PINE GROVE — A man was killed when he was struck by an impaired driver Tuesday afternoon in Wayne Township, police said.

The crash happened just before 2 p.m. on Sweet Arrow Lake Road, about a quarter mile east of Hidden Valley Road. State police Trooper Keith Lear of the Schuylkill Haven station said Patricia Hellinger, 44, of Pine Grove, was driving a 2004 Subaru Outback east on Sweet Arrow Lane Road when she did not see and hit Robert Spotts, 68, who was walking east on the side of the road.

Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David J. Moylan III said Spotts died at the scene of the crash. A CAT scan was performed on Spotts on Tuesday night and determined the cause of death was blunt force traumatic injuries to the head, neck and chest, he said.

The cause of death was ruled accidental, Moylan said.

Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Albert Barnes said he pronounced Spotts dead at the scene at 3:42 p.m.

Hellinger and her passenger, Tessa Hellinger, 18, also of Pine Grove, were not hurt, Lear said.

Lear said that as a result of the crash, Patricia Hellinger was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.

Pine Grove EMS and Schuylkill EMS responded to the scene, but their services were not needed. Firefighters from Friedensburg and Summit Station assisted at the scene and fire police from Friedensburg and Summit Station assisted with traffic control at the intersection with Hidden Valley Road.

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

PORT CARBON — A man and woman charged with allowing a 5-month-old child to ingest methamphetamine last year appeared for preliminary hearings Tuesday morning.

Christina M. Brennan, 35, and Robert Rountree Sr., 49, both of 49 Water St., New Philadelphia, were each charged by state police Trooper Joseph Hall of the Frackville station with one felony count each of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children and one misdemeanor count each of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Brennan, currently an inmate at Centre County Prison on unrelated charges, waived her right to a hearing and will now have to answer to all four charges in Schuylkill County Court.

Rountree, an inmate at Schuylkill County Prison, had his hearing continued due to a conflict with legal representation by the Schuylkill County public defender’s office.

Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, who was scheduled to preside over the hearings, said he will reschedule a hearing for Rountree at a later date.

Hall charged the couple on Nov. 12 in connection with an incident earlier in the year after the child tested positive for methamphetamine.

In his affidavit of probable cause, Hall said that, on May 31, he was referred to an incident by Schuylkill County Children & Youth Services that reported a baby had tested positive for methamphetamine.

Hall said the investigation determined that on May 20 the baby boy was with Brennan and Rountree, his biological parents, and at some point the baby became ill and a family friend was contacted to assist.

That friend took the baby to a local hospital, where a test determined the child ingested methamphetamine.

Hall said the investigation revealed that Brennan and Rountree were doing methamphetamine in a vehicle the day before and that the methamphetamine was mixed in a water bottle cap.

Hall said the water bottle was retrieved from the vehicle and used to make a bottle for the baby but the water was tainted with methamphetamine and caused the child to become ill.

After the proceedings, Rountree was returned to prison where he is being held on $50,000 straight cash bail and Brennan taken back to Centre County.

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

ORWIGSBURG — A Carbon County man is headed to Schuylkill County Court for allegedly possessing salable amounts of four drugs earlier this month at a traffic stop at the main intersection in Walker Township.

Devin B. Roth, 22, of 2688 Hemlock Drive, Lehighton, faces four counts each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.

Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier bound over all charges for court after Roth waived his right to the hearing. He allowed Roth to remain free on $150,000 unsecured bail pending further court proceedings.

Walker Township police filed the charges against Roth as the result of the Jan. 3 stop at Valley and Catawissa roads, Lewistown Valley.

Police said they stopped Roth at 7:39 p.m. after he ran through a stop sign. During the stop, Roth admitted he had marijuana, cocaine, phencyclidine and THC in his vehicle.

Roth not only said he had the drugs but that he is a runner for a large narcotics-trafficking ring. He said that organization runs drugs from the Philadelphia area to Carbon, Lehigh and Schuylkill counties, according to police.

Furthermore, police said, Roth named the man who supplies him with the drugs,

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

The defendant

· Name: Devin B. Roth

· Age: 22

· Residence: Lehighton

· Charges: Four counts each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance

James R. Ferrier

ORWIGSBURG — Prosecutors withdrew two charges Tuesday against a Northumberland County man, who pleaded guilty to a third in a case resulting from an incident in August 2018 in Orwigsburg.

Zachary A. Reynolds, 21, of Mount Carmel, pleaded guilty to harassment, with prosecutors withdrawing a second count of harassment and a charge of impersonating a public servant. The last was the most serious charge.

Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, who was to have heard the case, instead sentenced Reynolds to pay a $150 fine.

Orwigsburg police had charged Reynolds with committing his crimes on Aug. 2, 2018, in the borough.

Other defendants whose cases Ferrier considered on Tuesday, the charges against each one and the judge’s dispositions of the matters included the following people:

Betty A. Butler, 47, of 1631 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville; possession of drug paraphernalia; charge held for court after preliminary hearing that Butler did not attend. Ferrier asked the court to issue a bench warrant for Butler.

James F. Connolly, 52, of 212 S. Third St., Saint Clair; possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and speeding; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge of possession of a small amount of marijuana withdrawn, other charges bound over for court.

Timothy Kreiser, 30, of 184 N. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove; possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Andrea Landis-Mamadjanov, 32, of 409 New Castle St. Apt. B, Minersville; two counts of conspiracy; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Randy R. Lesher, 48, of 559 E. Second Mountain Road, Schuylkill Haven; simple assault, resisting arrest and harassment; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge of simple assault withdrawn, other charges bound over for court.

Kristina M. Little, 31, of 32 N. Mill St. Apt. C, Saint Clair; possession of drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Beverly A. Masser, 58, of 19 Spring Road, Auburn; driving under the influence, suspended vehicle registration, driving under suspension-DUI related, operating vehicle without required financial responsibility and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Jonathan Rivera, 21, of 314 Wood St., Reading; possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, DUI, driving under suspension, careless driving and operating vehicle without valid inspection; charge held for court after preliminary hearing that Rivera did not attend. Ferrier asked the court to issue a bench warrant for Rivera.

Preston A. Wallace Jr., 56, of 119 N. Third St., Saint Clair; DUI; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.

MAR LIN — When the culinary arts department at the Schuylkill Technology Center needed a hand with its pumpkin rolls, it was the machine shop students who offered a novel solution.

“We took the flour sifter, and put a drill on it,” Aaron Tallman, 17, a precision machine shop student from Williams Valley, said.

Culinary arts student Tallin Chupick, 16, of Minersville, said the newly crafted sifter helped the department improve efficiency and meet the sizeable demand for its pumpkin rolls.

That example of student-led problem-solving and cooperation was the type of action — along with community volunteering — that has brought STC into the national spotlight.

Schuylkill Technology Center was one of six schools selected for a yearlong research project by the National School Climate Center studying ways to improve school climate, according to Shannon Brennan, STC director.

“This NSCC School Climate Initiative provided an opportunity for STC to identify opportunities to improve our school and cultivate an atmosphere of mutual respect,” Stacey Minahan, assistant director for STC-South, said. The research culminated in a “Lessons from the Field” report, which shares best practices for creating safe, engaging school communities.

The 42-page report highlights STC’s commitment to project-based learning, its student ambassador program and its inclusion of all students. The report recognized STC’s masonry and carpentry students, who built a new restaurant for the school’s culinary program at the south campus. Students also renovated a local firehouse and the Hillside Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Pottsville; assisted nursing home residents at Broad Mountain Health & Rehabilitation Center in Frackville; and bagged groceries at Boyer’s Food Market in Schuylkill Haven.

Both Tallman and Chupick are STC Student Ambassadors, a 40-member organization launched last year.

Minahan; Jennifer Correll, special education teacher and Student Ambassadors co-adviser; and Gretchen Witman, school social worker and Student Ambassadors co-adviser; joined with some of the ambassadors Tuesday to share details about the initiative.

Other student ambassadors are Nathaniel Zellner, 16, Blue Mountain sophomore, computer information systems; Hailey Troutman, 17, Williams Valley senior, computer information systems; and Todd Shappell, 17, Blue Mountain junior, welding.

“Something that we often neglect to do is ask our students their opinion,” Witman said.

It was when STC surveyed its students that the center discovered what its students enjoyed about their education, and what may be lacking or in need of improvement.

Many of the STC students said they wanted to learn more about their school and the other shop specialties offered. Student ambassadors, who are nominated by their instructors and undergo an interview process, lead STC tours and visit with member school districts, sharing information about the center.

Shappell recalled a recent ambassador visit with John S. Clarke Elementary Center fourth-graders.

“I brought along my welding mask and passed it around. We wanted to show them what we do,” Shappell, who had been working on the back brace of a Chevy pickup truck, said.

Tallman, who is SKILLS president and has earned nine NIMS certifications, said STC has provided a real-work environment for him and has taught him skills he uses daily in his part-time machining job.

Troutman said she often gets asked if STC students can go onto college, or other secondary education.

“Yes, we can. I’ve already been accepted for accounting at Harrisburg Area Community College, and I’m going into the National Guard. You can get extra credits for coming here,” she said.

Meanwhile, Chupick thought being an ambassador was a good opportunity.

“It’s a great place and I think more people should know about it,” he said of STC.

“When you’re an ambassador, you get to meet people in different shops who have different interests,” Zellner added.

Students spoke to NSCC researchers about the gratification they experienced as a result of creating things in school, as well as the opportunities to build relationships, tackle new challenges and collaborate on projects.

The report also commended the Schuylkill Technology Center for creating peer support groups for issues impacting students such as the loss of a parent and its commitment to conflict resolution.

NSCC conducted focus groups, site visitsand interviewed district leaders at six school districts – Center City Public Charter Schools (Washington, D.C.), Monroe-Woodbury School District (N.Y.), Parkway School District (Mo.), Simpson County Schools (Ky.), West Sonoma Union County High Schools (Calif.) and STC. Seven key lessons learned were:

• Innovative, collaborative leadership galvanizes school community engagement

• Committed and trusted adults are necessary catalysts for change and central to student success

• Confronting the challenge of conflict deepens trust among students and teachers

• Project-based and service learning stimulate greater inclusion and engagement

• Social-emotional learning integration enhances classroom practice

• Representation of all student voices is key to striving towards equity

• Peer-to-peer support structures instill leadership and strengthen student bonds

The report is available at schoolclimate.org/summit.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

POTTSVILLE — Drug and theft cases resulted in a Pottsville man going to prison this month.

Kalvin L. Baker Jr., 23, must serve three to 23 months in prison, President Judge William E. Baldwin ruled.

Baldwin also sentenced Baker to pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $100 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.

Baker pleaded guilty on Jan. 8 to possession of a controlled substance in one case and simple assault in the other. Pottsville police filed both cases against Baker, alleging he possessed drugs on Feb. 25, 2018, and committed the assault on Aug. 25, 2018.

Also on Jan. 8, Jeremy L. Carnes, 36, of Pottsville, pleaded guilty to theft, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of receiving stolen property. Baldwin sentenced him to serve 11 1/2 to 23 months in prison, plus 12 months consecutive probation, and pay costs and $1,145 restitution.

Pottsville police charged Carnes with committing the theft on June 15, 2018, in the city.

On Thursday, Eric G. Campion, 66, of Pottsville, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence.

Baldwin sentenced Campion to served 72 hours to six months in prison and pay costs, a $1,000 fine, a $300 SAEF payment and a $50 CJEA payment. He made the sentence effective at 9 a.m. Friday.

Pottsville police alleged Campion was DUI on Sept. 17, 2017, in the city.

Also on Thursday, Baldwin sentenced Terry B. Stufflet, 62, of Hamburg, to serve 96 hours to six months in prison, pay costs, $1,025 in fines, a $100 SAEF payment and a $50 CJEA payment, and perform 10 hours community service. He made the sentence effective at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Stufflet had pleaded guilty on Nov. 7, 2018, to DUI and careless driving. State police at Schuylkill Haven alleged Stufflet was DUI on June 8, 2017.

In another Jan. 8 case, Baldwin placed Anibal Arquinego, 47, of Pottsville, into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program, which can enable him to have the charge of DUI against him dismissed. Arquinego pleaded guilty to failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic, and was sentenced to pay costs and a $25 fine.

State police at Schuylkill Haven alleged was DUI on March 18, 2018.

Prosecutors withdrew charges against Arquinego of driving without a license and careless driving.

In another Jan. 8 matter, Lauren A. Garrett, 27, of Barnesville, pleaded guilty in two cases to possession of drug paraphernalia.

Baldwin sentenced Garrett to spend one to 12 months in prison, and serve 12 additional months on probation, and pay costs, $200 in SAEF payments and a $50 CJEA payment.

Mahanoy City police charged Garrett with possessing paraphernalia on April 30, 2018, in the borough, while Pottsville police charged her with possessing it again on June 22, 2018, in the city.

Christopher A. Schill, 26, of Pottsville, also pleaded guilty on Jan. 8 to possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Baldwin sentenced Schill to serve four to 12 months in prison, plus an additional 12 months on probation, and pay costs, a $100 SAEF payment and a $50 CJEA payment. He made the sentence effective at 9 a.m. Jan. 22.

Pottsville police alleged Schill possessed drugs and paraphernalia on June 22, 2018, in the city.

Joseph E. Boris Jr., 50, of Minersville, also pleaded guilty on Jan. 8 to possession of a small amount of marijuana. Baldwin sentenced him to serve 15 to 30 days in prison and pay costs.

Pottsville police charged Boris with possessing marijuana on March 13, 2018, in the city.

On Jan. 7, Judge John E. Domalakes revoked the probation and parole of Vanessa M. Zapotosky, 28, of Tamaqua, and recommitted her to prison until Aug. 8, with 12 months probation.

Zapotosky pleaded guilty on June 13, 2018, to possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia in one case and possession of drug paraphernalia in the other. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of false identification to law enforcement in the second case.

At that time, Domalakes placed her on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced her to pay costs, $200 in SAEF payments, a $50 CJEA payment and a $50 bench warrant fee.

East Union Township police filed one case against Zapotosky, alleging she possessed drugs and paraphernalia on March 25, 2017, in the township, while Pottsville police alleged she possessed paraphernalia on May 1, 2017, in the city.

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

POTTSVILLE — People in the Schuylkill County Drug Treatment Court said at Thursday’s regular weekly session that they hope others get to know them and appreciate what they are trying to do — escape the influence of drugs on their lives.

“I want people to know that my future won’t be defined by the mistakes I made,” Brian told Judge James P. Goodman during the 45-minute session.

Others also said they want to be known for breaking from their past and endeavoring to lead a clean life.

“I want to remain clean and sober,” Amanda said while reading from her required weekly essay. “I want to stay healthy for myself and my children.”

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.

On Thursday, Joanne said she wants to fulfill a childhood dream.

“As a young child, I thought I could fly,” she said. “Being clean and sober, I’ve been able to get my wings of recovery back.”

Jacqueline wants people to know the court has enabled her to improve her physical and mental health.

“Since I had some bumps in the road ... my life has definitely improved,” she said.

Angelina said she wants to convey to people who she really is.

“I’m sensitive. I do have feelings,” she said. “I’m not as tough as everyone thinks. I just wish everyone knew the real me.”

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

TAMAQUA — The Tamaqua Area school board voted Tuesday to put a controversial policy that would allow for armed staff on hold.

Directors voted 7-1 to suspend the implementation of school district Policy 705 “pending a resolution as to its validity” by the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas.

Director Nicholas Boyle, who heads the Safety Committee and championed the policy, was the lone “no” vote.

In explaining his reasoning, Boyle said that the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission in Florida recently recommended arming staff. He said that the commission found that teachers and administrators are often the first ones killed during active shooter situations.

Furthermore, he said, a deputy who responded to the mass shooting incident at the Florida high school last year arrived more than a minute and a half after the first shot was fired.

“By the time he arrived, 21 victims had already been shot,” Boyle said.

He added that backing down on the policy is an assault on Second Amendment rights.

“This goes against the values of this community, who the majority of are freedom loving Americans,” Boyle said. “My vote is no.”

School board President Larry Wittig told Boyle that he was proud of the amount of time he put into researching the policy.

“I agree in principle, certainly, with what you stated tonight. And actually, my personal feeling is that we need to suspend the implementation not the substance of (policy) 705 — the implementation — pending the outcome of the court decision,” Wittig said. “We would invest a lot of money in training, a lot of time and effort to train staff. I think it’s a prudent thing from a fiscal perspective to deny — or suspend — implementation at this time.”

Director Thomas Rottet was absent.

Since the policy was approved in September, two lawsuits have been filed against it. The first, filed in November, was from the teachers union. The second came this month from district parents and grandparents.

Both lawsuits ask that the policy be dropped, and claim that the board doesn’t have the authority to change Pennsylvania school code.

Neither lawsuit asks for monetary damages, only legal fees. Both would be dropped if the policy — the first in Pennsylvania — is withdrawn.

Last month, the district filed preliminary objections to the union’s suit.

The school board adopted the policy, which would allow staff members to carry concealed weapons, as a defense against shooting situations.

Under the policy, volunteer school personnel would undergo Act 235 training — a state requirement for anyone who carries a gun as part of their job. The training is similar to that of state and municipal police officers. Armed staffers would also receive a stipend.

In November, more than 100 people turned out to ask the board to drop the policy and employ other means to keep students and staffers safe. Attendees said research shows that arming teachers is not the way to go and suggested shooter detection systems, better screenings of visitors, threat assessments and mental health support.

Resident Tracey Perry asked whether the board was considering any of those suggestions. She also hoped the board could implement safety measures soon, such as hiring retired police officers.

“We are pursuing other avenues. We are pursuing many suggestions that came out of that meeting and others studies are being looked at,” Wittig said. “It seems to me that the most important thing that came out of that meeting is preventative measures.”

He said the board would wait to see how the court proceedings weigh out, and while doing so will look at other measures such as securing entryways, early warning protection systems and safety apps.

Contact the writer: jwhalen@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3592

A resolution passed by the Tri-Valley school board would keep real estate taxes below the Act 1 index, as set by the state Department of Education.

The board on Jan. 9 approved the resolution for the 2019-20 school year. Directors Guy Julian and Carl Shankweiler were absent.

The index is 3.1 percent this year and the district’s median assessed valuation is $32,060, according to Business Manager Jami S. Zelwalk.

Last year the district reduced programs and staff, and increased the real estate millage slightly more than a mill from 33.316 mills to 34.382 mills. Other tax levies last year remained the same, including: per capita section 511, $5; per capita 679, $5; occupation tax, $230; earned income tax, 0.5 percent of salaries/wages; realty transfer tax, 1 percent; local service tax, $10.

In other business, the board granted tenure to Allison Mowery, Sarah Nestor, Kaitlyn Olsen, Ryan Wagner and Jason Eby.

In other action, the board approved:

• A resignation from Ricci Fetterolf, part-time custodian.

• Classroom volunteers, Nikki Buchanan, Amanda Horoschak, Matthew Horoschak, Holly Lettich and Sheila Sowers at Hegins-Hubley Elementary; and Amanda Hunter at Mahantongo Elementary.

• Readopting the Pennsylvania School Boards Association Principles for Governance and Leadership, which were previously adopted in February 2016.

• Appointing Bonita Barr and Debra Drumheller as substitute custodians at $9.50 per hour each, pending receipt of clearances.

• A letter of linkage agreement between the district and New Beginnings Behavioral Health Services.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

POTTSVILLE — Familiar faces will remain at Pottsville as the city council met Monday and named directors of departments.

Mayor James T. Muldowney will remain as director of public affairs, and city council members Mark Atkinson, accounts and finance; Edmund Jones, public safety; Dorothy “Dottie” Botto, streets and public improvements; Joseph Devine Jr. parks and public property.

Residents of Pottsville will see 2018’s taxes retained for the new year. The council also voted to increase the tax collector’s salary by 3 percent annually, starting in 2020. The salary will start at $42,392.20 that year.

Shelby Hostetter was reappointed to serve on the board of Lasting Legacy for a three-year term, lasting until Dec. 31, 2021.

In other action, city council members thanked those who came out to Winterfest this weekend.

“Winterfest was an absolute great time,” Botto said.

The inaugural event was held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in downtown Pottsville on South Second Street between West Market and Mahantongo streets. There was a snowman building competition, beer garden and vendors, and entertainment. The Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival and the Continued Progress Project presented the festivities.

“It was a great turnout,” Muldowney said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

Police investigate theft from vehicle

KASKA — Blythe Township police are investigating a theft from a vehicle that happened sometime Friday night or Saturday morning.

Police said someone entered a Jeep that was on New Philadelphia Road in the Village of Kaska and removed several items before fleeing the scene.

Police said that evidence was collected from the vehicle and that their investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call Patrolman Frank DiMarco at 570-277-6391.

DiMarco is also urging everyone to keep the doors on their homes, businesses and vehicles locked and to always report any suspicious activities or persons.

HEGINS — State police at Schuylkill Haven have identified a woman who died from injuries she suffered in an assault in Hegins Township earlier this month.

Trooper Vincent Laselva said Terri Lynn Gee, 53, of Ephrata, was seriously injured in the assault that occurred during the overnight hours of Jan. 5 and 6, She was taken to Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, by helicopter.

The woman died at the trauma center on Jan. 9 and an autopsy conducted Tuesday ruled the manner of death as homicide caused by multiple traumatic injuries, Laselva said.

He said the assault occurred at Rausch Creek Trail Riders and resulted in the woman suffering severe head and neck trauma and severe bleeding.

After arriving at the hospital, Laselva said, medical staff also found that Gee suffered stab wounds and that some of her injuries were consistent with being strangled.

Laselva said that Gee was staying at Rausch Creek Trail Riders for the night and around 8 a.m. Jan. 6, staff members were contacted by a man who also stays at the camp.

The man was acting erratically and staff members questioned him on the whereabouts of his girlfriend, the trooper said.

Around 10:30 a.m. that day, staff members drove to the man’s campsite and found Gee lying in the passenger’s side of a Dodge Ram truck suffering from severe injuries, Laselva said.

Police have not released the identity of the man who was at Rausch Creek Trail Riders with the woman and Laselva said the investigation into the death is ongoing.

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

POTTSVILLE — The Schuylkill County commissioners said Wednesday that they will freeze their salaries, and those of the row officers, from 2020 to 2024 during their next terms.

“For the next four years, it’s going to be zero,” Commissioner Frank J. Staudenmeier said of salary hikes for those who will assume their positions after this year’s election.

Commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. and Commissioner Gary J. Hess agreed with Staudenmeier, maintaining they are setting an example for keeping budgets as tight as possible and helping county property owners.

“They’re being very respectful to the taxpayers,” Halcovage said.

Halcovage said that the County Code allows the commissioners to set salaries for future boards and elected officials, although the actual people who receive them can be the same.

“You’re setting for anybody going into the position,” he said.

Staudenmeier said the commissioners want to show they are dedicated to fiscal responsibility. He said that this year, under the authority of a previous resolution, the commissioners and row officers each received a 2.2-percent salary increase.

“The three of us need to demonstrate we’re very serious about this,” Staudenmeier said.

Covered by the resolution are the commissioners, Clerk of Courts Maria T. Casey, Controller Christy Joy, Coroner Dr. David J. Moylan III, Prothonotary David J. Dutcavich, Recorder of Deeds Ann Dudish, Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court Theresa Santai Gaffney, Sheriff Joseph G. Groody and Treasurer Linda L. Marchalk. District Attorney Michael A. O’Pake’s salary is set by state law.

Halcovage said the measure will help when it comes to setting a county spending plan according to zero-based budgeting, which involves starting a year’s spending at nothing and making every agency justify every dollar it wants.

“It’s a challenge every day,” he said.

Staudenmeier agreed, adding that annual increases in health care costs make spending controls especially challenging.

“That’s what kills it,” he said.

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

Have you caught your breath from the hustle and bustle of the holidays yet? Schuylkill County may slow down a bit in January, but there is still plenty to do.

Matt McAndrew, from season 7 of “The Voice,” will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at The Stitch at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center. Doors open at 7 p.m. Order tickets online at www.TamaquaArts.org. Meet-and-greet tickets can be bought through www.MattMcAndrewMusic.com.

Schuylkill on the Move invites you to join guide John Damalakes for Landingville Launch, an historic walk, at 1 p.m. Sunday. Hike a stretch of the Schuylkill River Trail to see the site of the oldest tunnel in America. Meet in the parking lot in Landingville by the playground to drive to the trail park for the easy, two-mile walk.

The Tamaqua Public Library will host “Musicals: Part I” for its Young Adult Program at 6 p.m. Monday. There will be pizza, games and fun-filled facts about musicals and set-building. Call 570-668-4660 for more information.

The Walk In Art Center, Schuylkill Haven, will host Corks and Chocolate at 2 p.m. Jan. 26. Sample items from local wineries, restaurants and businesses. The perfect winter date night or night out with friends highlights wine, food, art and chocolate. Buy tickets by calling 570-732-3728.

Mark your calendars. Ladies Night Out will take place on Feb. 7 at the Walk In Art Center. A vendor show, refreshments, pampering, samples, demos and raffle drawings will be featured at the free event.

Library helpers

Responsibility: Help with general library tasks such as checking out and stocking books, helping at front desk, more.

Times: Flexible.

Skills: Friendly and reliable.

Location: Ashland Public Library

Call: 570-875-3175

APPRISE program hotline volunteers

Responsibility: Answer a statewide hotline on Medicare questions, prescription benefits and various insurance options. Work in pairs.

Times: For a few hours on Wednesdays and/or Thursdays. Choose availability.

Skills: Training required and support provided.

Location: Pottsville

Call: Diakon at 570-624-3026.

Historical society volunteers

Responsibility: Help with a variety of tasks including filing and data entry, light cleaning, assisting patrons with research, scanning photos for electronic storage, gift shop help and more.

Times: Flexible.

Skills: Reliable and friendly.

Location: Schuylkill County Historical Society

Call: 570-622-7540.

Literacy tutors

Responsibility: Help adults with English as a Second Language, reading skills or GED preparation. Your assistance can help someone gain employment skills or get a better job and have a higher quality of life for themselves and their family.

Times: Requires a commitment of three hours per week.

Skills: For volunteers ages 55 and older. Bachelor’s degree and background checks required. Training and ongoing support provided.

Location: Lifelong Learning Center, new location is near Burger King in Pottsville

Call: Darla Troutman, RSVP of Schuylkill County, 570-622-3103.

Community Volunteers in Action is the volunteer center for Schuylkill County. Use the preceding contact information for those specific opportunities and search other listings on our website at www.schuylkill.us/cvia. Find us on Facebook. Call us at 570-628-1426 or email jjohnston@co.schuylkill.pa.us.

POTTSVILLE — Filling in the gaps on the Schuylkill River Trail will take time and money, but it’s worth it, the consultant for the trail feasibility study said Wednesday.

“This is not a quick process. It’s going to take some time,” Peter M. Simone, with Simone Collins Landscape Architecture, said to about 40 people attending a public meeting about the trail at the Schuylkill County Agricultural Center in North Manheim Township. He said the work could take two to three years to complete.

A trail study is underway to complete missing sections. Wednesday’s meeting focused on the options for the 3-mile gap from Tumbling Run to Schuylkill Haven and the 1.7-mile gap between Auburn and Landingville. When the trail is completed, it will span 120 miles from Frackville to Philadelphia.

The Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage area manages the trail in Schuylkill and Berks counties.

Simone said people might ask why money should be spent on this effort.

“There is trail money set aside just for trails,” he said, adding if one county or agency does not get the money, another one will.

To complete the missing section closest to Pottsville, Simone said they started near Tumbling Run because there is an existing parking area, although it is grass. They are proposing to add parking near the water area. There is part of an existing trail near the Mount Carbon Arch across the road from the jughandle that runs to Seven Stars Road.

“The challenge is how do we get across Seven Stars Road that is affordable and safe,” Simone said.

The new section would start at the north end of Seven Stars Road and end at the Schuylkill Haven Senior Citizen/Neighborhood Community Center. Showing slides, Simone pointed out where the proposed route could go.

“It basically parallels Route 61,” he said.

Various areas along the 3-mile gap could include flashing beacons to warn motorists of pedestrians using the trail in the area. A retaining wall was also suggested in different areas. The trail could wind up behind the Manheim Diner and onto Coal, Lilly, Willow, Dock and Haven streets in Schuylkill Haven, ending at the senior center. Another suggestion has a proposed bridge near the end of Lilly Street.

“The main thing about trail design is you want to be as safe as you can be,” Simone said.

Simone said they met with the state Department of Transportation about the project, which has an estimated cost of $1,495,900, he said.

The 1.7-mile gap in the trail between Auburn and Landingville was also discussed. Finishing that section would start at the siltation basin below the Tunnel Road trail head to the Auburn trail head, Simone said.

Simone said there are presently three options, each with its own price tags. The first option involves a two bridge option crossing the river amounting to $5,484,177; a second one that would entail cutting a trail along a slope costing $2,902,532; a third involves switchbacks costing $1,384,049.

“This is not an easy connection to make,” he said.

Simone said the information will be compiled into a master plan the public can view.

Bill Reichert, president of the Schuylkill Headwaters Association, was impressed with what he heard.

“It will be neat once it’s all done,” he said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

Misidentified victim

Jay R. Spotts, 68, died Tuesday after being struck by a vehicle on Sweet Arrow Lake Road in Wayne Township. He was misidentified in Wednesday’s edition.

LEESPORT — A Pine Grove police officer was arrested following an alleged domestic incident at his Berks County home on Sunday.

Northern Berks regional police charged Travis L. Fritz, 32, of 283 Hope Drive, Blandon, with one misdemeanor count of simple assault and a summary charge of harassment.

Fritz was arraigned in Reading Central Court by Magisterial District Judge Michael Hartman and released on $5,000 unsecured bail.

Upper Berks regional police Patrolman William Dillman III charged Fritz with assaulting Tori Faircloth at his home in Maidencreek Township around 5 a.m.

Dillman said he was called to the home at 5:11 a.m. for a report of a possible physical domestic dispute and learned that the caller reported Faircloth called her crying and said that Fritz threw her down.

At the scene, Dillman said, he spoke to Fritz and, when he asked the man what happened, Fritz initially said “you tell me.”

When informed that he was at the scene for a report of a domestic incident, Dillman said, Fritz said Faircloth came into the room where he was sleeping and woke him up. He also told the officer that the woman was at a nearby residence.

Dillman said he then went to a neighbor’s house and spoke to Faircloth, who said she went to Fritz’ house to get her children’s documents from a safe and when she could not open it she tried to wake Fritz to help her.

Faircloth said that Fritz began yelling at her and at one point grabbed her by the back of the neck and forced her down onto a bed, Dillman said.

He said Faircloth went on to say that she was able to get away from Fritz and exited the home to go to a neighbor’s house.

Dillman said Faircloth reported that Fritz then came up behind her as she was walking and grabbed her purse in an attempt to get it off of her arm and in doing so caused a bruise to her inner bicep.

Fritz will now have to appear for a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Brian Strand in his Leesport courtroom at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Fritz once served as an officer in Berks County and last year was hired in Pine Grove as a part-time officer and then hired to the position full time. Pine Grove Police Chief Thomas J. Trotter could not be reached for comment on Fritz’s status at the department.

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

Frackville

Free community dinners are held 4:30 to 6 p.m. the third Thursday of the month, October to April, at New Hope Wesleyan Church, 32 Spencer St. All are welcome but those planning to attend must call Deb at 570-391-6209 by the Sunday before so there will be an accurate count for food to be available.

McAdoo

The Southside Community Partnership will hold a food distribution from 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 19 at the pantry on Hancock Street. Residents from McAdoo and Kline Township within the income guidelines are eligible to attend. Only one box is allowed per household. First-time participants or those with a change of address must provide proof of residence. Those interested in participating must call Marion at 570-929-1628 to register by 5 p.m. today.

Pottsville

A Deppen Pie sale is underway until Feb. 7 by participating libraries in the Pottsville Library District. Pickups are set for Feb. 20. The cost is $12 per pie and all proceeds will benefit the participating libraries. Varieties of nine-inch pies include blueberry crumb, apple crumb, strawberry rhubarb crumb, cherry crumb, peach crumb, raisin crumb, shoofly, coconut custard, lemon sponge and no-sugar apple. Participating public libraries and their phone numbers are as follows: Ashland, 570-875-3175; Orwigsburg, 570-366-1638; Pottsville, 570-622-8880; Ringtown, 570-889-5503; Shenandoah, 570-462-9829; Tamaqua, 570-668-4660; Tower-Porter, 717-647-4900; Tri-Valley, 570-682-8922. To order, contact the library in your area by Feb. 7.

Pottsville

Free blood pressure and blood sugar readings are offered monthly at Diakon Senior Community centers for people 60 and older. Those interested should call for dates and times at the following senior community centers: Mahanoy City, 138 W. Centre St., 570-773-0738; Pottsville, 201 N. Centre St., 570-628-3513; Schuylkill Haven, 340 Haven St., 570-385-5611; Shenandoah, 116 N. Main St., 570-462-1965; Tremont, 139 Clay St., 570-695-3500.

Schuylkill Haven

St. John’s United Church of Christ, Orwigsburg, and the First United Church of Christ, Schuylkill Haven, in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs National VA Chaplain Center, are offering a one-day training to educate community clergy about issues facing returning veterans and their families following deployment. The program is supported by the VA Office of Rural Health, according to an event release. Training is set for 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 28 at First United Church of Christ, 110 Route 61 South near Penn State Schuylkill Campus. The registration deadline is Feb. 20. Community clergy from all faiths and organization chaplains are invited to attend. Topics will include post-deployment readjustment challenges; the psychological, physical, behavioral and spiritual effects of war trauma on survivors and the important role of community clergy in helping to reduce mental health stigma and support veterans and their families. Attendees will learn about VA and community mental health services and who clergy can connect with at their local VA to request information or assistance. For more information visit www.firstuccschuylkillhaven.org or contact the Rev. Ms. Shawn D. Van Dyke at 570-385-2049, firstuccpastor@verizon.net.

Tamaqua

The borough street department is collecting used, unwanted Christmas trees throughout January. Residents should place their trees at the curb for pickup on their garbage collection day. Christmas trees must be free of tinsel and other decorations. Crews will check each street on garbage days and collect trees as time and weather permits. No trees will be collected after Jan. 31. Residents may also drop off their Christmas trees behind the borough garage at 421 Rear E. Broad St.

Zion Grove

A hoagie sale to benefit Ryan Teter, who was recently diagnosed with throat and tongue cancer, will be held Jan. 27 at Mount Zion Lutheran Church. Hoagies are $4 each and orders are due by Jan. 23. To order, call Kathy at 570-384-3367 or Deb at 889-5401 or see any church member. The variety includes regular with or without onions and turkey with or without onions (lettuce, tomatoes, onions, dressing and mayonnaise are on the side). Checks for hoagies and monetary donations should be made payable to Mount Zion Lutheran Church.

ALLENTOWN — As part of its continuing response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown has created a new cabinet-level leadership position to further strengthen its programs to prevent abuse and keep children safe.

Pamela Russo, an experienced executive and licensed social worker, has been named diocesan secretary for youth protection and Catholic Human Services, according to a diocesan media release. She will be responsible for overseeing and improving all aspects of abuse prevention and child safety.

“Preventing abuse and keeping children safe are top priorities,” said the Most Rev. Alfred A. Schlert, bishop of Allentown. “We are extremely blessed that a woman of Pam’s experience and insight will be joining us to advance these protections to the next level.”

As part of her new role, Russo will be available as a resource to assist victims and survivors of clergy sexual abuse as they report their experiences and apply for compensation from the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program.

Russo also will launch a thorough review of all current diocesan policies on safe environment, victim assistance and child protection, and will develop and implement improvements.

Russo is currently executive director of Catholic Charities of Tennessee in Nashville. It is the largest Catholic Charities organization in the state with 170 employees and a budget of $20 million. She will begin work in Allentown soon.

“This newly-created role is a unique opportunity to really make a difference in critical areas at a critical time in the history of the diocese,” Russo said. “I’m thrilled to be joining the Diocese of Allentown team.”

The diocese’s victim assistance coordinator, safe environment coordinator and charter compliance officer, who play key roles in providing services to abuse victims or in preventing abuse and keeping children safe, will report to Russo.

Russo also will oversee Catholic Human Services and protection of vulnerable adults. In those capacities, reporting to her will be the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of Catholic Senior Housing and Health Care Services, and the executive director of Catholic Charities.

The media release states Russo has vast experience in child welfare roles and has served as an instructor for courses on recognizing signs of child abuse. She earned her master of social work degree from Temple University, Philadelphia, and also holds a master of science degree in human services from Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia.

She is a former secretary for Catholic Human Services at the Diocese of Allentown, and also previously worked as executive director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Allentown. Previous to that, she held positions with Catholic Social Services, Philadelphia, including manager of the Mercy Hospice Residential Facility, and worked as assistant director of residential services at Keio Academy of New York.

DEER LAKE — They may not have learned how to “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” but more than 25 teachers got plenty of lesson plan ideas after visiting the Fighter’s Heaven training camp of the great Muhammad Ali.

The teachers from eight school districts who participate in the Schuylkill ACHIEVE Afterschool Program enjoyed a tour of the camp on Wednesday, one day before the birthday of “The Greatest,” as self-proclaimed by Ali, who was born Jan. 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.

The training camp called Fighter’s Heaven is located on Sculps Hill Road in West Brunswick Township. Ali used the camp in the 1960s and 1970s to train at a location that was free of distractions. One of the most exciting and successful heavyweight boxers, he was named “Sportsman of the Century” by Sports Illustrated and the “Sports Personality of the Century” by the British Broadcast Corporation.

Ali was also the center of a controversy in 1967 when he was arrested on draft evasion charges for refusing to go to Vietnam during the war. He was found guilty and sentenced to five years in jail, but he avoided imprisonment. However, he lost his championship title and was not allowed to professionally box for four years. In 1971, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the conviction on appeal.

The Schuylkill ACHIEVE program is sponsored by Intermediate Unit 29 and has been giving students in multiple school districts the opportunity to participate in spending time after the normal school day and enjoy recreation, homework help, reading and writing help, character education, STEM activities and more. The school districts participating in the ACHIEVE program are Mahanoy Area, Minersville Area, North Schuylkill, Pine Grove Area, Pottsville Area, Saint Clair Area, Schuylkill Haven Area and Williams Valley. The teachers serve more than 600 middle school students in grades 5 to 8.

The tour was arranged by ACHIEVE coordinators Michele Daynorowicz and Christine Beckfield.

“The goal is to bring the students to visit and engage in meaningful lessons connected to the camp such as civil rights, history of the 1960s, what it takes to prepare to train and prepare for an event in your life, math that is involved in the ring, developing a work ethic, writing and speaking styles that Muhammad presented in his showmanship,” Daynorowicz said. “The students will be exposed to multimedia at Fighter’s Heaven where they learn many aspects of Muhammad’s life and his history and appreciate what they have in Schuylkill County.”

She added, “We are excited to develop some lessons to tie in with the students visiting Muhammad Ali’s camp and bring the teachers there first and get them excited about the opportunity.”

Daynorowicz said that Ali’s life and success will hopefully be an inspiration to students to prepare well and do their best in any walk of life.

Beckfield said that the camp is a great location for students in the after-school program to connect different aspects of learning. In the information packet distributed to the teachers, Beckfield said, “As program coordinators for Schuylkill ACHIEVE Afterschool, Michele Daynorowicz and myself felt as though our school districts should experience this wonderful gem of a learning opportunity. Our goal is to incorporate important future lessons into our existing after-school programs, such as civil rights, math, history of the 60s and character education — respect, confidence, conviction, dedication and giving. The aim is to guide and encourage our students to incorporate these lessons into their lives, and inspire the development of a life plan that reflects a positive sense of self, a commitment to community, and preparation for the future.”

The almost six-acre site is owned by Mike Madden and the buildings are being restored to preserve the historic sports site. Retired history teacher Michael Stefanick is the education coordinator at the camp, while Sam Matta is the camp manager and media specialist.

Walking over to the kitchen/dining building where Ali and his guests had their meals, Matta pointed out large rocks of differing sizes with the names of some of boxing greats.

“The bigger the rock, the greater importance was that person to Muhammad Ali,” Matta said. “This camp started in 1971. Gene Kilroy, of Mahanoy City, was Ali’s business manager and he brought him here. We haven’t changed anything.”

Inside the kitchen building, the teachers were enjoying pizza and snacks, sitting at the same table that Ali used. Matta and Stefanick spoke about Ali and his life in and outside the ring.

After beginning in the kitchen/dining area, the teachers were taken to the gym building that includes a boxing ring, photos of Ali and others and a video of boxing highlights. The next stop was the mosque where Ali prayed. Pine Grove Area teacher Pat Ryan was asked if it was her first visit to the camp.

“I’m pretty excited to be here,” Ryan said. “One memory I have when I was younger was coming up here with my dad and having seen him when he was training here. That memory includes my dad picking me up so I could look. It is a nice memory. Now I want to bring my grandson up here.”

On behalf of the ACHIEVE program, Beckfield and Daynorowicz presented to Matta and Stefanick a hardcover coffee table book entitled “Muhammad Ali — A Life in Pictures” as a reference for visitors.

For more information about Schuylkill ACHIEVE, call 570-544-9131. For more information about Fighter’s Heaven, go to www.fightersheaven.com.

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