Local News-Saturday, Dec. 16th

PIAA AAA Championship

General McClain 28
Pottsville 23


Two fire apparatus celebrating the Crimson Tide's return to the State Playoffs were involved in an accident early this morning on Route 61.

State police from Frackville say that the Mt. Carbon Fire Company tanker and a fire engine from the East End in Palo Alto crashed just after midnight. The Mt. Carbon truck, operated by David Womer was following the East End truck, driven by Jared Diehl. Diehl had to stop suddenly for traffic in front, and Womer was unable to avoid hitting it. Mt. Carbon's fire truck sustained heavy front end damage, and East End's back end had extensive damage. Womer, Diehl and another passenger in the Mt. Carbon truck were hurt and taken to Pottsville Hospital.

State police are investigating a robbery at a Mahanoy City building.

Sometime between January 1st and 14th, someone broke into the old Lincoln School building between Morea and New Boston, and stole a large number of radios and a phonograph dating back to the turn of the century, and extensively damaged the building. Anyone that observed suspicious activity around the building recently, contact Frackville State Police at 874-5300.

Pottsville police are investigating criminal mischief incidents in the city Friday.

While on patrol, officers found a shopping cart in the middle of West Market Street full of Pottsville football decorations. Police found a 17-year-old Minersville teen and 30-year-old Michael Lorah of Minersville. Both men admitted to removing the banners from various locations on Centre and Market Street. They also admitted to overturning several garbage cans and removing a flag pole from Nathan's Furniture Store. Charges will be filed once the investigation is complete.

Liquor control enforcement officials conducted age compliance checks again Thursday night.

Agents and trained undercover personnel visited 6 establishments in and around Schuylkill County Thursday night. Three of the establishments, the Major Purpose and Daubert Distributing in Pine Grove, and Amato’s in Schuylkill Haven, were found to be compliant. Three others were not in compliance with underage drinking laws, having served the undercover personnel. State police did not identify them.

No one was injured in a two vehicle crash Thursday night in Washington Township.

59-year-old Jimmie McElwee (mac-ill-wee) and his wife Elizabeth were attempting to pull out of the Red Lion Café lot, when a tractor trailer driven by Michael Todd of Pottsville, left the road and hit McElwee's car. The truck dragged the car several feet, then into the lot at the restaurant. No one was injured, all were wearing their seatbelts.

The holidays are here, and parties are in full swing. Whether it's a small celebration with family and friends or a big to-do, hosts can enhance the merriment by ensuring guests get home safely at the end of the evening.

Carol Clark from Anheuser-Busch explains:

Festive music and delicious food and drink are key elements of any holiday celebration, but being a responsible host is also important. Making sure your friends have a safe ride home is ONE OF the best gifts you can give during the holidays. Clark adds there are a variety of easy tips hosts can follow to help ensure their parties are both fun and safe: first, have guests designated a driver when they arrive. be sure to Offer a variety of good foods with alcohol beverages and Offer non-alcohol beverages FOR THE DESIGNATED DRIVERS. SERVE Each guest one drink at a time and Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party ends. Finally, Call a cab or ask someone to spend the night if they’ve had too much to drink.

MORE SAFE PARTY TIPS AND AN E-THANK YOU CARD TO SEND TO DESIGNATED DRIVERS IS AVAILABLE AT http://www.whosyourbud.org/.