Today's News-Friday, November 30th

State police have released additional information about yesterday’s bank robbery at the Schuylkill Mall. Benjamin Kachel of Shillington is wanted as for committing the robbery at the KNBT bank branch before 3pm. In addition, William Gray Jr. and Aaron Gray of Frackville were taken into custody by Frackville troopers. The pair were observed waiting outside of the bank while Kachel was inside. Police spotted their car leaving the scene as they arrived.
Inside of the car, state police found Kachel’s belongings. A subsequent search of Gray’s Spencer Street home uncovered Kachel’s clothes which he wore during the robbery. The pair were charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, and arraigned in district court. They are in Schuylkill County Prison. Kachel is still at large. He made off with an undetermined amount of cash. If you have any information, contact Frackville state police at 874-5300.

The area may face a wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain this weekend. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch from Saturday night through Sunday afternoon for much of central and eastern Pennsylvania, including Schuylkill County. The service indicates that the mix might bring accumulating snow Saturday night before changing to sleet and freezing rain Sunday morning, then possibly all rain by Sunday afternoon before cold air brings snow showers Sunday evening. Stay tuned to WPPA and T102 for updates.

Shenandoah police have made an arrest relating to the fire of the former post office building earlier this year. 43-year-old Robert Seigel, who has no known address, was picked up by borough police Wednesday, and charged with setting the fire in June. Seigel is charged with four counts of arson and related offenses. The fire was set in a camper owned by James Blair, which was parked at East Cherry and South Market Streets. The fire spread from there to a garage and the old post office. Seigel was at the scene during the fire, and according to the Republican and Herald, was a frequent visitor to Blair's camper when the owner wasn't around.
The blaze caused $200-thousand-dollars in damage. Following the arraignment, Seigel was taken to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $100-thousand-dollars bail.

The City of Pottsville had its first reading of its proposed budget for next year on Thursday. The spending plan, totaling more than $8.2 million dollars, proposes a property tax increase of 1.5 mills. If adopted, it would be the first property tax increase in 4 years. The Republican and Herald says that Pottsville officials attribute the proposed tax increase to a significant rise in health insurance, new equipment for the police and fire chief, and the normal increase in the cost of goods and services. The final adoption of the budget is scheduled for December 27th.

The state attorney general's office has charged a Pottsville couple with stealing money from a Mahanoy City man over a period of several years. Robert and Catherine Whitney were arraigned Thursday, and charged with conspiracy for taking more than $84 thousand dollars from Louis Long's accounts, acting as his power of attorney and caretaker. The investigation uncovered the missing money, which was reportedly used by the Whitney’s to buy a vehicle and pay other expenses. Long died in March, 2006. The Whitney's are free on bail until their preliminary hearing next week.

A Shenandoah woman had minor injuries resulting from a crash in East Union Township yesterday morning. Patricia Lutz was driving her car on Route 924, negotiating a left hand curve when the vehicle left the road and went up an embankment and struck a tree. The car rolled back down an embankment. Lutz was taken to Good Sam Hospital in Pottsville, complaining of back and neck pain. A passenger, Tiffany Lutz, had minor injuries but refused treatment. A 3 year old child wasn't hurt. The crash happened just before 9am Thursday.

CHICAGO (AP) - At least five Amtrak employees are seriously injured after a passenger train collided with a freight train on Chicago's South Side. Officials say none of the 100 or so passengers appeared to have suffered serious injuries, but they are being checked out by medical personnel. The engine of the Amtrak train ended up resting on top of the last car of the freight train.

MIAMI (AP) - Three men are being questioned in the death of Redskins football star Sean Taylor. The Miami Herald reports investigators believe the suspects learned of Taylor's house through someone who was bragging about Taylor's wealth.

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) - A lawyer for a British teacher imprisoned for allowing students to name a teddy bear Muhammad says she's been moved from a women's prison for safety reasons. Thousands of Sudanese are protesting, calling for Gillian Gibbons to be executed. She'd been sentenced to 15 days in jail and deportation.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The U.S. has withdrawn a U.N. resolution endorsing this week's agreement between Israeli and Palestinian leaders to try to reach a peace deal by the end of next year. The about-face comes apparently after objections by Israel.

MOUNT AIRY, Md. (AP) - President Bush is urging Congress to approve an additional 30 billion dollars for the global fight against AIDS. In a speech at a Maryland church today, Bush announced he'll visit Africa early next year to further highlight the need for efforts against the disease.