Deeds

Ashland — Mary Ann Kulenguskey to James F. Kulenguskey Jr. and Lisa M. Strouse; 1807 Market St.; $1.

Cass Township — Federal National Mortgage Association to Kaja Holdings 2 LLC; 90 Sunbury Road, Primrose; $9,505.

East Brunswick Township — Terry L. Levan, executor of the Estate of David R. Wagner, to Terry L. Levan; 16 N. Hope Ave.; $1.

East Union Township — Preston L. and Suzanne C. Henderson to The Preston L. Henderson Revocable Trust and The Suzanne C. Henderson Revocable Trust; Lot 129WS, Adobe Way, Eagle Rock; $1.

Keith N. and Diane L. Wetherill to Sean P. and Amy L. Shamany; Lot 219ER, Eagle Rock; $34,000.

Kline Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to LJE LLC, Blackstone Funding LLC and JMAC Realty LLC; 612 Mountain Top Terrace; $11,509.

U.S. Marshal for the District of Middle Pennsylvania to George E. and Sandra J. Hawthorne; property at Market and First streets; $20,001.

New Philadelphia — Kristine M. Renninger to Jacob F. Scholtes; 187 Water St.; $115,000.

Norwegian Township —

Mark H. and Michele D. Schwartz to Mark H. Schwartz; 37 Tall Oaks Drive; $1.

Vincent J. and Karen M. Mistysyn to Frank J. and Laurie J. Barone; 110 Hickory Drive; $345,000.

Pine Grove Township — Secretary of Veterans Affairs to Eldon Weaver; 88 Rock Road; $41,000.

Porter Township — Justin T. and Tiffany L. Ham to Diane Hollis; 546 Greenwood Road; $1.

Pottsville — U.S. Bank NA to Michael Super; 1127 W. Norwegian St.; $8,700.

Rush Township — Kenneth H. and Rhonda L. Herring to Gordon R. Tonkin; 20 Blackwell St., Hometown; $172,000.

Schuylkill Haven — John W. Reiley Jr. to Michael Wurster; 126 Avenue B; $140,000.

Shenandoah — Carolyn and Michael T. Michaels to Walter J. and Desirea Bennett; 113 S. Main St.; $100,000.

Michael T. and Carolyn W. Michaels to Walter J. and Desirae Bennett; 433 W. Washington St.; $15,000.

South Manheim Township — Charles C. and Tina Minnich to Jacob A. and Alyssa Faith Gilbert; 1885 Bow Drive, Lake Wynonah; $65,000.

Walker Township — David M. Bensinger to David M. and Margaret A. Bensinger; 781 Valley Road, Lewistown Valley; $1.

Wayne Township — Joel M. Hill to Daniel McCracken; 511 Coyote Drive, Lake Wynonah; $149,900.

Shawn P. and Lisa C. O’Neill to Shawn P. and Lisa C. O’Neill; 1149 Running Deer Drive, Lake Wynonah; $1.

Frederick L. and Janet M. Anderson to Carl E. and Maria Regina Costa; 215 Wynonah Drive, Lake Wynonah; $180,000.

West Brunswick Township — Hermelt P. and Marietta L. Montalvo to Professional Investors Group LLC; 2102 Village Road, Pinebrook; $125,000.

West Penn Township — Philip J. Krell to Philip J. Krell Jr.; 28.04-acre property; $1.

Barbara Oswald to Jason Oswald; 1.5035-acre property on Route 895; $1.

John M. Sarge and Beverly Sarge to Kyle A. Bragalone and Alaina A. Larock; 696 Clamtown Road, Clamtown; $228,000.

The Kulpmont Cruise Association is changing the name of its annual cruise this year to honor a member who died last year.

Joe Cesari, association president, said this year’s Great Kulpmont Cruise is now called the Gary Hixson Memorial Cruise. Hixson, who died in September 2014, entered his 1940 Chevy into the cruise every year. Cesari said his son will put the car in this year’s cruise and it will serve as the honorary grand marshal.

The 13th annual cruise is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Registration will begin at noon at Holy Angels Roman Catholic Church picnic grounds, Scott Street. Registration is $15 on Sunday, $13 in advance.

Cesari said the cruise assembles at the picnic grounds and travels down Chestnut Street (Route 61). The cruisers will make two passes through town. He said all kinds of vehicles, from cars, trucks to motorcycles, are allowed to participate.

Cesari said last year’s cruise brought in between 210 and 220 vehicles, a record high. He said the cruise association is hoping to top that number this year.

“We are looking at that because I think we are the only act in town this weekend,” Cesari said.

Cesari said many car owners make their decision to enter the cruise based on weather. According to the National Weather Service, cloudy skies with a favorable chance of thunderstorms is expected Sunday in Kulpmont. Temperatures will be about 80.

The cruise attracts car owners from around southcentral Pennsylvania and surrounding states, including New York, New Jersey and Maryland. Cesari said he has already received calls from people in Lebanon and York.

“We get a ton of them from Schuylkill County so we are well represented from the different areas,” he said.

Cesari said spectators should not worry if they see an aircraft hovering over the cruise. The cruise association is using a drone to videotape this year’s activities. The drone is owned by Bill and Dave Marquardt.

In previous years, the cruise was videotaped from the ground. Cesari said it not only slowed the cruise down, but risked damaging some the cars due to overheating.

“The drone will not interfere at all with what is going on on Chestnut Street,” he said.

Cesari said if the video turns out good, it will be edited, put to 1950s and ’60s music and, eventually, be available for people for purchase.

Cesari said the Kulpmont Cruise Association donates proceeds from the cruise to youth organizations and projects. One of the projects is a playground in the borough that the cruise association has been active in improving and maintaining.

“It serves a lot of youth in the area, not only the Kulpmont area, but the entire area,” Cesari said.

For more information, call Cesari at 570-373-3561.

SHENANDOAH — The Shenandoah farmers market opens for business today for the first time this season to bring fresh local produce to the downtown.

The market was discussed at Wednesday’s meeting of the Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the popular summer and fall market, located along the east side of the unit block of South Main Street.

“The farmers market starts Friday, and, obviously, it’s just the beginning, so they may have strawberries and other items to start,” Farmers Market Committee chairman Mark Bernardyn said. “We have the three primary farmers and they’ll be at the same location. We’ve been receiving phone calls asking about it. Like every year, we hope this is a successful season.”

Markets are held from 8 a.m. to noon every Tuesday and Friday throughout the summer and fall. There will be produce, baked goods and plants for sale from local farmers. Participating vendors are Klinger’s Farm, Helwig Farms and Rumbel’s Farm.

For more information, call Mark Bernardyn at M&T Bank at 570-462-2734.

Volunteer Albert Victor reported that he has sold 675 boxes of chocolate bars, with proceeds going to the Christmas lighting fund.

At last month’s meeting, chamber President Marie Poppoff announced that William “Bill” Moyer is retiring after almost 30 years of installing and removing the Christmas lights and decorations in the borough. The chamber is searching from companies and others who may be interested in taking over Moyer’s duties.

Christmas lighting committee co-chairman Bernardyn explained that he needs to speak with Moyer about the process of placing the lights.

“It’s more than Bill Moyer who was doing it. There were a lot of volunteers, a lot of help,” Bernardyn said.

After looking over the list of what needs to be done, Bernardyn said it is extensive and that there is some consideration to break down the effort to have one business/group do one area, such as Girard Park, and another to decorate the trees.

“It’s a lot of work,” Bernardyn said.

“Bill was there 24/7,” committee co-chairwoman Betty Ann Bugden said. “When he took them (lights) down, he checked them. Before he put them up, he checked them. He tried to save strings of lights, because you know those lights are delicate.”

Bugden said a major issue is the cost.

“We probably could get someone to do it, but can we financially afford to do it without volunteers is another thing,” she said. “You can hire someone for anything, but it’s the dollar mark and we’re so limited financially.”

Bernardyn said that the chamber is looking for qualified people who can install and remove the lighting, along with volunteers who can assist with the process and be directed by those in charge of the installation and removal. Bugden said volunteers will help reduce the overall costs to light up Shenandoah for Christmas.

Man who stole

vehicle charged

BARNESVILLE — A man is being charged for crashing a stolen vehicle between midnight and 9 a.m. Aug. 30, 2014, on Brockton Mountain Road, Ryan Township,

State police at Frackville said Brian Lee Dietrick stole a 1994 red Buick Roadmaster Sedan from Christine E. and Shannon J. Willis at 504 Hobart St., Gordon. He eventually drove the vehicle to Brockton Mountain Road where he crashed near Front Street. Dietrick then fled the scene and left the vehicle unattended on Brockton Mountain Road.

Further investigation of the incident revealed that Dietrick had multiple criminal warrants from several different law enforcement agencies. He was eventually found in the State Correctional Institution/Coal Township, under a fictitious name.

On June 2, felony criminal charges were filed at the court of District Magisterial Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, for theft of a motor vehicle and several summary traffic violations.

Dietrick was arraigned from the SCI/Coal Township, via video by Hale. His bail was set at $5,000 unsecure.

He remained in custody at Coal Township pertaining to other criminal charges and warrants.

The case is pending the preliminary hearing in front of Hale.

Police investigate

cable meter theft

TOWER CITY — State police at Lykens are investigating the theft of a Trilithic 360 Cable Meter at 1:29 p.m. Thursday belonging to James Joseph Reece, Tower City, while he was working at 149 Dusty Trail Road, Halifax Township, Dauphin County. Police said the cable meter and the black canvas bag that went missing are valued at $1,600. Anyone with information is asked to call Trooper Jeffrey Goodman at the state police at Lykens barracks at 717-362-8700.

4 charged with

criminal trespass

NEW PHILADELPHIA — State police cited four men from North Carolina for criminal trespass Thursday when they walked onto property in Blythe Township owned by Reading Anthracite, police said Thursday.

The incident occurred at 12:30 p.m. Thursday when the four men were seen trespassing by an on-duty security guard for the coal company, based in Pottsville, police said.

The four men were: Justin Bradley Critcher, 33, and Andy Carl Critcher, 18, both of Boone, N.C.; Brian John Stefanic, 58, of Columbus, N.C.; and Lucas Tyler Critcher, 32, of Weaverville, N.C., police said.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call state police at 570-874-5300.

Man, girl charged

after argument

ELIZABETHVILLE — State police at Lykens charged a man and a 14-year-old female from this Dauphin County borough with disorderly conduct Monday, after they were arguing loudly in public, police said Thursday.

The incident occurred 8:12 p.m. Monday in Elizabethville Park and involved Timothy Neil Enders, 51, of Elizabethville, and the 14-year-old from Lykens, police said.

The charges were filed in the office of Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum, Elizabethville, police said.

Man charged in

ATV mischief

LYKENS — State police at Lykens have charged a man from Lykens, Dauphin County, with causing $4,200 of damage by driving an all-terrain vehicle through a cemetery earlier this year, police said Thursday.

At 6:20 p.m. Jan. 21, Warren Charles Weaver Jr., 18, of 384 N. Crossroads Road, Lykens, drove through a property managed by the Lykens Cemetery Association. Weaver toppled over cemetery markers and memorials, causing damage to cemetery plots, police said.

Police said they charged Weaver with two misdemeanors, institutional vandalism and criminal mischief, and filed the charges in the office of Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum, Elizabethville.

Juvenile charged

in copper theft

HALIFAX TOWNSHIP — State police at Lykens this week arrested a 17-year-old boy for the theft of $5,250 worth of copper tubing, a crime which occurred in February 2013, police said Thursday.

The incident occurred at Engle Rissinger Auto Group, North River Road, Halifax Township, Dauphin County. The burglars damaged three doors when they entered the building to steal the copper, police said.

One of the suspects left behind a glove which was tested for DNA. That led to the arrest of the 17-year-old, who was not named in the public information release report issued Thursday.

He was charged with felony counts of burglary, criminal trespass, theft, criminal mischief and receiving stolen property, and those charges were filed in Dauphin County Juvenile Court, police said.

Valley View man

charged in crash

VALLEY VIEW — A man from Valley View drove his car into a parked car in the parking lot at the Gratz Auction on May 29, state police at Lykens said Thursday.

At 1 p.m. that day just off Route 25 in Lykens Township, Raymond H. Bowman, 89, was attempting to park a 2014 Subaru Impreza when he hit a 2010 Ford Fusion and scraped the Fusion’s driver’s side. Both vehicles were drivable and there were no reported injuries, police said.

Police cite man

in Wal-Mart theft

ELIZABETHVILLE — State police at Lykens issued a summary citation against a man from Williamstown who walked out of a Wal-Mart in Elizabethville, Dauphin County, earlier this month without paying for merchandise, police said Thursday.

Police said the incident occurred at Wal-Mart at 200 Kocher Lane at 3:10 p.m. June 5. Police filed charges against Thomas Dauberman in the office of Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum, Elizabethville.

Anthony J. Kilker

SHENANDOAH — A 19-year-old Shenandoah man charged with attacking another man with a knife and hitting him on April 30 waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.

Cody A. Filer, 19, of 330 E. Centre St., was arrested by Shenandoah police Patrolman William Moyer and charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, harassment and disorderly conduct.

By waiving his right to a hearing, Filer will now have to answer to all five charges against him in Schuylkill County Court.

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

Other court cases included:

Joshua Koncsler, 18, of 319 W. Centre St., Shenandoah — withdrawn: robbery, terroristic threats, simple assault, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, harassment, recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct. Waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia and public drunkenness.

Kyle J. Wronski, 25, of 414 Roosevelt Drive, New Boston — withdrawn: robbery.

Kelly Kaczmarczyk, 37, of 134 W. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City — withdrawn: hindering apprehension or prosecution. Waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia and obstructing the administration of law.

Aimee Kaminsky, 38, of 12 W. Poplar St., Shenandoah — waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Brian R. Specht, 46, of 153 New St., Pottsville —waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving with a suspended or revoked license.

Dennis T. Cooney, 39, of 314 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah — dismissed: criminal mischief. Waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Henry C. Polk, 54, of 881 Centre St., Sheppton — possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communications facility, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Charles Urbanavage, 70, of 213 W. Coal St., Shenandoah — waived for court: DUI, DUI-high rate and display of registration plate.

Mark P. Georgeff, 54, of 201 W. Centre St., Shenandoah — waived for court: aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude police, driving at an unsafe speed, duties at a stop sign, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, reckless driving, careless driving, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving a vehicle without a valid inspection, fraudulent use or removal of a registration plate, driving without insurance, possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance and fraudulent, altered or forged title, registration or insurance.

Kenneth R. Jessman Jr., 49, of 155 S. Nice St., Frackville — waived for court: terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment.

Derek R. Yashinsky, 25, of 138 S. White St., Shenandoah — held for court: DUI-controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Keshon L. Canyon, 23, of 1701 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville — held for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a small amount of marijuana, driving with a suspended or revoked license and driving without insurance.

William D. Smith, 50, of 304 W. Pine St., Mahanoy City — withdrawn because the victim did not appear: simple assault and harassment.

Crystal A. Wentworth, 29, of 120 N. Bower St., Shenandoah — withdrawn because the victim failed to appear: theft from a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property.

Date incorrect

The townwide yard sale in Gordon will be held June 27. The date was incorrect in Friday’s paper.

Information not clear

Policy changes made by the Schuylkill Conservation District board of directors Tuesday were not made as the result of a May 12 executive session meeting with Schuylkill County Controller Christy Joy and county assistant solicitor Glenn Roth, according to Elizabeth A. Hinkel, conservation district manager. The information may not have been clear in a story in the June 18 edition of The Republican-Herald.

A York County woman will not have to spend more time in prison after admitting Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court that she tried to burn down her former residence in Frackville in September 2014.

Melissa Raffensberger, 31, of Mount Wolf, pleaded guilty to risking a catastrophe and recklessly endangering another person, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia.

President Judge William E. Baldwin accepted Raffensberger’s plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced her to time served to 23 months in prison with immediate parole.

Frackville borough police charged Raffensberger with setting fire to 138 N. Cherry St. in the borough on Sept. 18, 2014.

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

Richard L. Alderman, 21, of Pottsville; two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one each of possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct; 23 days to 12 months in prison with immediate parole, $1,300 in fines, $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 payment to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $617 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Prosecutors withdrew charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and harassment.

Joseph M. Bolinsky Jr., 19, of Pottsville; driving under suspension and harassment; $350 in fines. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of simple assault.

Robert T. Chuplis Jr., 36, of Girardville; possession of a controlled substance; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment.

Kelly A. Foran, 42, of Saint Clair; access device fraud; 12 months probation. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of identity theft.

Craig M. Foster, 42, of Valley View; driving under the influence, possession of a small amount of marijuana and driving under suspension; three to six months in prison, $1,700 in fines, $460 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street, $226 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and 10 hours community service, with sentence effective at 9 a.m. Monday. Prosecutors withdrew charges of disregarding traffic lane and failure to stop at red signal.

Gabriel O. Gonzalez, 32, of Jim Thorpe; harassment and disorderly conduct; $300 in fines. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of simple assault.

Taureen Hairston, 31, of Shenandoah; defiant trespass; time served to 12 months in prison and $50 bench warrant fee. Prosecutors withdrew charges of false identification to law enforcement and disorderly conduct.

Samantha A. Heine, 23, of Mahanoy City; simple assault and disorderly conduct; six months probation and $1,222.73 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew charges of conspiracy and recklessly endangering another person.

Edward J. Heizman II, 24, of Mahanoy City; theft of leased property; 12 months probation, $50 CJEA payment, $3,900 restitution and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of receiving stolen property.

Kristen E. Hill, 41, of Pottsville; public drunkenness; $100 fine. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of possession of a controlled substance.

Linda Mae Hoppes, 40, of Pottsville; theft; 12 months probation and $390 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of receiving stolen property.

Raymond W. Kroh, 38, of Ashland; resisting arrest; 12 months probation.

In other court action, a Tamaqua woman will not have to spend more time in prison after admitting Friday in Schuylkill County Court that she committed crimes on three separate days at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Hometown.

Crystal J. Milner, 29, pleaded guilty to two counts of retail theft and one of receiving stolen property, with prosecutors withdrawing two additional counts of receiving stolen property and one of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Judge Charles M. Miller accepted the plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced her to spend 23 months on probation and pay costs, $150 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $309.20 restitution. He made the probation concurrent with the sentence Milner already is serving.

Milner is an inmate at State Correctional Institution/Cambridge Springs in Crawford County, and Miller conducted the hearing by videoconference.

Miller urged Milner to change her ways.

“(Your two children) really need you,” he told her. “We wish you the best of luck in your recovery.”

Milner said all three crimes were drug related, which did not surprise the judge.

“The drugs are a terrible problem,” Miller said.

Rush Township police filed all three sets of charges against Milner, alleging she committed the thefts on Sept. 7, 2014, and Sept. 9, 2014, and received stolen property on Sept. 19, 2014. All three occurred at Wal-Mart Supercenter, 35 Plaza Drive, Hometown, police said.

Also on Friday, Miller revoked the probation of Rashad Santiago, 26, of Hazleton, and sentenced him to six to 12 months in prison.

Miller imposed the sentence after revoking Santiago’s probation, which the defendant admitted violating by committing a new crime, leaving his drug and alcohol rehabilitation and traveling out of Pennsylvania without permission.

“Hopefully, you’ve learned your lesson,” Miller told Santiago. “We’ve got to enforce the law.”

Santiago originally pleaded guilty on Feb. 22, 2012, to conspiracy, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of false identification to law enforcement.

At that time, Miller sentenced him to serve 18 to 36 months in a state correctional institution plus 12 additional months on probation and pay costs, a $100 fine, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, a $50 CJEA payment and $491 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.

McAdoo police charged Santiago with committing his crimes on Feb. 5, 2010, in the borough.

In other county court action, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin revoked the probation of Aaron J. Nichols, 24, of Drums, on Thursday, and sentenced him to serve four to 23 months in prison. Nichols had admitted violating his probation.

“This should be a lesson to you,” Dolbin told the defendant. “Probation means something.”

Nichols originally pleaded guilty on June 18, 2014, to retail theft, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of receiving stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia. At that time, Dolbin placed Nichols on probation for 23 months, and also sentenced him to pay costs and a $50 CJEA payment and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Rush Township police had charged him with committing the theft on July 1, 2013, in the township.

Also in the county court, Judge John E. Domalakes on Wednesday revoked the probation of Joseph R. Minnich, 42, of Mahanoy City, and sentenced him to serve six to 23 months in prison and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.

Minnich, who admitted violating his probation, pleaded guilty on April 23, 2014, to retail theft. At that time, Domalakes sentenced him to serve 23 months on probation, pay costs, a $50 CJEA payment and a $50 bench warrant fee and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Shenandoah police charged Minnich with committing the theft on April 23, 2013, in the borough.

In additional county court action, Baldwin recently accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:

Robert L. Bean, 66, of Lancaster; false statement under penalty; 12 months probation. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of unsworn falsification to authorities.

Juan Carlos, 22, of Shenandoah; flight to avoid apprehension and resisting arrest; one to 12 months in prison with immediate parole to Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of simple assault and one each of disorderly conduct and harassment.

Caleb B. Cook, 26, of Schuylkill Haven; retail theft and simple assault; time served to 18 months in prison with immediate parole. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of harassment.

Linda M. Evans, 32, of Pottsville; disorderly conduct; one year probation.

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

Deeds

South Manheim Township — Charles C. and Tina Minnich to Jacob A. and Alyssa Faith Gilbert; 1885 Bow Drive, Lake Wynonah; $65,000.

Philip J. Krell to Philip J. Krell Jr.; 28.04-acre property; $1.

Barbara Oswald to Jason Oswald; 1.5035-acre property on Route 895; $1.

John M. Sarge and Beverly Sarge to Kyle A. Bragalone and Alaina A. Larock; 696 Clamtown Road, Clamtown; $228,000.

Walker Township — Jane A. Springer to Michael Eugene Springer; 58 Fawn Lane, Camp Wildcat; $1.

George D. and Deborah L. Donnon to Matthew O. Koch; 47-acre property; $550,000.

David M. Bensinger to David M. and Margaret A. Bensinger; 781 Valley Road, Lewistown Valley; $1.

Washington Township — Steven H. and Kathleen L. Kurtz to Andrew R. and Jennifer N. Sohn; 3245 Sweet Arrow Lake Road; $250,000.

Wayne Township — Joel M. Hill to Daniel McCracken; 511 Coyote Drive, Lake Wynonah; $149,900.

Shawn P. and Lisa C. O’Neill to Shawn P. and Lisa C. O’Neill; 1149 Running Deer Drive, Lake Wynonah; $1.

Frederick L. and Janet M. Anderson to Carl E. and Maria Regina Costa; 215 Wynonah Drive, Lake Wynonah; $180,000.

West Brunswick Township — James E. and Pamela M. Steele to James E. and Pamela M. Steele, trustees of The Steele Family Trust; property at Centre Turnpike and Municipal Road; $1.

Hermelt P. and Marietta L. Montalvo to Professional Investors Group LLC; 2102 Village Road, Pinebrook; $125,000.

West Mahanoy Township — Harbour Portfolio VII LP to Rocktop Partners I LP; 95 Schuylkill Ave., Shenandoah Heights; $4,575.

Nicole D. Zubowicz to Matthew Derr; 521 S. Wylam St.; $45,000.

West Penn Township — Brenda L. and Gaylord Coston to Terra L. and Jeffrey S. Bradford; 815 Lizard Creek Road, Andreas; $1.

Mario LoDuca and Francesca LoDuca to Lynnmatt Properties LLC; 747 and 749 Penn Drive, Mantzville; $195,000.

WILKES-BARRE — Law enforcement and government officials blasted the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday for cutting millions of dollars for a federal grant program that has funded hiring a dozen officers in the city and several thousand across the state.

The Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services program, created under President Bill Clinton in 1993, has put 12 officers on the streets of Wilkes-Barre through over $1.4 million in funding and is responsible for the hiring of 3,700 additional police officers and sheriff’s deputies in Pennsylvania, officials said.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey called for an increase in COPS program funding that could bring more officers to the region and deemed cuts to the program “one of the worst ideas” he has ever heard during a news conference Friday outside the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department.

On June 3, the House passed a Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill that eliminated the COPS Hiring Program entirely for the 2016 fiscal year. U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Moosic, voted against the bill and U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Hazleton, voted for it.

About a week later, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill that would fund the program at $187 million — $62.5 million less than President Barack Obama’s request.

“That is wrong. That is misguided. That will lead to more crime,” Casey said. “That’s good news for the bad guys.”

Crime has spiked in Wilkes-Barre, law enforcement officials have said. More than a dozen shootings occurred in the city this year. There have been three criminal homicides — two of which are still unsolved. Two years ago was the deadliest period in the city’s history, with 13 homicides.

“Our city of Wilkes-Barre is under siege,” Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis said. “The spike in violence from criminals entering our community has struck a great deal of fear in the hearts of our residents.”

If the city’s crime rate remains as it is, the effects will ripple to the housing market, neighborhoods and schools for decades to come, Salavantis said.

The city police department is currently staffed with 79 officers. In March, Mayor Tom Leighton hired 10 additional police officers.

Despite additions to the city’s police force, the city can’t win the battle on its own, Salavantis said. Street crime is often indicative of larger problems in housing, poverty and other public policy choices made in Washington, D.C., she said. The city needs more funding for police hiring, training and equipment, but the federal government needs to allocate the money necessary to meet those ends, she said.

“We continue to fight every day, but our hands are tied by funding limitations and often gridlock in the federal government,” Salavantis said.

Wilkes-Barre police Chief Robert Hughes said every little bit of funding helps.

“Whether it’s four more officers or 10 more officers,” he said, “anybody we can get to help us battle crime in the city.”

Since its creation, the program has allocated more than $318 million in grants to Pennsylvania law enforcement for resources and equipment to both fight and prevent crime, according to Casey. The COPS hiring program has been cut by $118 million since 2010.

Servants To All received its occupancy permit Friday to use its building at 4 S. Centre St., Pottsville, as an office.

“We give thanks to God for making this possible, and for all the help and the support we have received,” Albert Nastasi, executive director of the nonprofit organization, said Friday.

Servants To All helped manage a temporary homeless shelter in February 2014 at three churches in the city. Last December, the organization bought the three-story building at 4 S. Centre St. from Rosemarie F. Lamanna for $45,000. The group plans to use the building for a day program to help the homeless as well as a bakery for “artisan” bread and a storefront for Yuengling’s Ice Cream. The organization is looking for a second building in the city for an overnight shelter.

“Our first order of business will be to complete some minor repairs and decorating at our 4 South Centre Street building,” Nastasi said. “Initially, we have a grant to help us purchase some furniture, computers and security equipment, but we still need to raise money for the renovations to come.”

The organization has used the building to store clothing donations, but renovations are still needed before it can be used for everything being planned. Minor renovations, such as painting, flooring and patching, should be completed within the next few weeks, Nastasi said. Once finished, the program will be called “My Father’s House.”

“Our initial focus will be to help people find the assistance they need,” Nastasi said.

That ranges from assistance with basic necessities and nutritional support to obtaining identification for housing applications and finding jobs and educational opportunities, Nastasi said.

He said they will work closely with the various county agencies, such as housing authorities, Service Access and Management, Redco, Careerlink, YMCA and Clinical Outcomes Group.

“We are limited to the amount of emergency housing assistance we can provide right now since we do not have permission to use our building for overnight housing,” Nastasi said. “However, Resources for Human Development Inc. will soon be offering some permanent supportive housing units in our county and we hope to work very closely with them to place some of our clients. Where it is practical and when the funds are available, we can offer short-term hotel vouchers in emergency circumstances.”

Nastasi also said Servants To All is working with Lisa Perryman, director of Street2Feet, East Stroudsburg, to develop its day program. Street2Feet has operated a day program for about 15 years, Nastasi said.

“Our clients are no different than you or me, except that they have hit bottom, a place we all work so hard to avoid, and pray never to see,” Nastasi said. “One of our board members always reminds us of the saying, ‘There but for the Grace of God go I.’ And she is right. Sometimes, we can’t prevent the circumstances that come against us. That is why our organization exists, to provide the services necessary to help people bounce back as quickly as possible.”

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — Real-estate taxes will remain the same in the North Schuylkill School District with the school board formally adopting on Wednesday its general operating budget for the 2015-16 school year.

The vote was 9-0 to accept the budget of $26,827,004, which shows an increase of $767,801, or 2.9 percent increase in expenditures over the current year budget. The real estate tax will remain at 37.96 mills in Schuylkill and Columbia counties. One mill brings in about $170,000.

The following taxes will also remain the same:

• Occupational assessment tax — $218.50.

• Real estate transfer tax — One percent (shared with school district and municipalities)

• Earned income tax — One percent (shared with school district and municipalities)

• Local services tax — $5.

Local revenues are estimated to bring in $11,298,578, state revenues at $14,821,307, and federal revenues at $537,000, totaling $26,656.885. Since the total estimated expenditures are $26,827,004, the deficit is $170,119. Business Manager Robert Amos said that retirement costs are a major part of an increase in expenditures, along with contractual obligations for raises. Cyber-school costs are also a burden for North Schuylkill, as they are for other school districts.

The board acted on the following agenda items:

• Approved Kenneth R. Sloan Agency, Apollo, as the insurance adviser for workers compensation insurance for the 2015-16 school year. The vote was 8-1 in favor, with Ray Reichwein voting against.

• Approved the Seltzer Insurance Agency, Schuylkill Haven, as the insurance adviser for property and liability insurance for the 2015-16 school year. The vote was 7-2 in favor, with Reichwein and Thomas Fletcher voting against. After the meeting, Reichwein said there are agencies in the school district that should be chosen.

“We should look to the local companies,” Reichwein said.

• Approved the donation of an overhead projector that is no longer serviceable to St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Freedom.

MAHANOY CITY — The Mahanoy Township supervisors voted at Thursday’s meeting to advertise an ordinance for the refinancing of its sewer loan.

Attorney John Hampton, who is the solicitor on the township sewer project, requested the advertisement.

“You’ve asked me to assist you in refinancing the loan that you currently have with Riverview Bank over to First National Bank, also located in Pottsville,” Hampton said. “In that vein, I’ve prepared a proposed ordinance for your adoption, though not at this meeting, but pursuant to an advertisement.”

Hampton also recommended that the supervisors hold a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. July 2 so the ordinance to authorize the refinancing of the debt can be formally adopted.

The supervisors approved the scheduling of the special meeting in addition to the advertisement.

The township took out the loan to pay for the engineering and other costs involved for its Act 537 plan for the eventual construction of a sewage distribution system. The township owes $130,000 on the 3.6 percent loan. No payments have been made on the low-interest loan, but will begin soon. The refinancing will bring the interest rate to 2.95 percent.

The township is mandated by the state Department of Environmental Protection to provide sewage treatment service, which would be a distribution system that would connect with the Mahanoy City Sewer Authority treatment plant. There have also been inquiries by township officials to the Frackville Area Municipal Authority to connect to its system for the Morea and New Boston villages.

The planned sewage distribution project has been in a holding pattern in order to find ways to reduce the construction costs and to seek additional grant funding to help reduce the burden on township residents.

In his police report, Chief Brandon Alexander said the police department participated in a DUI checkpoint recently that resulted in four DUI arrests and two drug arrests. He said a sting operation was conducted with the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force and resulted in four drug arrests.

The report from ARRO Consulting Inc. project manager William N. McMullen was read by township secretary Cheryl Backo. McMullen reported that a pre-construction conference is tentatively scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday in the municipal building to discuss the storm drainage project in the village of Bowmans. The contractor is Dallago Backhoe Service Inc., Mar Lin, which submitted the low bid of $36,675.

The project should begin soon and is expected to be completed within 90 days.

McMullen also reported that ARRO reviewed and issued a permit for a street opening on Tunnel Hill to the Hazleton City Water Authority. The street opening was conducted to make an emergency repair.

In other business, township Chairman James Stevens thanked everyone who supported or helped with the recreation committee’s chicken dinner fundraiser.

Stevens said the township has received its new 2015 Dodge Charger police car, which was parked outside the municipal building for the residents who attended the meeting to look over.

He also thanked the residents of Morea and New Boston for placing wreaths at the veterans monuments for Memorial Day. He reminded residents that the Mahanoy City fireworks program is scheduled at dusk July 11, with a rain date of July 12.

Vice Chairwoman Faith Ward reported the township has applied for a federal grant that, if awarded, will allow for the hiring of a full-time police officer. The grant award would be for three years.

Stevens reminded drivers that the road crew is out cutting grass and weeds and other projects along the roads. Drivers should be alert for township employees.

n Auburn: A Chinese auction will be held Friday and June 27 at Christmas Pines Campground, 450 Red Church Road. More than 300 items and special raffles will be awarded. Food and beverages as well as baked goods will be on sale. A shop-and-drop is set for 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and people will be able to browse and drop tickets from 4 to 6 p.m. June 27. The auction will begin at 6 p.m. All proceeds will benefit Keystone Wounded Warriors. The event will be held rain or shine. For more information, call Dorrie Lowthert at 570-366-8866.

n Mahanoy City: The Mahanoy City Elks Lodge, 135 E. Centre St., will sponsor a meat bingo from 7 to 10 p.m. today at the lodge. The cost is $1 per card. Food will be on sale. Games will begin at 7:30 p.m.

n Minersville: St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Parish, 538 Sunbury St., will holds its block party from 5 to 11 p.m. today and Sunday at the parish grounds, Lewis Street. Entertainment today will be by One Last Rider and on Sunday by Sapphire. The event will also include food, refreshments, games and a Chinese auction.

n Pottsville: The Schuylkill County Historical Society, 305 N. Centre St., will feature Battle of the Little Big Horn from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Admission is $5 for nonmembers and free for society members. Tommy Symon and Stu Richards, local historians, will present a dramatic reading of the last days of Pvt. George Adams, a Minersville native and Pvt. Harman Knauch from Bradonville. As they march off to meet the Sioux Indians on the Little Big Horn and fall in battle led by Gen. George Armstrong Custer. On June 25 to 26, 1876, the U.S. 7th Cavalry, a force of 700 men led Custer, suffered defeat by Sioux and Cheyenne Indians on the banks of the Little Big Horn River. Five of the 7th Cavalry’s 12 companies were annihilated and Custer was killed. Three soldiers from Schuylkill County also were killed. The total U.S. casualty count, including scouts, was 268 dead and 55 injured, according to a society press release.

n Schuylkill Haven: The community’s summer playground program goes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 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. Friday and 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, people may stop at the recreation office in the Schuylkill Haven Neighborhood Community Center, 340 Haven St., where necessary paperwork may also be filled out.

n Shenandoah: Schuylkill County’s oldest continuous downtown open-air farm market has launched its 2015 season. It is held from about 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Fridays through the summer and fall along the first block of South Main Street, east side, and first block of East Centre Street, south side near the more than century-old Bolich & Burke Building. Mark Bernardyn, who has chaired the Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce Farm Market Committee for 21 years, touted the 2015 market in a press release. The market, which features fruits, vegetables, plants and at times even Amish-style baked goods by local growers and sellers, was started in the 1970s as the brainchild of the late chamber Director Samuel Schutawie as a way to increase pedestrian traffic downtown. Since then, the market as become a stable for local residents and visitors seeking fresh produce. For more information about the market or being a vendor, call Bernardyn at 570-462-2734. More growers are always welcome.

HAZLETON — Hazle Township Supervisor Bill Gallagher doesn’t see the problem with all-terrain vehicles running illegally on private property and area roads getting better.

It has gotten worse in recent years, he said, one day after an ATV ran a red light and slammed into a tractor-tractor on Route 924 and Interstate 81 near the Humboldt Industrial Park, killing both riders.

Amber Judge, 31, and Eric Baker, 23, both of Nuremberg, died Thursday afternoon in the collision, which shut down the intersection for hours and forced detours and traffic delays.

ATVs, which are designed as off-road vehicles, aren’t permitted on streets, roads or highways, but that hasn’t stopped a number of riders, including the victims of this crash, Gallagher said.

“It’s a shame,” he said. “It’s a horrible way to go.”

ATV riders shouldn’t be on the highways or riding across them, Gallagher said. Riders are supposed to stop and walk the vehicle across the road.

Humboldt is one of the problem areas in the township, especially around the gas station, Gallagher said. But they also have issues in nearby Cranberry and Hollars Hills, as well as the South Beltway, where riders run down the road.

Hazle Township fire Chief Scott Kostician said he’s seen problems on North Park Drive in the industrial park, where people set up camps and leave garbage. He has also seen riders around the company’s Humboldt fire station and the nearby Fuel-On station.

“I see them all the time,” Kostician said. “They come flying out of the Fuel-On, right in front of the tractor-trailers.”

A number of people who work in the industrial park commented on the riders they’ve seen on the roads while stopped at the crash site and on the social media, saying they see riders speeding on the highway often weaving in and out of traffic.

And Thursday’s ATV crash wasn’t the first in the industrial park, as there was a fatal crash on Maplewood Drive in the park four years ago. Over the years, the region has seen numerous fatal crashes, but more often serious, life-changing injuries occur with ATV crashes, Kostician said.

Some riders do obey the law and seek permission to ride on private property. Most of these riders are local and know the terrain, he said.

But many people come into the area from out of state, parking their trucks and trailers on private property, Gallagher said. It’s up to the property owner to post the land and call police about the trespassers. Catching illegal riders isn’t easy for law enforcement. Riders can duck down a trail, and police must weigh whether to pursue them or discontinue a pursuit for safety reasons.

Kostician said area law enforcement is stretched thin and faces civil suits if the officers do give chase.

“It’s out of hand,” he said.

Kostician feels bad for the families of those who lost their lives this week, but said the crash, the detours and delays would have never occurred if people followed the rules.

“The ATV shouldn’t have been on the highway to begin with,” he said. “It’s sad.”

Two Pottsville women were arrested Thursday after bags of heroin were discovered in a vehicle and one of the women allegedly sold heroin to a confidential informant in Cressona.

Carissa Danielle Wallace, 26, and Angela J. Gudinas, 35, each face three counts of conspiracy and one count each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance, according to the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force.

Police said about 23 bundles of heroin, or about 230 bags, were found with a street value of about $2,300.

The Schuylkill County Drug Task Force and the Port Carbon Police Department, with assistance from Schuylkill Haven, Palo Alto, Pottsville and Minersville police, took part in the joint investigation.

Schuylkill County Detective Kurt Montz of the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force and Port Carbon police Chief Joe Ferraro received information from a confidential informant that Gudinas was delivering five bundles of heroin for $340. The informant said the exchange would occur near 121 River St., Cressona.

Gudinas met with the informant about 9:32 a.m. Thursday near 1800 W. Market St., Pottsville. Gudinas was in a blue Jeep and given $340 by the informant for the drugs, police said. After driving to Reading to get the drugs, Gudinas again met the informant about 12:15 p.m. near where the police were watching the area of River Street in Cressona.

Montz then observed Gudinas get into the vehicle of the informant. Wallace, a passenger in Gudinas’ vehicle did not leave the Jeep. Gudinas then left the informant’s vehicle and drove away. Police followed the Jeep and pulled it over on the Pottsville/Minersville Highway.

Sixteen bundles and two additional plastic baggies of heroin along with needles, a spoon and other items were found, police said. One baggie of heroin had “Angel G.” written on it, which Gudinas said belonged to her.

Wallace admitted she knew Gudinas was going to Reading to get heroin and said one of the baggies belonged to her. She said she gave Gudinas $100 for the drugs, according to police.

Montz also recovered five bundles of heroin in the informant’s car, which were given by Gudinas during the drug exchange.

Both Gudinas and Wallace were arrested.

Gudinas was unable to post the $25,000 bail and was remanded to Schuylkill County Prison. Wallace posted 10 percent of her $10,000 bail and was released from prison Friday.

A preliminary hearing for both women is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday in Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko’s office in Port Carbon.

Woman avoids injury in crash

SAINT CLAIR — A Mahanoy Plane woman escaped injury when the 1998 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck crashed in the northbound lanes of Route 61 in Blythe Township about 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

State police at Frackville said Chelsea Stephany, 21, was driving north in the right lane when she lost control on the wet road while following a curve.

The woman’s vehicle went off the road and struck a guide rail along the west berm before coming to a stop in the right lane facing south.

Police said Stephany, who will be cited for the crash, was not hurt and that Saint Clair firefighters assisted at the scene.

Schuylkill County Chiefs of Police Association learned Friday about a device that could potentially save lives on the roads.

Blair Walborn, ignition interlock quality assurance technician, held a presentation about the devices that are installed in vehicles to prevent people from driving while intoxicated for the association and members of the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s Office at the Schuylkill County Courthouse, Pottsville.

“It saves lives,” Walborn, Harrisburg, of Team DUI, Pennsylvania DUI Association, said. The company monitors the Pennsylvania Ignition Interlock Quality Assurance Program, which oversees quality assurances of the devices.

Before starting the vehicle, the driver must blow into the ignition interlock system. If they pass, they are permitted to drive. If the device records a high breath alcohol concentration, the driver will not be permitted to drive and will have to try the test again. An alcohol reading of more then 0.25 percent will prohibit the car from starting. The device does not display the BAC. Additional tests are required while the person is driving the car.

The device is mandated in Pennsylvania for those who are convicted of a second or subsequent driving under the influence charge. The device must be installed in the vehicle the offender will drive. They are prohibited from driving a vehicle that does not have the device attached. In addition to complying with court-mandated requirements, the driver must buy the device and have it periodically checked. Calibration is needed to check if the device is in working order. Information that can be accessed from the device includes each time the device was used, passed or failed readings, and attempts to circumvent the device.

“Anyone that knows their way around cars knows you can get around these devices,” Walborn said.

Penalties are imposed for violations. The DUI association decides if a device is tampered with after consulting with other entities, such as the state Department of Transportation.

“We’d like to see more district attorneys going after this stuff,” Walborn said.

Fees for the device could be between $800 to $1,000 for a year, Walborn said.

The offender must also obtain an ignition interlock restricted license for a year until they are eligible to get their regular driving license. The cost for the interlock license is $29.50, Walborn said.

Locally, the devices are available at 12 Volt Dave’s, 2004 W. Market St., Pottsville; Auto Diesel Electric, 9 Starter Drive, Frackville; and Kwick Klean and Lube, 756 Route 183, Schuylkill Haven, according www.padui.org.

Minersville police Chief Michael Combs, president of the Schuylkill County Chiefs of Police Association, said Friday using the device could save lives.

“I think it should be on first offenders. Drunk driving is a serious problem. People can get killed,” Combs said.

He does not recall anyone having one installed in their car while he has been chief but that does not mean that officers with the Minersville Police Department have not pulled someone over who has one.

“If you’re caught drunk driving, why shouldn’t you have that put on your car?” he said.

50-year milestones

On May 17, St. Mary Orthodox Church, Coaldale, honored the Very Rev. Paul Ropitsky and Matushka Lovey Ropitsky on the occasion of his 50th year of ordination into the priesthood in 1965 and their 50th anniversary of their marriage.

Father Paul was born in Mayfield and his wife, the former Matushka Lovey, was born in Olyphant. They married May 16, 1965, in All Saints Orthodox Church, Olyphant.

They have a son, Michael, of Michael’s Photography, Frackville.

Father Paul’s first parish was in Phillipsburg. He was then assigned to Holy Ascension Orthodox Church, Frackville, for 32 years until his retirement. In 2007, he was attached to St. Mary Church, where he continues to help and mentor.

They live with their son in Frackville.

Sing in Europe

Pepper Joulwan, Schuylkill Haven, left Saturday to visit several European countries as a member of the American Music Abroad Honor Choir.

Comprised of singers from the surrounding counties of Berks, Lancaster, Lebanon and Carbon, she is the only one representing Schuylkill County. She auditioned last June for this year’s tour and received her letter of acceptance last August.

American Music Abroad is a program for high school and college-age singers and musicians. Directed by Dr. Alan W. Mudrick, supervisor of music education at Hempfield High School, Landisville, the choir will perform in France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Tour highlights include a performance on the steps overlooking the American Cemetery in Normandy, visiting the opera district in Paris and attending a Tirolean Folk Festival in Salzburg, hometown of Mozart and the city of “The Sound of Music.”

Pepper, who will enter her senior year at Blue Mountain High School in the fall, is a soprano I who studies voice with Cora Gamlin Osenbach, Orwigsburg. She is a member of the high school’s a capella octet, women’s chorus, choral and choir. She has represented BMHS for three years as a member of the Schuylkill County Chorus and appeared in various musical and non-musical drama club productions at the high school.

Upon graduating from high school, she plans to pursue a degree in voice performance and theater.

Pepper is a granddaughter of Roni and Tom Joulwan, Schuylkill Haven, and a daughter of TJ Joulwan, Orwigsburg.

Hundreds of people came to the Wayne Township farm to take in the sights, scents and sounds of people learning more about lavender Saturday at the third annual Hope Hill Lavender Farm Lavender Festival.

Attendees could visit the stands of about 19 vendors to taste lavender tea or buy soap. Soy candles, lavender cream, and lavender dog cookies were some of the items available to buy. Food was also available for purchase.

Troy and Wendy Jochems own the farm, which is home to lavender, Christmas trees, horses and beehives. The couple permits someone to grow Christmas trees on the property. Before it was the Hope Hill Lavender Farm, it was a Christmas tree farm.

“We’ve been here for 12 years,” Troy Jochems said.

Jochems gave a presentation about how to make lavender oil to a crowd of about 50 people, who then asked questions about the farm.

“The biggest enemy is you can give it too much water,” he said, adding the plant can rot, and is not tasty to bugs or deer.

Of the 33-acre farm, about 15 acres are able to be used, with only one acre of lavender planted.

Violet Corallo, 4, of East Berlin, Adams County, ran among the rows of lavender while her mother, Nicole Corallo, called her name. Corallo said her family, including her son, Blu Corallo, 2; husband, Joe Corallo; and mother, Ellen Barkos, Williamstown, Dauphin County, enjoyed the lavender.

Corallo is originally from near Tower City and visited the farm last year, though not during the festival. She loves the products and the smell the lavender provides.

Sally Feisel, Hanover Township, Luzerne County, is not new to the lavender scene. She has her own lavender garden.

“I like lavender. I like the smell. Purple is my color,” she said.

Mary Witmer, 57, of Tower City, loaded up on four lavender plants and even had a free sample of wine from Stone Mountain Wine Cellars, Pine Grove. Saturday was her first time at the event.

She planned to plant the lavender by her front door so she can smell it while she enters her house.

Carrie Heinze, co-owner of Barkley’s Bakery, Macungie, sold a variety of dog treats. The 40 bags of iced lavender dog cookies topped with Greek yogurt were sold out.

“Everything we use is organic,” she said.

In addition to strolling among the rows of lavender, people could listen to music, sit and enjoy the view of the blooms or learn more about nature.

Kate Andrews, an educator from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton, spoke about the American kestrel and other raptors to the festivalgoers. She talked about the Pennsylvania Farmland Raptor Project, a plan to help the raptors and preserve their habitat.

“The birds are actually in decline now in the state,” she said about farmland raptors, which include the barn owl, American kestrel, short-eared owl and northern harrier.

Andrews showed the audience a mounted kestrel and a live one.

“Kestrels are falcons. They are the smallest North American falcon,” Andrews said.

The kestrel normally eats birds, mice and other small animals and sometimes even insects. They have good eyesight and hearing but a bad sense of smell, Andrews said. She said the female kestrels are usually stronger and larger than the males. The live female kestrel at the festival weighed less than a pound and was about 2 years old.

“Usually they weigh about a quarter of a pound,” she said.

Hawk Mountain received the bird after its previous owner turned it over to an animal rehab center.

“We are afraid if we let her go, she would not be able to survive,” Andrews said.

She said that its dangerous to a bird, or any wild animal, to be kept by people since it will not know how to thrive in the wild.

“The first year of a birds life is the most critical and the most dangerous,” Andrews said, since it might not survive because of lack of food or injuries from other animals.

The kestrel has a curve on the end of its beak that acts as a knife when eating, she said.

To learn more about the Pennsylvania Farmland Raptor Program or raptors, call Hawk Mountain at 610-756-6961.

Troy Jochems appreciated the nice weather for the event, although a few raindrops did fall throughout the day. Wendy Jochems was also thankful for the attendance.

“I’m really grateful for everybody that came out today,” she said.

She estimated at least 500 people attended the event.