VALLEY VIEW — The Hegins-Hubley Authority will have to wait some more.

Neither the Hegins or Hubley township supervisors have made a decision on how to split the loan guarantee for the proposed joint sewer project, the authority board learned at Monday’s meeting.

In planning for the new sewer system, the authority hopes to use a $2 million Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority design loan for pre-construction financing. However, the authority needs the respective townships to guarantee the loan in the event that the authority would default, before the process can move forward.

The authority in August approved seeking proposals for a $600,000 line of credit from lending institutions. The authority would also seek another PennVEST loan for the construction portion of the project, which could cost between $34 and $50 million for the sewage collection system and wastewater treatment plant.

Paul J. Datte, the authority solicitor, said a request has gone out to PennVEST to extend the time frame granted in its commitment letter. PennVEST will not give a loan to the authority unless it receives the municipal guarantees, Datte said.

The commitment letter deadline was set to expire Nov. 3 or 4. The township supervisors are scheduled to take up the loan guarantee matter at their respective monthly meetings in November, but after the PennVEST letter deadline.

In other business, Demetrius Kasmari, authority manager, said the authority received $1,562.04 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for flood damage. All FEMA and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency funds due to the authority have now been received, he said.

Jonathan Vito, project engineer with Ebert Engineering Inc., said he was following through with the state Department of Environmental Protection to see how he could expedite the review of the Hubley water tank replacement project.

Vito expects the tank project could be bid in early spring, and the tank may take three to four months to construct.

The board gave Kasmari the approval to search for a demolition company who may demolish the current tank for free for the scrap steel available.

Clark Romberger, board chairman, said that would be a suitable arrangement, as long as the demolition does not interfere with the construction schedule.

In his manager’s report, Kasmari shared details about the office improvements that were underway or nearly completed, at a cost he estimated would not exceed $1,000.

The three chlorine analyzers are now all online, he said. Kasmari said he also reached out to an authority in the Reading area to see what type of analyzers it was using. Some of the newer analyzers need more re-calibration, Kasmari said.

“We’re good with what we have now,” he said.

As for lead and copper test results, all results are well under the legal limit, he confirmed.

The manager completed the information for the Susquehanna River Basin Commission grandfather registration. SRBC wanted to know the highest amounts of water that the authority has withdrawn daily on its well system.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Auburn

The Auburn Church of God, 230 Market St., will have a community dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday featuring hot dogs, chili dogs, beverages and dessert. Donations will be accepted but are not required. For more information, email laughalottd@gmail.com.

Barnesville

Mountain Valley Golf Course will welcome the new year with a Light Up the Mountain celebration Dec. 28 featuring a fireworks display by Bixler Pyrotechnics, Ashland, sponsored by CACL Financial. Festivities will also include dinner and dancing, with the fireworks at midnight, according to a release. For tickets or more information, call 570-467-2242, Ext. 3.

Girardville

A Halloween parade sponsored by the Good Time Club will begin at 2 p.m. Oct. 27 rain or shine at West Main and Julia streets and finish at Girard Hose Company No. 1 where treat bags will be distributed. The annual trick-or-treat night in the community will be 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. People wishing to greet children are asked to turn their porch lights on. For more information, call 570-276-1635.

Heckscherville

Clover Fire Company, 8 Clover Road, will have an all-you-can-eat breakfast from 7 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

Mahanoy City

The St. Teresa of Calcutta Golden Age group is accepting new members, people 55 and older. The group meets twice monthly in the church hall for fellowship, lunch and bingo, leaders said in a press release. Dues are $5. For more information, call 570-773-1753.

Port Carbon

Good Will Fire Company No. 1, 88 Washington St., will have the Spooks and Ladders 5K and Fall Fest from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For the 9 a.m. 5K, people may register online at www.pretzelcitysports.com. The annual Port Carbon Halloween Parade will begin at noon and at 1 p.m. there will be a public safety feature plus “Truck or Treat.” The Ducks on Fire rubber duck race will be at 2 p.m.; food will be sold during all of the events. The 5K cost is $30, which includes a shirt and goodie bag. For more information, call 570-573-1683.

Pottsville

A festival of lessons and carols is set for 7 to 8 p.m. Dec. 22 at First United Methodist Church, 330 W. Market St. It will feature a combined Chancel Choir of 30 singers for a candlelight worship service. A reception including wassail and hors d’oeuvres in the Zerby Lounge. Free will offerings will be accepted. For more information, call 570-622-8140 or go online to www.methodistwitness.com.

Pottsville

A “panel of help, hope and understanding” regarding Alzheimer’s and dementia will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Pottsville Senior Community Center, 201 N. Centre St., with a dinner served at 5:30 p.m. Donations will be appreciated; dinner is not required in order to attend the panel discussion. The panel will include representatives from a wide variety of regional health and senior living facilities. To register, call 570-624-3016.

Sheppton

The Sheppton-Oneida Volunteer Fire Company is holding a homemade pumpkin roll and pie sale, with delivery in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. Available items include pumpkin rolls, pumpkin pie, old-fashioned apple pie, apple crumb pie and apple caramel walnut pie. All items are $11 each and must be ordered by Oct. 31. Items will be ready for pickup at the firehouse on Nov. 26 and 27. To order, call the firehouse at 570-384-4746, see any fire company member or message the company’s Facebook page.

Tamaqua

Zion Lutheran Church, Mauch Chunk and Greenwood streets, will host its third annual Trunk or Treat family event, rain or shine, from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 29 on Mauch Chunk Street between Greenwood and Market streets. The event will be held indoors in the event or rain. Tamaqua area families are welcome to this safe Halloween event, sponsored by the church outreach team. For more information, call 570-668-2180 or go online to www.ziontamaqua.com.

HARRISBURG — Lawmakers and emergency responders gathered at Soldier’s Grove outside the Capitol building Monday to promote legislation designed to improve emergency services throughout the state.

State Rep. Steve Barrar, R-160, Chester and Delaware counties, unveiled his “Helpers and Heroes’ Plan,” a package of 16 bills that have been voted out of committee and are on their way to the full House for consideration in the coming weeks.

The legislation is designed to help reverse the sharp decline in fire and EMS providers and enhance public safety, Barrar, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, told a crowd of about 100 people.

Labeling the situation a crisis, he said the dwindling number of volunteer firefighters and EMS providers could soon reach a point where the public would not be assured emergency personnel would respond when they call 911.

Barrar was joined by House Majority Leader Brian Cutler, R-Lancaster, who said volunteer firefighters across the state numbered more than 300,000 in the 1970s but now total just 38,000.

Now is the time for change, Cutler said.

“We must act and ensure that our volunteer ranks grow before it’s too late,” he said.

Creating incentives

Barrar addressed concerns about EMS response in The Republican-Herald’s recent series, “Ambulance Emergency,” saying, “We are going to lose lives over this.”

The legislative effort to address the problem began with the General Assembly’s adoption in April 2017 of Senate Resolution 6 (SR 6), which established a 39-member study commission to address funding and manpower problems. It made 92 recommendations.

On Monday, Barrar said the legislation that came out of the commission offers recommendations such as expanding, modernizing and creating incentives to help with the recruitment and retention of emergency services personnel. These, he said, include use of both financial and non-financial incentives. (See sidebar.)

Also addressed are financial problems that are causing volunteer organizations to cut back on services or even close their doors.

Included as well is the need to correct EMS reimbursement rates to allow for competitive compensation and the need for insurance reimbursements to go directly to the organization that provided the service. Barrar and local ambulance service providers told The Republican-Herald for its series that “ambulance abuse” is common, including those who pocket their insurance reimbursements rather than paying their ambulance bills.

‘Legislative foundation’

Charles McGarvey, Lower Marion Township chief fire officer and fire marshal, said Monday he and other members of the commission hope the proposed legislation is just a start.

“This will be the legislative foundation on which the fire and EMS will be built,” he said.

McGarvey stressed the need to stem the decline in those seeking a career as a firefighter or EMS provider.

The SR 6 commission, McGarvey said, was made up of volunteer and career firefighters and other emergency first responders, all working hand in hand. There was no designation of career and volunteer, he noted.

“We are all, simply put, first responders,” he said. “We want to help save one the oldest organizations in our nation’s history, the volunteer fire service.”

Among those on hand for the ceremony was SR 6 Commission member Frank J. Zangari Jr.

Zangari, who serves as Girardville’s fire chief and president of the Schuylkill County Fire Chiefs Association, said he hopes representatives and senators will help move the legislation forward.

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

PORT CLINTON — Reading & Northern has announced a schedule for a series of new Santa Train rides.

Reading & Northern has announced that 2019 Christmas trains will be focused on those communities that had existing facilities for their trains.

The railroad terminated its relationship with the Borough of Jim Thorpe due to the lack of support from borough officials. The railroad thanked people throughout the region, including residents and merchants in Jim Thorpe for their support.

“The goal of our passenger program was always about bringing joy and happiness to the communities, the riders, our employees and our company. People don’t realize how expensive it is to maintain and replace engines and passenger coaches. When we look at all of the costs of running our passenger operation we understand that we are not in the business to make money; we do it because it’s a labor of love. If we can’t have fun doing it, we have decided not to do it. We are grateful for the outpouring of support we have received this week and it has made us realize that there are communities and people who love the railroad as much as we do. Our Santa Train schedule for 2019 is an effort to bring joy to as many families as possible this year while making sure our loyal employees also have a great holiday season,” said Reading & Northern Railroad CEO Andy Muller.

The 2019 Christmas schedule is as follows, according to the railroad:

• Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, and 24 —Reading Outer Station.

• Nov. 30 and Dec. 1— Minersville Station.

• Dec. 7 and 8 — Schuylkill Haven Station.

• Dec. 14 and 15 —Tunkhannock.

• Dec. 21 and 22 — Pottsville Union Station.

According to the railroad, all trains depart at all locations at 10:30 a.m. and 1 and 3:30 p.m. for a 70- to 80-minute round-trip.

All Santa Claus Special Train rides are $15 per adult and $9 per child ages 3 to 12. Children 2 and under receive a free ticket. The railroad said each guest will receive a free piece of candy and a special visit from Santa Claus, along with holiday music playing on the train.

The Reading & Northern Passenger Office can be reached at 610-562-2102 with any questions or to purchase tickets in advance. Tickets will also be sold on a first-come, first-served basis on days of trips, according to the railroad.

Chamber handles range of business

SHENANDOAH — The Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce handled business items ranging from the upcoming annual Christmas downtown and Girard Park lighting and decorating programs to the ongoing downtown outdoor farm market and the merger of the Shenandoah and Mahanoy City Rotary clubs to form Schuylkill Rotary, during the chamber’s October meeting at the Shenandoah Senior Living Community, East Washington Street.

Chamber directors also heard reports from Healthy Shenandoah, the Shenandoah Valley School District, the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. and about new business openings in the community, according to meeting minutes compiled by Renee Del-Valle Buchanan of Healthy Shenandoah and the Shenandoah Senior Living Community.

Del-Valle Buchanan said Nick Milewski agreed to erect the Christmas lights and decorations throughout the Shenandoah business district and Allen Palubinsky “and friends” agreed to set up the lights in Girard Park in the chamber’s Light Up the Park program.

Directors made note that the annual downtown open-air farm market along the first block of South Main Street, east side, is still going strong from about 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Fridays and will continue through November featuring local farmers and growers offering a wide variety of items.

Regarding the merger of the Shenandoah and Mahanoy City Rotary clubs into Schuylkill Rotary, Del-Valle Buchanan noted in the minutes the Rotarians will continue to have the students of the month programs for Shenandoah Valley and Mahanoy Area high schools but “in a different fashion.” She also said the Thanksgiving meals will be distributed at the Shenandoah High Rise, Shenandoah Village Apartments and at the Mahanoy City High Rise.

Thomas Sosar of Sosar Physical Therapy, which has a Shenandoah office at the C&R Emporium building along East Centre Street, said the adjacent huge former Swift meat processing/packing building at Centre and Bower streets has been razed and business at C&R has returned to normal. He also said an intern from Misericordia will soon start at the Sosar offices in Frackville and Shenandoah.

In the Healthy Shenandoah report, according to Del-Valle Buchanan’s minutes, it was noted that a safe Halloween Trunk or Treat will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Shenandoah Senior Living Community. SSLC, the Shenandoah Ambulance Association, Shenandoah Valley Elementary School and Vernalis Restaurant will provide hot dogs for the first 300 trick-or-treaters.

She also said the Polish American Fire Company, Centre and West streets, has again agreed to be the host site for the 40th annual Shenandoah Coal Cracker 10K and Fun Run to be held on June 13, 2020.

Chamber directors made note of the regional public focus meetings Downtown Shenandoah Inc. is having for entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs regarding the innovation hub — Center for Education, Business and Arts — it will build in the 100 block of North Main Street, east side, where the JCPenney, Karvois Cleaners and Davison’s Furniture stores once stood. A focus session was held Oct. 16 at the borough hall in Shenandoah and other sessions are slated for 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Penn State Schuylkill Student Center, 200 University Drive, Schuylkill Haven, and 6 p.m. Thursday at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center, 125 Pine St., Tamaqua. Those unable to make it to a meeting can learn more about the project and complete a survey online at https://DiscoverCEBA.com/survey.

Directors heard from the Shenandoah Valley School District about the boys’ cross country team winning Schuylkill League Division II and about the crowing of Victoria Donovan as homecoming queen, according to the chamber minutes. Brian Waite, Shenandoah Valley superintendent, attended the meeting.

New business openings and reopenings discussed included Paradise Café in the first block of North Main Street, which had been on hiatus for several weeks, and the newly opened Chimi Café in the 100 block of North Main adjacent to the site that had been Berson’s Jewelry and Gift Shop. Directors also heard about King Kruller doughnut shop and coffeehouse in the first block of North Main Street continuing under new proprietorship.

A new sign erected at the Shenandoah One Stop at the southeast corner of Main and Lloyd streets indicates the establishment will soon have a pharmacy, according to the periodic Downtown Shenandoah Update.

Other chamber meeting reports listed in Del-Valle Buchanan’s meeting minutes included the Alzheimer’s Association and the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce. An Alzheimer’s and dementia education seminar was held Oct. 17 at the Shenandoah Senior Living Community. A wrap-up meeting for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be held at noon today at SSLC.

Del-Valle Buchanan said the annual Santa Trot will be held again this year but the chamber had no details about the date or route for the wildly popular event in which trotters walk for visitations at community taverns.

The chamber’s next meeting is set for 8 a.m. Nov. 19 at the Vernalis Restaurant in the first block of South Main Street.

WIAC readies

for juried exhibit

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — The Walk In Art Center, 220 Parkway, has issued a call for entries for its fourth annual Keystone Fine Art Juried Exhibit, for which a reception is set for 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 2 with awards at 3 p.m.

Procedures, according to a WIAC flier, include delivery from 10 a.m. to noon and 4 to 6 p.m. Monday in the main gallery. Pickup of unaccepted work is prior to 4 p.m. Oct. 30. Any artwork not picked up will be charged $50 per day.

Artists will be contacted by WIAC only if work is not accepted. Calls will go out Oct. 29 via phone numbers provided with submissions.

Pickups of accepted work will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 25 and 26. Any artwork not picked up will the charged $50 per day.

Regarding entry requirements, work must be hand-delivered. There is an adult non-refundable entry fee of $20 for first artwork, $10 for second artwork and $5 for third artwork. For students 17 and younger, there is a non-refundable entry fee of $10 for first artwork, $5 for second artwork and $5 for third artwork.

The main WIAC gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

Regarding entry criteria, all 2D pieces submitted must be original and not previously exhibited at the Keystone Fine Art Juried Exhibition. All artwork must be ready to hang with a wire, framed or gallery wrapped — no saw tooth, fast frames or clips. Artwork not ready to hang will be denied acceptance. All artwork must be no larger than 30-by-40 inches max in any direction. There are seven categories and entrants are asked to place their works in the category of which it is 90 percent. Categories include oil/acrylic, watercolor/pastel, drawing/graphite/pen and ink, photo/digital/ fiber/paper, other media, student 17 and younger.

There will be prizes totaling $1,925. Prizes given in each adult category will be $200 for first place and $100 for second place. Prizes given in the student category will be $75 for first place and $50 for second place.

Jurors will be Ann Piper, associate professor of drawing and painting at Susquehanna University, and Shannon Fugate, executive director of the Baum School of Art in Allentown for nearly a decade.

For more information and a 2019 prospectus, contact WIAC by calling 570-732-3728 or emailing information@walkinartcenter.com.

Schaeffer’s event to help patients

ORWIGSBURG — Schaeffer’s Harley Davidson, 1123 Brick Hill Road, will have an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner and basket auction from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday to help cancer patients.

The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-10 and free for children 3 and younger. Proceeds will benefit the Gentle Yoga Program for cancer patients at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill.

All are welcome; for more information, call 570-366-0143.

In a release, M. Michael Peckman, public affairs and marketing coordinator with Lehigh Valley Health Network, thanked Schaeffer’s, the Harley Owners Group Deer Lake chapter and the Ladies of Harley, Deer Lake, for enabling cancer patients in Schuylkill County have a program “that offers both physical and mental encouragement” via the free Gentle Yoga Program, which is held weekly.

Money raised via the spaghetti dinner effort has helped Gentle Yoga “for many years,” Peckman said.

With this year’s dinner, there will also be a basket auction with items donated by local business and organizations.

Peckman said representatives of the LVHN Cancer Center–Schuylkill, LVHN Rehab Services and other colleagues will join with Schaeffer’s and the HOG Chapter and Ladies Guild to volunteer and support the Oct. 26 event. Schuylkill colleagues will also provide information about the many cancer services available through LVHN, according to the release.

Chamber updates its events agenda

POTTSVILLE — The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce has several upcoming sessions on its agenda. People may register for all chamber programs online at www.schuylkillchamber.com or by calling 570-622-1942. The chamber headquarters and the SEDCO/chamber conference center are at Union Station, 1 Progress Circle, Suite 201, Pottsville, PA 17901.

• Member Success orientation, 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Vito’s Coal Fired Pizza at the Coal Creek Commerce Center, Saint Clair.

• Business After 5 O’clock Mixer, Wednesday, co-sponsored by M&T Bank, and Vito’s Coal Fired Pizza, Coal Creek Commerce Center, Saint Clair.

• Schuylkill Haven Municipal Highlight Roundtable and (Main Street) Tour, sponsored by state Sen. David Argall, R-29, Rush Township, and the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, 9 a.m. Friday.

• Commissioners’ debate breakfast, 7:30 a.m. Oct. 31, Saint Nicholas Hall, Route 901, Primrose, featuring the Schuylkill County commissioner candidates.

Grand opening

for Moonshine

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce has announced in a flier that a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at Main Street Moonshine, 101 W. Main St.

The event will include light refreshments with moonshine sampling provided, according to the flier.

Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to the chamber’s Samantha Schivinski by calling 570-622-1942 or email her at schivinski@schuylkillchamber.com.

Cancer awareness at Chizmar salon

SAINT CLAIR — Doris Chizmar of Chizmar’s Designer Wigs & Barber Salon, 415 S. Second St., is having a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness, featuring hot pink clip hair swatches at $5 each, available at her center.

All money donated will go to the American Cancer Society, Chizmar said in a release.

The fundraiser clips will be available until Oct. 31.

Chizmar’s salon hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. For more information, call 570-429-0303.

MAEA outlines upcoming offerings

POTTSVILLE — The Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association, based at 250 One Norwegian Plaza, offers a variety of discussions, training sessions and classes. For more information or to register for MAEA events, email Christine Robbins at crobbins@nepamaea.com or call 570-622-0992. More information also is available at the MAEA website at www.nepamaea.com. Upcoming sessions include:

• Wine and food pairing, 5 to 7 p.m. today, Wegmans Food Markets Inc., 820 Keystone Boulevard, High Ridge Business Park.

• Forklift training, classroom instruction, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Top of the 80s restaurant near Hazleton.

• Three levels of hands-on Excel I, II and III training, MAEA computer lab, Pottsville, 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Nov. 21 and Dec. 12.

• MAEA can assist firms with safety services, a healthcare coalition, business coalition, webinars and forklift classroom instruction.

Fairlane sets

Mall-O-Ween

POTTSVILLE — Fairlane Village mall, Route 61, will have Mall-O-Ween from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 30 for regional children.

According to a mall release, youngsters will be able to visit stations, made up of community vendors, for treats and surprises during the free event.

For more information, call 570-429-1563 or go online to http://www.shopfairlanevillage.com.

LVH-Schuylkill sets breakfast for vets

POTTSVILLE — Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill will sponsor an Appreciation Breakfast for Schuylkill County veterans and current members of the military from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Nov. 9 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill East Norwegian Street, Wall Auditorium, third floor main entrance, 700 E. Norwegian St.

To register, call 888-402-5846 or go online to LVHN.org/vetbreakfast, according to a flier circulated by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce.

POTTSVILLE — Wheelchair-bound Albert J. Natale testified Monday in Schuylkill County Court that he swung a board at Joseph S. Webb IV in June 2018 for only one reason.

“I was trying to get your client out of my house,” Natale told Joseph P. Nahas Jr., Frackville, Webb’s lawyer, during the first day of Webb’s trial on nine charges stemming from what prosecutors allege the defendant did next — shoot him.

Webb, 43, of Palmyra, occasionally conferred with Nahas as Natale and other witnesses talked about the shooting. The jury trial, over which President Judge William E. Baldwin is presiding, is scheduled to resume at 9 a.m. today with Assistant District Attorney Thomas J. Campion Jr. continuing to present his case.

Webb faces one count each of attempted homicide, possessing instrument of crime, recklessly endangering another person and harassment, two counts of aggravated assault and three counts of simple assault.

State police at Schuylkill Haven allege Webb shot Natale once in the back with a Taurus 9 mm semi-automatic pistol around 1 a.m. June 25, 2018, at Natale’s residence at 256 S. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove.

“‘I shot him’,” is what Webb admitted, state police Trooper Daniel Phillips testified.

Phillips also said he found Natale on the ground outside the residence.

“He was lying on the pavement,” Phillips said of Natale. “He was yelling in pain.”

Phillips also said there were several people in the area and he stayed with Natale until emergency personnel arrived.

Natale said he was screaming for help and afraid during the entire incident, and that he was dragged down the steps of his residence to the basement.

State police Cpl. Wesley LeVan testified he interviewed Natale, who told him he never had seen Webb before and just wanted him out of the house. He also said Natale and Tammy Cummings, Webb’s sister, had a sporadic relationship, were breaking up and the former wanted to evict her from the residence.

Other prosecution witnesses included the following:

• Erika Carl, a neighbor, who said she did not see any blood on Webb and also did not see him dragging Natale.

• Lori Carl, another neighbor, who said Cummings said Webb had shot Natale. She also said she helped stop Natale’s bleeding until help arrived.

• State police Trooper Robert Wessner, who said he took numerous photographs of the scene.

• State police Cpl. Thomas Leib, who interviewed Webb. During that interview, Webb said he felt threatened by Natale swinging the board, according to Leib.

• State police Trooper Matthew A. Tonitis, the prosecuting officer, who said Webb told him he was helping his sister move, although he did not see any of Cummings’ belongings. Tonitis also identified the gun and the board.

Contact the writer: pbortner@republicanherald.com; 570-366-9240

DURYEA — Two women from Pittston Township wanted to make sure Vice President Mike Pence knew how much they like him and President Donald Trump.

Piera Marotto and Melanie Yozwiak parked in a lot a few hundred yards down York Avenue from Schott Advanced Optics, which Pence toured on Monday. An hour before the vice president was scheduled to arrive, Marotto and Yozwiak stood next to a banner draped across the rear of an SUV that read “Trump: Make America Great Again.”

The women also wore Trump 2020 caps and placed signs in support of Trump and Pence on lawn chairs set near the road, along the route Pence was likely to take from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport to Schott.

“We are here to show him there is support in northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Marotto.

Yozwiak and Marotto said they have attended Trump rallies together, including one at Mohegan Sun Arena. Once they found out Pence’s visit to Schott was a private event, they decided to get as close as they could, they said.

Yozwiak said she is a lifelong ardent Republican, but Marotto only recently switched her registration from Democrat to Republican.

The Democrats’ “complete socialist bent” of the past few years compelled the switch in parties, she said.

“They no longer represent our values,” Marotto said.

She said immigration and “freebies” given to immigrants hit close to home for her, since she immigrated to the United States from Italy with her parents when she was three years old.

“They received nothing but the opportunity to live the American Dream, and they did,” Marotto said. “Lately we have gone backwards.”

Contact the writer: emark@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2117

Bills intended to avert a crisis in the delivery of volunteer fire and emergency medical services that have been voted out of committee and are on their way to the full House for consideration are:

House Bill 432: Enables first responders who are suffering from a traumatic event resulting in post-traumatic stress to receive the mental health benefits necessary.

House Bill 1448: Establishes a voter referendum on whether to permit municipal/career fire companies to access the Pennsylvania 2% Volunteer Loan and Assistance Program to help purchase and maintain their facilities and equipment.

House Bill 1459: Creates a mental wellness and stress management program for first responders.

House Bill 1838: Increases surcharges on certain violations to enhance EMS Operating Fund.

House Bill 1839: Enables counties to offer a tax credit against the property tax liability of active volunteers of a fire or EMS company.

House Bill 1834: Extends the Pennsylvania Fire Company and EMS Grant program for another four years and would permit companies to save grant money for up to five years to cover a large project.

House Bill 1816: Increases loan limits for volunteer fire and EMS services through the Volunteer Loan Assistance Program.

House Bill 1869: Authorizes Department of Health to offer a staffing waiver to EMS services.

House Bill 759: Authorizes volunteer fire departments to bill for real and reasonable costs.

House Bill 1347: Requires insurance carriers to directly reimburse ambulance companies not in the insurance carrier’s network.

House Bill 1673: Authorizes volunteer fire departments to use Volunteer Fire Relief Funds for Length of Service Award Programs, which are mini-retirement programs for volunteer firefighters.

House Bill 1705: Authorizes school districts to provide a property tax credit of up to 100% for volunteer emergency responders.

House Bill 1780: Exempts volunteer fire/EMS companies from the Right-to-Know Law

House Bill 1773: Establishes the First Responder Tuition Assistance Program.

House Bill 1786: Establishes First Responder College Loan Forgiveness Program.

Senate Bill 146: Establishes online training for firefighters.

Source: State Rep. Steve Barrar

The walls and roof are starting to go up Monday at the site of the former Schuylkill Mall, Frackville.

According to Schuylkill Economic Development Corp. Vice President Brian Hansbury, SEDCO has been told by NorthPoint Development LLC, Riverside, Missouri, the owner/developer, that the largest building, which is the one being worked on, they hope will be “under-roof” by Christmas time.

NorthPoint bought the property for $2.1 million in a January 2017 bankruptcy auction.

Staff Writer

POTTSVILLE — A Pottsville man has been charged with sexually assaulting a pre-teenage girl in the city.

Pottsville Police Detective Joseph Welsh charged William J. Strimboulis, 49, with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, indecent exposure and corruption of minors.

Strimboulis was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, after charges were filed Friday. As of Tuesday he remained in Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post $75,000 straight cash bail.

Welsh said police were contacted by Schuylkill County Children and Youth Services workers who reported receiving information from the child’s guardian that they discovered conversations between the child and Strimboulis on a social media platform. Welsh said the girl disclosed that she had been the victim of ongoing sexual abuse and identified Strimboulis as the person responsible.

Police said Welsh was able to accumulate additional evidence corroborating the girl’s information and filed the charges.

A preliminary hearing before Reiley will be scheduled.

POTTSVILLE — Can a world famous competitive eater conquer a restaurant specialty that screams of Schuylkill County?

Randy Santel will give it a try.

Santel, known to thousands of social media followers for his eating feats, will take on the newly invented “Skook Grilled Cheese Challenge” Thursday at Wheel in Pottsville.

“He reached out to us,” Savas G. Logothetides, Wheel owner, said Tuesday. While there have been other competitive eaters at the 201 W. Market St. restaurant before, Santel will be the first one to attempt the new challenge.

“We upped the game a bit,” Logothetides said.

The Skook Grilled Cheese uses two homemade slices of Italian white bread from Minersville Bakery, six types of cheeses, one pound of Kowalonek’s kielbasa, 10 Mrs. T’s pierogies and a bowl of tomato bisque soup, and the meal is paired with a bottle of Yuengling Lager. All food and drink must be finished within 30 minutes to successfully complete the challenge.

The former grilled cheese challenge was a bit easier, because it did not include the kielbasa, pierogies or beer.

“It’s funny in some of his videos, he talks about how Yuengling is his favorite beer. He was here to visit the brewery in 2015 and he’s excited to come back,” Logothetides said of Santel’s Pottsville appearance.

Santel was in Youngstown, Ohio on Tuesday and was scheduled to be at Primanti Brothers in Pittsburgh today before coming to Pottsville, according to Logothetides.

Santel is expected to arrive at Wheel at approximately 5:30 p.m. and will be there until 8:30 p.m., with the challenge beginning at 6:30 p.m. Most reservations at the restaurant are already filled, but Santel will be available for photos and autographs for other visitors.

“With over 800,000 Facebook followers, nearly 900,000 YouTube subscribers, and 10 million website views per month, Randy is well known across the world for completing various eating challenges. In the nine years that Randy has been eating professionally he has completed 792 food challenges in all 50 states and 36 different countries,” Wheel posted on its Facebook page.

Beginning this Friday, the Skook Challenge becomes a regular menu item, Logothetides said. The cost is $40, but a challenger completing the meal within 30 minutes pays nothing and also receives a free T-shirt.

Wheel will also launch another feature, a “Wall of Fame,” which will display photos of those who have successfully met the challenge.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

EXETER ­— Joe Biden reflected back on his childhood roots in Scranton, told a joke about death and slammed President Donald Trump during a private fundraiser attended by nearly 200 people Tuesday night at the Fox Hill Country Club.

While often criticized for leaving Scanton behind, Biden said he had no choice - his parents left when he was in the third grade. But he said those 10 years growing up in Scranton made him who he is today — and he’s remained loyal to the Electric City and its people.

“The Scranton/Wilkes-Bare area, Lackawanna and Luzerne counties, is where I learned everything there is to learn about the basic values of this country,” Biden said during a 35-minute speech in front of more than 200 supporters.

One of them he singled out was a childhood friend, Larry Orr, an electrician with whom he grew up in the Green Ridge section of Scranton.

To this day, Biden said he has a pact with Orr and they stay in touch.

“When one of us dies, the other one gets killed on the spot — because they know too much,” Biden joked.

Another person Biden singled out was Ellen Casey, the wife of the late former Gov. Bob Casey and mother of U.S. Sen Bob Casey Jr., who served with Biden in the U.S. Senate before Biden became vice president.

“This is one of the finest women I have ever known in my entire life” Biden said.

After the speech, the former first lady of Pennsylvania was quick to heap praise on the Scranton native, declaring him the Democrats best option to defeat Trump in 2020.

“I love him and I hope he will be our nominee,” Casey said.

Biden, who was elected senator in Delaware at age 29, said he decided not to run for president in 2016 following his son Beau’s death from cancer, and figured he would never run for office again.

But he felt called to action due to Trump presidency’s.

Biden accused Trump of inflaming racial tensions, abandoning the working class and believing dictators over the U.S. intelligence community.

The former vice president accused Trump of of not doing anything to stop Russian interference in U.S. elections. Biden said he is now the target of smear campaigns encouraged by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Putin doesn’t want me to be president and Trump doesn’t want me to be the nominee,” Biden said, drawing loud applause.

Biden promised to repair fractured relationships with American allies, such as the Kurds in Syria, who have accused Trump of abandoning them.

That was an important pledge to Pittston veterinarian Dr. Inayat Kathio, a Pakistani diplomat who co-chaired the fundraiser.

“That was a strong point for me as a diplomat,” said Kathio, who called Biden’s talk “impressive and wonderful.

Wilkes-Barre Attorney Bill Vinsko said he was asked to co-host the fundraiser and quickly agreed.

“When the scrappy guy from Scranton asks a guy from Wilkes-Barre to help him, the only answer is yes,” Bill Vinsko said. “He truly has the best interests of the country at heart. You can’t get more honest and hard working than Joe Biden.”

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

POTTSVILLE — A city couple filed a lawsuit this month in Schuylkill County Court against the Greater Pottsville Area Sewer Authority, alleging the authority’s negligence in maintaining its system made their house uninhabitable and forced them to move.

In the Oct. 1 complaint, Rodney and Grace Kuehn alleged they have “incurred the loss of their home, significant pain and suffering, including emotional and mental distress, as well as the loss of contents.”

Pottsville lawyer Michael J. Fiorillo filed the complaint for the Kuehns, asking for unspecified damages of more than $50,000, plus costs, interest, delay damages, if applicable, and any other appropriate relief. He also demanded a jury trial of the case.

The complaint states that by August 2018, the couple’s 518 W. Arch St. home had become “unlivable due to the ongoing contamination from the back-up of the fecal contaminated water” into their residence. They moved to their current residence at 1343 W. Norwegian St. on or about Dec. 28, 2018. GPASA is responsible for the damages suffered, the suit alleges.

The allegations, in part, include:

• In 2017, the plaintiffs began experiencing an influx of water into their basement during heavy rains.

• Plaintiffs approached the defendant with complaints about back-up of what appeared to be contaminated water into the basement.

• The authority knew a problem existed with its collection system near the plaintiffs’ property, that an old stone arch backed up and the sewer laterals then backed up, causing an influx of water contaminated with fecal coliform into the plaintiffs’ and other properties.

• The authority acknowledged its responsibility for the situation and authorized its consulting engineer to perform a study and establish a solution to the problem.

• The authority’s consulting engineer advised it that a short-term solution would be a sump pump system within each property and the long-term solution would be replacing the stone arch, along with other potential options.

• The authority also authorized an industrial hygienist to take samples from plaintiffs’ property to determine the material content of the water inflow during rains.

• The authority in late October 2017 authorized a blow-off line that would presumably divert some of the flow from Arch Street over to adjoining Market Street.

• Further, plaintiffs believe the authority was also advised that if the blow-off line was not successful, that the authority would be responsible to do a complete replacement of the stone arch at an approximate cost of $800,000.

• In April 2018, the authority sent correspondence to plaintiffs and other property owners in that area outlining the steps it was taking, including putting out for bid an upgrade of a manhole at Eighth and Market streets in an attempt to construct a bypass to reduce the flows going down Arch Street in the stone arch.

• Upon information and belief, the stone arch near Fifth and Market Street collapsed at some point in 2018.

• In July 2018, plaintiffs continued to complain to the authority about the influx of backed up water into their home during rains, including getting as much as 3 feet of water within a short time period, damaging the furnace and other parts of the plaintiffs’ home.

• In August 2018, it was apparent that any attempts the authority had made to address the problem were unsuccessful and plaintiffs again experienced significant back-up of contaminated water into their home, causing loss of contents.

The complaint includes three exhibits. One is an estimate from Schuylkill Public Adjusting Co. that reflects the loss of the plaintiffs’ structure in the amount of $184,439.57; a second is the plaintiffs’ content loss; and a third is an Oct. 14, 2016, article from The Republican-Herald about the flooding in the basement of the First United Methodist Church in Pottsville.

According to Republican-Herald archives, in April, the authority learned about engineering work associated with the stormwater/sewer separation project.

The project involves separating the sewer and stormwater from Ninth Street to Progress Avenue along West Arch, West Market and West Norwegian streets and all side and connecting streets.

Thomas Schreffler, engineer with Light-Heigel & Associates Inc., said the combined sewers and the potential turnover of the old arch pipes to the city required a more advanced report required by the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority.

The authority voted at its November 2018 meeting to approve a professional services agreement not to exceed $985,108. Actual construction costs for the project were not finalized at that time.

Ian Lipton, authority board chairman, said previously the cost for the separation project could be between $6 and $7 million. The stone arch on Arch Street would no longer carry sewage and might be filled in, according to the authority. A new sewer line will be constructed and the line on Market Street will also no longer carry sewage.

Contact the writer: vterwilliger@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6007

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville Police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky said his department is investigating a threat incident that was reported Tuesday afternoon.

The chief said police were contacted by the Pottsville Area High School administration and told that a handwritten threat had been discovered on a bathroom stall in the high school building.

He said the short, printed message read “3-2-1” and that a “Boom!!” would occur on Oct. 23.

Wojciechowsky said that as a matter of utmost caution, the Pottsville Area High School was completely searched and cleared by K-9 units from the Pennsylvania State Police and Capitol Police, along with Pottsville police officers.

He said the facility and grounds were secured for the duration of the evening on Tuesday and until classes start this morning.

The chief added that Pottsville Area School District administrators are enacting additional safety protocols for the immediate future.

Wojciechowsky said the investigation into the origin of the writing continues and that additional information will be released when it is available.

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

POTTSVILLE — A Pottsville man will spend time in prison after admitting recently to a Schuylkill County judge that he possessed drugs in July 2018 in the city.

Matthew A. Derr, 41, must serve six to 23 months behind bars, President Judge William E. Baldwin ruled.

Baldwin also sentenced Derr to pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account.

Deer pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of criminal trespass and public drunkenness. Pottsville police alleged Derr possessed drugs on July 11, 2018.

Also, Baldwin accepted guilty pleas from, and imposed the indicated sentences on, these defendants:

Christopher J. Blatt, 46, of Cressona; driving under the influence; 48 hours to six months in prison with immediate parole concurrent with current sentence, $500 fine, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment, $7,809 restitution and 10 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew charges of accident involving damage to attended vehicle or property, failure to give immediate notice of accident, failure to stop and give information, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic, failure to drive vehicle at a safe speed and careless driving.

Terry R. Boyer, 62, of Jim Thorpe; no contest plea to tampering with evidence; 24 months probation and $50 CJEA payment.

Steven Endick Jr., 36, of Girardville; DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under suspension, suspended or altered drivers license and failure to notify of change of address; presentence investigation ordered, sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 26.

Eric A. Matrishion, 40, of McAdoo; fleeing or eluding police and driving under suspension; three to six months in prison, 18 months consecutive probation, $1,000 fine and 20 hours community service, with sentence effective at 9 a.m. Oct. 28. Prosecutors withdrew charges of unlawful operation of ATV without registration certificate, operation of ATV without liability insurance and unlawful operation of ATV without helmet.

Harold J. Royal, 64, of Minersville; two counts of criminal use of a communication facility; five years probation, $100 in CJEA payments, $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew two counts each of delivery of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one of possession of a controlled substance.

William R. Spotts, 65, of Pottsville; possessing instrument of crime; 18 months probation and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew 10 counts of simple assault, five counts of terroristic threats and four counts of recklessly endangering another person.

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

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

Gilberton

The Gilberton Methodist Church will have a ham dinner from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. The cost is $12 per meal which will also include parsley potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, glazed carrots and dessert. People may eat at the site or take meals out. Local delivery will be available. To order or for more information, call 570-874-2455.

Kelayres

Kline Township’s trick-or-treat night is set for 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. Residents are asked to take extra precautions when driving that evening to ensure the safety of all children. The township chief of police advised that children should wear bright clothing, carry flashlights and that all candy received should be inspected.

Mahanoy City

Elks Lodge 695, 135 E. Centre St., will have a meat bingo on Nov. 7. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and bingo will begin at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome; food will be sold during the games. For more information, call 570-573-2649.

Mahanoy City

The Active Christian Teens In Our Neighborhood Youth Group will have its annual townwide Thanksgiving/Christmas food drive on Sunday. People who have any non-perishable food to donate to the St. Vincent de Paul Society are asked to turn their porch lights on at 6:30 p.m. or call Debbie at 570-773-0813 to be put on the pickup list.

McAdoo

The McAdoo Halloween parade will be held Sunday at the Adams Street Playground. Judging will start at 1 p.m. Categories include prettiest, scariest, monsters, fairy tales, TV movies, TV characters, most original, couples/groups, small and large floats. For more information, call 570-929-3658.

Pine Grove

Parent/teacher conferences at Pine Grove Area High School are set for 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 and 7:30 to 11 a.m. Nov. 8. People are asked to set up an appointment to meet with their students’ individual teachers. To arrange for an appointment, call the guidance office from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at 570-345-2731, Ext. 216. Parents/guardians and students are welcome.

Pottsville

An all-you-can-eat homemade spaghetti dinner will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at St. Patrick Parish Center, 319 Mahantongo St. The cost is $8 for adults and $3.50 for children.

Pottsville

People wishing to become members of the Spotlight Kidz, a group that focuses on education and performance opportunities, should email to spotlightkidz@comcast.net. The group, which ranges in age from 6 to 18, is under the direction of Sandy Kost-Sterner.

Pottsville

Knights of Columbus Schuylkill Council 431 will sponsor Men Who Cook, Women Who Bake 2019 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Pottsville Zone, 337 Peackock St., featuring gourmet food prepared and served by local professionals. The cost is $25 per person in advance and $30 at the door. For tickets or more information, call Jerry at 570-628-0786 or Greg at 570-449-2580.

Shenandoah

A fundraiser will be held by the J.W. Cooper Community Center, White and Lloyd streets, from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday at The Crimson House, 118 N. Centre St., Pottsville, to help the Beverly Mattson Memorial Food Bank at the Cooper center. Through private donations from people and from Sheetz of Pottsville and Schuylkill Haven, Walmart, The Greater Berks Food Bank and other organizations, the Cooper center provides food for more than 700 people on a monthly basis, plus emergency food, water, coats, clothing, books and toys throughout the year for anyone in the area needing help, according to a press release. The food bank has been in operation for nearly eight years. The late Valerie E. Macdonald helped Cooper center owner Kent Steinmetz launch it to help Shenandoah residents. It has since expanded countywide, to even help people from Hamburg to Hazleton and Tower City who have called for assistance, according to the release. All are welcome to attend the fundraiser at The Crimson House.

Deeds

Cass Township — Cynthia A. LaBar to Cynthia A. LaBar; 617 and 619 Forest Lane; $1.

East Union Township — Gerald Carter to Donald E. and Donna K. Legates; 345 Phineyville Road; $85,000.

Hubley Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Douglas Litwhiler; property on Mahantongo Street; $792.52.

Mahanoy City — Ruth A. Dimmick to John William Dimmick and Christopher George Dimmick; 600-602 W. Pine St.; $100.

Mahanoy Township — Real Capital Group LLC to Mohamed Errahmany; 129 Lower St., Morea; $3,000.

April Kesen-Hajduk to H. Wayne Keyser; 925 W. Centre St.; $1.

Minersville — Laurie Johnson, Michelle Walcott Maria E. McMurtrie and Nancy Piccioni to David Tropp; 3 Edgar Lewis St.; $64,900.

Norwegian Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Michael A. Green; 27 mamies Ave.; $903.

Pine Grove Township — Ruthann M. Schaeffer and James R. Schaeffer to Matthew Lehman and Jill A. Fehr; 140 Sweet Arrow Lake Road; $190,000.

Porter Township — Mary A. Gibson to Heath Earl Fortner; 1414 E. Grand Ave., Reinerton; $4,000.

Pamela S. Porter, administratrix D.B.N.C.T.A. of the Estate of John J. Miller, to Jerome M. and Sandra M. Troup; 510 W. Grand Ave., Sheridan; $15,000.

Pottsville — Anna L. Spece, by attorney in fact Donald Schwartz, to Kim M. Weaver; 1440 and 1442 W. Norwegian St.; $10,000.

Rush Township — Robert L. and Jennifer Ehrig to Robert L. and Jennifer Ehrig; 49 Deer Trail Lane, Lake Hauto; $1.

Shenandoah — Suzanna Drake, executrix under the Last Will & Testament of Raymond Witcoski, to Wesley Kacilowicz; 110 W. Penn St.; $1.

Wayne Township — Cheryl Long to David and Lisa Zawada; 896 Summer Hill Road; $185,000.

Kim A. and David B. Ginther to Jaimiann Zvalaren; 133 Kiehner Road; $250,000.

Ronald R. and Mony Fox to Brian D. Tuscher; 22 Spring Road, Summit Station; $156,900.

ASHLAND — A borough firefighter climbed a ladder to get to a young child on the third floor of a house where three dogs were attacking each other on the first floor Monday afternoon, police said.

A woman suffered bites to her left arm during the incident, Police Chief Gerard Daley said.

He said officers were called at 3:30 p.m. to a house on the 1300 block of Centre Street and initially told a woman and three young children were inside. They learned that the woman and two young children were in the backyard, but that the other child was still in the house. Daley called Ashland firefighters for assistance and Philip Groody Jr. climbed a ladder and retrieved the child, who was evaluated by Ashland EMS personnel.

Daley said the owner of the dogs came home from work, was told of the situation and secured the animals in different rooms.

The owner said he planned on taking the aggressive pit bull that started the fight to a local veterinarian to have it put down, Daley said.

State Dog Warden Richard Hine was contacted and will be following up with the investigation, Daley said.

Patrolman Daniel Weikel assisted Daley at the scene.

Police did not identify the parties involved or the address where the incident took place.

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

POTTSVILLE — Joseph S. Webb IV left Schuylkill County Court a free man after a jury acquitted him of six charges stemming from his shooting of a man in June 2018 in Pine Grove.

Webb, 43, of Palmyra, thanked the jurors and hugged family members after the jury found him not guilty of attempted homicide, possessing instrument of crime, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and two counts of aggravated assault.

President Judge William E. Baldwin, who presided over the two-day trial and removed one juror on Tuesday for having contact with the defendant during the trial, found Webb not guilty of harassment.

State police at Schuylkill Haven had charged Webb with shooting Albert Natale about 1 a.m. June 25, 2018, in the kitchen of Natale’s residence. Webb did not deny shooting Natale, who is confined to a wheelchair, but claimed he did it in self-defense while trying to help his sister, Tammy Cummings, leave the residence with some of her belongings.

Earlier Tuesday, Webb testified he feared for his life when Natale swung a 2-by-4 at him.

“He starts to poke me with it,” and then swung the 2-by-4 at him, Webb said.

“How did you feel at that time?” Joseph P. Nahas Jr., Frackville, Webb’s lawyer, asked him.

“I was scared more than I ever was in my life,” Webb said.

“Was your body doing anything?”

“I was shaking, sweating, trembling. I said, ‘I will shoot you.’ ”

Webb said he did not want to kill Natale, just incapacitate him so he could leave.

When cross-examined by Assistant District Attorney Thomas J. Campion Jr., Webb said he went to Natale’s residence around 1 a.m. because he thought it would not provoke a confrontation.

He also said he did not try to leave because everything occurred quickly and he could not protect Cummings.

In his closing argument, Campion said Natale told Webb to leave but he did not. He also reminded jurors of when and where the incident occurred.

“This was 1 o’clock in the morning. This was his house,” Campion said.

Campion also noted that Webb did not deny saying Natale deserved to die and that no one should help him, instead claiming he might have blacked out.

However, jurors accepted Nahas’ argument that Natale changed his story and was the aggressor in the fight.

“All Natale had to do was drop the board,” Nahas said, actually dropping the board to emphasize his point. “I can’t imagine what it’s like to have someone come at me with a 2-by-4.”

Nahas also emphasized that Webb fired only one shot, adding that if he wanted to kill Natale, he would have fired more.

After the verdict, Campion’s primary concern was the man who was shot.

“I’m disappointed for Albert Natale, but I respect the jury’s verdict,” he said.

Not surprisingly, Nahas was much more upbeat.

“I’m very pleased with the jury’s verdict,” he said. “There’s no better feeling as a defense attorney that hearing those two words, not guilty, and giving someone back their life.”

Contact the writer: pbortner@republicanherald.com; 570-366-9240

FRACKVILLE — A fundraiser is planned Friday to benefit a State Correctional Institution/Mahanoy corrections officer trainee diagnosed with a life-threatening heath condition that requires immediate surgery.

The event to benefit I’Jahnae Stark will be held at the Frackville Elks Lodge, 307 S. Third St., and feature live entertainment, a basket auction, raffles, door prizes, food, drinks and more.

Stark, 25, mother of a 3-year-old, has been off work due to her health and event organizers said all proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward her medical bills.

Cheryl Stanitis, food service manager at the prison and among the organizers, said Stark, who lives in Luzerne County, is with the state Department of Corrections for less than a year and, therefore, is not yet eligible for vacation or sick leave time or medical benefits.

“Right now she has nothing and she has a 3-year-old,” she said.

Stanitis said Stark’s post-surgery recovery will take months.

“She will need as much held and support as she can get,” Stanitis said. “Medical costs can be frightening, and a major illness can devastate a family’s finances.”

She said employees and friends are responding.

“Sometimes family members and friends can come together to the aid of an individual who finds herself in the throws of a serious medical problem; this is one of these times,” Stanitis said.

Doors open at 2 p.m. Friday to allow people to arrive early, check out the baskets and purchase tickets. The event continues until 9 p.m., with musical entertainment provided from 5 to 9 p.m. by Sakes Alive and Maggie and the Mutts. Both bands are donating their time.

For more information, contact Jess at 570-809-4033, Jackie at 570-590-6941, Cheryl at 570-449-3297 or Sharon at 570-573-1974.

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