Different rally

A photo of Stephen Moyer in Tuesday’s edition was from a previous rally the Pottsville man attended, not the school property tax reform rally he was at on Monday in Harrisburg.

Police investigate 2-vehicle crash

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville Police investigated a crash that happened around 5 p.m. Jan. 25 at 15th and West Market streets.

Police said Patrolman Joel Methven determined that Ryan Lagola, 18, of New Philadelphia, was driving a 2010 Ford Focus when he stopped at a stop sign on North 15th Street.

Lagola then pulled into the intersection to make a left turn and drove into the path of a 2001 Ford Taurus being driven east on West Market Street by Shannon Arndt, 33, of Pottsville.

Both drivers and two passengers in the Arndt vehicle — two Pottsville men ages 40 and 31 — all refused medical treatment at the scene, police said.

As a result of the crash, Methven will be citing Arndt for driving with a suspended license.

Pottsville firefighters and Schuylkill EMS assisted.

Man charged for dumping tires

BRANDONVILLE — East Union Township police charged a Zion Grove man after an incident that was reported around 1 p.m. Jan. 19 at 10 Main Blvd.

Police said Cody Jacob Aral Moser, 21, of 493 Miller Road was charged with one misdemeanor count of scattering rubbish and one summary count each of scattering rubbish and simple trespass.

Police said they received a report of 100 to 150 tires being dumped on property of Citizens Fire Company.

The investigation led to information about a gray and green Dodge Dakota that was seen entering the property with tires and then leaving without tires.

On Jan. 21, police said, the vehicle was seen at Tom Dower’s Garage in Shenandoah Heights loaded with tires.

When interviewed, Moser said the truck was his and that he is trying to run a tire recycling business and being paid by Dower and other garages to remove tires.

Moser went on to say that his grandfather would not allow him to keep the tires on his property and that he took them to the Brandonville location until he could rent a truck and transport the tires to New Jersey, police said.

Police said Moser asked for time to remove the tires and said he would do so by Jan. 24 and provide receipts for disposal.

As of Jan. 28, police said, tires remain on the Brandonville property and that only about 25% have been removed.

Man facing charges after Ringtown crash

RINGTOWN — A Shenandoah man is facing charges after a crash on Foose Lane in East Union Township around 1:15 a.m. Thursday.

State police said they were called to the area for a crash and found a 33-year-old Shenandoah man walking away from the scene.

The man, who police did not identify, admitted driving the vehicle, showed signs of being impaired and was also in possession of marijuana.

The man was taken to a Pottsville hospital for a toxicology test and is facing charges of DUI, police said.

Man says identity stolen in Florida

GIRARDVILLE — A theft by deception incident that happened to a Girardville man is being investigated by state police at Frackville.

Police said the man, 48, reported a case of identity theft and said an account for electric utilities was opened by someone who obtained his name and date of birth.

The account was out of Orlando, Florida, and had a previous balance of $469.

Police ask that anyone with information contact them at 570-874-5300 and refer to incident PA2020-107294.

Inmates say officers made sexual remarks

FRACKVILLE — State police at Frackville are investigating two reported cases of harassment by communications at SCI/Frackville on Altamont Boulevard in Ryan Township that were reported on Jan. 24.

In each case, police said, two inmates said that corrections officers made sexual statements toward them.

Police investigate overdose death

HOMETOWN — State police at Frackville are investigating an overdose death that happened on Ardmore Avenue in Rush Township around 3:50 a.m. Jan. 25.

Police said they were called to a home for an unresponsive 26-year-old woman.

The woman was positively identified and her family members notified, police said.

Police: Employee found drugs on floor

NEW RINGGOLD — State police at Frackville are investigating an incident of found property that happened at the Dollar General Store, 1005 Summer Valley Road in East Brunswick Township around 6:15 p.m. Jan. 27.

Police said an employee of the business found a small white bag containing suspected drugs on the floor of the business.

The drugs were confiscated and destroyed, police said.

Police cite man for unsafe speed

MAHANOY CITY — A Minersville man escaped injury when the 2012 Hyundai Veloster he was driving crashed in the northbound lanes of Interstate 81, at mile marker 127 in Ryan Township, around 11 a.m. Jan. 25.

State police at Frackville said Damy Cintron, 21, was driving north in the right lane when he lost control on the wet roadway during rainy and windy conditions.

Cintron’s vehicle had bald rear tires that were worn down to the cords in spots, police said.

The vehicle slid off the right side of the road and into the grass, spinning 190 degrees before hitting and sliding through a ditch and striking an embankment.

After hitting the embankment, the vehicle spun 180 degrees before coming to a stop, police said.

Cintron was cited for driving at an unsafe speed and, police said, Altamont and Ryan Township firefighters assisted at the scene.

Police investigate hit-and-run crash

BARNESVILLE — State police at Frackville are investigating a crash that happened on Sherwood Drive, just north of Hillside Drive in Ryan Township, around 7 a.m. Jan. 27.

Police said an unidentified vehicle was being driven on Sherwood Drive when the driver struck a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt that was legally parked in the driveway at 10 Sherwood St.

The driver then fled the scene and, police said, based on physical evidence they believe the fleeing vehicle is white and could have navy blue transfer paint on it.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-874-5300.

GORDON — The process to reduce the borough council from seven to five members will be taking its first steps in the near future.

As populations get smaller, some municipalities have opted to go from seven to five members. In some cases, a reduction helps make sure that there are enough candidates to run for vacant seats, along with savings on salaries of two council members.

In 2011, the council received permission from Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas Judge Jacqueline Russell to go from seven to five. Other boroughs with a five-member council include Girardville and Ringtown. In April 2016, the Mount Carbon Borough Council‘s size was reduced from five to three.

The subject was raised at Monday’s council meeting by solicitor Christopher Riedlinger.

“Are you still thinking about decreasing the council size?” Riedlinger asked.

“Yes we are,” council President Todd Houser said. “We didn’t do the petition and send it out yet, but that is definitely on the radar.”

The idea of reducing the Gordon council size had been raised twice before, the last being in 2011, but both times there was no follow through.

A petition signed by at least 5% of the borough’s registered voters approving a council reduction must first be obtained before documents can be filed with the county court. If court approval is received, the two seats would be eliminated over the next two election cycles.

In her monthly financial report, Secretary/Treasurer Cathy Moyer pointed out some expenses and reimbursements.

“Our accounts are in excellent shape right now considering we’re still a couple of months away from getting our regular taxes in,” Moyer said.

Police report

With the absence of Mayor George Brocious, the council’s vice president, Jeffrey Hoffman, read the January police report from Chief Edward Tarantelli of the Butler Township Police Department, which provides police services to the borough through an annual agreement. Hoffman also read the police statistics for 2019.

Water line installation

Operations Manager George Troutman said that Aqua Pennsylvania will be installing a new water line near the municipal garage.

“Aqua is going to be digging up East Plane Street from Biddle Street to Otto Street to the fire hydrant,” Troutman said. “It will be 650 feet and the cost of their permit will be $3,400. With that, and as long as they’re digging the street up, we could think about getting water put into the garage so we can wash the trucks out after using salt. It won’t cost us anything to put the water in there.”

The borough council approved the addition of the water service to the garage. The monthly fee will be no more than $25.

Borough projects

Troutman spoke of the replacement of the carpet in the municipal building with vinyl flooring.

“The cost of the floor is $3,473.63, so the money coming in from the (Aqua Pennsylvania) permit will pay to do the floor in the main office and hallway,” Troutman said. “There is money budgeted to do it.”

“We never voted on it to actually do it, but we had it in the budget last year and carried it over to this year,” Houser said.

The carpeting in the council meeting room will not be replaced. The contractor is D&S Flooring, Lititz, which was contacted last year for a quote. The project was approved.

Another project approved by the borough council was the replacement of the salt spreader auger for the salt truck.

“It is rotted right through and there’s about an inch of metal holding it. It’s not going to last much longer,” Troutman said.

A quote of $875 was received from U.S. Municipal Supply, King of Prussia, for a replacement. Troutman said the quote includes a 35% discount in February. The council approved the auger replacement.

Webinar approval

The borough council approved their participation in the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs webinar programs at a cost of $450 per year.

According to the PSAB website, borough officials and employees can attend PSAB’s outstanding education and training programs without leaving the borough office or even the home. Each participant sits at their computer and is connected with other participants and the instructor. Webinar sessions will generally last about one hour with all handout materials available prior to each session.

“There are a lot of different topics. It will cost us $450, but you get unlimited webinars,” Moyer said. “If we don’t go in this program, the cost is $45 per webinar. It is much cheaper than going to a physical location.”

Houser asked Moyer to email a list of webinars available to each council member.

Borough website

Councilman Jason Quick said the borough website needs to be updated.

“We have to get into a routine doing that now,” Moyer said.

The website — gordonborough.com — contains listings of officials, council committees, minutes, ordinances, resolutions, financials and forms, along with events and other information. Some information has not been updated within the past year.

“It would be good to get a list together and send it over to the company that does our website,” Houser said.

Questions about lot

In old business, the borough had an assessment done on a borough-owned empty lot at 312 McKnight St., at a cost of $175. The assessment was $5,500.

According to current zoning requirements, the lot is not wide enough to build a home on it. Houser said that since the structure was removed through county demolition funds, is it possible to sell it for a lower price.

Riedlinger said that a property assessed above $1,500 would need to be put out for bid. The question is that if the property is sold at a lower price, what would borough need to pay back to the county.

“If the bid would be $2,500, I don’t know if the county would want $5,500 or would it take $2,500 to satisfy the lien that they have on the property for the demolition,” Riedlinger said. “I’ll talk to (county administrator) Gary Bender about the situation. If the county wants to stick with the appraised value, then you’re going to have to pay the county $5,500 to have that lien satisfied.”

Houser tabled the matter to the next meeting, which is at 7 p.m. Monday, March 2.

The public comment period had two people asking about small roads near their properties and their status as borough streets. Larry Wolfgang had questions about Arch Street. Randy Bilder asked about Mountain Road and its status as a public road.

Riedlinger said it may not be possible to determine if the roads are dedicated, and if so, if they were ever vacated due to lack of records. There will be further investigation on the matter.

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

The Schuylkill United Way wants to advise county nonprofits on avoiding fraud.

Cindy Bergvall, a certified public accountant with Bee, Bergvall & Co., Warrington, will hold a workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 5, at the Meadowbrook Center, Schuylkill Haven. She has worked for more than 35 years with nonprofits, according to a press release from Schuylkill United Way.

Executive Director Kelly K. Malone said Monday the workshop is designed to educate nonprofit boards, their presidents and treasurers “on what you should and shouldn’t be doing in regards to finances.”

It also ensures nonprofit leaders have their “checks and balances” in place regarding financial matters.

“There are certain red flags people should be aware of to avoid fraud,” she said.

Workshop topics will include fraud myths and realities, top controls to deter fraud, what to do if fraudulent activity is suspected, conducting a fraud risk assessment and detecting fraud. It will also touch on the roles of an audit and board controls to nonprofit employees. A question and answer session will take place at the end of the workshop.

Malone said she hopes nonprofit board members learn to look at an agency’s finances and monthly reports.

“Board members have a lot of responsibilities, especially in the nonprofit area,” she said.

The workshop is free and open to the public, but Christine Johnson, the nonprofit’s director of community relations, said the workshop is relevant for nonprofit organizations and agencies and board members.

Malone agreed, adding that it is also relevant for school booster clubs and Little League teams.

“Unfortunately we see this too often and we’d like to educate the community on what they should be looking for so it doesn’t continue,” Malone said.

This is the first year the nonprofit is holding the workshop, Malone said. It is being coordinated with the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations, Harrisburg, to which Schuylkill United Way belongs. The association put the nonprofit in touch with Bergvall, the executive director said.

The workshop is being held after several nonprofit organizations in the county suffered fraud.

While serving as executive director of the Rape and Victim Assistance Center of Schuylkill County, Mary Beth Semerod stole more than $205,883 from the organization between 2006 and 2008. She was sentenced to serve two years in a federal corrections institute in 2012. The organization closed in 2009 and was taken over by Lebanon-based Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center.

A former major with the Tamaqua Salvation Army, Sharon Whispell, was charged last summer with stealing $80,313.37 from that organization between 2015 and 2019.

The Tamaqua Salvation Army is one of 16 partner agencies for Schuylkill United Way. The Rape and Victim Assistance Center was also a partner agency.

Malone said in both instances, the advisory committee and board weren’t paying attention to the organization’s financial activities.

“They were just letting it go,” she said. “They became complacent.”

The Schuylkill United Way is taking steps to avoid fraudulent actions in its 16 partner agencies.

Malone said this year, the organizations are required to submit their policies and procedures to the nonprofit.

She stressed that nonprofits should learn about fraud because money they receive isn’t theirs.

“They are being given to them through somebody else’s contributions,” Malone said.

Johnson said education on fraud is important.

“Some people may truly not be aware of how it can occur and how easily you can prevent it,” she said.

Registration for the workshop is encouraged and can be done by contacting Johnson at 570-622-6421 or emailing dircomrel@schuylkillunitedway.org.

Contact the writer: clee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6028; @Cleespot on Twitter

Deeds

Shenandoah — Juan Ramos to Santiago J. Ramos and Lillian Martinez; 31-33 S. Catherine St.; $1.

Juan Ramos to Santiago J. Ramos and Lillian Martinez; 131-133 N. Catherine St.; $1.

South Manheim Township — Andrew D. and Angela A. Knott to Lauren E. Konrad; 2348 Spear Cove, Lake Wynonah; $139,900.

Tamaqua — Deanna J. Fannock to Anthony C. Fannock; property on West Union Street; $1.

Schick’s Real Estate Co. to DFRS Real Estate LLC; 50-52 Mauch Chunk St.; $70,000.

Jessica L. Krcmar and Robert J. Long to Jessica L. Krcmar; 509 Brew St.; $1.

Wayne Township — Michael J. and Angela Watcher to Joseph Phillip Graydus; Lot 286, Lake Wynonah; $1,000.

Ronald D. and Shelley A. Hikes and Marie E. and Ned A. Laubenstine to Steven G. and Kimberly A. Cryts; property on Main Street, Friedensburg; $20,000.

West Mahanoy Township — Wells Fargo Bank NA to Secretary of Veterans Affairs; 145 Wylam St.; $10.

POTTSVILLE — A Mahanoy City man faces a possible state prison sentence after a Schuylkill County jury convicted him Tuesday of burglarizing a borough residence in December 2018.

Korey R. Wronski, 30, did not react when the jury of seven men and five women pronounced him guilty of burglary, criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property. Jurors deliberated approximately one hour before reaching their verdict.

After the jury returned its verdict, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin, who presided over the one-day trial, ordered preparation of a presentence investigation and scheduled Wronski’s sentencing for 11 a.m. March 18.

Mahanoy City police charged Wronski with breaking into a residence at 520 E. Centre St. on Dec. 10, 2018. Once inside, Wronski put a watch and $11.65 in change in his pocket before being caught, according to police.

First Assistant District Attorney Michael J. Stine said the residents were on a family vacation to New York City when Wronski broke into their house.

“He’s caught red-handed by the police,” Stine said of the defendant in his closing argument. “He was hiding under a blanket in a house he was not supposed to be in.”

Stine said Wronski’s intent to take the items was clear, not only because he had put the watch and change in his pockets, but also because he had organized piles of other things.

“There’s not a whole lot of time to get everything into a bag,” Stine said.

Stine said the fact that the change and watch did not have a large value is irrelevant to the question of whether Wronski committed the crimes.

“Theft is theft,” he said.

Assistant Public Defender Kent D. Watkins, Wronski’s lawyer, said in his closing argument that there was no evidence that Wronski intended to take anything when he entered the house. Such an intent is necessary to support a conviction for burglary, he said.

Furthermore, according to Watkins, it is questionable whether anyone was present for the burglary.

Watkins also said there was no evidence of an actual value for the watch, just the owner’s estimate.

“Theft requires a value,” he said.

Watkins declined to comment on the case after the verdict, while Stine said he hopes to put the defendant behind bars for a long time.

“Mr. Wronski has a terrible criminal record and we’ll be looking for a lengthy sentence when the time comes,” he said.

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

Korey R. Wronski

• Age: 30

• Residence: Mahanoy City

• Verdict: Guilty of burglary, criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property

MOUNT CARBON — The council of a tiny town that has been without governance is back in business.

After three years without a governing body, residents John Raess and Harry Haughney Jr. met Tuesday evening to form a council at the Mount Carbon Fire Company. Another resident has also expressed interest in serving on the council.

The council members were sworn in at the start of the 20-minute meeting by Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko.

After being sworn in, John Raess was selected as the council president, Haughney as vice president. They agreed to hold regular meetings at 7 p.m. on the first Monday of the month at the fire company. Should a holiday occur on the first Monday, John Raess said the meeting would be moved to Wednesday.

Mount Carbon, which has 91 residents and 59 registered voters, has been without a borough council since 2017.

No one ran that year and the two people who were appointed, Robert Porter and Jennifer Raess, soon resigned. Another resident, Donna Porter, had won the mayor’s race and a council seat on a write-in. She took the mayor’s job, but later moved from the borough.

The situation gained further attention last year when the borough secretary resigned in March after she was no longer being paid.

In August, it got attention at the county level when transfer tax reports for March, April, May and June sent to Mount Carbon were returned by the post office.

In October, the county commissioners authorized Treasurer Linda L. Marchalk to open the Mount Carbon Borough Escrow Account as a place to put unclaimed money. She deposited uncashed checks from the Mount Carbon tax collector and road and school accounts. Before that, her office had been holding the checks. Marchalk previously said that, if a functioning government is restored, it will receive the money.

Borough records, brought from Harrisburg, sat on the table John Raess and Haughney conducted the meeting from. The council president said selecting an auditor for the borough will take place at the next council meeting to allow the records to be examined.

Write-ins

John Raess was elected in November as mayor and to a two-year seat on the council, each with two write-in votes. He was the only person elected who showed up at a Jan. 6 reorganization meeting, a session dictated by the Pennsylvania Borough Code to occur on the first Monday of January every two years.

Haughney, who previously served on the council, was elected with four write-in votes.

He told reporters after the meeting he decided to serve because he didn’t want to see the borough absorbed into a neighboring municipality.

“The millage in Mount Carbon is so much different from the areas around it,” Haughney said.

Noting the borough received a plaque five years ago from the Pennsylvania Association of Boroughs commemorating the town’s 150th anniversary, he didn’t want to see Mount Carbon vanish.

“There’s a lot of history that’s been here,” Haughney said.

Also elected to the council was Susan McCord, who received five write-in votes. Last month, she resigned from her appointment to the dais in an email to Mary Beth Dougherty, a staff assistant for state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, Rush Township.

John Raess and Haughney accepted her resignation at the meeting. McCord was not present.

Resident Nate Gerhard expressed interest in serving on the council. John Raess said he would be sworn in at the next regular council meeting to allow other interested residents to apply to serve.

Gerhard attended the meeting with his wife, Mandy, who was selected as the borough’s secretary and treasurer.

Council members also named Edward Brennan to be the borough’s solicitor.

The meeting drew a crowd of about 16 people to the fire company. Also in attendance were members of four media outlets, Dougherty, Michael McCord, a legislative aid for state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, Mahanoy City, and local government policy specialists from the state Department of Community and Economic Development, Jim Rose and Michael Carpenter. Argall and Goodman were not at the meeting.

Money in bank

Argall’s office and DCED representatives have worked with John Raess and Haughney to form at least two-thirds of the three-member borough council. The borough just south of Pottsville has acted over the years to reduce the size of its council to three members because of difficulty finding people to serve. A Schuylkill County judge reduced the size of the borough council from five to three members in 2016.

Having two members of the three-member governing body was enough for a quorum, Rose said.

During the meeting, council members agreed to accept peer assistance from DCED. The assistance means a consultant from the agency will work with the secretary and council members at no cost on how to run a local government.

John Raess acknowledged during the meeting council members needed to “pay past payments that are due.” The council later agreed to use M&T Bank for banking and accounting and to accept insurance.

Carpenter suggested the council members reach out to the bank to get access to borough accounts.

There is $13,015 in property tax revenue collected over several years, Carpenter said. The borough also has about $65 in realty transfer tax revenue, totalling $13,080 in tax revenue held by the county Treasurer’s Office.

“You can talk to the treasurer about that once you get M&T established to get those transfers into your accounts to use for general fund purposes,” he advised.

Those in attendance applauded when John Raess formally concluded the meeting.

He acknowledged the efforts needed to get Mount Carbon’s reformed governing body up and running.

“We’ve got work to do,” John said, “but we’re going to do it.”

Contact the writer: clee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6028; @Cleespot on Twitter

Altamont

The Altamont Fire Company, 215 S. Green St., will host an all-you-can-eat breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at the firehouse. The cost is $9 for adults. There will be a full breakfast menu variety of omelets; all are welcome. For more information, call 570-874-4384.

Llewellyn

Good Intent Fire Company, 12 Silverton Road, will have its 11th annual dart tournament on Saturday, Feb. 22. Doors will open at 11 a.m. and registration will begin at 11:30 a.m. with the team draw at 2 p.m.; all are welcome. The entry fee is $10. For more information, call 570-544-9974.

Schuylkill Haven

A free session regarding learning about the risks and dangers of vaping is set for 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, in the Morgan Auditorium at Penn State Schuylkill Campus, according to a release from Kim Mousseau. While the long-term effects of vaping are still being studied, there are “many well-documented risks, including potential seizure, heart attack, lung damage and death,” according to the release. The presenter will be William Rowan, LPC, Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill. For more information, call 570-385-6221 or go online to www.sl.psu.edu.

Saint Clair

Advance orders are being taken now for a homemade halushki sale set for Ash Wednesday, Feb. 26, to benefit St. Peter Church. The cost is $6 per pint and orders can be made at the Chizmar Salon and Barber Shop by calling 570-429-0303. Orders can be picked up at Chizmar’s from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 26. The deadline to order is Thursday, Feb. 20.

Schuylkill Haven

Cash bingo games will be held Sunday, Feb. 23, at the Schuylkill Haven Rec Center, 304 Haven St. Doors will open at noon and games will begin at 1 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Schuylkill Haven Area Junior Varsity Football Team traveling to Florida to play American Collegiate Academy at University Studios on Saturday, Aug. 22. All tickets will be sold at the door. Food and beverages will be available. The cost is $25 for 12 cards or $15 for six cards. For more information, email mattgoehring3@gmail.com.

Shenandoah

The Shenandoah Area Free Public Library recently acknowledged the following memorials: For Bill Webb by Charlotte Macker, Joan Link Franook; for Louis Alcaraz by Charlotte Macker, Debra Barlow, Greater Shenandoah Area Senior Citizens, Angie and Joe Babatsky, Bob and Carol Boris, Joe and Donna Palubinsky, Catizone Family, Tom and Diane Parlosky, Tom and Geri Talerico, Dorothy and Rolomo Laureti, Bob and Joan Racis, Mary Ellen Matunis, Ray and Dot Wisno, Angie and Dan Salvadore; for Leo Slecton by Charlotte Macker; for Gary Joseph by Ed Waiksnis; for Louis Mirocke by Stephen and Bradley Oravitz, Joe and Andrea Pytak, Buchinsky and Pribish Family, Ron and Mary Luscavage, Betsy Bro, Monica L. McAbee, Rev. Joseph Kweder; for Mary Jo Talerico by Mary Ellen Matunis, Joan Link Franook; for Joestelle Dunsavage by Joan Link Franook; for RJ Piekarski by Joan Link Franook, Mick and Cheryl Breznik, Ellen and Robert Selgrade, Robert and Tonia Selgrade, Joseph Monahan, Val Sajone, Edna Rauco, Margaret Mensick, Joe and Jean Sherako, KR Moran, Ernest and Regina Day, Chrissy Marmas, Dan and Joan Shustack, Leo Pietkiswicz, Joanne and Zach Pribish, John and Jillian Onisick, Marylou and Jack Buchinsky, Julie Buchinsky, Madeline Buchinsky, Tom and Geri Talerico, Mary Yurkieusicz, Sharon Sadeesky; for Edward Kaleha by Joan Link Franook; for Al Beruck by Joan Link Franook; for Christian Lamudio by William and Sally Koons; for Marion Skonieczny by William and Sally Koons; for Robert Hahn by Friends; for Lucy Maloney by Marty and Maryann Kelly; for Kenneth Mantusky by Marty and Maryann Kelly, Angie and Dan Salvadore, Dennis Mallams and Deb Jones; for Paul M. Sekela by Angie and Dan Salvadore; for Jimmy Hollenbach by Angie and Dan Salvadore; for Mary Fanelli by Mary Ellen Matunis; for Catherine Weber by Mary Ellen Matunis.

Sheppton

The Sheppton-Oneida Volunteer Fire Company will have its monthly bingo games from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9. Homemade food and refreshments will be available. For more, call 570-233-0935.

POTTSVILLE — The county commissioners Wednesday approved $64,144 for a matching grant for various transportation-related capital improvement projects.

In response to the county’s contribution, submitted by the Schuylkill County Transportation Authority, the state Department of Transportation will contribute $118,618.

The improvements, the overall cost of which is $745,810, include $283,810 to replace three shared-ride vehicles, $420,000 for a county communications system, $15,000 to replace a mobile data terminal tablet in a vehicle, $15,000 to replace a copier and $12,000 for a computer software upgrade.

In addition to county and state funding, the projects will be funded by $563,048 in federal dollars.

Transportation Authority Executive Director Dave Bekisz said the grant application is done yearly.

He explained that the authority will install new hardware in its vehicles to change its analog communications system to the county’s digital radio communications system.

“We are replacing products that are at the end of their useful life,” he said.

In other business, the county will seek bids for a cleaning contract for the county offices at 410 and 420 N. Centre St. Another request for bids was approved for a solid waste disposal contract for the county courthouse, adult probation building at 300 N. Third St., the county offices at 420 N. Centre St. and the Mahanoy Senior Center. Both bids will be received in the county controller’s office until 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, with a tentative award date of March 4.

The commissioners also agreed to renew a recyclable materials supply agreement with Cap Ewg Glass LLC, Orwigsburg, effective Nov. 1, 2019, to Nov. 1, 2022. The agreement specifies the company will accept the county’s residential mixed glass generated from the drop-off program at $12 per ton.

Contact the writer: clee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6028; @Cleespot on Twitter

Youth camps featuring computer programming, electricity, engineering, 3D printing, literacy and video production will be offered in Mar Lin this summer.

The Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 board Monday granted permission to the curriculum services department to advertise and host six half-day MakerSpace summer camps at the IU Maple Avenue Campus. They’ll run from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and noon to 3 p.m. June 15-18, July 6-9 and July 13-16.

A camp designed for grades K-2 will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m., and the cost is $45 or $40 with an early bird discount. All other sessions cost $90 per student for one session and $160 for two sessions. An early bird discount of $10 off is available if a student is registered by March 27. The maximum students per camp in grades K-8 is 15, depending on the camp.

The total MakerSpace budget is $4,635, with no expense to the IU.

The board accepted donations on behalf of “Variety, the Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh, for the “My Bike, My Stroller and My Voice” program. Children and young adults ages 3 to 21 received equipment valued at $83,100 on Jan. 20. The presentation included 25 adaptive bikes, three strollers and 28 communication devices for youth throughout Schuylkill County, and the items are now owned by the students.

In other matters, the board denied three grievances made by the Teamsters Union on behalf of James R. Lyden.

The board terminated Lyden’s employment Dec. 9 at Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, where he was a special education instructor/emotional support elementary teacher. He had worked at the IU 29 from Oct. 10, 2003, to Dec. 9, 2019.

Directors Joseph Buchanan, Dave Frew and Jennifer Reed were absent from the meeting.

In other business, the board approved:

• Donations of supplies from Service Access & Management, Pottsville

• The 2020 Summer of Explorers STEM program, executed by Schuylkill Technology Center instructors and Schuylkill ACHIEVE staff. The program infuses STEM and career exploration for 18 hours per week June 9-11, June 16-18 and June 23-25.

• Jacob Prescott, Shenandoah, as a full-time special education-itinerant instructor at $38,591 annually, effective Feb. 10.

• Kristen White, Ringtown, as full-time Schuylkill ACHIEVE lead program coordinator at a salary of $43,000, effective upon release of her current employer. White will oversee the 21st Century Community Learning Centers after-school programs in multiple cohort grants. The grants cover all costs.

• The 21st CCLC grants for respective school districts and their after-school programs.

• Destinee Williams, Minersville, as a part-time paraprofessional at $10.75 per hour, effective Feb. 4.

• Shidae Johnson, Pottsville, as a part-time paraprofessional at $10.75 per hour, effective Feb. 10.

• Levi Purcell, Minersville, as a full-time custodian at MAC at a rate of $10.50 per hour, effective Feb. 10.

• Amy Freed, Pottsville, as a part-time health room assistant at MAC at an hourly rate of $20.50, effective Feb. 20.

• Jessica Schatz, Mount Carmel, as a substitute health room assistant at MAC at an hourly rate of $19.65, effective Feb. 4.

• The resignation with intent to retire from John Rehnert, social worker, effective on the 180th day of school.

• The resignation with intent to retire from Elizabeth Brinich, full-time paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year.

• Erica Lenc, Shickshinny, as a full-time speech and language therapist in early intervention, at $50,000 annually, effective Feb. 18, and upon completion of necessary paperwork.

The STC board of directors also took the following action:

• Approved an ongoing monetary donation of $50 per month from Diane Fiorillo, Pottsville, in honor of Victor Mazzuca, who died while on the job in the construction industry. The donation will be used to fund STC’s “Tech Closet,” which provides clothing, uniforms, boots and other supplies to students in need.

• Approved a $4,000 donation to the 26th annual craft show from Avangrid Renewables. Funds will be used for the SKILLS USA, HOSA and DECA clubs.

• Michaelene Schroeder, Pottsville, as a part-time cafeteria worker at the south campus at $10.25 per hour, effective Feb. 4.

• The retirement of Mike Gilroy, full-time custodian at the north campus, effective April 3.

The next IU/STC board meeting is 7 p.m. Monday, March 2 at the MAC.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

POTTSVILLE — A Pottsville man might face prison time after a Schuylkill County jury split its verdict Wednesday in a case where authorities allege he assaulted his wife in July 2019 in their former residence in West Mahanoy Township.

Jasen C. Joseph, 40, did not react as the jury of 10 women and two men found him not guilty of strangulation and false imprisonment, but guilty of simple assault and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jurors deliberated about 1 1/2 hours before reaching their verdict.

Judge James P. Goodman, who presided over the one-day trial, also found Joseph guilty of harassment. He ordered preparation of a presentence investigation, scheduled sentencing for March 25 and allowed Joseph to remain free on $25,000 unsecured bail, although he ordered him to have no contact with his wife.

West Mahanoy Township police charged Joseph with assaulting Tiffany Joseph, and possessing smoking pipes, on July 23, 2019, at 269 Mount Olive Blvd., Lost Creek.

“I could not do anything. He was sitting on top of me,” Tiffany Joseph testified about the assault. “He punched me in the face a couple times.”

Township police Patrolman John C. Kaczmarczyk, the prosecuting officer, testified he answered a dispatch call to the property.

“She stated her husband was trying to kill her,” he said of Tiffany Joseph.

Kaczmarczyk also spoke with the defendant, who said he and his wife had an argument, but that it was verbal instead of physical.

Jasen Joseph did admit the smoking pipes were his, Kaczmarczyk said.

Kaczmarczyk also said each of the Josephs had marks. Tiffany Joseph had redness around her neck and a swollen jaw, while her husband had scratches on his neck, according to Kaczmarczyk.

In his closing argument, Assistant Public Defender Kent D. Watkins, Jasen Joseph’s lawyer, concentrated on the fact that Tiffany Joseph lied when she said in her call to 911 that she had been raped.

“I believe there is much doubt in this case,” Watkins said. “They have to say something to cover themselves.”

In her closing argument, Assistant District Attorney McCall Young acknowledged Tiffany Joseph’s initial call was false but said her injuries were not and, in any event, that false story does not change what her husband did.

“She believed her life was in danger. This happened to her,” Young said. “There was a physical altercation. We know it happened. This was a planned attack on her.”

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

Jasen C. Joseph

• Age: 40

• Residence: Pottsville, formerly of Lost Creek

• Verdict: Not guilty of strangulation and false imprisonment but guilty of simple assault and possession of drug paraphernalia

POTTSVILLE — Two Schuylkill County Prison employees are out of jobs after the county Prison Board voted Wednesday to fire them.

President Judge William E. Baldwin, who also chairs the board, said after the special meeting that the board fired a lieutenant and a corrections officer.

“We moved to dismiss (both employees),” he said.

Baldwin also said the board rejected the corrections officer’s resignation before voting to dismiss her.

He said the board then voted to hire another corrections officer.

Since it involved a personnel matter, Baldwin declined to say why either employee was dismissed.

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

Despite postponement due to inclement weather, Pottsville’s Winterfest will have double the snow and the same number of vendors when it comes to town from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at South Second Street, between West Market and Mahantongo streets.

“We’re still doubling the snow from last year,” said Savas Logothetides, Interim Executive Director of the Pottsville Area Development Corp. that is behind Winterfest, “we’re bringing a professional ice sculptor, it’s gonna be a great show, it’s gonna be a good time.”

The snow will come from Blue Mountain Ski Resort, and be distributed for a children’s play area on Friday morning. Due to fears of rain and wind on Saturday, the vendors will set up shop inside the PADCO building, 1 S. Second St.

The only thing that has changed is the band. Sapphire won’t be able to perform on Saturday, and will be replaced by Toolshed Jack. Winterfest will also include a Yuengling beer garden, face painting and other activities.

Deeds

Butler Township and Girardville — Edward T. and Michelle R. Dougherty to William C. Weyman; 1.4-acre property on Legislative Route 161; $3,800.

Coaldale — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Mauch Chunk Trust Co.; 157 Second St.; $1,234.26.

East Brunswick Township — 10218 Portfolio Trust to JMAC Realty LLC; 1054 Summer Valley Road; $500.

Mahanoy City — Randy Drobnick to Jennifer Longenberger; property on West Mahanoy Avenue; $1,000.

North Manheim Township — Rose M. Kocher to UMB Bank NA; 4 Grace Ave., Renninger Haven; $1.

Pine Grove Township — Matthew B. Zehring Jr. to Joseph O. Tedesco Jr. and Helen Alshon; 361 Sweet Arrow Lake Road; $245,000.

Porter Township — Ricky K. Bender to Derek A. Dallatore; 668 Main St., Good Spring; $77,300.

Reilly Township — Lorraine and Paul S. Lucas to William Lucas; 1.5-acre property on New Hill Street, Branchdale; $1.

Rush Township — Louis A. III and Christine M. Disabella to Louis III and Christine Disabella; 143 Tamanend Road, Quakake; $1.

Saint Clair — Joel J. and Amy L. Digris to Esselar LLC; property on South Third Street; $115,000.

Shenandoah — Padilla Realty Group LLC to Valerie Marcano; two properties; $15,000.

South Manheim Township — Christine P. Sobeck and Theresa M. Tyson to Christy D. and Heather L. Joy; 2387 Wagonwheel Drive, Lake Wynonah; $160,000.

Frackville

Gloria Upanavage and Sister Patricia Weidman, volunteer facilitators at the Federal Correctional Institution-Schuylkill and the State Correctional Institutions Mahanoy and Frackville, recently addressed members and guests of the Frackville Rotary Club. Both, according to a club release, stressed the need for additional volunteers for the Alternatives to Violence Project presented to inmates at prisons in order to help them learn skills and attitudes to lead crime-free lives. AVP assists inmates in peacemaking and communication skills. Volunteers, according to the release, would participate in a three-day weekend training session, sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown, although the program is not religiously affiliated. For more information about the program, call Upanavage at 570-386-2724 or call 877-926-8287.

Frackville

The Frackville Free Public Library, 56 N. Lehigh Ave., will have a story and craft session for children ages 5-8 with Miss Tina from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11. Participants will hear the latest children’s books including “Tooth Fairy in Training” and “The President of the Jungle” and partake in a snow plow craft. The library will have Baby TALK with Miss Erin for children ages 1-4 from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, March 10. Youngsters will hear stories about spring and will help Miss Erin plant a garden. From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12, the library will have STEM activities for children ages 9-14 plus “How does your garden grow?” with Miss Erin. For more information about these or other library activities, call 570-874-3382 or email Kathy VanGieson at kathyvangieson@frackvillelibrary.com.

Mahanoy City

The Mahanoy City Free Public Library recently acknowledged the following memorials: For Bob Kane by Pete and Carol Keim; for Ruth Hart Wildoner by Order of Eastern Star Gnaden Huetten Chapter 203, Bernard Marchalonis, James and Mariyln Tolan, Mary E. Rhoades, Cecilia Scherer, M.C.H.S. Class of 1958, Flower Run Lunch Group; for Robert Eye by Mary E. Rhoades; for Ellen Bross by Judy and Bill Brayford; for Carol Morrison by Margaret Smith.

McAdoo

St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church will hold a food sale on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 26, featuring halushki, pierogies, a variety of homemade soups, tuna salad sandwiches and a variety of baked goods. The kitchen will open at 11 a.m. and food will be available to eat in or takeout. All are welcome.

Pottsville

Jodee Blanco, a bullying survivor, expert, advocate and author of a New York Times best-selling book, “Please Stop Laughing at Me,” is giving a series of presentations for parents and children at Catholic schools in the Diocese of Allentown, with the presentations free and open to the public. In Schuylkill County, the presentation will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at Nativity B.V.M. Roman Catholic High School, One Lawton’s Hill. Blanco, according to a diocesan press release, is a nationally known author and expert on school bullying. Blanco also will give a seminar for diocesan Catholic school leaders at an upcoming in-service day. For more information on Blanco, visit her website at www.jodeeblanco.com.

Schuylkill Haven

Rainbow Hose Company No. 1 has the following March events on its calendar, according to a release from Jennifer Michael, the company’s public relations coordinator: Taco Tuesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. March 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31; breakfasts from 7 a.m. to noon March 8 and 22.

Shenandoah

The Shenandoah Valley Music Department will host the 49th annual Schuylkill County Chorus Festival at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, which will be held at the Shenandoah Valley High School Auditorium. All are welcome to attend the performance that will be conducted by Shenandoah Valley alumnus and former Boyertown Area High School Choir director Daniel Kershetsky. Tickets, $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens, will be sold at the door. For more information, call John Shoener, SV music teacher, at 570-462-1957.

POTTSVILLE — A Tower City man will not have to serve more time in prison after recently admitting to a Schuylkill County judge that he assaulted a person in September 2019 in Pottsville.

Toby K. Eichert, 22, pleaded guilty to simple assault, with prosecutors withdrawing one count of aggravated assault and two of harassment.

President Judge William E. Baldwin promptly sentenced Eichert to time served to 23 months in prison and granted him immediate parole. He also sentenced Eichert to pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, undergo a mental health evaluation and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Pottsville police had charged Eichert with committing the assault on Sept. 6.

Also recently in the county court, Thomas A. Mundie Jr., 36, of Minersville, pleaded guilty to possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin placed him on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced him to pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and a $50 CJEA payment.

Coaldale police had charged Mundie with possessing marijuana and paraphernalia on June 24, 2018, in the borough.

In another recent county case, Judge James P. Goodman revoked the probation of Kathy D. Tonkin, 24, of New Ringgold, and sentenced her to serve six to 12 months in prison.

Tonkin originally pleaded guilty on Nov. 29, 2017, to two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one of possession of drug paraphernalia. At that time, Goodman sentenced her to spend 23 days to 12 months in prison and an additional 12 months on probation and pay costs, a $100 SAEF payment, a $50 CJEA payment and $239 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.

Tamaqua police had charged Tonkin with possessing drugs and paraphernalia on Feb. 27, 2017, in the borough.

Also recently in the county court, Goodman revoked the probation of Shawn M. Cicero Jr., 25, of Schuylkill Haven, and sentenced him to serve six to 12 months in prison.

Cicero originally pleaded guilty on Aug. 12, 2019, before Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, to possession of a controlled substance. At that time, Reiley placed him on probation for one year, and also sentenced him to pay costs, a $100 SAEF payment and a $50 CJEA payment.

Pottsville police had charged Cicero with possessing drugs on June 22 in the city.

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

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) celebrated its 35th year in Schuylkill County last year. After 35 years, one might speculate that most people would know at least a little bit about the program. However, I’m sure many readers are scratching their heads, saying “Nope, not me.”

So many valuable programs fall under the radar here in Schuylkill County, forming an almost invisible backbone holding up the community and providing for the well-being of so many.

RSVP is a volunteer program for people age 55 and up, providing about a quarter-million dollars of work each year in our local communities. So now you know.

A unique aspect of the RSVP volunteer program is the way in which the volunteers — most of whom are “seniors” themselves — help other seniors in our county.

For example, many RSVP volunteers drive seniors to medical appointments or for groceries or errands, pack and/or deliver Meals on Wheels, call homebound seniors to ensure their well-being, assist with services at five senior centers operated by Diakon (located in Pottsville, Shenandoah, Mahanoy City, Tremont and Schuylkill Haven), answer phones for APPRISE (hotline where people call with questions about Medicare and supplemental insurances), assist with health and wellness programs designed for seniors and serve as ombudsmen who visit long-term care facilities as an advocate for residents.

Studies have shown that volunteering benefits volunteers as well as the people and organizations they serve. So senior volunteers helping seniors in our communities is a symbiotic relationship with positive results all around.

Are you age 55 or older and interested in making a difference in your community? Then perhaps you would be interested in joining the almost 350 RSVP volunteers in helping seniors or in supporting dozens of nonprofit organizations and programs throughout the county.

Make a difference in the lives of others while making a difference in your own life. Contact Darla Troutman, RSVP coordinator, at 570-622-3103 or dtroutman@co.schuylkill.pa.us to find out more and get connected to the opportunities that interest you.

RSVP is part of Senior Corps, a component of the federal Corporation for National and Community Service, and is under the local sponsorship of Schuylkill County Office of Senior Services. RSVP is part of the Schuylkill County Volunteer Program which also includes Community Volunteers in Action (CVIA).

ASHLAND — An infamous landmark is gone.

The demolition of the one-time office of the late Dr. Robert Douglas Spencer, a famous abortionist who claimed to have terminated thousands of pregnancies over his five-decade career, drew little attention last week. The current property owner, Restoration Ministries of Shamokin Inc., plans to build a place where a Christian ministry can help women considering an abortion or have had one.

“We contacted our engineer in November, but was told he could not come until January,” Restoration Ministries Pastor Paul Eby said. “He came on Jan. 6 and we all went in and it didn’t take him long to tell us that we had to tear it down, and that’s what we did. My heart was to take the same thing, the building, that was used for evil, and allow God to have the opportunity to change it and use it for God.”

The organization bought the property on Sept. 12, 2017, and planned to use the building and turn it into Mercy House of Ashland, a place to remember those lost to abortion and help the women who have had them.

“We knew exactly what it was and we were getting it for that reason,” said Eby, a native of Centralia. “That was why we acquired the building because of the abortions.”

Spencer, who died in 1969, was a beloved general practitioner by many who served the community with health care services, but also performed abortions decades before Roe vs. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court case that legalized unrestricted abortion in the nation in 1973. The three-story, stone-front building at 531 Centre St. was his office for most of that career. Since all of Spencer’s medical records had reportedly been destroyed by his second wife after his death in 1969, the number of abortions he performed is not definitive, with numbers from different sources ranging from 40,000 to 100,000.

Eby said that, while the demolition of the building was not originally part of the plan, the plan will go on.

“We still feel we’re in the right place. The plans that we have are going to continue and we’re going to build a different structure,” Eby said.

The Mercy House website explains the origin and growth of the plan to transform the property.

“A building that once held secrets and the shame of 100,000 babies who were aborted will now breathe life, hope, healing and counsel to women and men who have suffered from post-abortive trauma. It will be a place of worship and ministry available to all.

“We desire to positively impact the lives of women and families who have experienced trauma from abortions and all other forms of trauma. We seek to create a safe place for healing from traumatic wounds of the past. A place where women and families will find freedom and healing from guilt, pain and shame. We believe that Jesus Christ loves us all, regardless of what has happened in our past and that God’s love and healing power is available for those asking for it.”

Eby said the idea came through the church’s intercessory prayer and finding some way to help the communities in general, traveling from town to town to pray as a group.

“Someone on our team came to me and asked if I had ever heard of this doctor in Ashland who had done 40,000 abortions,” Eby said. “I couldn’t get my head around that, but we did some research and found that he did 100,000 abortions. We prayed for over a year about what to do, and in April of 2017 we came into Ashland. We first went to the Mother’s Memorial to pray, and then we went to Dr. Spencer’s building and prayed.”

Eby noticed a “for sale” sign, and later contacted the realtor and was informed it was no longer listed. At another visit, he noticed a new sign and made a contact and began to talk to the owner about purchasing the building. He told the owner that the idea was to use the building as a ministry to women who had abortions. After discussions, an agreement was made and Restoration Ministries took possession in 2017 for $2,500.

“The first time that we entered the building we had 27 people from all over Pennsylvania,” Eby said. “We had communion and worship and singing that first time in there.”

The volunteers who helped, first went to the back of the building where there was a garage. It was cleaned out, and another back section was torn down since it had already collapsed. There was an interest in keeping the main section of the building. The volunteers began removing wallboard on the three floors to the brick walls and stud frames.

That was when they called the engineer which led to the demolition.

Eby said one of the next steps is to find out about zoning requirements in order to move forward to have a place to minister to post-abortive women and men. He said that he and his church members did not have much information about how to conduct such work, but they soon had a connection.

“We didn’t know anything about ministering to women and men who were part of abortion, but doesn’t connect us a few months later with a ministry that does that,” he said. “Now we have five people in our church, including myself, who have gone through the training, and we have three women in our church working on a team that does the ministry. That ministry is called ‘Deeper Still,’ and they hold retreats. I’ve been a follower of Jesus since I was 10 years old, and I’ve been in ministry for 20-plus years, and I honestly have never seen a ministry that is as powerful as this is.”

A biography of Spencer was published in 2000 entitled “The Angel of Ashland: Practicing Compassion and Tempting Fate,” authored by Vincent J. Genovese, of Minersville.

On Jan. 21, 2018, the Most Rev. Alfred A. Schlert, Catholic bishop of Allentown, offered a Mass of Reparation at St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church in the borough, one day before the 45th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

“For almost 50 years, Dr. Spencer practiced here in Ashland, and at the time of his death in 1969, it made national news,” Schlert said at that time. “… People came from all over. We have to admit that in many ways it was an open secret of what was transpiring.”

At the time of his death, from a pulmonary embolism following surgery, Spencer was awaiting trial in Schuylklll County court on charges related to his practice. He had previously been acquitted on homicide charges in the 1956 death of a woman who allegedly perished during an abortion he was performing.

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

Frailey Township supervisors have approved a tax abatement program for a proposed distribution center, which will also need school district and county approval before it can be built.

At a meeting Tuesday in the Donaldson Fire Company, Schuylkill Economic Development Corp. President Frank J. Zukas discussed the future Rausch Creek Logistic Center. The project includes construction of buildings measuring 1.3 million and 1.4 million square feet off Route 209 near the Big Lots distribution center not far from Interstate 81 at the Joliett exit. According to Zukas, the developer, Viridian, of Newark, New Jersey, will pay utilities and insurance while building the structure.

The facility will put a hefty annual sum into the township coffers — but not immediately.

10-year tax break

Established by state law in 1977, a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance designation exempts a property from paying some real estate taxes for a 10-year period. The program only covers eligible properties, which are blighted or economically depressed locations. The owner will pay existing real estate taxes on the land, but not on improvements until after 10 years.

The Rausch Creek site currently has an assessed value of $24,000.

The supervisors agreed to a 25/75 split, with the company paying 25% of the taxes annually for the length of the LERTA.

The township, school district — in this case, Pine Grove Area — and county must all agree to the LERTA.

“Without LERTA, this project would not be happening,” Zukas said. “The county has said if school districts and the municipality involved agree, the county will also agree.”

On Wednesday, Zukas said the county’s policy is to approve LERTAs that are acceptable to the school district.

Zukas said that, although the exact amount Rausch Creek Logistic will pay in real estate taxes can’t be known until after the structures are built and assessed, an estimate, based on the type and size and of the buildings, is $1.85 million a year, at the end of the 10-year LERTA.

‘Fools’ not to agree

A resident who owns a small business in Reilley Township said small businesses have to compete against the big ones, and questioned how long a company that benefits from LERTA might stay after the 10 years is up.

Zukas said they don’t usually leave just because the taxes are coming due.

“We’re hoping their addition to the area will help stimulate business,” said supervisor Chairman Donald Allar.

Allar noted the township’s income from taxes, if everyone pays, is $58,000. Last year, he said, only half of that was paid. What the township will get from LERTA is more, and will be even more after the 10 years is up.

“We’re a bunch of fools if we don’t adopt LERTA,” Allar said.

Police, trash bills paid

In other business, the township approved the January bill for Tremont borough’s police department coverage in the amount of $4,500. Some incidents responded to include a criminal mischief and two ATV complaints, three motor vehicle accidents and six traffic details.

A bill in the amount of $1,272.92 for Donaldson’s trash pickup by Potts & Monger was also approved, plus another in the amount of $10,690.12 for sewage disposal.

For the second time, an advertisement for bids for the second phase of a playground expansion will be placed this month in the hopes of getting bids this year.

It was noted the Donaldson Fire Company responded to 96 calls during 2019.

Solicitor Joseph Zerbe reported he is working with the county and the school district to get current and future taxes exempt on a property at 314 W. Center St.

Zerbe said he is working to resolve ongoing issues with a property at 312 W. Center St. owned by Mike Clemens. Every time Clemens is cited for not cleaning the property and the case is taken before the district magistrate, nothing is done, he said.

POTTSVILLE — A Hazleton man left Schuylkill County Court a free man Wednesday after a jury found him not guilty of assaulting a motorist in September 2018 in West Penn Township.

Daniel Dannenfelser, 44, smiled and shook his lawyer’s hand after the jury of seven men and five women, following approximately 1 1/2 hours of deliberations, found him not guilty of simple assault.

Judge Charles M. Miller, who presided over Dannenfelser’s two-day trial, also found him not guilty of harassment.

West Penn Township police had charged Dannenfelser with assaulting Alexander Redcliff, Coaldale, during a road rage incident in the early morning hours of Sept. 6, 2018, along Route 443 in the township. Redcliff said he had pulled over and asked Dannenfelser what the problem was before receiving an answer he did not expect.

“Before I could say anything else, I got punched in the mouth,” causing his baseball cap and glasses to fly off, he said. “It hurt.”

Redcliff said he had never met the person who hit him, but after his mother went on Facebook to seek information, she obtained a photo of Dannenfelser and showed it to him.

“I knew the face as soon as I saw it,” he said.

However, Gabrielle Dannenfelser, the defendant’s sister, testified he was with her while she celebrated her birthday on the night in question.

“My brother didn’t do this,” she said. “He was with me.”

Mary Dannenfelser, the defendant’s mother, testified that even though she does not get along well with her son, he was at her house that morning and would not attack someone.

“I trust him with his children now,” she said. “Daniel’s not violent.”

Finally, Eric Kuklinski, an inmate at State Correctional Institution/Mahanoy, testified he wrote a letter in which he tried to exonerate the defendant by saying he was the criminal.

“I am writing this letter of my own free will. I pulled in front of him. I don’t want to see my friend charged,” Kuklinski wrote. “I’ve done a lot of wrong in my life and I’m just trying to make up for it.”

Assistant District Attorney David Noon said in his closing argument that Redcliff was certain with his identity of Dannenfelser and he has no axe to grind.

In contrast, the family members and Kuklinski, a friend of the defendant’s, all had biases, Noon said.

However, jurors accepted the closing argument of Nicholas J. Watt, Pottsville, Daniel Dannenfelser’s lawyer, who said Kuklinski had no motive to lie, since it would expose him to a perjury charge.

“I doubt that he’s lied to get in trouble,” Watt said.

Watt said that if the defense witnesses were believable, or even if they raised doubts, that means the jury must find his client not guilty.

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