TODAY'S NEWS MON. NOVEMBER 7, 2011

LOCAL NEWS MON. NOVEMBER 7, 2011

CRIMINAL ACTS REPORTED BY STATE POLICE

Pennsylvania State Police report that unknown person or persons shot an electrical transformer along the Burma Road in Blythe Township on Sunday November 6. The oil drained out of the transformer, causing it to overheat and catch fire. This resulted in loss of power to a nearby Verizon cellular tower. PPL crews responded to the scene and replaced the transformer. If you have information about this incident, please call Pennsylvania State Police Frackville barracks at 570-874-5300.

EAST NORWEGIAN TOWNSHIP FIRE COMPANY ROBBED

Sometime between November first and third, unknown person or persons entered the Independent Hose Company No. 1 in East Norwegian Township, then forced their way into the main office. Once inside, they forced open a locked drawer and removed an envelope that contained approximately six hundred fifty dollars that was raised during a fund raiser. Anyone with information on this incident should call Pennsylvania State Police Schuylkill Haven barracks at 570-593-2000.

REDEDICATION OF BLUE MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY EAST BUILDING HELD

Over seventy guests attended the rededication of the Blue Mountain Elementary East building in Orwigsburg on Sunday. The building underwent upgrades to the cafeteria, new classrooms, a new gymnasium, and a new library. A geothermal heating and cooling system was installed, which will save energy costs for the district. Former school board president Theodore Heffner, for whom the new library has been named, conducted the ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the facility. Speakers at the event included retired superintendent Joyce Romberger, current superintendent Robert Urzillo, and state senator David Argall.

ST. LUKE'S MINERS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT REOPENS

The emergency department at St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital in Coaldale closed last Wednesday because of a water main break that flooded the first floor of the hospital. Bill Moyer, president of the hospital, announced that the emergency department returned to fully operational status on Saturday. He credits the "diligent, aggressive, and tireless efforts" of the hospital staff in getting the emergency and laboratory departments running in such a short time. The only department still closed for outpatient services is radiology.

FIRE DESTROYS MINERSVILLE HOME

A FIRE SUNDAY IN MINERSVILLE HAS LEFT A FAMILY OF FIVE HOMELESS. FIRE CREWS WERE CALLED TO LAUREL STREET AROUND 4:30PM TO FIND THE HOME OF NEIL AND DONNA STEPHENS DESTROYED. THE FAMILY WAS ABLE TO EXIT SAFELY ALONG WITH THEIR DOG AND SEVERAL CATS. FIRE OFFICIALS BELIEVE THE BLAZE STARTED WHEN A STOVE PIPE OVERHEATED. JUST 7-WEEKS AGO THE STEPHENS FAMILY SUFFERED ANOTHER TRAGEDY WHEN STEPDAUGHTER, CAITLIN KONKUS, DIED AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT IN THE BOROUGH.

ELECTION DAY

IT’S TIME TO HIT THE POLLS TOMORROW AS WE WELCOME ELECTION DAY. FRANNIE BRENNAN, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY ELECTION BUREAU DIRECTOR, SAID OVER 15-HUNDRED ABSENTEE BALLOTS WERE RETURNED AS OF FRIDAY. THERE ARE 125 PRECINCTS ACROSS THE COUNTY THIS YEAR WITH FIVE WORKERS AT EACH. LAST WEEK, THREE POLLING PLACES WERE APPROVED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS INCLUDING THE PINE GROVE HOSE HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY, THE PHOENIX FIRE COMPANY AND SCHUYLKILL HEALTH SCHOOL OF NURSING. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS TRANSPORTATION WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR VOTERS.

TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE FOR VOTERS:
• SCHUYLKILL COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY-570-622-3155
• SCHUYLKILL COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY-570-622-1540


TWO INJURED IN ACCIDENT ON 61

TWO CUMBOLA RESIDENTS WERE LIFE FLIGHT MEDI VAC TO LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL AFTER A CRASH SATURDAY AFTERNOON. THE CRASH ON STATE ROUTE 61 IN NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP HAPPENED JUST ACROSS FROM JERRY’S NORTHEAST AUTO. STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN TELL US 32-YEAR-OLD HEATHER BERNITSKY WAS TRAVELING AT OVER 100 MPH WHEN SHE LOST CONTROL OF HER VEHICLE AND STRUCK THE CEMENT MEDIAN. HER CAR BECAME AIRBORNE, EVENTUALLY LANDING ON ITS ROOF. BERNITSKY WAS EJECTED FROM HER VEHICLE AND HER PASSENGER, 31-YEAR-OLD DAVID BERNITSKY WAS PARTIALLY EJECTED. AN INVESTIGATION DETERMINED BERNITSKY WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. CHARGES ARE PENDING.

state news:

Here is the latest Pennsylvania news from The Associated Press


HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Just hours after stepping down from their jobs, two top Penn State officials are set to surrender on allegations they failed to alert police about claims of sexual abuse by the football team's former defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky. Tim Curley and Gary Schultz are expected to surrender today at a Harrisburg district court.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — State Attorney General Linda Kelly and state police Commissioner Frank Noonan have scheduled a 1 p.m. news conference about the Jerry Sandusky case. They're expected to speak a few miles from the Harrisburg district court. The arraignment of two Penn State officials on perjury charges is scheduled for this afternoon.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The process of redrawing the state's congressional districts to match population charges is creating some uncertainty for potential challengers next year. Candidates can start circulating nominating petitions February 15th. The deadline to file them is March 8th.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Two members of the Occupy Philadelphia protest movement put politics on hold for a day to form a more perfect union — their own. Alicia "Ally" Nauss of Philadelphia and Adam Hill of Norristown met a month ago at the Occupy Philadelphia encampment. They were married yesterday in front of their fellow protesters.


national news:

PARIS (AP) — World stocks are falling sharply today as leaders pressure Italy to get serious about sticking to an austerity plan. Italy's borrowing costs have skyrocketed since the summer, and that only makes it more expensive for the country to pay down its debt. Meanwhile, Greek politicians are putting the finishing touches on a new unity government in an effort to prevent bankruptcy.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Two top administrators with Penn State are set to be arraigned this morning on charges they lied to a grand jury investigating sexual abuse claims against former defense coordinator Jerry Sandusky. Sandusky was arrested over the weekend for allegedly sexually abusing eight boys in an at-risk program. Athletic Director Tim Curley and Gary Schultz, the school's senior vice president for business and finance, stepped down from their positions last night.

BEIRUT (AP) — A key Syrian opposition group is appealing for international intervention to protect civilians in the besieged city of Homs. Activists say 23 people were killed across Syria on Sunday, and the latest government offensive in Homs took most of those lives. The uprising against President Bashar Assad has gone on for nearly 8 months.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The jury in the involuntary manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson's personal physician continues deliberating today. Dr. Conrad Murray is accused of giving Jackson a fatal dose of the powerful anesthetic propofol.

MOSCOW (AP) — Police in Russia have arrested a man they say kept 29 mummified bodies at his apartment and dressed them up like dolls. Authorities say the man had dug up the bodies from several cemeteries and also is a historian who has written several books. Police are not releasing his name.