MAHANOY CITY — An 18-year-old Mahanoy Area High School student was charged by Mahanoy City police with making a bomb threat at the school on Oct. 18.

Patrolman Christopher Zubris charged Joseph R. Flaim, 502 W. South St., Mahanoy City, with one felony count each of threat to use weapons of mass destruction and terroristic threats along with one misdemeanor count each of criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

Flaim was arraigned Wednesday on the charges by Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, and released on $25,000 unsecured bail.

In his affidavit of probable cause, Zubris said that between 9 and 9:30 a.m. Oct. 18, school resource officer Jonathan McHugh was contacted by Michael Heater, elementary school principal, that a bomb threat was written on one of the boys’ bathroom walls.

It was decided at that time, for the safety of everyone, to evacuate all students, faculty members and support staff.

Arriving at the scene, Zubris said, he and McHugh conducted a secondary search of the school complex to ensure everyone was evacuated. After the search, Zubris said, Schuylkill County Emergency Management Agency and the state police bomb detection K-9 unit were contacted and asked to come to the school.

The K-9 unit arrived, searched the school and school grounds, and determined no explosive device existed.

The investigation led to a review of surveillance video that showed between 7:06 and 9:18 a.m., 20 male students entered and exited the bathroom, Zubris said.

The following day, Zubris said, school officials began interviewing the 20 students and two of them admitted using the third stall where the threat was written. Officials then requested and received writing samples from all 20.

Zubris said he subsequently interviewed Flaim, one of the two students who admitted using the third stall, in the presence of his parents and school officials. At that time, the officer said, Flaim denied writing the threat and said he did not have access to a pencil to even write the threat.

At that point, Zubris said, it was never disclosed that the threat was written in pencil.

Zubris said Flaim then left the school and subsequently sent his father a text message saying he would like to speak with the officer alone to discuss the matter.

On Oct. 22, Zubris said, Flaim came to the police station, was read his Miranda Rights and again denied involvement in the threat despite being confronted with the evidence against him.

Then, on Oct. 23, Zubris said, he received a message from Mahanoy Area School District Superintendent Joie Green who said Flaim was in her office confessing to writing the threat.

At the school, Zubris said, he again reminded Flaim of his rights and during a subsequent conversation, Flaim admitted writing the threat and said he lied the day before because he did not want the officer to be disappointed in him.

Zubris said he told Flaim that he was not disappointed, but instead he was proud because Flaim came forward and told the truth.

Flaim will now have to answer to the charges at a preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. Dec. 7 before Kilker in his Shenandoah courtroom.

Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com

The Schuylkill County coroner released new information on the death of 24-year-old Mount Carbon Mayor Brandon Wentz.

Dr. David G. Moylan III said the virtual autopsy conducted Thursday “showed pulmonary congestion,” or fluid in the lungs.

“Many things can cause it,” he said.

A traditional autopsy was performed about 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Simon Kramer Cancer Institute, New Philadelphia, by Dr. Mary Pascucci, a pathologist, according to Moylan. The traditional autopsy confirmed what the virtual autopsy found.

According to Moylan, to his knowledge, there were no toxicology tests performed yet. Those tests will be performed at NMS Labs, Willow Grove, and will take two to three weeks to get results. Moylan said microscopic analysis of tissue samples will also be sent out to a lab.

Wentz was pronounced dead at 7:58 p.m Thursday by Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Albert Barnes. He was remembered as a community-minded individual with initiative to better his hometown.

More details will be announced as they become available.

POTTSVILLE — Among the props Steve Durkinmade for the one-act play “Anton & Siegfried” was a replica of a German model 1908 Maxim machine gun.

“If you see the picture on the program, you’ll see something that looks approximately like this. I made it using some basic tools, some PVC pipe and cardboard, and it has wooden legs,” Durkin, Pottsville, president of the Majestic Theater Association, said at the theater before the first show Saturday afternoon.

It was one example of the effort the volunteer crew put into the play.

A story about German soldiers in the trenches during the Somme offensive of World War I, “Anton & Siegfried” was written earlier this year by John R. “Jack” Mansell, 88, of Pottsville.

“I really like how this was written by someone from the area. It’s awesome that it’s someone who’s a veteran,” said Nate Heater, Palo Alto, who played one of the three leads.

“He’s a man who, for all of his years of life, is rich with so many stories,” the play’s director, Emily R. Ehlinger, Pottsville, said, referring to Mansell.

“And we can ask him questions and he can give us back stories about everything too,” Heater said.

Before the first performance, Durkin took to the stage and introduced Mansell, who was sitting in the front row.

The crowd immediately gave the author a round of applause.

“This job was a collaborative effort. Steve Durkin was really on top of set design and props. And his wife, Karen, really stepped up and did the costume design,” Ehlinger said.

“It’s been a lot of fun working on it. I hope that shows when we actually do it,” Durkin said.

Mansell’s play focuses on the Battle of the Somme.

On July 1, 1916, before the U.S. entered the war, British and French forces at the Somme river launched an offensive against heavily fortified German defenses. The British suffered 57,740 casualties that day — the worst in the history of the British Army, according to the program for the play.

The British 8th Division lost more than 5,000 men that day marching across No Man’s Land. The German 180th Regiment suffered only 280 casualties, according to the program.

By the time the battle officially ended in November 1916, the British and French had suffered nearly a million casualties. The Germans suffered more than 700,000. It was a costly victory for the British and French, who gained about six miles of ground.

“We’re doing this not just for Jack, but today is Veterans Day. And looking over the play we realized what better day than the 11th of November to do a story for veterans about World War I. Now in this play, there are no Americans,” Durkin told the crowd.

“It takes place in 1916, a year before America entered the war. And even though we’ll be playing Germans — and I just want to mention they’re not Nazis at this point — and we’re playing soldiers, like soldiers all over the world. If you get told to go and do something you go and do it. Now this particular play is a psychological drama,” Durkin said.

Durkin portrayed Sgt. Anton Hoffer. Nathan Kraft, Pottsville, portrayed Frederick/Siegfried and Heater portrayed Max. The three are German soldiers in an underground bunker during summer 1916.

“This situation could represent any side of the war. I think the issues that they’re dealing with are things that everybody has gone through. They’re talking about soldiers syndrome, which is PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). That’s been around forever. That’s not specifically a German thing or an American thing. And I think Jack was very sensitive to it,” Kraft said.

“These characters sympathize with both sides. They don’t want anybody dying. That comes up a couple times. It was a little weird going into this. I wasn’t sure how I felt playing a German, and I am part German. And one of the things about my character, he has gone through what Anton is going to be going through. Anton has these panic attacks because he’s just killed all these people. And my character has already gone through this. So my character’s way to cope is to take on another persona, a character called Siegfried. He takes on this persona to overcome all the stress that goes with being at war,” Kraft said.

“In casting this, I went to guys I knew who were reliable. They’re reliable, strong performers,” Ehlinger said.

More than 175 people came out for the first show Saturday afternoon, and Ehilnger said 75 came out for the second show.

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

In last week’s Starwatch I urged you to get out in the evening and watch the great winter constellations like Orion the Hunter and his gang of bright shiners on the rise in the Pottsville eastern sky.

This week, I urge you to get out in the early morning sky, even as early as 1 a.m. or at least certainly well before morning twilight. All those great winter constellations will still be out there but by then they’ll be shifted over to the western heavens because of Earth’s rotation. You’ll also be celestially greeted by a nice waning crescent moon rising in the southeastern sky.

I know it may take a little more to climb out of that warm bed of yours, but it’s so worth getting past that hurdle this week because not only do we have one of the best meteor showers of the year but two bright planets are in quite a celestial hug!

The annual Leonid meteor shower is building and will peak on Friday and Saturday mornings. All this week though you will see a few more meteors or “shooting stars” than normal, especially in the darker countryside. What makes them attractive this year is that there isn’t much moonlight being cast out by the crescent moon, leaving a darker backdrop in the sky for catching those “falling stars.” Away from the city lights you may see more than 20 or even 30 meteors an hour.

Annual meteor showers like the Leonids occur when the Earth in its orbit around the sun plows into debris left behind a comet. Comets are more or less “dirty snowballs” of rock and ice that orbit the sun in highly elliptical elongated orbits. When their orbits take them close to the sun, they partially melt, leaving a debris trail made up of generally tiny particles from the size of dust grains to small pebbles, about the size of small marbles.

The comet that fuels the Leonid Meteor Shower is called Temple Tuttle. It last came through this part of the solar system in 1998 and won’t return again until 2031. The Earth, in its solar orbit, is busting into this trail from temple Tuttle at 66,000 mph and at the same time these individual comet debris particles or bullets are whizzing along in their orbit at thousands of miles an hour as well. This means that the debris can crash into our atmosphere at speeds more than 150,000 mph!

With that kind of speed, individual particles quickly burn up due to tremendous air friction and we see the quick streaks of light decorate the celestial dome. The light we see isn’t because of the combustion of the debris. There’s no way you could see that because these tiny particles are burning up anywhere from 50 to 100 miles high. The streak we see is the glowing column of air being chemically excited by the particle that’s ripping through it. Sometimes you see different colors in these streaks that indicate the kinds of gas in our atmosphere that are being temporarily aroused.

Meteors in a meteor shower are best seen after midnight, because that’s when you’re on the side of the rotating Earth that’s plowing into the comet debris. It’s kind of like driving cross county on a warm summer night. You get more bugs smashed on your front windshield than you do on your rear window. After midnight we’re facing the “front windshield” of the traveling Earth.

This meteor shower is called the Leonids because the meteors seem to emanate from the general direction in the sky where the constellation Leo the Lion is poised. After midnight, Leo is hanging in the eastern sky and looks like a backward question mark. That makes Leo the radiant of this meteor shower.

That doesn’t mean that you should restrict your meteor hunting to just that area of the heavens.

If you do, you’ll miss many of them because the meteors can show up anywhere in the sky. You’ll know they’re part of the Leonids because their “tails” seem to point back in the general direction of Leo the Lion. The best way to watch for the Leonids or any other meteor shower is to lie back on a lawn chair with blankets sometime after midnight, preferably after 2 or 3 a.m. in the morning, roll your eyes all around the night sky and see how many meteors you spot in a given hour. It’s a fun group or family activity because you can keep each other company and compare meteor sightings.

To top off the morning stargazing this week, the two brightest planets we see from Earth, Jupiter and Venus, are having a very close conjunction you’ll love, love, love!

They’ll be almost “touching” each other. Just as morning twilight begins about 6 a.m., look for the planets in the very low eastern skies just above the horizon. You can’t miss them as they’ll look like cat’s eyes. In fact, Monday morning they’ll be in their closest celestial hug, less than a half a degree apart. That’s less than the width of one of your fingers held at arm’s length. Of course, the planets are nowhere near each other physically but in the same line of sight. Venus is about 160 million miles away and Jupiter’s about 595 million miles.

Enjoy the early morning delights!

(Lynch, an amateur astronomer and professional broadcast meteorologist, can be reached at mikewlynch@comcast.net)

POTTSVILLE — From twirling tricks to stepping up their marching skills, baton twirlers learn some new techniques during a special fundraiser sponsored by the Pottsville Area High School majorette squad.

Wednesday was the first session for the baton class at 6 p.m. at the Yorkville Hose Company social hall in Pottsville.

“Patty Ebling and I started the baton classes five years ago in 2012 as a fundraiser to get girls interested in twirling,” Deniece Krater, band front adviser and majorette adviser for the Pottsville Area Marching Band, said.

She said that, at that time, they charged $2.50 for a half hour and $5 for one hour.

“We saw that no one was teaching in the area, so the majorettes were able to teach what we do and get girls ready to try out once they reach eighth grade or beyond,” she said.

The baton class fundraiser will be held at 6 p.m. every other Wednesday at the social hall, West Norwegian and North 20th streets.

Participants will learn marching, twirling, tricks and routines. It’s open to students in first grade through high school and costs $5. Batons will be available for purchase.

“All the money raised went to the PAHS Majorette Fund and we were able to reproduce our most famous uniform — the swirl — to replace our old ones that were almost 10 years old. Most of the money we raise goes into our uniform fund,” Krater said.

There have been many squad twirlers over the past five years who have helped with the baton fundraiser. According to Krater, the 2017 squad of majorettes who are available to assist with this year’s classes are: Captain Gillian Revenis, Captain Leigha Keitsock, Kaylie Cicero, Emma Bertsch, Courtney Holley, Ally Murton, Allison Campion, Chloe Mullins, Laura Moyer, Jordyn Derbes and Morgan Rich.

A one-day majorette camp is also offered in the fall and spring where girls come for seven hours to learn twirls and routines, Krater said. They can then participate in the community parades. Those camps are $25 and participants receive a shirt for the parade performance.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

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 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday:

• Pothole patching on Catawissa Street between routes 209 and 54 in MaryD.

• Pothole patching on Interstate 81 between exits 104 and 107.

• Pothole patching on Interstate 81 between exit 134 and the Luzerne County line.

• Drainage work on Bucks Mountain Road in North Union Township between Route 339 and Ringtown Boulevard, with lane restriction with flagging.

• Bridge repair on Route 125 in Hegins Township between Route 25 and Deep Creek Road

• Other work on Route 309 in West Penn Township between Route 54 and the county line.

• Crack sealing on Route 61 in New Castle/Mahanoy Township between Saint Clair and Frackville.

• Pothole patching on Route 61 Road in North Manheim Township between routes 209 and 895.

• Drainage on Route 895 in Pine Grove, Washington and Wayne townships between routes 443 and 183.

• Drainage on Route 901 in Barry, Foster and Cass townships between Lavelle and Minersville

• Crack sealing on Route 901 in North Manheim Township between routes 61 and 209.

• Other work on Route 54, East Centre Street, in Ashland between Big Mine Run Road and North Front Street.

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.

Univ. of Sciences

Doctor of pharmacy students Erin Fegley, New Ringgold; Kayla Garzio, McAdoo, and Mara Oesterle, Pine Grove, made the summer sem-ester dean’s list at University of the Sciences, Philadelphia.

Central Penn

Jessie Porter, Pottsville, made the dean’s list for the summer term at Central Penn College, Summerdale.

POTTSVILLE — When Schuylkill County halted its TV and electronics pickup a few years ago, residents of the city turned to local officials for options.

So, the city decided to start its own.

And for a few hours on Saturday morning, there was a line of cars waiting to get into the city garage.

They were hauling old TVs and monitors for the most part, and at times that line was 10 vehicles long.

“I think we saw at least 300 vehicles come through here today,” Thomas W. Whitaker, the city’s superintendent of streets, said at the end of the first City of Pottsville Recycling Event: Electronics, TVs & Metals held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the city garage, 425 E. Railroad St.

The city’s contracted trash hauler, J.P. Mascaro & Sons, Audubon, Montgomery County, made arrangements for two truck trailers to be on site to haul away the discarded monitors and Cathode Ray Tube models.

But they filled up quickly.

“I’d say we collected enough to fill four trailers,” City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said.

“We’re still calculating how much we took in. But my guess is it’s about 30 tons,” Whitaker said.

City Treasurer Ellen Micka said she knew the crowds would come.

“You don’t realize how many people in a day’s time call my office and ask if we take TVs with the garbage. So, I expected us to have a lot,” Micka said.

In August 2016, the county commissioners decided Schuylkill County’s annual Fall Cleanup in September 2016 would not include an electronics collection.

Market conditions had changed and state reimbursements would not match the cost to run the program, Joseph Scribbick, county solid waste and recycling coordinator, said at the time.

In 2015, the county collected about 576,000 pounds of electronics. Projected costs, which also include hauling and materials, were upwards from $180,000, according to Scribbick.

And this year, the county’s annual Fall Cleanup did not include electronics.

The closest recycling center still accepting CRT televisions is Responsible Recycling Services in Kutztown, according to the newspaper’s archives.

“The last time we did something like this is probably when we did it in conjunction with the county. And it seemed like if we wanted to be full-service in what we were providing to our residents, as far as trash removal and solid waste, we needed to find a solution to this electronics conundrum,” Palamar said.

So, city officials started talks with J.P. Mascaro & Sons.

“We know that they are a big company. They provide a lot of services to a lot of bigger municipalities throughout the state, and perhaps they had some expertise in doing this,” Palamar said.

A sales executive for Mascaro, Terrence J. Stinton, helped the city to develop the program.

To hold the event, the city had to fill out a Municipal Electronics Collection Registration for the state Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Waste Management.

The cost of dropping off televisions was 50 cents a pound for city residents and $1 a pound for non-residents.

The cost of dropping off LCDs, LEDs and plasma TVs was a flat fee of $5 for residents and $10 for non-residents.

People were encouraged to drop off computers, monitors, laptops, computer tablets, scanners, printers, fax machines, scrap metal and microwaves at no charge.

“We figured since we’re doing this, we might as well help people get rid of whatever they have,” Palamar said.

He was there helping members of the city street crew unload vehicles. Nine street crew workers, including Whitaker, were on duty. After materials were weighed, the totals were calculated by Micka, who monitored the cash drawer.

“It’s freezing,” Micka said just after 10 a.m.

The temperature then was about 30 degrees.

Familiar faces who came out to drop off old equipment included Edward J. “Ned” Hampford, who was the city controller from 1999 to 2013, and Claude A.L. Shields, an attorney from Pottsville.

Mike Melusky, Minersville, brought a few TV sets to drop off. But after he found out how much it would cost for him to dispose of them through the program, he took some back.

“I dropped off a flat-screen TV and I paid them $10 to take that,” Melusky said.

Then he brought out three older, and heavier, television sets.

“It came to $167 for TVs and I don’t have that kind of money,” Melusky said.

The collected materials will be taken to Thanks for Being Green LLC, Pennsauken, New Jersey.

On Saturday, Palamar wasn’t sure what the exact cost would be to the city.

“We’re offsetting some of the costs for the city residents with a little money we have set aside from our solid waste program. We won’t know what the cost is going to be until after the event. But we’re confident that we have enough money set aside to cover that cost. We’ll also have to cover some costs for transportation,” Palamar said.

Meanwhile, the scrap metal will be sent to Weiner Iron & Metal Corp., Pottsville.

“We should make some money on the scrap metal. We’ll be able to sell that,” Palamar said.

Palamar said he hopes this will become an annual event.

“At least once a year, perhaps twice,” he said.

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

HEGINS — The Tri-Valley school board Wednesday approved the district launching its own cross country team for the 2018-19 school year.

A parent and several students addressed the board, requesting support for a Bulldogs’ team. Athletes had been participating in cross country through a co-op program with Minersville. Pam Ulicny and Joanne Risso served as volunteer coaches.

The new Tri-Valley team will compete in PIAA District 11, and it’s estimated the sport could cost $7,470.

Wayne Reilly and Brook Adams finished second and seventh, respectively, at the District 11 cross country championships and Samantha Masser placed fourth in the Schuylkill League Junior High tournament, high school Principal Charles W. Hall announced in his monthly report.

Approving the team were directors Jerry R. Beaver, Diane C. Dietrich, John E. Schmeltz, Kelly M. Carter, Jennifer L. Reed, Guy M. Julian and Carl D. Shankweiler. Board members Roger D. Heidlebaugh and Curtis H.E. Zemencik were absent.

The board heard two video presentations, one on the inclusive playground for Life Skills students to share with all pupils at Hegins-Hubley Elementary completed by Micah Ulicny for his Eagle Scout project; the other from teacher Jackie Deibert on the upgrades to the Mahantango Valley Elementary School Environmental Site and activities of the school’s environmental club.

Ulicny announced plans for the second phase of the courtyard upgrade — a sensory garden to be constructed this spring at the entrance to the inclusive playground. That phase is not part of his Eagle Scout project, he said. The garden will include some flowers, vegetables and herbs; an access path; a wild plant area, with clovers and wild grasses; picnic tables; and an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant walking bridge over river rock. Master Gardener Kim Richardson assisted with the planning of the garden, Ulicny said.

Deibert said the Mahantongo environmental site began decades ago, and teacher Louise Rothermel, and later her son, Andy Rothermel, continued the effort.

In 2013, the Mahantongo Environmental Club was formed and established the theme, “Let’s make it a better place.”

Deibert said an outdoor pavilion was built after several apple dumpling sales, and through the efforts of volunteers. In June, Eagle Scout James Masser installed solar lights at the site. The pavilion has been used for outdoor, art and education programs; picnic lunches; and cooperative learning events with Hegins-Hubley first-graders.

The area includes compost bins, a garden, benches, a weather center, and a new playground.

Ulicny and Deibert thanked the school staff, administration and community for their support of the projects. Beaver expressed appreciation on behalf of the board for the efforts of Ulicny, Deibert and volunteers who have made the opportunities available to students at no cost to the district.

In other action, the board approved:

• Frank Hanlon, volunteer wrestling coach for the 2017-18 school year, pending receipt of clearances.

• Granting tenure to Jessica Allvord, Joellyse Hartz, Heather Hornung and Jenna Shafer.

• Adding Thomas Flamini to substitute teacher list for the 2017-18 school year, pending receipt of clearances.

• Retroactively, Kelly Bensinger as Drama Club adviser for 2017-18 school year at rate of $1,400 per performance.

• Retroactively, Gabrielle Quandel as Drama Club volunteer for 2017-18 school year.

• These volunteers for Hegins-Hubley classrooms: Sarah Bardo, Jason Gross and Mary Knorr.

• Appointing Kristy Klinger as a substitute aide at a rate of $9 per hour, pending receipt of clearances.

• District comprehensive plan.

• Retroactively, student transportation contract with Hegins Valley Transportation Inc., for a wheelchair accessible bus and aide at a daily rate of $221.82 for the 2017-18 school year.

• A resolution stating that the Tri-Valley School District has responded to and not objected to the Right-to-Know requests by Simon Campbell and his Pennsylvanians for Union Reform organization. Tri-Valley School District intends to continue to cooperate and respond to Simon Campbell’s requests under the Right-to-Know Law. Tri-Valley School District did not approve any lawsuit by Pennsylvania School Board Association, was not asked by PSBA to approve, take action on or support the lawsuit and has no intent to take action to support a lawsuit Simon Campbell stated PSBA has filed against him.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

TUSCARORA — Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers and state police at Frackville are asking for the public’s help in finding those responsible for a theft that was carried out earlier this month.

Police said the crime occurred sometime between 1 p.m. Nov. 4 and 5:25 p.m. Nov. 6 at Coal Creek Ranch, 339 Old Route 209, in Schuylkill Township.

Police said Michael Misterkiewicz, Mohrsville, reported someone stole his brown Bushnell Aggressor wireless trail camera from the property and fled.

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

Callers are asked to refer to case 11-12-17 when calling with information about the theft of the trail camera in Schuylkill 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 Frackville directly at 570-874-5300.

All information will remain confidential.

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

Ann Marie Vitiello and her daughter, Anne, share similar names

and the same

birth month.

They also share a love of exercise and the outdoors.

This past August, Ann Marie Vitiello, 79, completed her 11th one-mile swim across the Hudson River. Her daughter, 53, completed her second as an homage to her mom’s tenacity.

“I’ve been really blessed with good health,” Ann Marie Vitiello said during a recent afternoon as the pair reflected on their feats at her Elmhurst Township, Lackawanna County, home.

Eleven years ago, Ann Marie Vitiello decided to

participate in the Great Newburgh-to-Beacon Hudson River Swim, a fundraiser for the River Pool organization. Her daughter, who lives in Cold Spring, New York, saw the swim advertised to help with operation and maintenance of a pool and park in that portion of the river. She thought it might be a fun way to get the whole family together, and it made a great fit for her mom.

“She was such a strong swimmer, and it reminded me of her,” Anne Vitiello said. “It was after dad had passed, and I also thought it was just a nice reason to all be together.”

Her mother’s swim career started as a kid with a love of visiting mud holes and creeks in her native Jefferson Township. As a teenager and young adult, she learned how to swim at Scranton YWCA. In 1957, she joined its synchronized swimming team and found a passion that combined her love for aquatics with the rhythmic, graceful movement.

“I was then taught correct swimming,” she said, laughing. “I just love the water.”

“You should see her in the water; she just flows,” her daughter added. “It’s amazing.”

Staying active and enjoying the outdoors runs in the family. Ann Marie Vitiello’s mom, the late Helen Kundla, took her to pick berries, go for walks — anything to get the kids outside. She followed suit with her own children — Anne, Diane, Lisa and Sam — by taking them to nearby ponds and lakes to swim or to the state park to enjoy the sunshine.

“I always tried to lead by example,” she said. “You don’t need a lot of money to have something to do. If it was fun and they felt fulfilled and happy, then that was great.”

Back then, people didn’t focus as much on exercising to stay healthy, the duo noted. It was more about pure fun.

“There wasn’t this conscious discussion of fitness,” Anne Vitiello said. “It was all about what we could do that day that would be a good time for all of us and that got us outdoors.”

Family patriarch, the late Samuel, stayed active, too, spending hours after dinner boxing in the basement. Anne Vitiello said she and her siblings give their parents credit because they all remain active, whether through yoga, cycling, running or swimming.

“Those lessons stay with you into adulthood, and you want to pass them on to your children,” Anne Vitiello said. “Nothing compares to being in nature. You treasure those moments.”

The family came out to watch Ann Marie Vitiello in the fundraiser that first year, and it turned into a great way to bond. Anne Vitiello remembers her daughters standing at the bridge and cheering their grandma on, and the family continues to gather in Newburgh each year to watch its matriarch cross the Hudson. As the Vitiello family grew over the years, so did the group. Add in spouses, friends and significant others, and the pair has one of the biggest cheering sections there.

It’s given them some special memories, too. Folk singer and social activist Pete Seeger, who died in 2014, is co-founder of the River Pool at Beacon and attended each with year with his wife, Toshi. He would play and sing songs, including “This Land Is Your Land,” during the event, and Ann Marie even got her photo taken with him one year.

“To hear him singing that song and really listen to the words, it was so special to experience that and really be out and enjoying nature,” she said. “It’s not the same without Pete. He and his wife were so committed (to the cause).”

One night after Ann Marie’s seventh or eighth swim, she and her children joked that one of the kids should join her in the water. Anne Vitiello offered to join her mom for the 10th swim if she got that far. After her mom finished for the ninth time, she recalled, “she got out of the water, pointed right at me and said, ‘You better start training.’ ”

Ann Marie Vitiello trains at the YMCA in the winter and local lakes in the summer, although she still gets in a few swims a week other times of year. Training for her daughter, who practices in the Hudson, entails facing choppy waters, where swimmers can feel the currents change underneath.

The fundraising swim takes between 45 and 75 minutes, and the Vitiellos enjoy taking in the beauty of the Hudson and the knowledge that they’re doing it together.

“It’s nice to have her in the water with me,” Ann Marie Vitiello said.

The mother and daughter don’t see themselves stopping their swimming tradition anytime soon, either.

“As long as you’re able to do it, I’ll do it,” Anne Vitiello said to her mom.

Contact the writer: gmazur@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9127

An insect with spotted wings from Asia with an appetite for fruit orchards recently made its way into Schuylkill County, according to the state Department of Agriculture.

It’s the spotted lanternfly, also known as the lycorma delicatula. On Nov. 3, the department said Schuylkill was one of the 13 counties in the state under quarantine as the invasion continues.

“There were multiple detections. We’ve collected specimens from a number of sites along the border of Berks. We don’t give exact locations to protect property owners. But it’s along the leading edge of natural spread,” Sven Spichiger, the department’s entomology program manager, said.

“We suspected it was in this county. And we have a lot of Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus Altissima, which is its favorite host plant. It’s an invasive that we can cut down. But leafhoppers here can find other things to eat. Grapes are one thing. And they will ruin the orchards,” Susan C. Hyland, Schuylkill Master Gardener coordinator, said.

Even with cooler temperatures, the pest can still thrive.

“Egg masses are present in autumn and winter months, blending in with their surroundings,” according to the agriculture department’s website.

“They’re not so easy to identify because they’re not a beautiful color, like this little critter is. They look like gray putty,” Hyland said. “These insects have the potential to become a huge threat to fruit trees and grapes as well as other crops which can have a significant economic impact in our agriculture industry in Schuylkill County if they are not reduced in numbers now. Community awareness and participation in control throughout the year will be key to stopping the spread.”

“I think the most important thing is to get the information out to the public. The more eyes that are looking for these pests the better chance that we have of controlling their spread,” Adrian Portland, the lead science and biology teacher at Pottsville Area High School, said.

Following the announcement of quarantine, Portland and other science teachers at Pottsville Area have been discussing it in classes.

“The control effort will be successful only if homeowners, commercial growers, sportsmen and youth will inform themselves and take time to follow controls available to them,” Hyland said.

History

A native of China, Bangladesh and Vietnam, it arrived in the United States in 2014.

“It was introduced into Japan, South Korea and, unfortunately, here. We believe it attached its egg masses to product that was stored outdoors and that was shipped in,” Spichiger said.

“The adults are about an inch long,” Bonnie McCann, the department’s communications director, said.

In October, the department discovered evidence in Schuylkill County.

On Nov. 3, the department expanded the quarantine area. Unlike past quarantine expansions, the department applied the designation at the county level in order to provide an additional level of protection.

“Previously, quarantines were imposed only at the municipal level,” according to the website for the Pennsylvania Pressroom at www.media.pa.gov.

“Prior to today’s expansion, the quarantine covered municipalities in Berks, Bucks, Chester, Lehigh, Montgomery and Northampton counties. As part of a strategic effort to contain the insect’s spread, the department expanded the quarantine countywide in those six counties, and today added Carbon, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Monroe, Philadelphia, and Schuylkill counties. The quarantine now includes areas where the insect is not yet confirmed, but where there is a high risk of its rapid spread beyond the region,” the site said.

“Eradicating the spotted lanternfly is important not only for our citizens, but for our economy, as well,” Russell Redding, the department secretary, said. “This invasive insect threatens to destroy $18 billion worth of agricultural commodities here like apples, grapes and hardwoods, inflicting a devastating impact on the livelihoods of our producers and businesses.”

“They’re near the border of Schuylkill County and Berks County. There’s just a few specimens. And it’s likely as a result of hitchhikers,” Spichiger said, who added that if you are looking for evidence, you may not find it. “You’d be hard pressed to find them in the field in Schuykill County.”

“We are erring on the side of caution,” McCann said.

“They’re a bit of a disaster if left unchecked. It is a piercing-sucking insect from Asia. When introduced into Korea, it spread all over South Korea in three years and became a fairly major pest of grapes,” Spichiger said. “Unfortunately throughout a good portion of its life cycle, it makes use of 70 other plants, at least over in its native range. We’ve confirmed over 25 of those here and the list continues to grow each year. In 2017, we noticed an impact to some of our hardwoods. That’s probably the most significant thing for us. Grapes are bad enough, but they also swarmed apple orchards in Berks County this year for the first time. It was a bit of a shock.”

Elimination

The department said people can kill the insects on sight by crushing them. But getting rid of the egg masses takes a bit more work. .

“If you look at some of the pictures of egg masses, when the wax has dried, it really just looks like a spot of mud splashed onto something. They’re very cryptic,” Spichiger said. If anyone sees egg masses, they can scrape the eggs and drop in alcohol or hand sanitizer to kill them.

“Don’t transport them live. Don’t transport eggs, because there’s 30 to 50 eggs in each one of those mud-smear-looking things. People can make a meaningful difference by disposing of those if they have the opportunity,” McCann said.

Meanwhile, the department asks the public for help in tracking the pest’s whereabouts. Photos can be submitted to badbug@pa.gov. And people can call the Bad Bug hotline at 866-253-7189.

“If a person in Hazleton sees one or if someone sees one in Pottsville, I would want to know. It’s not just a state Department of Agriculture problem. It’s deemed a fairly significant threat to every citizen in the commonwealth,” Spichiger said.

Quarantine

The quarantine restricts movement of certain articles. If you seek to enter into a compliance agreement to be able to move these materials you can request a permit by contacting Dana Rhodes, state plant regulatory official, at 717-772-5205 or by email at danrhodes@pa.gov.

According to Rhodes, industries and articles regulated under the quarantine that are not moved include:

• Any living stage of the spotted lanternfly, including eggs, nymphs, and adults

• Brush, debris, bark

• Landscaping, remodeling or construction waste

• Logs, stumps, tree parts

• Firewood of any species

• Grapevines for decorative purposes or as nursery stock

• Nursery stock

• Crated materials

• Outdoor household items including recreational vehicles, lawn tractors and mowers, mower decks, grills, grill and furniture covers, tarps, mobile homes, tile, stone, deck boards, fire pits, any associated equipment and vehicles not stored indoors

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

POTTSVILLE — When Robert Block, 56, of Schuylkill Haven, stepped into the Parish Center at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church late Sunday morning, he was greeted by a couple of Cub Scouts.

One offered to take his coat.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“Eli,” the boy, Elias Baran, 7, said.

Another Scout, Quincy Clews, 7, handed him a memento to remember the occasion.

Held the day after Veterans Day, it was the first Veterans Recognition Brunch hosted by Cub Scout Pack 615 of St. Patrick Church.

The memento was a green plastic toy soldier wrapped in plastic. Stapled to it was a note that resembled a product card.

On it were the words: “Home of the free because of the brave. Thank you, veteran, for your service. Let this soldier be a reminder of our gratitude. Your sacrifice to serve and protect our country will never be forgotten! God bless America!”

They were put together by one of the volunteers, Courtney McCabe, Pottsville.

“We have about 30 veterans coming. I think I did about 32 of them. And we have a total of about 90 people coming, between veterans and their families,” she said.

Block served in the Army from 1984 to 2010 and earned the rank of E-5.

“I’m honored to be able to come to an event like this,” he said. “I’m honored that I was invited.”

The event was a brunch to honor and recognize local veterans.

“The brunch is free to veterans. There will be a $5 charge for the meal for everyone else,” according to a recent church bulletin.

“We’ve been talking through the years about how we need to do some stuff for our veterans. This is one of the ways that we can say thank you,” Dale Verchick, Pottsville, the scout committee chairman for Cub Scout Pack 615, said.

“And all the boys in the pack made thank-you cards for the veterans,” McCabe said.

The cards, decorated with crayons and pens, were put on the tables near the place settings.

“We also have a 76-slide tribute which is being projected onto a screen back there,” volunteer Leah Clews, Pottsville, said.

It included photos submitted by veterans who made reservations for the event.

Cub Scout Pack 615 consists of more than 40 Scouts ages 5 to 10. On Saturday and Sunday, more than 20 volunteers came out to the parish center to prepare the meal.

It included eggs, French toast, fruit, baked ziti, meatballs and tossed salad.

“All of the stuff was donated by the parents and we received donations,” Verchick said.

The crew prepared 30 pounds of bacon, 14 loaves of Texas toast, 12 loaves of classic white bread, 90 dinner rolls and 26 dozen eggs, McCabe said.

In the kitchen, John Difilippo Jr., Middleport, was making French toast. He was there with his son, a John Ryan Difilippo, 9.

“I think we made 40 pounds of ziti,” another volunteer, Jim Hrbek, Port Carbon, said.

“And we made 200 meatballs. And the families were making the desserts,” McCabe said.

Hrbek is also a veteran. He served in the Army from 1999 to 2006 and earned the rank of E-5.

“I want to teach my son about the Scouts,” Hrbek said. His son is Xaiden, 5.

Other veterans present included Leo F. Haley, 83, of Pottsville.

“I thought it was a nice gesture on the part of the Scouts,” Haley said.

Haley was in the Navy from 1950 to 1954 and earned the rank of quartermaster third class. He is commander of the Pottsville Catholic War Veterans Post 1051.

“This is a great idea. We work very closely with this group, the Catholic War Vets do,” Haley said, referring to the Boy Scouts and the Cub Scouts. “They assist us with the flag retirements. They help to decorate the graves on Memorial Day. So we try to support them and they support us.”

“This is a very nice event. This is such a good thing, something our vets deserve. And I’m very happy our Scouts are doing it. It’s a good turnout, and I hope we’ll do it next year. I think we will,” Monsignor Edward O’Connor, pastor of St. Patrick Church, said.

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

Man’s age incorrect

Brandon Wentz, the mayor of Mount Carbon who passed away Thursday, was 24 years old.

His age was incorrect in an article that appeared in Friday’s edition.

Kelayres

The annual Christmas tree lighting will be held Nov. 25 in Sacred Heart Square following the 4 p.m. Mass at All Saints Catholic Church. This year, Santa will make a visit to the tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. and he will have a surprise for all children who attend. All are invited to attend the tree lighting to welcome the Christmas season with an evening of fun and fellowship, according to a release.

McAdoo

The McAdoo Fire Company will host Operation Santa Claus throughout the McAdoo area and surrounding communities it protects. The program will begin Dec. 7 and end Dec. 10. Those who would like to schedule Santa to visit their home can call Tony at 570-929-2642 to make a reservation. Reservations will close Nov. 30. Donations are requested.

New Philadelphia

AMVETS Post 256 will meet at 7 p.m. Nov. 30 at Vetts Inc., 96 McComb St. Participants will discuss upcoming events. For more information, call 570-277-6031.

Pine Grove

The Pine Grove Area Christmas Light Committee will hold its 18th annual Christmas lighting festivities at 4 p.m. Saturday, according to Richard Becker, committee chairman. The event will be held at Werner Ace Lumber’s lot at the town square, where Route 125 (Tulpehocken Street) meets Route 443. Free hot dogs and soda will be available. The event will open with a prayer. About 100 chairs will be set up so elderly guests will have a place to sit to enjoy the events. Santa Claus will make his appearance and will hand out 150 gifts for children. The Pine Grove JROTC will present the colors and the Pine Grove Community Band, as well as other choral groups, are scheduled to perform. The streets of Pine Grove will be adorned with 60 large, lighted, multi-colored decorations with garland, according to a release.

Pine Grove

Schuylkill Church of the Brethren, 347 Sweet Arrow Lake Road, will mark the 100th birthday of the church building at 10 a.m. Nov. 26 with a special service recognizing past and present pastors and leaders of the church. There will be an overhead slide show with information narratives sharing memories as well as special music and an a cappella singing. A luncheon will follow the service. For more information, call 570-385-7697.

Pottsville

The Schuylkill YMCA, 520 N. Centre St., has a coat closet that “is getting full thanks to some wonderful donors,” according to a release. The Y is gladly accepting additional items for the closet and wants to get the word out that many coats — in sizes for children through adults — are available to anyone in need. People do not have to be Y members to get coats. For more information, call the Y at 570-622-7850.

Saint Clair

Santa Claus will arrive via fire truck in the borough and light the community Christmas tree in Boone Park, South Third Street, at 5 p.m. Nov. 26. The Cressona Band will present Christmas music for people awaiting Santa’s arrival. All children attending will be given a ticket for a chance to help Santa light the Christmas tree. Following the lighting, children are invited to visit with Santa at St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church Hall, Mill and Hancock streets. Refreshments will be served; all are welcome.

Snyders

Zion’s Stone Church, West Penn Township, will sponsor a pork-and-sauerkraut dinner from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-205-9267.

Tower City

Tower City Rotary Club’s annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony is set for 6:15 p.m. Nov. 26 at Town Square. Santa and Mrs. Claus will have treats for children. People may start the evening with a free Christmas movie and refreshments at 4:45 p.m. sponsored by Trinity United Church of Christ in the church social hall. For more information, call 717-647-2741.

HAMBURG — Over the weekend, hallways at Hamburg Area High School were lined with vendors selling homemade hats and scarfs, Christmas tree ornaments, jewelry, honey, kettle korn and cinnamon-glazed cashews.

Among them were some folks from Schuylkill County who set up tables at the event, the 18th annual Hamburg Holiday Craft Show, presented by Central Penn Events LLC.

Wilmer George, Washington Township, sold “Intarsia and Scrolled wood items.” The business is called Crafts By George.

“Oh, he has great stuff,” Mark Panty, New Cumberland, York County, the show promoter for Central Penn Events, said.

“We’ve been coming here for about six or seven years, and there’s always a good crowd. I believe there’s a record crowd this year,” George, 77, said.

“We had more than 3,300 people come through here on Saturday,” Panty said. “On average, we have approximately 2,000 to 2,200. On Sunday, I estimate we had about 1,600 to 1,700, which is better than average. On average on a Sunday the last few years has been about 800 to 900 people.”

George was selling wooden crafts he’d cut and painted, including palm-sized Christmas tree ornaments shaped like snowmen, mice, dolphins and camels and wall hangings shaped like wizards and angels that were more than a foot tall.

Intarsia is a form marquetry using inlays in wood, George said.

“I do it all with different colors of wood. There’s no stains, no paints. I cut it all with a scroll saw. I shape it and put it together. And I put a clear coat on top,” he said.

“There are four different woods there,” George said as he picked up one of his wall hangings that resemble angels. “This is Tiger Maple. This is Yellow pine. The flesh tones are all basswood. And this is Catalpa wood. That’s local wood.”

The wizard he’d crafted included “Purpleheart” wood and “African Mahogany,” he said.

He acquires most of the wood for his projects from a sawmill near his home, Siegel Lumber Co., 3901 Sweet Arrow Lake Road, Pine Grove.

George started making these crafts in 2002 after he retired from the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Schuylkill Haven.

“I was the staff administrative assistant,” he said.

“He had to find something to do with himself,” his wife, Sue, said.

“Somebody gave us a piece many, many years ago. And every time I’d look at it I’d say, ‘you know, I think I can do that.’ So I went online and I got some information and the first one I did was a Teddy bear for my granddaughter,” George said.

“Everybody here has to make their own products. It’s not like buy-sell. People can’t just go to a store, buy something then come here to sell it,” Panty said.

“That’s what’s nice about being here. It’s juried. So you have to show him how you do everything. You have to send pictures. I hate when you go to a craft show and people are reselling and what they have is not handmade,” Gerry Cole, 56, of Schuylkill Haven, said.

She was selling jewelry made with hand-crafted fused glass.

“The glass is what I specialize in. Everything is done at our home. Everything is fired. It’s cut from sheets, different types of glass,” Cole said.

She started working with the material six years ago.

“Funny story. I had a broken piece of pottery. It was a cup. It was my grandmother’s. It was probably 80 or 90 yeas old. I kept looking at it and said ‘I think I can do something with this,’ ” she said. “I rough cut it. I soldered it. I started to work on it. And I wore it. I turned pieces of the cup into earrings. And people offered to buy it off of me.”

Her business is called “Gerry Cole Jewelry,” and she specializes in “fused and dichroic glass jewelry.”

On Sunday, products on her table included earrings, anklets, pendants and glass-fused bracelets.

Cole said she’s been coming out to this event for four years.

“Mark is great! He advertises and the event has become well-known. We get so many people here from Lehigh and Schuylkill and Berks,” Cole said.

Joyce Arner, 70, of Tamaqua, set up a stand to sell crocheted items, including hats.

“I’ve been doing this since I was in sixth grade at North Ward Elementary in Tamaqua. It’s no longer there. My grandmother taught me. Her name was Mabel Wolfe. She started me on a doily,” Arner said.

“Now I do hats, neck warmers and coupon caddies,” she said.

Other items she made which were on her table for sale Sunday included a baby dress, baby sweater sets, blankets and plush animals.

“This is my third year here. I love it! It’s the best show. They get a lot of people in here. I sell a lot. They had more people here on Saturday than normally,” Arner said.

“We have over 175 vendors. This is the event’s 18th year. I took the show over six years ago. And we’re full ever year. We have over 175 vendors every year,” Panty said.

“I charge a $2 admission. I take one dollar of that and I give the other dollar to the Berks County United Way. And I pay rent to be in the school. I pay dearly be in the school,” Panty said.

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

MINERSVILLE — Borough residents can expect to pay more in garbage and sewer fees in 2018.

At the Wednesday Minersville Borough Council work session, the proposed 2018 budget was discussed.

“There will be no necessary tax increase to cover budget costs,” Jamie Kuehn, a member of the finance committee and council member, said.

However, residents likely will not be so lucky with the increasing costs of garbage and sewer rates.

“The garbage rate increase is due to the contract with the sanitation company. Once Kreitzer Sanitation was sold to County Waste, the costs are increasing, I don’t want to say astronomically, but they are greatly increasing over the next five years. So therefore, the current rates that we have, they won’t cover the cost and the related cost for sanitation, which also includes recycling and billing,” Kuehn said.

A $10 quarterly increase is proposed. The increase “would give us adequate funding to cover the cost of the contract for the next five years,” Kuehn said.

Currently, the rates per quarter are: single $40; family $60; low-volume business $40; medium-volume $65 per quarter; and high volume business $110 per quarter.

“Sanitation rates have not increased in almost 10 years,” Kuehn said.

He said the contract with County Waste, the low bidder, was renewed for five years.

Sewer rates will also likely increase. The state Department of Environmental Protection is requiring an update to the long-term control plan that maps the collection system.

“We are going to need to do a study that is going to cost $100,000 to outline where are CSOs (combined sewer overflow), plus there are other costs that are involved in that,” Borough Manager Robert Mahalchick said. “We have to update our long-term control plan. That is going to be a $42,000 bill there,”

Sewer rates could increase about $8 a quarter from what they are now.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

ASHLAND — The stately home that was the residence of priests who served the former St. Mauritius Roman Catholic Church for more than 100 years is now in private hands following its sale.

The Victorian-style church rectory, located at Eighth and Pine streets, was sold by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown to Anthony M. Orkin for $72,000. The deed was transferred on Oct. 5.

The last resident of the rectory was the Rev. John W. Bambrick, the pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church, Ashland, who died unexpectedly on March 11, 2016.

The consolidations of parishes in 2015 in Ashland, Girardville and Gordon resulted in the need for only one rectory for one pastor. The current home for the Rev. Paul Rothermel, pastor, is the former St. Vincent de Paul Church rectory, Girardville.

The three-story Ashland building was constructed in 1900, has five bedrooms and a red brick exterior.

The property includes a detached two-car garage and a fenced-in yard. According to a real estate listing, the third floor is a separate modern apartment that has a living room with kitchenette, bathroom, two bedrooms and central air. There is a half bath on the first floor, with full baths on the second and third floors.

The property was created from two lots, the first lot conveyed to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia in 1890, and the second lot conveyed by John Brock in 1862. Brock was one of three men who purchased land that became the Borough of Ashland.

Orkin, 67, is a New York native and lived for 35 years in Tucson, Arizona. He has lived in Ashland and Girardville for less than two years, and moved to the area because his sister, Donna Anderson, lived in Girardville. Both have moved into the rectory.

“I put down a bid on the rectory that fortunately went through,” Orkin said.

Orkin explained that he had first looked at purchasing the former St. Joseph Church and rectory in Girardville, but that property had been bid on and later sold. He later considered the former St. Vincent de Paul rectory, which had been on the market, but was taken off the market when Bambrick died. When Rothermel became pastor, he decided to live there.

“We were looking around and, because these places (rectories) were big enough, we looked at them,” Orkin said.

He said the interior has been maintained very well.

“It was redone and is very nice inside,” Orkin said. “It’s in pretty good shape. It needs work on the outside, but other than that, it’s very nice. The people who built this was very conscientious. A little at a time we’re working on the outside. We’re slowly fixing it.”

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

Two men charged with homicide and another man charged with attempted homicide are among those scheduled to enter not guilty pleas during arraignments Thursday in Schuylkill County Court.

Tyler J. Swantek, 24, of 443 N. Third St., Frackville, was arrested by Frackville police Chief Richard Bell and charged with criminal homicide, murder of the first degree, murder of the third degree, aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possessing instruments of crime, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and abuse of a corpse.

Bell charged Swantek with killing his father, Todd Swantek, inside their home at 443 N. Third St. The elder Swantek’s body was found May 24 and an autopsy determined he died of multiple gunshot wounds.

Daniel Dansavage, 58, of 116 S. Catawissa St., Mahanoy City, was arrested by state police Trooper Christopher Rooney of the Frackville station and charged with homicide by vehicle, accidents involving death or personal injury while not properly licensed, aggravated assault by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, recklessly endangering another person, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, false reports, overtaking a vehicle on the left, careless driving resulting in death, driving on the wrong side of the road, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic, reckless driving and turning movements and required signals.

Rooney charged Dansavage with causing an April 3 crash that claimed the life of Paul Winans, Mahanoy City, on Route 1006, the Burma Road, about a mile south of Brockton Mountain Road in Ryan Township,

Kenneth A. Boyer, 52, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville, was arrested by state police Trooper Thomas Robin and charged with criminal attempt to commit criminal homicide, aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possessing instruments of crime, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Robin charged Boyer with shooting Alexander Rosario, 22, the boyfriend of Boyer’s daughter, on Aug. 11 at the home they lived in at 125 Spruce St., Port Carbon.

Rosario was shot in the chest and face and taken to Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey. He was subsequently released but is still receiving treatment for his injuries.

Others scheduled to appear for arraignment are:

Brenden C. Searle, 29, of 635 W. Cherry St., Apt. C, Orwigsburg — driving under the influence of drugs, endangering the welfare of a child, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, maximum speed limits and restraint system violations.

Drew E. Romberger, 36, of 101 W. Main St., Tremont — DUI, driving without a license, disregard for single traffic lane, careless driving, driving at an unsafe speed and failure to use safety belts.

Benjamin E. Engle, 38, of 812 W. Main St., Box 313, Hegins — DUI, DUI-controlled substance, driving with an alcohol level of 0.02 percent or higher while under license suspension, driving without insurance, disregard for single traffic lane, driving at an unsafe speed and careless driving.

Matthew J. Soucheck, 21, of 210 E. Ogden St., Girardville — DUI-controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving the wrong way.

Ronald E. Koscil, 64, of 207 Norwegian Woods Drive, Pottsville — DUI-highest rate, obedience to traffic control signals and careless driving.

Odette A. Delapaz, 41, of 108 N. Lincoln St., McAdoo — DUI, DUI-highest rate and restrictions on alcoholic beverages.

Christopher R. Horhay, 25, of 176 Silverbrook Road, McAdoo — DUI-controlled substance, disregard for single traffic lane, driving over a divider and careless driving.

Gary W. Marx, 30, of 633 Fifth St., Port Carbon — DUI, DUI-highest rate, unsafe passing on the left, disregard for single traffic lane, following too closely and careless driving.

Amy L. Lanning, 46, of 32 Homesville Road, Ashland — DUI-controlled substance.

Wade A. Yoder, 31, of 71 Rock Road, Pine Grove — driving without insurance, disregard for single traffic lane, no rear lights, careless driving, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, DUI-controlled substance and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Scott A. Mitchell, 39, of 424 E. Union St., Schuylkill Haven — DUI and careless driving.

Samantha M. Lepre, 19, of 266 S. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove — possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a small amount of marijuana and DUI-controlled susbtance.

Paul D. Hillibush, 43, of 101 S. Line St., Apt. 2, Frackville — DUI and DUI-high rate.

Tyler J. Ryerson-Bendas, 24, of 127 S. Tulpehocken St., Floor 1 Rear, Pine Grove — DUI, accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property, reckless driving, careless driving, driving without insurance and DUI-highest rate.

Masiya D. Caudle-Stone, 27, of 117 W. Broad St., Apt. 6, Tamaqua — DUI-controlled substance, not using low beams and driving without a license.

Jean Matweecha, 59, of 519 S. Hancock St., McAdoo — DUI, DUI-highest rate, reckless driving and careless driving.

David M. Dreher, 29, of 26 St. Charles St., Schuylkill Haven — driving under the influence of drugs, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ryan J. Campbell, 26, of 16 N. 12th St., Ashland — bad checks and criminal attempt to commit bad checks.

Stella C. Conklin, 50, of 8 School Row St., Pottsville —theft of services and receiving stolen property.

Donathan V. Bixler, 22, of 327 E. Wiconisco Ave., Tower City — unauthorized use of automobiles.

Daniel Campbell Jr., 30, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, false identification to law enforcement, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Samuel Tuckett, 24, of 21 Bolichs Road, Andreas — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robert L. Rhoades-Highsmith, 25, of 573 Peacock St., Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia and driving a vehicle without an official Certificate of Inspection.

Daniel K. Landon, 41, of 1758 W. Market St., Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct.

Jonathan A. Wampole, 47, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — criminal trespass, defiant trespass and loitering and prowling at night.

Jessica A. Chattin, 43, of 309 W. Norwegian St., Apt. 2, Pottsville — possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Raven L. Negron, 27, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — prohibited offensive weapons and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Timothy M. Ebert, 23, of 309 W. Norwegian St., Apt. 2, Pottsville — risking a catastrophe, recklessly endangering another person and possessing instruments of crime.

Kimberly J. Scanlan, 23, of 534 Third St., Port Carbon — driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Heather L. Reed, 29, of 14 S. 12th St., Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance.

Dylan J. Ciappa, 38, of 411 St. Peters Road, Andreas —retail theft.

Dwight Andescavage, 28, of Box 2, Tuscarora — terroristic threats, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Christ J. Natale, 43, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — defiant trespass, loitering and prowling at night, open lewdness and criminal mischief.

Maria T. Bulino, 57, of 552 Lewis St., Minersville — forgery and obtaining or acquiring possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation.

John T. Stiles III, 30, of 514 Lytle St., Minersville — defiant trespass.

Dana M. Rupinski, 22, of 135 Laurel St., Ashland — theft and receiving stolen property.

Shawn M. Tobin, 31, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Amber L. Manhart, 24, of 914 Centre St., Ashland — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Janice L. Ramos, 27, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — retail theft.

Michael A. Flickinger, 47, of 107 Market St., Port Carbon — possession of a controlled substance.

Kimberly A. Endicott, 46, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Michael J. Merenda, 32, of 135 W. Blaine St., McAdoo — agricultural trespass and scattering rubbish.

Aaron J. Neff, 21, of 185 Greenwood St., Coaldale — possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Lisa M. Cope, 52, of 12 W. Broad St., Apt. 201, Tamaqua — hindering apprehension or prosecution and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Justin P. Heacock, 31, of State Correctional Institution/Mahanoy, Frackville — burglary, robbery and theft.

Brandon L. Deesing, 20, of 7 Main St., Gilberton — theft, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief.

Mary F. Clickner, 55, of 116 S. Catawissa St., Mahanoy City — false reports and unsworn falsification to authorities.

Michael K. Jessman, 35, of 155 S. Nice St., Frackville — criminal attempt to commit burglary, criminal trespass, loitering and prowling at night, defiant trespass and disorderly conduct.

Michael A. Farver, 29, of 4 N. 10th St., Ashland — theft, receiving stolen property and possession of a controlled substance.

Kayti M. Garbacik, 22, of 4 N. 10th St., Ashland — theft, receiving stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Roxann M. Mooney, 38, of 420 Centre St., Ashland — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Meagan E. McCabe, 24, of 16 N. Lehigh St., Shenandoah — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Amy L. Sartori, 32, of 426 W. Coal St., Shenandoah — theft, receiving stolen property and delivery of a controlled substance.

Jason J. Grady, 34, of 57 Lost Creek Road, Box 111, Lost Creek — receiving stolen property, fleeing or attempting to elude police, recklessly endangering another person, possession of a controlled substance, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, drivers required to be licensed, driving an unregistered vehicle and fraudulent use or removal of a license plate.

Lindsey R. Carl, 19, of 105 Rock Road, Pine Grove — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nicole M. Porter, 33, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — escape.

Joshua C. Spector, 37, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — burglary, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, theft and receiving stolen property; possession of drug paraphernalia.

Gerald Lawell, 33, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Thomas J. Meyer, 27, of 84 S. Coal St., Port Carbon — simple assault and harassment.

Gregory R. Viars, 19, of 313 Bobb Alley, Cumbola — retail theft.

Adam J. Wessner, 20, of 16 Avenue D, Schuylkill Haven — aggravated indecent of a child, aggravated indecent assault of a person under the age of 13, indecent assault of a person under the age of 13, indecent exposure and corruption of minors.

Dennis J. Powanda Jr., 34, of 1 Emerick St., Pottsville — defiant trespass and retail theft.

Kelly S. Williams, 47, of 2 S. Tremont St., Tremont — access device fraud and receiving stolen property.

Devon A. Geiger, 18, of 31 N. Morris St., Saint Clair — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jeffrey T. Sartori, 30, of 336 Cherry St., Minersville — endangering the welfare of a child, accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked and driving on the wrong side of the road.

Steven T. Middleton, 21, of 145 W. Ogden St., Girardville — retail theft.

Anthony L. Kehl, 47, of 322 W. Broad St., Apt. 3, Tamaqua — aggravated assault, possessing instruments of crime, simple assault, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Justin E. Englehart, 33, of 64 Hunters Drive, Pine Grove — possession of a small amount of marijuana, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic, turning movements and required signals, driving at an unsafe speed, careless driving and failure to use safety belts.

David O. Murphy, 68, of 62 Louck Road, Pine Grove — possession of a controlled substance.

Matthew J. Natale, 26, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — criminal trespass, escape, flight to avoid apprehension, trial or punishment, public drunkenness and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Michael D. Economy, 40, of 176 Long Run Road, Gilberton — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Wanda L. Foose, 40, of 331 W. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City — hindering apprehension or prosecution and resisting arrest.

Kyle J. Wronski, 27, of 414 Roosevelt Drive, New Boston — forgery and theft.

Sarah M. Slatick, 22, of 511 W. Cherry St., Shenandoah — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Joshua S. Greenman, 32, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — contraband, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Rigoberto Hernandez, 74, of 13 N. West St., Shenandoah — delivery of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

Blake D. Kurten, 23, of 204 Walnut Court, Orwigsburg — false identification to law enforcement, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic, driving without insurance and carrying or exhibiting a driver’s license on demand.

Natalie K. Hohman, 35, of 119 N. Perry St., Orwigsburg — theft and receiving stolen property.

Russell J. Brown, 51, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — terroristic threats, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Beth A. Paxton, 62, of 129A Pottsville St., Cressona — retail theft.

Charlene A. Keita, 45, of 1 Judy Drive, Cressona — retail theft.

Richard V. Watson III, 32, of 33 Kiowa Cove, Auburn — strangulation, simple assault and harassment.

Samuel P. Miller III, 28, of 208 N. Warren St., Orwigsburg — harassment.

Samuel L. Frey, 36, 79 Goose Pond Road, New Ringgold — possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Brittney L. Wilcox, 27, of 136 N. Kennedy Drive, McAdoo — possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Michael Reed, 49, of 111 Straub Ave., Orwigsburg — indecent assault of a person under the age of 13, corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of a child.

Felix L. Torres Jr., 33, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — hindering apprehension or prosecution, resisting arrest and flight to avoid apprehension, trial or punishment.

Samantha P. Dower, 25, of 44 S. Mill St., Saint Clair —disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.

Renee M. Austerberry, 31, of 15 W. Franklin St., Saint Clair — unauthorized use of automobiles, receiving stolen property and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Kelly A. Williams, 29, of 1330 Spruce St., Ashland —possession of drug paraphernalia.

Christian D. Kuzowsky, 43, of 1 Earl St., Lot 28, Hilltop Mobile Home Park, Schuylkill Haven — retail theft.

Eric R. Myers, 47, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — disorderly conduct, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Michael A. Farver, 29, of 4 N. 10th St., Ashland — retail theft.

Beau V. Schenck, 33, of 216 Howard Ave., Apt. 2, Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Elizabeth Hockman, 18, of 320 Spring Garden St., Pottsville — false reports.

Jason M. Oshman, 30, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Shane M. McNulty, 25, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsvillem — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

William R. Warwick, 23, of 223 Peacock St., Pottsville — persons not to possess or use firearms, receiving stolen property and firearms not to be carried without a license.

Scott T. Blum, 50, of 298 Frieden Manor, Schuylkill Haven — possession of a controlled substance.

Canal B. Miller, 27, of 414 Front St., Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, restraint system violations, failure to use safety belts, unlawful activities and carrying or exhibiting a driver’s license on demand.

Devin W. Murphy, 25, of 319 W. Market St., Apt. 4, Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance.

Natalie A. Landon, 31, of 434 E. Market St., Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Angela A. Shappell, 29, of 300 S. Second St., Saint Clair; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Thomas J. Martin, 59, of 309 Laurel St., Minersville — public drunkenness, public consumption of alcohol prohibited and possession of a controlled substance.

Dominic F. Borelli, 25, of 31 Deer Park Drive, Pottsville — public drunkenness, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Phillip M. Hoptak, 36, of 837 N. Centre St., Pottsville — strangulation and simple assault.

Earl O. Williams III, 35, of 3 N. Morris St., Saint Clair — sale or transfer of firearms-duty to other persons.

David G. Arispe, 66, of 219 N. Centre St., Rear Apt. 1C, Pottsville — retail theft.

David A. Close, 46, of 110 N. Mill St., Saint Clair — turning movements and required signals, driving a vehicle without an official Certificate of Inspection, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Richard C. Stepp Sr., 38, of 741 E. Norwegian St., Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Stacy L. Benedict, 46, of 1036 W. Laurel Blvd., Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Tanya M. Viars, 41, of 839 Fairmont Ave., Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nicole A. Hudock, 21, of 1125 W. Arch St., Pottsville — selling or furnishing alcohol to minors.

Joshua S. Siluk, 24, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robert E. Reagan Sr., 47, of 501 W. Arch St., Pottsville — retail theft.

Kati L. Hoffman, 27, of 357 Dayton St., Williamstown — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Diandre E. Williams, 38, of 524 E. Norwegian St., Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

Gerald Lawell III, 33, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked and possession of a controlled substance.

Austin D. Wolfe, 21, of 430 E. Norwegian St., Pottsville — terroristic threats, harassment and simple assault.

Travis G. Beaver, 18, of 163 Pioneer Road, Shenandoah — retail theft, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ronexon L. Collado, 24, of 115 N. West St., Shenandoah — terroristic threats, simple assault, harassment and criminal mischief.

Noah Garcia, 20, of 150 Rear Willow St., Delano —possession of drug paraphernalia.

Deborah Whitecavage, 60, of 407 E. Pine St., Mahanoy City — retail theft, receiving stolen property and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.

Regan E. Price, 39, of 526 W. Oak St., Second Floor, Frackville — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robert L. Horn, 41, of 848 Valley Road, Pottsville — accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property.

Tyler J. Nornhold, 20, of 51 Marstown Alley, Pine Grove — theft, receiving stolen property, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, driving without insurance and driving a vehicle without an official Certificate of Inspection.

Joseph Cooper, 33, of 413 E. Union St., Tamaqua — possession of a controlled substance.

Douglas J. Schartel, 36, LKA 203 Market St., Tamaqua — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Norman G. Thomas, 21, of 407 Willing St., Tamaqua —delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communications facility and possession of a controlled substance.

Jason H. Hill, 27, of 407 Willing St., Tamaqua — delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communications facility and possession of a controlled substance.

Janice Matrician, 51, of 75 Ben Titus Road, Tamaqua — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robert J. Matlock, 41, of 327 Valley St., Brockton — defiant trespass.

Sarah A. Bensinger, 26, of 115 Catawissa St., Tamaqua — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

John S. Florian, 53, of 131 Penn St., Tamaqua — access device fraud, theft, possession of a controlled substance, false identification to law enforcement, retail theft and receiving stolen property.

Nicole Savage, 27, of 27 E. Lehigh St., Coaldale – burglary, theft and recklessly endangering another person.

Valerie K. Waldron, 37, of 229 Cedar St., Tamaqua — criminal trespass and defiant trespass.

Kris M. Dronick Sr., 39, of 106 E. Main St., Apt. 3, Schuylkill Haven — theft and receiving stolen property.

Norman F. Trinkley, 22, of 1036 Chestnut Road, Orwigsburg — prohibited offensive weapons, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and public drunkenness.

Jeremy S. Yeakley, 33, of 325 Hazle St., Tamaqua —application of firearms-false statements and unsworn falsification to authorities.

Robert C. Brode Jr., 34, of 43 Goosepond Road, New Ringgold — burglary, theft, defiant trespass, criminal trespass and trespass by motor vehicle.

Amber L. Faust, 29, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ronald L. Kriner, 46, of 237 Market St., Apt. B, Auburn; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Storm D. Walcott, 26, of 203 Laurel St., Minersville — terroristic threats, criminal mischief, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Starr A. Kline, 22, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville – resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Christine L. Slate, 48, of 301 Lewis St., Minersville — retail theft, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Martina M. Mazloom, 23, of 57 Valley St., New Philadelphia — theft and receiving stolen property.

Isaiah A. Thompson, 19, of 51 Westwood St., Minersville — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Michael A. Dembitsky, 32, of 36 Fisher Acres, Pine Grove — altered, forged or counterfeit documents and plates, driving an unregistered vehicle and driving a vehicle without an official Certificate of Inspection.

Jason M. Frew, 39, of 4 S. Crescent St., Tremont — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

Jeffrey A. Madiera, 37, of 905 W. Maple St., Box 396, Hegins — drivers required to be licensed, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked and failure to provide accurate registration information.

Ashley N. Renninger, 32, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Patrick V. Farrell, 22, of 125 E. Market St., Apt. 4, Orwigsburg — unlawful restraint, simple assault and harassment.

Yarlyn Moran, 20, of 215 W. Columbus St., Shenandoah — aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Adam J. Kunkel, 33, of 738 E. Broad St., Tamaqua — failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

George S. Beaver, 59, of 17 Jerrys Road, Ringtown — simple assault and defiant trespass.

Charles M. Koncsler, 61, of 201 W. Centre St., Shenandoah — delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kyle J. Wronski, 27, of 414 Roosevelt Drive, New Boston — driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, burglary, criminal trespass, theft, criminal mischief, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kevin J. Gordon, 32, of 10 Gallow Road, Minersville — simple assault and harassment.

Joseph P. Harkins III, 39, of 82 Silver Creek Road, New Philadelphia — theft and receiving stolen property.

Pedro L. Cabrera, 30, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — defiant trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jeremi D. Harkins, 36, of 629 W. Race St., Pottsville —defiant trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Alexia E. Sukeena, 27, of 10 Deer Lane, Pottsville —endangering the welfare of a child.

Brandon J. Hoffman, 22, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — furnishing drug free urine.

Nicole M. Porter, 33, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jarret A. Zalonka, 28, of 325 Laurel Road, Orwigsburg — possession of a controlled substance.

Joseph M. Monaghan, 36, of 515 McKnight St., Gordon — possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving a vehicle without an official Certificate of Inspection.

Roy M. Hogan Jr., 24, of 1 Judy Drive, Cressona — criminal mischief.

Kody J. Stencovage, 22, of 4 Barefield Drive, Pottsville — risking a catastrophe, arson, criminal mischief and dangerous burning.

Zachery G. Zerby, 24, of 252 W. Second Mountain Road, Pottsville — public drunkenness, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Joshua L. Ney, 24, of 1759 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville — delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

Robert C. Woll, 54, of 1708 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville —simple assault.

Desiree A. Weaver, 24, of 6 Peacock St., Pottsville —delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

Thomas R. Weikel, 41, of 435 E. Norwegian St., Apt. 2, Pottsville — delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communications facility, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Victor Dominguez-Davis, 51, of 423 Greenwood Ave., Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct.

Joshua S. Siluk, 24, of 316 Pine Hill St., Minersville —possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and delivery of a controlled substance.

Shannon M. Stahr, 33, of 64 Main St., Mount Carbon — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communications facility, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Brian G. Conville, 41, of 101 W. Race St., Apt. 201, Pottsville — false alarms to agencies of public safety.

Bradley G. Yakimovich, 21, of 1311 E. Pine St., Mahanoy City — disorderly conduct, criminal mischief and public drunkenness.

Justin M. Kayal, 29, of 408 E. Market St., Apt. 2, Pottsville — retail theft.

Brian L. Weinhold, 49, of 368 Valley Road, Hecksherville — drivers required to be licensed, stop and yield sign violations, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Larome H. Wonsock, 31, of 247 Nichols St., Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Daniel A. Beachley, 21, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — aggravated assault on police, simple assault and disorderly conduct.

Michael J. Pretti, 19, of 46 S. Second St., Saint Clair — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Alexia A. Rodriguez, 28, of 702 W. Market St., Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Timothy L. Vidal, 32, of 557 S. Centre St., Pottsville — recklessly endangering another person and careless driving.

Darrell L. Ward, 63, of 1215 Spring Garden St., Pottsville — terroristic threats and disorderly conduct.

Keith T. Brobst, 39, of 217 Mauch Chunk St., Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance.

Richard D. Rumberger, 49, of 1684 Mount Hope Ave., Pottsville — harassment.

Brittany L. Bainbridge, 25, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — distribution of a small amount of marijuana, retail theft, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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

CARLISLE — An Orwigsburg man reported missing in Cumberland County on Friday was seen a day later in Orwigsburg.

State police Trooper Justin R. Achenbach of the Carlisle station said Israel Sky Whalen, 23, was reported missing about 1 p.m. Friday from 236 Westminster Drive in South Middleton Township.

Achenbach said Whalen went to lunch at Red Robin restaurant and did not return to his original location. Whalen was last seen leaving the restaurant parking lot wearing a dark blue, short-sleeve T-shirt with a light gray long sleeve T-shirt underneath it and dark blue pants, the trooper said.

Achenbach said Whalen is about 5 feet 8 inches tall, about 155 pounds with short dark hair and glasses.

“Whalen is considered to be a danger to himself,” the trooper said.

Orwigsburg police said that Whalen was later sighted in the borough about 1 p.m. Saturday in the area of Lee Street.

Police said the man resides in the Pine Brook area but also lists an address in the Hazleton area.

Orwigsburg police said they are working with state police from Carlisle on the case.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Whalen is asked to call state police at Carlisle at 717-249-2121 and refer to incident PA2017-1203648.