Rhoades dies after Friday crash

A state senator representing much of northern Berks County as well as Schuylkill and portions of Carbon and Monroe since 1981 died today from injuries sustained in a Friday evening car crash.

Sen. James J. Rhoades, R-29, age 66, represented Albany, Windsor, Perry, Tilden and Heidelberg townships locally and was seeking re-election in a three way senatorial contest on Nov. 4.

State and local leaders reacted to his death Saturday by reflection on a legacy of leadership especially in education.

"Jim's passing is a tremendous loss for Pennsylvania. He was a great person and a tremendous fighter for school children in the commonwealth. No one cared more about advancing education in Pennsylvania than Jim. He will be missed,” said Gov. Ed Rendell in a statement issued Saturday.

For more on this breaking story read Hamburg Area Item editor Joshua Sophy’s report at www.berksmontnews.com and this week’s edition of The Hamburg Area Item from Berks-Mont Newspapers…