Local News-Tuesday, May 15th-Election Day

Dan Shields has been sentenced in Schuylkill County Court. The two-year long case involving the former Nativity BVM coach and teacher, who secretly videotaped female athletes in the school’s locker room, came to a close when Shields learned his fate before Judge D. Michael Stine Monday. Accompanied by family members and his attorney, Shields was sentenced to serve 18 months to 4 years in state prison for sexually abusing children, invasion of privacy and corruption of minors. Shields pleaded guilty to those charges in March. He could have received a maximum sentence of up to 59 years on the charges. Prior to sentencing, testimony was offered by victims and supporters of the longtime track coach. Shields apologized for the crimes committed prior to having sentence pronounced. He will serve 6 years probation following jail time. He will be registered as a sex offender for 10 years under Megan's Law. He is scheduled to begin serving his sentence next Monday.

Today is Primary Election Day in Pennsylvania. While some political analysts believe that the turnout for today’s election will be light due to the lack of a national or state spotlight race, important matters need to be decided by voters, with the most prominent being a ballot question about property tax relief. A question asking voters to consider an increase in either an earned income or personal income tax to reduce property taxes is part of Act 1, the Taxpayer Relief Act. The reduction in property taxes would be offset by these new taxes, but would not provide a new funding source to school districts. Additional tax relief is supposed to come from slot machine revenues in the future. Voters need to consider if shifting taxes would be beneficial to them. A number of county row office candidates will be voted on, including the office of county commissioner. Three Republicans and two Democratic candidates are seeking an opportunity to move on to the November election. Locally, races for borough council, school boards and township supervisor will also be decided for a spot in the general election. The polls will be open until 8pm. WPPA/T102 News will provide continuing coverage this evening from the STS building in St. Clair, where the votes will be tabulated. Summary results will also be available on our websites as well.

The city of Pottsville is gearing up for summer. At Monday night’s city council meeting, many issues were discussed about the city’s parks and recreation areas. In preparation for summer, city crews have been beautifying facilities and making repairs. In addition, the council approved the hiring of local students to fill positions at the pool and playgrounds citywide. Councilman Dave Eckert accepted a check from Jason Bower, owner of Dunkin Donuts and Kentucky Fried Chicken, for $450 dollars. The donation is the first for the city to retrofit its 340 fire hydrants. The project, when completed, will allow fire fighters to access the hydrants more quickly. The total effort will cost about $50-thousand-dollars to complete, but about half of the money would need to be raised through donations and half from grant money. The city hopes to have the project completed by fall of this year. In other business, the Pottsville City Council directed Police Chief Murton to conduct a traffic study in the area of 18th Street and 1st Avenue. City Administrator Tom Palamar, discussed extending 18th Street to Bulls Head Road.

A Shenandoah man died Saturday after an accident at a garage in the borough. Shenandoah police say that 52-year-old Timothy Wright was helping out at the Spudis Garage at Main and Cherry Street. After the owner, James Spudis, completed repairs on a truck, Wright was going to clean it up. Spudis was backing out of the garage and accidentally ran over Wright with the rear wheels. The Republican and Herald reports that Wright died before he could be flown to the hospital for treatment. An autopsy determined that Wright died of blunt force trauma. No criminal charges will be filed in the accident.

The American Red Cross has run into a significant blood shortage, and needs your help.
Janet Curtis, Executive Director of the Schuylkill and East Northumberland chapter said the number of people giving blood has dropped in the last several days and blood supply levels are dropping. She said that with Memorial Day right around the corner, blood collections to meet patient needs is difficult. The local Red Cross chapter is scheduling a blood donation blitz called Schuylkill 350 for next week at sites around the county. The objective is to collect 350 units of blood or more. The drives begin Monday, May 21st and run through Friday. Check our websites (wpparadio-dot-com or t102radio-dot-com) for a complete listing. If you can’t make it to one of the blood drives, schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-give-life.

A New Philadelphia man was injured in a Saturday morning crash near Port Carbon. Robert Bellen was driving his pickup truck on Route 209 when the truck drifted onto the shoulder of the road and struck a bridge abutment. Bellen had minor injures. He will be cited in the crash.

Two people had minor injuries in a one vehicle crash this morning in East Union Township.
Cheryl Price of Harwood was headed south on Route 924, north of Sheppton when she lost control to avoid a deer. The car spun off the roadway and the roof of the car hit two trees. The car ended up down an embankment on its roof. Price, and her passenger, John Cascio, were both taken to Hazleton General Hospital for treatment. The crash happened around 3 o’clock this morning.

A New Ringgold woman escaped injury after her car rolled over early this morning. Frackville State Police indicate that Carol Breidigan was eastbound on Route 895 in East Brunswick Township around 1:30am when she lost control trying to avoid a deer crossing the road. Her car left the road, entered a dirt field and traveled about 200 feet, ending up on its roof. Breidigan was not hurt, but will be cited in the crash. Her car had to be towed from the scene.