WASHINGTON — A Pennsylvania congressman and longtime friend of the late Rep. John Murtha says the congressman's large intestine was damaged during gallbladder surgery and the complications led him to be hospitalized.

HARRISBURG — Rep. John Murtha, the tall, gruff-mannered former Marine who became the de facto voice of veterans on Capitol Hill and later an outspoken and influential critic of the Iraq War, died Monday. He was 77.

JOHNSTOWN — U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha’s sudden death Monday sent shock waves through a region that has benefited for decades from his influential standing.

HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County paid almost $48,000 in overtime in December and January, based on information compiled for the county salary board.

As cold temperatures keep the weekend snow from melting, area highway crews were working Mon­day to clear roads before the next round hits later today.