Thursday, October 31, 2013

Body Found In Shenandoah Park Ruled Suicide

On Tuesday evening, the body of Andrew Kelly, 47, was found in Girard Park, Shenandoah around 5pm.

Berks County Man Attempts To Flee Police in Pine Grove Twp., Injures 2

Around 12:15pm Wednesday, police spotted a SUV with another vehicle's license plate on it on Berger Road in Pine Grove Twp. 

The driver, Jason A. Brown, Bernville, drove through a stop sign and crashed into a vehicle driven by Paul Zuk of Pottsville, when police attempted to pull him over.

Zuk and his passenger were both injured in the collision.

Police also found drugs on him.  He was arrested at the scene and charged with driving without a proper license, reckless endangerment, possession of a controlled substance, receiving stolen property, and fleeing police.

Brown was sent to Schuylkill County Prison on $50,000 bail.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Police Looking For Victims of Barnesville Contractor

Last week an arrest warrant was issued for Barnesville contractor, John Kachmar.  Police are saying that ripped off at least four home owners for a total of $17,000.

The police think there may be more victims and are asking if you know where Kachmar is or you believe you may also be a victim to to call them at (570) 462-1991.

Home Damaged By Fire in Pottsville, Pets Rescued From Home

Around 7pm, Tuesday evening, crews were called to a basement fire on Arch Street, Pottsville.  The 3 people who lived there were not home at the time.

No one was hurt in the fire and crews were able to rescue two pets from the home..

No cause of the fire has been given at this time.

Juveniles Find Body In Park In Shenandoah

Early Tuesday evening, the body of Andrew Kelley, 48, was discovered by juveniles in Girard Park, Shenandoah.  The body was said to have been found just north of the basketball court.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.

No other information has been given about Kelley at this time.

Police are asking if anyone has any information about the gentlemen or his earlier whereabouts, to contact the Schuylkill County Communications Center by calling (570) 462-1991.  All information will remain confidential.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Storage Unit Facility That Caught Fire Now Burglarized

The storage unit facility, Saint Clair Storage, which caught fire early Sunday morning has now been the target of vandals.

Troopers are looking to see if eight storage units that had their padlocks cut off are connected with the blaze.

While the locks were cut, one of the owners says he doesn't think anything was stolen.

If you have any information regarding the burglaries or the fire you are to call the State Police.

Schuylkill County High School Football Power Rankings - Week #9

Schuylkill County High School Football Power Rankings - Week #9

Where does your team stand this week?  Lots of tough losses this week, and we have a lot of evenly matched games in week 10.

Overnight Fire in Washington Twp.

Approximately 1AM, emergency personnel were called to 862 Rock Road, Washington Twp. for a working house fire.

Smoke could be seen from a distance was crews fought the blaze.

No other details were given at this time.

Monday, October 28, 2013

Mahanoy City Native Continues To Fight 1991 Murder Conviction

Pennlive.com posted an article a couple days ago about Robert P. Russell, who lived in Mahanoy City before being found guilty of killing his estranged wife, Marine Capt. Shirly Gibbs Russell on March 4, 1989.

He was the first person convicted in federal court of first degree murder in which there was no crime scene, body, or weapon in the United States.

He is serving a life sentence at the Allenwood Federal Penitentiary and still maintains his innocence today.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/10/schuylkill_county_native_conti.html

Shenadoah Man Wanted By Police

Keshon Canyon
On October 15th, Shenandoah police pulled over a vehicle driven by Keshon Canyon, 22, whose last known address was 109 S. Main St., Shenandoah.  Police got this address from the individuals drivers license, but it was already suspended.

Canyon was cited and released for the suspended license and his vehicle was impounded.  A vehicle inventory was taken as part of department regulations and they found a black bag containing marijuana, cocaine, and heroine.

Fire Causes $400,000 Worth Of Damage, No Cause Determined Yet

A Sunday morning fire at Saint Clair Storage, 123 Industrial Park Road, in East Norwegian Township caused about $400,000 worth of damage, state police at Frackville are reporting.

The fire was discovered by a passing driver around 5:30am Sunday morning and when crews arrive, flames were already venting from the windows.

A cause to the fire is yet to be determined.

Anyone with information is asked to call the state police at (570) 874-5300.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Update on Last Night's Fire At Yuengling Brewery in Tampa FL.


Around 8pm last evening, fire crews were called the Yuengling Brewery in Tampa, Fl for a fire at the complex.   When crews arrived they found flames shooting from the roof of one of the buildings.  All workers were evacuated and there were no injuries reported.

Authorities say that fire started in a storage building at the facility.  They said it took about one hour to get control of the fire and cost about $1 Million in damage.  They've ruled the fire accidental but are still seeking an exact cause.

One firefighter was injured during the blaze but he was taken to a hospital were he was treated and released.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Fire Breaks Out At Yuengling Brewery in Tampa, Fl.

While this story is not near Schuylkill County, it still hits close to home.

Around 8pm this evening, fire crews were called the Yuengling Brewery in Tampa, Fl for a fire.   When crews arrived they found flames shooting from the roof of one of the buildings.  All workers were evacuated and there were no injuries reported.

Friday, October 25, 2013

Schuylkill County High School Football Scores- Week #9


Schuylkill County High School Football Scores- Week #9



Blue Mountain 27 Fleetwood 34
Jim Thorpe 14 Marian 7
Tamaqua 50 Minersville 19
Nativity BVM 30 Bucktail 32 in overtime
Panther Valley 21 North Schuylkill 48
Pine Grove 49 Tri-Valley 14
Exeter Twp 48 Pottsville 27
Schuylkill Haven 42 Mahanoy Area 12
Newport 6 Williams Valley 30

Coal Cracken BBQ's "Help Us Help Those In Need" This Thanksgiving

A BBQ Caterer and Restaurant in Schuylkill County is trying to help those in need this Thanksgiving.

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #9


Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #9

We should see some close scores this week with a lot of evenly matched games.  Who do you think will win tonight?

Thursday, October 24, 2013

County Officials Announce "Take Back" Initiative

From Sheriff Groody's Office

Schuylkill County Sheriff Joseph Groody, Schuylkill County District Attorney Karen Byrnes-Noon, The Schuylkill County Drug Task Force, The Schuylkill County Drug & Alcohol program and the US Drug Enforcement Administration with cooperation of local law enforcement and community partners announced a sixth nationwide prescription drug "Take-Back" initiative that seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft. County Law enforcement agencies have agreed to take part in this initiative and will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction on Saturday, October 26th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mayoral Candidate May Be Barred From Taking Office

Republican Dennis Wiessner, Mahanoy City, is running for mayor of the borough.  He  lost to Nancy Petritsch in the May primary by 6 votes but due to 79 Republican write-in votes, he is able to run in the general election in November.

But even if Wiessner does win the election, he may not be able to take office due to a felony conviction from over 40 years ago.

In 1972, Weissner was convicted of stealing 5 turkeys from a turkey coop just outside Allentown.  At the time, he paid a $50 fine and was on probation for two years.

The rule comes from the Pennsylvania Constitution which states:
"No person . . . convicted of infamous crimes shall be capable of holding any office of trust . . . in the Commonwealth"
Weissner has asked Governor Tom Corbett to remove this felony from his record.  He also said he will send an application to the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons.

If Weissner does win and is unable to take office, the Mahanoy City Borough Council would then appoint a mayor who would serve a two year term.

This story was first reported by WNEP.
http://wnep.com/2013/10/23/could-candidate-for-mayor-be-stopped-from-taking-office/

RECALL: Possible Listeria In Meat Products Sent To 27 States

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is recalling more than 22,000 pounds of meat products.  Particularly chicken, beef, and ham.

The recall was issued because of possible cross contamination of products with Listeria monocytogenes from contact surfaces.

The bacteria can cause a serious infection called listeriosis.  Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems.  It can be treated by antibiotics.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Schuylkill Haven, Schools Lose Power This Morning

This morning at approximately 11:15am, Schuylkill Haven and some of the surrounding areas lost power.  Parts of Cressona were said to have lost power for a second but immediately came back on.

For a little more than an hour schools and Schuylkill Haven were without power but crews fixed the problem and the power is now on.

Reports were said the a squirrel took out a transformer causing the outage.

No reports on the condition of the squirrel at this time.

3 Injured When FedEx Truck Collides with Car

State Police are reporting that at approximately 4:30PM, a FedEx truck driven by Brian Krepps, 44, Lebanon, collided with a car on Route 895 in West Brunswick Twp.

The driver of the car was not identified other than that it was a 16 year old male from Orwigsburg.  He is said to have suffered minor injuries.  The passenger in the car was 43 year old Christa Meyers of Orwigsburg.

It is being reported that the FedEx truck rear-ended the car that had stopped for a flagman in a construction zone.  After the truck collided with the car, it pushed the car into a woodpile alongside the road.

The driver of the FedEx truck, Krepps, is said to have been cited.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Schuylkill County High School Football Power Rankings - Week #8

Schuylkill County High School Football Power Rankings - Week #8

Where does your team stand this week?  We have a team surging up the ranks on a 5 game win streak.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Pottsville Man Admits to Stealing Money From Crash Victims

Justin Kanezo, Pottsville, has admitted to stealing a donation can from a convenience store in Minersville.  The donation can was for the Moore Family who were hurt in a car crash in Cressona last month.

Police say it was with the help of surveillance video and people sharing the video on Facebook that led to police finding Kanezo

In the video, you could see Kanezo walk into the convenience store, grab the can, and walk out.

Home Damaged By Fire in North Manheim Township

Yesterday around Noon, crews were called  to 1073 Market St., North Manheim Township.  The fire was quickly classified as working and additional personnel was called in.

Police suspect a power strip caused the fire.

The owners were not home at the time.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Mark Kessler and Son Sued For Allegedly Shooting Girl With BB Gun

Just when you thought the Mark Kessler saga couldn't get any crazier . . .

The Republican Herald is reporting that Mark Kessler and his son, Zachary Kessler have been sued for Zachary Kessler allegedly shooting a girl with a BB gun that happened earlier this year.

You can find more about the law suit in the article from the Pottsville Republican
http://republicanherald.com/chief-kessler-son-sued-in-alleged-bb-gun-shooting-1.1571111

Schuylkill County High School Football Scores - Week #8


Schuylkill County High School Football Scores- Week #8
 
 

Tower City Man Arrested After 2 Year Old Found With Syringes

Ray Lucas, 27, of Tower City was arrested in Lebanon Thursday morning after police found Lucas sleeping in his car and a 2 year old playing with a syringe filled with heroin in the backseat.

Lucas is being charged with drug charges and child endangerment.

Reward for Info Leading To Arrest In Orwigsburg

A reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest of the person in the image to the left.

The following items were stolen in Orwigsburg

8 brass light fixtures
2 disconnects
2 2x4 light fixtures
well pressure tank

If you have any information regarding this, please contact the authorities.

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #8


Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #8

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Schuylkill County High School Football Power Rankings - Week #7

Schuylkill County High School Football Power Rankings - Week #7

After some tough losses, we are down to one undefeated team.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Today's Weather Forecast - 10/15/13

Tuesday should be another pretty nice day after any morning low clouds and fog burn off (sound familiar?) Highs should average in the upper 60s to low 70s in normally warmer parts of the county.

Wednesday will cloud up ahead of our next system, a cold front. Showers are possible mainly in the afternoon and evening. Despite the clouds, temperatures will still be deep into the 60s and low 70s.

Don't get used to the mild weather, however. A pretty notable cool down looks to be in the cards in the long term, starting Thursday which will be our transition day. Some sun should return after the showers depart. Temperatures again will be in the 60s but a series of secondary cold fronts will knock temperatures down even more as we proceed into week's end and the coming weekend. 
 
Be sure to get more weather information by liking and following Monsoon Mike on Facebook

Monday, October 14, 2013

Lackawanna County Twp. Fire Dept. Donates Firetruck to Mahanoy City Dept.


Skook News has learned that the Washington Hook and Ladder in Mahanoy City has received a loaner truck from a department in Scott Twp., Lackawanna County.

The department says that loan would not have been possible without the help from surrounding boroughs, Jermyn, Dalton, and Clifford Twp.

Crash Victim Identified From Deadly Tremont Twp. Crash

Police say Barbara Shuster, Pine Grove, was the 73 year old woman who died in the crash on Route 125 in Tremont Twp., Saturday, around 3:30 PM.

Read more about the crash here
http://skooknews.blogspot.com/2013/10/woman-dies-in-tremont-twp-crash-heroes.html

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Woman Dies in Tremont Twp. Crash, Heroes Save Another

Picture from Schuylkill County Firewire
Yesterday afternoon around 3:30PM, an accident occurred at the intersection of Route 125 and Molleystown Road in Tremont Twp.

A car driven by a 73 year old woman pulled out from Molleystown Road in front of  another car causing a fuel tank to catch fire and burst into flames.

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Mt. Carbon /N. Manheim Twp. Fire Co. - WE WILL REBUILD

8 days ago, a fire that started in an abandoned house next door to the Mt. Carbon Fire Co. Headquarters, collapsed during the blaze, causing the fire company's building to catch fire as well.  Crews were able to salvage the equipment inside but their building wasn't.

Friday, October 11, 2013

Schuylkill County High School Football Scores - Week #7


Schuylkill County High School Football Scores - Week #7


Mahanoy Area 0  Jim Thorpe 26
Minersville 7 Marian 43
Carson Long Military Academy 13 Nativity BVM 33
North Schuylkill 13 Mt. Carmel 19
Shenandoah Valley 21 Panther Valley 34
Daniel Boone 14 Pottsville 17
Tamaqua 32 Schuylkill Haven 14


Saturday Games
Pine Grove @ Halifax
Tri-Valley 14 Williams Valley 28

Monday Games
Blue Mountain @ Schuylkill Valley

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #7



Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #7

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Mark Kessler Termination Hearing Postponed After Loaded Gun Falls To Floor

Earlier tonight , the borough council of Gilberton, their lawyers, Mark Kessler, his lawyers, and the hearing officer, Sam Falcone met for a termination hearing which was scheduled after the borough council voted to terminate Kessler pending the hearing.

What has already been a media circus, this hearing did not disappoint either.

Suspended Gilberton Chief's Termination Hearing Tonight

The termination hearing for suspended Gilberton Borough Chief Mark Kessler will take place at 5:30PM this evening in Gilberton.

Word is news crews are already beginning to park outside Gilberton's Borough Building.

While the whole thing started because of Kessler making Youtube videos with the Borough's guns, the hearing is expected to focus on unrelated job performance issues.  Some charges are that Kessler didn't fill out mandatory government crime forms, use a law enforcement discount to get tires for his own vehicle, destroying borough property and was insubordinate towards council members.

Skook News will keep you up to date on what happens during the hearing.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Schuylkill County High School Football Power Rankings - Week #6

Schuylkill County High School Football Power Rankings - Week #6


3 undefeated teams remain at the top, but how far did Williams Valley fall?

3 From County Honored At Spirit of Courage Awards

Last night at the 8th Annual Spirit of Courage Awards, at the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg campus in Bethlehem, 3 from Schuylkill County were honored.  The awards honor those for their acts of heroism or commitment to burn education.

Mahanoy City firefighters James Markiewicz and Paul Brutto Jr. were honored for when they rescued an elderly man and a couple from a burning building.

Girardville Fire Chief, Frank Zangari, was also honored for leading a smoke alarm distribution program that has put over 10,000 smoke alarms in Schuylkill County homes.

Police Investigating Missing Copper Wire

The State Police are looking for any information regarding missing copper wire in  Tremont Twp.

Police say 100 pounds of copper wire went  missing between October 4th and October 7th from two trucks in the 100 block of Mollystown Road.

Call state police at 570-739-1330 if you have any information.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Happy National Pierogie Day

Today marked the 5th Annual Pierogie Day across America and we wouldn't even be having this day without a well-known company right here in Schuylkill County.

Mrs. T's Pierogies is the largest producer of frozen pierogies in the country.  From finger food to eating it as a main course, they are the perfect for any occasion.

Turkey Hill Ice Cream Recall

Turkey Hill has voluntarily recalled some of  it's ice cream.

The company is saying the recall is limited to packages sold in Turkey Hill Minit Markets in Pennsylvania, some Wal-Mart stores in Pennsylvania and West Virginia and other small grocers and convenience stores in Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Ringtown Funeral Director Accepts Plea Deal With Prosecutors

In April 2013, Ringtown Funeral Director, Steve Oravitz was charged forging a name on a life insurance policy naming his business as the beneficiary of a 10,000 policy.

WNEP reported now that the funeral director has accepted a plea deal with prosecutors.  In the deal, 3 of the 4 felonies that Oravitz was charged with will be dropped.  The last remaining felony is being downgraded to a misdemeanor  charge of forgery.  In return, he will plead no contest.

The agreement calls for 100 hours community service and no jail time.

Tower City Man Flees Police With Boy In Car

James Lemmon, 40 of Tower City, was arrested on Sunday afternoon after he allegedly fled from police.

State Police in Lykens say when Lemmon saw a a trooper's car on Sunday afternoon in the borough, he fled at a high rate of speed for no apparent reason.

While fleeing, police say he ran several stop signs in Tower City before stopping and telling a 9 year old boy, who was also in the car, to run and get his mother.

Lemmon was charged with reckless endangerment, endangering the welfare of a child, fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, and driving without insurance.

He was committed to Schuylkill County Prison on $25,000 bail.

Monday, October 7, 2013

Diesel Fuel Stolen From Tractor Trailor In Pine Grove Twp.

State Police are looking for information on an incident that happened last weekend in Pine Grove Twp.  A truck owned by Carlisle Carrier Corporation was parked  at the Pilot Truck Stop just off Interstate 81 from October 4th to October 6th and is said to have 100 gallons of diesel fuel stolen from it.

If anyone has information regarding this to please call the State Police at Schuylkill Haven at (570) 739-1330.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Ashland Man In Prison After Stabbing Tower City Man

Police were called to 921 Brock St., Ashland, on Wednesday evening around 10:50PM.  When they arrived, they found Joseph Scheib, with a stab wound to his hand and chest.

Police charged James Whitman, 23, with the stabbing.  Whitman is the owner of the residence.  Scheib is from Tower City.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Schuylkill County High School Football Scores - Week #6


Schuylkill County High School Football Scores - Week #6

Hamburg 0  Blue Mountain 33
Panther Valley 0  Marian 25
Minersville 0  Jim Thorpe 47
North Schuylkill 21  Tamaqua 14
Williams Valley 6  Pine Grove  14
Pottsville 0  Conrad Weiser 29
Shenandoah Valley 7   Schuylkill Haven  48
Millersburg 28  Tri-Valley 48


Scheduled for Saturday
Mahanoy Area 73 Carson Long 7
Nativity BVM 19 Columbia Montour Vo-Tech 6

PA Governor Tom Corbett Compares Gay Marriage To Incest

This morning while Governor Tom Corbett made an appearance on WHP-TV from Harrisburg, Corbett was discussing gay marriage.  The reporter interviewing him asked him about a statement his lawyers made comparing gay couples to marrying children, because neither are legal.

This was the Governor's response

"It was an inappropriate analogy, you know.  I think a much better analogy would have been brother and sister, don't you?".

Corbett is now apologizing for his own comments regarding incest.

"My words were not intended to offend anyone. If they did, I apologize."

What do you think about these remarks made by our Governor?

Ashland Man Taken Into Custody After Suspecting To Be On Bath Salts

An Ashland man was taken into custody after he entered a neighbors home and stripped naked in the bathroom.

James Johnson, 44, of 1331 Walnut St., Ashland, is accused of entering 1334 Walnut St. on September 21st and going to the bathroom where he was said to have stripped naked.

Two females and a young girl were home at the time.

Johnson was taken into custody but later released on bail.  He is being charged with felony counts of burglary and criminal trespass.

Schuylkill County Man's Response To Being Called A "Troll" By Congressman

Yesterday we published a story about Schuylkill County's United State Congressman, Matt Cartwright, calling a constituent from Schuylkill County a "troll".

Click here to read yesterday's article

This came after Leo Knepper, Pine Grove, asked the Congressman, "Why did you vote against funding our veterans?".  You can see the exchange in the image below.

Mount Carbon Fire Destroys Home and Fire House, One Firefighter injured

Picture from Schuylkill County Firewire
 This morning at approximately 4:30am, crews were called to 118 Main St. Port Carbon.  When fire departments arrived on scene, the home was already fully engulfed and quickly became a 2nd Alarm fire.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Orwigsburg Man In Critical Condition After Motorcycle Crash

Christopher Evans, Orwigsburg crashed early this morning along Route 61 between Coal Mountain Road and Laurel Drive while riding his motorcycle northbound, in West Brunswick Township.  State police say the crash happened around 12:40AM

Evans slid with the motorcycle about 165 feet before stopping on the edge of the highway.  The bike continued to slide for about another 1,000 feet.

Evans was flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital where he is listed in critical condition.

Skook Spotlight: Tamaqua, PA

Tamaqua was founded in 1799 by German immigrant Burkhardt Moser. Originally to be named Tuscarora, the name Tamaqua was chosen after it was realized that there already was a community named Tuscarora about four miles (6 km) to the west. Roughly half of Moser's original log cabin is still intact and visible behind a house on the east side of Broad Street. The discovery of anthracite coal in the region in the early 19th century led to the town's rise as a coal producing community. The town was incorporated as a borough in 1832.  German, Irish, and Welsh immigrants came to the borough in the 1840s and 1850s, followed by a large influx of Italians, Lithuanians, Slovaks, and Poles in the 1890s and early 20th century. During the 1860s and 1870s, Tamaqua was the geographic center hub for the Molly Maguires. One murder commonly attributed to the Mollies was that of town policeman Benjamin Yost, who was shot to death early one morning while extinguishing a gas lamp at the corner of West Broad and Lehigh Streets.

Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #6


Schuylkill County High School Football - Week #6

Hamburg @ Blue Mountain
Panther Valley @ Marian
Minersville @ Jim Thorpe
North Schuylkill @ Tamaqua
Williams Valley @ Pine Grove (Game to Watch, Both Undefeated)
Pottsville @ Conrad Weiser
Shenandoah Valley @ Schuylkill Haven
Millersburg @ Tri-Valley


Scheduled for Saturday
Mahanoy Area @ Carson Long
Nativity BVM @ Columbia Montour Vo-Tech

Rep. Cartwright Calls A Schuylkill County Constituent A "Troll"

In a story that , PoliticsPA.com posted, it looks like Schuylkill County's US Representative Matt Cartwright has got himself in a bit of a Twitter battle.

A constituent, Leo Knepper, from right in Schuylkill County, asked Rep. Cartwright a question of why he voted a certain way on HJ Res. 72.   The bill restores veteran's benefits during the government shutdown.   You can see the response he got in the picture below

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Lancaster Woman Arrested in Schuylkill Haven In Connection with Daughter's Death

Ranasia Knight
Last November, Jessica Bachman, Lancaster, sought out a protection from abuse order from Lester Johnson, her then live-in boyfriend after he threatened to kill her and her children.

A year before that, she sought out a PFA after he pulled her hair, attempted to pull her down the stairs, and threatened to kill her.  He also said he would have her and her children kidnapped.

Ashland and Hegins Men Sent to Prison

On Monday, 2 Ashland men were sent to prison on drug charges from incidents that happened in 2011.

Charles Bechtel, 31, was sentenced to 4 to 24 months, plus 23 additional months of probation, and undergo drug and alcohol evaluation.

Bechtel had earlier pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and use of an incapacitation device, and prosecutors withdrew earlier charges  of prohibited possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a small amount of marijuana.

State Police at Reading had charged Bechtel with committing the crimes on June 30, 2011.

Also sentenced on Monday was Kevin J. Clews, 33, of Ashland.  He was sentenced to 3 to 12 months in prison and undergo and drug and alcohol evaluation after revoking his probation.

Clews' probabation was revoked after the defendant admitted to possessing drugs and failing a drug test.

Clews had already pleaded guilty to the charges.

Ashland Police charged Clews when he was driving under the influence and possessing drug paraphernalia  in a November 19, 2011 incident.

Also, Bradley L. Merwine, 34, of Hegins was sentenced to 6 to 12 months in prison when he failed to report and not complete substance abuse treatment.

Merwine originally pleaded guilty to charges of false reports to law enforcement.  He was then placed on probation.

Schuylkill Haven State Police charged Merwine with the false reports on January 3, 2010.

Minersville Man In Prison After Gun Incident

Minersville Police got a call of a domestic violence incident where shots were fired around 7AM Sunday morning at 313 Pine St.

When police arrived, they could hear yelling coming from the second floor of the home of John G. Chistakoff, 47.