Local News-Tuesday, Jan. 2nd

A Washington Township man was found dead in his home on New Year’s Day. State police at Schuylkill Haven report they were called to a home on Rock Road around noon Monday. Family members found 65-year-old Leonard Riegle dead and his wife Geraldine unconscious. Police believe that carbon monoxide poisoning may be to blame. An autopsy will be conducted to determine an exact cause of Riegle’s death. Geraldine Riegle was taken to the hospital for treatment. Two family pets also died in the incident.

State police are looking for a thief who ate and ran off with a TV from a truck stop in Pine Grove Township. Saturday night, three men came to the restaurant at Gooseberry Farms Travel Plaza and ordered something to eat. Two of the men paid for their meals, but a third one went to the travel store, removed a flat panel TV and left without paying for either item. State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating.

Three people were injured in a crash early Saturday in Lebanon County, and drugs may have played a part in it. Schuylkill Haven State Police just reported that 38-year-old Randy Sowers of Middletown was driving west on Route 443, and drifted into a car driven by Shirley Nicholas of Lebanon, striking it head-on. A passenger in Sowers’ car, Anthony Denci of Palmyra, suffered head and facial injuries. Nicholas and Denci were taken to Hershey Medical Center. Sowers appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance and failed a field sobriety test. He was taken to Pottsville Hospital for blood testing. Charges are pending the outcome of those tests.

A Tremont man is under arrest for threatening a fire official in Porter Township Saturday night. Schuylkill Haven State Police report that the Joliett Fire Company was called to the scene for a burning complaint at the home of John Steckley. A fire was burning in the backyard of the home, violating a township ordinance for burning after hours. Steckley told the fire chief to leave, then threatened him with an axe. Troopers arrested Steckley and took him to Schuylkill County Prison, where he was arraigned. He is charged with aggravated and simple assault, and harassment. A preliminary hearing will be scheduled for Steckley at the office of District Judge Carol Pankake.

A Tamaqua couple was hurt in a one-vehicle crash in Blythe Township Sunday. State police at Frackville say that a truck driven by 35-year-old Thomas Schaefer traveled onto a steep embankment off Mountain Road, and overturned, then skidded on its side across the road. The truck then traveled 30-feet down an embankment. Schaefer and his wife, Karen, were lifeflighted to Geisinger Medical Center for possible head injuries. A 9-year-old boy who was also in the truck was not hurt.

Cold rains failed to dampen the New Year’s Celebration in Pottsville. A huge crowd of revelers gathered at Garfield Square to say goodbye to 2006 and welcome 2007, culminating Pottsville’s Bicentennial Year. A steady stream of visitors participated in numerous events on Centre Street, including a Candyland game at Sovereign Bank, an open house at the Schuylkill County Historical Society and at the newly-opened Sovereign Majestic Theatre. Horse drawn carriage rides were busy throughout the night, transporting revelers on a leisurely ride through the city. At the stroke of midnight, the Yuengling Lager Bottle hit the top of the flagpole, signaling the beginning of a new year.

An effort to unite law enforcement officers in the war on drugs is being hosted by Schuylkill County DA Jim Goodman. The increasing drug problem in Schuylkill County prompted the symposium. Goodman will explain the new Schuylkill County Drug Task Force, which will allow local police officers to become members of the Drug Task Force. The seminar is being held at the Pottsville Club, Wednesday, January 10th, and Thursday, the 11th. The two day effort will cover other issues, including domestic violence and effective techniques during drug investigations.