POTTSVILLE — A city man was jailed after getting into an argument with a woman and then threatening to burn down a house while holding his 3-year-old daughter Sunday afternoon.

Pottsville Police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky said the incident that led to the arrest of Darrell Morrison, 29, began when officers were called to 436 E. Market St. around 3:50 p.m. for a report of a woman in the street screaming for police.

The chief said officers spoke to the woman, 38, who said Morrison was in the home and kept screaming that he was going to burn down the house.

Morrison was quickly found in the back yard of the home and taken into custody without incident, Wojciechowsky said.

The chief said the woman reported she and Morrison had been involved in a verbal argument during which Morrison grabbed her by the neck, threw her up against a wall and punched her multiple times in the face while saying that he was going to kill her.

The woman went on to say that she was experiencing severe pain due to the attack and tried to run from Morrison, but he grabbed her and placed her in a choke hold to the degree that it cut off her airway and almost caused her to lose consciousness, Wojciechowsky said, adding that Morrison continued to threaten to kill the woman.

When the woman was able to break free from Morrison, she picked up her 3-year-old son and attempted to run out the back door.

Wojciechowsky said that, while the woman was trying to leave, she grabbed her phone and tried to dial 911, but Morrison grabbed her by the throat again blocking her airway and did not let go until she agreed to not call authorities.

Morrison then broke two cellphones so the woman could not call for help and grabbed his 3-year-old daughter, picked her up, and carried her into the kitchen, saying that he was going to burn the house down, Wojciechowsky said.

The chief said Morrison picked up a shower curtain that was in the kitchen, placed it on the stove and turned on the burner in order to set it on fire. The woman, Wojciechowsky said, also said Morrison also tried to light a towel on fire.

At the scene, officers saw evidence of burnt plastic from the shower curtain and a burnt towel on the stove and kitchen floor.

While in custody, Morrison told Patrolman Braden Jones that he attempted to burn the house down, because “she (the victim) ruined all of my stuff, so I was going to ruin all of her stuff.”

As a result of the incident, Jones charged Morrison with arson, recklessly endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated assault, simple assault, strangulation and recklessly endangering another person.

He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge David Rossi, Tremont, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $100,000 straight cash bail.

Morrison will now have to answer to the charges at a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley in his Pottsville courtroom at a later date.

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

POTTSVILLE — Two separate summary trials resulted in two different verdicts Thursday in Schuylkill County Court.

In the one case, Judge James P. Goodman found Tristan J. Omlor, 22, of Donaldson, guilty of confining a dog with in his premises, Goodman sentenced Omlor to pay costs and a $100 fine.

Tremont police had charged Omlor with improperly confining the dog on Jan. 23. Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi, Tremont, found Omlor guilty on March 11, but the defendant had appealed that decision on April 8.

In the second case, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin found Vincent Uglialoro, 35, of Pine Grove, not guilty of harassment.

State police at Schuylkill Haven had charged Uglialoro with committing the offense on July 1, 2017. Rossi had found Uglialoro guilty on May 13, but the defendant appealed that ruling on May 15.

Also in the county court, Charlotte P. Fleming, 67, of Pine Grove, pleaded guilty to retail theft.

President Judge William E. baldwin accepted her plea, placed Fleming on probation for 12 months and also sentenced Fleming to pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $64.92 restitution to Goodwill, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

State police at Schuylkill Haven charged Fleming with stealing items from the Goodwill thrift store in Cressona Mall in North Manheim Township on Feb. 3, 2018.

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

VALLEY VIEW — The Hegins-Hubley Authority on Monday approved design firms for its joint wastewater treatment and collection system, as well as a 2019-20 budget that includes a pay increase for all authority employees.

Chairman Clark Romberger said the board selected Arro Consulting for the design of the wastewater treatment plant; and the engineering firm of Spotts, Stevens and McCoy for the design of the sewage collection system.

Director Debra Martz was absent, and director Thomas Miller attended via phone conference.

As far as funding for the joint project between Hegins and Hubley townships, the authority is still awaiting the final resolution from both townships on the guarantee of Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority loan funds.

In other business, the board approved a 2019-20 budget with operating revenues of $592,100 with no rate increases for customers. Authority Manager Demetrius Kasmari said the budget was about $29,000 more in revenue than last year, based on FEMA reimbursement and anticipated income from an impending timber sale.

Anticipated expenses are $267,500, which are down about $9,400 from this year. Those decreases are due to less costs for pumping and chemicals, based on the high volume of rainfall and lack of pumping needed and on the leaks that were detected and repaired in the system.

The budget includes a 2.5 percent pay increase for all authority employees.

In other action, the board approved:

• Frederick Ebert’s engineering report. Ebert and representatives from the authority and townships met with the state Department of Environmental Protection earlier this month to discuss if phasing-in the joint sewage plan would be possible. The phasing-in would assist with securing grant funding. They’re still awaiting DEP’s decision, Ebert said. He announced DEP is allowing the authority to reduce the size of the wastewater treatment plant from 600,000 gallons to 450,000 gallons.

• The 2018 annual drinking water report, which showed no violations, according to Kasmari. The water the authority provides meets or exceeds the standards set by the Safe Drinking Water Act. Information from the report will be sent to customers in their next billing and on the authority’s website.

• A quote from Optimum Controls Corp. for $3,901 for an automatic alert upgrade to the water system.

• Allowing the authority manager to enter into contracts for repairs or capital improvements, not to exceed $5,000, at the manager’s discretion. The manager would be required to report any itemized purchases at the next board meeting.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — A man from the Harrisburg area suffered “critical injuries” when the motorcycle he was driving crashed into a small creek in Butler Township on Sunday afternoon.

The man lay in the creek near his Kawasaki until he was found 24 hours later, around 4:40 p.m. Monday, by a passerby.

Butler Township police Lt. Daniel Holderman said his investigation determined that Dalton Gross, 25, was driving along Malones Road on Sunday and called a family member around 4 p.m.

Holderman said that for some reason, Gross drove off of the road and crashed his motorcycle into the creek, where he and the vehicle remained until being found Monday.

The lieutenant said he wasn’t sure of the extent of Gross’ injuries, but that he wasn’t able to climb back up to the road. Holderman was told that Gross was found near his motorcycle.

The lieutenant said a review of Gross’ cellphone revealed he was in the area of the accident when he made the call to family, and it’s believed the crash happened shortly thereafter.

Holderman said EMS personnel wanted to fly Gross to a trauma center, but a medical helicopter that was summoned was forced to cancel due to weather conditions.

He said Gross was taken to a Pottsville hospital for treatment and is expected to be flown to a trauma center as soon as weather permits.

Holderman said Gross’ injuries may have been compounded by his 24 hours in the creek.

Firefighters from Butler Township and Gordon assisted.

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

Man misidentified

Sonny Fenstermacher made a hole-in-one at the 28th annual St. Joseph Center for Special Learning Gold Classic on May 17 at Mountain Valley Golf Course. He was incorrectly identified in a submitted photo that appeared in Monday’s edition.

POTTSVILLE — Six households signed up for smoke alarms during the Public Safety Night Out at the lower level of Martz Hall on Monday, but that’s not bad news.

Pottsville Fire Chief James E. Misstishin Sr. sounded surprised when he learned the number but said the effort by the city fire department and Tri-County Chapter of the American Red Cross to install smoke alarms in Pottsville and surrounding areas is paying off.

“I think it has a lot with what we’ve done already,” Misstishin said.

County residents could request the smoke alarms as part of the Public Safety Night Out that was held from 6 to 8 p.m. and had apparatus from all seven fire companies from the Pottsville Fire Department, Pottsville police, the Minersville Fire Department, Schuylkill EMS, the Schuylkill Haven Dive Rescue and Recovery Team, Schuylkill County Sheriff’s office and construction equipment. Jack the Truck, which is Mack Trucks’ project truck was also on display. Those attending could go through a fire safety house that simulates smoke conditions in a building. The Pottsville Fire Department, Pottsville police and Schuylkill EMS organized the event.

A tragic house fire on Mother’s Day 2013 at 235 Pierce St. in the city was the catalyst for the event. Six people died, four of them children. The home did not have working smoke detectors.

“It’s a great night. It was a hard night back in 2013 when we lost the kids and the two adults,” Misstishin said.

The Sound the Alarm program by the Red Cross was brought to the city last year where the Red Cross provided the smoke alarms, and city firefighters and Red Cross volunteers installed them free of charge. Misstishin said more than 1,200 smoke alarms were installed since June 2018.

Misstishin believes there are city residents who have not requested smoke alarms in the city but could use them.

Misstishin said Pottsville and Mechanicsville residents in need of a smoke alarm can call him at 570-622-1234, Ext. 335. Those outside the program area who want smoke alarms can call 800-RED-CROSS.

Patty Daley, lead responder with the Tri-County Chapter of the American Red Cross, and other volunteers provided life-saving summer tips, such as pool safety, and the smoke alarm registration.

Marlene Rowe, Pottsville, had smoke alarms installed by the fire department and Red Cross and is thankful.

Rowe said the Public Safety Night Out is one more people should attend to learn about fire safety. She knew about the Pierce Street house fire and said she doesn’t want anyone to die in a fire because they didn’t have working smoke alarms.

“That’s just avoidable,” she said.

Suzanne Molin, 52, of Pottsville, signed up for the smoke alarms. She has them, but more are probably needed. She pointed to grandchildren, Skyler Molin, 5, and Evan Molin, 2, who live with her as to why she did it. Her husband, John Molin, and their son, John William Molin, 29, also live with her.

“I don’t want them to be afraid with the police and the fire companies,” she said.

The fire safety house was a big hit with children.

Seth Seibert, 10, of Cressona, said it was “pretty cool.”

He attended with his brother, Kole Seibert, 7, and mom, Melissa Sheridan, 29.

CJ Rushannon, a firefighter with the Phoenix Fire Company, Pottsville, and Rainbow Hose Fire Company, No. 1, Schuylkill Haven, said if firefighters have to respond to a fire and someone is inside, the occupants should not hide, because it makes their jobs harder.

Emergency apparatus wasn’t the only equipment people could see. A project truck from Mack was there. The vehicle was built October 2015 in Lehigh Valley. The engine was built in Maryland. Among other specifications, it has an 800-cubic-inch turbo diesel engine, 46-inch tires and custom wheels, 8-inch dual exhaust and weighs 19,000 pounds. The vehicle is named in honor of one of Mack Trucks founders, John (Jack) M. Mack, according to information available at the event.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

POTTSVILLE — Local residents have a new place to go for medical care.

The first Geisinger Careworks in Schuylkill County, located inside the Geisinger Pottsville Clinic at 529 Terry Reiley Way, opens today.

The facility will be staffed to treat nonemergency conditions such as “lumps, bumps and lacerations,” said Michelle Claycomb, operations manager for Careworks in the Central Region. Treatment can be provided for those age 1 and older.

“We saw a need for providing these emergent services in Schuylkill County,” said Marc Stempka, media relations specialist with Geisinger.

There are 22 other Geisinger Careworks locations in Central and Northeast Pennsylvania.

“Each location can be a little different,” Stempka said.

The Pottsville location has five exam rooms and a lab.

When patients sign in, they can click a box on a monitor identifying if they are a walk-in patient or if they signed in online. A message will appear on the screen telling them someone will be with them briefly. Those who want to make a reservation online can do so by visiting mycareworks.com.

Staff will be on hand to provide care for colds, flu, insect bites, cuts, allergies, strains and other minor ailments. Routine physicals are also provided. Testing for flu and pregnancy, X-rays, EKG testing and laboratory services as part of the visit are also available.

A lab is also located in another section of the building, not part of Careworks, if more extensive testing is required. A pharmacy is also located in the building.

“We don’t turn anyone away,” Claycomb said.

An emergency room visit is recommended for those with more serious medical illnesses.

Hours set

The urgent care facility is open from 12:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Hours will expand later and include Sunday and Monday once the site is fully staffed. Physician assistants, radiology technician and licensed practical nurses will staff Geisinger Careworks.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

POTTSVILLE — Dr. Timothy G. Grube, D.O., marked a medical milestone Monday in the second floor operating room of Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street.

The Schuylkill County gynecologist performed his 1,000th robot-assisted surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System. His patient had a hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy, or surgical removal of both fallopian tubes.

“There’s easier post-operative recovery, less pain and it’s a better experience for the patient,” Grube said. His patients usually go home the same day of their robot-assisted surgery.

The da Vinci system provides 10 times the magnification that a typical laparoscopic procedure would, and its instruments are smaller and finer, allowing more precision, according to Grube.

Lynda Jakubco, a certified nurse anesthetist, was in the OR with Grube during his first da Vinci surgery and also was there for his 1,000th.

“It’s been my pleasure working with him,” Jakubco said Monday.

While Dr. Grube specializes in robotic surgeries for hysterectomies and surgical treatment for endometriosis, the da Vinci system can also be used for colon resections; hernia repairs; nephrectomies (kidney removal); prostatectomies (prostate removal); thoracic surgery; ear, nose and throat diseases; and general surgery.

Hysterectomies can take 45 minutes to an hour and surgeries for endometriosis can take 20 minutes to up to an hour and a half, depending on the severity of the disease, he said.

Doctor still in control

Although it’s called robot-assisted surgery, it’s the doctor who’s controlling the robot during the surgical procedure. The robot does not work independently.

Grube demonstrated Monday how he sits at the da Vinci console within the OR. He peers into the lens magnification and uses both hands at the arm manipulators. When he squeezes the manipulators with his fingers, it directs the robot’s movements. As many as four robot arms can work on the patient.

Under the da Vinci system, two floor pedals are also controlled by the doctor. One of the pedals positions the camera; the other pedal controls the power to cauterize, or burn, tissue to reduce bleeding.

Grube was trained to use the da Vinci system in Hartford, Connecticut, and Cincinnati, Ohio. The system has a simulator where doctors can work on skilled techniques and complete ongoing training.

Other surgeons using robot

Since the da Vinci system was established in May 2013 at the hospital, LVH-Schuylkill surgeons have tended to nearly 2,500 cases — serving 2,453 patients with robot assistance. In addition to Grube, there are seven other surgeons who use the robot at LVH-Schuylkill.

The robot was initially used at the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill S. Jackson Street campus before being moved to the east facility about a year ago, according to M. Michael Peckman, LVH marketing and public affairs.

The former Schuylkill Health sponsored a countywide robot-naming contest in May 2014 for students in grades six through 12. Brianna Mickalowski of Saint Clair’s Trinity Academy submitted the winning name — “SAM,” Surgically Advanced Machine.

“This is a significant milestone for the Robotic Surgery Program here at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill. We congratulate Dr. Grube on his 1,000th robotic procedure,” Lawrence Riddles, M.D., regional chief medical officer of the LVH Network, said in a prepared release. “LVH-Schuylkill has the only surgical robot in all of Schuylkill County. It brings the latest technology to the residents of our community where they need it, close to home,” Grube offers services at Grube Gynecology, a member of Integrated Medical Group, and has offices in Frackville and on the Pottsville-Minersville Highway.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Clearfield, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Northern Centre, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, Somerset, Southern Centre, Union, and York.

Check back for updates and read Wednesday’s edition of The Republican-Herald.

POTTSVILLE — Kali Hile testified Monday to a Schuylkill County jury that she had no idea what was coming when she went to the Tamaqua house of her parents, Robert B. and Diane M. Bailey, in November 2017.

“He shoved me and my mom down the steps,” Hile said during the first day of Robert Bailey’s trial for allegedly killing his wife. “I reached down to help her up.”

However, Hile said she never got the chance to do so.

“My dad comes storming down the steps. He reached into his right (coat) pocket, and he pulled out a knife,” she told the jury. “She screamed, ‘Rob, what are you doing?’ He starts stabbing her over and over again.”

Robert Bailey sat without any apparent change of expression as his daughter testified on the first day of the trial, which is scheduled to resume at 9 a.m. today before Judge John E. Domalakes and the jury of seven women and five men.

Police have charged him with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, possessing instrument of crime, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and two counts of aggravated assault. If convicted of the most serious crime, first-degree murder, Robert Bailey will be sentenced with life in prison. Under Pennsylvania law, that sentence comes with no chance of parole.

Tamaqua police charged Robert Bailey with repeatedly stabbing Diane Bailey about 7:40 p.m. Nov. 26, 2017, outside their 235 Lafayette St. residence in the borough.

Hile, the first witness called by District Attorney Michael A. O’Pake, who is prosecuting the case with Assistant District Attorney McCall Young, said she knew her mother was in trouble.

“She wasn’t breathing,” she testified. “She was laying there. There was a lot of blood everywhere. Her neck was cut.”

“You realized at that point she was dead?” O’Pake asked her.

“Yes,” Hile answered.

When cross-examined by Assistant Public Defender Kent D. Watkins, Robert Bailey’s lawyer, Hile said her mother had used methamphetamine that day. Hile also said that while her mother had said in the past that she was afraid of her husband, she had not done so that day.

Tamaqua police Patrolman Corey Herring said the first call he received on the incident was for a domestic dispute, but that was quickly followed by the stabbing one.

“I observed the victim laying on the sidewalk. She was unresponsive. There were no signs of bleeding,” Herring said. “I saw a large amount of blood.”

Herring said that when taken to the office of Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon, for arraignment,” Robert Bailey admitted what he had done.

“‘I killed my wife. It doesn’t get much worse,’ ” were his words, Herring said.

West Penn Township Patrolman Anthony Houser testified that he caught Robert Bailey at Elm and Washington streets.

“He immediately put (up) his hand ... and said, ‘I’m the guy you’re looking for,’ ” Houser said.

“Anything unusual about his appearance?” O’Pake asked Houser.

“He was covered in blood,” Houser replied.

The other witnesses who testified were Amanda Daugherty, a Tamaqua EMS worker who testified about the scene, and county Deputy Coroner Andrew Szczyglak, who pronounced Diane Bailey dead.

Before testimony started, O’Pake, Young, Watkins and Robert Bailey spent approximately two hours selecting the jurors. Deputy Court Administrator John Richmond said the county summoned 110 people for jury duty for the case.

Also, O’Pake and Watkins each said guilty plea negotiations had been conducted and that an offer had been made. That offer was not revealed publicly and neither O’Pake nor Watkins would say what it was.

“Do you want to accept the plea?” Domalakes asked Robert Bailey.

“No,” the defendant answered.

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

The Dauphin County man who lay in a creek for some 24 hours after crashing his motorcycle Sunday near Fountain Springs is a motorcycle enthusiast who sets out for a ride whenever he has time, his boss said Tuesday.

David Tull, manager at Susquehanna Valley Harley Davidson in Harrisburg, where injured biker Dalton Gross is a parts and service worker, said there was no particular reason, that he knows of, that Gross ended up some 60 miles from his Linglestown home other than that is where his ride took him.

“The weather was nice and he was just out for an enjoyable ride,” Tull said.

Gross, 28, was listed in critical condition Tuesday at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, Allentown.

Discovered by passerby

Butler Township Police Lt. Daniel Holderman determined through cell phone records that Gross called a family member about 4 p.m. Sunday from the area of where he was discovered by a passerby about 4:40 p.m. Monday.

Gross and his red Kawasaki Ninja were found over an embankment in Little Mahanoy Creek off Malones Road not far from the North Schuylkill School District campus.

He was unable to get back to the road because of his injuries, Holderman said. It is not known why Gross crashed.

He was treated at the scene by EMS personnel and taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill East Norwegian Street, Pottsville, for further treatment. He was then flown to the Lehigh Valley facility in a MedEvac helicopter. A spokesperson at Lehigh Valley said Tuesday that Gross is listed in critical condition.

Emergency personnel wanted to fly Gross to the trauma center from the scene Monday but air medical helicopters were grounded until later due to the weather.

‘Terrific’ worker

On Gross’ Facebook page, he says he studied motor cycle technology at YTI Career Institute in York.

Tull described Gross as an outstanding member of the team at Susquehanna Valley Harley Davidson, always willing to go the extra mile to help customers and coworkers.

“He’s terrific,” Tull said.

Tull said he is aware that Gross suffered major injuries in the crash but hopes he recovers and is able to return to work and, more importantly, get back to his passion of riding motorcycles.

fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6013

SHENANDOAH — Borough police reported on three recent investigations, including taking into custody on May 30, a woman wanted in Florida.

Police said Steven Endick, 36, of 35 S. Bower St., Shenandoah, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia after an incident around 5:35 p.m. Thursday.

Patrolman Adam Sajone took Endick into custody in the 200 block West Centre Street on a bench warrant issued by the district attorney’s office for failure to appear on an original charge of receiving stolen property.

In addition, police said, Endick was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. He was committed to Schuylkill County Prison on the bench warrant.

He faces charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, police said.

Another incident around 10:30 p.m. May 30, resulted in a Shenandoah woman being jailed to await extradition to Florida.

Police said Patrolmen William Moyer and Sajone were called for a disturbance involving Jill Kostowskie, 39, and her boyfriend.

Further investigation revealed Kostowskie, of 301 W. Centre St., Apt. 1, had a warrant for her arrest from Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Florida for felony grand theft.

Kostowskie was charged as a fugitive from justice, arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $50,000 straight cash bail.

In the third incident, police said a 56-year-old borough man was charged with harassment, after an incident at his 193 Pioneer Road home around 6:25 p.m. June 7.

Police said Patrolman Travis Bowman received a call for a domestic disturbance between Russell Williams and his girlfriend.

During the argument, police said Williams’ girlfriend threw a rock at his vehicle, after which he shoved her.

Williams will now have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah.

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

Man arrested for strangulation

VALLEY VIEW — A Valley View man was jailed after being arrested by Hegins Township police, stemming from an incident on Friday.

Police said officers were called to 1051 W. Main St. for a report of a domestic disturbance.

The disturbance resulted in Brandon Ruch, 44, being charged with strangulation, simple assault and harassment.

Ruch was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi, Tremont, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $15,000 bail, police said.

Police investigate crash in Pottsville

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville police investigated a crash that was reported around 6:30 a.m. June 12 in the 2000 block of West Norwegian Street.

Patrolman Joseph Krammes said William Willing Jr., 48, of Tamaqua, reported he was driving a Subaru B9 Tribeca east when an unidentified vehicle caused him to veer into the parking lane where he struck a legally parked 2004 Ford E-350 Econovan, owned by a 45-year-old Pottsville man.

Krammes said Willing’s vehicle sustained disabling front end damage and was towed from the scene, while the parked van sustained moderate rear end damage.

Police said Willing was treated by Schuylkill EMS for minor injuries and Pottsville firefighters assisted with cleanup and traffic control.

As a result of the crash, police said they will be citing Willing for driving without insurance.

Police arrest wife in assault on husband

LOST CREEK — A West Mahanoy Township woman was arrested by state police at Frackville and charged with harassment after an incident at her home around 7:20 p.m. June 11.

Police said a 30-year-old man was arguing with his wife, Roxanne Deangelo, 46, when the woman kicked him in the groin with her right foot.

Police said the charges against Deangelo will be filed with the office of Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale Frackville.

NEW BOSTON — A Mahanoy Township woman was charged after she was found Tuesday with animals living in filthy conditions.

Brandon Alexander, Mahanoy Township police chief, called the incident a serious case of animal cruelty.

Alexander said he assisted a Humane Society cruelty officer and representatives of Hillside SPCA in Pottsville with a welfare check on Roosevelt Drive in the Village of New Boston.

The home was found littered with feces, unfit to be lived in.

As a result, Alexander said he charged the homeowner, Keri Cavenas, with three counts each of cruelty to animals, neglect of animals-sustenance/water and neglect of animals-shelter/protection.

Alexander said the animals — one dog and two cats — were removed from the home by Hillside representatives and that charges against Cavenas will be filed with the office of Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah.

Deeds

Coaldale — Helena Shaffron, by attorney in fact Karen M. Reed, to Todd Weiss; property; $13,000.

Frackville — Amanda Brutts to Ryan F. Herring; 216 N. Center St.; $87,500.

Girardville — Java Street LLC to Joseph H. Tuting; 306 W. Main St.; $500.

Hubley Township — Barbara Lyn Grinnell to Frank J. Krammes; 2 Schwenks Road, Sacramento; $67,000.

Mahanoy City — Steve Bell to James R. Tuckett; 637 W. Spruce St.; $20,000.

Pottsville — Brittany L. Woodward to Guy S. III and Raechel A. Lehman; 1754 Elk Ave.; $117,500.

Rush Township — Melanie Preschutti, administratrix of the Estate of Paul Maliniak, to Pamela Rehrig; 143 Ye Old Hauto Road, Hometown; $158,000.

Alexander Wilson to Robert D. Jr. and Lindsay Ann Figueiredo and Betty J. Figueiredo; 21 Lafayette Ave., Hometown; $196,000.

Marria O’Malley Walsh, Lisabeth M. Corinchock, Patricia O’Malley Regalis and James V. O’Malley to Marria O’Malley Walsh; three properties on Holland Street, Hometown; $1.

Schuylkill Township — Tarcon Land Co. to Robert and Janet Canfield; 17.019-acre property on State Route 1013; $50,000.

Shenandoah — Keri-Jean Moore to Carlo Germain; three properties; $42,000.

Schuylkill Economic Development Corp. to Borough of Shenandoah; 0.877-acre property on Washington Street; $1.

Tamaqua — Pamela L. Rehrig to Daniel J. Jr. and Jessica E. Durf; 305 Penn St.; $89,900.

David W. Corra to Robert V. and Jacquelyn Cole; 101 Catawissa St.; $43,000.

Margaret Schock to Debra Lynn Connely; 129 Gay St.; $30,000.

Walker Township — Wildcat Development GP LLC to James R. and Suzanne W. Hutchinson; 0.75-acre property in Camp Wildcat; $5,625.

Wildcat Development GP LLC to Larry and Devian Hutchinson; 0.75-acre property in Camp Wildcat; $13,444.40.

West Penn Township — Edgar E. Hartung to Edgar E. Hartung Trust; 16.88-acre property on Lizard Creek, Andreas; $1.

Eckley Miners’ Village will add some Italian flair to its annual Patchtown Days on Saturday and Sunday this weekend.

“A few years ago, we decided to make Patchtown Days a celebration of a certain ethnicity,” said site Administrator Bode Morin. “We’ve had Irish and Slovak, and this year we are having Italian.”

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days and feature foods, traditions, live music and dancing. And as in previous years, it will also focus on the lives of those who scraped out a living working in the mines.

The Eckley Players celebrate their 20th anniversary this year and will be on hand for historical reenactments, including a play about the Avondale Mine Disaster.

“Eckley is pleased to recognize the contributions of Anthracite miners and their families not only in creating the regional culture we all share but also in providing the building blocks of the American economy and industry,” Morin said. “Families from across the world have come to Northeast Pennsylvania and continue to come, giving us great foods, traditions, and history. Eckley and our region are fully part of the American melting pot, and we’re happy to present a celebration of these cultural components during Patchtown Days each year.”

As in previous years, there will be tours of the village. All interpretive buildings will be open and staffed.

New this year — since the theme is Italian Fest — will be bocce, a Keystone Ballet Academy performance of the tarantella, Danny Farole on accordion and guest speaker Stephanie Longo.

Bobby Maso, coordinator of the all-volunteer Eckley Players, said the Avondale Mine Disaster performance is based on what happened when the mine near Plymouth caught fire 50 years ago. Miners had no way to escape, and 110 of them perished.

The Players, garbed as miners and villagers, have acted out skits from Eckley’s past for years at the annual Patchtown Days. The all-volunteer group started in 1999, Maso said, and its first performance was about a mine disaster’s effects on a small coal mining patch town.

“The response from the public was so positive,” Maso said. “People enjoyed the dramatics and the heartfelt nature of the story so much that they asked the group at the time if there would be other performances.”

The following year, the group advertised for members. Maso, who was in middle school at the time, signed up.

“It was a chance to do some acting. You also have the chance to learn a lot too,” he said.

Maso said he couldn’t believe that people lived the way that they did.

“There was so much struggle and strife,” he said. “These miners were constantly under the boot of the coal company, which controlled every aspect of their lives.”

Mine conditions were unsafe. Pay was poor, and if a miner died, he was quickly replaced.

“I never heard of that when I was in school,” he said. “This stuff is being forgotten about. This stuff is being lost to time.”

The players, Maso said, feel that it is their responsibility to keep the history alive.

They perform at Patchtown Days and other Eckley events. They also hold haunted lantern tours at the site in October and travel to other areas for parades or performances. The group has appeared on PBS, The Learning Channel and The History Channel.

Maso said volunteers of all ages are welcome.

“We believe just as strongly now as we did when the group formed. It’s one of the most important things that we do,” he said of bringing history back to life. “We educate people by entertaining them. We have to do our part; we want to remember this history.”

Admission to the event at Eckley is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $6 for youth. Children under 3 are free. For more information, call 570-636-2070, visit eckleyminersvillage.com or the Eckley Facebook page.

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

RINGTOWN — The borough council approved a low bid from H&K Group Inc., of Skippack, for this year’s road improvement program.

Unanimous approval of the $97,899.13 bid at the meeting will lead to repair of seven sections of four streets. Three companies submitted bids.

The approval is pending review by the solicitor and engineer.

The following roads are targeted:

• Apple Street from West Main Street to Shenandoah Road, including milling of south side of Apple Street and use of Superpave WMA, a system designed to allow roads to stand up to temperature extremes and heavy traffic.

• Apple Street from Seventh to Arch streets, including use of Superpave WMA. The project also includes 156-foot by 18-inch custom trench drain by Monarch Precast or approved equal. Installation includes removal of existing trench drain and full depth restoration of 2A stone.

• Oak Street from Apple to Arch streets, including use of Superpave WMA base course.

• Vine Street from Market to Fifth streets, using Superpave WMA.

• Cherry Street from North Centre to west side of Hancock Street, using Superpave WMA and milling of North Centre Street.

• Cherry Street from Yost to Market streets, using Superpave WMA.

• Cherry Street from First to Second streets, using Superpave WMA.

“There are a bunch of streets getting paved and that’s a good thing,” council President Julian Milewski said.

The borough’s liquid fuels account has $89,600 in available funds. The borough will provide the balance of $8,228 from the general fund.

During his police report, Officer Mark O’Hearn said the ENRADD speed detection unit was found to have transmission issues and was repaired under warranty. He said there are continuing problems with police radios even though a new antenna was installed by the county. O’Hearn will contact the Schuylkill County Communications Center to seek a solution.

Mayor George Leiby has been approached by citizens about a “Hometown Heroes” banner program as neighboring communities have.

During the citizens petitions portion of the meeting, Councilman James Compton Sr. said he received complaints about vehicles traveling the wrong direction on Third Street and not obeying the stop sign. There are vehicles in several areas parking on sidewalks, all terrain vehicles are riding illegally on borough streets and tractor trailers are using East Main Street, which is a dead end.

“We’re turning the complaints over to the police,” Milewski said.

Borough foreman Scott Schuetrum said state forester Steve Zeigler was contacted about inspecting borough-owned land for possible timbering. Zeigler will do a feasibility study and report to Schuetrum.

Schuetrum said the 2001 small dump truck needs a new front bumper, which will be installed since it is considered routine maintenance.

Milewski said that, since the police car is more than 20 years old, it is time to consider a replacement.

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

PINE GROVE — The Pine Grove Area school board approved a $24.9 million budget for 2019-20 that calls for a one-mill real estate tax increase.

Taxes would jump to 41.75 mills under the $24,967,232 general fund spending plan approved by the board. Directors Steve Brill, J.T. Herber and Angela Keller were absent.

The rate of 41.75 mills equates to $4.17 on each $100 of assessed valuation.

How much more residents will pay in real estate taxes can be calculated based on the median home values within the district. The median home values are as follows: Frailey Township, $10,960; Pine Grove Township, $42,005; Tremont Township, $24,735; Washington Township, $48,325; Pine Grove Borough, $25,003; and Tremont Borough, $15,535, according to Jodie Dermo, business manager.

Other levies include a $250 occupation tax; two $5 per capita taxes; a $10 occupational privilege tax to be shared with component municipalities; a one percent earned income tax under Act 511 to be shared; and a one-percent real estate transfer tax, also to be shared.

In other matters, the board approved purchasing new computers. The district will buy 28 Lenovo ThinkPads and a Spectrum Connect storage and charging cart from GDC (Global Data Consultants) for the middle school STEM room for $13,576.77.

Twenty-five Dell All-in-One computers were also approved for purchase from GDC for $21,985.75 for the high school business lab.

In other action, the board approved:

• Contracting professional services with Mountain Environmental and Radon Services LLC to oversee the middle school STEM room floor abatement at a cost not to exceed $4,500. The funds will come from the capital projects fund.

• Performing abatement of the middle school STEM room floor and reinstalll new flooring at a cost not to exceed $11,000.

• Allowing Brad Fessler, Samantha Kemmerling, Jamie Hitz and Mary Figura to attend the National vInternational Technology and Engineering Educators Association Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, from March 11 through 14, 2020, to present an elementary and secondary STEM session and to participate in the STEM showcase. The cost of the conference will be paid from the Ready to Learn grant and through ITEEA reimbursement for presenting.

• A five-year transportation contract between the district and Newhurst Inc. from 2019-20 to the 2023-24 school year.

• The 2019-20 rates for the Berks County Schools Health and Welfare Trust.

• The 2019-20 rates for the Schuylkill County Schools Health and Welfare Trust.

• Awarding bids for municipal waste removal from Waste Management for $13,587.28, extra waste pickup $30 and extra recycling pickup $25; propane from Koppy’s Propane, at $.9855/gallon non-escalating; coal from Reading Anthracite at $144 per ton; and lumber from Werner Lumber at $2.63 per board foot for Red Oak and $1.05 per board foot for pine.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

HAMBURG — A Michigan truck driver charged with causing a crash last year that claimed the life of a 9-year-old Hamburg boy had all charges against him held for court during a preliminary hearing Tuesday.

Joshua J. Knight, then 38, of 5715 West M18, Gladwin, appeared before Berks County Magisterial District Judge Kim Bagenstose on four felony counts of aggravated assault by vehicle, one felony count of homicide by vehicle and one summary count each of handheld mobile telephone-commercial motor vehicle, traffic control signal violations, driving at an unsafe speed and careless driving.

After hearing more than an hour of testimony from two civilian witnesses and two state police troopers, Bagenstose ruled that prosecutors proved a prima facie case and bound all charges against Knight to Berks County Court. In court, Knight can now enter a guilty plea or plead not guilty and request a trial.

State police Trooper Douglas Jennings, who was assigned to the Hamburg station at the time of the crash, charged Knight with causing the Oct. 20 crash on Route 61 south, near the Interstate 78 interchange in Tilden Township.

Jennings said the crash happened around 6:45 p.m. when the Volvo tractor-trailer Knight was driving slammed into the back of a 2004 Nissan Altima in which Yesier Diaz-Ramirez was a back seat passenger along with Ryan Diaz-Ramirez, 7.

Ramon A. Ramirez, the driver of the car, was stopped for a steady red traffic signal, Jennings said.

Both children were flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital- Cedar Crest in Allentown, where Yesier Diaz-Ramirez died two days later.

Three other people inside the car, Ramon A. Ramirez, 47, Cristina Ramirez-Burgos, 29 and her 4-year-old son, Zengerel Diaz-Ramirez, were also injured. All three were taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital with serious injuries.

Jennings said he spoke with Knight at the scene and recalled him saying. “This is all my fault, I hit them.”

The trooper also testified that Knight told him he dropped a soda bottle while driving, bent down to pick it up and looked up and saw the stopped car in front of him.

He also said Knight was upset and excited and did not appear to be under the influence.

Terri Sonon testified she was driving south on Route 61 and at one point passed out the Knight truck.

The woman said when she reached the red light and began to brake, she heard the tractor-trailer accelerating and shifting gears seconds before it hit the stopped car.

“I heard him accelerating,” she said. “He blew past me and plowed into the car.”

Sonon also said she did not see or hear any signs of Knight applying his brakes or trying to stop.

State police Cpl. Timothy Cutshaw, an accident reconstruction expert station in Hamburg, testified he examined the Knight truck and trailer and found no evidence of malfunctioning equipment.

He also said Knight was traveling at a speed of 52 mph when he hit the car with the family inside. The impact, Cutshaw said, caused the car to accelerate from a complete stop to 34 mph in one second.

The corporal said it was also determined that Knight was using his cellphone while driving and received or sent 18 text messages from the time he left his last stop in Tunkhannock, Wyoming County, until the time of the crash.

The final message send by Knight was at 4:25 p.m., about 18 minutes before the crash, Cutshaw said.

In closing, Knight’s attorney, Berks County Public Defender Sean Fitzgerald, argued the commonwealth did not prove recklessness or gross negligence needed to substantiate the charges of aggravated assault by vehicle and homicide by vehicle.

He also said testimony at the hearing proved that Knight was not texting or on his cellphone at the time of the crash.

Assistant District Attorney Jordan Fegley countered by saying it is illegal for the driver of a commercial vehicle to text while driving and that Knight’s actions, including the fact he did not even try to avoid the collision, showed he was not paying attention to the road.

“He was reckless. He was not paying attention,” Fegley said.

Bagenstose agreed with the commonwealth and refused to dismiss any of the charges against Knight. She also denied a request by Fitzgerald to lower Knight’s bail from $200,000 straight cash to $25,000 straight cash.

Fegley opposed the modification, saying Knight has no ties to the area while living in Michigan and also that he has 17 prior convictions, including drug offenses.

“He has a high likelihood of fleeing,” Fegley said.

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

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-9, hosted an economic discussion Tuesday at Penn State Schuylkill on how the federal government can better help Schuylkill County and other areas in his district.

The Economic Development Forum and Expo brought together business and government leaders to learn how they can make the area better financially and otherwise.

“We really appreciate everybody being here showing support to talk about the all important issues of revitalization for our great community, for Schuylkill County for the ninth district, Luzerne County, Berks, Columbia, Carbon, Northumberland, Lebanon. There’s definitely a lot of work to be done,” Meuser said.

Before Meuser spoke, Penn State Schuylkill Chancellor Patrick Jones welcomed everyone to the campus.

“It really is an honor for us to host you today,” Jones said.

Meuser’s office contacted the campus to see if it would be interested in helping to promote available resources.

Meuser asked several questions to the three people on a panel at the forum. They included Curt Coccodrilli, United States Department of Agriculture rural development state director; Michelle Christian, Small Business Administration Region 3 administrator; and Joe DiFelice, Housing and Urban Development Mid-Atlantic regional director.

Meuser asked what business and community leaders should know about what help the aforementioned entities can provide.

“It shouldn’t be so difficult to obtain federal resources that are available to everyone,” Christian said.

Coccodrilli said rural development is “literally the country’s sixth-largest bank with over $242 billion dollars in assets over three main program areas. We have rural utilities service, rural business service and rural housing service.”

Coccodrilli said there are nine field offices in the state. He said the USDA has about 50 programs people and business can access.

“When rural America prospers, all of us prosper,” he said.

The USDA provided a 35-year loan in 2018 for $5 million for the Mahantongo Parking Garage project. Other money, including $2.8 million pledged from Richard L. “Dick” Yuengling Jr. of D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc., will be used for the project.

The original Mahantongo garage met its end last year when the final wall fell in November. The Pottsville City Council hired SDL Construction, Orwigsburg, in August to demolish the garage that closed in October 2016 due to deteriorated structural reinforcing.

DiFelice oversees all 65 HUD field offices throughout the county. He said HUD just isn’t about public housing.

“Just in Schuylkill County alone last year, we essentially guaranteed $41 million dollars in mortgages,” he said. “We had $1.5 million dollars in Community Development Block Grants.”

He talked about Opportunity Zones as chosen by the state — of which certain census tracts in Tamaqua and Tremont boroughs are designated along with Foster, Reilly and Frailey townships. The zones offer capital gain tax relief to investors who invest in those areas.

“All of these small businesses that are in places like Tamaqua they are going to grow,” Christian said.

She said she SBA helps “businesses start, grow or expand.” Among other things, the SBA guarantees loans. Field staff is available to meet with local leaders, chamber members or others.

Christian said businesses can learn more about government contracting as one way to grow their business so the business can provide things the government might need.

Meuser said making the area better is a possibility.

“The potential is there,” he said.

He said the coming together of businesses, government and citizens will help propel the area to a brighter future.

“There is no one silver bullet. There is not one answer. The USDA is here they are a big part of the answer. The SBA is here. They are a big part of the answer. HUD is here,” Meuser said.

“Once we start giving cities a chance, once we bring in the capital investment, not just relying upon government, but they are definitely part of the solution …” he said. “When we start improving property values and creating housing and making those investments tax revenues go up and it tends to clear up and fix a lot of other problems.”

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028