POTTSVILLE — At its last meeting, the Pottsville Area school board approved agreements for two therapy programs designed to help students with occupational and physical difficulties.

The agreement with Progressive Pediatric Therapy LLC, Orwigsburg, authorizes the company to provide occupational therapy services to Pottsville Area students at the rate of $63 per hour. The agreement will run through June 30, 2020.

Meanwhile, the agreement with Schuylkill Pediatric Physical Therapy LLC, Pottsville, enables the company to provide physical therapy services to Pottsville Area students at the rate of $62 per hour. The agreement will run through June 30, 2020.

Also, the board hired four people as temporary professional employees, two at D.H.H. Lengel Middle School and two at John S. Clarke Elementary Center.

Kelly Boyer and Nancy Boyer will be learning support and art teachers, respectively, at D.H.H. Lengel. Each will earn $47,100 annually under the terms of her contract.

Nicole Molnar and Erin Schumacher will be autistic support and kindergarten teachers, respectively, at John S. Clarke. Each will earn $40,500 per year under the terms of the approved contract.

The board also approved the hiring of four people for non-teaching positions.

Melissa Hauptly and Tanya Hughes each will be a substitute cafeteria and lunch aide . Each will be paid $11.25 per hour when working as a cafeteria aide and $9.10 per hour when working as a lunch aide.

Krista Dullard and Taylor Horning will work as part-time paraprofessionals at D.H.H. Lengel. Each will be paid $11.25 per hour.

Also, the board accepted three resignations, Hughes, Joann Torraco and Jennifer Williams as a paraprofessional employee, a substitute paraprofessional employee and a full-time high school custodian, respectively.

In another matter, the board approved Ann Blankenhorn as a voting delegate for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association leadership Conference from Oct. 16-18 in Hershey.

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

When disaster strikes, people often bond together to help each other and to heal their community.

But in the case of the disaster known as the Centralia mine fire, that wasn’t the case, said Dr. Stephen R. Couch, a professor of sociology at Penn State Schuylkill.

“Rather than neighbor helping neighbor, it was neighbor fighting neighbor,” said Couch, who discussed the devastating social effect that an underground coal mine fire had on the town of Centralia, during his presentation “The Centralia Mine Fire: Social Conflict and the Death of a Pennsylvania Community.”

About 75 people attended the event, which was held in the Morgan Auditorium at Penn State Schuylkill Thursday night. The presentation is part of Penn State’s 85th anniversary Speaker Series, a series of common hour conversations, invited speakers, and research presentation that will be held this year to observe Penn State’s mission and role in the Schuylkill County community.

Couch, a professor at Penn State Schuylkill since 1979, is co-author or co-editor of four books, and has written over thirty published research articles, most of them dealing with environmental sociology and technological hazards.

His research projects have included studying community responses to technological disasters in Texas, Wyoming and Pennsylvania, beginning with the Centralia coal mine fire in the 1980’s.

His research on Centralia resulted in the book “ The Real Disaster is Above Ground: A Mine Fire & Social Conflict,” co-authored by Couch and his colleague J. Stephen Kroll-Smith.

“In the case of Centralia, this type of disaster was unprecedented,” Couch said. “There was no precedent of what should be done. And all efforts to do something about it were decentralized, not very well coordinated, and not very well funded.”

When a coal mine fire was discovered in 1962,the community of Centralia, located in Columbia County, had more than 1,000 residents. In 2019, there are only 10.

The fire broke out just before Memorial Day, originating in a landfill sitting atop an abandoned 1930s strip-mining pit, then traveled down an underground coal vein and into the former Centralia Colliery.

When the fire reached underground tunnels, it burned steadily through millions of tons of anthracite releasing deadly methane, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

The mine fire burned for years, but before the buildings were razed and most residents were relocated, the social community had been destroyed by deep, divisive conflict, Couch said.

In the 1980s, more than 1,000 people moved out, and 500 structures were razed under a $42 million federal relocation program. Before this happened, the community was divided into those that wanted to leave and those that were determined to stay.

“This started intense conflict within the community,” he said. “There were people who didn’t believe that the fire was a real concern. The community became divided -— those who wanted to relocate, and those that didn’t.”

Unlike the “therapeutic community,” which often aids recovery from natural disasters, the “conflictual community” that developed in Centralia, drove a divisive wedge between the people that lived there. Conspiracy theories about the fire and efforts by the government to intervene flourished. Seven different grassroots organizations — each with their different agendas, formed and fought against each other. Acts of violence were common.

“In this case, it wasn’t an act of God or an act of nature, but something that was caused by human beings,” he said. “Who did this , who is responsible for this ... these were the questions people were asking. Someone needed to be held accountable.”

Couch said research from environmental tragedies like Centralia can serve as a cautionary tale as well as a guideline for community officials who may find themselves grappling with devastating situations in their own communities.

In these cases, these communities are never the same,” he said. “Recovery is not possible, but transformation is.”

Recently, Couch has been researching disasters and popular culture, and has been studying zombies, “scary” clowns, and the sociology of fear’s relationship to our divisive political culture. He has presented the results of his research at conferences throughout the world.

Ashland

The Ashland Public Library is conducting its annual fund drive that finances the purchase of books and other material, increasing selection and quality of programming and expanding daily hours, according to a library press release. The library will offer a STEM program for young girls this fall. Donations may be made at the library or mailed to: Ashland Public Library, 1229 Centre St., Ashland, PA 17921. For more information, call 570-875-3175.

Lykens

Zion Lutheran Church, Klinger Church Road, will have a card party from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 20. People may play euchre or pinochle. There will be prizes and homemade food will be on sale. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-590-5901.

Pine Grove

Rick Mikula, “The Butterfly Guy,” will be at the Sweet Arrow Lake County Park Clubhouse at 7 p.m. Wednesday with his “humorous and offbeat way of looking at butterflies,” according to an event release. Mikula is an award-winning author, photographer and habitat consultant who has created butterfly atriums and gardens for Dolly Parton, Hershey Foods and others, according to a release. He is the current president of Butterfly Rescue International. His presentation will be with PowerPoint and include live butterflies. The program is free and open to the public, made possible in part by a grant from the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation. For more information or directions, call 570-345-8952 and leave a message.

Pottsville

This year, Geisinger is looking to make it easier for people to get flu shots by offering “Super Saturday Flu Vaccine Days” hosted by Geisinger community medicine and pediatric clinics. The first Super Saturday will is set for Saturday with additional dates set for Oct. 26 and Nov. 23. The Geisinger Pottsville clinic at 529 Terry Reiley Way will be open from 9 a.m. to noon on the Super Saturday dates for patients to receive a flu shot with no appointment necessary. Geisinger community medicine offices also offer flu shots during regular office hours. Patients age 9 and older can get a flu shot at Geisinger Careworks urgent care locations any day of the week. For a full list of Super Saturday Flu Vaccine Day locations, go online to geisinger.org/flu.

Pottsville

Theresa Santai-Gaffney, Schuylkill County register of wills and clerk of the orphans’ court, released the following report for August: Estates processed, 89; marriage licenses issued, 95; adoptions completed, two; inheritance remitted to the commonwealth, $1,226,978.62; county fees collected, $17,317.

Pottsville

Theresa Santai-Gaffney, Schuylkill County register of wills and clerk of the orphans’ court, released information regarding the inheritance tax commissions from the Department of Revenue. Total transfer taxes, $1 to $200,000, commission rate, 4.15%; $200,001 to $1,000,000, 1.75%; $1,000,000.01 and higher, 0.5%. Total inheritance tax collected from 2012 to July 2019 was $57,644,337.36. The total commissions received from inheritance tax from 2012 to July 2019 was $446,617.01. If the state would increase the last level from 0.5% to 1%, the county would have received an additional $248,220.79, Santai-Gaffney said in the report. She also said the auditor general conducted a financial audit from 2015 through 2018. The auditor general’s office does an audit every four years for county government offices. For more information, call Santai-Gaffney’s office at 570-628-1377.

Shenandoah

Gary Hronec will speak about the history of Shenandoah during a meeting of the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the history center, 201 S. Main St. The public is welcome to attend, there is no admission fee and refreshments will be served.

Shenandoah

The Shenandoah Valley Alumni Band and the current Shenandoah Valley High School Band will combine and parade from the J.W. Cooper Building, White and Lloyd strees, to school district’s Veterans Memorial Stadium on the community’s western end today as part of the Shenandoah Valley Homecoming festivities. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. and include homecoming queen candidates in convertibles and fire trucks. The combined bands will stage an elaborate halftime program that will culminate with the crowning of the 2019 homecoming queen. The public is invited to witness the bands and candidates along the parade route and in the football stadium as the Blue Devils host the Panther Valley Panthers.

POTTSVILLE — A Mahanoy City man is headed to state prison after admitting recently to a Schuylkill County judge that he restrained and indecently assaulted a woman in February in Pottsville.

Jeffrey L. Miller, 45, must serve six to 23 months behind bars for those crimes, President Judge William E. Baldwin decided.

Furthermore, Baldwin made the sentence consecutive to one of six to 12 months that Miller already is serving, making the total prison sentence 12 to 35 months in a state correctional institution. He also sentenced Miller to pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, and have no contact with the victim.

Miller pleaded guilty in the new case to unlawful restraint and indecent assault. Prosecutors withdrew charges of rape, criminal trespass, simple assault and harassment, plus two additional counts of indecent assault.

Pottsville police charged him with committing the assault on Feb. 7 in the city.

In his other case, Miller pleaded guilty on Nov. 7, 2018, to disorderly conduct and harassment. At that time, Baldwin placed him on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced him to pay costs, a $50 CJEA payment and a $50 bench warrant fee.

Pottsville police charged Miller in that case with being disorderly and harassing on Oct. 20, 2017, also in the city.

However, Baldwin revoked Miller’s probation on May 9 and sentenced him to serve six to 12 months in prison.

In other recent county court action, Baldwin accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, the following people:

Jonathan Calcano, 23, of Queens, New York; two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and three of possession of a controlled substance; 11 1/2 to 23 months in prison, $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, a $50 CJEA payment, $1,939.33 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew three additional counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one of possession of a controlled substance.

Robert Calcano, 27, of Shenandoah; two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and three of possession of a controlled substance; 11 1/2 to 23 months in prison, a $100 SAEF payment, a $50 CJEA payment, $1,939.33 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew three additional counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one each of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Aaron J. Davidson, 22, of Pottsville; driving under the influence, accident involving damage to unattended vehicle or property and reckless driving; 30 days in prison, 90 days house arrest with electronic monitoring, 30 days alcohol monitoring, seven months strict supervision, four years probation, $1,700 in fines, $300 SAEF payment and 20 hours community service.

John D. Gipp III, 52, of Gillett; possession of prohibited offensive weapon, disorderly conduct and driving unregistered vehicle; 18 months probation, $225 in fines and $50 CJEA payment.

Shane A. Hewes, 24, of Pine Grove; simple assault; time served to 23 months in prison with immediate parole, $50 CJEA payment and anger management evaluation. Prosecutors withdrew three counts of harassment, one of recklessly endangering another person and one additional count of simple assault.

Damun J. Horn, 21, of Pottsville; possession of a controlled substance; 12 months probation and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

John M. Joulwan, 56, of Pottsville; possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension; three to 12 months in prison, $1,000 fine, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment, with sentence effective at 9 a.m. Nov. 5. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of stop sign violation.

Michael J. Kabana, 29, of Reading; possession of a controlled substance; three years probation, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and $182.50 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Wyoming. Prosecutors withdrew charges of possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Lori L. Kloos, 43, of Schuylkill Haven; defiant trespass; $300 fine. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of carrying a firearm without a license.

Laurie Ann Lazorski, 25, of Ashland; disorderly conduct; $100 fine. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of false reports to law enforcement.

All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.

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

TAMAQUA — Silberline, a global leader in aluminum effect pigments, recently had a dedication ceremony for its waterborne facility at its Tamaqua location.

The expansion allows Silberline to produce pigments compatible with waterborne coating systems in the U.S., complementing its existing capabilities in Europe and Asia, according to a company news release.

Silberline will be the only aluminum pigment manufacturer in North America with such a capability.

“Our building dedication is in honor of Dr. David King in recognition of his 28 years of leadership and service to the development and growth of waterborne pigment technology for Silberline,” Lisa Jane Scheller, chairman and president, was quoted in the release. “His vision in the area of innovation and technology development provided the foundation for making this building a reality. The investment is one of many steps taken to create more environmentally preferred products for customers,” Scheller said.

“We are committed to supporting a balanced environment by seeking more sustainable solutions in all that we do,” she said.

With the opening of the waterborne plant, the company will be able to offer more sustainable solutions to meet customer needs anywhere in the world, Scheller said.

Silberline’s aluminum effect pigments are used in automotive paints, printing inks, plastics, protective coatings, consumer packaged goods and many other commercial and industrial applications. The family-owned enterprise has been in business for more than 70 years.

A retired priest, who served in Schuylkiull County, has been barred from the ministry for an incident 30 years ago in Berks County.

The Rev. Stephen J. Halabura, 87, who has been retired for 11 years, has been found unsuitable for ministry after an investigation of an incident that Halabura reported to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown.

According to a media release from diocesan Director of Communications Matt Kerr, Halabura admitted in May that he sexually abused a minor in the early 1980s. After Halabura self-reported the incident, the Most Rev. Alfred Schlert, bishop of Allentown, removed him from ministry and notified law enforcement.

As the result of the diocese’s investigation conducted by an independent investigator, the allegation was determined to be credible. The Independent Review Board, a panel of experts that advises the bishop on clergy abuse matters, recently recommended that Halabura was unsuitable for ministry. Schlert accepted the recommendation and barred him from ministry. Since retiring, Halabura has been serving as a substitute when needed.

The incident occurred at the former St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Millmont, which was later closed and merged into St. John Baptist de la Salle Parish, Shillington.

Halabura’s name has been added to the list of credibly accused priests on the diocesan web page, https://sp.allentowndiocese.org/priests.

Halabura was ordained in May 1961 and served at the following churches: St. Canicus, Mahanoy City, 1961-1963;S t. Stephen, Port Carbon, 1963-1964; St. Paul, Allentown, 1964-1971; St. Anthony, Millmont, 1971-1984; St. Stanislaus, Minersville, 1984-1987; Annunciation BVM, Shenandoah, 1987-1988; St. Ann, Lansford, 1988-2002; Ss. Peter and Paul, Lansford, 1988-2002; and St. Richard of Chichester, Barnesville, 2002-2008.

Anyone who knows of incidents of abuse in the church or elsewhere should report it to the State Child Line at 1-800-932-0313 or to local law enforcement. To speak directly to the Diocese of Allentown’s Victim Assistance Coordinator, call the direct line: 1-800-791-9209.

Minersville

A Toys-for-Tots motorcycle run will begin at 9 a.m. Oct. 6 by the New Minersville Firehouse Bikers at the firehouse, 500 Line St. The ride is to benefit local children at Christmas. Registration will be from 9 to 11 a.m. immediately followed by kick stands up. The entry fee is one new, unwrapped toy. For more information, call 570-640-5246.

Pine Grove

Drum Keeper, Chuck Gentlemoon Demund and the Itchy Dog Singers will do a drum circle at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Sweet Arrow Lake County Park waterfall pavilion below the dam breast. The circle will feature social dancers, legends, history and traditions of the Lenape Nation, according to an event release. Demund is the ceremonial chief of the Unami band of the Lenape and is the legend-keeper and storyteller of his nation. “The Lenape culture revolves around the drum and the dance and they believe that the drum represents the heartbeat of the Earth,” organizers said in a release. The event is free and open to the public, made possible in part via a grant from the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation and the Reidler Family Charitable Fund. For more information, call 570-345-8952 and leave a message.

Pottsville

A breakfast and Homecoming Sunday are set for 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 6 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 W. Arch St. It will begin with worship at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome. Children will be able to enjoy games, crafts and other activities. Food will be served from 8 a.m. to noon with a full breakfast menu. The cost for breakfast is $10 for adults, $5 for children and free for youngsters under 5. People may pay at the door. For more information, call 570-622-9910.

Pottsville

St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church will have an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 6 in the parish center, 319 Mahantongo St. People may eat at the center or take meals out. The cost is $8 for adults and $3.50 for children. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-622-1802.

Ringtown

The 2020 Ringtown Valley Community Fund Drive started Sept. 1 and will continue through Dec. 31, according to a release. A mailing has been sent to all households in the Ringtown and Zion Grove zip code areas. Contributions to the annual fund drive support 10 nonprofit organizations that serve the Ringtown Area, including Avenues, the Schuylkill County Society for Crippled Children, Ringtown Area Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Little League, Library, Recreation Complex, Food Pantry, Senior Citizens and Pastors’ Association. The Ringtown Valley Community Fund Board thanked regional residents for “continued support for the annual fund drive, which has benefited countless area residents of all ages since 1955.” Residents are reminded, according to the release, that contributions should be made on or before Dec. 31. Checks can be made payable to Ringtown Valley Community Fund and mailed to P.O. Box 204, Ringtown, PA 17967. Additional mailers are available at the Ringtown Area Library. There will be no second mailing.

Suedberg

The 2019 Walk in Penn’s Woods will begin at 1 p.m. Oct. 6 at Swatara State Park, which is located in Lebanon and Schuylkill counties. The two-mile round-trip walk will begin at Sand Siding Road parking lot, Pine Grove, and is on “level and leisurely terrain,” according to an event release. Wheelchairs and strollers are welcome and “people-friendly leashed pets” are allowed but owners must clean up after them. For more information, go online to www.walkinpennswoods.org.

Tamaqua

A GriefShare group is forming at Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, 223 E. Broad St. GriefShare is a ministry to hurting people who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Meetings will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays for 13 weeks beginning Wednesday. GriefShare is biblically based and nondenominational. There is no cost to attend. An optional workbook is $18. For more information or to register, call 570-668-2520 or email lifegroups@bethanyec.org.

If you see them, kill them.

An invasive insect species that hitches a ride on tractor-trailers won’t find easy passage with Fanelli Brothers Trucking Co.

Dominic Fanelli, operations manager, has taken training and received a certification permit to stop the invasion of the pest — the spotted lanternfly.

“Penn State is leading the charge on this and we’ve been passing it onto our drivers,” Fanelli said from his company at 1298 Keystone Blvd. in Schuylkill Highridge Business Park, near the Gordon exit of Interstate 81.

Schuylkill County is within the state Department of Agriculture quarantine area for the insect, and some businesses must get a spotted lanternfly permit issued through the department. It provides evidence of completing the training and knowledge of following the quarantine order to reduce SLF’s spread while transporting goods across county lines. The Penn State Extension office offers online training about SLF.

As part of the quarantine agreement that began May 1, the state Bureau of Plant Industry began inspections and verification checks to confirm businesses are properly permitted. Failure to take the permit exam and educate employees could result in penalties and fines.

Menace

SLF attacks forests and crops.

“It prefers to feed on the tree-of-heaven, but will also attack grapes, hops, peaches, apples and other important trees,” according to the PSU extension website.

Commonly referred to as “ailanthus,” the tree-of-heaven is a deciduous tree native to China and Taiwan that was introduced to the U.S. in 1784.

The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, is an “invasive plant hopper first detected in Berks County in 2014,” the extension reports. Native to China, India and Vietnam, the pest has now spread to New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, and there have been sightings in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Pennsylvania counties in the quarantine zone, in addition to Schuylkill, include Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton and Philadelphia.

Check your grill

Although businesses are the ones needing permits, everyone should be aware of the insect’s spread.

Before motorists depart, they should check around their vehicles’ grills, windshield wipers and wheel wells and destroy all SLF eggs, nymphs and adults they find. All SLF should be killed on sight. Adults can be squashed. The egg masses should be scraped off their host location and placed in rubbing alcohol.

Although the pest can be spread by traveling on business vehicles, it can also move to new places through many modes. People should inspect all items that they intend to move from within the quarantined area to areas outside the quarantined zone.

SLF can be on trailers, campers, equipment, lawn furniture, construction supplies and tools. The insects’ liquid excrement, called honey dew, causes mold and can damage outdoor furniture and decks, said Tom C. Reed, master gardener program assistant for PSU Extension.

“It’s not just an agriculture problem. It’s everyone’s problem,” Reed said.

Kyle Schutt, insect management technician for the Schuylkill Conservation District, agrees.

“We want to get the public behind this, to do something in their own backyard. The conservation district has been running consecutive years of strong treatment and education programs,” Schutt said.

Reed and Schutt warned against using homemade herbicide and insecticide that don’t target a specific species, and which may cause more harm to other plants beside the tree-of-heaven and other animals, like pollinators.

“We treat this on a tree-by-tree basis,” Schutt said.

When SLF adults feed on treated trap trees, they ingest the systemic insecticide and die. Meanwhile, to kill the tree-of-heaven, a herbicide can be used in a “hack and squirt” method. That’s where a part of the tree is cut, and herbicide put directly on that cut section, according to Schutt.

Reed and Schutt were presenters at a spring business seminar coordinated by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce’s Agribusiness and Education Committee at the Schuylkill Technology Center South campus in Mar Lin.

Participants from 18 companies learned how to protect their homes and businesses, avoid fines and receive certification. The seminar was sponsored by the Schuylkill Conservation District.

Permit compliance

Fanelli and dispatcher Cheryl Sweeney took the online course last year and became trainers for the rest of the staff.

“We have quarterly safety meetings with our drivers, and we go over that with them,” Fanelli said. Once people are trained, they receive a certificate showing that they’ve completed the half-hour course. There is also a notification card that can be displayed in the vehicles, showing permit compliance. “They gave us plastic cards to put in all the trucks. Plus, I have the brochures on my counter” that alerts anyone entering his business of the pest.

Businesses can face a fine of $2,000 to $4,000, Fanelli said.

Their fleet of 70 trucks operate in Schuylkill County, Reading and the Allentown areas. However, their vehicles have also traveled to New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware and Ohio, or within a 300-mile radius.

Fanelli has seen the insect on his home property in Schuylkill Haven.

“This year, I’ve killed two of them so far,” he said.

Development stages

Reed said he had six calls on Monday reporting sightings of the spotted lanternfly.

He and Schutt said it’s important for people to know what SLF looks like in every stage of its development. Although most photos show a mature insect with its red underwings visible, most of the time that’s not what people will see.

“You’ll see them with their closed wings, that are dull gray with black spots, 90% of the time,” Schutt said.

Reed held a display showing the sap-sucking insects’ stages of development. The first stage looked similar to a small, black, tick-like insect. The young nymphs are black with white spots and are seen in April through July. The older nymphs are black and red with white spots and are seen from July through September. The adults, which can be present from July until December, are about 1 to 1 1/4 inches long.

Permit or no permit?

For more information, visit extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly or call 1-888-4BAD-FLY (1-888-422-3359).

The extension website gives specific scenarios of what types of businesses need to get the permit. An example of a firm that does not is a tax preparation business that has an office within the quarantine zone. Employees drive their personal cars to work and work in that office all day. That business is not actively moving products.

However, the site states, “A potato chip company has a manufacturing facility in the quarantine zone that packages pallets of products, and ships either its own fleet of trucks or with common carriers. This business needs a permit.”

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Nearly 6,800 naloxone kits were distributed to Pennsylvanians this month at 95 locations across the state, including at the state health center in Pottsville, as part of “Stop Overdoses in Pa.: Get Help Now Week,” the administration of Gov. Tom Wolf announced.

According to a news release, the total included 60 kits handed out in Schuylkill County, 122 in Luzerne County, 65 in Carbon County, 22 in Columbia, 139 in Dauphin and 51 in Northumberland.

“The life-saving medication naloxone is essential for every resident to have on hand, particularly if you have a loved one suffering from opioid-use disorder,” Wolf was quoted in the release. “We want to ensure that all Pennsylvanians have the proper tools to help fight this opioid crisis and through this opportunity for free naloxone we are saving lives and getting those who need it most into treatment.

“Keeping naloxone in your home, work or even in your car can make the difference between someone getting into treatment or dying from this disease.”

Naloxone is a medication used to reverse an overdose caused by an opioid by blocking the effects of opioids on the brain. It is available at most pharmacies across the state year-round to people with public and private insurance either for free or at a low cost.

Since November 2014, more than 25,000 people have been revived with naloxone by police officers and EMS providers in Pennsylvania, the release states. A standing order, updated in July, allows firefighters and police officers to administer naloxone as part of their treatment of someone who has overdosed. First responders have access to naloxone for free through funding set aside in the 2019-20 budget.

John Matulevich, the 25-year-old cyclist who’s on a bicycle trip across America to raise money for Tower City’s Back in Black Dog Rescue and Hillside SPCA, is approaching the end of his journey.

On Aug. 24, Matulevich, the owner of Ruthless Performance exercise and training company, started on the Western Express bike trail in San Francisco. He climbed to 11,300 feet above sea level at Monarch Pass in Colorado.

“The weather has ranged from 28 degrees to 107 degrees,” he said. “One morning, I had to chip the ice off my tent.”

He said the extreme temperature differences are the biggest challenge, along with the weight of the supplies he must carry to fend them off. In the desert, he carried 300 ounces of water, the equivalent of about 37 cups, attached to his bike.

The worst stretch was in southern Utah, where temperatures averaged in the high 90s.

“This part of the route was extremely rural,” Matulevich said, “which required me to be extremely self-sufficient and resourceful. I’ve had to drink out of some questionable water sources, deal with very burnt skin, as any sunscreen would immediately sweat off.”

As of Thursday, he was in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, and said he planned to travel 100 miles a day for the rest of the trip.

His arrival at the finish line is slated to be celebrated Saturday, Oct. 5, at Pottsville’s Humane Fire Company with a Chinese auction benefiting Hillside and Back in Black, music and a bake sale.

For the last segment of the journey, from Pine Grove to Pottsville, he’ll be accompanied with a fire truck and a motorcycle escort organized by Hillside and Schaeffer’s Harley-Davidson of Orwigsburg. He invites anyone with a bike to join him for the home stretch.

MCADOO — Adams Street Playground has been closed early for the winter because of drug activity, the police chief says.

McAdoo Police Chief Jeff Wainwright said the playground has also been the site of littering.

“The drug activity has increased recently, and it has been getting pretty dirty,” Wainwright said. “The kids aren’t taking care of it. The borough workers are sick of cleaning it. We felt like this was the best thing we could do. The community has to get together — the kids have to help — and push these drug dealers out.”

Wainwright said the playground will probably remain closed until next spring.

“We chained it, and took the basketball hoops down,” the chief said. “Anybody who tries to use it will be trespassing.”

Deeds

Schuylkill Haven — Brian Allan, individually and as executor of the Estate of Ruth Mae Allan, Bret Allan and Gavin Allan Jr. to Robert Bound; 240 E. Liberty St.; $57,500.

Tremont — Patricia A. Koshulsky, by attorney in fact Amanda K. Des Rosiers, to Milo Jr. and Beverly K. Shick; 18 N. Crescent St.; $48,000.

Upper Mahantongo Township — Charles J. and Linda S. Fetterolf to Brian C. and Amber M. Fetterolf; 16.439-acre property on Creek Road; $1.

Charles J. and Linda S. Fetterolf to Brian C. and Amber M. Fetterolf; 25.578-acre property; $1.

Charles J. and Linda S. Fetterolf to Brian C. and Amber M. Fetterolf; 53.35-acre property on Creek Road; $1.

Charles J. and Linda S. Fetterolf to Brian C. and Amber M. Fetterolf; 36-acre property on Township Road 724; $1.

John D. Oxenrider, executor of the Last Will & Testament of James D. Oxenrider Sr., to Michael K. and Betsey S. Eaton; 3.55-acre property on Hepler Road; $18,500.

Washington Township — Heather Horning and Bobbi Jean Fasnacht to JMAC Realty LLC; 1.26-acre property on Tori Lane; $20,000.

Heather Horning and Bobbi Jean Fasnacht to JMAC Realty LLC; 1.26-acre property on Tori Lane; $20,000.

Heather Horning and Bobbi Jean Fasnacht to JMAC Realty LLC; 1-acre property on Koty Lane; $20,000.

Heather Horning and Bobbi Jean Fasnacht to JMAC Realty LLC; 1.02-acre property on Koty Lane; $20,000.

Heather Horning and Bobbi Jean Fasnacht to JMAC Realty LLC; 1.23-acre property on Tori Lane; $20,000.

Heather Horning and Bobbi Jean Fasnacht to JMAC Realty LLC; 1.97-acre property on Covered Bridge Road, Rock; $20,000.

Wayne Township — James A. Zimmerman to Beth Ann Davis and Krista Ann Zimmerman; 2272 Panther Valley Road; $1.

Timothy Foose and Megan Heffron-Foose to Brian M. Bartashus and Danielle Couture-Pugh; 1239 Buck Drive, Lake Wynonah; $11,000.

Lee L. II and Reba I. Llewellyn to Thomas L. and Dawn L. Tilden; 0.81638-acre property on Luckenbill Road; $40,000.

Nathanael L. and Phyllis M. Eby to Francis Gaffney and Brittany Woodward; 17 Carl Lane; $220,920.

Christopher R. Yerger to Seth W. and Dinah M. Riffey; 618 Schwartz Valley Road; $300,000.

West Penn Township — Joyce C. Mauchline to Lisa M. and William J. Price; 190 Tower Road; $205,000.

Ricky P. and Nicole M. Bjorkman to Robert Borger; 3.138-acre property on Dogwood Lane; $26,800.

Brenda Schroeder and Marie A. Schroeder to John Gifford; property in Clamtown; $139,000.

Karl F. and B. Christine Diekman to Karl F. Diekman and B. Christine Diekman, trustees of The Diekman Family Trust; 523 Green Lane, Andreas; $1.

POTTSVILLE — Sweet Arrow Lake County Park has a new pavilion, and the Schuylkill County commissioners approved on Wednesday fees for public use of it and other facilities at the site.

The county enacted the new fees for rental of facilities in the 183.47-acre park, which is located in Pine Grove and Washington townships.

It will cost $100 to rent the waterfall pavilion, which county officials said just passed its final building inspection.

“It’s really a nice location,” County Administrator Gary R. Bender said.

Other daily rental fees for facilities at the park, the only county-owned one, include:

• Clubhouse, $125, an increase from $100

• Clubhouse (peak season Saturdays), $350

• Lakeview Pavilion/Gazebos, $15

• Large Pavilion, $75, and increase from $50

• Wedding, $800, an increase from $700

The commissioners also approved a supplemental budget appropriation of $56,913 to the conservation district, which Director of Finance Paul E. Buber said is using the money for the new pavilion.

“We are just finishing up, revitalizing an area that was just a stone parking lot,” said Drew Kline of the Parks & Recreation Department.

Also at Wednesday’s meeting, the commissioners heard from Lisa Von Ahn, co-chair of Schuylkill Indivisible and a member of the local chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby, who spoke in support of wind turbines and urged the county to support renewable energy. About 30 members of Schuylkill Indivisible came with her to support her views.

“We are simply asking for fair zoning that takes the advantages of wind farms into account and does not favor fossil fuel operations over them,” she said.

Von Ahn also said renewable energy has advantages over fossil fuels, including more jobs and fewer health and safety risks.

In another matter, the commissioners approved a supplemental budget appropriation of $102,550 for the Office of Senior Services. Buber said that money also will be used to provide senior citizens with more services at the county centers.

Also, the commissioners proclaimed October to be National Bullying Prevention Month in the county.

“It’s all about being kind to each other,” said Larissa Russel, head of the Bullying Prevention Coalition.

Commissioner Frank J. Staudenmeier recalled his 25 years of coaching youth sports in offering a valuable piece of advice on halting bullying.

“You’ve got to stop it right away,” he said.

In other business, the commissioners:

• On behalf of Children & Youth, approved purchase of service agreements with Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, Mar Lin, for day treatment services at a per diem rate of $210, and Cobys, Leola, for foster care at varying rates.

• Approved a one-year treatment services contract with New Directions with a cap of $20,000.

• Appointed Janene Holter, Tamaqua, to a three-year term on the Drug & Alcohol Advisory Board, effective Oct. 1.

• Approved the private sale of a property in Hubley Township. Tax Claim Bureau Director Angela Toomey said the property is vacant land on Mahantongo Street.

• Agreed to accept $28,674.94 in settlement of an insurance claim involving an accident that damaged a county-owned utility pole.

• Approved budget adjustments for 2019 for $12,000 for the district attorney’s office, $3,290 for the juvenile justice department, $1,550 for magisterial district judges, $696 for the prison and $426 for the treasurer’s office.

“We’re not increasing overall spending,” just moving money between line items, with those adjustments, Buber said.

• Approved a purchase order for $21,511.34 for new office furniture for Mental Health/Developmental Services in connection with the move into the renovated Human Services Building, 410 N. Centre St., Pottsville.

• Approved updated plans for Section 3, Minority Business and Women Business Enterprise, Residential Anti-displacement and Relocation and 504 Grievance procedure plans for the county Community Development Block Grant program.

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

POTTSVILLE — A Minersville man who claimed his cat shot itself in the eye will not have to spend more time in prison after pleading guilty recently to injuring the cat.

Barry L. Hollenbach, 26, pleaded guilty to cruelty to animals, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of aggravated cruelty to animals.

Judge Jacqueline L. Russell accepted the plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced Hollenbach to serve 29 days to 23 months in prison with immediate parole, pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, and perform 20 hours community service. Russell also barred Hollenbach from having any pets while on parole.

Minersville police alleged Hollenbach did not care for his injured cat on Feb. 28. Police said Hollenbach claimed the cat shot itself in the eye with a BB gun.

Other defendants who recently pleaded guilty before Russell, and the sentences the judge imposed, included the following people:

Francis R. Golab III, 38, of Saint Clair; retail theft, possessing instrument of crime, resisting arrest, recklessly endangering another person and possession of drug paraphernalia; nine to 23 months in prison, $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $100 in CJEA payments, 100 hours community service, drug and alcohol evaluation and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of disorderly conduct.

Michael D. Halsey, 24, of Girardville; recklessly endangering another person; 58 days to 23 months in prison with immediate parole, $50 CJEA payment, 20 hours community service and no contact with the victim. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of discharging firearm into occupied structure.

Kaitlyn Miersky, 20, of Pottsville; resisting arrest and disorderly conduct; 12 months probation, $50 CJEA payment and 40 hours community service.

Emiltza T. Polanco-Dominguez, 44, of Pottsville; retail theft; four years probation, $50 CJEA payment, 20 hours community service and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Colby A. Sweitzer, 24, of Mount Carmel; two counts of retail theft; 15 days to 23 months in prison with immediate parole, $50 CJEA payment, $285.85 restitution, 40 hours community service and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of receiving stolen property.

Amanda A. Walters, 32, of Tremont; possession of a small amount of marijuana; $500 fine and $100 SAEF payment.

Courtney L. Adukaitis-Smith, 39, address not known; retail theft; 12 months probation consecutive to Lebanon County sentence, $50 payment to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, 20 hours community service and no contact with the victim.

John J. Baker, 47, of Minersville; possession of a small amount of marijuana and disorderly conduct; 12 months probation, $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 CJEA payment, 40 hours community service and drug and alcohol evaluation. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

Rafael Casanova-Pinero, 23, of Port Carbon; possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension; 30 days probation, $1,300 in fines, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and 10 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of failure to stop at red signal.

Nicole L. Chester, 31, of Frackville; two counts of retail theft; five days to 23 months in prison, $100 in CJEA payments, no contact with the victim, 40 hours community service and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Nicole E. Chia, 31, of Pottsville; possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and retail theft; 15 days to 12 months in prison, 12 months consecutive probation, $100 SAEF payment, $100 in CJEA payments, no contact with the victim and 60 hours community service.

Brent W. Herb, 32, of Pottsville; simple assault, 35 days to 18 months in prison with immediate parole, $50 CJEA payment and 20 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew charges of strangulation and harassment.

All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.

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

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN —Rappers can stop bragging about their cars. Darn Horengic has them all beat with the 56-inch rims on his 1883 Kennedy penny-farthing bicycle, complete with a lantern and klaxon horn.

“I thought they were cool,” said Horengic, 62, of Shamokin, wearing a top hat almost as tall as the front wheel of his bike. “I like weird and unusual stuff.”

On either side of Horengic, firefighters fell into a dunk tank and the bagpipes of the Hawk Mountain Highlanders blared. Music, food and activities were all around on Saturday for Schuylkill Haven’s 31st annual Borough Day.

“It’s just a tremendous opportunity for the community to work together and highlight what Schuylkill Haven means to everybody,” said Tina Houck, the third-generation president of the Schuylkill Haven Casket Co. and member of the Schuylkill Haven Historical Society. The casket company’s 100th anniversary was the topic of the society’s 2019 Borough Day exhibit, giving out free whoopie pies stamped with the casket company logo. Houck, 60, joked and schmoozed with other history buffs. Ornate gilt clocks ticked away, looking down on frayed old books of casket sales records and “the world’s deadliest putter,” a custom-made golf club with a head shaped like a coffin.

“Death gives you an opportunity to celebrate the life that has been well lived,” Houck said.

“It’s a day to celebrate the history of Schuylkill Haven,” said society Treasurer Jim Caravan, 65. “It’s also a celebration of people coming together in the town to have a fair and show off the town.”

On a day meant to celebrate the history of the town, Horengic’s group, the Victorian High Rollers, couldn’t have done any better. Standing in front of a billowing, bellowing locomotive at the train station with their bikes, it was a scene straight out of the 19th century. Two of Us, one of the many musical acts performing Saturday, sang “California Dreamin’ ” as the train came into the station. The leaves in the mountains were brown, and the sky was gray, turning white with smoke and steam and filling with hissing, horns and bells. Railroad volunteer Chris Hohman was greasing the rods. His arms were splotched with black.

“I love to see the little kids’ faces when I tell them they can blow the whistle or get in the cab,” said Hohman, 19, of Pottsville.

He used to be that little kid, and enjoys interacting with the public on Borough Day.

“This is a dying art,” he said, “and someone has to keep it going.”

Scott Wagstaff performed with his puppets beneath the Gothic-style parapets and stained glass of St. John’s United Church of Christ.

Wagstaff, 61, of Allentown, said he’s a cheesy comedian, and he proved it by pulling out his puppet Monterrey Jack, a hunk of cheese with a face on it. Passersby smiled and shook their heads at the many cheese puns. Towards the end of the show, he held Charlie, a chimpanzee wearing a diaper, and looked at his watch.

“My life revolves around ventriloquism,” Wagstaff said. “I’ve been doing this for 30 years and I’m still not rich and I’m still not famous.”

Wagstaff said that some people are afraid of ventriloquist dummies because of their appearances in horror movies.

Splash the Clown, making balloon animals for kids, felt the same way. He hates the “It” movies because they give hard-working clowns like him a bad name.

“My feeling is ‘you can’t control stupidity,’ ” said Splash, real name John C. Sullivan. Sullivan, 61, of Pottsville, took off his orange wig, leaving a bald head, red nose and painted-on smile. His shirt read “You know what they say about clowns with big shoes.”

Sullivan met some clowns, Schmoe and Ducky, who took him under his wing. When his stepbrother was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, he started performing to raise money. He attended clown school in four states.

“It’s fun,” he said. “You get to share smiles.”

Down the road from Splash was Piggy Villa, a white-fenced play area decorated with plastic flowers that was home to three rescued pot-bellied pigs owned by Anne Savage and Priscilla Merta. The two women kissed at their pigs as they played in their pen. Tanner the pig wore a rainbow-colored harness.

“He’s the cutest pig on the planet,” said Savage, 58, of Boyertown. She wore a necklace made of the tusks of her first two pigs and earrings from the tusks of her third.

“A lot of people think they can have a pig,” said Merta, 47, of Alpha, N.J. “But you always need to check with a municipality to make sure you can have them. They’ll report you that you have a pig in the backyard — come here, Archie — and they take your piggy away.”

The pigs come from rescue sanctuaries across the country, populated with pigs whose owners thought would never grow up. Archie is a little guy, but he can already sit, shake hooves and roll over. Soon he will grow to the size of 100-pound Spartacus, who was less willing to do tricks for visitors.

“Like people,” Merta said. “Some are smarter than others.”

The pigs have their own personalities. Archie is energetic and curious, while Spartacus is laid back.

“It’s like having a 2-year-old in your house forever,” Savage said. “They’re so smart, they get into things.”

“That brain is always spinnin,’ ” Merta added.

Train volunteer Brock Regnier, 14, looked at the paintings by the pigs that were for sale at Piggy Villa. He held a carton of diet tea, his dirty gloves tucked into the back pocket of his overalls.

“I’ve always had an interest in trains,” he said. “It’s such a close-knit relationship that everyone has. It’s really a labor of love. If something goes wrong, you’re there all night trying to fix it.”

The cylinders that Regnier built with his grandfather power one of the trains.

“It’s just seeing what you do come together,” he said. “On a day like this, it’s satisfying.”

He had a spork in his front pocket, a token from his girlfriend, Amanda Becker, 15.

“I think they’re adorable,” Becker said, watching the pigs. “Just watching the little one walking around with his tail wagging.”

“A little unorthodox,” Regnier added, “but still cute.”

POTTSVILLE — A total of 49 people recently received a second chance from the Schuylkill County judicial system, as they entered a special program that will enable them to emerge from the experience with no criminal record.

The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program allows people to have their cases put aside while they are in it.

Those in the 12-month program must comply with directives from the court and the Adult Probation and Parole Office, pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, and perform community service.

Everyone who completes the program successfully will have the charges against them dismissed. They also then can petition the court to have their record expunged:

However, if they do not complete the program successfully, they will be removed from it and have their cases put back on the trial list.

Those admitted into the program, and the offenses they were charged with committing, include the following people.

Dustin R. Blackiston, 21, of Schuylkill Haven; possession of drug paraphernalia. Blackiston also must pay $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund.

Sarah Bonafair, 24, of Kelayres; driving under the influence. Bonafair also must pay a $100 SAEF payment.

Zachary G. Brooke, 27, of Shenandoah; recklessly endangering another person.

David L. Brown, 60, of Schuylkill Haven; DUI. Brown also must pay a $100 SAEF payment.

Charles Chillis, 75, of Schuylkill Haven; DUI. Chillis also must pay a $100 SAEF payment.

Daniel A. Clemente, 25, of Philadelphia; DUI, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of rug paraphernalia. Clemente also must pay a $100 SAEF payment.

Andy Concepcion, 20, of West Hazleton; three counts each of identity theft and receiving stolen property and one each of conspiracy and access device fraud. Concepcion also must pay $274.92 restitution.

Christine M. Covach, 48, of Girardville; retail theft.

Richard T. Crochunis, 51, of Minersville; DUI. Crochunis also must pay a $300 SAEF payment.

Melissa A. Daley, 27, of Newark, New Jersey; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Daley also must pay a $100 SAEF payment and $113 restitution to the state police laboratory in Bethlehem.

Jose A. De La Cruz-Romero, 36, of Schuylkill Haven; receiving stolen property.

James R. Dutter Jr., 37, of Tamaqua; DUI. Dutter also must pay a $100 SAEF payment.

Dale J. Dye, 19, of Ringtown; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Dye also must undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.

Deivis R. Fernandez, 40, of Hazleton; three counts each of identity theft and receiving stolen property and one each of conspiracy and access device fraud. Fernandez also must pay $274.92 restitution.

Ashley Fick, 26, of Pine Grove; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Fick also must pay a $100 SAEF payment and $113 restitution to the state police laboratory in Bethlehem.

Tashawn D. Green, 23, of Schuylkill Haven; possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Green also must pay a $100 SAEF payment and a $50 bench warrant fee.

Brian L. Haley, 25, of Tamaqua; DUI. Haley also must pay a $100 SAEF payment and a $50 bench warrant fee, and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.

Matthew A. Heckman, 41, of Mahanoy City; recklessly endangering another person. Heckman also must pay $1,323.50 restitution.

Terry L. Hill Jr., 21, of Oneida; possession of drug paraphernalia. Hill also must pay a $10 SAEF payment and $520 restitution to Lehigh Valley Health Network.

Richard W. Holland, 53, of Blossburg; two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Holland also must pay a $100 SAEF payment and $176 restitution to the state police laboratory in Bethlehem.

Rebecca A. Hughes, 29, of Pottsville; possession of drug paraphernalia. Hughes also must pay a $100 SAEF payment.

Susan Hummel, 56, of Schuylkill Haven; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hummel also must pay a $100 SAEF payment.

Obadiah Johnson, 40, of Reading; possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Johnson also must pay a $100 SAEF payment and a $313.48 bench warrant fee.

Kendy S. Joseph, 334, of Lansford; DUI. Joseph also must pay a $100 SAEF payment.

Mary Lempergel, 47, of Bernville; retail theft.

Tina A. Lore, 56, of Emmaus; DUI; Lore also must pay a $100 SAEF payment and $520 restitution to Lehigh Valley Health Network.

Andrew R. Luckenbill, 32, of Port Carbon; DUI. Luckenbill also must pay a $300 SAEF payment.

Jeremy G. Matz, 18, of Schuylkill Haven; corruption of minors.

Natasha Meriwether, 34, of Shenandoah; two counts of access device fraud and one each of theft of lost property and receiving stolen property.

Christina T. Oliver, 33, of Ashland; theft; Oliver also must pay $804.42 restitution.

Heather E.K. Osowski, 33, of Pottsville; theft and receiving stolen property.

Christopher J. Owens, 39, of Barnesville; retail theft.

Eric Paranac, 29, of Hazle Township; DUI. Paranac also must pay a $100 SAEF payment.

Sierra J. Petrucci, 19, of Tamaqua; DUI, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Petrucci also must pay a $100 SAEF payment.

Matthew J. Potts, 28, of Orwigsburg; DUI. Potts also must pay a $300 SAEF payment.

Whitney Ringgold, 50, of Minersville; accident involving damage to attended vehicle or property. Ringgold also must pay $19,277.25 restitution.

Gino Rivera, 26, of McAdoo; DUI. Rivera also must pay a $100 SAEF payment.

Jordany L. Rodriguez, 23, of Hazleton; possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Rodriguez also must pay a $100 SAEF payment and $500 restitution

Winefred D. Rodriguez, 24, of Hazleton; DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia. Rodriguez also must pay a $100 SAEF payment.

Linda L. Schew, 53, of Schuylkill Haven; DUI. Schew also must pay a $100 SAEF payment.

Billy J. Schlouch, 26, of Shillington; corruption of minors, stalking and two counts of indecent assault. Schlouch also must undergo a mental health evaluation.

James L. Suggs, 24, of Pottsville; unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Suggs also must pay $149.99 restitution.

James A. Swartz, 20, of State College; DUI. Swartz also must pay a $100 SAEF payment.

Julianna B. Ulshafer, 20, of West Hazleton; DUI. Ulshafer also must pay a $100 SAEF payment.

John R. Werbacher Jr., 21, of Auburn; receiving stolen property.

Christopher Wickkiser, 32, of Nesquehoning; DUI. Wickkiser also must pay a $100 SAEF payment and $400 restitution to Lehigh Valley Health Network.

Danca Wilkins-Rodriguez, 25, of Hazle Township; retail theft and receiving stolen property.

Keagan D. Williams, 19, of Beaver Meadows; possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Williams also must pay a $100 SAEF payment.

Miranda B. Yuschock, 25, of Cressona; DUI. Yuschock also must pay a $300 SAEF payment and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.

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

Anthony J. Kilker

SHENANDOAH — A Reading man charged with leading state police and municipal officers on a chase that started in Mahanoy Township and ended in Pottsville on June 24 waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.

Jose D. Munez-Montero, 31, of 206 Orchard View Road, was arrested by Trooper Matthew Hoke of the Schuylkill Haven station and charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police, recklessly endangering another person, driving an unregistered vehicle, improper display plate, driving without insurance, obedience to traffic control signals, failure to stop at a red signal, disregard for single traffic lane, following too closely, exceeding the speed limit, improper passing, operating a motorcycle improperly, not wearing proper protective headgear, reckless driving and driving a vehicle without a valid inspection.

By waiving his right to a hearing, Munez-Montero will now have to answer to all 16 charges in Schuylkill County Court, where he can plead guilty or enter a not guilty plea and request a trial.

Hoke said he was monitoring traffic on the Gold Star Highway and tried to pull over a motorcycle being driven by Munez-Montero at a high rate of speed.

The man failed to stop and fled on Route 924, through Frackville and then south on Route 61 through Saint Clair. Munez-Montero was finally taken into custody after Pottsville police stopped traffic at Route 61 and Arch Street, Hoke said.

Other court cases included:

Antonio Santiago, 46, of SCI/Benner Township, Bellefonte; withdrawn: stalking. Santiago entered a guilty plea to a charge of harassment.

Lucy Ann Dejesus-Nieves, 26, of 126 N. Chestnut St., Shenandoah; held for court: hindering apprehension or prosecution.

Matthew R. Maslo, 28, of 135 Front St., Hazle Township; waived for court: DUI, DUI-highest rate, disregard for single traffic lane, driving at an unsafe speed and failure to use safety belts.

Jose A. Blanchard, 36, of Columbia County Prison, Bloomsburg; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, driving under the influence of drugs, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Eric D. Contreras, 40, of 214 Ohio Ave., Shenandoah; withdrawn: simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Charles J. Cunningham, 48, of Box 81, 1 Pine St., Delano; waived for court; DUI and DUI-highest rate.

Michael Dillard, 41, of 123 Quality Hill Road, Gilberton; dismissed: theft and receiving stolen property.

Sandra Tomcavage, 34, of 256 S. Wylam St., Frackville; held for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kenneth W. VanHorn, 40, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; withdrawn: receiving stolen property and loitering and prowling at night. VanHorn entered guilty pleas to charges of theft, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Tyler Hall, 19, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; withdrawn: conspiracy. Hall then pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy.

Nicole L. Lorah, 21, of 1400 E. Centre St., Mahanoy City; withdrawn: conspiracy. Lorah then pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy.

(Staff writer Frank Andruscavage compiled this report)

Deer Lake

The Deer Lake and West Brunswick Fire Company, 1 Ash Road, will have bingo games on Tuesday at the fire hall. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and games will begin at 6 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-366-0152. The company sponsors games on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.

Frackville

A roast beef dinner will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 9 at Zion Lutheran Church, Oak and Nice streets. The cost is $10 for adults and $4 for children 10 and younger. Tickets must be bought by Tuesday by calling 570-874-1190. People may eat at the church or take meals out.

Minersville

First Congregational Church, 315 Sunbury St., will have a flea boutique and food sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 26. A variety of items will be on sale; food and baked goods will be available. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-617-9521.

Pottsville

Pottsville Area High School October majorette camp registration is set for 5 to 7 p.m. today and Oct. 6 at the D.H.H. Lengel Middle School parking lot near the pool. The cost is $25. Camp, according to a release, will be from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 19 for grades K-8 at the John S. Clarke Elementary café. Girls attending will participate in the Halloween parades, for which details will be provided at registration. For more information, call Deniece at 570-573-1946.

Pottsville

A bake sale with proceeds going to the Alzheimer’s Association is set for 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 10 at Providence Place Senior Living, 2200 First Ave. To order in advance, call Tiffany Putalavage, 570-628-6950. More information is available online at www.Providence-Place.com. Providence Place will also have trick-or-treat from 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 16.

Pottsville

The Anthracite Philharmonic “Spooky Strings” will perform at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Majestic Theater, North Centre Street. Its first rehearsal will be from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at the former Yuengling Mansion, 1440 Mahantongo St. For more information, email linda087@comcast.net.

Pottsville

The second planning meeting for the annual Thanksgiving Day meal project by the Pottsville Knights of Columbus will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 at the council home, 1840 West End Ave. Those wishing to help with the project are welcome to attend. For more information, call 570-617-1714.

Pottsville

Schuylkill Indivisible will have a public town hall from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Pottsville Free Public Library, 215 W. Market St. For more information, see the Schuylkill Indivisible Facebook page or email schuylkill.indivisible@gmail.com.

Ringtown

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 100 E. Main St., will have a Kauffman’s chicken barbecue from 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 8. Tickets are $9.50 each. Meals will also include a baked potato, vegetable and coleslaw. For tickets or more information, call 570-889-3494 or 570-889-5912.

Shenandoah

The annual Mrs. T’s Community Picnic will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 6 at the parking lot behind the Ateeco Inc. plant just off Herald Road in the borough’s southeast section. The picnic will feature food, entertainment and family fun, including pierogies, hamburgers, hot dogs, soda, kettle corn, funnel cakes, bingo, music by disc jockey Dave Smith, prizes, games, and activities for children. It is free, but a ticket is needed to enter. A limited amount of tickets are available. People may obtain tickets at any of the following Shenandoah businesses: Betty Ann Bugden’s Total Image Design Salon, 30 S. Main St.; Kowalonek’s Kielbasy Shop, 332 S. Main St.; Vernalis Restaurant, 32 South Main St.; Francesco’s, 10 N. Main St.; Lucky’s Kielbasi Shop, 720 W. Centre St.; First National Bank, 101 N. Main St.; Santander Bank, 2 N. Main St.; BB&T Bank, 5 N. Main St., and M&T Bank, 2 S. Main St.

The state Department of Transportation has scheduled roadwork on county roads this week.

The projects include:

• Construction from 6 a.m. Sunday to noon Friday on Interstate 81 in Butler and New Castle townships between Exit 119 (Highridge Park Road) and Exit 124 (Route 61), with single lanes north and south

• Inspection from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday on Interstate 81 in Delano Township between Exit 134 (Delano) and Exit 138 (Route 309), with southbound lane restrictions

• Pothole patching from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Thursday in Butler and Foster townships between Exit 119 (Highridge) and Exit 112 (Hegins), with lane closure

• Highway beautification from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday on state Route 1006 in Blythe and Ryan townships between Morea Road and Peach Mountain Road

• Pothole patching from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday on Route 61 South in North Manheim Township between Mill Creek Avenue and state Route 183, with lane restrictions

ORWIGSBURG — A French scientist, his wife, a handful of Pygmy rangers and the Pottsville-born heir to a textile company walk down a volcanic path in Rwanda.

The year is 1976, and they’re looking for a group of gorillas, the same group that was studied by Dian Fossey and featured in “Gorillas in the Mist.”

The Pottsville man, Jack Miller, has military experience. He knows there will be an arduous journey ahead. As the group sweats along, they learn about what to do — lie on the ground, grab a root and start chewing on it to appear nonthreatening — and what not to do — look directly at them, bare your teeth, run — in the event of a gorilla attack. Speak of the devil, there’s one now!

“So I’m laying there,” said Miller, 73, “I’m looking first of all for the ranger, and he’s on the ground, eating one of these roots.”

Miller turns his head and gets a crick in his neck. He grimaces in pain, showing his teeth. A gorilla saw him.

“I swear,” Miller said, “the gorilla went” — he imitates a gorilla, balling his hands into fists and gasping like an ape. In the end, the beast did no harm.

He tells the story like a joke, standing beside the bar in his Orwigsburg home that smells like old books. But when it comes to the rest of his life story, he’s as serious as can be, extolling the glory of nature, God and mankind. On Sept. 19, after a 106-day, 1,000-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Schuylkill County with his son, Fritz, 22, Miller returned home with some fanfare (he still has the half-eaten cake from the welcome home party). For him, that was the coda to a lifetime of adventure.

“I’m blessed to be able to have this hike at the age of 73,” Miller said. “On this trip, I was the oldest person I ran into.”

A week? How about six?

He’s sitting on a rocking chair in his darkening sun room. A trellis of leaves climbs over the mesh walls, scratched open by Miller’s cats, as if to let in the chirping of birds and insects. The sunset illuminates the pointy treetops. His dog, Waylon, howls in the night.

“What amazes me still is that he still wanted to hike and finish,” said Fritz in a Sept. 20 Facebook post. “After all that work, he wanted to hike on. His sense of adventure and spirit continues to inspire me. Most people who are 73 can’t even hike 1 mile, let alone 1,000. Most 73-year-olds would never sleep in a tent for over 100 days. That’s what makes my dad so so cool.”

In 2016, when Fritz was in college playing soccer in Europe, he and his dad walked the Camino de Santiago, a 30-day, 500-mile pilgrimage from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to the cathedral city of Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain, the fabled site of the remains of St. James the Apostle.

“I’m an adventurer and a traveller,” Miller said. “He brought it up. I said let’s do a week; he said let’s do six weeks. And that was a fabulous adventure. Every day there was something new to see.”

The two walked through small towns, fortresses and vineyards, joining local festivals.

“There’s a spiritual aspect of the Camino,” he said, “and it literally brought us to tears at times with the beauty. I don’t know how else to say it, thinking we’re walking so far back in time is amazing.”

After arriving in front of the enormous Medieval cathedral, Miller entered the altar, viewed the crypt of St. James and, like millions of pilgrims before him, put his arms around a porcelain statue of the apostle.

The next level

Before that, Miller said, the most hiking experience he had was walking to Russo’s along Route 61 to get pizza. When Fritz graduated from college and asked his father to accompany him on the Appalachian Trail, he remembered the Camino and was ready for the next level.

To train, he put weights in a backpack and hiked through the wooded hills surrounding his home. On June 5, they started at Baxter State Park in Maine. The mountain was still closed due to snow, so they walked through what is known as the Hundred Mile Wilderness.

“There’s no cellphone reception. You made all your own food, you slept on the ground,” he said. “I lost 21 pounds in that 30 days.”

He said Maine is the hardest stretch of the trail. Every day required climbing up thousands of feet of rock. In a Maine hostel, Miller had the best hamburger he’d ever eaten.

“You might have been five days out just eating MREs,” he said. “One guy, when we got in there, he served milkshakes. That was so exciting.”

Most hikers usually start the approximately 2,200-mile trail in Georgia and end in Maine, but Miller and Fritz worked in reverse.

“The peaks and the hills,” he said, “it’s a constant battle. ... The drudgery of a hike like this is just getting up every day and hiking your 10, 15 miles, and the ruggedness of the territory.”

Miller raved over the restaurants he found in the little mountain towns he and his son stopped in along the way.

“You probably just wouldn’t realize that the country is so wooded and rural,” he said. “You would just see mountain ranges or other peaks or lakes. You’re really in nature. That’s part of the enjoyment of the trip, despite the difficulty, is the views and accomplishment of getting to the top of the mountain.”

Beauty of nature, God

To Miller, nature is a somewhat religious experience. In his life, he’s been to more than 100 countries, including ones that don’t exist anymore. He remembered the gorilla story in his living room standing on a Turkish prayer rug, looking at a French poster above the fireplace. Across from that is a felt carving he bought in Mongolia, where he spent 40 days horseback riding (“You’re actually riding to these yurts with people who live the same way they did 2,000 years ago,” he said) and a Maasai shield from Kenya. Mounted on other walls through his home are a goat he shot in the Yukon and an alligator head from Thailand. A Portuguese tile painting of a monk drinking wine sits on his dining room table beside a star-shaped Egyptian lamp and a Dutch porcelain fountain. Those two souvenirs are from his parents, who gave Miller his love of travel.

“You learn how much you don’t know when you travel,” he said. “You just learn about life and history and how moving it is.”

In the early hours of Nov. 24, 1963, 12 hours after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Miller’s father died of a massive heart attack. Miller, 17, was suddenly thrust into the family businesses, H.L. Miller and Son and Pottsville Bleach and Dye. On the day of the funeral, he woke up with the sunrise and felt that his life was over. That morning, he said, he had a mystical experience. He could feel God speaking to him, telling him that everything was going to be alright. Along the Appalachian Trail, Miller and Fritz talked about God, what the hike taught them, how to get over difficult situations and what the future held.

“It let me appreciate the beauty of nature and God, and the beauty of life,” he said. “The humanity of it all is you meet wonderful people.”

One night in Maine, he found a lonely log cabin on the side of the road with two men inside. They were part of a group called Trail Magic, which offers food and drink to hikers.

“You were thinking of ‘Deliverance,’ you know?” he said. “They had cheeseburgers and they had drinks, and we ended up spending the night with these guys.”

In his freshman year of college, Miller toured Europe with his wrestling coach. He drove through East Germany (they took his camera at the checkpoint) and visited Shakespeare’s house.

“That trip,” he remembered, “seeing all of history, every chapel, every cathedral, you see all this wonderful creativity and beauty, and you see the tragedy of Auschwitz.”

Miller gets up from his rocking chair and pulls the chain on a lamp, illuminating a painting of an old sea captain smoking a cigarette. His eye is completely black.

“About two days before I left for Vietnam,” Miller said, “I was sitting at a bar having a drink; this guy was looking at me all the time, so I bought him. He keeps following me with his eye.”

Sense of accomplishment

On July 20, 1969, as Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, Miller landed in Vietnam. Unlike many in his generation, he enlisted. He was in the infantry and ran communications in an area called Parrot’s Beak, taking over a group of 50 men after their previous leader left to replace an officer from Lancaster who was shot and killed by one of his own men.

“We did things that constantly challenged the men to keep them off the challenge of war or depression,” Miller said, “even though it was all around you.”

His base was attacked two or three nights a week. He returned to the U.S. in the spring of 1970, then did a six-month tour of west Africa, returned again and took over the family businesses in 1971. He spent three months of the next three years running safaris in Kenya.

“The adventure is you might have a flat tire, you run into a pride of lions,” he said. “You see something being born, you see something being killed in a hunt.”

Almost 50 years later, H.L. Miller and Son and Pottsville Bleach and Dye are gone (they shut down in 2000). Miller is retired, and while Fritz is in Harper’s Ferry looking to continue the rest of the Appalachian Trail, Miller is back home. He was disappointed that he wasn’t able to go to Georgia with his son, but still feels a sense of accomplishment.

“Just the overwhelming beauty of nature, the ability to hike with my son and experience the pluses and minuses of life,” he said. “To see all the little towns and the different mountain ranges — that you can still do that in this time and age. You almost get to feel comfortable in your tent.”