Local News

A raging fire Saturday afternoon destroyed a Monroe county home and detached garage in Pocono Township. The fire was first reported at 3 p.m. along White Oak Drive when residents reported a structurewith possible explosions. When firefighters from numerous Monroe county departments arrived on scene they found the large garage fully involved in flames. It appeared the fire started in the garage and quickly spread to the wood frame dwelling. Emergency personnel found the owner of the premises to the rear of the fire scene requiring medical help.

Waived was the word of the day last Tuesday in the court of District Judge Stephen Bayer, Tamaqua.

That's the action each of the defendants took as they were called for their preliminary hearings.

Alyssa M. McCarroll, 21, of 209 Market St., Tamaqua, will now face trial in the Scuylkill County court on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI above .16 BAC and two counts of hit and run. The charges were filed by Tamaqua Patrolman Thomas Rodgers and stem from a Dec. 30, 2009 incident.

McCarroll was released on her own recognizance.

Lehighton Borough Council says it wants to resolve two important zoning-related issues as soon as possible.

One is naming a zoning officer. However, the borough wants to hire someone to do the job part-time. The previous zoning officer, John Quinn, was a full-time borough employee.

The other issue is adjusting rates for building permits. Several council members expressed concern that some permit fees are too high for certain types of work.

"We do want to encourage people to fix up," said council member Melissa Ebbert.

Thousands of fisherman throughout our regions took advantage of almost perfect weather as Saturday marked the start of trout season in certain parts of the state. Pictured fishing under a bridge trestle located on Tuscarora Park Road in Tamaqua is Alexander Wargo, 6.