Local News - Saturday Dec. 30

Two Vehicles Rollover on Interstate

Frackville State Police are investigating a two vehicle crash on Interstate 81 in Butler Township last evening. At approximately 7:25 p.m. two vehicles came together at the 118 mile marker in the northbound lanes of the Interstate. Both vehicles left the roadway and rolled down a 30 foot embankment. One of the occupants was flown to a trauma center. State Police were assisted at the scene by the Englewood Fire Co. of Butler Township, Goodwill Fire Co. of Frackville, Yorkville Hose of Pottsville, and Frackville, Shenandoah, Minersville, and Tremont EMS Squads.

Tailgate Stolen

An Ashland man has reported his tailgate was stolen from his 2000 white Dodge Ram while it was parked at Goodfellas Bar in Mt. Carbon. Charles Hughes reported to Schuylkill Haven State Police that between 11 p.m. December 14 and 2 a.m. December 15 that his tailgate was stolen while he was patronizing the establishment. Anyone with information is asked to contact Schuylkill Haven State Police at (570) 593-2000.

Minersville Man Charged with Intimidation

A Minersville man is in Schuylkill County Prison on charges of Intimidating a Witness. Buddy Noel was charged on November 14th with Arson, Criminal Conspiracy, Theft, Receiving Stolen Property, and Criminal Mischief related to the theft and burning of a vehicle. On December 21st he came into contact with a witness in the case while at Goodfellas Bar and spit in the persons face. He was arrested on December 28th and arraigned. He was unable to post bail and incarcerated.

Pine Grove Man Charged

State Police at Schuylkill Haven have released details of an incident in Washington Township on December 17th. Troopers report that Bruce Shaffer became involved in a domestic dispute with his two adult children when police were contacted. Upon learning this he threatened to shoot police before they exited their car and began loading a shotgun and sitting on the front steps of the residence with the gun on his lap. He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge James Ferrier on charges of terroristic threats and disorderly conduct and was unable to post bail.

Motorcycle Crash in Mt. Carbon

A Pine Grove man was involved in a motorcycle accident at 11:25 p.m. on December 28th. Michael O'Neal was traveling on Main Street in the borough of Mt. Carbon when he struck a parked mini van. State Police at Schuylkill Haven report that O'Neal showed signs of intoxication and was transported to Pottsville Hospital where he refused to provide a blood sample to determine his blood alcohol content. Charges will be filed in this incident. State Police were aided by the Mt. Carbon Fire Department and Pottsville and Port Carbon Police.

North Manheim Crash

Schuylkill Haven State Police have released information on a two vehicle accident in North Manheim Township at 6:30 Thursday evening. A 2004 GMC Yukon driven by James Fitzpatrick of Pottsville was struck from behind by a 1994 Volkswagen Jetta driven by Matthew Umholtz of Valley View while stopped for traffic turning in front of him on route 443. No one was injured in the mishap and state police were assisted at the scene by the Orwigsburg Fire Department.