2 missing girls
found in Lavelle
ASHLAND - Two girls reported missing about 6:40 p.m. Monday were found unharmed about two hours later and returned to their parents, police said.
Borough police said the girls, ages 10 and 13, were reported missing by the teenager's mother, prompting a brief search in and around Eureka Park.
Police said the fire department was called to assist about 7:45 p.m., but the girls were found about 8:40 p.m. after Schuylkill County Sheriff Joseph Groody received information that they were seen in the Lavelle area of Butler Township.
Ashland police Chief Mark O'Hearn said no foul play is suspected.
2 children hurt
in Rt. 25 crash
HEGINS - Two juveniles were injured when the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado they were passengers in crashed on West Main Street, Route 25, in Hubley Township about 3:10 p.m. Sunday, police said.
State police at Schuylkill Haven said Rebecca Strauser, 36, of Dalmatia, was driving when the weather changed from heavy rain to ice, causing her to lose control while driving a left curve, go off the road and hit a utility pole.
After hitting the pole, police said the vehicle spun counterclockwise, causing a 9-year-old boy who was a front seat passenger to be ejected through the right side window. Police said the boy had placed the shoulder strap behind him before the crash and was only secured with the lap belt.
The boy who was ejected suffered moderate injuries, a 10-year-old boy suffered minor injuries and Strauser and a 6-year-old boy was not hurt. Police said the road was closed for about an hour and the state Department of Transportation was made aware of the sudden change in road conditions.
Strauser will be cited for driving too fast for conditions, police said, adding that Hegins and Sacramento firefighters, Hegins EMS and Hegins fire police assisted at the scene.
Police: Man fled
scene of crash
PORT CARBON - State police at Schuylkill Haven investigated a crash that occurred on Route 209, Pike Street, just east of Valley Street, about 1:20 a.m. Sunday.
Police said Aaron J. Booterbaugh, 23, of Pottsville, was driving a 1996 Jeep Cherokee south on Route 209 when he failed to make a right-hand turn onto Mill Street and struck a utility pole.
Booterbaugh fled the scene and left his passenger, Skyler Andruchuk, 21, of Pottsville, inside the SUV suffering from a head injury, police said. Andruchuk was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street for treatment and Booterbaugh was unable to be located, police said.
Booterbaugh faces multiple charges, and Port Carbon firefighters and Pottsville-Schuylkill Haven EMS assisted at the scene, police said.
2 escape injury
in truck accident
PORT CARBON - Two people escaped injury when the 2007 Chevrolet 3500 truck crashed on the Port Carbon-Saint Clair Highway, just west of Eagle Hill Road in East Norwegian Township, about 6:10 p.m. Saturday, police said.
State police at Schuylkill Haven said Matthew C. Johns, 56, of Shillington, was driving north and trying to turn into the PIA medical building but went off the road and struck a utility pole.
The left front wheel hub became stuck in the pole, causing the wheel to come off but the truck continued to travel through the parking lot before coming to a stop.
Johns and his passenger, Lisa A. Johns, 51, also of Shillington, were not hurt and Matthew Johns will be cited for failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic.
Mirror damaged
on man's SUV
HAMBURG - A criminal mischief incident that occurred in the parking lot of the Tilden Ridge Shopping Center in Tilden Township, Berks County, about 11:05 a.m. Sunday is being investigated by state police at Hamburg.
Police said Jasen Muth, Lenhartsville, reported that someone parked a black pickup truck next to his blue Ford Explorer. When the person was getting out of the truck, wind caught the door, causing it to swing open and damage his passenger-side mirror.
The driver got back in his truck and drove away, police said.
Police said the driver is described as a white man, possibly with gray hair. The truck may be a Chevrolet with dual wheels and the number "88" on the back window.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 610-562-6885.
Haven woman
charged in dispute
Pottsville police arrested a Schuylkill Haven woman following an incident at 2:21 p.m. Friday in the 300 block of West Market Street.
Police were dispatched for a report of a man struck in the face. Upon arrival, officers found William J. Murphy, 45, of Pottsville, bleeding heavily from his nose.
Murphy reported that his girlfriend, Leighanne Whalen, 33, assaulted him with her hands during an argument in her vehicle. Whalen was taken into custody for domestic violence and simple assault and was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley. She was released on $10,000 unsecured bail, police said.
Charges pending
in traffic stop
DONALDSON - A Tremont woman stopped by police on Interstate 81 near mile marker 111 in Frailey Township on Monday evening was placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI, police said.
State police at Schuylkill Haven said Kassandra L. Bain, 28, was observed committing a traffic violation at 6:28 p.m. and that she showed signs of impairment and was subsequently arrested.
Police said Bain was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street to submit to a chemical blood test, and that charges are pending the results of the test.