After more than two months, the Thompson Building in Pottsville still has no running water, David J. Petravich, city building code officer, said Monday afternoon as he approached the landmark with two signs in hand.

Then he exposed the adhesive strips on the backs of those signs and stuck them on the entrances of those businesses, Strictly Formals Rentals and Sales at 23 N. Centre St. and Smokers Heaven at 25 N. Centre St.

“It’s being posted. That means it’s unfit for occupancy,” Petravich said of the six-story building, which is also known by its primary address printed in bold black letters around the corner, 101 W. Market St.

The signs Petravich put up contained the words: “Posted 4-20-15. This dwelling unit is in violation of the housing code and its use or occupancy is prohibited after 4-27-15.”

“We’ll give the owner of the building until Monday to get the water back on. If the water’s not back on by Monday morning, these businesses will have to close,” Petravich said.

The city’s decision wasn’t sudden or without consideration or warning. Since mid-February, when the building’s pipes froze, the city has contacted the owner of the Thompson Building — Ben Agunloye, Brooklyn, New York — with concerns and issued him more than five citations since the beginning of the month. Meanwhile, Agunloye owes $2,663.81 to the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority for unpaid water and meter bills, and $2,418.60 to the Greater Pottsville Area Sewer Authority in unpaid sewer bills, according to the executive directors of those authorities.

“We expect the water to be turned on by Thursday, April 23rd, at 10 in the morning. All outstanding sewer and water bills will be paid. In addition, all tenants will have new leases. It would have been turned on today if I had been able to get down there,” Agunloye said Monday night.

“There’s nothing much we can do. We have to see if the building owner is going to do anything about it. If not, we’ll have to move,” Raj Dedania, Easton, Northampton County, the owner of Smokers Heaven, said.

Other employees at Smokers Heaven include the other store manager, Rob Bowers, and store employee David Musket.

James J. Corcoran, the owner of Strictly Formals, could not be reached for comment Monday.

In recent years, the Thompson Building experienced numerous problems.

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

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

Since then, the ground floor tenants started moving out.

In 2012, Transit Mobile vacated the corner storefront. In 2013, 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.

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.

In mid-February, frozen pipes forced the building’s boiler to shut down. On March 2, the building’s water meter froze and cracked, causing a water leak in the basement. In response, the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority shut off water service to the building, Patrick M. Caulfield, the authority’s executive director, said March 6.

“At present, the account that serves the former hair salon is current. A past due balance of $204.92 was paid today,” Caulfield said Monday, referring to the vacant storefront at 111 W. Market St.

“The remaining account has a past due balance of $2,663.81. Of that balance, $1,618.43 is due to replace the 2-inch and two 2 3/4-inch meters that ruptured due to freezing. The remaining $1,045.38 is due for past due balances on water used on that account,” Caulfield said, referring to the rest of the building, listed under 101 W. Market St.

Meanwhile, Agunloye owes GPASA $424.61 for sewer service at 111 W. Market St. from August 2014 to the present, and $1,993.99 for sewer service at 101 W. Market St. from August 2014 to present, for a total of $2,418.60, Timothy R. Yingling, the GPASA executive director, said Monday.

“The owner of the properties notified the authority today that payment in full will be remitted by overnight delivery,” Yingling said Monday.

n Pottsville: Walk A Mile in Her Shoes, sponsored by the Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center, will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday starting from Humane Fire Company, 200 Humane Ave. The cost is $10 per walker and $5 for shoe rental if needed. “It’s time for the men of Schuylkill County to break out their high heels and help raise awareness of sexual assault” during SARCC’s annual event, organizers said in a press release. Registration, shoe fittings and festivities will start at 4:30 p.m. and the walk will begin at 5:30 p.m. To register or for more information, call 570-628-2965.

n Ringtown: St. John’s Lutheran Church, West Main Street, will sponsor a roast pork dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday. The cost is $10 per meal and patrons will be able to eat in or take meals out. For more information or to order, call 570-889-5203.

n Ringtown: The Ringtown Area Library acknowledged the following memorials: For the James and Mary Ambrose family from Shirley Trauger; for Joseph P. Aponick from Lenny and Tanya Savitsky; for Robert Beddall from Ed and Nadia Baskeyfield; for Clyde Bensinger from Ruth Moyer, Joyce Ann Long, Carl and Deb Shoup and family, Nancy Terry, Genevieve Shoup, Mary Lou Schappe and family, Kathleen Schaeffer and family, Ann Snyder and family, Joe Melnick and Eileen Herring, Phillip and Carolyn Cristinziani, Dorothy Richards, Bill, Judy, Willy and Vanessa Krouse, Gary Schell, Mary Jo Grube, Ann and Gene Brentari; for John “Jack” Bernhard from Ed and Nadia Baskeyfield; for Shirley Dillman from Charles Schaaf and family; for Frederick Grow from Ed and Nadia Baskeyfield, Bob and Marie Trexler; for Blache “Babs” Grow from Marion Andrews; for John W. Hetherington from Ed and Nadia Baskeyfield, Gerry and Herm Seroka, Ann O’Boyle, Roy and Cindy Shadle, Jim and Jody Wasser, Betsy Careyva and family, Mary and Larry Frizzell, Ray and Arlene Sachleben, Kay Faust and family, Beth and Rick Roulin; for Ann Kovalewski from Ann O’Boyle; for Roanna J. Laudeman from Lenny and Tanya Savitsky, Gary Williams; for Lester W. Lindenmuth from Gene and Clare Zimmerman, Nancy Terry, Sandra Manbeck, Ed and Nadia Baskeyfield, Marc and Kathleen Daniels; for Victor Marconi from Ed and Nadia Baskeyfield; for Edward C. Miller from Ed and Nadia Baskeyfield; for Anthony Piniuk from Ed and Nadia Baskeyfield, Ann O’Boyle, Roy and Cindy Shadle; for Dale Sims from Paddy Shantz; for Eleanor Weikel from Angelica Sacco, Marian Knittle, Beth and Rick Roulin, John, Lorraine and Eric Engle, Ann O’Boyle.

n Ringtown: The borough will conduct street sweeping from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday on all streets, weather permitting. If it rains, the sweeping will be moved to the following week. Residents may call the borough hall at 570-889-3095 with questions.

n Schuylkill Haven: Jay Paterno, former assistant and quarterback coach for the Penn State Nittany Lions football team, will be at Penn State Schuylkill on April 30 for a book signing promoting his biography of his father, legendary coach Joe Paterno. “Paterno Legacy: Enduring lessons from the life and death of my father,” released Sept. 1, 2014, details the life and career of the coaching legend, his greatness as a father and grandfather, his philanthropic activities and addresses issues related to the crimes that came to light in 2012. A limited supply of books will be available and a book signing will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the Student Community Center lobby. Jay Paterno will deliver remarks and read excerpts from his book at 7 p.m. in John E. Morgan Auditorium. A $5 donation is being requested with proceeds benefiting THON and the Robert P. Swank Scholarship. The Schuylkill Chapter of Penn State Alumni Association, Penn State Schuylkill Alumni Society and Penn State Schuylkill Bookstore are hosting the event. For more information, call 570-385-6262.

n Shenandoah: The Shenandoah Area Free Public Library has launched its fund drive. Donations can be sent to the library at 15 W. Washington St., Shenandoah. The library is also asking residents to use their key tags at Redner’s Warehouse Market in the Gold Star Plaza and Boyer’s Markets, West Centre Street. For more information, call the library at 570-462-9829 or the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. at 570-462-2060.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — After being closed for the first few weeks of spring, Rita’s Italian Ice on Route 61 finally had its opening day Saturday.

The store had been up for sale after closing in October when the previous owner sought to retire.

“We were upset when he heard it wasn’t opening. We stop here often,” Keven Kerschner, 38, of Lake Wynonah, said as he stood at the order window Tuesday with his daughter, Karissa Kerschner, 8.

He ordered a mango orange ice and vanilla custard gelati and his daughter had a grape Italian ice.

“Thank you for opening,” he told Toni McElvaney, who is leasing the site from property owners Charles and Barbara Thier, Orwigsburg.

McElvaney said she decided to buy the business from the previous owner and lease the property because it is close to her other location at 1640 Mount Hope Ave., Pottsville. She signed a five-year lease for the Schuylkill Haven property earlier this month.

McElvaney said she put the word out on Facebook about the opening and a local school teacher told students in her class. Many people have stopped by and thanked her for reopening the business.

Lyle Lukenbill, 18, of Orwigsburg, said he was also upset when Rita’s closed. He is happy it has reopened and said he stops by about once a week. On Tuesday, he stopped by with some friends. Curtis Reynolds, 16, of Auburn, enjoyed a cherry gelati, and Josh Sham, 17, of Auburn, had a cherry ice.

Store hours will be noon to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

Saint Clair Area school board will hold a special meeting at 8 p.m. tonight to consider a one-year plan to educate its high-school-age students at Pottsville Area High School, Jason S. Bendle, principal at Saint Clair Area, said Tuesday.

On Monday, Bendle and Michael Holobetz, president of Saint Clair Area school board, said the special meeting would be a half hour earlier at the cafeteria of its school building at 227 S. Mill St., Saint Clair. But on Tuesday, Bendle said that wasn’t correct.

“We won’t be able to get a quorum until 8 p.m. Wednesday,” Bendle said.

Since officials from Saint Clair Area and Pottsville Area school districts could not come to terms on a merger this year, they’re entering into another tuition agreement to allow high school students at Saint Clair Area to attend Pottsville Area.

But unlike previous tuition agreements between the two districts, the one the Pottsville Area school board approved April 15 has a flat rate, one-year term and it recognizes that Saint Clair Area is considering proposals from other school districts. Saint Clair Area school board will decide whether or not to give final approval to that pact tonight, Bendle said.

FRACKVILLE — A retired Shenandoah police chief charged with having illegal drugs waived his right to a preliminary hearing last week.

Neil Reese, 61, of 212 S. Jardin St., was scheduled to appear April 15 before Magisterial District Christina E. Hale on one misdemeanor count each of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Instead of having a hearing, Reese and his attorney, James Conville of Schuylkill Haven, opted to answer to the charges in Schuylkill County Court.

Shenandoah police Patrolman David Stamets charged the former chief after an incident at Reese’s home about 12:40 a.m. Dec. 12.

Stamets said the events leading up to the charges began when he and Capt. Michael O’Neill were called to the home for a cardiac arrest and were met by Reese’s mother.

Stamets said the officers found Reese inside on a recliner in shorts and a T-shirt and one glove on his left hand and another on the floor.

Stamets said he checked and determined the man had a pulse but his pupils were constricted and failed to react to light.

The officer said Reese’s head was completely forward and he held his head up, allowing Reese to breathe while EMS units were responding.

EMS personnel began to administer emergency care when they arrived and Stamets said officers asked the man’s mother if he was on any medications so EMS could know and for the possibility of an overdose.

Mary Reese said all of her son’s medications were in his bedroom and told officers to go upstairs and check.

Stamets said that, in the bedroom, police found two boxes of medication on a night stand with two pill/tablet weekly organizers next to them.

While checking the list of medications, Stamets said he found four yellow glassine baggies with suspected heroin in one of the pill containers. Also in the bedroom was an empty soda can with the opening made larger containing numerous empty glassine baggies.

The officer said he found a white straw, with a large amount of residue, inside a purple cigar container.

EMS was advised of the findings and administered the drug Narcan, used for heroin overdoses, to Reese who had a positive reaction.

The contents of the yellow glassine baggies tested positive for heroin, Stamets said.

The charges against Reese were filed Dec. 30 and the man remains free on his own recognizance pending further court action.

HARRISBURG — A resolution recognizing 2015 as the “Year of the Law Enforcement Officer” is no ordinary legislative resolution in the eyes of its sponsors.

It carries a reminder of the Sept. 12 sniper attack outside the Blooming Grove state police barracks in Pike County that killed Cpl. Bryon K. Dickson II, Dunmore, and wounded Trooper Alex T. Douglass, Olyphant.

Most resolutions deal with happy events, but this one is different, Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, said Tuesday at a Capitol event marking the designation.

The resolution “was borne out of tragedy and it carries a reminder of our obligation to those who protect us,” she said.

Lawmakers, state troopers, members of the Fraternal Order of Police and other law enforcement officers joined to call attention to what they described as increasing dangers facing law enforcement officers due to terrorism and challenges to authority.

“Law enforcement officers are now being targeted because they wear a badge,” resolution sponsor Sen. John Rafferty, R-44, said, referring to the Blooming Grove attack and an ambush last December that killed two New York City Police Department officers.

“We have to protect our law enforcement officers and the job they do,” Rep. Mike Vereb, R-150, said.

“It’s (designation) long overdue,” Wayne County’s Wildlife Conservation Officer Frank Dooley said.

He spent time last fall on the successful manhunt for Eric Matthew Frein, Canadensis, in the wooded terrain of the Poconos. Frein faces first-degree murder and other charges for the sniper attack.

The event coincided with the FOP’s annual lobbying day.

Municipal pension issues are on the agenda, Les Neri, president of the FOP Pennsylvania State Lodge, said.

He said consolidating hundreds of small municipal pension plans would bring savings on administrative costs.

Keeping defined pension benefits is important for officers because most retire after 20 to 30 years with no Social Security, Neri added.

A third party will join Democratic and Republican candidates on ballots this November.

The Libertarian Party of Schuylkill County has announced its first party ticket with multiple candidates for the General Election on Nov. 3. The ticket includes residents running for county commissioner, various borough council and township supervisor seats and other elected positions.

“We want to give the voters in the county another option,” Shawn Felty, LPSC chairman and Cressona councilman, said Tuesday.

Party members recently voted to endorse the following candidates for the following positions: Nelson Reppert, county commissioner and Cressona borough council; Sandra Walters, North Manheim Township supervisor; James Foose, North Manheim Township constable; Daniel Noll, Tremont borough council; Amysue Shappell, East Norwegian Township auditor; Michael Kelley, Wayne Township auditor; Charles Lescoe, Cressona constable; Andrew Raibeck, Schuylkill Haven constable; Christopher Bagenstose, Shenandoah borough council; and Robert Kobige, Minersville constable.

“They are just regular people, and I like that about them,” Felty said. “They are not professional politicians or were already elected and just switching parties.”

Felty said that it is the first time many of the candidates are running for office.

“Some of them are people that are looking around their borough and seeing things going on that they don’t agree with and want to change,” Karla Felty, Shawn’s wife and LPSC treasurer, said. “They feel that by getting their voices on borough council or whatever office they want to be elected to that they can have their voice heard and make changes in the right direction.”

Felty was the first known Libertarian to hold office in Schuylkill County when he was elected to Cressona borough council in 2013. That was the same year that the local party was organized and Felty was the sole candidate on the Libertarian ticket.

“I feel the most immediate change I can make is right here at the municipal level and at the county level,” Felty said.

The Libertarian Party was started in 1971 by a small group in Colorado and has become the third largest political party in the United States with more than 250,000 registered voters, according to the Libertarian National Committee website at www.lp.org.

Felty said there are about 500 registered Libertarians in the county.

“I think it is catching on,” Felty said. “I see a lot of people that are registered independent that I think are disgruntled with the two-party system, but they have been told by the mainstream media and major political parties that you have to fit in box A or box B and those are your two choices.”

Of the 84,247 voters registered for the General Election last year, there were 39,590 Republicans and 35,280 Democrats. There were 1,460 voters registered independent, 4,095 no affiliation and 2,871 nonpartisan.

“I also think there are a lot of people that don’t participate in voting because of the limited choices that they have,” Felty said.

In general, Libertarians advocate smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom, according to the national committee website.

“I look at it as a ‘live and let live’ principle,” Felty said. “As long as I am not infringing on someone else’s rights, I feel I have the right to pursue my happiness in any way I decide as long as I am not harming anyone or stealing from anyone or preventing them from pursuing their own happiness.

“We also believe in constitutional government, that the government needs to be limited by the constitution and that there are a whole lot of laws and ordinances that are unconstitutional that nobody seems to care about. But we do,” he said.

Karla Felty said that is why it will be the first time the party ticket will include more than one name this year.

“A lot of people don’t agree with things that are already in place, or the nepotism and selective enforcement,” she said.

Raibeck, Schuylkill Haven, said learning about the local Libertarian party gave him the “spark” to run for constable.

“Really, for years I have been tired of the two-party system,” he said. “I am all about freedom, small government and it just fit with me. I think that is what this country needs.”

Noll, Tremont, also said that the party suited his ideals as he runs for borough council.

“I am for small government, freedom and I want to make a change in our community,” he said. “Those two parties just can’t seem to get it together and I think a third party can make a difference.”

Shappell, Cumbola, wants to apply the party ideals as an auditor for East Norwegian Township.

“I am concerned about irresponsible spending and where the money is going,” she said.

A resident of North Manheim Township, Walters said she wants to bring something new to the table as a township supervisor.

“One of the things I have learned though my neighbors and other friends is that it has been a family-run business for 20-plus years,” she said. “I feel that things need to be changed. I feel we need some new blood.”

David J. Rossi

TREMONT — A Pine Grove man is a fugitive after not appearing Thursday for his preliminary hearing on charges stemming from an alleged break-in in July 2013 in Pine Grove Township.

Timothy J. Willman, 29, of 935 Oak Grove Road, faces charges of burglary, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief.

After a preliminary hearing, Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi ordered all charges held for Schuylkill County Court against Willman, who had been free on $5,000 unsecured bail.

Rossi also asked the court to issue a bench warrant for Willman.

State police at Schuylkill Haven had charged Willman with committing the burglary and other crimes on July 22, 2013.

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

Zachary T. Anspach, 21, of 611 Suedberg Road, Pine Grove; endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person and simple assault; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Matthew D. Artz, 42, of 739 Hornung St., Pottsville; driving under the influence, disregarding traffic lanes and careless driving; charges held for court after preliminary hearing.

Kory M. Aungst, 33, of 4 Fidlers Court, Pine Grove; possession of drug paraphernalia, DUI, obstructed window, driving under suspension, disregarding traffic lanes and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Kevin P. Campion, 56, of 1544 County Line Road, Gilbertsville; DUI, failure to keep right, disregarding traffic lanes and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges of failure to keep right and careless driving withdrawn, other charges bound over for court.

Britney L. Ealy, 20, of 100 S. Tulpehocken St. Apt. 2, Pine Grove; two counts of retail theft; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Kori A. Hill, 34, of 307 Bailey St., Woodstown, New Jersey; theft; charge held for court after preliminary hearing at which defendant did not appear. Rossi asked the court to issue a bench warrant for Hill.

Patricia A. Hollis, 59, of 9515 Stoney Glen Drive Apt. E, Charlotte, North Carolina; DUI, disregarding traffic lanes, texting while driving and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Luke R. Kopp, 53, of 1817 E. Grand Ave., Reinerton; simple assault and harassment; charges held for court after preliminary hearing.

Shane J. Kramer, 39, of 334 High Road, Pottsville; terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Lee A. Madenford Sr., 57, of 728 Mountain Road, Pine Grove; DUI, disregarding traffic lanes and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Bradley L. Merwine, 36, of 284 Main St., Tremont; retail theft; charge held for court after preliminary hearing at which the defendant did not appear. Rossi asked the court to issue a bench warrant for Merwine.

Adam E. Miller, 34, of Valley View; DUI, stop sign violation and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Kaitlyn K. Miller, 22, of 690 Suedberg Road, Pine Grove; DUI, disregarding traffic lanes, failure to drive at a safe speed, careless driving and seat belt violation; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges of failure to drive at a safe speed, careless driving and seat belt violation withdrawn, other charges bound over for court.

Robert W. Miller III, 37, of 59 Broad Drive, Pine Grove; aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault and harassment; charges withdrawn.

Andrew K. Minnich, 36, of 1 Tori Lane, Pine Grove; DUI, disregarding traffic lanes and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Richard A. Olt, 21, of 71 Tremont Road, Tremont; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and disorderly conduct; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Keven M. Phelan, 26, of 1090 Bunting St., Pottsville; terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment; charges of terroristic threats and simple assault withdrawn, Phelan pleaded guilty to harassment. Rossi sentenced him to pay costs and a $100 fine.

Michael A. Posten, 26, of 317 South St., Wiconisco; false identification to law enforcement; charge withdrawn.

Joseph G. Spangler, 29, of 352 Dietrich Ave., Orwin; DUI, disregarding traffic lanes and driving under suspension; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge of driving under suspension dismissed, other charges bound over for court.

Matthew T. Spece, 45, of 101 Schaeffer Hill Road, Pottsville; simple assault and harassment; charges dismissed.

Larry C. Swick, 26, of 1735 York Road, Dover; DUI, disregarding traffic lanes, failure to drive at a safe speed and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

David A. Toler, 28, of 14 S. Eighth St., Pottsville; two counts of flight to avoid apprehension and possession of a controlled substance and one each of loitering and prowling at nighttime, false identification to law enforcement, resisting arrest and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; charges held for court after preliminary hearing.

Jesse J. Winn Sr., 44, of 292 Second St., Joliett; DUI, failure to keep right, disregarding traffic lanes, careless driving and reckless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — The borough now has its own vaping store to cater to those who use electronic cigarettes and similar products.

Black Flag Vapors, 35 E. Main St., opened April 7 and sells more than 400 different flavors of e-liquid for e-cigarettes. The owners, Paul Schmura and Elizabeth Barlet, said they want to give people an opportunity to try something new.

Schmura said smoking cigarettes is bad because the products contain unknown chemicals. Schmura and Barlet said they are up-front about what is in the e-liquids they sell and list the ingredients on the bottle.

The e-liquids include flavoring, vegetable glycerin and food-grade propylene glycol. The couple said they do not sell to people under 18 because the liquids usually contain nicotine.

Barlet said a majority of their customers either want to stop smoking tobacco products or are interested in the vaping hobby. The idea for the store started after Schmura concluded that purchasing e-liquid over the Internet for his own use was getting too expensive. So he did research and started making his own. Schmura and Barlet then decided to open a store. The couple has a month-to-month lease but plan to stay for a long time, Barlet said.

For those who want to try vaping, the couple usually recommends the E-go’s, an e-cigarette. A starter kit costs about $35 and includes the battery, charger, e-cigarette and carrying case. The e-liquid goes into a tank or a cartomizer. A coil acts as the heating element for the device. Most e-cigarettes have a lithium ion battery as the power source. There are also modifications such as a microchip to regulate the amount of concentrated vapor emitted in each puff.

Schmura said they also teach people how to use the devices they buy.

On the health consequences of vaping, Schmura said, “There is a safety risk in almost anything that you do.”

He said he thinks vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes.

The Food and Drug Administration said there is not enough information about e-cigarettes to guarantee they are a safer alternative to cigarettes, and it is unknown if using vaping products can prompt young people to experiment with cigarettes.

Bartlet said she has customers who come into the store because their doctors recommended they try vaping instead of smoking cigarettes.

“I see how it’s helping people,” Schmura said, regarding vaping products helping customers cut down on cigarette use and the chemicals used in them.

Known side effects from the use of e-cigarettes include headaches for those who are sensitive or allergic to the propylene glycol and vaper’s tongue, which is a condition meaning a user can no longer taste the vapor, Barlet said.

Gov. Tom Wolf proposed in his budget address a 40 percent tax on the wholesale price of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products. The couple said that is not a wise idea.

“We think it is really a bad idea because you’re looking at something that is bringing in jobs and it’s creating revenue already. If he taxes 40 percent, what’s going to happen are people are going to go out of state or they are going to buy online to get stuff cheaper, so he’s going to diminish all those jobs that were just created,” Barlet said.

Schmura agreed, saying, “He’s going to chase revenue out of PA.”

The couple said they try to keep prices low.

Hours for the store are as follows: closed on Monday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Visit the website at www.BlackFlagVapors.com.

A Berks County woman admitted Friday in Schuylkill County Court that she was disorderly twice in 2014.

Bria M. Jacoby, 26, of Wyomissing, pleaded guilty to two charges of disorderly conduct, with prosecutors withdrawing two counts of receiving stolen property and one of conspiracy.

Judge Charles M. Miller accepted the plea and sentenced Jacoby to pay costs and $600 in fines.

Schuylkill Haven borough police alleged Jacoby was disorderly on Oct. 29, 2014, in the borough, while state police at Schuylkill Haven alleged she was disorderly on Dec. 6, 2014, in North Manheim Township.

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

Joshua Wasilus, 37, of Saint Clair; driving under the influence; 15 days house arrest with electronic monitoring, 45 days strict supervision, four months probation, $1,000 fine, $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and 20 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew charges of driving without a license and careless driving.

Richard W. Weiss, 39, of Port Carbon; receiving stolen property; 18 months probation and $50 payment to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of retail theft.

Garrison M. Zarcufsky, 27, of Shenandoah; possession of drug paraphernalia and retail theft; 12 month probation, $100 fine, $100 SAEF payment and $6.44 restitution.

Andrew W. Zeiders III, 37, of Mahanoy City; possession of marijuana and driving under suspension; 15 to 30 days in prison, $200 fine, $100 SAEF payment and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.

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

Marriage licenses

Jeremy C. Felton, Orwigsburg, and Candice J. Schuld, Orwigsburg.

Kenneth M. Presler, Tower City, and Joseph L. Sonderman, Tower City.

Jeffrey R. Metkus, Shenandoh, and Colleen Holland, Shenandoah.

Steven M. Schaller, Birdsboro, and Karen Eckert, Birdsboro.

David W. Musket, Pottsville, and Christopher J. Figueiredo, Pottsville.

Robert P.E. Wolfe, Port Carbon, and Alexis A. Nettles, Port Carbon.

Eric M. Hertz, Schuylkill Haven, and Karen A. Williams, Schuylkill Haven.

William E. Hill, Tamaqua, and Sandra L. Keich, Tamaqua.

Eugene McGrue, Frackville, and Casandra M. Crosland, Brooklyn, New York.

Logan D. Noecker, Schuylkill Haven, and Brittany L. Laubenstine, Schuylkill Haven.

Joseph J. Scully, Lost Creek, and Karen M. Merritt, Lost Creek.

Benjamin J. Lewis, Allentown, and Jennifer M. Weber, Allentown.

Kent D. Deeter, Hegins, and Susan D. Edmondson, Hegins.

Ryan V. Bendinsky, Lavelle, and Katelyn C. Ambrose, Pottsville.

Scott A. Bates, Auburn, and Cheryl A. Williams, Auburn.

Timothy M. Stahl, Tamaqua, and Rachel J. Bales, Tamaqua.

Allen R. Kull Jr., Minersville, and Crista Dusel, Frackville.

Matthew J. Witman, Auburn, and Cayla E. Gruver, Auburn.

Derrick J. Titemore, Orwigsburg, and Kaitlin M. Westermann, Palmerton.

Cory L. Shoemaker, Pine Grove, and Melissa A. Motter, Pine Grove.

Ethel M. Koenig, Pottsville, and Bonnie A. Deangelo, Pottsville.

Steven M. Cook, Tremont, and Pam E. Krupilis, Tremont.

Timothy T. McGuire, Pine Grove, and Marie A. Yordy, Pine Grove.

Louis C. Tobias, Orwigsburg, and Katie A. Bedway, Orwigsburg.

Prosecutors on Tuesday appealed the decision of a Schuylkill County judge that prevented them from using as evidence two statements Ronald G. Champney made to a state police sergeant.

The appeal to the state Superior Court means another delay, probably a year, in Champney’s death-penalty retrial for a 1992 homicide in North Manheim Township.

In the appeal, the state attorney general’s office asked the court to overturn President Judge William E. Baldwin’s decision on Monday that excluded Champney’s statements of May 13, 1998, and Oct. 8, 1998, from evidence. Prosecutors are allowed to file such appeals by certifying the exclusion of the evidence would materially handicap their case.

Baldwin ruled in a 20-page opinion and order that police violated Champney’s constitutional rights by questioning him on those dates after he had asked to speak with a lawyer. He did allow prosecutors to use a statement Champney made to police on Dec. 23, 1997, ruling Champney had initiated that conversation.

Champney, 64, of Pottsville, is charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, burglary, theft, receiving stolen property and possessing instrument of crime. He is imprisoned at State Correctional Institution/Graterford in Montgomery County pending his second trial.

State police at Schuylkill Haven alleged Champney shot Roy Bensinger, 37, on June 4, 1992, in the dead man’s driveway in North Manheim Township.

A Schuylkill County jury on Oct. 25, 1999, found Champney guilty of all charges and sentenced him the next day to be executed. Baldwin formally imposed the sentence on Nov. 17, 1999.

However, Baldwin overturned Champney’s conviction and granted him a new trial on June 3, 2008, ruling Champney had not received effective legal representation. In 2013, an evenly divided state Supreme Court upheld Baldwin’s ruling.

Champney’s retrial before Baldwin had been scheduled to start Monday with jury selection in Lancaster County, where it had been moved due to pretrial publicity. Twelve jurors and four alternates had been slated to be picked in Lancaster County, but transported to Schuylkill County for, and sequestered during, the trial.

Prosecutors still are seeking the death penalty against Champney.

Deputy Attorneys General Michele L. Kluk and Jennifer Peterson will be prosecuting the case against Champney. Kristen L. Weisenberger, Harrisburg, is the main lawyer defending Champney, with Chief Public Defender Michael J. Stine and Assistant Public Defender Andrea L. Thompson aiding her.

At a career fair in Pottsville on Tuesday morning, Henry Morales, a ninth-grade student at Minersville Area, closely examined pictures of projects completed by a machine shop in Hegins.

They included a ride at Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, called “Flying Turns.”

“We made the chassis on that ride, which was introduced in 2014. And right now, we’re building the platform for a new ride which folks can check out when the park opens this Saturday. It’s a tower roller coaster called ‘Impulse,’ ” Roger Strohecker, HR/facilities manager for the firm, Ashland Technologies Inc., said. Ash-Tech was among the 51 exhibitors at the 7th annual Schuylkill County Career Fair at Martz Hall.

“I’d like to do something in mechanics, as a career,” Morales, who was among the 975 students there from 10 area high schools, said.

The job fair, organized by the Northeast PA Manufacturers and Employers Council, Pottsville, continues to draw both students with questions about local opportunities and representatives of businesses and community organizations eager to introduce them to the working world. Exhibitors included manufacturers, education providers, law enforcement agencies, government offices, military and nonprofits, according to Darlene J. Robbins, the council’s president.

In 2013, there were 35 exhibitors at the event. But in 2014, the council partnered with representatives of Schuylkill County’s Youth Summit and more county, civic and volunteer organizations, like Schuylkill Conservation District, Pottsville, set up information booths. There were more than 50 exhibitors there last year, Robbins said.

State Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, two Schuylkill County commissioners, Gary J. Hess and George F. Halcovage Jr., and Jeffrey S. Zwiebel, superintendent of Pottsville Area, greeted the crowd at the opening ceremony just after 9 a.m.

“Thank you for participating. This is an excellent opportunity for our future leaders, making things happen for our young people,” Hess said.

“Students, take this seriously today,” Zwiebel said.

“It’s very important to understand that this is your future right here. There are a lot of opportunities that are here in this county. And I want you to go around to these different tables and feel free to ask questions. That’s the most important thing. The people who are here are here to help you. Our students from Schuylkill County excel. They do fantastic no matter what they do. You are our future. We are very proud of you. And we want you to find work in Schuylkill County,” Halcovage said.

According to a tally by the Northeast PA Manufacturers and Employers Council, the school districts who attended Tuesday and the number of students they brought to Martz Hall Tuesday are Gillingham Charter School, 25; Minersville Area, 80; Pine Grove Area, 45; Williams Valley, 90; Blue Mountain, 50; North Schuylkill, 30; Tamaqua Area, 50; Mahanoy Area, 75; Shenandoah Valley, 30; and Pottsville Area, 500.

Students from Gillingham present included Lydia Pulicicchio and Jazmine Weikel, who are seniors.

“Someday I’d like to be a teacher, a sign-language teacher,” Weikel said as she looked over tables promoting McCann School of Business, Pottsville, and the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation, Pottsville.

Meanwhile, a group of students from Pine Grove — three sophomores, Chris Donmoyer, Cameron Shollenberger and Austin Luckenbill, and a junior, Josiah Fultz — visited a table manned by state police public information officer Trooper David C. Beohm, Reading.

“The whole reason I came here was to get some information about becoming a trooper for the state police. I asked him how many college credits you need,” Donmoyer said.

“You need 60 college credits,” Beohm said.

“And I asked him how the academy is and how the work environment is and stuff like that. And he said stay out of trouble in college and don’t get arrested,” Donmoyer said.

“And I told him he needs to have good grades and good attendance. That’s key. We want people who come to work,” Beohm said.

It was the first year representatives from Sterman Masser Potato Farms, Sacramento, had a stand at the career fair, according to John Burget, the farm’s receiving manager.

“We grow. We pack. And we ship. And we’re telling students we have numerous types of workers. When some people think of agriculture, they think of farming. But we also hire inventory specialists to fork lift operators to quality control specialists,” Nadine Witmer, an administrative assistant at Sterman Masser, said.

Bethlehem man

found with drugs

MAHANOY CITY — A Bethlehem man was charged by Mahanoy City police after an incident about 11:30 a.m. Saturday in the 100 block of West Centre Street.

Police said Quentin J. Lightner, 28, of 314 Fillmore St., was charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police said officers saw Lightner walking in the area and knew there was a warrant for him from Schuylkill County Adult Probation. Lightner was taken into custody and a subsequent search revealed he had five clear bags that contained a hard, white powder that field tested positive for cocaine.

Police: City man

assaulted girlfriend

A city man was jailed after being charged with assaulting his girlfriend by Pottsville police Saturday afternoon.

Police said Shane Losh, 43, was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, on charges of domestic violence simple assault and harassment. He was then committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $10,000 straight cash bail.

Police said that about 4:50 p.m., officers were called to 303 W. Norwegian St. for a 911 open line and told by Schuylkill County Communications Center operators that a woman screaming could be heard in the background. A few minutes later, the communications center told officers the woman could be heard yelling for help.

At the scene, police said, officers heard screaming and yelling coming from the bottom floor apartment as they exited their patrol car and also heard glass breaking inside the apartment.

Officers gained entry to the first floor apartment and, upon doing so, a white man dressed in all black fled to the rear of the residence and out a rear window toward Division Street, police said.

Police said officers began to check the area for the man, later identified as Losh, and spoke to a 55-year-old woman who was crying, breathing heavily and very upset.

Police said the woman reported that she and Losh, her boyfriend with whom she resides, were involved in a verbal argument that escalated into a physical encounter. The woman said when she tried to leave the apartment, Losh would not allow her to do so and when she tried to call 911, he ripped the phone from her hand.

The woman also reported Losh then grabbed her by the neck, threw her onto the couch and then held her down, placing his hands over her mouth and nose, making it very difficult for her to breathe.

Police said the woman reported that Losh continued to hold her down until officers arrived and then he fled the residence.

While speaking with the woman, officers observed visible injuries and saw that the living room area was in complete disarray as a result of the incident.

Losh was subsequently located in a closed breezeway area between 303 and 305 W. Norwegian Street and taken into custody, police said, adding that officers learned that there was outstanding arrest warrant active for Losh from West Chester.

Police charge 2

in traffic stop

MAHANOY CITY — Mahanoy City police filed charges against two men after an incident about 10:20 p.m. April 10 in the 400 block of West Market Street.

Police said Marc R. Corona, 21, of 80 Bulwer Place, Brooklyn, New York, was charged with obstructing the administration of law, false reports, false identification to law enforcement, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked and driving a vehicle without an official Certificate of Inspection.

In addition, Julio C. Cruz, 19, of 411 W. Market St., Mahanoy City, was charged with DUI, drivers required to be licensed and driving a vehicle without an official Certificate of Inspection.

Police said they saw a vehicle driving “all over the roadway” and park in the 400 block of West Market Street where the driver, Cruz, was ordered to provide his license, registration and insurance. The man appeared to be under the influence and said he did not have a driver’s license.

He was then taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street where he refused to take a blood test, police said.

At the scene of the stop, police said, Corona identified himself as Jayson Hierro Delacruz, but it was later discovered that that information was false, police said.

After being taken into custody, police said, officers found the man to be in possession of his proper identification.

Geisinger Medical Center, Danville

To Corey and Michelle Lindenmuth Miller, Frackville, a son, April 14.

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — Butler Township supervisors approved during Tuesday’s meeting a car video/audio camera policy for the police department that provides officers with guidelines for the use of the mobile recording equipment.

The four-page policy had been reviewed by township solicitor Christopher Riedlinger, who recommended its adoption. The review was requested by police Chief Edward Tarantelli.

“Ed asked me to review a draft of a policy amendment for the township to adopt relating to in-car video/audio cameras,” Riedlinger said. “I find it to be consistent with state law, so I recommend its adoption.”

During the public portion, resident Merri Lynn Craig asked about policy, with Riedlinger replying that it sets policy for the use of the cameras when stops are made.

“Are there any additional costs to the township in getting cameras?” Craig asked.

“The cameras have been purchased through money that we have received,” Tarantelli said, adding that a camera has been in use for about a year and a half, though without the audio capabilities. The audio will be used now that the policy is in effect.

Riedlinger said, “The policy makes sure that the cameras are operating appropriately and how recordings are saved and stored for a period of time.”

The policy reads, “Mobile video/audio recording (MVAR) equipment has been demonstrated to be of value in the prosection of serious traffic/criminal violations and related offenses, in the evaluation of officer performance, and in training. In order to maximize the ue of this equipment in these related areas, officers shall follow the procedures for MVAR equipment use as set forth in this policy.”

In the Procedures section, the MVAR system will be used to accomplish several objectives, including:

• Accurate documentation of events, actions, conditions, and statements made during arrests and critical incidents, so as to enhance officers’ reports, evidence collection, and testimony in court.

• The enhancement of this department’s ability to review probably cause for arrest, arrest procedures, officer and suspect interaction, and evident for investigative purposes, as well as for training programs.

The Procedures section also states that officers may use the MVAR equipment to conduct legal, reasonable, and appropriate surveillance of potential criminal suspects or crime scenes. When the audio function is being used, officers must as soon as reasonably possible, advise those who are being recorded that an audio/video recording is being made. Officers will deactivate the audio recording function whenever the officer must enter a dwelling, building, or other facility where there is an expectation of privacy by the occupants.

The policy also states that the MVAR stores data on a removable storage drive that is inside the patrol vehicle, but officers will not have access to the storage drive and therefore will not have the ability to delete, modify or alter any data files stored on the drive. Access to the date storage drive will normally be conducted by the police chief or evidence custodian or those assigned to that function.

On a regular basis, the police chief or evidence custodian will remove the storage device from the vehicle and download the data. A system of cataloging the data files will be developed bu police cruiser numbers and by date. Once the information is downloaded, the drive will be cleared and placed back into the patrol car. Data files will be retained for 60 days, and if no request for preservation has been made, the data will be purged unless the information is needed for pending prosecution, probably prosecution, at the police chief’s discretion, or extenuating circumstances exist.

“We just want to be consistent in the camera use,” Tarantelli said after the meeting. “The policy also covers how long records will be maintained. The recordings take up a lot of space. You can only imagine how many stops we have, and probably 98 percent are not anything that are evidentiary.”

In other business, Chairman David Kessler reminded resident of the countywide burn ban. The township normally allows burning on certain days, but Kessler said the county’s directive supersedes the local burn permissions.

Schuylkill County’s newest building will cost about $1.7 million to renovate.

The county commissioners unanimously approved the four contracts at a night meeting Wednesday to renovate the former Empire Beauty School building at 324 N. Centre St., Pottsville.

The contracts awarded Wednesday totaled $1,738,100.

Miller Bros. Construction Inc., Schuylkill Haven, will take care of general construction, which includes work on the elevator and roof, for $1,076,300. The other contracts that were awarded are HVAC, Spotts Brothers Inc., Schuylkill Haven, $264,000; plumbing, Bognet Inc., Hazleton, $104,800; and electrical, Albarell Electrical, Bethlehem, $293,000.

The county acquired the 0.46-acre property in January 2012 from Dale F. Schoeneman and Franklin K. Schoeneman through the power of eminent domain, the right of a government to take private property for public use. The board approved the seizure with a 2-1 vote. Commissioner Gary Hess, the lone Democrat on the board, voted against it.

Empire Beauty School left the building when it moved out of the city in November 2012 after renovations were completed at the Empire Education Group headquarters near Fairlane Village mall in East Norwegian Township.

Under law, the county had to pay the fair market value of the property as determined by an independent appraiser. That cost was $740,000, which included $455,000 for the building, $200,000 for the Second Street lot and $85,000 for the adjacent lot.

The 21,000-square-foot property has three floors, including a basement. Schuylkill County Children & Youth Services will move from its current location across the street at 420 N. Centre St. to the new building.

Hess approved the contracts Wednesday, but questioned some of the additional spending.

“Negotiations were taken off the table by eminent domain and from what I have seen the whole deal was to benefit the seller,” Hess said. “When we took it, we also inherited a tenant which needed to be dealt with properly and that took time and legal fees for the county.”

Telecommunications On Demand, or TOD, eventually moved out of the building to 1 S. Second St.

Hess also said that the sale was exempt from the real estate transfer tax, which would have gone to the county.

When the commissioners issued a $21 million bond in October 2012 to fund various infrastructure projects, $2.625 million was set aside for the purchase of the building and renovations.

“Currently, what we have expended from the acquisition of the building and work that has been done is $955,819.” Hess said. “Also, this bid totals $1,738,100, which totals up to $2,693,000.”

Hess then asked about the funding for the 680,000 difference. County Administrator Mark Scarbinsky said it will come from the capitol reserve fund.

While the previous owners agreed to contribute for a new roof, it was only half of what was estimated. Hess said that the 2009 study of the building estimated the roof replacement at $98,000 while a 2014 study estimated $75,000 to $80,000. Scarbinsky said the Schoeneman contribution of $44,385 was taken off the final purchase price.

“I am not in favor of the way it was purchased,” Hess said. “With the added funds coming up here, we have to be very conscious of this. We have to get this building up and running. It is now 28 months sitting idol. We definitely need to move forward and move on.”

Scarbinsky asked the board for a positive vote, noting that the building needed to be acquired to use a $500,000 that would have expired at the end of 2012. He also said Children & Youth has outgrown their current space at 410 N. Centre St. The county agency has hired new employees to keep up with an increase in child abuse cases resulting form new reporting legislation that went into effect this year.

“This was certainly not a knee jerk reaction from this board of commissioners,” commissioners Chairman Frank J. Staudenmeier said. “This was under the advisement of our solicitor to go the eminent domain route because it was available to the current tenant that was in there to buy the building and our solicitor highly recommended that we go that route.”

“The previous board of commissioners was very interested in that building but couldn’t acquire the building because it was not available,” Staudenmeier said.

Scarbinsky said that board favored the 324 N. Centre St. building over the other 25 facilities they looked at in the county.

“It’s part of our campus,” Staudenmeier said. “It’s close to our 410 building. It’s a natural fit because of the employees that will use it have close proximity to the courthouse and courts.”

Construction on the building is expected to start by the end of May and take about six months to complete.

In other news, three corrections officers were hired. Seven vacancies were created last month when the employees took jobs at federal prisons and were not required to submit a two-weeks notice. Ryan Fritzinger, Nesquehoning, Logan Jacoby, Schuylkill Haven, and Michael Conley, Shenandoah, will start Monday with an hourly rate of $17.51. There are still four vacant positions.

The commissioners also gave their approval for the office of senior services to buy new computers and a new vehicle. The office will buy 25 desktop computers, 31 laptop computers and six printers from Dell Computer Systems and four Surface Pros from CDW Government for a total cost not to exceed $115,116.89. Both companies are COSTARS vendors, meaning that they are pre-approved through the state’s cooperative purchasing program and do not need to go out for bid. The purchase is covered though program funding and comes at no cost to the county general fund.

Senior services is also buying a 2015 Ford Fusion from Tom Masano Ford Inc. for a total not to exceed $26,092. The dealer is also an approved Costars vendor and the purchase is covered by program funding.

The commissioners will not meet next week. The next meeting will be a work session at 10 a.m. May 6 in the Hofman Room.

Repeat offender Maurice A. Townsend admitted Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court that he stabbed another man in June 2014 in Shenandoah, and he is headed to state prison for his crimes.

Townsend, 27, of Pottsville, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, possessing instrument of crime and terroristic threats, with prosecutors withdrawing one count each of attempted homicide and recklessly endangering another person, a second count of aggravated assault and two counts of simple assault.

Judge Charles M. Miller accepted Townsend’s plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced him to serve five to 10 years in a state correctional institution, pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

The prison term consists of three consecutive sentences: 25 to 50 months for aggravated assault, 15 to 30 months for possessing instrument of crime and 20 to 40 months for terroristic threats.

“When you do the kinds of things you do here, it affects a person’s life,” Miller told Townsend.

Those things, prosecutors said, included using a knife against a Shenandoah man who had done nothing to provoke him.

Shenandoah police alleged Townsend stabbed Eric Becker in the head with a six-inch knife about 7:10 p.m. June 30, 2014, near 125 S. West St. in the borough. Becker had to be taken to the hospital, where he received five sutures to dress the wound, police said.

Townsend attacked Becker after threatening him earlier in the day, according to police.

After being arrested, Townsend admitted stabbing Becker, police said.

Becker appeared in court on Wednesday but declined to make any comment when asked by Miller.

Wednesday’s plea represents the third time Townsend has been in trouble with the law for an incident in Shenandoah.

On Nov. 24, 2009, Townsend pleaded guilty to burglary, criminal trespass and criminal mischief. At that time, Miller sentenced him to serve six to 23 months in prison and pay costs, a $50 CJEA payment and $1,395 restitution.

Then on Nov. 14, 2012, Townsend pleaded guilty to simple assault, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of disorderly conduct and harassment. At that time, Miller sentenced him to serve six to 23 months in prison and pay costs and a $50 CJEA payment.

Shenandoah police filed charges in each of those cases.

In the first, they alleged Townsend broke into a building on July 25, 2009, in the borough.

In the second, they alleged Townsend stabbed newspaper carrier Cindy A. Gilbert with a knife on July 22, 2012, near 219 W. Cherry St. in the borough.

Defendant: Maurice A. Townsend

Age: 27

Residence: Pottsville

Crimes committed: Aggravated assault, possessing instrument of crime and terroristic threats

Prison sentence: Five to 10 years in a state correctional institution

Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street

To Andrew F. and Melinda M. Morgan Diehl, Pine Grove, a daughter, April 4.

LLEWELLYN — Just after 9 a.m. Wednesday, two juniors from Schuylkill Technology Center-South Campus, Noel Knapp and Harley Mills, celebrated Earth Day by exploring a damp forest bordering a dirt road in Branch Township.

The sights weren’t all that appealing.

Used vehicle mufflers and tires, soaked cardboard boxes, empty beer bottles and cans and the remains of a safety skirt for a trampoline were among the discarded items they found.

“And I found something. It’s either a bag for a vacuum or a bag for a lawn mower. Whatever it is, it’s been here a long time because there’s stuff growing in it,” Mills said as she dragged it from the weeds.

With safety gloves and trash bags, they were among the more than 50 students who made an effort to clean up the area Wednesday by participating in the second annual Schuylkill County Cleanup Competition, organized by Schuylkill Keep It Pretty, Schuylkill Technology Center-North Campus and Schuylkill Technology Center-South Campus.

“The winning school will get to keep a traveling trophy for one year. The school’s name will be engraved on the trophy, made of recycled materials from each shop at STC-South,” Gary J. Hess Jr., a social studies teacher at STC South, Mar Lin, one of the event’s primary organizers, said.

Last year, seven schools took part and North Schuylkill went home with the trophy.

This year, six schools signed up. The schools which participated and the areas they conducted litter patrols at Wednesday morning were: Pottsville Area, along the Burma Road near Saint Clair; North Schuylkill, Centralia; Mahanoy Area, along school grounds in Mahanoy City; Shenandoah Valley, at the community park and the helicopter pad in Shenandoah; STC-North Campus, Frackville, along Morea Road and the Pottsy Hill in Mahanoy Township; and STC-South Campus, areas in Llewellyn.

When told Pine Grove Area wasn’t in the competition Wednesday, the superintendent at Pine Grove Area, Kendy Hinkel, said she hopes the district is represented next year.

“I think what happened is I have a new agriculture teacher, Kate Robson. She came in mid-year. And I’m guessing it’s just an oversight and we’ll be back on board next year,” Hinkel said.

The teams were given three hours to clean up those target areas. SKIP supplied the students with safety gloves and vests and garbage bags. The state Department of Transportation offered to remove litter which was bagged along state roads, and SKIP was working with municipalities to collect the rest, Hess said.

And just after noon, a panel reviewed the effort put in by the students during a luncheon at STC-South Campus.

“The group which bags the most trash wins,” Hess, son of Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary J. Hess Sr., said.

This year’s winner was Pottsville Area.

“Pottsville Area, on their way to Burma, stopped at a second site, Ann Street in between Pottsville and Saint Clair. There’s a drainage ditch there behind the mall. They stopped there on their way and did a cleanup there and then they went to the other spot. I think that’s why they won. They had to deal with two sites and two huge piles of litter,” Gary Hess Jr. said.

This year’s judges were: Joseph Scribbick, Schuylkill County recycling coordinator; Kay Jones, executive director of Schuylkill County VISION: and Schuykill County Commissioner Gary J. Hess Sr.

“Judging will be based on pictures that are taken during the cleanup. Teams are encouraged to be strategic with their picture taking,” Gary Hess Jr. said.

Caroline Barnhart, a teacher at STC-South Campus, used Mills’s camera phone to shoot photos for the team.

“It’s good to keep the ecosystem clean. Who knows? An animal might come by and try to eat some of this stuff,” Knapp said.

Four sophomores at STC-South Campus, Austyn Harley, Dylan Leymeister, Nicholas Morgan and Jacob Wood, bagged used vehicle floor mats, a tangle of Christmas lights and discarded flower pots sinking in the dirt.

Leymeister said he’s familiar with the area. He and his friends use it to ride all-terrain vehicles or quads.

“It’s a good opportunity to clean up this trail. This is where we ride and where we hang out. That’s why we picked it. I was up here this past Saturday. You see a lot of garbage when you’re going by. It’s just a place where people are dumping. People drive up in their pickup trucks and dump their trash. I guess they don’t want to pay garbage bills. There’s a bunch of TVs right down there, and tire pits,” Leymeister said.

“It’s awesome to see students go out and try to clean up our county, as much as they could,” Barnhart said.

As Knapp picked up a discarded motorcycle tire from the weeds, rainwater that collected on the inside splashed up and soaked her jeans.

“Looks like a dirt bike tire, a 125,” Leymeister said.

Meanwhile, Mills dragged a car muffler from the forest to the edge of the dirt road.

“And I found a shoe. It’s been here for a long time apparently,” Knapp said as she stared at the shoe in the middle of the road, pushed down, sole up.