Local News - April 7, 2007

IU studies upgrades

School officials at the Intermediate Unit 29 are hoping to improve conditions with a proposed $21 million renovation project to the county's vocational and technical training centers, built more than 40 years ago. According to the Pottsville Republican and Herald, the proposal was introduced at the annual district-wide convention of the IU on Tuesday night, where school officials from all 12 districts heard plans for the IU's aging facilities. Limited space for equipment, cramped classrooms, poor ventilation, a deteriorating infrastructure and an inadequate supply of equipment are just a few of the problems that concern Pollack and other instructors at the Schuylkill Technology Centers, which has a north campus in Frackville and a south campus in Mar Lin. The districts, which equally own the technology centers, must decide whether they will financially commit to the project by October. The only major work done on the buildings, which required bond financing by all 12 districts, were roof replacements in 1989. More than 800 students, including adults pursuing continuing education, are enrolled in 23 programs in the Schuylkill Technology Centers, said Donald R. Dillman, director of business and management services. Not only will the renovation project make physical improvements, such as paint, electrical, plumbing and ventilation systems and adding safety features, like a sprinkler system, construction will allow administrators to restructure the classrooms so all building trade programs are located in the same building, Dillman said. In February 2005, AEM Architects, a Berks County architectural firm that specializes in educational projects, was hired by the IU board of directors to do a feasibility study of the facilities. In addition to renovations, the plans would include construction, such as a 3,616-square-foot addition to the residential electrical and carpentry workshops at the Frackville campus and a 6,255-square-foot addition to the auto body repair and welding workshops at the Mar Lin campus.

Cheeseman gets home sentence for arson

A Gordon man who was found guilty of setting fires with a fellow volunteer firefighter was sentenced Thursday in Schuylkill County Court. 20-year-old John Cheesman was visibly shaken during court proceedings, where he learned his fate before Judge Jacqueline Russell. He was found guilty of arson and criminal mischief for setting fires with Corey Stambaugh of Ashland. Cheeseman had already spent about a month in prison until his bail was reduced, but Judge Russell imposed a lighter sentence of house arrest and electronic monitoring. As a part of his final sentence, he also has to pay restitution of more than $60-thousand-dollars to the victims of the fires he set, and perform 60 hours of community service.

Vandalism at Schuylkill Memorial Park

State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating vandalism at a local cemetery. Troopers do not know who entered Schuylkill Memorial Park and spray painted obscenities on the Veterans Memorial Garden Wall. The vandals then fled the scene. The incident happened overnight Thursday into Friday morning. Call 593-2000 if you have any information.

Crash on Route 183

A Hamburg woman was involved in a one vehicle crash on Route 183 early Friday morning. Valerie Henne was southbound on 183 during a snow squall and lost control of her car on the slick road. Her car spun clockwise and hit an embankment, damaging the driver's side door. Henne was wearing her seatbelt, and not injured. The crash happened before 7am Friday.

Bunnies and ducks don’t make good pets

With Easter Sunday celebrated tomorrow, many parents consider purchasing young rabbits, ducks, geese or chickens for their children as pets. However, officials from the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pennsylvania Wildlife Rehabilitation Association are urging parents to think twice about purchasing such pets. Officials say that people buy the animals, then leave them in the woods after children tire of caring for them. They are not raised to survive living in the wild. It is also illegal to leave domestic animals, since they can spread disease when they inter-breed with wild fowl. So, parents, think twice about giving such pets as Easter gifts, for the health and safety of all animals.