Standard-Speaker from Hazleton, Pennsylvania • Page 5

Hazleton Standard-Speaker, Tuesday, December 20, 1994 5 Group honors Tamaqnia man for heroism from electrocution in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. Klein, 36, was shocked when he made contact with his motor home, which had become electrified, and he lost consciousness. "After disconnecting the vehicle from the power source, his wife alerted their neighbor and friend, Linkhorst, 41, to the situation. Although he had a history of heart disease, including having suffered a heart attack four years earlier, Linkhorst immediately began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts on Klein. "He continued the attempt for several minutes, until emergency medical technicians arrived.

Linkhorst then sat down, but moments later, suddenly on his camper at the rear of his home when, according to police investigators, a worn wire that touched a ground wire on the vehicle caused an electric current to enter the camper's chassis, electrocuting Klein. The report also showed that there was no sign the camper was improperly wired. The deaths of Linkhorst, who was off work that day celebrating his birthday, and Klein were termed accidental by Dr. Richard Bindie, Schuylkill County pathologist at the Pottsville Hospital and Wame Clinic. The announcement naming Linkhorst a Carnegie Medal recipient states: "Gary S.

Linkhorst died after attempting to save John J. Klein By BELL BERRY Standard-Speaker Staff Writer A Tamaqua man who died of a heart attack while trying to revive a friend who was electrocuted on July 12, 1993, was named last week to receive posthumously the Carnegie Medal for Heroism. The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission announced in its fifth and final list of 22 recipients for 1994 that the prestigious medal, along with a $2,500 grant, will be presented early next year to Mrs. Irene Linkhorst of 412 E. Elm St.

Her husband, Gary died at age 41 of a severe heart attack while administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to the victim, 36-year-old John J. Klein of 411 E. Union St. The Carnegie Foundation, bas Students' truancy cost parents $1,510 AF Til 0V Jffm 'I--. "'J' aw iV- "Neither man could be revived; Klein had been electrocuted and Linkhorst died of a heart attack." Tamaqua Mayor Jerome "Jerry" Knowles said Linkhorst is a well-deserving recipient of the award.

"I certainly think (the award) is well deserved We look back and this was such a tragedy," Knowles said. "I think it tells something about the people of our area and particularity about Gary." "That's the kind of guy Gary was," the mayor saud. "He was a very active firefighter and the kind of guy that rould risk his life for others He certainly is most deserving of this award." Knowles, who said he was a personal friend of Linkhorst, said Over 60 members of the Most Precious Blood Youth Group, photo at left, spread some holiday spirit by singing Christmas carols throughout the northeast section of town Sunday evening. During the caroling, 12-year-old Melia Bartta, left in top photo, and her cousin Alissa Fran-zosa, 11, dressed warmly as they stopped at every street corner to sing. (Photos by Ellen O'Connell) sification, versatility in the fleet, so we're ready for anything," Quigley said.

Other municipalities are doing the same thing. On Dec. 11, for example, Butler Township police showed off a Jeep the department had just purchased. Noticing the trend, Jeep and Ford offer optional packages that adapt four-wheel-drive vehicles for police. In Hazleton, anyone in the Police Department might use the four-wheel-drive vehicle, not just the chief or officers, Quigley said.

"It will be used for regular patrol," he said. We have some other uses. (The vehicle) has better cargo capacity." By CHUCK GLOMAN Standard-Speaker Assistant Editor Truant students in the Hazleton Area School District cost their parents a total of $1,510 in fines, according to the latest hearings on educational neglect. Charged before District Justice Thomas Sharkey were: Susan Harding, 590 Alter Hazleton. She was found guilty on four complaints concerning her 15-year-old daughter and fined $302.

A fifth complaint also was filed and a warrant issued for non-appearance. James Simmons, 149 S. Locust Hazleton. She was found guilty on three complaints regarding the educational neglect of his 15-year-old daughter, fined $239. Cathy Bruno, 630 N.

Locust Hazleton, pleaded guilty to two complaints involving her daughter, 16, and fined $201. A third complaint also has been filed. Joseph Gaultier, 840 Grant Hazleton, found guilty of the educational neglect of his granddaughter and fined $176. A third complaint also is pending. Suzanne Curtis, 345 W.

Birch Hazleton, pleaded guilty to two charges involving the truancy of her daughter, 15, and was fined $136. A third complaint also has been filed. Anthony Polcheck, 357 Church Pardeesville, found guilty of two charges of educational neglect of his son, 16, and was fined $111. Lewis Christein, 431 E. Walnut Hazleton, fined $138 by Senior District Justice Leonard Harvey on a first complaint involving his son, 15, a Hazleton Junior High School student.

He faces a second charge. Shirley Sterenchock, 536 Lincoln Hazleton, was found guilty on a first complaint involving her son, 15, a Hazleton Area Here we come a-caroling his death was a loss to the community but his actions made him a hero. "We all like to think in an emergency we could rise to the occasion and be a hero This guy was," Knowles said. Since the time the fund was established by Andrew Carnegie, a Pittsburgh industrialist-philanthropist, $21 million has been given in one-time grants, including scholarship aid and death benefits, and continuing assistance. In addition to his wife, Linkhorst was survived by a son, Robert and a daughter, Kimberly; his parents, William and Jane (Laudig) Linkhorst of Tamaqua, and brothers William D.

and Kevin, all of Tamaqua. Police Man assaulted at city cafe Hazleton police are investigating the alleged assault of a city man inside The Sports Rock Cafe, 456 E. Broad last Sunday. Police identified the victim as Jeffrey Heidecker, 22, but gave no address or details about the incident, which they said occurred at about 10:50 p.m. Five police officers were called to the scene.

Spokesman at Hazleton State General Hospital and Hazleton-St Joseph Medical Center said Heidecker who was involved in a fight at the bar was not treated at either facility. Patrolman Al Barnhart is in charge of the investigation. Teen injured in highway crash A Schuylkill County teen-ager sustained minor facial injuries Sunday when his pickup truck ran off Route 309 in Snyders, West Penn Township, and hit two trees. State police at Frackville said Shannon Wetzel, 17, of Kempton, apparently fell asleep while driving south. When he awoke his truck was in a spin and out of control.

It then moved off the highway onto private property, crashed into a tree, spun again and hit a second tree, coming to rest facing west. Wetzel, police said, was not using his seat belt. Members of the West Penn and Andreas Fire Rescue squads assisted at the scene. Driver injured A Tobyhanna Township man was injured when his auto went into a ditch and turned end-over-end along Route 940 Friday night. The Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department said that Todd Coombe, 37, of Pocono Lake, was driving east when he lost control of his truck at 10:30 p.m.

Coombe was taken by the Tobyhanna ambulance to Pocono Medical Center in East Stroudsburg, where he was treated for injuries and released. Thefts charged Two people face retail theft charges after separate incidents in Mount Pocono over the weekend. The Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department said that Roberto Cruz, 30, of Tobyhanna, was charged after he allegedly stole a pack of cigarettes from Fay's Drugs in the Mount Pocono Plaza at 3:45 p.m. Friday. And Anna Martinez, 55, of Mt.

Pocono, was charged after allegedly attempting to remove $32 in cosmetics from the Ames' store in the same mall on Sunday at 2:10 p.m. Girl slashed An 18-year-old Shenandoah woman, whom police said is an illegal alien, was charged with stabbing a 17-year-okI girl on Monday afternoon. Carmen Sanchez, 108 W. Washington picked up a knife while in a dispute with Angela Andricks of the same address at about 3 p.m., police said. Andricks raised he: arm in defense and was slashed in the hand, police said.

She received treatment at Good Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville, and was released later. Sanchez was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person. She was arraigned before District Justice James Ferrier of Orwigsburg and incarcerated in Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville, in lieu of $15,000 bail. ed in Pittsburgh, reviews newspaper accounts of individuals who risk their lives while attempting to save the lives of others. It received background information on the incident from Sgt.

Charles Hartung of the Tamaqua police department, who investigated the circumstances surrounding the two deaths. Linkhorst who was employed as a machinist at Bar-rett-Haentjens on North Cedar Street, Hazleton, at the time of the accident is one of 94 men and women recognized for acts of personal heroism during 1994, and among 7,881 who have received the award since the Carnegie Fund was formed in 1904. Klein reportedly was working High student, and was fined $63. A second complaint is pending. Carol Avillion, 919 South Freeland, pleaded guilty to a first complaint of educational neglect of her son, 15, a Hazleton Area High student, and was fined $53.

Two additional complaints are pending. Ismael Tula, 234 E. First Hazleton, charged with the educational neglect of his son, 15, at Hazleton Area High, pleaded guilty and was fined $48. A second complaint also has been filed. Elizabeth Alecea, 605 Seybert Hazleton, found guilty of the educational neglect of her son, 15, a student at Hazleton Junior High School.

She was fined $43. Upcoming cases involve: Mrs. Charles Brown, P.O. Box 123, Sybertsville, charged with the educational neglect of her daughter, 15, a student at West Hazleton Junior High School. The case has been continued.

Pat Grier, 30 E. Blaine McAdoo, charged with the educational neglect of her daughter, 15, a student at Hazleton Area High. Michael Krasnay, 722 N. Vine Hazleton, involving the educational neglect of his son, 16, a student at Hazleton Area High. Dorothy Holly, 1072 R.

Broad West Hazleton, cited for the truancy of her son, 16, a student at Hazleton Area High. Rebecca Kirkpatrick, Box 1669, R.R. 1, Drums, cited for the educational neglect of her two children, 13 and 15, both students at Hazleton Junior High. The school district was represented at the hearings by Elizabeth Corrigan and Terry Boyle, home and school visitors. District officials said several other truancy cases are under investigation.

Parents are responsible for their children's school attendance. The Pennsylvania Compulsory Attendance Law is strictly enforced throughout the district. vehicles to help officers patrol in the snow. "We got there a little before noon the height of the blizzard. You couldn't see in front of you, but we made it back," Quigley recalled.

For a few days after the blizzard, Hazleton police drove the borrowed vehicles until plows made the roads easier to travel. "George (Leshko) was great. That was a good lesson," Quigley said, "and certainly a $130,789 in general government funds, $71,458 in state funds, $15,180 for street lights, and $5,108 for fire protection. Supervisor John Biros said the main goal of the supervisors in 1995 is to pave more roads than in the past. "We anticipate purchasing our own paver, and do the work ourselves," Biros said.

"We'll be able to do more footage than if we contracted it out. Instead of doing a half-mile or quarter-mile, we can do one, 1 Vi maybe two miles per year It (the paver) will create a savings to taxpayers." Biros said the goal of the supervisors over the next few years is to eliminate all dirt roads in the township, and upgrade some roads in Sheppton. "We anticipate eliminating all dirt roads over the next few years," he said. "We have quite a bit yet. And we'd like to upgrade some of the streets in Sheppton.

Pine Street is pretty rough, and Shepp Street needs But Biros said the supervisors won't determine what streets will City buys Jeep for police department By KENT JACKSON Standard-Speaker Staff Writer March 13, 1993. A blizzard that will drop 32 inches of snow on Hazleton is Dlowing at hill strength. John Quigley, the city's mayor, is leading a caravan of city employees to Tamaqua. Their destination is All American Jeep Eagle a dealership whose owner, George Leshko of Hazleton, offered to loan the city police some four-wheel-drive and $21,923. The funds for the purchase come from the 1994 capital budget.

No other vehicles were budgeted for this year. Next year, however, Hazleton's capital budget calls for purchasing two police cruisers which cost between $17,000 and $19,000 and one used four-wheel-drive vehicle for the Health Department. In bad weather, Quigley said the police can borrow the Health Department's vehicle. Also, the police have had an unmarked Jeep with four-wheel-drive for about three years. "We just want to have diver No tax hike in East Union great public service.

"We learned a lesson in the last couple winters that mobility is a valuable commodity in bad weather." This winter, the Hazleton police will have mobility. The city council agreed on Monday to purchase a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Wright Cadillac-Olds-Mazda-Jeep-Eagle will supply the vehicle for $21,150. Wright's bid undercut two other offers of $21,851 be done until they do their semiannual road inspection in April. The supervisors also voted to accept the road to the Interlude development as a township road.

By doing so, the township can add to its state liquid fuels income. Biros said a state Department of Transportation engineer estimated the road will add between $400 and $800 to the township's'liquid fuels income. Assault charged A 41-year-old Shenandoah man was arrested by borough police after he allegedly hit a woman in a domestic dispute on Saturday evening. Ronald Malacusky, 519 W. Cherry allegedly struck Janice Marcavage in the face, head and body, police said.

Malacusky was charged with domestic violence and making terroristic threats, police said. He was arraigned before District Justice James Reiley of Pottsville and released after posting $3,000 bail, police said. By JIM DINO Standard-Speaker Staff Writer Property taxes will not rise in East Union Township in 1995. Monday night, the township sueprvisors gave final approval to a $222,535 budget that will keep property tax millage at its 1994 level of 10.5 mills. The millage will generate Hit-run probed A Tobyhanna woman's auto was struck by a hit-and-run driver in Tobyhanna Township Friday night.

The Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department reported that Jean Genovese told officers that a silver Chevrolet pickup truck failed to stop at the stop sign at Sullivan Trail and Long Pond Road at 11:10 p.m. Friday. The truck struck Genovese's car but she and a passenger were unhurt. Police said that anyone with information on the accident is urged to call them at 646-7171. All replies will be kept Chase ends in field A Mountaintop man arrested on multiple charges Monday night after allegedly assaulting his wife and leading police on a chase that ended in a cornfield was committed to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility after he was unable to post $5,000 bail during his arraignment.

Mark John Skatuler, 27, allegedly started choking his wife and hit her head at their home at 1305 Stairville Road in Dorrance Township, state police at Troop in Butler Township said. His wife, Joann, ran to a vehicle and locked herself in while her husband pounded windows, police said. Her husband drove away in different car before police arrived, they said. But when the husband saw the patrol cars, he led troopers on a chase 1 Vi mile chase along Bly thburne Road before driving into the field, police said. Skatuler ran from the car, but Troopers Edmond Fret and Brian Healy caught him, they said.

The police processed Skatuler for driving under the influence and then drove him to the office of District Justice Paul Roberts in in Kingston where he was arraigned on charges of simple assault, harassment, driving under the influence, reckless endangerment, fleeing or eluding police, reckless driving and driving a vehicle at safe speed The name of the last charge comes from the state's Motor Vehicle Code, which lists acts of unsafe driving..