Local News-Thursday, April 12th

The investigation continues into the fire that damaged the Islamic Society of Schuylkill County early Wednesday morning. Firefighters from Mechanicsville and adjoining communities fought the smoky blaze at 1043 East Norwegian Street that was reported after midnight. Crews had a bit of trouble getting to the fire because of steel doors that secured the Islamic house of worship. They were able to remove worship materials before they were damaged. The fire charred several rooms in the rear of the building, with the remainder incurring smoke and water damage. WPPA/T102 News spoke with Mechanicsville Fire Chief Mike Reno and State Police Fire Marshal John Burns, and they have determined that the fire started in a rear storage area, and may have been caused by a faulty light fixture. A final report will be released as soon as the investigation is completed. Since the blaze was in a church, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were notified.

Two men from northern Schuylkill County were arrested by Shenandoah police on drug-related charges earlier this week. Officers said that the two-month investigation resulted in the arrests of 64-year-old Ronald Moll of Shenandoah and 39-year-old David Willis of Girardville. Police say that Moll had been under surveillance since February. He was reportedly selling methamphetamine from his Bridge Street home. Officers made drug purchases from him using a confidential informant. On Monday, they spotted Willis leaving Moll’s home and found meth and a drug pipe on him. A search of Moll’s home uncovered more drugs.
The pair are charged with various drug offenses. They were arraigned before District Judge William Slezosky, and taken to Schuylkill County Prison after they were unable to post bail.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued air quality and storage tank permits for a proposed ethanol plant in Schuylkill County. Green Renewable Energy LLC was granted the permits for the distribution and storage portions of the facility, to be built in Porter and Frailey Townships. The company plans to produce 100-million-gallons of ethanol per year. The permits are the initial steps in what could be one of the largest ethanol plants in the Northeast, according to DEP Northeast Regional Director Michael Bedrin. Green Renewable will use steam from the nearby Westwood Energy cogeneration plant to produce ethanol by the fall of 2008.

Following a successful 2007 fund-raising effort, the Schuylkill United Way has begun it’s planning for the 2008 campaign. The Schuylkill United Way is coming on strong by declaring "We Are…Community Strong!" Organizers are depending on the strength of Schuylkill County communities to help reach an ambitious goal of $1 million. General Campaign Chairman Dr. R. Keith Hillkirk, chancellor of Penn State Schuylkill, and Tamaqua Area Chairman Todd Miller, owner of M&S True Value Hardware, Tamaqua will lead this year’s effort. The Schuylkill United Way supports 16 member agencies across the county, and with a $1-million-dollar target, they hope that by reaching the goal, they can meet more of their agencies funding requests. The Schuylkill United Way will kick off the 2008 campaign on Sept. 7th in Pottsville and Sept. 10th in Tamaqua, while the organization’s Pacesetters Club will “set the pace” starting in June. Because the Schuylkill United Way is independent of the national organization, every penny raised in Schuylkill County stays in Schuylkill County.

Pottsville police continue their investigation into a incident at a city home on Tuesday. After 4pm, a man approached Leo Schramm, 1805 West Market Street, and asked him to come to an alley behind his home to discuss a work project that they said they were doing for the city.
While Schramm was distracted, several men rummaged through his house and tried to take a large gun safe. A few articles of clothing were reported stolen. A van with 3 males inside was seen leaving the home. Police suspect that the attempted theft is the work of “gypsies” preying upon the elderly. Residents are reminded to be on guard against such activity, and report any suspicious persons to Pottsville Police at once.

State police in the region had a busy Easter Weekend. Trooper Edward Maloney, Information Officer for Troop L, reported 35 crashes on roadways in Schuylkill, Berks and Lebanon counties. Of those incidents, 7 were DUI-related and one resulting in a fatality. There were 15 drunk-driving arrests and 135 drivers cited for speeding. State and local police remind drivers that they will be conducting special enforcement programs during the upcoming summer travel season.

Two women were involved in a crash in New Philadelphia yesterday afternoon. Kathleen Marek of Summit Hill and Marjorie Lincovich of Tuscarora were northbound on Route 209. Marek stopped for traffic and was rear ended by Lincovich’s car. Both vehicles had moderate damage, but no one was injured. Lincovich will be cited in the accident. It happened around 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon.

The Schuylkill County Commissioners issued a total of 15-proclamations during their board meeting Wednesday. The week of April 8th through 15th has been designated "National Telecommunicator Week" in the county, in recognition of the high quality of service provided by the county’s 9-1-1 center. Commissioner Robert Carl said the 9-1-1 Center answered over 120-thousand calls in 2006. The week of April 22nd through 28th has been designated "The Week of the Young Child" in the county in recognition of educators and programs dedicated to children. Thirteen Boy Scouts were honored for their achievements in advancing to the rank of Eagle Scout. In other business, the Commissioners adopted a resolution to waive the county’s host fees at the CES Landfill in Foster Township during the statewide cleanup of the states roadways, river banks, parks and open space during the week of April 21st to 28th.

Quick-thinking employees at an area jewelry store resulted in the arrest of a thief yesterday evening. Hamburg state police report that Marlon Zammit entered Murphy Jewelers in Hamburg, asking questions about Rolex watches when an employee recognized him from a flyer about his attempted purchase of a watch with a stolen credit card in Knoxville, Tennessee in March. Zammit was taken to the state police barracks to verify his identity. A search of his car uncovered marijuana and a new Rolex watch. Zammit admitted that he stole two credit cards from a health club in Allentown, then bought the watch. Zammit was charged with drug possession and identity theft, and arraigned. Bail was set at $25-thousand-dollars. More charges are pending.

Two women suffered minor injuries in a crash yesterday at the entrance to the Cressona Mall.
Jeanne Shaup of Auburn was attempting left from Route 61 into the mall, but failed to yield to traffic and crashed into a car operated by Linda Krivenko of McAdoo, who was headed south.
Both cars received significant damage and were towed from the scene. The women were taken to Pottsville Hospital for treatment. The crash happened around 9am Wednesday.