Local News-Monday, Feb. 26th

We dodged a weather bullet in Schuylkill County yesterday and during the overnight. The storm was expected to bring snow, sleet and freezing rain to the area, but amounts were significantly less than expected. Roads were treated with brine early Sunday, and that, combined with a lower snowfall have left the roads slushy. Snow showers are expected today. Take your time heading out to work and school this morning.

After three years of work, Schuylkill County’s MH/MR audit findings will be released Thursday.
A special meeting of the Board of Commissioners is scheduled for 1pm Thursday to release the findings of auditor Parente-Randolph and the state Department of Welfare’s Bureau of Financial Operations, who have been working on the review for three years. The project, which has been slowed by delays and other circumstances, will determine if any monies are to be returned to the county by one of the contract providers, ReDCo. Over $3-million-dollars in program overruns from 2002 to 2004 prompted the review of Schuylkill County’s contractors. The Pottsville Republican reports that the meeting will bring all of the parties together who have been involved in the audit, to hopefully bring the long-overdue report to the public.

A St. Clair man is facing a host of charges following an assault in Schuylkill Haven Friday night. Schuylkill Haven Borough Police report that Patricia Brode of 29 Fritz Reed Avenue, said that her boyfriend, Charles Haluska, slammed her head against a wall in her apartment. Haluska reportedly followed Brode and her three children in his car and struck the back of Brode’s car with his SUV, slightly injuring one of the kids. Haluska allegedly hit the rear of her car again outside of Pottsville. Haven and St. Clair police took Haluska into custody. He was charged with aggravated and simple assault, reckless endangerment, terroristic threats and other offenses. He was arraigned and released on bail. Additional charges may be filed in the incident.

A Mt Carmel man was arrested on an outstanding warrant Sunday afternoon. 37-year-old William Gudonis contacted Mt. Carmel Police to file a complaint on an unrelated incident. During the investigation, officers found that Gudonis was wanted on an outstanding warrant by State Police at Frackville for a harassment incident in July, 2006. He never showed up for his hearing at that time. Gudonis was taken into custody, and arraigned via videoconference at the county prison. He remains there, after being unable to post bail.

A Pottsville man is facing possible drunk driving charges following a crash Sunday afternoon in Port Carbon.
39-year-old Francis Bernadyn was southbound on Market Street in the borough around 3:20pm when he lost control and hit a telephone pole. His car was heavily damaged. Schuylkill Haven State Police believe that Bernadyn was driving under the influence. Charges are pending the result of blood alcohol testing.

A Sheppton woman was hurt in a one vehicle crash in East Union Township yesterday afternoon. State troopers at Frackville report that 21-year-old Megan Neikman (nyk-man) was traveling south on Route 924 when she lost control on a right hand curve. Her car left the roadway, struck a large rock and went airborne. Her car traveled 80 feet before landing on its roof. Neikman was taken to Geisinger Medical Center for treatment. Her car was severely damaged. The investigation continues.

Schuylkill County election officials have released dates for independent candidates for the November election. Betty Dries, Director of the Schuylkill County Election Bureau indicates that minor political party candidates and independent candidates can begin to circulate petitions to appear on the November ballot on Wednesday, March 7th. Candidates seeking county-wide offices need a minimum of 735 signatures.
The last day to circulate and file nomination papers is August 1st. For information, contact Dries at 628-1467.