Highway named for late dealer
ALLENTOWN, Pa.-The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in January officially unveiled the Walter J. Dealtrey Memorial Highway sign, in honor of the late Mr. Dealtrey, co-founder of Service Tire Co. Inc.
Mr. Dealtrey, who died in late 2002, co-founded the Bethlehem, Pa., commercial dealership in 1955. It became Service Tire Truck Centers (STTC) in 1967. He officially retired from the company in 1999.
In 2003, the General Assembly of Pennsylvania enacted legislation designating the portion of Interstate 78 from the Berks County line to the Delaware River as the Walter J. Dealtrey Memorial Highway. The sign was unveiled Jan. 29 at the I-78 Pennsylvania Welcome Center.
Mr. Dealtrey was a World War II veteran and 1952 graduate of Syracuse University. He also was heavily involved in various community service organizations.
Tire worker killed in Mo. house fire
KANSAS CITY, Mo.-Don Keeney, an account manager at a Tire Centers L.L.C. (TCI) outlet, died trying to escape a recent house fire. He was 65.
Fire crews were called to the single-story house early Jan. 19 and found the house already heavily engulfed, a spokeswoman for the Kansas City Fire Department said. Firefighters searched the home twice but were unable to find Mr. Keeney because of the heavy smoke and fire, she said. They later found his body near the back door, where he had collapsed trying to escape.
Local media said neighbors tried to help when Mr. Keeney's grandson rushed outside and said his grandfather was still inside, but the smoke also forced them to retreat.
The fire department spokeswoman said the cause of the fire has been labeled undetermined as the structure was too heavily damaged. She said she was not aware of any suspicion of foul play.
Doug Post, general manager for commercial locations in Kansas City and Mr. Keeney's supervisor, said he knew Mr. Keeney for almost 30 years.
``He has a zest for life like no one you've ever seen,'' he said.
Mr. Post added he was always smiling and a pleasure to have around.
He said Mr. Keeney, who had been in the tire industry since the early 1960s, was a laid-back and joyful person who had great relationships with his customers and co-workers.
Mr. Keeney started out with McDowell Tire in Kansas City then bought part interest in Tire Supply in the late 1980s. He joined TCI in January 1997 when the company bought Tire Supply.
Mr. Keeney is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughter Cindy; son-in-law Danny; grandson Scott; a great-granddaughter and nephew.
TK Performance store hit by fire
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio-A vehicle left overnight at a Tire Kingdom Inc. store in Middleburg Heights caught fire Feb. 22 from an apparent short in its wiring.
The fire started at about 10:30 p.m., according to Manager Yunus Badat.
Firefighters arrived on the scene immediately and extinguished the fire by 11 p.m., he said. No one was hurt, and the store only sustained smoke damage and broken windows and garage doors, which occurred when police and fire officials broke in to get to the fire.
Smoke from the flames had set off the building's alarm system, which prompted police to call Mr. Badat, who told them to go ahead and break in.
He said he's grateful firefighters didn't wait for him to open the building because then more damage would have ensued.
Mr. Badat said officials are still investigating the cause of the fire. He noted that the vehicle's owner has been ``very understanding'' of the whole situation, and the store will help replace the vehicle once the insurance value is assessed.
The TK Performance store is one of the outlets formerly owned and operated by Mueller Tire & Brake, a Cleveland-based retail chain acquired in March 2002 by Tire Kingdom, a subsidiary of TBC Corp.