Today's News Monday January 23, 2012

Local News Monday January 23, 2012

Hearings On Legislative Redistricting Held Today

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania will meet today for the purpose of hearing objections to the legislative redistricting proposal that was completed this month. It is expected that there will be several objections presented to the court during this session. The hearings will be televised live over the Pennsylvania Cable Network. Sessions of the court are normally recorded for later broadcast, but the Justices decided to allow live broadcast of these proceedings, noting the profound affect the redistricting plan will have on political districts across the Commonwealth. The hearing will begin at 9:30 this morning, with eleven appeals to be heard by the Court.

PennDOT Releases Roadwork Schedule For This Week

PennDOT Engineering District 5 Safety Press Officer Sean Brown has released the schedule for roadwork to be conducted this week. Crews are scheduled to be working on Route 209 between Port Carbon and Middleport; Route 895 between New Ringgold and Andreas; Lehigh Avenue in Frackville between I-81 and Route 924; Route 339 between Mahanoy City and Brandonville; Pine Creek Drive in Ryan Township between Barnesville and Hometown; I-81 northbound between the Lebanon County line and Exit 100; and I-81 southbound between Exit 138 and Exit 124. Motorists may experience lane restrictions and slowdowns in these areas.

Pedestrian Struck By Pickup Truck In Tower City

John Mayeresky, of Tower City, was driving his pickup truck on Saturday on Route 209 through the borough, when Joshua Bordner ran into the roadway in front of him. Mayeresky struck Bordner, causing him to roll onto the hood of the truck. Mayeresky then struck three parked vehicles, causing severe damage to them and throwing Bordner approximately seventy five feet. Bordner was found on the street under a pickup truck. He was transported from the scene by Tower City Ambulance to Schuylkill Medical Center East, then was transferred to Lehigh Valley Medical Center, where he was listed in serious condition. Mayeresky was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center South to be tested for possible DUI charges. Schuylkill Haven State Police continue their investigation, and charges against Mayeresky are pending.

Rollover Accident Closes Route 61 On Frackville Grade

A single vehicle accident closed Route 61 on the Frackville grade on Sunday. A Jeep Liberty driven by Hye Hillibush was travelling southbound approximately one mile south of Mall Road when Hillibush lost control of the vehicle on a sharp turn. The Jeep left the roadway, struck an embankment, and rolled over. Traffic was stopped while Hillibush was removed from the vehicle. She was transported to Schuylkill Medical Center for treatment of unknown injuries, and the Jeep was towed from the scene.

Crash On I-78 Involving Car And Snow Plow

A PennDOT snowplow driven by Ray Boyer, of Leesport, was plowing snow from the right lane of Interstate 78 in Berks County on Saturday when a vehicle passed the plow in the left lane. The operator of the car, Javier Lugo-Ramos, of Lebanon, lost control on the snow-covered roadway, skidded off the right side of the road, and hit the guiderails. After the car bounced off the guiderails, it travelled back onto the roadway into the path of the snow plow. The driver of the plow truck swerved into the left lane to try to avoid hitting the car, but it slid in front of the plow and was struck, causing it to roll over onto its roof. Lugo-Ramos and his passenger were wearing seatbelts, and were not injured.

Theft Of Copper Wire Investigated By State Police

Pennsylvania State Police from the Frackville Barracks are investigating a theft from Blaschak Coal Company at 163 Delano Road in Mahanoy Township. Police report that the theft occurred sometime between 10:00 p.m. on Saturday and 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. Someone entered Blaschak's property and removed approximately six hundred feet of copper electrical dragline wire from a wooden spool. State Police ask that anyone with information about this theft contact them at 570-874-5300.