Lehighton contemplates change

A proposed policy update in Lehighton Area School District would give parents of children born between Sept. 1 and Oct. 15 another option for the student's kindergarten starting date.Lehighton's proposal would allow parents of children turning 5 years old between Sept. 1 and Oct. 15 to write a letter to the district and have the child take an assessment test.Should the child demonstrate readiness for kindergarten on that test, they would be eligible for enrollment that fall instead of waiting until the following school year.Garages are destroyedFire destroyed two garages located in the rear of the 400 block of North Street in Jim Thorpe.The owner of the garages, Todd Mason, said he was working in one of the buildings and came out to see his other building, separated by a narrow walkway, on fire. Even though both of his buildings were lost, he praised the fire department for their quick response.Constable held for courtGeorge T. Bottomley Jr., the state constable accused of abusing his position for sex, was bound over for Carbon court after a preliminary hearing.He is charged with abuse of the legal process, and promoting prostitution.Bottomley is accused of using his position as an elected official to solicit sex from at least seven women from the Lansford area.Frein trial costs listedPike County officials report they spent more than $480,000 in the murder trial of convicted cop killer Eric Frein.Matthew Osterberg, commissioner chairman, said officials faced a tough decision when they put the budget together in November. They budgeted $250,000 for the trial but will now dip into the county's fund balance, which was $1.6 million at the start of this year, to pay the difference.Frein, 34, was convicted April 19 of first-degree murder and 11 other offenses for killing Cpl. Bryon K. Dickson II of Dunmore and wounding trooper Alex T. Douglass of Olyphant in a sniper attack outside the Blooming Grove state police barracks on Sept. 12, 2014. He was sentenced to death April 26.Jim Thorpe wants one departmentAn ordinance establishing a municipal fire department in Jim Thorpe could come up for a vote as soon as next month.During a borough council workshop, Borough Manager Maureen Sterner said the ordinance has been drafted and circulated to council members.The restructuring will likely include the merger of two of the department's three companies, Phoenix and Fairview hose companies.Unemployment rates announcedThe U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the national unemployment rate of 4.3 percent in May dropped only by half a percentage point since January.In Pennsylvania, the unemployment rate is slightly above the national average at 4.9 percent.A breakdown by counties showed the rates as follows: Carbon, 5.7 percent; Schuylkill, 5.9; Monroe, 5.9; Lehigh County, 5.0; and Northampton, 4.9.Lansford deals blow to shelterPlans for Carbon County's first women's shelter were dealt a setback Wednesday night.The zoning hearing board in Lansford Borough voted 3-0 to deny a zoning request made by Family Promise of Carbon County to convert a home into a women's shelter. The nonprofit organization had sought to convert a half-a-double unit into a temporary homeless shelter for single women.Family Promise owns both halves of 605-607 E. Ridge St. and currently rents out the other half.In the end, the board said that the organization did not prove that the shelter was allowed in the zoning district where it is proposed.Weissport celebratesWeissport Borough celebrated Founder's Day as part of its 150-year celebration. The event was held in the borough park to celebrate the 225th anniversary of the town's founding and 150th anniversary of its incorporation as a borough.The highlight was a series of displays in Jacob's United Church of Christ, located next to the park, which contained old photos, news clippings, memorabilia, scrapbooks, old bottles and a map detailing some of the long-gone landmarks that existed.Charged with kidnappingMichael Krause, 27, of Orwigsburg, was jailed in a kidnapping incident in Palo Alto borough.Troopers said a 43-year-old woman was walking in that area and going to a residence when Krause pulled up to her in his pickup and began yelling at her. He then pushed the woman into his truck and fled the scene. A short time later the victim, Krause and another man were located by Schuylkill Township police in Middleport.Krause is being held in the county prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.Administrator namedThe four-town parish of St. Joseph Catholic Church of the Panther Valley in Summit Hill, will be served by a priest who has been assigned as administrator there by the Diocese of Allentown.The Rev. Allen J. Hoffa, who turned 34 on Sunday, will take over the parish that serves Summit Hill, Lansford, Coaldale and Nesquehoning, effective June 20. Meanwhile, the parish's longtime pastor, the Rev. James J. Burdess, has been placed on a medical leave of absence.Superintendent to retireNorthern Lehigh Superintendent of Schools Michael Michaels is retiring on June 30 after over 40 years in education.Superintendent of the Northern Lehigh for the past nine years, he began his career in 1975. Since that time, Michaels has been in all levels of education, including special education teacher, elementary teacher, middle school teacher, high school teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent.