FRACKVILLE — About 50 participants braved the inclement weather Friday to have some fun and compete in the seventh annual Pumpkin Chunkin’ Contest at the Schuylkill Mall near Frackville.

The event in the rear parking lot of the mall brought people out. A steady rain fell beforehand, but as the 5:30 p.m. start came closer, the rain stopped for a time, with only a few drops here and there. Along with the rain potential, a cold wind had the contestants and spectators in jackets, sweatshirts and hoodies, while volunteers wore rain gear to stay dry as best they could.

The weather did prevent Hazleton Community Church members from attending with their large mechanical chunking machine, which has been used in prior years to demonstrate how far it can make pumpkins fly.

The mall-sponsored contest is the prelude to today’s seventh annual Frackville Pumpkin Festival. Normally held in downtown Frackville, the festival has been moved into the mall near center court. Today’s festival, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is sponsored by the Frackville Business and Professional Association.

“Due to the weather, we moved the festival to the mall,” mall manager Elaine Maneval, who is also FBPA president, said. “Everything will fit inside very nicely, and the pony rides will also be inside. We’re really excited that we have another location that we can go to when we have inclement weather like this. It’s going to be a great time with the pony rides and crafters and good food and pumpkin painting and pumpkin bowling and all sorts of great activities for every age.”

The number of chunkers was about half of the 2014 contest, but their enthusiasm was not dampened. As each age group was called, the contestants went to a side area where they were given a pumpkin to throw. There were different sizes of pumpkins to accommodate the various ages.

The contest kicked off with the 0-2 age group. The first contestant was Sophie Mae Kulengosky, 2, Frackville, who showed the good arm she had for pumpkin chunkin’.

“Let’s have a big cheer for Sophie, who is going to throw her pumpkin,” Maneval, who announced each contestant, said. FBPA member Karen Domalakes marked the spots where each pumpkin landed after a throw to determine the winners, who were announced by Maneval at the conclusion of each age category. Prizes in each age category were mall certificates of $15, $10 and $5 for first, second and third places, respectively, plus other prizes.

ORWIGSBURG — Two hometown heroes were honored Friday with highway memorial signs.

Cpl. David F. Heiser and Capt. Jason B. Jones, both natives of Orwigsburg, died while in military service to their country. On Friday, a section of Route 443 was dedicated as Corporal David F. Heiser Memorial Highway, while a section of Route 61 was renamed Captain Jason B. Jones Memorial Highway.

“It was a true honor to work with David’s family to make this dedication happen today. His service to our country will forever be remembered,” state Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124, said before the unveiling of the sign across from Seton Manor.

Knowles was joined at the ceremony by family members of the two men and local and state dignitaries including state Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125; Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123; Sen. David G. Argall, R-29; Schuylkill County commissioners George Halcovage Jr., Gary Hess and Frank Staudenmeier; Bob Carl, Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce executive director; and Orwigsburg Mayor Barry Berger.

A 1965 graduate of Blue Mountain School District, Heiser enlisted in the Army in March 1968. After training at Fort Benning, Georgia, he went to Vietnam, serving as a medic for a platoon. He died Feb. 2, 1969, when the platoon was ambushed in the Vietnam province of Binh Duong. He was 22 years old. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

Rich Moyer, 63, Heiser’s brother, unveiled the sign. He said he appreciated the recognition for his brother’s service.

Moyer said not a day goes by when he does not miss his brother.

“I think of him quite often,” he said.

Moyer said his brother loved sports and gave him a baseball glove before he left for war in 1968. He said the glove means a lot of him.

David’s mother, Joan Moyer, watched as her son’s name was revealed.

“That’s beautiful. Wonderful. David will be proud,” she said.

Joan Moyer said the reality that her son can no longer visit her is what she misses most about him.

“He was a good boy. He was a good person. He loved people,” she said.

Joan Moyer said she still remembers the day an Army officer came to the door to tell her the bad news. She received a letter a week before saying he was missing in action.

“I was a mess,” she said.

Debbie Moyer, 62, wife of Rich, said she remembers the day Rich told her his brother had died. She said they were dating at the time, and Rich came to her house and “fell in the front door sobbing.”

“I was devastated,” she said, adding she never got to meet David.

Debbie said she is glad more people will know of David’s life and the sacrifice he gave.

“I’m just glad he’s being honored. Every time we come into Orwigsburg we will see the sign,” she said.

Along Route 61 near Susquehanna Bank, Jay Jones revealed a memorial sign for his son, Jason.

“Today is an important day — a day we are unveiling a permanent reminder on this highway that will honor a hometown hero and a patriot,” Knowles said.

Jones, a 2003 graduate of Blue Mountain High School, was the commander of the 12-man Special Forces A-team. He died June 2, 2014, near Jalalabad, Afghanistan, in a small arms fight. He was awarded a Bronze Star for his performance during deployment to Iraq in 2008-09.

Suzy Jones, Jason’s mother, stood close to the sign as it was unveiled.

“It makes him live forever, and the sign makes me extremely happy,” she said.

Suzy Jones said more veterans should be honored with similar signs.

Jay Jones thanked people for coming to the dedication despite the weather.

“It’s a very nice memorial. We are very proud of Jason and we miss him very much,” he said.

Orwigsburg Borough Manager Robert Williams said the day is one worth remembering.

“Today is a solemn and respectful day in the Borough of Orwigsburg. The naming of these two state highways in honor of our two local heroes is but a small step by a grateful community in an effort to never forget the sacrifice made by all veterans in every community. We will forever remember the ultimate sacrifice by Corporal David F. Heiser and Captain Jason B. Jones,” he said.

The idea for the signs started as a way for the community to honor both local heroes, Williams said. The idea was discussed at the Schuylkill County Chamber of Commerce meetings. Williams said he talked with legislators about what could be done to bring the idea to reality. Knowles was a sponsor of House Bill 88, which sought to designate areas in the county with the names. Gov. Tom Wolf signed it July 10.

PRIMROSE — A nationally and internationally known presenter provided education and insight on domestic violence to those who attended a workshop Monday at St. Nicholas Hall in Primrose.

Ted Bunch, co-founder of A Call To Men, a national violence prevention organization founded in 2002, helped shed light on violence against women.

“We are really about challenging social and cultural norms that don’t value women and girls,” he said.

Bunch was invited to speak after meeting Sally Casey, executive director of Schuylkill Women in Crisis, at another event she attended. SWIC’s Power of Women Team, a group of women from the county who provide awareness and educate about domestic violence, raised funds for the event.

“Violence against women won’t end until we decide it will,” Bunch said.

About 40 people, half of them men, attended the 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. event. They talked about social norms regarding men, watched a video about domestic violence and performed group exercises about what ideal characteristics a loving man should have.

Bunch asked the group to write down what they consider a healthy and caring manhood. Answers included being patient, caring, supportive, understanding and honest. Each group wrote respectful on their sheet.

“How do we get there? How do we start,” Bunch asked the group.

He said men can volunteer at locations, be a role model and speak up when they witness or hear of violence.

Casey said the organization relies on the help of the community and volunteers in addition to any funds it receives. She said in fiscal year 2014-15 (July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015) SWIC had 1,150 cases. Casey spoke about a $450,000 grant the county received from Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women.

The grant “encourages state, local and tribal governments and state, local and tribal courts to treat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking as serious violations of criminal law requiring the coordinated involvement of the entire criminal justice system. Eligible applicants are states and territories, units of local government, Indian tribal governments and state, local, tribal and territorial courts,” according to the U.S. Department of Justice website, www.justice.gov.

Schuylkill county — the only one in the state — was among 44 award winners for the more than $26 million in funding nationwide.

“The reason we got that is not because things are going well,” she said. She elabortaed by stating domestic violence is an issue in the county.

She was thankful for the men who attended.

“We know they have the ability to make change at a grass roots level,” she said.

Kelly Stone, a teacher at North Schuylkill High School, attended the event. Stone attended because in his position he has the ability to influence young minds. He enjoyed the presentation and found that something to which he could relate. He said it’s important to challenge and change social norms. His father would never have allowed him to express his feelings because it is not how he grew up because “that’s how he identified as being a man,” Stone said.

He said he wants the best for his 27-year-old daughter.

“I want the world to be a better place for her,” he said.

Information and education that he received Monday helps him go out and do that.

“I always wanted her to feel like she can do whatever she wanted, I didn’t want anyone to hold her back,” he said of his daughter who is an accountant.

Kristen Herman, prevention manager with the PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence, attended the event, which she praised for keeping the community informed.

“There is only so much we as women can do,” she said, adding the role of men can’t be understated.

She urged people to get educated about domestic violence.

“The reality is it’s not always physical,” she said.

Info box

• A woman is assaulted or beaten in the United States every 9 seconds.

•At least 1 in 3 women are victims of abuse by being beaten, coerced into sex or abused in their life.

• Domestic violence is the leading cause of violence against women.

• Up to 10 million children each year witness domestic violence.

• About 1 in 5 young women were threatened with violence while in a relationship.

• At least three women are killed daily by their husbands or boyfriends.

• Women lose days off from work due to domestic violence.

• Figures show at least half of those who have been abused have not contacted agencies.

• Men who witness violence as children are more likely to be violent themselves.

Source website domesticviolencestatistics.org

It’s a dispute over who got what and when.

The state Supreme Court on Monday said state Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane did not provide it with all of the objectionable emails Justice Michael Eakin shared with her staffers.

That’s not true, Kane’s spokesman, Chuck Ardo, countered. The office gave both the Supreme Court and the state’s Judicial Conduct Board everything they asked for. He can’t say whether they read everything or not.

The war of words between Kane and the two judicial bodies intensified Monday when the high court issued a press release that said the JCB confirmed emails “now being discussed in the media” were not given to it or attorney Robert Byer, whom the court hired last year to review emails all justices sent to attorney general employees from 2008 to 2012. The Supreme Court found the emails “disturbing,” James Koval, spokesman for the board, said in the press release.

The emails in question, which contain racially and religiously offensive material, were detailed in a story published last week by the Philadelphia Daily News. The newspaper said it obtained the emails from an anonymous source a few days after Kane revealed she released another batch of Eakin’s emails to the JCB and state Ethics Commission for them to determine if he violated the judicial code of ethics.

The revelation of the content of the emails raised questions as to why Byer did not mention them in his Dec. 19 report, and why the JCB concluded its probe without recommending disciplinary action against Eakin.

Ardo confirmed Kane recently released a disc with roughly 100 previously undisclosed emails that Eakin sent or received from a personal account under the name of “John Smith” between 2013 and 2014. They were not turned over previously because the Supreme Court and JCB sought only emails from 2008 to 2012, he said.

Moreover, the offensive emails detailed in the Daily News story were not on the disc, he said. They were among thousands of emails from 2008 to 2012 that were stored in an electronic vault. The JCB and Byer of the law firm Duane Morris in Pittsburgh were given access to that vault when they began their investigations last year.

“Mr. Byer had access to the ‘John Smith’ emails with all the questionable content that is referred to in media reports,” Ardo said. The JCB also had access to the “John Smith” emails, Ardo said, but it appears the board did not see them.

Of the 100 new emails disclosed, Ardo said a “very small number” were problematic.

“They didn’t materially alter what was already known,” he said.

Told of Ardo’s comments, Koval said, “I don’t know what to make of it.”

“I’m not trying to dispute Chuck Ardo, but at the same time I think we are,” he said.

Koval said the court cannot unequivocally confirm what Byer did or did not see because he reviewed the emails on the attorney general’s server and did not make copies.

Joshua Peck, a spokesman for the Duane Morris law firm, said neither the firm nor Byer would comment on the matter beyond what’s been stated by the JCB and Supreme Court.

Koval said Kane’s office concurred with Byer’s report that said Eakin possessed only one objectionable email. The report concluded there “no email messages of an improper nature” sent or received by any justice other than McCaffery and the single email by Eakin.

Pressed to explain why Kane concurred with the report, Ardo said she agreed Eakin had not had taken part in “ex parte” communications — a term that describes when an attorney has had private conversations with a judge about a case before him or her.

“As far as our office was concerned, the review was focused on identifying any ex parte communications between prosecutors and the court. It didn’t evaluate the propriety of some of the attachments,” Ardo said.

Ardo said Kane decided to refer the case to the JCB after a second review of the emails that was conducted after the Daily News asked for several, specific emails it was told existed. It was during that second review that the emails reported in newspaper were discovered, he said.

“Part of the reason the attorney general asked for the review is to determine why everyone reached the conclusions they did,” he said. “She believed there were numerous problematic emails and she wanted the court and JCB to take another look.”

James R. Ferrier

ORWIGSBURG — Law enforcement authorities are looking for two men who did not appear Monday before Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier for preliminary hearings.

Christopher J. Bowers, 24, of 613 Harrison St., Pottsville, faces charges of driving under the influence and careless driving, while Alan M. Dodge, 22, of A1 Mansfield Village, Mansfield, is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and driving unregistered vehicle.

In each case, Ferrier held a preliminary hearing in the defendant’s absence and ordered all charges held for court. He also asked the court to issue bench warrants for Bowers and Dodge.

Schuylkill Haven borough police alleged Bowers was DUI at 12:30 a.m. Aug. 3 at the Shell gas station, 356 Center Ave., in the borough. Bowers was under the influence of a controlled substance.

Police said Bowers, who was driving a tan Pontiac Grand Am, had glassy bloodshot eyes and slurred speech and failed field sobriety tests.

Schuylkill Haven borough police also alleged Dodge possessed a blue wax paper baggie while driving an unregistered black Chevrolet at 1:05 a.m. July 10 in the 300 block of Center Avenue in the borough.

Other defendants whose cases Ferrier considered on Monday, the charges against each one and the judge’s dispositions of the matters included:

Zachary T. Anspach, 22, of 611 Suedberg Road, Pine Grove — possession of drug paraphernalia; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.

David G. Dillow, 37, of 264 W. Savory St., Palo Alto — simple assault and harassment; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Joshua S. Honey, 19, of 2003 West Penn Pike, New Ringgold — agricultural vandalism and criminal mischief; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Heather M. Kline, 35, of 617 Hillcroft Road, Schuylkill Haven; DUI — right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.

Tonya M. McJunkin, 31, of 92 Second Mountain Road, Pottsville — DUI; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.

Michael G. Miller, 52, of 46 Lutz Valley Road, Schuylkill Haven — materially false oral statement and false statement under penalty; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge of materially false oral statement withdrawn, other charge bound over for court.

Christina E. Hale

FRACKVILLE — A Mahanoy City man charged with assaulting another man in Frackville on July 6 had charges against him held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale.

John J. Ulrich, 30, of 132 E. Centre St., was arrested by Frackville police Patrolman John Kaczmarczyk and charged with two counts each of harassment and disorderly conduct and one count each of simple assault and criminal mischief.

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

Kaczmarczyk charged Ulrich with assaulting Kyle Wall during an altercation at Boyer’s Food Market on West Oak Street.

Wall reported he was at the store with his wife and children to get a birthday cake and that Ulrich was yelling and cursing inside. When Wall told Ulrich to watch his language, the man assaulted Wall by punching and him causing injuries. During the altercation the officer said four jars of merchandise valued at $15.88 were damaged.

Other court cases included:

Jonathan E. Kranzel Jr., 26, of 122 S. Spruce St., Mount Carmel — dismissed: fleeing or attempting to elude police, recklessly endangering another person, flight to avoid apprehension or punishment, careless driving, improper signaling, reckless driving, not using low beams, driving at an unsafe speed, failure to keep right, trespass by motor vehicle, driving without lights to avoid identification or arrest, abandoning a vehicle on public or private property, limitations on driving on the left side of the road, disregard for a single traffic lane and driving over a divider.

Albert C. Dumboski III, 35, of 1811 Market St., Ashland — waived for court: DUI, DUI-high rate, no headlights and disregard for a single traffic lane.

Anthony J. Kilker

SHENANDOAH — A Barnesville man charged with leading police on a high speed chase on his motorcycle on Sept. 25 waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.

Nicholas J. Garulle, 25, of 1018 Barnesville Drive, was arrested by Mahanoy City police Patrolman Thomas Rentschler and charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police, escape, flight to avoid apprehension or punishment, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, recklessly endangering another person, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended or revoked license, driving without a license, reckless driving, driving at an unsafe speed, turning movements and required signals, duties at a stop sign, careless driving, disregard for a single traffic lane, failure to yield to emergency vehicles and following too closely.

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

Rentschler said officers tried to take Garulle into custody in the borough on an outstanding warrant but the man fled on his motorcycle at a high rate of speed.

A pursuit continued on numerous streets before Garulle drove up the Potsy Hill out of Mahanoy City, at which time the pursuit was ended when officers lost sight of him.

The pursuit was called off but a short time later it was reported Garulle was in the Mahanoy Township village of New Boston where a foot chase began and ended with the man jumping into a sewage pond and was stopped at gunpoint, Rentschler said.

Other court cases included:

Jacob N. Pester, 19, of 19 W. Main St., Box 6, Quakake — withdrawn and changed to summary offenses: corruption of minors and purchase of alcohol by a minor.

Michael J. Wronski, 18, of 414 Roosevelt Drive, New Boston — withdrawn and charged to summary offenses: corruption of minors.

Justin D. Hall, 19, of 169 Hazle St., Box 191, Delano — withdrawn and charged to summary offenses: corruption of minors and purchase of alcohol by a minor.

Stephen P. Bolusky Jr., 19, of 202 S. Maple St., Mount Carmel — withdrawn and charged to summary offenses: corruption of minors and purchase of alcohol by a minor.

Allen J. Zimmerman, 30, of 228 N. Nice St., Frackville — waived for court: DUI-controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bradley Q. Freil, 19, of 612 E. Centre St., Mahanoy City — waived for court: corruption of minors, selling or furnishing alcohol to minors and purchase of alcohol by a minor.

Michael P. Lutz, 25, of 209 W. Mount Vernon St., Shenandoah — withdrawn: flight to avoid apprehension or punishment. Waived for court: false identification to law enforcement, possession of drug paraphernalia and harassment.

Linda M. McCoy, 27, homeless, Shenandoah — withdrawn: aggravated assault, simple assault, selling or furnishing alcohol to minors, harassment and disorderly conduct. Waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia and altered or misbranded controlled substances.

Dustin R. Yeager, 18, of 14 Jones St., Box 19, Quakake — waived for court: criminal mischief, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, careless driving and failure to use safety belts.

Jordan A. Zulkowski, 25, of 332 W. Arlington St., Shenandoah — waived for court: aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest, harassment, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.

Randy M. Gelbutis, 45, of 310 N. Jardin St., Shenandoah — held for court: aggravated assault by prisoner, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, obstructing the administration of law and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.

Christopher Lee George, 41, of 93 Main Blvd., Ringtown — dismissed: flight to avoid apprehension or punishment. Held for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Michael T. Dower, 20, of 34 W. Penn St., Shenandoah — withdrawn: robbery, theft and public drunkenness. Waived for court: receiving stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct and harassment.

Zandra M. Saunders, 34, LKA 332 W. Arlington St., Shenandoah — waived for court: criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

James R. Morgans, 25, of 42 Trenton St., Mahanoy City — waived for court: terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, harassment and criminal mischief.

Vincent A. Davalos, 21, of 23 S. Chestnut St., Shenandoah — waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kevin S. Bosworth, 20, of 796 Barnesville Drive, Barnesville — waived for court: criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

Russell Lee Felker, 47, of 226 Valley St., New Philadelphia — waived for court: public nuisance.

Cecelia L. Sell, 34, of 907 E. Mahanoy Ave., Box 153, Mahanoy City — withdrawn: conspiracy and possession of a firearm by a minor. Waived for court: making repairs to or selling offensive weapons, corruption of minors, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and criminal attempt to commit tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.

Elizabeth M. Parker, 53, of 283 Indiana Ave., Shenandoah — waived for court: DUI, DUI-high rate, DUI-controlled substance, driving on a sidewalk, failure to keep right, improper right turn and careless driving.

Brian R. Specht, 46, of 153 New St., Pottsville — waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Steve Pavelick, 50, of 211 W. Spruce St., Mahanoy City — withdrawn after the victim failed to appear: simple assault, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, public drunkenness and harassment.

Nicholas A. Pavelick, 21, of 211 W. Spruce St., Mahanoy City — withdrawn after the victim failed to appear: simple assault, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, using an incapacitation device and harassment.

Kathleen Weikel, 54, of 137 Main St., Gilberton — withdrawn after the victim failed to appear: criminal mischief.

The cause of house fire at a vacant, blighted property at 730 N. Third St. in Pottsville on Sunday has not been determined.

Pottsville Fire Chief Todd March said Monday that the fire is still under investigation by him and the Pottsville police. He did say he has an idea where the fire originated.

“It started in the basement and we have an idea where,” he said, declining to elaborate.

He said the fire spread up the stairs and through the house. As of Monday, the cause of fire is undetermined, March said.

“We are looking at everything at this point,” he said.

Firefighters from Pottsville, Schuylkill Haven and Port Carbon responding to the working structure fire about 7:30 a.m.,which later rekindled in the afternoon. Pottsville First Assistant Chief Jim Misstishin said firefighters had a majority of the fire knocked down by 8:15 a.m. The property did have electric service, which March said surprised him. He did say some pipes were removed from the building.

March and Justin Trefsger, code enforcement officer for the city, went to the burned out structure to look around Monday morning to investigate. Because of the condition of the building, they had to be careful. Yellow caution tape is in front of what remains of the structure which has collapsed in the back, which happened before the fire. The second floor of the home collapsed inside because of the fire Sunday. The home had no working smoke detectors, officials said. A house at 728 N. Third St. also sustained damage from the fire. Neighbors said there was an unsecured door to the 730 N. Third St. property. Misstishin confirmed this but did not know if that played a role in the fire.

Trefsger said Monday the codes department did not know there was an unsecured door at the property.

“We never got any calls about the door being unsecured. If we would have got a call, we would have been up there,” he said.

The codes department has been at the property previously to secure it, Trefsger said. He said that although the online Schuylkill County Parcel Locator shows that Garage Flex LLC owns the property, George Atiyeh, Mount Carmel is the owner of the property. Atiyeh owns many properties within the city under different names, Trefsger said. He said Atiyeh is going into foreclosure on properties.

The vacant building is on the blight list. March said the condemned building was not habitable for years. Trefsger said the property has a five out of five rating, meaning it is the worst and highest an property can get. The property does not share that designation alone as all top 8 of the worst blighted properties in the city share that rating.

The property will likely be demolished today. A permit was not available Monday as it was a holiday, Tom Palamar, city administrator said. The property is on a list of potential city properties to be demolished using money from Community Development Block Grant funds. A lien will then be put on the property. Monday the Pottsville City Council awarded a contract to AMC Enterprises, in the amount of $6,949 for to demolish the property.

ORWIGSBURG — A Cressona man is headed back to Schuylkill County Court after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Monday in two cases, including one where he is charged with burglarizing a Schuylkill Haven fire company.

Dustin J. Noecker, 25, of 110 Pottsville St., faces two counts each of burglary and criminal trespass and one each of theft, receiving stolen property, public drunkenness and defiant trespass in one case and theft and driving under suspension-DUI related in the other.

Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier bound over all charges for court in each after Noecker waived his right to the hearings.

Schuylkill Haven borough police alleged Noecker entered Liberty Fire Company, 223 W. Columbia St., at 8:55 p.m. Sept. 26. Once inside, Noecker stole a jean jacket, two shirts and vehicle registration, vehicle insurance and personal information, according to police.

Noecker also broke into a building at 15 1/2 Parkway, trespassed at 109 Parkway and appeared drunk in the 200 block of West Columbia Street and the 100 block of Parkway in the course of the same incident, police said.

In the other case, state police at Schuylkill Haven alleged Noecker stole a silver 2003 Ford Focus, and then drove it with a suspended license, at 4:45 p.m. Sept. 26 at Tioga and Alcoa streets, Cressona.

Noecker, formerly of Landingville, already is serving a prison sentence of 46 days to 12 months that was imposed Wednesday by Judge Charles M. Miller in connection with three separate criminal incidents.

He pleaded guilty on Aug. 18 to three counts of corruption of minors and one each of possession of drug paraphernalia and purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of an alcoholic beverage in one case, possession of drug paraphernalia and purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of an alcoholic beverage in a second and driving under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to stop at red signal in the third.

Under the terms of Miller’s sentence, Noecker also must pay costs, $1,050 in fines, $200 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account.

Since the plumbing and heating firm she had traditionally worked with had gone out of business, Sue Ann Bann, Orwigsburg, needed to find another to do the annual chimney cleaning at her property.

In September, she put a call into Weller’s Chimney Sweeps, which is also based in Orwigsburg, and learned the difference between “chimney cleaning” and a thorough “chimney sweep.”

“In our business, we don’t say we clean chimneys. We say we sweep them. People get the wrong idea when you say ‘clean.’ You ‘sweep’ it to get the loose stuff off. It’s not going to look clean clean. And a sweep includes an inspection,” Ken Ferraiolo, Auburn, owner of Weller’s, said Monday.

Justin Trefsger, Pottsville’s code enforcement officer, recently reminded property owners to get their chimney’s checked before the onset of winter.

“And we’re super busy this time of year,” Ferraiolo said.

On Monday morning, Ferraiolo installed a stainless steel liner in a chimney at an apartment building at 315 W. Laurel Blvd. While on break, he explained why annual chimney inspections are necessary.

“It’s a special alloy of stainless steel. It’s not just stainless steel. It’s a 316 alloy,” Ferraiolo said.

For starters, he said, it’s required by the National Fire Protection Association.

“Although most people don’t get that done. Most people don’t think about it until there’s a problem. We live in an area where you have older properties and chimneys which have deteriorated. Some are falling apart, and until a brick falls down or something like that, we usually don’t get a call,” Ferraiolo said.

On the job site Monday, Ferraiolo said “this is a chimney for a gas heating system. There’s no flue lining in this chimney at all. The gas company tagged it because there wasn’t a liner in it. All chimneys have to be lined.”

To explain some of the requirements, Ferraiolo referred to a guidebook, the “NFPA 211 Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances.”

“This is the book we have to go by,” he said.

He pointed to section “7.2.2.1 Masonry chimneys shall be lined.”

“That doesn’t mean maybe,” he said.

In January 2000, NFPA adopted three levels of inspection into the code NFPA 211.

“Inspections can run anywhere from $100 to $500, depending on the level,” Ferraiolo said.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America, based in Plainfield, Indiana, also recommends yearly inspections.

“Every chimney should be inspected annually. At that time, the sweep can determine if it is in need of being swept or if there are necessary repairs before it is used. This annual inspection is called a Level 1 inspection and assumes nothing has changed and that the system is operating properly. It does not require the sweep to get on the roof. The primary purpose is to confirm that the chimney is unobstructed and can be used,” Ashley Eldridge, CSIA’s director of education, said Monday.

“The Level 2 inspection is more thorough and is what is recommended after a home has been purchased and before the chimney is used, if there has been an operating malfunction or if there was a weather event like a hurricane, tornado, flood or earthquake. It is also the inspection that is used prior to relining a chimney or before changing the equipment, either in its size or fuel. The Level 2 inspection does require access to every part of the chimney that can be revealed. This includes not only the roof but the attic and the basement or crawl space,” Eldridge said.

On Monday, Ferraiolo performed a Level 2 inspection at 315 W. Laurel Blvd.

That included a video inspection of the chimney there, which he conducted last week.

“We sent a camera up the chimney. What we look for is unused thimble. It’s basically a hole in the wall put there when they had an old coal stove. Sometimes they had them on every level of the house. If you find an unused thimble — and we’ve already found them that have been plastered over with paper shoved in them — you have to deal with it. If you don’t and you line that chimney, you’ve made it more dangerous than it was before, because that metal is going to get hot. In this property, we didn’t find any unused thimbles, so we’re fine,” Ferraiolo said.

“This is a brick chimney which started to deteriorate on the inside. It’s probably 100 years old, I’d say. And the liner and the insulation we’re going to install are going to fix all those problems. Because the brick and mortar are starting to deteriorate, the liner’s job is to contain the materials of combustion from the bottom to the top and vent them out into the atmosphere away from the house,” he said.

Ferraiolo also recommended property owners consult the municipal code officials in their area and acquire permits before hiring contractors to do work.

“That’s to ensure that the work is being done property,” he said.

Ferraiolo’s brother, Mark, owns Home Saver Chimney Sweeps and Stove Sales, Catawissa.

Divorces granted

Joseph Stephany, Pottsville, from Lisann Stephany, Pottsville.

Deeds

Washington Township — Gary R. and Cynthia A. Wolfe to Nelson L. and Irene H. Martin; 490 Deturksville Road, Deturksville; $236,000.

Wayne Township — Ruth O. Weand to Cheryl A. and Frank J. Hlavaty; two properties; $1.

West Penn Township — Jessica Marie Vitale to John J. and Debra A. Maikner; 1.09-acre property on East Hyland Circle; $53,000.

Joseph S. and Donna M. Vitale to John J. and Debra A. Maikner; 9.3821-acre property; $422,000.

DELANO — The state Department of Transportation warns motorists to be careful today when driving on Interstate 81 in Rush Township.

From 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., work crews will seal cracks on the heavily used interstate highway between the Route 309 and Delano exits. Motorists should be alert for lane restrictions north or south, expect delays and use caution driving through the work zone. The crack sealing will be a moving operation and should be complete by Friday, although rain may delay the work.

MIDDLEPORT — A woman from the borough recently snapped a photo of a rare hummingbird in her backyard.

“It’s a white hummingbird,” said Paul Pilconis, husband of the photographer, his wife, Joan. The photo was taken Aug. 23.

“White hummers are extremely rare — less than a hundred sightings have been reported in the Americas; most of which involve ‘partial albinos’ or ‘leucistics’ and only a small percentage of the sightings involved ‘true albinos,’ ” according to www.beautyofbirds.com, a website run by AvianWeb, a comprehensive online resource on birds.

“Should you be so lucky to see a white hummingbird, get your camera out immediately and take as many pictures (or movies) as you can,” according to the site.

“It was at one of our plants along our fence. Before my wife took this picture, I wanted to see if it had black eyes or pink eyes. So I went in the house and brought out our binoculars. And I was trying to make it out. It was facing away from me. Then it took off. So I put my binoculars down and I started looking around to see where it went, and it was right here,” he said, suggesting it was only a few feet from his head.

“Honest to God. It came right up on the deck. And I just froze and I was looking at the darn thing,” he said.

The city council Monday reached a new level of frustration in its effort to work with a property owner to repair the fire-damaged building at 218 W. Market St., Pottsville.

“He’s trying to make a mockery out of this city,” Councilman Mark Atkinson said at the council’s October meeting at city hall after reviewing a proposal submitted by the building’s owner, Mike Ghannoum, Pottsville.

Ghannoum had installed a door with side panels inside the building’s foyer entryway.

“He put it in illegally,” Justin Trefsger, city code enforcement officer, said at the council meeting.

“The door’s already in?” council member Dorothy Botto asked for confirmation.

“Yes,” Trefsger said.

“The side panels don’t even match. Look at the glass,” Atkinson said as he examined a photo attached to the proposal.

That proposal had been approved by the city’s Historical Architectural Review Board on Oct. 7. HARB approved it under the condition that the side panels would have to match, Trefsger said.

The city council wasn’t satisfied with such a promise and voted to reject it, with a motion by Atkinson which was seconded by council member Joseph J. Devine Jr. and carried with votes by Botto and the mayor. Council member Michael Halcovage was absent from Monday’s meeting.

The three-story building at 218 W. Market St. was damaged in a fire May 24, 2014. For many months afterward, it had become an eyesore, vacant, with a windowless charred-brick facade.

In July, the city’s HARB and the city council approved a plan for repairs to the facade. The council asked Ghannoum to have the facade finished by Sept. 30.

Over the summer, Ghannoum hired a team of contractors to paint its bricks red. While the paint job was an improvement, Palamar said work to improve the property came to a halt in early September.

Since Sept. 15, Trefsger has issued Ghannoum numerous “nuisance property” non-traffic citations regarding the property.

“I feel like he’s wasting our time,” the mayor said Monday.

“If city council would deny this or reject it, we would ask Mike to go back to HARB with another plan based upon the suggestions of city council. We’re looking to see something more uniform or a little different. Then we’ll see where it goes from there,” Palamar said.

“Doors and windows have been an issue with that building, frankly. His drop-dead date to have all that exterior work done has passed. It was September 30th,” Palamar said.

In other matters, city council started taking action to prepare for the retirement of City Clerk Julie D. Rescorla on Nov. 30.

On Monday, the council hired Linda Moser, Pottsville, as deputy city clerk with an annual salary of $26,500.

Palamar said the council plans to hire the Lisa Kral, who has been deputy city clerk since December 2011, as city clerk at its November meeting.

The city also hired contractors to demolish the following properties at the following rates:

• 417 North St., Affordable Construction & Demolition, $19,500

• 730 N. Third St., AMC Enterprises, $6,949

• 413 Adams St., Vox Realty, $18,000

• 421 Fairview St., AMC Enterprises, $5,449

• 423 Fairview St., AMC Enterprises, $5,449

• 406 E. Norwegian St., Affordable Construction & Demolition, $33,400

Also at Monday’s meeting, actions the council took included the following:

• Hired Robert Lynn, Pottsville, as a full-time truck driver.

• Held the second and final reading of Ordinance 846, the Bring-Your-Own-Bottle ordinance. Now that it has been approved, businesses in the city who advertise BYOB have to apply for yearly permits to continue offering that amenity.

• Hired J.P. Mascaro as its trash hauler for 2016, 2017 and 2018 at a rate of $796,500 per year. Previously, the city had a five-year contract with Kreitzer Sanitation, Palamar said.

n Ashland: The Ashland Applefest with the Washington Fire Company Auxiliary will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Ashland High Rise parking lot, Eighth and Center streets. There will be food vendors, live entertainment, kids’ games, pumpkin decorating and an apple pie eating contest. For more information, call 570-875-4176.

n Barnesville: The Ryan Township Fire Company, Route 54, has several bingo games open to the public on its agenda. Games will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the firehouse. The cost is $15 for a small package and $18 for a large package. Doors and the kitchen will open at 4 p.m. For more information, call 570-778-1732. The company will also stage bingo games on Oct. 22 and 29 plus on Nov. 5, 12, 19 and 28.

n Frackville: The Friendship Fire Company Auxiliary will sponsor a theme basket auction from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the firehouse, Seventh and Pine streets. The fee is $6. There will be a shop-and-drop from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 570-874-1649.

n Lykens: The annual Our Lady Help of Christians Christmas Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 7, sponsored by the parish council of Catholic Women, in the parish hall, 732 E. Main St. The event will include food, chance stands, games for children, crafts, jewelry and a basket good sale. For more information, call 717-362-3039.

n Mahanoy City: The Mahanoy City Elks Lodge will have a meat bingo at 7 p.m. Sunday at the lodge, 135 E. Centre St. The cost is $1 per card. Food will be on sale during the games, which will begin at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 570-573-2649.

n New Philadelphia: AMVETS Post 256 will hold its meeting and installation at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at Vett’s Inc., 96 McComb St. Members who are being installed must wear uniforms. For more information, call 570-277-6031.

n Pottsville: An open house to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Female Grammar School, North Centre Street, now the home of the Schuylkill County Historical Society, is set for 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 21. The event is free but donations will be appreciated, according to a society release. Visitors will tour the site and all of the museums and displays. Birthday cake will be available. For more information, call 570-622-7540.

n Pottsville: Knights of Columbus Schuylkill Council 431 will make preparations for the Thanksgiving Day feeding for the less fortunate from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the council home, 106 N. Sixth St. For more information, call 570-294-6337. The council’s monthly business meeting will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at the council home.

n Saint Clair: An indoor yard and Welsh cake sale will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 21 and 22 at the Saint Clair Lions Club Banquet Hall, McCord Avenue, sponsors by the Lions and St. John’s United Church of Christ. Cakes are $8 per dozen. To order or for pickup or delivery, call 570-429-0549 or 570-429-9939.

n Tamaqua: The New England Fire Company will have a drive-through, takeout-only chicken barbecue starting at 11 a.m. Saturday at the firehouse, 7 Miller Lane. The cost is $9. Meals include a half chicken, potato, pepper cabbage, applesauce, roll and beverage. Advance tickets are available from any member of the fire company. For more information, call 570-277-6606 or 570-668-5340.

n Tamaqua: The Paint & Sip class on Thursday at the Tamaqua Community Art Center, 125 Pine St., will feature “Fashionista Witch.” The cost is $40 per person and participants are invited to bring their favorite beverage. To register or for more information, call 570-668-1192.

n Tower City: The Muir Fire Company grocery bingo is set for 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Porter-Tower Lions Club, 517 W. Grand Ave. The cost is $20 for a regular pack with extra packs available for $5. Specials are $1 each. Refreshments will be on sale. For more information, call 717-571-9378.

Geisinger Medical Center, Danville

To Anthony and Jennifer Zimmerman Capone, Frackville, a son, Oct. 6.

Passenger trains will roll into the city once again this holiday season.

And city Councilman Joseph J. Devine Jr. said Tuesday he’d like it to become a tradition to continue for years to come.

“That’s the plan,” Matt Fisher, general manager at Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway Inc., Jim Thorpe, said Tuesday.

A passenger train owned by the Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad, Port Clinton, will offer rides from the city’s Union Station Intermodal Transit Center at 300 S. Centre St. on two days in December.

“We call them the Santa Claus Specials,” Fisher said.

Departure times will be at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 13, Fisher said.

Tickets will go on sale later this month. Those interested can call the Pottsville Area Development Corp. at 570-628-4647.

“For people who are interested, it’s first come, first serve. I’d say they’ll go on sale within the next two weeks for certain,” Fisher said.

Ticket prices will be $13 for adults and $9 for children ages 3 to 12. Rides are free for children 2 or younger. And typically there will be more than 200 seats available on each trip, according to Fisher.

“For every paying adult, one child will ride for free. Additional children will be $9 per child,” Fisher said.

The city’s Union Station opened in 2011 and since then, city officials have talked about starting a train excursion program. In 2014, Mayor James T. Muldowney talked about the possibilities with Andrew M. Muller Jr., the owner of the railroad. The inaugural trip was held Sept. 21.

Since then, there have been train events at Union Station Nov. 29, Dec. 21 and April 4, according to Palamar.

On May 27, Devine sent a letter to Muller, asking if the trains could return to Pottsville for the Independence Day Fireworks and Celebration at the Station.

And they did, on June 27.

The response for all of those events was “phenomenal,” Fisher said.

“It was beyond our greatest expectations. We didn’t think we’d get to the point where all the Pottsville trips would sell out. Everybody who did ride seemed very happy with the ride. And people were talking about it for months thereafter,” Fisher said.

The trains left Pottsville from Union Station and traveled down to the Port Clinton/Kernsville Dam area and came back, on the same line going down and coming back. And the previous trips lasted about 70 minutes, Fisher said.

“The upcoming trips will be slightly longer. Instead of being an hour to an hour and 10 minutes, they’re going to be 70 to 80 minutes round trip. We’re still going to go in the same direction, toward Port Clinton,” Fisher said.

The upcoming trips will not be led by a steam engine but a diesel locomotive.

“This year it’s going to be diesel only on the trips. We’re not sure what number engine it will be. We have many different diesel engines on the railroad,” Fisher said.

The Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad is the parent company of the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, Fisher said.

Santa Claus Specials

Tickets will go on sale later this month for two passenger train excursions scheduled to leave from the city’s Union Station on the following days and times.

• Saturday, Dec. 5, 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

• Sunday, Dec. 13, 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

For more information, contact the Pottsville Area Development Corp. at 570-628-4647.

Source: Matt Fisher, general manager at the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway Inc., Jim Thorpe.

n Ashland: The Ashland Rotary Club participated in the semi-annual Schuylkill Keep It Pretty litter pickup campaign in September. According to the Rotary Bulletin, the Rotarians thanked all who helped in the cleanup, especially Boy Scout Troop 745. The club also welcome Jocelyn Merritt, a North Schuylkill High School senior, as September student of the month. Merritt informed club member about her school and community activities as plans for the future. The club sponsored an Omega Health Screen by Quest Diagnostics on Sept. 26. Forty-three people took part in the screening, Rotarians said in the bulletin. The club will have an evening to introduce prospective members to Rotary at 6 p.m. Oct. 22 at The Mineshaft Café, with wine-and-cheese tasting and presentations on various aspects of Rotary. Advance reservations are needed by Oct. 15.

n Mahanoy City: The Good American Hose Company, Eighth Street and Mahanoy Avenue, will have a pork-and-sauerkraut dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 P.M. Oct. 18. The cost is $9 and takeouts will be available. For more information, call 570-773-3473.

n Mahanoy City: The Active Christian Teens In Our Neighborhood Youth Group will stage a townwide SPCA collection drive beginning at 7 p.m. Oct. 18. The following items are needed by the SPCA: Non-clumping cat litter, wet and dry dog/cat food, paper towels, dog and cat toys, dog leashes and collars and dog/cat beds. The collection will be limited to the aforementioned items due transportation issues, according to an ACTION press release. Those wishing to donate should turn on their porch lights at 7 p.m. The collection is part of a Make a Difference Day project for the youth group and will be delivered on Oct. 24. Those who do not have a porch light and wish to donate should call Debbie at 570-773-0813.

n MaryD: The MaryD Fire Company, Main and Walnut streets, will stage a rummage sale from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 16 and 17. The sale will include household items, books, Christmas, fall and craft items. Coffee and unbaked pizza will be available. For more information, call 570-668-5566.

n Pine Grove: The Pine Grove Temple Association will host a deep-fried beer battered haddock, pork chops, pork loin with filling or stuffed chicken breast dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Pine Grove Masonic Lodge, 23 Oak Grove Road. The cost is $11 and the event is open to the public. Children’s platters will be available. For takeouts or more information call 570-345-0165.

n Pottsville: Denise Calderone of Schaeffer’s Harley-Davidson recently spoke to the Pottsville Rotary Club about fundraising for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Black & Blue Ball. She provided a history of Schaeffer’s, which was founded by her grandparents in 1967, according to a report in the Rotary Bulletin. Since the effort for MDA began in 1988, Schaeffer’s has raised more than $3 million for the cause. She also detailed Schaeffer’s and related efforts for MDA, saying that Schaeffer’s has been the top fundraising dealership every year since 1992.

n Saint Clair: The First United Presbyterian Church, 134 N. Mill St., will hold a fall festival from 8:30 a.m. to noon Oct. 17 in the former Covach’s grocery store. Activities will include a food sale featuring halupki, halushkie, pulled pork, chili and other homemade items plus a flea market and pumpkin painting for the children.

n Shenandoah: The Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society will hold a rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 16 and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 17 at the history center, 201 S. Main St. Donations will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 15. No computers or televisions will be accepted.

n Tamaqua: St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 E. Mauch Chunk St., is hosting a Welsh cookie sale with an order deadline of Oct. 18. The cost is $5.50 per dozen and $3 per half dozen for raisin or plain. Pickups will be 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 26 at the church. The sale is sponsored by the Luther’s Angels Relay for Life team. To order or for more information, call 570-668-3030.

POCONO SUMMIT — One of the largest crowds ever at a meeting aimed at reviving a Scranton-to-New York City passenger train signaled support Tuesday with loud applause they hope will resonate with state and federal officials who must provide the key ingredient.

Money.

At least $551 million just to build it and millions of dollars more to operate it every year.

Almost 250 people at the Inn at Pocono Manor in Pocono Township heard local elected officials, business leaders and other rail proponents tell state Secretary of Transportation Leslie S. Richards and Federal Transit Administration Acting Administrator Therese W. McMillan the train would relieve traffic congestion, boost tourism and, most importantly, create jobs in Northeast Pennsylvania.

“This room speaks for itself,” state Rep. Mike Carroll, D-118, testified. “This project is of vital importance to northeastern Pennsylvania.”

Carroll and other proponents spoke at a forum organized by U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-11, who’s trying to reinvigorate the long-stalled push to reconnect Scranton and the Poconos to New York City by train. Richards, who was expected to attend in person, watched the forum through a video conference because of Gov. Tom Wolf’s ban on travel by state officials during the budget impasse.

State Sen. John Blake, D-22, said increasing traffic along the Interstate 80 corridor through the Poconos will only worsen with the widening of the Panama Canal, a project expected to produce more freight moving through East Coast ports and along eastern highways.

Blake argued the train will get a lot of use. He pointed to a passenger train that travels 130 miles and connects Portland, Maine, population 66,000, to metropolitan Boston and its population of several million people. Scranton, which more than 70,000 residents, and metro New York, which has more than 20 million, would be 133 miles apart by train.

The Maine route started with three trains and now runs 12 a day, he said.

Quoting the late Gov. William W. Scranton, Blake said “the most important economic development initiative for northeastern Pennsylvania is the restoration of passenger rail service.”

Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority Bob Hay cited the tens of millions of dollars already spent on the project by Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Pennsylvania spent more than $10 million while New Jersey spent more than $21 million to buy a 28-mile right-of-way known as the Lackawanna Cutoff and is spending $37 million to reinstall tracks on 7.3 miles of the cutoff.

He urged Richards to commit permanent funding to the train, which will require state money to operate every year, in the upcoming state railroad plan.

“The time has come for this project,” Hay said. “This is not a vision, but a project that must receive continued state and federal funding.”

Jim Cahill, managing partner of Pocono Manor Investors, the inn’s owner, said the Poconos has benefitted from more than $1 billion in new tourism destinations in the past few years with another $1 billion on the way. Tourists want an easy way to reach destinations, but traffic congestion caused by outdated highways could limit that, Cahill said.

“It’s a win-win project and it’s worthy of your backing and support,” he said.

Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce President Robert Durkin said a train could help Lackawanna County attract the kind of talented employees larger corporations need. A train could also help attract companies that want easy access to their northeast Pennsylvania offices from their headquarters elsewhere, he said.

Afterward, Cartwright said the meeting was only the first step in getting the project built more quickly, a sentiment echoed by McMillan, who said it’s way too early to commit to the highly sought-after and competitive funding.

“I think the assurance that we can give is that we will be part of the discussion that needs to be launched. I think it’s important that it be a comprehensive discussion,” she said.

Schuylkill County officially has sold the former Rest Haven nursing home property.

In a deed recorded Tuesday in Pottsville, the county sold the North Manheim Township property, which is located behind Penn State Schuylkill, to 401 University LP, Lakewood, New Jersey, for $4.5 million.

“I think the county ... has benefitted financially from the sale,” County Administrator Mark J. Scarbinsky said Tuesday.

Scarbinsky said the county received about $77,000 per bed for Rest Haven, which is higher than average for the sale of a Pennsylvania nursing home.

“The transaction has been seamless and smooth,” said Scarbinsky, who added that the county has regular contact with Investment 360°.

County Finance Director Paul Buber said the seamless transition was one of the commissioners’ goals for the sale.

Scarbinsky also said the county had an appraisal done on the property before determining the sale price.

The sale of the land is part of the transition that included sale of the facility to Investment 360°, also of Lakewood, for $10.9 million. The deed does not indicate the relationship, if any, between 401 University LP and Investment 360°.

Selling the property also benefits the state, which will receive $45,000 in transfer taxes, and the township and Blue Mountain School district, which each will receive $22,500 in such taxes.

Teen faces drug

charges after stop

WICONISCO — A man from Lykens was found to be in possession of marijuana after a traffic stop in Wiconisco Township, Dauphin County, state police said.

Police said Alex Messner, 18, of Lykens, was pulled over at 10:51 p.m. Sept. 11 for a speeding violation on Route 209 at Hill Street in this Dauphin County community. Upon conducting the stop of the 2006 Pontiac G6, police found the driver to be under the influence of marijuana, police said. Charges were filed in Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum, Elizabethville.

Woman found

with crack, pipe

ELIZABETHVILLE — A 38-year-old woman from Elizabethville, Dauphin County, is facing drug charges.

State police at Lykens responded at 8:40 a.m. Oct. 10 and said the woman, whom they did not name, was found at Route 225 near Mountain House Road, Jackson Township, with crack cocaine and a crack pipe. Charges are pending at Magisterial District Judge Gregory D. Johnson, Dauphin County.

None injured

in 2-vehicle crash

Two drivers escaped injury in a accident Monday in Norwegian Township.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said the 11:47 a.m. accident on Route 61 North at its intersection with Tunnel Road occurred as Robert F. McNamara, 54, of Minersville, was driving a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt north on Route 61 and failed to stop at a red light at the intersection and hit a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse driven by Paula A. Lorence, 35, of Cumbola.

Lorence was driving east down the hill from the Fairlane Village mall when she drove through the intersection and was hit. The left front end of McNamara’s car hit the right front end of Lorence’s vehicle. Both vehicles came to a stop, with McNamara’s car facing east on Tunnel Road and Lorence’s car stopped facing southeast after being hit and striking a curb, police said. Neither driver was injured. Both were wearing seat belts, police said. McNamara was cited for a red light violation.

Woman injured

in Gilberton crash

GILBERTON — A Shenandoah woman was injured when about 3:15 p.m. Monday the 2006 Ford Taurus she was driving collided with a tri-axle dump truck on Route 4030, Main Street.

State police at Frackville said Kelly Labiak, 53, exited Route 924 at the southbound Gilberton off ramp and stopped at a stop sign waiting to make a left turn onto Route 4030.

The woman claimed that she did not see the 1993 Western Star truck being driven west on Route 4030 by John Koperna, 54, of Herndon, and pulled into the intersection to make the turn and was struck on the driver’s side.

Girardville EMS transported Labiak to Schuylkill Medical Center-East Norwegian Street for treatment of injuries she received, and Koperna was not hurt, police said.

Gilberton and Mahanoy Plane firefighters assisted at the scene, police said.

A Nesquehoning man was arrested and charged Tuesday after a robbery at Wells Fargo bank at Fairlane Village mall, Norwegian Township.

Trooper Chad Smith of the state police at Schuylkill Haven took Steven Mark Cormier, 57, of West Catawissa Street, into custody after the 10:45 a.m. incident, according to a docket from Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Cormier went into the bank and told a teller to fill a plastic bag he had with money. After receiving the money, he fled the scene, according to police.

Pottsville police later stopped the suspect in his vehicle and took him back to the bank where three witnesses identified him as the robber. A search warrant was executed and the plastic bag with the stolen $15,923 was recovered.

Cormier faces one felony charge each of robbery-threat of immediate severe injury, robbery-demand of money from a financial institution, theft and receiving stolen property; 12 felony counts of terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another; and one misdemeanor count of possessing an instrument of crime with intent.

He was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison, in lieu of $100,000 cash bail.

According to Avvo.com and LinkedIn, Cormier has been a licensed attorney for 30 years.

The bank was closed as police questioned witnesses. A few of the customers said they did not realize what was going on at the time of the incident.

Virginia McDonald, Schuylkill Haven, said she was scared and heard the robber say, “If you don’t do what I want, things are going to get ugly.”