SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — The Schuylkill Haven Area School District has a new superintendent as students arrive for the first day of class today.

Shawn T. Fitzpatrick, 43, of North Manheim Township, took over as superintendent July 1 following Lorraine Felker’s retirement.

“The first time I walked in this building, it felt like the right fit for me,” Fitzpatrick said Thursday at the school.

Fitzpatrick spent the last 14 years with the Hamburg Area School District, most recently serving as middle school principal.

“That was certainly a district headed in the right direction,” Fitzpatrick said. “They do a lot of things really well and when this opportunity came up, the shot to come back to Schuylkill County was appealing to me and this district was particularly intriguing because they just do so many things well here.”

He is a 1992 graduate of Minersville Area High School and received his bachelor’s degree from Penn State University, a master’s degree at Wilkes University and his doctorate at Immaculata University.

Although he lives just three miles away from the school, North Manheim Township is part of the Blue Mountain School District. Instead of moving into the school district and probably having a further commute, Fitzpatrick said he and his wife decided to pay the tuition to have their three children attend Schuylkill Haven Area this year.

“I just felt that you send the right message to your staff when the programs you support and the school district you are employed at is good enough for your own children,” Fitzpatrick said.

As the new superintendent, Fitzpatrick said his plan starts with asking questions and getting to know the district and community before analyzing what he found and developing goals.

“There’s not a whole lot that was broken here,” he said. “The school district is in really good shape because of the people around us. My predecessor has done some great things here and she has handed me the keys to a well-oiled machine and my job is to look at what is changing around us and how we adapt as an organization.”

One of the things Fitzpatrick said he would like to do this year was have the senior students spend a day on campus at Penn State Schuylkill. He said the campus is a valuable resource in the community’s own backyard — something he took advantage of for two years before finishing his undergraduate degree at University Park.

“Public school is about educating the whole child, not just academically, but what we can offer in a public school is the extracurriculars that really helped shape my life and in my opinion make public schools truly what they should be and a service to their communities,” he said. “I’m not against school choice, but our goal is to become the best choice because we can offer more than they can get anywhere else.”

Just like the teachers who inspired him to pursue his career, Fitzpatrick said everyone employed at the Schuylkill Haven Area has the opportunity to be a positive influence for the students. That’s why Fitzpatrick invited current and past employees at the district, not just the teachers, to the first in-service day, which started with a musical skit performed by volunteer students and organized by the music department at the school.

“We had one shot to set the tone for the school year and because of those students and those two teachers, I think we set the right tone,” Fitzpatrick said. “I think people truly left here proud of where they work and what they do for a living. I also think that by including our bus drivers and retirees we sent the message that you are all valuable and just as important to the success of our organization moving forward.”

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

Bicyclist seriously

hurt in accident

BARNESVILLE — A bicycle rider suffered serious leg injuries when she was hit by a car about 7:35 a.m. Friday on Foothill Drive, just east of Tuscarora Mountain Drive in Ryan Township.

State police at Frackville said the crash occurred as Leonard E. Kurpell, 78, of Mahanoy City, was driving a 2003 Buick Century east on Foothill Drive approaching a dip/rise in the road that partially obscured his view of the road.

As Kurpell crested the hill, he came upon a bicycle being driven east by Nina M. Day, 63, who was traveling at a much slower speed.

Police said that Kurpell was unable to avoid hitting the cyclist and struck the back of her bicycle, throwing Day onto the road. The woman was treated at the scene by Ryan Township EMS and then placed aboard a MedEvac helicopter and flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown.

Police said that Kurpell was not hurt and that Rush Township police and firefighters from Ryan Township, Delano and Mahanoy City assisted.

At the time of the crash, Day was not wearing a helmet, police said.

Man arrested

on active warrant

POTTSVILLE — A Minersville man was jailed early Friday after being taken into custody by Pottsville police.

Police said that Patrolman Braden Jones was on patrol about 2:25 a.m. and saw Joshua Siluk, 24, in the 300 block of West Norwegian Street and subsequently determined he was wanted on an active warrant in Schuylkill County Court for failure to appear on charges of delivery of a controlled substance.

Siluk was taken into custody on the warrant and during a search found with a clear plastic bag containing 29 grams of methamphetamine and a separate bag containing marijuana, police said.

As a result, Jones charged Siluk with felony possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and one misdemeanor count each of possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Siluk will now have to answer to the most recent charges at a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville.

Man cited for

2-vehicle crash

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville police are investigating a crash that occurred about 1:20 p.m. Thursday in the area of 18th and West Market streets.

Police said their investigation determined that a 43-year-old Pottsville woman was driving east on Market Street in her Jeep Latitude when she stopped for a red light at the intersection.

At that time, police said, Sean L. Bennett, 23, of Pottsville, was driving a Honda Accord east on Market Street, failed to stop and ran into the back of the Jeep.

Police said no injuries were reported and that both vehicles sustained disabling damage.

As a result of the crash, Patrolman Joseph Murton will be citing Bennett for driving at an unsafe speed, police said, adding that Schuylkill EMS and Pottsville firefighters assisted at the scene.

GILBERTON — As the first day of the 2017-18 school year approached, children of the Gilberton Methodist Church had their backpacks blessed Sunday.

The blessing of the backpacks by Pastor Jack Murray was only one of the highlights of Sunday’s regular service.

The second was a donation made possible by the children to the Shenandoah Area Food Pantry that serves Shenandoah, Gilberton and West Mahanoy Township.

Murray said for the past six months, children have been bringing in pennies and other small change and placing it in a jar to be donated to the food bank.

“This is just the loose change they bring in every week because they want to help others,” Murray said.

Through their efforts, the church presented $160 check to Jason Schally, Frackville, Food Network Coordinator for Schuylkill Community Action, which operates the food pantry program.

After thanking the children for their donation and explaining how it will assist residents throughout the area, Schally explained what the food bank is and how it operates.

Schally said Schuylkill Community Action serves more than 16,000 families a year, counting repeaters.

“We distribute federal surplus food and food we purchase wholesale along with salvage product that we buy from the Greater Berks Food Bank,” he said.

“Donations of private funds such as the one today are used for the purchase of food and covering truck delivery fees that require private funding,” Schally said.

The $160 raised by the children of Gilberton Methodist Church will be used solely for the Shenandoah Area Food Pantry, he added.

The Schuylkill Food Network consists of 18 local food pantries that serve economically eligible families in the county.

Schally said there are more than 200 active volunteers and about 170 distributions throughout the year.

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

POTTSVILLE — It’s one trial down and one to go for Sean T. Cooper, as a Schuylkill County jury acquitted him Monday of two charges resulting from his allegedly breaking into a house owned by his sister in December 2015 in Minersville.

Cooper, 46, of Minersville, is not guilty of criminal trespass and defiant trespass, the jury of eight women and four men decided after deliberating approximately one hour to end the one-day trial over which President Judge William E. Baldwin presided.

However, Cooper, who did not react to the jury’s verdict, is not out of danger yet, as he is scheduled to go on trial at 9 a.m. today before a different jury on five drug-related charges.

In Monday’s case, Minersville police had charged Cooper with breaking into the 102 Lorraine St. house owned by Nicole Cuttitta on Dec. 18, 2015, in the borough’s Teaberry Hill section.

“The door frame was busted,” and wood from it was on the floor, Joseph Cuttitta, Nicole’s husband, testified.

Cuttitta said he checked the doors regularly at the house and there had been no problem before that visit.

“Everything was secure,” he said. “All the exterior doors were locked.”

Former Minersville police Patrolman Thomas F. Hoban Jr. testified he visited the house and found Cooper sleeping in one of the rooms. He said Cooper had been notified by text message not to trespass on the property.

“I observed damage to the back door of the residence,” Hoban said.

First Assistant District Attorney John T. Fegley said in his closing argument that Cooper’s own words and actions proved he was guilty, including breaking the door frame and entering without a key.

“The defendant’s sleeping on coats in the bedroom,” Fegley said. “Showing up without a key is a pretty good sign that you’re not supposed to be there.”

However, jurors accepted the argument of Assistant Public Defender Paul G. Domalakes, Cooper’s lawyer, that prosecutors did not prove that any actual crime occurred, since the law requires that the defendant know he cannot enter the property before he can be found guilty. He said his client had left property at the house, showing he intended to return.

“The commonwealth has to prove he knew he wasn’t allowed to come back,” Domalakes said. “There is no proof ... that the text ever reached him.”

In today’s trial, over which Judge Charles M. Miller will preside, Cooper faces three counts of possession of a controlled substance and one each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Minersville police charged him with committing those crimes on Feb. 16, 2016, in the borough.

Fegley again is prosecuting the case, and Domalakes again is representing Cooper.

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

Name incorrect

Marty Foss, Hatter’s Auto Body, loaded a motorcycle onto his tow truck after a crash Sunday on Pottsville-Minersville Highway. His name was incorrect in a caption in Monday’s edition.

POTTSVILLE — A Shenandoah woman is headed to state prison after pleading guilty Friday in Schuylkill County Court to three sets of drug-related offenses.

Ashley C. Duran, 20, must serve 12 to 30 months in a state correctional institution, President Judge William E. Baldwin decided.

He also sentenced her to pay costs, $225 in fines, $200 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, $446.43 restitution to the Borough of Frackville and $144.50 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.

Duran pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one each of possession of drug paraphernalia, fleeing or eluding police, driving under suspension and criminal mischief. Prosecutors withdrew five counts of possession of a controlled substance, two of misbranding of a controlled substance and one each of institutional vandalism, driving under suspension, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving without a license and stop sign violation.

Shenandoah police charged Duran with possessing a salable amount of drugs, plus paraphernalia, on Oct. 23, 2016, while Frackville police also charged her with possessing a salable amount of drugs on Dec. 19, 2016, and fleeing from them on Dec. 13, 2016.

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

Marriage licenses

Christopher Karapovich, Minersville, and Ashley L. Hablett, Minersville.

Walter A. Shappell Jr., Pottsville, and Allison K. Rubright, Pottsville.

Randall D. Grove, Orwigsburg, and Kimberly Ann Horan, Orwigsburg.

Divorces granted

Kellie Flaim, Schuylkill Haven, from Alfred D. Flaim, Schuylkill Haven.

Robin Biever, Schuylkill Haven, from Barton R. Biever, Schuylkill Haven.

Marnie Vargas, Shenandoah, from Angel Vargas, Frackville.

Jason Smith, Schuylkill Haven, from Krista Smith, Schuylkill Haven.

A man was jailed and Pottsville police are looking to identify another man involved in a robbery and assault in the city that was reported about 9:15 a.m. Sunday.

Police said officers were called to 406 W. Market St. for a robbery and spoke to a 40-year-old Pottsville man who said that on Saturday evening, two men forced their way into his residence.

Once inside, the victim said, the two men assaulted him while demanding to be told the location of a safe they mistakenly thought he had in his apartment, police said.

Police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky said the man reported that the two men brandished a handgun and struck him in the head with the weapon before throwing him down a flight of stairs several times, and punched and kicked him.

The man also said the two intruders stole his cellphone and told him that if he called police to report the incident, they would send their friends to kill him, Wojciechowsky said, adding one of the men took his picture on a phone and said they would send it to their friends.

Wojciechowsky said the victim suffered multiple lacerations, contusions and an injured right ankle. He was taken to a local medical facility for treatment.

While at the scene, Wojcie-chowsky said, officers learned that four additional victims had been threatened at gunpoint by the same two men while they were present during the robbery and were forced to remain there while the 40-year-old man was attacked. The robbers then stole two additional cellphones.

The chief said witnesses reported hearing what they thought was a shot fired and investigators recovered a spent 9 mm shell casing from the scene, though there was no evidence to suggest anyone was wounded by gunfire.

A subsequent investigation led to the identification of Shawnelle Alexander Young, 23, of Pottsville, as one of the two men involved, brandished the weapon and participated in the assault, unlawful restraint, attempted robbery of a safe and robbery of the cellphones, Wojciechowsky said.

Young had also groped the females and made lewd comments during the incident, the chief said.

As a result of the incident, Pottsville police Patrolman Joseph Krammes charged Young with three counts of conspiracy to commit robbery, criminal attempt to commit robbery, five counts of unlawful restraint, five counts of false imprisonment, three counts each of theft and receiving stolen property, simple assault and five counts each of recklessly endangering another person and terroristic threats.

A warrant was obtained for Young’s arrest and about 1:40 a.m. Monday, he was taken into custody without incident at 411 Harrison St.

Wojciechowsky said Young was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $100,000 straight cash bail.

Wojciechowsky said the investigation is continuing and police are working on identifying the second man involved, known by the nickname “BoyBoy” or “BoiBoi.” Anyone with information is asked to call the Pottsville Bureau of Police at 570-623-3792. The identity of anyone with information will be kept confidential if requested.

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

POTTSVILLE — Doe licenses are nearly sold out throughout the state as hunters were able to start getting them over the counter for specific areas Monday.

As of Monday afternoon, Schuylkill County Treasurer Linda Marchalk said her office has sold 13,219 doe licenses this season. Licenses went on sale July 10 for state residents and July 16 for out-of-state hunters.

“My staff goes above and beyond during doe season,” Marchalk said Monday.

Pennsylvania Game Commission regulations permit only one license per hunter in the first round. Hunters may apply for a second and third license in subsequent rounds until the supply is exhausted.

Marchalk said about 200 applications had to be returned because they violated state Game Commission regulations.

“We had a number of duplicates and that causes us delays,” she said.

The first round of unsold licenses went on sale Aug. 7 and the second round started Aug. 21. Wildlife management units 2B, 5C and 5D were available over the counter Wednesday.

By the end of the day Wednesday, antlerless deer licenses were only available for the 1A, 2A and 2B wildlife management units.

On Oct. 2, all remaining wildlife management unit licenses will be available over the counter.

Hunters who wish to apply for an antlerless deer license must hold a current hunting license for the 2017-18 season. The cost for the antlerless license is $6.90 for residents and $26.90 for non-residents.

The number of antlerless deer licenses still available can be found online on the Game Commission’s website at www.pgc.pa.gov.

For more information, visit the county treasurer’s website at www.co.schuylkill.pa.us.

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

Williams Valley Elementary School pupils will receive free lessons in addressing bullying and drug use this year.

The school board Thursday approved Melanie Yeager, youth and family director from the Northern Dauphin County YMCA, Elizabethville, to present the programs at no cost to the district for the 2017-18 school year.

The training includes: Bully Proof Kit for second grade; Botvin Life Skills for third grade; Too Good for Drugs for fifth grade; and Too Much to Lose in fourth and fifth grade.

In other business, the board approved the following personnel for the 2017-18 school year:

• Michael Malick, Tower City, volunteer assistant boys’ soccer coach

• Jim Schoffstall, Tower City, volunteer drumline instructor

• Jamie Palmerio, Frackville, volunteer assistant volleyball coach

• Ryan Sims, Tower City, and Joseph Bopp, Williamstown, volunteer equipment drivers for the band

• Dana Wolfe, Williamstown, part-time paraprofessional, effective Aug. 24, pending receipt of clearances

• Ashley Keiter, Tower City, nurse’s assistant, effective Aug. 28, pending receipt of clearances.

• Resignation of Jessica Albon as a mentor teacher for Ashley Brennan

• John Paul, Lykens, as mentor teacher for Brennan

• Resignation of part-time, nine-month secretary Kylee Fenstermacher, effective Aug. 21

• Michael Gunkle, Newport, elementary classroom teacher, effective Aug. 22

• Guest teachers Tyler Bettinger, Shalee Forsythe and Amy Lake, all of Tower City

• Kimberly Troup, Joliett, substitute teacher with certification in special education and elementary education

• Resignation of part-time paraprofessional Brianna Leiter, effective Sept. 14

• April Welker, Lykens, mentor teacher for Albon

• Adding Amy Oestreich to the event staff for the 2017-18 school year

• Adding Mark Rissinger, bus driver, employed through Ravine Transportation

• Adding Scott Girard, Lykens, volunteer equipment driver for the marching band

In other business, the board approved the articles of agreement for the Schuylkill County Area Vocational-Technical School and the second reading of policies involving extra-curricular eligibility, promotion and retention, and attendance.

The articles of agreement involved the payment for repairing the roofs at the Schuylkill Technology Center buildings in Frackville and Mar Lin. The formula to pay for the roofs was that each district would pay two-thirds based on the district’s market value and one-third based on the district’s current enrollment at STC.

Board member Tracey Minnich was absent. The next board meeting is 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Mahanoy City

The United Methodist Women will have a fish dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 7 in the First United Methodist Fellowship Hall, 400 E. Mahanoy Ave. Tickets are $9 each and meals include fish, homemade macaroni cheese/stewed tomatoes, green beans, coleslaw, dessert and beverage. People may eat in the hall of take meals out. For tickets or more information, call (all 570) 773-2734, 668-0147 or 205-8221.

McAdoo

The Silverbrook Rod and Gun Club will hold its annual benefit shoot in memory of Melissa “Butterfly’’ Osifat on Sept. 9 at the club grounds, 318 Silverbrook Road. Teams of five can register at 10 a.m. for the trap shoot or for the .22-caliber shoot. Competition will start at 11 a.m., rain or shine. The club donates proceeds to people in need in the community.

Nuremberg

Nuremberg-Weston Volunteer Fire Company will hold its first 7K run/walk and one-mile fun run from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 9. The 7K course will begin at the firehall, go through Nuremberg into Weston and end back at the firehall. There will also be tricky trays, hot dogs and potato cakes for sale at the firehall during the race. To register or for more information, go online to www.runsignup.com or www.nwvfc.org. To donate a tricky tray, call Deb Enama at 570-384-3592. Anyone who can volunteer on the day of the race should call or text Doug Demshock at 570-751-3162 or Rhonda Lescowitch at 570-956-8269.

Orwigsburg

The Orwigsburg Area Free Public Library, 214 E. Independence St., will have a “blow-out” book sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 9 featuring a bag of books for $5. Proceeds will benefit the children’s reading program. There will also be presorted book bundles for $1 and up. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-366-1638.

Pottsville

The Pottsville Free Public Library, 215 W. Market St., will stage “Builders’ Bonanza” at 6 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays in September through December for youngsters ages 5-12. Participants in the free event will make various creations with LEGOs, Goldieblox and other educational toys. LEGO donations are welcome. For more information, call the library’s Darren DeArment at 570-622-8880 or email potchild@pottsvillelibrary.org.

Schuylkill Haven

An event called Kick Up Your Heels VIII will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Walk In Art Center, 220 Parkway. Tickets are $75 each. There will be dancing, dinner, live and silent auctions and art. “See how the WIAC artists transform the main gallery into a Salvador Dali night of memories,” organizers said in a press release. The event is for people 21 and older. For more information, call 570-732-3728.

Shenandoah

The Polish American Fire Company, Centre and West streets, will hold its third annual Rock the Block event from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday adjacent to the firehouse on North West Street. The cost for a mug is $10, which entitles patrons to liquid refreshments and music by a local disc jockey. Various food items will be on sale. Tickets are available at the firehouse and also at The Pizza Shop and the Vernalis Restaurant along South Main Street. To buy a mug, people must be 21 or older. For more information, call 570-590-4088 or 570-205-4261.

Valley View

The Tri-Valley Senior Citizens group is sponsoring a trip to Cape May, New Jersey, Dec. 11-13 for three days and two nights to see decorated houses by Trolley, dinner theater and Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas show with the Rockettes. For reservations or more information, call Robert at 570-682-3785 or Shirley at 570-682-3785.

HARRISBURG — U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta will announce his candidacy for U.S. Senate today.

Barletta confirmed Monday night he will seek the seat now occupied by Sen. Bob Casey.

“I don’t see running for the Senate as an opportunity. I see it as a responsibility,” Barletta said by phone. “Pennsylvania deserves a senator who will fight for them in Washington, not be an obstructionist.”

Barletta said the announcement will be made digitally by video at 7 a.m. today.

Barletta’s main reason for running was the same reason he went to Washington in the first place.

“We have to protect our borders,” he said. “I saw first-hand as mayor how important it is, how it affects jobs and communities. It led me to Washington because nothing was being done there about it.”

The Republican’s entry into the race was widely expected after The Associated Press reported last month that Barletta had relayed his plans to GOP officials and activists.

Barletta, the former mayor of Hazleton, rose to political prominence as a foe of illegal immigration. He was an early supporter of President Donald Trump, who urged him to run for Senate.

Barletta said he has been encouraged to run by people from the White House and around Pennsylvania, but he didn’t formally say he will enter the Senate race.

“Those talks have been very positive,” he said last month.

Known for supporting a Hazleton immigration act while he was mayor, Barletta, 61, continued to weigh in on immigration since he was elected to Congress seven years ago. He has opposed sanctuary cities, called for using biometrics such as fingerprints and eye scans to verify when immigrants enter and leave the country, and sponsored a bill increasing penalties for deportees who illegally re-enter the country.

Hazleton’s immigration law never took effect because federal courts nullified it. After the years-long court case, the city had to pay legal fees of $1.4 million. A bill that Barletta supported this year says if a city is sued for enforcing immigration law, the federal government will join the city as a co-defendant in court.

“Barletta will have a set of issues he will use. I would think immigration will be high on the list,” political analyst G. Terry Madonna, director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College, said recently.

In the House of Representatives, Barletta also has tried to save money by leasing smaller offices for federal agencies and selling surplus federal buildings.

Tapping into his transportation background — his extended family built roads, and he and his wife started and managed a company that painted road markings — he has advocated for projects to improve roads, bridges, ports and rail that will create jobs.

Trump had offered Barletta a post as secretary of Labor & Industry when he first began to organize his Cabinet, and the president encouraged him to run for Senate, Barletta said.

“He said you would have been great in the administration. I need you in the Senate,” Barletta said.

Barletta will face a “formidable challenge” if he runs against Casey, a two-term senator and son of a former Pennsylvania governor, Madonna said.

Casey has won five statewide elections, including auditor general, and he has $5.6 million in his campaign fund.

Barletta took in $464,444 for his campaign fund during the past six months — and had $513,343 available as of June 30.

PORT CARBON — Borough residents want Port Carbon Police Chief Joseph Ferraro to know he has their support during his second cancer diagnosis.

Children are raising funds by selling hot dogs, baked goods and water, the Schuylkill County Sheriff’s Department is selling T-shirts and a GoFundMe page has been established to help lighten the financial load for Ferraro. Other efforts are planned, including Ferraro Fest, slated for 10 a.m. Dec. 9 at Pine View Acres.

“I think this made history. The support here today for the cause has been phenomenal,” Port Carbon Mayor Charles “Chuck” Joy said Monday after the borough council meeting. More than 60 people attended to show their support for Ferraro, who was not in attendance.

The council was in an executive session for about 50 minutes for personnel reasons before reconvening into a regular meeting, where it unanimously authorized attorneys William Burke and Michael McAuliffe Miller to “prepare a side agreement for (the) current collective bargaining agreement by and between Port Carbon Borough, Port Carbon Police Department and Fraternal Order of Police subject to review and approval of all signatories of the collective bargaining agreement,” Burke said.

Neither Burke, Joy nor council President Ray Steranko said to whom the agreement pertained.

“Everyone has a right to privacy regarding certain issues,” Burke said.

However, Joy said it involved one of the borough’s two full-time police officers — Ferraro and Officer Christopher Taylor. He said additional details will be released by the borough council’s regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 12.

Joy said Ferraro has been on duty recently. He does have health insurance, secretary/treasurer Sandy Palokas said.

Some people said they attended the meeting because of what they thought might happen to Ferraro’s employment.

“I heard they wanted to get rid of him,” Robin Goodman, a borough resident, said. After the meeting, she said she was happy with the outcome.

Sally Fees, 63, a borough resident for 45 years, said she has known Ferraro a long time. He went to school with her daughter.

“He respects us like we respect him,” she said.

Schuylkill County Sheriff Joseph G.Groody said Ferraro is one of his deputies.

“He’s a very good worker,” Groody said by phone Monday.

Despite whatever he is going through, Ferraro always has a smile on his face, Groody said.

A GoFundMe page established Aug. 22 by borough council member Mike Quercia has raised $2,025 out of its $15,000 goal.

“Our local police chief needs your help. Joe Ferraro has been diagnosed with cancer. He has been receiving treatment in Philadelphia and has just undergone major surgery. Joe has a long road to recovery and needs your support. He will be out of work for awhile with little income. All donations received will help. Please don’t let this officer down,” according to a post on the page.

Quercia said he has known Ferraro for years.

“He’s a guy that would drop everything he’s doing to help others,” he said.

Rob Kline, a borough resident, said Ferraro is a big-hearted guy.

“He is what everybody should strive to be like,” Kline said.

Tim Walsh, assistant fire chief and a borough patrolman, said Ferraro had cancer last year and was in remission, until the most recent bout.

“He’s a great chief. He’s a great teacher. He’s a great leader. He is somebody the community needs,” Walsh said.

Sisters Ava Hale, 9, and Lily Walsh, 7, of Port Carbon, know how important Ferraro is to the community. With his well-being as their inspiration, they are selling hot dogs, baked goods and other items at a stand on Washington and Jackson streets. They started Monday and will be there from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Friday.

The goal was $500 on Monday — something they achieved in about an hour, raising more than $800.

“Everything goes to Joe. Not a penny stays,” Hale said.

The girls said they want Ferraro to get better.

“I wish him good luck and I hope he gets rid of it (cancer),” Hale said.

“Good luck, Joe,” Walsh said.

Ferraro said Monday he is very grateful for the outpouring of support from the community.

“I’m going to fight my fight. Knowing that I have these people behind me is priceless,” he said.

Ferraro, 42, said he has been police chief since 2014. He has been with the borough police department for 18 years and also served in New Philadelphia for three years.

He was recently diagnosed in May with the same cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, he had in 2015. The cancer was detected during a checkup. He is trying to keep his positive outlook on life.

“It’s still a treatable cancer,” Ferraro said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

Although Schuylkill County residents may want to help Texans with disaster relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, coordination and training are key to effectively reaching those in need.

Schuylkill County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator John M. Matz said Monday the county EMS had no specific knowledge of people from our area traveling to the flooded region as part of an organized group.

Volunteers who act alone may have good intentions, but could actually add to the confusion.

“We discourage any individual from self-dispatching, as the process lacks accountability, a command structure, and a reporting and communications mechanism,” Matz said.

Requests for assistance are coordinated on a state-to-state basis through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, according to Matz.

“Texas submitted requests for resources and each state determines if the resources are available and able to be deployed. The process is coordinated in a very structured manner to ensure the properly trained and equipped personnel are deployed to the area of need and are integrated into the incident command structure within the Texas operation. This process maintains accountability, interoperable communications, logistical support and situational awareness throughout the deployment to demobilization of the resources,” Matz said. “In the case of Pennsylvania, PA Task Force 1, an Urban Search and Rescue group, has been deployed and as of (Sunday) was traveling to Texas with their cache of equipment. They will be prepared to remain for up to two weeks and may be supplemented with additional personnel from the team.”

However, if you’ve got the training, the American Red Cross could use a hand.

“We’re putting out a request for volunteers every day,” Dave Skutnik, communications director for the American Red Cross for Eastern Pennsylvania, said.

Skutnik was unaware of volunteers from the Tri-County Chapter who were headed to Texas on Monday, but said the number of volunteers changes daily. Schuylkill County is served by the Tri-County Chapter of the Red Cross, along with Berks and Chester counties.

“We aren’t accepting people who aren’t specially trained,” Skutnik said, noting the Red Cross has a rigourous disaster training program for volunteers.

Patti Daley, a volunteer who works in Schuylkill County with the Tri-County Chapter, referred questions to Adrian Grieve, chapter executive director, who could not be reached for comment.

Skutnik was traveling Monday and did not have immediate access to the number of trained volunteers available in Schuylkill County who would be eligible to serve in Texas.

For those without the training, sending monetary donations is another way people can assist, according to Skutnik.

“Financial contributions are the quickest way to get help where people need it the most,” Skutnik said. He explained that when supplies are donated, they need to be sorted, and then transported, which can be expensive.

There are three ways to donate, Skutnik said: through the website, www.redcross.org; by calling 800-RED-CROSS; and by texting HARVEY 90999 for a $10 automatic donation which will appear on the caller’s next phone bill.

The Salvation Army also had its Texas disaster teams on site, but as of Monday, no known Schuylkill County volunteers from the Salvation Army were there.

“I do know all of our emergency disaster teams have been put on active duty throughout the United States and Canada,” Envoy Brad Harris, with The Salvation Army, Pottsville, said Monday.

Harris said the local divisional disaster team is based in Philadelphia.

As of Monday morning, he said Salvation Army teams in Texas have provided more than 3,000 meals and have offered shelter and spiritual care for residents, first responders and volunteers.

Harris didn’t have an estimate for the number of people who were seeking shelter with The Salvation Army.

He suggested anyone interested in donating to visit the website, www.salvationarmyusa.org. Donors can give online at helpsalvationarmy.org or by sending a text to STORM 51555.

Volunteers from the Hillside SPCA, Pottsville, and the Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA, Pine Grove, were unable to assist animal rescue efforts in Texas, they reported Monday. The EMAC website at www.emacweb.org addresses coordinating assistance during a disaster, including animal health emergencies.

“This event is the most significant disaster in recent years,” Matz said. “Disasters also bring out the worst in some people, who will try to profit on the misfortune of the people of Texas and the good will of the people of Pennsylvania. Those wishing to assist should consider donating money or clothing through one of the well-known and well-established aid organizations such as American Red Cross or The Salvation Army.”

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

When Charles Vascavage heard the news of the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey, he immediately thought of a Houston church that shares a bit of history with Shenandoah and wanted to offer help.

St. John Vianney Catholic Church has a new bell tower that houses 10 vintage bells which were taken out of the former St. George Roman Catholic Church in Shenandoah and restored by a Maryland foundry, he said. The bells still have the names of the local parishioners who had originally purchased the bells for the Shenandoah church on them, Vascavage said.

The Texas church, at 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, also purchased four, newly cast bells for a complement of 14 bells from the McShane Bell Foundry in Maryland, according to the church’s website.

“I’m putting ‘feelers’ out. I thought maybe the Lithuanian community here would want to donate funds to this church, which is historic to the Lithuanians and to Shenandoah,” Vascavage said. “They’re our history.”

Vascavage said he didn’t speak recently with anyone from the Houston church, or to a bank yet, but may consider starting a fund. The idea is still in the infancy stage, he said Monday afternoon.

Vascavage, of Shenandoah, attended St. George before the church was taken down by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown.

A call to Saint John Vianney Monday afternoon went to a recorded message.

According to other news outlets, a Pottsville native living in Texas is safe.

Sonia Craig said waited out the storm in Austin. She was able to return to her home in Padre Island and discovered her neighborhood wasn’t flooded and destroyed like many communities in the southeastern part of the state.

“Our house faired extremely well,” she said.

Craig said while her home has only a little wind damage, she can’t get gas anywhere on the island, internet is down, and she has to boil water before using it.

TUSCARORA — The body of a 17-year-old Lansford girl reported missing Monday was found Tuesday evening in a remote area of Schuylkill Township.

Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David J. Moylan III said that his deputies were called to the site on Locust Mountain where a body was found about 6 p.m. and that it appears to be Cassidy Derr.

“It is my understanding that the 17-year-old left a party on ‘the mountain’ and that they found her in a pit,” Moylan said.

He said a state police forensic services unit was called to the scene to assist in the investigation and that as soon as the girl is removed, her body will be taken to Simon Kramer Institute.

Moylan said he had no additional information Tuesday night other than that the body was found and the investigation is ongoing.

Derr, who recently moved to Lansford from the Tamaqua area, had Type 1 diabetes, according to family and friends.

As of Tuesday morning, searchers held out hope that the girl would still be located alive.

“There is no reason she could not be alive at this point,” Bruce Barton, chief of Northeast Search and Rescue, Stroudsburg, said about noon. “We are still looking at it as a rescue and that is how we proceed.”

Derr was described by family and friends as 5 foot, 2 inches tall with dark hair and was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and black T-shirt with a moon and star on it. There was a $5,000 reward for information leading directly to the teen.

Vanessa Klein-Lesniak, Derr’s aunt, said her niece was attending a party in a wooded area of Schuylkill Township between Tuscarora and Brockton. After an argument Sunday morning, Klein-Lesniak said Derr walked away from her friends toward Tamaqua and got lost when her phone battery died about 8 a.m. She said search teams had already looked in the area her phone last had a signal.

Derr had an insulin pump, Klein-Lesniak said. She did not know how much insulin she had when she left for the party.

“She was last seen Sunday morning and we are into day three, two days of searching,” Barton said prior to the teen’s discovery. “We have a dog team and search teams from Pennsylvania and New Jersey. There are about six teams today. We are searching some areas she would have been. She was at a party Saturday night into Sunday morning. That was the last time she was seen. We have put pictures out. If anyone has seen her in the Tuscarora area, please call 911 and let them know if there are any sightings.”

About 25 people Tuesday were searching the area of Locust Mountain. Dive teams were called to the area about 3 p.m., however, Barton said there was no indication Derr had drowned.

“The terrain is very rugged,” Barton said. “It is all stripping mine reclamation land. There is still a lot of stripping pits. It is considered to be on the higher end of a dangerous area to search.”

Family and friends of Derr thanked the community for their support including local businesses and the Tamaqua Salvation Army that have been providing volunteers, family and friends with food and other items throughout the search.

“We have had overwheming support from the community,” Klein-Lesniak said. “People have been asking nonstop how they can help. We just ask for prayers.”

Contact the writers: mgilgerjr@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023; fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6013

SACRAMENTO — Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding’s visit to a Schuylkill County potato producer Monday stressed the need for a workforce skilled in advanced technology.

Redding and onlookers toured the Sterman Masser Inc. potato operation for a demonstration with “Spudnik,” the company’s high-tech, custom-built, 12-row harvester, in fields in Elizabethville, northern Dauphin County. The company is based in Sacramento. Redding joined agri-business leaders, legislators and educators for the demo and panel discussion.

“Innovative technology is transforming Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry and the jobs it needs to keep the industry vibrant and competitive,” Redding said. “We have to think strategically about how to develop a pipeline of workers with the technical skills and agility our producers need to operate and maintain the technology of today and tomorrow.”

Sterman Masser operators demonstrated Spudnik’s capability, which harvests double that of the company’s previous system. It eliminates foreign material, such as rocks and debris, faster and more efficiently, which protects potato quality, according to a company press release.

Operating and servicing the equipment will require new skills for employees, equipment dealers and equipment manufacturers, company officials told Redding.

“We have to feed the next generation, and, as we look to do that, we wonder, where will our next generation of agriculture workers come from?” Julie Masser-Ballay, Sterman Masser’s chief financial officer and vice president, said. “It’s getting harder to find people who know how to operate today’s farm technology.”

In addition to Masser-Ballay, other participants included Sterman Masser Potato Farms President David Masser and board Chairman Keith Masser; Valley Ag & Turf President Tige Kutt; Northeast Equipment Dealers Association Field Services Director Tim Wentz; Penn State Cooperative Extension Assistant Director Jim Ladlee; John Deere Co. Regional Sales Manager Chad Plathe; and Schuylkill Economic Development Corp. President Frank Zukas.

“As a school district in the area, any opportunity to interact and be a part of the conversation on workforce development is a plus,” Tri-Valley Superintendent Mark D. Snyder said in a phone interview Tuesday after joining in Monday’s meeting with Redding.

Tri-Valley’s agriculture education program was voted Outstanding Secondary Education Program in the state in 2016 by the Pennsylvania Association of Agriculture Educators, topping 150 others. Gretchen Dingman serves as instructor and Future Farmer of America adviser for the district.

Snyder said the district operates an agriculture science program at the high school that is certified with the state Department of Education. In addition to four levels of ag science, mechanics and practicums, the district also offers 12 agriculture-related electives.

“There may be a misconception that agriculture and technology aren’t always connected,” Snyder said.

“Pennsylvania’s education sector; private-sector producers, manufacturers and dealers; policy makers; and those who provide working capital to support forward-thinking businesses are all here in the field working toward solving challenges and keeping our economy growing,” Redding said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

SCRANTON — The three teens charged in the 2015 death of Scranton Patrolman John Wilding will be tried in Lackawanna County before a local jury.

Setting aside concerns about pretrial publicity, Judge Margaret Bisignani Moyle denied requests by attorneys for Tanner Curtis, Isiah Edwards and Nasiir Jones to move their homicide trial outside the county or to bring an out-of-county jury to Scranton to hear the case.

Jury selection is set to begin Sept. 22 at the courthouse, the judge’s order said.

Curtis, Edwards and Jones are charged with second-degree murder and other offenses in Wilding’s death. The 29-year-old patrolman suffered a fatal head injury July 11, 2015, when he fell over a wall as he and other city officers chased the suspects after an armed robbery in West Scranton. He died the next day.

The defendants, who were 17 at the time, were charged as adults.

In seeking a change of venue or venire, attorneys for the now 19-year-old defendants questioned whether their clients could receive a fair trial in the county. They cited extensive and potentially prejudicial pretrial publicity as well as continuing intense public interest in the case.

In her three-page opinion and order, Moyle denied the motions without prejudice, leaving open the possibility of revisiting the issue later.

“With consideration of pretrial publicity and its potential effect on the defendants’ right to a fair and impartial jury, in the event it becomes apparent that a fair and impartial jury may not be procured, the court will afford the defendants the opportunity to renew their requests,” she wrote.

The judge also significantly shortened the lead time for the start of jury selection.

In an order handed down Aug. 8, in which she denied several other pretrial motions by the defendants, Moyle said the trial would start Oct. 30. In moving jury selection up to Sept. 22 at 9 a.m., Moyle said the prosecution had requested an alternative date due to a scheduling conflict.

Court administrator Frank Castellano said his office is in the process of issuing summonses to approximately 350 county residents to be part of the jury pool.

“We believe in ordering 350 we will have a sufficient number of individuals to who will appear on Sept. 22 to begin the (jury selection) process,” he said.

There is also still a chance the teens will never go to trial.

As the court-appointed mediator in the case, Senior Judge Carmen Minora is scheduled to confer Thursday with defense and prosecution attorneys to explore the potential for negotiated pleas with the defendants. He was assigned the role in July by President Judge Michael J. Barrasse.

Contact the writer: dsingleton@timesshamrock.com, 570-348-9132

POTTSVILLE — A Northumberland County man is headed to state prison after admitting to a Schuylkill County judge that he sold drugs and possessed paraphernalia in September 2016 in Shenandoah.

Vincent A. Davalos, 23, of Coal Township, pleaded guilty on Aug. 17 to deliver of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Prosecutors withdrew charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin accepted the plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced Davalos to serve 21 to 42 months in a state correctional institution, pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Shenandoah police charged Davalos with selling drugs on Sept. 13, 2016.

Also on Aug. 17, Kendra L. Crostley, 25, of Palmerton, pleaded guilty to burglary, criminal trespass and eight counts of theft. Prosecutors withdrew eight counts of receiving stolen property.

Dolbin accepted the plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced Crostley to serve 16 to 32 months in a state correctional institution, pay costs, a $50 CJEA payment and $24,848 restitution, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

West Penn Township police charged Crostley with committing her crimes on Aug. 28, 2016, in the township.

In other criminal court action, a Shenandoah woman faces prison time after a Schuylkill County jury convicted her on Friday of selling crack cocaine to a confidential informant in November 2016 in her residence.

Amy L. Sartori, 31, cried after jurors, who deliberated less than an hour, found her guilty of delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Judge James P. Goodman, who presided over Sartori’s one-day trial, ordered preparation of a presentence investigation and allowed Sartori to remain free on $25,000 percentage bail pending her sentencing, which he said he would schedule at a later date.

Shenandoah police charged Sartori with selling the crack cocaine in a controlled buy on or about Nov. 21, 2016.

“(The confidential informant) requested $100 worth of crack cocaine” from Sartori, an undercover police officer testified. The informant turned over the crack cocaine to him after the buy, the officer testified.

The officer also testified searches revealed the informant had no contraband on him before the buy and only the crack cocaine on him after it.

Adam Shober, a forensic drug analyst at the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, testified he analyzed the evidence in the case and that it was crack cocaine.

“Your conclusions were made within a reasonable degree of scientific certainty?” Deputy Assistant District Attorney Jennifer N. Foose asked Shober.

“Yes,” Shober answered.

In other recent county court action, Goodman revoked the parole of Heather L. Loar, 30, of Summit Hill, and sent her to state prison, where she could remain until March 12, 2021.

Loar originally pleaded guilty on Sept. 23, 2015, to driving under the influence, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of endangering the welfare of children and careless driving. At that time, Goodman sentenced Loar to serve one to two years in prison and pay costs, a $3,500 fine, $100 to the SAEF and $75 restitution.

Tamaqua police alleged Loar was DUI on June 11, 2014, in the borough.

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

SHENANDOAH — Over the past three years, more than $10,000 in repairs were made to the Pennsylvania Anthracite Miners Memorial, a landmark in the borough, Mary Luscavage, executive director of Downtown Shenandoah Inc., said Tuesday.

The memorial was built in 1996 and the latest effort to make improvements to it was called the Downtown Shenandoah Inc. 2015 Memorial Restoration project, Luscavage said.

On Friday, Joe Anczarski, a member of the DSI board of directors, fitted some new signature bricks into the walkway. They included one recognizing the project.

On Tuesday, Luscavage and Dino Cicioni, a representative of the firm hired to make the repairs, Cicioni Stone Co., Ringtown, discussed the project.

“During that 21 years, there was very little maintenance done. And that so often happens with all forms of masonry,” Cicioni said.

On Sept. 15, 1996, more than 200 people came out for the dedication of the memorial, which borders Girard Park at the northeast corner of North Main and East Washington streets.

Theodore Souchuck Sr. came up with the concept for the project and chaired the volunteer group that made it happen, the Pennsylvania Anthracite Miners Memorial Committee. The project cost $270,000, according to a Sept. 16, 1996, article in The Republican-Herald.

The centerpiece includes three high-relief bronze panels sculpted by Zenos Frudakis, Glenside, Montgomery County. The images he sculpted depict the lives of miners.

Over the years, exposure to the elements took a toll on the monument. In 2014, DSI got involved.

“Somebody had to step up and do something about it because it was falling into disrepair. And there was no money left from the original fundraising effort to do anything. So we restarted the brick program and the tile program,” Luscavage said.

She was referring to the sales of bricks and tiles that can carry the names of donors or their loved ones.

“I don’t have the exact number of bricks that we’ve sold, but there has to be more than 30 of them since 2015. And that’s how we raised some of the money to do this,” Luscavage said.

The project was done in two phases.

“The first phase focused on the perimeter. And the caps on top of the block planter walls had to be replaced because they were either broken or they were not mortared in,” Luscavage said.

“All the lower planters that are from waist-level down — there’s two large and one smaller one — the limestone capping was loose and, I guess, it was skateboarded on and it was neglected for a long time,” Cicioni said.

“And there were pieces missing and pieces that were loose. So for safety reasons, we figured we would do that first,” Cicioni said.

Representatives of Cicioni Stone who worked on the restoration included Dino Cicioni, his father, Alfred, and Dino’s son, Carmen, all of Ringtown.

“We had three generations there,” Dino Cicioni said.

Vincent J. McGee, Shenandoah, also worked on it.

“We took all that existing capping, which was 12-inches wide, brought it back to our shop and we cut an inch off the edge, front and the back edge, and returned it to new condition and we resurfaced the tops to retain the original saw-cut smooth finish like it would have been 21 years ago,” Cicioni said.

Phase I cost about $4,500, Luscavage said.

“Phase II was just done. All the stonework was cleaned and remortared. A lot of the caps were replaced. And the tiles were cleaned. They had to be. Salts in the block walls were leaking through because of the moisture,” Luscavage said.

Phase II included pressure washing the walls, repointing sections of the block walls and the block horizontal joints, and removing graffiti on the block walls with an air chisel, Cicioni said.

Cicioni estimated Phase II would cost about $7,000.

“I didn’t get the bill yet,” Luscavage said.

DSI received some financial assistance for the project. That included a $4,000 grant from the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation, Pottsville, and two grants from the Joseph A. Zane, Esq., Family Charitable Endowment Fund. One was $400 for Phase I and $800 for Phase II, Luscavage said.

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

POTTSVILLE — Minersville police Patrolman Jeffrey R. Bowers testified Tuesday in Schuylkill County Court that Sean T. Cooper’s residence contained lots of drugs and paraphernalia when it was raided in February 2016.

“You’re looking any place in the home where drugs can be found,” Bowers said on the first day of Cooper’s jury trial.

Bowers said police found 15 packets of methamphetamines, three digital scales, baggies, $401 in currency, drug-related paperwork, four cellphones, a glass smoking device, a datebook, a jar, a marijuana grinder and razor blades in the defendant’s 233 Stadium St. residence.

“Defendant was present , along with ... his girlfriend,” Bowers said.

Cooper, 46, of Minersville, faces charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. His trial, over which Judge Charles M. Miller is presiding, is scheduled to resume at 9 a.m. today with Assistant Public Defender Paul G. Domalakes, Cooper’s lawyer, presenting his case.

Miller dismissed two additional charges of possession of a controlled substance.

Minersville police alleged Cooper possessed a salable amount of meth, plus paraphernalia, on Feb. 16, 2016.

Bowers, who identified everything seized in the search, said he took all drug-related items to the station for storage and then to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem for testing.

“The integrity of the bags must be maintained,” Bowers, the prosecuting officer, said.

He also testified he obtained a search warrant to get the messages from the cellphone taken directly from Cooper.

An undercover Schuylkill County detective testified that he reviewed the evidence in the case and concluded Cooper intended to sell the meth. He said several factors led him to that conclusion.

“These are commonly small baggies that are used to repackage” drugs, especially meth, he said. Packaging in small amounts is a sign of possession with intent to deliver, he said.

Furthermore, the detective said some of the messages from Cooper’s cellphone are consistent with being a drug dealer.

He also said all the numbers being in even dollar amounts are a sign of dealing. Dealers do not bother with odd cents in setting their prices and collecting what is owed to them, he said.

Those and other factors led him to one conclusion, the detective said.

“They’re definitely possession with intent to deliver,” he said.

On Monday, a different jury found Cooper not guilty of criminal trespass and defiant trespass in a separate case.

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

The defendant

· Name: Sean T. Cooper

· Age: 46

· Residence: Minersville

· Charges: possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia