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Police Blotter 12/09/09
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POTTSVILLE - Vandals set fire to Pottsville's Christmas tree at Garfield Square early Monday, causing between $100 and $150 damage, Daniel E. Kelly, city superintendent of streets, said Tuesday.
City police Capt. Ronald J. Moser said he's never seen vandalism to city Christmas displays to this extent.
"We've seen little things, like bulbs taken and stuff like that, but nothing major, no actual damage to any of the statues or structures or anything I can recall," Moser said Tuesday.
Moser said the incident occurred between midnight and 7:15 a.m. Monday. Police are still investigating and anyone with information can contact city hall at 622-1234.
Traffic collision
FOSTER TOWNSHIP - A two-vehicle accident Tuesday morning closed the right lane of Interstate 81 for two-and-a-half hours.
According to state police at Frackville, Michael Williams, 37, of Pine Grove, and Ralph Burkhart, 42, of Sunbury, were traveling north on I-81 around 4:55 a.m. Williams fell asleep at the wheel of his 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan and drove into the back of Burkhart's 1995 Kenworth tractor-trailer, towing 20 tons of scrap metal.
After the impact, the engine of Williams' Grand Caravan caught fire, according to police. He was transported by Minersville EMS to Pottsville Hospital, on South Jackson Street, for medical treatment of a hand injury.
Both vehicles were towed from the scene, police said.
Assisting at the scene were Goodwill Hose and Friendship Fire companies.
DUI charges
ZERBE TOWNSHIP - A Pine Grove man has been charged with driving under the influence after an accident on Nov. 4 left his car with three wheels, state police at Stonington said.
Carter D. Knouse, 48, was driving on the Upper Road about two miles east of State Route 225 when his 2002 Buick Regal LS hit something, knocking off a wheel, police said. Knouse continued to drive on only three wheels before attempting to turn around to look for the missing wheel. The car slid off the road and down a deep ditch.
Knouse was charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, careless driving and driving with a suspended license. Charges were filed at Magisterial District Judge Carl Rice's office.
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