Elvis may have left the building, but Pittston native Shawn Klush does a stand-up job in his stead.

Klush, aka the “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist,” brings his world-renowned Elvis act to F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Wilkes-Barre at 8 p.m. April 8.

The tribute artist began listening to a wide variety of music from a young age, absorbing as much of his dad’s music as he could. He listened to songs other children his age thought wasn’t “cool enough,” he said.

Klush not only claims to be as close to the king as it gets but also has the awards to prove it. When he won the “Worldwide Elvis Competition” in Montreal, he caught the attention of the “Legends in Concert” show out of Las Vegas and went on to star as Elvis in the Myrtle Beach, Las Vegas and Atlantic City shows.

“I just started working with little bands here and there, ended up doing a tryout in Atlantic City for ‘Legends in Concert,’ and once that happened, forget it,” Klush said. “I left on a Wednesday, arrived in Myrtle Beach on a Friday and didn’t come home for 10 years. Now here I am making a living being somebody else.”

On Elvis’ 70th birthday, Klush became the grand champion of the “World Elvis Tribute Artist Competition” and later was named the “World’s Greatest Elvis” by 6.5 million viewers of the BBC One television show. And on the 30th anniversary of Elvis’ death, Elvis Presley Enterprises in Memphis, Tennessee, named Klush the first “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist.”

Another mind-blowing moment for the small-town man came when he was offered the role of Elvis on HBO’s “Vinyl,” across from Bobby Cannavale.

“I got to admit it, that came with a lot of ease,” Klush said of acting. “When they put (on) all of the bells and whistles, then it makes sense. It’s the same in the studio as in acting. You have to create an emotion without all of the things that they put in while editing.”

Klush encouraged people to give his Wilkes-Barre show a chance. He makes sure to bring back the best of Elvis without throwing in the campy stereotypes of the peanut butter and banana sandwiches or the King’s catch phrase, “Thank you very much.”

“It’s always been said that a performer can never return to their hometown and make it and sell tickets,” Klush said. “I’ve come home and sold out to capacity the Kirby Center and the casino twice, so ... yeah, it’s a rush. You don’t think that many people care. But they show up, and they show up big.”

And to top it off, Klush tours with Elvis’ original background singers, the Sweet Inspirations. Among them is Estelle Brown, who performed 1,000 shows with Elvis and never missed a show between 1969 and 1977.

“Every musician is playing what you hear,” Klush said. “The music is all real; the singers are all real. It’s not garbage. It’s not fake. We are the truth of who Elvis was.”

Man charged for

careless driving

SAINT CLAIR — A 29-year-old Port Carbon man was charged with careless driving and disorderly conduct stemming from an incident about 2:50 a.m. March 8 in the Wal-Mart parking lot.

Police said Andrew J. Strausser, 49 Coal St., was driving his vehicle in a careless manner, driving in circles and almost hitting other vehicles in the area.

The man’s actions were caught on security cameras and police said he will now have to answer to the charges before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Police investigate

theft of motor

WICONISCO — State police at Lykens are investigating a theft that occurred between 6 p.m. Monday and 11:50 p.m. Tuesday at 411 Spring St. in this Dauphin County community.

Police said someone went to the property owned by a 39-year-old man and stole the motor off of a boat that was parked behind his home.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 717-362-8700.

Woman charged

after disturbance

WILLIAMSTOWN — A borough woman was arrested by state police at Lykens and charged with disorderly conduct after an incident about 8:40 a.m. Tuesday at Ray and Market streets in this Dauphin County community.

Police said Kimmie K. Harmon will have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge Rebecca Margerum, Elizabethville.

Harmon, police said, caused a disturbance involving a school bus driver, a Tower City woman, and was subsequently charged. No other information on what type of disturbance Harmon caused was released by police.

Police: Woman

had pot near jail

FRACKVILLE — A Bushkill woman was arrested by state police at Frackville after an incident on March 20 in the parking lot of State Correctional Institution/Frackville in Ryan Township.

Police said Jo-Ann Fabienne Malone, 27, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and will have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville.

Police said that Malone arrived at the prison and as per prison policy her person and property were searched, including the use of a drug-detecting dog.

Malone consented to the search and was found with 2.4 grams of marijuana, police said.

DUNMORE — A police dog found a missing federal judge Thursday after two men discovered his car in a wooded area off Tigue Street in the borough.

U.S. District Judge Edwin Kosik, 91, was taken to Geisinger Medical Center for an examination, according to officials. The judge, who has been taking medicine for memory loss, was last seen attempting to enter the pharmacy at Bill’s ShopRite on the Daleville Highway at 11:05 p.m. Tuesday. He was found shortly after 6:30 p.m. Thursday, according to Martin Pane, U.S. marshal for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

During a press conference held near the site Thursday night, Pane explained how Joe Delvechio Jr. and Alec Yanisko, both of Dunmore, discovered Kosik’s gray 2015 Acura RDX in the wooded area about 6:30 p.m. Thursday. After discovering identifying information inside the vehicle and knowing Kosik was missing, the men contacted Dunmore police.

They were not searching for Kosik when they discovered the vehicle, according to Pane.

Various law enforcement agencies converged on the scene, including a Dunmore Police Department canine unit. The search dog “immediately” picked up Kosik’s scent and located him about 100 yards away, Pane said.

“At the time, he was awake, he was aware, however he was prone (on his back) out on the ground,” Pane said. “I would classify him as being aware of us being around him.”

Pane added that the judge recognized him and commented that the marshal had gotten a haircut. He would not comment on any other specific statements made by the judge.

Kosik was wearing blue jeans and a blue winter coat, the same clothes he was wearing when last seen Tuesday.

“It’s possible that he had been there for a little while,” Pane said. “He’s just a tough man who fought in World War II at the (Battle of the) Bulge. He’s one of the toughest gentlemen that I’ve known.”

Though Kosik was taken to the hospital, Pane would not say if he had any injuries.

State police continued to investigate in the area where Kosik and his vehicle were discovered Thursday night, as well as the car itself, Pane said.

During his three decades on the federal bench, Kosik presided over several high-profile cases, chief among them the “Kids for Cash” scandal. In that case, Kosik rejected a plea deal the U.S. attorney’s office initially agreed to allowing former Luzerne County judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan to serve seven years in prison for accepting kickbacks from the developer and owner of a juvenile detention center. Kosik instead sentenced Conahan to 17 1/2 years in prison and sentenced Ciavarella to 28 years in prison.

Prior to his tenure on the federal bench, Kosik served as the Lackawanna County president judge from 1979 to 1986.

PORT CARBON — The treasurer of an area softball team was charged earlier this week with stealing more than $9,000 from the organization that trusted her with its money.

Michele M. Polatz, 47, of 604 Third St., Port Carbon, was charged Monday by Minersville police Patrolman Jeffrey Bowers with taking money from the New Minersville Fire Company women’s Make-A-Wish softball team.

Bowers charged Polatz with five felony offenses.

They included one count each of forgery, theft, failure to make required disposition of funds, receiving stolen property and access device fraud.

Bowers said the crimes happened at various times during 2016 and 2017.

He said the thefts came to light in February when members of the team reported that their treasurer, Polatz, was issued an ATM card to access the team’s account that was held at M&T Bank.

Team members noticed that a subsequent check of the account balance showed it contained only $20, Bowers said.

The team conducted its own audit and learned that Polatz had been using the account for her own personal use without permission.

Bowers said it was determined that Polatz also physically altered a $1,000 check issued by the team’s sponsor and kept the entire amount.

He added that between ATM withdrawals, checks and donations intended to be submitted to Make-A-Wish, Polatz stole a total of $9,112.51 from the fire company and Make-A-Wish.

When confronted, Bowers said Polatz admitted to “borrowing” the money claiming her bank account was frozen.

Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko scheduled a preliminary hearing for Polatz for 11 a.m. May 9 in his Port Carbon courtroom.

James K. Reiley

Defendants whose cases Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley considered, the charges against each one and the judge’s disposition on the matters, included:

Kadeem S. Carty, 24, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — waived for court: false identification to law enforcement.

Gregory P. McGovern, 24, of 1501 W. Market St., Apt. 2, Box 195, Pottsville — waived for court: DUI, DUI-highest rate and driving the wrong way.

David Woodberry Jr., 25, of 414 Front St., Pottsville — held for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana, period for requiring lighted lamps, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Mark A. Yatsko, 46, of 322 Hazle St., Tamaqua — held for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Taylor Ann Bowers, 23, of 80 N. Maple Ave., Pottsville — held for court: retail theft, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sara Lee Kohr, 45, of 106 N. Broad Mountain Ave., Frackville — dismissed after full restitution and court costs were paid: theft by deception and receiving stolen property.

James R. Ferrier

ORWIGSBURG — A Berks County man is headed to Schuylkill County Court to defend against charges that he robbed an Orwigsburg man in December 2016 in North Manheim Township.

Timothy J. Harris Jr., 23, of 1558 Cotton St., Reading, faces two counts of robbery and one each of theft, simple assault and harassment. After a preliminary hearing, Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier ordered all five charges held for court.

State police at Schuylkill Haven charged Harris with robbing Daniel S. Aregood of $4210 in cash, a cellphone and a pair of sneakers about 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 2016, on Millers Road in the township.

Police said Harris and another man, Jeremy Galindez, grabbed Aregood while he was sitting in the car the defendant was driving. Harris and Galindez took the money and cellphone from Aregood’s pockets, pulled the sneakers off his feet and dragged him from the car, according to police.

Harris and Galindez fled in the car while Aregood ran from the scene, police said.

After the hearing, Harris returned to prison, where he is being held in lieu of $7,500 straight cash bail pending further court action.

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

Carmen M. Cruz-Burgos, 50, of 1003 Madison Ave., Reading; driving under the influence, driving without a license, operating vehicle without required financial responsibility, disregarding traffic lane, failure to drive at a safe speed and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Deeds

Cass Township — Daniel E. May to Angela and Karl Reager; 738 Valley Road, Heckscherville; $1,000.

Edward L. and Karen L. Harley to Edward L. Harley; 35 White Lane, Forestville; $1.

Frackville — Atlantic Motors Inc. to John D. and Barbara A. Grazel and Anthony John Grazel; property at Lehigh Avenue and Oak Street; $1.

Hegins Township — Joan I. Harman to Hembiere Group LLC; property on Centre Street, Valley View; $5,000.

Mahanoy City — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Edwin Garcia-Duran; 400 W. Centre St.; $1,000.

New Castle Township — Sara Schoffstall to Cory Kostura; 27 Greenbury Road, Greenbury; $1.

North Union Township — Mae T. Salvador and Expedito A. Nunez to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 76AV2, Eagle Rock; $10.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to George Mattie; property on Brush Street, Nuremberg; $19,000.

Orwigsburg — Orwigsburg SDF LLC to Good Orwigsburg LLC; property on Route 443; $1,775,000.

Pine Grove — Joyce E. Ginder, individually and as attorney in fact for David J. Ginder, to Joyce E. Ginder; 48 E. Pottsville St.; $1.

Pottsville — Wells Fargo Bank NA to R&C Doyle Realty LLC; 781 N. Centre St.; $12,900.

Daniel and Sandra Fitzgerald to United Property Group LLC; 609 Harrison St.; $20,000.

Daniel and Sandra Fitzgerald to United Property Group LLC; property at North Seventh and Harrison streets; $2,500.

Margaret W. Perron to Maryann Shadler; 1718 West End Ave.; $45,500.

Celmer Group Inc. to Rennovators Real Estate Investors Group LLC; 509 Carbon St.; $17,000.

Rush Township — Michele A. Rhoades to James J. and Dorothy A. McHugh; 24 Blackwell St., Hometown; $1.

Saint Clair — Martin H. Sterner, William S. Sterner and Mary Ann Sleeva, co-executors of the Estate of Margaret M. Sterner, to Martin H. Sterner, William S. Sterner, Mary Ann Sleeva and Edwin W. Sterner; 10 S. Nicholas St.; $1.

Schuylkill Haven — Brandon J. and Megan E. Horan to Scott and Lindsey Burcik; 50 Long View Drive; $189,000.

Scott J. Burcik to Timothy A. Schultz; 216 E. Market St.; $75,000.

Shenandoah — RX Shenandoah Investors LLC to RX Shenandoah Investors LLC; property; $1.

Tamaqua — Mark J. Henne, Robert H. Henne and Susan B. Kachelries to Susan B. Kachelries; 200 Elm St.; $1.

HP Tamaqua LLC to Royal Diamond Rental Inc.; 104 Schuylkill Ave.; $249,900.

Washington Township — Harvey W. III and Lois M. Sutton to Harvey W. Sutton III; 37 Covered Bridge Road, Rock; $1.

Wayne Township — Bradley S. and Katie A. Miller to Bradley S. and Katie A. Miller; 586 Indian Drive, Lake Wynonah; $1.

West Brunswick Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Mortgage Equity Conversion Asset Trust 2011-1; 2290 Market St.; $1,357.88.

West Mahanoy Township — JPMorgan Chase Bank NA to Imobiliaria LLC; property on Spencer Street, Altamont; $13,200.

The world’s largest wholesale electricity market, which includes Pennsylvania, gets its power from a half-dozen fuel sources, but its operator asks now whether growing dependence on natural gas fuel could weaken reliability.

Natural gas-generated power produces about one-third of the grid’s needs.

It’s a flexible fuel source that’s more efficient and easy to ramp up or down quickly. Models by PJM Interconnection, the company that manages the 13-state grid, show natural gas meeting up to 86 percent of consumer needs and expressed confidence in it as a reliable fuel — as long as the supply holds up.

“While we don’t see, based on our reliability metrics, any day-to-day issues with reliability — have we now put too much reliance on one fuel type or one or two technology types?” Mike Bryson, vice president of operations for PJM, said.

In a 44-page report, “PJM’s Evolving Resource Mix and System Reliability” published Thursday, the grid operator presents a wide number of generator mix scenarios that could meet consumer demand — and potential reliability gaps — for its network of 1,300 power generators that serve 65 million people.

Northeast Pennsylvania is home to a varied mix of wind, nuclear and a growing number of natural gas power plants, a case study for PJM’s confidence that the blended mix of fuel types brings stability to the grid now.

PJM, its stakeholders and energy producers must decide how to protect reliability, and whether they need to adjust their source mix to prevent price spikes and service interruptions, Andy Ott, PJM’s CEO, said in a statement.

A diverse portfolio offers protection from shocks, for example spikes in fuel price, extreme weather or other disruptions to the fuel supply, the study says.

Inspired by heavy demand for power during the deep freeze of 2014, the grid operator was hounded with questions of whether its portfolio was diverse enough.

The report draws no conclusions on policy recommendations. Rather, Bryson said it would serve as a map for PJM’s April 19 summit on grid resilience.

Deeds

Ashland — Daniel F. and Elaine M. Kelly, Anthony J. and Christine Y. Kelly, Anne Kelly and Kathleen Kelly Beck to Acorn Estates LLC; property on Walnut Street; $8,000.

Barry Township — Harold F. Jr. and Arlene M. Reichwein to Harold F. Jr. and Arlene M. Reichwein; 241 Beury’s Road; $1.

Kevin D. Potts to Kevin D. and Carol Ann Potts; two properties on Rohrig Street, Mountain Valley Lake; $1.

Blythe Township — Michael Lorence to Chris J. Collucci; 1.348-acre property on Route 209; $5,000.

Butler Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Theodore G. Ferrari; 424 W. Main St.; $1,335.05.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Theodore G. Ferrari; 426 W. Main St.; $2,293.34.

Cass Township — Donna Georgene Wrona, Raymond Royce Reinhart and Rodnick Roy Reinhart, executors of the Estate of Royce Robert Reinhart Sr., to Raymond Royce Reinhart; 26 Pine Drive; $1.

Cressona — Rita J. Reppy to Susan M. Fisher; 115 Pottsville St.; $1.

East Union Township — Cynthia R. Watson to Estate of Ronald E. Johnson; Lot 133ER, Eagle Rock; $1.

Edward L. and Sonia C. Silver to James F. and Lisa M. McKeown; Lot 260ER, Eagle Rock; $40,000.

East Union and Mahanoy townships — City of Philadelphia, trustee under the Will of Stephen Girard, to City of Philadelphia, trustee under the Will of Stephen Girard; 17.82-acre property; $1.

East Union and North Union townships — Peter A. Romeika, Mary Ann R. DiGirolamo and Gloria R. Johnston to Grzegorz Kania, Bozena Czepulkowski, S.P. Czepulkowski and Jerry J. and Krystyna Ploskon; 711 Green Mountain Road, Zion Grove; $275,000.

Title incorrect

Michele M. Polatz, 47, of 604 Third St., Port Carbon, is the treasurer of the Make-A-Wish softball team through New Minersville Fire Company. A drop headline was incorrect in Friday’s edition.

PINE GROVE — In a galaxy close to home, Pine Grove Area Elementary pupils discovered there’s an out-of-this-world benefit to improving their reading skills.

Their reward came Friday with a visit from Chewbacca and R2-D2 from “Star Wars” fame, and a couple scoops of ice cream thrown in for good measure.

“Chewbacca was always my favorite. My room is filled with them,” second-grader Ma’Kyhla Wolak, 8, of Pine Grove, said of the “Star Wars” characters as she ate an ice cream sundae drenched in chocolate syrup in the school’s cafeteria.

Wolak was among students in grades kindergarten through four who earned the reward by achieving their reading goal with the district’s online reading software program, Accelerated Reader.

Principal Sandra Burns said students earned up to five toppings on their sundaes, based on reaching their individualized reading goals on AR for the third marking period. As part of the AR Challenge reward, Burns said second-grade teacher Glen Gray organized the “Star Wars” characters’ visit.

Gray, who’s also a photographer, had attended a photography show with one of his friends, Marty Miller, Wernersville. Gray mentioned to Miller that the district wanted to come up with ways to encourage its students to boost their reading efforts and Miller volunteered his talents for Friday’s reward day.

“We’re really thankful for him to come up,” Gray said. “This really motivates the kids. They’re excited about the ‘Star Wars’ theme, and it makes the day fun when everything comes to life.”

As students entered the gymnasium and cafeteria area with their teachers, Miller, portraying the legendary Wookie warrior, greeted them. Some wide-eyed students laughed or gawked at his 7-foot 9-inch frame and furry exterior, and wanted to pose for photos with the giant character. Others seemed a bit shy and turned their attention to R2-D2, who was closer to their stature and emitted entertaining sound effects and spun around.

“I’m a member of ‘Star Wars’ fan clubs, and I built this costume and R2-D2,” Miller said.

He said they’re built to scale, just as they were in the movies. To reach the height for Chewbacca, Miller stands on drywall stilts.

“I work with Lucas Films and Disney and do this totally free of charge. We do a lot of charity events and hospital visits,” he said.

The sound effects for R2-D2 are directly from the Lucas Films and the droid was built from a movie replica of R2-D2, according to Miller. He said he’s not surprised by the mixed reaction he receives from children. He said he doesn’t approach students quickly and usually allows them to get used to his appearance before interacting further.

Second-grader Calvin Harwi was glad that Chewbacca had a place to roam in front of the gymnasium.

“I was a little scared of Chewbacca at first. As long as he stays over there, I’m fine,” Harwi, 7, of Pine Grove, said.

“I earned four toppings,” he proudly said.

Another second-grader in Gray’s class, Lyla Stager, found the day entertaining.

“I was really impressed and excited. When I saw Chewbacca, I said, ‘Oh my gosh, look how tall he is.’ ”

Stager, 8, of Pine Grove, earned five toppings and met her AR goal. She said she enjoyed reading “The Snow Day.”

“At the time we were reading it, it was winter,” she said. “I’ve loved reading ever since I was in pre-school. I bet I’ve read up to a thousand books.”

For Myla Fasnacht, a third-grader in Jennifer Cleary’s class, it was reading from “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” that helped her reach her goal.

“It’s really funny,” Fasnacht, 8, said.

Humor played a role in Tanner Kolb’s reading selection, as well. He read a story about “Geronimo Stilton.”

“It’s about a mouse that writes books. They go on a lot of adventures and he’s really funny,” Kolb, 9, of Pine Grove, said.

The third-grader said cherries were his favorite topping.

Burns said a few weeks before the reward day approached, students were given clues to help them guess what their reward would be. She said teachers held a dress-down day as a way to generate funds to buy the supplies for the ice cream social. Bernie Kelly, general manager with Metz Culinary Management, Dallas, Pennsylvania, and his staff were instrumental in making the day a success, according to Burns.

“We try to do whatever we can to help the district,” Kelly said.

He said about a dozen teachers and members of his culinary staff served ice cream and assisted students with their topping selections.

Sundae toppings offered were pineapples, peaches, cherries, cookie bits, pretzels, whipped topping, and chocolate, strawberry and caramel syrups.

“To get them excited about reading and create that culture about how fun it is, we just added a fun incentive,” Burns said.

Zachary T. Freil will go to state prison after admitting Friday in Schuylkill County Court that, in August 2016 in Mahanoy City, he robbed a man with whom he had been talking about an incident involving the defendant’s brother.

Freil, 22, of Mahanoy City, must serve 18 to 36 months in a state correctional institution and pay costs and $150 restitution, President Judge William E. Baldwin ordered. Baldwin made the prison term concurrent with one from Montgomery County that Freil already is serving.

Freil pleaded guilty to robbery and simple assault, with prosecutors withdrawing a second count of each of those crimes plus a charge of intimidation of witness or victim.

Mahanoy City police charged Freil with robbing Dylan Clark about 4:25 p.m. Aug. 9, 2016, in the 500 block of West South Street in the borough. Police said Clark told them that Freil had begun questioning him about his brother, Bradly Freil, and then punched him.

Zachary Freil and two men with him then knocked Clark to the ground, police said. Police also said Clark was robbed of his wallet, $90 in cash, his identification, a cellphone and a pack of cigarettes.

Clark suffered two black eyes and cuts and scrapes on his arms and legs in his altercation with Zachary Freil, according to police. He also appeared to have a swollen face, police said.

During and after Friday’s hearing, Zachary Freil said little except that he understood the terms and consequences of his guilty plea and was entering it knowingly and voluntarily.

Defendant: Zachary T. Freil

Age: 22

Residence: Mahanoy City

Crimes committed: Robbery and simple assault

Prison sentence: 18 to 36 months in a state correctional institution

David J. Rossi

TREMONT — A Berks County man is headed to Schuylkill County Court on four drug-related charges resulting from an incident in December 2016 in Tower City.

Christopher M. Lopez, 31, of 179 Penn Ave., Wernersville, faces charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi bound over all four charges for court after Lopez waived his right to the hearing. Lopez returned to prison, where he is being held in lieu of $10,000 straight cash bail, after the proceeding.

State police at Schuylkill Haven alleged Lopez possessed drugs and paraphernalia on Dec. 29, 2016.

In another case, a Dauphin County man is headed to Schuylkill County Court after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday on charges stemming from what authorities allege was his committing a robbery in October 2016 in Tower City.

Joseph C. Richwine, 56, of 501 Mall Road, Harrisburg, faces one count each of robbery, theft and receiving stolen property and two each of simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment.

Rossi bound over all charges for court after Richwine waived his right to the hearing. Richwine then returned to prison, where he is being held in lieu of $25,000 straight cash bail.

State police at Schuylkill Haven allege Richwine committed the robbery on Oct. 28, 2016.

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

Todd A. Chappell, 27, of 406 E. Wiconisco Ave., Tower City — simple assault and harassment; charges withdrawn.

Emma J. Gaydos, 63, of 50 N. Maple St., Mount Carmel — identity theft, attempted theft by deception and criminal use of a communication facility; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Jared Z. Bush, 19, of 85 Smith Road B, Pitman — materially false written statement and false statement under penalty; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Justin L. Cooper, 27, of 688 Deturksville Road, Pine Grove — theft; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.

Leroy A. Cooper Jr., 50, of 224 W. Philadelphia St., Tremont — retail theft, theft, conspiracy and receiving stolen property; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Kayla M. Krammes, 23, of 187 Mexico Road, Pine Grove — theft, conspiracy, receiving stolen property and retail theft; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Morgan L. Miller, 26, of 114 Evergreen Drive, Pottsville — driving under the influence and disorderly conduct; charge of DUI withdrawn; defendant pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. Rossi sentenced Miller to pay costs and a $300 fine.

Kyle R. Rhoads, 32, of 169 Victor Road, Sunbury — three counts of tampering with public records; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Stacy L. Shadel, 33, of 169 Victor Road, Sunbury — three counts of tampering with public records; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill S. Jackson Street

To Thor and Brittney Nagle Markus, Middleport, a daughter, March 10.

Man arrested for

stealing aluminum

ORWIGSBURG — A Saint Clair man was arrested by Orwigsburg police after an incident about 5:20 a.m. Thursday at 302 N. Washington St.

Police said officers caught David E. Mengle, 29, stealing extruded aluminum from Bartush Signs Inc.

Police said the company initially reported missing extruded aluminum from their 605 Industrial Drive location on March 21 and since that time two additional thefts occurred before Mengle was caught in the act of committing the theft.

The total of the aluminum stolen was about $10,000 and police said Mengle confessed to all four thefts.

He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg, on theft-related charges and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $5,000 straight cash bail, police said.

Man charged

with harassment

MCADOO — A 24-year-old borough man was arrested by McAdoo police and charged with harassment after an incident about 8 a.m. Wednesday in the borough.

Police said officers were called for a report of an argument between Kevin Siegfried and another person and while the victim was walking away, Siegfried threatened the victim with a large metal cigarette-packing machine.

Police said the victim reported Siegfried had “rage in his eyes” and that they were afraid of what the outcome would be.

Siegfried will now have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, police said.

Woman not hurt

in 1-vehicle crash

HAMBURG — A Langhorne woman escaped serious injury when the 200 Lexus RX350 she was driving crashed about 10:35 p.m. Thursday on Mountain Road, just north of Motel Drive in Upper Bern Township, Berks County.

State police at Hamburg said Marianne McKinnon was driving north when she lost control while following a slight right curve, went off the road and struck a street sign and guide rail.

After hitting the guide rail, police said, the woman’s vehicle rolled over several times before coming to a stop.

Police said that McKinnon will be cited for driving at an unsafe speed as a result of the crash and that Hamburg EMS assisted at the scene.

Investigation leads

to drug arrest

RINGTOWN — An investigation into a Sept. 12, 2016, incident in Union Township resulted in state police at Frackville charging a Ringtown man.

Police said that about 7:20 p.m., suspected narcotics and drug paraphernalia were located at the home of Duane H. Maurer, 54, during a parolee check by state parole agents.

Subsequent laboratory testing determined that the suspected narcotics were methamphetamine and buprenorphine, police said.

With the report in hand, police said, they filed drug-related charges against Maurer with the office of Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville.

Police investigate

radiator thefts

PORT CARBON — State police at Frackville are investigating a theft that occurred between March 22 and 25 at Kuperavage Coal Co. on Eagle Hill Road in Blythe Township.

Police said someone cut a lock on a gate to gain access to equipment and then cut several radiators out of pieces of heavy equipment before fleeing the area undetected.

Damages were estimated at $7,000 and police ask that anyone with information contact them at 570-874-5300.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Blue Mountain took first place Friday at the 25th annual Schuylkill County Academic Competition held in the Health and Wellness Building at Penn State Schuylkill.

It is the sixth time in seven years the school has won the annual quiz competition. Schuylkill Haven Area won in 2015. Last year, Blue Mountain went on to win third place in the state competition.

The students making up this year’s Blue Mountain team were Travis Barrow, Andrew Chawluk, Joe Medica, Adam Moyer, Mark Schropp III and Chase Weizer. They were coached by Steve Zimmerman, their social studies teacher, and Richard Tomko, a retired government teacher for the school.

“We are very proud of them,” Tomko said.

The students said that the key to victory was studying and practicing with each other.

“We are a diverse bunch, and we each have our niches,” Moyer said.

Barrow and Chawluk, both seniors, said they were excited to be heading back to the state competition, to be held April 28 in Harrisburg.

Pine Grove Area placed second and Schuylkill Haven Area came in third. The other teams participating in the academic competition league were Gillingham Charter, Mahanoy Area, Minersville Area, Nativity BVM, North Schuylkill, Pottsville Area, Shenandoah Valley, Tri-Valley and Williams Valley.

Questions asked during the competition pertained to world history, literature and the arts, American history, science, current events and pop culture.

In addition to winning Friday’s competition, Blue Mountain was also first in the league.

The 12 schools making up the league competed several times since October. Each team consists of eight students in grades nine through 12. Only four students can be on the stage answering questions in a round. Substitutions are available after each of the three rounds.

Sponsored by Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, the event was moderated by Jack Shandor, Chuck Grabusky and Cindy Stasulli.

“We want to promote academic excellence in the county, and I think teams want to be in it to compete against other schools,” Vince Hoover, event coordinator and mathematics supervisor at IU 29, said. “And it is also a lot of fun.”

In the county court, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin revoked the probation of Joseph J. Michaels, 26, of Barnesville, in two cases and sentenced him to serve one to two years in a state correctional institution.

Michaels originally pleaded guilty on Sept. 7, 2016, to retail theft in one case and possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension-DUI related in the second. Prosecutors withdrew a second count of possession of a controlled substance and charges of receiving stolen property, operating vehicle without required financial responsibility, driving unregistered vehicle and operating vehicle without valid inspection.

At that time, Dolbin placed Michaels on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced him to pay costs, a $100 Substance Abuse Education Fund payment, $100 in Criminal Justice Enhancement Account payments, a $50 bench warrant fee and $239 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, amounts the defendant still must pay under the terms of his new sentence.

Rush Township police charged Michaels with committing the theft on Aug. 22, 2015, while East Union Township police charged him with possessing drugs and paraphernalia, and driving with the suspended license, on Oct. 5, 2015.

Also in the county court, President Judge William E. Baldwin om March 16 sentenced Aurelia Wilder, 26, of Nesquehoning, to spend 60 days on house arrest with electronic monitoring and 12 months probation consecutive to her current sentence and pay costs, a $1,000 fine, a $100 SAEF payment and a $50 CJEA payment.

Wilder pleaded guilty on Jan. 18 to possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension-DUI related. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of improper turning movements.

Coaldale police charged Wilder with possessing drugs and paraphernalia, and driving with the suspended license, on Feb. 29, 2016, in the borough.

ORWIGSBURG — Local historians are working to try to preserve a landmark just outside Orwigsburg, a barn on a property in North Manheim Township that may soon go up for sale.

“It has architectural significance,” James R. Bohrman, North Manheim Township, said Tuesday.

“What is outstandingly unique about this barn is that it has overhangs on three of its sides with a ramp on its gable end,” Judith Ann Lengle, Washington Township, a member of the board of directors for the Historic Barn & Farm Foundation of Pennsylvania, said Tuesday.

It’s at 1000 W. Market St., North Manheim Township, and it’s owned by MGM Four LP, Sinking Spring, Berks County.

In August 2007, Schuylkill County Judge Charles M. Miller gave MGM Four LP the green light to build a townhouse development there. MGM Four LP wanted to build a 248-unit development on the property, which is zoned R-2 residential, according to the newspaper’s archives.

But to date that hasn’t occurred.

Metropolitan Management Group, Wyomissing, Berks County, has ties to MGM Four LP, according to Lengle and Jennifer L. Bowen, the society’s founder and president of the Orwigsburg Historical Society & Museum.

On Wednesday and Friday, the newspaper attempted to contact Metropolitan Management Group for comment. A man who claimed he represented the group but refused to give his name and position returned the call Friday afternoon.

“There’s nothing planned at this time. The housing market went into the toilet. So we’re just sitting on it,” the representative of Metropolitan Management Group said of the property.

“It doesn’t look like it’s actively for sale,” Erica Ramus, owner of Ramus Realty Group, Pottsville, said Friday.

Bowen and Lengle have been making calls to gain access to the property to take photographs of the barn. They also want to encourage the owner to make sure future development includes the preservation of this barn, which is estimated to be more than 125 years old.

“It was built before I was born,” George F. Porambo, 90, a retired farmer from Orwigsburg, said Friday.

Historian and author Robert F. Ensminger includes history and photos of the barn in his book, “The Pennsylvania Barn: Its Origins, Evolution and Distribution in North America.”

“This multiple-overhang standard barn, built circa 1875 near Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, is unique in having overhangs on three sides as well as a gable ramp,” Ensminger said in a caption under a photo of the building taken in 1989.

A World War II Army veteran, Porambo used to own a neighboring farm at 934 W. Market St., Orwigsburg. Today he resides at Providence Place, Pottsville. On Friday, he shared his memories of the farm at 1000 W. Market St.

“That was farm ground. A man by the name of Gentzlinger owned it,” Porambo said.

According to the online Schuylkill Parcel Locator, C&M Gentzlinger became the owner of the 64.33-acre property in November 1948. Gentzlinger sold the property to Louis F. Paparazo in May 1974.

It was once part of the “Henry Kriner farm,” Lengle said.

Porambo said corn and hay were farmed there, and animals on the property included hogs and mules.

Paparazo owned the property until June 2006, when MGM Four LP bought it for $1 million, according to the parcel locator.

“The barn is in immediate need of repair. The tin is peeling back from the roof in one or two places. A leaky roof exposes the floor and supporting timbers, starting a chain of events that could significantly weaken the structure. But at this time, just securing the tin or patching the roof is all that is needed,” Lengle said.

Porambo hoped the barn would continue standing for many years to come, saying, “There’s too many houses being built and good ground disappearing.”

A Pottsville paralegal received an award Tuesday for her career advocating on behalf of low-income families.

Patricia Shilling, Pottsville, was among the recipients of a 2017 Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network Excellence Award during the annual awards dinner held Tuesday at the Hilton Harrisburg.

Shilling has spent the past 44 years with MidPenn Legal Services, Pottsville, offering free legal aid to low-income families involved in civil cases involving custody, domestic violence, housing, elder law and public benefits. Over the last 15 years, Shilling has averaged 129 cases a year and helps more than 287 local families annually.

“The work we do, I feel, changes people’s lives,” Shilling said Friday. “I always tell my daughter that if you love what you do, it will never feel like work. I love doing what I do. It is very rewarding, and we help a lot of people.”

The annual awards dinner honors a variety of civil legal aid professionals and friends for their efforts in supporting low-income clients served by PLAN programs. Attorney Rhodia D. Thomas, executive director of MidPenn Legal Services, nominated Shilling for the award. State Attorney General Josh Shapiro was the featured guest speaker at the dinner.

“It was overwhelming,” Shilling said Friday. “I couldn’t be more proud or happier. It is nice to receive an award. It is like the icing and cherry on top after all these years.”

MidPenn Legal Services is a private, nonprofit corporation providing free legal representation for low-income people in 18 counties in central Pennsylvania.

Shilling started her career in 1972 as legal secretary before completing paralegal training courses at Penn State Schuylkill in 1975.

“Trish has come a long ways from her days as a super secretary, and she has assisted thousands and thousands of needy families in Schuylkill County,” Thomas said in the nomination. “... She is truly dedicated to the well-being of our clients and their families, and she will leave no stone unturned in her efforts to preserve their integrity and improve their lives.”

Shilling said she has no plans to retire any time soon as she still has work to do.

“I still like to go to work,” Shilling said. “It is just something I still like to do, and I feel like I can help people.”

MAHANOY CITY — Any adjustments in the school calendar because of snow cancellations for the Mahanoy Area School District will be announced soon.

The school board met Thursday at its regular meeting, but there was no discussion on any changes of school days and graduation to adjust for snow days taken during Winter Storm Stella. The district canceled school from March 14 to 17.

“We’re still trying to figure it out,” district Superintendent Joie Green said after the meeting. “We’re almost there and hopefully we should have it by the end of the weekend.”

The last day of school according to the original schedule is June 7, with additional teacher in-service days following that date.

The start of school for the 2017-18 school year also needs to be determined.

“We need to discuss again about the start of the school year, whether it’s before or after Labor Day,” Green said.

The school board made its decision on the Alumnus of the Year. Green recommended that Michael D. “Mike” Rhoades be given the honor. A Mahanoy City native, Rhoades is a 1991 Mahanoy Area graduate. Earlier this month, Rhoades was named as head men’s basketball coach at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, where he served as an assistant coach and associate head coach from 2009 to 2014. At the time of the announcement, Rhoades held the head coaching position at Rice University, Houston, Texas.

After the unanimous board vote, Green said Rhoades will be notified about the selection. The school district honors a distinguished alumnus each year at commencement.

The school board acted on the following agenda items:

•Approved the 2016 occupation tax exemptions.

•Authorized the administration to solicit bids for diesel fuel.

•Accepted the retirements of elementary teacher Judith Kane, school nurse Loretta Murphy-Birster, and elementary teacher Mary Ellen Boyle, all effective at the end of the 2016-17 school year. Green thanked them for their service in the school district.

•Appointed Joseph Orsulak, New Ringgold, as a technology assistant at $43,000 a year, pro-rated until June 30 pending receipt of all required employment paperwork. Board President Jay Hanley recused himself in the vote.

•Approved a “letter of linkage” between the ReDCo Group Behavioral Health Services and the school district describing the cooperation between the two entities.

•Approved a special education services agreement with Carbon-Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 for speech therapy services for a district student placed at Behavioral Health Associates, Lehighton.

•Approved medical/family leaves of absence, subject to the Family Medical Leave Act, for employees Bridget Antz, Trinna Delia and Heather Snyder.

•Approved the revised memorandum of understanding between the school district and the Mahanoy Area Education Support Personnel Association, removing the attendance officer position from the collective bargaining agreement in exchange for the district to collect association dues from the support staff members, as well as no furloughs of secretarial positions for the 2017-18 school year. The original MOU was approved at the Jan. 26 school board meeting and mistakenly did not include the statement about no furloughs of secretarial position for the next school year.

•Accepted the retirement of Maureen Capone as a school bus driver, effective March 3.

•Approved the termination of Storm Dunlap as a part-time custodian, retroactive to March 6.

•Appointed Thomas Flamini Sr., Mahanoy City, as a substitute van/bus driver pending receipt of all required employment paperwork.

•Appointed Diane Rachuck, Mahanoy City, as a part-time bus aide at a rate of $8.50 per hour, retroactive to March 22.

•Approved the use of the district swimming pool for dive team sessions by Ryan Township Emergency and Rescue, Barnesville, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 15 and 29. The request was made by William F. Wirtz Jr., dive team captain.

•Approved the use of the high school baseball field by the Mahanoy City Elks Teener baseball team for practices and game, with the schedule to be submitted to the district when available. The request was made by Teeners head coach Miguel Ramos.

•Approved the use of the track from March to May by the Marian High School for track practice. Track times are from 5 p.m., though the track will be unavailable when the Mahanoy Area track team has meets. The request was made by Marian Principal Jean Susko.

•Appointed James Mayberry, Barnesville, as a volunteer baseball coach pending receipt of all required paperwork, including clearances and trainings.

TAMAQUA — The state plans to spend $3.4 million to improve a section of state Route 309 that runs through Tamaqua and Rush Township, the state Department of Transportation said Friday.

“It’s approximately 3 miles,” Sean Brown, PennDOT District 5 safety press officer, said.

“This Route 309 project includes patching and paving, making a smoother ride for the thousands of motorists who travel here each day,” Gov. Tom Wolf said in a press release from PennDOT District 5, Allentown.

Work is scheduled to begin Tuesday. The stretch begins at East Rose Street, crosses the Little Schuylkill River and continues north past the intersection that is near Beacon Diner, 189 Claremont Ave., and McDonald’s, 3 Lincoln Drive. It continues “to an area 2,700 feet north of Lincoln Drive in Rush Township,” Brown said.

The project will include milling, concrete patching, base repairs, paving, concrete island replacements, minor bridge repair work, guide rail updates and new pavement markings, Brown said.

“It’s terrific. It’s much needed. And I’m also happy that they selected a contractor from Tamaqua to do the work,” Micah J. Gursky, a Tamaqua borough councilman, said Friday.

Lehigh Asphalt Paving & Construction Co., Tamaqua, is the general contractor, Brown said.

“The road is in need of repair. It’s one of the busiest roads in Schuylkill County,” Gursky said.

“This section of PA 309 has an average daily traffic volume that varies between 12,730 and 19,444 vehicles,” Brown said.

“There’s a tremendous amount of truck traffic traveling from the Lehigh Valley/Interstate 78 area to the Interstate 80 and Interstate 81 corridors. And there’s a lot of regional businesses that use that road. It’s a lot of traffic, a lot of local traffic and a lot of through traffic,” Gursky said.

Brown said there may be traffic delays and lane restrictions during the work. Motorists should use caution when driving in the area. The work is scheduled to be complete in October, though the schedule could change.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 miles of roads by visiting www.511pa.com.