FOUNTAIN SPRINGS - North Schuylkill school board's committee meeting was routine and quiet Wednesday, with no references to the controversy involving board member Mark Kessler.

Several media outlets, including CNN, were on hand for what could have been contentious if supporters or detractors had attended the meeting to voice their opinions about Kessler, who has been under fire for his YouTube videos that have included profane language and the shooting of automatic weapons.

Last week, Kessler, who is the police chief of Gilberton, was suspended for 30 days without pay by the borough council for using of the weapons in the videos, which are borough property, without permission. Kessler contests that, saying he has permission in his police contract.

Very few members of the public attended Wednesday's school board meeting, however, and two who addressed the school board spoke about other topics. No school board members or administration made any references to the matter.

During the meeting, Dennis Kergick, supervisor of curriculum and federal programs, spoke about a summer program for students in grades four through nine held last month.

"I thank the members of the board of education for allowing us to hold the 'Summer of Innovation' NASA camp at the end of July," Kergick said. "There were 27 kids who attended and I think it was well-received."

The grant was awarded to the Chester County Intermediate Unit 24 and through participation in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program, North Schuylkill was offered the opportunity to participate.

The summer camp was free and was taught by district teachers from July 22 to 26. The curriculum was provided by NASA and included hands-on activities, including rocket building.

Board President Charles "Chaz" Hepler was pleased with the summer program but was disappointed that more children didn't take advantage of it.

"My kids did participate in that and they really enjoyed it," Hepler said. "It was a great hands-on learning experience. It was amazing the things that they built. I was disheartened because we sent so many papers out about the camp and we got only 27 people to participate."

During the public portion of the meeting, John Zangaro, Frackville, commented about the summer camp.

"With regard to the science camp you offered, I was wondering if you would be able to hold some demonstrations out and about for the school and the public to see and maybe that will appeal to the parents," Zangaro said. "That might allow them to be more persistent on getting their kids into that. My kids go here and I wasn't aware of it. If there was a demonstration that I would have seen it, maybe our kids would have shown up for that."

"We have an opportunity to do that," Superintendent Andrew Smarkanic said. "We have a district-wide pep rally scheduled for the last Friday (in August) before the first football game. Maybe we can get some of those kids to do one of their rocket launches at that pep rally."

"This science program over the summer was kind of a litmus test," Hepler said. "We were talking about a program being offered at one of our local schools dealing with heat exhaustion for athletes. We've been trying to figure out if it would be worthwhile to have educational programs in the evenings for parents and kids alike on various topics. We want to draw more people in, to help raise our test scores, and meet people's needs. We're trying to make the school the hub, the cornerstone, of the community."

SHENANDOAH - The Shenandoah Valley school board held a special meeting Monday to get everything in order for the new school year, which begins Aug. 26.

During his remarks before agenda items were voted on, Superintendent Stanley G. Rakowsky commended Maintenance Supervisor David Lukashunas and staff for the work done during the summer to prepare the buildings and grounds for the opening of school.

The school board voted on the following agenda items:

- Approved professional tenure for elementary music instructor Emily Volek

- Accepted the resignations of the following: secondary mathematics instructor Barbara Boyer, elementary music instructor Emily Volek, speech instructor Samantha Jansson, secondary mathematics instructor Adrienne Rebarchak, special education teacher Keri Cavenas and elementary reading specialist Andrew Gavalis

- Approved the 2013-14 elementary student handbook, abridged student handbook and teacher handbook

- Approve Justin Berger as secondary mathematics instructor at a starting salary of $35,780 (Step 1) along with applicable fringe benefits as recommended

- Approved Luke Morgan as secondary mathematics instructor at a starting salary of $35,780 (Step 1) along with applicable fringe benefits as recommended

- Approved Noelle Lesisko as secondary mathematics instructor at a starting salary of $35,780 (Step 1) along with applicable fringe benefits as recommended

- Approved Walter Choplick as elementary music instructor at a starting salary of $35,780 (Step 1) along with applicable fringe benefits as recommended

- Approved Lucia Salamak as certified school nurse at a starting salary of $49,571 (Step 15), along with applicable fringe benefits as recommended

- Approved Walter Choplick Jr. as acting high school band director at a pro-rated stipend contingent upon a "non-precedent-setting agreement of understanding" being executed between the school district and the Shenandoah Valley Education Association

- Approved Melinda Hoopes as a 2013-14 professional substitute.

No members of the public attended the meeting. The next regular meeting will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 28 in the Virtual Academy room in the high school building.

Schuylkill Community Action will dedicate a public park Friday in Pottsville "rain or shine," Jeffrey A. Feeser, director of housing at Schuylkill Community Action, said Wednesday.

The shady area with the pergola and natural spring in the 500 block of North Centre Street will be dedicated "Mike McGeever Memorial Park" at 7 p.m. Friday.

"If there's inclement weather, we will be conducting the dedication at the Schuylkill YMCA, thanks to the generosity of Wayne Stump," Feeser said.

Wayne R. Stump is the executive director of Schuylkill YMCA at 520 N. Centre St., across the street from the park.

Michael G. McGeever, who served as Elm Street manager from March 2007 until his death in February 2009, came up with the concept for the park.

Work to establish it began in 2008 when the city demolished run-down buildings at 521-523 N. Centre St. The park was developed on the remains of a stone foundation once occupied by those buildings.

Since 2008, Schuylkill Community Action used more than $35,000 in grant funding from the state Department of Community and Economic Development to develop it. Volunteers and local businesses also made contributions, Feeser said previously.

Some of those volunteers were teenagers from New Jersey representing the Jesus Unites Neighbors Everywhere, or JUNE project.

JUNE project representatives, teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18, returned to Pottsville to work at the park this week, Feeser said.

Another stone-arch tunnel under the City of Pottsville is showing its age.

A 1-foot-wide section of the 19th-century underground tunnel over Norwegian Creek caved in recently. It's on the far southwest side of the parking lot at Kentucky Fried Chicken, 419 S. Claude A. Lord Blvd., Pottsville.

"As far as I know, it's been here a week, maybe longer. The hole is 1 foot wide at the parking lot surface. I'd say the drop is about 25 feet down," Daniel E. Kelly, city superintendent of streets, said Wednesday. He learned about the hole Monday.

It leads to the underground tunnel, which is "between 20 and 30 feet across," according to Jason Bower, co-owner of Dunkin' Donuts at 413 S. Claude A. Lord Blvd.

Bower's uncle, Rick Bower, Kingston, owns the parking lot where the break occurred, Jason Bower said.

The owners of the restaurant put a wooden pallet over the hole. On cardboard squares they wrote the words "sink hole" in silver spray paint. They also blocked the area with yellow tape.

"We don't know how it happened. A few stones came out of the top of the arch. It looks like a section about 3 foot by 2 foot," Kelly said, trying to estimate the size of the gap in the stone arch with a flashlight Wednesday afternoon.

City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said Wednesday the city plans to repair the stone arch and is in talks with a local contractor.

Kelly said he spoke with representatives of Dallago's Backhoe Service, Minersville.

"We were just talking to them to see how it can be fixed," Kelly said. He didn't have a timetable for repairs Wednesday.

In recent times, the City of Pottsville and the Greater Pottsville Area Sewer Authority have been dealing with problems with underground stone-arch passages.

The ones for the creek and stormwater are managed by the City of Pottsville, while the tunnels for the combined sewage and stormwater collection system are managed by the sewer authority, Palamar said.

- On Jan. 17, 2006, a section of a parking lot owned by Richard B. Ryon Insurance Co. and Century 21 Ryon Real Estate at 200 W. Norwegian St. began sinking. Heavy rains led to a subsidence April 6, 2006.

The 15-by-30-foot hole in the parking lot remained for more than five years as city officials and representatives of the insurance and real estate firms discussed options for repairs.

In May 2011, Ryon hired Tropp Contracting Inc., Pottsville, to cap the hole and restore the parking lot. Contractor Bob Roos, Pottsville, also worked on the project, which cost an estimated $60,000, Richard F. Ryon Jr., vice president of Ryon Real Estate, said at the time.

- In November 2012, the city paid Mazzuca Enterprises, Pottsville, $34,000 to repair a break in a stone-arch stormwater tunnel that created a hole in the 100 block of Mahantongo Street. That hole was 8 feet deep and 12 to 15 feet long.

- On June 10, a section under the former Harrison Street - a one-lane alley the city turned into a strip of grass in April 2008 - broke during a heavy rainstorm, sending dirt and raw sewage spilling onto the 500 block of North Centre Street.

The 200-foot stone chute carried storm and sewer water from homes on North Second Street down the hill.

Dallago's completed work there July 29. The cost of the project will be unveiled at the sewer authority's next meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at City Hall.

- On July 3, a section of the arch the sewer authority repaired in 2011 on East Market Street gave way. On July 8, the authority called in workers from Mazzuca Enterprises Inc., Pottsville, to do $106,380 worth of repairs, the sewer authority reported at its July 31 meeting.

Deeds

Washington Township - James L. and Diane E. Leitzel to William G. Ferguson Jr. ; 1.66-acre property on Route 895; $79,900.

John and Mary L. Kutz to William E. Kaufman Jr. and Samantha K. Heim; property at Sweet Arrow Lake; $90,000.

West Brunswick Township - Charles C. Williams to Shelby A. Walton; property on Route 61; $150,000.

Terry L. Ernst and Keith A. Ernst, co-executors of the Estate of Pauline K. Ernst, and National Independent Trust Co., trustee under the Pauline K. Ernst Revocable Trust Agreement, to Keith A. Ernst; 1540 Centre Turnpike; $1.

Larry D. Baver and Vernon L. Baver, co-executors of the Estate of Frank D. Baver, to Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad Co.; two properties on Route 61; $450,000.

West Mahanoy Township - Adeline Markowski and Maxine Dusel to Genevieve F. Victor; 159 S. Spencer St., Altamont; $42,000.

West Penn Township - Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC to Harold T. Fryer Jr. and Ashley A. Palsgrove; 856 Lizard Creek Road, Andreas; $160,299.

Newspaper

stolen at store

PINE GROVE - State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a theft that occurred at Dollar General, 409 Suedberg Road in Pine Grove Township about 12:10 p.m. Tuesday.

Police said Dale Miller, 69, of Pine Grove, entered the store where he purchased two containers of laundry detergent and stole a newspaper before leaving the store.

Miller will have to answer to a charge of retail theft before Magisterial District Judge Carol A. Pankake, Tremont.

Items stolen

in Tower City

TOWER CITY - A theft in a wooded area about 300 feet south of a home at 134 E. Wiconisco Ave. in Porter Township between 6 p.m. Sunday and 5 p.m. Tuesday is being investigated by state police at Schuylkill Haven.

Police said Josh Carl, Tower City, reported someone stole tree clippers, a Stanley hand saw, 10 rounds of 12 gauge 00 Buck shotgun shells and a bag of Mossy Oak Biologic deer feed before fleeing undetected.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-739-1330.

Police probe

Haven incident

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating an incident of loitering and prowling at 416 Frieden Manor in Wayne Township about 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Police said Kathy Hardy reported a man came to her trailer, went to the bedroom window and then stood up against a screen and peered in.

The man eventually left the area on foot, police said, adding that anyone with information can call them at 570-739-1330.

Woman hurt

in Morea crash

MOREA - A 21-year-old Tamaqua woman suffered minor injuries when the 2003 Chrysler Sebring she was driving crashed on Morea Road, Route 1008, in Mahanoy Township at 3:35 a.m. Monday.

State police at Frackville said Samantha Digilio was driving west when she crossed over the eastbound lane and onto the south berm where she struck a tree, causing her car to roll over onto its left side and come to a stop in a wooded area.

The woman was taken to St. Luke's Hospital-Miners Campus, Coaldale, by Mahanoy City EMS for treatment of her injuries.

Mahanoy City firefighters assisted at the scene and police said Digilio will be cited for careless driving as a result of the crash.

Police investigate

Ringtown crash

RINGTOWN - State police at Frackvile investigated a crash that occurred at 1:40 a.m. Sunday on Shenandoah Road, just south of Washington Road in Union Township.

Police said Tracy L. Mensinger, 37, of Ringtown, was driving a 2005 Jeep Liberty north when she went off the road, crossed the east berm and struck several trees.

The SUV then traveled back onto the road, where it struck a mailbox and a fence before coming to a stop.

Police said Mensinger will be cited for speeding.

6 escape injury

in 2-car crash

BARNESVILLE - Six people escaped injury following a two-vehicle crash at 7:30 a.m. Sunday on Route 54 near Crystal Lane in Ryan Township.

State police at Frackville said the crash occurred as a 2002 Audi TT driven by Kyle R. Hutta, 27, of Barnesville, was traveling west on Route 54 near Lakeside Beverage.

As he was approaching a right curve in the road, police said he fell asleep behind the wheel and traveled into the eastbound lane of traffic, where he struck a 2005 Cadillac Escalade, driven by Joseph H. McDemus, 66, of Ringtown, with four passengers.

The passengers were Michael McDemus, 44, of Ringtown, Carol McDemus, 66, of Ringtown, Joe Petrachonis, 68, of Ringtown, and Richard McDeus, 41, of Pottsville.

After impact, Hutta's vehicle traveled off the south berm and struck two signs and a rock embankment before coming to rest.

Joseph H. McDemus was able to drive off the south berm into a wide area.

There were no injuries and all were wearing seatbelts.

Hutta will be cited for the crash, police said.

Car drives over

embankment

DEER LAKE - John A. Zawada, 69, of Branchdale, escaped injury following a one vehicle crash at 10:43 p.m. Saturday on Hawk Mountain Road near Rockland Drive in West Brunswick Township.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said that Zawada, driving a 2004 Ford Ranger, was traveling north on Hawk Mountain Road, south of Rockland Drive, when he lost control around a right hand turn and drove off the southbound shoulder over an embankment.

The vehicle struck multiple trees and came to rest facing north.

The vehicle sustained significant damage and was towed from the scene, police said.

Zawada suffered minor scratches and refused medical treatment.

At the scene, police observed numerous cans of beer in and around the vehicle and Zawada showed signs of being intoxicated, police said.

He was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center South Jackson Street, Pottsville, for a blood test and was released.

Charges are pending testing results.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - Three teachers furloughed as a result of the Schuylkill Haven Area School District's 2013-14 budget were reinstated at a special school board meeting Wednesday.

The board had voted in June to furlough seven teachers as part of the budget process.

On Wednesday, the school board voted unanimously to ratify a one-year contract with the Schuylkill Haven Education Association. The current contract is due to expire Aug. 31 and the new contract will start Sept. 1 and expire Aug. 30, 2014.

Superintendent Lorraine Felker said the contract restores salaries to what they were during the 2012-13 school year.

Also related to the contract, the school board:

- Ratified a memo of understanding with the education association eliminating tuition reimbursement

- Reduced the professional calendar to 183 days from 189 for the 2013-14 school year

- Reinstated two paraprofessional positions. Ellen Yuengling, high school librarian and gifted instructor, was reinstated and elementary teacher Justine Magrosky Colella was reinstated to full-time status from part time.

Wayne Smith, president of SHEA, said he was thankful for the resolution of the contract.

"I think that's big. If you can settle your contract prior of the old one ending, it's a bonus. You eliminate a lot of hassles and trouble," he said after the meeting.

He also said some concessions were made to reinstate some jobs but declined to provide information about the contract.

"We're just being made whole from the concessions we made last year to stop furloughs," Smith said.

Unrelated to the teachers contract, the board voted Wednesday to recall Megan Watkins as an elementary classroom teacher, bringing the total to three teachers who were reinstated after being furloughed in June.

The board also accepted the resignation of high school Principal Andrew Netznik effective July 23 and appointed Susan Morgan as director of curriculum, instruction and technology at $75,000.

Following a vehicle accident in 2009, Craig F. Kramer, Pine Grove, a truck driver and avid hunter, suffered back pain so severe that he had to walk with a cane.

But thanks to the skill of a Pottsville-based physician who specializes in pain management and a tiny state-of-the-art device - it measures 18 cubic centimeters and weighs 29 grams - Kramer, now 62, got his life back.

It's an Eon mini spinal cord stimulator made by St. Jude Medical Inc., Austin, Texas.

"I walk and I can drive again. I stay away from heavy lifting," Kramer said Wednesday.

Kramer's physician, Dr. Ashok Kumar, Orwigsburg, who has an office in Pottsville, said he's installed more than 50 of the devices in patients since he started his practice in Pottsville in 2002.

The devices can prevent some people who suffer chronic back pain from undergoing numerous back surgeries, Kumar said.

"Patients should not be going for multiple back surgeries. And with this, pain control is much better," Kumar said.

After the device was installed in his back in 2010, Kramer said he didn't have to take pain medication anymore.

"I was thankful. Prior to this, I was on OxyContin and that messed me up. I couldn't function. I would pass out. But now, no pain meds," Kramer said.

"You can say this treatment is digital medicine," Jonathan Bilbow, a St. Jude Medical territory manager, said Wednesday.

With Kumar and representatives of St. Jude Medical, Kramer talked about his experience Wednesday at Premier Pain Professionals, 91 S. Progress Ave., Pottsville. This is Kumar's new office which he dedicated July 18.

"Spinal cord stimulators are implanted neurostimulation devices that are similar in function and appearance to cardiac pacemakers, except that the electrical pulses are sent to the spinal cord instead of the heart," according to a fact sheet provided by St. Jude Medical.

The device is made up of a battery and a tiny computer. It's implanted in the patient's lower back. Connected to it are two thin wires lined with electrodes that carry mild electrical pulses from the unit to sections of the spinal cord, Kumar said.

"These 'pacemakers for pain' interrupt the pain signals' pathways to the brain by delivering low intensity electrical pulses to trigger selective nerve fibers along the spinal cord. Researchers theorize that stimulating these nerve fibers diminishes or blocks the intensity of the pain message being transmitted to the brain, replacing feelings of pain with a more pleasant tingling sensation called paresthesia," according to the fact sheet.

"Most commonly, it manages chronic pain in a patient's trunk and limbs. A majority of patients who are candidates for this treatment suffer low back and leg pain," Bilbow said.

It's no easy task to install one.

"You need a doctor with experience, and the right patient," Bilbow said.

Before surgeries are done, studies are done to determine the exact places on the spinal cord where the leads will be placed, Kumar said.

"And we're in the operating room with physicians testing the unit before it's placed," Bilbow said.

The cost of such an operation could be upwards of $40,000, taking into account physician and hospital costs, according to Bilbow.

"For the product, it's about a $20,000 system. With the hospital fees and all that, by the time it's said and done, it would be two times that," Bilbow said.

Kramer said he was able to afford it because he had insurance.

A spinal cord stimulator wouldn't be the first solution a doctor would prescribe to a patient with back pain, Bilbow said.

"There's an algorithm within medicine and it starts from least invasive procedures to most invasive. So, for some patients suffering pain, doctors may try over-the-counter medications first," Bilbow said.

"You might be coming to us for at least year or two years before we'd try this. We give the patient all the options. We don't push for new technology just for the sake of it," Kumar said.

"And Dr. Kumar picks the right patients, which is the key. You have to know which patients to do it on, the ones the treatment will be viable for," Bilbow said.

Kramer was a truck driver for more than 30 years prior to his accident in June 2009. He said he was driving a tractor-trailer carrying 30,000 gallons of spring water when he collided with another tractor-trailer on Route 100 South near Allentown.

"The impact twisted me in my seat. I got bulging discs out of it. I tore ligaments off the spine. It was pinching nerves in my back," Kramer said.

Kumar said he performed the surgery on Kramer at Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street on April 15, 2010.

"We tried other remedies to try to control the pain he was suffering, like injection therapy and medications, but nothing was helping him," Kumar said.

Kramer's family includes his wife, Carol Ann, and a son, Jonathan.

MAHANOY PLANE - Camping within the Borough of Gilberton will require a permit for a limited amount of time each year due to a new ordinance.

The ordinance was unanimously adopted by Gilberton Borough Council at its July 31 meeting.

At the June meeting, borough solicitor Karen L. Domalakes explained the ordinance and received permission to advertise it. The issue was raised at a previous meeting due to a request from a trailer owner to connect the unit to the borough's sewage distribution system in the Gilberton section of the borough. Council President Daniel Malloy said the request was denied.

To formalize regulations of campers (which includes camper trailers, travel trailers, motor homes, fold-down or pop-up trailers, or fifth-wheel trailers typically used as a sleeping place), and tents, the ordinance was composed.

Section I of the ordinance explains the reasons for the regulations:

- The utilization of motor vehicles or campers on private property within the Borough of Gilberton for temporary or permanent residential purposes presents public safety concerns due to fire danger, increased crime, overcrowding, unsanitary conditions and accumulation of waste and debris due to lack of adequate water, waste water and solid waste facilities.

- The act of unauthorized camping on public or private property tends to endanger the health and safety of those engaged in such camping, as well as the public at large.

- The unauthorized use of public or private property for camping where the property in question is neither intended nor designed as a campsite, campground or site for temporary human habitation tends to impair, obstruct and otherwise detract from the use of the property for its intended purpose.

- It is determined that on some occasions tents and campers as defined herein may need to be used on properties within Gilberton Borough, to ensure the health and safety of residents and make such use compatible with permitted uses of property and not to diminish property values, the regulations in this ordinance are the minimum regulations required.

The ordinance does allow for lawful use of campers on property under certain conditions. A recreational unit may be occupied or used for up to four days due to temporary conditions of the main building on the property without a permit.

An unoccupied recreational unit may be stored on a built lot without the necessity of obtaining a permit.

The following camping permits are required for using recreational units according to the following schedule:

- One 10-day consecutive camping permit per calendar year.

- Not more than three four-day camping permits per calendar year.

A special exception permit may be applied for at the borough office for property owners of five or more acres in order to exceed the time limits.

Permits may be revoked by the police department, code enforcement officer, mayor or council for violations of the ordinance. A first violation will impose a civil fine of not less than $250, plus costs, per day. The first repeat violation will increase the fine to not less than $500, plus costs. For second and subsequent repeat violations, the fine will be not less than $750. Each day when no corrective action is done will constitute a separate offense.

In other business, the council also approved an employee policy involving any employee who uses his borough affiliation outside the job. The policy reads:

"No employee of the borough may use the borough or their affiliation with the borough in any public statement, video, or written document or the like, without the express permission of borough council, approved at a duly advertised meeting. Conduct or opinions expressed by an employee are not necessarily those of the employer. Any violation of this policy may lead to disciplinary actions, including, but not limited to, verbal warning, written warning, letter of censure, written policy, probation, demotion, suspension or termination."

This policy was applied to suspended police Chief Mark Kessler in a letter, dated Aug. 1, written and sent by Domalakes on behalf of the borough to Kessler's attorney, Joseph P. Nahas, Frackville. Domalakes' letter explained the policy and advised Kessler to remove any references to the borough and his position as police chief in his YouTube videos, website, radio program and other sites on the Internet. During Tuesday's press conference at Nahas' office, Kessler said he would comply with the policy and remove any references.

Construction on the Schuylkill County Courthouse Commons is ready to begin.

Frank Zukas, president of Schuylkill Economic Development Corp. and co-chairman of the Bicentennial Courthouse Commons Fundraising Committee, said Thursday during a commissioners' work session that the project is ready for construction crews.

The Courthouse Commons will be a public garden in a triangular grassy area in front of the county courthouse along Laurel Boulevard. The first phase of the project includes an area 24 feet by 24 feet with a granite monument that stands about 8 feet tall on the north wall of the square.

The monument will be 10 feet wide and 5 feet tall and will sit on a base 2 feet, 8 inches tall.

A county map will be in the center of the monument with the names of all the municipalities.

The square will be surrounded by 18-inch walls made of granite that doubles as benches. Fourteen of these benches will be scattered throughout the complex. In the middle of the square, there will be six blocks of recessed slabs that will contain 768 bricks. The pavers, benches and bricks will be engraved with the names or messages of those who purchased them prior to completion.

"We look forward to having a dedication ceremony before the end of the year," Zukas said.

Yongcheol Kim is the project architect and construction will be completed by Heim's Construction. The first phase costs about $200,000.

"The project wouldn't be possible without the investments from all the sponsors, including the project's $20,000 Legacy partner, PPL Corp. Also, everyone who pledged their support in purchasing bricks, pavers and benches as well as the hard work of the Bicentennial Courthouse Commons Fundraising Committee," Zukas said.

The second and third phases of the project will expand on the project, but they will wait until the resources become available. Overall cost of the project was originally set at $400,000.

Scott Krater, director of county communications, also updated the commissioners on the narrowbanding project Thursday.

"Things are moving along," Krater said. "You can see the difference between digital and analog."

Krater said he attended borough council meetings in Orwigsburg and Tremont to answer any questions from the municipalities.

Six of the 11 transmitter sites have the radio equipment installed and the master site at the communications center is operating. Three sites are expected to finish installing equipment next week.

Krater said the system should be ready for a dry-run test by mid-September.

The office of senior services is bringing back two employees who were laid off in January after funding cuts from the state Department of Public Welfare.

James Bankes, Frackville, was hired as aging care manager II at an hourly rate of $14.36. Erica Fritzinger, Tamaqua, was hired as clerk typist II at an hourly rate of $10.56. Both go into effect Monday.

Ashley Hoak, Palo Alto, is resigning as aging care manager II, effective Aug. 16.

The board approved a special risk accident insurance policy for county volunteers with the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania insurance programs. The cost is $3,102 and will cover county volunteers for a year starting Aug. 16.

Bidding was opened for tire and electronics collection at 12 sites for the Schuylkill County Fall cleanup from Sept. 16 through 28.

Bids were opened for two Community Block Development Grant programs.

The Coaldale Fire Company heating system upgrades project received three bids: Lance Haluska, Branchdale, $64,800; Simmer Inc., Schuylkill Haven, $59,855; and Bognet Inc., Hazleton, $58,555. Each company also submitted two alternate bids for additional work.

The sewer line project on East Ogden Street in Girardville received five bids: Dallago Backhoe Service, Mar Lin, $57,226.32; Reading Materials Inc., Skippack, $59,701.25; Schuylkill Paving Inc., Schuylkill Haven, $90,900; Trinity Excavating Inc., York, $83,564; and Arthur "Pat" Aungst Inc., Pine Grove, $60,000.

Contracts will be awarded at a later date.

Two projects were sold through repository sales. James V. Flaim bought the property at 10 Walnut St., Delano Township, for $20. The property is scheduled for demolition. Michael and Kerrie Gabriel bought the vacant property at 34 Snyder Ave., Kline Township, for $350.

The purchases still need approval at the public meeting next week.

The commissioners also issued two proclamations Thursday declaring Aug. 1 through Aug. 7 as National Clown Week and August as National Immunization Awareness Month.

Bill "Peanut" Kauffman, Minersville, and John "Splash" Sullivan, Pottsville, accepted the proclamation. The clowns were also passing out red noses that are being sold as a fundraiser for Camp Sundown in Craryville, N.Y. The camp is for children suffering from a rare disease known as xeroderma pigmentosum, a disease that makes the skin so sensitive to sunlight that it can develop cancerous tumors with the slightest exposure to daylight.

The commissioners' retirement board meeting will be held Wednesday immediately following the public meeting.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - Messina's Pizza and Restaurant is back.

The North Manheim Township establishment closed in December 2012 after its owner, Dime Messina, retired after having been at 187 Manheim Road since October 2011.

He also owned the restaurant at the Cressona Mall for 32 years until September 2011.

Frank Messina and his wife, Nina Messina, own the restaurant now.

He worked with his father, Dime, at the Cressona Mall location before opening in the township July 8.

"Everybody's happy to see us back. The food speaks for itself," Nina Messina said.

Ron Farinelli, Birdsboro, a friend of the couple, said the food at the restaurant is delicious.

"When you make a pizza, it's like a signature," he said.

Frank Messina said he has a loyal following for those who like his food.

The restaurant has an updated feel to it, he said.

"We wanted to be something different than the ordinary pizza shop," he said.

Artwork adorns the walls, a picture of a villa in Sicily among them. Seating is available inside for 40 people and two tables are outside.

The menu includes pizza, pasta, stromboli, hot and cold subs, sandwiches, hamburgers, wraps, wings and a children's menu. Soda, home brewed iced tea, coffee and other drinks are available.

Fresh bread is baked daily. Messina makes almost all the salad dressings himself.

Hungry customers came into the restaurant Tuesday.

"The return of Messina's was long awaited," said Tom McAfee, Summit Station.

McAfee stopped by Tuesday for a ham and cheese stromboli. He ordered a large pizza during the weekend and said it was great.

He ate at both locations previously and was sad when the restaurant closed in December.

Monica Kissinger, 25, of Reading, stopped by with a friend to enjoy dinner.

They each had a slice of cheese pizza and a soda. After taking the first bite of her slice, Kissinger said, "It's good."

Messina said business has been steady and "phenomenal."

People should eat at the restaurant because of the quality of the food, he said.

"The real essence of a pizza maker is what you make yourself," Messina said.

Marriage licenses

Christian M. Roberts, Pottsville, and Megan M. Bound, Pottsville.

Williard L. Stripling III, Hamburg, and Allysa K. Frickert, Hamburg.

Cane S. Campbell, Wiconisco, and Rebecca E. Laszcyk, Wiconisco.

Calvin E. Wetzel, Ashland, and Nicole A. Menuchak, Ashland.

John F. Melochick, Schuylkill Haven, and Katherine M. Moyer, Schuylkill Haven.

Raymond N. Gilligbauer, Auburn, and Tammy L. Wetzel, Auburn.

Jared D. Sensenig, Hamburg, and Trisha L. Rothenberger, Hamburg.

Jamie C. Snyder, Pine Grove, and Kimberly A. Meeler, Pine Grove.

James G. Doyle, Pottsville, and Christine M. Miller, Pottsville.

Nicholas A. Moffa, Schuylkill Haven, and Jenna L. Hayes, Schuylkill Haven.

Robert W. Pedron, Tuscarora, and Tiffany Leeann Frantz, Tuscarora.

Robert A. Sekula, Shenandoah, and Kathleen M. Zuber, Shenandoah.

Andrew J. Marks, Auburn, and Sarah M. Minnich, Auburn.

Randall J. Bain, Tremont, and Kassandra L. O'Brien, Tremont.

PALO ALTO - The state wants to install 1,000 feet of 24-inch plastic pipe through the borough to bring a "permanent solution" to the mine water problem there, Michael C. Korb, environmental program manager for the Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation office in Wilkes-Barre, said Thursday morning.

Korb said state funding is available for the installation. Since the project must be bid, he wouldn't estimate how much it would cost. However, before DEP can bid the project, he said the borough council must sign an agreement to maintain the line once it's installed.

"We would like the borough to be responsible for that line," Korb said before a crowd of 30 people who gathered for a public information session at Palo Alto Borough Hall, 142 E. Bacon St.

"That is the standard procedure," said Mary Beth Dougherty, Girardville, staff assistant to Sen. David Argall, R-29.

There isn't a "standard procedure" written into DEP policy stating that a municipality must became the steward of a pipeline installed by the state, Colleen Connolly, a spokeswoman for DEP's Northeast Regional Office, Wilkes-Barre, said after the meeting Thursday.

"What we do as a courtesy in situations like this is to ask the municipality, 'Would you take this over?' If they agree to, they would have to sign a legal agreement confirming that," Connolly said.

The borough can refuse, however.

"If they say 'no,' then we'll have to work from there. But the project wouldn't begin unless they signed that legal agreement," Connolly said.

Mayor Thomas W. Beveridge didn't like the idea of the borough taking responsibility for the line. He said the 2013 budget for Palo Alto, a community of 450 residents, is $313,346 and he doubted the borough could afford maintenance on it.

Connolly said DEP will present the proposal before the end of the year.

"I'm sure we won't do anything until they get back to us and tell us they're ready to do a permit of some kind. Then we'll have to make a decision. In the meantime, we're going to be gathering information. I don't see us making any decisions on this in the near future, maybe as far out as six months," Mayor Thomas W. Beveridge said.

State Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, said funding is available to install the line.

"If I have anything to do with it, I want to move on it as soon as possible," Council President John A. Dietrich Jr. said. "I'm not going to drag my feet on this. I think this is a one-time chance for a solution and I don't intend on dragging my feet, and I don't think council should get hung up on the long-term maintenance of this. I don't foresee any high maintenance costs. Once the water from the mine pool is drained down, there won't be much water coming through it. If it was up to me, they could start this project tomorrow."

The plan

DEP had hired Tetra-Tech, an engineering firm from Dallas, Luzerne County, to design the pipeline. The design may be complete "very soon, before the end of the year," Connolly said.

Timothy J. Connolly Jr., a cousin of Colleen Connolly and project manager with Tetra Tech, offered a description of the project using a map.

From 2005 until 2011, problems with mine water flooding persisted at 302 W. Savory St., a property owned by James Somers Jr.

A few years ago, DEP stopped that flooding by installing a pipe that carried mine water rushing from the mountain into the sewer system managed by the Greater Pottsville Area Sewer Authority.

But there's still a chance the mine pool can flood and find another outlet through the mountain, Dietrich said.

"I want that water out of there. If anything blew out of there, it could cause a catastrophe. I want that water out of there," Dietrich said.

The first step would be to drain the pool of water in the mountain, Timothy Connolly said.

Then, the 24-inch pipe would be installed under 302 W. Savory St. and the line would run northwest under two borough-owned parks, then under East Bacon Street, which is State Route 2002, Timothy Connolly said.

So DEP would have to apply for a highway occupancy permit from the state Department of Transportation before work can begin, according to Brian Boyer, Allentown, a PennDOT district permits manager, said at the meeting Thursday.

The line would turn west and run along the north side of the road.

"It would be in the middle of that travel lane," Timothy Connolly said.

The line will pass the intersection of Hewes Street and turn west onto property owned by Walco Fabricating Co., 501 West Bacon St., Timothy Connolly said.

"DEP would have to apply for a easement from Walco," Timothy Connolly said.

According to Tetra Tech's proposal, from there the new line would connect to an existing 24-inch pipe owned by the Greater Pottsville Area Sewer Authority.

"And DEP would have to apply for an easement from the sewer authority," Timothy Connolly said.

From there, the water would drain into a tributary of the Schuylkill River, he said.

"I think you should make two or three designs," said Robert J. Quinn Jr., Palo Alto, first vice chairman of the Greater Pottsville Area Sewer Authority.

"They may look into something to see if it's going to be less money but I think DEP looked at it for a long time now and they know that this is the best-case scenario," Timothy Connolly said.

Council reaction

Members of the council present Thursday were Dietrich; Edward B. Herring Jr., council vice president; Vincent Riotto and Baldine Traini Rossi.

In general, they liked the concept.

"If they have the money, let them go ahead and do it. God knows if the money will disappear and we'll ever see it again. So I think we should go ahead with the project. If we're going to benefit from it, this is fine," Rossi said.

"It's just a matter of how they go about it. I am concerned about the maintenance on it and what kind of catch basin he's going to put in the playground area. But overall, I don't see any problems with it," Riotto said.

"I think it's a good idea, just a lot of things need to be worked out. A lot of questions went unanswered. It seemed too preliminary to have a meeting. We don't even really know how much water's in the mountain. A million gallons? A few million? I'm not sure how they'd drain that down to get the pipeline in. And where would they pump the water to? You can't run a hose across Savory Street and block the street off," Herring said.

Herring said if he were asked to vote on the matter Thursday, he'd reject it.

"There's not enough information there," he said.

Councilwoman Patricia Schaeffer was out of town Thursday. She was appointed to the council in June to fill the seat vacated by James M. Somers, who resigned in May and moved out of the borough.

When asked about the proposed project Thursday, Schaeffer said, "I really don't know much about it. I'm sure they'll bring it up at the council meeting Monday."

Riotto said the issue may come up at council's next regular meeting, 7 p.m. Monday at borough hall.

Councilman John L. Vandermeer could not be reached for comment Thursday.

A Schuylkill Haven man left Schuylkill County Court a free man on Wednesday after a judge dismissed a charge stemming from his alleged violation of a protection from abuse order.

Anthony J. Heim, 37, had been charged with indirect criminal contempt, which is contempt committed outside the courtroom. However, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin dismissed the charge.

Assistant District Attorney Debra A. Smith said Dolbin dismissed the charge after the alleged victim failed to appear for Wednesday's scheduled hearing.

State police at Schuylkill Haven had charged Heim with violating the order on July 14. Judge John E. Domalakes had entered the order against Heim on April 25, 2012.

Also on Wednesday, Patricia A. Hunter, 43, of Hanover Township, went to prison after Judge Jacqueline L. Russell revoked her parole, which Hunter admitted violating by being charged with a new crime in Luzerne County.

Under the terms of Russell's order, Hunter cannot apply for another parole for two months, and could stay in prison until May 31, 2015.

Hunter originally pleaded guilty on June 20, 2012, to conspiracy and retail theft, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of receiving stolen property. Russell sentenced her to serve one to 23 months in prison and pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $325.09 restitution.

Rush Township police charged Hunter with committing her crimes on Nov. 16, 2011, in the township.

Also on Wednesday, Russell revoked the parole of Joshua M. Wentzel, 20, of Saint Clair, but did not order him returned to prison.

Instead, Russell ordered Wentzel to undergo drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations and perform 30 hours of community service per month.

Wentzel admitted violating his parole by failing to report to his parole officer, using drugs, failing a drug test and failing to pay his costs and fines.

Wentzel originally pleaded guilty on July 20, 2011, to possession of drug paraphernalia. Russell placed him on probation for 12 months and also sentenced him to pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education and a $50 CJEA payment, and perform 20 hours community service.

Russell revoked his probation on Sept. 24, 2012, and sentenced him to serve three to 12 months in prison.

Pottsville police charged Wentzel with possessing drug paraphernalia on Aug. 28, 2010, in the city.

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

Kyle G. Mattern Sr., 40, of Spring Glen; driving under the influence, driving under suspension-DUI related, violation of restrictions on alcoholic beverages and diving unregistered vehicle; six months to five years in prison, $2,600 in fines, $100 SAEF payment and 30 hours community service, with sentence effective at 6 p.m. Aug. 19. Prosecutors withdrew charges of operating vehicle without required financial responsibility, display of plate or card in improper vehicle and careless driving.

Daniel W. Nye, 22, of New Philadelphia; two counts of theft; 12 months probation, $100 in CJEA payments, $50 bench warrant fee and $380 restitution.

Edward Thomas, 50, of Shenandoah; attempted theft and conspiracy; one to 23 months in prison with immediate parole, $50 CJEA payment and $50 bench warrant fee. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of attempted receiving stolen property.

Valerie Underkoffler, 47, of Pottsville; DUI, driving without a license and driving without lights; 30 days to six months in prison, $975 in fines, $100 SAEF payment, $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and 20 hours community service, with sentence effective at 6 p.m. Aug. 19.

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

Schuylkill County posted its fifth consecutive over-the-month job gain despite a slight increase in the unemployment rate for June, according to the latest figures from the state Department of Labor & Industry.

The unemployment rate for Schuylkill County increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 9 percent in June.

"It was pretty close to being flat but it went up 0.1 percent mainly because the labor force went up," said Steven Zellers, industry and business analyst for the department.

The civilian labor force increased 1,100 to 76,100 since May and was up 1,300 over the year.

"That's really good news," Zellers said.

The state and national rates remained unchanged over the month at 7.5 percent and 7.6 percent, respectfully.

Over the year, the rates of Schuylkill County and Pennsylvania both fell half of a percentage point while the national rate has fallen 0.6 of a point.

Total nonfarm jobs in the county were up 400 over the month to 52,700 in June. Over the year, county jobs increased by 1,300, up 2.5 percent, while the state gained 31,000 jobs, up 0.5 percent.

"Even though you may not want to go shoot off fireworks, it was a much better report than most other areas in the state," Zellers said. "Overall, it's a pretty good report."

Most industry sectors showed little or no change over the month, keeping in line with historical and seasonal patterns. The increases were broad-based, as both the goods-producing and service-providing portions of the local economy posted employment gains.

Professional and business services was at a record high level of 3,600 jobs in June. While there were no other individual sectors at record highs, many were near them and have driven the service-providing industries total to another record high of 40,100 jobs.

Most of these industries exhibit seasonality and March through June typically are the months with the highest service-providing employment levels of the year.

Schuylkill County's rate was tied with Carbon and Lackawanna counties for the 14th-highest among the state's 67 counties. County rates ranged from 5.8 percent in Centre and Montour counties to 10.7 percent in Pike County. Unemployment rates for surrounding counties were: Berks, 7.6; Carbon, 9.0; Columbia, 7.5; Dauphin, 7.3; Lebanon, 6.2; Lehigh, 7.9; Luzerne, 9.5; and Northumberland, 8.6 percent.

Driver backs

into parked car

HEGINS - A 47-year-old Minersville man delivering newspapers on Sunshine Lane in Hegins Township backed into a parked vehicle Saturday, according to state police at Schuylkill Haven.

Police said John Rountree, an independent contractor for The Republican-Herald, was backing his 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser out of a driveway about 7:15 a.m. when he struck a legally parked 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan, causing damage to the driver's side door and entire front end.

Police said Rountree fled the scene west on Sunshine Drive and delivered his remaining newspapers without reporting the crash or providing information at the scene as required by law.

Rountree will be charged with accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property, police said.

Sleeping driver

hits fire hydrant

JONESTOWN - Two people escaped injury in a one-vehicle crash at the intersection of Airport Road and Shirk Drive in Bethel Township, Lebanon County, at 5:43 a.m. Monday.

State police at Jonestown said Elizabeth A. Burke, 27, of Tremont, was driving a 2014 Jeep Liberty west on Airport Road when she crossed over the double yellow line, crossed over the eastbound lane and struck a fire hydrant at the northeast corner of the intersection.

Burke told police she was tired and fell asleep just prior to the crash and both her and her passenger, Bryan Aungst, 26, of Fredericksburg, were not injured.

Police said that as a result of the crash, Burke will be cited for failing to drive on roadways laned for traffic.

Police probe

hit-and-run crash

ORWIGSBURG - State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a hit-and-run crash in the parking lot at Renninger's Market in North Manheim Township about 10 a.m. Sunday. Police said an unidentified driver was backing out of a parking spot and struck an unattended 2008 Chevrolet Impala.

The driver the fled the scene without leaving their name, address, telephone number and insurance information as required by law, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-739-1330.

MINERSVILLE - Minersville Police filed charges against a borough woman stemming from an incident in the 500 block of North Front Street at 3:25 p.m. June 28.

Police said Tuesday that Maria D. Anderson, 5 Quality St., was charged with DUI, accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property, reckless driving and drivers required to be licensed.

Police said Anderson was driving on North Front Street where she struck a parked, occupied vehicle.

The woman was found to be under the influence and a subsequent test determined she had an alcohol level of 0.12-percent.

July 6

MINERSVILLE - Charges were filed by Minersville Police against a 20-year-old Pottsville man after an incident in the 2900 block of the Pottsville-Minersville Highway at 2:24 a.m. July 6.

Police said Kristopher John Jansen-McGuinness of 616 Greenwood Ave. was charged with DUI-controlled substance after an odor of burnt marijuana was detected his vehicle during a Sobriety Checkpoint.

It was learned that Jansen-McGuinness and his passenger were smoking marijuana and put the marijuana cigarette in the ash tray when they saw the checkpoint.

Officers retrieved the marijuana cigarette from the vehicle and Jansen-McGuinness refused to submit to a toxicology test resulting in the DUI charge.

June 10

MINERSVILLE - Minersville Police said Tuesday they filed charges of simple assault against a 19-year-old Cass Township woman after an incident in the area of Wagner Street around 8:30 p.m. June 10.

Police said Erin Ann Weiss, 89 Low Road, Pottsville, became involved in an argument with Thomas Sternako during which she pulled out a pocket knife and stabbed the man in his torso.

Sternako was taken to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, for treatment of the injury he received, police said.

June 14

MINERSVILLE - Charges of criminal mischief and disorderly conduct were filed by Minersville Police against a borough man after an incident at 9:41 p.m. June 14.

Police said Tuesday that Brandon Stephens, 503 Lewis St., will have to answer to the charges before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Police said Stephens was involved in a domestic argument and exited the home where he punched the hood of a vehicle owned by another person.

The man's actions caused $720.48 in damage to the vehicle, police said.

Aug. 3

MINERSVILLE - Minersville Police filed charges of burglary, criminal trespass and indecent assault against a borough man after an incident at 3:05 a.m. Saturday.

Police said Troy E. Kramer of 118 South St. will have to answer to the charges before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Police said Kramer crawled through a window of an apartment owned by a female, crawled into her bed and began kissing her.

The victim, police said, awoke and began screaming and later identified the person responsible as Kramer.

During the incident, police said the victim reported remembering Kramer telling her that he was her neighbor.

Carol A. Pankake

TREMONT - A Pine Grove Township man is headed to Schuylkill County Court after a judge ruled Thursday that prosecutors presented enough evidence to support eight of nine charges stemming from an alleged series of sex-related incidents last year.

Charles J. Yoder Sr., 61, of 226 Suedberg Road, Pine Grove, faces four counts of indecent assault, two of unlawful contact with a minor and one each of corruption of minors and indecent exposure.

After a preliminary hearing, Magisterial District Judge Carol A. Pankake ordered those charges held for court. She dismissed a second count of corruption of minors.

State police at Schuylkill Haven charged Yoder with sexually assaulting a 10-year-old child several times between June 1 and Sept. 1, 2012, in Pine Grove Township. The child was the only witness who testified at Thursday's hearing.

Pankake allowed Yoder to remain free on $1,500 unsecured bail pending further court action.

Other defendants whose cases Pankake considered on Thursday, the charges against each one and the judge's dispositions of the matters included:

Dylan A. Dallago, 21, of 212 N. Pine St., Tremont; possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Daniel R. Frew, 47, of 36 High St., Pottsville; two counts of defiant trespass and one of trespass by motor vehicle; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Magdalena Mendoza, 47, of 205 Emett St., Scranton; driving under the influence, disregarding traffic lane, failure to drive at a safe speed and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Charles G. Nelson, 27, of 25 Bendigo St., Tower City; DUI, disregarding traffic lane, failure to drive at a safe speed and careless driving; charges withdrawn.

John M. Nush, 41, of 247 S. Fourth St., Minersville; two counts of defiant trespass and one each of DUI and trespass by motor vehicle; right to preliminary hearing waived, DUI charge withdrawn, other charges bound over for court.

James K. Reiley

A 52-year-old Pottsville man charged with starting a fire at his apartment in the city on July 24 waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville.

Richard Lee Lerch of 629 N. Second St. was arrested by Pottsville police Patrolman Richard Pugh and charged with three felony counts of arson, one felony count each of causing a catastrophe, risking a catastrophe and reckless burning or exploding and a summary count of disorderly conduct.

By waiving his right to a hearing, Lerch will now have to answer to all seven charges in Schuylkill County Court.

Pugh said police and firefighters were called to the apartment for a fire, where he spoke to a man who said he saw smoke and entered the apartment to help but saw Pugh sitting on a couch "watching the fire burn from the top of the electric stove."

The right front burner of the stove was on, causing items in the area to catch fire including socks, clothing, paper, cigarette packs, plastic bags and dog feces.

When asked by the man who came to help what he was doing, Lerch said, "I'm fine. I'm just burning papers on the stove," the officer said.

The man then put the fire out, removed the items from the stove and asked Lerch to exit his apartment but he refused, Pugh said.

When interviewed later at City Hall, Pugh said Lerch told him he could not remember anything about the fire.

Other court cases included:

Alberto Rodriguez, 38, of 412 Euclid Ave., Temple - held for court: burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.

Archie M. Moore, 31, who has no known address - withdrawn: burglary. Waived for court: burglary, simple assault, criminal trespass, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

James I. Crafton, 54, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville - withdrawn: simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. Waived for court: disorderly conduct.

Barbara J. Mancini, 57, of 573 Wigard Ave., Philadelphia - held for court: assisting suicide.

A woman wanted for failing to surrender to the Schuylkill County Prison was found and taken to prison Thursday.

Francis Gallen, a bail bondsmen with ABC Bail Bonds, Reading, said Tammy J. McShaw was captured in Pottsville.

"She was found, I believe, at 301 Spring Garden St. in Pottsville," he said.

Gallen said he was not the one who took her to the prison Thursday. She did not resist arrest as far as he knows, but that she was possibly found hiding in a closet. She was apprehended between noon and 12:30 p.m., he said.

Warden Gene Berdanier said she was in prison and arrived at 1:10 p.m.

Phone calls to Chief County Detective Dennis Clark were not returned Thursday. District Attorney Karen Byrnes-Noon had left for the day, an employee of the office said.

McShaw was wanted for failure to appear to serve her sentence June 3.

She was sentenced to serve six to 12 months in prison in May by Schuylkill County President Judge William E. Baldwin.

In March, she pleaded guilty to a count each of possession of drug paraphernalia, retail theft, conspiracy and attempted possession of a controlled substance. She also pleaded guilty to three counts of the possession of a controlled substance, according to Republican-Herald archives.

That plea stems from charges filed by Pottsville police alleging that on Oct. 4, 2011, she tried to obtain drugs, and possessed drugs and paraphernalia on May 1, 2012, and possessed drugs and committed theft on July 21, 2012.

McShaw was also ordered to submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities, pay costs, $200 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $54.49 restitution.

n Palo Alto: Bagged yard waste is picked up by the borough on Thursdays. People may also call the borough hall at 570-622-8666 to arrange for pickups. Yard waste and household trash cannot be taken if mixed together, according to a borough press release. Borough officials also noted that building permits are required before any remodeling, construction or development is undertaken within any area of the borough. Permits can be obtained by calling the borough hall and leaving a message for the permit officer.

n Schuylkill Haven: Janice Johnston from Community Volunteers in Action and Lori's Angels have partnered to present a seminar on Starting the Discussion on Long Term Care for individuals in our county. The seminar will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the Lori's Angels conference room, 25 W. Main St. There is no charge for this presentation. Refreshments will be provided. This seminar is for anyone who is retired, approaching retirement, has disabilities or chronic illnesses, has family members in these groups or knows people in these groups. Learn about the options in long term care and where you may be able to get funding to pay for those options.

n Shenandoah: People from any parish may request to have a candle lit in the Father Walter J. Ciszek Chapel, 231 N. Main St., adjacent to St. Casimir Roman Catholic Church. Each candle burns for two weeks and the cost is $13 per candle. The intention and by whom it is requested are printed in the bulletin, which is now the same for all greater Shenandoah area parishes. Prayer of the Divine Mercy Chaplet and recitation of the Rosary at 3 p.m. on Fridays is an ongoing devotion in the chapel by the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters and Associates. Everyone is welcome to participate. Ciszek, a native of Shenandoah and a son of St. Casimir parish, is a candidate for sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church. He was imprisoned and detained in the former Soviet Union for nearly 24 years but continued to minister to people there despite possible harmful consequences to himself. The local research and paperwork for sainthood, done by the Father Ciszek Prayer League, have been completed and forwarded to the Vatican in Rome. The Baptismal font used for Ciszek's Baptism as an infant is still in use at his native church. When Ciszek was released from the former Soviet Union in 1963 in a "prisoner exchange," he returned home to celebrate a solemn Mass of Thanksgiving in St. Casimir church. He died Dec. 8, 1984 - the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception - and is buried at the Jesuit Novitiate in Wernersville.

n Shenandoah: A townwide yard sale, sponsored by the Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce, is set for Sept. 21 at the parking lot adjacent to the Shenandoah Senior Community Living Center, East Washington Street. Marie Poppoff, chamber president, and Jacqueline Webb made the announcement during a recent chamber meeting. The cost for a table at the sale is $5 and proceeds will go to the chamber's Christmas lighting fund. All residents of the greater Shenandoah area are invited to participate. For more information, contact Poppoff, Webb or any chamber director.

n Tamaqua: The first Logan Farr Memorial Diesel Truck Show will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Heisler's Dairy Bar in the Lewistown Valley and the public is invited to attend. The event is a fundraiser in memory of Logan Farr, who died after a three-year battle with cancer. Farr had spent nearly a year at Penn State Hershey Medical Center and the family was grateful for support received from the Penn State Four Diamonds Fund. The show is in support of the fund, which is fueled by the annual Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon - THON. The 2013 THON raised more than $12.3 million for the fund. The vehicle entrance fee for the show at Heisler's is $10. There will also be a 50/50 drawing and prizes. In addition to the fund, money raised will also support the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital.

The U.S. Postal Service on Thursday rolled out new sheets of Forever stamps to honor America's industrial-era workers, titled Made in America: Building a Nation.

At 11 a.m. today, the Schuylkill County Historical Society in Pottsville will hold a special event to promote the stamp in that series honoring coal miners, according to David Derbes, society president.

"There are some coal mining enthusiasts anxious to get copies of these stamps," Derbes said Thursday.

The public is invited to attend this "Second Day of Issue" event at the society's headquarters at 305 N. Centre St., Pottsville.

Jared J. Diehl, Pottsville postmaster, will be there to do stamp sales and cancellations, Derbes said.

Derbes said local dignitaries scheduled to attend include: Schuylkill County Commissioners George F. Halcovage Jr. and Gary J. Hess; state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123; and state Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125.

The stamps, which feature black-and-white photographs of early 20th-century industrial workers, were dedicated at the Department of Labor on Thursday by Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe.

"With Labor Day around the corner, the Postal Service is proud to honor the men and women who helped build this country with their own hands. They mined the coal that warmed our homes. They made the clothes we wore on our backs. Let each stamp serve as a small reminder of the dedication, work ethic and sacrifices that make America great," Donahoe said in a release Thursday posted at usps.com.