The Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad started repairs this week to a railroad wall in the city that collapsed five years ago.

"I drove by there today and I'm pleased to see that," Thomas J. "Tim" Pellish, the city solicitor, said Tuesday.

A 30-foot section of a railroad wall in the 600 block of South Centre Street collapsed June 19, 2009. And the wall sustained another 30 feet of damage when a car struck the railing on March 15, 2012. The railroad is repairing both sections, according to city Administrator Thomas A. Palamar.

The railroad and the city had been unable to come to terms on repairs and on Oct. 12, 2012, Pellish filed a complaint to the Public Utility Commission. In late February, the railroad agreed to do the work in an effort to improve relations with the city, Pellish said.

A hearing on the dispute is slated for Oct. 14 in Harrisburg, according to the website www.puc.pa.gov.

"Andy Muller was encouraging a resolution to this situation. And Andy contacted our mayor in an effort to get it straightened out," Palamar said Tuesday.

"The railroad had agreed to make the necessary repairs to the wall, the rails, etcetera. They said they would have it done by the end of the summer. I will not withdraw the case until the work is completed. But I expect that we will withdraw the case prior to the October hearing," Pellish said Tuesday.

On Feb. 28, Muller contacted The Republican-Herald to report repairs to the wall were part of an effort to upgrade the track. It included the renovation of a signal established in 1917.

"We're fixing the railing along (South Centre) Street. We're replacing all the signs," Muller said Feb. 28. "As part of that, we're rebuilding the wall," Muller said.

"They were interested in developing a better relationship with the city, a good relationship, and try to bring some fall foliage tours in and doing some other really good things," Palamar said Tuesday.

On Feb. 28, Muller said his Port Clinton-based railroad would like to "run one or two passenger trains a year" into Union Station in Pottsville.

The city decided to waive the cost of the building permit for the wall and railing repair, according to David Petravich, city building code officer.

Petravich and Justin D. Trefsger, the city's code enforcement officer, were at the site Tuesday afternoon.

Workers for the railroad have been repairing the 60-foot stretch of damaged railroad wall with pre-cast concrete retaining wall blocks, Petravich said.

Petravich was not sure when the project would be complete. "They have concrete caps to put on and steel railing," he said.

John M. Walaitis, a railroad bridge inspector for the Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad, is the foreman on the job, Petravich said.

Muller and Wayne A. Michel, railroad president, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Public information about the case is available on the PUC website at puc.pa.gov.

The docket number for the case is C-2012-2330567.

Teen rear-ends

vehicle, is injured

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - A 17-year-old New Ringgold boy suffered a minor injury after his vehicle hit the rear-end of another vehicle at 3:55 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Route 443 and an unnamed street, North Manheim Township.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said the 17-year-old boy was driving a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am east on Route 443 and failed to see that Donald D. Hackman, 68, of Orwigsburg, had stopped his 2009 Chevrolet Aveo for traffic and struck the rear end of the Aveo.

Friendship Hose Company No. 1 assisted on the scene.

Former Coaldale Mayor Richard P. Corkery begins his fight for exoneration today, while Carbon County prosecutors seek to prove he possessed child pornography in 2011 at his job in Nesquehoning.

Corkery, 75, of Coaldale, goes on trial at 9:15 a.m. today before a jury and Judge Steven R. Serfass in Carbon County Court in Jim Thorpe on 27 counts of sexual abuse of children-possession of child pornography.

With a maximum possible prison sentence of 3 1/2 to seven years in a state correctional institution on each count, he faces a virtual life sentence if convicted of all, or even a significant number, of the charges. He has been free on $50,000 unsecured bail pending trial.

Nesquehoning police have charged Corkery with possessing the child pornography on numerous occasions between Feb. 15, 2011, and March 28, 2011, at the WLSH-AM radio station in the borough.

Police said they contacted station officials, who turned over to them Corkery's computer and two compact discs. Forensic examination of the hard drive found 34 images of naked men, of whom at least 27 were under the age of 18, according to police.

Only Corkery had access to the computer at the time the pictures were downloaded, police said.

Police said Corkery admitted looking at child porn sites on the computer at work.

Assistant District Attorney William E. McDonald is prosecuting the case, while Nicholas A. Quinn, Pottsville, is defending Corkery.

McDonald and Quinn, who jointly selected the jury on June 2, each said the trial would last about three days. Each declined to comment further on the case.

Corkery was elected mayor of Coaldale in November 2009, and served four years in that post. He declined to run for re-election in 2013; Richard Kellner currently is the mayor.Defendant: Richard P. Corkery

Age: 75

Residence: Coaldale

Charges: 27 counts of sexual abuse of children-possession of child pornography

PORT CARBON - A section of the stone wall bordering Mill Creek near the Port Carbon Post Office is crumbling and citizens on Tuesday spurred the borough council to take action.

"I noticed the wall is falling into the creek by the post office. Is anything going to be done about that? Does anybody know who's responsible for that?" Margaret Coleman, 125 Jackson St., asked the council members.

Councilman Andrew Palokas - who was out of town Tuesday but attended the meeting by calling in to a speaker phone - said he and borough engineer James S. Tohill of Alfred Benesch & Co., Pottsville, will meet to discuss the issue on June. 19.

"We're going to try to get some funding to see what we can do about that," Palokas said.

Tohill said he hasn't had a chance to examine the wall collapse, which is on the west side of the creek near the post office parking lot.

"I was just wondering, with living in the flood plain, I was wondering how fast something is going to be done. I've been through four floods and I flat out refuse to do it again, if something can be done," Coleman said.

"He's waiting to have this meeting on the 19th to see what money's out there so we can rebuild that wall," council President Harold "Bucky" Herndon said.

"I'm one house up from Mill Creek and I've been keeping tabs on that wall and over the past two to three weeks it has gotten much worse, to the point where I'm afraid that part of that post office parking lot is going to cave in, Diane Bensinger, 85 Washington St., said.

"And if that happens, for all intents and purposes, this town could lose the post office," she added. "Someone's going to say 'We don't need it. We're too small.' And what have you. We need to get in there and take some positive action."

"Like I said, Andy is having a meeting on the 19th to get funding so we can get on that right away," Herndon said.

"Do you have any idea how long that might take?" Bensinger asked.

Palokas said he did not.

Citizens have also complained about ATV riders cruising borough streets at night and in the early morning hours, according to Councilman Warren Thomas.

Residents with ATV complaints are encouraged to get vehicle descriptions and call Schuylkill County Communications, Pottsville, with complaints, according to borough police Chief Jon J. Bowman.

Bowman said the borough's two full-time officers, himself included, each work 40 hours a week, unless given additional instructions and hours by the council. The rest of the time the area is covered by state police at Schuylkill Haven.

The Republican-Herald encourages local residents and businesses to honor Capt. Jason B. Jones by lining the streets of the route Wednesday as his casket is escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders through Pottsville.

The hearse carrying Capt. Jones is scheduled to leave Dover Air Force Base, Dover, Delaware, at 8 a.m. Wednesday and is due to stop in Orwigsburg Square between 11 and 11:15 a.m. for a minute of silence.

The procession will continue north on Route 61, turning left onto Mauch Chunk Street in Pottsville, right on South Centre Street, left onto West Market Street, left onto 16th Street, and right onto Mahantongo Street to Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, 1818 Mahantongo St.

The Republican-Herald will post updates of the procession as it leaves Orwigsburg and enters Pottsville via The Republican-Herald Facebook and Twitter pages and through mobile alerts.

MINERSVILLE - A petition was created calling on borough Mayor Joseph Post to publicly apologize for his comments about gay marriage he made on Memorial Day.

"At the Memorial Day service, Mayor Post stated that he believed the ruling was wrong, essentially stating that marriage is only between one man and one woman," according to the petition on www.ipetitions.com. " ... Therefore, by signing this petition, we as a community are informing Mayor Post that his comments were not only insensitive, but extremely inappropriate for a service of this kind."

Post said he did not intend to offend anyone in his speech.

"I talked about the veterans and how they fought for us and our right to vote. ... The judge who made the gay marriage ruling was an appointed official, which is what I was saying was not right," he said.

Post acknowledged the public Tuesday at the borough council meeting.

"I recognize my comments on this issue were ill-timed, and I apologize for that," he said.

The petition was created the same week that Post made his Memorial Day speech. Its goal was 250 signatures and ended with 318 signatures.

A few Minersville council members made it clear to the public that they did not agree with Post.

"We do not question the mayor's right to disagree with the recent ruling. ... However, we find this solemn occasion to be a highly inappropriate time for him to express that personal opinion," they said in a letter to the editor of The Republican Herald. "Since the mayor made these highly inappropriate comments in a public forum, we feel a responsibility to make this response publicly, as well."

Council members who signed the letter were Walter Miscavage, Robert Mahalchick, Paul Vuksta Jr. and William Angelo.

His speech offended numerous people by mentioning his views on gay marriage, which lead to members of the public asking for Post's resignation Tuesday.

"My brothers were veterans, my uncles were veterans ... and as a veteran, it was not the place to give the speech, as (the mayor) admitted. Because of that, I ask the mayor to resign," Tom Sorokach, 65, of Minersville, said.

Sarah Newton, 34, of Minersville, also asked the mayor to resign.

"These men and women fight for us to pursue our own happiness. ... I also ask for the mayor to resign," she said.

Newton expressed how her family would feel hearing the speech.

"My grandparents and brother were veterans. They sacrificed so much and would be upset to be put on the back burner like that," she said.

A young girl who attended the council meeting had business of her own but went on to ask the public to forgive Post.

"I know people have regretted things they said before so I ask you for the forgiveness of this man," she said. "I think having him resign is a little harsh."

Miscavage said the mayor has spoken in the past "without thinking the consequences through."

"I accept his apology at the face value," Miscavage said. "I don't expect the mayor to resign. I do believe that he has learned from it and is going to move forward."

RINGTOWN - There are restrictions on outdoor burning in the borough and residents need to follow the rules.

President Julian Milewski, who had a personal complaint about someone abusing the privilege to burn waste paper and cardboard, raised the subject at Monday's council meeting. Milewski is an employee of The Republican-Herald.

"On outdoor burning, I have one citizen's petition. It was my wife," Milewski said. "The neighbor was burning some stuff and it had plastics in it and the smoke was very heavy on Sunday. She had an asthmatic attack and I had to get her into the house and give her an inhaler. It was that bad."

Milewski said people may burn paper, cardboard and clean wood.

"Burning plastics could be a DEP (state Department of Environmental Protection) violation, as well," he said.

After the meeting, Milewski said there is a burning ordinance on the books.

"The ordinance says no garbage, no plastics, no open pit fires," Milewski said. "It has to be in a confined space with a screen."

Milewski was not sure what was being burned, but he had an idea from the smell.

"You know, it smelled like they were burning diapers," he said.

Burning is allowed only during daylight hours, Milewski said.

"But that's not happening," Councilman James Compton Sr. said. "I want to go farther with this some time."

"We just have to catch them. When Adam is on, he can go out and cite them," Milewski said, referring to Patrolman Adam J. Bernodin Jr.

"And they're burning until 2 o'clock in the morning," Compton said.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - The borough council voted June 4 to hire two additional part-time police officers for the borough police department.

In a unanimous vote, the council hired Cody Mullins, 23, and Diego Jimenez, 32, for the positions contingent upon them passing psychological and physical tests.

Council President Marlin Berger Jr. said the hiring is a good thing for the borough.

"I think council is very pleased with this," Berger said Tuesday.

Schuylkill Haven police Chief Jeffrey Walcott said both men graduated from Lakawanna College. Mullins graduated Dec. 13, 2013, and Jimenez graduated May 9.

"Both men are highly decorated out of the academy," Walcott said about the Lakawanna Police Academy.

Mullins was born in Schuylkill Haven and lives in Pottsville. He could move to the borough at a later date, Walcott said. Jimenez lives in the borough. There is no residency requirement.

If all goes OK, Jimenez will be the first Spanish-speaking police officer on the force, Walcott said.

They could start next month and would work as needed.

Walcott said their starting pay is $18 an hour during the one-year probationary period. It will then increase to $19 an hour.

Mayor Mike Devlin said Mullins and Jimenez would start when testing conditions were met.

Previously, the council voted to increase the police force by hiring Matthew Cavallo to a full-time position. He currently is a part-time officer for the borough making $19 an hour. His pay will increase to $20.69 per hour beginning July 1 when he begins full-time duty.

Cavallo has been with the local police department for a year.

With the elevation of Cavallo to full-time status, the police department will have eight full-time officers and three part-time officers if both Mullins and Jimenez pass the required testing.

In other news, the council approved the painting of additional parking meters in the borough on St. John and West Main streets. Artists in residence from the Walk-In Art Center, Schuylkill Haven, will paint the meters.

"They already started on a couple of them," Nena Mazzei-Schmidt, executive director of the Walk-In Art Center, said Tuesday about meters on St. John Street. Possibly 20 meters in all will be painted, she said.

The painting is the second installment of a tribute to the late Dave Naydock, a well-known artist from Pottsville, who died in January 2014.

Last year, 12 meters were painted in the borough along with a mural outside the Schuylkill Haven Free Public Library.

Lorraine Koury, Naydock's companion for 12 years, and Mike Naydock, Dave Naydock's twin brother, will also paint a parking meter, Mazzei-Schmidt said.

n Barnesville: Doug Daniels, a waterway conservation officer with the U.S. Fish and Boat Commission, will present a program on native reptiles and amphibians of Pennsylvania at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Locust Lake State Park amphitheater. He will speak about the differences between venomous and nonvenomous animals as well as habitat and diet. He will have some live animals on hand. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held in the program shelter near the camp store. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

n Frackville: An American Red Cross Blood Services Northeast Pennsylvania Region blood drive is set for noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Schuylkill Mall. 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: St. John the Baptist Polish National Catholic Church in Frackville will hold its first bleenie sale of the season from 11 a.m. to sellout Friday at the church, 414 W. Oak St.

n Pine Grove: Two outdoor nature camps are begin offered at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park, according to a release from Patrick M. "Porcupine Pat" McKinney, environmental education coordinator with the Schuylkill Conservation District. Nature Adventure Camp, for children ages 4-6, will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. June 18-20 and Wildlife Camp, for children 7-9, is set for 10 to 11:30 a.m. July 16-18. McKinney will lead the camps, which are on a "donation only" basis, according to the release. "We want to make the camps available to all children regardless of ability to pay," McKinney said in the release, adding, "You can pay for one day or all three days, whatever you decide is fine." The focus of each camp is learning about wildlife, insects and plants. There will also be fun activities designed to stimulate curiosity and natural awareness. Advance registration is required by calling McKinney at 570-622-4124, ext. 113 or via email at porcupinepat@yahoo.com.

n Pottsville: The Diakon Travel Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. today at the Pottsville Senior Community Center, 201 N. Centre St. For more information, call 570-624-3018. Diakon Living and Learning will host a Schuylkill Herb Society meeting at 7 p.m. June 19 at the center. Call the aforementioned number for more information.

n Pottsville: Gabrielle DiRenzo, a student of the month from Pottsville Area High School, attended a recent meeting of the Pottsville Rotary Club. She was unable to attend the club meeting originally slated for the students of the month. She told Rotarians about her school and community activities and plans for the future. Rotarian Bill Davidson presented the club's annual scholarship awards to area students. Kailee Danaski was the winner of the Henry "Hammer" Herring award given to a Penn State Schuylkill student. Dylan Palamar, a Nativity BVM senior, received the Henry Fink award and Adalie Zanis, a Pottsville Area High School senior, received the Dr. William R. Davidson award.

n Sheppton: The monthly bingo sponsored by the Sheppton-Oneida Volunteer Fire Company will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday in the firehall, 900 Center St. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-233-0935.

n Summit Hill: The new garbage pickup day for the community is Tuesday. The pickups include the east and west sides of the borough, East and West White Bear Drive, Mountaintop Road, Laurel Drive and Knepper's Trailer Court. Recycling will continue to be every other week, but will also be picked up on Tuesday. Electronics will no longer be taken with the garbage.

n Valley View: The St. Andrew's United Methodist Church Men's Bible Class will sponsor a Father's Day breakfast from 5 to 7 a.m. Sunday at Valley View Park, Gap Street. It will be the group's 64th annual Father's Day breakfast featuring ham and eggs prepared in cast iron pans on propane stoves. Donations will be accepted. For more information, call David Williams at 570-573-9467.

MAHANOY CITY - Borough police filed criminal complaints against three borough men and a borough woman charging them with trying on Friday to scrap a motorcycle and other items that did not belong to them.

Police filed the complaints against Michael S. Sell, 36, of 300 E. Mahanoy Ave.; William J. Sanchez III, 26, of 227 E. Centre St.; Edward J. Polusky III, 25, and Tiara R. Pleva, 30, both of 219 W. Mahanoy Ave.

Lt. John Kaczmarczyk charged the four with one felony count each of receiving stolen property and conspiracy to commit receiving stolen property and one misdemeanor count of conspiracy to commit theft by deception.

Pleva, Polusky and Sell were taken into custody, arraigned and committed to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of 10 percent of $10,000 bail.

Kaczmarczyk said police are still looking for Sanchez.

Kaczmarczyk said that, while on routine patrol about 9:10 a.m., he saw the four pushing scrap metal on North Main Street toward Duke's Salvage.

He said Polusky and Pleva were pushing a motorcycle with a lawn mower on top and the group also had a lot of older rusty metal and a large coil of wire with a three-prong outlet attached.

Kaczmarczyk said that about a block from the salvage business, Sanchez began to walk away because previous dealings had him banned from the business.

The lieutenant said he pulled into Duke's Salvage behind the remaining three at which time Pleva and Polusky left, leaving their scrap behind. At that point, Kaczmarczyk said Sell had already placed some of the items, including the wire, onto a scale and when asked where it was obtained he said he was helping a friend whom he refused to name.

Kaczmarczyk said the motorcycle was a red Kawasaki 100 and a check of the vehicle identification did not reveal the owner. Due to the suspicious activity, Duke's Salvage refused to do business with the group and agreed to hold the motorcycle until police could determine if it were stolen.

Later that day, Kaczmarczyk said, Polusky and Pleva returned and removed the items from in front of the business.

Kaczmarczyk said the incident prompted him to begin checking buildings and garages in the area of East Railroad Street to see if they had been broken into and if anything had been stolen.

When Polusky was questioned about the motorcycle, Kaczmarczyk said, he replied he was just helping Sanchez and Sell scrap the items since Sanchez was banned from the business. He denied knowing where the items came from.

On Saturday, Kaczmarczyk said he received a call from Robert Yutko who reported a burglary at his garage at 211 E. Railroad St. where someone entered from the side near the railroad tracks and stole numerous items, including a red Kawasaki motorcycle, and about 200 feet of copper welding lead wire.

Yutko said that before calling police, he spoke to a man in the area, later identified as Sell, and asked him if he knew anything about the burglary.

Kaczmarczyk said Yutko recalled Sell saying a friend of his had found a motorcycle like the one stolen.

On Sunday Kaczmarczyk said Yutko came to the police station and reported that that morning he was met by Sell and another man who brought the motorcycle back. The men told Yutko they thought the garage was abandoned.

When speaking to workers at Duke's Salvage, Kaczmarczyk said, he was told Sell and another man came to the business to claim the motorcycle they left there and he released it to them not knowing it was stolen.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Sanchez is asked to call police at 570-773-2310 or 570-773-2313.

MOUNT PLEASANT - Just as quickly as the mighty Chinook helicopter landed Tuesday afternoon at the Schuylkill County Joe Zerbey Airport, it was back up in the air again.

Blackhawks and Chinooks have been landing at the airport all week as part of the Army National Guard's annual training exercises.

"The facility is great," Lt. Ernest Walker said Tuesday. "It allows us to do the whole package. We are able to simulate our environment. It is one of my favorite setups."

The 104th General Support Aviation Battalion from Fort Indiantown Gap set up camp at the airport Sunday and will stay there until Friday. They will then head to another airport for the rest of the two-week training period.

"This is when they really learn," Walker said.

There were about 35 troops and five fuel tanker trucks at the airport Tuesday. Two tankers were hooked up to the fuel line at all times. There were also an air traffic control center set up and several other tents for the troops.

The military helicopters were only on the ground for a few minutes before the troops had them refueled. The exercises simulate exactly what they would be doing in the field, Walker said.

"We get a call when the helicopter is about five minutes out," Walker said. "That's all the time we have to get ready."

It was the third time the airport has hosted the training exercises.

"We are showing the public that it's a multi-facet airport," Bill Willard, airport manager, said Monday. "It also helps with their training exercises. They don't have to go too far. And it's fun to see the different types of helicopters."

Willard said he always looks forward to having the military at the airport.

"Plus, they are a great group. They are a pleasure to have," he said.

by peter e. bortner

A three-judge state Superior Court panel has upheld the conviction and prison sentence of a Hegins Township woman who endangered her child in August 2012 in Minersville.

In a 10-page opinion filed Tuesday in Pottsville, the panel ruled the evidence justified the conviction of Rachel A. Schaeffer, 33, of Valley View.

In a two-day trial over which county President Judge William E. Baldwin presided, a jury on April 9, 2013, found Schaeffer guilty of endangering the welfare of children and not guilty of conspiracy and simple assault. Baldwin sentenced Schaeffer on May 23, 2013, to serve 14 days to 23 months in prison.

Minersville police had charged Schaeffer with endangering her son on Aug. 8, 2012, in the borough.

Senior Judge John L. Musmanno wrote in the panel's opinion that Schaeffer's request for a new trial on the basis of a newly discovered written statement by her son failed because it did not differ from his oral statement to police and would be used solely to impeach her son's credibility as a witness.

Although Schaeffer's son testified she had hit him several times, his oral statement had not mentioned any such blows, so the written statement would have added nothing to that, according to Musmanno.

"We cannot say that a new trial 'would likely result in a different verdict,' " Musmanno wrote.

Furthermore, the jury acquitted Schaeffer of the charge of simple assault, so the written statement had no bearing on the appeal, Musmanno wrote.

Also, prosecutors produced enough evidence to support the charge of endangering the welfare of children, according to Musmanno. Evidence showed Schaeffer had hit her son with a towel rod, which is enough to support the charge, he wrote.

Finally, the fact that the jury acquitted her boyfriend, John Heffner, of all charges against him does not mean Schaeffer's conviction must be thrown out, Musmanno wrote.

Judges Judith Ference Olson and Jack A. Panella, the other panel members, joined Musmanno's opinion.

Deeds

Ashland - Marianna and Robert H. Hartz to Andrew and Lou Anne Hahn; 1211 Arch St.; $5,000.

New Heights South LLC to Francis DeVizia; 1321 Spruce St.; $2,000.

Branch Township - Fred Klein, individually and as administrator of the Estate of Mary E. Klein, to Gina Engle; 771 Minersville-Llewellyn Highway; $50,000.

Frackville - Mary Govern to Edmund J. Govern Jr.; 160 N. Balliet St.; $1.

Frailey Township - Patricia A. Hatter to Vicki A. Barry; two properties on Baltimore Street, Donaldson; $1.

Hegins Township - Randall J. and Roseanne Barr to James R. and Terri A. Garringer; 218 Deep Creek Road, Hegins; $260,000.

Anthony A. Herb to Sheila M. Klinger; 1102 W. Walnut St., Valley View; $1.

Pottsville - Erick Camodeca, administrator for the Estate of Crystal A. Camodeca, to Robert Lee John Burns Jr.; 803 N. 16th St.; $10,000.

Schuylkill Haven - Russell Michael Bubeck to D. Edward Dress; property on West Main Street; $10,000.

D. Edward Dress to D. Edward Dress; .168-acre property on West Main Street; $1.

Shenandoah - James Pribish, administrator of the Estate of Rose Ann Pribish, to James Pribish; 306 E. Centre St.; $1.

Washington Township - Donald L. and Ellen M. Laubenstein to Donald L. Laubenstein and Ellen M. Laubenstein, trustees under The Donald L. Laubenstein and Ellen M. Laubenstein Revocable Trust Agreement; 88 Natures Road, Rock; $1.

ORWIGSBURG - A local hero returned home one last time Wednesday before his interment in West Point Cemetery next week.

The hearse carrying the body of Capt. Jason B. Jones stopped for a moment of silence in his hometown of Orwigsburg while on its way from Dover Air Force Base, Dover, Delaware, to Lord-Bixler Funeral Home Inc., Pottsville, where a private ceremony was held for the family. The body will be cremated and interment will be Tuesday at West Point Cemetery at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.

"Words can't express the extent of our appreciation for all of the support we see from this local community in particular and from afar," his father, Attorney Jay Jones, said. "It has just been unimaginable that people care us and offered so much support. We thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts and we will never forget it."

Capt. Jones, 29, formerly of Orwigsburg, was killed June 2 in a small-arms firefight near Jalalabad, Afghanistan. He was the commander of a 12-man Special Forces A-Team with the Army Special Forces, also known as the Green Berets. A memorial service was held Saturday afternoon at First United Methodist Church, Pottsville.

The hearse carrying his body left Dover about 8 a.m. Wednesday and arrived in downtown Orwigsburg shortly after noon where it was greeted by a crowd of more than 1,500 people. They were silent but waved flags and put their hands over their hearts as the Patriot Guard Riders of Pennsylvania escorted the hearse down Market Street.

The procession stopped for a moment underneath a giant flag hanging from the extended ladders of two fire trucks. The silence was only broken when the crowd started to applaud the Jones family as they made their way back down Market Street.

The procession then continued north on Route 61 and to Mahantongo Street in Pottsville.

"He was my son's best friend," Wendy Campbell, Deer Lake, said while waiting in Orwigsburg square Wednesday. "It's wonderful to see all the support. I just wish he could see how the town is honoring him."

Her son, Alex, went to school with Jason and played basketball with him.

"He was just a good guy," she said. "He was always at our house."

"He was part of our family," her daughter, Andrea Scarola, Kempton, said.

"And he was a wonderful friend to my son," Campbell said.

Jones graduated from Blue Mountain High School in 2003. He earned a degree in nuclear engineering from the U.S. Military Academy in 2007 and then commissioned as a second lieutenant. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his deployment in Iraq from 2008 to 2009 and received various other military degrees and honors. He joined the Green Berets in May 2013 and was deployed to Afghanistan in April 2014.

"He just had so many honors and accomplishments," Scarola said. "We are so honored to have known him."

Campbell said she last saw Jones when he came to her house for Thanksgiving and Christmas this past year.

"He touched so many lives," Campbell said. "He is always going to be in our hearts."

In addition to his parents, Jay, Pottsville, and Suzy Jones, Orwigsburg, Capt. Jones is survived by a sister, Dr. Lizzy Jones, and his wife, Dr. Amy Weniger, whom he married on June 15, 2013.

"Jason was just a great kid," Robin Zimmerman, Orwigsburg, said. "He was a nice, polite young man."

Zimmerman said Jason used to help her husband with yard work. He was also a classmate of her daughter.

"I have a great memory of him coming over when he came home from West Point," Zimmerman said. "He knocked on our door just to see how we were doing."

She said Jones knew so many people and she was not surprised by how many people came out Wednesday to pay tribute.

"It's a very patriotic town," she said. "I'm not surprised at all. It's history."

Borough residents started placing flowers, photos and flags in the square as soon as they learned of Jones's death. Borough manager Mike Lonergan said people were lining up along the procession route since 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. He also expected nothing less from the borough.

"I think the town did beautifully," he said. "These folks respond well in times of crisis. He was very well-known and I think the community responds to that."

Evan McDonough, 7, of Orwigsburg, held up a sign he made as the hearse drove down the street. The sign read, "You are my hero Captain Jason Jones."

Evan's father, Frank, coached Jason's junior high basketball team and the two remained friends.

"He was just a good person and was as loyal as they come to his teammates, family and friends," he said.

McDonough said his son made the sign Wednesday morning with his sister.

"He asked what the big flag was for, and I said they bring it out for special people," McDonough said. "Jason was special."

The family request contributions in Jason's honor be sent to Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org and the Animal Protection Society of Durham, 2117 E. Club Blvd., No. 101, Durham, NC 27704.

The Schuylkill County commissioners authorized the emergency purchase of a new X-ray security system at the county prison at Wednesday's meeting.

The purchase, approved by Commissioners George Halcovage and Gary Hess, will replace a similar device at least 20 years old that has been experiencing problems in the past month. Chairman Frank J. Staudenmeier did not attend the meeting.

County Administrator Mark J. Scarbinsky read the following emergency resolution on behalf of the sheriff's office to approve the purchase:

"Whereas a vital piece of security monitoring equipment has been routinely malfunctioning and may cease working entirely at any moment, and Whereas the device's antiquated an unreliable condition cause a security emergency, therefore, a motion is requested that the board of county commissioners approve and authorize the purchase of a suitable replacement of the aforesaid equipment in the amount of $21,849 as soon as possible without public bidding in accordance with Section 1802, which allows an item be purchased without bidding under an emergency situation."

Halcovage said after the motion and second and before the vote that sheriff's department did investigate the types of equipment available.

"The sheriff's office did look to check out the companies that work with us and contacted different counties about what equipment was state of the art but also was most cost-effective," Halcovage said.

Prior to the meeting, Sheriff Joseph Groody said in his office that the X-ray system is working as it should, but when repairs are needed, the parts are scarce because of its age.

"Twenty years is a long time for this machine, and it is a must for the prison," Groody said, adding that the machine has detected many weapons concealed in purses, bags and other containers.

"It's very, very, very important that it's up and running properly," he said. "That was a good, long haul we got out of it. The companies we spoke to told us that they can no longer get the parts."

Groody said the items are placed on a conveyer belt that puts it through the machine for a corrections officer to watch a monitor to see what is inside in order to detect any contraband.

"It's just like in the airports," Groody said. "Security is such a big thing."

The new state-of-the-art machine will be installed as soon as received by the county.

In other business, the commissioners:

- Approved the purchase of a service agreement between the county and Service Access and Management Inc. from July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015, at a cost of $6,277,595.57, which constitutes the distribution of Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention service dollars.

- Approved the right-of-way agreement with PPL Electric Utilities for the installation of one pole, including overhead wire, cables, fixtures and apparatus, along Progress Avenue, Pottsville, on county property to provide electrical service to 324 N. Centre St.

- Approved the right-of-way agreement with PPL Electric Utilities for the installation of one pole and three anchor guys along Airport Road on county property.

Marriage licenses

Robert R. Lettich, Sacramento, and Kathy S. Byers, Sacramento.

Albert P. Kovalusky Jr., Frackville, and Kassandra R. Hixson, Frackville.

Nicoholas Melusky, Pottsville, and Samantha M. McBreen, Pottsville.

Mark P. Kufrovich Jr., Frackville, and Kristen A. Kester, Frackville.

ORWIGSBURG - They make their livings here, and winners of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce's annual awards said Wednesday they love making their lives here, too.

"I do business in seven states, and there's no place I'd rather be than in Schuylkill County," Bob Greene, owner of Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. and the chamber's Business Man of the Year, told almost 200 people gathered at Schuylkill County Club for the group's awards breakfast.

As they honored the people and organizations that make the region thrive, chamber members also took time to remember the county's latest hero, Army Capt. Jason B. Jones, the Blue Mountain High School graduate who died June 2 in battle in Afghanistan and whose funeral procession passed by the country club later Wednesday.

"We want to give him the honor he deserves," chamber Executive Director Robert S. Carl Jr. said. "He is our hero. He will always be our hero."

Capt. Jones' grandfather, Joseph H. Jones Sr., received recognition for the James M. Stine Lifetime of Service Award, only the second such award given, and appreciated the timing.

"This is really overwhelming at a particularly difficult time," Joseph Jones said. "I love Schuylkill County. I wouldn't live anywhere else."

The chamber presented awards to Joseph Jones, Greene and five other people and organizations to recognize leaders not only in business, but in their communities. The chamber gives these awards annually, and this year's winners had been announced May 7 at the group's annual luncheon at Mountain Valley Golf Course, Barnesville.

"The cream must rise to the top," Carl said.

Cindy Petchulis of Providence Place Retirement Community received the Business Woman of the Year award.

"Caring for seniors gives me a lot of joy," she said.

Maria Rowlands and Theresa Pothering of the accounting firm Rowlands & Pothering were honored with the Entrepreneurs of the Year award.

"We're honored to receive this award," Pothering said. "Schuylkill County is a great place to start a business."

The Cotler Group received the For-Profit Organization of the Year Award.

"Their involvement … is wide and varied," Jeanne Porter, a member of the chamber's awards committee, said in presenting the award. "The Cotler Group makes a difference … every day."

Sexual Assault Resource & Counseling Center of Schuylkill County was honored with the Non-Profit of the Year Award.

"To say we are pleased … is truly an understatement," said Jenny Murphy Shifflet, SARCC's executive director. "Thank you for recognizing the work we do is valued and needed."

Ridgeview Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, Shenandoah Heights, sponsored the breakfast.

"We're bringing a lot out to the community," said Administrator Kameron A. Rager, who also told those attending the breakfast the center will be opening an Alzheimer's care unit in about four weeks.

MAHANOY CITY - With the current streetscape project in downtown Mahanoy City in progress, the borough council is beginning to consider the next phase of downtown enhancements.

The borough council adopted a resolution at Tuesday's meeting that will allow the borough to apply for grant funds from the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

Borough solicitor Michael A. O'Pake explained the details of the resolution for a vote.

"The resolution authorizes the filing of a proposal for funds with the DCED for Phase IV of the Mahanoy City business district revitalization program," O'Pake said. "The maximum amount that we would be seeking is up to $500,000. There will be sharing of costs with the borough, and the borough would be required to reimburse the state for any funds to be considered ineligible by DCED."

"It's just a proposal and request for funding from DCED," O'Pake added.

Councilwoman Patti Schnitzius made the motion to adopt the resolution.

"I'll make the motion to continue the revitalization program in the borough. Streetscape has turned out to be a beautiful enhancement, and it would be nice to continue it further," Schnitzius said.

The resolution was adopted in a 4-0 vote.

The borough is in Phase III of the Central Business District Streetscape Revitalization Program. which consists of expansion of the streetscape program from the Phase I and II areas (Main and Centre streets), which was completed in 2008. Phase III adds four additional blocks, from First to Third streets on East Centre Street and from Locust to Catawissa streets on West Centre Street.

Work crews are currently on site to install new sidewalks, signage, historic lighting, benches and trees, adding pedestrian safety and improving aesthetics to the central business district. The cost is more than $1 million, paid mostly through funds obtained through PennDOT's Pennsylvania Community Transportation Initiative.

After the meeting, Schnitzius said what work will be included in Phase IV has not been determined.

"What will be in Phase IV hasn't been finalized yet," Schnitzius said. "Obviously, part of it will be new sidewalks, antique lighting, trees, benches, trash receptacles, which is the same concept that is going on right now. We'll be extending it further. We have other things in the works, but we're not anywhere near talking about that yet."

Schnitzius said the current phase should be completed by mid-July.

City man jailed

in incident

A city man was jailed Wed-nesday following his arrest by Pottsville police stemming from a burglary report at 12:25 a.m. at 39 Peacock St.

Arriving at the scene, police said officers talked to a woman who said her ex-boyfriend, Daniel Larkin, 36, tried to kick in her back door while showing a knife and hollering that if he got inside he was going to "kill" her. Larkin fled before police arrived, and based on information received from the woman and observations at the scene, a criminal complaint was prepared charging the man with felony attempted burglary, felony attempted aggravated assault, attempted criminal trespass, terroristic threats, simple assault, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

Larkin was taken into custody in his home at 522 Laurel Terrace about 9:30 a.m. and arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, police said. He was committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $20,000 straight cash bail set by Reiley on the criminal charges.

Police said Larkin was also charged with indirect criminal contempt for violating a Protection From Abuse order that was issued Tuesday in Schuylkill County court. For that violation, Reiley set bail at $10,000 straight cash, police said.

2 injured in crash

in Cass Township

MINERSVILLE - Two people suffered minor injuries when a car and truck collided at Sunbury Road and Forest Lane in Cass Township at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, police said.

State police at Frackville said Elisa R. Williams, 28, of Pottsville, was driving a 2004 Hyundai Elantra when she pulled from the intersection to turn left onto Route 901 and drove into the path of a 2000 Freightliner truck driven east on Route 901 by Jordan J. Kaufman, 23, of Tremont.

Kaufman was unable to avoid a collision and collided with the Williams car, causing it to spin clockwise before coming to a stop, police said.

Police said Williams and a 1-year-old child in her car suffered minor injuries, and a small boy was also in the vehicle at the time. Both children were in child safety seats, police said.

Kaufman and his passenger, Robert Klouser, 41, also of Tremont, were not injured, police said.

Citation filed

in city accident

Pottsville police investigated a crash that occurred at Third and West Market streets at 1:40 p.m. Wednesday.

Police said David Heffner, 20, of Pottsville, was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier East on Market Street when he tried to make a left turn onto Third Street and drove into the path of a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt that was westbound on Market Street and driven by Kelly Brenneman, 35, of Florida.

No one was injured, but both vehicles were towed from the scene and police said Heffner will be cited for a left-turn violation.

Tuition rates at Pottsville Area School District will be going up for the 2014-15 school year, district Business Manager Stephen C. Curran said Wednesday at the school board's June work session.

"For example, for secondary students, it was around $9,200. It's gone up to around $9,600," Curran said. He said the state Department of Education sets the tuition rates, not the school district.

"School Finance within the Office of Comptroller Operations, calculates, certifies and issues Elementary and Secondary Tuition Rates on the PDE-2061 Form annually. The rates are calculated using financial information reported by each LEA on the Annual Financial Report, PDE-2057. The certified rates and calculations are published on the Financial Accounting Information System upon completion," according to the PDE website.

PDE usually calculates its tuition rates for a school year at the end of that school year, Curran said.

So, in May, PDE reported the tuition rates for the 2013-14 fiscal year were $8,942.49 for elementary students and $9,669.04 for secondary students. And in May 2013, PDE reported the district's tuition rates for the 2012-13 fiscal year were $8,481.47 for elementary students and $9,200.08 for secondary students, according to Curran and the PDE website.

In other matters at the school board's June work session, the board approved a lease agreement with Apple Inc. to buy new computers for the D.H.H. Lengel Middle School.

"It is recommended that the board approve a four-year master-lease purchase agreement between the Pottsville Area School District and Apple Inc. for the purpose of purchasing equipment via a financing contract at $85,004.28 per year. Motion to approve as recommended," board member Christina M. DiCello, the head of the board's technology committee, said.

The motion was seconded by board member Linda Grube, and carried with votes from board President John F. Boran, board Vice President Scott D. Krater, and board members Patrick F. Moran, Cindy Petchulis, Karen E. Rismiller and Charles R. Wagner.

Board member Gary A. Cortese was absent from Wednesday's work session.

The equipment will include 230 Mac minis, 19 iPad minis, 31 iPads with Retina displays, a "Bretford PowerSync Cart 30" and a professional development two-day workshop, according to the invoice.

"It's the middle school's turn to upgrade equipment. As part of this, we're replacing all the desktop computers in the middle school. Plus every fifth-grader is going to get an iPad for one-to-one usage in school. And we're expanding our iPad mini program. We're adding second grade. We've always purchased Dell. This is the first time we're going with Apple. But we can utilize either Microsoft PC or switch over to a Mac platform," Superintendent Jeffrey S. Zwiebel said.

In other matters, the board approved changes to Policy 246 "Student Wellness," to respond to guidelines regarding "competitive foods" set by the USDA, according to Curran.

"Competitive Foods are those available at school but are outside of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program. This includes foods and beverages sold in vending machines, school stores or a la carte sections of the school cafeteria. If competitive foods are available, the Institute of Medicine recommends they consist of fruits, vegetables, whole grains products and low-fat and non-fat dairy," according to a report published by the School Nutrition Association.

The Pottsville Area school board took action on the matter Wednesday, since the USDA recently announced rules regarding "Smart Snacks" for the 2014-15 school year, Curran said.

"These Smart Snack rules will act as the base set of rules for the sale of competitive foods in schools," according to www.schoolnutrition.org

The USDA offered rules for individual states. Below is the recommendations for schools in Pennsylvania:

"Vending food/snack standards must be implemented in order for schools to receive supplemental state reimbursement. Schools may not offer foods of minimal nutritional value during the school day. At the elementary level, vending may only offer the following: fruits, vegetables, yogurts, low-fat yogurts and reduced-fat cheeses. Only the following beverages are allowed: plain water, flavored water with no sugars or artificial sweeteners, 100 percent fruit and/or vegetable juice (8 oz or less), milk (flavored or unflavored) that is 2 percent fat or less. At the middle and high school level, at least 75 percent of beverages must be the same as the lower grades with the rest not exceeding 150 calories per drink. These standards apply to fundraisers and school stores as well," according to www.schoolnutrition.org

Changes in the school policy includes changes in the guidelines.

"The district may impose additional restrictions on competitive foods, provided that the restrictions are not inconsistent with federal requirements," according to the updated policy.

There's also a new section on "Management Of Food Allergies In District Schools."

It states: "The district shall establish board policy and administrative regulations to address food allergy management in district schools in order to: 1. Reduce and/or eliminate the likelihood of severe or potentially life-threatening allergic reactions. 2. Ensure a rapid and effective response in case of a severe or potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. 3. Protect the rights of students by providing them, through necessary accommodations when required, the opportunity to participate fully in all school programs and activities."