Local News-Friday, June 15th

Three people were injured in a crash in Barry Township yesterday afternoon. State police report that 23-year-old Laura Klinger of Hegins was attempting to cross Route 901 from Deep Creek Road, in front of a van operated by 34-year-old Jennifer Degel of Ashland. Degel swerved, and hit the driver’s side door of Klinger’s vehicle. Both vehicles spun across the roadway. Klinger had to be flown from the scene to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville for treatment. Degel and a 12-year-old passenger were taken to St. Catherine’s Hospital in Ashland. Both vehicles were heavily damaged. The crash happened around 4:30pm Thursday.

Frackville state police arrested a Massachusetts man yesterday afternoon in West Mahanoy Township. Troopers were called to a yard along the Morea Road, where a man was reportedly laying down. They found 25-year-old Scott Ringwalt of Springfield, Massachusetts there. When confronted, Ringwalt became combative with officers and ran off into the woods. In short order, he was taken into custody and transported to the Frackville barracks, where he continued to give state police a hard time. Ringwalt was charged with disorderly conduct, and arraigned from Schuylkill County Prison. He remains there today.

The Pottsville Business Association delivered welcome boxes to three city businesses Thursday. Pages in Time is located at 202 North Center Street, House Doctors at 1840 West End Avenue and Kane Flooring is located at 488 Nichols Street. Michelle Bria of Pages in Time said her business is about making scrap books. Joe Palko of House Doctors said his company is a handyman service. Vince Kane of Kane Flooring talked about his venture into business with his brother. The Pottsville Business Association welcomes businesses to the city with a box of items provided by local merchants.

The County Commissioners on Wednesday tabled action on a cell phone plan for county employees until they determine if it was properly bid. The plan from Green Communications/Nextel for $3,501 a month was to save the county $516 over the current plan.
The plan, which was first discussed during last week’s work session, is for 24-months of coverage. Commissioner Mantura Gallagher asked County Solicitor Paul Datte if it had been properly bid. He said he didn’t know but would look into it and report back to them. He said he would also look into whether a bid is required, or if it is a professional service and as a result, exempt from the bidding process. Commissioner Robert Carl, who presided over the meeting in the absence of Chairman Frank Staudenmeier, said he could not recall bidding a prior cell phone contract. He added that the contract is less expensive than two other informal bids solicited from other providers.

The Pottsville Elm Street improvement project has moved into its next phase. The North Centre Street section of the city has seen sidewalk, curb and other improvements on the east side of the street. Now, work has begun on the west side. Minor traffic delays may be expected during the process. Its expected to take 45 days to complete, weather permitting. As was done on the east side of the street, the current work will encompass curbing, sidewalk and beautification, including replacement of trees. Mike McGeever, Elm Street Manager, tells WPPA/T102 News that funding for homeowners in the corridor, has been extended until June, 2008: McGEEVER. For more information about this important program, call McGeever at 622-1995.

The reigning champions of the drum corps world have come to Schuylkill County. Jay Levan has more. The Cavaliers, of Rosemont, Illinois, and their entourage, arrived at the Schuylkill Haven High School complex yesterday, and went right to work, practicing their field show in preparation to kicking off their competitive season this weekend in Annapolis, Maryland.
Through the cooperation of the Schuylkill Haven Recreation Department, Mayor Gary Hess, and the hard work of Gary Post, a Haven resident and drum corps enthusiast, the corps will perform a concert at Bubeck Park tonight night at 6pm for Senior Citizen Recognition Night, and their full field show under the lights at Rotary Field around 8:15pm. The Cavaliers, known as the Green Machine, travels the country in competition through the summer. According to Cavaliers officials, it costs more than $1 million dollars to fund their operations. Enjoy the sights and sounds of one of America’s premier drum corps in Schuylkill Haven this evening.

Schuylkill County’s first comprehensive wound care center has opened at a city hospital. The Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center started the Wound Healing Center to focus on the treatment of chronic, non-healing wounds associated with inadequate circulation and diabetes.
In addition to standard wound treatments like surgeryand the use of artificial skin products, Good Sam is the first to offer Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Dr. Neil Fisher, one of the program’s medical director’s explains:

FISHER
6/14/07

With the increase of diabetes cases, and the accompanying wounds associated with the disease, the treatment available at the center will help to save lives and limbs that may have previously required amputation. The Wound Healing Center is located on the 4th floor of the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. For appointments and more information, call 621-4380.