John Kascht started his art career at the age of 14 in his hometown of Waukesha, Wisconsin.

This weekend, 30 years of his work comes together in an exhibit in his adopted home of Northeast Pennsylvania.

The caricature artist presents retrospective exhibit “Making Faces: Portraits by John Kascht,” which opens today, at Everhart Museum, 1901 Mulberry St. Kascht will be in the gift shop from 5 to 8 p.m. to meet patrons and sign posters on the opening day.

As a young teenager,

Kascht drew political cartoons for a newspaper in Waukesha. Eventually, he realized he preferred portraits over politics and pursued a different path.

“I realized at some point that I wasn’t interested in politics or being a political commentator, but people and drawing portraits,” Kascht said. “In spite of early beginnings as a political cartoonist, I split from that and went in the direction of portraits and caricatures.”

After years of working in illustrator and designer positions at different newspapers across the country, Kascht became a freelance artist and created caricatures for numerous publications, including The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Washington Post and more.

Throughout his career, Kascht has created caricatures of numerous politicians and celebrities, many of which will be on display at the Everhart.

“People can expect to see an overload of wrinkles, jowls, foreheads, slouches and posture. People can expect a fun show,” Kascht said. “One of the things I’m pleased about is that it’s enjoyable. Anybody, even people who don’t like art, can go and have a good time.”

Opening day of the exhibition is free and open to the public. The exhibit remains on display until May 7. According to Kascht, “Making Faces” will not just feature “funny pictures,” but explanations of the “work and sincere thinking” that went into the process of creating them.

“I think caricatures are often seen as a negative art form that makes fun of people, but that’s not how I approach it. It’s seeing what makes a person unique and bringing out those characteristics. Hopefully it’s a show that celebrates us and celebrates humanity.”

Kascht said he never decided to be a caricaturist; it’s just always been with him. As a child, he used to follow his parents and friends around, mimicking the way they walked and talked. His interests in impersonation and drawing merged, he said.

“I had an instinct to impersonate people,” he said. “Caricatures are a visual form of impersonation, and my interest grew out of that instinct to mimic or impersonate the people around me.”

Additionally, watching his father, a forensic scientist, perform autopsies had an influence on his art and taught him about human anatomy and physiology while he was growing up. While it isn’t obvious at first glance, natural science and caricatures can overlap, he said.

“People think of it as cartooning, but there’s really a kind of scientific mindset,” he said. “You look at a face or body and what makes it unique. Like a scientist, you think ‘what’s going on here?’ ”

Kascht will be part of upcoming events at the museum. He will conduct tours of his exhibition at the Everhart on March 22. This event costs $25 per person and includes light refreshments at 6 p.m. Tours will begin at 7 p.m. and end at 8 p.m. From 1 to 4 p.m. April 21, Kascht will be one of the presenters in a new, free monthly series at the Everhart, “Tête-à-Tête: An Everhart Conversation.”

When the exhibit closes in Scranton, “Making Faces” will travel to Kascht’s hometown of Waukesha and then move its way out west. While he’s been involved with group exhibitions, this is his first solo and traveling exhibition.

“I’m really excited about this exhibition,” he said. “I love the Everhart Museum and I think it’s gonna be great. I’m pleased to open to the hometown crowd and be starting it here.”

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

MAHANOY CITY — Fire damaged two homes in the 500 block of West Spruce Street on Friday afternoon, leaving seven people temporarily homeless.

Firefighters were called to a home at 508 W. Spruce St. around 4:20 p.m. and found smoke coming from the home and fire apparently in the walls.

The fire was contained to two homes, 508 W. Spruce St. and an attached home at 510 W. Spruce St., according to David Truskowsky, Mahanoy City Fire Department administrative assistant.

Patty Daley, disaster captain of the American Red Cross Tri-County Chapter, said her organization is assisting all seven people with food, clothing and shelter.

She identified those displaced by the blaze as:

• 508 W. Spruce St. — Megan Taris, 35, and her three children — Brady Wagner, 14; Jake Taris, 7; and Kaia Taris, 4.

• 510 W. Spruce St. — Melody Wagner, 43; her son, Chad Price, 17; and grandson, Liam Barrineau, 3.

Truskowsky said all Mahanoy City fire companies, along with Mahanoy City police and Mahanoy City EMS, responded to the fire that was brought under control in about an hour.

He said the fire appears to be accidental and “electrical in nature.”

Truskowsky said that the 508 home sustained fire, smoke and water damage, while the home at 510 sustained smoke and water damage.

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

It will be more expensive to have Comcast service this year.

Customers will likely pay more this year than last when they look at their monthly bills. The price increases took place late December. Prices will not increase for customers who have promotions with their services.

“We continue to make significant investments in our network and technologies to give customers more for their money — like faster internet service and better Wi-Fi, more video across viewing screens, innovations like X1 and a better customer experience. However, the costs we are charged to carry popular networks continue to increase significantly, and we must pass along a portion of these higher costs to our customers. As a result, on average, nationally, the customer bill will increase by 2.2 percent in 2018,” Bob Grove, vice president of public relations for Comcast’s Keystone Region, said Friday.

Among the price hikes is a $1 rise in the broadcast TV fee to $8. The charge is placed on customer bills to recoup the cost for retransmission. The fee was originally introduced in January 2014. It started at $1.50. The fee for customers with a limited basic TV box went up to $2.50 from $1. The regional sports fee, assessed to recover costs to transmit certain regional sports shows, is now $6 a month after starting at $1.

Numerous price increases have taken effect depending on the package the customer has. The triple play packages, which include TV, internet and phone service, have increased $5 a month. You’ll also pay more to stay connected and use the internet, paying $5 more a month.

The fee for late bill payment is now $10, 50 cents more than 2017. If you want to have Comcast installed, it is $4.80 more than last year, amounting to $40 an hour.

The company increased the offerings it provided in 2017 at no cost including investing in partnerships that give customers YouTube content and iHeart Radio stations; launched xFi, which brings management of Wi-Fi to customers; and increased content available through the Xfinity Stream app.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill S. Jackson Street

To Darryl and Monica Tully Wingard, Saint Clair, a son, Jan. 11

An intern with the Schuylkill County Sheriff’s Department charged with stealing a department vehicle Wednesday had no criminal history and passed all background checks with flying colors, the sheriff said Friday.

Bryan Bascombe, 23, of Brooklyn, New York, was an unpaid intern for the Schuylkill County Sheriff’s Department when, on Wednesday, he decided to take one of its vehicles to the Penn State Hazleton campus where he is a student studying administration of criminal justice.

That ride to Luzerne County and back put Bascombe in Schuylkill County Prison and left Schuylkill County Sheriff Joseph Groody and his staff wondering why he did what he did.

Groody said Friday that his office has strict requirements when hiring, including extensive background checks and references.

Bascombe fared well with both.

Groody said Bascombe enlisted in the Army reserves for eight years, has already served three, and came highly recommended by his professors at Penn State.

Moreover, Groody said the man’s background check turned up nothing, not even a parking ticket.

“He has a spotless record,” the sheriff said, adding that Bascombe already had several security clearances before he applied for the internship.

“He had all kinds of clearances from the Army, he worked at JFK Airport where he had security clearance and he worked for the National Park Service where he also had security clearance,” Groody said.

The sheriff also said Bascombe was an “A” student at Penn State and came with tremendous references.

“The professors are shocked,” Groody said, adding that hours before the incident Bascombe took a test to become a Pennsylvania State Police trooper.

“At this point we have no idea what he was thinking Wednesday afternoon or why he did what he did,” the sheriff said.

The vehicle Bascombe took to Hazleton is the oldest car in the fleet and used mostly to transport inmates from the county prison to the courthouse for proceedings and then back.

Groody said that it is common for interns to drive the vehicles for fuel and other maintenance providing they have valid driver’s licenses, which Bascombe did.

“Even if someone saw them getting into a car, it would not look out of the ordinary because the courthouse was still open,” he said.

Groody said Bascombe took the car between 4 and 4:15 p.m. and was captured on video cameras bringing it back at 6:18 p.m.

Groody said each of his deputies have keys for the cars and there is also a spare inside a key box in the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff said the spare key is the one Bascombe took and never returned when he brought the vehicle back.

“The thing is that he kept the key, that leads me to believe he was contemplating taking it again,” Groody said.

Groody said that after learning of the incident, he contacted Pottsville police to conduct the investigation to avoid any questions of impropriety in the future.

That investigation led Pottsville police Patrolman Braden Jones to charge Bascombe with felony theft of a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property and theft regarding the key to the vehicle.

Bascombe was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge David Rossi, Tremont, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $20,000 straight cash bail.

Groody said Bascombe was interviewed by authorities, but those discussions will remain confidential until his preliminary hearing.

Rossi tentatively scheduled the preliminary hearing for 9 a.m. Feb. 15 before Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville. The hearing will most likely be continued due to criminal court term at the courthouse.

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

Man charged with

stalking, harassment

NEW PHILADELPHIA — A 49-year-old borough man was arrested by state police at Frackville after an incident on Water Street between 2:45 and 3:15 p.m. Jan. 12.

Police said Edward D. Paukstis was taken into custody at his home subsequent to a response for 911 hang up calls that originated at that location when it was learned that he was interrupting attempts being made from the home to call for outside assistance.

Paukstis was charged with stalking, harassment, obstructing the administration of law and resisting arrest.

He was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $10,000 straight cash bail, police said.

Police: Contractor

failed to do work

McADOO — McAdoo police charged a borough man stemming from what they are calling a contractor fraud incident.

Police said they were contacted by a resident who reported entering into a business contract in March with D.W. Home Improvement operated by Don Walck, 41, for work to be done on their property.

The agreement called for a deposit of $562 with work to commence in April, police said, adding Walck cashed the deposit check but never performed the services he promised to provide.

Multiple attempts were made to contact Walck with no success, police said.

As a result, police said, they charged Walck with deceptive or fraudulent business practices, theft by deception, home improvement fraud, theft and receiving stolen property, all misdemeanor offenses.

2 not hurt in crash

in Wiconisco Twp.

WICONISCO — Two people escaped injury when the 2002 Ford Focus they were in crashed on Pottsville Street in Wiconisco Township, Dauphin County, around 6:20 p.m. Monday.

State police at Lykens said a 17-year-old Gratz boy was driving west too fast for conditions when he lost control while trying to follow a left curve. The car fishtailed across both lanes and then rolled as it slid into a ditch on the south side of the road where it came to a stop on its driver’s side.

Police said the driver and his passenger — a 14-year-old Gratz boy — were not hurt, adding that the teenager driving the car was cited for driving at an unsafe speed.

Police: Woman

caused disturbance

LYKENS — A 61-year-old borough woman was charged with disorderly conduct by state police at Lykens after an incident on South Street in that Dauphin County community around 3:45 p.m. Monday.

Police said Sandra Lea Posten of 317 South St. was charged after making unreasonable noise in the street.

Posten will now have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge Rebecca Margerum, Elizabethville.

Man charged with

furnishing urine

POTTSVILLE — An incident in Pottsville on Jan. 22 landed a city man in Schuylkill County Prison.

Pottsville police said officers were requested to respond to the Schuylkill County Adult Probation office for a report of fake urine.

At the scene, police said, they learned that Adult Probation Officer Brian Shannon was testing Steven John Brilla, 24, and caught him attempting to pass fake urine as his own during the procedure.

Police said Brilla admitted to using synthetic urine and an apparatus he had created in an attempt to provide a false sample.

Shannon had Brilla’s probation revoked and he was remanded to the Schuylkill County Prison, police said.

As a result of the incident, a criminal complaint was against Brilla with Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, charging him with misdemeanor furnishing drug-free urine, police said.

POTTSVILLE — Schuylkill County Prison has one less corrections officer on its staff, as the county prison board has voted to fire one of them for what it said was misconduct.

Warden Gene Berdanier said Friday that the board discharged Michael Dolan, Girardville, at a special meeting on Tuesday.

“The prison board voted and he was terminated,” Berdanier said.

Berdanier said “policy violations” were why the board got rid of Dolan.

Dolan’s position will not be vacant for long, according to Berdanier.

“Eventually, yes,” he said about the board replacing Dolan. “The hiring process has to be conducted.”

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

Democratic United States Sen. Bob Casey had eight times as much campaign money as 2018 began, compared to his best-funded potential Republican challenger, United States Rep. Lou Barletta, according to their latest campaign finance reports.

The large gap could fuel questions about Barletta’s ability to raise enough money to compete, but Barletta said he isn’t worried.

“I’m pretty well on pace” with past Senate race challengers, he said.

Casey’s campaign committee, Bob Casey for Senate Inc., wrapped up 2017 by raising $2,602,989 in the final quarter and finished with a cash balance of $8,657,797.

Barletta, R-11, Hazleton, a fourth-term lawmaker, had one of his best fundraising quarters ever since he first ran for Congress in 2002. His campaign committee, Lou Barletta for Senate, netted $489,683 in contributions and raised a total of $530,918. He ended the year with $1,065,495.

Two years ago, Democratic Senate candidate Katie McGinty reported ending 2015 with $1,162,688 before her 2016 run against Republican Sen. Pat Toomey. Toomey finished that fourth quarter with $9,579,017.

Barletta’s cash balance was slightly lower than McGinty’s then, but McGinty raised twice as much in her 2015 final quarter, $979,827, than Barletta did in 2017’s fourth quarter. McGinty’s campaign committee began Aug. 4, 2015; Barletta’s started Aug. 29, 2017, according to online Federal Election Commission records.

Franklin & Marshall College political analyst G. Terry Madonna said Barletta still has to prove his fundraising prowess. With so many competitive House and Senate races across the country and political analysts still viewing Casey as a likely winner, Barletta could struggle to raise money as donors pick tighter races, he said.

“His biggest problem right now is Barletta has to convince the big donors, especially the political action committees, that he is making the race competitive,” Madonna said. “If he can do that, I think the money will pour in.”

Barletta attributed his fourth-quarter fundraising to Congress spending most of November and December in Washington D.C., limiting his ability to raise money. He pointed out McGinty had to raise more money because she faced a competitive Democratic Senate primary in 2016, against former congressman Joe Sestak.

Barletta faces a contested May 15 primary election, but his toughest challenger, state Rep. Jim Christiana, lags greatly in fundraising and support among Republican state committee members. Four regional Republican state committee caucuses weighed in on endorsing and Barletta received 189 of the 222 votes cast. Christiana, whose fourth-quarter fundraising was not immediately available, had only about $73,000 at the end of September.

Barletta said money won’t be a problem because independent political action committees and nonprofit groups will fill in any financial gap between him and Casey.

“This will be one of the most expensive races in the country,” he said.

David Feidt, the Dauphin County Republican chairman who supports Barletta, agreed.

“I’m more than confident he can match anything (Casey has) when it comes decision-making time in the fall,” Feidt said.

State Democratic Party spokesman Max Steele portrayed Barletta’s campaign as facing “serious trouble.”

“Pennsylvania Republican elected officials are right to worry that Congressman Barletta’s toxic brand of politics will cost the GOP in November,” Steele said in an email.

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

The Most Rev. Alfred A. Schlert visited Nativity BVM High School on Friday for the first time as bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown to celebrate Mass on the feast of Presentation of the Lord, also called Candlemas, marking 40 days since the Nativity of Jesus.

The bishop came to Pottsville as part of Catholic Schools Week, which is an annual national celebration of Catholic education in the United States.

The Candlemas feast day included the tradition of blessing candles in church to be taken home for use during the year. The Presentation of the Lord celebrates the bringing of the Baby Jesus into the temple in Jerusalem by Mary and Joseph as prescribed by Mosaic law, which required the firstborn to be dedicated to God.

Before the Mass began, all students processed into the gymnasium down the steps of the bleachers and onto the gym floor with each holding a lighted candle. The procession had the students circling the gym, followed by Schlert, the Rev. Christopher M. Zelonis and the Rev. David J. Loeper, concelebrants; and the altar servers going to the center of the gym. Schlert blessed candles on a table to begin the Mass, with the blessing taking the place of the Penitential Rite.

Students Patrick Stone, Evelyn Datte and Hadrian Vaupel presented the Scripture readings and Responsorial Psalm before Loeper read the Gospel according to St. Luke that tells the story of the presentation of Jesus in the temple. The Prayer of the Faithful was read by Mikaela Tobash.

“Today is a great day to conclude Catholic Schools Week because it gives us a moment, because of the Feast of the Presentation, to think a little bit of what that might mean for us,” Schlert said. “It’s a strange gospel today because Jesus, Mary and Joseph are not really the center of the action. They’re there, they’re doing some things, but Mary says nothing, Joseph says nothing, and Jesus says nothing. The central figure is this old man Simeon. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, he was able to see in this little child the savior, and that’s when he prophesied that he could die in peace because he had finally seen what he had been hoping for.”

Schlert said that every person does not know what the future can bring, be they bad or good things. Mary and Joseph were fulfilling the law in bringing Jesus to be dedicated to God 40 days after his birth.

“They didn’t know the future any more than you or I know the future, but they did know that they would be about cooperating with God’s will,” the bishop said. “That’s where we are every day. That’s how we show up every day, too. We show up every day and that we will live our faith, that we are going to live in the belief of God, and that we are going to do our best to serve him, whether that’s in a joyful way one day, or in a sacrificial way another day. But we have the confidence, just as Mary and Joseph did, to know that no matter how we’re serving, whether it’s in joy or in sacrifice, that we’re doing his will.”

Schlert said to the students that there is a saying in many locker rooms, including Notre Dame University, that states “play like a champion today.”

“Today’s Gospel today tells us to show up and be like a Christian every day,” Schlert said. “ If you’re Catholic, be like a Catholic every day. Live your faith. Be proud of your faith. Learn more about your faith. Use your faith to grow. If you’re a Christian, use your Christian faith to show up every day and serve God. If you’re not a Christian, use your life and all the goodness that God gives you to show up every day to serve him. When I look out at you, I see grateful. Because in your youthfulness, in your enthusiasm, at this point in your life your whole life is open to you, all career possibilities, including the priesthood and the religious life. All of these things are open to you. Resolve today to be a light to the nations. That’s why we carried the candles today to show that we do our part to be the light of Christ. Show up every day and play like a Catholic, play like a Christian, play like a man or woman of good will. That’s what we need you to do. You’re young, but you see society. You see how people mistreat each other, how they’re violent, how they’re discriminatory, how they’re just cruel to one another in their words, in their texts, in their actions, in their photos. You see how cruel people can be. The Presentation of the Lord tells us that we can rise above all that and serve God and show up every day to give our best in service of God to do the will that he presents to us that day like Mary and Joseph did and to be like Simeon and recognize Christ when he comes and encounters us in our lives.”

He added, “This gift of Catholic education that you’re receiving, and what so many people sacrifice for, like your parents and grandparents, the faculty and staff, the board at Nativity — all of these are working together to give you a Catholic education to give you the best start in life to show up every day and play the way you’re supposed to. Please do that. God will bless you, God will bless our Church, God will bless our society. It starts with you.”

At the conclusion of Mass, Schlert was presented with a cloth tote with gifts.

Schlert visited three diocesan schools during CSW to celebrate Mass, which in addition to Nativity BVM included John Paul II Center for Special Learning, Shillington, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Bethlehem. CSW begins the last Sunday in January and runs through the week, which in 2018 is Jan. 28 to today. This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.”

“Catholic schools for the Church are the best means we have of evangelization,” Schlert said after Mass. “It’s an important part of what we do. I would encourage anybody in the community to look into Catholic education for the advantages and know that anyone is most welcome in any of our schools.”

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

Pottsville

The Pottsville Free Public Library recently acknowledged the following memorial donations: For Jean Connors from Betty Adamick, Dennis Gallagher, Ester and John Verchick, Rosalie Ann Piede, Sonny Morrow, Steve Laychock, Kathleen Gallagher, Nancy L. Moore; for Jacqueline Dorian from Bob and Peggy Allen; for James J. Hampford III from Dr. William R. Davidson; for Josephine Messina from Jerry Pritchett and Josephine Kwiatkowski; for John Norton from David W. Bechtel; for Dorothy D. Prokop from Dr. William R. Davidson; for Joy Tomaino from the Caldarella family, Ray and Cindy Lucia, Mary Catherine Petrachonis, Ann D. Pasquale, Arlene Klinger, Becky and Al Matz, Bob and Peggy Allen, Carolyn M. Marconis, Charlie and Debbie Yuskauskas, Frances Nagle, Kristine Miller-Siple and Barry Siple, Letitia Malarkey, Marie Tomaino and family, Rose A. Kohutka, Tom and Judy Williams; for Mark E. Widel from Dr. William R. Davidson.

Pottsville

The Pottsville Lions Club has joined with the Schuylkill County SPCA in asking local and regional residents to donate pet supplies, including food and blankets, at the Pottsville Zone, Peacock Street, between now and Feb. 19 in a bid to help the SPCA meet the needs of its animal residents at its Pottsville shelter. SPCA representatives will address the Lions during a meeting Feb. 19 at the Zone and club members are hopeful donations will help the SPCA in this time of need, according to a Lions release. Debra Altobelli, Lions president, said all support for the Lions and the SPCA “will be deeply appreciated … it is important for the Lions to show that we serve in many ways, including helping our animal friends both to survive as well as hopefully get good homes.” For more information, call the Zone at 570-628-9793.

Schuylkill Haven

A vendor bingo will be held Feb. 18 at the St. Ambrose Parish Center in support of the parish. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. and bingo will begin at 1 p.m. The cost is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. The event will include food, 50/50 chances and raffles. For more information, call 570-527-5787 or 570-385-2586.

Shenandoah

The Shenandoah Area Free Public Library, located in the municipal complex at Washington and Main streets, will have a craft and story hour from 11 a.m. to noon today for children ages 3-7. “Miss Gianna” will present a winter story and a Valentine craft. All are welcome. For more information, email shenfpl@ptd.net or call 570-462-9829.

Tamaqua

A free program titled, “The Brain” with David Eagleman, a neuroscientist who wrote and narrates a two-part DVD series, will be presented by Dave Fetterman at 4 p.m. Feb. 18 in Zion Lutheran Church’s Fellowship Hall. The purpose of the program, according to a release, is to help improve understanding of humanity through a better understanding of the human brain. The program was originally presented on PBS and is estimated to be appropriate for persons 14 and older, according to a press release. Fetterman is a member of Zion Lutheran and a licensed counselor with more than four decades of clinical experience in the behavioral health field. All are welcome. The second one-hour DVD will be shown at a date to be determined. Program participants may attend either one or both presentations. A brief question/answer period will follow each presentation. Questions explored in the first DVD include What is Reality? What makes me? Who is in control?

Tamaqua

The Tamaqua Public Library will hold spring story time for children 5 and younger from 10 to 11 a.m. beginning March 13. The program will go for 10 consecutive weeks. Identical programs will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday. The story time theme will be the alphabet and will include stories, crafts and snacks. For more information or to register, call 570-668-4660.

Tamaqua

Trinity United Church of Christ, 22 Lafayette St., will hold its monthly soup social from 4 to 6 p.m. today. The free meal, which is open to the public, will be served in the social hall to the rear of the church. For more information or to volunteer, stop by the church or call 570-668-4139.

Christina E. Hale

FRACKVILLE — A Ringtown man charged with sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl at his 19 North St. home between May 30, 2016, and June 30, 2017, had charges against him held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale.

Christopher D. Mataka, 42, was arrested by state police Trooper Manuel Cabrera Maldonado of the Frackville station and charged with two felony counts each of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 16 and another offense regarding children between the ages of 13 and 18; one felony count each of endangering the welfare of children and corruption of minors; five misdemeanor counts of indecent assault; and one misdemeanor count of indecent assault of a person under the age of 16.

Hale determined the commonwealth proved a prima facie case and ordered all 12 charges against Mataka held for Schuylkill County Court.

Maldonado said that Mataka would ask the girl if she wanted to have “sex lessons” and that led to him having inappropriate contact with her.

Maldonado said his investigation also determined that Mataka has a history of exposing himself to members of his family and made gestures of a sexual nature to them as well.

Other court cases included:

Justin A. Klinger, 29, of 714 E. Main St., Box 86, Hegins; waived for court: DUI, restrictions on alcoholic beverages and period for requiring lighted lamps.

Kelly S. Reigle, 45, of 516 W. Morris St., Frackville; withdrawn: theft, receiving stolen property, unauthorized use of motor or other vehicles and driving with a suspended or revoked license.

Tony Schannauer, 37, of 1459 W. Main St., Valley View; withdrawn: simple assault and aggravated assault. Waived for court: resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, loitering and prowling at night, false identification to law enforcement and making repairs to or selling offensive weapons.

Joshua P. Lex, 24, of 1072 Catawissa Road, Zion Grove; waived for court: possession of a firearm prohibited.

Holly Ann Mignogna, 33, of 357 S. Lehigh Ave., Frackville; withdrawn: theft, receiving stolen property, identity theft and access device assigned to another person.

Damon Snead, 25, of SCI Coal Township; waived for court: assault by prisoner, aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment.

Andrew C. Bakerofskie, 27, of 250 W. Main St., Girardville; waived for court: strangulation, simple assault and harassment.

Stephen J. Bayer

A Coaldale man charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in Tamaqua between September 1, 2015 and April 30, 2016 waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer.

Joseph A. Bevins, 24, of 224 E. Water St., formerly of 22 Coal St., Middleport, was arrested by Tamaqua police Cpl. Henry Woods and charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse of a person under the age of 16, statutory sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault of a person under the age of 16, indecent assault of a person under the age of 16, indecent exposure, corruption of minors, unlawful contact with a minor, contact or communications with a minor-sexual abuse and photographing, filming or depicting sex acts involving children on a computer.

By waiving his right to a hearing Bevins will now have to answer to all 10 charges against him in Schuylkill County Court.

Woods said that Bevins started a sexual relationship with the girl that began with him touching her private areas through her clothing and then progressed into engaging in sexual intercourse and oral sex.

The victim, Wood said, also reported that she and Bevins exchanged sexually explicit photographs of themselves.

When confronted with the allegations, Woods said Bevins admitted to the sexual acts saying “I did it all … I knew it was wrong, I should’ve known better.”

Other court cases included:

Samual R. Snyder, 45, of 62 B Hunter St., Tamaqua; waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robert Pupko, 25, of 8 North St., Kelayres; waived for court: retail theft, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Stephanie Parliament, 31, of 39 N. Railroad St., Tamaqua; dismissed: access device issued to another person, access device unauthorized by the issuer and possessing an access device knowing it is counterfeit or altered.

Audrey Warner, 35, of 426 E. Broad St., Apt. 2, Tamaqua; waived for court: endangering the welfare of children.

Angelina M. Fisher, 24, of 34 N. Nescopec St., Apt. 2, Tamaqua; held for court: simple assault and harassment.

Anthony Powell, 48, of 147 E. Adams St., McAdoo; waived for court: retail theft and receiving stolen property.

Thomas J. Kehl, 27, of 82 Grier Ave., Barnesville; waived for court: defiant trespass.

Sarah M. DeBenedict, 24, of 97 Ardmore Ave., Tamaqua; waived for court: defiant trespass.

Angelina M. Fisher, 24, of 14 E. Elm St., Tamaqua — dismissed: simple assault and harassment.

Anthony W. Hill, 29, of 144 6th St., Coaldale — waived for court: burglary, theft and receiving stolen property.

Michael J. Tracy, 31, of 101 Silverbrook Road, McAdoo — waived for court: theft and receiving stolen property.

Gregory Boyer, 65, of 512 Bayview Ave., McAdoo — waived for court: DUI, DUI—highest rate and driving a vehicle without a valid inspection.

Eugene E. Oberman, 22, of 702 Arlington St., Tamaqua — waived for court: accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property and careless driving.

Ann Marie Hoffman, 39, of 1 S. Lehigh St., Apt. 3, Tamaqua — waived for court: disorderly conduct.

Travis K. Christman, 26, of 210 N. Greenwood St., Tamaqua — waived for court: harassment.

A Hazleton man is headed to federal prison after a judge sentenced him Friday in U.S. District Court in Scranton for conspiring to lie in connection with gun purchases in June 2016 in Schuylkill and Luzerne counties.

Amaury Guzman-Escobar, 31, must serve two years behind bars and spend an additional three years on supervised release after he completes his prison term, U.S. District Judge Malachy E. Mannion ruled.

Guzman-Escobar pleaded guilty on Sept. 15, 2017, to conspiracy to make false statements to a federally licensed firearms dealer.

Guzman-Escobar admitted that he and Crystal Muentes, 34, of Scranton, provided false information concerning the purchase of a gun, a Glock 30 Gen4 .45-caliber pistol, serial number YMP633, from Ed’s Sport Shop, 308 W. Broad St., Tamaqua, on June 17, 2016.

Additionally, he admitted that he and Muentes provided false information regarding the purchase of two guns, both Glock pistols, from Dave’s Gun Shop, Drums, on June 1 and 17, 2016.

U.S. Postal inspectors later recovered two of the guns in the mail that Guzman-Escobar and Muentes had bought, according to U.S. Attorney David J. Freed.

Muentes pleaded guilty on Sept. 7, 2017, to the same charge Guzman-Escobar did. Mannion has ordered her to serve two years probation.

A federal grand jury in Scranton had indicted both Guzman-Escobar and Muentes on Nov. 15, 2016.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Scranton police investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. O’Hara.

Prosecutors said they brought the case as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership, a districtwide initiative led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and including federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The goal of that initiative is to fight the spread of violent crime in the district by locating, apprehending and prosecuting people who commit violent crimes.

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

NORMAL SQUARE — A New Ringgold woman injured in a Thursday morning crash in Carbon County that claimed the life of a Tamaqua man has died.

Tina Martin, 57, was flown to St. Luke’s Hospital, Fountain Hill, after the 9 a.m. crash on Route 443 in Mahoning Township.

Martin was pronounced dead at the trauma center at 2:45 p.m. Friday, according to Eric D. Minnich, Lehigh County first deputy coroner.

Minnich said Martin died of “blunt force injuries due to a motor vehicle accident” and that the manner of death is accidental.

Another person — Warren Hile Jr. 59, of Tamaqua — died at the scene of the crash along with his dog that was in the vehicle with him.

A passenger in Martin’s vehicle — Roland Martin, 65, also of New Ringgold — was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown, for treatment of injuries he received in the crash.

Mahoning Township police said the crash happened between the Village of Normal Square and County Line Road where Hile was driving a Chevrolet Malibu west, toward Tamaqua, when he apparently crossed over the center line and collided head-on with a 2000 Chevrolet Blazer driven by Tina Martin.

The crash closed Route 443 in both directions for about two hours while the crash was investigated and the vehicles removed.

Assisting the scene were Mahoning Valley firefighters and Lehighton EMS, police said.

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

POTTSVILLE — According to Pottsville Police Chief Richard Wojciechowsky, three prisoners in the Schuylkill County Prison Security Wing attacked corrections officers Friday night, causing a physical altercation resulting in three inmates and one officer being treated at local medical facilities for various injuries.

Each of the inmates will be charged by Pottsville police with felony aggravated assault by prisoner and related offenses.

A supervisor with the Schuylkill County Communications Center said they were informed of the incident at 6:59 p.m. Lt. Juan Escalante didn’t say much about the incident at the prison Friday.

“It wasn’t a big uprising,” he said.

Schuylkill County commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. did not return calls for comment. Commissioners Gary Hess and Frank Staudenmeier said they were called by County Administrator Gary Bender about the incident. Bender said he was notified by Schuylkill County Communications Center Director Scott Krater.

“It was an incident that was handled,” Bender said.

President Judge William E. Baldwin, who is chairman of the Schuylkill County Prison Board, said he found out about the incident from Halcovage. Baldwin said more details will be known at a later time. The investigation is continuing.

PINE GROVE — No need to hunker down into your burrow, according to Sweet Arrow Lake’s resident groundhog,Grover.

Spring is on the way.

The stuffed Schuylkill County rodent prognosticator did not see his shadow Friday, telling his “handlers” he predicted an early release from winter’s grasp. By contrast, across the state, famed groundhog Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, forecasting six more weeks of winter.

Grover didn’t stop with the weather. He also made a Super Bowl prediction: A Philadelphia Eagles win.

Families and friends gathered to celebrate Groundhog Day with a pancake breakfast, musical entertainment and a Chinese auction at the Sweet Arrow Lake County Park Clubhouse, coordinated by Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation Association volunteers.

“It felt cozy and enjoyable and was a nice thing to do in the morning,” Emily High, Pine Grove, said. She brought along her three children, Joshua, 9, Danielle, 8, and Isaac, 4.

“We’re a home-schooling family and heard about this. We enjoyed getting out of the house for the day. The kids were looking forward to hearing him play the banjo, mandolin and the different instruments,” High said of entertainer Matthew Dodd. Dodd, Mechanicsburg, presented a range of light-hearted musical numbers with a weather-related theme. Dodd transported listeners with tunes from wintertime wonderlands into springtime bliss.

He started with familiar notes from the song, “Wild Thing” — using “groundhog” as the main character in the musical tale. Other selections were “Dead Skunk In The Middle Of The Road,” and “Singin’ In The Rain.”

Roger Zimmerman and Dale Fidler, two members of the former Grundsau Lodge No. 5, which formerly coordinated the Groundhog Day event, attended. Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation Association took over the reins for the groundhog program since the lodge disbanded.

“I’m glad to see someone is continuing to do it,” Zimmerman said.

Association President Denise M. Donmoyer asked Zimmerman if he’d like to repeat Grover’s prediction for the crowd and he obliged, offering words in Pennsylvania German.

The lodge donated remaining funds to charity upon closing, Fidler and Zimmerman said. The lodge had also previously donated Grover, the stuffed groundhog that served as lodge mascot, as well as his mate Sweet Arrow Sue to the park.

“We gave them their marriage certificate today,” Fidler said.

Representatives from the Borough of Pine Grove and Schuylkill County attended, including Commissioner Gary Hess, Park Manager Drew Kline and Councilman Tom Fickinger.

Volunteer Bob Van Horn offered a prayer.

Retired Schuylkill County Conservation District parks and recreation supervisor Bob Evanchalk read a poem highlighting Grover’s prediction. The piece was written by Carol Keesey, conservation association secretary.

Keesey said she writes the poems for conservation association Christmas parties and Evanchalk had asked if she’d consider creating a piece for Friday’s event.

“It’s all in fun,” she said.

Keesey manned the auction table, while Mike Stefanick, conservation association treasurer, sold tickets for the morning meal. At 8:30 a.m., there were already 65 people paid up for breakfast, Stefanick, a conservation association founding member, said. Nearly 100 people braved the icy weather to join in the celebration. Proceeds from the event support park activities and educational programs.

Evanchalk said Grover also made a prediction for the Super Bowl. Since an eagle was flying overhead when Grover rose from his burrow, it was a sign that the Philadelphia Eagles were going to win, predicting a 3-point margin of victory.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

MAHANOY CITY — Mahanoy City police conducted a warrant sweep in the borough Friday night.

Chief Kenneth Zipovsky said the warrant sweep that ran from 7 to 9 p.m. is just another tool used in the department’s continuous campaign to suppress the criminal element in this northern Schuylkill County community.

As a result, Michael Swartz, 63, was taken into custody in the 1000 block of East Railroad Street around 7:15 p.m.

Zipovsky said Swartz was wanted for a Schuylkill County probation violation and subsequently taken to and lodged in the Schuylkill County Prison.

Then, around 9 p.m., officers apprehended Heather Kessler, 32, who was also wanted on a Schuylkill County probation violation.

Kessler was taken into custody in the 700 block of East Mahanoy Avenue and committed to the county prison.

Finally, Zipovsky said that Hakeen Glenn, 30, of Reading, was also apprehended around 9 p.m.

Glenn was taken into custody as an interstate fugitive because he is wanted by the Delaware State Attorney General’s Office for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

The chief said Glenn also faces additional charges from Mahanoy City police for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $40,000 straight cash bail.

Zipovsky said Friday’s apprehensions are the start of a crackdown on illegal activities in the borough.

“Multiple avenues of enforcement and crime prevention will continue to be utilized by the Mahanoy City Police Department to provide the police service that the community truly deserves,” he said.

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

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Two Pottsville brothers earned a spot Saturday on the winning MATHCOUNTS team headed for state competition.

Although they battled head-to-head, seventh-grader Ryan Sickle, 12, won the overall event title, while his older brother, Justin Sickle, 13, an eighth-grader, also garnered the opportunity to vie at the state level on their school’s team. Their school, Pottsville Area’s D.H.H. Lengel Middle School, won first place in the team category of the Anthracite Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers local MATHCOUNTS competition. Nearly 80 students from nine area schools competed in the event held at the Student Community Center at Penn State Schuylkill.

At one point, both brothers faced off against each other onstage.

“I just looked at it and found the answer as quickly as I could,” Ryan said about his problem-solving technique. He said he didn’t use any different strategy while facing his brother than he did battling anyone else.

Justin, however, said he did mull the scenario with his little brother. “It was a little scary, because he’s younger than me and I didn’t want to lose to him,” he said. They’re the sons of David and Jesseca Sickle.

“They’re very competitive,” their father said after the winning teammates posed for photos onstage with their trophy. The brothers, who also play basketball and baseball, said their parents encouraged them to enter the math contest. “We like to get them involved in academics and not just sports,” their mother said.

D.H.H. Lengel Middle School coach Donna Skosnick said she believes it’s the first time two siblings were on a winning team from her school since she’s been coaching for the past 14 years. There have been siblings competing together before, but none on a winning team together.

“To have four on our team in the top 10, that’s lots to cheer for, and it gives the younger students something to look forward to,” Skosnick said. “We meet once a week after school, but they’re all innately good in math,” she said.

Parents, family members and school coaches were among those gathered in the audience to cheer on the mathletes in the afternoon round.

Schools participating included: Blue Mountain Middle School, D.H.H. Lengel Middle School, Mount Carmel High School, Saint Clair Area Elementary/Middle School, Saint Jerome Regional School, North Schuylkill High School, Schuylkill Haven Area High School, Tamaqua Area Middle School and Weatherly Area Middle School.

John C. Knecht and Michael J. Peleschak served as event coordinators and Christopher McCoach as moderator. Alfred Benesch & Co., Pottsville, has been coordinating the Anthracite Chapter event on behalf of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers for many years and about a dozen employees assisted Saturday. The many sponsors who donate to the event were listed in the chapter event brochure.

Competitors, who are in sixth through eighth grade, began their day with individual written tests at 9 a.m.; team written tests at 11 a.m.; and the individual countdown round began at noon. The countdown round was a jeopardy style buzz-in competition, which the audience could watch.

Each competition consisted of four parts: the sprint, target, team and countdown rounds. The sprint round had 20 questions and students had 40 minutes to complete them. The target round consisted of eight questions, which were distributed to students two at a time. Students had six minutes to complete each pair of problems. The team round had 10 problems for the team to work on together. The top 25 percent of individuals, up to a maximum of 10, proceeded to the countdown round.

Individual winners, from first to 10th place, are as follows: Ryan Sickle, D.H.H. Lengel Middle School; Derek Walasavage, Blue Mountain Middle School; Ayva Strauss, D.H.H. Lengel Middle School; Justin Sickle, D.H.H. Lengel Middle School; Nick Giuffre, D.H.H. Lengel Middle School; Mike Stoudt, Blue Mountain Middle School; Jack Nemshick, Weatherly Area Middle School; Sarah Bolles, Tamaqua Area Middle School; Brandon Long, Tamaqua Area Middle School; and Michael Berger, Weatherly Area Middle School.

The top 3 teams, from first to third, were: D.H.H. Lengel Middle School; Blue Mountain Middle School, coached by Randy Nunemacher; and Weatherly Area Middle School, coached by Peggy McAndrew.

McAndrew has been coaching for 16 years and has had some winning teams at the chapter level, she said. Two of the top ten individual finalists this year were from Weatherly. The team practices after school two to three times per week for about two months, McAndrew said.

“MATHCOUNTS provides good materials and practice problems,” she said. “Alfred Benesch has done a wonderful job sponsoring this, and it’s always well done.”

Her grown daughters, Annie Ustynoski and Mary Susan McAndrew, were both mathletes, she said, and have continued into math-related fields. Annie is now a chemical engineer and Mary Susan is a Penn State University senior, slated to graduate with a degree in statistics.

The top six individual winners will go on to states, while only the top chapter team advances to the state competition to be held March 23-24 at the Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey Hotel. Nationals are held in May.

The chapter will hold a pizza party and awards program in March, where all mathletes and coaches will be invited to attend. More information will follow.

MATHCOUNTS founding sponsors are the CNA Foundation, the National Society of Professional Engineers and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Frackville

The Frackville Ministerium Food Bank will be open from 9 to 10 a.m. Feb. 15 to serve eligible residents of the borough. New applicants will need proof of eligibility — a Frackville Borough address. The food bank is located at Zion Lutheran Church. Participants must use the downstairs entrance by the parking lot on South Beech Street.

Hazleton

A blood drive by the Miller-Keystone Blood Center is set for 7 to 11 a.m. Friday at the Hazle Township Commons, 103 W. 27th St. For more information, call 800-223-6667. Miller-Keystone, a nonprofit, is the sole blood provider for the Lehigh Valley Health Network including LVHN Hazleton and Schuylkill as well as for St. Luke’s University Health Network including St. Luke’s Hospital-Miners Campus, Coaldale. It also is the sole provider for the hospitals in Lehighton and Palmerton. Another Miller-Keystone blood drive will be held at the commons from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 23.

Mahanoy City

The Mahanoy City Area Public Library recently acknowledged the following memorials: For Bertha Loftus by Judy and Bill Brayford; for Mary Cahill Smith by Margaret Smith; for Nate Garber by Carol and Bob Blue; for Lammie Gallagher by Carol and Bob Blue and family; for Joe Fazio by the Mahanoy City Class of 1954; for Elva Mae Brokenshire by the Mahanoy City Class of 1954; for Florence L. Paulukonis by Robert Sluzis.

Minersville

The St. Matthew Travelers group will sponsor a trek March 5 to the Philadelphia International Flower Show. Tickets are $60 per person or $30 for a free day in Philadelphia. The bus will depart at 8 a.m. from Minersville and at 5 p.m. from Philadelphia for the return trip. For reservations or more information, call Julie at 570-544-5231 or Millie at 570-628-5413. The group will also stage a bus trek to Virginia Beach (Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown) on May 14. The cost is $649 per person double occupancy with four nights lodging, four breakfasts and three dinners. A third trek is slated for Sept. 24 for “Wildwood Italian Style,” a four-day, three night trip for “a touch of Italy at the Jersey Shore.” The cost is $439 per person. Call the aforementioned contacts for reservations or more information.

Pottsville

A Deppen Pie sale is underway by participating libraries in the Pottsville Library District. Pickups are set for noon Feb. 21. The cost is $10.50 per pie and all proceeds will benefit the libraries. Varieties include blueberry crumb, apple crumb, strawberry rhubarb crumb, cherry crumb, peach crumb, raisin crumb, shoofly, coconut custard, lemon sponge or no-sugar apple. Participating public libraries and their phone numbers are as follows: Ashland, 570-875-3175; Frackville, 570-874-3382; Orwigsburg, 570-366-1638; Port Carbon, 570-622-6115; Pottsville, 570-622-8880; Ringtown, 570-889-5503; Shenandoah, 570-462-9829; Tamaqua, 570-668-4660; Tower-Porter, 717-647-4900; Tremont, 570-695-3325; Tri-Valley, 570-682-8922. To order the nine-inch pies, contact the library in your area by Friday.

Tremont

Diakon Living and Learning After 50 has kicked off a campaign called “18 in 2018” with a goal of adding 100 members, according to Diakon’s Susan Long, director of center services. Last year Diakon, which is based at 118 S. Centre St., Pottsville, launched a “17 in 2017” effort at the Tremont Senior Community Center to encourage people 55 and older to become more engaged in Diakon’s Schuylkill County senior community centers. Long said “hundreds entered a fun, engaging contest and are enjoying many different activities.” To be eligible for prizes in the 2017 event, those who entered had to complete at least 17 activities during the year, earning “credits” from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2017. On Jan. 18, Diakon celebrated the addition of 50 new registered members and had a drawing for campaign winners of prizes that included a big screen TV, Windows tablet, $100 in cleaning services, $100 in home remodeling and other items. People have similar opportunities this year via the “18 in 2018” effort. For more information, call Long at 570-624-3018 or email her at longs@diakon.org.

ONEIDA — An Oneida man was jailed after being arrested by East Union Township police Friday on drug charges.

Charles Martino, 41, of 82 Third St., Box 85, was arrested by township Patrolman Matthew Williams and charged with felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; misdemeanor crimes of possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest; and summary offenses of driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked and registration and Certificate of Title required.

Martino, who arrested on Jan. 9 by township Police Chief Thomas Rentschler on similar charges, was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $50,000 straight cash bail.

Williams, in paperwork filed with the court, said the charges against Martino stem from an incident at South and First streets in Oneida around 5:30 p.m.

Williams said the incident started when he observed Martino driving in the area knowing he has a suspended driver’s license.

While speaking with Martino, Williams said he detected an odor of marijuana inside the vehicle and asked Martino if he had any illegal narcotics inside or on his person.

Martino said no and then agreed to allow a search of the vehicle, Williams said.

The vehicle was impounded and Williams said while he and Martino were waiting for a tow truck, the man admitted having a small amount of marijuana in his possession.

Williams said that when he told Martino he was going to open a backpack he had inside the vehicle the man said it was not going to be searched because he had more than marijuana inside.

Martino then began to resist and continued to resist being handcuffed but after a brief struggle and a threat of being shot with a Taser weapon, Williams said the man calmed down and was taken into custody.

A subsequent search of the backpack revealed Martino had a clear plastic sandwich bag containing marijuana, a metal Zippo lighter that contained two small plastic baggies with methamphetamine, three small plastic baggies containing marijuana, 14 hydrocodone pills, and a brown glue like substance determined to be synthetic marijuana, Williams said, adding that all of the items were packaged for resale.

Martino will now have to answer to the charges against him in district court.

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

David J. Rossi

TREMONT — A Tower City man is headed to Schuylkill County Court after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday on three drug-related charges stemming from an incident in January 2016 in Porter Township.

Austin Miller, 23, of 328 Dietrich Ave., faces charges of delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.

Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi bound over those charges for court after Miller waived his right to the hearing. Rossi allowed Miller to remain free on $10,000 percentage bail pending further court action.

State police at Schuylkill Haven alleged Miller engaged in drug-related activity on Jan. 12, 2016.

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

Mariah Miller, 19, of 1 Hillside Vista Drive, Pine Grove; simple assault and harassment; charges withdrawn.

Beth A. Stoudt, 20, of 1 Hillside Vista Drive, Pine Grove; simple assault and harassment; charges withdrawn.

Anthony J. Kilker

Karen M. Uhrie, 52, of 150 Rear Willow St., Barnesville waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jeremy P. Dombrowski, 19, of 246 S. Lehigh Ave., Frackville; waived for court: purchase of alcohol by a minor, possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Joshua M. Kafka, 18, of 423 E. Centre St., Mahanoy City; waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Jesse Boylan, 30, of 649 Summit Hill Road, Box 144, Aristes; dismissed: altered or misbranded controlled substances, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.