In recent Schuylkill County Court action, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:

Matthew R. Adams Jr., 27, of Port Carbon; theft; six to 12 months in prison, $50 payment to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, $27.50 restitution and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of receiving stolen property.

Alyssa A. Bensinger, 27, of Tamaqua; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 CJEA payment, $50 bench warrant fee and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.

Tawnya J. Bowman, 39, address not known; false statement under penalty; 12 months probation and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of materially false written statement.

Ryan E. Clews, 26, of Ashland; no contest plea to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; sentencing deferred.

Jonathan Evanco, 22, of McAdoo; possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation consecutive to current sentence, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and $50 bench warrant fee.

Michael V. Gustis, 34, of Coal Township; possession of a controlled substance; three to 12 months in prison, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and $176 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.

Anthony L. Kehl, 45, of Tamaqua; theft from a motor vehicle and possession of drug paraphernalia; four to 12 months in prison and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of receiving stolen property.

David P. Koch, 40, of Schuylkill Haven; driving under the influence and driving under suspension; 33 days to seven months in prison, $1,000 fine, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment, $50 bench warrant fee and $400 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of disregarding traffic lane.

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

The Schuylkill County Municipal Authority awarded a bid Tuesday for the rehabilitation and repair of the three water tanks it is seeking to improve.

A $1,887,223 bid was awarded to WorldWide Industries Corp., Florida, contingent on bonds and insurance for the work on the three tanks, Park Basin, Mount Laurel No. 1 and Sharp Mountain No. 2. The company was one of seven that bid on the project. WorldWide Industries was the lowest bidder and was thus awarded the project, Patrick Caulfield, executive director of the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority, said. The highest bid was $3,573,400. Caulfield said that the lowest bid is lower than the more than $2 million cost the engineers estimated.

Construction could start later this year. The tank project is a two-year effort, with Mount Laurel No. 1 and Sharp Mountain No. 2 being addressed first and Park Basin in 2017. The authority received a loan of $6.4 million in January from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority for the tank upgrade project and the replacement of 11,000 residential water meters in 22 municipalities.

In related news, the bids for the meter installation project will be opened online at 3 p.m. March 23. Awarding of the bid will occur at a later date.

Caulfield said there are a lot of projects that are moving forward.

Bids for the Orwigsburg Bulk Water Project, which involves the meter pit and a meter connection for proposed development in the area on the site of the old Deer Lake Drive-In, will be opened at 1 p.m. April 4 at Orwigsburg borough hall. The bids will be awarded at a later date. In all, 220 apartments are possible by Forino Co. LP, Sinking Spring. International Custom Build Homes Inc., Allentown, is also seeking to build on 80 acres along Brick Hill Road and Route 61. Homes and commercial businesses are possible.

“The issue is supplying the water. We will be billed as a bulk customer from Orwigsburg and we will in turn bill the individual customers of West Brunswick Township via residential and commercial,” Caulfield said previously.

Bids were advertised Monday for the Reilly Township Waterline Project, which involves a new waterline to the village of Newtown and other amenities. They will be received via the PennBid Program, an online resource for bidding for public agencies, private firms and others, until April 7. Bids will be announced April 19 at the regularly scheduled 10 a.m. authority meeting, according to a legal ad published in The Republican-Herald. Caulfield said they could be awarded at the April meeting.

Caulfield said the authority has received the draft sewer rate study. The board approved the proposal by Gannett Fleming Valuation and Rate Consultants LLC in October with a corporate headquarters in Camp Hill to conduct a water and wastewater rate study. Caulfield said the study is to see if rates are in line. The last rate increase was in 2011, The Republican-Herald archives show, which amounted to $50.20 more per year for a typical family using an average of 170 gallons a day. Those using the permitted minimum of 6,700 gallons per quarter noticed a $2.40-a-year increase.

Caulfield said the bids for the third floor renovations could be advertised in April. Last year, they approved a $29,000 proposal from Levkulic Associates, Pottsville, for the design, contract administration and construction administration for renovations to the third floor of the authority building. He said previously the authority would like to convert the area into “a comprehensive planning and training room facility on the third floor,” which would be mostly for use by the authority.

ASHLAND — The borough council adopted a resolution at their March 9 meeting to set guidelines on how many hours part-time police officers can use during a pay period.

The Ashland Police Department currently has Chief Mark O’Hearn as its only full-time officer, along with four to five active part-time patrolmen. In order to keep salary costs under better control, the maximum hours were set.

“There were some officers exceeding hours,” Borough Manager Raymond Jones Jr. said.

The resolutions states:

“Whereas, the borough council is authorized to determine the budget for police protection and the total number of hours of police protection to occur within the confines of the Borough of Ashland; and

“Whereas, the borough has considered the availability of funds and the ability to maintain active police protection within the borough; and

“Whereas, the mayor is in charge of and has the authority to schedule the available working schedule of the police officers within the borough, subject to the council’s determination as to the total number of hours to be worked in any time period.”

The resolution states that the total number of working hours for the police department during a normal work period of one week will be 184 hours but can be increased in cases of court appearances or emergencies. Each part-time officer will work no more than 72 hours during any two-week paid period and no more than 36 hours in any work week.

The ordinance will go into effect April 1.

In another police matter later in the meeting, Councilwoman Ann Marie Groody motioned to hire two full-time police officers. The vote was 3-4 against the motion, with Groody, Barry Spieles and Daniel Weikel voting in favor of hiring police officers. Voting against were President Patrick Cooney, Adam J. Bernodin Jr., Francis Menne and Thomas Joyce.

A motion to hire a part-time meter enforcement officer was successful. Spieles motioned to create the position and hire someone at 25 hours per week at $10 per hour. Bernodin seconded the motion. The vote was 5-2 in favor, with Spieles, Bernodin, Cooney, Menne and Joyce voting in favor.

The borough council acted on another resolution to apply for state funding for recreation equipment and property upgrades at Eureka Park. It is Phase II in the borough’s efforts to make improvements.

In January, the borough council retained the engineering firm of Alfred Benesch& Co. to update and submit the grant application and the necessary support documentation to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Community Conservation Partnerships Program, or C2P2, for the park. The application process is estimated at $550.

Local governments, county governments and nonprofit organizations can apply for C2P2 funding to assist them with addressing their recreation and conservation needs, as well as supporting economically beneficial recreational tourism initiatives.

The borough has applied for C2P2 Phase II funding in the past few years, but has been unsuccessful in obtaining a grant. Benesch will complete the application form and meet with DCNR officials at Eureka Park.

Benesch will utilize the previously completed site plan, which consists of the addition of a new sand volleyball court, poles and nets, addition of a new modular toddler play structure, a new button loop, safety surfacing, paved accessibility path to the existing playground and pavilion and several site furnishings that includes a project acknowledgment sign.

The amount of the grant that will be applied for has not been determined. The vote to approve was 7-0.

The borough council accepted a proposal from Entech Engineering to prepare the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit renewal application for the sewage treatment plant. The permit renewal is required every five years. The proposal cost to complete and submit the renewal to the state Department of Environmental Protection is $6,800. The proposal was accepted in a 7-0 vote.

In other business, the borough council acted on the following:

•Approved a request from Ashland Community Enterprises, which owns and operates Pioneer Tunnel, to construct a headframe on the top lots of the tourist site for the remains of a mining elevator used in 20th century deep-mining operation in Mahanoy Township to Pioneer Tunnel. The donation from Pagnotti Enterprises was announced last year. The ACE required permission for the work that will be done on borough-owned land.

•Approved a request from Girardville borough to rent the borough street sweeper today to clean the streets for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which will be held Saturday.

•Authorized Jones to get prices on a new dump truck to replace a 2000 GMC dump truck.

Voters have until March 28 to register or change parties before the primary election on April 26.

A total of 83,492 individuals were registered to vote in Schuylkill County as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the county election bureau. Of them, 39,992 are registered Republican and 33,940 are Democrat.

With two weeks left for voters to register, about 800 more people already signed up to go to the polls than last November.

There were 82,637 voters registered for 2012 General Election. That figure includes 39,002 Republicans and 34,098 Democrats. There was a small increase from the primary election last year, which had 82,343 registered voters. Of them, 38,760 were Republicans and 34,198 were Democrats.

“Right now, we have a concerted effort to get people out to vote,” Hugh Reilly, Schuylkill County Democratic Committee chairman, said Tuesday. “It’s the ground game, just getting out and talking to people and doing whatever you can. There seems to be a lot of interest in the presidential campaign and we are trying to capitalize on that. We are trying to round up people that agree with our vision of what is good for this country.”

“I think you have people registering because they want to vote for Donald Trump,” Gary Bender, Schuylkill Republican Committee chairman, said.

Nationally, many people have joined the Republican party to vote for Trump, he said.

“You see that on the national news,” Bender said. “There is a lot of interest in getting out to vote and Donald Trump certainly is getting people to vote. He is not the garden variety candidate and he appeals to a lot of people who are fed up with politicians in general. Mr. Trump is resonating with people. He has his message out there, that’s for sure.”

On the Democratic side, Reilly said he thinks Schuylkill County has more supporters for Hillary Clinton than Bernie Sanders.

“I like Bernie, but I feel his message may be a little too liberal for the people in Schuylkill County,” he said. “Hillary is more of the established candidate and Bernie is more of an outsider.”

Although April 28 is early for the Pennsylvania primary that is usually held in May, many other states have already held their primary elections. Illinois, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio held their primary elections Tuesday.

“I’m always disappointed we are so far down the list as far as primaries go,” Reilly said.

He said the last time Pennsylvania played a key role in the presidential election was when Clinton took Pennsylvania in the 2007 race.

“For the Republicans, it may be a very important state,” Bender said. “The candidates are already looking to get their materials out.”

In addition to the presidential race, Democrats and Republicans in Schuylkill County will also nominate party candidates in other key state races, like attorney general, U.S. Senate and representative for the U.S. 17th Congressional District.

“We have two good congressional candidates as well,” Bender said. “Hopefully, the increase (of registered Republicans) will benefit them as well.”

Republican voters will decide whether Matt Connolly or Glenn Geissinger challenge incumbent Congressman Matt Cartwright, D-17, in the General Election.

Meanwhile, Democratic voters will decide whether Joe Sestak, Ed Pawlowski, Katie McGinty or John Fetterman challenge incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey in the General Election. There are also four Democrats and two Republicans seeking party nominations for attorney general.

“We are hoping that brings out the Democrats,” Reilly said.

“Every election is very important, but this one is even more important because you are talking about the direction of the country,” Reilly said. “Regardless of who you are for, get out and vote. One of the old sayings I use is ‘If you don’t vote, you don’t have a right to complain.’ ”

April 19 is the last day before the primary election civilian absentee ballot applications will be accepted at the county board of elections office, 420 N. Centre St. The office closes at 5 p.m.

Absentee ballots, except those from military and overseas electors and emergency absentee electors who become ill or are called away, must be at the county board of elections office before 5 p.m. April 22 to be counted.

On April 26, polls will remain continuously open between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Appearing on ballots will be party nominations for president of the Unites States, U.S. senator, Pennsylvania attorney general, Pennsylvania auditor general, Pennsylvania treasurer, representative for the 17th Congressional District, state senator for the 19th District, state representatives for the 123rd, 124th and 125th districts, and delegates and alternates to the Democratic and Republican national conventions.

While only Democrat and Republican voters will pick party nominations, all ballots will have two constitutional amendments on them. The first is whether or not to change the state judicial retirement age from 70 to 75. The other is whether or not to abolish the traffic court in the City of Philadelphia.

MCADOO — Members of the only Protestant congregation in McAdoo learned late last year that their church would close if its financial situation didn’t improve.

“We figured that we weren’t going to see Easter — or just barely see it,” Gary Potter, president of Christ Reformed United Church of Christ’s consistory, said.

While holiday services will be held, there’s no telling whether the church will survive until the end of the year.

And it’s not for lack of trying.

According to Potter, members of the dwindling congregation voted overwhelmingly to keep the church open even if it meant making some sacrifices.

“The yeses outweighed the nos,” Potter said. “At that point, we had to take steps to keep the church open.”

The biggest step was calling for the resignation of longtime pastor Al Walton. Walton, who was salaried, served until the end of 2015.

The congregation now pays to have a supply pastor from the UCC’s Penn Northeast Conference on the first Sunday of each month, when communion services are held.

On other Sundays, Potter, consistory Vice President Darlene Brobst or church secretary Melissa Lutz lead the 11 a.m. services for a handful of attendees.

“At one point, we had 150 members on our membership list — granted some of those people were in the same household. That doesn’t happen anymore. We’re probably down to 70 people on the actual list. And then we get 20 that show up on Sundays — again husbands, wives and kids, we’re counting them all,” Potter said.

Many members have moved from the area or have passed away. Because of the decline, financial support is down and it’s difficult to find volunteers for fundraisers.

“Getting the help to come out has been our biggest issue,” Potter said.

In the past, the church held summer festivals and hosted events at its neighboring Zwingli hall. It also received funds from renting the hall — an option no longer viable because the building was damaged by a leaking pipe several years ago.

The church will participate at the April 16 Spring Community Carnival at the Laurel Mall, and launched a campaign on the GoFundMe fundraising website.

“In between (fundraisers) is when we rely mainly on the collection plate on Sundays,” Potter said.

Collection money helps pay for insurance, oil, water, sewer and other items.

“I understand that things are tight for everybody, not just the church,” Potter said. “But we’re struggling. We’re treading water. The anchor we’re holding seems to get a little heavier at times.”

With support, the church could stay open until the end of the year or beyond.

Donations can be mailed to Christ Reformed United Church of Christ, 120 E. Washington St., McAdoo, PA 18237. New and past members are welcome to stop by for 11 a.m. services.

The church was established in 1896, and the current structure was built in 1942. McAdoo Girl Scouts meet in the church’s social rooms and the congregation supports Catholic Social Services and United Charities with food, toy and coat drives.

Donald W. Kearney Jr., who admitted having sexual contact with a teenage girl in 2014, will be subject to Megan’s Law restrictions for 15 years, a Schuylkill County judge ruled Tuesday.

Following the recommendation of the state Sexual Offenders Assessment Board, Judge Charles M. Miller decided Kearney, 39, of Shamokin, is not a sexually violent predator but is a sexual offender and subject to the restrictions.

“Do you understand everything that was on there?” Miller asked Kearney about the form acknowledging he will be subject to the restrictions.

“Yes,” Kearney answered.

The Megan’s Law sanctions will require Kearney to provide his name, address, employment, any schools he might attend, registration of any vehicles he owns and other information to the state police for 15 years. Any violation of the sanctions would be an additional crime and subject Kearney to further prosecution.

Kearney pleaded guilty Nov. 12, 2015, to corruption of minors, with prosecutors withdrawing nine counts of indecent assault and four of unlawful contact with a minor. At the time, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, Miller placed Kearney on probation for five years, and also sentenced him to have no contact with the victim or her family, pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

State police at Schuylkill Haven alleged Kearney engaged in sexual activity with the girl between Aug. 1, 2014, and Oct. 31, 2014, in Eldred Township. Assistant District Attorney Debra A. Smith said Tuesday that the girl was 15 at the time of the contact.

Megan’s Law was enacted in Pennsylvania, numerous other states and at the federal level after the July 29, 1994, murder of Megan Nicole Kanka, 7, in Hamilton Township, New Jersey.

Jesse Timmendequas, Kanka’s killer, was one of her neighbors and a twice-convicted sex offender. His death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment after New Jersey enacted legislation to abolish the death penalty in that state.

n Pine Grove: Everyone is welcome to attend an Easter sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. March 27 at the point amphitheater in front of the clubhouse at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park. There will be an Easter devotional service led by the pastor of the Pine Grove Wesleyan Church, plus live music. A breakfast will be served at no charge following the service. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 570-345-8422.

n Pottsville: The Majestic Players group will hold auditions for its upcoming shows “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Back to the 80s” at 5 p.m. Sunday and 4 p.m. March 26 at the Pottsville Area Development Corp. building, South Second and West Norwegian streets. Those wishing to audition only need to attend one day and may audition for both shows on the same date. “Fiddler on the Roof,” which is currently playing on Broadway, features a cast with children and adults of all ages. The actual show will be held June 10-12 at the Majestic Theater, North Centre Street. “Back to the 80s” includes a cast of high school-age people and older. The actual show will be staged at the Majestic on July 29-31. For more information, including character descriptions, email to majesticplayerspottsville@gmail.com or visit the Facebook page at Majestic Theater.

n Pottsville: An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. March 25 at Fairlane Village mall, Route 61. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to donate blood. For more information or to make an appointment, call 800-733-2767.

n Schuylkill Haven: The Penn State Schuylkill Student Professionalization Committee will host a career panel from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday in room 101 of the Classroom Building on campus. Eight local business and community leaders will discuss their career paths and professional experiences and then take questions from the student audience. Members of the panel will include: Brandon Duncan, EXTOL International; Elliot Fink, McTish, Kunkel and Associates; Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale; Bob Klinger, State Farm Insurance; Henry Nyce, publisher of The Republican-Herald; John Powis, Pennsylvania State Police; Michael Ritter, domestic violence intervention; and Lisa Robinson, Walk In Art Center. Cathy Fiorillo, assistant professor of theatre arts, will serve as moderator. The career panel is an annual event to give Schuylkill campus students an opportunity to learn about a variety of careers from experienced professionals who are currently employed in their respective fields. For more information, call 570-385-6076.

n Shenandoah: The administration, faculty and students of Trinity Academy in the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center are inviting the faithful to “walk the path to Calvary” as the students present a Living Stations of the Cross at 1:15 p.m. Friday and 6:30 p.m. Sunday in Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Church, Cherry and Chestnut streets.

n Tamaqua: Planning has already begun for this year’s Tamaqua Community Hunger Walk, to be held May 15, sponsored by the Tamaqua Area Faith Fellowship Network under the umbrella of the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership, according to a press release. Paul Dodson is the event organizer. Plans are to expand the event to other weekend activities, such as an Empty Bowl Soup Dinner and a Family Film Fun Night, which are being considered. Dodson said in the release all Tamaqua churches and civic organizations are invited to participate in some way and added, regarding the need for the event, “About 47 percent of the children in the Tamaqua (Area) School District are on the free or reduced price lunch program. And the three food pantries in town serve 200 families.” Last year’s walk, he said, raised $3,597 and collected 48 boxes of food that was split among the food pantries, Tamaqua Salvation Army, Trinity United Church of Christ and the Primitive Methodist Church. Groups or individuals interested in helping are asked to call Dodson at 570-668-0289 or email him at dodson@verizon.net.

Woman injured

in truck crash

McADOO — A Wapwallopen woman was injured after the car she was driving struck the back of a truck Tuesday in Kline Township, state police at Frackville said.

Annette K. Acker, 49, was southbound on Route 309 approaching Lofty Road at 5:57 a.m., police said, when her 1999 Lincoln Town Car drove into the back of a 2007 Freightliner Tractor that was hauling bricks, driven by Richard L. O’Donnell, 64, of Frackville.

O’Donnell had just pulled out onto southbound Route 309 from Lofty Road, police said.

Acker was transported by McAdoo Ambulance to St. Luke’s Hospital-Miners Campus, Coaldale, with unknown injuries, police said. The hospital was unable to release any information when contacted Tuesday afternoon. O’Donnell was not hurt.

Debris from the Lincoln was scattered on the roadway and led to Route 309 being closed for about 15 minutes, McAdoo Fire Chief Robert Leshko said. Traffic was restricted afterward until the Lincoln, which sustained extensive front-end damage, was towed from the scene.

The tractor-trailer, which appeared to have minor damage, was able to be driven away from the site, Leshko said, and did not drop its load on the highway.

Police charged Acker with careless driving. State police at Frackville said McAdoo Fire Department responded along with McAdoo Ambulance and American Patient Transport Systems Inc.

2 escape injuries

in Lykens crash

LYKENS — Two Lykens residents escaped injury after their vehicles collided March 11 at a borough intersection, state police at Lykens said.

William F. Smeltzer, 68, was driving a 1988 Chevrolet Silverado at 5:43 p.m. at Route 209 and Edward Street, when he failed to yield to oncoming traffic and pulled out in front of Devon K. Mendoza, 23, as she was driving a 2014 Hyundai Sedan southbound on Route 209, police said.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene by Teter’s Garage, Williamstown.

State police charged Smeltzer with careless driving; and Mendoza with operating vehicle with unsafe equipment.

Assisting at the scene were Lykens Fire and EMS, and Wiconisco police.

Woman charged

with retail theft

POTTSVILLE — State police at Schuylkill Haven charged a Frackville woman with retail theft.

Police said Carol Talanca, 34, walked out of the Kohl’s Department Store in Norwegian Township at 2:18 p.m. Tuesday with $29.99 worth of merchandise without paying.

Charges were filed with District Magisterial Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Frackville man

charged with DUI

GIRARDVILLE — State police at Frackville charged a Girardville man with driving under the influence during a traffic stop in the borough Saturday evening, police said Sunday.

Charges against James Evans, 51, of Girardville, were filed in the office of Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, police said.

Motorists traveling Interstate 81 throughout Schuylkill County may face changing traffic patterns this week as state Department of Transportation crews improve the corridor.

In Pine Grove Township, crews have returned to reconstruct I-81 south, and traffic on I-81 was scheduled to return to a single lane, according to Ronald J. Young Jr., PennDOT District Press Officer for Engineering District 5. The lane restrictions had previously been dropped during the winter months.

Roadwork began Monday on I-81 southbound between 2.6 and 3.6 miles south of exit 100.

Work on this section of I-81 is part of an ongoing project that began last March from Pine Grove Township to the Lebanon County line and includes placing an unbonded concrete overlay, interchange improvements at exits 100 (PA 443) and 104 (PA 125), guide rail updates, signage updates, new pavement markings, brush/tree cutting and other miscellaneous construction. According to PennDOT’s road and bridge project construction report, the project’s current construction costs are listed at $46,058,031. Hi-Way Paving Inc., Hilliard, Ohio is the general contractor for the project, slated for completion May 2017.

Both lanes of travel will also be restricted in Pine Grove from exit 100 to exit 124, as PennDOT crews repair guide rails. The guide rail work began Monday and should be completed by Thursday. Lane restrictions are in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the guide rail repairs.

In Frailey and Foster townships between exit 107 and exit 119 at the Highridge Park, PennDOT maintenance crews will be completing drainage work, causing lane restrictions in both directions. The restrictions are in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the work is slated to be finished Friday.

In Mahanoy Township, between exit 124 and exit 131, PennDOT workers will conduct pothole patching. The repairs began Monday and are expected to be completed Friday. Traffic will be restricted in both directions from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rain is not expected to cause patching delays.

Deeds

Schuylkill Haven — Terry G. Luckenbill to Robert L. Moyer Jr.; 515 St. John St.; $23,000.

Shenandoah — Joanne Yaroma to Rodney Davidson; property on West Centre Street; $1,000.

South Manheim Township — Bryan and Pamela Richie to Jesse James Jordan and Sara Beth Wright; 767-768-769 Cheyenne Drive, Lake Wynonah; $11,500.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to Seth R. Hayes; 1780 Running Deer Drive, Lake Wynonah; $120,000.

Christian D. Beveridge to Mark and Kelly Gift; Lot 2238, Tonto Drive, Lake Wynonah; $6,500.

Tamaqua — Felix Santana to Nadgie Santana; 203 Pine St.; $1.

Charles F. Gaskill to David and Melanie Seibel; 435 Glenwood Ave.; $10,000.

Frank and Joan Lehatto to Andrew R. Lehatto; 8-acre property; $1.

Dana M. and Ian J. MacDonald to Dana M. MacDonald; 404 1/2 Arlington St.; $1.

Three Schuylkill County nonprofit organizations received a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, totaling nearly $500,000.

The 2015 Emergency Solutions Grant worth $461,022 was awarded to Schuylkill Community Action, Schuylkill Women in Crisis and Servants To All to assist the homeless in the county.

According to HUD’s website at www.hudexchange.info, the ESG program provides funding to engage homeless individuals and families living on the street; improve the number and quality of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families; help operate these shelters; provide essential services to shelter residents, rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families, and prevent families/individuals from becoming homeless.

SCA is using about $200,000 of the grant for its rapid-rehousing program.

“We are taking people who are literally homeless and helping them find safe, stable and affordable housing,” Jonathon Dove, SCA director of case management, said Tuesday.

Dove said clients are referred to SCA through other agencies. Program services include case management, budget counseling, locating a place to live, inspecting the home to make sure it is safe and rental assistance for several months until they are able to make payments on their own, he said.

“We rely on outside agencies to narrow down the focus group and get candidates that make sense for the program,” Dove said.

The goal of the program is to help somewhere between 20 to 25 individuals who are homeless, Dove said. The organization started taking referrals this week, he said.

SCA offered a similar program a couple years ago, however, it did not receive the funding to provide the service last year, Dove said. He said the focus for federal and state grants appears to have shifted from preventing homelessness to assisting those who are homeless.

“There is a homeless population in the county,” Dove said. “When we ran the program a number of years ago, 20 to 30 people were assisted through program. We are taking people who had no options at all and helping them find a place with the hope that with rental assistance, they are stable at the end of it and have worked through barriers that prevented them from reaching stability in the past.”

Meanwhile, Schuylkill Women in Crisis will be using about $150,000 of the grant over an 18-month period to assist with staffing at its women’s shelter.

“It helps ensure we have adequate staff at the shelter,” Sarah T. “Sally” Casey, SWIC executive director, said Monday.

The nonprofit organization has struggled with funding over the last couple years, especially last year.

“We had a deficit last year of about $60,000,” Casey said.

While SWIC operates a shelter for victims of domestic and sexual violence, the county does not have one for the general public. SWIC and various other agencies in the county also have transitional housing programs that provide temporary residency while helping individuals secure permanent housing.

With the remaining funding of about $100,000, Servants To All is looking to hire case workers for My Father’s House at 4 S. Centre St., Pottsville. The program provides food, clothing and temporary shelter while helping clients find permanent housing, employment and receive services from other agencies.

HARRISBURG — Amid the threat of school closings, a new effort by Republican lawmakers to complete the unfinished state budget drew criticism Tuesday from Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Democratic lawmakers.

The bill’s math doesn’t add up, Wolf said.

“We are looking at a train wreck in 2016-17, a huge deficit if we don’t do something about that,” he said.

However, the governor declined to say whether he again will wield his veto pen until he sees the final legislation.

The $30 billion GOP budget bill for fiscal 2015-16 cleared a first hurdle with passage by the Senate Appropriations Committee on a party-line vote. Votes in both chambers are planned for today.

The measure would provide a $200 million boost in state aid to public schools in fiscal 2015-16 — half the amount the governor seeks — and keep state taxes at existing rates. It would restore funding for Pennsylvania State University agricultural extension offices in each county and 14 critical access hospitals in rural areas, including in Barnes-Kasson County Hospital in Susquehanna County.

However, it would cut spending by $300 million from an earlier GOP-passed budget bill, thus averting the need for a tax or revenue hike, House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-62, Indiana, said.

The GOP accepted some of Wolf’s line vetoes and found Medicaid savings by getting updated figures on actual case loads, he said.

“We need to get this (2015-16 budget) done,” Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-34, Bellefonte, said, adding that some schools are days away from “running out of money.”

The two GOP leaders said they would like to start negotiations immediately on the fiscal 2016-17 budget once this bill passes. The deadline for the next budget is June 30.

Pennsylvania has operated under a $23 billion partial budget since late December that doesn’t provide enough funding to cover the entire fiscal year through June for public schools, Penn State and three other publicly supported universities and other programs as well.

Wolf vetoed $7 billion from a $30.3 billion GOP budget bill, saying it lacked enough revenue to balance the spending. That bill surfaced after a compromise budget supported by Wolf and three legislative caucuses fell apart on the House floor. Lawmakers couldn’t agree on related issues to curb public pension costs and change the state liquor store system.

“It’s (GOP bill) a joke,” House Minority Leader Frank Dermody, D-33, Allegheny County, said.

He said the GOP found new money for public schools by drawing money from accounts for college student financial aid grants.

A question exists whether the pressure of school closings would draw enough Democratic support for the bill to override a potential Wolf veto.

Dermody said the bill may get some Democratic votes, but others in his caucus are concerned that schools will be in even worse shape for next year if it passes.

Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, said he’s polling school districts in his senatorial district to determine how long they can continue operating with just a half-year of state subsidy payments. He voted against the bill in the appropriations panel.

Carbondale Area School Board approved refinancing nearly $7 million in debt last week, a decision directors attributed to the consequences of the budget impasse.

ORWIGSBURG — The Orwigsburg Historical Society needs your help.

The society has a capital campaign where they are trying to raise $25,000 for improvements to the jail near East Mifflin Street that was built in 1891 by the borough and the old firehouse, built in 1890 but finished in 1891. The society owns both historical buildings.

“We are shooting for $25,000,” Jennifer Bowen, president of Orwigsburg Historical Society, said Tuesday.

This is the first time the historical society has had a capital campaign. The society also does fundraising events.

The campaign, “Preserving Orwigsburg’s Past for Our Future” started last month. So far, they have raised $5,000, with $2,000 coming from Orwigsburg Borough, $500 of it from the council and another $1,500 from a council of governments account. Borough residents have also donated funds.

The money would go to repairs to the old borough jail behind East Mifflin Street, which is about 2,500 square feet, and the old Friendship Hose Company Number One firehouse at 109 E. Mifflin St., which is about 7,448 square feet, that is now the headquarters of the historical society.

Bowen looked at the old jail Tuesday, remarking on the quaintness of it. She described the accommodations as “primitive.” The two 5 feet by 8 feet cells had a wooden area to lay on. One had a toilet. The jail also had a waiting area that is now adorned with period relics. The building was used for storage by the borough at one time, Bowen said. The historical society acquired the building from the borough and the old fire house for $1 in 1994. She said the jail was probably last used in the 1930s.

“The jail was not in great disrepair. The restoration wasn’t as difficult with the jail,” Bowen said.

The interior of the jail looks to be in good condition. The outside is a different story. Spaces are noticeable between the bricks, which need to be repointed.

“What you see is the original structure,” Bowen said.

She said the tin roof is original to the jail but needs to be painted. There is also no electricity or heat to the building, she said.

The approximate cost to fix all of the above mentioned items is about $8,500. Of that, about $6,000 is to repoint the bricks, $1,000 to paint the roof and $1,500 for the electric service.

“We do open it up for tours,” she said of the jail.

The old firehouse is also in need of restoration work. A lot of work has been done on the building since the historical society bought it. Water damage is visible in a display room. Bowen said it is likely caused by poor drainage off the roof and the type of brick that is used. The flat rubber roof has leaks in it, she said. She does not have exact costs for the firehouse repairs. To seal the roof could cost $6,000, she said. There is also poor drainage in the area that she thinks is contributing to situation. Cost to seal the outside of the brick might be $3,000, she said.

A boiler malfunctioned in January and it will cost thousands to fix, Bowen said. The only heat in the building is in the display room and that is provided by an electric unit on the wall.

The society would also like to have a sprinkler system installed in the old firehouse, Bowen said.

Despite the hurdles, the historical society has faith the community will contribute to the cause.

“I feel confident we will get the money to do all of the improvements we need to do,” she said.

Those who would like to make a tax-deductible contribution can send it to the Orwigsburg Historical Society, 109 E. Mifflin St., Orwigsburg. PA 17961. The historical society is also having a fundraiser, “Afternoon Tea at Downton Abbey, at the Yuengling Mansion on Mahantongo Street from 12 to 4 p.m. April 19. Cost to attend is $35 or $10 for children 10 and younger. Tea and food is provided. Contact the historical society for information.

A Mahanoy City man will spend time on probation after admitting Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court that he was disorderly during a May 2015 encounter with a borough police officer.

William T. Lipshaw, 33, pleaded guilty before President Judge William E. Baldwin to disorderly conduct. Prosecutors withdrew charges of institutional vandalism and resisting arrest.

Baldwin accepted the plea and promptly sentenced Lipshaw to spend six months on probation and pay costs.

Mahanoy City police alleged the incident started May 8, 2015, with a domestic incident involving Lipshaw and his wife. Police said Lipshaw was abusing his wife and she wanted him removed from the home.

Police said they arrested Lipshaw, who resisted and had to be put in a police car. However, police said, Lipshaw kicked an officer and damaged the police car while in custody.

Lipshaw said little during Wednesday’s hearing except that he entered his plea knowingly and voluntarily, and that he understood it and its consequences.

The Schuylkill County Commissioners renewed contracts Wednesday with the Penn State Cooperative Extension Service with the hope Gov. Tom Wolf soon approves funding for the agricultural research program and state’s 4-H clubs.

Gregg Gnatt, Penn State Extension district director for Berks and Schuylkill counties, told the commissioners that the program has not received any state funding since July. Wolf also vetoed the $50.5 million line-item in December.

“The line has been drawn in the sand that basically says if there is no funding by June 30, the extension will close along with three ag experimental stations in the state, all the county offices will be shut down, it will be the end of 4-H, the master gardener program, about 1,100 of us will be layed off, 90,000 4-H kids will no longer have a program,” Gnatt said. “Unfortunately, it will also probably cascade to the complete demise of the college of agriculture at Penn State because there will be a critical lapse of faculty and staff to run the college.”

Gnatt said the economic impact goes even further with the state losing about $80 million in additional revenue through contracts with the United States Department of Agriculture and the state’s 67 counties.

“I think everyone understands the impact, but there is not a meeting of minds,” Gnatt said.

“The county commissioners do understand the impact of what the extension does in the state from an educational standpoint,” commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. said. “With agriculture being our top industry, this is crucial. We will lend out support in any way we can.”

“In the (County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania) conference we just held, I think that message was portrayed to our legislature and governor and the importance to hopefully get to some resolution because it is important not just to our county, but to Pennsylvania,” Commissioner Gary J. Hess said.

“This affects everyone in Pennsylvania,” Gnatt said. “When you open your refrigerator door, you shake hands with agriculture.”

The annual contracts approved by the county commissioners Wednesday were pre-approved budget items, Gnatt said.

The contracts were $31,910 for consumer horticulture, $60,115 fro 4-H services, and $30,000 for commercial horticulture.

In other news, the county received bids for two service contracts.

Four companies submitted bids to repair county bridge No. 200 on Maple Avenue over the west branch of the Schuylkill River in Norwegian Township: Heim Construction Co., Orwigsburg, $714,379.80; Bi-State Construction Co., Easton, $778,487; Barletta Materials & Construction, $823,057.93; and Kinsley Construction, York, $983,935.

The bridge provides a roadway from Route 209 to the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, the Schuylkill Technology Center South Campus and Tredegar Plastic Fabrication Co. Built in 1959, the 65-foot-long bridge has a daily average traffic of 1,000 vehicles and a 25-ton limit.

Work will start in the spring and must be completed by Aug. 1.

TKO Cleaning Service submitted the only bid for cleaning the Human Services Building, 410 N. Centre St., Pottsville. The bid is for three years, totaling $64,800.

The commissioners also renewed contracts for service maintenance at the county communications center. The $260,000 annual agreement with Greens Communications, Pottsville, is for the maintenance of the Motorola Centracom Gold Elite radio consoles installed in November 2008. The contract runs through 2018 and cost the same as the previous contract.

The $413,632.98 agreement with Motorola Solutions is for 24/7 monitoring and service of the radio system through 2016. Scott Krater, county communications director, said the warranty on the equipment installed 18 months ago is ending and this agreement covers all the equipment at the county courthouse, tower sites and the communications center.

Police search for

escaped man

SAINT CLAIR — Cass Township police are looking for a man who escaped from police custody Monday night.

Police said officers took Mark Smith into custody on an outstanding arrest warrant out of Luzerne County Court and subsequently learned he was wanted on an outstanding warrant by Saint Clair police for retail theft.

Police said Smith was taken to the Saint Clair police station to be turned over to officers there, but escaped from a police cruiser while the officer was inside the police station.

At the time he was taken into custody, police said, the man was found with various items of drug paraphernalia.

In addition to the outstanding warrants, police said Smith is now facing charges of escape, theft and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Anyone with information on Smith’s whereabouts is asked to call Cass Township police at 570-544-6212. All information received will remain confidential.

Man arrested in

store burglary

HOMETOWN — Rush Township police arrested a 41-year-old Tamaqua man and charged him with a burglary that occurred about 4 a.m. Tuesday at the One Stop gas station, 704 Claremont Ave.

Police said officers stopped the same Volkswagen Jetta that was used in the burglary while it was being driven by a family member of Daniel Donovan.

The vehicle stop led to officers identifying Donovan as the person responsible for the crime and video surveillance at the business positively identified him being responsible.

Donovan was charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief and driving with a DUI-suspended license.

Donovan was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge David Rossi, Tremont, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post $100,000 straight cash bail.

Police said that Donovan is currently out on bail for incidents in Schuylkill County and Carbon County.

In committing the burglary, police said, Donovan cut the telephone lines to the rear of the business and then smashed a glass on the front door to gain entrance.

Police said officers responded after being alerted to an alarm at the business and found a total of $3,000 in cash and cigarettes stolen.

Man jailed for

assault, threats

A Pottsville area man was jailed after being arrested by Foster Township police on assault and threat charges.

Police said Donald E. Dower Sr., 50, of 14 Woodland Drive, was charged with terroristic threats and simple assault.

Chief James Nettles had Dower arraigned on the charges, as well as nine outstanding traffic warrants. He was then committed to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post $100,000 bail set by Magisterial District Judge David Rossi, Tremont.

Nettles said officers were called to the home at 14 Woodland Drive for a report of a domestic situation and learned that Dower forced himself inside the home and was told to leave. He then returned, was refused entrance and began to threaten Donald Dower Jr., 26, and his two children, ages 4 and 5, before fleeing the scene.

Police announce

DUI checkpoints

The North Central Regional Sobriety Checkpoint DUI Taskforce announced that Sobriety Checkpoints and Roving DUI Patrols will be conducted today through Monday on Routes 61, 183, 901, 209, 1006,

309, 1008, 443, 895, 125, 25, 924 and 54.

Travelers are reminded to call 911 if they suspect a drunk driver or to call 888-UNDER21 to report underage drinking.

Man faces charges

for Wal-Mart theft

HOMETOWN — A 29-year-old Nesquehoning man is facing charges of retail theft that occurred about 5:30 p.m. March 4 at Wal-Mart.

Rush Township police said Robert Cesanek will have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua.

Police said that Cesanek was charged with taking items valued at $3.98.

Two people admitted Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court that they participated in a melee in Mahanoy City in May 2015, while a third failed to appear in court for her guilty pleas.

Maria M. Crescente, 38, of Mahanoy City, pleaded guilty to terroristic threats, simple assault, resisting arrest and obstructing administration of law, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of escape and disorderly conduct. She also pleaded guilty in a separate case to two counts of disorderly conduct and one of obstructing administration of law.

Meanwhile, Edwin Astor, 49, of Mahanoy City, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of terroristic threats, failure to disperse and obstructing administration of law.

Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin accepted both pleas and sentenced each defendant in accordance with agreements between them and prosecutors.

Dolbin sentenced Crescente to spend 23 months on probation and pay costs and $100 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account. He also sentenced Astor to serve 12 months on probation and pay costs and a $50 CJEA payment.

Crescente and Astor said little during the hearing except that they understood their pleas and were entering them knowingly and voluntarily.

The third defendant, Quiana M. Crescente, 20, of Mahanoy City, Maria’s daughter, had been scheduled to enter a guilty plea at 9:30 a.m. before President Judge William E. Baldwin but did not appear in court. Baldwin said he would issue a bench warrant for Quiana Crescente, who remains charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats, obstructing administration of law, simple assault, resisting arrest, failure to disperse and disorderly conduct.

Mahanoy City police charged all three with participating in a melee that started at 8:45 p.m. May 14, 2015, near Maria Crescente’s 326 W. Mahanoy Ave. residence.

Police said Maria Crescente was yelling and screaming, and ignored several warnings to stop before being arrested. However, she continued to resist, and ended up punching a man before she was subdued, police said.

Astor remained in the area and was arrested after he refused to leave, according to police.

Police also said Quiana Crescente assaulted one of the officers, hitting him in the head and chest, and threatened to kill all of them for arresting her mother.

The situation was not brought under control for an hour, police said, and required assistance from officers from Ashland, Girardville, Mahanoy Township, Rush Township, Ryan Township, Saint Clair, Shenandoah and West Mahanoy Township in addition to Schuylkill County sheriff’s deputies.

Defendants

· Name: Maria M. Crescente

· Age: 38

· Residence: Mahanoy City

· Crimes committed: Terroristic threats, simple assault, resisting arrest and obstructing administration of law

· Sentence: 23 months probation

· Name: Edwin Astor

· Age: 49

· Residence: Mahanoy City

· Crime committed: Disorderly conduct

· Sentence: 12 months probation

Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street

To James and Heather Pavelko Humphrey, Pottsville, a daughter, March 7.

In exchange for a $150,000 donation from CACL Federal Credit Union, the Pottsville Area school board Wednesday agreed to rename one of its sports complexes and promote the credit union in other ways throughout the district.

“Not to sound like Donald Trump, but this is a good deal, a really good deal,” school board member William R. Davidson, who heads up the board’s committee on public relations, said at the school board’s March meeting at the Howard S. Fernsler Academic Center.

In the deal, CACL, based in Pottsville, will give the school district $150,000 over an 11-year period. The school district will use the funds to replace two scoreboards at the Pottsville Area 16th Street Fields, which are across from John S. Clarke Elementary.

“The main recipient of this money will be the electronic scoreboards. Am I correct?” Davidson asked.

“That’s the biggest part of it. But there’s numerous other components to it,” Richard A. Thornburg, the board’s solicitor, said.

• “The 16th Street Baseball/Softball Complex will be renamed the CACL Complex. the baseball field will remain named Steidle Field,” according to the agreement.

There are three fields at that location. The baseball field, known as the Jim Steidle Field since November 2010, has an electronic scoreboard. Kerry Ansbach, the school district’s director of facilities and transportation, said Wednesday that scoreboard doesn’t work. The softball field there also has a scoreboard. But the practice field there has no scoreboard.

• “A baseball scoreboard and softball scoreboard will be installed at the CACL Complex. These scoreboards will be located at a location mutually agreeable to both parties. These scoreboards will have the CACL logo on them,” according to the agreement.

Ansbach said the scoreboards will replace the existing ones at the 16th Street Fields.

“Next week I’d like to remove the existing scoreboards,” Ansbach told the school board.

“You’re talking about the baseball field?” asked board member Gary A. Cortese.

“The baseball and softball fields. And we have to add additional steel to the iron there to accept these oversized boards,” Ansbach said.

“I don’t know when the first home game is,” board President John F. Boran said.

“We have a varsity baseball home game March 24 with Bethlehem Catholic at 3 p.m.,” board member Charles R. Wagner said.

• There will be three signs erected at the complex. “At the CACL Complex, two 10-foot by 20-foot signs will be installed and placed at each entrance way. These signs will be designated with input from both parties and will have the CACL logo and the school logo on them. The third sign will be installed beyond the left field fence of the baseball field at a place of mutual satisfaction to both parties. This left field sign will once again have both parties’ logo on it,” according to the agreement.

The district’s partnership with CACL will also affect other areas of the district’s campus.

• “The CACL logo will be displayed on the scorer’s table in the boys gym of the PASD high school. The CACL logo will be displayed on the scorer’s table in Martz Hall. CACL will be permitted to have a table at two home football games a year to inform patrons of banking opportunities at CACL. The location of this table will be at the discretion of the PASD. CACL will have the opportunity to present a proposal to the PASD Board of School Directors in regard to the banking opportunities provided at CACL,” according to the agreement.

CACL representatives will also be given an opportunity to talk to students at Pottsville Area High School.

• “Representatives from CACL will have the opportunity to periodically visit selective classes at the PASD high school to instruct students on financial literacy. The dates, times and places of these visits along with the content of the material to be presented will first have to be approved by the PAHS principal. Any and all persons from CACL participating in these classroom visits will have to present to PASD prior to such visits for filing with the PASD all of the appropriate state police, FBI and Department of Human Services Childline clearances before any such person will be admitted to the classroom. The PASD will assist CACL in the securing of any and all such clearances,” according to the agreement.

• Over the term of the agreement, CACL will pay Pottsville Area $150,000 in payments on the following dates: $40,000, due when the invoices for the two new scoreboards arrive; and $11,000 on Aug. 1 each year from 2017 to 2026, according to the agreement.

Davidson recommended the following motion:

“In accordance with Board Policy 702, it is recommended that the board accept the donation from CACL for $150,000 in 11 payments beginning April 1, 2016 and with the last payment due Aug. 1, 2026.”

It was accepted by the board unanimously. All board members were present at Wednesday’s meeting: Boran; Vice President Karen E. Rismiller; and members Davidson, Ann Blankenhorn, Cortese, Christina M. DiCello, Patrick F. Moran, Scott R. Thomas and Charles R. Wagner.

“What does CACL stand for?” Davidson asked at the meeting.

“I believe CACL stands for ‘Carriers & Clerks,’ ” Brett M. Clark, Pottsville, chairman of the Supervisory Committee at CACL, Pottsville, said when contacted Wednesday night.

“It originated out of a cigar box in a post office years ago, and its first employees were postal workers,” Clark said.

“CACL Federal Credit Union was chartered on March 20, 1953,” according to the credit union’s website at caclfcu.org.

Deeds

Cass Township — The Most Rev. John O. Barres, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown, to The Most Rev. John O. Barres, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown; 2.13-acre property on Church Road; $1.

Coaldale — Frances Ann Nester Kalishevich to Francisco and Heather Rodriguez; 124 E. High St.; $7,700.

East Brunswick Township — Robert and Ruth Naomi Rarick to Sheila Marie Hollenbach, Jeffrey Lee Rarick, Robert Earl Rarick and Gregory Sherman Rarick; 1/18th interest in 100.058-acre property; $1.

East Union Township — Theresa and Stanley Leonarczyk to Annette Sosna, David P. Sosna and Mark Sosna; property on Third Street, Brandonville; $1.

Frackville — Ronald R. and Carol Ketterer to Debra Ann Welsh; 66 N. Fourth St. Rear; $62,000.

Hegins Township — Charles M. Jr. and Kelly M. Carter and Jennifer J. and Kyle Kerstetter to Patrick F. III and Jennifer A. Moore; 1104 W. Main St., Valley View; $165,000.

Mahanoy City — Stephen Piga Jr. to Jean Jillian Renoir St. Juste and Corey Neli Jackson; 130 W. Mahanoy Ave.; $2,600.

Mechanicsville — Timothy J. Sohosky, administrator of the Estate of John Michael Sohosky, to Joseph Jay Jackson; 1333 Pottsville St.; $58,000.

Pottsville — Debbie P. Tobias to Patrick David Zuccarini; 1200 W. Norwegian St.; $15,500.

Sharon Porcari Bradley to Kristina Marie Porcari; 1226 W. Market St.; $1.

Michael and Karen L. Silvestrini Vigoda to Michael and Karen L. Vigoda; 629 Edwards Ave.; $1.

Scott and Melissa M. Valukevich to Govflo LLC; 600 and 602 Howard Ave.; $19,000.

Sharon A. Mueller to James J. and Christina D. Stepan; 562 and Rear 560 Peacock St.; $5,000.

Edward J. Sr. and Helen Ann Brennan to Sherrill Anne Brennan; 1708 W. Market St.; $1.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs to George Wilcosky; 1422 Seneca St.; $22,500.

Schuylkill Haven — Gaylene Schafer to Bruce C. Schafer; 32 St. Charles St.; $1.

Shenandoah — Marianne Bobbin to Marianne Bobbin; 328 E. Lloyd St.; $1.

Randy D. Smith Sr. to Sharon L. Hockenberry; 306 W. Chester St.; $5,000.

South Manheim Township — Juergen and Silvia Happ to Nelson Hess; 2408-2410 Crow Foot Drive, Lake Wynonah; $160,000.

Dante T. and Beverly S. Alcisto to Troy E. Miller; 1470 Bearcat Cove, Lake Wynonah; $124,000.

Glenn and Melissa Rowan to Glenn and Melissa Rowan; 809 Wynonah Drive, Lake Wynonah; $1.

Ali Jenan and Danielle M. and Mark W. Fleagle to Joseph V. Sorrentino and Elizabeth Sheridan-Sorrentino; 2596 Crow Foot Drive, Lake Wynonah; $147,500.

Tamaqua — Federal National Mortgage Association to Kingdom First Properties LLC; 3 Cherry St.; $4,725.

Michael A. and Brenda L. Fredericks to Ralph and Megan Richardson; 237-239 Clay St.; $1.

Tremont — Brandon Reed to Juan Rosado; 101-103 Spring St.; $10,000.

Washington Township — Earl F. and Donna L. Yeager to Paul G. McGuigan; 184 Dad Burnhams Road; $140,000.

Wayne Township — Dennis C. Philapavage to Dennis C. Philapavage; 6 Phaons Road; $1.

Tyler L. Moser to Lauren G. and Linda J. Cass; 2006 Fair Road; $74,900.

James U. Jr. and Debra L. Todd to Matthew J. and Jody L. Stubbs; 74 Papoose Drive, Lake Wynonah; $212,000.

West Brunswick Township — Annie M. Young, by attorney in fact Patricia G. O’Neill, to John D. and Patricia G. O’Neill; 1602 Village Road, Pinebrook; $1.

West Mahanoy Township — Federal National Mortgage Association to Fred Griffith IRA; 204 Florida Ave., Shenandoah Heights; $3,500.

West Penn Township — Vernon L. Fritz to Vernon L. Fritz and Carla Ann Fritz; 0.501-acre property on Township Road 382; $1.

Frank W. Wirth to Kelly S. Johnson; 204 Troxell Valley Road, Andreas; $65,000.