Local News-Wednesday, Jan. 10th

A Mount Carmel man is charged with arson and other offenses, and his wife is still missing. We first reported to you yesterday that Steven Wolfgang was taken into protective custody at Lehigh Valley Hospital after he started a fire in his wife Sherry’s SUV in Eldred Township, Schuylkill County Monday. Wolfgang is charged with risking a catastrophe’, arson and related charges in the case. He reportedly started the fire in an attempt to take his own life. Sherry Wolfgang has not been seen since last week, and foul play is suspected in her disappearance. According to the Pottsville Republican, Steven Wolfgang denied harming his wife during his arraignment yesterday.

A week after being sworn into office for another term, House Republican Whip Dave Argall is calling for his colleagues to work together. Argall, of Lake Hauto, said that the success of the state House in the current legislative session hinges largely on the ability of both parties to reach across the aisle. Democrats hold a 102 to 101 advantage in the House. Argall said that for the next two years, the state House will either quote “succumb to a complete and bloody partisan gridlock, or focus on bipartisan solutions to the problems facing the people of Pennsylvania.” Of the many items on the agenda, Argall said that property tax relief is the House’s greatest opportunity to do the greatest good.

A traffic stop in Girardville Tuesday leads to the arrest of a borough man on an outstanding warrant. 31-year-old John Weidensaul was stopped at Second and “A” Street when state troopers determined the car he was driving had a different registration plate on it than what was assigned. He was issued a traffic citation for several reasons, including driving with a suspended license. A background check determined that he was wanted by the County Probation Department. He was taken into custody, and then to the Schuylkill County Prison.

A Tamaqua graduate has filed a federal law suit claiming permanent disabilities resulting from her being allowed to play after suffering a head injury in a 2005 basketball game. Tracy Yatsko of West Penn Township argues in her suit that Tamaqua coaches and the Tamaqua School District failed to take proper action and let her play in the next game after the January 10, 2005 injury. Yatsko says that the back of her head struck the top of another player’s head during a game, resulting in immediate vision problems and a headache. She said she was still feeling sick two days later when she was allowed to play in the next game. In the suit filed in late December in U.S. District Court, Scranton, Yatsko claims to have serious brain injuries and suffers from blurred vision, loss of balance, headaches and depression. Those injuries have caused her to drop out of college, lose future job earnings and will cost her future medical care, the suit says. Yatsko is asking for a jury trial and undisclosed monetary awards for medical expenses, lost wages and other costs.