Local News-Friday, May 18th

An alert guard found a homemade "shank" in a common area during a routine search recently at the Schuylkill County Prison. Guards also discovered inmates making wine in the prison’s kitchen. Prison Warden Eugene Berdanier revealed the discoveries during Thursday’s Prison Board meeting. Berdanier explained that the "shank" was made from a mop, and the ends were sharpened to make a weapon. It was passed among inmates wrapped in a t-shirt, and may have been intended to harm a guard or another inmate. Berdanier commended guards for their quick work in finding the shank. Inmates responsible will be prosecuted when the investigation is completed. He said the wine making was discovered by guards who noticed some unfamiliar activity by kitchen workers, who had access to the materials to make the "hooch". The warden said the adult probation office assisted in administering breathalyzer and urine tests. He said the workers were fired from their prison jobs and a new inmate staff was put in place.

Medical helicopters will be flying from a new helipad in Pottsville very soon. Lehigh Valley Hospital and the University MedEvac service are moving ahead to establish a base of operations in the city at a site developed by Mazzuca Enterprises, according to the Republican and Herald.
The helipad and operations center will operate in the Mount Hope section of the city, in the area of 14th and Cedar Streets. The project has been vehemently opposed by residents who live in the area. The group banded together as the Concerned Citizens of Pottsville, and came en masse to Pottsville City Council meetings and zoning hearings to strongly oppose the helipad, citing noise and safety concerns, among others. After months of procedural wrangling and several hearings, the city zoning hearing board voted to allow the existing helipad to be developed into the base. While the appeal period has not yet expired, the citizens group, who gathered data about helipads and the potential safety risks, reportedly will not fight the decision any longer.

A host of charges against an Orwigsburg man will be heard in Schuylkill County Court. A preliminary hearing for 25-year-old Scott Donati, who is alleged to have committed sex related crimes against four different children was held before District Judge James Ferrier Thursday.
The Republican and Herald said that while the victims and their families were in the building during the hearing, they did not confront Donati for safety reasons. Donati is charged with multiple counts of indecent exposure, assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, rape and other sex related crimes. Donati is alleged to have committed the acts over the past two years against the four boys. All charges against Donati will be bound over for trial.

Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce members have a unique opportunity to make their voices heard in Harrisburg on Tuesday. But time is short to sign up. Chamber Day on Capitol Hill is Tuesday, May 22nd and sponsored by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry and the PA Chamber of Commerce Executives. Thirty six Chambers from across the state are signed up for the event to give participants a first-hand look at what goes on in Harrisburg.
Lori Kane, Executive Director of the Schuylkill Chamber, explains that attendees can meet with their legislators in the morning, then participate in healthcare and transportation discussions in the afternoon. The cost is $20, and seats are filling up fast. For information, call the Chamber office at 622-1942, by noon today.

The borough of Pine Grove is exploring the possibility of starting a Neighborhood Watch program. Neighborhood Watch is one of the oldest and best-known crime prevention concepts in North America. In addition to the traditional role of the Neighborhood Watch Program, the USAonWatch empowers citizens to become active in homeland security efforts through participation in Neighborhood Watch groups. Pine Grove Police will be hosting a meeting about forming a Watch program on Wednesday, May 30th at 7pm, at the borough police department in Pine Grove. For information, call 345-3555.