n Coaldale: The public is welcome to participate at 2 p.m. Saturday in commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Foster’s Mine Tunnel Rescue. The event will be held at the Coaldale Rod and Gun Club pavilion, Lehigh and Sixth streets (signs will be posted along Route 209). People, according to a release, should dress casually for a short walk down the original dirt path to the 1850s mine tunnel where the program will be held. Afterward, there will be a reception at the pavilion where there will also be a Foster’s Tunnel display, a 1915-era mining display, a children’s educational table and mining songs. In the Foster’s Mine Tunnel incident, eleven miners were entombed for six days — Sept. 27 to Oct. 3 1915 — when a large body of water broke into the mine, trapping the men. “Rescuers frantically labored to free them. While two miners were rescued on the second day of the search, the fate of the other nine was unsure. With hard work and determination, the rescuers were successful and the nine men were rescued. After spending a few days in the hospital, all of the miners were discharged in good health,” organizers said in the release. For more information call 570-657-1269.

n Frackville: Elks Lodge 1533, 307 S. Third St., will hold a pig roast and turkey dunk from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday. The registration cost is $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event, which will also include refreshments, outdoor games, a cash bar and music by Nick Chikotas. For more information, call 570-590-3330. The lodge will also have an all-you-can-eat breakfast from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday. The cost is $8 per adult with a full menu. To order a takeout, call 570-874-2500. The lodge’s monthly pork chop supper will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 21. The cost is $9 per adult. Call the aforementioned number to order takeouts. The lodge will host a Halloween party and dance from 7 a.m. to midnight Oct. 30. Tickets are $8 each for people without costumes and $7 for those in costume. There will be live music and awards for costumes in various categories. There will also be a food buffet and cash bar.

n Nuremberg: The Nuremberg Community Players will hold open auditions beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday for the upcoming children’s musical production “The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus,” at the group’s new home, the former St. Joseph Catholic Church, 283 Hazle St. Children ages 6 to 17 are welcome to audition. All should prepare a song for the audition and participants will be asked to read from the script. Rehearsals for the presentation will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays and the performance will be on Dec. 5 and 6. Anyone interested in auditioning or anyone willing to help with the production in any way is encouraged to attend. For more information, call Suzanne Croll at 570-384-4608 or 570-582-6520.

n Orwigsburg: An all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner is set for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at Schaeffer’s Harley-Davidson. The cost is $7 for adults, $5 for children 4 to 10 and free for children 3 and younger. Meals will include spaghetti, salad, roll and beverage. Desserts will be for sale and there will also be a Chinese auction and bake sale. Proceeds, according to a release, will benefit local cancer awareness programs. Sponsors are the Deer Lake HOG Ladies of Harley and Schaeffer’s. For tickets ore more information, call 570-366-0143.

n Pottsville: Diakon Community Services will sponsor a session called “Living a Healthy Life” from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Pottsville Senior Community Center, 201 N. Centre St. The six-week workshop will focus on feeling and living better, designed for people living with chronic conditions. Spouses and caregivers also are welcome to participate. There is no cost.

n Shenandoah: The Shenandoah Rotary Club will sponsor a pet inoculation against rabies from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Rescue Hook & Ladder Fire Company, Main and Coal streets. The cost is $10 per shot. Other inoculations will be available for an extra cost. Dr. Jessica Weiderhold, DVM, will administer the inoculations. Pets must be leashed and kept under control by owners.

The eight-story Schuylkill Trust Co. Building, in addition to structural damages, is facing new troubles in Pottsville.

On Monday, the city’s building code officer cited the owner of the building at 101 N. Centre St. for failing to make repairs to parts of the exterior that have been crumbling.

Meanwhile, there were no bidders willing to pay $292,665 for the property at an upset sale at the courthouse Monday morning.

“That amount included $97,253 in back taxes for the city, county and school district from 2013, 2014 and 2015, plus municipal liens and state and federal claims,” Angela D. Toomey, director of Schuylkill County Tax Claim Bureau, said.

If taxes aren’t paid on the property, it may be available for private bid sometime in late December or early January. Toomey said the tax claim bureau may decide to make the property available for judicial sale in spring 2016.

“We’ll decide that by the end of the year,” Toomey said.

The owner of the building, James J. Curran Jr., an attorney and president of Schuylkill Land & Realty Inc., Pottsville, could not be reached for comment Monday.

City concerns

City Administrator Tom Palamar expressed concerns for both buildings Monday morning.

“The Thompson Building and the Schuylkill Trust building are two of the most prominent buildings in our downtown, and I believe they’re prominent not only because of their size but also their potential. They both have potential, in my opinion. Both are big parts of the city’s history and I believe they both can be big parts of the city’s future. But in order for that to happen, they’ve got to be maintained and marketed in a way that attracts tenants. And I think, perhaps, it’s something that we as a city, as a community, need to make sure we understand what the intentions are of both of these owners,” Palamar said.

On Sept. 8, Curran said he was working to try to keep his building.

“And if there’s anything that we can do to help them, I think we’re all willing to do that. I don’t want to see anyone who owns real estate in the City of Pottsville fail. I don’t care if it’s a $5,000 building or a $500,000 building. We have an obligation to, if possible, to step up and help them understand what resources in the community are available. It may be something as simple as talking to code about a couple concerns we have. It could be talking about matters that are more serious. We had some issues at the Thompson Building earlier this year when there was a lack of water there. It was eventually resolved. But, if the problems escalate then our involvement escalates. It doesn’t always have to escalate in a negative way. I think sometimes our involvement with these properties can escalate in a very positive way,” Palamar said.

“Perhaps they can call us and say, ‘Hey, we need some help here. Are there any community entities that would give us some relief?’ Or they can say, ‘I’m looking to donate a building or get out from under a debt.’ I don’t know to what level the owners of these buildings have ever reached out and asked for assistance from us,” Palamar said.

Citation

On May 29, the city’s office of code enforcement received a complaint that a section of the Schuylkill Trust building’s exterior facade dropped to the sidewalk.

David J. Petravich, city building code officer, said a section of the roof had broken off, part of the east side of the building where a plant was growing out of the side. During his inspection, he noticed wear on numerous window sills.

On Aug. 25, Petravich issued the property owner a notice of violation. If an effort to make the repairs isn’t made within 30 days from that date of issue, the owner will be cited, Petravich said Tuesday.

“The building is in violation of 2009 International Property Maintenance Code Section 304 Exterior Structure subsection 304.6 exterior walls,” Petravich said Sept. 8.

That day, Curran said he was working on a response to Petravich.

On Monday, Petravich wrote out a nontraffic citation.

“He failed to make repairs to the structure in a timely manner,” Petravich said.

The citation will be filed in the office of Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville.

The Schuylkill Trust Co. Building was built in 1924, according to “Pottsville in the Twentieth Century,” a 2003 book in the Images of America series by Leo L. Ward and Mark T. Major.

James K. Reiley

Defendants whose cases Judge James K. Reiley considered, the charges against each one and the judge’s disposition on the matters, included:

Francis A. Mercede, 28, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — held for court: corruption of minors and indecent assault.

Patrick Strahan, 38, of 230 Sanderson St., Pottsville — waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and contraband.

Mary J. Strausser, 53, of 308 S. Second St., Pottsville — waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communications facility, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Edward J. Heiser Jr., 19, of 751 E. Norwegian St., Pottsville — dismissed: simple assault and harassment.

Michael K. Jessman, 33, of 155 S. Nice St., Frackville — held for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Shannon M. Pucci, 31, of 425 Nichols St., Pottsville — waived for court: accidents involving death or personal injury while not properly licensed, improper child restraint systems, restraint system violations, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked and careless driving.

Brandon R. Courtney, 41, of 34 Peacock St., Pottsville — waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Scott T. Blum, 47, of 298 Frieden Manor, Schuylkill Haven — held for court: retail theft, having an alcohol level of 0.02 percent or higher-3rd offense, turning movements and required signals, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Joshua S. Generella, 26, of 554 E. Arch St., Pottsville — waived for court: receiving stolen property.

Cory M. Ratliff, 38, of 214 Walnut St., Diener’s Hill, Pottsville — waived for court: possession of a controlled substance.

Steven J. Brilla, 21, of 821 Water St., Pottsville — held for court: possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Michael N. Krause, 25, of 30 White Birch Road, Orwigsburg — waived for court: false identification to law enforcement.

Dennis S. Hewes, 58, of 150 Main St., Mount Carbon — waived for court: disorderly conduct.

Megan A. Leymeister, 30, of 304 St. Charles St., Schuylkill Haven — waived for court: disorderly conduct.

Scott B. Haluska, 42, of 566 Laurel Terrace, Pottsville — waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robert J. Weiss, 39, of 305 Howard Ave., Pottsville — withdrawn: possession of liquified ammonia with intent to manufacture a controlled substance, open burning and illegal dumping of methamphetamine waste.

Joshua M. Lukach, 18, of 668 John O’Hara St., Pottsville — waived for court: public drunkenness, theft from a motor vehicle, conspiracy, receiving stolen property, defiant trespass. possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Shavinskin T. Thomas, 21, of 517B Fairview St., Pottsville — waived for court: theft from a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property, conspiracy, defiant trespass and resisting arrest.

Corey M. McCabe, 41, of 808 N. Third St., Pottsville — withdrawn and moved to citations: simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment.

David A. Plachko

PORT CARBON — A Pottsville man charged with assaulting and threatening two men on July had charges against him held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko.

Brian R. Specht, 46, 153 New St., was arrested by state police Trooper Caleb Huber of the Schuylkill Haven station and charged with one count each of aggravated assault, simple assault, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person and harassment.

Plachko determined the commonwealth proved a prima facie case and ordered all charges against Specht held for Schuylkill County Court.

Huber charged Specht with being involved in an altercation outside of his home with Dale Carey and James Carey during which he threw a kitchen knife in the direction of the two men and said “I’m going to kill you if it’s the last thing I do.”

Other court cases included:

Lee M. Krammes, 24, of 38 Spring St., Tremont — waived for court: DUI, DUI-highest rate, disregard for single traffic lane, driving at an unsafe speed, careless driving and failure to use safety belts.

Michael M. McGuinness, 21, of 429 Wheeler St., Pottsville — withdrawn: possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. Waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Dakota S. Whitman, 20, of 20 Spruce St., Minersville — waived for court: simple assault and harassment.

Storm D. Walcott, 24, of 203 Laurel St., Minersville — dismissed: simple assault, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

Allison M. Hicks, 39, of 360 Front St., Box 744, Pottsville — waived for court: retail theft.

Jeffrey C. Mendoza, 27, last known address of 322 Laurel St., Minersville — waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, possession of a controlled substance and obstructing the administration of law.

Christian D. Norman, 21, of 404 Laurel St., Minersville — withdrawn: defiant trespass.

Gilbert L. Frost, 42, of 204 Valley St., New Philadelphia — waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia and duties at a stop sign.

Joseph P. Miklesavage, 20, of 34 N. Front St., Saint Clair — withdrawn: aggravated assault. Waived for court: simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Stephen J. Bayer

TAMAQUA — A 32-year-old Lansford man charged with a June 8 theft in Tamaqua had charges against him held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer.

Daniel Hollan, 43 E. Ridge St., was arrested by Tamaqua police Patrolman Bradley Hess and charged with theft and receiving stolen property.

After hearing testimony, Bayer ruled the Commonwealth proved a prima facie case and ordered both charges held for Schuylkill County Court.

Hess said Debbie Huegel reported her iPhone 5s was stolen from her mother-in-law’s house on Hazle Street and when she used the “find my iPhone app” it revealed the device was actually in Hollan’s house in Lansford.

Attempts to contact Hollan were unsuccessful, Hess said adding that on June 9 Huegel received a call from the man who said he would return the telephone and did so the following day.

Other court cases included:

Laura M. Keck, 25, of 47 Lakewood Ave., Barnesville — waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Trevor R. Christman, 21, of 223 East St., Coaldale — waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Zachary G. Zerby, 22, no known address — waived for court: defiant trespass, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.

Hazleton man

charged in thefts

HOMETOWN — A Hazleton man is facing charges by Rush Township police after two incidents at Wal-Mart on Sept. 20.

Police said that about 3:15 p.m., James Yurkanin, 38, stole a 40-inch Sony television and two rugs valued at $408.92 and then about 11:20 p.m. stole a 40-inch Sony television and three rugs valued at $407.88.

Theft related charges against Yurkanin will be filed with Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua.

Police: Car window

shot out by BBs

FRACKVILLE — Frackville police are investigating a criminal mischief incident that was reported to their department about noon Saturday.

Police said Mary Dettery, 432 E. Arlington St., Shenandoah, reported that someone smashed the rear window of her 2007 Ford Escape while it was parked to the rear of 245 N. Nice St.

Police said their investigation determined the window was damaged by a BB or pellet gun that was fired from the north side of the street.

Anyone with information is asked to call police through the Schuylkill County Communications Center at 570-462-1991.

Police investigate

shattered windows

FRACKVILLE — A criminal mischief incident that was reported at 10:50 p.m. Friday is being investigated by Frackville police.

Police said Brian Grose, 545 W. Oak St., reported someone damaged two glass window panels on his garage using either a BB or pellet gun.

Police said their investigation determined the shots were fired from the area of 5th and West Washington streets.

Anyone with information is asked to call police through the Schuylkill County Communications Center at 570-462-1991.

Police: Bicycle

stolen from home

MINERSVILLE — State police at Frackville are investigating the theft of bicycle that occurred between 9 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday at 732 Sunbury St., Cass Township.

Police said a 30-year-old Minersville woman reported to police that she had received an email from FedEx that the 18-inch tall, black, pink and purple Monster High girls’ bicycle she bought online was delivered to her residence between 4 and 4:30 p.m., but it was not there when she arrived home.

She bought the bicycle for $88.85 from Wal-Mart, police said. Anyone with information can contact state police at Frackville at 570-874-5300.

Police: Man entered

locked cabin

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — A Pottsville man faces criminal trespassing charges after he entered a locked cabin between Sept. 25 and 27 at 231 Beechnut Road, East Brunswick Township.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Clint Richard Parks, 50, whose last known address is 577 Laurel Terrace, was taken into custody and arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg. In lieu of $10,000 straight bail, he was committed to Schuylkill County Prison.

City man faces

theft charges

HAMBURG — A Pottsville man faces theft by deception charges following an incident Sept. 5 at Wal-Mart, 1800 Tilden Ridge Drive, Tilden Township.

State police at Hamburg said Steven John Brilla went to the home goods department in the store, removed a sheet set, then went to the customer service desk and claimed he had bought the item and returned it. Police said he received a gift card for $47.58 before leaving the store.

Charges were filed with Magisterial District Judge Kim L. Bagenstose, Hamburg.

ASHLAND — The experiences of dealing with frozen water lines last winter has the Ashland Area Municipal Authority board considering purchasing a device that will assist in thawing pipes.

Ashland Borough Manager Raymond Jones Jr. said during his monthly report that one plumbing company that effectively thawed frozen lines during the past frigid winter is no longer in business, and the authority needs to find an alternative for this winter if the same situations occur.

“Last winter we had quite a few frozen service lines by Wayne’s Plumbing, but the company is no longer in business,” Jones said. “Last winter we spent $4,595 on thawing between two different plumbers. Wayne was the only one who was able to get them thawed. One service call was $1,145. I was doing some research and I recommend that we purchase this hot water thawing machine. It’s a self-heating unit with 100-foot and 200-foot 1/4-inch tubing that you feed in through the meter.”

Jones showed a brochure of the Pulse Jet De-icer line thawer made by Magikist, Winnipeg, Ontario. According to the company website, “The Pulse Jet De-icer provides the most effective safe method for thawing frozen water service lines. Without the fire risk associated with other thawing methods, the Pulse Jet De-icer can be used on plastic service lines in addition to copper and iron. Built for industrial use, the Pulse Jet De-icer is designed as a self-contained unit utilizing a flexible tubing to feed a special spray head down the water line to the frozen section. Once the spray head reaches the frozen section of the water line, high pressure is used to thaw the line.”

The device runs on electricity only, Jones said.

Jones said the cost is $2,057, plus $229.08 for shipping.

“Right now, we don’t really have anyone to do it (thaw lines),” Jones said, who added he checked with other companies and received a wide range of prices on the machine from them. He then contacted the manufacturer that told him they could sell it directly to the authority. He said Magikist gave the best price.

“I got the price directly from the factory in Canada,” Jones said. “The U.S. prices were all over the map. I didn’t think the company sold directly until I called them and they gave me the best price. The U.S. dealers I contacted gave me prices from $2,500 to $3,000.”

Authority solicitor S. John Price did not believe it would be necessary to formally get quotes because of the cost, but he would check the municipal code to see if that is the case.

“Has this been thoroughly looked into?” board Vice President Lawrence Madden asked.

“Actually, I was looking into this last February, but at that time there was no point in ordering anything,” Jones said. “I read quite a few articles on it and they have a lot of success in Canada with them.”

The board did not make a decision to purchase the machine, but members showed interest. Jones said there would not be any problem to wait until the October meeting in order to get more information.

In another part of his report, Jones said the borough employees repaired two water main breaks since the August meeting. One break was along state Route 61 near Watkins Lawn and Garden, the other along state Route 54 near Groody’s Catering Hall. Two service leaks were also repaired.

During the engineer’s report, Alfred Benesch & Co. project manager Jennifer M. Kowalonek said the work on the reservoir upgrade project continues on schedule.

“The remaining piece is the valve workings on the upstream side of the dam,” Kowalonek said. “We got into the valve house just last week so we don’t that layout and we want to see what line looks like to get a number from the contractor to put those valves in. By next meeting we’ll have that. They (divers) are going to be on site for the valve work on Oct. 12. Hopefully we’ll be finished before the winter.”

Kowalonek also reported that KC Construction Co., Ivyland, the general contractor on the reservoir project, submitted an application for payment (No. 6) for $102,524.95.

“That is for the work that has been completed since the last meeting, which includes some repairs on the spillway, and just final seedings and gradings.”

The authority board approved the payment.

The only remaining tenant at the six-story Thompson Building in Pottsville has decided it’s time to go.

Smokers Heaven, 25 N. Centre St., will move across the street to 24 N. Centre St. sometime in October, Raj Dedania, Easton, Northampton County, who owns the business with his brother, Gary, said Monday.

“I think we’ll be open three weeks from now, around October 15. We haven’t told everybody yet, but people who know, they do understand. They know we’ve been having trouble with this building and they are glad that we are moving,” Dedania said.

“We wish them the best of luck,” the owner of the Thompson Building, Ben Agunloye, Brooklyn, New York, said Monday. “Raj, the principal partner in Smokers Heaven, told us he would be breaking his lease. We reserve all our rights under the lease.”

The building at 24 N. Centre St. is owned by Porter Pottsville R.E. Holding LLC, according to the Schuylkill Parcel Locator. The owner, who is based in Newtown Square, Delaware County, is in the process of conducting a $7,200 renovation project to allow Smokers Heaven to move into its ground floor, according to a construction permit that was filed in the city’s code enforcement office Sept. 21.

In August 2014, Agunloye Development and Construction LLC, Brooklyn, New York, bought the Thompson Building from ALT 23-27 Centre LLC for $150,000, according to the deed recorded in the Schuylkill County Courthouse.

Since then, the building has experienced troubled times, David J. Petravich, city building code officer, said Monday afternoon.

In mid-February, the building’s pipes froze. At the time, the building had two tenants. The other was Strictly Formals Rentals and Sales, 23 N. Centre St. They were without heat or water until late April.

Petravich said his office filed eight citations in response to that situation.

He also filed another citation against the property owner on June 4, after city firefighters had to use an aerial truck to pull the remains of a broken window from the fifth floor.

Petravich said hearings on those matters have yet to be scheduled at the office of Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville.

Frustrated by the numerous problems at the Thompson Building, James J. Corcoran, the owner of Strictly Formals, moved his business in late June. Strictly Formals had been in business there for nearly 35 years. On July 7, it opened across the street at 18 N. Centre St.

Smokers Heaven opened at the Thompson Building in 2001, according to Raj Dedania.

Following the difficulties with the frozen pipes, he said he suffered other troubles at the Thompson Building in June.

“We don’t have a storage space other than the basement. And the basement was flooding. Now there are mushrooms growing down there, and there’s mold, and it’s not healthy for us to be down there. Whenever you go down there, you can smell it. It’s moldy. The landlord here, Ben, said he was going to fix it by July 31. He didn’t do anything so I said, ‘You know what, this is it. I have to move,’ ” Raj Dedania said.

Besides the brothers, Smokers Heaven employees include store manager, Rob Bowers.

“There has not been any flooding and there have not been any reports of any flooding at any time,” Agunloye said when asked about the situation.

Petravich said he’d heard about problems with dampness in the basement.

“We were made aware of the issues in the basement. We don’t test for mold. They have to get somebody else in there to test for mold,” Petravich said.

Meanwhile, Agunloye said he’s working to find new tenants.

“We are in discussions with a tenant for all three stores on Centre Street, and we expect to announce one of the first new tenants from outside Schuylkill County into Pottsville in a while. We are also in discussions with various buyers who wish to buy the building and expect to announce the new deal in a week or so,” Agunloye said in an email Monday.

Built in 1909, the Thompson Building was Pottsville’s first skyscraper, according to “Pottsville in the Twentieth Century” by Leo L. Ward and Mark T. Major.

There are spots of yellow and brown among the green trees along Cressona Road in Pottsville, which winds up to the cemetery at Calvary.

Frank Snyder, Orwigsburg, spotted more color variety in the autumn leaves as he drove through Gilberton and Girardville on Tuesday afternoon, and he was fascinated by the bursts of red and yellow he saw along Raven Run Road in West Mahanoy Township.

“It was really neat. There were black maple, black birch and sassafras. I went by a blackgum with leaves that were deep maroon. They’re beautiful. Without question, this would be a nice road to cruse to see the fall coloration,” Snyder, a service forester for the state Bureau of Forestry, said.

This year, the first day of fall was Sept. 23. The hues of autumn should reach their peak in Schuylkill County in late October. But warm weather and driving rains may dull the potential vibrancy, Paul W. Walker, a senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, State College, said Tuesday.

“I think the weather has played a big factor in what’s happening this year. It seems like everything is delayed. I normally think that Oct. 12 is the time of peak fall coloration here in Schuylkill County. But, boy, a lot has to happen for that to occur, the way it feels to me,” Snyder said.

The website for the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources predicted the peak of fall coloration for Schuylkill County this year may occur between Oct. 17 and 31.

Fall colors

Temperatures in the coming weeks will determine to some degree how colorful our forests will be this fall, Walker said.

“The warm weather has delayed the onset of the colors throughout the northeast, but it’s starting to take place. The dry weather we’ve been having in August through most of September has not been a good factor. It’s caused leaves to drop off the trees before they changed color. I’ve seen a lot of that,” Walker said.

Rain in the forecast may not help.

“If we have heavy rains, especially if it’s accompanied by strong wings, that could bring down the leaves before they’ve reached their peak colors. It may be a mixed bag. We’ll see how the weather pans out,” Walker said.

Cool nights during which temperatures drop into the mid- to low 40s might bring out some of the red and purple pigments in some leaves, Walker said.

“We haven’t had many cool nights. And we’re still looking for our first frost,” Walker said.

According to www.accuweather.com, expect morning rains Wednesday with a high of 70 degrees and a low of 53. On Thursday, it will be cloudy with showers with a high of 59 and a low of 52. And occasional rains will continue into the weekend.

Leaves are green in summer because they contain a pigment called chlorophyll, Snyder said.

“I think the trees respond to coloration by the length of the day, the photo(synthesis) period of the day. When there’s less sunlight, the chlorophyll in the plants starts shutting down, then the colors start to be revealed,” Snyder said.

The DCNR posts a weekly “Pennsylvania Fall Foliage” report on its website at dcnr.state.pa.us.

The most recent was posted Tuesday afternoon.

Schuylkill County is located for the most part in the “Southern Region,” and the best fall colors will occur there between Oct. 24 and 31, according to the site.

“All across south central and south eastern counties the autumn foliage has begun the yearly change. So far the changes have been limited to dogwood and blackgum. Higher elevations and drier exposed sites are currently experiencing the best early colors,” according to the site.

But the northern tip of Schuylkill County is located in the “Central Zone,” and the best fall colors will occur there between Oct. 17 and 24, according to the site.

Fall forecast

There is a chance for above-normal temperatures in October through December, Walker said.

“Looks like we’re going to be starting off fall and early winter with temperatures above normal for us in the east, about one or two degrees above normal as they have been running. We’re anticipating that the warm summer that we’ve had will continue into the fall months. The weather pattern that controlled the summer was a strong El Niño,” Walker said.

He was referring to the global ocean-atmosphere phenomenon known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation.

“That will continue to control the weather, at least until the first part of winter here. Other factors that we look into tend to indicate that the air that we see come down from time to time from Canada early in the fall is going to be confined up across central and northern Canada and not be able to get down into the northern tier of the United States,” Walker said.

There will be rain, he said.

“As far as precipitation, there will be several episodes where we can get some stormy weather. We’re going into one of those this week. There might be another good round of rain Friday and at least into the first half of the weekend. After an extended dry period here, it looks like we’re going to get an extended wet period,” Walker said.

ORWIGSBURG — A Berks County man is headed to Schuylkill County Court after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday on charges he stole and resold five guns in 2013.

Justin M. Riegel, 25, of 410 Arch St., Hamburg, faces five counts each of theft, receiving stolen property and false statement under penalty, four each of materially false written statement and theft by deception and one of improper transfer of firearm.

Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier bound over all charges for court after Riegel waived his right to the hearing. He allowed the defendant to remain free on $2,500 unsecured bail pending further court action.

State police at Schuylkill Haven alleged Riegel stole five guns — a Mossberg 500 12-gauge shotgun, a Zoli 20-gauge shotgun, a Remington rifle, a Springfield rifle and a Springfield Armory 9 mm pistol — between June 16, 2013, and Sept. 13, 2013, from 61 Centre St., Port Clinton.

The guns had a total value of $2,200, according to police.

Police said that after stealing the guns, Riegel sold the rifles and shotguns to Cabela’s for a total of $850, in the process making a false statement on each of the firearms transaction forms. Cabela’s later resold the guns.

Riegel sold the pistol to another man as part of a drug deal.

Defendant: Justin M. Riegel

Age: 25

Residence: Hamburg

Charges: Five counts each of theft, receiving stolen property and false statement under penalty, four each of materially false written statement and theft by deception and one of improper transfer of firearm

HARRISBURG — Scranton School District will be forced to borrow money next month to keep classrooms open if the state budget stalemate continues and another state aid payment is missed, state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said Tuesday.

In Northeast Pennsylvania, Sayre Area School District in Bradford County and Mount Carmel Area and Warrior Run School Districts in Northumberland County are in the same financial boat as Scranton because of the lack of a budget, the fiscal watchdog said.

Carbondale Area and Mid Valley school districts in Lackawanna County, East Stroudsburg Area School District in Monroe County and Canton Area School District in Bradford County are already borrowing.

Mid Valley borrowed $3.02 million; Carbondale, $900,000; East Stroudsburg, $10 million; and Canton, $2 million, according to the auditor general.

These regional districts are part of a diverse and growing list of school districts across Pennsylvania facing financial troubles with no state aid to augment their local school property tax revenue. The problems affect urban, suburban and rural districts, DePasquale said.

He warned that borrowing doesn’t come cheap.

The interest and fees could reach $11.2 million on the nearly $350 million worth of borrowing done so far by 17 school districts and two intermediate units, DePasquale said. Those borrowing costs will increase by $122 million next month, assuming that 28 additional districts and two more intermediate units are forced to borrow.

Local property taxpayers are on the hook if the state doesn’t reimburse interest costs as part of a final budget deal, DePasquale said. Providing that reimbursement will increase the cost of a final budget deal.

DePasquale released his school survey as the budget stalemate entered its fourth month with no prospects for a bipartisan deal in sight to end it.

Shortly afterward, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed as anticipated an $11 billion stopgap state budget passed mainly by Republican lawmakers. Wolf had vowed a veto when that measure reached his desk last week.

The governor and GOP legislative leaders issued statements blaming the other side for the stalemate. Despite the rhetoric, budget negotiating sessions have been held this week.

Schuylkill County is going blue Monday to raise awareness about bullying.

The Schuylkill County Safe Schools’ Community Bullying Prevention Coalition is asking county residents to wear blue for National Bullying Prevention Month.

“It was something we could do to raise awareness for free,” Larissa Russell, Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 interagency coordinator and coalition member, said Tuesday.

The coalition was formed in 2013 through a partnership with IU 29 and the county Safe Schools program. IU 29 was the lead applicant on the grant that provided funding for planning and development. Funding came from the Highmark Foundation and the Center for Safe Schools. The grant was awarded to several other applicants across the state, Russell said, but they were one of only a few to make the coalition a countywide initiative.

“We have a lot of collaboration within the county,” Diane Rowland, county drug and alcohol prevention services coordinator, said.

The goal is to promote positive and healthy relations through education and awareness projects. The coalition makes educational materials on bullying available to all schools in the county and at different events.

The goal of the coalition is to promote positive and healthy relationships through education and awareness projects. Bullying comes in many forms across all age groups and environments.

“(Bullying) happens everywhere,” Russell said. “It is not just in schools, and it is among all age groups.”

Bullying has also become more complex today with the use of technology and social media. Rowland said bullies can now reach their classmates at home.

“I think the kids today have an extra burden on them,” Rowland said.

The coalition has representation from different schools, county agencies, community mental health providers and parents.

The motivation to apply for the grant that came from the 2011 Pennsylvania Youth Survey that said 54 percent of students had experienced some type of bullying.

“When you are talking about more than half of the kids experiencing bullying, you have the need to focus on it,” Rowland said.

Although different agencies and organizations are concerned, the coalition provides an opportunity for a county group to focus on bullying prevention.

“The topic has always been out there,” Russell said.

“Now we have a place to put it,” Rowland said.

The coalition hosted a contest to design its logo. The logo that won features two people holding hands in the air with hearts on their chests.

The group also made different posters with positive bullying-related statistics from the 2013 Pennsylvania Youth Survey Schuylkill County report. For example, some of the posters hanging at schools and county agency buildings say “92 percent of Schuylkill County students think bullying is wrong” and “95 percent of Schuylkill County students believe their parents feel that bullying is wrong.”

Last week, the Schuylkill County commissioners proclaimed October as National Bullying Prevention Month in the county.

Melissa Carr, school counselor in the Saint Clair Area School District, said students are getting the message.

“I think the students are becoming more aware,” Carr said. “It makes them stop and think before they do something, and they realize that there are different types of bullying.”

“What you say can really make a difference, whether it is positive or negative,” Russell said.

The Pottsville Business Association will be starting the new year off without management assistance from the Pottsville Area Development Corp.

At a meeting of the PBA board of directors at Union Station, Pottsville, on Tuesday morning, the board voted to suspend its contract with PADCO as of Dec. 31, John Plachko, PBA president, said immediately following the meeting.

“The motion was to suspend the management agreement with PADCO. It’s nothing negative toward PADCO. I think we both have one main goal but go about it in two different directions. Their job is more to develop and bring new businesses in. We’re looking to focus on what’s already here. We’re looking to do things more to promote businesses within the city,” Plachko said.

“And our budget is only $8,000 to $10,000 depending on the year, and we’re spending about $4,000 on the management agreement, and it didn’t seem to be very fiscally responsible to do it that way. So we decided to go a different route,” Plachko said.

Amy S. Burkhart, PADCO’s executive director, confirmed Tuesday that PADCO’s management contract with PBA for 2015 was $4,000.

In the vote, those who approved the motion included Plachko, PBA Treasurer Angela Mestishen-Regnier and members Jim Bohorad, Jerry Labooty, Christine Monahan, Patrick J. Murphy, Elaine Stine and Karen Wood, according to Plachko.

Three members of the PBA board who are also members of the PADCO board of directors abstained: PBA Vice President Carmen A. DiCello, Jack Mansell and Richard J. Torpey.

“PBA is a rejuvenating organization, and we at PADCO are thrilled to see their volunteer base willing to step up and take a leadership role in the programming that they offer,” Burkhart said Tuesday.

Formed in 1985, PADCO is a development corporation that oversees revitalization of the city’s central business district. In particular, it offers low-interest loans to help fund business expansion, equipment, start-up costs, physical renovations and other business needs, Burkhart said.

Over the years, PADCO expanded its range of duties in an effort to survive financially. It became a management firm that accepted contracts to manage agencies including the Pottsville Parking Authority and properties including the Majestic Theater, Union Station and the building PADCO is housed in at 1 S. Second St.

PBA has been affiliated with PADCO since the early 1990s, according to The Republican-Herald archives.

PBA was incorporated in 1905, and 2015 has been a year of change for the organization.

“Over the years, PADCO’s responsibilities for the organization increased. In 2002, PADCO was largely responsible for providing back offices services, which included organization of meetings, maintaining their financials, heading up their annual membership and linear footage campaign and maintenance of records,” Burkhart said.

“And over the years PADCO began organizing additional PBA events, including Because We Care Food to Share, trick or treat night, Small Business Saturday, welcome boxes and downtown planters. PADCO also headed up promotional projects through the years including window decorating contest, creation of calendars of events, member discount books, Pottsville Nights Out, info mixers and media days. Further, their annual membership drive became significantly more robust over the past five years,” Burkhart said.

The PBA board of directors started 2015 dealing with apathy among its membership, a drop in attendance at its monthly meetings and questions about its future. In January, the PBA board considered merging PBA with PADCO.

In June, PBA decided to remain independent and started to form a stronger board of directors.

FRACKVILLE — The Frackville Business and Professional Association will hold the seventh annual Frackville Pumpkin Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

As usual, the festival will be held along Frack Street near Wells Fargo Bank just off Lehigh Avenue (Route 924) and will include pumpkin-themed activities and fun.

The festival kicks off Friday evening at the Schuylkill Mall in the rear parking lot with the annual Pumpkin Chunkin’ Contest, which is sponsored by the mall and FBPA. This is a chance for contestants to see how far they can chunk a pumpkin.

The contest begins at 5:30 p.m. There are six age categories ranging from under 5 to 55 and above, with each age group having male and female categories. Age groups are under 5, 6 to 10, 11 to 16, 17 to 30, 31 to 54 and 55 and above.

Prizes in each age category are:

• First place: $15 mall gift certificates.

• Second place: $10 mall gift certificates.

• Third place: $5 mall gift certificates.

Hazleton Community Church members will return this year with their large mechanical chunking machine to demonstrate how far it can make pumpkins fly and splat. There will be free nachos and cheese and funnel cakes.

On Saturday, the Pumpkin Festival events kick off with “Pumpkins on Parade” as community children parade from the Frackville library to the festival area beginning at 9:45 a.m., showcasing “The Art of the Pumpkin” crafts they created. The artwork will be on display through the event with a ticket auction. Pony rides for $2 will be available.

At 10:45 a.m., children can show their talents in sidewalk art. Ages 6 to 8 will compete at 10:45 a.m., and those ages 9 to 12 will show their talents at 11:15 a.m.

A pumpkin pie-eating contest will begin at noon for ages 9 and up. Three age categories (9 to 11, 12 to 16 and 17 and up) will compete, and prizes will be awarded. The contest is free to participants.

At 1:30 a.m., the winners of the Art of the Pumpkin and the limerick contest will be announced.

In addition to the contests and events, the festival features music by JB Sound, face painting, craft vendors, pumpkin painting, homemade foods and baked goods from local organizations.

Registration forms are available at the mall or on the mall website at www.shopschuylkillmall.com and can be dropped off at the mall or the Frackville Area Public Library. The rules are:

1. Pumpkins will be provided by Schuylkill Mall. No other pumpkins can be used.

2. Contestants will be accepted until 5:30 p.m.

Friday.

3. Pumpkins can only be thrown in designated area.

4. Pumpkins provided will be as close as possible to the same weight.

5. Pumpkins can be thrown only by hand. No devices can be used to assist in the throwing.

6. Each contestant will get one throw only.

7. If the pumpkin breaks apart in mid air for any reason, a second throw will be offered the contestant.

8. Distances will be measured from “throw line” to point of ground impact.

9. If pumpkin hits any other object before the ground, that spot will be marked as “impact” point.

10. Decisions of judges will be final.

The FBPA and Schuylkill Mall reserve the right to consolidate age categories if

fewer than three competitors enter in any given category.

Deeds

Branch Township — John Frederick Cherrybon, executor of the Last Will & Testament of Catehrine E. Cherrybon, to Joseph Lazarchick II and Mitch and Lynn Lazarchick; 1412 Bunting St.; $83,000.

Butler Township — Michael George, Matthew George and Lester George to Joshua J. Monahan; 1051 Beaver Dam Road; $125,000.

Cass Township — Peter Ricigliano to Daniel Francis Subach Jr.; 930 Sunbury Road, Primrose; $123,600.

Coaldale — Peter P. and Priscilla E. Mackovic to Peter P. and Priscilla E. Mackovic; 114-118 E. Howard Ave.; $1.

East Brunswick Township — Treasure D. Zweizig to Eric W. and Joy A. Hollenbach; 221 Pine Valley Road; $144,300.

East Union Township — Bonnie Hoersch and Joel Beck to Bonnie Hoersch; Lot 18WC, Eagle Rock; $1.

Eldred Township — Lynn R. Kessler, guardian of the person and Estate of Stanley C. Kessler, to Michelle Kessler, trustee of the Lynn R. Kessler Special Needs Trust; property on Taylorsville Mountain Road; $1.

Frackville — Mary Yastishok to Mary K. Yastishok, trustee of the Mary K. Yastishok Revocable Trust; property on Nice Street; $1.

North Manheim Township — Bottling Group LLC to Paws in the Action LLC; 85 Keystoker Lane; $300,000.

Orwigsburg — Mary Yastishok to Mary K. Yastishok, trustee of the Mary K. Yastishok Revocable Trust; property on South Hope Avenue; $1.

Christopher A. and Tara L. Livingstone to Christopher A. Livingstone; 110 Station Road; $1.

Porter Township — Benjamin Ruch and Micah Ruch, executors of the Estate of Lester L. Ruch, to James R. and Leigh T. Miller; 39 Ball Park Road, Orwin; $54,000.

Pottsville — Scott C. Williams and Donald P. Williams to Scott C. Williams and Donald P. Williams; property on Ulmers Alley; $1.

Rush Township — Eleanor A. Kistler to Eleanor A. Kistler, trustee under the Eleanor Kistler Asset Protection Trust; 0.703-acre property on Crescent Drive, Lake Hauto; $1.

Barbara E. Garber to Justin A. Kaiser; 148 Grier Ave., Barnesville; $78,334.

Rush Township and Nesquehoning, Carbon County — Diana Demianenko, by attorneys in fact Olga Kushnir and Natalie Miller, to William M. and Colleen A. Hodnik; 25 Oak Court, Lake Hauto; $195,000.

Saint Clair — Robert Maley to Keith Maley; 145 N. Second St.; $1.

Brant Maley to Keith Maley; 202-204 N. Nicholas St.; $1.

Diana Valentine and James T. Honicker, co-administrators of the Estate of Jevon T. Honicker, to Thomas J. Peterson; 241-243 Cherry St.; $55,000.

A Pottsville man arrested by the state Attorney General’s Office on charges related to possession and distribution of child pornography waived his right to a preliminary hearing Monday before Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville.

Luke John Zelinsky, 51, of 2250 W. Market St., was arrested by Supervisory Special Agent Kurt Smith and charged in connection with incidents that occurred between June 30 and July 25.

Declining to have a hearing, Zelinsky waived to Schuylkill County Court felony charges of unlawful contact with a minor-sexual offenses, criminal use of a communications facility, criminal attempt to commit unlawful contact with a minor, criminal attempt to commit statutory sexual assault and criminal attempt to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 16.

In papers filed with the court, Smith said Zelinsky posted a personal advertisement on the Internet allegedly seeking a sexual encounter with a mother and daughters or sisters.

An undercover agent responded to the posting posing as a 39-year-old woman with two daughters, ages 9 and 13.

Through emails and text messages, Smith said Zelinsky indicated his interest in engaging in sexual acts with the people he believed were the female juveniles.

Smith said he assumed the undercover identity of the mother and the 13-year-old.

Messages sent by Zelinsky stated he has fantasies of having a “threesome” with a mother and daughter, sisters, bi-females or two women pretending.

At one point, Zelinsky responded to Smith saying “hello there where are you from, you would let your daughters play at their ages, cool.”

Throughout the conversations, Smith said, Zelinsky wrote on numerous occasions how he would like to have sex with what he thought was the adult woman and her minor children.

Agents said a meeting was set at a location in Pottsville for July 25 at which time Zelinsky was taken into custody and arrested.

Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown

To Sean and Stefanie Mensch Ott, Nazareth, a daughter, Sept. 17. Grandparents are Dianne and James Mensch, Ashland, and Lynette and Craig Ott, East Stroudsburg.

A Berwick woman admitted Friday in Schuylkill County Court that she possessed merchandise that had been stolen in February 2013 from a Rush Township store.

Amy Humphries, 33, pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of retail theft.

Judge Charles M. Miller accepted Humphries’ plea and sentenced her to serve on to 23 months in prison concurrent to her state prison sentence.

Miller also sentenced Humphries to pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, a $277 bench warrant fee and $182.32 restitution.

Rush Township police charged Humphries with receiving property that had been stolen Feb. 3, 2013, from Wal-Mart, 35 Plaza Drive.

Humphries told Miller she is doing her best to rid herself of her heroin addiction.

“I’m almost two years clean,” she said.

“Congratulations,” Miller replied. “Good luck to you. Keep up the hard work.”

In other recent county court action, Judge James P. Goodman on Sept. 23 accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:

Jeffrey M. Dargis, 43, of Shenandoah; two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $200 in payments to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of conspiracy and one of possession of a controlled substance.

Terri L. Kates, 36, of Tamaqua; two counts of theft and one each of possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy; time served to 23 months in prison with immediate parole, 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment, $100 CJEA payments and $798 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew three counts of receiving stolen property and one each of access device fraud, delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.

Jeffrey M. Lohr, 32, of Pottsville; theft by deception; three to 18 months in prison, $50 CJEA payment and $15,595.72 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of receiving stolen property.

Joshua M. Tagliaboski, 26, of Bellefonte; theft; 12 months probation, $50 CJEA payment and $127.99 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of receiving stolen property.

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

Fiery 4-rig crash

snarls I-78 traffic

HAMBURG — A fiery accident involving four tractor-trailers about noon Tuesday closed a section of westbound Interstate 78 for hours in Berks County.

State police at Hamburg said the accident occurred at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday on Interstate 78, near mile marker 22.2 in Upper Bern Township. The state Department of Transportation had closed the right lane in the area for construction, and traffic was stopped in the left lane.

Mariusz Fornecki, 51, of Rochelle Park, New Jersey, was driving a 2000 Volvo west and was unable to bring the vehicle to a stop, striking another truck driven Vance P. Davidson, 61, of Elm Mott, Texas, which then hit a 2010 Peterbilt 487 driven by Anyon J. White, 42, of Joppa, Maryland. White’s vehicle then hit a 2015 Freightliner Tractor driven by Ashenafi N. Zemedkun, 31, of Alexandria, Virginia.

The first two tractors caught fire and became fully engulfed.

Davidson suffered a major injury, and Gornecki and White suffered minor injuries. Davidson and Gornecki were taken by ambulance to the Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading.

Police cited Fornecki for driving at an unsafe speed.

Police ID driver

in rental car crash

A crash that occurred about 1:30 a.m. Sept. 17 in the area of East Railroad and Spruce streets in the city was investigated by Pottsville police.

At the scene, police learned the driver fled, but a subsequent investigation determined that a 2000 Chevrolet Venture registered to JM Auto Sales and owned by Jason Marchefsky was traveling east on East Railroad Street when it went off of the road and struck a utility pole on the south side.

Marchefsky was contacted and reported that the vehicle was on loan to a man from Shenandoah.

Police said Tuesday that the driver of the vehicle was identified as Steven B. Smith, 32, of Shenandoah, who admitted driving at the time of the crash.

As a result of the crash, the utility pole was sheered in half about 4 feet from the base and the vehicle towed from the scene.

Police said that as a result of the crash, Smith will be charged with careless driving and accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property.

Police arrest trio

for city robbery

Three people were committed to prison charged by Pottsville police with a robbery that was reported about 12:05 a.m. Sept. 7 at 571 Laurel Terrace, Pottsville.

Police said a 58-year-old man reported hearing a knock at his door and, upon opening it, saw a woman later identified as Bobby Jo Rohrbach, 29, of Pottsville, standing there.

As Rohrbach began to distract the man, police said, two men identified as Braxton John “BJ” Moore, 32, and Robert W. Riggles, 43, both of Pottsville, forced their way inside the home.

Police said the victim reported the three kept demanding money but finally fled on foot with his cellphone when they could not find any money inside.

Through a cooperative effort by various patrol shifts, police said, on Sept. 8 Rohrbach and Moore were arrested and charged with felony conspiracy to commit burglary, robbery, theft and receiving stolen property.

Both were then committed to Schuylkill County Prison, each unable to post $50,000 straight cash bail set by on-call Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua.

A subsequent investigation led to the arrest and arraignment of Ruggles on Sunday on identical charges.

Ruggles was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, on identical charges and committed to prison in lieu of $50,000 straight cash bail.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Pottsville Bureau of Police at 570-622-1234, ext. 331.

Information provided will remain confidential if requested by the caller.

Nesquehoning

driver gets cited

Pottsville police investigated a crash that occurred about 7:10 p.m. Saturday at Route 61, South Claude A. Lord Blvd., and Route 209, Mauch Chunk Street.

Police said the investigation determined that Kim Kostak, 55, of Nesquehoning, was driving a 2007 Jeep Liberty north in the left northbound lane of Route 61 in the city when she turned directly into the path of a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse LT being driven north in the right lane of Route 61 by April Caufield, 24, of Shenandoah.

A 17-year-old boy who was a passenger in the Kostak vehicle complained of pain in his right arm and was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street for evaluation.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

Police said Kostak will be cited for required position and method of turning.

Police investigate

crash in Pottsville

A crash that occurred at North Centre and Arch streets about 7:40 p.m. Sept. 15 is under investigation by Pottsville police.

Police said John Zelinsky, 28, of Pottsville, was driving a 1996 Mitsubishi north in the 100 block of North Centre Street in the city when he struck the back of a 1999 Volkswagen driven by Ernest Lempfert, 51, of Pottsville, who was stopped for a light at the intersection.

A passenger in the Lempfert vehicle, a 48-year-old woman, complained of pain and was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street for treatment.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Police investigate

hit-and-run crash

WILLIAMSTOWN — State police at Lykens investigated a crash that occurred about 6:05 a.m. Thursday at West Market and Grant streets in this Dauphin County community.

Police said an unidentified driver was traveling west on Market Street and struck the side mirror of a legally parked 2005 Ford F-150 owned by Paula J. Gonder, Williamstown.

Gonder was in her vehicle and escaped injury, but the driver of the other vehicle, a blue two-door truck, fled west on Market Street without stopping.

2 men charged

for fight in Lykens

LYKENS — Two men were charged with disorderly conduct by state police at Lykens after an incident about 7:20 a.m. Monday at 423 Centre St. in this Dauphin County community.

Police said Daniel E. Barry, 45, and Robert J. Miller Jr., 32, whose addresses were not provided, will have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum, Elizabethville.

The two men became involved in a verbal argument and were yelling profanities at each other so loudly that a neighbor two houses away heard the noise.

Tower City driver

not hurt in crash

JONESTOWN — A Tower City woman escaped injury when her vehicle struck an embankment at 12:26 p.m. Tuesday on Gold Mine Road, about two miles north of Old Railroad Bed, Cold Spring Township, Lebanon County.

State police at Jonestown said Rebecca L. Kern, 32, was driving a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta south on Goldmine Road when she lost control on a left curve downhill and struck an embankment, spinning 90 degrees, before coming to a rest.

Police cited Kern for the accident.

Mahanoy City

fugitive arrested

MAHANOY CITY — A Mahanoy City man was arrested on a criminal warrant at 8:38 p.m. Tuesday on Main Street during a traffic stop.

State police at Frackville said David W. Kuczynski, 61, was wanted by Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for a parole violation.

He was taken to the Schuylkill County Prison to await extradition.

Haven crash ends

with car into inn

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Two people escaped injury when their vehicles collided at 6:32 a.m. Tuesday at South Greenview and East Adamsdale roads, North Manheim Township.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Brandon L. Short, 20, of Auburn, was driving a 2012 Nissan 370Z south on Greenview Road and failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection. The vehicle collided with a 2006 Toyota Tacoma, driven by Jeremy K. Krammes, 38, of Schuylkill Haven.

Following the initial impact, police said, the Nissan hit the Crossroads Inn located on the southeast corner of the intersection.

Landingville Community Fire Company and Schuylkill EMS assisted at the scene.

Short was cited for a stop sign violation.

Police: Pickup

hit car, fled scene

NUREMBERG — State police at Frackville investigated a hit-and-run crash that occurred about 5 p.m. Monday in the 200 block of Mahanoy Street in this North Union Township village.

Police said a black pickup truck was being driven north when it struck a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu and the driver fled the area.

The crash caused damage to the passenger’s side mirror of the Malibu. Police said the involved truck would also have passenger’s side damage.

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

Lotto tickets, cash

stolen in Pottsville

Pottsville police are investigating a burglary at American Hose Company No. 2, 323 W. Norwegian St., that was reported about 8:30 a.m. Saturday in the city.

Police said company officials reported that about 8:15 a.m. that day, they discovered that someone stole a 24-by-16-inch diamond-plate, steel box painted fire engine red from inside a walk-in cooler in the building.

The box contained lottery tickets and cash.

Company officials reported the box was secured about 2:45 p.m. Thursday and there were no signs of forced entry into the building.

Anyone with information on the American Hose Company burglary is asked to call police at 570-622-1234.

Marriage licenses

Nicholas J. Boyer, Schuylkill Haven, and Stephanie Lee Kramer, Schuylkill Haven.

Jaryd M. Linkhorst, Tamaqua, and Samantha A. Steele, Tamaqua.

Michael S. Hamilton, Pine Grove, and Hannah E. Pontician, Pottsville.

Travis S. Kalbach, Auburn, and Brooke L. Spink, Auburn.

Jay C. Fritz, Pottsville, and Evelyn A. Raniere, Pottsville.

John Realer, Frackville, and Tanisha M. Robinson, Philadelphia.

Shane T. Brode, Mahanoy City, and Jeanna Korn, Mahanoy City.

Alexander M. Staudt, Pine Grove, and Samantha Jo Blough, Pine Grove.

James A. Dunn, New Ringgold, and Nicole D. Thomas, Nesquehoning.

Frederick F. Littlewood III, Port Carbon, and Jessica Cook, Port Carbon

James J. Diehl, Zion Grove, and Brittany A. Neidlinger, Zion Grove.

Roger L. Messersmith Jr., Pottsville, and Patricia Ann Mayhew, Pottsville.

Travis Lee Howard, Summit Hill, and Angela M. Rex, Tamaqua.

ORWIGSBURG — A Porter Township man charged with trying to kill his wife in August in their home had his preliminary hearing postponed Tuesday.

Ramon L. Mercado-Rosario, 30, of 2001 E. Center St., Joliett, still faces charges of attempted homicide, prohibited possession of firearm, terroristic threats, possessing instrument of crime and simple assault, two counts of aggravated assault and four counts of recklessly endangering another person.

Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, who had been scheduled to preside over the hearing, said he continued the case at the request of First Assistant District Attorney Maria T. Casey. Ferrier also said he has not yet rescheduled the hearing.

State police at Schuylkill Haven charged Mercado-Rosario with shooting his wife, Heidi Mercado-Rosario, in the head with a .22-caliber revolver at 11:29 p.m. Aug. 13 in the bathroom of their residence.

Police said the defendant accused his wife of cheating on him, threatened to kill her and then fired the gun at her. The bullet entered through her right ear and became lodged in her sinus cavity.

Ferrier said that even though the incident occurred in Porter Township, he is hearing the case because of a conflict of interest on the part of Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi, Tremont, whose district includes Porter Township.

The defendant remains in prison in lieu of $250,000 straight cash bail pending further court action.

Defendant: Ramon L. Mercado-Rosario

Age: 30

Residence: Joliett

Charges: Attempted homicide, prohibited possession of firearm, terroristic threats, possessing instrument of crime and simple assault, two counts of aggravated assault and four counts of recklessly endangering another person

Name incorrect

Carl Yeich, a former Blue Mountain school board member, attended the forum discussion Monday. He was incorrectly identified in Tuesday’s edition.