Local News-Friday, Feb. 2nd

A nearly three month long investigation of vandalism and arson at an area school complex has netted two arrests. Schuylkill Haven state troopers report that two 15-year-olds from Schuylkill Haven allegedly stole a Volkswagen Jetta from Buy Rite Auto Sales in North Manheim Township between November 10th and 11th.
The pair were seen driving the vehicle in Orwigsburg, and then took it to the Blue Mountain Middle School, drove the car on the soccer field, then set fire to the car. The teens are charged with arson, criminal mischief, vandalism and other offenses. Those charges were filed with the Schuylkill County Juvenile Justice Department.

The husband of a missing Mount Carmel woman has had his bail reduced. Stephen Wolfgang, who has been charged with setting fire to his wife Sherry’s SUV on state game lands in Eldred Township, was granted the reduction yesterday in Schuylkill County court. According to the Pottsville Republican, Wolfgang’s bail was dropped from $200-thousand-dollars to $75-thousand, percentage bail. Judge Jacqueline Russell granted the reduction because the law does not allow for such a high bail for the charge of arson. Wolfgang is suspected to have killed his wife, but those charges have yet to be filed since Sherry Wolfgang’s body has not yet been found. Among the stipulations set by Russell, Stephen Wolfgang must live with his parents in Lavelle, cannot have any contact with his children and remain in Schuylkill County, except to go to court in Northumberland County, among other conditions. He remains in Schuylkill County Prison, and will do so until he posts bail.

It was a harrowing several hours for a Hegins family after their disabled son was left in a bus Wednesday. Pottsville Police Chief Joseph Murton tells us that his department got a call Wednesday evening from Port Carbon Police that a handicapped man, Matthew Espenshade, was left on a bus operated by 69-year-old Jack Leonard of Palo Alto. Espenshade was being taken home from the day program at Avenues in Mechanicsville to Hegins. He should have arrived home late in the afternoon, but was left on the bus after the driver reportedly forgot about him while taking an alternate route due to heavy traffic. Espenshade suffers from cerebral palsy. His parents took him to the Pottsville Hospital for treatment after being exposed to cold temperatures, and underwent additional tests yesterday at Geisinger Medical Center. Reports indicate that Espenshade is okay now. Police say that no criminal charges will be filed.

An Orwigsburg man was hurt after he was struck by an SUV Thursday morning. Ray Dolzani was crossing on Coal Mountain Road when he was hit by a car driven by Stacey Davis of Pottsville, who was pulling out from a stop sign. Dolzani was taken to Good Sam for treatment of a leg injury. State police say the mishap happened around 10:30am Thursday.

A Tamaqua woman was hurt last night in a crash on Route 61. Police report that Linda McKee was found in her car around 7:30pm, three miles south of the Schuylkill Mall. She apparently was driving too fast and hit a patch of an oil-like substance and crashed into the guiderail. McKee was taken to the hospital for treatment, but her condition is not known. A rash of accidents took place over the weekend due to the slick conditions on that stretch of road known as the Frackville grade.

An area legislator who is serving on the House Reform Committee is asking for your help. Rep. Dave Argall is asking Schuylkill County residents for their opinions and ideas about government reforms. As one of 24 House members serving on the Speaker's Commission on Legislative Reform, Argall is encouraging local residents to contribute suggestions about how to improve the way state government conducts the people's business. The primary purpose of the Speaker's Commission on Government Reform is to create a more transparent government for Pennsylvanians. Some proposed reforms include: limiting the hours of legislative session to be between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. and providing "real time" roll calls in which vote counts be publicly available within 60 minutes after a vote. Residents from the Schuylkill County portion of the 124th legislative district are encouraged to e-mail Argall their suggestions at dargall@pahousegop.com.

An area business is closing one location, and expanding another. The Olde World Cheescake Company location at Fairlane Village Mall will close Sunday, but according to the Pottsville Republican, they are not going out of business. Abbie Agresto, company president, said that they are expanding their production plant in Frackville, and are looking to expand their market area nationally. Olde World Cheesecake was acquired by America’s Artisan Bakery recently, but will continue to operate under that name. The company makes specialty pastries and other baked goods.