POTTSVILLE — Dan Meuser has established the new headquarters for his upcoming campaign for Congress in the city.

Meuser will operate out of the second floor at 100 N. Centre St. Meuser and his staff moved into the new location March 14. Official hours of operation will be established soon and announced on both Meuser’s website and the Dan Meuser for Congress Facebook page. Meuser is seeking the GOP nomination in the May 15 primary to run against the Democratic nominee, vying to represent the new 9th District.

“We want the people of Schuylkill County to be assured of our commitment to them and to the revitalization of areas like Pottsville, the place we have decided to open our first campaign office,” Meuser said in a press release.

The new 9th District is comprised of all of Carbon, Columbia, Lebanon, Montour and Schuylkill counties and parts of Northumberland, Luzerne and Berks counties. According to Meuser’s website, he will have additional campaign offices throughout the 9th District in addition to the Pottsville office.

“The new, court-drawn 9th District is vast and it’s important to us that we continue to reach out to voters across every single county,” Meuser said in the release. “We have been working hard for six months on this campaign in five of the counties that were in the old 11th Congressional District and are now in the new 9th District. We are going to work just as hard in these three new counties, Berks, Lebanon and Schuylkill, as we have in the other five counties. We are concentrating heavily on building out these grassroots networks in these new counties and have been humbled by the amount of support we have already received. We have met personally with thousands of voters and will continue to work hard to further build our tremendous grassroots support momentum in the weeks ahead.”

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

Ashland

A spring bazaar is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at St. Charles Borromeo Parish Hall, 1115 Walnut St. It will include a bake sale, white elephant sale, homemade soups, pigeons, halushki, barbecue, sausages, door prizes and other attractions. All are welcome.

Frackville

Youth Fishing Day will be held on Saturday at the South End Field and Stream Club’s Whippoorwill Dam, Morea Road. The dam will be stocked for the event. For more information, email awycheck@verizon.net.

Minersville

St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish, 139 Spruce St., will have Divine Mercy Devotions at 3 p.m. on Diving Mercy Sunday, April 8. Devotions will consist of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a Scripture Service, the sung Chaplet of the Divine Mercy and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Devotions will be preceded by Confessions beginning at 2 p.m. by Monsignor William Handges, pastor emeritus of St. Peter Church, Coplay, who will be the guest confessor, homilist and presider, according to a church release. A first-class relic of St. Faustina Kowalska, the Apostle of Divine Mercy, will be offered for veneration at the conclusion of the services. For more information, call the St. Matthew rectory at 570-544-2211.

Ringtown

The Ashland Area Community Choir will showcase its talents during a benefit concert to support families victimized by recent fires. The concert is set for 3 p.m. Saturday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ringtown. Free-will offerings will be accepted and refreshments will be on sale. All proceeds will be donated to families affected by the fires.

Schuylkill Haven

Beginning in April, Rainbow Hose Company will have monthly breakfasts through September. Then beginning in October, the company will go back to serving breakfasts every other Sunday, according to a release from Jennifer L. Michael, intake and records specialist. Breakfast will be served from 7 a.m. to noon on April 22, May 20, June 17, July 29, Aug. 26 and Sept. 23.

Shenandoah

Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Parish now has a website — www.dmparish.com. The site includes the weekly bulletin, upcoming events, lector, Eucharistic minister and altarserver schedules. It also has Lenten dinner forms, Lenten services schedule, chapel hours and other information, according to the church bulletin, which also invites people to “go onto your computer and take a look at it.” For more information, call the parish office, 108 W. Cherry St., at 570-462-1968 or email info@dmparish.com.

Shenandoah

Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Parish is asking people to give something during Lent for the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters. Items may be dropped off at the church or at the parish office, 108 W. Cherry St., during regular business hours. Most needed items include laundry detergent, bar soaps, hand towels, bath towels, tissues, mouth wash, denture cleaner, shampoo, writing paper/cards, pillows, wash cloths, hand and body lotion, baby wipes, liquid soap refills, deodorant, Clorox and twin blankets for the retirement home of the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis and for St. Joseph Villa. For more information, call the parish office at 570-462-1968.

Shenandoah

Kindergarten and 4K registrations for Shenandoah Valley Elementary School will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. April 16 by appointment only. People are asked to call 570-462-2796 to schedule an appointment, according to a school release. Parents/guardians will need a completed packet, three proofs of school district residency, the child’s birth certificate and updated immunizations record.

Shenandoah

The Shenandoah Area Free Public Library, Washington and Main streets, is sponsoring a bus trip to Mohegan Sun Casino on April 29. The cost is $25, with $25 in slot play and a $5 food voucher. For reservations or more information, call 570-462-9829, 570-462-9451, or 570-462-2060.

POTTSVILLE — D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc. announced Monday that it is adding Golden Pilsner to its lineup of beers.

It is America’s oldest brewery’s first new year-round beer in 17 years, the company said. The last was Light Lager.

Jennifer Yuengling, vice president of operations for D.G. Yuengling & Son, described Yuengling Golden Pilsner as having “a good balance between malt and hop characteristics. It finishes very clean, a little bit dry, which in the end gives you a flavorful, crisp mouth feel.”

It will have 4.7 percent alcohol by volume and 135 calories. It combines pale and speciality malts, and Hallertau and Saaz hops.

The brew has been 18 months in the making, with consumer and marketing research and experimenting with ingredients taking place during that time. Samples were available in Virginia Beach, Virginia, last weekend.

“It’s a pretty long process,” Yuengling said.

The new brew will be available in six select markets on April 1: Central Pennsylvania, which includes Schuylkill County and the Harrisburg area; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Cleveland, Ohio; Rhode Island; Georgia and select markets in Tampa and Orlando.

“We are phasing it into all of our territories, our 22 states, throughout 2018,” Yuengling said

It will be available in May in more locations. By December, a full roll-out will take place.

“We are promoting it as a lifestyle, active outdoor type of brand,” Yuengling said.

The family-owned and -operated Pottsville brewery’s principal beer brands include Yuengling Traditional Lager, Light Lager, Black & Tan, Premium, Light, Dark Brewed Porter, Lord Chesterfield Ale and Oktoberfest.

D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc. has been named the top-producing craft brewing company in the United States. The honor, which is based on beer sales volume, comes from the Brewers Association, a not-for-profit trade association that represents more than 4,000 breweries nationwide. Yuengling was No. 1 on the top 50 craft brewing companies list and sixth in the top 50 overall brewing companies in the nation.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

MAHANOY CITY — Monday was St. Joseph’s Day, and two Catholic churches commemorated the important day that became a major tradition in Sicily and for many ethnic Italian-Americans.

The tradition was held on Sunday at St. Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church in Mahanoy City, and on Monday at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Pottsville. This was the first time for both parishes to set up a St. Joseph Table filled with breads, wheat and red flowers.

The Solemnity of St. Joseph on March 19 is an important part of the liturgical life of the Catholic Church, and in many countries it is a holy day of obligation to attend Mass. In the United States, there is no Mass obligation, but is marked with a Mass similar to one celebrated on a Sunday that includes a second Scripture reading, the recitation of the Nicene Creed, and even though in Lent, the Gloria is also prayed and/or sung.

In Italy, the day is also called Father’s Day because St. Joseph was the foster father of Jesus.

The promoter of the tradition for both churches was Debbie Walker, who is a member of St. Teresa’s and the office administrator of St. Patrick’s.

“St. Joseph was, of course, the foster father of Jesus,” Walker explained. “The tradition of the ‘St. Joseph Table’ of food (“la tavola di San Giuseppe”) has its origins in Sicily. Legends from the Middle Ages attributed the end of a disastrous drought to a devotion that the Sicilian people made to St. Joseph. The people offered their gratitude by continuing a devotion to the saint.”

The churches worked with Bake Shop VI, a specialty bread bakery and restaurant in Pottsville, to provide special loaves of braided bread in the shape of a cross and St. Joseph’s staff. People were able to order in advance a 16-ounce staff for $8 and a 20-ounce cross for $10, both made of soft challah bread.

Bakery co-owner Patricia Setlock said last week this was the first time she and her husband Brian did such an interesting order.

“He is making it with challah bread, and since this is the first year of being open on that day, it will be our first year of doing it for St. Pat’s and St. Teresa’s,” Patricia Setlock said. “We’re pretty excited of doing something for the churches. We definitely have a lot of customers who come in from St. Pat’s and it’s a nice way to give back to the community, and it’s fun for us because it’s a little different.”

She added, “There are a lot of different holidays that utilize bread in unique ways. I think it just a matter of the communities knowing about it, and since we have such a rich, ethnic area, it’s the fun thing having this bread bakery because we can cater to the different holidays and religions in unique ways that I don’t think you can get from a whole lot of other stores.”

Setlock said St. Teresa’s ordered 18 staffs and 37 crosses, while St. Patrick’s ordered 23 crosses and 27 staffs.

“And everything is made by hand from scratch, so they get that extra bit of love in everything,” she said.

On Sunday, the Rev. Kevin Gallagher, pastor of St. Teresa Parish, and assisted by Deacon David Henninger, blessed the challah bread that was placed on and under the St. Joseph Table in the sanctuary in the church. After the distribution of Holy Communion, it was time to bless the bread.

After praying the Litany to St. Joseph, he offered the following prayer:

“All-provident God, the good things that grace this table remind us of your many good gifts.

Bless this food, and may the prayers of Saint Joseph, who provided bread for your son and food for the poor, sustain us and all our brothers and sisters on our journey towards your heavenly kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord.”

Gallagher used his hand to make the sign of the cross over the bread, and then blessed the bread with holy water. After Mass, people who ordered the bread came to the front to take their loaves that had been baked only a few hours before at the bakery.

On Monday, Monsignor Edward O’Connor, pastor, celebrated the 8 a.m. Mass in the church’s chapel and spoke of St. Joseph and his importance to Christianity.

“As declared by Pope Pius IX in 1870, St. Joseph is the patron of the universal church,” O’Connor said in his homily. “He is a model for us in so many ways. We know there are no recorded words of his in Sacred Scripture, but the fathers of the church said he conversed not with men, but with angels, because his dialogue with angels who instructed him to have no fear of taking Mary into his home, the angel who told him to take his wife and child into Egypt when Herod was a threat and then to return when it was safe. Joseph is a model to us of faithfulness, obedience and trust.”

Contact the writer; jusalis@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023

OBPA outlines 2018 schedule

ORWIGSBURG --- The Orwigsburg Business and Professional Association detailed its schedule of upcoming events for 2018 in a press release from Liz Tuturice, events chairperson.

An OBPA meet-and-greet mixer will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 5 and the Schuylkill Country Club.

“Yappy Hour” is set for 5:30 to 9 p.m. May 10 at the Orwigsburg Town Square. The event will include a Crossroads Duo performance throughout, demonstrations by local animal trainers, a pet parade with “tons of prizes,” a pet-centered Chinese auction and all types of vendors.

· The Family Funfest is scheduled for 5:30 to 9 p.m. June 14 in the Town Square.

· Farm to Square will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Aug. 9 in the Town Square.

· Heritage Day is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 8 in the Town Square.

· The Festival of Lights will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 1 in the Town Square.

All are welcome to attend any or all of the events.

For more information, contact the OBPA, 209 N. Warren St., via email at orwigsburgbusinesspa@gmail.com or via its Facebook page: Orwigsburg Business and Professional Association.

MAEA schedules executive roundtable

POTTSVILLE — The locally based Manufacturers and Employers Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania has extended an invitation for people to attend its Executive Schuylkill Roundtable: Business Financing Options, set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 10 at the MAEA Conference Center, Pottsville.

The cost is $38 for MAEA members and $76 for nonmembers. Presenters will be Sherwood Robbins, Seedcopa managing director, and Brian Hansbury, vice president of the Schuylkill Economic Development Corp.

From Seedcopa, according to an MAEA release, participants will get an overview of Small Business Administration loan programs, how businesses benefit from them and how the programs can be used at all stages of a business life, startup through expansion, plus discussion of the loan process. SEDCO will provide an overview of business finance programs available through the commonwealth, notably the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority loan fund, eligibility, amounts and terms.

To register for the roundtable, email MAEA President Darlene J. Robbins at drobbins@nepamaea.com or call her at 570-622-0992. More information also is available at the MAEA website at www.nepamaea.com.

MAEA is based at 1 Norwegian Plaza, P.O. Box 541, Pottsville. It is a private not-for-profit corporation.

MAEA sponsors variety of sessions

POTTSVILLE — The locally based Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association offers a variety of discussions, training and classes.

Registration can be done by emailing crobbins@nepamaea.com or calling 570-622-0992. More information also is available at the MAEA website at www.nepamaea.com.

· A session on Excel-Pivot tables and charting hands-on computer training is set for 1 to 4 p.m. today at the MAEA Computer Lab, Pottsville, with instructor Nathan Andrews, MAEA’s process improvement and IT specialist. The cost is $107 for members and $214 for non-members.

· Training on Managing Millennial Employees and Keeping Them Engaged, approved for three HR and HRCI recertification credits, is set for 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at Top of the 80s restaurant near Hazleton. The instructor is Christine M. Robbins, director of training and development for MAEA. The cost is $107 for MAEA members and $214 for nonmembers. To register, call Robbins at 570-622-0992 or email her at crobbins@nepamaea.com.

· MAEA will have a roundtable on Domestic Violence in the Workplace, presented by Amy L. Newton, communications director with Schuylkill Women in Crisis, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday in the MAEA Conference Room. The cost is $38 for member companies and $76 for non-members.

· Another offering concerns basic purchasing techniques training with Christine M. Robbins, MAEA’s director of training and development, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday at Top of the 80s near Hazleton. The cost is $189 for members and $378 for non-members with lunch included.

· New Managing Negativity in the Workplace training will be held from 9 a.m. to noon April 16 at Top of the 80s restaurant near Hazleton. The instructor will be Cathy Colangelo, certified life and career coach and HR instructor and consultant for MAEA. The cost is $107 for MAEA members and $214 for nonmembers.

· NFPA 70E OSHA electrical training will be offered on April 18 with a registration deadline of April 6. The instructor is David Martin, safety instructor for MAEA and former compliance assistance specialist for OSHA. The session will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Top of the 80s restaurant near Hazleton. The cost is $250 for MAEA members and $500 for nonmenbers. The price of the training includes NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, 2017 Edition Workbook, a $69 value, according to an MAEA release.

· New Conflict Management Strategies training, approved for six HR HRCI recertification credits, is set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 10 at Top of the 80s restaurant near Hazleton. The cost is $166 per MAEA member and $332 for nonmembers. The instructor is Nate Andrews, MBA, communications, process improvement and IT specialist for MAEA.

· The association offers forklift training classroom instruction, which is running and accepting additional participants, according to a release. The effort, set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Top of the 80s, is approved for six HRCI HR credits and is a prerequisite to be an experienced forklift operator. The cost is $435 for MAEA members and $870 for nonmembers. Use the aforementioned registration methods. The instructor is Steve Bair, occupational safety specialist for MAEA.

Chamber adds to mixers, sessions

POTTSVILLE — The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce has several upcoming sessions on its agenda. People may register for all chamber programs online at www.schuylkillchamber.com. The chamber and the SEDCO/chamber conference center are at Union Station, 1 Progress Circle, Suite 201, Pottsville, PA 17901.

The sessions include:

· Schuylkill Women in Business will gather on March 28 with networking beginning at 11:45 a.m. and lunch served at noon at The Pottsville Zone, Pottsville. Shannon Brennan of McCann School of Business & Technology will focus on Walking with Women Through Every Generation.

· A Non-profit Lunch and Learn session is set for 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 4 in the chamber/Schuylkill Economic Development Corp. Conference Room at Union Station, Pottsville. It will feature a panel discussion on recruiting and utilizing volunteers. Participants will include Darla Troutman of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program; Tom Drogalis of the Schuylkill County Historical Society, and Doug Long of the Greater Berks Food Bank. The cost is $15 per person for chamber members and $20 for non-members.

· The chamber’s Education Committee will present a session titled Sexual Harassment in the Workplace from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. April 25 in the chamber/SEDCO Conference Center. It will feature a panel discussion with Clarissa Geary of SARCC, attorney Al Marshall of Marshall, Bohorad, Thornburg, Price & Campion and Deb Twigg, Schuylkill County human resources director.

· A gathering focused on STaRT — Start Today and Retire Tomorrow — will be held from 8:30 to 10 a.m. May 15 at the chamber/SEDCO Conference Center presented by George Dillman, investor education coordinator, the state Department of Banking and Securities.

· The chamber Education Committee will sponsor Work Less … Play More time management from 9 to 10:30 a.m. May 17 in the chamber/SEDCO Conference Center with Maureen Donovan of Lehigh Carbon Community College.

· Another chamber Education Committee session focused on tax reform and what it means to companies and nonprofits will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 19 in the chamber/SEDCO Conference Center, presented by Bill Kirwan of St. Clair & Associates PC. Lunch will be included. The cost is $50 for chamber members and $100 for non-members. The special chamber-member nonprofit rate is $25 per person.

The chamber also offers a new-member benefit, a human resources helpline that provides “fast, personal help from real live HR professionals,” according to a chamber flier.

Help is available regarding FMLA, ADA or leaves of absence; employee discipline, termination or employee relations; questions about drug testing or harassment, officials said in the flier.

“Call during regular business hours to speak with an HR expert,” according to the flier. The toll-free helpline is 844-318-0699. For after-hours calls, leave a message and the call will be returned the next business day. People may also email questions to HRHelpline@schuylkillchamber.com.

People may register for all chamber programs online at www.schuylkillchamber.com. The chamber and the SEDCO/chamber conference center are at Union Station, 1 Progress Circle, Suite 201, Pottsville, PA 17901.

A program called WEDnetPA is funded by the state Department of Community and Economic Development and administered by Lehigh Carbon Community College, according to a chamber flier.

“You may qualify for WEDnetPA funding if your company is based in Pennsylvania, a manufacturing or a technology-based business,” according to the flier.

Organizations may be eligible to receive up to $450 per person for essential skills training and up to $850 per person for advanced technology training.

For more information, apply to Maureen Donovan, Center for Leadership & Workforce, be emailing mdonovan@lccc.edu or calling 570-668-6880 or 610-799-1245.

Young Entrepreneurs slate investor panel

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — The Young Entrepreneurs Academy will sponsor an investor panel at 6 p.m. March 27 in the Health and Wellness Building on Penn State Schuylkill Campus.

Students will pitch their plans in front of a live audience and panel of investors for real funding. The students will have “5 minutes and a microphone,” according to a flier forwarded by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce.

Tastee Freeze opens for 2018

SHENANDOAH — The iconic Valley Tastee Freeze along Ringtown Boulevard just north of Shenandoah has re-opened for the 2018 season — a sure sign that spring has arrived in spirit if not necessarily in weather just yet.

New this year, according to the VTF Facebook page, are Ethnic Day on Wednesdays and Veterans’ and First Responders’ Day on Thursdays. Senior Day has been on Tuesdays.

The site is owned and operated by Louann and Lindsay Rader. It can be reached by calling 570-462-CONE (2663) or emailing to louannandlindsayrader@valleytf.biz.

Although the Raders are in the 33rd year of operating the business, the Tastee Freeze has been at the site for as long as folks — even oldtimers — can remember.

In addition to everything ice cream, VTF also offers food such as burgers, cheesesteaks, fries and similar fare.

POTTSVILLE — Six people were displaced after a fire damaged a home Monday on West Norwegian Street.

Pottsville Fire Chief James E. Misstishin Sr. said the fire at 807 W. Norwegian St. was contained to the third-floor attic. There were no injuries reported.

“The third floor of the structure has heavy fire damage,” he said.

The fire in under investigation, Misstishin said.

Renee Wetzel, a volunteer with the Tri-County Chapter of the American Red Cross, said the displaced were Keval Williams, 19, Jaheim Gregory, 16, Joel Issac, 33, Malechi Issac, 10, Makayle Issac, 6, and Michelle Gregory, 37. Michelle Gregory was the only one not home at the time of the fire. Wetzel said the property is a rent to own and the renters did not have renter’s insurance. The Schuylkill Parcel Locator lists the owner of the home as Benjamin E. Kovaleski IV and Benjamin E. Kovaleski III.

A supervisor with the Schuylkill County Communications Center said the fire was called in at 6:12 p.m., and all seven of the city’s fire companies responded.

He said the house also has smoke and water damage. A damage estimate was not available.

Misstishin said the house had working smoke detectors on the first and second floors, but not the third.

The occupants heard the smoke alarms on the second floor and smelled smoke. They went to the attic and tried to fight the fire with a fire extinguisher and water before evacuating, Misstishin said.

Misstishin said homes at 803, 805 and 809 Norwegian St. sustained smoke damage on their third floors.

Schuylkill EMS, Schuylkill Haven Rapid Intervention Team and Pottsville police also responded to the scene.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

2 juveniles charged

for vehicle damage

HEGINS — Hegins Township police filed charges against two juveniles, one from Hubley Township and the other from Hegins Township, stemming from a theft in the 500 block of Chestnut Street on March 8.

Police said the juveniles were each charged with theft, conspiracy to commit theft, receiving stolen property, conspiracy to commit receiving stolen property, drivers required to be licensed, limitations on backing and accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property.

Police said the victim reported that she discovered her vehicle and garage were damaged.

During the investigation, police said, they learned that the Hubley Township juvenile, along with another juvenile, were in possession of the victim’s vehicle on the evening prior to the discovery of the damage.

One juvenile backed the vehicle out of the garage and struck the garage wall, causing damage to both the wall and the vehicle, police said, adding that the second juvenile then drove the car into the garage and parked it.

Moderate damage was reported to the vehicle and minor damage to the garage, police said.

Charges against both juveniles were filed with Schuylkill County juvenile authorities.

PORT CARBON — A Minersville man wanted on attempted homicide and other charges stemming from an incident last month was taken into custody and jailed on Monday.

Louie Fernando Rivera, 27, of 340 New Castle St., was arraigned on charges of criminal attempt to commit homicide, aggravated assault, firearms not to be carried without a license, possessing instruments of crime and persons not to possess, use, manufacture, sell or transfer firearms filed by Minersville police Patrolman Eric Sterner.

Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon, set bail for Rivera at $250,000 straight cash and ordered him remanded to Schuylkill County Prison pending further court action.

Sterner charged Rivera with allegedly shooting another man around 1:30 a.m. Feb. 25.

Sterner said he and Patrolman Craig Barket were called to the area of the Curran Hotel at 155 Sunbury St. for a gunshot victim. At the scene, they found Patrick Green in the hotel suffering from a gunshot wound to his right leg.

Sterner said reports indicated that Green and Rivera had an argument in the hotel bar and went outside where the altercation turned physical. They were fighting on Sunbury Street where Rivera’s vehicle was parked.

Sterner said Rivera separated from the altercation, went to his vehicle to retrieve a .380-caliber pistol and fired one shot at Green, hitting him in the right leg.

After shooting Green, Sterner said, Rivera fled the area on foot and could not be found, despite a search of the area by officers from numerous departments.

After being shot, Sterner said, Green was flown to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, for treatment.

On Feb. 27, Sterner obtained a felony arrest warrant for Rivera, who had been on the lam until he was taken into custody Monday.

Minerville Police Chief Michael Combs said Rivera was apprehended at a home at 136 B St. in Girardville.

He said Schuylkill County Detective Leo Securda, who also serves as the mayor of Minersville, took Rivera into custody along with the U.S. Marshals.

Combs said Securda previously secured a warrant allowing tracking of a cellphone Rivera had been using and that although the man traveled from place to place since the shooting, the telephone tracking eventually followed him to Girardville, where he was taken into custody.

Plachko scheduled a preliminary hearing on the charges for 9:30 a.m. March 27 in his Port Carbon courtroom.

Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6013

Deeds

Barry Township — Linda B. Kelley to David J. Jr. and Amber Reber; 116 Beury’s Road, Beury’s Grove; $1.

Butler Township — Helen A. Hilmer to Kelly Hilmer; property on Main Street, Lavelle; $1.

Delano Township — 78 Industrial Drive Properties LLC to Stephen A. Redlich and Alfred S. Teo; 78 Industrial Drive, Delano; $1.

Stephen A. Redlich and Alfred S. Teo to Wydra International Properties LLC; 78 Industrial Drive, Delano; $400,000.

East Union Township — Joanne Parel to DT Properties; Lot 200WSS, Eagle Rock; $8,000.

Eldred Township — Ashley and Alissa Snyder to Ashley Snyder; 12 Maple Road, Pitman; $1.

Mahanoy City — Joan Shimkus to Stephen Weiseman; 1415 E. Market St.; $10,000.

Mahanoy Township — Francis G. Vancavage to Francis G. Vancavage, Joan F. Hanlon and Frank V. Hanlon; property in Park Place; $1.

North Manheim and South Manheim townships — James Kuchinsky, executor of the Estate of Joseph Yulick, to James and Nancy Kuchinsky; 19.06-acre property on Schuylkill Mountain Road; $1.

North Union Township — Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Cecilia Inocencio Casimiro; Lot 168EA, Eagle Rock; $48,379.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Abram D. Monzon; Lot 165EA, Eagle Rock; $48,379.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Jasmin and Rozanno Abasolo; Lot 143EA, Eagle Rock; $49,389.

Nadeem Zafar and Yanela G. Stephenson to Yanela G. Stephenson; Lot 140HF2, Eagle Rock; $1.

Orwigsburg — Eileen M. Rump, Ralph Gerhard, Henry H. Gerhard and Roger S, Gerhard to Beryl Gerhard; 101 E. Mifflin St.; $1.

Pottsville — Blue Mountain Properties to Bradford and Doris Hutchinson; 611 N. Second St.; $16,000.

Reilly Township — Richard J. Raczka, individually and as executor of the Estate of Verna M. Raczka, to Thomas A. Raczka and Sharon L. Holley; two properties in Branchdale; $1.

Rush Township — Barbara Ann Schmerfeld to Barbara Ann Schmerfeld and James G. Bennett; property in Quakake; $1.

Barbara Ann Schmerfeld to Barbara Ann Schmerfeld and James G. Bennett; property on Legislative Route 53041, Quakake; $1.

Schuylkill Township — Agnes J. Kane, executrix of the Estate of Edward J. Kane, to Agnes J. Kane; 135 Walnut St., Tuscarora; $1.

Shenandoah — Daniel L. and Susan Ladue to Daniel L. and Susan Ladue; 342 Furnace St., Turkey Run; $1.

Tamaqua — James B. Hill to Joann Hill; 10 Cherry St.; $1.

Washington Township — Ernest L. Krause, by attorney in fact Sandra J. Thomas, and Fern B. Krause to Jennifer L. Daly; 554 Dad Burnhams Road; $1.

Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill S. Jackson Street, Pottsville

To Robert and Kristin Andrews Krammes, Pottsville, a daughter, March 9.

ORWIGSBURG — A Pine Grove woman is headed to court for what police allege was her theft of almost $30,000 in cash and business gifts from her employer over almost three years.

Carrie M. Aungst, 50, of 193 Trumbo Road, faces charges of theft and receiving stolen property. After a preliminary hearing, Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier ruled prosecutors had produced enough evidence to support both charges and ordered them held for court.

Ferrier allowed Aungst to remain free on $25,000 unsecured bail pending further court proceedings.

State police at Schuylkill Haven allege that between March 1, 2015, and Oct. 24, 2017, Aungst stole $29,384.60 in cash and gifts from Pine Grove Auto, 78 Suedberg Road, Pine Grove Township.

Police said that on Oct. 23, 2017, Pine Grove Auto discovered a discrepancy between its invoice and the one given to a customer. Pine Grove Auto then preformed an audit trail, which revealed that Aungst had deleted company fees in a number of sales and kept the money, according to police.

Video surveillance cameras revealed that on at least two occasions, Aungst had taken money from the cash register and kept it, police said

On another occasion, according to police, Aungst charged a customer for notary income fees but did not put those fees on the invoice in Pine Grove Auto’s system.

“Pine Grove Auto has records indicating these same types of transactions dating back to March of 2015. Through the audit trail ... it was determined that (Aungst) took $29,384.60 in cash and business gifts,” according to the Affidavit of Probable Cause filed by police.

Police filed the charges on Feb. 20.

Ferrier said he heard the case because Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi, Tremont, in whose district Pine Grove Township is located, had recused himself.

Contact the writer: pbortner@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6014

Defendant: Carrie M. Aungst

Age: 50

Residence: Pine Grove

Charges: Theft and receiving stolen property

MAHANOY CITY — The condition of a small section of Mahanoy Township road near Shenandoah brought a borough resident to complain to the supervisors at Thursday’s meeting.

Scott Schuetrum, a resident of the Turkey Run section of Shenandoah, spoke about lack of maintenance on a tenth of a mile of Furnace Street that begins at the intersection of Route 924.

“The entrance to Turkey Run is actually a Mahanoy Township road and has been in such disrepair,” Schuetrum said. “I’ve lived there for 23 years and it’s been in disrepair for 23 years, but the last three years, the road has deteriorated to the point that it’s gone. It’s like a dirt road. Potholes, water laying on the road, mud. You can’t drive it. It’s the only way in and out unless you go through the projects of Turkey Run, which people tend not to do.”

Schuetrum learned there had been an agreement made many years ago between the township and Shenandoah that the borough would maintain the township road at Turkey Run, and the township in turn would maintain a borough road from state Route 54 toward the township village of Yatesville.

Supervisor Chairwoman Faith Ward said there is no record of an agreement since it was verbal: “I tracked down a previous supervisor. There was a verbal agreement made years ago that Shenandoah would take care of that part of Turkey Run for us and we would take care of part of Yatesville Road in Shenandoah.”

Ward said she would meet with borough consultant Joseph Palubinsky to discuss the matter. Schuetrum said he had also talked with Palubinsky. He presented the supervisors with photographs of the road condition.

“I did research with PennDOT and a verbal agreement is not a binding, legal agreement,” Schuetrum said. “I talked to PennDOT and the township has been receiving liquid fuel funds. It is a tenth of a mile for which the township gets $329.74 a year. I know it’s not a lot, but nothing has been done with that road for at least 25 years. It adds up to $8,000 or $9,000 in that time. Legally, if Shenandoah is not going to do anything, the township has to do something.”

“That’s what I’m going to work to see if they want to keep this agreement,” Ward said. “With verbal agreements, we’ve run across this before. We understand that this is still our road, but when we had complaints, we just called Shenandoah.”

“It needs to be paved and base repair needs to be done. It doesn’t matter to me who does it as long as it’s fixed,” Schuetrum said.

Ward said she would talk with Palubinsky about getting a written agreement and would inform Schuetrum: “If they don’t want to do it, then it’s our responsibility.”

A written monthly engineering report by ARRO Consulting Inc. project manager William McMullen was read by township Secretary/Treasurer Cheryl Backo. McMullen reported that at its March 1 meeting, the township planning commission approved a requested waiver of Section 4.01 — regarding the sketch plan application and review — and the commission’s recommendation that conditional approval be made by the supervisors of the Mahanoy Area School District Transportation Building Land Development Preliminary Plan. Approval would be conditioned on meeting requirements of an ARRO Feb. 19 letter and providing a description of Golden Bear Drive.

The district plans to replace the current bus garage that was the former Kaier Brewery truck garage on Park Place Road at the north side of Mahanoy City with a new garage for the bus and van fleet. The property at 1000 W. Centre St. will also provide additional district parking. On ARRO’s recommendation, supervisors OK’d the waiver and conditionally approved the preliminary plan.

McMullen also reported bid documents and bid plan for the Tower Road project are finalized. Hazleton City Authority has signed a consent agreement for runoff measures to be installed on their property as part of the project. The second bid advertisement will be April 6 followed by a bid opening at the supervisors meeting April 19. Construction to rehabilitate the low-volume road is expected to begin in late spring or early summer.

In another part of his report, McMullen said the road bonding as part of a state Department of Environmental Protection reclamation project has been received from DEP and is satisfactory to the township.

In other business, Ward reminded residents that Mahanoy Township Recreation Committee’s annual Easter egg hunt is Sunday at the municipal building. The registration deadline has passed. Ward said the committee is looking for new volunteers to help with activities throughout the year.

“We’re in dire need of committee members and volunteers,” Ward said.

Ward said applications have been received for code enforcement officer: “Hopefully by next meeting we’ll have somebody hired and ready to go for spring.”

Contact the writer: jusalis@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — The $6.5 million renovation project at Penn State Schuylkill was inaugurated with a ceremonial groundbreaking Tuesday afternoon.

The project, which actually began a few weeks ago during spring break, will improve the kitchen and dining area and add a game room, a stage, a meeting room and an outdoor amphitheater to the student community center. Altogether, an additional 5,000 square feet will be added onto the renovated 9,000 square foot building.

This is a two-phase project. The second phase will begin when students leave for the summer and will be completed by the start of the fall term. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 19 to commemorate the project’s conclusion.

So far, prep work, such as electrical work on the new three-phase electrical service and footers for the building, has begun.

Workers have also installed a temporary wall that allows for interior foundations to be worked on. Necessary materials are being procured so they can be used once students leave for the summer. Steel beams will be erected from mid- to late April, according to Wendy Body, senior project manager for Alvin H. Butz Inc., the project’s construction manager.

Plans call for glass walls to overlook the southern and eastern part of campus toward Route 61. The kitchen will be four times larger, which will allow for a wider variety of food and enable staff to focus on healthier eating. Seating will expand from 100 to 175. A redesigned truck loading area off the kitchen will also be implemented.

The game room will be to the right of the current auditorium. Plans are to have pool and pingpong tables in the room.

Student Government Association President Leila Duka said the game room will be one of many benefits for students. The original game room was turned into a yoga room and students wanted the game room back. Other benefits are longer operating hours for students and staff with late-night classes and employment opportunities for students.

“It’s something the community can see that has visible improvement on the campus,” Duka said.

The cafeteria will have a new handicap-accessible stage and there will be a small amphitheater next to a patio on the southeastern side. The patio can be used for outdoor classes in warm weather. The entrances at each end of the hall in the student center will no longer be diagonal and the bookstore will no longer be reached through the vestibule but directly from the main hall.

The idea began six years ago under former Chancellor Kelly M. Austin, who noticed there were not many social spaces on campus and began asking students what they wanted. A 10-member steering committee oversaw the planning, taking input from students, staff and faculty, some of whom were organized into focus groups dealing with specific aspects of the project.

“Really what they wanted was a space for our students,” Darcy Medica, interim chancellor, said. “We have students that spend a lot of time in the current facility, even when the dining hall is not open, playing games, doing homework, just spending time together. We wanted to keep that dynamic. The new dining hall and renovation project will have a positive and long-lasting impact on this close-knit community of Penn State Schuylkill. We look to the excitement that this new facility will generate when the fall semester arrives and the lights go on in this amazing student center facility.”

Madlyn Hanes, vice president for Commonwealth Campuses and executive chancellor for Penn State, said the new facility will “compliment the spaces already available to community partners, alumni and friends of the campus.”

“It’ll be like a beacon of the best kind welcoming people to Penn State Schuylkill. I think it’ll be splendid. It speaks for a very bright future for Penn State Schuylkill,” Hanes said.

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

Gratz

The Valley Alumni FFA of northern Dauphin and western Schuylkill counties will host a meeting at the Gratz Community Center at 7:15 p.m. April 5. All are welcome to attend. There is no need to have been a member of the Future Farmers of America to attend. For more information, email Nicholas Feidt, vice president and promotion committee chairman, at NAFeidt@gmail.com or call 717-265-6063.

Hershey

The Milton Hershey School will host a free, informational lunch-and-lean event for grandparent caregivers who are interested in learning more about the education and home-life environment the school offers. The session is set for 11:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 13 at the school admissions office, 430 E. Governor Road, Hershey. It will include the free information session, a complimentary lunch and a tour of the school’s campus, including academic buildings and student homes. The session is for grandparents who are caring for children ages 4-15. Trusted friends or family members also are welcome to attend. To register or for more information, call 717-520-2590.

Lehighton

Ukrainian Homestead of CEC ODWU Inc., 1230 Beaver Run Drive, will host an Easter bazaar from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. The bazaar will feature an array of smoked meats and baked goods, including kielbasa, kabanosy, bacon, babka and paska bread. The homestead kitchen will be open and serving hot food — pierogies and halupki — to eat in or take out. Vendors will offer a selection of Easter gifts, such as neck crosses, jewelry, pysanky and embroidered basket covers. For advance orders, call 215-235-3709. For directions or more information, go online to www.ukrhomestead.com​. The homestead has many patrons and visitors from Schuylkill County. Shenandoah is home to the first Ukrainian Catholic parish in the nation.

McAdoo

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6708 will host its annual Easter party from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday for children 9 and younger. The event is open to members and McAdoo area community children only. Today is the last day to sign up by calling 570-929-1740.

Pottsville

The 34th annual dramatic Stations of the Cross will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday and March 30 — Palm Sunday and Good Friday — at St. John the Baptist Church, 10th and Mahantongo streets. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the prelude will begin at 7:15 p.m. All are welcome; free-will offerings will be accepted. For more information, call 570-622-5470.

Schuylkill Haven

The Vraj Youth third annual Easter Eggstravanganza is set for 2 to 4 p.m. March 31. The event will include an egg hunt, crafts, prizes and games. For more information, email Darshan Bhalodia at djbhalodia1@gmail.com.

Seltzer

The Seltzer Hose Company will have it annual deer roast on April 7 at the firehouse. Tickets are $25 per person and meals will include deer or beef. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and dinner will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. followed by games and door prizes from 8 to 9 p.m. and music by Another Side from 9 to midnight. For tickets or more information, call 570-544-3912. The event is for people 21 and older.

Shenandoah

The Shenandoah Area Free Public Library, 25 W. Washington St., will be closed on March 30 in observance of Good Friday. The preschool storytime and craft hour will be from 11 a.m to noon April 7. To reach the library, email shenfpl@ptd.net or call 570-462-9829.

Sheppton

The Sheppton American Legion Auxiliary will hold its annual egg hunt at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Sheppton playground. Children up to age 12 are welcome. The event will include a visit from Peter Cottontail, door prizes and refreshments. Children must be present to receive prizes.

Deeds

Orwigsburg — Beryl Gerhard, by attorney in fact Eileen M. Rump, to Roger S, Gerhard; 101 E. Mifflin St.; $1.

Richard N. and Eleanor E. Siegfried to Michael G. II and Erin R. Miller; 330 MacArthur Crest; $1.

Pottsville — City of Pottsville to Thomas and Sandra Burns; property on Eighth Street; $2,509.

The Pennsylvania Conference Association of Seventh-Day Adventists Inc. to Saved By Grace Bible Church; property on Mahantongo Street; $40,000.

Donna Brouillard to Adam J. Brouillard; 604 Snyder St.; $1.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to JLH Development LLC; 409 E. Market St.; $2,126.

Schuylkill Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Francis Devizia; 325 Valley St., Brockton; $1,474.

Shenandoah — Angel A. Pelegrin Agesta and Yohayra Alcantara D. Pelegrin to Alberto Mojica Silvestre and Deily DeLeon Suriel DeMojica; 20 S. Grant St.; $5,000.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to JLH Development LLC; 619 W. Penn St.; $2,370.

South Manheim Township — John H. and Luisa Eugenia Root to Joseph Dooley and Shirley McGinty; 732 Wynonah Drive, Lake Wynonah; $162,500.

Tamaqua — Georgia B. DeWire, Constance D. Depos and Athena A. Depos to Reynaldo Rosario and Williams Terron; 130 E. Broad St.; $6,000.

Larry G. Gleockler to Larry G. Gleockler and Jeff Gordon Gleockler; 499 Boyle Ave.; $1.

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA to Jon Lux and Ashly Casler; 104 N. Lehigh St.; $20,250.

Tremont — Brody Properties LP to Merrill Lambert and Mary Lamber; 10 Clay St.; $7,000.

Wayne Township — Dennis Paul Scharadin to Jeremy L. and McKenzy Ann Cassel; 531 Wynonah Drive, Lake Wynonah; $215,000.

West Brunswick Township — Marilyn M. Zerbe to JMAC Realty LLC and Water Wheel Propertis LLC; 0.79767-acre property on Breezy Acres Road; $30,000.

Spring can’t come soon enough for many, but the first day of the season Tuesday was marred by the threat of snowfall in Schuylkill County.

To celebrate the passing of winter, Rita’s Italian Ice in Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville and Dairy Queen in Pottsville had giveaways Tuesday. Patrons, some wearing shorts and T-shirts and others bundled in winter jackets, flocked to the locations. Those who stopped by Rita’s were able to enjoy a free Italian ice while those who went to Dairy Queen could get a complimentary ice cream cone.

Tammie Hoy, 57, of Pottsville, went to Dairy Queen to enjoy a free vanilla ice cream cone. However, she wasn’t happy about the possibility of snow today.

“I’m just tired of it. I want my flip-flops and shorts,” Hoy said.

Tanya Randazzo, 38, of Schuylkill Haven, was also excited about spring. She also enjoyed an ice cream cone and said she would likely go to Rita’s later in the day.

“I’m ready for the beach,” she said.

Managers at Dairy Queen said it was the third year for the spring giveaway. Instead of paying for a cone, patrons were encouraged to donate to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Last year, the Pottsville location gave away 1,500 ice cream cones. About 1,000 were given away the first year.

Both Rita’s locations were busy for its 26th annual spring Italian ice giveaway, which started in 1992. From noon to 9 p.m., customers could get a free ice.

Caleb Reedy, 15, of Pottsville, wore short sleeves as he waited for his ice at 1640 Mount Hope Ave., Pottsville.

“I don’t get cold easily,” he said.

Shelby Halat, 32, of Pottsville, was there with her sons, Evan, 7, and Jack, 2. She said she’s gone to Rita’s spring giveaway for the past five years.

“It’s the first day of spring — free Rita’s. It’s a tradition,” she said.

Jason Zagar, 36, of Pottsville, was at Rita’s in Schuylkill Haven with his children, Abigail, 10, and Chelsey, 8.

“No more snow,” he said.

He said he knows the meteorologists are predicting more wintry weather but wants the forecast to be wrong.

A winter storm warning was issued for the county until 8 p.m. today.

Paul Head, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, State College, said Schuylkill County will likely not escape the snow with up to an inch possible by the morning and more to follow.

“It could snow pretty hard at times,” he said.

He said it will likely affect rush hours. The snow is forecast to stop after 9 p.m. tonight. A total of 6 to 10 inches of snowfall is expected.

Residents can look forward to warmer weather in the future. Head said it could be 60 degrees by Easter weekend.

Local municipalities prepared for the oncoming snow by putting restrictions in place.

Shenandoah declared a snow emergency starting at 8 p.m. Tuesday until further notice. The routes affected are as follows: Main Street from Washington to Laurel street and Centre Street from White to West street, according to Mayor Andrew Szczyglak.

In Pottsville, a snow emergency level 1 with parking ban will be in effect until 6 p.m. today. All vehicle are to be moved from snow emergency routes and fire lanes.

Frackville declared a snow emergency effective at midnight tonight until further notice. There is a parking ban on North and South Lehigh avenues as well as East and West Oak streets.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

Anthony J. Kilker

SHENANDOAH — A 27-year-old inmate at State Correctional Institution/Mahanoy charged with assaulting a prison guard on Sept. 21 had charges against him held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.

Craig Jackson was arrested by state police Trooper Manuel Cabrera Maldonado of the Frackville station and charged with felony aggravated assault; misdemeanor crimes of inmate procuring a weapon, making repairs to or selling offensive weapons, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person; and one summary offense of harassment.

Kilker determined the commonwealth proved a prima facie case and ordered all six charges against Jackson held for Schuylkill County Court.

Maldonado charged Jackson with assaulting Officer Paul Tomanek by hitting him in the face with his fist. In addition, Jackson was found to be in possession of a 7-inch metal rod with a sharpened point wrapped in a white cloth that he was holding during the assault, police said.

Other court cases included:

Sammy Nazmy, 30, of SCI/Mahanoy, Frackville; withdrawn: contraband-controlled substance. Waived for court: possession of a controlled substance.

Michael Verbitsky, 30, of SCI/Mahanoy, Frackville; waived for court: contraband-controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jerry Frazier, 34, of SCI/Mahanoy, Frackville; held for court: contraband-controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Christony Victor Pettit, 29, of SCI/Mahanoy, Frackville; held for court: aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment.

Wallace Lardani, 26, of SCI/Mahanoy, Frackville withdrawn: aggravated assault and simple assault. Waived for court: disorderly conduct.

Ryan Anthony Wright, 27, of SCI/Mahanoy, Frackville; waived for court: contraband-controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Travis G. Beaver, 18, of 163 Pioneer Road, Shenandoah; withdrawn: receiving stolen property. Waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Heather Winslow, 35, of 193 Pioneer Road, Shenandoah; waived for court: tampering with records or identification, identity theft and forgery.

Joseph Fellin, 18, of 954 Mountain Drive, Box 114, Sheppton; waived for court: defiant trespass.

Cheryl Ann Souchak, 60, of 83 Trenton, Mahanoy City; waived for court: hindering apprehension or prosecution.

Shawn J. Lazar, 47, of 8 Spruce St., Barnesville; waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Matthew J. Kimmel, 23, of 200 Main St., Gilberton; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, no rear lights and turning movements and required signals.

Robert H. Collins, 42, of 23 S. Chestnut St., Apt. A, Shenandoah; withdrawn: public nuisance.

John D. Carboni, 45, of 5 Crystal Lane, Barnesville; held for court: possession, sale or use of display documents, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, driving without insurance, driving an unregistered vehicle and driving a vehicle without a valid inspection.

Amanda N. Deysher, 22, of 60 Grant St., Schuylkill Haven; waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jesse E. Pritsch, 35, of 925 Walnut St., Ashland; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, driving without a license and violating safety glass requirements.

George A. Brokenshire, 62, of 10 W. Centre St., Apt. 901, Mahanoy City; withdrawn: terroristic threats, strangulation, simple assault and resisting arrest. Waived for court: harassment, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Christina E. Hale

A Shenandoah man charged with a burglary in Butler Township in January had charges against him held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville.

Trevor M. Jefferson, 31, of 15 S. White St., was arrested by Butler Township police Patrolman Shawn Butler and charged with burglary, criminal trespass, terroristic threats, harassment, false reports, theft and receiving stolen property.

Hale determined the commonwealth proved a prima facie case and ordered all charges against Jefferson held for Schuylkill County Court.

Butler charged Jefferson with committing the burglary at 267 Germanville Road between Jan. 17 and 28.

Butler said Jefferson illegally entered the garage of the home but fled when discovered by the resident. Jefferson also contacted the victim several times by telephone saying he was going to kill him by shooting him in the head, Butler said.

The officer also said Jefferson stole items from the victim’s home including a wallet and a key fob.

Other court cases included:

Dustin E. Donton, 28, of 209 E. Spring St., Donaldson; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

James J. Stank Jr., 37, of 50 N. Lehigh Ave., Frackville; withdrawn: obstructing emergency services and disorderly conduct.

David A. Plachko

A Saint Clair woman charged with assaulting another woman on Dec. 19 had charges against her held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Amy Rodrian, 41, of 436 S. Second St. was arrested by Saint Clair police Patrolman Brad Blanner and charged with one count each of simple assault and harassment.

Plachko determined that the commonwealth proved a prima facie case and ordered both charges against Rodrian held for Schuylkill County Court.

Blanner charged Rodrian with an incident at 348 S. Second St., where she allegedly assaulted Kristen Bensinger by forcefully removing her from a seated position on a couch, pulling her to the ground, holding the woman down and hitting her numerous times in the face and upper body, causing injuries.

Other court cases included:

Richard Willie, 27, homeless; dismissed: burglary and criminal trespass. Held for court: theft and receiving stolen property.

Mark W. Lucas, 25, of 130 E. Fifth St., Williamstown; waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Martina M. Mazloom, 24, of 79 Valley St., Apt. 3, New Philadelphia; held for court: theft and criminal mischief.

Mark A. Tullock, 36, of 21 Macomb St., New Philadelphia; waived for court: duties at a stop sign, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Allen R. Harig, 39, of 128 Broad St., Saint Clair; dismissed: burglary and theft. Held for court: defiant trespass.

Max J. Hollywood, 25, of 360 Nicholas St., Saint Clair; dismissed: burglary and conspiracy. Held for court: conspiracy.

Jeremy Wengert, 36, of 608 School St., Minersville; waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and retail theft.

Christopher Kaylor, 24, of 433 Lewis St., Minersville; waived for court: criminal mischief and resisting arrest.

Michael Spirko Jr., 45, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; waived for court: fleeing or attempting to elude, driving with a suspended or revoked license, reckless driving, disregard for single traffic lane, duties at a stop sign and failure to keep right.

Amanda Ann Mabry, 33, of 271 High Road, Pottsville; waived for court: retail theft.

Kirk T. Lagasse, 51, of 114 Water St., New Philadelphia; waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia and driving a vehicle without a valid inspection.

Donathan V. Bixler, 22, of 327 E. Wiconisco St., Tower City; waived for court: possession of a controlled substance.

Hegins Twp. police

probe accident

VALLEY VIEW — Hegins Township police investigated a two-vehicle crash that occurred in the 500 block of West Main Street on Friday.

Police said a truck stopped in the roadway for a school bus signal when another truck struck it from behind.

Police: Man went

too fast for turn

HEGINS — Hegins Township police reported investigating a non-reportable crash that occurred at the intersection of East Main Street and East Mountain Road on March 13.

Police said Taisser Alsouki, 45, of Fresno, California, was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Venture west on East Main Street and tried to make a right turn onto East Mountain Road.

Alsouki, police said, was traveling at a speed greater than reasonable to safely complete the right turn and consequently veered off the roadway and into a ditch, where it came to a stop.

As a result of the crash, police said, Alsouki was cited for not driving on roadways laned for traffic.

Police investigate

theft of vehicle

WICONISCO — State police at Lykens are investigating the theft of a motor vehicle that occurred at Kimmel Coal, 401 Machamer Ave., around 5:30 a.m. March 3.

Police said someone stole a red 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 owned by the coal company and security video at the scene showed one person taking the truck and another person leaving the area in an SUV.

The vehicle was subsequently located parked in a parking lot at the corner of Tunnel and Vine streets in Williamstown, police said.

Anyone with information on the theft is asked to call troopers at 717-362-8700 and refer to incident PA18-229284.

Police investigate

property damage

LYKENS — A criminal mischief incident that occurred at Crissinger Farms, 6427 Route 25 in Lykens Township sometime March 6 or 7 is being investigated by state police at Lykens.

Police said someone unlawfully entered the property and caused damage to numerous items totaling an estimated $50,000 damage.

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

Editor’s note: This is the second in a yearlong series of stories showcasing organizations in Schuylkill County that give back to their communities.

There are several organizations in the Schuylkill Haven area whose memberships give back to the community and all of Schuylkill County in a variety of ways.

Here is a look at some of those groups:

Walk In Art Center

The Walk In Art Center is an education-based art center in downtown Schuylkill Haven with a mission to inspire, equip and celebrate the artistic talent of Schuylkill County.

The center, located at 220 Parkway, offers free open houses every month for all ages as well as art classes for the public and fine artists. Many of the classes are at a low cost to the community.

The center is also involved in many local organizations within Schuylkill County.

Artists are encouraged to apply to become part of the center’s Artist Association by checking out its website at walkinartcenter.org or by stopping in to the office.

Art appreciators can stop by for open houses, events, classes, etc.

A group of community leaders got together in 2007 to improve the economical growth and cultural education of Schuylkill County.

The Art Center became a catalyst and Penn State Schuylkill campus became involved along with a revitalization of the local business organization.

Its signature events include: First Saturday Open Houses; classes; Holiday Market; Bridal Fair; Ladies Night Out; Folk Art Alliance; Kick Up Your Heels (its big fundraiser); Keystone Fine Art Juried Exhibition; Safe Trick or Treat; Main Gallery exhibitions; Pawcasso and Dinner Club.

Bert Evans is chairman of the board and Lisa Robinson is executive director. The center’s phone number is 570-732-3728.

Our Haven Foundation

The Our Haven Foundation is dedicated to revitalizing downtown Schuylkill Haven through strong partnerships and community activism.

Our Haven Foundation, a group of civic-minded volunteers dedicated to the revitalization of the downtown area of Schuylkill Haven, has added park benches, trash receptacles, a parking lot sign and landscaping around it and supplied map and informational booklets about Schuylkill Haven. It sponsored Welcome to Schuylkill Haven banners and Hometown Hero banners.

The foundation was organized in 2010 by David Norris, group president, to work toward becoming part of the Main Street initiative. The foundation continued to make a difference by fundraising and writing grant requests from private foundations which has enabled it to do things to benefit Schuylkill Haven.

To become a member, write a letter of interest to the board at: Our Haven Foundation, P.O. Box 454, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972 or email ourhavenfoundation@gmail.com.

Its signature events include an annual Craft Brew Fest.

The Arts Barn

Education Center

The Arts Barn’s mission is to bring appreciation, access and understanding of art to everyone, including children, seniors and individuals with special needs for Schuylkill County and beyond.

The nonprofit education center was an offshoot of The Arts Barn Gallery. The Arts Barn Education Center, 3 Berry Road, Schuylkill Haven, is involved in Schuylkill County events such as Block of Art, Schuylkill County Fair, Bear Creek Festival, Seton Manor, Access Services and partners with Hawk Mountain and Schuylkill Conservation District, as well as other organizations.

Anyone is welcome to its events. Many are free of charge and there are scholarships available for summer camps.

Its signature events include an arts festival that is free to attend with music, dance, arts, demonstrations and kids’ activities. The group also offers free kids’ events at Block of Art, Bear Creek Festival, Schuylkill County Fair and Downtown Orwigsburg events. It also offers free classes at Seton Manor.

Deborah Cooper is the director. The Arts Barn’s phone number is 570-366-8736.

Schuylkill Haven Island Park Committee

The mission of the island committee is to develop a tract of land into an outstanding natural, recreational and cultural facility.

The group raises funds to build facilities that benefit outdoor recreation and entertainment on The Island in Schuylkill Haven, minimizing Schuylkill Haven Borough funds that must be used for projects.

The efforts to form the committee were spearheaded by former Mayor Gary Hess, along with others, in the mid-2000s to finally move forward on developing the island for recreation and more after numerous failed attempts.

To become a member, call Gloria at Borough Hall, show up at a meeting, leave a message on our Facebook page. We welcome all interested in helping our mission.

The group’s signature event is Island Park Festival — a day of entertainment, food and fun held every August. Other events include the Cruise In and Car Show in late June and Pumpkin Fest every October.

South Schuylkill

Garden Club

Founded in 1940, the South Schuylkill Garden Club now reaches the entire county population. Its major endeavors are creation and maintenance of community gardens and oversight of Frog Hollow Environmental Educational Center near Friedensburg.

Its mission is to encourage friendship through gardening, stimulate love and knowledge of gardening, make a difference in communities and work with other organizations to improve quality of life through conservation and horticulture.

It created and maintains these community gardens:

• Children’s Garden at Bunker Hill Playground, Pottsville, established 2004;

• Butterfly Garden in Pine Grove, a revived butterfly garden initiated by Brownie Troop along the Union Canal, planted in 2006;

• Butterfly Garden in Schuylkill Haven along Parkway, in 2012;

• Memorial Garden behind Schuylkill Haven Recreation Center, in 2015;

• Pollinator Garden at Schuylkill County Fairgrounds (open during planned activities) which surrounds the Horticulture Building and will be completed in 2018 with Blue Mountain 4-H Livestock Club.

Missy Seigfried is president of the club, which became affiliated in 1991 with the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania and the National Garden Clubs.

Membership to the club is open to anyone with an interest in gardening. For information about membership, go to its Facebook page or email lazydaycreations@gmail.com or southschuylkillgc@gmail.com.

Meetings are at 6:30 p.m. third Tuesday at Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church,53 Dock St. Schuylkill Haven.

Funds to support club activities come from dues, a spring plant sale, which will take place May 19, a booth at Schuylkill Haven Borough Day and other activities. A scholarship is offered annually to students of horticultural pursuits.

Red Creek

Wildlife Center

The purpose of the Red Creek Wildlife Center is to offer a second chance to distressed Pennsylvania wildlife through rescue and rehabilitation, public education and by providing training for wildlife rehabilitators.

Founded in 1991, Red Creek Wildlife Center has grown from a few robins and cottontails to a full-time state and federally licensed wildlife rehabilitation and education center.

The center serves Eastern Pennsylvania and specifically Schuylkill County.

Each year, countless numbers of people pick up injured, sick and orphaned wildlife. The center’s philosophy is to aid these birds, mammals and reptiles and to assist their return to a natural life in the wild.

Red Creek receives more than 3,000 sick and injured wild animals annually. Animals are released back to nature once recovered.

The center provides live raptor programs for schools, clubs and local fairs.

People 18 and over can volunteer by applying through the website, redcreekwildlifecenter.com.

Red Creek is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and relies on contributions to meet the need for services.

Minersville police reported they are looking for the following individuals wanted on outstanding warrants.

Summary violations

Ashland — Jennifer M. Dengler, Norman Schmid, Melvin E. Engle, Michael T. Herb and Erika Lynn McManus-Walter.

Branchdale — Craig J. Hendricks.

Cass Township — John C. Halus and William J. Huth Jr.

Cressona — Edwin Santiago Antonett and Rochelle Antonetty.

Girardville — Shaen M. Roth and Ciara Shawdee Hosler.

Klingerstown — Dennis E. Miller Jr..

Mahanoy City — Brian Heffelfinger, Michele M. Lindenmuth, Shane M. Latshaw and Melissa A. Rutherford.

Minersville — Dine M. Rodriguez Geral, Lisa M. Boll, Gabriel Gonzalez-Mojica, Brittany J. Matthews, Scott Lee Mace, Heidi B. Muniz-Crespo, Stephen M. Botek, Heather L. O’Sullivan, Frederick C. Hess, Gary Frazier, Kelsey Nagy-Deak, Joseph Kroh III, Jacob M. Kline, Jeremiah Brown, Carlos Anderson Cruz, Logan D. Carter, Nichole O’Neal, Frederick Cohen, Brian D. Hess Jr., Bernard G. Bowman III, Victor Kohl, Simona M. Kline, Zui Andrews, Michelle Burke, Edward Clark III, Herman W. Clauser Jr., Kimberly A. Davis, Joseph M. Davis, Douglas C. Drake Jr., Jonathan Falu, Georgan Fesler, David J. Fitting, John C. Halus, Tara L. Hulko, Thomas Halye, Michael P. Ilsley, Michael R. Harwick Jr., Robert Mehlman Hillbish, Destiny Harwick, Lorie Ann Hunt, Richard A. Harner, Joshua Kramer, Carrie Anne Miller, Melissa Miller, Robert McShaw, John M. Martin, Nadine M. Mason, Austin J. Muzzy, Elizabeth Rivera-Ortiz, Lynda J. Purcell, Jesse Salisbury, Brandon E. Starks, Christopher L. Strenkoski, Sierra A. Smith, Krystal Schantz, Marion H. Thomas, Helen Torres and Rhonda R. Taylor-Tribble.

Mount Carmel — Timothy J. Wagner, Janis Hess.

New Philadelphia — Gregory J. Drews.

New Ringgold — Brian Staller.

Orwigsburg — Michaela R. Hasenhauer.

Philadelphia — Phillip Trumaine Womack.

Pine Grove — Kasey E. Wolff.

Port Carbon — Michael T. Eiler.

Pottsville — Connie Kovach, Jillian Degiglio, Hugo Noel, Randy C. Knorr, Martin Mohl, Canei Belair Miller, Devin W. Murphy, Bradley L. McFarland, Ehuit Antonelty, Rachel A. Vilcheck, Candace Mercedes Seiders, Jesse J. Reppert, Johna M. Maley, Timothy E. Luiken, Mark A. Antonelli, Joseph F. Risteski, Arthur T. Uroskie, Angie C. Brossman, Megan Colihan, Carmine L. Caccavale, Tara Cromis, Maria Consuelo, Matthew C. Eister, Dawn H. Ervast, Jovani Falu, Susan Hale, Kyra N. Hornsby, William J. Glen Hoy, Rose M. Heinbach, Taylor Kelly, Tiffany Long, Michael J. Kostura, Marla Loeper, Drew Murphy, Sean Moffit, Janine M. Rizzardi, Brian D. Starr and Ryan J. Roth.

Saint Clair — Keith W. Lash II.

Schuylkill Haven — Michele D. Berger, Mark D. Marks Jr., Jody McNulty, Heath A. Dougherty, Russell E. Krobert and Jessica Staller.

Seltzer — Barbara Andescavage, Edward Andescavage and Francis Lenosky.

Shamokin — Musa Islami and Jonathan S. Shacklton.

Shenandoah — Michael A. Bevilacqua and John M. Tym.

Tamaqua — Robert Derr.

Tremont — Shaun M. Felty, Ryan K. Seitz, Brenda J. Rice and Merill E. Lambert Jr.

Tuscarora — Sandra Butcavage.

Unknown — Kristen E. Hill.

Criminal violations

Branchdale — Kelly Sue Williams, access device fraud.

Florida — Katrina Lee Spirko, theft by deception.

Kulpmont — Becky M. Leader, DUI.

Minersville — Brandon M. Kneas, theft.

Pottsville — Anthony R. Sinkovich, criminal trespass, and Christian Duran Norman, defiant trespass.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of any of the individuals listed as having outstanding warrants is asked to call Minersville police at either 570-544-2333 or 570-544-6212.

Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6013