Local News-Tuesday, Sept. 12th

Pottsville City Council awarded bids to demolish 4 dilapidated properties as part of the Community Development Block Grant program. At Monday's meeting, council approved spending over $82-thousand-dollars in CDBG monies to tear down properties on Fairview, East Arch and Wheeler Streets and Lynaugh Alley. City engineers recommended that the work be contracted to AMC Enterprise. Those projects are expected to get underway within 10 days or so. City council also heard a presentation from Bruce Tetkoskie of the Sustainable Energy Fund of Central Eastern Pennsylvania about changing traffic lights to LED technology to save money. Tetkoskie said that there is significant energy savings by changing red and green lights, as much as $16-thousand-dollars per year. Police Chief Joseph Murton reported that Pottsville Police are in line to receive a $50-thousand-dollar grant from US Congressman Tim Holden for their work in combating the drug problem in the city. The council also approved a recommendation to purchase new weapons for the department. The current weapons are reaching the end of their useful lives. Pottsville City Council also approved the addition of stop and speed limit signs in the area of Woodglen Road following a traffic study. Several months ago, residents in that area of the city voiced their concerns about the high volume of traffic, as well as motorists significantly exceeding the speed limit.

Port Carbon police are investigating reports of an intruder at a Mechanicsville home Saturday. Borough police say that Kurt Jefferson, 1310 E. Norwegian Street reported an unknown intruder in his home early Saturday. Jefferson was in his basement at the time, and heard footsteps coming from his kitchen. When he went to investigate, person fled the scene. Jefferson chased after the intruder through several backyards, but was unable to apprehend him. The individual was described to be wearing light colored jeans and possibly a grey sweatshirt. Anyone with information is asked to contact Port Carbon police at 622-5411.

Why do people in different parts of the country live longer than others? Your environment plays a big role in your longevity. A study released by Harvard University says that its not just how you live, but where you live that can dictate how long your life with be. The research was government-funded, and found that American Indians living in parts of South Dakota are worst off, with an average life 58 years long. Their life span on average is 30 years shorter than Asian-American women who live in one New Jersey county. Of the 50 states, Pennsylvania ranked 31st in life expectancy at 76.7 years. In Schuylkill County, life expectancy is a bit shorter, at 75.8 years. Among Pennsylvania counties, Philadelphia had the shortest life expectancy for births from 1997 to 2001, at 72.3 years. Centre County was the longest, at 79.4. Factors like geography, race, income -- and even literacy -- play such huge roles in health disparities, researchers say it's as if there are eight separate Americas instead of one.

A Pattersonville woman is accused of raping a 12-year-old boy by Frackville State Police. Reports indicate that 18-year-old Ricky Lee Miller allegedly raped the child at a house trailer in Zion Grove during July of this year. The child reported the incident to state police on Sunday. Miller was interviewed by troopers on Monday, where she admitted to kissing, fondling and engaging in intercourse with the child. Miller is charged with one count of rape, statutory sexual assault, indecent assault and corruption of minors. She was arraigned before District Judge William Slezosky and released on $20-thousand-dollars unsecured bail.

A Pottsville man will do time in prison for selling drugs in the city of Pottsville. Caleb Green was found guilty on three drug related counts for selling the drugs in March and April, 2004. The case was heard by Schuylkill County Court Judge D. Michael Stine. According to the Pottsville Republican, Green was positively identified by confidential informants and police as the individual who sold drugs on three separate occasions. Green will be sentenced in November. Bail has been set at $100-thousand-dollars cash.

Two Shenandoah women are charged in a domestic dispute in the borough. Shenandoah police say that Lynn Chiscavage and her daughter, Tiffany Aguzlar were arguing at a Catherine Street home, when the confrontation turned physical. Police indicate that Chiscavage refused to heed Shenandoah police when they tried to break up the altercation. Chiscavage is charged with persistent disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and harassment. Aguzlar is charged with harassment.