Today's News Thu. January 5, 2012

Local News-Wed, January 4, 2012

New Panel Of Schuylkill County Commissioners Meet For First Time

The newly installed board of Schuylkill County Commissioners, Frank Staudenmeier, George Halcovage, and Gary Hess, held their first meeting of 2012 on Wednesday. They reiterated their campaign promises to maintain an open door policy to the public and to encourage the development of business in the county. Chairman Staudenmeier said that the doors to the commissioners' office will remain unlocked during business hours, something that has not happened in several years. Commissioner Hess said that the development of communities within the county will help the whole county move ahead. Commissioner Halcovage spoke about the importance of open communication in the conduct of county business. All three agree that county government must be run efficiently and in a businesslike manner to provide county residents with the services they expect in a cost-efficient manner.

Pottsville Fire Department Responds To Fire In Apartment

When workers who were renovating an apartment turned on the power for the stove they had just installed, they caused a fire that damaged the kitchen. Apparently, a burner on the electric stove was turned on, and nobody had noticed. When the workers went to the basement and turned on the electricity, materials that were sitting on top of the stove ignited. By the time the workers returned upstairs, the fire had spread to the hood and cabinets above the stove, and a call was placed to 911. Pottsville Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire, but the apartment received smoke and water damage. The property at 602 Mahantongo Street is owned by Hyman Properties, and the apartment was not occupied at the time of the fire.

Reorganization Is The Name Of The Game For Local Government

Government entities are in the process of reorganizing for the year 2012, and while some will stay the same as last year, many have had to make changes because new members have been elected to office. Ringtown Borough has fewer members on their council, as they are in the process of shrinking from seven members to five. Gilberton and Cressona boroughs are making the same transition, and Girardville has had five council seats for several years. North Union Township reorganized, but will retain the same leaders as they had last year, while East Union Township has a new Vice Chairman in the person of newly elected Jon Dettery. McAdoo Borough will operate with a new President, John Shigo, and a new Vice-President, Marion DeBalko.

State and National News Thu. January 5, 2012

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - Presidential contender Rick Santorum is defending previous statements and votes after he nearly defeated rival Mitt Romney in Iowa's leadoff nominating contests. Santorum faced questions yesterday about his statements on same-sex relationships, his support for a prescription drug benefit for seniors and his work on programs for blacks.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's highest court is making contingency plans to hear appeals of the 2012 state legislative redistricting plan - even though none has been filed. The justices have amended their 2012 schedule to include a January 23rd session in Harrisburg to hear arguments on possible appeals.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - One of the government's top scientists says much more research is needed to determine the possible impacts of shale gas drilling on human health and the environment. Dr. Christopher Portier (POR-tee-ay) of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says studies should include all the ways people can be exposed, such as through air, water, soil, plants and animals.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Police say a car went out of control and flipped over near a northeast Philadelphia mall, killing three occupants. A police spokeswoman says the car was heading north at a high speed near Franklin Mills Mall last night when it flipped over multiple times, landing on its roof. Three people inside were killed.