Local News-Friday, May 11th

Attorney General Tom Corbett will be in our area to unveil an anti-drug billboard created by a Schuylkill Haven middle school student. At an assembly this morning, Corbett will honor the art work of Brandon Fique, a fifth grader who was the grand prize winner in the 2007 Drug Free calendar contest.

A hearing was held in Port Carbon concerning issues between the borough’s Mayor and Chief of Police. The meeting with members of borough council was intended to discuss charges lodged by Mayor Chuck Joy that Chief Jon Bowman was insubordinate to him on several occasions recently concerning Joy’s use of the borough police car. According to the Republican and Herald, Bowman contended that Joy used the police car to direct traffic during the Valentine’s Day snow storm, creating a liability issue, and possible violations of the state vehicle code. Bowman was out of town when Joy used the car. The Chief also said that it was the third time Joy used the police cruiser. Joy said that he had permission from another council member to use the car, but Bowman allegedly yelled at him about the matter during a telephone call February 17th. The council voted to issue a letter of reprimand to Bowman, but that letter could be removed from his permanent record if no incidents happen for six months.

An Orwigsburg man will face a preliminary hearing on several cases of child molestation. 25-year-old Scott Donati’s hearing is scheduled for next week on numerous charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, corruption of minors and open lewdness. State police charge that Donati molested several different boys, exposed himself to them, touched them inappropriately and in one case, raped a boy over the past two years. The most recent incident happened in mid-April in Auburn, and involved a 5-year old boy. The Republican and Herald reports that all four cases will be heard before District Judge James Ferrier in Orwigsburg Thursday. Donati is in Schuylkill County Prison.

A Pottsville woman suffered minor injuries in a crash near the city Wednesday afternoon.
Valentia Lizak was driving south on Route 61, attempting to turn onto Mill Creek Avenue when her car was struck by a northbound vehicle operated by Francis Witherow of Pine Grove.
The impact caused her car to spin, striking the vehicle driven by Catherine Groody of Ashland.
Lizak was trapped in the car, and taken to Pottsville Hospital for treatment. Witherow was also treated for minor injuries. The crash happened around 4:30pm Wednesday.

Schuylkill County’s version of the Tony Awards for high school drama performances will take place next week at the Sovereign Majestic Theatre. The program, sponsored by Sovereign Bank and coordinated by the Theatre Association, recognizes the efforts of dramatic and musical performances by high school students across the county. Judges attend the productions of each school and evaluate the productions’ quality and content. During the ceremony at Pottsville High’s Wachter Auditorium Wednesday night, all participating schools will be provided an opportunity to showcase a production number or a scene from their school’s show.
The 2007 nominees were announced Wednesday.

The Schuylkill County Commissioners Wednesday approved several bus route service adjustments that were discussed at last week’s work session. Dennis Zahora had said it was necessary to change some routes because of requests for transportation to the Hometown Wal-Mart and to adjust to a schedule change for the bus from Tamaqua to Hazleton. STS also received approval to submit a revenue replacement grant application for nearly $1-Million-82-Thousand Dollars to provide discounted shared ride transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities. The Commissioners approved a grant application for $100,000 for selected restoration and rehabilitation work in Court Room Number-One in the court house. The application will be made to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. A required local match will be funded with a grant expected from the Department of Community and Economic Development. The Commissioners approved lease agreements between the County and other agencies for vehicles owned by the County and turned over to those agencies for their use in responding to a disaster. The vehicles include several vans and a number of utility trailers that will be leased for $1.00.

A statewide rally was held yesterday to call attention to state funding for mass transit.
Governor Ed Rendell, and more that two dozen Mayors from across the state to address critical public transit needs. That group included acting Mayor Michael Halcovage of Pottsville, who represented Mayor John Reiley. A number of the events were coordinated by the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities in response to the service cuts and fare hikes looming for transit agencies across Pennsylvania beginning July 1. The Governor is proposing a tax on oil companies’ gross profits to generate three-quarters of a billion dollars annually to support public transit.