MAR LIN — At its last public meeting before the start of the 2017-18 school year, the board of directors for Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 approved a three-year contract for its teachers.

“They began negotiations in January and ended June 19 with a tentative agreement. I believe we have 64 teachers,” Brian A. Manning, business manager at Schuylkill IU 29, said after the meeting Monday at the Maple Avenue campus.

First, the board approved the negotiated contract between the Schuylkill County Exceptional Children’s Program Operating Agency — which represents Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 — and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 429 for the years 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20.

Then the board approved the teacher salaries for the 2017-18 fiscal year per the approved 2017-20 International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 429 Contract.

“There’s no salary scale. It’s the average of the districts. In the current year, the increase is $1,683. And that’s just for this year. It’s calculated annually. So with the 12 districts, whatever they give their teachers, we take the average of the 12,” Manning said.

In other matters, Manning and Gregory S. Koons, executive director of Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, provided an update regarding the full-time vocational education director post for the Schuylkill Technology Centers.

In July, the Schuylkill County Area Vocational-Technical school board, known also as the STC board, and made up mostly of members of the IU 29 board of directors, decided to advertise for an acting vocational education director. However, at the time, STC officially still had a full-time vocational education director, Kurt R. Lynch.

“It’s a personnel matter. He currently still is employed,” Koons said in July.

On Monday, the STC board approved a Settlement Agreement with Employee No. 350, according to the agenda. Koons and Manning confirmed Lynch was Employee No. 350. Lynch has not yet signed that agreement, Manning said.

“Regarding the Lynch matter, there is nothing that has been finalized at this time. He is still an employee,” Koons said.

Meanwhile, the STC board is hoping to hire Lynch’s replacement by Sept. 12, Koons said.

So far, the STC received six applications for the position, Manning said.

And the STC board decided the position will no longer be for an “acting vocational education director” but simply as “vocational education director,” Koons said.

The IU 29 board Monday also approved an addendum regarding the employment agreement with Koons it approved when he was hired in March.

“It just changes how his vacation days are allotted. As his contract was written, his days were given as they’re earned. This is the same thing. He gets them as they’re earned, but he gets them allotted at day one,” Manning said.

According to the addendum, Article 5, Item B of the Executive Director’s agreement shall be amended to: “The executive director shall be entitled to receive 20 vacation days per year, allotted in full on July 1 of each fiscal year, but earned over the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). For instance, if the executive director were to leave employment on Dec. 31 of a given year, he would have earned half of the allotted days. Any days used over the amount earned will be repaid by the executive director at the per diem daily rate of that contractual year or adjusted in the final balance of contract payment to the executive director.”

Koons said in the four-year contract, he anticipates he’ll receive 20 vacation days in the 2017-18 school year, 20 vacation days in the 2018-19 school year, 25 vacation days in the 2019-20 school year and 25 vacation days in the 2020-21 school year.

“But he does not get personal days,” Manning said.

Other action the IU 29 board also took Monday:

• Hired Sean Jones, Saint Clair, as a full-time teacher in the Pre-K Counts Program, effective Aug. 16 at a salary of $37,715. Jones replaces Amber Yashinsky, who resigned.

• Hired Alretta Schwenk, Auburn, as a special education teacher in the Early Intervention Program effective Aug. 28 at a salary of $57,556.77. Previously, she was an early intervention service coordinator.

• Approved agreement to provide Title I services to Panther Valley School District students at a rate of $36,309 for 2017-18 school year.

• Approved contract to provide day treatment services for Schuylkill County Children & Youth for a maximum of $84,000 effective July 1 through Dec. 30.

• Koons reported that the IU 29 received federal funding through a competitive grant from The 21st Century Community Learning Centers. It’s administered by the state Department of Education. “I received a call this morning from PDE that we were awarded COHORT 9, which is going to be in the amount of $400,000 per year for the next three years,” Koons told the board.

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

FRACKVILLE — A Pottsville man was jailed Tuesday, charged by state police with setting fire to and destroying an SUV owned by the son of Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko.

Kody James Stencovage, 20, of 4 Barefield Drive, was arrested by state police Trooper Vincent Laselva of the Schuylkill Haven barracks in connection with the incident that occurred in a wooded area off Walnut Lane, west of Bulls Head Road, in Norwegian Township on June 25.

Laselva charged Stencovage with felony offenses of causing or risking a catastrophe, arson and related offenses, and criminal mischief; a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief; and a summary offense of arson and related offenses.

Stencovage was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $50,000 straight cash bail.

Laselva said the victim, Tyler Plachko, reported his 2013 Jeep Wrangler became stuck in the area during the early morning hours. When he returned about 8:45 a.m. to retrieve the vehicle, he found it had been completely burned.

The vehicle was examined by a state police fire marshal who determined the fire started in the passenger’s area and was intentionally set, Laselva said.

Laselva said that as the investigation progressed, several witnesses were interviewed in early August and related that they were at a large party in the area and that Stencovage, who was also in attendance, lit the vehicle.

Laselva said one witness reported Stencovage talked about the Jeep being a “large firework.”

A witness told police that he saw Stencovage start the fire with a lighter to ignite a hooded sweatshirt, Laselva said.

“I saw him light it and put it in the Jeep but I didn’t see the Jeep blow up. I just heard it,” Laselva said the witness reported.

Stencovage will now have to answer to the charges against him at a preliminary hearing in district court.

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

Sacramento man

hurt in plane crash

TOWER CITY — A Sacramento man was seriously injured when the small airplane he was flying crashed outside of Tower City Wednesday morning.

Herbert Rose, 60, was flown to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, by the Life Flight helicopter following the crash that occurred just after 9 a.m. at Bendigo Airport on Clarks Valley Road, Dauphin County.

State police at Lykens said the condition of the man was not known and that officials from the Federal Aviation Administration were at the scene trying to determine what led to the crash.

When the FAA completes its on-site investigation, their findings will be given to the National Transportation Safety Board for review, officials said.

The crash occurred as Rose was taking off from the small airport but the plane veered off course and crashed to the ground.

Emergency responders from Tower City and Porter Township responded to the crash along units from neighboring Dauphin County.

Police: Woman hit

unattended vehicles

MAHANOY CITY — A borough woman is facing DUI and other charges after the vehicle she was driving struck several parked cars in the borough early Tuesday morning.

Police said the crash occurred about 3 a.m. in the 500 block of West Mahanoy Avenue.

Police said Sierra Alansky Cooke, 21, was driving west when she struck a vehicle parked in front of 207 W. Mahanoy Ave. and continued west, hitting three additional unattended vehicles.

At the scene, police said, Cooke was found sitting in the driver’s seat of her Jeep but after seeing officers, the woman said, “I’m not getting arrested,” and fled on foot.

Cooke was caught a short distance away, in the 600 block of West Mahanoy Avenue, and taken into custody after briefly resisting.

Police said there was a strong odor of alcohol coming from the woman’s breath and she was taken to a Pottsville hospital for a blood alcohol test.

Charges of DUI and other Vehicle Code charges are pending against Cooke after the results of the chemical test are received.

Traffic stop nets

warrant arrest

ORWIGSBURG — A traffic stop by Orwigsburg police in the area of 300 Grove St. on Aug. 2 led to charges pending against two people.

Police said officers stopped the vehicle, driven by a juvenile with a valid Pennsylvania Learner’s Permit, and found five additional occupants including a front-seat passenger who did not have a valid driver’s license and was wanted on a warrant from the state of Florida.

While trying to identify the occupants and determine if any had a valid license in order to lawfully accompany the juvenile driver, one man identified himself by providing his name, date of birth and Social Security Number because he did not have an identification card.

The investigation revealed that that information was actually from the man’s brother.

Police said it was learned Robert Mehmeti, identified by the investigating officer through the Pennsylvania Justice Network, provided the false information to avoid apprehension on an active bench warrant from Carbon County.

Mehmeti is now facing charges of false identification to law enforcement and identity and a warrant obtained for his arrest.

In addition, police said, Deanna Leibowitz, who is married to and was seated next to Mehmeti, admitted that she knew the man provided false information but made no attempt to reveal his true identity.

Police said that Leibowitz is now facing a single charge of hindering apprehension.

Police investigate

banking fraud

ELIZABETHVILLE — State police at Lykens are investigating a theft from a borough woman between July 29 and Aug. 2.

Police said someone sent a fraudulent BB&T banking email scam for the woman to fill out resulting in fraudulent charges on the woman’s account.

State police release

incidents report

FRACKVILLE — State police at Frackville handled 795 incidents during the month of July.

In the criminal division, troopers said there were 83 offenses, all determined to be valid, and 54 cleared resulting in 47 arrests.

In the patrol division, troopers investigated several crashes and five hit-and-run crashes resulting in 23 injuries and no fatalities.

Troopers also made six DUI arrests, investigated four DUI crashes and issued 428 citations and 124 warning notices.

David J. Rossi

TREMONT — A Pottsville woman is headed to Schuylkill County Court after waiving her right to a preliminary hearing Thursday on charges stemming from an incident in May in Cass Township.

Tara L. Sweigert, 20, last known address of 26 Hill Top Terrace, faces 13 counts of access device fraud and one count each of theft and receiving stolen property. Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi bound over all charges for court after Sweigert waived her right to the hearing.

Cass Township police charged Sweigert with committing her crimes on May 1 in the township.

Sweigert remains in prison in lieu of $5,000 straight cash bail pending further court proceedings.

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

Brian E. Burns, 34, of 1140 Valley Road, Pottsville; two counts of harassment; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Tyler J. Haas, 23, of 111 W. Laurel St., Tremont; driving under the influence, driving under suspension-DUI related, operating vehicle without required financial responsibility, careless driving and improper driving without headlights; charges held for court after preliminary hearing that Haas did not attend. Rossi asked the court to issue a bench warrant for Haas.

Earl S. Lucas Jr., 30, of 1332 Ridge Road, Klingerstown; simple assault and harassment; charge of simple assault withdrawn. Lucas pleaded guilty to harassment; Rossi sentenced him to pay costs and a $100 fine.

John J. Rizzo, 61, of 62 Mansure Road, Barnesville; DUI; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.

James R. Ferrier

ORWIGSBURG — A North Manheim Township motorist is headed to Schuylkill County Court after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday on charges resulting from a one-vehicle accident in April in Cressona.

Tejinder Pal, 25, of 708 Centerfield Drive, Pottsville, faces charges of driving under the influence, disregarding traffic lane and careless driving. Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier bound over all charges for court after Pal waived his right to the hearing.

State police at Schuylkill Haven alleged Pal was DUI to the extent that he was incapable of safe driving at 2:43 a.m. April 14 at 68 S. Sillyman St., Cressona.

According to police, Pal was driving his silver 2006 Hyundai Sonata south on South Sillyman Street when the car struck a utility pole. The car sustained severe damage, police said.

Police said Pal had a strong odor of alcohol and could not remember how the crash occurred.

Pal is free on $1,000 unsecured bail pending further court proceedings.

Other defendants whose cases Ferrier considered, the dates on which he heard them and the judge’s dispositions of the matters included:

Elmont Bronzini, 58, of 1481 Valley Road, Tamaqua; recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct, unlawful hunting and public drunkenness; charges held for court July 18 after preliminary hearing.

Catarino Hernandez-Velasquez, 41, of 63 N. Lake Road, Pottsville; two counts of accident involving death or personal injury and one each of accident involving damage to attended vehicle or property, driving under suspension, following too closely, careless driving, failure to stop and give information and failure to notify police if accident; right to preliminary hearing waived on Aug. 1, both counts of accident involving death or personal injury withdrawn, all other charges bound over for court.

Brent J. Markus, 22, of 146 Coal St., Cumbola; DUI and disregarding traffic lane; right to preliminary hearing waived on Tuesday, charges bound over for court.

Stargazers in Schuylkill County who plan to watch the skies as the moon passes between the Earth and the sun Aug. 21 will want to make sure they don’t damage their eyes, according to Dr. Michael Cusick from Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania.

“I recommend the standard ISO 12312-2 eye protection only for those who plan on trying to watch the partial eclipse from our area. This will be from about 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Aug. 21. If people are just going about their own business that day and have no interest in the eclipse, then they don’t have to do anything special,” Cusick said Aug. 4. He has offices in Pottsville and in Wyomissing, Berks County.

The only reason the eclipse causes problems is because people believe they can simply look at the sun for the special occasion, Cusick said.

“If people plan to drive south to the path of the total eclipse — where totality only lasts about two minutes — they could remove their eye protection for that brief period of time when the sun is completely blocked so they can enjoy seeing the sun’s corona and chromosphere. They would then need to put the glasses back on as the partial eclipse occurs,” Cusick said.

Many local sky watchers undoubtedly have circled the date on their calendar. There will be a special event at the observatory at Pottsville Area High School, and the doors will open at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 21, according to Adrian Portland, the school’s lead science and biology teacher.

A total of 193 people have signed up for the event, and that’s more than Portland expected.

“I was going to cut it off at 100 people. But because of the interest, I didn’t want to push people away. Any time people are interested in learning about science or participating in something like this, I don’t want to turn them away,” Portland said Monday.

But 193 was the limit, he said.

The people attending will meet at the high school auditorium at noon. There, Portland will give a lecture on solar eclipses.

“Then we’re going to break up into different groups because we can’t fit that many people on the roof at one time,” he said.

All participants will receive a pair of protective glasses and will be able to watch the event from the observatory roof, the football stadium or the courtyard in back of the high school, Portland said.

For more than 2,000 years, scientists have recorded incidents of the sun causing damage to the eye, Cusick said.

“Solar retinopathy after watching a solar eclipse has been recognized for over 2,000 years, and is also known as eclipse retinopathy. Around 400 B.C., Plato recommended taking precautions when watching a solar eclipse. Despite our knowledge of its dangers, there are outbreaks of eye-related problems from eclipse-viewing every time that there is an eclipse. In 1999, for example, there was an eclipse in England and 45 patients showed up at an eye clinic there with eye-related problems,” Cusick said.

“During the partial phases of the eclipse — when the sun is still visible behind the moon — people will be tempted to look at the sun or even take quick glances,” Cusick said.

“The sun emits powerful light which contains ultraviolet and infrared radiation. It can damage our eyes. Ultraviolet light is the most dangerous, as we know from sunburns. UV light can damage the cornea and retina. In regard to the cornea, the condition is called photokeratitis. People may know this from hearing about welder’s flash or snow blindness. Photokeratitis can be very painful but usually improves with treatment to the cornea,” Cusick said.

If people view a partial eclipse without proper eye protection, the retina of the eye can suffer the most damage.

“The retina is the light-sensitive structure that lines the inside back part of the eye and damage from sunlight is called solar retinopathy. The infrared light from the sun can increase the temperature of the retina and can create a thermal burn, and the ultraviolet light produces a photochemical injury. This damage can be permanent because the retina is composed of nerve tissue which does not regenerate if damaged severely or destroyed,” Cusick said.

It can leave people with blind spots.

This is stressed on the website for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

“When a person looks repeatedly or for a long time at the sun without proper protection for the eyes, this photochemical retinal damage may be accompanied by a thermal injury — the high level of visible and near-infrared radiation causes heating that literally cooks the exposed tissue. This thermal injury or photocoagulation destroys the rods and cones, creating a small blind area. The danger to vision is significant because photic retinal injuries occur without any feeling of pain (there are no pain receptors in the retina), and the visual effects do not occur for at least several hours after the damage is done,” according to the NASA website.

Often, people will not be aware that they are damaging their eyes until it is too late.

“It can take hours to days after viewing the eclipse to appreciate the damage. People will often complain of blurry vision, blind spots, distortion or altered color vision,” Cusick said.

The only people who won’t suffer damage are those wearing proper eye protection, he said.

Cusick offered advice on the proper lenses to wear:

• “Safe solar filters or ‘eclipse glasses’ are designed to block the harmful infrared and ultraviolet light from the sun. The latest manufacturing standard is ISO 12312-2. Eclipse glasses are available online and people may find them at local stores looking to sell them. The key is to look for the manufacturing standard ISO 12312-2 and double check the source as reputable,” he said.

The American Astronomical Society compiled a list of manufacturers verified to be in compliance with the ISO standard, as well as a list of vendors that sell from verified sources. For more information, visit the society’s website, https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters

• “Regular sunglasses are not safe,” he said.

• “Welder’s glasses may not be safe unless they meet the standard ISO 12312-2. The number 14 grade welder’s glasses are safe,” he said.

• “Do not try to make your own eye protection by layering sunshades or trying something you find online,” he said.

• “Do not watch the eclipse through your smartphone or camera viewfinder. Watching a solar eclipse on your smartphone camera can put you at risk of accidentally looking at the sun when trying to line up your camera. It could possibly also damage your smartphone camera. Don’t take the risk. You could buy a filter for your camera but it needs to meet the same ISO standards,” he said.

People who have no interest in viewing the eclipse on Aug. 21 should have nothing to worry about, Cusick said.

“The eclipse does not pose any increased risk of eye damage in itself. The problem arises because people will be tempted to look at the sun to witness the partial phases of the eclipse. So there is no need to take special precautions if you are just minding your own business that day and have no interest in viewing the partial phases of the eclipse. I generally, though, recommend sunglasses to patients when in the sun,” he said.

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

Deer Lake

Deer Lake & West Brunswick Fire Company, 1 Ash Road, will sponsor bingo games beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the firehouse. Doors will open at 5 p.m.; all are welcome. For more information, call 570-366-0152.

Lansford

Don and Donna Nye, Port Carbon, founding members of the Kings and Queens band, will perform at Music in the Park from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Kennedy Park at the gazebo adjacent to the Panther Valley School District Stadium, Route 209. They will feature classic rock, rhythm and blues, soul, and pop. Admission is free and refreshments will be available. Spectators should bring a lawn chair. Music in the Park is sponsored by the Lansford Alive events committee and benefits the revitalization of Kennedy Park.

Orwigsburg

The Blue Mountain Recreation Commission will offer dog obedience classes starting at 6:30 p.m. this upcoming Wednesday and going for seven weeks on Wednesdays at the front lawn of the Blue Mountain Middle School. The registration fee is $50 for Blue Mountain School District residents and $60 for nonresidents in enrolled by Tuesday. Instructors are Diane Buhl and Kathy Maydosz. Registration forms can be picked up at the Blue Mountain Recreation Commission office or people can register at www.bluemountainrec.com. For more information, call the commission office at 570-366-1190.

Pottsville

The Majestic Players will present “Spring Awakening,” based on the play by Frank Wedekind and presented with special arrangement with Music Theater International, at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Majestic Theater, 209 N. Centre St. Tickets are $15 each. For advance tickets or more information, call 570-628-4647. Tickets will also be available at the door. All are welcome.

Pottsville

Citizens Fire Company, 139 W. Bacon St., will have a Chinese auction starting at 11 a.m. Sunday at the firehouse. A shop-and-drop is set for 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday. The auction will begin at 2 p.m.; food will be available. For more information, call 570-581-3080.

Pottsville

A Deppen pie sale is underway 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.

Primrose

St. Nicholas Church will have an advance-ticket-only chicken and halupki dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 19 at the church hall, Route 901. The cost is $10 per platter, which includes chicken, halupki, mashed potatoes, filling, vegetable and roll. People may eat in the hall or take meals out. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-544-4581.

Schuylkill Haven

Liberty Fire Company No. 4, 223 W. Columbia St., will have a Kauffman’s chicken barbecue meal from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. The cost is $8 for the dinner and $5 for just the chicken. Dinners will include chicken, baked potato, roll/butter and applesauce. Meals are by drive-thru only. Advance tickets are not needed. For more information, call 570-385-3341.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Penn State Schuylkill’s LionLaunch Innovation Hub opened Wednesday with university President Eric J. Barron hailing it as a place that will help both students and community members build brighter futures in the business world.

“We realize how profoundly important this is,” Barron told about 30 people during the 45-minute ribbon-cutting ceremony at 15 E. Main St. “We are really united in our mission to bring economic development to this community.”

County Commissioner Gary J. Hess also celebrated the opening of the hub in his hometown, where he previously served as mayor, as a continuation of Schuylkill Haven’s vital role in the region.

“I think it’s very exciting,” Hess said. “Schuylkill Haven was the hub of transportation.”

Part of the Invent Penn State program, the innovation hub in Schuylkill Haven is the 15th the university has launched. It is open to both students, entrepreneurs and other area citizens who need space for developing or operating a business. Invent Penn State is funding the hub.

The hub will allow both students and community members to buy daily, weekly and monthly passes to use the building and its services. Those services include free Wi-Fi and printing, a reception desk, meeting and event space, a mailing address, and even a coffee bar.

Darcy Medica, interim chancellor of Penn State Schuylkill, said the hub reinforces the strengths of Schuylkill County.

“We also have a tradition of small businesses and family businesses,” she said. “The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Schuylkill County.”

Medica said two more innovation hubs are scheduled to open in the state this week, showing Penn State’s complete commitment to the program.

“The Schuylkill County community is integral to the success of the LionLaunch,” she said.

Schuylkill Haven was an easy choice for the location of the hub, since it is accessible to the students and the university works well with the people of the borough, according to Medica.

Barron said the program already is showing results, with more than 400 contracts, 48 startup companies, about 50 community partnerships and 95 capital-seeking ventures resulting from it across the state in one year.

“Those are wonderful numbers,” he said. “The campuses are totally connected to their communities if they do a good job.”

Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Robert S. Carl Jr., who also is a member of the Penn State Schuylkill advisory board, said the chamber will partner with the university to help the hub thrive. Such partnerships help everyone in the county, according to Carl.

“We do anything we do ... in partnership and collaboration,” he said. “We are here to partner with you ... to continue to grow our communities.”

Carl said it was particularly appropriate that Schuylkill Haven, which calls itself “The Little Town That Could,” is the site for the hub.

State Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, whose district includes Schuylkill Haven, said the hub will benefit everyone in the region by providing a connection between business and education.

“It’s really important for the aggregate growth in our economy,” he said.

Tobash said the hub will more easily allow entrepreneurs to mentor students, evaluate business plans and provide resources. That, in turn, will increase the chances that new businesses will succeed, he said.

Medica said that the support will help the hub, university and community thrive.

“For students, this will give them opportunities to network with established business people,” she said.

The hub is open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

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

LionLaunch Innovation Hub

· Location: 15 E. Main St., Schuylkill Haven

· Hours: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m. to noon Saturday

· For more information, call 570-593-8204 or 570-385-6112

Deeds

Ashland — Eileen and Joseph Gower to Justin W. Hurst, Byron Hurst, Andrew Hurst and Shannon Hurst; property on Walnut Street; $12,000.

Melody Engle and James J. Cooney to James J. Cooney; 1518 Centre St.; $1.

Auburn — Mary Helen Brensinger to Sierra K. Fellows; 203 Forrest St.; $139,900.

Blythe Township — Newton E. and Rosemary Mull to Christopher Blair Sitler; 214 Oak St., Kaska; $18,000.

Coaldale — David M. and Nancy L. Reed to Kristen B. Krapf; 262 Fifth St.; $1.

Paul J. Pomo III to Victor J. Svitilla; 271 E. Ridge St.; $69,000.

East Brunswick Township — James M. and Jodi L. Spotts to Jonathan and Tammy Roth; 385 Mountain Road; $285,000.

East Norwegian Township — Citifinancial Servicing LLC to Bayview Loan Servicing LLC; 70 Caroline Ave., Diener’s Hill; $10.

Bayview Loan Servicing LLC to James M. McElwee; 70 Caroline Ave., Diener’s Hill; $8,000.

East Union Township — Debbie L. Force to Debbie L. Force and Henry A. Weikel; property on Front Street, Phinneyville; $1.

Debbie L. Force to Debbie L. Force and Henry A. Weikel; property on Center Street, Sheppton; $1.

Daniel J. Danchision to Daniel J. Danchision; property on Route 924; $1.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Aldon Valderrama and Melenda Valderrama; Lot 311HF3, Eagle Rock; $39,289.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Eddie and Luz Dela Cruz; Lot 331HF3, Eagle Rock; $39,289.

Gilberton — Arthur G. Frey to Borough of Gilberton; 1121 Main St.; $1.

Minersville — Kevin Patrick George and Claudia Marie Palentino to Kevin Patrick George and Claudia Marie Palentino; 335 Laurel St.; $1.

Andrea N. Kline to Joseph Seiders and Michelle Weaver; 122 Westwood St.; $11,000.

North Manheim Township — Teresa L. Noecker, executrix of the Estate of Alvin L. Reber, to William W. and Linda Fetherolf; 1.86-acre property on T-695; $100,000.

Jeffrey W. Cresswell and Robyn A. Davis to Jeffrey W. Cresswell; 164 W. Second Mountain Road; $1.

Kyle Blankenhorn to Kyle and Jessica Blankenhorn; 1 Harmony Hill; $1.

North Union Township — Rocco and Maria Colantuono to Michael Colantuono, trustee of the Rocco and Maria Colantuono Family Trust; 525 Lake Valley Drive; $1.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Ray Paulo DeGuzman and John DeGuzman; Lot 280EA, Eagle Rock; $50,399.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Ming Hiu; Lot 109E, Eagle Rock; $49,389.

Norwegian Township — Hidden River Credit Union to Gerald C. Gownley; property at Willie’s Street and Mamies’ Avenue; $10,000.

Michael E. and Christine L. Kondrack to Michael E. Kondrack; 517 Park Meadow Drive; $1.

Sharon L. Lipko and Jacqueline F. Rose to James A. Croley and Coleen M. Garrity; 1 Tall oaks Drive; $250,000.

Orwigsburg — Kelley J. Papinchak to Jill E. Kauffman and John S. Benner; 2218 S. Warren St.; $91,500.

Pine Grove — Nancy J. Witmer Miller to Richard Schneck Home Improvement Contractor LLC; property on Walnut Street; $50,100.

Pine Grove Township — Robert A. Wolfe, executor of the Estate of Norman L. Wolfe, to Douglas L. Wolfe; 861 Oak Grove Road; $1.

Margaret Mary Beam to James A. English Jr.; 624 Canal Drive, Swatara Village; $115,000.

Pottsville — Francis DeVizia to Rachid Arraki; 800 Mahantongo St.; $2,700.

James M. Hickman and Michelle A. Rosenberger to Matthew P. Geidner and Ellen Marie Brylewski; 642 Edwards Ave.; $121,900.

Barbara J. Best, individually and as administratrix of the Estate of Barbara A. Best, Alice M. Huff, Clarence W. Best and Robert E. Best to Barbara J. Best; 716 W. Race St.; $1.

Riverview Bank to Clinical Outcomes Group Inc.; 700 Terry Reiley Way; $220,000.

Schuylkill Haven — Ronald L. and Jeanne Edwards to Ronald L. and Jeanne Edwards and Lori M. Blugis; 204 Haven St.; $1.

Marcelline G. Bair to Judyann Stine; property on East Liberty Street; $1.

Vicky Henry, executrix of the Estate of Nancy S. Donmoyer, to Herbert C. and Wendy L. Frye; property on Schumacher Avenue; $24,900.

Shenandoah — Marie R. Brilvitch to Marie R. and William E. Brilvitch and Peter Brilvitch; 108-110 N. Gilbert St.; $1.

Washington Township — Denis G. Hafer to Christopher and Tammy L. Boltz; 1.26-acre property on Covered Bridge Road, Rock; $20,000.

West Brunswick Township — William W. Fetherolf and Glenn Kimmel Jr. to Jeanne Hamerly; 0.578-acre property on Route 61; $20,000.

Jeanne L. Hamerly to S Ventures LLC; 428 Fork Mountain Road; $135,000.

West Mahanoy Township — John S. Boniscavage to Kaitlyn R. Quirk; 229 Virginia Ave., Shenandoah Heights; $22,000.

Police: Man drove

erratically with child

ORWIGSBURG — A 35-year-old borough man is facing charges by Orwigsburg police after an incident in the 200 block of North Liberty Street on July 25.

Police said officers were called to the area for a reckless driving complaint of a black Volkswagen traveling at a high rate of speed and improperly passing motorists as it made its way into the borough.

Officers stopped the vehicle being driven by Michael Biondo and found him under the influence of drugs to the degree that he could not safely drive. The man had his 8-year-old son in the car and was also found with a small amount of marijuana, police said.

Pending the results of a blood alcohol test, police said, Biondo is facing charges of DUI, possession of a small amount of marijuana, endangering the welfare of children and multiple summary traffic violations.

Man faces charge

of harassment

ORWIGSBURG — A borough man was arrested by Orwigsburg police and charged with harassment after an incident at a home in the 200 block of North Warren Street on July 27.

Police said officers were called for a report of a threat being made and learned that Samuel Miller, 28, threatened to physically assault Lori Spotts, 54, of Schuylkill Haven, his children’s grandmother, when she arrived to take them to an amusement park for the day.

Miller will now have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg.

Traffic stop nets

teen DUI arrest

PINE GROVE — Pine Grove police charged a 17-year-old borough boy with underage drinking after an incident about 12:45 a.m. July 2.

Police said the charge against the teen was filed with Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi, Tremont.

The charges, police said, were the result of an incident where officers stopped a vehicle for an equipment violation and found the teen had been consuming alcohol.

The incident also led Lindsey Renee Carl, 28, of 105 Rock Road, Pine Grove, being charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Man faces charges

for trooper assault

ELIZABETHVILLE — A borough man sits behind bars after being arraigned on charges he assaulted and disarmed a state police trooper on Friday.

Robert A. Klouser Jr., 49, has been charged with aggravated assault, disarming a law enforcement officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest. Magisterial District Judge James A. Lenker, Harrisburg, arraigned him and committed him to prison in lieu of $500,000 straight cash bail.

State police at Lykens allege that Klouser fought with the trooper at 5:02 p.m. at 10 E. Main St. when the officer tried to speak with and control him.

During the struggle, police said, Klouser tried to grab the trooper’s gun but did not succeed. In the end, the trooper handcuffed Klouser, who was found to possess a marijuana smoking device, according to police.

Klouser is scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. Aug. 23 before Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum, Elizabethville, for his preliminary hearing.

Soup fight results

in harassment case

LYKENS — A Virginia woman has been charged with harassment for allegedly throwing soup at her sister on Sunday afternoon.

Karen Lynn Burley, 59, of Chesterfield, threw the soup during a verbal argument at 3:07 p.m., according to state police at Lykens.

She faces a hearing before Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum, Elizabethville.

Driver will face

charge for DUI

WILLIAMSTOWN — An Elizabethville man has been charged with driving under the influence as the result of an incident in June in Williams Township, police said.

Lee Grove, 22, was DUI at 2:39 a.m. on Route 209, according to state police at Lykens.

Charges were filed with Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum, Elizabethville.

Pottsville man cited

for retail theft

POTTSVILLE — A Pottsville man was cited for retail theft at 4 p.m. Monday at Boscov’s at the Fairlane Village mall, Norwegian Township.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Emilio Jack was seen by store employees taking clothing from the store without paying.

Charges were filed with Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Police: Woman was

intoxicated in public

ASHLAND — Ashland police arrested a borough woman after an incident about 2:40 p.m. Saturday at Fourth and Walnut streets.

Police said officers found Amanda J. Vannicolo, 40, of 401 Walnut St., in an extremely intoxicated condition.

The charge against Vannicolo was filed with Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, police said.

Police investigate

damage to vehicle

MAHANOY PLANE — State police at Frackville are investigating a criminal mischief incident that occurred during the overnight hours of Aug. 3 on Main Street in the Mahanoy Plane section of Gilberton.

Police said Jarrad Osenbach reported someone damaged his 2011 Chevrolet Malibu while it was parked near his home. The car was scratched and had a punctured tire, police said.

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

Police say man

spit on woman

WILLIAMSTOWN — A 45-year-old borough man was charged with harassment by state police at Lykens after an incident about 7:25 p.m. July 31 on West Market Street in this Dauphin County community.

Troopers said Christopher Holloway spit on a 44-year-old Williamstown woman during a verbal argument.

Holloway will now have to answer before Magisterial District Judge Rebecca Margerum, Elizabethville.

Police: Woman hit

another with shoe

ELIZABETHVILLE — A Millersburg man was arrested by state police at Lykens and charged with harassment after an incident about 11:55 p.m. Aug. 4 on Route 25 in Upper Paxton Township, Dauphin County.

Police said Niemiha Tustison, 28, struck a 28-year-old Millersburg woman with a shoe and punched a 56-year-old Hamburg man in the face.

Tustison will now have to answer before Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum, Elizabethville.

Woman cited for

2-vehicle accident

HALIFAX — State police at Lykens investigated a two-vehicle crash that occurred about 5:50 p.m. at Route 225 and Tobias Drive in Jackson Township, Dauphin County.

Police said Tahnee Schreffler-Heck, 31, of Elizabethville, was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox north when she ran into the back of a 2014 Honda CRV driven by Keith T. Heinrich, 39, of Lykens, who stopped for a vehicle that was stopped in front of him.

Schreffler-Heck suffered minor injuries while Heinrich and his passengers — Kira Heinrich, 42; Kenneth Presler, 39; and Richard Wilson, 33, all of Lykens — were not hurt.

Police said that as a result of the crash, Schreffler-Heck will be cited for following too closely.

Halifax and Fisherville firefighters assisted at the scene, police said.

As the area continues to fight blight, representatives of municipalities in northern Schuylkill County are considering their options regarding code enforcement.

The topic has come up in recent meetings of the Northern Schuylkill Council of Governments.

James Compton Sr., a Ringtown borough councilman, said this week that the topic came up at COG’s July 26 meeting at West Mahanoy Township municipal building, Shenandoah Heights.

“There was an informal discussion about many issues, from recycling to auctioning off unused borough equipment to street lighting to sharing of a code enforcement officer,” Compton said.

The talks about code enforcement started in January, Clyde C. “Champ” Holman, Ryan Township, chairman of the Northern Schuylkill COG, said.

“I said, ‘What can we do?’ We rent equipment. We started a land bank. What new programs can we come up with to save taxpayers money? And this topic came up,” Holman said.

The state Department of Labor & Industry issued the permit officer for the Borough of Girardville a series of warnings. In particular, Jeffrey D. Criss, Uniform Construction Code field operations manager for the department, in a letter July 3, told the borough’s permit officer, Jean Ann Parfitt, not to issue fines under the UCC.

Holman said that situation isn’t why the topic of code enforcement was being discussed by the Northern Schuylkill COG, “But the problem is the certification of them all. So we were discussing the certification.”

“Code enforcement is expensive and a lot of our municipalities have part-timers, but there’s follow-up and maybe court,” Holman said. “There’s all kinds of things that can go into the whole scenario.”

COG members thought it might be cheaper if municipalities share the officers.

“Maybe it’s cheaper to pay somebody $25 an hour if we can share a code enforcement officer rather than paying our engineering firms $85, $95 or $100 an hour,” Holman said.

West Mahanoy Township uses its police force to do its code enforcement work.

“Our police officers issue a lot of quality of life tickets,” Paul “Pepper” Martin, a West Mahanoy Township supervisor, said Wednesday. “And some of the fines don’t even cover the pay of the code officer. If we went with one of the engineers and had to pay $85 or whatever, that wouldn’t even pay for their salary.”

“If you’re talking about someone who’s certified, they’re going to want some bigger bucks, so we’re looking at, maybe, a bunch of us chipping in,” Holman said. “For example, if he’s paying part-time and we’re paying part-time and we add up all our numbers, maybe we’d have enough for a full-time person who can do the work.”

Holman said the Northern Schuylkill COG is still discussing possibilities, and none of its member municipalities have yet decided to work on such a project. Every municipality that is part of the Northern Schuylkill COG has some form of code enforcement.

ARRO Consulting, Orwigsburg, does part-time code enforcement work for Delano, Mahanoy, Rush and Ryan townships. In Ashland, Barbara Lyden is the part-time code enforcement officer and health officer.

In Butler Township, William P. Anders of Lehigh Engineering LLC does full-time code enforcement work, and Ralph Hummel, an employee at Lehigh Engineering, assists. Justin Trefsger, Butler Township, a code official for Pottsville, serves as an alternate or backup, David Kessler, supervisors chairman, said.

In Frackville, the borough relies on its police force, according to the police chief.

In East Union Township, Bill McMullen is the part-time building code official, according to Lisa Davidson, township secretary.

In Girardville, Fire Chief Frank J. Zangari serves as an assistant code enforcement officer for property maintenance. Frank Filiziani of Building Inspection Underwriters, Scranton, serves as the borough’s third-party building code official.

In Gordon, Robin Ennis is code enforcement officer.

In Mahanoy City, William F. Killian III is a full-time code enforcement officer.

In Ringtown, Filiziani serves as the borough’s third-party building code official. The borough’s officer-in-charge, Theodore Buriak Jr., handles property code violations, according to Mayor Albert Breznik Jr.

In Schuylkill Township, property code violations are handled by the township police and Jeff Farro of Comprehensive Inspection Agency, Cressona, is the township’s third-party building code official.

In Shenandoah, Thomas Salvadore is the part-time code enforcement officer.

In Union Township, the supervisors rely on the part-time police force.

“We don’t have any full-time people at all in the township,” Robert F. Murray, secretary/treasurer, said Wednesday.

In 2016, Gilberton hired Lloyd George Jr. as code enforcement officer. He runs Lloyd’s Auto Repair, Mahanoy Plane. George said he doesn’t have a background in code enforcement, but he’s able refer to the borough ordinances to make sure those in the community are following the rules.

“The position came open. I said I’d be interested and they hired me. And we go by the ordinances that we have,” George said Tuesday. “Mostly, we take care of grass complaints and garbage complaints and vehicle complaints. Stuff like that.”

One property he’s been struggling to deal with is 333 Main St., owned by Kyle C. Kaminsky.

“They won’t cut their grass and there’s garbage laying all over. We’ve sent several letters to him and I’ve cited him,” George said.

It’s been a problem property for more than four years, George said. He has a collection of returned certified letters he sent to Kaminsky, notices of violations.

George said he believes someone was living at the property earlier this year.

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

POTTSVILLE — What started as a tie-in to the annual Great Pottsville Cruise has taken on a life of its own at Avenues.

The nonprofit organization’s 11th annual Wheelchair Cruise on Thursday featured more than 50 participants of all ages with beach-themed costumes and decorated wheelchairs.

“It started with a suggestion by one of the staff and we continue to do it,” Jacquie Bell, Avenues program specialist and site supervisor, said. “All our clients really enjoy doing it.”

Participants came from the several facilities throughout the county catering to specific needs. They did not have to be in a wheelchair to participate. Some of the costumes included a lighthouse, a sand castle, sharks, boats and many lifeguards.

Donna Raimondo, dedicated care staff, worked on the costumes with friends and family since June for clients in Mahanoy City.

“They love doing it and having people applaud for them,” she said. “It’s just fun.”

Following a parade around the parking lot, they enjoyed a party with food and music at the facility. A panel of judges also awarded three Wal-Mart gift cards.

“I think it is a way for them to socialize and see people that they don’t see every day,” Bell said.

Prior to the event, Avenues staff members go out into the community to seek donations. Sheetz, Turkey Hill, Lehigh Valley Dairy Farms, Weis Markets and Rita’s Italian Ice donated food for party, Kristy Corrigan, dedicated care staff, said.

Corrigan said the staff enjoys helping the clients come up with their costume ideas.

“They love it and look forward to it every year,” she said.

The inaugural Wheelchair Cruise was held in 2007 at the Avenues adult training facility. Jerry Suzadail, Avenues support staff, said he pitched the idea as a way to involve the clients in the excitement of the Greater Pottsville Cruise.

“We thought it would be nice to get the clients involved in it and we wanted to tie it into the car cruise,” he said. “I think they really enjoy the costumes and they have fun.”

Maria Doyle, assistance executive director, praised the staff for putting on the event every year.

“It’s a great undertaking for a lot of our staff,” she said. “If it wasn’t for them, it wouldn’t happen.”

However, new state regulations may force Avenues to find a new place for the event. Doyle said the state is pushing to get care facilities like Avenues to hold their events off-site.

“We may be appealing to the community to help us continue this event,” Doyle said. “We do want it to continue.”

Contact the writer: mgilgerjr@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023

POTTSVILLE — The joint effort by the Pottsville Business Association, the city and Pottsville Area Development Corp. for a vision the city is coming to fruition.

PADCO, a 501(c)3 organization, signed a contract Wednesday with Bergmann Associates, Conshohocken, for a community-based vision, market analysis and strategic plan for downtown Pottsville.

The proposal submitted includes an assessment and analysis of downtown inventory, market analysis and how to increase the duration of visits to the city and county. The study will take place over six months and cost $28,710. Individuals, businesses and organizations have donated $25,850.

The first component is to have a current understanding of the city that includes infrastructure, what each of the unique assets of the area provide and other characteristics. Aerial photos, roadway infrastructure, buildings, parks and other areas will be reviewed.

The market analysis will look at the strengths and benefits of Pottsville. The analysis will look at past plans by the city, PADCO, PBA and other entities and the results. Private investment, current market conditions and other entities will be researched.

However, a full market analysis will not be done as it is “outside the scope” for the project, the proposal said. This phase includes public input.

Another component of the survey will look at increasing the duration of visits. The firm will examine tourism and conduct interviews with key business people to gather data.

The final phase is the development of a strategic plan to put into action all of the research involved.

“We’re excited that this is finally coming to fruition,” Savas Logothetides, vice president of PBA, said Thursday at the monthly PBA meeting.

The proposal said Pottsville has a lot to offer but needs to achieve more.

“Pottsville’s tourism and the revitalization of its downtown are inextricably linked. Although there are an estimated 75,000 annual visitors to the Yuengling Brewery, and an additional 3,000 runners participating in the Yuengling Light Lager Jogger event, it is not apparent that downtown Pottsville is benefiting from these visitations. In addition, as the recent Economic Summits and West Market Street Initiative meetings have revealed, downtown suffers from poor perception and image issues. Changing these perceptions about Pottsville is a vital component in developing a strategy to drive foot traffic to downtown from the brewery. Moreover, the Majestic Theater, Pottsville Cruise, Block of Art, Jerry’s Classic Cars & Collectibles, Martz Hall, and regional attractions including the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine, Crystal Cave and Hawk Mountain provide a foundation of activities, events and venues upon which to create strategies and actions to increase visitation and length of stay in downtown,” the proposal said.

Logothetides said an initial meeting before the work starts will occur next week. He expected the study to start later this month. The resulting strategic plan will be put into action in 2018.

“It’s going to include a lot of public meetings,” Logothetides said.

Dates of those meetings this year have not been set.

In other matters, the pledge of Richard L. “Dick” Yuengling Jr., president and CEO of D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc., was mentioned. Yuengling pledged a donation of up to $2.8 million to the city for the construction of the new Mahantongo Parking Center.

“I can tell you as a business owner, this not only helps the Yuengling family, it’s a generous donation by the Yuengling family, but this helps the community as a whole. There’s a couple reasons why. One of the biggest issues that we constantly talk about is the parking and the necessity to increase parking. And one of the deterrents of businesses coming to downtown has been parking, and, by doing this and creating these spots, we think we have a more appealing business environment, business climate, in the downtown,” Logothetides said.

“Everyone is grateful Dick Yuengling is willing to do this because we have a parking deficit,” state Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, Pottsville, said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

The celebration will go on in a new venue for Lithuanian Days.

The 103rd annual festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at Annunciation BVM Roman Catholic Church hall, 9 S. Broad Mountain Ave., Frackville. Admission and entertainment is free.

Billed as the longest consecutive ethnic festival in the USA, it celebrates Lithuanian culture, cuisine, song and dance. It is hosted by the Knights of Lithuania Council 144.

Carol Luschas, public relations/webmaster of Council 144, said the venue is not the only new addition to this year’s festival.

On the entertainment schedule, Simona Minns will perform at 2 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Luschas said Minns will be performing the kankles, a traditional Lithuanian instrument.

According to her website, www.simonaminns.com, she is a jazz singer, composer, arranger and artistic director originally from Lithuania. She currently lives and works in Boston.

Activities get underway at 11:30 a.m. Saturday with the gathering. Opening ceremonies begin at 12:30 p.m. with the U.S. and Lithuanian national anthems, the Pennsylvania National Guard color guard and a performance by Eugene Dicevicius known as “Augis” and Lynne Cox.

The event will wrap up at 5 p.m. Sunday with a drawing for prizes, and performances from Augis and Cox and Varpelis dancers.

Other activities include a medieval coin minting demonstration, museum display and a boilo contest. The winner will be announced at the closing ceremony.

The complete entertainment lineup can be found at the event’s Facebook page, “103rd Lithuanian Days.”

A popular feature to Lithuanian Days is the food. The menu will consist of many ethnic treats including saltibarsciai (cold beet soup), kugelis (potato pudding), Lithuanian sausage and balandeliai (stuffed meat cabbage), as well as assorted cakes for dessert.

There will be a special exhibit dedicated to Saule, a Lithuanian newspaper. Called a giant in Lithuanian Press, it ran from 1888 to 1959.

For more information, visit the Council 144’s website, www.kofl144.weebly.com, and click the tab for the 103rd Annual Lithuanian Day.

Contact the writer: epeddigree@republicanherald.com; 570-581-6399.

Schuylkill County District Attorney Christine A. Holman announced her office is pleased to present checks to five Schuylkill County police departments.

The checks included Frackville police, $559.32; Hegins Township police, $367.50; Rush Township police, $590.61; Tamaqua police, $563.36; and West Mahanoy Township police, $74.28.

Holman credited these department with “working diligently” to rid communities of drug dealers and users.

“These fine officers not only work their regular hours for their own departments, but have logged additional hours of overtime for the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force in a collaborative effort to combat the war on drugs,” Holman said.

She said the district attorney’s office is able to remit “well-earned” dollars to the officers as the result of an annual stipend from the state Office of the Attorney General.

“The district attorney appreciates the funding and will continue to distribute monies to police departments working with the drug task force,” Holman said.

She added that anyone with information on the sale or use of illegal narcotics can call the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s Drug Hotline at 800-414-1406. All information will remain confidential.

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

TREMONT — Foster Township Police Chief James Nettles testified Thursday that his conversation with a Norwegian Township woman led him to conclude she was responsible for a June all-terrain vehicle crash that left a Minersville woman dead.

“She attempted to make a left-hand turn in a dirty, rocky area. That caused the ATV to spin faster than normal,” Nettles said, referring to Patricia L. Socko. “That caused the ATV to roll over onto its side.”

Nettles was the primary prosecution witness against Socko, 46, of Pottsville, who sat silently and solemnly during the 2 1/2-hour hearing before Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi.

At the end of the hearing, Rossi ruled Assistant District Attorney David J. Rice had presented enough evidence to support all charges — involuntary manslaughter, recklessly endangering another person, operating on private property without consent and six counts of unlawful operation of snowmobile or ATV — against Socko. Rossi allowed Socko to remain free on $5,000 unsecured bail pending further court action.

Foster Township police alleged Socko lost control of the ATV approximately 9 p.m. June 3 on land owned by Reading Anthracite Co. The ATV crashed, and a backseat passenger, Martina M. Barnhart, 31, died, police said.

“Where was the decedent located?” Rice asked Nettles.

“On the ground,” Nettles answered. “It was a dark, wooded area.”

Rice and Albert J. Evans, Pottsville, Socko’s lawyer, stipulated that Barnhart died of blunt force trauma due to the rollover of the ATV.

Nettles said that although Socko had an odor of alcohol, she passed both field sobriety blood alcohol tests. Furthermore, when cross-examined by Evans, Nettles said the distribution of the weight in the ATV could have affected the possibility of it tipping.

However, under further questioning by Rice, Nettles said Socko’s actions made it more likely that the ATV would have rolled over.

Richard D. Morgan Jr., security manager for Reading Anthracite, testified the scene of the accident was not on the poker run in which Socko, Barnhart and the two other passengers in the ATV, Nicole Chiccine, Schuylkill Haven, and Garrett Eichenberg, Pottsville area, had been participating.

“She should not have been at that location that day,” Morgan said. “You are not allowed to be there after sunset.”

Testifying for Socko, her sister-in-law, Chiccine, said Barnhart had refused to buckle into the ATV and the defendant was driving safely.

“She was not going fast at all,” Chiccine said. “When she tapped the gas, the wheels caught.”

Evans asked Rossi to dismiss all charges.

“This was a tragic case, but it was not a criminal case,” he said.

There was no evidence Socko took an unjustifiable risk, and her unfamiliarity with the area where she drove the ATV does not constitute gross negligence, he said.

Rice disagreed.

“This can also be a criminal matter,” in addition to a civil lawsuit, he said.

Socko was responsible for her passenger’s failure to wear her seat belt, according to Rice.

Rossi said that while it was a difficult case, it ultimately hinged on the fact that Socko was driving an ATV.

“These vehicles are prone to tipping over,” as its manual clearly details, he said. “Ms. Socko was aware of that.”

Furthermore, Socko said that Barnhart was not wearing the seat belt and drove anyway, according to Rossi.

“A reasonable person does not allow a person in his ATV ... not to be buckled,” Rossi said. “She knows these things flip over.”

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

The defendant

· Name: Patricia L. Socko

· Age: 46

· Residence: Pottsville

· Charges: Involuntary manslaughter, recklessly endangering another person, operating on private property without consent and six counts of unlawful operation of snowmobile or ATV

POTTSVILLE — A Shenandoah man is headed to prison after admitting Thursday to a Schuylkill County judge that he had improper contact last summer with a teenage girl.

Charles A. Welna Jr., 31, must serve three to 23 months in prison, and pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, under the terms of President Judge William E. Baldwin’s sentence. Baldwin made the sentence effective at 9 a.m. Sept. 11 and allowed Welna to remain free on $50,000 percentage bail.

Welna pleaded guilty to corruption of minors, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual abuse of children-child pornography and indecent assault.

State police at Frackville charged Welna with having a relationship with a 15-year-old girl from July 1, 2016, through Aug. 23, 2016, in Mahanoy Township. The girl, who had been reported missing, was found in a bedroom at Welna’s residence and taken back to her home, according to police.

“He engaged in ... sexual discussions,” Assistant District Attorney Debra A. Smith told Baldwin about Welna’s conduct.

During Thursday’s hearing, Welna said he understood the terms and consequences of his plea and was entering it knowingly and voluntarily.

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

Defendant: Charles A. Welna Jr.

Age: 31

Residence: Shenandoah

Crime committed: Corruption of minors

Prison sentence: Three to 23 months in prison

RENNINGER’S — A Schuylkill Haven area man was jailed Wednesday and charged with threatening to burn his house down with his wife and children inside.

State police Trooper Todd Heintz of the Schuylkill Haven station arrested Russell J. Brown, 50, stemming from the incident that occurred between 6:15 and 6:30 p.m. at 4 Kate Ave., Renninger’s, North Manheim Township.

Heintz charged him with four misdemeanor counts each of terroristic threats, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Russell Brown was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $25,000 straight cash bail.

Heintz said Russell Brown returned home from an appointment at a methadone clinic in West Reading and became involved in an argument with his wife, Penny Brown.

Penny Brown reported that she told her children to go into the home and lock the door and informed her husband to take the vehicle and leave.

Russell Brown proceeded to leave but walked back down to the home and grabbed a very large can of gasoline, Heintz said. After getting the gasoline, Russell Brown began pouring the gasoline on the right side of the house, down the right exterior of the building and in the grass.

The trooper said that Russell Brown said if he could not get into his own home, he was going to burn it down.

Heintz said that when he arrived at the scene, he found Russell Brown smoking a cigarette and, when searched, found a pack of matches in the man’s pocket.

Penny Brown reported that after her husband poured gas on the home, he said he was going to get a gun and threatened to kill the family, Heintz said. She also said her husband yelled that “this is not over by no means.”

Penny Brown also said she later screamed for her children to get out of the house because of Russell Brown throwing gas on it and threatening to burn it down, Heintz said.

Russell Brown will now have to answer to the charges against him before Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg.

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

Joe Breymeier remembers air shows at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport where his father led him through a massive C-5 cargo plane on display.

The elder Joe Breymeier once worked on C-5s as an Air Force mechanic in Oklahoma.

“He would take me aside and he would show me all the different components, just about their characteristics and its mission,” said Breymeier, now 32, a 2003 Old Forge High School graduate. “Especially seeing something that size, I think I was fascinated that something that large could get off the ground … I just remember walking through all the static displays and talking to the pilots and really getting excited. It kind of planted in my brain that this is something I might want to do when I get older.”

On Saturday and Sunday, Breymeier will go to the local air show again, but this time as part of the attractions as the Northeastern Pennsylvania Air Show revives an airport tradition.

First Lt. Joseph Breymeier of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard will pilot a CH-47D Chinook helicopter onto the tarmac, where it will go on display for the air show.

“I’m looking forward to doing this show,” he said. “I’m able to come back to the area I grew up in and serve the community … and try to educate people in the military and our missions.”

He is not the only local who will host some of the displayed planes. At least three others will — Navy Lt. Commander Tom Browning, 36, a Blakely native and 1999 Valley View High School graduate, who will fly in with an E-2C Hawkeye, a domed, radar-equipped plane used for tracking aircraft and surveillance; and Air Force Maj. James A Stillwagon, a 2000 Old Forge graduate, and Capt. Sean White of Mountain Top, who will both arrive in a T-6G Texan, a plane used to train pilots.

Both planes also will be on display.

Browning, who lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia, is with Airborne Early Warning Squadron 123, based in Norfolk, Virginia. He first attended the local air show when he was 12 or 13 years old and began lobbying for his unit to appear here as soon as he heard the air show was returning. Air shows he saw here fueled his interest in aviation. He talked at one show to a pilot who encouraged him to persist even if military recruiters discouraged him from becoming a pilot because of his weaker eyesight.

“I haven’t flown into Avoca as air crew,” Browning said. “It’ll be fun to come back up … It’s a great opportunity for the region. I loved going to them. It was always a huge draw ... Air shows are great recruiting tools. To be able to talk to some aspiring area guys, it’ll be awesome.”

The revived air show will feature more than a dozen performers and at least 26 static displays — aircraft that won’t perform, but that air show fans can inspect and use as backdrops for pictures.

The airport, which always struggled to break even on air shows, lost $23,000 on the 18th and last one in 2000. The air shows ended because of the new terminal construction. The new terminal opened in May 2006, but airport officials didn’t rush to bring back the air show.

In September 2013, Lackawanna County Commissioner Corey O’Brien suggested a possible return, but the idea lagged under former director Barry Centini, who expressed skepticism because of costs and logistical issues.

After Centini retired, Carl Beardsley Jr. took over as airport director in January 2015, and thought the air show would serve as a great way to connect to the community. Beardsley, who organized air shows as head of the airport in Binghamton, New York, budgeted $380,000 for this one, but expects that number to rise because the airport had to buy fencing and other equipment that it lacked.

Officials hope for at least 15,000 visitors.

“If we had 20,000 would I feel confident that we’re going to break even? Sure,” Beardsley said. “I think we’re going to have a great response and the reason being that I’m seeing all the pent-up demand that occurred between now and 17 years ago. People are so happy that the air show is coming back.”

He encouraged people to arrive early to avoid traffic delays, especially if they plan to use remote free parking rather than paid parking at the airport grounds.

For David Schultz, whose company runs the air show, it marks a return to where his company started hosting air shows in 1994.

“I’m excited on this one because this is actually the birthplace of our company,” Schultz said. “This is a nice homecoming.”

Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9147.

POTTSVILLE —The Schuylkill County commissioners approved several contracts for various types of services during their public meeting Wednesday.

The most expensive contract was the agreement with Shadow Technologies, Wilkes-Barre, to upgrade existing hardware and renew support services for Cisco hardware and software at a total cost of $104,241. The contract includes an extension for the remaining network devices and software covered under the Cisco Smartnet Service beginning on Nov. 1 with most items covered until July 31, 2020, for $73,351.40.

The board also approved the purchase of body armor from Witmer Public Safety Group, Coatesville, for 29 probation officers in the adult probation department. It costs $25,031.06. The company is a COSTARS-approved vendor, meaning they are pre-approved through the state’s cooperative purchasing program designed to save local government on putting it out for bid.

Neil Stefanisko, county adult probation deputy chief, said the department has to replace its body armor as it has reached its point of expiration.

In other matters, the commissioners approved an addition to the contract awarded last month to Waterware, Philadelphia, to inspect at Hosensock Dam, Barnesville, and Koenigs Dam, New Ringgold. The original agreement approved July 5 was for $20,000. The company provided a four-man dive crew and equipment to perform video inspections. An additional $1,395 was needed to add a pipe plug and safety bulkhead materials. The state Department of Environmental Protection requires the dams to be inspected every 10 years.

The commissioners authorized the reappointment of H.J. Fenstemacher, Pottsville, and Karl Kramer, Schuylkill Haven, to the Schuylkill County Transportation Authority board of directors for terms through Jan. 11, 2022. Ian Mahal, Minersville, was also appointed to the board for a term through Jan. 11, 2022.

Contact the writer: mgilgerjr@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023

Deeds

Ashland — Constance M. Bobek to Krista L. Berger; 1126 Pine St.; $35,000.

Barry Township — Kenneth K. and Vicki E. Witmer to Tyler K. and Charlene J. Witmer; 202 Hill Road; $1.

Mark D. Hinkel, Gary G. Hinkel and Jeffrey C. Hinkel, co-administrators of the Estate of Doris A. Hinkel, to Mark D. Hinkel, Gary G. Hinkel and Jeffrey C. Hinkel; 230 Hinkel Road; $1.

Barry and Hegins townships — Kenneth K. and Vicki E. Witmer to Kenneth K. and Vicki E. Witmer; 200 Hill Road; $1.

Branch Township — Thomas F. and Rachelle P. Jones to Rachelle F. Jones; 49 Fourth Ave.; $1.

Cass Township — The Estate of Edward Bonchack to Michael J. and Laura J. Marzili; 1037 Sunbury Road, Primrose; $3,000.

Sharon Usilowicz, administratrix of the Estate of Edward Bonchack to Michael J. and Laura J. Marzili; 0.06-acre property on Sunbury Road, Primrose; $3,000.

East Union Township — Philip J. Benyo to Philip P. Benyo; Lot 58ER, Eagle Rock; $1.

Philip J. Benyo to Philip P. Benyo; Lot 59ER, Eagle Rock; $1.

William J. Small to Brian S. Keefer; 100 E. Players Way, Eagle Rock; $271,000.

Frackville — Brian R. Wagner to Justin and Tasha McCabe; 433 W. Washington St.; $55,000.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to Russell R. Cunningham III; 321 W. Washington St.; $38,500.

Barbara Wetzel, administratrix for the Estate of Robert J. Roper, to Michael W. Boychak and Mark S. Boychak; 10 N. Third St.; $25,000.

Landingville — LaPlace Transforms LLC to Philip W. and Coreen Luckenbill; property; $20,111.

Minersville — The Gratz Bank to Stephen Darosh; 444 Church St.; $30,000.

SS Properties LLC to Brett A. Rutecky; property on Sunbury Street; $92,000.

New Ringgold — Edward P. Broda to Jacob Novitsky; 6 E. Railroad Ave.; $272,500.

North Union Township — Joseph and Diane Manco to Shelly M. Sheets; Lot 17EA, Eagle Rock; $209,000.

Orwigsburg — Russell D. and Bonnie L Geiger to Russell D. Geiger; property at Merle Terrace and James Avenue; $1.

Pine Grove Township — Janella L. Poda-Henry and R. Matthew Henry to Samantha N. Tobin; 135 Oak Grove Road; $159,900.

Pottsville — Beth A. McAloose to Jose Lora Norberto; 401 Adams St.; $31,100.

Carrington Mortgage Services LLC to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; 2272 W. Norwegian St.; $1.

Marion Louise Colitz, Alice B. Lopez and Sarah Jane Fernsler to David J. Konicki; 1320 Mahantongo St.; $90,000.

Danila and Doina Popeti to Walter E. Jr. and Krista J. Mack; 520 W. Race St.; $43,000.

William O’Brien, Ann Barbur and Janet O’Brien to Joseph K. and Victoria A. O’Brien; 12 S. 19th St.; $1.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Cherry Christine Hasbrouck; 421 Mauch Chunk St.; $4,182.74.

Ringtown — Summit Homes LLC to James R. Zarcufsky; property on Main Street; $127,900.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Douglas Litwhiler; property; $20,500.

Ryan Township — Barbara Kenesky and Bernadine F. and Paul E. DiPietrantonio to Barbara Kenesky and Bernadine F. and Paul E. DiPietrantonio; 704 Tuscarora Mountain Drive, Barnesville; $1.

Saint Clair — Elaine E. Stashinko to Elizabeth Charlock; 109 S. Morris St.; $1.

Russell A. Sabados and Elaine M. Woll to Rachel Woll; 2 S. Nicholas St.; $1.

Kim Marie Weiss to Miller Partnership Ltd.; 232 S. Mill St.; $45,000.

Charles Fedornak to Kevin E. and Sandra S. Davenport; 16 Cinder Alley; $1.

Shenandoah — Joseph B. Lawson Jr. and Kelsey Lawson to Joseph B. Lawson Jr.; 900 W. Coal St.; $1.

South Manheim Township — Lori A. Wagner to Lori A. Wagner; 1476 Bearcat Cove, Lake Wynonah; $1.

Tamaqua — Marianne Lupkin to Donna Secara; 421 N. Elizabeth St.; $1.

Union Township —Sheila R. and Michael P. Rooney to Cory D. and Lindsey E. Houser; 28 Molnar Lane; $229,000.

Walker Township — Randall I. Bensinger to Lamonte R. and Jennifer L. Schock; 781 Valley Road, Lewistown Valley; $1.

Washington Township — Clair Newswanger and Arlene Newswanger to Clair Newswanger; 54 Hickory Road; $1.

Wayne Township — Stirs LLC to Todd and Stephanie M. James; Lot 935, Lake Wynonah; $7,740.

Lee W. and Laura A. Fetzer to Todd and Stephanie M. James; 933 Sarsi Cove, Lake Wynonah; $253,000.

The Lynch Family Trust, by Leonard G. Lynch, trustee, to Ami Riegel; 899 Wynonah Drive, Lake Wynonah; $249,900.

Neil D. and Lisa J. Greenawalt to Henry L. Jr. and Rebecca Lesher; 1008 Horseman Drive, Lake Wynonah; $265,000.

West Brunswick Township — Gregory A. and Kimberly A. Breiner to Gregory A. and Kimberly A. Breiner; 40.198-acre property on Hickory Drive; $1.

West Mahanoy Township — Thomas J. and Danielle Rooney to Thomas J. and Danielle Rooney; 11 S. Wylam St.; $1.

Douglas S. Latsha to George Breshears and Christine Broughton; 60 Schuylkill Ave., Shenandoah Heights; $22,000.

Anthony J. and Joann E. Nedinsky to Erin L. Morit; 28 N. Spencer St.; $130,000.

West Penn Township — Edward and Nancy T. Clausius to Dawn R. Benner; 377 Golf Road; $145,000.

Michelle A. Walker to Michelle A. Walker and Mary Yezierski; 81 Medical Crossing Road; $1.

Bruce W. Eberts and Brandon L. Eberts to Diane L. Hartung; 0.338-acre property at Route 895 and Walnut Lane, Andreas; $1.

Diane L. Hartung to Diane L. Hartung; 2 Walnut Lane, Andreas; $1.

G&G Holdings LLC to Yule Tree LP; two properties; $800,000.