Andrew Z. Arndt will spend more time in prison and on probation after a Schuylkill County judge sentenced him Monday for sexual encounters in 2015 with a teenage girl.

Arndt, 32, of Schuylkill Haven, must serve six to 23 months in prison, plus an additional 37 months on probation, and undergo sex offender evaluation and treatment, Judge Jacqueline L. Russell said.

“You’re under supervision for five years total,” Russell told the defendant.

Russell imposed the sentence after revoking Arndt’s probation for violations he committed while under state supervision.

“I was honest with my counselors ... about my conduct on the streets,” Arndt said.

Arndt originally pleaded guilty on June 29, 2016, to five sex-related offenses, the most serious of which was statutory sexual assault.

At that time, Russell sentenced Arndt to serve two to four years in a state correctional institution, plus an additional three years on probation, pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. She also ruled that Arndt was not a sexually violent predator but still had to comply with Megan’s Law sanctions for the rest of his life.

State police at Frackville alleged Arndt had between five and 10 sexual encounters with the 14-year-old victim between Jan. 1, 2015, and May 31, 2015, in New Ringgold. Police said that during an interview with them, Arndt admitted having a sexual relationship with the girl.

The Megan’s Law sanctions to which Arndt is subject include requiring him to provide his name, address, employment, any schools he might attend, registration of any vehicles he owns and other information to the Pennsylvania State Police. Any violation of the sanctions would be an additional crime and subject Arndt to further prosecution.

Russell conducted Monday’s hearing by videoconference, since Arndt already is an inmate at the county prison.

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

TAMAQUA — A winning lottery ticket was sold Monday at a heating company in West Penn Township, Pennsylvania Lottery officials announced Tuesday.

Worth $269,794, it was a progressive top prize-winning ticket in the lottery’s Lucky Numbers game and sold at Fegley Oil Co., 551 W. Penn Pike, in the township. For selling the winning ticket, the company will receive a $500 bonus, according to a news release from the lottery.

Lucky Numbers is a $10 Fast Play game that offers progressive top prizes starting at $100,000, lottery officials said in the release.

The games print on-demand from a lottery sales terminal or self-service touch-screen vending terminal and are similar to scratch-off games, but without the need to scratch a ticket or wait for a drawing.

To see if they’ve won a prize, players can review the ticket, or scan it at a lottery retailer or with the ticket checker feature on the lottery’s official app, according to lottery officials. The holder of a top-prize winning Fast Play ticket should immediately sign the back of the ticket and call the lottery at 1-800-692-7481.

Prizes must be claimed and tickets validated before winners can be identified. Fast Play prizes must be claimed within one year of the ticket’s purchase date. All lottery prizes more than $5,000 are subject to applicable withholding. To review rules, chances of winning or to learn how to play Fast Play games, visit palottery.com.

Election results for Tuesday’s primary were coming later than usual due to new voting machines and piles of mail-in ballots.

According to Schuylkill County Election Bureau Clerk Chrissy Marmas, the county sent out about 13,500 mail-in ballots and received 11,042 of them back. As of 11 p.m., bureau workers were still tallying the votes at the Schuylkill Transportation System garage in the Saint Clair Industrial Park.

“We’re working with everybody in here to get them out as fast as possible,” Marmas said.

The polls were open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Only registered Republicans and Democrats were allowed to take part in the election, except in Mahanoy City, where all residents who are registered voters could cast a vote on a home rule charter.

It was not known by press time how many people turned up to cast their ballots at the polls because the data from the county’s 125 precincts was still be entered. Under the new county’s system, paper ballots are scanned and counted when a voter places them in the ballot box. The count is recorded on a USB flash drive which is plugged into a computer at STS when the precinct workers bring their scanners and ballot boxes to the STS garage. Mail-in ballots, as well as absentee ballots, were being run through two high speed scanners to tally those votes, which would then be added to the votes from the precincts.

Ballots with write-in candidates will not be counted until later in the week.

By 10:30 p.m., votes cast Tuesday had been recorded for 85 precincts.

Mail-in balloting was approved for all Pennsylvanians by Act 77, signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf in October. Although it was approved before the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, it afforded a chance to limit people at polling sites and help slow the spread of the virus while protecting poll workers, many of whom tend to be elderly. Statewide, more than 1.8 million voters applied for a mail-in or absentee ballot, far exceeding expectations by state officials and bringing warnings that results will be delayed well past election night.

Many county voters mailed in their ballots over the previous weeks, although they were allowed to drop them off at the election bureau office in Pottsville as late as 8 p.m., at which time sheriff’s deputies sealed the box and brought it to STS.

Election Bureau Director Frannie Brennan was working from home Tuesday evening due to health concerns in light of the coronavirus. Schuylkill County workers on site all wore face masks and the main entrance to the STS office, which is usually open on election nights, was locked with access only available through the garage.

In spite of the headaches, Marmas said the operation went smoothly for the most part.

“I think for a new system, and everything going on, it went well,” Marmas said.

County voters Tuesday were choosing Republican and Democrat nominees for several state and federal offices and to determine the future form of government in one borough.

Congress and president

U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser will face one of two Democrats in November in his effort to win a second term representing the 9th Congressional District.

However, whether Meuser will face Lebanon County’s Laura Quick or Berks County’s Dr. Gary Wegman will not be known for several days, Wegman predicted Tuesday night.

With 44.61% of precincts counted, Quick held a narrow lead of 9,471 to 9,134 for Wegman.

Meuser, meanwhile, has 35,412 votes.

Meuser, a Luzerne County Republican and former state Secretary of Revenue, was elected in 2018 in the redrawn 9th District, defeating former state Secretary of Agriculture Denny Wolff. The district includes all of Carbon, Columbia, Lebanon, Montour and Schuylkill counties and parts of Berks, Luzerne and Northumberland counties. Political experts consider it a heavily Republican district.

Meuser, who was unopposed for the GOP nomination, issued a statement saying he will continue to support President Trump’s agenda in order to enable the country to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

“I will continue to help make America as great as can be for as many Americans as possible,” he wrote. “Republicans also must win back the House in order to truly advance a pro-growth agenda that will begin a great American comeback once again.”

Wegman, a dentist and farmer who said he has family roots in Hegins and Tremont, wants to be a unifying force in Congress.

“I’m going to represent the people, not special interest lobbyists,” he said. “We don’t want more of the politics of division. The politics of division and gridlock have gotten us nowhere.”

Quick, a delivery truck driver, could not be reached for comment.

State Legislature

In the race for the Republican nomination for the 125th state legislative district, with only partial returns, Schuylkill County Register of Wills Theresa Santai Gaffney was leading with 1,403 votes, 33.2%, followed by County Controller Christy Joy, with 1,224 votes, 29.01%, Joe Kerwin, 1,351, 32.02%, and Herv Breault, 241, 5.7 %. No Democrats ran in that race.

In the race for the Republican nomination in the 123rd district, Tim Twardzik was ahead with 1,864 votes, 63%, to John Leshko, with 1,065, 36%. Peter J. “P.J.” Symons ran unopposed for the Democrat nomination.

State Rep. Jerome P. “Jerry” Knowles, R-124, ran unopposed for re-election. Democrat Taylor Piccone, Windsor Township, was the only name on the Democratic ballot. State Sen. Dave Argall, R-29, Rush Township, was running unopposed in the primary, and there are no Democratic candidates seeking the nomination in that district.

Mahanoy City

All voters living in Mahanoy City, may vote “yes” or “no” Tuesday on adopting a home rule charter for the borough. Only registered Republicans and Democrats will be allowed to also vote for candidates in the local, state and national races. Partial results showed 190 voting “no” to 183 “yes.”

Schuylkill County added three cases added to its COVID-19 total Wednesday. The county now has 646 positive diagnoses and 36 deaths blamed on the virus, according to numbers from the state Department of Health (DOH).

Statewide there are 511 additional cases, bringing the total to 73,405. The state reported 75 deaths, bringing the statewide total to 5,742.

Also Wednesday, DOH released an update to the dental health care guidance as part of the state’s phased COVID-19 reopening plan. This guidance allows dental health care providers the ability to safely provide oral healthcare, including routine cleanings, according to DOH.

“This latest update provides dentists the opportunity to resume non-emergency dental care, including routine care, if they can provide it safely,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine. “Oral health is a key part to one’s overall health, and we strongly encourage all Pennsylvanians to regularly see a dentist and receive oral healthcare. As more dental procedures are performed during the phased reopening, dentists should prioritize dental care for the highest need, most vulnerable patients first.”

Dental providers should follow protocols outlined by the CDC for all procedures. Providers should ensure they have the appropriate amount of personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies to support their patient volume. The appropriate level of PPE, according to CDC guidance, must be available for all dental care practitioners including dental hygienists prior to providing any dental treatment. Providers should regularly check CDC guidance when providing care as recommendations and guidance could change frequently.

All patients should be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 before arriving at the practice and social distancing should be maintained while in the practice. Patients should wash or sanitize their hands frequently and wear a mask when not undergoing treatment. Tele-density should continue when possible as patients may be able to be treated virtually.

The two Republican opponents for the 123rd Legislative District didn’t find out the results of their contest until they woke up Wednesday morning.

A total of 11,042 mail-in and absentee ballots countywide slowed the vote count, and unofficial results weren’t announced by the Schuylkill County Election Bureau until 2:57 a.m.

“What a night! Yikes,” Tim Twardzik, 61, of Butler Township said Wednesday morning. “I gave up about 2 a.m. and got back up at 5 a.m. It was really good news.

“It was very nice with all of the support from family, friends and volunteers,” he continued, “that we had a successful run in this very, very strange campaign environment without the opportunity to get out to greet people.”

John Leshko, 41, of Middleport, who served his borough as mayor and is employed as a project manager with the Fortune 500 company Liberty Procurement, a division of Bed Bath and Beyond Corp., also learned the results when he woke up.

“We’re happy with the turnout and the people who supported us and voted for us and voted for change,” Leshko said. “We just came up a little short, but we’re happy that Tim is going to take on our conservative values and hopefully he’ll be successful in November.”

In the general election Twardzik will face Democrat Peter J. “P.J.” Symons, who spent part of his morning taking down campaign signs before thunderstorms struck. The winner will replace Democrat state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, who will retire at the end of the year, his 18th in the position. The district has been represented by Democrats for about half a century.

“I was pleased with our numbers. The turnout was low,” Symons said. “We sort of figured that Tim was going to be our opponent. He did a good job in the primary. So now we just go forward and work on the issues. Hopefully we’ll be able to knock on doors and meet some people.”

The unofficial vote count had Twardzik garnering 3,561 to Leshko’s 2,007. There were 53 write-ins.

Symons, 65, of Saint Clair, ran unchallenged on the Democrat ballot and received 4,474 votes. There were 216 write-ins. Symons served 16 years as Schuylkill County prothonotary from 1996 to 2011. He worked in the private sector in the railroad industry.

Twardzik, son of the late Ted Twardzik Sr., who launched Ateeco Inc., the maker of Mrs. T’s Pierogies, and is co-owner of the company and retired vice president, said he is looking forward to the next step in the campaign, which he hopes will be a bit more normal.

“I’m looking forward to have the state open and having people getting back to work, and then getting a chance to get out and hear what people are interested in to make sure we are pursuing what’s best for our communities,” Twardzik said. “We’re going down there (Harrisburg) to serve the people.

“P.J. is a seasoned politician, so this rookie will have to fine-tune his game,” he added, “but with the strong support that we’ve seen, I’m looking forward to running a good campaign and getting the issues on the table.”

Asked if he will support Twardzik as the campaign progresses, Leshko said, “Absolutely. A lot of people have put a lot of hard work into it and we definitely want to make sure we get a Republican in the 123rd.”

Symons said he looks forward to an opportunity to debate Twardzik.

“Once this gets cleared up closer to November we can have a debate; I would debate him,” Symons said. “We can have an issue-based race between the both of us.”

He added, “The people need to hear from the both of us. It’s not about me or Tim, it’s about the people.”

The 123rd Legislative District is the only one entirely within Schuylkill County. It includes the boroughs of Ashland, Frackville, Gilberton, Girardville, Gordon, Mahanoy City, Mechanicsville, Middleport, Minersville, Mount Carbon, New Philadelphia, Palo Alto, Port Carbon, Shenandoah and Saint Clair; the townships of Blythe, Branch, Cass, Delano, East Norwegian, Foster, Mahanoy, New Castle, Reilly, Ryan and West Mahanoy; and Wards 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 in Pottsville.

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

Unofficial results

Republican

John Leshko — 2,007.

Tim Twardzik — 3,561.

Democrat

Peter J. “P.J.” Symons — 4,474

In a close contest, Democratic voters Tuesday appear to have chosen a Lebanon County woman to take on incumbent U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-9, in the Nov. 3 General Election.

Laura Quick, 53, of Palmyra, who has not yet claimed victory, leads Dr. Gary Wegman, 63, of Reading, a dentist and farmer, by slightly under 1,000 votes, according to the latest totals from the Pennsylvania Department of State.

Quick, a UPS package car driver, garnered 15,034 votes as compared to 14,050 for Wegman, according to the department’s totals.

She said Wednesday that she will not claim victory because not all votes have been counted.

Meanwhile, Meuser, 56, of Dallas, Luzerne County, who is seeking his second term in the House, captured 60,598 votes while running unopposed in the GOP primary.

“Representing the people of the 9th Congressional District is a tremendous honor,” he said.

The fact that Meuser received twice as many votes as Quick and Wegman combined shows the daunting task Quick faces. Political experts consider the 9th a heavily Republican district.

It includes all of Carbon, Columbia, Lebanon, Montour and Schuylkill counties and parts of Berks, Luzerne and Northumberland counties.

Quick, however, said it is “perfectly possible” for a Democrat to win the district.

“Voters will support someone they feel understands them and will fight for them,” she said.

She also said her work, life and volunteer work experiences qualify her to serve in Congress. She noted that she suspended her campaign after Gov. Tom Wolf issued his stay-at-home order in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic so she could do volunteer work to make sure people who needed help from local food banks and other sources received it.

“I look forward to doing the same work on a bigger scale if elected to Congress,” Quick said.

Meuser said he will continue to promote President Trump’s America First agenda if re-elected, saying that is the best way to rebuild the country and the economy.

“In this time of uncertainty, we need to accentuate what has made America great and mitigate what has pulled us down,” he said.

Wegman could not be reached Wednesday for comment on whether he will ask for a recount or any other aspect of the election.

Contact the writer: pbortner@republicanheral.dcom; 570-628-6014.

SEATTLE — Scientists studying tiny exhaled particles that could transmit the coronavirus say a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention decision to drop warnings against choral singing is dangerous, risking more “super-spreading events” such as a Washington state choir practice linked to two deaths.

The researchers say the coronavirus can spread in respiratory aerosols, which may linger in the air for an hour or more, floating farther than the 6 feet commonly prescribed for social distancing. They say that choir members are particularly vulnerable to infection from airborne particles, because they exhale and inhale deeply to sing, often at close quarters in poorly ventilated rooms.

The CDC generally dismisses the potential for airborne transmission beyond 6 feet, although a study it published recently said the “act of singing” likely contributed to 53 of 61 people who attended a choir rehearsal in March getting sick, two of whom died of COVID-19. Since that incident north of Seattle, reports have surfaced of other outbreaks after choir performances, including one in Amsterdam that claimed four lives.

Without notice on its website May 23, the CDC altered guidance for reopening houses of worship, deleting a warning posted the previous day that said the act of singing may contribute to the transmission of COVID-19. The warning disappeared as President Donald Trump deemed religious institutions essential, calling on governors to reopen them from coronavirus lockdowns.

Increasing the risk

“Removing that guidance is extremely dangerous and irresponsible,” said Jose Jimenez, a University of Colorado chemistry professor who studies aerosols, adding it “will put people at risk of additional super-spreading events and slow down the containment of the epidemic.”

Donald Milton, a University of Maryland bio-aerosol researcher, spoke during a May 5 webinar sponsored by multiple national music organizations — and since watched by more than 100,000 people — that stunned the choir world. Experts advised choirs and performing arts groups not to gather again to sing in person until a vaccine or treatment for COVID-19 becomes widely available, even if that takes two years or more.

“The CDC’s earlier recommendations were spot on, and I’m sorry to see that they’ve changed them,” Milton said in an interview. “This is very hazardous, and we really need to not be getting together to sing.”

The novel coronavirus surfaced only a little more than five months ago in Wuhan, China, so some degree of uncertainty about the pathogen is to be expected, as scientists study its characteristics. But the conflicting advice from domestic and international health agencies is striking, creating confusion as the U.S. death toll continues rising above 100,000.

The White House, reported by The Washington Post as having directed the CDC to substitute approved guidance omitting the choir warning, declined to comment. The CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to interview requests.

Altamont

The Altamont Fire Company, 215 S. Green St., will have a drive-thru mac-and-cheese dinner sale with pickups from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 5. To order, call 570-874-4384 starting at 4 p.m. June 5.

Mahanoy City

The Mahanoy City Public Library recently acknowledged the following memorials: In honor of Mike and Peg Grigalonis by Bernard Marchalonis. Also, in memory of Carmen Giacobbe by Josephine Gromalski, Lois Elhajj, JoAnn McCarthy; of Anna Wakisnoris by JoAnn McCarthy; of Helene Dwyer by Mike and Peg Grigalonis, Karen Owens; of Carol Byrne by the Woman’s Club of Mahanoy City; of Lou DePauli by Bob and Leslie Richardson; of Pat Serano by Marilyn Evans; of Louise Bradbury by Janet Kurzinsky; of John Setcavage by Jean Eichman, Bob and Leslie Richardson; of Tony Krick by Karen Owens; of the Rev. Dominick Mammarella by Mike and Peg Grigalonis.

Orwigsburg

The Orwigsburg Lions Club will host a food drive from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 6, to restock the shelves of the Orwigsburg Area Food Pantry. In a release, club member Laurie Fink said the drive will be held at the M&T Bank parking lot, 100 W. Market St. Needed items include canned fruit, vegetables and tuna, rice, pasta, soup, toilet paper, paper towels, cereal, peanut butter and jelly. The club will also present the food pantry with a $500 donation at the drive. Everyone in the community is invited to provide a donation, Fink said in the release.

POTTSVILLE — To make way for the solar panels on several district buildings, trees are being removed from the grounds of buildings at the Pottsville Area School District campus.

The company installing the panels, GreenWorks Development LLC, Harrisburg, gave a $50,000 contract to Blue Mountain Tree Co., Pine Grove, to remove them from John S. Clarke Elementary Center, D.H.H. Lengel Middle School and the district’s Academic Center. He said the contract was awarded six weeks ago.

Business Manager Brian Manning said trees around the district campus are being removed to make way for the solar panel project, with work starting several weeks ago. He said the district is not selling the wood from the trees but is sure the company hired by the solar panel company, GreenWorks Development LLC, Harrisburg, to remove the trees is selling the wood. Doug Neidich, CEO of GreenWorks, said he didn’t know if the wood was being sold, adding that the decision about the wood is up to the tree removal company.

“We have no say in what goes on with the wood,” he said.

Neidich said the company only takes down trees that are required for the project to be installed.

Work on installing the solar panels began last month, with panels being installed on the roofs of the John S. Clarke Elementary Center, D.H.H. Lengel Middle School and the Academic Center. There will be more than 3,200 panels installed. The project will cost $2,639,000, with the district leasing them for the first five years.

Panels were going to be placed on the practice field behind the Academic Center, but due to public opposition, they will not be placed there. Solar Renewable Energy LLC, Mechanicsburg, is the investor in the project. GreenWorks Development LLC is working with Solar Renewable Energy LLC to install the solar panels in the district. Neidich said Wednesday he anticipates the panels will be installed in three months.

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

Voters selected an activated National Guardsman, the youngest of a four-person slate, as the Republican nominee for the 125th Legislative District for the state House of Representatives, according to unofficial primary results.

Newcomer Joe Kerwin, a criminal prosecutor in Dauphin County, won the Republican nomination Tuesday, garnering nearly half of the total vote count against his opponents, Schuylkill County Register of Wills Theresa Santai Gaffney, Schuylkill County Controller Christy Joy and businessman Herv Breault. No Democrats ran for the seat, currently held by Republican Mike Tobash, of Pottsville, who is retiring.

“I want to thank the voters, and I’m glad that they looked at who I am as a person and found me worthy,” Kerwin said in a brief call Wednesday from Philadelphia.

Kerwin, 27, of Lykens, received notification late Monday that he would activate with the National Guard. He visited a few polls early Tuesday then joined his unit and headed to Philadelphia in response to rioting. Kerwin is commander of the 28th Infantry Division, 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, and is in charge of 120 soldiers. His brother, Jack, was also activated with the same unit.

At least for now, Kerwin said he’s been keeping his win quiet among his regiment.

“Some people know, but I’ve been focused on the mission here,” he said.

He said all candidates were well-qualified and worthy competitors. Kerwin attributed his victory to his preparedness, study of constituents’ concerns, and how he adjusted to sharing his message during the COVID-19 pandemic without meeting people at their front doors. He used social media, phone calls, mail and signs. He said he’ll serve all residents of the district, he said.

“I kept them informed of my values and didn’t focus on negativity. I think the authenticity and the energy that I had delivered the vote to my team.”

Large vote gap

While the race was close among three of the candidates in Schuylkill County, Kerwin swept the Dauphin County electorate, capturing more than 94% of the votes. The 125th district includes all of western and parts of central and southern Schuylkill County, along with most of northern Dauphin County.

In Schuylkill, Kerwin had 2,574 votes, or 34%; followed by Gaffney with 2,469; Joy with 2,391; and Breault with 423. In Dauphin County, Kerwin had 1,742 votes, followed by Gaffney with 60, Joy with 20 and Breault with 13.

Joy said he talked briefly with Kerwin.

“The people spoke and the miracle of American democracy (is) the seamless transition of office. They don’t teach Rangers to come in second place. I wish Joe the best,” Joy said Wednesday morning in a text message. Joy, 48, of Lake Wynonah, is serving his third term as controller.

Gaffney called Kerwin at 2 a.m. Wednesday to congratulate him.

“I hand off the torch to Joe Kerwin,” she said.

Gaffney had hoped the seat would remain with someone residing in Schuylkill County, but trusts Kerwin will keep his word to represent the entire district.

“I am humbled by the tremendous amount of support and I will continue to service the good people of Schuylkill County,” said Gaffney, 59, of Pottsville, who is serving her third term.

Breault, 53, of Lake Wynonah, also shared his well-wishes.

“For me, the most important factors in a politician are honor, integrity and guts. Joe has all of the above,” said Breault, who retired from the military after serving 25 years and now operates an auto-parts store.

Breault said he texted and called Kerwin to congratulate him, “but I know he is focused on the mission at hand of leading his troops in support of law enforcement.”

“Being a political outsider, this was Joe’s first political endeavor,” Kerwin’s parents, Joe and Lora Kerwin, said in a statement Wednesday. “He is humbled by the overwhelming support that has been given to him in both Dauphin and Schuylkill county. He worked hard to express his strong desire to serve the 125th district and all of its citizens.”

County chair excited

“Joe and his team ran an excellent campaign,” Dan Daub, chairman of the Schuylkill County Republican Committee, said Wednesday. “He will make an excellent state representative.”

Daub noted Tobash was originally from Hegins and that Kerwin did exceptionally well with voters in the western part of Schuylkill County, in Hegins and Hubley townships, as well as in Tower City and Pine Grove.

“He won the vote in Schuylkill County and overwhelmingly in Dauphin County. The voters said, by far, he was the best candidate on the ballot,” said Daub, who also spoke with Kerwin late Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Daub said he is already excited for the November election. He said there were 30% of Democrats who did not vote for Joe Biden in the primary.

“I think people in our county are upset with the Democrats and I’m looking for a sweep in the fall,” Daub said.

Any Democrats wishing to have their name on the ballot for November for the 125th would have had to acquire at least 300 write-in votes in Tuesday’s primary, according to Frannie Brennan, election bureau director for Schuylkill County. It doesn’t appear that is the case.

Otherwise, there could be a third-party person running for Tobash’s seat who could challenge Kerwin in November.

Kerwin is a Pennsylvania State University graduate with a degree in political science. He enlisted in the Army National Guard at age 19 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 2015. Kerwin completed Army infantry officer training, Ranger School and Airborne School, progressing from platoon leader to executive officer to his present position. He graduated from the Dickinson School of Law in 2019 and is a Pennsylvania bar-admitted attorney.

Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday issued an executive order for Philadelphia and five other counties, including Dauphin, to keep counting mailed-in ballots that arrive up to seven days after polls closed at 8 p.m., as long as they are postmarked by then. The governor’s order was in response to protests over George Floyd’s death in several Pennsylvania cities which the administration believes may have hampered voters’ ability to return ballots.

With COVID-19 and the social distancing restrictions to prevent its spread, we are living through history, like it or not. And through this time many people are stepping up to help others make it through.

One such group of people are RSVP volunteers. RSVP — Retired and Senior Volunteer Program — is a nationwide volunteer organization for people ages 55 and older. RSVP was formed more than 40 years ago with a dual purpose in mind: Benefit nonprofit organizations and communities by organizing our most experienced and mature citizens as volunteers and benefit seniors who may be entering a less active time of life by encouraging them to remain involved in their communities, thereby increasing their own physical, mental, emotional and social well-being.

In general, seniors are the most experienced and most mature members of any community, so why wouldn’t they make great volunteers?!

In Schuylkill County, RSVP is affiliated with the Schuylkill County Office of Senior Services. Almost 350 RSVP volunteers provide almost a quarter million dollars of service to the county communities each year through partnerships with more than 40 organizations and agencies. Volunteers can help out at one organization or volunteer in as many ways and at as many places as they desire.

For 36 years, hundreds of RSVP volunteers have been serving throughout Schuylkill County, including with blood drives, Servants to All helping the homeless, Ombudsmen program visiting and advocating for nursing home residents, hospitals, libraries, historical societies and museums, schools and daycares, food banks, hospice providers, stream water monitoring, rain gauge monitoring, Intergenerational Pen Pal program with local fifth-grade students, tutoring or sharing talents of knitting, crocheting, sewing and weaving and much more.

While volunteers in most organizations are currently unable to volunteer in the usual capacities during social distancing measures, many are volunteering in other ways. Some call homebound seniors, deliver Meals on Wheels, distribute food at food pantries, sew face masks or write letters to nursing home residents, among other opportunities. And when organizations re-open, volunteers will be needed more than ever.

If you’re age 55 or older and want to learn more about making a difference in the lives of others and your community, call Darla Troutman, RSVP coordinator, at 570-622-3103.

Sort clothing

donations

Servants to All, a local nonprofit organization helping the homeless, is looking for volunteers to help sort clothing donations and distribute clothing when it opens its doors in a limited way again soon. Servants to All is based in Pottsville. For more information about the organization and how you can help, call Servants to All at 570-728-2917.

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).

Supplementing guidance issued by Gov. Tom Wolf for businesses in the restaurant industry and to facilitate outdoor dining and service, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board on Wednesday announced an expedited approval process for licensees wishing to temporarily extend their licensed premises to include additional outdoor areas.

The service or sale of alcoholic beverages in unlicensed areas is illegal, so licensees looking to serve or sell alcoholic beverages in a currently unlicensed outdoor area must apply to the PLCB for an extension of their licensed premises.

Adoption of this temporary expedited application process will immediately grant authority to serve at previously unlicensed outdoor areas, waiving both application fees and the minimum 30-day waiting period.

The guidance issued by the PLCB regarding these temporary procedures includes:

•Emergency temporary authority for outside areas may be requested by clubs, catering clubs, restaurants, retail dispensers, hotels, distilleries, limited distilleries, wineries, limited wineries and breweries.

• Licensees that wish to apply for a temporary extension of the licensed premises to include outside serving areas, with this extension expiring at the end of the current public health emergency, may do so without paying the $220 filing fee.

• The application for temporary extension of premises to include an outdoor seating area will require the submission of a plan, and if the area to be licensed is an area not under the applicant’s control — such as a municipal sidewalk — then proof that the applicant has the right to occupy the location must be provided.

• A licensee may only submit an application for an outdoor area immediately adjacent to, abutting and contiguous to the existing licensed premises.

• Upon submission of the application, the licensee will see a confirmation screen that the application was successfully submitted for processing. The licensee must print this confirmation page and display it as evidence the application was received, and at that point, the licensee will automatically have temporary authority to operate on the proposed outdoor area.

Any licensee that fails to comply with this guidance risks citation by the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement.

MAHANOY CITY – Borough residents on Tuesday narrowly approved changing the structure of government to a home rule charter by a vote of 353 to 344.

The home rule charter type of government was recommended by the Mahanoy City Government Study commission and left up to voters to decide.

Under a home rule charter, the authority over municipal matters is transferred from state laws or municipal codes to a local charter that is drafted, adopted and amended by voters.

The charter, which will take effect in January, also sets up the government structure and outlines its authority and limitations.

The borough will soon have the ability to do anything not specifically denied by the state constitution, the General Assembly or the charter itself.

By contrast, municipalities run by municipal codes or state laws can only act where specifically authorized by the state law.

Home rule provides local control by giving the municipal government the ability to craft ordinances and make decisions based on local needs rather than having to follow a one-size-fits-all state code that’s decided by state legislators, supporters argue.

The home rule will also allow maintaining a 24/7 police department, supporting borough’s five fire companies and continuing fighting blight, they have argued.

It will also decrease costs by reducing the number of elected borough officials, paying council members only for meetings they attend, limiting council’s power to increase taxes and more.

The Mahanoy City home rule proposal calls for the reduction of council members from seven to five and eliminates the position of mayor, currently held by Dennis Wiessner.

Francis Burke, a former borough councilman and chairman of the study commission, said voters did the right thing.

“What it will do is keep the borough afloat,” Burke said.

He said that the positions of two borough council members scheduled to be up for re-election next year will be eliminated and Wiessner will continue to serve as mayor until his term expires.

Even though home rule is expected to be a win-win for the borough, transitioning to a new form of government will be a learning experience.

Burke said that although no tax increase is planned that could change if the need arises.

“What happens down the road is unclear,” he said.

Wiessner believes home rule is not in the best interest of residents of the borough. He said every borough needs a mayor to make decisions regarding police matters or to break tie votes on borough council motions.

“I don’t care if it’s me, but the position should not be eliminated,” he said.

Wiessner said he is also concerned about tax increases as the population of the borough diminishes.

“There are people moving out, people not paying their taxes and our taxpayers are going to get penalized in the long run,” he said.

Illegal sign posting

At one polling location Tuesday, the West End Fire and Rescue Co., a small, bright pink sign was affixed to the door and read VOTE “YES” FOR HOME RULE!!

Election rules state no signs are allowed within 10 feet of a polling location. No one at the Schuylkill County Election Bureau was available for comment Wednesday on the legality of the sign.

The home rule charter proposal is the result of more four years of planning, discussions and recommendations.

In 2015 borough officials decided to seek help as a distressed community through Act 47, the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act. The borough was then approved for a no-interest $800,000 state loan to be paid over a 10-year period.

The borough used the proceeds to satisfy outstanding debt and expenses in 2016 fiscal year and provide stability in the 2017 budget year.

Act 47 advisers typically recommend home rule adoption as a means of keeping a municipality fiscally solvent.

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

The Mahanoy Area School District changed its graduation schedule Wednesday to avoid bad weather, but the rain, determined to attend the 2020 commencement, changed its schedule as well.

Due to the coronavirus social distancing requirements, the faculty arranged a parade around the district for the 66 seniors, followed by a distribution of diplomas at the entrance of the high school, with an online ceremony later in the evening, a plan adopted by several districts in the county.

At 8 a.m., the vehicles began to line up in the school parking lot, decorated with balloons, posters, stickers, flags, garland and messages .r.

Joie L. Green, superintendent stood near the high school entrance as the students arrived, staying in their cars with their families.

“The kids lost so much and we are just trying to do the best we can with what we have to make it special for the students,” she said. “I hope the weather holds out.”

The parade had been scheduled for 3 p.m. until Tuesday evening when the weather forecast prompted the district to move it to the morning.

Shortly after 9 a.m., with horns honking, led by borough and Mahanoy Township police, the parade set out on its route through Mahanoy City, Morea, New Boston, Barnesville, Grier City, Delano, Park Place and Gilberton, returning an hour and a half later. As the clouds darkened, the cars drove by the entrance, the seniors got out, one at a time, as their names were announced and, with “Pomp and Circumstance” playing, walked to a podium to receive their diplomas, and return to their vehicles.

The rain hit at 11:15 as Ricardo Maldonada Diaz was announced and, as it worsened, some faculty pulled the podium, tables and sound equipment under the entrance pavillion. Others ran for umbrellas to escort the remaining graduates to their diplomas.

The memorable morning event ended at 11:40 a.m., followed Wednesday evening by the streaming of previously recorded commencement speeches and ceremonial.

Valedictorian Payton Martin, who will major in mathematics at Kutztown University, stressed the importance of family and roots and returned throughout her speech to her generation having grown up amid uncertainty.

“When I reflect on the last 18 years, it is difficult to do so without acknowledging how unknown circumstances have shaped us into the people who we are today. From our entrance into this world during the devastating aftermath of 9/11, to our virtual commencement ceremony today, we have been defined by the way in which we respond, cope, and live through the unknown,” she said.

Salutatorian Daniel Lawrence, headed to the U.S. Military Academy, West Point NY, to study electrical engineering, stressed something that endures, character, which is “non-negotiable.”

“Recently I read a book titled Character Carved In Stone written by Pat Williams. It was a gift from a teacher and friend, Mrs. Cavenas. The book highlights West Point graduates and focuses on various aspects of a person’s character,” he said.

Lawrence chose three of the virtues outlined the book, courage, trust, and perseverance. Courage he defined as the mastery of fear and what motivates us to take risks. “How can any of us honestly expect to accomplish anything is we are living with a negative mind?” he asked.

For trust Trust, he referred to the West Point Honor Code: A cadet will not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.

“When I think of perseverance, I think of my Godfather, Ray Cavenas, Mahanoy Area alumnus, class of 1984. He often said it’s a ‘never give in, never give up mentality.”

contact the writer: bsmith@republicanherald.com

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — Wednesday officially closed the very unusual 2019-20 school year in the North Schuylkill School District that included the honoring of the Class of 2020 with a virtual graduation.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the closing of all schools in Pennsylvania to onsite classes since March, the students, faculty, administration and support staff have done their best to educate the students on a virtual level from home.

In order to assure that the seniors had a proper end to their last year of secondary education, the school district arranged the face-to-face, one-on-one distribution of diplomas on May 30 and 31 at North Schuylkill’s Ghosh Field. Seniors wore that caps and gowns to the ceremony held under social distancing guidelines.

On Wednesday afternoon, a parade comprised of school buses filled with seniors was held to honor the graduates.

The parade started at the Schuylkill County Fire School near Frackville, moved through the borough toward Cresswell Gardens and the district campus and traveled along the traffic circle (Spartan Drive) at the high school entrance. The parade moved toward Gordon, then to Locustdale, and traveled through Ashland to Girardville, after which it went through Big Mine Run to Centralia, then taking the road to Aristes before turning toward Ringtown on the Aristes Road. When reaching Ringtown, the parade went through the borough and ended at the recreation center.

The 139 graduating seniors attended their virtual commencement at 7 p.m. on the StageClip platform.

Valedictorian Quinn Fisher spoke about the last day in school and the lesson that came with the truncated school year.

“On March 13th, the North Schuylkill Class of 2020 went to high school for the very last time and didn’t even know it,” Fisher said. “The bell that dismissed us from our last period that day ultimately dismissed us from high school and North Schuylkill altogether. Our time as Spartans quietly came to a close, but perhaps this gave us one more lesson before we take on the world.

Salutatorian Dylan Bernotas also touched on the school year and how many traditional senior moments were missed.

“It is both very easy and completely understandable to be saddened, discouraged, and frustrated over how the final months of our high school careers have transpired,” Bernotas said. “After all, missing out on events such as a traditional ceremony, as well as many less obvious things — getting yearbooks signed, parading through the elementary school, playing chess in PA Cultures and getting yelled at by Mr. Cuthie one last time — is disheartening.

After Secondary Principal Ken Roseberry spoke the class and viewers, Superintendent Dr. Robert Ackell declared that the Class of 2020 has met all graduation requirements as set by the state Department of Education and the North Schuylkill school board, each graduate was announced, each being shown individually with their photo, information of their activities during their school years, and a quote or message. In some cases, the graduate prerecorded a message that was shown.

The final two speakers were Class of 2020 President Alexa Prosick and Class of 2021 President Nicholas Perneta. The mantle was virtually passed by Prosick to Pernetta.

Contact the writer: jusalis@republicanherald.com

POTTSVILLE — Nearly 36% of the votes cast in Tuesday’s primary election in Schuylkill County were by mail-in or absentee ballot, according to numbers from the election bureau.

Connor Matz, technology coordinator, said total turnout was 30,794, with in-person accounting for 19,760 votes and 11,034 coming by mail-in (9,164) and absentee (1,870) ballots.

Matz said that in a presidential year, there are usually between 2,500 and 3,000 absentee ballots. Of course, before this year, there were no mail-in ballots, as the practice was signed into law just last year, then gained popularity because of the coronavirus pandemic.

As it is, the pandemic likely dropped the overall vote count by about 5,000 or 6,000, Matz said.

“I would expect it was mostly COVID” related, he said of the decreased turnout.

He said it also is possible that the turnout was lower because the presidential nominees — Republican incumbent Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden — had been decided in time for this year’s delayed primary, whereas they had not been in 2016.

Matz said the unusual vote count went as well as could be expected as the county also debuted new voting machines. Officials finished counting the votes around 2:45 a.m. Wednesday.

“We scanned in our last mail-in ballot” at that time, after starting at 1 p.m. Tuesday, he said.

He said it was typical for absentee ballots to be counted on election night in the past.

No complaints

Matz said officials took particular care to make sure of the authenticity of the mail-in ballots, checking the Social Security and driver’s license numbers, the date of birth and the signature against the information they had in the bureau.

Bureau solicitor Christopher W. Hobbs, of Pottsville, said Wednesday that he did not know about any voting problems.

“I did not hear of any legal issues or complaints,” he said.

Hobbs and Matz each said the election went as well as could be expected, especially in light of the coronavirus pandemic and the new machines.

“Election day in general went extremely well,” Matz said.

He said they would make a few changes before the Nov. 3 General Election, including improving templates and making it easier for poll workers to understand the machines. Those should not be difficult to do, according to Matz.

“We’re going to get it changed in no time,” he said.

Presidential numbers

Trump had 17,800 votes to 722 for Bill Weld and 273 for Roque Rocky De La Fuente on the county GOP ballot. There were 324 write-in votes for president in the county.

Biden had 7,363 votes, while Bernie Sanders had 1,818 and Tulsi Gabbard, 623. There were 831 write-ins on the Democratic ballot in the county.

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

Pine Grove Area High School’s 112 graduates received a virtual send-off Wednesday.

Their broadcasted ceremony included two video tributes, one of a commencement service recorded with each graduate individually walking at Cardinal Stadium; and a pre-graduation program featuring their elementary years, recorded sentiments by district educators and images of their school and community.

Four seniors addressed their classmates, Valedictorian Mackensie Koch, Salutatorian Allison Butler, Class President Nathan Minnich and Student Council President Miah Turner.

Superintendent Heath Renninger welcomed viewers and extended congratulatory remarks while High School Principal Michael Janicelli and Assistant Principal Rich Dunkelberger introduced the student speakers and their accolades.

Koch told her fellow graduates they all were exceptional.

“Exceptionality is not the doing, or the characteristic, of a single person. But today, we are united, tied together through different journeys that have all led us to this moment, right here—listening as one, in our matching caps and gowns, our matching joy and anxiety, our matching heart and spirit. As a class, we have done the impossible, and we have created experiences that will live on past this moment, into the memories that will comfort us when we are old.”

Koch, 18, is the daughter of Barry and Michelle Koch of Tremont. She plans to attend Penn State University to major in Biology.

Salutatorian Allison Butler spoke about her service as a student representative to the school board. She challenged her peers to consider what they plan to do with their “one wild and precious life?”

“It is not actually making the choice that takes courage, it is facing the result afterwards and taking ownership of the situation whether it is a good outcome or a bad one. We may not know right now what our future plans are, but you should strive to do it with everything you have and to never give up even when it gets hard,” said Butler, 17, a daughter of Ted and Tonya Butler of Pine Grove. She plans to attend Lycoming College to study ecology, minor in environmental science and to continue her basketball career.

Turner highlighted positive experiences that peers shared during their 13 years at Pine Grove, as well as the missed opportunities due to the coronavirus pandemic. “We weren’t supposed to have a spring break that lasted forever,” she said. She spoke of a canceled musical, spring sports, senior prom and an altered graduation.

Minnich urged classmates to make more memories with each other.

“Before we all go our separate ways over the next few months, stay close with your friends and never forget where you came from. Thank your teachers, not only have they given us the greatest gift of all being knowledge, but they have shaped us into the people we are today,” he said.

Minnich wished his classmates the best of luck in whatever career they chose and said he could not wait to see what the future holds.

“You can do anything that you can dream of, but if your dream is to fly, don’t expect to wake up tomorrow with wings.”

Class Adviser Rhonda Culbert and teacher Daryl Wessner led the virtual diploma distribution, announcing each graduate’s name, as students were filmed individually picking up their diplomas.

Contact the writer at vterwilliger@republicanherald.com

ARISTES — A Shamokin man died Thursday when he was thrown from the car he was driving when it crashed around 5:10 p.m. on Aristes Road in Union Township.

Sean M. Powell, 35, of 178 E. Cameron St., was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:55 p.m. by Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Andrew Szczyglak, Shenandoah.

Union Township Police Chief Phil Beaver said Powell was driving east on Aristes Road, near the intersection with Hill Field Road, when for some reason he lost control.

Beaver said the car went off the road and then rolled over, ejecting Powell, who was not wearing his seat belt.

Szczyglak said Powell was traveling to Red Ridge Campground in Zion Grove when the crash happened.

Beaver said he was assisted in the investigation by Patrolman John Minalda, a former state police accident reconstruction specialist.

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

POTTSVILLE — Three women failed to appear Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court and were sentenced to prison as soon as they are found.

Leianni S. Crawford, 33, of Bronx, New York, Amanda N. Deysher, 24, of Schuylkill Haven, and Kayla M. Hoover, 29, of Tamaqua, each had her probation revoked by Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin, who also said he would issue a bench warrant for each woman.

Dolbin ruled Crawford violated her probation by not reporting to her supervising officer, moving without permission, committing crimes, using drugs, failing a drug test and not making payments on her court-ordered costs and fees.

Dolbin placed Crawford back on probation for 12 months and also sentenced her to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.

Crawford originally pleaded guilty on Aug. 16, 2019, to criminal mischief, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of theft and criminal trespass. At the time, Dolbin placed her on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced her to pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and a $166.08 bench warrant fee.

State police at Frackville alleged Crawford damaged property on July 25, 2018, in Schuylkill Township.

In the second case, Dolbin sentenced Deysher to serve four to 12 months in prison and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation. He revoked her probation after finding Deysher had violated it by failing to report to her supervising officer and committing new crimes.

Deysher originally pleaded guilty on March 6, 2019, to possession of drug paraphernalia, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of possession of a small amount of marijuana. At that time, Dolbin placed Deysher on probation for six months, and also sentenced her to pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, a $50 CJEA payment and a $50 bench warrant fee.

Shenandoah police charged Deysher with possessing paraphernalia on Dec. 2, 2017, in the borough.

In the third case, Dolbin ruled Hoover violated her probation by failing to report to her supervising officer and not making any payments on her court-ordered costs and fees. He sentenced Hoover to serve three to six months in prison.

Hoover originally pleaded guilty on March 19 to possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. Prosecutors withdrew charges of disorderly conduct, scattering rubbish and public drunkenness.

At that time, Dolbin placed Hoover on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced her to pay costs, a $50 fine, a $100 SAEF payment and a $50 CJEA payment.

Tamaqua police charged Hoover with possessing drugs and paraphernalia on July 23, 2019, in the borough.

Also on Wednesday, Judge Charles M. Miller found Amy L. Lazur, 39, of Cressona, guilty of indirect criminal contempt, which is contempt committed outside the courtroom, and sentenced her to pay costs and a $250 fine.

State police at Schuylkill Haven had charged Lazur with violating a protection from abuse order that her estranged husband, John Lazur, had obtained against her, by going to his house in May.

“I didn’t let her come over to the house,” John Lazur testified.

Also in court Wednesday, Judge Jacqueline L. Russell revoked the probation of Matthew R. Bittner, 24, of McAdoo, and sentenced him to serve one to 12 months in prison, pay costs, a $100 SAEF payment and a $50 CJEA payment, undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and perform 20 hours community service.

Russell ruled that Bittner, who also did not appear for his hearing, violated his probation by failing to report to his supervising officer and not making any payments on his court-ordered costs and fees.

Bittner originally pleaded guilty on July 30, 2019, before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, to possession of drug paraphernalia. At that time, Bayer placed Bittner on probation for 12 months and also sentenced him to pay costs and a $100 SAEF payment.

McAdoo police originally charged Bittner with possessing paraphernalia on May 8, 2019.

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

Pottsville police investigate crash

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville police investigated a crash that happened around 8:15 p.m. Friday at North Seventh Street and West Laurel Boulevard.

Patrolman Paul Olson’s investigation determined that Patrick McGeever, 63, of Pottsville, was driving west on Laurel Boulevard when he became distracted, crossed the center line and struck a vehicle driven by a 33-year-old Pottsville man who was traveling east.

Police said the 33-year-old Pottsville man suffered injuries and was transported by Schuylkill EMS to a local medical facility for treatment.

As a result of the investigation, Olson will be citing McGeever with careless driving.

Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene and Pottsville firefighters assisted.

Woman allegedly wielded knife

FRACKVILLE — A 21-year-old Shenandoah woman was jailed after being arrested by state police at Frackville for an assault that happened on Industrial Road in West Mahanoy Township around 8:40 a.m. May 27.

State police said they were called to Jake’s Fireworks for a report of a woman threatening a man with a knife.

The investigation revealed that Bianca Montero arrived at the place of employment of a 26-year-old Shenandoah man and after a verbal confrontation pulled out a knife placing several people in fear of injury.

The woman was charged with assault and other offenses, arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post bail.

Man allegedly fell asleep driving

POTTSVILLE — A rollover crash that happened around 11 a.m. Friday in the 400 block of Peacock Street was investigated by Pottsville police.

Police said the investigation by Cpl. Renee Truscott determined that David Robey, 63, of Pottsville, was driving a Subaru Forester west when he fell asleep behind the wheel.

The vehicle crossed the eastbound lane, went off the road and mounted a curb and continued over shrubs in front of 473 Peacock St. that launched his SUV onto the hood of a 2001 Chevrolet Impala that was legally parked unattended facing west in front of 477 Peacock St., police said.

After hitting the hood of the parked car, police said, Robey’s vehicle rolled over and came to a stop on its roof on the roadway.

Police said no injuries were reported and that Robey was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI and later released.

Both vehicles sustained disabling damage and were towed from the scene and traffic detoured for about 30 minutes.

Police said Pottsville firefighters assisted.

Woman allegedly ran red light, hit vehicle

POTTSVILLE — A crash that happened around 6:15 p.m. Friday at Centre and Arch streets was investigated by Pottsville police.

Police said Patrolman Paul Olson determined that Kelsey Baddick, 20, of Port Carbon, was driving north on Centre Street when she ran a red light at the intersection and struck a vehicle being driven west on Arch Street by a 55-year-old Pottsville man and had a green light in his direction of travel.

Police said Baddick’s vehicle then struck a Ford truck being operated by a 53-year-old Pottsville man who was driving south on Centre Street.

As a result of the incident, Baddick, who was not injured, will be cited by Olson under the Vehicle Code for disregarding traffic control signals, police said.

Police investigate crash near NAPA

POTTSVILLE — A crash that was reported around 8:50 a.m. Friday in the area of NAPA Auto Parts, 308 S. Claude A. Lord Blvd., was investigated by Pottsville police.

The investigation by Cpl. Renee Truscott revealed Sarah Bennett, 29, of Schuylkill Haven, was driving a 2015 Nissan Sentra north in the 300 block of South Claude A. Lord Boulevard, Route 61, when she lost control and struck a pole on the right side of the roadway.

Police said the impact caused the woman’s vehicle to spin clockwise and come to a stop facing south in the northbound lane.

Bennett did not report any injuries but was transported by ambulance to a local medical facility for further evaluation.

Bennett was later taken into custody for suspicion of DUI, and police said the investigation is ongoing.

Traffic was detoured for about 30 minutes and police said Pottsville firefighters assisted.

Police investigate Interstate 81 crash

MOUNT PLEASANT — One person suffered minor injuries in a crash that happened at Exit 116 of Interstate 81 in Foster Township around 8 a.m. and was investigated by state police at Frackville.

State police said the crash happened as Joshua Juul, 40, of Forestville, was driving an International Harvester truck when he entered the roadway the wrong way on the exit ramp.

Juul was in the process of making an illegal U-turn when his vehicle was struck by a 2020 Kenworth truck driven by Steven Leuschner, 56, of Baltimore, Maryland.

Police said Leuschner was taken to a Pottsville hospital for treatment and, as a result of the crash, Juul was cited for obedience to traffic control signals.

Woman not injured after striking deer

McADOO — A Virginia woman escaped injury when the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban she was driving struck a deer in the northbound lanes of Interstate 81 in Kline Township on Thursday.

State police at Frackville said Heather Owens, 32, of Glen Allen, was driving north around mile marker 138.2 when she was unable to avoid hitting the animal that jumped onto the roadway.

The woman’s vehicle was towed from the scene, police said.

Police seek help in road rage incident

MOUNT PLEASANT — State police at Frackville are investigating an incident of terroristic threats that happened on Interstate 81 in Foster Township around 1:15 p.m. Wednesday.

State police said a Carlisle man and an Ephrata woman reported seeing a vehicle driving erratically and that the vehicle pulled alongside them when a passenger, a Hispanic man, pointed a silver and black pistol at their vehicle.

The vehicle was reported as being a light blue Hyundai Santa Fe with a Florida registration of Z754ED and was last seen getting off the roadway at Exit 116.

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

Police investigate debit card theft

NEW PHILADEPHIA — A theft that was reported around noon May 25 is being investigated by state police at Frackville.

Police said a 31-year-old New Philadelphia man reported his ATM card recently went missing and that two transactions were made after that time.

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

Police charge 3 with harassment

TREMONT — Three people were charged with harassment by state police at Schuylkill Haven after an incident on West Laurel Street around 5:10 p.m. May 26.

State police said two Tremont men ages 32 and 27, along with a 32-year-old Tremont woman, were involved in a verbal domestic argument that escalated.

Police did not release information as to the identities of the three people involved.

Police charge BB&T for false alarms

VALLEY VIEW — State police at Schuylkill Haven filed charges of control of alarm devices and automatic dialing devices/false alarms against BB&T Bank in Hegins Township.

State police said the company caused or permitted three false alarms to happen in a consecutive 12-month period.

The alarms happened on May 6, May 8 and May 9 and a warning letter sent on May 9, police said.