Local News-Monday, Sept. 25th

State police liquor control enforcement officials have made an arrest relating to an illegal poker tournament in Schuylkill Haven in June. Charges were filed last week against Kevin Tosh Sr. of Auburn. Authorities raided an illegal Texas Hold-Em poker tournament being held at the Liberty Fire Company in Schuylkill Haven on June 25th. Over $2-thousand-dollars in cash, a sizeable quantity of beer and gambling paraphernalia were seized in the raid. Tosh was charged for illegal sales of alcohol without a license and gambling. Liberty Fire company officials state that the game was a private event, and in no way sponsored or sanctioned by them. They also report that the organizers of the event told the fire company that the tournament was legal.

A Schuylkill Haven man is dead following a Friday evening crash in Berks County. 27-year-old Shawn Foley was driving south on Route 183 when his car exited the right side of the roadway and sideswiped a guide rail and struck a bridge abutment. The car crossed back across the road, up an embankment, striking several trees. Foley was thrown from the car, coming to rest on top of him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation continues.

State police are investigating a break-in at a West Brunswick Township home. Troopers now say that between September 17th and 20th, a thief broke into the home of Tina Kramer, 20 Old 61 Road. A number of items, including a cremation urn, old photographs and magazines and a metal valuables box, were taken. Police are continuing their investigation.

The music of the Bill Hicks Big Band provided a great backdrop for Saturday night's Pottsville Bicentennial "Night To Remember". Over 200 people enjoyed a trip back in time to the big band era, with many attendees dancing the night away. Joe Prokop, of Minersville, is a big band enthusiast, and brought a group of people with him to the event from all over the area. Janet Enders, who co-chaired the event with her husband Jerry, explained that the event celebrated the heritage of Schuylkill County, which was home to Les Brown and the Dorsey Brothers, some of the Big Band Era's most prominent bandleaders. The next major event is the Bicentennial Parade, Saturday, October 7th.

An early Sunday morning traffic stop results in the arrest of a Shenandoah man. Troopers from the Frackville barracks stopped 29-year-old Cesar Hernandez for a traffic violation. During the stop, police discovered he was driving under the influence. Hernandez was taken to the Frackville barracks and consented to a breathalyzer test. Charges against him will be filed in District Court.

Checkpoint Strike Force Initiative was busy on a northern Schuylkill County highway over the weekend. State police were looking for drunk drivers on Route 924 on Friday and Saturday night. During the operation, 3 drivers were cited for driving under the influence. In addition, 4 traffic citations and 8 warnings were issued. The checkpoint was set up just outside the Shenandoah borough line.

America's oldest civilian concert band will appear Wednesday at Pottsville High School's Wachter Auditorium. Pottsville Area Music, Lasting Legacy presents the Allentown Band. Founded in 1828, the Allentown Band provides a mix of music for young and old alike. Denny Hardock, an event organizer, said the band will perform a mixed repetoire of familiar tunes, and will also feature members of the Pottsville High School Band. The program is intended as a fundraiser to support the music programs at Pottsville High School. Tickets are $10-dollars, and are available at the Triple-A office in Pottsville, or by calling Denny Hardock, at 449-7777. Doors open at 7pm, with the concert beginning at 8pm Wednesday night.