NEW PHILADELPHIA — History came alive through photos, newspapers and memorabilia of the borough’s past Sunday.

Held at Holy Cross Parish Center, visitors got to look back in time in recognition of the borough’s 150th anniversary.

The New Philadelphia historical display was mostly comprised of a collection from the late Helen Sleva, mother of Helen Smeltz, who is a member of The Community Organization, a group that contributes to the betterment of the area.

Among the pieces of the past on display were a picture of the Silver Creek Colliery, mining equipment, numerous newspaper clippings, photos of local churches, and a borough manual from 1914.

Smeltz said her mother loved history and shared its ability to capture moments.

“We don’t have a historical society in town,” Smeltz said.

Leonard Tarris, Middleport, was excited to see the historical display.

“This is really fascinating,” Tarris said.

A copy of The Pottsville Republican dated Dec. 17, 1949, really piqued his interest. The fire at the Lyric Theatre in the borough was the lead story. His mother, Helen Tarris, 91, told him about the theater, he said, but it was different reading about it firsthand.

Smeltz also had memories of the theater, saying she visited it as a child.

Ed Slane, mayor of New Philadelphia and borough fire chief, was also fascinated about the fire after reading about it.

“I’ve seen the pictures, but I’ve never read the article,” Slane said.

Slane said the collection was worth viewing “to see how far the town came.”

Margaret Valinsky, 71, of New Philadelphia, saw a photo of something familiar.

“I found a picture from when I graduated college,” Valinsky said. She graduated from Holy Family College, Philadelphia, in 1969.

Rita Tamalavage, 69, of Pottsville, who was born in the borough, said the borough’s history should not be forgotten.

“You feel like you are touching the past,” Tamalavage said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

POTTSVILLE — A Northumberland County motorist left Schuylkill County Court a free man on Friday after a jury acquitted him of a charge that he drove under the influence of drugs in June 2017 in Ashland.

Patrick R. Madden, 56, of Ranshaw, did not react as the jury of six men and six women found him not guilty of DUI after deliberating almost two hours.

Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin, who presided over Madden’s trial, found him guilty of disregarding traffic lane and not guilty of careless driving. He sentenced Madden to pay costs and a $25 fine.

State police at Frackville alleged Madden was DUI in his truck about 2:25 a.m. June 10, 2017, in Ashland.

“I believe he was incapable of safely operating a vehicle,” Trooper Michael E. Pahira Jr. testified.

Also in the county court, Judge James P. Goodman on Thursday revoked the parole of Benjamin L. Neidlinger, 25, of Pottsville, and returned him to prison to serve the rest of his sentence, which will run until Nov. 15.

Neidlinger originally pleaded guilty on May 20, 2015, to possession of a controlled substance. At that time, Goodman placed Neidlinger on probation for six months, and also sentenced him to pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account.

Pottsville police had charged Neidlinger with possessing drugs on Sept. 13, 2014, in the city.

Goodman revoked Neidlinger’s probation on April 19 and sentenced him to serve two to six months in prison.

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

Deeds

Delano Township — Allen P. and Sandra A. Majetsky to Allen P. and Sandra A. Majetsky and Rachel Majetsky; 22 Trenton St., Trenton; $1.

East Union Township — Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Carmina and Leonardo Rivera; Lot 79WS, Eagle Rock; $68,541.08.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Ma Josette Concepcion Alegario; Lot 20ER, Eagle Rock; $80,852.91.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Rajan V. Mukkudical and Malika V. Rajan; Lot 302ER, Eagle Rock; $70,659.44.

Eldred Township — Michelle R. Kessler, trustee of The Lynn R. Kessler Special Needs Trust, to Michiko S. Brownlee, trustee of The Michiko S. Brownlee Revocable Living Trust; 20.76-acre property; $1.

Michelle R. Kessler, trustee of The Lynn R. Kessler Special Needs Trust, to Michiko S. Brownlee, trustee of The Michiko S. Brownlee Revocable Living Trust; 100.86-acre property; $1.

Frackville — Helen Kuchta to Helen Kuchta and Christina Nocera; 400 W. Laurel St.; $1.

Kline Township — Edwardine Steibler to Joseph D. Steibler Jr.; 13 Fifth St., Kelayres; $1.

Minersville — Pervez Mohammed Hai to James T. Edwards; property on North Street; $14,000.

New Philadelphia — Riverview Bank to Juana P. Cruz; 177 Valley St.; $20,250.

New Ringgold — Charlotte J. Williams to Diane L. Buhl; 32.28202-acre property at Ore and Farquhar streets; $1.

Pine Grove — Romayne R. Yingling, by attorney in fact Timothy Yingling, to Joseph and Marlene Fisher; 1 Midland Cove; $200,000.

Pine Grove Township — Ruby A. Reichert, individually and as administratrix of the Estate of Barry Lee Reichert Sr., Barry Lee Reichert Jr. and Ryan Reichert to Ruby A. Reichert; 367 Chapel Drive; $1.

Porter Township and Williams Township, Dauphin County — Terry L. Readinger to Dianne S. Readinger; 25 percent interest in two properties; $1.

Pottsville — Peter Worchick Jr. to Gonzalo R. and Rosa Mateo Santiago; 300 Fairview St.; $20,000.

U.S. Bank NA to Shehadeh Investments LLC; 923 W. Market St.; $6,000.

Ringtown — Anthony J. Lindenmuth and Patricia A. Lindenmuth to Anthony J. Lindenmuth; 61 W. Main St.; $1.

Rush Township — John W. and Kira D. Adams to John W. Adams; 7 Russell St., Hometown; $1.

Ryan Township — Milred G. DeWire, Charles C. DeWire Jr., Todd F. DeWire Sr., Mark D. DeWire and Dara L. DeWire to Dean W. Starkey and Debra L. Robertson; 289 Orchard Road, Barnesville; $145,000.

South Manheim Township — Christian D. and Erica E. Shuman to Christian D. and Erica E. Shuman; 1924-1925-1926 Wynonah Drive, Lake Wynonah; $1.

Tamaqua — Julia Martinez Sanchez and Angel Manuel Pacheco to Brenda Yllanett Gutierrez Martinez; property at Hazle and Patterson streets; $1.

Union Township — Peter A. Romeika, Mary Ann R. DiGirolamo and Gloria R. Johnston to Robert and Andrea Markiewicz; property on Ridge Road; $63,500.

Walker Township — Bertram D. Leiby, individually and as executor of the Estate of Jane B. Leiby, to Bertram D. Leiby; 28-acre property on Catawissa Road; $1.

Bertram D. Leiby, individually and as executor of the Estate of Jane B. Leiby, to Bertram D. Leiby; 980 Catawissa Road; $1.

Bertram D. Leiby, individually and as executor of the Estate of Jane B. Leiby, to Bertram D. Leiby; two properties on Brook Lane; $1.

Wayne Township — Tracey L. Langley, administratrix of the Estate of Robert W. Eberhard, to Mandi Clauser; 881 Long Run Road; $84,900.

West Mahanoy Township — Ralph G. Todd to Gary T. Lindtner; property at Wylam and Chestnut streets, Altamont; $39,000.

SHENANDOAH — An accidental fire damaged two homes in the borough Monday morning.

Firefighters were called around 10 a.m. to 202 N. Catherine St. for a report of a house fire and found fire to the rear of the home.

The fire was quickly extinguished and determined to have started on the second floor of that home in a bathroom.

The fire was determined to be accidental, Shenandoah fire marshal Rick Examitas said.

The home, he said, is owned by Dale Hemingsen and occupied by David and Laurie Lopez and their three children, ages 3, 1 and 5 months.

An adjoining home at 204 N. Catherine St., owned by Mark Wasko, sustained minor smoke damage while a home at 200 N. Catherine St., occupied by Garet Grove and Brook McGee, was not damaged, Examitas said.

He said the American Red Cross assisted with the placement of the Lopez family, who are temporarily homeless. Mahanoy City firefighters, Shenandoah EMS and Shenandoah police and fire police assisted at the scene.

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

The application window for a first-come, first-served federal home heating assistance program opens this week.

Starting Thursday, eligible households can apply to the state Department of Human Services to help pay heating bills, repair or replace furnaces and get the heat turned back on after service termination through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP.

Households at 150 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for help.

For example: a family of three with a household income of $31,170 is eligible for assistance; a family of five with a household income of $44,130 is eligible.

People who need assistance can apply online at www.compass.state.pa.us or contact their local assistance office.

Lackawanna County residents can call the county assistance office at 570-963-4842. Residents in Luzerne and Wyoming counties should call the Commission on Economic Opportunity, which manages LIHEAP applications for those counties.

New this year, the human services department raised the crisis component of its grant program from $500 to $600.

Crisis grants are for residents who:

• Are already out of home heating fuel or have had their heating utility, such as gas or electricity, turned off.

• Will be out of fuel within 15 days or have received a written notice that their heating utility will be shut off within 60 days.

Pennsylvania’s LIHEAP program saw a 4 percent reduction in federal funding for this winter. Earlier in the year, the state human services department said it expected $214.8 million in federal funding, the same as last year; however, Washington awarded the state $206.3 million, according to human services spokesman Colin Day.

The aid program carried over $12.4 million from the last year for a total budget of about $219 million, he said. A share of the funding goes toward LIHEAP’s weatherization program and administrative costs.

President Donald Trump tried to abolish LIHEAP in this year’s budget. A frequent critic of aid programs, the president has claimed they’re rife with fraud.

Just what the future holds for the program remains unclear, said Jennifer Warabak, program and planning coordinator for the Commission on Economic Opportunity. She added that thousands of families across Northeast Pennsylvania alone depend on it every year.

“This is a program that I believe is necessary for our region, whether it’s for children, the disabled or the elderly,” she said.

Contact the writer: joconnell@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9131

Get home heating help

Apply online

www.compass.state.pa.us

Lackawanna County

Lackawanna County Assistance Office, 570-963-4842

Luzerne County

Commission on Economic Opportunity of Luzerne County, 800-822-0359

Wyoming County

Commission on Economic Opportunity of Wyoming County, 570-836-4090

POTTSVILLE — Schuylkill County residents affected by flooding in July can apply for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The SBA declared a disaster because of the July 21-27 flooding in Schuylkill, Berks, Carbon, Columbia, Dauphin, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne and Northumberland counties.

John Matz, Schuylkill County Emergency Management Agency coordinator, said the EMA office received the notification last week of the disaster declaration.

A disaster loan outreach center is set up from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at the Tremont Municipal Office, 139 Clay St., Tremont.

“It’s not necessary they go to Tremont,” Matz said.

Applicants can call 800-659-2955, or go online at disasterloan.sba.gov to apply. More information is available at scema.org.

The deadline to apply for physical damages is Dec. 24, and July 23, 2019, for economic injury, according to the SBA.

Up to $200,000 is available for the repair or replacement of real estate and $40,000 to repair or replace personal property. Up to $2 million is available to alleviate the economic injury due to the flooding and to businesses and nonprofit organizations for the repair and replacement of real estate, inventory, machinery, equipment and assets.

Matz said 53 homes and four businesses reported damage to the municipalities for the July flooding. The flooding resulted in $3.5 million in public infrastructure damage in the county, Matz said.

Of those who reported damage, the areas most affected were Tremont, Pine Grove, Pine Grove Township, Porter Township, Upper Mahantongo Township and Tower City, John Blickley, deputy emergency management coordinator, said.

The county will not be approved for FEMA individual assistance for the July flooding. However, the county is still waiting to see if it will receive public assistance from FEMA.

The county is also waiting if it will receive funding for the flooding in August. Matz said at least 25 municipalities countywide had flooding. In all, 400 homes and 19 businesses reported damage to SCEMA on its website. The public damage reported was $6 million.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

The Appalachian Regional Commission, a federal-state regional redevelopment agency, has awarded a $50,000 nonconstruction project grant to develop a strategic plan for Eckley Miners’ Village.

The plan will explore sustainable funding and management options to ensure a stable future for the National Register-listed historic site in Foster Township, a news release states.

“Eckley is one of the most significant state historic sites in Pennsylvania representing the experiences of the many families who immigrated to this country, found work in our burgeoning and often dangerous industries, and laid the foundation of our rich and dynamic American culture. It is also one of only a few company towns actively preserved and interpreted in a heritage context in the United States today,” said Brenda Reigle, director of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums.

“Unfortunately, maintaining and operating a mile-long, 200-structure townsite with limited fiscal resources presents a long-term challenge to the PHMC mission to preserve the commonwealth’s heritage.”

With the $50,000 ARC award and $50,000 PHMC match, a total of $100,000 will be dedicated to funding a strategic plan aimed at identifying new revenue streams and producing a long-term sustainable future for the site.

Founded in 1854, Eckley was a company town for several anthracite mining companies before serving as the location set for the 1970 film “The Molly Maguires.” PHMC has run education programs and sponsored events at the site since 1971.

Eckley is administered by PHMC with the support of Eckley Miners’ Village Associates, a private 501(c)(3) corporation.

Missing Pine Grove Township girl sought

PINE GROVE — State police at Schuylkill Haven are looking for information on a 15-year-old girl who was reported missing last month.

Trooper Benjamin Mennig said police were notified around 7:40 p.m. Sept. 17 that Ani Noelle Aungst was last seen around 7:15 a.m. that day by a relative inside her home at 334 Birds Hill Road, Pine Grove Township.

Aungst is described as being Hispanic, about 5 feet 3 inches tall and about 100 pounds with wavy brown hair and brown eyes. She is possibly wearing jeans, but Mennig said an exact clothing description was not known.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at Schuylkill Haven at 570-754-4600.

Man says someone stole gun from car

TAMAQUA — State police at Frackville are investigating a theft of an item from a vehicle that occurred between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday at 20 Sewer Plant Road, Walker Township.

Police said John Motto, of Hazleton, reported someone entered his parked GMC Envoy and removed a Ruger LC9 9mm pistol and fled the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 570-874-5300.

Police investigate 1-vehicle crash

CRESSONA — State police at Schuylkill Haven investigated a crash that occurred around 9:50 p.m. Oct. 21 on Chestnut Street, just north of Cross Creek Drive in North Manheim Township.

Police said Alexandra E. Sterner, 54, of Pottsville, was driving a 2010 Chevrolet Traverse north on Chestnut Street, Route 183, when she suffered an unknown medical condition, causing her to go off the road and hit a tree on the east shoulder of the road.

Police said that Sterner was unresponsive at the scene, removed from her vehicle by firefighters and transported to a Pottsville hospital for treatment.

SHENANDOAH — A man was taken into custody late Sunday night in Luzerne County on a warrant charging him with robbing a bank in Shenandoah on Oct. 22.

Shenandoah police said Jamie Lee Johnson, 38, whose last known address is 92 Columbia Ave., Hanover Township, was apprehended after being involved in a hit-and-run crash in Duryea, about 9 miles south of Scranton.

Officers responded to the area of Phoenix Street and Foote Avenue around 7 p.m. Sunday and arrived to find a dark sedan had fled the scene heading toward Avoca. Police followed a fluid trail to the vehicle, which was abandoned at McAlpine Street and Kokinda Drive.

The vehicle contained several bags of heroin, a hypodermic needle and a wallet containing the identification of a man wanted by the Shenandoah police department for robbing a bank.

Police later found Johnson and a woman walking near Mitchell Street and took them into custody.

He was picked up by Shenandoah officers around 10 p.m., returned to Schuylkill County and arraigned on charges of robbery-removes from a financial institution, robbery with force however slight, robbery-threatening to inflict bodily injury, theft and receiving stolen property, all felony offenses. Johnson was committed to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post $100,000 bail set by Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg, police said.

Police said the 34-year-old woman, who was found in possession of heroin and cash, will be charged with fleeing the scene of the accident and possession of heroin.

Shenandoah Police Chief George Carado charged Johnson with entering the M&T Bank at Main and Centre streets around 11:10 a.m. wearing a gray fleece shirt, a white hat and blue jeans, and carrying a black and orange backpack.

The chief said a teller reported having money on her counter preparing to put it in the vault when Johnson walked directly to her window and placed an orange duffle bag on the counter.

When the teller asked Johnson to step back, he told her he wanted the money, saying, “I mean it, lady,” Carado said.

The chief said Johnson jumped on the counter, grabbed the money from the counter and the teller’s drawer, placed it in the bag and fled running north on North Ferguson Street.

A security image of the robbery was provided to several media outlets and Carado said two days later, on Wednesday, a woman called to report knowing the robber and identifying him as Johnson.

Hanover Township police were contacted and provided Shenandoah officers with a description of a vehicle owned by Johnson’s girlfriend and the vehicle’s registration plate number.

On Thursday, Carado said, he reviewed security video and was able to place that vehicle in close proximity to the bank at the time of the robbery. He then traced it leaving the borough south on Route 924.

Later Thursday, Carado said, he interviewed Johnson’s mother, who identified the man in the security images as her son.

Johnson’s mother also identified the clothing her son was wearing, the black and orange backpack that belongs to one of her other sons that Johnson took and the vehicle belonging to Johnson’s girlfriend, Carado said.

Johnson will now have to appear for a preliminary hearing in the near future before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah.

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

Frackville

Elks Lodge 1533 will have a frozen turkey give-away beginning at 1 p.m. Nov. 18. The lodge will give away 250 frozen turkeys on a first-come basis, one per family. For more information, call 570-874-2500. The lodge will also have a Thanksgiving Eve dance featuring classic rock music and a cash bar, beginning at 8 p.m. Nov. 21. The kitchen will open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $6 ($5 for Elks members). Call the aforementioned number for more information. The lodge’s Thanksgiving dance is set for 8 p.m. Nov. 23 featuring Rich Molinaro and Mr. Lou. Ticket costs are the same as for the Thanksgiving Eve event.

Frackville

St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Parish will have a theme basket auction and food sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. There will be a browse and bid from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in the parish hall, 9 S. Broad Mountain Ave. All are welcome.

Girardville

A theme basket bingo is set for 2 p.m. Sunday at Rangers Hose Company. As a donation for Toys for Tots, anyone who brings a new, unwrapped toy or toys will receive one free early bird special. Doors will open at noon; lunch will be available. For tickets, call 570-276-6922, 570-276-1358 or 570-276-1009. Admission is $20 in advance and $25 at the door; $5 for a second packet. Children must be accompanied by a playing adult. Children can play with purchase of a second packet.

Mahanoy City

Elks Lodge 695 will sponsor a baked lasagna dinner beginning at 4 p.m. Nov. 6 at the East Centre Street lodge. The cost is $10 per person; all are welcome. For more information, call 570-773-0629.

Pine Grove

The 71st anniversary annual fall Rumpsch match by the Oak Grove Sportsmen’s Club, Oak Grove Road, is set for 6 p.m. to midnight Friday. Tickets, at $2 each, will be available at the door. For more information, call Al Aungst at 570-294-6915.

Pottsville

A Schuylkill County Fair Housing activity called Meet the Service Dogs will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at center court in Fairlane Village mall, Route 61. The guest speaker will be Gwenevere Marx, an animal behaviorist and dog training specialist with Lehigh Valley Dog Training & Behavior. There will also be family-focused activities, a guide dog magician show, role-playing activities, coloring pages for children and the etiquette of approaching service dogs. All are welcome. For more information, go online to www.lehighvalleydog.com.

Schuylkill Haven

The borough will flush its water distribution system and fire hydrants throughout the system beginning at 8 a.m. until complete, about 3 p.m. today through Thursday. Today, this will be done in the borough east of the Schuylkill River; on Wednesday, it will be the borough, Cressona and North Manheim Township west of the Schuylkill River and on Thursday it will be North Manheim Township north and south of Schuylkill Haven. Low water pressure and cloudy water may be experienced during flushing. Customers with cloudy water should run cold water until it clears. If the condition persists, call the borough hall at 570-385-2841.

Tamaqua

Diaper Depot, a ministry of Zion Lutheran Church that provides free diapers, is accepting requests for its Nov. 17 distribution. The program is open to families in the Tamaqua Area School District. For those taking part in their first pickup, people must provide proof of residence and a birth certificate or other identification for each child being served. Diaper sizes are newborn to size 6, available for children to age 4. Diaper distributions take place by appointment only, organizers said in a press release. Requests for diapers must be made online at www.ziontamaqua.com/diaper-depot or by calling 570-668-2180 from 1 to 5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays at least three days prior to the distribution. All requests will be verified either by phone or email. Guidelines for the program are available online at www.ziontamaqua.com/diaper-depot or at the Diaper Depot Facebook page.

SUMMIT STATION — Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. Michael Sadusky assumed the duties Oct. 22 of commander of the Schuylkill Haven station.

A native of Schuylkill County, Sadusky brings with him almost two decades of experience in law enforcement.

After graduating from Blue Mountain High School, serving four years in the Army and earning a liberal arts degree from Penn State Schuylkill, Sadusky entered the state police academy in Hershey in 1999. After completing his academy training, he was assigned to the patrol unit at Troop L, Reading, and later transferred to the patrol unit at the Schuylkill Haven station.

While at Schuylkill Haven he moved to the criminal investigation division before being promoted to corporal in 2006 and assuming the duties as a patrol supervisor at the Bethlehem station.

Sadusky said he returned to the Schuylkill Haven station as the crime corporal and, in 2017, was promoted to sergeant and placed in command of the patrol unit at the Chambersburg station.

In February, Sadusky returned to Schuylkill Haven as the crime sergeant and, as of Oct. 22, took over as station commander.

“It’s good to be back home,” he said.

While in Chambersburg, Sadusky said he would travel 98 miles to and from work, substantially cutting down the time he could spend with his wife, Amy, and daughter, Grace, a Blue Mountain High School student.

As a patrol trooper and supervisor, Sadusky was involved in all aspects of the unit ranging from conducting traffic enforcement to investigating fatal accidents.

In the crime division, Sadusky said he investigated serious crimes ranging from homicides and assaults to robberies and major thefts.

Sadusky said each of the 23 homicide cases he was involved in have been solved.

While serving as a trooper and corporal, Sadusky became a member of the state police Special Emergency Response Team. These elite teams are comprised of 64 troopers, 32 for the western part of the state and 32 for the east. Sadusky said SERT teams are called for incidents involving barricaded persons, serving arrest warrants on high-risk individuals, and providing security at special events for politicians and other dignitaries.

Although he can no longer be a member of SERT once he attained the rank of sergeant, Sadusky said the nine years he had there was a learning experience.

Reflecting on his nearly two decades with the Pennsylvania State Police, Sadusky said he would do it all over again.

“This was my chosen path, this is what I always wanted to do,” he said.

Although he will still have the ability to assist with incidents investigated by his troopers, the majority of his duties will be administrative.

“The more you move up the ranks the less time you spend on the street,” Sadusky said.

Despite not being on the road and involved with the hands-on, something he said he enjoyed, Sadusky said taking over the Schuylkill Haven station was a tremendous opportunity for both him and his family.

“I’m home. I’m a mile from my house,” he said.

Regarding any changes he may have in mind for the station, Sadusky said nothing is needed.

“The guys work great together,” he said. “My job is to keep it that way and get them what they need.”

When asked about retiring from the state police, Sadusky said, “I’ll stay until they throw me out.”

As commander of the Schuylkill Haven station, Sadusky oversees 24 patrol members, five criminal investigators and six civilians.

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

POTTSVILLE — A Carbon County man is headed to state prison after recently admitting to a Schuylkill County judge that he possessed drugs twice, including once when he also possessed paraphernalia.

Kevin Gieniec, 34, of Summit Hill, must serve one to two years in a state correctional institution, President Judge William E. Baldwin ruled.

Baldwin also sentenced Gieniec to pay costs, $200 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and a $170 bench warrant fee.

Gieniec pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia in one case and possession of a small amount of marijuana in the other. Prosecutors withdrew charges of driving under suspension and stop sign violation.

Coaldale police filed both cases against Gieniec, alleging he possessed the marijuana on Dec. 2, 2016, and drugs and paraphernalia on March 10. Each case occurred in the borough, police said.

In another case, Jason J. Grady, 35, of Lost Creek, pleaded guilty to fleeing or eluding police and driving under suspension. Prosecutors withdrew charges of receiving stolen property, recklessly endangering another person, possession of a controlled substance, driving without a license, driving unregistered vehicle and fraudulent use of plates.

Baldwin sentenced Grady to time served to 23 months in prison with immediate parole and to pay costs, a $50 fine and a $50 CJEA payment.

Shenandoah police charged Grady with fleeing from them while driving with a suspended license on Sept. 7, 2017, in the borough.

Also in the county court, Senior Judge D. Michael Stine found two men guilty of indirect criminal contempt, which is contempt committed outside the courtroom, for violating protection from abuse orders.

John C. McElhenny Jr., 40, of Ashland, violated the order against him on Sept. 21, state police at Frackville alleged. Stine sentenced him to serve 24 days to three months in prison with immediate parole, to pay costs and a $300 fine, and to undergo a mental health evaluation.

John J. Neary, 52, of Frackville, violated the order against him on Sept. 4, Frackville borough police alleged. Stine sentenced him to pay costs and a $300 fine, and also extended the order against him to Dec. 30, 2019.

In another county court case, Mary Ann Smith, 36, of Pottsville, pleaded guilty of improper furnishing of drug-free urine. Baldwin sentenced her to serve one to 12 months in prison, concurrent with her current sentence, and pay costs.

Pottsville police charged Smith with improperly furnishing the urine on May 23 in the city.

Also in the county court, Charica N. Bryant, 35, of Shenandoah, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. Judge Charles M. Miller sentenced her to pay costs, a $100 fine and a $50 bench warrant fee.

Shenandoah police had charged Bryant with being disorderly on June 21, 2017, in the borough.

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

POTTSVILLE — The Dunham’s Sports sign is up at the Fairlane Village mall.

People were inside the store Monday unpacking cardboard boxes and stocking items for sale. Grey checkout counters were installed, along with credit card machines, shelving and large dividers. A sign inside the doors said the store was hiring.

Kerri Bundy, general manager, said the store could open Dec. 7; however, she declined to comment further.

Dunham’s Sports signed a multiyear lease earlier this year for the approximately 43,000-square-foot space at Fairlane Village mall. The proposed space is near Schuylkill Valley Sports.

Dunham’s had a store at the Schuylkill Mall, closing Dec. 31, 2017. The store, which had been there since 2012, featured a variety of items including brand-name clothing like Columbia, Nike and Reebok; hunting equipment; golf equipment; and other sports-related equipment. The Schuylkill Mall has since been demolished.

A call to David Palmer, vice president of marketing/advertising for Dunham’s Sports, was not returned Monday.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

Deeds

Ashland — James Lamar Horning to Crossfire Youth Ministries; 15 N. 12th St.; $1.

Angela B. Long to Sergio Luna and Humberto Luna; 223 W. Centre St.; $5,000.

Barry Township — Joseph J. and Eileen M. Zettick to Michael R. and Lisa C. Zettick; 29 Rosie’s Road; $1.

Branch Township — Mark and Denise M. Pozza to Mark and Denise M. Pozza; 5.07-acre property; $1.

Butler Township — George S. and Jenny Lynn Holmes to Charles Andrews; 780 Fountain St., Fountain Springs; $137,800.

Hubley Township — Daniel K. and Sarah B. Kauffman to Robert W. and Carol A. Bowman; 0.36-acre property; $5,000.

Robert W. and Carol A. Bowman and Robert W. and Carol A. Bowman; 1015 W. Mountain Road; $1.

Kline Township — Fernando Baez to Gerard G. Jr. and Alyssa R. O’Grodnick; 22 E. Fifth St., Kelayres; $95,000.

Orwigsburg — Jacob Schwartz, executor of the Estate of Dime V. Messina, to DLJ Realty LP; 400 W. Market St.; $100,000.

Tamaqua — Jeffrey L. and Wanda L. Kropp to Thomas I. Hoellen; 308-310 W. Spruce St.; $85,000.

Auburn

A public meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday will introduce area communities to an ongoing feasibility study on a Schuylkill River Trail segment in Schuylkill County. The proposed trail segment, to be completed next year, would run for 1.7 miles between Auburn and Landingville and fill a gap in the Schuylkill River Trail. Consultant Simone Collins Landscape Architecture is preparing the feasibility study, according to a release. The meeting, which will include Schuylkill River Greenways staff, will allow open discussion on options proposed by the consultant team for the trail route. The meeting will be at borough hall, 451 Pearson St.

Frackville

The Frackville Free Public Library, North Lehigh Avenue, is taking orders in a fresh holiday greens fundraiser. Wreaths, garland, cemetery crosses and other items are available. The deadline to order is Nov. 20; pickups will be the first week of December. To order, call the library at 570-874-3382, view the order form on the library’s Facebook page or order from any library board member.

Nuremberg

The Nuremberg Community Players will have a Chinese auction/basket raffle from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Towers Restaurant, Fern Glen. The baskets will contain a variety of items; participants need not be present to win. Baked goods will also be on sale. The troupe is marking its 35th year as a volunteer community theatre this year. Established in 1983, the 501(c)3 nonprofit is a community-involved organization that has entertained with more than 90 performances, according to an NCP release. The proceeds from the event will go toward needed renovations to the lower level of the theater. For more information, call 570-384-4527.

Pottsville

Amy Newton, information director at Schuylkill Women in Crisis, recently presented a program on SWIC for members of the Pottsville Rotary Club. According to the club bulletin, Newton said SWIC is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1983 to provide services to victims of domestic and/or sexual abuse in Schuylkill County. She said SWIC offers “help, hope and healing for those impacted by intimate partner violence or sexual abuse through crisis intervention, shelter, education and advocacy for social change.” Domestic violence is a widespread problem, she said, adding it is estimated that one in three women and one in four men have been exposed to some sort of abuse from an intimate partner in their lifetime and only one in 10 cases are reported. She also said one in 30 children have been exposed to the problem. Domestic abuse, she continued, is a pattern of coercive behavior that includes physical, sexual, emotional and economic abuse. Most abusive relationships are complicated personal relationships that evolve over time. People who suspect someone is being abused or who are approached by someone about abuse should listen without judging, Newton said. “If you suspect a dangerous situation, call 911 immediately,” according to the bulletin. SWIC offers hotline available 24/7: 800-282-0634 or 570-622-6220. More information is available at www.s-wic.org or by calling the SWIC office at 570-622-3991.

Pottsville

The Pottsville Lions Club will kick off the 2018 food drive and “Pennies for People” campaign from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Jerry’s Northeast Auto Sales, Route 61 South. People are asked to bring pennies and non-perishable food items. All donations stay local. The event will include a live radio broadcast, free refreshments and a free Jerry’s 2019 calendar. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-622-9510.

Sacramento

In partnership with churches throughout Germany, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, a member of the Northern Cluster of UCCs, will host a peace service at 4 p.m. Nov. 11. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith, conference minister of the Penn Central Conference of the UCC. All are welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be provided afterward.

The Tamaqua Historical Society will offer a special Halloween program and exhibit tonight, called “Death, Burial and Mourning Traditions of the 19th and early 20th Centuries.”

The historically accurate program of how death was handled in the old days, how the body was prepared for burial and the different mourning customs for women and men will astound those in attendance, according to a Tamaqua Historical Society press release.

The speaker is historian Bob Vybrenner, of Tamaqua, who is an authority on the subject.

In addition to the program, the Tamaqua Historical Society has assembled one of the largest collections of original death, funeral and mourning-related artifacts in the region.

Original artifacts include coffins from different eras, home embalming artifacts, tools and chemicals to prepare the body, makeup, embalming fluids, an embalming machine, items from the wake, Victorian-era memorial cards, original mourning clothing, coffin lights, Victorian floral tributes, original death, funeral and burial photos, local funeral home signs and artifacts, and more.

Many of the funeral traditions that are still practiced today had beginnings over the last two centuries.

The public is invited to the program at 7 p.m. in the Tamaqua Museum Annex at 114 W. Broad St., Tamaqua.

Admission is a $5 donation at the door. For more information, call 610-597-6722 and leave a message.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Schuylkill County audiences are among the first in the world to see a new Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History traveling exhibit, thanks to the “connections” and hard work of Penn State Schuylkill staff and students.

“Outbreak: Epidemics in a Connected World,” is on display at the Ciletti Memorial Library through Dec. 21. The free, public exhibit, which opened at the campus Oct. 1, illustrates how viruses can spread from animals to people, why some outbreaks become epidemics, and how people in different disciplines and countries are working together to eradicate them.

It was the connection that Brenna Traver, a Penn State assistant professor of biology, had with Ashley Peery, a public outreach fellow at the American Society of Microbiology and an educator at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, that enabled the local campus to acquire the prestigious exhibition.

“I went to grad school with her,” Traver, who also studied at Virginia Tech, said.

Traver had seen a similar pop-up exhibit on human origins in New Jersey several years ago and shared information from that exhibit with her students studying human genetics. After visiting with Peery in Virginia last January, Traver learned of the Outbreak exhibit opportunity. Peery trained all of the exhibit guide volunteers and was present at the Schuylkill Haven launch.

Penn State Schuylkill students, many of them biology majors in Traver’s classes, serve as some of the exhibit tour guides.

“The students go through eight to 12 hours of online training and they run through all of the panels with me,” Traver said.

Kaitlin Alemany, 22, of Centennial, Colorado, a Penn State graduate now working as a lab technician in the campus biology department; and Eric Thompson, 19, of Palatka, Florida, a Penn State sophomore biology major, are two of the guides.

On Tuesday they explained some of the display panels and shared three-dimensional models of virus particles that campus students constructed.

Thompson said visitors often spoke of diseases they were familiar with like rabies, but admitted they knew less about viruses, like Zika.

Alemany said one of the more interesting questions she’s received was about how cautious to be with handwashing and using soap and water versus hand sanitizer.

“They asked about the fine line between cleaning ourselves too much, and just doing enough,” she said.

Joining Traver at the site Tuesday were Interim Chancellor Darcy Medica and Shannon M. Del Conte, coordinator of community outreach and business development.

The exhibit provides a world-class learning experience for visiting high school students and the public. Schuylkill Haven Area, Blue Mountain, Nativity BVM and Minersville Area are among the county school districts who have encouraged their high school students to participate. The campus coordinated special presentations with researchers who have conducted similar work to what’s featured on the exhibit panels, according to Medica.

“Our local students can see this without traveling to (Washington) D.C.,” Medica, also a trained biologist, said.

Penn State Schuylkill is one of the exhibit’s inaugural locations, according to a campus press release. “An additional 56 groups have hosted or plan to host this exhibition in locations as diverse as Bangkok, Yemen, Finland, Nepal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” the release said.

Medica said Peery recognized Penn State Schuylkill for its focused efforts in promoting community outreach education. Medica credited the biology department for its work, including Rod Heisey, professor and program coordinator; Lucas Redmond, assistant professor; Kelly Puzzi, assistant teaching professor; and Traver. The campus began offering a four-year bachelor degree program in biology in the fall of 2015.

Drop-in, guided tours are available from noon to 2 p.m. Saturdays and from 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays. Self-guided tours are available during regular library hours, from 7:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill is an exhibit co-sponsor.

Other free, upcoming “Outbreak” events are:

• “Outbreak: Ebola Surveillance” from 12:20 p.m. to 1:10 p.m. Nov. 16. Mike Wiley, a civilian government contractor with the Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, will speak about Ebola surveillance in Africa.

• “Historical Implications of the Influenza Pandemic in Schuylkill County” at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4, featuring a panel discussion and performances by the Penn State Schuylkill Nittany Players of John O’Hara’s book “The Doctor’s Son.” Guest speakers may include Thomas Drogalis, executive director of the Schuylkill County Historical Society; Harold Aurand, Ph.D., associate teaching professor of history, Penn State Schuylkill; and Michelle Jacobs, also with the county historical society. The Schuylkill Historical Society is hosting its own program on the Spanish flu, which ravaged the county a century ago.

For more information, visit schuylkill.psu.edu/outbreak, or to schedule a group visit, contact Mariann Young at 570-385-6209.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

POTTSVILLE — After not showing up for court twice in less than two months, Robert C. Kalbach finally appeared Tuesday before a Schuylkill County judge, who promptly sentenced him to prison for driving under the influence in October 2016 in Pottsville.

“This is a second offense,” Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin said before sentencing Kalbach, 40, of Pottsville, to serve 60 days to six months in prison.

Dolbin also sentenced Kalbach, who sat through the 15-minute hearing in a prison jumpsuit, to pay costs, a $544 fine, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and a $50 bench warrant fee, and perform 100 hours community service.

Dolbin said Kalbach’s recidivism played a part in his imposing a sentence longer than the minimum of 30 days.

“Mr. Kalbach needs some additional time in prison to think about his second offense,” the judge said.

In a nonjury trial that Kalbach did not attend on Aug. 31, Dolbin found the defendant guilty of DUI and careless driving. Pottsville police alleged Kalbach was DUI on Oct. 28, 2016.

Kalbach had been scheduled to be sentenced earlier in October, but again did not appear in court for that proceeding. He was caught on Oct. 22 and confined to prison until Tuesday’s sentencing.

Kalbach offered no explanation on Tuesday for his absences. He did say he has health problems, including multiple sclerosis, but did not try to link them with his failures to appear in court.

“I’m fading away to nothing,” Kalbach said.

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

RAVEN RUN — The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah board met Monday morning and adopted an operating budget that includes no increases in water rates.

The water authority budget is for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 and ending Sept. 30, 2019 with total operating income of $1,958,000 and total operating expenses of $2,096,000, leaving a net operating loss of $138,000.

However, the water authority will balance in the positive due to nonoperating income coming from two sources. The leasing of authority land for the wind farm will bring in $152,000, and interest paid to the authority will total $1,500. The total nonoperating income is $153,500, resulting in a projected surplus of $15,500.

The budget was approved unanimously. Voting in favor were board Chairwoman Donna Gawrylik, Vice Chairman Joseph Anczarski and Treasurer/Secretary Gary Wood. Absent were Leo Pietkiewicz and Brian Dillman.

Office Supervisor Jennifer Hepler said that the previous year (from Oct. 1, 2017, to Sept. 30, 2018,) expenses went over budget by a total of $38,296 mainly due to the severity of last winter.

“We actually would have been under budget by $113,000 if we didn’t have the winter we had,” Hepler said. “The overtime on payroll put us over $49,000, but the distribution (costs) due to the water main breaks and the freezing during the month of January was $102,000. That pushed us over our budget.

“I can understand when you have weather like that,” Anczarski said.

The basic user rates remain the same at the minimum of $58.53 for 3,000 gallons. Above the minimum, the following rates apply:

• $19.51 per 1,000 gallons for the next 3,000 gallons.

• $10.42 per 1,000 gallons for the next 3,000 gallons.

• $4.66 per 1,000 gallons up to a total of 21,000 gallons.

• Above 21,000 gallons, the rate is $10.42 per 1,000 gallons.

Hepler said the average customer quarterly bill is $162.30.

Even though the actual rates are not changing, there still may be a quarterly increase due to a permit fee being levied against public water suppliers by the state Department of Environmental Protection.

The MABS board discussed a letter recently received from DEP that the authority will be required to pay $10,000 in 2019 by March 31.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency informed DEP about two years ago that the state agency’s water program was so understaffed and underfunded that it was failing to enforce the standards of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Due to the warning, DEP will levy the additional fees to hire more inspectors.

According to a 2016 letter sent by EPA to DEP, not having the staff to enforce the standards led to unaddressed drinking water violations almost doubling from 4,298 to 7,922 in the preceding five years. The additional funding received through the new fee will allow DEP to increase its inspectors by 33.

The MABS board made no decision on adding the additional cost to customer bills, though $2 per quarter was discussed. It will be reviewed and discussed at a future meeting.

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

POTTSVILLE — Some students were still unable to attend classes at John S. Clarke on Monday and Tuesday due to persisting elevated mold levels.

Second-grade classrooms and several first-grade classrooms were still at Martz Hall after being relocated there from the school earlier this month.

“We will not rush the students back into the buildings until the consultant says it is safe,” Superintendent Jeffrey S. Zwiebel said.

Zwiebel said testing was conducted Monday and Tuesday. Results for Tuesday were not available as of 1:30 p.m; however, the information could be available today.

“The testing is only in areas in the second floor,” Zwiebel said, adding only one room on the second floor had elevated readings as of Monday.

The lower level of John S. Clarke is open to students. Zwiebel said the students at Martz Hall could return “hopefully this week.” He said the district had originally hoped to have the entire building open by Monday.

Cumberland Analytical Laboratories, Carlisle, is doing the testing. Previous testing done earlier this month found mold on the second floor and the nurse’s office on the first floor.

Zwiebel said a final report will be prepared by American Abatement Group Inc., New Bloomfield, the company the school board hired earlier this month to complete the required mold remediation and cleaning.

Diane L. Howe, president of the Pottsville Area School District Education Association, said the union is happy that the district had the entire building tested after continued mold problems.

“We will continue to request testing throughout the year to assure our students and staff have a healthy and safe environment in which to learn and teach,” she said.

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