Altamont

The Altamont Fire Company will have fish fries from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Fridays during Lent, March 8 through April 19. Take-outs will be available as will free delivery in the greater Frackville area. To order or for more information, call 570-874-4384.

Frackville

Holy Ascension Orthodox Church, 209 S. Lehigh Ave., will have a pierogie sale beginning at 8 a.m. March 9. Pierogies are $7 per dozen for fried, boiled with butter and onions or frozen. To order in advance, call 570-874-7532.

Mahanoy City

The Mahanoy City Public Library is sponsoring a fundraiser trip to Mohegan Sun Casino on March 14. The cost is $25 per person with a $25 slot rebate and $5 food voucher. The buffet is not open on weekdays. A photo ID is required for the rebates. The bus will leave at 9 a.m. from the former Service Electric lot and leave the casino at 4 p.m. for the return trip. For reservations or more information, call 570-773-3365, 570-778-6956 or 570-929-1012.

McAdoo

The McAdoo Lions Club is sponsoring a fundraiser trip to Sands Casino on March 28. The bus will leave at 10 a.m. from the former St. Kunegunda Church and will leave the casino at 5:30 p.m. for the return trip. The cost is $25 per person with $35 in slot play from the casino. For more information, call Stephanie at 570-778-6956 or 570-929-1012.

Pottsville

A Mardi Gras Casino Night will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday in The Lodge at Sharp Mountain, 201 S. 26th St., to benefit the Majestic Theater. Tickets are $30 each and include a coupon for a free beverage and poker chips, which can be turned in at the end of the evening for raffle tickets to a Chinese auction. For tickets or more information, call 570-628-4647.

Pottsville

A free course on introductory fishing will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at The Salvation Army, 400 Sanderson St. To register, call Bruce Herb at 570-573-7076 or Randy Emerich at 570-640-7327. The sponsor is Schuylkill Headwaters Association and Schuylkill County Trout Unlimited. A light lunch will be served.

Pottsville

The Pottsville Free Public Library will host the 2019 Schuylkill Women in Crisis “Art as Healing” exhibit Monday to March 11. The display’s main goal, according to a press release, is “to encourage women to express themselves artistically as well as inspire thought.” All of the art was created by women and children working with SWIC. The artists are from throughout Schuylkill County and use this as a means of empowerment through the healing process, according to the release. For more information, call SWIC at 570-622-3991 or the library at 570-622-8880.

Saint Clair

St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church will have pierogi sales from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday and Fridays during Lent (except March 8 and Good Friday) in the church basement, Hancock Street entrance. The cost is $7.50 per dozen cooked with butter and onion, cooked with butter only or frozen. Orders must be placed by the previous Wednesday and by Monday for the Ash Wednesday sale. To order or for more information, call 570-429-0863, 570-429-0343 or 570-429-1942.

Shenandoah

The Shenandoah Valley Elementary PTO’s third annual Chinese auction will have shop-and-drops from 4 to 8 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the elementary auditorium. Tickets will be pulled at 3 p.m. March 2; supporters need not be present to win. Refreshments will be available. The grand prize will include $1,000 cash, a 50-inch flat-screen TV, a KitchenAid Mixer and other big prizes. Small-prize tickets are $5 per sheet or five sheets for $20; medium-prize tickets are $1 each and large-prize tickets are three for $5. Grand-prize tickets are $5 each. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-462-2796.

Today is the last day to submit a resume and required information for the position of borough manager in Orwigsburg.

The position is open because Borough Manager Robert Williams is leaving to become the Palmer Township manager in Northampton County.

His last day with the borough is today. Williams sent a letter of resignation to borough council members and the mayor on Jan. 30.

Williams has held the role since Dec. 3, 2014. He replaced Mike Lonergan, who retired Dec. 31, 2014.

Williams said he will miss the residents of the borough and those he worked with.

Orwigsburg Borough Council President Michele Rudloff said Thursday the council has not yet accepted his resignation because if there is something that needs an official signature Williams can do it, she said. The council will accept his resignation at a later date, she said.

She said “at least 20” applicants have sent in the required information for the opening. The legal ad published in The Republican-Herald says the candidate should have a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, strong leadership, communication and financial skills. Previous municipal experience is a plus, the ad says. The full-time position includes benefits. Williams did not accept benefits during his employment, Rudloff said. Those interested should send a cover letter, resume and salary history in one attachment to sedwards@orwigsburg.gov or mail to Sherry Edwards, Secretary, Borough of Orwigsburg, 209 N. Warren St., Orwigsburg, PA 17961.

Rudloff said the next step in the process is to give the applications to council members.

“We are going to need to narrow down the list obviously,” Rudloff said.

She was happy with the number of applicants who have applied thus far. However, the borough is not in any hurry to fill the spot.

“We want to make sure we get the right candidate,” she said.

Other employees are acting as points of contact for the public with Williams’ departure, she said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

POTTSVILLE — Visitors can find more than books at the Pottsville Free Public Library on Friday and Saturday.

“We’re going to transform this place into a golf course,” Jean Towle, director of Pottsville Free Public Library, said Wednesday.

A fundraiser called Putting Fore Pottsville Library will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. today. For $35, adults 21 and older are permitted to attend to play an 18-hole round of golf and enjoy food and alcoholic beverages.

A family friendly event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the library. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 16. Refreshments and soda, water and juice will be available. Tickets for both days may be purchased the day of the event. Area businesses have donated food for the fundraiser. A raffle will also take place. Tickets are $1 a piece or 6 for $5. Winners of the raffle will be announced Monday. Prizes, which were donated, include a $50 gift cards to Boyer’s and Giant, a YMCA Family membership and Yuengling gifts.

“This is a big fundraiser. I’d like to raise between $3,500 to $4,000,” Towle said.

Towle said people might be tired of winter and want to escape to a warmer place enjoying time doing outdoor activities.

“I’ve had a lot of people tell me it’s a good idea,” Towle said.

The course starts on the second floor and winds its way through the upstairs and then down the steps. At one point, players must put the golf ball through a pipe and down the steps. The 18th hole ends in the reference area by the fireplace on the first floor.

If players want to take a break, there is a room/watering hole upstairs. A corn hole toss is available for a chance to have their name on a plaque and a book named in their honor. Cost is $5 for eight bags.

“It’s a different way to look at the library,” Towle said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

BARNESVILLE — U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., told Schuylkill County Republicans on Thursday night that they need to help defend the country from left-wing Democratic proposals, including the refusal to fund a wall along the Mexican border.

“You can’t be a country without a border,” Cheney, 52, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, told a packed audience of more than 200 people at Mountain Valley Golf Course for the 61st Annual Lincoln Day Dinner. “Your number one obligation is to secure your country.”

Cheney, the House Republican Conference chair, spoke at the annual dinner, which honors Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president and the first Republican to hold the nation’s highest elected office. All countywide Republican office-holders attended, including U.S. Rep Dan Meuser, R-9, whose district includes the entire county.

She praised Meuser as a fine congressman.

“Dan Meuser is absolutely the very top of the list to fight for principle,” Cheney said. “Make sure you keep sending him back to Washington.”

Meuser, in turn, said Cheney leads a united GOP caucus in fighting Democratic proposals, including the Green New Deal, which he called the “Gangrene New Deal because of the damage he and Cheney each said it would cause to American economics and freedom.

“It’s absolutely crazy,” Cheney said of the proposal, which has included suggestions about restricting air travel and banning the use of fossil fuels. “Who’s going to make the decision about where you can fly? We need to mock them. You cannot be for the people if you think the government should take power from the people.”

For Cheney, the issue is especially relevant because of Wyoming’s status as the nation’s leading coal-producing state. Her state produces bituminous (soft) coal, as opposed to Schuylkill County’s anthracite (hard) coal, but she said what is important is the resource itself.

“We love coal,” Cheney said.

State Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, showed the county’s appreciation for Cheney by presenting her with a Yuengling shirt.

“Your words are inspiring,” Tobash told Cheney. “The Trump economy has got us back on our feet.”

Cheney also criticized other Democrat proposals, including a 70 percent income-tax rate, mandatory Medicare instead of private health insurance plans, and especially legislation in some Democrat-controlled states, including New York and Virginia, that would allow medical personnel to let babies who survive abortions die.

“The Democratic Party of the day is making itself the party of infanticide,” Cheney said.

She also criticized Democrats who regard only other Americans as enemies.

“They don’t see any enemies overseas,” Cheney said.

In contrast, she said, President Trump was willing to negotiate with the North Koreans, but stood up to them when they tried to extract concessions without actual controls on their nuclear program.

“That is leadership,” Cheney said, adding that President Obama spent a lot of time traveling the world apologizing for this country.

Cheney also praised those attending the dinner as people who can make a difference by standing up for their beliefs.

“You guys are ground zero to make sure we do the right thing,” she said. “Please keep fighting. The future depends on it.”

Also speaking were two candidates for the state Superior Court, Cumberland County Judge Christylee L. Peck and Chester County Deputy District Attorney Megan L. King. Each said she would faithfully apply the laws if elected.

“(Laws) can be applied as they are written or they can be applied with an agenda in mind,” Peck said.

“Learn to do right,” King said. “Make sure our laws are being properly applied.”

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

MAHANOY CITY — Mahanoy City EMS has become the first ambulance unit in Schuylkill County to receive the Preparedness for Pediatrics certification.

Emergency Medical Technician Gene Knelly said the certification, which was approved in February, is awarded by state Department of Health, The Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council and Emergency Medical Services for Children.

Knelly said the certification is voluntary and available in three levels — basic, intermediate and expert.

Mahanoy City EMS and its officers elected to go for the expert level certification and were ultimately able to earn the designation.

Knelly said that in order to meet the criteria, an ambulance must be equipped with tools and medications that are strictly used to treat pediatric patients.

That equipment totaled about $2,000, but Knelly said the money was well worth it.

“We want to be able to provide the best care we can for our pediatric and younger patients,” he said.

Among the specialized equipment is an Ambulance Child Restraint that secures pediatric patients to ambulance stretchers for transport to a medical facility.

Also purchased were specialized pads for the Automatic External Defibrillator unit. Knelly said that when the pads are attached, the AED unit automatic releases a lower electrical charge than that’s administered to adults.

On board Ambulance 4803 are splints for younger patients, a pediatric “jump bag” and pediatric doses of epinephrine as well as other equipment designed for smaller patients.

Knelly said that with the Mahanoy Area elementary and middle schools nearby, as well as the Schuylkill County Child Development Center, having the right equipment on hand could make a substantial difference in the outcome of an injury.

“We have a 20-minute ride to a hospital so we want to be able to do what we have to and be prepared for our younger patients,” he said.

Mahanoy City EMS, part of the Citizens Fire Company No. 2, runs a 2010 Ford ambulance staffed by 10 state-certified Emergency Medical Technicians.

Knelly said each of the EMTs has also obtained Child Abuse Recognition Certification enabling them to detect child abuse or neglect and then report what they observe to the proper authorities.

Although emergency medical personnel are “required reporters” of child abuse or neglect, Knelly said the certification goes a step ahead.

“We want to stay ahead and provide the best care we can for the people we serve,” Knelly said.

He said Mahanoy City EMS takes seriously the rules, regulations and guideline set by the state Department of Health and will continue to make strides forward.

“Emergency Medical Services 20 years ago was a hobby, now it’s a job,” Knelly said.

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

It’s our birthday today. Schuylkill County is 208 years old today.

Schuylkill County was formed by an Act of Assembly, passed on March 1, 1811, and was comprised of portions of Berks, Lancaster and Northampton counties. Later, in 1818, a small area was added from Columbia and Lehigh. But officially, today is our birthday and we should be celebrating!

We have a lot to celebrate, too. Last month, I talked about the slew of good things that have been happening around the county. Economic revitalization, healthy Schuylkill communities, new businesses opening, the youth summit, Schuylkill River Trail investments, LionLaunch, a new hospital, remember? It was a super long article, that’s how much growth we’re experiencing. So yeah, we should be celebrating.

Why not celebrate our agricultural roots Saturday evening at Hegins Valley Shine, Wine and Brews at the Sacramento Community Fire Company? This is a first-time event featuring Red Shale Ridge Winery, Jack-Azz Distilling LLC and Bonsai Brew Works, along with a variety of foods and live acoustic music. The nine wineries in our community are a significant portion of Schuylkill County agriculture.

Dubbed “The Friendliest Day of the Year,” St. Patrick’s Day is cause for celebration in Schuylkill County. Our community’s strong Irish heritage is inextricably linked to our anthracite heritage since the early 19th century. The Irish of Pennsylvania would spend the first half of the 19th century digging canals and the second half digging in the mines. Their songs, poetry, foods, dances, spirits, warmth, faith and love are still with us today.

Begin your celebrations with an evening of Irish music and step dance featuring The Celtic Martins at Tamaqua Community Arts Center on March 9. Stoker’s Brewing Company, also in Tamaqua, will be serving three fabulous pasture-raised beef dishes to go perfectly with your cold Stokers brews on March 16. Features include The Irish Burger, a beef burger topped with braised cabbage, corned beef, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing on a brioche bun; Sheppard’s pie made from ground beef with carrots and peas, topped with whipped mashed potatoes; Stokers beef stew cooked slowly with Stokers stout. They’ve got 12 handcrafted beers brewed on site and will celebrate the release Stoker’s “Kilt” Irish Red Ale. Sean McGeehan will provide the live music. They’re flyin’ it at Stoker’s!

In Pottsville, the St. Patrick’s Day celebration kicks off with 8 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, followed by The Grand Marshal Breakfast at Trippin’ Billies and the annual parade at 11 a.m., culminating with the Grand Irish Party at the Humane afterward on March 16. The Crimson House will be doing a “Luck of the Irish” dinner on March 14, 15, 16 and 17. The dinner includes Irish soda bread with orange blossom honey butter; lamb Shepherd’s pie; An Irish duet of corned beef and cabbage, along with salmon with colcannon and a dill cream sauce; Guinness chocolate cake with Baileys Irish whipped cream. Sure and by God ’tis a grand meal!

The AOH Girardville St. Patrick’s Day Parade is March 30. Did you know that the mission of the parade is to celebrate the feast day of St. Patrick, promote Irish and Coal Region culture, heritage and traditions, and foster community pride? Well now you do! And I have to say they do a fantastic job of it. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Jack Kehoe Div. 1 AOH and the parade committee, this community event has been bringing a smile to thousands of Irish eyes (and non-Irish eyes) since 2004. Parade Mass begins at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church and the parade begins at noon. This parade is an all-day affair and promises plenty of all-around good ’craic’!

Yet another thing on the list we can celebrate is the beauty of our outdoors and our natural resources. I know it’s not very pretty outside yet, but it’s coming, folks, and as the days grow longer, we should try to get outside and enjoy each little bit that we can.

Our community partners at Schuylkill on the Move host a series of walks throughout the year around the county. Join in at 1 p.m. March 10 for the “SCEETR Walk” with John Domalakes, where you’ll see an important water reclamation project that helps clean the Schuylkill River. Or you can join “Hiker Jim” for the “Blackwood Ramble” on March 16. This hike features present day Blackwood Dam, Stump Dam and Bass Dam, along with lots of history.

Sweet Arrow Lake County Park, Pine Grove, is full of activity this month. Today, there will be the annual Break the Ice Oldies Dance at the clubhouse at 7 p.m. An insect education program with The Bugman on March 8 is suitable for all ages. Savvy Stewardship with Frank Snyder on March 17 will teach you to develop your stewardship skills in caring for woodlands including the trees, wildlife and water resources. Learn how to properly prune a branch from a tree, select trees for home heating fuel wood while leaving the best for wildlife and timber, rejuvenate mature apple trees back into production and many more easy-to-do and practical stewardship tips that you can use on your property.

There’s a Lanternfly program on March 20 that will include information on the introduction and biology of the invasive Spotted Lanternfly, potential hazardous effects of this species on the environment, economy and our quality of life, and methods of control. Indians of the Great Lakes and Beyond on March 31 will present the culture and environment of Indians living in the Great Lakes Region with Dave “Big Owl” McSurdy and Mentored Youth Trout Fishing is on March 23.

Getting outdoors to enjoy and celebrate our natural resources is truly something anyone can do. We have plenty of places to do it. If you’re a hiker, places like the John Bartram Trail, Swatara State Park, Conrad Weiser State Forest, Tri-Valley’s Environmental Education Center, the Lehigh Valley and New England Rail Trail in South Tamaqua, the Appalachian Trail and so many more offer limitless possibilities for all ages and abilities.

I have one more small thing before I close. Actually, it’s a big thing to us.

The Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau is always working to assist in creating and enhancing the image of Schuylkill County and we’ve created a survey as part of that process. The purpose of the survey is to gather information that aids in the development of a brand that builds value for, and showcases, Schuylkill County’s authenticity as a destination.

The survey only takes about five minutes and can be completed at www.schuylkill.org and on our Facebook page. Anyone who completes the survey and provides their email address will be entered into a drawing for a $200 gift card. It will be available until June 30.

This is your chance to let us know what you love about our county and share your opinion. Please take five minutes online to help our community and, more importantly, encourage your family and friends to do likewise!

(Gargano is executive director of Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau)

With flour, eggs and icing as their weapons, a few apron-armored bakers will follow their instincts, and recipes, into a culinary conflict this weekend.

The sixth annual Cupcake Wars, held by libraries in the Pottsville Library District, will open to the public at 1 p.m. March 10 at Fairlane Village mall, Pottsville. Tickets are $10 for bakers and $5 for tasters/judges. Bakers are asked to register at one of the participating libraries — Ashland, Frackville, Orwigsburg, Pottsville, Ringtown, Tamaqua and Tremont — by Monday, according to Claudia Gross, Orwigsburg Free Public Library director of nine years.

Most of the cake artists’ work, Gross said, is something to truly behold — it’s not simply a tiny dessert with an icing swirl on a tray. Everything from icing design, to display, flavor and even the chef’s outfit can be pretty imaginative.

“We’ve had people that have done tiki shacks with little mai tai cupcakes. We’ve had people that have done floral arrangements; I walked around and I thought it was a bouquet of flowers,” Gross said. “We’ve had a chicken coop where they were all decorated as little chickens, we’ve had high heels — oh my god, they were adorable — she made little stiletto cupcakes and stuff. … The winner last year, actually her theme was the Lorax, so they all had a little Lorax theme with the fuzzy trees going on.”

She added, “It’s unbelievable. Some of the quality that they bring to it is almost like the TV shows.”

Divided in age groups of under 18 and 18 and older, the battle-ready bakers will be required to make at least 36 cupcakes for the battle. Tasters will have to choose one of the groups — younger or older — and try its offerings. Last year, Gross said, there were more than 30 bakers, and 17 of them in the under 18 category, so don’t sleep on the youth; they are well past the Easy-Bake Oven.

“I think you would be shocked on the quality (of cupcakes) kids bring,” Gross said.

Those who pay to taste also have the opportunity to judge the cupcakes and choose a winner for a certain category. Bakers, Gross said, are judged via a point system on their display, a single cupcake’s aesthetics, and of course, taste.

“Whoever scores the most points is the grand poobah of cupcakes,” Gross said.

Last year, Gross said, Fairlane Village provided a $100 Visa card for both first-place winners, while the second- and third-place winners got gift cards to Michael’s.

“The mall was very generous about providing a gift for everybody that won,” Gross said.

After being judged and winners picked, leftover cupcakes will be sold to the public at a rate of six for $5 to benefit the participating libraries, Gross said.

There will also be a judged, friendly, cupcake-related competition for those children who prefer to use a pen or pencil as their creative outlet.

“Kids can also get in on the fun of it — for under 12, you can have a cupcake coloring sheet and then we judge how the kids color the cupcakes,” Gross said.

What started as just “something fun to do at the library” in Orwigsburg morphed into the event it is today in order to bring some money, and more so attention, to area libraries, Gross said.

“Unfortunately, none of the libraries have enough money,” Gross said. However, she said, “it’s not about the money; it’s about everybody coming out and seeing how much the libraries have to offer. ... Libraries are so much more than books. The library is the community’s. It’s what they’re going to make it.”

And, as the district has done in bringing libraries together for Cupcake Wars, they intend to do the same with other day-to-day operations, Gross said. For instance, all libraries in the district recently chipped in for an eBooks account, opening the door for many more online publications that were made available for library cardholders.

“We’re all in the same boat. We’re all doing the same job. We need to work together to make the district stronger,” Gross said. “Why keep doing things individually if we can bring it together and make it stronger for everybody?”

To continue to drive in funds, the Orwigsburg library will next be putting together a calendar raffle. The library is also planning a “big, giant spring event,” a dinner, in April to celebrate a year at their new location.

For more information, call the Orwigsburg Free Public Library at 570-366-1638.

Contact the writer: dprosick@republicanherald.com

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville police are investigating vandalism incidents that resulted in damages to several buildings in the city.

Police said that officers on patrol around 3:30 a.m. Thursday noticed a window at 10 N. Centre St. that was damaged.

A canvass of the area revealed several other businesses with damaged windows. Ultimately, officers identified more than 15 separate locations that had been victimized by the vandalism, mostly along Centre and West Market streets.

Police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky said that the investigation is actively continuing and officers are attempting to identify a dark-colored four-door SUV that was seen on video surveillance as being in the areas that were damaged between 3 and 3:30 a.m.

Wojciechowsky said the damage was not done by a firearm.

The chief said it was later learned that similar acts of vandalism occurred overnight in Ashland, Frackville and Kulpmont, and all the law enforcement agencies involved are working together on the incidents.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Pottsville police at 570-622-1234 or the Schuylkill County Communications Center non-emergency reporting number of 570-628-3792.

POTTSVILLE — Schuylkill County will put more money into the Human Services Building in Pottsville, as the commissioners approved on Wednesday several change orders for the downtown office structure.

The five change orders, including one for more than $200,000, reflect necessary work and will still leave the county in good financial shape with respect to the project, according to County Administrator Gary R. Bender.

“We’re well under budget,” Bender said. That budget is $2.95 million, Director of Finance Paul E. Buber said.

Changes total $210,288.51, and actually include one credit of $21,713.66 for alterations to the renovations for the Office of the Public Defender.

The largest change, costing $218,537.85, is for removing chimney block and brick on the upper floor and replacing them with steel panels. That did not surprise Commissioner Gary J. Hess.

“When you open walls, you find things,” he said.

The 410 N. Centre St. building houses the election bureau, human services, public defender and senior services. Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley will take the space formerly used by the Children & Youth agency, which moved to 324 N. Centre St. Drug and Alcohol and Mental Health also will move into the building from their present location at 108 Claude A. Lord Blvd.

Bender said the county still will save money because it no longer will be paying for leases for Reiley and the drug and alcohol and mental health programs.

Other changes, and their costs, that the commissioners approved included the following:

• Installation of a partition and door with a bullet-resistant panel, at Reiley’s new office, at a cost of $3,017.66.

• Revising hardware for 12 doors, at a cost of $1,443.44.

• Various other alterations, including receptacle changes, refeeding four rooftop units, extending circuits and installing additional cable and two panels to replace damaged ones.

Also, the commissioners approved four purchase of service agreements with providers for Children & Youth. The agreements include ones with:

• Concern, Fleetwood, for CRR board per diem rate of $24.44, intermediate foster care at a per diem rate of $68.22 and mother/baby foster care at a per diem rate of $129.39.

• Pressley Ridge, Pittsburgh, for traditional foster care at a per diem rate of $63.82 and treatment foster care at a per diem rate of $89.01.

• The Village Services, Rosemont, for clothing/incidentals at a per diem rate of $3, medical foster care level 1 at a per diem rate of $55.75 and shelter at a per diem rate of $225.

• Youth Service Agency, Jim Thorpe, for act residential and act weekend program at per diem rates of $205.

They also approved addenda to two contracts, with Clinical Outcomes Group, Pottsville, for anger control education at a per unit rate of $50, and Friendship House, Scranton, for one-on-one at a per unit rate of $20.

In another matter, the commissioners also appointed Richard Finnefrock, Orwigsburg, John J. Houseknecht, Saint Clair, and Francis A. Spokas, Tamaqua, to the county Board of Assessment Appeals, and Mike Wozniski, Pottsville, as an alternate member.

They also approved the five-year lease/purchase of two 2020 police interceptor all-wheel drive vehicles from KME Kovatch, Nesquehoning, for the sheriff’s department, at a total cost of $89,636.10.

Sheriff Joseph G. Groody said he will use the vehicles to transport prisoners.

“These are new ones,” he said of the vehicles. “The two we’re getting rid of are more than 15 years old.”

Also, the commissioners approved the following budget adjustments.

• Drug & Alcohol (2018), $623

• Prison (2018), $7,725

• Tax Claim Bureau (2019), $7,160.

Buber said they involve no new spending because they are transfers between line items.

In another matter, the commissioners approved the settlement of an assessment appeal involving a property in Rush Township. The parties agreed to a fair market value of $385,000 for the property.

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

NEW ORLEANS — Patrick Murphy, owner of Murphy Jewelers in Pottsville and Hamburg, died Thursday in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The New Orleans Coroner’s Office confirmed late Thursday that Murphy, 62, was in their system but had no information available as to the cause and manner of death.

Sources said that Murphy died as the result of a homicide at The Empress Hotel where staff members found his body in a first-floor room just before noon.

New Orleans police homicide detectives had no information, referring all calls to the public relations officer who was not available for comment.

However, published reports on the department’s Facebook page said Megan Hall, 26, has been positively identified as a person “positively identified as the perpetrator” and a warrant was obtained for a charge of second-degree murder.

No additional information was available late Thursday.

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

Deeds

Branch Township — Santander Bank NA to Brett A. Rutecky; 520 Blackwood St.; $165,100.

Cass Township — Diane Moresky, Janet Mitchell and Francis J. Delaney to Stephen F. Kruse; 0.17-acre property; $39,000.

Constance Potosky, executrix of the Estate of George Polinsky, to Elizabeth Niedzwiecki; 26 Willow St., Forestville; $53,000.

Coaldale — Timothy J. and Mary S. Hoben to Capital 51 LLC; property on First Street; $30,500.

Cressona — Michelle Charles to Noah and Angelica Grube; 8 Columbia Ave.; $61,000.

East Union Township — June Lease to Jennifer Croll; 339 Millers Road, Zion Grove; $147,000.

Sharon Hinrichs to William T. III and Sherrie L. Bulger; 46 Peace Pipe Drive, Eagle Rock; $328,000.

Girardville — Jeanette M. Todd to Jeanette M. Todd; 125 E. Main St.; $1.

Hubley Township — Kenneth W. Schaeffer to Troy R. Schaeffer; 207 Gap St.; $1.

Kenneth L. and Yvonne L. Stiely to Derck L. Stiely; 56.45-acre property on Township Route 879; $1.

Mahanoy Township — Russell L. Brobst Jr. and Sammy D. Brobst to Russell L. and Diane M. Brobst, Amanda Brobst and Megan Ward; 58.807-acre property; $1.

Russell L. Brobst Jr. and Sammy D. Brobst to Sammy D. and Debra L. Brobst; 25.578-acre property; $1.

Russell L. Brobst Jr. and Sammy D. Brobst to Sammy D. and Debra L. Brobst; 33.173-acre property; $1.

Minersville — Marie Belecanech and Robert Gallo to Jacob Honse; 409 Kantner St.; $21,000.

Jill M. Staniszewski to Nathan Petrecza; 301 New Castle St.; $1.

North Manheim Township and Orwigsburg — Michael C. and Joan L. Premich to Christopher R. Yerger; 3.62-acre property on Route 61; $265,000.

POTTSVILLE — City and county business and community leaders expressed sadness and shock on Friday at the death in New Orleans of Patrick J. Murphy, whose family has operated Murphy Jewelers in Pottsville for more than 100 years.

“It’s a terrible day,” said Robert S. Carl Jr., president and chief executive officer of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce. “He was one of my best friends. Pat Murphy was the biggest cheerleader I know” for Pottsville and Schuylkill County.

John D.W. Reiley, a former Pottsville mayor, also could not believe the news.

“It shocked the daylights out of me,” Reiley said of the death of the man he has known for decades.

Murphy, 62, of Pottsville, died Thursday in what New Orleans police said was a homicide at The Empress Hotel in that city’s Treme section. The case is still under investigation.

Murphy’s family has owned and operated Murphy Jewelers at the same 115 W. Market St. location since 1913. Murphy expanded the business to include new stores in Center Valley, Lehigh County, and Hamburg, Berks County.

Carl said Murphy’s operation of his company is a textbook example of how to run a family business.

“I know Pat was a tremendous businessman. His business prowess and the success of the jewelry business speaks for itself,” he said.

In fact, according to Carl, Murphy’s business model was worthy of the Harvard Business Review.

“Every package is special. Every sale is special,” were the guiding principles, Carl said.

Pottsville City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said Murphy’s sincerity and good humor pervaded his personal and professional life.

“He was a sincerely nice person who had a great sense of humor,” Palamar said. “In business, he was very much the same way.”

Palamar said he patronized Murphy Jewelers and always felt welcome there.

“We were customers of the jewelry store. He always smiled when I went into the store,” Palamar said of Murphy.

Fellow businessman Jerry Enders, who operates Jerry’s Northeast Auto Sales on Route 61 in North Manheim Township and Jerry’s Classic Cars and Collectibles Museum at 394 S. Centre St. in the city, said Murphy will be missed in more ways than one.

“We lost a good member of the business community and a staple in Pottsville,” Enders said of Murphy’s death. “Pat was always a fun-loving guy, always willing to volunteer and help out.”

Reiley remembers the work Murphy did for the annual Friendly Sons of St. Patrick luncheon to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Pottsville.

“He’d always donate a gift to give to the speaker,” whom he already had arranged to give the talk, Reiley said. “He was a promoter.”

Murphy also was civic-minded, according to Reiley, who recalled his work as chairman of the city Parking Authority and his 20 years on the Pottsville Area school board.

“He would take my wife (fellow board member Agnes McGowan Reiley) to the board meetings,” the former mayor recalled.

Palamar also said Murphy’s activity and community spirit stood out, especially in a society where those qualities are fading.

“He was so dedicated to the city. He really wanted what was best for the community,” he said. “We live in a society ... where less and less people are getting engaged.”

Schuylkill County commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr., who said he knew Murphy his entire life, said the entire region benefited from Murphy’s community work, whether it was for Relay for Life, Make-A-Wish, baseball teams or bands of many other charitable groups.

“No matter what it was, he always stepped up to the plate,” Halcovage said. “He was an amazing man with a great family who did a lot for our community.”

Carl also said Relay for Life was important to Murphy.

“We were very proud to be able to raise the money we did,” he said.

Enders said Murphy also worked hard for the Pottsville Lions Club.

“He would get involved wherever you’d need him,” Enders said.

Pottsville Business Association President David W. Clews remembered Murphy, who was a friend since high school, as someone who loved what he did in many ways including helping to promote The Great Pottsville Cruise, the Halloween parade and other downtown events.

“Pat was a good friend, a fellow businessman and someone who believed in Pottsville,” he said. “I’ve nothing but respect for him. I’ll miss his friendship the most.”

Halcovage and Reiley each remembered one event at the store with special fondness: the Ugly Tie Contest, where Murphy would display in his city store’s windows the loudest, widest and most garish neckwear the county’s gentlemen could discover in the deepest recesses of their closets and dressers.

Murphy also was a man of faith, being a member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in the city.

“He was very faithful and a good member of his faith community,” Halcovage said.

Carl agreed.

“He had strong spiritual beliefs,” Carl said. “He was a good husband and a good father.”

Enders said he is concerned for Murphy’s wife, Kim, and their children, Mallory and Sean.

“My wife and I, and all of us, have our thoughts and prayers with the family,” he said.

Among his many activities, Murphy also donated prizes for the winners of the Yuengling Light Lager Jogger 5K race; served on the PBA board of directors and held other offices in it; ran the annual Soup-er Bowl at his store to help the Pottsville Area Soup Kitchen; sold tickets for the Grand Irish Party, which follows the city’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade; served on the North Second Rehabilitation Project LLC; boosted the Yuengling Oktoberfest Golf Championship at the Schuylkill Country Club, Orwigsburg; and designed championship rings for Marian Catholic High School girls’ basketball, Minersville Area High School baseball, Pottsville Area High School football and Lebanon Valley College basketball teams.

He also turned heads when he drove his Smart Car, a vehicle significantly smaller than even the average compact car.

Clews is confident Murphy’s family and employees can keep the stores open. No one from the Pottsville store was available Friday for comment.

“I sure believe they can,” he said. “I think he’s created a great brand.”

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

New Orleans police have obtained an arrest warrant for a woman in connection with Thursday’s death of well-known Pottsville businessman Patrick Murphy.

Police said the warrant charges Megan Hall, 25, of Mumford, Tennessee, with second-degree murder.

Murphy was killed inside the Empress Hotel in the 1300 block of Ursulines Avenue during the early morning hours on Thursday.

Police said that just before noon, officers of the First District responded to a call of an unclassified death at the hotel.

At the scene, police said, they learned hotel staff discovered a man lying on a bed unresponsive.

Murphy was pronounced dead at the scene and police said the investigation led the incident to be changed from an “unclassified death” to “homicide by cutting.”

Hall was initially sought as a person of interest for questioning in connection with the death, but as the investigation progressed detectives positively identified her as the “perpetrator” in the incident.

When contacted Friday, the New Orleans Police Department media office had no additional information, but said that as updates become available they are posted on the department’s internet news page.

Although police have not officially released Murphy’s identity, the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office said Thursday night that he was “in the system.”

Jason Melancon, media representative for the coroner’s office, on Friday confirmed Murphy’s identity and said the preliminary cause of death is “sharp force injuries.”

The manner of death has been ruled a homicide, he said.

According to The New Orleans Advocate newspaper, Murphy is seen on surveillance video entering the hotel with Hall around 2 a.m. Thursday.

The same video shows Hall leaving the hotel alone around 4 a.m.

The New Orleans Advocate reported that court records show Hall has a history of arrests on minor charges in New Orleans, Houston, Texas, and Nashville, Tennessee.

In 2012, she was arrested at the Sheraton Hotel on Canal Street in New Orleans on a misdemeanor prostitution charge where police said he offered to perform sex acts for $250.

In Shelby County, Tennessee, Hall had another prostitution arrest in 2012 and, in 2011, had arrests for theft and drug violations.

In 2015 and 2018, Hall was arrested on prostitution charges in Harris County, Texas, the newspaper reported.

Murphy was reportedly visiting New Orleans with his wife, Kim, but it was not known how he came to meet Hall or why the two ended up back at the hotel.

New Orleans police Detective Patrick Guidry and the homicide unit are continuing their investigation into the death and are seeking information as to Hall’s whereabouts.

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

State Rep. Mike Tobash has signed a petition against a proposed natural gas compressor station in Hegins Township, part of Williams’ Leidy South Expansion Project.

He’s also looked at alternative locations.

“I was able to get to meetings with the people from the pipeline to try and get them to put it on the mountain in Donaldson. They originally seemed open, and now this. I will continue to push, but when it comes to the application it is a federal issue,” Tobash, R-125, of Pottsville, said in an email Thursday.

Maps that Williams provided at an open house for the project on Feb. 19 showed the targeted site for the compressor station is on a 90-acre parcel between Deep Creek Road and Bridge Road in Hegins Township. The proposed compressor station would encompass about 10 acres for the facility itself and is centrally located along the pipeline route in the township, according to Christopher L. Stockton, a Williams spokesman. The station is part of a $500 million infrastructure investment to expand the existing Transco pipeline. Williams hopes to file an application for the project with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by this summer, Stockton said.

Bernard Spece, a Hegins Township resident, started the petition and an online forum called Hegins First. As of Thursday morning, there were 143 names on the petition, he said. People wanting to sign it can either send an email to heginsfirst@gmail.com or can comment directly on the Hegins First Facebook page to get their names added.

“I’m not totally surprised by Representative Tobash signing, because I believe he has ties to the Hegins Valley. Everyone out here is grateful for his support. No other legislators have signed, but Senator (David) Argall is involved with this issue,” Spece said.

A group of 25 citizens in the Pitman Valley issued a letter of concern against the compressor station in December, because Williams had previously proposed erecting the facility in neighboring Eldred Township.

Tobash, who grew up in Hegins Township, has been opposed to the compressor station location in both the Pitman and Hegins Valleys for several reasons. It will not offer positive economic impact, growth or job creation to the community, which it may have provided if in a different industrial area, he noted.

His office has received approximately 20 phone calls and emails on the topic.

Tobash had a prior commitment in Harrisburg on Feb. 19, so Matthew Stoneroad, Tobash’s district office manager, attended Williams’ open house in Valley View on his behalf.

Tobash had initiated meetings with officials from Williams. He, along with the Schuylkill Economic Development Corp., had suggested the Westwood/Tyr Energy site for the compressor station. Williams pushed back against this location, citing issues yielded from their field studies and surveys, Tobash said.

From Tobash’s understanding of the current application process with Williams, the company is still in a pre-filing stage. Therefore, they must host further public meetings to address questions and concerns on the project before they submit their application with the FERC. Since FERC is a federal agency, Tobash’s office has been sharing the constituent concerns he receives with Congressman Dan Meuser’s office.

Tobash was not aware of any other legislators who had added their names to the petition and, at this point, does not believe there are any others who have done so.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

The region’s newest congressmen wants New York City’s loss to become Northeast Pennsylvania’s gain by trying to lure online retail giant Amazon to build its second headquarters here.

U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser has asked Amazon to come to his 9th District, which includes Schuylkill County, because it is the “geographic keystone of highway and rail transportation” between New York and New England.

“We offer immediate and cost-effective advantages for a global distribution company seeking efficient and affordable access to critical transportation networks,” Meuser wrote in a letter to Amazon’s CEO Jeffrey Bezos.

Meuser, R-Dallas, cited Interstates 80 and 81, along with Interstate 78, which links Allentown and the state’s capital of Harrisburg. Additionally the Pennsylvania Turnpike, or Interstate 476, runs through the 9th District to Philadelphia, Meuser noted.

The congressman wrote that Amazon “already knows the logistical advantages of the region” by operating a distribution center in Hazle Township.

Amazon, based in Seattle, recently backed out of bringing its second headquarters to Queens, New York, after push back from local officials, including Meuser’s fellow freshman U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat who represents parts of Queens and the Bronx.

Meuser said residents and elected officials from Northeast Pennsylvania would welcome the $2.5 billion Amazon plans to spend building the headquarters and the 25,000 jobs it will create. Another second headquarters is planned for Arlington, Virginia.

Penn’s Northeast, a regional economic development agency, previously made a 100-page proposal for Amazon to come to the area. It was one of about 240 proposals from around the country that Amazon received.

In his letter, Meuser noted his district — which also includes all or parts of Berks, Carbon, Columbia, Lebanon, Montour, Northumberland and Schuylkill counties — is a two-hour drive between New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

About 60 percent of the nation’s population lives within a 10-hour drive, Meuser wrote.

Meuser said the “backbone of the district is an educated, hard-working and world-class workforce.”

“Amazon would be fortunate to include more of our residents among its ranks,” Meuser said.

The area offers an attractive business climate as well, he said.

“Thanks to low energy costs, minimal red tape, effective community revitalization efforts and forward-thinking community leaders, our area would welcome the presence of a new, responsible employer committed to strengthening local economies,” Meuser wrote.

Contact the writer: bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2055

2 arrested with drugs, paraphernalia

McADOO — McAdoo police charged two people after a vehicle stop on North Kennedy Drive around 1:50 a.m. Feb. 4.

Police said officers stopped a vehicle for driving without lights and found a front seat passenger — Christine Oxner, 47, of Andreas — was wanted on warrants out of both Schuylkill and Carbon counties.

The woman was taken into custody and a search found her to be in possession of two hypodermic needles, six empty wax packets stamped “New World” that commonly contain heroin, four empty wax packets stamped “Safe” and a plastic bag containing two crystallized rocks of crystal methamphetamine.

The woman also had a silver spoon with white powder on it in her purse, police said.

In addition, police said, a back seat passenger — Xavier Gomez, 31, of Hazleton —pulled a glass pipe out of his pocket with burnt marijuana residue on that he said he used to smoke the drug.

Oxner was taken to Schuylkill County Prison on the warrants and will be charged with possession of a controlled substance and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, while Gomez will be charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Two men charged after traffic stop

McADOO — An investigation into an incident at 1:06 a.m. Dec. 30 has led to McAdoo police filing charges against two Reading men.

Police said officers stopped a vehicle for an equipment violation and found the driver, Jnahdel Corporan, 24, to have a suspended license. The vehicle also had the inspection sticker on a separate piece of glass that was lying on the front dash and a subsequent check revealed the sticker was not for the vehicle it was being displayed in.

Police said officers noticed a small amount of loose marijuana in the rear driver’s side door handle and Corporan or his passenger, Marisneyli Acevedo, would not admit ownership of the marijuana.

As a result, police said, Corporan was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana, violations of use of the Certificate of Inspection, driving without an inspection, driving under suspension and general lighting equipment, while Acevedo was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Man arrested on outstanding warrant

McADOO — A 21-year-old borough man was jailed after being picked up by McAdoo police Wednesday on an outstanding warrant.

Police said officers saw a man walking in an alleyway, recognized him as Zachary Brinson and knew he had an outstanding bench warrant out of Schuylkill County for failure to appear on charges of criminal mischief.

Brinson was taken into custody without incident and lodged in Schuylkill County Prison on the warrant.

Man charged for retail theft

McADOO — McAdoo police charged a borough man with retail theft after an incident at Fegley’s Mini Mart around 7 p.m. Feb. 13.

Police said a store employee noticed a man, later identified as Nicholas Caputo, 38, take a box of Tostino’s Pizza Rolls, open the box and start eating them while inside the store.

The man finished the food, threw the box away and then purchased items but never paid the $1.89 for the pizza rolls, police said.

Caputo will now have to answer before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua.

Man charged after parking incident

WILLIAMSTOWN — A Williamstown man was charged by state police at Lykens with criminal mischief after an incident at 506 W. Market St. in Williams Township, Dauphin County, around 1 p.m. Feb. 15.

Police said Thomas Dauberman, 35, of Williamstown, attempted to park his vehicle in a parking spot along a street but Josef Twist, 22, also of Williamstown, stood in the space blocking him.

When Dauberman blew the horn on his vehicle, Twist punched the hood of the vehicle, causing minor damage, police said.

8 businesses cited for liquor violations

ALLENTOWN — Eight Schuylkill County businesses were cited by the state police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement for various violations of the state Liquor Law.

· Shenandoah Pit Stop LLC, 415 S. Main St., Shenandoah; selling or furnishing alcohol to a minor on Dec. 15.

· Behm’s Family Restaurant, 37 Branch St., Route 125, Tremont; failure to comply with the order of the administrative law judge mandating responsible alcohol management certification between Dec. 10 and Jan. 17.

· Mazz’s Corner Cafe, 64 N. Nice St., Frackville; selling or furnishing alcohol to a minor on Dec. 15.

· The Ski Lodge, 224 Oak St., East Norwegian Township; failure to notify the Liquor Control Board within 15 days of a change of manager.

· Machs Gut Beer Barn, 1468 Route 61 Highway, North Manheim Township; failure to comply with the order of the administrative law judge mandating responsible alcohol management certification between Oct. 17 and Jan. 6.

· Flat Rock Realty LLC, 601 W. Centre St., Shenandoah; selling or furnishing alcohol to a minor on Dec. 15.

· Sarge’s Soups and Sandwiches Inc., 538 N. Centre St., Pottsville; failure to display documentary evidence that the premises meets all sanitary requirements; failure to constantly and conspicuously expose the liquor license under a transparent substance; failure to maintain complete and truthful records for a two-year period; and, failure to post signage required by the Clean Indoor Air Act.

· Curran Hotel, 155 Sunbury St., Minersville; failure to notify the board within 15 days of a change of officers, directors or stockholders, failure to clean malt or beverage dispensing system faucets every seven days; and failure to notify the board within 15 days of a change of manager.

The charges will be brought before an administrative law judge who can impose fines between $50 and $1,000 for minor offenses and up to $5,000 for more serious offenses.

The judge can also impose a license suspension or revocation based on the severity of the charges as well as mandate training for the licensee in an effort to educate them on their requirements under the Liquor Law.

Anthony J. Kilker

SHENANDOAH — A former Girardville woman accused of a theft in Mahanoy Township in July 2017 had charges against her held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.

Jennifer Hilbert, 43, formerly of 475 W. Mahanoy Ave., and currently residing at 5128 Lincoln Highway, Gap, was arrested by Mahanoy City police Patrolman Rachael Lenar and charged with forgery, access device counterfeit or altered, theft, identity theft and bad checks.

Kilker determined the commonwealth proved a prima facie case and ordered all five charges against Hilbert held for Schuylkill County Court.

Lenar charged Hilbert with stealing a check owned by Susan Kennedy in the amount of $545 from her home while Hilbert was staying there with her husband.

Hilbert was able to cash the check in Reading, but Lenar said that Kennedy was able to have her bank stop the payment when she learned of the theft.

Other court action included:

Thomas R. Lardani, 77, of 115 W. Coal St., Frackville; dismissed: possession of a firearm with an altered manufacturer’s number.

Benjamin F. Vadiz, 48, of 43 Lost Creek Road, Box 39, Lost Creek; withdrawn: loitering and prowling at night. Waived for court: disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and flight to avoid apprehension, trial or punishment.

David D. McBride, 33, no fixed address, homeless; held for court: defiant trespass.

Michael T. Dower, 23, of 72 Park Place Road, Mahanoy City; withdrawn: theft and receiving stolen property. Waived for court: unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Dale J. Dye, 18, of 116 Main Blvd., Ringtown; waived for court: violating sound levels, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

William W. Murphy, 28, of 760 Liberty St., Orwigsburg; withdrawn: simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment.

David Loughlin, 30, of 500 Park St., Apt. 4, Ashland; withdrawn: simple assault and harassment.

Joseph A. Curto, 48, of 5 Gibbs Road, Amityville, NY; waived for court; DUI, DUI-highest rate, disregard for single traffic lane, careless driving and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Brenda Bloss, 45, of 129 N. White St., Shenandoah; withdrawn: burglary and criminal trespass. Waived for court: resisting arrest.

Brandon J. Piekarsky, 27, of 189 Pennsylvania Ave., Shenandoah; withdrawn: DUI-highest rate. Waived for court: DUI, disregard for single traffic lane and driving at an unsafe speed.

Natasha Meriwether, 34, of 17 N. Emerick St., Shenandoah; withdrawn and moved to a citation: disorderly conduct.

Francisco C. Magos, 32, of 10 Main St., Gilberton; withdrawn: possession of drug paraphernalia and restrictions on alcoholic beverages. Magos entered guilty pleas on charges of possession of a controlled substance, improper display of plate and driving without a license.

David A. Plachko

PORT CARBON — A Pottsville man charged with assaulting a woman in New Philadelphia on Jan. 12 waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko.

Brent William Herb, 31, of 518 Pierce St., was arrested by state police Trooper Michael Pahira of the Frackville station and charged with one count each of strangulation, simple assault and harassment.

By waiving his right to a hearing, Herb will now have to answer to all three charges against him in Schuylkill County Court.

Pahira charged Herb with an incident 38 Clay St., Apt. B, where he became involved in an argument with a woman over having her vehicle for several hours.

Herb became highly agitated and struck the woman in the face with a closed fist and then stopped her from getting away and grabbed her by the throat, temporarily stopping her breathing.

Other court cases included:

Robert J. Matlock Jr., 42, of 87 Wiggan St., New Philadelphia; waived for court: resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Charles R. Frantz, 52, of 166 Schaeffer Hill, Pottsville; withdrawn: theft from a motor vehicle, harassment and criminal mischief.

Morris S. Brill, 76, of 17 Yorktowne Road, Pottsville; dismissed: possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nicholas Lagola, 52, of 321 Penn St., Minersville; held for court: driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, no headlights, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Heather M. Wehr, 36, of 657 Pine Hill St., Minersville; held for court: theft, receiving stolen property and access device unauthorized by the issuer.

Brandy L. Lawrence, 34, of 412 Market St., Sunbury; held for court: retail theft.

John T. Cheeseman, 32, of 210 W. Biddle St., Ashland; waived for court: possession of a firearm prohibited and hunting without securing a license.

Lorie Lee Kauffman, 33, of 314 New Castle St., Apt. B, Minersville; waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Amanda Ann Walters, 32, of 171 Main St., Tremont; waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Robert R. Michael, 28, of 542 E. Market St., Pottsville; held for court: theft.

Joanne S. Noble, 41, of 150 Union St., Apt. D, Millersburg; waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communications facility, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Emiltza T. Polanco Dominguez, 44, of 611 Harrison St., Pottsville; waived for court: retail theft.

Stephen J. Bayer

TAMAQUA — A Tamaqua woman charged with assaulting a man with a machete on Jan. 28 waived her right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer.

Jennifer M. Hosier, 42, of 231 Schuylkill Ave., was arrested by Tamaqua police Patrolman Michael Weaver and charged with two counts each of aggravated assault and simple assault and one count each of terroristic threats and recklessly endangering another person.

By waiving her right to a hearing, Hosier will now have to answer to all six charges against her in Schuylkill County Court.

Weaver said he was called to 233 Schuylkill Ave. for a report of a disturbance and once there, found Hosier on her front porch screaming and waving a machete.

Hosier was taken into custody and the investigation determined she was outside of her house screaming at people, saying she was going to kill them and hitting a porch railing with the machete.

During the incident, Weaver said, Hosier struck Edward Barrett in the upper part of his left arm with the machete.

Other court cases included:

Viorel Onea, 49, of 249 W. Rowe St., Tamaqua; waived for court: stalking and criminal mischief.

James Nalesnik, 41, of 413 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City; waived for court: theft, theft of secondary metal, receiving stolen property, damaging railroad property, defiant trespass on posted property, disorderly conduct and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Domitilo E. Zavala, 27, of 6 N. Kennedy Drive, Apt. 2, McAdoo; waived for court: simple assault and harassment.

Christopher M. Lower, 39, of 225 Water St., Lansford; waived for court: stalking, harassment and intimidation of a witness or victim.

Daniel A. Clemente, 25, of 107 S. Jerome St., Apt. 7, Allentown; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving an unregistered vehicle and driving a vehicle without a valid inspection.

Gino Rivera, 26, of 123 W. Blaine St., Suite 2F, McAdoo; waived for court: DUI and exceeding the speed limit in a residential district.

Michael J. Merenda, 33, of 722 S. Tamaqua St., McAdoo; waived for court: defiant trespass, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Matthew L. Ketchledge, 32, of 126 Gay St., Tamaqua; waived for court: theft, receiving stolen property, access device issued to another person and access devise not authorized by the issuer.

Chastity Yatsko, 27, of 1337 Valley Road, Tamaqua; waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct and retail theft.

Joseph Senese, 38, of 437 Highland Ave., Trucksville; held for court: deceptive business practices, theft by deception and receiving advance payment for services and failing to provide those services.

James C. Tringone Jr., 37, of 420 Nice St., Frackville; waived for court: terroristic threats, harassment and simple assault.

Lucas E. Mika, 20, of 437 Lafayette Ave., Palmerton; waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.

Crystal M. Davies, 47, of 257 Millers Road, Zion Grove; dismissed: harassment. Held for court: harassment.

Patricia Brode, 44, of 210 Hunter St., Tamaqua; waived for court: endangering the welfare of children.

Christopher J. Serina, 38, of 213 E. Broad St., Apt. 4R, Tamaqua; waived for court: defiant trespass, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kristopher Bachman, 29, of 3019A Route 309, Orefield; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, no headlights, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Winefred De Pena Rodriguez, 24, of 565 Lincoln St., Hazleton; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance and operation or permitting operation with unsafe equipment.

Ashley Lynn Miller, 31, of 205 Chestnut St., Tuscarora; waived for court: failure to wear safety belts, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

John B. Roman, 27, of 1132 Buttonwood St., Reading; waived for court; theft, receiving stolen property and corruption of minors.

Tammy L. Fisher, 44, of 344 Ridge Terrace, Coaldale; waived for court: simple assault, endangering the welfare of children and harassment.

Joseph B. Frantz, 31, of 114 N. Main St., MaryD; held for court: retail theft and resisting arrest.

Lester W. Dietrich, 47, of 33 Swatara St., Tamaqua; waived for court: criminal trespass and making repairs to or selling offensive weapons.

Francheska Lamanna, 24, of 143 E. Grant St., McAdoo; waived for court: simple assault, harassment and institutional vandalism.

(Staff writer Frank Andruscavage compiled this report.)

HEGINS — The Tri-Valley school board learned Wednesday of opportunities available to students in the YES program.

The Your Employability Skills northeast certificate program is a one-credit, 120-hour, yearlong elective course targeting high school seniors.

Courtney Fasnacht, executive director, and Matt Shuey, communications and program director, from the Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers Employers Council Inc, Pottsville, presented details on YES during the board’s committee of the whole meeting.

Fasnacht said there is a one-time $5,000 initial fee for the YES curriculum and any updates; and a $2,500 annual fee. Several districts have received corporate sponsorships to run their program. School board director Diane Dietrich said local businesses have shown interest in sponsoring the YES curriculum at Tri-Valley, if it were offered.

In addition to enhancing basic job skills, students in YES participate in mock interviews, hear industry speakers and are able to tour up to four businesses to gain first-hand experience on how industries function.

Students can become YES certified if they meet several requirements, including completing the 120-hour coursework, earn a high school diploma, have 95 percent attendance, successfully pass a six-panel drug screening and achieve acceptable scoring on the Test of Adult Basic Education and Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test.

Penn State University also offers YES graduates a one-time scholarship of up to $1,000 at its Schuylkill and Hazleton campuses; and certified YES students are recognized as preferred applicants by employers, Fasnacht said.

Currently, Tri-Valley is the only public school in Schuylkill County that does not offer YES The district does offer an alternative, employment search skills course to its students, according to Superintendent Mark D. Snyder.

The board will consider its course offerings, but took no formal action Wednesday.

Much of the committee meeting focused on a presentation by current senior Jimmy Dietrich, son of Diane Dietrich and his father, Mark. They discussed the option of allowing Tri-Valley students to receive credit from Tri-Valley for elective courses, as well as university credit, if those courses were taken online from an approved college or university. Since Jimmy was already set to graduate, he said the board’s decision would no longer affect him, but he was interested in providing educational options for future students.

The district’s administration approached the option with caution, while not wanting to discourage students from taking more challenging courses. Conditions to consider included how the credits could affect class rank, and if that would be fair, since not all students would be economically able to afford taking the college courses, according to Snyder.

“Is the district going to accept any post-secondary credit as a Tri-Valley credit? It comes at a price,” Snyder said.

The courses would also have to be listed in the district’s course selection book, and establishing details of what colleges may be offering this early in the year for the fall term may be difficult to nail down, according to Snyder.

“That’s going to open up a huge can of worms ... who’s going to decide if this meets the (educational) requirements?” High School Principal Charles W. Hall said.

A few board directors made it clear that the discussion about the college courses was in no way a reflection of the teaching quality of its current staff members, which they noted was commendable.

Following the committee of the whole meeting in the high school library, the board entered into a brief executive session to discuss legal and personnel matters, and re-convened for the regular board meeting in the cafeteria.

Hall and the board recognized several high school students for their achievements. Among them were: 2018-19 scholar athletes, Caitlin Weaver, James Dietrich, Nicholas Ziegmont and Emily McCormick; Paige Mitchell, third place winner in the It Can Wait Campaign essay contest; James Dietrich, rotary student of the month; Mikenna Mattis, Lions Club student of the month; and FFA Keystone degree recipients, Stone Clouser, Hunter Knorr and James Dietrich.

Several Tri-Valley students who placed in the Skills USA District 6 competition were honored: Nickolas Grose, First place, automobile maintenance and light repair; Matthew Rickert, First place, masonry; Ashley Maroldt, Second place, customer service; and Kelsey Rice, Second place, employment application process. Grose and Rickert move on to state competition in Hershey.

In other action, the board approved:

• Retroactively ratifying the district’s participation in the football scheduling agreement between the Schuylklill League and the Colonial League beginning with the 2020-21 season, and subsequent withdrawal from the Tri-Valley League.

• A contract with Dauphin DataCom for wireless access point hardware, installation services, and any necessary upgrades/configuration to existing wireless controllers at the Hegins-Hubley and Mahantongo elementary schools for $31,865.27. This contract will be partially funded by Category 2 Federal FCC Erate funds.

• A contract with ePlus Technology for a network core switch, related accessories and a three-year maintenance agreement that will serve the three school buildings in the district for $7,839.45. This contract will also be partially funded by the Category 2 Federal FCC Erate funds.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Ashland

The Barry Township supervisors will host one of the File of Life magnetic give-away programs sponsored by the Hegins-Valley View Rotary Club with several regional fire departments and EMS crews. The event is set for 7 p.m. Thursday at the Barry Township Community Center, formerly the Weishample Grange, 868 Deep Creek Road. The File for Life is a bright red magnetic plastic pocket that attaches to the refrigerator and contains vital medical information about the home’s residence, according to a release from Kate Hendricks, township secretary/treasurer.

Cressona

A Hoss’ Community Night Out to benefit the Schuylkill County Fair will be held March 21 at Hoss’ Steak and Sea House off Route 61 near Schuylkill Haven. People are invited to dine at the restaurant and a portion of the proceeds will go to the fair. For tickets or more information, call 570-739-2627. For more information about the fair, visit the fair website at www.schuylkillfair.com.

Frackville

The Frackville Free Public Library recently acknowledged the following memorials: For Raymond Norwich from John and Dorothy Teijaro; for Lorraine Stanton from Frackville Ministerium and Carol and David Bowen; for Richard Hopkins from Frackville Ministerium and Carol and David Bowen; for John Bova, Anna Maliniak and Robert Wetzel from the Frackville Ministerium.

Frackville

A community prayer blitz is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Living Waters Church of God, 155 S. Balliet St. It is free and all are welcome. For information, call 570-622-3587.

Girardville

Rangers Hose Company will have a gift card bingo at 2 p.m. Sunday at the firehouse. Doors will open at noon. Admission is $25 at the door. For more information, call 570-276-6922, 570-276-1009 or 570-276-1358. The company will also have a wing night on March 9. To order or for more information, call 570-276-1406.

Pottsville

The Schuylkill County Visitor’s Bureau has created a survey as part of the process in “creating and enhancing the image of Schuylkill County.” The purpose of the survey, according to a bureau release, is to gather information that “aids in the development of a brand that builds value for and showcases Schuylkill County’s authenticity as a destination.” The survey takes about five minutes and can be completed online at www.schuylkill.org or on the bureau’s Facebook page. Anyone who completes the survey and provides an email address can be entered into a drawing for a $200 gift card, courtesy of the bureau. The survey will be available until June 30.

Pottsville

Master Gardener Kitty Murray will make a presentation at the Pottsville Free Public Library at 6 p.m. March 14 regarding the spotted lanternfly. “This is a subject gardeners and homeowners need to learn about to help Penn State Extension track this destructive pest that has been spotted in Schuylkill County,” organizers said in a release. More information is available on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/523312518177398. In April, Master Gardener Tom Reed will talk at the library about composting and in May, Master Gardener Sue Laubach will talk about making herbal vinegars. Both presentations will be at 6 p.m. the second Thursday of the month. For more information, call 570-622-8880, Ext. 11.

Ringtown

ROCK --- Ringtown Organization of Christian Kids --- will sponsor breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 8 to 11 a.m. April 13 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, West Main Street. The cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children under 10. Proceeds will benefit the ROCK Youth Group. It will include a free picture with the Easter Bunny. For more information, email to toslar211@hotmail.com.

William Penn

The William Penn Fire Company, Mount Olive Boulevard (Route 54 just west of Shenandoah), is having another “Almost Armondo’s” advance-order-only unbaked pizza sale with pickups set for after 3 p.m. March 15. The order deadline is March 11. The cost is $10 for plain, $12 for pepperoni, 75 cents for hot sauce. No walk-ins or deliveries. To order, call 570-462-0338 or 570-590-4397.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — The mother of a toddler diagnosed with leukemia called Schuylkill Haven Area Middle School students “everyday heroes” Friday.

Megan Horan, whose 3-year-old daughter, Mina Rose Horan, is undergoing chemotherapy treatment, addressed student philanthropists who staged the middle school’s third annual Mini-THON.

The event raised approximately $28,360, easily surpassing last year’s $19,000 effort, according to Nancy Geiger, student council adviser and THON co-adviser.

“Our family is thankful for everyday heroes like you,” Horan said. “It shows us how caring people can be. I charge you to be bold in your endeavors and know you are making a difference,” Horan, of Schuylkill Haven, said. Horan’s son, Jackson Brennan, a fifth-grader, introduced the crowd to his little sister, Mina, a “Four Diamonds kid,” as Horan held her other daughter, Melaina Horan, 1.

All money raised at the Mini-THON assists families dealing with pediatric cancer and aids cancer research.

“I’ve learned that a group of people can make a difference,” Nora Stoyer, 13, student council president, said. “We can put others before ourselves, and we can save someone’s life. We want to help a family be safe and be able to focus on their child,” Stoyer, a Schuylkill Haven Area seventh-grader, said.

Heidi Bauer, also a seventh-grader and student council vice president, said the fundraising is ongoing throughout the year. She said THON has been a very student involved activity.

“It’s not just about raising money. We can contribute to finding a cure for cancer. I’m proud of all of us,” Bauer, 13, of Schuylkill Haven, said.

The gym was filled with students donning SHAMS’ “Wipe Out Cancer” T-shirts in beachy hues that carried this year’s surfing theme. The school hosted Polynesian-style dancers, and hung surfing-themed decorations, including student-designed surfboards and a balloon wave. Disc jockey T.J. Fitzpatrick provided musical entertainment as the students played games in the gym. Then they quieted and gathered to hear Horan’s message.

Mina has acute lymphoblastic leukemia Type B, a pediatric cancer with a higher survival rate but a much longer treatment period of 2 1/2 years, her mother said. It affects her immune system. Mina had ear and lung infections, spiking fevers, bruising and rashes on her legs, and was very tired and sleepy.

She initially was treated at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She now receives treatment at home, and at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center every four weeks via a chest catheter and every 12 weeks via a spinal tap. Mina’s nurse at CHOP was actually a Schuylkill Haven graduate who had been treated for lymphoma, Horan said.

There are 285 students at SHAMS in grades 5 through 7. About 170 of them participated in THON. The effort was extended to include eighth-graders, too, Matthew Buletza, SHAMS principal said. The goal was to raise $20,000 this year.

Buletza agreed to get an ear pierced with the four diamond symbol and wear it for the month of March if students reached their goal, according to teacher Tricia Sanchez, who was in charge of promotion. In December, the principal kissed a pig, keeping his promise to do so, if at least 150 THON participants signed up. Students invented creative ways to generate revenue from hot chocolate and snow cone sales to a quidditch tournament. A “Stall Day” held Feb. 22 raised $966, Buletza said. Students brought in spare change and “stalled” the start of class for up to 15-minutes each period, while teachers counted their donations, he said.

Pam Leymeister, THON co-adviser, and physical education and health teacher, said everyone worked hard. “We’re shocked. This is an incredible amount of money,” she said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007