Two high school seniors in Schuylkill County will be conquering a new challenge and fulfilling a lifelong dream by entering U.S. service academies.

Monika Shimko, Tamaqua Area High School, and Mya Hudepohl, Blue Mountain High School, were nominated by U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-17, for appointments to service academies. Cartwright announced the nominations earlier this month. After receiving the nomination, each student had to go through the academies’ competitive application process.

Shimko, 18, of Tamaqua, will be attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, where she will continue her track and field and cross country career while majoring in mechanical engineering. She reports July 3.

“It is such a great opportunity, and I am so happy I am getting this chance,” Shimko said Friday. “They have a really good engineering program, and it is even better because I get to join the service and I’ll have a job right out of college.”

She is a daughter of Joe and Kimberly Shimko and a member of the biology club, physics club, Spanish Honor Society and the National Honor Society. She is also a member of the Tri-Music Honor Society and the marching band and has been a captain of the cross country team, the track team, and was voted The Republican-Herald’s 2016 Track Athlete of the Year.

Although her grandfather was in the military, Shimko said she never really thought about joining the service until she started receiving recruitment letters for track and cross country and did some research on service academies.

“At first, I didn’t really know what service academies were about,” Shimko said. “Then I got a letter for track from the Coast Guard Academy, and I started looking into service academies and saw West Point and then I had a meet and West Point happened to be there. I didn’t think there were as many women going to West Point and one of their athletes medaled and it was a girl and it happened to be the same time I was thinking about it.”

The military academy at West Point has a total enrollment of just more than 4,000 students. Shimko said each class of about 1,000 students consists of only about 200 to 300 women. She viewed joining the academy as another challenge.

“From what I got from the visits, the girls tell me that there are so many challenges,” she said. “But when you get over a challenge, it is such a great feeling and that was one of the things that drew me to it even more. I just like challenges. In track, I try to get better and better times, and I just saw this as another challenge.”

Shimko said her parents quickly supported her decision as they learned more about service academies, as well.

“Once they found out more about it, they realized what an opportunity it is and really got behind it,” she said. “They love that I will get to see the world a little bit.”

Her grandfather is also not afraid to show off how proud he is of his granddaughter’s plans.

“At first, he was kind of hesitant,” Shimko said. “But now he is so happy and wears his hat and tells all his friends now that he saw how much I really wanted it.”

Meanwhile, Hudepohl, 17, of New Ringgold, had always wanted to be a pilot and hopes to fulfill that dream at the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“I want to become a pilot and the Air Force just has so many more options when it comes to flying,” she said. “I think going into the Air Force, let alone being able to fly, is just a dream come true.”

Hudepohl wants to study behavioral science or biology at the academy. The school’s focus on math and science also drew her interest, she said.

“I know my christening dress was made out of the military parachute belonging to my grandfather or great-grandfather,” she said. “I think when my parents finally told me that, I thought it was so cool. I guess that is where my fascination started with what it would be like to fly.”

Hudepohl was nominated to both the Air Force Academy and Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, by Cartwright.

She is a daughter of Robert and Amy Hudepohl and a member of the tennis, swimming, and track and field teams.

On Friday, she said she was still waiting to receive her acceptance letter. However, she said she was confident as most rejection letters have already been sent and there were not many candidates in the 17th Congressional District.

“I thought this was my opportunity to be able to do something that not a lot of people want to do, and they need people from each district in the Air Force Academy because they want diversity,” she said. “I think I can be exactly what they need. I don’t see a lot of females who want to go into the military in general. I truly want to serve in the military, not only get a degree. I want to break that stereotype of men being out there as the ones flying planes and doing all the cool jobs. I feel women are becoming more powerful in the academies and they really want diversity. The Air Force Academy is a place where you don’t just see men who want to serve, you actually see women who want to serve their country as well, and I want to be a part of that.”

Hudepohl said she is also a candidate for the academy’s preparatory school and applied for ROTC scholarships at Millersville University and New Mexico State.

“I do have other avenues just in case this doesn’t work out,” she said.

Although her grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle enlisted in the military, Hudepohl said it was not something she heard a lot about and it was actually her younger brother who always wanted to be in the academy.

“My brother is so jealous,” she said. “He is following in my footsteps and gets to see what I am doing. The process was so stressful, but I will be able to help him when he goes through the process.”

She said her interest in joining the academy developed from being a camp counselor and aquatics instructor at the Hawk Mountain Boy Scouts Reservation, Summit Station.

“I think as I progressed through high school it was something that became more of an interest to me,” Hudepohl said. “I had actually helped at the Hawk Mountain Boy Scout Reservation for two years and worked with the Boy Scouts and it was very empowering for me to have such an impact on them. I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to do but knew I wanted to make an impact. As I was working there, I realized I can make an even bigger impact in the military and break those stereotypes.”

After visiting the academy, she said her mind was made up.

“It was fantastic and I fell in love with it,” she said. “It was a life-changing experience to talk with people who have graduated from the academy and been in the same shoes I am. Talking with them, I realized these people have really changed other people’s lives and made an impact, and I wanted to do that. I think what made me most comfortable was that there are girls who want to be there as much as I want to go there.”

The new Wells Fargo branch at Pottsville Park Plaza will include a salute to the city’s history and the Pottsville Free Public Library.

Across the top of the teller line is a “Pottsville Mural,” which is 28 feet long by 2 feet high. It features scenes from the city’s past. At the center are images of former staff members from the library at 215 W. Market St.

“There’s a team of people who put these murals together. They put them together for most of our branches across the United States. It’s called the Wells Fargo Mural Team,” James A. Baum, Wells Fargo vice president communications consultant based in Plymouth Meeting, Montgomery County, said Friday.

On the project for the new branch at 520 Pottsville Park Plaza, Kelly Riggio was the mural designer, Kerry Stefancyk was the mural researcher and Wayne Edwards was the project manager, Baum said.

The new branch will open April 24.

Visitors can learn about the mural from a “Pottsville Mural Key,” a visual guide on a wall near the teller line that explains the mural’s origins.

“The Wells Fargo Community Mural Program is dedicated to creating unique, custom-designed historical artwork that respects the community’s legacy, celebrates its diversity and honors the past upon which the community was founded,” according to the key.

The images the mural was based on include information from the Schuylkill County Historical Society, Library of Congress and Wells Fargo Corporate Archives, Baum said.

The images include the following:

• Pottsville Free Public Library staff members based on a photograph that was published in “Pottsville in the Twentieth Century” by Leo L. Ward and Mark T. Major.

The caption for the photo in that book is: “Edith Patterson was the director of the library for many years. In this 1924 image, she is seen with her staff. From left to right are Hazel Leddy, Euyer Schnerring, Mary Beddall, Edith Patterson, Ruth Roehring and Lorraine Patterson.”

The library opened its doors to patrons on Nov. 9, 1911, at 208 W. Market St. In 1922, it moved to 16 N. Third St. L. Edith Patterson was the library director from May 1918 to May 1950. In 1996, a capital campaign netted more than $1 million to expand the library, and its address became 215 W. Market St.

• The Schuylkill Trust Co. building at 101 N. Centre St. in downtown Pottsville, where Wells Fargo has had a branch since 2008.

“In 1924, today Wells Fargo, built the stately edifice on North Centre St.,” according to information the Schuylkill County Historical Society provided for the project.

• Pottsville Superintendent B.F. Paterson with students in the late 1800s.

“Paterson served as superintendent of Pottsville’s public schools for nearly four decades, from 1867 up until his passing in 1906,” according to information from the historical society.

• The Schuylkill County Courthouse, dedicated in 1892.

“The Romanesque and Queen Anne-style construction was designed by architect Milton Earl Beebe,” according to information from the historical society.

• The Philadelphia and Reading Railway Co. depot in Pottsville, circa 1900.

“The P&R was founded in 1833 to transport anthracite coal from mines in the Coal Region of northeastern Pennsylvania to Philadelphia,” according to information from the historical society.

• Conductors in front of Schuylkill Electric Railway Co. trolley in Pottsville, 1890s.

“Trolleys provided area residents with reliable transportation from 1889 to 1932,” according to information from the historical society.

• A train depot in Pottsville, constructed in 1886.

“The station serviced the Schuylkill branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad, providing passenger transportation from Philadelphia to Harrisburg,” according to information from the historical society.

• A view of Norwegian Street looking north, circa 1890.

“The coal, textile and beer-brewing industries were key in spurring Pottsville’s development throughout the 1800s,” according to information from the historical society.

• A Wells Fargo messenger, Philadelphia edition, March 1916, according to information from Wells Fargo Corporate Archives.

• Views of southern Pottsville.

“The city was founded in 1806 by John Pott and officially became part of Schuylkill County in 1811,” according to information from the historical society.

• A bird’s-eye map of Pottsville published in 1889.

“The city is located in Pennsylvania’s historically important Coal Region, the site of the largest known deposits of anthracite in the Americas,” according to information from the Library of Congress.

• A Wells Fargo advertisement from 1852 from Wells Fargo Corporate Archives.

In a month, Wells Fargo will close two branches — one in downtown Pottsville and one in Norwegian Township — and open a new one at Pottsville Park Plaza.

At the end of the day April 21, the Wells Fargo bank branch at the Schuylkill Trust Co. building in downtown Pottsville and the branch at Fairlane Village mall in Norwegian Township will close.

On April 24, the new Wells Fargo bank branch at Pottsville Park Plaza will open.

MAHANOY CITY — The Mahanoy Township Authority will learn next week about whether it will be awarded a state grant for its valve replacement project downtown.

The authority board met Tuesday and discussed its application to the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Finance Authority Small Water and Sewer Grant Program with Alfred Benesch & Co. project manager James J. Rhoades Jr., who said the award announcements were expected at Thursday’s CFA meeting.

According to a CFA communications spokesperson on Friday, the CFA board meeting was moved to March 29, which is when the award announcements are expected to be made. MTA is requesting grant funds for the replacement of four valves at Main and Centre streets.

“MTA has submitted an application to the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Financing Authority for their Small Water and Sewer Grant Program,” Rhoades said. “The authority is asking for approximately $185,000 in a grant for the estimated $216,000 project, with the remaining amount to be covered by MTA general funds as required by the program.”

Rhoades said the valve replacement will assist the authority in its operations when there is a need to turn water service off to certain areas.

“The proposed project includes the replacement of four large valves and associated piping at the intersection of Main and Centre streets in the borough,” he said. “The valves are the primary control mechanisms for flow of water into the borough. Currently the deficient valves do not allow for proper isolation of the system and requires shutdowns that cut water from local businesses, as well as residential customers. This project is in the heart of the Mahanoy City central business district.”

Rhoades added, “The replacement of the four large valves will optimize the operations of the distribution system, resulting in less use of potable water to flush the system. An annual flushing program is required to maintain good water quality. The new valves will allow for better flows and the ability to isolate the system quadrants, resulting in less water wasted during flushing.”

The replacing of the old valves will help limit water service interruptions when maintenance work is required, along with improving safety for better water supply for firefighting.

“The valve replacement project will improve health and safety by minimizing any required shutdown of the system when maintenance needs to be performed,” Rhoades said. “Current customers lose their drinking water service when a larger area has to be shut down for maintenance, such as replacing a fire hydrant, service line, et cetera, or emergency repairs due to a leak. The improvements will result in improved fire flows throughout the distribution system, minimizing property loss and damage and human injury and death caused by fires.”

In a related report, Rhoades told the board that Benesch has responded to minor comments from CFA on the grant application in the past month.

A new kind of trivia game has been drumming up more business for several bars in Schuylkill County.

Mick Uranko, Pottsville, hosts a Smartphone Trivia League at six area bars, bringing in new customers as 37 teams compete for a trophy that will be awarded at the end of the month.

Smartphone Trivia ditches the pencil and paper for a faster paced and more interactive trivia game using only a smart device, like a phone or tablet. Every team also participates in a “Minute-To-Win-It” challenge for points.

“I have successfully improved the concept of an ordinary paper-and-pencil trivia night into a TV game show experience,” Uranko said Friday. “Unlike the paper-and-pencil style of trivia, smartphone trivia uses a free app that connects to a portable network that I bring to the venue. Teams of one to six players compete against other teams in the venue using one smartphone per team. Scores and questions are displayed instantly on the venue’s TV, which increases the competitiveness and, most importantly, the fun.”

After all three rounds, every team participates in the “Minute-To-Win-It” challenge for points. The challenges involve some kind of activity that gets contestants out of their seats.

“Teams are not only tested on their knowledge, but also play three separate ‘Minute-To-Win-It’ physical challenges in between the rounds to add more excitement to the event,” Uranko said. “The best feature of the game is my Wi-Fi blocks the internet so it is impossible to cheat at my smartphone trivia nights.”

The Smartphone Trivia League is the latest business venture by Uranko and his event entertainment company, Uranko Productions. Uranko is also a wedding DJ and photographer.

“The idea to host this style of trivia has a lot to do with the brand of my company,” Uranko said. “The Uranko Productions brand creates more memorable and fun experiences by using the latest technology to improve ordinary events.”

The first smartphone trivia was held Oct. 3 at The Westy Bar & Grill, Hamburg, and now includes six venues.

Weekly venues starting at 7 p.m. include:

• The Westy Bar & Grill, every Monday

• McNiff’s Irish Pub, Mahanoy City, every Tuesday

• The Pottsville Zone, Pottsville, every Thursday

• The Wagon Wheel, Ringtown, every Friday

Uranko also hosts Smartphone Trivia at least once a month at The Wheel, Pottsville, and it will be at The Greystone, Pottsville, on Wednesday.

Uranko charges venues $200 a night to host smartphone trivia. It is also available for fundraisers, parties and conventions. He wants to expand into Northumberland and Columbia counties by next quarter.

“This generates a lot of traffic and extra revenue for locations during the traditionally slow weeknights,” Uranko said.

In the last six months, Uranko said more than 400 people have participated in smartphone trivia. There are 37 teams and scores are updated and available on the Pennsylvania Smartphone Trivia Facebook page. Team scores will reset for the new quarter on April 1.

“The way the league is set up is teams not only compete against each other at each individual location each night, they also compete against other teams in the league to be crowned the league champions each quarter,” Uranko said. “Each week teams earn points and are encouraged to travel to other venues to gain as many points as possible.”

The first quarter will end March 31 with trivia at The Wagon Wheel. In addition to an overall winner, Uranko said there will also be awards for the top team from each bar. The league is sponsored by Yuengling.

“The prizes that will be awarded this quarter will be Under Armour Yuengling-embroidered backpacks to the winning bar team from each of my four weekly locations,” Uranko said. “The team that wins the entire league will be receiving Yuengling framed dog posters that are personalized and signed by Dick Yuengling as well as the official Pennsylvania Smartphone Trivia Championship Belt.”

The race to win the trivia league heated up Thursday night as the top three teams overall were among those competing in the latest round at The Pottsville Zone.

“We’ve done a lot of trivia and this is different,” Chaz Britton, Shamokin, said.

“It’s a lot of fun and it is really competitive, too,” Freddie Wright, Mount Carmel, said.

As their team tries to improve their ranking, they said the league has brought them to new bars and restaurants for the first time.

“This brings us to the other side of the mountain,” Britton said.

Paul Lazarchick, owner of The Pottsville Zone, said he has noticed many new faces over the last three weeks that they hosted trivia.

“We are getting more people from out of town,” he said. “This is unique. It is pretty impressive.”

Shane and Kris Walmer, brothers from Bernville, said they were at the first trivia event Uranko had at The Westy.

“It’s something to do and it is more than just sitting at the bar,” Shane said. “It is good entertainment.”

“The games between the rounds are fun too, because you are getting up and doing something,” Kris said.

Another team at The Pottsville Zone said trivia nights give them a place to reconnect after being away at different colleges.

“It’s just addicting,” Tyler Wasilewski, Ringtown, said.

“It’s just a fun environment to be in,” Jaime Anczarski said. “Everyone is having fun.”

For more information about Uranko’s smartphone trivia, contact him by calling 570-640-2464 or emailing mick.uranko@urankoproductions.com.

An Ashland man went to prison Monday after being sentenced in Schuylkill County Court in a drug-related case.

Jacob D. Shuey, 25, must serve three to 12 months in prison and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation under the terms of President Judge William E. Baldwin’s sentence. Baldwin imposed the sentence after revoking Shuey’s probation.

Shuey originally pleaded guilty June 29, 2016, to possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of adulteration or misbranding of a controlled substance.

At that time, Baldwin placed him on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced him to pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and a $50 bench warrant fee, all of which the defendant must pay under the terms of Monday’s sentence.

Ashland police had charged Shuey with possessing drugs and paraphernalia on Nov. 1, 2015, in the borough.

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

Eric W. Applegate, 28, of Lopez — possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment, $239 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and 20 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew three counts of possession of a controlled substance.

Michael C. Dischinger, 36, of Elgin, South Carolina — simple assault; 12 months probation, $50 CJEA payment and 20 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of harassment.

Sucre Figuereo-Martinez, 25, of Hazleton — stalking, prohibited possession of offensive weapon and indecent exposure; five to 11 1/2 months in prison, two years consecutive probation, mental health evaluation, no contact with victim and 42 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew charges of defiant trespass and open lewdness.

Vince E. Layton, 27, of Brandonville — possession of a controlled substance; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment, $176 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and 20 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and suspended or altered drivers license.

In more criminal court action, a Coaldale man returned to prison Tuesday after a Schuylkill County judge revoked his parole in two cases.

Christopher A. Keer, 27, must remain in prison until April 21, 2018, unless he goes to an inpatient rehabilitation center, Judge John E. Domalakes ruled.

“You don’t seem to be accepting responsibility for the choices you’re making,” Domalakes told Keer, who sat through Tuesday’s hearing wearing a prison jumpsuit, handcuffs and leg shackles.

Domalakes made his ruling after revoking Keer’s parole, which he decided the defendant violated by failing to report to his supervising officer, committing new crimes, possessing drugs and paraphernalia, and failing to make any payments on his costs and fees.

Keer told Domalakes that his problems were not of his own making.

“I’m a drug addict,” he said. “That’s like yelling at a cripple for not walking.”

Domalakes rejected Keer’s claim, however.

“You chose to take the drugs,” he told the defendant. “It is your own doing.”

Keer originally pleaded guilty on Feb. 18, 2015, to receiving stolen property in one case and retail theft in the other. At that time, Domalakes sentenced Keer to serve two to 23 months in prison and pay costs and $100 to the CJEA.

Rush Township police filed both charges against Keer. In the one case, they alleged he received stolen property on Marc 26, 2014, while in the other, they alleged he committed a separate retail theft on the same date.

Also in the county court, Shane M. McNulty, 24, of Schuylkill Haven, pleaded guilty on Thursday to receiving stolen property, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of theft and conspiracy.

Baldwin accepted the plea and sentenced McNulty to serve 16 days to 12 months in prison with immediate parole and pay costs and $2,000 restitution.

State police at Schuylkill Haven had charged McNulty with receiving stolen property on Jan. 23, 2016.

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

n Fountain Springs: The North Schuylkill High School Theater Arts Club’s presentation of “Oklahoma!” is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday and April 1 in the high school auditorium. Tickets are available from any cast member or by calling the school at 570-874-0495 during regular hours.

n Mahanoy City: Good American Fire Company, 738 E. Mahanoy Ave., will hold a Lenten soup and bake sale beginning at 3 p.m. Friday. Soups include vegetable, potato, broccoli and cheddar, spinach tortellini, New England clam chowder and Maryland crab. The cost is $6 per quart or $3.50 per pint and $8 per quart or $4.50 per pint for the cream soups. To order in advance, call 570-773-3473. Walk-ins are welcome.

n Nuremberg: The auxiliary of American Legion Post 699 is selling tricky tray calendars for April. Tickets are $2 each or three for $5. A drawing will be held every day through the month. The winning ticket will be put back for a chance to win again. Anyone interested in a calendar can call Elaine Croll at 570-384-4310 or pick them up at The Towers in Fern Glen.

n Port Carbon: The Janet Eich Public Library has rescheduled its Chinese auction to Sunday at First United Methodist Church, Pike and Washington streets. Doors will open at noon, with the auction to begin at 2 p.m. A shop-and-drop will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. today.

n Pottsville: The Queen of Peace Tenants Association has weekly bingo games from 6 to 8 p.m. every Monday and Friday. The cost of cards is $2. People should use the patio entrance to attend. For more information, call Sandy at 570-622-8515. The association will have a yard sale from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 8. All are welcome to set up tables. Homemade Easter eggs and desserts will be available. For more information, call Rita at 570-294-2443.

n Pottsville: AMVETS Post 180, 1300 Seneca St., is holding bleenie sales at 4 p.m. on Fridays through April 21 to benefit veterans. The cost is $1.50 each and advance orders are available. Patrons can eat in or take bleenies out.

n Pottsville: Fellowship and a discussion on membership highlighted a recent meeting of the Pottsville Rotary Club. Member Pete Keitsock led a discussion about finding new members, especially how to get younger members to join.

n Ringtown: St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 100 E. Main St., will hold a Kauffman’s chicken barbecue from 3 to 7 p.m. April 4, takeout only. Meals include a half chicken, baked potato and vegetable. Homemade baked goods will also be available. Tickets are $8.50. For tickets or more information, call Janice at 570-889-3494 or Suzie at 570-889-3755.

n Schuylkill Haven: The Schuylkill Haven Senior Citizens group will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church Social Room, 252 Dock St. Dues of $7 for 2017 will be collected and new members are welcome. Members will discuss future meeting times and activities. After the meeting, vocalist Kayla Sabol will perform accompanied by Bruce Marionelli. The seniors group meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month and always collects donations for the food pantry. For more information, call 570-385-5323.

n Tamaqua: A fundraiser has been scheduled for the Luther’s Angels Relay for Life Team of St. John’s Lutheran Church. A homemade soup sale featuring vegetable beef and chicken noodle soup at $7 per quart will have pickup from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The deadline to order has passed. Other soup as well as baked goods will be available on the pickup date. A craft and vendor, homemade soup and bake sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the church.

n William Penn: The William Penn Fire Company, Mount Olive Boulevard (Route 54) just west of Shenandoah, is selling 50/50 Easter tickets. Tickets are available at many Shenandoah businesses and company representatives are also going door-to-door. The drawing will be April 8.

James R. Ferrier

ORWIGSBURG — A Berks County man is a fugitive from justice after failing to appear Tuesday for his preliminary hearing on charges he vandalized a car in July 2016 outside its owner’s West Brunswick Township residence.

Michael T. Tozer, 29, of 24 Strause Road, Fleetwood, caused more than $1,000 in damage to the white 2015 Kia Sorento belonging to Francis Curry.

Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier ordered a charge of criminal mischief held for court against Tozer after the hearing. He also asked the court to issue a bench warrant for Tozer.

State police at Schuylkill Haven allege Tozer placed scratch and scuff marks on Curry’s car about 3:05 a.m. July 17, 2016. Police said Tozer had become angry at Curry after the latter declined to give him a ride to the Wawa convenience store on Route 61 in Tilden Township, Berks County, north of Hamburg.

Authorities estimate the damage to Curry’s car at $1,300.

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

John H. Armstrong, 34, of 672 N. Second St., Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Heather N. Breidigan, 30, of 120 Graeff St., Cressona — driving under the influence and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Aaron M. Davis, 32, of 2160 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and retail theft; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Dean E. Krammes Jr., 28, of 310 Saint John St., Schuylkill Haven — terroristic threats and harassment; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Megan A. Leymeister, 32, of 304 Saint Charles St., Schuylkill Haven — receiving stolen property and retail theft; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge of retail theft withdrawn, other charge bound over for court.

Stephen N. Reiley, 26, of Center Ave., Schuylkill Haven — possession of drug paraphernalia; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.

Kaitlyn M. Viars, 22, of 128 Center Ave. Apt. B, Schuylkill Haven — DUI, disregarding traffic lane, careless driving and improper driving without headlights; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

David A. Plachko

PORT CARBON — A Minersville man charged with a robbery in that community on Feb. 1 waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko.

Dakota S. Whitman, 22, of 20 Spruce St., was arrested by Minersville police Patrolman Eric Sterner and charged with three counts of robbery and one count each of theft, receiving stolen property and strangulation.

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

Sterner charged Whitman with an incident at his home where Richard Kubilis was visiting. As the man was leaving, Sterner said, Whitman demanded Kubilis empty his pockets but when he refused, Whitman grabbed him by the throat and began to choke him.

After getting physical control over Kubilis, Sterner said, Whitman took $315 in cash and five Pennsylvania lottery tickets from the man.

Other court cases included:

Kaycee A. Drumheller, no age available, of 125 Ferndale Road, Zion Grove — waived for court: retail theft.

Autumn L. Koons, 29, of 514 E. Norwegian St., Pottsville — waived for court: retail theft.

William W. Skeans Jr., 29, of 921 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City — waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Christian D. Norman, no age available, of 164 W. Railroad St., Pottsville — waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Phillip S. Cartwright, 24, of 611 W. Race St., Pottsville — waived for court: retail theft.

David A. Andrews, 50, of 22 Cadbury St., Pottsville — waived for court: theft and receiving stolen property.

Thomas Stanton, 27, of 321 Furnace St., Shenandoah — waived for court: retail theft, defiant trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jordan A. Funk, 20, of 558 State Road, Barnesville — waived for court: theft and receiving stolen property.

Renee E. Gibas, 45, of 4 Wiggan St., New Philadelphia — waived for court: retail theft.

Brett Wallace, 25, of 420 E. Race St., Pottsville — waived for court: theft and receiving stolen property.

Robert C. Miller, 40, of 301 New St., Pottsville — waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Brandon M. Wallace, 22, of 420 E. Race St., Pottsville _ held for court: theft and receiving stolen property.

Richard J. Green, 57, of 4 S. Centre St., Pottsville — held for court: possession of drug paraphernalia and DUI-controlled substance.

William R. Long Jr., 56, of 28 S. Nicholas St., Saint Clair — held for court: defiant trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jeffrey A. Rumpf, 41, of 16 Wood St., Pine Grove — withdrawn: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance. Waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robert M. Hoysock, 32, of 258 Mill Creek Ave., Pottsville — waived for court: simple assault, terroristic threats, harassment, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Lilliana M. Jimenez-Colon, 26, of 436 W. Centre St., Shenandoah — waived for court: retail theft.

Jared W. Hossler, 30, of 604 Pottsville St., Minersville — waived for court: criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and defiant trespass.

Crystal C. Linn, 38, of 418 Pine Hill St., Minersville — waived for court: DUI and disorderly conduct.

Kyrsten B. Kelly, 23, of 41 N. Railroad St., Frackville — waived for court: retail theft, fleeing or attempting to elude police, reckless driving and duties at a stop sign.

John H. Fry, 46, of 600 W. Bacon St., Pottsville — dismissed: unlawful restraint and harassment.

Andreana Roberts, 44, of 445 S. Third St., Minersville — dismissed: simple assault and harassment.

Ariyana Morales, 28, of 113 North St., Minersville — waived for court: retail theft,

Richard Arrigo, 24, of 418 S. Lehigh Ave., Frackville — held for court: retail theft.

Nicole E. Brobst, 22, of 638 Sunbury St., Minersville — withdrawn: receiving stolen property and access device issued to another person.

Tashawn Devon Green, 21, of 638 Sunbury St., Minersville — withdrawn: receiving stolen property and access device issued to another person.

Zachary J. Howe, 25, of 307 Pottsville St., Minersville — withdrawn: possession of drug paraphernalia. Waived for court: receiving stolen property.

Samantha L. Howe, 26, of 307 Pottsville St., Minersville — withdrawn: possession of drug paraphernalia. Waived for court: receiving stolen property.

Deeds

Barry Township — Charles E. Hornberger and Sarah J. Hornberger, trustees of the Hornberger Family Trust, to Charles E. and Sarah J. Hornberger; 1007 Deep Creek Road; $1.

Charles E. and Sarah J. Hornberger to Gary L. Hornberger, Donna K. Hornberger and Linda M. Wagner; 1007 Deep Creek Road; $1.

Blythe Township — Bell Corp. to Bell Corp.; 78.7895-acre property; $1.

Cressona — Grande Land LP to Jennifer M. Quandel; 40 Marsha Drive; $176,500.

Frackville — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Wells Fargo Bank NA; 4 S. Third St.; $1,202.15.

Gilberton — Jenny R. and John A. Bright to Fernando Herrrejon Lopez; 1406 Main St.; $43,000.

Hegins Township — Thomas R. Bixler to Todd A. Bixler; property on Main Street, Valley View; $1.

Thomas E. Barry and Samantha M. Cuff to Thomas E. Barry and Debra L. Barry; 1107 W. Maple St., Valley View; $1.

Richard E. and Debra L. Barry to Phillip M. Barry; 808 W. Main St., Valley View; $1.

Hubley Township — Blackstone Funding LLC and Watermelon Realty LLC to Ralph E. and Valerie Joy Honigmann; 2659 W. Main St., Spring Glen; $3,700.

Mahanoy City — Real Capital Group LLC to Andrelle Chavannes; 928 E. Pine St.; $6,100.

Minersville — A1 Properties and Housing to Katelyn Houser and Michael Lovell; 701 N. Second St.; $8,000.

Palo Alto — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to The Bank of New York Mellon; 255 W. Savory St.; $1,178.07.

Jose A. Torres Jr. to George W. Clegg Jr.; 524 Harrison St.; $26,000.

Porter Township — Anna Mae Romberger, administratrix of the Estate of Beatrice P. Boyer, to Anna Mae Romberger, Earl Boyer, Harold Paul Boyer, Ruth Fetterhoff, Jeanette Salada, Pauline Valibus, Leslie Peters, Donald Troutman and Stephen Troutman; 25 Beagle Road; $1.

Pottsville — Robert J. and Renata L. Alonge to Ghannoum & Ghannoum LLC; 2 N. Centre St.; $1.

Ryan Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Flat Rock Mortgage Investment Trust; 349 State Road, Barnesville; $1,274.51.

Saint Clair — James L. and Sara R. Koch to Ghannoum & Ghannoum LLC; 37 N. Second St.; $1.

Schuylkill Haven — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.; 110 E. Union St.; $1,188.75.

Shenandoah — Vera Stamatovic to Kathy L. Baughman; 1034 W. Coal St.; $6,000.

Tamaqua — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Wells Fargo Bank NA; 601 E. Elm St.; $1,469.38.

West Penn Township — Federal National Mortgage Association to Jennifer A. McDonald and Paul R. McDonald Jr.; 30 Pine Hill Road; $89,900.

George E. and Suzanne R. Cunningham to Kelsie R. Gregory; 180 Archery Club Road; $279,900.

Lehigh & New England Development Corp. to Daniel J. and Mary J. Rockman; right of way; $12,000.

Mahanoy City native Mark T. Purcell discovered his love for music while in elementary school and is marking 50 years in liturgical music in California.

Today is the golden anniversary of Purcell’s playing the church organ. It will be celebrated at his current parish of Ss. Simon & Jude Roman Catholic Church, Huntington Beach, California, where he serves as a pastoral associate for liturgy and music and the parish’s music director.

The commemoration of the anniversary is appropriate on this Fourth Sunday of Lent, which is also known as “Laetare Sunday.” It is a day of celebration within the austere period of Lent, a time to “rejoice,” which is the meaning of the Latin word “laetare.” This Sunday includes the priest wearing rose-colored vestments instead of the usual purple ones during Lent.

Purcell, 61, has been a church organist since 1967, beginning at St. Canicus Roman Catholic Church, Mahanoy City.

“It all started when I was in the sixth grade at St. Canicus School and a sister (Sister Vincent Marie, GNSN) asked who wants to play the organ at Mass,” Purcell said. “No one raised their hand. Well, in those days we were learning the ‘new math,’ and I hated it. Everybody hated it. Then she said, ‘Who wants to get out of math class and play the organ?’ Everybody raised their hand, and I raised two hands. And she pointed at me and said, ‘You.’ And that was it.”

Purcell’s main exposure to music was his grandmother, Ida DeCesare, who was the organist at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Mahanoy City.

“I heard her play and sing, but that was about it,” Purcell said.

He was taken to the organ in church and asked him to play the hymns, which were in English instead of Latin.

“Somehow I learned how to play by ear and learn those hymns, and two weeks later they told me I would be playing at Mass,” Purcell said. “My parents didn’t believe me. I was never one to lay out my clothes for church the next day, but I had them laid out for church.”

In addition to playing at St. Canicus, he also played for a number of years at the minstrel shows held at St. Mary Magdalen Church, Lost Creek, around St. Patrick’s Day.

“I used to play for Father Connaughton at the minstrels in Lost Creek for many years,” he said. “Then one day father said, ‘You are going to learn to read music and become the organist.’ I didn’t want to do it, but of course he was right. My first teacher was Doretta Jones, who works at the news agency in Mahanoy City. She taught me the basics of piano, and then I studied with Frank Marzullo for the organ. I graduated from Marian High School in 1973. There I studied organ with Sister Daniel Regina, who was the IHM nun there at the time.”

After graduating, he worked for a few years at the Triangle Shoe Store in Mahanoy City, and then considered religious life, contacted the Diocese of Allentown, which led to him attending the University of Scranton and living at the seminary in Dalton.

“I discerned that I always loved music and liturgy, and they said I should work in a parish and get involved in that,” Purcell said. “So, I worked at St. Joseph’s Church in Berwick, whose pastor was from Mahanoy City, Father Dominick Mammarella.”

He remembered seeing one of the first television broadcasts of the Rev. Robert H. Schuller’s “Hour of Power” from the Crystal Cathedral in California, and he was intrigued.

“Something jumped out at me and I thought that someday I would study organ with that organist,” Purcell said. “I wrote to him about one piece he played, and as a Christmas gift he sent the piece of music that he played.”

In 1981, when he was at St. Joseph in Berwick, Purcell decided to fly out to California and study with the organist, Richard Unfreid. He saved $200 from his job at the Stop ‘N Go Convenience Store in Mahanoy City and flew to California. While at the store, he was also taking classes at Lebanon Valley College.

With only $200, a suit coat and some clothes, Purcell slept under the freeway and took showers at the YMCA.

“I didn’t tell anybody because my family would have went crazy,” Purcell said.

When people from Schuller’s church found out of his situation, he was offered a place to stay and he could work at a part-time job as he studied with Unfreid. Purcell continued to go to Mass, and when he attended a Holy Thursday Mass at a local church, he met the pastor and they spoke of the music and the need for some improvements.

“He asked me if there was anything I could do to help them, and I thought that God was calling me here,” Purcell said. “That was the start of me being at St. John the Baptist Church. He invited me over a cup of coffee on a Saturday, and the next day I was playing at two Sunday Masses. And I taught at the school, was accepted at Chapman University and I took classes at UCLA and Biola University and completed the music degree in 1992. And I studied with Richard for seven years. It was wonderful. He taught me so much.”

Purcell added, “I thought I would only be here for five years to finish that degree, and I never went back.”

After 15 years at St. John, Purcell considered returning to the eastern U.S., but the Franciscans at Ss. Simon & Jude asked him to reconsider.

“At St. John’s the choir had grown to 110 people. We had a big program with children choirs and handbell choirs and I was involved in diocesan events,” Purcell said. “The friars invited me to come here and start a program and it took off. The parish has grown to 4,000 families and our grade school has 750 kids in it. And in 2005, the University of Notre Dame offered a summer course for theology, liturgy and music, and they were going to accept 30 people from across the country. Well, I’ve always rooted for the Fighting Irish, so I applied and I got in.”

Purcell and other parishioners returned to Notre Dame in subsequent years and he earned a master’s degree in liturgical studies with a background in liturgy and music. Purcell was later named a pastoral associate at his parish, which was developed due to the shortage of priests.

“It certainly helps clergy in all the missions that they have to do,” he said. “So, I’m involved in the Diocese of Orange. I served on the bishop’s Committee for the Liturgy for six years, and I was involved in a major way for the refurbishing the organ at the Crystal Cathedral, which is now Christ Cathedral.”

In 2012, the diocese purchased the Crystal Cathedral for its use as its cathedral for $57 million. It is currently being renovated, and part of the work is the refurbishment of the Hazel Wright Organ, which Purcell studied on. One of the largest pipe organs in the world, the organ has 270 ranks and 16,061 pipes and is fully playable from two five-manual consoles.

“We’re planning to be back in there in 2019, and our diocese is growing out here in California and the church is flourishing,” Purcell said. “So it’s a challenge and it’s a joy at the same time to be involved in all of this. And this has become my life. Of course, I come from an Irish-Italian background and my family is back there. My parents are gone to Heaven, but I invite my sisters and friends to come out here and I’ll give them a tour.”

Purcell has three sisters — Martina Doukas and Mary Beth Purcell, who are in Mahanoy City, and Evelyn Purcell, Mohrsville.

IUP

Nicole E. Fidler, Orwigsburg, earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies in December 2016 at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Albright

Samantha Drust, Tamaqua, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration during 2016 winter commencement ceremonies at Albright College, Reading.

York

Briana Rubright, Tamaqua, graduated Dec. 21, 2016, cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in political science from York College of Pennsylvania.

DeSales

The following local residents earned degrees during mid-year commencement ceremonies Jan. 21 at DeSales University, Center Valley:

Stephanie L. Grazel, Barnesville, bachelor’s in nursing, summa cum laude; Maria Yankus, Mahanoy City, master of science in physician assistant studies; Cynthia A. Cappel, Orwigsburg, doctor of nursing practice, executive leadership; Dominic J. Chiplonia, Pottsville, bachelor’s in biology; Jenna L. Williams, Pottsville, master of science in physician assistant studies; Shawn P. Owens, Schuylkill Haven, master of science in physician assistant studies.

Wilkes

The following local residents earned degrees after completing the fall semester at Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre:

Jeanne Cannon, Coaldale, bachelor’s in elementary and early childhood education; Makia Stocker, Andreas, bachelor’s in psychology; Karrie Bowman, Hegins, master’s in education; Andrew Ditty, Elizabethville, master’s in education; Heather Jenkins, Pottsville, master’s in education; Joleen Schade, Hamburg, master’s in nursing.

Calif. Univ. of Pa.

The following local residents graduated from the California University of Pennsylvania:

Joshua Kneal, Hegins, Wilbur P. Dubiansky, Mahanoy City, and Leah Zerbe, Pine Grove, earned master’s degrees in exercise science and health promotion; Joshua T. Dombrosky, Shenandoah, earned a bachelor’s degree in sport management.

Misericordia

The following local residents graduated during winter commencement ceremonies Dec. 18, 2016, at Misericordia University, Dallas, Luzerne County:

Marissa Conti, Shenandoah, bachelor’s in medical imaging; Megan Curry, Pottsville, psychology, pre-doctorate in physical therapy; Jessican Jansson, Pottsville, occupational therapy-entry level master’s; Mallory Loughman, Tamaqua, doctorate of physical therapy; Amanda Machey, McAdoo, doctorate in physical therapy.

Northampton

Katelyn Donley, Lykens, Lauren Thompson, Pine Grove, and Samantha Bertasavage, Tremont, were among the 600 August and December 2016 graduates who completed associate degrees and specialized diplomas at Northampton Community College, Bethlehem.

Penn College

The following local residents graduated from Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, during Dec. 17, 2016, commencement ceremonies at the Community Arts Center:

Zachary M. Goodman, associate of applied science, welding technology; Joshua M. Kalinich, Mar Lin, bachelor’s in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning design technology; Luke Onuskanich, Frackville, associate of applied science, electromechanical maintenance technology; Britney L. Uroskie, Pottsville, bachelor’s in dental hygience with health policy and administration concentration; Brett M. VanderMeer, Pottsville, associate of applied science, building construction technology: masonry emphasis with high honors.

Kutztown

Kutztown University conferred degrees on nearly 700 students during the summer and fall 2016 terms. The following local students were awarded degrees:

Samuel L. Devere Benning, Saint Clair, bachelor’s degree in English and professional writing, cum laude; Sarah J. Berry, Schuylkill Haven, bachelor’s degree in English and professional writing, summa cum laude; Amanda M. Bopp, Williamstown, master’s degree in pre k-grade 4, magna cum laude; Lynda M. Boulden, bachelor’s degree in accounting, magna cum laude; Erin R. Byerly, Schuylkill Haven, bachelor’s degree in marketing, magna cum laude; Adelen N. Geiger, Schuylkill Haven, bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and biology/pre-med and health; Tanya H. Halupa, Frackville, bachelor’s degree in social work, cum laude; Justin D. Imbody, New Ringgold, bachelor’s degree in electronic media; Jonathan E. Jenkins, Auburn, master’s degree in instructional technology, summa cum laude; Joseph R. Koons, Gordon, bachelor’s degree in electronic media; Samantha L. Kopp, Hamburg, master’s degree in reading, summa cum laude; Bethann L. Kulp, Hamburg, bachelor’s degree in psychology/clinical counseling, summa cum laude; Derek A. Linkhorst, New Ringgold, bachelor’s degree in accounting; Tyler J. Matunis, Girardville, bachelor’s degree in leisure and sport studies; Alyssa A. Miller, Schuylkill Haven, master’s degree in secondary education/curriculum and instruction, summa cum laude; Marissa Miller, Hamburg, bachelor’s degree in history, cum laude; Matthew S. Murphy, Pottsville, bachelor’s degree in biochemistry; Ashley N. Rank, Pine Grove, bachelor’s degree in elementary education/pre k-grade 4, magna cum laude; Charlene Rarick-Knauss, Auburn, master’s degree in art education, summa cum laude; Matthew D. Shields, Pottsville, bachelor’s degree in management; Dylan E. Smarr, Tamaqua, bachelor’s degree in criminal justice; Theodore T. Smith, Schuyl-kill Haven, bachelor’s degree in marketing; Cody M. Thomas, Pottsville, bachelor’s degree in communication studies; Adam S. Tophoney, Ashland, bachelor’s de-gree in psychology; Breanna E. Watkins, New Ringgold, bachelor’s degree in accounting; Tammy L. Weidman, Schuylkill Haven, bachelor’s degree in biology/organismal/ecology, summa cum laude; DeeAnna T. Wessner, Hamburg, bachelor’s degree in social work; Andreah B. White, Barnesville, bachelor’s degree in marketing.

Usually the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation offers one grant program per year to give more than $35,000 in grants to nonprofits in Schuylkill County.

But since this year is its 50th anniversary, it’s offering a second to give out an additional $50,000.

“In our history, we’ve never done a special grant cycle like this before,” Eileen Kuperavage, its executive director, said Tuesday.

This new grant cycle is called the SACF 50th Anniversary Circles of Giving program. Nonprofits with 501(c)3 status in Schuylkill County can submit applications from April 1 to April 30.

To make this possible, the foundation had to solicit donations.

“So it’s probably going to be the one and only. We don’t like to solicit for funds to compete with the other nonprofits in the community, even though this money is going back 100 percent to the nonprofit community,” Kuperavage said.

So far, 41 donors gave a total of $42,470, she said Tuesday.

“We’re hoping to raise all of the money by April 30. And I’m pretty confident we’ll get there,” Kuperavage said.

Traditional program

The foundation has its roots in Ashland Trusts, which was incorporated Jan. 16, 1967. Over time, the organization continued to extend its reach across Schuylkill County. In 1997, it became the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation.

Over the years, the foundation’s growth has been steady. It ended 2012 with a total of $13.3 million in endowments. It ended 2013 with $15.7 million. It ended 2015 with $17.6 million. And, as of Tuesday, Kuperavage said the foundation had $19.5 million in the bank.

Roughly $17 million of the brokerage is invested with Oppenheimer at 101 S. Centre St., Pottsville, and the balance of $2.5 million is held with F.N.B. Wealth Management, 396 S. Centre St., Pottsville, Kuperavage said.

At the end of 2013, the foundation had 149 charitable funds. As of Tuesday, it had 161 charitable funds, Kuperavage said.

Every year from Jan. 1 to March 15, local nonprofit groups — federally recognized 501(c)3 organizations serving Schuylkill County and its surrounding area — can submit applications to the foundation for grant funding for projects.

“It’s for projects or programs but not operational expenses,” Kuperavage said.

“Normally, these grant awards range from $100 to $2,000,” according to the foundation’s website at www.sacfoundation.com.

In 2016, SACF received 56 applications.

“Those applications totaled a request for $53,926, which is significantly more than we had available,” Kuperavage said in January.

Of those 56 requests, SACF approved 43. And the total amount granted was $36,981.18, Sharon Koszyk, the foundation’s program manager, said Tuesday.

This year, there were 74 applications received. Kuperavage anticipates the recipients will be named in May.

Special program

In January, the foundation launched a campaign to raise $50,000 to support the special competitive grant program.

“Sharon came up with the idea,” Kuperavage said Tuesday, referring to Koszyk.

“Once again, it’s for projects and programs, not operational expenses,” Kuperavage said.

Unlike the traditional program, this one won’t have a ceiling of $2,000.

“For this grant cycle, we are not putting that limitation on because if the grant committee reviews the application and they feel it is worthy of a larger amount of money, they will have the discretion to make that decision as a committee,” Kuperavage said.

She anticipates the recipients will be named in May or June.

Nonprofits interested in learning more about the grant programs can call the foundation’s office at 216 S. Centre St., Pottsville, at 570-624-7223, or visit its website.

McCloskey

The following students at Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing made the director’s academic honor list at the completion of the Nursing 200, 201 or 202 courses:

Madison Blasko, Michelle Boniscavage, Rachel Burke, Anita Carver, Mikayla Davidson, Kendalle DiFilippo, Alexandra DiNicola, Shannon Goodman, Krystal Londono, Sarah Mansell, Kelly Mitchell, Brian Noonan, Amber Reber, Michelle Roberts, Kristen Ruskuski, Katey Scheeler, Brooke Sims, Devin Smith, Terri Starr.

The following students made the director’s academic honor list at the completion of the Nursing 100 course:

Megan Bowers, Andrea Brezgel, Diana Costenbader, Megan Fidler, Allyson Finster, Tawny Gilbert, Samantha Green, Marian Kindred, Miranda Neary, Michael Neidlinger, Cady O’Malley, Robyn Orth, Christopher Paroby, Adrienne Pinchot, Mariah Sabol, Mariah Sands, Samantha Savitsky, Amber Se-manchyk, Victoria Yaracz.

On Jan. 17, 1847, a band of brethren supporting the Baptist doctrine formed a church in Pottsville.

On May 7, the parishioners of that church, First Baptist Church, 701 Mahantongo St., will observe the 170th anniversary of the parish with a service and brunch.

“We’re going to have a catered meal right after our regular service in the morning on Sunday, May 7. Our service is from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. And we’ll have the meal around 11 a.m. We’re discussing what the menu will be, but it will be a hot meal,” Joan M. Wagner, a parishioner from Pottsville, said.

The event will be catered by Wood Catering LLC, Pottsville, she said.

People interested in attending can visit the church and put their names on a sign-up sheet, the pastor, Russ Hepler, said.

“That way, we’ll get people into church for a service or two before the event,” Hepler said Thursday.

“We’ll have a sign-up sheet soon after Easter,” Wagner said.

Wagner and her sister, Mary E. Moran, a parishioner from Pottsville, said they plan to invite local dignitaries, “and members who live out of the area,” Moran said.

“We’re also going to see if former pastors can come back. But with it being a Sunday morning, those who are still serving other churches might not be able to be here because they have their own services,” Hepler said.

The church was organized Jan. 17, 1847, when the Rev. Charles Tucker assembled a small group of believers and they adopted the New Hampshire Confession of Faith.

Those first parishioners included Paul Moody, Eunice Moody, Mary Riley, Mary Gill, Marcia M. Allen, Mary Evans, Ann Thomas, James Warde, Robert Crozier, Charles Beal, Robert C. Green, Lydia Thomas and James Oriel, according to a pamphlet on the church’s history published by the church in 2007.

Bill Van Stone, a parishioner from Norwegian Township, had a collection of pamphlets Thursday.

“I’ve been a parishioner since I was born. I’m 72,” he said.

“The first addition by baptism was Miss Mary Shelly (later Mrs. R.C. Green) who was baptized in the Schuylkill River Jan. 9, 1848,” according to the “Joseph H. Zerbey History of Pottsville and Schuylkill County,” published in 1936.

The church building was completed and dedicated in the summer of 1852, with Dr. G. B. Ide, Philadelphia, delivering the sermon, according to the Zerbey history.

“A saloon had formerly stood on the site,” according to the church pamphlet.

Built under the floorboards of the altar was a “baptismal. It’s not a tank and it’s not a pool. It’s called a baptismal. I think the last time it was used was about 10 years ago,” Moran said.

On Thursday morning, Hepler pushed back the carpet and lifted a wooden panel to reveal it.

There is a collection of artifacts in a display case in the lower level in the Fellowship Room.

“At one time it was the Sunday School Room,” Moran said.

The collection includes a metal plaque dedicated to the Rev. A.J. Hall, the pastor from 1903 to 1908.

“During Pastor Hall’s service, improvements were made to the church at a cost of $1,600. Also a new organ was installed costing $2,000. A gift of $925 toward the cost of the organ was received from Andrew Carnegie,” according to a note that was laminated and taped to it.

Carnegie was an American industrialist who amassed a fortune in the steel industry then became a major philanthropist. He was born in 1835 and died in 1919, according to www.history.com.

On the wall downstairs is a framed picture of the Men’s Bible Class taken in June 1949 on the front steps of the church.

“There’s Bill Reese. He was a pharmacist in town for many years. And there’s Sam E. Deibler. He was the teacher of that class,” Moran said, pointing to people in the picture.

She recently made an effort to preserve another photograph taken in 1920 by making a copy.

“This was Baptist Sunday School at Agriculture Park, taken on July 30, 1920,” she said.

She also had files from the early 1990s related to an effort the parish made to erect a new church building.

“I saved all this stuff. I figured one of these days, I don’t know,” Moran said.

“We’re not going to be around anymore,” Wagner said.

“I won’t be here. And who else wants to do it? I don’t know,” Moran said.

“I’ve only been here about two and a half years. These ladies know far more about the history of the church than I do,” the pastor said.

“In 1956, we were in a parade in Pottsville,” Moran said, holding up a photo of a float the church assembled. It featured a representation of a clock emblazoned with the words: “It is time to seek the Lord.”

“I believe it was for the city’s sesquicentennial,” Moran said.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the parishioners considered building a new church. At the time, the Rev. Thomas M. McClelland was pastor.

“There were many reasons. Our parish was growing. We wanted more parking. And the steps out front here are a challenge for some of our parishioners. I was on that committee. But it didn’t come together. We had a property where we could build a new church. It was on West End Avenue. It was sold though,” Moran said.

“Now the kids play soccer on it,” Wagner said.

In 2001, the exterior of the church at 701 Mahantongo St. was remodeled, according to the church pamphlet.

Today, there are “about 60 parishioners,” the pastor said.

“But only about half of that come out for services,” R. Eugene Nolley, a parishioner from Pottsville, said.

The First Baptist Church is a member of the Reading Baptist Association, the American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware, and the American Baptist Churches USA, according to the church pamphlet.

Alvernia

Shauna Redanauer, Auburn, chose to spend winter break working to help others in the Dominican Republic through an Alvernia University Alternative Break program. Shauna is studying nursing at the university.

Students volunteering with the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters in Los Trez Brazos of the Dominican Republic taught English to K-5 classes during the day, as well as teaching evening English classes to adults. They provided several workshops at the school on dance, painting, crafts, soccer and baking. In addition to visiting and praying for the sick, students organized and restocked the Sisters’ pharmacy and learned about Dominican Republic history while visiting the local Colonial Zone and Boca Chica beach.

Ithaca

Hannah Goodman, Pottsville, was honored with Ithaca College’s Peggy R. Williams Award for Academic and Community Leadership, an award recognizing students who excel academically, perform service to the college community and nation, and represent an exemplary level of accomplishment.

LOYALTON — Upper Dauphin Area Business Manager Mary Bateman unveiled the district’s 2017-18 preliminary budget Thursday that shows an anticipated deficit of $174,929.57.

The school board is slated to vote on the preliminary $19.2 million spending plan on April 11, according to Superintendent Evan Williams.

“A tax increase is an option, as is taking money from the fund balance,” Williams said.

The budget overview shows anticipated expenditures of $19,234,222.57, and anticipated revenue of $19,059,293. Bateman said no salary increases have been entered into the budget and state and federal revenues were entered at 2015-16 values, except for Title II, which has been removed.

The bulk of the preliminary budget expenditures is for salaries, $8,110,129.20 or 42 percent of the budget; and for benefits, $5,623,670.95, or 29 percent of the budget. Debt service is listed at $953,543.51. UDA has an estimated unassigned fund balance of $1.6 million; an estimated Public School Employees’ Retirement System reserve of $1,319,247.51; and an estimated capital reserve of $2.9 million.

A summary of revenues is nearly equally split for incoming funds from local and state sources; with local revenue at $9,268,048; state revenue at $9,397,402; and federal revenue $393,843, Bateman’s report shows.

Upper Dauphin’s current Act 1 index for real estate taxes is at 3.5 percent. If the board would raise tax rates to the index, at 3.5 percent, that would generate $225,605.53.

The current real estate millage rate is 18.2745 mills. Increasing the real estate rate to the index would mean the rate would jump to 18.8141 mills, or a 0.5396 increase, which is $53.96 for every $100,000 of assessed valuation.

Director Dave Barder was absent; all other directors were present.

ORWIGSBURG — Rutter’s Farm Stores is looking to come to Schuylkill County.

Rutter’s, a convenience store based in York, has 47 locations in Pennsylvania, according to its website.

A legal ad recently published in The Republican-Herald said there is a public hearing on the transfer of an intermunicipal liquor license. The hearing is slated for 6:30 p.m. April 5 at the West Brunswick Township Municipal Building. A company identified as SCS801921 LLC, associated with Rutter’s, is seeking the transfer of the restaurant liquor license R-15966 held in safekeeping in the Borough of McAdoo into the township at 1140-1142 Centre Turnpike, the ad states. The license belongs to Gene’s Gray Goose Inc. and was renewed until March 2018.

Larry Heim, a lawyer with Katherman, Heim & Perry, a law firm based in York, filed the incorporation paperwork for the entity seeking the transfer Feb. 2, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations.

According to the company website, www.rutters.com, “The story of Rutter’s Dairy begins in 1921, when George and Bud Rutter milked 20 cows to produce the first 15 quarts of Rutter’s milk, which they sold door-to-door from their horse-drawn wagon for 8 cents per quart. Back then, the dairy was known as Crystal Spring Dairy, after the cold spring on the farm, which was the business’s first method of refrigeration.”

Heim said he will attend the April 5 hearing.

“I will explain what we are going to sell and how we are going to sell it,” he said.

The store will sell beer and a limited amount of wine in addition to other items, though the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board must give approval pending the liquor license transfer.

“Usually townships welcome us with open arms” because they want the revenue in the municipality, he said.

Liquor license

Eugene Nance, owner of Gene’s Gray Goose Inc., which burned down Jan. 2, 2014, said he was not at liberty to discuss any specifics regarding the liquor license.

“On the contract, I’m not suppose to discuss the buyers or anything,” he said.

According to the PLCB, some of the rules for a restaurant liquor license are: “The primary purpose of the ‘R’ licensed establishment is to habitually and principally provide food service to the public. The service of liquor, wine or beer products is secondary. The interior dimensions must be no less than 400 square feet, equipped with at least 30 chairs, or the equivalent seating, at tables for public use. Even though ‘R’ licensees may serve liquor, wine and beer products, they are under the same restrictions as ‘E’ licensees regarding the sale of these products for takeout purposes. ‘R’ licensees may not sell any single, open container of alcoholic beverage for consumption outside the establishment.”

Rutter’s responds

David Martineau, general counsel for Rutter’s, said Friday that Rutter’s is interested in three parcels of land on the south side of Centre Turnpike for their new location. Judith W. Hummel owns two parcels and FKV Limited owns the third.

“We don’t have an address for that yet,” Martineau said about the proposed location.

FKV Limited’s parcel is identified on the tax map as 35-05-0101.005. One parcel owned by Hummel is at 1142 Centre Turnpike. The other address was not provided.

Martineau said he will likely attend the liquor license hearing.

Derek Gaskins, customer officer for Rutter’s, said Thursday that any potential deals can take years to come to fruition.

“We are certainly looking to grow,” he said.

When asked Thursday about the request to transfer the liquor license, Gaskins said he was unaware of the hearing.

“There are no deals that are in the works,” he said about the properties.

Properties in question

Hummel’s son, David Ray, would not comment on any possible discussions with Rutter’s.

“The land has not been sold,” he said.

Both were unaware of the hearing April 5 but will attend.

Part 2 of the column that ran Feb. 24.

The sale begins. The pros and the most avid bidders crowd around a big wooden table dragged out from the garage. This, along with the wooden chest where the auctioneer stands, is the auction block.

The rest of us line the stone walls separating the driveway from a raised garden. We have a bird’s eye view of the table and the auctioneer, a highly trained professional who often behaves like a carny. I’m standing on the edge and every once in the while an impatient bidder pushes forward, throwing me off balance, forcing me, if I hope to avoid a fall, to take a quick step backward into the flower bed where well-tended rose bushes are taking their winter rest.

But this pushing and jostling is all part of the game, a game of combat. An auction is physical; literally, you must be on your toes, poised for action, eyes and ears open, arms stretched forward to grab your newly acquired possessions, passed from the auction table above the heads of the crowd once the auctioneer, with three strikes of his gavel, has proclaimed “Adjugé, vendu!” (going, going, gone).

It rains, the rain stops, a crisp west wind brings clear skies. The sale is moving fast. Little by little, I begin to follow and understand. With some regret — my feet are already numb, I realize the objects that interest me will not go on sale until afternoon.

For the moment, up for auction are a lifetime of knickknacks, paintings, statuettes, busts, a porcelain dinner service and many sets of everyday stoneware, copper pots and pans, several dozen wine carafes, carved African stools and masks, a collection of minerals and one of magnificent conch shells, a full collection of the acts of the historical society of le Perche, a few fine and ancient maps of the region and delicate 18th century lace, carefully mounted and framed.

I follow the proceedings, moving fast. Some items, such as the lace and a pre-revolutionary map of le Perche go for several hundred euros. Others, sold by lots piled in cardboard boxes, for 20 or 30, and I begin to understand that those boxes are a lot like grab bags. Nobody, not even the auctioneer, knows exactly what’s inside: there may be hidden treasure among the crockery and bibelots.

A woman standing next to me hits the jackpot. Rooting through her box of glass and stoneware, she pulls out two crystal wine carafes with the imprint of Cristal Saint-Louis, the oldest glassmakers in Europe.

I watch her bid. She is experienced. She knows what she wants. She buys lot after lot, and her cardboard boxes, buckling beneath the weight of their charge, are passed to her and then piled up on the lawn behind us or at the foot of the wall where we stand.

When I ask her if she is in the antique business, she vehemently denies it, explaining she is buying for her children, for nieces and nephews, all setting themselves up in life. I know she is lying; she must know I know, but this is not a world where you trust your neighbor. Everyone at the sale is a potential rival and she has no idea who I am. After all, I could be a secret agent from internal revenue sent to crackdown on antique dealers who, notoriously, hide much of their business from the taxman.

The young man standing on the other side of me is more forthcoming. He sells online and is looking for objects from the first half of the 20th century. He buys an art deco vase, paying more than 200 euros, and a telephone from the 1930s. He’ll post these items on his site and, I hope for him, make a profit.

There are other professionals bidding on what to my eye are atrocities, a horrible 16th century statue of St. Barbe, a Christian martyr who had her head and her breasts cut off; and an equally ugly signed 19th century terra cotta bust. Both go for close to 1,000 euros.

Then it is time for lunch. Because this is France and no one can imagine going without a hot meal, the doors of the maison bourgeoise are locked and the crowd disperses to cars or to the center of town.

I head for the bistro where I had a coffee in the morning. Packed, all the tables reserved, but if I’d come back in about a half hour…

I explore the village of Longny-au-Perche, discover a 16th century church, St. Martin, with a painted wooden nave; and a Renaissance chapel at the edge of town, where each year, on Sept. 8, a pilgrimage takes place to venerate the Pieta inside. There are also many streams and old mills with mill wheels turning and half-timbered houses that look like they belong to Shakespeare’s time.

The village is sleepy, many storefronts are empty, but time passes quickly, despite the damp cold, and when I return to the restaurant, a little table is waiting for me.

And once again I have a bird’s eye view of the auctioneer. He and his employees dine together. He has removed his padded coat, and beneath it wears a mustard-colored hunting jacket.

While I observe, I warm up and eat an excellent salade de gésiers, a chicken gizzard salad with two vinaigrettes, one raspberry and the other mustard. I drink a glass of red wine and, for you, dear readers, sample a dessert. I try the homemade lemon tart with freshly whipped cream, a “délice.”

But then it’s back to the cold. Clear skies have replaced the rain and the sun shines on me, bringing me a stroke of luck. Although most of the furniture will be auctioned off inside, the armchairs I want are already out on the auction block. I take out my number and I’m ready to bid.

Perhaps not everybody is back from lunch. Perhaps wooden armchairs are not a hot item. For a little more than 100 euros, I walk away with two beautiful cherry-wood chairs that, once I get them home, immediately find their place in my living room.

Now I’m ready for the next sale. I’m ready to swoop down on another man’s life and pick over the remains, acutely aware that someday my precious belongings will suffer the same fate.

If you missed last month’s article, you can find it on my Facebook page.

(Honicker can be reached at honicker.republicanherald@gmail.com)

Rochester

Lauren Moyer, Schuylkill Haven, and Natalie Steffel, Hamburg, made the fall dean’s list at Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York.

Northampton

The following area students made the fall dean’s list at Northampton Community College, Bethlehem:

Alesia Casler, Barnesville; Dana Oravitz, Frackville; Chelsey Miller and Sarah Muinos, both of Hamburg; Tiffany Tonkin, Minersville; Emmeline Knowlan, New Ringgold; Kaitlin Neiswender, Pottsville; Christie Hutira and Elizabeth Raibeck, both of Schuylkill Haven.

Susquehanna

Anthony D. Wojcie-chowsky, Pottsville, made the dean’s list for the fall semester at Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, with a 4.0 GPA.

A 2016 Pottsville Area High School graduate, he is a son of Richard and Heather Wojciechowsky.

Lafayette

Ethan Garvey, Auburn, and William Schaeffer, Tower City, were named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Lafayette College, Easton.

Boston

Gabrielle R. DiRenzo, Pottsville, was named to the dean’s list at Boston University for the fall semester.

Dominican

Kelsey M. Weiss, Cass Township, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Dominican College, Orangeburg, New York.

A 2016 Minersville Area High School graduate, she is a daughter of Charlie and Kathy Weiss and a granddaughter of Joe Baruka.

East Stroudsburg

Brittany Kurilla, Port Carbon, a communication sciences and disorders major, made the dean’s list for the fall semester with a 3.8 GPA at East Stroudsburg University.

She is a 2014 graduate of Pottsville Area High School and a daughter of James Sr. and Lisa Kurilla.

The Citadel

Madyson Riegel, Schuyl-kill Haven, was awarded Gold Stars during the fall semester at The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina, for earning a grade-point ratio of 3.7 or higher.

Misericordia

Christina Guzinski, a junior nursing major at Misericordia University, Dallas, Luzerne County, made the dean’s list for the fall semester with a 3.89 GPA.

A 2014 graduate of Marian High School, she is a daughter of Thomas and Leah Guzinski, Shenandoah Heights, and a granddaughter of Peggy Blashock, Shenandoah.

Western N.E.

Ryan B. Guers, Orwigsburg, a communication maj-or, made the dean’s list for the fall semester at Western New England University, Springfield, Massachusetts.

Dickinson

The following local students made the dean’s list for the fall semester at Dickinson College, Carlisle:

Morgan M. Bates, a junior music major, is a graduate of Schuylkill Haven Area High School and a daughter of Richard Bates and Jennifer Zimmerman-Bates, Schuylkill Haven; Alexia V. Tobash, a senior art and art history major, is a graduate of Pottsville Area High School and a daughter of Mike and Amie Tobash, Pottsville; Michaela E. Zanis, a sophomore law and policy and English major, is a graduate of Pottsville Area High School and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Zanis, Seltzer; Caroline R. Kanaskie, a senior environmental science major, is a graduate of Tamaqua Area High School and a daughter of Paul and Renee Kanaskie, Tamaqua.

Marist

Niccole Darco, Auburn, a liberal arts major, made the dean’s list for the fall semester at Marist College, Poughkeepsie, New York.

Delaware Valley

Corinne Bricker, Pottsville, and Jonah Eckert, Hamburg, made the fall dean’s list at Delaware Valley University, Doylestown.

Williamson

Cody Miller, Tower City, a power plant technology junior at Williamson College of the Trades, Media, made the fall semester dean’s list for achieving a GPA of 3.67.

Villanova

Jadyn Anczarski, Ringtown, a freshman majoring in physics, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Villlanova University.

A 2016 graduate of North Schuylkill High School, he is a son of Joyce and John Anczarski, Ringtown.

Penn College

Tyler Troup, Pottsville, a construction management major at Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, made the dean’s list for the fall semester.

A 2016 graduate of Pottsville Area High School, he is a son of Jennifer Mackey, Pottsville, and Dennis Troup, Pottsville. He is a grandson of Ida Mackey, Minersville, and Dennis Troup Sr., Pottsville.

Seton Hall

Jessica Stivers, Ringtown, made the dean’s list for the fall semester at Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey.

West Chester

Morgan Allar, Pottsville, a broadcasting major at West Chester University, made the dean’s list for the fall semester.

She is a 2013 graduate of Minersville Area High School and a daughter of Jeff and Charlotte Allar and a granddaughter of William and Andrea Allar, Tremont.

Millersville

Savanna Krusinsky, Ringtown, a freshman bio-chemistry major at Millersville University, made the dean’s list for the fall semester with a 3.62 GPA.

A graduate of Marian High School, she is a daughter of Ed and Raina Krusinsky.

Stevenson

The following local students made the dean’s list for the fall semester at Stevenson University, Owings Mills, Maryland:

Brianna Bonetsky, Tamaqua; Nina Bretz, Schuylkill Haven; Stephen Schlegel, Tower City; Rebecca Staller, Port Carbon.

Albright

The following local students made the dean’s list for the fall semester at Albright College, Reading:

Kyle Bernadyn, Mahanoy City, a junior English major; Wesley Gehman, Auburn, a senior communications/journalism/public relations and advertising major; Riley Gerenda, Minersville, a junior communications/English major; Ashley Lipshaw, Ashland, a junior biochemistry major; Bryana Messerschmidt, Barnesville, a freshman English/secondary education major; Cody Stetson, Barnesville, a sophomore computer science major; Laura Wimbrow, Orwigsburg, a junior biology/classical studies major.

Hofstra

Derrick Hamilton, Minersville, and Sarah Hanlon, Hamburg, made the dean’s list for the fall semester at Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York.

Univ. of Sciences

The following local residents made the fall semester dean’s list at University of the Sciences, Philadelphia:

Ethan Englert, Pottsville, Leah Evert, Orwigsburg, and Kayla Garzio, McAdoo, all doctor of pharmacy students; Bryan Heyer, Tamaqua, environmental science; Jordan Kolbush, McAdoo, doctor of pharmacy; Danielle Miller, McAdoo, doctor of occupational therapy; Kyle O’Brien, Orwigsburg, doctor of pharmacy; Mercedes Shelcusky, Pottsville, master of occupational therapy; Shelby Weikel, Gordon, master of occupational therapy; Derek Wiley, Ringtown, doctor of physical therapy.

DeSales

The following local students made the dean’s list for the fall semester at DeSales University, Center Valley:

Nikole Klatka, Andreas; Ethan Motsney, Ashland; Kayla Rodick, McAdoo; Taylor Fritz, New Ringgold; Alyssa Porter and Amanda Wills, both of Orwigsburg; Robert Celani, McKayla Jones and Rachel Ryan, all of Pottsville; Michaela Garland, Saint Clair; Julianna Wagner, Tamaqua.

Lycoming

The following students made the dean’s list for the fall semester at Lycoming College, Williamsport:

Alexis Keim, Barnesville, a psychology major; Blake Bowman, Valley View, history; Coral Chiaretti, Ashland, mathematics; Jordyn Reilly, Cressona, anatomy and physiology; Seth Lansberry, Klingerstown, ecology; Anna Ulrich, Hamburg, financial accounting; Ashley Heisler, Valley View; Joseph Wolff, Tremont.

New York

Tommy Twardzik, Shenandoah Heights, a senior at New York University, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester.

He is a son of Thomas and Pamela Twardzik, Shenandoah.

Temple

Brianne N. Hughes, a senior business major at Temple University, Philadelphia, made the dean’s list for the fall semester.

Brianne is a 2013 graduate of Nativity BVM High School and a daughter of Dave and Kathy Hughes, Schuylkill Haven.

Hillsdale

Madeline Domalakes, a junior history major at Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Michigan, made the dean’s list for the fall semester.

Madeline is a 2014 graduate of Nativity BVM High School and a daughter of Paul and Patricia Domalakes, Frackville.

Penn State

Emily Lehman, a sophomore occupational therapy assistant major at Penn State Berks campus, made the dean’s list for the fall semester.

She is a daughter of Glenn and Sharon Lehman, Auburn, and a 2015 Schuylkill Haven Area High School graduate.

St. Joseph’s

The following local residents made the dean’s list for the fall semester at St. Jo-seph’s University, Philadelphia:

Brianna Amos, Pottsville, biology; Megan Croley, Orwigsburg, English; Ashley Fannick, Frackville, biology; Lubov Grynyshin, Schuylkill Haven, mathematics; Margarita Parker, Tremont, criminal justice; Katie Babinsky, Barnesville, food marketing co-op; Olivia Laubenstine, Pottsville, food marketing; Alexander Mazur, Frackville, finance; Caren Moyer, Pottsville, finance.

IUP

The following local residents made the dean’s list for the fall semester at Indiana University of Pennsylvania:

Auburn — Johnathon T. Felty, history; Hegins — Jennifer L. Clink, music education, and Cory Van Leitzel, communications media; Orwigsburg — Nicole E. Fidler, international studies; Pine Grove — Kendra N. Donmoyer, nursing, Michelle B. Lengel, international studies, and Jordan Lee Schofield, accounting; Pottsville — Cassandra K. Eagan, English education, Gabrielle R. Hammer, psychology, Tori Ann Kehley, nursing, Casey M. Orlosky, communications media, Andrea M. Sanders, speech-language pathology and audiology, and Victor C. Smith, history; Ringtown — Alison C. Filozof, nuclear medicine technology; Schuylkill Haven — Katelyn M. Fox, marketing; Shenandoah — William J. Brown, art/studio; Valley View — Kaitlyn S. Adams, clinical laboratory science, and Holly N. Schley, interior design.

SAINT CLAIR — Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers and Saint Clair police are asking for the public’s help in finding who is responsible for a theft in the borough earlier this year.

Police said the crime occurred at 18 N. Second St. and was reported to their department on Feb. 4. Someone entered the buildings illegally and removed copper pipes from both a garage and apartment before fleeing the area undetected.

Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information on those responsible for this crime or on any other unsolved crime in Schuylkill County.

Callers are asked to refer to case 03-26-17 when calling with information about the theft of copper in Saint Clair.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 877-TIPS4SC (877-847-7472). Callers can also relay their information to Saint Clair police directly by calling 570-429-2240.

All information receiving will remain confidential.

Four men admitted Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court that they violated protection from abuse orders.

Christopher M. Keith, 37, of Schuylkill Haven, Dean E. Krammes Jr., 28, of Schuylkill Haven, Nicholas A. Mosher, 33, of Shenandoah, and Kenneth F. Purcell, 52, of Pottsville, each pleaded guilty to indirect criminal contempt, which is contempt committed outside the courtroom.

Senior Judge D. Michael Stine accepted each man’s plea.

He sentenced Keith to pay costs and a $300 fine; Krammes to pay costs and a $300 fine, serve 16 days to six months in prison with immediate parole, undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and have the order extended three months; Mosher to pay costs and a $300 fine and spend 45 days to four months in prison, and Purcell to pay costs and a $300 fine and serve three days in prison.

State police at Schuylkill Haven had charged Keith with violating the order against him on Feb. 26 by arguing with the victim.

“You’re going to comply with the order from this day forward?” Stine asked Keith.

“Yes,” he answered.

Schuylkill Haven borough police had charged Krammes with violating the order against him on March 6 by sending text messages to the victim.

“Even text messages can be a violation of an order,” Stine warned Krammes.

Shenandoah police charged Mosher with violating the order against him on Feb. 18 by entering the victim’s residence.

“Don’t violate the order any more,” Stine told Mosher.

Minersville police had charged Purcell with violating the order against him on Dec. 30, 2015, by exchanging words with, and making negative comments about, the victim.