Local News-Friday, Nov. 17th

Heavy rains wreaked havoc across the region late yesterday and early evening. A storm systems that spawned tornados in the south barreled through Schuylkill County with heavy rains and high winds. As we reported to you yesterday afternoon, there were countless reports of flooded roadways. Rush and Ryan Townships declared states of emergency around dinnertime Thursday evening when water deluged their areas. Art Kaplan, Schuylkill County Emergency Management Coordinator told WPPA\T102 News that the county communications center was inundated with reports of flooded roads, some basements and trees down. The rain subsided by around 6pm and things began getting back to normal throughout the evening.

We now know the identity of the woman who died in an Orwigsburg fire last Saturday. An autopsy was conducted earlier this week on remains found at the Market Street fire. The woman has been tentatively identified as 58-year-old Carol LaTorre, who lived in the apartment building. The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined, and officials concede that one may never be known due to the massive destruction from the fire and collapse of the building at 126 West Market Street in Orwigsburg.

Heavy rains may have contributed to a fatal crash on Route 25 last night. State police at Schuylkill Haven indicate that a woman, whose identity has not yet been released, was traveling on Route 25 in Hegins Township when she lost control on the wet road, flipped on an embankment and struck a tree. She was pronounced dead at the scene. We expect to know more today.

The Schuylkill County Prison Board hired four new corrections officers during a special prison board meeting Wednesday. On recommendation of the Personnel Committee, the board hired Michael Buchanan, Orwigsburg, Jack Connors, Pottsville, Michael Manne of Ashland and Kristen Rauco of Shenandoah. Board Chairman, President Judge William Baldwin, said the special meeting was called for Wednesday to speed up the process rather than wait until next week’s regularly scheduled meeting. He said the necessary background checks can begin immediately and the new officers placed on duty sooner to help alleviate overtime problems at the prison. The new officers will be paid at the rate of $18.61 per hour, after completion of a six-month probationary period. There are 40 correction officers and 270 inmates at the County Prison, not counting those hired Wednesday. In other business during the meeting, the board discussed asking Pottsville Fire Chief Todd March to conduct a safety inspection at the prison to see if there are any issues that need to be addressed. The suggestion was brought about because of a recent fire in a dryer at the prison that was quickly extinguished by the Pottsville Fire Department.

A Schuylkill Haven woman was slightly injured in a crash in Berks County yesterday afternoon.
State police at Hamburg say that 34-year-old Elizabeth Kuc was driving on Route 183 south in Upper Tulpehocken Township when she was diverted off the road due to an accident on the road. Troopers say she was driving too fast to stop, slid across the roadway and up a bank. The car came to rest on the driver’s side. Kuc's passenger, Pat Vannoy, was not wearing her seatbelt and fell on top of Kuc. Both were pinned in the vehicle. Kuc was taken to Reading Hospital for treatment of a broken wrist. Vannoy was treated and released. The investigation is continuing. Post your comments here.


The November general election is one step closer to being certified. Schuylkill County Election Bureau Director Betty Dries announced that the first part of the vote certification was completed yesterday. Anyone wishing to petition the Court of Common Pleas for a recount has five days from yesterday. If no petitions for recount are received by then, the November 7th election vote count will be certified.