SAINT CLAIR — Construction of additional buildings at the Saint Clair Commerce Center could start by spring.

Gretchen Sterns, attorney for the Coal Creek Commerce Center, and Ty Leinneweber, project manager with Lehigh Engineering, talked about the change in plans for the site.

“We are not asking for any official action,” Sterns told the Saint Clair Planning Commission at its meeting Tuesday.

The commission took no official action on the plans but, after about 45 minutes, continued the meeting to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4.

The area is south of Aspen Dental, which is closest to Route 61. It is in the C-3 heavy commercial district. Plans call for the area to be served by public water and sewer. Sterns and Leinneweber were there to update the commission on plans for the site. A sketch plan submitted May 10 showed spaces for four retail stores, a hair salon and a medical office facility. An updated sketch plan now shows those areas and additional buildings.

As presented, there is a medical office with 4,724 square feet; retail sites with varying sizes, 2,254, 4,978, 5,569, 7,056, 5,904 and 24,056 square feet. The plan also shows a hair salon at 1,008 square feet. A previous sketch plan involved 4 acres, which has since been updated to be approximately 6.

In all, 312 parking spaces are proposed, an increase from the 231 required.

There will be two entrance points, the main entrance to the Coal Creek Commerce Center and a new connection that is proposed out of Saint Clair off Sherman Street.

“We’d like to try to market this site all at once,” Sterns said. “There is no intention to build buildings if there are no tenants.”

An official plan must be submitted to the borough planning commission, something that is possible within six to eight weeks.

Other topics discussed included possible stop signs and size of parking spaces.

One of the planning commission members asked what adjustments could be made for parking if a restaurant showed interest in becoming a tenant. Sterns said the plans for the building size could be changed.

“We’ve had no interest for any restaurant uses at this time. I would be very surprised to see another restaurant use proposed,” Sterns said.

Names of prospective tenants were not mentioned, however, negotiations are continuing with a hair salon, a mattress business and an urgent care facility. A state liquor store may be one of the tenants. Sterns said the names of tenants could be announced when an official plan is submitted. Sterns said a review letter about the sketch plan is requested.

Brian Baldwin, planning commission engineer with Alfred Benesch & Co., Pottsville, said he has to review the plan. The planning commission also did not have sufficient time to review the sketch plan.

“It’s a sketch, so it’s a good start,” Baldwin said.

“Let’s hope you have a rush on all those spots,” planning commission solicitor Edward Brennan said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

PA Oktoberfest found a new home for the classic German food, wiener dog races and seasonal beers fans have come to expect from the annual festival.

This year, the event moves to PNC Field, Moosic, after six years at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Plains Township. The action will take place around the baseball stadium’s concourse as well as on the field.

“We really just wanted (a venue) who was kind of in it for the long haul ... and we wanted to make the event bigger and better,” said Ian Lopera, marketing and events coordinator for Times-Shamrock Communications, which runs Oktoberfest. “And PNC Field was really a place where we could see that happening.”

The festival runs from 4:30 to 11 p.m. today, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 for a one-day pass and $10 for a weekend pass. Food and beer will be available for purchase, and visitors no longer need to buy “Oktobucks” vouchers to do so like they had to in past years, Lopera said.

Local beer suppliers Ace Beverage Co., Banko North L.T. Verrastro Inc. and Northeast Eagle Distributors are supplying more than 50 types of beer with “a lot of fall” flavors plus authentic beer from Germany, the originator of Oktoberfest celebrations, Lopera said.

“There’s pumpkins there, and some beers that the breweries and vendors wanted to get out for the first time,” Lopera said.

Legends, which handles the food at the ballpark, will serve many classic German dishes — such as bratwurst and schnitzel sandwiches — from Alpine Inc. Wurst & Meat House in Honesdale. But guests also can dig into food regularly found at PNC Field, including barbecue and nachos.

“We’re trying to cast a wider net, trying to appeal to all crowds,” said Rich Kloss, Legends’ general manager. “There’s going to be people coming for the German food and beer, but at the same time there might be people tagging along with them that might not want that.”

Live entertainment will fill the weekend, too, including returning favorite Romy, a German singer; Joe Stanky & His Cadets; Schützengiggles; John Stevens’ Doubleshot and John Stanky & the Coalminers. Patrons can test their strength in the periodic beer stein-holding contests or check out the various vendors, a new addition that includes LuLaRoe, Tarot for Living, German Gift Chalet, Spring Hill Services, Jerky Hut, Green Mountain Energy, Cigars on State, VIP Imprints and Wallenpaupack Brewing Co.

While registration for the wiener dog races has ended, visitors still can watch the dogs try to best each other several times during the weekend: 3 and 6 p.m. today, noon, 3, 6 and 9 p.m. Saturday and noon and 3 p.m. Sunday. It’s a “bit of a spectacle” that’s fun to watch, Lopera said.

“Last year, we had thousands of people up in the stands and around the track looking,” he said. “People just get really happy. The dogs are always so happy to get out and run, and this year they’ll get to run in green grass in the field.”

On Saturday, the Lederhosen 5K begins at noon, and the $20 registration fee includes admission to Oktoberfest plus post-race beer from Wallenpaupack Brewing Co. Runners can register in advance at scrantonrunning.com or at PNC Field the day of the race from 11 to 11:45 a.m. The race is open to ages 21 and older, and the first 150 registrants also receive a short-sleeved tech shirt.

Kloss said he expects PNC Field to “bring a good vibe” to the event.

“I’m just excited to see how people take to it at the new venue,” he said. “I think it’s going to be awesome. ... It’s not just in a parking lot, you know? We’re utilizing the whole venue.”

People not only enjoy that Oktoberfest is a three-day, 21-and-older event but also the authenticity of it, Lopera said.

“We always try to make it something authentic for people,” he said. “It’s not just a beer party.”

Contact the writer: cwest@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100, ext. 5107

The Strawberry Playhouse is kicking off its fall season this weekend with a combination of comedy, confusion and chaos.

“Take a Number, Darling” will run for two weeks at the playhouse at 60 Church St., Tuscarora.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. today, Saturday and Sept. 29 and 30, and 2 p.m. Sunday and Oct. 1. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and students, and $5 for children under 10.

“Take a Number, Darling” was written by Jack Sharkey. It looks into the lives of concert pianist, Duncan Latimer, and his wife, Ellen, a soap opera star, as they are preparing to be interviewed by a reporter from a scandal magazine. However, before the reporter arrives, the couple gets visits from Duncan’s old Navy buddy, Ellen’s former lover and an extra wife Duncan forgot to tell anyone about.

“This show provides wholesome fun and is the product of the imagination and high energy writing of Jack Sharkey,” according to a press release for The Strawberry Playhouse.

The cast includes Matthew Cooper as Duncan Latimer; Michelle Woodland as Ellen; Kate Lucey as the couple’s public relations lady, Gladys Nurmy; Christopher Fulmer as Bart Madden, the scandalous magazine reporter; Jon Donly as Duncan’s old Navy buddy, Bill Rutledge; Marlissa Wilson, newcomer to The Strawberry Playhouse, as Ilona Valdez, and Stan Bevan as the building superintendent who is in love with Gladys.

As a special attraction, Fulmer will be signing copies of his book, “Welcome Back to Saturday Morning,” an autobiography of a life in autism, after each Saturday and Sunday performance. Fulmer is a seasoned actor with The Strawberry Playhouse.

In addition to “Take a Number, Darling,” The Strawberry Playhouse is preparing for other productions coming up this season.

Auditions for Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the playhouse. All roles are open.

The group is also casting its murder mystery, “Bingo Spells Murder,” to be performed Oct. 21 at the Walk In Art Center, Schuylkill Haven, and it is looking for readers for “An Evening with Poe” slated for Oct. 27 at the Yuengling Mansion in Pottsville.

For more information, call 570-325-4368 or email lafala@pa.metrocast.net.

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

Address incorrect

Daniel Dansavage, 58, of 116 S. Catawissa St., Mahanoy City, waived his right to a preliminary hearing on charges stemming from a fatal crash in April.

His address was incorrect in Thursday’s edition.

GRATZ — Billowy, smoke-filled drinks lured Tri-Valley marching band members Conner Herb and Emanuel Risso to the Gratz Fair midway Friday.

Herb, a junior, on the bass drum, and Risso, a freshman, on trombone, were attending the annual Cavalcade of Bands at the fair. The drinks, called Amazing Liquid Volcanoes, were offered by Bobby D’s Concessions, York, and provided a unique lunchtime treat before their performance.

“We saw about ten other people that had them and wanted to try it,” Risso said.

The drinks came in seven flavors and used frozen, food-grade carbon dioxide to create an icy cloud at the top of the beverage.

“It’s a lot of fun and they have good food here,” Herb said.

The cavalcade is a fair tradition among many area school districts, with students from Schuylkill, Dauphin and Northumberland counties among those who receive a half- or full-day off from classes to attend. Hundreds were part of the musical performance or the agricultural opportunities offered there Friday.

Shenandoah Valley band director John P. Shoener said the school’s marching band has taken part for at least a decade. This year’s theme was “Sounds of the Summer,” and student musicians donned bright yellow shirts to fit the part.

Williams Valley, Tri-Valley and Upper Dauphin were also among the bands performing their football field shows before the packed grandstand crowd. The Pine Grove JROTC opened the program.

Williams Valley’s show featured a “Nevermore” theme and paid tribute to Edgar Allan Poe, while Tri-Valley’s theme was “The Guilty Pleasures” and featured songs that stick into listeners’ heads.

“It’s a really fun show,” Alexa Wolfgang, Tri-Valley senior clarinetist and section co-leader, said. “You get a lot of experience performing in the community at the Gratz Fair.”

More than 150 students in Future Farmers of America attended the FFA Skill-A-Thon on Friday at the fairgrounds — the most participants to date, according to Gretchen Dingman, Tri-Valley FFA adviser and agriculture teacher. In addition to Dingman, Mark Dietrich from Upper Dauphin and Sarah Gaffney from Pine Grove Area brought their agriculture students and FFA members to the event.

The skill-a-thon tested students on animal nutrition and feed, equipment, breeds, animal anatomy, tools and market cuts of meats. There was also livestock judging.

Gaffney said her students attended the All American Dairy Judging in Harrisburg on Tuesday, the Gratz Fair on Friday, and are slated to attend the state FFA Fall Leadership Conference in Altoona on Oct. 2 and the Keystone International Livestock Exposition in Harrisburg on Oct. 6.

Several students compete at the Gratz Fair with their animals. Hailey Shade and her sister, Sarah, Elizabethville, brought their Boer goats. Hailey placed fourth in class and sixth in showmanship, while her sister won first in class and reserve champion for her goat. It was Hailey’s first year competing.

“My pap passed away in 2015 and I did it for him,” Hailey, an Upper Dauphin junior, said. Her grandfather was the late Randy Warfel, Halifax, and he was a former 4-H member who raised pigs, she said.

Brandon and Angela Wagner, Tower City, stopped by the livestock barns and allowed their daughter, Raylen Wagner, nearly 3, to greet the animals. Angela said her family didn’t own any livestock or have anyone participating in the band event. They just wanted to attend the fair.

Chris and Jana Perhach, Williamstown, joined their daughter, Megan, a fourth-grader at Williams Valley Elementary who had the day off from school. They stopped by the barns and visited with Paul Lesher of Dry Run Alpacas and Harry Laudenslager with his Huacaya alpacas, both of Lykens. Lesher said socks made with alpaca wool are becoming popular with hikers because of their durability. He also showed the naturally split top lip of the animal. Lesher gave Megan some feed to hand to his Suri alpaca.

“It felt slimy,” Megan, 9, said.

Chris Perhach said he thought it was important to come to the fair to help children learn more about the animals and the farming industry. Jana Perhach, who was raised near Spring Glen, said she had been a former member of UDA’s FFA program.

“I haven’t missed a single year,” Jana Perhach said of the fair.

Today is the last day of the fair, which opens at noon and runs through 9 p.m. Entrance gate to the fair is along Route 25 in Gratz. Admission is $8 for anyone age 2 and older. Admission rates include parking, midway shows, carnival rides and most main stage shows. Tonight, the demolition derby finals will be held at 7:30 p.m., with tickets at $8 for grandstand seats and $6 for the bleacher seats. The country band Reckless performs at 2:30, 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.gratzfair.net.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

No. 4 Penn State (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) vs. Iowa (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten)

When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday

Where: Kinnick Stadium

TV: ABC

Web: www.gopsusports.com

Radio: WILK 910 AM (Scranton), 980 AM (Wilkes-Barre) and 1300 AM (Hazleton); Sirius Ch. 81; XM Ch. 81.

Penn State Schedule

S2 vs. Akron, W 52-0

S9 vs. Pittsburgh, W 33-14

S16 vs. Georgia State, W 56-0

S23 at Iowa, 7:30 p.m.

S30 vs. Indiana, 3:30 p.m.

O6 at Northwestern, Noon

O20 vs. Michigan, TBD

O27 at Ohio State, 3:30 p.m.

N4 at Michigan State, TBD

N11 vs. Rutgers, Noon

N18 vs. Nebraska, TBD

N25 at Maryland, TBD

Deeds

East Brunswick Township — Daniel Eckroth and Eugene Eckroth to Eckroth Bros. Rental Properties LP; 68 W. Catawissa St., McKeansburg; $1.

Daniel Eckroth and Eugene Eckroth to Eckroth Bros. Rental Properties LP; 1813 Chestnut St.; $1.

Frackville — Joseph A. and Megan Tomtishen to Jamie L. Buriak and Brooke A. Bradley; 422 W. John St.; $78,500.

Roeny Dorville to Armelis Dorville; 242 N. Second St.; $1.

Gordon — Rattling Run LP to Bee General Contracting LLC; property on McKnight Street; $90,000.

Hegins Township — Raymond K. Sr. and Ardella M. Newswanger to Wanda A. Klinger; 1830 W. Main St., Valley View; $135,000.

Hubley Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB; 2130 E. Main St.; $1,182.85.

POTTSVILLE — Now retired after 42 years as a surgeon in Schuylkill County, Dr. Abdul Wahhab has been able to put more time into painting. He completed more than 100 paintings in just over the last six months.

“This is my passion,” Wahhab said Thursday in his home studio.

All of the art will be auctioned off next month as part of the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill Auxiliary’s Art For A Cause breast cancer awareness dinner. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Oct. 18 at The Lodge at Sharp Mountain, 201 S. 26th St., Pottsville. The art auction begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for $35. They will be $40 at the door.

“All the money does stay here in Schuylkill County,” Mary Bardell, auxiliary liaison, said. “It does support women here in Schuylkill County.”

The auxiliary has hosted an annual breast cancer awareness dinner every October, but decided to include an auction for the first time this year, Bardell said.

“We changed it up because Dr. Wahhab decided he wanted to do something for the hospital and what better cause than breast cancer,” Bardell said. “I think the cause is very close and near and dear to his heart, and we thought it would be a good fit.”

Wahhab said he has donated a painting nearly every year in support of the hospital’s breast cancer awareness efforts.

“I’m very excited this year because I have so many different paintings,” Wahhab said. “This time I have a lot of big pictures. It’s amazing how some of them came out, much better than I dreamed.”

Many of the paintings are of various colorful flowers. There are also paintings of orange sunsets and one of the Turkish Whirling Dervishes dance group.

“We are obviously thrilled about what Dr. Wahhab is doing for the auction at our dinner,” M. Michael Peckman, director of marketing and public relations for Lehigh Valley Health Network, said.

Dr. Kristina Thornburg, a Pottsville surgeon, will serve as guest speaker for the event.

“It is also an educational program,” Peckman said. “Dr. Thornberg will talk about breast cancer and it is an opportunity for women to learn about the great resources available in the county.”

Art For A Cause is just one of many events and activities the hospital has planned for National Breast Cancer Awareness month.

The hospital is offering reduced price mammogram screenings through the month of October. To be eligible for the screening, participants must not be pregnant or nursing, have not had a mammogram in the past year, be over 40 and have a physician order. They can register by calling 570-621-5999.

“We believe that early detection is key,” Peckman said. “A segment of our community really responds to this and greatly appreciate it. It is a great resource to those who need it.”

On Oct. 2, the hospital will be broadcasting its I Pink I Can program at its Cedar Crest facility to the Wall Auditorium in Pottsville. The free program covers current topics in cardiac care, breast and gynecologic health. Interactive resource stations detailing breast health services, Lehigh Valley Health Network Support of Survivors group, cancer support, American Cancer Society and fitness and rehabilitation will be available starting at 5 p.m. The program begins at 5:30 p.m. Seating is limited. To RSVP, call 888-402-5846.

Schaeffer’s Harley-Davidson, 1123 Brick Hill Road, Orwigsburg, is hosting an all you-can-eat spaghetti dinner noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 21 with proceeds benefiting the gentle yoga program for cancer patients at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill. It is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 4 to 10 and free for children under 3. The dinner includes spaghetti, salad roll and drink. Desserts are available for purchase and there will be a Chinese basket auction.

The spaghetti dinner is sponsored by the Deer Lake Chapter Harley Owner’s Group, Ladies of Harley and Schaeffer’s Harley-Davidson. For more information, call 570-366-0143.

Finally, the Lehigh Valley Health Network Rehabilitation Center-Schuylkill, 300 Schuylkill Medical Plaza, Pottsville, will host a free community lecture called Living with Lymphedema. The presentation with Patty Gregas, director of therapy, starts at 6 p.m. Oct. 24. For more information, call 570-621-9500.

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

HARRISBURG — Attorney General Josh Shapiro on Friday announced charges against Edward Smith, deputy coroner of Carbon and Schuylkill counties, for unlawful contact with a minor after Smith allegedly solicited sex online from an undercover agent who was posing as a 14-year-old boy.

Smith, 60, of Willing Street, Tamaqua, was arrested Thursday for soliciting sex from the agent posing as a 14-year-old on a social networking site, according to a press release from the Office of Attorney General.

The agent told Smith multiple times during their online conversation that he was 14, according to the release. Smith allegedly solicited the agent for unlawful sexual contact, then made plans to meet up and instructed the agent to erase all of their chats.

Upon arriving at the designated meeting location, Smith was taken into custody by agents with the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section.

A criminal complaint was filed in Luzerne County, charging Smith with unlawful contact with a minor and criminal attempt to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse — both felonies.

“Thanks to the hard work of the agents and prosecutors in our Child Predator Section, another predator is off our streets,” Attorney General Josh Shapiro said in the press release. “We have zero tolerance for the sexual abuse of children in Pennsylvania. Whoever the perpetrator may be — including a public official — we will investigate and charge these predators wherever we find them.”

Bail was set at $250,000 cash and Smith is incarcerated in Luzerne County Prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sept. 27. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Angela Raver.

BARNESVILLE — While walking under tall shade trees bordering Locust Lake State Park on Friday, Robin Tracey, Saint Clair, pointed to “a witch’s hat” and “a ghost.”

They’re nicknames for the shapes of the leaves on a sassafras tree, said Tracey, a state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources environmental education specialist. And on Friday, the first day of autumn, most of the ones she saw were golden brown.

“I call it the Halloween tree. There are four different shapes to the leaves on the tree. The other two look like mittens,” she said.

Retired state forester Frank P. Snyder of Orwigsburg reached over to pick a few of its fallen leaves from the forest floor.

“They look like a right-hand catcher’s mitt and a left-hand catcher’s mitt,” George B. “Ben” Vaupel, Auburn, said.

Snyder, Tracey and Vaupel enjoyed talking about many facets of the forest while out for a walk Friday. And they encouraged the public to come out to learn more during a statewide event scheduled for Oct. 1. It’s called A Walk in Penn’s Woods.

“Rural, urban and suburban woods, state and national forests and parks, municipal watersheds, conserved areas, private lands and industry in the state’s 67 counties will hold open houses and guided woods walks showcasing the multiple values and diverse uses of our state’s priceless forest resources,” according to the event’s website, https://sites.psu.edu/walkinpennswoods.

The statewide event was organized by an information partnership called Penn’s Woods, Working for You. It includes the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, Penn State Center for Private Forests, Penn State Natural Resources Extension, state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Forest Stewards and the Pennsylvania Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

“Penn’s Woods is one of the state’s prized crown jewels. Not only does it provide a spectacular and significant timber resource, but it provides incalculable value as a water resource, pollution filter, carbon store, wildlife habitat and biodiversity reserve, urban refuge and a priceless source of recreational and aesthetic enjoyment. It is also a resource challenged by invasive plants and diseases, climate change, mismanagement, development pressure and legacy issues,” according to the site.

“Pennsylvania literally means Penn’s Woods. A grant from King Charles II to William Penn in March 1681 established the colony; Sylvania is a Latin word that means ‘forest land.’ Penn recognized the value of his Pennsylvania forests and included in his 1681 Concessions to the Province an order to leave one acre of trees for every five acres of land cleared,” according to the site.

“After Penn’s death, settlers generally disregarded his edict and by 1907 had reduced the original forest from 27 million acres to less than nine million. But over the last century, Pennsylvania has regained much of its historic forest land, reaching approximately 17 million acres during the last two decades. This is the largest amount of forest to stand in Pennsylvania since it became a state and it includes some of the most intact and bountiful hardwood forest lands in the temperate world,” according to the site.

“The first Sunday in October will feature mentored woods walks all across the state, providing entrée to woodlands, along with easy access to expert forest and wildlife professionals. Some individual Walks in Penn’s Woods may also schedule children’s activities, showcase management for wildlife or watersheds, exhibit the results of harvesting or planting, demonstrate the results of urban tree cover, showcase riparian buffers or reveal the fascinating innards of a local sawmill,” according to the site.

The walk at Locust Lake State Park, 220 Locust Lake Road, Barnesville, will begin at the visitor parking lot there at 1 p.m. Oct. 1. The terrain is flat and mostly paved. The length of the walk is one mile. And admission is free, Tracey said.

The tour guides will include three representatives of Pennsylvania Forest Stewards, Jerry D. Bowman of Schuylkill Haven, Snyder and Vaupel.

“The PA Forest Stewards are volunteers who promote the forest resources in Pennsylvania,” Snyder said.

While walking in the woods Friday morning, Snyder, Tracey and Vaupel identified trees as they passed them.

“That’s a red oak,” Snyder said as he pulled out a tape measure and determined it was 22.8 inches in diameter.

“These trees and forests provide many benefits to us, like clean air, wildlife habitat, recreation, clean water, timber for lumber and refuge for solace, which is one of the main reasons people own forest land,” Snyder said.

“In Pennsylvania we have, like, 2.1 million acres of state forest land. We have parks within 25 miles of every citizen,” Snyder said.

“And we have 121 state parks in Pennsylvania,” Tracey said.

In Schuylkill County, there are three. The other two are Swatara State Park in Pine Grove and Tuscarora State Park in Barnesville.

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

David J. Rossi

TREMONT — A Tremont Township man no longer faces prosecution, as a judge on Thursday dismissed charges that had been filed against him concerning an alleged incident in July.

Steven D. Zimmerman, 42, of 77 Molleystown Road, Pine Grove, had been charged with simple assault and harassment. State police at Schuylkill Haven had charged Zimmerman with committing those crimes on July 28 in Tremont Township.

However, Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi dismissed those charges against Zimmerman.

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

Lindsey R. Carl, 18, of 105 Rock Road, Pine Grove; possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge of possession of drug paraphernalia bound over for court, charge of possession of marijuana withdrawn.

James A. Schroll, 62, of 305 Tremont Road, Pine Grove; driving under the influence, driving unregistered vehicle and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges of DUI and driving unregistered vehicle bound over for court, charge of careless driving withdrawn.

Man cited after

Route 209 crash

LOYALTON — A Williamstown man escaped injury when the 1999 Saturn Ion he was driving crashed about 11:25 a.m. Sept. 6 on South Crossroads Road and Route 209 in Washington Township, Dauphin County.

State police at Lykens said Renney L. Paul, 48, of Williamstown, was driving a 1999 Chrysler Town and Country van east on Route 209 when he tried to make a right turn onto the parking lot of the Penn Jersey Mart and struck a parked 1999 Saturn.

No injuries were reported and police said that as a result of the crash, Paul will be cited for not driving on roadways laned for traffic.

3 charged with false statements

McADOO — Three people were charged by McAdoo police after an investigation into an incident about 1 p.m. Aug. 6.

Police said officers were called to a home on South Hancock Street for a report of a disturbance and told by Crystal Lopez, 26, of McAdoo, that a man named Franklyn assaulted her and fled.

At the scene, police said, Kaitlin Karnish, 19, of McAdoo, and Amira Calderon, 18, of Hazleton, offered stories similar to Lopez.

Police said that a few days after the incident, Lopez reported that it was actually another man who assaulted her.

As a result, police said, the three were charged with false reports while Lopez was also charged with two counts of disorderly conduct for her role in the domestic incident that alarmed neighbors. Karnish was also charged with disorderly conduct, police said.

Police: Truck driver

struck vehicle

ANNVILLE — An Auburn man was charged by state police in Jonestown after the trailer of a truck he was driving struck an unattended vehicle Tuesday along Interstate 81.

Steven M. Rhen, 31, was driving a 2014 Freightliner truck tractor south in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County, at 6:35 a.m., police said. A 1998 Honda Accord was parked on the right shoulder unattended. Rhen failed to follow a right curve in the road, causing the truck to travel partially onto the right shoulder, police said. The trailer on Rhen’s truck struck the driver’s side of the Accord.

After impact, Rhen traveled approximately a tenth of a mile, where his truck came to rest on the berm of I-81 facing south.

Rhen was charged with driving on roadways laned for traffic, according to police. Rhen was wearing a seat belt and escaped injury, police said.

Man charged with

disorderly conduct

WIlLIAMSTOWN — A Williamstown resident was charged by state police at Lykens with disorderly conduct after an incident about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday at Market and Tunnel streets.

Police said Cosme Stewart, 31, was cited after causing a disturbance by using obscene language and gestures.

Stewart will now have to appear before Magisterial District Judge Rebecca Margerum, Elizabethville, troopers said.

POTTSVILLE — Displeased with some of the backsliding by participants in the Schuylkill County Drug Treatment Court, Judge James P. Goodman on Thursday warned everyone in court that failing to be honest with program officials will have serious consequences.

“You need to admit” when you violate the rules of the program by using drugs or in other ways, Goodman said. “You need to be held accountable.”

Participants who do not tell the truth about what they have done will be in a worse situation than those who do, he said.

“You’re going to be sanctioned for lying” as well as for the initial transgression, with separate punishments for each, Goodman said. “There are going to be consequences for lying.”

Goodman issued his warnings on a day when another person entered the program and others received sanctions for breaking rules of the program.

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

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

However, since the defendants enter guilty pleas to the charges against them, failure to complete the program is the stick, resulting in them being sentenced, possibly to time in a state correctional institution. Only one person so far has been dismissed from the program and sent to prison.

There are 35 people now in the program, Lynn Holden, the treatment court coordinator, said Thursday.

Amanda L. Cope, 28, of Tamaqua, became the 35th person in the program, tendering her guilty plea to three sets of charges.

In one case, she is charged with delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance. In the second, she is charged with access device fraud, theft and receiving stolen property, while in the third, she is charged with retail theft.

Tamaqua police filed all three sets of charges against Cope. They alleged in the first case that she sold $150 worth of methadone to a confidential informant on Sept. 29, 2016, in the borough. In the other two cases, they alleged she committed the thefts in the borough on Oct. 19, 2016, and July 22, 2016, respectively.

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

SHENANDOAH HEIGHTS — The West Mahanoy Township supervisors Tuesday hired a part-time police officer.

The supervisors hired John Roberts as a part-time patrolman at a rate of $16 per hour and no benefits. The township is looking to hire more part-time officers, David “Lucky” Lukashunas, the supervisors chairman, said at the meeting at the municipal building at 190 Pennsylvania Ave.

Vice Chairman Joseph Sweeney made the motion to hire Roberts. It was seconded by Supervisor Paul “Pepper” Martin and carried unanimously with a vote from Lukashunas.

Roberts is the first police officer the township hired since it fired a full-time police officer, Raymond J. Tonkinson III, on June 7.

The supervisors said they’re looking to hire another part-time officer.

The township has two full-time police officers, Chief Marvin Livergood and John Kaczmarczyk III.

In an effort to improve public relations with the township police department, the township has been hosting community events at fire companies in the township.

In June, the township hosted a bike rodeo at Altamont Fire Company.

Also, from 7 a.m. to noon Oct. 4, the township will host its first Coffee with a Cop event at Shenandoah Heights Fire Company, 148 Swatara Road.

“This program offers an opportunity to meet with local officers to discuss community issues. All members of the community are invited to attend this event. It will provide a unique opportunity for members of the community to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in West Mahanoy Township,” Lukashunas said.

Livergood said the township got the idea from the Borough of Orwigsburg, which held its first Coffee with a Cop event July 15 at Market Square Coffee House, Orwigsburg.

“We’re trying to hold events in all sections of the township. We’re also planning to hold an event at the William Penn Fire Company,” Livergood said.

In other matters, Lukashunas warned township residents about littering.

“There is an ordinance in this township for littering. That being said, there have been numerous signs placed out there within the township for various reasons, whether it’s for yard sales or this, that or the other thing. All signs that are placed within the township must be removed one week after the date of the event being advertised. If they’re not removed, the people who placed those signs will receive a citation. Our officers will go out and see who’s leaving signs behind,” Lukashunas said.

In other matters at Tuesday’s meeting, the supervisors approved its 2016 audit, which was completed by Jones & Co.

By Dec. 31, 2016, the township had $1,428,467 in revenues and recorded $1,244,065 in expenditures, according to the audit.

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

Ashland

Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train will be closed Monday due to road paving at nearby Higher Ups Park. The tourist attraction will reopen Tueday with the first coal mine tour slated for 11 a.m.

Ashland

The Ashland Area Historic Preservation Society, 318 Centre St., will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The feature will be “Death in the Mines,” presented by J. Stuart Richards, regarding disasters and rescues in the anthracite coal fields. There is no admission fee; all are welcome. For more information, call 570-590-9985.

Barnesville

A free walk in the woods by the Center for Private Forests will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 1 at Locust Lake State Park. The walk through the woods around Locust Lake is “easy and casual,” according to a release and will “enlighten participants on the charms of the forest landscape.” Participants will identify trees and shrubs and learn about the benefits of the forest. It will be handicapped accessible. People should park in the visitor parking area at the entrance to the park. The walk will be led by Frank Snyder, retired forester, assisted by George G. “Ben” Vaupel, Pennsylvania forest Steward. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-294-1262.

Heckscherville

Clover Fire Company, 8 Clover Road, will have an all-you-can-eat breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon Oct. 1. The cost is $8 for adults and $3 for children. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-294-0612.

Minersville

The New Minersville Fire Company will have the Travis Newton Memorial Chinese auction from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 8 in the Good Shepherd Cafeteria, 301 Heffner St. Tickets are $5 each. There will be shops and drops from 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 6 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 7. Doors will open at 9 a.m. Oct. 8. For more information, call 570-617-0974.

Pine Grove

St. John’s Lutheran Church, 222 S. Tulpehocken St., will have a Gospel music concert at 6 p.m. Sunday, featuring two groups, Mended Heart and Black Creek. Refreshments will be available after the concert. Freewill offerings will be accepted to benefit the council of churches. All are welcome. For more information, email to jlouise62@hotmail.com or call 570-640-8371.

Pottsville

Friends of Mike O’Pake for District Attorney is hosting a tailgate party for candidate Mike O’Pake from 4 to 10 p.m. today at the Barefield Recreation Complex, 823 Terry Reiley Way. Food and refreshments will be available. Tickets may be purchased at the door.

Schuylkill Haven

The annual Schuylkill Haven Borough Day celebration will be held rain or shine on Sept. 30. The event will include trains pulled by steam Engine 425 departing from the Haven Train Station at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Tickets in advance are available at Stine’s Pharmacy, the borough hall and the train station. The Schuylkill Haven American Legion Auxiliary have a Borough Day Bash from 5 to 9 p.m. at the post home, Parkway. Tickets are $5 each for the event that will include music, hot dogs, chips and pretzels for people 21 and older. The public is welcome to the non-smoking gathering. For more information, call 570-385-0601.

Schuylkill Haven

The annual CROP Walk to battle hunger, sponsored by the Schuylkill Haven and Vicinity Council of Churches, will be held on Oct. 1 with a goal of at least 90 walkers. The council, according to a press release, hopes to collect $6,500 toward the goal of ending hunger and poverty. A quarter of the money gathered locally will support for council’s food pantry. Registration will begin at 12:45 p.m. at the council’s food pantry, 100 Market St. For more information, call the Rev. David Rowe at 570-385-2657 or email PastorRowe@jerusalemmlutheran.com.

Expect more color this year and new opportunities for viewing Pennsylvania’s fall foliage, Schuylkill County foresters said.

“The trees seem pretty healthy and held onto their leaves all summer,” Steve Ziegler, state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources service forester for District 18, said Thursday, the last full day of summer.

He said the gypsy moth defoliators, other natural defoliators and drought last year, which caused early browning in the oak trees, are not a factor this year.

The other good news is that oak trees tested negative for the fungus oak wilt, according to tests conducted at Penn State University, Ziegler said. His district covers Schuylkill, Carbon and portions of Columbia counties.

“The color change may be a little early, maybe a week,” he said.

Ziegler said some trees have already begun to change, but the peak time for viewing will be in the second week of October.

The DCNR 2017 fall foliage report released Thursday, at www.dcnr.pa.gov/Conservation/ForestsAndTrees/FallFoliageReports, said for the week of Sept. 21-26 less than 5 percent of the trees are expected to be in full color in our region. “Pennsylvania has a longer and more varied fall foliage season than any other state in the nation — or anywhere in the world.”

Retired DCNR forester Frank Snyder said he’s noticed trees this year have been heavy with crops.

“The witch hazel and beeches are packed with nuts. It’s going to be a beautiful fall,” Snyder said. “Fall is moving forward. Already, the deep greens are turning lighter, and the yellow is appearing,” he said, agreeing with Ziegler that this year’s color change may be a bit earlier.

Snyder said people may have the misconception that the leaves change color due to the cold weather. “The leaves are responding to light, not the cold. It’s starting to get darker. The ashes and the birches are more shade intolerant and start turning early,” Snyder said.

Frost, however, can kill the foliage.

The DCNR website explains the color change: “During the growing season, chlorophyll is continually used, broken down and replaced and leaves appear green. As night length increases in the autumn, chlorophyll production slows and then stops. Eventually all the chlorophyll is destroyed. Carotenoids and anthocyanins present in the leaf are then unmasked and show their colors.”

Views

Patrick M. “Porcupine Pat” McKinney, environmental education coordinator for the Schuylkill Conservation District, Pottsville, has several favorite spots for leaf viewing: Sweet Arrow Lake, Locust Lake, Tuscarora Lake, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary north lookout and the Upper Little Swatara Creek in Frog Hollow, Friedensburg.

Ziegler said in addition to those sites, the Second Mountain Tract, outside of Cressona, part of the Weiser Forest, and the lookouts on the Taylorsville Tract in the Lavelle area are also prime spots.

While hiking, McKinney said he has seen dead or dying ash trees due to the Emerald Ash Borer. He’s also seen innumerable nuts and acorns this year.

“Old timers say that this portends a snowy winter,” he said.

Penn’s Woods

A special walk is being held for the first time Oct. 1 in a statewide effort to build appreciation for the forests. It’s called the “Walk in Penn’s Woods” day and is being held in 61 of the 67 counties, including Schuylkill.

An easy and casual walk is planned from 1 to 4 p.m. for Locust Lake State Park, 687 Tuscarora Park Road, Barnesville. Snyder will lead the walk, assisted by George B. “Ben” Vaupel, Pennsylvania forest steward. The walk is handicap accessible and all ages are welcome. Snyder said the paved walkway at Locust Lake lends itself to wheelchair users and people who may need to walk at a slower pace, but still want to experience the peaceful environment of the forest. Highlights will include identification of trees and shrubs and learning about the forest.

For more information about the walk, contact Jerry Bowman at 570-294-1262 or jxb25@psu.edu.

DCNR will also let people drive through the Roaring Creek Tract in the Ashland, Aristes area, that is normally blocked off from vehicular traffic. The gates to the state forested land will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 15, beginning on the Route 42 side, extending about seven miles, and ending at the Route 54 side of the tract.

“This only happens one time a year,” Ziegler said.

DCNR will have an informational booth at the midway point of the drive, as well as a Smokey Bear visit.

Several upcoming jaunts are planned with autumn’s colorful palette as a backdrop. A Schuylkill On the Move walk is set for 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday. It is called Trek to Bake Oven Knob and Bear’s Rocks on the Appalachian Trail. Participants meet on top of the Blue Mountain on Route 309 on the Schuylkill and Lehigh county line. McKinney will offer “Treemendous Tree Trek” at the annual Fall Fest at 11 a.m. Oct. 7 at Avenues in Mechanicsville.

McKinney also has a Wee Ones Walk, for ages 3 to 6, at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park scheduled from 10 to 11 a.m. Oct. 18. Walkers will meet at the Waterfall Road parking lot.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — The North Schuylkill school board Wednesday hired a contractor to make repairs at the baseball field at its sports complex.

At its September meeting, the board hired Hummer Turfgrass Systems Inc., Manheim, Lancaster County, to renovate the bullpen at a cost of $3,544 and renovate the baseball mound and home plate at a cost of $2,522.

“Every couple of years, you have to renovate home plate and the pitcher’s mound. It’s all full of clay. And during all the games, that clay gets wiped way. So they’ll redo the whole pitcher’s mound and they’ll redo home plate,” Lonnie Carl, the district’s director of buildings and grounds, said.

The bullpen work will include the installation of two new four-sided pitcher’s plates, clay on the table and landing areas and infield mix to the edges of the mound to shape as needed, according to Hummer’s proposal.

“The bullpen is overdue for maintenance. Hummer’s going to come in and officially make the measurements of the actual pitcher’s mound on the field,” Carl said.

The work at home plate will include setting the height and slope to the correct specifications, installing a new plate to be provided by the school district and adding clay as needed to the pitcher’s mound, batter’s boxes and catcher’s boxes, according to the proposal.

In other matters:

• The board gave the North Schuylkill Cross Country Boosters and North Schuylkill Soccer Boosters permission to use the former Cardinal Brennan gym and school building for a Halloween Haunted Mansion from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28.

• Approved a salary adjustment for Lisa Trask, elementary school nurse. On May 17, she was approved for $56,827.00, Step 15 plus masters. “The salary should be $57,921.00, Step 17 + Masters,” Tom Fletcher, chairman of board personnel committee, said.

• Hired Susan Bisco as a homebound teacher for the 2017-18 school year at a rate of $35 per hour.

• Approved request from North Schuylkill Elementary PTO for field trip for kindergarten students, teachers aides and chaperones to Rohrbach’s Farm, Catawissa on Oct. 20. There will be no cost to the district, according to Raymond Reichwein, chairman of the school board’s food service, safety and transportation committee.

• Gave the Schuylkill YMCA, Pottsville, permission to use its swimming pool for swim team practice from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays; 8 to 10 a.m. Saturdays; and from 5 to 8 p.m. Sundays from September 2017 through March 21, 2018.

All members of the school board were present for the meeting. They also include: school board President Charles “Chas” Hepler; Roy Green, board vice president; Maryanne Woodward, board treasurer; and members Douglas Gressens, Edward Balkiewicz, Janine Simms and Glenn Weist.

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

The state Department of Transportation has several projects planned for Schuylkill County roadways this week, according to Sean A. Brown, safety press officer with District 5, Allentown.

The following work, with lane restrictions and flagging, is scheduled:

• Crews will do bridge repair work on Interstate 81 in Frailey Township, between exits 112 and 107 in both directions, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.

• Crews will do work on Adamsdale Road in North Manheim Township, between state Route 61 and Meadow Drive, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.

• Crews will do drainage work on Buck Mountain Road in North Union Township, between state Route 339 and Ringtown Road, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.

• Crews will do milling and paving on Heckscherville Road in Cass Township, between state Route 901 and Highridge Park Road, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.

• Crews will patch potholes in Tamaqua on state Route 309 at Route 209, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.

• Crews will do nighttime paving work on state Route 309 in West Penn Township, between the Lehigh County line and Overlook Drive, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Oct. 31.

• Crews will do drainage work on St. Bertha’s Road in Ryan Township, between state Route 54 and Route 209, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.

• Crews will do milling and paving on Valley Road in Cass Township, between Heckscherville and Buck Run, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 825 traffic cameras. The 511PA service is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices by calling 5-1-1 or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website. Follow regional PennDOT information on Twitter at www.twitter.com/511PAAllentown.

PINE GROVE — Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers and state police at Schuylkill Haven are asking for the public’s help in identifying those responsible for a burglary last month.

Police said the crime occurred between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Aug. 30 at a home on Laurel Drive, Pine Grove Township.

Police said someone entered the home of a 64-year-old woman, forced open a locked gun cabinet and stole two rifles and a shotgun before fleeing the area undetected.

Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information on the identity of those responsible for this crime or any unsolved crime in Schuylkill County.

Callers are asked to refer to case 09-24-17 when calling with information on the burglary and theft in Pine Grove Township.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 877-TIPS4SC (877-847-7472).

In addition, anyone with information can call state police at Schuylkill Haven directly at 570-754-4600 and refer to incident PA2017-929421.

All information will remain confidential.

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