The children of the late Pottsville Area school official Howard S. Fernsler on Monday presented a collection of artifacts from their father’s career to the district for its archives.

“There’s a lot of material here. We have it stacked in 17 groups. Here’s a collection of newspaper clippings from the school board elections in 1932 and 1933. Here’s some correspondence between Capt. Lloyd L. Martz — he was a captain in the Army — and Howard S. Fernsler during the Second World War,” Howard S. “Bud” Fernsler Jr., 76, a retired Pottsville Area science teacher, said at the academic center that was named after his father in 1972.

The piles were stacked on the long table in the front board room. They included photographs of former school board members, copies of speeches made by Howard S. Fernsler, vintage football game programs and school district stationery.

“Also, Dad’s appointment books are there,” Howard Jr. said.

Aside from vintage high school yearbooks, there hasn’t been much Howard S. Fernsler memorabilia on file at the academic center, according to Pottsville Area Superintendent Jeffrey S. Zwiebel.

“We’re going to get a couple of fireproof filing cabinets, put them in this room and file these items here to protect them. And some of the artifacts will be on display here in the front conference room as a tribute,” Zwiebel said.

“He was a great man and a very important man in the community. And we wanted to give these items to the district to benefit not only its students, but its administrators and the public,” Howard Jr. said.

That project will commence sometime in the first quarter of the new school year, Zwiebel said.

Attending the presentation Monday were Howard S. Fernsler’s three daughters — Alice Fernsler, 62, of Orwigsburg; Sarah Fernsler, 65, of Allentown; and Marion Colitz, 78, of Pottsville. Two former district superintendents, William R. Davidson, Pottsville, and James T. Gallagher, Stone Harbor, New Jersey, were also there, as well as Gallagher’s wife, former Schuylkill County Commissioner Mantura M. Gallagher.

“I grew up hearing stories about him back from when I was probably 2 years old,” Zwiebel said of Howard S. Fernsler.

“He was extremely intelligent. He was gregarious,” James Gallagher said.

“He was witty,” Mantura Gallagher said.

“He was a communicator with a capital C,” Howard Jr. said.

“And he was an excellent steward of the taxpayers’ money,” James Gallagher said.

Born in Pottsville, Aug. 13, 1905, Howard Scott Fernsler was a son of the late Walter Scott Fernsler and Sarah Jane Williams Fernsler. He was of the Methodist faith.

He graduated from Pottsville High School in 1924. Then he became a traveling auditor for the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Co. and a pianist for regional orchestras.

He was a sergeant with Company D, Pennsylvania Reserve Defense Corps. During World War II, he organized and served as county chairman of Civil Defense, according to his obituary.

He helped organize the Girl Scout Council of Schuylkill County and was its first finance committee chairman. He was chairman of the Pottsville sesquicentennial celebration in 1956. He was a member of the Pottsville Recreation Commission, according to his obituary.

In 1936, he married Marion Hunt, who was a physical education director at the YWCA of Pottsville.

Fernsler was initially elected to the Pottsville school board in 1933. He was named the school district’s full-time secretary on Jan. 9, 1936, according to a biography developed by the American Legion.

Among his achievements included his efforts to pioneer the development of Veterans Memorial Stadium in the 1930s, according to his obituary.

On May 24, 1972, soon after Fernsler prepared his 37th consecutive budget for the Pottsville Area School District, the school board adopted a resolution to rename the Pottsville Area Academic Center, which opened in 1968, to the Howard S. Fernsler Academic Center.

Fernsler was cited for his “dedication, loyalty, devotion, outstanding service to the community and untiring efforts on behalf of the children of Pottsville Area,” according to the tribute read at that board meeting by board member Harold Adams.

On Dec. 2, 1974, Fernsler announced he would not seek re-election once his term expired in December 1975. In September 1974, Fernsler was a patient at Hershey Medical Center, receiving chemotherapy treatments. Blood drives were held to support him, according to the newspaper’s archives.

But before his term at Pottsville Area expired, Fernsler died Tuesday, Dec. 2, 1975. He was 70.

“I see there’s some correspondence from my grandfather, Charlie Downey, to Howard. They were friends,” Zwiebel said Friday as he examined the items donated by the Fernsler family.

Charles J. Downey Jr. was director of public information for the General State Authority in Harrisburg when, on Dec. 11, 1970, he typed a letter to Fernsler, who was “Secretary-Business Manager” of the district at the time. It stated:

“It always does my heart good to see a personal and life-long friend receive deserved recognition. I read with great pleasure of your appointment by Governor Raymond P. Shafer to the Board of State College and University Directors. I know you will bring to this new position the same dedication which has earmarked your career with the Pottsville Area School System. Again, congratulations, best wishes and good luck.”

“These are the days I remember well,” Davidson said as he flipped through a football program book from Friday, Sept. 5, 1975, dedicated to Howard S. Fernsler, who was the district’s secretary and business manager at the time, and Lloyd Martz, the school board president at the time.

According to the “Dedication” inside: “We proudly dedicate the 1975 Program Books to two men who have done much for the Pottsville Area School District, both academically and athletically. We thank you both for your untiring efforts on behalf of the boys and girls of the school district.”

Although the official search for a missing Tamaqua man was called off, family members and friends haven’t stopped looking for him.

“I do believe he is hurt somewhere,” Jesse Farber’s mother, Norma Fritz said, as she continued her search Monday.

Farber, 29, who also goes by the name Jesse Rex, was last seen and heard from Aug. 11. From Thursday to Saturday, the Tamaqua Fire Department, Tamaqua police, Tamaqua Rescue Squad, Department of Environmental Protection, Northeast Search and Rescue of Delaware Water Gap and Pocono Search and Rescue of Mountainhome searched for Farber.

After finding nothing, the search was called off Saturday.

Fritz said family members and friends vowed to continue the search.

“I just wonder if he is laying somewhere hurt,” Fritz said. “I’m also very concerned about the heat today. This could be his last day if he is lying somewhere.”

As the mercury approached the 90-degree mark, she and others set out in the woods behind the Tamaqua Area High School on Monday afternoon, hoping to find something that would lead them to Farber.

According to Fritz, Farber made a distressing call to the mother of his children just after 8 p.m. Aug. 11. During the short call, he said that coyotes were chasing him and that he was scared, she said. He told the woman that he was in the woods behind the high school and that his cellphone battery was low.

At that point, the signal went dead.

“We have rewards out there everywhere and we are not hearing anything. That’s why I believe he’s not out there,” she said, motioning toward the borough. “He’s in there somewhere.”

Fritz said search dogs picked up some scents, but “nothing substantial.”

“They didn’t find any belongings,” she said. “He was carrying a bookbag, but nothing turned up in the woods or on the side of the woods.”

Farber is familiar with the mountainous area behind the school and frequently walked trails to visit his grandmother in Lewistown Valley, Walker Township.

Some of the area is pockmarked with deep voids.

“DEP sent someone to the search behind Tamaqua High School on Friday with a camera to look into an abandoned mine opening,” DEP spokeswoman Colleen Connolly said. “We got the camera down about 200 to 225 feet before it hit some rock, but we did not see anything.”

DEP staff did not return to the search over the weekend and likely won’t return “unless we are requested by an agency/outfit heading up any additional searches,” Connolly said.

Anyone wishing to help with the search can call Fritz at 570-449-3985.

Coach wallet

found by Rt. 183

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — A wallet was recovered Thursday afternoon alongside Route 183 near Moyer’s Car Care in Wayne Township.

State police in Schuylkill Haven said Paul Mogel, Bernville, turned the wallet into the police station after finding it at 2:52 p.m. on the side of the highway. The Coach wallet is black leather and contained a voter registration card for 2012, various business cards and a gray VISA debit card.

Anyone with information can call state police at 570-739-1330.

Port Carbon cops

find wanted man

PORT CARBON — Borough police charged a New Philadelphia man with speeding and driving with a suspended driver’s license.

David Allen McCollum, 60 Valley St., New Philadelphia, was observed violating traffic laws at 4:34 p.m. Friday, police said. The charges were filed in the office of Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

McCollum also had an active arrest warrant from Northumberland County Courthouse in Sunbury.

Traffic stop leads

to drug charges

PORT CARBON — Borough police charged a New Philadelphia man with possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia following a traffic stop Friday night.

Eugene P. Mattera, 236 Valley St., New Philadelphia, was driving a white Chevrolet work van with a suspended driver’s license at 7:33 p.m. Upon further investigation, police discovered a bag of marijuana, a portable scale with methamphetamine inside and one green zip lock bag containing methamphetamine residue, police said.

The charges were filed in the office of Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Police seek 2 for

theft of car in city

Pottsville police reported charges against three people after officers were called to 1712 W. Norwegian St. for a report of a stolen vehicle about 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

At the scene, police said, officers learned a black 2010 Mercedes-Benz was stolen while it was parked in front of the home between 3 and 8:30 a.m.

Clayton and Billie Jean Andrews, owners of the vehicle, said they were certain the vehicle was parked outside their home about 3 a.m. and that the keys were inside their house.

The two also said they suspected Jack David Rose, 18, of Pottsville, due to past incidents involving him and the car when he briefly lived at their home in the past.

During a subsequent investigation, police found that at about 4 a.m. Rose was with Matrel William Smith, 18, of Pottsville, and a 17-year-old Pottsville boy and that the three agreed to steal the car.

The three then went to 1712 W. Norwegian St., illegally entered the home to steal the keys and then stole the car and drove it to Port Carbon and surrounding areas before returning to Pottsville and leaving the car behind the Patterson Street Hi-Rise, 12th and West Market streets, about 5:30 a.m.

The 17-year-old was taken into custody about 4 p.m. that day and was charged with felony burglary, felony theft of a motor vehicle along with conspiracy and receiving stolen property. He was then turned over to Schuylkill County juvenile authorities, police said.

Criminal complaints were filed and arrest warrants obtained for Rose and Smith, charging them with the same offenses as well as one count each of corruption of minors.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Rose or Smith is asked to call police at 570-622-1234, ext. 184.

Police investigate

theft at AMVETS

Pottsville police are investigating a burglary that occurred at AMVETS Post 180, 1300 Seneca St., and was discovered about 1:15 p.m. Sunday.

Police said their investigation determined that between 1 p.m. Saturday and 1:15 p.m. Sunday someone removed a window security bar on the south side of the building, climbed through the unlocked window and forced open a filing cabinet.

The thief was then able to get keys to a safe and vending machines and stole an undetermined amount of cash before fleeing.

Police said their investigation is continuing and ask that anyone with information call them at 570-622-1234, ext. 331.

Patrol results in

4 traffic arrests

The North Central PA Regional DUI Enforcement Program reported 28 vehicles were contacted and detained during a Roving DUI Patrol conducted Saturday by two officers from two departments.

There were no drivers tested for DUI and no DUI arrests made but the officers made four traffic arrests and issued 24 warning notices.

About 20 pounds of drugs were dropped off Saturday at the Schuylkill County Courthouse.

The Schuylkill County Sheriff’s Department had the drug take back event for a couple hours along with an extended time to apply for a license to carry firearms. There was training at the courthouse, so they thought it would be a good time to host the event, Chief Deputy Sheriff Brian Tobin said Monday.

“We never go into these with any expectations,” he said.

The courthouse accepts expired or unused medications Monday through Friday. Those interested must tell security before dropping the drugs off. A countywide drug take back event will be held Sept. 12.

n Branchdale: A candlelight piano concert and dinner will be held at St. Mary Church, 70-72 State Road, from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday. The cost is $20 for the concert and dinner. Michael Tan, a concert pianist from Temple University, will present the concert. People are asked to RSVP for the dinner by Thursday by calling 570-815-4543 and leaving a message. The menu will include roast beef, ham, broccoli, potatoes, carrots, green beans and desserts including Italian rum, Philadelphia cheese cake, coconut cake and other items. For more information, call 267-973-0323.

n Frackville: An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 29 at the Schuylkill Mall. People 17 and older, weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are asked to donate blood. To make an appointment, call 800-733-2767.

n Heckscherville: The annual outdoor Labor Day Mass at Castle Green Grotto will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 7. The grotto is located at 950 Valley Road, Minersville/Heckscherville Highway. The Mass will be dedicated to “all who came” to the chapel that was located at the site and honor people who labored in anthracite coal mining. Refreshments will be served after Mass. Attendees should bring lawn chairs. Parking will be available at the grotto.

n Minersville: First United Methodist Church will have a Friendly’s Night at Friendly’s restaurant near Fairlane Village mall from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 14. Friendly’s will donate a portion of the proceeds from all eat-in and take-out meals to the church. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-544-2249.

n Minersville: Dr. Thomas Boran will present a free historical program called “Minersville History and Civil War Adventures” at 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Fourth and Lewis streets. The program is a synopsis of Minersville, family history and Company F of the 48th Pennsylvania regiment. Admission is free. The program is sponsored by the Minersville Area Historical Society. All are welcome.

n Orwigsburg: Roman Delight restaurant, Route 61, will host a benefit for the Orwigsburg Area Free Public Library from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday. The dine-out event will feature a performance by Fred Nebula from 6 to 8 p.m. on the patio. People can dine inside or outside. Reservations are suggested. Call 570-366-1914 or go online to www.romandelightorwigsburg.com.

n Schuylkill Haven: The Church of the Nazarene, Main Street, will host the Pickering Family, a gospel-singing family, at the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday. For more information, call Pastor Bob Berry or Pat Berry at 570-385-2692. All are welcome to attend.

n Schuylkill Haven: Schuylkill Haven Area Middle School will hold fifth grade and new student orientation from 9 to 10:15 a.m. Wednesday in the auditorium.

n Shenandoah: Officers have issued a reminder for members of the Polish American Fire Company that the deadline to turn in gift certificate bonanza tickets is Thursday for the raffle set for Sunday. Members can leave returns in the firehouse mailbox or at the firehouse grill. For more information, call 570-788-4498.

n Tamaqua: Watercolor lessons by Maritza will be offered from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Tamaqua Community Art Center, 125 Pine St. The cost is $20 with all supplies included. To register or for more information, call 570-668-1192 or email to leona@tacp.info.

n Tower City: The Tower City Rotary Club will hold a rabies clinic from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 29 at the Tower City Ambulance building in the 600 block of Colliery Avenue. Rabies vaccine and distemper shots are $10 and feline distemper shots are $15. For more information, call Paul Dimon at 717-647-2741 or Molly Barner at 717-647-2157.

n Tremont: The annual Tremont Area Craft Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday on Main Street. Sponsored by the Tremont Fire Company, the fair will feature a variety of crafts and food. The event will be held rain or shine. For more information, interested vendors can call 570-695-3318.

Marriage licenses

Robert S. Schaeffer, Hamburg, and Courtney L. Speer, Hamburg.

Joshua Drey, Cressona, and Jennifer L. Butler, Cressona.

Robert T. Drobnick, New Ringgold, and Tonya J. Decindio, New Ringgold.

Kevin Mcnavage, Coaldale, and Tara N. Banville, Coaldale.

Edward E. Demyanovich, Tamaqua, and Tracy L. Williams, Tamaqua.

Michael J. Rodnick, Summit Station, and Kathryn M. Abercrombie, Pine Grove.

William J. Kaufman, Frackville, and Kimberly A. Ahart, Frackville.

Thomas E. Nesbitt Jr., Pottsville, and Crystal A. Hartranft, Pottsville.

Christopher A. Burgess, Pottsville, and Givania L. Shelly, Pottsville.

Matthew M. Daub, Wiconisco, and Amanda L. Browell, Wiconisco.

Devar Ramone Samuel Walters, Orwigsburg, and Melanie M. Bowers, Orwigsburg.

Zachary C. Heath, Cressona, and Amanda L. Jenkins, Lebanon.

Jeffrey R. Alloway, Pine Grove, and Emmylou A. April, Pine Grove.

Brandon M. Devlin, Schuylkill Haven, and Rebecca L. Deatrich, Schuylkill Haven.

Lamonte Schock, Tamaqua, and Jennifer L. Bensinger, Tamaqua.

VALLEY VIEW — If you have a lead foot you might want to back off on the gas pedal, especially if you are traveling through Hegins Township.

Police Chief Steve Lohr said his force is ramping up speed enforcement and has issued 10 citations just last week.

“School will be starting on August 31 and we will have buses and children on the streets, we need to slow people down,” Lohr said. “I have sat with the police cruiser just 20 feet off the roadway, I have even stood outside the vehicle and still people are driving by so fast and not paying attention that they don’t even notice the police presence. People need to pay attention and mind the speed limits before someone gets seriously injured.”

Lohr said the average person was clocked driving more than 9.8 mph over the speed limit. He said the department will especially be cracking down on Route 25 and 125. The average speeding ticket costs the driver $128.

Hegins resident William Wolfgang asked Lohr why there are no speed lines in Valley View. Lohr said there are three different sets of lines in Valley View and that they need to be repainted. He said they will also be doing surveillance on some of the side streets as well.

Lohr suggested people wake up earlier and allow themselves more time on the road especially with the start of school right around the corner.

In other business, Darrell Huntsinger questioned the supervisors and road foremen if the township was planning on doing line painting, such as the fog line on the township roads. Supervisor Mike Begis said lines aren’t required and it depends on traffic and the width of the road. He said it is good to have them for safety purposes. Supervisor LeRoy Shuey said the roads that were seal coated will also be painted.

Hegins Township is finally ready to adopt the inner municipal equipment agreement between Hegins and Hubley Townships, but there is one contingency. Hegins Township hasn’t received exhibit list ‘b,’ which lists all Hubley Township’s equipment. In order to save on re-advertising costs for the ordinance, the supervisors voted to adopt the ordinance, contingent on receiving exhibit list ‘b’ and it being satisfactory.

The agreement is simply putting what has been going on for many years, in writing. If Hegins loans a piece of equipment from Hubley they are responsible for it when in use and must return it in the shape they loaned, such as fuel, etc. and the agreement goes the same way if Hubley borrows something from Hegins. If equipment breaks or someone is hurt, whichever township is using it at the time is the township that is responsible for fixing it or taking care of the injured party.

A discussion was held on alleys and the bike path again this month.

The township supervisors have been receiving complaints about the conditions of the alleys as well as the pot holes on the bike path. The supervisors have been trying to determine who is responsible for alleys and the bike path and have had no luck determining the answer.

According to Susan Troup and Vicki Harman, both former Hegins Township supervisors, there were agreements with the property owners along the bike path that the township would maintain it. The women claim the files used to be located in the second drawer down, halfway back in the fire proof safe.

The current supervisors claim they can’t find any records.

Any homeowners along the bike path who might have a copy of the agreement are asked to contact the township office so they can view a copy of the agreement. The township office telephone number is 570-682-9133.

Township solicitor Gretchen Sterns said she will check with former township solicitor Dave Rattigan to determine if he has any information on the agreements.

While on the topic of alleys, Roger Wetzel, Valley View, told the supervisors that another alley way has been blocked with railroad ties, and top soil has been placed and grass seed planted. He said the alley is located between the Masonic building and Ross Schwalm’s property.

Wetzel said this is a growing problem and he’s concerned how fire trucks and police vehicles are going to get through if people keep blocking alleys.

Supervisor Brad Carl said the Tri-Valley Community Pool will be closing Aug. 21, due to the lifeguards returning to college. He said the pool had a good year. There is a leak and after the season the township will look into fixing the problem. He also noted that Barry Township did send a $500 donation to the pool.

Pool Manager Linda Morgan did send out donation letters recently asking for the public to donate money in helping with the repair of the leak.

The next Hegins Township meeting will be held Monday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. at the Hegins Area Ambulance Building, Gap Street.

The food pantry will be held Sept. 16, beginning at 8 a.m. at the township office, Gap Street.

Fall cleanup will be held Sept. 24, 25 and 26. More information will be available at next month’s meeting and volunteers are needed for that event. If interested, call the township office at 570-682-9133.

Post office meeting canceled

The public meeting originally scheduled for 6 p.m. today at Community Memorial Hall to discuss the recent closing of the Orwigsburg Post Office, has been canceled, borough Manager Robert Williams said Monday.

The building at 700 W. Market St. closed because of mold and possible structural issues July 25.

According to Williams, Karen Mazurkiewicz, communications program specialist for the U.S. Postal Service Central Pennsylvania and Western New York districts, said postal officials may schedule a meeting at a later date if necessary to keep the public informed and updated.

A temporary mobile post office is on the site and available for use. The current site is open the same hours as the regular post office and has the same services. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 to 11:45 a.m. Saturday.

The Minersville Skatepark Association is holding a basket raffle to build a second segment to the borough skate park.

“The basket raffle is traditionally our biggest fundraiser, so please help support this one,” Bobbie Domlesky, association secretary, said Thursday.

So far, the association has 24 baskets valued between $25 and $500 to raffle off, she said.

Basket themes include kids items, four Disney one-day hopper passes, Mary Kay, area shopping gift cards, area restaurant gift cards, wine, tools, ski packages, traveling out of state gift cards, supplies for scrapbooking, wheel of fortune, state sports passes, QVC and online shopping gift cards.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to add on to the skate park that was completed in August 2014. The association is hoping to add more to the skating area, possibly a bowl, but have not made any decisions yet.

Since its opening in September 2014, borough residents of all ages have enjoyed the skate park but voiced their opinions on wanting a larger area for advanced skaters.

“We’ve had so much great feedback about the skate park but some of the more experienced skaters have expressed that they’d like something more,” Domlesky said previously.

The association heard these requests and added a small expansion of a 5-foot-long ledge on a decline, or a hubba, and a curve to the half pipe. The project cost $3,000 and was completed in June by Matt Arment, Arment Concrete, Millersville, the same man who built the skate park.

The association spent about $30,000 on construction of the first phase of the skate park along with additional fees, including a yearly $2,600 for insurance, Domlesky said previously.

Tickets for the basket raffle will be available on three days:

• Sept. 13 at the association’s stand at Minersville Spirit Day, along North Street

• From 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 19 at Good Will Fire Company, 25 N. Second St., Minersville

• From noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 20 at Goodwill Fire Company

The drawing will be held at 3 p.m. Sept. 20. Tickets are $1 each, six tickets for $5 and 15 tickets for $10.

The skate park association will be honored at Spirit Day as one of the citizens/volunteers of the year. They will be selling hot dogs, bean soup and glitter tattoos at their stand.

To donate, buy tickets or find more information, call Domlesky at 570-294-6235 or visit www.minersvilleareaskatepark.webs.com.

Butler Township — Federal National Mortgage Association to William D. Henry and William J. Maher; 693 High Road; $15,000.

Cass Township — Joseph M. and Lisa A. Bickelman to Joseph M. and Lisa A. Bickelman; 8 Owl Road; $1.

Delano Township — Cathy J. and William Whitfield to Norman J. and Marie M. Cunningham; 100 Hazle St., Delano; $1.

East Union Township — Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Emma Stone and Anita Villagracia; Lot 241HF3, Eagle Rock; $37,269.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Alejandro and Lyn Octubre; Lot 299HF3, Eagle Rock; $39,289.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Joyce Piquero and Vivian Balinado; Lot 303HF3, Eagle Rock; $39,289.

Robert P. and Theresa Marchand to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 182WSS, Eagle Rock; $6,300.

North Union Township — Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Faith C. and Jerry B. Villaflor; Lot 64HF1, Eagle Rock; $24,900.

PINE GROVE — The board of the Schuylkill Conservation District met Tuesday at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park to hand out awards to those who have improved the community.

This is the 60th year the organization has been in existence. A total of 10 awards were given out.

The Schuylkill County commissioners attended and said a few words, as did state Sen. David Argall, R-29.

Commissioner Gary Hess said the people recognized tonight did their part to make the county “a better place.”

“Here’s to the next 60. Keep up the good work,” Argall said as he presented a proclamation in honor of the 60th anniversary of the conservation district.

Patrick M. “Porcupine Pat” McKinney, environmental education coordinator with the conservation district and announcer for the event, said the night is one to “celebrate the good work that people have been doing. There are many good things going on in Schuylkill County.”

The event was by invitation only. People from the Sweet Arrow Lake Park Board, conservation district staff and others also attended.

One by one the winners accepted their awards and said a few words.

A moment of silence was also held in honor of Dr. James S. Shadle, who founded the conservation district. He died last year.

Those who received an award Tuesday were chosen by the conservation district board after names were submitted, McKinney said.

Ronald Troxell, 72, and son, Daniel Troxell, 45, were honored with the Dr. James S. Shadle Conservation Farm of the Year Award. The father and son were humble in accepting their award. They received a large white sign identifying their farm that they will display nearby.

“It’s an honor,” Ronald said.

Daniel also thanked them for the recognition but said other farmers also take proactive steps to make the area better. Before receiving the award, Daniel said he was “surprised” they picked them. Both said they often work late on Troxell Farms in West Penn Township.

The conservation of the year award is not the first for the Troxell family, Ronald said. His father Charles received the award in the 1950s. Charles and his wife, Fern, started the farm in the 1940s and later purchased two additional farms. Father and son formed their partnership in 1993 and own about 800 acres consisting of corn, oats, wheat, soybeans and hay. The hay is the primary crop they sell. They do not plow the land. To get the best use of the land and limit damage to the environment, they employ methods like using GPS when spraying fields.

David Kruel, Pottsville, was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award for his works with Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and the Schuylkill County Conservancy. He is also a mentor for the Schuylkill County Envirothon teams of St. Ambrose School, Schuylkill Haven.

Susan Long and her husband, Barry, were honored for their work and given the Educators of the Year Award. Susan works with Diakon Social Services and is part of the program planning team at Sweet Arrow Lake. The programs she plans are for those 50 years and older. She is often not alone in doing the programs as her husbandhelps a lot. In accepting the award, Susan down played her role.

“I don’t teach anything,” she said.

But it seems she has taught people an appreciation for what is around them.

“There’s so many things you can do. All you need to do is know where to look,” Barry said about people who complain there is nothing to do in the county.

Janette Lesher, of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, received the Professional of the Year Award for her positive personality and assistance with the conservation district programs and projects.

The magazine “Schuylkill Living” received the Media Conservation Award. The seasonal quarterly magazine highlights a wide variety of stories in the county. The full-color magazine is a project of the Republican Herald and is available countywide.

Robert Neumoyer also received an award, the Forest Stewardship Award, for managing his 257-acre stewardship forest near New Ringgold that has a wildlife habitat and is used for recreation and timber production. He has shown his dedication by his care for the environment. He is also a PA Forest Steward, one of a group of volunteers trained in natural resources regarding the forest. He also informs the public by doing forestry tours on his land.

“I guess you would say I’m living the dream,” Neumoyer said upon accepting his award and achieving his goal.

Trout Unlimited was honored as the Organization of the Year. The organization does outreach about the water and promotes the love of fishing. A group of five members from Trout Unlimited received the award because they all share in the effort, the members said.

Weis Markets was honored with the Conservation Service Award — Business. Bill Seltzer, store manager for the Pottsville store, accepted the award. He said the company does its part to make the community better. For example, the store has a 49 percent recycle rate, he said.

Tom Reed, of Penn State Master Gardeners-Schuylkill County, was awarded the Conservation Service Award — Public. Reed does his best to educate the public about the environment.

“The master gardeners serve the county,” he said.

Penn State student Hannah Claire received the Youth Conservationist of the Year Award. The young woman has the goal of promoting sustainable development. She plans to be a landscape architect.

n Barnesville: A hike to explore the mountain behind Locust Lake State Park and visit the Silver Creek Fire Tower is set for 10:30 a.m. Aug. 27. The eight-mile hike is rated difficult. Participants will see pine stands and brush that are perfect habitats for birds and other wildlife. Hikers will meet at the park’s visitors’ parking lot located before the contact station. They should bring a lunch. Pets are welcome but must be leashed and get along with people and other pets. For more information, call Robin at 570-467-2506. The hike will be canceled in the event of inclement weather.

n Frackville: Lisa’s Baby Talk, a storytime program for children up to age 4, will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at the Frackville Free Public Library, 56 N. Lehigh Ave. For more information, call 570-874-3382.

n Mahanoy City: The Mahanoy City Public Library recently acknowledged the following memorials: For Fred, Marie and David Huebner Sr. from attorney David Huebner; for Mary Carsto from Stephanie Kaye; for Ray Cavenas from Carol and Bob Blue, Randy, Helayne, Adason and Siara Titus; for Brittany Lindenmuth from Helayne Titus; for Paul Elsavage from Charles and Sharon Chiao; for Patricia Boyle from Charles and Sharon Chiao; for Stanley Waitkus from Carol and Bob Blue; for Genevieve Dwyer from Jane O’Connor; for Gert Kufrovich from Michael Evans and Marilyn Evans; for George Centek from Bette Chelak and Margaret Semanchyk.

n New Philadelphia: The New Philadelphia Community Organization will sponsor a free Kids’ Night Out at the Movies from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Little League field pavilion. Participants should bring their own chairs. For more information, call 570-277-6957.

n Pottsville: Pete Yasenchak did a presentation during a recent meeting of the Pottsville Rotary Club regarding events that occurred some 240 years ago, in 1775 before the American Revolution, in Boston, according to the Rotary Bulletin. He said a man named Henry Knox was an unassuming librarian and shop owner in Boston who was able to see the potential trouble coming with the occupation of the city by the British Army. He went out at night, with a plan, to see Gen. George Washington. Knox, according to Yasenchak, pleaded with Washington to save Boston, but knew that the Washington did not have enough guns or soldiers to do that. Yet, he had a plan, and persuaded Washington to allow him to go to Fort Ticonderoga, about 250 miles away in northern New York along Lake Champlain, and try to retrieve arms held at the fort. Knox and his men captured 56 cannons and — with much trouble in the snow and crossing frozen rivers — brought them back to Boston. He had help along the way from farmers looking to do their part for their new country, Yasenchak said. When he got back to Boston, American forces surrounded the city and British Gen. Howe was forced to evacuate his troops. Hence, Yasenchak said, there was no Battle of Boston in the American Revolution.

n Schuylkill Haven: Two free Penn State Master Gardener Clinics have been set in September “so you can bypass the garbage disposal and go green,” according to a press release. Participants will learn how and why to compost natural waste components from the kitchen, yard and garden to create the best soil — Black Gold — compost. The clinics are set for Sept. 17 at Zion Church, 489 Valley Road in the Lewistown Valley, Walker Township, and for Sept. 23 at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park, Pine Grove, Washington Township. Both will go from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. To register, call 570-622-4225.

n Shenandoah: The Shenandoah Tax Office has relocated from C&R Emporium, East Centre Street, to the Robert Kulpovich auto complex, Bob’s Auto Service Center, on East Washington Street near the Capitol Food Store.

A Klingerstown man returned to prison Monday after a Schuylkill County judge revoked his probation and parole in two cases.

Daniel M. Adams Jr., 22, wept as Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin recommitted him to prison, with his potential release date not until April 26, 2017, and then sentenced him to an additional 23 months on probation.

Adams admitted violating his probation and parole by committing new crimes and using drugs. He said he had been convinced God wanted him to hurt people but, because of his medication, now knows he was wrong.

“I realize I’m not supposed to hurt people,” he testified.

However, Dolbin expressed reluctance to let Adams leave prison.

“Many people who are prescribed medications don’t take them when they’re not in a structured environment,” the judge said.

Adams originally pleaded guilty on May 21, 2014, to two counts of theft and one of access device fraud in one case and delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and recklessly endangering another person in the second case. Prosecutors withdrew an additional count of access device fraud and one count of identity theft in the first case.

At that time, Dolbin sentenced Adams to serve 18 days to 23 months in prison, pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $1,529.88 restitution, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Hegins Township police charged Adams with both sets of crimes, alleging he committed the thefts on Nov. 1, 2012, and the drug-related crimes on Oct. 15, 2013. Both incidents occurred in the township.

Also on Monday, Dolbin revoked the probation of Stephen Kubeika, 27, of Saint Clair, and sentenced him to serve six to 24 months in a state correctional institution.

Kubeika, who admitted violating his probation, originally pleaded guilty on Nov. 12, 2014, to recklessly endangering another person and simple assault, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of aggravated assault and harassment.

At that time, Dolbin placed Kubeika on probation for three years, and also sentenced him to pay costs and a $50 CJEA payment.

New Castle Township police charged Kubeika with committing the assault on March 23, 2014, in the township.

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

Jerry G. Adrey, 45, of Mahanoy City — theft; two days to six months in prison, $50 CJEA payment, $193.90 bench warrant fee and $30 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of receiving stolen property.

Duane A. Allen, 27, of Beavertown — defiant trespass; $300 fine. Prosecutors withdrew a second count of defiant trespass.

Carmen R. Beltrami, 19, of West Hazleton — driving under the influence; six months probation, $750 fine, $100 SAEF payment and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street.

Marc R. Corona, 21, of Mahanoy City — DUI; 72 hours to six months in prison, $1,000 fine, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and $50 bench warrant fee. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of improper turning movements.

Brian V. Danchak, 43, of Coaldale — terroristic threats, resisting arrest, simple assault, DUI and three counts of improper signaling; 72 hours to six months in prison, 18 months probation, $1,075 in fines, $100 SAEF payment, $100 in CJEA payments and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street. Prosecutors withdrew one count each of disorderly conduct, fleeing or eluding police, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to drive at a safe speed, reckless driving and careless driving and six of stop sign violation.

Patricia A. Derau, 42, of Lehighton — delivery of a controlled substance; three to 23 months in prison; $50 CJEA payment, $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew charges of conspiracy, 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.

SHENANDOAH — The borough council and the public listened to the financial and management report at Monday’s meeting and learned the borough will continue to have struggles into the future.

The report, presented by the Pennsylvania Economic League Executive Director Gerald E. Cross, is part of the state Department of Community and Economic Development’s Early Intervention Program. It provided some possibilities to help deal with the borough’s financial issues by adapting in response to demographic changes that affect the bottom line of operating the municipality.

Last year the borough entered the EIP program through a $75,000 DCED grant. The EIP allows the borough to invest in a long-term fiscal and operational plan that includes a thorough review of all departments, opportunities for the community, assessment of current and projected finances and attainable benchmarks, along with public involvement.

While Cross focused on the borough part of the report, Aurel M. Arndt, chief executive director of the Lehigh Valley Authority, reported on his separate, similar study on the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah. The water authority was added to the borough EIP study due to its own financial problems. Arndt was chosen to the do the study because of his experience in municipal authorities and their operations.

Cross opened his presentation with an overview of PEL and introduced the DCED representatives.

“The scope of the work that the borough asked to be done under the grant program was a fiscal review and projection of the borough’s financial position,” Cross said. “This is required by the program guidelines.”

The EIP plan, which is in draft form, is almost 200 pages long and will provide historical background on the borough’s finances and a projection for the next five years.

“There was also management review and some recommendations of borough departments,” Cross said. “The report covered public works, administration and police, with also an evaluation of the water system authority in Shenandoah but not the sewer authority. However, the team did meet with the Department of Environmental Protection and the sewer authority board over some of the issues facing the sewer authority.”

The presentation on Monday provided statistics on demographic changes in Shenandoah, which shows a sharp drop in population from 1970 to 2010. Shenandoah’s population fell at a greater rate than Schuylkill County and Pennsylvania, dropping almost 40 percent since 1970.

The study also shows that the largest population decline is in the 65 and older age bracket at 50.3 percent from 1990 to 2010, while the “Under 18” age category shows an increase of 12.7 percent in that 20-year period.

“The reason this is important is because the borough’s taxes rely on both the value of property for property taxes, and both the value of wages,” Cross said. “So people who are earning income can pay earned income tax to the school district and the borough.”

Cross noted that the number of people in the age bracket that would work has declined 8.2 percent in the past 20 years.

The report also included a demographic trend involving changes in housing units and the median owner-occupied housing values, which showed that while median value of those properties in Shenandoah increased by 14.6 percent from 2000 to 2010, the median property value in Schuylkill County increased by 47.7 percent, and the state increase was 64.2 percent.

The key recommended financial initiatives are:

· Apply for EIP Phase II funds for water and sewer authority studies and expertise.

· Develop strategies to increase property tax, water and sewer revenue collection, and consider hiring a third-party collection firm.

· Consider becoming a home rule charter community.

· Review fines, fees and charges for services to ensure amounts cover the provision of services.

· Establish a multi-year capital plan and budget.

· Follow accounting recommendations aligned with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) standards, audit disclosures and periodic review by an outside accounting firm.

Richard P. Vilello Jr., executive director of DCED’s Governor’s Center for Local Government Services, said Shenandoah is not unique in what it is going through.

“I served in municipal government for years. I served as mayor of Lock Haven for 16 years,” Vilello said. “What Jerry (Cross) says about your situation not being unique is true. You really aren’t unique. One of the things that I want to see is for us to be your partner. There was a lot of bad news heard tonight, but you should find consolation when I say you’re not the only one. We have a lot of people, you have a good team that has given you a good start with some ideas where to begin. None of them will solve the problem all in one swoop. All of them will help, and I’ll do whatever I can.”

Vilello said Shenandoah will get the necessary advice and assistance to move forward.

“When somebody comes and says that they have really smart people and they want to help you, usually there is a price tag to it,” Vilello said. “One of the things that I’m here to say is that we won’t charge you for sending the really smart people. We can turn it around. I know we can. We need to do something quickly, especially with the PENNVEST loan with the water authority. That’s something that we have to get on the ball with starting tomorrow. We’ll be here to help. Just make a phone call.”

Council Vice President Leo Pietkiewicz asked Cross about his evaluation of the borough’s performance in dealing with the problems.

“Seeing what we faced, in your opinion how was our borough ran facing what we were facing all this time?” Pietkiewicz asked Cross.

“Given what you’ve gone through and where you are today, I think you navigated those waters pretty good,” Cross replied. “You were able to work with your banks. You kept the confidence of the banks all through that time when you didn’t have a lot of money, which to me says the banks saw the situation. If you remember, Scranton a couple of years ago ran out of money. The reason they ran out of money was that the council acted irresponsibly and the banks ran out. They had a problem. They had a bad time in Scranton, but they reacted poorly.”

Cross continued, “I think if you look at how the banks deal with a municipality in extending credit, that tells you what you need to know about how the borough is seen on the outside. Now, having said that, as you shrank your staff, as you dispersed out your duties, as you shrank the police department, you can’t say you did a great job there because some of the things caused problems, but you got through it. Simply continuing to lay people off or try to make people do more with less is not going to get you anywhere.”

When Cross closed the presentation, the public applauded Cross and the DCED team for the information they provided about the borough.

Big Diamond Raceway LLC and its owners cannot pursue claims that Cass Township and its supervisors unlawfully taxed them, sought to put them out of business and intimidated drivers and spectators, three Commonwealth Court judges decided Tuesday.

In an 18-page opinion and order, the three-judge panel ruled state law bars the Forestville racetrack and owners Frederick and Krista Roehrig from seeking damages against the township for its supervisors’ official actions.

The supervisors are “high public officials” under state law, and, as such, are entitled to immunity for actions taken in the course of their official duties, Judge Patricia A. McCullough wrote.

“Immunity will apply even when an official acts with malicious intent or the intent to harm,” McCullough wrote.

The only claim to survive is an allegation that Big Diamond and the Roehrigs were defamed by Supervisor James D. Thomas in emails he sent to township residents. In that respect alone, the panel reversed county Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin, who had dismissed the entire lawsuit on April 24, 2014, and returned that claim to the county court.

Tuesday’s ruling marks a victory for the township in its ongoing battle with the Roehrigs over operation of the popular racetrack.

On March 29, 2012, the township adopted a new ordinance imposing a 10 percent tax on admission fees and requiring participants to pay the tax. On July 26, 2012, it adopted an amendment imposing the responsibility for payment of the tax on the owners and operators of the facility instead of the patrons.

Big Diamond and the Roehrigs filed their complaint on July 8, 2013, asking for unspecified monetary damages in excess of $50,000, plus attorney fees, costs and punitive damages, and demanding a jury trial of the case.

Enacting ordinances and directing the police are considered official duties under state law, so the claims asserted by Big Diamond and the Roehrigs must fail, McCullough wrote.

“The conduct alleged in the complaint ... indisputably falls within the course and scope of the supervisors’ official duties,” she wrote. “Therefore, we conclude that these claims are barred by high public official immunity.”

Such immunity serves a public purpose by encouraging full discussion of public business and complete public knowledge of the conduct and facts of that business, according to McCullough.

McCullough also wrote that Dolbin properly considered the immunity defense because the facts were clear that it applied to the case.

Furthermore, there was no point in allowing Big Diamond and the Roehrigs to amend their complaint because no changes in it would affect the applicability of immunity, according to McCullough.

However, the claim that Thomas defamed the Roehrigs and Big Diamond is not obviously based on an action taken in the course of the supervisor’s official duties, McCullough wrote.

She wrote that the panel is not making a judgment on the legality of the ordinance, since Big Diamond did not raise that issue, or whether the parties’ conduct was proper.

“We recognize the potential for abuse inherent in the common law doctrine of high official immunity, as interpreted by our Supreme Court, where the doctrine applies notwithstanding malice or motive,” McCullough wrote.

McCullough wrote that the law varies widely in determining whether such statements have been made in the course of official duties.

“The question ... is a fact-specific determination that cannot be made with certainty at this stage of the proceedings,” she wrote.

Judge Bonnie Brigance Leadbetter and Senior Judge James Gardner Colins, the other panel members, joined in McCullough’s opinion.

James R. Ferrier

ORWIGSBURG — A North Manheim Township woman is headed to Schuylkill County Court after waiving her right to a preliminary hearing Monday on charges stemming from an alleged sale of heroin in June in Cressona.

Carissa D. Wallace, 26, of 29 Geary Road, Pottsville, faces three counts of conspiracy and one of possession of a controlled substance. Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier bound over those charges for court after Wallace waived her right to the hearing.

Prosecutors withdrew charges of delivery of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

The Schuylkill County Drug Task Force alleged Wallace conspired with a friend to possess and sell five bundles of heroin for $340 to a confidential informant on June 18 near 121 River St., Cressona.

Detectives said Wallace stayed in her friend’s Jeep while the friend delivered the heroin to the confidential informant.

Detectives also said they stopped the Jeep, searched it and found 16 additional bundles of heroin.

When interviewed, Wallace said she knew her friend was going to Reading to pick up heroin and that one of two plastic baggies containing more heroin was hers, detectives said.

A field test showed the substance was heroin, according to detectives.

Wallace is free after posting $1,000, 10 percent of her $10,000 percentage bail, pending further court proceedings.

David A. Plachko

PORT CARBON — A Pottsville man charged with damaging a window at a Minersville tavern on March 19 waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko.

Joseph Vuksta, 26, of 1918 Elm St. was arrested by Minersville police Patrolman Jeffrey Bowers and charged with one misdemeanor count each of criminal mischief and recklessly endangering another person. By waiving his right to a hearing, Vuksta will have to answer to both charges against him in Schuylkill County Court.

Bowers charged Vuksta with going to Miners Tavern, where he was denied alcoholic beverages several times due to him being intoxicated.

Vuksta was escorted out of the business but returned, began banging on a window and threw a brick through a window in the vicinity of patrons who were inside, Bowers said. Damage to the business was estimated at $2,160, the officer said.

Other court cases included:

Kayla M. Wallace, 24, of 58 Clay St., New Philadelphia — waived for court: DUI, DUI-high rate, disregard for single traffic lane, driving at an unsafe speed, careless driving and failure to use safety belts.

Joseph M. Fedornak, 21, of 566 S. Third St., Pottsville — waived for court: DUI, DUI-controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Karen M. Geiger, 38, of 303 Broad St., Saint Clair — waived for court: DUI, DUI-highest rate and restrictions on alcoholic beverages.

Richard W. Shiner, 27, of 1398 West Penn Pike, New Ringgold — held for court: receiving stolen property.

Henry Maurer, 45, of 101 S. Third St., Saint Clair — withdrawn: making materially false written statements regarding the purchase, delivery or transfer of firearms.

Brittany L. Guris, 25, of 36 Kimber St., Apt. B, New Philadelphia — held for court: retail theft.

Brendan M. Gray, 25, of 21 Land St., Minersville —waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Dawn M. Hossler, 48, of 441 Hess St., Schuylkill Haven — held for court: retail theft.

Dakota S. Whitman, 20, of 20 Spruce St., Minersville — withdrawn: simple assault and harassment.

David Arispe, 64, of 247 Valley St., New Philadelphia — dismissed: aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment.

Elisah Ann Wonsock, 31, 221 Middle St., Minersville — waived for court: possession of a controlled substance.

Richard A. Pizzo, 32, of 206 Sunbury St., Minersville — withdrawn: conspiracy and harassment.

Anthony J. Kilker

SHENANDOAH — A Shenandoah man charged with providing false information to police on June 14 had charges against him held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.

John I. Via II, 32, of 304 W. Poplar St., was arrested by Shenandoah police Patrolman David Stamets and charged with one misdemeanor count each of false identification to law enforcement and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kilker determined the commonwealth proved a prima facie case and ordered both charges against Via held for Schuylkill County Court.

Stamets said officers were called to a West Chester Street home for a report of a man who was wanted and found Via in an upstairs room trying to hide under a child’s bed with a hypodermic needle near him on the floor. When asked his name, Stamets said Via initially identified himself as John Hollenbach.

When asked why he used a false name, Via said it was because he thought he had warrants out for his arrest, Stamets said. The man also admitted that he uses the hypodermic needle to inject heroin, the officer said.

MINERSVILLE — Borough officials are cracking down on blight violations now that they’ve passed a new ordinance and joined a county land bank.

“Minersville borough, by enacting Ordinance 314 and joining the land bank, is taking blight seriously,” borough Manager Robert “Bob” Mahalchick said Thursday. “Blight is not only unsightly but a health issue as well. It drives down home values as well as increase expenses for emergency, police and borough services. Revenues for the borough also take a hit. It’s like a double-edge sword.”

The borough council voted unanimously at their regular monthly meeting Aug. 11 to join the land bank as an effective way to fight blight.

“The land bank is an entity being established to acquire, manage, maintain and re-purpose vacant, abandoned and foreclosed properties,” Mahalchick said.

Benefits of the land bank include the following:

• The land bank can acquire blighted and dilapidated properties easier than a municipality can. The ultimate goal would be to get those properties back on the tax rolls.

• The land bank can acquire a property that can be salvaged. A land bank can renovate and sell it to get it back on the tax rolls.

• The land bank can negotiate with the Schuylkill County Tax Claim Bureau if a property is eligible for judicial sale. A borough or municipality can’t do this.

• Money from the land bank can be used for demolition, purchasing or rehabilitating.

• The land bank creates an opportunity for the borough and school district to make money rather than letting private developers purchase cheap properties, do minimal work to resell them and then neglect them.

• It allows the land bank to acquire property headed for tax sales before the sheriff’s auction starts.

• The land bank is able to clear the title to a property through expedited quiet title action.

• The land bank can trump another bid at a foreclosure sale with a prior notice of the sale to the parties.

The decision to join a land bank meant that the borough council must also pass Ordinance 314, a blight ordinance modeled after Act 90, which has been state law since April 25, 2011.

“The ordinance gives us some tools that we previously didn’t have. The additional tools carry a powerful punch in addressing the owners and agents of blighted properties.”

Some of the those new tools include the following:

• It allows the borough to replace the often futile round of citations, unpaid fines, arrest warrants, appearances before magisterial district judges and more fines.

• It gives the borough authority to file liens on any assets of major violators, such as a home, car, boat or bank account, for serious property code violations.

• It permits the seizure of assets equal to any penalties against the owner and any costs incurred by the borough to remedy code violations.

• It permits extradition from out of state.

• It allows the borough to deny permits, such as building and zoning permits, to property owners with unremedied code violations and delinquent payments on city services.

Fighting blight has been a challenge for Minersville, but the borough hopes their future efforts will help clean up the borough.

Money stolen

from vehicles

ELIZABETHVILLE — State police at Lykens are investigating a theft that occurred between 9 p.m. Aug. 9 and 5:30 a.m. Aug. 10 in the 1400 block of North Second Street in Washington Township, Dauphin County.

Police said a 56-year-old Lykens woman and a 51-year-old Elizabethville man reported that someone stole about $45 from three vehicles that were parked in the driveway of a residence.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 717-362-8700 and refer to case H05-2412363.

City man wanted

in Delano Twp.

QUAKAKE — A Pottsville man is wanted by state police at Frackville in connection with an incident that occurred about 5:20 a.m. Monday at 477 Main St. in this Delano Township village.

Police said Dustin R. Yeager, 18, was given the keys to a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee owned by Denise Schock, 46, of Quakake, to remove items from inside but decided to take the vehicle without permission.

The man, while being chased around the property by the owner, drove over a bedliner and a hand truck and also damaged the lawn, police said.

Yeager fled onto a nearby pole line where he damaged the rear differential of the vehicle, causing it to become disabled, police said. The damaged vehicle was recovered, but Yeager fled the area on foot, police said.

Police said a warrant will be issued for Yeager charging him with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, criminal mischief and careless driving.

Car’s rear window

reported smashed

NEW PHILADELPHIA — State police at Frackville are investigating a criminal mischief incident that occurred between 10:30 p.m. Monday and 3:30 a.m. Tuesday at 42 Water St.

Police said Drake Ulrich reported that someone smashed the rear window on his 1999 Audi and fled the scene. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-874-5300.

Details released

about accident

Pottsville police released details about an accident that occurred about 10:15 a.m. Aug. 10 in the 300 block of East Norwegian Street.

Police said officers were called to the area for a report of a car hanging over a wall and determined that Shirley Aldrich, 69, of Shenandoah, was driving her Pontiac west on East Norwegian Street near the intersection with North George Street and tried to enter the parking lot for Moyer’s Electronics.

Police said Aldrich entered the lot where it appeared to her the entrance was, but her vehicle became lodged on a retaining wall at the northeast corner of the parking lot.

Pottsville firefighters responded to stabilize the car before Aldrich and her passenger, Betty Marcoux, Shenandoah, were safely removed.

Police said no injuries occurred, the vehicle was removed from the wall by a towing service and Schuylkill EMS assisted at the scene. Damage was listed as minimal to both the wall and the Aldrich car and police said East Norwegian Street was closed for less than a half hour.

Hydrant struck

in Pottsville

Pottsville police investigated a crash that occurred at 5:35 p.m. Sunday in the 400 block of Nichols Street.

Police said Albert Troutman, 64, of Cressona, was driving a Ford Escort east when he lost control, crossed into the oncoming lane and struck a fire hydrant.

Troutman was evaluated at the scene by Schuylkill EMS and taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street for additional evaluation and treatment, police said.

Police said there was extensive damage to the fire hydrant and roadway, requiring the Pottsville Street Department and Schuylkill County Municipal Authority to be called to the scene.

Both east and westbound traffic was detoured for about an hour with the assistance of Pottsville Fire Police.

Police said the accident is still under investigation and that relevant charges will be filed if deemed appropriate.

Rush Township asked Schuylkill County Court on Tuesday to block proposed changes by Tamaqua Area School District in the use of its elementary school in Hometown.

Proposed changes, including allowing nonresident students to attend, would violate Rush’s zoning ordinance, the township alleged in its petition.

It asked the court to issue an injunction barring Tamaqua Area from operating any school on the property that allows nonresident students to attend until it obtains a special exception from the township zoning hearing board.

“A preliminary injunction is necessary to prevent immediate and irreparable harm to Rush Township that, because of its nature as a violation of its zoning ordinance, cannot be adequately compensated by damages,” the petition reads in part.

Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin has scheduled a hearing on the township’s petition for 10 a.m. Sept. 4 at the Schuylkill County Courthouse.

In its petition, the township alleges Rush Township Elementary School, one of three operated by the district, is located at 50 Meadow Ave. in an R-4 zoning district.

The current public school is a nonconforming use that existed at the time Rush enacted its zoning ordinance and is permitted by law, the township acknowledged. However, any change to a nonconforming use cannot be made unless the board grants a special exception, according to the petition.

That would even include a change within the same classification of uses, such as schools, according to the petition.

The township zoning officer has issued a notice of violation to Tamaqua Area ordering it to halt the new use, the petition reads in part.

Under the zoning ordinance, a public school must offer a “free education for children located within a public school district,” the petition reads in part.

However, Tamaqua Area has asked the state Department of Education to allow it to change the school to an academy, which would include an early intervention program, special education, career employment programs, online learning opportunities and nonresident students paying a fee to attend, according to the petition.

That is different from a public school and, therefore, represents a change in the nonconforming use of the property, according to the petition. That means Tamaqua Area must get a special exception from the board, even though both uses are considered schools, the petition reads in part.

A preliminary injunction would return the township and school district to the status quo existing before the change and would not harm the public interest, according to the petition. Tamaqua Area could continue to use the school as it has done while the lawsuit is being decided, even if the court issues the injunction, the petition reads in part.

HARRISBURG — A veteran Capitol activist filed his second legal complaint Tuesday against embattled state Attorney General Kathleen Kane.

Gene Stilp, a Wilkes-Barre native, said he filed a complaint with the state Ethics Commission seeking an investigation of Kane’s use of state-owned property and state employees to defend herself against criminal charges in connection with a grand jury leak.

“Sure, she can fight for her defense,” Stilp said at a press conference in the Capitol Rotunda. “Do it as a private citizen.”

He cited Kane’s use of the Capitol Media Center during an Aug. 12 press conference several days after she was arraigned on charges of obstruction, lying to a grand jury and conspiracy. He also mentioned the involvement of security personnel, broadcasting personnel from Commonwealth Media Services and Kane’s spokesman. At the press event, Kane said she was innocent of the charges but did not address the specific allegations. Kane called for the release of pornographic emails related to an earlier scandal in the attorney general’s office that she said are key to her defense. But she would not answer questions from reporters about either case.

Kane spokesman Chuck Ardo said the criminal case involves actions Kane has taken as attorney general.

“The case is against her individually, but it is intertwined with her being attorney general,” he said.

Kane is seeking the public release of emails that are under control of the attorney general’s office, Ardo said. She also reimbursed the state $325 for use of a satellite feed for the press conference.

As an elected official, Kane can use the Capitol Media Center and is entitled to security, he said. The state Ethics Commission operates under confidentiality rules in handling complaints. Stilp has made a practice of voluntary disclosure when previously filing complaints against public officials.

Stilp filed a complaint last week with the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania seeking action to suspend Kane’s law license because of the charges. A suspension could trigger her removal as attorney general.

Pennsylvania needs a trustworthy attorney general who does not have criminal charges hanging over her head, Stilp said. He is using old suitcases as props in a campaign to pressure her to resign.