Local News-Monday, March 19th

State police are investigating a hit and run crash in West Brunswick Township early Sunday. The unknown driver was traveling on Route 61 and left the road. The car hit a snow bank and went airborne, crashing into several mailboxes and a sign at Judy B’s Antiques. The driver fled the scene after the crash. Anyone with information should contact Schuylkill Haven State Police at 593-2000.

A California man, wanted on deportation charges, was picked up Friday night in West Mahanoy Township. Frackville State Police say that 34-year-old Daniel Olea, of Escondido, California, was a passenger in a car that crashed on Route 61 at Altamont Boulevard around 9:30pm. Police couldn’t immediately confirm his identity, and had to fingerprint him. Those prints determined that he was a deported felon. He was detained at Schuylkill County Prison until he can be processed by authorities of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

A best-selling children’s author will speak to children at Blue Mountain Elementary schools Tuesday and Wednesday. The Blue Mountain Eagle Foundation is sponsoring the visit of Shelley Gill as part of their “Educator in Residence” program. Gill has authored books on Pacific Northwest and Alaska, which have sold over a million copies. Her first book, Kiana’s Iditarod, talked of her own experience as one of the first women to run in the 1-thousand-plus mile dog sled race. She has written 25 other bestsellers as well. Ms. Gill will also be the keynote speaker at the Eagle Foundation’s Annual Awards Banquet on Tuesday night at the Schuylkill Country Club. The Blue Mountain Eagle Foundation is a not-for-profit, charitable organization established to promote excellence in education and enrich the academic experience for the benefit of the students, faculty, and administration of the Blue Mountain School District. Since 1998, the Eagle Foundation has donated more that $250,000.00 to the Blue Mountain School District in support of over 100 educational programs.

Two vehicles were involved in a crash Saturday in Cressona, but no one was hurt. State police report that Shaun Rohrbach of Pine Grove was driving a PennDOT plow truck on Chestnut Street when the plow hit some ice, forcing the side plow to swing out and strike the left side of a car operated by Ronald McClure of Schuylkill Haven. The car had minor damage, but thankfully, no one was hurt.

Troopers from the Frackville barracks are investigating two DUI-related crashes early Sunday in northern Schuylkill County. The first incident happened around 2:30am, where 30-year-old Elizabeth Link driving near the intersection of Line and Spring Streets in West Mahanoy Township. Her car hit a snow bank. State police say that Link was intoxicated, and failed a breathalyzer test at the barracks. She was charged with DUI. Within a half-hour, a car driven by 47-year-old Leo Cress of Girardville was traveling west on State Route 4030 in an erratic manner, crossing the centerline several times. Officers stopped him and determined he was driving drunk. After failing a breathalyzer test, he was charged with DUI and related offenses.

The showcase of local and international gymnasts returns to Pottsville this weekend with the Friendship Classic. The 9th edition, hosted by the renowned Pottsville Gymnastic Training Center, will run from Friday through Sunday at Martz Hall. Last year’s competition featured over 800 gymnasts from the world over, making it the largest international meet of its kind in the United States. The event provides an opportunity for all age level gymnasts to compete with their peers on an international level. Competitions begin at the Pottsville Gymnastic Training Center on Friday morning, then on to Martz Hall Friday night through Sunday.
The main event, the international meet, will feature gymnasts from Russia and the Ukraine, Japan, Canada, the Czech Republic and other countries. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. For more information, contact Sandy or Barb at 628-4966.