Local News-Tuesday, Nov. 7th

Today is the General Election in Pennsylvania. By the time this day is out, the months-long negative campaigning will be over, and we'll find out if incumbents held on to seats in the United States Senate, the Governor's Mansion and in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. On the national scene, the race for US Senate has garnered widespread attention, millions of dollars spent in advertising and ugly barbs traded between incumbent Republican Rick Santorum and his challenger, Pennsylvania Treasurer Bob Casey. The war in Iraq, Santorum's perceived conservative stance and his allegiance to President George Bush have been debated in the race. Casey has been holding on to a lead in the race since the beginning of the campaign. All 435 seats in the US House of Representatives are up for grabs. In the 17th Congressional District, Tim Holden of St. Clair is basically uncontested, after the Republican challenger Matthew Wertz stopped campaigning in September. Governor Ed Rendell is seeking a second term as Pennsylvania's Chief Executive. He is being challenged by former broadcaster and NFL player Lynn Swann. Swann has trailed in the polls for most of the campaign. The polls will be open until 8pm tonight. Complete election coverage can be heard right here after the polls close.

State police are investigating an attempted armed robbery last night in West Brunswick Township. Before 10pm last night, a white male in his 20's entered a gas station on Route 61 near Deer Lake and pointed a gun at the clerk in the store, demanding that he drop to the floor. When the clerk refused, the suspect hit him in the head with the gun, injuring him. The would-be thief then left the store. The clerk, 46-year-old Daya Sangha was taken to the Pottsville Hospital for treatment. The suspect is approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, thin build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black knit hat and had a bandana across his face. If anyone has information about the attempted hold-up, contact Schuylkill Haven State Police at 593-2000. Nothing was taken in the incident.

A juvenile is accused of drug manufacturing and possession in Porter Township. An investigation by state police uncovered the teen growing marijuana in his bedroom at a home on Deitrich Avenue in the township. A pot plant and various drug paraphernalia were seized from the home. He will be charged through the county Juvenile Justice Department.

It's a start. Officials from Cressona borough, the state and the Reading, Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad met to discuss the problem, and possible solutions to trucks getting stuck under the railroad bridge on Route 183. The Pottsville Republican reports that the meeting, held at the railroad's headquarters in Port Clinton, was not held to pass blame to any one party, but to find workable and affordable solutions. Among the ideas reportedly discussed were the painting of a portion of the railroad bridge in a fluorescent color to warn truckers of the height restriction. Also, they plan to increase the size of the warning signs and lights before the bridge. A longer term solution would create hazards that would hang over the roadway that would be hit by trucks prior to reaching the bridge. The 11 foot, 8 inch underpass has been the scene of 17 truck accidents this year alone.

The three Legislative races in Schuylkill County have been hotly contested this election season. Today, we'll find out who will serve in Harrisburg for the next two years. The ill-fated pay raise has been at the center of the campaign this year for incumbents. In the 123rd District, it has been a contentious race between incumbent Neal Goodman and Republican challenger Mike Cadau. House Majority Whip Dave Argall is being challenged by West Penn Township resident Bill Mackey for the 124th seat. In the 125th Legislative District, there will be a new representative in the state capitol after tonight, with Republican Gary Hornberger running against Democrat Tim Seip. Hornberger defeated long-time legislator Bob Allen in the May primary. Turnout is expected to be higher than normal for this off-year election. Our coverage begins at 8pm.

In addition to voting for state and local office seekers today, Pennsylvanians will be asked to consider a referendum question regarding payments to Gulf War veterans. The question asks whether or not to approve a $20-million-dollar bond issue to establish the Persian Gulf Conflict Bonus Program, which would provide Pennsylvanians of the first Gulf War bonuses for time served overseas. If approved, Gulf War veterans would be entitled to $75-dollars for every month they served overseas, with a maximum payment of $525-dollars. Payments of $5-thousand-dollars would be made to survivors of the 27 Pennsylvanians who died in the Gulf War and Gulf War Prisoners of War. Nearly 33-thousand Pennsylvanians participated in the Persian Gulf War, which lasted from August, 1990 to August, 1991.

Several persons were injured in a crash Sunday night on Interstate 81 in New Castle Township. State police indicate that 46-year-old Eric Hunter of Harrisburg was driving north on the Interstate near mile marker 124 when he had a medical emergency. He became unconscious and drifted into the rear of a car driven by Robert Hewlett Junior of Bloomsburg. The impact pushed Hewlett's car across the highway and hit the guiderails. Hunter and his teenaged passenger were taken to the hospital for treatment. An occupant in Hewlett’s car was transported to Pottsville Hospital. Four other passengers in Hewlett's car were not hurt. All were wearing their seatbelts. The crash occurred around 6pm Sunday.