In recent Schuylkill County Court action, Judge Charles M. Miller accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:

Dean E. Krammes Jr., 27, of Schuylkill Haven; defiant trespass; 12 months probation. Prosecutors withdrew charges of harassment and public drunkenness.

Joseph J. Kriner, 39, of Minersville; possession of a controlled substance; 12 months probation, $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 payment to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $119.50 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Harrisburg. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Dylan M. Lehman, 25, of Pine Grove; 10 counts of sexual abuse of children-child pornography and one of criminal use of a communication facility; sending deferred pending evaluation of defendant by the state Sexual Offenders Assessment Board. Prosecutors withdrew 10 counts of dissemination photo or film of child sex acts.

Jeremy M. Lutz, 33, of Sinking Spring; two counts of retail theft; 23 months probation, $100 in CJEA payments, $100 bench warrant fee and $486.98 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of receiving stolen property.

Robert T. O’Brien II, 47, of Tower City; terroristic threats and harassment; 38 days to 12 months in prison, $50 fine and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew charges of simple assault and disorderly conduct.

Richard H. Osag, 36, of Williamstown; delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia; one to two years in a state correctional institution, $200 in SAEF payments, $100 in CJEA payments, $226 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Harrisburg and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of possession of a controlled substance and an additional count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Kevin A. Peterman, 20, of Pine Grove; receiving stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia and disregarding traffic lane; 12 months probation, $25 fine, $100 SAEF payment and $100 in CJEA payments. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of robbery and one each of conspiracy, theft, simple assault and operating vehicle without valid inspection.

Jared A. Raczka, 25, of Pottsville; resisting arrest, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, driving under the influence and no rear lights; five years in the intermediate punishment program, $2,525 in fines, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and $160 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew charges of theft and careless driving.

In more recent county court action, a Pottsville man did not violate a protection from abuse order in November, a Schuylkill County judge decided Wednesday.

Carl B. Daubert, 25, is not guilty of indirect criminal contempt, which is contempt committed outside the courtroom, Senior Judge D. Michael Stine ruled.

Stine made his decision after Assistant District Attorney A.J. Serina said the complaining witness did not appear for the scheduled hearing.

State police at Schuylkill Haven alleged Daubert violated the order on Nov. 24.

In other recent county court action, Miller accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:

Michael T. Pritula, 33, of Lost Creek; possession of marijuana and tampering with evidence; 12 months probation, $100 payment to the SAEF and $50 payment to the CJEA. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of violation of restrictions on alcoholic beverages.

Christine M. Schwartz, 42, of Pottsville; public welfare fraud; 12 months probation, $50 CJEA payment and $2,812 restitution to the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.

Thomas A. Stanton, 27, of Shenandoah; possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and $50 bench warrant fee. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of marijuana.

John M. Strausser, 26, of Minersville; theft; 12 months probation and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew charges of criminal trespass and conspiracy.

Chad Weaver, 18, of Andreas; harassment; 12 months probation, $50 CJEA payment and no contact with the victim. Prosecutors withdrew a second count of harassment.

Robert H. Yarima, 50, of Pottsville; driving under the influence and disregarding traffic lane; six months probation, $325 in fines, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment, $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and 10 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew charges of failure to drive at a safe speed, careless driving and seat belt violation.

All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.

Past members of the Gabriel Youth Orchestra returned Sunday afternoon to Pottsville Area School District’s D.H.H. Lengel Middle School for the 25th anniversary gala concert and to say farewell to longtime music director and conductor John F. Potlunas.

“It’s a bittersweet day,” Potlunas said. “I’ve enjoyed all the years I have done it, but now I feel it is time for someone young to take over.”

The youth group was originally established as the Schuylkill Youth Symphony Orchestra under the umbrella of the Schuylkill Symphony Orchestra with Dawn King-Krown serving as the first music director. After the Schuylkill Symphony Orchestra disbanded, the Gabriel Chamber Ensemble adopted the program in 2010.

“This is some of the finest high school talent in the county,” Potlunas said.

The group consists of about 50 students in grades 7 through 12. However, the orchestra had 73 members with program alumni joining the current students onstage to perform the last few Christmas songs.

Potlunas took turns as conductor with assistant music director Matthew Tenaglia, who will be taking over the program.

“It is extremely humbling and exciting,” Tenaglia said.

Tenaglia was a member of the orchestra for six years under Potlunas.

“He was a big mentor in my life,” Tenaglia said. “He is a very positive role model and someone I look up to.”

Tenaglia is the band director at Warwick High School, Lititz.

“It’s great to be back in the area I grew up,” he said. “It is incredibly important to have an outlet for students to study music and be able to perform as part of an orchestra.”

King-Krown also returned to conduct a song with the alumni orchestra. She began her music teaching career at D.H.H. Lengel Middle School and now teaches at the Perkiomen Valley School District.

“I am really grateful for the opportunity to be back in Pottsville,” King-Krown said. “Making music here is really special. Music and the arts are really meaningful to people here and Schuylkill County is a place where the arts have flourished. It is always important to have great performance groups in the county for students and the audience.”

She said that being a part of an orchestra teaches students to rehearse together and learn the repertoire.

“John is an outstanding musician and a dedicated educator,” King-Krown said. “He loves the kids and making music with them. He has taken the orchestra from humble beginnings and made it into the fine program that it is today.”

Students past and present signed a banner bidding farewell and thank you to Potlunas.

“He was integral in shaping all of us as musicians and through his teachings he allowed us to grow as people and be better musicians,” Ivan Munoz, Tamaqua, said.

“Mr. Potlunas was always a pleasure to be around,” alumna Maeve Cortese, Pottsville, said. “He taught us how to work hard but still have a smile on our faces.”

Cody Kelly, Minersville, said he joined the orchestra to study music with the goal of becoming a teacher. He is now an assistant band director at North Schuylkill.

“It gave me orchestra experience I couldn’t get in a small school system,” he said.

Shannon Kost, Minersville, said being a part of the orchestra allowed her to play music with her friends and meet new people.

“Mr. Potlunas is an amazing man and music teacher with a great sense of humor,” she said.

“I don’t think we can speak highly enough of him,” Morgan Rismiller, Pottsville, said. “I am the musician I am today because of Mr. P.”

MECHANICSVILLE — The borough council Wednesday approved a spending plan for 2017 with no tax increase.

The last time they approved a tax increase was in late 2013 for its 2014 budget. It was a 1-mill tax increase, which took its millage from 5.5 to 6.5, according to Beverly A. Riotto, borough secretary.

The millage will remain at 6.5 mills for 2017, she said Wednesday at the council’s December meeting at the boardroom at Avenues, Agricultural Park, Park Street.

The 2017 spending plan totals $180,323, she said.

In other business at the meeting, the council approved an ordinance regarding two of the borough’s streets:

• It prohibits parking on both sides of Bobs Alley between Pottsville Street and Norwegian Street.

• It restricts travel on Emerick Street between Pottsville Street and Norwegian Street to one-way for southbound traffic only.

Any person violating the ordinance will be found guilty of a summary offense and, if convicted, will pay a fine of between $25 and $75, the borough’s solicitor, Tom Campion, said.

Council member Cindy L. Bohr made the motion to adopt the ordinance. It was seconded by council member Colleen Coulson, and in a voice vote it was carried by all other council members present.

They included Robert Womer, president; and council members Richard Prestileo, John Mestishen, Georgette Roberts and John Evans. Also present was Mayor Christine Wilcosky.

ANDY MATSKO/STAFF PHOTO

A man was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street just before 5 p.m. Sunday after he drove his pickup truck onto a guide rail, partially over the embankment along the left side of the southbound lane of Route 61 on the Frackville grade. State police at Frackville did not identify the driver as of Sunday night. A portion of Route 61 south was down to one lane until the vehicle was taken off the guide rail.

Deeds

Ashland — Susan K. Snyder, William Earl Klinger and Shirley M. Klinger to Jordann N. Bridy; 2133 Walnut St.; $90,000.

William G. Schwab, trustee in bankruptcy, to Raymond J. Cope; 921 Walnut St.; $7,000.

William G. Schwab, trustee in bankruptcy, to Raymond J. Cope; 1524 W. Centre St.; $3,000.

Barry Township — Martin Smith to Daniel D. Strenkoski; 19 Bald Eagle Drive; $113,000.

Blythe Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Brett L. Heinbach and Cheyenne Sebis; 195 Market St., Cumbola; $881.

Butler Township — Theodor M. and Michelle Matrician to William M. Lennox IV; 15 N. 10th St.; $125,080.

Frailey Township — Pennymac Loan Services LLC to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; 216 E. Center St., Donaldson; $1.

Girardville — Dennis Cope to Len and Lisa Mendeloski; 201 B St.; $500.

Port Carbon — George J. Farber to Pedro Quinones; 21-23 Acre St.; $14,000.

Pottsville — Elizabeth Spotts, by attorneys in fact Norman R. Spotts Sr., Norman R. Spotts Jr. and Judith M. Davis, to Norman R. Spotts Sr.; property on Dana Street; $1.

Global Premier Asset Management LLC to Manuel Hernandez Mercedes; 546 E. Arch St.; $11,200.

Shehadeh Investments LLC to D&B Realty LLC; 804 Mahantongo St.; $10.

Thomas J. Davis to Lynwood Building Management and Restoration LLC; 1600 W. Market St.; $49,600.

Reilly Township — Matthew L. and Melissa M. Withelder to Matthew L. Withelder; 96 W. Donaldson St., Newtown; $1.

Richard and Patricia Withelder to Eric and Ashley Thompson; 90 W. Donaldson St., Newtown; $3,500.

Rush Township — Damian Skibniewski and Kelly McAndrew to Craig and Helen M. Walters; 14 Glory Road, Hometown; $144,900.

Schuylkill County commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. is in Harrisburg today to take part in the state’s 58th Electoral College to cast votes for president of the United States.

Although not one of the 20 state electors casting ballots for president and vice president, Halcovage was appointed by the college to serve as one of five tellers who will supervise the proceedings and report the votes to the nation’s capitol. The Electoral College consists of 538 electors nationwide.

“It is quite an honor,” Halcovage said Sunday. “I am humbled by it. I think this is representative of what Schuylkill County had brought to the election. In this post, I represent not just me and my family, but the people of Schuylkill County.”

On Nov. 8, President-elect Donald Trump received 44,001 votes in Schuylkill County compared to 16,770 for Hillary Clinton, according to the official results. Trump won each of the 125 voting precincts in the county.

However, Trump’s Pennsylvania victory over Clinton was by just more than 44,000 votes out of more than 6 million cast, or by less than 1 percent. It was the first time a Republican claimed Pennsylvania in a presidential contest since 1988.

“I think he is going to be a president for all the people,” Halcovage said.

The Electoral College convenes at noon today in the Chamber of the House of Representatives in the state capitol. Rehearsals for the process start earlier in the morning.

The proceedings conclude about 1:30 p.m. with Gov. Tom Wolf and first lady Frances Wolf hosting a luncheon at the governor’s residence.

ORWIGSBURG — Taxes are going up 1 mill in the borough for 2017.

On Wednesday, the borough council voted 4-2 for a budget that includes a 1-mill tax hike, bringing the tax rate to 6 mills. One mill will generate $62,500 in revenue for the borough. The increase equates to an extra $4.52 a month for the average taxpayer. Councilman Brian Baldwin and council President Buddy Touchinsky voted against the 1-mill increase. All other council members voted “yes.”

“This ensures that we don’t have 24/7 police coverage,” Touchinsky said.

There was a motion for a 2-mill tax hike that did not receive a second. A 2-mill increase would have provided funding for a new police officer.

“The 6-mill budget does not hire a new officer until Stan (Brozana, Orwigsburg police chief) retires,” Borough Manager Robert Williams said.

Williams had previously said “the numbers don’t lie” numerous times to the council during the meeting. He said the 6-mill budget is “not realistic. We spend more than 6 mills a year.”

He agreed the increase is tough on the residents.

“We can’t move this community forward,” he said.

A note on the agenda about the budget said the general fund has been “chronically underfunded.” It also said the budget with a 7-mill rate would provide funding for a full-time police officer in an effort to provide 24/7 coverage to the department. The state police cover the borough when the Orwigsburg police are not on duty. Resident Kerry Mariano said the council would likely regret not having 24/7 coverage.

Councilman Darle Cresswell said the police do a great job but could not justify increasing the millage rate by 2 mills.

Williams said his job as borough manager is to tell the council about the reality the borough finds itself in.

“Whatever the vote is, you run this town,” he said.

Touchinsky said early in the evening he “didn’t want to raise taxes on anyone,” but that is not the reality in the borough.

Solicitor Paul Datte reminded the council they had to have a balanced budget by law.

A woman in attendance said she realizes the situation the borough is in but increases hurt those on fixed incomes.

“If you need to raise, do it conservatively,” she said.

After the budget discussion, Touchinsky mentioned that council members could donate their annual paychecks to the general fund to use for needed services such as police. The vote passed unanimously but council members could notify Williams if they wished not to take the amount. Council members receive $1,200 a year while the council president gets $1,500.

In other matters, a familiar face rejoined the borough council. Michele Rudloff was voted in to take the seat previously held by Ed Mady, who recently moved out of the borough. She will serve until Dec. 30, 2017, and said she plans to run again. Before the 3-3 vote that was broken by Mayor Barry Berger, who votes in the case of a tie, Bill Knecht, Mariano, John Fenstermacher and Matt Baran — in addition to Rudloff — had stated their interest in the position. Baldwin nominated Rudloff, councilwoman Angela Hoptak-Solga nominated Knecht and Cresswell nominated Fenstermacher, who declined the nomination. Since Rudloff was nominated first, the vote was first for her.

The collective bargaining agreement between the borough and the police was approved Wednesday. It’s effective Jan. 1, 2017, to Dec. 31, 2019. Retiree medical payments, previously $500 a month, were eliminated; sick leave was reduced from 15 days a year to 10; and vacation time was reduced to a maximum of four weeks from up to six weeks.

Veterans Day was added as a holiday. The new contract calls for a 3 percent salary increase per year, adjusted longevity pay and added short-term disability.

Council meetings will continue to be held on the first and second Wednesday of each month.

GIRARDVILLE — The children who attended the Dominick the Italian Christmas Donkey show on Sunday had a great time enjoying the story.

The afternoon show was held in the main meeting room in the Girardville municipal building and featured marionettes created by artist Rosalie Rowan-Kuzma, Girardville. This is the second year the free program was held by Rowan-Kuzma. The program was sponsored by the Borough of Girardville.

The main character in the old-fashioned presentation was Dominick Sr., an Italian donkey who became a father since last year’s show and now has a son, Dominick Jr.

The turnout of children and adults for this year’s program was much less than in 2015. Rowan-Kuzma said those who did attend were entertained and had a great time.

“I think they enjoyed it,” said Rowan-Kuzma, who was dressed as Mrs. Claus and was the main puppeteer. Helping her as an elf was Julie Rutko.

Rowan-Kuzma was disappointed with the turnout.

“It is disappointing after working on it for three months,” Rowan-Kuzma said. Last year’s program drew about 30 children, while this year there were fewer than 10.

Rowan-Kuzma held her first show in 2015 in the borough council’s meeting room, which she dressed up with her own Christmas decorations. She did the same this year to give the room a holiday mood.

The program was based on the popular Christmas song released in 1960 by singer Lou Monte. The song continues to be popular and is played on radio stations and on the internet.

There are four main characters, including the introduction of Dominick’s son, Dominick Jr. Rowan-Kuzma wanted to do something new this year to make it a bit different from the first show.

In addition to the father-and-son donkey team, there are two other characters: Dominick’s loving and kindly owners, Giovanni and Sophia, a husband-and-wife team. Rowan-Kuzma said Giovanni and Sophia are resurrections of Hansel and Gretel from a different presentation in 2013.

The story is about Dominick being asked by Santa to help bring presents over Italy’s hills because the reindeer can’t climb them.

Rowan-Kuzma used papier-mache, glue, paint and other craft materials to make the marionettes and the background scenery, along with making the Mrs. Santa outfit for herself and the elf costume for Rutko.

The children were provided with a coloring book and crayons, a coloring sheet with the lyrics to the song, drinks, snacks, cookies, candy and hot dogs. The children sat on the floor or in chairs to watch and participate in the show, including working the marionettes.

The children had a surprise when Santa Claus arrived at the end of the show to meet with them.

Rowan-Kuzma thanked those who donated to the program, including the Girardville Area Senior Citizens and Boyer’s Food Markets for hot dogs and snacks, cookies from Ann and Michael Soucheck and Missy O, beverages and a monetary donation from the Girardville Crime Watch, coloring books and crayons from an anonymous donor, and monetary donations from Wade Richards, Barbara Wilkinson and Sharon Smith.

Rebecca Margerum

ELIZABETHVILLE — A Millersburg man is headed to Dauphin County Court after waving his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday on charges he had sexual contact in May with a teenage girl.

Richard E. Raker, 55, of 2245 Shippen Dam Road, faces charges of aggravated indecent assault, unlawful contact with a minor-sexual offenses, corruption of minors and indecent assault. Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum bound over for court all charges against Raker after he waived his right to the hearing.

State police at Lykens charged Raker with assaulting the girl, who was 15 years old, on May 14 in Upper Paxton Township.

Raker is free on $25,000 unsecured bail pending further court action. His formal arraignment is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Feb. 3, 2017, in Harrisburg.

Other defendants whose cases Margerum considered on Wednesday, the charges against each one and the judge’s dispositions of the matters included:

Robert E. Allison, 42, of 178 Market St., Lykens; four counts of harassment, three of simple assault and one of disorderly conduct; charges of simple assault withdrawn. Allison pleaded guilty to four counts of harassment and one of disorderly conduct. Margerum sentenced him to pay costs and $125 in fines.

Doris E. Carr, 50, of 501 Ruby Road, Millersburg; two counts of endangering the welfare of children; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Leonard H. Carr Jr., 50, of 501 Ruby Road, Millersburg; two counts of endangering the welfare of children; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Ralph S. Corwin, 44, of 211 Pottsville St., Wiconisco; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, prohibited possession of firearm, possession of a controlled substance and five counts of possession of drug paraphernalia; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Jared M. Kiefer, 25, of 863 E. Mountain Road, Hegins; driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance, violation of restrictions on alcoholic beverages and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge of violation of restrictions on alcoholic beverages withdrawn, other charges bound over for court.

Joshua J. Kimmel, 33, of 211 Pottsville St., Wiconisco; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and five counts of possession of drug paraphernalia; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Ryan W. Lucas, 23, of 260 Specktown Road, Lykens; DUI and driving under suspension; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Robert H. Manning, 62, of 120 North St., Millersburg; DUI, speeding and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge of careless driving withdrawn, other charges bound over for court.

Joseph M. Raker, 21, of 3177 Peters Mountain Road, Halifax; disorderly conduct; Raker pleaded guilty. Margerum sentenced him to pay costs and a $50 fine.

Daniel E. Reedinger, 42, of 509 Pottsville St., Wiconisco; open lewdness, harassment, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness; charges of open lewdness and disorderly conduct dismissed. Reedinger pleaded guilty to harassment and public drunkenness. Margerum sentenced him to pay costs and $100 in fines.

Justine M. Reppert, 45, of 211 Pottsville St., Wiconisco; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, prohibited possession of firearm, possession of a controlled substance and five counts of possession of drug paraphernalia; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Brandon S. Sprenkle, 23, of 501 Mall Road, Harrisburg; delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Caitlyn E.D. Steppy, 23, of 1527 Shippen Dam Road, Millersburg; two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and one each of possession of a controlled substance, DUI, failure to keep right and disregarding traffic lane; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge of disregarding traffic lane withdrawn, other charges bound over for court.

Patty L. Varner, 53, of 42 E. Main St., Elizabethville; recklessly endangering another person and opening door unsafely; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Timothy J. Whiteash, 35, of 637 Main St., Lykens; false swearing, unsworn falsification to authorities, false reports to law enforcement and failure to notify of change of address; charges held for court after preliminary hearing that Whiteash did not attend. Margerum asked the court to issue a bench warrant for Whiteash.

Nichole A.B. Zipp, 26, of 29 N. Market St., Elizabethville; unlawfully obtaining telecommunication device or service, theft and receiving stolen property; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges of theft and receiving stolen property withdrawn, other charge bound over for court.

A local rabbi will continue the tradition of lighting a menorah at Garfield Square in Pottsville.

“All residents of Schuylkill County and the area are invited to a Hanukkah menorah lighting in Garfield Square in Pottsville on Thursday, December 22, at 4 p.m. And doughnuts will be served. I’m going to try to bring 100 doughnuts,” Rabbi Nachman Nachmenson, of the Chabad-Lubavitch of Schuylkill County, said Tuesday.

“It’s not really the date of Hanukkah,” Nachmenson said.

Hanukkah begins Saturday night and continues through Jan. 1, according to www.chabad.org.

“The reason I’m doing it on Thursday is because I am Orthodox Jewish and this year the Hanukkah comes at Saturday afternoon. But Saturday afternoon, the very religious Jewish aren’t doing any electrical opening or closing on Friday or Saturday or they’re not driving a car. That’s why it’s very complicated for me to do the celebration of Hanukkah in the real beginning. So the best idea we had is to do it before, because more people are going to be able to come on Thursday,” Nachmenson said.

According to the Judaism 101 website, www.jewfaq.org, Hanukkah is the Jewish festival celebrating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after it was defiled by the Seleucid Greeks. It begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev and lasts eight days.

While “Chanukah” is the proper spelling of the Hebrew word, “Hanukkah” is the most widely used spelling, according to www.time.com.

Nachmenson said he plans to bring jelly doughnuts from New York City.

“I’m going to bring them from Brooklyn. They will be the kind of doughnuts made in Israel. People celebrate Hanukkah with these doughnuts. They’re like doughnuts that have jelly inside. It’s hard for me to say it in English,” Nachmenson said.

He said he’s buying them from Glick’s Bakery at Empire Kosher Market, 529 Empire Blvd., Brooklyn, New York.

In recent years, Nachmenson has held events for the Jewish community at 382 S. Second St., Pottsville.

FRACKVILLE — Real estate taxes are expected to remain the same for residents as the borough council tentatively adopted its 2017 general operating budget.

The vote was 6-0 in favor of the proposed revenue and spending plan that keeps real estate taxes at 17.08 mills. Each mill brings in about $45,000.

Council Vice President Peter Zuber, who chaired the meeting and is also the Finance Committee chairman, read the budget totals.

“There is no tax increase and the millage will stay at 17.08,” Zuber said.

The estimated revenues in 2017 are $2,087,839, and estimated expenditures are $2,079,031, leaving a surplus of $8,808. The 2016 budget had revenues at $2,147,768, which is $59,929 higher than the proposed budget plan.

The budgeted expenditures in 2016 are $2,129,839, which is $50,808 higher than the tentative budget. The estimate surplus in 2016 is $17,929.

The motion to tentatively adopt was made by council member Karen Domalakes, seconded by Charles Berger.

Before the vote, Berger said, “I’d like to thank all on council for working on this budget and getting to the point of no tax increase.”

The budget shows estimated real estate tax revenues at $660,000, plus the collection of delinquent taxes of $90,000, bringing the total real estate property tax income at $750,000. Occupation taxes remain the same in the new year at $12,000, and all Act 511 taxes (per capita, real estate transfer, earned income, occupational privilege) at $383,100, an increase of $11,000 over 2016. Estimated rental income shows an increase from $83,000 in 2016 to $99,000 in 2017.

Expenditures show the salaries for mayor and council members remain the same, as do many other expenses for running the government. Workers compensation costs is increasing from $38,229 to $45,548.

Total costs for police protection, which includes salaries, vehicle costs, computer and others expenses increase from $732,720 in 2016 to $768,539 in 2017. The increase includes the purchase of a license plate reader at $17,500.

The budget will be formally adopted at a special meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the municipal building.

Schuylkill County will soon have a Drug Treatment Court for defendants trying to overcome substance abuse.

President Judge William E. Baldwin and Judge James P. Goodman, who will oversee the court, announced Wednesday that the 14-week treatment program for nonviolent defendants was approved last week and will sit every Thursday starting Jan. 5.

“If they complete the program successfully, they can have their charges dismissed,” Goodman said. “I think the biggest effect will probably be in the long term because if they complete the program successfully, they could beat their addiction. The purpose of this is to beat their addiction and turn their life around.”

A Drug Treatment Court has been discussed by county officials since 2014. Federal and state funding available earlier this year allowed the county to finally start the program by covering associated costs, like the first year salary of a treatment coordinator, and for training and testing. Funding also paid for bus passes and housing assistance.

Lynn Holden, a probation supervisor, will serve as treatment court coordinator. Training was completed in July.

In April, the county submitted a grant application for $350,000 through the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Adult Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program. The grant carried a 25 percent match, which was paid by the county.

The state grant was for $100,000, Goodman said.

Baldwin said that some of the services through the Drug Treatment Court are already being offered by the county Drug & Alcohol and Adult Probation department and funded through the state.

The program will be open to about 40 defendants and lasts a minimum of 14 weeks, Goodman said. It consists of five phases with treatment sessions, random drug testing and meetings with a case manager. As a participant progresses through each phase, there are fewer required meetings and court appearances as he or she find and maintain employment. Phases can be extended by the court to address violations or as a sanction.

In order to graduate from the program, a participant must have full-time employment and stable housing, be up to date on costs, fines and restitution, write a reflective essay and specific plans for continuing sobriety and recovery, and not have any pending charges or new legal matters. Baldwin said there will be a commencement ceremony for family and friends upon completion of the program.

“Studies indicate that seeing a judge every week makes a difference,” Baldwin said.

He said that drug addiction, specifically to opioids, is a national epidemic and, due to limited resources, those enrolled in the county’s Drug Treatment Court need to be dedicated to turning their life around. There are already some people in the system who have proven to be potential candidates for the program, he said.

“We want to target people who really want to turn their lives around,” Baldwin said.

The program will also free up some space at the Schuylkill County Prison. The county has had to house inmates at other facilities since March due to overcrowding.

Commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr., who is also chairman for the county prison board, said there is a need nationwide to find an alternative to incarceration.

“We feel this was a good, viable alternative and it is working elsewhere,” Halcovage said.

SAINT CLAIR — A vandal severely damaged a few of the ceramic characters which were part of a Nativity set on the lawn of a church in the borough.

“We never had anything like this happen before. It’s sad,” Bonnie Baker, the senior warden of the church, The Church of the Holy Apostles at the northeast corner of North Nichols and East Hancock streets, said Wednesday.

The matter was reported to borough police, said Roland Price Jr., who is the borough secretary and a member of the church.

He estimated the set cost $1,000.

“We bought it about 15 years ago. We bought it from a store in Reading,” Baker said.

The figures are about one-half scale.

“Joseph was about three-and-a-half feet tall. This was Joseph,” Price said, pointing to a pile of debris.

The ceramic head of the figure representing the earthly father of Jesus was detached and sitting on the snow-covered lawn.

The wings of the ceramic figure representing an angel were broken. Its head was also separated from the shoulders.

Price put up the set over a three-day period. He started Dec. 12 and finished Dec. 14. The figures were held in place by thin wires tied to stakes in the ground. And the display includes strings of lights in the tree in the churchyard.

“It’s a flowering crabapple,” Bakeer said.

According to Baker, the vandalism occurred sometime Dec. 15 or early Dec. 16.

Price believes it was someone who was trying to gain access to the church when the front door was locked.

“I think when they tried to gain access to the church, they became frustrated and then took it out on the figurines,” Price said.

The bodies of Joseph and the angel were both broken into numerous parts. A hole was put in the back of a ceramic lamb.

“If they fell, they wouldn’t break like that. They were kicked,” Price said.

Baker said one of the parishioners first noticed the damage on Dec. 16.

The church has “about 50” parishioners, Baker said.

Baker is in the process of filling out an insurance claim for the damage, but wasn’t sure Wednesday if the church would receive any coverage.

Anyone with information about the vandalism can contact borough police at 570-429-3050.

On Wednesday afternoon, Baker and Price removed the broken figures from the lawn, and neatly arranged the remaining figures, determined to keep a representation of the Nativity there for Christmas.

The ceramic figure of the baby Jesus will be placed there at a Christmas Eve service scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday.

“He will be put out before the service. We always let the youngest child bring him out,” Baker said.

The visiting pastor that night will be the Rev. James Smith, Ashland, Baker said.

Recently, another Nativity was disturbed in Schuylkill County

The plastic Christ child and manger were stolen from a Nativity scene in Pine Grove about two weeks ago, according to Richard Becker, chairman of the Pine Grove Area Christmas Lighting Committee.

The Nativity was set up at Werner Ace Lumber’s lot, where Route 125, Tulpehocken Street, meets Route 443. Using donations, the committee replaced the plastic Christ child and manger at a cost of less than $200, according to the newspaper’s archives.

Police: None hurt

in 2-vehicle crash

Pottsville police investigated a crash that occurred about 10:15 a.m. Friday in the 2100 block of West Market Street.

Police said the investigation revealed that Cord Renninger, 26, of Minersville, was driving a Pontiac G6 east when he ran into the back of a GMC Terrain driven by a 42-year-old Ashland woman who was stopped because of backed-up traffic in front of her.

No injuries were reported and police said the Renninger vehicle had to be towed from the scene.

Police investigate

Pottsville crash

A crash that occurred about 11 p.m. Saturday in the 300 block of North 12th Street was investigated by Pottsville police.

Police said Morgan Miller, 25, of Saint Clair, was driving a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta south when she veered off of the roadway and struck an unoccupied, legally parked 2008 Kia Spectra owned by a Pottsville woman on the west side of the road.

Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene and no injuries were reported, police said, adding that they were assisted by Pottsville firefighters.

Police said their investigation led to the investigating officer, Patrolman Joel Methven, taking Miller to a local medical facility for a blood alcohol test.

Charges are pending the results of that test, police said.

Police investigate

I-81 hit-and-run

DELANO — State police at Frackville investigated a crash that occurred about 7 p.m. Monday in the southbound lanes of Interstate 81, near mile marker 133 in Delano Township.

Police said an unidentified vehicle was traveling south and struck the rear bumper of a 2013 Ford Focus driven by Kenneth Foster, 34, of Drums, who was braking.

After hitting the Foster vehicle, police said, the driver of the other vehicle — a green car — fled the scene.

Foster and an 8-year-old girl in his car escaped injury while a 10-year-old girl suffered suspected minor injuries, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at Frackville at 570-874-5300.

Two not injured

in I-81 accident

MOUNT PLEASANT — Two people escaped injury when two trucks collided about 11:25 p.m. Monday in the southbound lanes of Interstate 81 in Cass Township.

State police at Frackville said Bakhtiyor Alimov, 27, of Brooklyn, New York, was driving a 2017 Volvo south in the right lane when he struck the back of the trailer of a Kenworth truck driven by Amritdin Mamatov, 52, of Columbia, Maryland.

No injuries were reported and police said Mamatov will be cited for following too closely as a result of the crash.

ORWIGSBURG — Two people were flown to a hospital after a two-vehicle accident at South Liberty Street and Route 61 on Wednesday.

State police said in a press release the accident occurred as a 17-year-old girl from Auburn was driving a 2009 BMW 328i south on Route 61 and attempting to turn left on South Liberty Street. Her vehicle was hit in the northbound lane by a 2010 Ford Expedition driven by Stephen D. Brunner, 47, of Wyomissing. The driver of the BMW was cited for vehicles turning left. After the collision, the car stopped facing south against the guide rail off the northbound lanes of Route 61. The SUV stopped facing northeast in the northbound lanes of Route 61, police said.

Both the driver of the car and her occupant, a 16-year-old boy from Orwigsburg, were flown to Geisinger Medical Center, state police Trooper Peter Mohn of the Schuylkill Haven station said. The extent of their injuries was not provided. It was unknown if they were wearing seat belts.

Brunner was wearing a seat belt, police said, and was not injured in the accident.

Two helicopters, Life Flight 5 and PennStar 4, took off within moments of each other from an area nearby. The first helicopter departed at 6:42 p.m. followed by the second at 6:49 p.m.

Dave Hoffman, chief of Landingville Community Fire Company, was in charge of the landing zone area.

Traffic going north on Route 61 was blocked from moving shortly after 6 p.m. until about 7:15 p.m. Traffic slowed going southbound.

A supervisor with the Schuylkill County Communications Center said the two-vehicle accident with entrapment was reported at 5:55 p.m.

State police at Schuylkill Haven were at the scene but provided no information on site. All victims were extricated from the vehicles at 6:20 p.m., according to scanner traffic.

Scott Rarick, assistant fire chief of the Orwigsburg Fire Department, said firefighters removed the roof of the car to get to the occupants. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

There was visible damage to the front of the SUV. The car had extensive damage to the passenger side.

Also on scene were firefighters from Deer Lake and West Brunswick Fire Company No. 1.

Schuylkill County departments and agencies will be cutting down on overtime in 2017.

In order to cut down on expenditures next year, the county commissioners approved a new overtime policy Wednesday.

Before working overtime, an employee must have written approval from their department head, according to the new policy. Compensatory time for non-exempt employees was also capped at 40 hours within the year the time was earned under the new policy.

“I think this will be an excellent tool to keep the overtime costs down,” Martina Chwastiak, director of human resources, said.

Overtime for most county departments was not included in the 2017 budget, county Administrator Gary Bender said. However, the county prison and emergency communications center, which both operate 24/7, did include a line for overtime in the budget. Funding for approved overtime expenditures will come from the county’s contingency fund.

As of Wednesday, the county spent more than $587,560.82 in overtime expenditures in 2016. The total amount paid includes following departments: Prison, $373,271.48; Children & Youth, $107,958.75; Emergency Communications, $77,010.80; and Adult Probation, $29,319.79.

In other matters, the commissioners approved appointments to the following advisory boards: Kathy Burda, reappointed to a three-year term as a member of the office of senior services advisory board through 2019; Doris M. Kauffman, appointed to fill the unexpired term of Helen Clay as a member of the office of senior service advisory board through 2018; Virginia Filozof, Marie Beauchamp, Janet Daubert, Cathy Heim, Kim Noel, Dolores Novack and Ed Hauch, reappointed as members of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program advisory council through 2019; Brett Stehr and John Halabura, James Hepler, Russell Schnoke and Ron Dietz, reappointed as members of the board of directors for the Schuylkill County Ag Land Preservation board through 2019; Keith Masser, reappointed as chairman of the board of directors for the Schuylkill Ag Land Preservation board through 2017; Kelly Austin, reappointed to a five-year term as a member of the board of directors for the Schuylkill County Airport Authority through 2021.

Just in time for winter, some new trucks Pottsville bought for its streets department are rolling in.

There are five and all are outfitted with salt spreaders and plows, Thomas W. Whitaker, Pottsville’s superintendent of streets, said Wednesday.

“We have three new pickup trucks and two new dump trucks. The pickup trucks should last 10 to 15 years, probably longer. The dump trucks, 20-plus years. The dump trucks will replace two trucks that are at the end of their useful life,” Whitaker said.

“They were needed. It was overdue,” Josh Barnhardt, a mechanic at the city garage, said.

In July, the city council borrowed $4,560,000 for municipal projects. In all, there were four parties which took loans through the bond issue: the city, $1,727,438.75; Pottsville Housing Authority, $1,956,790; Pottsville Parking Authority, $500,000; and Pottsville Fire Department, $375,771.25.

“The last time we had a purchase like this was the last time we had a bond issue, which was 2004,” Whitaker said.

New trucks

The city used part of the money to buy vehicles for the streets department.

Two are 2017 GMC Sierra 2500. The city bought them from Star Buick GMC Cadillac, Quakertown, Bucks County. With salt spreaders and plows from Lancaster Truck Bodies, Lancaster, the total for each came to $50,746.

One is a 2017 GMC Sierra 3500 from Star Buick GMC Cadillac. With a salt spreader and plow from Lancaster Truck Bodies, the total for it came to $51,955.

On Wednesday, the three GMCs were sent back to Lancaster Truck Bodies.

“It’s just a modification to a hydraulic line on the salt spreader,” Whitaker said.

Those lines were too low to the ground and Whitaker and his staff wanted them higher.

Two are 2017 4200 International dump trucks. The city bought them from Five Star International LLC, Harrisburg. With salt spreaders and plows from Lancaster Truck Bodies, the total for it came to $133,786.

“When they get equipped it’s called upfitted,” Whitaker said.

When the new trucks arrived, two vehicles were taken out of service, a 1990 International dump truck and a 1992 International dump truck.

“They are out of service. They will be sold in early 2017,” Whitaker said.

But the city council has not yet taken action on the matter.

Fleet

With those two trucks out of service, the streets department now has 19 vehicles in its fleet. Besides the three new pickup trucks and two new dump trucks, the fleet includes:

• A 1997 International dump truck.

• A 1998 Chevrolet StakeBody (Bicentennial float truck).

• Three 2004 GMC Sierra trucks.

• A 2004 Ford F-550 4X4 chassis cab. Whitaker was hoping to replace this vehicle in 2017 but, when calculating the budget in November, the city council realized it could not afford to.

• A 2004 Ford truck F-Series.

• A 2008 Ford F-550 Super Duty.

• Two 2011 Ford F-350 trucks.

• A 2003 Ford F-250 pickup used by the parks department.

• A 2004 Ford F-350 chassis truck.

• A 2001 GMC C-3500 bucket truck

• A 2005 Chevrolet van.

The streets department also has a collection of trailers and other equipment, which includes the following:

• 1975 flatbed trailer.

• 1976 Gindy storage trailer.

• Two 2004 Hudson Tag Trailers.

• 2003 Dynapac tandem roller.

• 2003 Leeboy 7000LD paver.

• 1999 Case loader/backhoe.

• 2003 John Deere skid steer loader.

• 2017 Elgin Pelican P street sweeper.

According to the engineering firm hired in October by the owner of the Schuylkill Trust Co. building in Pottsville, repairs to cracks on the building’s exterior have been completed.

That firm, Yourshaw Engineering Inc., Pottsville, notified the only tenant at the building at 101 N. Centre St., Wells Fargo Bank, of this on Tuesday, according to a copy of the letter.

In May 2015, chunks of rock fell from the facade of the eight-story building. At the time, David J. Petravich, city building code officer, said it was a section of the roof, part of the east side of the building where a plant was growing out of the side.

To protect its customers, in September 2015, Wells Fargo hired Beth-Allen Scaffold & Equipment, Allentown, to build a covered walkway on the North Centre Street and West Market Street sides of the building.

“Wells Fargo will remove the scaffolding once we get final approvals from the city of Pottsville, final approval from city officials that the work was completed,” Kevin Friedlander, corporate communications manager of Wells Fargo & Co., said Wednesday.

In October at a judicial sale, Mike Hassen, Queens, New York, acquired the building with a bid of $90,000.

Since then, Hassen “has had the exterior structural deficiencies corrected by Caretti Restoration, 218 B. Knob Mountain Road, Berwick, Pa., under the project supervision of Charles J. Yourshaw, P.E.,” Yourshaw said in a Dec. 20 letter to Wells Fargo.

The main deficiencies that were corrected are as follows, according to the letter:

• “East side of the building had the top facade joints cut and re-caulked, the brick masonry joints were cut-out and re-pointed. The lower facade joints were also cut and re-caulked.”

• “West side of the building had the chimney repaired by cutting the masonry joints, clamping the masonry units together, placing a stainless steel helical in the joint, and re-pointing of the joint. The masonry crack in the main wall was repaired in the same fashion.”

• “North side of the building had the cracked section removed and re-mason of the mortar joints. All the stone cap joints were cut-out and caulked.”

• “South side of the building had the top facade joints cut and re-caulked and the brick joints were cut-out and re-pointed. The lower facade joints were also cut and re-caulked.”

• “South side sills were replaced and patched as necessary.”

Yourshaw, a professional engineer, closed the letter by stating: “The outside structure is repaired properly and is structurally sound.”

The Schuylkill County prison board is putting together a request for proposals to reduce overcrowding at the jail.

On Wednesday, the prison board discussed the possibility of building an intermediate placement facility and listening to options as the county continues to transport inmates to other facilities for housing.

“I think what we need to do is put together a request for proposal as to what we need,” Commissioner Gary J. Hess said.

“I agree with Gary,” President Judge William E. Baldwin said. “We need to put out a request for proposal now. We need to see what alternatives there are because money is flowing out pretty fast.”

There were 244 inmates at the prison Wednesday and another 48 were being housed at other facilities: Berks County Prison, Leesport, 11; Centre County Correctional Facility, 18; Columbia County Correctional Facility, Bloomsburg, nine; George W. Hill Correctional Facility, Thornton, five; and Snyder County Prison, Selinsgrove, five.

The average inmate population for November was 243. It cost $60 to $65 a day per inmate to house inmates at the other facilities. In November, those costs totaled $59,407.11.

Commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr., also chairman of the prison board, said the prison board will work with the county’s solicitor to draft a request for proposal.

“We are still working on an intermediate placement facility,” Halcovage said.

Halcovage said he will be communicating with Lycoming County officials about the intermediate placement facility they operate.

“We are going to be moving forward on that process,” he said.

The previous board of commissioners pursued building a low-security, prerelease center for nonviolent criminals in Ryan Township, but it was scrapped in March 2011 when bids for the project averaged $4.2 million, about $1 million more than the board wanted to spend.

On May 4, the state Department of Corrections said the county failed to comply with an agreement approved last year that the inmate population would not exceed its approved capacity of 277 and ordered that the facility could not accept new inmates serving sentences between six months and five years. Inmates serving sentences of two years or more can be sent to state facilities.

After the county started housing inmates at other facilities, the DOC lifted its three-month-long restriction on Aug. 17.

The county’s new agreement with the state DOC lifts the ban on the condition that the prison board continues to submit biweekly reports on the inmate census and ensure that it does not exceed its approved capacity of 277 through June 30, 2017.

n Frackville: An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 30 in the Schuylkill Mall. 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 Frackville: Holy Ascension Orthodox Church, 209 S. Lehigh Ave., will have a sale of frozen pierogies from 9 a.m. to noon today. All are welcome. For more information, email helen.kuchta@gmail.com.

n Mahanoy City: The Mahanoy City Elks Lodge will stage a homemade lasagna dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 3 at the 135 E. Main St. lodge. The cost is $9 per person. Meals will also include a salad, rolls and butter and dessert. Patrons may eat at the lodge or take meals out. Walk-ins are welcome.

n Harrisburg: High school seniors can now apply for a Pennsylvania House of Representatives Scholarship to help cover the costs of higher education, state Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124, announced in a press release. Each year, he said in the release, two students preparing for post-secondary education are awarded four-year scholarships through the program. It is open to graduating high school seniors who are Pennsylvania residents with plans to attend a Pennsylvania college, university or career school as a full-time student. Students must have attained a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average in high school in order to be eligible for the scholarship. A student’s commitment to community, leadership qualities, extracurricular activities and financial need are also taken into consideration. To apply, interested students should visit www.RepKnowles.com and click on House Scholarship Information. The application deadline is March 1. The scholarship program is administered through the Foundation for Enhancing Communities and is privately funded by individual and corporate donors. No tax or other public funds are used. Scholarships are awarded through an independent panel of judges chosen by the foundation. For more information, call Knowles’ district office in Tamaqua at 570-668-1240, or in Hamburg at 610-562-3411. Information can also be found at www.RepKnowles.com or www.facebook.com/RepKnowles.

n Port Carbon: The Port Carbon Library recently acknowledged the following memorials and donations for its 2016 fund drive: For Joseph McGuire from Shirley McGuire; for Thomas Curvey from Patricia Curvey; for Harold Rupert from Teenie Rupert; for Edward and Rosalie Maige from Beverly Ann Chernes; for Jim Doran from Jim Doran family; for Anthony Vicic Jr. from Kathy Vicic; for Billy Siegfried from Bill and Mim Siegfried; for Vincent Sheaffer from Diana DePauli; for Chick Zimmerman from Nancy Zimmerman. The library also acknowledged donations from Mr. and Mrs. Shawn F. Brennan, Steve Gola and Joan Huey, Joel and Tuesday Budwash, Peg and Leo Lubinsky, Ed and Cathy Kopch. The library acknowledged a donation in honor of Sydnee and Greyson Borowski from Sharon and Charlie Hartman.

n Shenandoah: People, businesses, civic or fraternal groups can honor a veteran with a Shenandoah Area Hometown Hero banner in an effort sponsored by the Anthony P. Damato American Legion “Medal of Honor” Post 792. Applications are available at the office of the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc., 116 N. Main St. The banners, which will bear a veteran’s picture, are 24 inches wide and 48 inches high. The banner will also bear the veteran’s branch of service, length of service and/or war or conflict and the sponsor’s name.

n Tamaqua: An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Tamaqua YMCA, 1201 E. Broad St. at the former Jamesway Plaza. 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.