Rebecca Margerum

ELIZABETHVILLE — Defendants whose cases Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum considered, the charges against each one and the judge’s disposition on the matters, included:

Justin J. Ney, 31, of 1552 Creek Road, Pitman; theft by deception; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.

Anthony R. Troutman, 32, of 306 S. Front St. No. 1 Rear, Wormleysburg; resisting arrest, simple assault and harassment; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Randy E. Wenrich Jr., 39, of 8741 Route 25, Spring Glen; DUI, DUI while suspended, driving unregistered vehicle, driving without a license, driving under suspension-DUI related, operating vehicle without required financial responsibility, disregarding traffic lane, careless driving, reckless driving, failure to use turn signal, operating vehicle without valid inspection, violation on prohibition on expenditures for emission inspection and unlawful operation of snowmobile or ATV; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges of driving without a license, driving under suspension-DUI related, disregarding traffic lane, reckless driving, failure to use turn signal and unlawful operation of snowmobile or ATV withdrawn, other charges bound over for court.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-17, Moosic, talked with constituents Tuesday about topics ranging from North Korea, the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, grants to firefighters and local issues.

About 40 people attended the Coffee with your Congressman get-together at the Senior Citizen/Neighborhood Community Center in the borough.

“I’m in this to help the people in this area,” he said of his work in the Congress.

Those in attendance had the chance to ask Cartwright questions and help themselves to free coffee and donuts. Someone asked a question about North Korea and the ongoing situation there.

“Does Matt Cartwright have the answer to North Korea? That is a negative,” Cartwright said to attendees.

He is “watching the situation closely.” Whatever action is taken can have long-lasting consequences, he said, adding there are 500,000 Americans living in Seoul, South Korea.

“We need to enact much more harsher economic sanctions on North Korea,” he said.

He approves of the manner that U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley is handling the situation. He thinks military action is “the last resort,” because of the history in the area.

“It’s a hard problem,” Cartwright said.

“Somebody should put away their Twitter finger,” John Hutman, 68, of New Ringgold, said in reference to President Donald Trump.

“I have to say I generally agree with that. I don’t use Twitter myself,” Cartwright said.

The devastating aftermath of Hurricane Harvey was another topic mentioned. As much as 52 inches of rain inundated the area. Cartwright said he is going to vote to authorize additional Federal Emergency Management Agency relief for affected area.

“These are our fellow Americans and we are the United States,” he said.

The real question people should be asking is why these powerful storms are forming, the congressman said. “Climate change is causing these extreme weather events.”

One resident talked about the importance of grants to volunteer fire companies in Schuylkill County. The resident said his grandson is a paid fireman in Reading. He said the volunteers in the county should be commended for their dedication. He said if the communities didn’t get state or federal grants, it would make their job more difficult providing the life-saving service to the community because they would have to spend even more time fundraising.

“That is a huge sacrifice being a volunteer firefighter,” Cartwright said.

Charles Greer, a Marine Corps veteran from Schuylkill Haven, thanked Cartwright for helping him obtain his medals from his time in the military.

“Do something bigger than yourself. You will never regret it,” Greer told the audience.

“Thank you for your service, Charles,” Cartwright said.

The Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Project that will wind through several municipalities in western Schuylkill County was also mentioned.

“FERC (The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) has eminent domain power,” Cartwright said.

Some people might not like that but it is the law, he said. He has been writing letters to the FERC asking them to be as transparent with the process as possible.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

Police investigate

Pottsville crash

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville police investigated a crash that occurred about 2:30 a.m. Saturday in the 2100 block of West Market Street.

Police said their investigation revealed that David Allen Close Jr., 25, of Saint Clair, was driving a Chevrolet Tahoe owned by a Pottsville man who was a front-seat passenger.

Close lost control of the SUV and struck a legally parked and unattended Toyota Corolla that was on the right side of the road in front of 2116 W. Market St., police said.

The impact pushed the Toyota into a Chevrolet Colorado that was legally parked in front of it.

Police said no injuries were reported and that Close was taken into custody for DUI and later released after receiving a blood alcohol test.

Cpl. Renee Truscott will be filing the appropriate charges against Close when the blood alcohol tests are received, police said.

Police said that both the Tahoe and Corolla sustained disabling damage while the Colorado sustained minor damages.

MINERSVILLE — The park that will be built on the site of the former American Legion Post’s headquarters was a topic of discussion Tuesday at the borough council meeting.

The county was awarded a $1.4 million grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development earlier this year. The former American Legion in Minersville was the first building to be demolished with the funds. The borough was awarded a $100,000 grant from the state earlier this year to build the park, which will likely not occur until next year.

Chris Brown, a project engineer with Derck & Edson, a downtown planning firm specializing in landscape architecture, civil engineering and architecture in Lititz, talked to the council. The firm was recommended by the borough engineering firm, Entech Engineering, to do the work on the yet-to-be-constructed park.

“I think people will want to do this project,” Brown said.

Community park projects have a lot of appeal to the community, he said. Borough leaders need to decide what features they want for it.

“I see a lot of opportunity,” Brown said of the site, adding that the remaining wall and gates could be used.

The council may decide to hire the firm in the future, but took no action on it or any of the agenda items Tuesday. The regular council meeting is 7 p.m. Sept. 12.

In other news, the Minersville Police Department could be looking for a new officer, as a recently hired one is going to the state police academy next year. There are five full-time and 10 part-time officers on the borough’s police force.

Completion of the Green Light-Go agreement and a resolution authorizing borough representatives to sign the agreements is needed soon. The borough was awarded funding from the state Department of Transportation under its Green Light-Go program, which has the goal of improving safety, reducing congestion and improving traffic flow in the area, earlier this year. The borough is required to contribute 20 percent toward the project and bid it out.

The borough received funding for two projects: $181,920 for traffic signal re timing and coordination at eight intersections along the Sunbury Street Corridor and $308,270 for pedestrian improvements and installation or overspeed warning systems at those intersections along the Sunbury Street Corridor, according to a press release from Gov. Tom Wolf’s office.

Minersville Borough Manager Robert Mahalchick said the smaller project involves replacing all eight traffic signals in the borough, video detection on lights for vehicles and other improvements. The more expensive project involves installing a “speed warning device for eastbound Route 901 west of Sixth Street and upgrades to the traffic signal at Sixth Street,” Mahalchick wrote in a letter to PennDOT.

An exact timeline for the project was not mentioned.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

Editor’s note: This is the eighth of an occasional series recalling Schuylkill County’s role in World War I, which the United States entered a century ago.

POTTSVILLE — Before he found himself in the midst of gunfire on the battlefields of France during The Great War, Nathan Ambrose Reddington worked at a hardware store in Pottsville.

“He was a clerk. I don’t know the name of the store. Then he was inducted,” Reddington’s great-nephew, Jim Martin, West West Terrace, said.

His adventures in France led Reddington to a Silver Star.

He even got a mention in the “Joseph H. Zerbey History of Pottsville and Schuylkill County,” published in 1936.

The Zerbey History quoted an article about Reddington published in the “Williamsport Grit.”

“Sgt. Nathan A. Reddington of Pottsville, a member of the Robert B. Woodbury Post No. 67, American Legion, has just been awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action and meritorious service during the World War. He participated in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, the Montfaucon and Tryon sector defensive and the Grant Montague offensive, showing extraordinary heroism at Surmeuse from Nov. 3 to 11, 1918. When his commanding officer fell, he took charge of the command under heavy gunfire and led the company against a heavily fortified German machine gun position, capturing nine gunners and three weapons,” according to the Williamsport Grit.

“I believe if he had been an officer, he would have gotten the Medal of Honor,” Martin said.

Born in Mount Laffee, Dec. 18, 1889, Nathan Reddington was a son of the late James Reddington and Catherine Lauftus Reddington. He served in the Army from Sept. 21, 1917 to June 7, 1919.

“My dad told me about him when I was a boy. I knew the story from when I was in seventh or eighth grade,” Martin said.

He has a few photos of Reddington from the era.

“Here he is down at the Pottsville railroad station down where One Norwegian Plaza is now. That’s the fall of 1917. And he’s with is sister, Delia Okum,” Martin said, describing one of them. “I heard he had a girlfriend when he went away to war. She was a teacher. And by the time he came back, she’d married another teacher.”

Reddington served overseas July 7, 1918, to May 29, 1919. He was honorably discharged June 7, 1919, at Camp Dix, New Jersey, according to a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Veterans Compensation Application Reddington filled out in 1934. With it, he received $200. His rank was first sergeant Co. D 316 Infantry, according to his grave marker. He died Aug. 29, 1963, and was buried in St. Patrick Cemetery, Pottsville.

He was a member of Mary Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church and American Legion Post, both of Pottsville, according to his obituary, which was published in The Pottsville Republican on Aug. 30, 1963.

Martin was born Sept. 8, 1949, a son of the late Ellen Reddington and William J. Martin.

“Nathan Reddington was my mother’s uncle. He was an older man when I knew him, and he would come to the house two or three times a year,” Martin said. “We’d have him over for Christmas and Thanksgiving or Easter. He lived out at the family homestead at Mount Laffee.

“He was a sharp guy. Neat dresser. He was quiet, but when he said something he was brief and to the point. And when my mom’s brother, John Reddington, was going to World War II, he told him ‘Learn all you can about the weapons,’ ” Martin said.

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

More than 100 students in Schuylkill County were forced to stay home Tuesday because they weren’t in compliance with the state Department of Health’s new immunization requirements.

“They failed to provide medical plans signed by their health care providers, and that resulted in exclusion from school,” Mahanoy Area Superintendent Joie L. Green said Tuesday.

The superintendents of the following schools provided the number of students absent as a result of the new regulations: Blue Mountain, 1; Mahanoy Area, 3; Pottsville Area, 21; Tamaqua Area , 55; Tri-Valley, 28; and Williams Valley, 4.

According to the DOH website, www.dontwaitvaccinate.pa.gov, the new vaccination requirements are:

• Combination form of diphtheria and tetanus

• Pertussis vaccination

• Combination form of measles, mumps and rubella

• Meningococcal conjugate vaccine for entry into 12th grade or, in an ungraded school, the school year the child turns 18

“All absences have the potential to negatively impact education,” Raymond J. Kinder, the superintendent of Tamaqua Area, said.

“I can see an initial impact on student absence, but not a long-term issue,” Gregory S. Koons, executive director of Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29.

All students were in compliance Tuesday at Minersville Area, North Schuylkill, Saint Clair Area and Schuylkill Haven Area.

“The new regulations are there to protect all of our students from contracting meningitis and prevention is the key,” Carl G. McBreen, superintendent of Minersville Area, said.

The first day of the 2017-18 school year for Shenandoah Valley is today, so that’s when school officials will learn how many students are in compliance, Superintendent Brian Waite said.

“At the end of the last school year we sent out educational information referencing the updated immunization regulations and monitored all returns all summer. Our parents responded very well,” McBreen said.

A total of 142 students are enrolled at the Maple Avenue Campus of Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29. Of those, five hadn’t met the regulations, Koons said. Of 173 students at Schuylkill Technology Center-North, Frackville, seven hadn’t met the regulations. Of 175 students at Schuylkill Technology Center-South, Mar Lin, one hadn’t met the requirement.

Of the 227 students enrolled at Gillingham Charter School in Pottsville, two were absent Tuesday because of the requirement, Andrew Moran, Gillingham’s enrollment and communications coordinator, said.

“We prioritize the health, safety and welfare of all our students, and we follow all state and federal regulations. If families do not provide the required documents in regards to immunizations, then attendance will be impacted, but the school will provide all necessary assignments and learning materials so that effected students can stay on track,” Melissa Reese, a representative for the firm Gillingham contracts for its public relations, Sylvia Marketing, said.

Since Pine Grove Area’s students had a day off Friday, Heath W. Renninger, the superintendent, said the deadline for their students to be in step with immunization regulations is today .

On Tuesday, he said 23 of Pine Grove Area’s students were not in compliance, but “we expect that number to be down by half by Wednesday. We’re making calls to parents. At the end of the day today, we’re forwarding a letter to all the students involved.”

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

The Schuylkill Mall, Frackville, played an important role in many lives in and around Schuylkill County.

We’d like to hear about your memories: first dates, first jobs, community events or whatever special moments were part of your life at the former mall facing demolition.

The Republican-Herald is seeking memories from people who frequented the Schuylkill Mall, either as patrons or employees. Please contact Staff Writer Vicki Terwilliger at vterwilliger@republicanherald.com or call 570-628-6007.

POTTSVILLE — Locations and times have been finalized for Schuylkill County’s annual Fall Cleanup and Recycling event this month.

There will be 14 drop-off locations throughout the county over the course of two weeks starting Sept. 11. The program is funded through the Schuylkill County commissioners while the state Department of Environmental Protection reimburses the county up to 50 percent of the costs. The annual recycling program accepts tires, appliances and bulky items and is open to all county residents. Electronics will not be accepted for the second year in a row due to escalating costs.

Only automobile, light truck, and motorcycle and RV tires up to 16 inches will be accepted. There is a $2 fee for tires without rims and a $3 fee for tires with rims. There is a 10-tire limit per load and no more than two loads per customer.

Freon-bearing appliances, such as air conditioners, refrigerators and dehumidifiers carry a $10 fee. Non-freon-bearing appliances and scrap metal, such as stoves, washers, dryers, water heaters, bicycles, barbecue grills and metal furniture are collected at no charge.

Bulky items such as mattresses, box springs, rolls of carpet, doors and windows carry a $10 fee. Sofas and overstuffed chairs are $5 per cushion.

Household hazardous waste such as paints, solvents, cleaners and poisons will not be accepted.

Last year, the county collected 29.89 tons of tires, 48.24 tons of bulky items and 44.54 tons of scrap metal and appliances. The 2015 cleanup collected 60.59 tons in tires, 65.66 tons in scrap metal and appliances, 79.08 tons in bulky items and 288 tons in electronics.

The commissioners approved a contract with Mahantongo Enterprises Inc., Liverpool, to collect materials this year at a rate of $100 per ton, with a five-ton minimum per load, and various pulling fees ranging from $510 to $810 for each drop-off location.

Electronics were scrapped from the 2016 Fall Cleanup when it would have cost upwards of $180,000 to include as part of the recycling program.

Goodwill Keystone Area at the Cressona Mall and the Salvation Army Family Store, Pottsville, will accept specific types of electronics, but not televisions. Bloomsburg Recycling Center, Bloomsburg, accepts various types of electronics, but recently stopped collecting televisions. Staples at the Cressona Mall accepts various cellphone and computer items, but not televisions.

Responsible Recycling Services, Kutztown, is the closest place Schuylkill County residents can drop off their old televisions. They charge $35 for CRT televisions and $55 for larger consoles. A list of drop-off locations and events are available on their website at www.responsiblerecyclingservices.com.

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

POTTSVILLE — James F. Goliwas sits in prison after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday on charges he both watched and sent child pornography by computer from December 2016 through July.

Goliwas, 26, of Country Squire, 300 Route 61, Apt. 12, Schuylkill Haven, is charged with 20 counts of sexual abuse of children-child pornography, three of dissemination of photo or film of child sex acts and one of criminal use of a communication facility.

Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier bound over all charges for court after Goliwas waived his right to the hearing. Goliwas then returned to prison, where he is being held in lieu of $150,000 straight cash bail.

The state attorney general’s office filed the charges against Goliwas, alleging he had 20 images of the child porn and, in three cases, sent it to other people by email between Dec. 20, 2016, and July 28. Goliwas used four computers to watch and send the child porn, prosecutors allege.

Prosecutors said Goliwas admitted looking at child porn, saying he had done so since he was a teenager.

Goliwas said he knew it was wrong but he did so anyway, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors said they found more than 1,000 images and videos of child porn on Goliwas’ electronic devices. Images in the child porn included both boys and girls, prosecutors allege.

“Videos depicted the children engaged in sexual conduct involving indecent conduct,” according to the Affidavit of Probable Cause.

Contact the writer: pbortner@republicanherald.com; 570-366-9240

The defendant

· Name: James F. Goliwas

· Age: 26

· Residence: Schuylkill Haven

· Charges: 20 counts of sexual abuse of children-child pornography, three of dissemination of photo or film of child sex acts and one of criminal use of a communication facility

POTTSVILLE — The Pottsville Area School District and Pottsville Area School District Education Association have come to an agreement.

The school board voted to approve a collective bargaining agreement between the two entities retroactive from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018.

“It is with pride that I actually make this motion,” board member Pat Moran said.

The one-year contract involves no pay increase for the teachers — 183 covered by the union — for the length of the contract. The teachers had been working under the old contract as per state law. Other changes included the manner in which the teachers are evaluated and teachers paying 25 percent less toward their health premiums.

Moran said he appreciated working with the negotiating team from the education association and Steve Cholish, UniServ representative with the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

“We met, sometimes not on a happy note, but we always worked together,” Moran said

Ann Blankenhorn, another negotiating team member, said she felt that everyone was there “with a common focus to really show collaboration to come up with an agreement. Yes, we had some long sessions, some shorter, but working together, I appreciate the time commitment that you all have committed to get this done.”

Superintendent Jeffrey S. Zwiebel thanked Moran, Blankenhorn and PASDEA for their dedication.

“It’s a win/win for both groups, and we are very happy to be able to move on,” Zwiebel said.

“I think it’s great that we are all in this together, and I think as a result of this contract, the future bodes well for the Pottsville Area School District. I mean, the teachers are with us, we are with the teachers. It couldn’t be better. It couldn’t be better,” board member William Davidson said.

“Under the circumstances, we feel that we have come to the best agreement for all. It doesn’t impede the recovery of the district’s financial position in any way, and I want to thank Pat and Ann for the collaboration in the process,” Cholish said.

School board President John Boran and member Karen Rismiller abstained from voting on the agreement. Board member Charles Wagner was absent. All others voted yes.

In other action, the board accepted the resignation of Jeffrey Godin, high school assistant principal, effective Sept. 15, because he obtained employment in the private sector out of the county. Richard Boris, who is the assistant principal at John S. Clarke Elementary Center, was transferred to serve in the position, effective Sept. 18.

Deneen Reese was transferred from the position of special education supervisor to be elementary assistant principal at John S. Clarke Elementary Center, effective Sept. 18. The special education supervisor position will not be filled, Zwiebel said.

The board accepted the resignation due to retirement of Leslie Payne, D.H.H. Lengel Middle School technology education teacher, effective Aug. 31.

King, Spry, Herman, Freund and Faul LLC, Bethlehem, was chosen to provide legal services to the school district for the 2017-18 school year with a retainer of $18,500 payable in 10 installments. Jeffrey T. Tucker, solicitor with the firm, has been at several of the school board meetings. Tucker was hired as special counsel to the district in November 2016.

In other matters, Rich Grate, a school district resident, said the district should provide more information on executive sessions. Boran had said the board held an executive session prior to the meeting.

“Can you specify?” Grate asked.

Boran said it was for personnel reasons.

“That’s not good enough,” Grate said.

“That’s all I can tell you,” Boran said.

Tucker said he had Grate’s notes citing a commonwealth court decision of what he said were examples of things that qualify as insufficient information.

“I also bring with me to every meeting The Sunshine Act,” Tucker said, adding he would have to read Grate’s comments.

“We will get back in touch with you,” Boran said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

Police: Man traded

guns for drugs, cash

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville police filed charges of two counts of unauthorized sale or transfer of a firearm against Earl Williams, 35, of Saint Clair, on Aug. 7.

Police said the charges are the result of a separate drug investigation on July 29 when a search warrant was executed at the home of Scott R. Dronick, 35, at 335 E. Norwegian St.

The warrant uncovered a Smith and Wesson .22-caliber handgun and a 9 mm Sig Sauer handgun not registered to Dronick along with controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.

The subsequent investigation into the firearm possession showed that the guns were registered to Williams.

Interviews with several people with knowledge of the incident as well as with Williams himself indicated that Williams had traded or sold the handguns to Dronick in exchange for synthetic marijuana and cash, police said.

Based on that information, Detective Kirk Becker filed the two counts of sale or transfer of a firearm against Williams.

None injured in

Pottsville SUV fire

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville police are investigating a vehicle that caught fire about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Police said that a 38-year-old Orwigsburg man was driving a GMC Yukon north in the unit block of South Third Street when he smelled smoke coming from his SUV and pulled over into a legal parking space.

At that time, police said, the man saw flames coming from the vehicle and Pottsville police and firefighters responded and contained the damage to the man’s SUV. That vehicle sustained extensive damage and had to be towed from the scene, police said.

Police said no injuries were reported and at this time the fire is not believed to be suspicious, most likely caused by an equipment failure.

Police announce

DUI checkpoints

The North Central Regional Sobriety Checkpoint DUI Taskforce announced that Sobriety Checkpoints and Roving DUI Patrols will be conducted now through Sept. 17 on routes 61,183, 901, 209, 1006, 309, 1008, 443, 895,125, 25, 924 and 54.

Travelers are reminded to call 911 if they suspect a drunk driver or to call, toll-free, 1-888-UNDER21, to report underage drinking.

The Sobriety Checkpoints are part of the North Central PA Regional Sobriety Checkpoint and Expanded DUI/Underage Drinking Enforcement Program funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

SAINT CLAIR — Borough police are investigating a report of a shooting that occurred early Wednesday evening inside a black Subaru sport utility vehicle parked at Walmart.

One person was taken by ambulance to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street, according to borough Police Chief William M. “Bill” Dempsey.

“The situation is under control. There is no threat to the public,” Dempsey said.

It occurred at 6:08 p.m. in Row 6 of the parking lot at 500 Terry Rich Blvd., about 70 feet north of store’s Home & Pharmacy entrance.

“At about 6:10 p.m., we responded to a report of shots fired. We discovered an individual with a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” Dempsey said.

Dempsey would not release the person’s name or confirm if it was a man or a woman. He wouldn’t reveal the person’s condition. He also wouldn’t say if there were any other people inside the vehicle at the time of the incident.

Dempsey said the police found “a firearm” inside the vehicle but would not be more specific since the investigation was continuing.

The passenger-side rear window of the vehicle was shattered. The vehicle will be held at an impound facility as police continue the investigation.

“That’s all I’m going to release because it’s still under investigation,” Dempsey said.

Darren Amos, 38, of Pottsville, said he heard the shot and called the Schuylkill County Communications Center.

“We heard, like, a car hitting a car,” Amos said. He said he believed the person who was injured was a woman.

Responders included police from Saint Clair, New Philadelphia and Minersville and Schuylkill EMS, according to a Schuylkill County Communications Center supervisor. The supervisor said the scene was cleared by 7:41 p.m.

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

The Schuylkill Area Community Foundation board of directors unanimously elected Amanda Campbell to the position of executive director at its August meeting, the foundation announced Wednesday.

Campbell resides with her family in Ringtown, according to a foundation press release.

SACF is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established in 1967 under the name of Ashland Trusts. The foundation works with individual donors, businesses and professional advisors to establish charitable endowment funds that benefit nonprofit organizations and residents in Schuylkill County.

Campbell holds a bachelor’s degree in communications/journalism from Shippensburg University and is a 2016 graduate of the Chamber of Commerce Schuylkill Leadership program. Her resume includes five years as marketing program manager with MBNA America in Hunt Valley, Maryland. For the last six years, she served as advancement director of St. Joseph’s Center for Special Learning Inc., Pottsville.

The foundation, celebrating 50 years of charitable giving, envisions continuing to serve the interests of philanthropic donors for future generations. Campbell will be working to strengthen and promote charitable giving in Schuylkill County, the release said.

To “Give Locally, Help Locally,” contact Campbell for information at the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation office at 570-624-7223 or through www.sacfoundation.com.

POTTSVILLE — Schuylkill County drivers are set to pay an additional $5 fee to register their vehicles in 2018.

The county commissioners adopted the ordinance Wednesday at a work session to impose the $5 fee on vehicle registration starting Jan. 1. The fee will be collected through the state Department of Transportation when someone registers their vehicle and then remitted in full back to the county to spend on construction, replacement, maintenance, and repair of public roads and bridges.

“Rather than putting this on the back of just property owners, this is more equitable in that people who own vehicles will help pay for the bridges they may be crossing,” commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. said. “I think it is necessary.”

The additional $5 on each vehicle registered in the county will more than double the amount of money spent annually by the county to maintain bridges and roads.

The county currently receives about $600,000 from the state’s annual liquid fuels fund allocation, which comes from taxes collected at gas pumps. Local allocation is based on population and miles of road. The new fee will generate more than $750,000.

Gov. Tom Corbett gave counties in Pennsylvania the option of adopting the $5 fee in his 2013 transportation plan, also known as Act 89. The legislation included higher fees and an increase in per-gallon gasoline tax to generate billions of dollars for infrastructure improvements. County allocation is based on population and miles of road.

By approving the ordinance, the county will also be eligible for an additional $2 million in bridge funding through PennDOT’s Road Maintenance and Preservation program, according to Lisa Mahall, county engineer. The program requires a local match, which will come from the $5 fee.

The county owns 62 bridges and three roads across its 67 municipalities.

While the county still owns Highridge Road in Cass Township, the Highridge Improvement District was formed in 2015 to maintain the road.

Airport Road, which runs from Route 901 to the Schuylkill County’s Joe Zerbey Airport, Foster Township, is maintained with help from PennDOT since the state often uses the road.

However, the county is still responsible for University Drive, which runs from Route 61 to Penn State Schuylkill in Schuylkill Haven, and will repair the road with the additional funding.

In other matters, the county received three bids to install an ADA-compliant ramp on Fourth Street, Tower City. The project is funded through the Community Development Block Grant program.

Bids received were: Bill Davis Cement Contractors, Mahanoy City, $54,470.63; Heim Construction Co., Orwigsburg, $44,533.45; and Arthur “Pat” Aungst Inc., Pine Grove, $36,836.

The commissioners also approved to advertise bids for the sale of county surplus vehicles. Bids are due in the controller’s office by 3 p.m. Sept. 25 and will be opened at the work session meeting on Oct. 4. Vehicles will be tentatively awarded to the highest bidder at the Oct. 18 work session.

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

In the six years since Tropical Storm Lee caused devastating flooding in Schuylkill County, community leaders say the county is taking a more proactive approach to handling disasters, but more is needed on flood prevention.

As the U.S. braces for Hurricane Irma and deals with the aftermath of Harvey, Schuylkill County prepares for the future.

“Doing nothing ensures flooding will continue. We do know this — if the area flooded once, it will happen again — it is not how many days since the last flood, it is one day closer until the next,” William “Bill” Reichert, flood recovery manager Upper Swatara, warned.

It was six years ago today that flood damage from Tropical Storm Lee and remnants from Hurricane Irene became evident. The deluge began in the county Sept. 4, 2011, as Tropical Storm Lee finished its journey across the eastern United States. It dumped 15 inches of rain in some locations, causing the Swatara Creek to overflow its banks.

Although flooding affected the entire county, municipalities in the Swatara Creek watershed were especially hard hit, particularly Pine Grove Borough, Pine Grove Township and Klingerstown in Upper Mahantongo Township. Hundreds were evacuated as fire departments and emergency crews worked around the clock to pump out basements and tend to the rescued. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, Pennsylvania EMA and Schuylkill County EMA were called into action.

“I was a lieutenant and also the officer-in-charge at the time,” Pine Grove Police Chief Thomas Trotter said. “We were blindsided by this. We were helping to get people out of their homes on the fly. I agree that we’ve learned the do’s and the don’ts. It’s been a learning process.”

Once the National Guard came in, procedures became more coordinated, Trotter said. The Guard was under control of emergency management and the police department, he said. The Guard patrolled with police officers because the Guard’s humvees were better able to get through the water than police vehicles.

“There was a lot of looting going on. People were cutting up copper,” Trotter said.

Trotter said the command center was set up on higher ground at the Pine Grove Area High School and was a good place to house those displaced.

“It was a long few weeks,” he said.

Scars remain

Tom Fickinger, Pine Grove Borough Council president, and Len Clark, Streets and Water supervisor and councilman, walked through the borough Tuesday, showing vacant lots where tax-paying citizens once lived. In the borough, 11 homes were bought out by FEMA; another four were bought out through a repetitive loss grant.

Today, only a Pine Grove youth soccer field sits on two, conjoined buy-out sites. The rest are grass lots, owned by the borough, which are barred from putting up permanent structures or developing them, due to FEMA rules.

Flooding in Pine Grove is what prompted Fickinger to seek a seat on borough council, he said. The retired DuPont engineer serves on several borough committees, including flood mitigation.

Fickinger and Clark said there have been several projects done: a sluice built along Spruce and Laurel streets; widening along Swatara Creek; island removal at East Mill Street bridge; storm drainage pipe replacement near the VFW property; and debris cleaned out of a drainage pipe for water coming off the cemeteries at the south end of town. Before storms, the borough clears all drains of debris.

On Clark’s “wish list” is an improved storm drain system on north and south Tulpehocken Street. Fickinger would like to see stream widening near the Pleasant Valley Homes site.

Probable disaster

“Our agency along with the local municipal emergency management coordinators realize flooding events are the most probable disaster we face,” John M. Matz, SCEMA coordinator, said. “Though we have heightened awareness during hurricane season (June to November) we are never without potential for flooding. Significant flooding has occurred without the aggravating factor of a tropical system.”

He said winter storms, followed by quick thaws, rains in spring and summer and thunderstorms have all meant flooding in the county.

“We have increased the communications between the county and all of our municipal partners, emergency services, support agencies, business and industry and the public. In anticipation of a storm, we reach out to communities encouraging them to ‘lean forward’ prior to the event,” he said. “This may include manning fire stations; insuring potential shelters are available and able to be staffed; expanding coverage of public works employees; clearing debris from creeks, streams and storm drains; stocking extra supplies and fuels; monitoring areas known to flood, closing roadways that are flooded with barricades; reminding residents and business to secure items that may be washed away by flood waters; and contribute to blocked drains or obstructions at bridges or culverts. ”

Model effort

The Swatara Watershed Committee meets on a regular basis and has done much work throughout the area, according to Matz.

“Wayne Lehman (county natural resource specialist) of the conservation district and Bill Reichert have done tremendous work with the municipalities, businesses and organizations in that area to minimize the impact of flooding within the watershed,” he said. “The Swatara Watershed Committee has done tremendous work and improved the situation, though there still is a great deal to accomplish. The concept and cooperation has been very successful and should serve as a model for other watershed areas.”

Reichert has a part-time position funded by a cooperative agreement between the boroughs, townships, county, Schuylkill Economic Development Corp. and Schuylkill County Industrial Development Authority. He works under the Schuylkill Conservation District.

The Swatara Flood Recovery Workgroup was formed shortly after the 2011 floods and consists of representatives of communities in the watershed: Tremont Borough, Frailey Township, Pine Grove Township, Pine Grove Borough, Tremont Township and representatives from the offices of Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, Rush Township, and Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, Pottsville.

Reichert said the group learned about the watershed as a whole and the importance of working together.

Projects completed

The workgroup identified a number of possible mitigation issues throughout the watershed while working with FEMA and PEMA after the 2011 floods. It undertook several small projects:

An abandoned water pipe including walk bridge near Guilford Mills was removed, after it was identified as pinch point of the Swatara during flood conditions. Removal of sediment and brush under a bridge span in Pine Grove was completed to remove another pinch point. A streambank stabilization project in Swatara Creek was done to reduce sedimentation buildups in the channel in Tremont and downstream.

A number of tree-planting projects took place amounting to 50 acres of reclaimed minelands being reforested countywide. Approximately half was done by volunteers, but a 26-acre parcel was planted by Williams Forestry. That effort was funded through a $16,000 grant from the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds.

The Workgroup, with PA DEP Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation, insured stormwater controls were adequate in an abandoned mineland reclamation project in Pine Grove Township.

The trees were donated, except for the 26-acre project which was funded through the Foundation for PA Watersheds, Reichert said.

Need

The workgroup is working on two large floodplain restoration projects. The Good Spring Floodplain Restoration Project, Donaldson, and the Swatara Floodplain Restoration Project, Pine Grove, will have a major mitigation impact on future flooding in the Swatara Watershed from Donaldson to the confluence with the Susquehanna and beyond to the Chesapeake Bay, Reichert said.

“The county has many areas of concern due to both the topography and historical settlement of our towns in and around rivers and streams. Many of our communities have suffered floods and will do so in the future due to the fact of so many having built within the floodplains,” Reichert said. “I had suggested to the county commissioners that a position such as mine be created to cover the entire county.”

Reichert said he made the suggestion because progress has been uneven.

For example, Port Carbon received a grant to study flood issues in the borough. The study sits on a shelf with no one to make it happen.

Port Clinton and Landingville have experienced repeated flooding.

Tamaqua has flood issues related to Wabash Creek.

But Schuylkill Haven addressed flooding with a floodplain restoration project and floodwall reconstruct.

“The sad part is, little work is being done to try to mitigate future floods. It is a potentially big issue since recent storms seem to be getting stronger and more violent,” Reichert said. “Most would look on these as problems inherit with our past and unsolvable. I would look on it as opportunities to make our communities stronger. We can incorporate flood mitigation with quality of life issues. For instance, the area known as the Firth Locks between Pottsville and Port Carbon could be restored to a passive recreation area with restored locks, walking trails, river access and floodplain restoration that would reduce flooding in Port Carbon and downstream communities.”

Resources

There are many areas that need attention; however, the reality is that funds must be secured to engineer and complete each project, Matz said. Getting to the point of correcting each will take time and significant resources.

“We have areas where box culverts are under homes and roadways, structures are in the floodplain, sediment is building in streambeds and other factors that may contribute to localized flooding events,” Matz said.

The Local Emergency Planning Committee and the county planning department have been working on a map showing potential hazards. It’s an ongoing project that will continue to evolve, Matz said. The map viewer is available at http://gis.co.schuylkill.pa.us/mapviewer.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

FRACKVILLE — A Virginia man charged by Girardville police with trying to lure a young child into his vehicle in Girardville last month had charges against him held for court following a preliminary hearing Wednesday morning.

Richard Scott Carver, 46, of Colonial Beach, appeared for the 45-minute hearing before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale on charges of felony luring a child into a vehicle, felony attempted interfering with the custody of children and a misdemeanor of indecent exposure.

After hearing testimony from four witnesses, the 12-year-old victim, his 15-year-old friend, Girardville Mayor Joseph Catizone and the arresting officer, Girardville police Patrolman Jody Long, Hale ruled the commonwealth proved a prima facie case and ordered all three charges held for Schuylkill County Court.

The victim said he was riding his bicycle with a friend about 8:20 p.m. and was in the area of William and Oak streets when a car approached and the driver rolled down his window slightly and said hello.

He said the man, later identified as Carver, then rolled his window down more and reached out and said “give me five.” The child then said the man asked him to grab his hand and when he said “no,” the man drove off.

The 15-year-old told a similar story, saying that although he did not hear the initial comments, he saw the man put his had out of the window, say “give me five” and then asked his friend to grab his hand.

The 15-year-old said he and his friend rode their bikes off in different directions while Carver drove away. The teen said he knew what Carver looked like and where he lived because he rides a gas-powered mini bike.

Catizone told the court he was at a fire company block party when a woman came to him and reported an attempted abduction.

Catizone said he then saw the 12-year-old who was visibly shaken and crying.

After contacting Long, the mayor said he, Long, the victim and his mother rode around the borough looking for the car that was involved in the incident. Catizone said the four then saw the 15-year-old boy, who pointed out where the man lived.

At the property to the rear of 9 W. Ogden St., Long said he saw a similar vehicle and was approached by Carver. After being told about the possible abduction, Long said Carver kept saying, “It wasn’t me.”

After Carver was positively identified by the victim both by sight and by the sound of his voice, Long said he took the man into custody and returned him to the police station.

Long said that Carver was disruptive and combative at the police station and at one point said he was becoming ill. After being cleared by EMS, Carver continued to be disruptive, exposed himself, and said more than once that he was a child molester.

After testimony, Carver’s attorney, Chief Public Defender Michael Stine, said the actions of his client did not meet what the state court requires to be considered luring of a child.

Stine said that since there was no enticement or threat made by Carver, his actions could be considered inviting and not luring.

“That element has not been met,” Stine said.

However, Assistant District Attorney David Rice countered by saying the court has to look at the entire picture starting with a man pulling up to a child he does not know, extending his arm and saying take my hand.

“Take my hand, that’s a command coming from an adult to a child,” Rice said.

Hale agreed and ruled in favor of the prosecution.

Following the hearing, Carver was returned to Schuylkill County Prison, where he is being held on $20,000 straight cash bail set by Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg, at the time of his arrest.

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

MAHANOY CITY — While making arrangements to eliminate its middle school earlier this year, the Mahanoy Area School District came up with a plan to develop a classroom dedicated to the wonders of technology.

“We’re developing a MakerSpace,” district Superintendent Joie L. Green said.

Once the state budget is approved, grant funding will allow the Schuylkill Schools & Homes In Education After School Program to complete the project, Green said. It will include a new Lego wall and a “$9,000 robot” that Mahanoy Area will share with the MakerSpace at Shenandoah Valley, Green said.

“It will only take around $2,500 dollars to complete the MakerSpace,” Rachel K. Strucko, director of SHINE, said Wednesday.

“When we were reconfiguring our schools, Rachel contacted me and she said she had an idea about a MakerSpace. I did see the MakerSpace at the IU, so I knew what she was talking about. We decided we were going to set one room aside to make sure that we could set it up. And we started setting goals from there,” Green said.

The room is on the second floor of Mahanoy Area’s elementary, Room B-220.

This is the 14th year for the SHINE After School Program, Strucko said. Over the years, it’s worked with a few schools in the region to assemble projects like these.

“Over the last couple of years, SHINE has been lucky enough to receive EITC (Educational Improvement Tax Credit) funding, which is tax-free money. Sometimes when businesses have extra money at the end of the year, they invest tax-free to organizations. UGI has been a very big supporter of SHINE over the last four years, giving about $150,000,” Strucko said. “And one of the things that I wanted to do was give back to some of the districts. One way that I could do that was to create a shared space for the school day teachers and administrators for their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) programming and science.”

In Carbon County, there are three MakerSpaces at Jim Thorpe School District and one at Panther Valley.

This school year, the MakerSpace Strucko helped to assemble at Shenandoah Valley will be in use.

“Mr. Waite and I started the process last year,” Strucko said, referring to Shenandoah Valley Superintendent Brian Waite.

Once a state budget is approved, Mahanoy Area will have funds to buy a Lego wall and new desks to finish its MakerSpace. It will include some equipment Mahanoy Area already had, like a zSpace monitor with a 3D interactive screen.

It will allow biology students to practice the dissection of a frog, for example, before they have the chance to work on an actual one, Mike Heater, the elementary principal, said.

“What’s your curriculum? Cats?” Strucko asked him.

“Frogs, cats, fish, worms,” he said.

“It’s virtual reality. If you put these glasses on, it’s like you’re there. You can dissect a human body on here and feel the heart beating in your hand,” Strucko said.

“It’s fun to play with. It’s pretty neat,” Heater said.

“It was only utilized by the SHINE After School Program. But I know once our high school staff sees that, they’re going to want to go there and learn how to do that,” Green said. “We’re sending all department heads, K through 12, to training Sept. 21 and 22. Then they’ll teach the rest of our staff.”.

It can also help further train school district staff, Strucko said.

There’s also a MakerBot Replicator brand 3D printer there, and Cubelets Robot Blocks, Audra Kufro, a teacher for the SHINE After School Program, said.

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

Schuylkill County has its share of homeless and there is no 24-hour homeless shelter to provide comfort. But there is help out there.

Servants to All is a nonprofit public charity whose mission is to help the homeless in Schuylkill County. They operate a day center at 4 S. Centre St. in Pottsville that operates as the main hub of the program. They also operate an overnight facility at the United Presbyterian Church that provides 13 beds for men. Women guests are provided rooms in a local rooming house free of charge while they work to complete their goals with the case managers at the day center.

My Father’s House is one of the programs that distributes life-sustaining supplies and life-changing services to displaced individuals and families of Schuylkill County. The supportive services they provide empower their guests to break the cycle of poverty and live independently. Their outreach team reaches the homeless where they stay and provides emergency survival supplies and services. The hours of operation for intakes are 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays.

They’re currently seeking volunteers for several positions. Volunteers choose their availability and schedule. Contact the agency for skills and training requirements.

Overnight monitors assist the staff in the overnight facility, monitor clients and maintaining a peaceful, orderly atmosphere according to program policies and procedures. Overnight hours are 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.

Administrative staff support helps with greeting guests, donation acceptance, food and clothing distribution, writing thank-you notes, fundraising, scheduling and computer monitoring from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Drivers take clients to appointments and work or volunteer opportunities.

Mentors act as a big brother or big sister to clients and help them follow through on their goals.

Homework tutors assist GED staff with helping students who are struggling with homework assignments.

Motivational speakers share success stories, either their own or another’s, and give new hope and vigor to clients trying to get themselves out of a desperate place. They need it renewed daily.

Workshop speakers represent their agency and host an instructional session on the services their agency or organization provides.

Benefactors for the program are always needed and appreciated. It takes a community to end homelessness. Contributions can be mailed to Servants to All, PO Box 1354, Pottsville, PA 17901.

If you would like to join their efforts to help others, call Jeanette Triano Sinn at 570-728-2917.

You can refer a person for services by calling 570-900-1161. You can also find them online at www.servantstoall.org.

Spirit Day will be held in Minersville on Sunday, rain or shine. Food, entertainment, crafts and performances will be featured.

There’s still time to participate in the Frackville Free Public Library’s Art of the Pumpkin Contest. Purchase a blank wooden pumpkin, create a pumpkin masterpiece, then donate the pumpkin to the library for auction during the Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 7, and you’ll qualify for a prize. Completed art pieces must be returned to the library by Sept. 15. See the library for more details.

Community Volunteers in Action is the volunteer center for Schuylkill County. Search volunteer listings on our website at www.schuylkill.us/cvia. Find us on Facebook. Call us at 570-628-1426 or email jjohnston@co.schuylkill.pa.us.

POTTSVILLE — Timothy M. Ebert, whom authorities allege pointed a laser in August at a helicopter in the city, is headed to Schuylkill County Court after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday in connection with that and another incident.

Ebert, 23, of Pottsville, faces three counts of recklessly endangering another person and one each of risking a catastrophe and possessing instrument of crime in the laser case and charges of fleeing or eluding police, driving under the influence, reckless driving, driving under suspension, driving unregistered vehicle, driving the wrong way, and unlawful operation on streets and highways in the other case.

Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley bound over all charges for court after Ebert waived his right to the hearing. Ebert then returned to prison, where he is being held in lieu of $50,000 straight cash bail pending further court action.

Reiley did dismiss a charge of simple assault against Ebert in a third case.

Pottsville police filed all three cases against Ebert.

In the most serious one, they alleged Ebert pointed a green laser at a Lehigh Valley Health Network’s MedEvac 7 helicopter about 9:15 p.m. Aug. 15 as it was approaching the helipad on Lawton’s Hill on the east side of the city.

Police said the laser was pointed at the helicopter from the 500 block of West Arch Street. No one was injured in the incident, police said.

In the other incident from which charges are headed to court, police allege Ebert was DUI on Aug. 16 in the city.

Finally, in the incident in which the charge was dismissed, police had alleged Ebert committed the assault on Aug. 28 in the city.

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

The defendant

· Name: Timothy M. Ebert

· Age: 23

· Residence: Pottsville

· Charges: Three counts of recklessly endangering another person and one each of risking a catastrophe, possessing instrument of crime, fleeing or eluding police, driving under the influence, reckless driving, driving under suspension, driving unregistered vehicle, driving the wrong way and unlawful operation on streets and highways

POTTSVILLE — Joshua W. Koncsler is headed to state prison after a Schuylkill County judge sentenced him Wednesday in two cases, including one involving allegations of unlawful sexual contact with a minor.

Koncsler, 20, of Shenandoah, must serve six to 24 months in a state correctional institution, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin decided.

“You can get treatment in the state prison system, Mr. Koncsler, and that is what you need,” Dolbin told the defendant after imposing the sentence.

Dolbin imposed the sentence after revoking Koncsler’s probation and parole, which he ruled the defendant had violated by failing to report to his supervising officer, possessing marijuana, failing a drug test, not making payments on his costs and fees and not successfully completing his sex offender treatment.

“I don’t think this is fair treatment,” Koncsler said before being sentenced but after denying he had violated his probation and parole. “I’ve been in and out of (the hospital) my entire life.”

Koncsler pleaded no contest on Nov. 16, 2016, to unlawful contact with a minor and corruption of minors in one case and resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia in the second. Prosecutors withdrew three counts of indecent assault and one each of unlawful restraint, false imprisonment and purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of an alcoholic beverage by a minor.

On Feb. 17, Dolbin sentenced Koncsler to serve nine to 23 months in prison, pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. He also imposed Megan’s Law sanctions on the defendant for 25 years after he leaves prison.

Shenandoah police had charged Koncsler with having unlawful contact with the minor on Oct. 31, 2015, and with resisting arrest and possessing paraphernalia on Nov. 25, 2015. Each incident occurred in the borough, police said.

By pleading no contest, Koncsler did not admit committing the crimes, but offered no defense to them, admitted prosecutors had enough evidence to prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and agreed to be sentenced as if he had pleaded or been found guilty.

The Megan’s Law sanctions to which Koncsler will be subject require him to provide his name, address, employment, any schools he might attend, registration of any vehicles he owns and other information to the Pennsylvania State Police. Any violation of the sanctions would be an additional crime and subject Koncsler to further prosecution.

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

Defendant: Joshua W. Koncsler

Age: 20

Residence: Shenandoah

Plea: No contest plea to unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia

Prison sentence: Six to 24 months in a state correctional institution