Local News-Monday, May 14th

A high school sports coach who videotaped girls in a locker room at Nativity High School will learn his sentence in county court today. Dan Shields pleaded guilty to charges of sexual abuse of children, invasion of privacy and corruption of minors back in March. The videotapes came to light when two former male students took tapes from Shields' home and turned them over to police. Shields' attorney wanted to have the tapes excluded as evidence, but the court allowed them. The case never went to trial after Shields pleaded guilty. According to the Republican and Herald, sentencing guidelines for the charges would warrant a maximum of 59 years in prison, but it is more likely that he will face far less time in jail. He will have to register as a sex offender under Megan's Law. He also faces two civil cases filed by two of the victims. The sentencing is scheduled for 2pm.

Ten years later, the feelings of awe and remembrance are still fresh for veterans, family and friends of the Vietnam War, who witnessed the rededication of their monument in Schuylkill Haven yesterday. The 10th anniversary of the Schuylkill County Vietnam Veterans Memorial was marked by a crowd of several hundred, along with political and community leaders, and George Joulwan, retired four-star general and Pottsville native. Joulwan, a two-tour combat veteran of the Vietnam War, made it clear that every soldier's service in that war was not in vain. He also took time to talk about the similarities between the Iraq War and Vietnam. The moving Wall, a half-sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial has been on public display near the monument in Schuylkill Haven for several days. It will move on to its next destination today. The names of 39 soldiers from Schuylkill County are etched on the monument, and their service will never be forgotten.

Its time to exercise your constitutional right to vote Tuesday. The polls will open at 7am across the county, with numerous county races on the ballot, with the winners moving on to the November election. In addition, registered voters will get the chance to choose candidates for school directors, council representatives, township supervisors and numerous other races.
Overshadowed in the primary are the questions of property tax relief that will appear on the ballot. Act 1, the state's Taxpayer Relief Act, and its school district-specific questions, will ask voters to approve a local income tax to reduce property taxes. It sounds simple, but there are some catches. The legislation is designed to lower property taxes for homeowners through various means, including the use of gaming money from slot machine revenues, which have yet to materialize. Act 1 is simply a tax shift. There is no new money for school districts, but will reduce property taxes for primary home and farm owners, and that reduction will be paid for by the amount of money you earn. School districts appointed tax study commissions to recommend the wording of the mandatory ballot questions. There will also be what are called "nonlegal interpretive statements" on the ballot that will hopefully better explain what voters are considering when they cast their ballots. The polls close at 8pm. WPPA/T102 will keep you covered, with reports from Les Blankenhorn at the STS building in St. Clair, and Jay Levan in the news room. It is your right and responsibility to vote….do so on Tuesday.

A Wiconisco man is in jail after he failed to change his address under Megan's Law. Lykens State Police report that 30-year-old John Shutt did not notify them that he changed his place of residence within 48 hours of the move, as required under Megan’s Law for registered sex offenders. Shutt reportedly moved two weeks before. He was arraigned and taken to Dauphin County Prison late last week, where he awaits a preliminary hearing.

It will now cost you 41 cents to mail a letter, maybe more, beginning today. The US Postal Service instituted the new fees, prompting mail customers to buy odd-denomination stamps to make up the difference. The service has also introduced the Forever stamp, which can be purchased now, and will still be valid even when the postal service raises rates again in the future. What may be far more troublesome for mailers, particularly businesses, are the new rules for different shaped mail. The new regulations say that larger envelopes and packages, while weighing the same as a 41-cent-envelope, will cost you more to mail because of shape and thickness. It will certainly take time for the mailing public to adjust for the new shape requirements, and the accompanying costs.

The first annual Schuylkill County Senior Idol competition was held Saturday at Cressona Mall.
The event, for men and women over age 55, was sponsored by the mall and Diakon Community Services for Seniors. Following regional competitions, ten men and women got the opportunity to perform before a crowd of nearly 100 people, and the top five were chosen to move onto the second round. The judges had a difficult task, given the quality of talent exhibited by the participants, but when all the singing was done, David Watson of Pine Grove was named Schuylkill Senior Idol. Mary Wagner of Frackville came in second and Charles Tamburelli of Seltzer came in third. Each won a nice prize package, and the opportunity to perform at the Schuylkill County Fair on July 30th. The audience was treated to a special performance by Jimmy Vonderlinden during intermission and at the end of the contest. Vonderlinden, is a New Jersey man who is blind, and wowed the crowd with his singing talents. Susan Long of Diakon said that she was grateful to everyone who attended, and expects that the program will continue again next year.

A Cressona man is facing numerous charges following a crash in Wayne Township Sunday morning. State police say that Douglas Moyer was eastbound on the Panther Valley Road around 10:30am and lost control. The vehicle began spinning and rolled over, coming to rest on its roof. Troopers suspected that Moyer was driving under the influence. He was taken to Pottsville Hospital for a blood test. DUI charges, as well as a drug possession charge and several traffic violations are pending the result of those blood tests.

A Tamaqua man escaped injury in a one-car crash in North Manheim Township Sunday morning. Beau Orach was eastbound on Tumbling Run Road around 4:30am when he lost control and struck an embankment on the eastbound side of the road. While he wasn’t hurt, Orach’s car had to be towed from the scene.