A Schuylkill County man was ordered Thursday to serve 27 months in prison for illegal possession of unregistered machine guns.

James Augustus Brauer, 51, of Muir, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, Scranton, according to a release sent from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Brauer was sentenced for his illegal possession of a fully functional unregistered machine gun, and an unmarked and unregistered drop in auto sear — a specific part that makes a semi-automatic rifle fire fully automatic when placed into the weapon, the release reported.

Brauer previously pleaded guilty in April 2015, at which time he admitted to possession of the machine guns at his home on January 24, 2012, according to U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Gurganus prosecuted the case.

Dawn Mayko, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Harrisburg, said Friday she could release no further information on why Brauer’s weapons were unregistered.

Mannion also ordered that Brauer serve three years on supervised release following his prison sentence.

A Cressona woman and a Drums man arrested by Butler Township police on sexual crimes charges stemming from separate incidents are among those scheduled to plead not guilty Thursday during arraignment in Schuylkill County Court.

Melinda A. Trezise, 39, of 55 Front St., was arrested by Butler Township Patrolman Shawn Butler and charged with two counts each of statutory sexual assault and indecent assault of a person under the age of 16 and one count each of interference with the custody of children and corruption of minors.

Trezise, a former teacher in the North Schuylkill School District, was accused by Butler of having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old student between December 2014 and February that began with kissing and touching over clothing and then became sexual.

According to Butler, the boy said he and Trezise would converse daily via text messaging and that she would pick him up near his home and the two would drive to another location to have sexual relations.

The boy said Trezise would tell him to conceal their relationship from family members and friends because he would be in as much trouble as her, Butler said. He said the victim reported having at least 14 sexual encounters with the woman at her home.

Jason K. Dietrich, 39, of 139 Mundies Road, Drums, was also arrested by Butler and charged with photographing, filming or depicting sexual acts on a computer, child pornography, criminal use of a communications facility, invasion of privacy and harassment.

Butler charged Dietrich, formerly of 267 Main St., Lavelle, with incidents that occurred between April 7 and 13, when he allegedly placed a cellphone on the top shelf of a cabinet to record video a girl who was under the age of 18 while she was undressing and dressing before and after a shower.

The man also shot several other videos of the girl from an outside window. After viewing the videos, Butler said Dietrich admitted taking “still shots” of images and hiding both the videos and still images on his cellphone.

Others scheduled to plead not guilty, and the charges against them, include:

Nathan D. Forker, 31, of 328 N. Second St., Port Carbon — driving under the influence of drugs and general lighting requirements violaton.

Lynnmarie B. Bray, 52, of 111 E. Washington St., McAdoo — DUI, DUI-highest rate, driving under the influence of drugs, driving under combined influence, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked and careless driving.

Emily I. Seifert, 62, of 116 E. Main St., Apt. 1 Rear, Schuylkill Haven — DUI, DUI-highest rate, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic and careless driving.

Scott A. Kramer, 41, of 226 Washington St., Box 232, Auburn — DUI, DUI-highest rate, accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, driving on the wrong side of the road, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic, failure to give information and render aid, careless driving and reckless driving.

Peggy J. Higgins, 61, of 115 S. Jackson St., Pottsville — DUI, DUI-highest rate, careless driving and driving under the influence of drugs.

Jamie L. Nagle, 38, of 300 Lewis St., Apt. 505, Minersville — driving under the influence of drugs, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic and driving at an unsafe speed.

Daniel A. Rody, 32, of 402 New Castle St., Minersville — DUI, DUI-high rate, driving on the wrong side of the road, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic, driving at an unsafe speed, failure to use seat belts, reckless driving and careless driving.

Carisa J. Stevenosky, 46, of 83 New St., Pottsville — DUI-highest rate, accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property, restrictions on alcoholic beverages, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic and careless driving.

Joshua A. Kennedy, 24, of 2012 Main St., Mahanoy Plane — driving under the influence of drugs, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and careless driving.

Ronald Hartung, 60, of 269 Mush Dahl Road, New Ringgold — DUI, DUI-highest rate, restrictions on alcoholic beverages and failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic.

Heather Rhodes, 46, of 435 Spruce St., Schuylkill Haven — DUI, DUI-high rate and failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic.

Whitney M. Boyer, 21, of 55 River St., Cressona — DUI, DUI-high rate and careless driving.

William C. Yawornicky, 34, of State Correctional Institution/Mahanoy, Frackville — possessing instruments of crime, false reports, false identification to law enforcement and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Katie E. Comer, 28, of 400 S. Balliet St., Frackville — hindering apprehension or prosecution and violation of period for requiring lighted lamps.

Cody Metz, 20, of 311 Carbon St., Minersville — theft of property lost, mislaid or delivered by mistake.

Angela Lindenmuth, 38, of 229 S. Spencer St., Frackville — possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Mikel D. Burrows, 26, of 327 E. Lloyd St., Shenandoah — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ryan A. Hasara, 42, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communications facility, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Stephen A. Mackeravage, 44, of 317 E. Lloyd St., Shenandoah — defiant trespass.

Jasmine Mercado, 30, of 105 N. Main St., Shenandoah — delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Catherine M. Bainbridge, 21, of 104 1/2 E. Oak St., Frackville — inducing a minor to purchase alcohol and corruption of minors.

Jeifri J. Graciano-Suazo, 26, of 124 N. Chestnut St., Shenandoah — possession of drug paraphernalia and false identification to law enforcement.

Kevin A. Peterman, 19, of 265 Flat Hill Road, Pine Grove — possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

John P. Gallagher, 51, of 328 S. Lehigh Ave., Frackville — simple assault.

Thomas J. Bettinger, 39, of 210 Chestnut St., Box 138, Mar Lin — persons not to possess or use firearms, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving a vehicle without an inspection certificate, driving without insurance, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and fraudulent use or removal of a registration plate.

Sheri L. Wensel, 47, of 917 Red Dale Road, Orwigsburg — receiving stolen property.

Michael Ruben, 50, of 121 S. Mill St., Saint Clair — unsworn falsification to authorities.

David E. Dahms, 39, of 3226 Fair Road, Auburn — receiving stolen property.

David G. Dillow, 37, of 264 W. Savory St., Palo Alto — resisting arrest, criminal mischief and institutional vandalism.

Jack D. Rose, 18, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — possession of a small amount of marijuana, conspiracy, corruption of minors and possession of drug paraphernalia.

William E. Howells, 20, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Gary W. Hummel II, 33, of 1353 Seneca St., Pottsville — criminal mischief, criminal trespass and public drunkenness.

Heidi S. Umbenhen, 42, of 613 Harrison St., Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia and general lighting requirements violation.

Cassandra E. Tobias, 28, of 612 N. Second St., Pottsville — false reports.

Charles A. Palina, 27, of 1005 Pottsville St., Mechanicsville — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Tammy M. Seiger, 43, of 319 W. Arch St., Apt. 2E, Pottsville — resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Daniel C. Groves, 40, of 233 Pierce St., Pottsville — prohibited offensive weapons and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Brianna J. Schaeffer, 22, of 64 Cherry St., Cressona — possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.

Eric R. Shappell, 30, of 219 Main St., Apt. 2, Box 4125, Seltzer — retail theft.

John D. Berger, 30, of 451B E. Norwegian St., Pottsville — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, conspiracy, possessing chemicals with intent to manufacture a controlled substance, risking a catastrophe, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Christopher J. Bowers, 24, of 613 Harrison St., Pottsville — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

Ronnie L. Lindenmuth, 64, of 11 Vulcan Hill, Box 1, Mahanoy City — terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment.

Jose V. Sanchez, 24, of 411 Lloyd St., Shenandoah — theft, receiving stolen property, simple assault, defiant trespass, harassment and criminal mischief.

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

Zachery G. Zerby, 22, no known address — defiant trespass, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.

Kayla A. Weikel, 25, of 432 E. Lloyd St., Shenandoah — retail theft, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jennifer Adams, 47, of 21 N. Main St., Apt. 3, Shenandoah — simple assault, harassment, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Laura Kline, 18, of 113 Paxson Ave., Schuylkill Haven — theft, receiving stolen property, conspiracy and loitering and prowling at night.

Courtney N. Lynn, 24, of 2009 Long Run Road, Schuylkill Haven — possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Dylan A. Detweiler, 20, of 9 Stanton Road, Schuylkill County — corruption of minors and distributing obscene and other sexual materials to minors.

Chris A. Dixon, 45, 233 W. Second Mountain Road, Pottsville — disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

Alec J. McGovern, 18, of 691 Berne Drive, Auburn — theft, receiving stolen property, conspiracy and loitering and prowling at night.

Geoffrey B. Hughes, 39, of 217 N. Centre St., Apt. 3A, Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, stop and yield sign violations, driving an unregistered vehicle and driving without insurance.

David P. Smith, 30, of 157 S. Nice St., Frackville — criminal trespass and defiant trespass.

Kassidy N. Bowers, 19, of 613 Harrison St., Pottsville — receiving stolen property.

Everett P. Metcalf, 41, of 2 Wildcat Road, Girardville — resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Hannah Valeno, 35, of 1215 Centre St., Ashland — resisting arrest, delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

Annie Cragen, 46, of 332 W. Columbus St., Shenandoah —false reports, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

Eric M. Christopher, 22, of 514 W. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City — access device fraud and theft.

Matthew K. Yoder, 24, of 119 S. Fourth St., Hamburg — possession of a controlled substance and stop and yield sign violations.

Michael J. Straka, 21, of 900 Garfield Ave., Pottsville — aggravated assault and simple assault.

Justin D. Purcell, 27, of 535 N. Third St., Minersville — possession of drug paraphernalia and public drunkenness.

Eugene P. Mattera, 62, of 236 Valley St., New Philadelphia — possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

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

Scott A. Parsons, 26, of 629 N. Second St., Apt. 2, Pottsville — resisting arrest.

Matrel W. Smith, 18, of 9 N. Seventh St., Pottsville — conspiracy and corruption of minors.

Robert J. Weiss, 39, of 2090 Marsh Creek Road, Howard — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, conspiracy, possessing liquified ammonia gas with intent to manufacture a controlled substance, possessing chemicals with intent to manufacture a controlled substance, risking a catastrophe, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, dangerous burning and depositing, storing or disposing of chemical waste.

Michael Beison, 37, of 425 S. Kennedy Drive, McAdoo — theft of services, scattering rubbish and defiant trespass.

Emma J. Gaydos, 61, of 10 School Road, Hegins — conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Edward T. Gaydos, 57, of 10 School Road, Hegins — conspiracy, manufacture of a controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, misbranding of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ashley N. Renninger, 30, of 107 Railroad St., Cressona — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Thomas M. Kelly, 30, of 94 New St., Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Ronald J. Terway, 26, of 514 Pine Hill St., Minersville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Erica R. Raczka, 24, of 514 Pine Hill St., Minersville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Phillip S. Cartwright, 23, of 611 W. Race St., Pottsville — identity theft, access device fraud, theft by deception, possession of drug paraphernalia and receiving stolen property.

James L. Myers, 42, of 20 S. 23rd St., Pottsville — defiant trespass.

n Ashland: A Chinese auction to benefit the ABA Parade Fund will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Fountain Springs Fire Company. The cost is $5 per sheet or five sheets for $20. A shop-and-drop will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 13. Door will open at noon Nov. 14 and the auction will start at 2 p.m. Food and beverages will be available. For more information, call 570-985-3702.

n Ashland: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will sponsor “Theology on Tap – Conversations about Life and Faith,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Mineshaft, Centre Street. The pastor will have a conversation about where people can see God at work in daily lives.

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. Nov. 5, 12, 19 and 28 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.

n Mahanoy City: Zion Baptist Church, 400 E. Market St., will have a holiday dessert sale with pickups from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 22. Items and costs include pumpkin pie, $6; pumpkin roll, $8; chocolate chip pumpkin roll, $10 and flitch, $5 per plate. Orders are due by Nov. 15. To order, call 570-640-2471.

n MaryD: MaryD Fire Company, North Main and School streets, will host its November breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday. Adult and children platters will be available. The menu will include eggs and choice of bacon, sausage or ham, home fries, French toast, creamed beef, mackerel and toast. Beverages will include orange juice, tea, coffee and hot chocolate. The cost is $7 for adults, $4 for children and $8 for mackerel. Christmas gift certificates will be available. For more information, call 570-668-5566.

n Pottsville: During a recent meeting of the Pottsville Rotary Club, Jim Nettles, Branch Township, a Democratic candidate for county coroner, gave a presentation on his background and his reasons for seeking the office. According to the Rotary bulletin, committee Chairman Eric Lieberman said the club has set a goal of raising $1,000 for the Knights of Columbus Thanksgiving food drive. He also said that Nativity BVM and Assumption BVM schools have slated dress-down days with proceeds going to Rotary Charities to benefit the effort. Last year, the K of C served more than 1,500 meals, according to the bulletin.

n Schuylkill Haven: First United Methodist Church, 420 Saylor St., will hold “A Faithful Response to Domestic Violence” at noon Sunday. Speakers will include Deaconess Sharon Hachtman and a representative from Schuylkill Women in Crisis. The public is encouraged to attend. Lunch will be available. First United Methodist, according to a release, has made a commitment to victims to be a safe place where help is available. The church is also committed to being a supportive community in which victims can comfortably and confidentially discuss their issues. The church is not prepared to counsel victims but can suggest community agencies that can provide help. For more information, call the church at 570-385-3941.

n Shenandoah: The Schuylkill Historical Fire Society will hold its annual pork-and-sauerkraut dinner beginning at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the society’s headquarters and museum, 105 S. Jardin St. People may eat at the site or take meals out. The cost is $9, which also includes coffee and dessert. To order or for more information, call the museum at 570-462-4400. Free delivery will be available in the Shenandoah area. People may also call society President Mike Kitsock at 570-617-2376.

n Shenandoah: The borough hall, Washington and Main streets, will be closed Tuesday for Election Day. There will be no garbage pickup that day. Tuesday’s garbage will be picked up Wednesday. There will be no recycling Wednesday. Garbage pickups on Monday and Thursday will not be affected. The borough hall will also be closed Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans’ Day. The garbage scheduled for that week will remain the same. There will be no recycling on Nov. 11. Recycling on the east side will resume on Nov. 18.

Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David Moylan III believes he has achieved good things in the office and would like to be re-elected.

“I think this is a solid record and I will stand by it, the accomplishments that we have achieved. I think there is more work that needs to be done, especially with the science of the virtual autopsy, and my fear would be that that would all go away if I am not re-elected,” he said.

Moylan said being a physician is important for the office.

“This year we are going to investigate over 900 cases,” he said.

He said the county is only one of two in the state that he is aware of which the coroner and the chief deputy coroner are physicians.

Moylan, 63, of Auburn, is running as a Republican for the coroner’s office against Democrat James Nettles, the former chief deputy coroner, in Tuesday’s General Election.

Moylan’s accomplishments include using virtual autopsy in the office, he told The Republican-Herald editorial board Oct. 22.

“That’s been a cost savings in my mind,” he said.

The procedure is less disturbing to the body than a traditional autopsy. Virtual autopsies started in the county in 2012.

“We can obviate the need for most of those autopsies with a CAT scan but not with a forensic one where we know we are going to court,” he said, adding those are done in Reading.

In legal cases, a forensic-certified pathologist is preferred.

The virtual autopsy is great at detecting certain things, but has its limitations.

“It’s excellent for diagnosing fractures, internal bleeding and coronary heart disease,” Moylan said.

Limitations include discovering pulmonary blood clots and stomach ulcers. The scan will have difficulty detecting density level. For example, a blood clot will have the same density as surrounding tissue.

The charge to the county is $200 per virtual autopsy, which uses a CAT scan to look inside the body. Of that cost, $50 goes to pay a technician, and the remaining cost is used for upkeep of the machine.

“We have a cap on the yearly expenditures that the county pays for this contract,” Moylan said. He added that is was $18,500.

So far this year, about 130 virtual autopsies have been conducted.

The hospital (Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street) provided autopsies for the county, but it has since stopped doing so.

“I think the county is getting a bargain at $200 per CAT scan,” Moylan said.

His other accomplishments include adding the mobile morgue. It is a trailer outfitted with an autopsy suite and storage of three bodies.

“That’s allowed us to do autopsies within the county,” he said.

A forensic-trained pathologist, Mary Pascucci, Luzerne County, does open autopsies when needed for a natural death. Pascucci is not a forensic pathologist, Moylan said.

A pathologist is needed to do autopsies. Moylan is a board certified radiation oncologist.

If the voters select Moylan for a second term, he said he wants to continue the monthly and annual conferences for training.

“I’d like to see the county (coroner’s office) accredited by The International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners,” Moylan said

The designation would prove to county residents “that you have a top-flight organization. It’s like getting board certified in your speciality,” Moylan, a member of the association, said.

He would also like to establish an anthracite region coroners association, something he was unable to do in his first four years due to time constraints.

“I’d like to meet a couple of times a year and maybe look at issues that are unique to the anthracite region, Northeast Pennsylvania. And I would hope that we can put together perhaps a consortium for obtaining services in a more cost efficient manner. Perhaps a buyers group. Because some of our expenses are getting out of site. You know body bags, the price of those has gone up,” he said.

Moylan addressed the issue of why no information was submitted to the County Coroners Association for their annual report.

“That was never brought to my attention,” Moylan said.

He plans to publish a list of statistics on deaths. Changes were also made to document more information about people who die from drug overdose or suicide.

“My plan is to publish, on an annual basis, our statistics and update it on a monthly basis,” Moylan said.

He also addressed the lack of a permanent location for the coroner’s office. Moylan said the county has only so much space. Previously, they rented space at a storage facility.

They are currently using space at the Simon Kramer Cancer Institute, New Philadelphia. He said the cost to the county — $170 a month — includes utilities, parking for confiscated vehicles from deceased individuals, offices for the secretary, coroner and chief deputy, and a mobile morgue.

“I think I’ve neutralized that criticism. By moving back to a county building, we will have less space. We would not have the autopsy facilities and (the county) would still be paying out to a private vendor,” he said.

Deeds

Ashland — Kathleen D. Nochton to Ronald J. Williams Sr.; 701 Market St.; $1.

Eileen B. Wayne to Brian P. and Taisha Wayne and Raymond J. Wayne; property at Centre and 11th streets; $1.

Butler Township — Wendy Weikel to Jason Paul Hutira; 134 N. Sixth St., Englewood; $68,000.

Cass Township — Chris L. and Suzette Eichenberg to Chris L. Eichenberg; 0.33-acre property on Middle Jonestown Road: $1.

Coaldale — Timothy J. Paulo to Golden Eye Properties LLC; 42 E. Phillips St.; $9,500.

Girardville — Timothy M. and Jean Dando to Alyssa Smith; 371 W. Main St.; $28,000.

John H. Grant to Francis J. Weikel; 1 Upper Railroad St.; $11,000.

Mahanoy City — George D. Mammarella to the Borough of Mahanoy City; property on North main Street; $1.

Pine Grove Township — Lovina E. Nagle to Robin R. Nagle; property on West Street; $1.

Port Carbon — Joseph M. and Kathleen Chaklos to Joseph M. and Kathleen Chaklos; 79 Washington St.; $1.

Pottsville — Kristine and Kevin McMurtrie to James R. and Ann Coulson; 2107 W. Market St.; $10,000.

Mark T. II and Tameline M. Sullivan to Wells Fargo Bank NA; 1349 Mount Hope Ave.; $80,428.04.

Wells Fargo Bank NA to Secretary of Veterans Affairs; 1349 Mount Hope Ave.; $10.

Pamela W. Hobbs to Brian A. Manning; 3 Deerfield Drive, Forest Hills; $210,000.

Rush Township — Catherine Schimpf to Michael R. Gross and Lisa L. Price; two properties on Holly Road; $1.

Nancy Ruggeri, by attorney in fact Barbara Ann Henry, to Jack D. and Joanna L. Rice; 59 Holland St., Hometown; $120,000.

Saint Clair — Michael J. and Anne D. Dempsey to Kashmir Kaur and Jayoti Bala; 39 S. Second St.; $3,500.

Donald L. and Mary E. Corby to Lisa M. Corby; 312 Arnot St.; $1.

South Manheim Township — Terry L. and Connie Raye Koch to Elizabeth M. and Thomas J. Chismar; 0.261-acre property at Stoney Mountain Road and West Deer View Drive; $5,000.

Brian and Jessica Whittemore to William D. and Kimberly Ann Degler; 2.368-acre property on Berne Drive; $10,000.

Brian and Jessica Whittemore to Brian and Jessica Whittemore; 1130 Schuylkill Mountain Road; $1.

William D. and Kimberly Ann Degler to William D. and Kimberly Ann Degler; 643 Deiberts Valley Road; $1.

Tamaqua — Ruben and Lillian I. Ortiz to Michael and Ashley Boyer; 250 N. Columbia St.; $52,000.

Shawn E. Gilbert to Golden Eye Properties LLC; 225 Owl Creek Road; $36,000.

Dina M. Batista to Golden Eye Properties LLC; 227 Lafayette St.; $25,000.

Wayne Township — Walter P. Ulmer to James L. and Sharen L. Peters; 3.5-acre property on Legislative Route 53005; $50,000.

James A. Nettles said his background in law enforcement and as chief deputy coroner make him the right person to serve as coroner for Schuylkill County.

“I’m the best candidate. I have experience. I’m a professional person. I have the training. I have the background,” Nettles said.

His experience includes being a member of the Pennsylvania State Police, deputy U.S. Marshal working with the Drug Enforcement Agency and as chief deputy coroner for Schuylkill County. He currently serves as a deputy coroner for Schuylkill County and chief of police for Foster Township, a position he would keep until an appropriate replacement is found, he said Monday to The Republican-Herald editorial board.

He is also a member of the Schuylkill County Suicide Prevention Task Force and the child death review team, Schuylkill County chapter.

Nettles, 69, of Branch Township, is running on the Democratic ballot for the county coroner’s office against Republican incumbent Dr. David Moylan III in Tuesday’s General Election.

If elected, Nettles said he wants to focus on investigations.

“I want to make the coroner’s office back into an investigative agency,” he said, adding that some people think it belongs in the medical field.

Secondly, Nettles said he would focus more on training deputies for scene investigations. He said bringing the focus to an investigative nature is important to the office and the people.

“Every death you walk into is a suspicious death until you decide otherwise. So you treat it that way. That’s how I am trained, so I just don’t walk in and see a 95-year-old man in a bed and assume that person died of natural causes,” Nettles said.

Nettles said he would like to see a permanent office for the coroner in a county facility.

“One of my other objectives is to, and I talked to the (Schuylkill County) commissioners on this, is we need a permanent location,” he said.

Nettles said people do not know where the coroner’s office is located.

He would also review spending in the office, which he said is over budget.

“There is a lot of procedures that are being completed as we speak that I am definitely going to look into. Because one of the areas you are responsible for is the handling of evidence, and evidence in the coroner’s office is anything that is associated with the body or within the body. So the body becomes a vital part of any investigation. So as a coroner, you have that main part of that investigation, you’ve got to safeguard that. And that’s not happening,” he said, adding evidence has been lost.

He is not a fan of the virtual autopsies instituted while Moylan has been coroner.

“It’s not a valid system. It’s not used,” he said.

Nettles said he knows of no other coroners in the state that used those autopsies. He said a CAT scan has limitations.

“It does not give you a detailed breakdown of what is going on in the body. It’s not going to solve your crime,” he said.

He also questioned what could potentially happen if a body is moved, as is needed when conducting a virtual autopsy. He said there are currently no forensic specialists with the coroner’s office.

“That young lady that is doing the autopsy in the back of this tractor-trailer up there, she is not forensic. She can’t testify,” he said.

Nettles said he is hesitant to use the virtual autopsy.

“At this stage right now, until it gets to the point where the courts have recognized it, the forensic pathologists association recognizes it, I think it is something they should be looking at more or less as an experiment in various stages,” Nettles said.

The candidate also said he would inform the public about deaths from drug use.

“The DEA sends out requests to all the coroner’s offices” about drug use, he said, adding the county coroner’s office is not providing that information.

Nettles said his background in investigations will be an asset in drug investigations, he said, as will assistance from other law enforcement.

“I ran the criminal investigative unit out of state police Frackville” for 11 years, he said.

A New Jersey man bought the former Maroons Sports Bar & Grill in Pottsville at an auction Friday but might try to get out of the deal, according to the bankruptcy trustee who sold the property.

John Aiello Jr. successfully bid $116,000 for the 556 N. Centre St. bar, the adjoining property and two parking lots at the 20-minute auction at Maroons and originally seemed pleased to get it.

“I think it has potential,” Aiello, who has managed restaurants, said of the two-story building at the extreme north end of the city’s downtown area.

A few minutes later, however, Aiello appeared to have a change of heart, according to William G. Schwab, Lehighton, trustee for the bankruptcy Estate of Robert C. and Karen Dittmar.

“He won’t give us the down payment” of $11,600, Schwab said.

Auctioneer Douglas Houser, Schnecksville, expressed surprise on what Aiello did.

“The buyer is having second thoughts,” Houser said.

Schwab said that if Aiello does not quickly produce the mandatory down payment, which represents 10 percent of the purchase price, there will be consequences.

“(He’s) breaching the terms and conditions” of the auction agreement by not producing the down payment, Schwab said. Schwab said he will resell the properties if Aiello does not pay, and sue him for any difference between $116,000 and the amount paid at a subsequent sale, and that Aiello also would forfeit the $176 required to obtain the court order allowing the sale.

At the start of the auction, which about 25 people attended, Schwab told all prospective buyers that closing on the sale, which is when the deed is signed and transferred to the purchaser, must be held within 30 days, although he could extend it.

The Dittmars owned Maroons Sports Bar & Grill, which was named for the city’s former National Football League team, until closing it in January. The bar opened in June 2004 under the ownership of James and Aggie Sophie Croley, who closed it in November 2006.

The Dittmars filed for bankruptcy on May 1. On Tuesday, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge John J. Thomas, Wilkes-Barre, authorized Schwab to sell the properties.

Bidding for the properties started at $65,000, and progressed in increments of $5,000, and then $2,500, until it reached $115,000. Houser then allowed Aiello to bid $116,000, and, when no one continued, declared the property sold.

“I know it’s going to take money to bring this back,” he said. “I’m well aware of the history.”

Houser said the sale did not include the memorabilia that had been at the bar. Anyone interested in buying that memorabilia should call his business or check his website, Houser said.

Schwab had told bidders they would be buying the property as is and subject to all zoning regulations, but free and clear of all liens, including taxes and the mortgage. He reserved the right to reject any and all bids.

“I thought it went well,” Schwab said. “I was happy with the auction. Because (Aiello) has second thoughts now doesn’t mean he won’t buy it.”

Houser separately tried to auction off five residential properties in Minersville. He said he sold one of them for $15,500 and another for $8,000, with the other three going unsold.

“Yes, it was” successful, Houser said of the day’s proceedings.

November already? Two more months and we can kiss 2015 goodbye and usher in a new year.

November has been designated Family Stories Month. The tale of your family is an important one that deserves to be passed from one generation to the next. Special days this month are Literacy, Election, Cook Something Bold, Veterans and Thanksgiving.

Santa Claus is coming to town . . .

Calling all parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents, and friends: spread some holiday cheer by helping fight cancer this year!

You can put a smile on the face of a youngster when they receive a personal letter from Santa Claus and support the Frackville Office of the American Cancer Society!

The ACS Santas and elves will craft hand-written letters including information about the child such as their age, teacher and grade, pets, hobbies, interests and anything else Santa should know. Writers choose the date and time that is best for them to come to the office and the rest is up to the ACS. Helpers can write to children anywhere in the United States.

This program not only brings holiday cheer to the children, but helps cancer survivors everyone. The mission of the ACS is to help people stay well, get well, find cures and fight back against cancer. The donations from the children’s families will go to helping support the mission, ACS is always on the lookout for volunteer Santas and elves to compose letters. Contact Katie Degler at 570-874-1413 or email to katie.degler@cancer.org if you’d like to be a part of this heartwarming program.

The ACS thanks you for making a difference in the fight against cancer while spreading some holiday joy.

Make A Difference Day has come and gone and once again you’ve helped to make Schuylkill County a better place to live. More than 4,000 people rolled up their sleeves to benefit more than 4,500 people and 41 organizations. A resounding thank you to everyone who participated. We look forward to seeing you for the 2016 campaign.

Donated blood has a short shelf life. There will be an increased need for blood during the upcoming holidays. Your single blood donation can save the lives of up to three people including premature babies, cancer and surgical patients, as well as those involved in accidents. There will be blood drives at Bethany First United Methodist Church in Shenandoah on Wednesday, at the Auburn Ambulance Building on Thursday and at the Fairlane Village mall on Saturday. Everyone who is in general good health who weighs at least 110 pounds is encouraged to give.

The Gabriel Chamber Ensemble invites you to a concert on Nov. 8 at Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Schuylkill Haven. Violin and cello will be highlighted.

The Walk In Art Center will come alive for the holidays. Why not attend their Open House on Saturday to see what events they have planned?

Community Volunteers in Action is the volunteer center for Schuylkill County. Use the preceding contact information for those specific opportunities and search other listings on our website at www.schuylkill.us/cvia. Find us on Facebook. Call us at 570-628-1426 or email to jjohnston@co.schuylkill.pa.us.

Food pantry helpers

Times: Varies by location.

Responsibility: Help staff with food sorting and packing. May need to carry bags to consumer’s vehicle.

Skills: Ability to perform assigned tasks, including lifting and carrying bags..

Location: Eighteen pantries throughout Schuylkill County.

Contact: Jason, Schuylkill Community Action, 570-628-1995.

Immediate need

for ombudsman

Times: Flexible, about 1-2 hours per month at your convenience.

Responsibility: Make transitioning to an adult day care or long-term care facility easier for a new consumer by being a friendly face and distributing materials on residents’ rights.

Skills: Good listener, compassionate. Free two-hour orientation plus one-day site training required.

Location: Green Valley Nursing Home in Pitman (formerly Friendly Nursing Home)

Contact: Eileen Barlow, MidPenn Legal Services, 570 628-3931.

Q: My neighbor uses Roundup in her yard routinely and tells me it’s harmless to people and pets, but I’ve heard that it is carcinogenic. Can you set the record straight?

— MAISE ALEXANDER, NEW HOPE

A: Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides contain three key components: the active ingredient glyphosate, water and a soap-like surfactant blend.

The agricultural application of glyphosate has skyrocketed over the past 20 years. According to the U.S. Geological Survey’s “Estimated Agricultural Use for Glyphosate” map, in 2012 more than 250 million pounds of glyphosate was used on crops in across the country — a substantial increase from the less than 22 million pounds used in 1992.

The Environmental Protection Agency has classified the cancer-causing potential of glyphosate as Category E (“evidence of noncarcinogenicity for humans”), but the International Agency for Research on Cancer recently reclassified it as a group 2A “probable” carcinogen. IARC’s recent evaluation of glyphosate found “limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans for non-Hodgkin lymphoma” and “convincing evidence that glyphosate also can cause cancer in laboratory animals.”

Monsanto struck back, saying the IARC’s conclusion “conflicts with the overwhelming consensus by regulatory bodies and science organizations around the world … which have found no evidence of carcinogenicity. … Further, the 2A classification does not establish a link between glyphosate and an increase in cancer. ‘Probable’ does not mean that glyphosate causes cancer; even at 100 times the exposure that occurs during normal labeled use glyphosate is not a human health risk.”

In September, in response to the IARC findings, the California EPA’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment announced its intent to list glyphosate as a carcinogen under the state’s Proposition 65 law. In California, businesses are required to provide “a clear and reasonable warning” before knowingly and intentionally exposing anyone to a Proposition 65-listed chemical. Once a chemical is listed, businesses have a year to comply with the warning requirements.

“If they decide to list this chemical and it survives the inevitable legal challenges, I think it’s possible that every bottle of Roundup or glyphosate formulation sold in the state of California would have to be labeled as known … to cause cancer,” Nathan Donley, a staff scientist with the Center for Biological Diversity, told Pacific Standard. “It would be a huge deterrent for the purchase of this product.”

He added that Monsanto has created a “false narrative” that glyphosate is safe. “That position clearly can’t be maintained anymore … and I think it will probably be a precursor for hopefully federal action.”

EARTHTALK is a trademark of Earth Action Network Inc. View past columns at

www.earthtalk.org. Email questions to earthtalk@emagazine.com.

Barnesville man

faces drug charge

SHEPPTON — A Barnesville man is facing drug charges by East Union Township police after a traffic stop about 3 p.m. Oct. 5 at Pine and Centre streets.

Police said Joseph J. Michaels, 25, of 1049 Barnesville Drive, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving without insurance, registration and Certificate of Title required, driving a vehicle without an official Certificate of Inspection and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Officers stopped a vehicle driven by Michaels for having an expired inspection sticker and subsequently learned that the man was driving with a suspended license.

During the stop, police said, officers noticed a white crystal rock-type substance on Michaels’ shirt that field tested positive for methamphetamine.

A subsequent search revealed Michaels had a plastic baggie containing methamphetamine, a baggie containing bath salts and drug paraphernalia.

Police: Man found

drugged, drunk

SHEPPTON — An investigation into a Sept. 5 incident led to charges being filed by East Union Township police against a Weston man.

Police said Thursday that Ryan J. Neaus, 28, of 917 Weston Road, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.

Police said officers received a report of a man trying to enter a residence in the area of 71 Pine St. and subsequently found that person, later identified as Neaus, near Schoolhouse Road and Centre Street disoriented and under the influence.

When searched, Neaus was found with a baggie containing a substance that tested positive for marijuana and a blue smoking pipe, police said.

Vehicle stop leads

to DUI charges

BRANDONVILLE — A Drums man was charged by East Union Township police in connection to an incident about 12:15 a.m. July 6 at Pole Road and Girard Manor Road.

Police said officers on patrol stopped a vehicle driven by Aaron G. McGarry, 19, of 312 Shingle Mill Road, for traffic violations and found him to be under the influence.

Police said a subsequent blood test determined McGarry had a blood alcohol level of 0.048 percent as well as positive indications for ethanol.

He was charged with DUI, duties at a stop sign and turning movements and required signals.

Police investigate

terroristic threats

WILLIAMSTOWN — State police at Lykens are investigating a report of a boy making terroristic threats in Williamstown on Oct. 23.

According to state police, a female reported that an unknown suspect was riding a bike up and down the alley outside a residence at 336 Julian St. at 4:15 p.m. When the female asked the suspect to stop because it was disturbing her dogs, the suspect made vulgar statements and told the victim he was going home to get a .22 and come back, state police said.

The suspect is described as an 11- to 13-year-old white male with light brown hair who was riding a black and orange bicycle.

State police list the victims as a 10-year-old girl and a 5-year-old girl.

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

Fishing license

stolen in Cressona

CRESSONA — Someone removed a fishing license from an unlocked vehicle while it was parked in the driveway of a residence on Graeff Street sometime between 10:30 p.m. Oct. 25 and 3:15 p.m. Monday, state police at Schuylkill Haven report.

State police did not release the victim’s name.

Residents are urged to lock their vehicles at all times, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 570-739-1330.

Police probe theft

at Cressona house

CRESSONA — State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a theft of items from a Graeff Street residence.

The items included a black, Nikon Aculon range finder; a silver, Leatherman multi-tool knife; and numerous hand/foot warmers from a nylon bag that was inside a plastic tote on a side porch at the Cressona residence.

The incident occurred between 10 p.m. Oct. 25 and 5:30 a.m. Monday. Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 570-739-1330.

Incumbent Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary J. Hess and his running mate Joe Devine believe their experience in municipal government makes them the best choice to lead the county over the next four years.

The lone Democrat on the current board of commissioners, Hess was elected in 2011 after Democratic commissioners Chairwoman Mantura M. Gallagher and Frank McAndrew decided not to seek another term. Hess, 58, of Schuylkill Haven, served as mayor of the borough from 2006 until becoming county commissioner. Devine, 59, of Pottsville, has been a member of Pottsville City Council since being elected in 2013.

“I truly believe I have worked hard over these past four years, but I have a lot to accomplish yet and that is why I am running again with my friend Joe Devine to get things done,” Hess said Oct. 21 in an interview with The Republican-Herald editorial board.

“I think that brings a lot to the table because as Gary and I have traveled around the county, it’s apparent that Schuylkill County shadows what Pottsville is as the county seat,” Devine said. “A lot of the problems here in the city are evident throughout the county.”

The county commissioners issued a $21 million bond in October 2012 to fund various infrastructure projects, which included $2.6 million for the purchase and renovation of the former Empire Beauty School at 324 N. Centre St., Pottsville. The 21,000-square-foot property was acquired through the power of eminent domain, the right of a government to take private property for public use. Hess had the lone vote against using eminent domain.

“I think the problem was the way it went down,” Devine said.

Devine said the city had other buildings available and no advanced notice was issued that the county was going to acquire the property through eminent domain.

“In looking for extra room and extra space, I have always been in agreement,” Hess said. “I haven’t changed my views on that. It is so tight up there people are working on top of each other.”

Hess said he did not know eminent domain was being brought up for vote until two days before the meeting. He said one of the reasons eminent domain was used was because there was a tenant in the building with another year on the lease.

“We inherited that tenant and we needed to work with them because they had 50 to 100 jobs, certainly something you didn’t want to lose,” Hess said.

Until they worked out an agreement with the City of Pottsville and Redevelopment Authority to relocate in the city, Hess said they stayed in the building free of rent for five months. The use of eminent domain also eliminated negotiations with the seller as well as the realty transfer and capital gains taxes on the sale.

“I think it was over-exercising the powers of eminent domain and it could have been better cost savings in the end,” Hess said. “I said from the start I didn’t like the eminent domain approach. I feel we lost out on cost savings in this ... when we took it, we inherited a lot of other issues on part of it.”

Hess also said the $500,000 state grant to relocate the county Children & Youth agency did not have an expiration date and the seller was supposed to pay for a new roof, but only ended up contributing $44,000 towards the actual cost of $107,000.

The commissioners also used $16 million from the bond to fund a federal mandate to upgrade the emergency communications system. Another $5 million was used to purchase 1,140 mobile and portable radios for fire companies and to supplement police and EMS agencies.

“I think we reacted in a good way and in the manner of public safety,” Hess said. “I have to agree it was a good move all around.”

“A federal mandate is something that has to be complied with,” Devine said. “Was the timing right? The timing is never right. Was it the right thing to do? Absolutely.”

Hess said the sale of Rest Haven was the most difficult decision he had to make as county commissioner. Investment 360°, Lakewood, New Jersey, took over Sept. 1 as owners of the former county nursing facility, now known as Rosewood Health and Rehabilitation Center, after agreeing to purchase it for $10.9 million in May.

“It was the single most difficult decision I have ever made in my life,” Hess said. “I have always said that it was a breathing piece of property. It was not just a building, it was not just beds, it was the people there. It was their home and we had to look at that. It didn’t come down to the service, it came down to the cost of doing business.”

Hess said the board was comfortable with the company that took it over.

“It was a hard decision, but I hope in the end I can feel it was right for the residents that live down there, the employees that stayed on and that it was right for Schuylkill County.”

One of the first issues that the county commissioners will need to address is the overcrowding at the county prison. The previous board of commissioners had developed plans for a prerelease center, but it was scrapped after it came in $1 million over budget.

“What should have been done was have it go back out for bid,” Hess said.

“Every county jail right now is overcrowded, so we could have been taking in some revenue now,” Hess said.

Hess said a new facility should also incorporate rehabilitation programs to prevent people from returning to jail. He also said he wants to put together a bipartisan committee to look at the issue and explore the idea of a regional facility.

“You got to explore that because that’s the new coming, I believe,” he said. “With the way everything is going, you need to join forces.”

Devine agreed that something needs to be done and it needs to involve rehabilitation.

“This didn’t happen over night,” Devine said. “This has been going on for the last 10 years and in the last four years, the population has increased to the point where it is a very dangerous situation.”

Hess said he would like to see municipalities work with the county on other issues, such as developing a countywide purchasing program to cut project costs. He also said he would continue to spearhead the Schuylkill County Youth Summit, an annual event providing a forum for students to discuss with community and business leaders how to make the county a better place.

“I have always said that we need to cultivate young leaders for tomorrow,” Hess said. “Schuylkill County’s best days are ahead of itself.”

A lane restriction will be in place northbound on Route 61 between Bacon Street and Route 209/Mauch Chunk Street on Monday.

The restriction in Palo Alto and Pottsville will take place between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday as workers make necessary bridge approach slab work on the bridge over the Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad. Delays are possible due to inclement weather. Motorists are asked to use caution when traveling through the area.

The work is part of the ongoing Mady’s Bridge project. The state Department of Transportation is replacing the two Mady’s bridges in Pottsville and Palo Alto after they were deemed structurally deficit in 2001 due to abutment issues. Located in Palo Alto, “Mady’s Big Bridge” is a 314-foot long, 64-foot wide, four-span concrete-encased steel I-beam bridge over the Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad.

“Mady’s Small Bridge” in Pottsville over the Schuylkill River is 79-feet long and 62-feet wide.

The project started in January 2014 and is expected to finish by the end of 2016.

This weekend we go back to Central Standard Time, and that’s just fine with me. First off, we get an extra hour of sleep, but more importantly for stargazers it’s dark enough for stargazing long before 7 p.m. Without a doubt, we’re entering the best stargazing season of the year, if you don’t mind shivering a bit. It’s worth it though, because there’s a lot of great celestial gems waiting for you in the November night sky. Just bundle up!

Over in the western Pottsville sky there are still a few summer constellations hanging in there. Cygnus the Swan, Lyra the Harp, Aquila the Eagle, Delphinus the Dolphin and a few others are slowly migrating to the west a little more each night, making their slow exit from our celestial stage.

In the high southern sky is the primo autumn constellation Pegasus the Winged Horse, with Andromeda the Princess tagging along. Turn around and face north and you’ll see old friends like the Big Dipper, barely above the horizon, with the Little Dipper hanging by its handle higher in the northern sky.

Cassiopeia the Queen, the constellation that looks like a giant sideways W, is proudly showing off her stuff in the high northeast sky. The W outlines the throne of the Queen, and Cassiopeia is tied up in that throne. She really ticked off Hera, the queen of the gods, by proclaiming that she was even more beautiful than Hera’s godly self. So Hera threw Cassiopeia up into the sky, eternally bound to her throne for all to see.

In the eastern sky you’ll really notice a lot of bright stars on the rise especially after 8 p.m. The later you stay up, the more of these wonderful winter constellations you’ll see. I call this part of the sky “Orion and his Gang” because the majestic constellation Orion the Hunter is the centerpiece. Orion is up by 10 p.m., but before then you’ll see the Pleiades, the best star cluster in the sky, which looks like a miniature Big Dipper.

Unfortunately we don’t have any bright planets in the evening sky this month, but if you’re up after 2 a.m. Jupiter and Mars are up above the eastern horizon. After 4 a.m. the bright planet Venus dazzles in the low eastern sky.

Later on this month, the Leonid Meteor shower could put on quite a show. It will peak out for us in the early morning pre-twilight skies around Nov. 17. You may see more than 40 meteors an hour in the dark countryside. I’ll have much more on the Leonids later this month in Skywatch.

Early morning

celestial hugging

The great celestial hugging between Venus, Jupiter and Mars continues in the early morning pre-twilight eastern sky. Last week Venus and Jupiter, the two brightest planets, had their closest embrace with Mars just to the lower left. Early this week Venus and Mars snuggle up to each other separated by just over 1 degree with Jupiter just above them. They’ll be in their tightest embrace Wednesday morning. Once again with a pair of binoculars you can see Venus and Mars in the same field of view and depending on your binoculars maybe Jupiter too! Through binoculars or a small telescope Venus will resemble a half moon and there will be tiny little stars either side of Jupiter that are the big planet’s largest moons. You might even see some of Jupiter’s cloud bands.

Even though the planets are close in the sky they’re actually a long ways about from each other. They just happen to be in the same line of sight.

Venus is the closest at 69 million miles away, Mars is 202 million miles, and giant Jupiter is better than 551 million miles distant.

Don’t miss the great morning planet show!

(Lynch, an amateur astronomer and professional broadcast meteorologist, can be reached at mikewlynch@comcast.net)

n Deer Lake: A vendor shopping event to support “Julie’s Journey” will be held from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Deer Lake-West Brunswick Fire Company, Ash Lane. Participants will include Partylite Gifts, Pampered Chef, 31 Gifts Premier Designs Inc., Avon and Tastefully Simple. Baked good will also be on sale. All proceeds will help Julie Shirkness Sanchez and her fight against MS, organizers said in a press release.

n Mahanoy City: The West End Fire & Rescue Company will sponsor a gun raffle from noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 8 at the firehouse, 700 W. Mahanoy Ave. The cost is $15. Starting at 1 p.m. there will be 30 drawings for guns and cash. The ticket price includes regular drawings, a meal and refreshments. People do not need to be present for the drawings. For tickets or more information, call 570-527-0932. Company members have tickets, which also will be available at the door. There will be additional gun raffles, meat trays and chances throughout the day.

n Hazleton: A feature titled “Elvis Lives On” will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at the Wiltsie Center, 700 N. Wyoming St. Tickets are $5 each. The Broadway-style performance is dedicated to the life and legacy of Elvis Presley with producer/performer Nick Mischissin. There will be onstage actors, a narrator and film clips of Elvis through the years. For more information, call 570-455-5863.

n Port Carbon: Registration for the children’s Christmas party and trolley rides sponsored by the Port Carbon Citizens Committee is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday and 12 at the Port Carbon Janet Eich Library, Pike Street. The party is slated for Dec. 11. The cost for trolley rides is $3 and people may also make reservations on the trolley. For more information, call 570-573-1946.

n Pottsville: “Aladdin Jr.” will be featured at 7 p.m. Nov. 13 and 2 p.m. Nov. 14 by the Majestic Players at the Majestic Theater 209 N. Centre St. Tickets are $15 each

n Pottsville: Care Net of Schuylkill County will sponsor a free “Head to Soul” makeover program, a 10-session character- and confidence-building session for county teen girls, from 6 to 8 p.m. beginning Nov. 12 at the Schuylkill YMCA, 520 N. Centre St. The program will he held on Thursdays between Nov. 12 and Feb. 4, excluding holidays. Each session, according to a release, will include a lesson, snacks and prizes. The effort is for girls ages 11 to 16. For more information, call 570-624-7244.

n Schuylkill Haven: St. Mark’s (Brown’s) Church, 151 Summer Hill Road, will have a Pennsylvania Dutch service at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 8. The Rev. Guy Grube will bring the message and the Tulpehocken Choir will perform. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-628-6093.

n Schuylkill Haven: The Schuylkill Haven American Legion Auxiliary will hold a free Veterans Day dinner from noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 8 for veterans and one guest. In a release, auxiliary leaders said the dinner is a way to thank veterans for their service to the country. The dinner will be at Schuylkill Haven American Legion Post 38, Rear Parkway. For more information, call 570-386-5013.

n Schuylkill Haven: St. John’s United Church of Christ, 121 E. Main St., will host a shopping spree fundraiser, featuring various vendors, from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 8. Admission is free. Participants will be able to do Christmas shopping while supporting the church, according to a release. For more information, call 570-449-3892.

n Shenandoah: M&T Bank is holding its 25th annual winter coat drive. Coats collected, according to the bank’s Mark Bernardyn, will be donated to people in need. Coats may be dropped off at M&T’s Shenandoah branch, Main and Centre streets. For more information, call Bernardyn at 570-462-2734.

n Tamaqua: Trinity United Church of Christ, 22 Lafayette St., will hold an Election Day pork-and-sauerkraut dinner beginning at 4 p.m. Tuesday. The cost is $9 for adults and $4.50 for children under 12. Takeouts will be available. To order or for more information, call 570-668-4630.

Penn State
Report Card

Player of the Game

QB Christian Hackenberg

Penn State

When Hackenberg is strong, so is the Penn State offense. He finished with an efficient 21-for-29 performance, throwing for 266 yards and a pair of first-quarter scores. A complete all-around effort for Hackenberg, who also added his first career TD reception.

Game balls

RB Saquon Barkley, Penn State: His leap over two defenders and into a third for a fourth-quarter touchdown is what will be remembered. But this was a complete game. He averaged 4.2 yards per carry and had 58 yards receiving.

SAF Clayton Fejedelum, Illinois: Coming off a 20-tackle game last week, Fejedelum had 13 more stops against Penn State and also forced a fumble.

WLB Troy Reeder, Penn State: Set up Penn State’s second first-quarter touchdown with an interception of Illinois QB Wes Lunt. He returned it 44 yards to the Illini 6.

By the numbers

2 — Blocked extra points by Illinois’ special teams.

4 — Catches for WR DaeSean Hamilton, who moved into ninth place on all-time receptions list at Penn State.

9 — Consecutive games with at least one sack for DE Carl Nassib, a Penn State record.

12 — Number of Illinois’ 15 drives that ended with punts.

14 — Yards on the touchdown pass from RB Nick Scott to QB Christian Hackenberg in the third quarter, the first career TD catch for Hackenberg and first for a PSU QB since Zack Mills against Akron in 2004.

Report card

Quarterbacks: This might have been the best all-around game Christian Hackenberg has played at Penn State. He calmly completed 21-of-29 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns. Then he caught a 14-yard TD pass, too. GRADE: A

Running backs: There was a blocking assignment that Saquon Barkley missed on one sack. Other than that, hard to argue with his performance. He finished with 84 yards on 20 carries and a leaping touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Also had 58 receiving yards on three catches. GRADE: A-

Receivers: A talented group from the get-go, the Lions are finally starting to figure out how to get the most out of them. Eugene Lewis caught another touchdown and so did the steady Chris Godwin. DaeSean Hamilton was much more involved. GRADE: A-

Offensive line: The sixth different starting five allowed three sacks, and it wasn’t a perfect effort. But it was a good one, especially on the right side, where RG Brian Gaia and RT Brendan Mahon were solid. GRADE: B

Defensive line: Carl Nassib, Austin Johnson and Anthony Zettel all sacked the QB, but this group was dominant from start to finish in all facets of the game. GRADE: A

Linebackers: A group that often got caught just out of position against Maryland had no such issues against Illinois. Jason Cabinda had seven tackles, Brandon Bell made an impact and Troy Reeder’s 44-yard interception return in the first quarter got Penn State going. GRADE: A

Secondary: The Illini have a solid QB in Wes Lunt, but he wasn’t able to do much of anything against the PSU secondary. Lunt completed just 16-of-36 throws for a harmless 129 yards. GRADE: A

Special teams: A mixed bag here. Kickoffs were terrible — two went out of bounds — and PK Joey Julius was benched after two of his extra points were blocked. A late muffed punt could have ruined the shutout, too. But KR Koa Farmer set the tone in the second half with a 54-yard kickoff return. GRADE: D+

Coaching: The Nittany Lions looked like they were coming off a bye week, but really, they were the team playing their ninth consecutive game. James Franklin and the staff had them ready. Early blitzing set an aggressive tone on defense, and some creative play calls on offense led to scores. GRADE: A-

— Complied by Donnie Collins

Virginia Franks, a Mountaintop third-grader, is a rising star, and perhaps Northeastern Pennsylvania’s answer to Shirley Temple, as she is getting both local and national attention as a stage and film performer and a chanteuse who can sing her way through five octaves and across the airwaves.

Virginia recently shot an episode of “A Crime to Remember” for the Investigative Discovery channel.

The third season of “A Crime to Remember” premieres this month, with Virginia appearing in Episode 8. She plays a young Sunday school student in a story set in 1961.

She also is performing as an emsemble cast member of “Alice in Wonderland, the Musical” at The Players Theater in Greenwich Village.

Virginia just booked an ensemble role in “Evergreen,” a new musical. Performances will be Dec. 18 and 19 at the Times Center in the center of the Times Square theater district.

“Evergreen” is a mythic musical designed to attract family audiences. It showcases a cast interwoven with adult and youth singers and actors.

Theatergoers will follow the adventures of Maya, a 13-year-old girl questing to discover the last evergreen trees on Earth.

The range and quality of Virginia’s voice also opened a new door during the summer, leading to her first foray into the world of opera.

Virginia debuted singing in “Masada,” a production of the Manhattan Opera Repertory Ensemble at Christ and Stephen Church on West 69th Street in New York.

The 8-year-old, who stands 48 inches tall and attends St. Jude School in Mountaintop, is what is called in show business a “triple threat”: She can sing, dance and act — and the world is taking notice.

In fact, Virginia’s career is bringing her recognition. During a recent trip to Hersheypark, she was recognized as the “Chica” girl.

Virginia is the principal actor in a “non-commercial” commercial for PBS Sprout’s “The Chica Show.” The spot was filmed when she was 6 and is still running strong, giving her national exposure every day. She also appears as the principal actor in a Juicy Juice commercial and another for The Franklin Institute.

Her mother, Kelly Daniels-Franks, is a well-known area singer who grew up in Hazleton and attended Bishop Hafey High School. Virginia’s father is Daniel Franks.

Virginia is a granddaughter of Jean Mope, Hazleton City Council vice president, and her husband, Tony.

As for how the third-grader handles all the attention, Daniels-Franks said, “Virginia thinks it’s cool.”

The singer recently retired from her career, at least for the moment, to devote all of her time to Virginia’s, which requires major time and attention.

In fact, according to her mother, the family travels to New York usually about twice a week for performances and then back to Mountaintop, often arriving home late.

During bad weather, the Big Apple commute can prove tricky; however, Virginia’s mother said they have friends in the New York City area to help them out should they find themselves unable to make the drive back home.

Franks also said Virginia has lots of time to give to homework during long car rides to the Big Apple, as much of her work takes place in Manhattan.

And her current life schedule is proving both viable and harmonious. She is able to attend school rather than being extracted from it and tutored. But she keeps a calendar and must balance math and reading with learning musical scores, dancing and acting.

Before “Masada,” Virginia was featured in TimeOut New York for her performance in the off-Broadway production of “Nicholas Nickleby the Musical.”

She has also amassed television credits that include “Impractical Jokers” on TruTV. Additionally, she has had lead and supporting roles in more than 10 films, and most recently filmed her first full length feature, “F. Godfather,” which is in post-production.

Virginia also appears in a short comedy for People.com (People magazine) called “Sad Santa,” in which she plays Isabella, the daughter of a Santa who works in a mall.

She has worked on multiple projects with the Upright Citizens Brigade (formerly on Comedy Central) and is featured in a comedy short for the IFC network.

Local projects also have benefited from her talents, including the short film “Redemption” with the Allentown Film Crew. It played last week at the Pocono Mountains Film Festival.

During last year’s holiday season, she appeared in Harry Connick Jr.’s musical, “The Happy Elf,” at the Scranton Cultural Center.

And while most kids dream of meeting the Tooth Fairy, Virginia was featured on “PA Live” for a viral video short that has received more than 8 million views in which Virginia meets the fairy dental money-giver.

Daniels-Franks invites anyone who is interested in following Virginia’s career to check out her website, virginiafranks.com.

Republicans Frank J. Staudenmeier and George F. Halcovage Jr. said they have more to do as Schuylkill County commissioners.

“Four years ago, I didn’t know if I would run again and the last four years have been a pleasure working with George and Gary,” Staudenmeier said Oct. 22 in an interview with The Republican-Herald editorial board. “I believe we have gotten a lot of things accomplished, but there is more to do. That’s the primary reason why I want to run again as county commissioner.”

“Four years ago, Frank and I ran on the premise of restoring professionalism back in the courthouse and we have been very fortunate in that we have done that,” Halcovage said. “I believe that we are commissioners of action versus just moving things down the road.”

Staudenmeier, 65, of Butler Township, first took office in 2002 when he was appointed to the seat formerly held by now-state Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124. He won a full term in November 2003 and served as chairman for four years before Democrats — commissioners Chairwoman Mantura M. Gallagher and Commissioner Francis V. McAndrew — took control of the board in 2008.

Halcovage, 58, of Pottsville, joined the board with Democrat Gary J. Hess in 2012.

The county commissioners issued a $21 million bond in October 2012 to fund various infrastructure projects, which included $2.6 million for the purchase and renovation of the former Empire Beauty School at 324 N. Centre St., Pottsville. The 21,000-square-foot property was acquired through the power of eminent domain, the right of a government to take private property for public use.

“Was it the right decision to acquire the building? Absolutely,” Staudenmeier said. “The building just happened to be next door to our human services complex. It is a natural fit. It had the square footage we were looking for.”

Staudenmeier also said the building also had a tenant who had the opportunity to purchase it.

“It was recommended by our solicitor we go the eminent domain route because there was a very good possibility we could have lost the building,” he said.

Halcovage said they worked with the City of Pottsville and its redevelopment authority to keep that tenant in Pottsville. He said the other concern was losing a $500,000 state grant toward relocating the county Children & Youth agency. While there was no official expiration date on the grant, Halcovage said there was pressure from the state to use the grant or lose it.

“We needed the room and the concern we could have lost half a million dollars in the process, that was part of the eminent domain decision,” Halcovage said. “During that decision, the tenant was aware of it, the owner of the building was aware of it and it was done at the advice of our solicitor. It didn’t matter who the owner of the building was, it was the right building.”

By moving the agency to the new building, Staudenmeier also said it will be freeing up space for the Office of Senior Services and allow the Mental Health and Mental Disabilities and Drug & Alcohol offices to move into the building, eliminating an annual $65,000 lease for its current location.

The commissioners also used $16 million from the bond to fund a federal mandate to upgrade the emergency communications system.

“The commissioners all agreed we needed to do it the right way and we did,” Halcovage said. “It is the first time we have coverage throughout the county.”

“We waited till the 11th hour to make the decision on this because of the cost associated with it,” Staudenmeier said. “We didn’t go the least-cost scenario. We didn’t go with the most expensive. But we did it the right way and it cost us about $16 million to do it.”

The commissioners also purchased 1,140 mobile and portable radios for $5 million for fire companies and to supplement police and EMS agencies.

“We said the least we can do for our volunteers is to give them the tools to do it and that’s why we made the decision to purchase the radios,” Staudenmeier said.

The commissioners said selling the county nursing home was the most difficult decision they had to make over the last four years. Investment 360°, Lakewood, New Jersey, took over Sept. 1 as owners of the Rest Haven, now known as Rosewood Health and Rehabilitation Center, after agreeing to purchase it for $10.9 million in May.

Staudenmeier said that when he became commissioner in 2002, about 48 of the 67 counties in the Commonwealth still operated nursing homes. He said there are only about 18 today.

“Rest Haven was self-sustaining until about six years ago, then we started pouring money into the funding of Rest Haven and in the last four years, it became a very significant challenge to fund Rest Haven,” he said. “We struggled with this because it was a very difficult decision because of the history. Rest Haven has served Schuylkill County very well and it continues to be a nursing home.”

Halcovage said the sale was a win for the residents, the employees and the county taxpayers.

One of the first issues that needs to be addressed if re-elected is the overcrowding at the county prison, the commissioners agreed.

“My stance has always been that before we get into any major capital costs, that we explore all the possibilities before us and we have done that,” Staudenmeier said.

The previous board of commissioners had developed plans for a prerelease center, but it was scrapped after it came in $1 million over budget.

Staudenmeier said not pursuing that project saved the county taxpayers about $1.2 million a year over the last four years.

“We are looking at projects within the county that are in the best interest of everyone in Schuylkill County,” Staudenmeier said.

Halcovage, president of the county prison board, said that includes an intermediate placement facility and programs to prevent inmates from returning to jail and helping them get jobs in the community

“This is not a Republican or Democrat problem, it is a problem we have here in the county and we need to work together,” Halcovage said.

If re-elected, the commissioners said they will also continue a “zero-based budgeting” policy over the next four years to hold the line on taxes. Schuylkill County has had only one tax increase in the last 11 years.

“That’s what we need to do as we go forward,” Staudenmeier said. “We need to try and run this county in the most efficient way we know how.”

Marriage licenses

Shawn M. Krause, Auburn, and Emily S. Stein, Pottsville.

Nicholas S. Banks, Schuylkill Haven, and Jasette M. Johnson, Schuylkill Haven.

Shaun D. Marcellus, Hellertown, and Stephanie E. Sabol, Hellertown.

Ricky L. Williard Jr., Valley View, and Ann Marie Redgate, Mahanoy City.

Michael S. McCarty Jr., Middleport, and Mary M. Winnick, Middleport.

Roy D. Malafarina, Ashland, and Lee Ann Tutko, Ashland.

Solomon J. Bonzi, Andreas, and Briana N. Crochunis, Pottsville.

Jorge L. Rivera, Schuylkill Haven, and Lissette Fernandez, Schuylkill Haven.

Divorces granted

Jennifer Flagella, Orwigsburg, from James Flagella, Fredonia, New York.

Jacqueline Miller, Barnesville, from Chad Adams, Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Anne McCormick, Saint Clair, from Patrick McCormick, Frackville.

Terry Bachert, Tamaqua, from Brenda Bachert, Tamaqua.

Denise Barton, New Philadelphia, from Raymond Barton, Pottsville.

Lissette Rosado, Schuylkill Haven, from Jaime Fernandez-Maldonado, Allentown.

Suzann Moyer, Minersville, from Luther Moyer Jr., Schuylkill Haven.

Sean McGee, Ashland, from Michelle McGee, Ashland.

Nelson Reppert, a former Cressona councilman, is also running for county commissioner as a Libertarian. Reppert has served on Cressona Borough Council for eight years and on the Blue Mountain Recreation Commission. Formerly a registered Republican, he has since joined the county Libertarian Party.

Reppert has been a pastor in the Ashland area for 12 years and in Cressona for 27 years. Since 2007, he has been ministering to the terminally ill as a hospice chaplain with Consolidated Health Services. He also conducted an outreach program in Mahanoy City and Tamaqua for the Drug and Alcohol Program at the former Good Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville.

Reppert is also on the ballot for Cressona Borough Council. He declined an interview with The Republican-Herald editorial board.

HAMBURG — For more than 40 years, Maryann Steinly, Schuylkill Haven, has gathered at Port Clinton Avenue and Third Street to catch a glimpse of King Frost.

On Saturday, Steinly’s family took its post again for the 52nd annual King Frost Parade.

“We like to watch the wild cars and we just love everything about it,” she said.

Joining Steinly was her mother, Vernona Saylor, Lenhartsville; her daughter, Karen Reichard, Kutztown; and her sister, Lisa Ramsey, Fleetwood; and 37 of Saylor’s great-grandchildren.

Jeff Bailey, a volunteer with the Hamburg Jaycees, drove the King Frost float this year. His grandfather, the late John Adams, had been the previous driver, in the 1960s onward.

“It’s a mini homecoming for Hamburg and it’s a nice amp up to the holiday season,” Bailey said.

George Mitten served as King Frost this year, his second appearance since taking over for the former King Frost — M. Domer Leibensperger.

“I’m very honored and humbled to be the third King Frost,” Mitten said. “Be yourself, enjoy, and have a great time,” Mitten said he was advised upon assuming his role.

Meanwhile, Inga Heffner, president of the Hamburg Lions Club, took photos of her grandson, Joshua Heffner, 5, as he posed with King Frost at the start of the event.

It was the first time Erica Ernst, Hamburg, and her son, Austyn Ernst, 17, decided to participate in the parade. They entered as “Furry Friends,” along with Austin Robbins, 17, of Atlantic City, New Jersey. The three marched in Division 3, wearing brightly dyed hair and head pieces. Robbins said the furry head pieces, resembling a wolf and a fox, were designed by one of his friends.

Erica, who sported red locks, said the trio would be passing out candy to the crowd along the parade route. She had attended the parade many times before as a spectator, she said.

Joseph F. Leone, a commercial real estate agent, meanwhile, looked official playing the part of Santa Claus. With an authentic snowy white beard, Leone said he was a “professional Santa” and had attended a “Santa cruise” this past July, making stops in the Bahamas, St. Martin, St. Thomas and, of course, “St. Nick”.

Last year was Leone’s first appearance as Santa at the Hamburg event; he had served as a mall Santa for years. Leone, Reading, said his daughter-in-law, Lana Leone, was friends with Derek Leibensperger, one of the parade’s co-chairmen, and that’s how he became involved. Colleen Witman also serves as co-chairwoman for the parade.

“Everyone loved me,” Leone said of his inaugural appearance, noting he had 80 pounds of candy to distribute this year.

Saturday’s parade was an important night for the Hamburg Area High School Marching Band. Under the guidance of Marching Band Director Megan Reimer, Assistant Director Carey Saul and Color Guard Director Carri Sola, the 30-member band was slated to perform a Halloween-themed show, including Michael Jackson’s famed hit, “Thriller”.

The band was set to tape their parade performance as practice for their upcoming appearance in the National Independence Day Parade on July 4, 2016, in Washington, D.C. Senior Brandon Porter and Junior Jayde Dries serve as drum majors.

Witman said there were 85 to 90 parade entrants this year.

“The streets were pretty full,” she said.