Local News-Tuesday, Nov. 28th-AM Update

The mother of a teenager who committed suicide in the Schuylkill County Prison is suing. Jean Wargo of Mahanoy City says in court papers that her son, Tristan Wargo, shouldn't have been taken off suicide watch and placed in a cell with the sheets he used to hang himself. He killed himself in November, 2004 while in prison on charges that he took $7-thousand-dollars of Oxycontin from a McAdoo pharmacy. Wargo's family contends that he was dependent on the drug after being prescribed it for pain from a back injury. The three (m) million dollar lawsuit filed in federal court in Scranton says that despite Wargo's repeated attempts to hurt himself, prison officials never had him seen by a psychiatrist. County officials are reviewing the suit.

A Lansford woman died in a crash in Mahoning Township Monday afternoon. The mid afternoon deadly accident occurred in Normal Square. 71-year-old Emilie Lutz was driving south on Mill Road and attempted to turn east on Route 443 when she pulled out in front of a tractor trailer. The impact forced her car into a retaining wall and several trees near the Normal Square Inn. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Carbon County Coroner.

A joint effort between Schuylkill Haven police and state troopers resulted in the arrest of a man wanted in connection with an assault in Schuylkill Haven Sunday night. We reported to you yesterday that John Smith reportedly assaulted his ex- girlfriend at a home on Fritz Reed Avenue in Schuylkill Haven. Smith fled the scene in a stolen car after the incident. Smith was arrested at Blue Mountain Lakes Campground in Wayne Township late Sunday. He was arraigned on charges of motor vehicle theft, receiving stolen property and aggravated assault. He is in Schuylkill County Prison.

STS is reminding residents of their no-cost public transportation program for all county residents over the age of 65. Seniors with proper identification can ride free all day, complements of the Pennsylvania State Lottery and the Schuylkill County Office of Senior Services. STS personnel will be available to register all seniors interested in free transportation at the United Presbyterian Church, Mahantongo Street, Pottsville Saturday from 10am to 2pm. Seniors who are able to show proof of age will receive their bus passes right away at these registrations. If unable to provide proof of age, seniors will still qualify to receive a bus pass if they sign a release of information consent form from the Social Security Administration. More information is available by calling STS at 800-832-3322.

The Sovereign Majestic Theatre is one step closer to completion. State Representative Bob Allen presented the Pottsville Area Development Corporation and the theatre association a check for $90-thousand-dollars to complete the renovations, according to the Pottsville Republican. The Pottsville landmark was built in the early 20th century, closing in 1930. It housed several different businesses and was vacant for part of that time until the Majestic Theatre Association was formed in 1997. The building required major renovations to the interior and exterior, with work financed from grants, along with contributions from numerous businesses and individuals. A performance of "Peter Pan" will be featured at the Sovereign Majestic Theatre on December 29th at 7pm. There will only be 200 tickets sold for the performance, at a cost of $10 each. For tickets, call PADCO at 628-4647.

Police are investigating a break-in at a house of worship in Mechanicsville last week. Port Carbon police now say that someone broke into the Islamic Society of Schuylkill County on East Norwegian Street between Tuesday and Wednesday last week. The thieves made their way into the building through a rear window and removed a wooden offering box containing several hundred dollars in cash and a microphone. The empty offering box was recovered at the Mechanicsville Playground during the investigation. If anyone has information about the theft, contact Port Carbon police at 622-5411.

A Tamaqua man is charged with harassing a woman in West Penn Township last Friday. Frackville State Police report that Reuben Whisenant struck 57-year-old Mary Costas in the face during a verbal altercation on Penny Lane in the township Friday night around 11:30. Charges against Whisenant will be filed in District Court.

An assistant fire chief in Williamstown is accused of setting three fires in the borough earlier this year. 33-year-old Seth Merwine, assistant fire chief at Liberty Fire Hose Company Number One in Dauphin County was arrested and charged with setting the fires in June of this year. Merwine is being held in Dauphin County Prison on $100-thousand-dollars bail. He has been a volunteer firefighter since 1993.