Police investigate mailbox menace

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a criminal mischief incident that happened on Deer Trail Drive in North Manheim Township between 1:50 and 3 a.m. Sunday.

Police said someone damaged several mailboxes in the area and then fled the area undetected.

Total damage was estimated at $500, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-754-4600 and refer to incident PA2018-1456212.

Man arrested trying to sell stolen metal

McADOO — A Tamaqua man was arrested by McAdoo police and charged with receiving stolen property after an incident involving a borough business on Dec. 5.

Police said they were contacted by Haulmark Trailers concerning stolen property and that a former employee was on Facebook trying to sell about 30 diamond plate metal pieces for $25 each.

Police said the employee, Patrick Ryan, 24, received permission to take one piece of the metal but not the amount that he was attempting to sell.

Arrangements were made to purchase the items from Ryan in the parking lot of Fegley’s Mini Mart where a plain clothes officer met the man and had $500 in pre-recorded money.

The officer met Ryan, who identified himself, agreed to sell all the metal for $480 and then helped transfer the metal to an unmarked vehicle, police said.

Ryan was subsequently taken into custody and police recovered the pre-recorded money in the driver side door of his vehicle.

Ryan will now have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua.

McAdoo woman arrested with meth

McADOO — A McAdoo woman was charged by McAdoo police with drug offenses stemming from an incident on Aug. 27.

Police said Wednesday that April McCarthy, 40, was charged with felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal use of a communications facility as well as possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and restrictions on alcoholic beverages.

The charges stem from an investigation that began with officers monitoring a vehicle and its driver, who was known to be involved with illegal narcotics.

A traffic stop was conducted on North Madison Street since the driver was known to have a suspended driver’s license, police said.

The passenger, McCarthy, had an open purse on the floor of the vehicle and inside the purse was an open bottle of beer, a prescription pill bottle containing suspected methamphetamine, a scale, a second bag containing suspected methamphetamine, a cellphone and $290 in cash, police said.

The woman, police said, subsequently admitted the substance was in fact methamphetamine that she purchased for $600 and also advised officers there were text messages on her cellphone regarding the sale of illegal drugs.

McAdoo man took check; didn’t work

McADOO — McAdoo police said an investigation into a July 8 incident in the borough led to charges being filed against a McAdoo man,

Police said officers were contacted by a resident of North Lincoln Street who reported receiving a written proposal for home improvement work from Steven Pollack Jr., 38, gave the man a check for $650 and received a receipt.

The victim reported the check was cashed but no work was ever done by Pollack.

Police said Pollack was charged with deceptive or fraudulent business practices, theft by deception and home improvement fraud, all first-degree misdemeanors.

The charges against Pollack were filed with Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, police said Wednesday.

Rush Township chief completes training

HOMETOWN — The Rush Township Police Department announced that Chief Kenneth Zipovsky recently completed a weeklong training provided by the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association.

This training was held during the first week of December, officials said.

The Executive Leadership Institute training is an innovative program designed for executive level law enforcement leaders and focuses on the emerging challenges facing the law enforcement profession.

The topics covered in the training course completed by Zipovsky were: trends in law enforcement, implications of the 21st century policing report, public trust and legitimacy, bias and diversity, employee wellness power, Transformational Leadership and Social and Emotional Intelligence.

POTTSVILLE — Testifying in his own defense on Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court, Michael D. Marchalk said he was protecting himself when he killed his father on Father’s Day 2017 in his Ryan Township home.

“I walked toward him. He sat up real quick” and started to swing an aluminum baseball bat at him, Marchalk, 38, of Barnesville, testified on the third day of his homicide trial. “I stepped back. I picked up the iron. I threw it at him. I charged at him. I hit him (with the bat) maybe five times, maybe six. It took 30 seconds.”

Those blows killed Gary D. Marchalk, 59, a former assistant district attorney, on June 18, 2017, and led to Michael Marchalk being charged with seven crimes in connection with his death.

Michael Marchalk presented his case to the jury on Wednesday after prosecutors had spent two days presenting theirs against him. The trial resumes at 9 a.m. today with Assistant Public Defender Andrea L. Thompson, Marchalk’s lawyer, and Senior Deputy Attorney General Christopher P. Phillips giving their closing arguments to the jury of six men and six women before President Judge William E. Baldwin charges it and deliberations begin.

The defendant is charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, third-degree murder, robbery, theft, access device fraud and possessing instrument of crime. If convicted of first-degree or second-degree murder, he faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison, which in Pennsylvania carries no chance of parole.

State police at Frackville have charged Michael Marchalk with killing Gary Marchalk, whose widow is county Treasurer Linda L. Marchalk, by beating him with the bat on June 18, 2017 — at 21 Pear St., Barnesville.

Police said Michael Marchalk had asked for money from his father, who declined to give it to him. Police also allege the two had a difficult relationship.

Police also said Marchalk fled the area after killing his father, taking his wallet, credit cards and gold Ford Fusion automobile. The defendant used his father’s bank cards in Tamaqua, New Tripoli, Fogelsville and Philadelphia before being arrested on June 23, 2017, on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey, according to police.

Michael Marchalk testified his flight occurred for one reason.

“I got scared. I picked up his wallet and keys,” he said. “I had his credit cards. I went eventually to Philadelphia and then Atlantic City.”

“Why did you go to (Philadelphia)?” Thompson asked her client.

“I figured I could get Suboxone,” a drug that can help a heroin addict, Michael Marchalk answered.

He also detailed a long line of grievances against Gary Marchalk, whom he said never treated him well and treated his brother, Matthew, much better.

“My earliest memories are of competition,” including an incident where he said his father kicked a soccer ball into his face, Michael Marchalk said. “It was almost like I never was a child. He had to beat me or I had to beat him.”

His father never showed him any love or affection, according to Michael Marchalk, although he acknowledged that his father was never violent toward him.

He also said he turned to drugs after his mother committed suicide.

“To be honest, I just didn’t care. I didn’t care if I lived or died,” Michael Marchalk said.

When cross-examined by Phillips, who is trying the case with Deputy Attorney General Rebecca A. Elo, a former county assistant district attorney, an argumentative Michael Marchalk acknowledged that he did not try to help his father after the incident.

“You didn’t make any attempt to see if you could help him?” Phillips asked.

“No, I did not,” he replied.

“You made sure you got rid of your dad’s debit card and keys?”

“I just wasn’t going to use them again.”

“You didn’t want the police to link any physical evidence ... to you?”

“No, that’s not correct.”

Michael Marchalk also said he was not admitting guilt in his statements to the media and police.

“I didn’t think it was justified, but I didn’t know what the law was,” he said. “Have you ever killed anybody? It’s horrible. I’m just talking about moral guilt.”

Ann Marie Calabrese, the defendant’s aunt, supported his statements that Gary Marchalk mistreated him.

“When he was a toddler ... Gary put out his foot and tripped Michael,” she said. “There was always animosity because my parents made them get married.”

Calabrese acknowledged she disliked Gary Marchalk, saying she was suspicious of the circumstances of his wife’s — her sister’s — suicide.

A neighbor, Debbie Tangini, also testified that Gary Marchalk was hard on Michael Marchalk.

“He ridiculed him, put him down,” she said.

“Did he ever call Michael names?” Thompson asked.

“Stupid,” Tangini said. “You could hear him yelling.”

Two other defense witnesses, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Larry A. Rotenberg, West Reading, and clinical psychologist David O’Connell, Pottsville, testified that Michael Marchalk’s drug use prevented him from having the specific intent to kill necessary to support a charge of first-degree murder.

“He was always high, or withdrawing from a high, or needing a high,” Rotenberg said. “He was no different the night of the killing than any other time.”

However, Rotenberg also said he did not know to what degree Michael Marchalk was under the influence of drugs on the night of Gary Marchalk’s death.

O’Connell also said drugs impaired the defendant.

“I see this all the time ... a lifelong struggle with drug dependence,” he said. “He felt threatened. He felt scared. He lost control.”

O’Connell said that Michael Marchalk’s lack of reaction to his father’s death was consistent with his condition.

“Feeling numb or feeling nothing is a common complaint among drug addicts,” he said. “He was not out of his mind. He was not drunk.”

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

What one actor has described as a “story of love and family, hope and redemption, selflessness and sacrifice” makes its way to a Pottsville stage to spread some seasonal cheer.

The Majestic Players will perform “It’s a Wonderful Life” in three shows, starting at 7 p.m. tonight and Friday, and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday at the Majestic Theater, 209 N. Centre St.

“I wanted something appealing to a wide range of people. It’s a holiday favorite. It’s one of my favorites,” Lisa Gillespie, director, said.

The cast includes 50 people from throughout Schuylkill County who have been rehearsing for the past six weeks. Gillespie said the actors range in age from 5 to 70.

It’s a play adaptation of the classic movie that most fans remember starred James Stewart as the lead character and struggling businessman, George Bailey. According to the theater website, the play is adapted by Doug Rand and presented by special arrangement with Playscripts Inc.

Actor Steve Durkin described the show’s warm-hearted message above, but noted his character would consider it “nothing but sentimental hogwash.”

“I play Mister Potter, the meanest man in town, and I’m having fun with it. I don’t often get a chance to play a bad guy, and Potter is as bad as they come,” he said.

Durkin said the play has some differences from the movie, simply because it all has to be done live on a stage.

“Our director, Lisa Gillespie, has found creative ways to execute some of the signature scenes in a Majestic style. Our assistant director, Al Miscannon, was responsible for putting together the set to put this big story on our small stage,” he said.

“Believe it or not, some people had never actually seen the movie when we started, so they had no preconceived notions on their parts. Fans of the movie will not be disappointed, and for those seeing the story for the first time should be very pleased,” Durkin said.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling 570-628-4647 or by visiting www.brownpapertickets.com.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

GIRARDVILLE — The Nativity story has been told from the perspective of different people involved with the event, and this past Sunday that story was told by the innkeeper in Bethlehem.

The story was told in a performance of “Christmas Through the Eyes of the Innkeeper” at Girardville United Methodist Church by Lift Your Spirits Performing Arts, a group of talented local performers known for moving Christian programs, murder mysteries, concerts, comedic performances and more.

The event provided a different perspective on the story of the birth of Jesus Christ in a manger in a stable since there was no room in the inn when Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem to be registered with the Roman government in the town of their lineage. Bethlehem was the city of King David, of which Joseph and Mary were descendents.

With many people being of the same family line, the little town of Bethlehem was filled with people traveling from short and long distances, which in turn taxed the ability of public places to house them all. This was one of the thoughts told during the show by the innkeeper, who was portrayed by Carl Altman.

The Rev. Rose M. Marquardt, pastor, welcomed everyone and thanked Lift Your Spirits members for presenting the holiday message.

“Before Dan (Thomas Sr.) and his group start, let’s give them a big hand,” Marquardt said, which was followed by applause, with more applause to follow after she said, “And let’s give Jesus a big hand.”

Thomas, who is the founder of Lift Your Spirits, composes music and lyrics, and plays keyboard in programs, asked Marquardt for an opening prayer.

“Heavenly Father, we thank you for this wonderful opportunity as we gather together in fellowship to celebrate, Lord, the coming of your gift, the gift of your only-begotten son, the Christ Child. Lord, we ask that the peace of the Christ Child be upon each one of us. Open our hearts, Lord, as we listen to this music and make room for your wonderful gift,” Marquardt said.

Thomas explained the background of Lift Your Spirits and types of performances done by the group.

“It’s all heartfelt devoted time. We do it because we enjoy performing and singing,” Thomas said, and that it is great to see the audience smile along with the performers. “It’s something special to see someone smile because they shared their God-given talents with somebody else.”

There were 20 songs, with a telling of the story of the time of the Nativity by narrator Danielle Moyer and reflections of what the innkeeper saw and felt at the time. Songs included “Hallelujah;” “Where’s the Line to See Jesus?,” referring to the long shopping lines in stores and other places, but none to visit Jesus; a solo performance by Thomas with “Eyes of the Innkeeper;” and “Joy to the World.”

In addition to Thomas, Altman and Moyer, other chorus members were Bill Brass, Susan Fletcher, Margaret Haley, Zita Harner, Paul Koutch, Tom Owens, Patti Razzis, Missy Roshon, Mary Snyder, Jim Stepanchick, Sarah Stepanchick, Ann Subick, Brian Waizenegger and Mary Wydra.

After the program, food and refreshments were provided to everyone in the hall.

Thomas said if anyone is interested in being part of the group, he can be reached at 570-590-2368 or email at dansr@ptd.net. The website is www.lysperformingarts.com.

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

POTTSVILLE — Michael D. Marchalk acted with malice when he murdered his father by beating him with a baseball bat on Father’s Day 2017 in his Ryan Township home, a Schuylkill County jury ruled Thursday night.

After deliberating almost 11 hours, and asking President Judge William E. Baldwin several questions about the various crimes at issue, the jury of six men and six women found Marchalk, 38, of Barnesville, guilty of third-degree murder, theft, access device fraud and possessing instrument of crime. Jurors found him not guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree murder and robbery.

“I have mixed feelings,” Marchalk, who did not immediately react to the verdict in the courtroom, said as he was led from the courtroom in handcuffs and a belt. “I was disappointed, but I was relieved I wasn’t convicted of first- or second-degree murder.”

A conviction for either first-degree murder and second-degree murder would have meant a mandatory life sentence, which in Pennsylvania carries no chance for parole, for Marchalk.

Baldwin, who presided over Marchalk’s four-day trial, ordered preparation of a presentence investigation and said he would schedule sentencing at a future date. He ordered the defendant returned to prison, where he has been held without bail since his arrest more than a year ago.

State police at Frackville have charged Michael Marchalk with killing Gary D. Marchalk, 59, whose widow is county Treasurer Linda L. Marchalk, by beating him with the bat on June 18, 2017, at 21 Pear St., Barnesville.

Police said Michael Marchalk had asked for money from his father, who declined to give it to him. Police also allege the two had a difficult relationship.

Police also said Marchalk fled the area after killing his father, taking his wallet, credit cards and gold Ford Fusion automobile. The defendant used his father’s bank cards in Tamaqua, New Tripoli, Fogelsville and Philadelphia before being arrested on June 23, 2017, on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey, according to police.

In her closing argument, Assistant Public Defender Andrea L. Thompson, Marchalk’s lawyer, said her client killed his father, but did not murder him.

“This is a textbook case of manslaughter,” she said. “There’s no time for reflection. This is not a murder. He didn’t take a weapon with him.”

Thompson said Gary Marchalk first swung the bat at his son.

“If somebody swings a bat at you ... it would be serious provocation under any circumstances,” she said. “He was reacting in the heat of passion.”

Thompson said Michael Marchalk stole his father’s wallet and keys, but did not intend to do so until after he had killed him. Under the law, that is not robbery and cannot support a charge of second-degree murder, she said.

“There’s a theft after the fact,” Thompson said.

Instead, according to Thompson, Michael Marchalk asked his father for money, and he not only did not give it to him, he came at her client with the bat. She said that, combined with a lifetime of belittling and mean treatment, was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

“That is the moment that Michael broke,” Thompson said. “It came bursting forth. It was a reaction.”

In his closing argument, Senior Deputy Attorney General Christopher P. Phillips said the defense’s portrayal of Gary Marchalk was unfair and incorrect. Instead, he said, Gary Marchalk was a loving and generous father whom Michael Marchalk took advantage of.

“Gary Marchalk was a giver. When Michael Marchalk had no place to go ... he knew his dad would help him,” Phillips said. “When he showed up ... Father’s Day weekend, Gary took him in. He loved him. He cared for him.”

Michael Marchalk, on the other hand, was a taker, and all that mattered to him was getting money for drugs, according to Phillips. Gary Marchalk had the ability to give him that money, he said

“What did his dad have? Access to money,” Phillips said. “That’s why he went back there. That’s what mattered to Michael Marchalk.”

Phillips said Michael Marchalk’s flight to Philadelphia and Atlantic City provides further evidence of his guilt.

“The ocean’s in the way, or he’d still be going,” Phillips said. “He knew he was guilty of a crime.”

Phillips dismissed the notions that Michael Marchalk had been provoked and was defending himself, saying he told the police that he was not hurt.

Indeed, Michael Marchalk is a heartless murderer, according to Phillips.

“He caved in Gary Marchalk’s skull and he felt nothing,” Phillips said. “He even described how Gary rolled off the bed. He didn’t want to incapacitate him, he wanted him dead. He knew what he wanted to do before he got there.”

Gary Marchalk did not get a chance to leave his bed while he lived, even as he tried to defend himself, Phillips said.

“He wanted his dad’s money,” he said of Michael Marchalk, at whom he pointed several times during his closing argument. “He is a taker. He had one more thing to take — Gary Marchalk’s life.”

Phillips and his co-counsel, Deputy Attorney General Rebecca A. Elo, a former county assistant district attorney, and Thompson all declined to comment after the verdict, as did members of Gary Marchalk’s family.

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

Defendant: Michael D. Marchalk

Age: 38

Residence: Barnesville

Verdict: Guilty of third-degree murder, theft, access device fraud and possessing instrument of crime; not guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree murder and robbery

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Two Pennsylvania Army National Guard members said they were appreciative of the more than 300 people who attended the Wreaths Across America ceremony Thursday at St. Ambrose Church.

The observance is meant to honor those who served or are serving in the military. This is the second year for the service at the church sponsored by the Schuylkill Haven American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post 38 along with help from the Schuylkill Haven American Legion Post 38.

“It’s a beautiful site. It brings a tear to my eye,” Chief Warrant Officer Kevin Rugh, a member of the Pa. Army National Guard 28th infantry division, said.

“We are walking in the footsteps of all the soldiers before us,” Chief Warrant Officer Troy Adams said.

Both are Schuylkill County residents and say they are honored to serve a cause greater than themselves.

Schuylkill Haven Mayor Mike Devlin thanked them for their dedication. He said people should remember what those serving in the military give up to keep the country safe.

“Please join me in a minute of silence to remember the fallen, the prisoners of war, the missing in action, and honor those who have served and are serving this great nation’s armed services,” said Kathy Wingle, a member of Schuylkill Haven American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post 38.

Wreaths were placed in the front of the church in honor of the various branches of the military and the POW and MIAs. Along with the laying of the wreaths, the national anthem was sung, a 21-gun salute was given, taps played and speakers told about the history of Wreaths Across America.

“Wreaths Across America began eighteen years ago when Morrill and Karen Worcester Wreath Company in Maine began a tradition of placing wreaths on headstones of our nation’s fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery. For the past three years every service member at Arlington was honored with a wreath ... This year various organizations will place 245,000 wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery,” said Krista Miller, vice president of Schuylkill Haven American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post 38.

Cosette Pohronezny, president of the Schuylkill Haven American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post 38, spoke about why such observances are important.

“We recognize and honor our veterans, not only because we appreciate what they have done for us, but also because we understand that future generations will look back, not only on their deeds but on ours too. We will be judged by how well we have honored and cared for, in the words of President (Abraham) Lincoln, ‘Those who have borne the battle — his widow and orphan,’ ” Pohronezny said.

Jim Farrell, a member of the board of directors of Wreaths Across America, said the approximate 18,000 wreaths in the 53-foot trailers at the church will go to Arlington National Cemetery.

“When they get there, they get assigned a specific section,” Farrell said. The wreaths will arrive Saturday.

Before arriving in Schuylkill Haven, the trucks were in Enfield, Connecticut.

Farrell didn’t know the number of trucks in the convoy, but said about 2 million wreaths will be placed at 1,400 different locations nationwide.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

Hazleton

Luzerne County Community College will offer courses for the spring semester in Hazleton. Students, according to a press release, can register for courses at the college’s Hazleton center, 100 W. Broad St. Classes offered in Hazleton include accounting, art, biology, business, chemistry, CPR, early childhood education, emergency medical services, English, first year experience, history and math as well as computer literacy, criminal justice, English as a second language, health and physical education, psychology, reading, sociology and speech. Classes for the spring semester will begin on Jan. 14. Both day and evening classes will be offered at the Hazleton center. For more information, call the LCCC Hazleton Center at 570-453-3140 or email tbauder@luzerne.edu.

McAdoo

Signups for the 2019 McAdoo Basketball League will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday and Tuesday at the skating rink. Divisions include boys in fifth to eighth grades and ninth through 12th grades and girls in fifth to eighth grades and ninth to 12th grades. The cost is $65 per player and is payable at the time of registration, according to an event release. Teams will be picked after all registrations are complete. The season will start March 1. All games will be held at McAdoo-Kelayres Elementary/Middle School with PIAA referees. The season will consist of two games per week. Each team will play 12 games, plus playoff games. Games will be played Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. For more information, call Al at 570-436-6146.

Port Carbon

The Port Carbon Public Library recently acknowledged the following memorial donations: For Leah and Butch Renninger by Shawn Thomas; for Leah Renninger by Peter Yonchuck, Judy and Warren Thomas; for Jacob and Virginia Lurwick by Joanne Lesusky; for Tom Dowd by Louise Dowd; for Donna and Lou Miller by Nancy and Don Brown; for Tracy and Mark Rosenberger by Kristen Krusnoski; for Agnes Reiley by Mr. and Mrs. Hugh McGowan; for Patrick E. Dowling by Joseph and Kathleen Dowling; for Ann Marie Whiteash by Walter and Carolyn Yonchuck; for Mary Louise May D. Happart by H. Clifford D. Happart; for Joseph W. Barto by Leona Barto; for Tim Matz by Karen and Tony Matz; for Thomas Curvey Jr. by Patricia Curvey; for Arlin and Dorothy Maurer by Steve and Shirley Pavlick; for John and Bertha Kralick by Paul and Joanna Buber; for Evelyn Cooper by Mr. and Mrs. Kent Cooper; for Martha Reynolds and Julia Grabowski by Frank and Janet Grabowski; for Vincent Sheaffer by Gary and Diana DePauli; for Marge Rench by Mark Trout; for John and Anna Lazarchick by Michael Lazarchick; for Charles Brennan by Rosalie and Brian Brennan; for Doris Mallo by Deborah Mallo-Bound; for Michael Mallo by Deborah Mallo-Bound, Pastor Rodney Stoner by Deborah Mallo-Bound. The library also acknowledged the following donations: From The Crochunis family, Martin and Linda Smith, Margaret Andrews, Leona and Edward Buber, Cindy Fees, Charlotte McKeon, Ted and Elaine Naradko.

Pottsville

The Avenues Choir presented its annual concert during a recent meeting of the Pottsville Rotary Club. According to the Rotary bulletin, club members called the concert at “great performance.” Concerning another matter, the club announced it will sponsor Amanda Johns as a queen candidate for the Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival. The club also accepted Clint DelValle as a club member with the classification of engineering and maintenance manager.

Tremont

Kathy Townley, master gardener and herbalist, will discuss gardening basics at the Tremont Area Public Library at 10 a.m. Jan. 12. For more information, call 570-695-3325. Game Night at the library is set to begin at 6 p.m. Jan. 15 for people to enjoy their favorite and new games. The library will also have a cold soup sale beginning at 10 a.m. Jan. 19 featuring a variety of soups at $7 per quart. Call the aforementioned number for information on any library activity.

Tamaqua

The Tamaqua Senior Citizens meet regularly at the Tamaqua YMCA, East Broad Street at the former Jamesway Plaza. The group had its Christmas party Dec. 13 at the Y. November and December birthdays will be celebrated at the Thursday meeting.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic can once again give the gift of music this holiday season.

The orchestra will present its holiday pops concert at 7 p.m. Saturday at Peoples Security Bank Theater at Lackawanna College, 501 Vine St., Scranton, and 3 p.m. Sunday at F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, 71 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Mélisse Brunet, interim music director, said they worked hard on the program, which features classical holiday fair and other types of music.

“It’s a nice mix for all communities of the cities. ... Everybody can really feel welcome when coming to that concert,” Brunet said.

After suspending operations for the 2017-18 season so it could develop a plan to stay financially viable, the orchestra returned to the stage in October, a show executive director Nancy Sanderson said sold out.

“It was really great,” she said. “The audience seemed to be so happy to see the orchestra back on its feet.”

When the orchestra went dark last season, Sanderson said she heard from community members about how much they missed the holiday concert. The returning favorite will feature many of the staples of past editions, such as the Choral Society of Northeast Pennsylvania; singer Erin Malloy, who will perform as well as lead an audience sing-along; and “March of the Wooden Soldiers,” featuring dancers from Ballet Theatre of Scranton.

“(The march is) just such a tradition,” Sanderson said. “I think we would be booed out of town if we didn’t have that.”

The audience also will hear the premier of a Klezmer piece Sanderson said is based on old Jewish melodies. It first was composed for band and clarinet solo and was just rewritten for orchestra and clarinet solo, Brunet said.

“We always try to include something for people who practice the Jewish faith, and we have this incredible … piece this year that’s just fun,” Sanderson said.

And as always, Santa and Mrs. Claus will stop by at the end of the show.

Brunet, a Paris native who was the philharmonic’s apprentice conductor in 2016, took over for longtime conductor Lawrence Loh this year, and Sanderson said the orchestra has received “wonderful feedback.”

“She’s fun,” Sanderson said of Brunet. “The musicians really love to play under her. She’s really clear about what she wants, and she’s got her own particular signature on everything she does. ... The audience loves her because she’s just so charming. She likes to talk and interact with the audience, and she is really of the philosophy that a great concert is interactive.”

And Sanderson said the orchestra is following a five-year strategic plan, which she described as “fairly modest the first few years so that we can settle our debts without having to go to the community and ask them to pay off (our) debts.”

“People like to invest in the future and not in the past, and so we’re determined to do it the right way,” she said.

Part of the plan involves Brunet remaining as acting music director through those five years, after which time the orchestra must conduct a search for a new leader in accordance with a union agreement.

“But I sure hope (Brunet) submits her application,” Sanderson said. “She’s got great energy, and I’m really proud of the fact that we have a woman conductor right here in Northeast Pennsylvania, because it still is a man’s world. And that she has this position (and) this particular region of Pennsylvania wants her to be up there I think speaks volumes about open-mindedness and understanding the needs of the community.”

Contact the writer: cwest@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100, ext. 5107

Wesley Wyckoff went to the emergency room at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton to get help for his mental issues and methamphetamine addiction.

He ended up in prison.

“I don’t want to see another family go through what I went through,” Wyckoff’s mother, Colleen Lanner, said. “I still have nightmares. It was horrible.”

She said her 39-year-old son had a “psychotic episode” before he wrestled with police officers who were helping nurses put him into restraints.

The episode might not have happened, Lanner believes, if her son had not already spent three nights in the emergency room while waiting to move to another hospital or treatment center.

A new start

This spring, Wyckoff came to Hazleton to restart his life on parole after getting out of prison.

He had served 14 years in New Jersey and Kentucky for armed robbery and counterfeiting before being released and rejoining his mother.

She said he has conduct disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other mental conditions, but he found a job, moved to Freeland with a girlfriend and started helping Community Bible Fellowship serve meals to the needy.

“He was doing so good, when he first got out,” Lanner said.

Then he resumed using methamphetamine, which cost him his job and led him to Northeast Counseling on the hospital grounds late in the afternoon of Oct. 5, a Friday.

It was near closing time at Northeast, so Wyckoff, high on the drug, was sent to the hospital’s emergency department.

Sometime that evening, his mother and girlfriend decided to confine him against his will for three days, as state law allows without a hearing when people are considered dangerous to themselves or others.

Lanner said she wanted the hospital to transfer her son to a facility that treats both mental health issues and drug abuse.

During the wait, Wyckoff grew agitated. He was wearing a gown, confined to bed behind a curtain, and he wanted to see a psychiatrist and take a urine test to find out if he was in danger from the amount of methamphetamine he had taken, his mother said.

On Oct. 7, a Sunday, his third night in the ER, hospital workers called police twice to help them control Wyckoff. After the first group of officers left the hospital, a nurse recalled police and requested help putting Wyckoff into restraints.

While privacy laws prevent the hospital from discussing Wyckoff’s treatment, the hospital issued a statement describing procedures for treating people who are confined involuntarily.

“Patients are checked to ensure the safety of both the patient and staff. They are under close observation while medically screened and treated as necessary,” according to the statement that said counseling services and psychiatrists are available.

The statement, emailed by Lisa Marie Halecky, the hospital’s spokeswoman, said patients are admitted when they need psychiatric care, including situations that raise safety concerns.

Halecky said the hospital attempts to get help for people who want help for dependence on drugs or alcohol.

“We are currently working with county and state officials,” she added, “in solidifying warm bed handoff programs for patients with opioid addiction.” The handoff transfers a patient who survives an overdose directly to a drug treatment center from an emergency room.

One center offering the services that Lanner wanted for her son is First Hospital Wyoming Valley in Kingston.

Christine Matthews, the chief nursing officer there, said patients can come to First Hospital directly from hospital emergency rooms.

Usually, there is no waiting list.

Statewide, a shortage of beds does exist for inmates who might be mentally incompetent to stand trial. In response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union to reduce waits three years ago, the state added 50 beds to Norristown State Hospital, which along with Torrance State Hospital, cares for inmates being assessed for competency.

A report issued a year ago by Policy Research Associates recommended other steps to reduce waits, such as stabilizing inmates through medical care in jail and discharging them faster after they have been assessed.

Police involvement

When Wyckoff entered Northeast Counseling while under the influence on Oct. 5, the center went into lockdown, Hazleton Police Chief Jerry Speziale said.

Two nights later, police had already been to the emergency room to calm Wyckoff once when they were recalled at 11:04. A nurse feared Wyckoff would become violent when they put him into restraints.

When police arrived, Wyckoff charged, grabbed an officer around the head and fell onto a bed atop the officer, according to a criminal complaint.

Wyckoff, 6 feet 2 inches and 180 pounds, wouldn’t let go so police had to pry free their colleague, who had scratches on his face and head, while they secured Wyckoff.

After being tied down to the bed, Wyckoff berated police with profanity and racial slurs, the complaint said.

Speziale said dealing with people who become extremely aggressive because of psychiatric or drug abuse problems is a common assignment for police.

“We do the best we can when dealing with people who have mental issues. Sometimes, people are not rational,” Speziale said. “When officers are charged and taken to the ground, we have to make sure the officers and the public and the hospital staff are safe.”

In the early morning of Oct. 8, a few hours after being restrained in the Hazleton emergency department, Wyckoff was transferred to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg in Bethlehem. During his stay of more than a day there, he saw a psychiatrist.

Wyckoff was released from Muhlenberg and spent a day or two at home with his girlfriend before authorities picked him up.

For the incident in the Hazleton hospital, he has been charged with a felony of aggravated assault and two counts of harassment.

Wyckoff has been at State Correctional Institution-Mahanoy since his apprehension in lieu of $10,000 bail and awaits a hearing before Judge Michael Vough in Luzerne County Court on Jan. 24, 2019.

“I tell him to hang tough,” said Lanner, who has been writing to her son in prison, where he has seen a psychiatrist and received medication. Wyckoff’s replies indicate he doesn’t remember the incident in the hospital.

His mother is waiting to hear from a public defender who will represent her son.

“I want my son better. That’s all I want,” she said.

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

POTTSVILLE — Students at Pottsville Area High School helped to raise about $6,000 for gifts for less fortunate children.

The amount surpasses last year’s tally of about $3,200. The 10-week Penny-A-Week Campaign started Sept. 25 and ended earlier this month. In all, 43 homerooms from ninth through 12th grade, about 950 students, were involved in the effort to make children’s lives a little better this holiday season. Companies and others also assisted by donating.

Children from birth up to age 10 can receive gifts, some of which will go to the victims from Sunday’s house fire at 709 W. Market St. in Pottsville, where nine people were left homeless.

The act of generosity started in the 1930s “when a penny meant something,” Carmen DiCello, health teacher, said. DiCello’s homeroom collected $3,456.78,

Members of the student council shopped for toys at Boscov’s earlier this week. Students will wrap the gifts and deliver them Dec. 21 for about 120 children.

While every monetary donation counts, John Hannaway, a senior at the school, led an effort to collect $1,937.10.

This isn’t the first year Hannaway has made it his goal to collect. His freshman year he raised $100 toward the effort, $310 his sophomore year and $540 his junior year. His goal this year was to double last year’s total. He said the “magic” he experienced at Christmas when he was a child inspired him to want to give that same happiness to others.

He sold candy at the school during the drive. This year, his mother, Darlene Hannaway, sold candy at her work, helping to bring in more money.

High School Principal Tiffany Hummel said Hannaway is an “unsung hero. He doesn’t ask for any recognition.”

DiCello said students in his classroom did fundraisers to help raise money and also sold candy. A former student even donated money to the cause, he said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

A local youth theater group will be performing a musical this weekend with the hopes of dishing out some Christmastime spirit.

The Pottsville Gymnastics & Theatrical Center Inc. will perform “Holly Jolly Christmas” at 6 p.m. Sunday at the United Presbyterian Church hall, 214 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, according to Sandy Kost-Sterner, the musical’s director. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., she said.

“Audiences can expect a show that spreads Christmas cheer which includes singing, acting, dancing as well as a piano solo by some of the area’s most talented youth performers, Kost-Sterner said.

She said the show has something for everyone from the classic Christmas carols like “It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas,” “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays,” “Twelve Days of Christmas,” “Silver Bells,” “Let It Snow” and of course the jovial song “Holly Jolly Christmas,” to show tunes such as “Santa for A Day” from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Believe” from “Polar Express.” Other songs such as “Happy Birthday Jesus” and “Christmas Wish” will also be performed.

“This show has something for all ages and is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. We always have a great crowd for all of our shows year-round and are thankful for the wonderful support from our community. We look forward to sharing this show with everyone,” Kost-Sterner said.

Featuring participants ranging in age from 5 to 18 — including members of the Spotlight Kidz — the musical is taking on a new libretto this year, with the script being written by Morgan Flick, 18, of Pottsville. Flick, who has participated in the PGTC program since its beginning a decade ago, is one of the group’s graduating seniors.

In addition to PGTC and Spotlight Kidz members, dancers from Sabo School of Irish Dance will participate, Kost-Sterner said. Leif Connor, 17, of Girardville, will be showcasing his talents as the guest high school solo performer. Connor, according to Kost-Sterner, is a North Schuylkill High School senior and a veteran of the PGTC Theater Program, having began at 8 years old.

For more information about “Holly Jolly Christmas” or the Pottsville Gymnastics & Theatrical Center Theater Program, call 570-581-8617 or visit them on Facebook at Pottsville GTC Theater Program and Spotlight Kidz.

Contact the writer: dprosick@republicanherald.com

Police investigate Pottsville burglary

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville police are investigating a burglary that was reported around 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

Police said officers were called to 2174 W. Market St. and learned that someone forced their way into the building sometime between 7 p.m. Friday and 6:45 a.m. Saturday and stole a credit card and a Pennsylvania registration plate of “H15634H.”

Police said that preliminary information showed that a dark colored SUV may have been used by the burglar during the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call Pottsville police at either 570-622-1234 or 570-628-3792.

Man jailed for theft of woman’s car

POTTSVILLE — A man was jailed after being arrested by Pottsville police after officers were called to the Sunoco/A-Plus store on South Claude A. Lord Boulevard for a theft of a vehicle around 5:50 a.m. Sunday.

At the scene, police said, officers spoke to a 45-year-old Pottsville woman who explained that she had just arrived at the store and left her 2014 Honda Civic running with the keys inside.

The woman said that as she was exiting the store she discovered the vehicle had been taken.

Police said the woman also reported leaving her iPhone in the car along with her wallet, credit cards and a check book.

Patrolman Cory Rainis was able to review video surveillance footage that showed a white man about 6 feet tall with a thin build wearing a black hat, black gloves, brown coat, blue jeans and white sneakers.

After the woman went into the store the man approached the vehicle and saw that it was running and that it was unoccupied.

The man then walked away from the vehicle before returning a few moments later when he got inside and drove away heading east on East Norwegian Street.

A subsequent investigation led to the identification of the man as Edward Haines Higginbotham, 28, of Pottsville, and on Monday officers located the man and recovered the coat he had been wearing at the time of theft.

Police also determined that Higginbotham was wearing the same hat, gloves and shoes as he was wearing at the time of the theft. Higginbotham was taken into custody and charged by Rainis with theft, receiving stolen property and driver’s required to be licensed.

He was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $25,000 straight cash bail.

Also on Monday, around 5:15 p.m., police said the stolen vehicle was recovered in the 200 block of Nichols Street and impounded by police for processing before being returned to the victim.

Police investigate motorcycle theft

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville police are investigating the theft of a motorcycle that was reported around 9:25 a.m. Wednesday.

Police said they were informed that a red 2015 Honda Grom motorcycle with a Pennsylvania registration tag of “8CC84” had been stolen from the 1900 block of Mahantongo Street sometime between 5:30 a.m. Tuesday and 9:20 a.m. Wednesday.

Police said the investigation is continuing and anyone with information is asked to call the Pottsville police at either 570-622-1234 or 570-628-3792.

POTTSVILLE — Kyle K. Merenda is heading to state prison after admitting Friday to a Schuylkill County judge that he sold fentanyl to a confidential informant in December 2017 in Ryan Township.

Merenda, 24, of Barnesville, pleaded guilty to delivery of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

President Judge William E. Baldwin accepted Merenda’s plea and promptly sentenced him to serve 2 1/2 years to six years and 11 months in a state correctional institution, pay costs and $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

State police at Reading alleged Merenda sold fentanyl to a confidential informant on Dec. 18, 2017. Police said the informant called Merenda, who agreed to sell the fentanyl.

Baldwin also accepted a guilty plea on Friday from Roeny R. Dorville, 30, of Shenandoah, to a charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. He sentenced Dorville to serve 161 days to 23 months in prison with immediate parole plus five years consecutive probation, pay costs and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, one each of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia and an additional count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

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

POTTSVILLE — A Luzerne County man charged with robbing a bank in Shenandoah earlier this year is among those scheduled to enter not guilty pleas during arraignments Thursday in Schuylkill County Court.

Jamie L. Johnson, 38, LKA 92 Columbia Ave., Hanover Township, was arrested by Shenandoah Police Chief George Carado and charged with three counts of robbery and one count each of theft, receiving stolen property and simple assault.

Carado charged Johnson with entering the M&T Bank at 2 S. Main St. around 11:15 a.m. on Oct. 22, demanding money from a teller and then jumping over a counter and grabbing cash before fleeing.

No one was hurt and Carado said that Johnson was identified after a surveillance camera image released to the media led to his identification that was later confirmed by his mother.

Others scheduled to appear for arraignment are:

Joshua J. Mooney, 31, of 7 S. Main St., Gilberton; theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy.

Mark W. Trubilla, 58, of 512 Boone St., Pottsville; DUI, DUI-high rate and general lighting requirements.

Jameson D. Lapp, 19, of 171 Mexico Road, Pine Grove; possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana, driving under the influence of drugs, not driving on roadways laned for traffic, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

John R. Weeks, 19, of 308 Laurel Lane, New Ringgold; driving under the influence of drugs, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, prohibited offensive weapons, driving an unregistered vehicle and not driving on roadways laned for traffic.

Susan E. Vidal, 56, of 57 Schuylkill St., Schuylkill Haven; driving under the influence of drugs, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Stephen M. Caroll, 20, of 107 W. Union St., Tamaqua; driving under the influence of drugs and general lighting requirements.

Paul D. Ogonek, 67, of 140 N. Union St., Shenandoah; fleeing or attempting to elude police, DUI, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest, restrictions on alcoholic beverages and stop and yield sign violations.

Kelsey V. Swenson, 19, of 64 Valley St., New Philadelphia; DUI-high rate, driving under combined influence, underage drinking, careless driving, turning movements and required signals and stop and yield sign violations.

Francis R. Styka, 49, of 233 E. Washington St., McAdoo; DUI, DUI-highest rate and careless driving.

Darren S. Nagle, 26, of 197 Dad Burhmans Road, Pine Grove; DUI-highest rate, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, driving an unregistered vehicle and driving without insurance.

Brandon A. Schmeer, 29, of 5 Church St., Gilberton; DUI, driving at an unsafe speed and careless driving.

Brian C. Regnier, 43, of 15 Dodd St., Cumbola; DUI-high rate, DUI and careless driving.

Bernard S. Kayes, 58, of 377 Florida Ave., Shenandoah; driving under the influence of drugs, careless driving, not driving on roadways laned for traffic, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Pedro Batista, 52, of 501 W. Centre St., Shenandoah; DUI, turning movements and required signals, careless driving, drivers required to be licensed and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Jeffrey D. Capiga, 34, of 211 S. Ferguson St., Shenandoah; driving under the influence of drugs, general lighting requirements, driving on the wrong side of the road, obedience to traffic control signals, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Cynthia M. Dengler, 33, of 31 Silvercreek Road, New Philadelphia; driving under combined influence, DUI, stop and yield sign violations, DUI-highest rate, driving under the influence of drugs and endangering the welfare of a child.

Derek J. Crisafulli, 31, of 140 Carbon St., Minersville; DUI, DUI-high rate, careless driving and not driving on roadways laned for traffic.

Joshua R. McArdle, 27, of 426 Arlington St., Tamaqua; persons not to possess or use firearms, firearms not to be carried without a license, possessing instruments of crime, crimes committed with firearms, terroristic threats, simple assault, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Noel A. Bautista, 23, of State Correctional Institution/Mahanoy, Frackville; weapons or implements for escape and prohibited offensive weapons.

Brendon J. Hasara, 46, of 735 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City; simple trespass, theft and receiving stolen property.

Daniel Schwertfeger Jr., 27, of 114 W. Phillips St., Coaldale; receiving stolen property and theft of property lost, mislaid or delivered by mistake.

Adam J. Bobyak, 22, of 1335 Walnut St., Ashland; aggravated assault on police, aggravated assault, simple assault, public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.

Carissa N. Delpais, 30, of 147 Kiehner Road, Schuylkill Haven; retail theft.

Nathan K. Fisher, 31, of 300 N. Lewis St., Apt. 706, Minersville; simple assault and harassment.

Jessica Wehr, 38, of 70 River St., Cressona; bad checks.

Dylan A. Dallago, 27, of 216 Birdshill Road, Pine Grove; possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jayme L. Manley, 28, of 61 Robin Road, Pine Grove; possession of drug paraphernalia.

Lane A. Leitzel, 18, of 30 W. Colliery Ave., Tower City; unauthorized use of automobiles and other vehicles and drivers required to be licensed.

Marissa A. Garcia, 25, of 39 W. Spruce St., Mahanoy City; intimidation of witnesses or victims, terroristic threats, disorderly conduct and hindering apprehension or prosecution.

George D. Mammarella, 58, Village Auto Sales, Mahanoy City; theft by deception, deceptive business practices, tampering with records or identification to deceive, engaging in unprofessional conduct and substantial misrepresentation of material facts.

Braeden DeLong, 18, of 425 W. Spruce St., Mahanoy City; burglary, criminal trespass, theft and criminal mischief.

William J. Mooney, 47, of 334 W. Centre St., Mahanoy City; resisting arrest and simple assault.

Jarrett L. Weikel, 29, of 506 W. Poplar St., Shenandoah; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Tiffany L. Lutz, 30, LKA 57 Lost Creek Road, Box 111, Lost Creek; unauthorized transfer or use of registration, drivers required to be licensed, driving without insurance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Zachary Brinson, 21, of 28 W. Blaine St., McAdoo; criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

Kalvin L. Baker Jr., 23, of 231 Oak St., Minersville; simple assault and harassment.

Terry Dewitt, 56, of 115 Silverbrook Road, McAdoo; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, general lighting requirements, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Danielle L. Fisher, 31, of 620 Claremount Ave., Schuylkill Haven; public drunkenness, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Moises A. Guzman, 28, of 725 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville; loitering and prowling at night.

Brandon R. Snyder, 36, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; retail theft and receiving stolen property.

Kyle M. Wrona, 21, of 26 W. Bacon St., Pottsville; aggravated assault on police and harassment.

Malik Stevens, 24, of 401 Nichols St., Pottsville; recklessly endangering another person, fleeing or attempting to elude police, reckless driving, careless driving, periods for requiring lighted lamps, driving without insurance, stop and yield sign violations, obedience to traffic control signals, drivers required to be licensed, driving an unregistered vehicle and driving on a sidewalk.

Robert E. Reagan Sr., 48, of 503 N. Centre St., Pottsville; possession of a controlled substance.

Christine C. Cusatis, 32, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; criminal trespass.

Barron J. Belsak, 46, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; terroristic threats and harassment.

Tiara R. Pleva, 34, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; retail theft.

Bobby L. Taylor, 25, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; possession of a controlled substance, retail theft and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Lee F. Ferrebee, 47, of 62 Carbon St., Pine Grove; terroristic threats and harassment.

Glenn E. Hoffman, 65, of 171 Fairview Road, Pitman; simple assault and harassment.

Tyler Antonelli, 19, of 197 Black Creek Road, Ashland; application of firearms-false statements and unsworn falsification to authorities.

Darnell L. Williams, 42, of 225 W. Coal St., Shenandoah; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jonathan Calcano, 23, of 225 W. Coal St., Shenandoah; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robert Calcano, 26, of 225 W. Coal St., Shenandoah; possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Francis P. Lavan, 62, of 43 S. Morris St., Saint Clair; accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property and duty to give information and render aid.

Sonya L. Stefanick, 47, of 307 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City; retail theft and receiving stolen property.

William R. Killian, 36, of 7 Pickerrel Lane, Pine Grove; simple assault and harassment.

Alyssa Christian, 32, of 24 Patriotic Hill, Mahanoy City; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Samuel T. Steffie, 47, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; aggravated assault and simple assault.

Linda K. Wanamaker, 67, of 315A Pine Hill St., Minersville; retail theft.

Joseph H. Thompson, 45, of 470 Lewis St., Minersville; bad checks.

Tiffany A. Black, 36, of 317 Coal St., Port Carbon; access device fraud, theft and receiving stolen property.

Ashley Slack, 51 of 535 N. Third St., Minersville; receiving stolen property.

Raymond S. Morgan, 29, of 613 Arlington St., Tamaqua; terroristic threats, stalking and harassment.

Robert V. Smith, 48, of 1028 Elm St., Pottsville; theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, theft and receiving stolen property.

Josh Binder, 19, of 449 Arlington St., Tamaqua; possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct.

Ronald A. Schwimer, 35, of 205 E. Ridge St., Coaldale; simple assault, harassment and endangering the welfare of a child.

Matthew C. Cichon, 49, of 20 E. High St., Coaldale; persons not to possess or use firearms, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Joseph L. Blashock, 53, of 410 W. Spruce St., Mahanoy City; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Dishawn J. Paravicini, 18, LKA 314 N. Elizabeth St., Tamaqua; robbery, simple assault and disorderly conduct.

Eric K. Kuklinski, 32, of 425 N. Railroad St., Tamaqua, and Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; retail theft, receiving stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, false reports false identification to law enforcement, public drunkenness and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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

Deeds

Ashland — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Acorn Estates LLC; 23 Walnut St.; $3,000.

Butler Township — Mary Richards to Jacob P. Weinrich; 20-acre property; $1.

East Union Township — Gail R. Reich, Jack P. Reich and Phylisse R. Cook to Anthony Blandina and Rose Marie Espiritu Alquiros; Unit 1302 Upstairs, Eagle Rock Estate Townhomes, Eagle Rock; $179,000.

Frackville — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Big Z Property Management; 308 S. Lehigh St.; $3,519.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Big Z Property Management; 323 W. Frack St.; $19,500.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Acorn Estates LLC; 28 N. Lehigh St.; $7,000.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Juan Carlos Martinez; 20 S. Lehigh Ave.; $4,617.

Gilberton — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Juan Carlos Martinez; 10 Long Row Road; $1,531.

Gordon — Mary Richards to Glenn L. Weinrich; 14.7-acre property on Legislative Route 53017; $1.

Mary Richards to Nicholas J. Weinrich; 16.5-acre property on Legislative Route 53094; $1.

Mahanoy City — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Ysabel Nunez; 803 E. Market St.; $2,507.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Lee Williams; 1209 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $2,267.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Jazmin Rosario; 336 W. Centre St.; $5,510.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Claudio Nunez Francisco; 502 W. Pine St.; $2,183.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Ysabel Nunez; 218 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $3,262.

Mahanoy Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Joseph A. Mussoline; 7 Hills Terrace Road; $5,006.

Minersville — National Retail Properties Trust to Priya Holdings In.; property on Sunbury Street; $900,000.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to 100818 Portfolio Trust; 217 Fifth St.; $9,000.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to D.A.K. Homes LLC; 500 N. Second St.; $4,807.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to AED Capital LLC; 562 Sunbury St.; $1,722.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to AED Capital LLC; 424 Sunbury St.; $2,200.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to AED Capital LLC; 5 N. 10th St.; $13,389.

North Manheim Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Morgan Lee Harman and Brandon Michael Vidal; 150 Main St.; $7,360.

Norwegian Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to William T. Dallago and William J. Dallago; 514 Pine St.; $54,000.

Orwigsburg — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to JMAC Realty LLC, Natural Realty LLC and 100818 Portfolio Trust; 275 Gerald Ave.; $21,000.

Pine Grove — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Vinson Do; property on Walters Street; $3,634.

Pine Grove Township — Edward M. and Joan E. Sullivan to Finance of America Reverse LLC; 220 Birds Hill Road; $1.

Linda S. Imschweiler, executrix of the Will of Betty J. Anspach, to Linda S. Imschweiler; 545 Suedberg Road; $1.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to 100818 Portfolio Trust, JMAC Realty LLC and Natural Realty LLC; 32 Beuchler Lane; $14,593.

Porter Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Acorn Estates LLC; 278 Main St.; $1,349.

Pottsville — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to 100818 Portfolio Trust and JMAC Realty LLC; 452 Greenwood Ave.; $29,990.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Victor M. Duarte; 718 Howard Ave.; $4,370.

Ringtown — Austin and Kayleigh Snyder to Austin Snyder; 527 W. Main St.; $1.

Rush Township — Natasha Drigan and Remi Drigan, co-personal representatives of the Estate of Vilma Sniscak, Christina Marie Novak King and Gregory Stephen Novak to Dale and Joyce Kostick; property on Pine Terrace, Lake Hauto; $85,000.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to 100818 Portfolio Trust, JMAC Realty LLC and Natural Realty LLC; 730 Claremont Ave., Hometown; $49,817.

Ryan Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to 100818 Portfolio Trust, JMAC Realty LLC and Natural Realty LLC; 3 Radnor Ave., Barnesville; $15,000.

Saint Clair — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Margarita Elena Lluberes; 129 S. Third St.; $11,650.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to 100818 Portfolio Trust, JMAC Realty LLC and Natural Realty LLC; 129 N. Mill St.; $11,421.

Schuylkill Haven — Marie Bilansky to Brian S. Hoffman Jr. and Catina J. Brown; 135 Columbia St.; $82,000.

Schuylkill Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Jennifer Ann Quinn; property on Piersol Street; $5,917.

Shenandoah — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Dawn M. Kowalick; 411 W. Washington St.; $4,538.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Brian K. Grose; 307 W. Arlington St.; $1,827.

South Manheim Township — Barry D. and Jennifer Ann Pospisil to The Jennifer Ann Pospisil Revocable Trust; 1923 Wynonah Drive, Lake Wynonah; $1.

David F. and Christine K. Denning to Christine K. Denning and Margaret Ann Harig; 173 W. Deer View Drive; $1.

Barry D. and Jennifer Ann Pospisil to The Jennifer Ann Pospisil Revocable Trust; 1888 and 1889 Bow Drive, Lake Wynonah; $1.

Tamaqua — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Angela Kolb; 341 Willing St.; $2,784.

Washington Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to JMAC Realty LLC; 27 Wild Cherry Road; $18,000.

Lynn R. Daubert and Dean R. Daubert, individually and as co-administrators of the Estate of June L. Daubert, to David Daubert; 46 Covered Bridge Road, Rock; $85,000.

Wayne Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to 100818 Portfolio Trust, JMAC Realty LLC and Natural Realty LLC; 335 S. Front St., Friedensburg; $3,837.

Denton E. and Jennifer H. Quick to Dolores A. and Gregory A. Martinchek; 299 Hogan Drive, Lake Wynonah; $4,400.

Joan V. Harig to Chad M. Harig; 86 Freemans Road; $125,000.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to 100818 Portfolio Trust, JMAC Realty LLC and Natural Realty LLC; property on Firehouse Road, Summit Station; $1,937.

BARNESVILLE — In order to assist in encouraging commercial and economic development and revitalization, the Ryan Township supervisors approved the creation of a LERTA district at Monday’s regular meeting.

The Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Act was approved by the state legislature in 1977 and allows for a graduated real estate tax scale on commercial properties being developed, but only on the assessed valuation of the improvements, not of the assessed property value before those improvements.

The LERTA district, which encompasses the entire township, was established unanimously by the supervisors through an ordinance (2018-2), which according to the summary provides “for certain real property tax exemption for the assessed valuation of improvements, including new construction, on industrial, commercial or other business property in Ryan Township pursuant to the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Act; establishing an exemption schedule; and detailing the procedures for obtaining an exemption.”

The LERTA Act authorizes second class townships, such as Ryan Township, to exempt new construction of industrial, commercial and other business property in deteriorated areas of economically distressed communities, and improvement to certain deteriorated industrial, commercial and industrial properties in the township.

Prior to the regular meeting, a required public hearing was held to explain the specifics of the ordinance and accept public input. The hearing was conducted by township solicitor Christopher Riedlinger and was recorded by a court reporter.

“There has to be a public hearing to determine what the boundaries of the district should be,” Riedlinger said.

The consideration of a LERTA district was raised at the November meeting by attorney Gretchen Coles Sterns, who represents Loren E. “Buck” Roth, Patty Roth and Andrew E. Roth, the owners of the former Lakewood Park property, asked the supervisors about designating the property as a LERTA district. The plan is to develop the land where the popular amusement park was located into a camping area, a venue building for entertainment events and other uses, and improvements on the 53.75-acre property.

The supervisors discussed the request in November and suggested that instead of designating just one specific area as a LERTA district, it would be better to designate the entire township as such in order to encompass all eligible sections for the tax exemption over a 10-year period.

Riedlinger called William N. McMullen, project manager with ARRO Consulting Inc., the township’s consulting engineering firm, as his only witness to testify. McMullen also is the township zoning officer through ARRO.

Referring to McMullen’s 20 years of experience working with the township, Riedlinger asked where the boundary lines should be for a LERTA district.

“The entire municipality. There’s a number of lots that are vacant and not utilized throughout the municipal boundaries in sporadic locations in the township,” McMullen said.

“So they’re not all congregated into one area?” Riedlinger asked, to which McMullen replied there are no clusters of such properties.

“Some of the properties periodically become overgrown and unsightly,” McMullen said, listing some of the properties as examples.

“Do you think that would improve the aesthetic beauty of the township?” Riedlinger asked.

“Absolutely,” McMullen answered.

“Do you think it would improve the economic functioning of the township?” Riedlinger asked. “Do you think it would improve the tax base of the township?”

McMullen answered yes to both questions.

Riedlinger asked the public if they had any questions to McMullen, which they did not. Riedlinger then opened the hearing to any other questions, to which Barnesville resident Howell David asked what the tax scale is for an eligible property owner when it would be LERTA qualified. Riedlinger referred to the exemption scale as listed in the ordinance.

“It would be for 10 years and would be a 100 percent exemption the first year, declining to a 10 percent exemption in the last year, with a 10 percent reduction each year,” Riedlinger said. “Now, that exemption does not apply to the current valuation of property. The exemption would only apply to the increase in the valuation as a result of the improvements or the new construction. So whatever the taxable number for the property is as we speak right now, that would still be paid, but if such a property would qualify for the exemption, and there are new improvements built on it that resulted in an increase of the fair market value by $20,000, then the 100 percent exemption in Year 1 would apply to the $20,000 increase, with 90 percent the second year, 80 percent the third year, etcetera, etcetera, on to the 10th year.”

Andrew E. Roth, the co-owner of the former Lakewood Park parcel, said, “This will definitely help us with the investment in that property as well as the future investment that we will bring to that property.”

Township Vice President Clyde “Champ” Holman commented that the township has no industries and the LERTA provides an opportunity to change that situation

“We have an opportunity to do something like this and have incentives to bring people in,” Holman said. “I think it’s a win-win-win situation for our township.”

With no other questions, Riedlinger closed the hearing.

During the regular meeting that followed the public hearing, the supervisors unanimously voted to create the LERTA district.

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

ORWIGSBURG — A Lehigh County man is headed to Schuylkill County Court following a preliminary hearing Tuesday at which a judge ordered five sex-related charges against him held for court.

Brian L. Fisher, 53, of 1883 Van Buren Drive, Whitehall, faces charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, corruption of minors, indecent assault and indecent exposure.

At the end of Tuesday’s hearing, Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier ruled prosecutors had produced enough evidence to support all five charges and ordered them held for court. He allowed Fisher to remain free on $50,000 straight cash bail pending further court proceedings.

State police at Schuylkill Haven alleged that between Jan. 1, 2017, and July 15, 2018, Fisher touched and assaulted the victim, an 8-year-old girl, numerous times in and around a residence in Lake Wynonah, South Manheim Township.

The girl said Fisher touched her private parts, kissed her and told her that she was beautiful and he loved her, police said.

According to police, the girl said Fisher also made her touch him inappropriately.

She also said that Fisher told her to keep the activity a secret, according to police. Police said that was not the only way Fisher tried to keep the activity hidden.

“She related that (Fisher) only did this when people weren’t around them,” according to the Affidavit of Probable Cause.

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

Defendant: Brian L. Fisher

Age: 53

Residence: Whitehall

Charges: Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, corruption of minors, indecent assault and indecent exposure

POTTSVILLE — Jim and Jody Bowman don’t think the 172 holiday decorations they have in their yard are enough.

“We’re always looking to add stuff to it,” Jim Bowman said Tuesday.

The couple and their children have been decorating their house and yard at 1254 W. Spruce St., Pottsville, for eight or nine years.

“When we first started, we had about 10 to 12 (decorations),” Jody Bowman said.

Family members have helped add to the collection that includes the leg lamp from “A Christmas Story;” an inflatable Minion from the “Despicable Me” movie franchise; Olaf the snowman from “Frozen;” “Star Wars characters Yoda and Darth Vader; Peanuts characters; and holiday favorites such as reindeer, angels and Christmas trees.

The couple said they decorate as a gift to the community. Judy Bowman said when she was younger, she remembers her parents driving around in the area and looking at Christmas lights.

The display gets turned on Black Friday and is up until Jan. 1 or 2.

“It’s neat to see people drive by,” Judy Bowman said.

John Minnich, of 500 Stoneyrun Road, North Manheim Township, said he has more than 50,000 lights at the house he shares with his mother, Dolores. There are 85 decorations outside. The inside of the house is also decorated.

“When it’s up, it looks so beautiful,” Minnich said.

He said decorating is a family tradition that started with his father at least 40 years ago.

“They are not for us. They are for other people so they have a nice holiday,” Minnich said.

Due to physical limitations, Minnich is unable to decorate the house, so a friend, Evan Abuhoff, and someone they hired did the job.

“Christmas can be a very sad time for a lot of people,” Minnich said, adding the loss of loved ones or not having family can make celebrating the season harder.

He said people should remember the reason for Christmas.

“Christmas is the birth of the Lord,” Minnich said.

Being nice and compassionate to others is also important during the holiday season, Minnich said.

Abuhoff said it takes a long time to put up the lights and decorations, but it is all worth it. He has helped decorate the house for 15 years. Often people drive by and take pictures, he said. Sometimes they are also invited in to see the decorations inside, something Dolores Minnich helped with.

Bob and Kathy Hepler, of 8 Fox Hollow Road, North Manheim Township, started decorating 12 to 15 years ago as a hobby for Bob.

He also has memories of holidays past.

“You looked forward to this holiday,” Bob Hepler said.

Between 50 to 75 decorations adorn their yard, and there isn’t room for much more.

“I’ve just run out of storage space,” Bob Hepler said.

The lights are turned on around Thanksgiving and are up until early January.

“I enjoy doing it. I started small and I never dreamed I’d get to the point where I am now,” Bob Hepler said.

Hepler said he wants to share some “excitement” and “joy” during the holidays.

Pottsville Fire Chief James E. Misstishin Sr. said when decorating for the holidays it is important to check the wiring of items you want to use.

“It’s nice to have a lot of lights, but you want to make sure it’s safe when you put them up,” he said.

Making sure there is no damage to wiring can help prevent a fire.

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

GIRARDVILLE — The borough council formally adopted the 2019 general operating budget at its Thursday meeting that holds the line on taxes.

With all council members present, the budget was passed with a 5-0 vote.

The real estate tax will remain at 19.7 mills for the fourth year in a row. One mill brings in about $6,000 in revenue.

Council President Robert Krick read a budget summary for the public before the vote. Total revenues, which include taxes, fines and forfeits, interest, rent and royalties, intergovernmental revenue, charges for services, miscellaneous revenues and other financing sources, is $317,450.

Total expenditures, which include general government, public safety, health and welfare, public works, recreation, debt service and miscellaneous, total $324,390. The deficit between revenues and expenditures is $6,940, which will be made balanced with money rolled-over from the projected 2018 surplus.

“We’re about $7,000 over, but we’ve incorporated some of the rollover from projects that didn’t have to be done,” Krick said. “We have a rollover, which is conservatively, of $20,000, but there will probably be more. I would think more like $30,000 to $40,000. For budget purposes, we’re using $20,000.”

Krick added that state liquid fuels funds to be received total $46,500. He also said that the borough will not obtain a tax anticipation note from a bank, which will save the borough about $1,200 in interest charges. A TAN is used to fund operational expenses at the beginning of the year until tax revenues are received, which usually begins in March or April.

Before the vote, council Vice President Charles Marquardt asked if there are any raises for employees in the new year; Krick answered there are no raises in the budget.

In a related action, the council adopted an ordinance fixing the real estate tax levy for 2019 at 19.7 mills.

The borough council also passed a resolution to appoint L. Samuel Deegan, CPA, Pottsville, as an independent auditor for fiscal year 2018.

In other business, Krick said the borough is investigating federal financing possibilities to replace the roof on the municipal building. He said federal auditors were at borough hall for routine audits of loans provided to the borough and funding was discussed.

“So there is a good possibility that they’re willing to lend us money at very low interest at our terms on what we can afford. We’re going to look into that,” Krick said.

At Krick’s request, the council approved contacting the borough engineer to determine what will be required for a roof replacement.

Councilman Daniel Heiser made a motion to purchase two body cameras, one for the police department and the other for code enforcement officer William F. Killian III. Heiser said the cost is $130 each.

Borough police Lt. Matthew Williams asked about the body cam being considered. Williams, who is a full-time police officer in East Union Township, brought the Transcendent body cam purchased by the township for its police department and pointed out some features on it. Williams said his body camera cost about $150 and said he would give a demonstration.

Borough solicitor Christopher Riedlinger advised the council to contact the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs to find out about recommended or required policies regarding the use of body cameras, adding that Schuylkill Haven should be contacted since the borough police use body cameras.

The borough council tabled renewing membership with the NEPA Alliance, which is a regional community and economic development agency. Krick said membership is $275 annually.

The last curbside recycling collection is Dec. 27. Collection will restart in April.

Heiser asked any borough resident interested in being appointed to the Girardville Area Municipal Authority to a five-year term beginning in 2019 to contact the borough to be considered.

The next borough council meeting is at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10 in the municipal building.

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

POTTSVILLE — William Horning’s first concern was for his daughter when he rushed her to the emergency room following a roller skating accident in Pottsville.

Once he found out she was going to be fine, that’s when he, off the cuff, asked medical staff, “Why do I keep getting nosebleeds and headaches?”

That was 13 years ago, and the day he discovered he had a serious kidney condition — Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy.

Today, at age 50, Horning needs a new kidney, is on dialysis, and has been on a kidney transplant waiting list for more than three years.

The Pottsville man had to quit his job in railroad construction, and now lives off his railroad pension.

His daughter, Taylor Horning, now 23, has launched a campaign to help her father receive a life-saving transplant.

Taylor placed newspaper advertisements, “Father in need of kidney,” with The Republican-Herald. She also had bumper stickers and business cards printed with phone numbers and contact information on them.

“Everywhere I go, I drop them off at rest stops and restaurants,” Taylor said. William also has a son, Scott Horning. Both grown children live in the city.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, “Many diseases can affect your kidney function by attacking and damaging the glomeruli, the tiny filtering units inside your kidney where blood is cleaned. Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy, called IgAN for short, or Berger’s disease, is a condition that damages the glomeruli inside your kidneys and can cause kidney disease.”

“Immunoglobulin A is a protein that helps your body fight infections. IgA Nephropathy occurs when IgA protein gets stuck in kidneys causing inflammation. The inflammation causes your kidneys to leak blood and protein (usually immediately) and over the course of many years, your kidneys can lose function and lead to kidney failure,” the site, www.kidney.org, states.

Before being diagnosed, Horning said he had been having nosebleeds and headaches for at least six months and was nauseous. His systolic/diastolic blood pressure was high, sometimes reading 205/145. Normal blood pressure should be 120/80 or less.

Horning initially saw doctors in the Geisinger system, but for the past several years has been receiving medical care through the Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown. He goes to dialysis three times a week in Pottsville, which takes nearly four hours.

He follows a “renal diet,” eating protein and avoiding high-potassium foods. He also takes medication before meals and snacks to keep his phosphorus levels down. He has a fistula in his left arm, which is an artery surgically connected to a vein, to make the vein more efficient for dialysis, he said.

In addition to the cards his daughter made, William Horning has bookmark-style cards that LVHN developed that he can distribute. The cards explain the process of being a living donor.

Anyone considering becoming a living donor can call LVHN at 610-402-8506, option 5. The office is open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to accept calls. Taylor’s number is 570-617-6482, and her father’s number is 570-728-3599. If interested donors call the dad-daughter pair, they will be referred to the hospital. An important detail to remember is that the living donor must initiate the process. It’s mandated by Medicare that all donor information is confidential and cannot be shared with the potential recipient.

According to LVHN, some of the requirements to be a living donor are:

• Age 18 to 70

• Nondiabetic

• Blood type does not matter

• Body mass index must be less than 35 (BMI’s are based on a person’s height and weight. According to a BMI table on the back of the card, someone who is 5 foot 9 inches tall and between 203 to 236 pounds would have a BMI of 30 to 35 and would be considered obese.)

If someone’s BMI is more than 35, weight loss will be required in order to proceed with a living donation evaluation.

Horning said he would also accept a kidney from a deceased donor. He keeps his cellphone near him at all times, waiting for the call.

“I have a bag packed,” William Horning said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007