Heckscherville

Clover Fire Company, 8 Clover Road, will have a chicken dinner from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 28 at the firehouse. The cost is $8 per person. Meals include a half chicken, baked potato, corn on the cob and a roll. Beverages will be available for those who eat at the firehouse. Takeouts will be available. For more information, call 570-294-0612.

Lansford

Buddy Musselman, half of Cajun Outlaws, will be featured from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Kennedy Park gazebo next to the Panther Valley School District football stadium. The performance is free and refreshments will be available. All are welcome. People should bring chairs to enjoy the show. The sponsor is the Lansford Alive Events Committee and any proceeds will be used to revitalize Kennedy Park.

McAdoo

Borough officials have reminded residents there is an ordinance in the borough stating owners of dogs are responsible for picking up after them. Dog owners are to have a bag with them at all times when walking their pets alongside homes, vacant lots, sidewalks, near the cemeteries or elsewhere. Failure to carry a bag and pick up the waste is a violation of the ordinance and punishable by fines and court costs. Also, when walking pets, residents must keep them off private property. The McAdoo Police Department is encouraging residents to call when suspicious or malicious activity is seen.

Shenandoah

The Rescue Hook & Ladder Fire Company, Main and Coal streets, will have its annual bazaar on Aug. 4, 5 and 6 adjacent to the firehouse in downtown Shenandoah. It will include traditional ethnic and American bazaar food, a wide variety of games and refreshments. There will be a fire truck parade at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 4 and registration for the horse shoe tournament will begin at 9 a.m. Aug. 5. Bingo will begin at 6 p.m. each date. All are welcome.

Shenandoah

The annual all-you-can-eat crab fest sponsored by Defender Hose Company No. 3 in the borough’s Turkey Run section will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday. The cost is $40 for adults and $12 for children 12 and younger. The cost for takeouts is $25. The event will also feature refreshments and many other types of food. For tickets, call 570-449-5626 or 570-462-9576 or contact any company member. Walk-ins are also welcome and the event will be held rain or shine.

Shenandoah

The Shenandoah Valley School District will have high school and elementary registrations for the 2017-18 year from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. now through Aug. 24 by appointment only. To make an appointment or for more information, call 570-462-1957. Prior to appointments, registration packets must be picked up at the high school office. For registration, parents/guardians need student’s birth certificate/report card, up-to-date immunization record, Social Security card (optional) and any three of the following: occupancy permit (available at the borough hall), valid driver’s license or vehicle registration card, lease or deed for property of residence, current utility bills, paycheck stub within 30 days with name and address.

Tamaqua

A wide variety of classes, performances and other offerings are available at the Tamaqua Community Art Center, 125 Pine St. For information on presentations, dates, times and costs, call the center at 570-668-1192 or visit www.TamaquaArts.org.

Tamaqua

The Tamaqua Area Faith Fellowship Network will host Summer Celebration 2017 at 7 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Tamaqua Community Art Center, 125 Pine St. The Blue Mountain Community Church Praise Band will provide music in the ecumenical service. Fellowship and ice cream will follow; freewill offerings will be accepted. All are welcome. For more information, email gtay200@verizon.net.

POTTSVILLE — The Pottsville Area School District will borrow money to meet its payment obligations.

Patricia Lombel, assistant business administrator, recommended the board use $500,000 of a $2.5 million line of credit “to get through possibly the end of July, beginning of August, until we get some of the tax money.”

Lombel said the district has $531,738 available to use. The district has about $700,000 in payroll obligations to meet for the remainder of the month, about $500,000 in benefits and about a couple hundred thousand in PSERS contributions to pay.

“Where are we with payroll and meeting that obligation, and how many pay periods do we have until we get our next basic ed subsidy?” board member Karen Rismiller asked.

“Our next basic education subsidy will come in August. Normally July is a tight month for us,” Lombel said.

She added that the subsidy would be about $2.5 million, and the district has one additional pay period left.

“Right now, we are receiving a small amount of money for taxes,” Lombel said.

She said there is a line of credit from Gratz bank they could use if needed. The money would need to be paid back by June 2018.

“We have changed the retirement that we are paying,” Lombel said.

The district contributes twice a year toward teachers who are receiving retirement pay. That cost is about $200,000, something which was not budgeted. She said the district still “has some outstanding bills.”

In other matters, the district was notified that Santander Bank will only give them funding for one year for bus leases until the bank re-evaluates the district’s financial situation. The worst-case scenario is the loan is renewed on an annual basis, board member Charles Wagner said. The district voted in May to lease buses from Wolfington Body Co., Exton.

The school board also voted to approve an article of agreement for the roof replacement project at Schuylkill Technology Center. The work includes roof replacements at STC-North and STC-South, HVAC upgrades and controls for both buildings, and exterior masonry repairs for STC-South. The amount was decided through a funding formula agreed upon by the 12 county districts.

Three of the 12 districts will have to borrow funds for their share of the project: Tamaqua, Tri-Valley and Pottsville Area. Pottsville Area’s amount is $400,901.79. The amount paid is due as the project progresses, Brian A. Manning, business manager of the Schuylkill IU 29, who attended the meeting, said. The district could refinance a bond to pay for their share of the project. Work will not start until all 12 school districts passed the funding resolution, he said.

District officials also announced that more furloughed teachers are coming back for the upcoming school year. Kaycee Sullivan, who taught special education in the elementary school, will return to her position. Cara Turolis, who taught math in the high school, will do so in the middle school.

The district accepted the resignations of two teachers because they found other work outside of the district. Krystina Kubeika, a D.H.H. Lengel Middle School fifth-grade teacher, and Samantha Lecher, a middle school social studies teacher, both resigned.

School lunch prices are going up except for reduced meal prices set by the government.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

Women charged

after altercation

MAHANOY CITY — Two borough women were arrested by Mahanoy City police and charged following an incident about 8:05 p.m. Saturday at Sixth and Market streets, just hours after the two were involved in an altercation.

Police said Cynamon Marie Merook, 22, of 1037 E. Pine St., was charged with persistent disorderly conduct, harassment and possession of drug paraphernalia, while Kelly R. Brennan, 33, of 601 E. Pine St., Apt. 2, was charged with persistent disorderly conduct and harassment.

Police said the two were charged after they became involved in an altercation with each other. Police said that Merook possessed drug paraphernalia.

Police investigate

theft of tow truck

VULCAN — State police at Frackville are investigating a theft that occurred about 10 p.m. Wednesday at the Interstate Exxon station on Route 54 in Mahanoy Township.

Police said someone stole a white 2011 Ford tow truck with a Pennsylvania license of RT-53945 owned by John Grutza, Mahanoy City, and fled.

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

FRACKVILLE — Two Pottsville men charged with stealing a speed-timing device in Butler Township on May 30 had charges against them withdrawn Monday by prosecutors and pleaded guilty to lesser offenses.

Hassan T. Hussain, 28, of 501 Edwards Ave., and Michael H. Bond, 41, of 427 E. Norwegian St., were charged by Butler Township police Lt. Daniel Holderman stemming from an incident in the area of 3015 Fairgrounds Road.

Hussain was scheduled to appear before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale on felony charges of conspiracy-theft, conspiracy-receiving stolen property and misdemeanor conspiracy-obstructing the administration of law.

Bond was also scheduled to appear before Hale on charges of felony conspiracy-theft, felony conspiracy-receiving stolen property, misdemeanor conspiracy-obstructing the administration of law, and summary offenses of driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked and exceeding speed limit.

In lieu of a hearing, prosecutors withdrew all of the felony and misdemeanor charges against the two men and agreed to charge them with lesser offenses.

Holderman said Bond is now charged with summary offenses of driving without a license, exceeding the speed limit and disorderly conduct. Hussain is charged with summary disorderly conduct.

Court records showed both men pleaded guilty to the lesser offenses with Hussain paying the related fine and Bond agreeing to a payment plan on his fines.

“I felt they learned a lesson; it was a stupid stunt,” Holderman said.

Holderman said he saw a vehicle driven by Bond speeding in the area when the man suddenly pulled over, stopped on the berm of the road and backed up in front of a speed-timing device owned by Butler Township police. The passenger, later identified as Hussain, exited and picked up the ENRADD machine and attached battery back, clearly marked “Butler Township Police Dept.,” Holderman said. As Hussain tried to get back into the vehicle with the machine still in his possession, Holderman said, he pulled his cruiser in front of the Bond vehicle.

Holderman originally charged Bond with one felony count each of theft and receiving stolen property, one misdemeanor count of obstructing the administration of law and one summary count each of speeding and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Hussain was originally charged with one felony count each of theft and receiving stolen property along with a misdemeanor charge of obstructing the administration of law.

Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-60131

POTTSVILLE — While spending a week at Christmas Pines Campground, more than 40 young campers collected shower supplies to donate to Servants to All as the organization plans to install showers at My Father’s House.

On Wednesday, several campers dropped off the donations and took time to volunteer and learn about the program at 4 S. Centre St., Pottsville.

“It’s critical because obviously our whole program runs on donations and grants,” Jeanette Triano Sinn, who recently took over as executive director of the program, said. “When people come to us for help, this is generally something we don’t receive through donations.”

The campers spent the week at Christmas Pines Campground, Auburn, as part of the Community Church of Prayer’s Romans 12 service summer camp. Now in its 10th year, the camp hosts up to 50 teenagers for a week of activities, service and prayer.

Angela Berdanier, a volunteer at the camp, said they have 43 campers this year. They stay in tents around the lake and volunteer in the community during the day, she said.

“It could be as simple as cheering someone up or painting a house,” Berdanier said.

Campers have volunteered at 22 locations this summer, the Rev. Ron Schultz of the Community Church of Prayer said. The church holds their services at Christmas Pines Campground in the summer and Faith United Church of Christ, Landingville, in the winter.

“We started the summer camp to try and impress upon the kids and adults that being a Christian and about Jesus is not just coming to church,” Schultz said. “It is about getting out and getting your hands dirty doing a lot of things. I think a lot of the kids have grasped the idea of serving and know that it is good to be the hands that feed through Christ.”

Their volunteer work included building a wheelchair ramp for a Pottsville resident, helping prepare for the Schuylkill County Fair and organizing a carnival at Stoyer’s Dam.

It was also not the first time the campers spent time at My Father’s House. Last year, they helped paint and clean the bathrooms in the building.

“Obviously it is a wonderful cause and there are always people willing to give and help out,” Berdanier said.

Triano Sinn said the organization is still securing grants and donations to install showers in the building.

Several of the campers said Wednesday they come back every summer to Christmas Pines Campground to be with friends but to also strengthen their relationship with God.

“It’s nice to know that you are helping change people’s lives,” Kaylee Yeager, Cressona, said.

“It’s a great experience,” Catie Arndt, Reading, said.

Servants to All opened its day program called “My Father’s House” at 4 S. Centre St., Pottsville, on Nov. 11, 2015. The program helps people find shelter and employment and also provides clothing, food and other assistance. Since opening, the program has provided assistance to more than 800 people.

Last November, the nonprofit organization opened a shelter with 13 beds at the United Presbyterian Church, 214 Mahantongo St., Pottsville. There are six staff members at the overnight shelter. It is only for men and operates 8:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. Women are placed in rooming houses.

While Schuylkill Women in Crisis provides shelter for victims of domestic abuse, there has been no other homeless shelter in Schuylkill County since 2009.

Anyone seeking shelter should go to My Father’s House during intake hours from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donations to Servants to All can be sent to P.O. Box 1354, Pottsville, PA 17901. For homeless assistance, call the outreach line at 570-900-1161. More information is available at www.servantstoall.org.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6023

TOWER CITY — Williams Valley School District administrators, except Superintendent Diane Niederriter, will receive pay raises of $1,750 in a contract agreement approved by the school board on July 6.

Niederriter had negotiated her contract with no pay hike in the 2017-18 school year; it remains at $110,000. A new administrative position was also resurrected — assistant elementary principal — following Thursday’s school board meeting.

Those receiving salary increases and the amounts are: Stephanie Carl, elementary principal, $77,500 to $79,250; Christine Sisko, assistant principal, $70,625 to $72,375; Jolene Smith, assistant to the superintendent, $81,350 to $83,100; Tracey Weller, secondary principal, $82,250 to $84,000; Amy Tomalavage, business manager, $65,000 to $66,750; and Tammy Chrin, special education director, $73,000 to $74,750.

The Republican-Herald picked up the information Thursday after a verbal request was submitted the day before to the superintendent. Niederriter said the administrative staff’s salaries are negotiated annually. The school board approved the three-year contract agreement with Act 93 employees by a 7-0 vote, effective July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2020. Directors Christopher Stroup and Jennifer Kramer were absent at the July 6 meeting.

At Thursday’s meeting, six directors were present: Daniel Stroup, Christopher Stroup, Tracey Minnich, John Mika, Jennifer Kramer and David Ferraro.

Judy Schappe, Minersville, was hired as the new assistant elementary principal, effective July 24, at an annual salary of $65,000. Schappe was a former district high school math teacher who resigned, effective July 20, to accept the new post. The last time there was an assistant elementary principal was in the 2012-13 school year, according to the board.

The elementary school will receive two new music instructors this year. The board approved hiring Megan Carraher, Harrisburg, as an elementary music teacher and Linsey Clauser, Schuylkill Haven, as an elementary instrumental teacher, both effective Aug. 16. Former elementary music teacher Joel Guldin retired at the end of this school year.

The board approved the special education service agreement between Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 and the district, with a projected tentative amount of $604,378, payable in six scheduled installments.

In other personnel matters, the board approved:

• The resignation of high school science teacher Gerald Kramer Jr., effective July 11.

• Hiring Anna Wolochuk, Millersburg, as an elementary remedial teacher and Jennifer Minnich, Williamstown, as the mentor teacher for Wolochuk.

• Hiring Michele Kantor, Lebanon, as an elementary art teacher and Andria Doud, Pine Grove, as the mentor teacher for Kantor.

• Hiring Kasey Campbell, Millersburg, as the mentor teacher for Carraher and Clauser.

• Hiring Deryn Wenrich, Valley View, as an elementary health and physical education teacher and Tiffany Underkoffler, Tower City, as the mentor teacher for Wenrich.

• Hiring Amy Oestreich, Reading, as a high school health and physical education teacher.

• Hiring Deana Beaver, Halifax, as a special education teacher and Chelsea Artz, Tower City, as the mentor teacher for Beaver.

• A behavior intervention specialist contract for Katherine Brosius, effective July 1 to June 30, 2018.

• A $1,200 salary increase, as per the collective bargaining agreement, for high school teacher Kristen Perdew for obtaining a master’s degree/master’s equivalency document.

• Hiring the following athletic coaches for the 2017-18 school year: head girls’ basketball, Charles Rodichok, Tower City; assistant high school girls’ basketball, Christiana Rodichok, Williamstown; and assistant volleyball, Triana Graff, Williamstown.

• Appointing the following volunteer coaches for the 2017-18 school year: volleyball and girls’ basketball, Kristen Perdew, Ashland; wrestling, David Minnich, Williamstown; boys’ soccer, Harry Raudenbush, Tower City.

• Part-time paraprofessionals Heather Berger, Williamstown, and Alyssa DeFrank, Tower City.

Most new hires are effective Aug. 16.

The board tabled approving the 2017-18 event staff due to not having enough board directors present to vote who would not be abstaining, Daniel Stroup said.

The board heard an end-of-season report from Ryan Underkoffler, head softball coach, and a proposal from Scott Barry on wanting to start a Williams Valley Trap Club.

The next regular board meeting will be 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10 in the board room at the high school.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Deeds

Deer Lake — The Gratz Bank to Christopher B. Charest and Heather Heckman; 133 Laurel Blvd.; $115,000.

McAdoo — Joan T. Sissick to Denise Kapes; 49 N. Hancock St.; $4,000.

North Manheim Township — JMAC Realty LLC to Naomi C. Pedron; 35 Hillside Road; $166,500.

North Union Township — Ruben Zamudio-Paniagua and Angelica Zamudio to Ruben Zamudio-Paniagua and Angelica Zamudio; 219 N. Cove Mountain Road, Zion Grove; $1.

Orwigsburg — Barry J. and Lauren R. Berger to 5 Crowns LLC; property on East Market Street; $145,000.

Pine Grove — Kevin Seibert and Tammy Seibert, executors of the Estate of Earl W. Reed, to Thomas and Helen Ann Fidler; property on Spruce Street; $28,000.

Pine Grove Township — Linda I. Venszl to Pine Grove Fish and Game Protective Association; 17.74268-acre property on Geary Wolfe Road; $10,000.

Pottsville — Wells Fargo Bank NA to Secretary of Veterans Affairs; 937 N. Centre St.; $10.

Rush Township — Robert J. Neifert Jr. to Donald R. Serfass; 108 Cumberland Ave., Hometown; $20,000.

Ryan Township — William J. and Mary Louise Neverosky to Sarah L. Hudock and Abigail A. Sweeney; 607 State Road, Barnesville; $1.

Yudacot Limited Partnership to Leonard J. and Merissa A. Brylewski; 2.394-acre property on Back Road; $59,900.

Saint Clair — Eloy Martinez, by attorney in fact William Serfass, to Dean C. Padfield; 145-147 S. Mill St.; $22,000.

Irvin V. III and Amy L. Blankenhorn to Amy L. Blankenhorn; 516 S. Mill St.; $1.

Schuylkill Haven — Sarah Ulmer to Eric M. and Karen A. Hertz; property on Union Street; $10,000.

South Manheim Township — Harold F. Sofield to Dennis and Kelly Fitzgerald; Lot 1514, Lake Wynonah; $275,000.

Tamaqua — Jacquelyn M. and Christopher A. Hartz to Ann Tracy; 317 Willing St.; $62,500.

Wayne Township — John S. and Jennifer L. Michael to Sandra Bensinger, Kimberly Cryts and Karen Conage; property at June and Stoyer avenues; $10,000.

West Brunswick Township — Stephen E. and Mary C. Lucas to Professional Investors Group LLC; 406 Village Road, Pinebrook; $136,500.

Rodney J. Cimbalista to Paul A. and Pamela S. Shealer; 501 Red Church Road; $284,500.

Julianne L. Kohler to Pamela L. Donovan; 4301 Brookside Court; $195,000.

West Penn Township — Daniel J. Alicea to Arthur D. Adams and Adrienne Rayna; 28 Stonehenge Lane, South Tamaqua; $35,000.

Devin McGrevy to John R. Mushler Jr. and Nichole M. Bartik; 3529 Summer Valley Road; $108,000.

James R. and Eileen J. Coombe to Michael J. Coombe; 27 Red Oak Terrace; $1.

As The Republican-Herald prepares for its summer used book sale, it is also looking for a new home for the popular event.

The Newspaper in Education Used Book Sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 27 and 28, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 29 and 30 at the Schuylkill Mall, Frackville. The parking lots outside the bank and Dunham’s would be the best to use. The sale is cash only. Funds benefit area students through the Newspaper in Education program.

“We, like everyone else, are saddened to have to move elsewhere. We do appreciate that the new owners of the mall allowed us to have our final sale in our same location as it is a wonderful setup for us,” said Janet Joyce, director of marketing and community services at The Republican-Herald.

Joyce also sent her appreciation to Elaine Maneval, the former mall manager; Dana Baker, the mall’s marketing director, and Jim Bova and his crew in property maintenance for their efforts over the years.

She said the January book sale will be in a new location, possibly the Cressona Mall.

As for the upcoming sale, Joyce said they are looking forward to seeing the “regulars” who come to every sale.

She mentioned Ann from Shenandoah, who braves the initial crowd to make sure she gets the books she really wants and then typically comes back at least once more when it is less crowded so she can browse a bit more; George of Pottsville, who comes year after year looking for books of local interest along with history books; and Kawika, Lisa and Sarah who find treasures worthy of being gifts.

Joyce said they have lost some friends over the years — regulars who have passed away and now their spouse comes alone or with family.

“We think of and miss these ones who are no longer with us,” she said.

Joyce said the customers have made suggestions that have improved the sale.

“For instance, Mary Ann of Shenandoah requested that we group fiction by the first letter of the author’s last name. It is a lot of extra sorting but we’ve managed to do so,” Joyce said.

The books are sorted by category, such as romance, large print, sci-fi, fantasy, horror and inspiration, for fiction, and cookbooks, self-help, history and biographies for nonfiction.

Prices are $3 for hardbacks and $1 for paperbacks. Thin romance books like Harlequin and Silhouette, are five for $1. Children’s books are $1 for hardbacks and three for $1 for paperbacks.

There will also be DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes and books on CD and tape for sale.

Customers who plan on buying more than five or six books are advised to bring a sturdy tote bag. There will also be bags available for $1.

A big sale is planned for Saturday to clear out remaining merchandise.

“It might be a bag sale, box sale or half price. We will wait to see what our inventory looks like before deciding,” Joyce said.

Additional information can be found at www.republicanherald.com/booksale.

Contact the writer: epeddigree@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6003.

Acclaimed jazz ensemble Emily Asher’s Garden Party brings its nostalgia-rooted performance to the Sounds of Summer concert at Misericordia University’s Under the Stars Summer Arts Festival.

The group, well-known in the New York City area since 2012, promises to play Great American Songbook selections made famous by the likes of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, as well as their own compositions at the Sunday performance at the Wells Fargo Amphitheater at Misericordia University, Dallas, Pa.

The group’s leader, Emily Asher, said Garden Party plays a little something for everyone.

“Kids respond really well to this type of music,” said Asher, referencing a clarinet solo she heard while watching “Monsters Inc.” with her niece.

She also noted the increasing popularity of jazz music in the modern era, and how this allows her music to appeal to new audiences.

“Gatsby-era culture is becoming very chic,” she said.

The band includes a clarinet, saxophone, bass and vocalist, all led by Asher and her trombone, which she has been mastering since childhood. Asher’s father was a band director and musician who sparked her initial interest in playing trombone, but made her wait until the fifth grade to start.

“He didn’t think I would have the discipline until then,” Asher said.

She continued on to play in several school bands, eventually attending the University of Washington in her hometown of Seattle to pursue degrees in music education and jazz studies. With these degrees, Asher went on to teach junior high school band. One and a half years into this position, she visited New York City and fell in love with it, setting her sights on moving there to play music. After finishing another year and a half of teaching, she made the move and pursued her master’s degree in jazz from Queen’s College. While in the city, she met jazz musician Wycliffe Gordon, who encouraged her to make her first record.

“That was a very powerful experience for me,” Asher said. “I felt like it gave some legitimacy to my career.”

Asher found more work as a performer and made another album before getting a day job as a booking agent for Columbia Artist Management.

Garden Party formed in 2012, with a friend suggesting the name after the many garden parties she and Asher had in their shared home.

Offering “fresh growth from vintage roots,” the band enjoys a successful career of performing and recording, hailed by the Wall Street Journal as “red hot” and “very exciting.”

“Everybody will hear something that’s familiar,” Asher said of the band’s upcoming Misericordia performance. “I feel like it’s very uplifting.”

Tickets for the Under the Stars Summer Arts Festival are $120 for a six-seat festival table, $15 for ampitheater seating and $10 for lawn seats. For tickets, call 570-674-6719 or visit misericordia.edu/uts.

For more on Emily Asher’s Garden Party, visit emilyasher.com.

Contact the writer: jkurovsky@citizensvoice.com

POTTSVILLE — Three more people seeking to turn around their lives of addiction entered the Schuylkill County Drug Treatment Court on Thursday, bringing the number of people in it to 30.

Curtis G. Hahn, 31, of Frackville, has three separate cases filed against him. He faces three counts each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, two of delivery of a controlled substance and one of conspiracy.

Jeremy C. Hess, 31, of Orwigsburg, also has three cases filed against him. Prosecutors have charged him with two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one each of conspiracy, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, theft from a motor vehicle, theft, receiving stolen property and theft by deception.

The third new participant, Joyce M. Lindenmuth, 55, of Frackville, has four cases filed against her. The charges include two counts each of conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia and one each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.

Judge James P. Goodman accepted them into the program and warned them that their roads would not be easy ones.

“You have serious drug problems,” he said to them.

Schuylkill County officials started the drug treatment court program this year to try to combat the widespread drug-addiction problem, using a carrot-and-stick approach. Other counties in Pennsylvania also have instituted drug treatment courts.

Those in that 14-month program must undergo substance abuse treatment, make regular court appearances, submit to random drug testing and home visits, meet with probation officers, and comply with directives from the court and those officers. Participants must complete all five phases in order to graduate from the program; graduation is the carrot, resulting in dismissal of the charges against them.

However, since the defendants enter guilty pleas to the charges against them, failure to complete the program is the stick, resulting in them being sentenced, quite possibly to time in a state correctional institution.

Other people already in the program spent Thursday’s session reading their weekly required essays. In their essays, they discussed the feelings of not being able to share their struggles with anyone else and the realization that they need to do so.

“I’ve always been in a solo fight with myself,” Angelina said. Now, however, she said she is willing to seek help for her problems.

Jordan wrote that he has been surprised by the reactions he gets.

“People don’t mind helping me out,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with asking for help.”

To Alex, reaching out means being able to get help from people close to him.

“I have the support of my family backing me up,” he said. “This is the only disease that can be talked away.”

Randy also stressed the importance of not fighting substance abuse alone.

“I isolated myself from my friends and family,” he said. “I’ve learned it’s OK to ask for help.”

Contact the writer: pbortner@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6014

POTTSVILLE — More than 50 supporters of Gillingham Charter School, Pottsville, are planning to travel to Harrisburg on Tuesday in a show of support for the school’s quest to acquire its second five-year charter.

Nicolle M. Hutchinson, Gillingham’s CEO and director of education, made that estimate after the July meeting of the school’s board of trustees Thursday at the school house at 915 Howard Ave.

“The rally is still on,” Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson said the charter school will provide special T-shirts for many to wear, but she did not have an exact figure Thursday about how many were ordered or what they cost.

In April, Gillingham was planning to charter buses to transport supporters to the hearing.

On Thursday, Hutchinson said those who need a ride can board one of the school’s vans for the trip.

“Some people are going to carpool. Some people are going to take the vans. And a few are going to meet us down there,” she said.

During the hearing, Hutchinson said, some Gillingham supporters may post updates on the school’s Twitter page, https://twitter.com/GillinghamCS.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Charter School Appeal Board meets at 333 Market St., Harrisburg.

According to the agenda for Tuesday’s hearing, Gillingham Charter School v. Pottsville Area School District (CAB Docket No. 2016-11) will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Honors Suite, First Floor.

Pedro A. Rivera, the state secretary of education, will call the meeting to order and offer remarks, according to the agenda written by Alaina C. Koltash, assistant counsel for the state Department of Education.

In other matters at Thursday’s meeting, Hutchinson said a proposal regarding the structuring of the school’s administration will be reviewed, and possibly approved, by the board of trustees in August.

“In our school improvement plan, we have to set so many goals. And one of our goals is to meet the governance suggestions presented to us by the Charlotte Mason Institute Accreditation Team, after they accredited us for seven years,” Hutchinson said during the meeting while delivering her monthly report.

In 2014, the Charlotte Mason Institute in Roanoke, Virginia, gave Gillingham a seven-year accreditation.

“We just finished our third year of accreditation. Time flies. So we have to work on two of their goals every year. So this year we state in the school improvement plan that we will focus on the suggestions made to our board on governance. One step that you have already made as a board to meet this goal was to hold a fact-finding project, during which you interviewed the admin team. You interviewed them with the goal of discovering the good, the bad and the ugly, right, with what’s going on. And, hopefully, it will be even better,” Hutchinson said.

The Gillingham Board of Trustees Governance Committee includes Marsha Chwastiak, board president, and board members Mindy Heppe and Dan Kurtz.

“It was a powerful project because it revealed areas we have mastered, areas that need tweaking and areas that need restructuring. So, the committee shared their findings with me. And members will work with me this month, if you want, to develop a governance structure that fits our current needs, empowers members of the admin team and is fiscally sound. So, as we have grown and as we have learned, it’s clear that the responsibilities of the two directors need to be dispersed to others,” Hutchinson said at the meeting.

Hutchinson could not be reached for comment after Thursday’s meeting for clarification on which “two directors” she was talking about.

“So we have a task for us to present a proposal for administration restructuring to you next month. That’s the goal,” Hutchinson told the board.

On June 15, one of the top administrators at Gillingham Charter School resigned.

The school’s board of trustees unanimously accepted the resignation of Rachel Bensinger.

Bensinger was the school’s director of organizational development since August 2014.

Bensinger was not present at the June 15 meeting, and Hutchinson would not say why she resigned.

Meanwhile, Gillingham has still not released details regarding “Confidential Agreement and Release No. 2017-01” the board approved at a special meeting on June 29.

On July 5, The Republican-Herald sent a Right-To-Know request in an effort to obtain a copy.

The school and its business office were closed from July 6 to 12. Hutchinson and other staff members were on vacation.

On July 12, Hutchinson responded and asked for additional time to review the request:

“The law allows the charter school a reasonable time period to provide a response. Section 902(a)(3) of the law states, ‘upon receipt of a written request for access, the open-records officer for an agency shall determine if ... a timely response to the request for access cannot be accomplished due to bona fide and specified staffing limitations.’ ”

“To the extent permitted by Sections 504, 706 and 902 of the law, your request for access is under legal review to determine whether the request was submitted to the charter school in accordance with the charter school’s Right-To-Know policy, whether the documentation requested is, in fact, a record as defined by the law, if the above documentation exists, if the above documentation is stored in a remote location, if the above documentation is subject to access, or if the requested documentation requires any redaction,” Hutchinson said in the letter.

“I anticipate that a response related to your request will be provided to you no later than August 11,” Hutchinson said in the letter.

On Thursday, the board of trustees also accepted the resignations of three employees, art teachers Jenna Hermany and Carrie Miller and science teacher Taia Bachman.

Again, Hutchinson would not say why they resigned.

“You know I’m not going to talk about resignations,” Hutchinson said after the meeting.

All members of the board of trustees participated at Thursday’s meeting: Sharon Klinger, vice president; Brian Hudock, secretary; Amy Webber, treasurer; Scott Herbert, Chwastiak and Heppe. Kurtz participated via telephone.

Contact the writer: spytak@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6011

POTTSVILLE — A Northampton County woman will not have to spend time behind bars after admitting July 12 in Schuylkill County Court that she overdosed on heroin while with her children.

Justine N. Gregus, 28, of Northampton, pleaded guilty to two counts each of endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person, with prosecutors withdrawing a third count of each crime.

Judge Charles M. Miller accepted the plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced Gregus to spend two years on probation and pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account.

Kline Township police, whom Miller noted had approved the plea agreement, charged Gregus with overdosing on heroin and passing out in her car, on Aug. 12, 2016, in the township. Gregus’ children were in the car with her, and she was unable to care for them, police said.

Gregus told Miller she does not have her children but is working to get them back.

“It’s a very difficult task,” Miller said about caring for children. He advised Gregus to stay away from drug dealers.

“They’re losers,” he said.

Miller on July 12 also accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:

Tyler J. Bringenberg, 23, of Berwick; driving under the influence; six months probation, $300 fine, $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and drug and alcohol evaluation. Prosecutors withdrew charges of possession of a small amount of marijuana and speeding.

James L. Hamby Jr., 40, of Mahanoy City; possession of drug paraphernalia; three to six months in prison, $100 fine and $100 SAEF payment, with sentence effective at 9:30 a.m. July 31.

Dawn M. Hossler, 49, of Orwigsburg; retail theft; 12 months probation, $50 CJEA payment and $50 bench warrant fee.

James L. Hummel, 29, of Mahanoy City; possession of a controlled substance; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and $50 bench warrant fee. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of no rear lights.

Stacey A. Hunsinger, 43, of Kelayres; possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia; 24 months probation and $100 SAEF payment. Prosecutors withdrew a second count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Anthony L. Kehl, 47, of Tamaqua; possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation and $100 SAEF payment.

Shale Waldick, 24, of Gordon; possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation and $100 SAEF payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

Jerry B. Walters, 27, of Wilkes-Barre; possession of a small amount of marijuana; 30 days probation and $100 SAEF payment.

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

Contact the writer: pbortner@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6014

Frackville

Aug. 31 is the last day the Frackville Area Hometown Heroes Program will accept applications for the program’s Phase II. Applications are available at the Frackville Municipal & Community Center, West Oak Street, and the Frackville Area Free Public Library, North Lehigh Avenue. For more information, call 570-449-7824.

Lavelle

The Church of the Nazarene, off Route 901, will have a yard sale beginning at 8 a.m. July 29. The registration fee is $5 to reserve a space. Tables are $5 each. For more information, call 570-875-2944.

Locustdale

The Locustdale Fire Company, Fire House Road, will have a penny auction at 2 p.m. Aug. 12. The cost is $2 plus a gift. Proceeds will benefit the truck fund. Refreshments will be available afterward. For more information, call 570-590-2325.

Minersville

The Minersville Fish & Game Club will have wing night beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday. Costs vary. The menu will include wings, chicken fingers, fries and onion rings. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-294-9808.

Orwigsburg

The Orwigsburg Area Free Public Library, 214 E. Independence St., will have a free program called “ABCs ... & Ds of Medicare” at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 10, an educational seminar for people eligible for Medicare, those planning to retire or those who simply have questions about it. Kathleen J. Farr-Parker of KJFP Inc. Insurance will be the presenter. For more information, call 570-366-1638.

Pottsville

At a recent meeting of the Pottsville Lions Club, Jerry Enders and the club’s committee on service recognized two members for their commitment to the Lions motto, “We Serve!” The honorees were Patsy Clews, the financial secretary, and David Bowen, second vice president. They were given special plaques. Both thanked the club for the recognition.

Pottsville

The Pottsville Free Public Library, 215 W. Market St., will have a free “block party” from 6 to 7 p.m. July 31. Children will learn engineering, math, language and literacy skills by making their own creations and building with others. The event is for children ages 3 to 6. For more information, call 570-622-8880.

Shenandoah

Knights of Columbus Francis Cardinal Brennan Council 618 sponsors bingo games at Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Parish’s St. Stephen Hall, Main and Oak streets. Doors open at noon and bingo games start at 2 p.m. Food and refreshments are available. Bingo dates for 2017 are as follows: Aug. 6 and 20, Sept. 10 and 24, Oct. 8 and 22, Nov. 5 and 26 and Dec. 10. All games are open to the public and the hall is accessible to the handicapped.

Tamaqua

People concerned about the local addiction problem are invited to participate Saturday in the “Out of the Darkness” candlelight walk hosted by the group Safer Streets for Tamaqua’s Little Feet beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Bungalow Park. There will also be a Carbon-Schuylkill Sober Picnic meet-up Sunday at the Koch-Wildoner Pavilion at Mauch Chunk Lake Park near Jim Thorpe from noon to dusk. Picnic participants should bring a covered dish and chairs. The event is hosted by the Carbon and Tamaqua Step-Up groups. Step-Up Tamaqua is a program of the Tamaqua Area Faith Fellowship Network, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization under the umbrella of the Tamaqua Community Partnership. Donations can be sent to Step-Up Tamaqua, 125 Pine St., Tamaqua, PA 18252.

POTTSVILLE — Despite a looming upset sale if property taxes go unpaid, the Tex-Mex Diner will reopen soon, according to the restaurant manager.

Myriam Gonzalez said the restaurant at 402 W. Market St. has been closed for about 1 1/2 months while she was dealing with a family issue.

She has also been renovating and painting the inside of the building, she said. She put up brown paper on the windows about 1 1/2 weeks ago to prevent people from looking inside before the renovations are complete.

She said she plans to reopen “in about a week or two.”

The Tex-Mex Diner, formerly the Garfield Diner, has been at the Garfield Square location since October 2014. The diner has seating for 75 people and a loyal following.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at the restaurant. When it reopens, the hours will remain 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Gonzalez does not own the building and said she didn’t know the property owners, Jimmy Manaroulas and George Hazakis, were behind on taxes.

Taxes are owed for 2015 and 2016. Manaroulas said Thursday he will pay the taxes before the 4:30 p.m. Sept. 22 deadline for the 2015 taxes.

Gonzalez said she does not know where she will move the restaurant if the building is sold at upset sale Sept. 25.

Angela D. Toomey, director of the Schuylkill County Tax Claim Bureau, said Wednesday that $5,297 is owed for the property. City, county and school district taxes are listed as being owed for 2015, amounting to $3,637.89. City and county taxes owed for 2016 amount to $1,659.19. If the taxes are not paid by the end of the month, the amount owed increases.

If the property goes for upset sale and does not sell, the owners must pay 2015 and 2016 taxes to get it back. The property could be available for private sale if approved by Commonwealth Court.

Toomey said that it is not uncommon for people to pay taxes at the last minute for any number of reasons.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

State police target

distracted driving

Pennsylvania State Police at Troop L are participating in the 6 State Trooper Project that focuses on distracted driving enforcement with an emphasis on raising awareness about reckless and careless driving associated with texting and cellphone use.

The enforcement effort began Sunday and will continue through Saturday.

Driving behaviors indicative of distracted driving can include looking down or lowering of the head, delayed/slow starts, improper lane changes, drifting within a lane, inconsistent speed and/or any other behavior which causes the driver to take their eyes and attention off the road, troopers said.

During the initiative, troopers will have a zero-tolerance policy toward these violations, which continue to be identified as Causal Factors in many of the crashes we investigate.

Troopers will be focused on violations of Sections 1621 Texting While Driving, 1622 Handheld Mobile Telephone, 3314 Prohibiting Use of Hearing Impairment Devices, 3316 Prohibiting Text-based Communications, 3714 Careless Driving and 3736 Reckless Driving.

Troopers will continue their everyday enforcement of seat belt and child passenger safety seat enforcement.

Police investigate

hit-and-run crash

MIDDLEPORT — State police at Frackville are investigating a crash that occurred about 2:30 a.m. Monday on Route 209, about a tenth of a mile east of Coal Street.

Police said Joseph J. Cappella, 26, of Pottsville, was driving a 2003 Chrysler Sebring east on Route 209 when he noticed an unidentified vehicle coming up behind him and pulled over onto the berm of the road to allow the vehicle to pass.

The unidentified driver then left his lane of travel and ran into the back of the Cappella car, police said.

After hitting the Cappella car, police said, the driver left the scene without stopping or exchanging information as required.

The vehicle is described as a white pickup truck and should have damage to the front bumper, police said.

Police said Cappella and his passenger, Julia B. Reinert, 21, of Tamaqua, were not hurt.

Anyone with information is asked to call troopers at 570-874-5300.

Woman had account

used outside U.S.

LYKENS — State police at Lykens are investigating a theft that occurred June 25 in this Dauphin County community.

Police said a 43-year-old Lykens woman discovered unauthorized purchases totaling $610.31 from her account that were made in a foreign country.

Police said BBT bank replaced the money to the woman and that their investigation into the theft is continuing.

Hegins police

probe dumping

HEGINS — The Hegins Township police are investigating an act of illegal dumping.

A man thought it was OK to leave two plastic bags full of plastic bottles in front of the recycling bins instead of inside.

Police said a surveillance tape shows a white man wearing a baseball cap, T-shirt, shorts and sneakers left the two bags in front of the bins after he tried to fit one bag inside the bin.

He then got in his four-door pickup (possibly a Dodge) and drove south on Gap Street.

Anyone with information is asked to call Hegins Township Police at 570-682-3133. A complaint prompted the investigation.

Police investigate

criminal trespass

MOREA — State police in Frackville investigated a criminal trespass incident that occurred about 11 p.m. July 14.

State police at Frackville said Eric Felegie, 39, of Weatherly, was found at the home of his ex-wife, Diane Slomowicz, Morea, sitting on her couch. He had not been living there since March, police said.

After being ordered to leave by police, he returned to get a vest he left at the scene after finding the door open, police said.

He then went to a nearby home owned by his ex-wife and slept on the floor.

Mahanoy Township police investigated the initial incident, state police said. The two properties in question are 171 and 121 Lower St., Morea, state police said.

Warrant arrest nets drug charges

ALTAMONT — West Mahanoy Township police reported Tuesday filing charges against a Pottsville man stemming from an incident in the Altamont section of the township on March 19.

Police said the incident began when officers received information that several individuals were staying at a local motel and had warrants for their arrest.

The individuals were located and one man, identified as Joseph Vezo Jr., was in possession of several controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.

Police said Vezo will now have to appear before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, on charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and tampering with evidence.

Philly man jailed

on drug charges

A Philadelphia man was jailed after being arrested Sunday by Pottsville police on drug charges.

Police said officers were called about 10 a.m. to the area of the 400 block of North Street for two people slumped over the wheel of a vehicle.

At the scene, police said, officers saw a Toyota Prius at the stop sign on Pine Street and North Street with two people slumped over in the front seat.

Officers tried to make contact with the two, a man and woman, by knocking on the driver’s door and verbally alerting the passengers to police presence.

After realizing officers were at the scene, the man, identified as Dustin Ballard, 28, of Philadelphia, and the woman, Cassandra Arndt, 19, of Cressona, began moving around, police said.

Inside the vehicle, officers saw a sandwich bag in the driver’s door pocket near the power locks that was filled with different color pills and brown powder substance.

The subsequent investigation showed that Ballard possessed heroin, methamphetamine, Alprazolam and Tramadol, along with a cellphone and a digital scale.

Additional information gathered by officers indicated Ballard possessed the items with the intent to distribute the controlled substances.

Ballard was taken into custody and charged by Patrolman Joseph Krammes with felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and misdemeanor offenses of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ballard was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge David Rossi, Tremont, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $30,000 bail.

Police said Arndt was also taken to prison on an arrest warrant issued out of Berks County.

Police said the woman was also found to be in possession of a controlled substance and will be charged by Krammes with misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance.

Police: Man wanted

in Tennessee

BROWNSVILLE — West Mahanoy Township Police reported filing an additional charge against a Mainville man after a July 6 incident in the Brownsville section of the township.

Police said that during their investigation they took Richard Andino Jr. into custody.

It was later found that Andino was also wanted by the state of Tennessee and an additional charge of being a fugitive from justice was filed against him to facilitate his extradition to Tennessee, police said.

POTTSVILLE — Matthew Marchalk did not flinch Thursday as he testified to what prosecutors say was the scene of his father’s killing on Father’s Day in his Ryan Township home, a killing his brother is charged with committing.

“I could see there was blood all over his bed,” Matthew said about his discovery of the body of Gary D. Marchalk on June 19 in Barnesville.

Michael D. Marchalk, 37, of Barnesville, did not react while his brother not only described the scene but also told of the alleged bad relationship between Gary and the defendant, brought on at least in part by the latter’s drug use.

“For years, they didn’t get along,” Matthew testified. “My dad basically told him he had to go to rehab. (Michael) said before he had thought about killing him.”

Matthew’s testimony helped Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale conclude that prosecutors had presented enough evidence to support all charges against Michael during the 50-minute preliminary hearing.

At the end of the hearing, Hale ordered all charges — criminal homicide, first-degree murder, second-degree murder, third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, robbery, theft, possessing instruments of crime and two counts of access device fraud — held for court. After that, Michael returned to prison, where he is being held without bail, wearing the same prison jumpsuit, leg shackles, handcuffs and belt he had worn during the hearing.

While walking from the courtroom back to prison, Michael said he did not mean to kill his father but will have to live with the guilt.

State police at Frackville have charged Michael Marchalk with killing Gary Marchalk — a prominent lawyer and former assistant district attorney whose widow is county Treasurer Linda L. Marchalk — by beating him with a baseball bat on June 18 at the residence they shared at 21 Pear St., Barnesville.

“He made a couple statements ... if he could trade places with his father, he would,” Trooper Eric Schaeffer, who brought Michael back from Atlantic County, New Jersey, testified about the defendant’s statements during the ride back to Schuylkill County. “He’s sorry, there was no excuse for what he did.”

Police arrested Michael on June 23 on the boardwalk in Atlantic City, where they said he had fled after killing his father. He was brought back to Schuylkill County and arraigned on June 30.

Gary died of blunt force trauma, and his death was a homicide, Deputy Coroner David Truskowsky testified.

“I observed him face down, bloody, with blood spatter all over the room,” said Truskowsky, who also pronounced Gary dead.

Matthew also testified he had “a really bad feeling” when he saw his father’s truck, which Michael had been driving, in the driveway. He said he had gone to his father’s office in Tamaqua, where he had learned Gary had not appeared for a hearing, something he said was completely out of character.

State police Cpl. David Dupree of the forensic services unit at the Reading station testified the scene at Gary’s house was gruesome.

“I did notice what appeared to be blood spatter. I did notice a large amount of blood under his head,” he said. “There was what appeared to be dried blood on that baseball bat.”

Dupree, who photographed and made a video of the scene, said the body was in the master bedroom, where the ceiling and all four walls were stained with blood. He said there was no difficulty in finding it.

“It was a significant amount (of blood),” he said. “I didn’t have to look very hard to see.”

State police Trooper Joseph W. Hall, the prosecuting officer, testified there were items missing from the house.

“We could not locate his wallet, his credit cards ... and also his gold Ford Fusion,” Hall, a former Shenandoah police chief, said.

Hall also said Gary’s bank cards had been used in Tamaqua, New Tripoli, Fogelsville and Philadelphia. Michael appeared in security videos at a bank in New Tripoli and a bus station in Philadelphia, according to Hall.

Schaeffer said Michael told him he did not want to be “dope sick,” or going through a withdrawal, while in rehab, but he was unable to find heroin. Michael said he asked for money from Gary, who would not give it to him.

Neither Senior Deputy Attorney General Christopher P. Phillips, who is prosecuting the case along with Deputy Attorney General Rebecca A. Elo, a former county assistant district attorney, nor Assistant Public Defender Kent D. Watkins, Michael’s lawyer, had any comment after the hearing.

Contact the writer: pbortner@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6014.

Defendant: Michael D. Marchalk

Age: 37

Residence: Barnesville

Charges: Criminal homicide, first-degree murder, second-degree murder, third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, robbery, theft, possessing instrument of crime and two counts of access device fraud

Rebecca Margerum

ELIZABETHVILLE — A Gratz man is headed to Dauphin County Court after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday on charges he had sex-related contact with a minor in October 2016.

Austin R. Conaway, 20, of 320 E. Market St., faces charges of unlawful contact with a minor, aggravated indecent assault, corruption of minors and sexual abuse of children-child pornography. Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum bound over those charges for court after Conaway waived his right to the hearing.

Prosecutors withdrew a charge of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and two additional counts of sexual abuse of children-child pornography.

State police at Lykens allege Conaway had the unlawful contact on Oct. 21, 2016, in Washington Township.

Conaway is free on $10,000 unsecured bail pending further court proceedings. His formal arraignment is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Sept. 1 in Harrisburg before Judge Deborah E. Curcillo.

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

Marenda L. Davi, 35, of 5215 N. Front St., Harrisburg; unlawfully obtaining or attempting to obtain telecommunications device or service, identity theft and attempted identity theft; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Harry R. Manning, 63, of 120 North St., Millersburg; strangulation, simple assault and harassment; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Jason A. Mundie, 28, of 731 Union St., Millersburg; burglary, criminal trespass and criminal mischief; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Melissa C. Ritzman, 45, of 517 State Route 147, Dalmatia; theft by deception and bad checks; charge of theft by deception withdrawn. Ritzman pleaded guilty to bad checks. Margerum sentenced her to pay costs, a $25 fine and $82.66 restitution.

Trent E. Williard, 50, of 230 E. Market St., Williamstown; theft and theft by deception; charge of theft dismissed, charge of theft by deception held for court after preliminary hearing.

Randy S. Zalek, 46, of 1350 Eisenhower Blvd. Apt. 233, Harrisburg; criminal mischief and defiant trespass; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

David A. Plachko

PORT CARBON — An Ashland woman charged with a theft at the Rent-A-Center store in Norwegian Township between October 2015 and May 5 waived her right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko.

Deena Jane Schaarschmidt, 71, of 401 Walnut St. was arrested by state police Trooper Robert Oakley of the Schuylkill Haven station and charged with one count each of receiving stolen property, theft of leased property and criminal mischief.

By waiving her right to a hearing, Schaarschmidt will now have to answer to all three charges in Schuylkill County Court.

Oakley said Schaarschmidt rented a washer and dryer set, a LG television, a Vizio television, a dining room set and an Android tablet with a total value of $2,882.70. The woman then stopped making payments on Jan. 14 and did not return the items to the business as required, the trooper said.

In addition, Oakley said, Schaarschmidt rented a speaker that was returned damaged and determined to be a total loss to the store.

Other court cases included:

Sheri Sadusky, no age available, of 19 Main St., Middleport; waived for court: bad checks.

Gregg S. Tirpak, 53, of 712 E. Broad St., Tuscarora; withdrawn: simple assault and harassment.

Jessica A. Tirpak, 33, of 36 Kaup Ave., Tamaqua; withdrawn: simple assault and harassment.

Scott Noll, 42, of 211 Linden St., Minersville; withdrawn: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance. Waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Deeds

Ashland — Gerald J. and Darlene V. Fago to Bobbie Ann Frick; property on Centre Street; $1.

Marriage licenses

James M. Adamick, Saint Clair, and Kimberly A. Liddick, Saint Clair.

Frederick M. Swayer, Frackville, and Shaquala Lynn Swanson, Harrisburg.

April Henry, Hamburg, and Tessa R. Goss, Hamburg.

Brian P. Bonner Jr., McAdoo, and Pamela J. Gallagher, Mc-Adoo.

Richard A. Mott Sr., Pine Grove, and Vanessa G. German, Pine Grove.

Joshua M. Sonnon, Pottsville, and Kandace Mercedes Seiders, Pottsville.

Divorces granted

Diane Felegie, Mahanoy City, from Eric Felegie, Mahanoy City.

Jolene Fay, Orwigsburg, from Justin Fay, Orwigsburg.

Sarah Zendrosky, Ashland, from Gerald Zendrosky Jr., Windham, Connecticut.

Beth Stolarski, New Ringgold, from Carl Stolarski, Port Carbon.

Denise Haluska, Ashland, from Lance Haluska, Branchdale.

Teresa Newswanger, Pottsville, from Adam Newswanger, Pottsville.

Gratz

Contestants for 2017 Gratz Fair queen and alternate are being accepted. The deadline to apply is Aug. 1, according to a fair press release. To be eligible, young ladies must be at least 16 years old and no older than 20 as of June 1, and be a resident of Dauphin, Northumberland or Schuylkill counties. The new queen and alternate will spend the year representing the fair and promoting agriculture. For all of the rules and regulations, go online to www.gratzfair.net or contact Paula by calling 717-579-3107 or emailing PaulaDavis325@yahoo.com.

Mahanoy City

The local Elks Lodge, 135 E. Centre St., will have a breaded pork chop dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 1. The cost is $9 per person. Meals also include scalloped potatoes, vegetable, coleslaw, roll/butter and dessert. Takeouts will be available and walk-ins are welcome. For more information, call 570-573-2649.

Mount Carmel

United Presbyterian Church, Hickory and Fifth streets, will have rummage and bake sales from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 5. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-339-4041.

Pottsville

The Republican Party Caucus of Pennsylvania will have a free session on Second Amendment rights with Attorney Joshua Prince from 7 to 9 p.m. July 28 at Pine View Acres bar and restaurant, 145 Chamberlaine Ave. For more information, email John Zangaro at johnzangaro@gmail.com or call 610-306-1927.

Pottsville

A Deppen pie sale is under way until Aug. 17 by participating libraries in the Pottsville Library District. Pickups are set for Aug. 30. The cost is $10 per pie and all proceeds will benefit the libraries. Varieties include blueberry crumb, apple crumb, strawberry rhubarb crumb, cherry crumb, peach crumb, raisin crumb, shoofly, coconut custard, lemon sponge or no-sugar apple. Participating public libraries and their phone numbers are as follows: Ashland, 570-875-3175; Frackville, 570-874-3382; Orwigsburg, 570-366-1638; Port Carbon, 570-622-6115; Pottsville, 570-622-8880; Ringtown, 570-889-5503; Shenandoah, 570-462-9829; Tamaqua, 570-668-4660; Tower-Porter, 717-647-4900; Tremont, 570-695-3325; Tri-Valley, 570-682-8922. To order pies, contact the library in your area.

Shenandoah

The 19th annual Shenandoah Heritage Day and the 17th annual Parade of Nations will be held on Aug. 26. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. with 21 nations represented. Festivities will continue with ethnic food, myriad artists/crafters, vendors, games, a disc jockey plus live music by the Perserverance Jazz Band, Grammy-nominated Shenandoah native Lester Hirsh and others. For nature lovers, the wooded northern part of Girard Park, which borders Shenandoah borough and West Mahanoy Township, will be available for nature walks. Crossing the bridge in the park is a feat to which many aspire. The event is sponsored by the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc., 116 N. Main St.

Shenandoah

Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Parish has a needed and ongoing collection of items for the food bank that distributes food from the parish office, 108 W. Cherry St. Donations of nonperishable food items can be taken to Divine Mercy Church, Cherry and Chestnut streets, or to the parish’s St. Casimir Sacred Worship Site, 229 N. Jardin St., on weekends, or dropped off at the parish office during regular office hours. Useful items include tuna, Spam, canned meats, powdered milk, peanut butter and jelly, cereal, spaghetti sauce, pasta and similar fare. For more information, call the parish office at 570-462-1968.

Tamaqua

Tryouts for 10u Black Widows Softball are set for 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Tamaqua Area School District’s Rush Elementary School. For a registration form or more information, call 570-952-4940 or email kfaust518@gmail.com.

FRACKVILLE — A Frackville man was charged Friday with killing his father in the home they shared in the borough earlier this year.

Tyler Jesse Swantek, 24, was charged by Frackville Police Chief Richard Bell with one count each of criminal homicide, murder in the first degree and murder in the third degree, two counts of aggravated assault, three counts of simple assault and one count each of lesser offenses of recklessly endangering another person, possessing instruments of crime and abuse of a corpse.

Swantek was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison without bail.

In homicide cases, bail must be set by a county court judge and not at the magisterial district judge level.

Bell charged Tyler Swantek with killing Todd Swantek by shooting him in the head with a high-powered pellet gun at 443 N. Third St. sometime between April 1 and May 24.

In his affidavit of probable cause, Bell said on May 24 Patrolman Tyler Dissinger was called to the property for a welfare check and detected a foul odor from in the home.

Bell said that the man who asked for the welfare check, Vincent Roman, said he was friends with Todd Swantek and had not heard from him since the end of March. Roman said he had previously went to the home at the request of Todd Swantek’s mother who also had not heard from him since the end of March.

Moreover, Bell said Tyler Swantek was not seen at the house since the end of April. Tyler Swantek, meanwhile, had been arrested on drug charges on May 25 and was in the Schuylkill County Prison.

Bell said he and Dissinger entered the home and found a body on a couch on the first floor of the home. The chief said the body was covered in blankets and a sleeping bag and that the head was covered with pillows.

As the blankets and pillows were being removed, Bell said he and Dissinger saw four round holes in the right side of the forehead that were consistent with gunshots. He said authorities immediately obtained a search warrant.

Later, Bell said, the scene was processed by his department, a state police Forensics Services Unit based in Reading and representatives of the Schuylkill County Coroner’s Office.

During a search of the home, Bell said a high-powered Ruger .177 caliber pellet rifle was found in Tyler Swantek’s bedroom and the gun appeared to have blood splatter on the stock and barrel. A canister of pellets was also found in the bedroom that were consistent with the size of the holes in the skull of the body found, he said.

Police also saw numerous scented candles as well as air fresheners throughout the house, a fly strip and blankets placed at the base of exterior doors, Bell said.

The following day, May 25, Bell said Tyler Swantek was read his Miranda Rights at the prison and interviewed about the body in the home.

Tyler Swantek told investigators he left the home on April 27 due to medical conditions and that he was the only person home at the time. Tyler Swantek also reported he did not return to the home after that date though, Bell said.

Bell said he tried to interview Tyler Swantek further about the incident but he said Swantek did not want to continue questioning. Bell said Tyler Swantek showed no reaction to the fact there was a dead body inside the home and that it may be his father.

On May 27, an autopsy was conducted on the body by forensic pathologist Dr. Rameen Roney at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown. Bell said Roney determined the cause of death was due to multiple gunshot wounds to the head and ruled the manner of death homicide.

During the autopsy, numerous pellets were removed and found to be consistent with the pellets found in Tyler Swantek’s bedroom, the chief said.

On May 28, Bell said fingerprints were used to positively identify the body as that of Todd Swantek. From interviews conducted in the investigation, police were told that he and his son had been having ongoing arguments that were becoming more frequent. Tyler Swantek allegedly made statements that he would “kill his father,” Bell said.

Subsequent interviews led police to learn that Tyler Swantek asked a friend to buy him incense and scented candles, not a normal request for him, Bell said. It was also learned that Tyler Swantek would not allow people inside the home since the middle of April, also not normal for the 24-year-old, Bell said.

Bell said that on June 5, the body of Todd Swantek was taken to Mercyhurst Forensic Anthropology Laboratory for examination by Dr. Dennis Dirkmaat, a forensic anthropologist, to determine the time frame of death due to the decomposition.

On July 14, Bell said he received a report from Dirkmaat that stated the decomposition suggested the death occurred eight months or less — but most likely three months or less — from the time it was discovered. It was also determined that the direction of the pellet fired was from front to back and trauma was found in the frontal bone and right orbital region of the skull.

Bell said that, during the investigation, he received telephone records of Todd Swantek and found the last outgoing text message was on April 2 and that beginning on April 3 there was no outgoing activity and all text messages went unanswered.

The chief said he also secured a search warrant for Tyler Swantek’s cellphone that revealed the man had fairly regular contact with his father until March 29 including 33 outgoing and incoming telephone calls and 88 SMS text messages.

“As of March 29, 2017, there is no communication between the two of them via calls or text messaging,” Bell wrote.

Hale scheduled a preliminary hearing for Tyler Swantek for 9 a.m. Aug. 3 at the Schuylkill County Courthouse.

After his arraignment on the homicide charges, Swantek appeared in county court asking for a bail reduction in a separate case.

However, Judge Charles M. Miller declined to cut Swantek’s $100,000 straight cash bail in the second case, in which Swantek is charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance and one each of possession of drug paraphernalia, manufacture of a controlled substance and public drunkenness. He was arrested on those charges, also on May 25.

“We’re not going to reduce it,” Miller said. “He’s a danger to himself and society.”

Frackville police had charged Swantek in that case with possessing drugs and paraphernalia on April 20 in the borough.

Assistant District Attorney David J. Rice opposed the reduction due to the homicide charges.

“The landscape has changed dramatically,” Rice said.

Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6013