Kelayres

Kline Township officials have reminded residents that garbage payments are due in full by Saturday. Residents should mail all final payments to 30 Fifth St., P.O. Box 338, Kelayres, PA 18231.

Lansford

The Music in the Park series at Kennedy Park near the Panther Valley football stadium will feature Two for One, classic rock, at 7 p.m. today. Admission is free and people should bring chairs to enjoy the performance. Refreshments will be available. The event is sponsored by the Lansford Alive Events Committee, with the goal of revitalization of Kennedy Park. All are welcome.

McAdoo

The borough has release the following list of planned summer events: July 11, free movie, Veterans Memorial Park, opens at 8:10 p.m. and the movie starts at 8:45 p.m.; July 31, free movie, Veterans Memorial Park, opens at 7:55 p.m. and the movie starts at 8:30 p.m.; Aug. 2, free youth dance, Grant Street Playground, 7 to 9:45 p.m.; Aug. 7, National Night Out, 23 N. Hancock St., 6 p.m.; Aug. 15, free movie, Veterans Memorial Park, opens at 7:40 p.m. and the movie starts 8:15 p.m.; Aug. 20, free youth dance, Veterans Memorial Park, 7 to 9:45 p.m.

McAdoo

The McAdoo Community Civic Association will sponsor its annual community yard sale July 21. Applications are available from Linda Hoats at 106 S. Kennedy Drive or by calling Mary at 570-929-3658. Registration is $5. Registered participants will receive a sign, balloon and maps of everyone participating. In case of rain, the yard sale will be held July 22.

Pottsville

The 16th annual Stuff the Bus effort will be held during July at the Salvation Army, 400 Sanderson St. “Help us to reach our goal of stuffing 1,400 backpacks to be distributed through agencies in Schuylkill County for the fall school year,” Salvation Army officials said in a release. Volunteers will be needed at the Salvation Army site from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 3 for sorting and setup and from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 6 for backpack stuffing. For more information, call Christine at 570-622-6421 or email dircomre@schuylkillunitedway.org.

Saint Clair

St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church is sponsoring a pilgrimage to Assisi & Rome Oct. 6-15. There will be an information night about the trek at 7 p.m. July 5 in the church hall, 250 E. Hancock St. For more information or a brochure, call 570-429-0701 or 570-429-0370.

Shenandoah

The borough has an ordinance requiring people who walk pets on public streets or sidewalks to clean up after them. Those who do not are in violation of the law and can face a fine. Pet owners may not allow their animals to roam in the borough unleashed or out of control. Driving ATVs on public streets or areas where they are not allowed, such as parks or private property, also is unlawful. Anyone who witnesses such violations is asked to contact borough authorities. To reach borough police, call 570-462-1991.

Shenandoah

The effort to transform the former J.W. Cooper High School building at White and Lloyd streets into a multipurpose community center is ongoing and people are welcome to become part of the non-profit restoration and revitalization effort. Supporters are led by jeweler Kent Steinmetz, who bought the building in 2009, and a board of directors. Although progress has been slow due to funding restraints, work is continuing thanks to volunteers and local companies who periodically provide material and equipment. The intent of the local project is to transform the building into a regional hub for business/commerce, recreation, arts/crafts, relaxation and entertainment including musical and theatrical performances. The J.W. Cooper Community Center is the official name under which the building is listed with the Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit entity under Section 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code, meaning contributions to the effort are tax deductible. To reach Steinmetz, call 570-617-8920 or email kent@steinmetzjewelers.com. For more information about the community center, go online to www.jwcoopercenter.org.

SELTZER — Tucked in a cubbyhole in Joseph Kowalchick’s attic is a piece of American history.

Neatly rolled up in a box is an American flag that was addressed and sent to August H. Schmidt on Oct. 27, 1952, from The Pottsville Republican. The flag looks like an ordinary American flag with the red, white and blue colors easily discernible. A closer inspection and a check of American history reveals the flag’s uniqueness: It only has 48 stars.

Kowalchick has been in his Seltzer home for about 15 years, and was cleaning his attic when he first discovered the box two years ago. He didn’t open it or give it a second glance until “recently” when “I noticed the Republican mailing sticker,” he said.

Opening the box, Kowalchick found the rolled-up flag. There was nothing else in the box.

“I counted the stars and that’s when I saw the mailing sticker and I thought I’m going to look into this,” Kowalchick said. “I love history like this.”

Research into both the history of a 48-star flag and Schmidt led Kowalchick to discover Schmidt was a machinist. He also found Schmidt’s and his wife’s gravestone and their daughter Pearl Schneider’s World War II plaque, proclaiming her rank of second lieutenant, which was rare for a woman of that time period.

According to www.usflag.org, the 47th and 48th stars were added to the flag on July 4th, 1912, after New Mexico and Arizona were added to the Union in January and February 1912, respectively. President William Howard Taft signed an executive order June 24, 1912, which established proportions of the flag and provided for arrangement of the stars in six horizontal rows of eight each, with a single point of each star to be upward. Eight presidents served under the 48-star flag.

Kowalchick guesses the flag has never been flown due to a paper tag with pencil markings on it still attached. He believes with the wind and other elements, the tag would have been lost long ago if it had been used.

Kowalchick thinks it would be respectful to have the Seltzer borough fly the flag for a day in honor of Schmidt, but he has not yet received an answer back about doing so. While waiting to hear from his local government, he is searching for other places to display the flag for the upcoming holiday season. He said he is looking for “somewhere big” to display it. He has already made arrangements to have it on display in the concession stand at Big Diamond Speedway on July 6.

“I’m looking for a nice big place to fly it where a lot of people will see it. I think it should be flown. I’m hoping for July 4th somewhere,” Kowalchick said.

After that, he plans to approach the Schuylkill County Historical Society and donate it to them if they want it, along with Schneider’s nurse uniform from the 1950s when she worked at the Pottsville Hospital.

“It’s an old flag, but it’s brand new,” Kowalchick said.

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

Man caught with drugs, firearm

HEGINS — Hegins Township police filed charges against a Spring Glen man in connection with an incident on May 17.

Patrolman Cody Applegate charged Michael Wolfe, 27, with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and related offenses.

On May 17, Applegate conducted a vehicle stop on Wolfe for driving a Nissan Sentra with a window tint violation.

Through the course of the investigation, Wolfe was found to be in possession of approximately 102 grams of marijuana and a loaded .45-caliber handgun, police said.

At the conclusion of the investigation, police said Applegate obtained a warrant for Wolfe’s arrest and he was taken into custody without incident June 16 at Hegins Park.

Wolfe was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post 10 percent of $25,000 bail.

Four escape injury in two-vehicle crash

ELIZABETHVILLE — Four people escaped injury in a two-vehicle crash that occurred on South Crossroads Road in the area of the Lisi gas station in Washington Township, Dauphin County, around 2:40 p.m. June 11.

State police at Lykens said Stephen Clark, 39, of Hegins, was driving a 2001 Subaru Outback on South Crossroads Road when he ran into the back of a 2003 Chevrolet S10 driven by Mark A. Heckler, 37, of Tower City, who was stopped waiting to turn into the gas station.

Both drivers and two passengers in the Clark vehicle — a 15-year-old Hegins boy and a 12-year-old Hegins girl — were not hurt, police said.

Pottsville police seek wanted man

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville police have obtained an arrest warrant for a man after officers were called to 800-12 N. Second St. around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday for suspected drug activity.

Police said the subsequent investigation led to the execution of a search warrant and the seizure of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, a digital scale, numerous white glassine packets, a blender that contained brown powder and an amount of cash.

As a result, Patrolman Braden Jones prepared a criminal complaint against Harshawn “Big” Jones, 42, and charged him with felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, four counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

An arrest warrant was requested for Jones and police said the investigation is continuing.

Man charged after driving incident

HEGINS — Hegins Township police filed charges of criminal mischief and careless driving against a 35-year-old Hegins man following an incident on June 8.

Police said Cory Klouser will have to answer to the charges before Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi, Tremont.

Police said the victim reported being cut off by Klouser with his vehicle after which he aggressively accelerated throwing rocks on the victim.

The deadline to apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program has been extended.

The state Department of Revenue program was scheduled to end Saturday but will continue until Dec. 31. The department determines each year if funds are remaining to extend the deadline.

Rebates are available for property taxes or rent paid in 2017 for eligible residents age 65 and older, people 18 and older with disabilities and widows and widowers 50 and older.

Last year, nearly 600,000 seniors and people with disabilities benefited from the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.

“We are extending the deadline again this year because we want to be sure everyone who is eligible has time to submit their applications,” Gov. Tom Wolf said in a press release.

The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 for renters. Half of Social Security income is excluded. The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners can increase the rebate to $975. Rebates that have been processed and approved will be distributed July 2.

After Saturday, rebates will be distributed as claims are received and processed.

The program is funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery and revenue from slots gaming.

Forms are available by calling 1-800-222-9190 or online at www.revenue.pa.gov.

“This program delivered more than $262 million to income-eligible seniors and people with disabilities who applied for rebates on rent and property taxes paid in 2016. We want everyone to know that our staff is here to assist Pennsylvanians with their applications so that they can benefit from the program,” Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell said.

TREMONT — The Pottsville man who allegedly broke into a Cass Township church in April or May is headed to Schuylkill County Court after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing on Thursday on 11 charges resulting from the incident.

Steven J. Platts, 31, faces two counts each of burglary, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property and institutional vandalism and one of criminal mischief. Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi bound over all charges for court after Platts waived his right to the hearing.

After Platts waived his right to the hearing, he went free on $50,000 unsecured bail pending further court proceedings. Platts had been in prison in lieu of $75,000 straight cash bail, but prosecutors agreed to the bail reduction.

Cass Township police alleged Platts broke into St. Kieran Church, Church Road, Heckscherville, between April 10 and May 7, the day they found a window smashed out of the sanctuary.

Police said Platts broke into the back of the church, entered and stole numerous items, including pews. Platts also left behind gloves, a gasoline can, saw blades, an iced tea container and cigarette butts, along with footprints and fingerprints, according to police.

Police said they saw several stolen items in plain sight at Platts’ residence. After that, police said, they obtained a search warrant for the residence and were able to seize several items.

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

Defendant: Steven J. Platts

Age: 31

Residence: Pottsville

Charges: Two counts each of burglary, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property and institutional vandalism and one of criminal mischief

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — The flying of an unmanned aerial system or drone in Butler Township must be in accord with rules set by ordinance formally adopted by the supervisors at their Tuesday meeting.

The supervisors decided to establish the rules after township residents “have made complaints to township officials and employees about drones flying over their properties at altitudes that cause them concern, inconvenience, annoyance and/or alarm,” according to the ordinance, which went into effect Sunday.

The ordinance (2018-1) does not prohibit the use of drones, which are aircraft without a human pilot aboard controlled by an operator on the ground, but includes a list of prohibitions of their use for the welfare of township citizens, that define and prohibit disturbing the peace and prohibit the carrying on of offensive activities in the township.

After the meeting, Chairman David Kessler said, “We had an issue involving a couple of instances in the township where drones are flying over private property. We wanted to do something that was proactive rather than reactive and put a plan in place that if there was a complaint, there would be something that could be followed up by the police department. That we didn’t have.”

The supervisors discussed the matter with township solicitor Christopher Riedlinger, who said other municipalities are also enacting similar ordinances.

“We just want to protect the privacy of our people and be more proactive,” Kessler said. “It doesn’t prohibit their use, but allows their use within reason.”

The ordinance lists the following prohibitions:

• No person shall engage in any course of conduct carried out through the use of an unmanned aerial system over or near any dwelling, occupied vehicle or other place where the occupant, operator or owner may reasonably expect to be free from uninvited intrusion or surveillance.

• No person shall operate an unmanned aerial system during nighttime hours (sunset to sunrise).

• No person shall operate an unmanned aerial system over or near a gathering of 10 or more people.

• No person shall operate an unmanned aerial system in such a manner that he/she loses a visual line of sight of the unmanned aerial system at any time.

• No person shall operate an unmanned aerial system from a moving vehicle.

• No person shall operate an unmanned aerial system in such a manner so as to interfere with the provision of emergency services.

• No person who is the registered owner of an unmanned aerial system shall allow any other person to use or operate the unmanned aerial system in violation of any section, sub-subsection or part of this ordinance.

The ordinance permits any law enforcement officer or personnel investigating an ordinance violation to confiscate and retain the drone allegedly used as the retention of evidence.

Exceptions allow the uses of drones for legitimate law enforcement activities by law enforcement personnel or designated agents; to assist in the provision of medical services; by fire department personnel to assist with their official duties; by a public agency for a legitimate public purpose; or by a commercial agency for purposes of aerial mapping.

Anyone found guilty of violating the ordinance will face a fine of not less than $50 and not more than $500, plus court costs.

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

Elizabethville

The Elizabethville Area Historical Society, 100 E. Main St., will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the first and third Saturdays of each month through September. The museum has a military/first responder room, military uniforms, pictures of the area from the early 20th century, artifacts and antiques, according to a press release. The library also has many books on local history and genealogy. For more information, go online to www.elizabethvillehistory.org.

New Ringgold

Zion’s Stone Church, 45 Cemetery Road, will have an old-fashioned church social from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 29 at the West Penn Community Park, Zion’s Stone Church Road. The event will include entertainment by the Good News Travelin’ Band from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Erin Raymond from 2 to 4 p.m. and Bill Clause and the Blue Mountain Buckaneers from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. A wide variety of food and games will be available as well as carriage rides and a basket extravaganza. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call 570-386-5111.

Orwigsburg

At 6 p.m. Thursday, the Orwigsburg Area Free Public Library will feature Jay Smar in a program about the history of coal mining through song. The program is free and all are welcome. This year is the 250th anniversary of anthracite coal mining. The library also released its summer Learning Quest schedule as follows: 11 a.m. Tuesdays reading storytime for preschool and elementary ages through Aug. 7; 6 p.m. Wednesdays science nights for elementary ages now through Aug. 7. Other features include: June 27, Sound and Light Physics; July 11, Martian Materials space rock program; July 18, Tin Foil Sculpture; July 25, Pottsville STEM program; Aug. 1, Cameron’s Exotic Animal program. At 10 a.m. to first Saturday of the month there will be building block parties with passive play; second Saturdays, play kindergarten (ages 3 to 5); third Saturdays, story and craft; fourth Saturdays, crafts for elementary ages. For more, call Claudia Gross, library director, at 570-366-1638.

Shenandoah

The Shenandoah Valley School District is participating in the summer food service program. Meals, according to a district press release, will be provided to all children 18 and younger without charge. Acceptance and participation requirements for the program and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, age or disability and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service, district officials said in the release. Meals will be provided at the site and time as follows: Elementary cafeteria, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., today to Aug. 17 but will be closed July 4 and 5. Any person who believes he/she has been discriminated against in any USDA-related activity should write or call to: USDA. Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410.

Shenandoah

Shenandoah Valley High School will stage a reunion for all students who graduated in the decade of the 1980s on July 14 at the Fountain Springs Country Inn. Tickets are $25 per person, which covers admission and the meal. There will be a cash bar. The reunion will begin at 5 p.m. and conclude at 10 p.m., according to a release from Robert C. Yudinsky, retired Shenandoah Valley educator and current school district public relations liaison. So far 150 alumni have indicated that they plan to attend. Any teacher or alumni interested in attending can do so by calling Joe Delluso at 570-778-6483 or emailing jdelluso21@gmail.com or calling Mike Creasy at 570-527-3862. The deadline to register has been extended to Saturday.

Tremont

A Chinese auction to benefit the Tremont Area Free Public Library is set for July 22 at the Tremont Borough Hall. Doors will open at 11 a.m. and the drawing will begin at 2 p.m. A shop-and-drop will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. July 21. The hall is air conditioned and accessible to the handicapped. Refreshments will be available both days. For more information, call 570-695-3325.

Weston

Members, volunteers, donors and guests of the Weston Athletic Association are invited to an ice cream social set for 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Weston Park. Registration is required. To register, call MaryAnne at 570-384-2375, Mary at 570-384-3511 or Diane at 570-384-3311.

Deeds

Auburn — Malinda Curnow to Jared H. Zook; 318 Market St.; $108,500.

Bank of America NA to Doug Naftzinger Inc.; 726 Bear Creek Road; $25,000.

Branch Township — Gwen A. Matz, Mark T. Shelhamer and Kurt J. Shelhamer, co-executors of the Estate of Margaret J. Shelhamer, to Tyler and Shannon Seiders; 77 Spring St.; $143,000.

Letitia F. Malarkey, individually and as attorney in fact for William J. Malarkey, to Letitia F. Malarkey; 26 First Ave.; $1.

Butler Township — Angela M. Carl to Branch Banking & Trust Co.; 125 Spruce St., Lavelle; $1.

Cass Township — Kwun C. and Michelle C. Cheng to Kwun C. Cheng; 819 Forest Lane, Primrose; $1.

Coaldale — Allison Shokey, individually and as administratrix of the Estate of Willett J. Roode, to Allison Shokey; 30 W. Lehigh St.; $1.

Kimberly A. Gruber to Carlos Luis Sanchez; property at West Ridge and Fifth streets; $18,000.

Jane Bubernak, by attorney in fact Daniel W. Thompson, to Mildred Morales; 270 E. Water St.; $26,000.

Deer Lake — Ruth Woo-Pisakowski to Ruth Woo-Pisakowski and Thomas E. Piaskowski; 636 Willow Road; $1.

East Brunswick Township — DMS Investment Properties to Ralf and Diane Sue Bzura, trustees of the Bzura Family Trust; 1.11121-acre property on Township Road T-836; $175,000.

East Norwegian Township — Andrew and Lisa M. Sweyko to Eric J. Lord and Barbara E. Lord; 250 Louisa Ave.; $222,500.

East Union Township — Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Elena M. and Manuel Vilches; Lot 92WSS5, Eagle Rock; $44,339.

Jocelyn S. and Raymundo B. Akiatan to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 322HF4, Eagle Rock; $7,643.21.

Aileen and Prolizer Bugas to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 334HF4, Eagle Rock; $6,153.63.

Meliton A. and Lani Delos Santos to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 293HF3, Eagle Rock; $6,183.63.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Shree Ram Shrestha and Mishu Joshi; Lot 72HF4, Eagle Rock; $37,269.

Christopher M. LeRose, executor of the Estate of Kathleen H. Zanelli, to Timothy C. Klesh; 3 Pinewood Circle, Eagle Rock; $289,000.

Frailey and Porter townships — Westwood Generation LLC to Rausch Creek Generation LLC; 266.27-acre property on Route 209; $1.

Gilberton — Louis R. Onorofsky to Sally A. Schweigert; 18 Shaft St.; $1.

David and Theresa Kuropatsky to Eric P. Forro; 164 Long Row Road; $8,500.

Hubley Township — Bruce F. Bunner and F. Leon Zimmerman to Patrick F. III and Jennifer A. Moore; 2.011-acre property on Route 25; $100,000.

Robert E. and Pamela J. Koppenhaver to Robert Koppenhaver Builder and Contracting Co.; 20 School Road, Spring Glen; $1.

Hubley and Upper Mahantongo townships — Leslie S. Maurer to Leslie S. Maurer, Nicholas A. Maurer and Suzette E. Spotts; 27.9114-acre property on Vista Road, Klingerstown; $1.

Kline Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to 270418 Portfolio Trust; 39 James St., Kelayres; $1,031.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to 270418 Portfolio Trust; 73 Haddock Road, Haddock; $1,079.

Thomas Dutzer to Thomas Dutzer and Candice Krupilis; 38 Bridge St., South McAdoo; $1.

270418 Portfolio Trust to Andrew S. Lutz and Ethan A. Lutz; 73 Haddock Road, Haddock; $5,000.

Pine Grove — Ronald J. and Cynthia L. Griffiths to Michael P. Merlo Jr.; 80 E. Pottsville St.; $130,000.

Mahanoy City — Sharon Klinger to Mariel Flores; 434 W. Spruce St.; $3,500.

Dustin Breck to Deidamia Medina Santana; property on West Mahanoy Avenue; $3,000.

Dustin Breck to Deidamia Medina Santana; 325 E. Centre St.; $3,500.

Dolores I. Boland and Wayne and Ann Marie Stellfox to Carmen M. Rivas-Perez; two properties; $26,000.

Mahanoy Township — DCS Realty LLC to DCS Realty LLC; 2.182-acre property on East End Avenue; $1.

McAdoo — Andrew J. and Dorothy M. Anderson to Mary Ortiz; 213 E. Sherman St.; $40,000.

Theresa Marie Wasno and Michele Mary Wasno to Christopher D. Hossage; 109-111 Rear Cleveland St.; $59,000.

North Union Township — Clarence K. Armstrong and Joyce L. Panzer to Clarence K. Armstrong and Joyce L. Panzer; 140 Arapahoe Lane, Eagle Rock; $1.

Orwigsburg — Rachel A. Crumrine to BLG Realty LLC; 204 Long Ave.; $6,000.

Pine Grove — Kara M. Reicheert to Jared L. Burkholder; 58 Carbon St.; $42,000.

Port Carbon — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Acorn Estates LLC; property at Pine Alley and Canal Street; $7,500.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Damarys Singh; 335 Coal St.; $1,166.

Porter Township — June Group and J. Robert Zane, co-administrators of the Estate of Tyson Group, Joseph Group, Victor J. Group-Ryder and Jennifer M. Coughlin to Anne Marie Cogan; 9 Second St., Joliett; $5,000.

Pottsville — Anthony J. Sophy to Kathryn G. Sophy, Patricia A. Killian, Mary A. Sophy, Anthony C. Sophy and Thomas J. Sophy; 721 N. Second St.; $1.

Anthony Sophy and Anthony C. Sophy; 0.222-acre property on North Second Street; $1.

Reilly Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to S. and J. Homes LLC; 13.9-acre property; $5,000.

Erica Kriston Swan to Shane Kostishak; 41 Sport Hill Road, Branchdale; $32,000.

Saint Clair — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Dak Homes LLC; 309 S. Mill St.; $1,545.

Kwun C. and Michelle C. Cheng to Michelle C. Cheng; 119 S. Front St.; $1.

Schuylkill Haven — Ronald L. Koffel, individually, as successor trustee of the Raymond A. Koffel and Anna C. Koffel Revocable Living Trust, and as administrator C.T.A. of the Last Will & Testament of Anna C. Koffel, to Norman E. Riegel; 24 Paxson Ave.; $93,000.

Schuylkill Township — Claire A. Stancavage to Claire A. Stancavage and Mark C. Stancavage; three properties in Tuscarora; $1.

Shenandoah — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Dak Homes LLC; 314 W. Coal St.; $2,000.

Elizabeth and Elvis Aybar to Juan Jose Saravin Reyes; property on West Centre Street; $8,500.

Elizabeth and Elvis Aybar to Ordulio Reyes-Zavala; 536 W. Centre St.; $1.

Omar and Mayra Veras to Jhony A. Cortes; 217 E. Centre St.; $5,000.

Carmie Prete to Juakin M. Reinoso; 211 N. Vine St.; $2,500.

Tamaqua — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Arthur H. Brenneman III; 250 Brown St.; $1,049.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Arthur H. Brenneman III; property on Brown Street; $1,199.

Tremont — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Jamie Scott Reightler; 34 N. Crescent St.; $5,600.

Washington Township — Audrey L. Butz to Robert C. and Ellen L. Staller; 10 Dad Burnhams Road; $1.

Wayne Township — Wells Fargo Bank NA to Michael Apsokardu; 206 Luckenbill Road; $116,254.

West Penn Township — Jeremy K. and Leslie A. Smith to Mark K. Smith; 3157 Ben Salem Road, Andreas; $185,000.

Thomas P. and Susan K. Gibiser to Barry N. and Angela Kay Witmer; 463 Rabbit Run Road, Andreas; $218,000.

Thomas P. and Joan M. DeLay to Sarah Marie Hartung; 74 Oak Terrace; $1.

JMAC Realty LLC to Joshua A. and Laura L. Gruver; 51-55 Mush Dahl Road, Clamtown; $192,000.

Dennis F. and Marian C. Resch to Dennis F. Resch and Marian C. Resch, trustees of the Resch Family Trust; 395 Blue Mountain Drive; $10.

NEW PHILADELPHIA — Decades ago, John “China” Fogarty held a leather football in his arms as a running back for the 1939 Blythe Township Black Panthers.

On Sunday, he clutched a pine football, crafted by Branchdale sculptor Martin Heffron, to commemorate the Panthers’ 12-0 victory over the Cleveland Bisons on Dec. 2, 1939, for the Central Pennsylvania Interscholastic Football Conference state championship.

Fogarty, now 96, also claimed victory over cancer.

“You’ve got to roll with the punches and go with the flow,” Fogarty of Orwigsburg, formerly of New Philadelphia, said about his longevity. He will turn 97 in August and is the sole survivor of the winning team, according to his granddaughter, Jackie Fogarty.

Dr. David J. Moylan III invited Fogarty and other cancer survivors to the Simon Kramer Cancer Institute’s Celebration of Life Cancer Survivors Picnic on Sunday on the center’s stadium grounds in New Philadelphia. The radiation oncologist has held the free event for nearly 10 years. It will be 20 years in July that the cancer center was established, Moylan said. The picnic is supported by the center’s staff, community partners and local businesses. It’s a time for survivors and their families to relax, nourish their bodies and catch up with friends. About 300 people attended last year.

John Fogarty’s name is on the wall mural at the stadium. “China” was a nickname his coach gave him, he said.

Although John Fogarty had stomach cancer, he didn’t need any radiation, so he wasn’t treated at the Simon Kramer Cancer Institute. Fogarty’s granddaughter assists Moylan, who is also Schuylkill County coroner, with virtual autopsies. She’s currently in training and would like to become a deputy county coroner.

Moylan commissioned Heffron to make the wooden football that is going on display in the center’s gallery. The wood came from the former Saint Nicholas breaker in Mahanoy Township. Moylan has plans to honor other friends and order more.

Charles and Dolly Harman of Pitman enjoyed the day, celebrating with three generations of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Charles has been a survivor since 2004.

“I’m here to celebrate all the work they did on me and for the radiation that saved my life,” he said.

“They were very good to my dad,” Fawn Wehry of Klingerstown added.

Karen Zimmerman agreed, and said she was grateful for the care that her parents, Lester and June Zimmerman, received.

“They’re just wonderful people,” Zimmerman said of the center staff.

June Zimmerman of Schuylkill Haven is a patient of another doctor, Dr. Satish Singla. She said she’s been a survivor since 2007. This is the second time attending the picnic, she said.

“It’s nice to get out and enjoy myself,” June said. Her husband had been treated by both Moylan and by his wife, Dr. Jacqueline Moylan.

June was joined by her granddaughters, Andrea and Brittanie, and by her son, Todd, and his fiance. June wanted to give back, and donated a laundry basket full of supplies to the event’s Chinese auction.

Jacqueline Moylan and her daughters, Tara and Lauren Moylan, worked to get the Chinese auction table ready Sunday morning. Teresa Hauck and other staff helped collect the donated items.

At lunchtime, Bob Reed and his wife, Helen, enjoyed a hamburger as their 10-year-old chihuahua, Henry, sat in Bob’s lap. Bob, 79, is a seven-year lung cancer survivor. He just retired as a truck driver for a coal mining operation in January.

“We’ve been coming here just about every single year that they’ve had it,” Bob Reed of New Philadelphia said.

Their daughter, Barbara Lichvar, works for Moylan, they said.

Peter Gass, an account liaison with Heartland Hospice Care, Wyomissing, Berks County, set up an informational booth at the picnic and said it was his first time attending.

“We try to make sure people receive the benefits they’re eligible for as soon as possible,” Gass said.

Meanwhile, Dan Helfer of DJ Dan Entertainment, Mahanoy City, offered musical entertainment. He played oldies and tunes from the ’80s as survivors mingled under shaded tents.

All proceeds from Sunday’s event benefit the Educational and Scientific Trust of the Simon Kramer Cancer Institute. The trust is a community-based, not-for-profit health organization that’s committed to providing access to state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment options for all cancer patients within the region, regardless of their ability to pay.

“We strive to prevent cancer, save lives and diminish the suffering of cancer patients and their families through empowerment that cancer education and awareness provide,” the center’s picnic brochure says.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Deer Lake

The group Keystone Military Families is sponsoring a bike night/food drive. KMF has a food pantry for veterans who can’t afford food or are down on their luck, according to a press release. The bike night is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. July 26 at the Deer Lake Pub, Route 61, according to George Morgan. For more on KMF, go online to www.keystonemilitaryfamilies.org.

Mahanoy City

Two members of Post Q Anthracite Region, Travelers Protective Association of America, were selected to national offices at the 127th annual national TPA convention held recently at the Black Bear Inn and Suites, Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Edwin Miller, the post secretary-treasurer, was elected to another term as TPA Area Three three community service chairman and Suzanne Kern was elected for another term as Area Three safety chairwoman. Post Q’s William Kern Jr. has another year as national director from the Pennsylvania Division. Wayne Wentworth, Michigan Division, was elected as national president, according to a Post Q press release from Kern Jr. Post Q also won awards for first place communications and scrapbook and the Pennsylvania Division first place for safety. The post had four delegates to the convention, including Bill and Sue Kern and Edwin and Dolores Miller. Post Q meets at 6 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at the Good American Fire Company Hall. New members are always welcome as is anyone interested in working for community service, safety and promoting the hearing impaired. Post Q’s annual summer picnic will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 1 in the Good American Fire Company Hall. Those interested in attending should call Secretary Miller at 570-773-3632. Kern Jr. can be reached by calling 570-544-6358.

Mahanoy City

The St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry is always in need of food and is grateful for donations. Items needed include cereal, canned fruit, peanut butter, beef stew, soups, juices, tuna, Spam, instant potatoes, Hamburger Helper, pasta and sauce, pancake mix and syrup, coffee, tea or any nonperishable food item or canned good. Bathroom tissue is also needed. Donations may be left at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church, at the office of state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, or at M&T Bank, all in Mahanoy City.

Orwigsburg

Holy Family Adult Day Care is continuing to accept applications for the day care program, which is located along Route 443 at the former St. Francis Orphanage building. The program is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and provides social and activity programs, therapeutic care and support services, according to a Holy Family release. Other benefits include daytime support for caregivers, meeting the special needs of adults with Alzheimer’s disease or stroke who need supervision but not 24-hour care, assistance with medication and personal care. It provides breakfast and cooked lunch with a snack in the afternoon. Anyone 60 or older and who meets program requirements is eligible. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information or to schedule a visit, call 570-366-2924.

Shenandoah

The revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. meets at 5:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month in the downtown center, 116 N. Main St. New volunteers are always welcome to help advance the revitalization effort. For more information, go to the DSI website at www.downtownshenandoah.com, visit the center during regular hours, call 570-462-2060 or email dsi@downtownshenandoahinc.com. Karen Kenderdine is DSI president and Mary Luscavage is DSI’s executive director and Main Street Program manager. Donations to help DSI maintain the renewal effort are needed and gratefully accepted.

Shenandoah

The 2018 Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Parish block party will be held July 13, 14 and 15 on West Cherry Street and organizers are looking for volunteers to help with all aspects of the event. Anyone willing to help, donate or wanting more information should call the parish office at 570-462-1968. The parish email is info@dmparish.com and its website is at www.dmparish.com.

POTTSVILLE — A Tamaqua man who is charged with shooting another man in a February 2017 incident in the borough will face an attempted first-degree murder charge.

On June 18, President Judge William E. Baldwin allowed prosecutors to substitute that for an attempted third-degree murder charge against Charles D. Heffelfinger Jr., 24.

Heffelfinger also is charged with two counts each of aggravated assault and simple assault and three of recklessly endangering another person. Tamaqua police charged him with shooting Gary Riedel about 1:50 a.m. Feb. 12, 2017, outside 225 Orwigsburg St.

In other county court action, Judge Charles M. Miller on June 13 also accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:

Nicole Bailey, 41, of Tamaqua; possession of drug paraphernalia and no rear lights; $75 in fines and $100 SAEF payment.

Judith Ann Essler, 52, of Minersville; possession of drug paraphernalia; time served to six months in prison and $100 SAEF payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

Dennis Hopkins, 27, of Shenandoah; possession of a controlled substance; time served to six months in prison with immediate parole, $100 SAEF payment, $50 payment to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, $50 bench warrant fee and $176 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Paul S. Krainik, 42, of Pottsville; false or fraudulent medical assistance claim, submitting false claim, unentitled reimbursement, theft by deception and tampering with records; 36 months probation, $50 CJEA payment and $3,461 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of unlawful use of a computer.

Wayne T. Lenosky, 37, of Seltzer; two counts each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility; six to 23 months in prison and $100 SAEF payment, with sentence effective at 9 a.m. Monday. Prosecutors withdrew two counts each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities and possession of a controlled substance and one each of corrupt organizations and conspiracy.

“Get you life straightened out and stay away from the drugs,” Miller told Lenosky.

John McCracken, 31, of Girardville; harassment; $300 fine and no contact with the victims. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of simple assault.

Jennifer Pero, 40, of Larksville; DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia; 72 hours to six months in prison, $1,000 fine, $100 SAEF payment, $605.70 restitution and 10 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew charges of possession of a controlled substance, disregarding traffic lane, failure to drive at a safe speed and careless driving.

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

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

Deeds

North Union Township — Joan M. Bowes, executrix of the Estate of Theresa G. Morris, to Thomas A. and Tana K. McCloskey; property on West Davos Circle; $1.

Orwigsburg — Michael J. Melicharek to Joshua A. and Hannah Kreitzer; 128 N. Liberty St.; $132,000.

Pine Grove — Barbara and William Deabenderfer to Thomas A. Sr. and Linda R. Zerbe; 39 Locust St.; $1.

Pottsville — Scott D. and Adrienne S. Schreffler to Mathieu and Heather Gascon; 246 N. 10th St.; $26,000.

Stephen L. Zucal to Ardgroom Urban Renewal LLC; property on West Arch Street; $7,000.

Merlyn J. Jenkins to Shanahan Realty LLC; 410 W. Market St.; $150,000.

Donald F. McGovern, by attorney in fact Maribeth McGovern, to Joshua B. Iverson; 1403 W. Norwegian St.; $70,000.

Schuylkill Township — Jeffrey M. Jones to Jenna Rascavage and Michael Rascavage Sr.; 55 Mine St., Brockton; $70,000.

Shenandoah — Manuel Romero to Michael Akers Jr.; 204 W. Coal St.; $767.

John B. Hall to Jesse Gomez; 122 S. Jardin St.; $15,000.

Tamaqua — Craig Walters to Greta Carminati; 155 Owl Creek Road; $80,000.

Andrew G. Danko to Robert Pratka; 119 Clay St.; $59,000

Washington Township — Mary J. Billman and Laura Hoepstine to Ryan James McMullin and Laura Davida Leiby; 10.40676-acre property on State Route 3009; $111,000.

Wayne Township — Matthew R. and Corrin L. Saxinger to Toni M. Dissinger; 193 Hatchet Cove, Lake Wynonah; $104,000.

Juli Anne Schneck to Andrew and Lisa M. Sweyko; 210 Wynonah Drive, Lake Wynonah; $175,000.

West Brunswick Township — F. Christopher and Kendra M. Bartush to F. Christopher Bartush; 361 Pine Creek Drive; $1.

Police investigate pedestrian struck

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville police investigated an incident of a pedestrian struck by a car at Route 61 and East Norwegian Street around 9:40 p.m. June 16.

Police said the investigation by Sgt. James Joos determined a 55-year-old Watsontown woman was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Trax east on East Norwegian Street facing a green light to turn left onto Route 61 north.

While making her left turn, a 20-year-old Pottsville woman who was pushing a stroller containing her 1-year-old son entered the intersection and walked directly into the path of the vehicle.

Police said the driver swerved to avoid hitting the stroller but struck the 20-year-old woman’s right arm, jumped a curb and came to a stop in the parking lot of CVS.

Police said the child in the stroller was not hurt and the woman complained of pain to her right arm.

The Pottsville woman said she entered the controlled crosswalk because someone waived to her to cross the highway which resulted in her walking in front of the vehicle, police said.

As a result, police said, Joos determined the Pottsville woman was to be at fault for the accident.

None injured in 2-vehicle accident

RINGTOWN — Two people escaped injury when their vehicles collided at Aristes Road and Little Mountain Road in Union Township around 7:50 p.m. Wednesday.

State police at Frackville said James S. Facinelli, 68, of Elizabethville was driving a 2009 Cadillac CTS west on Aristes Road approaching the intersection with Little Mountain Road when he stopped for a stop sign and then crept out toward the intersection to look for approaching vehicles.

Police said Facinelli failed to see a 2002 Acura RSX being driven south on Little Mountain Road by Brian Wowak, 39, of Ringtown, and pulled out hitting the Wowak vehicle.

The impact of Facinelli’s bumper hitting the left rear wheel of the Wowak vehicle caused that vehicle to spin around 260 degrees before coming to a stop, police said.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene and police said Facinelli will be cited for stop and yield sign violations as a result of the crash.

Palmyra man faces felony theft charges

JONESTOWN — A Palmyra man was arrested by state police at Jonestown after a lengthy investigation into thefts that occurred between Jan. 1, 2017, and Feb. 21.

Police said Nathaniel Aaron Finkin, 45, was charged with 128 felony offenses and 12 misdemeanor crimes.

They included multiple counts of dealing in proceeds of illegal activities, forgery, tampering with public records, theft, criminal attempt to commit theft, theft by deception, criminal attempt to commit theft by deception, receiving stolen property, identity theft, criminal attempt to commit identity theft, tampering with records or identification, manufacture or sale of a false identification card and criminal attempt to commit access device fraud.

Police said Finkin was an insurance agent with Transamerica Insurance Agency and during that time used personal information of 12 clients to open and obtain more than $67,000 in fraudulent personal online loans.

The man also tried to obtain additional fraudulent loans but was unable to do so.

Among the victims were Schuylkill County residents Terry Stump of Pine Grove, Ronald Carestia of Pottsville, Francis Delaney of Zerbe and Michael Blozousky of Gilberton.

Man cited for

I-81 accident

PINE GROVE — A Pine Grove man suffered minor injuries when the 2004 Toyota Camry he was driving ran into the back of a truck in the northbound lanes of Interstate 81, near mile marker 98.6 in Pine Grove Township, around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

State police at Jonestown said Kristopher A. Burger, 42, was driving north in the left lane when he ran into the trailer portion of a 2017 Freightliner tractor-trailer being driven by Michael B. Wilt, 57, of Etters.

After hitting the truck, Burger lost control of his car, causing it to go off of the road, roll over several times and come to a stop in a grassy area alongside of the road, troopers said.

Wilt was not hurt and police said that as a result of the crash, Burger will be cited for following too closely.

Hazle Twp. man

charged for DUI

MCADOO — A Hazle Township man was charged with DUI following a traffic stop on May 18, according to McAdoo police.

Police stopped a vehicle for inoperative license plate lights at 3:43 a.m. The driver, James Oliver, 29, had red glossy eyes and police detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage. Oliver advised police he had two shots two hours before.

Oliver was given a field sobriety test and his performance indicated signs of impairment, police said. He was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI and was taken for a blood test.

Police said results of the blood test showed Oliver had a BAC level of 0.156 percent. He was charged with two counts of DUI and a summary offense.

2 face charges

after traffic stop

MCADOO — McAdoo police charged a driver with DUI and a passenger with possession, after a traffic stop May 19.

A car driven by Audalis Diaz, 23, of Paterson, New Jersey, was stopped at 11:45 p.m. for a heavy amount of window tint. The odor of marijuana was immediately detected, police said. Diaz was lethargic and her eyes were bloodshot. She admitted to smoking marijuana an hour before, police said.

She was asked to submit to blood tests and her performance on the tests indicated signs of impairment. She was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI, police said.

Results of Diaz’s blood test showed methamphetamine and THC in her system. She was charged with three counts of DUI and summary offenses, according to police.

The passenger in her vehicle, Marino Diaz Martinez, 21, of Hazleton, was found to be in possession of two roaches and a small amount of marijuana in a plastic pouch replicating a credit card. He was taken into custody and charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Man charged

for obstruction

MCADOO — McAdoo police charged Daniel Cunningham, 48, of Hazleton, with obstructing administration of law and a summary offense for disorderly conduct on April 23.

Police had stopped a vehicle at 5:15 p.m. near the Adams Street playground and basketball courts where numerous people had gathered.

The driver of the vehicle was in the process of going through field sobriety testing, when Cunningham walked up and took the male by the arm and began walking away with him, police said. Police told Cunningham that the male was detained.

Cunningham was told he would also be detained if he did not leave the area. A Kline Township police officer was in the process of searching a vehicle, and Cunningham kept getting close to it, police said. He was told to walk away from the area, but he refused to vacate.

Cunningham was taken into custody as numerous people in the area started yelling and making a spectacle of the incident, police said.

Woman charged with

public drunkenness

MCADOO — A borough woman was charged with public drunkenness and disorderly conduct after McAdoo police said she was on the porch of another resident on June 14.

Odette Acosta, 41, had red glossy eyes and the odor of an alcoholic beverage was emanating from her facial area at 9:30 p.m., police said. They were dispatched to W. Sherman Street for a female causing a disturbance.

The complainant stated a Hispanic female was on his porch yelling for her son, who she thought was in the house. The caller said he did not know the woman and never saw her before, but stated he believed she was intoxicated, police said.

McAdoo man faces

drug charges

MCADOO — Michael Merenda, 33, of McAdoo, was charged with three counts of DUI, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and summary offenses, according to McAdoo police.

Police stopped Merenda at 11:41 p.m. on May 26 for a stop on red violation. Police detected the odor of marijuana immediately when Merenda opened the door.

His eyes were red and bloodshot, police observed. When asked if there was any marijuana in the vehicle, Merenda said no.

Police conducted a vehicle search and a small amount of marijuana was found under the passenger seat. Merenda was taken into custody and admitted to smoking marijuana two hours before. He was given field sobriety tests, and his performance indicated signs of impairment, police said. Merenda was taken for a blood test.

Results of the blood test showed several types of drugs in his system, including THC, methamphetamine, amphetamine and fentanyl, police said.

Police investigate

alleged assault

SHENANDOAH HEIGHTS — State police at Frackville are investigating a reported assault with a weapon at 200 Florida Ave. in this West Mahanoy Township community around 1:05 p.m. Saturday.

Police said they were called to the home for a report of an argument between two women and spoke to Angeleah Andino, 26, of Shenandoah, who claimed the other woman punched and grabbed her right arm and then stabbed her in the left lower leg with a kitchen knife.

Police said that Amber Hoppes, 28, of Pottsville, who had been staying a the home, alleged that Andino struck her in the face and then cut herself with the kitchen knife before calling police.

Police said charges will be considered pending the result of a full investigation.

Police probe

damage to vehicle

SHENANDOAH — A criminal mischief incident in a parking space in front of 404 W. Centre St. between 12:01 and 7:30 a.m. Saturday is being investigated by state police at Frackville.

Police said Oscar Barrientos, 21, of Shenandoah, reported parking his 2014 Volkswagen Jetta and sometime during the overnight hours someone used a key to damage the side.

Damage is estimated at about $200 and police are asking that anyone with information contact them at 570-874-5300.

Vehicle strikes deer;

driver not injured

MAHANOY CITY — An Elizabethville man escaped injury when the 2018 Volkswagen Golf he was driving struck a deer in the northbound lanes of Interstate 81 in the area of mile marker 128 in Ryan Township around 6:15 p.m. Friday.

State police at Frackville said John J. Schultz, 50, was driving north when he was unable to avoid hitting a deer that jumped from the right side of the road directly into his path.

Police said the deer was killed in the incident and that the Schultz car had damage to the front left corner.

SAINT CLAIR — There will be a balanced budget with no tax increase for the 2018-19 Saint Clair Area School District year.

The $10,994,866 budget was passed 6-0 at the June 13 school board meeting, according to Business Manager Terry Schane and Superintendent Sarah Yoder. Three members, Gerald Kuperavage, Brian Regnier and Jeanette Zembas, were absent from the meeting.

Because there was no tax increase, residents can expect to pay $679.03 in property taxes this year, based on the 36.918 millage rate and the median property value of $18,393 in the district, same as last year. Taxes were raised for the 2017-18 school year from the 2016-17 school year, when the millage rate was 35.67 mills and taxes were $656.08

Yoder said the balanced budget was due to the teamwork of the school board and Schane, balancing needs versus wants, and adhering to the five-year plan. One aspect of the upcoming budget Yoder was excited about was the return of the previously-furloughed art program.

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

Rebecca J. Margerum

ELIZABETHVILLE — A 27-year-old Millersburg man charged with DUI and drug violations had charges against him held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum.

Richard L. Weikel of 1345 State Route 209, Apt. C, was arrested by state police Trooper Jesse Snyder of the Lykens station and charged with three counts of DUI-controlled substance and one count each of possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Margerum determined the commonwealth proved a prima facie case and ordered all five charges against Weikel held for Dauphin County Court.

Snyder said he stopped a vehicle driven Weikel at North Church Street, near Broad Street in Elizabethville, on Feb. 22 for an expired registration and was told by the man he had an expired license and that he could not provide insurance information.

Inside the vehicle, Snyder said, Weikel revealed a marijuana “joint” and admitted smoking marijuana about four hours prior to the stop and also to using methamphetamine.

Other court cases included:

Kimberly M. Lawrence, 37, of 232 Vine St., Williamstown; withdrawn: possession of drug paraphernalia. Guilty plea entered: possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Jason R. Sitlinger, 42, of 59 E. Main St., Box 575, Elizabethville; withdrawn: reckless driving. Waived for court: DUI, turning movements and required signals, careless driving and failure to use safety belts.

Anthony J. Kilker

SHENANDOAH — A Shenandoah woman charged with an assault and fire in the borough last year appeared for a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.

Maryann E. Kovalesky, 56, of 321 W. Oak St., was arrested by Shenandoah police Patrolman David Stamets and charged with arson, aggravated assault, resisting arrest, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.

Prosecutors withdrew the arson charge while Kovalesky waived the remaining offenses for Schuylkill County Court.

Stamets charged Kovalesky with an incident in the 300 block of West Centre Street on Oct. 6 where she allegedly intentionally set a fire at the Shenandoah police station.

Stamets said he took the woman into custody on a prior incident and also for an outstanding arrest warrant.

While at the police station, Stamets said, Kovalesky tried to run out of the building and resisted being placed in a cell by kicking him in the groin. Stamets said that once in her cell Kovalesky strung toilet paper on the cell door and used a lighter she had hidden on her person to set the toilet paper on fire.

Stamets said that when he tried to take the lighter away from Kovalesky began punching him and tried to bite him on the arm.

Other court cases included:

John S. Schropp, 39, of 205 Virginia Ave., Shenandoah; withdrawn: possession of drug paraphernalia. Waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.

Melissa L. Merenda, 36, of 57 Shady Lane, Barnesville; waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Steven C. Osborne, 32, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; withdrawn: DUI and possession of a weapon. Waived for court: firearms not to be carried without a license, DUI-controlled substance, making repairs to or selling offensive weapons, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

George S. Beaver, 60, of 17 Jerrys Road, Ringtown; waived for court: defiant trespass and scattering rubbish.

Sean D. Bowen, 38, of 409 E. Mount Vernon St., Shenandoah; withdrawn: burglary, criminal trespass and criminal mischief.

Michele M. Seward, 67, of 39 E. Lakewood Ave., Barnesville; withdrawn: retail theft and receiving stolen property.

Lauren Ann Garrett, 27, of 23 Williams St., Barnesville; held for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kerri Ann Miller, 27, of 102 Jerrys Road, Ringtown; waived for court: flight to avoid apprehension, trial or punishment, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Rachael Pleva-Sanko, 39, of 230 N. Highland St., Shenandoah; waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana, restrictions on alcoholic beverages, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

William J. Fadule, 42, of 220 W. Coal St., Shenandoah; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving without a license and disregard for single traffic lane.

William E. Bachert Jr., 38, of 139 Reservoir Road, Ringtown ; held for court: tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, obstructing the administration of law and permitting violation of title-driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

MAHANOY CITY — With the hiring of a new code enforcement officer, Mahanoy Township will actively resume answering complaints filed properly with the township.

The township supervisors met Thursday and discussed the procedures to be followed in order for code officer Bonnie Whah to respond to complaints. Whah was hired at the May meeting.

Supervisors Chairwoman Faith Ward spoke about code enforcement, including the requirement that all complaints must be in writing.

“We do have a new code enforcement and she has been pretty much on the ball in answering the complaints,” Ward said. “The complaints that come to us must be signed. We’ll go over them and turn them over to Bonnie. Once the ticket is issued, please do not come in here and throw them at us and say you’re not paying it. I’m not fixing it, and what’s going to happen is you’re going to get a second ticket, you’re going to get a third ticket and you’re going to end up at the magistrate. You’ll have to pay court costs and pay all the fines. We’re going to stand behind them.”

In her first month, Whah has been issuing warnings only, but will soon be issuing citations for code violations.

Ward said in May that the original procedure was for written complaints to be submitted, but in more recent times people were calling the supervisors at home with complaints. The correct procedure to have complaints has returned.

“It’s weeding out this neighbor bickering, back and forth,” Ward said. “Well, I don’t like her and I want her grass cut, but you can let him over here, who’s my buddy, go. It’s getting rid of that nonsense.”

The rehabilitation of Tower Road near the Village of Park Place will begin in July, according to the engineering report by ARRO Consulting Inc. project manager William N. McMullen. A pre-construction meeting was held May 15 with the general contractor, H&K Group Inc., township and ARRO officials, and Hazleton City Authority personnel.

“The project start has been revised by the contractor with a tentative start for installation of stormwater facilities mid- to late July, and other work, including paving, tentatively set for mid-August,” McMullen said.

H&K of Skippack was the low bidder on the project at $109,785. Part of the road project will be paid using a $58,409 state grant awarded to the township in 2016 through the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Dirt and Gravel Road and Low Volume Road grant program.

Tower Road is located at the Village of Park Place, beginning at Park Place Road (state Route 1014) and goes north up the mountain and out of the village, passes a small recreational pond called “The Cementy,” and provides access to communication towers and hunting areas on the mountain and is used by recreational vehicles. The road merges with Girard Manor Road and extends as far as Sheppton in East Union Township.

The road is paved near Park Place, though in deteriorated condition, with the rest being a dirt road. Tower Road was chosen for rehabilitation in order to make improvements involving stormwater runoff, which has been a problem with runoff water freezing on streets in the winter and entering private properties. The road length that will be rehabilitated is about one mile.

In another engineering matter, McMullen said the grant contract for the Morea Park project has been fully executed and notification has been received from the DCNR to begin the project. The township will receive $50,000 in DCNR grants for park improvements. The grants were awarded through DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program. The program is funded through the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, the Environmental Stewardship Fund and several federal funding sources.

The grants require a local match of $20,000 that will be provided by the township to install playground equipment and safety surfacing.

McMullen also said that ARRO personnel accompanied the contractor and representatives of the state Department of Environmental Protection for a post-project review of roads on June 14 in Park Place and found roads in satisfactory condition and no damage done from overweight loads.

Ward said the township is looking for permission from PPL Electric Utilities Inc. to place Hometown Heroes banners in the township as part of a banner project in Mahanoy City. She said 30-40 banners have been sponsored. Ward said to contact the borough office for details.

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

HIGHRIDGE — While flat, rectangular robots, like red-eyed insects, scurried about within their gray metal hives, a handful of state and local officials took their seats nearby.

Then, a small industrial army, uniformly sporting dark blue company T-shirts, gathered behind them.

Then, Ron Gilbert, Hudson’s Bay Co. senior vice president of logistics and supply chain, took the podium and addressed the guests.

“We are going to show you what goes on behind the scenes in our e-commerce department,” he said.

To the crowd of workers standing behind — the site employs 600 — he extended the 348-year-old company’s gratitude.

“You guys have endured and been through a lot of change, and I want to send out my sincere thank you,” he said.

Legislators, economic development officials and others joined HBC officers Monday at the Canadian retailer’s distribution center in the Highridge Business Park to dedicate the largest OPEX Perfect Pick case shuttle system in the world. The highly automated system takes advantage of vertical space and eliminates hours of walking time an organic worker would require to gather products.

After cutting the customary ribbon, Gilbert and Todd Lewis, division vice president of digital distribution, out of Nashville, Tennessee, conducted a tour for the legislators and economic development people.

The Perfect Pick case shuttle system, manufactured by the OPEX Corp. out of New Jersey, stands like a building within a building at the HBC warehouse. Comprised of shelves, divided into storage compartments, standing 32 feet high and 205 feet long, it can hold 2 million units of inventory. The shelves are paired with narrow aisles between, in which iBots roll along on tracks, rapidly moving in and out, up and down, depositing and collecting items from compartments. Depending on demand, up to 380 iBots can work in the system. It resembles a group of 20 giant vending machines.

The iBots carry the items to a pick station at the end of the aisle. Workers at the 40 pick stations load the items into boxes or trays designated for a specific order. An order moves from pick station to pick station on conveyor belts until it is filled, then passes either to a truck or, if it is a “hybrid order,” other workers fetch any required items that are not handled by the robotic system, but are retrieved from racks or shelves elsewhere in the warehouse.

There are more than 21,000 linear feet of conveyors throughout the 910,000-square-foot distribution center.

Rather than a battery, each iBot is powered by a capacitor that can hold a four-minute charge. The unit recharges as it moves through a certain lower part of the aisle. The iBots themselves generate power from the braking action as they move downward, not unlike a hybrid electric car does when going downhill. Relying on such a system allows the iBots to be lighter than they would be if battery powered.

They are not the only robotic element in the system. When an online order is entered into the HBC e-commerce system, a tray is set on the conveyor belts, and a sticker is automatically placed to it, and scanners reading the sticker’s bar code will guide the box or tray along the conveyor belts. At a point before reaching the pick stations, a pair of yellow robotic arms insert the order’s packing list in the box.

Four FedEx trucks depart the distribution center each day.

Based in Toronto, Hudson's Bay was founded in London, England, in 1670 to spread commerce into northern North America and became the landowner and de facto government of most of what is now Canada, until the 19th century.

Sticking to retail these days, the historic corporation owns and operates stores in Canada, the United States and Europe. It is the parent company of Lord & Taylor and Saks Fifth Avenue and conducts vigorous e-commerce, which is the purpose the OPEX Perfect Pick system serves. HBC moved into the Highridge site in 2016. It is one of three e-commerce distribution centers the corporation owns, along with six centers for other products.

While there are about 600 regular employees at the distribution center, during the busy holiday season, there can be up to 1,000 through temp services. Most employees live within 50 miles of the site.

“We are not looking to eliminate jobs,” Gilbert said after the tour, while discussing automation. “We are looking at not only enhancing efficiency, but making the work environment easier for our workers by letting them have the right tools.”

Without the automated, vertically stacked system, the product would be spread out to the ends of the warehouse, slowing down the processing of orders considerably. The Perfect Pick can process about 12,000 items an hour, which is about 5,500 customer orders. On average, there are 15 minutes from the time an order is received until it is ready for shipment, according to company officials. The site operates 16 hours a day for five days a week; 10 hours a day the other two.

The high-tech monument to efficiency held a further meaning for some of the guests who had worked to establish the Keystone Opportunity Zone that created Highridge in the 1990s. By offering temporary real-estate tax breaks, planners drew several employers, Lowe’s, Walmart, Wegman’s among others, to build distribution centers along Interstate 81 on top of the Broad Mountain.

“The thing that sticks out most to me is 600 employees,” state Rep. Neal P. Goodman D-123, Mahanoy City, said during the ceremony. “One of the biggest compliments a company can give is to expand.”

He said that a company will consider the quality of a workforce in a region before locating and, if after moving there, it expands, that “validates” the decision.

“I was still in the house when planning began for this business park,” state Sen. David Argall, R-29, Rush Township, said. “I don’t know that any of us could have ever imagined 3,400 jobs.” Among the other county dignitaries Monday were state Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, Pottsville; Schuylkill County Commissioner George F. Halcovage; and Schuylkill Economic Development Corp. President Frank Zukas. Retired Republican state representative Bob Allen, who was in office during the establishment of the Highridge Park, also attended the ceremony as did Brent Vernon, executive director of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Action Team.

KELAYRES — Summertime brings nicer weather, and also outdoor problems like high grass, loud music and bad driving.

Kline Township supervisors heard about all three problems at their June 11 meeting.

Robert Honis of Haddock complained about loud music in his neighborhood, and asked if a quality of life ordinance would help.

“It (the noise) was that excessive I was in my dining room I couldn’t hear a television set 4 feet in front of me, inside my home with my doors and windows closed,” Honis said. “I couldn’t even speak to my wife on my deck. My neighbors two houses down had it in their home, and they couldn’t hear.

“This happened several times over last summer. The Fourth of July was a four-day party, from 10 o’clock in the morning to 11 o’clock at night. Is there something that can be enhanced to further protect the citizens of the township from this?”

Supervisor Carmen Cara said the township has had other similar complaints, and is looking at a quality of life ordinance, as well as a burning ordinance.

But township solicitor Mark Semanchick said the laws already on the books will help more than a quality of life ordinance could.

“There are sections in the (Pennsylvania) Crimes Code that deal with public disturbances of neighborhoods,” Semanchick said. “If it continues, a criminal citation could be filed that might get their attention.

“My experience with quality-of-life ordinances in other municipalities is that there is typically a $25 ticket issued to address that type of thing. From an enforcement standpoint, the quality of life doesn’t really get the attention of violators. Under the Crimes Code, I think the fines can be higher, and the consequence a little stiffer.”

Tony Befano, Kelayres, said motorists regularly drive through stop signs in front of his house at Second and Market streets.

“This summer again, the usual BS is going on, with people running the stop sign and making U-turns,” Befano said. “It’s like a three-ring circus. One particular neighbor has to grind out three gears from one stop sign to the other stop sign on Second Street. It’s constant. We’ve got a lot of small kids. We’ve got ‘Children at Play’ signs up. It’s our own local people who don’t obey. When you put a cop there, then they watch themselves, It’s good for a week, and then, here we go again.”

Semanchick said sometimes the offense committed is not “sufficient to issue a citation.”

“When people (are) moving in, the first thing you hear from them, it’s a quiet town,” Cara said. “After three or four months they are here, they just want to do what they want to do. If you tell them they are upsetting the neighbors, they’ll just tell you, ‘Go get the cops.’ ”

Catherine Yanoshik complained about high grass and a dilapidated garage on a property at 272 North St., which also has a trailer on it.

Supervisor Dale Wesner said the North Street property is one of three in the township that recently changed hands, and they have to be cleanup up by their new owners. One on Snyder Avenue is being cleaned up, while the other property has to be cleaned up.

Cara said a man from Tamaqua bought the North Street property and is responsible for cleaning it up.

“We establish if the property is habitable or not,” Wesner said. “If not, we give them a cleanup notice. We give them so long to clean it up. The zoning officer is supposed to work with them to ensure it is cleaned up. If it is not cleaned up, they can be fined, and the township could do it and bill them.”

Contact the writer: jdino@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3585

PINE GROVE — A Lebanon County man was jailed Monday afternoon charged by state police at Schuylkill Haven with shooting another man in the back at a borough home earlier that day.

Joseph Shallcross Webb IV, 42, of 138 N. Railroad St., Palmyra, was charged by Trooper Matthew Tonitis with criminal attempt to commit criminal homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault, possessing instruments of crime, recklessly endangering another person and harassment.

Webb was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi, Tremont, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $100,000 straight cash bail.

Tonitis charged Webb stemming from a 1:10 a.m. incident at 256 S. Tulpehocken St., where he allegedly shot Albert J. Natale in the back using a 9 mm handgun.

According to his Affidavit of Probable Cause filed with Rossi, Tonitis said Troopers Daniel Phillips and John Sanchez were called to the home for a report of a man shot in the back and once there saw the man, later identified as Natale, with the gunshot wound to the back.

Tonitis said the troopers provided medial attention to Natale until Pine Grove EMS arrived.

Natale was found with a single gunshot wound to the middle of his lower back and told EMS personnel that he could not feel his legs, Tonitis said.

The man was later flown to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, for treatment of his injuries that may include paralysis, Tonitis said.

At the scene, Tonitis said, Phillips and Sanchez saw Webb, who pointed to a black semiautomatic pistol resting on the front porch of 254 S. Tulpehocken St. with the slide locked to the rear and the magazine containing live rounds next to the weapon.

After the scene was secured, Tonitis said, Natale’s girlfriend, Tammy Cummings, was interviewed and said she and Natale live at 256 Tulpehocken St. with their two sons.

Cummings told police that she and Natale were having some relationship problems and that she was moving out and asked Webb, her brother, for assistance.

Cummings said that around 1 a.m., she and Webb arrived at the home to retrieve her belongings but Natale was in the basement with the door locked. Tonitis said that when Cummings told Natale she wanted her items from the basement, he opened the door with a board in his right hand.

Tonitis said that Cummings went onto to say that Webb pointed a gun at Natale and the two got into a physical altercation during which the weapon went off.

Webb told police a similar story to Cummings’ except that when Natale opened the basement door it appeared that he had a .22-caliber rifle in his left hand and a 2-by-4 board in his right hand, Tonitis said.

Webb said he pointed his gun at Natale and told him to drop the firearm, which he complied with but then swung the board at him and missed. Tonitis said it was then that Webb said he fired one shot and struck Natale in the back.

Tonitis said Natale was interviewed Monday afternoon at Geisinger Medical Center and said he was sleeping in the basement of the home with the door locked because he did not want any confrontations with Cummings.

Around 1 a.m., Natale said he heard Cummings on the first floor of the home yelling and banging on the basement demanding items of her sons’, prompting him to grab the rifle and board because he felt uneasy, Tonitis said.

Tonitis said Natale went onto the say that as soon as he opened the basement door he was confronted by Webb pointing the handgun at him.

Natale said he dropped the rifle after being told to do so but began swinging the board to get Webb, who he did not know, to leave the home, Tonitis said.

The trooper said Natale said he went into the kitchen but decided to return to the basement. When he turned back toward the basement, he was shot from behind.

Tonitis said Natale reported falling to the ground and trying to crawl across the kitchen floor to exit the home, but Webb grabbed him by the arm and started pulling him back down into the basement.

Natale recalled telling Webb that he shot him and Webb replying, “Yeah, I shot you. I should’ve killed you,” Tonitis said.

Webb will now have to appear for a preliminary hearing on the charges at a later date before Rossi in his Tremont courtroom.

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

Farm market

to open for 2018

SHENANDOAH — Schuylkill County’s oldest continuously running seasonal downtown farm market will launch its 2018 season Friday at the southeast corner of Main and Centre streets near the more than 100-year-old former Bolich & Burke building.

As in past years, the market will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Fridays through the summer and fall.

Mark Bernardyn, who has chaired the Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce Farm Market Committee for 22 years, touted the 2018 market in a press release. He thanked the community and visitors for patronizing the market, which features fruits, vegetables, plants and at times even Amish-style baked goods by local growers and sellers.

It was started in the 1970s as the brainchild of the late chamber Director Samuel Schutawie as a way to increase pedestrian traffic downtown. Since then, the market has become a staple for local residents and visitors seeking fresh produce, plants and other items.

Anyone wanting more information about the market may call Bernardyn at 570-462-2734. More growers are always welcome by calling Bernardyn.

Fair premium books available

SUMMIT STATION — Schuylkill County Fair premium books have arrived and are being mailed in limited quantity to people who exhibited in previous fairs, according to a fair press release from Kim Morgan.

The premium book also can be found online at the fair’s website at www.schuylkillfair.com (use the information tab and find exhibits, where you can open up a PDF copy of this year’s premium book).

The 2018 fair will go from July 30 through Aug. 4 at the fairgrounds with the theme, “35 years of Farms, Family, Fair and Fun.”

A premium book, Morgan said in the release, is a book where all the classes are listed under departments, classes being a listing of things by category that may be entered in the fair.

Premium books also have been placed throughout the county such as local restaurants, banks, business, feed stores, physicians’ and dentists’ offices, post offices, grocery stores and public events.

There is also a surplus supply that can be found at Moyer’s Car Care Center at routes 183 and 443.

People will be able to check out all the new exhibits, activities, contests and entertainment lined up for this year’s fair via the premium book, Morgan said.

People interested in exhibiting at the fair also may request a premium book be sent to them by calling 570-527-0294 or emailing schuylkillfair@gmail.com.

Local hotel earns President’s Award

POTTSVILLE — Every year Country Inn & Suites by Radisson recognizes its top performing hotels and employees and for 2017, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Frackville received the 2017 President’s Award from Radisson Hotel Group.

The award, according to a Radisson press release, recognizes hotels that achieve top scores in guest satisfaction measured by guest feedback for consistency in meeting and often exceeding the brand’s product quality standards. Recipients, officials added in the release, also “deliver superior hospitality allowing guests to feel at home and create memorable moments throughout their stay.”

Leeann Imschweiler, regional director of the Frackville Country Suites by Radisson, said in the release: “By implementing Radisson’s ‘I Love This Country’ philosophy, we take care of our guests and our veterans and ensure they have a memorable stay with us.”

The hotel was recognized during an awards celebration held at Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida, during Radisson Hotel Group’s annual Americas Business Conference.

Weis Markets aids animal shelters

SUNBURY — Weis Markets has announced that its stores raised $385,000 for more than 150 animal shelters and pet rescue organizations during its 10th annual Paws for Pets initiative, marking a 21 percent increase compared to 2017, according to a Weis press release.

In Schuylkill County, there is a Weis Market at the Pottsville Park Plaza.

During the four-week program from April 26 to May 23, customers purchased vouchers for $1, $3 or $5 with all proceeds donated to pet shelters and rescue organizations selected at the local level, Weis officials said in the release.

Weis Markets customers also donated various pet-related products including dog, cat, puppy and kitten food as well as cat litter, collars, harnesses and leashes and related products. Weis also partnered with local shelters to host nearly 30 pet adoption events and pet photo shoots at local stores.

Tobacco control

for worksites

POTTSVILLE — Lebanon Family Health Services is offering free tobacco control programs for worksites, according to a member-to-member email from the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, 1 Progress Circle, Suite 201 in Union Station.

LFHS offers free on-site group cessation classes for employees. The Freedom From Smoking class is held for one hour per week for eight weeks and includes nicotine replacement therapy (gum, patch, lozenges) and a certificated upon completion.

It also has a tobacco-free policy development effort to assist with writing a comprehensive tobacco-free policy for companys’ handbooks.

To reach Lebanon Family Health Services, call 717-273-6741, Ext. 310 or email holly@lebanonfamilyhealth.org.

Fairlane mall

details events

POTTSVILLE — Fairlane Village mall, Route 61, has announced its events schedule for June and July, noting all of the events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

The schedule includes:

• June 27, a job fair hosted by Pennsylvania CareerLink will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. For more information, call 570-622-5253.

•July 4, the mall will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Department store hours may vary and people should see specific stores for details.

•July 7, an American Red Cross blood drive is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the storefront next to Super Shoes. To schedule an appointment, call 800-733-2767 or register at www.redcrossblood.org.

•July 26 to 28, people will be able to shop for their favorite reads during the Newspaper in Education used book sale in the storefront next to Super Shoes. Money raised will pay for copies of The Republican-Herald to be delivered to area schools for educational purposes. For more information, call Janet Joyce, director of marketing and community services, at 570-628-6145.

For more information about Fairlane Village, go online to www.shopfairlanevillage.com.