n McKeansburg: The annual Christ Church McKeansburg Strawberry Festival is slated for 3 to 6 p.m. June 21 at the church, 1751 Chestnut Road. It will include homemade hot milk sponge cake - including a gluten-free version - fresh strawberries provided by Heim's Fruit Farm and ice cream from Heisler's Dairy bar. Other food items for lunch or dinner will also be available, plus live music, face painting and family games. For more information, call 570-449-3698.

n Ringtown: The Ringtown Area Library summer reading programs - "Fizz, Boom, Read!" storytime, activities and the reading incentive program - are accepting registrations. People interested should stop at the library, West Main Street, or visit the library's website at www.ringtownlibrary.org for details about dates, times and ages. The reading incentive program begins today and the weekly storytime and activity programs begin June 23. Several special events are planned for the summer, including a visit from the Whitaker Museum's Whitaker on Wheels, children's entertainer Tom Seiling and visitors from Hillside SPCA, Pottsville.

n Ringtown: The 24th annual Ringtown Community Yard Sale is set to begin at 8 a.m. July 19. All Ringtown area residents are invited to participate, including residents of Union Township and the Brandonville area of East Union Township. To participate, residents must at the Ringtown Area Library, 132 W. Main St., for the sale to be included on the yard sale map. The cost is $5, which includes regional advertising of the event. Registration is under way.

n Saint Clair: Val Davis, education liaison with the Saint Clair Community and Historical Society, announced during the society's May meeting that Michala Zembas is the winner of the Social Studies Award for 2014. Each year, according to a society press release, the award is granted to the eighth-grade student from the Saint Clair Area Elementary/Middle School who has the highest average in social studies. This award is also granted to a senior from Saint Clair who is graduating from Pottsville Area High School; however, the highest-average information was not available at the May gathering. Members of the group's activities committee are asking for help at the society's stand at Saturday's townwide yard sale. Helpers should report to the Quirin Building at Second and Lawton streets at 6:30 a.m. in order to be ready for the 8 a.m. start, according to the release. Anyone having items for the yard sale table should call Carol at 570-429-0789 to arrange a dropoff time. Members will canvass the community for donations for the July 19 fireworks display. Anyone who has not received the assigned area yet should call Bonnie at 570-429-2272. People who are not home at the time their street is canvassed may drop a donation off at borough hall. The annual car cruise will also be held from 6 to 8 p.m. July 19. President Dawn Morris said that for the fireworks, the gates to the stadium will open at 8:30 p.m. followed by the display between 9 and 9:30 p.m.

n Saint Clair: Reservations are being accepted for the Saint Clair community yard sale sponsored by the Saint Clair Community and Historical Society. The sale will go from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The sale will be held rain or shine.

n Schuylkill Haven: First United Church of Christ, 110 Route 61 South, will sponsor a meat bingo from 1 to 4 p.m. June 21 in its Fellowship Hall. Admission is $10, doors will open at 11 a.m., bonus games and raffles will be extra. Food and beverages will be on sale. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call 570-385-2049.

n Shenandoah: The borough's weekly street sweeping program on Mondays and Fridays is ongoing on Main Street, both sides from Washington Street to the Gold Star Bridge and Centre Street, both sides, from White to West streets. Borough Manager Joseph L. Palubinsky said residents should adhere to the posted signs.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - Making a call to the Red Creek Wildlife Center could help save the life of a baby animal.

This is the time of year the small animals are out and about. Caution should be used when trying to help them because your well-intentioned efforts could actually harm them.

"Every person's first instinct is to feed something. That one action causes more baby wildlife distress than any other action," Peggy Hentz, owner and wildlife rehabilitator at the Red Creek Wildlife Center, said.

Baby animals can be dehydrated and introducing food to them is not a good idea medically, she said.

The Red Creek currently has more than 100 baby animals.

"We have taken in over 1,000 animals so far this year," she said.

Hentz said she took in 30 animals May 31. They included fawns, ducks, raccoons, skunks, song birds, chipmunks and squirrels, she said.

If you find a baby animal, Hentz said the first step is key to helping it.

"Many animals can carry disease, parasites or can injure you. No matter how helpless something looks, wear gloves, contain it quickly and safely. Do not feed it," she said.

A baby raccoon was turned into the center May 31 from Lebanon County, but it had to be euthanized and tested for rabies because those caring for it did not take proper precautions, such as wearing gloves.

"Don't handle anything with your bare hands," Hentz said.

Hentz said Tuesday that the raccoon tested negative for rabies.

"Call us first. Call us right away. Many nests can be rebuilt and some animals will need help quickly, and we can help you through that process in deciding the best course of action to take," she said.

On June 2, the center was taking care of baby skunks, raccoons, birds, opossums, a rabbit and a fawn. A representative from the state Game Commission delivered the fawn from Dauphin County.

"It was probably orphaned," Hentz said.

Seven baby opossums, weighing about 1 1/3 ounces each, were crawling in a small container. Hentz said the mother died and the babies were removed from the pouch after someone took the mother to the center.

The volunteers and staff at the center work to help the animals so they can be reintroduced into the outside world.

Besides medical care, food and shelter, stuffed animals could also assist in making the small wildlife feel better.

"It helps make them feel more comfortable," Hentz said.

In the case of the baby opossums, a stuffed animal that looked like an adult opossum was placed in their container. The babies quickly took to the stuffed animal, curling up and falling asleep in its pouch.

"These guys will sneeze when they are hungry," Hentz said.

Three raccoons were comforted by a blanket.

"They chatter and they purr" when they are full, Hentz said. When they are hungry, she said they scream.

"We currently had four litters of raccoons," or about 15 raccoons, Hentz said.

A bunny weighing about 2 1/2 ounces was brought to the center after someone lit a fire pit with a nest in it.

"The people were devastated," Hentz said.

About the size of the palm of a hand, he was the only survivor. It was resting inside a container surrounded with grass clippings.

Volunteer Tyler Bonn, 22, was feeding a sparrow hatchling with a paint brush. The brush is small enough that it does not injure the animal.

The center is taking in more animals since the closure of several centers in the state, she said.

"Our costs have increased greatly," she said, adding the center is not in danger of closing.

Donations are accepted at the center, especially paper towels, tissues and unopened bottles of distilled water. The water is used to mix the formula for the small animals, Hentz said.

The state Game Commission also advised people to use caution with wildlife, especially this time of year.

Sometimes, young wildlife are not abandoned when people see them but their parents are just trying to find food, according to a Game Commission press release.

"Wild animals are not meant to be for pets, and we must all resist our well-meaning and well-intentioned urge to want to care for wildlife. Taking wildlife from its natural settings and into your home may expose or transmit wildlife diseases to people or domestic animals. Wildlife may also carry parasites, such as fleas, ticks or lice, that you would not want infesting you or your family, your home or your pests," Calvin W. DuBrock, director of the Game Commission's Bureau of Wildlife Management, said.

A fine of up to $1,500 per animal can be levied if anyone keeps wildlife.

"It's not unlawful for someone to rescue something and get it to us," Hentz said.

If you encounter a baby animal, call Red Creek at 570-739-4393.

"If you do not get an answer, leave a message. We're open seven days a week, 365 days a year," Hentz said.

Schuylkill County prosecutors have withdrawn charges against seven defendants.

Matthew Bahrey, 21, of McAdoo, had been charged with theft and receiving stolen property. Kline Township police had charged him with committing those crimes on Dec. 26, 2013, in the township.

Robert R. Chuplis, 57, of Girardville, had been charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault and harassment. Girardville police had charged Chuplis with committing those crimes on May 21, 2013, in the borough.

William Evans, 29, of Cressona, had bee charged with delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Schuylkill County detectives had charged Evans with committing those crimes on Feb. 1, 2013, in Pottsville.

Warren L. Frey, 24, of Shenandoah, had been charged with 14 counts of conspiracy, five of robbery, three of simple assault, two of aggravated assault and one each of receiving stolen property, recklessly endangering another person, theft and possessing instrument of crime. Minersville police had charged him with committing those crimes on July 22, 2013, in the borough.

Matthew J. Hepler, 25, of Kulpmont, had been charged with theft and receiving stolen property. New Castle Township police had charged him with committing those crimes on Dec. 5, 2013, in the township.

Brian J. Lengel, 52, of Pine Grove, had been charged with theft of lost property. Pine Grove police had charged him with committing that theft on Nov. 20, 2013, in the borough.

Barbara A. Reusing, 50, of Lancaster, had been charged with criminal mischief and disorderly conduct. State police at Schuylkill Haven had charged her with committing those crimes on Dec. 24, 2013, in Wayne Township.

President Judge William E. Baldwin filed an order in each case allowing prosecutors to withdraw the charges and directing the defendant to pay the costs of the case.

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

Nicole E. Brobst, 19, of Pottsville - corruption of minors; 12 months probation, $50 payment to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, $50 bench warrant fee, 10 hours community service and drug and alcohol evaluation.

Eugene D. Dacey, 38, of Nesquehoning - driving under the influence; sentencing deferred pending preparation of a presentence investigation.

Joseph Etherington, 31, of Pottsville - DUI, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia; presentence investigation ordered, sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. June 17. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of driving unregistered vehicle.

Sarah E. Harring, 26, of Tremont - disorderly conduct; $300 fine. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Lee R. Fidler, 45, of Schuylkill Haven - possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and $176 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.

Sara M. Fletcher, 23, of Kelayres - two counts each of forgery and conspiracy and one of access device fraud; 23 months probation, $100 in CJEA payment, $590 restitution and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew two additional counts of access device fraud and two counts each of theft from a motor vehicle, theft and receiving stolen property.

Cody J. Gaumer, 26, of Pottsville - delivery of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; three to 23 months in prison, $100 SAEF payment, $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Louis R. Getz Jr., 36, of Mahanoy City - possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of violation of rules on commonwealth property and one each of possession of a controlled substance and misbranding of a controlled substance.

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

In other court action, an Orwigsburg woman faces prison and house arrest after being sentenced May 28 in Schuylkill County Court for driving under the influence in March 2013 in Mount Carbon.

Alisa R. Steffie, 26, must serve 30 days in prison and 90 days on house arrest with electronic monitoring under the terms of Judge James P. Goodman's sentence.

Goodman also ordered Steffie to spend 30 days on alcohol monitoring, seven months on strict supervision and four years on probation, and pay costs and $1,525 in fines.

However, he made the sentence effective at 10 a.m. June 25 in order to give Steffie time to appeal her conviction and sentence to the state Superior Court.

In a one-day trial over which Goodman presided, a jury of nine women and three men deliberated about an hour before convicting Steffie on April 9 of DUI. Goodman found her guilty of illegal parking on sidewalk.

State police at Schuylkill Haven charged Steffie was DUI on March 12, 2013, on Main Street in Mount Carbon. Steffie refused to take a blood-alcohol test, police said.

At Steffie's trial, state police Trooper David F. Beam played a DVD of the incident, testifying she could not perform the field sobriety tests.

In other recent county court action, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:

Judith A. Essler, 48, of Minersville; possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and 10 hours community service.

Michael S. Flaugher, 38, of Lebanon; theft by deception; three years probation, $50 CJEA payment, $50 bench warrant fee and $1,500 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of receiving stolen property.

Daniel M. Guida, 49, of Shenandoah; defiant trespass; time served to 12 months in prison with immediate parole and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of attempted criminal trespass.

Brandon C. Haag, 19, of Schuylkill Haven; disorderly conduct; $300 fine. Prosecutors withdrew a second count of disorderly conduct and a charge of open lewdness.

Guillermo F. Hernandez, 32, of Shenandoah; driving under the influence; 90 days to five years in prison, $1,500 fine, $300 SAEF payment and 10 hours community service, with sentence effective at 9 p.m. June 6.

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

A lifelong member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Parish in Pottsville, the newly ordained Rev. Kevin Lonergan celebrated his first Mass at the church Sunday as its latest priest.

Lonergan, 26, a Pottsville native, was one of four priests ordained Saturday by Diocese of Allentown Bishop John O. Barres at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena, Allentown. He joins the Rev. Mark Searles, 28, of Easton, who also was ordained Saturday, as the latest additions to St. Patrick parish.

"This weekend has been filled with so many blessings and good graces and so many of you have been such a tremendous help in making my ordination day and my first Mass of Thanksgiving truly extraordinary," Lonergan said before giving the final blessing during the Mass.

Lonergan is the son of Lawrence J. and Sharon Kitsock Lonergan and the youngest of three children. He graduated from Nativity BVM High School in 2006 and earned a bachelor's and a master's degree from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary near Philadelphia. He was assigned to the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena in Allentown during his diaconate.

The Monsignor Edward J. O'Connor, St. Patrick pastor, gave the homily at the Mass and noted the significance of the anointing of hands at the ordination Saturday.

"The hands of priests are so important," O'Connor said. "Father Kevin, your hands are now the hands of Jesus himself."

He said Lonergan will now use his hands to perform sacraments on thousands of people.

"The anointed hands of a priest are beautiful hands," he said.

As an altar server and member of the choir at the church for many years, Lonergan said he learned much from O'Connor.

"The priest standing behind me has had a particular impact on my life over the last 12 years or so," he said. "Monsignor O'Connor, pastor of St. Patrick parish, has been for me a friend, a mentor and my spiritual father and now he is my brother priest. Monsignor O'Connor, thank you for preaching at my Mass of Thanksgiving. I could not imagine anyone else delivering that magnificent homily."

Lonergan also thanked his family, especially his parents.

"A priest's parents have a special place in his heart," he said. "They are the soil for the seed of a vocational growth and the bedrock which helps me sustain as a priest. Mom and dad, you have been there for me since the beginning."

His father, Lawrence, said he was proud of his son for the eight years he spent in the seminary and all his time at St. Patrick parish. Lawrence said that when his son devoted his entire life to the church, he asked what he could do. He now plans to become a deacon.

"Kevin was my inspiration," he said.

In the Catholic Church, the diaconate is the first of three ranks in ordained ministry. Married men may be ordained as permanent deacons.

The vestments Lonergan wore Sunday were gifts from his parents and O'Connor. The principle chalice and paten were gifts from the church and restored by his parents. The chalice has been used by several priests at the church, including the Revs. Joseph Whalen and Edward Pfluger and Monsignor John Campbell.

Members of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Schuylkill Assembly 923 served as honor guard and ushers for the service.

Deeds

Orwigsburg - Mark R. and Kathleen I. Calderella to Mark D. and Maria Brayford; 1035 Ridge View Drive, Ridgeview; $362,000.

Port Carbon - Theodore Jr. and Jean Marie Sidella to Matthew A. and Jennifer M. Sidella Sonon; 515 Valley St.; $1.

Pottsville - Michele M. Schappell to Howard C. and Michele M. Schappell; 312 Highland Drive, Forest Hills; $10.

Bank of America NA to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; 227 Nichols St.; $1.

Tomarno Properties LLC to David Roman; 913 W. Norwegian St.; $23,000.

Rush Township - Anna Marie Cardillo, by attorney in fact Michael J. Gallagher, to Robert P. and Margaret K. Gimbel; 4 Welsh Road, Hometown; $115,000.

Federal National Mortgage Association to Joseph Sword; 202 Claremont Ave., Hometown; $30,000.

SPRING GLEN - R.W. Sauder Inc., a fourth-generation family company, has returned to the Hegins Valley.

As of Jan. 1, R.W. Sauder Inc. has taken over Hegins Valley Farms and have all eight bird houses filled and fully operational. Unfortunately, the business was having difficulty filling all the positions in order to have the Hubley Township plant fully operational.

A trip to a Lancaster gym by Paul Sauder paid off in more ways than one both for both himself and his company.

"My dad was working out at the gym and got talking to this man who works with Lutheran Refugee Services in Lancaster," Mark Sauder said. "He learned of refugees that are here from various places in the world and who need employment."

Sauder met with Lutheran Refugee Services in Lancaster and was introduced to a program that works with companies to find gainful employment for refugees and help them to get established here in the states.

Lutheran Refugee Services resettles approximately 180 refugees to the United States. Refugees are individuals who are forced to leave their country because of war or persecution. In order to gain admittance to the United States, refugees must prove that they have not fought or aided in military action, but rather are victims of the conflict.

According to LRS, refugees arrive in the U.S. with a status that allows them to work. After five years, they will be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship.

Currently, LRS is resettling refugees from Iraq, Burma and Sudan. LRS assists them for their first 90 days in the country. The goal is for all refugees to be self-sufficient at the end of that time. Because some refugees need time to learn the language and culture enough to gain employment on their own, LRS is also funded to provide assistance with their job search beyond that time. Refugees can come back to the agency for the assistance any time within their first five years in the country.

Three men from Sudan - Alhadi Gouma, Norreldin Ali and Ismaeil Shrif - are now gainfully employed at R.W. Sauder Inc.'s Hubley Township plant.

"They have been employed for one month and are doing a wonderful job," Deb Martz, complex manager of the Hegins Valley plant, said. "Since the men's native language is Arabic, it took us nearly five hours to go through the initial process and paperwork, but they are doing a great job. They show up for work every day and are getting the job done."

Currently, Shrif speaks the best English of the three and he serves as a translator for the other two men. Shrif is working to obtain his driver's license. He currently holds a learner's permit. Getting to the Hegins plant proves to be challenging some days.

The men currently reside in Lancaster and are transported each day to the Hegins Valley plant. Recently, a new driver was bringing them to work and became lost since there are two Church Roads, one in Hegins Township and one in Hubley Township. Since the driver had to be back in Lancaster by a certain time, he dropped the men at a local business and left them to contact Martz to get a ride to the plant.

"Unfortunately, the men, who are minority by skin color and language difference, were not shown a warm welcome," Martz said. "Shrif has a cellphone through Immix which doesn't work too well in this area. He asked to use a landline but was refused and showed my card to some of the local people and tried to explain where they were trying to go. Finally, a local man asked if he could help them and he made the call to my office and said he had my workers."

R.W. Sauder is assisting the men in securing an apartment in the community where they work and are hoping to have them situated within the next few weeks.

"We have been in the United States for the past eight months," said Shrif, who left his wife and other family members in order to seek a better life. "It was very scary in the Sudan. There was much killing and burning, the men in the area were constantly in danger."

Shrif said the men traveled to Libya, Egypt and Ukraine in order to finally escape.

"I still have contact with my wife in Sudan and hope to bring her to the states," Shrif said.

The men range in age from their late 30s to 40s.

Martz said the men's backgrounds are checked with E-Verify to ensure their green cards are current and everything is in legal order.

"We need to remember that no matter what color or ethnicity someone is, we are all human beings and all God's creation," Martz said. "If you see the men out and about in the community, please welcome them here to the Hegins Valley."

The Hegins plant is not the only location that employs refugees. R.W. Sauder Inc. also has some employed at its Ephrata, Lititz and Greenfield plants.

"We are happy to be back in the Hegins Valley," Sauder said. "We never lose sight of the reason we're in business - to delight our customers with consistently superior products. We work with local farmers and farmers in 15 states along the East Coast and Midwest. We are proud to be here in the community."

R.W. Sauder does get involved in the community. Recently, Sauder presented a check to the Sacramento Fire Company and has provided eggs for the annual Easter egg hunt conducted by the fire company.

For more information on R.W. Sauder Inc., visit its website at www.saudereggs.com.

A Pottsville man faces potential state prison time after being convicted June 2 in Schuylkill County Court of assaulting his mother in August 2013.

Scott A. Poslosky, 35, did not react as a jury of seven men and five women convicted him of aggravated assault and simple assault. Jurors deliberated less than an hour.

Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin, who presided over the one-day trial, ordered preparation of a presentence investigation and scheduled Poslosky's sentencing for 11 a.m. July 31. He allowed Poslosky to remain free on $25,000 unsecured bail pending his sentencing.

Pottsville police charged Poslosky with assaulting his mother on Aug. 3, 2013, at her residence after they argued about him bringing a woman there.

"She was going to call the cops. I ripped the phone out of her hands," Poslosky said in a videotaped statement to police. "I didn't hit her."

However, Poslosky said in the statement, which city police Patrolman James P. Englert played for the jury, that he and his mother got into a scuffle and she hit her head. The scuffle lasted about three minutes, Poslosky said.

"She never punched me or tried to attack me," he said.

In other county court action, a Pottsville man admitted on May 30 that he possessed heroin in November 2013 in the city.

Tyre R. Dunn, 25, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance.

Judge Charles M. Miller accepted the plea and sentenced Dunn to serve four to 12 months in prison, pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, and perform 10 hours community service. Pottsville police had charged Dunn with possessing the heroin on Nov. 19, 2013.

Prosecutors also withdrew charges against two defendants on May 30.

Dennis J. Powanda Jr., 31, of Pottsville, had been charged with receiving stolen property and conspiracy. Saint Clair police had charged him with committing those crimes on Sept. 29, 2013, in the borough.

Matthew R. Stephany, 23, of Pottsville, had been charged with two counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person and one of disorderly conduct. Pottsville police had charged him with committing those crimes on Sept. 18, 2013, in the city.

President Judge William E. Baldwin signed an order in each case allowing prosecutors to withdraw charges and directing the defendants to pay costs.

In other county court action, Judge James P. Goodman accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed sentences on these people:

Tedd R. Fredericks, 41, address unknown - possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.

Brian S. Fritz, 37, of Tamaqua - possessing instrument of crime; two years probation and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew prohibited possession of an offensive weapon and public drunkenness charges.

Carlene L. Halcovich, 53, of Mount Carmel - driving under the influence; 30 days to six months in prison, $750 fine, $100 SAEF payment and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street.

Steven D. Harris, 50, of Berwick - DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under suspension-DUI related and failure to obey traffic control devices; five to 14 months in prison, $1,525 in fines, $100 SAEF payment and $176 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Prosecutors withdrew charges of possession of marijuana, failure to drive at a safe speed, careless driving and violation of restrictions on alcoholic beverages.

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

Pottsville police said a Pottsville woman was taken into custody Wednesday and arraigned on felony charges related to a burglary at a city restaurant between March 31 and April 1.

Police said officers previously interviewed and arrested Morgan Scheifley's then boyfriend - Jason Miller, 34, of New Philadelphia - who provided information that corroborated a statement of another cooperating witness that he and Scheifley, 21, conspired to commit the crimes of burglary, theft, receiving stolen property and criminal trespass.

Police said the investigation revealed that Miller forced open the rear basement door of Subway, 314 N. Centre St., and while he rummaged through items in the basement, Scheifley went upstairs to the dining area and accessed the safe.

Because Scheifley was a previous employee, police said she was able to gain access to the safe and remove a lock box that contained cash and rolled change.

Police said that on May 29, Miller was taken from Schuylkill County Prison where he was incarcerated on an unrelated matter and arraigned before Magisterial District Justice James K. Reiley, Pottsville, on charges of conspiracy, burglary, theft, receiving stolen property and criminal trespass. After his arraignment, he was returned to prison by Reiley, who set bail at $15,000 straight cash on the charges related to the burglary.

Scheifley was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon, and committed to prison after failing to post 10 percent of $25,000 bail on charges of conspiracy, burglary, theft, receiving stolen property and criminal trespass.

A Pottsville man will be charged in connection with an assault that was reported at 1:05 a.m. Monday at 419 Adams St., police said.

Police said officers learned that Brad McKeone, 22, brandished a handgun in the home to get money and a 2002 Buick from his mother. The man fled the scene, only to return a short time later and again pull out the weapon and threaten his mother and a man who was at the home, causing both to flee for their safety.

A search for McKeone and the stolen vehicle was initiated as Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky and Capt. John Morrow were notified and arrived on scene. Additional police from Saint Clair, Schuylkill Haven and state police arrived to assist.

Police said McKeone called his mother and said he was going to a separate address where she was at and harm her and anyone else who was at the home. Police said Pottsville officers and state police troopers went to that home in the 1400 block of Laurel Boulevard, safely evacuated the residents and began a constant patrol of the area.

Police said McKeone arrived in the area of the Laurel Boulevard home about 2:30 a.m. and fled after seeing police. Police said officers pursued the man in hazardous road conditions but lost sight of the vehicle in the area of Centre and Peacock streets, at which time a multi-agency search was initiated.

Police said McKeone and the stolen vehicle were located about 20 minutes later on a dirt road off of Peach Mountain Road where he was taken into custody and a 9mm handgun was recovered.

Police said McKeone was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street for evaluation and a criminal complaint was prepared, charging him with robbery, theft and receiving stolen property, all felony offenses, as well as terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person and fleeing or attempting to elude police.

Police said the investigation is continuing.

FRACKVILLE - State police at Frackville released a composite drawing of a man wanted for stealing a car in Frackville Thursday afternoon and subsequently robbing a bank in the Schuylkill Mall, New Castle Township.

Trooper Melissa Kyper, the investigating officer, said the man is believed to be in his 20s or 30s, about 6 feet tall with a medium build. He was wearing a bandana and a hood to conceal his identity.

It was just after 3 p.m. when the man stole a vehicle from the parking lot of the Turkey Hill, Frackville, and went to National Penn Bank at the mall where he announced the robbery and made gestures consistent with his having a concealed firearm.

The man then made off with an undisclosed amount of cash, fled the bank on foot and then fled the mall parking lot in the stolen vehicle, Kyper said.

After leaving the bank, Kyper said, the man apparently made a second attempt at a robbery at the Wells Fargo Bank branch on Altamont Boulevard in West Mahanoy Township near Frackville but was unsuccessful in an attempt to enter that building.

He then drove to Frackville and the vehicle subsequently was found abandoned on Frack Street, Kyper said.

Kyper said the investigation is continuing and the stolen vehicle was taken into custody for forensic tests by the state police Forensic Services Unit, Reading.

Anyone with information on the stolen car, robbery or identity of the robber is asked to call troopers at 570-874-5300. All information will remain confidential.

Schuylkill County Children & Youth Services gained only two families over the last quarter year, but the agency has been preparing for a larger client base come this time next year.

That is because of numerous changes being made to the state's child abuse and child welfare laws following the Jerry Sandusky scandal. The former defensive assistant coach at Penn State University is serving a 30- to 60-year sentence for the sexual abuse of 10 boys.

"I would expect our numbers to increase," Lisa Stevens, director of the county agency, said Monday. "This time next year, we probably would have felt the changes."

A total of 20 bills signed into law since late 2013 will include changes to the definition of child abuse and reporting practices for educators and doctors. Most of the laws go into effect Dec. 31.

"We expect some significant changes after that," Stevens said. "We have a lot of training to try and get ready."

Stevens submitted the second-quarter report Wednesday at a Schuylkill County commissioners' work session. The report summarizes Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, 2013.

As of Oct. 1, the agency was serving 1,011 families. During the quarter, the agency processed 481 new families for services while discharging 479, for a net gain of two.

On the last day of the quarter, there were a total of 2,069 children receiving services. Of them, 203 were in placement and 1,866 were receiving in-home services.

Fifty-one children entered placement over the quarter. Five entered placement because of uncontrollable behavior or emotional problems, one due to child abuse, four for inadequate housing, 11 because of delinquency, 11 because of drug and alcohol problems, two because of the mental health problems of the child, one due to the mental health of the parents, one due to the child running away, five due to truancy issues and 10 because of supervision issues.

First half expenditures of $8,061,157 represents 46 percent of the total annual budget.

In late 2013, Barefield Development Corp., Pottsville, acquired two bank buildings, one in Pottsville and another in New Philadelphia.

On Wednesday, the nonprofit development group acquired a third, Liberty Savings Bank, at 21 S. Centre St., Pottsville.

"We've got the bank buildings, except no one leaves money in them. That's the problem," Craig S.L. Shields, chief executive officer of Barefield Development, said Wednesday, shortly before he signed the paperwork to take over the property, which was donated by the Greater Pottsville Federal Savings & Loan.

However, he's optimistic about the future: "This will help stabilize downtown. The Liberty Savings building has four apartments. Right now, the bank is using them as offices, but we're planning to rent the apartments out. The kitchens and the bathrooms are already in there. And we'll be looking for a business or tenant downstairs on the first floor."

Established in 2001, Barefield is a nonprofit development group that has acquired and restored more than 30 Pottsville properties. While it operates the Necho Allen - an 66-unit high rise for the elderly and disabled - tax free, its other properties pay taxes to the city, county and school board.

With the acquisition of 21 S. Centre St., Barefield owns a total of 33 properties, Shields said Wednesday.

In late December, Riverview Bank, Halifax, donated two bank buildings to Barefield.

One is the former Union Bank and Trust Co. at 23-25 S. Centre St., Pottsville, which closed to the public Dec. 1.

"Riverview Bank is still using the property," Shields said.

The Liberty Savings Bank building is right next door to it.

The other is the former Union Bank and Trust Co. branch at 84 Valley St., New Philadelphia, which closed to the public Feb. 28.

"We have a 'for lease' sign on it," Shields said.

The building at 21 S. Centre St. was built in 1918 and the Greater Pottsville Federal Savings & Loan have owned it since 1987, according to the online Schuylkill Parcel Locator.

In March, The Gratz Bank merged with Liberty Savings Bank and acquired Liberty's two locations in Pottsville. The location at 21 S. Centre St. closed March 29 and consolidated with the one at 2221 W. Market St., according to Wesley M. Weymers, president of The Gratz Bank.

On Wednesday, Weymers and Joseph C. Michetti Jr., attorney for The Gratz Bank, met with Shields and William Reiley, attorney for Barefield Development, at Anthracite Abstract at 301 N. Second St., Pottsville, to sign papers and close the deal on 21 S. Centre St.

"We got the building as a donation and the bank will get a tax credit," Shields said.

"Due to the central downtown location of that building, The Gratz Bank wanted to assure the Pottsville community that an appropriate use of that property would continue since The Gratz Bank had no long-term need for that location. Having become familiar with various real estate projects successfully undertaken by the Pottsville based not-for-profit company Barefield Development Corp., The Gratz Bank is pleased to state that it has decided to donate the former Liberty Savings Bank building to Barefield Development Corp., which has indicated its desire to maintain and utilize the property for commercial and residential purposes that will support the downtown," Weymers said in a press release.

Employees of The Gratz Bank will vacate the property later this summer, Weymers said.

n Altamont: The Altamont Fire Company, 209 S. Green St., will hold its annual block party from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the company grounds. A truck parade will be held beginning 7 p.m. Friday. Entertainment, from 7 to 11 p.m. both days, will be by Toolshed Jack on Friday and Another Side & Friends on Saturday. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-527-9644.

n Ashland: An American Red Cross Blood Services Northeast Pennsylvania Region blood drive is set for 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Christ United Lutheran Church, 437 Airport Road. People who are 17 or older, weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are eligible to give blood. To make an appointment to donate blood, call 800-RED-CROSS or go online to www.redcrossblood.org.

n Frackville: Elks Lodge 1533, 307 S. Third St., will conduct its annual Flag Day services at 2 p.m. Sunday. The public is invited to attend to honor the American flag and its history. There will be food and refreshments after the ceremony.

n Lansford: Our Lady of the Angels Academy, 123 E. Water St., has undergone reaccreditation through the Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools. The reaccreditation, according to a release, confirms that the school has met the 12 standards set forth by the association. The parochial school is accepting registration for students in preschool through eighth grade for the 2014-15 school year. Scholarships, such as the Bishop's Transfer Grant and the Continuing Catholic Education Grant, as well as tuition assistance, are available. For more about the school, visit its website at www.oloa.net. For more information, or to arrange for a tour of the school, call 570-645-7170.

n Minersville: The Carpatho-Rusyn Society Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter will host a program titled "DNA: Another tool in the Genealogists Toolbox," from noon to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Ss. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, 104 S. Fourth St. Jim Huratiak will discuss his interest in genealogy and how DNA can be another tool in helping find people's ancestors. Huratiak was born and raised in Schuylkill Haven, according to a chapter press release. His Rusyn grandparents came from Uscja Ruskie and Krilova Ruska, Galicia, now present-day Poland. He began doing his family research in 1992 and visited his ancestral villages in 2000. The program is free and everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be served. For more information, email to shangp@rcn.com or call Sharon Jarrow at 610-759-2628.

n Summit Hill: Distribution dates for the Summit Hill Food Pantry are Tuesdays, June 24, July 22, Aug. 26, Sept. 23, Oct. 28 and Mondays, Nov. 24 and Dec. 22. All distributions are made from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The food pantry is located in the Summit Hill Heritage Center, Hazard and Chestnut streets. No parking in the nearby alley is allowed before 9:45 a.m. and "absolutely no parking in the vacant lot," according to a release. Recipients should bring strong shopping or tote bags.

n Tremont: Schuylkill on the Move, which promotes steps toward good health through walking, will sponsor "Tremont Trail Trekking" from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. July 13. Participants, according to a release, will enjoy an old railroad line in Echo Valley in the area known as Three Mountains. Walkers will meet at the upper end of Behm's Family Restaurant on Route 125 just outside Tremont. The four-mile trek is rated easy. SOM walks and activities are held monthly and feature a variety of locations throughout the county and region. People can get a copy of the hike schedule by emailing Patrick M. "Porcupine Pat" McKinney at porcupinepat@ yahoo.com or by calling at 570-622-4124, ext. 113. SOM is a consortium of health and wellness organizations and agencies that include Schuylkill County's VISION, the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau, Diakon Social Services for Seniors and Schuylkill Conservation District.

The Pottsville City Council on Monday hired a firm from Ashland to light up the night sky for the Pottsville Fireworks Celebration slated for July 5.

Previously, the city's Fourth of July program was staged at Veterans Memorial Stadium at Pottsville Area High School and the fireworks were launched from the 16th Street Field across from John S. Clarke Elementary Center.

This year, the pyrotechnics will be launched from Lawton's Hill near Nativity BVM High School. Bixler Pyrotechnics is slated to do a test Wednesday, according to city Administrator Thomas A. Palamar.

"It should happen around 9 or 10 o'clock. We want to see where people can see them from," Palamar said after council's June meeting Monday.

Bixler Pyrotechnics will set off a "20- to-25 minute" fireworks show July 5. For this job, it's working for American Fireworks Co., Hudson, Ohio, according to Mike Bixler, owner of Bixler's.

"We're working for them, under their banner, and they're providing the insurance," Bixler said Monday.

The contract cost is $8,000, Palamar said.

In other matters at the council's June meeting, the council approved the transfer of a liquor license - PLCB License 17721 - from Arbria Bar and Pizza Inc., 539 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City, to Pick-A-Deli at 419 S. Centre St., Pottsville.

In the next six months, the owners of Pick-A-Deli, Mital and Vaisal Patel, will renovate their business, add seating and change the name to Pick-A-Deli Six Packs To Go LLC.

"They're going to make it more of a restaurant," their lawyer, John Rodgers, Wilkes-Barre, said.

A public hearing on the matter was held at the start of the council's June meeting. The council approved the transfer with a motion by Councilman Joseph J. Devine Jr., which was seconded by Councilman Michael P. Halcovage and carried with a vote by Mayor James T. Muldowney.

Council members Mark Atkinson and Ronald J. Moser were absent from Monday's meeting.

Two weeks ago, Frances Bonchak, Pottsville, who had been secretary to the mayor since July 2013, handed in her letter of resignation, according to Palamar.

Palamar did not have a copy of the letter at Monday's meeting.

"She asked me not to mention it. She's leaving for personal reasons. She got along with everybody, so it was nothing like that. In fact, she cleaned my office today as a going away gift," Muldowney said.

Bonchak could not be reached for comment Monday night.

Bonchak was hired July 30, 2013, at a "probationary annual salary of $22,500" which will increase to $25,000 "after a successful 90-day probationary period," according to the newspaper's archives.

Her last day of work will be Thursday, Palamar said.

At Monday's meeting, the council hired one of the city's full-time tax clerks, Merideth Hannan, Pottsville, to the position, officially called "administrative assistant to the mayor," at an annual salary of $25,000.

In October 2013, the city council hired Hannan as a tax clerk in the city tax office at an hourly rate of $8.25, according to the newspaper's archives.

"And that position in the tax office is now being advertised," Palamar said Monday.

In other matters, the council hired Donald J. Chescavage Jr., Pottsville, son of the retired code enforcement officer, as a full-time truck driver at a rate of $15.96 per hour. This brings the total number of full-time workers in the streets department to 14, according to Palamar.

The council promoted Patrolman Kirck Becker to the rank of detective, effective May 19. The council also gave the chief of police permission to apply for a 2014 COPS Grant through the U.S. Department of Justice to hire an additional police officer.

HEGINS - A woman was burned in a fire Monday that destroyed a garage in Hegins Township.

According to a supervisor at the Schuylkill County Communications Center, firefighters were called at 1:35 p.m. for a report of a garage fire at 225 Deep Creek Road.

Brandon Bressler, first assistant fire chief with the Hegins Fire Company, said the 97-year-old owner of the property suffered burns as a result of the fire.

The supervisor said she was flown to a trauma center by a helicopter that landed at the Schuylkill County Airport.

Bressler said he did not know the name of the woman burned, the extent of her injuries or exactly how the fire started.

The cause of the blaze has not been determined and the investigation will be conducted by Hegins Township Fire Marshal Kenneth Graham, Bressler said.

Hegins Fire Company Chief Tyron Leitzel could not be reached for comment Monday.

Firefighters from Hegins and Valley View responded to the fire and received assistance from firefighters from surrounding communities.

Bressler said the fire was brought under control about 2:15 p.m., but crews remained on scene for about 45 minutes.

SHENANDOAH - Trinity Academy students presented a donation to the Missionary Childhood Association on Friday to help children through their prayers and sacrifices.

Kim Ann Zardet, director for the Missionary Childhood Association in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown, was on hand to accept the donation of $479.53 at Annunciation BVM Roman Catholic Church, from Maggie O'Rourke and Sofiya Pitula, who will be the school's missions representatives as eighth-graders in the 2014-15 school year.

The Missionary Childhood Association is one of four Pontifical Mission Societies. It has a dual mandate of educating children about their part in the Catholic Church's missionary work and challenging them to share what they have with children growing up in mission countries.

The total amount raised by the school was $748.07, with the remaining $268.54 donated to Catholic Relief Services to help the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which cut across nine regions in the central Philippines on Nov. 8, 2013, leaving behind a wide swath of destruction and causing 6,300 deaths.

The children attended the First Friday Mass celebrated by the Rev. Johnson Kochuparambil, after which third-grade teacher Kim Kringe, who is the school's missions coordinator, introduced Zardet to the students and faculty.

"I'm from the Allentown diocese and I travel to schools and religious education programs to speak about the missions and how you are children helping children throughout the world," Zardet said. "There are 110 countries that you support with all your prayers and sacrifices. Your prayers are so, so needed in helping these children because we are so fortunate to have things that we take for granted: electricity, water, food, things like that, even a warm bed to sleep in. Some children are not fortunate enough to have what we have. Being young, you probably think that everyone lives like you do, and they don't. When you make those sacrifices, you can help people all around."

When O'Rourke and Pitula were called to the sanctuary, Zardet presented each with a wooden cross blessed by the Most Rev. John O. Barres, bishop of Allentown, and a World Mission rosary.

Tom Hudock Jr., Pottsville, said he enjoys mowing his front lawn because it gives him some exercise.

But Henry Dallimore, Pottsville, doesn't enjoy the chore because his push mower is too big for sections of his backyard.

Green growth inevitably comes with the warmer weather, and can cause problems if left unchecked.

Some municipalities, like Port Carbon borough, plan to cut tall weeds at vacant properties and then "bill the owners for the work," Sandra Palokas, the borough council's secretary/treasurer, said last week at the council's workshop session.

The City of Pottsville tickets property owners who have lots that are overgrown.

"I expect we'll be giving them out this month and next month because of the weeds," city Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said Tuesday.

Spring green inspires all kinds of actions and reactions in Schuylkill County. And even though the long harsh winter prompted many to long for the return of warmer weather, the roar of the lawn mower and tangy scent of freshly cut grass appeals to some, but not all.

"I'd rather cut grass than shovel snow," Charlie Thomas, Saint Clair, said.

"Two years ago, I did have a heart attack. And since then, I've developed an exercise routine and I worked this into that," Hudock, 67, said May 31, after pushing his gas-powered mower for a half-hour.

"It's self-propelled. I need something to carry my behind behind it. It's like a hobby for me. I do it as long as I enjoy it. When I go out, I make sure it's not too hot. It takes about an hour to do my lawn. I go for about a half hour, then stop," Hudock said.

Dallimore, 78, said he may buy a "hover mower" to tackle the lawn behind his home on the 1400 block of West Market Street.

"The mower I have is far too big for our small garden," Dallimore said May 31.

On Monday, he found the website for Eastman Industries, Portland, Maine, at http://eastmanind.com

"The HoverMowerT floats effortlessly on a cushion of air; without any wheels it mows in any direction following the contour of the land," according to a description of one of the products on the site.

Cutting the grass is a quick way to experience an instant sense of achievement, said Paul L. Potts, 76, of Cressona, who was out on his riding mower May 31.

"It's a visual. You're seeing what you're doing just by turning around and seeing what you've done. I enjoy it. And I enjoy what it looks like after it's done. It's instant gratification," Potts said.

He said it usually takes him an hour on the weekends to drive the tractor over his lawn at 53 Graeff St. and then do the cleanup.

"It seems with the weather we've been having, it grows a lot faster. We get rain. Then it gets sunny. Then we get rain. Then it gets sunny. So I'll be out again next weekend," Potts said.

Recently, Thomas M. Duffy, 50, of New Philadelphia was in Schuylkill Haven, using a riding mower to trim a lawn owned by his aunt, Joan Duffy.

"She pays me. It helps," Duffy said.

He transports his riding mower on a trailer he hooks up to his pickup truck.

"I don't mind mowing the lawn. I do it as a pastime," Duffy said. And he offered some advice to property owners who don't enjoy the task: "Just try to get it cut before it gets too high, then it becomes work to make it look nice when you're done."

The first day of summer is two weeks away. "The solstice heralds the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. In 2014, the solstice falls at 6:51 a.m. on June 21, according to almanac.com.

Name misspelled

Williams Valley graduate Tyler Herb was selected in the MLB Draft by Seattle. His name was misspelled in Monday's edition.

Miller Bros. Construction Inc., Schuylkill Haven, is planning to build a stand-alone commercial building at Sharp Mountain Plaza, Gordon Nagle Trail, Pottsville.

"We're hoping to start construction in August and have occupancy in January," James L. Miller, president of Miller Bros., said Monday at the site.

Miller said there's a tenant lined up for the building, which is in a C-2 commercial zone, and he said he'll announced the name of the tenant at a later date.

"I don't know when we're allowed to release that. But it's a permitted use, so we don't have to seek a variance to do the project. In a C-2 zone, you can put up a restaurant, office buildings, medical office buildings and almost anything retail," Miller said.

The Schuylkill County Planning Commission will discuss the plans at its next public meeting, slated for 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 18 at the courthouse. If the commission gives the proposal a thumbs up, it will be presented to the Pottsville Zoning Hearing Board and the Pottsville City Council for approval.

Sharp Mountain Plaza is south of Route 209 on the west side of the city. It includes a Sheetz, which Miller Brothers built in 1998 and sold in June 2012 to 900 GNT LLC for $1,775,000, according to the online Schuylkill Parcel Locator.

Just south of that is the strip mall Miller Brothers built in 1999. Miller Brothers sold it in February 2009 to Sharp Mountain Plaza LLC for $1,600,000, according to the parcel locator.

Just south of that is 4.22 acres of vacant land Miller Brothers acquired in 2004, according to the parcel locator. Miller wants to build a one-story, 4,500-square-foot building on that site. "It will have a peaked-tip roof," Miller said. Miller Brothers also wants to establish 45 new parking spaces there.

It's part of the "Preliminary/Final Land Development Plan for Sharp Mountain Plaza Lot 3" he submitted to the Schuylkill County Planning and Zoning office May 23.

The new building will be south of the strip mall on 2.267 acres of vacant land, said Miller, who is a general partner in MBC Properties LP, Schuylkill Haven, the company which owns the land.

Miller Brothers has mapped out space where a second stand-alone building, a 6,000-square-foot commercial property, could be established. But the firm isn't planning to build it at this point.

"As a courtesy, we submitted it as part of the plan so everybody knows there's a possibility we may approach them to discuss that project in the future. Right now, we're just looking to put up the 4,500-square-foot building. We're going to grade the whole site and pave the whole site except for the footprint of that second building," Miller said.

On Monday, Miller Brothers was using an earth mover to remove excess dirt from the area and prepare a staging area for the construction.

Contact with girl

nets charges, jail

A Pottsville man was jailed Sunday and charged with having inappropriate sexual contact with a child between April and June, police said.

Police said Michael J. Stokes, 49, was arraigned on charges of aggravated indecent assault, corruption of minors and indecent assault and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $50,000 straight cash bail.

Police said officers were called about the assaults involving a 6-year-old girl and the subsequent investigation led to the charges against Stokes. Police said Stokes is also a registered sexual offender with Megan's Law and may face additional charges for failing to comply with his current sanctions.

Police said the investigation into the incident is continuing.

Police accuse man

of PFA violation

MAHANOY CITY - A borough man was arrested by Mahanoy City police and charged with violating a Protection From Abuse order after an incident that occurred at 5:40 a.m. May 14.

Police said Monday that officers were called to a home at 227 E. Centre St. and were met by Eric Neidlinger who said he found his stepson, William J. Sanchez III, 27, upstairs in the bedroom of his son, Eric Neidlinger.

This was in violation of an order issued on March 19 by a Schuylkill County judge stating that Sanchez "is evicted and excluded from the residence at 227 E. Centre St.," police said.

Woman charged

with DUI in stop

MAHANOY CITY - Mahanoy City police charged a borough woman in connection with an incident at Main and Centre streets at 1:20 a.m. May 6.

Police said Monday that Jessica M. Kufrovich, 31, of 10 W. Centre St., Apt. 305, was charged with DUI and driving on the wrong side of the road after officers pulled her over for a traffic violation and found her to be under the influence.

Charges against Kufrovich will be filed with Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, police said.

Windshield hit

by dropped rock

DELANO - State police at Frackville are investigating a criminal mischief incident that occurred on Interstate 81 in the area of mile marker 134.6 in Delano Township about 7 p.m. Sunday.

Police said someone threw a rock from an overpass and struck the windshield of a tractor-trailer owned by Freight Works Transportation and Logistics of Rutherfordton, N.C., that was northbound. The rock cracked the windshield of the truck and the person who threw it fled the scene.

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