PORTAGE — Four of five people in a car died in a head-on collision with a pickup truck early Sunday in Cambria County, authorities said.

Authorities say the 2003 Chevy Cavalier and 1989 Chevy pickup collided shortly before 3:30 a.m. in rainy conditions on a narrow road in Portage Township.

Jeffrey Lees, the county's chief deputy coroner, says four Portage men in the car died. Richard McKrush Jr., 23, and Joseph Krug Jr. and Eric Secriskey, both 25, died at the scene, while Ryan Zunich, 26, died several hours later at Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown, he said.

None of the victims were wearing seat belts, Lees said.

Another passenger from the car and all three people in the pickup truck were taken to Memorial Medical Center, where their conditions were not available.

Lees says the accident remains under investigation, but alcohol and speed were factors.

CECIL — A 78-year-old man is battling with a Washington County township over his right to remain utility-free.William Williams doesn't use electricity or natural gas. And he's got a 1960s-era septic system that works fine, so he doesn't want to be forced by Cecil Township to tap into a sewerage system.The township council plans to inspect Williams' system to make sure it isn't leaking. If it isn't, they'll rely on a township ordinance to force Williams to tap into their system.About 20 other residents haven't tapped in either, citing the cost. But, for Williams, it's a matter of principle and private property rights.Williams says he lives simply because people let "wants outpace their needs." He says that's why so many people are in economic trouble now.

MOON TWP — A bookkeeper with the Moon Area School District is being accused of stealing nearly $30,000, including funds from basketball and football games.Audrey Quel, 41, is facing three charges of theft.Quel has worked for the district for more than 15 years. Since August, Quel has been responsible for collecting club and athletic funds and depositing the money in the bank.In March, Moon school officials noticed discrepancies in the accounts.According to the criminal complaint, more than $6,000 collected at eight basketball games was not deposited in the district's bank account. In October, about $6,000 from a football game also was not deposited. Shortages were also found in deposits made from fundraising activities.

READING — Authorities in Berks County say they have arrested a suspect in the homicide of a man stabbed to death at a backyard birthday party.Police and officials at the Berks County coroner's office say 22-year-old Kristoffer Schildt was stabbed at about 4:30 a.m. Sunday. He was pronounced dead an hour later in the Reading Hospital emergency room.Police Chief Erik P. Grunzig says four men arrived at the Muhlenberg Township party after 4 a.m. and were asked to leave after they began causing a disturbance. Grunzig says Schildt was stabbed once in the chest as the men were leaving.Muhlenberg Township police say a 24-year-old Mertztown man was arrested Sunday night and will be charged with first- and third-degree murder.

EASTON — A golf league based in Easton is helping some local soldiers in Iraq get in the swing of things.The league has packed up 2,000 balls and 21 clubs and sent them to the battalion near Baghdad International Airport.First Lieutenant Brendan Joliet of Bethlehem's 774th Military Police Battalion says the golf equipment is welcomed by soldiers who miss the courses back home.Some members of the golf league served in World War II and remember the joy of getting a package from home.They say they want to share that feeling with soldiers in Iraq.