Stephen C. Shaw, retired director of administrative rules for the state of New Hampshire, recently wrote a screenplay inspired by two Pottsville icons, Henry Clay and John O'Hara.

But instead of pitching it to Hollywood agents, Shaw decided to release "The Empty Box: A Screenplay" in book form earlier this month through Parisburg Publishing, Pottsville. Copies are available at Amazon.com.

"O'Hara's novels are dialogue-driven, and a screenplay is almost all dialogue. So I thought it was a good format for this project," Shaw, 69, said Tuesday.

In 2005, Shaw was living in Harrisburg. When visiting Pottsville, he became fascinated by the monuments to Clay and O'Hara. He moved to Pottsville in September.

A U.S. congressman and statesman, Clay was born April 12, 1777, in Hanover County, Va., according to biography.com. He was a 19th century U.S. senator who helped to spur the Industrial Revolution. When Clay died June 29, 1852, a committee of local officials decided to pay tribute to him with the monument. The 15-foot tall statue sits in Pottsville on a more than 40-foot tall iron column of Grecian Doric architecture.

O'Hara was born in Pottsville in January 1905. His novels include "Appointment in Samarra" and "Butterfield 8." He also penned screenplays, plays and short story collections. He died in April 1970 in Princeton, N.J., and was interred in Princeton Cemetery. In October 2002, a life-like bronze statue of O'Hara by sculptor James J. Ponter, Pitman, N.J., was placed at 115 S. Centre St. The Pottsville Bicentennial Committee raised the funds for its creation.

"I think Henry Clay and John O'Hara have something in common. Henry Clay tried to be president several times. He would have made a great president. And O'Hara wanted the Nobel Prize. A lot of his friends won it. He never did. So he had a chip on his shoulder, 'I should have won the Nobel Prize.' It haunted him his whole life. And that's really the key to my screenplay. I studied Buddhism and, as I understand it, the chief thing that makes you unhappy or sorrowful is desire. And if you can overcome desire, you will have a happier life," Shaw said.

"The Empty Box" is a fictitious story about the desire for unattainable goals, Shaw said.

The story's protagonist is a novelist critical of class structure who sought recognition and a place in the limelight, a character similar to O'Hara, Shaw said.

O'Hara wrote about Pottsville but called it "Gibbsville." In his script, Shaw called Pottsville "Clayville," after Henry Clay.

Born in Bronx, N.Y., Jan. 12, 1944, Shaw graduated from Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J., in 1962 and earned a degree in English literature from City College of New York in 1967. He retired at 50 and has been writing, painting, playing slide guitar and traveling ever since.

He taught classes on the poetry of the blues in Prague and Cambridge, England. He recently produced and hosted a TV show in Concord, N.H., "Without Music Life Would Be A Mistake."

To date, he's written six books.

"I've been writing for 20 years. I've tried many genres. I've written close to 2,000 poems now and they were actually practice for the larger pieces I'd write, short stories and plays. I'm working on several novels now," Shaw said.

"I've always been fascinated by writers and my whole life I've related to things by writing about them. I can write myself out of depression. I think O'Hara did, too," Shaw said.

For more information on Shaw's books, visit www.parisburg.com.

A Barnesville man is headed to state prison after being sentenced Thursday in Schuylkill County Court.

Nicholas J. Garulle, 23, must spend two to five years in a state correctional institution, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin ruled.

"He's out of control," Dolbin said of Garulle just before imposing the sentence.

Dolbin sentenced Garulle after revoking his probation for the defendant's failure to report to his supervising officer, using drugs and being charged with committing other crimes.

Garulle had asked to be sent to a rehabilitation center for 18 months.

"I need more than help," he testified. "I'm the worst possible son I could be."

However, Dolbin rejected that request, saying it came too late.

"Everyone wants to get treatment after they've committed crimes," he said.

Garulle pleaded guilty on Nov. 14, 2012, to receiving stolen property. At that time, Dolbin placed the defendant on probation for 23 months consecutive to his current sentence, and also sentenced him to pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $60 restitution, amounts he still must pay under the terms of Thursday's sentence.

State police at Frackville charged Garulle with receiving stolen property on March 2, 2012, in Delano Township.

Also on Thursday, Dolbin sentenced Sabrina Lawson, 36, of Mahanoy City, to serve six to 12 months in prison.

Dolbin imposed that sentence after revoking Lawson's probation following her admissions that she committed a new crime and used drugs.

Lawson originally pleaded guilty on July 24 to retail theft. At that time, Dolbin placed her on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced her to pay costs, a $50 CJEA payment and $90.04 restitution, amounts she still must pay under the terms of her new sentence.

Saint Clair police charged Lawson with committing the theft on Nov. 20, 2012, in the borough.

In another Thursday case, Ronald Miller, 62, of Hazleton, pleaded guilty to driving under suspension-DUI related.

Judge James P. Goodman accepted Miller's plea, ordered preparation of a presentence investigation and scheduled the defendant's sentencing for 2:30 p.m. Jan. 16, 2014.

McAdoo police had charged Miller with driving with the suspended license on Aug. 9 in the borough. Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, had found Miller guilty on Sept. 26, but the defendant appealed that ruling on Oct. 18.

In other criminal court action, a Schuylkill Haven man will be confined to his house after being sentenced Friday for selling drugs in November 2012 in Minersville.

Robert Fitzpatrick, 50, must spend 23 months in the intermediate punishment program, including nine on house arrest with electronic monitoring, under the terms of Judge James P. Goodman's sentence.

"If you violate any of the terms (of the program) you'll be going to jail," Goodman warned Fitzpatrick. "Stay completely out of the drug scene."

Goodman also sentenced Fitzpatrick to pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, and to submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. He made the sentence effective on Jan. 2, 2014.

Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty on Oct. 17 to delivery of a controlled substance, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

Minersville police had charged Fitzpatrick with selling drugs on Nov. 20, 2012, in the borough.

Fitzpatrick originally took his case to trial, but that trial ended on Aug. 28 with a hung jury.

Also on Friday, Goodman sentenced Eugene W. Kane Jr., 27, of Pottsville, to spend two years in the state intermediate punishment program, which combines imprisonment with substance abuse treatment. Goodman's sentence also requires Kane to pay costs, a $100 SAEF payment and $452 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, and to submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

"Good luck, Mr. Kane," Goodman told the defendant. "I hope you can successfully complete the program."

Kane pleaded guilty on Sept. 25 to four counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, three of possession of a controlled substance, two of delivery of a controlled substance and one each of criminal use of a communication facility, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. The charges stem from four separate incidents.

Kane already is an inmate at State Correctional Institution/Camp Hill in Cumberland County, and Goodman conducted the sentencing hearing by video conference.

Goodman warned Kane that he could be removed from the program and resentenced if he failed to complete it successfully.

"You could be facing serious time in prison" if that occurred," Goodman said.

In another Friday case, Goodman dismissed an appeal filed by Carl E. Henderson, 56, of Baltimore, of a charge of accident involving damage to unattended vehicle or property.

He ruled Henderson filed the appeal too late, thereby depriving the court of jurisdiction.

Schuylkill Haven borough police had charged Henderson with causing the accident on March 1, 2012, in the borough. Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg, had found Henderson guilty on May 31, 2012, and the defendant did not appeal that ruling until Oct. 31, 2013.

As a result of the dismissal of the appeal, Henderson must pay costs and a $300 fine, Ferrier's original sentence.

ORWIGSBURG - Local businessman Radu O. "Rudy" Gherghel has been appointed to serve on the board of the Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority.

Gov. Tom Corbett announced the confirmation of Gherghel's appointment on Dec. 11 after the state Senate voted unanimously for Gherghel to become a member of the nine-person board.

"The governor's office called me and they told me that the governor nominated me," Gherghel, Orwigsburg, said Saturday. "I was surprised. I don't know exactly why the governor nominated me, but I guess because I run my own businesses and my background."

Gherghel's term ends June 2, 2017.

A native of Romania, Gherghel, 70, escaped from his homeland in the 1960s when it was under Communist control, leading him through several European countries before reaching the United States in 1967, and eventually settling in Schuylkill County. His courageous story is documented in his book, "Dead Run," which was published this year.

Gherghel owns a variety of businesses ranging from recycling and storage facilities, investing in properties and is the owner of the multi-story One Norwegian Plaza in Pottsville. He works with his sons, Jason and Radu "Dean" Gherghel.

"I'm still working full time and own several business," Gherghel said.

Gherghel had met Corbett at various fundraisers, spoke with him and expressed some of his views.

"Maybe that had something to do with it (being nominated)," Gherghel said.

Gherghel said he will learn today when he will be sworn in by Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin. It could be as soon as today at the courthouse.

"On Monday I'll find out what day, but it will definitely be before Christmas," Gherghel said.

According to the agency's website, the PMBDA program is designed to stimulate the creation, retention and expansion of minority-owned businesses and to create jobs in Pennsylvania. PMBDA provides low-interest loans to finance a portion of the costs of land, building, machinery and equipment, and working capital to minority business enterprises unable to fully finance these projects with equity, bank financing or other private and public sources.

An eligible applicant is a for-profit business enterprise that is owned or controlled by one or more socially or economically disadvantaged people who are residents of the commonwealth. The disadvantage, regardless of sex or marital status, may arise from cultural, racial, chronic economic circumstances or background or other similar cause. Such people include, but are not limited to, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, Eskimos and Aleuts.

"The loans range from $250,000 to $750,000," Gherghel said. "We give loans to minorities based on a business plan."

The loans are only available to Pennsylvania residents.

The monthly PMBDA board meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. at the Commonwealth Keystone Building in Harrisburg. His first meeting is Jan. 23.

"I'm looking forward to being on that board and it's an honor for me to represent Schuylkill County in Harrisburg," Gherghel said. "It's a privilege and an honor to be on that board. My goal is to help Pennsylvania get moving in the right direction in getting more businesses and more people employed."

n Kelayres: The Kline Township Beautification Committee meeting for December has been canceled. The next meeting will be in January.

n Millersburg: The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art has announced the publication of "Gone for Another Day," the sequel to Ned Smith's "Gone for the Day." The book is drawn on Smith's 46 years of original field journals and illustrated with scores of his previously unpublished sketches, drawings and paintings, according to a release from Alexis Campbell, director for creative programming. "This is something we've wanted to do for years and the timing was perfect to bring out the book in time for the center's 20th anniversary," center Executive Director Steve Quigley said in the release. The project was sponsored by the state Game Commission, which published the original book; by the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, which holds the original journals and many of the field sketches that appear in the new book; and by several private donors. Scott Weidensaul, a natural history writer whose life was molded by Smith's original book, according to the release, said, "I bought a copy of 'Gone for the Day' with my allowance money when I was 11 or 12 years old, and it was a revelation." Weidensaul added: "Here was an adult who seemed to spend most of his time outside, watching and drawing wildlife. It was the first time I realized such a thing was even possible." For the past two years, Weidensaul culled Smith's journals, which fill nine three-ring binders, to select the most interesting and revealing entries. The earliest dates from the summer of 1936, when Smith was 17 years old, and recounts an encounter with a weasel defending its prey. The journals continue for the next 49 years, until the day before his death on April 22, 1985. For more information, call Campbell at 717-692-3699 or email her at adow@nedsmithcenter.org.

n Pottsville: The Pottsville Area High School Guidance Department will conduct an informational scheduling session in the high school's Wachter Auditorium for eighth-grade students planning to attend the high school for the 2014-15 academic year, according to Michelle G. McGinty, director of guidance. In a press release, McGinty said it is "extremely important" that Saint Clair Area and parochial students register with the Pottsville Area School District before attending the session by calling the district office at 570-621-2915. For parents/students whose last names begin with A through L, the session will be 7 p.m. Jan. 13. For those whose last names beginning with M through Z, the session will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 14. All students and parents of D.H.H. Lengel Middle School and Saint Clair Area should bring the course selection booklets they received in school.

n Pottsville: A holiday concert titled "Home for the Holidays" is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at the Sovereign Majestic Theater, North Centre Street. It will feature many winners of the Sovereign Majestic Awards including this year's vocal winners Makenna Copeland, Carrollynn Schwent and Jacob Tarconish. Other winners from years past who will participate include Shaina Graff, Tom Guastavino, Bridget Mealia, Daniel Romberger, Julia Schultz and Samantha Wood. The theater association hopes to make this an annual event. For tickets, call the theater box office at 570-628-4647. Tickets will also be available at the door the evening of the show.

n Pottsville: The Pottsville Free Public Library recently acknowledged the following memorial donations: For Matthew Christian Bann from attorneys Ronald and Linda Pellish; for Sally Gerace from Laura Chattin, Zane and Linda Rist, Peggy Schappell; for Sheldon Gitman from Dr. Leslie and Mrs. Jean Dubowitz; for Charles "Chow" Heffner from Pam and Bill Heffner; for Ross Heffner from Pam and Bill Heffner; for Beth Lehrman from the Devlin W. Dormer family; for Phyllis Schupak from Dr. Leslie and Mrs. Jean Dubowitz; for Frank Tenenholz from Dr. Leslie and Mrs. Jean Dubowitz.

The monument for the Schuylkill County Courthouse Commons is complete, has arrived at Heim Construction Co., Pottsville, and is ready to be installed.

The Schuylkill County commissioners, members of the Bicentennial Courthouse Commons Fundraising Committee and Gary Bender, co-chairman of the Bicentennial Committee, visited Heim Construction on Monday to observe the recently completed granite monument.

Heim Construction is completing the construction of the project.

"It's going to be installed as soon as the first break of good weather in the spring," Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary Hess said.

Dennis Frye, project manager at Heim Construction, said that the monument weighs 9,275 pounds.

"That is awesome," Commissioner George Halcovage said.

The Courthouse Commons will be a public garden in a triangular grassy area in front of the county courthouse along Laurel Boulevard.

The first phase of the project, which cost about $200,000, includes an area 24 feet by 24 feet with the granite monument that stands about 8 feet tall on the north wall of the square.

The monument is 10 feet wide and 5 feet tall and will sit on a base 2 feet, 8 inches tall.

On the monument is a county map in the center along with the names of all the municipalities.

The square will be surrounded by 18-inch walls made of granite that doubles as benches. Fourteen of these benches will be scattered throughout the complex. In the middle of the square, there will be six blocks of recessed slabs that will contain 768 bricks. The pavers, benches and bricks will be engraved with the names or messages of those who purchased them prior to completion.

Yongcheol Kim is the project architect.

The second and third phases of the project will expand it, but they will wait until the resources become available. Overall cost of the project was originally set at $400,000.

Eligible Pennsylvanians could have money coming their way if they apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program through the state Department of Revenue.

The program is open to state residents 65 and older, those with disabilities 18 and older, and widows and widowers 50 and older.

Income limits apply. For homeowners, the maximum income is $35,000 and $15,000 annually for renters. Social security income of 50 percent is excluded.

The maximum standard rebate is $650. However, rebates as high as $975 can be had.

Funding comes from the Pennsylvania Lottery and revenue from slots gaming.

Applications are available from local area agencies on aging, senior centers and offices of state legislators. Those who need help with an application can go to a Diakon Senior Center in the county. The deadline to apply is Dec. 31.

A total of $778 million is available, according to the state Department of Revenue.

More than $283 million was given to households last year.

State data from 2011, the latest breakdown data available, said 10,984 claimants in the county received a total of $5,048,989.48.

"I encourage all who qualify to take advantage of this tax relief and apply before the Dec. 31 deadline," Secretary of Revenue Dan Meuser said.

n Ashland: Free clothing closets are held from 10 a.m. to noon the third Saturday of the month at Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, 1238 Market St. For more information, call the church at 570-875-3000.

n Ashland: The Ashland Area Historic Preservation Society will hold an open house from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, at its headquarters, 316-318 Centre St. Visitors can see the society's display of Santa Clauses and other Christmas personages. Everyone is welcome. True bayberry candles and Gertrude Hawk chocolate bars will be on sale.

n Mahanoy City: The Mahanoy City Golden Agers group marked its 40th anniversary Oct. 6 at the A&C Catering Hall. The Rev. Kevin Gallagher, spiritual adviser gave the invocation and The Patriots provided entertainment. The oldest living member, Mary Novak, received a fall floral arrangement. Group members received flowers. Beginning in March, the group will meet at 1 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Hall. People 55 and older are eligible to join and new members are always welcome. The group has a trip to Nashville, Tenn., slated for June 21-26. It will include lodging at the Opryland Hotel and include treks to the Grand Ol' Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame and other sites. For more information, call Elizabeth at 570-773-1753.

n Minersville: The Minersville Area Food Drive Committee's 28th annual holiday food drive is under way and will conclude on Feb. 28, Edward M. Butler, committee chairman, said in a press release. The drive's purpose, he said, is to provide economically disadvantaged people in the Minersville area with food during the holiday season and into the new year. All donations of nonperishable food items can be made by calling 570-544-2739. Monetary donations can be mailed in care of the Minersville Area Food Drive Committee, 529 Lytle St., Minersville, PA 17954. Last year, the committee collected more than 22,000 cans, packaged food and other items including turkeys and other meats, Butler said in the release. "All this was made possible because of the generosity and caring of" Minersville area residents. For more information on the drive, contact Butler at the aforementioned phone number.

n Pottsville: David J. Dutcavich, Schuylkill County prothonotary, released the following report for November: County remittance, $35,752.06; new civil actions, 143; new divorces, 34; divorces granted, 31; passports processed, 46; state remittance, $5,386.72.

n Pottsville: During a recent meeting in the Pottsville Zone, the Pottsville Kiwanis Club hosted speaker Charlene Hoffman, a member of the Schuylkill County Fair board and an adviser to the fair royalty. She told club members the current state fair queen is Rhonda Carl, who was the Schuylkill County Fair queen. The current Schuylkill County Fair queen is Rachael Narodko, a Pottsville Key Club member, who will compete for the title of state fair queen. Bryon Gliem also spoke to club members on behalf of Brown's Children Fund. He said the fund was created by Michelle Yarnell and explained how members are working to raise money to benefit the Nov. 15, 2003, fire victims. Also during the meeting, it was reported the Kiwanis Key Club had another successful Salvation Army kettle bell ringing. Members of the Kiwanis and Key Club manned the kettle at Fairlane Village mall. During a recent Kiwanis meeting at Luther Ridge, the choir of the Pottsville Area School District's D.H.H. Lengel Middle School sang Christmas songs. Residents of Luther Ridge as well as the Pottsville Lions and Rotary clubs attended.

n Shenandoah: With an eye toward raising needed funds, the Shenandoah Area Free Public Library collects Redner's Warehouse Markets tapes and has Boyer's Food Markets Key tags. Tags can be picked up at the library. The library also accepts memorial and honor donations for friends or loved ones. For more information, call the library at 570-462-9829. The following hours are in effect at the library, Washington and Main streets: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, noon to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

A Pine Grove man will have to pay costs and a fine after a three-judge state Superior Court panel rejected his appeal of a summary conviction stemming from a code enforcement dispute involving a Saint Clair property he owns.

Lee S. Yom, 50, filed his first appeal too late to have Schuylkill County Court hear it, the panel rule in a four-page opinion filed Monday in Pottsville.

"Yom's appeal was untimely and the trial court did not err in quashing (it)," Senior Judge John L. Musmanno wrote.

By so ruling, the panel affirmed the Feb. 14 ruling of county Judge James P. Goodman, who dismissed Yom's attempt to challenge the Nov. 27, 2012, decision of Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko.

Plachko, Port Carbon, had found Yom guilty of removing a condemnation placard from the rental property in question, and ordered him to pay costs and a $300 fine, the amounts the defendant now will have to pay.

Plachko had dismissed seven other citations that Yom had received.

Saint Clair officials had issued all eight citations to Yom on Sept. 25, 2012.

In his opinion, Musmanno wrote that Pennsylvania law requires a defendant in a summary case to file an appeal no later than 30 days after his conviction. Since Plachko found Yom guilty on Nov. 27, 2012, the defendant had until Dec. 27, 2012, to file his appeal, according to Musmanno.

Yom's argument that he did not learn of the conviction until Dec. 28, 2012, has no merit and does not change the law, Musmanno wrote.

Musmanno also wrote that Yom's appeal indicated that the conviction was on Nov. 27, 2012.

Judges Sallie Updyke Mundy and Jack A. Panella, the other panel members, joined Musmanno's opinion.

Woman charged

for 2-car crash

Three people were not injured in a two-vehicle crash at 10:46 a.m. Friday on Second Mountain and Haven Fairlawn roads in North Manheim Township.

State police at Schuykill Haven said the crash occurred as a 1998 Ford Escort driven by Kelsey J. Shappel, 21, of Pottsville, was turning left onto West Second Mountain Road from a stop sign on Haven Fairlawn Road.

A 2004 Toyota Corolla driven by Karen J. Piccione, 71, of Schuylkill Haven, with passenger, Louis J. Piccione, 78, of Schuylkill Haven, was traveling west on West Second Mountain Road, when Shappel pulled into the path of Karen J. Piccione.

Police said Shappel's vehicle struck the other vehicle with its front bumper.

Shappel's vehicle sustained moderate damage and could not be driven from the scene, while Piccione's vehicle had minor damage.

Shappel was cited for failing to obey a stop sign.

Alleged thief

arrested on scene

MINERSVILLE - A 21-year-old borough man was charged by Minersville police in connection with a burglary that occurred about 3:30 a.m. Dec. 10.

Police said Scott Schoffstall, last known address of 453 North St., was charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property and false identification to law enforcement.

Schoffstall will have to answer to the charges before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Police said Schoffstall entered 650 Sunbury St. and removed an HP laptop owned by Brad Eiler and Patricia Krammes.

Police said officers arrived on scene and caught Schoffstall with the stolen computer and at that time he provided false identification.

Police cite man

for assault

MINERSVILLE - Minersville police filed charges against a borough man after an incident that occurred about 7:05 p.m. Wednesday.

Police said Robert Adam Skrobak, 300 Lewis St, Apt. 703, was charged with simple assault and harassment after he allegedly assaulted a woman at the Minersville High Rise.

Skrobak will have to answer to the charges before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Woman to face

theft charges

MINERSVILLE - A Minersville woman was charged by borough police following an incident about 3:05 a.m. Dec. 3 at 515 Pine Hill St.

Police said Patricia Ann Krammes, 49, of Box 366, will have to appear before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon, on charges of theft and receiving stolen property.

Police said the woman was charged for stealing a money order in the amount of $550 and cashing it.

Man arrested

for harassment

MINERSVILLE - Minersville police arrested a borough man after an incident about 2 a.m. Dec. 15 at his home.

Police said Jeffrey William Tellez, 42, of 507 Baker St., was charged with simple assault and harassment after he assaulted a woman inside his home.

Tellez will have to answer to the charges before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon, police said.

Police impound

car, arrest driver

MINERSVILLE - Minersville police have filed charges against a 36-year-old borough man following an incident about 7:20 p.m. in the 2900 block of the Pottsville-Minersville Highway.

Police said Erik L. Berzowski, 231 N. Fifth St., was charged with altered or forged documents and plates, driving under suspension, inspection violation, registration violation and transfer of ownership of a vehicle.

Berzowski, police said, was stopped after officers observed his vehicle showing an altered registration.

During the stop, the other violations were determined and the vehicle impounded, police said.

Berzowski will have to answer to the charges before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Police stops

result in 2 DUIs

HOMETOWN - Two people are facing charges by Rush Township police after vehicles stops last month.

Police said Jennifer Hess, 36, of Lansford, is facing charges of DUI and other traffic offenses after officers stopped her vehicle about 7 a.m. Nov. 18 on the Hauto Highway.

A blood test at St. Luke's Hospital showed that the woman had heroin in her system, police said.

Then, a traffic stop about 1:10 a.m. Nov. 12 on Claremont Avenue resulted in DUI and other traffic offenses pending against Timothy Borneisen, 23, of West Hazleton.

Police said a subsequent blood test determined Borneisen had both heroin and marijuana in his system.

In a separate incident, police said they identified two male juveniles, one from Mahanoy City and the other from Shenandoah. The pair, police said, are facing charges for stealing items about 3 p.m. Dec. 1 at Wal-Mart.

Two Pottsville natives came home for Christmas to present a "A Majestic Christmas" on Monday night to benefit the Sovereign Majestic Theater.

Bradley Dean and Ron Stabinsky took to the stage to perform a sold-out holiday concert, which started at 7 p.m. at the theater.

"We are so grateful you came out to keep the arts alive in Schuylkill County," Dean said. "We are going to be playing some of my favorites for you."

Dean, New York City, is a veteran of many Broadway shows, having performed with such legends as Barry Manilow, Angela Lansbury, Bernadette Peters and Catherine Zeta-Jones, while Stabinsky, who now resides in the Wilkes-Barre area, is a pianist extraordinaire, having performed at many well-known venues.

Dean graduated from Pottsville Area High School in 1988, and Stabinsky in 1991.

Both came home to Pottsville to "give back" to the community that - through the years - supported and applauded their many accomplishments.

Sandy Kost-Sterner, chairwoman of the event, said that there was no set program Monday night.

Some of the songs Dean and Stabinsky played included "Linus and Lucy," a popular jazz piano tune by Vince Guaraldi that appeared in many of the Peanuts animated television specials, and "I'll Be Home For Christmas," among other Christmas classics.

While singing and performing on stage, Dean brought humor to the show by running out in pajamas at the beginning of the concert and yelling, "I didn't know we were dressing up."

"That was far from a good joke," Dean later said, after coming back out in a suit.

In addition to the stars of the show, several area performers were also invited to sing at the event.

The students are all part of the Pottsville Gymnastics & Theatrical Center Inc. Performing Arts program and have been participants in workshops with Dean in New York City that are sponsored by Pottsville GTC.

The soloists were Reiley Lonergan, Kayla Sabol and Jacob Tarconish, and the additional singers included Kylee Clark, Morgan Flick, Celena Granito, Jeffrey Lazarchick, Sara Leibel, Gabrielle Quandel, Kieffer Quandel and Lauren Tidmore. Members of the Pottsville GTC "Spotlight Kidz" Performance Squad also performed.

Schuylkill County citizens should see improved 911 service thanks to a new computer-aided dispatch system the commissioners have agreed to buy.

"It's really seamless," county Communications Director Scott D. Krater said Monday of the system that will replace the current one used by the Communications Center. "It's going to do a lot of interfacing ... with the (Emergency Management Agency).

The county commissioners on Wednesday approved the agreement with Logistics Systems, Missoula, Mont., to buy the software system for $404,540.

County Administrator Mark J. Scarbinsky said Monday that the age of the old system was a factor in the decision to obtain a new one.

"That's been something in place since 2002," Scarbinsky said of the old system. "It's worn out."

Krater said the new system will provide more information from phone calls made to the center.

"It takes those calls and gives us locations," he said.

Krater said the system will take the information from the calls, put it in and give better locations and dispatching, enabling the center to determine exactly what fire companies and ambulance services can be dispatched.

Furthermore, the system will be more affordable because the county will be spreading out the payments over four years, according to Scarbinsky. The county is doing the same thing when it buys vehicles, he said.

"We seem to be doing it more," Scarbinsky said of spreading out payments over more than one year. "It becomes much more practical from a cash flow perspective."

The commissioners also took the following actions during Wednesday's meeting:

- Approved the annual software license for 2014 for the Election Bureau of $25,770.

- Approved two agreements with Westlaw for computer services for the county Law Library. County Law Librarian D. Susan Kost said each will expand available databases for the computers.

- Approved $6,100 for additions to the rehabilitation project at Gaudenzia, Fountain Springs.

Also on Wednesday, the commissioners made the following appointments to county agencies:

- Maggie Maskerines, Pottsville, to a three-year term on the Children & Youth Advisory Board.

- John Boyer and Roy Heim, both of Orwigsburg, to five-year terms on the Municipal Authority.

- Kelly Austin, Orwigsburg, and Tony Baran, Fountain Springs, to three-year and five-year terms, respectively, on the Airport Authority.

- Mary Beth Dougherty, Girardville, to a five-year term on the Housing Authority.

- Scott Thomas, Pottsville, to a three-year term on the Zoning Hearing Board.

Today is the last day to donate to the Red Kettle Campaign for the Salvation Army.

If more donations are not received, the $90,000 goal will not be met.

"We have about $20,000 to go until we hit $90,000," Lt. Staci Ferreira said Monday.

Funds collected during the kettle drive help the Salvation Army provide a weekly soup kitchen, rent and utility assistance and other programs.

Hitting the goal is becoming more of a wish than a reality.

When asked if she thought the goal would be achieved, Ferreira said, "No, unless somebody comes in with a very large check or a very large donation," she said.

Weather and a later Thanksgiving holiday are among the reasons Ferreira said account for the declining donations.

"The weather has just been insane," she said.

Donations are welcome until the early afternoon today and are also accepted online.

To donate online, go to the website at www.salvationarmypottsville.org and click Donate Now.

So far, about $1,000 has been donated online, the first year it has been done, and will be accepted until Jan. 31, Ferreira said.

A bell ringer will be outside Boscov's Department Store at Fairlane Village mall, Pottsville, and Boyer's Food Markets Inc., Shenandoah.

The other kettle locations include: Wal-Mart Supercenter in the Coal Creek Commerce Center, Saint Clair; Redner's Warehouse Markets, Schuylkill Haven and Shenandoah; Boyer's Food Markets Inc., Orwigsburg, Frackville and Pottsville; inside the Fairlane Village mall near the Boscov's entrance; BG's Value Market, King's Village Plaza, Minersville; and the Schuylkill Mall near Kmart.

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS - Butler Township will take less from its residents' pockets for taxes in 2014 after the township supervisors formally adopted their 2014 operating budget with a 1-mill tax decrease.

The supervisors met Monday morning at the municipal building for the budget adoption with a 3-0 vote. The real estate tax millage was reduced from 11.65 to 10.65 mills. Each mill brings in about $54,000.

The decrease was possible due to the Wal-Mart Distribution Center at Highridge North Business Park ending its Keystone Opportunity Zone status on Dec. 31.

According to information provided by Schuylkill Economic Development Corp. Vice President Brian Hansbury, Butler Township is estimated to receive $154,563 in real estate taxes in 2014 from the Wal-Mart property, based on real estate tax estimates on assessed valuation and millage for 2012.

With expiration of the Wal-Mart DC KOZ status, Schuylkill County will receive an estimated $202,368, and the North Schuylkill School District will get the most taxes at an estimated $621,462. The total tax bill in 2014 for the three government entities is $978,393.

"We have the KOZ program for almost 10 years and it's designed to bring industry and business into the area and here's a situation where we get something back as a township," Chairman David Kessler said. "As I can tell you, there is almost nothing that goes down, but this is giving the supervisors an opportunity to give something back to the residents. I wish it was more, but it's something."

"Our equipment fleet is next to perfect," Supervisor Bob Burns said.

"We've upgraded equipment for the road crew, so we're in good shape there," Kessler said. "We've been very frugal and haven't spent crazily."

Kessler said the road department has four full-time employees. The township also has a 24/7 police department with four full-time officers. Along with the township, the department provides coverage to the Borough of Gordon.

The supervisors raised real estate taxes in 2013 by 2.5 mills due to $50,000 shortfall in earned income taxes not received at the time from the Central Tax Bureau of Pennsylvania, referred to as Centax, which had been hired in 2010 by the Schuylkill County Tax Collection Committee to collect earned income taxes for county municipalities and school districts. However, due to failing to process tax bills and payments, the committee in June 2012 dropped Centax and hired Berkheimer Associates, Bangor, to process the backlog of payments.

The tax hike also involved $18,000 in delinquent taxes from Saint Catherine Medical Center. Kessler also pointed out that the township paid more than $100,000 in legal fees to fight the installation of wind turbines.

"That money had to come from somewhere," Kessler said.

The 2014 budget of $1,717,945 (an increase from the 2013 budget of $1,667,343) includes the following funds and breakdown of millage:

- General fund: $1,298,566 (8.87 mills).

- Fire fund: $56,365 (0.73 mills).

- Light fund: $86,759 (1.05 mills)

- Liquid fuels fund: $246,490.

- Day care fund: $29,765.

Deeds

East Union Township - Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Neil P. and Zenith Saldua Bugas; Lot 335HF4, Eagle Rock; $29,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Jocelyn S. and Raymundo Balulao Akiatan; Lot 322HF4, Eagle Rock; $34,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Dawn I. and Herman S. Jones; Lot 187HF4, Eagle Rock; $27,169.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Luis A. Rivera; Lot 79HF4, Eagle Rock; $30,199.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Mark Hughes; Lot 73HF4, Eagle Rock; $33,229.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Lulette Ann Africa and Calvin Chang; Lot 299HF4, Eagle Rock; $29,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Lance Burroughs; Lot 90HF4, Eagle Rock; $36,259.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Benji D. Mutia; Lot 72HF4, Eagle Rock; $32,219.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Filadelfa Bodiongan Peach and Venieta Bodiongan; Lot 77HF4, Eagle Rock; $34,239.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Thelma V. Lozada; Lot 131HF4, Eagle Rock; $33,900.

Editor’s note: The following dispatch upholds a longtime Times-Shamrock tradition.

NEWS FLASH!

URGENT HOLIDAY BULLETIN FROM THE NORTH POLE!

POWER OUTAGE PUTS CHRISTMAS IN JEOPARDY!

A WORRIED WORLD AWAITS WORD!

CHRISTMAS TOWN — It all started late last night as Santa and his elves made final preparations for the jolly old elf’s annual jaunt around the globe. The reindeer had just finished an extra helping of magic oats and gone to bed when it happened: ALL THE POWER WENT OUT!

This reporter was only able to get this dispatch to the Republican-Herald newsroom by asking Chief Sleigh Mechanic Harry Hollyberry to hook a laptop up to Rudolph’s red nose.

“Better make it quick, Timmy!” Harry said. “Rudolph is the only power source we have left, and the little guy hasn’t had much sleep! We have a million-billion toys to finish, and we’re gonna need a miracle to get The Big Guy’s sleigh off the ground! The Believe-O-Meter is completely out of juice!”

The Believe-O-Meter, of course, is the one-of-a-kind device that gauges the strength and frequency of belief in Santa Claus and gives his sleigh enough thrust to travel around the world in a single night. The power outage also knocked out the Christmas Spirit Reactor, a giant antenna array that gathers and refines Christmas spirit from all over the world. The reactor generates a magic glow that powers Christmas Town.

“Everything was working just fine 24 hours ago,” Harry Hollyberry said, scratching his aching head. “I wish I knew what caused this! Maybe then I could fix it.”
Just then, Santa walked in.

“What’s the latest, Harry?” he asked. “Are we flying tonight?”

“I hate to say it, boss, but the Christmas Spirit Reactor is offline, and the Believe-O-Meter is running on empty! I might be able to get a jump from Rudolph’s nose, but —”

“Will it be enough to get us on our way?” Santa interrupted. He doesn’t like to be rude, but this was a serious situation.

“Sure, Santa, but if you run out of power, the sleigh will fall right out of the sky with you, the reindeer and all the toys!” Harry Hollyberry said.

Loretta Poinsettia — who like her sister, Greta, claims to be Santa’s chief spokeself —  burst into tears.

“Don’t cry, Loretta,” Santa said, patting her pointy head. “Everything will work out just fine.”

“No it won’t!” she cried. “This is all my fault! I ruined Christmas!” 

“No one can ruin Christmas, Loretta,” Santa said with a hearty laugh. “Especially not a good little girl like you!”

“She was texting me, ‘Merry Christmas’ on her cellphone when the power went out,” Greta chimed in.

“We text each other about 4,000 times a day! Sometimes, we text about what we had for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Or how much we love a certain color, a flavor of ice cream or a brand of candy cane! Maybe one of us saw a weird bug or heard a cool song. You’d be surprised at how much trivial stuff there is to text about!”

“I see,” Santa said, frowning. “First of all, you girls are too young to have cellphones! Hand them over.

Secondly, you two are never apart. Loretta, why in the world would you text your sister Christmas greetings when you can do it face to face, heart to heart?’

“Gee, Santa, when you put it that way, it does seem pretty silly,” Loretta replied. “Merry Christmas, Greta!”

“Right back at ya, sister girl!” Greta said, and they hugged so tight the lights flickered.

“Is that little bit of Christmas magic enough to get me off the ground?” Santa asked Harry Hollyberry.

“Maybe, Santa, but like I said, there isn’t enough power to —”

“Never mind that,” Santa said. “Timmy Tinsel, I have an important favor to ask of you!”

“Sure, Santa,” said this reporter. “Anything you need.”

“I need you to write a story telling the boys and girls of Northeastern Pennsylvania how they can help save Christmas. It’s very simple: All they have to do is hug Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa and their brothers and sisters and say, ‘Merry Christmas,’ face to face and heart to heart.

“If I make Northeast Pennsylvania my first stop, I’ll bet I can collect enough Christmas spirit from all the wonderful girls and boys there to get me around the world twice!”

“I’d love to help, Santa,” this reporter replied, “but the story would have to run in the Christmas Eve edition. With the power outage, it’s impossible to get word to Pottsville in time!”

“Ho-ho-ho!” Santa boomed. “To the true believer, nothing is impossible!” He put his finger to the side of his nose, and this story magically appeared on the front page. (I know it sounds fishy, but it’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.)

President Barack Obama read the story and issued an emergency version of Special Executive Order 12/24, which puts the nation on red-and-green alert until Christmas morning. Starting at 5 p.m. today, you can track Santa’s progress at www.republicanherald.com.

Air traffic controllers at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport said they hadn’t picked up any sign of Santa’s sleigh as of 6 this morning, but they reported a huge spike in Christmas spirit throughout the region.

“You can just feel it in the air, like a magic glow that makes you feel good from head to toe,” said a controller who declined to be identified for security reasons. “It makes you want to hug somebody.”

Santa usually comes through here about 11 p.m., but the controller said he received word that St. Nick might modify his route and come here first.

“With that in mind, we advise the children of Northeast Pennsylvania to get to bed early, and no peeking!” the controller warned with a merry grin. “If you’re going to help Santa save Christmas, you need a good night’s sleep. Just ask Rudolph.”

(TIMMY TINSEL, the Times-Tribune North Pole Bureau Chief, is columnist Chris Kelly, but don’t tell him.)

FORESTVILLE - Over the last 10 years, Richard and Diane McNamara have been invited to the homes of many families throughout Schuylkill and Berks Counties as Mr. and Mrs. Claus, becoming part of annual traditions.

After this Christmas, the retired couple look to start their own family traditions as they move to South Carolina to live closer to their 31-year-old daughter.

"We are going to miss it because we enjoy it," Richard said. "We want to thank anyone who has had us. It's been a real joy doing it and to watch the children grow up is really something else."

Known as the Forestville Santa, Richard, 67, has played the part of Santa for the last 10 years. When local fire companies were having trouble raising funds, he came up with the idea as a way to raise money while spreading some Christmas cheer.

"We don't charge a certain amount," Richard said. "We ask for whatever they can afford and all the money goes to the Forestville Hose Company."

That usually ends up between $500 and $1,000 each year for the fire company.

"I just give back this way," Richard said.

At first, Richard said he would put on his red suit and hat only on the weekends. After retiring from PPL, he became a full-time Santa from Thanksgiving right up to New Year's Day each year.

When his wife, Diane, retired about five years ago from working as an instructional aide at various schools, she joined him as Mrs. Claus.

"I worked with children my whole life," she said. "I loved my job. I didn't want to retire."

Diane said she was hesitant about joining her husband and visiting strangers, but she quickly changed her mind.

"People are so welcoming," Diane said. "I'm not afraid anymore."

As Mr. and Mrs. Claus, the McNamaras regularly visit local schools, churches, homes, Christmas parties, restaurants and any other place requesting them.

But this year has been slower than usual for the couple.

"I think the economy is bad now so that's why no one has been calling," Richard said.

The McNamaras have logged some long hours as Mr. and Mrs. Claus. When they visit a school, sometimes they are there from 9 a.m. to noon and then go back later in the day just to make sure each child gets a photo with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

"The expressions of the children," Diane said.

"That's the joy of it," Richard said.

Richard even keeps his own list as Santa. Before meeting the children, their parents tell him their names, ages and what they want for Christmas. Some parents even put gifts on the porch so Santa can deliver them to the children.

Most of the time, that's all it takes to convince the children that he is the real Santa. But sometimes it takes a pull on the white beard or long hair.

"They say he is real because his hair is real," Richard said, noting the children prefer to pull his hair rather than his beard.

Richard said he starts growing his beard and hair in August while the couple start getting into the Christmas spirit around Thanksgiving.

"By Thanksgiving, the way he starts laughing, we say he goes into 'ho ho mode,' " Diane said.

Come December, the McNamaras' home in Forestville really looks like it belongs to Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the North Pole. The outside of the house is brightly light with Christmas decorations that are synchronized to holiday music.

The inside of the home is also brightly lit with a large Christmas tree and many wooden decorations made by Santa himself, Richard.

As soon as the McNamaras wake up in the morning, they turn on the Christmas music.

"It's our favorite time of year," Diane said.

The McNamaras said there is nothing quite like the excitement on the child's face after a visit from Santa Claus and parents should enjoy the holiday magic while it lasts.

"It's a joy for the family," Diane said.

"The kids should always believe in something, whether it's Santa or something else," Richard said. "Let them believe as long as they can because there's a joy in it."

While the intention is to hang up the red suit and dress, the McNamaras are making sure they pack the Christmas attire as they get ready to head south.

"We are going to see if there are any organizations that need help down there," Diane said.

"We might have to do it in shorts," Richard said.

n Harrisburg: In a press release, state Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, reminded district residents about his satellite office hours that are available on certain days of every month. "With winter weather sometimes affecting day-to-day travel in our region, I encourage any resident who lives near one of the satellite office locations to take advantage of this service closer to home," Tobash said. The officers and schedules are as follows: Valley View, 1012 W. Main St., from 3 to 6 p.m. the first and third Thursdays of the month; Pine Grove American Legion, 42 S. Tulpehocken St., from 3 to 6 p.m. the second and fourth Thursdays of each month; Tower City Municipal Building, 219 E. Colliery Ave., by appointment, call 570-385-8235. Appointments can be scheduled for any of the satellite office hours by calling Tobash's district office. Tobash also said residents who aren't able to attend his satellite office hours can sign up to receive his weekly email updates that include a short summary of legislative news from around the district and in Harrisburg. People can sign up by going online to RepTobash.com. Tobash's full-time district office is located at 988 E. Main St., Schuylkill Haven. It can be reached by calling 570-385-8235.

n Jim Thorpe: The DUI Moving Memorial - a 30-foot trailer bearing the names of more than 1,000 people who have been killed in Pennsylvania by impaired drivers - recently stopped at the borough's Hazard Square. The interior of the trailer is hand-painted with a garden scene and has a 25-foot wall bearing the people's names. The trailer replicates the outdoor setting of the original, permanent DUI Victims Memorial Garden in Harrisburg. The memorials are created and maintained by the Pennsylvania DUI Association. Last year, 545 Pennsylvanians lost their lives to drunken driving, according to the association. More than 10,529 Pennsylvanians are injured each year in alcohol-related crashes.

n McAdoo: The borough is accepting letters of interest from residents to be a member of the zoning hearing board. Letters can be sent to or dropped off at the borough hall, 23 N. Hancock St. Interested parties are asked to submit their letters by Dec. 31.

n Pottsville: The Pottsville Free Public Library recently acknowledged the following memorial donations: For John F. Evans from wife Peggy Jane Evans and daughter Michelle D. Evans; for Bernice Fitzgerald from Patricia Kelly; for Ross and Charles Heffner from Gerald and Lorraine Spotts; for Beth Lehrman from Peggy and Ralph Jaeger, Barbara and Bud McGrew; for Stanley Mick from Cindy McMurtrie and family; for Michael O'Brien from Patricia Kelly.

n Shamokin: The Lower Anthracite Model Railroad Club will have an open house from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday on the second floor of the American Legion building, Independence Street. Admission is free but donations will be gratefully accepted. All are welcome.

n Summit Hill: American Legion Post 316 recently held its traditional children's Christmas party at the post home, Lehigh Street. Santa was on hand to greet the youngsters. Children and their families were treated to a luncheon and Santa provided a stocking for each of the youngsters.

n Tamaqua: The Tamaqua Area School District's athletic department is looking to form a Tamaqua Area Athletic Alumni Association. An organizational meeting was held Dec. 17 at the high school. For more information, contact Mike Hromyak, athletic director, via email at mhromyak@tamaqua.k12.pa.us.

n Tamaqua: The Tamaqua Owl Creek Reservoir Commission recently hosted "An Owl Creek Christmas With Santa" at the reservoir on Owl Creek Road. Children who attended were eligible for toy and bike giveaways. The kitchen was open and children were able to roast marshmallows, under supervision, at a fire.

Deeds

Ashland - Henry A. and Eileen B. Wayne and Kenneth J. and Helen Mae Wayne to Henry A. and Eileen B. Wayne; 1038 Centre St.; $1.

Dolores M. Corcoran to Robert F. Corcoran Sr., Joseph J. Corcoran Jr. and Randy E. Corcoran; 910 Spruce St.; $1.

Auburn - Todd E. and Stacey A. Nester to Wade Rake; 428 Orchard St.; $103,000.

Branch Township - John G. Massari Sr., Robert C. Massari Sr. and Fredda A. Massari to John G. Massari Sr., Robert C. Massari Sr. and Fredda A. Massari; 7.466-acre property on Route 209, Llewellyn; $1.

Fredda A. Massari to Robert C. Massari Jr.; one-third interest in 7.466-acre property on Route 209, Llewellyn; $1.

Coaldale - Reading & Northern Real Estate to Reading & Northern Real Estate; property on Phillips Street; $1.

East Brunswick Township - Thomas E. Dietrich, individually and as administrator of the Estate of William E. Dietrich, to Thomas E. Dietrich; two properties; $1.

Brenda J. Watkins-Hirsch to Robert D. and Deborah A. Shaud; 75.5-acre property; $50,000.

East Union Township - David B. II and Carey L. Kuhl to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 31WS, Eagle Rock; $11,000.

Joseph A. Grace to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 295WS, Eagle Rock; $10.

Santiago and Jocelyn Y. Caballes to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; 2 percent interest in Lot 32WSS, Eagle Rock; $10.

Rommel J. Del Rosario and Lourdes Yusal to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; 2 percent interest in Lot 32WSS, Eagle Rock; $3,819.29.

Romualdo C. and Eloisa A. Lagdameo to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; 2 percent interest in Lot 32WSS, Eagle Rock; $3,819.29.

Melissa S. Abad to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; 2 percent interest in Lot 53WSS4, Eagle Rock; $3,490.09.

Pio D. and Maria C. Valdez to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; 2 percent interest in Lot 53WSS4, Eagle Rock; $4,241.25.

Mary Jane F. Vilchez to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; 2 percent interest in Lot 413ER, Eagle Rock; $4,655.98.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Dayong Ren and Yuxin Zhao; Lot 66HF4, Eagle Rock; $36,763.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Alberto R. and Rosita B. Bartolome; Lot 74HF4, Eagle Rock; $32,219.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to John Marcelo and Michelle Jose-Marcelo; Lot 14HF4, Eagle Rock; $29,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Jean Marlyn P. Serapio and Alexander Parinas Cruz; Lot 294HF4, Eagle Rock; $35,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Sai Lam Lee and Diem Kieu Thai; Lot 52HF4, Eagle Rock; $37,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Reji T. Thomas and Meethu A. John; Lot 298WS, Eagle Rock; $27,169.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Ibrahima Faye; Lot 299WS, Eagle Rock; $26,159.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Carlos G. and Juanita N. Ticong; Lot 10WSS, Eagle Rock; $40,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Elsa C. and Rodrigo G. Trumata; Lot 26WSS4, Eagle Rock; $24,700.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Marcelino and Lorna Asi; Lot 38WSS4, Eagle Rock; $24,700.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Teresita A.C. Poblador; Lot 41WSS5, Eagle Rock; $29,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Denny and Cathy M. Arcena; Lot 50WSS5, Eagle Rock; $32,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Maria C. and Ruben D. Maxey; Lot 103WSS5, Eagle Rock; $35,793.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Adelo E. and Imelda M. Enriquez and Rodolfo A. Jr. and Maria Carmela E. Gaila; Lot 26WSS6, Eagle Rock; $27,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Harren Mercado and Henry Mercado; Lot 39WSS6, Eagle Rock; $26,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Iris Coronel; Lot 31WSS7, Eagle Rock; $54,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Patricia F. and Timothy W. Wallace and Stephanie W. and Brian K. Bell; Lot 34WSS7, Eagle Rock; $68,326.43.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Achuth K. Suraneni, Ravikanth R. Surasani and Uday B. Vadapalli; Lot 51WSS7, Eagle Rock; $53,900.

East Union Township and Black Creek Township, Luzerne County - Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Gary K. and Karen L. Hollenbaugh; Lot 298HF4 and partial interest in Units 1301, 1302, 1303 and 1304, Eagle Rock; $30,650.

Frackville - Andrea Chapman to Peter R. Wysochansky; 523 W. Washington St.; $1.

James J. Kiefer to James J. Kiefer; 117 N. Center St.; $1.

David Swoboda, individually, as executor of the Estate of Anna Swoboda and as attorney in fact for Nina Pollock, to Ronald and Diana Hartz; property on Laurel Street; $165,000.

Gilberton - Louis G. Benedict and Jeffrey A. Benedict to William G. and Patricia Ann Horwath; 2321 Water St.; $1.

Girardville - Mary Ann Burke to Mary Ann Burke and John Burke; 537 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $1.

Gordon - Kevin T. and Shelley A. McGinley to Nellie McCabe and John E. Greene; 122 McKnight St.; $130,000.

Rattling Run Limited Partnership to John M. Hampton; 113-119 S. McKnight St.; $1.

Hegins Township - Jack L. Bensinger Jr., administrator of the Estate of Beth A. Bensinger, to Guy A. Lesher; 363 S. Good Spring Road, Hegins; $111,000.

Hubley Township - Lanier H. and Denise S. Schlegel to Kenneth L. and Yvonne L. Stiely; 35-acre property; $1.

Kenneth L. and Yvonne L. Stiely to Kenneth L. and Yvonne L. Stiely; 54.45-acre property on Township Route 879; $1.

Mahanoy City - Donna Guers, executrix of the Estate of Evelyn Keim, to Daniel F. Keim; 639 E. Pine St.; $1.

Eleanor M. Judy Greene, individually and as attorney in fact for Ronald H. Greene, to Eleanor M. Judy Greene; 636 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $1.

William J. and Bonnie J. Pecika to Randall J. Travers; 408 E. Centre St.; $28,000.

North Manheim Township - Mary Jo and Andrew T. Heckman to Robert W. II and Amanda M. Stepenaskie; 126 Deer Trail Road; $235,000.

Pearl C. Stein, by attorneys in fact Richard Stein and Darrel Stein, to William R. Kline and Charles H. Fix; 1-acre property on Township Road T-687; $125,000.

Michael J. and Joannie B. Rich to M&K Development LLC; property on Raring Drive; $1.

Pine Grove Township - J. Richard and Elma M. Newswanger to Joshua J. and Michelle A. Newswanger; 0.687-acre property on Suedberg Road; $1.

Port Carbon - Burtis W. Bensinger, by attorney in fact Krista J. Torpey, to Charles W. Curley; 226 Pine St.; $50,000.

Porter Township - Lydia L. Rebuck, by attorney in fact John Lee Rebuck, to Robert W. Kreiser Jr. and Deborah A. Koppenhaver; 307 Dietrich Ave., Orwin; $36,000.

Pottsville - Ronald M. Kelly and John C. Kelly Jr. to Ronald M. and Carole M. Kelly; 500 S. Centre St.; $1.

Schuylkill Medical Center-East Norwegian Street to Richard E. and Lori B. Blakeslee; property on East Norwegian Street; $30,000.

Rush Township - Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Deutsche Bank National Trust Co.; 509 Ben Titus Road; $1,290.66.

South Manheim Township - Carl A. and Susan M. Eidem and Barbara S. Eidem to Dennis G. Keefer Jr.; 2.21733-acre property on Township Road T-676; $46,000.

Tamaqua - Thomas E. Dietrich, individually and as administrator of the Estate of William E. Dietrich, to Thomas E. Dietrich; 450 Arlington St.; $1.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Global Real Estate Solutions LLC; 246 W. Rowe St.; $1,077.56.

Mary A. Brode, executrix of the Estate of Lucy I. Smith, to Mary A. Brode; 504 Pine St.; $1.

Walker Township - Santander Bank NA to Lolita Bronzini; 1481 Valley Road, Lewistown Valley; $58,000.

West Brunswick Township - Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Vist Bank; 423 Hickory Drive; $1,257.15.

A cat drinking water out of your Christmas tree stand should not pose any significant problems if it is just water.

"You should be fine," said Ahna Brutlag, associate director of veterinary services with Pet Poison Helpline, a 24-hour low-cost helpline for pet-related questions. The website, www.petpoisonhelpline.com, has information for pet owners about poisonous substances.

During the holidays, the company fields questions about what would happen to their pet if it drank the water out of the tree stand. Brutlag described the risk as "minimal" to healthy animals.

If anything, there might be some irritation to the stomach because of the pine oil from the tree.

The real problem arises when people add fertilizer, preservatives and even aspirin in the water to help preserve the tree.

A cat can develop symptoms such as an upset stomach or diarrhea.

When a pet owner calls, they are asked questions about what was in the water, the age and breed of their pet and other relevant pet questions, such as weight and height. Brutlag said the helpline had been answering calls since after Thanksgiving and, thankfully, no pets required a trip to the vet.

Jen Snyder, a certified veterinary technician with the Anthracite Animal Clinic, Lavelle, said cats can experience "excessive drooling, salvation, vomiting and diarrhea," and should be seen by a veterinarian because it could require medical attention if ingesting the water with other substances.

Dr. Kate Harnish of the Anthracite Animal Clinic said, "It's just not safe for the pets" to add anything other than water for a tree because of what could happen to a pet if it consumes too much of the water.

The clinic has not seen any cats with this problem, Snyder said.

The tree will pique the curiosity of a cat "mostly because its something new. It's novel. I think that's exactly why they go over there," Brutlag said.

Bacterial growth from stagnant water can be another concern for pet owners. Bacteria can accumulate in the water and cause digestive issues to the pet. As the tree gets older and near the end of its life, its absorbs less water and can lead to the overgrowth of bacteria, which can occur in four or five days of stagnant water, Brutlag said.

Some ways to curb the penchant for drinking the tree water are having a fresh bowl of water near the tree or try placing a tree skirt around the base.

"It can be tricky. It can be really hard," Brutlag said.

Deeds

Mahanoy City - Andrew J. and Maryann Devine to Jeromy Troxell; 1107 E. Pine St.; $10,000.

Matthew M. Minalda and Danielle G. Minalda to Matthew M. Minalda; 715-717 W. Spruce St.; $1.

Kathryn K. Pedriani, executrix of the Estate of Mary F. Kernan, to Maria Benjamin; 40 W. Spruce St.; $1.

Minersville - Dan Frew to Joseph and Sherri Souchak; 1 Bullock St.; $100,000.

Orwigsburg - Jeff D. and Stephanie M. Gaddy to Jeff D. Gaddy; 1022 Ridge View Drive, Ridgeview; $1.

Pine Grove Township - Thomas J. Sleva and Grace I. Sleva to Thomas J. Sleva; 68 Parallel Road; $1.

Pottsville - Mauch Chunk Realty Enterprises LLC to Pottsville Pointe LLC; property at North Claude A. Lord Boulevard and East Arch Street; $275,000.

CACL Federal Credit Union to Stephanie Hunsberger; 2269 W. Market St.; $30,000.