A Blair County judge has reportedly dismissed an injunction, allowing Antis Township to proceed with the decertification of Pinecroft Volunteer Fire Company following its refusal to merge with Excelsior Fire Department in Bellwood. Judge Lou Schmitt ruled that the consolidation is a matter of municipal legislative discretion. The decision triggers the immediate removal of Pinecroft from emergency response lists, and the appointment of a receiver to liquidate the company’s assets. The judge noted Pinecroft’s claim that the township’s decertification was “arbitrary and capricious,” however, he countered this by highlighting two state studies recommending a unified fire service, along with five public meetings, where the issue was discussed with input from both fire companies and residents.
Sunday 5th April 2026
