Contractors for the state Department of Transportation will start guide rail repair today on Interstate 81.
Motorists are asked to be aware of lane restrictions that will be in effect starting today on I-81 between Exit 107 at Route 209 and Exit 138 at Route 309 in both directions. The restrictions will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the week.
The guide rail work is scheduled for completion by Thursday.
Deeds
Ashland — Edward J. Smith to Viktoria L. Rinker; 1709 Market St.; $7,000.
Butler Township and Gordon — Randy Bilder and Andrea M. Bilder to Randy A. Bilder; two properties; $1.
Coaldale — Amaramou LLC to Joel Stephany; property on Lehigh Street; $5,000.
Cressona — Cresswell Bros. Realty Inc. to Mine Hill Manor LLC; property on Graeff Street; $1,050,000.
East Union Township — Kirkland Investors LLC to Ricardo Rueda; 21 W. Market St., Sheppton; $50,000.
Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Wilmington Trust Co.; 33 E. Pine St., Sheppton; $1,390.78.
Gordon — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Bank of America NA; 510 McKnight St.; $1,280.91.
Mahanoy City — Thomas W. Ward III to Hopeton Brevett and Renae Gervalis; 516 W. Centre St.; $7,000.
Rosalie T. Gorman to Joseph Paul Gavala; 1418 E. Centre St.; $15,500.
Minersville — David Lee Whitman Jr. to Sean Lazarchick; 423 Kantner St.; $58,000.
North Union Township — Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. to Hugh Criollo; 14 Arapahoe Circle, Eagle Rock; $30,299.
Palo Alto — Carl and Phillis Mendes to Lionel K. Schnell; 18 Tuscarora St.; $135,000.
Pine Grove Township — Lucille L. McCarthy to John M. McCarthy, trustee of the Lucille L. McCarthy Irrevocable Trust; 228 Pine Crest Village; $1.
Porter Township — Richard M. Zurat to Richard M. Zurat; 3.87-acre property; $1.
Pottsville — NSRP LLC to Pottsville Parking Authority; property on Second Street; $20,000.
James R. and Ann Coulson to Herman J. Fenstermacher; 2107 W. Market St.; $39,000.
Patricia A. Gangemi to Patricia A. Gangemi and Patrice A. Gangemi; 212 N. 20th St.; $1.
Reilly Township — Mildred V. Schwartz, Sally E. Messaros and Mary A. Schaeffer to Frank Thompson; 37 W. Donaldson St., Swatara; $21,000.
Rush Township — Timothy P. and Mary A. Kelly and Paul W. and Mary Ann Gimbel to Samar Investments LLC; 231 Claremont Ave., Hometown; $204,900.
Ryan Township — Franklin L. and June H. Seltzer to Jason D. Fisher; 16 Rosemont Ave., Barnesville; $142,000.
Schuylkill Haven — Shirley Gilgore, executrix of the Estate of William A. Reber, to Imobiliaria LLC; 119 St. John St.; $25,000.
Shenandoah — Renee Balchus, executrix of the Estate of Audrey S. Harrison, to Maria Ruiz and Antonio Ruiz Zamudio; 3324 W. Atlantic St.; $16,000.
South Manheim Township — David D. and Shirley J. Yoder to Tim and Carolyn Anne Saarinen; 667 Apache Cove, Lake Wynonah; $375,000.
Robert J. Jr. and Sandra M. Keiber to Edward J. Jr. and Susan J. Vidzicki; Lots 2011 and 2012, Lake Wynonah; $167,500.
Tamaqua — John P. Derzok Jr., by attorneys in fact Donna L. Derzok ad Susan J. Hildebrand, to Shawn Hatta; 427 Arlington St.; $32,000.
An Ashland man charged with trying to kill another man at a home in Gordon earlier this year is among those scheduled to plead not guilty Thursday during arraignment in Schuylkill County Court.
Jamie M. Zulkowski, 38, of 16 Malones Road, was arrested by Butler Township police Lt. Daniel Holderman and charged with criminal attempt to commit criminal homicide, aggravated assault, burglary, theft, terroristic threats, possessing instruments of crime, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.
Holderman charged Zulkowski with assaulting and trying to shoot Joseph M. Monaghan at the man’s 515 McKnight St. home about 2:40 p.m. Jan. 12.
Monaghan was able to flee during the alleged attack and was not injured, Holderman reported.
Others scheduled to plead not guilty, and the charges against them, include:
Joshua S. Generella, 27, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — receiving stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Brandon R. Courtney, 42, of 2 Birch Lane, Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Rigoberto Paniagua-Gutierrez, 34, of 13 S. West St., Shenandoah — DUI, DUI-highest rate, failure to be licensed and failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic.
Tabitha M. Murphy, 41, of 217 S. Main St., Shenandoah — driving under the influence of drugs, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, windshield obstructions and wipers and general lighting requirements violation.
Paul F. Cheddar, 52, of 120 McKnight St., Box 355, Gordon — DUI-highest rate and display of registration plate-obscured.
Albert C. Sallaway, 48, of 430 E. Pine St., Mahanoy City — DUI, DUI-highest rate, violation of period requiring lighted lamps and general lighting requirements violation.
Lonnie J. Wetzel, 35, of 70 Main Blvd., Ringtown — DUI, driving under combined influence and restrictions on alcoholic beverages.
Michael G. Reno II, 24, of 909 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville — DUI and DUI-high rate.
Karen M. Geiger, 29, of 303 Broad St., Saint Clair — DUI, DUI-highest rate and restrictions on alcoholic beverages.
Shawn M. Cairo, 35, of 432 W. Spring St., Frackville — simple assault, criminal mischief, harassment and simple trespass.
Mark A. Smith, 28, of 222 Oak St., Minersville — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Denette H. Williams, 32, of 1330 Spruce St., Ashland — theft and receiving stolen property.
Francis T. Green, 32, of 211 S. Broad Mountain Ave., Frackville — persons not to possess or use firearms, terroristic threats, propulsion of missiles into occupied vehicles, possessing instruments of crime, recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct.
Joshua D. Dirossi, 23, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — receiving stolen property, theft, conspiracy, delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and theft from a motor vehicle.
Ashley N. Renninger, 30, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
John J. Bennett Jr., 28, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, contraband, resisting arrest, defiant trespass, criminal mischief, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Jeffrey A. Najunas Jr., 21, of 236 N. Jardin St., Shenandoah — illegal possession or use of firearms, conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Alex J. Shanko, 37, of 303 N. Nice St., Frackville — theft, receiving stolen property and theft by failure to make required disposition of funds.
Cody S. Glosek, 20, of 1563 Creek Road, Pitman — burglary, criminal trespass, forgery, theft and receiving stolen property.
Jody D. Forker, 43, of 373 Davos Circle, Zion Grove — theft.
Edward S. Johnson, 58, of 225 Pine St., 2nd Floor Left Apt. Rear, Tamaqua — failure to comply with registration of sexual offenders.
Daniel J. Wylie, 46, of 24 Swanks Road, Ringtown — aggravated assault, terroristic threats, unlawful restraint and recklessly endangering another person.
Brandy Lorah, 25, of 28 Old Team Road, Barnesville — theft, receiving stolen property and theft of property lost, mislaid or delivered by mistake.
Edward L. Rivera Jr., 31, of 214 Race St., Tamaqua — theft, unauthorized use of automobiles and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.
Brandon Hoffman, 19, of Box 178, Oneida — possession of drug paraphernalia and restrictions on alcoholic beverages.
Gary Cieniawa, 26, of 129 S. Hancock St., McAdoo — possession of drug paraphernalia.
Jesse Lincovich, 34, of 912 E. Pine St., Mahanoy City — public drunkenness, disorderly conduct, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Taryn Depos, 30, of 302 Mahanoy St., Tamaqua — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Laura Redner, 33, of 210 N. Railroad St., Tamaqua — forgery, theft by deception and receiving stolen property.
Kevin O. Leibensperger, 52, of 214 N. Pine St., Apt. 3, Box 136, Tamaqua — stalking and harassment.
Shawn E. Martin, 37, of 66 Bowe St., Tamaqua — theft by deception and receiving stolen property.
Chelsea L. Walters, 23, of 175 Orwigsburg St., Tamaqua — retail theft, conspiracy and receiving stolen property.
Ashley A. Fritz, 31, of 178 Suedberg Road, Pine Grove — theft, theft from a motor vehicle and theft of property lost, mislaid or delivered by mistake.
Dylan J. Eckert, 21, of 201 N. Fourth St., Minersville — unauthorized use of automobiles and possession of drug paraphernalia.
John A. Warrington, 31, of 21 Outwood Drive, Pine Grove — terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment.
Andrew A. Bassininsky, 30, of 44 Line Ave., Minersville — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Ashlee J. Horning, 19, of 508 E. Market St., Pottsville — possession of a small amount of marijuana, windshield obstructions and wipers violation and failure to obey traffic control signals.
Brandyn T. Spece, 25, of 1440 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Rebecca I. Haller, 43, of 319 W. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City — violation of Public Welfare Code.
Francis P. Lavan, 60, of 43 S. Morris St., Saint Clair — disorderly conduct.
Cora T. Felix, 18, of 226 Fairview St., Pottsville — criminal mischief.
Renee L. Bogden, 49, of 224 N. Second St., Apt. 1B, Pottsville — unsworn falsification to authorities, false reports, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked and careless driving.
Kelly E. Bancroft, 44, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — public drunkenness and sale or illegal use of certain solvents-possession.
Wayne Gavenas, 34, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy.
Jared T. Stessalavage, 28, of 636 W. Market St., Orwigsburg — public drunkenness, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Brent E. Newman, 30, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — unlawful restraint, terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment.
Brandin S. Shirey, 25, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — statutory sexual assault-11 years older, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, aggravated indecent assault of a person under the age of 13, corruption of minors and indecent assault of a person under the age of 13.
Brandy L. Abell, 36, of 512 N. Centre St., Room 6, Pottsville — conspiracy, theft, possession of drug paraphernalia and receiving stolen property.
Richard W. Ochs, 42, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — receiving stolen property, burglary, conspiracy, theft, criminal trespass and loitering and prowling at night.
Canei B. Miller, 25, of 231 Peacock St., Pottsville — false identification to law enforcement, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked and general lighting requirements violation.
Carissa D. Wallace, 27, of 801 Fairmont Ave., Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.
Thomas J. Kehl, 25, of 123 Park Place Road, Mahanoy City — retail theft and receiving stolen property.
Timothy J. Welker Jr., 26, of 251 Lafayette St., Tamaqua — retail theft and receiving stolen property.
Shawn Martin, 37, of 66 Bowe St., Tamaqua — retail theft, receiving stolen property and bad checks.
Brenda Fetter, 54, of 318 Penn St., Tamaqua — forgery.
Cory M. Whitley, 23, of 107 Washington St., Tamaqua — selling or dispensing a controlled substance with a known trademark.
Vanessa L. Miller, 28, of 503 N. Railroad St., Apt. 3, Tamaqua — theft and receiving stolen property.
Henry C. Polk, 55, of The Monfort Motel, Room 7, Sheppton — possession of a small amount of marijuana, obstructing emergency services, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
April A. Tovar, 37, of 438 W. Oak St., Shenandoah — retail theft and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Eric S. Creamer, 25, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, ethnic intimidation, terroristic threats, possessing instruments of crime, receiving stolen property, simple assault and disorderly conduct.
Michael T. Pritula, 33, of 22 New Road, Box 32, Lost Creek — possession of marijuana, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and restrictions on alcoholic beverages.
Mercedes M. Alexander, 19, of 18 N. Second St., Apt. 3, Minersville — theft, conspiracy and retail theft.
Michael J. Spirko Jr., 43, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — retail theft.
Thomas P. Reynolds, 32, of 414 Carbon St., Minersville — possession of drug paraphernalia.
Jacob A. Klinger-Mumma, 21, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — aggravated assault, making repairs to or selling offensive weapons, resisting arrest, retail theft and possessing instruments of crime.
Jasper Rabbitz, 26, of 145 Chamberlaine Ave., #B, Pottsville — aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault, harassment, disorderly conduct and simple trespasser.
Tara N. Kiem, 30, of 19 Walnut St., Ashland — theft and receiving stolen property.
Christine C. Ritter, 29, of 305 Race St., Tamaqua — possession of drug paraphernalia.
Derrek E. Thomas, 21, of 24 Zion Church Road, Pitman — burglary, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and simple trespasser.
Jared Z. Bush, 18, of 85B Smith Road, Pitman — burglary, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and simple trespasser.
Robert T. O’Brien II, 46, of 231 W. Grand Ave., Tower City — terroristic threats, simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.
Bradley S. Donton, 32, of 550 Deturksville Road, Pine Grove — terroristic threats and simple assault.
John P. Graf, 25, of 18 Skyline Lane, Pine Grove — false imprisonment, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.
Brendon J. Hasara, 44, of 1017 E. Pine St., Mahanoy City — indecent exposure, open lewdness and disorderly conduct.
Bryan L. Chambers, 32, of State Correctional Institution/Mahanoy, Frackville — contraband-possession of a telecommunications device and weapons or implements for escape.
Sara Tatro, 20, of 221 W. Arlington St., Shenandoah — retail theft.
Sean T. Cooper, 45, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — criminal trespass and defiant trespasser.
Ashley M. Martin, 28, of 28 Phoenix Park Road, Llewellyn — retail theft.
Heather Arias-Maravilla, 39, of 18 N. Second St., Apt. 3, Minersville — conspiracy, theft and retail theft.
Shawn F. Sukeena, 28, of 606 Pottsville St., Minersville — forgery, alteration of destruction of a vehicle identification number, possession of drug paraphernalia, theft by deception, receiving stolen property and altered, forged or counterfeit documents or plates.
Justin M. Hoban, 35, of 5 E. Sunbury St., Minersville — unsworn falsification to authorities.
Jeremy M. Lutz, 32, of 107 Arlene St., Minersville — retail theft and receiving stolen property.
Mark A. Smith, 29, of 717 Pinewood Circle, Pottsville — retail theft.
Conan J. Luther, 28, of 66 Coal St., Apt. 2, Port Carbon — theft of leased property and receiving stolen property.
Andrea M. Spece, 46, of 1440 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville — theft of leased property and receiving stolen property.
Christian D. Kuzowsky, 41, of 1 Earl St., Lot 28, Hilltop Mobile Home Park, Schuylkill Haven — retail theft and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.
Lawrence M. Bethea, 21, of 431 Church Road, Minersville — retail theft.
Michael J. Vinanskie, 49, of 124 Cherry St., Saint Clair — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Claude A. Kauffman, 52, of 33 N. Nicholas St., Saint Clair — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Todd A. Generella, 45, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — retail theft.
Johnny J. Baker, 36, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — retail theft and receiving stolen property.
Zachary L. Kabana, 22, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — theft, receiving stolen property and theft by deception.
Kayla A. Culbert, 32, of 337 Carbon St., Minersville — terroristic threats, endangering the welfare of a child, possession of a controlled substance, harassment and recklessly endangering another person.
Dylan J. Valentine, 25, of 233 Pine St., Apt. 2, Tamaqua — receiving stolen property and theft by deception.
Thomas J. Bettinger, 40, of 210 Chestnut St., Box 138, Mar Lin — criminal trespass and criminal attempt to commit theft.
Brandon J. Hoffman, 20, of 7 W. Penn St., Schuylkill Haven — theft, conspiracy, receiving stolen property, theft by deception and access device fraud.
Bret V. Elliott, 31, of 612 Carbon St., Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia.
Kassidy N. Bowers, 20, of 613 Harrison St., Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Deb Barbosa, 23, of 403 W. South St., Mahanoy City — retail theft and receiving stolen property.
Edward J. McAloose, 60, of 10 Bayview Ave., McAdoo — driving without insurance, driving an unregistered vehicle, failure to be licensed and altered, forged or counterfeit documents or plates.
Ashley Slack, 49, of 535 N. 3rd St., Box 744, Minersville — bad checks.
Eric S. Traub, 37, of 508 W. Grand Ave., Tower City — accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property, failure to carry registration, driving without a license, driving with a suspended or revoked license, disregard for single traffic lane and failure to stop and give information or render aid.
HARRISBURG — The Schuylkill Conservation District will receive a $67,024 grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection to again monitor water quality on the Upper Swatara Creek, state Reps. Neal P. Goodman and Mike Tobash and state Sen. David G. Argall announced.
“Unfortunately, routine monitoring in the watershed stopped in 2007,” Goodman, D-123, said. “I’m pleased that the state is again providing funding that will give us a fresh look at the water quality in the creek and locations of acid mine drainage in the watershed.”
“Past monitoring of Upper Swatara Creek led to acid mine drainage and abandoned mine land reclamation projects,” Tobash, R-125, said. “The stream now supports native trout, but the new round of monitoring will help us learn if more action is needed.”
“The Upper Swatara Creek Watershed has a long history of anthracite mining in the late 1800s through the mid-1900s,” Argall, R-29, said. “This funding, which comes from fees placed on the coal industry, will go a long way to improve the quality of our waterways as well as recreational opportunities in Schuylkill County and beyond.”
The monitoring will take place in Tremont, Frailey, Reilly and Porter townships over two years, Wayne G. Lehman, county natural resources specialist with the Schuylkill Conservation District, said.
“It will let us know about improvements we have made to the creek, and what we still need to do,” Lehman said.
MAHANOY CITY — The young girls who attended the “Head to Soul” makeover at Zion Baptist Church learned more about each other Sunday.
The 15 girls got to know more about each other by asking questions such as whether they liked swimming, technology or reading.
It was the first of a 10-session program meant to improve the lives of young girls in Schuylkill County by helping them build self-confidence and develop healthful character traits. The sessions will be held at the church on consecutive Sundays, with the last being June 12. No session will be held May 8, which is Mother’s Day, according to newspaper archives.
Sharon Mullin, pastor, contacted Care Net Pregnancy Center of Schuylkill County about the program.
“I think it’s very important for young girls to have a very positive self-image,” Mullin said.
She learned about the two programs that were held in Pottsville by Care Net and asked if they could do something in Mahanoy City. At the end of the program, the participants will receive a book “Head to Soul,” a copy of which was at the church Sunday.
Kylie Dorneman, 11, of Mahanoy City, said she joined to meet new people and had a fun time Sunday.
Some questions helped the girls open up about themselves at the first session.
One girl said she does not like chocolate.
“Angel, how can you dislike chocolate?” Dana Oravitz, a Care Net volunteer and program coordinator, asked.
The girl said that chocolate makes her sick.
Another girl said she was born in Virginia, which the other participants hadn’t known.
One question focused on what the participants wanted to be when they grew up. One girl said she wanted to be a nurse. Another said she wanted to be a lawyer.
Oravitz told the girls that every week they are going to have a test about character qualities “just to get us to look inward a little bit. It’s good to find out where our weaknesses are,” she said.
She also told the girls that if they speak up during the sessions, they will get play money to redeem for items.
“I want to hear your voice. This is your program,” Oravitz said.
There will be different sessions geared for girls, usually between 11 and 17 years old, Oravitz said.
Mullin said the program is still open to those who want to join. Reservations are appreciated but not necessary. For more information, email carenetteenprogram@gmail.com.
MAR LIN — Students looking to become licensed practical nurses at Schuylkill Technology Centers in Schuylkill County will have to go a bit more into debt.
On Wednesday night, the board of directors for the Schuylkill County Area Vocational Technical School — the same group of school administrators who make up the board running Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 — decided to increase the tuition rate and certain fees for LPNs.
According to the motion presented, there were two increases:
• “Tuition increase from $13,132.50 to $13,905.00 to reflect the hourly rate of $9 per hour.”
• “Lab/test fee increase from $1,060 to $1,355. This is due to an increase in ATI, the cost for CPR certification and the cost for Capstone/Virtual. The Capstone Virtual program assists students when preparing to pass the NCLEX.”
“It’s a one-year program,” Brian A. Manning, IU 29 assistant business manager, said.
The ATI stands for Assessment Technologies Institute.
“ATI Nursing Education is what nurse educators need to do their jobs and do them really well. As the nation’s preeminent e-learning provider, ATI offers programs that are instrumental in improving faculty, student and program outcomes,” according to www.atitesting.com.
“It’s software that will enhance their ability to score better for the state licensure exam,” Barbara Naradko, the IU 29 director of post-secondary programs and community based education, said.
NCLEX stands for National Council Licensure Examination.
NCLEX is “a comprehensive integrated examination, developed and administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, designed to test basic competency for nursing practice, according to www.thefreedictionary.com.
Present at Wednesday’s meeting were Scott Jacoby, president, the Schuylkill Haven Area representative; Charles Wagner, the Pottsville Area representative; Jay Hanley, the Mahanoy Area representative; Gretchen Ulmer, the Minersville Area representative; Anne J.F. Usuka, the Blue Mountain representative; Chaz Hepler, the North Schuylkill representative; Jeanette Zembas, the Saint Clair Area representative; Richard Zimmerman, the Shenandoah Valley representative; Larry A. Wittig, the Tamaqua Area representative; Roger Heidlebaugh, the Tri-Valley representative; and Daniel F. Stroup, the Williams Valley representative.
Absent was David Frew, the Pine Grove representative.
In late 2015 and earlier this year, the board said the school buildings utilized by Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 and Schuylkill Technology Center will need to have sections of their roofs either repaired or replaced in the next few years.
Manning provided an update on the project March 28.
“We have removed the item from discussion at our board table until a later date when there is more stable funding from the state legislature for schools. In the current environment with the state legislature, construction projects are going to become harder to prepare for in both school districts and IUs; for schools because of PlanCon reimbursements and for IUs because we lack borrowing ability and many times have to fund these projects out of reserves. Currently, we do not have enough reserves to fund the roof replacement at the Maple Avenue Campus and retain enough reserves to continue operations. We will address this issue next year and hopefully at that time, we will have a stable budget from the state legislature that will allow us to make sound decisions with known outcomes. Until then we will continue to address roof leaks as they occur as we have to date,” Manning said via email.
At Wednesday’s meeting, Wittig said, “We were discussing options at the last meeting. Nothing was shelved but we were just discussing options about which way we were going to go from a funding perspective and a contractual perspective.”
In other matters, the board decided to hold its regular IU 29 and STC board meetings in alternative locations in May and June.
Scott Allvord, a masonry instructor at STC-North, Frackville, suggested the boards hold meetings at STC-North and STC-South, Mar Lin.
“We’ve had a request from Mr. Allvord to have some of our meetings at the vocational/technical schools and we’ve decided that with the nice weather coming in May our meeting both for the IU and the vocational/technical school will be held at the North Campus and in June we will move to the South Campus. Then in July we’ll come back here to the Maple Avenue Campus,” Jacoby said.
The boards meet at 7 p.m. the first Monday of the month.
REEDSVILLE — State police Troop L at Schuylkill Haven is moving to a new building, Sgt. Fred Krute, station commander, said Monday.
He said the new building will be on state Route 183 in Wayne Township, not far from Summit Station Fire Company. He said there is a 5-acre lot off Route 183 for the police building, about 3 miles away from the current site. He said he didn’t know if the proposed area has an exact address yet.
“We’ve outgrown it. It’s old. It was just time for the state to get us a new building,” he said.
The troop moved to its current building at 23 Meadowbrook Drive in 1985 and leases the building from Miller Brothers Construction, Schuylkill Haven, Krute said. He said the lease expires June 30, 2017.
“They are going to try to break ground at the end of this month,” he said.
Krute said work on the new building could take about 14 months.
“We will get all new furniture. Everything will be brand new,” he said.
Other improvements include an upgrade to the computer room and a proposed conference room.
The barracks covers Klingerstown to Port Clinton and provides police coverage to 17 municipalities because they do not have a police force. They include Cressona, North Manheim Township and Norwegian Township. It also provide part-time coverage to seven municipalities, such as Orwigsburg, when needed.
The busiest area for calls is North Manheim Township and along Route 61, Krute said, adding that is likely due to the development in the area.
He said the contract was awarded to Hudson Companies, Hermitage.
Bids went out Jan. 30, 2015. Krute did not know the amount of the contract or when it was awarded. A representative of Hudson Companies, who did not provide their name, confirmed the company was awarded the contract, but no further information was available.
“We will lease it from Hudson (Companies),” Krute said, adding he did not know the duration of the lease.
Krute did not know the exact square footage of the new building. The current building is about 4,000 square feet.
Knute said 37 people work in the building — 27 troopers, four corporals, four civilian police communications operators, a clerk and himself.
Krute said response time will not be negatively impacted by the move. It is about a three minute difference between the current site and the proposed one. He said people appreciate the state police and that they have a visible presence in the community.
Krute, who has been the station commander since June 8, 2015, said he did not know if he will work at the new station because he could retire at the end of the year.
Officials from Wayne Township said they are not very familiar with the plans for the new state police building.
Bill Murphy, building code officer, said Monday he did not receive any permits for the proposed building.
“Nothing has been done through us yet,” he said.
Township Supervisor Stanley Fidler said Monday he was aware there were surveying markers in the ground and an orange barrel in proposed area.
“There was nothing that came before us. Nobody in the township knew anything about it,” he said.
State police Trooper David Beohm, a public information officer for Troop L, Reading, did not return a phone call or email Monday for comment.
In an effort to promote businesses and tourist attractions in Schuylkill County, and to celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week, which is May 1 to 7, the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau is planning its first Tourism Expo.
“Schuylkill County has a lot going on,” Gerald L. “Jerry” Enders, secretary of the bureau’s board of directors, said Monday, “and the expo will enable each member to share information about their upcoming events, products or special offers.”
He’s hoping more than 100 of the bureau’s 195 members will participate in the first Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau Tourism Expo, to be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 7 at Fairlane Village mall, just off Route 61 in Norwegian Township.
“Right now, close to 50 have pre-registered to be there,” Enders, owner of Jerry’s Classic Cars & Collectibles Museum, Pottsville, said.
“We’re hoping to have more than 80 tables set up throughout the mall that day,” Joan Goodman, innkeeper at Kaier Mansion Bed & Breakfast, Mahanoy City, said.
“If you come out, you’re going to see a lot of tables set up. You’ll see a lot of brochures and fliers. You’re going to find information about Hawk Mountain, the Appalachian Trail, area hotels, campgrounds and golf courses. Many organizations are going to be giving out information to promote their businesses. There will also be a lot of giveaways and discount coupons available. There may be some raffle drawings. And people can sign up for prizes while they’re there,” Enders said.
“I think it’s a good idea. I have a referral group that meets with me. And I tell them what brings people in to my bed and breakfast. And people are amazed by all of the things to do in Schuylkill County that bring people in. So this is a good idea, to show people what the county has to offer,” Allyson Chryst Seibert, owner of The Maid’s Quarters Bed, Breakfast & Tearoom, Pottsville, said.
“I think it’s great. I’m going to use it as a training resource for my people, so that they can come down and see what’s going on in the county and be able to better inform our guests,” Noreen O’Boyle, general manager of Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Frackville, said.
“I’m excited about it. It should be great for the community. I don’t think people in this county realize all that happens in our county. There’s always someone who says ‘There’s nothing to do around here.’ So here they’ll get a good idea of what’s here for people to enjoy and do,” Debbie Altobelli, tour director at D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc., Pottsville, said.
“The concept was to make sure the people of Schuylkill County knew what was available in their backyard for enjoyment and when they have visitors or folks coming in they would have the resources they needed to schedule a nice day visit or weekend stuff. And it’s a great opportunity for our members to connect,” Regina Gargano, executive director of the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau, said.
Altobelli, Enders, Goodman, O’Boyle and Seibert are co-chairs of the event.
Enders said he came up with idea for the event after attending a similar event run by the Pennsylvania Bus Association, Harrisburg. After discussing the idea with the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau board of directors and making phone calls to members, he said it all came together.
“We called about 40 or 50 of our members and got feedback. Everyone was very receptive to the idea and excited about doing it. The mall isn’t going to charge us for the event,” Enders said.
Members of the visitors bureau interested in participating can stop in to its offices at Union Station, call the bureau at 570-622-7700 or email Donna Setlock, the bureau’s office manager, at donna@schuylkill.org.
“It’s free for our members. This is something that our organization wanted to do as a perk for our members. And the slogan for the event is ‘Your Tour Starts Here,’ ” Enders said.
PINE GROVE — Curiosity seekers may enjoy the trips to caverns, a wild animal park, museum or dinner theater.
Sports fans may prefer a round of golf, a bowfishing charter or a chance to see a baseball game.
Others may find the draw of dazzling diamond jewelry, a homemade dollhouse, a handcrafted firemen’s quilt by Diane Ditzler, or artwork by local artists Margery Wheeler Mattox or David Kintzel to their liking.
All items will be up for grabs during the sixth annual Pine Grove area benefit auction for Operation Hugs & Kisses. The event will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday in the banquet room of Pine Grove Hose, Hook & Ladder Fire Company, 1 Orchard St., Pine Grove. Parking is available on-site. A Chinese auction shop and drop will be held the evening before from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. The live bidding gets underway Saturday.
According to Kathy Schnoke, Operation Hugs & Kisses secretary, there are more than 200 items available for the live bidding and more than 100 items offered for the Chinese auction.
Last year’s benefit auction raised $26,000.
Operation Hugs & Kisses was formed in 2010 to help the Pine Grove community after two row home fires devastated a large portion of the main street. In September 2011, the nonprofit group also assisted during the community’s devastating flood losses and recovery. The organization consists solely of volunteers dedicated to benefitting their community.
Operation Hugs & Kisses has aided six volunteer fire companies with proceeds from its benefit auction for the last five years. It also adopted a Federal Emergency Management Agency buy-out of green space from the 2011 flood and is working on developing a park-like setting on the property at Laurel and East Pottsville streets, according to Schnoke.
Some of the proceeds have been used to place planters and trash receptacles throughout Pine Grove, Tremont and Donaldson; to replace community playground equipment lost in the flooding; and to help Pine Grove Children’s Aid, Relay for Life, local Boy Scouts, Pine Grove Disaster Relief fund, Pine Grove Lions Club, the holiday lights committee and many other local nonprofit groups.
Operation Hugs & Kisses will continue with its scholarship that was first presented in 2014 to a Pine Grove graduate who has given the most volunteer hours to the community during the student’s high school years. Some of the funds from this year’s event may also be donated to the burn building at the Schuylkill County Fire School, Frackville. Although the burn facility is outside the Pine Grove Area School District, the area’s six fire companies often use it for training.
Schnoke said the group wants to launch a membership drive, hoping to add to its current roster of more than 50 volunteers. Operation Hugs & Kisses meets on the first Monday of every month at the group’s building, 7 Mill Race St., Pine Grove. All are welcome.
For more information on auction items available or to volunteer, visit the group’s Facebook page, call 570-392-6425 or email 2010xoxo@comcast.net.
Brian R. Specht will go to state prison after admitting Monday in Schuylkill County Court that he possessed a salable amount of methamphetamine in May 2015 in Mahanoy City.
Specht 47, of Pottsville, who had been scheduled to go on trial Monday before a jury and Judge Jacqueline L. Russell, instead pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension-DUI related.
Russell accepted Specht’s plea and sentenced him to serve two to four years in a state correctional institution and an additional five years on probation, pay costs, a $500 fine, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, perform 40 hours community service and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.
She made the prison sentence consecutive to one of six to 16 months Specht had received Thursday in another case.
“I am extremely concerned about people delivering drugs,” Russell said. “I do appreciate the fact that you came in here and admitted your guilt.”
Mahanoy City police charged Specht with possessing five bags of methamphetamine, 27 clear plastic baggies, a digital scale and a metal mixing spoon at 4:10 p.m. May 15, 2015, in his vehicle on West Mahanoy Avenue in the borough. Police also said Specht was driving at the time with a license that had been suspended as a result of a driving under the influence case.
Specht acknowledged he has substance abuse woes.
“I had a problem with alcohol,” he told Russell. “Then, I switched to methamphetamine.”
Even Specht’s lawyer, Assistant Public Defender Kent D. Watkins, knows his client is in trouble.
“A state sentence might help him overcome mental health issues and drug addiction issues,” he said. “He appears to be somebody who needs help.”
After sentencing Specht, Russell brought the jurors back into the courtroom to tell them what had occurred.
“You should not feel your service wasn’t necessary,” Russell told them. “Had you not been here ... Mr. Specht would not have pled guilty.”
Specht’s legal troubles are not over.
He is scheduled to go on trial at 9 a.m. today before another jury and Judge James P. Goodman on charges of aggravated assault, terroristic threats, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment. State police at Schuylkill Haven allege he committed those crimes on July 23, 2015, in Norwegian Township.
Assistant District Attorney Debra A. Smith is prosecuting the case, while Watkins again is representing Specht.
Defendant: Brian R. Specht
Age: 47
Residence: Pottsville
Crimes committed: Possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension-DUI related
Prison sentence: Two to four years in a state correctional institution and an additional five years on probation consecutive to current sentence
SACRAMENTO — A new law firm will be representing Hubley Township during the appeal of Hegins and Hubley townships’ joint Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan before the state Environmental Hearing Board on April 19.
Hubley Township supervisors Chairman Keith A. Masser, Robert R. Barr and Frank Krammes on Monday unanimously approved an agreement of representation with Rhoads & Sinon LLP, Harrisburg, dropping the services of its current solicitor on the matter, Paul J. Datte, Pottsville.
Hubley Township supervisors expressed frustration Monday that they felt they were forced to take action and warned taxpayers of the costs associated with what they described as “wasteful litigation.”
The attorney representing Hegins Township in the appeal, John G. Dean of Elliott Greenleaf PC, Scranton, filed a motion March 25 with the EHB to disqualify Datte from representing Hubley Township in the appeal case.
The appeal hearing is slated to begin 10 a.m. April 19, before presiding Judge Richard P. Mather Sr., in Room 1, at the Environmental Hearing Board offices, second floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market St., Harrisburg.
Masser read from a prepared statement on behalf of the Hubley board of supervisors. He said Hubley and Hegins townships have spent tens of thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours addressing the Act 537 sewage plan. The plan was submitted to the state Department of Environmental Protection on two separate occasions, attempting to address both townships’ needs and costs. The inclusion and deletion of outlying areas in both townships was debated at length and reviewed extensively by DEP, he said. The final joint plan took into account the substantial additional grants and financial concessions that would be available if the outlying areas were included.
“We believe that removal of any of those outlying areas will substantially diminish the financial aid that will be available for the project and will result in significant additional costs for all members of our community both in the form of higher rates for the persons served by the proposed sewer and in the form of higher taxes to pay for the wasteful litigation before the Environmental Hearing Board.”
The statement continues, “As a result of the actions of a few citizens in Hegins Township there are now substantial additional costs that will be incurred by both townships.”
The statement notes Hegins Township has retained new and different counsel and has participated in several conferences with the judge hearing the challenge raised by a few citizens and made no objection to attorney Datte representing Hubley Township. However, “at literally the 11th hour and on the eve of having to submit final positions to the Environmental Hearing Board, Hegins Township’s counsel has objected to attorney Datte being involved in the matter claiming there is a conflict.”
“This objection was raised at the last possible moment even though all of the evidence that will be presented at the hearing is already public record. We believe that there is no true conflict on the part of attorney Datte, however, the township, at Mr. Datte’s request, has retained new and different counsel which will result in significant additional cost and expense for the citizens of Hubley Township.”
According to the agreement Hubley signed with the new law firm, Rhoads & Sinon, the bulk of the legal services performed will be managed by Timothy J. Nieman and Paul J. Bruder with assistance from other attorneys and paralegals, as appropriate. The hourly rate will be $375 for all partners, and $240 for all associates, and standard rates for law clerks, legal assistants and paralegals. In addition to the legal fees, costs incurred could include charges for filing fees and disbursements, photocopying, travel, transportation, lodging and meals, computerized legal research, transcripts, postage, messenger and courier services and long-distance telephone charges. No advanced payment or retainer was requested. The firm will submit a statement to the township on a monthly basis, identifying the work done and the time expended. Payment of the invoices is due upon receipt.
One resident attending the meeting, Dale Bixler, asked if Hubley could afford the current figures for legal services.
“We don’t have a choice,” Krammes said.
Masser asked Bixler if he wanted the township to “roll over.”
“We have to defend the (Act 537) plan. ... Will your taxes go up? I don’t know,” Masser said.
Datte attended the meeting. He said he did file a response to the motion filed to disqualify him. “There was no allegation of any specific wrong-doing,” Datte said.
He said he’d be “transitioning” the file to R&S, and would be speaking with the judge.
“I’ll take care of it,” Datte said.
The supervisors thanked Datte for his service.
“Thank you for stepping up and trying to save our citizens some money,” Krammes said.
In the township’s public statement, Masser said the sewer project will be a major expense for both townships, but the law dictates that both townships have an Act 537 plan.
“The plan is probably not perfect, but it is a good plan and it will eventually be implemented. It is unfortunate that the position taken by a few will result in major expense for all the rest of the citizens of both townships,” he said.
It is even more unsettling that the continuous delay in implementing the plan has and will cause a deterioration in the real estate market in both townships, he said.
“The delay in the Act 537 plan implementation is and will have a direct impact on the ability of hundreds of residents to sell their homes and to build new homes. In a nut shell, it has brought growth and prosperity of our small community to a grinding halt.”
“How silly and wasteful this has become is evidenced by the fact that Hegins Township now appears to be challenging the very plan that is sponsored and submitted to DEP,” Masser said.
Meanwhile, information from the EHB website details the motion Dean filed on behalf of Hegins Township.
In other matters, the Hubley supervisors:
• Approved a recommendation by Barr to purchase a 90-inch mower from Schreffler’s Equipment.
• Appointed Dave Miller as the emergency management officer, to assist with designations of FEMA funds from this winter’s snowstorm.
• Heard from resident Jeannette Greenhaus who asked supervisors how she could comment at the very beginning of the meeting, if there was new business discussed later in the meeting. She asked supervisors if they’d consider a public comment period also at the end of the meeting. Hubley Township Solicitor James P. Diehl, Pottsville, asked if she had any comments to add in regard to the agreement of representation and Greenhaus said she did not at this time. (Diehl represents Hubley in other matters, unrelated to the Act 537 plan.)
• Announced Hubley, Hegins and Barry townships were working cooperatively on their upcoming road projects.
FRACKVILLE — Dawn Thomas’s 12-year-old daughter, Asha, is opting out of the tests that are an April tradition for most Pennsylvania pupils — the PSSAs.
As a sixth-grader at North Schuylkill Elementary School, this will be the second year Asha has not taken the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment. The PSSA math and reading tests are administered every spring to third- through eighth-graders. A science test is also given in grades four and eight.
“I was really nervous and wondered how it would affect my grade,” Asha said, describing the anguish she felt previously completing the tests.
Finding the appropriate educational accommodations for her daughter has been a journey, according to her mother. Thomas said her family moved to the Frackville area in 2012. Thomas allowed her daughter to take the PSSAs in fourth grade. In fifth grade, and again this year, she is opting her daughter out of those standardized exams for religious reasons.
“In fourth grade, she was so stressed out about them. I’ve been told by many teachers that they don’t like Common Core and they don’t like the PSSAs,” Thomas said. “In fourth grade, she was so stressed, thinking these tests were like the SATs. She’d cry every night and couldn’t sleep and complained about them. She was told if she didn’t do well, she wouldn’t progress to the next grade level.”
Thomas reviewed the PSSA tests Asha would be taking in fourth grade.
“I didn’t see a problem with them, although I knew there were things on there that they hadn’t learned yet. I let her take them in fourth grade,” she said.
However, Thomas said after she saw the stress on her daughter, she began perusing websites addressing PSSA options. That’s where she discovered that she could have her daughter opt out. Thomas said the websites that provided her valuable information were www.optoutpa.blogspot.com and wwww.unitedoptout.com.
When her daughter was in fifth grade, Thomas said she called the guidance department and was also given an opportunity to look at the tests.
“I signed the paper to opt out and asked the teacher what Asha would be doing instead. They said she’d sit in the guidance office or main office and read. I said she’s not going to be punished. I asked if I could come in and sit with her and they said no. I suggested she could help the younger grades who weren’t taking the test and they said no.”
She also met with North Schuylkill Superintendent Robert J. Ackell.
“I went to Dr. Ackell and had copies of my request and I signed my name. I asked him what she could do or if I could bring her in later. They said, yes, she could come in later, but that would count as an unexcused absence or a tardy,” Thomas said.
Asha said, “I wanted to help with the little kids who weren’t testing and didn’t want to be sitting in the guidance office reading a book.”
Thomas said there were questions on the test her child had not learned and when she asked about that, she was told that it was to challenge students.
“As a child, that could stress them out,” Thomas said.
Instead of sending her daughter into the school to sit in an office on the testing days, Thomas said she got an educational field trip request form to fill out and kept her daughter home 10 days last year.
To any critics who may argue that children need to learn to take tests, including the PSSAs, Thomas said, “I know my child can take a test. She’s on the distinguished honor roll.”
Thomas stressed that she likes the school district and her children’s teachers — her problem is with the test itself, the time spent prepping for the tests and pressure placed on scoring well to secure school funding.
“They bribe them with snacks and extra play time, and let them watch a movie or have a party (when they’re finished),” Thomas said.
“There are other states that have opted out of their state’s test, which is similar to our PSSAs,” she said.
“I hope other parents will see that I’m not opting my child out because she’ll fail. I just don’t like that they’re using our children to get funding. I want them to see that there is a choice. I’m sure some of them are afraid that they or their children will be treated differently,” Thomas said.
Because her husband is working and she’s a stay-at-home mom, Thomas will be able to spend time with her daughter during her “educational field trip.” If both parents had been working full time outside of the home, that could pose a problem for some parents considering the opt out, she said. Instead of the 10 days she took off last year, Asha will only have to be at home six days this year — Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of each week — until the tests are completed, her mother said. Asha will still be able to participate in chorus, which is held on Mondays, her mother said. Last year, she missed chorus.
“I’m requesting the school district make accommodations for her,” Thomas said. “My child needs to be provided with an alternative learning environment.”
Ackell said as of Wednesday, there were no students in high school who opted out of this year’s testing. At the elementary level, there had been a request from parents of two students, with one student requesting to opt out of two tests and another student wanting to opt out of three tests for a total of five tests, he said.
Anyone making the opt out request has to go through the proper protocol before they would be approved. That includes parents or guardians undertaking a three-step process: submitting paperwork seeking the opt out in writing and alerting the building principal of their intent; signing a paper stating that they will not discuss what’s on the PSSA tests that they could review and submitting a letter stating the tests are against his or her religious beliefs.
Ackell confirmed that children who are not taking the PSSA test will be accommodated by the district.
“The students will be involved in academic enrichment when testing is occurring,” he said, noting those students will be located in a different room from where test takers will be.
North Schuylkill is slated to start the PSSAs on April 12 and continue the testing over the following three weeks, according to Ackell.
Ackell said he hadn’t discussed the opt out situation with any of his colleagues or fellow district superintendents.
Diane Niederriter, executive director of Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, said Wednesday that the member districts do not report the number of PSSA tests opted out of each year to the IU.
According to the state Department of Education website, the “PSSA, measures how well students have achieved in reading, mathematics, science and writing according to Pennsylvania’s world-class academic standards. By using these standards, educators, parents and administrators can evaluate their students’ strengths and weaknesses to increase students’ achievement scores.
“According to the federal No Child Left Behind Act, students must be 100 percent proficient in reading and math by 2014. The PSSA results allow schools and districts to evaluate their students’ progress to make full proficiency a reality. The federal No Child Left Behind Act also requires states to determine annually whether schools and districts in Pennsylvania make Adequate Yearly Progress, also known as AYP. Performance and participation on the PSSA are among the components used to make AYP determinations.”
Requests to opt out of taking the PSSA tests nearly tripled from 2014 to 2015, according to The Republican-Herald archives. In five years, parental requests grew from 624 in 2011 to 7,890 in 2015.
Thomas has two other children, a son, Elliott, 8, and another daughter, Frankie, 7. They weren’t old enough to start taking the PSSAs yet, but Thomas said she will probably sign the paperwork in the upcoming school years to also opt them out of taking the PSSAs.
Traffic changes
for Lager-Jogger
Due to the Yuengling Light Lager-Jogger 5K race and block party being held in the city on Saturday, Pottsville Police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky said the following temporary traffic regulations will be utilized.
• Block party area: Mahantongo Street, from Third to Seventh streets.
Vendors will be on scene setting up stands Friday during the day and restricted traffic flow will be able to pass through the area until 6 a.m. Saturday at which time the area will be closed off to all vehicular traffic.
The roadway will be reopened at approximately noon Saturday and there will be no parking in the block party area beginning at 8 a.m. Friday through Saturday afternoon.
• Race route: The route for the race will include the start and finish lines at Seventh and Mahantongo streets. The race will run from that area to 19th street, 19th street from Mahantongo Street to Norwegian Street, on Norwegian from 19th to 22nd streets, 22nd Street from Norwegian to Mahantongo streets, Mahantongo Street from 22nd to 20th streets, 20th Street from Mahantongo Street to Howard Avenue, Howard Avenue from 20th to 12th streets, 12th Street from Howard Avenue to Mahantongo Street and Mahantongo Street from 12th to Seventh streets.
Wojciechowsky said there were be temporary no-parking regulations in effect along the race route beginning about 7 a.m. Saturday through the completion of the race, expected to be about 11 a.m.
It was also announced that no traffic will be allowed on or across the race route from about 8 a.m. until the conclusion of the race, the chief said.
Anyone with specific problems associated with the temporary regulations is asked to call the Pottsville Bureau of Police at 570-622-1234, ext. 350.
New Philadelphia
woman fakes test
Pottsville police charged a New Philadelphia woman after an incident about 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Schuylkill County Adult Probation office, 300 N. Third St.
Police said probabtion officers reported that Renee E. Gibas was caught by probation officer Holly Chapman, 44, trying to use urine secreted in a pill bottle as her required specimen.
Based on the results of the investigation, Patrolman Michael Stank charged Gibas with a misdemeanor offense of furnishing drug-free urine.
Mount Carmel man
jailed for drugs
A Mount Carmel man was jailed after being arrested by Pottsville police after an incident about 7 p.m. Saturday at the Capital Parking Garage, Progress Avenue and Race Street.
Police said Frederick N. Crespo, 19, was seen leaving the garage and stopped as part of a proactive measure due to recent reports of criminal activity in the garage area.
Shortly after the contact with Crespo, police said, officers found additional people hiding inside the garage.
During a substantial investigation, police said, Crespo tried to flee from police on foot but was taken into custody in a backyard located in the 400 block of East Market Street where was found to be in possession of marijuana packaged for individual sale along with a digital scale and drug paraphernalia.
Police said Crespo admitted to officers that he was involved in selling marijuana in order to raise money for himself.
Crespo was charged with felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal trespass. He was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $15,000 straight cash bail, police said.
6 face charges
in Rush Township
HOMETOWN — Six people are facing charges by Rush Township police in connection with incidents at the Wal-Mart off Route 309.
Police said April McGeehan, 28, of Coaldale, will be charged with retail theft, resisting arrest, possession of 5.3 grams of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia after she was caught stealing items valued at $35.93 from the store on Friday.
In an incident on Thursday, police said, Anthony Polcheck, 37, of McAdoo, will be charged with retail theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy for taking items valued at $69.54. In addition, Kevin Tansley, 29, of Tamaqua will be charged with conspiracy for his role in the thefts.
An incident at the store on March 29 resulted in Thomas Bilsak, 27, of Hazle Township facing charges of retail theft, receiving stolen property and false identification to law enforcement after he stole items valued at $189.74. Police said that Bilsak is also facing charges for a theft of items valued $42.38 on March 28 and also for a theft of items valued at $41.79 that same day.
Finally, police said, Faith Manns, 43, of Pottsville, will be charged with retail theft for stealing items valued at $88.03 on March 25 while Anthony Cress, 29, of Tower City, who was with Manns was committed to Schuylkill County Prison when it was learned he was wanted in Dauphin County.
All those charged will have to answer to the charges before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua.
n Millersburg: A program called “Fungi: The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful” with Jerry Hassinger will be held at 6 p.m. April 14 at the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art. Admission is free but donations will be accepted. To register, call 717-692-3699 or visit www.nedsmithcenter.org.
n New Ringgold: Horses & Horizons Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. is looking for volunteers to help with its special program of therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with special needs. The center, which offers special riding lessons on Monday and Wednesday evenings from May through October, is located 10 miles south of Tamaqua near Route 309. There is a required volunteer training session set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 16 at the center. Anyone who wishes to volunteer to help with the riding lessons must attend the hands-on training. To become a volunteer or for more information, call Jane Ostroski at 610-298-2546 (email to jeohhtlc15@gmail.com) or Elaine Smith at 570-386-5679 (email to elshhtlc1@gmail.com). Visit www.horsesandhorizons.org.
n Orwigsburg: Holy Family Adult Day Care is continuing to accept applications for the day care program, which is located along Route 443 at the former St. Francis Orphanage building. The program is licensed from the state Department of Aging and provides social and activity programs, therapeutic care and support services, according to a Holy Family release. Other benefits include daytime support for caregivers, meeting the special needs of adults with Alzheimer’s disease or stroke who need supervision but not 24-hour care, assistance with medication and personal care. It provides breakfast and cooked lunch with a snack in the afternoon. Anyone 60 or older and who meets program requirements eligible. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. To schedule a visit, call 570-366-2924.
n Orwigsburg: The Blue Mountain High School mini-THON to benefit the Four Diamonds fund to fight pediatric cancer is set for 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday at the high school, 1076 W. Market St. Admission is $10 and open only to Blue Mountain High School students. The event includes games, prizes and music. Call 570-617-2986.
n Pine Grove: Salem-Hetzel’s Church, 261 Hetzel’s Church Road, will sponsor a spring fling hoe-down, featuring Ken Saul & the Blue Marsh Ramblers, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday in the church social hall. The cost is $5 for adults and free for children 12 and younger. Doors open at 6 p.m. Call 570-345-6038.
n Pottsville: Libraries in the Pottsville Library District will participate in “Cupcake War” beginning at noon April 17 at the Schuylkill Mall near Frackville. Tickets are $10 for baker and $5 for taster. Bakers must bake three dozen cupcakes. Proceeds will benefit the local libraries. Call 570-366-1638.
n Pottsville: The Crimson Tide Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit group, will sponsor “Get the Scoop with ESPN’s Heather Dinich” from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc., 310 Mill Creek Ave. The cost is $35. Dinich, a Pottsville Area High School graduate, is an ESPN top college football analyst. Tickets are at the Pottsville Area School District Academic Center. Call 570-622-9961.
n Shenandoah: The Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society will have a rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 15 and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 16 at its 201 S. Main St. history center. Donations will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 14. No computers or TVs.
n Shenandoah: The Shenandoah Valley High School Drama Club will present “Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” at 7 p.m. April 29 and 30 and 2 p.m. May 1 in the high school auditorium, West Centre Street and Stadium Road. Tickets in advance at $7 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and students. A weekend pass is $20. Tickets at the door will be $10 for adults and $8 for senior citizens and students. The weekend pass will be $25. Tickets in advance are available from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays in the high school lobby April 11-28. Call 570-462-2609 or email to bobyudin@hotmail.com.
Tamaqua employees assigned to the borough’s streets and water department wear bright green vests, like most others whose jobs place them near or on roadways.
The attire is an added safety measure for workers — and it’s meant to be noticed by motorists, state Department of Transportation spokesman Sean Brown said.
“We just want to remind people to be safe out there. It’s not just the drivers’ lives, but it’s the lives of the workers on the roadway,” Brown, who noted that April 11 marks the start of National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week, said.
Brown joined Tamaqua borough workers, police personnel and a representative from the North Central Highway Network at borough hall Monday to talk about safety equipment and remind motorists to drive safely in work zones or anywhere emergency personnel are on the road.
“Driving distracted or driving aggressively in work zones can have devastating consequences,” he said. “Workers are injured and killed every year on our roadways.”
Motorists should not only be aware of workers’ fluorescent attire, they should look for safety cones and signs that denote work areas, Brown said.
Some don’t, he said, because PennDOT often receives reports of drivers who weave through cones, speed through work areas, and drive aggressively.
“Workers are inches away from being hit,” he said.
According to Brown, motorists face increased fines and penalties for driving offenses that happen in work zones. In some cases, he said, drivers can lose their licenses.
National Work Zone Awareness Week runs through April 15.
HEGINS — Four people are home after fire damaged a homeless in Hegins Township on Monday afternoon.
Firefighters were called to the home at 159 W. Mountain Road at 2:33 p.m., a supervisor at the Schuylkill County Communications Center said.
Hegins Township Fire Rescue Chief Doug Williams said firefighters arriving at the scene were met with fire in the basement of the home.
He said crews were able to contain the fire the basement, but the remainder of the home, the first and second floors, sustained heavy smoke damage.
“The bulk of the fire was in the basement and that’s where we were able to contain it to,” the chief said.
Williams said a cause of the fire has not been determined and that the township fire marshal is conducting the investigation.
The chief said four people lived in the home. Everyone was able to escape safely but a pet dog died in the fire, he added.
Williams did not identify the four left homeless, only saying the family was renting the property.
The family is being assisted with clothing, food and shelter by the American Red Cross Tri-County Chapter.
Williams said firefighters helping to fight the fire, in addition to Hegins Valley, were volunteers from Sacramento, Joliett, Pine Grove, Englewood, Pitman, Tremont and Donaldson.
A tanker task force was also called to shuttle water to the scene and the Pottsville Fire Department was on scene with its Rapid Intervention Team.
Crews cleared the scene about 5:45 p.m., Williams said.
Wrong address
The address in a deed listed in Monday’s edition should have read 324 W. Atlantic St., Shenandoah.
Some, but not all, statements Joshua M. Lukach made to police during questioning in connection with an August 2015 killing of a Pottsville man resulted from violation of his Miranda rights and cannot be used against him, a Schuylkill County judge ruled Tuesday.
In a 42-page opinion, Judge Jacqueline L. Russell ruled Lukach, 19, of Pottsville, had asserted his right to remain silent, any questions asked after that were improper and the statements cannot be used against him.
“I am done talking” and “I have nothing to talk about” were unambiguous indications that Lukach wished to remain silent, which is his constitutional right, and Pottsville police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky should have stopped questioning him immediately, Russell wrote.
“An accused retains the right to invoke his privilege to remain silent at any time during an interrogation,” Russell wrote. “(Lukach) unambiguously asserted his privilege to remain silent. The invocation of his right ... was not ‘scrupulously honored,’ the interrogation continued uninterrupted with questions and representation meant to pressure (Lukach) into relinquishing his right.”
Similarly, prosecutors cannot use evidence seized as a result of the improper questioning, including Lukach’s shoes and items found in a storm drain, including a bank card, hat, shirt and sunglasses, according to Russell.
“Due to lack of proof on the issue, it cannot be found that the items would have ultimately or inevitably been so discovered,” she wrote.
However, police may use all statements Lukach made before invoking his right to remain silent and also may use the video from an automatic teller machine (ATM) because that would have been discovered by police work not related to Lukach’s suppressed statements, Russell wrote.
Russell’s ruling, which prosecutors have a right to appeal, could hamper the prosecution of Lukach for the death of John Brock.
Pottsville police alleged that in the early morning hours of Aug. 6, 2015, Lukach and Shavinskin N. Thomas entered Brock’s 14 S. 12th St. home, fatally stabbed him with a knife and a box-cutter knife and took his debit card, which they used at an ATM later that day in the city. Brock was the owner of the now-closed Pottsville Bike and Board Shop, 125 W. Market St.
Lukach and Thomas, 22, of Pottsville, each are charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, conspiracy, robbery, burglary, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property, access device fraud, recklessly endangering another person, possessing instruments of crime and two counts of aggravated assault. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for each man.
In March, Russell ruled against Thomas in his request to suppress statements he made to police and evidence seized as a result of those statements.
However, Russell wrote in Tuesday’s opinion that Lukach’s assertion of his right to remain silent was unambiguous and police should not have resumed questioning him.
“(Lukach) did not reinitiate contact with Chief Wojciechowsky,” she wrote.
Russell also wrote that the seizure of Lukach’s shoes occurred after he asserted his right to remain silent, and prosecutors offered no evidence that they had any independent probable cause at that time to take them. The same is true for the bank card, hat, shirt and sunglasses found in the storm drain, according to Russell.
“The commonwealth bore the burden of proving that the items would have ultimately or inevitably been discovered by means independent of (Lukach’s) unconstitutionally obtained statements,” she wrote.
Defendant: Joshua M. Lukach
Age: 19
Residence: Pottsville
Charges: First-degree murder, second-degree murder, conspiracy, robbery, burglary, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property, access device fraud, recklessly endangering another person, possessing instruments of crime and two counts of aggravated assault
Schuylkill County residents are invited to an information session on PA 2-1-1 in Schuylkill County on Tuesday.
The free session will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Penn State Schuylkill in the Health and Wellness Center on campus. Those interested can RSVP by calling 570-622-6421 before the deadline Thursday. It will be hosted by the Schuylkill United Way in conjunction with Schuylkill Community Action, Schuylkill Area Community Foundation, Schuylkill Emergency Management Agency and the Schuylkill County Commissioners.
Call operators from PA 2-1-1 East, which Schuylkill County is a part, will be there to answer questions on the system.
PA 2-1-1 is a free, confidential, non-emergency information and referral service. The service went into effect October 2015 in Schuylkill County.
DARKWATER — A tractor-trailer carrying a load of apples overturned Tuesday afternoon on a section of state Route 61 south between Frackville and Saint Clair commonly referred to as “Dead Man’s Curve.”
The tractor-trailer was Unit 530A in the service of Nick’s Transportation Service, Chicago, Illinois, according to a permit taped to the front window of the truck tractor. And it was carrying cases of apples distributed by Hess Brothers Fruit Co., Leola, Lancaster County.
The incident occurred just after 3 p.m. when the Kenworth truck tractor tipped while rounding the right-hand curve. The trailer smashed into the metal guide rail on the left side of the road.
More than 10 feet of the railing was torn from its posts. A section of trailer was ripped open. And dozens of cardboard boxes filled with apples dropped down a hillside to the woods below.
The driver of the truck suffered a laceration to the forehead, according to reports on the police scanner.
Both southbound lanes had to be closed at one point as the vehicle was towed from the scene.
State police at Frackville were investigating the crash but did not release a report as of press time Tuesday.