Local News-Monday, Sept. 11th

The 5th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks are a vivid reminder that our generation lives in times far different that our predecessors. September 11th, 2001 was just another summer day. But, at 8:46am, the first jet crashed into the World Trade Center, starting a chain reaction of events that horrified every American. By sunset on that fateful day, hi-jacked planes crashed into the second World Trade tower in New York, the Pentagon in Washington DC and in a farmer's field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing more than 3-thousand people. Locally, numerous observances are scheduled, including memorial services in Schuylkill Haven and Tamaqua this evening at 7pm. While the United States has not been subjected to more terror attacks since then, September 11th provides a chilling reminder that there are people in the world who wish to harm the country and its people.

A Schuylkill Haven man was severely injured after an incident Saturday night. Haven police responded to a complaint around 10:30pm at 206 East Main Street. Witnesses say that Dan Reber, who lives at the address was brandishing a 15 inch knife, trying to harm himself. Police report that Reber was covered in blood and yelling about demons trying to kill him. He then ran off. Police called for backup from other local police departments and began searching for him. A short time later, Reber was located at his father's residence on East Market Street. His father was able to get the knife away from him, but Reber fled again. A helicopter was called in to aid police in the search. He was located behind a warehouse on Liberty Street, where he was unconscious and barely breathing. Emergency personnel provided basic treatment until he could be life-flighted to Lehigh Valley Medical Center. His condition is not available today. Haven police believe that he was highly intoxicated, and charges are pending against him.

Pine Grove man is charged with cruelty to animals following a Saturday morning incident. Schuylkill Haven state police say that Cathy Bonawitz contacted them, reporting that her neighbor, 77-year-old Robert Archer shot her cat near her Sweet Arrow Lake Road home. Bonawitz told police that she heard a gunshot, and saw Archer on his back porch with a rifle in his hand, and that her cat lay dead in the yard. Bonawitz told police that she has had on and off problems with Archer for some time. Police charged Archer with cruelty to animals.

Good weather and a wide variety of activities drew a large crowd for Minersville's Spirit Day Sunday. The borough is celebrating its 175th anniversary, and thousands came out to enjoy Spirit Day in downtown Minersville yesterday. Over 100 various stands offered food and other items to the massive crowd throughout the afternoon. The event marked the 11th edition of Spirit Day. And by the attendance at the event, it appears that the spirit of Minersville is alive and well.

Officials from the Veterans Administration are warning residents of a possible scam targeting veterans who receive care from the agency. The VA hospital at Lebanon reports that veterans may be called by a man indicating he is from the "VA pharmacy", requesting Social Security numbers and a list of medicines they are taking. The caller claims that the new "co-pay" regulations require the veteran to pay $800-dollars, and asks for credit card information to pay the bill. Officials say that there are no changes to the VA co-pay system, and the calls are part of a scam to harm veterans. VA authorities caution veterans not to give personal information to anyone.

State police are looking for thieves who broke into a storage shed at the Schuylkill County Fairgrounds. Sometime in the past two weeks, someone broke into the shed owned by the Schuylkill County Sportsmen Association at the fairgrounds in Summit Station. Twelve compound bows with arrows, 6 BB guns and 12 compasses were taken in the theft. The investigation continues.

A Palo Alto man is suspected of driving under the influence after a traffic stop Sunday. Frackville troopers were conducting a DUI checkpoint on Route 209 in Walker Township when they noticed a car driven by Thomas Greis was drifting between lanes. During the traffic stop, police observed a strong odor of alcohol in the car. Greis was given a field sobriety test, which he failed. He was taken to Pottsville Hospital for blood tests. Charges are pending the results of those tests.