SHENANDOAH — At a special meeting Wednesday night, the Shenandoah Valley school board hired a new high school principal, a new high school vice principal and a new director of special education for the district.

“Throughout this process, we were able to come together and make some decisions for new leadership in the high school,” Superintendent Brian Waite said at the start of the meeting at the high school’s Virtual Academy.

The new high school principal is a newcomer to the district, Stuart Tripler, 58, of Harvey’s Lake, Luzerne County.

The school board filled the two other positions with familiar faces.

In June, Shenandoah Valley’s high school principal and director of special education, Phillip R. Andras, decided to retire. The school board approved his resignation for retirement on June 28.

Andras was the high school principal since Aug. 18, 1999.

For the 2016-17 school year, Andras had a salary of $93,524. Broken down, that’s $87,912 for his work as high school principal and $5,612 for his work as director of special education, Shenandoah Valley Business Manager Anthony P. Demalis Jr. said.

Since then, the school district has worked hard to find people to fill his shoes. That started with first finding a high school principal.

“There were 17 applicants. Nine were interviewed by the superintendent, the current high school principal, the elementary principal and the elementary vice principal. Five were then selected for a second interview with the board and the superintendent,” Demalis said Wednesday.

“This evening, we are getting ready to, hopefully, approve the recommendation for high school principal and assistant high school principal at the Shenandoah Valley School District, and also an assignment change for Michelle Zinkus from assistant high school principal to director of education,” Waite said.

“Before that’s actually approved tonight, I want to make sure that I commend and thank those who were involved in this process. This was truly a team effort. We had every administrator involved in this process, the interview process. We made the candidates go through a rigorous interview process where not only did we ask oral questions but they had to do a written component. They had to do a presentation first round and then come back again for a second round interview with oral questions from the board,” Waite said.

“Thank you, Mr. Waite. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you to everybody for being a good team,” Daniel P. Salvadore, board president, said.

Principal

Board member Helene Creasy made the motion to hire Tripler as secondary principal at a starting salary of $80,000, with a start date of Aug. 3.

It was seconded by Thomas F. Twardzik, board vice president, and carried unanimously in a roll call vote by all other members of the board present: Salvadore, Joseph Buchanan, Karen Kayes, John Petritsch and Margaret Shustack.

Absent were board members Joseph Alshefski and Anita Monahan.

“Congratulations,” Salvadore said to Tripler, who was sitting in the audience.

Then all present gave the new high school principal a round of applause.

Tripler was the principal at Weatherly Area High School for two terms.

“I started there as a teacher. I went out to the middle of the state to get my principal certification from IUP (Indiana University of Pennsylvania). Then they called me back as principal,” Tripler said Wednesday.

He was principal at Weatherly from 2001 to 2005, then from 2012 until 2016.

He resigned from his post in the middle of the second term of the 2015-16 school year to start a new job out of state.

“I ran a camp in Maryland, an overnight Christian camp,” he said. He was the executive director at Camp Wright, Stevensville, Maryland.

“I was looking to get back into education and this position intrigued me,” Tripler said, referring to the high school principal post at Shenandoah Valley. “I like the community and I like the potential that is here within the community,” Tripler said.

Vice principal

Then, Shustak made the motion to hire John Brennan as the secondary vice principal at a starting salary of $70,250, effective July 31.

It was seconded by Twardzik and carried unanimously in a roll call vote by all board members present.

“Congratulations, John,” Salvadore said to Brennan, who was also in the audience.

All present also gave Brennan a round of applause.

“I think we assembled a wonderful team this evening and I’m looking forward to progress,” Salvadore said.

Brennan graduated from North Schuylkill High School, Fountain Springs, in 1988.

He earned a bachelor’s in secondary education from Bloomsburg University in 1993, a master’s in educational development and strategies from Wilkes University in 2009 and master’s in educational leadership with a principal certification from Wilkes University in 2011.

He has worked as an English teacher at Shenandoah Valley High School from September 1994 to the present.

His salary in the 2015-16 school year was $61,981. His salary for the 2016-17 school year is still being negotiated. The teachers contract expired at the end of the 2015-16 school year, Demalis said.

Brennan was one of the school’s athletic directors last year, with a salary of $4,700. Demalis said he will continue to hold that post for the 2017-18 school year with that salary.

Director of special education

“Michelle Zinkus was our assistant high school principal and, very much so, wants to take on this new role of director of special education,” Waite said during the meeting.

“I’m very excited about it,” Zinkus said.

In the 2016-17 school year, her salary as the secondary vice principal and special education coordinator was $70,855. Her salary will remain the same in the 2017-18 school year as she takes on the role of the district’s director of special education, 4K to 12, Demalis said.

She will start Monday.

The motion to give Zinkus the new position was made by Shustack, seconded by Salvadore and carried by all other board members present.

“Michelle, thank you and good luck,” Salvadore said as everyone in the room gave her a round of applause.

In other matters at Wednesday’s special meeting, the board also approved the 2017-18 student accident insurance from Bollinger Insurance Solutions.

Contact the writer: spytak@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6011

POTTSVILLE — Those who stopped by the former Maroons Sports Bar & Grill on Tuesday could see its potential.

“I’m looking for my clients,” Mickey Pellish, a Realtor, said when asked why she was at the open house at 556 N. Centre St.

She said the building has a “nice, modern feel to it.”

John Buccinno and Tammy Mitgang, both agents with NAI Keystone Commercial and Industrial LLC, Reading, held an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. A couple of people stopped by. Most did not want to talk about why they decided to visit.

Changes to the building are evident inside. The bar, tables, kitchen and other reminders of the business are gone except for stickers on the bathroom doors shaped like footballs that say “Maroons.” New electrical wiring, sanding of the floor and the remodel of a walkway on the second floor are some of the upgrades.

A lot of work was done to the building bought by Peter John Russo and his cousin, Peter F. Russo, who belong to R&R Legacy Investments LLC, which is listed as the owner of the building, according to the Schuylkill County Online Parcel Locator. They bought the property for $115,000 in 2015 from William G. Schwab, a Lehighton lawyer and the trustee for the former owners, Robert C. and Karen Dittmar. A U.S. bankruptcy judge authorized the sale of the property. The property was put on the market earlier this year.

Peter John Russo said they purchased the property as an investment.

“It looks really good,” Peter John Russo said.

He has not been in the building in months.

“I think there is a lot of value here,” he said about the 5,000-square-feet.

The property is for sale or lease.

“We are asking $319,000,” Buccinno said, adding the price could be negotiated.

Lease price is $3,000 a month. He said the owners prefer to lease the building. There are more than 30 parking spaces available.

The layout would be appropriate for a variety of uses, including retail or professional services. Minor work is ongoing at the site, which could be ready for interested entities.

Mitgang said the building has a “great history.” Its name pays homage to the 1920s NFL team based in Pottsville.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

ASHLAND — Last year, there weren’t enough fire police available to help direct traffic for the traditional ABA parade, according to Ashland Mummers Club President Stephanie Llewellyn-Abalo.

But she and a band of volunteers are determined to bring the event back this year. It’s scheduled for Sept. 2.

“We just don’t want to let it go. It’s a very long tradition we’ve had in our town. We grew up with it and it’s something we would like to continue. And we’d eventually like to get it back to the way it was in the 1970s, if possible,” Llewellyn-Abalo, Ashland, said Wednesday.

The first Ashland Boys Association parade was held in 1900.

The parade began as a remembrance of the days when former residents of Ashland who had left for employment outside the mines returned to their families on Labor Day weekend, according to the newspaper’s archives.

When the trains arrived in town on the Saturday evening before Labor Day, the streets were filled with the people walking to their homes. That informal procession inspired the concept of holding a parade every year on that weekend.

Since many members of the ABA lived and worked in the Philadelphia area, Mummers Parade bands became part of the local parade.

In May 2009, the Ashland Mummers canceled the 2009 parade for numerous reasons, including a lack of donations and volunteers. In 2010, the Ashland Elks Lodge’s youth group, the Ashland Antlers, honored the spirit of the ABA parade by carrying a “Welcome ABA” banner and dressing up as coal miners. In 2011, the parade officially returned in a revised format with no marching units.

In 2015, the 113th ABA Parade was held, according to the newspaper’s archives.

In 2016, Abalo said there weren’t enough Ashland Fire Police members for traffic control. So, there was no parade in 2016.

“They have enough this year. We definitely have enough this year, about 15 to 18 people just to address the traffic, to reroute it. That will include fire police from other municipalities,” Abalo said Wednesday.

So, this year’s event will be the 114th ABA Parade.

It’s not easy setting up a parade that could have up to 30 units or more and could draw hundreds of spectators.

“It’s a lot of work,” Abalo said.

“We have the same core group of volunteers. There’s about five or six of us,” said Abalo’s cousin, Lisa Llewellyn, Ashland. She’s the secretary/treasurer of the Ashland Mummers Club.

“We hold fundraisers throughout the year to build the funds up. And you have to pay some of the people to be in the parade. So it takes a lot of money to run the parade,” Abalo said.

Llewellyn said it cost “about $5,500” to run the 2015 ABA parade, and she anticipated it would cost about the same to finance this year’s event.

They weren’t sure how many units would be in this year’s parade.

“They have until the last week of August to sign up,” Llewllyn said.

Interested parties can contact her at 570-875-2355 or Abalo at 570-985-3702.

The event also has a page on Facebook, “The Ashland Boys Association (ABA) Parade — Ashland.”

Contact the writer: spytak@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6011

Cressona

David Jonathan, formerly David Hubler, a local native and a 1966 graduate of Blue Mountain High School who now lives in Crawfordville, Florida, has written a book titled “Storms in Life Bring Richer Ground.” He will be on hand for signings and to greet people from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble, 2751 Papermill Road, Reading, and at 1 p.m. Sunday at Barnes & Noble, The Metroplex, 2300 Chemical Road, Plymouth Meeting. The public is welcome to both events. The author was a Republican-Herald carrier in Cressona from 1957 to 1964. In a release, he said he still has family and friends who live in Cressona, Pottsville, Schuylkill Haven, Orwigsburg, Port Clinton and surrounding areas. For more information, call 850-510-6511 or visit www.djcpa.org.

Deer Lake

The Deer Lake and West Brunswick Fire Company, 1 Ash Road, will sponsor bingo games at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the firehall. Doors will open at 5 p.m.; all are welcome. For more information, call 570-366-0152.

Nuremberg

The Nuremberg Community Players will hold open auditions for the upcoming comedy “Halloween Screams” by L. Don Swartz at 2 p.m. Sunday and 6 p.m. Monday at the theater at 283 Hazle St. Dates of the actual show presentation are Oct. 13, 14 and 15. Anyone interested in auditioning for the show or willing to help with the production is encouraged to attend the scheduled auditions. For more information, call Michelle Wysoski at 570-985-8352.

Nuremberg

The Nuremberg Community Players will present the musical “Funny Girl” at 7 p.m. Aug. 3, 4 and 5 and 3 p.m. Aug. 6 in their theater at 283 Hazlet St. All tickets are $15 and for an optional dinner buffet, an additional $12. The meal will be two hours before each performance at the Towers Restaurant, Fern Glen. All are welcome. For reservations or more information, call 877-718-7894.

Pottsville

The Trinity Lutheran Church Seniors will have a yard/food sale and take food pantry donations from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 12 at the church, 300 W. Arch St. The cost is $10 per table. The event will benefit the church seniors. For more information, call 570-622-9910.

Primrose

The 83rd annual Ukrainian Seminary Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, rain or shine, at the St. Nicholas Church picnic grove, Route 901. The event is sponsored by the 12 parishes of the South Anthracite Deanery of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia. A Hierarchical Divine Liturgy will be celebrated in the hall at 11 a.m. by Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka. A live polka broadcast by WPPA 1360 will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Folk dancing by the Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble will from 1 to 3 p.m. and music by John Stevens’ Doubleshot Polka Band will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Free parking will be available and buses are welcome. There is no admission fee. Food will include ethnic dishes such as pierogies, halushki, halupki, bleenies and kielbasa plus soup, desserts and other fare prepared by the parishes of the deanery. Vendors will be on hand selling traditional Ukrainian and eastern European items. There will also be games for families, pysanky (egg decorating) demonstrations and classes and people will be able to view and venerate the icon and relic of the Blessed Bishop Mykola Charnetsky. Proceeds will benefit St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Seminary in Washington, D.C., the only Ukrainian Catholic seminary in the United States. No outside food or beverages will be allowed. For more information, go to the Ukrainian Seminary Day Facebook page, or www.seminaryday.org.

Saint Clair

The support group Friends of Mike O’Pake for District Attorney will have a pig roast for the candidate at 4 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Saint Clair Fish and Game Club. It will include food, refreshments and music by Hooligan. Tickets will be available at the door.

Schuylkill Haven

Rainbow Hose Company, 417 Dock St., has weekly Taco Tuesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-581-6838.

Man injured

in I-81 accident

FRACKVILLE — A Saint Clair man was injured when the 2005 Toyota Camry he was driving crashed Saturday in the northbound lanes of Interstate 81, at mile marker 126.1 in Ryan Township.

State police at Frackville said Christopher R. Kroznuski, 24, was driving north in heavy rain when he tried to change from the left to the right lane and lost control.

The car began to hydroplane, started to spin and then roll over, continuing north and coming to a stop on its roof on the shoulder of the road facing south.

Police said Kroznuski was taken to a Pottsville hospital by Shenandoah EMS and that as a result of the crash will be cited for driving at an unsafe speed.

Man jailed for

violating PFA

NEW PHILADELPHIA — A Shenandoah man was jailed after being charged by state police at Frackville with violating a Protection From Abuse order about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Police said Joseph R. Angst Sr., 51, violated the court order by going to the home of his father, Kenneth R. Angst, 80, at 100 Valley St., Apt. 5, knowing he was not allowed to do so.

Joseph Angst was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge David Rossi, Tremont, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $5,000 straight cash bail, police said.

Police: Man was

causing disturbance

NUREMBERG — A Nuremberg man was arrested by state police at Frackville and charged with disorderly conduct after incidents about 9:20 p.m. Tuesday. on Pine Street in this North Union Township village.

Police said they were called to the area multiple times for a disturbance and as a result ,charged Stephen Barnhart, 51, for causing a disturbance in public.

Barnhart will have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, police said.

Cressona

The ninth annual ride sponsored by local families affected by breast cancer is set for 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 12 at Denny’s Hot Rod Bar & Grill, 19 Front St. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and everyone must back by 5:30 p.m., according to a release. All vehicles are welcome. There will be food and refreshments, live music, 50/50s, prizes for the poker run and a Chinese auction. For more information, including fees, call Adam at 570-449-2608.

Girardville

Girard Hose Company No. 1, 120 E. Main St., will have its annual block party from 4 p.m. to midnight Aug. 11 and 12 and all are welcome to attend. There will be ethnic food, games, live entertainment and adult beverages. A fire truck parade is set for 7 p.m. Aug. 12. For more information, call 717-861-2501.

Landingville

The Landingville Fire Company, 1 Firehouse Road, will have a cash bingo starting at 6:15 p.m. Monday at the firehouse. Tickets are $20, $25 and $30. There will be 20 regular games plus specials. Pull-tab games will also be on sale. People 18 and older are welcome. For more information, call 570-691-7160.

Minersville

The Community Mission Christian Center’s food pantry, 336 N. Front St., is open every other Tuesday and by appointment for emergencies by calling 570-617-4620 or 570-728-8703. The pastor is Bob Alonge. More information is available online at www.thecommunitymission.org.

Pottsville

An opening reception for artist Hayley Stokes is set for 7 p.m. today at Sage Coffer House & Tea Garden, 26 N. Centre St. Admission is free; food and beverages will be on sale. Stokes, 19, is a self-taught mixed-media artist. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-366-1638.

Pottsville

A Deppen Pie sale is underway until Aug. 17 by participating libraries in the Pottsville Library District. Pickups are set for Aug. 30. The cost is $10 per pie and all proceeds will benefit the libraries. Varieties include blueberry crumb, apple crumb, strawberry rhubarb crumb, cherry crumb, peach crumb, raisin crumb, shoo-fly, coconut custard, lemon sponge or no-sugar apple. Participating public libraries and their phone numbers are as follows: Ashland, 570-875-3175; Frackville, 570-874-3382; Orwigsburg, 570-366-1638; Port Carbon, 570-622-6115; Pottsville, 570-622-8880; Ringtown, 570-889-5503; Shenandoah, 570-462-9829; Tamaqua, 570-668-4660; Tower-Porter, 717-647-4900; Tremont, 570-695-3325; Tri-Valley, 570-682-8922. To order pies, contact the library in your area.

Schuylkill Haven

Open house at the Walk In Art Center, 220 Parkway Ave., is set for 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 5. To register for classes or for more information, call 570-732-3728 or go online to walkinartcenter.org. The center has classes, displays, various features, studios, artists and other attractions. All are welcome.

Shenandoah

The Shenandoah Valley School District is having high school and elementary registrations for the 2017-18 year from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. now through Aug. 24 by appointment only. To make an appointment or for more information, call 570-462-1957. Prior to appointments, registration packets must be picked up at the high school office. For registration, parents/guardians need student’s birth certificate/report card, up-to-date immunization record, Social Security card (optional) and any three of the following: Occupancy permit (available at the borough hall), valid driver’s license or vehicle registration card, lease or deed for property of residence, current utility bill, paycheck stub within 30 days with name and address.

Shenandoah

The Rescue Hook & Ladder Fire Company, Main and Coal streets, will have its annual bazaar on Aug. 4, 5 and 6 adjacent to the firehouse in downtown Shenandoah. It will include traditional ethnic and American bazaar food, a wide variety of games and refreshments. All are welcome.

There’s not much better stargazing in the summer, with the exception of listening to music under the stars. This weekend’s annual Starlight Concert at Misericorida University gives stargazing music-lovers that opportunity.

The Under the Stars Summer Arts Festival headlining concert features Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Peter Cetera at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Wells Fargo Amphitheater.

An original member of the legendary rock group Chicago, Cetera made a name for himself in the late 1960s before breaking away from the group in 1985 to pursuing a solo career.

Throughout his solo career, the 72-year-old musician recorded 10 albums, with six songs that climbed to No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 100, including “Glory of Love” and “The Next Time I Fall.” Nowadays, the rock artist spends much of his time touring, performing both songs from his solo career and classic Chicago favorites.

“You go through your ups and downs, but actually at this point in my career, I’m having more fun than I’ve ever had,” Cetera said in a recent phone interview. “I have a great group of musicians that I play with, all out of Nashville. ... I think that during the shows, the crowds are getting in the feeling of it all. Everyone goes home pleasantly surprised and happy.”

In 2016, Chicago was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with Cetera being one of three original band members to also gain recognition as a 2017 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee.

With a career spanning nearly 50 years, Cetera finds it hard to narrow down a singular highlight amongst his success. However, Chicago selling out Madison Square Garden and touring the world were among the few he held most dear.

“Probably one of the greatest moments was with my second solo album; the single ‘Glory of Love’ was in the second ‘Karate Kid’ movie and was nominated for an Academy Award, and I sang it at the Academy Awards,” Cetera said. “Probably not as big as my Cubs win in the World Series last year, but pretty doggone close.”

Although Cetera referred to his writing style like a “bad student who studies the night before the test,” he said he would like to release new music in the coming year. Those who attend the concert at Misericordia will even be treated to a handful of new songs that haven’t been recorded yet.

“At a certain point, I gave up and thought there was no room for me anymore,” Cetera said. “I took some years off, but people kept coming to me and saying how certain songs meant so much to them. I realized that there’s room for everybody out there. ... I’m just in the happiest time of my musical career, I’m having a ball. It’s just exciting for me to go on stage with my great band. I think I like to see the look on people’s faces like, ‘Oh my god, he’s alive! And he sounds great!’ ”

Contact the writer: cjacobson@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2061

Man struck by

vehicle on Rt. 61

ORWIGSBURG — A Mount Carmel man was in good condition Thursday night after being struck by a vehicle on Route 61 in North Manheim Township Wednesday afternoon.

The incident occurred at 2:54 p.m. Wednesday in the southbound lane of Route 61 just north of East Adamsdale Road, state police at Schuylkill Haven said Thursday.

Seth J. Savitsky, 20, of Landingville, was traveling south on Route 61 in a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee when, for reasons unknown, John M. Adams, 24, of Mount Carmel, stepped onto the roadway from the west shoulder. He was hit by Savitsky’s vehicle, police said.

In the police report, state Trooper Robert Oakley said he believed Adams had suffered serious injuries. Adams was taken by MedEvac 7 to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown.

According to a hospital spokeswoman, Adams was still there Thursday night, but he was in good condition.

Savitsky and his passenger, John Stiles, 30, of Minersville, were not injured, police said.

However, Savitsky will be charged for driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, police said.

In addition to MedEvac 7, responders included Schuylkill EMS, according to a supervisor at Schuylkill County Communications, Pottsville.

Police seek man

wanted on warrants

HEGINS — Hegins Township police filed charges against a Hegins man stemming from an incident on Sunday and are currently looking to take him into custody.

Police said that Steve Lucas, 45, was charged with felony flight to avoid apprehension, trial or punishment as well as misdemeanor offenses of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police Chief Beau Yarmush said that he was on patrol in the township about 6 p.m. and saw Lucas lying down in the back seat of a Honda that was parked at the Family Dollar store parking lot on Forest Drive.

Yarmush said that when Lucas saw him, he exited the vehicle and fled the area on foot.

The chief said that inside the vehicle Lucas was in, he saw items of drug paraphernalia related to methamphetamine and marijuana.

During a subsequent investigation, Yarmush said in the area of the vehicle where Lucas was he found two digital sales, a glass smoking device with burnt methamphetamine residue, two hypodermic syringes, a snorting straw and a small baggie that contained methamphetamine.

In addition, the chief said he saw a metal grinder that contained marijuana and a glass pipe with burnt marijuana residue inside of it.

The owner of the vehicle was identified as Shannon Heist, 40, of Tower City, who admitted that the items of marijuana paraphernalia belonged to her.

Yarmush said Heist was charged with misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia and will now have to answer before Magisterial District Judge David Rossi, Tremont.

Lucas was wanted for active bench warrants out of Dauphin, Lebanon and Schuylkill counties, Yarmush said.

“Lucas fled from Hegins Township police last December and consequently he has an active felony warrant for his arrest for that incident,” Yarmush said.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Steve Lucas is asked to call Hegins Township police at 570-682-3133. All information will remain confidential.

Police: None hurt

in 3-vehicle crash

HAMBURG — No one was injured when three vehicles were involved in a crash about 6:10 p.m. Monday in the westbound lanes of Interstate 78, at mile marker 21.3, in Upper Tulpehocken Township, Berks County.

State police at Hamburg said Bradley S. Reber, 47, of Bethel, was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu in the right lane when he began to merge into the left lane and struck the front passenger’s side fender of a 2007 Dodge Ram driven by David E. Rittle, 30, of Lebanon.

After hitting the Rittle truck, police said, the Reber car began to spin out of control and struck the concrete barrier and then went back into the right travel lane where it struck a 2003 Peterbilt truck driven by Kenneth Cruz, 46, of Thornhurst.

No one was injured and police said Reber will be cited for not driving on roadways laned for traffic as a result of the crash.

Position incorrect

Lisa Gillespie is the former drama production director for the Blue Mountain School District.

The position was incorrectly listed in Wednesday’s edition.

POTTSVILLE — The former National Penn Bank at 113 E. Norwegian St. sold for $160,000 at a bank-ordered auction earlier this month.

The building was part of several bank branches and commercial properties for sale in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Drew Dixon, auction coordinator with John Dixon and Associates, an auction business based in Marietta, Georgia, said the winning bid for the Pottsville property was submitted online. The auction was held 6 p.m. July 18 at Embassy Suites, Kennesaw, Georgia.

Other interested buyers also bid online for the more than 8,000-square-foot property built in 1968 with a drive-thru and a 14-space parking lot. Fifteen percent of the purchase price was required because the property sold for between $100,000 to $200,000.

Dixon said there were 52 registered bidders online for the properties, and 47 actually submitted bids.

He declined to reveal the winning bidder.

“Until it closes, BB&T doesn’t let us give out the entity, the buyer of the property,” Dixon said.

Closing on the all properties sold is by Aug. 15.

Whatever the new owner or owners decide to do with the building, it can’t be a financial institution for three years, Dixon said. Language in the deed prohibits such use.

“Buyer acknowledges and agrees that the property shall be conveyed subject to a deed restriction that provides the owner of the property shall not operate, sell, lease or allow the operation, sale or lease of the property as a banking use,” the language states. “For purposes of the use restriction, a banking use shall mean a state and/or national bank, national savings bank, national branch banking facility, federal insured credit union, automated teller machine associated with the foregoing ATM and or federally chartered savings and loan institution.”

BB&T bought National Penn Bank in April 2016. BB&T closed the bank location on East Norwegian Street and moved accounts to a nearby location in the city.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

POTTSVILLE — The First United Methodist Church at 330 W. Market St. will likely have to spend thousands of dollars to once again address a problem that caused water to flood into their building due to recent heavy rains.

“It does get old,” the Rev. John Wallace said Thursday. The church has been dealing with the problem for at least 20 years.

The congregation does have the money to fix it, but that could be put to better use than continually dealing with this problem, Wallace said.

When there is a large amount of rain, the water floods into the basement. Wallace does not know how it gets there, but he expects it comes up through the floor. A stone arch stormwater sewer drain is in the area, according to The Republican-Herald archives.

“The consensus has been for 20 years that the sewer is not adequate and something needs to be done about it,” Wallace said.

The fellowship hall, kitchen and boiler room had water in it because of the heavy rain last week. He did not know how much water was there.

“Sometimes we can live with it. This time we couldn’t,” Wallace said.

He does not know who is responsible but wants the problem fixed.

“We can’t point with certainty and say it’s the sewer authority’s problem,” Wallace said.

The affected area downstairs was sealed by Berks Fire and Water Restoration, Reading, on July 21. Chad Moyer, project manager, said the carpet had to be removed. Air samples will be taken to check for microbial growth. Results of those test will determine the next course of action.

“The place stinks,” Wallace said of the downstairs.

Groups that usually meet down there have been moved to an area upstairs for meetings.

Usually the problem with water in the basement occurs once or twice a year. So far, the instance last week is the only one this year.

“It rears up and bites us. This one was really bad,” Wallace said.

Ian Lipton, chairman of the Greater Pottsville Area Sewer Authority, said Thursday that during abnormal rain events, basement flooding is possible.

“Some of these rain events are very, very significant,” he said.

When asked what the Greater Pottsville Area Sewer Authority plans to do about the ongoing issue, he said, “at this point, we are still examining it.” Lipton said the project is named the Fourth and Arch streets storm/sanitary sewer relocation project. Cost for the project exceeds $1 million. Lipton said authority isn’t able to spend that amount of money now. The project could be added into other projects at a later date. On Sept. 28, 2016, GPASA asked its engineering firm to develop estimates to relocate the stormwater-sewer drain. The stone sewer arch is under the church.

“To clarify, there is nothing wrong with the stone sewer arch. Periodically during heavy rainfall events, the arch surcharges and combined sewer backs up the sewer laterals connected to the arch, causing basement flooding. Currently, the stone arch runs under several properties in the area. By relocating the arch to the street, it is anticipated that this would help alleviate the potential for basement flooding in the area,” Timothy R. Yingling, the sewer authority’s executive director, said previously. He was unavailable for comment Thursday.

Wallace said he understands big projects take time, but it seems there is not much movement on the recurring problem.

“What’s the point of us calling them,” he said when asked if someone will call GPASA.

Lipton said the problem is something they are trying to rectify.

“We will certainly do whatever is fair and reasonable if we are responsible,” he said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

Deeds

Ashland — Winifred M. Staudenmeier to Joseph L. Staudenmeier, Paul L. Staudenmeier, Marianne W. Staudenmeier and Caroline M. Lobos; 1137 Race St.; $1.

Butler Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Liberty Savings Bank; 77 Tiley Road; $1,289.52.

Cressona — Stephen III and Bobbi Jo Mitchell to Harry W. and Kristen Thomas; 109 Railroad St.; $69,000.

East Brunswick Township — Kelly Asbury and Ranlett J. and Sharon Battis Eure to Kelly Asbury; 2487 Summer Valley Road; $1.

Frackville — Stoney River Properties LLC to Michael Figueroa; 409 S. Broad Mountain Ave.; $102,000.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Atlantica LLC; 35 N. Balliet St.; $1,297.23.

Joseph J. and June E. Anthony, by attorney in fact Joanne E. Brophy, to Joanne E. Brophy and John J. Anthony; 32 W. Nice St.; $1.

Girardville — Anne D. Lorady to Bernard J. and Sue Ann Bann; property on Main Street; $9,000.

Hubley Township — Carl H. and Carol D. Klinger to April Kroh; 2235 E. Main St., Sacramento; $169,000.

Kline Township — Michael and Michelle Klesh to Bradley J. Hess; 624 Mountain Top Terrace; $60,000.

Mahanoy City — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Phillip A. Scott and Oksana M. Sipe; 333-335 W. Spruce St.; $829.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 907 E. Pine St.; $1,261.53.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to M&T Bank; 525 W. Pine St.; $1,317.61.

George Q. Kline to Emily R. Seiger; 124 E. Pine St.; $1.

McAdoo — Jason D. and Sarah Zola to John and Melissa Treskolasky; 121 N. Sherman St.; $30,000.

Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB to Bada Kolenovic; 67-69 N. Kennedy Drive; $25,000.

Minersville — William J. and Rose Ann Sep to William J. and Rose Ann Sep and John A. Sep; 330 New Castle St.; $1.

New Philadelphia — Kathleen A. Fogarty and Michelle L. Singleton to Michelle L. Singleton; 132 Water St.; $1.

North Union Township — Robin Baker and Sandra Manjone, administratrices of the Estate of Dennis L. Manjone Jr., to Brooke Manjone and Dennis L. Manjone III; 2-acre property; $1.

Robin Baker and Sandra Manjone, administratrices of the Estate of Dennis L. Manjone Jr., to Thomas Manjone, Danielle Medash and Melissa Manjone, trustees of the Manjone Family Trust; 2-acre property; $1.

Port Carbon — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Nationstar Mortgage LLC; 54 S. Coal St.; $1,259.63.

Porter Township — Dorothy A. Parker, by attorneys in fact Jane R. Petrilla and William P. Parker III, to Danielle M. Wolf; 213 W. Church St., Muir; $120,000.

Mid Penn Bank to Carl D. Savage; 260 Clarks Valley Road; $5,000.

Pine Grove — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to PNC Bank NA; 2 Peach St.; $1,154.97.

Pottsville — JMAC Realty LLC to Mary Alice L. Pershing; 108 S. 23rd St.; $160,000.

Matthew A. Tonitis to Heather Homa; 2101 Mahantongo St.; $124,500.

Jorge A. Carcamo and Bernardo Lopez to Loran J. Parker and Gail Simmons; 1406 W. Norwegian St.; $13,000.

Sandra L. Reigel to Donald R. Dengler; 1704 W. Norwegian St.; $1.

Michael and Beth Borinsky to Sue Ellen Nowakowski; 1245 W. Market St.; $1.

Robert J. and Virginia M. Stanziola to Gerald Gownley; 1971 W. Market St.; $36,000.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 421 Nichols St.: $1,137.69.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Deutsche Bank Trust Co. Americas; 711 Seneca St.; $1,379.13.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Homesave LLC; 1206 Laurel Blvd.; $1,383.77.

Abear Realty Inc. to Alan E. and Lori Ann Celmer; 1545-1547 W. Market St.; $64,000.

David and Jasmine Rayfield to Bedrock Capital Partners LLC; 605 N. Eighth St.; $3,000.

Rush Township — Leonard G. and Geraldine C. Mace to Leonard G. Mace; 57 Heckman St., Quakake; $1.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 22 Wayne Ave., Hometown; $1,157.13.

Ryan Township — Timothy and Donna M. McGowan to Jason A. Hoherchak; 1074 Barnesville Drive, Barnesville; $159,900.

Saint Clair — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Reading Anthracite Co.; property on North Mill Street; $500.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Reading Anthracite Co.; 378 N. Mill Street; $1,500.

Schuylkill Haven — Kevin Moyer, Diane Ferrier and Carol Clay to Diane M. Pierce; 117 St. John St.; $47,500.

Frank M. and Pamela S. Schlaner to MLWM Investor Group LLC; 214 E. Main St.; $99,000.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to The Bank of New York Mellon; 414 High St.; $1,508.31.

Jesse G. Murphy to Jamie B. Surabian; 420 High St.; $103,000.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 307 Dock St.; $1,088.16.

Sheri L. Kutz to Dylan Costy; 18 E. Penn St.; $71,000.

Shenandoah — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Borough of Shenandoah; 129 E. Lloyd St.; $1.

Helen Gregas and Harry Hause to Craig Freincle and Sharon Karsok; 402 E. Lloyd St.; $12,000.

South Manheim Township — David R. and Bonnie M. Tyson to Nicholas and Tracie Fanelli; Lot 1499, Wynonah Drive, Lake Wynonah; $150,000.

Mark M. and Donna M. Weidel to Jeffrey C. and Colleen E. Wells and Timothy W. McNicholas; 1450 Wynonah Drive, Lake Wynonah; $358,000.

Tamaqua — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Wells Fargo Bank NA; 534 E. Union St.; $1,320.53.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Wells Fargo Bank NA; 412 Greenwood Ave.; $1,387.03.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 29 Hunter St.; $1,335.01.

Tower City — Carol A. Carl and Terrance L. Carl, trustees under the Carol A. CarlLiving Trust, to Carol A. and Terrance L. Carl, Scott R. Carl and Jeffrey M. Carl; 943 E. Colliery Ave.; $1.

Tremont Township — Richard M. and Heather J. Heim to Helen Shadle; 95 Molleystown Road, Molleystown; $165,000.

Washington Township — Richard Shenberger to Robert M. and Vicki S. Horning; 1.29-acre property on Koty Lane; $25,000.

West Brunswick Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Santander Bank NA; 6 Duke St.; $1,132.62.

West Mahanoy Township — John T. and Margaret A. McGuire to Kathryn Lally; property in Shenandoah Heights; $13,000.

Geisinger Medical Center, Danville

To Joseph and Allison Morgan Blyler, Elysburg, a daughter July 12. Maternal grandparents are Terry and Holly Morgan, Mifflinburg. Paternal grandparents are Joseph and Lori Blyler, Valley View.

MAHANOY CITY — The Mahanoy Area school board Thursday hired one of the district’s 2001 graduates as the principal of the high school.

It’s Stanley J. Sabol Jr., 34, of Frackville.

“He’s hard-working. He was a good student and a tough football player,” Tim Tobin, a social studies teacher at the high school, said.

Tobin, one of Sabol’s teachers and coaches back in the day, was at the school board meeting in the district’s Large Group Instruction Room.

“I’ve been a dean of students for the Scranton School District for the past four years, and this is a huge opportunity for me,” Sabol said after the meeting. “Being dean of students is like being a vice principal. Now I’m moving into a principal’s job, becoming the leader of the school educationally. And this is in the community I grew up in. I’m just looking forward to working with the staff and the other administrators to keep moving Mahanoy Area in a positive direction.”

Thomas Smith was Mahanoy Area High School principal in the 2016-17 school year. His salary was $79,573.59, according to John J. Hurst, Mahanoy Area business administrator.

At the end of the school year, Smith expressed interest in leaving his administrative duties and returning to the classroom as a social studies teacher. The school district advertised for a new high school principal.

“We interviewed 12 or 13 candidates,” Superintendent Joie L. Green said.

In a unanimous vote Thursday, the school board hired Sabol with a salary of $74,000 for the 2017-18 school year.

All board members were present at Thursday night’s meeting: Jay Hanley, president; Steve Gnall, vice president; Karen Yedsena, treasurer; Nancy Boyle, secretary, and board members Mary Agnes DiCasimirro, Gary Gnall, John Honus, Dan Lynch and Michael Mistishen.

“Welcome, Mr. Sabol,” Green said after the vote.

“Thank you,” Sabol said.

Growing up in Mahanoy City, Sabol was a student at Mahanoy Area and on the school’s football team.

“I played football for four years, and I played baseball for four years,” he said.

Sabol earned a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in secondary education from Albright College, Reading, in May 2006. He went on to earn a master’s in education from Alvernia University, Pottsville, in August 2011. He received his PA Administrative I Certification PK-12 from Alvernia in September 2015. He also has numerous teacher certifications, according to his resume.

He was a social studies and math teacher at Shenandoah Valley from August 2007 to August 2012, GED instructor at State Correctional Institution/Frackville from February 2008 to June 2011 and a math teacher at Prince George’s Country Public Schools, Charles Carroll Middle School, in New Carrollton, Maryland, from December 2012 to August 2013.

He worked as a team leader at Camelot Education, Lincoln-Jackson Academy, Scranton, from August 2013 to August 2014. He became dean of students at Scranton School District Lincoln-Jackson Academy from August 2014 to July 2016, and he’s been dean of students at Scranton School District West Scranton High School since July 2016.

He’s also been a volunteer firefighter at Altamont Fire Company, West Mahanoy Township, from September 2009 to the present. Prior to that, he was a volunteer firefighter at Citizens Fire Company No. 2, Mahanoy City, from April 1999 to June 2009.

In other matters at Thursday’s meeting, the school board hired others to fill vacancies for the 2017-18 school year.

The board appointed David C. Holman, Barnesville, as assistant high school principal with a salary of $65,000.

The board hired Paula Onisick, Bloomsburg, to the professional staff as an emotional support teacher in the high school with a salary of $45,184.

The board appointed Colleen Fanelli, Ashland, as a kindergarten and first-grade learning support teacher with a salary of $43,784.

The board hired Matthew Gould, Sinking Spring, Berks County, as a second grade, ELA and social studies teacher with a salary of $38,354.

The board also appointed the following special education teaching assistants at an hourly rate of $8.75: Kaitlin Neiswender, Pottsville; Samantha Rudloff, Mahanoy City, and Patricia Hartman, Barnesville.

The board also hired John McGroarty, Mahanoy City, as head varsity baseball coach, with a salary of $3,861.68.

The Mahanoy Area school board is also OK with the plan to put new roofs on the Schuylkill Technology Centers in Mar Lin and Frackville.

On July 10, the board of directors of Schuylkill County Area Vocational-Technical School approved a formula to determine how much each of the 12 school districts in Schuylkill County will put into the project that’s expected to cost more than $3.1 million.

The plan is based on 66.667 percent of a district’s market value and 33.333 percent of student enrollment budget at STC, Brian A. Manning, business manager at Schuylkill IU 29, said.

With the formula, Mahanoy Area would contribute $139,683.89 toward the project.

Contact the writer: spytak@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6011

A long-running celebration of faith, heritage and culture will

continue this weekend in Primrose.

The 83rd annual Ukrainian Seminary Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at the St. Nicholas Church picnic grounds, Route 901 outside of Minersville. The event is sponsored by the 12 parishes and faithful of the South Anthracite Deanery. Admission and parking are free. Buses are also welcome.

This year, the event will feature an exhibit of works by local artist Nick Bervinchak.

According to a press release from the Rev. John Fields, director of communications for the Ukrainian Catholic Church, Metropolitan Archeparchy of Philadelphia, there will be a multi-media presentation on the life and art of Bervinchak by Michael Buryk. In addition, several of Bervinchak’s works will be on display.

“ Nick Bervinchak’s art includes traditional iconography, scenes of early Lemko/Ukrainian life in the coal regions as well as works based on nature,” according to the release.

The day will begin with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Bishop John Bura, auxiliary bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and clergy of the deanery, at 11 a.m. in St. Nicholas Hall. It will conclude with a healing service and anointing and the veneration of the relics of Blessed Bishop-Martyr Mykola Charnetsky, known as the “healer of souls.”

Music is a big part of the celebration, and there are performances scheduled throughout the day.

Beginning at 11 a.m., radio station WPPA 1360 will broadcast a live polka program from the picnic grounds. The Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble will perform from 1 to 3 p.m. in the open air band pavilion. John Stevens’ Doubleshot Orchestra will follow from 4 to 8 p.m.

There will be a mixture of ethnic and American food and beverage, including pierogies, holubtsi, kobasa, halushki, homemade soups, and homemade cakes and pastries.

Other scheduled activities include a theme basket auction, pysanky demonstrations, games for children and vendors selling traditional Ukrainian and Eastern European items.

According to the press release, from 1985 through 2015, Ukrainian Seminary Day raised more than $835,000 for the financial support of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Seminary, adjacent to the campus of The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

For more information, visit the Ukrainian Seminary Day Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UkrainianSeminaryDay.

Contact the writer: epeddigree@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6003

MAHANOY PLANE — The Gilberton Borough Council is aiming to take down some blighted buildings.

It’s in the process of buying these properties, each for $1, from the county repository, council Vice Chairman Michael VanAllen said at the council’s July meeting Thursday night at borough hall.

VanAllen read the list of properties aloud:

• 109 Kelly St., owned by Alexandra Cuono, Port Carbon, according to the online Schuylkill Parcel Locator.

• 2403 Water St., owned by Atlantic Carrier Systems Inc., Hagerstown, Md., according to the parcel locator.

• 111 Kelly St., owned by Florence Harhi, Mahanoy Plane, and Michael and Dorothy Harhi, Reading, Berks County, according to the parcel locator.

• 1226-1228 Main St., owned by Clara Sluck and Michael Sluck Sr., both of Gilberton, according to the parcel locator.

“I need a motion to approve these. I’ll sign them and bring them up to the courthouse,” VanAllen said.

Councilman Lloyd George made the motion and Councilman Mark Keirsey seconded it. It received approval with a vote from VanAllen.

Absent from the meeting were Daniel J. Malloy, council chairman, and Bill Hannon, a council member. Mayor Mary Lou Hannon was also absent from Thursday’s meeting.

In other matters, the council said the borough workers will soon be cleaning out storm drains in the borough.

“They’re going to start cleaning them in the next two weeks,” Tina Antalosky, borough secretary/treasurer, said.

Contact the writer: spytak@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6011

POTTSVILLE — The cause of a fire that displaced a family of seven Wednesday appears accidental, Pottsville Fire Chief Todd March said Thursday.

March said it was a “possible electrical problem.”

He said the fire at 436 E. Arch St. originated in the first-floor living room.

“It had a pretty good start until they (neighbors) saw it,” March said.

No one was home at the time of the fire because the occupants were camping. Dogs in the backyard were OK.

“There’s an awful lot of damage there. The whole first floor is gutted,” March said, adding the fire didn’t make it upstairs but there is extensive heat damage.

He estimated at least $75,000 in damage to the house, adding that it might be a total loss. The homeowner has insurance.

The property is owned by Amanda Dana, according to the Schuylkill County online Parcel Locator.

The insurance company will first send someone out to look at the damage, then the department will go back to the scene and look around.

“It’s not a suspicious fire. We are not getting a state police fire marshal,” March said

Firefighters were dispatched to the fire, which was contained in about 15 minutes, shortly after 9 p.m.

“There was fire blowing out upon arrival,” First Assistant Fire Chief Jim Misstishin said.

A neighbor called the Schuylkill County Communications Center after she heard glass cracking while standing outside and saw flames.

Dana and her husband, Michael Mading, Amber Franz, Dana’s mother, Karen Kershner, and three children lived at the home.

Mading said they do have insurance and the home had working smoke detectors. March said he did see a smoke detector on the third floor but could not say if there were any in the rest of the house because of its condition.

Patty Daley, disaster captain of the Tri-County Chapter of the American Red Cross, said food, clothing and shelter were provided to those affected.

The entire Pottsville Fire Department and the Schuylkill Haven Rapid Intervention Team responded to the fire as did the Pottsville Police Department, local EMS, and fire companies from the surrounding area.

Mountain View Restoration, Jim Thorpe, boarded up the building for free.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville was one of nine cities nationwide to receive The Outstanding Race City plaque presented by the First Energy All-American Soap Box Derby.

The honor is given to those who “perform at a high level,” Bobby Dinkins, vice president of The Soap Box Derby, said Thursday.

A committee of three people decide the winners, which are nominated for the honor as Pottsville was.

The plaque was presented earlier this month to Robert Womer, director of the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby. This is the first time the city has received the award.

“I’m thrilled,” Womer said about accepting the plaque, which will be given to the Pottsville City Council.

Bradeyn Ditzler, Port Carbon, who won the stock division, and Angel Geiger, Pottsville, who won the superstock division during the race in May in Pottsville, will give the plaque to the city, Womer said.

He said the recognition is important for the children, the parents, volunteers and the city. Those who award the designation look at community support as one of the ways to decide the recipients, Wormer said.

“When I took (the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby) over 20 plus years ago, there was 10 (racers). They only had one division,” he said.

Now the Pottsville race has two divisions, Stock and Superstock.

Womer was quick to credit the community for the success. Asked why people enjoy the soap box derby, Womer said, “It reminds them of their childhood.”

The following cities that hold soap box derbies also received plaques: Bristol, Connecticut; Federalsburg, Maryland; Fredericksburg, Virginia; Harrisonburg, Virginia; Columbia-Midlands, Missouri; Glendale, West Virginia; Portage County, Ohio, and Beaumont, Texas.

The main soap box derby, at which racers from around the world compete, is held in July. This year’s event was held July 22 in Akron, Ohio. This was the 80th year for the derby.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

James K. Reiley

A Schuylkill County inmate charged by Pottsville police with assaulting another inmate on June 20 waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville.

Eric N. Keefe, 36, whose address is listed as 12 Center Ave., Schuylkill Haven, was arrested by Cpl. Charles Webber and charged with one felony count of assault by prisoner and one misdemeanor count each of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

By waiving his right to a hearing, Keefe will now have to answer to all three charges against him in Schuylkill County Court.

Webber charged Keefe with coming up behind inmate Cecil Kutz and striking him in the forehead with a plastic cleaning brush, causing visible injuries. Security video from the jail showed Keefe going up to Kutz from behind and without warning hitting the man in the face with the brush.

Other court cases included:

Brian J. McClintock, 41, of 417 E. Market St., Pottsville — waived for court: aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

William D. Jubilee, 46, of 10 N. 50th St., Philadelphia —waived for court: aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude police, recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest, DUI-controlled substance and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

James W. Hrbek, 35, of 216 Jackson St., Port Carbon — waived for court: fraudulently obtaining food stamps or assistance.

Stephanie Ann Powanda, 39, of 70 Coal St., Port Carbon — waived for court: fraudulently obtaining food stamps or assistance.

Aaron M. Davis, 32, of 2160 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville — held for court: retail theft.

Diane M. Kutsko, 47, of 320 W. Poplar St., Shenandoah — waived for court: furnishing drug-free urine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Anthony J. Kilker

SHENANDOAH — A Pottsville woman charged by state police at Frackville with theft of services after an incident in West Mahanoy Township on June 6 appeared for a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.

Jennifer Lynn Hoffman, 36, of 725 Howard Ave., was arrested by state police Trooper Edward Sanchez and charged with theft of services. Kilker determined the commonwealth proved a prima facie case and ordered the charge held for Schuylkill County Court.

Sanchez said the charge stems from the incident that occurred between 9:30 and 10:15 p.m. on Route 924 at Ringtown Boulevard where Hoffman ran out of gas and stopped, partially blocking the highway in the rain at night.

Interstate Exxon, Barnesville, was called to bring gasoline and told by Hoffman that she would pay by credit card.

After receiving the service, police said, Hoffman refused to pay and was given a generous grace period to pay for the service but declined to do so, Sanchez said.

Other court cases included:

Rhiannon Meyer, 39, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — dismissed: recklessly endangering another person. Held for court: robbery, theft, DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal mischief, receiving stolen property, terroristic threats, defiant trespass, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Jeffrey K. Reimard II, 39, of 2620 Melanie Manor, Ringtown — waived for court: aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, flight to avoid apprehension, trial or punishment, resisting arrest and harassment.

Matthew J. Kimmel, 22, of 118 W. Washington St., Frackville — held for court: conspiracy.

Tiffany M. Koncsler, 28, of 426 W. Coal St., Shenandoah — waived for court: endangering the welfare of minors, corruption of minors, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Charica N. Bryant, 34, of 15 S. Chestnut St., Shenandoah — withdrawn: simple assault and harassment. Waived for court: disorderly conduct.

Alec Jackson, 22, of 73 Roosevelt Drive, Mahanoy City — withdrawn: burglary. Waived for court: criminal trespass, defiant trespass and loitering and prowling at night.

Stephen A. Mackeravage, 46, of 317 E. Lloyd St., Shenandoah — withdrawn: strangulation, terroristic threats, disorderly conduct, harassment and public drunkenness.

Esther Hibbert, 21, of 512 N. Centre St., Pottsville — withdrawn: possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Edward G. McElroy, 25, of 821 Water St., Pottsville — withdrawn: possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Wayne M. McElroy, 28, of 821 Water St., Pottsville —withdrawn: possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sydiq Shenoster, 18, 319 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah — withdrawn: robbery. Waived for court. Waived for court: terroristic threats, simple assault, harassment, disorderly conduct and harassment.

Pine Grove woman

faces theft charges

PINE GROVE — Pine Grove police filed charges against a borough woman after an investigation into an incident at her 1 Hillside Vista Drive home about 10:45 a.m. June 12.

Police said Amanda F. Tobias was charged with one count each of theft from a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property and theft.

Police said Sarah Overton found her wallet missing and reported seeing Tobias trying to hide the wallet in her purse.

Overton told officers she was not completely sure at that point if Tobias had her wallet but waited and watched as Tobias dropped change and eventually the stolen wallet.

Police said Overton confronted Tobias about being in possession of her wallet, at which time Tobias admitted having it and gave it back.

Charges against Tobias were filed with Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi, Tremont, police said.

Cellphone SIM cards

reported stolen

WILLIAMSTOWN — State police at Lykens are investigating a burglary that occurred on West Fifth Street in Williams Township, Dauphin County, between March 9 and July 21.

Police said someone entered the home of a 38-year-old man and stole multiple SIM cards to cellphones.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 717-362-8700.

9 face charges for

trespassing at Rock

HAMBURG — Tilden Township police charged nine people with trespassing at 3 p.m. July 23 at the Kernsville Dam, Tilden Township, Berks County.

The Rock, a popular jumping destination, sits on the Tilden Township side of the Schuylkill River. Police did not identify who they charged with criminal trespassing, but said they were from Pittsburgh, Erwinna, and Staten Island and Brooklyn, New York. One person will be charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, police said.

Copper coils taken

from storage site

ELIZABETHVILLE — State police at Lykens are investigating a burglary that occurred between June 18 and July 22 at Hen House Storage on Route 25 and Kocher Road, Mifflin Township, Dauphin County.

Police said someone cut the lock to a storage unit belonging to James Reiner, Elizabethville, and stole $200 worth of copper air conditioner coils. Police said they are reviewing security video of the burglary.

Anyone with information is urged to call police at 717-362-8700.

Police: Woman’s dog

scratches youngster

LYKENS — A Dauphin County woman faces charges after she allowed her dog to run free and it scratched a juvenile at 7:35 p.m. July 15, police said.

State police at Lykens charged Jasmine Marie Geleneser, 29, of 118 Autumn Drive, Williams Township, with allowing her dog to run free across the street and then it jumped on a juvenile, scratching his hand and leg.

Charges were filed with Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum, Elizabethville, police said.