Local News-Friday, April 27th

(POTTSVILLE)-A routine traffic stop in Pottsville early Wednesday uncovered drugs and a concealed firearm. City police stopped David Rich of Tamaqua and Johnathan Paulin of Saylorsburg in the 18-hundred block of West Market Street. During the investigation, police uncovered a loaded 9-mm handgun, cocaine, marijuana and cash. Paulin was arraigned on drug and weapons charges. He is locked up in Schuylkill County Prison. Rich was released, but charges are pending in the ongoing investigation.

(NEW RINGGOLD)-A New Ringgold man is jailed on drug possession charges. Agents from the Schuylkill County DA’s Drug Task Force, along with Auburn Police, served an arrest warrant at the home of Stephen Prentice for an unrelated charge March 30th when they found pot and drug paraphernalia inside the home. The Monday arrest was followed by arraignment, and committal to the Schuylkill County Prison. The DA’s office encourages anyone who suspects illegal drug activity to call their toll free, confidential hotline at 800-414-1406.

(POTTSVILLE)-The May primary is a little more than two weeks away, and county election officials are gearing up. Betty Dries, bureau director, tells WPPA/T102 that there are a few important dates to remember for candidates and the public. Beginning May 1st until its done, election bureau workers will be conducting logic and accuracy tests on the voting machines at their offices in Pottsville. The public is invited to witness that testing. On Friday, May 4th, finance reports for the period ending April 30th are due at their office. In addition to a host of local races on the ballot, registered voters will be asked to consider ballot questions about property tax reductions, shifting some of that burden onto an earned income tax. In the next two weeks, WPPA/T102 News will begin previewing the county races, as well as the Act 1 property tax questions, in our regular newscasts and on our websites.

(NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP)-A four-car crash had traffic tied up on Route 61 Wednesday afternoon. James Lick the Third of Schuylkill Haven was southbound when he unable to stop for traffic which was lined up at the Cressona Mall. His truck rear-ended Melissa Gernert’s car, which was pushed into vehicles driven by Tammy Yudiski and Nova Harris. Gernert’s car was forced onto its side. She suffered minor injuries. No one else was hurt. Lick will be cited in the accident that occurred before 3pm.

(SHENANDOAH)- A Shenandoah man is facing a host of charges, including kidnapping and sexual assault. 54-year-old Julian Bednarek, of 526 Washington Street, was arrested Thursday night by borough police after they were informed that two girls at the Shenandoah Valley School District had allegedly been sexually assaulted the night before. The Republican and Herald said that Bednarek reportedly took something that belonged to them while they were walking in front of his house. He allegedly locked the girls in the home for about 30 minutes, and touched them inappropriately. They were able to flee after one of the girls kicked Bednarek. In addition, the girls reportedly told police that he had pictures of them on his wall from a myspace-dot-com website. Bednarek is charged with kidnapping, unlawful restraint and other offenses. He is in Schuylkill County Prison.

(POTTSVILLE)-The Schuylkill County Commissioners awarded several contracts during Wednesday’s board meeting. A contract with Preferred Meal Systems, the lone bidder for nutrition services for the Office of Senior Services, was awarded for just under $594-thousand-dollars. Uniform Corner of Schuylkill Haven was awarded a contract for just over $25-thousand-dollars for uniforms at Rest Haven. Roy Manbeck of Frackville was awarded a two-year contract to supply coal for the Court House and Prison at a cost of $133 per ton for the first year, and $145 for the second year. Smith & Smith General Contractors, Inc. was low bidder for the installation of ADA compliant restrooms in the Cass Township Municipal building at a cost of $53,690. Shepard Brothers Inc. was awarded a contract for nearly $126-thousand-dollars for 14 small transit buses that are wheel-chair accessible. In other business, the Commissioners opened bids for a water line replacement project in the village of Keffers and an ADA bathroom installation at the Gordon Municipal Building. Bids for both projects will be awarded May 2nd.