MINERSVILLE - A Pottsville woman was arrested by Minersville police on drug charges stemming from an incident about 6:40 p.m. Wednesday at the Dollar General lot on Sunbury Street.

Police said Amber M. Marek-Jolley, 24, of 109 N. George St., was charged with two counts each of felony delivery of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance.

She was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post 10 percent of $20,000 bail.

Police said their investigation into the sale of controlled substances in the borough led them to learn that Marek-Jolley was offering marijuana for sale at a price of $55 for an eighth of an ounce.

Police said arraignments were made to purchase the drug and Marek-Jolley met an undercover officer and sold the drug for $35 about 5:10 p.m.

Later that day, about 6:40 p.m., police said Marek-Jolley again met the officer and sold an eighth of an ounce of marijuana for $50.

During the transaction, police said Marek-Jolley told the officer, "If you could wait until Friday, I'll be able to get really good stuff." When asked how much she wanted for a quarter-ounce of the "good stuff," the woman said she would have to check with her supplier.

At this point, police said the woman got into her car and drove away but was immediately stopped by officers waiting nearby.

During the stop, police said the woman was found with $20 in marked currency from the first sale and the $50 in currency from the second.

Police said the drugs will be sent to the state police crime lab in Bethlehem for analysis and that Marek-Jolley will have to appear for a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

GORDON - The borough has suffered increased flooding during heavy rains in recent months and officials want to meet with businesses and public agencies to discuss the problem.

Donald M. Cuff, project manager with Entech Engineering Inc., spoke at Tuesday's special meeting of Gordon Borough Council about stormwater runoff reaching Birch Street, an area which had not had frequent problems with water in the past.

Borough Manager Paul Snyder said Cuff was invited to provide information.

"A meeting or so ago we talked about the flooding at the bottom of town and Mr. Cuff and myself spent about three hours down there and looked at the area," Snyder said.

"There has been a long history of flooding within the borough and I think all would agree that it has gotten worse over time," Cuff said. "There have been specific instances where there has been damage done to public and private property, but it seems like now the area that is being affected is growing as well, specifically the bottom of Birch Street. It doesn't (need) much of an investigation to see that I believe it's a combination of some PennDOT issues, as well as some issues related to the railroad."

Cuff asked for permission to set up a meeting with representatives from PennDOT, Reading and Northern Railroad, Schuylkill Conservation District and Schuylkill Economic Development Corp.

"I'd like to coordinate a meeting with those agencies to discuss the problem and to discuss with them about the facts as this problem has progressed," Cuff said. "This is a history that goes back to the '70s and before that there were flooding issues in the borough, but they occur more frequently now and during less intense rains. That is an indication of an upstream problem, since there has been no real change in the borough proper."

He said the only change is from runoff from a creek called Rattling Run that brings water off the Gordon Mountain and has seen increases due to residential development at the mountain.

Council President Michael Rader asked if additional development higher up on the mountain is adding to the problems.

"Absolutely. I think that's why SEDCO needs to be called to the meeting," Cuff said. "I think we need to talk about Highridge. Once again, at this point in time, there has been a significant amount of development and the question is are the original facilities performing as they were originally intended, and is there any indication that further improvements have to be made?

"Regardless of what the conclusions are with the analysis, the reality in the borough is that the situation is continuing to get worse, there is a good likelihood that there would be further damage done, and I think now is the time to get the parties together, see if there is any short-term corrective plans, specifically coordination between PennDOT and the railroad to see what it would take to get the flow to the creek (Little Mahanoy Creek) as efficiently as possible, and in the long-term what upstream improvements can be made to detain or reroute the flow."

Cuff said it will take some coordination for a daytime meeting, which would include as many council members as possible. The process would also involve getting information together on flooding.

"I think that is excellent. Do you think PEMA (Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency) would participate?" Rader asked of Mayor Nick Troutman, who is an aide to state Sen. Gene Yaw, R-23.

"I don't know if we want to go there," Troutman said. "As long as PennDOT and the conservation district will be there, along with the railroad."

"I absolutely agree," Cuff said. "They (railroad) have to be brought to the meeting in one form or another to have representation because their property is involved in the ability to discharge into the creek."

The borough council gave approval for Cuff to begin to organize the meeting.

After the meeting, Cuff said the last flooding event occurred at Birch Street two to three months ago. The extent of the flooding had not been seen before during a storm that was not heavy.

"The thought is that something is changing in the watershed that is now directing water down that street," Cuff said. "And in order for that area to drain, the water must pass through a swale that is lacking maintenance by PennDOT."

The swale is located on McKnight Street, which is state Route 4007. The water must also pass through an opening underneath the railroad bed which needs maintenance.

"It looks like it might be additional flows coming down the mountain and the inability of the water to get to the creek," Cuff said. "I think it's time to get everybody together to see if something on the short term that can be done to reopen the channels, and then take a look at this watershed, because it seems like the less-intense storms are causing problems to the borough. It just seems like more volume of water is coming down."

He added, "There's no finger-pointing here. This is solely just to see if we can sit down and come up with a solution. The one area that hasn't changed is the borough, but it's the one that is seeing the most impact."

Cuff said that while there are stormwater runoff systems incorporated into the Schuylkill Highridge Business Park development projects over the years, it may be time to revisit those systems.

"I can see a meeting evolving into some site visits, and that's why I want to utilize the conservation district because that's their forte as well," Cuff said.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - Before a storm rolled in Thursday night, Penn State Schuylkill's newly renovated Keifer-Jones building was dedicated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The honored guests, Allen Keifer, president of the campus advisory board, and Joseph H. Jones Sr., a long-time standing board member, were introduced by Madlyn L. Hanes, vice president for commonwealth campuses, and Kelly M. Austin, Penn State Schuylkill chancellor.

Hanes said that Keifer, who is an independent investment adviser who lives outside of Schuylkill Haven, serves on numerous boards and is dedicated to not only the growth of the campus, but also the Schuylkill community.

She said that Jones lives in Pottsville, has served on the advisory board for more than 25 years, has been active in community service and that his board membership awards are too numerous to mention.

"We are so grateful for your dedication and support over the years," Hanes said. "We're honored to have your names visibly associated and recognized with this campus forever and ever."

Austin added that it is the dedication and commitment of the advisory board members over the years that made the campus what it is today.

Keifer and Jones then both gave short speeches thanking the campus community for the honor.

"I truly am honored," Keifer said. "It's humbling."

Keifer added that the advisory board exists for the sole purpose of supporting the Schuykill campus and that thanks to the board, the students in the county have a world-class research university right in their backyards.

"I thank you for this honor," Jones said.

In a previous story in The Republican-Herald archives, Cheryl Holland, director of business services at Penn State Schuylkill, said the campus advisory board bought the building from Schuylkill County in 2008, along with the 1912 Building, which has since been demolished.

The building was previously used as office space and was renovated to be used as administration offices.

It is now the Office of the Chancellor, Office of Development and Alumni Relations and Office of Continuing Education and Marketing.

The new name of the building was decided to honor Keifer and Jones for all of the work they've done for the campus and advisory board since they started building the campus Nittany Apartments in 1986.

The advisory board also built four additional buildings in 1989, 1991, 1997 and 2010, to accommodate a total of 320 students.

Renovations to the building, which started in August, included the installation of a new boiler, new wiring throughout the entire building, a telephone system wired to connect it with the campus telephone system, running fiber optic cable for computers, construction of a new conference room, demolition of a second floor and the installation of an elevator.

"It was in rough shape," said Jerry Bowman, manager of human resources and coordinator of public information, while giving a tour of the building Thursday night.

With the elevator included, all of the renovations were to bring the building, which was built sometime in the early 1900s although Penn State Schuylkill has no actual record of when it was built, up to code.

ORWIGSBURG - Three children from Orwigsburg are proof that efforts to help the less fortunate - even those with four legs - can make a difference.

Olivia and Kevin Haas and Jackson Mabry have a lemonade and magic trick stand in front of 419 W. Market St. in the borough to benefit the Hillside SPCA.

As of Wednesday, the children collected $340 that will go into the medical fund for animals at the shelter. They started their effort July 16.

They don't have a specific monetary goal they want to raise.

"It's generous of everybody who's donating to the SPCA," said Olivia, 8.

A glass of lemonade is 50 cents, the same price as a magic trick. The magic tricks are performed by Mabry, 11, a friend of Kevin.

Kevin, 11, said he came up with the idea to contribute money raised to the Hillside SPCA "because I felt bad for all the cats and dogs that don't have any families," he said.

The actual idea for the lemonade stand was a joint effort between Mabry and his 10-year-old cousin, Libby Carestia, from Schuylkill Haven.

The children even had T-shirts made by the Haas' aunt that say "Cause for Paws" with pictures of a dog, a cat and paws.

A lemonade stand was even purchased at a store.

People stopped by Wednesday to donate.

After buying a glass of lemonade, Barbara Peifley, 65, of Orwigsburg, said the idea was a good one.

"I think it's great. Kids like animals," she said.

Lisa Haas, Olivia and Kevin's mother, said she is proud of her children.

"I'm very surprised at the amount of money they raised so far," she said.

The children said they are having fun.

Barbara Umlauf, Hillside SPCA director, is impressed with what the children have done.

"No one appreciates it more," she said.

The children don't see their ages as an obstacle.

"It doesn't matter how old you are. You can still help out anytime," Kevin Haas said.

"If you find inspiration you can do anything," Mabry said.

Pennsylvania's Commonwealth Court struck down on Thursday the sections of a new gas drilling law that sharply limited local zoning of Marcellus Shale operations.

The 4-3 decision found that a portion of the sweeping revisions of the state's gas law, known as Act 13, infringed on municipalities' due process rights by forcing them to allow incompatible land uses - drill rigs and wastewater pits - in zones they had isolated from industrial activity.

The law required municipalities to allow all oil and gas operations in all zoning districts, including residential ones, President Judge Dan Pellegrini wrote for the majority.

In doing so, the law "does not protect the interests of neighboring property owners from harm, alters the character of neighborhoods and makes irrational classifications - irrational because it requires municipalities to allow all zones, drilling operations and impoundments, gas compressor stations, storage and use of explosives in all zoning districts, and applies industrial criteria to restrictions on height of structures, screening and fencing, lighting and noise."

Pellegrini also wrote, "If the commonwealth-proffered reasons are sufficient, then the Legislature could make similar findings requiring coal portals, tipples, washing plants, limestone and coal strip mines, steel mills, industrial chicken farms, rendering plants and fireworks plants in residential zones for a variety of police powers advancing those interests in their development. It would allow the proverbial 'pig in the parlor instead of the barnyard."'

The court also overturned a portion of the law that would have allowed environmental regulators to waive setback restrictions detailing how far away from wetlands and streams a gas well must be built. The rule is unconstitutional, the panel said, because the Legislature gave the Department of Environmental Protection no guidance as to when to grant a waiver.

Judges Bernard L. McGinley, Bonnie Brigance Leadbetter and Patricia A. McCullough joined the majority opinion written by Pellegrini. Judges P. Kevin Brobson, Robert Simpson and Anne E. Covey dissented to the ruling on the zoning provisions.

Seven municipalities in southwestern Pennsylvania and Bucks County, the environmental group the Delaware Riverkeeper Network and a doctor challenged the law.

Jordan Yeager, an attorney for two of the municipalities, called the ruling "a great victory for the people of Pennsylvania, for local democracy, for property rights, for our public health and for the clean water supplies on which we all depend."

A spokesman for the attorney general's office said that the ruling is under review. The state is expected to appeal the decision.

"We will vigorously defend this law, which better protects the environment, provides revenue to local communities and regulatory certainty to both landowners and job creators," Corbett's office said in a statement.

Act 13, which was adopted in February, rewrote decades-old environmental regulations for natural gas development and imposed an impact fee on gas drawn from shale. The majority of the law remains in effect.

The Marcellus Shale industry and Gov. Tom Corbett pushed for uniform zoning rules to be included in a revised drilling law, arguing that a patchwork of local rules make it difficult for drillers to plan and extract gas efficiently.

"The premise for the General Assembly's action earlier this year was to provide certainty and predictability that encourages investment and job creation across the commonwealth," Marcellus Shale Coalition president Kathryn Klaber said Thursday. "Lack of uniformity has long been an Achilles' heel for Pennsylvania and must be resolved" if the state wants to lead in natural gas development.

The dissenting judges supported the idea that Act 13 had met the balance of ensuring "uniform and optimal development of oil and gas resources" without giving "carte blanche to the oil and gas industry to ignore local zoning ordinances and engage in oil and gas operations anywhere it wishes."

Environmental groups applauded the court's ruling for restoring some local oversight of the industry.

"This is why we brought Act 13 to the court - to petition for fairness and to fight off the heavy hand of gas and oil interests who wanted complete and utter control of every corner of every community in the state," said Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper.

HARRISBURG - Several new state laws are needed to make operations at Pennsylvania State University more accountable to the public in the wake of a child sex abuse scandal, state Auditor General Jack Wagner said Thursday.

Wagner's recommendations include diluting the power of the university's president, setting new meeting rules for the university's board of trustees and bringing Penn State under the state Right-to-Know law.

He said these recommendations - which need to be approved by state lawmakers - have been developed since the sex abuse scandal first became public last year. That scandal eventually led to the conviction of former football coach Jerry Sandusky on 45 counts of child sexual abuse.

"Too much power is vested in the (university) CEO and president," Wagner said.

He recommends stripping the university president of his seat on the 32-member board of trustees and control over setting the board's meeting agenda.

The auditor general called for a change to the board's meeting rules, saying that a majority of members should be present for business to be conducted. The current quorum rule of 13 members means a motion can be approved with as few as seven votes, he said.

Having the governor be a non-voting board member instead of a voting member can help avoid potential conflicts of interest, Wagner also said. The potential for that is ripe since it's very conceivable that any of several statewide elected officials can be elected governor in the future, he said.

Gov. Tom Corbett has said he's weighing proposals to change the makeup of the trustee board.

Wagner also urged applying the Right-to-Know law to Penn State and three other state-related universities. He said exceptions could be made for information regarding proprietary research, donations and contributions and intellectual property rights.

But Wagner emphasized the public deserves access to information about employee salaries, retirement packages, contracts, season football tickets and decisions on emeritus status.

Wagner's office plans to issue a full report on Penn State oversight in late September. He urged lawmakers to wait on taking up legislation until the report is finished. Lawmakers will be in session only several weeks this fall to wrap up business before the Nov. 6 General Election.

Wagner emphasized that Penn State's status as a public university is due to the direct state aid it receives as well as allocations for capital projects and taxpayer contributions to its employee pensions.

"As long as you are receiving any taxpayer money, you need to be accountable to the public," Wagner said.

With his arrest looming last fall, former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky repeatedly contacted and attempted to "exert control" over the victim whose 2001 rape led to sanctions this week against the university, attorneys for the man said Thursday.

The attorneys said the man, identified by prosecutors as Victim 2, planned to sue Penn State and unspecified others "to hold them accountable for the egregious and reckless conduct that facilitated" the man's "horrific abuse." Attorneys for several other Sandusky victims have also said they intended to sue the university.

A university investigation completed this month revealed evidence of a high-level cover-up after former graduate assistant Mike McQueary told longtime football coach Joe Paterno he saw Sandusky abusing Victim 2, then a preteen, in a team shower. Paterno, the investigation found, dissuaded three top administrators from taking the allegation to the authorities despite his knowledge of a brief university police investigation into abuse by Sandusky in 1998.

"Our client has to live the rest of his life not only dealing with the effects of Sandusky's childhood sexual abuse," the attorneys, Joel Feller and Matt Casey, said in a statement, "but also with the knowledge that many powerful adults, including those at the highest levels of Penn State, put their own interests and the interests of a child predator above their legal obligations to protect him."

Penn State spokesman David La Torre said the university took the matter "very seriously" but would not comment on pending litigation. The university's president, Rodney Erickson, and its board of trustees, "have publicly emphasized that their goal is to find solutions that rest on the principle of justice for the victims," La Torre said.

Feller and Casey, maintaining a cloak of secrecy around Victim 2, did not reveal his name in their statement on the coming lawsuit, nor did they include his whereabouts or other identifying details. Victim 2 was mentioned frequently throughout the state and university investigations and during Sandusky's trial last month but he never testified.

A spokesman for the state Attorney General's Office, Nils Hagen-Frederiksen, declined comment Thursday when asked why Victim 2 never testified, citing the "ongoing nature of our criminal prosecutions and investigation." Hagen-Frederiksen also declined to comment on whether prosecutors were aware, before or during the trial, of Sandusky allegedly attempting to contact Victim 2.

Feller, a Hazleton native, and Casey, a Scranton native, released with their statement audio of two voicemail messages they said were from mid-September 2011 in which Sandusky said he loved Victim 2 and offered to take him to a Penn State football game. The attorneys said the messages were among a trove of "overwhelming evidence" they uncovered in preparation for their lawsuit.

In a voice message the attorneys said was from Sept. 12, 2011, Sandusky appeared to be coaching Victim 2 on his testimony to investigators.

"Probably ought to just go forward," Sandusky said in the voicemail. "I would be very firm and express my feelings, uh, upfront. But, you know, there is nothing really to hide. If you want, give me a call."

Sandusky purportedly called the man again Sept. 19.

"Just calling to see, you know, whether you had any interest in going to the Penn State game this Saturday," Sandusky said. "If you could get back to me and let me know, I would appreciate it. When you get this message, give me a call and I hope to talk to you later. Thanks. I love you."

Prosecutors charged Sandusky on Nov. 5 with abusing at least 10 boys over the last two decades.

A jury convicted him last month on 45 of 48 counts.

Sandusky's attorney, Joseph Amendola, did not respond to a message Thursday.

The voicemails disclosed Thursday appeared to be part of a pattern of extensive contact between Sandusky and several victims over the last four years, as his abuse waned and investigators closed in.

At Sandusky's trial, an agent with the state Attorney General's Office said the ex-coach made 108 phone calls to Victim 1, a Clinton County high school student, between January 2008 and July 2009.

Victim 6, whose allegations of inappropriate showering led to the 1998 police investigation, said he sent Father's Day and Thanksgiving greetings to Sandusky as recently as 2009, accepted Penn State football tickets from him in 2010, borrowed his car and had lunch with him and his wife in 2011.

Victim 9, who accused Sandusky of multiple instances of forced anal sex, said he and Sandusky attended the Penn State game against Illinois last October 30 - six days before Sandusky's arrest and the last game ever coached by Joe Paterno.

Feller and Casey said the messages to their client, Victim 2, were evidence that Sandusky was attempting to "exert control" over the man "even as his arrest for child sexual abuse became imminent."

Janet McKay, the executive director of the Victims Resource Center in Luzerne County, said sex offenders often use "any kind of means to have some control" over their victims and will attempt to convince them "there's nothing wrong with the behavior, that this is how people normally act."

West Nile virus has been detected in Pine Grove Township.

The virus was detected in a mosquito in the township July 17, according to the state's West Nile website at www.westnile.state.pa.us.

Amanda Witman, spokeswoman with the state Department of Environmental Protection, said in an email that a DEP expert told her, "a biologist will retrap the area and expand the scope of surveillance. Any larval habitat will be treated to control mosquito breeding. If the retrapped area is once again found to be infected, adult mosquito control may ensue."

Pine Grove Township is the third municipality in Schuylkill County in which the virus has been found. It was detected in a mosquito June 19 in Mahanoy Township and a mosquito tested positive for the virus July 10 in Cressona.

To date, 37 counties have tested positive for the virus. Of that, 35 have seen mosquitoes that have tested positive.

No humans have tested positive for the virus so far this year, according to the state. The last human case of the virus in Schuylkill County was in 2003.

The virus causes flu-like symptoms and can result in encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. Last year, the virus was found in mosquitoes in Landingville and Tamaqua boroughs and Pine Grove, West Mahanoy and Tremont townships.

The risk of the virus can be reduced by eliminating standing water on property, wearing light clothing and using repellent.

A Pottsville man was arrested Thursday by city police and charged with sexually assaulting a 10-year-old Pottsville girl.

Police said Edward J. Frisco, 43, of 403 E. Norwegian St., was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, on charges of indecent assault and corruption of minors, both felony offenses.

Frisco was committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $50,000 straight cash bail set by Reiley.

Capt. Richard Wojcie-chowsky said the incidents came to light when the girl's father reported that he believed his daughter may have been sexually assaulted by Frisco.

In a subsequent interview, the girl detailed the events that allegedly occurred Tuesday, Wojciechowsky said.

The girl was walking home with Frisco when he allegedly fondled her and grabbed her around the waist, Wojciechowsky said.

Wojciechowsky said Frisco was interviewed Thursday and admitted that he intentionally fondled the girl. The man also admitted that he has on at least one occasion touched her inappropriately.

No other information on the assaults was available but Wojciechowsky said Friday that police are obtaining a search warrant for Frisco's home. The warrant will be for computers, computer hard drives and similar items.

Wojciechowsky said those items will then be sent to forensic experts to determine if they contain any child pornography or other illegal materials. He said additional charges may be filed depending on what the search warrant yields.

Frisco will appear for a preliminary hearing before Reiley in his Pottsville courtroom.

A Pottsville man returned to prison temporarily after being sentenced Monday in Schuylkill County Court in two cases involving retail theft charges.

Michael A. Kanger, 38, who had had his probation and parole revoked on June 14, will either stay in prison until March 7, 2014, or enter a long-term substance abuse rehabilitation program, Judge Jacqueline L. Russell said.

Additionally, Russell sentenced Kanger to spend two additional years on probation once his parole is completed.

Kanger originally pleaded guilty on Nov. 24, 2010, to two counts of retail theft and one each of public drunkenness and disorderly conduct. At that time, Russell sentenced him to serve 29 days to 23 months in prison and 23 months concurrent probation. She also ordered him to pay costs, a $50 fine, $100 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $77.41 restitution - amounts he still must pay under the terms of Russell's new sentence - and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Saint Clair police charged Kanger with both thefts, saying he committed the one while drunk on Jan. 23, 2010, and the other while disorderly on April 30, 2010, in both cases in the borough.

In other recent criminal court action, Russell accepted guilty pleas from, and imposed the indicated sentences on, these defendants:

Sean E.T. Kehoe, 21, of Pottsville; two counts each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance and one each of criminal use of a communication facility, possession of a small amount of marijuana and purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of an alcoholic beverage by a minor; four to 23 months in prison, $300 in SAEF payments, $150 in CJEA payments, $226 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors dropped an additional count of criminal use of a communication facility.

Ernest J. Kerestes, 50, of Lansford; DUI and disregarding traffic lane; 48 hours to six months in prison, $525 in fines, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment.

Douglas A. Litwhiler, 27, of Mahanoy City; failure to drive at a safe speed and disregarding traffic lane; $50 in fines. Prosecutors dropped a charge of DUI.

Christopher Madenford, 32, of Tremont; DUI, driving under suspension, improper display of plate or card and operating vehicle without valid inspection; 72 hours to six months in prison, $1,250 in fines, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street. Prosecutors dropped charges of fleeing or eluding police and driving an unregistered vehicle.

Steven Marsicano, 45, of Tamaqua; criminal use of a communication facility and delivery of a controlled substance; three to 23 months in prison, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment, $226 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors dropped charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.

An Ashland motorist is headed to prison after being sentenced Tuesday in Schuylkill County Court for driving under the influence in May 2009 in Butler Township.

Douglas R. Kerner, 44, did not react as President Judge William E. Baldwin ordered him to spend one to five years behind bars, effective at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Baldwin imposed the sentence after removing Kerner from the intermediate punishment program following the defendant's admission that he violated its terms by possessing alcohol at least twice.

Kerner originally pleaded guilty on Nov. 25, 2009, to DUI, with prosecutors dropping a charge of speeding. At that time, Baldwin placed him in the intermediate punishment program for five years and ordered him to pay costs, a $2,500 fine, $300 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street, amounts he still owes under the terms of Tuesday's sentence.

Butler Township police charged Kerner with DUI on May 31, 2009, in the township.

Baldwin also sentenced Keith W. Lash, 49, of Pottsville, on Tuesday to serve four months and two days to 18 months in prison and pay costs, $800 in fines, a $100 SAEF payment, $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and $66.50 restitution to the City of Pottsville.

Lash pleaded guilty on Dec. 2, 2010, to DUI and accident involving damage to unattended vehicle of property in one case and false reports to law enforcement in another.

Pottsville police filed both sets of charges against Lash, alleging he was DUI and hit a traffic sign on Oct. 29, 2009, and made a false report on Dec. 14, 2009, with both incidents occurring in the city.

"I'm not going to drive DUI any more," said Lash, who also told Baldwin that he had gotten rid of his truck.

Also in the county court, Judge Charles M. Miller sentenced Tobi A. Metz, 30, of Schuylkill Haven, on Monday to spend six to 12 months in prison on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Miller imposed the sentence after revoking Metz's probation.

Metz originally pleaded guilty on Nov. 16, 2011, to possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. At that time, Miller placed Metz on probation for 12 months and also sentenced him to pay costs and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, amounts Metz still owes under the terms of Miller's new sentence.

Schuylkill Haven borough police charged Metz with possessing marijuana and paraphernalia on Feb. 25, 2011, in the borough.

HUMBOLDT - Genova Products, one of the original industries in the Humboldt Industrial Park in Hazle Township, is slated to close by the end of the year.

Sixty people will be left without jobs.

The exact closing date of the plant, which manufactures plastics, vinyl pipe and rain gutters, is indefinite, said Andrew Kokiko, the representative for Local 737T, International Chemical Workers Union, United Food and Commercial Workers Union.

"We signed a closing agreement with them on Friday, July 20," Kokiko said. "We don't know (the closing date). Our contract is good until Nov. 8. They said it will depend on sales."

Kokiko said the plant was established in 1975 and at its height in the mid-1990s employed as many as 240 people.

"They had a strike about seven years ago, and it seemed they were never right after that," said Kokiko, who also worked at the plant.

Operations of the Humboldt plant are being absorbed by Genova plants in Faribault, Minn., Sparks, Nev., and Ft. Wayne, Ind. Genova is headquartered in Davison, Mich.

The closing also depends on "how long it takes to get the equipment into the plants" to assume Hazleton's production load, Kokiko said.

Workers will not receive a severance package, but the company agreed to bring its pension fund "up to par" and pay employees for unused vacation time before the plant is closed, Kokiko said.

CAN DO President Kevin O'Donnell was sad to hear the news.

"They always provided good jobs," O'Donnell said. "They were a good industry for Hazleton."

The company responded "no comment" when asked if the plant was closing.

The young women running for this year's royalty at the 29th annual Schuylkill County Fair had their first opportunity to meet each other, introduce themselves to the community and promote the fair during Mini Carnival Night at the Fairlane Village mall Friday evening.

"We just do some things to get the kids in the fair mood," said Kate E. Kline, royalty program coordinator, Valley View.

Kline was the 2005 Fair Queen and started Mini Carnival Night in 2009 to promote the fair and have the girls get to know each other. The girls will also be having a pizza party today.

In the center of the mall, the girls were put into groups and had several stands that included games, face painting, raffle baskets and 2012 fair merchandise.

"We wanted to give them the idea of what it's like to talk to people and help promote the fair," Kline said. "The girls really enjoy it, too."

Before putting the girls into their groups, Kline told them that she will be passing on her role of royalty coordinator to her assistant of several years, Jackie Hoffman, starting Monday.

"It's sad to see it come to an end but I'm excited to see Jackie take over," said Kline, who was coordinator for six years. "The whole thing was to promote something positive in the county for girls and really develop self-confidence. That was the goal and that is what we did with it."

Rhonda Carl, Ashland, one of 17 area high school juniors who competed for the Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival Snowflake Princess, was at the mall Friday as a contestant for this year's Schuylkill County Fair Queen.

"I just want to encourage people to go to the fair because it's a great place for family to go for a fun time and there's a lot to do there," Carl said.

Also at the event Friday were last year's royalty.

"I really enjoyed meeting a lot of new people and finding out a lot about Schuylkill County's heritage," said reigning Fair Princess Paige Fellows, Pottsville.

The reigning royalty said they enjoyed spending time together at all the events they attended this year.

"I enjoyed learning all about Schuylkill County heritage and gaining two new sisters," said reigning Fair Queen Cheyanna Reber, Schuylkill Haven.

Reigning Little Miss Madelyn Rowan, Lake Wynonah, said she especially enjoyed the sleepovers with the Queen and Princess.

"I enjoyed just spending time with my new sisters," Rowan said.

As for advice for this year's contestants, the reigning royalty said for contestants to be themselves and enjoy the experience.

The 29th annual Schuylkill County Fair in Summit Station begins Monday and runs through Aug. 4.

The nine contestants for the title of this year's Little Miss are: Kaylee Yeager, Cressona; Antoinette Antonini, Schuylkill Haven; Meadow Buckmaster, Ringtown; Dakota Heffner, Shenandoah; Rebecca Lascala, Pottsville; Alyssa Buchanan, Frackville; Olivia Weyman, Frackville; Haley Rymarkiewicz, Pottsville; and Riley Powell, Pottsville.

The nine contestants for the title of this year's Princess are: Angelia Yeager, Cressona; Sierra Ward, Barnesville; Julian Mullin, Pottsville; Lexis Harner, Hegins; Olivia Grube, Orwigsburg; Crystal Reber, Schuylkill Haven; Madeline Mae Schuettler, Pottsville; Caitlin Kimmel, Donaldson; and Serena Bennett, Barnesville.

The five contestants for the title of this year's Queen are: Meghan Devlin, Schuylkill Haven; Madalyn Huffman, Schuylkill Haven; Rhonda Carl, Ashland; Emily Field, Pottsville; and Jessie Sara Della Monica, Orwigsburg.

Schuylkill County residents will have the opportunity to see the drum and bugle corps that are coming to the county in August.

About 800 high school and college musicians and performers ages 16 to 21 participate in the contingents that come to Schuylkill and Berks counties en route to the Drum Corps International Eastern Classic at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown on Aug. 3 and 4. The finals for the Drum Corps International World Championships will be held in Indianapolis from Aug. 9 to 11.

The estimated times the public can view the practices are from 9 a.m. to noon, 1 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. at the following times and locations:

- The troopers Drum & Bugle Corps, Casper, Wyo. will be at the Schuylkill Haven Area High School on Aug. 3 and 4. Full uniform performance is 7:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at Rotary field.

- Colts Drum & Bugle Corps, Dubuque, Iowa, will be at Penn State Schuylkill on Aug. 2 and 3.

- Pioneer Drum & Bugle Corps, Milwaukee, Wis., will be in Saint Clair from Aug. 2 to 5. A full uniform performance will be at 8 p.m. Aug. 4 at Saint Clair's Veterans Stadium.

- Glassman Drum & Bugle Corps., Toledo, Ohio, will be at Blue Mountain School District from Aug. 3 to 4.

- Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps, Santa Clara, Calif., will be at D.H.H. Lengel Middle School, Pottsville, Aug. 3 and 4.

- Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps., Concord. Calif., will be at Hamburg Area School District. on Aug. 3, 4 and 5.

n Frackville: St. Joseph Church will hold its parish festival from 2 to 11 p.m. Aug. 3 and 4 at Frack and Nice streets. On Friday, music will be provided by "Pee Wee Damiter," followed by "Karp, Palina & Swartz. On Saturday, "Waking Up Dead' followed by "Another Side," with featured guests Joe Jordan, of the Jordan Brothers and Mike Maker, formerly of The Mud Flaps. There will be ethnic and picnic foods, refreshments and games.

n Mahanoy City: The Active Christian Teens in our Neighborhood Youth Group of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church, Mahanoy City, and St. Richard Roman Catholic Church, Barnesville, will celebrate its 30th anniversary Aug. 19. To mark the event, the Very Rev. John O. Barres, bishop of the Diocese of Allentown, will be the main celebrant at a special 3 p.m. Mass in Blessed Teresa church. Following the Mass, there will be a banquet in the church hall with dinner and "surprises," according to a release from Deborah Walker, ACTION Youth Group director. Everyone is welcome to join the celebration. "We are putting a special shout-out to our alumni, families and friends to come to this reunion of Christians from the past 30 years." The cost is $16 for adults and $10 for children 12 and younger. Attendees are asked to wear something red "as our banquet will be filled with fiesta fun." ACTION was formed in 1982 with a mission to keep teens connected to their church and their faith. Sponsored by the Catholic Church, it welcomes welcomes teens of all religions and has three dimensions: A social dimension to help teens form friendships that can last a lifetime; a service aspect that teaches teens it is important to help those less fortunate, the elderly, children and community, and the spiritual aspect that God is the center of our group. For tickets, call Walker at 570-773-0813 by July 30.

n Pine Grove: Hillside SPCA Poker Run & Party for Paws will be held Aug. 4 with registration from 8 to 11 a.m. at North End Fire Company, 118 N. Tulpehocken St. The event is sponsored by The Coal Region Brotherhood Riding Club. The fee for cyclists is $20 and for passengers, $10, which includes meal, cash prizes, door prizes, refreshments, four bands and guys from the TV show, "Rescue Ink!" Proceeds will benefit the SPCA. The Party for Paws, which is open to the public, will be held from 5 to 11 p.m. Cost is $10 and includes music and meal. For more information, call Troy at 570-590-8501.

n Ringtown: A benefit fundraiser to assist Ashley Frederick and her family with medical expenses will be held by her friends from noon into the evening Sunday at Semanchyk's Banquet Hotel Bar and Restaurant. A Ringtown resident, Frederick has gastroparesis, which is a paralysis of the muscles of the stomach, and other medical conditions. She depends on a feeding tube for all nourishment since she cannot ingest food by mouth. The fundraiser will include food, basket auction, 50/50 and live entertainment featuring Leighann Burke, lead singer of the band Y.M.I. The $10 cover charge includes admission, food and first drink, alcoholic or nonalcoholic. Everyone is welcome.

n Tamaqua: Tamaqua Area School District students participating in sports and/or any extracurricular activities, or who have a school parking permit, are subject to random drug and alcohol testing, as established in 2010. Random drug testing of nonparticipating students is also available if the district receives a parental request. Students must provide a signed parental consent form before participating. For the 2012-13 school year, initial registration/testing will take place in the athletic center locker rooms of the middle school from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday for male students and Wednesday for female students. Any student who cannot attend on the dates provided should contact Mike Hromyak, athletic director, at 570-668-1901 or mhromyak@tamaqua.k12.pa.us for other arrangements. More information is provided on the school district website under athletics.

Local law enforcement officials have caught another fugitive - a Shenandoah man who is now in prison awaiting trial in Schuylkill County Court for allegedly possessing two Molotov cocktails, illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia.

Police captured Charles E. Wishnefsky, 20, who was supposed to have been tried in June, on Thursday in his hometown.

At a bench warrant hearing Friday, Judge John E. Domalakes ordered Wishnefsky to remain in Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $5,000 percentage bail, meaning the defendant would have to post $500 to go free pending further court action.

"It costs the taxpayers a lot of money" when a defendant does not appear for trial, Domalakes said in agreeing with Assistant District Attorney Robert M. Reedy on what Wishnefsky's bail should be.

Assistant Public Defender Lora J. McDonald had asked Domalakes to set Wishnefsky's bail at $500 percentage, which would have allowed him to go free after posting $50.

Wishnefsky is charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, risking a catastrophe, having a prohibited offensive weapon, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, all of which Shenandoah police allege he committed Aug. 10, 2011, in the borough.

Police said they went to Wishnefsky's residence to assist county Children & Youth Services on another matter. Police said they found the Molotov cocktails, a water pipe with what appeared to be marijuana residue, two baggies filled with pills, several other baggies and a parking meter.

Chief County Detective Dennis Clark testified that state police at Frackville caught Wishnefsky.

"He was running down the street in Shenandoah," Clark said of the defendant. "There was a fight going on and he was running toward the fight."

Clark said Wishnefsky was not participating in the fight.

Wishnefsky testified that he moved from his old address in Shenandoah and could not get in touch with his lawyer, Assistant Public Defender Kent D. Watkins.

However, he also said he did not notify either the clerk of courts or the district attorney that he had moved.

Domalakes took that failure into account, since no officials had Wishnefsky's new address.

"He wasn't where he was suppose to be," the judge said.

Domalakes also ordered Wishnefsky to pay a $50 bench warrant fee to prosecutors.

President Judge William E. Baldwin issued the bench warrant for Wishnefsky on June 13 after the defendant had failed to appear in court May 31 for jury selection in his case. Domalakes removed the bench warrant while setting Wishnefsky's bail.

The next criminal court term during which Wishnefsky can be tried will begin Aug. 27 and run through Sept. 5.Defendant: Charles E. Wishnefsky

Age: 20

Residence: Shenandoah

Charges: Possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, risking a catastrophe, prohibited offensive weapon, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia

As summer bakes Schuylkill County, air conditioners have become the standard in many homes, businesses and buildings.

"(Thursday was) the hottest day of the week but it will cool down into the 80s by the end of the week," John LaCorte, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said Thursday.

However, things remained cool in the Schuylkill County Courthouse on Thursday with help from an industrial chiller device outside the commissioners' office. The water cooling machine works with the air conditioning systems on the roof and the individual office units to cool the entire courthouse.

Bill Liptok, director of public works for Schuylkill County, said the unit is only a 1 1/2 years old. He said the project to replace the older unit cost about $165,000.

"We were very fortunate to change it out and get a new unit before we ran into any difficulty," Liptok said.

He said the previous unit was there for about 28 years before it started to deteriorate. He said it took 14 weeks for Kohler Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. to have the unit built, shipped and installed.

"There's a lot of planning when you have a large piece of equipment. It doesn't just happen overnight," Liptok said.

Liptok said the air conditioners were installed at various times, but most are more than 20 years old and have been holding up pretty well. He also said the air conditioners for the county prison were installed with renovations just over 25 years and continue to operate fine.

"Just because something is old does not mean it is no good," Liptok said. "They are not like newer units that are more efficient and economical to run, but if something is working, let it alone."

Liptok said archives at the courthouse are in the process of having their air conditioner replaced. He said the unit should arrive next week and it will take two or three days to install.

Another unit is being replaced at the prison while one is also being repaired, Liptok said.

Replacement of the rooftop unit for the prison classroom was recently approved by the county commissioners at $25,000.

Repairs are being made to the window unit for offices in the front of the prison. Liptok said the repairs were "very minimal" compared to replacement.

"Not many units have had to be replaced," Liptok said. "Maintenance is a critical part of our operations and we do a pretty good job of it."

Jim Zerbey is the air conditioner technician for the office of public works.

"He does an outstanding job for us," Liptok said.

Rest Haven nursing home in Schuylkill Haven also has rooftop air conditioners and Liptok said they, too, have been pretty well-maintained.

Meanwhile, local residents are also trying to beat the heat.

"It seems like air conditioners are more a necessity now," said Rob Green, Barnesville, who was at the Schuylkill Mall on Thursday with his 6-year-old son, Austin. "I like the summer. I like the heat. We have a pool and a yard. It's not that bad."

Green said their home air conditioner was installed last summer and is usually on for most of the summer.

"It's a big improvement. We used to go to the mall and movies a lot more to cool off, but now we like to play video games in the air conditioner," Green said.

While Green said the family spends most of their summer in their pool, he also said they like to go to the movies and mall.

Elaine Maneval, Schuylkill Mall manager, said more people have been coming to the mall to cool off.

"I definitely think we have seen an increase in mall walkers," Maneval said Thursday. "It's nice for people to come in and out of the heat and shop. There's definitely a noticeable difference between the temperature inside and outside."

Maneval said most of the larger stores in the mall have their own energy management system that controls lighting and air conditioning. She said the biggest challenge for the mall is keeping the area cool near the three sky windows, specifically the large one over center court.

People can also keep cool by seeing a movie at the Schuylkill Mall Theater.

Kendra Moyer, assistant manager of the theater, said the movie theater has definitely been an attraction for people looking to get out of the heat.

"If people don't have a pool at home, they can come here in the air conditioning and enjoy a movie with the family," Moyer said. "It has been really hot and humid, so more people have been coming to the theater."

Moyer said this year's blockbusters have also contributed to more people coming to the theater. Construction started this week to upgrade the theater, but it has not interfered with any showings, Moyer said.

"Movies on the Mountain has been picking up this year, too," Moyer said.

Movies on the Mountain is a drive-in feature by the theater in the mall's parking lot. There are two screens, each with two movies. Movies on the Mountain is open Friday through Monday with the first feature beginning at 9:15 p.m., with gates opening at 8:15 p.m. Moyer said the theater cooks food on the grill for the movie and every Monday night is $10 per car.

"There's always something exciting for everyone, even for families on a budget," Moyer said.

Showtimes for the Schuylkill Mall Theater and Movies on the Mountain, visit the Schulkill Mall's website at www.shopschuylkill.com.

ASHLAND - The borough police chief is warning the public to be wary of an email scam that purportedly comes from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

It is a ploy by scammers to get money and access to a computer.

Chief Adam J. Bernodin Jr. said a borough resident, who asked to remain anonymous, reported the computer scam to police July 21.

After opening an email, the computer froze and a message appeared stating that the FBI has seized the computer and wanted $200 to unlock it.

The resident did not follow the instructions and reported the incident instead to Ashland police. When Bernodin was made aware of the matter, he contacted the FBI.

"I called the FBI and they stated it is not them and they had received a lot of complaints about the same thing," Bernodin said.

The FBI directed Bernodin to its website and the section dealing with e-scams and warnings, www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/e-scams, that includes the warning of Citadel malware delivering Reveton ransomware in attempts to extort money. The warning came through the Internet Crime Complaint Center, which is a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center, funded in part by the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

According to the warning, "The ransomware lures the victim to a drive-by download website, at which time the ransomware is installed on the user's computer. Once installed, the computer freezes and a screen is displayed warning the user they have violated United States federal law. The message further declares the user's IP address was identified by the Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section as visiting child pornography and other illegal content."

Bernodin said with the reference to the FBI, it seems like it's an official warning, but according to the FBI, even if someone falls for the scam, the computer has been invaded and further problems can be expected.

"To unlock the computer, the user is instructed to pay a $100 fine to the U.S. Department of Justice using prepaid money card services," according to the FBI. "The geographic location of the user's IP address determines what payment services are offered. In addition to the ransomware, the Citadel malware continues to operate on the compromised computer and can be used to commit online banking and credit card fraud."

The FBI website warns computer users, "This is an attempt to extort money with the additional possibility of the victim's computer being used to participate in online bank fraud. If you have received this or something similar, do not follow payment instructions."

The FBI suggests that someone who has encountered such a scam to contact your banking institutions and file a complaint at www.IC3.gov.

Deeds

Auburn - Michael W. and Heather J. Fritz to Heather J. Fritz; property on Washington Street; $1.

Blythe Township - Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to William Guers; 22.458 acres of coal lands; $27,021.08.

Butler Township - Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Vist Financial; 97 Main St., Mowry; $1,136.99.

Gail Sidler to Robert and Mary Kay Macker; 535 Westwood Lane; $130,899.

Cressona - Jarrod P. and Lauren M. Szilli to Bette A. Keller; property on Wilson Street; $132,000.

East Brunswick and West Brunswick townships - Davison D. Miller III, Jeffrey A. Miller and Glenn W. Miller to Davison D. Miller III, Jeffrey A. Miller and Glenn W. Miller; 0.5001-acre property on Red Dale Road; $1.

Davison D. Miller III, Jeffrey A. Miller and Glenn W. Miller to Davison D. III and Bridget Miller; 0.5001-acre property on Red Dale Road; $1.

East Union Township - Brenda Susan Adams to Seach Property Management LLC; Lot 247ER, Eagle Rock; $20,000.

Frackville - John Pierce Gradwell Jr. to Nicole F. Anthony; 504 W. Chestnut St.; $1.

Gilberton - Julia Ann and Mark Grady to Vincent R. Wallace; 217 Main St.; $1.

Hegins Township - Judy A. Kimmel, Clair K. Kimmel and Randall E. Kimmel to Judy A. Kimmel; 2.57-acre property on East Mountain Road; $1.

Hubley Township - Elam Z. and Sarah L. Stoltzfus to East Lykens Valley Old Order Amish Church; 3.5-acre property on Route 25; $500.

Hubley Township and Lykens Township, Dauphin County - Elam Z. and Sarah L. Stoltzfus to David B. and Nancy M. Stoltzfus; 100.861-acre property on Route 25; $300,000.

Kline Township - Marie Cara, executrix of the Estate of Anna Student, to John and Marie Cara; property on Haddock Road, Haddock; $1.

Mahanoy City - Kuniko Gnall, by attorney in fact Amy L. Rigney, to Ryan Robert Richards; 819 E. Pine St.; $18,000.

Deborah A. Daynorovicz and Steven J. Daynorovicz to Deborah A. Daynorovicz and April M. Schlauch; 932 E. Centre St.; $1.

Steven J. Daynorovicz to Deborah A. Daynorovicz; 934 E. Centre St.; $1.

Jean M. Price to Jean M. Price and James T. Price; 401 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $1.

Minersville - Jody A. and Gloria J. Noecker to Victoria Schuettler; 239 S. Delaware Ave.; $34,000.

Borough of Minersville to Kenneth F. Eichenberg Jr.; property on Spruce Street; $1,000.

North Manheim Township - John Symons to Janet Smith; property in Hemlock Hills; $7,400.

Norwegian Township - Kirk W. Greenhalgh, by attorney in fact Christine B. Greenhalgh, and Heather L. Greenhalgh to James R. Coulson; 837 Pinewood Drive; $165,000.

Leonard L. and Patricia Lutchkus to Juan Antonio Martinez Martinez; 307 Beechwood Ave., Mar Lin; $1,000.

Palo Alto - Joseph R. Smith to Leigh A. Thomas; 116 E. Savory St.; $35,000.

Pine Grove Township - Shirley M. Reichert to Shirley M. Reichert and Donald McMillian Jr.; property; $1.

Port Carbon - Matthew Fisher to Jennifer M. Gagliardi; 541 Second St.; $68,000.

Pottsville - Lori A. Curnow to Michael C. and Diane F. Fabian; 1607 West End Ave.; $45,000.

Anita C. Keller to Kevin Sean Bracey; 204 N. 10th St.; $1.

Nancy Berger to Ross and Sharon Mullin; property on West Norwegian Street; $18,000.

DS&L Inc. to Ronald M. Kelly and John C. Kelly Jr.; 428 S. Centre St.; $3,500.

Heather L. and Jeffrey J. Kost to Jeffrey J. and Heather L. Kost: 616 Ridge Ave.; $1.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Barefield Development Corp.; property on North Ninth Street; $1,471.

Gurney R. and Marian R. Miller to Gurney R. Miller; property at West End Avenue and Cherry Alley; $1.

Gurney R. and Marian R. Miller to Gurney R. Miller; 1905 Second Ave.; $1.

Catherine B. Bambrick to Catherine B. Bambrick and Catharine E. Bambrick; 315 S. Second St.; $1.

Rush Township - Edward J. and Suzanne K. Stianche to Edward J. and Suzanne K. Stianche; property on Great Oaks Drive, Lake Hauto; $1.

Stephen T. Matsko to Thomas E. and Jane R. Lagan; 21 Tamanend Road; $60,000.

Schuylkill Haven - Sue Ann Richards, administratrix of the Estate of Mary Eva Bast, to Barbara Tretter; two properties; $30,000.

Debra R. and Brian H. Basham to John R. and Elizabeth A. Sophy; 27 Avenue A; $47,500.

Tamaqua - Luther G. Miller to Carla Ann Miller Perla; 445 Willing St.; $1.

Norman H. McLaughlin, E. Barry McLaughlin and Dennis J. McLaughlin to Samuel J. Koch and Samuel O. Koch; property on Van Gelder Street; $1,500.

Tremont - Terrence Kennedy Jr. to Terrence Kennedy Jr. and Tanya Barr; 104 vaux Ave.; $1.

Union Township - David P. and Janet Lukashunas to Bruce E. and Cynthia A. Maryanoff; 8.93-acre property on Township Route 790; $100,000.

Upper Mahantongo Township - Brian L. and Sheila M. Klinger and Todd L. and Betty E. Klinger to Brian L. and Sheila M. Klinger and Todd L. and Betty E. Klinger; 12-acre property; $1.

Couple rob

elderly woman

LAKE WYNONAH - A 78-year-old woman had several thousand dollars stolen from her bank account by her granddaughter and her husband.

State police at Schuylkill Have said Julia Jackson, 78, of Temple, was living with her granddaughter, Nicole Frantz, 28, and her husband, Richard Frantz, 32, at their residence in Lake Wynonah, when several thousand dollars was stolen from Jackson's bank account from August 2011 through January 2012.

Police said warrants were obtained and charges of theft, forgery and related charges were filed against the husband and wife.

Police said both of the accused were taken into custody Wednesday and arraigned before Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg.

Bail was set at $20,000 for each. Unable to post bail, both were committed to the Schuylkill County Prison.

Ringtown man

ID theft victim

RINGTOWN - A case of identity theft that occurred between April 10 and 22 is being investigated by state police at Frackville.

Police said Mark Dangiolini, Ringtown, reported that someone fraudulently opened a credit card in his name and used it to make purchases valued at $599 from a Wal-Mart near Rochester, N.Y.

Pickup truck

sustains damage

PINE GROVE - Someone smashed the front windshield, headlights and side-view mirrors of a 1999 Ford F-250 sometime Monday night or Tuesday morning, police said.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said the incident occurred between 11 p.m. Monday and 6 a.m. Tuesday at 1040 Deturksville Road in Washington Township to a vehicle owned by Timothy Nagle, Pine Grove.

A blunt object was used to damage the vehicle, police said.

Cord, copper

stolen from car

HALIFAX - State police at Lykens said items totaling $175 in value were stolen form a vehicle at 97 Lehman Road, Halifax Township, between May 31 and June 5.

The vehicle belonged to Bryan Richard Bruner, 40, of Halifax, police said.

Police said items stolen were a bolt cutter, an extension cord, a pry bar and copper wiring.

Man arrested

on warrant

VALLEY VIEW - A Trevorton man was arrested on an outstanding warrant by Hegins Township police.

Police said a bench warrant was issued by Northumberland County for David Sulouff, 23, for failure to appear in court. The man was arrested in Valley View and taken to the Schuylkill County Prison, police said.

Campaigning in Pottsville on Friday was also a trip home for David J. Freed, the Republican candidate for state attorney general.

"I went to kindergarten and first grade at what was the Yorkville School," Freed, 41, of Camp Hill, said during an interview at Maroons Bar & Grill. "It's always nice to be back. We still have a lot of relatives here."

Freed, who serves as district attorney of Cumberland County, is seeking the state's highest law enforcement position in a race against Democrat Kathleen Kane, a Lackawanna County assistant district attorney. Current Attorney General Linda L. Kelly, a Republican who was appointed to succeed Tom Corbett after he was elected governor, is not running for the position.

If elected, Freed will continue the line of Republican attorneys general that dates back to 1980, when the position became an elected one. That year, voters picked LeRoy S. Zimmerman - Freed's father-in-law - to be attorney general.

"He's a huge help," Freed said of Zimmerman.

Freed's own father, William Freed, grew up at 605 E. Market St. and eventually served as principal of Pottsville Area High School before becoming superintendent of the Camp Hill School District.

The vice president of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, Freed sees the attorney general's office as a chance to make an even greater impact on the law.

"I see the Attorney General's Office as an opportunity to help even more people," he said. "I look forward to the leadership role."

That leadership is a crucial difference between him and his opponent, since he has been both a district attorney and an assistant district attorney, Freed said.

"I have experience as a district attorney in growth in caseload without growing staff," Freed said. "While we have a similar sets of experiences as ADAs, I have a leadership role."

One thing Freed will not do is question the office's investigation and prosecution of Jerry Sandusky, the former Penn State assistant football coach who was convicted in June of 45 counts relating to his sexually abusing 10 boys over 15 years.

"I think the verdict speaks for itself. The focus has to be on convicting the offender," he said. "The office built a solid case and obtained conviction that will keep him in jail for the rest of his life."

Some critics, including Kane, have demanded to know why Sandusky was not charged sooner. To Freed, such criticism is not warranted and ignores the fact that proceeding too soon could have imperiled the entire case against Sandusky, who is in prison awaiting sentencing.

"Only the prosecutor handling the case knows whether the evidence is sufficient," he said. "Prosecutors only get one chance. You'd better make sure you've amassed all the evidence you could possibly amass."

Freed declined to comment on whether further cases might arise from the scandal, which has led to the NCAA placing the Penn State football program on probation for four years and fining the university $60 million, on ethical grounds, since the Attorney General's Office could be prosecuting them.

He said he wants to create a task force to combat synthetic drugs and bath salts, which have been linked to numerous examples of bizarre and dangerous behavior. The state banned them in 2011, but Freed said makers are using new formulas to make products that evade the law.

"They're getting put back on the shelves," said Freed, who recently led a drive in Cumberland County that took 20,000 packages of such substances off the shelves. "They're very much a danger. They're very easy for kids to get their hands on."

Another issue he wants to tackle is cyber crime, proposing to create a new unit that would take a statewide leadership role in prosecuting such crimes and training district attorneys offices to prosecute them.

"We don't always keep up with changes in technology," he said.

Another area of law Freed wants to emphasize is fighting crimes against children and senior citizens.

"I want to create a special victims unit ... to focus on the most vulnerable victims," he said.

Freed said Friday in an interview with The Associated Press that he would be an advocate for expanding the use of video recording for law enforcement.

Freed said videos can provide crucial evidence to convict suspects of crimes, for example, or reaffirm a police officer's statement claiming to have pulled over a motorist for drunken driving because the vehicle was weaving.

"I like (criminal) processing being videoed. I like in-car videos. I like the video and audio on the police officer because there is no question then about what happened," he said. "You can play those in court, and it's the best evidence you can have."

Freed also said he supports a bill to overhaul the state's wiretapping law for the first time in 14 years, calling it a reasonable proposal that would help law enforcement. A version passed by the House, among other things, would allow people to record conversations without other parties' consent if they believe it might provide evidence of a serious crime.

Freed said the current law, which requires mutual consent, bars incriminating recordings from being admitted as evidence even though modern technology makes recording easier than ever.

The proposal would "catch us up with current technology," he said. "The possibility is certainly out there that people can record themselves being victimized on their ... smartphones and that could be valid evidence that we're artificially unable to use."

Freed said he has prosecuted many types of criminals, including murderers, arsonists and child predators, and that experience would serve the people of Pennsylvania well.

"I think the race comes down to experience and qualifications," he said.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)