A man who fled the Pottsville police about 6:20 p.m. Thursday when officers received credible information that he was inside 818 Main St., was located about 12 hours later and then jailed.

Police said Lyle T. McCulley, 36, whose last known address was 393 Hotel St., was wanted on a felony warrant and when officers arrived at the address, they received additional information indicating that he was seen entering there just before officers arrived.

Police said a search of the home was completed with McCulley not located, but as officers were canvassing the area, residents reported seeing the man running west from the home into a wooded area to the rear of the AMVETS building.

Officers from Port Carbon and state police troopers from the Schuylkill Haven station assisted in setting up a perimeter and conducting a foot search.

McCulley was unable to be located and police said there were conflicting reports of his path of travel from the woods.

Then, about 5:10 a.m. Friday, officers were called to 514 Wallace St. for a report of a man inside a home who did not live there or know the homeowners. At the scene, police said, officers spoke to a 59-year-old woman who said the man, later identified as McCulley, was upstairs, where he was located by officers and taken into custody without incident.

The subsequent investigation revealed that the woman tried to enter a spare bedroom of the home and discovered the door was locked despite this never being done. After gaining access to the inside of the room, the woman observed feet sticking out of a blanket on the floor and the woman immediately woke her husband and called 911, police said.

Police said McCulley was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, on the existing felony warrant for burglary along with new charges of felony criminal trespass in connection with the recent incident.

McCulley was then committed to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post $25,000 bail, police said.

PALO ALTO — Head gear and hats came off during the Memorial Day service at the veterans’ memorial Sunday.

Distinguished keynote speaker retired Army Lt. Col. Ralph N. Butera requested it.

He quoted philosopher George Santayana who said, “Only the dead have seen the end of war,” and “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

“Think about these words, because they will be the focus of today. Hopefully, I can instill the words from the past to show their importance in the present,” Butera told the crowd.

Butera, Pottsville, is a 29-year veteran of the military, having served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, U.S. Army Reserves and on active duty for Enduring Freedom. He has served as company commander, battalion executive officer and multiple staff positions at the brigade and division level in both operations and logistics. His various awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster. As a civilian, he’s a 32-year veteran of the U.S. Postal Service, having served as a postmaster since 1991 in Tremont, Shenandoah and Schuylkill Haven. Butera’s currently an ad hoc instructor in the Delta School Systems and instructs management, business and general education classes. He and his wife, Kathleen, have two children.

Butera said the flag is a living document and explained how to show reverence.

“See this flag that flies behind us. It’s not only a three-by-five, red, white and blue cloth with stripes and stars. If that’s all you see, you’re not looking close enough. This flag stands before you because it is the epitome of America. It stands and represents you and I and every American that has stood by its side.

“The flag has protocols, much like the people of importance. The flag always flies higher than other flags. It always sits to its own right, whichever way it is facing. When one salutes the flag, it’s called presenting arms, or surrendering your weapon to the flag. Without a weapon, it is presented with a salute.

“This brings us to why we are removing our head gear in reverence today for the deceased. Removing of one’s hat, or head gear, is the ultimate extension of honor or the surrendering of a salute. Everyone here knows what a salute is. This is an act that is common to all veterans if they’re in or out of uniform when saluting the flag. The flag, which I said is the definition of a living thing, is not just a piece of material. It represents the people of our country and this is why it deserves reverence. It is you and it is I,” he said.

Butera said we need to elevate the significance of this one day to the highest of plateaus.

“This group of heroes could not be in front of us today. They cannot hear the applause and the cheers or the adoration. They rely on the ability to raise their efforts with the memories that we provide.

Today we must speak for those hands we cannot shake. Whose backs we cannot pat. Whose eyes we cannot gaze,” he said.

Pastor Kenton Martin offered the invocation, then Madison Eroh was called to the podium. Eroh, 10, a John S. Clarke Elementary Center fourth-grader, sang the national anthem a capella.

Moved by her performance, Butera called Eroh’s rendition of the national anthem “one of the best” he’s heard.

Palo Alto Mayor John Deatrich served as master of ceremonies and spoke of understanding the true meaning of why our nation celebrates Memorial Day.

Deatrich said, “For those who lost loved ones serving our country, the memory can be tears, a void, an empty space where there was once a child, a mother, father or sibling.

“For those people, we use this day to stop and remember the great sacrifice that was made. Those of us who were lucky enough to not be affected by the loss of a loved one serving our country, we at least pause to try to understand what it must feel like. To listen to those who have lived it, so that we can better appreciate the true meaning of Memorial Day.”

Deatrich read the names of 15 soldiers from the borough who died while in service to our country, as a bell tolled for each person. There were 15 flags erected in front of the memorial, representing those who had fallen.

After Butera’s address, Marcayla Lutz-Kanin played taps and Pastor Gerald Richter offered the benediction.

At the conclusion of the Memorial Day service, there was a dedication ceremony for a bench donated by the Stevenson family at the borough’s Bacon Street playground.

“It’s a great honor to dad,” Stevenson’s daughter, Tammy Brower, Palo Alto, said at the dedication. George’s widow, Alice, was also in attendance, as well as a dozen family members. Stevenson’s great-granddaughter, Mykalia Tippett, and Alice Stevenson sat on the bench beside the dedication plaque affixed to the bench back. The plaque read: “In honor of George and Alice Stevenson for their selfless devotion to the Georgie Stevenson Memorial Charity for Children.”

George Stevenson passed away last April. The “George and Georgie Stevenson Memorial Race” at Big Diamond Speedway raised funds for families of ill children.

Brower said her dad loved kids and that his great-granddaughter, Mykalia, spent a lot of time with him in his garage.

Stevonosky and Deatrich offered remarks recognizing the contributions the Stevenson family had made to the community, as those gathered enjoyed refreshments.

“George called everyone ‘gumba,’ which is Italian for friend,” Deatrich said.

The Hawk Mountain Council, Boy Scouts of America will hold a Distinguished Citizen Breakfast to honor the Schaeffer family, H. Slayton Altenburg and other local community leaders.

On June 9, the council will host the second annual Service to Youth and Community Breakfast at the Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation, near Summit Station. Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary Hess will chair this year’s event.

The breakfast is fundraising and networking providing those attending an opportunity to learn about Scouting from the Scouts themselves. It also is a means for the council to recognize citizens who have provided exemplary community service improving the quality of life in Schuylkill and Carbon counties.

In a prepared statement, the council announced this year’s recipients of the Distinguished Service to Youth and Community Award will be the Schaeffer family of Schaeffer’s Harley-Davidson and Schaeffer’s Motorsports. For more than 25 years, Schaeffer’s Harley-Davidson has been dedicated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (Harley-Davidson’s charity of choice). In the hope of eliminating neuromuscular disease, the Schaeffer family of customers participates annually in the “MDA Ride for Life.” The event takes place the first weekend in May each year. Since 1988, Schaeffer’s family of customers has raised $3.9 million for MDA to use for research, summer camp, and equipment for the children and adults stricken with neuromuscular diseases located in the greater Lehigh area.

Along with year-round support of the MDA, events are scheduled and proceeds are donated to breast cancer awareness, the soldier’s that serve our country, the local schools and various other community organizations.

The Hawk Mountain Council will also recognize H. Slayton Altenburg with Distinguished Service to Youth and Community Award.

The Carbon County Environmental Education Center and James Briel II will be recognized for their support of youth in both counties.

The keynote speakers for the breakfast will include Hawk Mountain Council’s own young men and women who will speak about how Scouting has prepared them for their futures.

The funds raised from the Service to Youth and Community Breakfast will assist with the services provided to the Packs, Troops, Venture Crews and Explorer Posts in Schuylkill County and parts of Carbon County. Training for adult leaders, activities, Scouting for Food, camping programs and Camperships are but a few of the activities and services provided by the Hawk Mountain Council.

Geisinger Medical Center, Danville

To Eric Brassington and Kristen Seddon, Schuylkill County, a son, May 16.

St. Joseph Medical Center, Towson, Maryland

To Match and Kara Senich Zimmerman, a daughter, May 2. Grandparents are Greg and Gail Senich, Llewellyn, and Kent and Barbara Zimmerman, Cockeysville, Maryland.

GIRARDVILLE — The Rangers Hose Company of Girardville will celebrate a member on June 4 that has been with the company for 100 years and can still roll along on its four-spoked wheels.

The 1916 Ford Model T chemical fire truck was ordered in 1914 and delivered just five years after the fire company was founded in 1911.

The celebration on Saturday will be from 11 a.m., when DJ music will start, to 6 p.m. at the firehouse at 6 E. Ogden St. At 1 p.m., the fire equipment parade will begin. The parade will be a history lesson of fire equipment as it developed and improved in the past century. The rain date is Sunday.

Rangers firefighter Michael Zangari is an event organizer and chairman of the planning committee.

“The parade will be lined up by the year of the fire apparatus with the Model T leading the way,” Zangari said. “The Model T is running and it’s been touched up, so it will be ready.”

As the trucks pass the Rangers firehouse, each one will be announced by Ashland Fire Chief Philip Groody. There will be monetary prizes.

About the truck, Zangari said, “It’s called a chemical truck and was the precursor to foam. There are two tanks on the back. The Model T was in service from 1916 to 1927. In 1927, the company purchased a Dodge fire engine. The chemical they used was very similar to a dry chemical fire extinguisher.”

“The Model T replaced our first fire truck, which was a horse-drawn hose cart bought from the West End Fire Station 7 in Pottsville,” he said. “When the fire company had the hose cart, the company opted to purchase the Model T, which was state of the art.”

The truck was housed at the fire company until 2000, when it became part of the Schuylkill County Historical Fire Society museum in Shenandoah. Just as with many of the historical trucks at the museum, the Model T remains the property of the fire company.

“It is the second oldest motorized fire company-owned truck on the east coast,” Zangari said. “And it is the oldest company-owned truck in Schuylkill County.”

The truck was last driven in the second annual Girardville St. Patrick’s Day parade in 2004. It has been refurbished twice, the last time in the 1970s.

After the parade, the bar will open and the DJ will begin again through 6 p.m. Soda and beer is $1 per cup. Food will be for sale from McDonald’s Lunch, Girardville, Ashland Boy Scout Troop 745, Wilburton Hose Company and MaryKay’s Funnel Cakes. The food menu includes chicken tenders, chili, sausage hoagies, hamburgers, hot dogs, bleenies, funnel cakes, deep-fried Oreos and baked goods.

The fire company will sell T-shirts, a $50 lottery board and 50/50 chances. For more information about the T-shirts or to register for the parade, call Zangari at 570-276-6922.

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.

No one understands what it is like to get through the day with a mental illness than someone who has done it. That is why many mental health agencies like NHS Human Services and The ReDCo Group, both of Pottsville, employ certified peer specialists to connect with their clients.

“They are evidence that recovery is possible,” Jenn Kramer, NHS Human Services adult behavioral health and community director, said Tuesday.

Kramer supervises the peer specialist program at NHS Human Services with Lisa Irving, transitional living coordinator.

“They give hope when people feel there is no hope,” Irving said.

To become a certified peer specialist, a person must undergo two weeks of training by a state licensed program. The two approved vendors in Pennsylvania are The Institute for Recovery and Community Integration and Recovery Opportunity Center.

Applicants must have worked at least 12 months within the last three years, have a high school diploma or GED and be in recovery of their own mental illness. Once training is complete, they can apply for a position with a mental health agency that offers a peer specialist program.

Peer specialists are also required to take continuing education credits.

NHS now has nine peer specialists serving 53 clients. The agency hired its first peer specialist in 2011.

“The reason we started doing peer services was because at the time it was only ReDCo doing them and we wanted to provide a choice,” Kramer said. “It seemed like the right thing to do for the community to have a choice.”

Irving said clients that qualify to get a peer specialist need assistance in one or more of the following areas: education, social, self maintenance and vocational. For a client to get a peer specialist, they must be referred to the program.

Melanie Moore had her peer specialist training in 2008. She is now one of the most experienced peer specialists at NHS Human Services.

“In the early stages, we are very much somebody that holds hope for somebody who is really struggling,” Moore said. “We provide inspiration, hope and encouragement in the beginning until we can develop a rapport and find out what really are their struggles, what is really holding them back in their recovery with mental illness. Once you build a rapport and get connected, then we start to focus on goals. What do they want to achieve? Not what we want for them, but what do they hope to do with their life and how can we assist them in finding resources and building new skills.”

Peer specialists are also advocates for their clients and encourage them to have a more active role in their treatment, she said.

“One of the biggest things we do is get people to empower themselves to understand their illness, understand what resources that are out there, understand their insurance, how to communicate with their doctor. It is a lot of very practical skill building things,” Moore said.

Michelle Salukas is also a peer specialist with NHS Human Services. She said the program allows them share their experiences.

“I’ll be working with some of my peers and it may not be the exact issue that they are dealing with at that time, but I may have had something similar that they are going through and I can let them know how I overcame that situation at that time,” Salukas said. “Them knowing that you have been in their shoes actually makes them feel more comfortable with you. They want to open up more to you.”

Jade Eichner, another peer specialist with NHS Human Services, said they can also connect easier with clients on a personal level.

“We are also there to share things, like a general story, and it allows them to open up more and it helps them feel a bit more comfortable,” she said.

Salukas also said they can help people learn how to control their symptoms without relying on medications or therapists.

“It is more about becoming independent with coping skills and I think when it is someone else who has had an illness and they’ve learned steps they can use in their everyday life to control their illness it is a whole lot different than a doctor saying, ‘Why don’t you try some relaxation, why don’t you go for a walk,’ ” she said. “We have a perspective that’s way different because we have been in their shoes and that’s a big part of what we do and the reason why it has been so successful and valuable to our peers.”

Service providers do not have that perspective, Kramer said.

“I can come in there and say I know how you feel, but I really don’t,” she said. “They have the one key that a lot of the doctors don’t have and that’s experience going through the local system.”

Moore said certified peer specialists do not tell their clients what to do but help them make their own choices and find all available options.

“I say we are like a guide rail for them,” Salukas said. “We call it the road to recovery, so I say we are their guide rail to keep them on that path.”

There is also a lot of advocacy and empowerment involved in being a certified peer specialist, Moore said.

“A lot of times, I think in my career as a certified peer specialist, I have taken on the role of advocate many times,” she said. “There are unfortunately a lot of holes in this system.”

With the less state funding every year for human services, the role peer specialists have in mental health care is more important than ever before, Moore said.

“We are ending up where people have less and less resources, so we have to think out of the box, be creative and try to link with other community agencies,” she said.

Some of the other community agencies and organizations the peer specialists said they have worked with include Schuylkill Women in Crisis, Servants to All, Service Access and Management, Allied Services, Salvation Army, Schuylkill Community Action and God’s Helping Hands.

“It is overwhelming when you have a debilitating mental illness just to get through your day, to keep appointments,” Salukas said. “To be able to try to put your life together can seem just insurmountable.”

Moore said it is also difficult for clients to keep appointments because the hospitals and most human service agencies in Schuylkill County are located in Pottsville.

“We are an 800-square-mile county and everything is located in Pottsville,” Moore said. “That does not work when you are asking someone to travel six hours round trip on STS. It is difficult to provide services in such a large geographical area when everything is based there.”

Salukas said they often help their clients learn bus schedules.

“With social anxiety, getting on a bus makes people nervous,” Salukas said. “We will buddy them until they get used to it and they are able to do it on their own.”

Moore said lack of transportation is a reason why she struggled with mental illness for so long.

“That was one of biggest barriers I had,” she said. “I didn’t have a car for seven years and I stayed sick because I couldn’t access what I needed.”

Moore said every peer specialist at NHS Human Services has their own strengths. For example, some peer specialists are trained to work in the criminal justice system. Others have special training focusing on veterans or people with developmental disabilities.

“We all have different strengths and we all play off each other well,” Moore said.

Twelve new peer specialists, 10 from Schuylkill County, were trained last June by the Recovery Opportunity Center, which is headquartered in Arizona. The training session at M&T Bank, 1 S. Centre St., Pottsville, was organized by the Berks County Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, which also covers Schuylkill County; Schuylkill County Mental Health and Developmental Services; AHEDD, a private nonprofit group that finds employment for people with disabilities; Community Service Group; Northwestern Human Services and ReDCo.

The Berks Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and Schuylkill County Mental Health paid the tuition of some of the county residents.

Kramer said the idea for a local training session came from a peer.

“The hard thing is finding good, qualified peers because there is no education programs local to a lot of them,” Kramer said.

People usually have to travel to areas like Philadelphia for training and pay even more for overnight stays, she said.

Two of the people at that training session — Joanie Thomas and Joe Mooney Jr. — were recently hired as peer specialists at NHS Human Services.

“We have gone through the experience of being through the mental health system and dealing with mental illness,” Mooney said. “I have experienced personally just about all aspects of it and I know what it is like to be in a situation where you want help. You want someone to understand you and there is nobody there. I am glad that I am given this opportunity now to come in to talk with people to say, ‘Hey, I’ve been there, I understand what you are going through, I know how to help you solve these problems,’ which is something I didn’t have.”

Thomas is the first member of the peer specialist team at NHS Human Services to have had a peer specialist.

“I had a peer specialist and they helped me greatly,” Thomas said. “With mental illness, often times you feel isolated. I was one of those people and my peer specialist helped me get out of that shell and showed me resources.”

Kramer said that there are more than enough referrals to go around for the peer specialist groups in the county. The number of peer specialist jobs depends on the state budget. If the jobs are available, Kramer said she thinks the agencies would collaborate again on a local training session.

“It’s a wonderful journey to see somebody change and grow and build skills and come into their own,” Moore said. “It’s really an amazingly rewarding job.”

Eichner said even the small moments, like taking a walk with a client for the first time, are a major step in recovery.

“Those little tiny steps they take that they might not even realize are amazing,” she said.

Being a peer specialist is also a way of continuing recovery, Mooney said.

“It gives you a feeling of accomplishment, a feeling of success,” he said. “That really boosts your confidence and self respect knowing you are doing a good thing.”

Moore said it is also important for them to be open about their mental illness.

“The more people are out and open, I think it changes the perception of mental illness,” she said. “We are willing to get out there and say we are people living with mental illness and we have happy, full lives.”

Pottsville man

arrested for assault

Pottsville police reported being called about 11:15 a.m. Saturday to the 1100 block of West Market Street for a report of a domestic disturbance possibly involving the custody of an infant child.

At the scene, officers found a man, later identified as Christian Kohler Pond, 20, of Pottsville, who said he was just involved in a verbal altercation with the mother of his 3-month-old child while inside the Market Square apartment complex “A” building.

While talking with Pond, police said, officers were contacted by the county communications center who relayed a message that an ambulance was dispatched to the 1100 block of West Arch Street for an unknown problem involving an infant child.

At the Arch Street address, police said, officers spoke to a 23-year-old Pottsville woman who was visibly upset and crying and reported just being physically assaulted by her boyfriend who she identified as Pond.

Police said the woman reported that Pond had become angry at her while they were in her apartment and physically struck her in the face, police said, adding that the woman fled with her children into her bedroom and locked the door, at which point Pond physically kicked the door down and it struck her 3-month-old infant child in the head while she was holding him.

Police said the child suffered a laceration to the back of the head.

Pond was arrested pursuant to domestic violence simple assault and a criminal complaint prepared charging him with two counts of simple assault and one count of recklessly endangering another person.

He was arraigned on on-call Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $10,000 bail, police said.

n Pine Grove: The 31st annual Make-A-Wish Golf Tournament is set to begin at 7:30 a.m. June 16 at Hidden Valley Golf Course, 1753 Panther Valley Road. The tourney’s goal is to raise money to grant wishes for Schuylkill County children who face life-threatening medical conditions. There will be two shotgun starts at 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and golfers will be invited to enjoy lunch, snacks, beverages, dinner and awards. All are welcome. For more information, call 717-757-9474.

n Port Carbon: The Port Carbon Firecracker 5K will be held at 8 a.m. July 4 beginning and ending at Miller’s Playground. The course goes through the borough and a portion of Palo Alto. Registration for runners and walkers will begin at 7 a.m. The cost is $25. However, the cost will be $20 for those who register in advance by June 15. The first 200 to register in advance will receive a T-shirt. The top overall male and female participants will receive Oakley sunglasses. All proceeds will benefit the fireworks and parade. For more information, call Scott or Deniece at 570-573-1946 or email to deniece_scott@yahoo.com. People may register online at www.pretzelcitysports.com.

n Pottsville: Diakon Living and Learning has a host of activities, classes, workshops and creative initiatives on its agenda to be held at a wide variety of locations. For more information regarding costs and types of sessions, call Susan Long at 570-624-3018 or email her at longs@diakon.org. More information also is available online at www.diakon.org/community-services/Living-Learning-After-50.

n Schuylkill Haven: A free folk art festival will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Walk In Art Center, 220 Parkway. The event will celebrate the heritage and traditions of folk art with folk artists, demonstrations, ethnic food, live folk music and folk talks. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-732-3728.

n Shenandoah: The borough has an ordinance requiring people who walk pets on public streets, sidewalks or parks 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 and can result in fines. Anyone who witnesses such violations is asked to contact borough authorities. To reach borough police, call 570-462-1991.

n Shenandoah: Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Parish will hold a Padre Pio healing Mass at 7 p.m. June 10 at Divine Mercy Church, 224 W. Cherry St. A priest will be available for Confession from 6 to 6:45 p.m. For more information, call 570-599-5265 or 570-462-1968. All are welcome.

n Tamaqua: The Tamaqua Area Lady Raiders Volleyball Camp will be June 20 through 23 at the middle school gymnasium from 3 to 5 p.m. for girls entering third through fifth grades and from 6 to 8 p.m. for girls entering sixth through eighth grades. The cost is $40 per camper and each camper will receive a T-shirt. The registration deadline for a T-shirt is June 1. For more information, call 570-527-5782 or email ebaker@tamaqua.k12.pa.us.

n Tremont: St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Pine Grove, will host a basket/bear bingo on June 11 at Tremont Fire Company No. 1, 76 Clay St. Doors will open at noon and bingo will start at 1 p.m. The event will include 20 games plus three specials as well as raffles, 50/50 drawings and other drawings, door prizes and a mini “drop a ticket” auction. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Checks can be made payable to St. Peter’s UCC, For more information or to buy tickets, call Joanne Hoffman at 570-345-4695 or the church at 570-345-3207. Only 200 tickets will be sold. Due to limited space, children not in strollers and carriers must have a ticket.

n Tremont: The Tremont Area Senior Citizens group is sponsoring a bus trip to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Oct. 7 for five days and four nights. The cost is $550 double occupancy and $650 single occupancy. The trip includes four dinners, four breakfasts, lodging, tours and entertainment. For more information, call 570-695-2406. The group also is sponsoring a bus trip July 20 to Rainbow’s Comedy Playhouse, Paradise. The cost is $68, which includes bus, meal and show. Call the aforementioned number for more information.

FRACKVILLE — American Legion Post 398 held a dedication ceremony for its new veterans monument in front of the post home on Memorial Day.

The black granite monument on South Mahanoy Street was a project of the post to create the tribute to all veterans.

“It’s been two years in the making,” David Sluck, post commander, said.

The monument is the second one at the post, the first placed on the Oak Street side by the Ladies Auxiliary in 1990.

“There was nothing here until the Ladies Auxiliary decided that we had to have a monument,” said auxiliary member Sylvia Yonalunas, who attended the ceremony with other members, each holding an American flag.

As the program began, Sluck said, “This monument is a perpetual memorial to our comrades who died in their country’s service and to those who offered their lives during time of war. May we dedicate our organization and ourselves to the sacred ideals that are represented here, remembering the American Legion principles and service for God and country.”

Post Adjutant Peter P. Kostingo was called to the podium by Sluck to offer a prayer. The beginning portion of the prayer read was, “Almighty God, judge over people and nations, we stand before thee today as loyal servants of our country, grateful for its splendid heritage. We ask thy blessing upon our great republic. May America ever remain free and mighty and true to her best ideals. Bless the president of the United States and all public servants, that they may walk in justice before thee and all their acts may redound to the greater welfare of our people.”

When Sluck returned to the podium, he said, “In memory of those who have given their all to this country, who have made the supreme sacrifice and have answered the call of the ‘Great Commander of all Divisions,’ we will stand in silence and with bowed heads.”

After about 30 seconds of silence, Sluck recalled Kostingo to the podium.

“I especially want to thank those people for the design, planning and completion of the monument of granite, stone, steel and landscaping,” Kostingo said. “This memorial was built to remember those who died on the battlefield, the prisoners of war and the missing in action, the wounded and all who contribute during war and peace to the freedom of our nation. The patriot’s blood is the seed of freedom’s tree. Freedom isn’t free.”

Kostingo continued, “This monument was built with the Legion family as its inspiration. The centerpiece — the keystone — represents the Legionnaires. The inscription reads, ‛Frackville American Legion gratefully dedicates this monument to honor all the men and women who faithfully and proudly serve our country sacrificing all to protect our country’s freedom.’ The auxiliary stone reads, ‛Our Auxiliary will always support our troops for the sacrifices they make.’ The auxiliary are the partners and family members of Legionnaires. The Sons of the American Legion stone represents our veterans sons and grandsons. The stone reads, ‛The Sons of the American Legion honor all veterans.’ There is not a better day to dedicate our veterans memorial than today, Memorial Day.”

Speaking about Memorial Day, Kostingo said, “We’re here today to honor our heroes, to remember their achievements, their courage and their dedication, and to say thank you for their sacrifice. On this Memorial Day, we remember and honor the men and women who have answered America’s call to duty and made the supreme sacrifice for her defense. The patriot’s blood is the seed to freedom’s tree. Freedom is not free.”

Kostingo introduced the Rev. Robert Finlan, pastor of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Frackville, to bless the monument with holy water.

Kostingo returned to the podium and spoke about Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, of whom there are 3,497. He spoke of three, one being Marine Corps Cpl. Anthony Peter Damato, a native of Shenandoah who sacrificed himself in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II by covering a live grenade with his body in order to save his comrades. Kostingo read the citation for the Medal of Honor, which was presented posthumously to the family. American Legion Post 792 in Shenandoah is named for him.

Kostingo also read the Medal of Honor citations of Army Master Sgt. John F. Baker Jr., who served in the Vietnam War, and Army Sgt. Ryan M. Pitts, who is the ninth living recipient of the Medal of Honor from the War in Afghanistan.

Also speaking at the ceremony was American Legion 13th District Commander Marc Burlile.

“In the name of the Frackville Legion Post 398, the Department of Pennsylvania American Legion, I would like to dedicate this memorial to the memory of those who fell in their service to the country. I dedicated to those who offered their lives for justice, freedom and democracy. The lives of those who made the ultimate supreme sacrifice are glorious before us,” he said.

After the speakers, the post’s honor guard provided the rifle salute and the playing of taps.

After the dedication, a free buffet-style meal and refreshments were provided to the public in the post home. From 2 to 5 p.m., music was provided by One Last Rider.

Earlier in the day, the Legionnaires were busy with Memorial Day duties. Visits by the post’s honor guard to local cemeteries began at 7 a.m., followed by participation in the annual parade that began at M&T Bank at 9 a.m., moved along Lehigh Avenue to Spring Street and headed to Memorial Park for the program, which was also attended by the post’s Sons of the American Legion and Ladies Auxiliary. The Legion Riders also participated in the parade.

On Sunday, a Divine Liturgy was celebrated at St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, Frackville, with the honor guard and post members present.

WILLIAMSTOWN — A Lykens man lost his life Friday in a one-vehicle accident in Williams Township, state police in Lykens said Monday.

Michael A. Posten, 27, was driving west at a high rate of speed at 1180 W. Market St. at 11:52 p.m., police said. Posten lost control of his 1995 Honda Civic and struck a utility pole with the passenger side of the vehicle. His car became airborne and rolled over a fence. It struck the ground, became airborne for a second time and again rolled over a fence.

Posten’s vehicle struck another fence, police said, before coming to rest on the south side of West Market Street.

Police said Posten died at the scene. Williamstown EMS responded.

Tables turned as hundreds took the opportunity Monday to remember the fallen and pay tribute to those who gave their lives defending our nation during the Memorial Day service at Garfield Square, Pottsville.

It was a distinguished veteran himself, however, who offered the crowd a show of respect.

“I salute you all, because you have all remembered,” retired Army Lt. Col. Ralph N. Butera, Pottsville, said.

Butera, a 29-year military veteran, delivered the keynote address during the ceremony. He shared the importance of never forgetting.

“Each one of these heroes approached death in their own special way. Do we really know what kind of bravery gripped these veterans in their final moments? I don’t think it was physical bravery, I think it was bravery of their moral being.

“Their lives became a down payment to give others the opportunity to achieve future accomplishments ... An unselfishness to trade the gift of life for their friends and family, for the things we believe in, the morals that make us human, the ideals that make us unique and the principals that make us Americans,” he said.

Leo F. Haley, commander of Catholic War Veterans Post 1051, introduced Butera and was master of ceremonies. Eddie Matz, 1st vice commander, AMVETS Post 180, Pottsville, served as grand marshal for the day’s parade. The event also highlighted the recently installed banners from The City of Pottsville Hometown Heroes 2016 Banner Program.

Two Pottsville World War II veterans, Ed Honicker and Ralph Falls, sat near the main stage at Garfield Square observing Monday’s service.

Honicker served stateside in the Air Force from 1943 to 1946. He appreciated the recently-hung banners in the city.

“I think they’re very nice and very appropriate,” he said.

Falls, a 1944-47 Navy veteran who served in the Pacific Theater, said two of the banners near Centre and Norwegian streets are for his step-grandsons, SMSGT Dennis F. Ward and MSGT Dustin M. Ward of the Air Force.

Falls said he’s attended the city’s Memorial Day parade for years.

“I just like sitting here, watching them all,” he said.

“There should be more people here, though,” Honicker added.

Joseph Sturges and his wife, Annie, came to the event from Largo, Florida. Sturges served in the Marine Corps from 1966 to 1969. He was in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969, including during the Tet Offensive. He also served in the Gulf War after joining the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in 1991, with the 109th, 55th Brigade, Scranton. Sturges served with the Guard until 2008.

“This is the first time we’re in Pottsville for this service and it’s nice,” he said. Sturges also serves as chaplain and color guard for American Legion Post 125 in Gulfport, Florida. He attends veterans events, he said, at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center in Bay Pines, Florida.

The couple initially came to Schuylkill County to visit with the Tingley family and see their granddaughter, Chase Moyer, graduate Friday from Schuylkill Haven Area High School.

As Martin Gall-Madara watched the program along with his mother, Andrea Gall-Madera, the Pottsville Area High School junior he said he planned to join the military upon graduating.

“I want to be a Marine sniper,” said Martin, 16, of Pottsville, who’s a football wide receiver for the Tide. His father is the late Brian Madara.

He said two of his relatives on his father’s side served in the Navy and Coast Guard, and his mother’s grandfather served during the Spanish-American War.

“We didn’t have anyone serving in the Marines, so I wanted to do that,” he said.

“For my grandfather, this used to be one of his favorite things to do, to ride in the cars during the parade,” Andrea Gall-Madera said of the Spanish-American War veteran, William Lindenmuth, Pottsville.

Lindenmuth passed away in the 1970s, she said, and her family has continued to attend Memorial Day events throughout the years.

“We always like to support the service people,” she said.

Pottsville Mayor James T. Muldowney welcomed those gathered and thanked them for participating.

“Today we gather to remember those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States of America. This same freedom that we enjoy in this great nation is because of the dedication of military personnel who died in our wars. On this Memorial Day, our community honors their memory and their service,” he said.

He also thanked the Pottsville Joint Veterans, city council, the bands, students and teachers for making the event “a truly a memorable experience.”

Commanders and representatives from veterans organizations came forward during a roll call for the area’s deceased veterans. John Hoban read the names for AMVETS Post 180, Haley for Catholic War Veterans Post 1051, Ronald Gawley for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 129 and William Higgins for Veterans of the Vietnam War Post 29.

Matz also oversaw the placing of the wreath at the veterans’ memorial. After a rifle salute directed by Gawley, there was the playing of taps and a commemorative balloon release by the Humphrey-Dimmerling families. Deacon John “Jack” Quirk of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church provided the invocation and benediction.

Several students from Pottsville Area High School and Nativity BVM High School assisted throughout the ceremony, offering patriotic readings and distributing programs.

Pottsville Area vocalist Anthony Wojciechowsky sang the national anthem and also read the poem “In Flanders Field.” Tyler Cooper, Nativity BVM High School, read President Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address.”

Students were called upon to read the names of the 124 service members recognized during the 2016 Hometown Heroes Banners dedication.

Those assisting were Kaitlyn Esemaya, Adrian Datte, Cecilia DiNicola, Rebecca McCloskey and Brett Rushannon from Nativity; and Abby Murton, Mitch Robinson, Brittany Buleza, Christian Whitman and Lucy Murray from Pottsville.

“It was quite a task, but I believe it came out perfectly,” Muldowney said of the banner effort.

In November, Muldowney announced the city was going to give its residents the chance to honor veterans with banners on lamp posts. The banners, that each cost $200, measure 24 inches wide by 48 inches high. They were designed and produced by Rileighs Outdoor Decor, Bethlehem.

In addition to the mayor, those serving on the banner committee are Councilman Joseph Devine, James Humphrey Jr., William Higgins and Robert Bedford with Pottsville Joint Veterans Council, Merideth Hannan, Rebecca Trefsger and City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar.

A special thanks was extended to the Pottsville Street Department and Mattera’s Inc. for hanging and maintaining the banners.

During the 10 a.m. parade through the city, spectators had a chance to see the banners, honor veterans, see several bands — Pottsville Area High School Marching Band, Nativity BVM High School Marching Band and Pottsville Third Brigade Ban; and see multiple fire departments, community leaders, Boy Scout Troop 615 and Winter Carnival royalty.

n Ashland: An American Red Cross blood drive is slated for 1 to 6 p.m. Monday at Christ United Lutheran Church, 437 Airport Road. 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 Frackville: The Friendship Fire Company Auxiliary is sponsoring a bus trip to Atlantic City on Aug. 13. The bus will depart at 8 a.m. from the fire company and return about 9 p.m. The cost is $35; the casino refund has yet to be determined. Reservations are being taken on a first-come basis. For more information, call Kathy at 570-874-3531

n Frackville: An American Red Cross blood drive is slated for 1 to 6 p.m. Monday at the Frackville Elks Lodge, 307 S. Third St. 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 Minersville: The 21st annual Minersville Spirit Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 11 on North Street celebrating Minersville’s heritage, organizers said in a release. Churches, businesses, fire companies, school organizations and private individuals are invited to participate by setting up informational, craft, game or food stands. For more information, call Amy at 570-292-9895 or visit the group on Facebook. “We sincerely hope this year’s event will continue to be a time for residents and former residents of Minersville and surrounding communities to join together for a day of fun, excitement and show of support for the organizations involved,” the Minersville Spirit Day Association said in the release. Members include Jerry Sitkus, Amy Eades and Ann Marie Zeth.

n Saint Clair: Songs and stories for the “Red, White and Blue” will be the focus of the Saint Clair Community and Historical Society at 7 p.m. June 28 in its historical building headquarters, North Nicholas Street. Matthew Dodd will be the presenter, focusing on songs and stories relating to the American flag. Refreshments will be served. The session is free and the public is welcome. For more information, call 570-429-1850.

n Shenandoah: The Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce meets at 8 a.m. the third Wednesday of the month. The meeting sites alternate between Ridgeview Healthcare & Rehabilitation, 200 Pennsylvania Ave., and the Shenandoah Senior Living Community, East Washington Street.

n Shenandoah: Recitation of the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet are done at 3 p.m. every Friday in Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Church, Cherry and Chestnut streets, led by the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters. The sisters’ convent, called the Father Walter J. Ciszek Convent, is in the former St. Stephen rectory building at 18 E. Oak St.

n Summit Station: Schuylkill County Fair premium books will be available shortly, according to a fair press release. This year, the books will not be mailed to people who exhibited in previous fairs, as it is no longer feasible to mail them to exhibitors and “we live in the technological age where the premium book can be found online at the fair’s website, which is www.schuylkillfair.com,” fair officials said in the release. At the web page, people should look under the information tab and find exhibits where they can open up a PDF copy of this year’s fair premium book, which is a book where all the classes — listing of things of interest by category — are listed under departments. There is a large variety of classes in the premium book for almost anything that can be made, grown, raised or collected, with listings for fruit, vegetable, flowers, needle crafts, food, wine, grain and arts and crafts to tractor. Hard copies of the 2016 premium books will be available at local restaurants, banks, businesses, feed stores, physicians’ and dentists’ offices, post offices, grocery stores and public events. This year’s fair will go from Aug. 1 through 6 at the county fairgrounds and the theme is “We have good things growing.” For queries or more information, call 570-527-0294 or email to schuylkillfair@gmail.com. People may also “like” the fair on Facebook and follow it on Twitter.

Man charged with

domestic violence

A 29-year-old city man was jailed after being arrested by Pottsville police after an incident involving a suspicious vehicle that was reported in the 200 block of Line Alley on Saturday.

Police said officers saw a 2002 Mitsubishi with a smashed windshield and blood on the driver’s side door. Officers then followed a trail of blood from that location to the rear of 523 E. Market St., where they spoke to a 33-year-old woman who was in the basement along with a large amount of blood on the floor.

Officers said the woman had a swollen right eye but told police nothing was wrong, police said, adding that also located in the home was Brandon S. Stephens, who was hiding under a couch that the woman was lying on.

A subsequent investigation led to Stephens admitting that he and the woman had been involved in a verbal argument in a car on Line Street that escalated to him punching the woman in the face with a closed fist, police said.

The woman told officers that she did not remember what had occurred but confirmed there had been an argument during which she had suffered the injury to her eye, police said, adding that the blood trail officers followed was from an injury to Stephens’ finger that occurred when he punched a brick wall during the argument and used a chain to break the windshield of her vehicle.

Police said Stephens was charged with domestic violence simple assault, arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $5,000 bail.

Police: Man fails

to report updates

ELIZABETHVILLE — A Millersburg man failed to report an update with the requirements of his Megan’s Law registration, state police at Lykens said.

Dennis Jillard, 62, was arrested at 3:56 p.m., Sunday, police said, at 301 State Drive, Washington Township, Dauphin County. Charges were filed with District Magisterial Judge Rebecca J. Margerum, Elizabethville.

Police: Man was

not wearing pants

WILLIAMSTOWN — Disorderly conduct charges were filed against a 42-year-old Williamstown man after state police at Lykens said the man was seen walking his dog on a dirt road and was not wearing any pants.

The incident occurred at 11:15 a.m. Friday at Colliery Avenue and East Broad Street in Williamstown, Dauphin County, according to police. The man was not named in the police report.

Charges were filed with District Magisterial Judge Rebecca J. Margerum, Elizabethville.

Police investigate

sexual assault

LYKENS — State police at Lykens are investigating a report of a 16-year-old Lykens female being sexually assaulted by a 34-year-old male.

The incident occurred from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. May 22 in Upper Paxton Township, police said.

Police did not release the address of the male suspect.

Woman reports

vehicle damage

ELIZABETHVILLE — A 73-year-old Lake Ariel woman reported that someone caused damage to the front windshield of her vehicle, state police at Lykens said.

The incident occurred 8:17 p.m. Friday at 323 Spruce St., Elizabethville, police said.

A man charged with crashing his vehicle into a Pottsville business on Dec. 5, 2015, is among those scheduled to plead not guilty Thursday during arraignment in Schuylkill County Court.

Michael C. Reber, 29, currently in Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville, was arrested by Pottsville police Patrolman Jonathan Randolph and charged with risking a catastrophe, criminal mischief, driving under the influence of drugs, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct, accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property and reckless driving.

Randolph said Reber crashed his pickup truck into the Losch Plaza building, 121 N. Progress Ave., and came to a stop partially inside.

Reber fled the scene but was quickly apprehended after a brief struggle in the parking lot of the Sunoco mini mart at East Norwegian Street and Route 61, the officer said, adding that two passengers in the vehicle reported that it appeared Reber intentionally drove into the building as he violently turned the steering wheel and accelerated into the structure.

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

Edward A. Moyer, 35, of 25 E. Lehigh St., Coaldale — DUI, DUI-high rate, driving under combined influence, following too closely and careless driving.

Nicholas J. Toth, 21, of 41 Municipal Road, New Ringgold — driving under the influence of drugs.

Ann M. Brennan, 52, of 3076 Main St., Box 27, Locustdale — driving under the influence of drugs, possession of a controlled substance, misbranding of a controlled substance, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked and prohibitions in specific places.

Michael J. Mayersky, 37, of 34 W. Penn St., Shenandoah — driving under the influence of drugs and general lighting requirements violation.

Kathleen M. Weikel, 29, of 137 Main St., Gilberton — DUI, DUI-highest rate, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, failure to obey traffic control signals and turning movements and required signals violation.

Roeny R. Dorville, 27, of 242 N. Second St., Frackville — DUI, DUI-high rate, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, parking regulations violation, failure to be licensed and violations concerning licenses.

Kevin A. Reber, 47, of 703 N. Second St., Minersville — driving under the influence of drugs, DUI-high rate, driving under combined influence, driving at an unsafe speed, careless driving and failure to use seat belts.

Robert Besparis, 52, of 899 W. Coal St., Shenandoah — driving under the influence of drugs, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving without insurance, unauthorized use or transfer of registration and altered, forged or counterfeit documents or plates.

Garet D. Grove, 21, of 22 Ferndale Hill Road, Zion Grove — driving under the influence of drugs, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic and divided highways violation.

Charles R. Faust, 27, of 140 Water St., New Philadelphia — driving under the influence of drugs, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Willard L. Stripling, 31, of 1834 Long Run Road, Schuylkill Haven — DUI-highest rate, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic and careless driving.

Robert J. Hank, 69, of 2434 Main St., Mahanoy City — DUI, DUI-highest rate and failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic.

Ross T. Koch, 31, of 2730 Pottsville Highway, Box 137, Pottsville — driving under the influence of drugs, location or registration permit violation and unlawful activities.

Tiffany L. Woodward, 25, of 1970 First Highway, Pottsville — DUI, DUI-highest rate, accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property and careless driving.

Samantha L. Ellex, 23, of 412 Pulaski Drive, Pottsville — driving under the influence of drugs, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked and general lighting requirements violation.

Stacy L. Rothenberger, 46, of 77 Schuylkill Ave., Shenandoah — DUI, DUI-highest rate and possession of a controlled substance.

Steven Kukta, 29, of 418 Pine Hill St., Minersville — DUI, DUI-highest rate and careless driving.

Justine S. Myro, 26, of 385 Fourth St., Port Carbon — driving under the influence of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Donald R. Watson, 29, of 1907 Elk Ave., Pottsville — conspiracy, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, driving under the influence of drugs, failure to be licensed, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nicholas B. Hux, 20, of 18 Maple Ave., Barnesville — driving under the influence of drugs and turning movements and required signals violation.

Michael J. Spirko, 43, of 503 Heritage Heights, Pottsville — driving under the influence of drugs and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Jesse R. Smith, 25, of 222 Lavelle Road, Ashland — driving under the influence of drugs and illegal stopping, standing or parking outside of a business or residential district.

Heidi S. Umbenhen, 43, of 511 Baker St., Minersville — DUI, DUI-highest rate, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic and driving at an unsafe speed.

Anthony J. Napolitano¸31, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia, retail theft, receiving stolen property, fleeing or attempting to elude police, recklessly endangering another person, unauthorized use of automobiles or other vehicles, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, careless driving, reckless driving, stop and yield sign violations and conspiracy.

William W. Skeans, 28, of 921 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City — unsworn falsification to authorities and application of firearms-false statements.

Dominic Asquith, 31, of State Correctional Institution/Mahanoy, Frackville — possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, false identification to law enforcement, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Wyatt Wagner, 18, of 213 W. Mount Vernon St., Shenandoah — conspiracy.

Eric M. Christopher, 22, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — resisting arrest and theft.

Casey J. McKlveen, 22, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — failure to provide accurate registration information.

Shaheed K. Cameron, 38, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — aggravated assault, aggravated harassment by prisoner, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

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

James Fyler, 36, of 127 Kiehner Road, Schuylkill Haven — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Devin W. Murphy, 23, of 760 S. Liberty St., Orwigsburg — terroristic threats and disorderly conduct.

Blake D. Kurten, 21, of 204 Walnut Court, Orwigsburg — theft, conspiracy, retail theft, receiving stolen property and theft by deception.

Lauren M. Deysher, 24, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — prohibited offensive weapons, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Daniel Napoles-Herrera, 38, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property, failure to be licensed, limitations on overtaking on the left, no passing zone violation, careless driving and failure to give information and render aid.

Dorothy Kemfort, 53, of 400 Mahantongo St., Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Steven C. Peiffer, 36, of State Correctional Institution/Frackville — burglary, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief.

Dex A. Mahute, 25, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — simple assault and harassment.

Kristi L. Zimmerman, 34, of 8 Pine View Drive, Orwigsburg — conspiracy.

Joseph Etherington, 33, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — criminal trespass.

Mark A. Smith, 28, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — theft and receiving stolen property.

Mark A. Wise, 45, of 133 Reservoir Road, Ringtown — disorderly conduct.

Gianna Julian, 18, of 124 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah — disorderly conduct and retail theft.

April A. Tovar, 38, of 438 W. Oak St., Shenandoah — accidents involving death or personal injury, failure to give information or render aid, failure to give immediate notice of accident to police, flashing signals violation and failure to yield right of way-pedestrians in crosswalks.

Dominic J. Streisel, 19, of 29 W. Spruce St., Box 196, Mahanoy City — possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Brett M. Kline, 22, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — retail theft and receiving stolen property.

Ronald W. Pratt, 44, of 504 Washington St., Tamaqua — simple assault and harassment.

Robyn L. Erney, 24, of 423 Hazle St., Tamaqua — retail theft.

Renee E. Gibas, 44, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — furnishing drug-free urine.

Margaret N. Hunsinger, 20, of 1758 W. Market St., Pottsville — bad checks.

Brittany L. Guris, 26, of 36 Kimber St., Apt. B, New Philadelphia — furnishing drug-free urine.

Ashley Pratt, 27, of 612 Fairview St., Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Michael J. McGuinness, 21, of 429 Wheeler St., Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Victor Green, 23, of 106 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville — possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Paul D. Compinski Jr., 31, of 319 W. Market St., Rear Apt., Pottsville — resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and possession of a controlled substance.

Allison M. Hicks, 40, of 360 Front St., Pottsville — forgery, identity theft, theft by deception, receiving stolen property and bad checks.

Rebekah R. Johnson, 32, last known address of 1107 E. Arch St., Ashland — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bridget A. Steffie, 36, of 319 W. Market St., Apt. 5, Pottsville — theft and receiving stolen property.

Marcus T. Anderson, 42, of 316 N. 12th St., Pottsville — defiant trespass, public drunkenness, false identification to law enforcement, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Denette H. Williams, 32, of 1330 Spruce St., Ashland — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jeffrey C. Swiger, 39, of 360 Front St., Pottsville — forgery, identity theft, theft by deception, receiving stolen property and bad checks.

Andrew P. Chillemi, 34, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville, or 609 W. Arch St., Pottsville — criminal trespass, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, endangering the welfare of a child, resisting arrest, defiant trespass, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Richard B. Allen, 51, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — indecent assault and corruption of minors.

Nicole E. Brobst, 21, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — public drunkenness, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bettyann Harmer, 44, of 515 School St., Minersville — violation of Public Welfare Code.

Kenneth W. Rich III, 24, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Joshua S. Generella, 27, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sam A. Dorshimer, 29, of 1216 W. Norwegian St., Apt. 2, Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance, false identification to law enforcement, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked and sun screening and other materials prohibited.

Alexandra L. Marceau, 22, of 2617 Wynonah Drive, Auburn — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Christopher M. Reed, 28, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — criminal trespass, simple assault, disorderly conduct, burglary, theft and receiving stolen property.

Joseph Polaconis, 28, of 1149 W. Lloyd St., Shenandoah — delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jennifer M. Probition, 38, of 800 W. High St., Frackville — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ronexon L. Collado, 32, of 115 N. West St., Shenandoah — disorderly conduct and harassment.

Zachary J. Wright, 33, of 205 N. Keystone St., Muir — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Tara L. Peletsky, 32, of 620 Hobart St., Apt. 4H, Ashland — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Malea M. Schoffstall, 23, of 23 Rolling View Drive, Schuylkill Haven — theft.

Rodney A. Shultz, 37, of 318 New Castle St., Minersville — defiant trespass and harassment.

Charles R. Conti, 42, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — retail theft.

Nora G. Solano, 30, of 183 Florida Ave., Shenandoah — unsworn falsification to authorities and applications of firearms-false statements.

Wendy S. Barnetsky, 49, of 117 Coal St., Cumbola — theft and receiving stolen property.

Allen S. Johns, 38, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Richard J. Meyer, 23, of 509 Main St., Pottsville — theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy.

Mark A. Smith, 28, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — retail theft.

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

Katelin P. Flamini, 26, of 227 Louisa Ave., Pottsville — bad checks.

Toni B. Berzowski, 36, of 1159 Valley Road, Pottsville— criminal mischief, harassment and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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

Tammy L. Strausser, 42, of 531 Peacock St., Pottsville — unsworn falsification to authorities.

Walter J. Defelice, 68, of 30 Shade St., Middleport — harassment.

Dakota S. Whitman, 21, of 20 Spruce St., Minersville — resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

George F. Barnes, 30, of 20 Lombard St., New Philadelphia — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Watershed organizations in Schuylkill County received about $1.5 million as part of a state grant program to improve Pennsylvania’s water resources.

Last week, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that 114 projects received $25,143,294 in funding from the Department of Environmental Protection for the protection of Pennsylvania’s water resources. The selected projects enhance watersheds, mitigate acid mine drainage and support water pollution cleanup programs.

Funding comes from the Growing Greener Grant Program, the largest single investment of state funds that address Pennsylvania’s environmental concerns, according to DEP. Growing Greener encourages partnerships between counties, municipalities, county conservation districts, watershed organizations and other organizations to restore and protect the environment.

The Growing Greener program is supported by the Environmental Stewardship Fund, which receives its funding from landfill tipping fees.

Twelve projects this year received funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 319 Nonpoint Source Grant Program, created by the Clean Water Act to reduce water pollution.

Four projects received funding from the Abandoned Mine Discharge Set Aside Program, funded by the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act and designed to abate AMD pollution. Of the 208 grant applications received for consideration this year, more than half of the proposed projects were awarded grant funding.

The Schuylkill Conservation District received four Growing Greener grants for the following projects: Good Spring Creek Floodplain Restoration Phase 1, $459,445; Mill Creek AMD Watershed Restoration Plan Development, $64,857; Delaware Watershed Agricultural Planning Initiative, $30,000; and Animal Heavy Use Area Protection Project, $321,817.

The Schuylkill Conservation District also received an AMD grant worth $67,024 for its Upper Swatara Creek QHUP AMD Monitoring Project.

“Growing Greener has been a chance to bring money in to address (AMD and flooding) problems,” Jenna Fehr, Schuylkill Conservation District manager, said Wednesday. “It’s been another source of funds to help get projects on the ground. It’s a good program and we have been able to get a lot work done.”

The projects are still in the planning stages, Fehr said.

Meanwhile, Schuylkill Headwaters Association Inc. received $485,722 from a 319 nonpoint source grant to improve its current AMD project in Reevesdale, and the Mahanoy Creek Watershed Association received a $85,581 Growing Greener grant for its Packer 5 AMD Treatment design.

“The Growing Greener program, and this year’s funding, is an investment in our future and proof that when state government works collaboratively, we achieve long-lasting results,” Wolf said as part of the announcement. “The Environmental Stewardship Fund has helped spark innovation and coordinate partnerships to tackle some of the most challenging environmental issues in our state.”

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — During the Memorial Day holiday, a Schuylkill Haven wildlife rehabilitation center is caring for one of America’s iconic symbols — a bald eagle.

The ill eagle was found near Interstate 78 in Upper Bern Township, Berks County, according to Peggy Hentz, founder and rehabilitation instructor of Red Creek Wildlife Center Inc., 300 Moonhill Drive.

It was in a farmer’s field, but had been seen on the highway the day prior, Hentz said.

The state Game Commission brought the 4- to 5-year-old, male eagle to the Red Creek facility on May 21, and it’s continuing to receive medical attention.

“It was examined at Red Creek and given critical care for that weekend plus a blood test for lead. It received X-rays and further blood tests that Monday by Dr. Len Donato at Radnor Veterinary Hospital in Wayne, Pennsylvania,” Hentz said.

The bird had a borderline high level of lead toxicity, she said. It also was hit by a vehicle. The eagle has a non-fracture spinal trauma near its pelvis and injury to its liver. It also has extensive feather damage to the wings and tail, according to Hentz.

“It has received treatment for the lead. We are now working on helping it recover from its injuries. We believe the bird was scavenging for roadkill because of its decreased health from the lead poisoning, resulting in a vehicle accident.”

The injured bird is currently being fed mice, which is not a typical diet for an eagle, Hentz said.

“This bird is having difficulty using its feet. His medications are injected into the mice and then swallowed whole. He is eating well,” she said.

Eagle populations have increased greatly in the past decade, according to Hentz. May and June are the peak of their nesting season, and people will continue to see more eagles year-round because of their successful population recovery, she said.

Although this one male bald eagle is currently Red Creek’s only eagle patient, the center on Saturday just received a peregrine falcon fledgling from Harrisburg.

Greg Nason and Kat Hummel, employees of Red Creek, have also received their rehab licensing with the state Game Commission and now head up the center’s rehab program. Hentz works mostly on the critical cases and the threatened and endangered species. She also heads up the center’s rehabilitation training program, helping others become rehabilitators in Pennsylvania.

PINE GROVE — Organizers of a three-day band festival in Pine Grove hope their effort can make a world of difference to someone in need.

Salem Hetzel’s Church Band Fest runs June 24 to 26. The second annual event, organized by the “God’s Gang Youth Group,” includes music from at least 10 bands, contests, games, rides and a variety of food offerings. Admission is $5 daily, which includes a food voucher to receive either a hot dog or a drink. Other food items will be available to purchase.

All activities are held at the church grounds, 233 Hetzel’s Church Road, just three miles east of Pine Grove.

“I didn’t want to compete with the fire companies,” Bernie Moyer, youth adviser, said, in trying to select a date that wouldn’t interfere with fire company carnivals and other community events.

Friday evening, 2016 graduates will be honored with songs from the band, Mind Set at 6:30 p.m.

“We wanted to have something special for them,” Moyer said. The night will also honor “Compassion Child, Luis.” Moyer said throughout the year, the youth group and church donors assist a teenager in El Salvador, named Luis Escobar. Funds have helped support his everyday care and education for several years, she said.

“We support people from other counties, give to missions, and a lot of our funds are used to just help people in need,” she said.

The God’s Gang Youth Group consists of about 15 teenagers in grades six through 12, Moyer said.

The event schedule is as follows:

• June 24

Doors open from 5 to 8 p.m

“ine Grove Community Band; pig roast dinner meals, $8 for adults/ $5 for children; Mind Set”performs at 6:30 p.m.

• June 25

Doors open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Skid Marks (Mike Schwartz Band); 2:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. — UltraViolent; 4:30 p.m. — Ryan & Friends (comedian and ventriloquist); 6:45 p.m. — winner of kiss the pig contest; 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. — Sapphire

• June 26

Doors open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Hooligan; 1 to 3 p.m. — The Boys Upstairs; 3 to 4 p.m. — Teen Challenge (Holy Ground Brothers); 4 to 5:30 p.m. — Chad Reinert; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. — Diaspora

The event will close with a memorial candle service.

Activities available will include barrel rides, carriage rides, horse and pony rides, face painting, water slide, dunk tank, four bounce houses, Twin Creek Petting Zoo, hair wraps and braids, and a Chinese auction. Guests interested in a little sports competition will have an opportunity for soccer on Saturday, basketball toss, “toilet toss” and volleyball.

More than 20 businesses have already contributed to the event, Moyer said.

Anyone having items to donate for the Chinese auction can call 570-449-4079 for pickup prior to June 12. Anyone wishing to send a monetary donation can write a check to “God’s Gang Youth Group,” and mail it to Salem Hetzel’s Church, 233 Hetzel’s Church Road, Pine Grove, PA 17963.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Harold J. Kissinger’s six months in Vietnam left a lifetime void for those who loved him.

On Monday, Kissinger’s sister, Verna Dewald, wept, remembering her 21-year-old brother during a Memorial Day service at the Schuylkill County Vietnam Memorial.

“Every year, I say I’m not going to cry, but I still do,” Dewald, Schuylkill Haven, said. Her brother served in Vietnam in 1968 as a Specialist 4 in the Army, and died a half a year later after arriving on foreign soil to defend our nation. He’s buried in Pottsville’s Mount Laurel Cemetery.

For Dewald, Monday’s service brought together cousins and family members from as far away as Michigan, Ohio and Connecticut to remember her brother, and his fellow service men and women.

“I’ve got a 92-year-old aunt that came in from Michigan. They do a good job here,” she said of the service, which includes a special tribute to Gold Star Mother families — those who lost sons or daughters in war.

“You have such respect for our veterans,” Kissinger’s cousin, Lynn Kramer, Michigan, said at the conclusion of Monday’s ceremony.

Organized by the Veterans of the Vietnam War Post 29, the annual Memorial Day program commemorates the lives of those lost in Vietnam and is held at the memorial on Route 61 near Penn State Schuylkill.

Guy Wiederhold, of Post 29, served as master of ceremonies.

He noted that next year will mark the 20th anniversary for the memorial, and organizers are planning “a few things.”

Wiederhold praised the area’s youth for their interest and continued support on behalf of veterans.

Several youth groups were part of the service, including Boy Scout Troop 621. The scouts assisted the Gold Star Mother family members with the laying of a wreath at the memorial.

Four members of the Schuylkill Haven Area High School Veterans Committee and recent graduates — Meagan Dasch, Cera Blunk, Amanda Johns and Ben Hower — delivered patriotic addresses. Their teacher and adviser, Janie Ulsh, introduced each student. Ulsh’s brother, Thomas McGoey, is also a Vietnam veteran, she said. Dasch’s 19-year-old brother, Nathaniel Dasch, is currently serving in the Army in Afghanistan. Hower is the third brother in his family to serve as president of the committee.

Ulsh said some of the activities the committee supports are Veterans Day assemblies, Hall of Honor, sending Christmas cards to service members and Wreaths Across America.

“They’re a great group of young men and women, who truly, truly care about veterans,” Wiederhold said.

Vocalist Sarah Kramer, 13, offered several musical selections, including the song, “Traveling Soldier.”

“I went with ‘Traveling Soldier,’ because it’s about a Vietnam War veteran, and I figured it would fit in well with the program,” she said, “and, it’s something I haven’t sung here before.”

Kramer sang at the veterans’ service in Schuylkill Haven three times before, she said.

She’s the daughter of Joy and Randy Kramer, Hamburg.

Vocalists Diane Roeder, Schuylkill Haven, and Janet I. Enders, Pottsville, also presented patriot tunes. Enders’ song, “Thank You Is Not Enough,” was one she wrote and produced, while considering the military service of her nephew, Nathan Saunders, from White Pigeon, Michigan, and others like him. Saunders served in Afghanistan and returned home, but lost several comrades, Enders said.

To conclude the program, Kramer played her guitar while singing, “God Bless The U.S.A.” Audience members, veterans and family members sang along and joined hands, raising their arms high in unison.

MAHANOY CITY — Mahanoy Area School District Business Administrator John J. Hurst provided an overview to the school board of the financial burden involving charter schools and other issues during last week’s board meeting.

During the meeting, Hurst presented to the school board the proposed final budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year/school year that included a 1.7-mill real estate tax increase. The budget will be formally adopted at the June meeting.

Hurst spoke of the costs of charter schools as a major part of a school district’s budget.

“We’ve been talking about this for many, many years, and it’s really killing us and other schools financially,” Hurst said. “Back in 2007, we were paying a little over $30,000 for charter schools, and this year we’re projecting around $785,000. Had those kids been here (in district schools), we’d be obviously in a positive situation budget-wise.”

An option that the school district is considering to bring students back is connection with eBridge Academy, Hurst said.

“One thing we are doing is partnering with a company called eBridge that will significantly save us money if we can get all the kids go to that cyberschool,” Hurst said.

According to the eBridge Academy website — www.ebridgeacademy.com — “Students are referred to eBridge Academy by their home school district. eBridge Academy is not a cyber charter school ... Administration and guidance departments at each student’s district use their unique graduation requirements to assist students with the selection of courses within the eBridge Academy framework. The home district administers the PSSA tests and manages senior graduation projects. Students enrolled in eBridge Academy participate in their schooling at home and graduate from their home schools. eBridge Academy is not a cyber charter school, but an online educational option.”

The website states that eBridge classes are created by Pennsylvania-certified teachers. These classes are currently used by more than 12,000 teachers in Pennsylvania and more than 60,000 students. The curriculum meets the anchors and academic standards established by the state Department of Education, which licenses eBridge.

District Superintendent Joie Green said a contract has been signed with eBridge, which will hold an open house in the summer.

“What eBridge is going to do is come in this summer and have an open house with the kids who are already in these charter schools and show how eBridge might be better for them,” Green said. “Hopefully, we’ll get some of them come over to eBridge.”

Board Secretary Nancy Boyle agreed that the cost for charter/cyber schools is a burden on school districts.

“It’s an outrageous amount of money for us, especially when we’re a poorer district,” Boyle said.

Hurst said, “It’s roughly 9 1/2 mills in taxes.”

Hurst said the legislative issues that need to be addressed are the adequate funding of schools and finding a solution to the charter schools financial matter.

“The charter school issue must be addressed. The current funding formula is unfair and not reflective of actual costs to operate charter schools,” Hurst said. “As our costs go up each year, our charter school costs go up even though their costs may not be going up accordingly. And we know are costs are going up because our PSERS (Public School Employees’ Retirement System) rates are going up each year. So, they (charter schools) going to get an increase.”

The school board acted on the following agenda items:

• Approved the sale of two speakers at $5 each to Trinity United Church of Christ, Shenandoah. The speakers are from the former Assumption BVM Roman Catholic Church that is owned by the school district.

• Donated old pole vault mats to the Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Association.

• Approved the following depositories for the 2016-17 school year: M&T Bank, Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust, and the Pennsylvania School District Liquid Asset Fund.

• Approved the Homestead/Farmstead resolution for the 2016-17 school year. Each approved property will see a reduction of $189.95 in real estate taxes.

• Authorized filing assessment appeals on properties sold in the 2015-16 school year that will result in additional tax revenue in excess of $200.

• Retained Jones & Co., P.C., to perform the 2015 tax collector audits and the annual audit for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2016, at the costs of $5,400 and $17,000, respectively.

• Approved the 2016-17 fee schedule with Highmark Blue Shield for administration services related to the PPO Blue health insurance plan and the PPO Blue Qualified High Deductible health insurance plan. The monthly fees are $40.50 for each plan.

• Approved the provision of occupational therapy services to the North Schuylkill School District at $60 per hour.

• Approved receiving speech therapy services from North Schuylkill at $42 per hour for the Extended School Year Program.

• Contracted with Highmark Blue Shield for the 2016-17 fiscal year for monthly administration of health savings accounts at a cost of $4.55 per participant per month.

• Approved the following monthly health insurance rates for the 2016-17 school year:

PPO Blue Qualified High Deductible — Medical: $442.40 monthly, $1,092.62 two-party and $1,199.28 family. Prescription: $104.12 single, $253.11 two-party and $253.11 family.

PPO Blue — Medical: $533.72 single, $1,318.15 two-party and $1,446.83 family. Prescription: $123.61 single, $305.36 two-party and $305.36 family.

• Contracted with J&J Auction Service, Sheppton, to provide auctioneer services related to surplus property with an auction June 18 at the former Assumption BVM Church building. There is no auction fee to the school district, but there will be a 13 percent buyer’s premium charge that will go the J&J. The district will be responsible for advertising costs, as well as an approximate $2,000 labor fee to J&J.

• Accepted a resignation of Jerome Pakalinsky as a special education teaching assistant, effective May 20.

• Appointed Kimberly Chernewski, Mahanoy City, as a special education teaching assistant retroactive to May 10 at an hourly rate of $8.75. She is assigned to the middle school.

• Removed the positions of high school director, $4,014.35, high school community services-music, $1,715.53, high school marching band assistant director, $2,573.31, high school marching band front coordinator, $2,573.30, and middle school director, $331.

• Added the positions of band director, $5,729.87, assistant band director, $2,573.31, and band front coordinator, $2,573.30.

• Approved job descriptions for band director, assistant band director, band front coordinator and assistant cheerleading advisor.

• Appointed James A. Bishop, Schuylkill Haven, as band director at $5,729.87, effective July 1.

• Appointed Tom Flamini, Mahanoy City, as assistant band director at $2,573.31, effective July 1.

• Appointed Sara Karnish, Barnesville, as band front coordinator at $2,573.30, effective July 1.

• Appointed Erin Manley, Barnesville, as head middle school cheerleading advisor at a salary of $669.05.

• Approved the revised Mahanoy Area School District-Schuylkill Intermediate Unit No. 29 agreement for Title I services to the non-public schools in the county based on the reported final allocation, effective Aug. 25, 2015, to June 10, 2016.

• Approved an agreement with the North Schuylkill School District to provide summer school instruction to their students in grades seven to 12. The summer school instructors will receive $18 per hour and $25 for each North Schuylkill student.

• Approved the Summer Slide Reading Program for students in kindergarten and first grade from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 1 to Aug. 25, excluding Fridays. The program will be led by Robyn Sincavage, with up to two teachers per grade level, at $18 per hour. Sincavage will be one of the teachers. Transportation will not be provide and students will be invited to a pool party at the end of the season.

• Approved the use of the Mickey Holland Gymnasium and middle school locker rooms for professional wrestling events from about 3 to 11 p.m. Aug. 6, Aug. 15 and Dec. 3, the request being made by NWA Northeast promoter Melissa Lindenmuth. There is a facilities fee of $400, plus applicable personnel costs and an additional $60 for chairs per event if needed.

• Approved the exterior of the athletic grounds for a fireworks display after graduation Friday, from about 9 to 10 p.m. as per request from Class of 2016 advisor Jon Shirvinski.

• Approved the use of baseball and softball fields, athletic building restrooms and baseball concession stand for the Jonathan Palubinsky Memorial Softball Tournament from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 9 and 10 as requested by the Mahanoy Area Boosters Inc. president Cheryl Fegley.

• Approved the use of the district stadium and practice fields for the Mahanoy Midget Football practices and games from the end of July through November as requested by the program secretary Angel Burnham-Mitchell.

• Approved the use of the district stadium for the annual Senator Rhoades Youth Track Meet from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday as per request from James Rhoades Jr. of the James J. and Mary Edith Rhoades Foundation. The meet was originally scheduled and approved for May 21, but due to inclement weather was rescheduled.

• Approved Bollinger Inc., Short Hills, New Jersey, to provide voluntary student accident insurance for the 2016-17 school year at annual premiums of $40 for school-time only coverage and $144 for 24-hour coverage.

ORWIGSBURG — Joan M. Lechleitner, who bought a winning Cash 5 lottery ticket in 2015, did so with stolen money, police said Tuesday in charging her and three other employees with taking more than $175,000 over almost five years from a Cressona business.

Lechleitner, 51, her fiance, Kerry T. Titus, 54, both of 2269 Panther Valley Road, Pottsville, Samantha M. Schaeffer, 25, of 519 Harrison St., Pottsville, and Tyler M. Schappell, 21, of 210 W. Tammany St., Orwigsburg, each face four counts of conspiracy and one each of theft, theft by deception, receiving stolen property and tampering with records.

Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier arraigned the defendants on the charges and allowed each to remain free on $25,000 unsecured bail. He scheduled their preliminary hearing for 11:30 a.m. July 5.

State police at Schuylkill Haven charged the four participated in the thefts from Cressona Agway (Cressona Country Properties Inc.), 22 N. Second St., at various times beginning on May 2, 2011, and continuing through March 7.

Police allege that when no customers were present, Lechleitner, the store’s bookkeeper, Titus, the store’s manager, Schaeffer and Schappell would make numerous returns and then take money from the cash register.

“All (four defendants) admitted ringing in fraudulent sales returns” and then taking money, police said in their Affidavits of Probable Cause filed with each complaint.

Furthermore, business owner Ronald Yordy installed hidden cameras in January that showed the four taking money from the register, and seized internal register tapes that previously had been thrown away, according to police.

“On several occasions, employees would document a cash return, take money from the register and exchange money between each other,” according to the affidavits. “A review of the video footage reveals a similar pattern and scheme of documenting cash returns and taking money out of register drawers. (Defendants are seen) at various times purchasing lottery tickets and scratch off lottery tickets.”

Police said Certified Forensic Accountant Daniel Ryan of Information Network Associates Inc., Harrisburg, reviewed the tapes, interviews with the defendants and the video surveillance system, and determined that the business had lost $175,082.11 as a result of the thefts.

Yordy told police he had to take out loans to keep the business from failing.

Lechleitner had bought the winning lottery ticket in September 2015 at Cressona Agway and shared with three other people the cash prize of $1,047,618. She said Titus bought a pickup truck with part of the money.

The defendants also used the stolen money to buy a variety of other things, police said.

Defendants: Joan M. Lechleitner, 51, of Pottsville; Samantha M. Schaeffer, 25, of Pottsville; Tyler M. Schappell, 21, of Orwigsburg; and Kerry T. Titus, 54, of Pottsville

Charges: Four counts of conspiracy and one each of theft, theft by deception, receiving stolen property and tampering with records