Today's News Monday January 9, 2012

Local News-Mon, January 9, 2012

Vehicles Stolen From Schuylkill Haven Pepsi Plant

Someone cut the chain on the front gate at the Pepsi bottling plant on Keystoker Road south of Schuylkill Haven on Friday night and stole two Pepsi trucks and a tractor trailer. All the trucks were loaded with product, and the keys were locked inside a building. Just after midnight on Saturday morning a New Jersey State Trooper pulled one of the trucks over for speeding on I-78, and the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. The other trucks and the trailer were later found in Paterson and Bayonne, New Jersey. It appears that the Pepsi products were left on the trucks, but an inventory must be taken. The investigation into this incident is continuing.

Lost Creek Woman Loses Life In Car Crash

Patricia Ann Nork, of Lost Creek, lost her life in a car crash on Saturday afternoon. She was driving in the right hand lane of Aristes Road in Union Township when she failed to negotiate a curve in the road. Her vehicle left the road and struck a tree, then hit a second tree and a barn, and came to rest against another tree. Nork sustained fatal injuries in the accident. State Police indicate that Nork was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. Emergency personnel from Ringtown and Aristes assisted State Police at the scene.

Visitors Bureau Releases 2012 Schuylkill County Visitors Guide

When the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau put the 2012 Visitors Guide together, they decided to take matters into their own hands. Executive Director Regina Gargano said the 2011 version of the guide was printed by a company in Lancaster, and was not received well by local residents or the board of directors. A decision was made to produce the 2012 guide in-house, and have it printed locally, and the results are much better. The 2012 "Official Schuylkill County Visitors Guide" has been released, and it focuses on outdoor activities throughout the county, including a picture from the Schuylkill River Sojourn on the cover. It will be making its way to many local and regional locations, or can be picked up at the Visitors Bureau inside Union Station in Pottsville.

American Red Cross Blood Drive Coming To Fairlane Village Mall

As we move into the second full week of 2012, many resolutions are still fresh in our minds. If one of the items on your to-do list is to donate blood, stop by the American Red Cross 1-11 Blood Drive at Fairlane Village Mall on Wednesday from 11am till 7pm. Presenting donors will receive a soup mug and spoon set, an Iron Chef Cat Cora Recipe Card and will be eligible to win a $111 Visa Gift Card. Make your appointment today by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or stop by Fairlane Village Mall on Wednesday.

Representative Tobash Announces Grants For Volunteers

State Representative Mike Tobash has announced that 49 volunteer fire and ambulance companies within the 125th Legislative District have been awarded more than $430,000 in grants from the Commonwealth. Representative Tobash said "Our volunteer emergency service providers are simply outstanding, sacrificing their time to help people in need and protect public safety. These grants will help our fire and ambulance companies continue their mission of service to our communities." The grant money, which comes from state gaming revenues, may be used for construction or renovation of facilities, to purchase or repair equipment, to provide training, or to reduce existing debt. For a complete listing of awards, go to www.reptobash.com.

State and National News Monday January 9, 2012

LANGHORNE, Pa. (AP) - No new talks are scheduled before teachers in a southeastern Pennsylvania school district are slated to strike. Teachers in the Neshaminy School District in Bucks County have announced a walkout starting today. The district says it cannot afford the union's proposal.

ERIE, Pa. (AP) - Authorities say a man was killed and a woman injured in a fire in western Pennsylvania. Officials tell The Erie Times-News the blaze does not appear to be suspicious. Emergency dispatchers say the fire was reported early yesterday morning in a first-floor apartment.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Broadcast Pioneers says weatherman Herb Clarke has died. He was 84. He worked for WCAU-TV in Philadelphia for 39 years. The organization says Clarke's wife Barbara said her husband died yesterday of complications from Alzheimer's.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Just two days into his new job and Penn State coach Bill O'Brien is already getting a standing ovation. Joe Paterno's successor received a hero's welcome when he was introduced to fans during a break in the first half of the basketball game yesterday between Number 12 Indiana and Penn State. O'Brien plans to stay on as the New England Patriots offensive coordinator for the rest of the NFL playoffs.

VIENNA (AP) - Diplomats are confirming that Iran has begun uranium enrichment at an underground bunker. The diplomats say the news is especially worrying because the site is being used to make material that can be upgraded more quickly for use in a nuclear weapon than the nation's main enriched stockpile.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is expected to announce a 20-year ban on new mining claims on public land surrounding the Grand Canyon. Salazar has said that although uranium is an important part of a comprehensive energy strategy, the Grand Canyon is a national treasure that must be protected.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Dozens of National Guard troops are helping residents in the town of Cordova, Alaska dig out of from under more than 18 feet of snow. That amount of snow over the past weeks has collapsed roofs, triggered avalanches and trapped some people in their homes. Guard troops couldn't reach the town until yesterday.