Today's News-Friday, November 28, 2008

Child dies in Port Carbon fire

A Port Carbon child is dead following a Thanksgiving morning blaze. Crews were called to 113 4th Street after 7am where the home was fully engulfed in flames. Family members and rescuers tried in vain to save 2 year old Reese Sarno who was sleeping in an upstairs bedroom. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Schuylkill County Coroner. The child's mother, 37 year old Tina Gochmonosky and four other children were able to escape the blaze. An investigation into the cause will be conducted by local and state police.

Black Friday shoppers hit the streets

Retailers are surely hoping that this day after Thanksgiving will be a Black Friday, in spite of the current economic slump. Shoppers were out very early looking for Christmas bargains and sales, and stores were ready with extra staff and early opening hours to accommodate them. Times are certainly tough for everyone, and with less than 4 weeks to go until Christmas, it will be a challenge for everyone to make the most of shoppers war chests to find that special gift for family and friends.

Commissioners notes

Everyone is thinking green more and more each day, trying to recycle everything they can. The Schuylkill County Commissioners have entered into an agreement with Air Cycle Corporation to recycle all surplus electronic waste at a cost of only $495 dollars. Next Earth Day, the county’s scrap electronics will be taken away and recycled rather than disposed in a landfill. In other business, the Drug and Alcohol Commission received approval to lease space at St. John’s Church in Pottsville for residential placement of clients. The five year agreement will cost the county $2-thousand-dollars a month.

Pottsville man charged in domestic incident

Pottsville police have charged a Brockton man with counts relating to a domestic dispute Wednesday night. 23 year old Jennifer Wythe of St Clair told officers that her ex-fiancee, 23 year old Kyle Delpais got into her car and asked her to drive so they could talk. She said that a Protection from Abuse order was in effect against Delpais. He reportedly grabbed her by the neck and told her to drive. In the area of Peacock Street and Railroad Street, Wythe hit the emergency brake and the panic button on her keys, activating the car alarm. The couple struggled, and Wythe tried to escape. Delpais knocked her to the ground and injured her. He fled but was apprehended by police a short time later in the 2100 block of West End Avenue. Delpais is charged with unlawful restraint, simple assault and other counts. He is lodged in the Schuylkill County Prison.

Free event to kick off Christmas season

A Pottsville fraternal organization is hosting a Christmas gala to kick off the Christmas season. The Pottsville Square and Compass Club is hosting the event Saturday and Sunday, November 29 and 30th, and December 6th and 7th at the Pottsville Masonic Building at 2nd and Norwegian Streets, complete with crafts, music, food and Santa Claus! Christmas trees will adorn the fifth and sixth floors of the building, and visitors can vote for their favorite trees. Those trees will be given to needy families for the holidays. The free event will be held from 4 to 8pm the next two Saturdays, and 2 to 8pm on the next two Sundays.