Local News-Wednesday, April 18th

Crews were back at work this morning to restore power to the remaining homes and businesses affected by Monday’s storm. PPL Electric Utility workers from other regions were brought in Monday evening to restore power to the hardest hit areas serving a portion of Schuylkill County. At one time, more than 14-thousand PPL customers were without power. That number was whittled down to about one thousand Tuesday evening. As of 10:30am, there were about 300 customers without electricity in communities in the Ashland/Frackville area, and in the villages of Donaldson and Llewellyn. PPL spokeswoman Martha Herron said that all service would be restored this afternoon. The heavy, wet snow and fallen trees brought down power lines, particularly in the northern part of the county, and outside of Minersville.

State police saw an increase in drunk driving arrests in 2006. Information Specialist, Trooper Edward Maloney said there was a 10 percent increase in DUI arrests last year, totaling 15-thousand-forty seven across the state. The Troop L coverage area, which includes Schuylkill County, saw a spike of 100 more arrests. They made 694 DUI arrests in 2006, 283 of them involving traffic crashes. Maloney said that the arrests are the highest in Pennsylvania State Police history for one calendar year. Troopers will be running more special enforcement operations in the coming months.

A Lebanon man is under arrest for having inappropriate contact with a young boy in Tremont Township earlier this year. Schuylkill Haven state police conducted the investigation, resulting in charges of indecent assault and corrupting the morals of a 4-year-old boy against 27-year-old Bradley McGarvey at a home at Echo Valley Campground in February. Troopers say he had inappropriate contact with and in front of the child. A preliminary hearing is scheduled in the case.

State police are warning residents to watch for criminals who prey on the elderly during the spring and summer months. Hstorically, the state sees an influx of transients who travel great distances, looking for victims at this time of year. Among the scams these criminals use are home repair schemes, home invasion thefts and burglaries and sweetheart swindles, where young females befriend older gentlemen. Officials offer some simple tips to avoid being scammed. Keep your doors and windows locked at all times, beware of unsolicited home repairmen and never agree to any work on your home unless it is in writing. As always, if you suspect that something is not right with the people who come knocking at your door, call local or state police at once.

This year’s Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class has undertaken a big project.
For the last 17 years, each class is challenged to take on a project to leave a lasting impression on the citizens of the county. This year’s class have constructed a pavilion at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park. Starting with a class budget of $2-thousand dollars, funding from the Alcoa Foundation, the Friends of Sweet Arrow Lake Park, some grant monies and the support of Miller Brothers Construction and Pioneer Pole Buildings, the 24 by 35 foot pavilion took shape this past weekend. It adds another jewel to the Sweet Arrow Lake County Park property.
The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class represents a cross section of individuals from all walks of life, spending 5 months learning about the county, and how to become leaders in their communities. Congratulations on a job well done.