Standard-Speaker from Hazleton, Pennsylvania • Page 5

Hazleton Standard-Speaker, Thursday, February 26, 1998 5 Hazle may seek audits from ambulance units Kotansky asked. "Most municipalties don't ask." "We just want to page through them," Benyo said. "There won't be copies for public inspection and (the audits) will be returned or destroyed, whichever you want." Robert Sagaria, the new president of the West Hazleton Ambulance Assocation, asked whether there' was a completion date given for the audits. "Our's is just being started (Thursday)," Sagaria said. "There's no definate date when it will be done." Benyo said there's no set date, but asked that the audits be done in a "reasonable period of time.

"Charlie (Pedri) will hold all after recent difficulties experienced by the West Hazleton Ambulance Association. But Joe Kotansky of the Hazleton Community Ambulance Association thinks Hazle's proposal would unfairly burden other service providers. "Why are you asking for audits from all carriers, even those who aren't primary responders?" Kotansky asked Hazle's supervisors. Kotansky said such audits constitute "selective information." "Well, if we ask one, we have to ask everyone," supervisors' Chairman Andy Benyo replied. "But aren't you penalizing all because of the actions of one?" "We'd lie to offer advice on (emergency medical service) issues," he said.

"For example, there are national standards services are supposed to be able to get to 90 percent of calls within eight minutes. We'd like to help coordinate response times within those standards and what's realistic." But Kotansky fears that a big company will try to force smaller ones out of business. "If we have to try and compete with a million-dollar business, it's futile," he said. "RuralMetro is noted for the services they provide," Kotansky said. "A volunteer association such as ours couldn't compete with the number of ambulances Case involving ex-prof on criminal trial list r-'i DAVID C.

HAUPTStandard-Speaker ASH WEDNESDAY The Rev. Austin Flanagan, chaplain at Hazleton-St. Joseph Medical Center, blesses the Rev. John A. Madaj's forehead with ashes on Ash Wednesday.

Madaj is a former pastor of Transfiguration Church in West Hazleton and was a patient in the hospital Wednesday. Looking on is Pat Paterick, pastoral outreach coordinator. Ringtown' ex-top cop pleads guilty to theft and drivers. We don't have the quantity. "But biggest isn't always 'bestest' Kotasnky said.

"I just hope people realize we've been here providing quality service for 40 years." Larry Sidari of the Hazleton Area Transfer Service was also at the supervisors' meeting but didn't speak. "I really don't know much about (RuralMetro)," Pedri said. "They just called me today. But we'll talk to them and see what they have to offer." The audit request was tabled, but the supervisors expect to revisit the issue in the next month or two. In the meantime, there are no changes in ambulance service.

Anthony Saullo, 20, of Green Street, Freeland, simple assault. Theresa Marshall, 19, of West Chapel Street, Hazleton, simple assault and endangering the welfare of children. Cheryl Cupp, 28, of South Main Road, Mountaintop, criminal conspiracy and delivery of a controlled substance. John Keyes, 30, of Albert Road, Mountaintop, possession of drug paraphernalia and DUI. Brian Brotzman, 18, of South Wyoming Street, Hazleton, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property.

Trish Mosluk, 20, of Fairview Park, Mountaintop, possession of a controlled substance and intent to deliver. Daxton Mitchell, 19, of North Church Street, Hazleton, furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors. Michael Medvitz, 22, of Pardee Street, Hazleton, open lewdness. Carrie Schillaci, 19, of Deer Run Drive, Mountaintop, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. Paul Loff, 29, of Berwick, 24 counts each of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.

Mark Maracani, 37, of South Wyoming Street, Hazleton, gambling and operating gambling devices. Michael Kobal, 34, of Blytheburn, two counts of fleeing or attempting to elude police and DUI. Lawyer for accused baby killer withdraws WILKES-BARRE A Williamsport attorney who was fined $2,500 for contempt of court was allowed Wednesday to withdraw as counsel for accused baby killer Lonnie Lee III. W. David Marcello was given until Saturday to pay the fine.

He was cited for contempt on Feb. 13 for failing to file pretrial discovery information. Judge Mark Ciavarella directed that the Luzerne County treasurer place the money into a special account until the court rules on its disposition. Lee, 17, also of Williamsport, was charged with general homicide in the Shaken Baby Syndrome death of his 9-year-old niece, Dannetta Grobes, of Heather Highlands, Jenkins Township. Lee will now be represented by public defenders Nanda Palissery and Tim Fannick.

Ciavarella is expected to schedule a new pretrial date and discovery deadline. DUI defendants to plead guilty WILKES-BARRE Two people charged with driving under the influence have been scheduled for guilty pleadings in Luzerne County Court. Francis Taccki, 50, of St. Mary's Road, Mountaintop, will plead on March 10. Stephen DeAngelis, 32, of New Ringgold, Schuylkill County, will plead on March 16.

Three DUI defendants have been accepted into the Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition program. ARD sentencings are set for March 6 for Robert Sinkevitch, 60, of Hickory Hills, White Haven, and William Heisner, 26, of R.R. 3, Drums, and on March 19, for John Sartori, 30, of Market Street, Sheppton. Other DUI dispositions involve: Joseph Seery, 39, of Main Street, Beaver Brook. Richard Deluca, 22, of Back Street, Ebervale.

Mark Russell, 45, of Lincoln Street, Hazleton. Samuel Edwards, 36, of Berwick. of them, and they're not for public inspection," Benyo said. "So, no one will know who makes how much or who owes whom what or anything like that. And, after we get them all, we want to talk to all of you." The potential new ambulance provider is RuralMetro Medical Services, which has 28 offices in Pennsylvania and offices in 29 other states.

It recently purchased Donahue Ambulance in Scranton. "We'd like to help you coordinate your system," Sean Buckman, of RuralMetro, said. Later, Buckman said RuralMetro would not bid on actually running an ambulance service in Hazle. Hi Drug smuggler gets jail term WILKES-BARRE A Freeland woman who tried to smuggle heroin into the State Correction Insitution at Dallas was sentenced Wednesday in Luzerne County Court. Louise Mealing, 41, of Centre Street, Freeland, was given a term of three to 23 xh months in jail for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

Having served the minimum, she was released on probation for three years. Mealing received a concurrent probation for her guilty plea to possession with intent to deliver drug paraphernalia. She was arrested last March 1 at the prison after she was confronted by a guard who had been told about the smuggling attempt. Mealing admitted she had narcotics. A subsequent search revealed a syringe and bag, both containing heroin, hidden in her underwear.

Police said she confessed to trying to deliver the drugs to inmate Anthony Rish. She said she had previously provided heroin to Rish. In other decisions: David Stoffa, 41, of Second Street, Drifton, was ordered to go to Serento Gardens and to follow all treatment recommendations after he admitted to violating his parole for driving under the influence. Stoffa must adhere to a payment plan for court costs totaling $1,567, supervision fees and assessments. He will also be subject to random testing.

Bail for Troy Gene Drumheller, 36, of Nescopeck, was set at $75,000 and his petition for the return of $18,000 seized during a police search of his apartment was continued to March 9. He is charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia and intent to deliver. Drumheller was remanded to the Columbia County Prison. Snowmobile rider dies A snowmobiler was killed when his vehicle struck several trees along Hypsie Gap Road in Chestnuthill Township, Monroe County, around 12:45 a.m. Wednesday.

The victim's identity was not released pending notification of the next of kin. A Tunkhannock Township Fire Department crew and the Monroe County Coroner's Office assisted at the scene. Troopers are continuing their investigation. By L. A.

TARONE Standard-Speaker Hazle Township is considering requesting financial audits from all ambulance services operating in the township. And there may be a new player in the game. Because of its size, Hazle is broken into different sections each having a "primary responder," the service that's called first. "We just want to see that they have adequate financial resources and facilities to serve the public," Hazle Solicitor Charles Pedri said Wednesday evening. The proposed action comes Police Vandal with paint gun damages home State police at Frackville said a vandal armed with a paint gun knocked out a window at the home of Debra Louise Dougherty in West Mahanoy Township, Frackville, at 7:50 p.m.

Sunday. The vandal fled south on Spencer Street. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 874-0207. Mahanoy man hurt in crash A Mahanoy City man was injured in an accident on Route 924 just north of Route 1005 in East Union Township around 3:40 p.m. Tuesday.

State police at Frackville said Jerry Dimitratos, 20, of Mount Carmel was driving a 1992 Ford Probe north on Route 924. While rounding a right turn at the intersection with Route 1005, his car slid on the snow-covered road and crossed into the other lane where it struck a southbound 1984 Oldsmobile driven by David Boczkowski, 38, of Mahanoy City. Dimitratos' vehicle bounced off Boczkowski's car and came to rest in the southbound lane. Boczkowski complained of pain in his neck, back and hand. Dimitratos was not injured.

Both vehicles sustained severe damage. Man charged with endangering kids A Shamokin man who was driving while intoxicated on Interstate 81 Jan. 15 was also charged with endangering the welfare of children, police said. State police at Hazleton said Christopher Charles Keer was seen driving off the road in Delano Township around 7:35 p.m. When a passing motorist gave Keer and his two children a ride to the Hazleton exit, they also contacted police because they feared for the safety of the children.

Keer was taken to Hazleton General Hospital for a blood-alcohol test which registered .269 percent. Charges of DUI and endangering the welfare of children were filed with District Justice William Slezosky in Mahanoy City. Juveniles take hood ornament Hazleton police said three Hispanic youths took the hood ornament off a city man's car around 11:15 a.m. Sunday. Dennis Sheehan, 39 N.

Cedar told police that the theft occurred while his 1986 Cadillac was parked near his home. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 459-4940. Troopers issue arrest warrants The following people have ignored citations issued to them by state police from Hazleton and warrants have been issued for their arrest. Ryan William Smith, 24, of Mountaintop $153.50, speeding. Paul Matula, 33, of Mountaintop $92, improper passing.

Michael Merchen, 34, of Hazleton $155.50, speeding. Richard Thomas Henry, 18, Hazleton $217, no driver's Jicense. William D. Biggs, 38, of Con-yngham $158.50, suspended Vehicle and improper registration. Robert Edward Hittinger, 35, of Weatherly $82, unregistered vehicle.

Anyone with information on these people should call police at 459-3890. A Hazleton man who served as police chief in Ringtown pleaded guilty in Schuylkill County Court Wednesday to theft by deception. Shawn S. Evans, 36, of 506 E. Broad was sentenced by Judge John E.

Domalakes to 23 months of probation. Ringtown solicitor Frank Toole said the borough would not seek a jail sentence for Evans if he makes restitution for the full amount. Joseph R. Baranko Evans' lawyer, said full restitution of $3,348 was made to the borough. Evans showed remorse and said his problems occurred because of drinking.

He now WILKES-BARRE Six indecent assault charges filed against a former chemistry professor at Penn State Hazleton Campus are included among 125 cases called for scheduling in Luzerne County Court on Monday. Defendants on the March criminal trial list will be called to determine the status of their cases and whether they plan to proceed to a pleading or jury trial. The indecent assault counts were lodged against Shirkishna Singh, 47, of Stone Croft Manor Road, Drums. He is accused of making unwanted sexual advances on an 18-year-old female student at his home in April 1996. The student told police that Singh invited her to his home under the pretense of tutoring her after she did poorly in two of his classroom tests.

Singh was arrested in August 1997 after an investigation by Butler Township police. He has denied the allegations and didn't testify at his preliminary hearing. Anthony Polcheck, 19, of Pardeesville, already has advised the court he will seek a jury trial on charges of receiving stolen property and unauthorized use of an automobile. Three defendants plan to enter guilty pleas. Paul Titus, 39, of North Laurel Street, Hazleton, has been scheduled to plead on Wednesday to simple assault and driving under the influence.

Timothy Slusser, 27, of R.R. 3, Drums, will plead on Wednesday to a charge of fleeing or attempting to elude police. Wayne Cusatis, 21, of Campbell Avenue, Hazleton, will plead on March 9 to fleeing-eluding police and DUI. Other defendants to be called and the charges they face are: LAWSUIT FILED WILKES-BARRE A car accident lawsuit has been filed in Luzerne County Court against Harry F. Wendel, of 525 James Hazleton.

The plaintiff, Danielle Raskin of Aripeka, alleges she was injured when Wendel ignored a stop sign on Locust Street and crashed his car into her vehicle, which was headed east on Diamond Avenue on Oct. 27, 1995. School fair today The Heights-Terrace Elementary School PTA will sponsor a winter fair from 6 to 8:30 p.m. today at the school. The fair will feature food, games, face-painting, entertainment, a T-shirt sale and a Chinese auction.

A wide variety of prizes will be awarded, and you do not need to be there to win. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Friends and family members of Heights-Terrace students are welcome to attend. Proceeds from the fair will help offset the cost of an end-of-the-year field trip for sixth-graders. Radio club to meet The Anthracite Repeater Association, a Hazleton area amateur radio club, will meet at 8 p.m.

today at the WAZL-WZMT studios, 235 W. Broad Hazleton. The club provides communications services to the area through its network of repeaters near Freeland. It is active in emergency drills with county and state agencies and provides communications during Funfest weekend in September. Club activity can be monitored on most scanners at these frequencies: 146.6MHZ, 147.03MHZ and 449.425MHZ.

Drums man pleads guilty to indecent assault charges By JIM DINO Standard-Speaker works for a private firm and said he's a "teetotaler." Domalakes told Evans that what he did was terrible and he will never again be able to wear the uniform of a police officer. Evans was charged with cashing 14 checks from the borough's general account from Jan. 25 through Dec. 30, 1993, while he served as police chief. TAX LIENS FILED WILKES-BARRE Federal tax liens for $67,103.13 were filed in Luzerne County Court against William and Sandra Letcher, of 132 Wilson Hazleton.

the time, the complaint states. He then asked her if there was a television available because he wanted to check a stock quote while he was waiting. The woman told him there was no TV in the business but he could watch the TV the residence' where she directed him, according to the complaint. A few minutes later the woman called out to Wye at which time Wye allegedly yelled, "Come up here, quick!" Believing something was wrong, the woman went to the residence, to find Wye sitting on a sofa exposing himself. She yelled to him to get out, but he approached her and grabbed her, taking her into the kitchen, the complaint states.

But she managed to break free of his grasp after kicking him. She then picked up a frying pan as he approached her again. At that time, a customer entered the business and called out for the woman. Wye then followed her back to the business, where he told her not to tell anyone of the incident and left, according to the complaint. A few days later, state police obtained permission for a consensual wiretap from the Carbon County district attorney.

The woman then called Wye, and during the course of the recorded conversation, Wye allegedly made repeated admissions to having committed the acts. He told the woman, "I know I made a mistake." As the woman recounted the incident to Wye, he repeatedly stated "I'm sorry" to her, the complaint states. A Drums man who faced numerous charges after he allegedly tried to rape a woman in Weatherly late last year pleaded guilty to some of the charges before District Justice Paul J. Hadzick in Weatherly Wednesday. Stephen F.

Wye, 33, of R.R. 4, Drums, had been arrested on two counts each of criminal attempt-rape and criminal attempt-involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, three counts of criminal attempt-aggravated indecent assault, three counts of indecent assault and one count of indecent exposure. Wye agreed to plead guilty to the three indecent assault charges and the lone indecent exposure count, while the prosecution agreed to nolle prosse the other felony charges. That means they will be dismissed at his sentencing. The four charges he pleaded guilty to all misdemeanors will be waived to Carbon County Court for sentencing, with no sentencing recommendation from Hadzick.

The charges stem from an incident on Dec. 18 in which Wye allegedly attempted to rape the woman in her home, which is attatched to a business where he was making a delivery. According to a criminal complaint filed by state police in Hazleton, Wye arrived at the business to deliver a candy machine. He told the woman that he had to show her how to work the machine, but she was busy at.