ASHLAND — An Ashland man was charged in connection with a robbery in the borough last year.

Patrolman Daniel Weikel said Thursday that he filed charges against Nicholas Riley Harman, 25, whose last known address was 933 Brock St., as the result of an investigation into the robbery at 11th and Centre streets around 1 p.m. Nov. 3, 2017

Weikel said Harman was charged with robbery, persons not to use firearms, firearms not to be carried without a license, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct.

Harman was arraigned by videoconference Wednesday by Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, who set bail at $25,000 straight cash. Harman is currently an inmate at Schuylkill County Prison on unrelated charges, Weikel said.

Weikel charged Harman with robbing Jason Conner of $20 at gunpoint.

Conner reported that Harman met him and the two eventually walked toward Chestnut and North 11th streets.

In that area, Conner reported, Harman asked him if he remembered when he “burnt” him over bath salts and asked him for the money, Weikel said.

Weikel said Conner then reported Harman pulled out a handgun, prompting Conner to hand him $20, after which Harman fled the area, saying, “Don’t follow me.”

A few days after he incident, Weikel said, Conner identified Harman as the man who robbed him and, on Feb. 5, positively picked Harman out of a photo lineup obtained from the Schuylkill County Sheriff’s Office.

Harman will now have to answer to the charges at a preliminary hearing before Hale in her Frackville courtroom.

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

Deeds

Coaldale — Thomas W. and Rosemary A. Peto to Michael J. Prudente; 223 First St.; $32,275.

East Brunswick and West Penn townships — David Moyer to Joseph S. and Christine M. Zarnowski; 71 Ricks Road; $285,000.

Larry C. and Barbara A. Hower to Larry C. and Barbara A. Hower; 16 Blue Mountain Drive; $1.

Foster Township — Anna Olexa to Anna Olexa and Graig Lecher; 24 Lower Beechwood Ave., Buck Run; $1.

Frackville — Joseph Rodick to Amanda Farver; 415 S. Broad Mountain Ave.; $1.

Saint Clair — Gary Kessock to Norman and Sonia Egan; 133 Memorial Drive; $26,000.

Tamaqua — Williard C. Gerber Jr., executor of the Estate of Williard C. Gerber, to Carl J. Jr. and Joyce R. Kraeuter; 303 Race St.; $22,500.

Tremont — Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to Sheila A. Adams; 42 Spring St.; $22,950.

Union Township and Roaring Creek Township, Columbia County — Cory D. Houser to Shawn A. Zolna; 10.41-acre property on Little Mountain Road; $57,000.

Walker Township — Terrence S. McCann and Janet L. McCann to Janet L. McCann; 1416 Valley Road; $1.

Washington Township — Kevin W. Minnich, administrator d.b.n.c.t.a. of the Estate of Jean M. Minnich, to Brandon Aungst; 401 Birds Hill Road; $145,000.

West Brunswick Township — Cellco Partnership to ATC Sequoia LLC; lease and easement on 7.6-acre property; $1.

POTTSVILLE — The Pottsville Area school board will be a member short after receiving the resignation of the vice president.

The board accepted Scott Thomas’ resignation, effective April 30, on Wednesday. Thomas will be moving to Florida, where he has accepted a job.

“It has been a pleasure to serve this board and serve alongside some great people,” Thomas said. “I was first elected in 2009 at the age of 19.”

He decided to run again in 2015.

Board President Karen Rismiller told Thomas he “brought a very unique perspective and you have always been tireless and focused and that will be missed, so thank you for your service.”

He will attend the work session in April and could participate by phone for the regularly scheduled meeting.

Thomas nominated Ann Blankenhorn for his position as vice president. Board member Pat Moran nominated member Christina DiCello, whom Moran and DiCello then voted for. All other board members voted for Blankenhorn. Rismiller abstained, which she was permitted to do, attorney Jeff Tucker said.

Blankenhorn resigned as treasurer and board member Mike Stank was nominated to fill her position.

Letters of interest for Thomas’ seat, which is up in November 2019, are due by May 2 to Rismiller at the administration building.

In his resignation letter, Thomas said, “There will always be a special place in my heart for the Pottsville Area School District. I truly believe that our district has the best staff in the commonwealth. Their dedication to our students is second to none. I hope my tenure on the board is remembered as the person that never backed down from my opinion, despite the pressure of others. Through each struggle, the board’s mission remained the same: accomplishing the best results while balancing the needs of the students, teachers, staff and taxpayers. I want to thank every board member that I had the honor of serving with both past and present.

“It is my hope that the board selects a well-qualified and dedicated individual to fill my seat. In the past, we have not appointed anyone to a vacancy if they previously lost an election to this board. I hope that precedent continues during this search.

“I leave you with a quote from Gen. George Patton on the challenges ahead, ‘Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.’ I wish you the very best in the difficult decisions that face our district now and in the future.”

Contact the writer: amarchiano@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6028

David J. Rossi

TREMONT — Defendants whose cases David J. Rossi considered on March 15, the charges against each one and the judge’s dispositions of the matters included:

Michael D. Parnell, 29, of 673 Valley Road, Pottsville — aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person and simple assault; charges withdrawn.

Charleen E. White, 30, of 16 Natale Court, Pine Grove — theft and receiving stolen property; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Mason A. White, 22, of 28 King Fisher Drive Apt. B, Ashland — delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges of delivery of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance withdrawn, other charge bound over for court.

Steven D. Zimmerman, 42, of 77 Molleystown Road, Pine Grove — receiving stolen property and defiant trespass; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

SHENANDOAH — A new business coming to the borough is another step in the downtown revitalization effort.

The news was announced at Tuesday’s meeting of Downtown Shenandoah Inc. by President Karen Kenderdine.

“This is awesome what I’m about to report,” Kenderdine said. “Today, Mary (Luscavage) and Andrea (Pytak) met with developer Don Kuntz, who purchased the Bargain Anney building. He lives in Mount Carmel and he’s planning to put a sports bar and a barbecue restaurant and a fried chicken establishment in the building. He is developer for another person who, right now, wants to remain anonymous. However, he is connected to the Pittsburgh Steelers organization. That is why it’s going to be a sports bar. He is also planning to restore the apartments on the second floor.”

Kenderdine said a major reason the building was bought was the plan to construct the Downtown Shenandoah Innovation and Event Center. He said he believes Shenandoah is an upcoming place, and the person who owns the building is enthused by what he sees.

“They feel a lot of potential with the innovation center coming, and he sees a great future for this town. He is so optimistic and brought a big ray of sunshine to DSI today. We will meet with him again after Easter,” Kenderdine said.

According to the online Schuylkill Parcel Locator, the buyer of three properties from 100 to 108 N. Main St. is Acorn Estates LLC, Mount Carmel. The former Bargain Anney store is at 100 to 106 N. Main St., with an adjoining empty storefront at 108 N. Main St. The sale date is March 15, with a combined price of $61,500.

During the meeting, attendees watched an animated conceptual design for the planned innovation and event center. The computer-generated walk-through was created by Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects, York. The detailed design showed all four floors of the building, which will be located on the east side of the 100 block of North Main Street.

“It shows the conception of what the innovation center is from the inside and the outside,” Kenderdine said.

The center’s estimated cost is more than $12 million.

“It is something that everyone in this community can be very proud of,” Kenderdine said. “It’s a combined effort of all of us. Individually, none of us will get this accomplished. We’ve done things nobody thought possible and we will keep going. As a community, I have no fear it will get done.”

The video can be seen on the DSI Facebook page. Click on “Videos” on the left side of the page, then select video. The best is full-screen view. To stop the video to look at the detail, use the space bar on the keyboard. To resume, click on the space bar again.

Shenandoah Valley High School senior Hunter Breznik, DSI student ambassador to the high school student council, gave a report on the upcoming Schuylkill County Youth Summit. Breznik said he hopes to get permission to give a report on the innovation center and the impact it will have on youth, especially in dealing with emigration when students graduate.

Shenandoah Volunteer Group member Erik Becker reported on the Easter egg hunt, set for 1 p.m. March 31. It is scheduled to be held at Babe Ruth (Bicentennial) Field, but may be moved depending on field condition. He said coupons for 300 children’s meals have been donated by Friendly’s Restaurant at Fairlane Village mall, Pottsville.

“We’ll be packing everything next week. We’re getting a lot of candy and toys. We have 3,000 eggs and the people at the Shenandoah High-Rise will be packing them. Thanks to everyone who donated,” he said.

Kenderdine said Joseph Anczarski Jr. has been hired as a part-time employee for 21 hours a week to put together a business plan for the innovation center so DSI can seek funding.

Promotion Committee Chairwoman Anne Taylor said things are gearing up for the annual Kielbasi Festival on May 19: “We have a lot of new vendors who have been interested and most of our old vendors are returning. Contestant forms were sent out for the kielbasi contest, and sponsors are coming in.”

Taylor said the next lottery calendar fundraiser will be for June.

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

Police jail woman

after disturbance

SAINT CLAIR — A woman was jailed by Saint Clair police after officers were called to a disturbance in the borough around 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Police said they were called to 56 N. Morris St. and were told by the caller that Tiffany George was causing a disturbance inside and subsequently smashed a front living room window.

George, police said, was found to be under the influence of alcohol at the time.

A warrant check revealed that George was wanted by the Lycoming County detectives office, police said, adding that the woman was then committed to Schuylkill County Prison pending extradition to Lycoming County.

Police: Trio stole

from truck stop

JONESTOWN — Three Schuylkill County residents were arrested by state police at Jonestown and charged with retail theft after an incident at 22 Old Forge Road in Union Township, Lebanon County, between 6:30 and 7:35 p.m. Tuesday.

Police said they were called to the business and found Jesse Sebis, 20, of Tremont; Trisha Fetterhoff, 28, of Tremont; and Gina Wise, 35, of Schuylkill Haven, in possession of merchandise stolen from Love’s Truck Stop.

The investigation determined that the three were also involved in retail theft incidents at other area businesses, police said, adding that drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine in the vehicles used by the three and registered to Wise.

Man charged after

acting erratically

ASHLAND — Ashland police charged a borough man with disorderly conduct stemming from an incident at 17th and Centre streets around 11:10 a.m. Saturday.

Police said Aaron Stevens will have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville.

Police said officers were called to the area for a report of Stevens banging on doors of homes, acting erratic and making irrational statements such as “they were going to burn the house down.”

Stevens was detained and while being searched for weapons became combative, tried to pull away from the officers and try and fight, police said.

Steven was subsequently taken to a Pottsville hospital by Ashland EMS for treatment.

Gather ’round, lads and lasses, with descendants of Gaels garbed in green, enjoy the new spring air with those from Eire and patronize a local pub in the name of St. Patrick at a Celtic cultural celebration in Girardville ... next month, instead of Saturday, all thanks to Mother Nature.

The parade, originally scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed until April 14, due to the recent snow, organizers said.

The 15th annual Girardville St. Patrick’s Day Parade will start promptly at noon April 14 in the borough, according to Joe Wayne, president of the Girardville St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and founding member of the celebration. The festivities will begin with an Irish Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent Worship Center, Mahanoy Avenue and Second Street, Wayne said.

This year’s theme is “Salute to the Residents of Girardville,” venerating the townspeople who provide hospitality to marchers and paradegoers alike.

“All of our bands that come up here tell us the same thing: ‘We never get treated and received as well anywhere as we do in Girardville,’ ” Wayne said. Residents “make everybody feel welcome. Every one of (the marchers) tell us afterward, they say ‘You guys here in Girardville treat us better than at any parade we ever go to.’ That goes to show the makeup of the citizens of the town.”

This year’s grand marshal will get to soak in some of the appreciation that the people of Girardville will receive.

“We try to tie the theme of the parade in with the honoree,” Wayne said, and this year, that honoree will be former U.S. representative and current Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Chairman Tim Holden.

“We try to look at someone in prominence in the community, and that’s one reason we want to honor Tim Holden,” Wayne said. “He did a lot for Schuylkill County during his time in Congress.”

Other groups participating in the parade will include emergency services, such as fire companies and EMTs, high-wheeled bicycles, Rajah Temple Shriners’ cars and a float, bagpipe bands and of course many divisions of Ancient Order of Hibernians.

“We have a large contingence of AOH and Ladies AOH. We have registration from Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Scranton, Jim Thorpe, Pottsville, Saint Clair, Cass Township and ours. So we get a pretty good turnout,” Wayne said.

The route for parade participants will start on East Main Street, go down to West Main and onto Julia Street. From there, it will turn right onto Ogden Street, right onto Second Street and left onto A Street, where marchers will disband around borough hall, Wayne said.

Because of the parade route, traffic coming from the east will be diverted onto Mahanoy Avenue, Route 54, which will remain open, starting at 9 a.m.

“On the western end of town, they’ll probably close that about 11:45, 15 minutes before the parade, because there’ll be people coming in at the last minute,” and there will be people out collecting donations, Wayne said. “We ask everybody be as generous as possible. They want to enjoy the parade, but it takes a lot of money to put this on, so every little bit helps.”

After the parade, one big party celebrating the home country of so many Coal Region ancestors will follow at the Hibernian House, Beech and Line streets, where awards will be given, and music and carousing will continue.

Wayne wanted to thank the citizens of the borough for their unrelenting support that helped make the parade such a success the last 15 years.

“Quite frankly, I don’t think we’d be getting the response that we do if it wasn’t for the way the people of Girardville received everybody. We never thought it was going to take off the way it did.”

Contact the writer: dprosick@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6002

Ashland

The borough office will be close on March 30 in observance of Good Friday. Ashes will be picked up March 29.

Frackville

The annual health screen by Quest Diagnostics is set for 7 to 9:30 a.m. April 7 at the Frackville Senior Citizens Center, Frack Street and Broad Mountain Avenue. The cost is $60 and includes chemistry and coronary profiles and complete blood count. Additional tests will be available for additional fees. To register in advance, call 800-776-6342.

Frackville

Due to the adverse weather conditions, there will be no stocking of fish at Whippoorwill Dam, Morea Road, for Youth Mentor Day slated for Saturday.

Gordon

An American Red Cross blood drive is scheduled for 1 to 6 p.m. April 2 at Christ United Lutheran Church, 437 Airport Road. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good are urged to donate blood. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information or to arrange for an appointment, call 800-733-2767.

Mahanoy City

The Mahanoy Township Authority has reslated its board meeting to 6 p.m. March 28 at the authority office, 46 N. Main St. For more information, call 570-773-0650.

McAdoo

The Church of All Saints will hold a fish dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. today in the parish hall at the former McAdoo Catholic School building. Patrons will be able to eat at the hall or take meals out. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. The menu includes baked fish, scalloped potatoes, string beans, applesauce, rolls, dessert and beverages.

McAdoo

Borough property owners are reminded that the 2018 garbage bills are due by April 15. If the account is not paid by then, an additional fee of $50 per unit will be added to the bill. Anyone who has not received the 2018 bill should call the borough office at 570-929-1182.

Nuremberg

The Twin County Lions Club will hold its annual Easter egg hunt at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Nuremberg park for children 9 and younger. Prizes will be awarded. The Nuremberg-Weston Fire Company will also be present with its new special service vehicle, which is used for medical calls in the area.

Nuremberg

There will be no breakfast in April at the Nuremberg-Weston Volunteer Fire Company.

Pottsville

An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. March 30 at the Fairlane Village mall office, Route 61. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighting at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to donate blood. Walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment or for more information, call 800-733-2767.

Shenandoah

The borough hall, Washington and Main streets, will be closed March 30 in observance of Good Friday. There is no change in the garbage collection schedule.

Tamaqua

Tamaqua Public Library will participate in Pennsylvania One Book/Every Young Child presentation from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 29. The program is for children 5 and younger; older siblings are welcome. Each child will be given a book while supplies last. A child must be present to receive a book. This year’s book is “My Cousin Momo” by Pennsylvania author Zachariah O’Hara. The library also will have a free comic book day from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 5.

William Penn

The William Penn Fire Company, Mount Olive Boulevard (Route 54 just west of Shenandoah) will sponsor a cheesesteak dinner beginning at 3 p.m. April 7. The cost is $8 per platter. For orders and free local delivery, call 570-462-0338.

POTTSVILLE — The Schuylkill County Municipal Authority recently voted to approve an engineering services proposal with Gannett Fleming for equipment at the Tremont Water Plant.

“This was targeted in our asset management plan as something that needed relatively immediate attention. This past month has put that to the forefront where it needs immediate attention. We have a major failure with the SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system out there. We call it the SCADA system but it’s actually the control system of the plant. That plant is our newest water plant. It was built in 1996, but it is 100 percent controlled and reliant upon computerized operations through what’s called a PLC, a process logic controller,” Patrick M. Caulfield, executive director, said.

He said the PLC components are outdated.

“They are irreplaceable because they don’t support them anymore, so it’s always been in our plan to develop a new PLC, a new control system, run it parallel and then phase out the old system when we are up and comfortable at our pace,” he said.

The project will be two phases. Gannett will design and maintain the system.

Caulfield said the authority is planning and proposing to buy all the equipment using a state purchasing program. The company will then design the system and install it. He said the majority of the work will be the programming.

The first phase includes a system audit and project design not to exceed $72,000. Phase two includes getting the equipment, programming, installation and startup estimated at $497,000. Project funds will come out of the general fund.

Amy Batdorf, assistant director of SCMA, said running the plant manually isn’t easy.

The board also approved a municipal improvements agreement with St. Luke’s University Health Network real estate division for the installation of water and sewer lines on the property of a proposed St. Luke’s Hospital. The flow tests of fire hydrants for the hospital were completed March 16. He said St. Luke’s will be installing water and wastewater utilities on site but wants SCMA to maintain it.

The proposed location for the hospital is Cinema Boulevard in West Brunswick Township on the north side of Route 61. The land development plan submitted to West Brunswick Township shows a 141,750-square-foot, three-story hospital with 80 beds. The plan is conditionally approved, upon the hospital meeting certain requirements, including erosion and sedimentation control. Permits will be needed if they want to start construction.

In other matters, Caulfield said three state Department of Community and Economic Development Small Water and Wastewater System Commonwealth Financing Authority grant applications were submitted. Each grant is for just under $500,000. The authority could find out this year if they are awarded funds.

The applications are for the following projects: to extend existing water system across Interstate 81 to service additional commercial/industrial customers on east side of I-81 in Mahanoy and Ryan Townships; to extend existing water system across I-81 to service extra commercial customers on west side of I-81 in Pine Grove Township; and to replace existing waterline on portion of Westwood Road with a new 12-inch ductile iron water main.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

GIRARDVILLE — For the second year in a row, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade scheduled for Saturday has been postponed due to the snowstorm on Wednesday.

The new date for the 15th annual parade is April 14.

The amount of snow that fell and it not being able to be cleared sufficiently led to the decision.

The Girardville St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee met Thursday morning to discuss what to do, with the unanimous consensus that a postponement was the best decision.

Joseph Wayne, president of the committee, which hosts the parade, said the postponement was the right decision for the participants and spectators.

“The parade is postponed from this weekend to April 14,” Wayne said after the committee meeting. “We just discussed the situation and when we laid the facts on the table about the condition of the roads in the town, they just unanimously agreed that we can’t have the parade this weekend.”

Last year on March 13 and 14, Winter Storm Stella dropped so much snow that it could not be cleaned in time for the March 25 parade.

Immediately after the meeting, Wayne was calling the parade entries to inform them of the new date so they could make plans.

“It’s the same as last year,” Wayne said. “First of all, we have no place to put the buses and trailers when they come in because the areas are packed with snow. The streets are not going to be cleaned off because the borough doesn’t have the equipment to do it.”

The parking issue also affects people who drive to Girardville to enjoy the parade, which has thousands line up along the parade route.

Wayne is depending on the sun and warmer temperatures to do the job by mid-April.

“We’re going to let Mother Nature help us out and melt it down, and hopefully by the 14th we’ll be in good shape. Same like last year,” Wayne said.

Wayne added that he is expecting most of the entries to be able to make the new date.

“Last year we lost one band, but it looks like they’ll be able to make it this year with the postponement, as will others. We’re in good shape,” he said. “We’ll have five divisions and we’ll have bagpipes leading off each division same as before.”

The parade committee issued a media release Thursday afternoon, explaining:

“Our economic resources are limited. Every cent of fundraising goes back into our parade. Snow removal cost — even for a small town like Girardville — runs into thousands of dollars. The Girardville borough informed us it cannot assist in the snow removal needed to open up the town for Saturday and the parade itself does not have the financial resources to pay for it.

Street work that was planned for the later part of this week to fill the potholes dotting the parade route had to be canceled. Cold patch will not stick to wet roads. Lots are unable to be cleared and the snow removed to allow for sufficient parking. We are concerned about mud as the temperatures are rising. There are very justified fears that it would be disastrous for a large number of people and vehicles to enter town, not have enough parking for the large buses, and possibly risk damaging expensive equipment, instruments, costuming, and vehicles. The safety and well-being of our marchers, bands, participants, and spectators, as well as that of our townsfolk, is paramount.”

The committee continued: “We march late, but we march on! The parade committee is a very small group of dedicated volunteers who work all year long to make this parade happen once a year. We express our heartfelt apologies to all our loyal spectators, supporters, participants, bands and vendors, and sincerely regret any anxiety or inconvenience rescheduling the parade to April 14 may cause.

“While the weather may not have been in our corner the last two years, our parade family has had our back for the past 15. The Girardville Irish Parade will never be canceled. It is one of the biggest tourist attractions in our county and brings significant revenue into area businesses both north and south of the mountain. We must honor our commitment to our ad and band sponsors and those who contribute to our parade’s fundraising throughout the year. And most of all, we must keep our promise to the many to whom this parade brings so much joy.”

All marchers, entries and vendors who were registered are being contacted by parade coordinator Joanne Kitsock with the updated date and information.

The parade will begin at noon April 14 at the east end of Main Street. It will turn onto Julia Street, then move to Odgen Street, right onto Second Street, left onto A Street and move east to the finish.

For further information on the rescheduled date, contact Kitsock at 570-617-0400.

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

Motorists can expect a detour for possibly a year as part of a $1.6 million bridge replacement project on Gap Street in Valley View.

Despite the detour being in place, activities at the nearby Valley View Park and the Valley View Boy Scout Camp will go on without interruption.

Lobar Site Development Corp., Dillsburg, was awarded the contract in January for the state-owned span at $1,639,290.

“It’s going to be a completely new concrete bridge with concrete beams,” Matt Daubert, Pine Grove, project manager, said Tuesday.

He said Lobar expects work to begin the week of June 11, or shortly after the Tri-Valley School District has concluded classes. The state Department of Transportation has given Lobar until December 2019 to complete the structure on Route 4011, also known as Gap Street. Crews may be able to finish it by April 2019 at the earliest, according to Daubert. The bridge crosses Pine Creek.

Broad Street will be the designated detour route for cars and smaller trucks. Large trucks will be notified in the Good Spring area and will be redirected to use Route 125 and onto Route 209 into Tremont.

At a Hegins Township supervisors meeting last June, the supervisors expressed concern over large trucks trying to enter Route 25 from Broad Street in Valley View.

As soon as Lobar closes Gap Street for the detour, the company will build an access road to go into the Boy Scout Camp, Daubert said.

The Valley View Park will remain open and signs will direct drivers where to access the park grounds during construction.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Frackville

The Easter egg hunt sponsored by the Frackville Recreation Board and Frackville Elks has been postponed to March 31 due to the snowfall on the Elks field. Registration will begin at 1 p.m. for the 2 p.m. start.

Girardville

Rangers Hose Company, due to the postponement of the Girardville St. Patrick’s Day parade to April 14, has changed its wing night to April 7. For more information, email jzangari45@gmail.com.

Minersville

The St. Matthew Travelers group will stage a bus trek to Virginia Beach (Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown) on May 14. The cost is $649 per person double occupancy with four nights lodging, four breakfasts and three dinners. Another trek is slated for Sept. 24 for “Wildwood Italian Style,” a four-day, three night trip for “a touch of Italy at the Jersey Shore.” The cost is $439 per person. For reservations or more information, call Julie at 570-544-5231 or Millie at 570-628-5413.

Pottsville

An American Red Cross blood drive is scheduled for 1 to 6 p.m. April 5 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 W. Arch St. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to donate blood. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information or to arrange for an appointment, call 800-733-2767.

Schuylkill Haven

The Schuylkill Haven Senior Citizens group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the senior center, 340 Haven St. The group will sell tickets for the May 14 dinner during its April meetings; dues must be current to buy a ticket. After the group’s business meeting, Patrick Moran, Schuylkill EMS education coordinator, will provide information and demonstrate an AED that is located near the fountain in the senior center. For more information, call 570-385-5323.

Schuylkill Haven

The Schuylkill Haven High School Class of 1960 will meet for lunch at noon April 19 at Dee Dee’s Diner, Route 61, Shoemakersville. Class members and guests are welcome. For more information, call 570-385-5323.

Shenandoah

The Anthony P. Damato American Legion “Medal of Honor” Post 792 is continuing its Hometown Heroes banner program in 2018, according to spokesman Rich Stevens. The effort is to honor all veterans, living and deceased. It’s a “nice way to say ‘Thank you’ for your service,” Stevens said in a release. Individuals, families, businesses or nonprofit organizations can be sponsors. Sponsors will be listed on the banner. All veterans are welcome. Applications are available at the 116 N. Main St. office of the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc., which is in the Damato post building. The deadline for new banners in the 2018 program is today. For more information, email lark4@ptd.net.

Valley View

The Tri-Valley Junior Varsity Bulldog baseball team will take on the Upper Dauphin Area Junior Varsity Baseball Team at Bulldog Stadium at 1 p.m. April 7 in what will be known as the “Breakfast Bowl,” according to a press release. The idea for the game was “concocted” by the JV coaches for each team while having breakfast at Traci’s Restaurant in Sacramento with the “Breakfast Bunch,” according to the release. The eatery consented to sponsor the trophy for the event and the Breakfast Bunch agreed to be the cheerleaders for the game, although one of the bunch members may be on crutches. The trophy will be given to the winning team after the game by Josiah Viera, one of the managers for the Bulldog baseball team. A book about Viera, titled “A Short Season,” was recently published. During the game, there will be a container at the concession stand where people can donate money for the Puerto Rico hurricane relief effort. One of the Trojan varsity players, Ryan Border, and his brother, Derrick, who played on the 2015 and 2016 Trojan teams have a grandmother living in Puerto Rico where there is still a need for aid. A container will also be at the Trojan field that day where UDA and Tri-Valley varsity teams will clash, according to the release.

TAMAQUA — Despite a handful of demands that he vacate his post, Tamaqua Area school board President Larry Wittig said he is staying.

“I am the only one who determines whether I step down or not. I’m not going to,” Wittig said.

Most of the 60 people who attended the board’s recent meeting, however, expressed their support for Wittig in the wake of recent reports of alleged past sexual misconduct.

In December, the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News reported that several women claimed Wittig sought sexual relationships with them in the early 1980s, when they were teenagers and athletes at a club where Wittig was a member. 

One of the women, Annette DeMichelle, told the Inquirer that she began a consensual sexual relationship with Wittig when she was a teen and he was in his 30s and married.

When the reports surfaced, Wittig promptly resigned as president of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, noted Blake Tharp, New Ringgold. Tharp asked why Wittig refused to step down from the local board.

“The state board of education is an appointed position,” Wittig said. “You serve as chair at the pleasure of the governor. Before anything even hit, I resigned to avoid the governor from being embarrassed and the state board being embarrassed because I didn’t want them to be dragged into anything.

“This is an elected position. Elected,” he continued. “The school board has nothing to do with me being up here. Nothing. I was elected for a one-year term as president,” he said before stating he would not step down.

Wittig’s response was met with applause.

The majority of those who spoke during the meeting said they supported Wittig.

Resident Paul Miller called Wittig’s past conduct “water under the bridge.”

“It was years ago,” Miller said. Residents, he said, should be more concerned about the welfare of district students.

Timothy Houser, West Penn Township, said Wittig has “done nothing but good for the past 35 years.”

He suggested that those who admonish Wittig should “open up the dictionary and read the definition of ‘forgiveness.’ ”

Liz Pinkey, Tamaqua, was the lone critic in the crowd when she asked for Wittig’s resignation during the February board meeting.

“I’ve come back tonight and there are more voices here and we are not going to be silenced. We are going to continue to come here until what is right is done and you step down,” she said.

Contact the writer: jwhalen@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3592

James K. Reiley

POTTSVILLE — A 24-year-old woman charged with a theft in Pottsville on Feb. 28 waived her right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville.

Kelsey Ann Anderson, 256 Brown St., Tamaqua, was arrested by Pottsville police Patrolman Joseph Murton and charged with one count each of theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy.

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

Murton charged Anderson with taking a package from a porch at 219 N. Second St. around 2:30 p.m.

Murton said the package contained items ordered by Sonia Barrera including a skin care kit valued at $179, eye rehydrator valued at $63 and a “PC” Perks card valued at $19.95. The total value of the stolen items is $276.47, Murton said.

Other court cases included:

Brandon R. Courtney, 44, of 724 Brock St., Ashland; waived for court: possession of a controlled substance.

Ivana A. Jimenez, 20, of 510 Howard Ave., Pottsville; waived for court: retail theft.

Zachary J. Howe, 26, of 307 Pottsville St., Minersville; dismissed after the victim received full restitution: theft from a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property.

Stephen J. Prentice, 32, of 62 Broad St., Port Clinton; waived for court: indecent assault of a person under the age of 13, corruption of minors, contact or communication with a minor, photographing, filming or depicting sex acts on a computer and producing, presenting or directing an obscene performance.

John J. Gordon, no age or address available; waived for court: indecent assault of a person under the age of 13.

Anthony J. Kilker

SHENANDOAH — A woman charged with a theft in Shenandoah on Feb. 1 waived her right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah.

Cheryl Ann Bloss, 43, of 228 W. New York St., Shenandoah, was arrested by Shenandoah police Patrolman David Stamets and charged with theft, receiving stolen property and scattering rubbish.

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

Stamets charged Bloss with an incident at the One Stop store on North Main Street where she allegedly stole a cellphone from Anthony Swetavage and then disposed of the phone in front of a building on Lloyd Street where it was later found lying in the snow and returned to the owner.

Other court cases included:

Daniel Lopez, 22, of 110 W. Penn St., Shenandoah; waived for court: defiant trespass and criminal mischief.

Karissa Anne Thaller, 21, of 528 W. Coal St., Shenandoah; withdrawn: terorristic threats, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Kenneth Balchus Sr., 50, of 520 W. Columbus St., Shenandoah; withdrawn: theft of services and scattering rubbish.

James R. Ferrier

ORWIGSBURG — A New York City man is headed to Schuylkill County Court after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday on charges resulting from a traffic stop in February in West Penn Township.

Christian A. Alicea, 26, of 185 Bement Court, Staten Island, New York, faces charges of misbranding of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence, speeding, disregarding traffic lane and no rear lights. Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier bound over those charges for court after Alicea waived his right to the hearing.

Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

West Penn Township police alleged Alicea was under the influence of marijuana when he drove at 3:39 p.m. Feb. 11 on Route 309. Alicea drove 74.6 mph in a 45 mph zone, police said.

After being stopped, Alicea admitted possessing marijuana and a search of his car, a blue 2000 BMW, revealed the drug, along with numerous plastic baggies, a scale, a grinder and two jars, police said.

Alicea is free on $25,000 unsecured bail pending further court proceedings.

Other defendants whose cases Ferrier considered on Tuesday, the charges against each one and the judge’s dispositions of the matters included:

James J. Culbert, 45, of 120 W. Railroad St., Pottsville; criminal trespass, retail theft and conspiracy; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge of criminal trespass withdrawn, other charges bound over for court.

Angela M. Dolla, 43, of 223 Wild Cherry Road, Schuylkill Haven; retail theft; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.

Gina L. Ferraro, 26, of 150 N. Nice St., Frackville; hindering apprehension; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.

Ethan M. Moyer, 19, of 31 Walnut St., Middleport; DUI, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and no rear lights; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Robert L. Schuld II, 30, of 110 S. Liberty St., Orwigsburg; DUI, failure to notify of change of address, violation of duty of driver in emergency area and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Holly E. Shoemaker, 31, of 17 Fritz Reed Ave., Schuylkill Haven; theft and receiving stolen property; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Joseph R. Sippel Jr., 31, of 21 Haven St., Schuylkill Haven; criminal mischief; charges held for court after preliminary hearing that Sippel failed to attend. Ferrier asked the court to issue a bench warrant for Sippel.

Kelly F. Webber, 49, of 1035 E. Norwegian St., Pottsville; criminal trespass, retail theft and conspiracy; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge of criminal trespass withdrawn, other charges bound over for court.

Deeds

Auburn — Kenton L. and Kathy L. Hubble to Justin Webber; 424 Market St.; $134,900.

East Union Township — Bing Gong, Hong Zhang, Steven Zhu and Xuwei Tang to Gary Li and Yeats Ye; Lot 161WSS7, Eagle Rock; $25,000.

Joseph A. Cocco Jr. to Joseph A. Cocco Jr. and Joseph J. Cocco; 53 Main Blvd., Brandonville; $1.

Joseph A. Cocco Jr. to Joseph A. Cocco Jr. and Joseph J. Cocco; property on Pine Street; $1.

Girardville — Frank M. and Charlotte P. Monberger to Gary G. Klinger Jr.; 255 W. Main St.; $2,500.

Hegins Township — Lamar B. Kimmel, Leon I. Kimmel, Holly M. Kimmel and Jane E. Herb to Lamar B. Kimmel, Leon I. Kimmel and Holly M. Kimmel; two properties on Route 25; $1.

North Manheim Township — Teresa Mercuri to Antoinette Mercuri; 53 Kelsey Drive, Sunnyside; $1.

Pine Grove — Richard Schneck Home Improvement Contractor LLC to David S. and Judith W. Van Tries; 110 Walnut St.; $145,000.

Pottsville — Katherine A. Lishman, executrix of the Estate of Florence C. Brehony, to KTD Holdings LLC; 234 N. 18th St.; $11,000.

Rush Township — Joann Nalesnik, executrix of the Estate of John P. Fiderak, to Elaine F. and Joseph A. Bove; property at Lafayette and Kaup avenues, Hometown; $20,000.

Nancy Kovatch-Patton, executrix of the Estate of Joseph J. Kovatch Sr., to Nancy Kovatch-Patton and Joseph J. Kovatch Jr.; 73 Crescent Drive, Lake Hauto; $1.

Nancy Kovatch-Patton and Joseph J. Kovatch Jr. to Nancy Kovatch-Patton; 73 Crescent Drive, Lake Hauto; $1.

Ryan Township — Pauline M. Keck to Karen L. Conover and Barry W. Keck; 862 Barnesville Drive, Barnesville; $1.

Saint Clair — Ali Salahuddeen to Robert J. and Debra M. Schreffler; two properties; $35,000.

South Manheim Township — Matthew R. and Heather E. Gruber to Terry Lee Dunkel Jr.; 2563 Fair Road; $190,000.

Washington Township — Earl and Shirley L. Neidlinger, by attorney in fact Alton E. Neidlinger, to Keith L. Witman; 225 Oak Road; $50,000.

Wayne Township — Clayton K. Johns, individually and as attorney in fact for Patricia K. Johns, and Lena M. Johns to Clayton K. and Lena M. Johns; 1180 Long Run Road; $1.

West Mahanoy Township — Helen and Andrew Kovach to Joseph Rodick; 517 S. Line St., Altamont; $1.

West Penn Township — Ronald J. and Margaret A. Wehr to Ronald J. and Margaret A. Wehr; 130-acre property; $1.

HAMBURG — One man died when fire broke out inside his home in this Berks County community early Friday morning.

Firefighters were called to 616 Windsor St. around 6:40 a.m. for a report of smoke in a house and arriving minutes later, found heavy fire and the homeowner unconscious inside, according to state police fire marshal Trooper Janssen Herb of the Reading station.

Herb identified the victim as Robert Deibert, 71, and said he lived in the home with his two cats that also died.

Herb said firefighters quickly removed Deibert from the home, but efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

“He was initially removed from the house and they (emergency personnel) tried to perform medical procedures on him with no avail,” Herb said.

Deibert was pronounced dead at the scene by a member of the Berks County Coroner’s Office, the trooper said.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, the fire marshal said, adding that damage was estimated about $150,000.

Herb said that additional information will be made available as his investigation moves forward.

At the scene, Hamburg police said Deibert was a war veteran and well-known in the community.

“He was a Vietnam veteran and he was very proud of that,” an officer said.

Hamburg firefighters were assisted by firefighters from Shoemakersville and Centerport, while Hamburg police, Hamburg EMS and area firefighters assisted at the scene.

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

Marriage licenses

Wayne P. Wenrich, Ashland, and Danielle A. Neumeister, Hegins.

Steven C. Cherry, Shenandoah, and Sarah M. Lewars, Shenandoah.

Joseph C. Nicholson, Somerset, and Elise Skoglund, West Kelowna, Vermont.

Robert A. Beach, Pottsville, and Alicia Goodson, Pottsville.

Ryan A. Fannock, Mahanoy City, and Tammie J. Whitecavage, Mahanoy City.

Kiet A. Hervet, Pottsville, and Racheal M. Link, Pottsville.

Shane T. Price, Mahanoy City, and Melanie L. Merenda, Mahanoy City.

Jonathan A. Kline, Auburn, and Amanda K. Rogers, Auburn.

Divorces granted

Dawn Frye, Mahanoy City, from Brad Frye, Quakake.

Troy Moyer, New Ringgold, from Nancy Moyer, Northumberland.

Amanda Harris, Zion Grove, from Anthony Harris, Sheppton.

Chad Gonder, Williamstown, from Paula Gonder, Williamstown.

Dollinda Linkhorst, Forty Fort, from Kevin Linkhorst, Tamaqua.

Adam R. Page, Kulpmont, from Marci Page, Pine Grove.

Dawn Lynn Readinger, Schuylkill Haven, from Scott C. Readinger, Schuylkill Haven.

Michael Ziats, West Reading, from Trina K. Ziats, Reading.

Kayla Osatchuck, Port Carbon, from Mark Morrison, Aurora, Colorado.

ORWIGSBURG — What is only a part of Blue Mountain’s plan to deal with an intruder is being mistaken for the whole, the district’s superintendent said Friday.

Blue Mountain School District Superintendent David Helsel said he was answering a lot of phone calls Friday about his recent comments on arming students with rocks, which were picked up by media around the country.

“These comments are taken completely out of context,” he said Friday afternoon.

Helsel spoke before a House Education Committee School Safety Hearing on March 15 in Harrisburg, at which he was talking about an overall safety plan.

The district’s comprehensive plan addresses decision-making during an attack, evacuation procedures, barricading classrooms and, solely as a last resort should an assailant gain entry to a barricaded classroom, having a supply of rocks on hand for the students to not go down without a fight.

“We don’t want our kids to sit there and be passive targets,” Helsel said Friday.

However, the “first response is to evacuate” if possible, he emphasized.

Helsel said some students even helped to put the stones in the buckets, which are stored in the classrooms.

He said the use of the river stones is “one more step to make them feel safer.”

The rocks were placed in the classrooms last fall and parents and students were informed. However, following Helsel’s statement at the conference, rumormongery on social media has taken Helsel’s “last ditch effort” from its context and made it a target of derision.

“Our district has been training our staff and students in an armed intruder defense plan, referred to as ALICE. Many of you have heard of it or have become familiar with it,” Helsel said at the hearing. “ALICE is an acronym standing for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate. As you may be aware, this training was developed by law enforcement professionals in response to previous school shootings like Columbine and Virginia Tech. ALICE empowers teachers and staff to determine whether emergency evacuation or barricading doors themselves into a room is the best defense.

“Each room is being equipped with a device that makes entry into the classroom extremely difficult, if not impossible. In addition, every classroom has been equipped with a 5-gallon bucket of river stone. If an armed intruder attempts to gain entry to any of our classrooms, they will face a classroom full of students armed with rocks, and they will be stoned,” a transcript of the proceeding says.

Society today is not what it used to be years ago, he said.

“I think it is sad we need to face these types of circumstances,” Helsel said.

Contact the writer: amarchiano@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6028

PINE GROVE — Pine Grove Area Elementary School received state recognition for its behavior management effort and there’s proof the program’s working, administrators said.

“For us, it’s a huge honor,” Elementary Principal Sandra Burns said Friday.

The system is known as Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. Under the program, students are rewarded for positive choices and face consequences for poor choices, as opposed to solely being punished for wrongdoing.

The school’s PBIS committee will attend a recognition ceremony May 22-23 at the Hershey Lodge & Convention Center and will receive a banner for the school. Only 1 percent of schools received the recognition from the state Department of Education, and Pine Grove Area Elementary School is the only Schuylkill County school to receive it, according to Burns.

“We’ve been getting phone calls from other school districts. They want ideas to get PBIS up and running in their schools and want to know what’s worked for us,” she said.

Staff from the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network for PDE assessed the school’s PBIS program. They interviewed staff and students and gave the school a 93 percent, among the state’s best banner-worthy schools.

Discipline referrals

Before the PBIS program began in the 2014-15 school year, there were 300 discipline referrals per year at the elementary, Michelle Brand, PBIS lead coach and school counselor, said. “We looked at areas where we were having issues. It was usually during unstructured time, on the bus, in the cafeteria, on the playground. We put lessons in place to show our students how to behave properly.”

Now, there are two to three discipline referrals, on average, each month.

Clip chart

A clip chart displayed in each homeroom keeps track of students’ behavior. All students begin each day on the center, green level, called “Ready to Learn.” They can move their clip up or down to different color levels based on their behavior. At the end of each day, students color their Cardinal Pride calendar according to their behavior for that day. The calendars are sent home to parents.

For students behaving well in the cafeteria, they can earn the “Golden Spoon,” which gives them the opportunity to be first in line for the next lunch day.

Following the pledge to the flag, students also recite a “Cardinal Proud” pledge. It reminds students that they’re part of a community and they have rules and certain ways of doing things. The three Cardinal Pride rules are: Promote safety; Give respect; and Accept responsibility.

The community has been wonderful and the PTO has been very supportive, Burns said. Area businesses have provided positive behavior prizes like food items from Arby’s, Sheetz, Subway and Turkey Hill. There are also reward days, where students who have reached their behavior goals are treated to special assemblies. Those students who do not reach their goals spend time in further behavior instruction, and do not attend the special activities.

Friday was Career Day at the school and an assembly was also held to celebrate garnering more than $18,500 for the American Heart Association Jump Rope for Heart event. More than 90 community volunteers, all with clearances, attended. David Lukasewicz, a Pine Grove school board director, offered information about serving as an EMT, CPR and EMT instructor. He’s also a retired special education teacher with the Lebanon district.

“We’ve been seeing less discipline problems, and I think it’s good to take care of these issues at this level. The board’s totally behind this,” Lukasewicz said.

Cardinal heart

There were 60 students who collected $100 or more for Jump Rope for Heart and earned a chance to throw a whipped cream pie at Jim Fickes, physical education teacher.

First-grader Shelby Fessler was the top collector, earning more than $1,000. She won a GoPro camera and was the first to pitch a pie. She said she placed videos on Facebook to help earn money.

“I did it because I could save another heart,” Fessler, 6, said.

Fickes has seen the positive results of the PBIS program.

“The kids know what ‘clipping down’ means,” he said. “Kids will come up to tell you what color they’re on today.”

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Fighting the opioid epidemic and other drug and alcohol abuse requires youths to spread the word to other youths, a recovering addict told more than 100 people assembled Friday for the Schuylkill County Youth Summit.

“You have a voice. Use it,” Zandra Saunders, 37, of Shenandoah, said during the summit at Penn State Schuylkill.

The young people at the summit took Saunders’ advice, designing and developing models for a social media campaign to be used this summer to combat drug abuse across the county.

“We’re all in this together,” Olivia Lattanzi, a Tamaqua Area High School student, said.

Hosted by Penn State Schuylkill and Schuylkill County VISION, the summit brings together high school students from across Schuylkill County to discuss ideas for improving life in the region.

While the summit often includes discussions of several topics, this year, community leaders and students decided there was only one that should be addressed: the opioid epidemic.

Travis Snyder, 36, of Hegins, came with Saunders, Christopher Jones, 44, of Pottsville, and John Sienkeiwicz, Tamaqua, the leader of Safe Streets for Tamaqua’s Little Feet, to talk to the students about the dangers of opioids.

“My addiction got progressively worse,” said Snyder, a 2000 Tri-Valley High School graduate. “I was one of those scumbags.”

Snyder said he did not begin his recovery until Dec. 22, 2011, when he went to prison. He said prison was where he realized he needed to surrender himself in order to lead a better life.

“Recovery is when you consciously choose to make a better life,” Snyder said.

Students and school can help by holding creative programs, featuring art, spirit and purpose, he said.

Sienkiewicz knows the terrible cost of addiction. His daughter, Alexandria “Alex” Sienkiewicz, died from acute fentanyl toxicity on April 2, 2016. Her death led to him and his wife, Tammy, starting the organization

“There is help out there,” he said. “You have to be willing to get it.”

Students responded by creating storyboards for social media use. They featured SpongeBob SquarePants, the Grim Reaper and other ways to emphasize the dangers of drugs and drive home one dominant point: “Don’t be a statistic.”

Dangerous drugs can be found in medicine cabinets, playgrounds, school buses and other places, according to the presentations.

Commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. and Commissioner Gary J. Hess praised the students for taking the lead in fighting opioids by talking to other young people.

“We’re not here to tell you things,” Halcovage said. “We’re here to listen to you. Everyone in Schuylkill County believes in you.”

Hess agreed.

“You are our future leaders,” he said.

Young people attending the summit said they learned much from it.

“I feel it is something very positive,” Hunter Breznik, Shenandoah Valley High School, said. “It all starts with us and it’s very exciting.”

Lattanzi agreed.

“I want (people) to know the youth in the county are trying to make a difference and trying to improve the area,” she said.

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