RINGTOWN — Owning chickens in the borough of Ringtown is not prohibited by any law on the books, but they must not be a nuisance to others.

The topic of keeping and raising of domestic fowl in the borough was raised during the September meeting of the Ringtown Borough Council due to a harassment complaint from a resident who insists that the chickens must go.

Council President Julian J. Milewski had received the complaint about the family on East Main Street with chickens.

“We had a resident back on Vine Street complaining about someone who had a few chickens and a rooster and that they can’t have them,” Milewski said. “And upon inspection of all the rules and regulations, there is no reason they can’t have chickens.”

Councilman James Compton Sr. stated that roosters can be annoying and could be dealt with under the nuisance ordinance if crowing becomes an issue. Milewski said that as long as the chickens are properly cared for and do not violate the health ordinance, they are allowed in the borough.

Other items discussed during the Citizens Petitions portion of the meeting:

•An unsigned complaint about a Sixth Street property was turned over to the police.

•Councilman Thomas Murray asked if the section of Shenandoah Road that was dug up for a water line can be filled in. He said the section of road has sunk and creates a lot of noise from the truck traffic. Borough foreman Scott Schuetrum will address the problem.

• Resident Dennis Bauer asked if any property pins will be removed during the paving of East Main Street. Milewski explained that no property markers will be removed. Bauer also complained about the area near the post office that floods during heavy rainfall. Schuetrum will investigate and rectify if the problem is on the borough street.

• Compton stated that a garbage truck is turning around in a driveway on East Main Street. Bauer stated it is his driveway and his wife gave the driver permission to turn around.

During the public portion, resident Joseph Gozditis presented a letter and pictures of his property on East Main Street requesting permission to designate a driveway on the side of his house. The area has been used as a driveway since he owned the property, and recently he has an issue with cars blocking his car in the area.

“A neighbor has been blocking off his driveway. It’s been a curb cut for years,” Milewski said. “We told him to post a sign or paint the curb yellow and the cops will ticket for no parking.”

Borough Mayor Albert Breznik Jr. said he was aware of the issue and agreed that Gozditis can mark the area and place a sign there. Councilman Thomas Murray moved to authorize the driveway designation, with Vice President Peg Forgotch providing the second. The vote to approve was unanimous.

Councilman David Seresky submitted a letter of resignation from the municipal sewer authority board. Compton made a motion to accept the resignation. Forgotch seconded and all were in favor, with Seresky abstaining from the vote. Murray motioned to act on filling the vacancy at the meeting, but the motion died for lack of a second. Seresky moved to advertise the position. Forgotch seconded and approved in a vote.

Other items discussed were:

•The annual health inspection was conducted at the Wagon Wheel. The license was granted.

• A letter from Employers Mutual Casualty Company stated that the borough’s general liability insurance is due for renewal and will possibly have a premium increase.

• A letter was received from attorney Lloyd Hampton regarding the planned deeding of the water and sewer lines on Ninth Street at the Bann development to the borough. The matter was turned over to solicitor S. John Price.

• The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board paid the $150 portion to the borough for the liquor license fees.

In the treasurer report, borough secretary Angel Mays asked for permission to move the Liquid Fuels account from National Penn Bank to Mid Penn Bank. Mays said the interest rate is the same for both, and Mid Penn will not charge the monthly image fee. Compton motioned to grant permission to move the account. Forgotch seconded and the motion was approved.

In the mayor and police reports, Breznik said there have been several noise complaints about loud cars and trucks moving too fast through town. The police are aware and are actively running VASCAR.

Breznik recommended keeping Patrolman Ted Buriak on as an officer now that his six-month probation is up. Seresky motioned to retain Buriak, was seconded by Forgotch and approved.

Breznik said that since the borough now has two police officers, he recommended making Patrolman Adam J. Bernodin Jr. the police chief. Price explained that he would need to research the borough code and the statutes and will report back at the next meeting.

Breznik was approached by a Union Township supervisor about the possibility of creating a regional police force. Compton said he would be interested in an exploratory meeting. Milewski said he would consider having a committee meeting and inviting the Union supervisors to sit in, pending information from the insurance company regarding a joint police force.

Milewski recognized North Schuylkill students Shawna Stravinsky and Brett Karpovich, who attended the meeting as a class assignment in municipal government.

FRACKVILLE — Due to the threat of bad weather, the Frackville Business Association Pumpkin Festival this Saturday has been relocated to inside the Schuylkill Mall.

The annual event, including pony rides, will be moved inside the mall at the regularly scheduled time, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Pumpkin Chunkin remains scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Friday behind the mall.

n Eckley: Eckley Miners Village will host its first fall festival from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. The event will include village and cemetery tours, hayrides, musical entertainment, a pumpkin patch, children’s pumpkin decorating contest, games, pony rides by Horses for Hope, a pie-baking contest, tricky tray auction and local craft and food vendors. There will also be a bonfire and s’mores from 5 to 7 p.m. and Zolton de Wolfe, the village’s resident werewolf. The cost is $10 for people 13 to 64, $6 for children 6 to 12 and $9 for senior citizens 65 and older. For more information, call 570-636-2070.

n Frackville: The Schuylkill Mall will have a mallwide trick-or-treat beginning at 6 p.m. Oct. 28. Children in costumes will parade around to mall stores to collect goodies. For more information, call 570-874-2526.

n Kulpmont: The fourth annual Kulpmont Knights of Columbus Wine Festival to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Danville and other charities will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 10 at Holy Angels Picnic Grounds. The event will feature wines from more than a dozen wineries, food, vendors and entertainment. Tickets are $7 for a designated driver, $15 in advance and $20 at the gate as well as $25 VIP. For tickets or more information, call 570-274-2014 or go online to www.kulpmontwinefest.com.

n Pottsville: The Schuylkill YMCA, 520 N. Centre St., will have an event from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 23 for youths in grades 4 through 8 to have “spooky fun” in costumes and participate in sports and games. Costume contest winners will be announced at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $3 for members and $5 for nonmembers. For more information, call 570-622-7850. The Y will also have “Nightmare on North Centre Street Dodgeball Tournament at 3 p.m. Oct. 24. Tickets are $25 per team and $5 per person. Teams of up to five players and up to two substitutes will compete for prizes and best appropriate costume. A minimum of four teams per age group are needed for the bracket to run. The Y’s Fall Festival will begin at 5 p.m. Oct. 31, free for members and $3 for nonmembers. There will be crafts, games and prizes plus a moon bounce, face painting and light refreshments. Costumes are encouraged but not required. For more information on any Y activity, call the aforementioned number.

n Schuylkill Haven: The 24th annual St. Ambrose Chinese Auction will include a browse-and-bid from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 18 with the auction beginning at 2 p.m. There will also be a browse-and-bid from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 17. The event will include Disney passes, gift cards, electronics and other fare.

n Shenandoah: Two dine-out food and fun events are scheduled at two eateries to benefit the Shenandoah Area Free Public Library. Portions of the restaurant proceeds will be donated to the library. From 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, the dine-out will be at Francesco’s Ristorante, 10 N. Main St. A Family Fun Night from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 14 at Friendly’s Family Restaurant near Fairlane Village mall also will aid the library. Everyone is asked to support the library. For more information, call 570-462-9829 or email to safpl@ptd.net.

n Summit Hill: Distribution dates for 2015 at the Summit Hill Food Pantry are 10 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 27, Nov. 23 and Dec. 21. The food pantry is located in the Summit Hill Heritage Center, Hazard and Chestnut streets. No parking is allowed in the alley before 9:45 a.m. and no parking at all is allowed in the nearby vacant lot. Recipients should bring strong shopping or tote bags.

Marriage licenses

Mark A. Krammes, Pine Grove, and Maryann P. Hoffman, Pine Grove.

Kole J. Miller, Tower City, and Chelsea T. Miller, Tower City.

Alberto Z. Ruiz, Shenandoah, and Karen A. Ryan, Shenandoah.

Jonathan L. Brown, Auburn, and Jessica L. Kramer, Auburn.

Jennifer A. Wolf, Pottsville, and Schaleen J. Weingart, Pottsville.

Andrew S. Wolfe, Cressona, and Victoria Rodriguez, Cressona.

Armando Cisneros, Hendersonville, TN, and Roxanne L. Connor, Hendersonville, TN.

Divorces granted

Mark Demko, Ashland, from Heather Demko, Ashland.

City representatives Wednesday thanked Pottsville Area School District for its recent effort to resurface tennis courts at John F. Kennedy Pool Complex and Recreational Center.

At the courts, City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar and city Councilman Joseph J. Devine Jr. presented a framed certificate to Pottsville Area Superintendent Jeffrey S. Zwiebel.

It states: “In recognition of the outstanding community partnership that has resulted in renovations to the John F. Kennedy Tennis Court Complex.”

“They look great,” Devine, director of the city’s Parks and Public Property Department, said as he handed Zwiebel the certificate.

“Anything we can do to help,” Zwiebel said.

Fifty years ago, in 1965, Pottsville broke ground for the JFK Recreation Complex. It officially opened June 15, 1966. It was a $450,000 project, according to the archives of The Pottsville Republican.

“I think that was when the whole complex was built,” Palamar said.

“At least,” Devine said.

Pottsville Area’s tennis teams have been using the courts for practice as far back as 1992, Palamar said.

“That’s as far back as we can determine,” Devine said.

“That’s what Eric Rismiller told me, around ’92,” Zwiebel said, referring to the district’s athletic director.

In 2004, the city paid to resurface the courts, but the school district decided to resurface them in 2010, Palamar said. At a special meeting July 24, the Pottsville Area school board voted to resurface four tennis courts at JFK Pool Complex.

“We are the primary user,” John F. Boran, school board president, said at that meeting.

Andrew Smink, the district’s head tennis coach during the 2014-15 school year, had told school district officials the surface of the courts needed to be repaired.

The school board hired H.A. McMaster, Limerick, to resurface four tennis courts at the JFK complex at a total cost of $17,900.

“Obviously, our students use them quite a bit, but so does the community,” Zwiebel said Wednesday.

When a local rabbi observed the Jewish festival of Sukkot in Pottsville with a get-together Wednesday night, a teacher from Blue Mountain Middle School was among those in attendance.

“I teach Pennsylvania history. So I’m curious because in our seventh-grade class, we’re going through the different immigrant groups that settled in Pennsylvania. And one of the groups that are mentioned are the Jewish settlers. And I just figured this would be a good opportunity to come out and experience some of the Jewish culture,” Jeremy Ferguson, Orwigsburg, said.

Ferguson teaches sixth, seventh and eighth grades.

According to the Judaism 101 website, www.jewfaq.org, Sukkot is the last of the three Shalosh R’galim pilgrimage festivals.

“Jews from around the world made pilgrimages to Jerusalem to make offerings in the Temple in honor of these holidays,” according to the website.

Sukkot is “a festival commemorating the wandering in the desert and the final harvest. Also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or the Festival of Ingathering,” according to the website.

This year, Sukkot began Sunday and will be observed until sunset Oct. 4.

Rabbi Nachman Nachmenson of the Chabad-Lubavitch of Schuylkill County held a Sukkot observance behind his home at 382 S. Second St. for one night only.

The rabbi held the event in a makeshift hut he built with wooden beams covered with loose tree branches.

“The word ‘Sukkot’ means ‘booths,’ and refers to the temporary dwellings that we are commanded to live in during this holiday in memory of the period of wandering,” according to www.jewfaq.org.

“God says to take anything that cannot be unpure. You can use anything that is from the ground, but not fruit. A tree is pure. The tree has to be disconnected from the ground. I built this one day after Rosh Hashanah,” the rabbi said.

Inside were posters and a sign, “Welcome To The Sukkah.” The word “Sukkah” is the singular form of “Sukkot.”

In their discussion, the rabbi and Ferguson talked about the significance of a yellow citron fruit called “etrog” and a plant called “myrtle.”

“We keep them to make the blessing for God,” the rabbi said.

“Are we celebrating the harvest? Or God’s forgiveness?” Ferguson asked.

“It’s celebrates everything. Be happy that God was making you, even though you’re not perfect or whatever you’re going through in your life. You have to believe that everything is for good, even if you think something bad is coming up. Don’t think that this is not good. God makes everything, even what you don’t understand,” the rabbi said.

Others there included some of the rabbi’s children, including Israel, 12, and Hanna, 9.

The rabbi welcomed guests to enjoy carrot salad, red cabbage, meltaway babka, water and wine.

“It was just neat to sit down with the rabbi and talk. I’m not Jewish. I’m Christian. It was a good exchange. I support Israel, and I want to make sure we’re good friends with them,” Ferguson said.

MAHANOY CITY — The Mahanoy Area school board is beginning the process to refinance/re-fund the district’s long-term debt of more than $6 million in order to save money over the term of the debt.

The school board heard a report from Scott Shearer, a managing director with Public Financial Management Inc., during last Thursday’s work session, which was held prior to the board’s regular meeting. Shearer works in PFM’s Pennsylvania Municipal Group in Harrisburg.

District business administrator John Hurst introduced Shearer to the board and explained the purpose of him addressing the board.

“Last month, we mentioned about a possible refinancing the 2009 and 2010 series, and you had authorized having us work with PFM to go out to the banks and see about bank loans and traditional bond financing,” Hurst said. “We got those results in about the 2009 bonds and the 2010 Series A notes.”

Shearer said the plan “does not stretch out the debt or shorten the debt at all.”

“This is true economic savings by going from a higher rate to a lower rate,” Shearer said.

In his printed report, the district has the option of re-funding the 2009 bonds and 2010 Series A notes either through a bank loan or bond issue. At the present time, re-funding the bonds with a bank loan appears to have more benefits (savings) for the district, Shearer wrote.

Seven banks responded to the request for proposals that were sent on Sept. 4.

“The best proposal received was from M&T Bank, which offered a fixed rate of 2.54 percent through the full term of the loan,” Shearer said. “If the district were to accept this proposal, it would realize re-funding savings of around $110,000.”

Shearer said if the school district decided to use current bond market rates instead of going with a bank loan, the estimated re-funding savings would be about $73,000.

“There are interest rate risks with the bond issue and we would have to prepare a lot of documents,” Shearer said. “The bank loan would be the most bang for the money.”

The total of the Series of 2015 loan is $6,145,000, which includes the cost to call the 2009 bonds of $2,433,197.65, the cost to call the 2010 Series A notes of $3,660,664.42, the cost of issuance at $50,000, and miscellaneous expenses/rounding at $1,137.92. The term ends in 2028.

Shearer said M&T Bank will hold the fixed rate of 2.54 percent interest until Dec. 2. He recommendation was for the school board, if interested in the proposal, to begin the process at the meeting to move forward, then approve the refinancing resolution at the board’s Oct. 29 meeting to lock in the interest rate, with the settlement of financing on Dec. 2. After the resolution would be approved, the resolution would be forwarded to the state Department of Community and Economic Development for its review and approval. Shearer said it would take a few weeks for that part of the process and would be concluded in time to meet the Dec. 2 deadline.

When Shearer opened the presentation for questions, board member Michael Mistishen asked, “Are there any hidden costs of fees associated with this, such as closing costs?”

“We don’t have everything fine tuned,” Shearer said. “We still have to talk to your bond counsel and solicitor. We have budgeted right now a lump sum of $50,000 of total costs to be paid. Now, if that’s not utilized, that’s going to be additional savings for the school district. The bank will be charging a $1,000 origination fee, so we have that in there.”

“We’ll be saving the taxpayers about 1.4 mills,” Hurst said.

Mistishen asked if a merger between M&T and another bank would affect the loan agreement’s terms. Shearer said once the agreement is in place, a new bank entity could not change the agreement.

Shearer said a vote to move the process forward does not commit the school district to an agreement. The approval of the resolution at the Oct. 29 meeting would be binding for the refinancing agreement.

During the regular meeting, the school board approved the refinancing process in a 6-0 vote, with Karen Yedsena abstaining since she is an M&T Bank employee.

Charges not clear

A Pottsville man who waived his right to a hearing Monday on sexual-related offenses was arrested July 25 by the state Attorney General’s Office in an statewide investigation of child pornography. Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane said Luke John Zelinsky, 51, of 2250 W. Market St., was arrested after he allegedly posted a personal advertisement on the Internet seeking a sexual encounter with a mother and daughters or sisters. He was not charged with possession of child pornography.

With no state budget yet, local service agencies are borrowing money to stay afloat.

Representatives of three — Child Development Inc. of Schuylkill County, Schuylkill Women in Crisis and the Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center of Schuylkill County — offered insights into their situations this week.

“SWIC joins social service agencies across the state in urging the legislature and administration to act now in adopting a long-term solution to the education and human services needs of the commonwealth, including enacting new sources of revenue,” Sarah T. “Sally” Casey, SWIC executive director, said Monday.

“Everyone has to be willing to negotiate to arrive at a budget on behalf of all the people they were elected to serve,” Mary Ann Devlin, executive director of Child Development, said Wednesday.

“Repeated gridlock does not reflect well upon our elected officials, particularly in these times when the economic divide is increasingly pronounced. Reductions in services only adds to the burdens carried by so many of our neighbors who struggle each day to make ends meet, and the diversion of already severely limited resources to cover interest charges is fiscally irresponsible,” Casey said.

Child Development

Child Development, which has centers throughout the county, works with families to provide quality preschool education, according to its website.

“Our total program-funded enrollment is 550 children. That is the minimum we can enroll. Last year, we served 680 children,” Devlin said Tuesday.

Its 2015-16 budget is $4,631,933. That includes $2,948,886 in federal dollars for the Head Start program, $1,268,000 in state funds for the PA PreK Counts program, $345,047 from the state for the Head Start program and $70,000 from the Schuylkill United Way, Devlin said.

Total, Child Development has 100 full-time and 40 part-time workers. So far, it hasn’t had to lay off any of its workers. And so far, its programs have not been affected by the lack of a state budget.

But Child Development had to borrow funds to survive.

“We have had to use our lines of credit for Head Start Supplemental and PA PreK Counts since July 1, when our funding was withheld due to the state budget impasse. We have separate lines of credit for each specific funding source. Each grant we receive requires separate lines of credit, and grant funds cannot be co-mingled,” Devlin said.

On Sept. 24, Devlin said, “just today, we asked for the second increase to our Head Start state line of credit from $75,000 to $125,000. For PA PreK Counts, from $225,000 to $425,000. Yes, it was from the bank. The interest rate was 3.25 percent. The requirements under our state funding will not allow us to be reimbursed for any interest paid.”

So far, Child Development hasn’t had to deny anyone services.

“We have children identified with disabilities, health concerns, children whose parents are working — with that said, children and families are depending on our programs. We decided it was more important to start our programs as scheduled for the children and families who need our services. If we closed our doors back then or now, I doubt that it would make a difference to our legislators,” Devlin said.

The Child Development board of directors will discuss the organization’s options at its October meeting.

“Today we just extended our lines of credit for the second time. If we closed our doors to children and families, we would still have unemployment expenses, rents, utilities, other bills because the classrooms that serve the children are not stand-alone classrooms, except for one location. I would strongly advocate to remain in session so that children and families receive the programs they need and deserve to get ready for kindergarten, remain employed, etcetera,” Devlin said Sept. 24.

SWIC

SWIC provides comprehensive services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their families and serves approximately 1,200 individuals each year, according to Casey, who has an office in Pottsville.

“Our budget goal is $1,104,000 for the fiscal year starting July 1. This includes approximately $250,000 in presently unsecured funding, including contributions, fundraisers, and applications for federal funding awarded by the state that have not yet been awarded, the delay of which only worsens an already serious situation,” Casey said.

SWiC also expected to receive $224,704 in state funding this year through the Coalition Against Domestic Violence and $50,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to support transitional housing for homeless victims of domestic violence. SWIC is also expecting “approximately $370,000” in federal funds through the Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the state Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Casey said.

“Even though these are federal funds already obligated, they are being withheld as a result of the state stalemate,” Casey said.

“The last time SWIC received funding from either the state or the federal government was three months ago. It is important to note that SWIC must operate with a minimum three-month reserve because most funds, including those received in June, are paid on a reimbursement basis,” she said.

“Counseling and advocacy are not operating at full capacity due to the vacancy. Shelter capacity may soon be reduced,” Casey said.

But so far, SWIC hasn’t turned away people in need.

“We have delayed in starting our legal advocacy services, which are state funded, because of the budget crisis,” Casey said.

SWIC had to take loans to continue operations using a line of credit through a bank, she said.

SWIC has 12 full-time and four part-time employees.

“We have left a counselor/advocate vacancy unfilled. We also intended to hire an attorney and paralegal for a state-funded project and are hearing from some of the candidates that they are hesitant to consider a job that is funded through the state because of the apparent instability. This, too, is a concern,” Casey said.

“We have postponed plans to expand services in Tamaqua until the counselor/advocate position is filled once state and federal funds currently withheld are again flowing,” Casey said.

SARCC

SARCC counsels and supports victims of sexual assault and advocates for the rights of victims. The agency has an office in Pottsville.

Its budget for Schuylkill County operations in the 2015-16 fiscal year is approximately $462,000. Forty-seven percent of that, $2220,313, comes from the state, Jenny Murphy-Shifflet, SARCC president and executive director, said Sept. 22.

In August, SARCC had to take a loan to continue regular operations, she said.

“All new programs and spending are on hold. New positions are also on hold. Very limited spending. No salary increases, no conferences, travel is limited, or overtime,” Murphy-Shifflet said.

SARCC of Schuykill County has seven employees, she said.

Murphy-Shifflet said so far, no one looking for help or support has been turned away.

“Not yet. We are anticipating that we will need to start a waiting list,” she said.

“Last year we saw 518 men, women and children requesting counseling or accompaniment services, and over 13,000 individuals participated in countywide education prevention programs,” Murphy-Shifflet said.

TAMAQUA — The Salvation Army’s Tamaqua Corps is marking its centennial anniversary this year and will celebrate the milestone with a special dinner today at corps’ 105 W. Broad St. headquarters.

At the dinner, the Salvation Army will recognize Lois Holmberg Deutsch, 90, a longtime corps sergeant major whose family was among the Tamaqua post’s original members.

Deutsch’s daughter, Kathi Charles, remembered how dedicated her mother was — and still is — to the Salvation Army.

“A lot of people don’t realize that the Salvation Army is a church, but that was the church we grew up in,” Charles said, referring to herself, her sister, Lisa Francis, Auburn, and brother, Robert Deutsch, Tamaqua. “My mom enrolled us in every activity available through the Salvation Army.”

Whether it was with the Junior Soldiers, Sunbeam group or the youth choir, Deutsch always led or assisted in some way, Charles, Schnecksville, said.

“The Salvation Army really molded our lives,” Charles, who will display Salvation Army memorabilia during the event, said.

Deutsch’s sister, Pauline Holmberg Walker, South Carolina, found that the women’s mother, Pauline Gerber, was the Tamaqua corps’ first “soldier.” With her husband, John W. Holmberg, Pauline had 10 children. Three of them, including Deutsch, would go on to the Salvation Army Training College in New York.

“The family was very, very poor,” Charles said. “The Salvation Army kept them afloat spiritually and in other ways.”

Deutsch graduated and became an officer with the Salvation Army in New York City. She returned to Tamaqua and continued to help the local corps following her marriage to Raymond Deutsch.

She last led Sunday services at the Army in June.

During the event, the corps will also honor William Fegley for his lifetime service as a Salvation Army Advisory Board member and Esther Stofocik for her 20 years of employment.

Major Sharon Whispell commented on the corps’ longevity.

“We are honored to serve the Tamaqua community and will be here for many years to come, providing hope and resources to those in need,” she said.

According to information from the Salvation Army, the faith-based organization helps individuals, families and communities lead healthier, safer and more productive lives. Many are familiar with the Army’s annual Kettle Campaign, which raises funds to help the area’s needy with food, shelter, meals, emergency services and more.

The celebration coincides with the national Salvation Army’s 150th anniversary and begins at 5:30 p.m. at the facility built in 2000 with $1.3 million raised by community supporters. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. followed by speakers and performances reflecting on the Army’s mission, history and impact upon community members’ lives.

Event tickets include a tour of the facility, guest speakers, historical memorabilia and special honorees. The tickets may be purchased at the door or before the event from the Army’s front office. For more information, call Whispell at 570-668-0410.

A Port Carbon man is headed to state prison after recently admitting in Schuylkill County Court that he committed three sets of crimes, including one involving the possible operation of a methamphetamine laboratory.

Tyler E. Moncrieff, 21, must serve three to six years in a state correctional institution, Judge John E. Domalakes ruled.

Domalakes also sentenced Moncrieff to pay costs, $1,025 in fines, $150 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $150 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, a $50 bench warrant fee and $10,073.07 restitution, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Moncrieff pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, risking a catastrophe, criminal mischief, theft and fleeing or eluding police in one case, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia in a second and possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence and disregarding traffic lanes in a third.

Prosecutors withdrew charges of possession of red phosphorous with intent to manufacture a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, speeding and reckless driving in the first case and careless driving and seat belt violation in the third case. Red phosphorous is an ingredient in one method of manufacturing methamphetamine, according to authorities.

State police at Schuylkill Haven filed all three sets of charges against Moncrieff.

In the first case, they alleged he committed crimes, including risking catastrophe, on April 14, 2014, in Tremont Township.

In the second, they alleged he possessed drugs and paraphernalia on April 17 in Washington Township.

And in the third, they alleged he was DUI while possessing drugs and paraphernalia on March 25, 2014, in Reilly Township.

Moncrieff said little during the hearing except to indicate that he understood the terms and consequences of his plea and that he was entering it knowingly and voluntarily.

Defendant: Tyler E. Moncrieff

Age: 21

Tesidence: Port Carbon

Crimes committed: Two counts each of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia and one each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, risking a catastrophe, criminal mischief, theft, fleeing or eluding police, driving under the influence and disregarding traffic lane

Prison sentence: Three to six years in a state correctional institution

Deeds

Butler Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Wells Fargo Bank NA; 496 High St.; $1,149.19.

John F. and Lisa C. Karavage to John F. and Lisa C. Karavage; 11 Pear St., Lavelle; $1.

Eldred Township — Rebecca F. Brown to Frank C. and Heather J. Hanlon; 94 Meadow Creek Road, Pitman; $347,000.

Pine Grove — William R. and Dorothy J. Sullivan to Daniel T. Sullivan; 151 Tulpehocken St.; $1.

Porter Township — Timothy W. Houtz and Kathy A. Bordner to Paul C. Jr. and Elizabeth A. Ruth; property on East Grand Avenue, Reinerton; $2,000.

Shawn E. Biggs to Atom O. Kehler; 109 N. Keystone St.; $79,000.

Pottsville — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 1832 West End Ave.; $1,130.47.

Charles R. Jr. and Christy M. Collins to John O’Reilly; 904 W. Norwegian St.; $5,000.

Anne L. Gerber to David R. Sherry and David W. Sherry; 1730 W. Norwegian St.; $54,500.

Ann T. Heckman to Daniel and Jennifer Haeseler Steiner; 9 S. 21st St.; $33,500.

Saint Clair — Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Josephin Brish Samantha Butcavage and Sarah Greenaway; 133-135 S. Mill St.; $13,000.

Schuylkill Haven — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to HSBC Bank USA NA; 319 Dock St.; $1,289.35.

Todd R. and Janelle M. Bensinger to Scott G. Reading; 121 St. Peter St.; $104,000.

Kerry and Jeremy J. Freed to Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co.; 35 Avenue E; $184,900.

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. to Christopher W. Tippett; 35 Avenue E; $184,900.

Shenandoah — Rosemarie Skovira, executrix of the Estate of Nellie A. Denchy, to Barbara E. Dudick and Shannon L. Dudick; 974 and 974-A W. Coal St.; $28,000.

Joseph D. and Lorrie L. Bindie to Ramon Tovar; 15 N. West St.; $20,000.

S&H Investment Group to Diamond Mined LLC; 116 N. Chestnut St.; $100.

S&H Investment Group to Diamond Mined LLC; 114 N. Chestnut St.; $100.

S&H Investment Group to Diamond Mined LLC; 12 N. Jardin St.; $100.

Kenneth Edgar Hain and Charles Bryant Hain to Azecuna Velequez Arias; 308 W. Columbus St. and 222-224 S. Chestnut St.; $14,000.

Dolores Matuk to Karen and Gary L. Haupt; 20 E. Laurel St.; $1.

South Manheim Township — Federal National Mortgage Association to Megan Breidigan; 775 Cheyenne Drive, Lake Wynonah; $67,000.

Michael T. and Lauren O’Brien to Kimberly J. Nicholls; 1409 Stag Drive, Lake Wynonah; $158,000.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to JMAC Realty LLC; 537 Woodland Drive; $75,001.

Katrina Angel Marie Potter to Deutsche Bank National Trust Co.; 3226 Fair Road; $1.

Edith L. Houtz to Rebecca L. Fryer and John E. Donton; property on Diabetes Valley Road; $1.

Eric A. and Amy L. Johnson to Eric A. and Amy L. Johnson; 2.008-acre property on Summer Hill Road; $1.

Thomas E. and Veronika M. Roemer to Alan R. Jr. and Tanya S. Woomert; 5.01-acre property on West Deer View Drive; $75,000.

Michael L. and Marilyn J. Scott to Leroy A. and Linda I. Daniels; Lots 644 and 645, Lake Wynonah; $525,000.

Schuylkill County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped 0.1 of a percentage point to 6.2 percent for August, according to the latest figures released Tuesday by the state Department of Labor and Industry.

“There was nothing really exciting this month other than the rate dropping one-tenth,” Jeff Newman, industry and business analyst for the department, said Wednesday.

Last August, the seasonally adjusted figure was at 6.8 percent.

The seasonally adjusted labor force increased by 100 to 69,000 in August. That is an increase of 600 since last year. Meanwhile, the seasonally adjusted number of employed increased by 100 over the month to 64,700, and the figure for unemployed decreased 100 to 4,300. Over the year, changes are 900 more employed and 300 fewer unemployed.

Total nonfarm jobs in the county decreased 100 to 51,400 in August. While down 100 since July, jobs are up 700 over the year. Transportation, warehousing and utilities jobs posted the most growth over the year with 500 new jobs.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Pennsylvania was at 5.4 percent for August. The national rate was 5.1 percent.

The surrounding areas had the following seasonally adjusted rates for August: Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, 5.4; Harrisburg and Carlisle, 4.4; Reading, 5.1; Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton, 6.3; and Bloomsburg, Berwick and Sunbury, 5.2 percent.

The Schuylkill Transportation Authority and the employee’s union has agreed on a contract extension for another 30 days.

David Bekisz, Schuylkill Transportation Services executive director, said Wednesday that the authority has been negotiating a new contract with Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ, which represents drivers, mechanics and cleaners at STS. The current contract was extended another 30 days. It will expire Oct. 31, Bekisz said.

Once there is an agreement in place, the authority has to approve it at a public meeting. The authority will next meet Oct. 28.

Joseph W. Nagle, the former president of now-defunct Schuylkill Products Inc., must remain in federal prison, but both he and his second-in-command should be resentenced for their roles in a massive fraud against the government, a three-judge panel ruled Wednesday.

In a 29-page opinion, the panel found no reason to overturn Nagle’s conviction but said a miscalculation of the loss to the government mandates resentencing.

“The District Court should calculate the amount of loss ... by taking the face value of the contracts and subtracting the fair market value of the services rendered under those contracts,” Judge D. Michael Fisher wrote.

The result could mean a lesser sentence for both Nagle and Ernest G. Fink Jr., Schuylkill Products’ former vice president and chief operating officer.

After a 19-day trial, a federal jury in Harrisburg convicted Nagle, Schuylkill Products’ former president and chief executive officer, on April 5, 2012, of 26 charges, including wire fraud, mail fraud, engaging in unlawful monetary transactions and conspiracy, resulting from his role in the scheme.

Senior U.S. District Judge Sylvia H. Rambo sentenced Nagle on June 30, 2014, to serve seven years in prison.

Fink earlier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and was sentenced July 14, 2014, to serve 51 months in prison.

Prosecutors charged Nagle, Fink and several other Schuylkill Products executives with using Marikina Engineers and Construction Corp., West Haven, Connecticut, as a front under the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program from 1993 until 2008 to funnel work to the Cressona company and its wholly owned subsidiary, CDS Engineers Inc.

Romeo P. Cruz, a Filipino, owned Marikina, enabling it to be classified as a DBE under federal law and making it eligible to obtain certain construction contracts, according to prosecutors. That, in turn, enabled Schuylkill Products and CDS Engineers to use Marikina as a front that let them do the actual construction work, prosecutors said.

Schuylkill Products manufactured concrete bridge beams and other suppliers’ products, while CDS Engineers installed them. Personnel from the two companies used Marikina passwords, signature stamps, business cards, letterheads and email addresses and covered their companies’ logos on trucks with Marikina magnetic placards and decals in efforts to conceal the fraud, prosecutors alleged.

Northeast Prestressed Products LLC bought Schuylkill Products in April 2009 for $9.25 million and continues to operate from the same site on Route 901 in Cressona.

In the panel’s opinion, Fisher rejected Nagle’s only challenge to his conviction, that the search warrants were unconstitutional and executed unlawfully.

Fisher wrote that Nagle had no right under the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to challenge the searches because the computers and network server that were searched belonged to the company, not him.

“Nagle must show a personal connection to the place searched or to the item seized and that he attempted to keep the place and item private. Nagle has failed to meet this standard,” Fisher wrote. “We conclude that Nagle failed to establish that he had a reasonable expectation of privacy in the places searched and items seized or that the government intruded onto his property.”

However, Fisher wrote that under federal law, the amount of loss for which they are responsible — a determination that affects the sentencing guidelines and could change their sentences — cannot be limited to the face value of the contracts the company received.

“The amount of loss is the face value of the contracts ... minus the fair market value of the services they provided,” he wrote.

Fisher wrote that neither Schuylkill Products nor CDS Engineers was eligible to receive any benefits under the DBE program, so the full value of the contracts must be used in calculating the loss.

However, the government did receive the value of the services, so that also must be considered in calculating the total loss, Fisher wrote.

Judge Jane R. Roth joined in Fisher’s opinion while Judge Thomas M. Hardiman joined in all but one section and concurred in affirming the conviction and requiring resentencing.

Motorcycle, car collide on Rt. 61

A motorcyclist and a car collided Wednesday afternoon at Route 61 and Mauch Chunk Street in Pottsville.

Pottsville police and the Pottsville Fire Department, American Hose and Yorkville, responded to the scene for the 4:11 p.m. incident, which came in as a motorcycle accident, a supervisor with the Schuylkill County Communications Center said. Schuylkill EMS also responded to the scene.

Both motorists, Kai Tollkuhn, 32, of Virginia, and the driver of a 2001 Toyota Celica from Pottsville, who declined to provide her name, were OK, they said.

The passenger side of the Celica had damage to it from the impact with the Suzuki Ddrz400S Dual Sport motorcycle.

“Nothing seems broken,” Tollkuhn said.

He was seen holding his wrist and limping at the scene. He said he was wearing his helmet and had protective gear for such an incident. Tollkuhn said he was in the extreme right-hand lane, near Brok-Sel, when the other driver made a right turn onto Mauch Chunk Street from 61 North and hit him.

“She hesitated. I hit the brakes hard. She did too. It was only a couple of feet before she hit me,” he said.

The woman driver, who had two children in the car, said she was in the right lane on the other side of the barrier and had her turn signal on to turn right when the accident occurred.

“The construction was confusing me,” she said.

Pottsville police did not provided information at the scene.

Police probe

stolen radiators

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a theft that occurred at Ash Resources on Route 61 in North Manheim Township between 5 p.m. Sept. 16 and 8 a.m. Sept. 18.

Police said someone removed the radiators from two truck tractors and then fled the area undetected.

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

None injured

after tire failure

CARSONVILLE — State police at Lykens investigated a crash that occurred about 7 a.m. Tuesday on Powells Valley Road, just south of Glen Park Road, in Jefferson Township, Dauphin County.

Police said Joshua K. Carl, 23, of Tower City, was driving a 1999 Audi A4 south on Glen Park Road when, while traveling straight on wet roads, the car suffered a blowout to the driver’s side rear tire.

Carl lost control, drove over a ditch and into three fence posts before his vehicle came to a stop, police said.

Carl was not injured, but police said he will be cited for not driving on roadways laned for traffic as a result of the crash.

2 arrsted after

drunken fight

ASHLAND — Two men were arrested by Ashland police after an incident that occurred about 10:55 p.m. Saturday in the 900 block of West Centre Street.

Police said Cody Haupt, 28 Conestoga St., Lancaster, and John McElhenny Jr., 1117 W. Centre St., Ashland, will have to answer before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, to charges of disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

Police said officers were called to the area for a fight in progress and found Haupt and McElhenny intoxicated and in a physical altercation.

Police said the investigation was unable to determine if the fight was intentional and denied providing details, only saying they were rough housing.

McElhenny was evaluated by Ashland EMS for an injury he suffered to his head during the incident and Butler Township police assisted at the scene, police said.

Thief makes off

with handgun

WILLIAMSTOWN — A burglary and theft that occurred between Aug. 6 and Saturday on Market Street in this Dauphin County community is being investigated by state police at Lykens.

Police said Cara Whiteash reported someone entered her home and stole a Kahr Arms .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol Model FF6116.

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

Deeds

Tamaqua — Janice R. Brinker to Star L. Breinig; 45 Hunter St.; $31,500.

Carl L. Wychulis, individually and as executor of the Estate of Mary Ellen Wychulis, Mary Ellen King and Charles A. Wychulis to Lime Leaf LLC; 223 Green St.; $15,000.

Midfirst Bank to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; 411 Hazle St.; $1.

Joseph Reppert to Drew Aldon Bleiler; 310 E. Broad St.; $8,000.

Tower City — Darlene I. Wollyung to William J. Wollyung III Revocable Trust; 1112 E. Colliery Ave.; $1.

Perry T. and Catherine J. Shuey to Perry T. and Catherine J. Shuey; 112 Thompson St.; $1.

Jeremy English to Bayview Loan Servicing LLC; 109 S. Fourth St.; $1.

Tremont — S.&S. Singh Partners to S.&S. Singh Partners; 0.72-acre property at Spring and Coal streets; $1.

Tremont Township — Lara K. Eisenhauer to Lester C. Sheirich Jr.; 522 Spittlers Road; $85,000.

DELANO — Production will cease this month at the Leggett & Platt manufacturing facility.

Michael Altman, director of labor relations for the company, said Sunday will be the last work day.

“Production will stop,” he said, adding he did not have an exact time when that would occur because it is dependent on filling orders. The company produces springs for the bedding industry at the plant.

The company announced Aug. 5 that it plans to close its facility in the Delano Industrial Park at 9 Schultz Drive, Delano. The closure is the result of a business consolidation measure and is not related to the employees or their production at the facility, which was built in 1969. Leggett & Platt purchased the facility in July 2014 because Sealy wanted to sell it, Altman said. Oct. 4 was selected as the closing date because employers are required by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act to provide 60 days notice in advance of plant closings or mass layoffs if the employers meet certain guidelines. The notice must also be provided to the employees or entities representing them, the state dislocated worker unit and the local municipality.

In all, 61 employees work at the less than 100,000-square-foot facility. Employees were notified of the decision Aug. 5. Altman said workers were told about other employment opportunities. Negotiations were held with the union, and employees were given severance.

“I anticipate all of them (speaking of the 61 employees) will not remain with the company,” Altman said Wednesday.

Andrew Kokiko, international representative for the International Chemical Workers Union Council of the Unified Food and Commercial Workers, of which the workers are a member through the local 727T, did not return a call Wednesday.

Kokiko said previously that of the 61 employees, 52 belong to the union and are either production, warehouse or maintenance workers. The remainder are mixture of management or office staff. About 15 employees will remain at the facility for cleanup operations, which could take about 15 days, Altman said.

To his knowledge, no one has expressed interest in the building, which is for sale.

Frank Zukas, president of the Schuylkill Economic Development Corp., said the corporation is going to help to find a tenant for the building. SEDCO could try to get the building either by buying it or having it donated and marketing it.

Leggett & Platt is headquartered in Carthage, Missouri, and has about 20,000 employees and 130 production facilities in 19 countries, according to its annual quarterly report form provided to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SHENANDOAH — It was a fun time for Trinity Academy students Thursday as they spent energy on a good cause during the ninth annual Jump Rope for Heart.

While dodging a raindrop or two, about 200 students filled the parking lot next to Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Church to warm up with jumping jacks, jump rope and spin Hula-Hoops to raise money for the American Heart Association.

Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart are national education and fundraising events sponsored by the AHA and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

There were two special guests at Thursday’s event. Both have dealt with heart ailments and are juniors at Marian High School. Sarah Grabosky, 16, of Barnesville, is a graduate of Trinity Academy who had open-heart surgery two years ago. McKenzie Habel, 16, of Summit Hill, is a graduate of St. Jerome Regional School, Tamaqua, and is currently dealing with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is a primary disease of the myocardium (the muscle of the heart) in which a portion of the myocardium is hypertrophied (thickened) without any obvious cause, creating functional impairment of the cardiac muscle.

The main organizers of the event were Trinity Director of Development and physical education teacher Michael Nieddu and parent coordinator Marianne McAndrew, who have done the planning for the outdoor event since Trinity Academy came into existence 10 years ago.

Before the event, Sister Mary Ann Spaetti, Immaculate Heart of Mary, principal, said that as each year passes, there are more people that the students, parents and school staff know who are dealing with heart-related conditions.

“It seems as though we continue to have more people that are close to us who have heart disease,” Spaetti said. “It really hits home when they are among our kids. It’s important to me, and it’s amazing how much our kids raise, which makes me think it’s important to a lot of people.”

The amount raised has continued to increase each year. In 2013, the students raised $2,400, and in 2014 they raised more than $3,600. Since the number of students has increased this school year, Spaetti hopes to increase the amount raised for AHA.

The students, teachers, aides and volunteers went out to the parking lot at 1 p.m. DJ Dave “The Captain” Drumblusky was already playing music as the students entered and grouped together by grade.

“Welcome back to our annual Jump Rope for Heart,” Nieddu, who was the event emcee, said. “We’re here for a great reason. We are going to jump, we’re going to hula hoop, we’re going to do jumping jacks, and as I said before, every time you do one of those, it’s a prayer. So we’re offering up hundreds of thousands of prayers for all of you and your families, especially those who have heart problems, whether they are here with us or have passed away.”

Spaetti offered a prayer for the intentions of those people who suffer from heart disease and for the doctors, nurses and researchers who work in treating them and try to find treatments and cures. She also prayed that everyone participating would not be hurt and finished with the recitation of the Hail Mary.

The first activity was schoolwide jumping jacks, which were led by Grabosky and Habel. Through the event, grades rotated through different activities.

“Our Trinity kids take great pride in doing an awesome job jumping in prayer that day for all of the people they know who have had or still have heart-related health issues,” Nieddu said. “And the bonus is that when they collect donations to help out children or adults who benefit from the American Heart Association research and programs, they are making a statement that community action is important. Mrs. McAndrew and I are so honored to continue to encourage our students to stay heart healthy while helping our Trinity families make a huge difference in the lives of so many heart patients in need.”

Funds raised go to the AHA in its fight for treatment and cure for heart disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control website (www.cdc.gov):

• About 610,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year. That’s one in every four deaths.

• Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. More than half of the deaths due to heart disease in 2009 were in men.

• Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease, killing more than 370,000 people annually.

• Every year about 735,000 Americans have a heart attack. Of these, 525,000 are a first heart attack and 210,000 happen in people who have already had a heart attack.

• Heart disease and stroke are the country’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers, respectively.

• Coronary heart disease alone costs the United States $108.9 billion each year. This total includes the cost of health care services, medications and lost productivity.

Jump Rope for Heart teaches students how physical fitness benefits the heart and shows them that volunteering can be a fun and positive experience for the whole community. According to recent studies, about one-third of children ages 2 to 19 are overweight and obese.

For more information about the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 (1-800-242-8721), or visit online at www.heart.org/jump.