Local News-Friday, Oct. 20th

A child was struck by a car last night in Schuylkill Haven. Details are sketchy at this time, but reports indicate that the accident happened around 8:30pm on St. John Street, following the Schuylkill Haven Halloween Parade. The 3-year-old boy apparently ran out from between parked cars into traffic. The child was taken to Lehigh Valley Trauma Center for treatment.

A Philadelphia businessman and his partner propose to open a strip club in Pottsville. Eric Glazier and his partner, Raymond Biddle, doing business as Schuylkill Investment Partnership have purchased the building at 545 North Centre Street, and plan to apply for a zoning variance to open an all-nude entertainment business. According to the Pottsville Republican, the two men feel that if they are successful in opening the business, it would be profitable. The building is located just north of City Hall. The company plans to apply for the proper variance in December. Hearings would have to be held to consider the application. Facing likely opposition to the venture, the businessmen also have alternative plans for the site if the adult entertainment complex falls through.

The borough of Tamaqua is at odds about implementing a waste control ordinance. Mayor Christian Morrison is spearheading an effort to stop the disposal of industrial waste in the borough, including river dredge and fly ash. A motion to advertise the ordinance was turned down by the council in a 3 to 2 vote, with two members absented. They reportedly had concerns about the possible legal challenges the borough could face if the ordinance is adopted.
Morrison has been a champion of a cleaner environment, and vowed that the issue would be revisited again.

The Schuylkill County Prison Board has responded to deficiencies found during an inspection of the prison by the State Department of Corrections. During Wednesday's monthly prison board meeting, Chairman President Judge William Baldwin said the deficiencies were not major, except for space problems. He said those could be alleviated with the construction of a new pre-release center at another location. He said the Board has been waiting for a decision from the County Commissioners on whether they want to build the facility. Baldwin said a female cell space issue in the County Prison can’t be resolved because of the lack of space and the number of prisoners. A space issue in the Male Work Release area could be remedied by changing bed placement and the Television/Recreation area. Baldwin said if the County decides to move forward on the pre-release facility, female inmates who are serving time for non-violent offenses would be relocated there. Male work release inmates would also be transferred there. A four-and-a-half acre tract of land near the State Correctional Institution at Frackville is the desired spot for the pre-release center. The state Corrections Secretary has agreed to consider a written proposal from the County. Judge Baldwin said the Prison Board would like an answer from the County Commissioners by December.

Two people suffered minor injuries after being involved in a two-car accident Wednesday morning in McAdoo. Deborah Hannon of Pittston was stopped at the intersection of Route 309 and Grant Street, waiting for the light to change. The auto driven by Frederick Bonko of McAdoo ran into the back of Hannon's car. Hannon and her passenger, Marjorie, of Wilkes Barre, had minor injuries and were taken to Hazleton General Hospital for treatment.

A Pottsville woman was hurt in a two vehicle crash on Route 61 Wednesday afternoon. Danielle Wank was traveling south on Route 61. A car driven by Michael Heckman of Pottsville was stopped on Route 895. He pulled into the path of Wank’s car attempting to make a left turn onto northbound 61. Wank was transported to the Pottsville Hospital by the Orwigsburg Ambulance. The crash happened at 4:30pm Wednesday.

A Thursday morning incident in Luzerne County netted the arrest of two West Hazleton men. Hazleton State Police say that 26-year-old Edward Card and 18-year-old Heath Houseknecht were seen driving to a dead end area at the Humboldt Industrial Park to spot deer after hours, a violation of state game laws. Police report they saw a rifle in plain view inside the car. Card was also in possession of a quantity of marijuana. They are charged with game law violations and Card is charged with possession of pot. The incident happened around 12:30am Thursday.