Local News-Tuesday, May 1st

(Schuylkill Haven)-Penn State Schuylkill Campus was locked down before 5pm yesterday as a precaution following word of a potential threat. WPPA/T102 news received a call from a campus official saying that classes and activities were cancelled for the evening because some sort of threat had been received. When we arrived, students and staff were instructed to remain inside, and local and campus police had cordoned off the area. Officials say that a former student, Edward Shamonsky the Third of New Philadelphia, allegedly left a threatening note about the school. He left the school about two weeks ago. The Republican and Herald reports that Shamonsky had been wanted for stealing guns from his parents home. His burned car and the rifles were found in Schuylkill Township. State police apprehended him early last evening.
He is charged with burglary, theft and criminal trespass and is now in Schuylkill County Prison.
Stay tuned for more on this developing story.

(Pottsville)-Schuylkill County’s administrator is leaving his position to return to the healthcare field. William Reppy, Orwigsburg, announced his resignation yesterday, after serving as county administrator for 2 years. According to the Republican and Herald, Reppy has accepted a position as Director of Radiology for the Greater Hazleton Health Alliance, a field which he has worked in for most of his professional career. Reppy has served in the county’s top employed post through numerous challenges, including the ReDCo over-payment financial review.
He cites the reason for leaving as his heart is still in the healthcare field. Reports indicate that his departure is an amicable one with the county commissioners, who say he has done a good job for the residents of Schuylkill County.

(Hazleton)-A long-standing daily newspaper, serving northern Schuylkill and Luzerne counties will have a new owner. The Hazleton Standard-Speaker is being purchased by Times-Shamrock Newspapers, a Scranton-based media company. According to reports, the Standard-Speaker will continue to publish seven days a week, and is expected to expand. The newspaper has 120 employees, all whom are expected to remain in place under the new ownership.
Times-Shamrock is the owner of the Pottsville Republican and Herald.

(Schuylkill Haven)-An undercover investigation netted the arrest of two men for drug possession in Schuylkill Haven Friday night. A joint investigation between Schuylkill County detectives and Schuylkill Haven police resulted in the arrest of John Archibald of Schuylkill Haven and Justin Green of Orwigsburg, Friday night. The 19-year-olds were found to be in possession of psychedelic mushrooms, Xanax and marijuana after a search of Archibald’s home at the Holiday Village trailer park. Undercover drug purchases from Archibald led to the search of his home. Green and Archibald were charged with various drug offenses and arraigned before District Judge James Ferrier. They are both lodged in Schuylkill County Prison.

(Auburn)-An Orwigsburg man is charged with sexually assaulting several boys in the Deer Lake area. Schuylkill Haven State Police report that 26-year-old Scott Donati was taken into custody by Auburn police after an investigation pertaining to sexual assault of several boys during 2006. He is alleged to have sexually mistreated the boys on several occasions during the year. The victims are all under age. Donati was arraigned on charges of indecent assault, corruption of minors and related offenses. Bail was set at $10-thousand-dollars. He is now in Schuylkill County Prison.

(Pottsville)-A domestic dispute in Pottsville Sunday lands a city woman in jail. Around 7pm, Pottsville police responded to the report of an argument at the home of Victoria Young and Patricia Irvin on East Arch Street. Young told police that she was assaulted by Irvin. During the attack, Irvin allegedly hit and bit Young. Young refused medical treatment for her injuries.
Irvin was charged with simple assault and was taken to the county prison.

(Pine Grove Township)- A Minersville man was nabbed for attempted theft at a Pine Grove Township business Sunday night. Christopher Palmateer entered Klinger’s Auto and Recycling Sunday evening around 10:30pm, after hours. The owner saw him come in and blocked his exit with a pay-loader until police arrived. Palmateer will be charged with attempted theft.

(Butler Township)- Two tractor trailers were involved in crash on Interstate 81 yesterday.
Rigs operated by Kenneth Cannon of Elko, Nevada and Bobby Moore of St Joseph, Tennessee were driving north on I-81 near mile marker 122 when Cannon’s truck hit Moore’s rig.
Cannon’s truck was heavily damaged and had to be towed from the scene. He will be charged with careless driving.