Local News-Thursday, Jan. 18th

Progress on the Union Station Intermodal Trade and Transit Center was among the topics discussed at Wednesday’s Schuylkill County Commissioners work session. Dennis Zahora of STS sought permission to amend the existing construction management contract with the Quandel Group to add its consultant, Levkulic Associates to provide additional program management services. The additional services would cost $4-thousand-dollars per month, based on a budget of 30 man-hours per month. Assistant County Solicitor Joseph Jones Jr. had concerns about spending county money without yet acquiring the site of the future facility from its private owner. Zahora and Mark Scarbinsky, Director of the county’s Office of Economic Development, both said negotiations with the property owner are proceeding and an answer on a proposal for the site should be known within the next several days. The contract amendments are expected to be approved at next week's Commissioners meeting.

No one was injured in a one car crash Monday in West Mahanoy Township. Jason Ruskuski of Coal Township was traveling on Route 924 around 1pm when he apparently fell asleep at the wheel. His car crossed the roadway and struck a utility pole. Police say Ruskuski was not wearing his seatbelt. The investigation continues. County commissioners from across the state have set their priority list for 2007. The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania called upon state leaders to strengthen their commitments to accomplish tax fairness for counties, while providing adequate funding for mandated human service programs. Schuylkill County Commissioner Bob Carl is a board member of the organization. He and his fellow commissioners will also ask the state to consider prison issues, transportation funding, judicial salaries for DA’s and repair of the 9-1-1 funding system.

Pottsville police made a drug arrest on Tuesday. While investigating a burglary at the Luppino residence on North Third Street, police uncovered two bags of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia that belongs to 19-year-old Mark Smith Jr. of Pottsville. Officers also found pictures of the reported drugs on a cell phone camera. Further investigation found a pot pipe in Smith’s car. Smith was arrested on possession charges and arraigned at the Schuylkill County Prison. He was committed on $25-thousand-dollars bail.

Two municipalities have asked to change the number of supervisors in their Townships. At Wednesday’s Schuylkill County Commissioners work session, the County election bureau, on behalf of West Penn and Pine Grove townships, asked for permission to place referendums on ballots in their respective townships for the 2007 primary election. Voters in Pine Grove Township would be asked to approve a resolution that would return to a three member board from the present five members, and West Penn Township would ask their voters to approve a petition to add two additional supervisors to the present three member board. The Commissioners are expected to act on the proposals at next week’s board meeting.

A new director took the oath of office at last night’s Pottsville School Board meeting. John Boran of Pottsville was administered the oath by District Judge James Reiley. He was appointed by the board to replace Peg Koury, who resigned her seat in December. Boran is General Manager for Bon-Ton. In other business, the Pottsville School Board accepted the retirement notices for three teachers who will leave the district at the end of the school year. Lynn Denmon and James Wallauer, teachers at the DHH Lengel Middle School, and Theresa Ligenza, a faculty member at the John S. Clarke Elementary School all have served the district for 35 years or longer. The board adopted a resolution, mandated by state Act 1, for the 2007-2008 budget year. The Pottsville School District, if necessary, to balance the spending plan, would only be able to raise taxes up to the index established by the state Department of Education. That index is 4.8 percent. By adopting the measure, the district would not have to go to the voters to ratify a tax increase, but rather, would work within tax increase prescribed by the Taxpayer Relief Act.

The consolidation of Catholic high schools continue due to declining enrollment and finances. Bishop Joseph Martino of the Diocese of Scranton announced that Bishop Hafey Junior/Senior High School, Hazleton, will be consolidated with other high schools in the diocese. Seton Catholic and Bishop O’Reilly in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties will be merged into Bishop Hoban High School in Wilkes Barre. Hoban will be renamed in the move. Parents and alumni of Bishop Hafey began an effort to keep the school open by pledging financial support after a consultant recommended the closure late last year. However, the diocese felt that those efforts could not be sustained to keep the school open. Diocesan officials indicate that they have been in contact with Bishop Edward Cullen of Allentown so students of Bishop Hafey could attend Marian Catholic High School in Barnesville rather than travel to Wilkes Barre from Hazleton. As expected, parents, students and alumni are very upset about the decision to close Bishop Hafey.