BARNESVILLE — Smokers will no longer be able to smoke on the beach and swimming areas at Locust Lake State Park starting in May.

Lew Williams, park manager of Locust Lake and Tuscarora state parks, said Tuesday the news is something he think visitors to Locust Lake will enjoy.

“I think most people will appreciate it,” he said.

He said visitors have frequently smoked on the beach and sometimes left litter in the sand.

“We’ve had complaints in the past about people smoking and cigarette butts on the beach,” he said Tuesday.

Williams said the staff will install a bench and a smoking area nearby for people to light up. Signs will indicate designated smoking areas. Visitors are still free to smoke in other areas of the park where permitted by law.

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources started a pilot smoke-free beach program May 2013 at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Cumberland County. Because of the success of the Clean Air Beach Program, the DCNR announced Tuesday it is extending the pilot program to eight state parks. The smoking restrictions will be permanent at Pine Grove Furnace.

As of May 1, in addition to Locust Lake, smoking will be prohibited at the following state park beach areas: Black Moshannon, Centre County; Colonel Denning, Cumberland County; Keystone, Westmoreland County; Moraine’s South Shore, Butler County; Parker Dam, Clearfield County; Presque Isle’s Barracks Beach and Beach 1, Erie County; and Promised Land’s Pickerel Point Beach, Pike County. The ban includes the use of cigarettes, pipes, cigars and e-cigarettes.

Terry Brady, a spokesman for DCNR, said the state parks for the pilot program were selected based on visitor feedback and proximity to other parks.

“When the Clean Air Beach Program began in May 2013, Pine Grove Furnace State Park was selected as the initial site because it gave visitors the choice of frequenting a swimming beach where smoking was prohibited at the park’s one lake and permitted nearby at another,” DCNR Acting Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “Newly selected parks participating in the program again give visitors choices — smoke-free areas or nearby state parks where smoking is not restricted.”

“We’re not going to play smoke cops on this,” Brady said.

He did not provide a specific length of time the pilot program will be in effect.

Locust Lake’s beach opens on Memorial Day, May 25.

MINERSVILLE — Attempts are being made to form a borough Pride Group after a meeting Tuesday at borough council chambers.

“I remember Minersville the way it used to be. It was a very close-knit community,” Donna Stephens, group member, said Tuesday. “The community died off. Our main goal is to bring that back.”

The group has ideas of holding various events to bring borough pride back into the community, including a fall festival, 5K races, a farmers market, splash parties, a baby parade and history walk or trolley ride.

The goal of Tuesday’s meeting was to gather enough members to start planning an event immediately, Stephens said.

After advertising for new members, the group hoped more than two people would show up to get started. Among attendees were Stephens, Jerry Sitkus and Jamie Kuehn, councilman.

“We need a committee. You can’t do everything yourself,” Kuehn said.

Kuehn wants to cooperate with the group but needs more members to move forward.

“If we drag this out too long we may lose interest along the way,” he said. “I don’t think it’s impossible to accomplish some of these events, but you need more people to complete a full agenda. With this size community and with limited funding, council can only do so much.”

Sitkus suggested inviting students who were very involved in school, have graduated and may be back in the area. The group hopes for at least 10 people to show up with interest and ideas for the group at their next meeting. The next meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at borough council chambers. Those with questions or who cannot make it but are interested may call borough hall at 570-544-2149.

SHENANDOAH — The Shenandoah Valley school board adopted at its April meeting the tentative budget for the 2015-16 school year that includes a real estate tax increase of 1.59 mills.

The proposed final general operating budget plan of $17,833,452 is an increase of $1,099,993, or 6.6 percent, over the budget in the current fiscal year ($16,733,460) that will end June 30. Real estate taxes increase from 53.30 mills to 54.89 mills. Each mill brings in $73,301, which includes delinquent tax collections.

“The reason we’re getting more per mill is because some of the KOZ (Keystone Opportunity Zone) properties came back on, so we’re getting tax revenues for that,” Demalis said.

As for the cost to property owners, Demalis explained that the median assessed value — 50 percent of the actual market value — in Shenandoah is $7,710 per property, which comes to a increase of $12.26.

“That means that 50 percent of the people in the borough would have an increase of $12.26 or less, and the other half would be $12.26 or more,” he said. “In West Mahanoy Township, the median assessed value is $16,768, and their median increase would be $26.66.”

Demalis explained that the real estate tax in Shenandoah on the median assessed value would be $423.20. If eligible for the Homestead Exclusion, the total bill would be $281.37. In West Mahanoy Township, the tax on their median assessed value is $920.40, or $778.57 if eligible for the exclusion.

The following tax schedule has no changes from the current fiscal year. Taxes marked as “shared” are divided for distribution, with 50 percent to the school district and the remainder to the school district’s municipalities (Shenandoah and West Mahanoy Township).

• Earned income tax (Act 511) — One percent shared. Levied on salaries, wages, commissions and other compensation.

• Realty transfer tax (Act 511) — One percent shared.

• Per capita tax — $5 as per Section 579.

• Per capita tax — $5 as per Section 511.

• Occupation privilege tax (Act 511) — $10 shared. Levied on all individuals, resident and nonresident, employed in or engaged in any occupation in the school district.

• Local services tax — $5.

• Occupational assessment — $50 as per Section 579.

• Five percent tax upon gross of any person/entity engaging in culm processing business.

• Ash disposal fee of $5 per ton for any cogeneration facility, person or other entity.

Demalis said after the meeting that the millage increase stays within an index that allows up to a three percent increase of the existing millage. He said the maximum that the school board could approve was 1.599 mills.

“There are three things that make up a major portion of it (the millage increase),” Demalis said. “First is the PSERS (Public School Employees’ Retirement System) rate, which went from 21.4 percent to 25.84 percent. That’s equal to an additional expense of $345,509.”

The PSERS rate in the 2013-14 school budget was 16.93 percent.

“Special education increased by $486,044, and our charter school tuition has gone up $156,400,” Demalis said. “That gets you to $987,953 of that $1,099,993. Those are three really big pieces that impacted on our expense budget.”

In the current budget, special education had increased $423,345 over the previous budget year.

Demalis has included an conservative increase in the state education subsidy.

“I budgeted a one and a half increase on our basic education funding, but I don’t know if that’s what we’re going to get,” he said. “The governor’s proposal is significantly more than that, but I’ve also received two letters from Republican representative not to count on it., so I’m not going to budget it. I didn’t include any increase in special education funding. Again, I just don’t know. They’ve been very stringent with special ed funding.”

According to a chart provided by Demalis, Shenandoah Valley’s special education costs in the 1996-97 school year were $530,945. In the proposed budget, those costs are not at $3,184,863.

“Prior to 2005-2006, we had all our special ed at the IU (Schuylkill Intermediate Unit), and on average it was increasing 15.62 percent a year,” Demalis said. “Since we’ve taken it over, it’s increasing 7.28 percent per year. If you look at the revenues, they don’t increase proportionately.”

In other business, the school board granted tenure to guidance counselor Melissa Mikita.

MAHANOY CITY — A 15-year-old boy was jailed early Tuesday morning after being charged by Mahanoy Township police with allegedly trying to kill his mother over cellphone use.

Joseph R. Grutza, 18 Mahanoy City Road, charged as an adult, was arraigned on charges of one felony count each of criminal attempt to commit criminal homicide and aggravated assault and one misdemeanor count each of simple assault and terroristic threats.

He was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $150,000 straight cash bail.

Mahanoy Township police Chief Brandon Alexander charged Grutza after an incident at the teen’s home that began about 9 p.m. Monday.

Alexander said he was called to the home for a report of domestic disturbance where Kymberly Grutza was being severely beaten by her son.

Joseph E. Grutza, father of Joseph and husband of Kymberly, met police outside screaming “he is beating his mother, I don’t know what to do with him,” Alexander said.

Alexander said he entered the home and found the younger Grutza in his boxer shorts beating his head against a wall. The chief said he ordered Joseph R. Grutza to put his hands behind his back and subsequently took him into custody.

Alexander said he then saw Kymberly Grutza lying on the ground showing signs of being in “major distress,” not being able to breathe or speak, prompting EMS to be called to the scene.

Inside the house, Alexander said, he saw furniture and other items thrown around and was finally able to get Kymberly Grutza to sit on the steps, calm down and talk to him.

He said the woman reported that she wanted to talk to her son about his iPhone and wanted to take possession of it, prompting a verbal argument that led to her son having a violent, angry outburst.

Alexander said Joseph R. Grutza began to scream at his mother, grabbed her and bit her on the back, started beating her and eventually took a rope from her robe and began to strangle her with it.

The woman said she started to lose consciousness but managed to get the rope loose, but her son then put his hands around her neck and started squeezing, causing her to lose her breath. While doing this, Alexander said, Kymberly Grutza said her son kept repeating “I am going to kill you” after which he stomped on her chest while she was lying on the floor on her back.

The woman said she rolled over but her son then began to stomp on her back until her husband was able to push their son off and stop the attack, Alexander said.

EMS arrived and transported Kymberly Grutza to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street for treatment of injuries she suffered.

Alexander said the woman had visible injuries while Joseph R. Grutza had blood on his hand and foot from the assault.

When Joseph R. Grutza was taken to the Mahanoy Township police station, Alexander said, his father arrived but eventually went to the hospital to be with his wife. Kymberly Grutza was later released after being treated for her injuries.

The charges against Joseph R. Grutza were approved by First Assistant District Attorney Maria Casey. Joseph R. Grutza will now have to appear for a preliminary hearing before Kilker in his Shenandoah courtroom.

A group of local artists have volunteered to design and paint a mural at JFK Recreation Complex, and Sherwin-Williams has offered to donate supplies.

“The area is approximately 65 feet long by 5 feet high,” Gina Alexander, Pottsville, one of the members of the volunteer group said at an on-site meeting Tuesday morning.

The S.S. Positiveville 17901 Downtown Co-Creative Team, the volunteer group, discussed plans with representatives of Sherwin-Williams and city officials. The wall is facing the 572,000-gallon JFK Pool. For years, it’s been decorated with a painting of dark blue and light blue waves.

There is no deadline on the project, and the local artists can work on it when they are able to, city Councilman Joseph J. Devine Jr. said.

“It’s going to be an underwater theme. We’re ready to start, as soon as they prep the wall for us,” Peter Nein, Pottsville, the owner of the Peter Nein Gallery and founder of S.S. Positiveville, said.

Tom Whitaker, the parks foreman, said he’s working on prepping the wall, and, on Tuesday, he consulted with Sherwin-Williams representatives, Anita R. Tempesco, Lehigh Valley district manager, and Rob Baldino, sales representative.

“We’ll be pressure washing it over the next few days,” Whitaker said.

“If there are any big cracks, you might want to patch it,” Baldino said.

“We’ll have caulking,” Whitaker said.

Tempesco confirmed Sherwin-Williams will be donating the paint for the project.

“We’re also going to be working with the students at vo-tech here at the pool. So it’s going to be a busy time period,” Devine said.

In early April, city officials and Schuylkill Technology Centers came up with a plan to repair sidewalks, benches and other parts of the facility at JFK Recreation Complex while educating students studying trades such as masonry and woodworking.

This week, STC students will be on site to work on a few projects, including repairs to sloping concrete pads between the pool and the concession stands and improvements to the long, wooden seating area near the pool.

In a related matter, STC students will also be making improvements to facilities at Saint Clair Area’s football field Wednesday morning, according to Jason Bendle, Saint Clair Area’s principal.

n Frackville: A meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at Frackville Municipal & Community Center, Center and Oak streets, regarding the proposed construction of a borough swimming pool. Councilwoman Karen L. Domalakes said community involvement is needed.

n Mahanoy City: The Mahanoy City Visiting Nurse Association recently acknowledged the following memorials: For Regina Dougherty from Rose Kern; for John J. Gallagher from Theresa and Tom Clark, Anne Marie and Jeff Keck and family; for William Jones from Anne Marie and Jeff Keck and family; for Robert Krause from Betsy Lewis; for Marie Millillo from Doretta and Jay Jones; for Gary Macek from Anne Marie and Jeff Keck and family, Betsy Lewis; for Victor Marconi from Theresa and Tom Clark; for Stephen Motsney from Theresa and Tom Clark, Barbara Owens; for James McLaren from Doretta and Jay Jones; for Nancy Brayford O’Brien from Judy and Bill Brayford, Lois Griffiths; for Dorothy Pompei from Grace Richmond, Emma DeAngelo and family; for Josephine Sklaris from John and Gerry Scully, John and Nancy Steibler; for Leon Thomas from Mary Krout and family; for Mary Tomcheck from Anne Marie and Jeff Keck and family; for Roy Wesner from Lois Griffiths; for Mary Whitaker from Theresa and Tom Clark; for deceased members of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association from Branch 55 of Mahanoy City; for Joan Ellen Smith from the North Island Credit Union; for Anne Marie Faust from Rose Kern; for Charles Rice from Anne Marie and Jeff Keck and family, Ellen Bretz and family.

n Millersburg: The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art will have a spring bird walk from 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturday. Novice birders and families are welcome. Binoculars will be provided, according to the center’s Alexis Dow Campbell, director of creative programming. The walk is free. Registration is suggested but not required. For more information, call the center at 717-692-3699. People may also register in advance online at nedsmithcenter.ticketleap.com/spring-bird-walks-2015. More information about the center is available at its website at www.nedsmithcenter.org.

n Pottsville: A lecture, “Celtic Fairy Faith: The Visionary Paintings of George W. Russell,” is set for 7 p.m. Friday at 2400 West End Ave., upper building, by the Schuylkill Unitarian Universalists with Dr. Susan Johnston Graff, associate professor of English at Penn State Mont Alto campus. For more information, call 570-739-1318.

n Pottsville: The 24-hour Relay for Life Pottsville is set for noon May 15 to noon May 16 at the Pottsville Area School District’s Veterans Memorial Stadium, 16th Street and Elk Avenue. For more information, call 570-884-1027.

n Pottsville: The Trinity Episcopal Church concert series will feature the Fairfield Duo from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the church, 200 S. Second St. The duo includes Nora Suggs and flute and Candice Mowbray on guitar in a program titled “Japonisme.” A reception will follow the performance. Free parking will be available and the church is accessible to the handicapped. For more information, call 570-449-7553.

n Schuylkill Haven: The R&R Auto Group, Bruce’s Auto Mall and Boyer’s Food Markets are sponsoring the “Car & Hot Rod Cruise In” at 2 p.m. Sunday at Stoyer’s Dam in Bubeck Park. The rain date is May 17. The event will include classic, antique, hot rod and special-interest vehicles. All are welcome. There will be no trophies, “just a real good time,” organizers said in a press release. For more information, call 570-385-4731. More information also is available online at www.svcorvetteclub.net.

n Shenandoah Heights: West Mahanoy Township officials will crack down on illegal dumping throughout the township and especially at three locations, supervisors said during a recent meeting. Chairman Paul “Pepper” Martin said police will enforce laws involving illegal dumping and Michael Michalik, township secretary/treasurer, said a variety of items are being discarded. “We’re having a problem with people dumping yard waste and trash in three areas of the township,” Michalik said. “One location is Topeka Avenue (Shenandoah Heights), which is near where the Tastee Freeze is. We put signs up there because we put in a lot of piping there. Another site is at Weston Place. It’s where you come into Weston Place near the cemetery along the pole line. And the third site is along Line Street (Altamont) at the industrial park. We just want people to know there is no dumping in the township. If they are caught, they will be prosecuted.” The township also has a no-burning ordinance.

A John Denver impersonator will perform a musical tribute with members of the original band at 2 p.m. May 10 in the Robert Wachter Auditorium of Pottsville Area High School.

Since 2006, Ted Vigil, Washington, has been impersonating both Denver’s music and appearance.

“Of all the impersonators that come, this man needs no makeup or wigs or anything. He is identical looking to John Denver. You can’t tell apart his singing,” Joseph “Hap” Anthony, concert organizer, said.

Though Denver died in 1997, members of his band will play along with Vigil, Anthony said. Members include Eddie Kilgallon, Pat Hawks, James Burton, Peter Huttinger, Jim Horn, Michalto Sanchez and Chris Hale.

Performing with the original Denver band isn’t all that makes this event unique.

“I don’t see too many people imitating John Denver and his wholesome music about people and about nature,” Anthony said. “It’s not a typical Elvis or Beatles impersonator. This is a little different.”

Vigil is a winner of many talent shows and celebrity look-alike contests.

His first win was the national title for Talent Quest in Laughlin, Nevada, in 2006. After this win, he began to play a Denver tribute show, according to Anthony. In 2007, he won Komo TV 4’s Northwest Afternoon Celebrity Look-alike contest.

Along with many wins, Vigil has recorded multiple songs with Kilgallon that were recorded in Nashville on a CD project, “Sing My Songs,” produced by Kilgallon, according to Anthony.

Vigil was a long-haul truck driver until he was discovered at the 2006 talent show.

For tickets to see Vigil’s tribute performance, call Anthony at 570-544-4674 or 570-728-4885. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Premium tickets for up-front seating are $30. The first two rows are sold out.

Deeds

Blythe Township — Tami M. Stewart-Haffey to Tami M. Stewart-Haffey and Damien Freed; 221 Winfield Drive; $1.

Branch Township and Minersville — Amanda L. Yeich to Dennis R. and Diane M. Mohl; 318 Pine Hill St.; $1.

Jamilie LLC to Brody Properties LP; 607 Pottsville St.; $1.

Butler Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Deutsche Bank National Trust Co.; 232 Germanville Road; $1,258.57.

Cass Township —Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Hyder Binjameel and Abdallah Binjameel; property on Valley Road; $100.

Santander Bank NA to MTGLQ Investors LP; 257 High Road; $10.

Eldred Township — Apartments and Acquisitions Limited Partnership to Brody Properties LP; 112 Main St., Pitman; $1.

Frackville — Jayne M. Burkot to Wilver Leonardo Firpo; 125 W. Chestnut St.; $65,500.

Michael G. and Roseanne Weremedic to The Michael Weremedic Revocable Trust; 358 S. Balliet St.; $1.

Hegins Township — Lee and Linda Kiefer to Hegins Feed and Supply Inc.; property on Maple Street, Hegins; $63,992.30.

Mahanoy City — Danny M. Diaz-Tavarez and Malquin Pena to Alejandro Coronado Magos; 30 S. 10th St.; $9,000.

Joseph J. and Mary Vesci to Danna Mazack; 425 W. Market St.; $1.

Mark S. Stoffan to John R. Dito II; 328, 330 and 330 1/2 W. Market St.; $3,000.

Minersville — Alphonse Vessotski, executor of the Estate of Alex E. Valibus, to John Pielacha; 16 Front St.; $1.

Apartments and Acquisitions Limited Partnership to Brody Properties LP; 346 New Castle St.; $1.

Apartments and Acquisitions Limited Partnership to Brody Properties LP; 304 Westwood St.; $1.

Apartments and Acquisitions Limited Partnership to Brody Properties LP; 424 Laurel St.; $1.

PORT CARBON — Prosecutors withdrew the most serious of three charges against a Pottsville man accused of robbing another man of $39 in Port Carbon last year.

Jason M. Hill, 39, of 119 W. Market St., was scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing Tuesday morning before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

The hearing, however, was not held.

Prosecutors and police withdrew the charge of felony robbery and Hill waived the remaining offenses, felony theft and summary retail theft, to Schuylkill County Court.

Hill was charged by Port Carbon police Investigator Frank DiMarco after an incident that occurred between 9 and 10 p.m. Dec. 27 in the area of the 100 block of Pike Street.

DiMarco said he and police Chief Joseph Ferraro received a report of a strong arm robbery and learned that Roberto Rodriguez, 723 E. Norwegian St., Pottsville, was the victim.

DiMarco said Rodriguez reported walking from his home near Mechanicsville to the Turkey Hill in Port Carbon and, at some point, being followed by a man, later identified as Hill, and two children.

Rodriguez reported the man had a large build, several tattoos on his head and was wearing a black coat and black sweat pants.

Hill began to walk with Rodriguez and have a conversation and then he and the two children followed Rodriguez into the business.

DiMarco said that, inside the store, Rodriguez said he had forgotten his ACCESS card and had to use cash that he had, a $20, a $10, two $1 bills and about $3 in quarters.

After leaving the store, Rodriguez reported Hill and the children followed him and at one point Hill said “give me the money.”

DiMarco said Rodriguez recalled asking Hill why he was doing the robbery in front of the children and then handed over the cash because he was fearful of getting assaulted or killed.

Store security cameras confirmed Rodriguez story and also determined that while inside, Hill stole a bottle of PowerAde before leaving, DiMarco said.

The investigation led to a meeting with Pottsville police detectives and eventually the identity of Hill as the robber.

DiMarco said that before withdrawing the robbery charge, they conferred with Rodriguez who did not object.

Hill was returned to Schuylkill County Prison where he is being held on $5,000 straight cash bail set at the time of his arrest in February.

Group announces

DUI checkpoints

The North Central Regional Sobriety Checkpoint DUI Taskforce announced that Sobriety Checkpoints and Roving DUI Patrols will be conducted now through Monday on routes 61, 183, 901, 209, 1006, 309, 1008, 443, 895, 125, 25, 924 and 54.

Travelers are reminded to call 911 if they suspect a drunk driver or to call, toll-free, 888-UNDER21, to report underage drinking.

Woman punches

15-year-old boy

MINERSVILLE — A Minersville woman was charged with harassment by state police at Frackville after an incident that occurred about noon Saturday at 682 Sunbury Road in Cass Township.

Police said Ashley N. Trate, 23, will have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi, Tremont.

Police said they were called to the area for a report of an altercation between Trate and a 15-year-old Pottsville boy and learned that the two became involved in a verbal argument that escalated with Trate punching the teen in the head and neck.

Man flees scene

of hit-and-run

DEER LAKE — A hit-and-run crash that occurred about 3:35 a.m. Sunday on Route 61, just south of Route 895 west, was investigated by state police at Schuylkill Haven.

Police said Joshua Heckman, 30, of Auburn, was driving a 2002 Ford Mustang south when he lost control, traveled into the center concrete barrier and became disabled, blocking the southbound lanes of the highway.

Heckman fled the scene but was later located and suspected of being under the influence of alcohol. After failing field sobriety tests, the man was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street for a blood alcohol test.

Charges are pending the results of the blood test, police said.

Police investigate

domestic incident

Pottsville police investigated a domestic disturbance that was reported about 9:30 a.m. Friday at 667 John O’Hara St.

Police said officers determined that David Memeke, 33, of Pottsville, became involved in a verbal confrontation with his 43-year-old wife that escalated into physical violence with Memeke grabbing the woman by the throat with both hands, choking her and then throwing her to the ground.

The woman suffered redness, bruising and open wounds to the sides of her neck, police said.

Memeke was taken into custody and arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, on a charge of simple assault pursuant to the domestic violence law. He was subsequently released on $20,000 unsecured bail, police said.

SHENANDOAH — The cafeteria of Trinity Academy in Shenandoah was “Packed with History” on Wednesday with characters of historical greatness as part of a class biography project.

The third-grade class of teacher Kimberly Kringe put together Packed with History to highlight famous people in America and around the world who made their marks in music, industry, social justice, technology, medicine, sports, exploration, entertainment and more. The program was open to parents, grandparents are other family members and friends.

Last year, the third-grade class did a similar project, with each student speaking before the entire class one at a time in appropriate costume about their chosen historical figure. Due to a larger class, the format changed somewhat this year so that each student had their free-standing display board set on a table, with each one in costume waiting for people to stop so he or she could talk about their subject. Each display had photos and other items telling different facts about the person.

The program opened with remarks and a prayer led by Kringe. About half of the students and visitors split into small groups and walked around the room, stopping at each station with a student who gave a short presentation. As each group moved around the room, the students repeated their talk. After about a half hour, the other students went to their displays to talk about their chosen subject.

Sherie and Michael Johnson, McAdoo, first stopped at the display of Ben Mentusky, who spoke about Dr. Seuss, the noted children’s author and artist. Mentusky’s costume included a grey beard as part of his biographical persona.

“This is a really neat project,” Sherie Johnson said. “My son, Jordan, is Milton Hershey.”

Jordan Johnson was asked why he chose Hershey as his project, and he was immediate with his answer.

“I like chocolate,” he replied. “I didn’t know much about him, but I learned about him from the book. I found out that he almost went on the Titanic.”

Mentusky chose Dr. Seuss because of he enjoys his books. When asked who his favorite Suess character is, Mentusky said the Lorax.

Brady Najda chose Apple Computers co-founder Steve Jobs for his project. He didn’t know much about Jobs when he started but learned about Jobs staying on course with his ideas.

“He never gave up,” Najda said.

Complete with a mustache to emulate his subject, Orville Wright, Terry Lockhart spoke about the accomplishments of the Wright Brothers in being pioneers in aviation and completing the first flight.

“I picked the Wright Brothers because I was interested in them making flying machines,” Lockhart said. “I went to the Air and Space Museum the year before when I was in the second grade and I read a little bit about them. It’s interesting that they built the first flying machine, so they invented airplanes.”

At another location, Olivia Shala-Wierzalis was dressed as Sacagawea, the Lemhi Shoshone woman who accompanied the Lewis and Clark expedition as an interpreter and guide.

“When I started learning about her, I really started liking her,” Shala-Wierzalis said. “She was a girl who was an explorer like Lewis and Clark.”

The students and their subjects were:

• Anna Grabosky as Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell.

• Shala-Wierzalis as Sacagawea.

• Katelynn Pinkey as Rosa Parks.

• Kylie Quintinsky as Helen Keller.

• Morgan Kelly as Florence Nightingale.

• Ava Mah as Susan B. Anthony.

• Brye Wojcik as Betsy Ross.

• Alysha Wood as Clara Barton.

• Dewey Maggard as Johnny Appleseed.

• Kevin Kanute as Abraham Lincoln.

• Ryan Gianelli as Walt Disney.

• Jake Matta as Babe Ruth.

• Zachary Artz as Albert Einstein.

• Ricky Halford as Thomas Edison.

• Najda as Steve Jobs.

• Mentusky as Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss).

• Gunner Taylor as Neil Armstrong.

• Lockhart as Wilbur Wright.

• Johnson as Milton Hershey.

• Nicholas Ryan as Roberto Clemente.

• Ethan Movassaghi as Pope St. John Paul II.

• Angel Arias as Thomas Jefferson.

• Jack Messina as Jackie Robinson.

• Francis Pikitus as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

• Andy Zamudio as Amadeus Mozart.

Kringe said the students earn a grade in reading, social studies and English on their project.

“It’s a different format that I tried this year to allow the children to have a little more interaction,” Kringe said. “A lot of credit has to go to the parents in working on their costumes and their displays and reports. The students had this project for about six weeks. I credit the parents for their great cooperation.”

The project also provides the students with “hands-on learning,” Kringe said.

“It motivated the children to read,” she explained. “Most of them didn’t have any idea who the person was. They did some learning about famous people from history and got some experience in oral reports. They also had a little bit of exposure with organizing their ideas to create their display boards.”

The students chose their subject for the grade-level biography books in Kringe’s classroom.

“I invested in some new biography books this year because of the size of the class, so we have some new characters as part of the program,” Kringe said.

There is also a bit more than just learning about famous people and what they did, but also about what they had to do to be successful.

“We’ve been learning about the virtues of patience and perseverance in the past two months and focusing on what those virtues mean and how to cultivate them in our lives,” Kringe said. “I think the biography books really helped the children to see stories of people who had a lot of obstacles in their lives and they overcame those obstacles through hard work, patient persevering work, to become famous. And many of them weren’t even seeking fame. They made mistakes just like the rest of us, and yet they overcame the obstacles to do good.”

Former Pottsville police Chief Joseph H. Murton V died Wednesday afternoon.

Murton retired in December 2013 as the head of the Pottsville Police Department, the largest law enforcement organization in Schuylkill County.

He was also the former pastor at Gilberton United Methodist Church.

Pottsville police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky succeeded Murton at the helm of the department and worked under him for years before his retirement.

Wojciechowsky offered his thoughts on the former chief’s passing.

“First, on behalf of all the Pottsville Bureau of Police officers both retired and active, I want to express our deepest condolences to Chief Murton’s family and a continued promise of our sympathetic thoughts and an assurance of assistance whenever needed,” he said. “Personally, I’ll always be grateful for the many challenging opportunities Chief Murton entrusted me with throughout my career, all of which provided experiences helping me to improve as a police officer and mature as a person.”

Wojciechowsky said that Murton served Pottsville in many ways, not only through his long career in law enforcement but also as a firefighter, ambulance volunteer, counselor and religious leader, just to name a few.

“But most importantly to him, he was a husband, father and grandfather. For all those roles, he will be respected and remembered by many for a very long time,” Wojciechowsky said.

Former Pottsville Mayor John D. W. Reiley appointed Murton to chief when his predecessor Dale Repp retired.

“I’ve known Joe for a long time, he was a one of a kind person,” Reiley said.

Reiley said he was on city council prior to becoming mayor and worked with Murton in his earlier police days.

“He believed in old-fashioned police work, that’s the kind of person Joe was,” he said.

“When he was there we may not have had a 1,000-percent batting average but we surely had a 750 average or better,” the former mayor said.

Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, had fond memories of Murton.

“I’ve know Joe since I was a young boy,” he said.

“He knew our city and the people,” Magistrate Reiley said.

Reiley extended his condolences to both the family of Murton, his friends and the parishioners of the churches he serves.

‘He will be missed,” he said.

Current Gilberton United Methodist Church pastor Jack Murray called Murton an inspiration not only to his faith but to everyone he met.

Murray said Murton served as pastor of the Gilberton church for eight years before retiring in June 2014.

A short time later, Murton assumed the duties of pastor at Evangelical United Methodist Church of Pottsville and the Saint Clair Wadesville United Methodist Church.

“Joe was very inspirational for me,” Murray said. “He was a very good mentor and friend, this is very hard.”

Murray met Murton while he was employed as maintenance supervisor for the Pottsville Parking Authority and friendship came shortly after.

Murray said he and his wife, Jenny, needed a church to worship at being new to the Pottsville area and were invited to Gilberton by Murton.

“It is because of him that I am where I am at in my faith today,” Murray said. “He was somebody who was an inspiration to our faith.”

Murray also said Murton was the type of man who spoke the truth whether or not the person he was speaking to wanted to hear it.

“He spoke his mind about how he felt,” Murray said.

The Rev. Donald E. Boyd, pastor of United Methodist Churches in Tremont and Joliett, knew Murton for several decades, both through his position in the ministry and while serving as a meter man for the Pottsville Parking Authority.

“We’ve become really good buddies,” Boyd said Wednesday.

He said he was stunned to hear that Murton died so suddenly.

“Over the years we spent a lot of time talking, on a day-to-day basis,” Boyd said.

Boyd said Murton joined the Pottsville Police Department in 1971 as a patrolman and worked his way to be the top cop in the city, a position he held for 11 years.

“He was a member of the department for 42 years, even though he could have retired after 20,” Boyd said.

Boyd said he, Murton and Murray would attend church meetings and over the years served as inspirations to each other.

“We went through a lot, he was a good guy,” Boyd said.

The pastor said although Murton will be missed, he is in a better place.

“We don’t die, we just change addresses,” Boyd said.

Retired state police trooper and fire marshal Thomas Slane Sr. worked with Murton when he was a Pottsville City detective.

“He was a first class man,” Slane said.

Slane said he taught Murton fire investigation and worked with him on several fatal fires as well as high profile fire investigations.

Slane began working with Murton when he started working as a fire marshal in 1976 until is retirement in 1992.

“He was a dynamic person,” Slane said of Murton. “When he spoke people listened.”

Despite his dedication to law enforcement and putting the bad guys in jail, Slane said Murton was a kind person who would do anything for anyone.

“As big of a man that he was that’s how big his heart was,” Slane said.

A month before his formal retirement, this reporter sat with Murton in his first floor office at City Hall where the then chief said he was both anxious and sad about leaving the department.

“It’s going to be a new beginning,” Murton said.

Murton said that although he will miss the many people he has worked with through the department, certain aspects of the job of police chief won’t be missed.

The former chief said he was looking to devote more time with his ministry and also with his wife, children and grandchildren.

Truck crash closes

street in city

Pottsville police investigated a crash that occurred in the 700 block of West Market Street about 1:50 a.m. Sunday.

Police said Justin Pasinski, 25, of Pottsville, was driving a 1998 Chevrolet truck west when he swerved to the right and struck a Dumpster in front of 708 W. Market St., disabling his right front tire.

The truck continued west out of control with the front right axle scraping the road and then struck a 2007 Chevrolet Uplander that was legally parked in front of 720 W. Market St., police said.

The impact pushed the Uplander into a parked 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 in front of 722 W. Market St. and also pushed a van onto the curb.

Pasinski’s vehicle then traveled over the curb and struck an iron rail in front of 722 W. Market St. before coming to a stop over the lower level of a stairwell, with an approximate 6-foot drop, police said.

Pasinski had to be extracted from his vehicle by Pottsville firefighters and Schuylkill EMS and then flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown, for treatment.

Police said both lanes of the street were closed for about 45 minutes and that the investigation is continuing pending the outcome of a blood alcohol test at which time the appropriate charges will be filed.

GIRARDVILLE — Information from a concerned citizen about a man wanted on an outstanding warrant resulted in that man and two others being arrested Tuesday on drug charges.

Ryan E. Clews, 25, of 1139 Arch St., Ashland; Nadine Miller, 36, of 140 W. Ogden St., Girardville; and Justin Kitsock, 36, of 147 E. Ogden St., Girardville, were each charged with felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and misdemeanor offenses of possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.

All three were arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison each unable to post $25,000 straight cash bail.

The arrests were the result of information provided to Girardville police Patrolman Ryan Oldt about Clews being inside the Kitsock home.

Oldt said he went to the home to pick up Clews, who was wanted on an outstanding felony warrant by Girardville police on burglary and related charges.

Oldt said he spoke at the home to owner Dennis Kitsock who said his son, Justin, along with Clews and Miller, were inside on the third floor in the son’s bedroom.

Oldt said he proceeded to the third floor of the home and found Justin Kitsock, Miller and Clews gathered in a circle in the bedroom. The officer also said he saw a white, powdery substance and pink baggies.

The three were taken into custody and Justin Kitsock said the white substance was heroin, Oldt said.

A search warrant was then obtained from Hale and resulted in police from Girardville, Ashland and Butler Township, along with the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force, taking numerous items as evidence.

Collected were of 15 grams of heroin valued at over $2,000, an AK47 long gun, an AR15 long gun and a .22 caliber long gun, along with cellphones, an electronic tablet and drug paraphernalia.

All three charged will now have to appear for preliminary hearings before Hale in her Frackville courtroom at a later date.

n Cressona: Cressona Fire Company No. 1 will sponsor an adult bingo from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the firehouse, 59 S. Second St. Tickets are $25 per person, which includes 20 regular games and five specials. Draft beer is included, according to a release. There will be a cash bar and food will be available. People must be 18 to enter and 21 to drink. For tickets in advance or more information, call 570-527-2349.

n Lansford: Borough workers pick up dirt piles every Monday. For more information, call the borough hall.

n Mahanoy City: The Mahanoy City Elks Lodge will sponsor a breaded pork chop dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the lodge, 135 E. Centre St. The cost is $9 per meal, which includes two breaded port chops, potato, vegetable, coleslaw, roll and butter and dessert. The public is welcome. For more information, call 570-573-2649.

n Mahanoy City: The Mahanoy Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Mother’s Day dinner at 6:30 p.m. May 7 at Elks Lodge 695, East Centre Street, for all Mahanoy area mothers 70 and older.

n Orwigsburg: Holy Family Adult Day Care is continuing to accept applications for the day care program, which is located along Route 443 at the former St. Francis Orphanage building. The program is licensed by the state Department of Aging and provides social and activity programs, therapeutic care and support services, according to a Holy Family release. Other benefits include daytime support for caregivers, meeting the special needs of adults with Alzheimer’s disease or stroke who need supervision but not 24-hour care, assistance with medication and personal care. It provides breakfast and cooked lunch with a snack in the afternoon. Anyone 60 or older and who meets program requirements is eligible. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information or to schedule a visit, call Linda Herb, program director, at 570-366-2924.

n Saint Clair: A Mother’s Day craft and vendor show with Chinese auction to benefit the Ruth M. Steinert SPCA will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 9 at the Saint Clair Fish and Game Club’s upper pavilion and grounds, East Lawton Street. All are welcome; there is no admission fee. For more information, call 570-861-4919.

n Shenandoah: The Schuylkill Historical Fire Society Museum, 105 S. Jardin St., is open for fire department, school and private tours. There is no charge for tours but donations are gratefully accepted, according to the society website, which also lists museum hours as 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Appointments can be made for visits at other times by calling President Michael Kitsock at 570-628-3691 or Vice President William Kline at 570-622-3678. Membership inquiries are welcome. The museum’s phone number is 570-462-4400. The museum was formally dedicated in 1999 with several commemorative events and a dedication parade. Housed in the former Columbia Hose & Steam Fire Company station, the site also serves as the society’s headquarters. Its collection of equipment and other artifacts is among the finest anywhere. For more about the society and photos of antique equipment, go to its website at www.theshfs.org.

n Shenandoah: The borough has an ordinance requiring people who walk pets on public streets or sidewalks to clean up after them. Those who do not are in violation of the law and can face a fine. Pet owners may not allow their animals to roam in the borough unleashed or out of control. Driving ATVs on public streets or areas where they are not allowed, such as parks or private property, also is unlawful. Anyone who witnesses such violations is asked to contact borough authorities. To reach borough police, call 570-462-1991.

n Tamaqua: The borough has resumed street sweeping. Several streets in the downtown area are permanently posted for Thursday and Friday street cleaning. They include Broad, Berwick, Center, Pine, Railroad, Nescopec and Swatara streets, which will be cleaned beginning at 5 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays. Additional streets will be posted, advertised and cleaned periodically. Streets will be posted the day before cleaning operations are scheduled. All vehicles must be removed from posted streets. Any vehicle remaining on the street will be ticketed and possibly towed. Property owners and residents are welcome to clean their sidewalks before street sweeping occurs. The schedule is subject to change due to work and weather conditions. For more information, call Tamaqua Borough Hall, 320 E. Broad St., at 570-668-3444 or 570-668-0300 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

MAHANOY PLANE — Gilberton borough council voted on Tuesday to transfer the ownership of all grinder pumps from the borough sewer system to the property owners where they are located.

Council President Daniel Malloy said the transfer of ownership would occur at the beginning of the next billing quarter on July 1.

Mayor Mary Lou Hannon explained what the transfer means to the 23 properties that use the devices, which are designed to grind sewage and pump the slurry into main sewer line.

“This means that they will be responsible for maintaining the grinder pump,” Hannon said. “For as long as the sewer system has been in service, if there is a problem with a grinder pump, the borough has always maintained them. However, we’ve been in predicaments with some pumps where there always seems to be something wrong with them. They’ve been fixed over and over again, and it’s becoming very costly to the borough.”

A concerns was what was being dumped down them.

“According to the plumbers who go out and fix them, one of the big problems is that grease is being dumped into them. We’ve warned them (property owners) about it. The plumbers have warned them about it, and the problems continue,” Hannon said.

Hannon said that if the costs for repairs go to the property owner, they will take better care of them.

“This way it’s going to be on them,” Hannon said. “I feel bad for the people who don’t dump grease down their drains and take care of the pumps, but it’s just so costly.”

“There are things besides grease, too, but that seems to be the main culprit,” Malloy said.

“It’s only been about three people we’ve had problems with,” Hannon said.

In other business, the borough council formally adopted the Property Maintenance Ordinance (2015-1). Malloy said the ordinance had been advertised and was ready for a vote.

“That’s the one that includes the condemnation (process) and the appointment of three people to a board?” Hannon asked.

Malloy said it was included.

The board will hear appeals of decisions to condemn a property. The three members approved by council are Mark S. Keirsey, Jarrid Malloy and John Hannon at a rate of $25 per meeting as needed.

The 53-page ordinance adopts the 2009 edition of the International Property Maintenance Code, which regulates and governs “the condition and maintenance of all property, buildings and structures by providing the standards for supplied utilities and facilities and other physical things and conditions essential to ensure that structures are safe, sanitary and fit for occupation and use; and the condemnation of buildings and structures unfit for human occupancy and use and the demolition of such existing structures.”

The ordinances also provides for the issuing of permits and collection fees.

Code Enforcement Officer John Boxer asked for advice from council and the mayor for a dog problem on Main Street in the Gilberton section. He has been to the property frequently and has issued citations. Boxer added that the state dog warden has also been there.

“It’s considered a nuisance property, so you can file citations under our nuisance ordinance,” Hannon said. “The fines are very steep.”

“The dog is harassing good people in the town,” Boxer said.

“We have elderly people who cannot come out of their homes to get in their vehicles, or have people come visiting them because of one animal,” Hannon said. “My advice is research that ordinance and then you would go after the homeowner. You have to tell the property owner that you’ll end up in jail if you don’t correct this. It’s a good strong law.”

Hannon commended Keirsey for his volunteer work in cleaning the ramp near the fire company in Gilberton section that connects with Route 924.

Councilman Michael VanAllen thanked Morris McDonald for his volunteer work in cleaning around a veterans memorial and along Main Street.

Hugo Selenski was ordered Wednesday to pay $140,000 in restitution for the cost of prosecuting his lengthy capital murder trial, although prosecutors said they never expect to see that money.

Selenski, 41, was convicted in February of first-degree murder for torturing and strangling pharmacist Michael Kerkowski and his girlfriend, Tammy Fassett, in 2002. A jury voted to send Selenski to prison for life.

Since Selenski was charged in 2006, prosecutors have spent $199,577 on the case, not including salaries. The defense has cost at least $517,351 as of last month, not including the salaries for his previous conflict counsel attorneys.

Prosecutors had been seeking about $198,000 in restitution in the case but settled on $140,000 during an in-chambers meeting before a hearing Wednesday. The lesser amount was due in part to some costs associated with prosecutors opting to seek the death penalty that the defense is not expected to cover, First Assistant District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce said.

“Obviously, he doesn’t have a job or any income, so for at least some of it, it’s academic,” Sanguedolce said. “Nonetheless, to the extent that we can recover some money from the defendant, the taxpayers should be reimbursed.”

Assistant District Attorney Jarrett Ferentino said that prosecutors are obligated to seek reimbursement, regardless of how realistic it is they will see any money.

Selenski, who is also serving time in prison for a daring bedsheet escape from the Luzerne County Correctional Facility, is currently being held in isolation, but if he ever gets a jailhouse job, about 20 percent of what he earns will be garnished to cover restitution, Sanguedolce said.

Given that inmates earn less than $1 per hour for their work, prosecutors do not expect to recover much of the restitution, he said.

The prosecution will get 20 percent of the roughly $600 Selenski currently has in his prison account, as well as a cut whenever Selenski’s family puts money in his account, he said.

If Selenski were ever to inherit any money, the prosecution would get a share, he said.

“This is more of a precaution in the unlikely event that he gets money, then we can be repaid,” Sanguedolce said.

A portion of any money collected will go toward the Victims’ Relief Fund, which helps to offset the cost of funerals, he said.

Prosecutors said Selenski and his accomplice, Paul Weakley, 45, strangled Kerkowski and Fassett with flex ties during a robbery over drug money at Kerkowski’s house in Hunlock Creek in May 2002. Their bodies were unearthed in Selenski’s backyard in Kingston Township a year later.

Weakley, who pleaded guilty to racketeering charges in the case, is serving life at U.S. Penitentiary at Tucson, Arizona. Selenski is serving his life sentence at State Correctional Institution/Mahanoy in Schuylkill County.

A three-judge state Superior Court panel has upheld the conviction and prison sentence of a Schuylkill Township woman who drove under the influence of alcohol in May 2013 in Tamaqua.

In a seven-page opinion filed Wednesday, the panel found no error in the case against Monica A. Matula, 33, of Brockton.

“Matula is entitled to no relief,” Judge Anne E. Lazarus wrote in the panel’s opinion.

As a result, Matula must serve one to five years in prison for what was her third DUI.

A Schuylkill County jury convicted Matula on April 9, 2014, of DUI, while county Judge Jacqueline L. Russell, who presided over the one-day trial, found her guilty of improper left turn and improper turning movements. On May 13, 2014, Russell sentenced Matula to serve one to five years in prison, pay costs, $2,550 in fines, $300 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, and provide 20 hours community service.

Tamaqua police charged Matula was DUI and refused to take a blood alcohol test about 1 a.m. May 25, 2013, near the Five Points intersection of routes 209 and 309 in the borough. Police said Matula, who was driving a Jeep Cherokee, cut in front of another vehicle and nearly caused an accident.

Matula alleged the court improperly allowed the police officer to express his opinion that he had a legal duty to advise her of her obligation to submit to a blood alcohol test.

In the panel’s opinion, Lazarus wrote that the jury had the obligation to decide whether the officer provided Matula with the warnings and whether she refused to submit to the test.

“The jury was not tasked with determining whether (the officer) had an obligation to advise Matula of the warnings,” Lazarus wrote.

Therefore, the statement was, at worst, a harmless error, she wrote.

Judges Patricia H. Jenkins and David N. Wecht, the other panel members, agreed with Lazarus’ opinion.

Ian Mahal, a lifelong resident of Minersville, is seeking his first full term as Minersville borough councilman in the Democratic primary on May 19.

A son of Mark J. and Gay Goodman Mahal, Ian Mahal, 31, was appointed to the Minersville borough council to fill the vacancy of late Councilman Ed Raczka on Jan. 22.

Mahal currently serves as a Democratic research analyst for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee in Harrisburg.

Prior to his current position, he served as an adult probation aide in the Electronic Monitoring Division at the Schuylkill County Adult Probation Office from 2008 to 2011. One of Mahal’s initial jobs as a public servant was interning for former Congressman Tim Holden in 2005.

Mahal is a 2002 graduate of Minersville Area High School where he excelled in soccer and later returned to coach his alma mater’s varsity girls’ soccer team from 2005 to 2010.

He is a 2007 graduate of Pennsylvania State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Mahal is also a 2012 graduate of the West Chester University’s College of Business and Public Affairs where he obtained his Master of Public Administration.

State police will head to Baltimore to help keep order, Maria Finn, press secretary for the Pennsylvania State Police, confirmed in an email Wednesday.

“Troopers from all 15 troops, Turnpike and various bureaus statewide will be deployed — so, yes, Troop L will be deployed. We are not giving out specific timing of deployment and numbers for officer safety reasons,” Finn said.

Troop L covers Schuylkill County and is based in Reading.

Gov. Tom Wolf said that about 300 state police personnel will go to Baltimore. They are expected to leave later this week, according to a statement.

Finn would not disclose who or how many from the local state police barracks would go to Baltimore.

“There is a contact at each Troop/Station who is tasked with getting a specific number of troopers to fill the spots requested (from their troop). They have certain parameters that are followed and we usually have no problem filling the spots for special assignments/deployments. Our troopers are very willing to assist when called upon,” Finn said in an email.

Other than the state police, it is unlikely local officers will be needed.

Minersville police Chief Michael Combs, who is also the president of the Schuylkill County Police Chiefs Association, said the situation there is less than ideal.

“Any time you have violence of that level, there is always the risk that it can spread,” Combs said about the rioting and looting that has gripped parts of the city.

“I am not anticipating any problems in Schuylkill County,” he said.

Combs said people have a right to protest but “violence and looting is never a solution.”

Further personnel could be sent there “if it got that bad,” Combs said.

“I don’t know of any municipal police officers that would be going,” he said.

Any request for assistance will be given “serious consideration,” Combs said.

A request for assistance would probably funnel down from the Pennsylvania Emergency Agency, he said.

Frank Zangari Jr., president of the Schuylkill County Fire Chiefs Association, said he was unaware if any fire departments would be going to the city.

John Matz, Schuylkill County Emergency Management Agency director, said no local police or fire departments have been requested. He said any requests would be handled through the state as an Emergency Management Assistance Compact request as that is the process to ensure that “the proper requested resources are identified and supplied to fill the need. This is not a situation where we want persons to self deploy,” Matz said in an email.

As far as any help, Maryland will pay costs associated with the effort. Maryland accepted the offer to assist with the State of Emergency that exists in Baltimore. Pennsylvania offered help after a request by the state in response to a EMAC request.

EMAC, administered by the National Emergency Management Association, enables a disaster-impacted state to request and receive assistance from other member states quickly and efficiently. EMAC has been ratified by Congress and is law in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“Our troopers and emergency personnel are sources of pride for our commonwealth. Our thoughts will be with them and their families as they help our neighbors in Baltimore during this difficult time. We hope that with their assistance, calm will prevail and the Baltimore community can begin to move forward,” Wolf said.

PEMA will deploy an EMAC-A team member, who is trained and certified as an emergency management assistance compact administrator and will help Maryland expedite out-of-state resources if needed, the statement read.

“EMAC is an important compact between states to ensure personnel is available when needed,” Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Richard Flinn said. “We have confidence our personnel will be able to help our neighbors in their time of need.

The National Guard is also in Baltimore. Rioting hit the city Monday after the funeral of Freddie Gray, 25, who died while in police custody.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said more than 200 arrests and 19 structure fires have occurred in the city recently.