Local News-Monday, Jan. 22nd

A water main break in Ashland has forced a water boil advisory. Officials from the Ashland Area Municipal Authority have issued the advisory for all customers in the Borough of Ashland, excluding those customers who reside in Fountain Springs. The break, at 8th and Walnut Street is being repaired, and the system will be chlorinated and flushed upon completion. Water should be boiled for one minute before consumption. For information, contact Ashland Borough at 875-2411.

Three juvenile males were arrested for drug and paraphernalia possession early Saturday morning. During a traffic stop, Frackville police observed an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. A search uncovered a small amount of pot and paraphernalia inside the car. A Frackville male and two Ashland teens were taken into custody and will be charged. They were released to the custody of their parents.

State police are investigating a home burglary Saturday afternoon in West Brunswick Township. Troopers say that the Samuel Boyer home, and a storage shed, were entered, and firearms and jewelry stolen. The incident happened between 2 and 5pm. The investigation continues.

A Lake Wynonah home was burglarized Sunday. Schuylkill Haven state police say that someone broke into the home of Joseph and Susan Wolf on Papoose Drive by cutting through a screen and opened a bedroom window. The thieves covered the windows of the home with garbage bags and rummaged through the home. Food was taken from the refrigerator and eaten, and alcoholic beverages consumed as well. Several items, including collectible beanie babies were taken. The investigation into the break-in is continuing.

State police are looking for persons who exploded devices at two home in Auburn Saturday night. Someone placed M-80’s on the porches at 224 and 226 Washington Street in the borough, then exploded them. While no damage was reported, the explosions did create a disturbance.

A Tennessee man is charged with harassment following an incident Friday afternoon. Frackville State Troopers report that Thomas Rentschler and Ann Marie Kovalewski, ambulance personnel from Shenandoah, were treating someone at a home on Swanks Road when 21-year-old John Brennan began yelling obscenities at the pair. State police were called to the scene, and charged Brennan with harassment.

Making the transition from high school to the working world is not an easy one. But a program started in one county high school, with the help of a consortium of businesses, is helping to make the process a bit easier. Your Employability Skills is a program that helps develop fundamental skills employers require to maintain a well-trained workforce. The program was initially developed in 1996 in York County, but initially targeted adults. The transition to high schools came about in 2001. The Northeast Manufacturers and Employers Association, through the Schuylkill Workforce Partnership, offered it to Schuylkill County school districts last year. The Schuylkill Haven School District was the first to offer YES as an elective this year, with 15 students enrolled. Business Education Teacher Bob Boyle explains that the program offers time management skills, various communication skills, diversity and drug abuse topics. Sara Hodon, Director of Workforce Development at the partnership said that 7 partnering organizations are helping to support the YES program, including SEDCO, the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce and the County Commissioners, among others. Boyle said that one highlight of the program are the speakers who address the class, with tips and experiences of the working world. The class from Schuylkill Haven visited our studios last week. Five more county school districts are signed up to come on board next year.