Icy conditions

play role in crash

LYKENS — Icy road conditions contributed to a two-vehicle collision Thursday afternoon on Specktown Road in Lykens Township, Dauphin County, police said.

State police at Lykens said Nathan A. Kenyon, 23, of Gratz, was traveling west in a 2014 Ford Explorer on Specktown Road at 5:15 p.m. and Carol E. Shade, 64, of Valley View, was traveling east in a 2013 Ford Escape. Police said Kenyon lost control of his SUV due to ice on the road and it slid across the double yellow lines into the rear driver’s side of Shade’s vehicle.

Police said Kenyon’s vehicle was able to be driven from the scene and that both drivers were wearing seat belts and were not injured.

Kenyon was cited for driving too fast for conditions, police said.

Pottsville woman

not hurt on I-78

HAMBURG — A Pottsville woman was cited as a result of a car accident that occurred at 6:48 a.m. Sunday on Interstate 78 in Windsor Township, Berks County, police said.

State police at Hamburg said Martha A. Brown, 58, was traveling west in the left lane of Interstate 78 in a 1999 International Harvester Cummins Pro Sleeper when she lost control of the vehicle. Police said the vehicle traveled onto the center median as the front hit a raised concrete barrier head-on. After impact, police said the vehicle jackknifed as it traveled for about 75 feet before it hit the same barrier on the right side front, where it came to a final rest facing southeast.

Police said Brown was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and was not hurt. However, she was cited for failing to drive at a safe speed.

Both lanes of I-78 were closed for about an hour and a half, and the left lane was closed for about another two hours, police said. Traffic was detoured off of Exit 35 (Lenhartsville) for some time, police said.

Hamburg Fire Police, Hamburg/Virginville Fire Department and two towing companies assisted at the scene, police said.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Fathers had a chance to show their daughters what a real date is like Sunday at the 10th annual Father-Daughter Dance at the Walk In Art Center.

“We came here to dance tonight and maybe after, our date will continue with a trip to McDonald’s,” Ed Umberger, 58, of Schuylkill Haven, said with a laugh.

Umberger was with his granddaughter, Julianna Horn, 8, of Schuylkill Haven, to spend quality time at the dance and to teach her part of its purpose: what a real first date should be like.

“Make sure you get total respect,” Umberger said as his first piece of advice to Horn when she starts dating.

Sponsored by the First United Methodist Church, Schuylkill Haven, the dance attracted 70 people on Sunday.

“This is the first year we’ve held it at the Walk In Art Center,” Shirley Yenilaitus, event coordinator, said. “We used to hold it at the church but there are so many people this year, we had to move it.”

Last year, 45 to 50 people attended the dance, Yenilaitus said.

Fathers danced with their daughters to music by Diaspora, a Christian band, and were welcome to refreshments and a courtesy 5-by-7-inch photo, taken by Yenilaitus.

The refreshments, such as soda, cupcakes and ring bologna and cheese, were donated by volunteers at the event.

Taylor Fitzpatrick, 8, of Pottsville, was talking about one refreshment all day.

“She talked about this dance and having punch all day,” Shawn Fitzpatrick, 40, of Pottsville, Taylor’s father, said.

Fitzpatrick and his daughter “never miss a year” at the dance.

Taylor Fitzpatrick said she likes to dance and that her favorite dance with her dad is when he dips her. Shawn Fitzpatrick said he likes to spin Taylor when they dance, too.

With two brothers, Taylor Fitzpatrick got to have some one-on-one time with her father.

“When we come here, it can just be the two of us,” Shawn Fitzpatrick said.

While many fathers attended the dance with one daughter, Brian Houdock shared the night with four of his daughters, Grace, 16 months, Delaney, 10, Brianna, 13, and Nikki Houdock, 19.

“I haven’t been to the dance in years,” Nikki Houdock said. “Daddy invited me so I decided to come again.”

Brian Houdock and his four girls have attended the dance each year but also spend time with their mother and two brothers by camping and taking trips to Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, when they can.

RINGTOWN — The borough council is considering a quality of life ordinance after a discussion of its merits during Thursday’s meeting.

The meeting was rescheduled from Feb. 9 due to inclement weather.

The ordinance idea from Mayor Albert Breznik Jr. was discussed, leading from his monthly report that included enforcement of the snow removal ordinance.

“At the last meeting, we talked about enforcing the ordinance governing property maintenance including the cleaning of sidewalks,” Breznik said. “We did out 16 written warnings to residents who weren’t complying with what we had legally. We have a snow removal ordinance, but it comes under the ICC (International Code Council) ordinance when we adopted it, and we never adopted a penalty phase for it. So, if someone doesn’t shovel their sidewalk, under the new code we don’t have a penalty and can’t do anything about it.”

“However, Jack (borough solicitor S. John Price) had said we could go back under the old ordinance since we didn’t stipulate anything in the new ordinance,” council President Julian Milewski said.

“But that’s a $5 penalty, which is ridiculous,” Breznik said. “With that being said, I got a copy of an ordinance from a neighboring town. This is a quality of life ordinance and is all-encompassing. The reason we’re looking into that is that it covers everything.”

Breznik said the 12-page ordinance he obtained included circumstances such as accumulation of garbage, animal maintenance and feces cleanup, disposal of rubbish, high weeds and grass, licensed and unlicensed vehicles and temporary Dumpster permits.

“It’s a big ordinance that you can enforce by a fine, like a parking ticket,” Breznik said, noting that fines can be set as needed. “With unlicensed vehicles, we can give them a $25 fine. It’s the same people over and over again.”

Breznik added, “It’s something for the borough to think about. If we’re going to spend money on updating just one little section of an ordinance, why don’t we do something like this and we can cover many things, including the snow. We can starting fining them from the word go.”

Councilman James Compton Sr. said he spoke about such an ordinance at a previous meeting but it didn’t go beyond that point.

“I think it’s a good idea,” Compton said.

Compton motioned to allow the solicitor to review the sample ordinance and create a similar one that would fit the needs of Ringtown. Forgotch seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously. All members of the council will receive a copy of the sample ordinance to review and provide input on what should be included.

The borough received a request from the Borough of Girardville for fire police to assist at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which will be held March 21. Milewski, a Republican-Herald employee, gave the request to Breznik.

The borough received two letters from the Rev. James Torpey, pastor of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Ringtown. The first expressed concerns about the handicap entrance being inaccessible since local residents park in the designated areas. Torpey requested that the borough make the north side of Grant Street a church parking only area.

Compton motioned to approve the request, seconded by council Vice President Peg Forgotch. The approval vote authorized Price to draft an ordinance for the parking change.

In the second letter, Torpey asked about the use of the gymnasium in the former elementary school and to have the borough solicitor and diocesan attorney discuss the matter. The diocese attorney is expected to contact Price about a use agreement.

The council approved the hiring of Theodore Buriak Jr. as a part-time police officer. Milewski said before the vote that candidates were interviewed. Buriak, who is a police officer in Ashland, will be paid $16 per hour with a cap of 20 hours per week. He will join Patrolman Adam J. Bernodin Jr., who has been the borough’s sole police officer.

In new business, Milewski pointed out that neighboring communities have reported people posing as borough employees and approaching residents. He said Ringtown borough workers have identification badges and strongly recommends to residents that they ask to see identification before allowing anyone on their property.

Breznik reminded residents that the borough does not collect garbage. There are several private haulers that provide trash hauling in the borough and residents should contact a collection provider when a problem arises.

FRACKVILLE — The borough council will consider the elimination of diagonal parking due to a resident’s concern for safety.

During Wednesday’s borough council meeting, resident Ronald Liem asked if council would consider eliminating the parking pattern on the west side of the unit block of North Lehigh Avenue, which is the only block to have diagonal parking. All other blocks have parallel parking.

“I think this should be addressed before we have a worse situation than we have,” Liem said. “It’s the block at the library. It’s the only block in town that we have people parking diagonally. We have to change it.”

Liem pointed out that due to the recent snowstorms, drivers have been parking diagonal and parallel due to the snow piled along the curb due to plowing.

“Right now in these storm conditions, some days you see them parking parallel, and the next day it’s diagonal,” Liem said. In some cases, drivers are parking both ways at the same time.

Liem explained the speed of the traffic heading southbound on Lehigh Avenue (state Route 924) coming from Shenandoah and Gilberton can cause the danger.

“Because of the way this traffic is coming in from Shenandoah, someone is going to get into a horrific accident backing out of one of those parking spaces,” Liem said. “When that traffic is coming through when the light is green, I’ll guarantee they’re coming through 50-60 miles an hour.”

Liem continued, “When somebody hits a car with children in it after coming from that library, it’s going to be horrendous. And it’s the only block and only side of the street that is diagonal.”

Liem asked if backing out into traffic is a violation of state law. Council President Ronald Jordan said that is not the case, noting that Shenandoah has diagonal parking.

“Parking up there is approved by PennDOT (state Department of Transportation) and you have to go through them to get it changed, Ron,” Councilman John Morgan said.

“I think that something has to be done because those tri-axles are racing through this town,” Liem said. “Someone is going to be seriously hurt.”

“We’ll look into it. No problem,” said Jordan, who also recommended an increased police presence in the meantime to calm the speeding.

As Jordan was speaking, Mayor Kim Phillips send a text to the police department about the matter and increased coverage in the area.

“I appreciate your concern,” Jordan said to Liem. “The other day I saw cars parked half one way, half the other way. What concerns me more is not the parking but the way people are driving into town. We need to address that first, but we’ll give a call to PennDOT about changing the parking.”

A change in the parking pattern would reduce the number of parking spaces, with Councilwoman Karen Domalakes noting that most vehicles park near the Frackville Free Public Library, while the southern half of the block usually has few cars parked.

Borough solicitor Mark Semanchik will investigate the matter on what will be needed to change the parking.

n Lehighton: The Carbon County Fair Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27 in the community room on the ground floor of the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital campus of Blue Mountain Health System. Any person or organization interested in becoming a display vendor at the 2015 fair is asked to call Bob Silliman at 570-325-8685. Anyone who wishes to become involved with the fair should email Liz McElwee at lmcelwee2@msn.com. The 2015 fair will be held Aug. 3 to 8 on Little Gap Road, Palmerton. More information about the fair is available online at www.carboncountyfair.com or by calling 610-826-1862.

n New Philadelphia: AMVETS Post 256 will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at Vetts Inc., 96 McComb St. For more information, call 570-277-6031.

n Pine Grove: Frank Snyder, a state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources forester, will present a workshop on proper tree pruning that will incorporate science and knowledge of plant biology, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park. The workshop, according to a press release, is designed to teach the fundamentals of pruning shrubs and trees. Participants will learn pruning theory, terminology and plant biological response. The program is intended for homeowners, tree workers, grounds maintenance personnel and municipal employees who maintain trees. Participants will also learn how to make pruning cuts that reduce the potential for decay, thin out small flowering trees and select and use proper pruning tools. The event is free and people should meet at the park pavilion and dress for the weather. For more information, call 570-622-3742 or email to schuylcd@co.schuylkill.pa.us.

n Pottsville: Sharon Kimmel, district governor of Lions District 14U, recently paid a visit to the Pottsville Lions Club and complimented the club on its support for youth in the community, especially through its sponsorship of the local Leo Club at Pottsville Area High School under the leadership of Lion Eric Rismiller. Kimmel also noted the club’s continuing program of recognition and honors for outstanding athletes from Pottsville Area and Nativity BVM high schools, according to the Lions Bulletin. It is important, Kimmel said, for every Lions club to work closely with the youth of their communities to involve them in the many club activities and to build the future community leadership. Kimmel also commended the club’s commitment to eyesight conservation, the primary initiative and mission of Lions International and Lions Clubs throughout the world. Kimmel and Charles Zimmerman, the local Lions zone chairman, presented each of the following Lions with chevrons for their respective years of service to the club and community: Judge James Goodman and Rick Schuettler, 10 years; David Clews and Michael Holobetz, 20 years; Bob Weaver and William Jones III, 30 years; David Ventruska, 35 years; Dick Yuengling and Bob Allen, 45 years, and Emil Feryo, 50 years. Zimmerman said the next zone meeting is scheduled for March 16 with the Pottsville Lions Club as host. The club meets at the Pottsville Zone at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month. For information on any of the Lions club activities or membership, call Jerry at 570-622-9510.

n Tamaqua: The Tamaqua Area Adult Day Care Center recently had a Valentine’s Day breakfast. Other activities on its February agenda include a Salvation Army service Wednesday, a visit from the St. Jerome Regional School kindergarten class Friday and a movement to music on Feb. 23. In addition to weekly sing-alongs, exercise sessions, a variety of therapies and social games, the center also provides for hairstyling and manicure service, which require advance notice. Breakfast, lunch and a snack are served daily. Anyone interested in obtaining more information about the center, becoming a member of the board of directors or services provided should call 570-668-6577 or visit the center between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

VALLEY VIEW — A $7,533 invoice from Alfred Benesch & Co., Pottsville, had the public asking questions and the Hegins Township supervisors searching for answers during Feb. 9’s township meeting.

Roger Wetzel, on behalf of Concerned Citizens, questioned Treasurer Vernon Schlegel and the supervisors as to what the invoice was for and why the township didn’t receive it until December 2014.

Copies of the invoice and several emails concerning it, for which resident Darrell Huntsinger filed a Right to Know request, were passed out to the public at the meeting by Concerned Citizens.

Wetzel said invoice number 74276 says work was conducted July 7 to Aug. 3, but on the second page, the invoice number is different. Wetzel asked two questions — how can there be two different invoice numbers for the same bill and why was the bill not sent more expeditiously.

Schlegel said he nor township Secretary Kathy Moyer saw the bill. It wasn’t brought to their attention until Dave Miller of Alfred Benesch & Co. sent an email inquiring as to why it was not paid.

Moyer responded to Miller’s email, saying, “Dave, it is a legitimate bill, right, though we never really know what the work was that we got billed for. And I didn’t say anything to (Supervisor) Leroy (Shuey) so the Concerned Citizens won’t know anything about it until next month from the financial report. But could you please find out specifically what the bill was for? Was it for taking the Broad/Gap loop off? Please let me know if you can find out. The invoices don’t really tell us enough.”

In an email dated Dec. 10, Miller responded to Moyer, saying, “the invoice date was August. It would cover the work in July. The plan was submitted to DEP (state Department of Environmental Protection) at the end of July so the invoice included: finalizing the report and submitting the copies to DEP. Finalizing the report mainly consisted of responding to the public comments from the thirty day public comment period, incorporating those into the report, and final assembly and copying of the report. The hours involved with taking Broad/Gap and Fountain off would have been expended in April or May, prior to the 30-day public comment period, and would have been included in a prior invoice.”

Wetzel said he doesn’t understand how Benesch can continue to send invoices for work after the Act 537 plan was submitted to DEP. He also said he doesn’t know why Benesch would be billing for responding to the 18 comments that were submitted by the public, because none of the 18 people who commented received a response from Benesch.

“I also contacted all 18 people and I can confirm that they didn’t receive a response to their public comments,” Shuey said.

According to Miller, letters were sent out to the public.

“The board has questioned Alfred Benesch and Company to find answers to this invoice and figure out what is going on,” Supervisor Mike Begis said. “We did receive a response just this afternoon, but have not had time to review it or discuss it with the board.”

Shuey said he also requested that Benesch submit their bills in the same manner as other professional services, such as the township solicitor. He said the solicitor’s are detailed with the time, date and services. Shuey said Benesch said they don’t normally do their invoices like that.

“Hegins Township has invested $186,000 into the Act 537 plan so far, how much has Hubley Township invested in that time?” Wetzel asked. “My point is that Hegins Township is shouldering the major financial responsibility of putting the Act 537 in effect.”

Supervisor Brad Carl said most of the last year’s work was done in Hegins Township and that’s why their portion is much higher.

While on the topic of the Act 537 plan, the supervisors confirmed that they have received a letter from DEP requesting another 60 days to review the plan. The deadline for the township to hear back from DEP was extended to April 17.

PINE GROVE — Jack Zerbe II was about 10 years old when the Sunoco pipeline was built through his family’s farm in Washington Township, but he remembers that it took 15 to 20 years for production on that land to return to where it was before construction.

As three generations of Zerbes continue to oppose the proposed construction of The Williams Companies pipeline through their portion of the county, they received a letter Jan. 26 from another company looking to put another pipeline through their property.

“We were like, ‘You have got to be kidding me,’ ” Leah Zerbe, Jack’s daughter, who also lives on the farm, said Thursday.

The Williams Companies Inc., an energy company based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has plans to expand its Transco pipeline to connect the natural gas fields in northern Pennsylvania to markets in the Mid-Atlantic and southeastern states by 2017. Dubbed the “Atlantic Sunrise Project,” the proposed expansion includes construction of about 178 miles of 42-inch diameter, high-pressure gas pipelines in Pennsylvania and at least two new compressor stations in Susquehanna and Columbia counties. That section of the proposed pipeline, called the Central Penn South Line, includes running 17.6 miles of pipeline through five townships in the western part of Schuylkill County. It would enter Schuylkill County from East Cameron Township, Northumberland County, and run underground through Eldred, Hegins, Frailey, Tremont and Pine Grove townships. From there, it would enter Union Township, Lancaster County, through Swatara State Park.

The letter the Zerbes and other residents in the western part of Schuylkill County received came from Universal Field Services Inc., a right-of-way acquisition firm headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with an office in Wilkes-Barre.

According to the letter, Universal was hired by Future Power PA LLC, a privately owned company that is developing a natural gas-fired electric power generating project near Good Spring, Porter Township. As part of the project, Future Power PA wants to build a new gas pipeline to connect the power plant to an existing natural gas pipeline in the Reading area. The proposed line will run for about 20 miles and be capable of transporting up to 55,000 MMBTU (million British Thermal Units) per day of natural gas. Future Power, Moosic, is a subsidiary of EmberClear Corp., a publicly traded company based in Canada.

Universal sent letters to property owners along the proposed tract asking permission to conduct studies and surveys on their land. The proposed route will run near the Sunoco gasoline pipeline through Hegins, Frailey, Tremont, Pine Grove and Washington townships. The rest of the 12-inch line would run through Berks County. The right of way area is also shared by PPL for some of the route.

Property owners will receive monetary compensation for any easements, but the Zerbes and other farmers in the affected townships are not selling.

“To have a pipeline here would be a determinant to our healthy business,” Leah Zerbe said.

The farm, she said, known as Potter’s Farm, has been in the family for at least six generations and was named after her grandfather, Jack “Potter” Zerbe I. The 65-acre farm grows organic crops without using pesticides or any other chemicals.

“Fossil fuels and organic farming don’t really mix,” Leah Zerbe said.

The fields are also used for outdoor yoga and other activities.

“The land is important for the crops and the scenery is important for agritourism,” Leah Zerbe said.

She is a cofounder of Schuylkill Pipeline Awareness, a nonprofit organization with the goal of educating landowners about pipelines and the easement acquisition process. Her sister, Faith, works for the Delaware Riverkeepeer Network, a nonprofit advocacy program for the Delaware River watershed.

Both organizations, along with Berks Gas Truth, the Clean Air Council and Stop the EmberClear Pipeline, also known as STEP, signed a letter sent to James Palumbo, president of Future Power PA, outlining their concerns and called on him to abandon the project.

Some of the concerns raised in the letter include that Future Power PA did not notify landowners directly and only informed them through a letter from a surveying company; landowners were not provided with clear plans regarding the project, the proposed route and pipeline specifications; its location next to an aging line and as close as 100 feet from some homes; and lack of information on the proposed power plant in Good Spring.

The letter was also sent to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, both Berks and Schuylkill county conservancies and township supervisors of the affected areas in Berks and Schuylkill counties.

“We are proud of our community and we want a say (in) what is happening in it,” Leah Zerbe said.

Last week, EmberClear announced that it dropped plans for a natural gas power plant in Berks County. According to an article from the Reading Eagle, Paulumbo said the company stopped pursuing the project in South Heidelberg Township because of concerns about the time needed for permits and community feedback. The company received preliminary approval in March for a facility to turn natural gas into gasoline and propane with plans to start as early as mid-2015.

The Zerbes and other residents have been urging township supervisors to pass resolutions opposing the pipeline. While such resolutions may not legally prevent a pipeline from being built, Leah Zerbe said it sends a message to companies that they have to seek eminent domain for it to be built and pressures them to build it elsewhere.

“Big companies want the path of least resistance and they are not getting that here,” Jack Zerbe III, Leah’s brother, said.

Schuylkill Pipeline Awareness and Delaware River Keeper Network have additional information on property rights and pipelines available on their websites at www.shalejustice.org and www.delawareriverkeeper.org.

Frackville — Joseph Sankus to Paul and Denise Sankus; property on Arch Street; $1.

Leonard and Lori Ann Davies to Nicholas James Reber; 207 N. Second St.; $8,500.

Gilberton — Dorothy Harhi, individually and as executrix of the Estate of Michael Harhi, to Ronald and Pauline Miller; three properties; $8,000.

Mahanoy City — Brian and Eva Marie V. Jones to Brian Jones; 328-330 W. Spruce St.; $1.

Michelle Bowman to Jeannine Brown; 812 E. Pine St.; $5,200.

Mahanoy Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Avenues and Child Development Inc.; property on Park Place Road; $1,193.23.

Port Carbon — Brian A. DeWitt to Ricardo Marks Jr.; property on Pine Street; $31,000.

Porter Township — Holly M. Alexander, executrix of the Estate of Lamar W. Minnich, to Justin T. and Tiffany L. Ham; 546 Greenwood Road; $27,300.

Robert W. Tallman to Robert W. and Suzanne E. Tallman; 33-acre property on Township Road 609; $1.

Robert W. Tallman to Robert W. and Suzanne E. Tallman; property on Tremont Avenue, Muir; $1.

Robert W. Tallman to Robert W. and Suzanne E. Tallman; three properties; $1.

Pottsville — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Charles Jr. and Lauren Bruntfield; 114 N. George St.; $5,851.16.

Raed E. Almir to Pires Albino; property on South Centre Street; $7,000.

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s child protective services system is undergoing a major transformation as new laws take effect in response to the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

The implementation of nearly two dozen laws since Jan. 1 is creating challenges for state officials and employees and volunteers who are in regular contact with children.

The direct impact so far is a flood of applications to state agencies by individuals working with children who are seeking required clearances of a criminal and child abuse history, a wider group of individuals legally required to report cases of suspect child abuse or neglect and the need to train these potential reporters about the new laws, officials said.

For the first time, requests for clearances and reporting of abuse can be done electronically.

The state Department of Human Services recently hired 10 new employees and plans to hire 25 more to meet increasing demand on ChildLine, a telephone hotline that receives reports of suspected abuse and processes background checks, DHS official Cathy Utz told the House Children and Youth Committee last week.

The new laws strengthen the definition of child abuse, require the background clearances for both employees and volunteers having contact with children, broaden the scope of individuals who are required to report child abuse by nature of their employment or contact with children, set penalties for failure to report and making false reports and expand the categories of workers and professionals who must receive training on child abuse recognition and reporting.

The overhaul is a response to issues raised by the state investigation that led to the November 2011 arrest of Jerry Sandusky, the former Pennsylvania State University assistant football coach, and his subsequent conviction and imprisonment in 2012 for child sex abuse.

At this stage, the requirement for background clearances is the biggest “hot button” issue concerning the new laws, according to the The Center for Children’s Justice, a nonprofit organization working on protection issues in Pennsylvania.

The state Department of Human Services has received 57,000 requests for child abuse clearances since Dec. 31 — of which 30,000 were done electronically for the first time, Utz said.

She told lawmakers there have been some hitches with individuals setting up user accounts to access the system, but things are getting better.

Starting July 1, adult volunteers who would be in an unpaid position responsible for the welfare of children or having direct contact with them must first get the two clearances from DHS and the Pennsylvania State Police from having any child abuse and criminal history, respectively. The combined cost is $20. The clearances must be updated every three years.

The committee has discussed waiving the fee for volunteers.

“We are concerned with nonprofits and volunteer agencies feeling a financial burden of having to get every volunteer a child abuse clearance,” said Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-116, Butler Township, Luzerne County, a committee member. “The department processes these child abuse clearances quickly online but there is still money spent on the government side to do this processing.”

The laws have changed the way child abuse is thought about in Pennsylvania, said Rep. Katherine Watson, R-144, Warrington, the committee chairwoman.

“There are growing pains because we are changing things,” she added.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Can you have just one fastnacht?

Local bakers were busy making the Pennsylvania Dutch-style doughnuts Monday in preparation for Donut Day, an annual celebration held the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.

“Last year, we made 22,000 fastnachts,” Jason Zimmerman, owner of Martin’s Farm Market, Wayne Township, said. This year, they plan to make 25,000, or 2,083 dozen, doughnuts.

Zimmerman said they make more fastnachts every year due to increasing demand. He said people start ordering them in early January.

On Monday, Martin’s employees and volunteers were pressing, rolling and frying the doughnuts for today’s celebration. As of 2 p.m., 55 batches, or 4,125 fastnachts, were made.

Kelly Weaver, bakery employee, said it takes about three hours to make the doughnuts. The first step is mixing the ingredients — milk, sugar, shortening, mashed potato flakes, lecithin, salt, yeast, flour and eggs. After they are mixed, the dough goes into a “proof box,” a heated storage space, where it rises. Then, the dough is rolled, cut and placed back into the box.

Sherry Cavadini, bakery manager, said the doughnuts are deep-fried for less than two minutes “just till it’s brown on each side.”

Volunteer Brenda Weidenhammer said the doughnuts are cooked in vegetable shortening at 350 degrees.

“You can’t turn your back or you have burnt fastnachts,” she said.

The store makes 10 kinds of fasctnachts — plain, powered sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon sugar, glazed, Bavarian cream, white cream, peanut butter cream, strawberry and blueberry. They offer a half-dozen for $6 and a dozen for $10.

Though she did not plan on ordering fastnachts Monday, Stacey Hensley, 33, of Orwigsburg, decided to buy a half-dozen granulated sugar and three plain. She admitted she will have “at least one.”

Zimmerman said people like the doughnuts because it might remind them of home.

“It’s a tradition,” he said.

Jim McKeone, owner of Plain & Fancy Donut Shop, Schuylkill Haven, planned to make about 12,000, or 1,000 dozen, fastnachts this year. He said he usually makes 5,000 to 6,000 dozen, but he had to cut back this year because of staffing.

McKeone, who has been making the doughnuts for 49 years, said a batch takes about 3 1/2 hours to make from start to finish. Ingredients include water, milk, flour, eggs, sugar, potatoes and yeast. The fastnachts are fried in vegetable oil at 375 degrees for about 35 seconds on each side, McKeone said.

Plain & Fancy offers four kinds of doughnuts — plain, granulated sugar, powered sugar and glazed — at $5.95 for a half-dozen and $9.95 for a dozen. McKeone said customers usually order in early January, with plain being the most popular choice.

Terry Ellex, 60, of Cressona, stooped at the shop Monday to pick up his doughnuts. He bought two dozen doughnuts — one dozen for him and his wife, Brenda Ellex, and a dozen for his in-laws, Bruce and Shirley Croneberger. Ellex said he planned to wait until today to eat his fastnachts.

WILKES-BARRE — Hugo Selenski killed multiple people. He tortured his victims. His criminal history is lengthy.

That’s the pitch prosecutors will start making today to try to convince a jury that Selenski deserves the death penalty.

Ultimately, jurors will decide whether those so-called aggravating circumstances outweigh mitigating factors in Selenski’s life that will be presented by the defense.

In order to impose a death sentence, all 12 jurors must agree. If just one thinks Selenski’s life should be spared, the 41-year-old will spend life in state prison.

No Luzerne County jury has imposed a death sentence since 1994 when then-Luzerne County District Attorney Peter Paul Olszewski Jr. successfully argued child killer Michael Bardo should die for his crimes.

“It was a tough thing to do. You have to stand in front of a jury of 12 members of your community and ask them to put another member of your community to death,” Olszewski said Monday in a telephone interview.

Olszewski, who also presided over five death penalty trials while a Luzerne County judge, said getting a jury to impose the death penalty is “extremely challenging.” The facts of the Bardo case, Olszewski said, made for a convincing argument: a 3-year-old girl sexually assaulted by her uncle, suffocated to death and dumped in a Wilkes-Barre creek.

“We had extremely compelling testimony,” Olszewski said.

The penalty phase is like a mini-trial in which prosecutors typically call family members of the victim or experts to explain how the person suffered before dying, several attorneys familiar with the process said. The defense, they said, normally presents more witnesses, who will testify about the defendant’s character and hardships he may have experienced in his life.

Then, just like closing arguments, the attorneys make a final pitch to the jury.

During Bardo’s penalty hearing, Olszewski said he had famed forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden testify it took several minutes of Bardo strangling the girl, Joelle Donovan, for her to die.

In his closing, Olszewski said he emphasized the length of time Donovan was choked by showing the jury the seconds ticking on his wrist watch.

“There was pure silence. I would say, ‘10 seconds ... 20 seconds,’ ” Olszewski recalled. “You could hear a pin drop in the courtroom.”

Bardo, 45, remains on death row, but the state Supreme Court recently ruled Bardo deserves a new sentencing hearing in Luzerne County Court.

Former District Attorney Jackie Musto Carroll was the last prosecutor in Luzerne County to ask a jury to sentence someone to death during the 2011 trial of convicted killer Elvis Riccardi.

“You’re asking people to put someone to death. It’s a very large burden on a prosecutor — emotionally and personally — but also it’s their job. It’s the job of the prosecution to uphold the law,” Musto Carroll said Monday. “I don’t know of any prosecutor that takes that lightly. It’s the most serious thing you can ask a jury to do.”

Riccardi and a co-defendant kidnapped Donnie Skiff, 34, from a Shickshinny street, robbed him and beat him to death in a wooded area of Jenkins Township. Ultimately, the jury in Riccardi’s case deadlocked and he avoided being sent to death row.

During the penalty phase of Riccardi’s trial, jurors heard how his childhood was marked by poverty, beatings, neglect and sexual abuse.

Riccardi’s attorney, Paul Galante, delivered the closing argument during the death penalty phase, convincing at least some jurors to spare Riccardi’s life. Galante on Monday declined to speak about that case because he is the attorney for Paul Weakley, who was the prosecution’s key witness in Selenski’s case.

Musto Carroll, who would have been the lead prosecutor against Selenski if she hadn’t been defeated in the 2011 election, declined to speak specifically about the penalty phase of Selenski’s case, saying a gag order remains in place.

The penalty phase in Selenski’s trial comes days after newly elected Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf issued a moratorium on the death penalty in the state.

Olszewski and Musto Carroll don’t think that has any effect on Selenski’s case, though former Luzerne County Chief Public Defender Al Flora. Jr. last week said he would make a motion for Selenski’s penalty phase to be halted.

“Right now, we still have a death penalty in Pennsylvania. If a prosecutor seeks the death penalty, it’s their job to put the case on and let a jury decide,” Musto Carroll said.

Testimony in the penalty phase of Selenski’s trial starts at 9:30 a.m. today in Luzerne County Court.

FRACKVILLE — The first meeting of the Frackville Economic Development Committee will be held next week to discuss problems involving blight and other community issues.

Councilman Bradley Gotshall announced the Feb. 23 committee meeting at last Wednesday’s meeting of the borough council. The committee will meet at 7 p.m. in the borough council chambers at the Frackville Municipal & Community Center, 42 S. Center St.

“Members of the community at large are invited to attend,” Gotshall said.

The committee was created by council President Ronald Jordan at the January council meeting. Jordan appointed Gotshall as committee chairman and Charles Berger as co-chairman. Jordan will also serve on the committee.

After the council meeting, Gotshall said the first meeting will begin the process to consider improvement along Lehigh Avenue and to address blight.

“We’re going to try to set up a plan of attack and get a board organized with a secretary and maybe a treasurer,” Gotshall said. “Someday we hope to have some money in the bank. We can also discuss some items that we may want to tackle, such as more lights on North Lehigh Avenue and, of course, blight.”

Gotshall also urged residents to attend and provide inupt.

In other business at the council meeting, members raised police Patrolman Phillip Petritsch from part-time to full-time status. Councilman John Morgan made the recommendation, saying Petritsch had scored in the top three in the latest Civil Service testing.

The council approved the purchase of a 2015 Ford F350 crew cab truck from Baierl Ford, Zelienople, at $31,993 through the COSTARS program. In a separate action, the council purchased a Western MVP Plus 9 1/2-foot-wide plow and deflector for $4,750 from the same dealer. In a third motion, the council approved the purchase of a Western Poly Hopper spreader for $5,100 from Baierl.

In the recreation report, Councilwoman Karen Domalakes said the matching grant of $3,000 has been received through the Frackville Rotary Club to be used at the community swimming pool. The money will be used by the Rotary club to buy a robot vacuum for inside the pool and the addition of a deck around the baby pool.

Domalakes also made a motion to give permission to the Frackville Area Fireworks Committee to hold the annual fireworks display on June 28 at the Little League complex, to include event on the borough liability insurance coverage and use the borough barricades for traffic and parking control.

Gotshall, under old business, motioned for the borough to spend up to $400 to set up the new telephone system. The council approved the motion.

The council also approved the appointment of Donna Kulpowicz as deputy tax collector to serve when tax collector Janice Huth is unavailable for those duties. Kulpowicz is the tax collector in Shenandoah.

Pennsylvania House Bill 1590, which amended the act of May 25, 1945, known as the Local Tax Collection Law, provides for the appointment of a deputy tax collector for basic and continuing education programs for tax collectors and for criminal history record information.

The tax collector nominates a deputy to a borough council or township supervisors board, which then can affirm or reject the nomination.

BARNESVILLE — For the Ryan Township supervisors, it isn’t too early to be thinking about winter — next winter.

During their meeting Feb. 9, the supervisors took steps to be prepared for the 2015-16 winter season by renewing the road salt contract with the Pennsylvania Department of General Services.

“We put in for 160 tons with the contract and we would have to definitely purchase 60 percent of that,” supervisors Vice Chairman Clyde “Champ” Holman said.

“We’ve been doing that over the years. You do everything online to renew the contract with the minimum amount,” he added.

Holman said the price of the salt has not been determined. Since the purchase is through the COSTARS program, no bidding is necessary.

“We don’t have the price of it this year yet,” Holman said. “We just have to contact them (general services) and they deliver the salt.”

In other business, the supervisors accepted the report from the township board of auditors.

“The auditors only met to discuss salaries given to supervisors as working employees,” Holman said. “We (supervisors) gave employees a 25-cent-per-hour raise at the beginning of the year and the auditors gave us 25 cents per hour.”

The supervisors designated Hope’s Collision and Towing, Tamaqua, for towing services involving crashes when the vehicle owner does not have a preferred towing service. Holman said it is a temporary designation until a written agreement can be secured.

The Six-County Firemen’s Association of Pennsylvania is accepting applications for the 2015 Mark Coons Memorial Scholarship Program.

To be eligible for one of the five $250 education scholarships, applicants must be the child of an active or deceased association member, a member of the association or an active member of a fire company in the six counties served.

“This is a great opportunity to help our younger generation of firefighters and get more students involved in firefighting since we are losing volunteers at a rapid rate,” association President Gary J. Perna Jr. said

The association asks scholarship recipients to become members of the association and members of a fire company by the end of the academic year.

Perna said the deadline to apply is May.

“Five scholarships will be awarded at the association’s June 25 banquet in Danville,” William Tarby, scholarship chairman, said. “We are hoping to give out all five scholarships in our first year. The committee has worked long and hard to get the program off the ground and is excited for the awards program.”

Preference will be given to those demonstrating need, desire and initiative.

The program is named after the late Mark Coons of Jermyn, Lackawanna County, a past president and long-time member of the association, as well as a former Times-Shamrock sports writer. The association includes Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland and Schuylkill counties.

For more information on the scholarship or the association, visit www.sixcountyfire.org or search “Six County Firemen’s Association” on Facebook.com.

Pipe size incorrect

The Williams Companies Inc.’s proposed Atlantic Sunrise Project includes the construction of 178 miles of 42-inch diameter, high-pressure gas pipeline. The diameter of the pipeline was incorrect in Monday’s edition.

CRESSONA — Extreme cold temperatures caused a water pipe to burst Monday at the Cressona Mall.

Several fire companies from the surrounding area responded to a call from the Schuylkill County Communications Center at 2:20 p.m. for a report of a water flow alarm and odor in the mall.

“When we got here, we had water flowing out of the main entrance and odor in Alvernia (University),” Mike Mansell, Cressona fire chief, said.

The main water feed for the sprinkler froze, burst and came through the ceiling, causing water to gush out between the two front doors to the mall, Mansell said. The area near the mall’s front entrance was evacuated while emergency personnel worked to fix the issue.

Mansell said the main entrance was the only area affected by the water. Schuylkill Haven Assistant Fire Chief Jim Reed said the odor was likely the oil used when the pipes were originally cut and installed.

Mall manager Cynthia Huntsinger said the mall did not close but the front doors were locked while the mess was cleaned up.

“It was related to the cold weather,” she said, adding she did not have a damage estimate.

She said side entrances were used and the tenants decided if they wanted to stay open.

Cynthia Mensch, director of Alvernia University, said they were told the issue was water related and they could not smell an odor where they were.

The Schuylkill Haven Fire Department, Cressona Fire Department, Orwigsburg Fire Department, and West End Hose Company No. 7, American Hose Company No. 2 and Good Intent Fire Company No. 1 from the Pottsvile Fire Department responded to the scene.

n Ashland: The Locustdale Fire Company will sponsor a “Daddy/Daughter Dance” from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 28 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 35 N. Ninth St. The cost is $10 for dads, $8 for daughters and $4 for additional girls along with a canned donation for the food pantry. “Daughters” should be 12 and under. The evening will include dancing, games and a Chinese auction. Digital photos will be taken with dads and daughters. Food will be on sale. For tickets or more information, call 570-875-2355 or 570-875-0361.

n Hamburg: A “swap meet can car corral” is set for 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Hamburg Fire Company Field House, 127 S. Fourth St. (rear). There will be indoor and outdoor spaces, refreshments will be available and the event will go on rain or shine. The area is accessible to the handicapped. For vendor spaces, call 610-262-9718. For more information, call 610-823-4656.

n Mahanoy City: The borough will do snow removal today on both sides of West Pine Street from D to Catawissa streets. There is no parking in that area from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

n Pine Grove: The third annual Family Fun Fishing Event is set for May 3 at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park with check-in and registration beginning at 6 a.m. in the clubhouse area. Partnering groups in the event include Friends of Schuylkill Parks and Recreation, Pine Grove Fish and Game and Swatara Co-operative Trout Nurseries, Sweet Arrow Lake Trout Lunker Committee, Sweet Arrow Lake Park Board, Sweet Arrow Anglers, Schuylkill County Department of Parks and Recreation, Northern Swatara Creek Watershed Association, Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation Association, Schuylkill Conservation District, Trout Unlimited, A&A Bait Shop and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, according to a release from the park’s Craig R. Morgan. There will be a wide variety of events and all PFBC rules and regulations will apply, including possession of a fishing license and trout stamp for anglers 16 and older. Registration forms are available on the Sweet Arrow Lake County Park website at www.sweetarrowlakepark.com or at A&A Bait Shop. Through the support of title sponsors Friends of Schuylkill Parks and Recreation and Pine Grove Fish and Game the May 3 kickoff is just the beginning of the event that will continue the entire year. This change will allow year-round enjoyment to catch one of the special fish worth up to $200, giving ice anglers the opportunity to reel in a “winner,” according to the release. Additionally, any of the 100 prizes not redeemed by the 2016 event will be distributed via a drawing from this year’s entrants who have registered by May 3. The Schuylkill County Sportsmen’s Advisory Board and the Schuylkill County commissioners helped to coordinate the event. For more information, long on to the aforementioned website or call Morgan at 570-739-2627.

n Ringtown: The Ringtown Valley Community Fund distributed 2015 fund drive donations to the following participating organizations, according to a fund press release: Ringtown Community Ambulance Association Inc, Ringtown Area Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Ringtown Area Library, Ringtown Area Recreation Complex, Ringtown Pastors Association, Ringtown Valley Food Pantry, Ringtown Valley Senior Citizens, American Red Cross, Avenues and the Schuylkill County Society for Crippled Children. Membership cards were also distributed to residents contributing to the 2015 drive. The Ringtown Valley Community Fund Committee voiced appreciation to all industries, businesses and residents who participated in the success of this event. Members also reminded residents that late donations can be mailed to the Ringtown Valley Community Fund at P.O. Box 204, Ringtown, PA 17967.

n Shenandoah: The APPRISE Program of Diakon Community Services is available from 8 a.m. to noon the second Friday or each month at the Shenandoah Senior Community Center, 116 N. Main St. An APPRISE counselor is available for Medicare, extra help, Medicare Savings Program and PACE/PACENET applications. The service is free but appointments are required. For more information, call 570-624-3026.

Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street

To Christopher and Nicole Richards Reese, Shenandoah, a daughter, Jan. 8.

A 37-year-old Sheppton woman charged with causing a crash in Mahanoy Township that killed a man on March 29, 2014, is among those scheduled to plead not guilty Thursday during arraignment in Schuylkill County Court.

Shirl M. Mumie of 7 W. Pine St., Box 52, was arrested by state police Trooper Michael Van Buskirk of the Frackville station and charged with homicide by vehicle while under the influence, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, accidents involving death-motor vehicle accident, involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence of drugs, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to use seat belts, reckless driving, careless driving, failure to give information and render aid, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic, reckless driving and careless driving.

Buskirk charged Mumie with crossing over the center line of Route 54, just west of Mahanoy City, and hitting an oncoming car driven by James Hossler, 62, of Shenandoah. Hossler died at the scene of the crash, the trooper said.

Just seconds before the fatal crash, Buskirk said Mumie struck a pedestrian, Joseph Minnich, who was standing in the roadway in the area of St. Nicholas, about a mile west of the fatal crash site.

Minnich suffered nonlife-threatening injuries in the crash, Buskirk said.

Others scheduled to plead not guilty, and the charges against them, include:

David J. Rivera, 22, of 621 Front St., Minersville — rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, aggravated indecent assault with a child, criminal attempt to commit aggravated indecent assault of a child, sexual assault, indecent assault, corruption of minors, endangering the welfare of a child and indecent exposure.

Chadd A. Buffington, 37, of 2217A E. Grand Ave., Tower City — illegal possession or use of firearms, carrying firearms without a license, possession of a controlled substance, driving under the influence of drugs, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, stop and yield sign violations and careless driving.

Mary E. Keister, 26, of 91 Broad St., Ashland — driving under the influence of drugs and failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic.

Vincent M. Weiss, 31, of 118 Red Church Road, Auburn — fleeing or attempting to elude police, recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest, DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic, failure to obey traffic control signals, reckless driving and careless driving.

Brooks D. Bryan, 37, of 104 Vine St., Ringtown — DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, stop and yield sign violations, driving on the wrong side of the road, turning movements and required signals violation, driving on a sidewalk, careless driving, driving a vehicle without an inspection certificate, tire equipment and traction surfaces violation, windshield obstructions and wipers violation, and altered, forged or counterfeit documents or plates.

Jenny A. Long, 32, of 125 Hollow Road, Reinholds — DUI, DUI-high rate and turning violation.

Joshua D. Farrell, 25, of 1074 Indian Cove, Auburn — DUI, DUI-highest rate, accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property, driving at an unsafe speed, stop and yield sign violations, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic, careless driving, failure to use seat belts and driving without insurance.

Jacob J. Kamant, 24, of 130 Hunter St., Tamaqua — theft, receiving stolen property and theft by deception.

Shannon E. Carduff, 35, of 35 St. Paul St., Shenandoah — possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.

Joel V. Carduff, 40, of 35 St. Paul St., Shenandoah — possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.

David J. Rivera, 22, of 621 N. Front St., Minersville — corruption of minors, theft and receiving stolen property.

Paul P. Kuropatsky, 48, of Box 100, 16 Walnut St., Delano — conspiracy and receiving stolen property.

Terry D. King, 53, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — access device fraud, theft by deception, theft and receiving stolen property.

Thomas J. Elliott, 48, of 114 Avenue B, Schuylkill Haven — receiving stolen property.

Helen M. Fulmer, 54, of 105 Lafayette St., Tamaqua — conspiracy and receiving stolen property.

Shannon H. Fredericks, 34, of 302 1/2 Spruce St., Tamaqua — retail theft and receiving stolen property.

Christopher J. Serina, 34, of 250 Cedar St., Tamaqua — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jonathan M. Pauly, 20, of 549 E. Arch St., Pottsville — possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Alyson M. Galen, 20, of 1003 W. Market St., Apt. 2, Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Melanie M. Zimmerman, 30, of 26 S. Catherine St., Shenandoah — possession of an altered or misbranded controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Matthew T. Riddick, 61, of 602 Howard Ave., Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

William M. Cook, 23, of 425 Lytle St., Minersville — theft by deception.

Nicholas S. Kleeman, 20, of 2167 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

John D. Berger, 30, of 451B E. Norwegian St., Pottsville — resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia.

James L. Myers, 41, of 208 S. 23rd St., Apt. 206, Pottsville — defiant trespass.

Christin I. Feno, 19, of 733 N. Second St., Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Gabrielle A. Accordino, 23, of 118 Red Church Road, Auburn — possession of drug paraphernalia and public drunkenness.

Charals M. Schrader, 21, of 3 Becker St., Schuylkill Haven — simple assault and harassment.

Arthur J. Johns, 57, of 317 S. Centre St., Pottsville — sexual intercourse with an animal, harassment, disorderly conduct and cruelty to animals.

Dominic Chickilly, 23, of 684 Arrow Road, New Ringgold — unauthorized use of automobiles.

Michael J. Metchock, 51, of 166 S. Bell St., Frackville — indecent assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Robert Paulukonis, 52, of 403 A St., Girardville — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Michael R. Donaldson, 32, of 126 N. Third St., Saint Clair — accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic, careless driving and failure to give immediate notice of accident to police.

Sabrina M. Leach, 42, of 326 W. Spring St., Frackville — possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Jeremy G. Colosimo, 27, of 159 Weston Place, Shenandoah — resisting arrest.

Brent W. Herb, 27, of 518 Pierce St., Pottsville — firearms not to be carried without a license.

Timothy T. Jones, 24, of 666 Sunbury St., Minersville — simple assault and harassment.

Joseph M. Bolinsky, 19, of 235 Oak St., Pottsville — simple assault, harassment and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Miranda L. Gibble, 24, of 1228 W. Market St., Pottsville — retail theft.

Stephanie E. Fink, 29, of 235 Spruce St., Minersville — bad checks.

Sterling Spence, 25, of State Correctionjal Institution/Mahanoy, Frackville — possessing weapons or implements for escape.

Kiryssa Dettery, 21, of 25 Trailer Road, Ringtown — delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Adam C. Emerick, 29, of State Correctional Institution/Mahanoy, Frackville — false reports.

Joseph A. Anthony, 31, of 131 S. Second St., Frackville — theft.

Annie Cragen, 45, of 332 W. Columbus St., Shenandoah — harassment.

Juan Carlos, 22, of 413 W. Oak St., Shenandoah — simple assault, flight to avoid apprehension, trial or punishment, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and harassment.

Dennis T. Cooney, 39, of 314 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah — criminal attempt to commit theft, criminal attempt to commit receiving stolen property, criminal attempt to commit unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and defiant trespass.

Glen Paterson, 60, of 21 N. Main St., Shenandoah — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Joshua E. Kaylor, 25, of 225 E. Centre St., Shenandoah — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Rick J. Marcinowski, 23, of 24 N. Union St., Shenandoah — possession of controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance

Michael J. Mayersky, 35, of 34 W. Penn St., Shenandoah — delivery of a controlled substance, criminal use of a communications facility, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

William Simek, 28, of 426 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City — delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Amanda L. Veach, 28, of 218 W. Atlantic St., Shenandoah — delivery of a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Billy Sartori, 22, of 506 W. Poplar St., Shenandoah — delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

John Najunas, 47, of 324 S. White St., Shenandoah — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Angela Pleva, 37, of 310 W. Columbus St., Shenandoah — delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Laura N. Hadder, 27, of 23 N. Main St., Apt. 1, Shenandoah — delivery of a controlled substance, criminal use of a communications facility, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Derick D. Lutz, 24, of 238 S. Chestnut St., Shenandoah — delivery of a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Zachary Cyr, 21, of 23 N. Ferguson St., Shenandoah — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jennifer Clark, 35, of 110 N. Main St., Apt. 2, Shenandoah — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Paul B. Petrus, 22, of 731 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City — possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Luis Ramos, 37, of 930 W. Coal St., Shenandoah — conspiracy, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jayson C. Garcia, 30, of 17 S. Chestnut St., Shenandoah — unsworn falsification to authorities.

Jose A. Lopez, 20, of 322 S. Second St., Apt. 2, Saint Clair — theft of leased property and receiving stolen property.

Amanda L. Berry, 19, of 419 Parkway, Schuylkill Haven — theft of leased property and receiving stolen property.

Courtney L. Kroh, 22, of 307 S. Centre St., Frackville — defiant trespass and harassment.

Michael J. Scullen, 22, of State Correctional Institution/Frackville, Frackville — aggravated assault on police, assault by prisoner, simple assault and harassment.

Jordan Pelachick, 23, of 126 Avenue D, Schuylkill Haven — possession of drug paraphernalia, careless driving and stop and yield sign violations.

Austin D. Shaw, 20, of 705 N. Garfield Ave., Schuylkill Haven — theft , receiving stolen property and unauthorized use of automobiles.

Zachary D. Shaw, 24, of 705 N. Garfield Ave., Schuylkill Haven — theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and unauthorized use of automobiles.

Regina A. Redner, 31, of 2425 Summer Valley Road, New Ringgold — theft, receiving stolen property, conspiracy and criminal attempt to commit theft.

Daniel S. Aregood, 23, of 9 W. Penn St., Schuylkill Haven — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Thomas J. Elliott, 48, of 114 Avenue B, Schuylkill Haven — receiving stolen property.

Travis D. Garris, 25, of 121 Bolichs Road, Andreas — aggravated assault on a person less than 6 years old, endangering the welfare of children, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Nicole L. Ott, 25, of 204 N. Nice St., Apt. 1, Frackville — aggravated assault on police and simple assault.

Joseph A. Gagliardo, 31, of 1314 W. Maple St., Box 362, Valley View — possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

John A. Butler Jr., 37, of 700 W. Mahantongo St., Apt. 2, Pottsville — possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Willie L. Adams III, 24, of 1217 E. Market St., Mahanoy City — disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.

Maurice A. Porter, 49, of 404 Washington St., Pottsville — simple assault, harassment, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

Lateefah White, 34, of 517 W. Race St., Pottsville — delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

In recent years, the two business tenants at the Thompson Building in downtown Pottsville have experienced problems with the building’s heating system during winter.

But on Monday morning, as temperatures outside hovered between 5 and 7 degrees, trouble reached a low point, according to Chris J. Figueiredo, one of the store managers at Smokers Heaven, 25 N. Centre St.

“This is the first time in the 14 years that this store’s been here that we had problems with pipe freezing. I know because I’ve been here since the store opened,” Figueiredo said.

“A major pipe bringing heat into the building cracked underneath the tuxedo shop, which caused the boiler to shut down,” Ben Agunloye, Brooklyn, New York, owner of the Thompson Building, said Monday.

He was referring to the building’s other tenant, Strictly Formals Rentals and Sales, 23 N. Centre St.

“We have previously put on a bandage over the leak and reset the boiler just over a week ago. We were notified just before the weekend of the bandage bursting,” Agunloye said in an e-mail to The Republican-Herald.

Until the pipe is fixed, Agunloye has made arrangements to put additional heaters in the building’s two businesses. He expects them to arrive by Wednesday.

“The water will be back on as soon as the new individual heating systems are installed,” Agunloye said.

David J. Petravich, the city’s building code officer, said Monday the city will monitor the situation.

Built in 1909, the six-story Thompson Building at North Centre and West Market streets is one of the city’s landmarks. In recent years the 36,000-square-foot building has experienced maintenance problems and lost tenants.

In 2010, the elevator did not pass a state Department of Labor and Industry inspection and it was shut down. As a result, two tenants on the upper floors had to move out, including podiatrist Dr. David T. Harvey, who had an office on the third floor, and the Gaudenzia outpatient center, which was on the second floor.

The elevator has still not been repaired and there are no tenants on the upper floors.

In January 2011, QNB Bank, Quakertown, was the owner of the building, and QNB hired Rittenhouse & Sons Inc., Quakertown, to install a new steam heat boiler at a cost of $22,000.

In 2012, Transit Mobile moved out of the corner storefront. In 2013, another tenant, Lisa’s Trends & Ends, moved to 1809 W. Market St., and One Main Financial, which had been headquartered at the Thompson Building for more than 20 years, moved to Sharp Mountain Plaza, Gordon Nagle Trail, according to the archives of The Republican-Herald.

In August, Agunloye Development and Construction LLC, Brooklyn, New York, bought the building from ALT 23-27 Centre LLC for $150,000, according to the deed recorded in the Schuylkill County Courthouse.

Only two businesses remain at the Thompson Building, Smokers Heaven and Strictly Formals.

On Monday afternoon, Agunloye described the problem with the pipe.

“The pipe in question has cracked too close to the wall separating the basement of the tuxedo shop and Smokers Heaven. We do not know the thickness of the wall and therefore would have to drain all the water out of the boiler, shut down the heating system to do such work. It will require us to drill through the wall to determine the appropriate length of pipe needed to replace the cracked pipe. The wall in question is extremely thick. It will take several days and would need to be done in warmer weather,” Agunloye said.

“We will be pulling permits for the work and will have to put in place another bandage as the new system is installed. Materials for the work have been ordered and will be brought to the site this week,” Agunloye said.

Strictly Formal was closed Monday and James J. Corcoran, the owner, said he wasn’t sure if his water pipes were frozen.

Outside the Thompson Building at noon Monday, it was 9 degrees, according to the website for the National Weather Service at weather.gov. Inside Smokers Heaven it was 46, according to a thermometer behind the counter at the store.

Smokers Heaven is owned by Raj Dedania of Easton, Northampton County. Other employees at the store include the other store manager, Rob Bowers, and store employee David Musket.

Dedania, Figueiredo and Musket were wearing coats as they ran the business Monday. Dedania was also wearing earmuffs. The radiators were cold and they had three space heaters running.

They noticed problems with the heat on Feb. 9. “The last time we had heat was a week ago today. This is the third time this winter we had no heat in the building,” Figueirdo said Monday.

Agunloye talked about installing new heating systems at Smokers Heaven in late 2014, but that did not come to pass, Dedania said.

“He told me he was going to put electric heat in both stores and he never did that,” Corcoran said.

“The landlord is promising everything under the sun and nothing’s being done. And he’s not following up with phone calls,” Figueirdo said.

“The owner needs to step up and find a solution. This cannot keep happening. You can feel how cold it is in here. It makes it hard to work. I feel bad for these guys, my employees. I’m not here seven days a week,” Dedania said.

On Friday, Figueirdo contacted Justin D. Trefsger, the city’s code enforcement officer, to report the situation.

Trefsger could not be reached for comment Monday. City hall was closed for Presidents Day.

“When we get contacted, we contact the owner to make the necessary repairs. We usually start by trying to contact them by phone. If the problem continues after so many days, then we’ll send a letter. And if the problem continues after that, we have to post the property,” Petravich said.

At 7:50 a.m. Monday, Figueirdo learned the situation had gotten worse when he turned the knob on the sink in the rest room in the back of the store.

“There’s nothing even coming out of the faucets. Look, I have the faucets full blast on,” Figueiredo said as he tested it again at noon Monday.

Dedania called Agunloye again Monday. “When I called, it went straight into his voice mail. I hope he comes up with a handyman and fixes it,” Dedania said.

Agunloye did not want to answer questions over the phone when reached for comment Monday afternoon, and insisted all questions be sent to him via e-mail.

When asked about his long-term plans for the Thompson Building, he said the troubled economy has made that challenging.

“As you are well aware the city has slowly but surely been losing inhabitants at a steady pace year after year. We are trying to rent to businesses who will relocate, open an office or assist in providing transitional housing for workers who are willing to move to the town. All leases will be triple net leases. The idea is to bring new people, new money and create opportunities for transporters to be more engaged with neighboring cities like Allentown, Reading, North Jersey and New York City,” Agunloye said.