Local News-Wednesday, Jan. 3rd

Traffic Update:
Schuylkill Products will be moving oversized loads this week:

Today (Wednesday) 1 @ 9am

Thursday 2 @ 11am

Friday 2 @ 9am

Delays expected on Routes 901, 183 and 61 South, to Interstate 78. The beams are headed to a construction site in Bradford County.

One of the newest members of the state House of Representatives took his seat with the rest of the body yesterday in Harrisburg. Tim Seip, of Washington Township, will serve the 125th Legislative District for the next two years. Seip said some of the issues that are at the top of his priority list include property tax and healthcare reform, as well as alternative fuel sources, like the ethanol plant proposed for western Schuylkill County. Seip was joined at the swearing in ceremony by family and friends, including his wife Starr, who is serving with the Pennsylvania National Guard in Iraq. She was granted a short leave to be present with her husband. A licensed social worker, Seip ran on the Democratic ticket unopposed in May, and defeated Schuylkill County Controller Gary Hornberger in the November election.

A piece of railroad history will have a new home in Schuylkill County today. A railroad passenger car, which was located at the WK&S Railroad in Kempton will be put on a 110-foot trailer and hauled to Minersville today. Bob Kimmel, President of the organization that has been restoring a steam locomotive in the borough, said that the luxury passenger car will become part of a traveling exhibit to celebrate the region’s rail heritage. The oversized load will head north on Route 61 to Routes 183 and 901 through Cressona around mid-day. Traffic delays are expected while the railroad car is transported. The group has been working on the restoration project for several years, and has been funded through grants and private fundraising efforts.

A bowling facility which has been closed for over two years due to flooding, will re-open, and another will close next year. The former Westwood Lanes, which incurred heavy damage during summer flooding in July, 2004, is being renamed Strike Zone Alley, has undergone extensive renovations and is expected to re-open later this month. According to the Pottsville Republican, Tony Brenneman purchased the business in December, 2005 and work has been going on since last summer. Brenneman also owns Plaza Lanes. That facility is expected to close in 2008 when its lease runs out at the Pottsville Park Plaza location. Plaza Lanes was originally opened in the 1970’s by Dave Schimpf, a former Schuylkill Haven resident.

A group of teenagers were nabbed for underage drinking New Year’s Eve in Tamaqua. Borough police were called to a home at 444 Hazle Street after receiving complaints about a party going on. At least seven persons under the age of 21 were drinking in the home. They will be charged with underage drinking through District Judge Stephen Bayer’s office. The investigation is continuing.

Senator Jim Rhoades announced a grant award for a traffic project in East Norwegian Township. A $404-thousand dollar grant has been provided to the township for traffic improvements at Tunnel Road. The project will reconstruct the intersection, reconfigure the traffic signal and other access upgrades. The monies were awarded by the Department of Community and Economic Development.

A grocery chain and its customers stepped up to the plate for needy children this holiday season. Wegman’s, the Rochester, New York-based grocer with a distribution center in Schuylkill County, and its customers gave more than 41-thousand toys for needy kids. 2006 marked the 20th anniversary of Wegman’s holiday toy collection program, partnering with local not-for-profit groups in each market area. Sixty-one of the company’s stores participated in the toy drive.