Local News-Tuesday, Dec. 12th

It was a meeting full of discussion and concern at Pottsville City Council last night. The meeting opened with monetary presentations from the Great Pottsville Cruise committee. From fire police to the recreation commission, over $1-thousand-dollars was given to various groups within the city from the August event. Residents from Forest Hills West came to council with concerns about property development in their neighborhood. A project to construct homes on half-acre lots on land in North Manheim Township that abuts the city line. Reportedly, the city's streets and other services would be used to access that development. Council assured those residents that they would look into the matter. Another group of citizens from Water Street presented their concerns about continued flooding in their neighborhood. Those in attendance told council that whenever it rains, they get flooded. The problem may have been caused in part by tires blocking a drain, but those that live on Water Street believe that a lack of pavements and insufficient drainage are the problem. Residents contend that they were promised new pavements and other improvements more than a decade ago. The new skateboard facility at Joulwan Park is nearly complete, and will be open later this week, and will remain open until winter weather sets in. It will begin regular operation in the spring.

Pottsville area employers expect to hire at a healthy pace during the first quarter of 2007, according to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey. From January to March, 40% of the companies interviewed plan to hire more employees, while 20% expect to reduce their payrolls. Another 33% expect to maintain their current staff levels and 7% are not certain of their hiring plans. For the coming quarter, job prospects appear best in Mining, Durable and Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing and Services. Employers in Construction, Transportation/Public Utilities and Education plan to reduce staffing levels, while those in Wholesale/Retail Trade voice mixed hiring intentions. Hiring in Finance/Insurance/Real Estate and Public Administration is expected to remain unchanged. For more than two years, U.S. employers have consistently reported steady hiring plans. Although the first quarter job forecast is similar to last quarter and last year at this time, a subtle downward shift has emerged. While it is too early to note if this is a trend, this marks two consecutive quarters of more cautious hiring plans.

The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary set a record yesterday. At 9:40 am, volunteers tracking bird migration at the sanctuary near Kempton spotted the 160th golden eagle, the highest number tallied in 70 years of migration counts. The previous record, set is 2003, was 159. Counters at Hawk Mountain average 90 golden eagles each autumn, the majority during the first two weeks of November. The count continues through December 15th. The tally marks another milestone in a record-breaking year at the world-known raptor migration watchsite. The cumulative season total for all migrant raptors now stands at 25,092, the largest number of migrating hawks, eagles and falcons in more than two decades. For more information, visit the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary website at www.hawkmountain.org.

Shots were reportedly fired in Shenandoah over the weekend. Borough police say that a woman on Chestnut Street made the complaint before 6am, stating that several rounds were fired into her home. Police say that shots came through the third floor, and several hit a room where a young child was sleeping. A dark colored car was seen leaving the area around that time. Anyone with information should call Shenandoah police.

A Tremont woman is charged with public drunkenness after an incident Monday in Tremont Township. State Police at Jonestown say that 41-year-old Debra Openshaw was fighting with her husband while driving in Tremont Township. Openshaw jumped from the car and flagged a passing motorist. Her husband followed her down the interstate. At exit 90, the woman left the car and ran through an open field. She was found a short time later. She was charged with public drunkenness.

When the wipers go on, headlights must go on beginning in 2007. A law passed by Governor Ed Rendell in November requires that motorists must turn on their headlights when using windshield wipers. Previously, motorists were required to use headlights between sunset and sunrise, and any time that low light or other conditions prevented drivers from seeing a thousand feet in front of them. A fine of $25 dollars plus costs will result from disobeying the law.

A modular home manufacturer marked a milestone yesterday. The 500th new home rolls off assembly line at Pleasant Valley Modular Homes in Pine Grove Township, in just 21 months of operation. Numerous dignitaries were on hand to mark the milestone. When active operations began 77 people were employed in the plant. Today the company workforce comprises 180 employees. The project was made possible, in part, through a SEDCO-administered $1.75 million loan from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority. The company serves a 14-state market in the northeastern U.S. The 2,200 square-foot two-story home will be shipped in four modules and erected on a foundation-ready home site in Wellsboro.