Local News-Monday, Nov. 6th

The count is now down to hours for Tuesday's General Election. Unlike other off-year elections, there are several important races across the state and nation. United States Senator Rick Santorum is facing a tough challenge from Pennsylvania Treasurer Bob Casey. For most of the race, Santorum has trailed in several polls. The battle has been ugly, and has forced both candidates to call in the big guns from their respective parties to campaign for them. Incumbent Congressman Tim Holden is seeking re-election in the US House of Representatives. His challenger, Republican Matthew Wertz of Lebanon County, will still appear on the ballot, but ceased active campaigning in September. Governor Ed Rendell is seeking re-election for a second term in Harrisburg. He is being challenged by Pro Football Hall of Famer Lynn Swann. He has been trailing significantly in the polls for most of the campaign.
Locally, current House Member Neal Goodman and challenger, Michael Cadau are facing off in the 123rd Legislative District. Incumbent Dave Argall is being contested by Bill Mackey. The 125th Legislative District will have a new representative after Tuesday's election. Republican Gary Hornberger defeated long-time incumbent Bob Allen in May. He is faced by Democratic newcomer Tim Seip. The polls open Tuesday at 7am, and remain open until 8pm. Hear your vote counted on WPPA/T-102, with election coverage being after the polls close.

There are many important races to be decided Tuesday in Pennsylvania in general, and in Schuylkill County in particular. There are over 92-thousand voters registered in Schuylkill County, with Republicans outnumbering Democrats. According to the Election Bureau, there are 46, 781 registered Republicans, and 36,750 Democrats. The remainder are either registered Non-Partisan, Independent or no affiliation. There are voters registered with other affiliations, such as the Libertarian, Green and Constitutional parties, among others.

A Florida man is dead following a Saturday morning crash in Butler Township. Frackville State Police say that 75-year-old Dennis Colivas of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was headed south on Interstate 81 when his car began to spin counterclockwise. The car left the roadway and traveled into a wooded area, striking two trees. Colivas was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Schuylkill Haven woman was injured in a two vehicle crash Sunday afternoon in North Manheim Township. 23-year-old Teri Breiner was stopped at a traffic light at the intersection of Route 901 and Mengle Road. Traffic ahead of her slowed so a car could turn left onto Woodland Drive, when a truck operated by 38-year-old Michael Centeleghe ran into the back of Breiner's car. Breiner suffered neck injuries. Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts.

No one was injured in a two vehicle crash in North Manheim Township, just outside of Schuylkill Haven Sunday afternoon. A juvenile was driving a car which was stopped in the westbound lane of Route 443, waiting to turn left into the Driver's License Center. A car driven by 80-year-old Bernard Kehoe did not see the first vehicle turning and collided into the rear of the car. Kehoe and his passenger, nor the teen and his passenger, were injured in the crash. Kehoe's car had to be towed from the scene.

Two men are dead following a one-vehicle crash in Northumberland County Sunday evening. State police at Stonington report that a car driven by Mark Meister of Sunbury, and an unidentified passenger, were traveling east on State Route 4012 at a high rate of speed in Upper Augusta Township. The driver lost control, striking a guiderail and a large tree. Both occupants were ejected from the car and pronounced dead at the scene. The crash happened just before 8pm Sunday night.

A 19-year-old Pottsville man was hurt in a three vehicle mishap Saturday morning. Joshua Cappel was driving west in the borough of Mechanicsville just before 6am Saturday when he struck a parked car, which spun across the road into a second vehicle. Cappel showed signs of intoxication and was transported to Pottsville Hospital for a blood test. State Police at Schuylkill Haven say that charges are pending the outcome of those tests.