[naviga:h3]Wasting disease case spurs concern[/naviga:h3]

MAHAFFEY — The Game Commission said chronic wasting disease has spread to free-ranging deer in an area where it was earlier only found in captive deer.

The commission said a free-ranging buck in Clearfield County’s Bell Township tested positive for the disease. Officials are particularly concerned because the buck shot June 7 was near the elk range.

The commission plans to increase testing and will use sharpshooters to try to stop the spread of the disease, which already exists among wild deer in south-central Pennsylvania.

The condition is fatal to deer and elk. Officials say there’s no strong evidence that it can be transmitted to humans, but hunters are advised not to eat meat from infected animals.

[naviga:h3]Flooding reported in Indiana County[/naviga:h3]

PITTSBURGH — Storms triggered flash flooding in parts of west central Pennsylvania this morning.

The National Weather Service said emergency management officials in Indiana County reported flooding in Indiana and White Township.

Radar estimates showed up to 4 inches of rain had fallen.