lost to drugs
Deaths related to drug overdoses have been steadily on the rise for the last five years, according to Armstrong County Coroner Brian Meyers. After all the holiday celebrations fade, members of Apollo's Residents Against Illicit Drugs are planning a somber remembrance for those who lost their lives to drugs. The group, known as RAID, plans to remember all Armstrong County residents who died of a drug overdose in 2015 during a candlelight vigil next month.
Leechburg Senior Center to move
Brad Pedersen is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-543-1303, ext. 1337, or bpedersen@tribweb.com . Questions may be directed to the Armstrong County Area Agency on Aging at 724-548-3290. “Our center participants voted on this new site,” said Janet Talerico, director of the Armstrong County Area Agency on Aging.
Incoming Armstrong commissioners expect to take another look at budget
The new year is expected to start with a freeze on hiring and large purchases, and possibly a re-opened budget at the Armstrong County Courthouse. The new board of county commissioners, which includes Democrats Pat Fabian and George Skamai, and Republican Jason Renshaw, will be sworn into office Jan. 4. After the outgoing board approved a $21.3 million budget with an 8 percent tax hike, the new commissioners plan to hit the ground running, Fabian said.
Case of Armstrong County Jail escapee, slaying suspect awaits DNA tests, official says
The jury selection for an escaped Armstrong County Jail inmate and suspected killer scheduled for Jan. 11 is expected to be delayed while officials await results of DNA tests. Although he did not elaborate, District Attorney Scott Andreassi said court proceedings for Robert Crissman Jr. will be delayed until officials receive the test results. Crissman is accused of killing Rayburn resident Tammy Long after walking away from the Armstrong County Jail on July 30.
Armstrong County Commissioners approve 8 percent hike in property taxes
A typical assessed value on a house in Armstrong County is $25,000, according to county officials. Here's what the 2016 tax bill would look like for such a property under the county's proposed budget: Taxpayers in Armstrong County can expect an 8 percent hike in property taxes next year. Armstrong County Commissioners voted 2-1 Thursday to pass a $21.3 million spending plan, which includes a 1.5 mill property tax hike to balance the budget.
Kittanning Salvation Army closes in on $30K goal
The Kittanning Salvation Army is looking for help to provide toys and other items for children through several giving trees throughout central Armstrong County, including: Anyone interested in volunteering at any of the red kettle sites should call the Salvation Army at 724-543-6622.
Upgrades to Belmont Complex pool could reach $1.3 M
Although Belmont Complex officials saw an unexpected spike in attendance this year, the number of people visiting the pool in East Franklin has been declining steadily. Armstrong County officials may have to pump a lot of money into the Belmont Complex pool in East Franklin just to keep it afloat, according to a consultant from Pittsburgh.
Sports memorabilia auction nets $5,500 for Armstrong Junior-Senior High School
About half of Kittanning and Ford City high schools' trophies found new homes Saturday during a silent auction at Armstrong Junior-Senior High School. The sports memorabilia auction brought in about $5,500, which will be used to buy a new leg press machine and dumbbells for the new school's fitness center, said Principal James Rummel.
New truck will keep Armstrong Junior-Senior High School's parking lot clear
Officials are buying a dump truck to keep Armstrong Junior-Senior High School's large parking lot plowed and salted this winter. The school board agreed Monday to buy a new GMC Sierra 3500 stainless steel dump truck with a snowplow and salt spreader from Walker Motor Co. in Kittanning. The truck and equipment cost $57,540. The was 7-0, with school Directors James Rearic and Chris Choncek.
Budget impasse forces area food banks to cut back
Allegheny Valley Association of Churches: send donations to 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights, PA 15065; to coordinate food donations, visit avaoc.org or call 724-226-0606 The commonwealth's budget impasse, in its sixth month, is slowly starving local food banks. As the budget stalemate drags on, some food pantries, like the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank in Harrison, face a monthly financial shortfall.
Bethel Township supervisors set vote on property tax break
Bethel Township is looking to become the third Armstrong County community this year to pass a property tax break for homeowners and businesses who build new or add on to their existing structures. The Bethel supervisors are planning to hold a public hearing and vote on Dec. 29 to institute a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) Act district. The designation would apply throughout the township. The LERTA program applies a tax break associated with upgrades to properties.
Students get experience with modern technology thanks to Armstrong school TV studio
Coby Toy sat nervously across the table from District Judge Gary DeComo on Thursday night at Armstrong Junior-Senior High School. “I always go back to the quote, ‘It's easier to raise a healthy child than fix a broken adult,' ” DeComo said to Toy, as his eyes shifted uneasily from the judge's face toward his classmate, Jaret Atwood, a senior. Toy wasn't nervous because he was talking to the judge, nor was he in trouble.
Armstrong School District officials projecting a $3.5 million deficit
Despite not having a budget fully in place for the current school year, Armstrong School District officials are projecting a $3.5 million deficit in the 2016-17 spending plan. Business Manager Sam Kirk projected next year's spending to reach $97.5 million — a 5 percent increase over the current budget — with roughly $94 million in revenue during Thursday's board meeting. “These are very, very rough estimates that are based on basic wage and health care increases,” Kirk said.
3 Kittanning landmarks hit by spray-painting vandals
Kittanning police are looking for a pair of young adults who spray-painted graffiti on three area landmarks. Police found the phrase “B Gang” and an upside down cross, flanked by “666.” The marks were on the back of the former Kittanning Junior High School, along McKean Way; the First United Methodist Church on North Jefferson Street; and the Kittanning Citizens Bridge, according to Kittanning police Chief Bruce Mathews.
Siren, upgraded fencing coming to the Armstrong County Jail
After an inmate escaped from the Armstrong County Jail and allegedly killed a woman in July, the two biggest complaints from the public were the facility lacked an emergency siren and fencing. Nearly five months later, officials are addressing those concerns. Armstrong County Public Works employees are wiring a siren which should be working by the end of the year, at the Rayburn Township jail.
Recycling trucks will no longer roll through some Armstrong communities
The Progressive Workshop of Armstrong County and the Armstrong Recycling Center offer 11 recycling trailers, including: It's going to be harder for some Armstrong County residents to recycle after officials announced plans to can a traveling recycling program next year. County officials are canceling on Jan.
West Shamokin, Armstrong students collect toys for Kittanning Salvation Army
West Shamokin and Armstrong Junior-Senior high schools' athletic teams may no longer be competitors, but over the last several weeks, students from the two schools went head-to-head for a good cause. Students from each of the schools' Leo Clubs collected more than 380 toys — which they jammed onto a bus Tuesday afternoon — to donate to the Kittanning Salvation Army to provide Christmas gifts for area children.
Taxes remain the same in West Kittanning
Property taxes will remain stagnate in West Kittanning for the second time in as many years, after council passed a $345,800 budget with very little discussion Monday night. Council passed the balanced spending plan, which holds the tax rate at 8.25 mills, after a 6-0 vote. Councilman Kenneth Trudgen was absent. “We've worked very hard to watch our spending and make sure we keep our costs down,” said Council President Bob Venesky.
Testimony to begin in Leechburg teen's homicide trial
Testimony is expected to begin Tuesday in the trial of 17-year-old Todd Johnson, accused of killing another teen in a Leechburg apartment in February. Johnson is charged as an adult with criminal homicide, aggravated assault and two counts of robbery. He is accused of killing Derrike Roppolo, 18, of Leechburg on Feb. 10 in a Basin Street apartment. Johnson also faces misdemeanor charges of possession of a firearm by a minor and making terroristic threats.
Armstrong officials submit plans for $580K in federal funding
Armstrong County officials plan to submit its plans to use nearly $580,000 in federal funding to the state's Department of Community and Economic Development by Friday. The county commissioners last Thursday unanimously approved plans to distribute the money to six communities. The county is receiving $244,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funding, and another $334,000 in other federal money to distribute to its “entitlement” communities, said county planner Carmen Johnson.
County officials seeking grant
Armstrong County officials are applying for a $750,000 federal Community Development Block Grant, on behalf of Ford City, to help the borough replace its 100-year-old water treatment plant. The county plans to submit the grant application on Dec. 17 to help pay to replace the plant, said county Planner Carmen Johnson. “This is a competitive grant, and we have held public hearings,” Johnson said.
Kittanning, Ford City sports memorabilia will be sold Dec. 12
When: Dec. 12. 9 a.m. viewing and registration, followed by bidding from 10 a.m. until noon. Hundreds of trophies, championship banners and uniforms from Kittanning Senior High School and Ford City High School will be sold next weekend. Armstrong School District officials plan to hold a silent auction for items from the two schools Dec. 12 in the Armstrong Junior-Senior High School cafeteria in Manor Township.
Valley Christmas tree farms brace for holiday rush
• Water the tree liberally and daily; otherwise, the trunk may seal and not draw in water. • Use only indoor lights and unplug the lights when you're away or it is unmonitored. • Tall or over-sized trees often require reinforcing to prevent them from toppling. • Set up the tree away from heat sources that can dry out the needles. • Acclimate the tree to changing temperatures. On a cold day, move it to a garage or basement before moving it to a warm house.
Armstrong county approves deal to provide emergency alerts
Armstrong County residents will receive almost instant notifications during emergencies by mid-January. The Armstrong County commissioners on Thursday unanimously approved a three-year contract with Airbus DS Communications of Pittsburgh. The company will provide emergency alerts to residents throughout the region through telephone, text and email messages.
Residents assail proposed Armstrong County tax hike
Here's what the 2016 tax bill would look like for such a property under the county's proposed budget: A typical assessed value on a house in Armstrong County is $25,000, according to county officials. With two weeks until the Armstrong County commissioners expect to pass a $21.8 million budget, several residents complained to the board Thursday about a proposed 17 percent tax hike.
Super heroes join forces to fight diabetes at Belmont Complex
What: Charity “Super Hero Hockey” game to benefit juvenile-diabetes research through the JDRF of Western Pennsylvania Captain America, Superman, Batman and other superheroes will be coming together at the Belmont Complex to take on a common enemy: Type 1 diabetes.
Babies welcomed to the world in holiday style
More than a dozen students from Lenape Technical School's Life Skills program are making sure babies born in Armstrong County this month are in the Christmas spirit. This marks the first time the program's students made ACMH Hospital's obstetrics unit about two dozen stockings and Santa caps for babies born in December, said Tonilynne Stirling, president of the ACMH Auxiliary.
Kittanning Salvation Army kicks off holiday shoe drive
The Kittanning Salvation Army is hoping the public will help more than 200 area children find new shoes beneath their Christmas trees this year. Salvation Army Lt. Amber Imhoff said children's shoes are the most common request the organization receives from families during the Christmas season. “We end up seeing more families coming in asking for help with shoes than toys during the holidays,” Imhoff said.
Armstrong libraries offering adult coloring clubs
About half a dozen women sat quietly in a room at the Kittanning Library at a table covered in black-and-white drawings and colored pencils. Each one quietly worked on bringing the colorless photos and detail-driven drawings to life by meticulously filling any white areas with splashes of blues, yellows, greens, reds and other hues.
Armstrong softball team sends off 41 Operation Christmas Child boxes
Before sitting down with their families for Thanksgiving dinner, the Armstrong Junior-Senior High School River Hawk softball team took time to make sure less fortunate children will have a merry Christmas. The team collected more than $1,000 in donations, which they used to fill 41 shoeboxes with school supplies, toiletries and small toys for children in impoverished areas as part of Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child, a national charitable campaign.
Funds dry up for Shannock Valley War Memorial upkeep
Each brick can contain up to three lines, with 13 characters per line. Bricks along the Shannock Valley War Memorial sidewalk are available for engraving for $125. The coffers are almost dry for the upkeep of the Shannock Valley War Memorial in Rural Valley. The Shannock Valley War Memorial Committee has less than $1,000 in an account to pay for the annual electric costs, landscaping and grass trimming. “We're starting to worry about our account,” said Mary Koma, a member of the nonprofit committee.
New Life Assembly of God, Lenape Technical School come together to ensure a happy Thanksgiving
Chelsi Hinterberger smiled as she hoisted a pair of 25-pound turkeys into a large oven in Lenape Technical School's kitchen. About 10 turkeys, which Hinterberger helped season and roast, will be part of the main course at the New Life Assembly of God's annual free Thanksgiving Dinner today. “I used to be the one who used to serve food to people but, now that I'm a culinary student, I'll be the one making it,” said the 16-year-old.
Work of pupils at Armstrong gets exposure
Armstrong School District's television production students' work can be seen on YouTube. The Armstrong School District channel, started by administrators last week, features about a dozen student-produced videos, including motivational videos encouraging good behavior and hard work and “Voices of Our Veterans,” an 18-minute documentary produced by the Armstrong Junior-Senior High School's Key Club, profiling several veterans from around the county.
KIttanning Salvation Army kicks off Red Kettle Campaign
The organization also has 11 tabletop kettles inside the following businesses: The iconic holiday kettles can be found at the following locations: A successful effort last year coupled with a tough job market has led the Kittanning Salvation Army to up its Red Kettle Campaign goal by about 20 percent this holiday season.
Kittanning Light Up Night not affected by void under streets
for one of our email newsletters. Sign up for one of our email newsletters. Downtown Kittanning Inc. hosts Kittanning Light Up Night, “Christmas Under Construction,” from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday. The evening starts with Santa's Parade, starting at Kittanning Hose Co. 1 at 208 S. Jefferson St., and ends at the intersection of Market and South McKean streets.
Armstrong commissioner proposing selling county nursing home
Armstrong County Commissioner Dave Battaglia has proposed selling the county's nursing home to a private company. But if that sale occurs, someone else will likely have to approve the transaction. Battaglia made the pitch after Monday's commissioners' meeting, and all three current commissioners are leaving the post at the end of the year.
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