The Morning Call from Allentown, Pennsylvania • 21

THIRD THE MORNING CALL, THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1997 B3 UCE NEWS RYAN TOWNSHIP 3 people injured in a hit-and-run PA 0s BUSHKILL TOWNSHIP Man is arraigned in register theft case A Nazareth man, who was already in Northampton County Prison, was charged Wednesday with conspiring to steal a cash register in September. Documents filed in a district court say William Eckhart, 22, of 85 Scheneck helped Sean Cook, 22, of 583 Jacobsburg Road, Bushkill Township, steal a $359 cash register and the $65 inside it from Mountain Golf at 598 Jacobsburg Road in the township. Cook was charged with criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief and criminal conspiracy to commit theft on June 19. Eckhart was arraigned before District Justice Adrianne Masut of Wind Gap and held on $1,500 bail. He is charged with receiving stolen property, criminal mischief and conspiracy to commit theft.

Eckhart's preliminary hearing is set for 2 p.m. Aug. 4. Three people were hurt Tuesday in a hit-and-run accident when a tractor-trailer driving north along Route 81 struck the right rear corner of a car, causing it to spin out of control, in Ryan Township, Schuylkill County, Frackville state police said. The car went off the left side of the road into the median, struck a rock embankment and finally stopped in the left lane.

Francis Paris, 57, of Jermyn, Lackawanna County driver, was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville, with a head injury. Passengers Jacqueline Chesko, 32, and Nicholas Chesko, 4, of Blakely, Lackawanna County, had leg injuries. The tractor-trailer stopped along the road briefly before fleeing north, police said. Goodwill and Englewood Fire companies assisted state police and ambulance at the scene. Anyone who witnessed the accident should call state police at (717) 874-0207.

In another hit-and-run, the parked car of Dinesh Rawlley of New Jersey was hit by an unknown vehicle Sunday at the Hi-daway Hills Golf Course parking lot, Polk Township, Monroe County. It sustained minor damage. Anyone who witnessed the accident should call Lehighton state police at (610) 377-4270. Summer puddle play After some playful splashing, Eric Yannarella, 7, (left) pulls his friend, Michael Richards, 6, into the pond that formed along S. 2nd Street, Quakertown.

The water collected in the heavy rain Wednesday afternoon. 4 4, CATHERINE MEREDITH The Morning Call Northampton Countv Jydkj; dllU3 rod! cDdsstcog to jBpOTt Freedberg could have court bank robbers and murderers Martin Stanley Hertzog and Oklahoma City Timothy McVeigh. thing is, I don't quite understand Appel and McVeigh could kill the they did and that innocent people nothing to say," said Frey. their cases were not on this list this responded Freedberg. "I'm just saying I don't understand your point.

convicted of murder and are in prison, them awaiting death sentences." then said he didn't like the fact that we've got to foot the bill for wife, Ruth, showed the judge a husband's employer's policy regarding service and asked him if he could of it. policy stated that the company recognized value of good citizenship and performance public duty and that the company its employees their regular salary in anything they would be paid by the their service. could be fairer than that?" asked was in contempt of court for not reporting to jury duty on June 24 without an appropriate excuse. Instead he gave Frey, 61, of 2782 E. Beers-ville Road, Moore Township, another chance to report for jury duty next month.

Frey assured the judge he would. Freedberg said later that he couldn't recall during his six-year tenure as president judge any other time when someone refused to serve as a juror without legal justification. After Frey was summoned for jury duty in June, he sent a letter to jury clerk Carol Devlin, along with the customary questionnaire, saying he didn't care for the court system and he wanted to be excused. Devlin responded with a letter saying that reason was not enough to keep him from sitting as a potential juror. In turn, Frey followed up with a second letter saying that he couldn't take off from work because he wouldn't get paid and, among other things, that he believes the court system "lets convicts off too easy to sit in jail and have a better life than people out here making a living." After Freedberg explained the importance of jury service, Frey referred to East Allen tells Moore Township man it is his civic duty to serve on a panel.

By LAURI RICE-MAUE Of The Morning Call Henry C. Frey doesn't particularly care for the U.S. justice system, and he doesn't appreciate footing the bill for jailbirds. Aside from that, he has a hearing problem and had to have the wax cleaned from his ears. He fainted once after mowing the lawn, and he didn't know how to get to the Northampton County Courthouse.

But none of those reasons was good enough to keep him from reporting for jury duty, President Judge Robert A. Freedberg said Wednesday. "Mr. Frey, the Constitution that we all live under provides that people have a right to a jury trial," he said. "That's why we have jury service, and it's served the country well for over 200 years.

"We can't run a court system and comply with the Constitution if people say 'I'm not going to do my groups want crime facts PALMER TOWNSHIP 20 homes damaged by rock-throwers Palmer Township police are probing a rash of vandalism that occurred late Tuesday into early Wednesday in the Old Orchard section of the township. Police said vandals smashed lamp posts, threw rocks at windows and did other damage at about 20 homes in the southern section of the development. Affected streets included Mountainview, Baldwin, Crescent and Timber-lane. Anyone with information is asked to call township police at 253-3555. EAST STROUDSBURG Motorcyclist killed in Interstate 80 crash A 30-year-old East Stroudsburg man died Tuesday along Interstate 80 when his motorcycle struck the back of a tractor-trailer.

State police at Swiftwater said George Ernest Muth III was headed east shortly after 10 a.m. in the right lane of the highway, traveling behind a tractor-trailer when the motorcycle hit the truck's left rear tandem. Muth was thrown through the air, landing in the left lane of the highway. Police said Muth was pronounced dead at the scene. HARDWICK TOWNSHIP, New Jersey Probe is launched after trooper's arrest HARDWICK TOWNSHIP, N.J.

(AP) State police have launched an internal investigation to determine if an off-duty New Jersey state trooper arrested in an undercover prostitution sting should remain on the beat, officials said Wednesday. Trooper Darryl Broxton, 34, is accused of soliciting sex from an undercover officer posing as a prostitute at the Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area. If the investigation prompts a hearing and formal charges, Broxton could face anything from a written reprimand to suspension, said New Jersey State Police spokesman Daniel Cosgrove. In the meantime, Broxton has not been suspended, Cosgrove said. Broxton was among four people arrested following the sting at the Kittatinny Point Visitors Center off Interstate 80, authorities said.

The arrests were made on May 19 and 20, following an investigation by the National Park Service and other agencies. The state police investigation began shortly thereafter, authorities said. A Sussex County resident, Broxton is a 13-year veteran assigned to the Sussex station. He is scheduled to appear in Phillipsburg Municipal Court on Wednesday, officials said. The case was transferred to Phillipsburg to avoid potential conflicts.

Also arrested in the sting were: Martin Parola of Stroud Township. He is charged with soliciting sex from an undercover investigator posing as a prostitute. Frank Fiore of Mount Poco-no. He was originally charged with criminal sexual contact, records show. That charge was downgraded to harassment by the Warren County prosecutor's office.

James Laing of Roxsbury Township. He pleaded guilty June 5 to harassment through offensive touching, records show. Obituary B9 SALISBURY TOWNSHIP Lehighton man dies after fall at church The Lehighton man who fell from a ladder while helping to build a church in Bowmanstown died Wednesday in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. Kenneth B. Dotter, 61, of 34 Lilac Lane, was working at the New Faith Alive United Methodist Church on Pine Street around 2:45 p.m.

Monday when he tumbled onto his head. Dotter was unconscious when flown by MedEvac helicopter to the hospital. ALLENTOWN Suicide victim, 30, is found in parkway An Allentown man committed suicide Wednesday morning in the city's Lehigh Parkway, the coroner ruled. David Andrews, 30, of 727 N. 26th was found hanging from a tree near the bridge on the north end of the parkway, Lehigh County Coroner Scott Grim said.

SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP. Injuries from assault land man in hospital A South Whitehall Township man was in stable condition Wednesday morning after he was assaulted near his home Tuesday night, South Whitehall police said. Terrance L. Simmer, 40, of Hausman Road, suffered abrasions to the head and face during a fight in a nearby parking lot, Sgt. Harry C.

Bensinger said. Simmer was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, by ambulance. Police had a suspect Wednesday, but no arrests had been made, Bensinger said. BETHLEHEM Charged Jesus Lopez, 19, of 930 E. 3rd Monday with harassment; allegedly slapped his former 17-year-old girlfriend in face in 700 block of Hillside Avenue; citation issued.

Charged Abraham Rgueroa 36, of 1325 Hilton Tuesday with retail theft; allegedly tried to take a 140 jack from Strauss Auto, 1740 Stefko Blvd; citation to be sent. Arrested Miguel A Cotto, 19, of 730 Evans Tuesday on a fugitive from justice charge; allegedly was absent without leave from the Navy; arraigned before District Justice Nancy Matos Gonzalez of Bethlehem and committed to Northampton County Pnson. Criminal mischief Reported Monday by Christopher Fritz of Bethlehem; four tires slashed in the 1800 block of Oberlv Drive; $336 damage. Charged George Ayala 20, of 656-A Ramblewood Lane, Tuesday with disorderly conduct in 500 block Ontario Street; citation issued. Charged Keri Donchez, 21, of 1108 Dover Lane, Wednesday with harassment; allegedly threatened Doma Hersh, 36, of 16 E.

Elizabeth outside her home and used obscene language; citation issued. BETHLEHEM Charged Dennis Lee Sandt, 27, of 909 Laufer and Charles E. McWil-. liams 22, of 1742 Schaffer Wednesday with unlawful taking; police said they had aluminum siding missing from the E. 4th Street area- arraigned before District Justice Sandra Zemgulis and released on recognizance bail.

Palmer By DENNIS KELLY Of The Morning Call Some block watch groups in Palmer Township say they are having trouble recruiting members because residents believe there isn't much of a crime problem. This was one of the observations made at Wednesday night's meeting to organize a township block watch council. About 12 people attended, including Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli, and township Supervisors Virginia Rickert and Craig Weintraub. Morganelli and the supervisors pledged moral and financial support for the council. The district attorney informed the group his office can help financially and can direct block watch groups to grants determined that Frey that organizing the council was a first step, they also decided they wanted a meeting on crime news with the police chief.

"If there is an effort to downplay crime so people don't get alarmed, this is something that should be discussed openly," Provost said. He said the township block watch council is a citizen organization, not a police or a township supervisors' organization, though it will work closely with both. The township council can help Cpl. James Trenberth, Palmer's crime prevention officer, and the police department by organizing block watch activities, meetings and recruiting. Provost said.

Palmer has 13 block watch groups, Provost noted, adding, "If we approach the supervisors as one now. Until the 911 system goes on line, police officers will carry two radios the new ones and the old ones. The new 500 mhz radios for the full- and part-time officers will cost the borough between $35,000 and $40,000, Balum said. The officers praised both the lack of blind spots and the professionalism of the dispatchers, two of whom used to work at the Hellertown dispatch center. The reduction in Hellertown's dispatch staff was another reason for the rush to the county, Balum said.

sewer department, was named to the new job of director of municipal facilities and management information services. Last year, Gail Capuano, who had acted as an assistant township manager, was named finance and personnel director. As part of the restructuring, Capuano and Hunsberger will swap responsibilities. Capuano will take over wer department billing, while Hunsberger will oversee Township Appel and bomber "The why Hertzog, people like don't have "Well, week," that because They're all two of Frey "as taxpayers, them." Frey's copy of her jury make sense The the of would pay addition to county for "What Freedberg. Northampton dispatch move goes well organized group, rather than one or two individuals, we might be better received." Linda Cuvo, who had experience with Easton's block watch council and is a block watcher in Palmer, said, "It's not enough to have individual neighborhood block watches.

It does give you greater clout when you're an organization." Taking Weintraub's suggestion, those attending will prepare ideas for a mission statement, goals and objectives for the next meeting, and Provost said he would talk to an attorney about incorporating the township council as a nonprofit group. The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at the municipal building. Call Provost at 559-0815 for information.

Wednesday the officers checked every blind spot on the borough with no problems, he said. The only problem is the fee for county dispatch until they go on line with 911. Brackbill said the fee could be as high as $1,050 for a week. But the sentiment at Monday's Hellertown Borough council meeting was not receptive to any fee, said Hellertown Council President Anthony Branco. The borough hasn't received a bill for it yet, he said.

"Let them send us a bilL" Branco said. "And we'll tear it up." the township's capital plant, including its new Municipal Building and computer networks. The pay for both will remain the same. Township officials identified the new police officers as James Bonner and Mark Demetrovic. Bonner worked as a part-time officer in Emmaus.

Demetrovic has no police experience. Commissioner President Lou Gallucci said the township expects to hire a thirctofficer in September or October. for administrative costs. The block watch council could help even as a lobbyist, Morganelli said. It could pressure Har-risburg lawmakers for changes in crime fighting methods, he said.

Some of the block watchers said they could use the police department's help in publicizing crimes in the township. Jan Pilz, a Howard Lane block watch captain, said she came to the meeting to find out why some crimes in Palmer are not showing up in the newspaper. Others in the audience said they have trouble recruiting because of a perception that there is no crime. "I've heard this before," meeting organizer Norm Provost said, "that people don't feel they're getting the police news they want." While all attending agreed same seven-digit telephone number for police assistance. County 911 service does not begin until July 30, stressed County Executive Bill Brackbill.

Hellertown's police department noticed the difference immediately, Balum said. For many years the borough has had blind spots in its radio transmission area creating dangerous situations for the police officers. "We had the worst radio system in Northampton County," Balum said, explaining why he pushed for the county to dispatch for them By M. FLOYD HALL Of The Morning Call Bethlehem Township this week hired two full-time police officers and announced it would begin seeking applicants for the new post of assistant manager. The assistant manager's job will pay and will complete the restructuring of the township's front office.

At the same time. Steve Hunsberger, the head of the By SUSAN RUIZ PATTON Of The Morning Call Hellertown borough residents probably never noticed, which was exactly what the police department wanted. The transition from the borough dispatch center to the Northampton County dispatch center was that smooth, according to Hellertown Police Chief Robert Balum. Northampton County started dispatching calls for the borough's police department at 4 a.m. Wednesday.

Residents still call the "Two Join f07C9 in township ST. LUKE'S BIRTH CENTER Son: Stephanie Haller and Michael Ameer-Beg, Bethlehem July 23. ST. LUKE'S Daughters: Paul and Tracey Odenwelder, Bangor. Melissa and Lou Capuano, Bethlehem July 22.

Sons: Brian and Heidi Collins, Beihlehem. John and Linda Reynolds Allentown. Mr. and Mrs. Donald Fernbach, Saylorsburg July 22..