News

10/14/19

by News Department on 10/14/19

3 Year Old Critical...

3 year old Arabella Parker, of Northumberland County, remains in critical condition at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, after state troopers said she was beaten so badly, surgeons were forced to remove a portion of her brain.

State police say Jahrid Burgess of Trevorton admitted to beating the little girl several times over the past few months, most recently on Thursday.

Troopers say the child was rushed to a hospital where she is in critical condition with a brain injury and broken ribs. Burgess is also charged with assaulting his girlfriend, the child’s mother.

He is locked up in the Northumberland County jail in lieu of $200,000 cash bail following a video arraignment Saturday morning before Shamokin District Judge John Gembic.

10/14/19

by News Department on 10/14/19

Juvenile steals car...

A 14 year old stole a vehicle, sheared off a sign and fled the scene.

According to Skook News, State Police at Frackville said the incident happened on Sunday afternoon when a 14 year old, from Ashland, had taken a Chevrolet Equinox without permission, then headed towards Frackville.

Police say the teen was heading northbound on Route 61 in Butler Township, near Frackville and intended to make a left turn, but instead, slid through an intersection into a grassy area shearing off a "Fire Station Ahead" sign.

The teen then fled the scene with police finding the vehicle parked approximately 3 blocks away.

10/14/19

by News Department on 10/14/19

Marchalk to PSAECO...

Schuylkill County Treasurer Linda Marchalk announced that she was appointed as delegate on the board of the Pennsylvania State Association of Elected County Officials.

Marchalk joins this association representing the county treasurers from Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.

PSAECO is a collective organization consisting of representatives from each of the various statewide associations of elected county officials. Delegates and Representatives to PSAECO work with the General Assembly, executive agencies, the judiciary and state agencies to develop policy benefitting counties and their citizens.

10/14/19

by News Department on 10/14/19

Priest removed...

A priest has been removed from the ministry after allegations were reported of sexual abuse of a minor in Shenandoah decades ago.

According to Skook News, the Archdiocese of Allentown said Father Robert J. Potts has been removed from ministry pending investigation of an allegation that he sexually abused a minor in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The Diocese reports that the removal of Father Potts from ministry at this time is not a determination of guilt, but rather a precautionary measure until the appropriate investigations are completed.

As part of its cooperation with law enforcement, the Diocese sought the guidance of the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s office regarding the appropriate timing of a public announcement.

The abuse allegedly occurred when Father Potts was pastor of the former St. George Parish, Shenandoah.

10/11/19

by News Department on 10/11/19

10/11/19

by News Department on 10/11/19

Drug Charges...

Two men were arrested on Thursday after Mahanoy Township police found them with over $3,000 worth of drugs in a cemetery.

According to Skook News, Mahanoy Township Police Chief Brandon Alexander filed charges against 61 year old Marvin Houtz, and 31 year old Shawn Murphy, both of Shenandoah after they were found with methamphetamine, marijuana, hash, THC oil and drug paraphernalia while sitting in a car in the St. Fidelis Cemetery near Mahanoy City.

Both men were taken into custody and arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Kilker.

10/11/19

by News Department on 10/11/19

Wittig Banned...

The president of the Tamaqua Area school board has been permanently banned from U.S. Olympic sports because of sexual misconduct involving a minor.

According to the Republican Herald, the allegations against Larry Wittig are from the early 1980s when he was a rowing coach on the collegiate level. He also coached Olympic crew teams.

It wasn’t until 2017 that several women told the Philadelphia Inquirer that Wittig sought sexual relationships when they were teenagers and athletes at a club where Wittig was a member. At the time, Wittig was married and in his early 30s.

According to information from the center, the ruling to make Wittig “permanently ineligible” was made Sept. 27.

10/11/19

by News Department on 10/11/19

Theft Charges...

Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced charges against a former Northumberland County Assistance Office caseworker for fraudulently obtaining EBT cards and using them to make more than $8,600 in purchases.

According to Skook News, 40 year old Jennifer L. Curcie, of Coal Township, was employed as a caseworker at the Northumberland County Assistance Office from 2015-2018.

She reportedly used the cards to make purchases in excess of $8,600 at several stores. Curcie was terminated from her position in August 2018.

The defendant turned herself in Thursday, was arraigned, and waived her preliminary hearing. Deputy Attorney General Philip McCarthy will prosecute the case.

10/11/19

by News Department on 10/11/19

Fire-Bombing...

49 year old Philip Finn, Jr., of Plains, pleaded guilty Wednesday, before US District Court Judge James M. Munley, of using of fire to commit stalking.

According to Skook News, Finn admitted that on March 6, 2017, he used three Molotov cocktails to set fire to the Luzerne County Children and Youth Building to harass and intimidate two Children and Youth Employees.

Finn faces a mandatory 10 years in prison if convicted on all counts. He will be sentenced in January.

10/9/19

by News Department on 10/09/19

10/9/19

by News Department on 10/09/19

Mobile home fire...

A mobile home caught fire late Tuesday morning in Schuylkill County. Officials say the flames sparked sometime around 11 a.m. in Melanie Manor, near Ringtown.

Several people live there, but they were not home at the time.

Authorities say a few pets were rescued and all are OK.

There is no word what started the fire.

Ringtown Valley Fire & Rescue Co. posted on its Facebook page that the home belongs to a member of the fire company. The post says if anyone would like to make a donation, it can be dropped off at the firehouse or sent to:
PO Box 243
Ringtown Pa 17967

10/9/19

by News Department on 10/09/19

Mobile home fire...

A mobile home caught fire late Tuesday morning in Schuylkill County. Officials say the flames sparked sometime around 11 a.m. in Melanie Manor, near Ringtown.

Several people live there, but they were not home at the time.

Authorities say a few pets were rescued and all are OK.

There is no word what started the fire.

10/9/19

by News Department on 10/09/19

Firefighter funding...

The PA Auditor General announced Tuesday, that he has released nearly $60 million in aid to support volunteer firefighters across Pennsylvania — a nearly $5 million increase over last year.

According to the Republican Herald, the AG repeated his call for the General Assembly to consider giving VFRAs greater flexibility to use the state aid they receive in ways that meet specific local needs, as the current state law tightly restricts how the money may be spent.

10/9/19

by News Department on 10/09/19

Beef RECALL...

A major beef recall linked to e-coli, is to blame for one death and at least 18 people getting sick. T

he bacteria was found in 133,000 lbs pounds of ground chuck nationwide.The meat was distributed by Cargill Meat Solutions and produced on June 21st.

They were sold in three, ten, and 20-pound packages at many stores across the United States. The USDA inspection mark on the package says “EST. 86R” inside.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

The agency also reminds consumers to use a meat thermometer to assure an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit, which is necessary to kill bacteria that can cause illness.

10/9/19

by News Department on 10/09/19

$1 Million Drug Bust...

Schuylkill County District Attorney Michael O'Pake along with the Pennsylvania State Police announced the results of a drug investigation, Tuesday that led to 14 arrests and over $1,000,000 in drugs seized in Schuylkill County.

According to Skook News, the investigation called, "Operation Strike 3," was reported to have started about 9 months ago as a combined effort of more than 10 law enforcement agencies.

Tuesday’s arrests ranged from Fredericksburg, Mar Lin, Hazleton, Schuylkill Haven, St. Clair and Pottsville.

O'Pake said this could possibly be largest drug bust in the County's history.

10/8/19

by News Department on 10/08/19

10/8/19

by News Department on 10/08/19

Drugs/Guns found...

A Minersville man was found with guns and methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Berks County over the weekend.

According to Skook News, 35 year old David Fitting was arrested after being pulled over for not stopping at stop sign. Wyomissing police searched the vehicle which led to the discovery of the guns and drugs.

Fitting was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Sandra L. Fegley and locked up in Berks County Prison unable to post $75,000 cash bail.

10/8/19

by News Department on 10/08/19

3 Infants die...

Three infants have died, all of them victims of a waterborne infection in the NICU at Geisinger Medical Center, in Danville.

Officials reported that the department recently experienced an outbreak of pseudomonas infection, which is a waterborne infection among premature infants.

A total of eight babies have been exposed to the infection, four were treated and recovered and one is still receiving treatment.

Doctors say they believe the deaths of the three infants were a result of their already vulnerable state because they were born extremely premature.

Officials with Geisinger say they are taking the precautionary steps in making sure this type of outbreak doesn’t happen again.

The NICU will remain open, however, it’s restricting babies born under 32 weeks.

10/8/19

by News Department on 10/08/19

3 Infants die...

Three infants have died, all of them victims of a waterborne infection in the NICU at Geisinger Medical Center, in Danville.

Officials reported that the department recently experienced an outbreak of pseudomonas infection, which is a waterborne infection among premature infants.

A total of eight babies have been exposed to the infection, four were treated and recovered and one is still receiving treatment.

Doctors say they believe the deaths of the three infants were a result of their already vulnerable state because they were born extremely premature.

Officials with Geisinger say they are taking the precautionary steps in making sure this type of outbreak doesn’t happen again.

The NICU will remain open, however, it’s restricting babies born under 32 weeks.

10/8/19

by News Department on 10/08/19

Travel Delays...

Some travel delays are expected as the borough of Tamaqua will begin paving Owl Creek Road starting at today and continue daily, weather permitting, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. until the project is complete.

The project will start at the county line and continue west for approximately 1.5 miles.

Drivers are being urged to avoid this area.

Through traffic between Route 902 and Route 309 will be closed for periods to accommodate the paving, with local traffic only being allowed.

Motorists should expect delays and allow for additional travel time.

« Newer Entries | Main | Older Entries »