Times News

Thorpe arrests

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:08 +0000

Jim Thorpe police reported on the following arrests made by officers.

On Friday, Jan. 6, about 9:50 p.m. officers were dispatched to Kemmerer's Park for a report of juveniles smashing bottles in the area. Upon arrival police observed Cody Queen, 18, of 1119 Center St., Jim Thorpe, and a 16-year-old male sitting at a picnic table.

While speaking with Queen police observed a clear sandwich bag containing a green vegetable matter lying on the ground next to him.

DUI arrests reported in Thorpe

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:05 +0000

Two driving under the influence (DUI) arrests have been reported by Jim Thorpe police.

Police said on Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, about 2:03 p.m. police were dispatched to SR903 for a one vehicle crash along Kattner's Mountain.

On scene officers found a 2001 Nissan sedan resting on its roof in the middle of the road blocking both lanes. The driver was identified as Adam M. Sobas, 60, of 1988 Green St., Lehighton.

Chuck Thamarus is Grand Marshal

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:09 +0000

The St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee of Jim Thorpe and Carbon County has selected a Nesquehoning man who has been involved in the Ancient Order of Hibernians since its inception in 1997 to serve as Grand Marshal of the 15th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Charles "Chuck" Thamarus of 157 W. Columbus Ave. will lead the 2012 parade down Broadway on Sunday, March 11, beginning at 1 p.m. The event is also dedicated to all veterans of all branches of the Armed Services, parade committee officials announced.

Three area men plead guilty to drug charges, get state prison time

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:07 +0000

Three area men entered guilty pleas in Schuylkill County court to drug charges and received state prison sentences from President Judge William E. Baldwin.

Ricardo Lloyd Knight, 23, of 203 1/2 Lehigh St., Tamaqua, on a charge of delivery of a controlled substance in Tamaqua was sentenced to serve three to six years in a state correctional facility and the sentence is to begin at the expiration of a sentence imposed in New York.

Driver flees scene of Schuylkill crash

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:09 +0000

State police at the Schuylkill Haven barracks said a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer sustained disabling damages in a one-vehicle crash at 12:27 a.m. Feb. 6 on Peach Mountain Road in Norweigan Township, Schuylkill County.

Police said the operator of the vehicle fled the scene without reporting the collision.

Named to dean's list at Mansfield Univ.

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:08 +0000

Sean Green, a student at Mansfield University, Mansfield, Pa., was named to the dean's list for the fall 2011 semester with a 3.83 GPA. His major is pre-med.

Green is the son of John and Kim Green, and brother of Shannon Green, all of Albrightsville.

He is a 2011 graduate of Jim Thorpe Area High School.

Green also played sprint football, starting every game this season at wide receiver. He led the team in receptions and also receiving yards, earning him All CSFL Honorable Mention.

Pottsville man charged with DUI

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:07 +0000

James Mickshaw, 38, of Pottsville, is facing charges of driving under the influence of alcohol as a result of an incident at 12:51 a.m. Feb. 4 in Pottsville.

State police at the Schuylkill Haven barracks said they observed him driving a 1997 Dodge Ram van that struck the curb while turning. The man was stopped, suspected to be under the influence of alcohol and asked to perform standardized field sobriety tests.

He was then taken to the Schuylkill Medical center South, Pottsville, for a blood-alcohol test.

Occupiers

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:05 +0000

Philosopher George Santayana gave us the famous quote that "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Members of the Greatest Generation those who lived through the Depression and World War 2 years may recall the 'Hoovervilles' that sprang up out of the desperation of the 1930s.

Shire at Emerald Hills gets approval after 11 years

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:10 +0000

Supervisor Penny Kleintop said an executive session had been held on Jan. 27 to discuss personnel and a brief meeting was held with the roadmaster prior to the Feb. 2 Towamensing supervisors' meeting, Scott Mosier, roadmaster, asked that Phil Costenbader be appointed as assistant roadmaster and Tom Costenbader as a crew member. Both were approved during the following meeting.

Mischief incident probed in Carbon

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:04 +0000

State police at Fern Ridge are investigating a criminal mischief incident at a Carbon County site.

Troopers said someone damaged a sign in front of the Child First Services building located along SR903 in Penn Forest Township. Troopers said a front door of the building and a car parked at the site were also damaged.

The incident was reported at 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 6.

Make better use of media supervisors are instructed

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:08 +0000

Under public comment at the Feb. 6 meeting of the East Penn supervisors, Joe Ehritz said there was an article in the Pennsylvania Township News magazine suggesting supervisors make better use of the media to spread information. Crime watch and parks and recreation information are two that benefit easily.

Ehritz said he hopes the supervisors keep up with patching roads because when the weather changes there will be a lot of potholes.

Barnesville man found not guilty of drunk driving count

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:05 +0000

A Barnesville motorist was found not guilty by a jury of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol following a one day trial Monday before Judge John E. Domalakes in Schuylkill County court.

David A. Meranda, 52, of Shady Lane, testified he had a few beers but was not drunk when stopped on April 8, 2011, by Rush Township Patrolman Jonathan McHugh, on Fairview Street, also known as Air Products Road, around 12:30 a.m.

McHugh testified he was on patrol duty and came upon a car which crossed the yellow divider line several times and he stopped the vehicle.

Police cruiser rear-ended

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:08 +0000

A state police cruiser was rear-ended in one of three crashes occurring on Schuylkill County roadways.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Trooper Peter F. Mohn, 25, of Harrisburg, was stopped along SR443 in Pine Grove about 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, waiting for traffic that was turning when his 2011 Ford Crown Victoria was struck in the rear by a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina driven by Josephine T. Hardy, 81, of Pine Grove.

No one was injured and damages were minor to the two vehicles. Troopers cited Hardy for careless driving.

Named to dean's list

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:03 +0000

Michael Lindenmuth of Nesquehoning has been named to the dean's list at Mount Saint Mary's University, Emmitsburg, Md., for the fall 2011 semester with a 3.93 GPA.

Lindenmuth is a senior majoring in political science, with a double minor in history and sports management.

Monroe DUI arrests

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:05 +0000

Pocono Mountain Regional police reported on the following driving under the influence (DUI) arrests.

On Feb. 2 about 2 a.m. officers observed a Mercedes running a stop sign and veering over the double yellow line at the intersection of Long Pond Road in East Emerald Blvd., in Pocono Summit, Tobyhanna Township.

A traffic stop was made and the driver was identified as Kim Christine Burke-Prete, 44, of Long Pond. She was found to be under the influence and was placed under arrest. DUI and related charges were filed, police added.

MEM executives charged with theft of $832,460 from Bethlehem Township

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:09 +0000

Lured by the promise of big savings, Bethlehem Township, along with the coal region towns of Coaldale, Lansford, Nesquehoning, Jim Thorpe and Tamaqua, paid Municipal Energy Managers hundreds of thousands of dollars to help them buy street lights from PPL instead of leasing them.

FBI interested

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:07 +0000

Two men arrested by Tamaqua police following a high-speed chase late Sunday night are garnering a lot of attention from local, state and federal law enforcement officials, and are suspects in a string of armed robberies throughout the area.

Domestic incident leads to citation

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:09 +0000

A domestic incident in Schuylkill County led to a citation being issued.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said the incident occurred at 4 Mary St., in Palo Alto. Troopers said a 40-year-old female and Marshall Lloyd Burpo Jr., 43, of Pottsville, were involved in a dispute. As a result Burpo was issued a citation for harassment, troopers said.

Degiglio returns from deployment

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:09 +0000

Army National Guard Pfc. Nicholas J. Degiglio has returned to the U.S. after being deployed overseas at a forward operating base to serve in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Vehicle stop leads to drug charge

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:08 +0000

A vehicle stop in Monroe County has led to a drug charge pending.

Pocono Mountain Regional police said about 4:29 p.m. officers stopped a vehicle at the intersection of state routes 196 and 611, for displaying a dead registration plate. At the stop officers detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.

Police had the K9 unit respond and search the vehicle. Found was marijuana. The driver was identified as Joe Lopez, 23, of Mount Pocono.

Lopez was charged with possession of marijuana and then released.

Weissport Council considering putting sand down to replace mulch as playground base

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:10 +0000

Members of Weissport Council discussed replacing the rubber mulch in the playground with sand as a cost-cutting measure to protect young children from injuries in the play area.

Council president Gene Kershner said that the sand was an approved use for playgrounds and would save the borough a considerable amount of money over the cost of replenishing the mulch.

Kershner said that the present mulch is not thick enough and there is an issue of liability for the borough if a child is injured.

Woman brings drugs into prison

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:05 +0000

Kristen Lynn LaSalle, 25, of West Pittston, has been arrested by state police at the Frackville for allegedly bringing prescription drugs into the State Correctional Institute in Mahanoy Township.

Police said the incident happened at 11 a.m. Feb. 4 when LaSalle entered the jail with concealed medication on her person, intending to deliver it to an inmate. Police said she was confronted by prison personnel after she entered the prison and admitted to having the drugs, turning them over to the staff.

On this date

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:08 +0000

Panther Valley High School announced two winners in an oratorical contest held at the school. The outstanding orators are Patricia Matta, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael P. Matta of Lansford, a sophomore whose oration was entitled "Untimely Death," and Joseph Brand, a senior, whose oration was "What Has Happened to Our American Values." Brand is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Brand of Summit Hill. Runners-up were Bonnie Angst and John Rajnic.

Lehighton AMVETS announce annual end of year report

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:05 +0000

Randy Rabenold, adjutant for the Lehighton AMVETS, Elwood Miller Post 106, has issued his annual report for 2011.

Since the Post is without a home of it's own, the members meet at the V.F.W. home on South Street, Lehighton.

Regular meetings are held on the third Sunday of the month at 3 p.m. with about 11 members usually attending.

About 32 members attended the July picnic meeting held at the Lehighton Legion Home.

Woman is charged with stealing

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:08 +0000

Shawna Lenker, 18, of Schuylkill Haven, has been arrested by state police at the Schuylkill Haven barracks for allegedly stealing a jacket at the Schuylkill IU29 school, Norwegian Township.

Police said the incident happened between noon and 1 p.m. Feb. 2 when the accused stole a Hollister hooded-drawstring jacket from a classroom. The jacket was hanging on the wall and police said video surveillance of the theft was observed by staff members who saw Lenker wearing the jacket in the hallway.

She has been charged with theft and receiving stolen property.

Attains dean's list at St. Joseph Univ.

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:05 +0000

Emily RoseNerino attained the dean's list in her first semester at St. Joseph University in Philadelphia, with a G.P.A. of 3.94. Emily is a 2011 graduate of Marian Catholic High School. At. St. Joseph, she is majoring in political science. Emily is the daughter of Wanda Nerino of Jim Thorpe and the granddaughter of Louis and Lois Nerino of Bangor.

Alcohol suspected in Monroe crash

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:05 +0000

Alcohol impaired driving is suspected in a one vehicle crash that occurred about 6:12 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5, along SR115, south of Long Pond Road, in Tunkhannock Township, Monroe County.

Pocono Mountain Regional police said a 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300 left the road and struck a tree. The driver was identified as Emmanuel Rivera, 35, of Kunkletown. He sustained moderate injuries and was transported to the Geisinger Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre.

Police said the investigation into the crash is continuing and alcohol impaired driving is suspected.

Lehighton man pleads to drug counts

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:09 +0000

A Lehighton man recently pleaded guilty to two drug charges and was immediately sentenced to a jail term in Carbon County court.

James Kutchera Jr., 25, pleaded to one count each of possession of a controlled substance-heroin, and possession of drug paraphernalia before Judge Joseph J. Matika.

He was arrested on Dec. 1, 2011, following a vehicle stop in Beaver Meadows. The initial stop was for speeding.

Aides to the St. Patrick's Day Parade announced

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:07 +0000

Four persons, who as members of the local Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, continue to work toward their organization's mission of promoting Friendshhip, Unity and Christian Charity, have been named "aides to the grand marshal" for the 15th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade to be held in March in Jim Thorpe.

The parade will step off at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 11, on Broadway in the county-seat community. The Grand Marshal will be Charles "Chuck" Thamarus (see related story in today's TIMES NEWS) of Nesquehoning.

DUI arrests in Schuylkill

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:10 +0000

State police at Schuylkill Haven reported on two driving under the influence (DUI) arrests.

Troopers said about midnight on Feb. 2 Christine M. Naftzinger, 32, of Pine Grove, came to the barracks to report an incident. At the scene it was determined that Naftzinger was under the influence and had driven her vehicle to the barracks. She was placed under arrest for DUI and charges will be filed.

On Monday, Feb. 6, about 2:10 a.m. troopers responded to a one vehicle crash along SR443, just west of Church Road, in Wayne Township.

Attains dean's list at Washington and Jefferson College

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:10 +0000

Brittany Homcha of Nesquehoning was recently notified that she has attained the dean's list for the fall 2011 semester at Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pa.

She is a senior majoring in biochemistry and is a member of the Delta Gamma Society. She is active in numerous volunteer health organizations and plans to pursue further studies in the medical field.

Schuylkill break-in

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:08 +0000

State police at Frackville are investigating a burglary that occurred at a Schuylkill County property.

The incident occurred at a property along Fawn Lane, in the Wildcat development, in Walker Township, which is west of Tamaqua.

The property was entered by unknown criminals. Once inside the thermostat wire was cut causing $60 in damages. The property is owned by Barbara Knappenberger, 58, of Lehighton.

Marian to hold information social

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:10 +0000

Marian High School will hold an informal question and answer session from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8 in the library for all parents and students interested in attending Marian in the fall.

Faculty, staff and administration will be available to answer any questions parents or students may have regarding registration, academics, financial aid or athletics.

Everyone is welcome to attend this information session. For more information, call the development office at (570) 467-0641.

Two ATV's found

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:05 +0000

State police at Frackville reported two all terrain vehicles (ATVs) were found at a site in Schuylkill County.

Troopers said the two were found a half-mile northeast of the Burma Road, and a mile north of Saint Clair, in Blythe Township. One is a white Suzuki and the other a red Polaris.

The two were found about 3:40 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 6.

JIM THORPE NEWS

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:09 +0000

FEB. 11

Food pantry set in JT

The Shepherd House Food Pantry at Ebenezer E.C. Church will be open on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 9-11 a.m. Recipients must reside within the Jim Thorpe School District and fall within TEFAP income guidelines. The pantry is located at 441 Center Ave. in Jim Thorpe. Park in the Cherry Avenue parking lot and enter through the rear entrance.

Call (570) 325-2855 for more information or if you are able to help with setting up the pantry on Feb. 10 at 10:30 a.m.

Nearly 100 farmers appeal the closing of FSA office

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:06 +0000

The Big Creek Grange has for generations been an agricultural community stalwart; a site for meetings, competitions, fundraisers, and social gatherings.

Yesterday, the Grange was the setting for a hearing on the future of a vital farm service, and the atmosphere which prevailed was not assuring.

Two cited for criminal trespass

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:09 +0000

Two Lancaster residents were cited for criminal trespass following an incident in Schuylkill County.

State police at Frackville said the incident occurred about 3:50 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 6, on a dirt road off the Burma Road, a mile north of Saint Clair, in Blythe Township.

Troopers said Damaso Albino-Santiago, 28, and Hector G. Mateo, 20, were observed driving a dirt bike and all terrain vehicle (ATV) on the dirt road. Troopers stopped the two and asked if they had a permit to be on the private land.

Attains dean's list at Misericordia Univ.

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:07 +0000

Mallory Loughman, Tamaqua, was named to the dean's list at Misericordia University for the 2011 fall semester.

A student at Misericordia University qualifies for the dean's list with a 3.55 grade point average or higher.

Man is charged with making threats

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:07 +0000

Arthur R. Coldren, 42, of Pottsville, has been arrested by state police at the Schuylkill haven barracks for making terroristic threats.

Police said he contacted a 45-year-old Pottsville woman via her cell phone and made statements that indicated he threatened to kill her as well "coming after" a juvenile.

The incident was reported on Feb. 3 at 3 Mengle St., North Manheim Township.

Police said Coldren was arraigned before District Judge Christina Hale, of Frackville, and committed to the Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville, in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Arts, music & creativity

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:09 +0000

Adaptive re-use of a former church complex could give birth to the area's newest multipurpose center for music, arts, theater and education in downtown Tamaqua.

The exact configuration won't be known until the public offers input into selecting the optimum use of the former Salem Evangelical Church, 125 Pine St., Route 309, Tamaqua.

"Our hope is to develop a center open to everyone that could serve as a performance venue, art studio, instructional workshop and other similar creative uses," said Tamaqua Area Community Partnership executive director Micah Gursky.