A Frackville man is headed to state prison after being sentenced Nov. 30 in Schuylkill County Court to a special program.

Robert E. Victor, 33, will spend 24 months in the state intermediate punishment program, which combines imprisonment with substance abuse rehabilitation, under the terms of Judge Charles M. Miller’s sentence.

“I have every confidence that it’s a proper recommendation,” Miller said of the prosecution’s decision to allow Victor to participate in the program. “You’re getting a big break here.”

After a one-day trial over which Miller presided, a jury convicted Victor on Oct. 20 of delivery of a controlled substance.

The Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation charged Victor with selling a bag, also called a brick, containing five bundles of heroin to a confidential informant for $300 on Nov. 6, 2014, in a wooded area of Shenandoah.

Miller said Victor will be closely monitored while in the program.

“This is a program designed by the commonwealth that has been successful throughout the country,” he said.

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

Guy E. Coxe, 25, of Wilkes-Barre — conspiracy, retail theft and receiving stolen property; 12 months probation, $50 payment to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $448 restitution.

Jerry M. Dannenhower, 48, of Schuylkill Haven — possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 CJEA payment and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

Jeffrey G. Enders, 46, of Minersville — prohibited possession of weapon, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person; 24 months in the intermediate punishment program, $50 CJEA payment, mental health evaluation and 20 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew charges of harassment and public drunkenness.

Edward J. Farley, 48, of Sugarloaf — driving under the influence, failure to yield, reckless driving and careless driving; presentence investigation ordered, sentencing scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Jan. 4, 2016.

Austin A. Fry, 20, of Williamstown — purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of an alcoholic beverage; $300 fine and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street. Prosecutors withdrew charges of DUI and careless driving.

Nicholas J. Grimm, 27, of Williamstown — indecent assault; two years probation and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew charges of statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, corruption of minors and unlawful contact with a minor.

Miguel A. Gutierrez, 36, of Hazleton — DUI; 10 days in prison, 40 days house arrest with electronic monitoring, 40 days strict supervision, three months probation, $750 fine, $100 SAEF payment and 20 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew charges of disregarding traffic lane, improper turning movements and registration card not signed.

Tyler J. Haas, 29, of Schuylkill Haven — harassment; $100 fine.

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

Shen Rotary

Marcella Creasy, a senior at Shenandoah Valley High School, was named student of the month for October by the Shenandoah Rotary Club.

Marcella’s high school activities include serving as president of the National Honor Society and student council, captain of the volleyball and basketball teams and a member of the pep club, talent search, spring queen, yearbook, prom, float and formal committees, homecoming court and drama club. She participated in the Youth Summit and Anti-Defamation League Youth Conference.

Marcella’s community service includes volunteering at Kielbasi Festival, Heritage Day, Polish-American Fire Company block party, Knights of Columbus, Schuylkill Keep It Pretty and American Red Cross blood drive. She assisted with fundraisers for a student who passed away, SPCA, Toys for Tots, fire victim and Jump Rope for Heart.

Marcella participated in canvassing for the Shenandoah Lighting Fund, delivered Thanksgiving dinners and volunteered for Special Olympics, Hoops for Heart, Christmas fair, Elementary Field Day, Elementary Book Fair volunteer, pet inoculation, and numerous student council service projects.

A daughter of Michael and Helene Creasy, Shenandoah Heights, Marcella plans to attend college and major in mathematics.

Deeds

Butler Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Cathleen A. Solliday; 108 Homesville Road; $916.

Coaldale — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Jerry Ray Breck Jr.; 270 Sixth St.; $852.

Delano Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to William R. Repkie Sr.; 20 Walnut St., Delano; $5,000.

Gordon — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to William R. Repkie Sr.; 304 E. Biddle St.; $6,000.

Hegins Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Guy M. and Emilie K. Julian; property on Gap Road; $6,600.

Mahanoy City — Rhondella Weaver to Kenneth Wright and William Sullivan; 637 E. Centre St. and 113 W. Spruce St.; $36,225.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to William R. Repkie Sr.; 24 E. Centre St.; $824.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to William R. Repkie Sr.; 827 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $4,100.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Robert Michael Mills; 531 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $1,049.

McAdoo — Michael Weaver to Kenneth Wright and William Sullivan; 46 S. Cleveland St.; $20,900.

Minersville — Ronald L. Whitby and Joy Whitby, co-executors of the Estate of Margaret E. Whitby, to Ronald L. and Joy Whitby; 2 Gallo Row; $1.

North Manheim Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to William R. Repkie Sr.; 147 S. Greenview Road; $2,800.

North Union Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Annette Markowski; property on Pequest Drive; $824.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Esther Kimani; Lot 255EA, Eagle Rock; $50,399.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Eugene N. and Aida B. Teneza; Lot 25AV1, Eagle Rock; $40,299.

Dolores F. Hijada to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 4AV2, Eagle Rock; $9,273.01.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Rolando and Maria Elizabeth Favor; Lot 4AV2, Eagle Rock; $40,299.

Luz V. and Jeffrey R. Palomo to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 98AW, Eagle Rock; $9,000.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to George F. Mudachi and Simon J. Kiyaya; Lot 98AW, Eagle Rock; $50,399.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Zipporah Kingonia and Geoffrey Chweya; Lot 116AW, Eagle Rock; $50,399.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Rosalie and Francis Ferrer; Lot 125AW, Eagle Rock; $47,369.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Jia Mi and Ning Li; Lot 89E, Eagle Rock; $48,902.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to James P. and Dorothy Owuor Kiburi; Lot 71EA, Eagle Rock; $50,399.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Orlando R. and Noemi Fe A. Sanidad; Lot 169EA, Eagle Rock; $48,379.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Regina Reithii, Jane Waweru, Benjamin Kahera and Peter T. Thagicu; Lot 216EA, Eagle Rock; $50,399.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Vimalanathan paramanathan and Surjit Singh; Lot 39AV2, Eagle Rock; $46,359.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Alex T. and Thelma Tasipit; Lot 19AW2, Eagle Rock; $37,269.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Nicolas V. III and Teresita R. Ruiz; Lot 55HF2, Eagle Rock; $30,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Marites Baptista and Reynaldo Valdez; Lot 57HF2, Eagle Rock; $47,470.

Edward W. Miller to James J. Sullivan and James J. Sullivan Jr.; Lot 322, Cove Vacation Village; $25,000.

Daniel J. and Lucia A. Cochran to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 152EA, Eagle Rock; $11,404.68.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Eric Kofi Amponsah and Rosemond Kyeadea-Ampnsah; Lot 152EA, Eagle Rock; $50,399.

Norwegian Township — Bradley Petchulis to Michael B. Mabry Jr.; 203 Walnut St., Mar Lin; $62,900.

Mary C. Strunak to William L. and Marion R. Guers; 805 Pinewood Drive; $179,000.

Orwigsburg — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to LJE LLC, Blackstone Funding and JMAC Realty LLC; 618 W. Market St.; $11,100.

Pine Grove Township — Cory G. Sholly to Michael W. and Edith L. Daubert; .2356-acre property on Route 125, Ravine; $64,000.

Jeanette Ann Rabuck, executrix of the Estate of Joyce I. Leffler, to Jeremy and Sarah Boltz; 675 Oak Grove Road; $128,000.

Port Carbon — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Joseph Reppert; 129 Pike St.; $843.

Pottsville — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to G.F. Real Estate Developers Inc.; 718 W. Race St.; $929.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to G.F. Real Estate Developers Inc.; 244 N. 12th St.; $2,089.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to G.F. Real Estate Developers Inc.; 218 N. 12th St.; $835.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to G.F. Real Estate Developers Inc.; 200 N. 11th St.; $1,801.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Joseph Reppert; 305-307 N. Third St.; $809.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to G.F. Real Estate Developers Inc.; 124 S. Third St.; $1,179.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Joseph Reppert; 116 E. Norwegian St.; $1,220.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to North Manheim Township; property on Forest Road, Forest Hills; $929.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to North Manheim Township; property on Forest Road, Forest Hills; $929.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to North Manheim Township; property on Forest Road, Forest Hills; $929.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to G.F. Real Estate Developers Inc.; property on Greenbriar Road, Forest Hills; $929.

Spencer G. Pope Jr., executor of the Estate of Carolyn R. Pope, to Spencer G. Pope Jr.; 2417 Sharp Mountain Road; $1.

Jennifer A. Rice to John J. Gatley; 504 Greenwood Road; $58,500.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to G.F. Real Estate Developers Inc.; 525 Fairview St.; $954.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to G.F. Real Estate Developers Inc.; 433 Fairview St.; $1,154.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to G.F. Real Estate Developers Inc.; 228 Fairview St.; $1,370.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to G.F. Real Estate Developers Inc.; 224 Harrison St.; $1,588.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to G.F. Real Estate Developers Inc.; 528 E. Norwegian St.; $1,559.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to G.F. Real Estate Developers Inc.; 617 Laurel St.; $929.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to G.F. Real Estate Developers Inc.; property on Laurel Boulevard; $954.

Rush Township — Karen F. Runk and Michael R. Runk to Michael R. Runk; 17 Sherwood St., Hometown; $1.

Saint Clair — Jennifer A. and Robert P. Houston to Robert P. Houston; 407 S. Mill St.; $1.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to David K. Plappert; 438-440 S. Front St.; $1,300.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Thomas John Kerns; property on Pike Street; $960.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Thomas John Kerns; property on Pike Street; $960.

Schuylkill Haven — John E. Long to Michael C. and Rachel D. Kramer; 417 St. Peter St.; $76,900.

Par Investments LLC to Beau J.G. Kufro and Amy Clayton; 15 Centre Ave.; $52,500.

Schuylkill Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Charles J. and Nicole Lynn Fayash and Raymond Charles Fayash; 65 Sunny Drive; $5,000.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Charles J. and Nicole Lynn Fayash and Raymond Charles Fayash; 70 Sunny Drive; $5,000.

Shenandoah — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Jerry R. Breck III; 324 S. White St.; $879.

SAINT CLAIR — Before the borough can tear down the shell of a former movie theater, it must ask permission from Schuylkill County Court.

“While the borough has a conservatorship on the building, it doesn’t own the building. So we have to ask the judge for permission to tear it down,” Roland Price, the borough secretary, said Thursday while taking a tour of the three-story blighted structure at 31 N. Second St., the local landmark once known as the Ritz Theatre.

A hearing has been scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Jan. 15 in Courtroom 3 before Judge John E. Domalakes, Price said.

The movie theater closed in the early 1980s and sat vacant for many years. And in the past decade, borough officials have made efforts to deal with its deterioration.

At the borough council’s December meeting on Dec. 1, Ken Diehl, who owns 29 N. Second St., expressed concerns about the blighted brick building with buckling walls marred by cracks.

“Is somebody watching the building? And is everything stable?” Diehl asked.

“The building is stable. No major incidents have occurred. I was in there earlier last week. Not this week yet. I will be going in to monitor it every week or every other week depending on the weather,” Price said at the meeting.

In November, the council agreed to receive $60,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funding for the demolition project from Schuylkill County.

The Schuylkill County Community Development Block Grant Program Sub-Recipient Agreement contained a set of preliminary dates regarding the project and suggested it could be completed by July 31.

Brian W. Baldwin, a project engineer for Alfred Benesch & Co., the borough engineer, provided an update on the demolition project at the meeting.

“We are still working with the county to obtain all the clearances required prior to bidding for the demolition of the former Ritz. The last major hurdle relates to permission to demolish since the borough is not the actual property owner. A court hearing regarding the matter has been scheduled for January 15, 2016. We do anticipate receiving the appropriate authorizations and advertising to receive bids in late January or early February,” Baldwin said.

The building that housed the theater was built in 1920, according to the online Schuylkill Parcel Locator.

It was occupied by The Lyric Theatre before it became The Ritz Theatre, according to a 2009 book in the Images of America series, “Around Saint Clair,” by the Saint Clair Community and Historical Society. A picture of the former Lyric is on the society’s website.

The book suggests the building might have been built before 1920. During World War I, Saint Clair Red Cross volunteers met at “the Lyric Theatre (Ritz Theatre),” according to page 112 of “Around Saint Clair.”

The Nov. 26, 1919, edition of The Pottsville REPUBLICAN makes a reference to the Lyric, in a story about a welcome home celebration the community was preparing for its soldiers: “The soldiers of the St. Clair district will assemble for parade at the American Legion headquarters, Lyric Hall, at one o’clock on Thursday, and it is expected that between 300 and 350 will be on hand.”

So does the Nov. 27, 1919, edition of The Pottsville REPUBLICAN: “During the war the Red Cross organization of town which at times numbered 2,500 or more members, with headquarters in Lyric Hall.”

Mayor Richard Tomko believes the building was constructed between 1900 and 1915, but did not have a date Monday.

“I remember my grandfather was superintendent of schools back in those years and my mother would tell stories about how he would give speeches over there, at the Lyric, to sell war bonds. I think they called them Liberty Bonds back during World War I,” Tomko said Monday.

On Monday, Michelle Brestowski, the borough’s code officer, made an effort to find the exact date of the building’s construction, but was not able to locate it before deadline.

“I recall the Miller family ran The Lyric Theatre and the Peters family ran The Ritz Theatre. And I remember going there as a kid to watch movies,” said Tomko, 68.

The shows at The Ritz Theatre were advertised weekly in numerous ads published in the entertainment sections of The Pottsville REPUBLICAN from the 1950s to the early 1980s.

For example, 60 years ago this month, on Dec. 1, 1955, “Mister Roberts (1955)” starring Henry Fonda and James Cagney was playing there.

On Dec. 4, 1965, 50 years ago this month, The Ritz was screening “The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)” starring John Wayne and Dean Martin.

On Dec. 5, 1975, 40 years ago this month, “The Fortune” starring Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty was playing there.

On Dec. 4, 1980, 35 years ago this month, it was screening “Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie (1980).”

On Dec. 4, 1981, 34 years ago this month, “Night School (1981),” a horror film starring Rachel Ward, was playing there.

On July 1, 1982, The Ritz was screening “On Golden Pond (1981)” starring Katharine Hepburn and Henry Fonda. That summer, the advertisements for the movie house were no longer published on a regular basis.

“I’m not sure when it closed. I didn’t know it was still open in 1982. That’s longer than I thought it was,” Tomko said.

On Oct. 13, 2008, county Judge Jacqueline L. Russell found the building’s owner, Nicholas M. Panko, Saint Clair, guilty of violating borough ordinances concerning properties he owned including the former Ritz Theatre building, ordering him to pay costs and $2,000 in fines, according to the newspaper’s archives.

In November 2008, Saint Clair filed a lawsuit, alleging Panko had allowed the building to deteriorate to such an extent that it threatened the public health and safety.

On Nov. 17, 2009, Judge Domalakes issued the conservatorship to the borough, Price said.

The building’s former marquee was removed “in either 2011 or 2012,” Price said.

Today, the building’s interior hardly resembles a movie house. The most impressive relic is the ticket booth window, which appears to be intact. It’s just inside the front door.

Other than that, the building’s owner has been using the place for storage, and its contents include stacks of lumber and old furniture, including a piano, Price said.

Divorces granted

Ralph Young, Pottsville, from Tricia Young, Orwigsburg.

David Schaeffer, Tremont, from Valerie Schaeffer, Tremont.

Shane Miller, Pottsville, from Lindsey Miller, Pottsville.

Joseph Tucci, Schuylkill Haven, from Joanne Tucci, Pottsville.

Lawrence Petrole, Tamaqua, from Sara Petrole, McAdoo.

Deeds

Orwigsburg — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Nationstar Mortgage LLC; 202 N. Straub Ave.; $1,181.10.

Pine Grove — Daniel T. Sullivan to William R. and Dorothy J. Sullivan; 151 Tulpehocken St.; $1.

Pine Grove Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to The Bank of New York Mellon; 426 Oak Grove Road; $1,289.81.

n Frackville: The community is looking for a logo for its ongoing fundraising effort for a swimming pool. The logo will be used to help with promotions and fundraisers, according to a release from Karen Domalakes, and a contest, open to the public, has been launched for people to submit entries. Entries must be submitted by Dec. 31 to kidesq@ptd.net in JPEG format. Entrants must use the words “Frackville Community Pool.” The winner will receive a family pass to the Frackville pool for its re-opening season. The winning art will become the property of the borough and its pool committee, according to the release.

n Pottsville: Schuylkill County Sheriff Joe Groody has announced that the sheriff’s office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Schuylkill County Court House for License to Carry Firearms permits. “We will be accepting applications for (permits) for renewal or new applicants,” Groody said in a press release. “The fee for the license is $20. We can only accept check or money order, no cash on special Saturday extended hours. When paying with check or money order, please make payable to the Schuylkill County Treasurer. Cash will be accepted during normal office hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For more information, call 570-628-1447.

n Pottsville: The Pottsville Kiwanis Club’s annual Christmas meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Dec. 22 at Providence Place, Pottsville. The cost is $10 and the deadline for members/guests to register is Dec. 18. The event will feature the Tide Tones, the music ensemble of the Pottsville Area School District’s D.H.H. Lengel Middle School. For more information, call 570-985-7263.

n Pottsville: Members of the Pottsville Rotary Club will be Salvation Army bell-ringers Dec. 19 at Boscov’s in Fairlane Village mall.

n Pottsville: Diakon Community Services and Seedlings Preschool will have a Christmas ice cream social and open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Schuylkill County Council for the Arts, 1440 Mahantongo St. Freewill donations will be accepted. People will be able to take family photos in the decorated Yuengling Mansion, enjoy Yuengling ice cream and visit with Santa. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-624-3023.

n Pottsville: The office of the Schuylkill County Register of Wills will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Saturday in conjunction with Kids First classes. For more information, call Theresa Santai-Gaffney at 570-628-1381.

n Pottsville: The Pottsville Open Writers will gather at the Pottsville FreePublic Library, 215 W. Market St., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and in 2016 on Jan. 9, Feb. 13, March 12, April 9, May 14 and June 11. Participants should bring a pencil, paper and “creativity” for an informal writing session, according to a library press release. For more information, call 570-622-7368.

n Primrose: St. Nicholas Church will have an advance-sale-only chicken and halupki dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday in St. Nicholas Hall, Route 901. The cost is $10 per meal which also includes mashed potatoes, filling, corn and roll. Patrons may eat in the hall or take meals out. All are welcome. For tickets or more information, call 570-544-4581.

n Tower City: An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday at Williams Valley High School, Route 209. To make an appointment or for more information, call 800-733-2767. People 17 and older, weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to donate blood.

n Weston: The Weston Athletic Association’s Christmas party for children is scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Nuremberg-Weston Fire Company. The groups is accepting donations of cookies for the event. The deadline to make reservations is today by calling Mary Anne Enama at 570-384-2375 or Mary Lescowitch at 570-384-3511.

A Ringtown man is headed to prison after being sentenced Monday in Schuylkill County Court.

Francis J. Layton, 25, must serve two to 12 months in prison under the terms of Judge Jacqueline L. Russell’s sentence, which the judge imposed after revoking Layton’s probation.

Layton, who admitted he has had drug problems, admitted violating his probation by committing new crimes and not making payments on his costs and fines.

“What can we do about that?” Russell asked of Layton’s drug problem. “I don’t want to see you back here.”

Part of Russell’s solution was making a drug and alcohol evaluation for Layton part of the sentence. She made the sentence effective at 9 a.m. Dec. 21 in order to allow Layton to be present for the birth of his child, which is due Dec. 15.

Layton originally pleaded guilty on Oct. 15, 2014, to 12 counts of theft, with prosecutors withdrawing an additional count of theft, plus one count each of conspiracy and receiving stolen property. At that time, Russell placed him on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced him to pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $18,000 restitution, all of which he still must pay under the terms of Monday’s sentence, and perform 240 hours community service.

State police at Frackville alleged Layton committed the thefts on Nov. 6, 2012.

Also on Monday, Russell revoked the probation of Nicole L. Ott, 26, of Shenandoah, and sentenced her to serve six to 12 months in prison and an additional 12 months on probation.

Ott admitted violating her probation by committing new crimes, failing three drug tests and not performing community service.

She originally pleaded guilty on July 22 to criminal trespass, simple assault and loitering and prowling at nighttime, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of aggravated assault. At that time, Russell placed her on probation for 23 months, and also sentenced her to pay costs and $100 in CJEA payments, both of which she still must pay under the terms of Monday’s sentence, perform 60 hours community service and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Frackville borough police alleged Ott trespassed and loitered on Oct. 23, 2014, while Pottsville police alleged Ott committed the assault on Oct. 25, 2014.

Ott also must undergo mental health and drug and alcohol evaluations under the terms of Monday’s sentence.

A year ago, the city’s Pottsville Positive Committee had more than 20 volunteers. Since then, the numbers have dwindled, City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said Monday.

“We’ve had, at one point in time, like 30 people on our list as far as those who were actively participating in meetings,” city Councilman Joseph J. Devine Jr. said Monday.

“Now we have about six,” Palamar said. He was counting himself, Devine and Merideth Hannan, the mayor’s secretary.

They’re hoping more volunteers will get involved in the new year, and said a reorganization meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 10 at the conference room on the second floor of city hall. At that time, the committee may appoint a new chairman, since the committee’s previous chairman, Matthew Drouncheck, announced his resignation in November.

When contacted Dec. 2, Drouncheck refused to comment on the matter.

“Matt just gave me a verbal resignation. He might have just been having a bad day or whatever. He’s more than welcome to come back. For whatever reason, some people decide to stay with us and others go on. We lost some because they were business people who had other commitments,” Devine said.

“And most of those people would help out with projects in the future, too. I don’t think any of them are done volunteering with Pottsville Positive. They’re just done with being responsible for running it. And that’s why we’re here. There’s always going to be consistency as long as we’re involved. And Joe will make sure of that,” Palamar said, referring to himself, Devine, Hannon and other city officials.

In February 2014, during his first State of the City address, Mayor James T. Muldowney said the city would have a better future if more volunteers step forth. And that night he, Palamar and members of council, including Devine, announced the committee would be established.

On Monday, Devine read the group’s mission statement: “The mission of Pottsville Positive is to enhance city programs by matching the talents of concerned individuals and groups of all ages with a wide variety of interesting and challenging projects.”

In July 2014, the volunteer group that ravamped the Pottsville City Independence Celebration, and the group also organized that event this year.

In 2014, the committee agreed to facilitate the city’s New Year’s Eve celebration, and that tradition will also continue this year, Palamar said.

Pottsville has had a community New Year’s celebration consecutively since December 1985. “New Year’s Eve in Pottsville” will be held in Garfield Square.

The city will ask the state Department of Transportation for permission to close a section of Route 209 — West Market Street from Fourth Street to Sixth Street — for the event, from 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Dec. 31.

The event will feature music by a disc jockey and city officials will bring in 2016 by hosting a 6-foot tall replica of a D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc. beer bottle to the top of a flag pole. It’s a tradition that started when the city took over the reins of the community New Year’s Eve celebration from the Pottsville Jaycees in December 2004, according to The Republican-Herald’s archives.

“And the countdown clock with be there,” Palamar said.

Deeds

Ashland — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Sun West Mortgage Co. Inc.; 1100 Brock St.; $1,623.69.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Amy Hendricks; 1133 Market St.; $1,683.

Auburn — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Housing Opportunity Partners REO LLC; 202 Market St.; $1,139.35.

Blythe Township — Geraldine Hromyak to Albert and Janet Stockalis; 6.22-acre property on Route 209; $1.

Butler Township — Dennis McGinley, executor of the Estate of Francis Adamavage, to Craig E. Clossen; 677 Big Mine Run Road; $15,000.

Deer Lake — Judie R. Yob to Ronald S. Webb Jr.; 119 Laurel Road; $135,000.

Delano Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Jhraza American Development LLC Regional; 599 Lofty Road; $849.

Pamela Ann Shaup to James and Tina Shaup; 8.1538-acre property at Oak and Willow streets, Delano; $1.

Silas L. Sweet to Silas L. Sweet and Jessica Vogel; 152 Willow Street, Delano; $1.

East Union Township — Joseph Lazusky Jr. to Robert H. Fritz and Jennifer P. Kase-Fritz; 25 Fourth Blvd., Brandonville; $2,000.

Frackville — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 221-223 S. Middle St.; $1,462.83.

Carrie M. and Darle C.W. Cresswell to Christopher T. Beckett; property on South Middle Street; $1.

Girardville — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Edward F. Burns; property on Main Street; $200.

Hegins Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Branch Banking & Trust Co.; 231 E. Main St., Hegins; $1,230.55.

Kline Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Nationstar Mortgage LLC; 13 Bayview Ave., South McAdoo; $1,142.19.

Mahanoy City — Mary E. Hillibush, administratrix c.t.a. of the Estate of Robert E. Babcock, to Roxanne M. and Anthony J. Gallo; 34 E. South St. and 39 E. Spruce St.; $50,000.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to M&T Bank; 1121 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $1,252.50.

McAdoo — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to JPMorgan Chase Bank NA; 203 E. Grant St.; $1,208.81.

Middleport — Martina R. Reed to Austin R. Fogel; 7 Kaska St.; $2,500.

Minersville — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 308 Carbon St.; $1,040.41.

Jeffrey A. Kline to Shawn and Michele Barr; 558 S. Third St.; $21,000.

Rosley LLC to Tony Mattera; 452 Lewis St.; $13,000.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 19 Sunbury St.; $1,537.92.

North Manheim Township — Catherine T. Ryon to James W. and Courtney L. Ryon; 131 Ryon Lane; $1.

North Union Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Pennymac Loan Services LLC; 8 Brush St., Nuremberg; $1,110.27.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Wells Fargo Bank NA; 56 Ferndale Road; $60,250.

James Clement and James Capriotti to Kenton Shillingford; Lot 347, Cove Vacation Village; $8,000.

Kim D. Laucks Sklar, Donna L. Laucks, Pamela S. Laucks and Connie Lou Epinger to Barry Gene Schreffler, Jimmie Lee Schreffler and Robert Lynn Schreffler; 857 Ringtown Road, Zion Grove; $1.

Orwigsburg — Jovce E. Gable to Thomas E. Ritchey; 634 W. Market St.; $52,000.

Carol A. Trapani to Tracall Properties LLC; 626 W. Market St.; $82,000.

Port Carbon — Lisa M. and Richard DiBerardo to Robert C. Kline; 204 Jackson St.; $132,900.

Porter Township — Larry E. and Carol E. Kreiser to Wayne C. Reiner; property on Colliery Avenue, Reinerton; $2,970.

Wayne C. Reiner to Eric Pinkerton and Andre L. Pinkerton; property on Colliery Avenue, Reinerton; $4,000.

Pottsville — Robert B. and Holly S. Patton to Carolyn M. Marconis and Christopher C. Wetherill; 2490 West End Ave.; $87,000.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Giovanni Ruiz; 629 N. Centre St.; $705.

S&H Investment Group to Diamond Mined LLC; 701-703 W. Arch St.; $10,000.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 1814 W. Norwegian St.; $1,333.59.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 1922 W. Norwegian St.; $1,209.79.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 504 Peacock St.; $1,321.73.

Christopher L. Swolensky to Michael Daub; 1805 W. Norwegian St.; $57,000.

Christopher L. Swolensky to Saint-Juste Max Wily; 732 Schuylkill Ave.; $4,000.

Rush Township — Shaun E. and Laura M. Gilbert to Mark J. and Wendy E. Coury; property on Ye Old Hauto Road, Hometown; $258,500.

Saint Clair — Julia Fatula, Anna Sciuchetti, Charles Bucklar Jr. and John Bucklar to John Bucklar and Liling Zhao; 217 N. Second St.; $1.

Schuylkill Haven — Homebridge Financial Services Inc. to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; 136 Pennsylvania Ave.; $1.

Shenandoah — Thomas C. Bechtel to Brian O’Connell Jr.; 29 S. Grant St.; $5,206.58.

Catherine S. Linkchorst, Leonard Kozlosky Jr. and Shawn Rowan, executors of the Estate of Mary Ellen Sacco, to Patricia Bennett and Brian Coy; 309 W. Oak St.; $30,000.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 6-8 N. Gilbert St.; $1,141.87.

S&H Investment Group to Diamond Mined LLC; 401 E. Lloyd St.; $10,000.

S&H Investment Group to Diamond Mined LLC; 404-406 W. Coal St.; $10,000.

Tamaqua — Joseph L. Tamagini and Sherri Alyse Tamagini to Sherri Alyse Tamagini; 206 Market St.; $1.

S&H Investment Group to Diamond Mined LLC; 335 Rowe St.; $10,000.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Tomas Rivadeneira; 4 W. Rose St.; $4,100.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Oliberio Albino-Rodriquez; 33 E. Elm St.; $2,000.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Joseph Reppert; 205 Market St.; $2,150.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Borough of Tamaqua; 216 Penn St.; $1,850.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Nicola Ferrera; 64 Mahanoy St.; $1,229.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Oliberio Albino-Rodriquez; 317 1/2 Arlington St.; $929.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Junior Perez; 316 Arlington St.; $1,500.

Tremont — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Michael Eric Potts; 39 S. Crescent St.; $749.

Walker Township — Bruce R. and Julia C. Schock to Bruce R. Schock; 696 Valley Road, Lewistown Valley; $1.

Washington Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to JMAC Realty LLC; property on Tori Lane; $10,500.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to JMAC Realty LLC; property on Tori Lane; $10,500.

West Mahanoy Township — Martin F. Brophy, administrator of the Estate of Anthony J. Lazusky, to Mark J. and Denise M. Grajewski; 285 Indiana Ave., Shenandoah Heights; $20,000.

Tower City — Karen A. Hatter to Douglas D. and Wendi L. Raber; 44 W. Thompson St.; $45,000.

Union Township — David K. and Renee L. Walter to Christopher Michael Kovalewski; 2.739-acre property on Legislative Route 53064; $18,500.

West Brunswick Township — Patrick F. and Leslie D. Brennan to Joel T. and Elaine R. Smith; 60 Rockland Lane; $109,000.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Wells Fargo Bank NA; 28 River Road; $1,245.95.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 4045 Village Road, Pinebrook; $1,224.87.

West Mahanoy Township — Anna Palavage, by attorney in fact Darlene Kubilis, to Albert John Pikitus; 219 Virginia Ave., Shenandoah Heights; $20,750.

West Penn Township — John F. and Patricia M. Rarick to Raymond C. and Harriet F. Hoffman; 3 Medical Crossing Road, South Tamaqua; $182,500.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Pennymac Corp.; 963 Dairy Road, South Tamaqua; $1,223.85.

Schuylkill United Way has received an additional $26,000 from its 2016 fundraising campaign, officials said Monday.

Director of Community Relations Michelle Halabura said that an additional employee campaign resulted in the extra $26,000 coming in Thursday, boosting the total raised to $1,053,000.

That total represents the third-highest amount of money raised in a Schuylkill United Way campaign, according to Halabura.

Penn State Schuylkill Chancellor Kelly Austin chaired the 2016 campaign, which started Sept. 11 and had the slogan “Build a Better Tomorrow.” The fundraising goal for the campaign was $1,016,000.

The Tamaqua Area segment of the campaign, which was chaired by Denise Ressler of Branch Banking & Trust, raised $149,000, well beyond its goal of $116,000.

Money raised in the campaign will go to Schuylkill United Way’s 15 member human services agencies that serve thousands of people across the county.

The total of $1,053,000 is $24,000 less than the highest total ever collected by Schuylkill United Way, the $1,077,000 raised during the 2013 campaign chaired by Kris Verba of the Wegmans distribution center in Highridge. Patrick Kane of ETA benefits chaired the 2012 campaign, which collected the second-highest total of $1,063,000.

In an effort to attract more shoppers to the city this holiday season, the Pottsville Parking Authority on Friday decided there will be free parking at the 800 metered spaces in the city for a 12-day period.

“The authority agreed to offer free parking at all of our meters in Pottsville, including the meters in our parking decks and near the hospital, from December 14 through the 25,” Amy S. Burkhart, the authority’s executive director, said Monday.

“We’re encouraging people to come into Pottsville to shop, and it’s also a way of wishing them a happy holiday,” the authority’s vice president, Carmen A. DiCello, owner of Towne Drug, 17 S. Centre St., said Monday.

“Awesome,” City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said Monday.

But city Councilman Joseph J. Devine Jr. paused to consider the pros and cons.

“Anything’s a good idea if it’s going to work. If that’s going to bring people down to go shopping, absolutely,” Devine said.

The authority hasn’t offered anything like this for years. Burkhart believed the last time the authority did something similar was in 2006.

“Back then, we offered free parking at the parking decks and the off-street parking lots specifically,” she said.

This season’s effort will require a bit of sacrifice. The authority estimated it would lose “about $3,700” in meter revenue during that 11-day stretch, she said.

In other matters at its December meeting, the authority approved its 2016 budget.

It includes $326,090 in anticipated revenue, and budgeted are $222,867 in expenses and $103,223 in net operating income, according to a copy of the budget Burkhart provided Monday.

The anticipated revenues are slightly higher than this year’s anticipated revenues, $325,252.10, according to budget figures Burkhart provided.

Meanwhile, the authority is still discussing whether or not it wants to borrow funds for capital improvement projects via a bond issue the city is planning to acquire in 2016.

Palamar said he anticipates city officials will meet with representatives of the parking authority to discuss the matter in the near future.

Christina E. Hale

FRACKVILLE — A borough man charged with having indecent contact with a woman at his 16 S. Nice St. apartment on Sept. 19 and 20 had charges against him held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale.

David A. Becker, 52, was arrested by Frackville police Patrolman Phillip Petrus and charged with two counts of indecent assault, four counts of harassment and one count of open lewdness. After hearing testimony Hale determined the commonwealth proved a prima facie case and ordered all seven charges held for Schuylkill County Court.

Petrus charged Becker with walking up behind a woman and touching her breasts on Sept. 19. The man left after the woman yelled for him to stop. Becker returned later and began making sexual comments toward the woman, the officer said.

The following day, Sept. 20, Petrus said Becker again touched the woman and made additional sexual comments. When interviewed by Petrus, Becker told him he was “just kidding” and thought “everything was cool.”

In a separate case, Hale ordered a charge of retail theft against Becker, who listed an address of 15 St. Charles St., Apt. B, Schuylkill Haven, to court as well.

Other court cases included:

Gerald F. Muth, 43, of 718 Centre St., Ashland — withdrawn: criminal trespass, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, terroristic threats and public drunkenness.

Jason E. Conner, 38, of 1605 Centre St., Ashland — waived for court: retail theft and receiving stolen property.

Jacob D. Shuey, 23, of 1105 Brock St., Ashland — waived for court: possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and removal or disposal of detained or embargoed substances.

Jason J. Pryce, 30, of 215 Germanville Road, Ashland — withdrawn: aggravated assault. Waived for court: robbery, simple assault and theft.

Kirk R. Rogers Jr., 24, of 1 W. Spring St., Frackville _ withdrawn: terroristic threats, simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Hunter Lee Hall, 20, of 604 Airport Road, Ashland — withdrawn: delivery or intent to deliver drug paraphernalia. Waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

James R. Flail Jr., 59, of 555 Westwood Lane, Frackville — withdrawn: terroristic threats, simple assault, false imprisonment and harassment.

Ryan J. Engle, 23, of 534 W. Oak St., Frackville — withdrawn: aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct and harassment.

Jerry G. Adrey Jr., 45, of 635 W. Centre St., Mahanoy City — withdrawn: criminal trespass, conspiracy, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and terroristic threats.

Agustin Soto-Arvelo, 47, of 220 Fairview St., Pottsville — held for court: DUI, notice of change or name or address and failure to notify of change of address.

Bethany Anne Lightstone, 20, of 66 N. Lehigh St., Apt. A, Frackville — waived for court: bad checks.

Anthony J. Kilker

SHENANDOAH — A woman caught shoplifting in Mahanoy City in July and subsequently found with illegal drugs had charges against her held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.

Helene C. Grutza, 40, of 215 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City, was arrested by Mahanoy City police Chief John Kaczmarczyk and charged with one felony count of retail theft and a misdemeanor offense of possession of a controlled substance.

After hearing testimony, Kilker determined the commonwealth proved a prima facie case and ordered both offenses against Grutza held for Schuylkill County Court.

Kaczmarczyk said that on July 21, Grutza was apprehended at Mahanoy City Food Store for stealing a bag of cat food. When taken into custody, Grutza had several pills listed as controlled substances and could not produce a valid prescription.

The retail theft charge was filed as a felony offense because it was learned that Grutza had five prior offenses for the same crime, Kaczmarczyk said.

Other court cases included:

Jennifer Adams, 47, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — waived for court: defiant trespass, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

Samuel Sanabria-Sanabria, 40, of 107 N. Jardin St., Shenandoah — waived for court: DUI, DUI-highest rate and disorderly conduct.

Leonard Lee Blashock Jr., 43, of 11 Nolania Road, Barnesville — withdrawn: fleeing or attempting to elude police. Waived for court: recklessly endangering another person, DUI, passing where prohibited, careless driving, driving with a suspended or revoked license, driving at an unsafe speed and following too closely.

Joseph Sartori, 27, of Box 93, 15 Colorado Road, Lost Creek — withdrawn: receiving stolen property. Waived for court: theft.

Joseph M. Hartz, 26, of 777 Main St., Zion Grove — waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, no rear light and failure to notify of change of address.

Scott White, 24, of 15 N. Kennedy Drive, Apt. 2, McAdoo — waived for court: possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jasmine Mercado, 30, of 105 N. Main St., 2nd Floor, Shenandoah — withdrawn: DUI-controlled substance, driving without a license and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Ryan J. Neaus, 28, of 917 Weston Road, Weston — held for court: possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Angelo Lee Seritti, 30, of 1233 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City — held for court: DUI-controlled substance.

MAR LIN — Norwegian Township Supervisor Robert Kirwan attended his last regular supervisors meeting Monday.

He decided not to run for re-election. Robert Dallago, a Democrat, will fill the seat left by Kirwan, having won in the November election.

Usually only a handful of people attend the meeting but Monday, about 60 people attended to show their support for Kirwan, who had been a supervisor since 1990.

“Let’s get back to the meeting. Let’s get back to the meeting,” Kirwan told those in attendance who commented on the good job he has done for the township.

Kirwan was nominated for the role in March 1990 and appointed in April 1990 after former Supervisor Tommy Brilla retired. Of those 26 years, he has been chairman of the board for 12. He has served the township in one way or another for 43 years. He started as a member of the planning commission and later the zoning hearing board for 17 years before his current role. While normal business was conducted during the meeting, Kirwan took a few moments to thank those who also serve the township. He spoke about people on the road crew, the various boards, those serving in other capacities for the township and the other two supervisors, Stanley Petchulis and Leo Grace.

“I call Stanley the go-to man,” Kirwan said.

He said Petchulis is one who volunteers to see people when needed to get things done.

He also had kind words to say about Grace.

“This guy, 10 years ago, I will tell you he doesn’t like me to talk about this, but I’m going to tell you anyhow. Ten years ago, he took us from the typewriter, pencil age into the computer age,” Kirwan said.

He said Grace gets glowing comments about audits that he doesn’t say much about. Kirwan told Dallago he has a good group of people to work with in the township.

Several people spoke about Kirwan and how has been a benefit to the township. B.J. Evans, township solicitor, said he has been honored to serve as solicitor.

“When I think about the things that I admire or respect about you, the two things that come to mind is courage. You’ve always had the courage to make tough decisions in this township and the other thing I want to say is loyalty. You’ve always been loyal to the people of this township, and you’ve made tough decisions against entities in this township that were for the best interests of the township,” Evans said.

Petchulis said Kirwan has been an asset to the township.

“I think Bob did a great job in this township over a period of years,” he said.

He said Kirwan did his best to keep taxes low and not increase them and getting the red light for the 901/209 intersection as some of his contributions. Grace also was appreciative of Kirwan’s efforts.

Kirwan’s son, Bill, also said a few words about his dad.

“His passion for this town is deep,” he said recounting how his father would be off to meetings at different times when Kirwan was younger.

After the meeting, Kirwan said he was suprised so many people attended. Some said this is only the first meeting they attended.

“I want to thank the residents of the township for their support over the years,” Kirwan said.

Township business discussed at the meeting included the proposed 2016 budget. A tax hike is not in the $727,850 budget. The tax rate is set to remain at 2.73 mills. Final adoption is slated for 9 a.m. Dec. 29 in the township building. Those in Mar Lin, Seltzer and Woodland Acres will see their sewer rates increase by $2 a month to $45 a month. Those areas of the township are served by the Minersville Sewer Authority, which serves Minersville and Norwegian and Branch townships. The 5 percent increase was approved by the Minersville Area Sewer Authority Board last month. The funds will be used to replace aging equipment. The borough is also facing increasing costs.

In other business, the supervisors approved a resolution needed to approve an application for the design phase of the planned red lights at the 901/209 intersection. Six traffic lights are planned for the intersection, a scene of numerous crashes and deaths. The improvements have been planned by the state Department of Transportation.

Utility relocation is planned for fall 2016. Signal installation, crosswalks and other needed measures will take place afterward.

Along with the traffic lights, there is a designated right turn lane on Route 209 onto Route 901 to Pottsville. Crosswalks and pedestrian signals are also going to be installed. Project completion is anticipated in summer 2017.

Once installed, the township will own and maintain the lights. The lights will be activated by video detection and based on traffic volume.

Traffic will stop on Route 901, allowing those turning left off Route 209 to Minersville to proceed safely when a green light is present. An area in the left lane of Route 901 will be marked with lines prohibiting motorists from driving in that section to alleviate accidents.

Kirwan said the project might start sooner than previously stated.

Police: Man drove

truck into building

Pottsville police investigated a crash that was reported about 4:05 p.m. Saturday at the Losch Plaza building, 121 N. Progress Ave.

Police said officers discovered that a GMC pickup truck owned and operated by Michael C. Reber, 29, of Pottsville, crashed into the building and came to a stop partially inside. Reber fled the scene but was quickly apprehended after a brief struggle in the parking lot of the Sunoco mini mart at East Norwegian Street and Route 61.

Police said two passengers in the truck at the time — Kimberly Borrell, 49, and Robert Nelson, 58, both of Pottsville — said it appeared that Reber intentionally drove into the building as he violently turned the steering wheel and accelerated into the structure.

As a result of the crash, Reber is being charged with causing or risking a catastrophe, recklessly endangering another person, reckless driving, accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.

Additional charges of DUI-controlled substance are pending the outcome of toxicology tests, police said.

Police: Man said

he’d kill woman

BRANDONVILLE — State police at Frackville are investigating an aggravated assault that occurred about 10 p.m. Sunday at 40 Main Blvd. in this East Union Township village.

Police said Daniel J. Wylie, 45, of Ringtown, came home intoxicated and began a verbal argument with a person inside.

During the argument, police said, Wylie pulled a pocket knife from his pocket and held it to the throat of the victim and told her that he would kill her.

No other information on the incident was available.

State police probe

theft at Wal-Mart

HAMBURG — State police at Hamburg are investigating a theft that occurred about 1:50 a.m. Sunday at Wal-Mart in Tilden Township, Berks County.

Police said a man removed a Sunbeam kerosene heater, a bottle of kerosene and a Acer computer monitor with a combined value of $200.

The man is described as being white, about 30-years-old, 6 feet tall with red hair and a medium build. He was wearing a black hoodie and black jeans, police said. The man also had a long beard with a rubber band in it.

The man was driving an older model maroon Ford pickup truck with a silver stripe and loud muffler, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 610-562-6885.

Teen to be cited

for 2-vehicle crash

PINE GROVE — Two people escaped injury when their vehicles collided about 4:10 p.m. Saturday on Mountain Road, just west of Pine Hill Road in Pine Grove Township.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said a 16-year-old Pine Grove resident was driving a 1993 Ford Ranger, emerging from a private drive to turn left onto Mountain Road, and pulled into the path of a 1999 Subaru Forester being driven west on Mountain Road by Nolan K. Zehring, 27, of Pine Grove.

Zehring swerved to avoid a collision but could not do so. After impact, Zehring lost control and traveled a across a private drive and struck a utility pole.

Police said the teenage driver will be cited as a result of the crash.

Police probe theft

of flatbed trailer

PORT CARBON — State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a theft that occurred between 4:30 a.m. Nov. 18 and 6 a.m. Nov. 19 on Second Street in the borough.

Police said Erich M. Borrell reported someone stole a black 5-by-8 foot flatbed utility trailer and fled the area.

Police said two white men were seen removing the trailer and hooking it up to a pickup truck. The truck is described as being a silver late 1990s or early 2000 Dodge Dakota with numerous stickers on the rear window.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-739-1330.

Woman: Purse

stolen from car

HAMBURG — A theft from a vehicle the parking lot of Wal-Mart in Tilden Township, Berks County, that occurred between 5 p.m. Saturday and 10:20 p.m. Sunday is being investigated by state police at Hamburg.

Police said a Hamburg woman reported someone entered her unlocked vehicle and removed her purse before fleeing the area.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 610-562-6885.

Those who have served and are serving our country in the armed forces were recognized Monday in Schuylkill Haven and Orwigsburg.

Wreaths were presented in honor of the different branches of the military at Schuylkill County Vietnam Veterans Memorial near the First United Church of Christ along Route 61 in Schuylkill Haven.

“We are gathered here today at this site as well as different locations across America to remember that we are one nation with one flag. We are all proud to be Americans that live in a free society made up of many people, many races, from many occupations. The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price. Lying in cemeteries throughout this nation are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom and without fear,” Kristina Wolfe Miller, vice president of the Schuylkill Haven American Legion Post 38 Ladies Auxiliary, said.

The auxiliary sponsored the event with assistance from the Schuylkill Haven American Legion Post 38. This is the third year for the event in Schuylkill Haven. The ceremony featured the national anthem played by the Williams Valley Elementary Band, from the Williams Valley School District, remarks from various speakers including Schuylkill Haven Mayor Mike Devlin, the laying of the wreaths, taps and a 21-gun salute. Attending were local and county leaders including Schuylkill County Commissioners Gary Hess and George Halcovage and members of the public. Students from schools in the county also attended.

The wreaths in three 53-foot-long trailers that left at 8 a.m. Sunday from Columbia Falls, Maine, and arrived early Monday morning. The trucks could be seen at 12:23 p.m. escorted by a Schuylkill Haven state police car, a firetruck and the Patriot Guard Riders, a motorcycle group. In all, about 100 trucks filled with 901,000 wreaths will be placed in honor of service members. Jim Farrell, a member of the board of directors for Wreaths Across America, said the three trucks that stopped in the borough carrying 18,000 wreaths will go to The Andrew Johnson National Cemetery in Tennessee, the Houston National Cemetery, Texas, and a wreath will to go to Natchez, Mississippi, for a ceremony. At least 40 of the 100 trucks with 230,000 wreaths will go to Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, for a ceremony Saturday, he said. The wreaths sponsored by donations from individuals, corporations and others.

Before the wreaths were placed, Miller talked about the sacrifice of those who have served our country.

“There are many men and women serving today in all branches of the military, here at home and in places far away that most of us have never heard of. These men and women are part of the best-trained best equipped force in the world. We honor them and their families for the sacrifices they make each day to keep our country free from terrorism, hatred and injustice that plague the world community. When you see a veteran or active duty member of the armed services, take a moment to say ‘thank you’ We owe them our way of life, and a moment of your time is well spent,” Miller said.

During the ceremony wreaths were placed in memory of those serving or who have served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and POW/ MIA. A wreath was also placed in memory of Capt. Jason B. Jones, a native of Orwigsburg. He was in the special forces and died June 2, 2014, near Jalalabad, Afghanistan, in a small arms fight.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, two students from the Williams Valley School District, Gavin Schnoke, 12, a sixth-grade student, and Jarred Stroup, 10, a fifth-grade student, played taps.

Wreaths will also be placed at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. The auxiliary presented a check for $1,000 for wreaths they will be placed there noon Saturday. Anyone interested in helping Saturday to lay wreaths may call 570-385-5013.

Students at the Blue Mountain Middle School also honored veterans Monday during a ceremony. This is the second year for the event at the school. As in Schuylkill Haven, wreaths were placed in honor of those who served in the military, POW/MIA and Merchant Marines. A wreath was also presented to the family of Jones. A procession went through the halls of the school. Songs were sung and six eighth-grade students read essays about what freedom means to them. Justin W. Frantz, lead social studies teacher at the middle school, said the program was bigger this year.

“The ceremony is not about us or the school, it is about showing the appreciation that these people deserve,” he said.

A federal judge has declined to change the sentences being served by the two men who led Schuylkill Products Inc. before that Cressona-based company went out of business due to the largest fraud scheme of its kind ever perpetrated.

Joseph W. Nagle and Ernest G. Fink must remain in federal prison for seven years and 51 months, respectively, and each must pay a $25,000 fine, Senior U.S. District Judge Sylvia H. Rambo ruled.

Nagle and Fink are not entitled to be sentenced as if there was no loss as a result of their actions because they hurt legitimate businesses under the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, according to Rambo.

“The loss attributable to Defendants’ conduct is the amount of profits that their businesses diverted from legitimate DBEs,” she wrote in a 12-page memorandum accompanying her Nov. 30 order.

After a 19-day trial, a federal jury in Harrisburg convicted Nagle, Schuylkill Products’ former president and chief executive officer, on April 5, 2012, of 26 charges, including wire fraud, mail fraud, engaging in unlawful monetary transactions and conspiracy, resulting from his role in the scheme. Rambo sentenced Nagle, 54, on June 30, 2014, to serve seven years in prison, a term he is serving at Federal Prison Camp/Pensacola in Florida.

Fink, 70, earlier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and was sentenced July 14, 2014, to serve 51 months in prison. He is serving his sentence at Federal Correctional Institution/Schuylkill, Mount Pleasant.

On Sept. 30, a three-judge panel of the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Nagle’s and Fink’s convictions but returned the case to Rambo for resentencing, saying she must consider the value of the services received under the contracts.

Prosecutors charged Nagle, Fink and several other Schuylkill Products executives with using Marikina Engineers and Construction Corp., West Haven, Connecticut, as a front under the DBE program from 1993 until 2008 to funnel work to the Cressona company and its wholly owned subsidiary, CDS Engineers Inc.

Romeo P. Cruz, a Filipino, owned Marikina, enabling it to be classified as a DBE under federal law and making it eligible to obtain certain construction contracts, according to prosecutors. That, in turn, enabled Schuylkill Products and CDS Engineers to use Marikina as a front that let them do the actual construction work, prosecutors said.

Schuylkill Products manufactured concrete bridge beams and other suppliers’ products, while CDS Engineers installed them. Personnel from the two companies used Marikina passwords, signature stamps, business cards, letterheads and email addresses and covered their companies’ logos on trucks with Marikina magnetic placards and decals in efforts to conceal the fraud, prosecutors alleged.

Northeast Prestressed Products LLC bought Schuylkill Products in April 2009 for $9.25 million and now operates from the same site on Route 901 in Cressona.

In her latest opinion, Rambo noted that restitution and loss are not the same in every case. While the government is not entitled to restitution, that does not mean there was no loss in this case, as Fink and Nagle claim, according to Rambo.

Legitimate DBEs sustained a loss because they did not receive contracts, and thereby lost both money and the ability to establish connections for possible future business, Rambo ruled. However, the DBEs’ lost profits are a sufficient loss for the purpose of determining the sentences, she wrote.

Those sentences were the ones she originally imposed, Rambo wrote.

“Defendants’ sentences would have been the same duration as originally imposed” had she used the contracts’ face value less the value of services received, according to Rambo.

SHENANDOAH — The borough council tentatively adopted at Tuesday’s special meeting its 2016 operational budget that includes a 2-mill increase in real estate taxes.

The tentative budget was accepted in a 4-2 vote, with council President Donald E. Segal, Vice President Leo Pietkiewicz and council members Paul J. Holland and Rosanne Mychak voting in favor. Voting against were councilmen Jeffrey Zubowicz and Ronald C. Mickalowski. Councilman Robert Kulpowicz did not attend.

If the budget is formally approved as is later this month, the real estate tax will increase from 25 to 27 mills. The overall assessed valuation of property in the borough is $33,100,925. Each mill should bring in $33,100 in tax revenue, though the collection rate is about 80 percent.

The median property value in Shenandoah is $7,720. The average increase in taxes per home will be $15.44.

Segal explained parts of the budget before a vote was taken. The $3,242,780 budget ($3,120,220 in 2015) includes the following revenues:

• General fund — $1,973,890 ($1,915,885 in 2015)

• Sewer revenue fund — $1,101,600 ($1,046,750 in 2015)

• Liquid fuels — $167,290 ($157,585 in 2015)

“In this budget into the general fund, we are discussing a two-mill tax increase, which will give us a $51,000 increase, provides a mill dedicated to a demolition fund, projects a future cash balance, provides funding for a new police vehicle, and meets obligations of uniform and non-uniform bargaining agreements,” Segal said.

Segal continued with the synopsis of the budget, speaking of the sewer revenue fund rate increase that will help with continued capital improvements at the treatment plant, provide funding for a new sewer department vehicle and meets obligations of collective bargaining agreements.

He also said that there is an increase in state liquid fuels funding for 2016, and money is budgeted for the purchase of a new street department vehicle.

Pietkiewicz motioned for the tentative adoption, with Mychak providing the second. Before the vote, Michalowski asked if there is a rollover/surplus expected in this year’s operations, with Segal replying $35,500.

“I’m definitely opposed to this tax increase,” Michalowski said.

In a separate vote of 4-2, the borough council increased sewer rates for next year by $3 per month, $9 per quarter, for the financially struggling Shenandoah Sewer Authority. In 2015, sewer customers saw an increase of $6 per month, $18 per quarter.

After the meeting, Segal said, “The money is tight. Very tight. It took some time, but it looks like we’ll end the year (2016) with a $25,000 cash reserve.”

Segal said the tentative budget will be forwarded to the state Department of Community and Economic Development and the Pennsylvania Economy League for their review. Shenandoah is involved in the state’s Early Intervention Program in reviewing the borough’s operations and work toward stabilizing the financial picture, with the annual budget being a very important aspect.

Segal said that the 1-mill increase dedicated to the demolition fund will help establish an emergency account to deal with blight issues that need to be addressed quickly. The 1 mill will raise about $26,000 at the 80 percent tax collection rate.

Address incorrect

Mark T. Keeth, 56, of 801 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City, recently appeared for a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville.

Keeth had charges of reckless driving and careless driving withdrawn and waived his right to a hearing on charges of DUI, DUI-controlled substance, accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property and disregard for a single traffic lane.

Keeth’s address was listed incorrectly in Monday’s edition.

Hamburg man

injured in crash

SHOEMAKERSVILLE — A Hamburg man suffered minor injuries when the 2006 Jeep Wrangler he was driving crashed about 4 a.m. Sunday on Route 61, just north of Zions Church Road in Perry Township, Berks County.

State police at Hamburg said Ruben Trujillo, 21, was driving north when he fell asleep, crossed the southbound lanes, went off the road and hit an embankment, causing the SUV to roll onto its passenger’s side.

Police said Trujillo, who was taken to Reading Hospital by Hamburg EMS for treatment, will be cited for not driving on roadways laned for traffic as a result of the crash.

Shoemakersville firefighters assisted at the scene.

Driver in minivan

crash to be cited

FRACKVILLE — State police at Frackville investigated a crash that occurred about 4:10 a.m. Sunday in the northbound lanes of Interstate 81 at mile marker 122.5 in Butler Township.

Police said Chik Lee, 37, of Scranton, was driving a 1999 Chevrolet Venture north in the left lane when he swerved to avoid an animal, lost control and drove onto the west berm. Lee over-corrected and drove back across both northbound lanes and hit a concrete barrier along the east berm.

Lee will be cited for not driving on roadways laned for traffic as a result of the crash, police said.

Lykens barracks

gives Nov. report

LYKENS — State police at Lykens reported receiving 488 calls during the month of November.

There were 114 criminal offenses reported with 106 determined to be valid, 90 were cleared and 84 arrests made.

In the patrol division, police investigated 38 crashes and 11 hit-and-run crashes resulting in seven injuries and no fatalities.

Police issued 688 traffic citations, 371 warning notices and made 25 DUI arrests.

4 facing charges

in Wal-Mart thefts

HOMETOWN — Four people are facing charges by Rush Township police after separate incidents at Wal-Mart.

Police said Anthony Powell, 45, of McAdoo, will be charged with retail theft after stealing items valued at $69.97. Barry Fox, 56, of Hometown, will be charged with retail theft for stealing items valued at $3.48 that same day.

Justin Vereen, 21, of Tamaqua, will be charged with retail theft for stealing items valued at $38.88 on Nov. 30.

Police said a Tuscarora man is facing charges of retail theft and receiving stolen property after stealing merchandise valued at $128 on Dec. 3.

Police said Jason Dahm, 37, fled but was later spotted in the Tamaqua Burger King parking lot where he was also found with a container filled with empty heroin bags.

Police said Dahm was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison.

Driver not hurt

after hitting deer

MAHANOY CITY — A man from Drums escaped injury when he struck a deer early Sunday morning on Interstate 81 in Mahanoy Township, state police at Lykens said Monday.

At 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Kyle J. Peters, 37, was driving a 2010 Nissan Maxima southbound in the left lane when the deer entered the road near mile marker 129. After he hit the deer, he steered onto the east berm, police said.

The vehicle was towed.

Property owners

report burglary

Pottsville police are investigating a burglary and theft that was reported about 8 a.m. Dec. 1 in the city.

Police said they were called to 437 Front St. after David and Robert Antonini, owners of the property, discovered someone forced his or her way into the building through a window and stole collectible bottles of Jim Beam alcohol and four used tires.

The property was last known to be secure on Nov. 24, police said.

Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to call Pottsville police at 570-622-1234, ext. 331.

The caller’s identity will be kept confidential if requested, police said.

Geisinger Medical Center, Danville

To Matthew and Elizabeth Rennick, Schuylkill County, a son, Nov. 26.

Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital

To Tom and Ashlee Kruskie Stehr, Mount Carmel, a son, Dec. 4.