n Ashland: A report on the semi-annual Schuylkill Keep It Pretty cleanup held in April highlighted a recent meeting of the Ashland Area Rotary Club. The club, with about 30 helpers, including Ashland Boy Scout Troop 745, focused cleanup efforts on Eureka Park. They also removed litter from East and West Centre Street at the entrances to the borough. Afterward, the club served hot dogs, chips and beverages to the participants. Rotarian Shannon Scheuren organized the effort. The Rotarians also recently welcomed students of the month for March and April, Melvin Mastishin and Bryel Frasch, North Schuylkill High School seniors. The students spoke about their school and community activities and plans for the future. Rotarian Elaine Stone recently presented her Rotary story to fellow Rotarians.

n Auburn: St. Paul’s United Church of Christ Sunday School will have Vacation Bible School from 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. June 20 through 24 at the church, 1235 Summer Hill Road. To register or for more information, call 570-754-7225.

n Deer Lake: The Deer Lake & West Brunswick Fire Company will sponsor bingo from 6 to 8:45 p.m. Tuesday at the firehouse, 1 Ash Road. Doors will open at 5 p.m. All are welcome.

n New Philadelphia: The Schuylkill Valley Joint Veterans will gather for a Memorial Day Mass for deceased members at 9 a.m. Saturday at Holy Cross Church, Valley Street. Veterans are asked to report at 8:30 a.m. in front of the church in uniform and the public is encouraged to attend. For more information, call 570-277-6031.

n Pottsville: Regina Gargano, executive director of the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau, recently addressed members of the Pottsville Lions Club about how tourism touches Pottsville and all of Schuylkill County, bringing in some $200 million annually and supporting nearly 300 jobs, according to the Lions bulletin. She outlined various aspects of tourism and indicated how popular Schuylkill is to visitors from throughout the United States. “From outstanding recreational sites and hiking trails to the history of our county as displayed in the county historical society and museum, to six distinguished wineries to the Oldest Brewery in America, D G. Yuengling & Son (Inc.), Schuylkill County is a natural attraction to visitors worldwide,” Gargano said, adding that Yuengling alone brings annually more than 70,000 visitors to Pottsville. She said the three state parks and many hundreds of miles of hiking trails also place Schuylkill County among the most visited by outdoor enthusiasts. The Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau is located at 1 Progress Circle, Union Station, Pottsville, and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and can be reached by calling 570-622-7700.

n Pottsville: The Schuylkill County Council for the Arts, 1449 Mahantongo St., will have summer camp from 9 a.m. to noon June 20 through 23. The fee depends on which class is taken. There will be a variety of classes including pottery for children ages 3 to 14. For dates and times or more information, call 570-622-2788 ext. 0.

n Ringtown: The St. Mary Roman Catholic Parish block party and car show is set for 5 to 10 p.m. June 10 and noon to 10 p.m. June 11 at 82 Center St. The annual block party will feature a wide variety of homemade food plus refreshments and games. Disc jockey Partytime will provide entertainment both days and The Rhythm Rats will perform oldies on June 11. The car show registration is $10. For more information, call 570-889-5099 or 570-889-5216.

n Tremont: The Tremont Band’s annual free spring concert will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. May 28 at the Community Building, Clay Street. The site is air conditioned and accessible to the handicapped. The band will be under the direction of Rod Luckenbill. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-345-6286.

Editor’s note: As part of National Mental Health Awareness Month, The Republican-Herald interviewed Schuylkill County residents affected by mental illnesses and is publishing a series of articles detailing their struggles and how they manage each day. The goal is to raise awareness about mental health. Due to client confidentiality concerns, a caseworker requested their name not be used in this story.

NHS Human Services was turned into an art gallery Thursday with the work of Phil Christman on proud display.

Nearly all the walls in the second-floor office at 1 Norwegian Plaza were covered with his impressionist paintings of seasonal landscapes or the detailed drawings of his friends.

“Art is therapeutic for him,” his caseworker at Service Access and Management said. “This is what he loves.”

Christman, 30, of Pine Grove, has been receiving independent living services from NHS for several years now. He has lived by himself since his early 20s.

“My young adult life has been taken up with drawing and painting,” Christman said. “This is what I want to do full time.”

A 2004 graduate of Schuylkill Haven Area, Christman said he has been told by doctors he has a form of autism, possibly Asperger’s Syndrome, a learning disability, and also struggles with depression or a bipolar disorder.

“I can handle my own bills, sometimes my emotions just get in the way,” Christman said.

That is where NHS Human Services comes in. The agency provides independent living services, such as managing his medication and finances, while his caseworkers are from SAM.

“Every adult wants to live on their own, but there are definitely some challenges,” Lisa Irving, a transitional living coordinator at NHS, said.

Irving said among those challenges is loneliness and that staying involved or having a hobby is the key.

“Sometimes we have to work really hard on finding something they enjoy doing,” Irving said.

That was easy for Christman, who said he was drawing since age 6 and painting since he was a teenager.

“I’ve had a lot of different hobbies and they seem to help more than medication,” Christman said.

A self-taught artist, Christman said he wanted to attend either the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, Lancaster, or Kutztown University after high school to pursue an art career. However, he had a difficult time in school.

“I couldn’t always follow things with school,” he said. “Sometimes I have a tough time following directions.”

Although he had a few part-time jobs over the years, Christman has had to rely on support services to pay his bills as he continues his search for full-time employment.

“I don’t plan on being that way the rest of my life,” Christman said. “I’m a hard worker. I think if you tell people you have a mental illness, they won’t hire you.”

Christman said other people with less experience have been picked by employers over him and that has to deal with the labels associated with mental illness.

“People without Asperger’s might have emotional problems too,” he said. “A lot of my emotional distress has been because of my financial and employment situation.”

Even if he finds a full-time job, Christman said he will continue to paint and draw for the rest of his life. But his goal has always been to make a living as an artist and that is why NHS Human Services had his art on display Thursday for the second time in two years.

“It helps get his name out there as an artist,” Irving said.

Irving was among the people who bought five of his paintings last year.

“Now these pieces of art are going to be passed down in my family for generations,” she said. “They mean so much to me. I just love Phil. They are a piece of my heart.”

HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican lawmakers are at sharp odds over another education issue — teacher layoffs.

Lawmakers gave final approval last week to a bill that changes ground rules for determining how public school administrators carry out teacher layoffs. The final action on this House bill came with a Senate vote largely along party lines.

The bill’s passage quickly drew a veto threat from Wolf and GOP legislative leaders urged him to reconsider that position. This opens another front in battles over education policy between Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature. The two sides have clashed over school funding to restore earlier cuts, distribution of state subsidy aid and charter schools since the governor took office in 2015.

The bill being sent to the governor would enable schools to lay off professional employees for economic reasons, expanding a list that currently ties layoffs to declines in student enrollment, changes in educational programs and school consolidation. Lawmakers have worked on teacher furlough bills for several years, an issue highlighted when thousands of school employees lost their jobs when a bad economy led to cuts in state aid during 2011-12.

Instead of starting layoffs with teachers having the least seniority, this measure would tie layoffs to ratings under a statewide educator evaluation system adopted in 2012. This system gives teachers ratings of distinguished, proficient, needs improvement or failing.

The measure would prohibit a school district from using a teacher’s pay and benefits in determining a layoff decision.

The bill would enable school superintendents to extend the period for a teacher to get tenure from three years to four years if necessary to certify if a teacher’s work is satisfactory.

GOP leaders described the measure as a way to keep the best teachers in the classroom.

“Forcing school officials to lay off teachers based solely on date of hire and not performance like any other organization hurts the students and teachers,” said House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-62, Indiana.

The measure would give school districts the flexibility to make personnel decisions that meet the needs of local communities, said Senate GOP leaders Joseph Scarnati, R-25, Jefferson County, and Jake Corman, R-34, Bellefonte.

Wolf said he thinks it is premature to use a teacher evaluation system only introduced in 2012 to determine layoffs when Pennsylvania has just delayed implementation of statewide exams to determine graduation eligibility for high school students, policy secretary Sarah Galbally wrote in a memo.

“We should not apply that same high-stakes testing to our educators,” Galbally said. “Already, problems have arisen from a teacher evaluation system that many feel is inconsistent and was not designed to determine mass layoffs.”

The governor wants to boost state funding for education to restore the earlier cuts and adopt a comprehensive school accountability system, she said.

Two statewide education associations differ on the bill.

The bill provides that furlough decisions can be made in a way that ensures the retention of the most effective staff, Hannah Barrick, an official with the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials, said.

The bill creates an incentive for cash-strapped school districts to target experienced teachers using a flawed system, Jerry Oleksiak, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, said.

TOWER CITY — Williams Valley athletic director Randy Russelavage told the school board Thursday there’s a shortage of athletic trainers in the area right now.

He said Williams Valley’s previous athletic trainer, Lauren Rees, was pursing further education and would not be available for the upcoming school year. Russelavage said he spoke with Jeff Shields, of CPRS Physical Therapy, about the possibility of sharing a trainer with another school district.

There is a possibility that a trainer could be shared with Upper Dauphin Area, perhaps two days a week, Russelavage said. The trainer could assist with athletic training, hydration testing, physicals and concussion impact testing.

He also said if the board wishes, he could contact Garrett Miller, with the Williamstown Area Ambulance Association/EMS, to see if someone from the ambulance service would be able to help, similar to what was done in the past.

Russelavage said he could ask Shields to come to the July meeting to address the board if members had any questions.

Directors Jennifer Kramer and John Mika both commended Rees for her service to the district’s students.

In other business, maintenance supervisor James Heberling said there was a problem with the high school’s wooden stage floor that was installed last summer. He said he spoke with Ron Bamberger Flooring, the company that put in the floor, and the company suggested the district turn off the air conditioning for two months.

The change in the humidity would help the gaps in the floor close up, Heberling said he was told. The board took the information under advisement.

The board took no action on the still pending contract with the Williams Valley Education Association. It was not on the board’s agenda for consideration Thursday.

Superintendent Donald Burk-hardt confirmed, when asked by the media, that the union membership took a vote on an offer May 9. However, there was no indication of what the union vote actually was, and there were no details on the terms of any proposed agreement.

It’s anticipated the board may vote on such a pact within the next several weeks. The current WVEA contract expires June 30.

In other action, the board approved:

• Archery head coach Adam Kravatz to attend the National Archery Finals in Kentucky. No date was listed.

• A request from Amy Lake, a student of Grand Canyon University, to student teach with Carla Wynn, Grade 2, for 16 weeks in the 2016-17 school year. The dates will begin with the first day of school until approximately Dec. 18.

• Hiring John J. Mika III and John J. Mika IV, both of Tower City, as volunteer weight room coaches for the 2016-17 school year.

• Participation in the YES Northeast Program, being implemented by the Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Council for the 2016-17 school year, for the purpose of preparing students for life after graduation. High school upperclassmen may select this course as an elective that requires 120 hours of class time and counts as one credit toward their overall grade-point average.

• Awarding diplomas to members of the Class of 2016 who have met all qualifications for graduation.

• A maintenance service agreement with Siemens Industry Inc. for the elementary school for the 2016-17 school year.

• Participating, at no cost to the district, in the Health Hero Program, a flu immunization clinic, date to be determined during October or November.

• Pennsylvania School Board Association membership for the 2016-17 school year.

• The Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit Computer Service Rates for the 2016-17 school year.

• The donation of a Nordic Trek stepper for use in the cardio room. The donation made by Nancy Blackwell, Muir.

• A Designation of Agent Resolution for Business Manager Anthony Aukstakalnis authorizing him to obtain financial assistance for the Williams Valley School District under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief & Emergency Assistance Act.

• Adjustments to Delinquent Personal Taxes for Statewide Tax Recovery Inc. as submitted.

• Advertising for bids for diesel fuel, gasoline and propane for the 2016-17 school year.

Board President Daniel Stroup announced there was an executive session May 4 for personnel matters and an executive session at 6 p.m. Thursday prior to the regular board meeting.

The next regularly scheduled public board meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. May 26 in the board room. An executive session for board members and administrators will begin at 7 p.m.

The owner of the Schuylkill Trust Building in Pottsville is scheduled to return to the court of Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley at 2:30 p.m. May 26, a receptionist at Reiley’s office said Tuesday.

This time, James J. Curran Jr., an attorney and president of Schuylkill Land & Realty Inc., Pottsville, is expected to have an engineering report in hand to address the state of the building at 101 N. Centre St.

On Sept. 25, 2015, the city’s code enforcement office had cited Curran for failing to address sections of the building’s facade that are reportedly crumbling.

On March 31, Curran and his attorney, Frank R. Cori, Orwigsburg, appeared before Reiley at a summary trial held at Reiley’s courtroom at 200 E. Arch St., Suite 125.

Cori told the judge Curran was having an engineering study done on the building.

Reiley continued the trial to allow Curran to have time to finish that study, which was conducted by Michael A. Beach & Associates Consulting Structural Engineering, Mount Laurel, New Jersey.

On May 29, 2015, the city’s office of code enforcement received a complaint when a section of the building’s facade dropped to the sidewalk. David J. Petravich, city building code officer, said it was a section of the roof, part of the east side of the building where a plant was growing out of the side. During an inspection in May 2015, Petravich also noticed wear on numerous window sills.

On Aug. 25, Petravich issued Curran a notice of violation.

“From that point, he had 30 days to repair the structure,” Petravich said March 21.

However, Petravich said the work was not done.

“The building is in violation of 2009 International Property Maintenance Code Section 304 Exterior Structure subsection 304.6 exterior walls,” Petravich said Sept. 8.

“The defendant failed to make repairs in a timely manner,” Petravich said in a nontraffic citation he issued Sept. 25.

In September, the building’s only tenant aside from Curran, Wells Fargo Bank, took precautions to protect pedestrians from potential falling debris. The bank hired Beth-Allen Ladder & Scaffold, Allentown, to build a covered walkway over the sidewalk. It runs along the North Centre Street and West Market Street sides of the building.

The Schuylkill Trust Co. building was built in 1924, according to “Pottsville in the Twentieth Century,” a 2003 book in the Images of America series by Leo L. Ward and Mark T. Major.

It’s a 16,500-square-foot property that sits on 0.38 acres, according to information provided by Angela D. Toomey, Schuylkill County Tax Claim Bureau director.

Curran hasn’t paid taxes on the property in three years. As of Tuesday, $102,024.20 is owed in back taxes on the property, Toomey said.

That included $35,935.83 in back taxes for 2013, $34,425.33 in back taxes for 2014, and $31,663.04 in back taxes for 2015, Toomey said Tuesday.

Deeds

Auburn — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 514 S. Front St.; $1,344.59.

Blythe Township — Chad Alspaugh to Timothy and Ashley Vidal; property on Bobb Alley, Cumbola; $500.

Brian T. and Carol A. McMullin to Ryan J. McMullin and Laura D. Leiby; property on Oak Street, Kaska; $500.

Butler Township — Nancy L. Lindenmuth to Clayton J. and Eleanor J. Chappell; 31.173-acre property at Main and Eighth streets, Helfenstein; $20,000.

Cressona — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 65 Front St.; $1,151.70.

East Union Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Eagle Rock Resort Co. LLC; Lot 164WSS5, Eagle Rock; $1,126.94.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Eagle Rock Resort Co. LLC; Lot 329ER, Eagle Rock; $1,276.46.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Eagle Rock Resort Co. LLC; 2 percent interest in Lot 413ER, Eagle Rock; $1,222.24.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.; 63-65-67 N. Pine St., Sheppton; $1,215.12.

Gordon — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Kondaur Capital Corp.; 308 Plane St.; $24,000.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Deutsche Bank National Trust Co.; 104 McKnight St.; $1,061.89.

Mahanoy City — Deborah Cornine, executrix of the Estate of Joseph A. Katchmaric, to Marie Galate and Leonard M. Katchmaric; property on Market Street; $3,000.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Danny Lee Brunette; 218 E. Pine St.; $500.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Larisssa Young and Joshua Crable; 33 W. Mahanoy Ave.; $779.

Mahanoy Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Wells Fargo Bank NA; 35 Ellengowen Road; $1,326.29.

McAdoo — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Wells Fargo Bank NA; 24 E. Adams St.; $1,194.68.

Minersville — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to U.S. Bank NA; 204 Middle St.; $1,158.93.

New Philadelphia — Sue Ann Denbow to James F. Schell; 176 Kimber St.; $1.

North Manheim Township — Anthony C. Gustis to Anthony C. and Maria S. Gustis; property in Forest Hills; $1.

Norwegian Township — Elizabeth C. Lesky to Douglas H. and Crystal McClure; 510 Willow St.; $135,000.

Palo Alto — The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Co. to Morgan Tate And Brewer LLC; 28 E. Bacon St.; $10,000.

Port Carbon — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Wells Fargo Bank NA; 317 Second St.; $1,132.57.

Pottsville — Paula Marshall to Paula Marshall; 1423, 1423A and 1425 Mount Hope Ave.; $1.

Dorothy Ihnat, by attorney in fact Dorothea Marie Ihnat, to Debra Ann Romano; 406 W. Market St.; $8,000.

Rush Township — Lucille C. Spaar to Dava S. Krall and Dawn L. Spaar; 29 Meadow Ave., Hometown; $1.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Jerry G. Adrey Jr.; property on Golf Road; $924.

Saint Clair — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Jean-Claude Lucien; 34 N. Third St.; $1,015.

Rodney and Heather Snowell to Kimberly J. Ulicny; 33 N. Mill St.; $85,000.

Schuylkill Haven — William C. Ebling and Kenneth E. Ebling, co-executors of the Estate of William A. Ebling, to Joseph R. Costanzo; 220 Aldrich St.; $50,000.

William Shields Campbell Jr. to Melissa A. Schappell; 50 percent interest in 702 E. Main St.; $1.

William Shields Campbell Jr., administrator of the Estate of Carol Louise Campbell, to Melissa A. Schappell; 50 percent interest in 702 E. Main St.; $1.

Schuylkill Township — Matthew J. and Lisa M. Hope to Matthew J. and Lisa M. Hope; property on Route 209; $1.

Shenandoah — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to HSBC Bank USA NA; 218 W. Oak St.; $5,000.

Alexander F. and Margaret Chesonis to David Chesonis and Beverly Labosky; 101 E. Coal St.; $1.

Tamaqua — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Wells Fargo Bank NA; 318 Clark St.; $1,282.76.

William Moyer to Holly J. Dover; 345 Willing St.; $48,000.

Matthew J. and Lisa M. Hope to Matthew J. and Lisa M. Hope; property at Broad and Lehigh streets; $1.

Matthew J. and Lisa M. Hope to Matthew J. and Lisa M. Hope; property at Cottage Avenue and Lehigh Street; $1.

Washington Township — Gary L. Stump, executor of the Estate of Mabel A. Zerbe, to Robert and Linda Staller; 55 Stump Lane; $150,000.

Wayne Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Wells Fargo Bank NA; 52 Laurel St.; $1,191.76.

Daniel G. Grim and Kathleen G. Lake, executors of the Estate of Mary Catherine Schosser, to Richard B. Waters and Renee A. Lewis; 221 Wynonah Drive, Lake Wynonah; $175,000.

West Penn Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to LSF9 Master Participation Trust; 2299 Sunny Road; $127,374.

A Pottsville area man charged with an assault in Norwegian Township on Nov. 29, 2015, is among those scheduled to plead not guilty Thursday during arraignment in Schuylkill County Court.

Kyle J. Castellano, 24, of 370 Valley Road, was arrested by state police Trooper David Beam of the Schuylkill Haven station and charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and terroristic threats

Beam charged Castellano with attacking Todd R. Tedrick in a wooded area off Peach Mountain Road by hitting the man on the head with a vodka bottle, causing a laceration to the side of his face that required 19 stitches to close.

Tedrick also lost consciousness, suffered a concussion and a subarachnoid hemorrhage, Beam said. Tedrick was initially taken to a local hospital and then transferred to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, for additional treatment, the trooper said.

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

Robert J. McGovern, 48, of 1623 Summerhill Road, Auburn — DUI, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic, careless driving, driving without insurance and failure to sign registration card and exhibit it on demand.

Christopher J. Bowers, 24, of 613 Harrison St., Pottsville — driving under the influence of drugs and careless driving.

Tonya M. McJunkin, 32, of 92 Second Mountain Road, Pottsville — DUI.

Brett L. Heinbach, 33, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — criminal trespass and criminal mischief.

Michael A. Liguoro, 21, of 317 E. Main St., Third Floor, Schuylkill Haven — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked and maximum speed limits violation.

Michael P. Brennan, 47, of 230 N. Berne St., Apt. 1 Rear, Schuylkill Haven — delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Amanda B. Hueston, 19, of 317 E. Main St., Third Floor, Schuylkill Haven — possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Holly A. Schaffer-Heiser, 32, of 701 Fifth St., Port Carbon — possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Brittany J. Kramer, 20, of 720 Mountain Road, Pine Grove — possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ashley M. Stumhofer, 25, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — defiant trespasser.

Brittany M. George, 30, of 13 Sunbury St., Box 501, Minersville — theft of services and theft by deception.

Wendy S. Barnetsky, 49, of 117 Coal St., Cumbola — possession of a controlled substance.

Jasper Rabbitz, 26, of 510 Fernwood Ave., Schuylkill Haven — accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic, driving an unsafe speed, abandonment of a vehicle on a highway, careless driving, failure to give information and render aid, failure to give immediate notice of accident to police and failure to use seat belts.

Kris D. Prutzman, 26, of 219 Laurel St., Minersville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robert Mehlman Jr., 27, of 322 Laurel St., Minersville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robert F. Willie III, 27, of 1027 Brock St., Ashland — possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession drug paraphernalia.

Richard A. Harner, 29, of 301 Sunbury St., Apt. 2C, Minersville — library theft, theft and receiving stolen property.

Robert P. Mehlman Sr., 58, of 322 Laurel St., Minersville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jeff Seiders, 49, of 512 W. Savory St., Pottsville — bad checks.

Robert A. Sabaday, 58, of 400 N. Mill St., Saint Clair — terroristic threats, simple assault, harassment, possessing instruments of crime and disorderly conduct.

Travis N. Bender, 24, of Box 543, 105 East St., Wiconisco — delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communications facility, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jack D. Wilver, 26, of 559 N. Second St., Lykens — delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communications facility, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Dylan D. Jones, 23, of 18 New Road, Lost Creek — simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, harassment and disorderly conduct.

William J. Thomas, 21, of 2406 Railroad St., Mahanoy Plane — criminal mischief.

Tonya L. Brennan, 25, of 24 Swanks Grove Road, Ringtown — theft, receiving stolen property and criminal trespass.

Phillip J. Hahn, 72, of 124 E. Centre St., Apt. 1, Shenandoah — possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Brad C. Frye, 34, of Box 58, 379 Hazle St., Quakake — criminal attempt to commit theft, endangering the welfare of a child, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, criminal mischief and harassment.

Elizabeth A. Iacobucci, 44, of 18 S. Chestnut St., Shenandoah — false reports.

Jennifer M. Wentworth, 30, of 120 N. Bower St., Shenandoah — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Krystle L. Ketchledge, 25, of 227 Lafayette St., Apt. 2, Tamaqua — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, misbranding of a controlled substance, selling or dispensing a controlled substance with a known trademark, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Joseph Lewandowski, 55, of 1020 Main St., Gilberton — aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Derek A. Shellhamer, 29, of State Correctional Institution/Mahanoy — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kayla M. Cook, 23, of 124 Penn St., Tamaqua — conspiracy and receiving stolen property.

Fred E. Welsh, 61, of 16 Fifth St., Apt. B, Kelayres — bad checks.

Michael J. Harley, 54, of 317 Schuylkill Ave., Tamaqua — unsworn falsification to authorities.

Monica Russup, 50, of 216 Owl Creek Road, Tamaqua — theft by deception and receiving stolen property.

Austin A. Keller, 22, of 443 Spruce St., Schuylkill Haven — theft and receiving stolen property.

Zachary M. Freeze, 29, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Virginia D. Scheipe, 34, of 230 N. Berne St., Schuylkill Haven — possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Danielle Sullivan, 35, of 215 S. Third St., Saint Clair — simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Debra M. Lombel, 60, of 406 Moonhill Drive, Schuylkill Haven — receiving stolen property.

Daniel S. Aregood, 24, of 221 N. Liberty St., Orwigsburg — possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving a vehicle without an inspection certificate and unlawful activities.

BARNESVILLE — The first four legs to cross the finish line Sunday morning during the Lucky Dog Dash 5K were also the shortest.

Cooper, an 8-year-old Dachshund, led all other dogs in the race around the lake at Locust Lake State Park.

“He has a good pace,” his owner, Jaclyn Shokey, Jim Thorpe, said. “I take him for a lot of walks and he has done a few 5Ks.”

The race, held twice a year since 2014, had its largest turnout yet with 69 dogs and 104 participants, event organizer Mick Uranko, owner of Uranko Productions, said. The next race will be in October.

“We wanted to do a 5K race that was different for the area,” Uranko said. “It’s a unique event at a beautiful location.”

Other sponsors include Barkbox, Paw Prints Pet Salon, Mountain Shadow Veterinary Hospital, Schiaffo, Schaeffer & Associates of Remax Central, Murphy Jewelers, The Wire Guys and the state Department of Conservation of Natural Resources.

The event raised $1,305 for K9s for Warriors, a nonprofit organization that pairs dogs with combat veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Uranko, who was a captain in the Army Reserves, said the funds will go toward training.

“I’m a dog lover and like to support anything dog related,” Shokey said.

Lani Trovitch, Hazleton, and Crystal Bennage, Drums, also brought their dogs for the race.

“We had a great time,” Trovitch said.

“It was a lot of fun,” Bennage said. “We will definitely be doing it again.”

They said this is the only race in the area that allows them to bring their dogs. Trovitch ran with Daisy, a golden retriever, and Bennage ran with Bailey, a golden doodle.

“All the dogs made new friends,” Trovitch said.

“It’s well organized and a lot of fun for the dogs,” Bennage said.

Mary Leibensperger, Orwigsburg, said it was her second race with Jax, a rescue. They were running with Amy Ryder, Barnesville, and her dog, Wynch, who were running their first race.

“I take my dog everywhere,” Ryder said. “I think this is great to have them socialize. There are not a lot of dog-friendly activities in the area.

“I was quite impressed and will definitely be doing it again.”

SUMMIT STATION — A few scattered showers Sunday did not keep people from enjoying the 15th annual Bear Creek Festival at the Schuylkill County Fairgrounds.

“We have a lot of die-hard Bear Creek fans here,” Andrea Geist, agricultural program coordinator with the Schuylkill Conservation District, said.

Geist co-chaired the event with Jenna Fehr, conservation district manager.

The free, family event ran from noon to 4 p.m., and had food vendors and various activities sponsored by the conservation district and other organizations and businesses in the county. Schuylkill County Trout Unlimited held its annual fishing derby, while Home Depot had bird house building for children. There was also live animal demonstrations from Red Creek Wildlife Center and a photo hunt with booths set up throughout the fairgrounds.

“The great thing about this is that it is an opportunity to educate everyone about the environment and agriculture,” Geist said. “It’s also one of the few free family events we still have in the area and it is a one-of-a-kind event.”

“It’s a great opportunity for us and the organizations we work with to show what we do in the community,” Fehr said.

Jake Smalley, 6, of Lake Wynonah, had his eyes focused on the tractor pull competition. His father, Jason Smalley, said they come to the Bear Creek Festival every year.

“It’s just a good time,” he said. “There’s a lot for the kids to do.”

Meanwhile, Nathan Summers, 5, of Friedensburg, spent a lot of time by the creek with a fishing rod.

“He likes to fish,” his father, Tim Summers, said.

Summers said they recently moved to the area from Reading.

“I think the area and the people here are just awesome,” Summers said.

Sarah McTish, the 2016 Pennsylvania Honey Queen, was also at the festival promoting education about honey bees. McTish, Mohnton, was named queen by the Pennsylvania Beekeeper Association in November. She attends Penn State University, where she is pursuing a degree in agriculture sciences and a minor in entomology.

She said honey bees are responsible for about 80 percent of pollination in the world and educational events like the Bear Creek Festival help promote interest in agriculture and the environment.

“It’s important to reach the younger generation because they are our future beekeepers and it is important for the general public to realize where their food comes from,” McTish said.

A girl could learn a lot from Maria.

Just ask Lauren Tidmore, who played Maria Rainer in “The Sound of Music.” Tidmore was recognized as the Outstanding Leading Actress and tied for Outstanding Female Vocalist during the 11th annual Majestic Awards on Monday at Pottsville Area High School.

“I was hesitant at first because Maria is such a classic part with Julie Andrews. But Maria brought out a lot in myself,” Tidmore said. “Maria is such a mature character, playing the mother to all of these children. I truly think I grew as a person and a performer.”

Tidmore, 18, a senior at Blue Mountain High School is bound for Baldwin Wallace, Ohio, to major in theater. She’s the daughter of Julianne and William Tidmore, Orwigsburg.

The awards show, presented by BB&T Bank, recognizes excellence in musical theater across Schuylkill County, according to Sandy Kost-Sterner, show coordinator. Throughout the evening, students performed a portion of their musical productions for a packed house, as the audience gave several standing ovations.

Vanessa Mihoda, president of the Majestic Theater Association, welcomed guests, while Henry Nyce, publisher of The Republican-Herald, served as master of ceremonies.

Blue Mountain — under the direction of Lauren Clauser — claimed the biggest award of the night, Outstanding Overall Production. This is Clauser’s first year as director at Blue Mountain.

Tidmore tied for Outstanding Female Vocalist with Makenna Copeland of Nativity BVM High School. Copeland is headed to DeSales University to study musical theater.

“It means so much being selected with Makenna because we worked together with Spotlight Kids,” Tidmore said.

Liam Wolfe, who portrayed Sky Masterson in North Schuylkill’s “Guys and Dolls” won the Outstanding Leading Actor award. Wolfe is headed to Villanova to study communications.

“Coming into this season of musicals, we had a lot of seniors and I was happy to be given the opportunity to participate,” Wolfe, 18, of Ringtown, said. “The other male lead was my best friend and the female lead is someone very special to me, so to be able to have these memories with them and the entire cast is what it’s all about,” he said.

Meanwhile, George Hegedus, who portrayed Horton the Elephant in Tamaqua Area’s “Seussical,” garnered the Outstanding Male Vocalist honor.

Four individual winners from last year — Copeland, Hegedas, Wolfe and Reiley Lonergan of Minersville Area High School, excelled again this year winning individual awards. In addition, Leanne Rooney — who won an individual award last year — teamed up with Nick Twardzik to win the Outstanding Duet award this year with Shenandoah Valley’s “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” Pottsville Area’s Taylor Brigade, who played Lord Farquuad in “Shrek The Musical” was named Outstanding Supporting Actor. Brigade plans to attend Bloomsburg University to study physical therapy and minor in theater.

Lonergan, a junior, won Outstanding Supporting Actress honors for playing Alice in “The Addams Family.”

“I think it’s amazing that we have a huge amount of talent in the arts,” she said.

She praised all the nominees and explained her role of Alice.

“She wasn’t someone I would have picked to play. Once I got the role and got the script, I could see she portrayed a happy, obedient wife, but really used words that show she wasn’t that happy ... which you learn later,” Lonergan said.

Schools receiving honors, in addition to Blue Mountain with five wins, were: Pottsville Area, five; Minersville Area, three; Tamaqua Area, three; Schuylkill Haven Area, two; Shenandoah Valley, two; North Schuylkill, two, and Nativity, one. Tri-Valley and Mahanoy Area had nominations but no wins.

Ten high schools were vying for awards in 22 categories. Leading the way was Pottsville Area High School’s “Shrek The Musical” and Tamaqua Area High School’s “Seussical” with 20 nominations each. Blue Mountain High School’s production of “The Sound of Music” followed with 19 nominations.

Pottsville Area entered the award show as reigning winner of Outstanding Overall Production, having won last year for its production of “Les Miserables.”

Other awards presented Monday were the Spirit of Theater awards, sponsored by Sophy Jewelers. Each school chooses a student to receive the award, which applauds the individual who has contributed to the performing arts program in their school with dedication, enthusiasm and hard work. The student can be a member of the cast, stage crew or pit band.

Those students selected for the Spirit of Theater awards were: Lauren Tidmore, Blue Mountain; Madison Ansbach, Mahanoy Area; Veronica Rutecky, Minersville Area; Patrick Stone, Nativity BVM; Kaeli Quick, North Schuylkill; Arrianna Daniels, Pottsville Area; Lydia Nester, Schuylkill Haven Area; Meghan Artley, Shenandoah Valley; Josh Gordon, Tamaqua Area; and Gabrielle Quandel, Tri-Valley.

For more information, visit the Majestic Theater’s website at www.majestictheater.net.

Deeds

Barry Township — Ralph R. and Eileen A. Johnson to Ralph R. Johnson Jr.; 1407 Taylorsville Road; $1.

Blythe Township — Daniel Lubinsky to Anthony R. Foster; property on Water Street, Cumbola; $81,600.

Frackville — Dianne D. Decker and Elizabeth L. Decker, co-executrices of the Estate of Anna E. Decker, to Dianne D. Decker and Elizabeth L. Decker; 518 W. Spring St.; $1.

Lois Sanner to Lois Sanner and Kimberly A. Varner; 5332 W. Oak St.; $1.

Frailey Township — Stewart A. Stumpo to Schuylkill County Municipal Authority; 1.001-acre property on Middle Creek Drive; $10,000.

Gordon — Brent S. and Susanne M. Mickatavage to Susanne M. Mickatavage; 320 W. Elm St.; $1.

Kline Township — 185417 Regional Portfolio Trust to Dawn Higgins; 23 Fifth St., Kelayres; $35,000.

Mahanoy City — Mahanoy Area School District to Mahanoy Area School District; 728 W. Centre St.; $1.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Two men were jailed Monday arrested by Schuylkill Haven police on drug charges.

A third man was also committed to prison on an outstanding warrant, also for drug-related offenses.

Police said the arrests were the result of borough officers assigned to a detail to serve outstanding warrants for previous arrests made by their department where those involved failed to respond to the charges.

About 4:45 p.m., Schuylkill Haven officers went to a home at 1007 W. Market St., Pottsville, in an attempt to serve those warrants, Sgt. Glenn Firing said.

Officers were allowed to enter the residence by the owner and, once inside, found a man later identified as Courtney Roberts trying to conceal something under a blanket.

Firing said when officers investigated, they found 100 bags of heroin and in the same room under a stereo speaker found a .22-caliber Derringer pistol that was not registered to anyone in the home.

Also found were 24 large baggies of marijuana, 40 bags of heroin, $842, an additional baggie containing 10 grams of uncut heroin, a scale, a marijuana grinder and an abundance of empty white wax paper baggies used for packaging heroin.

Firing said Pottsville police arrived at the scene and assisted Schuylkill Haven officers in arresting Roberts, 27, of New Jersey, and Keshon Canyon, 24, of Pottsville.

The officers also removed the drug and gun evidence found in the home that was also occupied by two small children and their mother.

Firing said Canyon was charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, former convicts not to possess firearms, possession of drug paraphernalia and endangering the welfare of children.

Roberts was charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both men were arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, who set bail at $50,000 straight cash for Canyon and $25,000 straight cash for Roberts.

Both were then committed to Schuylkill County Prison pending preliminary hearings to be held at a later date.

Earlier Monday afternoon, Firing said, borough police, along with Pottsville officers, were successful in serving a felony warrant on Gavin Allen, Schuylkill Haven, on charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Firing said Allen was found at 20 Peacock St., Pottsville, taken into custody without incident and committed to Schuylkill County Prison.

HARRISBURG — The public would have greater scrutiny of agreements to sell or lease municipal sewer and water systems under legislation House lawmakers approved unanimously Monday.

The measure headed to the Senate would require that municipalities hold a public meeting and publish a legal notice before entering a sale or lease agreement. This notice would have to be published between seven to 60 days prior to an agreement.

The measure surfaced last month after the Scranton Sewer Authority approved the sale of the sewer system to Pennsylvania American Water Co. for $195 million. The system serves Scranton and Dunmore.

However, sponsors said the legislation addresses broader concerns about having a transparent process since a number of private water companies are making offers to buy public water and sewer systems in Pennsylvania.

These sales can have an impact on water and sewer ratepayers and they should have a chance to weigh in ahead of time, said bill sponsor Rep. Kate Harper, R-61, Blue Bell, chairwoman of the House Local Government Committee.

“They should get a chance to ask questions,” she said. “Like, what will happen to my rates if this happens?”

Sometimes, competing bids are offered for a public water or sewer system which can affect rates in different ways, Harper said.

A public meeting gives the entire community an opportunity to weigh in on a sale, said Rep. Robert Freeman, D-136, Easton, the panel’s ranking Democrat.

Rep. Marty Flynn, D-113, Scranton, supports the measure.

“This being a public asset, I think it’s a good idea,” he said.

Scranton is pursuing the sewer system sale to generate revenue to shed its status as a fiscally distressed city under Act 47. The authority started exploring a sale two years ago before approving it by a 4-0 vote in March.

Dunmore Borough Council plans to seek public input on how to spend the estimated $24 million the borough would receive from the sale.

The sewer system sale has several more steps ahead before its anticipated completion in October. These steps include approval by the federal Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. District Court, the state Department of Environmental Protection and Public Utility Commission.

TAMAQUA — Schuylkill-Carbon Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 13 honored 85 members who died since its inception in 1941 during its annual memorial service Monday evening at its lodge in the borough’s Owl Creek section.

Financial secretary David Everly read the names of deceased members while Kristen Egan, of Hawk Mountain Highlanders, played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.

About 30 people — lodge members, law enforcement officers, friends and Carbon County District Attorney Jean Engler — attended the ceremony to pay their respects to the deceased members of the lodge that encompasses portions of Schuylkill and Carbon counties.

The ceremony opened with remarks by Summit Hill Police Chief Joseph Fittos Jr., Lodge 13 president.

Nesquehoning police Patrolman Timothy Wuttke and Tamaqua police Patrolman Michael Hobbs raised the American flag and then lowered it to half mast and Hobbs also placed a wreath at the memorial monument.

Fittos addressed those attending and said thanks should be given not only to deceased member of Lodge 13, but for all fallen officers.

A shotgun salute was given by Summit Hill police Patrolmen Brian Horos, Ryan Holohan and Todd Woodward, McAdoo Police Chief Jeffrey Wainright and Patrolman William Curilla, Beaver Meadows Police Chief Mike Morresi and Jim Thorpe police Patrolman Kyle Oliver.

The ceremony then closed with benediction by John Kast, a retired Tamaqua police patrolman and chaplain of the lodge.

Everly said Lodge 13 includes police from Port Carbon, Tamaqua, Mechanicsville, Schuylkill Township, New Philadelphia, Palo Alto, Rush Township, McAdoo, West Penn Township, Kline Township, Walker Township, Summit Hill, Jim Thorpe, Nesquehoning, Lansford, Kidder Township, Beaver Meadows, East Penn Township, Lehighton, Franklin Township and Mahoning Township.

He said the lodge conducts the ceremony every May to not only honor fallen members, but also show that their dedication to both law enforcement and their communities is never forgotten.

“It’s our way of showing them that we will never forget their service,” Everly said.

David A. Plachko

PORT CARBON — A 23-year-old Cressona man charged with a theft at the Wal-Mart parking lot in Saint Clair on Jan. 18 had charges against him held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko.

Trent A. Schaeffer, 64 Cherry St., was arrested by Saint Clair police Patrolman Brad Blanner and charged with one misdemeanor count each of theft by deception and receiving stolen property. Plachko determined the commonwealth proved a prima facie case and ordered both charges against Schaeffer held for Schuylkill County Court.

Blanner charged Schaeffer with agreeing to buy a laptop computer from a woman for $125. Schaeffer met the woman in the parking lot and gave her a Wal-Mart gift card he said was valued at $100 and was given the computer. It was later determined that Schaeffer stole the gift card from the store and that it had never been activated, Blanner said.

Other court cases included:

Richard Lee Griffiths, 52, of 555 Sunbury St., Minersville — withdrawn: disorderly conduct and harassment. Waived for court: disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

Mark A. Smith, 28, of 230 Sanderson St., Pottsville — waived for court: retail theft.

Tammy Lynn Strausser, 42, of 531 Peacock St., Pottsville — withdrawn: materially false written statements. Waived for court: unsworn falsification to authorities and statements under penalty.

Ashley M. Williams, 20, of 727 Laurel Blvd., Pottsville — waived for court: retail theft and theft by deception.

Toni B. Berzowski — withdrawn: simple assault and resisting arrest. Waived for court: criminal mischief, possession of drug paraphernalia and harassment.

George F. Barnes, 30, of 20 Lombard St., New Philadelphia — withdrawn: making repairs to or selling offensive weapons. Waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Katelin P. Flamini, 26, of 227 Louisa Ave., Pottsville — held for court: bad checks.

Keith M. Kuzio Jr., 22, of 322 Laurel St., Minersville — held for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Yancy Lee Figueroa, 31, of 311 Laurel St., Minersville — dismissed: theft and receiving stolen property.

Lance T. Hunter Reis, 32, of 209 Walnut St., Minersville — dismissed: bad checks and theft by deception.

Maegan E. Azbell, 23, of 417 S. Second St., Saint Clair — held for court: retail theft.

Heather L. Reed, 27, of 303 Pottsville St., Minersville — waived for court: retail theft.

Lindsay N. Andrews, 21, of 1922 Third Ave., Pottsville — waived for court: false reports and unsworn falsification to authorities.

Rose M. Toney, 38, of 255 Laurel St., Apt. 4, Minersville — dismissed: selling or furnishing alcohol to a minor.

Ashley M. Stumhofer, 25, of 322 E. Arch St., Pottsville — withdrawn: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance. Waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.

Brittany M. George, 30, of 13 Sunbury St., Minersville — waived for court: false identification to law enforcement, conspiracy and hindering apprehension or prosecution.

Brett L. Heinbach, 33, of 138 Covered Bridge Road, Pine Grove — waived for court: simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Jeff Seiders, 49, of 512 W. Savory St., Pottsville — waived for court: driving with a suspended or revoked license, driving without a license, accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property, habitual offenders, careless driving and driving at an unsafe speed.

Pottsville officials are gearing up for the annual road program, with a budget of “roughly $100,000” and numerous options on how to spend it, Thomas W. Whitaker, the city’s superintendent of streets, said Monday.

And he visited a few sites most likely to make the list.

“I’m pretty sure these will be done this year, but we’ll be deciding that in June. We have a list, but things get added to the list all the time. Then we prioritize it. That’s the way it goes,” Whitaker said.

They include:

• The pothole-ridden stretch of West Norwegian Street between Second and Third streets.

“We’d like to bring our miller in here and we’ll grind off the uneven surface and apply a hot blacktop. We’d like to do it by August. But the area needs more than resurfacing. There are two collapsed storm drains at Third Street which need to be replaced,” Whitaker said.

• The uneven grooves on North 16th Street between Laurel Boulevard and Elk Avenue near Pottsville Area School District’s campus.

“It’s alligatored,” Whitaker said.

“The last time it was done was maybe 20 years ago. It’s pretty bad. It’s all brittle now. All of the asphalt is gone from salt. It just breaks apart. There’s no binder left in it,” Kerry Ansbach, the school district’s director of facilities and transportation, said Monday.

“If they do that street, it would improve the area around the school. And that road gets used so hard. It’s a high-profile road,” Ansbach said.

• The narrow called Line Alley behind the new CVS Pharmacy which opened April 25.

“The city has a paver which is a smaller paver, very good for alleys and small streets that we can do one pass on. So we’ll just be doing a topcoat,” Whitaker said.

The city’s 2016 road program may also include parts of Mount Hope Avenue between Seventh and 12th streets, and sections of McBarron Street, 13th Street, 14th Street and 15th Street, Whitaker said.

Before assembling the final list of projects, city officials have a few things to consider.

City officials keep track of the problems with the city’s 48 miles of streets using the Urgent Repair List, an inventory that is updated with reports from council members, the street department and citizens.

There are seven wards in the city and Whitaker said he and city officials make an effort to include streets from every ward in the annual road program.

“In just about every ward, you can find some bad streets,” Whitaker said.

Last year, the city earmarked $105,000 for its 2015 street maintenance and improvement program, using $75,000 in state liquid fuels funds and $30,000 from the city’s general fund, City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said last year. Whitaker anticipated the city would have the same amount at its disposal this year.

On May 9, the city council decided to advertise for bids on two proposals related to this year’s road program.

The bids received by the deadline — 1:30 p.m. June 9 — will also be factors in the city’s decision-making process, Whitaker said.

With one proposal, the city hopes to hire a contractor for “bituminous paving” on a section of Jackson Street, according to bid notice.

“It’s for a complete resurfacing of Jackson Street from East Norwegian Street to Greenwood Avenue. It’s already been resurfaced from Greenwood Avenue down to Mauch Chunk Street. We’re looking for a contractor because of the size of the project, the width, the length and the grade of the hill. We don’t have the kind of equipment to do that,” Whitaker said.

With the other proposal, the city is planning to rent paving equipment, including a Gradall hydraulic excavator, a tack coat vehicle and a paver with an 8-foot to 13-foot paving width.

“These will assist us with our paving,” Whitaker said.

Total, there are 16 full-time workers in the streets department, including Whitaker.

Whitaker said the streets department works to repair potholes all year.

Citizens can report potholes on city streets by calling the city hall at 570-622-1234 or the city garage at 570-622-7690. Or they can go online to the city’s website and click on the link titled “Report A Pothole,” Whitaker said.

n Frackville: A free lunch program for children will be held from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Monday through Friday from June 7 to Aug. 19 at Memorial Park, West Spring Street. Only children can receive the food and must remain in the park while eating, according to a release. The lunch will not be held July 1 or 4. Registration and other requirements are not needed.

n Mahanoy City: The St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry is always in need of food and is grateful for donations. Some items needed include cereal, canned fruit, peanut butter, beef stew, soups, juices, tuna, Spam, instant potatoes, Hamburger Helper, pasta and sauce, pancake mix and syrup, coffee, tea or any nonperishable food item. Donations may be dropped off at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church, the office of state Rep. Neal P. Goodman or at the local M&T Bank branch.

n Minersville: The New Minersville Firehouse Bikers will stage a “Ride for St. Joe’s,” the annual Harlen Zimmerman Poker Run for St. Joseph Learning Center, on June 12 at the firehouse, 500 Line St. Tickets are $20 and $10 for passenger. Registration will be from 9 to 11 a.m.

n New Ringgold: Friedens Lutheran Church will sponsor a free community picnic from 3 to 6 p.m. June 5 at the church, 525 Church St. The event will feature Coney Island burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, salads and other picnic fare plus a make-your-own ice cream sundae bar. The event is eat-in-only. For more information, call 570-640-5726.

n Minersville: Mountaineer Hose Company will have a breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to noon Sunday at the firehouse, Third and South streets. All are welcome.

n Pottsville: An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from noon to 5 p.m. May 27 at D.G. Yuengling and Son Inc., Fifth and Mahantongo streets. 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 arrange for an appointment, call 800-733-2767.

n Schuylkill Haven: The young people’s group of Covenant United Methodist Church will have a movie night at 5 p.m. Sunday at the church, 215 E. Main St., featuring “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” The movie is free and soda and popcorn will be available for $1.

n Shenandoah: The Shenandoah Youth Soccer Association will hold soccer registration from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the soccer field, Route 54, Lost Creek. The association teaches the basic fundamentals of soccer and serves children ages 4 to 14 from Shenandoah, Frackville, Ashland, Girardville, Ringtown, Mahanoy City and other area communities, according to an association press release.

n Shenandoah: The borough has an ordinance requiring people who walk pets on public streets or sidewalks to clean up after them. Those who do not are in violation of the law and can face a fine. Pet owners may not allow their animals to roam in the borough unleashed or out of control. Driving ATVs on public streets or areas where they are not allowed, such as parks or private property, also is unlawful. Anyone who witnesses such violations is asked to contact borough authorities. To reach borough police, call 570-462-1991.

n Shenandoah: Shenandoah Community Watch meets at 6 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month at the Anthony P. Damato American Legion “Medal of Honor” Post 792, 116 N. Main St. Meetings are open to the public and new members are always welcome. Gordon Slater, SCW president, has made repeated calls for more people to attend and become involved for the betterment of the community.

n Tamaqua: The Tamaqua Community Hunger Walk was postponed until 2 p.m. Sunday. Registration will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the St. Luke’s medical building. Registration forms are available through the walk’s Facebook page and online at www.taffn.org.

GIRARDVILLE — Schuylkill County District Attorney Christine A. Holman and detective Kurt Montz attended the Girardville Borough Council meeting Thursday to explain law enforcement efforts dealing with drug violations.

Holman was invited to attend a meeting by council President Charles Marquardt following the questions raised by some residents at the April meeting about illegal drugs being sold and used in the borough and the need for better and faster enforcement.

Holman introduced herself and Montz, who is one of six full-time detectives in her office and who is in charge of the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force.

“What we’re going to do is try to explain how the drug task force works,” Holman said. “And obviously with having two full-time detectives in the drug task force office, we have expanded with contracts where we have a lot of people in the task force, but it takes some work in order for the drug task force to work successfully in a borough or a township where an area is targeted.”

Holman began her presentation with providing statistics about the county on municipalities, population, county size in land area and roads among other information. She then spoke of drug crime statistics and enforcement success also depends on dealing with drug use.

“I can tell you that if we don’t put a stop to the use, we’re not going to put a stop to the crime,” Holman said. “In 2014, 1,963 cases out of 2,173 that were filed, 627 of those were drug crimes. Now, in 2014, and you might be surprised, marijuana was the lead drug and that was 290 of those criminal complaints. Heroin was second at 124 criminal complaints, methamphetamine at 97 and opiates were the other drug crimes. It’s been theorized that a lot of our heroin use originated or was started from people being hooked on pain killers. DUIs are also prevalent and are still climbing. There were 385 DUIs out of those 1,963 cases. Now, DUI is not just alcohol-related, but can be DUI drugs, or both.”

Holman gave the number of criminal complaints/cases in Schuylkill County in 2014 by age bracket: 18 to 25, 567; 25 to 35, 600; 35 to 50, 400; and 50 and over, 216.

In 2015, there was a total of 2,652 criminal complaints filed, an increase of 479 from 2014. Holman said that of the first 500 complaints filed in 2015, 31 percent involved drugs.

“Now, heroin is in the lead with 62 complaints, marijuana at 23, methamphetamine at 13, cocaine at eight, prescription medication at nine, and paraphernalia at 36,” Holman said.

Cases involving DUI-alcohol and DUI-drugs were 46 percent of the 2,652 cases.

“What is our response? The Schuylkill County Drug Task Force currently has 98 members, which is great,” Holman said. “Kurt has done a phenomenal job since he took his post with me in 2014 with recruitment efforts. What happens though with the 98 who joined the drug task force? These people have regular law-enforcement jobs, working full- or part-time. We have to pay them. They don’t work for free, and they’re paid through a fund. We get a stipend from the state attorney general’s office. It is $46,000 yearly. This runs that task force office and vehicles. Any forfeiture money is accumulated by our own efforts. Since 2014, two very successful raids happened in Tamaqua, and when I say raids, it’s actually a warrant roundup because the individuals who are targeted are cultivated over a period of six months.”

Holman said the successes of the roundups include the work done by local law enforcement working with the task force, using confidential informants and setting up buys and other actions.

“That, of course, takes time,” she said. “One of the things that people have to realize is that the drug task force is not necessarily like a mini-maid service that is going to come in and extract the drugs from your town. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t work that way.”

Holman added, “It has been said many times that we can’t arrest our way out of this problem, but we certainly have to keep arresting. We’re not going to stop arresting people. We understand that people get hooked on drugs and people may not want to become a criminal, but if they’re harming the public, we need to stop that. We are after the dealers. We are looking at the felony crimes where we’re able to charge a possession with an intent to deliver or just delivery.”

Holman was speaking to a full room of residents and was pleased with the turnout.

“I think it’s wonderful to see so many people who come out to a council meeting who care about your community, and I know that Girardville has a crime watch, which is wonderful,” Holman said. “The only thing I preach is that you don’t put yourself at risk. You don’t know what these drugs do to a person. It changes their personality and can give them some sense of super type of strength or feeling. If you are in a situation where there are drug dealings happening, you need police and the drug hotline. It starts in your community in building your resources.”

Holman turned the floor over to Montz to explain a portion of his job without giving away procedures. He also noted how many people attended the council meeting.

“We don’t have all the answers and probably what we’ll say to you tonight isn’t going to answer everything or be what you really want to hear,” Montz said. “I believe just about every municipality in the county is signed up with the task force.”

Montz said Girardville is part of the task force.

“In every police department, like Tamaqua, when we had our raids out there, Tower City, Ashland and Shenandoah with West Mahanoy Township, those officers worked their regular shift where the borough pays them, and then they go out for another four to five hours and work overtime to do drug enforcement,” Montz said. “The problem is, and it’s not just Girardville, that a lot of the smaller municipalities in Schuylkill County. you might only have one or two part-time officers. When do they work? The drug dealers are not stupid. If they see the cop car driving around town, what do they do? They don’t do anything. They may go somewhere else or stay inside and do their drugs. As soon as the officer goes home, the word goes onto the street that no one is on duty and it becomes a free-for-all. I get calls and emails about what is going on in town and we’re doing our best. Unfortunately, sometimes that’s not good enough. We can’t solve all the issues.”

Montz said there are many steps that can take months to do before enough evidence is obtained in order to obtain arrest warrants.

“The more visible your police department is, the more aggressive your police is in pulling vehicles over, the less often you’ll have those people travel through or live in your town,” Montz said.

He added, “The process is long and time consuming. I can tell you that I’m in touch with your chief probably three to four times a week. He’s as active as he can be with the task force, but he has other duties.”

Montz encouraged people to report activity that they believe to be illegal. Phone calls are confidential.

The county DA’s drug hotline number is 800-414-1406.

MAHANOY CITY — A Frackville man was jailed Monday morning, charged by Mahanoy City police with having drugs, a large amount of cash and electronic items in his possession.

Brian A. Cyr, 27, of 34 S. Broad Mountain Ave., was charged with eight felony counts of delivery of a controlled substance; eight misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance; one misdemeanor count each of possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and DUI; and a summary offense of driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Cyr was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post $50,000 straight cash bail.

The charges against Cyr were filed by Patrolman Earl Johnson and Patrolman Thomas Rentschler stemming from an incident about 10:40 p.m. Sunday in the 800 block of east Pine Street.

Johnson said he pulled over a car driven by Cyr for failing to stop at a stop sign and was told earlier that the car the man was driving was under investigation for narcotics violations.

Approaching the vehicle, Johnson said, officers detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from inside and also saw a glassine baggie commonly used for illegal narcotics on the back seat.

The officer said Cyr was taken into custody and a subsequent search found him to be in possession of a clear baggie containing a crystal rock substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine as well as a large amount of cash totaling $1,870.

A search of the vehicle was then conducted leading to the discovery of an additional $844 in cash, a digital scale, a cigarette wrapper containing a leafy substance that tested positive for marijuana, two glassine baggies stamped “money bags,” a lip balm containing a black tar substance that tested positive for heroin and five different types of prescription medications, Johnson said.

He said those medications included 12 hydrocodone pills, 24 oxycodone pills, 14 acetaminophin oxycodone hydrocloride pills and one suboxone pill.

Back at the police station, Johnson said, Cyr refused to submit to a blood alcohol test and was subsequently arraigned and jailed.

He will now have to answer to the charges at a preliminary hearing before Kilker in his Shenandoah courtroom.

Police investigate

tire, wheel theft

LAVELLE — Butler Township police are investigating a theft that occurred between 7:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at 1 Reichwein Road.

Police said someone stole four wheels and tires from a green 2000 Nissan Frontier pickup truck that was parked on the lot at Lavelle Motors and fled the scene.

A small Chevrolet S-10 type pickup truck or SUV was seen in the area prior to the theft, police said, adding that the business is offering a reward to anyone who may provide information that will assist in the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call Butler Township police at 570-875-4131.

Police: Man

charged with DUI

MAHANOY CITY — A 42-year-old Barnesville man was charged by Mahanoy City police after a traffic incident about 2:40 a.m. April 7 in the 1300 block of East Centre Street.

Police said Owen M. Berezwick, 7 S. Fifth Ave., was charged with DUI and careless driving.

Police said they stopped a vehicle driven by Berezwick for not having his headlights on and found the man to be under the influence of alcohol.

A subsequent blood test determined Berezwick had an alcohol level of 0.295 percent, more than three times the legal level, as well as signs of methamphetamine in his system.

Marijuana found

at Mahanoy school

MAHANOY CITY — A borough man was arrested by Mahanoy City police on drug charges after an incident about 9 a.m. Friday at the Mahanoy Area Elementary School, 1 Golden Bear Drive.

Police said Hopeton L. Brevett, 516 W. Centre St., was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct. He will now have to answer to those charges before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah.

Police said officers were called to the school for a report of drug activity and learned the school nurse found a clear sandwich bag containing a green leafy material near the entrance to the elementary building.

Officials said Brevett was the only person in the area that day since the school was closed to students and that he was at the building for a conference of school personnel, police said.

Video security at the school showed Brevett leaving the building through the elementary school doors and when he took his hand out of his pants pocket the bag containing the leafy substance fell to the ground, police said.

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 along routes 61, 183, 901, 309, 1008, 443, 895, 125, 25, 924 and 54.

Travelers are reminded to call 911 if they suspect a drunk driver to call, toll-free, 1-888-UNDER21 to report underage drinking.

Child seat safety

checkup slated

HAMBURG — State police at Hamburg will be conducting a free child seat safety checkup event from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday at Cabela’s, Tilden Township, Berks County.

Trained child seat passenger safety technicians will check child seats and booster seats to ensure they are properly installed. Children up to age 4 are required to be properly secured in a booster seat. All drivers, front seat passengers and passengers under the age of 18 are required to be properly secured in safety belts.

Contact state police at Hamburg at 610-562-6885 to make an appointment or stop by the checkup event.