SCHUYLKILL HAVEN – Stamina.

It’s one of the keys to giving a great performance on stage, in particular during “The Nutcracker,” according to Megan Bensinger, 22, of New Ringgold, who reprised the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy at the Schuylkill Ballet Theatre’s 36th annual production of the classic ballet on Sunday.

“Total, I’ve been in this company’s performance of ‘The Nutcracker’ nine times. This is the ninth. And, total, I’ve played the Sugar Plum Fairy four times. Stamina is a big thing with the character, since you have to do three consecutive dances that aren’t the shortest of pieces,” Bensinger said before Sunday’s show at Schuylkill Haven Area’s Zwerling Auditorium in Schuylkill Haven.

“Like Megan said, it’s ‘stamina.’ You have to keep up your energy and just make sure you’re spot on and always ready to go,” said Meredith Krewson, 17, a senior at Blue Mountain who played Dew Drop in the company’s production.

This year’s production was under the direction of Vivian Connor, who was assisted by Sarah Schimpf. The production included 42 performers, 10 people on the light and sound crew, four seamstresses, two choreographers and numerous parent volunteers, according to Janet Bair, president of Schuylkill Ballet Theatre.

This year’s Clara was Kelly Karpovich, 14, a freshman at Blue Mountain High School. She is the daughter of Carlos and Karen Karpovich, Schuylkill Haven.

“She auditioned with five other dancers. She was judged by three experienced dance judges. She scored the highest overall in musicality, technique and performance. All lead roles are auditioned by these three judges,” Bair said.

This is the sixth year Karpovich has been part of the company’s production of “The Nutcracker.”

“I’ve never played this role before, but I’ve wanted to for years. It’s such a fun role,” Karpovich said.

It’s also demanding, since the audience is usually watching the character’s every move.

“I know that in the second act when I sit in the chair, everyone’s watching me. So I have to know that I have to continue to be animated,” Karpovich said.

When she got the role of Clara, she set goals for herself.

“I definitely wanted to improve my left leg flexibility because it’s not as great as my right. And I wanted to improve my acting and self confidence,” she said.

Bensinger did too.

“Every time I reprise a role, I like to try to do it differently, change up the choreography, and I like to try more difficult lifts each time. And Ben and I have been getting better and better at that,” Bensinger said, referring to her co-star, Ben Schuettler, Port Carbon, who played The Prince.

And these roles require the dancers to keep in shape. Bensinger said regular exercise is a must.

To successfully bring the classic ballet back to the stage again and again, the organizers are also challenged to make the production feel fresh, Bair said.

“It’s a tradition here. Some people use this as their tradition to start off their holiday season. The choreographers, Viv and Sarah, work every year to change it up while sticking to the original ‘Nutcracker,’ ” Bair said.

Based on the story, “The Nutcracker and the King of Mice” by E.T.A. Hoffman, it tells of a young German girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King. Russian composer Peter Tchaikovsky later turned the story into the world-famous ballet.

The company, which opened in 1970, has been performing “The Nutcracker” consecutively since 1979.

“What I’m going to remember about this year’s show is there was a feeling of family all around. That’s super special because some dance companies and teams are super competitive,” Meredith Krewson said.

She is the daughter of Jill Krewson, vice president of Schuylkill Ballet Theatre. This is the eighth year Meredith has participated in its production of “The Nutcracker.”

NEW PHILADELPHIA — On Sunday evening, the borough ushered in the holiday season with carols, strings of white lights illuminating the trees in the square and a memorable retelling of the story of the birth of Christ.

Before a crowd of more than 150, a group of neighborhood children dressed up in costumes to re-enact the manger scene, while Michala Zembas, 15, spoke into a microphone and read “The Story of the Nativity” by Henry Bellew.

“A magnificent brightness lit up the sky when an angel appeared to Mary, a young pure women, who was engaged to be married to Joseph. The angel announced that she was going to have a baby. ‘That’s impossible for I am not yet married,’ answered Mary. ‘This baby will be very special. He will be the son of God.’ Although Mary did not fully understand, she agreed to the Word of God. She was devout. Some months later, Mary and Joseph were married. When it was near to her time, they traveled to Bethlehem but found it very crowded. Not a room was available. Then one kind man, noticing how tired and heavy with child she was, offered them the use of a stable,” Zembas said.

The entire version of Bellew’s story can be found on www.christmasnightinc.com.

Among the onlookers were Paul Benulis, his wife, Monica, and son, Blake, 8 months, all of Brockton.

“It’s great! It’s really nice that the town still does this. Not every town is big enough to have something like this,” Paul, who grew up in New Philadelphia, said.

Sponsored by New Philadelphia Community Organization, the annual Christmas Tree Lighting in the Town Square at Water Street has been a tradition for many years, according to Mayor Frances Tkach. She wasn’t certain when it began.

“I think we’ve done it for 20 years, and prior to us the Rotarians did it. I’m in office since 1994, so I know the New Philadelphia Community Organization took over the event soon after that,” Tkach said.

Dolores Nawrocki and other members of the organization served hot chocolate and cookies to the crowd, and the aroma of meats cooking over a wood-fire grill filled the square.

Employees at The Coal Box were grilling hamburgers, sausages and ribs, according to Tanya Glick, the bar manager.

“We grill outside every weekend, Texas-barbecue style,” Glick said.

She praised the community’s efforts to make its Christmas tree lighting a special event.

“With the children singing and the carriage rides, it’s always a delightful experience,” Glick said.

After the Christmas tree was lit Sunday night, the community was treated to free horse-and-carriage rides with Santa on board. The community organization hired Leiby’s Carriage Service, Tamaqua.

ASHLAND — The Ashland Food Pantry received a welcome donation from Boyer’s Food Markets on Wednesday that will assist local residents in providing food for themselves and their families.

The supermarket chain, based in Orwigsburg, presented $1,240 in gift cards to the Ashland Area Ministerium, the operator of the local food pantry at the Ashland store. The funds for the gift cards are raised through donations by customers at the checkouts and then matched by Boyer’s. Ashland and 17 other stores in the Boyer’s chain hold the annual program for one week to support the food pantries in each store area. The ministerium’s food pantry is located at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Ashland.

Ashland store assistant manager Daniel Jenkins Jr. presented 62 gift cards worth $20 each to the Rev. Dana Heckman-Beil, pastor of Good Shepherd, and Pamela Snyder, who is the community food pantry coordinator.

Jenkins has been working at the Ashland store for about four months, having worked at the Tamaqua store for five years.

“We collected donations at the checkouts that help the community,” Jenkins said. “We also have the Salvation Army in front of the store.”

Snyder said Boyer’s has been helping the local food pantry for more than 10 years. The food pantry began in Gordon and moved to Ashland when a local church closed.

“I know Boyer’s as a whole has been doing it for a long time as a company,” Jenkins said of the food pantry program.

“We’ll hand them out in December,” Snyder said.

“That will be the third Thursday in December,” Heckman-Beil said. “This way they can have them for Christmas. It helps. When the community helps the community, it is amazing. It helps us provide for the community.”

Heckman-Beil added, “It’s a tough world out there. People are struggling, and we’re doing every little thing we can do. Boyer’s is awesome for doing this.”

Heckman-Beil said the pantry served about 190 people in November.

“You can see how all donations are needed to continue to serve our community,” Heckman-Beil said “Items needed each month include peanut butter, jelly, soups, canned vegetables, pasta, sauce, tuna and cereal. We continue to be thankful for the Scouting for Food program. That helps tremendously.”

Students who need community service hours at their high school are more than welcome.

“If you are a student and in need of community service hours, we can help out with that,” Heckman-Beil said. “And if you are in need of a senior project, food collections and meals are a need for our community, and the Ashland Ministerium can be that opportunity for you.”

Each food pantry day shows the need for the service.

“On the day of food distribution, the line at the Good Shepherd Lutheran parking lot starts as early as 10:30 a.m., with distribution starting at noon,” Heckman-Beil said. “When the line wraps around the lot and church, that is evidence there is a need. We, the ministerium, are here, and active providing food and help for a much needed community. The ministerium is a group whose only desire is to serve together in the name of our Lord, serving as Christ in and for our community always. Donations — food and monetary — are always needed. And the community thanks you.”

Hegins Township — Dolly M. Klouser to Jeffrey T. and Beth Ann Bowman; 218 Grove Drive, Hegins; $135,000.

Mahanoy City — Mary H. Dziadosz to Joseph Loria and Debra Ann Romano; 438 W. Mahanoy Ave.; $20,000.

HEGINS — A two-alarm blaze at a garage Sunday night sent dozens of firefighters into the borough and sent one person to the hospital.

According to a supervisor at Schuylkill County Communications Center, Pottsville, the fire at the 919 E. Main St. garage was called in at 7:31 p.m.

One person suffered burns and was taken by Geisinger Life Flight 5 to a burn unit at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown, according to the supervisor.

Responders included firefighters from Hegins, Pine Grove, Englewood, Pitman, Sacramento and Donaldson. The fire was reported under control at 8:03 p.m.

SHENANDOAH — A Reading man was jailed Monday, charged with leading police officers on a pursuit that resulted in a Shenandoah police cruiser demolished and another vehicle damaged.

Bryon D. Scheuring, 24, of 14 Beechwood Drive, was arraigned on two felony counts of attempted murder and two counts of attempted criminal homicide of a law enforcement officer and committed to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $100,000 straight cash bail.

Shenandoah police Capt. Michael O’Neill and Patrolman David Stamets also charged Scheuring with six felony counts of aggravated assault; two felony counts of aggravated assault on police; and one felony count each of flight to avoid apprehension or punishment, fleeing or attempting to elude police and criminal mischief.

Police said the incident began about 11:10 p.m. Sunday when Stamets tried to pull over a 2003 Chevrolet Impala driven by Scheuring for an equipment violation. The officer said that, instead of stopping, Scheuring fled on several streets in the borough, accelerating before turning onto Route 924, North Main Street, and then onto Washington Street where he went off the road where the street ends near the Shenandoah helipad.

Scheuring then began to turn the vehicle around, struck a marked police cruiser and sped away on Washington Street toward O’Neill, who was in another vehicle, and forced him off the road, Stamets said.

Stamets said Scheuring eventually made his way to Centre Street, Route 54, where he turned left to go east at a high rate of speed, often on the wrong side of the road, passing other motorists.

Mahanoy City police were called to assist and positioned their vehicle at the intersection of Routes 54 and 4030 where Mahanoy City Chief John Kaczmarczyk placed spike strips that deflated tires on the Scheuring car as he drove by.

Stamets said Scheuring then turned east onto Route 54, drove behind buildings at the Blaschak Coal Corp., and came back onto Route 54, traveling west, where he struck a passing motorist, causing that vehicle to collide with O’Neill’s car.

Scheuring continued west where, a short distance away, he drove the car up a steep, grassy embankment where it got stuck, Stamets said.

Stamets said Scheuring fled on foot but was taken into custody a short distance away with the assistance of West Mahanoy Township police Patrolman John Kaczmarczyk when he tried to hide on an embankment that leads to a body of water, Stamets said.

After the arraignment, O’Neill said, Scheuring reported fleeing police because he was wanted on an outstanding warrant for firearms violations out of the office of Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Shenandoah police Chief George Carado said state police from the Frackville station are investigating the crash involving the Scheuring vehicle, the borough police cruiser and the third vehicle involved.

State police did not release any information on that crash Monday.

No officers, nor two people in the second vehicle involved in the crash, were injured, Carado said.

Further charges against Scheuring from Sunday’s events include misdemeanor offenses of one count each of accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property and resisting arrest; four counts of simple assault; and nine counts of recklessly endangering another person.

Scheuring is also charged with five counts of stop and yield sign violations; two counts of limitations on overtaking on the left; and one summary offense each of driving at an unsafe speed, drivers required to be licensed, traffic control signals-steady red signal, general lighting requirements, careless driving, trespass by motor vehicle, reckless driving and duty to give information and render aid.

After presiding over the arraignments, Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, set a preliminary hearing for Scheuring on the charges for 10 a.m. Dec. 17 in his Shenandoah courtroom.

ASHLAND — With winter and freezing temperatures approaching, the Ashland Area Municipal Authority reservoir upgrade project will go into hibernation until the spring and completion of the project.

The authority board heard the monthly engineer’s report at Monday’s meeting from Alfred Benesch & Co. senior designer Natalie L. O’Connor on the reason for stopping the work.

The original plan was to complete all major components of the project before year’s end. The final stage involves the valve workings on the upstream side of the reservoir, something that was not originally part of the project to raise the dam breast by five feet in order to allow water during a very heavy storm event to leave the dam in a more controlled manner through the spillway rather than over the top of the dam, which is a major safety issue. The safety improvement was mandated by the state Department of Environmental Protection.

The valve installation involves the use of divers for the underwater work, with the plan to get the work done before ice begins to form on the reservoir. At the October meeting, the board was told valve work was expected to be completed in November.

“The diving contractor has not commenced his work,” O’Connor told the board. “It was determined that the water surface elevation is below an elevation where the crane can reach over the new wall. The water level is down too far, so we’re on hold until the spring. At this point as we’re getting closer to freezing temperatures and ice forming on the dam, I’d rather wait until the spring. It’s not going to cost us any more money. It’s just on hold.”

O’Connor said the water level is down 15 feet, too low to use the crane to lower the needed equipment for the divers. The reservoir level had been lowered in order to raise the dam breast and upgrade other areas.

“We anticipate the underwater work to begin in the spring when water surface elevation has returned to normal,” O’Connor said. “The crane and the valve have been delivered and are being stored at the water treatment plant.”

AAMA board Chairman Francis Menne asked if the delay will cause a problem with the DEP.

“There won’t be a problem at all,” O’Connor replied. “They are already informed.”

O’Connor also reported the piezometers at the reservoir are being monitored on a weekly basis. A piezometer is a device that measures the pressure of groundwater at a specific point.

“DEP expressed concerns last month regarding the stability analysis and flow on the dam embankment during construction of the new drain system,” O’Connor said. “We purged the piezometers two weeks ago due to DEP’s additional concerns, and the readings returned to normal. We will continue to monitor at DEP’s request until the water surface elevaton returns to the normal pool elevation.”

The final plant manager report of William Miller was read by O’Connor. Miller retired at the end of November and is an employee of M&B Environmental Inc., which is contracted by the borough as operator of the filtration plant and water system. Miller has been replaced by M&B employee Patrick J. O’Boyle, Frackville, according to O’Connor.

O’Connor said the filter media replacement project is almost completed. The filter media is used in the filtration plant to remove particulates from the raw water from the reservoir. This will be the first replacement of the original media that has been in place since the plant began operation more than 20 years ago.

In the borough manager report, Raymond Jones Jr. said the new thawing machine, the Pulse Jet De-icer, arrived last week.

The board decided to not meet in December as per past practice. A special meeting will be called if the need arises.

Deeds

Ashland — Terrance J. and Lynn M. Wolfgang to Michelle L. McGee; 39 N. 19th St.; $1.

Cass Township — Aloys Pellish, Nicholas Pellish and Michelle A. Schulze, executrix of the Estate of Samuel Pellish, to John J. Lesko II; 2 Willow Lane; $36,000.

East Union Township — Brandon Stem and Sheri L. Loechner-Stem to Robert M. and Sonja I. Pastucha; 16 Chestnut St., Brandonville; $91,000.

Frackville — Stella Trubilla, individually and as executrix of the Estate of Dorothy Trubilla, to Ronald and Carol Ketterer; property on Arch Street; $100,000.

Girardville — Stephen Piga Jr. to Marvin Robles; property on Ash Alley; $2,800.

Landingville — Heath and Melissa M. Miller to Melissa M. Miller; 110 Canal St.; $1.

Mahanoy City — Anthony E. Jannuzzi to Blackfoot Development Trust; 28 W. Spruce St.; $3,800.

Jubilee Ministries to Blackfoot Development Trust; 6 Pine St.; $19,900.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to William R. Repkie Sr.; 428 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $2,100.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to William R. Repkie Sr. 430 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $5,050.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Hector Trinidad; 1113 E. Market St.; $929.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to William R. Repkie Sr.; 304 W. Mahanoy Ave.; $779.

McAdoo — Dolores A. Craig, by attorney in fact Sonya DeGennaro, to Gloria E. Maldonado; 107 S. Sheridan St.; $14,000.

Minersville — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Jerry R. Breck III; 461 North St.; $2,000.

New Philadelphia — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to John D. Williams; 33 Water St.; $754.

Early Monday, Maria Lamana, Pottsville, took to the woods with her father, spotted a six-point buck in her scope and stopped it with one shot.

It was the first deer she’d ever bagged. And what made the occasion more memorable was the fact that Monday, the first day of rifle-deer season, was her 16th birthday.

“She’s sweet 16 today!” her mother, Susan, said.

“It was around 9:15 a.m.,” Maria, a sophomore cyber school student, said.

She was one of the more than 700,000 hunters the Pennsylvania Game Commission estimated would be out on the hunt for antlered deer Monday, the start of the statewide 12-day firearms deer season that concludes Dec. 12, according to The Associated Press.

Maria Lamana and her father, Daniel, started out early Monday morning.

“This is my first year out hunting. Hunting is a tradition in our family. And we went to Tumbling Run,” Maria said.

“It was in Blythe Township,” her mother said.

“We walked up the mountain around 5. We started hunting around 6 and waited it out,” Maria said.

She wasn’t sure she’d be able to bring one home.

“I had some hopes. We were up there until 9. And we were going to quit. We were ready to leave. And it showed up,” Maria said.

She was using a lever-action rifle.

“I shot it around 9:15,” she said.

And she hit the deer behind its right shoulder.

“When I saw the deer, I didn’t realize it had already been hit. It was already wounded by somebody else. Someone else had taken a shot at it,” Maria said.

Also, she noticed the horns on the buck she bagged were worn down. A few were broken.

“It looks like it’s been in a lot of fights,” Maria said.

The family took the deer to Mar Lin Markets in Norwegian Township by noon. Steve Petchulis, the manager at the butcher shop, said the family’s order included “steaks, ground meat and the backstraps.”

Many hunters were out and about in Schuylkill County on Monday morning.

“We couldn’t afford to have the head mounted,” her mother said.

But the antlers will be mounted on a velvet plaque.

Other hunters out in the woods in Schuylkill County on Monday morning included Jim Bowers, 67, of Brockton. At 11 a.m., he was in Schuylkill Township, just off Route 1011 near the Ryan Township line. With him was Tom Trovinger, 48, of MaryD.

“I’ve been here since 25 to 6 this morning, and shooting time was roughly around 20 to 7. Not sure if there are a lot of deer on this mountain. I think the deer are in places where we’re not allowed to hunt them, on private property. But it’s a beautiful day,” Bowers said.

“Rain tomorrow,” Trovinger said.

Trovinger said his uncle, Charles Thomas, MaryD, pulled a buck out of the woods near there about 9:30 a.m.

“It was a 10-pointer,” Trovinger said.

At 11:15 a.m., Fred Higgins, 73, of Macungie, Lehigh County, was hunting in the woods along Brockton Mountain Drive in Ryan Township.

Higgins, a Mahanoy City native, said he arrived about 5:30 a.m. to set up.

“It was cold,” he said, and he had a Polar Heat seat with him. “I think it was in the 20s, and it was wet. The leaves and all were wet. I’d say I walked about three or four miles this morning. And I saw two doe, and that was about it,” Higgins said.

But that didn’t dampen his spirits.

“It’s always a good day up here. I’ve been hunting up here since I was 12 years old,” Higgins said.

At 11:33 a.m., three doe rushed across a lawn near 722 Brockton Mountain Drive, Barnesville.

At 11:45 a.m., a group of hunters, a mix of family and friends, were taking a break in Ryan Township.

They included Russ Rzeplinski, 53, of Fredericksburg, Lebanon County, and his father, Stanley, 83, of Lebanon; Ray Peters, 74, of Hazleton; and Mark Benfer, 49, of Mifflinburg, Union County, and his son, Andy, 13.

“I saw a few here and there. It’s not as good as we were hoping,” Russ Rzeplinski said.

He said he’d bagged “one or two” in the area in years past.

His father, Stanley Rzeplinski, was born in Mahanoy City.

“The deer are getting very scarce and the game commission should do something about it, like stop the doe seasons,” Stanley said.

“Definitely. They have to,” Peters said.

“We know the numbers are down. We hunted here for years. We knew the mountains good,” Stanley Rzeplinski said.

Deeds

Ashland — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Vinnie Irene Urban; 1721 W. Market St.; $929.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to John W. Groody Sr.; 910 Chestnut St.; $929.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Ceiling Experts Inc.; 1336-1338 Walnut St.; $1,100.

Blythe Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Charles J. and Nicole Lynn Fayash; 2.1-acre property on Silver Creek Road; $1,500.

Branch Township — Thomas E. and Linda E. Smith to Eric J. Eichenberg; 8 First St.; $1.

Butler Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to JMAC Realty LLC, Blackstone Funding LLC and LJE LLC; 459 Malones Road; $16,000.

Police seek man

in purse theft

SAINT CLAIR — Saint Clair police are looking for information on identifying a man wanted for a theft at Wal-Mart Supercenter about 8:50 p.m. Nov. 23.

Patrolman Frank DiMarco said the man stole a woman’s purse from a shopping cart while she was shopping in the store and fled the building and area on foot.

DiMarco said the man was described as white, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a thin beard. He was wearing blue jeans, a green sweater and white sneakers with yellowing coloring on the tongue.

Anyone with information on the identity of the man is asked to call Saint Clair police at 570-429-2240. All information will remain confidential.

Man accused of

stealing cheese

McADOO — An Audenreid man will be charged with retail theft by borough police after an incident Nov. 22 at Fegley’s Mini Mart.

Police said they were called to the business and learned a man, later identified as Dean Hoats, put a box of string cheese into his pocket and walked away. When the man went to the counter, he was asked to empty his pockets but only emptied one pocket and left the store.

Police said Hoats was identified when officers called a telephone number on the side of a truck that was left outside of the store and spoke to the owner, who said it was dropped off at D&H Towing, Audenreid, for repairs.

Police said officers went to the business, found the stolen cheese and spoke to Hoats, who said he took the cheese because he did not have enough money and that he left the truck at the store because it would not start.

2 drivers injured

in Cass Twp. crash

MINERSVILLE — Two people were injured when their vehicles collided at 7:55 a.m. Nov. 19 on Route 901, Sunbury Road, just west of Owl Road in Cass Township, police said.

State police at Frackville said Steven E. Yohe, 46, of Minersville, was driving a 2002 Jeep Wrangler west when he lost control while rounding a curve, entered the eastbound lane and collided with an oncoming 2006 Ford Freestyle driven by Traceyann K. Denion, 46, of Pottsville.

Police said Denion tried to swerve and avoid a collision but could not avoid contact.

Yohe suffered minor head injuries, was treated at the scene by Minersville EMS and taken to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, police said, adding that Denion suffered minor injuries.

Police said Yohe will receive two citations as a result of the crash.

Driving over hose

results in charge

McADOO — Borough police charged a man with driving over a fire hose about 9:10 a.m. Wednesday.

Police said officers were called to the area of 208-210 W. Sherman St. for smoke coming from a home and found fire in the basement of the 208 W. Sherman St. property.

Police said firefighters were called and laid hoses across West Sherman and South Hancock streets, and the area was also blocked by a police cruiser.

Police said Robert Burke, Silverbrook, was driving a Toyota south on Hancock Street and drove over the empty fire hose and around the police cruiser.

Burke was stopped and said he was unaware he could not drive over the hose and that someone should have been telling him where to go, police said. Officers said that with the large hose across the road and the police cruiser blocking the intersection, Burke should have known he could not pass.

Frackville man

flown from scene

SHEPPTON — A Frackville man suffered major injuries when the 2003 Ford Explorer he was driving crashed on Route 924, Centre Street, about 4:45 p.m. Nov. 22 in this East Union Township village, police said.

State police at Frackville said Daniel L. Kimmel, 20, was driving north in the area of 983 Centre St. when his SUV went off the road and struck several trees in the front yard of that home. The vehicle the continued and struck several bushes at 987 Centre St. and a large tree in front of that home before coming to a stop.

Kimmel was extricated from his vehicle by Sheppton-Oneida firefighters and flown to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, in the MedEvac helicopter, police said.

Sport bike taken

in New Ringgold

NEW RINGGOLD — State police at Frackville are investigating the theft of a red 2002 Ducati 748 Sport bike between 3 and 4 p.m. Nov. 22 from an area near Summer Valley Road and Breezy Acres Drive in East Brunswick Township.

Police said someone arrived at the scene, stole the motorcycle and fled undetected. The vehicle has a Pennsylvania registration of K6400.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-874-5300.

Minor injuries

in 3-car crash

FRIEDENSBURG — One person suffered minor injuries in a three-vehicle crash that occurred about 1 p.m. Nov. 23 on Fair Road, Route 895, just west of Route 183 in Wayne Township.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Joseph A. Boeshore, 34, of Schuylkill Haven, was driving a 1998 Chevrolet Venture east when he ran into the back of a 2011 Ford Ranger driven by Daryl P. Hesse, 60, of Pine Grove, who was stopped for traffic in front of him. The impact caused the Hesse truck to hit a construction trailer that was attached to a 1996 Ford F-350, police said.

Police said Boeshore suffered minor injuries while Hesse was not hurt. Boeshore will be cited for careless driving, police said.

Friedensburg firefighters assisted at the scene.

Man charged

for escaped dog

WICONISCO — A Wiconisco man was charged by state police at Lykens with confinement of dogs after an incident about 10:45 p.m. Thursday in the area of Pottsville and Stone streets in Wiconisco Township, Dauphin County.

Police said Kerry E. Teter, 36, was charged after his dog was running free in the area and growled and snapped at a woman and child.

Charges against Teter were filed with Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum, Elizabethville, police said.

2 suffer injuries

in vehicle crash

WILLIAMSTOWN — State police at Lykens said two people suffered minor injuries in a one-vehicle crash about 2 p.m. Nov. 20 on East Market Street, just east of Sweikert Road in Williams Township, Dauphin County.

Police said Cody C. Leyrer, 22, of Schuylkill Haven, was driving a 1996 Saturn west when his right front brake locked up along a left curve. Leyrer tried to stop the car but lost control, causing it to spin, go off the road and down an embankment backward, police said.

Police said Leyrer and his passenger, Joseph W. Montgomery, 20, of Muir, both suffered minor injuries and were taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street by Williamstown EMS for treatment.

None injured

in tractor crash

TREMONT — No one was injured when a tractor tried to change lanes and hit a motor home Saturday night on Interstate 81 in Tremont Township, police said.

State police at Jonestown said a 1998 International Harvester F-9370 headed south in the left lane began to merge into the right lane and hit a 2004 Winnebago Brave, police said. Police did not release the names of the drivers.

To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Pottsville Maroons over the Chicago Cardinals, an ESPN senior writer is re-releasing his book on the Maroons in two new formats.

In October 2007, ESPN Books published a hardcover version of the book, “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship,” by David Fleming, Davidson, North Carolina.

“ESPN sold out of every hardcover copy that was printed. There were five separate printings and, I believe, there were a total of 30,000 hardcover copies. Now, my company, Flemhouse Publishing, is releasing a paperback version and an eBook through Kindle and Amazon, and that will make it accessible to more people,” Fleming, 48, said Monday.

On Dec. 6, 1925, the Maroons defeated the Chicago Cardinals, 21-7, for the unofficial NFL title. Then, on Dec. 12, the Maroons defeated a non-NFL team, the Notre Dame All-Stars, 9-7, in an exhibition game at Philadelphia’s Shibe Park.

The Philadelphia-based Frankford Yellow Jackets claimed the Maroons invaded their territory. The league fined the Maroons $500 and suspended them from all rights and privileges and declared their franchise forfeited in the league, according to Fleming’s book.

While the Cardinals refused to accept the 1925 NFL championship, Fleming said, it was never officially awarded to any team. The Cardinals organization later claimed rights to the title.

In 2007 and 2008, Fleming visited Pottsville to celebrate his book’s release. In April 2008, he participated in a debate to determine if the Maroons deserved the 1925 NFL title. The event was organized by Lasting Legacy of Pottsville and held the Majestic Theater, 209 N. Centre St., Pottsville. The debate pitted Fleming against Joe Horrigan, the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s vice president of communications and exhibits. According to the panel of judges, Fleming won the debate.

“Breaker Boys” has been out of print for “at least a year or two,” Fleming said.

In 2013, while giving a talk in Charlotte, North Carolina, Fleming learned there was still demand for the book.

“There was a book club that was reading it, and they had to either find old library copies or buy them used off the Internet,” Fleming said.

So, he made an effort to get the book back into print.

“There were some different offers. ESPN thought about putting it out on paperback, but eventually they just agreed to give me the copyright back. That was in April 2014. So, I ended up just doing it myself,” Fleming said. “We didn’t have a full electronic final copy of the manuscript, so I kind of had to go through it word by word, the entire book. It really became a labor of love. I really wanted to get it back on the market. I wanted to keep it alive.”

For the paperback release, he decided to change the cover.

“I wanted to simplify it and now the cover features a picture of Tony Latone that I always loved, so it’s just him on the cover now,” Fleming said.

Looking ahead, Fleming said he still holds out hope that the championship will one day be returned to the Maroons.

“I’m always hopeful that they’ll correct this historic injustice. I’m always hopeful that the NFL will do the right thing. I still believe strongly that regardless of whether they get the title or not, the Maroons are still hugely influential in NFL history and deserve all the credit in the world for helping to shape what the NFL is today,” Fleming said.

As Schuylkill County’s Local Housing Options Team prepares for its third point-in-time, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released the latest national estimates of homelessness.

According to HUD’s annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress, there has been an 11 percent decline in homelessness since 2010 and a 26 percent drop in the number of people living on the streets. In Pennsylvania, there was a total of 15,421 people who experienced homelessness, representing a 6.2 percent decline since 2010. During that same time, veteran homelessness declined 1.2 percent in the commonwealth, family homelessness decreased 3.9 percent and chronic homelessness fell 5.4 percent.

However, over the past year in Pennsylvania, homeless increased by 88 people, or 0.6 percent, between January 2014 and January 2015. According to the report, an estimated 15,421 people were homeless on a given night. About 90 percent of the homeless were staying in residential programs for homeless people and 9.3 percent were found in unsheltered locations.

Schuylkill County’s Local Housing Options Team found 32 homeless individuals in the county during the point-in-time count last year. The first count conducted in the county in 2013 found 38 individuals.

Those figures become more significant when compared to population and rank with the other 31 regions in the state, Gerald Achenbach, Service Access and Management Inc. housing director and LHOT chairman, said.

“What those numbers have shown is that over the last two years, the average in Schuylkill County ranked second in percent of homeless who are counted,” Achenbach said. “It’s important to consider what that number means.”

The one-day count of sheltered and unsheltered people is used to estimate the number of people homeless in the county and identify any similar characteristics among the demographic, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The census serves as a benchmark for developing local and countywide strategies to prevent homelessness. HUD provides various funding for homeless assistance services to counties who participate in the counts.

“We do have an extraordinary effort put together by our service organizations and others during that last week in January,” Achenbach said. “It may also be reflective of the fact that we do not have a shelter in the county.”

While the county does not have a homeless shelter designated for everyone, Schuylkill Women in Crisis operates a shelter for victims of domestic violence. SWIC and various agencies in the county also have transitional housing programs that provide temporary residency while helping an individual secure permanent housing.

The date for the count is set each year by the federal government. LHOT and volunteers from various county agencies used several locations throughout the county over a few days to offer free meals and find out where people spent the night of Jan. 28. The date being used for the 2016 count is Jan. 27.

In addition to a free meal, volunteers at the sites also offered grocery gift cards, canned food, donated clothing, hotel vouchers and other items.

“We have tried a few different models and the model that appears to be the most appropriate for our county is we set up sites where folks are informed to come to us,” Achenbach said.

LHOT reaches out to the local soup kitchens, God’s Chuck Wagon and other groups that work with the homeless.

“We have learned it is important to do a number of weeks of outreach before the program to have them come to us,” Achenbach said.

He said they have also learned over the previous two counts that the homeless are in desperate need of toiletries and clothing. He said the teams will be looking to distribute more of those donated items this year.

“In our county, I don’t think we have any idea if the homeless population is increasing or decreasing because this will only be our third year for the count,” Achenbach said. “It is going to be years of longitudinal study to determine that.

“It is also very hard to compare our county to the state as a whole,” he said. “We do know that over the last few years the efforts to help the homeless has increased significantly in Schuylkill County.”

Servants To All helped manage a temporary homeless shelter in February 2014 at three churches in the city. Last December, the organization bought a three-story building at 4 S. Centre St., Pottsville. The organization has planned to use the building for a day program to help the homeless. It has not yet started the program.

Meanwhile, the Community Mission Christian Center was started in Saint Clair last year. The church has a housing program for families.

On a single night in January 2015, state and local planning agencies in Pennsylvania reported the following estimates of homelessness:

• Overall, homelessness increased by 88 persons or 0.6 percent between 2014 and January 2015. In January 2015, an estimated 15,421 people were homeless on a given night. Most (90.7 percent) were staying in residential programs for homeless people, and 9.3 percent were found in unsheltered locations.

• Homelessness among Veterans fell by 2.6 percent between 2014 and January 2015. On a single night in January 2015, 1,375 Veterans were homeless and 5.8 percent of those were on the street.

• Chronic homelessness among individuals continued to decline. Since 2010, chronic homelessness declined 5.4 percent. Nearly 1,600 people experiencing homelessness in January 2015 were reported as chronically homeless.

• Local communities reported a 3.6 percent reduction in families experiencing homelessness between 2014 and January 2015. Since 2010, family homelessness declined by 3.9 percent. Read more on homeless data reported on a state and community level.

Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2015 Homeless Assessment Report to Congress.

n Eckley: Eckley Miners’ Village has announced its annual Christmas program, which will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It will feature crafting-making, a 1940s living history display and “letters from the front” in the village’s Nicholas House, cookies and cocoa in the Sharpe House, a decorated tree auction, German Christmas songs performed by the Freeland MMI German class, an Irish Christmas concert in the Catholic church on Saturday, a visit by Sophia Coxe, carols throughout the village and an appearance by Ol’ St. Nick. Admission is $7 per person. People can receive $1 off the admission by donating a clean, unblemished and unexpired canned or boxed food item. All food collected will be donated to Brueningsen Memorial Food Pantry, Freeland. The village is open year-round from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call 570-636-2070 or go to the village’s website at www.eckleyminersvillage.com.

n Gilberton: St. John Ukrainian Catholic Church in the borough’s Maizeville section is taking orders for homemade candy featuring an assortment of chocolates at $10 per pound. Pickup will be from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 13 at the church hall. To order, call Martha at 570-205-9381 or Anna at 570-874-2207 by Sunday.

n Girardville: Rangers Hose Company, 6 E. Ogden St., will have a wing night with Santa at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19. All children under 12 will receive a gift from Santa as well as a hot dog and beverage. Wings are $8 per dozen. Fries are $3 and fries with any wing sauce are $4. For orders or more information, call 570-276-1406.

n Hazleton: The Greater Hazleton Concert Series will present the North County Center for the Arts National Touring Production of a new musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Hazleton Area High School Auditorium, 1601 W. 23rd St. The production is “filled with haunting special effects and heartfelt sentiment,” according to a release. The Greater Hazleton Concert Series “provides outstanding entertainment in a convenient venue.” Prorated subscriptions for the remaining three performances of the 2015-16 season are available as well as individual tickets for any performance. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Hazleton Area auditorium, where there is free, lighted parking and easy access. For reservations or concert information, call Amelia at 570-788-4864, or Joan at 570-455-0990. For more information about all of the concerts in the series, visit www.hazletonconcertseries.org or the series’ Facebook page.

n Llewellyn: The Llewellyn Methodist Church will change the time of its weekly Sunday service to 9:30 a.m. beginning this upcoming Sunday and continuing until March 20, when it will return to 9 a.m.

n MaryD: MaryD Fire Company, North Main and School streets, will hold its December breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday. Tickets are $7 for adults, $4 for children and $8 for mackerel. The breakfast will also include a bake sale.

n Minersville: The seventh annual boilo competition will be held from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday at Mountaineer Hose Company, Third and South streets. Doors will open at 4 p.m. for registration and judging will begin at 6 p.m. Entries to be a judge are $5. The cover charge is $2. The event is for people 21 and older.

n Orwigsburg: The kick-off party for the fourth annual Spirit of the Holidays arts tour will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Oak Hill Inn, 655 Route 61. The event will include food, beverages and live music. Reservations recommended by calling 570-366-3881. The annual arts tour, held by Celebrate Schuylkill, will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Participating businesses and groups include Walk In Art Center, Schuylkill Haven; The Arts Barn, Schuylkill Haven; Mud & Maker, Pottsville; Tamaqua Community Art Center, Tamaqua; The Strawberry Playhouse, Tuscarora; Schuylkill Choral Society and Gabriel Youth Orchestra. For more information, visit www.celebrateschuylkill.com or its Facebook page at Celebrate Schuylkill.

The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania is exploring legal options to end the six-month state budget impasse while local service providers and their clients are being urged to contact state legislators as they are being most affected by the lack of funding.

During a CCAP conference held Nov. 23, county commissioners throughout the state unanimously agreed to have legal counsel research potential litigation against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requiring the release of state and federal funds for human service programs.

The motion, made Jeff Haste, CCAP board chairman and Dauphin County commissioners, also authorized counsel to investigate the legal ramifications to counties and county officials of ceasing to remit funds collected at the county level on the state’s behalf during an impasse and allowing those funds to be used for local services.

“This budget stalemate has lasted long enough,” Haste said in a press release issued by CCAP last week. “Counties have, to the best of their abilities, kept critical services available for children, seniors and many of the most vulnerable in our communities. The governor and Legislature do not fully understand the scope and nature of the harm their inaction causes, and do not seem to share our view of the crisis in services, which affects the everyday lives of our residents.”

As of Nov. 5, $788,000 has been used from the general fund for Children & Youth, with $520,000, and the Office of Senior Services, with $268,000, since the Pennsylvania budget impasse began in June. Since then, the county’s human service agencies — Children & Youth, Mental Health/Development Services, Office of Senior Services, Drug & Alcohol and Human Services — have accrued $4,510,714.84 in outstanding payments to service providers. October amounts were not available at that time.

“I think the spill off of this will ripple even through next year’s budget,” Daniel McGrory, administrator for the county mental health, developmental services and drug and alcohol departments, said Wednesday. “It delayed any possibility of expanding services or improving services simply because there is no money to do so. To a large degree, this becomes a lost fiscal year. We are going to have to look at the impact that is going to have on people who did have to borrow money and the interest payments they are going to have to make on that. It will be an ongoing cost. Even when there is a budget, it is very hard to predict how soon the money will be sent out and reach us.”

Earlier in November, county officials met with more than 30 people representing the various human service agencies affected by lack of state funding. McGrory said it is possible that some agencies may have to close their doors if there is no resolution made within the next few weeks. Some service providers have secondary incomes while others rely solely on state and federal funding, like Children & Youth and the Office of Senior Services.

Service providers may soon start having to take out loans, an additional expense that will take years to pay off, McGrory said. During the meeting, McGrory encouraged service providers to have their clients contact state legislators.

“We have to do something,” Commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr., who was also at the meeting, said Wednesday. “We are fortunate to have some money in our (general) fund to help during the impasse, but that is quickly going to run out. Our people are doing the best with what they have.”

CCAP is a statewide, nonprofit, nonpartisan association representing all 67 counties in Pennsylvania. CCAP membership includes county commissioners, council members, county executives, administrators, chief clerks and solicitors. Founded in 1866, CCAP is an affiliate of the National Association of Counties.

For more information on the 2015 state budget impasse, visit CCAP’s website at www.pacounties.org.

RAVEN RUN — The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah adopted its 2016 budget last week that includes a tentative 12 percent rate increase.

The rate increase adopted by the board is subject to change and may be lowered following a review by the authority board within a few weeks at a special meeting.

The water authority, which has been under financial strain due to an aging infrastructure, customer account delinquencies, declining customer base and increasing expenses, became part of the Early Intervention Plan process begun by the Borough of Shenandoah. EIP is a program through the state Department of Community and Economic Development. 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, assess current and projected finances, attainable benchmarks, along with public involvement.

As the Phase I study progressed, MABS and the Shenandoah Sewer Authority was added, and now that Phase I is completed, Phase II began with the focus on the water and sewer authorities.

As part of the EIP study, the water authority board and management worked on the 2016 budget preparations with DCED and the Pennsylvania Economy League, which is also involved in the EIP program.

The 2016 budget, which is from Oct. 1, 2015, to Sept. 30, 2016, shows total operating income of $1,823,200, which includes user fees of $1,778.938, lease revenue of $7,946 and miscellaneous of $36,315.

The estimated operating expenses total $1,718,992, leaving a net operating income of $140,208.

Non-operating income shows the authority will receive wind farm income and taxes of $151,483.

When the budget discussion began, the first topic was on a rate increase. After the motion to accept the budget was made by Joseph Rosselli and seconded by Robert Mychak, board Secretary/Treasurer Donald E. Segal asked about the six percent increase as suggested by DCED.

“As part of the budget, we have a six percent raise in water rates,” Segal said. “I don’t seem to be satisfied with that. We have to recoup the money, and as it stands, we’re not getting any. We’re just going to keep going deeper and deeper from where we are. We’re looking for a pump and other things, and the rate we’re going, we’re not going to get it. We really have no reserve here.”

Vice Chairperson Donna Kulpowicz said there was a reason why DCED and PEL suggested the rate increase of 6 percent.

“They’re qualified and professional and they tell us right here,” Kulpowicz said, referring to information from PEL she began reading. “We’re already passed our household income affordability limit. The consequence of this affordability constraint is likely reflected in the increasing level of accounts receivables, and any increase in rates will likely expand the number of customers aboard the affordability limit.”

“So, what are we going to go? Go deeper in the hole?” Segal asked.

Kulpowicz said more then one-third of the homes within the MABS system are rentals, and when an increase occurs, the landlords will pass the increase along and could lead to people moving out, service being shut off and leading to additional loss of income.

“That’s happening now,” Rosselli said.

Board Chairwoman Donna Gawrylik said authority manager Mary Lou Jaskierski worked with DCED representatives and guided her through its creation.

“This is what I think what we should do. The six percent increase is not even going to take us above water,” Gawrylik said. “What we can do is put it to a (higher) percentage and we can always come down once the budget is passed.”

The authority has the ability to lower rates after a budget passage, but not increase them. If six percent is approved, the rate cannot be increased after the budget adoption. If set at 12 percent, the authority can make a downward adjustment if deemed financially feasible.

“Mary Lou takes care of the books. What do you think?” Segal asked her.

“I really don’t think six percent is really going to do it, but then again, are we going to get the people paying,” Jaskierski said.

“If they (DCED and PEL) thought six percent, why go more?” Kulpowicz asked.

“We need to have a reality check,” Rosselli said. “We’re dealing with a deficit and how do we deal with that deficit. Raising water rates is an avenue to look at. We’re dealing with union contracts. We’re dealing with properties owned by the water authority. The whole thing comes down to we’re trying to save the water authority. That’s the bottom line. The water authority is going to benefit Shenandoah and its residents.”

Rosselli said the water authority has many things to deal with that impacts on the bottom line.

“We have so many fronts. We’re like the military,” Rosselli said. “We fighting this, we’re fighting that. We’ve got to prioritize. How much is it going to affect the consumers?”

“Before we go putting the burden on our customers, we need to know,” Kulpowicz said, with Segal speaking up.

“What’s the burden? We’re carrying the burden right now, and we’re going to go deeper with the deficit if we just keep fooling around,” Segal said.

“The burden should have been addressed two years ago,” Gawrylik said. “This budget must be voted on tonight.”

Rosselli proposed to vote on the budget and then have the board call a special meeting in December to adjust the rates and look at the rate structure through customer usage. Alfred Benesch & Co. project manager M. Christopher McCoach asked Jaskierski for information on average usage rates and put the information into a spreadsheet for a review.

Gawrylik called for a vote to adopt the budget and the 12 percent rate increase, stressing the increase “is subject to change.”

The vote was unanimous on the budget approval and rate increase.

Whatever final rate is determined, it will not go into affect until 2016.

After the meeting, Jaskierski explained how the rate increase — if it stays at 12 percent — will affect customers depending the amount of their bills.

“The minimum bill is $52.25 now and that includes up to 3,000 gallons of water,” Jaskierski said. “For those customers, it would be a seven cent increase per day, or about $6.27 per quarter.”

The “average” bill will increase from $132.41 to $148.30 per quarter.

“If we take all the water we sell and all the customer that have, the average bill would show 9,000 gallons of water use in a quarter,” Jaskierski said. “The average bill at 9,000 gallons is $132.41. With the 12 percent increase, the bill would be $148.30, which is about 18 cents per day or $15.89 increase for the quarter.”

Jaskierski said the last rate increase was in October 2013 and was 10 percent.

Three charged

for fighting

SHENANDOAH — Three people were arrested by Shenandoah police after officers were called to a fight about 6:40 p.m. Monday in the unit block of South Bower Street.

Police said everyone was gone when officers arrived but a neighbor reported that Christina Yoza, 37; Greg Smith, 29; and, Travis Beam, 52, were physically fighting and yelling in front of Beam’s home at 35 S. Bower St.

Polices said both Yoza and Smith live at 21 N. Main St., Shenandoah.

All three will be charged with disorderly conduct and have to answer before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, police said.

In addition, police said, proceedings have begun for violations of the Nuisance Property ordinance due to the number of police responses to Beam’s home.

Since 2011, officers have been called to the home 36 times with 13 of those responses solely in 2015, police said.

Police investigate

home robbery

Pottsville police are investigating a burglary that was reported about 5 p.m. Saturday at 521 N. Third St. after it was just discovered by the homeowner.

Police said the victim reported leaving his home about 1:15 p.m. and returning about 4 p.m. to find a door open on the first floor that is currently being renovated.

Further inspection revealed several tools had been taken, including a Dewalt drill and a Dewalt circular saw, police said, adding that their preliminary investigation showed someone forced entry into the portion of the residence being renovated.

Police said the investigation is continuing and anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call 570-622-1234, extension 331.

Callers’ identities will be kept confidential if requested, police said.

Woman sent to

hospital after crash

Pottsville police investigated a crash about 1:45 p.m. Saturday that occurred in the 400 block of South Centre Street.

Police said Christine Hendricks, 19, of Pottsville, was driving a Chevrolet Cavalier and began to pull out of a legally parked position on the east side of the street into the flow of traffic to travel north.

In doing so, police said, Hendricks struck a Chevrolet Cobalt that was being driven north on Centre Street by Ronald Fox Jr., 50, of Minersville.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene and the road in the area temporarily closed, police said, adding that Hendricks was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street by Schuylkill EMS for injuries she suffered.

As a result of the crash police said Hendricks will be cited for vehicles entered a roadway.

State police find

equipment on road

NEW RINGGOLD — State police at Frackville reported the discovery of items Nov. 10 in the area of 182 Ridge Road in East Union Township and are asking for help from utility companies and contractors.

Police said a Wagner Smith Equipment Co. Model 62 Conductor Block rated for 8,000 pounds and cast out of solid aluminum was discovered along the roadway.

Any company, Verizon, PPL and others who install overhead power conductors or communication cables, and may have this item missing is asked to call Trooper Matthew Barrett at 570-874-5300 and refer to Incident L03-1389240.

Woman escapes

injury after crash

SAINT CLAIR — A 41-year-old Mahanoy City woman escaped injury when the vehicle she was driving hit a utility pole at 7:20 a.m. Tuesday along Burma Road, Blythe Township.

State police at Frackville said Jennifer Daniels was driving a 2013 Hyundai Elantra east on Burma Road, about a mile from Saint Clair, when she lost control of the vehicle on the wet roadway and struck a utility pole.

Police said the vehicle sustained heavy front-end damage and was towed from the scene. The road was closed for about an hour until the scene was cleared. Police were assisted at the scene by Saint Clair fire and fire police.

Decoration stolen

from man’s yard

TOWER CITY — State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating the theft of a lawn ornament that occurred at 1:35 p.m. Tuesday at 19 S. Yohe St., Porter Township.

Police said someone stole a red and white plastic candy cane lawn ornament with multiple lights from the yard of Titus Carnathan, 23, of Tower City, before fleeing east on foot on School St.

Anyone with information regarding this incident can contact state police at Schuylkill Haven at 570-739-1330.

2 minors injured

in one-car accident

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Two juveniles suffered minor injuries in a single-vehicle accident at 9:06 p.m. Monday on Second Mountain Road, just north of Greenview Road, North Manheim Township.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said a 17-year-old Saint Clair boy was driving a 2004 Dodge Durango south on Second Mountain Road, when while on a right curve, the vehicle spun clockwise and went off the right side of the road and hit a dirt embankment with the front bumper. After the initial impact, police said, the vehicle continue to spin and hit the embankment a second time with the driver’s side rear bumper. A 16-year-old girl was a passenger in the vehicle. She was transported by ambulance to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street, Pottsville.

Police said the boy was charged for not driving at a safe speed. Orwigsburg Fire Department assisted at the scene.

Businesses cited

on Liquor Laws

Three area businesses have been cited this month by the state police Bureau of Liquor Enforcement for various Liquor Law violations.

Suglias Express, 107-109 E. Main St., Schuylkill Haven, was cited Nov. 25 for selling alcohol to a 20-year-old minor on Oct. 22.

Denny’s Hot Road Bar & Grill, 15-19 Front St., Cressona, was cited Nov. 20 for selling alcohol to a 20-year-old minor on Oct. 22.

Distilled Bar and Lounge, 104-106 N. Second St., Saint Clair, was cited Nov. 16 for serving an unlimited amount of alcohol for a fixed price in that domestic beers and well drinks were served for $15 and $12 on June 11 and June 25. The establishment was also cited for selling alcohol to a 20-year-old minor on July 30.

These charges will be brought before an administrative law judge who has the authority to impose penalties ranging from $50 to $1,000 for minor offenses and up to $5,000 for more serious offenses. In addition, the ALJ can also impose a license suspension or revocation of the license based on the severity of the charge brought. The ALJ can also mandate training for the licensee in an effort to educate them on the requirements of being a licensee.

Police search

for cellphone thief

TOWER CITY — State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a robbery that occurred at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the area of 35 W. Wiconisco Ave.

Police said Mary Keister, 27, of Tower City, was pushed to the ground by a man and he stole her cell phone out of her hand before fleeing on foot through nearby yards.

Police said the man was described as being about 5-foot, 9-inches tall,wearing a black zip-up hoodie with gray letters and a skeleton mask.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact state police at Schuylkill Haven at 570-739-1330.

PINE GROVE — The Pine Grove Area school board welcomed four new directors and appointed a new board vice president Tuesday.

Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi swore in the newly elected board members before an audience of about 25 people who attended the board’s reorganizational and regular meeting.

Taking the oath for four-year terms were Donald E. Brown Jr., representing Region 2; J.T. Herber III, at large member; Wes Ney, representing Region 3; and Evelyn Wassel, representing Region 1.

During the reorganization, board member Richard Nickel served as temporary president, as nominations for the office of school board president were accepted. David Lukasewicz and David Frew received nominations. Frew declined, and Lukasewicz was unanimously approved to continue serving as school board president.

Nickel was selected to serve as vice president. Ronald Boltz, outgoing board director, had previously held the vice president post.

In other action, the board voted 9-0 to adopt a resolution indicating that the board will not raise the rate of any tax for the support of public schools for the 2016-17 fiscal year by more than its index as calculated by the state Department of Education.

Frew, board treasurer, said it was part of the Act 1 “Taxpayer Relief Act.” Act 1 requires school districts to limit tax increases to the level set by an inflation index, unless the tax increase is approved by voters in a referendum or the school district obtains from the Department of Education or a court of common pleas certain referendum exceptions. The district’s index for the 2016-17 fiscal year is 3.3 percent. Frew said the district has “no intention” to go above that index. By approving the resolution Tuesday, the board in no way voted on setting a tax rate, just on agreeing not to go above the index, Frew clarified.

In other business, the board approved:

• Appointing attorney Nicholas Quinn to serve as solicitor for the 2016 year. Quinn will receive a $950 retainer every quarter which would include his attendance at all board meetings and an hourly rate of $125 per hour. Quinn thanked the board for the opportunity to continue to serve the district.

• A motion that all meetings be conducted in accordance with board policy.

• A motion to adopt the 2016 meeting schedule for the board. There will be no meeting in July and only the reorganizational meeting in December.

• A motion that the officers of the board be authorized to draw orders for payrolls and for payment of bonds, interest, utility and other pertinent bills as they come due.

• A motion to nominate Frew to serve on the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit Board of Directors for a one-year term.

The board entered into an executive session to discuss the ongoing teachers’ contract and to review litigation.

Hexcel Pottsville celebrates its 35th anniversary in Schuykill County this year.

Hexcel is an innovator of advanced composites technology and a world leader in honeycomb manufacturing for the commercial aerospace industry. The plant in Saint Clair Industrial Park converts metallic and non-metallic honeycomb materials into engineered core structures that are used in a variety of commercial and military aerospace applications, including helicopter rotor blades and fuselages, airplane wings and landing gear doors and jet engine nacelles.

“It’s an accomplishment that Hexcel can celebrate 35 years in business here in Schuylkill County. We have continued to grow, expand and provide unique products to the aerospace industry,” Karen Dudley, customer service representative, said in a press release.

Dudley was the first employee hired at the site in 1980. Today, Hexcel employs more than 300 employees at its Pottsville facility. Of those, nine employees who joined during the first year of operation remain part of the team.

According to the release, the facility has experienced tremendous growth over the years due in large part to the commercial aerospace industry moving toward lightweight, high-performance materials such as carbon fiber, honeycomb, reinforcements, adhesives and engineered products.

“We want to recognize and thank the Pottsville community as well as all of our employees — both past and present — for their hard work, dedication and contribution during our first 35 years here. We’re looking forward to the next 35 years and more,” Stan Bolinsky, plant manager, said.

Stephen J. Bayer

TAMAQUA — Defendants whose cases Judge Stephen J. Bayer considered, the charges against each one and the judge’s disposition of the matters include:

Victor Craig, 38, of 107 S. Sheridan St., McAdoo, held for court: DUI, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, passing where prohibited, using the wrong turn lane and driving without insurance.

Leanna L. Vidzicki, 30, of 418 Mountain Ave., Tamaqua, waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Demetrius L. Simpkins, 35, of 111 E. Early Ave., Coaldale, withdrawn: receiving stolen property.

Kyle Martin, 24, of 307 Orwigsburg St., Tamaqua, withdrawn: simple assault, harassment and criminal mischief.

Anthony Powell, 45, of 147 E. Adams St., McAdoo, waived for court: receiving stolen property and retail theft. Dismissed: DUI and recklessly endangering another person. Held for court: fleeing or attempting to elude police, turning movements and required signals, careless driving, illegal turns, reckless driving, failure to keep right and DUI-controlled substance.

Dianne L. Ontiveros, 62, of 509 Lombard St., Tamaqua, dismissed: DUI-controlled substance and careless driving.

April Ann Reznick, 32, of 407 Willing St., Apt. 3, Tamaqua, waived for court: simple assault, theft , receiving stolen property, harassment, criminal mischief, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Withdrawn: robbery.

Adam Lutz, 29, of 42 W. Blaine St., McAdoo, waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Christopher Kerr, 26, of 23 W. Ruddle St., Coaldale, waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

George M. Cope, 29, of 510 E. Elm St., Tamaqua, dismissed: possession of a controlled substance.

Marissa Garcia, 22, of 39 W. Spruce St., Mahanoy City, dismissed: conspiracy and receiving stolen property.

Jesamin Medina-Castro, 31, of 400 Hazle St., Tamaqua, dismissed: DUI, DUI-high rate, driving without a license and failure to keep right.

Joseph J. Michaels, 25, of 1049 Barnesville Drive, Barnesville, waived for court: retail theft and receiving stolen property.

Phillip M. Ryan IV, 26, of 402 Hazle St., Tamaqua, withdrawn: burglary, criminal trespass and simple assault. Waived for court: recklessly endangering another person, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct.

John R. Miller, 20, of 213 Tresckow Road, McAdoo, held for court: criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and damaging property by motor vehicle.

Lorraine Searfoss, 47, of 17 Snyder Ave., McAdoo, held for court: theft of services.

David A. Plachko

PORT CARBON — Defendants whose cases Judge David A. Plachko considered, the charges against each one and the judge’s disposition of the matters include:

Gilbert L. Frost, 42, of 204 Valley St., New Philadelphia, withdrawn: burglary, criminal trespass, possessing instruments of crime and criminal attempt to commit theft .

Jeffrey P. Leonard, 45, of 400 Jones St., Minersville, withdrawn: aggravated assault. Waived for court: defiant trespass, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Christina E. Hale

FRACKVILLE — A Girardville man charged with assaulting his son on Sept. 2 waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale.

Gregory M. Wilson, 26, of 232 B, St. was arrested by state police Trooper Michael Breznik of the Frackville station and charged with one count each of simple assault, resisting arrest and harassment. By waiving his right to a hearing Wilson will now have to answer to all three charges in Schuylkill County Court.

Breznik charged Wilson with getting into an argument with Jeffrey Wilson during which he pushed the man several times. Jeffrey Wilson said that when he told his son to leave the two went outside where Gregory Wilson pulled him down the steps and began to punch him.

Breznik said police found Gregory Wilson hiding in a storage shed to the rear of the home and that he resisted being taken into custody.

Other court cases included:

Anne Marilyn Shefanski, 71, of 210 W. Centre St., Apt. 2, Shenandoah, held for court: disrupting a meeting, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and harassment.

Shawn C. Jago, 36, of 1439 W. Centre St., Ashland, waived for court: resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal trespass, theft and defiant trespass.

Rita M. Cavanaugh, 58, of 1233 Centre St., Ashland, waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, delivery of drug paraphernalia, conspiracy and permitting possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance.