Local News-Thursday, September 14th

The audit of ReDCo, the county's largest provider of services to Schuylkill County's MH/MR program has been completed. Parente-Randolph of Hazleton and the Department of Public Welfare's Bureau of Financial Operations spent over two years on the review. The County hired the firm in February, 2004 to analyze financial records to find out why the MR/MR program over spent its budget by $3.2 Million Dollars in 2003. Commenting after Wednesday's County Commissioners meeting, Datte said after the work on the ReDCo report is complete, Parente Randolph will concentrate on audits of Northwestern Human Services and Community Services Group. He said initial document requests were forwarded to those two providers some time ago. He said the three are the largest providers of services to the program with ReDCo being the largest of all. Datte also said that if any monies are returned from ReDCo, the first money would come to the county to cover what it spent for the over budget. The MH/MR program over spent its budget by $6.1-million-dollars in years 2000, 2001 and 2002. The over spending in 2000 and 2001 were covered by increased state contributions. In 2002, the county shifted money from the general fund to cover the deficit. To cover the 2003 overrun, the county passed a resolution that allowed the program to spend $3.2 Million dollars more that its allotted $18.26 Million Dollar budget for that year. The Commissioners outsourced the entire MH/MR operation in 2004 to Service Access Management Inc. of Berks County. The Commissioners previously said that they and past boards were unaware of the overspending because no one reported it and differences in the budget year for the county and the state hid the overruns.

Tamaqua police have charged two men in a drug overdose death. A joint investigation of Tamaqua police and the Schuylkill County District Attorney's office netted the arrest of 36-year-old Joseph Sharpe and a warrant issued for 34-year old Dennis Helfrich. Helfrich is still at large. The men are charged relating to the drug overdose death of Eugene Moyer on July July 1st of this year. Authorities say that Helfrich, who happens to be his brother, was at Moyer's home when police arrived. Moyer reportedly ingested a fentanyl patch, which caused his death. The patches reportedly were from a prescription for Joseph Sharpe. The affidavit of probable cause indicates that Sharpe allegedly sold the patch to Helfrich, who gave it to his brother, Eugene Moyer. But, Sharpe claims that Helfrich stole the patch from his home. Both men are charged with one count of a drug delivery resulting in death, delivery and possession charges of controlled substances and related offenses. Sharpe was arraigned and taken to prison, in lieu of $50-thousand-dollars cash bail. If anyone has information about Helfrich's whereabouts, they are asked to contact Tamaqua Police at 668-5000.

A Schuylkill County legislator has announced a round of grant funding to aid emergency responders in Schuylkill and Berks County. State Representative Dave Argall announced that more than $380-thousand-dollars will help 42 separate fire and EMS service organizations. The grants were awarded through the Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Act. The program provides $25 million in grant funding to volunteer emergency response organizations. The grants may be used for construction or renovation of the company's primary structure; purchase or repair of firefighting, ambulance or rescue equipment; training; or debt reduction for previous qualified purchases. In Schuylkill County, 34 organizations will receive funds to support their operations. Pennsylvania is providing grant monies to enhance environmental education.

Governor Ed Rendell announced Wednesday that grants have been awarded by the Department of Environmental Protection to be distributed to 129 different groups throughout Pennsylvania. The grants, totaling nearly $784-thousand-dollars will be dispersed to schools, universities, nonprofit organizations, and also county conservationists.
In Schuylkill County, the St. Ambrose School in Schuylkill Haven will receive a grant for $1,500. The grant will be used to support field trips and provide environmental issue awareness to the students.

Its firemen's convention time in Schuylkill County. The 52nd edition of the Schuylkill County Firemen's Convention is being hosted by the Pine Grove Hose, Hook and Ladder Company #1. The week-long celebration of firefighters and emergency personnel began with a memorial service Sunday night, and will culminate with the parade Saturday at 1pm. Companies from all across Schuylkill and surrounding counties are expected to participate in the 7 division parade. WPPA/T102 News salutes all firefighters and emergency personnel.

The case against the Cass Township police chief may not be finished after all. Chief John Harley Sr. who had been accused of hitting people with the township's police car in two separate incidents in 2005, had all charges against him dismissed in Schuylkill County Court last month. Now, according to the Pottsville Republican, the state Attorney General's office are asking the Pennsylvania Superior Court to overturn the dismissal. Harley allegedly hit a motorbike operated by Ian Buffington along State Route 4002, and struck an ATV driven by Brandon Barr last summer. Reports indicate that no reason was given for the appeal.

An early morning fire Wednesday slightly damaged a double home in Girardville. Firefighters responded to the alarm around 4:30am at 202 Pine Street. The home was vacant at the time of the fire, and an electrical malfunction may have caused the fire to start. Quick work by responders minimized the damage. An adjoining home had minor smoke damage.