Local News-Wednesday, June 20th

With the flip of an oversized light switch yesterday, Schuylkill County made its mark in the alternative energy marketplace. At a gathering atop Locust Ridge, just outside of the borough of Mahanoy City, Governor Ed Rendell and about 50 well-wishers dedicated the Locust Ridge Wind Farm. The facility includes 13 huge wind turbines (turbans), on more than a thousand acres of land. It is owned by Iberdrola Renewable Energies USA, the world’s largest owner and operator of renewable energy facilities. Rendell said that these wind farms bolster the state’s role as a key player in alternative energy strategies, and are a plus to the economy, creating good paying jobs. He explained the impact of wind energy in creating electricity, enough to light up 45 thousand houses in Pennsylvania. The electricity generated at Locust Ridge is being purchased by PPL Electric Utilities for re-sale. A second phase of the project is being developed at Locust Ridge.

A hearing for two area men charged in the accidental shooting of a Schuylkill Haven man was continued due to some legal issues with the attorneys representing them. Marty Shappell of Port Carbon and William Kistler of Cressona were charged in connection with the shooting death of Leon Wessner in a pickup truck on February 11th while the men were on their way to work in Florida. Both are charged with reckless endangerment, and Kistler is also facing a charge of simple assault. The Republican and Herald reports that the hearing was continued because the Public Defender Paul Domalakes, who is representing Shappell, is a law partner of Lora McDonald, who represents the Wessner family. Once the legal snafu is worked out, a hearing is expected in mid-July at the office of District Judge James Ferrier, Orwigsburg. Wessner was seated in the front seat of the truck when Shappell handed the loaded gun to Kistler, who did not know it was loaded. The gun went off, striking Wessner.

No one was hurt in a three-vehicle crash on Route 61 yesterday morning. Vehicles operated by Bruce Miller of Alburtis, and Arlan Beck from Auburn, were stopped at traffic light at the jughandle near Stoner Tile Company. A tractor-trailer driven by Rodrigue (rod-ree-guh) Even of Quebec, Canada did not see the two stopped cars and rear-ended Miller’s car, pushing it into Beck’s Ford Escort. Miller’s car had significant front end damage and had to be towed from the scene. The crash happened around 10am.

A trucker from South Carolina escaped injury following a crash on Interstate 81 last night.
33-year-old Travis Williams was driving his truck-tractor on I-81 near mile marker 107 in Frailey Township when he lost control. The truck went through the right-side guiderails and down a 50 foot embankment. The vehicle was disabled in the 6pm accident last night.

A Cressona teen was injured in a one vehicle crash on State Route 895 near the county fairgrounds last night. During thunderstorms, the youth was eastbound on 895 when they lost control, sliding clockwise on the grass more than 40 feet and struck a tree on the driver’s side.
Their condition is not known. The crash occurred before 8 o’clock.

Port Carbon police are looking for the vandals who damaged a borough woman’s car earlier this week. Chief Jon Bowman reports that Trang Nguyen’s (yen’s) car was damaged while parked in the 300 block of Washington Street, during the overnight hours of Sunday night. All four windows of the car were smashed out of the vehicle. Anyone with information should call Port Carbon police at 622-5411.

The state’s property tax and rent rebate program deadline has been extended. State Representative Tim Seip of the 125th District made the announcement yesterday. The deadline has been extended from June 30th till the end of the year. The program is open to senior citizens 65 or older, widows or widowers 50 or older, and those 18 or older with a permanent disability. The rebates are funded by state lottery, not tax dollars. Those who participated last year should have already received their applications in the mail. Seip said the rebates have been increased to up to $650 dollars. For questions about the program, or to pick up an application, contact one of Seip’s district offices in Pottsville, Hegins or in Hamburg.