An Orwigsburg man will not have to spend more time in prison after being sentenced Friday in Schuylkill County Court for three crimes committed against his ex-wife and her relatives.

Brian L. Heckler, 47, will spend time on parole and probation under the terms of Judge Jacqueline L. Russell’s sentence.

“My concern involves the danger to the household” where Heckler’s ex-wife resides, Russell said.

Russell sentenced Heckler to serve 87 days to one year in prison with immediate parole, plus an additional year on probation, pay costs, a $100 fine, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $874.68 restitution, undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation, perform 40 hours community service and have no contact with the victims.

“You seem to have an attitude today,” Russell told Heckler. “I want you to stay away from this woman.”

In a one-day trial over which Russell presided, a jury convicted Heckler on April 14 of criminal mischief and loitering and prowling at nighttime, while the judge found him guilty of defiant trespass.

Pottsville police had charged Heckler with committing his crimes on Aug. 19, 2014, in the city.

“It affected us all a lot,” Jodi Heckler, the defendants’ ex-wife, testified Friday about the incident.

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

Dustin W. Abrachinsky, 32, of Shenandoah; simple assault; 12 months probation and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of harassment.

Clayton A. Bixler, 40, of Valley View; no contest plea to three counts of recklessly endangering another person and one of simple assault; 23 months probation and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of harassment.

Heather Bowden, 27, of New Philadelphia; possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $50 CJEA payment.

Christopher L. Buck, 29, of Shenandoah; two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $200 in SAEF payments and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of disorderly conduct.

Jarelle R. Canyon, 25, of Shenandoah; simple assault; 12 months probation and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of harassment.

Melissa Dodds, 32, of Saint Clair; driving under the influence and improper driving without lights; six months probation, $325 in fines, $100 SAEF payment and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of careless driving.

Geralynn Matta, 48, of Emmaus; public drunkenness; $25 fine. Prosecutors withdrew charges of terroristic threats, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

Also, in county court action, Judge John E. Domalakes accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:

John W. Ndikwiki, 33, of Tamaqua; driving under the influence; 30 days in prison, 90 days house arrest with electronic monitoring, 30 days alcohol monitoring, seven months strict supervision, four years probation, $1,500 fine, $300 payment to the SAEF, $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and 20 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew charges of stop sign violation, improper turning movements and disregarding traffic lanes.

Matthew J. Olenick, 37, of Pottsville; DUI and disregarding traffic lanes; 25 days house arrest with electronic monitoring, 35 days strict supervision, four months probation, $325 in fines, $100 SAEF payment, $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and 15 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew charges of stop sign violation, speeding, careless driving and driving without license.

Schuylkill County will host its annual fall cleanup at 13 sites throughout the county this September.

The county commissioners approved the cleanup Wednesday at a public meeting. Tires, electronics, appliances, scrap metal and bulky items will be accepted at 13 sites in Pottsville, Hegins Township, Minersville, CES Landfill, Girardville, North Manheim Township, Pine Grove, Schuylkill Haven, Wayne Township, Porter Township, Tamaqua Transfer Station, Ringtown and Tremont Township.

The event is open to all county residents from Sept. 14 to 26. Sites and hours will vary over those two weeks. The state Department of Environmental Protection will reimburse the county up to 50 percent of the costs for the event.

The county is currently seeking bids for the collection of electronic materials and waste tires and recycling. Bids are due in the controllers office by 3 p.m. Aug. 3. Bids will be opened at the work session Aug. 5 and a tentative award date was set for Aug. 12.

The program is funded by the county commissioners and the DEP. Specific site times and item costs have not yet been finalized, Joseph Scribbick, county solid waste and recycling coordinator, said Wednesday.

In other news, the county commissioners awarded two contracts for nutritional services in the office of senior services. Preferred Meals Systems Inc., Berkeley, Illinois, will provide congregate and home-delivered meals at $3.69 each for three years. That is $0.06 less than the other bid that was submitted. The total cost over the three years is $1,467,882.

Scarlet Stout, Berwick, will provide registered dietitian services for three years at a cost of $35 per hour. For 750 hours of service over three years, the total contract is worth $26,250.

Due to new aging program directives that went into effect this year, the office needed to hire a registered dietitian to monitor senior center and adult day care food programs, train providers, staff and participants and approve menus.

Two corrections officers were hired at the Schuylkill County Prison. Kassandra Confer, Tamaqua, and Matthew Rose, New Boston, were hired to the newly created positions at an hourly rate of $17.51, effective June 22.

Justin Bedford, Schuylkill Haven, resigned as a corrections officer last month. That leaves one corrections officer vacancy at the prison.

ASHLAND — Drugs, cash, a weapon and other items were seized from a borough apartment Tuesday afternoon after authorities executed a search warrant there.

Ashland police and detectives with the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force executed the warrant about 2 p.m. at the home of Rita Cavanaugh at 1233 Centre St., 1st Floor Apt.

Ashland police said the warrant was the culmination of a lengthy investigation into the distribution of the street drug known as bath salts.

Officers searched the home and found the targets of their investigation, Cavanaugh and Michael Valeno.

During the search, officers and detectives found about 180 grams of bath salts with an approximate street value of $18,000.

Also seized from inside the apartment was about $1,700 in cash, a .22-caliber rifle, computers, cellphones and numerous items of drug paraphernalia including glass stems used for smoking, syringes, packaging materials and a scale.

Police said the investigation into the drug distribution is continuing and arrests will follow.

Assisting with the execution of the warrant were police officers from Hegins Township, Butler Township and Frackville.

Mobile home fire

ruled accidental

TUSCARORA — The cause of a fire that gutted a mobile home in Walker Township on Tuesday night appears to be accidental.

Chad Felty, assistant chief of the Walker Township/New England Fire Company, firefighters were called about 7:45 p.m. to 977 W. Catawissa Road and found the trailer engulfed in flames.

Felty said it is believed the fire started around an air conditioner and is accidental, electrical in nature.

The assistant chief said he did not know the names of three people who lived in the trailer but said all managed to escape unharmed.

Responding to the scene were firefighters from Walker Township/New England, Tamaqua, Tuscarora, Pottsville and New Ringgold along with Tamaqua EMS, the Tamaqua Rescue Squad and Tamaqua fire police.

Felty thanked owners of Leiby Farms that allowed firefighters to use their dry hydrant and pond located along Meadow Lane to provide water to extinguish the blaze.

Police announce

DUI checkpoints

The North Central Regional Sobriety Checkpoint DUI Taskforce announced that Sobriety Checkpoints and Roving DUI Patrols will be conducted now through June 22 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.

Police investigate

hit-and-run crash

FRACKVILLE — Frackville police are investigating a hit-and-run crash in the 100 block of North Broad Mountain Avenue that was reported about 3:50 p.m. Sunday.

Police said the driver of a blue van struck a Ford Ranger pickup truck causing heavy front-end damage and then fled the scene.

The driver of the van, possibly a Dodge or Plymouth, then drove off north on Broad Mountain Avenue to East Pine Street and then south on North Line Street.

Police described the driver of the van as an older man with gray hair and said the vehicle should have moderate to heavy right front end damage and red transfer paint on the front bumper.

Anyone with information is asked to call Frackville Police at 570-874-0238 or through the Schuylkill County Communications Center at 570-462-1991.

Hegins man

charged in crash

NEWTOWN — A Hegins man suffered minor injuries when the 2006 Jeep Commander he was driving crashed on Shermans Mountain Road, Route 25, just north of Swatara Road in Reilly Township, about 2:50 a.m. Sunday.

State police at Frackville said Justin Klinger, 26, was driving west when he approached a left curve, drove onto the berm and then traveled along the berm scraping a utility pole with the left side of the SUV.

The vehicle continued along the berm, went into a ditch and turned onto its passenger’s side and came to a stop facing south, police said.

After the collision, police said, Klinger fled the scene and that he will be charged with not driving on roadways laned for traffic.

2 charged

with harassment

WICONISCO — Two people were arrested by state police at Lykens and charged with harassment after an incident at 707 Pottsville St. in Wiconisco Township, Dauphin County, about 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Police did not release the names of the man and woman, only saying they were 47 and 43 years old respectively. Both will now have to answer before Magisterial District Judge Rebecca Margerum, Elizabethville.

Police said the two became involved in a verbal dispute that turned physical with the woman pushing the man and the man in turn grabbing and pushing the woman.

Police investigate

burglary, theft

POTTSVILLE — State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a burglary in which someone used a home for recreational purposes between June 2 and 9 from 10:15 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.

Someone broke into the home of Adriatik Syldjmani, 707 Walnut Lane, Pottsville, and rummaged through belongings. The person then remained in the residence and appeared to use the residence for recreational purposes. They left the residence and stole numerous personal belongings.

Anyone with information regarding the incident should contact state police at Schuylkill Haven at 570-739-1330.

Police investigate

damaged vehicle

WILLIAMSTOWN — State police at Lykens are investigating a criminal mischief incident that occurred in the area of the 300 block of West Market Street in this Dauphin County community between 9 p.m. June 1 and 11:45 a.m. June 2.

Police said someone damaged the left quarter panel of a vehicle owned by Margie L. Frefia, Williamstown, and fled the area.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 717-362-8700.

Police investigate

thrown projectile

SUMMIT STATION — A criminal mischief incident that occurred on Route 183, near Ridge Road in Wayne Township, about midnight Saturday is being investigated by state police at Schuylkill Haven.

Police said Leon Schappell III, Hamburg, reported someone threw a ceramic figure at his vehicle, breaking the passenger’s side mirror and then fled the area.

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

n Frackville: The community fireworks display is set for June 28 at the Little League/Softball complex, High Street. It will include music by JB Sound. A variety of food will be on sale beginning at 5 p.m. Streets leading to the complex will be closed beginning at 7:30 p.m.

n Llewellyn: The Good Intent Hose Company will conduct a history/etiquette program regarding the American flag at 2 p.m. Sunday in the company social hall. Organizers said in a release the free two-hour program is open to the public and children and Scout organizations are “especially welcome” to attend. Emergency service personnel are invited to attend in uniform as part of the interaction portion of the program. Light refreshments will be served compliments of the company. For more information, call program coordinator Bob Laughlin at 570-292-0383.

n Pottsville: Attorney Leonard G. Schumack, president of the Schuylkill County Bar Association Scholarship Fund, has announced that the fund is accepting applications for aid for Schuylkill County students attending law school. To be eligible, applicants must be residents of Schuylkill County for three consecutive years and either be enrolled in a law school accredited by the American Bar Association or have taken law school aptitude tests and applied for admission to a law school. Applications may be obtained from the office of the Schuylkill County Bar Association Scholarship Fund, Law Library, Court House, 401 N. Second St., Pottsville, PA 17901-1756 and must be submitted to the fund by July 5. Fund directors will study the applications, make the awards and notify the successful applicants as soon as possible. Many factors, according to a release, are considered by the directors in making their decisions in order to meet the needs of the applicant. This is the 38th year for the scholarship aid program. Last year, awards were made to 13 law school students.

n Saint Clair: The borough will sponsor a Flag Day program and concert Sunday to honor the military, veterans, first responders and members of the fire and police departments, ambulance and emergency management. The Saint Clair American Legion will present the Flag Day program at 6 p.m. in Admiral Boone Park, 16 S. Third St. The Cressona Band will perform, featuring patriotic music. People planning to attend are advised to bring lawn chairs. For more information, call Councilwoman Val Davis at 570-429-1850.

n Schuylkill Haven: The community’s summer playground program will go from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning Monday at Green Goose, Saylor Street, Willow Street and North Garfield Avenue. New offerings will include swimming at the high school from 1 to 3 p.m. June 26, July 17 and Aug. 7 at a cost of $2 per child. There will also be crafts at the senior center, including candy making, sundae making and a movie. At the playgrounds, there will be new crafts, games and projects for children ages 5 through 12. There will be added costs for some activities. “To create a more structured program for participants, we will be charging a fee per child enrolled in this summer program,” organizers said in a flier. For Schuylkill Area School District residents, the fee is $1 for each day the child attends the program and $35 for the entire eight-week program. For nonresidents, those fees will be $3 daily and $100 for the entire program. To pay for the entire program, stop at the recreation office in the Schuylkill Haven Neighborhood Community Center, 340 Haven St., to fill out necessary paperwork.

n Shenandoah: The 34th annual Coal Cracker 10K and Fun Run will be held Saturday beginning in the first block of North Main Street. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the headquarters of the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc., 116 N. Main St. The Fun Run, for youngsters 12 and younger, will begin at 9 a.m. The 10K — which has a reputation as one of the most grueling runs in the state — will begin at 10 a.m. Downtown Shenandoah stores and banks will be open. The 10K is sponsored by the Shenandoah Flites Running Club, headed by Tom Talerico and Dan Lewis. After the run, the Flites stage a “Pierogie Party” for participants. Call 570-462-0389.

The Pottsville Area school board Wednesday voted to approve a plan to upgrade exterior lighting on its campus.

At its June workshop, the board approved a contract for upgrading LED lighting at Martz Hall, the middle school pool and parking lot, the main entrance of the academic center and the high school “wall pack.” The board hired Graybar, Philadelphia, at a cost of $89,826.15.

“This is the replacement of existing lights, right?” school board Member Patrick F. Moran asked.

Kerry Ansbach, director of facilities and transportation, said that was correct.

When asked to describe the high school “wall pack,” Ansbach said: “That’s security lighting that’s around the perimeter of the building.”

In other matters, the board approved a series of motions related to personnel:

• Hired teacher Chuck Rinaldo for the Extended School Year Program at a rate of $29 per hour, effective June 23.

• Hired the following people to staff the Extended School Year Program each at a rate of $29 per hour effective June 23: Michael Evans, social worker; Lara Swartz, social worker; Maria Maas, speech therapist; Amy Wasilewski; and Melanie Thornburg, occupational therapist.

• Appointed Deb Herb as a paraprofessional for the Extended School Year Program at a rate of $11.10 per hour effective June 23.

• Appointed Tina Sibbett as a substitute paraprofessional for the Extended School Year Program at a rate of $11.10 per hour effective June 23.

• Rescinded the May 13 vote to hire Cecelia Weyand as a part-time paraprofessional for the Extended School Year Program.

• Accepted the resignation of Kelsey McGarry as a paraprofessional at John S. Clarke Elementary, effective May 14.

• Appointed Bernadette Laubenstine as a part-time learning support teacher aide at Pottsville Area High School for the 2015-16 school year.

• Appointed Kaier Trovato as a part-time kindergarten instructional aide at John S. Clarke Elementary at a rate of $11.10 per hour effective June 11.

• Accepted the resignation of Jacqueline McCall, part-time cafeteria aide at Pottsville Area High School, effective May 18.

• Approved the following part-time cafeteria aides for the 2015-16 school year: Kristine Thomas, Pottsville Area High School; and Colleen Coulson, John S. Clarke Elementary.

• Hired the following summer workers, effective June 11: at Pottsville Area High School, Renee Kalinich, Ruth Bensinger, Rachelle Kemfort, Robin Kalinich, Kristine Thomas, Jacqueline Stank, Florence Berger, Paula Maley and Colleen Miller; at D.H.H. Lengel Middle School, Diane Schweikert, Teresa Tassone, Barb Kull, Jackie Toomey, Joan Goodwin, Pat Roos, Mildred Mezquita and Christine Trapani; at John S. Clarke Elementary, Melissa Petrozino, Rochelle Sylvester, Ashley Ortiz, Brittany Ortiz, Joanie Williams, Corrine Firestine, Kim Putalavage, Victoria Torres and Karen Leahy; in transportation, Monica Hummel, Carole Davis, Rosemary Kiehner, Jann Ploppert, Natalie Bachman, Bob Dusel, Mary Ann Craig, Jayne McKeown, Theresa Pellish and William Martin; in maintenance, John Kiapes, Dave Hess and Jon Bowman; and in carpentry, Howard Fallon and Marlin Reed.

In other matters, Pottsville Area is still preparing the instructions for Gillingham Charter School to submit the proposal to renew its charter for another five years.

“It’s in process,” Jeffrey S. Zwiebel, superintendent of Pottsville Area, said Wednesday night.

The third annual Public Safety Night Out will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the parking lot at Howard S. Fernlser Academic Center at the back of the middle school, Moran said.

Hosted by the City of Pottsville’s fire department, the event is an opportunity for the public to meet representatives of local fire companies, ambulance services and police.

“It will also include representatives of Schuylkill EMS, as well as Life Flight, and I believe HazMat is going to be there. And I believe EMA is going to be there,” Moran said.

SAINT CLAIR — The area school board approved its final budget for 2015-16 at $9,901,934 with a tax increase at their meeting Wednesday.

The millage will increase from 32.35 to 34.5.

One mill is equivalent to $3.45 of tax on every $1,000 of taxable value. Therefore, an owner of real estate with an assessed value of $100,000 will pay $3,450 a year in real estate taxes.

With the exceptions in special education and retirement, this keeps Saint Clair Area School district “under the bottom end” in county millage.

The budget also includes a $5 per capita tax on every resident of the school district 18 years of age or older on or before July 1.

The board also approved the 2015-16 Homestead and Farmstead Exclusion Resolution with 1,983 homes qualifying in the school district.

“Under a homestead or farmstead property tax exclusion, the assessed value of each homestead or farmstead is reduced by the same amount before the property tax is computed. Homeowners are not guaranteed a homestead or farmstead exclusion unless and until an additional income tax for purposes of granting a homestead or farmstead exclusion is approved by voter referendum or sufficient funds have been collected to permit property tax reduction allocations to be made by the commonwealth,” according to www.newpa.com.

In other business, a Kutztown University student and several of her student peers raised money for the school district’s music education program.

Kaitlynn Mervine, 19, who will be a sophomore, told the board as part of her acceptance into Theta Phi Alpha, she had to choose a place she loved most and create a fundraiser for it.

Mervine and several of her peers raised $215 on campus through candy bar sales and donated it to the school at the meeting.

In personnel business, the board approved the reappointment of Dr. Walter Setlock as school physician at a remuneration of $2,500 per year and examination fees of $2 per student and $15 per employee.

Dr. Jonathan M. Keyes was also reappointed as school dentist as a fee of $1 per examination.

The board also approved Amy Blankenhorn, Saint Clair, as a substitute nurse pending required clearances.

Five Schuylkill County men are among 24 people charged Wednesday in connection with the break-up by the Berks County District Attorney’s Office of a drug trafficking organization.

“This is the largest (drug bust) that I participated in,” said Schuylkill County Deputy Assistant District Attorney John T. Fegley, who participated in the press conference announcing the charges. “It was a great event and an impressive haul. It was a successful culmination to the law enforcement efforts across many jurisdictions.”

That haul from the organization, which operated in Berks and Schuylkill counties, included drugs with a street value of more than $300,000 and 73 firearms, according to Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams.

The Schuylkill County quintet charged in what law enforcement authorities termed Operation Ice-Out included:

• Daniel P. Close, 49, of Pottsville

• James L. Hall, 42, of Ringtown

• Brian K. O’Connell, 43, of Gilberton

• Achille L. Walker, 40, of Pottsville

• John H. Wayne, 33, of Ashland

Law enforcement officials did not specify the charges against each defendant. However, charges against the 24, whom Adams termed “mid- to high-level individuals” within the organization, included delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, corrupt organizations and criminal use of a communication facility.

Adams announced that authorities seized methamphetamine with a street value of $180,000, cocaine with a street value of $125,000, heroin with a street value of $39,000, cutting agents, drug paraphernalia, more than $78,000 in U.S. currency, 14 semi-automatic handguns, eight revolvers, eight assault rifles, 24 rifles, 19 shotguns, ammunition and four vehicles.

“They laid out a pretty big spread of big guns, shotguns and handguns,” Fegley said.

Of the 24 men charged in the operation, 12 already were incarcerated before Wednesday, three were arrested Wednesday and nine remain at large.

Pennsylvania State Police, the Berks County District Attorney’s Office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, New York Port Authority and the Berks County Drug Task Force all participated in the investigation, which started in January. The investigation included wiretaps authorized by the state Superior Court and 31 search warrants issued by Magisterial District Judge Victor M. Frederick IV, Oley, Adams said.

Fegley said such cooperation is an effective way to promote law enforcement.

“The criminals certainly know no boundaries,” Fegley said.

Schuylkill County District Attorney Christine A. Holman also praised the effort.

“It’s a blessing that law enforcement can band together and confiscate all this alleged contraband from the criminals and get it off the streets,” she said.

The Kline Township Municipal Authority emailed a statement prepared by its solicitor Paul Datte regarding a $309,718.50 discrepancy that became public at the Kline Township supervisors meeting Monday.

The authority will not have any further comment during this investigation.

Two documents from Schuylkill County District Attorney Christine A. Holman were made public that acknowledged a yearlong investigation by the district attorney’s office on the basis of an audit conducted by Patton and Lettich, certified public accountants in Pottsville, at the time of the audits from 2008 to 2012. Norm Lettich was contacted Tuesday and said he could not comment on anything pertaining to the case.

On April 25, 2014, Datte met with the district attorney and first assistant district attorney at their Pottsville offices. At that time, the district attorney was provided with a month-by-month statement prepared by the authority’s auditors of the discrepancies between payments reflected in the authority billing system and actual bank deposits. The district attorney was also informed that the authority was experiencing problems with its billing system. The authority requested the district attorney to investigate the matter, Datte said.

In the final two paragraphs of the emailed statement released by Datte on Tuesday it states, “The authority is unaware of any authority funds which are missing or may have been misappropriated and has acted in reliance on the information and findings provided by its auditors.”

“The authority recognizes the significance of that information and those findings and will fully cooperate with all law enforcement officials in the conduct of the investigation of this matter wherever that investigation may lead,” the statement continues.

“The authority considers this matter to be under continuing investigation by the District Attorney of Schuylkill County and the State office of the Attorney General. As such, the authority will have no further comment on this matter during the pendency of this investigation.”

A call to district attorney’s office Tuesday was not returned.

A third document that was not released by the board of supervisors at Monday’s meeting and briefly mentioned remains with the township supervisors. Chairman Dale Wesner said he was advised by the board’s solicitor not to make that third document public.

I often take requests for column ideas and by far, the most popular one is the subject of online dating.

Perhaps some of you have seen me on one of the free sites from time to time. I won’t lie; it’s happened. I’ve done a few two-week stints on OK Cupid and Plenty of Fish (POF) and I got hit with a bunch of rusty arrows and reeled in some scary clownfish.

Online dating obviously works wonders for some, but for me, I just don’t get it or, maybe it’s more accurate to say, I just don’t want it.

My maiden voyage was on Plenty of Fish. I meticulously wrote about my interests so my potential suitors would really be able to get a feel for who I really am.

I uploaded a variety of photos — head and full body shots, because come on, people, unless you are in fact a disembodied head, you’re going to show up with your body when you meet someone in person. Be real.

Of course, I chose flattering photos, but I really focused on the content. If my pot lid was out there, I felt like it would be a moment of pure kismet. We’d finish each other’s sentences since I don’t eat sandwiches and blissful would we be.

Let me just tell you. That’s not what happened. You know how they say you don’t even want to see what lies on the bottom of the ocean? Oh. You don’t. Trust me. The bait used for courting in messages on POF comes directly from the scripts of horror films and budget adult films, or some terrifying combination of the two.

Out of hundreds of messages, mostly just three words about my physical appearance, there were maybe three, tops, that genuinely made an effort to get to know me. No one cared what floated my boat, they just wanted to rock it.

Since this is a PG-rated audience, I can’t share some of the worst, but there were multiple messages with offers to purchase my underthings and some who tried to recruit me to perform in the kind of movies they used to keep in the back room at West Coast Video. What an ice breaker.

I did manage to go on maybe one date with a gentlemen I’m still Facebook friends with. He couldn’t have been more of a gentleman, but lack of a spark and distance made for a fizzle.

The murky waters of Plenty of Fish were disheartening, to say the least. At first, I answered almost every message because being polite is something I pride myself on.

Then came the backlash.

If I didn’t message someone back in a prompt manner — sorry, I have a life in the physical world — they got angry. Some got real angry.

I was called every synonym for hussy you’ve ever heard and told repeatedly how I think I’m too good for anyone.

One guy even told me to enjoy my miserable life and “my daddy issues that have led me to hate men so much.” Good one, buddy. My dad is my idol and I think men are amazing beings. I mean, nice try with the tough love, but surely you have better tactics than that.

That said, I will admit something girls constantly deny: Aside from the threats and the display of vulgarity, I generally liked the attention. Eventually, I knew I wasn’t on there because I was sure my ideal mate was going to find me.

I later did the same thing on OK Cupid, and again, there was one or two with whom I had great conversation and developed a friendship, but mostly, OK Cupid wasn’t even OK. It was mostly a letdown.

My friend and I signed up at the same time like two girls going to the bathroom together in a bar. What we sadly found is even some of the more detailed messages were just the same thing copied and pasted.

Her profile didn’t even have any information at one point, just a photo. She would get messages like, “I read your profile and I think we’d be a really great match!” Well, that’s nice. You’re into blank white spaces? Me too!

Now the same issues are creeping into my Facebook account. As my number of friends grows, so does the propositioning. And it’s just exhausting.

I don’t know what guys’ deals are anymore. I feel like they just go through and like every single girl’s photos where they think she looks hot in some kind of passive attempt to get closer to them. I think some people genuinely just think, “Hey. That’s a great picture.” But there are creeps and I feel like Facebook to them is 24-7-365 hunting season.

That’s fine, but I don’t really want to be in the crosshairs of someone who would take a shot at anything just for the kill.

I just want someone to make me feel special. The problem there is I have a habit of shutting people out.

I know what some of you are saying, “OMG. Jenna you and all your selfies, I’m sure you don’t want attention and likes. You ask for it.”

Let’s get something straight: I love compliments. Seriously? Who doesn’t? It’s a self-esteem boost to think someone may think I’m pretty because, honestly, there are many days I don’t feel I am the least bit.

At the end of the day, I’ve gone on about three dates with men I’ve met online after doing complete background checks and assuring myself they wouldn’t leave me in a ditch.

What didn’t work for me is that nothing felt genuine and everyone seemed to have an agenda. I felt like no one genuinely wanted to get to know me, but rather, they were driven by desire to go straight to trying to getting to know me in the biblical sense.

I deserve more than that.

It’s rare that I let anyone in, but when I do, I put my whole heart into it and I do it in the purest manner I can. I don’t have an agenda. I want someone to drive me. Not to the grocery store, but to be better and be happy — and I the same for them.

If that doesn’t mean anything these days, well I guess that’s out of my control. Maybe I expect too much out of people.

I struggle to find my worth at times, but I know I am more than an object or a pretty picture.

Online or not, I admittedly suck at dating, I find it hard, but I feel like it should be simple.

Maybe the biggest issue is I’ve learned not to fall for sugar-coated charm — it’s a quick high followed by a hard crash. I want something raw and real like honey from a real worker bee, not some artificial sweetener.

I’ve given online a shot, I’ve overspent my time in the barrooms. I travel. I talk to strangers, but it’s hard to find something authentic — even harder if you never give anything a chance.

I know online dating is not for me, but good luck to anyone out there faced with some of the same things. I hope your love life and inbox is a’buzzing.

(Wasakoski, an assistant editor at The News-Item, can be reached at jenna_w@newsitem.com)

SHENANDOAH — A borough man was jailed Thursday after being charged with assaulting his mother and a police officer.

Jordan A. Zulkowski, 25, of 332 W. Arlington St., was charged with one felony count each of aggravated assault and aggravated assault on police as well as one misdemeanor offense each of simple assault, resisting arrest, harassment, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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

Patrolman William Moyer charged Zulkowski with an incident at his home about 3:25 a.m.

Moyer said police were called for a report of a disturbance and learned that Zulkowski was inside assaulting his mother.

Entering the home, Moyer said, Zulkowski was standing in a living room and ordered to lie on the ground two times before he complied.

Moyer said that when he was placing Zulkowski in handcuffs, the man pulled his hands away and threw him off.

Zulkowski was shot with a Taser but began to roll around and pull the Taser darts out, prompting the weapon to be deployed for another cycle, Moyer said.

Zulkowski ripped the Taser prongs out and ran into the kitchen of the home and out the back door. Once outside, Moyer said, Zulkowski picked up a trash can and threw it at him and then tried to throw a plastic pool at him as well.

Zulkowski was hit with the Taser weapon again, but began to crawl under a back porch. He was taken into custody when assistance arrived, Moyer said.

Moyer said officers found Zulkowski to be in possession of a tinfoil smoking pipe, empty bags of synthetic marijuana and a full bag of Strawberry Xtreme synthetic marijuana. He was subsequently taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street by Shenandoah EMS for evaluation because he was awake but not responding to verbal commands, Moyer said.

The subsequent investigation determined that Zulkowski began “freaking out” at his mother and began choking her against a wall and throwing her around.

The woman, who had visible bruising, said she did not provoke her son and that he was using drugs but she did not know what kind.

Zulkowski will now have to answer to the charges against him before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah.

n Barnesville: The Ryan Township Fire Company, Route 54, sponsors bingo games from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays at the firehouse. The cost is $15 for a small package and $18 for a large package. Doors and the kitchen opens at 4 p.m. and games begin at 6 p.m. For more information, call 570-778-1732.

n Hegins: An American Red Cross blood drive is set for noon to 2 to 7 p.m. June 16 at Hegins Valley Fire and Rescue, 720 E. Chestnut St. People 17 and older, weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to donate blood. To make an appointment to donate blood, call 800-733-2767 or download the American Red Cross donor app. The website is at www.redcrossblood.org.

n Mahanoy City: Washington Hook & Ladder Fire Company will hold a car wash from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the firehouse, 35 E. Mahanoy Ave. The cost is $5 for exterior only and $15 for exterior and interior.

n Mahanoy City: Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church will mark the 20th anniversary of the visit to Mahanoy City by the late Mother Teresa on June 21. The Most Rev. John O. Barres, bishop of the Diocese of Allentown, will celebrate the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Monsignor Aloysius Callaghan will be the guest homilist. There will be a dinner reception in the parish hall at noon with dinner served at 1 p.m. The cost is $15. A limited amount of tickets are tickets available in the parish office. For more information, call the rectory at 570-773-0550.

n Saint Clair: St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church, 110 N. Morris St., will sponsor a one-seating Father’s Day meal beginning at noon June 21. The cost is $15 per person and $6 for children. Takeouts will be available. Reservations are required by calling 570-429-2138.

n Schuylkill Haven: The Schuylkill Haven Dive Rescue & Recovery Team will host a country dance fundraiser from 7 to 10 p.m. June 18 at the Schuylkill Haven Community Center, 340 Haven St. Tickets are $10 each and include refreshments and music by disc jockey Barryation. For more information, call 570-449-2145.

n Shenandoah: The Shenandoah Rotary Club has an ongoing program of providing American flags in honor of relatives or friends who are serving or have served in the armed forces. The cost is $20 per flag and the banners will be displayed in the borough throughout the year and for holidays. Those who buy flags will receive certificates from the Rotary acknowledging the memory or honor contribution. The Rotarians hope the project will eliminate weathering of the community’s patriotic display flags. For more information, call 570-462-2126, 570-590-0728, email svap200@yahoo.com or call Mark Bernardyn at M&T Bank, 570-462-2734.

n Tamaqua: The Tamaqua Salvation Army has partnered with Diakon Social Services to provide gentle fitness exercise classes for people 50 and older. Sessions are held at 10:30 a.m. every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at the Salvation Army, 105 W. Broad St. Sessions begin with a casual 20 minutes of aerobic movement through walking, then incorporate a variety of fitness genres. Registration is free and walk-ins are welcome.

n Tamaqua: The Tamaqua Area Faith and Fellowship Network will again sponsor its “One Nation Under God” July 4 food collection and distribution. Organizers said in a release they hope to feed 50 area families by providing picnic-type food to those in need. The communitywide effort is looking for donations, both monetary and food items. Needed items include ketchup, mustard, Betty Crocker Suddenly Salads, baked beans, potatoes, chips, pretzels, Jell-O, cake mix, icing, brownies and apple sauce. Some items have already been collected as Zion Lutheran Church members provided freezer pops and powdered drink mix, while Trinity United Church of Christ members provided macaroni and cheese. The collection is being organized by Melody Casler and Ann Marie Hadesty. To make a donation or volunteer to help, call Casler at 570-668-2180, Hadesty at 570-449-8510 or email to zionlcof@verizon.net.

n Valley View: The Valley View Park Association will sponsor a performance by Elvis impersonator Brad Crum from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Valley View Park, Gap Street. There is no fee but donations will be accepted. All donations will benefit the improvement and maintenance of the park. For more information, call 570-682-8959.

Ethan C. Kennedy will spend time in state prison, although exactly how much is not certain, for driving into a house in Butler Township in August 2013, a Schuylkill County judge decided Thursday.

Kennedy, 30, of Mahanoy City, must go to a state correctional institution for evaluation for the state intermediate punishment program, President Judge William E. Baldwin ruled.

If state authorities admit Kennedy into the program, which combines imprisonment and substance abuse rehabilitation, he will remain in it for two years. If they do not, then Baldwin will resentence Kennedy at a later date.

Baldwin also sentenced Kennedy to pay costs, $2,725 in fines, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $460 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street.

Kennedy had pleaded guilty on March 18 to aggravated assault by vehicle, driving under the influence and reckless driving in one case and driving under suspension in a second. Prosecutors withdrew charges of aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, operating vehicle without required financial responsibility, disregarding traffic lane, false report to law enforcement, false identification, suspended vehicle registration, a second count of driving under suspension and two counts of passing when prohibited.

Butler Township police filed charges against Kennedy as the result of the incident on Aug. 20, 2013, on Route 61 in Fountain Springs.

Police said Kennedy was intoxicated while driving north on Route 61 at a high rate of speed when his sport utility vehicle crossed into and over the southbound lane. Kennedy’s SUV went into a grassy area, sideswiped a tree, became airborne and crashed into the 919 Fountain St. home of David Kulp, police said.

Police said emergency personnel had to dig out Kulp from under debris in his home before taking him to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, for treatment of his injuries.

At Kennedy’s preliminary hearing on Nov. 20, 2013, Kulp testified he has no memory of what occurred.

“I was sitting in my recliner and the next thing I remember is waking up in Geisinger,” Kulp said.

Kulp had consented to Kennedy being evaluated for the intermediate punishment program, consent Baldwin had required before allowing sentencing to proceed.

Shenandoah police also charged Kennedy with driving with a suspended license on Oct. 23, 2013, in the borough.

ASHLAND — The trees and shrubs on the islands along Hoffman Boulevard were given a reprieve from being removed after borough council voted Wednesday to rescind last month’s vote.

The council voted 6-1 to rescind the action taken at the May meeting after receiving input from Ashland Downtown Inc. officials and other members of the public who opposed having the landscaping removed.

About 50 people attended the meeting, with many standing through the entire session that lasted more than an hour. Council President Patrick Cooney was pleased with the turnout.

“It’s a pleasure to see so many people at a borough council meeting,” Cooney said. “After eight years on council, by far this is the most people that have attended. Thank you.”

Cooney opened the floor for public comment, with ADI Vice President Bill Farley speaking first to council. He spoke on behalf of ADI, Schuylkill Area Community Foundation board President Gary Glessner, Ashland residents, and about 1,270 concerned citizens who signed the online petition.

“I urge you to rethink your vote of May 13 concerning the removal of landscaping down and around Hoffman Boulevard,” Farley said. “As you consider this request, please keep in mind that many people in Ashland have dedicated countless hours of volunteer time over 13-plus years. These are people who love Ashland and want the town to be safe. Many of the people supporting our petition simply want council to vote against the immediate removal of landscaping and give more time for council to give careful consideration to all the information we believe that was not available to council at last month’s meeting prior to the vote.”

The landscaped islands run the length of Hoffman Boulevard from the “Welcome to Ashland” sign at the southern end of the boulevard to the Mother’s Memorial at the north end. Along the highway is also the Hoffman Memorial, dedicated to Dr. J. Louis Hoffman, who was instrumental in the Mother’s Memorial project.

The landscaping of the islands, which predate the Mother’s Memorial, was done by the ADI, the borough’s revitalization organization. The islands were planted with trees, flowers and shrubs by volunteers, who also maintain them.

Two reasons were the basis for the decision to remove the trees and shrubbery. The first was to return the islands to the state they were in when the Mother’s Memorial was dedicated in order to improve the ability for the memorial to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The second reason is due to a concern for traffic safety, saying that the foliage blocks the view of drivers, especially those entering the boulevard from Walnut and Middle streets.

In the past month, the need to bring the landscaping back to its original condition when the Mother’s Memorial was built was found to be not necessary after Farley contacted April E. Frantz, director of the National Register Program at the State Historic Preservation Office of the state Historical and Museum Commission. Frantz said the rules do not require reverting to the 1938 condition of the islands in order to better qualify for the national recognition application submittal.

Farley was also able to obtain statistics from the state Department of Transportation. The statistics for reportable crashes show a decrease two five-year periods — before the updated landscaping from 1997 to 2002 and after from 2010 to 2015.

Another speaker from ADI was Marylee Rebuck, who chairs the Design Committee.

“I, as much as anyone, want to see the right thing done,” Rebuck said. “We’re more than willing to work with you. We certainly urge that this is rescinded. It’s just a shame that you didn’t have more information. I think it should be reconsidered. I’ll be more than glad to sit down with the borough and really get to the bottom of this.”

Cooney changed the order of the meeting agenda to have the council act on the issue. Borough Manager Raymond Jones Jr. read a letter from Entech Engineering project manager Donald M. Cuff, the borough’s consulting engineer, who reviewed a report from 2004 dealing with an evaluation of the landscaping plans for the islands and to determine if the information is still current.

“We have reviewed the October 2004 Hoffman Boulevard Evaluation report prepared by Alfred Benesch and Company for the borough and we feel the recommendation in the report are still valid,” Cuff wrote. “The information in the report regarding the site distances is current and following the recommended height of plantings, trimming of trees and restricted parking near crosswalks, make the location safer for vehicular and pedestrian traffic.”

ADI President Joseph T. Cataldo said the review of the specifications from 2004 was requested by ADI. Borough solicitor James Diehl provided some background on the safety issue that led to the council’s decision last month about the landscaping in order to reduce the chance of liability on the borough’s part in case of a crash.

There was much back-and-forth discussion between ADI officials and the public with borough council and, after a time, Councilwoman Ann Marie Groody entered the conversation, directing a question to ADI.

“Are those of you sitting here telling me that ADI still wants to be responsible for taking care of the islands on Hoffman Boulevard?” Groody asked, to which the officers said “yes.”

“And we want to be in compliance,” Rebuck added.

Farley entered the conversation again, noting that the PennDOT requirements have been met for the most part, but the borough has not met its own requirements to paint curbs for no parking near the intersections along Hoffman Boulevard and enforcing parking restrictions near the curbs.

“For the 11 years of that agreement, we’ve been in compliance almost all the time, but you’ve been out of compliance all the time,” Farley said.

“I think what we have here is a failure to communicate,” Cooney said.

“We have had some very good cooperation before, and I would like to keep our communications flowing and keep the same atmosphere,” Cataldo said.

“I would like to make a motion to rescind the motion to remove the landscaping from the islands on Hoffman Boulevard as long as they are kept in compliance with PennDOT specifications,” Groody said, which received a round of applause.

Councilman Frederick Spieles offered the second, which also received applause.

On the question, council Vice President Adam J. Bernodin Jr. brought up the issue of liability in case a crash is even partially blamed on obstructed visibility at the islands. Bernodin’s comments were not received well from the public.

“If the vote goes the right way, and I appreciate what you did over the years, we have to worry about liability,” Bernodin said.

Before the vote, Groody added that when ADI was formed, there were two council members on the board, which is not the case now. She recommended that a council member should be on the ADI board in order to keep communications active between both entities.

The vote to rescind was 6-1, with Bernodin voting no on the liability issue.

MAHANOY CITY — A 16-year-old boy jailed for allegedly trying to kill his mother in April had the charges against him moved to juvenile court on Wednesday.

The teen, who was 15 at the time of the April 27 incident at his Mahanoy Township home, had his case decertified, taking the charges out of county Court of Common Pleas and moved to the juvenile system.

The teen was scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on the charges Thursday before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah. With the adult case decertified, the hearing was canceled.

Mahanoy Township police Chief Brandon Alexander charged the teen with 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.

Alexander charged the boy after an incident at his home that began about 9 p.m. when he was called for a domestic disturbance and learned the teenager beat his mother severely.

The woman was found 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 the woman calmed down and to 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 anger outburst.

Alexander said the teen 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. Her son then put his hands around her neck and started squeezing, causing her to lose her breath. While doing this, Alexander said, the woman reported 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 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 the woman to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street for treatment of injuries she suffered.

The Pottsville Business Association on Thursday decided to remain an independent organization and started the process of forming a stronger board of directors.

PBA President Mary Anne Woodward was “really pleased” to see 31 people turn out for the morning meeting held at Union Station. The average in recent months has been 10 to 12.

“The vote was to have PBA remain an independent organization and to try to get more people involved, and it was unanimous. I don’t know if you’d call it a reorganization, but it’s an effort to get organized,” Woodward said.

“It’s a very, very positive step,” Carmen A. DiCello, who owns Towne Drug and Yorkville Drug Store, Pottsville, said.

“Personally, I was impressed. There was a good turnout, not only veterans but some new faces. And everybody was upbeat. And we need to get people involved and we have to work together,” Patrick J. Murphy, owner of Murphy Jewelers, said.

The PBA has been struggling to get more of its members to monthly meetings and its administrators have expressed concerns about its income. Since January, its members have been debating whether or not to merge with the nonprofit group that it contracts for management services, the Pottsville Area Development Corp.

The Pottsville Business Association was incorporated in 1905, but its by-laws were written in 1966, Burkhart said previously.

The PBA’s officers include: Woodward, president; Jack Mansell, vice president; and Karen A. Kenderdine, treasurer.

“Right now, there were three people running the whole show,” DiCello said.

For more than a decade, PADCO has been serving as a business manager for the PBA at a cost of about $350 per month, according to Amy S. Burkhart, PADCO’s executive director.

On May 11, Woodward sent a letter to the PBA’s 120 members stating, “I feel very strongly that we must gather input from all members regarding which path best meets the needs of PBA.”

“I think some of the people who came out Thursday have been involved with PBA in the past and they think it’s important for Pottsville to have its own business organization that will work to try to attract more people and business to our community. I was really pleased to see them come out. Life gets in the way sometimes, but they think it’s important. And some didn’t realize the organization wasn’t doing as well as it should be,” Woodward said.

With a crowd at the meeting Thursday, the PBA also decided to discuss its by-laws and took a step to further incorporate them.

“They by-laws indicated there should be a board of 15 directors. So they put together a list of volunteers to take on that role,” Burkhart said.

That list included the following PBA members: Woodward, Mansell, Kenderdine, DiCello, Murphy, Gene Breines, Jerry Enders, Ed Keyworth, Jerry Labooty, Christie Monahan, John Plachko, Angela Mestishen Regnier, Elaine Stine, Rich Torpey and Karen Wood, according to a list provided by Diana McGeever, PADCO administrative assistant.

“They need more active members on the board. Many of us, including yours truly, have volunteered to serve,” DiCello said.

But before that board can be seated, the PBA decided to have an attorney, James C. Bohorad, Pottsville, review the by-laws first.

“He took our by-laws to review them to determine what we have to do at this point. But, we did put together a list of volunteers who are willing to join the board if we need to form a board,” Woodward said.

“But we have a list of 15 people and, upon favorable review by Jim Bohorad, it will operate as a board of directors,” Burkhart said.

DiCello said he thought the by-laws should be updated with an improved mission statement.

“I don’t know when the last time they were updated. It must be at least 25 years ago,” DiCello, a past PBA president, said.

The PBA’s regular meetings are held at 8 a.m. on the second Thursday of every month on the second floor of Union Station. The next meeting is 8 a.m. July 9, according to Burkhart.

LANSFORD — Heavy rainstorms passed through the area Thursday outside the Panther Valley High School auditorium as 79 graduates proceeded with their commencement. They collected their hard-earned diplomas following the processional as “Pomp and Circumstance” played.

First up to speak was Class of 2015 President Macey Kate Markovich.

She explored the meaning of the word “graduation,” telling her classmates they are moving away from a simple life filled with daily routine into a new and uncharted phase of life. She quoted Walt Whitman: “You are here — life exists and identity, that the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse,” urging her classmates to remember the quote and recite it to themselves when their goal seems out of reach.

“What will your verse be?” she asked.

Salutatorian Steven Reehl addressed everyone by thanking parents, grandparents, guardians, friends, teachers, faculty and administration. He talked about closing one chapter and starting another as they wade into that great unknown called life. He compared graduating to taking off training wheels with encouragement to move forward on their own. He also predicted the life bicycle will cause them all to fall a few times before they get the hang of it. He used a quote from Robert Frost: “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.”

Reehl predicted great things for the Class of 2015.

Valedictorian Brook A. Turner used Helen Keller to lead off her speech, “ ‘Life is either a great adventure or nothing.’ We are the 51st graduating class of Panther Valley High School. We have ushered in a new adventure and a new era for our school and for ourselves. Our time here has been full of adventure and change, both good and bad. We have laughed, cried, worked and achieved together. We have also experienced some difficult times. Just over three short months ago, a tragic car accident claimed the life of our classmate, Autumn Young. Our class and the Panther Valley family came together to support each other and heal. As we continue on our adventures, we will always keep Autumn’s memory with us,” she said. “We have become better, more educated people through our adventures here.”

A Pottsville man returned to prison Monday after being sentenced in Schuylkill County Court in a case that arose from a March 2012 incident in Cass Township.

Charles S, Brilla, 22, must serve four to 23 months in prison, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin ruled.

Dolbin imposed the sentence after revoking Brilla’s probation, which the defendant admitted violating by committing new crimes and failing several drug tests.

Brilla originally entered the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program on Nov. 15, 2012, after being charged with driving under the influence, recklessly endangering another person and reckless driving. If he had completed that program successfully, he could have had the criminal charges against him dismissed.

Cass-Foster Township police alleged Brilla was DUI on March 17, 2012, in the township.

However, Senior Judge D. Michael Stine, who had admitted Brilla into the program, removed him from it on Jan. 28, 2014.

Brilla then pleaded guilty before Dolbin on May 21, 2014. At that time, Dolbin sentenced him to serve 48 hours to six months in prison and 12 months on probation, pay costs, $700 in fines, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street — all of which he still must pay under the terms of Monday’s sentence — and perform 30 hours community service.

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

Edward Flores-Rodriguez, 26, of Allentown; prohibited possession of firearm, driving unregistered vehicle and driving without a license; 33 days to 18 months in prison, $275 in fines and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew charges of carrying a firearm without a license and operating vehicle without required financial responsibility.

Helene C. Grutza, 39, of Barnesville; retail theft; 12 months probation, $50 CJEA payment, $15.54 restitution and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Kevin S. Kerner, 27, of Locustdale; no contest plea to open lewdness; 12 months probation and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew charges of disorderly conduct and harassment.

Courtney L. Kroh, 22, of Frackville; disorderly conduct; $100 fine. Prosecutors withdrew charges of defiant trespass and harassment.

MAR LIN — Connecting job creators and educators to prepare future employees in many different careers in the trades was the focus of a roundtable on Thursday in Mar Lin.

The roundtable was held by the Select Subcommittee on Technical Education and Career Readiness, a subcommittee of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Education Committee. The meeting to discuss the Act 168 Business Education Partnership Program was hosted by state Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, a member of the subcommittee, at the Schuylkill Technology Center-South Campus at Mar Lin and attended by other subcommittee members, state Department of Education Deputy Secretary Matt Stem, Schuylkill Intermediate Unit No. 29 Executive Director Diane Niederriter and Schuylkill Technology Center Director of Vocational Education Kurt Lynch.

North Schuylkill School District Superintendent Robert J. Ackell, Supervisor of Curriculum and Federal Programs Kimberly M. Groody and high school Industrial Arts teacher Kelly Stone spoke during the roundtable about Monday’s visit to two Schuylkill County manufacturers by more than 100 district teachers to learn about the options that students have in learning about the career opportunities in manufacturing and other trades. Representatives from those two companies, Ashland Technologies CEO John Powers and Solar Innovations Human Resource Manager Melissa Cramer, also attended the roundtable.

Schuylkill Haven Area School District Superintendent Lorraine M. Felker and Blue Mountain Schuylkill District Superintendent Robert L. Urzillo attended and addressed the subcommittee. Also speaking were Sapa Extrusions Human Resources Generalist Michele A. Atkinson, Cardinal Systems Inc. Human Resources and Safety Manager Denise Stoner, Hexcel Corporation Human Resources Manager Heather Houghton, and Heim Construction Co. owner Roy Heim. State Reps. Neal P. Goodman and Jerry Knowles stayed briefly before leaving for another appointment.

Before the roundtable began, a tour of the South Campus school was given by STC officials.

Subcommittee chairman Rep. Seth Grove and co-chairman Rep. Patrick Harkins chaired the meeting. Grove began the roundtable, saying, “This is not just a Schuylkill County issue. It’s a Pennsylvania issue. It’s a national issue that every state is struggling with. The tentative scope of the select subcommittee is trying to get past the bias on technical education with both students and parents and trying to do a better job of connecting the private sector with the education field to create a robust workforce to keep our employers here. I think Pennsylvania workers are the hardest and best workers of any workers out there.”

Niederriter was the first to speak, explaining that two local school boards — Schuylkill Haven Area and Shenandoah Valley — held meetings at the technology centers and received tours to learn more of what the centers have to offer.

“Our problem has always been that the message isn’t out there for educators, for parents, for students,” Niederriter said. “We need to get that message out next year and the year after.”

“We know we’re well equipped,” Lynch said. “We just want students to see what we have. If we can get more school districts to have meetings and have some of the instructors and guidance counselors come in and see what we have to offer. We know we have the curriculum. We know we have the people. We have industry backing.”

Lynch said enrollment has jumped as efforts are made to show what the centers have. In the 2014-15 school year, there were 562 students. For the 2015-16 school year, the total is at 821 students.

“It’s very important that we put this in the forefront and offer kids want they really need,” Lynch said. “We have a gem here.”

Tobash said, “When I look at this act (168), it’s about teachers and schools. It’s about students and parents. It’s about employers and our local economy. If we can get those things together, we can get our schools working well with our business community. The act is so simple. It is allowing teachers to get continuing education credits when they go into manufacturing facilities.”

Stem addressed the subcommittee about the “mission critical work” of the Department of Education in providing the opportunities for all students in career options.

“Certainly one of the governor’s goals is expanding the opportunities for career and technology education,” Stem said. “At the department level, our responsibility is preparing kids to be college and career ready. In our rapidly changing environment, we have to be nimble and responsive in terms of the way we lead and the support in the field. One of the major charges at our department is to ensure that we incentivize industry and public-private partnerships working alongside the schools with career and tech-ed centers collaborating with traditional K-12 public schools and breaking down barriers.”

Cramer said teachers need to know what is available to students as career options.

“It’s very important to get the teachers out there to see manufacturing and to see what opportunities are out there,” Cramer said. “It’s amazing that the awareness isn’t out there. We’re able to communicate the importance of being in Schuylkill County and do what we can to educate the teachers. We need to connect the dots.”

Powers said Ashland Technologies has a good relationship with the North Schuylkill School District and it is a matter of getting everyone connected.

“The business world communicates well with the legislative world. The legislative world deals with the teachers, but one of the things we seem to be missing a lot of times is the connection between the educators and the business world,” Powers said.

Powers said that students in the YES (Your Employability Skills) Northeast Certificate Program curriculum, which is promoted by the Northeast PA Manufacturers and Employers Association, have visited his company and were excited to see what the company does.

“At the end of every tour, you’ll have three or four kids who say that they’re seniors and they wished they knew about this in seventh grade and that they probably would have made a different choice in my life,” Powers said.

Ackell said the visits by North Schuylkill teachers on Monday to Ashland Technologies and Solar Innovations was a very important time to learn. At first, the idea was to take a portion of the teaching staff to the companies, but Ackell wanted the entire teaching staff from elementary to high school to be involved.

“We thought it was worthwhile and decided to give it a shot,” Ackell said. “We didn’t know what the feedback was going to be. We didn’t know if the teachers were going to embrace it or just going through the motions. If you were there, you saw the discussions, and there were discussions the day after and the connections the teachers made. Not the just the math and science teachers, but the kindergarten teachers, the primary teachers. It was unbelievable the feedback we received the next day. When we write our comprehensive plan this upcoming school year, we are going to expand on Act 168 and incorporate in whatever businesses we can partner with, and have the teachers bring into their instructional practices in their classrooms to get the word out to our students that do they need to go to a four-year college and can they go to STC. We’re a big supporter of STC and we’re looking to grow. We’re excited for next year. It’s right in our backyard and we’re missing it. We’ve got to jump on it and keep the momentum going.”

The state Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee came to Pottsville on Thursday to hear firsthand about the current economic conditions of the coal industry.

Chaired by Sen. Gene Yaw, R-23, the bipartisan legislative committee met at city hall to hear testimony from several industry leaders about state and federal regulation affecting production and coal-refuse fired alternative energy plants.

“Today, this fills in the big picture for us,” Yates said.

State Sen. Dave Argall, R-29, and state Reps. Neal Goodman, D-123, and Jerry Knowles, R-124, joined committee members Yaw and Sen. Camera Bartolotta, vice-chairwoman, in the discussion Thursday.

“In the United States, we have a war on coal by this administration, but in other parts of the world there is a war for coal,” Brian Rich, president of the Reading Anthracite Co., Pottsville, said. “Coal is the second largest commodity in the world in the term of its energy. Oil is number one and second is coal. Forty percent of the entire world’s electricity is produced with coal, so in other parts of the world coal is really important.”

Rich said 5 billion tons of coal has been extracted from the anthracite coal field from 1850-1950. Before then, trees were the only source of heat for the country, he said.

“One ton of coal represents four trees, 50 feet tall and 1 foot in diameter, that’s the BTU equivalent,” Rich said. “Twenty billion trees were allowed to grow as a result of the utilization of anthracite coal over 100 years.”

Rich said that the coal industry is still vital to the railroad.

“The railroad industry relies on coal as a revenue background for that system to exist,” Rich said. “That is something that we all have to protect because if we lose our rail infrastructure, how can we attract industry to our community?”

Rich said that legislation regarding CO2 emissions will cause problems for coal-refuse fired power plants, which burn the waste coal left behind from the anthracite mining. The Clean Power Plan being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has yet to be finalized, but may call for a reduction of 30 percent of carbon emissions by 2030.

“Those rules would shut us down immediately,” Rich said.

Rich also said that imported coal is unfair competition.

“For every ton of coal that is mined in the United States, there are dollars that are sent to Washington (D.C.) to restore the legacy of mining around the nation,” Rich said. “Our foreign competitors do not have anything like that.”

Knowles said that coal is “getting the shaft” in Washington, D.C., and wants to make sure that doesn’t happen in Pennsylvania.

“I always believed that it is not our job in government to pick winners and losers in terms of energy sources,” he said. “It is our job to make sure there is a level playing field and that everybody is treated fairly.”

Greg Driscoll, president and CEO of Blaschak Coal Corp., Mahanoy City, said that anthracite mining today is actively undoing its negative legacy as operators continue to invest in modernizing the industry. He said that operators have invested about $300 million in revitalizing the industry since hitting a low demand of about 1 million tons in 2007.

“This signals, in our view, a real commitment by operators to do their part to re-energize a once proud and prosperous industry.”

Driscoll said anthracite is the highest quality form of coal in existence and Pennsylvania is the only place in the country with commercial quantities of it. He said the coal is also vital to the steel industry as well as municipal water filtration.

“Anthracite is a treasure to the state of Pennsylvania, and should, in my view, be treated as such,” Driscoll said.

Since 2012, Driscoll said more than 500,000 tons of anthracite have been imported from Eastern Europe and Peru. That is nearly 10 percent of the current output from Pennsylvania, he said.

“These imports are from mining operations often subsidized by governments in producing nations, resulting in pricing that is well below the cost of actual mining and providing unfair advantages to foreign sourced material,” Driscoll said. “Those subsidies and ‘below cost’ pricing also impact the opportunity to export our production.”

Driscoll said there is a growing market for anthracite coal around the world.

“The Pennsylvania anthracite industry could produce significantly more high-quality anthracite coal if conditions were favorable,” he said. “An industry that today is producing about 2 million tons per year, could, under proper conditions, expand to as much as 10 million tons of annual output. Such expansion would lead to significant job growth in the region as well as increases in the support industries that service the local mining operations. The historic decline in U.S. anthracite production can be reversed, and the Northeastern Pennsylvania economy would be the main beneficiary of this renewed growth.”

Argall asked Driscoll what a resolution ending foreign competition would mean for the local coal company. Argall is a cosponsor of the proposed Senate Resolution 54, which would impose taxes on imported coal. Driscoll said that a direct mining operation with about 1,000 employees may be able to add 3,000 to 4,000 jobs, which would bring about 12,000 related jobs to the area.

Ed Yankovich, international District 2 vice president of the United Mine Workers of America, stressed that it is important to protect the remaining coal jobs still in the area.

“The anthracite mining communities in Northeastern Pennsylvania are prime examples of the devastation brought by the loss of its primary industry,” he said. “Anthracite coal production today is a shadow of its once mighty production and its employment level. However, what jobs are left continue to be well-paying jobs with benefits in an area that can not afford to lose anymore jobs of any nature.”

Duane Feagley, executive director of the Pennsylvania Anthracite Council; Vincent Brisini, director of environmental affairs for Olympus Power LLC, Morristown, New Jersey; Nolan Perin, president of Blackwood Inc., Tremont; and Martin Williams, a business agent for Boilermakers Local Lodge No. 13, Levittown, also provided testimony Thursday.

Some of the testimony provided Thursday is available online at Yaw’s website at www.senatorgeneyaw.com.