Local News-Saturday, Oct. 7th

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Pottsville 24
Muhlenburg 17

Governor Mifflin 31
Blue Mtn 7

Jim Thorpe 28
Minersville 6

Nativity 26
Col Mon Vo Tech 6

Shenandoah Valley 27
Schuylkill Haven 13

Tamaqua 21
North Schuylkill 7

Marian 39
Panther Valley 8

Mahanoy Area 53
Morrisville 0

Hollidaysburg 29
Mt Carmel 12

Halifax 19
Pine Grove 7

Tri Valley 7
Juniata 0

Williams Valley 35
Upper Dauphin 0

Cedar Cliff 35
Shamokin 9

Millersburg 56
Lourdes 20

A Friday afternoon fire left four homeless in Palo Alto. Firefighters from Pottsville, Palo Alto and Port Carbon battled the smoky blaze at 127 Savory Street for over an hour before extinguishing it. Officials believe that the fire may have started on the bottom floor or the basement. The official cause is unknown at this time. The state police fire marshal is investigating.

It's finally her...the Pottsville Bicentennial Parade is today! The seven division parade will feature floats, bands and other groups to entertain the young and young at heart. The parade will step off with a flyover by the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, 193rd Special Operations Wing. Musical entertainment will be highlighted by an appearance from the Penn State Blue Band. The parade route will follow Market Street, from 18th Street down to Second. Then, from Second to Mahantongo Street, then up Centre Street then to Laurel Boulevard where the parade will disband. Following the parade, visitors can attend a post parade party at the Humane Fire Company. Pottsville Police will close the parade route down to through-traffic from 11am on. Free parking will be available at the Capitol Parking Deck, Mahantongo Street Lot, Union and Arch Street lots and at United Metal Receptacle on Laurel Boulevard. Enjoy the parade, and for our visitors, welcome to Pottsville!

An important deadline is drawing near for non-registered voters in Schuylkill County. Tuesday, October 10th is the last day to register before the November 7th general election. October 31st is the last day to apply for civilian absentee ballots. Those absentee ballots must be received by the County Election Board by November 3rd. Since this will be the first general election using the touch-screen voting system, the bureau is undertaking another voter outreach program to teach voters how to use the new system at various locations across the county. For demonstration locations and other questions, contact the Voter Registration/Election Bureau at 628-1467.

A Gilberton man was involved in a DUI-related crash in New Castle Township early Friday morning. Frackville state police say that David McClain was northbound on Route 61, 3 miles south of Frackville. While rounding a right curve, his car left the roadway and traveled along the west berm, striking and driving over several large rocks. McClain was taken to Pottsville Hospital, and while being interviewed by state police, they noticed he was intoxicated. McClain agreed to a blood alcohol test. The investigation continues pending the release of those results.

A local Volunteer Firefighter Relief Association has been given a clean bill of fiscal health. Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner announced the results of the audit of financial records of the Duncott Firemen's Relief Association for the three-year period from January, 2003 to December, 2005. VFRA's are non-profit organizations established to afford financial protection to volunteer firefighters who are injured or killed as a result of their participation in the fire service. VFRA's receive state aid from a 2-percent state tax on fire insurance purchased by Pennsylvania residents from insurance companies incorporated outside of the commonwealth. These funds are used to pay for insurance to protect volunteer firefighters, to purchase fire equipment and to cover volunteer training expenses. VFRA's are distinct separate legal entities from fire companies.