Christina E. Hale

FRACKVILLE — An Ashland man charged by Ashland police with a theft that occurred in February had charges against him held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale.

Carl L. Fickinger, 41, of 1234 Walnut St., was arrested by Patrolman Daniel Weikel III and charged with one count each of theft, receiving stolen property and theft of property lost, mislaid or delivered by mistake.

Hale determined the commonwealth proved a prima facie case and ordered all three offenses held for Schuylkill County Court.

Weikel said Dana Felty, 1210 Walnut St., told police she purchased a 50-inch Toshiba television on the Internet that was delivered on Jan. 22 and signed for by Fickinger, who said he knew Felty and accepted the package.

Attempts to contact Felty were unsuccessful, and Weikel said a subsequent comparison of the signature on the delivery paper matched the man’s handwriting on his state Department of Transportation driver’s license, resulting in the charges.

The television, Weikel said, was valued at $714.95.

Other court cases included:

Joshua C. Davis, 23, of 14 Wildcat Road, Girardville — waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Joshua K. Harkins, 30, of 921 W. Walnut St., Ashland — waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bethany N. Fowler, 29, of 117 N. Lehigh St., Shenandoah — withdrawn: conspiracy, aggravated assault, robbery, simple assault, theft, burglary receiving and stolen property.

Elvis D. Peralta-Geraldin, 26, of 4 S. Jardin St., Apt. 6, Shenandoah — withdrawn: conspiracy, aggravated assault, robbery, simple assault, theft, possession of a weapon, burglary and receiving stolen property.

Anthony J. Edmondson, 25, of 135 W. Ogden St., Girardville — withdrawn: possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Ronexon L. Collado, 21, of 115 N. West St., Shenandoah — withdrawn: conspiracy, aggravated assault, robbery, simple assault, theft, burglary receiving and stolen property. Waived for court: possession of a weapon.

Michael A. Segura, 26, of 1309 Walnut St., Ashland — waived for court: DUI, disregard for single traffic lanes and driving an unregistered vehicle. Withdrawn: DUI, DUI-controlled substance and careless driving.

TREMONT — A man was pronounced dead after crashing his vehicle, which then caught fire, at 12:01 p.m. Wednesday on Route 125 in the area of Camp Road in Tremont Township.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Charles Smith, 69, of Mahantongo Street, Pottsville, was speeding north on Route 125 in a 2000 white Ford Econoline van when he lost control of the vehicle.

The vehicle crossed the yellow line and continued across both lanes of travel into two trees along the southbound shoulder. The van then went across the road and struck the embankment along the northbound lane of travel before coming to final rest across the center yellow line facing southeast. The vehicle immediately caught fire, causing the dry brush of the embankment to also catch fire.

Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Albert Barnes pronounced Smith dead on the scene. Smith was not wearing a seat belt.

The vehicle was towed from the scene with severe front-end damage.

Assisting on scene were Corporal Kevin Brennan and Trooper Stephen Kleeman as well as North End Fire Company, HH&L Fire Company, Donaldson Fire Company, Tremont Fire Company, Tremont Ambulance and DCNR.

In an effort to lift a state moratorium on new sewer connections, the Greater Pottsville Area Sewer Authority had its engineer prepare a Corrective Action Plan over the past four months.

On Thursday night at GPASA’s April meeting at city hall, engineer Tom Schreffler, president of Light-Heigel & Associates Inc., Schuylkill Haven, said the plan is ready and it’s time to distribute it to the planning commissions of three municipalities where excess flow in the system remains an issue.

Those are the City of Pottsville, North Manheim Township and the Borough of Mount Carbon, which will be represented by Schuylkill County in the matter.

“We intend to send the Corrective Action Plan to those planning commissions Friday, certified mail with a return receipt. This is all in accordance with DEP. By the regulations then, those planning commissions have 60 days to provide any comments, which we will review. Then the plan will be forwarded to the municipal leaders for their review and approval,” Schreffler said.

“We have to keep moving the process forward,” Ian H. Lipton, GPASA chairman, said.

GPASA also serves the boroughs of Port Carbon, Palo Alto and Mechanicsville, and portions of the townships of Norwegian and East Norwegian.

Since 1990, the state has had the moratorium in place. After having a face-to-face talk with state officials in December, GPASA representatives were assured the moratorium would be lifted for the most part in 2015, if certain conditions were met.

DEP required the authority to establish a Corrective Action Plan to correct hydraulic overload at two of its four pump stations — the West End Pump Station in Pottsville and the Mount Carbon Pump Station — and bring them into compliance with state requirements.

“When we submit this Corrective Action Plan to DEP with all the approvals from the municipalities, DEP is going to lift the moratorium on everywhere but three areas,” Timothy R. Yingling, the GPASA executive director, said.

Lipton said they’re in the city from 20th Street west, in the city near the intersection of Mahantongo and 2nd streets, and an area which includes Mount Carbon and part of North Manheim.

In December, the board hired Light-Heigel to develop that plan at a cost not to exceed $13,250.

On Wednesday, Schreffler said it was complete.

“It includes drawings. It’s been very well thought out. There were many meetings with Tim and two meetings with DEP,” Schreffler said.

“In Tom’s Corrective Action Plan, I requested 50 additional EDUs in those problem areas just so it wouldn’t delay development in those areas until we get this issue resolved,” Yingling said.

“In the 60-day review period, approximately halfway through, a public notice will be put in the newspaper requesting the public’s comments,” Schreffler said.

The Corrective Action Plan required the authority to install flow meters in 11 locations, “seven of them in the west end, three in Mount Carbon and one at Second and Mahantongo Street in Pottsville,” Schreffler said.

Light-Heigel hired Mr. ReHab Inc., Mechanicsburg, to do the installation Friday.

ORWIGSBURG — A 5K is not traditionally a run through the woods but, to support a program assisting dementia patients, a trail run will take place at 9:30 a.m. Saturday through Seton Manor’s 100-acre property.

“The trail is challenging, but it’s also perfect those who aren’t looking for their best time and just something fun,” Alicia Smith, admissions director and community outreach, said Tuesday.

The first Run to Remember was mapped out by Brendan Zindel, accounting manager, and Joe Muldowney, running columnist for The Republican-Herald and author of several running books.

“The trail kind of picked itself,” Zindel said. “It goes along the pole line, which is pretty clean already.”

The 3.1 mile trail will also take runners along hills, a valley and part of an ATV trail.

A one-mile fun walk/run will also be held on the premises after all runners have finished the 5K.

A 5K fundraiser came to mind when Smith and Zindel were collaborating ideas.

“(Seton Manor) owns 100 acres, and we’re both runners,” Smith said. “So we ran with it.”

Seton Manor purchased the 100 acres behind its property in 2013 and hopes to have a future development built, called Seton Village, which will act as additional housing, Michael Grove, NHA administrator, said.

Running in the 5K will raise money for Seton Manor’s memory care program.

Implemented in December, the care program has shown excellent results in patients with dementia, Jackie Zaharis, assistant director of nursing, said.

“It enhances their daily ritual and routine,” Zaharis said.

“It also builds their self esteem. It makes them more joyful,” Kris Shamus, activity assistant, added.

The program includes groups of about four to six residents and includes different activities based on their cognitive skills, Zaharis said.

Each week includes a theme. This weeks theme was frogs and next week will be flowers. Themes are planned according to the seasons to help keep the residents aware.

The program is held five days a week. High-functioning groups are held two times per week, middle-functioning groups are held three times per week and sensory groups are held three times per week.

“We’re one of the few facilities organizing the program,” Shamus said.

Those interested can register for the run at www.pretzelcitysports.com or by calling Smith at 570-366-7619. Participating in the 5K costs $30, and $15 to enter the mile fun walk/run.

More information on the memory care program and tours of the facility will be available the day of the race. Yuengling ice cream, other food and music will also be provided.

The ninja did it.

That was who Luis R. Nunez-Calderon blamed for killing his girlfriend in April 2014 in her Shenandoah residence, although it was his own hand that held the knife.

“He told me to get on top of her and to cut her,” Nunez-Calderon said Wednesday during four hours of testimony to a jury and Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin. “I didn’t want to do it, but he made me do it. I put the knife into her neck like he asked me to.”

Nunez-Calderon’s testimony highlighted the third day of his trial, which is set to resume at 9 a.m. today with Assistant Public Defender Kent D. Watkins, the defendant’s lawyer, and District Attorney Christine A. Holman making their closing arguments.

Prosecutors have charged Nunez-Calderon, 42, of Shenandoah, with criminal homicide, first-degree murder, third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter and two counts of aggravated assault. Dolbin dismissed charge of criminal trespass.

If convicted of first-degree murder, Nunez-Calderon faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison, which in Pennsylvania carries no chance of parole.

State police at Frackville alleged Nunez-Calderon cut Wendy Contreras-Hernandez’s throat shortly after noon April 29, 2014, in her 518 W. Centre St. residence.

Contreras-Hernandez died from “cutting wounds to the neck,” and the death was a homicide, according to Dr. Rameen Starling-Roney, forensic pathologist at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown area.

“There was a cluster of wounds on the left side of the neck,” Starling-Roney testified.

Speaking through interpreters, an intense Nunez-Calderon said that he and Contreras-Hernandez had been arguing, and that she had jumped off a second-floor porch, hurting her leg in the process. He said he had just dragged her back into the house, biting her hand after she had hit him in the face, when real trouble started.

“Somebody hit me in the back of the head. I lost consciousness and I fell,” the defendant said.

He said that when he awoke, the living room was empty, Contreras-Hernandez was lying on the stairs and a man emerged from a second-floor room with a gun.

“He was dressed in black” and wearing a ski mask, gloves and a black jacket, Nunez-Calderon said. “He threatened me.”

“What did he say?” Watkins asked.

“To stay quiet, not to do anything and, if I would even attempt to say anything about this, he would kill me,” Nunez-Calderon replied.

The masked man told him to take Contreras-Hernandez into the second-floor bathroom and then to go to the kitchen to get a knife, all of which he did.

Nunez-Calderon said he cut Contreras-Hernandez, but the knife broke when he took it out.

“I was very nervous. I was very upset,” he said.

The defendant said he left the house after the man in black, walked to Burger King and then to the Main Street Bar, where he had at least six beers before getting a ride to Hazleton, where he caught a bus to New York City. He was arrested there the next day.

“Why didn’t you tell the people in New York about the other person in the house in Shenandoah?” Watkins asked.

“Because (he) threatened me and my family, as well,” Nunez-Calderon answered.

On cross-examination, Nunez-Calderon said he suspected something might be wrong in the house but still pulled Contreras-Hernandez into it after their squabble.

“But if you suspected someone was in the house, why would you bring her in and put her in danger?” Holman asked him.

“I wasn’t thinking of that,” he answered.

Nunez-Calderon also said Contreras-Hernandez had a dog that still barked at him, but he mentioned nothing about it barking at the alleged masked man until after he had hit him. Even then, the dog did not bark loudly, Nunez-Calderon said.

He said Contreras-Hernandez was neither moving nor breathing on the stairs but had no wound apparent except blood on her hands. He said he could not drag her out of the house because she was heavy, although he managed to drag her up the stairs and Starling-Roney said her weight was only 107.5 pounds.

Even after going to get the knife, Nunez-Calderon did not try to go after the masked man.

“And (you) have no time or reflexes to fight?” Holman asked him.

“He was armed and I wasn’t,” he replied.

“You do nothing with the weapon?”

“No, I can’t because he’s not that close to me.”

“(You) couldn’t take more than one knife and defend (yourself)?”

“No.”

Nunez-Calderon said he cannot stand the sight of blood, so he put a mattress or sheet over Contreras-Hernandez’s face. He also said he threw the knife into a closet, although earlier, he had testified he had thrown it down the stairs.

Concerning his statement to state police during his 90-minute interrogation following his arrest in New York City, Nunez-Calderon said he told them he was in no condition to give a statement. He also denied they had read him his waiver of constitutional rights or that he had signed it.

“It’s not my signature,” he said. “I told them, ‘I am not in a mental or physical shape to answer questions.’ ”

In rebuttal, state police Trooper Melissa A. Kyper, the prosecuting officer, testified that during the interrogation, Nunez-Calderon never said he wasn’t in the right frame of mind to answer questions, never referred to a masked man and never said he had been threatened.

“He never referred to this mystery man in black,” Kyper said.

State police Trooper Eric Schaeffer, who accompanied Kyper to New York City, said Nunez-Calderon never invoked his right to remain silent, never became agitated, was never threatened and was never promised the interview would be confidential.

“I don’t think there were any issues,” he said.

Schaeffer corroborated Kyper’s Tuesday testimony that Nunez-Calderon said he hit, bit and choked Contreras-Hernandez, prevented her from leaving the house, carried her up to the bathroom, went to the kitchen, got a knife and cut her throat.

The only other defense witness, M. Leslie Tabarez, Elizabethtown, one of the interpreters, said Nunez-Calderon could have been referring to Contreras-Hernandez as his girlfriend even when using the Spanish word for wife, mujer.

Defendant: Luis R. Nunez-Calderon

Age: 42

Residence: Shenandoah

Charges: Criminal homicide, first-degree murder, third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter and two counts of aggravated assault

A nonprofit organization that recently bought one building in Pottsville to offer educational services to help the homeless get back on their feet is seeking to buy another to serve as a shelter.

“We’re trying to open up a homeless shelter. We had a temporary shelter last year. Now, we have a building in the city and we’re trying to actually get another building, a shelter, a place for people to sleep,” Albert Nastasi, executive director of Servants To All, Pottsville, said in a presentation Wednesday to more than 200 third-grade students at Pottsville Area’s John S. Clarke Elementary Center.

Servants To All was one of the five local charities invited to participate in this year’s Karen’s Heroes program, which encourage the students to give back to their communities. On Friday, the students will vote to distribute $1,500 to those charities.

In February 2014, Servants To All helped to manage a temporary homeless shelter set up at Trinity Episcopal Church, 200 S. Second St., Pottsville.

On Dec. 1, 2014, Servants To All bought a three-story building at 4 S. Centre St., Pottsville, from Rosemarie F. Lamanna for $45,000. The group plans to open an “artisan bakery” called Our Daily Bread on the front end, and the upper floors will be used to educate the homeless, Nastasi said.

“The retail operation is for training and employment of the homeless and extreme poor, and 100 percent of the profits will be used to operate programs to help the homeless and extreme poor of Schuylkill County. All our program participants will be referred by agencies. We will not be a walk-in center at the 4 South Centre Street location,” Nastasi said in early April.

“We’re still in flux on this, but I believe this building will just probably be part of our day program, where we’ll have homeless people working at our retail operation,” Nastasi said Wednesday.

Nastasi said he is planning a capital campaign to raise $100,000 to complete renovations there. He didn’t have a kick-off date when interviewed Wednesday, but said the public can make donations to the cause at its website, www.servantstoall.org.

When Nastasi spoke to representatives of the business community at a Pottsville Business Association meeting in February, business owners downtown expressed concerns about Nastasi turning 4 S. Centre St. into a homeless shelter.

Since then, he’s considered another option, and said he spoke to city officials, including City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar, about it.

“We have our eye on a building that we think would be a good location for a homeless shelter, but it would be contingent on us getting a variance. It’s not on Centre Street. It’s off the beaten path, but it’s big enough to house people,” Nastasi said.

He would not release the address of the building Servants To All was considering Wednesday.

“If you ever see a homeless person on the street, don’t go up to them by yourself. Make sure you’re with your mom or your dad or an adult. And if you know that they need help, maybe you can offer them a hamburger. You can say ‘Hey, Mom, can we go get this person a hamburger or something like that?’ Whatever you can do to try to help somebody, help them. And that’s what this program is about, Karen’s Heroes,” Nastasi told the children.

Karen’s Heroes is a traditional tribute to elementary school teacher Karen Chattin-Ney, who died in 1998 at age 46.

Chattin-Ney’s friends and family, including widower, Thomas Ney, and parents, Joseph and Joan Chattin, came up with the Karen’s Heroes Program in 1999 as a way to remember her, according to event chairwoman Anita Dwyer, Barnesville.

Every year, the third-grade students at John S. Clarke Elementary vote to distribute $1,500 from the Karen Chattin-Ney Education Fund to five local charities. Representatives of the charities selected are given the opportunity to make presentations to the students during Karen’s Heroes week. And at the end of that week, each student will vote to contribute to one of the five. Each student vote is a $5 donation, and the remainder of the money is split evenly among the charities, Dwyer said.

On Monday, Hillside SPCA, Pottsville, gave a presentation for the students in the Karen’s Heroes program. On Tuesday, the organization featured was the American Cancer Society-Schuylkill County/Relay For Life. Today, Avenues of Pottsville, an organization that supports individuals who have developmental and/or acquired disabilities, will be featured. On Friday, it will be Majestic Theater, 209 N. Centre St., Pottsville.

Deeds

Norwegian Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to LSF9 Master Participation Trust; 1066 Peach Mountain Road; $1,089.15.

Pine Grove — Kent and Laura Chamberlain to Bruce W. and Amy M. Boyer; 164 S. Tulpehocken St.; $98,000.

Pine Grove Township — Philip E. Riehl to Ian Blyth and Amanda Aungst; 143 Nut Grove Road; $192,500.

Port Carbon — Karen Hearn, administratrix c.t.a. for the Estate of John Malcolm Hearn, to Kimberly A. Smith; 120 Canal St.; $10,000.

Porter Township — Ross E. and Diana L. Baker to Michael W. and Sarah B. Hammer; 52 Porter Road; $217,000.

A Berks County man returned to prison April 23 after a Schuylkill County judge revoked his parole.

Alexander J. Faust, 22, of Reading, must remain in prison until at least July 7, and could stay behind bars until Oct. 20, under the terms of Judge James P. Goodman’s order.

Goodman revoked Faust’s parole after the defendant admitted violating it by failing to report to his supervising officer, moving without permission, not making payments on his costs and failing to complete his community service.

“You have to comply with those terms,” Goodman told Faust.

Faust originally pleaded guilty on April 24, 2013, to false alarm, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of disorderly conduct. At that time, Goodman sentenced him to serve five days to 18 months in prison and pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and a $50 bench warrant fee.

Pottsville police had charged Faust with setting a false alarm on July 17, 2012, in the city.

Also in the county court, a North Union Township man will not have to spend more time in prison after admitting April 22 in Schuylkill County Court that he mistreated a dog.

Brian J. Corbett, 35, of Nuremberg, pleaded guilty to simple assault, cruelty to animals and criminal mischief, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of harassment.

President Judge William E. Baldwin accepted Corbett’s plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced him to serve six to 16 months in prison with immediate parole and pay costs, a $50 CJEA payment and $1,112 restitution.

State police at Frackville charged Corbett with mistreating the dog and committing the assault and mischief on Oct. 13, 2014. Assistant District Attorney David J. Rice said the dog was a 2-year-old Japanese Chin.

Baldwin on April 22 also accepted pleas from, and, also pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:

Kyle J. Merenda, 20, of Barnesville; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; nine to 18 months in prison, $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Brent E. Newman, 29, of Shenandoah; possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and false identification to law enforcement; 12 months probation, $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 CJEA payment and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Prosecutors withdrew charges of driving under suspension and improper muffler.

Tiara R. Pleva, 31, of Pottsville; two counts of criminal trespass and one each of simple assault, conspiracy and receiving stolen property; time served to 23 months in prison with immediate parole and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew charges of aggravated assault, robbery and recklessly endangering another person.

Gregory C. Sholtis, 59, of McAdoo; possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of marijuana.

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

Before a crowd of more than 50 people at a fire house in Pottsville, state Sen. David Argall, R-29, Tamaqua, said he’s once again supporting a bill to legalize the use of medical cannabis in Pennsylvania.

“I believe in it for medical use, absolutely. And I think this is the first time we’ve discussed it here at a forum in Schuylkill County,” Argall said Thursday at Humane Fire Company.

Vincenzo “Vince” Mercuri, Pottsville, founder of Marijuana Farmers University, based in California, hosted a public information session there and special guests included the prime sponsor of the bill, Senate Bill 3, Sen. Mike Folmer, R-48, Lebanon.

In September, Folmer and Argall were among the legislators who supported a similar bill,

“Senate Bill 1182, The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannibis Act,” which passed the Senate with a vote of 43-7.

“I supported the bill last year. It passed the Senate overwhelmingly,” Argall said.

But when Senate Bill 1182 reached the House in October, it was referred to the judiciary committee and remained there.

On Jan. 26, Folmer introduced Senate Bill 3, “an Act providing for the medical use of cannabis in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” according to a description on the website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

It’s geared to provide medical cannabis to people with medical conditions, including cancer, epilepsy and seizures, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cachexia/wasting syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury and post-concussion syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Spinocerebellar Ataxia, post traumatic stress disorder and severe fibromyalgia, according to the bill.

“Some people who we’ve heard from who have asked us to pursue this are parents of children who suffer from epilepsy,” Argall said.

On April 22, it was re-referred to appropriations, according to the site.

“We’re moving it out of appropriations on Monday, amending on Tuesday and voting on Wednesday,” Folmer said.

“We’re going to pass it in the Senate for sure,” Argall said.

Supporters of the bill who came out to hear Argall, Folmer and Mercuri speak Thursday night included Cari Collins, 21, of Pottsville.

“It’s important to legalize it to help people who have conditions, like cancer. We can’t find a cure for cancer. It might be the best thing,” Collins said.

Mercuri, 41, is the son of the owners of Juliette Bridals by Ivana, 19 N. Centre St., Pottsville, Albino and Ivana Mercuri.

“I was born in Pottsville and raised in Pottsville. I’ve been living in California for about eight years now,” Mercuri told the crowd.

While working as a server at a restaurant, he experienced shoulder pain and went to see a physician. And one of the options the doctor gave him for treatment was medical cannabis.

“He said, ‘We could give you a CAT scan or MRI.’ I didn’t have insurance at the time, so that was not something I was going to consider. I figured it would be a couple thousand bucks. Next thing he said was ‘We could get you on some pain killers.’ That’s a touchy subject. I wasn’t ready to go down that road. And I opted not to. The next thing the doctor said blew my mind, ‘What about medical cannabis?’ I looked at him and said ‘Medical cannabis? What’s that?’ I knew nothing about medical cannabis,” Mercuri told the crowd.

And he explained how a variety he was prescribed helped his shoulder pain.

“And today, I teach people how to cultivate marijuana,” Mercuri said.

In 2013, he became founder of Marijuana Farmers University based in California.

But he reminded the crowd at the information meeting in Pottsville on Thursday night that Senate Bill 3 was not about legalizing recreational use of marijuana in Pennsylvania.

“We’re not here to promote recreational use of marijuana. We’re here to talk about medical cannabis that can benefit our community and how prohibition is just not working,” Mercuri said.

MOUNT CARBON — A man and a woman suffered minor injuries when the vehicle they were in hit a pole and rolled over just before 1 p.m. Thursday on South Centre Street, past the Mount Carbon arch.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Nancy Chamberlain, 69, of Pine Grove, was driving a 2015 Ford Explorer south on South Centre Street, missed the turn onto the Mount Carbon Arch Road and continued on the street until hitting a pole in front of 880 S. Centre St.

Chamberlain and a passenger, her husband, Dan, 71, of Pine Grove, were removed from the vehicle after emergency crews cut off the roof. A dog was also safely removed from the vehicle and was not injured.

Schuylkill EMS treated the Chamberlains at the scene.

NEW PHILADELPHIA — Hoping to bring fresh perspectives on death investigation techniques to an upcoming seminar, the Schuylkill County coroner has invited a representative from a “body farm” in Texas.

“It happens occasionally where a body is found out in the weather and the way the body farm does its studies, they know what to expect when a body has been left out in the elements on day one, on day 18, on day 37 and so forth,” Dr. David J. Moylan III, county coroner, said Tuesday.

A representative of the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State will be among the speakers Saturday at the fourth annual Forensic Science Symposium at Simon Kramer Institute, New Philadelphia.

It’s an event tailored to pique the interests of coroners and deputy coroners, plus it will give them eight hours of continuing education credit required by the state, according to Moylan. It will begin with registration at 7 a.m.

“The cost is $80 per person, and walk-ins are welcome,” Moylan said.

Katherine Schuck, a Schuylkill County deputy coroner, made the arrangements to bring a FACTS representative to the seminar. Simon Kramer’s Educational and Scientific Trust will cover all travel and associated costs, Moylan said.

“Justin Pyle, a graduate student in the program, will be going to Pennsylvania to talk about FACTS and the willed body donation program. The presentation will outline the role of the forensic anthropologist in medicolegal death investigations, the education, research and outreach mission of FACTS and how the willed body donation program works,” Dr. Daniel J. Wescott, director of FACTS, San Marcos, Texas, said Tuesday.

Its mission is to advance forensic anthropology and related sciences through education, research and outreach. It has a body donation program and utilizes a 26-acre outdoor human decomposition research laboratory at Texas State’s Freeman Ranch, the Forensic Anthropology Research Facility. It opened in 2008 and is, spatially, the largest facility of its kind in the world, according to its website at www.txstate.edu.

“The Forensic Anthropology Research Facility serves as a resource for forensic anthropology students, researchers, as well as state and national law enforcement agencies. Research into questions relating to time since death, the postmortem interval and decomposition processes for human remains under various topographical and climate conditions are conducted at FARF,” according to the site.

“The FARF is used by the forensic science community to gain knowledge about human decomposition and developing methods for determining the post mortem interval or time since death. The FARF is also used to train forensic anthropology students, law enforcement and medicolegal personnel in methods for searching and recovering human remains in a medicolegal context,” according to the site.

According to Wescott, there are six active decomposition facilities in the United States. The other five are at: University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee; Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas; Colorado Mesa University, Mesa, Colorado; Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois; and Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina.

“These facilities are important because they help advance our scientific knowledge of human decomposition rates and processes, human skeletal variation and osteological methods. The research resulting from studies at decomposition facilities are used to help solve local, national and international crimes. The facilities also greatly contribute to the education and training of forensic scientists, law enforcement, medicolegal death investigators and others,” Wescott said.

Pyle will speak at Simon Kramer at 3:15 p.m. Saturday, Moylan said.

Wescott said Pyle can also answer questions for people who are interested in donating their bodies to science, or body farms like these.

“Yes, anyone can donate their bodies to science. Many individuals donate their bodies to medical programs. Anthropological facilities are another option as well. Our only limitations are the individual cannot weigh over 500 pounds or have an active infectious disease at the time of death. What the donor gets in return is the knowledge that they are contributing to science and the education of students, law enforcement and medicolegal investigators. Donation to an anthropological facility is also an inexpensive and natural method of body disposal. The remains decompose naturally in an outdoor setting. Once decomposition is complete, the skeleton is processed and utilized in studies of human variation by anthropologists, physicians, facial artists and a host of other scientists,” Wescott said Tuesday.

Other speakers on the schedule for Saturday’s event at Simon Kramer include: Dennis C. Dirkmaat, director of the Department of Applied Forensic Sciences at Mercyhurst University Archaeological Institute, Erie; state police Cpl. David R. Dupree, a criminal investigation unit supervisor with the Forensic Services Unit, Troop L, Reading; Scott M. Grim, Lehigh County coroner; and a representative of the Poison Control Center, Philadelphia.

Man arrested for

public intoxication

GIRARDVILLE — A borough man was arrested by state police at Frackville and charged after an incident that occurred about 1:05 a.m. Tuesday on West Mahanoy Avenue, Route 54.

Police said Eric Pennington, 42, will have to appear before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, on charges of disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

Pennington was charged after he was found running in the middle of the road in a heavily intoxicated condition, police said.

Truck hits vehicles,

utility pole in city

Pottsville police investigated a crash involving a utility pole down about 3:40 p.m. April 23 at 12th and West Market streets.

Police said their investigation revealed that a Ford 250 truck owned by Michael McNulty was parked on the west side of 12th Street facing south when it slipped out of gear and rolled north toward West Market Street.

The truck then struck an Audi that was parked on the east side of 12th Street, facing north, continued to travel north and struck a Chrysler 300 that was also parked on the east side of 12th Street.

After hitting the second vehicle, police said, the truck continued to travel north and ran into the west side porch of 1129 West Market St., over a pedestrian walk signal and into the eastbound traffic lane of West Market Street.

Police said the truck then struck a 2011 Ford Escape being operated by Lisa McClure in the intersection, after which it traveled in a semicircle and struck another truck on the south side of West Market Street, forcing it into a utility pole.

The investigation is continuing into the cause of the crash and charges are pending the results of that investigation, police said.

Police investigate

harassment in city

Pottsville police investigated a disturbance that occurred about 8:50 p.m. Saturday in the 400 block of Progress Street.

Police said they learned that John Boardman, 46, of Pottsville, had been harassing a woman in the area who is a witness in another criminal case.

Police said the woman reported that Boardman was yelling and screaming at her about the previous incident and that Boardman then threatened to “nail the doors and windows shut and burn the house” with her inside.

While officers were at the scene, Boardman was still in the area and still screaming at the woman but was quickly taken into custody.

Boardman was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, on charges of intimidation of a witness, harassment and public drunkenness.

He was then committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $5,000 straight cash bail, police said.

ASHLAND — A man was flown to an area trauma center with injuries he suffered Thursday night after either falling off or jumping off the roof of a house in Ashland.

Just after 9 p.m., Ashland police were called to the 1300 block of Centre Street for a report of a man on a roof with a gun. Borough officers along with police from neighboring communities responded to assist.

A short time later, the man either fell or jumped and suffered serious injuries. Police at the scene could not confirm if the man had a weapon or not.

The name of the man was not available and Ashland police are continuing their investigation.

MAHANOY CITY — Two classes at the Mahanoy Area Middle School had an interesting Thursday in and out of the school learning about reptiles or reading to pre-kindergarten children.

Students in the fifth grade went to the auditorium for a presentation involving live reptiles by naturalist Jeannie Carl of the Carbon County Environmental Education Center.

Before the students arrived in the auditorium, Carl explained what she would show during the program.

“We’ll be talking about reptiles and the natural history of the animals, what they do, what the eat, what eats them and what their role in the environment is,” Carl said, standing in front of a table with two large plastic bins. One had a Eastern box turtle, the other had bags that were moving.

“I actually get nervous when things aren’t moving in the container,” Carl said.

Carl said the program hopefully will alleviate some fears that people have with reptiles, particularly snakes.

“It’s natural for us to be afraid of things we don’t understand,” she said.

In addition to the turtle, Carl brought a California king snake, a black rat snake, a Western milk snake and a Great Plains rat snake.

Carl said snakes are not aggressive and will defend themselves only if they need to.

“You give a snake an out and it will take the out, but if you corner it, some snakes will defend themselves,” Carl said. “Sometimes they’re quick to bite. They can’t take out a cellphone and call 911, so they have to protect themselves. It’s up to us to leave them alone. It is those who have been bitten by snakes who force the issue and cause the problem. They don’t want to hear that. Would you go out into the woods and harass a coyote or a black bear?”

Carl added, “A doctor was doing a talk to EMTs and first responders who respond to snake bite calls, and the doctor said the number one person who shows up in the emergency room being bitten by rattlesnakes and copperheads are drunken male campers.”

After the students were seated, Carl began her presentation by asking the children who were afraid of snakes and why. Some answers were about snakes being poisonous, being slimy, biting and choking a person, to which Carl said were myths in many cases.

“The good news is they don’t choke people to death,” Carl responded to one concern. “They don’t eat people. I don’t care what Yahoo or Google or the Internet or Instagram or whatever says, they do not eat people. And there is not a slimy reptile on the planet. Yes, slugs and worms and snails are slimy, but they are not reptiles. Reptiles have dry, scaly skin for a body covering.”

In response to a concern about biting reptiles, Carl said that many things can bite.

“That means you would have to be afraid of dogs, cats, boyfriends and teachers,” she said. “Teachers have teeth, so they could bite you at any moment.”

After Carl’s comment, many of the children laughed and looked toward where the fifth-grade teachers were seated, who also laughed.

As Carl continued her talk while holding the turtle first and the individual snakes afterward, the Child Development Inc. Mahanoy City Center was a busy place with sixth-grade students interacting with children ages 3 to 5 in the state-funded Pennsylvania Pre K Counts program. The middle school students read books to the children, sat with them and were part of creative, fun activities, with both age groups enjoying the interaction.

Sixth-grade English language arts teacher Shannon Golanoski was appreciative of CDI allowing Mahanoy Area to come in and spend part of the morning.

“The opportunity for our students to be able to work with these kids is amazing,” Golanoski said. “We talk a lot about what ‛Bear Pride’ is for our school, and it’s not just being by yourself academically and athletically, but it’s also the opportunity to be in the community and show what a role model is. That’s what we’ve been talking about over the last few weeks in being a role model for the younger kids. It’s a way to show the importance of reading and writing and play and just being there.”

Golanoski said a similar activity was held last school year, and she hopes it will continue.

“It’s fantastic for the center to allow us to bring our students in, and it gives our students a chance to see what is going on. The teachers here are amazing and work so well with us,” she said.

Golanski said 84 sixth-graders came to the center to work with about 90 children at the center.

One of the center’s teachers, Nikki Nabholz, said it was great to have the Mahanoy Area students there.

“I think it’s very good for the younger kids to get to work with the older children and see what it’s like. It’s good for them to build a friendship with the older students,” Nabholz said. “They seem to enjoy it and it gets some of the shy ones out of their shells. Having someone read to them also promotes literacy for the younger children.”

Center supervisor Eileen Farber enjoyed watching the interaction of the different age groups.

“It’s great. We do a lot of things with the community and we do a lot of transition activities with the kindergarten (at Mahanoy Area),” Farber said.

Farber said the center and Mahanoy Area work together very well.

“We have a very good interaction with Mahanoy Area for years,” Farber said. “It is one of the better school districts.”

Mahanoy Area federal programs coordinator Lisa Broomell said the visit to the center also helps the school district meet the community service aspect of the federal programs.

“Our community involvement between the pre-school and the school district is one of the requirements through federal programs,” Broomell said. “And we invite them (center’s children) to our family reading nights.”

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Blue Band music played over the speakers while Penn State fans had the pleasure of meeting Jay Paterno at his book signing Thursday in the Penn State Schuylkill campus book store.

“There wasn’t a lot of personal time to grieve for my father with the press, so this book was a way that helped me,” Paterno said Thursday.

Released in September 2014, “Paterno Legacy: Enduring Lessons from the Life and Death of My Father” highlights the lessons Paterno learned from his father, Penn State football head coach Joe Paterno, while touching on some joyful and difficult memories alike.

Writing the book was “like a roller coaster,” he said.

“One day I would be laughing when I was writing and my wife would ask, ‘What are you laughing about?’ but one day I would be emotional when I was writing,” he said.

The book includes many personal, raw moments and emails that Paterno received after the events leading up to his father’s passing.

“The events of November 2011 were tough to write. The book gets personal, and I don’t hold much back. I talking about being at the hospital in the last days of his life and I include some of the nasty emails I received, but also some of the heartwarming ones, too,” he said.

The book also touches on joyous memories growing up with his father.

“The football stuff was fun to write. Even when we lost, it was still fun to be there with him and be part of that. It was fun going back to when we were kids and writing those funny stories,” he said. “My mom told me some stories that I had to write down, too.”

Paterno had many things to share with the world and wanted to do it in his own way by writing a book.

“This was just one of those things that there was more to be told regardless of what happened,” Paterno said. “There were so many lessons I learned that I wanted to share without making the story like a biography of my father. The book tells more of the relationship we had.”

Paterno was invited to hold a book signing by Patty Shoener, assistant director of alumni relations, after she took Penn State Berks campus students to a conference he spoke at in March.

“He was a featured speaker at a conference we went to and spoke about leadership and motivation,” she said. Shoener said she though Paterno’s book was “phenomenal.”

“Just the stories about his dad are amazing. His dad was an icon,” she said. “It’s great to keep his legacy going.”

Shoener hopes that students at the Schuylkill campus will learn more about their school through the signing.

“I hope the students will recognize who the Paternos are. Some of them may not have been brought up in a Penn State or football family so they may not have heard of them. This can enlighten students on them,” she said.

This is not the first book signing that has been held at the Schuylkill campus.

“We’ve had faculty on campus hold signing. Joe Muldowney was here with his running book,” Michelle Hosler, bookstore manager, said. “We’ve had former instructors like Jon Sinisi. He wrote a murder mystery book and had a signing here.”

About 25 of Paterno’s books were sold Thursday before the signing, Hosler said.

“We’ve been busy all week with calls from people asking if we’d hold books for them today,” she said.

A Pottsville man charged with sexually assaulting a minor girl over a more than five-year period was among those scheduled to plead not guilty Thursday during arraignment in Schuylkill County Court.

Lester K. Tettemer, 43, of 1300 Mahantongo St., was arrested by Pottsville police Capt. Steven Guers and charged with rape of a child, rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, corruption of minors, endangering the welfare of a child and indecent assault.

Guers charged Tettemer with raping and having inappropriate sexual contact with the girl between June 21, 2009, and Jan. 31.

The first contact, Guers said, was when the child was 10 years old, and it continued on a regular basis until she was 16.

At one point, when the girl thought she may be pregnant, Tettemer bought her a pregnancy test kit and also told her numerous times that he would shoot himself if she told anyone, Guers said.

In a separate court case, Tettemer is scheduled to appear for arraignment on charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault and corruption of minors.

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

Florentino Diaz, 31, of 413 W. Coal St., Shenandoah — flight to avoid apprehension, trial or punishment, recklessly endangering another person, accidents involving damage to attended property, DUI, accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles, reckless driving, failure to give immediate notice of accident to police, failure to be licensed and restrictions on alcoholic beverages.

Jennifer McGovern, 43, of 691 Berne Drive, Auburn — conspiracy, possession of drug paraphernalia, theft, possession of a controlled substance, general lighting requirements violation and receiving stolen property.

Edward L. Rivera, 29, of 16 Mauch Chunk St., Tamaqua — conspiracy, theft by deception and receiving stolen property.

James W. Muffley, 32, of 14 E. Oak St., Tresckow — no passing zone violations, driving a vehicle without an inspection certificate and selling or dispensing of a controlled substance with a known trademark.

Rondel Fucci, 34, of 122 Gay St., Tamaqua — retail theft.

Emily A. Palinsky, 21, of 221 E. Centre St., Apt. 2, Shenandoah — identity theft, false reports, false identification to law enforcement and retail theft.

Corey R. Herring, 30, 18 N. Apple St., Shenandoah — simple assault and harassment.

Olga I. Gomez-Irizarry, 22, of 209 Gay St., Tamaqua — aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, simple assault, harassment and recklessly endangering another person.

Richard A. Olt, 21, of 71 Tremont Road, Tremont — possession of a controlled substance and disorderly conduct.

Richard L. Spittler, 49, of 551 Berne Drive, Schuylkill Haven — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Melissa A. Correll, 29, of 502 Third St., Port Carbon — retail theft.

Jennifer Ost, 37, of 26 Fritz Reed Ave., Schuylkill Haven — theft and receiving stolen property.

Austin R. McGovern, 20, of 691 Berne Drive, Auburn — theft and receiving stolen property.

Scott A. Parsons, 25, of 914 W. Race St., Pottsville — theft, harassment and receiving stolen property.

Joseph J. Bernitsky III, 52, of 174 Evans St., New Philadelphia — harassment and unauthorized use of automobiles.

Brittney L. Ealy, 20, of 181 S. Tulpehocken St., Apt. 2, Pine Grove — retail theft.

Jacob Kamant, 24, of 158 Orwigsburg St., Tamaqua — escape and resisting arrest.

Tammy Yatsko, 44, of 309 Schuylkill Ave., Pottsville — harassment.

Melanie D. Delowery, 26, of 331 E. Pine St., Mahanoy City — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jeffrey M. Lohr, 31, of 8 Park St., Mechanicsville — theft, theft by deception, receiving stolen property, forgery and criminal mischief.

James M. Lutz, 28, of 538 N. Centre St., Room 3, Pottsville — failure to comply with counseling.

Brian T. Stravinsky, 30, of 283 Pattersonville Road, Ringtown — possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Drai F. Miller, 23, of 231 Peacock St., Pottsville — conspiracy, delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communications facility and possession of a controlled substance.

Brittany K. Geisinger, 23, of 525 Mahantongo St., Apt. 2, Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Rikki J. Williams, 19, of 511 N. Seventh St., Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Lisa M. Kelly, 46, of 1020 Pottsville St., Mechanicsville — furnishing drug-free urine.

Kyle K. Humphrey, 27, of 60 Carbon St., Pine Grove — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Tykeem S. Brown, 23, of 12 N. 11th St., Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct.

Terrance R. Simmons, 37, of 300 S. Route 61 South, Apt./Suite 9, Country Squire Motel, Schuylkill Haven — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

Dylan J. Krisa, 19, of 110 S. Jackson St., Pottsville — defiant trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Donte T. Brown, 25, of 12 N. 11th St., Pottsville — carrying firearms without a license, terroristic threats, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Zachary M. Vidal, 19, of 823 Fairmont Ave., Pottsville — statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors and indecent assault.

Ernest A. Rosemond, 37, of 529 E. Norwegian St., Pottsville — simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Matthew R. Wood, 29, of 1417 W. Market St., Pottsville — corruption of minors and selling or furnishing alcohol to minors.

Corey J. Mlynek, 22, of 47 Swopes Valley Road, Pine Grove — terroristic threats, disorderly conduct and harassment.

Ronald H. Tobias Jr., 38, of 612 Oak St., Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jamie N. Winters, 30, of 421 W. Columbus St., Shenandoah — driving under the influence of drugs.

Triton Header, 24, of 502 W. Race St., Pottsville — driving under the influence of drugs, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic, careless driving, failure to be licensed and registration card violation.

Aaron C. Pauley, 22, of 197 Meadow Drive, Auburn — driving under the influence of drugs, reckless driving and driving on the wrong side of the road.

Marc L. Robinson, 25, of 11 Sillyman St., Cressona — DUI, DUI-highest rate, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic, driving at an unsafe speed, failure to use seat belts, failure to be licensed and driving without insurance.

Stephanie L. Miller, 23, of 124 N. Front St., Colonial Heights Apartments, Apt. C4, Schuylkill Haven — DUI and careless driving.

Audrey C. Spickler, 44, of 324 Park Road, Valley View — driving under the influence of drugs and careless driving.

On Thursday afternoon, carpenters ripped down sections of the facade of the former Coney Island in downtown Pottsville, which closed in August 2012.

According to David J. Petravich, city building code officer, the Pottsville family that owns the building at 213-215 N. Centre St. is considering options for improvements and may present a plan to the city’s Historical Architectural Review Board at its next meeting, slated for 6 p.m. Wednesday at city hall.

“We want to make the building more historically friendly to HARB and we’re going to keep our options open at this time,” Mickey Palles, Pottsville, a representative of the family that owns the building, said Thursday.

The Coney Island Downtown was one of three Coney Island restaurants in Pottsville. All are tied to the Palles family.

The Coney Island at 2290 W. Market St. is owned by Mickey Palles and one at Fairlane Village mall, Coney Express, is owned by his brother, Randy Palles.

The Peter Palles Trust owns the building at 213-215 N. Centre St., Mickey Palles said.

“We consider our mother to be the owner. She’s Agatha Palles of Pottsville. I’m working on her behalf,” Mickey Palles said Thursday.

The accounts for The Peter Palles Trust are managed by First Union National Bank, Jacksonville, Fla., he said.

According to a construction permit filed in the city’s code enforcement office Wednesday, the trust hired John Adams Building & Remodeling, Schuylkill Haven, to complete “Phase 1 of renovation,” which involved removing the front facade. The cost is $6,200 and the permit costs $90, according to the permit.

The Palles family have worked in the city for many generations.

Sarantos Palles, a native of Greece, opened the first Coney Island in Pottsville at 215 N. Centre St. about 1920. In the 1980s, his grandsons, Mickey and Randy Palles, took over the business, according to The Republican-Herald archives.

The Boyd’s Pottsville Directory was not published annually in the 1920s. However, the issues on file at the Pottsville Free Public Library offer a bit of history of the business at 215 N. Centre St.

According to Boyd’s, in 1919, it was listed as “Sam Palles Bootblack.” In 1922, it was listed as the “The Palles and Sarantakos Restaurant.” In 1930, it was listed as “The Coney Island Lunch.”

In August 2012, the troubled economy brought hard times to the Coney Island Downtown. The owner of the business at the time, Ray Westcoat, said he was unable to pay his rent for four months and had to close.

Since then, the property has sat vacant with a “for sale” sign on its facade.

n Cressona: The annual yard sale and breakfast sponsored by Bethany Christian Fellowship, 102 Front St., is set for 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 16. Breakfast sandwiches, coffee or juice will be on sale from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 570-385-0609. BCF will also sponsor a chicken barbecue dinner from noon to 7 p.m. June 13. The cost is $7.50 for adults and $4 for children under 12.

n Minersville: The St. Matthew Travelers of St. Matthew the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 139 Spruce St., is sponsoring a Virginia Beach bus trip May 11-14. The cost is $479 per person, double occupancy, which includes three nights hotel accommodations, three full breakfasts, three dinners including an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet and visits to many popular sites. Baggage handling, meal gratuities and hotel taxes are included. For more information, call Julie at 570-544-5231 or Millie at 570-628-5413.

n Pottsville: David J. Dutcavich, Schuylkill County prothonotary, released the following report for March: County remittance, $44,502.12; new civil suits, 162; new divorces filed, 43; divorces granted, 36; passports processed, 177; state remittance, $9,077.53.

n Saint Clair: The Saint Clair Lions Club will stage a pork and sauerkraut Election Day dinner beginning at 11 a.m. May 19 at the club hall, McCord Avenue. The cost is $8 per dinner. Patrons may eat in the hall or take meals out. There will also be free local delivery. For more information, call 570-429-0549. The club is also sponsoring an overnight trip to Turning Stone Casino and Bingo Hall, Verona, New York, on Nov. 4. For details, call the aforementioned number.

n Schuylkill Haven: St. John’s United Church of Christ, 121 E. Main St., will sponsor a spring festival from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 16 at Main and Dock streets. Admission and the event will be held rain or shine. It will include food, books, clothing and other fare. For more information, call 570-449-3892.

n Shenandoah: The Bernardine Franciscan Sisters say the Divine Mercy Chaplet and rosary at 3 p.m. Fridays in Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Church, Cherry and Chestnut streets. All are welcome to participate.

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, Pennsylvania 17976. 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. “Save a tape from Redner’s and bring the tape to the library,” organizers said in a press release. “This also helps us in supporting the library.” For more information, call the library at 570-462-9829 or the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. at 570-462-2060.

n Sheppton: The Sheppton-Oneida Volunteer Fire Company’s monthly bingo will be from 1 to 4 p.m. May 17 in the firehall, 900 Center St. Tickets prices vary. For more information, call 570-233-0935.

n Tamaqua: The annual trout derby on the Little Schuylkill River, sponsored by the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Schuylkill Trout Stocking Association, is being held through June 12. The registration fee is $10. People will be able to buy a “Friends of Schuylkill Trout Unlimited” badge to help support trout stocking throughout the county, according to a chamber flier. There will be prizes for tagged trout. Advance registration forms are available at the chamber office and at Tom’s Auto and Marine. Registration will also be held from 8 a.m. to noon May 2 across from All-American Jeep, Tamaqua. Participants must have valid Pennsylvania fishing license and trout stamp for people 16 and older. For more information, call 570-668-5066 or 570-668-1880.

n Tower City: An American Red Cross blood drive is slated for noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday at Williams Valley High School, Route 209. People 17 and older — 16 with parental consent — weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health may donate blood. People may download the Red Cross blood donor app, go online to redcrossblood.org or call 800--733-2767.

SHENANDOAH — A borough man was jailed Thursday, charged with attacking a man with a knife and then hitting him.

Cody A. Filer, 19, of 302 W. New York St., was arraigned on charges of felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor offenses of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, as well as summary charges of harassment and disorderly conduct.

He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of 10 percent of $25,000 bail.

Shenandoah police Patrolman William Moyer charged Filer after an incident that occurred about 9:30 a.m. Thursday in front of One-Stop, 33 N. Main St.

Moyer said police were called for a fight involving two men with knives, with one identified by the caller as Filer.

At the scene, Moyer said, he found Filer standing on the corner with a large knife on the right side of his belt near his front pocket.

The other man, identified as Joshua Koncsler, 319 W. Centre St., was interviewed and said Filer kept staring at him and saying things until a fight finally broke out.

Koncsler said that at the beginning of the fight, Filer pulled out a knife and began swinging it at him, but eventually put it back into a sheath and began hitting him with his fists.

Moyer said that after hitting Koncsler, Filer threw the man to the ground and kicked him in the ribs as he was getting up.

Security cameras at One-Stop were reviewed and showed Filer grabbing the knife from his belt and swinging it several times at Koncsler. The surveillance cameras also backed up Koncsler’s story of being hit and kicked, Moyer said.

For his role in the fight, Moyer said, Koncsler will be charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Both will have to answer to the charges before Kilker in his Shenandoah courtroom.

Exactly one year after police arrested him for killing his girlfriend in Shenandoah, Luis R. Nunez-Calderon returned to prison — for the rest of his life — after a Schuylkill County jury convicted him Thursday of the crime.

Nunez-Calderon, 42, of Shenandoah, did not react as the jury of seven women and five men found him guilty of first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault in the death of Wendy Contreras-Hernandez. Jurors deliberated about an hour and 20 minutes before rendering their verdict.

“I’m thrilled for the verdict, but I’m also saddened that this tragedy had to happen,” District Attorney Christine A. Holman said after the verdict.

Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin, who presided over Nunez-Calderon’s four-day trial, sentenced him promptly after the verdict to serve life in prison, which in Pennsylvania includes no chance of parole.

“God will be the judge of you all, since you have judged me unfairly,” Nunez-Calderon said through an interpreter just before Dolbin imposed the sentence.

The verdict ended a trial in which Nunez-Calderon claimed he was forced to cut Contreras-Hernandez’s throat by a masked man dressed all in black.

State police at Frackville charged Nunez-Calderon with cutting Contreras-Hernandez’s throat shortly after noon April 29, 2014, in the bathroom of her residence at 518 W. Centre St., Shenandoah. Police said the defendant cut the victim’s throat after dragging her into the house during the course of an argument.

In his closing argument, Assistant Public Defender Kent D. Watkins, Nunez-Calderon’s lawyer, said police ceased investigating the case once they arrested the defendant.

“Let’s make the case right now,” is what police thought, he said.

As a result, according to Watkins, police used an unqualified intake clerk to do the interpreting when they interviewed Nunez-Calderon in New York City, did not bother to record his statement and left gaps in their interview notes.

“They’re telling you that this is what happened,” he said.

Furthermore, police ignored footprint evidence that someone might have tried to go out the second-floor back door and neighbors disagreed on the time they allegedly saw the couple arguing on the porch, Watkins said.

He said Nunez-Calderon had a legitimate reason to be afraid of the man who had threatened him, so he stayed in public places after Contreras-Hernandez died. Whatever the killing was, it was not murder, according to Watkins.

“Mr. Calderon said he did it under duress,” Watkins said. “There’s a lot of passion. You have to consider all that.”

Finally, he asked the jury to consider not only what was presented, but what was not presented.

In her closing argument, Holman got right to her main point.

“Defendant brutally, barbarically and viciously murdered Wendy Hernandez,” she said in her first sentence.

Holman spent much time debunking Nunez-Calderon’s claim about the masked man forcing him to cut Contreras-Hernandez’s throat.

“He would like you to believe this mystery man ... appears out of nowhere,” she said. “This mystery man knocks the defendant on top of the head. The mystery man orders the defendant downstairs to get a knife. The mystery man tells him to grab a knife. We have no motive for why this mystery man wanted Wendy dead.”

Furthermore, according to Holman, Nunez-Calderon never put up a struggle, even though he said he loved Contreras-Hernandez.

Nunez-Calderon changed his story several times and never told anyone Contreras-Hernandez, “his beloved Wendy,” had died, Holman said.

She said the defendant claimed no one spoke Spanish, but Lydia Contreras, the building manager, lived in the same block, the Nunez market was nearby and he met two Spanish-speaking men in Burger King.

“He doesn’t tell them. He tells us he’s not going to tell them because he fears getting arrested,” Holman said.

Even when questioned by police, Nunez-Calderon never mentioned the masked man, she said.

“Why not tell them then? Because there was no masked man,” Holman said.

Turning to the police investigation, Holman said two neighbors saw Nunez-Calderon and Contreras-Hernandez arguing on the porch, state police Cpl. David R. Dupree found no forensic evidence that the victim was lying on the steps and all Nunez-Calderon was concerned about was that people know the killing was not his fault.

“The defendant cut Wendy’s throat, and he did so viciously. He wanted it mentioned that it was all Wendy’s fault,” Holman said. “I guess it was Wendy’s fault that Xina (her daughter) had to find her mother lying on the bathroom floor.”

Holman said Nunez-Calderon proved he wanted to kill Contreras-Hernandez when he dragged her into the bathroom.

“He goes down 12 steps. That takes some time. He goes into the kitchen,” she said. “He selects a knife. He climbs back up the 12 stairs. He then cuts Wendy’s throat viciously and barbarically.”

Nunez-Calderon talked freely to police, even after being given Miranda warnings in Spanish, Holman said.

“He had no questions of the translator. He agrees to the Miranda warnings,” she said.

She urged the jury to put the blame for the killing where it belongs.

“This wasn’t Wendy’s fault at all. This was the defendant’s fault. He was jealous, possessive,” Holman said. “The defendant was not provoked. The defendant wasn’t impaired by drugs or alcohol. (He) killed Wendy Contreras-Hernandez in cold blood.”

Only one verdict was appropriate, she said.

“Honor Wendy” by convicting Nunez-Calderon of first-degree murder, Holman said.

Watkins said after the verdict that he would consult with his client before deciding whether to file an appeal. Otherwise, he declined to comment on the case.

Holman thanked numerous people, including Senior Deputy Assistant District Attorney Jennifer N. Lehman and county detectives Martin Heckman and Joseph E. Lipsett for their help in the case. She also said Nunez-Calderon made the verdict inevitable.

“I think what turned the tide ... was this ludicrous defense of the masked man, the ninja,” she said. “The defendant sank himself, in my opinion.”

She also said the case is a lesson for everyone.

“She just got hooked up with the wrong fellow,” Holman said of Contreras-Hernandez. “Pick your mates carefully. If they don’t seem right initially, they’re probably not going to change.”

Defendant: Luis R. Nunez-Calderon

Age: 42

Residence: Shenandoah

Verdict: Guilty of first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault.

Prison sentence: Life in a state correctional institution