Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate race will pit two brand names against each other.

Robert P. Casey Jr. — Sen. Bob Casey everywhere but on the election ballot — carries a Democratic political brand name established decades ago by his father, the late Gov. Robert P. Casey Sr.

Casey’s opponent, U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, a Republican well-known locally, lacks a similar statewide brand name, but he can count on the help of a man who’s an actual brand: Donald Trump. The Republican president’s name has adorned a wide variety of investments, some as small as a belt buckle.

The Senate contest between Casey, 58, of Scranton, and Barletta, 62, of Hazleton, undoubtedly will center on Trump, Barletta’s close connection to the president, and whether Casey can turn it to his advantage.

“He, more than any other candidate I can think of, will rise and fall with President Trump’s standing,” said Christopher Borick, Ph.D., Muhlenberg College pollster and longtime state politics analyst. “He is absolutely tethered to the president..

A popular Trump by November improves Barletta’s chances; an unpopular one ends them.

“I could see Casey still winning even if the president has a moderate resurgence simply because he’s not an easy mark for Republicans,” Borick said.

Both earn $174,000 a year, and will if elected to the Senate.

In his first Senate run, Casey fastened an unpopular political brand name, President George W. Bush, to incumbent Republican Sen. Rick Santorum and won by 17 percentage points, a rout unusual in a state known for close elections.

Casey, who won re-election in 2012, doesn’t dispute Trump’s role in this, his third run for Senate, and expects “a tough race against a tough opponent in a very difficult state.”

“We’ve got a state that is not blue or red, it’s purple,” he said. “That means depending on the year, it could tilt either way.”

As one of Trump’s first congressional supporters, Barletta welcomes efforts to paint him into Trump’s corner. In an interview, the congressman, once owner of a successful highway line-painting business, practically offered Casey the paint. Not only does he expect Trump to campaign for him, he will welcome the help, he said. Santorum distanced himself from Bush.

“There’s no way I’m going to apologize for his policies or his agenda that have the economy soaring, people feeling very confident again, wages rising, ISIS just about gone, North Korea coming to the table, the wall’s being built (on the Mexican border), unemployment’s at 3.9 percent, the stock market’s (up) over 20 percent, black unemployment’s at an all-time low, Hispanic unemployment’s at an all-time low,” Barletta said. “What’s there to apologize for?”

Two well-known Northeast Pennsylvanians have faced each other for a major statewide office before. In 1986, the senator’s father faced Lt. Gov. William W. Scranton III, the son of former Gov. William W. Scranton Jr., a staunch Republican who embodied the word “moderate.”

Barletta considers himself a moderate, but Democrats have deemed him a radical for years, starting with his crusade as Hazleton mayor against illegal immigration that brought him national acclaim and condemnation.

Barletta loves to talk about the December 2005 day that he sought help combatting illegal immigration in a meeting in Washington with Justice Department officials, who listened politely, handed him a keepsake coffee mug, patted his back and never did a thing.

A few months later, an immigrant living in the country illegally killed a Hazleton resident and Barletta pushed through city laws targeting businesses who hire immigrants who enter the country illegally and landlords who rent to them. Federal courts struck down the laws, leaving Hazleton with a massive legal bill. On his third try, voters elected Barletta to Congress over a 26-year incumbent Democrat, Rep. Paul Kanjorski, Nanticoke.

Barletta said Casey does nothing but obstruct the president’s agenda. The senator voted against the Trump-backed tax cut that Republicans say put an average of $1,000 in the pockets of more than 90 percent of Americans, he said. Casey also backed the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, that Barletta and Republicans blame for raising health insurance premiums.

Unlike Casey, the fourth-term congressman said, he has gotten things done. He has pushed policies that saved $3.7 billion on federal building leases; fought for money-saving public-private partnerships for other federal offices; supported an after-school program that targets troubled students and fought to restore federal funding for after-school programs; and fought to revamp programs meant to mitigate disasters before they happen.

He said he remains a leading voice against illegal immigration and for protecting animals.

“I don’t know what he’s done,” Barletta said of Casey. “Most people tell me they can’t name anything he’s done.”

Casey’s campaign produces a long list of accomplishments over his first two terms. The senator highlights four — a law that allows tax breaks for Americans with disabilities who save for future care expenses; another that requires uniform reporting of college sexual assaults; a law that secured permanent health care benefits for almost 2,000 retired Pennsylvania coal miners; and money to deepen the Delaware River, for which he lobbied President Barack Obama.

He says Barletta gives Trump credit for an economic boom that started with Democrats passing a recovery law that cut unemployment in half under Obama.

While Barletta says he’s a “blue-collar worker ... mayor ... congressman,” Casey describes himself as the defender of the middle class, whose wages have grown minimally over the last 40 years.

Barletta boasts about voting to repeal Obamacare “61 times” and blames the law for higher premiums. Casey said Republicans’ zeal to repeal displays a willingness to kill a law that forbids discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions, keeps children on parents’ health insurance plans until age 26, cuts senior citizens’ prescription drug costs and produces health insurance for 20 million Americans who never had it before.

“Health care is going to be a major part of the debate,” he said.

Barletta portrays Casey as an obstructionist to Trump’s agenda, but Casey points out he and the president agree on rejecting a Far East trade deal, a tougher trade deal with China and renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Casey said he’s the one who will stand up to the president instead of believing the president can do no wrong.

“We’re going to have a nation that either is going to stand up for American workers or we’re going to keep these giveaways for special interests,” Casey said.

Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9147

CRESSONA — Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers and state police at Schuylkill Haven are asking for the public’s help in identifying three men in connection with the theft of more than $1,500 in items earlier this month.

Police said the theft occurred around 1:30 p.m. May 5 at CVS Pharmacy on Pottsville Street in North Manheim Township.

Police said three black men wearing baseball caps entered the store and began to fill bags with Rogaine and Nexium products and Gillette razors and left without paying.

The three then fled the area in a silver Chevrolet with the stolen items that included Rogaine products, $702.84; Gillette Mach 3 razors, $48.28; and Nexium products, $840.21.

Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information on the three men responsible for this theft or any unsolved crime in Schuylkill County.

Callers are asked to refer to case 05-20-18 when calling with information about the theft.

Anyone with information is asked to call Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers at 877-TIPS4SC (877-847-7472).

Callers can also relay their information directly to state police at Schuylkill Haven by calling 570-754-4600.

All information received will remain confidential.

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

James K. Reiley

POTTSVILLE — A man arrested by Pottsville police and charged with raping a child over a two-year period waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville.

Stephen J. Prentice, 32, currently an inmate at Schuylkill County Prison, was arrested by Detective Joseph Welsh and charged with rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault of a person under the age of 13, indecent exposure, corruption of minors, child pornography, photographing, depicting of filming child sex acts on a computer and another felony sexual offense.

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

Welsh charged Prentice in April after an investigation that included searches of digital media belonging to the man that were found to contain images of the victim along with a video taken by Prentice while he sexually assaulted the victim.

Prentice was later interviewed and admitted to sexually assaulting the child numerous times while he lived at a residence in Pottsville between 2013 and 2015, Welsh said.

Other court cases included:

Roger A. Miller, 50, of 1216 W. Norwegian St., Apt. 3, Pottsville; waived for court: simple assault and harassment.

Sandra Lee Miller, 52, of 735 N. Garfield Ave., Schuylkill Haven; waived for court: simple assault and harassment.

Larome H. Wonsock, 31, of 221 Middle St., Minersville; waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of a small amount of marijuana.

SUMMIT STATION — For the third year in a row, it rained during the annual Appalachian Wine Festival, but that didn’t deter attendees.

“It’s an annual tradition,” Amanda Chicora, Auburn, said of the event she attended with family members, Pat and Cheryl Chicora, on Saturday.

The three women came to the festival at the Schuylkill County Fairgrounds and didn’t leave empty handed, purchasing bottles of wine from vendors.

The women brought their own pretzel necklaces to eat while they drank their wine.

“We love wine,” Pat said.

The event featured free wine tastings as well as wine, beer, food and more available for purchase at more than 25 vendors. There were eight wineries from Schuylkill County and beyond. Bouchette Vineyards, Pine Grove, was one of the local wineries there. They had 13 wines and two hard ciders, which were popular. Antler Ridge Winery, which has five locations in the state, and Blue Lizard, Andreas and Trexlertown, were some of the other wineries present. The 1787 Brewing Company, Hamburg, and Reading Distilling Guild, a craft distillery, were also there.

The event, which was presented by T-102 Radio and Murphy Jewelers in coordination with the Schuylkill County Fair, came about after Tom Stutzman, the owner of Red Shale Ridge Vineyards, called Jim Bowman, station manager for T-102, and mentioned the idea three years ago.

Tickets were $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. The grounds were wet but that didn’t stop people from dancing and listening to music played on the stage.

Paul Kennedy, president of the Schuylkill County Fair, estimated 750 people braved the weather to attend. Usually, about 1,000 attend the event.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

Jupiter, the goliath planet of our solar system, is set to put on quite a show through the summer in the Pottsville sky.

Currently, it’s high enough and certainly bright enough for great viewing. Unfortunately, because of where it is among the backdrop of stars in 2018 coupled with the very late start to stargazing this time of year, it requires the loss of some sleep to observe it, unless you’re a perpetual night owl. By around 11 p.m., it’s high enough in the southeast sky and far enough from the horizon to avoid most of the blurring effect of Earth’s atmosphere. There’s certainly no mistaking it since it’s overwhelmingly the brightest star-like object in that part of the sky. In fact, the only other brighter star-like object is the planet Venus that sets below the western horizon shortly after evening twilight.

As you gaze upon its brilliance, Jupiter is just under 410 million miles away and has a diameter of 88,000 miles, more than 10 times the girth of the Earth. In fact, if Jupiter were hollow you could fill it with more than 1,000 Earths!

Jupiter will have some bright company in the southeast evening sky this coming Memorial Day weekend, the Earth’s moon. On Saturday evening, the waxing gibbous football-shaped moon will be just above and a little to the right of Jupiter and on May 27, the moon will be just to the left of Jupiter and a little closer to being a full moon. You don’t want to miss this really tight celestial hug!

Of course, the moon and Jupiter aren’t anywhere close to each other physically. The moon is about 245,000 miles from Earth around Memorial Day weekend and Jupiter’s more than another 408 million miles distant. Both celestial bodies, though, are nearly in the same line of sight. The moon and all the major planets pretty much take the same path among the stars, called the zodiac band. That’s because they’re all pretty much on the same mathematical plane. In other words, if you were to shrink down our solar system to the point where it could fit on your dining room table, it would pretty much lie flat on it.

Jupiter takes 12 years to migrate eastward among the zodiac constellation as it makes an orbit around our sun band, while the moon rips through it in just more than 27 days as it orbits our Earth.

Earth’s moon isn’t Jupiter’s only company this week. Jupiter also has its own moons that circle the behemoth planet all the time. At last count, Jupiter has more than 60 moons. Four of its largest moons can be seen on either side of the planet with a small telescope or even a decent pair of binoculars. They look like stars.

With a small telescope you should also be able to see at least some of the methane and ammonia cloud bands across Jupiter’s face. The number of moons you see and where they are with respect to Jupiter depend on where they are in the two- to 17-day orbits around the big guy. The moons pass behind Jupiter on a regular basis and are lost from our sight, and they also pass in front of Jupiter and get camouflaged against the planet’s clouds. If viewing conditions are right and your scope is big enough, you can actually see little dots on the face of Jupiter that are the passing shadows of the moons.

A long time ago, Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) also spotted Jupiter’s largest moons. They played a huge role in helping Galileo prove that the sun, and not Earth, is the center of our solar system. In fact, these four moons are referred to as “Galilean” moons. Anyone who knows anything about science knows that Galileo is one of the greatest minds of the last thousand years. While he was not the inventor of the telescope, he was the first person on record that really studied the sky with his crude telescope. He was trying to convince the world that Copernicus, who lived before Galileo’s time, was correct in claiming that the Earth was just one of the planets circling the sun. In addition to all of his astronomical feats, he also made huge contributions to physics, such as the acceleration of objects.

In the early 1600s, Galileo trained his telescope on Jupiter and couldn’t help but notice four little “stars” whirling around the planet. His obvious conclusion was that these stars were actually satellites in orbit around Jupiter. Opponents of the sun-centered theory of the solar system argued that if the Earth and the other planets circled around the sun they would fly off into the “ether” and would be lost forever. Galileo countered this faulty reasoning by pointing out Jupiter and its moons and basically saying ... hey, these satellites are circling this heavenly body and they’re not flying off! He actually expressed it a bit more eloquently, but that’s essentially what he said. If you ever get to Florence, Italy, you can see Galileo’s crude but historic telescope at the Florence Museum of History and Science.

Almost 410 years later, Galileo once again made new discoveries about Jupiter and its moons, only this time it was the Galileo space probe, now winding down after six years of exploration. Before Galileo, the Pioneer and Voyager probes gathered pictures and data of the Jovian system. Because of these missions and other observations, we know a lot more about Jupiter’s moons, especially the four big Galilean moons. The two outer moons, Callisto and Ganymede, are old cratered-covered moons, about 4 1/2 billion years young and not all that interesting, except for the fact that Ganymede is the largest moon in our solar system, more than 3,400 miles in diameter.

On the other hand, Jupiter’s closest moons, Io and Europa, are anything but boring. Io, the closest moon, has more than 400 active sulfuric volcanoes and constant lava flows because of the tremendous tidal stress from its mother planet. When the first color photographs of Io came back, astronomers dubbed Io the “pizza planet” because it was various shades of orange and red from all of the volcanism on its surface.

The second closest moon, Europa, may have a slushy ocean under a thin layer of ice. Possible water geysers have even been spotted above the ice. Europa and Saturn’s moon Enceladus could be the only other places in the solar system besides Earth, that has liquid water and where there’s water, possibly life? Stay tuned!

In the attached diagram are the positions of Jupiter’s moons relative to the planet over the next seven nights. A wonderful free app produced by Sky and Telescope is simply called “Jupiter’s Moons.” Along with the app, they also have a similar website to keep up with the whirling Galilean moons at www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/celestial-objects-to-watch/jupiters-moons-javascript-utility.

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

BETHLEHEM — Deacon Dr. Kurt K. Kovalovich wants to bring people together to heal them and sees his ordination on Saturday as a deacon in the Episcopal church as a way to do that.

“Healing is my first ministry,” Kovalovich, 58, of North Manheim Township, said after the 90-minute ordination service at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity.

A total of 168 people, including approximately 30 of Kovalovich’s fellow members of Trinity Episcopal Church, Pottsville, journeyed to the Christmas City for the service, in which the Rt. Rev. Sean W. Rowe, bishop of the Diocese of Bethlehem, ordained both him and Deacon Jennifer M. Scott of Trinity Episcopal Church, Bethlehem.

Kovalovich, who also is a podiatrist with an office in Pine Grove, and Scott learned from the Rev. Laura Howell, rector of Trinity Bethlehem, that the road they will take is one of dedication and service.

“The ministry is far more difficult than I ever imagined it could be. I must be willing at any moment to scrap my carefully crafted plans,” Howell said during her sermon, tearing up her copy of it to emphasize her point.

However, Howell said, that road is worth taking because it will lead them to a worthy goal, the person God intended for them to be in order to live the life God intended them to lead.

“From the moment (Rowe) lays hands on you, you are no longer your own creature. You will become the model to which people look,” Howell said. “You are about to throw open joyfully the doors of your heart.”

That joy shone through in other parts of the service, including the red altar, lectern and pulpit linens reflecting Pentecost, today’s celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit; the Bible readings shared with the congregation; and the singing of the combined choirs of the cathedral and the two Trinity churches.

“Every day must be a new Pentecost for you,” Howell said.

Furthermore, she said, the calling of a deacon is one of service to others, reminding them of the passage from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans that was read.

“Every single one of us is called to some kind of service to the church and the world,” Howell said.

Cora A. Gamelin-Osenbach, Trinity Pottsville’s organist who sang in the choir on Saturday, said that theme also was in the music.

“The idea of service” is what they wanted to convey, she said.

After the service, two men who have preached at Trinity Pottsville said Kovalovich will be an asset to that church, which is the city’s oldest.

“I worked with him when he first came to Trinity. I saw the spiritual gifts that he had and encouraged” him to develop them, said the Rev. James A. Rinehart, a former rector who is now retired.

Trinity’s current supply priest, the Rev. Timothy Albright, also is enthusiastic about continuing to work with Kovalovich.

“Kurt has been a great partner in Christ,” Albright said. “I sensed the spirit at work in him the first time we met, and I look forward to the new creation he will become.”

Kovalovich, who said he will continue to work as a podiatrist, said he has a goal for his ministry.

“(I want) to gather people into community,” he said.

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

Dr. Kurt K. Kovalovich

Age: 58

Residence: North Manheim Township

Position: Deacon, Diocese of Bethlehem, The Episcopal Church

Home church: Trinity Episcopal, Pottsville

Education: Mount Carmel Area High School, 1978; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1982; University of the Sciences, Philadelphia; Temple University, Philadelphia, 1987; Stevenson School of Ministry, The Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania

Police: Fight ended in internal bleeding

FRIEDENSBURG — A New Philadelphia man was jailed after being arrested by state police at Schuylkill Haven in connection with an assault around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in Frieden Manor, Wayne Township.

Police said George Rohrbach, 20, became involved in a verbal altercation with a 41-year-old woman at her home and then punched the woman in the abdomen, causing her to fall to the floor.

The woman then stood up, told Rohrbach he had to leave and walked into the kitchen but Rohrbach came from behind, placed his arm around her neck and began choking her while saying he was going to kill her.

Police said the woman almost lost consciousness and dropped a firearm she was holding but Rohrbach picked up the weapon, left the residence and took the woman’s truck.

The woman then sent a text message to Rohrbach that he had to come back and take her to the hospital because something was wrong. Police said Rohrbach returned and drove the woman to a Pottsville hospital where she was treated and later transferred to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown, where it was determined she had a lacerated spleen and internal bleeding, police said.

Rohrbach was charged with aggravated assault, strangulation, simple assault, terroristic threats and harassment, police said.

He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $10,000 straight cash bail.

New York man faces DUI, drug charges

McADOO — McAdoo police arrested a 29-year-old Brooklyn, New York, man after an incident in the borough on May 12.

Police said officers saw a vehicle with an Oregon registration parked on West Blaine Street and determined the plate had expired.

A few minutes later, police said, the vehicle drove by and officers conducted a traffic stop during which the driver, Terrence Bergeron, appeared to be acting nervous and refused to allow a search of his vehicle.

After being told a drug detection canine could be called, police said, Bergeron gave consent to a search that resulted in the discovery of a small amount of marijuana in plastic bags along with a glass pipe with burnt residue.

Bergeron also told officers that he had smoked marijuana earlier in the day and was taken for a blood test after failing field sobriety tests, police said.

As a result, officers prepared charges of DUI, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and a summary traffic violation against Bergeron.

He was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, and released after posting 10 percent of $3,000 bail, police said.

Hazleton teen charged for drugs

McADOO — A 17-year-old Hazleton boy was arrested by McAdoo police after an April 2 traffic stop in the borough.

Police said officers stopped a vehicle driven by the teen for driving with no lights at night and detected an odor of marijuana from inside. During a subsequent search, officers found several small loose pieces of marijuana.

The teen was charged through the juvenile court system with possession of a small amount of marijuana, police said.

Williams Valley School District residents may find out Tuesday if suspended high school principal Tracey Weller will return.

The continuation of her May 2 due process hearing will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the district board room in Tower City. If there’s a crowd, the hearing will be moved to a nearby classroom or the high school auditorium.

Weller was suspended without pay in March and she asked that the hearing be public. She was charged with “incompetency, willful neglect and failure to comply with school laws of the commonwealth, including official direct and established policy of the board of directors and violation of the Pennsylvania professional standards for a professional employee.”

The situation stems from Weller’s questioning of students following a threatening Instagram post in February. While two students with possible information on the posting were in Weller’s office being questioned, the suspect walked in, according to testimony. The two students were later threatened outside school property by the suspect’s brother.

Weller has been working in the district as the high school principal since January 2013. She is represented by Michael M. Monsour with the firm of Kozloff Stoudt, Wyomissing.

The district administration is represented by Benjamin L. Pratt with the law firm of Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP, Harrisburg.

Superintendent Diane M. Niederriter provided testimony May 2. There’s no word on who will testify Tuesday.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

David J. Rossi

TREMONT — A Northumberland County man is headed to Schuylkill County Court on four charges resulting from an incident this month in which he allegedly robbed his mother in Hegins Township.

Adam L. Bloch, 26, of 496 Schwartz Road, Herndon, formerly of Valley View, faces charges of robbery, theft, simple assault and harassment. Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi bound over those charges for court on Thursday after Bloch waived his right to the hearing.

Hegins Township police alleged Bloch went to his mothers’s residence on May 10, assaulted her, threatened her and demanded the keys to her Jeep.

Police said that after the defendant’s mother refused to give him those keys, Bloch smashed numerous items in the residence. Bloch eventually found the keys and drove away in the Jeep, police said.

Bloch is free on $5,000 unsecured bail pending further court action.

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

Zachary P. Fidler, 32, of 141 Chapel Drive, Pine Grove; terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment; charges dismissed.

Kati L. Hoffman, 27, of 357 Dayton St., Williamstown; possession of drug paraphernalia; charge held for court after preliminary hearing that Hoffman did not attend. Rossi asked the court to issue a bench warrant for Hoffman.

Zachary J. Howe, 26, of 135 N. Third St., Saint Clair; two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one each of adulteration or misbranding of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving unregistered vehicle, operating vehicle without valid inspection, obstructed window and suspended vehicle registration; charges dismissed.

Ryan M. Sible, 32, last known address of 423 Deep Creek Road, Hegins; three counts of conspiracy and one each of receiving stolen property, possession of prohibited offensive weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia and harassment; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Nathan J. Wagner, 34, of 18 W. Pottsville St., Pine Grove; four counts of improper possession or display of documents and two each of driving under suspension-DUI related, driving without a license, driving unregistered vehicle, operating vehicle without valid inspection and operating vehicle without required financial responsibility; charges dismissed.

James K. Reiley

POTTSVILLE — Defendants whose cases Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley recently considered, the charges against each one and the judge’s dispositions of the matters included:

Kenneth M. Foss, 27, of 145 Chamberlaine Ave., Box 732, Pottsville; waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communications facility, DUI-controlled substance, careless driving, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Breanne Newton, 34, of 1018 W. Market St., Pottsville; waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

Derek P. Kroh, 37, of 123 N. Second St., Floor 2, Saint Clair; waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Anibal Arquiengo, 46, of 2129 W. Market St., Pottsville; waived for court: DUI, DUI-highest rate, driving without a license, disregard for single traffic lane and careless driving.

Colin N. Semanski, 19, of 1304 Mount Hope Ave., Pottsville; waived for court: possession of a controlled substance.

Corin Louise Reed, 35, of 667 John O’Hara St., Pottsville; held for court: endangering the welfare of children and possession of drug paraphernalia.

William J. Glover, 37, of 706 W. Market St., Apt. B, Pottsville; waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

Kim M. Long, 55, of 201 N. Second St., Apt. 2, Pottsville; waived for court: receiving stolen property.

Matthew H. Zweizig, 28, of 639 N. Second St., Apt. 3, Pottsville; held for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Mario J. Michel, 42, of 301 S. Centre St., Apt. 3, Pottsville; waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Shannon J. Willis, 38, of 529 E. Mahanoy Ave., Girardville; waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Breanne Newton, 34, of 1018 W. Market St., Pottsville; waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communications facility.

Lauren M. Deysher, 26, of 442 Main St., Box 21, Lavelle; waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Karl R. Houtz, 36, of 19 Cardinal Road, New Ringgold; waived for court: endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jason K. Able-Lewis, 29, of 504 W. Race St., Pottsville; dismissed: aggravated assault, simple assault and terroristic threats.

Katarina K. Schweikert, 22, of 219 N. Centre St., Apt. 1C, Pottsville; waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jamal S. Singletary, 25, of 575 Peacock St., Pottsville; waived for court: theft by deception and receiving stolen property.

Michael McShaw IV, 23, of 1645 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville; waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ryan L. Tomczyk, 32, LKA 218 N. Centre St., Pottsville; withdrawn: aggravated assault. Held for court: resisting arrest, aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Matthew R. Wood, 31, of 1427 W. Market St., Pottsville; held for court: possession of a controlled substance.

Mateo J. Rivera, 19, of 135 Millers Road, Schuylkill Haven; waived for court: possession of a controlled substance, corruption of minors and public drunkenness.

Michael G. Pullcicchio, 19, of 1101 W. Market St., Pottsville; waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Tyler J. Roeder, 27, of 813 N. Third St., Pottsville; waived for court: possession of a controlled substance.

Larome H. Wonsock, 31, of 221 Middle St., Minersville; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

Hartaj Singh, 19, of 708 Centerfield Drive, Pottsville; held for court: DUI-controlled substance, corruption of minors and recklessly endangering another person.

Lanae M. Martin, 19, of 1323 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville; waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Stephen G. Moyer, 34, of 779 N. Centre St., Pottsville; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without insurance.

Tarina D. Martin-Macon, 29, of 1323 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville; waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Mark A. Leib, 24, of 317 Walnut St., Ashland; waived for court: driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Miguel U. Ortiz, 60, of 12 Pear St., Schuylkill Haven; waived for court: theft and receiving stolen property.

David N. Murphy Jr., 29, of 760 S. Liberty St., Orwigsburg; waived for court: defiant trespass and disorderly conduct.

Roger A. Miller, 50, of 1216 W. Norwegian St., Apt. 3, Pottsville; waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jonathan M. Pauly, 23, of 531 Peacock St., Pottsville; waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Tabitha L. Schriner, 24, of 2100 W. Norwegian St., Apt. 1E, Pottsville; waived for court: endangering the welfare of children, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

POTTSVILLE — A local racer made his third consecutive trip to victory lane on Sunday during the 45th annual Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby.

Bradeyn Ditzler, 12, of Pottsville, won the masters division in a car sponsored by the Ochs family. The masters division returned this year after a long absence. It joined the stock and superstock divisions, which Ditzler won in 2017 and 2016, respectively.

“This is my third time winning in a row,” he said while eating dinner at Humane Fire Company.

The three divisions, stock, superstock and masters, have age and weight limits.

He was one of 43 racers that sped down Laurel Boulevard on Sunday. The annual event was postponed Saturday due to rain. Four racers participated in the masters division, 13 in superstock and 26 in stock. The winner in each division advances to the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby in Ohio in July.

Aiden Beach, 10, of Pottsville, won the superstock division, while Gia Chiccine, 12, of Schuylkill Haven, won the stock division.

Beach glided to victory in a car sponsored by the Keller family. It was his second time winning at the local derby, having won the stock division in 2016.

“I have fun. I get to spend time with my friends,” he said.

Chiccine rode to first place in a car sponsored by Sommers Inc. It will be her for time competing at the world derby in Ohio.

Barbie Carroll, secretary for the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby, said the postponement didn’t discourage people from attending or participating.

“We had a good turnout. It was a great day. The kids had fun,” she said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

POTTSVILLE — A Pottsville man is headed to state prison after admitting Wednesday to a Schuylkill County judge that he possessed salable amounts of two types of drugs, plus two weapons, in July 2017 in the city.

Edward J. Heiser Jr., 22, must serve one to two years in a state correctional institution, President Judge William E. Baldwin decided.

Baldwin’s sentence, which the judge imposed as part of the plea agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, also requires Heiser to pay costs, $200 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Heiser pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one each of carrying a firearm without a license, possession of prohibited offensive weapon, and possession of drug paraphernalia in a second case. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, two additional counts of possession of a controlled substance and one additional count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Pottsville police filed both sets of charges against Heiser, alleging he possessed salable amounts of marijuana and synthetic marijuana, a Smith & Wesson handgun and a flashlight stun gun on July 23, 2017, and a smoking bowl and a scale on May 30, 2014.

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

Tonia L. Brennan, 27, of Mahanoy City; terroristic threats and institutional vandalism; two to 12 months in prison and $100 in CJEA payments. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of disorderly conduct.

Tanya L. Harvey, 38, of Mount Carmel; driving under the influence and possession of drug paraphernalia; 72 hours to six months in prison with immediate parole, $1,000 fine, $100 SAEF payment, $520 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Harrisburg and 10 hours community service.

Lonny L. Hosler, 23, of Pottsville; fleeing or eluding police and possession of drug paraphernalia; two years probation and $100 SAEF payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of no rear lights.

Thomas J. Kehl, 27, of Barnesville; defiant trespass; 12 months probation consecutive to current sentence.

John Middleton, 52, of Coaldale; DUI and DUI while suspended; 95 days to nine months in prison, $1,300 in fines, $100 SAEF payment and 20 hours community service, with sentence effective at noon May 15. Prosecutors withdrew charges of failure to yield to emergency vehicle and seat belt violation.

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

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

RAVEN RUN — The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah plans to restructure its current debt that would include additional borrowing for projects.

The best scenario in the restructuring process is to have the Shenandoah Borough Council agree to guarantee the new debt to receive the best terms from the lending institution. MABS Chairwoman Donna Gawrylik will address the council at today’s meeting to request the loan guarantee.

The authority board discussed the matter at length during its regular meeting last Friday. The authority has been working with Public Financial Management Inc., Malvern, as the financial adviser for the debt restructuring. The company was represented at the meeting by Jamie Schlesinger, a director in PFM’s Harrisburg and Malvern offices.

The current debt of the authority is about $4 million, which is owed to the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority and the Rural Utilities Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The intent of the authority is to restructure the debt and add approximately $2.5 million in order to replace and upgrade equipment needed for supplying drinking water to customers in Shenandoah and West Mahanoy Township, plus small portions of Butler and Mahanoy townships.

In the process, the amount of time on the term of the debt will go to 20 years but will reduce the monthly loan payment from $53,000 per month ($43,000 to PENNVEST and $10,000 to RUS) to $39,000 per month with a borough guarantee, or $39,500 without the borough being the guarantor.

The report to the authority prepared by Schlesinger and PFM senior analyst Melissa Hughes shows that one request for proposal response has been received from PNC Bank at 3.88 percent interest.

Schlesinger explained that without a borough guarantee, the authority would have 3.88 percent as a fixed rate for seven years, and with the loan having a term of 20 years, the remaining 13 years will have an interest rate depending on the market. However, if the borough does guarantee the loan restructuring with the additional debt, the 3.88 percent will be fixed for the entire 20 years.

Gawrylik said it is important to get a decision from the borough council in order for the authority to move forward, pointing out that chief filtration plant operator Daniel Salvadore requires the upgrades for the aging water plant.

“We have Danny here who needs equipment to keep this plant going,” Gawrylik said. “We can’t wait any longer. We’ve been waiting nine months to see what council is doing and we’ve heard nothing. If we have to, we’ll go on our own. The borough is going to have to give an answer come Monday. They’ve had more than enough time with the guarantee for us.”

“We need updates because of the age of the plant,” Salvadore said. “But we’re still making very good water.”

Schlesinger said the borough is having evaluations done on the water and sewage systems, but the results of those studies could take some time.

“Given the time period it would take to that point, it could be several months, and if they decide to proceed to the next steps, it could be years before they’re finalizing any sort of sale. That’s our professional opinion,” Schlesinger said.

A sale of the water and sewer systems is a possibility, though there have been no actions on the part of the borough council, which is waiting for the studies of both systems. Schlesinger said it could take years if the sale of the water system ever occurs. In the meantime, however, the treatment plant, pumps and water system needs to continue to operate, and the additional loan funds are needed to maintain the system.

“It really is a time question,” Schlesinger said.

Authority solicitor Joseph Nahas said even if there is a chance that the water system would be sold in the future, any improvements add to the value of the system.

“It’s OK to put money into updating things that are badly needed,” Nahas said. “That doesn’t take away from the value, but it obviously ups the value.”

“That’s the interesting part of this process,” Schlesinger added. “We’re obviously identifying certain things that are necessary for upgrades.”

Gawrylik said that there has been some misinformation that the authority had defaulted on a loan, which she said never happened. She said the authority did have payments deferred for a period of time by PENNVEST, which helped the authority with its financial problems at that time.

“They (borough) were worried about if we default on the loan. They have nothing to lose,” Gawrylik said. “It’s only going to help with our infrastructure, help us with meters that we need to get, and help with the distribution end up here.”

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

Deeds

Barry Township — Shirley McGinty to Shirley McGinty and Michelle Lamberson; 32 Bass Drive, Mountain Valley Lake; $1.

Butler Township — John Misiewicz to The William and Elsie Lockshaw 1997 Family Trust; 232 Germanville Road; $100,000.

Cass Township — Nathaniel E. Mitchell and Mark E. Mitchell to Mark E. Mitchell; 272 High Road; $10,000.

Matthew Revenis, executor of the Estate of Mary Revenis, to Matthew Revenis; property on Oak Hill Street, Schaeffer’s Hill; $1.

East Brunswick and West Brunswick townships — Rochelle P. Evanousky to Todd S. Jr. and Karissa Bartashus; 516 W. Pheasant Run Road; $195,000.

East Union Township — Thomas Dutzer to Thomas Dutzer and Kaitlin Jane Dutzer; 4.07-acre property on Route 339; $1.

Mahanoy City — Marsha F. Brennan to Scott R. Hudson; 1004 E. Pine St.; $1.

McAdoo — Frederick A and Carol Ann Banko to Simon T. and Julian J. Tomoshunis; property on Lincoln Street; $500.

New Ringgold — Todd W. and Bonnie U. Neifert to Christopher and Nadine A. Galloway; 402 E. Railroad Ave.; $83,500.

Palo Alto — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Borough of Palo Alto; 638 W. Bacon St.; $1.

Rush Township — John C. and Darlene C. Nee to James W. and Michelle L. Teetz; 3 Jones St., Quakake; $99,900.

Richard C. Kehl to William O. and Judy L. Deily; 27 Tuscarora Park Road; $30,000.

Saint Clair — John Jr. and Carol A. Homovich to John Jr. and Carol A. Homovich and Megan A. Homovich; 105 E. Patterson St.; $1.

South Manheim Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to JMAC Realty LLC; 357 Berne Drive; $85,001.

West Brunswick Township — Marilyn M. Zerbe to Kyle D. and Tina Roland; 2.44702-acre property on Breezy Acres Road; $179,900.

West Penn Township — Anthony P. Prudenti Jr., R. Brian McQuillen, Robert J. Cimino and Ronald A. Hill to Daniel Romig; 3.202-acre property on Route 309; $185,000.

Ashland

Ashland American Legion Bernard J. Dolan Post 434 is looking for veterans from all wars to join. Regular meetings are at 6 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the post home, Centre and Fifth streets. For more information, call 570-875-0086 or 570-205-4079.

Hegins

The 10th annual Schuylkill County Wine Festival will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Sept. 2 at Hegins Park. The cost is $15 per person and tickets for designated drivers are $5 each. Advance tickets are available for $12 until Aug. 25. Group rates for 10 or more are also available. The event will include a disc jockey and live entertainment. There will also be a table-decorating contest with prizes for participants. The theme is red, wine and blue. For more information, call Mary Tobash at 570-682-9660 or 570-682-9868.

Mahanoy City

The St. Teresa of Calcutta Golden Age Club is accepting reservations for its planned July 5-10 trip to Nashville, Tennessee. The cost is $849 double occupancy. To make reservations or for more information, call Elizabeth Frye at 570-773-1753.

McAdoo

Street sweeping in the borough begins today. No parking signs will be posted each day as the sweeping schedule will change. To start today, there are no parking signs posted on the entire length of North and South Hancock Street as well as Taylor, Garfield, Monroe and Adam streets. No parking is in effect from 6 a.m. Residents and businesses throughout the borough are encouraged to sweep debris from their sidewalks onto the street but not into piles. By order of the McAdoo Police Department, motorists who park before and while the sweeper is in operation will be violating the notice. Fines will be issued and offending vehicles will be towed.

Schuylkill Haven

Al-Anon meetings are held at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at First United Church of Christ, 110 Route 61 South. For more information, call Sarah at 570-449-1830. Al-Anon meetings are also held at 8 p.m. Fridays at Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, 15 Earl Stoyer Road near Stoyer’s Dam. For more information on the Friday sessions, call Karla 570-294-2685. Newcomers are welcome.

Shenandoah

Enrollment at Trinity Academy in the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center, Cherry and Chestnut streets, is open for children in preschool through eighth grade. Trinity is the sole pre-K to eighth-grade parochial school for all of northern Schuylkill County. The principal is Sister Margaret McCullough, IHM. For more information or to arrange for a tour of the school, contact the advancement director at jgrier@trinitymatters.com, call 570-462-3927 or visit www.trinitymatters.com.

Shenandoah

The Shenandoah Valley Elementary Band under the direction of John Shoener will perform its annual concert at 7 p.m. Thursday in the high school auditorium. The SV Jazz Band will also perform. It is free and open to the public.

Tamaqua

STEP-Up Tamaqua is hosting a community information session on medical marijuana at 7 p.m. today at Trinity United Church of Christ Founders Hall, 24 Lafayette St. The public is welcome. Guest speakers will be Victor Guadagnino, CBDO, and Bradley Carlson, director of pharmacy at Keystone Canna Remedies, Bethlehem. The topic will be about the myths of medical marijuana, chronic pain and opiate replacement therapy.

POTTSVILLE — Schuylkill County Drug Treatment Court participants demonstrated their desire to improve the city by cleaning four Pottsville playgrounds Sunday.

Thirteen people who are in the program, which the county started last year, volunteered their time to make the city better. Those volunteering, along with supervising probation officers Erica Cola and Dylan Hughes, picked up trash, raked leaves and removed fallen tree branches.

Since May is National Drug Court Month, those in the program wanted to see what can be done to give back to the community.

Cola said volunteerism is one way drug treatment court participants can see how circumstances can change for the better with effort.

“There is hope. There is opportunity for change to give back to the community,” Cola said.

A sign-up sheet was posted to help beautify the grounds of Rotary Park, Bunker Hill, Tot Lot and Jalappa playgrounds.

Volunteers collected more than 50 bags of trash. The city donated bags and will later pick them up.

“We actually had to go buy more bags,” Cola said.

Drug treatment court participant Rachel, Frackville, estimated she filled eight bags among the four locations. She said she didn’t think twice about donating her time.

“It helps the community and it helps people know that we are not bad people. We are just trying to get better and help the community get better too,” she said.

“We are trying to get rid of the stigma of addiction,” Cola said.

Another cleanup is scheduled for Saturday in Pottsville. Between 13 and 15 participants have volunteered, Cola said. Exact details were not available.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

FORESTVILLE — Hundreds of people came out to Big Diamond Speedway on Sunday to see monster trucks in action.

The All-Star Monster Truck Tour made it first visit to the local track with shows on Saturday and Sunday. The event was sponsored by Red, White and Blue Auto, Ashland, Schaeffer’s Motor Sports, Orwigsburg, and No Sweat Service Group, Pottsville.

Sunday featured a best trick competition, and monster truck and tough truck racing.

Monster trucks named Avenger, Stinger Unleashed, Master of Disaster and Backdraft roared to the delight of the crowd. Brutus was also at the track but had engine problems and wasn’t able to race Sunday.

“The motor is blown so I can’t go out and compete,” driver Chris Koehler, Columbus, Michigan, said.

Paul Breaud, 50, of Airville, York County, owns Backdraft. He bought it in 2014 from Jeremy Slifko, Pottsville. It has a 540-cubic-inch big block Chevy engine, 66-inch tires and a 30-gallon fuel tank.

Breaud has been driving for eight years, and he said it’s not like driving a car down the highway.

“It’s a rough ride. You bounce around a lot,” he said.

While the trucks put on a show, children put on their own races with palm-sized monster trucks in the dirt.

“This is our first time. It’s a lot of fun,” said Brendan Zindel, Orwigsburg, who attending the show with his wife and children.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

HARRISBURG — A Berks County man could spend the rest of his life in prison after a federal jury convicted him on Friday of robbing four banks in central Pennsylvania, including two in Schuylkill County.

After a five-day trial, the jury found Derek Pelker, 28, of Wernersville, guilty of four counts each of armed bank robbery and conspiracy and two each of brandishing a firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced on Monday.

Jurors deliberated approximately two days before reaching their verdict, which ended the trial over which U.S. District Judge Yvette Kane presided.

Prosecutors had charged Pelker with robbing BB&T Bank, Valley View, on Nov. 17, 2015, and Gratz Bank, Valley View, on Jan. 14, 2016, in addition to robberies in East Prospect, York County, and Lebanon. U.S. Marshals arrested Pelker on April 8, 2016, at a traffic stop in Derry Township, Dauphin County.

Eight co-defendants, including Derek Pelker’s brother, Kevin Pelker, already had pleaded guilty to their participation in one or more of the robberies. Ryan Martin, 27, of Reading, pleaded guilty on Dec. 1, 2017, to participating in both Valley View robberies, and is awaiting sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott R. Ford and Chelsea Schinnour prosecuted the case.

The FBI’s Capital City Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes representatives from the bureau’s Harrisburg Field Office and Harrisburg police; the Pennsylvania State Police; South Lebanon Township police; the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and the Lebanon County and York County district attorneys offices investigated the case against Derek Pelker.

He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $1.25 million fine, according to U.S. Attorney David J. Freed.

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

POTTSVILLE — A Carbon County motorist is headed to state prison after a Schuylkill County judge sentenced him on Thursday in two separate driving under the influence cases arising from separate incidents in Coaldale.

Daryl L. Greenawalt, 55, of Lansford, must serve six months to five years in a state correctional institution, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin ruled.

Dolbin imposed the sentence after removing Greenawalt from the intermediate punishment program, whose rules the defendant admitted violating.

Greenawalt originally pleaded guilty on Jan. 17 to DUI, disregarding traffic lane and seat belt violation in one case and DUI, disregarding traffic lane and following too closely in the other. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of careless driving and one of failure to use low beam.

At that time, Dolbin placed him in the intermediate punishment program for five years, and also sentenced him to pay costs, $1,885 in fines, $400 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, a $171 bench warrant fee and $120 restitution to Lehigh Valley Health Network, all of which he still must pay under the terms of Thursday’s sentence, and perform 30 hours community service.

Coaldale police alleged Greenawalt was DUI on Nov. 12, 2016, and again on Feb. 21, 2017.

Also on Thursday, Judge Jacqueline L. Russell revoked the probation of David H. Hartranft, 23, of Tamaqua, but did not immediately sentence him, instead ordering preparation of a presentence investigation.

Hartranft admitted violating his probation by committing new crimes, failing drug tests and not making any payments on his costs and fees.

He originally was admitted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program on Jan. 22, 2015, by President Judge William E. Baldwin after being charged with two counts of recklessly endangering another person and one of unlawful hunting. If Hartranft had completed that program successfully, the recklessly endangering another person charges against him would have been dismissed; he pleaded guilty to the hunting charge.

However, Baldwin removed him from the ARD program on June 14, 2017, and Hartranft pleaded guilty on Sept. 27, 2017, to the same three charges. At that time, Russell accepted his plea, placed him on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced him to pay costs, a $200 fine and a $50 CJEA payment.

State police at Frackville had charged Hartranft with committing his crimes on June 15, 2014, in Schuylkill Township.

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

SHENANDOAH — A borough man was charged Monday with raping a teenage girl last year in Shenandoah and Pottsville.

Leroy J. Knapp Jr., 42, of 120 S. Jardin St., was arrested by Schuylkill County Detective Leo J. Securda and charged with two felony counts each of rape, statutory sexual assault by a person 11 years or older, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse of a person under the age of 16 and sexual assault; one felony count each of corruption of minors, endangering the welfare of children and another sexual offense; and two misdemeanor counts each of indecent assault of a person under the age of 16 and indecent exposure.

Securda said the assaults were made between May 3, 2017, and Sept. 11, 2017, and were reported by Schuylkill County Children & Youth Services on April 27.

When interviewed on May 4, Securda said the victim, now 16, said Knapp would sexually assault her in Shenandoah and Pottsville. The victim also went on to report that Knapp threatened to kill her if she told anyone about the incidents.

Prior to setting bail, Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, heard arguments from Knapp’s attorney, Joseph Nahas, Frackville, and First Assistant District Attorney Michael Stine.

Nahas asked Kilker to consider that his client has no criminal history, resides in Shenandoah with family and voluntarily surrendered Monday to answer to the charges against him.

He said this is not the first time the victim accused someone of raping her and that the teen has behavioral problems.

He assured Kilker that if the unsecured bail he is requested is granted, his client will have no contact with the victim and attend all court proceedings.

“We’re here today and we’re going to continue to be here,” Nahas said. “Mr. Knapp is not a danger.”

Stine, who attended the arraignment in the absence of Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Foose, said the investigation determined the victim was consistent with her stories related to authorities on different occasions.

“There are some troubling accusations here,” Stine said, asking Kilker to set bail between $50,000 and $100,000 straight cash.

Before setting the bail amount, Kilker told Knapp that he is not to have any contact with the victim.

“It’s a straight stay away order,” he said.

Kilker then set bail at 10 percent of $50,000 that Knapp and family members that attended were able to post, allowing him to remain free pending future court appearances.

Kilker scheduled a preliminary hearing for Knapp for 11 a.m. June 21 in his Shenandoah courtroom.

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

MAHANOY CITY — Many tears were shed and many hugs were shared as the family and friends of Army Reserve Spc. Peter T. Luddy paid their final respects Monday at religious and military services.

The fallen soldier was honored at a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church, celebrated by the Rev. Kevin Gallagher, pastor.

A native of Hazleton, Luddy grew up in Mahanoy City. The reservist was a 2015 graduate of Mahanoy Area High School, played basketball on the Golden Bears team and continued to be active in Mahanoy Area, along with his love of hiking, fishing and guns. His goal was to become a police officer.

Luddy, 21, suffered a traumatic brain injury during an annual training exercise with the 811th and died May 8 at Carillion Memorial Hospital, Roanoke, Virginia. He was returned to Mahanoy City late Thursday evening in a procession with many people lining the streets waving flags or saluting the hearse as it went by.

The funeral procession led by borough police and members of the Patriot Guard Riders began at Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. and ended at the church, where the casket with the American flag draped over it was carried in. Waiting in front of the church were honor guards from different groups, including members of the 811th Ordnance Company, an Army Reserve logistics unit headquartered in Rainelle, West Virginia, where he served as an ammunition specialist. Also providing honor guards were the Pennsylvania Military Funeral Honor Program, headed by Sgt. Matthew Koppenhaver, Fort Indiantown Gap; the Panther Valley JROTC program; and American Legion Post 398 Honor Guard from Frackville. The JROTC cadets were requested to attend to pay respects to the family since a nephew of Luddy is a student in the school district.

Lt. Joel Neujahr and First Sgt. Jon Jones of the 811th served with Luddy and had good words about him before the Mass.

“He was a great soldier and had a great attitude,” Neujahr said. “A great performer and a valued member of the team. He always showed up for work with a smile.”

“I would echo the commander,” Jones said. “He was a great soldier and valued team member. He had the drill weekend with us and contributed to our missions.”

After the casket was carried into the church, the American flag was removed and folded, and a pall was placed before being moved in the center aisle before the altar.

The homily was given by Gallagher, who spoke of the loss of such a young person with so much to live for.

“It is never easy to accept the death of a loved one, but it is even harder when they’re life is just beginning,” Gallagher said. “Twenty-one years old. That’s not much of a life, is it? And yet none of us knows when we will be called from this life. So we are reminded to make the most of your life. And you look at Peter’s life. You have to see a young man who made the most of who he was. What was going to be, we will never know, but you can get a glimpse of what he would have grown into. That sense of service and dedication to others. What was about Peter’s life, and it wasn’t just about self, was the service to others. Life is not about what I want and what I need and what I can get out of life. It’s a life to make the world a better place. Twenty-one years is not a long time in order to do that. Today I want you to think about that life and how he touched your lives, because if you hold those things that you shared with him in your heart, he will never be gone.”

Gallagher added, “Why did someone so young and with such potential have to die? And there is no answer. None of us knows when we will be called. Today’s Gospel reminds us to make the most of this journey to be prepared. We sit in this church today to celebrate our faith, and our faith teaches us that this is not the end of life, but it is the beginning of new life in Jesus Christ.”

Sunday was the last day of the Easter season, Gallagher said, explaining that the season was a time to remember that Jesus came to the world and took on humanity to his divine self, died on the Cross, and then rose from the grave to show death is not the end.

“You see, Jesus came back from the dead to let us know there is something wondrous that awaits us,” Gallagher said. “We don’t understand it. We’re not supposed to. We’re supposed to live this life to the fullest, to do what we can and leave a legacy behind. Today as you honor Peter’s life, I want you to think about your own because your journey continues. Your journey of faith. Your journey of service. Your journey of selflessness. That’s how we honor those who have gone before us. Peter’s journey is now ended. He has gone to his reward. Your work continues.”

At the conclusion of Mass, the American flag was returned to the casket and was carried out of the church to the street, where it was set up for the military services. Two members of the PMFH honor guard stood at attention at the casket as American Legion veterans provided a 21-gun rifle salute and taps was played. The flag was removed from the casket and was folded in the traditional ceremony. Koppenhaver took the flag to Neujahr, who accepted it and then presented it to Luddy’s father, Thomas Luddy Sr. A second folded American flag was given to Luddy’s mother, Elizabeth Ferrante.

A funeral supervisor brought a white dove to Luddy’s parents to touch, and then walked along the crowded sidewalk for others to touch the dove as they remembered Luddy, many crying as they felt the sorrow in their hearts. As the church bells rang, the dove was released and flew into the blue sky and eventually out of sight.

The casket was then carried to the hearse and placed inside to go back to the funeral home for cremation. Most people stayed for a time, consoling each other before leaving.

The 811th is planning a memorial service for Luddy on July 7 in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

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