Local News-Thursday, Nov. 16th

Schuylkill County's 167 voting precincts would be reduced to 124 if approval is granted by the County Court of Common Pleas. The Schuylkill County Commissioners, meeting as the County Election Board Wednesday, approved a request by Election Bureau Director Betty Dries for the Commissioners to petition the court for the change. Dries said that 47 precincts would be either reconfigured or combined and four new precincts would be added, changing the total precincts from 167 to 124. She said Bondata of Hummelstown was hired in 2005 to study to the precincts and make recommendations. The cost of the study was just over $13-thousand-dollars. Dries said the last reduction in precincts occurred about 10 years ago when 10 precincts were reconfigured or combined. If the Court approves the measure, the changes could be in place by next year's primary election.

The Tamaqua portion of the Schuylkill United Way announced the results of the 2006 campaign yesterday, and the news is very good. Tamaqua Chairman Serge Crush told the crowd of volunteers at Leiby's Restaurant that their hard work paid off, announcing that the campaign raised over $121-thousand-dollars, in excess of 22 percent more than the $100-thousand-dollar target. The county-wide campaign will announce its final numbers at the general campaign breakfast on Friday. Their total currently stands at $895-thousand-dollars, or 98 percent of its $915-thousand-dollar goal. Chrush also introduced next year's chairmen. Todd Miller will head the Tamaqua portion of the 2007 campaign, and Dr. Keith Hillkirk of Penn State Schuylkill will take over as general chairman.

The Pottsville School Board met last evening. A presentation was made to the district from members of the Great Pottsville Cruise committee. The district provide use of their facilities and staff to the group during the annual summertime event. The committee presented the district with a check for $1-thousand-dollars, and director of building and grounds Kerry Anspach was given a plaque of appreciation. Budgets for various winter and spring sports were also approved. The annual reorganization meeting of the Pottsville School District will be held on December 5th, 2006 at 6:30pm in the Directors Room of the Fernsler Academic Center. The December work session and regular board meeting are cancelled.

A Swoyersville woman was injured in a one vehicle crash in Mahanoy Township yesterday. 58-year-old Nancy Marcin was traveling north on Interstate 81 in the passing lane when she lost control. Her car traveled 70 feet on the median and hit the guiderail. She was taken to Geisinger Medical Center via Life-Flight for treatment. Her car was moderately damaged. The crash happened around 1 o'clock in the afternoon.

The investigation into a Shenandoah Heights fire earlier this week is complete. State police fire marshal John Burns and local officials have determined that the blaze that destroyed the double block home at 227 and 229 Schuylkill Avenue was caused by a faulty chimney. Four people were left homeless from the fire.

Maroons Sports Bar and Grill is closed. The sports bar and restaurant was shut permanently by its owner, Aggie Croley, earlier this week. The Pottsville Republican reports that representatives of PADCO were told by Croley that she was closing the business. PADCO has a financial lien on the property, and had the locks changed yesterday. The organization provided a portion of the financing when Croley and her then-husband Jim began renovating the building in 2003. The business, which was themed with Pottsville Maroons and other sports memorabilia, had been opened for several years. According to officials, there is a prospective buyer for the business and property.

Today is the 30th Annual Great American Smokeout. The third Thursday of November is set aside by the American Cancer Society to challenge smokers and tobacco users to smoke less or quit today. The Smokeout grew out of an event in 1976, when over one million smokers quit for the day. According to the Centers for Disease Control, tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in America, with exposure to second-hand smoke the 3rd leading cause of preventable death. Last year in Schuylkill County, 370 residents died from a smoking related illness. The Burger King franchise in Shenandoah is supporting this year's Great American Smokeout by offering information for patrons or their families about free local resources available to help people quit tobacco for good. The restaurant will also be giving free $5 gift cards to customers who attempt to quit with the help of tobacco cessation professionals. Coaches from the Clinical Outcomes Group Incorporated will provide cessation services for free. Quit today. It may save your life.

A Schuylkill Haven woman is under arrest for theft from a local retailer. Store security at Value City at Fairlane Village conducted an investigation into the theft over the past two weeks. 21-year-old Amber Zimmerman was reportedly over ringing returned merchandise to the store, defrauding the store of $14-hundred-forty nine dollars. State police at Schuylkill Haven were contacted and made the arrest. Zimmerman will be charged with misdemeanor theft by deception.

A company in the Tidewood East Industrial Park in Tamaqua wants to expand and the Schuylkill County Industrial Development Authority wants to help. Frank Zukas of SCIDA attended Wednesday's County Commissioners work session to request approval of resolutions authorizing the $5.3-million-dollar tax-exempt bond issue. Zukas said Highwood USA began operation in 2004 and their sales have grown 600% through this year. They project revenues to grow by 100% per year through 2009. The company manufactures synthetic wood products which simulates the color and grain of natural wood. Zukas said the money would be used to construct an addition to the plant that would more than double its size and to purchase new machinery and equipment. Highwood's owners will contribute an additional $1-million-dollars in equity during 2007 for production equipment. The company has invested $6.2-Million Dollars in their venture through 2006. Zukas said a hearing will be held Friday morning at SCIDA, followed by a board meeting to consider the bond issue. If approved by the authority board, the particulars will be forwarded to the Commissioners for consideration.