Schedule For Tonight's Schuylkill County Football Games - 11/15/13

Big games tonight for all 5 teams that are still left!

Police Looking For Thief Who Stole ATV

Police are reporting that they are investigating the theft of an ATV in Wayne Township.

They say that the theft took place on Sunday between 11:30am and 4:45pm at 2001 Fair Road.

The owner reported that someone started his red and green 1994 Yamaha Timberwolf 25 ATV and rode away on it.

Anyone with information is to call State Police at (570) 739-1330.

Tim Holden Sworn in as Liquor Control Board Member

On Thursday, Tim Holden was sworn in to the Pennsylvania Liqour Control Board at the Schuylkill County Courthouse.

It was announced earlier in the week that Holden would be taking the position.

Holden previously served 20 years in the United State House of Representatives but lost in 2012 in the Democratic Primary.

Tamaqua Man Taken Into Custody on Outstanding Warrants

On November 10th, Derek Shellhamer, 26, 307 Arlington St. was taken into custody on outstanding warrants by the Schuylkill County Probation Office.

Shellhamer's residence was posted with a no trespassing sign by the code enforcement office but officers noticed that the basement door was broken into.  Officers then searched the residence where they found  Shellhamer hiding in an upstairs closet.  When they searched him they found a metal spoon, waxed packing materials and half a pill of Traxodone which is an antidepressant.

Shellhamer was then placed into Schuylkill County Prison.

Vehicle Pushed Into Shenandoah Business In Crash

Picture from Firewire Schuylkill County

Around 11am, crews were called to 601 West Center St., Shenandoah.

It was reported that a tan Ford Taurus rear ended the white pickup truck and pushed the truck into RJ and Friends Bar.

The Ford Taurus was reported to have fled the scene and an alert was sent out looking for the vehicle with front end damage and leaking fluids.

Shortly the Ford Taurus returned to the scene.

UPDATED: Orwigsburg Police Looking For Armed Home Invaders

Police are looking for 2 men that kicked in a door to a home on West Market Street in Orwigsburg around 1am Thursday morning.

The armed invaders then threatened the two people that lived inside the home.

The invaders took a purse, a safe, and a bottle of alcohol before leaving.  No one was reported hurt.

No information was given about the intruders.

If anyone has any information, please call the Orwigsburg police.

UPDATE FROM ORWIGSBURG POLICE:  The suspects have been described as at least 2 black males.  They believe this was a targeted event and the suspect(s) know the victims.  The investigation is still ongoing.

Coaldale Looking For Police Chief But Current Chief Doesn't Plan on Leaving

The Coaldale borough has published notices that they are looking for a new police chief.  The strange thing is, the current police chief has no plans for retiring.

At this point, only an ad has been posted that they are looking for someone for the position and sites that it's a personnel issue that they cannot discuss.

You can read more about it here
http://www.tnonline.com/2013/nov/13/wanted-new-police-chief

Deer Blamed in Deer Lake Crash

On Sunday around 6:30pm,  Kathleen Rogers, 62, of Ashland was driving north on Route 61 in Deer Lake when a deer came across the roadway.  Rogers swerved to avoid the animal and came in contact with a concrete barrier.  The area was also a one lane construction zone.

No injuries were reported but the vehicle had to be towed from the scene.

Schuylkill Haven Graduate First to Receive Penn State Wylonis Scholarship

John Austin Bayliff is a 2013 graduate of Schuylkill Haven High School and has been chosen to be the first recipient of the Wylonis Scholarship at Penn State Schuylkill.

You can read more about it here
http://www.sl.psu.edu/29867.htm

Tamaqua Police Looking For Gas Thieves

Tamaqua Police are looking for thiefs who stole gas out of one of Tamaqua Appliance Parts & Service's box trucks.

If you have any information on this, you are to call Tamaqua Police at (570) 668-6100.

County Woman Ordered To Stand Trial For Death of Boyfriend

A Luzerne County judge on Tuesday upheld criminal homicide and evidence tampering charges against 30-year-old Jessica Alinsky of Shenandoah.

Alinsky has been ordered to stand trial for the death of her boyfriend, Matthew Gailie from two years ago.

Prosecutors said Alinsky gave conflicting accounts and alleged that she disrupted the crime scene.

Former Schuylkill County Congressman Confirmed As Member of Liquor Control Board

Former Congressman Tim Holden, of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania has been unanimously confirmed by the State Senate to serve a four-year term as a member of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB). The vote was 48-0.

Governor Tom Corbett nominated Holden to the PLCB on June 14, 2013, to fill a vacancy created when Board Member Patrick J. "PJ" Stapleton's term expired.  The position had been vacant since Stapleton's last day, Oct. 5, 2012.

"Congressman Tim Holden has earned a great deal of respect during his distinguished career as a legislator in Congress," said PLCB Chairman Joseph E. Brion. "As a public servant, he has worked hard for the citizens of the commonwealth and I have no doubt that he will bring that same work ethic and enthusiasm to his role at the PLCB as well."

Holden was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for a decade, from Jan. 3, 2003 – Jan. 3, 2013.  He first represented the 6^th district based in Reading, Pennsylvania before redistricting dismantled that district.  He went on to get elected to the 17^th district based in Harrisburg.

Prior to his congressional career, Holden was a licensed real estate agent and an insurance broker.  He also served as sheriff of Schuylkill County and as Sergeant-at-Arms for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.  He graduated from BloomsburgUniversity.

By law, no more than two of the three board members may be of the same political party as the Governor.  Once he's sworn in, Holden, a Democrat, will be the minority member on the Board.

"I'm very much looking forward to working with Congressman Holden in his new role as a board member," said Robert S. Marcus, PLCB member.  "We're very fortunate to have his insight and expertise as we work to meet the goals set for this agency. I believe he will be a great addition to our team."

The PLCB regulates the commonwealth's beverage alcohol-industry; offers a comprehensive alcohol-education program to promote the responsible use of alcohol and operates more than 600 Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores.  Taxes and store profits are returned to Pennsylvania's General Fund.

SOURCE:  Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board

Power Restored In Rush Township

Yesterday morning around 11:45am almost 700 PPL customers were without power in Rush Township.

According to PPL that power was restored around 1PM.

The power was out due to PPL repairing a pole/wire that was damaged from a fire last night near the intersection of Fairview Street and Marian Drive.

Schuylkill County To Raise Taxes

The Republican Herald is reporting that Schuylkill County will have it's first tax hike in over a decade.

The board of commissioners met Wednesday morning and approve a budget that raises taxes over $2 million.

Read more about it below
http://republicanherald.com/schuylkill-county-to-raise-taxes-by-2-mills-1.1585008

What's your thoughts on this?

Juveniles To Be Charged For Ringtown Vandalism

It's being reported that several juveniles are expected to be charged sometime this week for the vandalism at the Ringtown Elementary School.  Although the number of juveniles were not given, it's being said that they were not all from the Ringtown borough.

The juveniles spray painted the exterior walls of the former Ringtown Elementary School.