POTTSVILLE — The Greater Pottsville Area Sewer Authority board learned Wednesday more work will need to be done to alleviate the flooding on Arch Street.

Thomas Schreffler, authority engineer, said a video of the bypass line, which is stone, showed it has “substantial damage” along the route between Sixth and Fourth streets. The area from Eighth to Sixth street had less damage.

“Based on the video, it is recommended that the original scope of work be expanded to include the installation of a new manhole just east of the Seventh and West Market streets intersection, and to refurbish the openings at the existing manholes located at Sixth Street and Fifth Street.

“The improved openings to these manholes, as well as Eighth Street, will allow a contractor to readily access the bypass in order to repair the damages. The improved openings will allow GPASA personnel quick access. The expanded Eighth and Market streets project would still be viable, but withholding discharge to the bypass until that line is repaired,” Schreffler said.

A cost for the additional work was not provided, but Schreffler said the authority will have it by next week.

The board voted in August to spend up to $70,000, which includes engineering costs, to redirect some of the flow from Arch Street to Market Street.

Along with the additional costs, the engineering firm requested more time for the project at Wednesday’s meeting. For instance, it has the advertising for bids for Aug. 6 instead of April 30, and completing the project by Nov. 30 instead of Oct. 15.

That didn’t sit well with board Chairman Ian Lipton.

“November 30 is not acceptable to me. We need to move this along,” he said.

“I’m not making excuses,” Schreffler said.

“It’s unreasonable to wait until August,” Lipton said about advertising for bids.

A meeting took place Thursday between Schreffler, Lipton and Timothy Yingling, GPASA executive director, to further discuss the situation. The following timeline was proposed by Schreffler: bids would be advertised May 10; a pre-bid meeting would occur May 24; bids would be received by June 25; the contract awarded June 27 at the monthly GPASA meeting; a notice to proceed issued July 6, and a completed project by Sept. 7.

Lipton said Friday that is an acceptable timeline. A board meeting was not needed to accept the revised schedule, he said.

Schreffler said the state Department of Environmental Protection and state Department of Transportation must give their approvals of the revised scope of work.

The authority has not been contacted about any additional flooding in the area, Yingling said.

Lipton said he wants those affected to know they are not forgotten.

In other business, the board voted to have limited liability companies and limited liability partnerships to pay a $1,000 deposit for services from the GPASA once they acquire property.

Solicitor Edward Brennan said the authority has had some situations where those responsible did not pay the bills.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

PCN, the Pennsylvania Cable Network, will replay its broadcast of the 9th Congressional Candidates Forum in its entirety from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The forum was held Tuesday night at D.H.H. Lengel Middle School in Pottsville.

The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce sponsored the forum with Democratic and Republican candidates — three from each party — for the 9th Congressional District.

POTTSVILLE — Revitalization that the arts can provide was discussed during opening night of the Block of Art in the city.

Pottsville Mayor James T. Muldowney, Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary Hess and state Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, Pottsville, talked about the positive change the city is experiencing and said the artistic pursuits one can find in the city and the county are helping make the city a better place to live.

“The city is going through a large revitalization program right now, and as I said in March in my State of the City address, a big part of the revitalization is the arts,” Muldowney said at the former Porter House Grille at the Ramada Inn.

This is the 12th annual Block of Art. The three-day event features music, art, children’s events, a scavenger hunt, a walking tour to learn about the works of John O’Hara, an opportunity to look at stained-glass windows in five city churches and a brunch with local artists at The Greystone restaurant. The event continues at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. Local businesses also have concurrent events during the weekend. Sponsors include the Pottsville Business Association, M&T Bank, local businesses and PA Council on the Arts.

Kay Jones, chairwoman of the BOA committee, said the arts are a component of revitalization.

“If you think about the major towns that really have become centers for tourism, you think of Lancaster, you think of cities like that. Art has been one of the main drivers. Block of Art is the traditional arts festival, spring arts festival here, and so what we

POTTSVILLE — A broken branch might have been the seminal moment of Pottsville’s Arbor Day festivities Friday at Charles Baber Cemetery.

Arbor Day is a holiday celebrated nationally as a time both to plant trees and recognize their importance in our lives.

Pottsville residents have been doing both for the last 20 to 30 years. Pottsville has been a Tree City USA community for 30 years and in 1999, it began a program in which 10 trees would be planted at the cemetery each year. The first trees, European hornbeams, were planted in 2000. To date, 211 trees have been planted.

In addition to planting trees, dead and decaying trees are removed from the property to prevent harm to cemetery visitors. It was as these events were concluding Friday that a branch from the tulip tree near the main intersection broke off and crashed to the ground.

Once the excitement of the fallen branch subsided, 10 new trees were blessed by the Rev. Canon Clifford B. Carr. Carr blessed six hornbeam trees and four redbud trees. Three flowering dogwoods were re-blessed.

Steven Ziegler, a forester with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resource’s forest bureau, presented Joe Orlowsky, Pottsville Shade Tree Commission chairman, with a banner commemorating the 30 years of service. According to Ziegler, trees have physical, mental and monetary benefits for people. Trees allow the soil to absorb stormwater, and trees in an urban setting yield three to five times their monetary value through better reduced cost for energy, stormwater management and erosion control.

In addition, studies have shown that trees in communities lower stress, lead people to stay outside longer and extend the stay of people traveling through the area.

Orlowsky was presented the Roland Bergner Land & Nature Advocate Award by retired forester and arborist Frank Snyder. Recipients show outstanding dedication and service that benefits the environment in Schuylkill County.

“Joe is truly responsible for planting many of the street trees in Pottsville over the past 19 years,” Snyder said. “Joe’s dedication is summed up in Nelson Henderson’s quote: “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”

Orlowsky said Arbor Day “means planting trees and getting together with people to celebrate the trees.”

“It gives us a place where we’re going to plant trees every year,” Orlowsky said.

Carol Field, a cemetery board member, was pleased with where Pottsville has come in the last two-plus decades with its Arbor Day festivities.

“It gives you such pride that the city cares about its trees as well as the cemetery,” Field said.

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

Deeds

Cressona — Leo Bazar, executor of the Estate of Bessie Bazar, to Leo Bazar and Joseph Bazar; 20 Schuylkill St.; $1.

East Union Township — Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Richie Breganza and Miriam Lucino; Lot 143WSS, Eagle Rock; $46,359.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Virgilio Balanzat and Emma Prollamante; Lot 230WS, Eagle Rock; $28,179.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Ricardo and Emmylou Tam; Lot 91WSS5, Eagle Rock; $46,359.

Gilberton — Kevin P. Yeager to Shawn Bowers; two properties on Main Street; $2,500.

Kevin P. Yeager to Shawn Bowers; property on High Street; $2,500.

Hegins Township — Federal National Mortgage Association to Robert Harold Thompson; 1010 W. Main St., Valley View; $14,000.

Charles L. and Jeannette M. Greenhaus to Charles L. Greenhaus; property on Maple Street, Valley View; $1.

Mahanoy City — Michael and Catherine Sema to Michael T. Sema, Judith M. Illingworth and Kathleen A. Wettstein; 837 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $1.

Deborah Wall, executrix for the Estate of David C. Wall, to Mark T. Aggers; 1005 E. Centre St.; $1.

Mahanoy Township — Joseph Wargo and Sherri A. Hartz to Henry Leary; 392 Roosevelt Drive, New Boston; $7,000.

McAdoo — Miguel Angel Rosas Tello and Sandra Luna Mahuitzl to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation; right of way across 4 N. Kennedy Drive; $1.

Minersville — Zachery and Ashley Smith to Stone Mountain Investments LLC; 245 North St.; $30,000.

English Evangelical Lutheran Church on Minersville to Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; 111 N. Second St.; $1.

North Manheim Township — Bank of America NA to Military Warriors Support Fund; 83 Builtwell Ave., Renninger’s Haven; $39,476.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Hillsboro Inlet LLC; property on Jane Avenue; $1,912.

Charles S. Lorimer to Douglas M. and Melissa A. Purin; 15 Pine View Drive; $265,000.

North Union Township — James Maerker and Mary Jo Lehman to James Maerker and Mary Jo Lehman, trustees of The Maerker-Lehman Revocable Family Trust; Lot 97E, Eagle Rock; $10.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Hillsboro Inlet LLC; property on Camelback Lane; $750.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Hillsboro Inlet LLC; property on Haystack Drive; $1,012.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Hillsboro Inlet LLC; property on Davos Circle; $1,150.

Orwigsburg — Frank P. Snyder and Julia G. Sophy to Frank P. Snyder and Julia G. Sophy; 102 Lantern Green Way; $1.

Pine Grove — Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB to Igloo Series III REO LLC; 7 W. Wood St.; $1.

Igloo Series III REO LLC to Edward and Diane L. Walter; 7 W. Wood St.; $18,000.

Pine Grove Township — William J. Daubert and Kay D. Fessler to Joshua M. and Julie A. Beuchler; 7.06003-acre property; $207,200.

Dustin R. and Jacklyn Ann Varner to Tessa S. Anspach; 39 Laurel Drive; $129,000.

Schuylkill Township — JMAC Realty LLC to Commonwealth Commerce LLC to Steven E. and Cynthia A. Dyrda Hatton; 96.494-acre property; $190,000.

Pottsville — Pamela Jones-Imler and Carol M. Gerhard to Keith M. Hranchock; 215 N. 18th St.; $89,900.

William D. McDonald and Robert R. McDonald, co-executors of the Estate of Frances J. McDonald, to William D. McDonald and Robert R. McDonald; 216 W. Railroad St.; $1.

JLH Development LLC to Tyler Norman; 403 N. Ninth St.; $3,800.

JLH Development LLC to Rafiqa Khan; 409 E. Market St.; $4,260.

Cornelia Zugravu and Alexandru Zugravu to Carlton Clarke; 521 W. Race St.; $25,000.

Pawel and Monika Paterak to Pawel and Monika Paterak; 26 Villa St., York Farm; $1.

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Ayman M. Raafat and Hala F. Amer; 552 E. Norwegian St.; $23,900.

Ringtown — Jason Muraczewski to Heather Davidow; 223 W. Arch St.; $210,000.

Saint Clair — Tammy L. Bowers to Anthony R. and Tammy L. Bowers; 589 Wade Road; $1.

Schuylkill Haven — Kevin D. and Carol Ann Potts to Seth C. Bugajinsky and Emily E. Potts; 205 Haven St.; $82,500.

Cecelia A. Stoyer to Danielle M. Mengel; 433 Hess St.; $1.

Shenandoah — Jason Axler to Orlando Ortega; 433 W. New York St.; $3,000.

Jamielynn Bufogle-Reilly to John Junior Bufogle; 126 N. White St.; $1.

Francis DeVizia to Webster Richards and Mark Richards; 525 W. Lloyd St.; $2,605.

South Manheim Township — Faith Noecker to Kirby T. Slappich; two properties on Stony Mountain Road; $65,000.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Hillsboro Inlet LLC; 2154 Montana Drive, Lake Wynonah; $854.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Hillsboro Inlet LLC; 2166 Montana Drive, Lake Wynonah; $1,436.

William A. Garlow, Thomas B. Garlow, Ann A. Garlow and Steven J. Garlow, trustees of The Garlow Family Irrevocable Trust, to Tyler A. and Abigail L. Buck; 702 W. Deer View Drive; $515,000.

Tamaqua — Albert Burns Jr. to Cassie Fritzinger; 322 Van Gelder St.; $30,000.

The Bank of New York Mellon to Exr LLC; 130 Clay St.; $100.

Washington Township — Alfred D. and Kellie A. Flaim to Alfred D. Flaim; 29 Summer Hill Road; $1.

Christopher M. Reed, by attorney in fact Mary Reed, to Anthony G. Stellar; 2.595-acre property on Tyler Drive; $437,500.

Elizabeth J. Griffiths and Daniel P. Olds to Brandy E. Lehman, Elizabeth J. Griffiths and Daniel P. Olds; 3893 Sweet Arrow Lake Road; $1.

Jacque E. White and Mae L. White, trustees of the Jacque E. White and Mae L. White Revocable Trust, to Jacque E. White and Mae L. White, trustees of the Jacque E. White and Mae L. White Revocable Trust; 116 Covered Bridge Road, Rock; $1.

Wayne Township — Irvin M. Smith IV to Stone Financing LLC; 532 Wynonah Drive, Lake Wynonah; $113,900.

Stone Financing LLC to Rolland III and Gwendolyn Miner; 532 Wynonah Drive, Lake Wynonah; $113,900.

West Brunswick Township — FKV Limited to M&G Realty Inc.; 4.21002-acre property on Route 61; $505,000.

Julia G. Sophy and Frank P. Snyder to Julia G. Sophy and Frank P. Snyder; garage in Pinebrook; $1.

West Mahanoy Township — Carol Dower to Carol Dower and Thomas Dower; 184 Pennsylvania Ave., Shenandoah Heights; $1.

West Penn Township — Elaine R. Sowers to Michele L. Benner; 133 Winter Mountain Drive, Andreas; $1.

POTTSVILLE — On April 18, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:

Michael A. Fickinger, 24, of Ashland; criminal mischief and possession of a controlled substance; one to 12 months in prison, $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $100 in payments to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $957.29 restitution.

John S. Forian, 53, of Tamaqua; false identification to law enforcement, retail theft and theft by deception; six to 23 months in prison, 12 months consecutive probation, $150 in CJEA payments and $1,466.18 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew charges of access device fraud, receiving stolen property, theft and possession of a controlled substance.

Travis I. Gorey, 26, of Port Carbon; nine to 23 months in prison, 12 months consecutive probation, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew charges of carrying a firearm without a license and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Charles P. Hummel Jr., 27, of Pottsville; criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property; four to 12 months in prison, $50 CJEA payment, drug and alcohol evaluation and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of burglary.

Michael A. Kosick, 24, of Pottsville; possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew charges of disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

James M. Mennig, 39, of Schuylkill Haven; fleeing or eluding police, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension; 24 months probation, $200 fine, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew charges of driving under suspension-DUI related and driving unregistered vehicle.

Haley N. Mills, 18, of Ashland; simple assault, resisting arrest and recklessly endangering another person; time served to 23 months in prison and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew charges of aggravated assault and harassment.

Matthew J. Natale, 26, address not known; escape, criminal trespass, escape and flight to avoid apprehension or trial; 27 to 54 months in a state correctional institution, $50 CJEA payment and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and public drunkenness.

All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.

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

A Halifax man died when the motorcycle he was driving collided with a vehicle on Route 147, just south of Mountain Road in Reed Township, Dauphin County, around 8:55 p.m. Thursday.

State police at Lykens said Marvin C. Frye, 56, was driving a 2008 Harley-Davidson motorcycle north on Route 147 when for some reason he crossed over the double yellow line and collided head-on with a 2014 Nissan being driven south by Sharon Louise Warner, 58, also of Halifax.

The crash caused major damage to both vehicles and closed the highway for about three hours, police said.

Police said Frye was pronounced dead at the scene while Warner and her passengers — two juvenile girls — were evaluated at the scene by EMS and then taken to a hospital by family members for further evaluation.

Both vehicles were towed and police said they were assisted by Halifax firefighters, Halifax EMS and the Dauphin County coroner’s office.

POTTSVILLE — A stone arch at Fifth and Market streets collapsed Thursday.

Tom Whitaker, the city’s superintendent of streets, said Friday he was notified by City Hall around 3:30 p.m. that what was thought to be a sinkhole had opened up, although he later realized it was a stone arch.

Workers from the Greater Pottsville Area Sewer Authority responded around 4 p.m., Timothy Yingling, GPASA executive director, said Friday.

“It’s just age. It just happens,” Yingling said of the collapse.

Parts are on order and work will start Monday. It will take about a week to fix, Yingling said.

Workers went back to the scene Friday. Steel plates covered the about 40-foot area. Barricades were erected to block off the area.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

POTTSVILLE — The stained-glass windows were one of the many things to admire at Trinity Episcopal Church during the Block of Art.

“This is the oldest church in Pottsville. Mr. Potts (the founder of Pottsville) gave the land for the church,” Kitty Murray, a member of the church, said.

Murray also served as a tour guide, as the five downtown churches — Trinity Episcopal, Trinity Lutheran, First United Methodist, United Presbyterian and St. Patrick Roman Catholic — were open to visitors during the 12th annual BOA. Saturday was the second day of the arts festival.

Annie Wood, 57, and her son, James, 35, both of Branchdale, were impressed with the church’s features, including the Gothic architecture and wood ceiling.

“This is the best church we’ve seen so far,” Annie said.

The original church was built in 1847. Murray said it had coal dust mixed with plaster in the walls. A stenciled window in a diamond pattern is believed to date back to the original church. Murray said most of the windows in the church have been re-purposed. The windows have a story to tell and are in memory of someone. For example, a 1906 Tiffany window in the church’s St. Luke’s Chapel depicts Christ in the Garden Of Gethsemane.

“We are very proud of our church,” Murray said.

Dianne Boczkowski, Frackville, believes they should be proud.

“It was well worth the stop,” she said.

It was Boczkowski’s first time attending the BOA festivities.

“It was a beautiful way to spend the afternoon,” she said.

Mark Wade, Burke, Virginia, was in the area visiting his parents and decided to check out BOA activities. His daughters, Kaitlyn, 12, and Ashley Wade, 8, made recycled buttons and painted small rocks. Wade said Kaitlyn takes art classes and loves art. She was painting flowers on a green rock. She said she drew her inspiration from a rock that was already painted and sitting to dry.

In other areas of the city, seniors who use Diakon Community Services had their artwork on display at the Pottsville Senior Community Center and the Pottsville Free Public Library had children’s activities and an artist showcase.

Mark Atkinson, city councilman, took in some of the events Saturday.

“It’s a great event for the city,” he said.

The BOA continues today with a brunch with the artists from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Greystone restaurant, 315 N. Centre St.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

POTTSVILLE — If not for the keen eye of a Georgia woman with Schuylkill County roots, some long-lost history of the Humane Fire Company No. 1 of Pottsville might never have made it home.

The Humane Fire Company No. 1 had a re-dedication of the Humane Fire Company banner and a collection of photos Saturday.

Susan Kesler, who has family in Mahanoy City, was at Woodstock Antiques & Consignments store, Acworth, Georgia, in 2013 when something caught her attention. She noticed a large portrait of 100 fire company members in 1892 of what was then the Humane Hose and Steam Fire Engine Company No. 1.

“I can’t believe something like that got away from the old place,” she said of the old fire company on North Third and Minersville streets.

The building was knocked down in the 1960s and the current firehouse, at 200 Humane Ave., built in 1969. Some items were auctioned off because of space constraints or other reasons, fire company members said.

Kesler did what she could to try to have the 7-by-7 foot framed piece of history back at its rightful home. Twice the piece was sold, but the buyer didn’t pay the remainder of the money, so it sat there. She had to do something.

“Twice it didn’t go through. After the second time, I said that’s my clue,” she said.

She was right, but it would take more than her persistence to bring the Pottsville history home.

She contacted Mike Kitsock, past president of the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society. He in turn spoke to others and enough money was raised — about $5,000 — to purchase the framed piece and bring it home.

“It took a multiyear effort. This was something worthy of bringing back to Schuylkill County to Pottsville,” he said.

The framed collection of photos arrived at the fire company last year and was hung March 15. Because of the collection’s weight — about 400 pounds — additional work had to be done to make sure the wall could support it.

The banner, which had been at the Winterthur Museum, Delaware since 1995, arrived March 15 after being repaired. Students at the museum started repairing it as early as 2003. The cost for the frame and housing was about $3,500, Joe Spotts, president of the Humane Fire Company, said.

Before being found in 1995, the banner was rolled up behind a safe.

Both pieces of history are right where they belong, Spotts said.

Tom Lowe, 63, of Frackville, remembers looking at the large framed photographs when he was 13 when it was at the old firehouse. His father was a member of the Humane Fire Company. Looking at it brings back memories of the building, he said.

“I am happy it came back. It was a journey,” he said.

Kesler is glad she could play a role in preserving the past.

“History should never be forgotten,” she said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

This is your absolute last chance to see what’s left of the brilliant winter constellations in the Pottsville western sky. They’re just about lost below the western horizon at the end of twilight, not to be seen again in the evening until late next autumn when they re-emerge above the eastern horizon.

Since Christmas, the bright constellation Orion and his surrounding posse of shining stars have been lighting up the evening skies, but they’re getting the hook! As the Earth continues its annual journey around the sun, we’re turning away from the direction of space occupied by Orion and company, and are now pointing in the direction of the noticeably less brilliant constellations of springtime.

While there’s still a little time left to see it after these later spring sunsets, Orion is already partially set in the west. You can still barely see the three bright stars in a row that outline the great hunter’s belt hovering above the horizon. Above the belt is the bright star Betelgeuse, in the armpit of Orion.

The brightest member of Orion’s gang right now is just renting out space. It’s the extremely bright planet Venus, the next-door neighbor planet to Earth. As bright as it is, Venus is not all that great of a telescope target because it has a permanent global cloud cover. The shroud of clouds is very reflective, and the sunlight that bounces off it makes Venus bright, but also hides the surface. Don’t wait too long to look at Venus because it also sinks below the horizon very early in the evening, by around 9:30 p.m.

While Venus makes a pretty quick exit in the western sky in the early evening, the bright planet Jupiter is just getting started, rising in the low southeast. This month, Jupiter reaches what astronomers call opposition. That’s when Jupiter and our sun are on opposite sides of the celestial sphere. Because of that, as soon as the sun sets below the northwest horizon Jupiter rises in the southeast sky, and is visible all night long. It’s also the time when Jupiter and the moon are at their minimum distance from each other. This year, Jupiter and the Earth reach within 410 million miles of each other.

Through even a small telescope, you can resolve the disk of the planet that’s more than 88,000 miles in diameter. You might even see some of Jupiter’s cloud bands that stripe the planet. For sure, you’ll see up to four of Jupiter’s brightest moons that appear as tiny “stars” on either side of Jupiter. If possible, wait until after 10 p.m. to check out Jupiter with your telescope. By then, it will be high in the sky and less susceptible to the blurring effects of Earth’s thicker atmospheric layers closer to the horizon. I’ll have much more on Jupiter later.

In the high south-southwestern sky, you can easily spot the bright constellation Leo the Lion. The right side of Leo is a distinctive backward question mark of stars with Leo’s brightest star, Regulus, marking the period of the question mark. The backward question mark outlines the chest and head of the celestial lion, and Regulus denotes the heart of the super-sized feline.

The constellation Bootes the Hunting Farmer dominates the eastern half of the sky and is leading in the summer constellations. Bootes actually looks more like a big kite with the bright star Arcturus at the tail of the kite. In the lower southeastern sky, not far from Arcturus and Bootes, is the large but faint constellation Virgo the Virgin. Spica is Virgo’s brightest star and honestly, it’s the only star in Virgo that jumps out at you.

If you face north and look nearly overhead this month, the Big Dipper will appear to be dumping out on top of you. The Big Dipper is always upside down in the evening this time of year, and according to old American folklore that’s why we have so much rain in the spring, mostly on the weekends, of course. Technically, the Big Dipper is only the rear end and tail of the constellation Ursa Major, the Big Bear, but it is the brightest part of the great beast.

If you’re a late-night stargazer, Mars and Saturn will be available with both of them above the southeast horizon by 1 a.m. or so. Mars sports a distinctly reddish hue. Later on this summer, Mars will be as close as it’s been to Earth since 2003 and also as close as it’s been to our world in 60,000 years.

Stay tuned! It’s going to end up being a Mars summer!

(Lynch, an amateur astronomer and professional broadcast meteorologist, can be reached at mikewlynch@comcast.net)

NEW PHILADELPHIA — Representatives of coroner’s offices from nine counties attended Saturday’s Seventh Annual Forensic Symposium sponsored by the Schuylkill County Coroner’s Office.

In addition to county officials, the Pennsylvania State Police were represented along with the U.S. Department of Public Health.

Dr. David J. Moylan III, Schuylkill County coroner, said the 2018 conference is geared toward the ever-increasing use of opioids that result not only in overdoses but often times death.

James Nettles, Foster Township police chief and a retired state police trooper after 31 years, spoke on the topic entitled “There is a Killer Out There,” referring to increasing deaths related to both heroin and methamphetamine.

Nettles, who has worked with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and served as a Schuylkill County chief deputy coroner, said the drugs of choice on the street are heroin, fentanyl, heroin cut with fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Although heroin is the cheapest drug, Nettles said that methamphetamine use seems to be on the upswing as the drug of choice.

All of the drugs can be deadly but due to its cost and availability, heroin overdoses are the most prevalent.

“Heroin overdoses caused more deaths than traffic accidents in recent years,” he said.

Along with the increase in overdose cases and deaths, the drug epidemic is bringing with it an increase in property crimes, including burglaries.

Nettles said that in order to combat the increasing drug use, additional people are needed on the law enforcement end, such as drug task forces.

Nettles said community support is needed to report drug usage and law enforcement must have the confidence that once an arrest is made the judicial system does not fail.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Richard Bindie utilized a PowerPoint presentation to highlight scenes from deaths in Schuylkill, Berks and Luzerne counties that he participated on over the years.

Bindie discussed deaths ranging from gunshot wounds and motor vehicle accidents to suicides and natural causes.

He stressed that the collection of forensic evidence plays a vital role in today’s criminal investigations, even though at the time it may not appear to be relevant.

“It may not be important now but it could be invaluable 10 years later when a suspect is in custody,” he said.

Other presenters scheduled were Donna Papsun, Expert Services, NMS Labs, to speak on “Using Human Osteology and Paleopathological Methods to Support Forensic Investigations;” state police Trooper Robert Wessner of the Forensic Services Unit based at Troop L headquarters, Reading; and Joanne Devlin, PhD, Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, of the Tennessee Body Farm.

Counties represented at the symposium, in addition to Schuylkill, were Lebanon, Wayne, Washington, Franklin, Lancaster, Berks, Carbon and Lehigh as well as the City of Harrisburg.

Moylan stressed the importance of the forensic symposium sessions, saying they are a way to educate deputy coroners across the state.

“We will constantly train and strive to educate ourselves on the latest investigative techniques,” Moylan said.

He said that although the symposiums are held on an annual basis, training and education are a daily thing for those in his office.

“We are committed to rising above normal expectations and strive to be cutting edge in our approach to the service of the citizens of Schuylkill County,” the coroner said.

Moylan also said that those attending Saturday’s session receive eight hours of continuing education credits through the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.

Moylan said more than 60 people attended the 2018 symposium and that he hopes the number of participants increases each year.

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

The state Department of Transportation has several projects planned for Schuylkill County roadways this week, according to Sean A. Brown, safety press officer for PennDOT District 5, Allentown.

The projects, to be done from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., include:

• Pothole patching from Monday through Thursday on Interstate 81 between Exit 104 (Route 125) and Exit 112 (Route 25) with lane restrictions

• Pothole patching from Monday through Thursday on I-81 in Butler and New Castle townships between Exit 119 (Highridge Park Road) and Exit 124 (Route 61) with lane restrictions and flagging

• Pothole patching from Monday through Thursday on I-81 in Delano and Kline townships between Exit 131 (Route 54) and the Luzerne County line with lane restrictions

• Shoulder work/widening Monday through Friday on Route 339 between Mahanoy City and Brandonville with lane restrictions and flagging

• Paving from Monday through Friday on Route 443 in West Penn Township between New Ringgold and South Tamaqua with lane restrictions and flagging.

• Pothole patching from Monday through Friday on Route 443 between Route 61 and New Philadelphia Road with lane restrictions and flagging.

• Pothole patching from Monday through Friday on Route 61 in East Norwegian, New Castle and Butler townships between Pottsville and Ashland with lane restriction and flagging

• Paving from Monday through Friday on Route 895 in West Penn Township between New Ringgold and Route 309 with lane restrictions and flagging

• Inspection on I-81 in Frailey Township on May 8 on Route 443 between Exit 107 (Route 209) and Exit 112 (Route 25) with lane restrictions and flagging

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting 511PA.com, which provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 825 traffic cameras. The 511PA service is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices by calling 5-1-1 or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website. Follow regional PennDOT information on Twitter at twitter.com/511PAAllentown.

At the beginning of the 20th century, John Mitchell, “the boy president” of the United Mine Workers, stormed into the anthracite region and convinced miners, underpaid and exploited, that the coal they mined wasn’t “Slavish, Polish or Irish coal, it’s coal.”

When on Sept. 17, 1901, the UMW issued a call to strike, more than 125,000 miners walked off the job. At the vanguard were miners in the Lehigh and Schuylkill fields. It was a long, bitter strike that hurt everyone. Miners lost their wages, stores closed, entire families had to go to work, earning barely enough to survive. Many left the region to seek jobs elsewhere and never returned.

When the strike was finally settled in March 1903, miners received a 10-percent wage increase, a sliding wage scale and an 8-hour workday for several categories of miners. Pleading the miners’ cause before the Anthracite Coal Commission, the national board assembled by President Theodore Roosevelt to arbitrate, Clarence Darrow, “attorney for the damned,” proclaimed that, above all, miners had won a moral and spiritual victory.

“They (financial interests, such as those of J. P. Morgan, controlling the mines) are fighting for slavery, while we are fighting for freedom. They are fighting for the rule of man over man, for despotism, for darkness, for the past. We are striving to build up man. We are working for democracy, for humanity, for the future...”

In France, this month has become a month of strikes: railway and airline workers, civil servants and students have walked off the job or out of the classroom to protest government policy and make their demands heard. Airline workers are demanding higher wages. Railway workers and students are fighting for the preservation of what they call “le modèle républicain,” a model of public service and equal opportunity representing the ideals of the French Republic.

In this French model, general interest takes precedence over the individual, and civil servants — who may be teachers, secretaries, doctors, nurses, economists or high-ranking government officials — work for the good of the nation. Railway workers, although not civil servants, work for the national rail company that still belongs in large part, at least for the moment, to the state. They too have a mission of service, and the development and maintenance of the rail system continues to be financed by the taxpayer.

I’ve lived in France for 30 years and I have benefited from “le modèle républicain.” To begin, there is the national health system. When I compare my benefits to those of friends or family in the States, I would say I receive better care for a more affordable price. I also depend on reliable, reasonably priced public transportation. When I retire, I’ll receive a public pension. For the moment, as a university professor, I am one of those civil servants serving the nation by educating its young people. I am “in the system,” and I believe the system is good.

President Macron does not share my belief, and this may be the crux of current strikes, although it all started with the SNCF, the French national rail company. The president and his majority in Parliament have voted to put an end to the “special status” of rail workers, first put in place in 1909, but considerably modified since. This means railway workers can retire earlier than the national retirement age of 62; they have 28 days of paid vacation per year (the average in France is 33) and once they’ve completed a long training and probationary period, they are guaranteed employment for life.

Claiming to be carrying out directives issued by the European Union, the government has voted to privatize passenger service in France in 2020 and put an end to the “special status” for new recruits in the same year. The law also contains many technical components concerning the legal status of the SNCF and the payment of the company’s extensive debt, due in large part to the development of the TGV, high-speed trains.

Except for specialists, few can truly grasp, as the French like to say, “the complexities of the dossier.” Yet, concerning the strike of the “cheminots,” railway workers, everybody has an opinion, and this may be because something else is at stake. Many feel Macron’s government has declared war on “le service public” and “le modèle républicain.”

For the entire month of April, my university has been closed by striking students. For me, this has meant being glued to my computer, doing most of my work online. My eyes, neck and wrists are aching, but this may be a blessing in disguise: the trains that carry me back and forth to work have been canceled because of the rail strike.

Striking students are protesting what they fear will become a system of selective admissions to enter university. Currently, public universities are open to anyone with the French high school diploma called “le baccalauréat.” At the end of high school, students all over France take a series of national exams. If they pass, they are guaranteed a place in a university where their education is basically free.

From my experience, first-year university studies in France often turn into a free-for-all, leading to the survival of the fittest, natural selection that roots out about two-thirds of new students. Beginning this year, students will apply, much like in the USA, and places will be limited from the start. For many students, this puts an end to their equal opportunity to study what they choose, where they choose, as is the past.

In 1902, miners went on strike for dignity and decency. Today, life is easier, but the issues worth fighting for are less clear-cut. Macron wants to reform France. He is pushing through new laws, for the university, the national rail system and much more, leaving the French stunned by the speed of change. Seeking to place services in the hands of the private sector, he is counting on enterprising individuals to “make France great again.”

If he succeeds, he’ll seriously shake up le modèle républicain. He is certainly “working for the future,” but only time will tell if he is also “working for democracy and humanity,” to echo Clarence Darrow’s words.

(Honicker can be reached at honicker.republicanherald@gmail.com)

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey announced that three bills he created to address the ongoing opioid crisis have passed a vote in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, as a part of the Opioid Crisis Response Act.

Casey, D-Pa., said in a news release the legislation aims to improve the nation’s ability to prevent and treat opioid use disorder across the country.

“Whether working to prevent illicit fentanyl trafficking, helping opioid-dependent mothers and infants or assisting in the implementation of plans of safe care, these bills will do a great deal to strengthen our defenses as we continue to fight the opioid epidemic,” he said.

Casey said the Protecting Moms and Infants Act builds on his and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s 2015 bill, the Protecting Our Infants Act, which was first federal law to address prenatal opioid exposure. The new legislation requests the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to provide Congress with a report on the implementation of the strategies developed as required by the original act and authorizes an increase in funding for a competitive federal grant that promotes access to residential treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women.

The Supporting Infant Plans of Safe Care Implementation Act aims to improve legislation that strengthened the plan of safe care policy and increased states’ accountability and compliance, in order to save the lives of vulnerable infants whose mothers used opioids during pregnancy. It would help states find the resources to serve all of the children impacted by the opioid epidemic.

The Restricting Entrance and Strengthening the Requirements on Import Controls for Trafficking (RESTRICT) Illicit Drugs Act modernizes the Food and Drug Administration’s authority to help address importation of illegal drugs like opioids and other synthetic drugs.

Casey also has introduced the Medicare Beneficiary Opioid Addiction Treatment Act, which would break down existing barriers to treatment by providing coverage for methadone under Medicare Part B and allowing senior citizens and people with disabilities to receive the medication in their doctor’s office.

City police probe

death at prison

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville police are investigating a death at the Schuylkill County Prison.

Police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky said the deceased is a 37-year-old inmate at the jail.

He said the death was reported to police by prison officials at approximately 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

Wojciechowsky said an autopsy has been scheduled and the investigation is continuing.

Police: Man stole,

fled, was tased

ASHLAND — A borough man was jailed Thursday charged by Ashland police with a theft at a borough business and then fleeing from officers who were trying to take him into custody.

Police said Steve J. Manley, 46, of 1002 Walnut St., was charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, retail theft, prohibited acts-possession of drug paraphernalia and flight to avoid apprehension, trial or punishment.

Manley was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post 10 percent of $2,500 bail.

Police said officers were called to the Rite Aid Pharmacy, 129 E. Centre St., around 4:30 p.m. for a retail theft and learned the man responsible exited the business and entered the nearby Dollar General.

Police said they found Manley, who fit the shoplifter’s description, and while trying to take him into custody he resisted, broke free and fled on foot.

Officers used a Taser weapon but that did not faze Manley who fled on foot onto Mahanoy Avenue, where he was detained by a private citizen and finally taken into custody, police said.

When searched, police said, Manley was found with several stolen items as well as a small amount of methamphetamine and items of drug paraphernalia.

Police said officers were assisted by Butler Township police Patrolman Ray Horan and Schuylkill County Sheriff Joseph Groody.

Williamstown teen

faces charges

WILLIAMSTOWN — State police at Lykens reported charging a 14-year-old Williamstown girl with harassment after an incident last year in Wiconisco Township, Dauphin County.

Police said the girl harassed, annoyed or alarmed a 13-year-old girl by threatening her both on social media and in person in November.

Police said that on Thursday, they charged the 14-year-old with harassment and she will now have to appear for a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Rebecca Margerum, Elizabethville.

Police investigate

hit-and-run crash

WILLIAMSTOWN — State police at Lykens are investigating a hit-and-run crash that occurred on East Market Street in this Dauphin County community around 7:40 p.m. Monday.

Police said an unidentified driver was traveling east and struck the left side mirror of a legally parked 2014 Ford Focus before fleeing the area.

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

Deeds

East Union Township — Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Barry and Cheryl Miller; Lot 231ER, Eagle Rock; $53,213.22. Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Jesus and Cecelia Soliman; Lot 241WS, Eagle Rock; $43,329.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Edelyn DeLeon and Danjal Jakup Hansen; Lot 390WS, Eagle Rock; $35,249.

Winston and Randielyn Cabrera to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 10HF4, Eagle Rock; $10.

Marciana L. Jacob to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 154HF4, Eagle Rock; $10.

Mahanoy City — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Country Q LLC; 335 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $3,513.37.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Country Q LLC; 405 W. Mahanoy Ave.; $1,390.06.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Country Q LLC; 731 E. Pine St.; $448.71.

Minersville — Carol A. Palmer to Kristen M. Braukus; 202 N. Fourth St.; $1.

Paul James Brennan, individually and as executor under the Last Will & Testament of Francis Brennan, to D&L Development Inc.; 16 Gallo St.; $17,500.

North Union Township — Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Laurence Danez; Lot 100EA, Eagle Rock; $49,389.

Pine Grove — Forino Co. LP to Ronald M. and Elizabeth A. Ashcraft; 5 Ridge Vista Drive; $1.

Pottsville — Barbara S. Charowsky, executrix of the Estate of William B. Shugars, to David R. Sherry; two properties; $122,000.

Schuylkill Haven — MPS LLC to Alex Selinger and Megan McCord; 322 St. John St.; $109,000.

Tremont — The Bank of New York Mellon to Travis Lane Michael;106 W. Main St.; $5,600.

POTTSVILLE — A sign honoring U.S. Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan — the first female postmaster general — was installed Thursday along West Market Street.

The sign announces her accomplishment and is not far from the Welcome to Pottsville sign seen while driving east into the city.

Brennan became the 74th postmaster general in February 2015. She is a 1980 graduate of Nativity BVM High School and the 2014 distinguished alumna.

“It’s certainly a notable accomplishment,” City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said Friday.

He said everyone should be proud of the historic milestone. The sign was unveiled at annual Friends of St. Patrick luncheon at The Lodge at Sharp Mountain in March.

Pottsville Mayor James T. Muldowney said Friday the recognition is well deserved. He said Brennan never forgot her hometown upbringing.

“She was raised by great parents,” he said.

He said the achievement “sends a message to every little small town that great people come from somewhere.”

Palamar said it shows that “hard work does pay off.”

City council member Joe Devine said the sign was paid for by the CACL Federal Credit Union. The idea to honor Brennan is a joint effort by the city and the credit union.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

POTTSVILLE — A Shenandoah man is headed to state prison after admitting Wednesday to a Schuylkill County judge that he sold drugs in October 2016 in his hometown.

Frederick R. Edwards, 34, must serve 21 to 48 months in a state correctional institution, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin ruled. Dolbin made the sentence effective at 10 a.m. May 2.

Edwards pleaded guilty to deliver of a controlled substance. Prosecutors withdrew charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

As part of the plea agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, Dolbin also sentenced Edwards to pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Shenandoah police charged Edwards with selling drugs on Oct. 11, 2016, in the borough.

Dolbin also accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:

Sherry A. Ballard, 51, of Shenandoah; two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one of driving under suspension; time served to 12 months in prison with immediate parole, $400 fine, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew two counts each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of prohibited offensive weapon and one each of possession of drug paraphernalia and improper turning movements.

Kyle J. Castellano, 26, of Pottsville; fraudulent or altered documents and driving under suspension; 24 months probation consecutive to current sentence, $200 fine and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew charges of violation of certificate of inspection and operating vehicle without valid inspection.

Carlos A. Cruz, 19, of Ashland; recklessly endangering another person, criminal mischief, violation of firearms ordinance, theft and receiving stolen property; six to 23 months in prison, 12 months probation, $125 in fines and $100 in CJEA payments. Prosecutors withdrew charges of discharge of firearm into occupied structure and robbery.

Amber L. Faust, 30, of Schuylkill Haven; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation consecutive to current sentence, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment.

Rose M. Fedornak, 53, of Minersville; two counts of driving under the influence and one each of driving without a license and driving under suspension; six months to five years in prison, $3,800 in fines, $200 in SAEF payments, $100 in CJEA payments, $640 restitution to Lehigh Valley Health Network and 60 hours community service, with sentence effective at 9 a.m. May 3. Prosecutors withdrew charges of criminal mischief and damaging real property by operation of motor vehicle.

Brandon J. Fees, 23, of Saint Clair; simple assault and criminal mischief; 23 months probation, $50 CJEA payment and $1,411.50 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew charges of recklessly endangering another person and harassment.

Paul S. Hutnick, 48, of Dillsburg; criminal trespass, loitering and prowling at nighttime, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief and two counts of harassment; presentence investigation ordered, sentencing scheduled for 2:15 p.m. May 29. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of burglary.

William Kline Jr., 36, of Pottsville; sexual abuse of children-child pornography; three years probation, $50 CJEA payment, sexual offender evaluation and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Alexandros Kluginiotis, 27, of West Hazleton; disorderly conduct; $100 fine. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of open lewdness.

Crystal Linn, 39, of Minersville; three counts of DUI; 24 months in the intermediate punishment program, $300 fine, $100 SAEF payment, $100 in CJEA payments and 40 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew three counts of disorderly conduct and one each of public drunkenness and harassment.

Jonathan G. Manness, 33, of Cumbola; two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $200 in SAEF payments and $100 in CJEA payments. Prosecutors withdrew charges of public consumption of alcohol and disorderly conduct.

Rachel T. Markus, 36, of Minersville; retail theft; 18 months probation, $50 CJEA payment and $50 restitution.

Shane M. McNulty, 25, of Schuylkill Haven; two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one of possession of drug paraphernalia; 24 months probation, $300 in SAEF payments, $150 in CJEA payments, $352 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Harrisburg and $170 restitution to the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force. Prosecutors withdrew two additional counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and one additional count of possession of a controlled substance.

Randy A. Ramer, 44, of Herndon; selling obscene or sexual materials; three years probation concurrent to Northumberland County sentence and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of harassment and one of disorderly conduct.

Heather L. Reed, 29, of Pottsville; two counts of retail theft and one of possession of a controlled substance; 24 months probation, $100 SAEF payment and $100 in CJEA payments.

Patrick Reighard, 54, of Pottsville; arson, reckless burning and dangerous burning; five to 10 years in a state correctional institution, two years consecutive probation, $100 in CJEA payments and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities, with sentence effective at 10 a.m. May 2. Prosecutors withdrew four additional counts of arson, three of reckless burning, three counts of recklessly endangering another person and one each of aggravated arson, causing a catastrophe and failure to report or control a dangerous fire.

Isaiah M. Santiago, 19, of Shenandoah; unauthorized use of a motor vehicle; time served to 33 months in prison with immediate parole and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew charges of theft, receiving stolen property and possessing instrument of crime.

Mark J. Schlauch, 29, of Zion Grove; possessing a firearm with altered number; five to 10 years in a state correctional institution, $50 CJEA payment and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew charges of receiving stolen property and prohibited possession of firearm.

Lorraine E. Searfoss, 50, of McAdoo; two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and one of possession of a controlled substance; three years probation, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and drug and alcohol evaluation. Prosecutors withdrew charges of operation of a methamphetamine laboratory, conspiracy and possession of red phosphorous.

Allison K. Serfass, 32, address not known; retail theft and possession of a controlled substance; three to 12 months in prison, $50 CJEA payment and $176 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, with sentence effective at 10 a.m. May 2. Prosecutors withdrew an additional count of possession of a controlled substance.

Joshua C. Spector, 38, of Pottsville; criminal trespass, theft, criminal mischief and possession of drug paraphernalia; time served to 23 months in prison, 12 months consecutive probation, $200 fine, $100 SAEF payment, $100 in CJEA payments, $5,019 restitution and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew charges of burglary and receiving stolen property.

John A. Swank, 37, of Southampton; simple assault and public drunkenness; 23 months probation, $100 fine and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew charges of aggravated assault, disorderly conduct and harassment.

Anario M. Thompson, 30, of Pottsville; driving under suspension; $200 fine. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Diandre E. Williams, 38, of Pottsville; tampering with evidence and resisting arrest; six to 24 months in a state correctional institution and $50 CJEA payment, with sentence effective at 10 a.m. May 7. Prosecutors withdrew charges of possession of a controlled substance, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

In other criminal court action, a Pottsville woman will not have to serve more time in state prison after a Schuylkill County judge sentenced her Tuesday in two additional cases.

Kassidy N. Bowers, 22, will spend 18 months on probation in each case, President Judge William E. Baldwin decided. However, after some hesitation, Baldwin made the sentences concurrent with each other and the prison term Bowers already is serving.

Baldwin imposed the sentences after officials removed Bowers from the state intermediate punishment program.

Bowers, who wore a prison jumpsuit through the hearing, originally pleaded guilty on June 1, 2016, to a charge of retail theft in each case. At the time, Baldwin placed her on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced her to pay costs, $100 to the CJEA and a $180 bench warrant fee, all of which she still must pay under the terms of Tuesday’s sentence.

State police at Schuylkill Haven charged Bowers with committing the one theft on June 14, 2015, in Norwegian Township, while Saint Clair police charged her with committing the other on July 18, 2015, in the borough.

Bowers already is serving nine to 24 months in a state correctional institution from sentences in other cases.

Also on Tuesday, Baldwin revoked the parole of Lyndsey T. Stevenosky, 26, of Pottsville, and recommitted her to prison. He made her ineligible for parole except to a long-term rehabilitation center.

Baldwin revoked Stevenosky’s parole after the defendant admitted violating it by failing to report to her supervising officer, using drugs, failing a drug test and not completing drug and alcohol treatment.

Stevenosky, who wore handcuffs and a prison jumpsuit through Tuesday’s hearing, originally pleaded guilty on April 22, 2015, to possession of drug paraphernalia. At the time, Baldwin placed her on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced her to pay costs and a $50 bench warrant fee.

Pottsville police charged Stevenosky with possessing paraphernalia on July 27, 2014, in the city.

In another Tuesday case, Baldwin revoked the parole of Victor R. Ortiz, 45, of Harrisburg, recommitted him to prison and ordered him to submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Ortiz originally pleaded guilty on Jan. 18, 2017, to four counts of retail theft, with prosecutors withdrawing four counts of receiving stolen property. At that time, Baldwin sentenced Ortiz to serve six to 12 months in prison and pay costs, a $50 CJEA payment, a $50 bench warrant fee and $976.13 restitution, all of which he still must pay under the terms of Tuesday’s sentence.

State police at Schuylkill Haven charged Ortiz with committing the theft on June 22, 2016, in Hegins Township.

In more court action, two southern Schuylkill County men each admitted Wednesday that he violated a protection from abuse order.

Russell J. Brown, 51, of Schuylkill Haven, and Brent A. Evans, 46, of Orwigsburg, each pleaded guilty to indirect criminal contempt, which is contempt committed outside the courtroom.

Senior Judge D. Michael Stine accepted their pleas. He sentenced Brown to serve 20 days in prison and pay costs and a $300 fine, and sentenced Evans to time served to three months in prison with immediate parole and to pay costs and a $300 fine.

State police at Schuylkill Haven filed the charge against each man.

They alleged Brown violated the order by going to the victim’s residence on April 6.

“That’s the issue that got him in trouble,” Stine said.

“I understand that. I would like to leave Schuylkill County,” Brown answered.

Police also charged Evans with violating the order against him on March 26 at the residence of his mother, Joan L. Evans, by assaulting his son.

“I called the police because he was in an altercation with my grandson,” Joan Evans testified. “I told my son, ‘This has to stop.’ ”

The defendant testified his son has a drug problem.

“It has nothing to do with my mother at all. She got mad. She yelled at me,” he said. “Right now, I’m stuck. I was trying to do the right thing.”

Stine advised Brent Evans to find another place to live.

“This is like oil and water,” he said.

In the most recent county court action, a Northampton County man has to spend extra time behind state prison bars after a Schuylkill County judge sentenced him Thursday for his role in trying to smuggle a drug into State Correctional Institution/Mahanoy.

Robert D. Richardson, 38, of Easton, must serve one to four years in a state correctional institution, Judge James P. Goodman decided. Goodman made the prison term consecutive to one from Northampton County that Richardson already is serving for retail theft, meaning the defendant must spend 3 1/4 to 10 years in a state correctional institution.

Richardson pleaded guilty to conspiracy, with prosecutors withdrawing two additional counts of the same crime. The state Department of Corrections alleged that between Aug. 1 and Oct. 27, 2016, Richardson asked his girlfriend to smuggle Suboxone into SCI/Mahanoy.

Goodman also sentenced Richardson to pay costs, $100 to the SAEF and $176 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Richardson already is an inmate at SCI/Coal Township in Northumberland County, and Goodman conducted the hearing by videoconference.

All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.

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

Schuylkill County District Attorney Michael A. O’Pake and the Schuylkill County detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a man wanted for failing to make a required court appearance.

Detectives said Jason Brad Lucas failed to appear at the Schuylkill County Courthouse on March 27 for a court appearance to select a jury.

The original charges against Lucas are two felony counts of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance and one felony count of conspiracy.

Detectives said Lucas is white, 40 years old, about 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs about 200 pounds. He has a last known address of 538 W. Center St., Donaldson.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lucas or on any other fugitive in Schuylkill County is asked to call the district attorney’s office at 570-628-1350 or the Schuylkill County Tip Line at 570-624-3988.

Information can also be submitted via email to dadd@co.schuylkill.pa.us.

In addition, anyone who may see or come in contact with Lucas is asked to call the Schuylkill County Communications Center or the local police department immediately.

All information received will remain confidential.

A list of Schuylkill County bench warrants is available at www.co.schuylkill.pa.us.

Fugitive warrants served for April totaled 71 bringing the total so far in 2018 to 343.

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