Schuylkill County lost a longtime public servant with the death of former county commissioner and sheriff Francis V. “Angie” McAndrew over the weekend.

McAndrew, 71, of Raven Run, Lost Creek, died Sunday at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown, according to a funeral announcement from Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah.

McAndrew served as a state trooper and investigator before spending 14 years as county sheriff. In 2007, he teamed with fellow Democrat and incumbent commissioner Mantura Gallagher to give the party majority control of the board for the first time in 37 years. Gallagher and McAndrew retired together when their term ended in 2011.

“Angie and I began our tenure in the commissioners’ office as colleagues,” Gallagher said Sunday. “After four years working together, we became close friends. I was honored to work by his side during that time, and I will always treasure the deep friendship that resulted.”

“No matter where we went in the county, everyone was Angie’s friend,” Gallagher said. “He was a man of the people and for the people. I believe that I speak for all of Schuylkill County when I say that he will be missed.”

Commissioner Frank J. Staudenmeier served with McAndrew and Gallagher as the only Republican on the board.

“Schuylkill County is certainly going to miss Frank McAndrew,” Staudenmeier said. “He was a good public servant and a great asset to the county. It was certainly a pleasure to work with Angie in his capacity as sheriff and as a fellow commissioner. He was also a good friend of mine. He served Schuylkill County well and we are all going to miss Frank McAndrew.”

Former Congressman Tim Holden said he was shocked to hear the news about his close friend on Sunday.

“I just can’t believe it,” Holden said. “He’s just such a great guy and he never really got to enjoy his retirement.”

Holden ran for state office while serving as county sheriff. When he was elected, McAndrew was appointed to the position and then re-elected several times before running for commissioner.

“He had such a great outstanding law enforcement career, it was a no-brainer that he was the best qualified person to be sheriff of Schuylkill County.”

“He was one of the best people I ever met,” Holden said. “He connected to people and understood them. He stepped up to the plate and was just a great guy who dedicated his life to public service.”

Ed Kleha, a former chairman of the county Democratic party, said McAndrew was one of the reasons he became involved in politics. Kleha retired after 13 years as party chairman in 2011. He now serves as a representative for state Rep. Neal Goodman, D-123.

“If it wasn’t for Frank McAndrew, I don’t think I would have ever been involved in politics,” Kleha said. “He was a great guy. I don’t think there was anybody that did not like Frank McAndrew.”

Kleha said McAndrew would do anything for anybody, which is why he ran for commissioner.

“He did that for the Democratic party and that is what put the Democratic party over the top,” Kleha said. “Everyone who knew Frank had nothing but the utmost respect for him. He was an icon in the Democratic party. A much loved and respected man, not only to friends, but he would reach across the table to help anybody. He was Schuylkill County, inside and out.”

Goodman said McAndrew dedicated his life to serving others in his positions with state police, sheriff and commissioner and his personality will be missed among his fellow Democrats.

“He was like the glue that held us all together,” Goodman said. “He was the voice of reason and just had a way about him to bring people together and in a party you need that. He brought focus, but was loved and respected at the same time. His opinion carried a great deal of weight in out party.”

“The Coal Region lost one of its sons,” Goodman said. “We lost one of our dearest and we will never see his likes again.”

NEWTOWN — Three adults and a juvenile suffered injuries when the vehicle they were in went down an embankment and hit a tree about 9:30 p.m. Sunday along Route 209 in Reilly Township, just south of Newtown.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said two men, a woman and a juvenile were in the vehicle. Police are still investigating the crash, but believe the vehicle was traveling north on Route 209 before going over the embankment.

At least two helicopters were at the scene. Further information was not available as of press time Sunday.

A Tamaqua businessman was sentenced to state prison Monday morning, having been convicted of stealing more than $300,000 from an elderly Rush Township couple.

Schuylkill County President Judge William E. Baldwin ordered Alfonso Picone to serve 18 to 60 months in prison on a charge of receiving stolen property and also to serve a concurrent sentence of 18 to 60 months on a charge of theft.

Prior to sentencing, Baldwin granted a defense motion for acquittal of two charges of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities.

Although Picone was convicted of stealing the money from John E. and Ella E. Burnard, Lake Hauto, Baldwin said the prosecution failed to show that the money was used for unlawful activities other than the man’s personal use.

Beyond sentencing Picone to state prison, Baldwin ordered him to pay restitution in the full amount requested by Deputy Attorney General Michelle Laucella, $319,501.60. That amount is the total authorities charged Picone with stealing from his victims.

After hearing almost 2 1/2 hours of testimony from 12 character witnesses, and arguments from Laucella and Picone’s attorney, Ross M. Martin, Lansdale, Baldwin ordered Picone taken to prison by Schuylkill County Sheriff’s deputies.

While the man was being led out in handcuffs, more than 75 people who attended to support him chanted “we love you Alfie” while some sobbed.

Baldwin denied a request by Martin for his client to remain free on his $100,000 bail while he appeals the verdict and sentence.

Baldwin told Picone that, when his bail was increased from $10,000 straight cash to $100,000 straight cash, he was able to come up with the additional $90,000 within hours.

“There’s a lot of cash that’s available to Mr. Picone,” Baldwin said, also telling Martin that he has concerns about his client fleeing the area since he has now been convicted and sentenced.

In asking for a lighter sentence for his client, Martin told the court that Picone is a pillar in the community of Tamaqua where he operates the La Dolce Casa restaurant. In recalling testimony of the character witnesses, Martin said Picone has a history of giving back to the community and that should he be sent to prison for an extended time all of Tamaqua would suffer.

“What happens to Mr. Picone happens to Tamaqua,” Martin said, before asking Baldwin to consider a sentence of probation, house arrest or possibly work release so he could continue not only operating his restaurant but helping others and paying the ordered restitution.

Laucella asked for a lengthy sentence that includes jail time saying that throughout the entire case Picone did not once say he was sorry or show remorse.

“The defendant showed no remorse in this case, none at all,” she said. “He could have accepted responsibility.”

Laucella called Picone “calculated and cold.”

Before to handing down his sentence, Baldwin said “there are two Alfonso Picones,” one caring and giving as his friends, families and others testified and the other a man who took advantage of an elderly couple who “clearly didn’t understand what was going on.”

Baldwin also said that court documents showed that in July of 2014 Picone’s restaurant had no cash receipts, despite it having the good business that his friends and family said. Baldwin said that suggests Picone was using the cash receipts to fund his gambling habits and then replacing it with money he was stealing from the Burnards.

“You’ve done a lot of good for the community, there’s no question about it,” Baldwin told Picone adding that he also took advantage of the elderly couple.

On Sept. 22, a jury of seven women and five men found Picone guilty of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, knowing that property is proceeds of unlawful activities, theft and receiving stolen property after deliberating about 1 1/2 hours to end the four-day trial over which Baldwin presided.

Rush Township police have charged Picone with stealing $319,501.60 from the Burnards between January and December 2014.

Police said the Burnards each suffered from a major neurocognitive disorder that affected their decision making in financial matters.

Prosecutors alleged Picone, took the money because he needed it to help the restaurant, fund repairs for his home and compensate for his gambling habit.

At first light Monday, Edwin Klinger Jr., Tremont, was hunting in Tremont Township.

“I have a tree stand down there I sat in. I hunt here a lot for small game and waterfowl,” he said.

But he wasn’t sure he’d bag anything Monday, which was the first day of rifle deer season.

“I’m on a three-year slump. The last three years, I didn’t get anything. But if I don’t get anything, it’s all right. I just love to be out,” he said.

Just after 7:30 a.m., he spotted movement on the forest floor.

It was a 12-point buck.

“He was running parallel to a creek. There he was all by himself, about 40 yards away,” Klinger said.

He took aim, pulled the trigger on his pump-action rifle and sent a .308 round flying in the direction of his prey.

“I got him a little bit behind the ribs. Not a good shot. I might have flinched,” Klinger said.

But for him, the first day of rifle-deer season 2016 turned out to be a memorable one.

“In my life, I got a nine-pointer and a 10-pointer, but not one this big. I’ll probably get the head mounted,” Klinger said.

He was one of the more than 550,000 hunters the state Game Commission estimated would be out Monday for the start of the statewide 12-day firearms deer season, which concludes Dec. 12, according to The Associated Press.

Some hunters in Schuylkill County also brought home trophy bucks.

They included Dan Schwartz, Schuylkill Haven, who bagged an eight-pointer, according to Craig DeWitt, a butcher at Mar Lin Markets in Norwegian Township.

Mykal B. McCulloch, 35, of Schuylkill Haven, was in the woods near Adamsdale on Monday with his bolt-action rifle, but he didn’t bag a buck.

“For me, the first day out was not so good. I saw a small spike buck, but nothing that I had a shot at,” McCulloch said.

After shooting the 12-point buck Monday morning, Klinger had to figure out how to get the animal back to his pick-up truck, which was parked a mile and a half away.

The deer weighed “about 200 pounds,” Klinger said.

He needed help. So he called friends who were hunting nearby, Joe Rice, 19, and Cassidy Gantt, 18, of Tremont.

“He texted me with a picture of the deer and I asked if he needed help. He said ‘I’ll let you know when I get to the path.’ Then he called me and we went to help him right away,” Rice said.

Klinger had gutted the animal soon after he shot it.

“If you leave the guts in for too long, it can spoil the meat,” Rice said.

It took the two men more than an hour to drag the deer from the woods.

“He’s a decent-sized deer,” Gantt said as they emerged.

Rice said the weather wasn’t bad early Monday: “It was chilly.”

“It was, like, 29 degrees,” Gantt said.

“It was cold. My drink was frozen. It was flavored water. It was slush,” Klinger said.

“But it’s getting a little too warm now,” Rice said at 11 a.m. while the sun was shining and the temperature was in the high 40s.

“They move a lot in the cold to keep warm. They don’t move much in warm weather. They don’t have to. They just bed down. And warm weather’s not good for shooting deer, because then you have to get them out of the bush quick,” Klinger said.

GILBERTON — A pump station in the Borough of Gilberton will be replaced in the near future with a new structure and pumps to keep underground mine water at levels to prevent flooding.

The existing pump station, located at the east end of the Gilberton section of the borough along state Route 4030, has been in operation for more than 40 years to maintain water levels in the abandoned Gilberton mine complex and minimize potential flooding.

The Gilberton section is prone to flooding, especially during heavy storm events, and has been nicknamed “Ducktown,” referring to stories about ducks swimming in the streets because of persistent flooding.

The state Department of Environmental Protection recently received quotes for an emergency project to drill a new borehole and construct a new pump station. The construction project was awarded to Global Shaft Drilling Services LLC, Morgantown, West Virginia, at the quoted price of $2,719,272. The company specializes in large diameter drilling and ground stabilization projects in the mining industry and civil construction.

According to information from DEP, rising mine pool water levels in the flooded underground coal mine complex, together with stormwater runoff and infiltration, contribute to potential flooding in the borough.

The existing pump building and three of the four pumps in it are owned by Waste Management & Processors Inc., Gilberton, a Rich Family company. WMPI uses its pumps for an active mining operation.

Through an agreement with WMPI, the DEP has operated one pump since 1972 to address issues related to an inactive abandoned underground coal mine. The new pump station will pump mine pool water from this abandoned mine and discharge it the same location as the existing operation.

“The pump station has been operating since the year of the Hurricane Agnes flood,” Colleen Connolly, the community relations coordinator in DEP’s Northeast Regional Office in Wilkes-Barre, said.

Connolly said the existing shaft is about 1,070 feet deep and is regularly inspected by DEP’s Mine Safety Division.

Gilberton Councilman Mark Keirsey said DEP Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation representative Janice Kille spoke to the borough council during a work session in September about the planned project.

“You know where the pump station is on Shaft Street? They’ll put one in across the street now along the railroad side,” Keirsey said.

Keirsey said there have been representatives from state and federal mine agencies inspecting the area.

“The pump station protects the borough from flooding,” he said. “When they build the new one, they will close the old one. There will also put in a water monitoring station.”

Mayor Mary Lou Hannon said the shaft has been there for at least a century.

“That shaft has been around for a long time,” Hannon said. “I remember my great-grandfather used to hoist the water out of there. That was in the late 1800s. They have changed the pumps over the years, but the operation itself is over 100 years old. This project is for the good of our borough. We were told (by DEP) that this is a priority. We (the borough) signed off on everything. John Rich signed off on everything.”

Work on the new pump station is anticipated to start in the next few weeks and be completed in June 2017, according to Connolly.

n Frackville: Elks Lodge 1533, 307 S. Third St., will have an all-you-can-eat breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday. There will be a full menu and the cost is $8 per person. The lodge also will have its annual memorial service from 2 to 4 p.m. to honor departed members.

n Girardville: The borough has announced emergency snow removal procedures when snowfall goes to three inches or higher. There will be two snow removal days: On the first day of the storm, there will be no parking on Preston Avenue and Lower Railroad Street. There will also no parking on the even sides of Second, A, B, C and Ogden streets; on the second day there will be no parking on the odd sides of Beech, Second, A, B, C and Ogden streets. Until removal is completed, the aforementioned streets must be kept open. Vehicles that are not removed according to the schedule will be cited, as will anyone caught throwing snow onto the street. Private contractors must remove snow piles they create or face citations.

n Mahanoy City: The Mahanoy City Elks Lodge, 135 E. Centre St., will have a breaded pork chop dinner beginning at 4 p.m. Dec. 6. The cost is $9 per person. For more information, call 570-573-2649.

n Mahanoy City: Blessed Teresa Golden Age will have its last meeting for 2016 on Wednesday at Blessed Teresa hall. Dinner will be served. The trip for 2017 will be to Vermont and New Hampshire for five days and four nights from Aug. 14-18. It includes four breakfasts, three dinners and lunch at Trapp Family Lodge, dinner on the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad and much more. For more information, call Elizabeth at 570-773-1753.

n New Ringgold: Char Wills German Shepherd Rescue, 2 E. Railroad Ave., will have host a Geisinger blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. A donation per pint will be made to Char Wills. For more information, call 570-573-3366.

n Pottsville: First Baptist Church, 701 Mahantongo St., will have a free movie night beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, featuring “The Star of Bethlehem.” Young people under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call 570-581-3084.

n Shenandoah: The William Penn Fire Company, Mount Olive Boulevard (Route 54), will have a cheesesteak dinner beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday. The cost is $8 per platter. To order or for free local delivery, call 570-462-0338. The company will also have a Longaberger basket bingo Sunday at the firehouse. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. and bingo will begin at 2 p.m. There will be a special drawing for holders of advance tickets. All baskets will be filled and there will also be a buffet-style lunch. For tickets or more information, call 570-462-2242.

n Tamaqua: The Salvation Army of Tamaqua is asking for the public’s help to make Christmas special for hundreds of local families in need this holiday season. 340 children in the Tamaqua Area and Panther Valley school districts, whose families registered in advance for assistance, will receive gifts through The Salvation Army and the Angel Tree program is under way to help provide youths with the Christmas they deserve. Christmas trees with special tags are on display inside The Salvation Army of Tamaqua, West Broad Street; Hiles Brothers Plumbing and Heating, 160 E. North St., Summit Hill; Cal’s Auto, 87 Mahanoy Ave., Hometown; and Lehigh Carbon Community College’s Morgan Center, 234 High St., Tamaqua. The tags represent a local child up to age 12 and lists his or her holiday wish and clothing sizes. Members of the community may select a tag from one of the trees and buy Christmas gifts for that child. Popular gifts include Legos, Hot Wheels, Barbie dolls, bicycles and sports equipment. Gift cards are discouraged. People should select a tag, add their name to the sign-out sheet, buy a new item or items and tag each with the angel’s name and code. Gifts should not be wrapped. Gifts should be returned before Dec. 12 to The Salvation Army, 105 W. Broad St., or to the location where the tag was chosen. For more information, call the Angel Tree coordinators, Dina Depos or Melissa Latham, at 570-668-0410 on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monetary donations are also being accepted and can be made online at www.salvationarmytamaqua.org, or by mail.

Information clarification

The owners of 4Play Moonshine, Schuylkill Haven, are still waiting on federal approval for their labels. They can not craft spirits until they have the approval.

Police ID 3 people

injured in crash

NEWTOWN — State police at Schuylkill Haven identified the three people injured in the accident at 9:39 p.m. Sunday at 123 S. Tremont St., Reilly Township.

According to a police Monday, William James Boyd, 37, of Donaldson, was driving the white sedan north on Route 209 when he lost control of the vehicle and swerved into the southbound lane before counter steering and crossing back over into the northbound lane and down an embankment, striking a tree.

Police said Christine Kathleen Lon, 20, of Tremont, and a juvenile were passengers in the vehicle.

ASHLAND — The inspection of the paint coatings of the Ashland water storage tank has been completed and a recommendation on how to correct the problems will be made soon to the Ashland Area Municipal Authority.

The authority board heard a report about the water tank at Monday’s meeting from Alfred Benesch & Co. project manager Jacqueline A. Peleschak. The one-million-gallon, 55-foot-high tank was drained three years ago for extensive repairs to almost 70 holes by JNP Construction Corp. Other repairs were made before the tank was coated inside and outside after pressure washing to remove old paint and wax.

Deterioration or delamination of the coatings on the outside of the tank was discovered in May by board member Jerome Schmoltze, who brought the matter to the board, prompting an investigation by Benesch. The tank project inspector, Mumford-Bjorkman Associates Inc. (MBA), was retained at $3,400 to do an extensive inspection of the tank.

“An inspection was conducted by MBA on Nov. 15,” Peleschak told the board. “They did an inspection of the interior and the exterior. The interior is in excellent condition. I believe there were two or three areas the size of a (pencil) eraser that look they might have some rust spots.”

Peleschak said the exterior inspection did show some issues.

“As far as the exterior is, the type of pressure washing that was done did not take all of the old paint off and that was the cause of the peeling,” she said. “It’s a cosmetic thing, not a structural or anything that will cause it to rust prematurely. But when we were talking to them (MBA) last week, they would like to do another inspection in three years to make sure that nothing is changing with the integrity of the paint.”

Peleschak said a written inspection report was not received in time for Monday’s meeting.

“What is the recommendation with the areas at fault?” board Chairman Francis Menne asked.

“They did say what their recommendation is,” Peleschak said. “They are still doing some back and forth on the recommendation. Last week when we spoke with them they didn’t have a decision. We will be getting one probably this week.”

“They (MBA) sort of indicated that it should have been sandblasted rather than pressure washed,” Schmoltze said.

Peleschak said the sandblasting idea had been considered, but the cost at $300,000 would have been prohibitive. The entire tank project as it was completed cost about $300,000.

“There’s vinyl paint under there, and the elasticity if it in the heat and the cold is what’s making the paint come off,” Schmoltze said, and which Peleschak agreed.

“But it’s not structural. It’s only cosmetic,” authority solicitor S. John Price said. “What we need to do is wait to see what the report (from MBA) shows. The issue is that if it’s cosmetic, and if we were to press someone to fix it and we would go to litigation, where are our damages and how are we being harmed by it? We’re going to have to monitor that and see what future reports show and if we want to take any action against anyone to try to get the cost of getting the outside aesthetically pleasing. We’re not being harmed by it. The structure and quality of water isn’t imperiled.”

The board took no action and will wait until the recommendation is received from MBA.

SNYDERS — Schuylkill County residents have a new place to go for medical care.

St. Luke’s Medical Offices-West Penn, 2092 W. Penn Pike, West Penn Township, opened Nov. 14. The open house was Nov. 12. The 9,900-square-foot building houses services for physical therapy and St. Luke’s Care Now-West Penn. It has four exam rooms, a lab room, a physical therapy area and other amenities. There is even a helipad for medical helicopters if needed.

This is the first Care Now facility in Schuylkill County. The physical rehabilitation services moved from across the street in the strip mall at routes 895 and 309.

“This is the right place for us,” Jeff Kowalski, urgent care services manager, said.

He said research on the area showed there is a need for the services. By having such a site, it makes the access to health care easier for people, he said.

“We are already seeing 12 patients a day,” he said.

Most insurance is accepted but patients should check with their healthcare provider, he said. Medical issues including the common cold, bruises, sprains, flu and bug bites can be addressed at St. Luke’s Care Now-West Penn. X-ray services are also provided. Chest pains can be treated, but the patient will be sent elsewhere for additional care if needed.

Kowalski said St. Luke’s Care Now-West Penn is a “step above your doctor’s office but a step below the emergency room.”

Appointments are not needed, according to a St. Luke’s press release.

Kowalski said the average patient is seen and discharged in about 55 minutes.

Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The offices are closed Sunday.

Bob Murphy, coordinator and physical therapist, was examining the ankles of a patient on Monday. Murphy said the physical therapy side of the building is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, 7 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, and 6 a.m. to noon Friday. It is closed Saturday and Sunday.

Kowalski said they plan to be a presence in the community for a long time.

“We have no plans to go anywhere else,” he said.

The online Schuylkill County Parcel Locator lists the owner of the property as Bennett Family Properties LLC. Joe Bennett, owner of the building, said the lease is for at least 25 years.

“This was a labor of love to provide medical care to such a good community,” he said.

The building was a former bank. The vault is still visible inside the building. Additions were made and the inside was gutted during renovations. Bennett said more than $1 million was invested in the building. He said the medical equipment belongs to the hospital and he did the rest of the improvements.

“St. Luke’s made a huge investment in this community,” he said.

For more information about the services provided, call 570-645-1520.

Deeds

Minersville — Marlain M. Carroll, Patrick Carroll and Martin Carroll to Marlain M. Carroll, Patrick Carroll and Martin Carroll; 523 N. Second St.; $1.

Marlain M. Carroll, Patrick Carroll and Martin Carroll to Michael J. Stoppi; 523 N. Second St.; $57,000.

Eleven people were displaced after a house fire Monday at 615 W. Arch St., Pottsville.

Seven of those displaced were living at 615 W. Arch St., and the other four were living at 617, which sustained heavy smoke damage.

A call came in to the Schuylkill County Communications Center at 12:56 p.m. for smoke in a house at 615 W. Arch St., a supervisor said.

Pottsville Fire Chief Todd March said the working smoke detectors inside the residence saved the lives of those who lived there. He does not know who called 911.

“This is a perfect example of how smoke detectors save lives,” March said.

He said the cause of the fire is accidental and started in the basement.

“It looks like it was a short in the electrical wire in the floor joists in the basement ceiling,” he said.

The fire then traveled up the stairs and into the kitchen before the firefighters knocked it down. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke from the exterior of the structure but no flames. They noticed flames in the kitchen once inside. The fire was under control in about 20 minutes.

March said a woman and four children escaped out the window on the upper floor, climbed to a nearby house and were let in.

Smoke was visible from the roof and the second floor windows of the house shortly after 1 p.m. Describing the damage to the house, March said, “It’s bad.”

He said a dog in a cage near the kitchen area of the house died.

“They could not get down the stairs. There was too much smoke,” March said.

He said the kitchen area and the back of the house was heavily damaged. An exact damage estimate was not available, but March said is likely between $20,000 to $30,000.

There was “a lot of smoke damage, a lot of heat damage,” he said.

A woman — identified by March as Marthania Sherman, 41 — said she and six others lived at 615 W. Arch St. Five of the people living there are children, and four of those children were home at the time of the fire. The online Schuylkill County Parcel Locator lists the owner of the house as Christopher A. Sherwood, 42, who was not home at the time of the fire. The five children are Jahlique, 15, Kiyone, 10, Myaisha, 8, Nyjah, 8, and Kasian, 1.

“We were sleeping. My son just woke me up,” Sherman said, adding he heard the smoke alarms.

She went downstairs and noticed the fire coming up the steps.

“I don’t know what happened. Nobody was cooking anything,” she said.

Sherman has insurance for the home.

The online Schuylkill County Parcel Locator lists the owner of 617 W. Arch St. as Mark T. Sullivan. The occupants of the house were Wayne Wolfe, 30, and his fiancee, Heidi LaFaver, 30, and two children, Wayne Wolfe Jr., 10, and Hayden Wolfe, 3. They did not have insurance, March said.

Patty Daley, disaster captain of the Tri-County American Red Cross, said both displaced families are being provided food, clothing and housing assistance. Responding to the scene was Pottsville Fire Department, Schuylkill Haven Rapid Intervention Team, Schuylkill EMS and the Pottsville Police Department.

A 49-year-old woman from Auburn was taken by ambulance to a local hospital after her vehicle went down a steep embankment on the Gordon Nagle Trail on Tuesday in North Manheim Township.

No information was available on her condition.

The 11:53 a.m. accident 492 feet south of SPCA Road closed the Gordon Nagle Trail between Cressona Road and Glenworth Road for about 2 1/2 hours. Dorothy G. Gordon was driving a 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer north on the Gordon Nagle Trail when she lost control on a right curve, traveling off the west side of the road, hitting a metal guide rail and flipped over the rail and hit trees, state police Trooper Timothy Rymarkiewicz of the Schuylkill Haven station said.

The vehicle then ended up on its roof, hit multiple rocks, overturned and went down the embankment.

Rymarkiewicz said Gordon was lucky to be alive.

“She has leg injuries,” he said.

He said her injuries appear minor. She was wearing a seat belt and was out of the vehicle and conscious when emergency personnel got to her, he said. According to Rymarkiewicz, Gordon said she could not move her left leg at the scene.

Firefighters, Rymarkiewicz and other emergency personnel helped Gordon up the trail in a Stokes basket.

Emergency personnel put the woman on the Stokes basket and slowly brought her up while a group of firefighters pulled the ropes, at times adjusting to give more line.

“Listen, they want to go really slow because it’s nice and soft right there,” a firefighter from the Yorkville Hose fire company said about three-fourths of the way up the embankment.

Within nine minutes, all were at the top safely. Gordon was taken to the Schuylkill EMS ambulance shortly before 1 p.m.

Damage was visible to the guide rail and a sign.

Trooper Justin Humanick of the state police at Schuylkill Haven said rain could have contributed. Rymarkiewicz said Gordon will be cited for not driving a vehicle at a safe speed.

Responding were the Yorkville Hose and Good Intent fire companies from Pottsville and Mount Carbon Fire Company No. 1, Schuylkill EMS, state police and fire police.

Johnathan R. Grove, who admitted indecently assaulting a boy, will go to prison, but, in a precedent-setting decision, will not be subject to Megan’s Law sanctions, a Schuylkill County judge ruled Tuesday.

Grove, 29, of Shamokin, must serve eight to 16 months in prison, President Judge William E. Baldwin decided.

“The victim came forward and indicated it’s still troubling (him),” Baldwin said of the matter.

However, Grove will not be subject to Megan’s Law sanctions, since he was a juvenile when he committed the offenses, Baldwin decided.

“I believe that the application (of such sanctions) to a defendant in Mr. Grove’s situation” is unconstitutional, Baldwin said. “Therefore, I am not going to impose any registration requirements.”

Baldwin made the sentence effective at 9 a.m. today.

On June 2, Grove pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault and no contest to a second, with prosecutors withdrawing two counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and one of rape of a child.

State police at Frackville had charged Grove with committing the assaults in 2003 in Gilberton. Assistant District Attorney Debra A. Smith said the victim was a boy who was 11 and 12 years old when the assaults occurred.

“There were about eight such incidents,” she said.

Chief Public Defender Michael J. Stine, Grove’s lawyer, said Baldwin’s ruling that the sanctions could not be imposed on Grove was the first of its kind in the state and will set a precedent in other cases. However, judges in other counties will not be obligated to follow Baldwin’s decision, since it does not represent an appellate court ruling.

“It’s a matter of first impression in Pennsylvania,” Stine said. “No other judge has ruled on this issue. It’s a really interesting issue.”

Baldwin said the state Sexual Offenders Assessment Board did not believe Grove is a sexually violent predator, a finding he adopted.

Smith said she was not certain whether the district attorney’s office would appeal Baldwin’s decision not to impose Megan’s Law sanctions on Grove.

n Minersville: The eighth annual boilo contest will be held from 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday at Mountaineer Hose Company, Third and South streets. Doors will open at 4 p.m. and admission tickets are $2 each. The cost per entry is $5. Light fare and beverages will be available. People must be 21 or older to attend.

n Minersville: A dine-in fundraiser will be held at the Wooden Keg, 115 Sunbury St., beginning at 5 p.m. Dec. 7 to benefit the Minersville Area Skatepark Association. Patrons must make reservations and identify as skatepark supporters. People may get more information at www.woodenkegtavern.com. For more information, call 570-294-6235.

n Port Carbon: The Port Carbon Fire Company is staging a fundraiser via the sale of Christmas trees. Times are 5:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and noon to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at the fire company lot, 88 Washington St. Costs vary. The inventory includes Douglas fir, Fraser fir, blue spruce and Turkish fir. There will also be a soup sale on Saturday, takeout only. Local delivery of trees is available. For more information, call 570-628-2858.

n Pottsville: The local community of Lay Carmelites meets monthly on the second Saturday in the meeting room of the Lower Chapel of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church. The meeting is held after the 8 a.m. Mass. All are invited to “come and see” if they may be called to be part of the community. Blessed scapular pendant medals will be available. The next monthly meeting will be held Dec. 10.

n Pottsville: The Queen of Peace Tenants Association has bingo from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays in the Community Room. According to an association release, “this is a sanctioned bingo in a non-smoking environment.” The cost is $1 per card and the public is invited to participate. To reserve a seat in advance, call Sandy at 570-622-8515.

n Saint Clair: The Saint Clair Lions Club will sponsor a New Year’s Eve bingo at the club hall, 259 McCord Ave. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and the cost is $35 per person, which will include dinner, party favors and 20 regular games (BYOB). Beverages and setups will be included but special games will be extra. For reservations or more information, call Bob or Dot at 570-429-0549.

n Shenandoah: The monthly meeting for the J.W. Cooper Community Center will be held at 6:30 p.m. today at the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society Museum. 105 S. Jardin St. All are invited to attend. Snacks will be served after the meeting. People will have the opportunity to meet the newest members of the secretarial pool and administration. There will be updates from committee members and various topics will be up for discussion. People are welcome to bring any ideas they have to the meeting.

n Shenandoah: Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Parish is accepting donations and memorials for the new Father Walter J. Ciszek Chapel being established in the former Annunciation BVM rectory building along West Cherry Street. The donations and memorials will be published in the parish bulletin. The late Father Ciszek, a Shenandoah native and native son of the parish’s St. Casimir Sacred Worship Center, is a candidate for sainthood in the Catholic Church. While imprisoned and detained for 23 years in the former Soviet Union, Ciszek ministered to the faithful despite potential danger to himself. His case for sainthood is at the Vatican. For more information about the effort to establish the chapel, call the parish office at 570-462-1968.

n Valley View: St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, 1382 W. Main St., will have a Christmas cantata at 7 p.m. Dec. 18. There is no admission fee. The cantata will be by the church’s cantata choir. Refreshments will be available following the cantata. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-682-8195.

ASHLAND — A man who was involved in a brief standoff with police in Ashland on Nov. 10 was charged Monday in connection with the incident.

Blake Allen Reppert, 51, of 1124 Brock St., Ashland, was charged by Ashland police Patrolman Philip Schlegel with one felony count of persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms; one misdemeanor count each of terroristic threats and disorderly; and a summary charge of harassment.

He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $10,000 straight cash bail.

Schlegel said the incident leading up to the charges began about 1:30 a.m. at 21 S. Hoffman Blvd. in the borough.

Schlegel said he was called to the home to conduct a welfare check after Reppert’s father reported receiving a call from his son who said there was a lot of blood in his apartment and hung up.

Schlegel said he and Butler Township police Patrolman Ray Horan made contact with Reppert through a crack in the front door, but the man refused to open the door further and would not allow police inside.

Reppert began to make false accusations and threats against officers and that he “reached the end” due to an incident where he was arrested by state police over a stolen trailer and also ongoing issues with other people.

Officers noticed Reppert’s hands were bloody during their initial contact and asked to enter the apartment to make sure no one else was inside and in danger, Schlegel said.

Reppert then slammed the door, turned off the lights and barricaded himself inside, the officer said.

Schlegel said that due to Reppert’s actions, he contacted Police Chief Mark O’Hearn and Ashland fire police to assist with traffic while the area was secured.

After several minutes of trying to make contact with Reppert, Schlegel said, the man exited the apartment but refused to obey commands to get on the ground. Schlegel said he then used his Taser on Reppert, who was taken into custody by Horan and Mount Carmel police Patrolman Kyle Schauer.

The apartment was then searched, with officers finding bottles of alcohol, splattered blood, shattered glass items and a Marlin Model 120 Magnum shotgun, unloaded but with rounds inside a magazine tube.

Schlegel said Reppert was taken to a Pottsville hospital for evaluation and, while being transported, said he intentionally hurt himself by smashing glass items. The man also made threats that he was going to go after any police officer or their families due to the issue with the state police.

Reppert also made comments about taking his own life and references to possible suicide by police, Schlegel said.

After Reppert was admitted to the hospital, Schlegel said, a background check was done that revealed the man was not allowed to possess firearms after pleading guilty to felony drug charges that prohibits a person from possessing a firearm.

Reppert will now have to answer to the charges against him before Hale in her Frackville courtroom at a later date.

The Schuylkill County Democratic Women’s League is taking a bus to the Women’s March on Washington on Jan. 21 in Washington, D.C.

The march was born out of the recent election.

Women at the meeting Tuesday thought the march was a good way to make their voices heard.

“I find myself pretty devastated about what happened,” Lisa Hollenbach, 40, of Schuylkill Haven, said about the outcome of the election with Donald Trump as president elect.

Kris Norton, 64, of Pine Grove, was equally upset.

“Because of who he is and what he stands for, I felt compelled. I have to make my voice be heard,” she said about why she will attend.

Phyllis Gallagher, 59, of Frackville, has been involved with politics since she stuffed envelopes at the age of 13.

“This has been the most devastating election of my life,” she said.

Marybeth Matz, Wayne Township, is also going on the march to “show support for our Democratic values, which I personally feel has been trampled upon with these election results,” she said.

Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by more than 2 million votes cast.

“The rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonized and threatened many of us,” a statement by national organizers of the event said on a Facebook post. The event seeks to unify communities and make voices heard.

Anyone 18 or older is invited to come along. Cost is $40 per person and includes refreshments, lunch and dinner. Those interested in attending must complete a registration form available on the Schuylkill County Democratic Women’s League Facebook page or call Kathy Laughlin-Benyak, president of the Schuylkill County Democratic Women’s League, if you have questions or need a form at 570-617-4822. Money orders or checks should be sent to Linda Brennan at 224 Louisa Ave., Pottsville. The bus leaves from southern Schuylkill County at 5 a.m. A location has not been determined. Depending on traffic, the bus should get there by 9 a.m. and leave Washington, D.C., by 5 p.m. to arrive in Schuylkill County by 9 p.m. Those attending will be notified if any substantial changes are made that affect the event.

Name incorrect

Ross Miller, Lansdale, represented Alfonso Picone at his sentencing hearing on theft charges Monday in Schuylkill County Court. Miller was misidentified in Tuesday’s edition.

Soon, people who park in Pottsville might have the option to pay for time on the meter with a credit card instead of change in their pockets.

On Tuesday morning, the Pottsville Parking Planning Committee — an advisory board to the Pottsville Parking Authority — met with a representative of Parkmobile, New Brunswick, New Jersey, which provides mobile apps for parking in Lancaster and New Hope.

Using such an app will be more expensive — 40 cents per transaction, according to Charley DeBow, vice president of sales for Parkmobile’s northeast region.

“But on a rainy day like today, people can pay for parking using the app and they won’t have to keep going out to plug the meter,” Brad C. Dixon, executive director of the Pottsville Area Development Corp. and the parking authority, said Tuesday.

At 8 a.m. Friday, at its December meeting at 1 S. Second St., the authority will discuss the matter and may approve a one-year contract with Parkmobile.

Over the years, the parking authority has been considering ways to improve parking in downtown Pottsville. On Oct. 28, the authority closed the four-level Mahantongo Parking Center after a contractor making repairs found deteriorated structural reinforcing. On Nov. 4, the authority assembled the Pottsville Parking Planning Committee to look to the future.

As the hundreds of parking meters in the city continue to age and trends continue to change, John E. Levkulic, Pottsville, who serves as engineer for the parking authority, asked DeBow to speak to the committee.

“What we offer is the ability to accept credit cards without the authority having to buy any additional hardware,” DeBow told the committee Tuesday.

“There are numerous vendors out there. But I believe Parkmobile and, maybe, Passport, are the two biggest that you see all the time. I’m personally familiar with Parkmobile in my travels. I’d like Charley to show you what this is about,” Levkulic said at the start of Tuesday’s meeting.

DeBow used to be the municipal parking director for the Borough of State College and while in that position he became familiar with Parkmobile.

“In State College, we deployed Parkmobile in 2013. That’s where I got to know the company. And I decided to come work for them because I love what they’re doing. On the first day that we deployed, I got the first phone call I had taken in four years that was ever positive in my office. And a light bulb went off in my head. We’re finally taking pain out of parking and people are happy and excited about paying,” DeBow said.

Parkmobile’s home office is in Atlanta, Georgia.

Bringing Parkmobile’s services to Pottsville won’t cost the parking authority anything, DeBow said.

If the parking authority contracts the firm, Parkmobile will make up stickers to be put onto the authority’s meters.

“There are approximately 800 parking meters,” Dixon said.

The stickers will give people who park instructions on how to use Parkmobile’s mobile app.

“It’s quite simple. All we’re allowing, and asking you guys to allow, is consumers to pay for their parking via a smartphone app or a 1-800 number — we still support an AVR (Automated Voice Response) system — and our website. A customer would simply park into a parking space. They would see a little decal on the meter. They would open up their app. They would select the zone number. They would select the amount of time. And it would all be based on your rules and practices. And the app can be downloaded and registered in 90 seconds. You input a license plate and a credit card and you’re good to go,” DeBow said.

Using a credit card to park via the app will offer people some convenience, since they won’t have to rush back to their vehicles to plug the meter before time runs out.

“About 15 minutes before your session is going to end, we’re going to send you a reminder asking if you’d like to buy more parking, if you’re allowed to,” DeBow said.

However, on top of the authority’s advertised meter rates, Parkmobile will add a “convenience fee.”

“Our transaction fees range from 25 to 45 cents. They are not a percentage of the rate. Some municipalities, typically larger ones who already accept credit cards, absorb the credit card fees. In Pottsville’s situation, since the fee will cover the credit card fee, we determined that 40 cents is the appropriate charge. That pays all our marketing fees, the credit card processing and there’s a little bit of profit for Parkmobile,” DeBow said.

Some of the Pottsville Parking Authority’s meters charge 25 cents per hour and some charge 25 cents per half hour, Dixon said.

“It’s 40 cents per transaction. If the customer buys one hour or two, it is still 40 cents,” DeBow said.

So, if a person parks at a meter that charges 25 cents per hour, uses the credit card app and remains parked there for four hours, one dollar will go to the parking authority and 40 cents will go to Parkmobile, DeBow said.

And the parking authority will receive the amount they’re charging via the meters, and Parkmobile will collect the convenience fees.

“We have the ability to charge the consumer for all fees so you guys can receive 100 percent of the parking revenue,” DeBow said.

“What we have been able to do is to aggregate all of our transactions and go to the merchant processors and get those rates very, very low. So we have the ability to offer a convenience fee to the consumer fee that will cover all of your credit card transactions,” DeBow said.

“Again, it’s an option for people. They can always put quarters in the meters and avoid the fee,” DeBow said.

“It’s the cost of their convenience for using a credit card. It’s their choice,” Levkulic said.

Looking to the future, DeBow said with mobile apps, the Pottsville Parking Authority can add paid parking spaces without having to buy more meters.

“It’s kind of a new phase in the parking industry. Today the signs are going up in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. It’s the first municipality in the world, we think, that went from a free-parking program to a paid-parking program and didn’t buy a single meter whatsoever. So they’re having 100 percent of their visitors pay via the app,” DeBow said.

“And putting up a couple signs is actually free for you guys because we provide them. We provide the decals free of charge. The marketing is on us. There is really zero dollar cost to this. It’s all paid by the consumer,” DeBow said.

Present at the committee meeting Tuesday were Dixon; Levkulic; Mayor James T. Muldowney, chairman of the parking authority; Thomas A. Palamar, city administrator; Craig S.L. Shields, a representative of PADCO; Matthew DiRenzo, a representative of the Pottsville Business Association; Richard A. Thornburg, the authority’s solicitor; and Thomas “Tim” Pellish, city solicitor.

Absent were Dorothy L. “Dottie” Botto and Joseph J. Devine Jr., members of city council and the parking authority who were named to the committee.

Noise complaint

nets 3 arrests

Three people were jailed after Pottsville police were called about 8:40 p.m. Nov. 13 to 917 Davis Ave. for a report of a noise complaint.

Police said officers learned that Nicole Marie Porter, 32, whose last known address was in East Stroudsburg, was involved and was also the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant for Schuylkill County Domestic Relations.

At the scene, police said, officers knocked on the door and were verbally answered by Richard Lee Bealer, 34, of New Ringgold, who would not open the door.

Then, police said, the owner of the home, Jerome Steven Hranchock, 50, exited and shut the door behind him. Police said officers advised Hranchock of the noise and disturbance complaint that he denied occurred.

Hranchock was uncooperative with officers and eventually began to reach for an item from behind the door while Bealer began advancing toward officers from the kitchen with a large knife, police said.

The knife was removed from Bealer and police said it was learned there was an ax behind the door in the area where Hranchock was reaching.

Police said that while officers were still on scene, the resident of 915 Davis Ave. reported that a woman had just fallen through his ceiling. Officers went to that location, learned that the woman had fled out of the rear of that home and subsequently identified her as Porter. The woman was captured by Schuylkill County Domestic Relations Officer Robert Phillips and returned to the scene, police said.

Inside 917 Davis Ave., police said, officers located a large quantity of drug paraphernalia that was easily accessible to all inside.

Officers also learned that Bealer and another person inside, Denette Holly Williams, 33, of Minersville, are being monitored by the Schuylkill County Adult Probation office who, when contacted, issued detainers for the two who were then taken to Schuylkill County Prison.

At the prison, a search by corrections officers revealed that Williams had heroin hidden in an undergarment, police said, adding that she will be charged pursuant to the drugs as well.

Porter was also taken to prison due to an outstanding arrest warrant, police said.

A follow-up investigation at 915 Davis Ave. revealed that Porter accessed the inside of that home while trying to flee from 917 Davis Ave. and fell through a second floor ceiling to the floor near the top of the staircase, police said.

The man inside that home heard a crash, saw the woman come down the stairs and tried to stop her but was unable to do so, police said.

Mahanoy City man

faces drug charges

MAHANOY CITY — A Mahanoy City man was charged with drug offenses after an incident that occurred about 9:05 a.m. Nov. 23 at First and Pine streets.

Police said Eric S. Creamer, 26, of 107 E. Mahanoy Ave., was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He will now have to answer to the charges before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah.

Police said officers were called to the area for a report of a domestic dispute and took Creamer into custody in connection with that incident.

A subsequent search of the man found him to be in possession of a small plastic container with three yellow pills identified as a controlled substance.

Creamer was subsequently released after his girlfriend, who was involved in the dispute, was not willing to press charges, police said.

Troop L releases

activity details

State police at Troop L released details of three enforcement areas in their coverage area over the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

In Schuylkill County, police made 10 DUI arrests, issued 339 speeding citations, two child passenger citations, 26 seatbelt citations and 256 other citations while also giving 22 seatbelt warnings. Police also investigated 20 crashes involving six injuries, one of which was alcohol-related.

In Lebanon County, police made 10 DUI arrests, issued 243 speeding citations, one child passenger citation, 28 seatbelt citations and 208 other citations along with giving nine seatbelt warnings. A total of 16 crashes were investigated involving five injuries, two of which were alcohol-related.

In Berks County, police made nine DUI arrests, issued 500 speeding citations, five child passenger citations, 27 child passenger citations and 415 other citations along with 12 seatbelt warning notices. A total of 22 crashes were investigated involving 13 injuries, one of which was alcohol-related.

Police: Man

violated PFA

PILLOW — A Herndon man was charged by state police with violating a Protection From Abuse order stemming from an incident that occurred about 2:50 p.m. Nov. 23 at Chestnut and Water streets in this Dauphin County community.

Police said they conducted a traffic stop and found Corey Lee Beistline, 22, inside with a person protected by the court PFA order.

Beistline will now have to answer before Magisterial District Judge Rebecca Margerum, Elizabethville, to a charge of indirect criminal contempt, police said.

Sheppton man

faces drug charges

SHEPPTON — A Sheppton man was arrested by East Union Township police after an incident about 8:30 p.m. Nov. 24 on Girard Manor Road in this East Union Township village.

Police said Brian S. Briksza, 34, of 37B W. Pine St., was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Police said officers stopped a vehicle driven by Briksza knowing that the man’s driver’s license was suspended. During the stop, police said, Briksza placed a red draw string bag on the seat and when asked, gave officers permission to search it.

Inside the bag, police said, officers found an orange pill container with a white powder residue, a small empty plastic jar with green vegetable like residue and an Alprazolam tablet inside a pill jar.

When taken into custody, police said, Briksza admitted the prescription was not his and that the plastic jar previously contained marijuana, police said.

1 injured in

2-vehicle crash

ELIZABETHVILLE — One person was injured in a two-vehicle crash that occurred about 6:40 p.m. Nov. 23 at the intersection of Route 209 and Lebo Street in Washington Township, Dauphin County.

State police at Lykens said Cory J. Chappell, 19, of Wiconisco, was driving a 2007 Nissan Versa north on Route 209 when he ran into the back of a 2103 Ford Escape driven by Mary C. Wolf, 22, of Elizabethville, who was stopped waiting to turn left onto Lebo Street.

Police said Chappell suffered a minor injury and requested EMS treatment while Wolf was not hurt.

As a result of the crash, police said, Chappell will be cited for careless driving, adding that Elizabethville firefighters and Medic 6 assisted at the scene.

Police investigate

juvenile incident

WILLIAMSTOWN — State police at Lykens are investigating a corruption of minors incident that happened in this Dauphin County community between Jan. 1, 2014, and Friday.

Police only said the incidents involved a juvenile and that their investigation in the matter is continuing.

Police seek

wanted man

WICONISCO — State police at Lykens have obtained an arrest warrant for a New Jersey man after an incident that occurred about 1:25 a.m. Oct. 13 at Minnich Terrace in Wiconisco Township, Dauphin County.

Police said they filed charges of terroristic threats against Rahman Jamil Griggs, 38, of Newark, with Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum, Elizabethville.

Police said Griggs and a 35-year-old Lykens woman were arguing at the woman’s home when Griggs kicked two doors open, assaulted the woman and threatened to kill her.

Griggs fled on foot and police are asking that anyone with information on his whereabouts call them at 717-362-8700.