Local News-Thursday, May 24th

By Les Blankenhorn

Schuylkill County’s Drug and Alcohol program received approval from the County Commissioners Wednesday to apply for two Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency grants totaling over $663-thousand-dollars. One of the grants will fund the Schuylkill Restrictive Intermediate Punishment program. The other grant is for the Communities Mobilizing for Change on alcohol prevention program. In other business, the Commissioners approved a request by the Emergency Management Agency to enter into a contract for $277-thousand-dollars to develop operation plans for the region’s seven county task force. Beck Disaster Recovery Inc. will develop the plan for the East Central Pa. Counter Terrorism Task Force. The Commissioners issued three proclamations. Jeffery Kovach and John Damiter, both members of Boy Scout Troop 789, Frackvillle were honored for their advancements to the rank of Eagle Scout, and May 20th through 26th was proclaimed Emergency Medical Services Week. Four bids were received for medical and surgical supplies for Rest Haven. Contracts for the supplies will be awarded next month.

A preliminary hearing was held for a former Penn State student who caused a ruckus several weeks ago on campus, prompting a lockdown. 28-year-old Edward Shamonsky the Third of New Philadelphia heard the charges against him in the incident before District Judge David Plachko. He’s charged with risking a catastrophe, arson and terroristic threats. The Republican and Herald indicates that Penn State Schuylkill officials were concerned about Shamonsky’s behavior when he was a student. He dropped out of classes before the incident. State police report that Shamonsky stole guns from a family home, prompting the campus lockdown. He tried to burn the guns in his car, which was found in Schuylkill Township.

A New Ringgold man was injured in a motorcycle crash in East Brunswick Township Tuesday. Frackville state police say that 27-year-old Joseph Rumrill was operating his cycle on Hawk Mountain Road when he lost control on a left-hand curve. Rumrill’s bike went off the shoulder of the road, and he was thrown from it. He was life-flighted to Lehigh Valley Hospital. The crash happened at noon time Tuesday.

State police report that a Cressona woman was hurt in a crash yesterday morning in North Manheim Township. 55-year-old Magdalene Pratt was eastbound on Route 901 when her car drifted into the westbound lane. Her car traveled a short distance before hitting some trees and rolling on an embankment. She was pinned in the wreckage. Her injuries required transport to Lehigh Valley Medical Center. State police were assisted on scene by Cressona, Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville emergency crews. The crash happened around noon.

A Schuylkill County legislator offered his thoughts about giving more power to the voters of the Commonwealth. Senator Jim Rhoades testified before the Senate State Government Committee Wednesday on his proposal to give Pennsylvaniavoters the power to propose laws and reject bills passed by the General Assembly. The bill would amend the state Constitution to givePennsylvanians the options of initiative and referendum. Initiative would allow Pennsylvanians to propose laws or amendments to theConstitution and give voters the authority to enact those proposalsindependent of the General Assembly. Referendum would allowPennsylvanians to approve or reject legislation that is approved by theGeneral Assembly and signed into law. Rhoades said that 27 states give their citizens the power of initiative, referendum, or both.