POTTSVILLE — A Pottsville man charged with injuring a dog earlier this year to the extent that it had to have a leg amputated is among those scheduled to enter not guilty pleas Thursday in Schuylkill County Court.

Alton Hinson Jr., 50, of 234 Wallace St., was arrested by Pottsville police Sgt. John Mohl and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals-causing serious bodily injury or death.

Mohl said police were called to the Hinson home around 2 a.m. July 3 for a domestic disturbance and while there learned that a dog had been slammed into a concrete patio.

Officers found the dog in the basement of the home with its left rear leg limp and the animal unable to put any weight on it, the sergeant said.

Mohl’s investigation determined that Hinson picked up the dog and slammed him onto a concrete patio. Veterinary records obtained during the subsequent investigation documented that the injured canine had sustained severe injuries to his left leg that required it to be amputated.

Others scheduled to appear for arraignment are:

Corey Barnes, 19, of 521 E. Broad St., Tamaqua; rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, statutory assault, aggravated indecent assault of a child, sexual assault, indecent assault of a person under the age of 13, indecent exposure and corruption of minors.

William J. Kline, 37, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; dissemination of photographs or films of child sex acts, child pornography and criminal use of a communications facility.

Heather M. Weingard, 27, of 16 N. Lehigh St., Shenandoah; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Tanya M. Viars, 42, of 83 Fairmont St., Pottsville; possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jillian N. Bartholomew, 24, of 108 Snyder Ave., McAdoo; driving under the influence of drugs and vehicular hazard signal lamps.

Joshua D. Joseph, 33, of 718 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City; DUI, DUI-high rate, driving under the influence of drugs, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked and general lighting requirements.

Larome H. Wonsock, 32, of 22 Middle St., Minersville; DUI-controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

Hartaj Singh, 19, of 708 Centerfield Drive, Pottsville; driving under the influence of drugs, corruption of minors and recklessly endangering another person.

Kenneth M. Foss, 27, of 145 Chamberlaine Ave., Box 732, Pottsville; possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communications facility, driving under the influence of drugs, careless driving, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Anibal Arquinego, 47, of 2129 W. Market St., Pottsville; DUI, DUI-highest rate, drivers required to be licensed, not driving on roadways laned for traffic and careless driving.

Susan P. Jones, 53, of 110 Peaceful Valley Road, New Ringgold; DUI, DUI-highest rate, driving under the influence of drugs, driving under combined influence, driving a vehicle without an official Certificate of Inspection, not driving on roadways laned for traffic and careless driving.

Jonathan P. Pfeil, 34, of 536 E. Market St., Pottsville; DUI, not driving on roadways laned for traffic, following too closely, driving at an unsafe speed and driving a vehicle without an official Certificate of Inspection.

Charles A. Morris, 40, of 19 E. Jackson St., Apt. B, Port Carbon; DUI, driving under the influence of drugs, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, not driving on roadways laned for traffic and careless driving.

Jillian T. Fisher, 36, of 200 Clay St., Tamaqua; possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nathan J. Wagner, 34, of 18 W. Pottsville St., Pine Grove; DUI, DUI-high rate, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving without insurance, unauthorized transfer or use of registration and not driving on roadways laned for traffic.

Howard I. Boyer, 46, of 528 Rolling Mill Ave., Tamaqua; DUI and not driving on roadways laned for traffic.

Robert J. Arbushites, 35, of Box 353, Shenandoah; DUI, failure to report an accident to police, not driving on roadways laned for traffic and careless driving.

Lori Webber, 46, of 204 Valley St., New Philadelphia; retail theft, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

William J. Fadule, 43, of 310 W. Coal St., Shenandoah; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jeremy P. Dombrowski, 19, of 234 S. Lehigh Ave., Frackville; driving under the influence of drugs.

William J. Vesay, 46, of 1000 Middle Creek Road, Tremont; burglary, criminal trespass and theft.

Ryan C. O’Donnell, 18, of 1939 E. Grand Ave., Tower City; criminal mischief, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Brett J. Docken, 39, of 5 S. Jackson St., Pottsville; resisting arrest.

Clarence W. Donton, 39, of 132 Albert Blvd., Pottsville; simple assault and harassment.

Tara N. Keim, 33, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Zachary J. Bensinger, 21, of 869 Hill Road, Hegins; simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment.

Kevin W. Hargraves, 30, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; persons not to possess or use firearms, firearms not to be carried without a license, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct and an ordinance violation.

Corey J. Mlynek, 25, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; simple assault and harassment.

Alex J. Bulino, 30, of 438 Harrison St., Pottsville; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

Timothy J. Tyson, 44, of 813 Grant St., Pottsville; criminal trespass and defiant trespass.

Suzanne C. Hibbler, 47, of 1110 W. Norwegian St., Apt. B, Pottsville; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Harry L. Wolfgang, 47, of 1020 W. Laurel Blvd., Pottsville; criminal trespass and open lewdness.

Jason A. Dillow, 35, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; robbery, theft, receiving stolen property, stalking, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, harassment, reckless driving and careless driving.

Bobby L. Taylor, 25, of 1201 W. Market St., Basement Apt., Pottsville; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Christine Cusatis, 32, of 305 Race St., Tamaqua; receiving stolen property, criminal trespass and false identification to law enforcement.

James P. Druding, 46, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; receiving stolen property and criminal trespass.

Jose A. Rivera Jr., 39, of SCI/Frackville, Frackville; criminal trespass.

Josephine McBride, 22, of 345 Prospect St., Pottsville; endangering the welfare of a child.

Daniel E. Carrington, 42, of 211 N. George St., Pottsville; simple assault and possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Dominic F. Borelli, 26, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; resisting arrest.

Daniele L. Connolly, 34, of 825 W. Market St., Pottsville; furnishing drug-free urine.

Zakiya I. Jordan, 24, of 420 W. Coal St., Pottsville; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Joseph F. Risteski, 42, of 406 W. Arch St., Pottsville; possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Noah J. Plasko, 18, of 211 W. Race St., Pottsville; theft and receiving stolen property.

Justin J. Jalbert, 39, of 265 Wallace St., Pottsville; unauthorized operation/carriers and brokers.

Richard B. Gwin, 54, of Colonial Hills Apt. B3, Schuylkill Haven; possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Cody L. Page, 26, of 33 Main St., Tremont; false reports.

Sierra L. Firestone, 23, of 20 E. Main St., Tremont; retail theft.

Mark A. Ginter, 52, of 25 E. Centre St., Tremont; terroristic threats, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Eric C. James, 27, of 701 Arlington St., Tamaqua; general lighting requirements, possession of a small amount of marijuana, turning movements and required signals, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

David P. Wolfe Jr., 33, of 41 N. Lehigh Ave., Frackville; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Amos Johnson, 44, of 611 Arlington St., Tamaqua; theft, receiving stolen property and retail theft.

Scott A. Wanamaker, 41, of 562 Hazle St., Box 5, Weston; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kathleen E. Keeth, 38, of 423 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City; retail theft, receiving stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Zachary M. Drobeck, 24, LKA 7 Naomia Ave., McAdoo; criminal mischief.

Matthew R. Adams Jr., 29, of 825 W. Market St., Pottsville; retail theft.

Tamera J. Hagelgans, 37, of 800-24 N. Second St., Pottsville; retail theft.

Katherine M. Fergel, 33, of 332 W. Spruce St., Mahanoy City; retail theft.

Jessica J. Yaworsky, 39, of 459 Carbon St., Minersville; fleeing or attempting to elude police, defiant trespass, not driving on roadways laned for traffic, stop and yield sign violations, turning movements and required signals, careless driving, reckless driving and failure to use safety belts.

Nichole L. Chester, 30, of 255 S. Line St., Frackville; retail theft.

Joshua M. Keller, 28, of 131 Pike St., Port Carbon; retail theft.

Francis E. Valentino, 49, of 632 Harrison St., Pottsville; retail theft.

Janiece L. Ramos, 28, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; escape, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Rodolfo Olayo-Avila, 33, of 141 N. Centre St., Frackville; strangulation, simple assault, harassment and recklessly endangering another person.

Shannon J. Willis, 38, of 529 E. Mahanoy Ave., Girardville; possession of a small amount of marijuana, turning movements and required signals, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ryan A. Evans, 32, of 634 E. Mahanoy Ave., Girardville; theft by deception, abandonment of vehicles, unauthorized use of automobiles and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Eric A. Matrishion, 39, of 132 Snyder Ave., McAdoo; fleeing or attempting to elude police, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, registration of snowmobile or ATV, liability insurance, unlawful operation of a snowmobile or ATV without a helmet and operation on streets and highways.

Bradley Q. Freil, 22, of 621 E. Centre St., Mahanoy City; possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Latia Nahf, 26, of 75 Ben Titus Road, Tamaqua; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Christopher S. Schaefer, 45, of 408 Hazle St., Tamaqua; bad checks.

Jennifer Wisser, 35, of 55 Locust St., Tuscarora; bad checks.

Thomas Case, 40, of 344 Clark St., Tamaqua; theft by deception and receiving stolen property.

William Zabrosky, 35, of 126 Bayview Ave., McAdoo; possessing instruments of crime, disorderly conduct and harassment.

Keith J. Schlosser, 36, of 438 E. Broad St., Tamaqua; driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Michael J. Merenda, 33, of 17 Snyder Ave., McAdoo; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Gerald R. Fisher, 50, of 17 Snyder Ave., McAdoo; possession of a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Colin L. Johnson, 25, of 509 Oak Lane, Tamaqua; driving under the influence of drugs, accidents involving damage to unattended vehicle or property, not driving on roadways laned for traffic and careless driving.

Joseph E. Kulha, 26, of 22 Villas Crossing Road, Tamaqua; delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communications facility and possession of a controlled substance.

Skyeler Winston, 30, of SCI/Frackville, Frackville; contraband-controlled substance by inmate, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Richard P. Davidson, 45, of 12 W. Cherry St., Apt. C, Shenandoah; possession of drug paraphernalia.

Eric C. James, 27, of 701 Arlington St., Tamaqua; general lighting requirements, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

David A. Williams, 38, of SCI/Mahanoy, Frackville; weapons or implements for escape and prohibited offensive weapons.

Brehon L. Rawlings, 24, of SCI/Mahanoy, Frackville; contraband-controlled substance by inmate, weapons or implements for escape, prohibited offensive weapons and possession of a controlled substance.

Jamal A. Rahman Jr., 38, of SCI/Mahanoy, Frackville; contraband-controlled substance by inmate, flight to avoid prosecution, trial or punishment, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Brad C. Frye, 37, of 379 Hazle St., Quakake; possession of drug paraphernalia.

Brendon W. Brown, 26, of 425 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City; simple assault.

Joshua J. Mooney, 31, of 7 Main St., Gilberton; flight to avoid apprehension, trial or punishment, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Troy E. Kramer, 50, of 128 Spring St., Tremont; access device fraud, conspiracy, receiving stolen property, identity theft and theft.

Anthony J. Kushmanick, 25, of 235 Tremont Road, Pine Grove; simple assault and harassment.

Daniel P. Lenker, 24, of 121 E. Market St., Apt. A, Williamstown; indecent assault of a person under the age of 13, corruption of minors and indecent exposure.

Kevin P. Keating, 54, of 596 Valley Road, Pottsville; criminal attempt to commit theft.

Matthew J. Burke, 37, of 310 St. John St., Schuylkill Haven; possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, driving an unregistered vehicle and driving without insurance.

Krystal N. Choma, 25, of 202 Market St., Auburn; simple assault, harassment and recklessly endangering another person.

Christopher T. Acquavuva, 33, of SCI/Frackville, Frackville; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Matthew D. Riddick, 23, of 720 Seneca St., Pottsville; simple assault and harassment.

Jahaad E. Baker, 34, of 712 Seneca St., Pottsville; aggravated assault on police, simple assault, defiant trespass, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Brooke E. Evitts, 33, of 311 Laurel St., Minersville; possession of drug paraphernalia.

Joseph M. Yurkonis, 24, of 506 Tunnel Road, Pottsville; fleeing or attempting to elude police, recklessly endangering another person, reckless driving and operation following registration suspension.

Sarah L. Collins, 38, of 111 Railroad St., Cressona; bad checks.

Erik L. Berzowski, 41, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; persons not to possess or use firearms, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Gage A. Harkins, 18, of 210 N. Second St., Saint Clair; unauthorized use of automobiles, accidents involving damage to unattended vehicle or property, drivers required to be licensed, careless driving, driving at an unsafe speed and not driving on roadways laned for traffic.

Judith A. Essler, 53, of 311 Laurel St., Minersville; possession of drug paraphernalia.

Stanley J. Petrovich, 78, of 1000 Fountain St., Ashland; retail theft and theft by deception.

Julie E. Circelli, 20, of 307 Highland Drive Pottsville; corruption of minors and selling or furnishing alcohol to minors.

Christopher Circelli, 59, of 307 Highland Drive, Pottsville; corruption of minors and selling or furnishing alcohol to minors.

Roxann M. Snyder, 24, of 321 Market Square Apts., Pottsville; endangering the welfare of a child.

Vincent Meyer, 30, of 320 Valley St., Port Carbon; retail theft and possession of drug paraphernalia.

David R. Collins, 26, of 208 Oak St., Saint Clair; endangering the welfare of a child.

Kirstin M. Bassininsky, 24, of 208 Dock St., Apt. 13, Schuylkill Haven; possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Richard J. Meyer, 26, of 208 Dock St., Apt. 13, Schuylkill Haven; possession of a small amount of marijuana, public drunkenness, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

John M. Stutzman, 38, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; contraband-controlled substances, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Katarina K. Schweikert, 22, of 4 S. 19th St., Pottsville; retail theft.

Kaitlyn M. Collins, 26, of 21 S. Catherine St., Shenandoah; possession of drug paraphernalia and retail theft.

Alvin C. Jones II, 28, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; theft by deception.

Angela M. Eckert, 35, of 82 W. Second Mountain Road, Pottsville; defiant trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Zachary J. Hickey, 27, of 629 N. Second St., Apt. 2, Pottsville; defiant trespass.

Fallon M. Sincavage, 24, of 31 Deer Park Drive, Pottsville; theft by deception and receiving stolen property.

John D. Butz, 38, of 94 New St., Pottsville; possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence of drugs, fraudulent use or removal of a registration plate, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving without insurance, possession of a controlled substance, theft, defiant trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Gabriel G. Zanini, 28, of 54 Dock St., Schuylkill Haven; corruption of minors.

Braxton J. Moore, 36, of 111 Centre Ave., Schuylkill Haven; simple assault and harassment.

Karl D. Csak, 48, of 302 S. Catherine St., Shenandoah; fleeing or attempting to elude police, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, registration of snowmobile or ATV, unlawful operation of a snowmobile or ATV without a helmet and operation on streets and highways.

James P. Tokonitz, 33, of 615 N. Seventh St., Pottsville; retail theft.

Gina M. Wise, 35, of 409 E. Arch St., Pottsville; retail theft.

Maria Spinelli, 43, of 62 Lang St., Port Carbon; access device fraud, conspiracy, theft and receiving stolen property.

Jason M. Adamick, 38, of 743 Valley Road, Pottsville; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

James A. Cieniawa, 59, of 220 S. Kennedy Drive, McAdoo; DUI, DUI-high rate and obscured or illegible registration plate.

Jennifer L. Dipietro, 35, of 230 Green St., No. 2, Tamaqua; criminal trespass and defiant trespass.

Jason M. Rivera, 27, of 1 S. Lehigh St., Tamaqua; escape and theft of services.

Torrey S. Mueller, 42, of 324 W. Broad St., Tamaqua; criminal attempt to commit retail theft.

James L. Ulrich, 50, of 43 Archery Club Road, New Ringgold; stalking and harassment.

James Englert, 42, of 83 Fairview St., Barnesville; simple assault and harassment.

Steven M. Boehmer Jr., 23, of 256 W. Main St., Ringtown; corruption of minors and harassment.

Gregory R. Stanalonis, 27, of 435 W. Washington St., Frackville; open lewdness and disorderly conduct.

Eric S. Juskey, 30, of 208 Dock St., Apt. 3, Schuylkill Haven; theft and receiving stolen property.

Kevin C. Kiefer, 41, of 2 Woodland Vista Drive, Pine Grove; strangulation, terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment.

Edward L. Harley, 48, of 35 White Lane, Pottsville; firearms not to be carried without a license, prohibited offensive weapons, loitering and prowling at night, carrying a loaded weapon and loitering and prowling at night.

Lisa M. Kelly, 50, of 1020 Pottsville St., Pottsville; retail theft.

Kaitlyn E. Miller, 28, of 52 Duck St., Girardville; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, maximum speed limits, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

John F. Neidlinger Jr., 44, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; theft by deception and receiving stolen property.

Mary A. Rodgers, 61, of 301 Beechwood Ave., Mar Lin; retail theft, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Vsevelod Soltanov, 23, of 614 Pine Hill St., Minersville; possession of a controlled substance and disorderly conduct.

Jamie L. Gangloff, 40, of 14 Locust St., Minersville; criminal mischief.

Michele M. Bosack, 53, of 175 New Philadelphia Road, Orwigsburg; endangering the welfare of a child, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

Marc C. Benedict, 52, of 1133 Peach Mountain Road, Box 779, Pottsville; simple assault and harassment.

Danielle M. Olimpo, 29, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kenneth J. Williams Sr., 41, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; persons not to possess or use firearms, firearms not to be carried without a license and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.

Frederick F. Rabbits III, 36, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; theft by deception and receiving stolen property.

Jamie L. Zipp, 31, 105 Tennis Ave., Schuylkill Haven; possession of a controlled substance.

Michael D. Collins, 27, of 218 W. Market St., Apt. 2, Pottsville; possession of drug paraphernalia.

Brittany L. Gettle, 26, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; contraband-controlled substance by inmate, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Christopher S. Schoffstall, 31, of 449 E. Market St., Pottsville; possession of a controlled substance, receiving stolen property and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Christopher J. Bowers, 27, Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Joshua C. Sector, 38, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal mischief.

Shawna L. McGuire, 28, of 800-26 N. Second St., Pottsville; accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property, stop and yield sign violations and driving without insurance.

Brian C. Bayer, 30, of 106 S. Jackson St., Pottsville; driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, careless driving, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

John F. Neidlinger Jr., 44, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; burglary, criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property.

Kelsey A. Anderson, 25, 329 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City; defiant trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Percy Brown, 37, 507 E. Norwegian St., Pottsville; possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Edward Shamonsky III, 39, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; aggravated assault on police and criminal mischief.

Angus J. Angst, 27, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, endangering the welfare of a child, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Donald P. Cougle, 35, of 210 Saint John St., Schuylkill Haven; access device fraud and theft.

Jason L. Moyer, 36, of 61 Ash Circle, Andreas; aggravated assault, strangulation, terroristic threats, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment.

Joseph L. Fabiani, 37, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; harassment and disorderly conduct.

Zachary Wandzilak, 20, of 1096 High Drive, Tamaqua; criminal mischief.

Mitchell I. McBreen, 21, of 119 Avenue A, Schuylkill Haven; simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.

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

FRACKVILLE — Regular customers walking into McDonald’s will see a big difference inside after a major remodeling was recently completed.

After three weeks of work that took the inside down to the studs, the lobby reopened on Oct. 29 with a brighter and more open look. The restaurant is located on the property where the former Schuylkill Mall was located.

In addition to the aesthetic improvements, the remodel included the addition of two self-ordering food kiosks and table service.

Roland Kissinger, owner/operator, came to Frackville on Monday to explain the remodeling project. All McDonald’s restaurants in the corporation need to be modernized by the end of 2019, which is about a $6 billion cost between the company and the owner/operators.

“We did a new fresh, modern look with the LED light beams,” Kissinger said, pointing to decorative lighting. “We completely redid the bathrooms, and there is new floor, new wall tile, new ceiling, new everything. We took everything down to stud and redid it. We did it all in three weeks. We still have some little punch list things that we’re working on, but basically we’re all done.”

Kissinger explained the counter area had significant changes.

“When you look toward where we put the wall, now you don’t see the shake machine and coffee makers. All that stuff is behind the counter,” Kissinger said. “Then we took the menu boards, which used to be in a landscape fashion all the way across, were turned into portrait fashion. We still have the same number of boards (five). We have this low counter here so you can’t see the registers and the customer display is built in. I like the look.”

Kissinger and Beth Dal Santo, of Dal Santo Marketing, which does marketing and media contact for Kissinger’s company, walked over to a kiosk to explain it.

“The other big part is putting in the kiosks so customers have other options,” Kissinger said. “If they want to order at the counter, they can do that. If they want to use the kiosk, they can do that. If they need help, we’ll have someone out here to help them.”

The employee who assists customers in using the kiosks, particularly when they are unfamiliar with them, is a guest experience lead, or GEL.

“If someone needs to know how do I do this, she can walk them through,” Kissinger said.

After an order is placed, the patron picks up a numbered table tent and takes it to a table.

“With the kiosk, we introduced table service. We will bring the food out to them,” he said. “They can get their drinks, sit down and relax, and we’ll bring the food out to them.”

Each of the plastic table tents is Bluetooth capable. When the order is ready to be served, the table server can look at a screen to see the area of the restaurant where the table tent is and the employee goes to that area and finds the numbered table tent, which is put on its side when the order is delivered.

English is the default language used with the kiosks, but there is an option for Spanish at the beginning of the order process.

Kissinger said systems like the kiosks are not eliminating jobs.

“There is a common misnomer that we’re taking away jobs with the kiosks, but we’re really not,” he said. “We have a GEL, so we’re adding another person there, and then we have to add more people for the table service. We’re not eliminating jobs at all.”

The Frackville restaurant has about 50 employees.

The drive-thru menus have also been upgraded to the electronic version. In the morning, the inside displays show the breakfast menus for the patrons to look over. At 10:30 a.m., all five boards clear and then the day menu appears with Big Macs, Chicken McNuggets and all other items.

Sandy Kachmar, of Seltzer, went straight to the kiosk to place her breakfast order. It was not her first time using one.

“I’ve used a kiosk in the Pottsville McDonald’s. I like them,” Kachmar said. “They’re quick. If there is a line of people, you can do that quickly. You saw how fast I got my order.”

Kissinger has five other locations: Shamokin, Elysburg, Bloomsburg, Berwick and Mifflinville. The employee total for all six locations is about 500. Kissinger said Shamokin has recently been upgraded with kiosks. He said the renovations of the Elysburg restaurant began Monday, so its lobby is closed until the work is completed, but the drive-thru is open. The Bloomsburg and Berwick locations are completed, and Mifflinville will be done toward the end of 2019.

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

The Williams Valley school board approved the purchase and installation of three exterior doors at the high school, costing nearly $30,000.

A Pottsville firm has been hired to supply the doors and conduct the work.

The board approved the motion, 7-0, on Oct. 25 for Victor E. Muncy Inc. to install a hallway door for the lecture room for $10,786; one in the stairway by the elevator for $10,100; and one in the kitchen for $8,296.

All costs will be paid from the district’s capital reserve fund. Directors Tedd Johns and Jennifer Kramer were absent.

In other business, the board approved several personnel matters. Lisa Fey, of Hegins, was hired as a substitute school nurse; Dennis Kasper Jr., of Williamstown, was appointed as a volunteer boys’ basketball coach; and Christina Rodichok, of Williamstown, was appointed as a volunteer girls’ basketball coach, all for the 2018-19 school year.

In other action, the board approved:

• $100 as the daily pay rate for substitute teachers, effective Oct. 29.

• A fundraiser request from the art club for an artificial pine wreath sale Nov. 1 to Nov. 21 to defray the cost for an art museum trip in the spring.

The next school board meeting will be 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at the high school in Tower City.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville Area’s John S. Clarke Elementary Center has yet to expel its mold problem.

Superintendent Jeffrey S. Zwiebel, contacted by text, said the students with classes on the second floor of the building were not back in their classrooms Monday. He did not say when they will return, and he is waiting on test results before sending the children back to the second level of the school. Children are attending classes on the first level of the building.

Mold has interrupted the school since the academic year began in August, forcing it to open a week late. Afterward, mold was also found at other times and remediated without the need to close the school. Testing in October found mold on the second floor and the nurse’s office on the first floor. Second-grade students and several first-grade students are still attending classes at Martz Hall.

“The upper level of JSC will remain closed until air quality tests show normal levels,” Richard Roush, project manager with Cumberland Analytical Laboratories Inc., Carlisle, the company hired to do testing at the school, wrote in an Oct. 31 letter to Zwiebel.

The school board hired American Abatement Group Inc., New Bloomfield, in October to do the mold remediation and cleaning.

Information posted on the district’s website, www.pottsville.k12.pa.us, has information for the public about mold. Penicillium and aspergillus mold was found in the school, according to Cumberland Analytical Laboratories Inc. The company said the “extremely wet summer and historic rains in our area contributed to this problem.”

The letter also says the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the Environmental Protection Agency do not have permissible exposure levels or safe levels for mold, something that occurs in the environment.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

Iced tea can causes man to crash

BARNESVILLE — A Reading man escaped injury when the 2012 Ford Focus he was driving crashed on Ball Diamond Road in Ryan Township around 3 a.m. Saturday.

State police at Frackville said Caleb J. Harley was driving east approaching the intersection with Tuscarora Mountain Road when he tried to apply his brakes but his can of Arizona Iced Tea fell behind the brake pedal.

Harley lost control and struck a utility pole head on, police said.

As a result of the crash, police said Harley will be cited for not driving on roadways laned for traffic.

Man arrested for making disturbance

WICONISCO — A Wiconisco man was arrested by state police at Lykens after they were called to 515 Walnut St. in Wiconisco Township around 12:30 a.m. Saturday.

Police said they received a report of a man throwing things in the street and making unreasonable noise, and as a result charged Jacob Castellani, 27, with disorderly conduct.

Castellani will now have to answer to the charge against him before Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum, Elizabethville, police said.

Woman tries to stop vehicle repossession

WILLIAMSTOWN — State police at Lykens charged a 35-year-old borough woman with disorderly conduct after an incident at 242 Vine St. in this Dauphin County community around 11:25 p.m. Thursday.

Police said they were called to the area for a disorderly conduct report and learned that Josephine Rychwalski tried to stop two people from repossessing her vehicle, causing a public disturbance.

Rychwalski will now have to answer to the charge against her before Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum, Elizabethville, police said.

3 thefts reported at Norwegian store

MAR LIN — State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating three separate retail theft incidents that occurred at BG’s Value Market at Kings Village in Norwegian Township last month.

On Oct. 14, police said, someone took a tube of Hydrocortisone cream valued at $3.39 and exited the store without paying.

Then, on Oct. 15, someone opened a bag of Hershey Kisses, ate some of the candy and then left without paying, police said, adding that the item was valued $6.89.

Finally, on Oct. 19, police said, someone entered the store and ate a cream cheese bologna roll while shopping and then exited without paying for the $3.41 item.

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

Man charged with stealing oil, glasses

McADOO — A Weatherly man was arrested by McAdoo police and charged with retail theft after an incident at Fegley’s Mini Mart around 6:30 a.m. Oct. 17.

Police said David Miller, 30, entered the store and stole gasoline treatment, WD40 oil and three pairs of sunglasses with a total value of $69.

An investigation led to Miller being identified as the person responsible, resulting in a charge of retail theft to be filed against him with Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua.

ALLENTOWN — A Roman Catholic priest who lives in Pottsville is headed to Lehigh County Court after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Monday on charges he had improper contact with a teenage girl in 2017 and this year in Allentown.

The Rev. Kevin M. Lonergan, 30, still faces charges of corruption of minors and indecent assault after appearing before Magisterial District Judge Patricia M. Engler, who bound over the charges for court after Lonergan waived his right to the hearing.

Engler allowed Lonergan to remain free on $50,000 unsecured bail pending further court proceedings. Lonergan’s next scheduled appearance is his formal arraignment at 9 a.m. Dec. 20 in Allentown before Lehigh County Judge Maria L. Dantos.

Lonergan said nothing during the proceedings except that he understood what he was doing and made his waiver knowingly and voluntarily. He also declined to comment while leaving court, although his lawyer, Eric M. Prock, Pottsville, said no one should view the waiver as a concession of anything.

“Waiving the preliminary hearing is common, especially in cases like this,” Prock said. “For us, this changes nothing. It only means that we will be defending the case in the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County.”

Senior Deputy District Attorney Anna-Kristie Morffi Marks declined to comment on the case after Lonergan waived his right to the hearing.

Lehigh County detectives allege that Lonergan had indecent contact with a 17-year-old girl. Lonergan first met the girl in August 2017, electronically communicated with her in December 2017 and January, and on Feb. 1, after meeting the girl, hugged and touched her, detectives alleged.

The Diocese of Allentown has removed Lonergan, a graduate of Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville, from the ministry. The Most Rev. John O. Barres, the bishop of Allentown, ordained Lonergan on June 7, 2014.

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

· Defendant: The Rev. Kevin M. Lonergan

· Age: 30

· Residence: Pottsville

· Charges: Corruption of minors and indecent assault

Voters in Schuylkill County head to the polls today for midterm elections to choose a U.S. senator, governor and new congressman in the redrawn 9th Congressional District.

They also will be choosing state representatives in the 123rd, 124th and 125th districts, although incumbents Neal P. Goodman, D-123, Mahanoy City; Jerry Knowles, R-124, Rush Township; and Mike Tobash, R-125, Pottsville, all are unopposed.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The National Weather Service is forecasting showers and thunderstorms before 1 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 1 and 4 p.m. The possibility for rain will linger the rest of the evening. Some of the storms could be severe with a high temperature near 62.

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr., a Scranton Democrat, is seeking a third six-year term. He is being challenged by Hazleton Republican Lou Barletta, a former mayor who gave up his congressional seat to run for the Senate.

Another Democratic incumbent, Gov. Tom Wolf, is running for a second four-year term against Scott Wagner, a former state senator. Each man is from York County.

In the 9th District, Luzerne County Republican Dan Meuser, a former state secretary of revenue, is running against Columbia County Democrat Denny Wolff, a former state secretary of agriculture, for a two-year term.

Each is running for elective office for the first time.

There is one new polling place in the county in East Brunswick Township in the municipal building in McKeansburg.

There are 85,916 registered voters in the county, including 43,757 Republicans and 31,750 Democrats.

The apparent low bids for converting four swimming pools into classrooms for the Hazleton Area School District total $3.68 million.

To make room for a growing number of students, the school board is poised to award the bids so contractors can create 18 classrooms by filling in pools at McAdoo-Kelayres, Freeland, Heights-Terrace and Valley elementary/middle schools.

Business Manager Robert Krizansky said the bids become official today at 2 p.m.

The bids cover contracts for general construction, mechanical, plumbing and electrical work.

For general construction, Multiscape bid $2.106 million, followed by Mar-Paul Construction, $2.57 million; Uhrig Construction, $2.665 million; Apollo Group, $2.75 million and Skepton Construction, $2.979 million.

The bids for mechanical construction were as follows; Hosler Corp. Systems, $878,00; Yannuzzi, $912,000; Marx Sheet Metal and Mechanical, $945,000; JBM Mechanical, $947,000; Master Mechanical, $950,000 and Leibold, $1.155 million.

Of the three bidders for plumbing, Yannuzzi submitted the lowest quote at $165,299, followed by JBM Mechanical, $209,000, and Bognet, $333,000.

George J. Hayden bid $532,000 for the electrical contract, for which Apollo Group bid $788,000.

An article in Wednesday’s paper listed the total low bids incorrectly.

Architect Harry Petoni of the Schrader Group estimates the job will take 10 months to complete so the classrooms could be ready for the opening of school in fall of 2019.

Contractors will use Valley as the prime staging area for materials they will use at all four schools.

Board member Ed Shemansky suggested alternate parking sites for construction workers, especially at Heights-Terrace, where the lots get crowded. Shemansky said controlling noise and dust during construction might be a problem.

Superintendent Brian Uplinger will advise teachers to expect noise during construction.

Petoni said if the board awards contracts in November, contractors could “bang out a lot of work” during winter break.

Board member Vincent Zola said pools are set away from classrooms, which should dampen noise.

He also said the district will have to issue identity badges that workers can wear to show they have permission to be at the schools.

The board might hire a company or clerk of the works to do tasks such as monitoring construction, checking identification of workers and resolving issues that builders bring up.

In addition to converting pools, the board is considering other ways to add space.

Expanding Hazleton Area High School would enlarge the cafeteria and create space for more classrooms, either for arts and humanities classes or a separate wing for ninth-graders.

The Cable Television Building at Thompson and East 10th streets is for sale by the Gans family. Sketches Petoni did for a district-wide master plan show how the television building could be converted to rooms for pre-school and early intervention classes and a warehouse. Then the existing warehouse could become a gymnasium at the Hazleton Area Career Center.

Also, the board is weighing whether to start a special education center that could provide services that students now leave the district to receive.

Contact the writer: kjackson@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3587

Cressona

Basket raffle party will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday sponsored by “Team Herricanes”at Denny’s Rod and Grill, Front Street. For more information, call 610-916-3236.

Pottsville

A breakfast for veterans is scheduled at Lehigh Valley Hospital-East Norwegian Street from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, according to M. Michael Peckman, marketing and public affairs, LVH-Schuylkill. To register, call 888-402-LVHN or go online to lvhn.org/vetbreakfast.

Pottsville

The Buck Fever Rod & Gun Club, 825 Ravine St., will have a block shoot and meat wheel from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. There will be food and refreshments; the cover is $7. All are welcome.

Pottsville

Patrick M. “Porcupine Pat” McKinner, environmental education coordinator with the Schuylkill Conservation District, recently spoke to members of the Pottsville Rotary Club about outdoor recreation, the conservation district and environmental issues, according to the Rotary bulletin. Countywide, he said, there are numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation including Sweet Arrow Lake County Park near Pine Grove, the Bartram Trail and the Schuylkill River Trail as well as Locust Lake and Tuscarora state parks and state game land. He said a new outdoor recreation map has been published and is available in print and online at www.schuylkill.org. The Schuylkill Conservation District was founded in 1955 and is dedicated to protecting, enhancing, restoring and promoting “the responsible use of the county’s natural resources.” More information is available at www.schuylkillcd.org. McKinney also focused on environmental issues such as the Spotted Lanternfly, a destructive invasive species from Asia that was accidentally introduced to the area in Berks County. Another problem is the emerald ash borer, which has decimated ash trees in the area. Other issues involve abandoned mine drainage and sewage outflows, but the environment in the county still continues to improve through conservation practices and remediation. McKinney said water and air quality are improving and acres of mined land are being reclaimed and revegetated and thousands of new trees are being planted. He urged people to enjoy the benefits of the outdoors in Schuylkill County.

Pottsville

A Veterans Day brunch will be held at 11:30 a.m. Sunday in the parish center of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church. It will be held for all veterans immediately following the 11 a.m. Mass. Cub Scouts Pack 615 will host the event. The cost for non-veterans is $5.

Saint Clair

A Knights of Columbus spaghetti dinner will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday at St. Clare of Assisi Social Hall. The cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children. Tickets are available from the knights and will be available at the door. For more information, call 570-429-0088.

Schuylkill Haven

An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Dock Street.

Shenandoah

A Veterans Day program will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in the Shenandoah Valley High School Auditorium. Prior to the program, members of the Anthony P. Damato American Legion “Medal of Honor” Post 792 will have a flag retirement program at 9:30 a.m. at the Columbia Hose Company grounds at Centre Street and Stadium Road, across the street from the school. All are welcome.

Shenandoah

For the Veterans Day prayer service by Trinity Academy in the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center, Cherry and Chestnut streets, on Monday, veterans are welcome to bring framed photos to be displayed during the event. Veterans are asked to provide their name, branch of service, rank and home town by calling 570-462-3927 or emailing the information to trinitymattersadvancement@gmail.com. The service will begin at 8:30 a.m. in Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Church across from the school.

MAHANOY PLANE — The Gilberton Borough Council formally adopted Thursday its new ordinance regulating the use of fireworks.

The subject was discussed at the August meeting when borough solicitor Paul G. Domalakes presented a draft of the ordinance to council members for review. The ordinance provides for the regulation of fireworks, pyrotechnics and flame effects within the borough and prescribing penalties for violations. It also includes permit requirements.

While it regulates the use of display fireworks put on by professionals for shows, such as the Independence Day display in Frackville, which is held in Gilberton at the baseball field, the main purpose is to better regulate the use of what are called “consumer fireworks” by individuals usually used for July 4 and New Year’s Eve celebrations.

The ordinance is based on standards by the National Fire Protection Association, the International Fire Code and the Pennsylvania State Police’s Public Safety pages on its website.

The regulation of consumer fireworks in Gilberton in the ordinance states the following:

• Conditions: No person who is under 18 years of age or does not meet the requirements of this article, may purchase, possess or use consumer fireworks, as defined by Pennsylvania Act 43 of 2017.

• Prohibitions: No person shall intentionally ignite or discharge:

1. Consumer fireworks on public or private property without the express permission of the owner.

2. Consumer fireworks or sparking devices within or throw consumer fireworks or sparkling devices from a motor vehicle or building.

3. Consumer fireworks or sparkling devices inside or throw into or at a motor vehicle or building or at another person.

4. Consumer fireworks or sparkling devices while the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or another drug.

5. Consumer fireworks within 150 feet of an occupied structure as defined in Act 43 of 2017.

6. Consumer fireworks between the hours of 11 p.m. and 11 a.m. on the following day.

7. Consumer fireworks, sparkling devices or the like in public parks.

The ordinance may be enforced by a fire prevention officer or any police officer.

The penalties for violation include:

• Any person using consumer firework in violation of the provision commits a summary offense and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a find of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000, plus all cost of prosecution. Each use of consumer fireworks in violation of the ordinance shall be considered a separate offense.

• Any person selling consumer fireworks in violation of the provision of this chapter or the Pennsylvania Fireworks Law commits a felony of the third degree.

• Failure to obtain a permit as required commits a summary violation punishable by a fine of not less than $100 or no more than $1,000, plus costs of permit and cost of cleanup.

The borough council had scheduled a budget meeting on Monday to discuss the 2019 general budget. Municipalities are required to pass a balanced operating budget by Dec. 31.

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

POTTSVILLE — The Mahantongo Parking Garage is finally down, but now the real work begins.

The final wall fell at 2:17 p.m. Monday. Concrete rubble and twisted steel is all that remains at the Mahantongo Street site.

“It’s amazing how big the site looks now that they took it down,” John Levkulic, engineer for the Pottsville Parking Authority, said Monday.

The city council hired SDL Construction, Orwigsburg, in August to demolish the garage that closed in October 2016 due to deteriorated structural reinforcing. Levkulic said the contractor has until early December to finish the job and discard the materials. The concrete and steel will be separated with the steel to be recycled. The concrete can be used for fill material.

“It was a very smooth demolition process,” Levkulic said.

Geotechnical engineers hired by Levkulic Associates will drill into the soil to take samples and send them for analysis. The results will be given to Levkulic. The composition of the soil will provide information on the load-bearing capacity, which will help in the design of a new three-tier deck. The new garage is planned to have internal ramps and an elevator. Levkulic said they are not expecting any negative information.

The entrance to the new garage will be on Second Street.

“The new garage will actually be slightly smaller,” he said.

Construction could take 10 months to a year. Levkulic said the garage could be up “by the end of next year.”

Pottsville Mayor James T. Muldowney said Monday it was time for the garage to come down.

Muldowney agreed that the demolition went as planned and he looks forward to the new garage.

The city was awarded a 35-year loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in early August. The money will be used along with a $750,000 promissory note issued by the city and bought by the Greater Pottsville Area Sewer Authority. Richard L. “Dick” Yuengling Jr. also pledged $2.8 million to the project.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

Henry H. Nyce, publisher of The Republican-Herald, will retire Dec. 31, and Mike Joyce, the longtime advertising director of the newspaper, will become publisher.

Times Shamrock CEO George V. Lynett Jr. and COO Don Farley made the announcement Tuesday during a meeting with the newspaper staff in Pottsville.

Nyce has spent 32 years at The Republican-Herald, the last 15 as publisher. He also served as general manager, director of corporate services and marketing, director of marketing and director of advertising. Under his leadership, the newspaper transitioned from an afternoon edition to a morning edition in 2004 and added a Sunday edition in 2005. The newspaper also won four Times Shamrock Flagship Awards.

Nyce’s career in newspapers spans 48 years dating back to Youngstown State University, Ohio. He also worked in advertising sales at The Herald in Sharon and the Pocono Record in Stroudsburg during a career committed to newspapers, and community involvement and service.

“I became a caregiver of the daily diary in the communities I lived in,” Nyce said. “I informed my readers of the information they needed to best build their lives and their families. I entertained, helped build businesses through marketing and advertising, watched my friends celebrate with their children’s accomplishments in sports and education, shared opinions and shared the sadness, with our communities and families, in our obituary pages. Today it doesn’t matter that this newspaper, our daily diary, is in print, online or on mobile, it’s the same daily diary and something that really matters to our communities.”

Joyce has served as advertising director in Pottsville for the last 20 years, during which his staff has earned Newspaper Advertising Excellence awards from the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

“I’m honored to be asked to lead this group of dedicated professionals. We publish an outstanding product every day, filled with news and information important to Schuylkill County,” Joyce said. “I look forward to helping our team continue to serve our readers and advertisers for years to come.”

Joyce previously held a variety of positions with the Journal Register Co. in suburban Philadelphia, including general manager of Phoenixville newspapers and advertising director in Phoenixville and at the Norristown Times-Herald.

Originally from West Chester, Joyce now lives in Pottsville with his wife, Janet Joyce, director of marketing and community services at The Republican-Herald. They have two children who live in Pottsville and five grandchildren.

MINERSVILLE — The treasurer of the Minersville Little League was charged with stealing about $50,000 from that organization over a three-year period.

Robert V. Smith, 48, of 1028 Elm St., Pottsville, was arrested by Patrolman Jeffrey Bowers and charged with one felony count each of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, theft and receiving stolen property.

Bowers alleged the thefts were committed between March 2015 and September 2018, and that the Little League association is seeking restitution from Smith in the amount of $50,114.27.

Bowers said he was contacted in October by association board members Ronald Rowlands, Joseph Karmazin and Charles Roberts, who reported the theft.

The three men said that Smith served as treasurer of the organization and, during the three-year period when the thefts occurred, was responsible for purchases and payments of Little League bills.

In addition, during that period, Smith was authorized to possess a credit card in the name of the Minersville Little League.

Bowers said board members reported that during Little League meetings, Smith would provide a report on expenses and revenue, and would also request pre-signed checks that he said were to be used paying related bills.

After being contacted by debtors that said bills Smith claimed to have paid were still outstanding, Bowers said, the board members decided to look into the situation.

Bowers said bank records and credit card statements were obtained and showed that numerous checks were made payable to “Robert Smith” and in the memo section notations were made indicating the checks were purchases that Smith did not need to make or was authorized to make totaling $12,208.11. In addition, Bowers said a review of credit card statements during the three-year period showed Smith was using the card for the purchase of groceries, concert tickets, vacations, sporting event tickets, hotels, alcohol and more in excess of $12,233.60. Additional interest on the credit card accrued to $122.36, Bowers added.

The officer also said that a breakdown of the money allegedly taken by Smith over the years included $7,169.50 in 2015, $5,587.97 in 2016, $5,981 in 2017 and $5,697.49 in 2018.

Bowers said that Smith also owes the Little League $20 for a uniform he purchased and failed to pay for.

Smith will have to answer to the charges against him before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

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

POTTSVILLE — If the people participating in the Schuylkill County Drug Treatment Court could return to the time they started to try drugs, they would warn themselves to stop.

“All using did was make everything so much worse,” Amanda said Thursday while reading to Judge James P. Goodman and other participants from her required essay during the court’s weekly session.

She said drugs lured her by promising to fix her problems, but now, she would warn her past self not to believe that.

Schuylkill County officials started the drug treatment court in 2017 to try to combat the widespread local drug addiction problem, using a carrot-and-stick approach to help participants beat their addictions. Other counties in Pennsylvania also have instituted drug treatment courts.

Program participants must undergo substance abuse treatment, make regular court appearances, submit to random drug testing and home visits, meet with probation officers and comply with directives from the court and those officers. Participants must complete all five phases in order to graduate from the program; graduation is the carrot, resulting in dismissal of the charges against them, and completion of an aftercare program can lead to expungement of that part of their record.

The program lasts for a minimum of 14 months.

However, since the participants tender guilty pleas to the charges against them, failure to complete the drug treatment court program is the stick, resulting in the pleas being accepted and the defendants being sentenced, quite possibly to time in a state correctional institution.

Joanne was blunt in what she would have said to her former self.

“Oh man, look what you started now,” she said. “Aren’t you scared ... afraid of going to the point of no return?”

Joanne also said she would have told herself to think about how her drug use might affect her parents, a theme that ran through others’ essays.

“You’re about to hurt everybody who cares for you,” Jason said. “Please stop and think this through.”

Newman agreed.

“I remember thinking ‘I’m going to end up in rehab,’ ” he said. “I was going to hurt everybody I loved. It wasn’t worth it.”

Joyce also said she would remind herself of practical considerations concerning the cost of drugs.

“Think about all the waste of money,” is one thing she would have warned herself about, she said.

Joyce said she knows better now.

“I would know to just walk away from the drugs,” she said. “They don’t lead to happiness.”

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

2 charged with

drug violations

MIDDLEPORT — Two people were charged with drug violations by Schuylkill Township police after officers served a search warrant on Saturday.

Schuylkill Township Police Chief Frank DiMarco said the warrant was executed at a suspected drug house at 83 Washington St. owned by Dean F. Verdier around 6:50 p.m.

DiMarco said Schuylkill Township police Sgt. Anthony Stanell, Rush Township police Patrolman Ryan Oldt, Tamaqua police Patrolman Doug Springer, state police Trooper James Reed and a drug detection dog from the state police Bureau of Special Operations entered the home and conducted a search for evidence of narcotics trafficking, drug paraphernalia and illegal narcotics.

The warrant issued by Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon, was the result of an investigation and surveillance that spanned several months and was conducted by the Schuylkill Township Police Department, DiMarco said.

Inside the home, the chief said, officers discovered suspected methamphetamine belonging to Verdier, 56, along with needles and packaging materials for re-sale along with a digital scale.

Officers also discovered suspected methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia on Nicole Chia, 30, who was staying at the residence and was present during the execution of the search warrant.

As a result, DiMarco said, both Verdier and Chia were charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The two will now have to appear for preliminary hearings before Plachko in his Port Carbon courtroom.

State police probe

Girardville stabbing

GIRARDVILLE — State police at Frackville are investigating an aggravated assault incident that occurred on Vine Street around 3:30 a.m. Friday.

Police said Curt J. Marquardt, 29, of Frackville, and Robert J. McClintock, 40, of Girardville, became involved in a verbal argument that turned physical with McClintock pulling out a 12-inch bayonet.

A struggle ensued, during which Marquardt received minor stab wounds to his face and hands that required him to be taken to a Pottsville hospital for treatment.

No other information about the incident was provided by state police.

Woman charged

with harassment

BARNESVILLE — A Port Carbon woman was arrested by state police at Frackville and charged with harassment after an incident on Long Lane in Ryan Township around noon on Oct. 31.

Police said Jacqueline Costy, 32, became involved in a verbal argument with a 53-year-old Barnesville woman when the argument turned physical resulting in Costy pushing the woman in the chest and threatening to hit her with a hanger.

Police said Costy will now have to answer to the charge against her in district court.

Republican Luzerne County businessman Dan Meuser won a seat Tuesday night in the U.S. House of Representatives, triumphing in the newly redrawn 9th Congressional District over Democratic Columbia County dairy farmer Denny Wolff.

Even as incumbent Democrats comfortably won the state’s races for governor and senator, Meuser, 54, of Dallas, defeated Wolff, 67, of Millville, by nearly a 3-to-2 margin.

Meuser had 112,765 votes to Wolff’s 78,687 as of 10:30 p.m. Tuesday with 320 of 429 precincts reporting. Wolff conceded the race about 9:45 p.m.

“I attribute it to a campaign that was really about the people,” Meuser said. “That’s not a cliche. We had a very grass-roots campaign. We worked at it very hard.”

Meuser said he also believes his positions align closely with those of most of his new constituents.

“The message reflected the thoughts of the vast majority of the people of the district,” including a strong military, border security and a growing economy, he said. “The people didn’t want to settle for less.”

Meuser’s triumph was the first in the new 9th District, a product of redistricting by the state Supreme Court.

The Democrat-dominated court ruled Pennsylvania’s existing congressional map unconstitutional in February and redrew the district lines.

As a result, the 9th District was moved from the Altoona area to east-central Pennsylvania. It consists of all of Carbon, Columbia, Lebanon, Montour and Schuylkill counties and parts of Berks, Luzerne and Northumberland counties.

While this campaign is the first for elective office for each candidate, they have served in state government. Meuser served as secretary of revenue during the administration of Gov. Tom Corbett, while Wolff served as secretary of agriculture for Gov. Ed Rendell.

Meuser is a consultant for Pride Mobility Products, Exeter, a family-owned business.

Wolff owns Pen-Col Farms, Millville, and is a fifth-generation dairy farmer.

Each candidate ran negative ads about the other, with Meuser criticizing Wolff as a Nancy Pelosi-style liberal whose values did nor represent the district and Wolff criticizing Meuser as an unethical businessman.

Keith Pemrick, Wolff’s campaign manager, said the district itself was the biggest handicap for the candidate.

“It’s a heavily Republican district. It’s a heavily Trump district,” he said.

Pemrick said he hoped Wolff’s lifelong residency in Columbia County and his being a farmer could overcome those, but it was not to be.

“The voters stuck to their nature,” he said.

Pemrick said Wolff wishes Meuser the best in representing the district in Congress.

“It’s about representing constituents, not one person’s agenda,” he said.

Meuser said he is looking forward to working on local as well as national issues.

“I love the emphasis of revitalizing Pottsville and the other cities of the 9th,” he said. “I want to work on the flood issue. I want to work on the opioid epidemic.”

He said he is disappointed that Hazleton’s Lou Barletta lost the state’s U.S. Senate race to incumbent Democrat Bob Casey, but he will not let that stop him.

“We have to work with the elected officials,” Meuser said.

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

Cressona

A meatloaf dinner will be held at 4 p.m. Nov. 17 at Bethany Christian Fellowship. Meals will also include mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, applesauce, roll, dessert and beverage. The cost is $9 for adults and $4 for children under 12. Takeouts will be available; all are welcome. For more information, call 570-385-0609.

Frackville

Bingo games at the Frackville American Legion, beginning in January, will be held at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Fridays of every month. Upcoming bingo dates this year include Nov. 30 and Dec. 14. Doors will open at 4 p.m. and the Legion kitchen will be open with food vouchers given away to the first 25 people. There are individual game and package deal pricings. For more information, call 570-874-4750.

Frackville

American Legion Post 398 will have a Veterans Day ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Members, according to a post release, are invited to join the honor guard, which still visit local hospitalized veterans. There will also be an event, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., with free food, refreshments and entertainment, open to the public. For more information, call 570-874-4750.

McAdoo

Scout Troop 643 will hold a craft show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Keystone Fire Company social hall, 51 Hancock St. The event will include crafters, food and a tricky tray raffle. A Toys for Tots drop-off box will be available for donations. Proceeds from the event will go to the Boy Scouts for summer camp. For more information, email Kristy@butterfly18237@yahoo.com.

Minersville

The Retired Nurses of Schuylkill County will have its meeting at noon Nov. 14 at the Washington Hotel. For more information, call Mildred at 570-628-5413.

Ringtown

The Ringtown Area Library, West Main Street, has preschool storytime at 11:30 a.m. the second and fourth Mondays of the month. Storytime is for children ages 3-6 along with a parent or caregiver. This program combines stories, songs, rhymes, activities and crafts, Tanya Savitsky, library director, said in a release. She added that participants have fun learning and socializing with others in preparation for preschool and kindergarten.

Shenandoah

Catholic War Veterans Post 1107 will meet at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Francis Cardinal Brennan Council Knights of Columbus Home, 201 W. Cherry St., according to an announcement by Joe Chowanes, adjutant. Chowanes also announced that Shenandoah AMVETS Post 7 will have its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Anthony P. Damato American Legion “Medal of Honor” Post 792, 116 N. Main St.

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.

Valley View

The Tri-Valley Lions Club will sponsor Re-Creation — A Classic Christmas at 7 p.m. Nov. 26 in the Tri-Valley High School Auditorium, 155 E. Main St. All are welcome. The Lions will also have breakfast with Santa from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Dec. 8 at the Lions building, 535 E. Main St., Hegins.

State representatives run unopposed in General Election

There was no opposition on the ballot in Tuesday’s General Election for Schuylkill County’s legislative delegation to the state General Assembly.

Incumbent state Reps. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, Mahanoy City; Jerry Knowles, R-124, Rush Township; and Mike Tobash, R-125, Pottsville, all ran unopposed.

While there were write-ins, none of the totals appeared to challenge the nomination of the candidates.

Goodman received 12,016 votes, Tobash had 14,901 votes and Knowles had 11,424 votes.

Results are unofficial until certified by the county election board, which will take place in several days.

Rain didn’t dampen county voters’ enthusiasm Tuesday.

“We had people voting who hadn’t voted in years,” Schuylkill County Election Bureau Director Frannie Brennan said at the end of tabulating the votes at the STS bus garage.

Brennan said her office received many calls from voters long-absent from the polls, who needed to know where to turn up to cast a ballot, as their voting place had changed over the years.

Of the county’s 89,904 registered voters, 49,234, 57.31 percent, cast votes in Tuesday’s General Election which included races for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, something that many were seeing as a referendum on the presidency of Republican Donald Trump. In 2016, when Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton, out of the county’s 87,952 then-registered voters, 63,805 cast ballots, 72.55 percent. In the last midterm election, 2014, of the 84,345 registered voters, 38,554 cast ballots, 45.71 percent. This year’s turnout even outdid the midterm election of Barack Obama’s first term. In 2010, 52.48 percent voted.

Tuesday’s tally included absentee ballots. Brennan said there are 10 provisional ballots which will have to be decided upon by the county commissioners next week. All votes are unofficial until certified by the Schuylkill County Board of Elections.

“Every vote counts,” Meghan Sep, 26, of Minersville, said after she cast her votes at the Minersville High Rise. The registered Republican has voted since she was 18 years old.

Anthony Ballance, 33, of Minersville, said he didn’t want to miss out on his right to vote. He brought his daughter, Lindzy Ballance, 4, with him.

“She likes the stickers,” he said.

He explained to her why he voted — it was important to him to “make Trump’s agenda go through.”

The chance “to make a difference” is why Mike Scribbick, 57, of Minersville, voted.

The registered Democrat voted for Gov. Tom Wolf, who is running against Scott Wagner. Both are from York County.

“I think he’s doing a good job,” Scribbick said.

Scribbick also voted for U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr., a Democrat, who is facing a challenge from Republican Lou Barletta. Scribbick has voted since 18, having never missed an election. He believes his vote makes a difference.

Diane and Tom Evans, 71, of Mar Lin, were at the Norwegian Township municipal building to have their say in the direction of the state. Registered Republicans, the longtime voters said they view voting as their civic duty. Tom Evans said he has voted for at least 50 years.

“It’s a right that I like to use,” Tom Evans said.

Voting is the way to let your voice heard, he said.

“If you don’t vote, don’t complain,” he said.

Rene Boylan, 65, of Seltzer, voted for Democratic candidates at the Seltzer Hose Company, Seltzer.

“Trump said a vote for a Republican is a vote for him, and why would I want to vote for him. He is horrible,” she said.

There is no specific race she was interested in, but did so because it’s important.

“I always vote,” she said.

By voting, “you get your voice heard. It’s your civic duty,” she said.

Danielle Woodford, 39, of Pottsville, also was fulfilling her civic duty by voting in Pottsville at the Salvation Army on Sanderson Street.

She votes because, like others, she believes her vote can change history. She is disappointed more people don’t exercise their right to vote.

“Once they learn it does make a difference, I think it will influence them in the right direction (to vote),” she said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

MAHANOY CITY — The Mahanoy City Fire Department on Monday joined numerous other departments throughout Northeast Pennsylvania by carrying pet oxygen masks on emergency vehicles.

The five emergency breathing mask kits, one for each of the borough’s five companies, were donated by Shawn Prohaska, owner of Invisible Fence of Northeast Pennsylvania.

The “Project Breathe” kits contain three different size masks for small to large animals as well as a laminated sheet with instructions on how to administer oxygen and CPR to animals.

Prohaska said his company is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year and donating the pet oxygen masks is a way of giving support and a new tool to volunteers.

Prohaska said the Saint Clair Fire Department was presented with masks as was the Hazle Township Fire and Rescue Company in neighboring Luzerne County.

Both departments have already utilized their masks, Saint Clair on cats during a carbon monoxide situation, and Hazle Township on dogs during a structure fire call.

In demonstrating how to use the masks, Prohaska said animals are like children with smaller lungs than adults. With this in mind, he urged volunteers to follow the instructions for how much oxygen to administer and always check the pets for other injuries they may have suffered.

“You have to be careful, animals are like children, their lungs are small so be gentle,” he said.

The idea to obtain the masks was the brainchild of Randy Jones, captain of the Washington Hook and Ladder Company.

Jones said he saw a story on television about a fire company that received masks from Prohaska and decided to check into it.

“I have two dogs that are part of the family and I thought this would be a great tool for us to have,” Jones said.

He said he contacted Prohaska and the rest is history, ending with Monday’s delivery of the kits.

Jones said that adults and children treat pets as family members and hope their animals can be helped with treatment, if needed, as the result of a fire or other tragedy.

Mahanoy City Fire Chief Dan Markiewicz said saving the life of a pet, if possible, can bring some comfort to a family in times of an emergency.

He said that the oxygen kits could mean the difference between an animal surviving or dying.

“We can give them oxygen immediately instead of having them wait the 45 minutes or so until they could be treated by a vet,” he said.

The chief said time is critical and the “Project Breathe” kits will allow emergency personnel to immediately begin to resuscitate as soon as it is removed from the danger area.

On behalf of the fire department, Markiewicz thanked Prohaska not only for the donation but also for taking the time to travel to Mahanoy City to deliver the kits in person and explain their use.

“On behalf of the Mahanoy City Fire Department I want thank you for your generosity,” Markiewicz said.

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