GILBERTON - The borough's suspended police chief posted another video on YouTube just three days before his suspension expires.

The video, posted Tuesday, is titled, "Chief Kessler & Eric go shooting." It runs 10 minutes, 28 seconds and shows Kessler in a remote area holding an AK-47, which he calls "Mr. Kalashnikov," referring to an automatic rifle developed in the USSR by Mikhail Kalashnikov after World War II.

The video begins with Kessler holding two similar posters that show an angry-looking clown holding a large wooden mallet, which Kessler calls a "gavel." He calls the clown "Eric."

"Eric is a flaming libtard, all right, and Eric is a tyrant," Kessler says in the video. "He likes to go around and strong-arm people and pretty much threaten. If he doesn't get his way, look out. Eric is going to meet a friend of mine."

The "friend" is the AK-47, which included a 40-round banana clip magazine.

Kessler's referring to the clown as "Eric" is a possible reference to Gilberton council Vice President Eric Boxer, although that is unclear from the video. Boxer supported Kessler's suspension during a council meeting July 31 and said afterward that he would have preferred Kessler being fired.

On his "Chief Mark Kessler" Facebook page, Kessler refers to Boxer as "The Thug," and council President Daniel Malloy as "The Tyrant."

In the video, Kessler goes off camera with the poster to set it up as a target, adding that the other poster is called "Danny."

When he returns, Kessler prepares the rifle for firing, stating, "Eric is all whacked out on bath salts back there. He's going all libtard crazy. I'm going to introduce Eric to my good friend here."

Kessler begins to fire in two-round bursts at the poster, which is off-camera.

After firing the entire magazine clip, he reloads with another magazine and walks off camera toward the poster. He fires the bullets in the second magazine, then returns with a section of what is left of the bullet-ridden poster.

"I'm sorry to say that all the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't put Eric back together again. Poor Eric," Kessler says.

As of Wednesday night, the video had been viewed 8,592 times. It had also been shared through other YouTube accounts.

Boxer, Malloy and Kessler could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Gilberton borough council will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. Friday at the municipal building, and the council could decide whether Kessler will continue as police chief. Friday is the final day of his suspension.

On Tuesday, the seven members of the borough council, along with Mayor Mary Lou Hannon and two attorneys from the law firm of Elliott Greenleaf & Dean, attended an executive session, presumably to discuss Kessler. On Aug. 14, borough council retained the law firm as special counsel to handle any legal matters involving the chief. Executive sessions are closed to the public and the council did not comment on their discussions Tuesday night.

When the Ashland boys return "home" this weekend, they will find a permanent fixture dedicated in honor of the association made for them.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the Ashland Mummers Club will unveil a state plaque recognizing the Ashland Boys' Association, the homecoming organization that formed to welcome home coal miners to the borough more than a century ago. The celebration parade is slated for noon Saturday, followed by the dedication ceremony at 3 p.m. in front of the Mothers Memorial, North Hoffman Boulevard.

"The originators of this unique Ashland Boys' Association homecoming never knew in their time how advanced they were by the founding rules of this homecoming tradition. Sentiment was the main key to their success that bonded thousands into Ashland on ABA weekend, and now honored as a Pennsylvania state historical marker," said Adam J. Bernodin III, chairman of the ABA historical marker committee.

William V. Lewis Jr., state Historical and Museum Commission commissioner, and Carson Long, 2013 Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame inductee, will serve as grand marshals for this year's parade. The annual march will begin at Fifth and Walnut streets, travel west to 21st Street, then cross over to Centre Street, ending at the Mothers Memorial. The roads will be closed at 11 a.m., with fire police rerouting traffic around the borough.

The parade will feature many participants, dignitaries and floats from the Ashland Elks Miners, Oakland Miners and the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, among others. The parade will honor every decade when the miners came home in chronological order. For example, there will also be a float featuring high school wrestlers.

Joe Cesari, longtime wrestling coach at North Schuylkill High School, said the float will feature wrestlers and coaches from the program's inception in the 1960s to today. The float will be decorated with banners listing the individual state champions and team championships the program has won over the years, as well as the program reaching the 600-win milestone. Cesari said he also invited cheerleaders from North Schuylkill to add some color to the parade.

The Schuylkill Historical Fire Society will set up two firetruck ladder arches on Centre Street at Seventh and 13th streets, in tribute to arches used in early ABA years.

The event will culminate with the dedication of the state historical marker. The ABA began holding the homecoming celebration at the turn of the 20th century as coal miners yearning for home returned to the borough. The annual gathering became a Labor Day weekend celebration that brought thousands of people into Ashland.

"I wish I could go back in time when that special train came into town. The sentimental impact of welcoming home former Ashland residents became a true dynasty. This Pennsylvania state historical marker is well deserved. I hope Ashland has a good turnout for this memorable day in Pennsylvania history," Bernodin said.

The dedication ceremony Saturday will feature remarks from borough officials, such as Mayor Dennis Kane and fire Chief Phillip Groody. Mike Stevens from WNEP's "On the Pennsylvania Road" will present the dedication address.

Other special guests include 2013 Miss Pennsylvania Annie Rosellini; Jay W. Smith, right worshipful grand master of the Masons of Pennsylvania; and Reading Fightin' Phils mascot Screwball. The two oldest Ashland "boys," Leonard Staudenmeier, 97, and Daniel Fedeko, 93, will also be honored. The men were selected by Ashland Masonic Lodge 294.

Bryel Frasch, a student at North Schuylkill High School, will sing the national anthem, while the Rev. Robert Finlan from St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church will provide the invocation.

The selection of the Mothers Memorial as the site of the dedication ceremony also holds historical significance. The memorial, depicting James McNeill Whistler's painting "An Arrangement in Grey and Black, No. 1," or more commonly known as "Whistler's Mother," was erected in 1938 as a symbol of a mother's love. The ABA raised thousands of dollars during America's most financially distraught period for the project.

"The ABA raised $6,000 in the heart of the Great Depression for the WPA (Work Projects Administration)-built Mothers Memorial, which is the only bronze reproduction in the world of the American icon painting. The statue is the symbol of their legacy," Bernodin said.

The state historical marker was approved in September and will be placed at the base of the memorial.

Although the ABA disbanded in 1976, the parades continued until 2008. The tradition got new life when the parade returned to Ashland in 2011. It was also held in 2012 and now, the story of the Ashland boys will be told every day in the borough.

"The Ashland Boys' Association is one of the most inspirational stories of the 20th century. No matter what national crisis occurred. It never stopped former Ashland residents to heed the magic call to 'Come on Home' for the love of their family, friends and proud hometown," Bernodin said.

Deeds

East Union Township -Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Venerando Lomongo; Lot 314WS, Eagle Rock; $30,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Benjamin I. and Jimelyn M. Christenson; Lot 25WSS3, Eagle Rock; $31,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Liang Gong and Yi Yan; Lot 46WSS7, Eagle Rock; $49,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Joseph and Michelle Millan Daquial; Lot 144D, Eagle Rock; $38,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Rogelio Gagarin Galao, Paul Eric Navarrette and Jocelyn Galao Navarrette; Lot 26WSS3, Eagle Rock; $31,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to John and Erin Dougherty; Lot 2WSS5, Eagle Rock; $33,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Ernest S. II and Sherry Ann Stine; Lot 55WSS7, Eagle Rock; $42,155.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Justina Guerra; Lots 7WSS6 and 8WSS6, Eagle Rock; $75,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Elenita K. Alvero; Lot 26WSS7, Eagle Rock; $39,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Berlinda G. and Francisco Melo Ilagan; Lot 152WSS7, Eagle Rock; $25,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to George Z. Bongco, Neta T. Bongco and Natalie Gail Bongco; Lot 116ER, Eagle Rock; $87,081.36.

Ann Marie Wang to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 315ER, Eagle Rock; $6,400.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Edward C. Lukatch Jr.; Lot 315ER, Eagle Rock; $51,313.

Frackville - Herbert H. and Lenore Seitzinger to Angela R. and Michael Pistoria; 531 W. Oak St.; $1.

Hubley Township - Steven R. Ebersol to Steven R. and Rachel M. Ebersol; 236 Fearnot Road, Sacramento; $1.

Mahanoy City - Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Douglas R. Garloff and Grace M. Walters; property at Mahanoy Avenue and South Ninth Street; $653.20.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Douglas R. Garloff and Grace M. Walters; 834 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $3,196.03.

North Manheim Township - Fuller Real Estate LP to Bedway Produce Co.; property at Route 61 and Biltwell Road; $250,000.

North Union Township - William H. and Janet Traboulsi Goodhart to Sandra Ann Zurek; Lot 52A, Valley of Lakes; $50,000.

Norwegian Township - Thomas F. Burns Jr. to Thomas F. Jr. and Sandra L. Burns; 11 Deer Park; $1.

Pottsville - Beverly R. Finney to William and M. Margaret Stoppi; 2148 Mahantongo St.; $168,000.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.; 604 Ridge Ave.; $1,200.41.

NHS Pennsylvania to Human Services Housing Co. LLC; property at Poplar Street and Mount Hope Avenue; $134,855.

Tremont - Henry A. Kender, executor of the Estate of Helen N. Kender, to Henry A. Kender; 107 Spring St.; $1.

Tremont Township - Gerald E. Workman to Gerald E. Workman; 49 Lincoln Road, Lincoln; $10.

SUV damaged in

hit-and-run crash

PORT CARBON - Police are searching for a driver in a hit-and-run crash that took place this week in the borough.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said at 3 p.m. Monday at Fourth Street, near Mill Creek Avenue, a vehicle hit the driver-side door of a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee parked on the shoulder of Fourth Avenue. The driver then took off, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-739-1330.

Steel taken from

Otto's Amusements

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - Steel was taken from a borough business sometime between Aug. 1 and Wednesday at Keystoker Lane, just east of Route 61, in North Manheim Township.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said someone stole two 4-foot steel brown and tan pieces of the metal that brace the Berry Go Round ride for Otto's Amusements.

In addition, a 3-foot piece of steel was taken from fences, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-739-1330.

Vehicle damaged

in Deer Lake

DEER LAKE - A vehicle belonging to a 22-year-old woman was damaged while it was parked in the Deer Lake Pub parking lot Sunday.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said between 12:30 and 3:30 a.m., someone smashed the front passenger-side window of a vehicle owned by Kensley Moyer, Orwigsburg.

The right passenger-side mirror and right front side panel were also damaged. A 2-inch cut in the panel was visible along with denting in the side panel near the caution light, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-739-1330.

2 suffer minor

injuries in crash

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - Two people suffered minor injuries in a crash at 2:49 p.m. Monday at East Main and Randel streets in North Manheim Township.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Solomon Bonzi, 19, of Schuylkill Haven, was driving a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta on East Main Street. He stopped when the vechile in front of him stopped to make a left turn. Allison Wagner, 23, of Orwigsburg, driving a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta, hit the back of Bonzi's car because she didn't see Bonzi had stopped and was not able to stop in time, police said.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts. Wagner will be charged with careless driving.

Pottsville police

respond to incident

Pottsville police and a member of the city fire department responded to a noise complaint Thursday night.

About 9:55 p.m., police were talking to a man on the third floor of a house at 302 Mahantongo St.

A man walking on the street, Leo Salle, said moments earlier he heard loud music coming from the house and he said neighbors said they saw a man, Arthur Johns, in his underwear on the roof.

"Arthur, how are you doing? Can you come down?" a Pottsville police officer asked.

Shortly thereafter, the man walked out the front door and spoke with police.

After the incident, an officer said the man was on the roof with a portable propane tank doing work.

He said Johns would be charged with a summary disorderly conduct charge for the loud music.

FRACKVILLE - An East Brunswick Township homeowner was justified in fatally shooting an 18-year-old who broke into his home Saturday, Schuylkill County's district attorney said Thursday.

"No charges will be filed in this unfortunate incident," District Attorney Karen Byrnes-Noon said at a press conference Thursday outside the state police station in Frackville.

Curt Stein, 49, of 57 Steep Mountain Road, McKeansburg, shot and killed Zachary Foster, 18, during a scuffle after Stein found Foster inside his home.

Foster, 150 N. Market St., McKeansburg, East Brunswick Township, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Byrnes-Noon said the decision not to file charges was made after reviewing home security video footage and 911 tapes, as well as speaking with Stein and Foster's family.

"We are saying no charges will be filed," she said.

State police Trooper John Powis, the investigating officer, said that Stein had a valid permit to carry the handgun he used during the attack and that a pocket knife was found where the scuffle between the two men took place.

Powis noted that investigators have not determined whether Foster had the pocket knife out as he was fighting with Stein or if it fell to the floor afterward.

In a release issued Saturday after the shooting, investigators said the incident occurred about 5:30 p.m., when Stein pulled up to his home and noticed evidence of a break-in.

Stein entered the home with his gun and found Foster, who began to physically assault him. Stein then shot Foster.

Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David Moylan said Foster suffered a gunshot wound to the left side of his head.

Powis on Thursday said that Stein and Foster were neighbors and familiar with each other and that it was not until the two men were fighting that Stein knew who he was dealing with.

SHENANDOAH - The Shenandoah Valley school board approved a five-year contract extension for district Superintendent Stanley G. Rakowsky at Wednesday's meeting.

The extension is effective from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2019. Even though his current term does not end until June 30 of next year, Rakowsky was sworn in for his fifth term as superintendent this week by Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.

The contract extension was the first item on the meeting agenda. Voting in favor were board members William Grutza, Joseph Buchanan, Helene Creasy, Karen Kayes, Daniel Salvadore, Richard Zimmerman and Margaret Shustack. Voting against was Thomas Twardzik. Joseph Alshefski was absent.

After the meeting, Twardzik was asked about his negative vote.

"I had expressed my desire at the workshop that I thought it was appropriate to open the position and ask Dr. Rakowsky to apply and to explore the district's options," Twardzik said. "Now the board voted and Dr. Rakowsky is our superintendent and he will have my full faith and support and will work with him for the good of the district."

Rakowsky, 65, of Frackville, said after the meeting that the contract extension will keep his current annual salary at about $120,000 for the first year, and each successive year will see increases. The second contract year will have a 1 percent salary increase, the third year a 2 percent increase, the fourth year a 3 percent increase and the fifth year will include an increase of 4 percent.

"The school code says that anytime after July 1 of the last year of your term, you can ask for an extension," Rakowsky said. "This will be my fifth term here as superintendent. Right now, I'm in my 30th year as a superintendent and in my 20th year at Shenandoah Valley."

Rakowsky came to Shenandoah Valley as acting superintendent in February 1994 and became superintendent on July 1 of that year.

"It's been an interesting time," Rakowsky said. "The changes in the district have been tremendous and I think we made this a better place. We've done so much from a structural standpoint and the pride issue of the school."

Rakowsky said that there are challenges to education with 24 percent of the student body in special education, and Shenandoah Valley has the highest English as second language population in the county.

"It's not only that we have the highest number of ESL students in the county, we have more ESL students in Shenandoah than all the other school districts combined," he said.

Rakowsky is very grateful for having the opportunity to be the Shenandoah Valley superintendent for almost two decades.

"Twenty years later, I can say it was the best move in my career to come here," Rakowsky said. "I've had offers from other places over the years but I just didn't want to leave. If money was the only factor, I would go elsewhere, but it's not. I've not lost any enthusiasm in being here. I like being superintendent of Shenandoah Valley schools. I think I have something to offer."

Rakowsky also praised the school board because of its knowledge of the tasks at hand.

"There may be some school boards as good, but there is not a better informed board in the commonwealth than the school board here," he said.

n Ashland: The Ashland Community Watch group will meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 35 N. Ninth St. The session will include election of officers and discussion of bylaws. All interested residents are encouraged to attend. For more information, call 570-875-4190.

n Kelayres: The Kline Township Beautification Committee meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of the month in the township municipal building. New members and volunteers are welcome.

n Mount Carmel: The Pennsylvania Retirees Subchapter 8601 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 13 will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Zion Primitive Methodist Church, 33 N. Market St.

n New Philadelphia: The 19th annual Schuylkill Valley Joint Veterans picnic is set for noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 7, rain or shine, at the New Philadelphia Little League site. Donations of any type are needed to ensure a successful event, the group's Tom Hill said in a release. Any contribution individuals or organizations can provide will be greatly appreciated, he added. All paid-up members of the group will be able to attend free of charge. The cost for their guests is $5 and $10 for all others. All who donate will be admitted free. Regarding monetary contributions, checks can be made payable to: Schuylkill Valley Joint Veterans c/o Tom Hill and mailed to 41 Silver Creek Road, New Philadelphia, PA 17959. Proceeds from the picnic will be used toward next year's picnic and for military functions the group does throughout the year. The group Country Grass will provide entertainment at the picnic.

n New Ringgold: Parishioners and volunteers for Zion's Stone Church held their third annual "Cars For Christ" automobile show earlier this month, featuring more than 60 vehicles, including a 1930 Ford sedan owned by Jim and Carol Tierney, New Ringgold.

n Nuremberg: The 14th annual Nuremberg celebration will be held from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, featuring games, crafters, tricky trays, 50/50 drawings and entertainment. Performances Saturday will be by The Drive-In Daddys from 1 to 4 p.m. and Tommy Guns from 6 to 10 p.m. On Sunday, disk jockey Carmeane will play from 1 to 4 p.m. followed by Smokin' Gunz from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday's events will include: 10 a.m. to noon, poker run registration; noon to 5 p.m., poker run; 11 a.m. to noon, horseshoe tournament registration; noon, horseshoe tournament; 2 p.m., water balloon toss; 3:30 p.m., basketball shootout registration; 4 p.m., basketball shoothout; 5:45 p.m., poker run 50/50 drawing and 9 p.m. celebration and 50/50 drawing. Sunday's events will include: 11 a.m. to noon, volleyball tournament registration; noon, volleyball tournament; 12:30 p.m., blessing of the animals by Pastor Phil; 2:30 p.m., water balloon toss; 3 p.m., celebration 50/50 drawing; 5 p.m., balloon release registration; 5:15 p.m., balloon release; 7:45 p.m. wheelbarrow of cheer drawing; 8 p.m., tricky tray drawings; 9 p.m., celebration 50/50 drawing. A fireworks display is set for 10 p.m. Sunday. In the event of rain, the display will be staged on Monday.

n Pine Grove: Animals that are on the endangered species list will visit the Sweet Arrow Lake County Park Clubhouse at 7 p.m. Tuesday when Hershey's Zoo America will present a program including live animals. People are invited to attend and learn about the special creatures and their habitats. This program is free and open to the public, made possible by a grant from the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation. For more information, call 570-345-8952.

n Ringtown: The 24th annual Service of Appreciation and Thanksgiving is set for 2 p.m. Sept. 8 at the historic Old White Church, Cemetery Hill Road. The service highlight will be the dedication of the restored church windows. A quartet from the Schuylkill Choral Society will perform. Light refreshments will be served following the service at St. John's Lutheran Church, 106 Main St.

by peter e. bortner

Tyron Brown Sr. assaulted a Mahanoy City police officer in September 2012, a Schuylkill County jury ruled Thursday in convicting him of six charges stemming from the incident.

Brown, 41, of East Stroudsburg, did not react as the jury of nine men and three women found him guilty of aggravated assault, disarming a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and two counts of simple assault. The same jury, which deliberated about two hours, acquitted him of escape and a second charge of aggravated assault.

"I'm pleased that the jury found him guilty of the aggravated assault on a police officer charge," Assistant District Attorney Douglas J. Taglieri said after the verdict.

Judge Charles M. Miller, who presided over the two-day trial, ordered preparation of a presentence investigation and scheduled Brown's sentencing for 2:30 p.m. Oct. 8. Miller allowed Brown to remain free on $50,000 unsecured bail until sentencing.

Mahanoy City police charged Brown with assaulting Officer Charles Kovalewski on Sept. 2, 2012, in the 1100 block of East Centre Street in the borough, where Brown lived at the time. Police said the incident began with an argument over the use of foul language and resulted in Kovalewski suffering head and other injuries after he tried to quell the dispute.

In his closing argument Thursday, Assistant Public Defender Kent D. Watkins, Brown's lawyer, said the only thing prosecutors had proven about his client was that he was disorderly, and the defendant only used bad language.

"What kind of disturbance is that?" Watkins said. "Yes, Mr. Brown was disorderly, but he was a victim of circumstances."

Watkins blamed the incident on prosecution witness Todd Dunlap, whom he said unnecessarily left his daughter's house.

"He has immunity. He's not charged with anything," Watkins said of Dunlap. "If you're avoiding confrontation, why don't you stay in the house?"

He said Kovalewski used a Taser on Brown, who had no intention to hurt anyone.

"You'd be a little scared" if you were in Brown's place, Watkins argued. "He was Tased. He was upset."

Brown had testified Dunlap used racial slurs toward him. However, Dunlap testified Thursday on rebuttal that he never used any such language.

However, the jury accepted Taglieri's closing argument that videos of the event clearly showed Brown's unlawful conduct.

"Mr. Brown didn't look scared at all," Taglieri said. "The police, doing their duty, tried to stop this. You don't want to slam somebody's head against concrete unless you really want to do serious bodily injury."

Taglieri also questioned Brown's credibility, reminding jurors that the defendant denied having a criminal record before being forced to admit he had convictions dating back to 1996 for drug, theft and other crimes from Florida, New Jersey and Texas on his record.

"He's a liar. He has no regard for the rule of law," Taglieri said of Brown.

Watkins left Thursday without making any comment on the verdict.

Mahanoy City police Chief Mark J. Wiekrykas, on the other hand, praised the result.

"We're very pleased that the jury saw the evidence for what it was. The officer arrives to attempt to quell a neighborhood disturbance and is attacked by one of the parties involved," Wiekrykas said. "This gentleman had a disregard for the law."Defendant: Tyron Brown Sr.

Age: 41

Residence: East Stroudsburg, formerly of Mahanoy City

Verdict: Guilty of aggravated assault, disarming a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and two counts of simple assault, not guilty of escape and a second charge of aggravated assault

In response to a statement made Monday by the head of D.G. Yuengling and Son Inc. calling for a "right-to-work" law, a local labor union leader is calling for a Yuengling boycott.

"We're against anyone who's for a right-to-work law in this state," Gary Martin, Pottsville, vice president of Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council, said Thursday.

Richard L. "Dick" Yuengling, president and owner of the Pottsville-based brewery, made the statement Monday at a Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon at the Harrisburg Hilton, according to The Associated Press.

Yuengling said Monday the state would attract more business if it adopted a right-to-work policy that would make it more difficult for unions to organize, according to the AP.

Right-to-work bills prohibit requirements that employees join a union or pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment. Such bills have languished in the Republican-controlled Legislature, while critics contend the real intent - to bleed unions of money and bargaining power - would destroy the middle class, according to the AP.

There are 24 states that have right-to-know laws. Pennsylvania is one of the 26 "forced-unionism states," according to the National Right To Work Legal Defense Foundation website at www.nrtw.org.

"Not one of them has ever proven that that helps the worker," Martin said.

"The average worker in states with 'right-to-work' laws makes $1,540 a year less when all other factors are removed than workers in other states," according to the website for the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations at aflcio.org.

The Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council is made up of 16 regional councils - including the Schuylkill County Building and Construction Trades Council - and more than 115 local unions from 15 International Building Trades Unions.

On Thursday, Martin said he's encouraging a boycott of all Yuengling products.

"We want to support people who support us. So we'll drink Miller and Budweiser and Pabst Blue Ribbon, companies where owners of the companies don't come out and tell people right out they're against labor unions," Martin said.

On Yuengling, Martin said, "We supported this guy. We were part of making him a billionaire. I don't understand what his motives are but he clearly don't care for us."

Yuengling was included earlier this year on a Forbes magazine list of billionaires, but he said Monday that he is not worth a billion dollars.

"I hope union people who live wherever he sells his products think twice before buying them. Maybe they'll just order a different kind of beer," Dennis Keefer, president of the Schuylkill County Building and Construction Trades Council, said Thursday.

Yuengling refused to comment Thursday on Martin's comments.

SUMMIT STATION - Visitors to the Schuylkill County Fairgrounds this holiday weekend can experience Native American dances and food from Mexico City.

The second annual Two Moons Memorial Pow Wow is scheduled today through Monday. The Pow Wow will open at 10 a.m. every day.

"There really is no closing time. People can stay as long as they like," said Amy Salas, a member of the Ojibwy tribe.

Cost is $7 for adults and $4 for children 6 to 12. Admission is free for children 5 and under. For the entire weekend, tickets are $15 per adult and $10 for children 6 and older. Today's event is a social day and entrance to the event is free.

The Ojibwy tribe reservation is in Wisconsin but Salas lives in Pottsville with her husband, Cisco Salas, a Pawnee American.

"There are many different nations of Native Americans that are going to be there," Salas said Thursday.

In all, 400 to 500 Native Americans are expected to attend, including the Sioux, Mohawk, Cherokee, Lenape and Micmac tribes, Salas said.

Visitors can meet members of the tribes and buy items from vendors, such as T-shirts, walking canes, pottery and food.

Foods will include srybread, which is "almost a combination with a fasnacht and a funnel cake," Salas said, and a dessert called wojohapi, a mixture of seven different berries made into a pudding.

Previously, the event had been held at Shartlesville Park, Berks County, for 15 years but the popularity of the event caused organizers to find a new location.

Salas said she has been to the fair, examined the layout of the grounds and liked what she saw.

This is the second year for the event at the fairgrounds.

Her father, Cliff Two Moons, a Ojibwy American, was the founder of the event. He died in 2002.

"The event is a way to honor loved ones that have died," Salas said.

Dancing starts at noon each day and ends about 7 p.m. Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday and about 6 p.m. Monday.

Musical acts Spirit Wing and Terry Strongheart will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday.

The Aztec Dancers from Mexico City will perform at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Everyone is invited to attend to event and experience a different culture.

"We want them to see what a Pow Wow is about," Salas said.

ORWIGSBURG - A private detective from Orwigsburg was hired at a cost of $1,368 to conduct an unspecified investigation earlier this year for borough officials, according to information obtained by The Republican-Herald.

The newspaper obtained the information as part of a Right-To-Know request filed Aug. 13 after learning the detective was hired.

An invoice dated July 11 from TC Investigations, Limited Liability Corp., Orwigsburg, to borough solicitor Frank Tamulonis lists the amount for services of $1,368.

Anthony Carroll, a private detective, submitted the invoice, which does not specifically mention the reason for his services.

"I'm reluctant to give you any information on this," Carroll said, adding information should come from the borough.

The newspaper requested "financial records related to employment contracts pertaining to the hiring of private investigator Anthony Carroll and related minutes approved by the Orwigsburg Borough Council," as part of the Right-To-Know request.

In response, borough Manager Mike Lonergan said the related meeting minutes do not exist. Lonergan also said he authorized Tamulonis to hire the detective.

He cited a borough ordinance that he said permits him to do so: "All complaints regarding services or personnel of the borough shall be referred to the office of the manager. He, or an officer designated by him, shall investigate and dispose of such complaints, and the manager shall report thereon to council."

"He was paid by the solicitor and we in turn paid the solicitor's bill," Lonergan said Tuesday.

Lonergan said he and Tamulonis met with Carroll in early June.

He said he would not say why Carroll was hired because it is a personnel manner.

A complaint against Officer Scott R. Davis was filed by a borough resident in early May, Lonergan said. However, borough officials would not confirm if the investigation was related to Davis, who recently tendered his resignation from the borough's police force.

Council President Michele Rudloff also would not say this week why Carroll was hired, but said the complaint was discussed in executive session.

"We do investigations if it warrants that," she said.

Melissa Melewsky, media law counsel for the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, said Wednesday that the council didn't necessarily deal with the issue appropriately.

"I think they could have handled this situation better," she said.

Melewsky said the approval of the expenditure of the money for Carroll should have been done at a public meeting.

"The discussion can happen (in executive session) but the action should happen at a public meeting," she said, adding that borough ordinances do not override the Sunshine Law, which allows for citizens to have access to information which is to be discussed at public meetings.

Melewsky said it would be up to a judge to decide if there was a violation of the Sunshine Law.

Lonergan declined to comment on the statements made by Melewsky.

The borough accepted Davis' resignation at its Aug. 14 meeting. His one-sentence resignation letter was taped to the borough office door July 8. It stated Davis would resign effective Sept. 6.

Lonergan said Davis is still on the payroll as of Monday.

Davis could not be reached for comment by The Republican-Herald. Lonergan said he contacted Davis to tell him a reporter from The Republican-Herald wanted to speak to him about the issue, but Davis has not contacted The Republican-Herald about the matter.

Mayor Austin Scandiber said Monday he was surprised at the way Davis resigned.

"If you're going to resign come face to face. Why it was done this way I don't know. ... Every now and then he just seemed dissatisfied with certain things," he said.

Scandiber said he also didn't know if anyone asked Davis to resign.

An unidentified member of the public questioned council about Davis and "the investigation" at the Aug. 14 borough council meeting. The man, who did not provide his name, said he filed a complaint. Lonergan acknowledged a complaint was filed but gave no details of the nature of the complaint.

At that meeting, the borough council authorized TC Investigations to perform background investigations on police officer candidates. Lonergan said in an email to The Republican-Herald that he did not believe it was within his scope to "hire people to conduct background investigations" and thus the council took action.

After the Aug. 14 meting, borough council Vice President Susan Murphy said the situation with Davis was "handled according to the requirements of the collective bargaining agreement. The issue is a moot point because he resigned."

Rudloff said borough residents should be assured the police force provides good service to the residents.

"The focus should be on them getting quality police services," she said.

MOLINO - Police were searching for a man Thursday night after he reportedly fired at a trooper near Happy Valley Trailer Park just off Route 895 in West Brunswick Township.

According to emergency broadcasts, while a trooper was investigating at the scene about 7 p.m. after a report of shots being fired, a man stepped out of the woods, aimed at the trooper and fired, then ran back into the woods.

A trooper at the scene confirmed that the incident was a "trooper-related shooting" and that no one was injured.

Police from the surrounding area immediately began searching for the man in the woods. A state police Special Emergency Response Team arrived about 10 p.m. Thursday to assist in the search.

A state police helicopter was also called to assist and the Schuylkill County Emergency Management Agency set up a command unit at the scene.

State police set up a command center in the parking lot of Grace Bible Church of Hawk Mountain. Police weren't available for comment late Thursday because the search was still ongoing.

Neighbors in the Happy Valley Trailer Park said they don't know the man but described him as keeping to himself.

Molino Road and Happy Valley Road were closed late Thursday while police continued the search.

ASHLAND - Even though it has not moved, the Mother's Memorial officially has a new address after Ashland Borough Council declared the landscaped area around the memorial as "Welcome Home Plaza."

The new designation was made official by a borough council resolution at the Aug. 14 meeting and in time for Saturday's dedication of the state historical marker honoring the Ashland Boys' Association at the base of the memorial at Hoffman Boulevard and Chestnut Street.

On Saturday, the annual ABA Parade will be held at noon, followed by the ceremony to dedicate the historical marker at 3 p.m.

In the resolution, it is stated that the Mother's Memorial, which was an ABA project and dedicated 75 years ago in 1938, "is a landmark of distinction deserving of an address of distinction," and "in recognition and in celebration of the Ashland Boys' Association and thousands of former residents who have come home and participated in the Ashland Boys' Association traditions, the borough and the citizens wish to recognize the Ashland Boys' Association members and wish to recognize the location of the Mother's Memorial."

The resolution concludes, "Now, therefore, be it resolved that from Aug. 31, 2013, forward, and for all time, the landscape area surrounding the Mother's Memorial in the area from Chestnut Street to Market Street shall hereinafter be known and forever designated 'Welcome Home Plaza' so that the address of the Mother's Memorial will forever be, 'The Mother's Memorial at Welcome Home Plaza.' "

In other business, the council listened to comments from resident Frank Rice about the forming of a crime watch. Rice said a meeting was held Aug. 13 to discuss the possibility of creating the group. He said the meeting had 20 people in attendance, including three council members and police Chief Adam J. Bernodin Jr. During the Aug. 13 meeting, Rice, a retired Capitol Police officer, offered to volunteer to write media releases on police activities.

The next meeting of the Ashland Community Watch Group will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 35 N. Ninth St., Ashland. Election of officers and drafting of bylaws will be discussed.

"All interested citizens who want their town back are invited to attend this very important meeting," Rice said in an email message. For information, call 570-875-4190.

Borough council also acted on the following agenda items:

- Accepted a quote from Interboro Packaging Corp., Montgomery, N.Y., of $7,648 for 50,000 trash bags. Quotes from three companies were received by the borough, with Interboro providing the lowest proposal.

- Approved a resolution to enter into a lease agreement with Real Lease Inc. for the purchase of the new 2013 Ford Interceptor police car. The lease is for 36 months at $888.84 per month.

- Approved the proposal of $2,800 from Alfred Benesch & Co. to conduct the annual reservoir inspection as required by the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Liberty Savings Bank will become branch offices for The Gratz Bank, according to a recent merger agreement.

GNB Financial Services Inc., bank holding company of The Gratz Bank, and Liberty Centre Bancorp Inc., parent savings and loan holding company of Liberty Savings Bank, made the joint announcement Thursday.

GNB Financial is a $182 million state-chartered holding company based in Gratz and operates three community bank offices in Gratz, Valley View and Herndon. LCB is a $28 million federally-chartered stock savings bank based in Pottsville, where it has two offices as well as a loan production office in Macungie.

The merger will make Liberty a wholly-owned subsidiary of GNB Financial and Gratz Bank.

"We are pleased to welcome the customers and employees of LCB to the Gratz family," Wesley M. Weymers, president and chief executive officer of GNB Financial and Gratz Bank, said in the press release. "The addition of LCB to the GNB Financial franchise continues GNB Financial's growth as a strong, high-performing community bank and increases our locations, products and efficiencies to better serve our customers and provide value to our shareholders."

Under the agreement, LCB shareholders will receive cash consideration equal to the "adjusted book value per share" for each share of LCB common stock outstanding at the effective time of the merger. LCB's book value will also be adjusted for increases in the allowance for loan losses, payments for certain contracts and commitments, and payments in resolution of certain matters outstanding.

"Given the demands of a changing banking environment, the Board of Directors believes this transaction represents an opportunity for our shareholders, customers, employees and the communities we serve," Robert W. Pugh Jr., president and chairman of the board of LBC and Liberty Bank, said in the release.

Three LCB directors will be invited to join an advisory board to the GNB Financial board of directors. Weymers said the Liberty offices will remain at their current locations and keep as many of the employees as possible.

"We want to provide the same type of customer service that Liberty has had and we look to retain as many customers as possible," Weymers said.

"It is a good match," he added. "Their president, Bob Pugh, and I have agreed on that and I think, because of the similar way we do business, it is a good fit for both."

Weymers said new federal financial regulations put into place in 2010 by The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act has made it more difficult for community banks to survive. Simply referred to as Dodd-Frank, 2010 legislation was a response to the late 2000 recession and provides rigorous standards to protect the national economy.

Weymers said the cost of compliance for the new regulations can be expensive. He compared community banks to small "mom and pop stores" and said that in today's market, the only way they can compete is to expand or merge.

"As internal, organic growth becomes more difficult, I think we will see more banks entering into these agreements with each other," Weymers said.

The merger agreement still requires approval from several federal and state authorities. Weymers said the transaction will probably not be complete until early 2014.

The Gratz Bank was established in 1934. For more information about GNB Financial and Gratz Bank, visit its website at www.gratzbank.com.

GILBERTON - Police Chief Mark Kessler expects to be fired for posting incendiary videos in which he ranted obscenely about the Second Amendment and liberals while spraying machine-gun fire with borough-owned weapons.

But Kessler, whose pro-gun videos have garnered hundreds of thousands of views online, has no intention of going away quietly.

With an Internet radio show, speaking invitations to gun rallies around the country and a newly formed "Constitution Security Force" that he claims already has chapters in 45 states, the 41-year-old coal miner-turned-cop said his message - that the federal government is too big, too powerful and wants to grab guns - is resonating with a segment of the public that believes as he does.

"The support has been overwhelming, both national and international," he said. "I find it truly amazing how many people finally said, 'You know what? This guy's right.' "

Today is the last day of Kessler's 30-day suspension over what the Gilberton council has said was unauthorized use of the weapons. The council could decide his fate during a special meeting at 7 p.m. today at the Gilberton municipal building..

But if Kessler's worried about losing job, he's not showing it.

"If that's the price I got to pay for standing up for what I believe in, apparently for what a lot of Americans believe in, I'm willing to pay that price," said Kessler, speaking to The Associated Press at a gun range near Gilberton.

If anything, his rhetoric has grown even more menacing.

This week, Kessler posted another potty-mouthed video in which he displayed paper targets with scary-looking clowns on them, dubbed "Eric" and "Danny." Those happen to be the first names of Council President Daniel Malloy and Vice President Eric Boxer, whom he has attacked on his website.

Patting an assault rifle, Kessler said, "This is the friend that Eric's going to meet today." After firing a volley at the target, he said, "Eric got a couple rounds to the head."

In an earlier video, Kessler savaged Secretary of State John Kerry as a "traitor" over a U.S.-backed international arms treaty. "COME AND TAKE IT!" he screamed, firing a machine gun.

Kessler said he posted that video and others like it partly out of frustration, and partly in an effort to get people to pay attention to an issue he holds dear: the erosion of Second Amendment and other constitutional rights.

"It was shock and awe," he said. "I could have went out there and did a nice video ... and nobody would've gave it a second look."

Now that he's achieved a measure of notoriety for his obscenity-filled rants against government tyranny and people he calls "libtards," Kessler said he worries the federal government will try to silence him. He predicted chaos if that happens.

"God help them if something should happen to me," he said. "I believe that could spark the next American Revolution."

Kessler insisted he's "not calling for anybody to take up arms against our government."

But he also warned the government would be in a fight if it ever tried to take away his guns.

"I would resist," he said. "I'd fight for freedom, and if it cost me my life, then so be it."

The FBI said it's aware of the police chief and his videos.

Kessler said he decided to speak out after the Obama administration began a push for new gun laws in response to the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

Most Gilberton residents approached by the AP this week declined to speak on the record.

But some, like Bill Yohn, said it's hard to reconcile the lawman they know with the profane, provocative figure on the videos.

"If I had a problem, he was quick to come," Yohn said. "He was completely different from how he appeared on the videos. It was like night and day."

Kessler, who is married with four children and two grandchildren, acknowledged how the videos portray him.

"I kind of look scary," he said. "I've been labeled the scariest police chief in the country."

VALLEY VIEW - A 19-year-old Valley View man was jailed Thursday after being arrested by Hegins Township police on drug charges.

Gavin D. Heim, 329 Park Road, was arrested by Chief Steven Lohr and Sgt. Beau Yarmush, and charged with three felony counts each of manufacture of a controlled substance and possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance; five misdemeanor counts of prohibited acts; and one misdemeanor count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and flight to avoid apprehension or punishment.

Police said the charges stem from an incident Aug. 20 at Heim's home, where officers were called to assist county adult probation officers in taking the man into custody for a parole violation.

Heim fled the home on foot and was discovered a short time later hiding in a field.

Yarmush said he was looking in the field when Heim crawled out from dense grass right in front of him but scrambled to his feet and fled when ordered to surrender. The man was ultimately apprehended in front of a wood mill on Park Road, police said.

Authorities then searched the home after Heim's mother gave them consent. They found a marijuana grinder, a marijuana stem, unsmoked tobacco from a cigar and unlabeled prescription bottles.

Drug paraphernalia were also found in the home and shortly after, Yarmush and Lohr found three marijuana plants in the brush to the rear of the home. Two of the plants were actively growing while the third had a root cluster but was lying on the ground, police said.

When interviewed later and asked about the plants, Yarmush said Heim told him, "I planted them, grew them, you found them."

Heim was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison on both a parole detainer and bail of 10 percent of $50,000.

Heim will appear for a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Carol A. Pankake, Tremont.

ORWIGSBURG - The Blue Mountain school board on Aug. 22 approved a change order to fix cracks in the Blue Mountain Elementary West building.

The amount approved was $58,386.67.

"We had some cracks in the front wall of West Elementary," Superintendent Robert Urzillo said.

Fixing those cracks was part of an option the district could have selected when it did the $767,500 roof and masonry project at school. A professional evaluator looked at those cracks, Urzillo said.

"The change order is less than the options by about $40,000," Urzillo said.

In other news, the board approved Alyssa Newman as a probationary administrative assistant to the principal for pupil personnel. Her salary is $27,000 for 188 days this school year, starting Aug. 20.

Scott Spolski, who had been in that position for two years, resigned to take another job, Urzillo said. Moss voted "no" because she said the administration needs to "look harder at organizational structure before filling vacancies."

Action was also taken on several other employment additions.

The following substitute employees were approved for the school year: Lindsay Cable, elementary and middle school math; Emily Duffy, special education in the elementary school; Susan Kramer, retired school nurse; Ann Monasterio, aide; and Danielle Zimmerman, pre-kindergarten to fourth grade. No additional information was provided.

Also approved were Susan Kruss as a probationary part-time cafeteria employee to Blue Mountain Elementary East at $7.75 for four hours daily and Susan Trotter as a probationary part-time cafeteria employee in the high school at the same rate for three hours a day.

Janice Faust was transferred from the middle school as a personal care aide to Blue Mountain Elementary East as a classroom aide.

The following additional people were also hired:

- Dr. Stephen Lindemuth as Blue Mountain Middle School Envirothon advisor and paid a stipend of $306

- Sally Toomey as Blue Mountain Creative Art Fair co-advisor, paid $102.

- James McBreen as tenth grade class advisor with a stipend of $630 and as a middle school mock trial advisor with a stipend of $306

- Matthew Topping as high school choral concert director at a stipend of $2,206 and as musical production assistant director for music at $840

- Joseph Ritzko as band percussion instructor at the high school at a stipend of $630.

Resignations accepted by the board in the Elementary East building were:

- Danielle Phillips as a personal care aide, effective Aug. 22

- Gail Moyer, classroom aide, effective Aug. 22

- Sheila Hummel, cafeteria worker, effective Sept. 2

The resignations from the high school were Corrine Frederick, high school band percussion instructor, and Jason Brocious, musical production assistant director for music.

MAHANOY PLANE - The Gilberton borough council voted unanimously Friday to extend indefinitely the 30-day suspension of police Chief Mark Kessler.

The special meeting lasted fewer than five minutes and was attended by all seven council members. Two attorneys - Joseph J. Joyce and Larry Moran of the law firm Elliott Greenleaf & Dean - also sat at the council table. The law firm was retained at the Aug. 14 council meeting as special counsel involving all matters dealing with Kessler.

Kessler and his attorney, Joseph P. Nahas, did not attend Friday's meeting. About 10 members of the public attended, and the small meeting room was filled with members of the media.

Kessler was suspended effective Aug. 1 after the borough council suspended him July 31. The suspension was related to YouTube videos Kessler posted in which he used profanity and automatic weapons. Council members said the suspension was for the use of borough weapons without their permission, although Kessler claims he did nothing wrong because his contract permits him to use the weapons on his own time.

At the beginning of Friday's meeting, council President Daniel Malloy announced that the borough council, Mayor Mary Lou Hannon and special counsel met in an executive session Tuesday to discuss personnel issues concerning Kessler. No action was taken during that meeting.

The council then explained that a disciplinary meeting had been scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday with Kessler, Nahas and the borough's special counsel. The meeting was an opportunity for Kessler to respond to the borough's concerns, but it needed to be rescheduled because Nahas was due in court at the time.

"(Elliott Greenleaf & Dean) gave us a two-day notice," Nahas said earlier Friday. "Mark got the notice on Wednesday evening. Mark told me about it. I asked for it to be postponed because I was in court. There will be a hearing scheduled next week whereby we will address specific claims made by the borough, after which the borough will decide what type of disciplinary action, if any, they will take. Due to (Vice President Eric) Boxer's prior solicitation of Gilberton's citizens to fire chief Kessler, I believe the borough will be heading in that direction regardless of the outcome of the hearing."

Nahas previously accused Boxer of going door-to-door encouraging Gilberton residents to support Kessler's firing.

As Friday night's meeting continued, Hannon read a letter from Nahas in which Kessler, through the letter, makes a request to special counsel attorney John G. Dean.

"I received notification from my client, Mark Kessler, at approximately 4:06 p.m. that he would be willing to extend his unpaid suspension so that he and I may attend the newly scheduled meeting. Please proceed accordingly," Nahas wrote.

Hannon asked the council for a motion to accept the letter requesting the extension. The motion was made by Boxer and seconded by William Hannon.

After several comments posted on Kessler's Facebook page encouraging violence at Friday's meeting, Kessler himself posted a request for restraint from his supporters no matter what the borough council decided.

"Regardless of the outcome of this meeting in Gilberton, I ask everyone to refrain from using any type of violence! This will be fought in the courtroom by nationally renowned defense attorney Nahas," Kessler wrote.

In a related matter, Boxer said Friday that rumors about him applying for a protection from abuse order against Kessler are just that - rumors.

"I am not going to press charges against Kessler. I'm not getting a PFA. I'm not getting anything," Boxer said. "There are no hard feeling against Mark."

Earlier in the week, Kessler posted yet another video on YouTube in which he holds two posters of angry-looking clowns. He refers to one as "Eric" and the other as "Danny," then shoots at both posters with an AK-47. It is unclear in the video who "Eric" and "Danny" are, although they are the first names of the council vice president and president, respectively.

Responding to questions from the media Friday night, Moran said, "There's going to be no more comment, certainly from the attorneys, the council and the mayor. We're talking about personnel issues, and we won't comment on personnel issues."

Marriage licenses

Brandon E. Aucker, Reading, and Corissa A. Albertini, Reading.

Roger L. Shank, Schuylkill Haven, and Lynda J. Rolin, Schuylkill Haven.

Shendon E. Croll, Barnesville, and Ramona B. Smith, Barnesville.

David J. Bagdonis, New Philadelphia, and Deborah M. Weiss, New Philadelphia.

Dennis S. Himmelberger, Bernville, and Cynthia L. Gombocz, Schuylkill Haven.

Joseph M. Francis, Tamaqua, and Vanessa H. Aburmailel, Tamaqua.

Andrew J. Hair, Pottsville, and Richele M. Plesnarski, Pottsville.

Eric M. Fry, Baltimore, Md., and Jennifer M. Racho, Sugarloaf.

Chad M. Gerber, Coadale, and Eleanor M. Fantini, Coaldale.

Thomas A. Byers, Schuylkill Haven, and Kaytlyn A. Hackenberg, Schuylkill Haven.

Derrek E. Singley, Zion Grove, and Shannon M. Schoch, Zion Grove.

Joshua L. Wahl, Schuylkill Haven, and Theresa Y. Woznicki, Schuylkill Haven.

Kyle A. Fredericks, Tamaqua, and Kayla A. Begley, Tamaqua.

Guy L. Ebert, Pottsville, and Amanda M. Arnold, Shenandoah.

James D. Bova, New Ringgold, and Jessica L. Snyder, New Ringgold.

Charles H. Lengle, Pine Grove, and Amber J. Russell, Pine Grove.

William B. Koenig, Hegins, and Mary M. Whalen, Hegins.

Michael I. Wolfe, Pine Grove, and Sarah L. Ferguson, Pine Grove.

Troy A. Williamson, Hamburg, and Heather L. Hull, Klingerstown.

Divorces

Lisa Ann Evans, Nanticoke, from Shane Evans, Tamaqua.

Rebecca M. Fike, Winchester, Va., from Todd M. Fike, Tremont.

Maria A. Bravo, Tamaqua, from Michael A. Bravo, Tamaqua.

Engine, metal

taken in Grier City

GRIER CITY - Rush Township police are investigating a burglary that occurred recently at 65 Crest St.

Police said someone stole iron and steel along with a 1932 Ford engine

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-668-4242.

Shen woman

faces charges

SHENANDOAH - A 26-year-old borough woman was arrested by Shenandoah police and charged with simple assault and harassment after a domestic incident at 223 N. Highland St. about 3:30 a.m. Aug. 16.

Police said Tanya Koncsler will have to answer to the charges before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah.

Police said the woman's mother, Sherry Koncsler, reported her daughter came home from the bar and began to play music loud and started cooking in a frying pan.

Sherry Koncsler said she came down from upstairs and yelled at her daughter for the loud music at which time Tonya Koncsler tossed the hot cooking oil and cheesesteaks that were in the pan at her mother before fleeing the area.

New Philly man

faces charges

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - A 53-year-old New Philadelphia man was arrested by Schuylkill Haven police and charged with criminal trespass after an incident at the Fritz Reed Avenue Housing Complex about 8 p.m. Aug. 17.

Police said William Corcino will have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg.

Police said they charged Corcino for being at the complex despite being served notice that he was not allowed to be on the property.

Haven police

probe incidents

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - Schuylkill Haven police investigated two incidents that occurred in their coverage area Aug. 19

Police said they charged Brandon Haag, 18, of Saint Clair, with open lewdness after a complaint was received about him urinating on a vehicle in the 300 block of Saint John Street.

Also, about 5 p.m., officers were told by Tim Boyer that he had the tires slashed on his Ford Focus in the 400 block of Parkway sometime over a period of days.

Police said both right side tires of the car were slashed and ask that anyone with information call them at 570-385-9111.

3 face charges

from Haven police

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - Three people were cited by Schuylkill Haven police stemming from two separate incidents in the borough on Aug. 20.

Police said John O'Brien, Schuylkill Haven, will be charged with public drunkenness after he was found staggering in public in the area of Valenti's Restaurant on East Main Street.

Police said officers learned that O'Brien had been injesting prescription Oxycodone by snorting it into his nose.

About 7 p.m., police said Joseph Sippel, 26, of Schuylkill Haven, and Rodney McDonald, 21, also of Schuylkill Haven, were charged with disorderly conduct after they were fighting in the area of Becker Street.

Police said the two were involved in a road rage incident on East Main Street and later met at the second location to fight with each other.

Woman charged

in endangerment

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - A 30-year-old borough woman was arrested by Schuylkill Haven police and charged with endangering the welfare of children after an incident at 3:20 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Fritz Reed Avenue Housing Complex.

Police said Teresa Chappell will have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg.

Officers received a report of a 4-year-old child playing on the street and in other areas for about an hour unattended. It was determined that Chappell fell asleep during which time her daughter left the residence.

Children & Youth authorities were contacted and they contacted a family member to assume custody of the girl and a 1-year-old boy, Chappell's son, police said.

Items taken from

home in Haven

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - Schuylkill Haven police said several items were taken from a home at 521 S. Garfield Ave. on Aug. 22.

Police said someone stole a fold-up gazebo, a metal bird house, a plant table, Chinese candle and a rabbit lawn ornament from the backyard of Ann Kroznuski.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-385-9111.

Woman faces

multiple charges

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - A 36-year-old woman is facing charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and receiving stolen property after an incident at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Borough police said a borough worker called about a vehicle parked to the rear of a borough-owned garage on Naffin Avenue and officers found Jill Fehr, her son and two pit bulls inside.

It was determined the vehicle registration was suspended due to insurance cancellation and that the inspection sticker was expired.

A subsequent search of the vehicle found numerous items of drug paraphernalia as well as a credit card that was owned by a person who is now deceased.

Police: Drunk

man punches sign

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - A 36-year-old man was arrested by Schuylkill Haven police after an incident in the area of Saint John and Union streets about 1:15 p.m. Thursday.

Police said officers found Michael Lengel highly intoxicated and learned he was yelling and punching a road sign.

Lengel was released to his mother and will have to answer to a charge of public drunkenness in district court.

Drums man faces

DUI charge

McADOO - A Drums man was arrested by McAdoo police and charged with DUI after a traffic stop at South Kennedy Drive and Washington Street about 9:10 p.m. Aug. 3.

Police said they stopped a vehicle driven by Tyler Nelmes for an equipment violation and expired registration sticker and found the man to be under the influence and having an open can of beer in the back seat and a full case of beer on the floor.

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

McAdoo man

charged in incident

McADOO - McAdoo police filed charges of disorderly conduct against a borough man after an incident in the area of his home at 68 N. Kennedy Drive about 8:15 p.m. Aug. 22.

Police said Reginald Thomas II will have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua.

Officers were called to the area for a disturbance and found Thomas screaming at his father and also at Crystal Bloom who was inside a home at 69 N. Kennedy Drive.

Police said Thomas II became enraged after two people reportedly told him Bloom used to punch herself in the stomach to hurt the baby she was carrying.

Thomas II's father then came outside to prevent him from entering the home and get to Bloom, police said.

3 teens face

underage charges

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - Two juveniles and a 19-year-old man were cited by Schuylkill Haven police for underage drinking after an incident at 127 James St. at 3:45 a.m. Aug. 24.

Police said officers were called to the home for a report of a cardiac arrest and found William Higgins, 19, in distress from consuming alcohol and Xanex pills. It was also learned a 15-year-old boy and 15-year-old girl were also under the influence.

Higgins was taken to the hospital by ambulance and the two teens released to the custody of their parents, police said.