Matthew R. Eyer is headed to prison after being sentenced Thursday in Schuylkill County Court for sexually assaulting a teenage girl in August 2013 in West Brunswick Township.

Eyer, 25, of Pottsville, must serve 11 and one-half to 23 months in prison, plus three additional years on probation, under the terms of President Judge William E. Baldwin’s sentence, which was part of a plea agreement between prosecutors and the defendant.

Baldwin also ruled that Eyer is not a sexually violent predator, a conclusion reached by the state Sexual Offenders Assessment Board, but still will be subject to 25 years of Megan’s Law sanctions due to his crime.

That crime is statutory sexual assault, to which Eyer pleaded guilty on March 18.

State police at Schuylkill Haven allege Eyer sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl between 10 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Aug. 31, 2013, at the Rock near the Schuylkill River just outside Port Clinton.

Police said Eyer was one of three people who brought the girl to the Rock from Berks County. The girl said she was drunk, and also under the influence of drugs, by the time she got to the site, according to police.

Once at the Rock, Eyer had sexual relations with the girl, police said.

Even Assistant Public Defender Michael A. O’Pake, Eyer’s lawyer, did not try to defend what the defendant did.

“His conduct was wrong,” O’Pake told Baldwin.

Baldwin also sentenced Eyer to pay costs, have no contact with the victim and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. He made the sentence effective at 9 a.m. July 9 to allow Eyer to participate in the work release program.

Eyer said little during the hearing except that he understood both the sentence and the Megan’s Law sanctions Baldwin imposed on him.

O’Pake and Assistant District Attorney Robert I. Lipkin each declined to comment on the case after the hearing.

The Megan’s Law sanctions, which will take effect when the defendant leaves prison, will require Eyer to provide his name, address, employment, any schools he might attend, registration of any vehicles he owns and other information to the Pennsylvania State Police. Any violation of the sanctions would be an additional crime and subject Eyer to further prosecution.

Megan’s Law was enacted in Pennsylvania, numerous other states and at the federal level after the July 29, 1994, murder of Megan Nicole Kanka, 7, in Hamilton Township, New Jersey. Jesse Timmendequas, Kanka’s killer, was one of her neighbors and a twice-convicted sex offender; his death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment after New Jersey enacted legislation to abolish the death penalty in that state.

Defendant: Matthew R. Eyer

Age: 25

Residence: Pottsville

Crime committed: Statutory sexual assault

Prison sentence: 11 1/2 to 23 months, plus three years probation and 25 years of Megan’s Law sanctions

MAHANOY CITY — The Mahanoy Area school board formally adopted its 2015-16 general fund operating budget that includes no real estate tax increase at Thursday’s meeting.

The vote was 6-0 in favor of the budget, which has a total of $17,876,757 in expenditures. Total estimated revenues are $17,345,322, leaving a deficit of $522,435, which will be made up using a portion of the uncommitted fund balance of $966,000, leaving $443,565 in the fund.

Real estate taxes remain at 46.2 mills. For every $1,000 in assessed value, a taxpayer pays $46.20. This means the average school district taxpayer will pay $829.24 in taxes per year. Each mill brings in about $81,000 in tax revenue.

The proposed expenditures are 4.05 percent higher than the $17,172,959 in the current fiscal year. The school district is expecting an increase of 1.19 percent in revenues from the current year of $17,117,070.

The approximate increase of $700,000 in expenditures include a jump in Public School Employees’ Retirement System total net costs of $70,993. Charter/cyber school costs are also increased by about $150,000 to $770,000.

All other taxes also remain the same:

• Occupation tax: $130.

• Real estate transfer tax: One-half of one percent.

• Earned income tax: One-half of one percent.

• Occupational privilege tax: $5.

• Amusement tax: Five percent.

The school board also acted on the following budget and finance items:

• Approved the final cafeteria fund budget of $892,793 for the 2015-16 school year. Lunch prices will increase by 10 cents and breakfast will remain free to all students.

• Approved a transfer to the capital reserve fund not to exceed $300,000 for the year ending June 30. Business Administrator John J. Hurst said the amount and occurrence of the transfer will be dependent on the financial results of the district after the audit is completed.

• Approved a transfer to the cafeteria fund not to exceed $100,000 for the year ending June 30.

TAMAQUA — There will be no school tax increase for residents of the Tamaqua Area School District this year.

Data for the decision was presented Wednesday at the school board’s June meeting.

The school district predicts $29.21 million in expenses for the 2015-16 school year and expects to take in $27.24 million in revenue. The nearly $2 million deficit will be absorbed by the district’s fund balance, which is projected to be $3.44 million as of July 1.

Other business

Ashleigh Urban, mother of a Tamaqua Area gifted student, questioned the board about potential changes in buses and bus routes for September, given the leasing of Rush Township Elementary School to Behavioral Health Associates.

Urban also asked the board about the future of implementing more challenging study options for gifted students, in particular.

The board said answers to Urban’s questions would be available at the August meeting and could not realistically be released earlier due to logistical concerns that remain moving targets for administrators until the last weeks of summer vacation.

Paul Ford, Tamaqua, parent of a student in the district, addresses the board about in-school preparation for Common Core testing.

“Everyone I talk to seems to have a child at the kitchen table crying,” he said.

Ford said the issue had been “bugging him” for two years. He said that 30 hours of Common Core test prep amounts to “cheating,” adding that he did not have such prep when he had standardized tests in school more than a decade ago.

“Why can’t we just teach the children and let them take the tests?” he asked.

School board President Larry Wittig compared the new climate of high stakes testing versus what Ford had in school, describing Ford’s tests as “benchmarks” that did not carry high stakes consequences such as potential losses of federal funding.

Wittig also said it is a necessity to align curriculum to the tests because of their unique formats and structure,

Ford said the only result that could be gleaned from Common Core testing is, “How well did we prep them?”

LAVELLE — In terms of timber, Schuylkill County is notable for how much pulp and chips it produces, according to a survey recently released by the state.

“In Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County is a major wood producing county. In exports in Pennsylvania, the fourth county in total volume of output is Schuylkill County,” Frank P. Snyder, service forester for the state Bureau of Forestry, said Thursday.

The new Pennsylvania Timber Product Output Survey was recently published by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Harrisburg. Snyder calls it the “TPO survey.”

The state hasn’t done a study like this since the late 1990s, but it is considering doing them on a more regular basis to gauge trends in the industry and help to market the lumber industry in Pennsylvania, Scott A. Miller, a section chief with DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry Silviculture Section, Harrisburg, said Thursday.

“Since 2008, the entire market has kind of been turned on its ear. It’s hard to follow the ebbs and the flows of the market. So, as a bureau, I think we kind of have a duty to see where our products are going and where they’re ending up,” Miller said.

Research for the survey began in 2013 and the full report is available online at www.dcnr.state.pa.us.

“During 2013, the PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry conducted a Timber Product Output Survey, gathering information for the 2012 production year from primary ‘breakdown’ sawmills and wood processors, whole tree chippers, pulp and paper mills, panel board mills and log buyers exporting wood outside the U.S.,” according to the site.

“Over 430 known primary wood processors were contacted across 62 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. 312 facilities participated in the survey for a 73 percent statewide participation rate,” according to the site.

“Currently, Pennsylvania is home to more than 2,100 forest product establishments that employ approximately 58,000 Pennsylvanians. The forest product industry has a presence in every county of the commonwealth. In 2012, the state’s wood industry had roughly $11.5 billion in sales and an overall total economic impact estimated at $19 billion contributed to the state’s economy,” Daniel A. Devlin, a state forester, said in the cover letter of the full report.

Below are some facts about Schuylkill County revealed in the report. Snyder unveiled the study at the June 16 meeting of the Schuylkill Conservation District board of directors and highlighted most of them.

• Schuylkill County produced 8.7 million cubic feet of timber — including lumber and pulp/chips — in 2012. Schuylkill County ranked fourth on the list in terms of amount. The county which produced the most volume of timber in 2012 was Clearfield County with 13.1 million cubic feet.

“Pulp and chips can be used to make paper. They can be used as fuel. They can be used to make particle boards. So, there are a lot of products they can be used for. And we sell a lot of it,” Snyder said.

• The 8.7 million cubic feet of timber included 8.1 million cubic feet of pulp/chips and 0.6 cubic feet of lumber. Schuylkill County ranked second in the state for its volume of pulp/chips. Clearfield County came in first with 11.1 million cubic feet in 2012.

“We interviewed all the wood using industries across the whole state. In Schuylkill County, there were six industries, like saw mills and people that buy raw materials. And we came up with charts showing how much wood was being harvested in Pennsylvania,” Snyder said.

“On the list for the total volume of lumber produced, Schuylkill County is number 41 among the 67 counties. So, we’re pretty low there. But when you look at the volume of pulp and chips, Schuylkill County ranks second among all the counties in terms of pulp and chip production. So, our county is pretty significant. We provide a lot of wood fiber to the economy here in Pennsylvania,” Snyder said.

According to Snyder and the DCNR website, lumber companies in Schuylkill County include: Walter R. Lindenmuth Lumber & Supply Co., Ashland; Blue Mountain Enterprises, Pine Grove; Siegel Lumber Co., Pine Grove; Kevin Zimmerman, Pine Grove; Krieg Lumber & Supply, Pottsville; Frank Krammes Timber Harvesting, Sacramento; and Miller Hardware & Lumber, Valley View.

“We were looking at businesses that were actually taking the wood and processing it,” Snyder said.

Snyder also offered insights into the characteristics of the timber in Schuylkill County.

“In our county, we have low-grade lumber, low-grade timber. And the reason we have low-grade timber is because of past management practices and, I believe, wildfires. There’s too many wildfires. That’s why I like talking about sustainability because I think a lot of our timber that we have standing now has been degraded because of poor management practices and also wildfire. Once we can find a clean slate and grow new timber, we can produce way higher quality timber,” Snyder said.

As communities launch fireworks to celebrate Independence Day this year, Thunder Over Ashland will also be marking a milestone.

The borough’s annual fireworks show will light up the sky for the 20th time on July 3. Phillip Groody, co-founder of the show, said the fireworks will launch at dusk, which is usually between 9:30 and 9:45 p.m.

“There are interesting things in the show having to do with our 20 years,” he said.

Over the last two decades, Groody said the event has grown depending on funds. About $11,000 was raised for this year’s show, he said Tuesday as he was traveling around the borough collecting funds.

“The people look forward to us coming around,” he said.

The fireworks are sponsored by American Hose No. 1. The concession stand is run by the company’s ladies auxiliary and will open at 4 p.m. Food will include bean soup, french fries, hamburgers, hot dogs and cold drinks, Groody said.

Bixler Pyrotechnics, Ashland, will provide the fireworks for the show. Groody said they have been working with Bixler for about eight years.

“They put on a tremendous show for us,” he said.

For the 19th year, JB Sound, Ashland, will provide the music. Groody said JB Sound has been working the fireworks show free of charge since taking over entertainment duties.

“This is his donation to the town,” Groody said.

As Ashland celebrates two decades of fireworks, the Frackville Area Fireworks Committee will launch its fourth show this weekend.

The fireworks are set to begin at dusk Sunday at the Little League/Softball Complex, West High Street. Bixler Pyrotechnics will provide the fireworks.

Kathy Kraft, committee treasurer, said activities will begin at 5 p.m. with music from JB Sound and food and community stands. She said organizations expected to participate include Goodwill Hose Fire Company, Friendship Fire Company, Frackville Teeners and Frackville Midget Football Association.

Kraft said in preparation for the show, Pine Street and streets north around the complex will be closed to traffic at 7:30 p.m.

Since the first show in 2012, Kraft said the fireworks have drawn a bigger crowd into the borough every year. She said she hears about more people coming from outside the borough and county to watch their light display.

“It’s nice to know that they are coming to see them,” she said.

Other Independence Day celebrations in Schuylkill County are:

• Hometown: Fireworks will launch at 9 p.m. July 25 from Marian High School. The display is part of the Men of Summer Picnic, which will be held from July 24 to 26.

• Mahanoy City: The borough will host its Independence Day program at dusk July 11. Rain date is set for July 12.

• Port Carbon: The Port Carbon Citizens Committee is set to host its annual Independence Day activities on July 4. The day will begin with the second annual Firecracker 5K at 8 a.m., followed by the baby parade at 9 a.m. The fireworks are scheduled for 10 p.m. from Monument Hill. Rain date is July 5.

• Pottsville: The Pottsville Positive Committee will hold its second annual Celebration at the Station from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday at Union Station, Progress Avenue. The Independence Day parade has been canceled due to threat of inclement weather. Activities at Union Station, including live music, rides, arts and crafts and food, will go on as scheduled. The fireworks have been rescheduled to 9:30 p.m. July 17. Rain date July 18.

• Saint Clair: The Saint Clair Car Cruise and Fireworks are set for July 11.

• Schuylkill Haven: The Schuylkill Haven Recreation Department will hold its annual Family Fun Night and Fireworks on July 11 at Island Park. The event starts at 4 p.m. and features live music, food and games. The fireworks are set for 9:30 p.m. Rain date is July 12.

• Sweet Arrow Lake County Park: The park in Pine Grove will host a free concert of patriotic music by the Pine Grove Community Band at 6 p.m. July 4.

James R. Ferrier

ORWIGSBURG — A Schuylkill Haven man is headed to Schuylkill County Court after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday on charges he assaulted a boy in May in his hometown.

Mark A. Tullock, 33, of 18 E. Penn St., faces charges of simple assault and harassment. Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier bound over both charges for court after Tullock waived his right to the hearing.

Schuylkill Haven borough police allege Tullock hit the boy with a belt, and bit him in his right ear, at 8:38 a.m. May 28 at the defendant’s residence. Police said the boy had injuries to his right ear, neck and lower back, police said.

Tullock is free on $10,000 straight cash bail pending further court proceedings.

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

Jedd A. Burigana, 27, of 262 W. Second Mountain Road, Pottsville; driving under the influence, failure to stop at red signal and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Dyan Clarke-Hill, 57, of 521 S. Garfield St. Apt. 5, Schuylkill Haven; DUI and accident involving damage to unattended vehicle or property; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

David G. Dillow, 36, of 264 W. Savory St., Palo Alto; false identification to law enforcement; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.

David P. Koch, 39, of 926 Schuylkill Mountain Road, Schuylkill Haven; DUI, driving under suspension and disregarding traffic lane; charges held for court after preliminary hearing at which the defendant did not appear. Ferrier asked the court to issue a bench warrant for Koch.

Jill Lick, 52, of 66 Avenue C, Schuylkill Haven; DUI and accident involving damage to unattended vehicle or property; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Tomara R. Scott, 23, of 59 Front St. Apt. 2, Cressona; DUI, disregarding traffic lane, texting while driving and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Prosecutors decided Arthur J. Johns committed no crimes against his pet dog, while a Schuylkill County judge ruled Friday he had committed no crimes in his dealings with police concerning the matter.

In a nonjury trial, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin found Johns, 58, of Pottsville, not guilty of two counts of harassment and one of disorderly conduct.

“He was calling a public servant inquiring of criminal charges filed against him,” Dolbin said.

Before the trial, prosecutors decided to withdraw charges of sexual intercourse with an animal and cruelty to animals.

“I feel that this was the right verdict in the case,” Assistant Public Defender Andrea L. Thompson, Johns’ lawyer, said.

State police at Lehighton had charged Johns with having sexual relations with his dog on June 1, 2014, in Pottsville, and then harassing personnel on Sept. 9-10, 2014, at the Lehighton station.

However, First Assistant District Attorney Maria T. Casey said prosecutors withdrew the dog-related charges because there was no physical evidence to support them.

“Too much time had passed between the allegations and the examination,” she said.

Thompson said prosecutors withdrew those charges solely because there was no evidence to support them.

State police Trooper Erin K. Cawley testified she called Johns to tell him he was going to be charged in connection with the alleged animal cruelty. Johns responded with obscenities and curses, Cawley said.

Two police communications officers, Michael Morgans and Michael Bushka, testified they took calls from Johns.

Morgans said Johns continued to call even after being told to stop, and that the defendant’s repeated calls imperiled the public by preventing him from answering their calls.

“I couldn’t perform those duties,” he said.

Bushka also said he could not perform his work because of Johns’ calls.

“The priority is the phone,” Bushka said.

Casey argued that Johns use profanity toward Cawley, and that all that had to be proven was that his behavior created a hazardous condition, not that a hazard actually existed, to support a charge of disorderly conduct.

“The risk was there,” she said.

However, Thompson successfully argued to the contrary, and said after the trial that Johns has been through enough.

“It’s very unfortunate that someone could face such reputation-damaging charges that are ultimately unfounded,” she said.

ORWIN — Dick Maberry recalls “The Green Grasshopper” sportsmen car his dad drove got its name because it always bounced around the track.

Maberry, Pottsville, plans to share his racing recollections, photos and memorabilia during the first Gold Mine Raceway Reunion.

The reunion will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday at the Orwin Fire Company, 333 Dietrich Ave., Orwin. Organized by Coal Region Racing, the event will bring together drivers, track officials and race fans who have an appreciation of “old school” racing. Admission to the reunion is free and open to the public and will include vendors, raffles, a 50/50 drawing and food and refreshments provided by the Orwin Fire Company.

In its heyday, the Gold Mine Raceway 1/4-mile, oval dirt track provided a challenge for drivers in the 1950s and ‘60s, before racing ended there in 1968. Maberry said he and his father, the late Wilbur “Ears” Maberry, raced at the track, located just outside of Tower City.

Early days

“It’s amazing when you talk to someone involved in the early days of racing,” Maberry said. “They were always doing something to the carburetors, or different shocks. They had their motors built and put a lot of money into them,” he said.

“My dad ran most of the tracks in Schuylkill County, some before my time,” Maberry said. “My dad won a lot of features. He wasn’t a point champ, but would maybe come in second or third. He was usually a front-runner.”

His dad, he said, won the most features at the Mahoning Valley Speedway in Lehighton in 1950. Maberry said he frequently raced at the Schoentown track in Port Carbon, but retired from the sport in the late 1980s.

He said he’s glad the reunion will be held Sunday and is looking forward to seeing what others will bring.

Origin

The idea for a Gold Mine Raceway Reunion came about through the efforts of competitors, fans and friends involved with Coal Region Racing. Among them are Mike Clay, Minersville; Mike Cason, Llewellyn; Scott Herring, Bethlehem; Lee Reading, Pottsville; and Gary and Jen Lileck, Schuylkill Haven.

Clay was a point champion at Big Diamond and at Penn National in 1986 with street stock. Herring, a photographer by trade, served as a film restoration consultant. Clay and Cason, along with Clay’s wife, Kim, restored film footage of races from local anthracite tracks and produced DVDs for Coal Region Racing to sell.

The group has already produced six DVDs of anthracite racing, including footage from Gold Mine. The DVDs cost $20 each; or five for $90.

“A lot of local racing had a connection to coal mining,” Cason said, noting some drivers would use their equipment number from mining operations as their race car number. Two of the speedway sites were originally built as horse racing tracks, he said.

“We want to document the history of the 12 dirt tracks in Schuylkill County,” Cason said.

The group’s ultimate goal, Cason said, is two-fold: to raise money to donate to charitable causes, such as the SPCA or Wounded Warriors program; and to establish a permanent exhibit of racing’s history. Cason said the group may approach the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing at Lattimore to try and create a permanent display.

Eddie “Dee”

Cason also has a personal interest in Gold Mine racing history. His father-in-law, the late Eddie “Dee”, raced in the 1960s at the Tower City area track. Eddie’s real last name was Dornsife, but he was known by racing fans as Eddie “Dee”. He died Nov. 3, 2011.

“I never had an appreciation, until I met him,” Cason said. “This was the old days. You went to the junk yard to find what you needed and went to work in your garage. That was old school racing ... my father-in-law, he loved that era.”

Mike Cason married Eddie Dee’s daughter, “Bonnie Dee”.

Cason said his dad, Eugene Cason, and his wife, “Bonnie Dee” will attend the reunion.

Photos

Harry Minnich, 83, of Tower City will also be there. Minnich has collected Gold Mine Raceway memorabilia for years and displays photos of the speedway and former drivers at his home. Some of the unique items Minnich possesses are an original full-color race day poster and a plaid, cloth cap with the words “Gold Mine Speedway” written across it.

“I enjoyed watching the races and I’ve always liked old cars and tinkering with them,” Minnich said.

Minnich remembers race day at Gold Mine was usually well attended with “good” crowds. He also remembers Smith brand sodas being sold there. The sodas were made in Williamstown, he said.

Fire Co.

The Orwin Fire Co. was a perfect location for the reunion, according to Cason, because it has the necessary kitchen and restroom facilities and is only a mile and a half away from where the original track was located. Anyone wishing to visit the remnants of the track can easily do so.

Reunion participants are encouraged to bring along any film footage, photos, or racing memorabilia from Gold Mine, such as helmets, uniforms, and programs, etc.

Cason provided the following history of the track:

Gold Mine Raceway history

(1950 to­ 1953, 1962 ­to 1968)

Hidden in the woods on a back road on the outskirts of Tower City lies the remains of a track that opened and closed on two different occasions with two different set of promoters. Originally opened by ‘Fuzz’ Watkins, Bob Weaver, and Sam Cox in 1950, it remained opened until 1953.

In 1962, the track reopened under ‘Bumper’ Warlow, Jack Murray and Jim and Bob Watkins, who were sons of ‘Fuzz’ Watkins’ and would run Friday nights. The track would then enter into an alliance with a pair of other tracks. In 1968 it would host 30 x 90 ‘Bugs’ in a three-night circuit with Fredericksburg on Friday night, Silver Spring on Saturday night with Gold Mine on Sunday.

It would close for the final time at the end of 1968.

In early photos, some might think the 1/4-mile dirt track was a bit primitive as logs and tree trunks were used for guardrails long before they were replaced with steel guardrails. A drain pipe was also visible.

A look at the grandstands shows what was very common for the times, cinder blocks standing on end with planks laid on top of them for seats. It did have a modern appearing announcer’s tower and concession stand lining the top of the small hill used for viewing the action.

There were some whispers that some of the locals ‘borrowed’ some of those cinder blocks for their housing projects.

Flathead-powered sportsman stock cars were the division of choice during the first two sets of promoters and drew many of the top talents of those eras paying one of the best purses.

At one point, the track attempted to put up lights for night racing.

Today, the outline of the track is still there, as are many of the cinder blocks used for seating and what is left of the concrete flag stand. The infield resembles a small forest with many pine trees reaching skyward with an occasional wooden post poking up from the outside of the turns, some with a small piece of metal guardrails still attached.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/CoalRegionRacing; or contact Mike Clay at 570-294-2669; Mike Cason at 570-544-9416; or email coalregionracing@yahoo.com. Organizers are seeking volunteers to assist during the event.

Directions

From Route 209 in Tower City, turn onto Route 325 (also known as S. 10th Street and Clarks Valley Road) for 0.6 miles. Turn left onto Dietrich Avenue for 0.6 miles. The Orwin Fire Co. will be on your left.

No Linked Objects

Vicki Terwilliger <vicki-t@citizenstandard.com>

Attachments10:10 AM (1 hour ago)

to me

Brian - Here are the Gold Mine photos.

1 - PHOTO COURTESY OF HARRY MINNICH

An aerial view shows the former Gold Mine Speedway near Tower City in Schuylkill County in the 1950s or 1960s. The oval, dirt raceway, visible in the upper left hand corner of the photo, closed in 1968.

3 -VICKI TERWILLIGER/CITIZEN-STANDARD PHOTO

Harry Minnich, 83, of Tower City, holds a cloth cap promoting the former Gold Mine Speedway. Minnich will be among race enthusiasts sharing their photos and memoriabilia while attending the first Gold Mine Raceway Reunion on Sunday, June 28 at the Orwin Fire Co.

4- and 2 - PHOTOs COURTESY OF HARRY MINNICH

The late Eddie “Dee” poses with one of the earlier vehicles he raced at Gold Mine Speedway. Eddie “Dee”, whose real last name was Dornsife, is the father-in-law of Mike Cason, Llewellyn, one of the organizers of Sunday’s Gold Mine Raceway Reunion. Eddie’s daughter, Bonnie “Dee”, will attend the reunion at the Orwin Fire Company. At left, an original poster announcing the next race day at Gold Mine Speedway is among the collectibles belonging to Harry Minnich, of Tower City.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HARRY MINNICH

Gold Mine Speedway driver, the late Eddie “Dee”, was popular with hometown race fans, according to Harry Minnich, of Tower City. Minnich has photos of Dee and other racecar drivers among the Gold Mine Speedway memorabilia he has collected.

Deeds

Ashland — Kathleen M. Schneider and Kyle L. Howell, trustees under the Kathleen M. Schneider Trust, to John F. Burke; property on Walnut Street; $50,000.

Peggy A. Thompson, administratrix CTA of the Estate of Betty Jean Barber, to Thomas V. DiZio; property on Oakland Avenue; $5,000.

Obadyah, Donna L. Rusk, Kathleen M. Rusk and John W. Rusk to John W. Rusk; 1831 Walnut St.; $1.

Ethel I. Zamboni to Pamela A. Knarr; 1701 Arch St.; $1.

John J. Bianchi to U.S. Bank NA; 1326 Spruce St.; $1.

U.S. Bank NA to William and Jodi Henry; 1326 Spruce St.; $16,000.

Martin J. Jr. and Anita Dwyer and James M. and Helena Dwyer to Carol A. Jones; 226 Centre St.; $25,000.

Blythe Township — Amy Gibson to Michael A. Jamison and Christopher D. Goodman; 411 New Philadelphia Road, Kaska; $59,900.

Branch Township — Edward W. Billman and Samantha A. Billman to Harold J. Ebling Jr.; 1225 Bunting St., Llewellyn; $80,000.

Butler Township — Albert J. and Judith A. Jones to Paul R. Olson III and Wendy L. Weikel; 16 Country Club Road, Fountain Springs; $238,000.

Cass Township — John Sternick to Christopher Sternick and Joan Weiderhold; 1.248-acre property; $1.

Ronald J. Sr. and Linda Tessing to Neal J. and Cheryl M. Hart; 20 Mulberry Lane; $181,000.

Coaldale — Zachery Evans to Barbara Williams; property on Bull Run Street; $48,000.

Thomas R. Cooney, individually and as executor of the Last Will & Testament of Mary C. Cooney, to Donna M. Krasnoff; 34 Bull Run St.; $23,000.

East Brunswick Township — Mark J. and Krystle A. Koenig Messner to Daniel Forry and Shelly Freymoyer; 8 N. Race St., McKeansburg; $144,000.

Blair and Bonnie J. Warner to Victoria L. Lazowicki; 75 Sawmill Lane; $145,500.

Charlotte A. Stoudt to Joel S. and Anne C. Gibble; 1255 Coventry Road; $275,000.

East Norwegian Township — Nicole A. Russo to David John Cook Sr. and David John Cook Jr.; 3-acre property on Port Carbon-Saint Clair Highway; $10,000.

Ruth Colna to Thomas Dempsey and Amanda Dempsey; 8 Pike St.; $41,000.

East Union Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Charles J. Kovacsi; 66 W. Pine St., Sheppton; $3,225.

East Union Township and Hazle Township, Luzerne County — Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Kwabena and Gladys Andoh; Lot 146HF4 and 1/208th interest in Units 1301-1304, Pine Valley Townhomes, Eagle Rock; $43,834.

Frackville — Peter IV and Jamie Damiter to Bradley N. Gotshall; 112 N. Second St.; $80,000.

Daniel J. Brennan to Daniel M. Finn; 128 E. Oak St.; $9,500.

Theresa Savakinas and Andrew M. Medrick to Rebecca Bracey; 506 Nicholas St.; $85,000.

Donald M. and Catherine Bricker to Shawn and Barbara Kane; 25 S. Centre St.; $1.

Theresa Kuropatsky, executrix for the Estate of Yvonne B. Beauchamp, to David C. and Theresa Kuropatsky; 108 S. Fourth St.; $1.

Kevin Cairo to Alycia M. Yost and Kyle J. Rondeau; 533 W. Morris St.; $20,000.

Girardville — Scott A. Grant, individually and as executor of the Last Will & Testament of John Henry Grant Jr., and Ginevra A. Grant to William Henry and William Maher; property on East Main Street; $10,000.

Scott A. and Ginevra A. Grant to William Henry and William Maher; property on East Main Street; $7,000.

Hegins Township — Daniel C. and Karen L. Schwalm to Adam M. and Tabitha J. Schwalm; property on Gap Street; $20,000.

Hubley Township — Robert R. Lettich to Robert R. and Kathy S. Lettich; 16 Mill Road, Sacramento; $1.

Kline Township — Michael P. and Mary Beth Notaro to Esther A. Waak and Joseph Galbiati; 514 Bayview Terrace; $150,000.

Mahanoy City — Robert J. Yutko Sr. to Joseph A. Yutko; 418 E. Railroad St.; $1.

Michael H. Patton and Cynthia M. Patton to Terence A. Means Jr. and Shylah M. Skelding; 508 W. South St.; $1,000.

Thomas F. Dolbin to Holly K. Dolbin; 1238 E. Centre St.; $1.

Mahanoy Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Keith Kalkiewicz; 331 Roosevelt Drive; $300.

Minersville — William F. and Nancy A. Brown to Andrea N. Kline; property on Westwood Street; $1.

William F. and Nancy A. Brown to Andrea N. Kline; 414 New Castle St.; $1.

Middleport — Jeffrey S. and Desiree Hertzog to Brian K. Myro; 59 Coal St.; $15,000.

North Manheim Township — John P. and Sandra L. Brennan to Russell A. Stacey; 32 Hillside Road, Hillside; $120,000.

Bryan W. Heck, executor of the Estate of William H. Heck, to Bryan W. and Sandra Heck; 255 W. Second Mountain Road; $1.

Norwegian Township — Lynn Senawaitis, executrix of the Estate of John J. Senewaitis, to Scott Goines; property at Fourth Street and Beechwood Avenue, Mar Lin; $29,900.

Clarence E. Edmundson Jr. to Natalie Setlock; 4 Edgewood Road; $173,900.

Brian P. and Laurie A. Tobin to Brian C. and Beverly R. Finney; 453 Seltzer Road; $179,000.

Orwigsburg — Patricia A. Dmytrow, executrix of the Estate of Theresa A. Sweat, to Nicholas Isaac Cescon; 337 S. Wayne St.; $30,000.

Dale J. and Ellen M. Konsavage to Dale J. and Ellen M. Konsavage; 6.8121-acre property at Albert Drive and Hope Avenue; $1.

Pine Grove — James R. Miller to Diane M. Miller; 103 N. Tulpehocken St.; $1.

Pine Grove Township — Maurice K. and Doris E. Currey to Martha Virginia Ramus, Gary Alan Ramus and Dakota Kyle Ramus; 110 Juniper Court, Swatara Village; $56,000.

West Schuylkill G.E.M. Realty LLC and Eugene Melocheck to Kevin M. and Michelle A. Brown; 198 Suedberg Road; $369,000.

Mary Ellen Klebe and James E. Klebe to James E. Klebe; 301 Towpath Lane, Swatara Village; $1.

Catherine A. Kennemore to Bradley D. and Gabriele Hoffman; 121 Juniper Court, Swatara Village; $92,000.

Kevin M. and Michelle A. Brown to Charles F. and Linda M. Spink; 554 Suedberg Road; $219,000.

Port Carbon — Lisa Cecchini and Charles Zelanko III, joint administrators of the Estate of Charles V. Zelanko, to Emily M. Hertz and Stephan J. Holly; 317 First St.; $15,000.

Leonard C. Gravish and Emily A. Vinc to Emily A. Vinc; 308 First St.; $1.

Porter Township — Mid Penn Bank to M&J Investment Partners LLC; 3.49-acre property on Bendigo Street; $140,000.

Tiffany L. and Justin D. Antes to Tiffany L. and Justin D. Antes; 1.72-acre property on V.P.T. Road; $1.

Pottsville — Donna Dougherty to Richard Bauer; 617 E. Norwegian St.; $1.

Theresa Santai-Gaffney, clerk of the Orphans’ Court of Schuylkill County, to Patricia A. Schuettler; 1007 Mahantongo St.; $1.

Vist Bank to Mathew LLC; two properties on South Centre Street; $70,000.

M&T Bank to Michael Jr. and Kelly Marie Davies; 246 Pierce St.; $6,000.

Terry L. and Jack Snyder to Clarence Rich and Diane Boyer; 332 N. 12th St.; $22,000.

William F. and Nancy A. Brown to Andrea N. Kline; 307 W. Norwegian St.; $1.

JJM Ventures LLC to Sanskara Propety Management LLC; 706 W. Market St.; $22,000.

David and Elaine M. Macbeth and Eric and Eleanor Newman to Peter Worchick Jr.; 300 Fairview St.; $1.

Ryan Township — Stanley E. and Joann M. Dombrowski to Stanley E. Sr. and Joann M. Dombrowski; 5 School St., Barnesville; $1.

Saint Clair — Eloy Martinez to Robert Bryk; 54-56 N. Morris St.; $37,500.

Schuylkill Haven — Charles Urello to Denten E. and Cheyenne Grillo; 402 E. Main St.; $41,900.

Shenandoah — Omar Veras and Mayra Veras to Dadelba S. Paulino; property on West Oak Street; $20,000.

South Manheim Township — Kathleen A. Bernhard to Linda M. Bernhard; Lots 2036 and 2037, Lake Wynonah; $1.

Tamaqua — Paul W. Wagner to Matthew P. Malay; 407 Arlington St.; $1.

Karen Marks to Edward D. Leshko; 112 Patterson St.; $48,000.

Tremont — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to B&A Development Co.; 240 N. Pine St.; $2,824.91.

Upper Mahantongo Township — Kenneth L. and Susan L. Heim to Kenneth L. Heim; 3.5789-acre property in Klingerstown; $1.

Kenneth and Susan L. Heim to Kenneth L. Heim; 10 Heim Road, Klingerstown; $1.

Washington Township — Edgewood Farms LP to John and Karlene Herber; 503 Birds Hill Road; $25,000.

Jeffrey M. and Melissa L. Kerchner to Timothy O. and Shannon Kahl and Wesley Kahl; 150 Fox Road; $205,900.

Wayne Township — Jessica M. Yeastadt to Zachary Yeastadt; 446 Schuylkill Mountain Road; $1.

West Brunswick Township — Lisa J. Vallia, Janine A. Tobash and Cynthia L. Gilbert to Janine A. Tobash; 1501 Village Road, Pinebrook; $1.

Paul R. Grube, Sherry A. Wessner and Pamela A. Haas to Melvin C. and Elaine K. Schumaker; 280 Drehersville Road; $380,000.

Sherry A. Wessner and Pamela A. Haas to Melvin C. and Elaine K. Schumaker; 12.2-acre property on Drehersville Road; $155,000.

Donald and Charlotte Kear to Rotonda Real Estate Co. Inc.; 2201 Village Road, Pinebrook; $113,500.

Federal National Mortgage Association to Benjamin J. McElwee; 14 Spruce Road; $165,000.

West Mahanoy Township — Steven Mahmod to Steven and Colleen Mahmod; 26 Chelton St., West William Penn; $1.

Cynthia Ann Schaeffer to Cynthia Ann Schaeffer and Kyle J. Schaeffer; 261 S. Spencer St., Altamont; $1.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Paul Hancher; 515 S. Lien St.; $3,000.

West Penn Township — Federal National Mortgage Association to Kevin Albright; 591 Stoney Lane; $24,000.

Zachary Bissinger, Noah Bissinger and Elijah Bissinger to Joseph E. Bissinger; 100 Railroad Lane, Dorset; $1.

Santander Bank NA to Bennett Family Properties LLC; property at routes 309 and 895, Snyders; $175,000.

n Frackville: The borough council’s economic development committee will meet at 7 p.m. Monday in the borough hall. Glenn White, executive director of the Downtown Carlisle Association, will discuss how his organization was formed and continues to do great things in his borough. The meeting is open to the public.

n Mahanoy City: The Mahanoy City Community Blood Drive will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday at the West End Fire and Rescue banquet facility. To schedule an appointment, call 800-REDCROSS (800-733-2767) or go online at www.redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins are welcome.

n Ringtown: The Ringtown Area Library recently acknowledged the following honorary and memorial contributions: For Rita Shoup from Lois Faust; for Donald Bernosky Sr. from Burton and Louise Hetherington, Helen and Kenneth Fisher; for Shirley Hart from Kenneth Hinderliter, T.P. and Sara Jane Grow, Phelma Hinderliter; for Burton Hetherington from Ed and Nadia Baskeyfield, Virginia Heppe, Nancy Terry; for Patricia Dawn Heusing from Ron and Sandy Grutza; for Lucy Kolonsky from Ed and Nadia Baskeyfield; for Michael J. Lavis from Gerry and Herm Seroka; for Lester Lindenmuth from Margaret Mary Brown, Thomas and Paula Murphy, Mike and Bonnie Yanuskiewicz; for John Ondusko Jr. from Ed and Nadia Baskeyfield; for Audrey Seroka from Susan and Allen Stauffer Jr., Gail, Rob, James and Joey Becker.

n Schuylkill Haven: A wildlife day camp will be held at the Island Park, Schuylkill Haven, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 12-14, Patrick M. “Porcupine Pat” McKinney, environmental education coordinator with the Schuylkill Conservation District, said in a press release. The cost is $18 for the three days with part of the proceeds going to help programs of the Schuylkill Haven Recreation Department. The program is for students leaving or entering grades one to three at Schuylkill Haven Area Elementary and St. Ambrose schools. For more information, call McKinney at 570-622-4124, ext. 113 or email him at www.porcupinepat@yahoo.com.

n Schuylkill Haven: The South Schuylkill Garden Club will hold a dedication at 10 a.m. Tuesday for a butterfly-friendly garden it developed in the Parkway lot across from the high rise. The club in 2014 requested permission from the borough for the garden, according to a press release from Patrick M. “Porcupine Pat” McKinney, environmental education coordinator with the Schuylkill Conservation District. The site features plantings that “will especially benefit the Monarch butterfly,” McKinney said in the release. Herb Schlegel coordinated the development of the garden and said the site “has been classified as a Monarch weigh station for migrating butterflies on their late summer and fall travels to the south and Mexico.” He said the public is invited to attend the dedication. The garden club is spearheading the butterfly project along with another site beautification project in Schuylkill Haven on the embankment above the senior citizens building. “The club is dedicated to promoting greater interest and knowledge in gardening, to stimulate interest in conservation through environmental education and to promote community beautification,” McKinney said in the release. For more information, call Schlegel at 570-385-5675 or email McKinney at porcupinepat@yahoo.com.

n Shenandoah: Planning is underway for the fifth gathering of the Shenandoah J.W. Cooper High School “Super Cooper” Alumni Reunion. Officers elected to coordinate the event, which will be held in August 2016, include Albert Chiglinsky, president; Kathy Gadinski, vice president; Jan Monaghan, secretary; Sandra Fatula Vagelatos and Karen Locke, co-treasurers and Joe Chowanes, sergeant at arms. The fifth gathering will be expanded to include classes that graduated from Shenandoah Valley High School but attended school in the Cooper building for at least one year. This will include all classes up to 1985. For more information and updates, those interested can go online to the official website at www.supercooperreunion.com.

Air Products, with headquarters in Trexlertown, Lehigh County, issued a statement Friday saying all employees were accounted for after an attack at its factory in Saint Quentin Fallavier in southeastern France.

A man with suspected ties to French Islamic radicals rammed a car into the factory, triggering an explosion that injured two people. The severed head of a local businessman was left hanging at the factory’s entrance.

The press release from the company, which has a location in Hometown, said, “Security has been increased at locations around the world as a precautionary measure. We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and want to express our sympathies to the family of the victim of this unspeakable tragedy.”

It said none of its employees were injured and that all had been safely evacuated from the factory in France.

Air Products has facilities in more than 50 countries worldwide with more than 21,000 employees and more than 750 production facilities.

U.S. Sens. Bob Casey, D-Pa. and Pat Toomey, R-Pa., also released statements.

“I’m deeply saddened by the reports of an apparent terrorist attack at an Air Products facility in France. My thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this senseless violence, including the first responders and Air Products employees,” Casey, a member of the National Security Working Group, said.

“Today’s terrorist attack in France at an Air Products facility hits close to home. It also is a terrible reminder of the ongoing threat of radical Islamic terrorism across the globe. My office has been in touch with Air Products to offer assistance, and Kris (the senator’s wife) and I offer our sympathies to the loved ones of the victim and those injured,” Toomey said.

Pottsville police recently located two suspects in the 2014 theft of a city man’s vehicle.

On Sept. 2, 2014, a 59-year-old Pottsville resident reported the overnight theft of a 2013 Toyota Yaris while the vehicle was parked in the 2000 block of West Norwegian Street, police said. The vehicle was found the next day abandoned in a parking lot north of Cressona along Route 183.

DNA evidence processed and released June 17 indicated Joshua Flores, 21, of Pottsville, and two other juvenile males were involved in the theft.

Police located and took Flores into custody June 19 on an outstanding arrest warrant issued by Schuylkill County Probation and Parole. During the police interview, Flores admitted to the theft and identified two other juvenile males as being involved.

One of the two males was found by police and interviewed. The 18-year-old, who was 17 at the time of the incident, also admitted to being a part of the theft, Pottsville police said.

Flores was remanded to Schuylkill County Prison on the warrant. He faces felony charges of conspiracy to commit theft, theft, receiving stolen property and corruption of minors. The 18-year-old will be charged, through Schuylkill County Juvenile Authorities, with the felony offenses of conspiracy to commit theft, theft and receiving stolen property.

Pottsville police are attempting to locate the other juvenile suspect.

The Skook Toones, Music For Youes piano, which sat on the southwest corner of Second and West Market streets for the past year and a half, has been hauled away to be used for a fun experiment at Kutztown University.

“Our little piano is graduating and going to college,” Amy S. Burkhart, executive director of Pottsville Area Development Corp., said Monday.

“We’re going to show people the natural harmonies of the universe. They’re called healing harmonies. And we’ll have the piano’s strings, all 230 strings, upright, like a harp,” Daniel Sponenburg, a registered piano technician from Pottsville, said Thursday.

In August 2013, PADCO held a ceremony to unveil the first Skook Toones piano in front of The Famous at 201 W. Market St.

Skook Toones was inspired by a similar project in the city of Lancaster. Called “Keys for the City,” it was organized by Music For Everyone, a Lancaster-based nonprofit charitable organization.

Meanwhile, PADCO is making plans to move another piano into that space near The Famous at 201 W. Market St. sometime next week. This week PADCO donated the inaugural Skook Toones piano to Sponenburg, who was its caretaker and tuner.

He disassembled the instrument Thursday and he’s planning to use it during the Kutztown University Summer Chamber Music Festival, which begins today and continues through July 4.

“I disassembled the piano right on the street. I got the screwdrivers out and we took all the hammers out and all the keys out. I took the thing that holds the keys in place out. I took the top boards off and the bottom boards off. Everything that could be unscrewed was unscrewed,” Sponenberg said.

Bob Donton, Cressona, trucked the remains of the piano to Sponenburg’s home, and Sponenburg plans to take it to Kutztown University.

“With the weather, it looks like it might be on Monday,” he said, referring to the predicted rain.

Sponenburg will use the piano during a workshop on musical harmonics, “Music of the Spheres,” slated for 3 p.m. Monday at the university’s Schaeffer Auditorium Room 14G at 15200 Kutztown Road, Kutztown.

“It’s going to be a show and tell. There’s a real mathematical way using whole number ratios to get harmony. Pythagoras found this out around 500 B.C. He’s the very first guy who put numbers and harmony together, mathematically speaking. And he found this ratio of 2/1, which is our octave, and 3/2, which is the fifth, the building block of all harmony, which is how we get all of our notes. And I’m going to give a lecture on this, using the piano. And today I tuned this piano to the ancient 3/2 harmony,” Sponenburg said Thursday.

The festival’s concerts and workshops are free and open to the public. For more information, visit its website at www.kuchamberfestival.com or call 610-683-4550.

Man faces charge

for causing crash

FRIEDENSBURG — A driver was charged for backing out of a driveway into an oncoming vehicle at 11:05 a.m. Friday on Route 443.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Jack E. Casella, 25, of Schuylkill Haven, was backing a 2012 Chrysler Town & Country out of a private driveway onto Route 443, Long Run Road, when the right rear end struck the right side of an oncoming vehicle. The oncoming vehicle was a 2010 Jeep Liberty driven by Dennis Bowers, 68, of Pottsville, with passenger Ann M. Krozunski, 67, of Schuylkill Haven.

After impact, Casella pulled forward into the driveway and Bowers stopped on the right side of the road.

Casella, his passenger, Scott A. Hunlock, 27, of Schuylkill Haven, Bowers and Krozunski were all wearing seat belts. Krozunski was injured.

Casella was charged for his vehicle entering or crossing a road.

2 drivers not hurt

in 2-vehicle crash

PINE GROVE — Two drivers were not injured in a crash Friday on Sweet Arrow Lake Road and Hidden Valley Road in Wayne Township.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said the crash occurred about 4:55 p.m. as Lyle H. Laubenstine, 79, of Schuylkill Haven, was driving a 1990 Chevrolet truck east on Sweet Arrow Road. Laubenstine attempted to turn left onto Hidden Valley Road.

During that time, Donald M. Schwartz Jr., 43, of Schuylkill Haven, was driving a 2006 Nissan Altima west on Sweet Arrow Road.

While turning, Laubenstine crossed into the path of the Schwartz vehicle, which hit Laubenstine’s Chevrolet, police said.

A juvenile female passenger in the Schwartz vehicle and the drivers were not injured. All involved were wearing seat belts.

Laubenstine was charged with vehicles turning left.

Police were assisted by Friedensburg Fire Company.

HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf threatened to veto a Republican budget bill if it crosses his desk in its present form, calling the measure a “step backward.”

Wolf has offered an ambitious first-year agenda to bridge the deficit, restore previous education cuts and provide school property tax relief through a combination of tax hikes and tax shifts.

But House and Senate Republican leaders are advancing a $30 billion budget bill that contains no new taxes or tax increases. It includes more than $220 million in anticipated revenue from privatizing state liquor stores and shifting of unspent funds to help bridge a projected $1.2 billion deficit.

Tuesday is the deadline for enacting a state budget for fiscal 2015-16. On Friday, the governor was clear.

“If the (GOP) budget gets to me in the present form it’s in, I will veto it,” Wolf said.

He could veto the entire budget sent to him by lawmakers or parts of it.

The potential stalemate has nonprofit agencies that deliver social services increasingly nervous that a drawn-out stalemate over the state budget will dry up their state aid. Having no completed budget in place on Wednesday would leave state government without the authority to spend money, but it can take up to a month for the full impact of that predicament to be realized.

“We are now holding our breath,” Gary Drapek, president of United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, said Friday. “We are preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best.”

State agencies can continue operating and state employees can be paid since revenue from existing taxes will go into state coffers. Court rulings in recent years have banned the practice of “payless workdays” for government employees during budget stalemates.

However, businesses, vendors and individuals with state contracts to provide services face the prospect sometime down the road of not being paid.

Wolf sought to allay fears about the fallout from having no budget.

“I will do my best to ensure there is as little damage as possible to people who depend on the commonwealth,” he said.

The administration will communicate with state grant recipients, contractors and vendors to avoid confusion if an impasse occurs, Wolf spokesman Jeff Sheridan said.

Problems will mount for nonprofits if a stalemate continues beyond mid-July, Drapek said.

As the largest charitable contributor to nonprofits, the United Way will decide on a strategy if a stalemate drags into summer, Kristen Rotz, president of United Way of Pennsylvania, said.

Sen. David Argall, R-29, Tamaqua, has received letters from local nonprofits asking how they will fare during an impasse. He said he’s researching the matter.

Memories of the last budget stalemate in 2009 are still fresh for nonprofits. A lengthy impasse then left food banks, child care centers and social service agencies without state funding for several months. Nonprofits borrowed money to stay afloat and cut services during that period.

Some nonprofits still haven’t recovered from the 2009 experience, Drapek said. They exhausted available lines of credit that year and paid interest on the borrowing. Then came cuts in state aid during the tenure of former Gov. Tom Corbett.

On Friday morning, a team of movers hauled collections of tuxedos, top hats and mannequins out of a storefront at the Thompson Building, into a moving van and to a storefront across the street.

After nearly 35 years of business at 23 N. Centre St., Strictly Formals Rentals and Sales is moving to 18 N. Centre St. It will open for business there on July 7, according to James J. Corcoran, the owner of Strictly Formals.

“That will give me a week to get things in order,” he said.

His wife, Beverly, raised a curious eyebrow Friday when she examined the entrance to their new location and saw the word “BEVERLY” written in gold-colored letters on the border of the threshold.

“That’s my name,” she said.

“I think it’s going to be a good start, or a restart,” he said.

What prompted the move was a stressful winter, during which the building had no water and no heat.

In August 2014, Agunloye Development and Construction LLC, Brooklyn, New York, bought the Thompson Building from ALT 23-27 Centre LLC for $150,000, according to the deed recorded in the Schuylkill County Courthouse.

“What I have endured since then has been horrendous,” Corcoran, 66, said Friday.

In mid-February, frozen pipes forced the building’s boiler to shut down. On March 2, the building’s water meter froze and cracked, causing a water leak in the basement. On April 27, within days after the city threatened to close the Thompson Building, the owner of the building paid a collection of outstanding bills and the water was back on.

With Strictly Formals gone, the only remaining tenant at the Thompson is Smokers Heaven, 25 N. Centre St.

“Strictly Formals told us they would be moving for some time now. ... We wish them all the best. We have been in touch with several building managers in the New York and New Jersey area and we are working on several opportunities at the moment,” the owner of the Thompson Building, Ben Agunloye, Brooklyn, New York, said Friday.

Strictly Formals moved to the Thompson Building in August 1980, and Corcoran was its manager. At the time, it was part of a chain of stores, called Strictly Formals Tuxedo Centers, according to a vintage sign on the window of 23 N. Centre St.

“We were a chain store out of Lebanon and Harrisburg. I think we were the fourth store. Then we all split up,” Corcoran said.

In 1986, the Corcoran bought the Pottsville business and became owner and operator, and continued a month-to-month rental agreement at the Thomspon Building. He said his monthly rent in the 637-square-foot space has recently been $578.60. And soon it was going to go up to $606 a month, not including utilities.

“Throughout the severe winter, I was without heat for 14 weeks. I was forced to work in temperatures of 42 to 44 degrees at times. I was embarrassed when my customers came in for fittings. The store had no running water for 10 weeks, from February 12 through April 23,” Corcoran said.

His rent across the street at 18 N. Centre St. in a space that is “about 1,000 square feet” will be $700 a month including utilities, but he said it’s worth it.

The building at 18 N. Centre St. is owned by Walter S. MacCorkle III, Pottsville, and Stephen M. Golden and Colleen M. Golden, Narberth, according to the online Schuylkill Parcel Locator.

CHESNUTHILL — A Mahanoy City man fired a paintball gun at two vehicles as he drove past them Thursday afternoon on Interstate 80 in the Poconos, police said.

Christopher Haldeman, 38, of Mahanoy City, was stopped shortly after the 4:10 p.m. paintball attack against vehicles driven by a Michigan man and a Texas man, state police at Fern Ridge said.

Haldeman was driving on I-80 west, near mile marker 274 in Chestnuthill Township, when he fired the paintgun, police said.

Trooper Leo E. Nita called it a case of reckless endangering.

Charges will be filed against Haldeman in the court of District Judge Joseph Homanko.

In response to the Supreme Court’s declaration on same-sex marriage Friday, one of the ruling’s opponents, Schuylkill County Register of Wills Theresa Santai-Gaffney, said she will abide by the court’s decision.

“The Supreme Court has spoken and, as an officer of the court, we will follow the law. And now the law is clear. And we will remain in compliance with the law. The decision has been made. And our office will continue to do our job with the utmost respect to all citizens who seek our services, as we have in the past. We will remain compliant with the law and it is very clear,” Santai-Gaffney said Friday.

The Supreme Court declared Friday that same-sex couples have a right to marry anywhere in the United States, according to The Associated Press. Last year, Pennsylvania gave its same-sex couples the right to marry, a decision Santai-Gaffney tried to overturn.

On May 20, 2014, U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III, Pottsville, struck down Pennsylvania’s ban on same-sex marriage. And neither state Attorney General Kathleen Kane, nor Republican Gov. Tom Corbett would appeal the decision in federal court.

But in July 2014, Gaffney made efforts to overturn the ruling, going so far as to petition the nation’s highest court.

On July 9, 2014, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito declined to stop Jones’ ruling from going into effect.

On Aug. 4, 2014, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals turned down Santai-Gaffney’s request to hear her appeal.

Schuylkill County prosecutors withdrew a driving under the influence charge on Friday against a Carbon County man, who in turn admitted committing two lesser offenses.

Anthony J. Cannon Jr., 29, of Lansford, pleaded guilty to failure to drive at a safe speed and disregarding traffic lane.

Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin, who had been scheduled to preside over Cannon’s nonjury trial, instead accepted his plea and sentenced him to pay costs, $50 in fines and a $50 bench warrant fee.

Coaldale police had charged Cannon with committing the crimes on Aug. 24, 2014, in the borough.

Also in the county court, Judge John E. Domalakes on Wednesday revoked the parole of Michael A. Fickinger, 21, of Ashland, and ordered him returned to prison.

Fickinger, who could remain behind bars until Nov. 28, admitted he violated his parole by committing new crimes.

He originally pleaded guilty on Sept. 25, 2013, to access device fraud and theft by deception, with prosecutors withdrawing two additional counts of theft by deception and three counts of receiving stolen property. At that time, Domalakes sentenced him to spend 168 days to 23 months in prison, pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $572.33 restitution, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Ashland police charged Fickinger with committing his crimes on Aug. 9, 2012, in the borough.

In other recent county court action, President Judge William E. Baldwin accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:

Patrick Gulden, 31, of Shenandoah; false reports to law enforcement; three to 12 months in prison, $50 CJEA payment and mental health and drug and alcohol evaluations. Prosecutors withdrew charges of driving under the influence, passing when prohibited and careless driving.

Derek M. Hunsicker, 26, of Tamaqua; conspiracy and delivery of a controlled substance; six to 23 months in prison, $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

Corey E. Wall, 23, of Mahanoy City; aggravated assault, illegal possession of a weapon, theft and possessing instrument of crime; one to two years in a state correctional institution and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew charges of terroristic threats and receiving stolen property.

Ryan C. Yingst, 26, of Berwick; delivery of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility; six to 23 months in prison, $100 SAEF payment, $50 bench warrant fee, $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

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

n Frackville: Attorney Karen Domalakes, who is spearheading the drive for a new Frackville community swimming pool, said in a release that fundraising for the effort includes an online site involving the Go Fund Me page, which she said is “a way to reach people far and wide who could lend their support.” She asked people to consider making a donation and forwarding the link — www.gofundme.com/v2m5dj4 — to others “if you believe it is important for the northern Schuylkill community to have a safe place for summer swimming, lessons, cooling off and socializing, or if you just believe in Frackville, or if you just want to help me!” For more information, call Domalakes at 570-874-1109.

n Millersburg: The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art will celebrate the 22nd annual Nature and Arts Festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 25 at MYO Park. There will also be programs throughout the day at the center. Admission to activities at MYO Park is free with the exception of “The Butterfly House,” for which there will be a $2 admission. At the Ned Smith center, there will also be free admission. Free shuttle vans will run between the center and MYO Park, according to Alexis Dow Campbell, the center’s director of creative programming. The Center will be open until 6 p.m. and will feature “Pennsylvania Artists: A Tribute in the Olewine Gallery” and “Ned Smith: Nature through a Master’s Hand” in the Ned Smith Gallery. Admission to the galleries also will be free on festival day. For a complete list of festival programming and directions to the park and center, go online to www.nedsmithcenter.org. Event sponsors include the Dauphin County commissioners and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

n Pottsville: A “North of the Mountain Bus Bash” is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 25, according to a release from Patrick M. “Porcupine Pat” McKinney, environmental education coordinator with the Schuylkill Conservation Distrct. The tour will originate at the Schuylkill County AG Center, Gordon Nagle Trail, Pottsville, and travel in a circular route in the northern part of the county. “There is much history and natural beauty in northern Schuylkill and we have a full itinerary that is sure to please,” McKinney said in the release, adding “Participants will have a memorable day as we travel through Frackville, Shenandoah, Ringtown, Brandonville and Mahanoy City. Plus, proceeds from this trip helps out two great causes including the Schuylkill County Conservancy and the Schuylkill County Historical Society, who are partnering to sponsor this bus bash.” The cost is $26 with a $1 discount for conservancy and society members. Registration information is available by calling McKinney at 570-622-4124, ext. 113 or emailing him at porcupinepat@yahoo.com. Participants, according to McKinney, will get to stand on the shortest street in Pennsylvania, learn about the oldest church “north of the mountain” and see the old St. Nicholas Breaker, which had been the largest in the world, among other sites.

n Shenandoah: Defender Hose Company in the borough’s Turkey Run section will hold its annual crabfest from 2 to 6 p.m. July 25 at the firehouse, 300 Furnace St. The cost is $40 for adults and $12 for children 12 and younger. Takeouts will be available for $25. All are welcome. For tickets or more information, call 570-449-5626, 570-462-9576 or contact any fire company member.

n Shenandoah: The Shenandoah Area Free Public Library has launched its fund drive. Donations can be sent to the library at 15 W. Washington St., Shenandoah, PA 17976. The library is also asking residents to use their key tags at Redner’s Warehouse Market in the Gold Star Plaza and Boyer’s Markets, West Centre Street. “Save a tape ... and bring the tape to the library,” organizers said in a press release. “This also helps us in supporting the library.” For more information, call the library at 570-462-9829 or the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. at 570-462-2060.