Local News-Monday, April 2nd

A Hamburg man is dead following an attack at his home yesterday afternoon. Hamburg State Police report that 44-year-old Miriam Strausser was attacked from behind by 18-year-old Robert Strausser with what police describe as a “cutting instrument”. Moments later, 54-year-old Ronald Downs came home and was shot in the head. A subsequent struggle with Miriam Strausser resulted in the gun being fired a second time, hitting her in the hand. Robert Strausser then stabbed her in the throat. Downs was prounced dead at the scene. Miriam Strausser was taken to Lehigh Valley Medical Center, where she’s in critical condition.
Robert Strausser was arraigned early today by District Judge Gloria Stitzel on 1st and third degree murder, aggravated assault and related offenses. He was taken to Berks County Prison to await formal arraignment. The incident took place at 572 Saint Michaels Road in Hamburg.

Pottsville police arrested a man for assaulting a city woman last night. Officers were called to 514 Howard Avenue around 10pm. 33-year-old Charlie Williams entered Staci Gassert’s bedroom, put a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her if she didn’t give him money. Williams had been staying with Gassert and her boyfriend, Jeffrey Snyder. With the aid of her boyfriend, she was able to free herself and ran to a neighbor’s home to call police. Officers were able to take Williams into custody without incident. A knife was uncovered at the scene. He is in Schuylkill County Prison on charges of aggravated assault.

A Hamburg man was hurt in a one vehicle crash last night in Port Clinton. Thomas Smith was eastbound on Blue Mountain Road when he took his eyes off the road while tuning his car radio. His truck went through the guide wires, down an embankment and struck several trees. Smith was taken to Reading Hospital for treatment. His truck was heavily damaged. The crash happened around 9pm.

A proposed $1-billion dollar cargo airport is moving ahead, but two counties close to the Luzerne County site would like to be more involved in the process. The 43-hundred-acre site near the Humboldt Industrial Park is being developed by Gladstone Partners, and includes a portion of Schuylkill County and is close to the Carbon County line. Officials there want to be a part of the development process. The Hazleton Standard Speaker reports that so far, only Luzerne County officials have been involved in the early stages. Schuylkill County Economic Development Director Mark Scarbinsky, speaking on behalf of the Commissioners, say that they need more information about the project, and that communication lines need to be opened. More than 45-hundred airport jobs, and a significant number of other positions would bring big changes to the area. The project was announced in January. There has been discussion of forming an airport authority to oversee development activities, but there are numerous approvals that need to happen before one shovel of earth is turned over.

State troopers are looking for a dark-colored Jeep Cherokee that was involved in a hit and run early Sunday morning in West Brunswick Township. The unknown vehicle was headed east on Bohundy Road, and a car driven by Robert Schuld was westbound. The Jeep lost control on a right hand curve, crossed into the path of Schuld's car and struck the driver’s side door.
The Jeep left the scene. Schuld, nor his passengers, were hurt. The crash happened around 1:40am Sunday.

No one was injured in a two vehicle crash in front of Blue Mountain High School Saturday afternoon. Beth Barclay, of Mahanoy City, and Lynn Everly, of Orwigsburg, were stopped in traffic in front of the high school. Everly’s car was rear-ended by Barclay’s Dodge Caravan.
Barclay had two children as passengers in her car, but both were secured in safety seats. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts as well. Barclay will be cited in the incident. The crash happened just before 2pm.

State police are investigating the theft of credit cards from a Hamburg woman Friday. Troopers say that Annette Althouse’s purse was taken from her husband’s vehicle which was parked at an intersection in Greenwich Township. A Visa Credit Card, bank debit card and a Staples card were taken. The thief racked up over $3-thousand-dollars in charges on those cards Friday. Anyone with information about the theft should call 610-562-6885.