Donations are now being accepted for the Toys for Tots campaign.

There are 150 donation boxes — an increase from the 130 last year — throughout the county. The boxes started going out Oct. 31, and people can donate until Dec. 9.

“Everything that we collect in Schuylkill County stays in Schuylkill County, whether its money or toys,” Ed Quirin, chairman of the Toys for Tots drive in the county, said Monday.

The drive is run by the Marine Corps League based in Schuylkill County of which Quirin is a member. Most of the toys collected are given to the Salvation Army of Pottsville for children. Some of the toys are also given to children who experience tragedy such as a house fire.

Infants and children up to 12 can receive the toys. Games, stuffed animals, books, sports equipment and other items are appreciated.

Quirin is optimistic people will donate even though none of the boxes are full yet.

“Last year we collected about 7,800 (toys),” he said.

Boxes can be found in locations such as Wal-Mart, M&T Bank, the courthouse, the Cressona and Fairlane Village malls and Boscov’s.

Collecting the toys is a way to demonstrate to children that people care about them, Quirin said.

Capt. Kevin Politio of the Salvation Army said the gifts that children get mean a lot to them.

“We are very grateful to have the partnership we have with them,” he said of the Marine Corps League.

For more information or to donate funds to the cause, call 570-429-0789.

Deeds

Butler Township — John R. and Mardell E. Leonard to Edward A. Niedzwiecki; property at Route 61 and White Street; $17,500.

East Union Township — Lorelyn and Alexander A. Pierola and Olivia B. and Lawrence D. Daya to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; 2 percent interest in Lot 53WSS4, Eagle Rock; $5,468.16.

Olasunkanmi Oriola and Oluola Aina-Oriola to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 20WSS7, Eagle Rock; $10.

Warly Remegio and Jerardo A. Eugenio to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 195HF4, Eagle Rock; Lot 171HF3, Eagle Rock; $4,953.34.

Hegins Township — Ruth E. Cochios to Hegins Park Association; 0.7547-acre property in Hegins; $10,000.

Mahanoy City — Leslie Michalski, trustee of the Griggs Family Trust and executrix of the Estate of Francis P. Griggs, to Steb Properties LLC; 218 W. Pine St.; $9,500.

Leslie Michalski, trustee of the Griggs Family Trust and executrix of the Estate of Francis P. Griggs, to Steb Properties LLC; 526 E. market St.; $4,000.

Robert M. Jr. and Ellen C. Herbert to Mark V. and Katherine Zucker; 410 W. Spruce St.; $1.

Union Township — Abram and Stephanie A. Hoffman to Michael B. and Janet E. Shoup; 11.874-acre property on Township Route 780; $62,000.

West Mahanoy Township — Katherine M. Dalton to Arba L. Phillips; 245 Indiana Ave., Shenandoah Heights; $85,000.

West Penn Township — Robert M. Bachman to James C. Jr. and Sandra Beth Kachelries; 3348 Summer Valley Road; $140,000.

n Altamont: An all-you-can-eat breakfast, sponsored by the Altamont Fire Company, is set for 8 to 11 a.m. Nov. 27 at the firehouse, 215 S. Green St. There will be a full menu, including a variety of pancakes. All are welcome; proceeds will benefit the company.

n Ashland: At a recent meeting, members of the Ashland Area Rotary Club discussed the club-sponsored Halloween parade for community youngsters held Oct. 30. They said about 115 costumed children, accompanied by parents and guardians, participated in the march down Center Street despite rain. The youngsters received treat bags and an orange drink. Rotarians thanked the Ashland Fire Police and J&B Sound for helping with the event. The Rotarians also met October Students of the Month Robert Flannery of North Schuylkill High School, who spoke about his school and community activities and plans for the future. According to the Rotary Bulletin, club members also distributed 167 dictionaries to third-grade students at North Schuylkill Elementary School and at the northern Schuylkill regional parochial school, Trinity Academy in the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center, Shenandoah. The club is selling Costas candies in a fundraiser. The order deadline is Monday with distribution set for Nov. 28.

n Gordon: A support group for people who have lost loved ones will meet at 6 p.m. Nov. 28 at Christ’s United Lutheran Church, 437 Airport Road. The session is aimed at helping people through difficult times in life. The church will also have a live Nativity presentation from 6 to 7 p.m. Dec. 3 that will include the Ashland Community Choir, live animals, angels and other scenes. Donations will be accepted. All are welcome.

n Hamburg: The 17th annual Hamburg Holiday Craft Show, presented by Central Penn Events LLC, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Hamburg Area High School, 701 Windsor St., rain or shine. There will be free parking; admission is $2.

n Mahanoy City: The Active Christian Teens In Our Neighborhood Youth Group will hold its annual community and spiritual Christmas event Nov. 26, at St. Cecilia Chapel in connection with Mahanoy City’s Christmas tree lighting and holiday celebration. ACTION’s program includes a living Nativity. This year, the event is called “The Journey of Christmas.” According to an ACTION release, a petting zoo has been a popular part of the holiday event and the group is looking for zoo sponsors at $50 each. “The petting zoo is always a hit with the children because it has different animals from the Nativity like goats, sheep, donkeys …” Debbie Walker, ACTION leader, said in the release. “If we get enough sponsors from individuals, families or businesses, we can do this again.” To become a sponsor, or for more information, call Walker at 570-773-0813.

n Pine Grove: St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 312 S. Tulpehocken St., will welcome the Rev. Robert Hoenich, a former pastor, as guest preacher for its 200th anniversary celebration. The worship service will begin at 9 a.m. Sunday.

n Ringtown: The Ringtown Area Library is taking orders for fresh, locally made Christmas wreaths and greens. People may choose from a 24-inch wreath with bow at $20; decorated wreath at $25; classic door charm at $22; 36-inch window swag at $14; decorated centerpiece with candle at $22, or basket centerpiece at $20. The order deadline is Nov. 28. Orders will be available for pickup at the library on Dec. 6. All proceeds will benefit the library. For order form, photos or more information, go online to www.ringtownlibrary.org or visit the library at 132 W. Main St.

n Schuylkill Haven: Rainbow Hose Company No. 1, 417 Dock St., will have a breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon Sunday. People may eat at the firehouse or take food out. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-573-1333.

FRACKVILLE — A Gordon man was jailed Wednesday after being arrested by the state police computer crimes unit on child pornography charges.

Brian M. Tate, 34, of 201 W. Biddle St., Floor 2, was charged with one felony count of child pornography, five felony counts of sexual abuse of children and one felony count of criminal use of a communications facility.

Tate was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post $150,000 straight cash bail. He was also ordered not to have contact with any of the victims in the case.

Tate was charged by Trooper Anthony Reppert in connection with an investigation that began on Oct. 12 when he received a CyberTip to the Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children taskforce.

The report said that on Aug. 29, nine files were uploaded that were believed to be potential child pornography. Reppert said he reviewed the images and confirmed they were child pornography as classified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Reppert said the investigation revealed that 10 additional CyberTip reports were received about the same IP Address beginning July 19, 2015, and continuing through Aug. 8, 2016.

On Oct. 13, Reppert said, Schuylkill County Assistant District Attorney John Fegley authorized an administrative subpoena for the subscriber of the internet account, Tate, and a subsequent search warrant approved by Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville.

Reppert said that an undercover Homeland Security Investigations agent had been in contact with Tate and that Tate indicated that he would like would like to have intercourse with her 6-year-old daughter.

The agent arranged to meet Tate at the Staybridge Inn and Suites off Interstate 81 and took him into custody after he arrived thinking he was meeting a woman who was offering her 6-year-old daughter for intercourse.

After taking Tate into custody, Reppert said, a search warrant was executed at his home that resulted in various computer files located containing child pornographic images.

Tate will now have to appear for a preliminary hearing before Hale in her Frackville courtroom at a later date.

ORWIGSBURG — The borough council voted Wednesday to advertise their proposed budget.

The budget includes a 2-mill real estate hike and will be discussed at the Dec. 7 work session. The council will then vote on it at the Dec. 14 council meeting.

“I think 2 mills is the reality again,” council President Buddy Touchinsky said.

Residents “should be prepared for some type of tax increase,” he said.

The current millage is 5 mills. The increase will bring the tax rate to 7 mills. One mill is equal to $62,500. A one-mill increase amounts to an extra $4.52 a month for the average taxpayer, so 2 mills would mean an average $9.04 per month or $108.48.

The council hiked the taxes 2 mills — up to 5 mills total — in December 2015.

Councilwoman Susan Murphy voted “no” on the tax hike. When asked why, she said the taxpayers had a tax increase last year.

“I feel 1 or 1 1/2 would have been sufficient,” she said.

“We spent an extra mill this year than what we should have,” Touchinsky said.

He said previously the borough had low budget and put off making improvements and other spending because they thought the economy would grow or more development would occur.

Several council members said they didn’t like the idea of having to possibly raise taxes.

The proposed budget is balanced with $1,112,400 for the general fund; $739,810 for the water fund; $832,941 for the sewer fund; and $288,856 in the sanitation fund.

“It’s painful. I wish I inherited a surplus. I’ve got to sit here and be a Grinch,” borough manager Robert Williams told the council.

He doesn’t want to have to ask for a tax increase but the reality is they need one, he said. The borough is providing “a higher level of service” then what they are charging the taxpayer and expense are going up.

The borough does have a surplus, but Williams said cash flows vary from month to month.

With the 2-mill addition the borough can keep the same level of service to the taxpayers but at the same time hire another full time police officer bringing the force up to its full contingent at five. However, after Police Chief Stan Brozana retires in May, the force will have four full-time officers. State police cover the borough when needed. The new officer could start in January or February but will require time to train, Brozana said. The police budget for 2017 is at $562,347 an increase from the 2016 budget of $524,029 but still less than the other two figures provided earlier this month in handouts at the work session. Among routine costs, the present police budget has funds for a person who will take the place of Brozana, another officer, new vests for two officers, major equipment purchase, maintenance contract for computers but eliminates the new police car, dash camera for it and some additional requests by the police. The speed trailer requested previously could be paid for by capital improvements, Williams said.

In an effort to bring in additional revenue, Williams said he will revise the permit fee schedule. A new schedule could be before the council in January for their approval.

PINE GROVE — A Valley View man suffered moderate injuries in a car accident Wednesday and was flown to a hospital.

Trooper Jeffrey Hummel of the state police at Schuylkill Haven said the accident occurred at 4:10 p.m. in Pine Grove Township as the driver, Matthew Weikel, 39, of Valley View, was driving east on Mountain Road from Route 125 “at a high rate of speed” and lost control along a right turn.

Hummel said the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by Weikel hit an embankment and rock on the westbound shoulder, causing the car the spin counterclockwise. The car skidded on fallen leaves along the westbound lane until eventually coming to a stop facing northwest. Weikel was partly ejected from the driver’s side door.

“I believe he had some injuries to his head,” Hummel said.

He said Weikel was barely conscious at the scene. The passenger, James Haynes, 27, of Shamokin, was not injured.

“Neither one of them were wearing their seat belts,” Hummel said.

Both air bags deployed in the car. Damage was visible to the driver’s side rear, the right rear tire was dislodged and the windshield was cracked.

Hummel said Weikel will be charged with failure to drive a safe speed and seat belt violation.

Pine Grove Ambulance, Ravine Fire Company No. 1 and Suedberg Community Fire Company responded the scene along with the state police. The car was towed from the scene at 4:55 p.m. Pine Grove Hose Hook & Ladder Fire Company was at the Pine Grove Area school to assist the helicopter.

SAINT CLAIR — The Saint Clair Area Elementary/Middle School will host a Veterans Day Program at 9 a.m. Friday, according to Jason Bendle, the district’s superintendent/principal.

This was among the upcoming events Bendle and the school board discussed at the board’s November meeting Wednesday night at the elementary/middle school at 227 S. Mill St.

There will also be parent-teacher conferences from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. And at 6 p.m. Dec. 7, the school board will hold its reorganization meeting.

The board Wednesday also hired Emily Thompson Martin as a per diem paraprofessional at a rate of $7.75 per hour.

Present at Wednesday’s meeting were: Michael Holobetz, board president; and Virginia Bartashus, Marlene Cook, Thomas Kaledas, Robert Matlock, Erin Murhon and Brian Regnier.

Board members Kathleen Modica and Jeanette Zembas were absent.

LOYALTON — Upper Dauphin Area School Board on Tuesday approved investigating what’s causing electrical problems in the district’s elementary and middle school.

George Skelton, buildings and grounds coordinator for the elementary and middle school, brought three proposals to the board for consideration.

“I’d like to find out what’s causing all these failures,” he said. “Surge protection over at the elementary is in our switch gear. We already have it. The counter does take every time a surge comes in. We have 136 incidents on the counter since installation. Each time we do take a hit, the electrical equipment is sacrificing itself. It can only take so many, before it starts going through. With taking that many, it did do what it was supposed to,” Skelton said, noting there’s also been a problem with LED lights burning out, especially at the elementary.

The three companies that submitted proposals, G.R. Sponaugle, $19,500; T.I.G., $14,000; and West End Electric, $3,600, all came up with different ideas to spot the problem, according to Skelton.

“You have to start somewhere. I think the neutral testing is pretty promising. I’d like to see that,” Skelton said.

“West End came up with the neutral testing. They think we may have a loose neutral somewhere in the building that would cause all of these problems. They also recommended the ground testing ... For the ground testing, they’d have to hire an outside company to come in and do it. They do not have the equipment to do the test.”

He said PPL went over their part of the ground and reset the transformer. The ground cabling is around the transformer. It’s wrapped around two or three times and is grounded into the transformer by PPL. The cable is running into UDA’s switch gear. From the switch gear, it is bonded to the frame of the building, Skelton said.

“It takes all of these components to work together for the surge to work, that you don’t get feed back into your building,” Skelton said.

The board, by a 5-0 vote, approved Skelton’s recommendation to use West End Electric, who has already been doing electrical repair work in the district. Those voting in favor were President David Barder, Steve Welker, Kathryn Talhelm, the Rev. Nathan Minnich and Mills Eure. Directors Roni Mace, Angela Mattern, Jack Laudenslager and Kirk Wenrich were absent.

In other business, the board approved:

• A contract with Goodwill Keystone Area for a “Paid Work Experience Agreement.” Business Manager Mary Bateman said this was a new program. Goodwill received a grant through OVR, which will give students more hours of work experience at Goodwill. “We’re not paying the students’ wages. This is in addition to what we already do at Goodwill,” Bateman said. UDA currently shares the cost of a job coach with Halifax and Millersburg, she said. The program is designed to be a “time-limited opportunity (90 hours in 9 week session) to experience work activities while earning a paycheck,” the contract states. Bridget Glunz-Wenner serves as UDA’s Transition Consultant for the program.

• Current certified athletic trainer, Kristin Lyons, to also serve as the winter strength coach at a salary of $1,000; and approved athletic director Brent E. Bell as a volunteer assistant strength coach.

• Overnight trips and Sunday tournaments for the varsity and junior varsity wrestling teams, with Minnich voting to approve all requests, except for Sunday activities.

• Administrative regulations dealing with use of electronic devices and requests for fundraisers for those in need outside of the district. The regulation requires that in order to hold a benefit at a sporting event, the individual beneficiary must be a resident of the district or a member of the immediate family of a student or staff member. The person must have a direct relationship to the district.

“Specific booster groups and recognized school organizations may raise funds for out-of-district needy through events like car washes, bowling, etcetera, and those organizations may sell candy, sandwiches and apparel. However, emphatically specific booster groups and recognized school organizations cannot raise funds in school or at athletic contests,” it reads.

• Program volunteers for the 2016-17 school year: Shelly Johns, Thomas Osenbach, Anthony Matter, Elizabeth Miller, Jeffrey Miller and Danielle Mace.

• Andrew Ditty and Jennifer Wertz as substitute teachers for the 2016-17 school year.

• A service agreement for water treatment testing with Daniel Schell, Lykens, at the same rate as last year, $255 per month, for a term from Tuesday to Nov. 14, 2017.

• Moving cyber school billing to a weekly payment, at the request of Bateman.

A Pottsville man is headed to state prison after being sentenced Nov. 3 in Schuylkill County Court.

Jamal S. Singletary, 23, must serve one to two years in a state correctional institution under the terms of Judge John E. Domalakes’ sentence.

Domalakes imposed the sentence after revoking Singletary’s probation, which the defendant admitted violating by committing new crimes and not making payments on his costs and fees.

Singletary, who sat through Thursday’s hearing wearing a prison jumpsuit, handcuffs and a belt, originally pleaded guilty on May 20, 2015, to theft from a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property. At that time, Domalakes placed him on probation for 23 months, and also sentenced him to pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and a $50 bench warrant fee, all of which the defendant still must pay under the terms of sentencing.

Pottsville police charged Singletary with committing the theft on Oct. 13, 2013, in the city.

Also on Nov. 3, Domalakes revoked the parole of Keith M. Evert, 27, of Lansford, and recommitted him to prison.

Evert could remain in prison until Aug. 26, 2017, and cannot be reparoled except to an inpatient rehabilitation facility, under the terms of Domalakes’ order.

Domalakes revoked Evert’s parole after the defendant admitted violating it by failing to notify authorities of his unsuccessful discharge from a halfway house, committing new crimes, failing a drug test, not taking regular drug tests and not making payments on his costs and fees.

“You really haven’t taken seriously the attempts to correct your behavior,” Domalakes told Evert.

Evert originally pleaded guilty on Sept. 24, 2014, to theft. At that time, Domalakes sentenced him to serve one to 23 months in prison, pay costs, a $50 CJEA payment and $2,390 restitution, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

State police at Frackville charged Evert with committing the theft on Nov. 20, 2013, in Coaldale.

Last May, 117 banners were put up in downtown Pottsville featuring the names and photos of local veterans.

Next May, city officials are hoping to put up many more.

“There is room for expansion,” Thomas W. Whitaker, the city superintendent of streets, said Wednesday.

The City of Pottsville Hometown Heroes 2017 Banner Program will kick off on Friday, which is Veterans Day. And the city will take orders until Feb. 28, Mayor James T. Muldowney said Wednesday.

The banners cost $200 each and measure 24-inches wide by 48-inches high. Last year, they were designed and produced by Rileighs Outdoor Decor, Bethlehem, and the city will work with the business again for the 2017 banner program, the mayor said.

“It’s been a very successful project and we want to keep moving forward with it. We think it’s a great way to honor our veterans,” Muldowney said.

A few communities in Schuylkill County have similar programs to honor their veterans, including Minersville and Tamaqua. This year, Shenandoah has one. Called the Shenandoah Area Hometown Hero, it’s an effort sponsored by the Anthony P. Damato American Legion “Medal of Honor” Post 792.

In November 2015, Muldowney announced the city was going to give its residents the chance to honor veterans with banners on lamp posts.

Last May, the 117 banners were placed on the following streets: Centre Street, from Nichols Street to Mauch Chunk Street; West Market Street, from Centre Street to 16th Street; East Norweigan Street from Centre Street to Claude A. Lord Boulevard; and Laurel Boulevard from Centre Street to Third Street.

So far, the 2016 banners put up in May have weathered well, Whitaker said.

Last week, the city’s street crew started to take down those 117 banners for the winter.

“We’re taking them down for the wintertime to preserve them. But they’re holding up very well. There’s hardly any fading,” Whitaker said.

The 2016 banners are being stacked in cardboard boxes in a storage area at the city garage.

In May 2017, the city will pull the 2016 banners out of storage and put them up once again, along with the new banners made as part of the 2017 banner program.

And the street crew may change their position on the street poles.

“This year, we had the banners facing the street and they were placed 14 feet from the sidewalk. The reason why was trucks,” Whitaker said.

“They’re 13.6 feet,” Joseph J. Devine Jr., a city councilman, said Wednesday referring to the height of a tractor-trailer.

“So, next year, we’re going to flip the banners around to face the sidewalk,” Whitaker said.

“And we may lower them four feet,” the mayor said.

“This will improve visibility,” Whitaker said.

The terms of The City of Pottsville Hometown Heroes 2017 Banner Program will be similar to the terms of the 2016 program:

• Applications will be accepted through Feb. 28, and will only be processed with a fully completed form, photo, DD-214 or current military identification card photocopy — front and back — and a check or money order made payable to “The City of Pottsville Hometown Heroes.”

• Photos submitted must be high-resolution, “at least 150 dpi,” Merideth Hannan, the mayor’s secretary, said.

• Applications will be accepted at the mayor’s office on the third floor of City Hall, 401 N. Centre St., Pottsville, or can be mailed to The City of Pottsville Hometown Heroes, P.O. Box 50, Pottsville, PA 17901

• Cash payments will only be accepted at City Hall.

• The banners will be given to the sponsor — the individuals, families, organizations or business that bought them — at the end of the display period. Muldowney said banners may be displayed for two years.

“We’re trying to see how they weather,” Devine said.

“We may go further with it,” Muldowney said.

“We might take it up to three years,” Devine said.

• “Banner placement will be solely at the discretion of the City of Pottsville,” Muldowney said.

• The committee is also seeking donations to develop a banner maintenance fund.

“If we have a ripped banner, we want to be able to replace it without passing the cost onto the family. One day the brackets may get rusty or we could lose parts, so we need to have a little maintenance slush fund,” the mayor said.

Anthony J. Kilker

SHENANDOAH — A 37-year-old man charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.

Jasen C. Joseph, 12 Newtown Road, Shenandoah, was arrested by West Mahanoy Township police Patrolman Raymond Tonkinson and charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, unlawful contact with a minor, sexual assault, disseminating explicit sexual material with a minor, corruption of minors, endangering the welfare of children, terroristic threats, indecent assault, indecent exposure and indecent assault of a person under the age of 16.

Tonkinson charged Joseph with incidents that occurred earlier this year at a township home where he engaged in sexual intercourse with the girl, made her perform sex acts on him, had sexual contact with her and also made her watch pornography.

Joseph also told the teen that if she told her mother, he would “bury her (the mother) in a grave.”

By waiving his right to a hearing, Joseph will now have to answer to all charges against him in Schuylkill County Court.

Other court cases included:

Michael Sell, 38, of State Correctional Institution/Camp Hill, Camp Hill — held for court: unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors, indecent assault of a person under the age of 13, endangering the welfare of children and indecent assault.

Bryce Beaver, 41, of 236 S. Chestnut St., Shenandoah, and 337 E. Centre St., Shenandoah — waived for court: criminal trespass, defiant trespass, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

Raymond Witcoski, 50, of 701 Furnace St., Shenandoah — withdrawn: simple assault.

Raymond D. Iaconelli, 25, of 322 W. Atlantic St., Shenandoah — waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jason E. Greiner, 42, of 575 Seltzer Road, Pottsville — withdrawn: burglary. Waived for court: burglary, criminal trespass, defiant trespass, loitering and prowling at night, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

Thomas J. Paris, 52, of 7 W. Pine St., Box 217, Sheppton — withdrawn: receiving stolen property.

Ramon A. Adorno II, 38, of 229 S. West St., Shenandoah — held for court: driving an unregistered vehicle, driving without insurance, driving without a license and altered, fraudulent, forged or counterfeit title, registration or insurance.

Matthew M. Clews, 25, of 526 W. Centre St., Shenandoah — waived for court: simple assault and terroristic threats.

Albert J. Pikitus, 23, of 219 Virginia Ave., Shenandoah — withdrawn: careless driving and improper classes of licenses. Waived for court: DUI, DUI-highest rate, driving at an unsafe speed and not wearing proper headgear for motorcycles.

Stephen J. Bayer

TAMAQUA — A 41-year-old man charged by Rush Township police with sexually assaulting a juvenile starting in October 2015 waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer.

Paul M. Kyrworuka, 3 Golf Road, Tamaqua, was arrested by Patrolman Corey Herring and charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, corruption of minors, indecent assault and indecent assault of a person under the age of 16.

By waiving his right to a hearing, Kryworuka will now have to answer to all the charges against him in Schuylkill County Court.

Herring said that police were informed of an inappropriate relationship Kryworuka had with a minor on Aug. 10 and, as the investigation continued, it was learned that Kryworuka met the victim in October 2015.

Herring said the two would initially ride around smoking marijuana and listening to music before the juvenile began sleeping over Kryworuka’s house where they played video games and smoked pot, eventually leading to a sexual relationship.

After a while, the victim’s mother became concerned that Kryworuka was picking up the juvenile, so the juvenile and Kryworuka lied that Kryworuka was the father of the juvenile’s friend, Herring said, adding that even when the sexual relationship ended, the pair would hang out and smoke marijuana.

Other court cases included:

Christian C. Shilko, 46, of 222 Hunter St., Tamaqua — held for court: theft, receiving stolen property, defiant trespass and terroristic threats.

Gerald R. Fisher Jr., 48, of 17 Snyder Ave., McAdoo — held for court: aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, harassment and criminal mischief.

Joshua M. Dewire, 27, of 66 Holland St., Tamaqua — waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia, receiving stolen property, conspiracy, theft by deception and forgery.

Megan L. Matousek, 23, of 634 E. Broad St., Tamaqua — waived for court: forgery, conspiracy, criminal attempt to commit theft by deception, receiving stolen property and theft by deception.

Duane R. Allen II, 28, unknown address, Tamaqua — withdrawn: burglary. Waived for court: theft, criminal trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Schuylkill Trust Co. building is undergoing repairs.

Workers from Caretti Restoration, Berwick, were busy Thursday setting up scaffolding and making preparations for work that will likely start today on bricks on the corner of the building.

“It’s just movement of the building that created the cracks,” Scott Lipshaw, project foreman with Caretti Restoration, said of the horizontal crack on the chimney.

Workers started preparation Wednesday for the work that should take about three weeks.

On Thursday, they were building scaffolding and elevating a swing scaffold near the top of the building to do work.

“We do 10-hour days,” Lipshaw said.

On Wednesday and Thursday, they started at 6:30 a.m. The roof will also be repaired at a later date but another company will do that work, Lipshaw said.

Lipshaw and Bill Low, another Caretti Restoration employee, wore harnesses while they went up a 26-foot swing scaffold. Within 10 minutes, they were near the top and later got off the scaffolding.

“It’s a nice view up here,” Lipshaw said.

Neither man said they were intimidated by the height.

“You respect heights and then they will respect you. The only way you fall is if God wants you to,” Low said.

What looked like a small tree was growing on the top of the building where they have to remove some of the bricks. About four feet of brick will be removed and replaced. Lipshaw said the work on the brick will start today if a lift they need arrives. The workers will also caulk areas of the water table, which is made of concrete and deflects water away from the building, near the top of the building. Brick from the roof line to the top of the building will also be examined, replaced and areas caulked if needed. Other work could also take place.

A construction permit was issued and approved Nov. 2 by the city for repointing brick on upper floors of the building and removing the chimney and rebuilding.

David Petravich, city building code officer, said a drone was flown recently around the building and found structural repairs that needed to be done. The structural work required is the reason a permit is needed, he said. The caulking and other work did not need a permit, he said. The permit said the expected cost for the work is $25,000.

Jerry Farro, owner of Comprehensive Inspection Agency, who will inspect the work once it’s completed, said he has not yet been to the building.

The owner on record is Schuylkill Land and Realty Inc. However, Mike Hassen, Queens, New York, bought the property at judicial sale Oct. 6 for $90,000. The purchase price for the property was $108,139. The property was up for sale after the building’s previous owner, James J. Curran Jr., an attorney and president of Schuylkill Land & Realty Inc., based in Pottsville, failed to pay taxes on the property. Curran had been cited numerous times for the property.

Angela D. Toomey, director of the Schuylkill County Tax Claim Bureau, said the deed should be recorded next week.

Scaffolding was installed last year on the side facing North Centre Street and West Market Street. Hassen said Thursday the scaffolding will be removed “by the end of this month” once the work is completed and passes inspection. He said no plans have been filed on what they want to do with the changes to the interior of the building. He would like to keep a bank there. Wells Fargo is on the first floor but will move out of the building next year.

“We have a broker that’s talking to a couple of other banks,” he said, declining to name them.

The upper floors could be offices or even senior citizen housing. Nothing is final.

“We’re taking it step by step,” Hassen said.

He spoke with Craig Shields, Barefield Development Corp. chief executive officer, about suggestions for the property. Shields confirmed he spoke with Hassen about a week ago. He told Hassen about what Barefield does and what Shields might be able to do for the building. The conversation lasted about 90 minutes.

Thomas A. Palamar, city administrator, said he is “thrilled” work is being done to improve the building.

“It’s maintenance that should have been done a long time ago,” he said.

Mayor James T. Muldowney was equally thankful.

“I’m just happy to see that the building will be back to being occupied again,” he said.

Charles Yourshaw, engineer on the project, did not return a call for comment.

TOWER CITY — Williams Valley school board Thursday selected Amy Tomalavage to succeed Anthony Aukstakalnis as the district’s new business manager.

Tomalavage, Cressona, will begin her post Dec. 12. The board, by a 9-0 vote, awarded her a 2 1/2 year contract that runs through June 30, 2019, at a starting salary of $62,000, prorated to the number of days worked.

Aukstakalnis resigned to seek employment elsewhere; his last day was Nov. 7.

In the interim, the board Thursday also appointed Kathy Ferraro to serve as acting business manager from Nov. 10 to Dec. 11, at a stipend of $1,550. Director David Ferraro, Kathy’s husband, abstained.

In other matters, Daniel Stroup, board president, said the public has been asking about the status of the district’s music program. Stroup confirmed the board is considering the possibility of adding an additional staff member in the music department, depending on how the budget numbers look. No action was taken Thursday and further details are pending.

Jens Damgaard, esquire with Rhoades & Sinon LLP, offered a financial presentation to the board. The board approved adoption of a resolution authorizing and securing a Qualified Zone Academy Bond in the form of a $5,833,000 general obligation note to be issued to Fulton Bank to finance improvements that were made at the high school and elementary school, including all actions required to issue the note.

Volleyball coach Christiana Snyder presented her end-of-season report. She said the team had 18 players, and the varsity squad posted a 0-22 record. The junior varsity record was 3-19. “Consistency wasn’t on our side,” Snyder said. She said the team had been working “very hard” and lost several games only by a few points. A few players had been nominated for All-State teams by local news media.

Snyder presented information on a new type of netting and pole system that would work on the high school gym floor. The pole system comes with protective pads, boundary markers and a chain to measure. The team had been playing and practicing at the elementary school due to the compatibility of the netting system and flooring.

In other action, the board approved:

• The following employees of Chartwells as cafeteria employees for the 2016-17 school year, Kori Banda-Ojeda, Amy Kemble and Barb Miller, all of Tower City.

• Revisions to motions approved at the Oct. 13 meeting, changing the effective date of Aukstakalnis’ resignation from Nov. 4 to Nov. 7, and changing the date for Carol Dagen’s request for family and medical leave from Nov. 14 to a period from Oct. 28 to Oct. 31.

• Rickey Klinger, Tower City, as a bus aide for the 2016-17 school year as employed by Ravine Transportation Inc.

• Facility rental requests, waiving custodial and rental fees.

• The Williams Valley Archery Boosters as a booster association for the 2016-17 school year.

• Ben Ancheff, Williamstown, as a volunteer assistant wrestling coach for the 2016-17 school year.

• Future Business Leaders of America fundraisers and activities.

• A request from the Applied Science class to collect plastic bottles and aluminum cans in the high school building for the purpose of recycling. Recycling containers will be placed in the cafeteria and front lobby.

• Robert Engle, Williamstown, as a volunteer archery coach for the 2016-17 school year.

• The purchase and installation of a hot water booster for the dishwasher at the elementary building from Thomas E. Gillespie at an estimated cost of $4,900, plus shipping.

Director John Mika offered information about alternative online education courses, that could possibly help students participate in extra-curricular activities who had become ineligible.

David Ferraro congratulated the district’s high school band, which placed in the top 10 during recent competition with 24 bands participating.

“The effort they put forth was amazing,” he said.

The next board meeting will be 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1, which will include reorganization.

Two Schuylkill County nursing homes have new owners, as Maryland partnerships with the same address and only slightly different names bought them this month for a combined total of almost $50 million.

LG-OHI Pottsville LP, Hunt Valley, Maryland, bought Schuylkill Center, 1000 Schuylkill Manor Road, Mechanicsville, from Schuylkill Nursing Homes Inc. for $32,332,562, while LG-OHI Orwigsburg LP bought Orwigsburg Center, 1000 Orwigsburg Manor Drive, Orwigsburg, from Senior Living Ventures Inc. for $17,276,325. Hunt Valley is a Baltimore suburb.

The deeds for the properties were both dated Nov. 1 and recorded Monday.

Orwigsburg Center, which is located entirely in the borough, opened in 1992 and offers hospice, long-term and short-stay care. It is located less than a mile from the center of the borough.

Schuylkill Center, which is located in East Norwegian and Norwegian townships and Mechanicsville, also offers hospice, long-term and short-stay care. It is located just outside Pottsville near Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street.

Each sale provided an immediate financial boost from transfer taxes for the state and the municipalities and school districts in which the facilities are located.

As a result of the sale of Orwigsburg Center, Pennsylvania received $172,763.25 in such taxes, Blue Mountain School District received $86,381.63 and Orwigsburg received $86,381.62.

As a result of the sale of Schuylkill Center, Pennsylvania received $323,325.62 in such taxes, East Norwegian Township and Saint Clair Area School District each received $106,050.80, Pottsville Area School District received $55,612.01, Norwegian Township received $54,884.52 and Mechanicsville received $727.49.

Property: Orwigsburg Center

Location: 1000 Orwigsburg Manor Drive, Orwigsburg

Buyer: LG-OHI Orwigsburg LP, Hunt Valley, Maryland

Seller: Senior Living Ventures Inc.

Price: $17,276,325

Property: Schuylkill Center

Location: 1000 Schuylkill Manor Road, Pottsville (East Norwegian and Norwegian townships and Mechanicsville)

Buyer: LG-OHI Pottsville LP, Hunt Valley, Maryland

Seller: Schuylkill Nursing Homes Inc.

Price: $32,332,562

n Deer Lake: The Deer Lake & West Brunswick Fire Company will sponsor bingo from 6 to 8:45 p.m. Tuesday at the firehall, 1 Ash Road. Doors will open at 5 p.m. For more information, call 570-366-0152.

n Hazleton: The Greater Hazleton Concert Series will feature the Annie Moses Band at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the auditorium of Hazleton Area High School, 1601 W. 23rd St., in a concert of favorite love songs titled, “Art of the Love Song.” The band features six siblings of the Wolaver family, each a graduate of the Juilliard School and London Conservatory. Tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for students. Subscriptions for the four remaining performances of the 2016-17 season are available for $80. For reservations or concert information, call Amelia at 570-788-4864 or Cynthia at 570-436-6615. More information about the series is available at www.hazletonconcertseries.org or on its Facebook page.

n Mahanoy City: The Mahanoy City Public Library recently acknowledged the following memorials: For Rita Kufrovich from Tim and Marilyn Tolan; for Rita Stephanie Carr from Thomas and Theresa Carr; for Mary Jarrett from Cecilia Scherer, Doretta and Jay Jones, Rae and Mark Jeffery, and Dot and Tom Ward Sr., and Barbara Kenesky; for Wanda Kenesky from Jim and Marilyn Tolan and Darryl G. Guy; for Jack Ryan Sr. from Joan Shimkus and family, Joan Brady and family, Doretta and Jay Jones, Marilyn and Jim Tolan, Gail Kern and Kim, Brittney and Bryce Butcavage, Joan and Jim Goodman, Cecilia Scherer, Betsy Day, Judy and Bill Brayford, Carol and Bob Blue, Monica and Joe Alansky, Dot and Tom Ward Sr. and Carolyn M. Maurey and Sharon Armson, Barbara Kenesky, Bette Chelak; the Ansback family, Joe Chelak family, Paul and Donna Peca, Mike and Peg Grigalonis and Bob and Carol Wagner; for Vic Ball Jr. from Betsy Day; for Lydia Trusky from Cecilia Scherer, Rae and Mark Jeffery and Dot and Tom Ward Sr.; for Debbie Karlavage from Doretta and Jay Jones; for Edward Scheirer from Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Eroh.

n Mahanoy City: Good American Hose Company, Eighth Street and Mahanoy Avenue, is taking orders for Penn State sticky buns with pickup set for 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 13. The cost is $7 for two boxes and the order deadline is Dec. 2. To order, call 570-773-3473.

n Pine Grove: An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Pine Grove Ambulance quarters, Spruce Street. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to donate blood. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information or to arrange for an appointment, call 800-733-2767.

n Pine Grove: The “Mrs. U Zoo RevUe” will be at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park at 2 p.m. Nov. 27. It will feature Pamela Ulicny, a Tri-Valley High School science teacher with more than 20 years of experience in reptile and amphibian care and 24 years of teaching experience. For the past 15 years, according to a release, Ulicny has taken her 30-plus classroom pets on the road for educational outreach. She will feature live reptiles in her one-hour program and talk about animal adaptations and specializations while giving participants a chance to touch — but only through “challenge by choice.” At the end of the presentation, Ulicny will remain on site for an extra half hour for an optional hands-on component, during which participants will be offered a chance to safely handle selected animals under her supervision. Photos will be permitted. The program is free and open to the public, made possible with the help of a grant from the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation. Registration is required by calling 570-345-8952. Leave a brief message and the call will be returned.

n Pottsville: The music department of Nativity BVM High School will have a fundraiser at Roma Pizza, 116 W. Market St., from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. The event focuses on dine-in sales only and will also include chances on prizes. For more information, call 570-985-9308.

Woman charged

for purse theft

A Tamaqua woman was charged by Pottsville police in connection with a theft incident that was reported about 8:50 a.m. Oct. 31 at Dunkin Donuts East.

Police said officers learned a 45-year-old Tamaqua woman had her purse stolen from the restroom after she had accidentally left it inside about 8:15 a.m. When the woman realized the purse was missing and returned to the restroom about 8:40 a.m., she discovered the purse had been removed, police said.

The woman told officers in addition to cash, the purse contained her identification cards, various debit cards, two Dunkin Donut pre-paid cards and assorted checks.

Police said that with the assistance of the store manager, Jason Bowers, investigators were able to obtain store video surveillance footage showing possible witnesses and suspects.

One of the witnesses was interviewed and told officers the purse had still been inside the room at approximately 8:25 a.m., narrowing the window of opportunity to commit the crime, police said.

A subsequent investigation led to the identification of Latia Tatyana Nahf and during a Nov. 4 interview with Cpl. Charles Webber and confronted with evidence indicating she had been involved in the theft, Nahf admitted to taking the purse from the bathroom, removing and spending the cash inside and retaining possession of the purse and other items, police said, adding that the items were later recovered from a residence in Schuylkill Haven and returned to the victim.

Based on the results of the investigation, police said, Nahf was charged with theft of mislaid property and receiving stolen property.

Police: Man

refused to exit

ASHLAND — A borough man held himself inside his home for a brief time early Thursday morning.

Ashland police said officers were called to an apartment in the 200 block of Middle Street, near the intersection with Hoffman Boulevard, for a welfare check and found a man with severe bleeding refusing to come out.

The man slammed the door, turned the lights out and refused to exit or allow officers inside for about 15 minutes before he exited and surrendered.

Once outside, police said, the man refused to cooperate, forcing officers to use a Taser weapon to place him in custody.

Police said the man, who was not identified, was taken to a Pottsville hospital for evaluation and that their investigation is continuing.

Officers from Mount Carmel Township, Butler Township, West Mahanoy Township and Shenandoah assisted, along with Ashland firefighters and fire police.

Woman faces

drug charges

MAHANOY CITY — Mahanoy City police filed charges against a borough woman stemming from an incident at her 234 W. Pine St. home on Aug. 21.

Police said Melanie L. Kropp, 24, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police said officers were called to the home for a report of an overdose and learned a woman took about 20 pills and kept saying she wanted to die.

In the bedroom of the home, police said, they found a pipe commonly used for smoking marijuana with burnt residue and also a glassine baggie containing powder that tested positive for heroin.

Police: Man ran

over child’s leg

MAHANOY CITY — A borough man was charged by Mahanoy City police stemming from a Sept. 3 incident where he ran over the leg of a child in the 700 block of West Spruce Street.

Police said Gabriel J. Gnall, 63, of 710 W. Spruce St., was charged with DUI, accidents involving death or personal injury, recklessly endangering another person, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, duty to give information or render aid and careless driving.

Police said officers were called to the area for a report of a pedestrian struck and learned a child was sitting in the street and had her right leg struck by a vehicle.

It was learned that Gnall was driving the vehicle and went into his house, where he was contacted and found with a strong odor of mouthwash or toothpaste on his breath, police said.

Gnall agreed to submit to a blood alcohol test that subsequently determined he had an alcohol level of 0.214 percent, more than two times the legal limit, at the time of the incident, police said.

Police to conduct

DUI checkpoint

HAMBURG — State police at Hamburg reported that police will be conducting a stationary DUI checkpoint at an undisclosed location prior to the end of November.

The location will be determined using data that identifies locations with higher occurrences of DUI violations and crashes.

Police said they will continue to utilize stationary and roving patrols to detect and remove both alcohol and drug impaired drivers from area roadways.

Lykens police

release data

LYKENS — State police at Lykens reported handling 480 calls for the month of October.

The criminal section received 168 reported offenses, found 160 of those valid and cleared 114 cases with 112 criminal arrests made.

The patrol unit investigated 32 crashes and five hit-and-run crashes that resulted in 12 injuries and no fatalities.

Police issued 390 traffic citations, 146 warning notices and made 17 DUI arrests.

Man charged

with harassment

LOST CREEK — A 45-year-old Lost Creek man will receive two summons from state police at Frackville, each charging him with harassment, after an incident about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at 493 Mount Olive Blvd. in this West Mahanoy Township village.

Police said Brian Andrewsky physically struck a 46-year-old woman and also a 16-year-old girl.

He will now have to answer the charges in district court.

MAHANOY CITY — Three people were jailed after Mahanoy City police executed a search warrant at a borough home about 10:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Taken into custody were Christine Manegold, 42, and Andrew Manegold, 18, both of 30 E. Pine St., along with Brandon M. Ohlinger, 23, of 1434 Cotton St., Reading.

Christine and Andrew Manegold were each charged with one felony offense each of concealment of the whereabouts of a child, interference with the custody of children and endangering the welfare of children along with a misdemeanor charge of corruption of minors. Christine Manegold also was charged with a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ohlinger was charged with felony receiving stolen property, felony firearms not to be carried without a license and one misdemeanor count each of possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and prohibited offensive weapons.

The three were arraigned early Thursday morning before on-call Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, who set bail at 10 percent of $15,000 for Christine and Andrew Manegold and 10 percent of $25,000 for Ohlinger. The three were then committed to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post bail.

Patrolman Thomas Rentschler, the arresting officer, said that about 8:15 p.m. he received information that a runaway juvenile was inside the Manegold home and that Andrew Manegold was there as well and in possession of a black handgun with six bullets in the magazine and one in the chamber.

The juvenile was identified as the girlfriend of Andrew Manegold, both of whom were reported missing Sept. 27 in both Schuylkill and Northumberland counties, Rentschler said.

Rentschler said a search warrant was requested and approved by Reiley about 9:50 p.m. Wednesday and executed by him, Patrolman Christopher Zubris and officers from Shenandoah and East Union Township.

In the living room of the home, Rentschler said, officers found three adults and two juveniles and upstairs located Andrew Manegold and a female juvenile in one bedroom and two juveniles in another bedroom.

Rentschler said Ohlinger was then asked if he was concealing anything and admitted having a handgun and marijuana. The man was then searched and found to have a loaded 9 mm handgun, a switchblade knife and vegetable matter that tested positive for marijuana.

The investigation revealed that a neighbor at 28 E. Pine St. had a 9 mm handgun missing and, when interviewed, the neighbor said the weapon was never given to anyone despite Christine Manegold saying he gave it to her for protection in light of a drive-by shooting at the homes on Oct. 28, Rentschler said.

Also at the house, Rentschler said, the female juvenile admitted running away on Sept. 27 and walking to the Mahanoy City home to see Andrew Manegold, who Christine Manegold also reported being missing that same day.

The juvenile told officers she had been at the house since that time despite officers going there several times to check for her, at which times Christine Manegold denied knowing her whereabouts, Rentschler said.

All three will now have to answer to the charges against them before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah.

The Republican-Herald submitted a Right-To-Know request Thursday to three representatives of the Pottsville Area School District, in an effort to determine the district’s profits and losses in recent years.

A few incidents prompted the inquiry. This year, the district made significant cuts when developing its 2016-17 budget. These included contributions to two public libraries. There were also changes in bus routes that forced more students to walk to school.

On Monday, the district, through its solicitor, confirmed that on Sunday it had put its business manager, Stephen C. Curran, on administrative leave.

Following discussions at executive sessions over the weekend, the district also named the assistant business manager, Patricia A. Lombel, the acting business manager.

When called for comment Monday, school district representatives refused to provide an explanation.

Looking ahead, the district’s finances will once again become a topic as the administration develops its 2017-18 school year budget.

To determine what the situation is now, a RTK request was sent to Superintendent Jeffrey S. Zwiebel, district solicitor Richard A. Thornburg and Lombel requesting the following information:

• “Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances for All Governmental Funds for the following: years ending June 30, 2012, June 30, 2013, June 30, 2014, and June 30, 2015. Information should come from audited financial statements.”

• “Balance sheets for Governmental Funds for the years ending June 30, 2012, June 30, 2013, June 30, 2014 and June 30, 2015. Information should come from audited financial statements.”

• “Records that show cash balance in the bank as of Oct. 31, 2016.”

• “Unaudited or audited surplus or loss in the General Fund for the year ending June 30, 2016. If an audit report has not been issued from the auditor to date, the Annual Financial Report filed with the Pennsylvania Department of Education will suffice.”

• “The Pottsville Area School District personnel policy addressing the terms of administrative leave.”

Copies of the RTK request were delivered in-person to these district representatives and sent to them via email Thursday afternoon.

The Schuylkill County commissioners approved a resolution Wednesday to extend the term of a Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone in Tremont Township.

The 20-acre property is three parcels located opposite of the Big Lots Distribution Center on Rausch Creek Road (Route 209). The Schuylkill Economic Development Corp. acquired the property through tax claims in late 1999, Frank Zukas, SEDCO executive director, said.

It first became a KOEZ in 2001. The KOEZ program provides 100 percent tax forgiveness for municipal, school district and county real estate taxes. The program also forgives such taxes as earned income/net profits, business gross receipts, business privilege, sales and use, wage and net profits, realty use, and occupancy and mercantile license depending upon the classification of the county, school district and local government.

Following the first 15 years of a KOEZ designation, it can be extended once for another 10 years, Zukas said. The KOEZ designation for the Tremont Township property will now last through 2017.

The KOEZ extension will allow SEDCO to invest in preparing and marketing the site, Zukas said. The area is already zoned for industrial use with public utilities available.

“The site does really need a bit of added incentives with this KOEZ because of the anticipated preparation costs to get it to the point of where we can use it,” Zukas said. “It is topologically challenged. The KOEZ extension would help give us a leg up in trying to market that property for job creating purposes.”

When the KOEZ term for the Big Lots Distribution Center in 2013, real estate tax revenue on the commercial property totaled $836,402, with $567,621 going to the Pine Grove Area School District, $102,143 to Tremont Township, and $166,638 to Schuylkill County.

“The KOZ/KOEZ program has done excellent work in bringing economic development to the county,” Commissioner Frank J. Staudenmeier said.

The extension was unanimously approved by the commissioners during the public meeting.

“It’s a proven investment into the future,” Commissioner Gary J. Hess said.

Commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. thanked SEDCO for continuing to develop public/private partnerships in the county.

“The part that you play in economic development here in the county is exemplary,” Halcovage said.

In other matters, the office of solid waste and recycling presented awards to the winners of the annual phone book recycling program sponsored by the county and Schuylkill Keep It Pretty.

Joe Scribbick, county solid waste and recycling coordinator, said the 10 schools participating in the 14 annual event collected a total of 6,668 books.

Clement Doyle Jr., a kindergarten student at John S. Clarke Elementary collected 1,140 books and was awarded $150. Richard Chapman, a second-grade student at Minersville Elementary, collected 1,140 books and was awarded $125. Gavin Edmonds, a kindergarten student at West Penn Elementary, collected 475 books and was awarded $100.

West Penn Elementary Center collected 4.23 books per student, and was awarded $300. Llewellyn Elementary collected 3.13 books per student and was awarded $200. John S. Clarke Elementary Center collected 3.08 books per student and was awarded $100.

The county commissioners also issued a proclamation recognizing this week as “Schuylkill County Farm-City Week.”

According to the proclamation, the purpose of the National Farm-City Week is to “help create and understanding of the problems faced mutually by rural and urban residents of Pennsylvania.”

The annual Schuylkill Farm-City Dinner will be held at 7 p.m. today at Trinity Lutheran Church Hall, Third and Arch streets, Pottsville.

PORT CARBON — Nicki Heil couldn’t think of a better way to give back.

Knowing what it’s like to be down on her luck, Heil is a volunteer for “A Better W.A.Y.” The program raises funds to restore homes for transitional housing for veterans and others in need.

The Gilberton mother of five was on site Thursday at the first location the program is refurbishing in Schuylkill County at 19 Pike St., Port Carbon.

Heil said her journey began with a muffin. The Rev. Randolph Simmons met her outside of the Saint Clair Wal-Mart when he offered her the baked good. Heil said at the time, she didn’t have enough money to offer a donation for the muffin, and Simmons told her she could have it for free.

Feeling like she still needed to contribute, Heil went back to her car and got some money that she felt she could part with and donate to the cause. The two began to talk, and Simmons asked Heil if she’d like to volunteer.

“It was for a good cause. Some of our veterans become homeless or are disabled, and I wanted to do something to help,” Heil, 30, said.

Since then, she’s driven throughout the county and to Ephrata and Lebanon, volunteering to sell baked goods for the nonprofit organization, We Agape You Inc.

Simmons founded We Agape You Inc. in order to “raise up those in suffering circumstances by providing them with the means to help themselves with dignity and respect.” A Better W.A.Y. grew out of that. He explained that We Agape You Inc. created “The W.A.Y. Cookie” to headline its fundraising efforts. The cookies and other items are sold at bake sales in order to raise the necessary funding to carry out its programs. The group’s main office is in Lancaster County with satellite offices in Berks, Lebanon and Chester counties. Funds raised help cover permits, contractor fees, materials, inspections and operating costs for the transitional housing.

“I’ve dealt with some hardships,” Heil said. “Then I met my fiance. We were struggling. Last November, our power went out. A tree fell on our trailer and hit the pole. We had to use a kerosene heater. Our pipes froze. I made Thanksgiving dinner on our grill. Randy really helped us and gave us hope.”

She said that now her fiance, George Gutekunst, has a great job at Lehigh Valley Dairy and things are going well for their family. Their children include Abigail, 11; Gabriel, 9; Cataliena, 7; Mason, 4; and Wyllow, one month old. Heil said her late “Pop Pop” and other family members were veterans.

Crews began work Monday on the two-story, white-sided home with a spacious backyard. Simmons said the bottom floor will be available as a one-bedroom apartment for a veteran who uses a wheelchair, while the upper floor will be made into a two-bedroom apartment for another veteran. The home has high ceilings and natural light coming in from several, large windows. Wells Fargo donated the home, according to Simmons.

A banner in front of the house announces, “Currently Rehabilitating Apartments For Veterans,” listing the organization’s website at www.weagapeyou.org. Simmons said the nonprofit just got a local phone number at 570-392-3317 where anyone can call if they need assistance, to contribute monetarily, or donate items like sheet rock, toilets or paint. The banner has an older number, 717-229-6926, on it that is also operational but isn’t local, he said.

“Our organization is seeking donations of any warehouses, garages or dilapidated houses in Schuylkill County. We then restore these properties in order to revitalize the community. The rehabilitation offers employment to local workers, and once completed will provide affordable housing to veterans and others in need,” Simmons said.

“We also hold a fully executed Master Trade Agreement with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a school to train construction workers,” Simmons said.

Steven Williamston is glad to be working on the “A Better W.A.Y.” projects.

“This job pays more, and it’s for a better cause. I enjoy working in this field, and I feel I have security,” said Williamston, who’s originally from Philadelphia, but moved to Berks County in 2004. “We do exterior, interior, residential and commercial properties. I do some carpentry and dry wall, painting, and lay carpet and laminate flooring.”

Williamston’s brother-in-law, Reggie Reese, serves as foreman for many of the projects, according to Simmons.

Reese, originally from Boston, now lives in the Reading area with his wife. He’s studying to become an ordained priest.

“I see a lot of these veterans need help, and it’s what God put on my heart to do,” Reese said.

Reese does all the electrical, plumbing, and finishing work needed to restore the homes.

Wade Shafer, territory manager in the Reading area for PPG, joined Reese on the job site Thursday.

“I met Reggie in Reading, and I gave him a gallon of paint and we started a partnership,” he said.

Shafer said Reese prefers to use the top-of-the-line product, the “Olympic 1,” which has both an indoor and outdoor paint line. Normally, Shafer said he doesn’t get to see the finished homes.

“This one, I’ll come back to see,” Shafer said, noting the local Lowe’s store where he’s a vendor is nearby.

Reese expects the home’s two apartments will be completed within 2 1/2 weeks.

A property recently rehabilitated from another Wells Fargo donation, Simmons said, just passed inspection from the City of Reading. That home was completely rehabbed and is now being rented out by a veteran family.

“We recognize the importance of working with other organizations, businesses and individuals in a community in order to best serve those needs,” Simmons said. “We thank our current partners of BB&T Bank, Woodforest National Bank, Saint Clair Home Depot, Lowe’s, Wal-Mart and Redner’s for their support in donations and fundraising efforts. We’d like the community to know that we need their support in order to be successful.”

Donations can be sent to the organization’s headquarters at We Agape You, 55 New St., Suite I-2, Ephrata, PA 17522, or at www.weagapeyou.org.