Local News-Friday, Jan. 19th

Two Democratic candidates have announced their intention to run for Schuylkill County Commissioner. Mantura Gallagher, the incumbent, and Francis McAndrew , current Schuylkill County Sheriff launched their campaigns for the county’s highest office last night. At a news conference following the Democrats executive committee meeting, the pair discussed the issues that prompted their candidacy, such as prison overcrowding and the ongoing MH/MR audit, according to the Pottsville Republican. Gallagher, a retired English teacher, is seeking her second term, while McAndrew, who has served as sheriff for more than a decade, is seeking a seat on the Board of Commissioners for the first time. Republican Commissioners Bob Carl and Frank Staudenmeier have not yet officially announced their re-election bids, but are expected to do so shortly. Rush Township resident John Schickram has also announced his intention to run as well.

An early morning traffic stop in Frackville netted the arrest of three illegal aliens. Frackville police stopped the vehicle on North Lehigh Avenue for a stop light violation after 1am. Inside were three men from Shenandoah, all found to be in the United States illegally. Apprehended were Fidel-mar Merlos, Elesar DeLuna and Eduardo Lara. The trio were all staying at a Coal Street home in Shenandoah. Immigration officials issued a detainer, and the three men were taken to Schuylkill County Prison to await deportation.

Election season is moving into full swing. The County Election Bureau has offered some important information for potential candidates. Betty Dries reports that petitions for office not dated January 2007 are obsolete due to changes in voter rules, and cannot be used. Those interested in receiving nominating petition packets, filing dates and for other information should log on to www.co.schuylkill.pa.us.

The County Commissioners approval is being sought by Schuylkill Women in Crisis to apply for a grant to encourage arrest policies and enforcement of protection orders. At Wednesday’s work session, the commissioners were told application for the grant of $375-thousand-dollars would be made to the US Department of Justice’s Office of Violence against Women. The Emergency Management Agency sought authorization to apply for $80-thousand-dollars from the Federal Emergency Agency’s pre-disaster mitigation grant program. In other business, the commissioners were asked to approve the appointments of a number of individuals to two boards. Appointments of Sara Rile of Pottsville and Deborah Bayliff of Schuylkill would be three year terms to the retired and senior volunteer program advisory board. The Schuylkill County Agricultural Land Preservation board would have three new members. They are F. Leon Zimmerman of Pitman, John Halabura of Orwigsburg and Harold Marks of Pottsville, all for a one year term. Reappointments to the same board for two year terms include Keith Masser, John Hetherington, Kent Heffner and Stanley Fidler.

Schuylkill Community Action, a private non-profit agency, is moving forward with plans to conduct its 2007 Community Needs Assessment. Ted Driesbach, Executive Director of SCA attended Wednesday’s County Commissioners work session, seeking a county resolution endorsing the assessment. The assessment is done every five years in an effort to report on the needs and resources for low income persons, social and human service providers, stakeholders and the general community. The assessment process will have three components. Web-based Surveys, public forum and a final assessment report. The Web-based surveys will run from January through March. The public forum will be held in August and the final assessment report will be released in December. According to SCA, the final report is a beneficial tool for use by local agencies and communities to attract resources necessary to combat poverty and related issues.

An early morning crash in northern Dauphin County injures two women. Just before 6am Thursday, Donna Youells of Lykens rearended a car operated by Kimberly Barnhardt of Tower City on Route 209 in Washington Township, Dauphin County. Barnhardt was attempting to make a left turn. Youells was taken to Pottsville Hospital for treatment. Barnhardt suffered minor injuries, but did not require treatment. Youells was cited in the crash.