The Actors Guild of Schuylkill County is ready to take audiences to a world of pure imagination.

AGOSC will present “Willy Wonka Jr.” at 7 p.m. today and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Simon Kramer Theatre, 15 Alliance St., New Philadelphia. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 4 to 12 and free for children 3 and under.

Amy Mills, director and choreographer, said the production is modeled after the original film starring Gene Wilder as the eccentric chocolate maker who gives a group of lucky children a trip of his factory in hopes of finding its new owner. She said the storyline stays close to the movie with only a few differences.

“Since it has been adapted as a stage musical, the audience will hear new songs that were not present in the film. Of course, the songs they recognize will be there as well, including ‘Pure Imagination,’ ‘Candy Man,’ and ‘Cheer Up, Charlie.’ Most everyone is familiar with the Oompa Loompa songs,” Mills said.

The show features a cast of 30 area children ranging in age from 5 to 17. Mills said most of the cast were familiar with one of the movie versions, referring to the original and the 2005 remake directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp.

“Many of them were familiar with the Gene Wilder version, which was surprising to me as I thought that most kids in this age range would have been more familiar with the Johnny Depp version,” she said.

In the film, Willy Wonka’s factory had large, elaborate rooms. Mills said it was almost impossible to create the scenes from the movie on the stage with a tight budget, but the guild’s “amazing” volunteers and artists gave them the biggest bang for their buck.

“Our volunteers spent countless hours over the past few months on the sets, props, costumes and all other aspects of theater to bring this show to life. Many of our volunteers also have full-time jobs during the day so it is a huge commitment for them to put so many additional hours into our show. We are so grateful to all our volunteers,” Mills said.

AGOSC is a nonprofit 501c3 community theater. Mills said all the work on the show is handled on a volunteer basis and nobody gets paid.

Mills said this is the seventh year the guild is producing a youth musical. After moving into Simon Kramer last year, the guild was able to produce shows they wanted to do in the larger space, including two of Mills’ childhood favorites.

“Last year we were able to produce ‘The Wizard of Oz’ youth production with much success and I am excited to be able to bring ‘Willy Wonka’ to life now as well,” she said.

She said she expects the same success this weekend.

“I believe the audience will be happily surprised at the level of talent and professionalism these young actors have. Those who have seen our past youth productions are always amazed at the show level for such young performers,” Mills said.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.agosc.org or call 570-617-2720.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — High school students in Schuylkill County learned what it is like to be a senator Thursday during a student government seminar hosted by state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, at Penn State Schuylkill.

The annual “Senator for a Day” program put students in the role of senators trying to turn a bill into a law.

“It makes the textbook come alive,” Argall said.

After Argall talked to the students about the legislative process, they were divided into four committees — education, finance, state government and transportation. Each committee had to come up with two bill proposals that were then discussed and voted on during a general session with all the students.

“I think they get a better understanding of the legislative process and why it is so difficult for bills to become laws,” Argall said.

Not all of their proposals were passed. There was a bill that would have regulated cellphone use while behind the wheel and another that would have drug tests for welfare recipients. Students also proposed legislation that would eliminate school property taxes, but enact natural gas fracking tax and increase other taxes on things like cigarettes, tobacco and lottery tickets.

However, the most debated proposal among the students was the one legalizing marijuana for recreational use. Argall said it was the first time in the program’s six years that he heard that proposal.

The bill proposed legalizing marijuana for recreational use with similar regulations to alcohol, including 21 being the legal age, and regulations and licensing for selling. The bill would also introduce a 15 percent sales tax on it.

It was close, but ultimately approved.

“We are in a very conservative area and it was interesting to hear how some people responded to the proposal,” Anthony Wojciechowsky, a senior at Pottsville Area High School, said.

“I think it was great program,” Wojciechowsky said. “Everyone wants to learn how to be involved in government and we had great discussions. There were disagreements, but we were able to discuss them professionally.”

Interested students said they are interesting in pursuing a career in politics.

“It was a great opportunity for us to explore our political interests,” Mary Zimmerman, a junior at Schuylkill Haven Area High School, said.

She said she liked how the day was organized like a session in Senate.

“It was very interesting as high school students to see how our government works,” James Magdeburg, a junior at Schuylkill Haven, said.

“I thought it was a special learning opportunity,” Jon Moyer, also a junior at Schuylkill Haven, said. “It took a lot of delusions away about how our government works and gave us insights as to how it actually works.”

Pottsville residents can do their part to help those in need by leaving nonperishable food by their mailbox Saturday.

“All they have to do is put the food right close to the mailbox and we will pick it up,” Greg Andregic, coordinator of the Stamp Out Hunger food drive in Schuylkill County, said.

Stamp Out Hunger is a nationwide food drive that looks to feed the more than 48 million Americans who go hungry every day. One in five of those who go hungry are children. The food drive effort is coordinated by organizations such as the National Association of Letter Carriers, U.S. Postal Service and National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association.

Nonperishable food such as pasta, cereal and rice will be accepted. Andregic, who is also union steward of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 500, based in Harrisburg, requests no glass be donated for safety reasons.

On Tuesday, Andregic and Eric Umberger, city carrier assistant, went door to door on Howard Street delivering the mail and information about the food drive.

The following post offices are participating in the effort: Pottsville, Schuylkill Haven, Port Carbon, Cressona, New Philadelphia, Orwigsburg, New Ringgold, Shenandoah, Frackville, Minersville and Saint Clair.

Food collected in Pottsville, Port Carbon, New Philadelphia, Cressona and Saint Clair will then be taken to the Pottsville post office for distribution to the Salvation Army, Servants To All-My Father’s House and United Presbyterian Church, all in Pottsville. About two-thirds of the food will go to the Salvation Army, with the remainder going to the other two locations in Pottsville. Usually the food is distributed to the Salvation Army in Pottsville on Sanderson Street and Schuylkill Community Action. According to Andregic, Jason Schally with SCA said the organization had sufficient food and provided the names of the church and My Father’s House that could use the donations. The food collected in the other locations will stay in or near that area, Andregic said.

Capt. Kevin Polito, of the Salvation Army of Pottsville, said the food is appreciated.

“It really is an excellent food drive and it really comes at a very critical time of year for us. We get really loaded up with donations of course in November and December, around the holidays, so this kind of really resupplies us for the summer months,” he said.

He did not have a total amount collected in 2015 but said all of it was appreciated. In Pottsville, 13,700 pounds was collected, about 3,000 pounds in Schuylkill Haven, about 1,000 pounds in Cressona, and 900 pounds in Port Carbon.

Nationwide this year, letter carriers in 10,000 cities and other locations will help to collect the food during the nation’s largest one-day food drive, according to the postal service.

“For over two decades, the Postal Service has joined the National Association of Letter Carriers and others to help Stamp Out Hunger in America,” Postmaster General and CEO Megan J. Brennan said. “As we come together to help feed America’s hungry, I encourage our customers across the country to support this vital one-day food drive. Working together, we will continue making a difference in the lives of millions of Americans in need.”

In 2015, postal service employees collected more than 71 million pounds of food during the drive, feeding an estimated 30 million people, according to the U.S. Postal Service.

CRESSONA — Planet Fitness is coming to the Cressona Mall.

“They are going into the former Ames space,” RoseAnn Svrcek, property manager with Metro Commercial, the property management company, said Thursday.

Prior to Ames, the location was home of the Hills department store.

She said a lease for the 23,256-square-foot empty space was signed May 6 and is until Oct. 20, 2027, between Planet Fitness and JPMCC 2005-CIBC13 Route 61 South Limited Partnership, which is listed as the owner of the mall, according to the online Schuylkill County Parcel Locator.

“All leases are different,” she said.

She said the effort to bring Planet Fitness has been at least a year in the making.

She didn’t know the opening date but said it might be “early fall.” Svrcek said work has to be done on site prior to the opening.

“They’ve had architects here throughout the last couple of weeks,” she said.

Barbara G. Miller, secretary/treasurer for North Manheim Township, said no applications or plans were submitted to the township that she knows of yet.

This will be the first Planet Fitness location in Schuylkill County. There are 27 locations in the state, according to www.planetfitness.com. Some nearby locations include Reading, Lancaster, Lebanon and York. There are more than 1,100 locations in 47 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada and the Dominican Republic, according to the company. Generally, the locations are open 24 hours. Memberships are either $10 a month or $19.99 depending on what level of membership is selected.

A media relations person did not return calls or an email for comment.

Svrcek said the addition of a new tenant to the mall is welcome news and thinks people in the county will be excited.

“It’s going to be huge,” she said.

The addition of Planet Fitness to the mall will leave six empty storefronts. The mall currently has 21 tenants. Svrcek said spaces have been shown to interested people, but she is not aware of any other prospective tenants at this time.

A Pottsville woman is headed to state prison after being sentenced Monday for endangering a child.

Bria M. Jacoby, 27, must serve eight to 24 months in a state correctional institution, Judge Charles M. Miller decided.

Miller imposed the sentence after revoking Jacoby’s probation for a second time.

Jacoby originally pleaded no contest on Aug. 23, 2012, to endangering the welfare of children. On Oct. 17, 2012, Miller placed her on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced her to pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account.

By pleading no contest, Jacoby did not admit committing the crime, but offered no defense to the charge, acknowledged prosecutors had sufficient evidence to prove her guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and agreed to be sentenced as if she had pleaded or been found guilty.

Schuylkill Haven borough police charged Jacoby with endangering the child on Jan. 3, 2012, in the borough.

On Jan. 9, 2015, Miller revoked Jacoby’s original probation, but placed her on probation for an additional 24 months. At that time, Jacoby promised Miller he never would see her again in court.

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

Jeremy G. Colosimo, 28, of Shenandoah; three counts of resisting arrest and one of possession of drug paraphernalia; 115 days to 13 months in prison, $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $150 in payments to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account. Prosecutors withdrew an additional count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Darren Drey, 20, of Schuylkill Haven; theft; 17 days to 12 months in prison and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew two counts each of criminal trespass and receiving stolen property, one each of conspiracy and criminal mischief and an additional count of theft.

Amber L. Faust, 28, of Schuylkill Haven; possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment.

Rondel Fucci, 35, of Tamaqua; retail theft; three days to 18 months in prison, $50 CJEA payment and $50 bench warrant fee.

Peter P. Futyma, 26, of Ringtown; two counts each of driving under the influence and accident involving damage to attended vehicle or property and one each of driving without a license, following too closely, careless driving and reckless driving; one to five years in prison, $5,250 in fines, $200 in SAEF payments, $150 in CJEA payments and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street. Prosecutors withdrew three counts each of failure to stop and give information and failure to notify police of accident, two of driving under suspension, one each of failure to drive at a safe speed and operating vehicle without required financial responsibility and one additional count each of reckless driving and careless driving.

Nathan J. Heckman, 33, of New Ringgold; DUI; six months in the intermediate punishment program, $1,500 fine, $300 SAEF payment and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street.

Jessa-Lyn A. Hein, 22, of Schoentown; theft and retail theft; 18 months probation consecutiev to current sentence, $200 fine and $16.96 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of receiving stolen property and one additional count of theft.

Joshua D. Joseph, 30, of Mahanoy City; DUI and failure to yield; six months in the intermediate punishment program, $1,025 in fines, $300 SAEF payment and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street. Prosecutors withdrew charges of improper emergence onto highway, careless driving and seat belt violation.

Keith Kintzel, 29, of Pottsville; theft; 18 months probation and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of receiving stolen property.

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

Blue Mountain students have an invitation to compete at the 2016 High School National Academic Quiz Tournament May 28 and 29 in Dallas, Texas, after placing third in the state.

Team members and seniors, Micah Boyer, Matthew Blair, Daniel Kelley and Alex Snitzer, and juniors, Travis Barrow and Andrew Chawluk, won the third place title at the Pennsylvania Academic Competition in Harrisburg on April 29, qualifying them for NAQT.

The team’s been successful for a number of reasons, according to Steve J. Zimmerman, high school social studies teacher and gifted coordinator who serves as team coach.

“We practice daily, we have a group of students with a wide variety of interests,” he said, noting some are versed in history, science, arts and literature. “We start all the way back in ninth grade looking for team members, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to do well because of our past tradition of winning, and our school offers a good number of hard classes to push our kids intellectually,” Zimmerman said.

The team received a state trophy, a $500 check to be used for student scholarships and the NAQT invitation.

Blue Mountain students earned the chance to compete at the state level by claiming first place March 18 at the 24th annual Schuylkill County Academic Competition held at Penn State Schuylkill campus and sponsored by Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29.

At the state level, all of the teams are the best from their respective intermediate units, and the questions teams are asked are a lot more challenging, Zimmerman explained.

“A traditional U.S. history question about Prohibition Era gangsters might ask about Al Capone, John Dillinger or Bonnie and Clyde — criminals many people are familiar with. At this level however, the question was about the nickname of bank robber George Nelson (“Baby Face”). Or instead of an art question about Michelangelo or Leonardo da Vinci, we were given a question about a painting by El Greco. So the questions are looking to see which teams know content beyond the everyday.”

To reach their title match, the Blue Mountain team defeated Friends Select School and Canon-McMillan in their first match; and Dauphin County Technical School and Garnet Valley High School in their second match. Their total score of 175 placed them in the fourth position of the top nine teams, qualifying for semi-final play. They next defeated Honesdale and Spring Grove in the semifinals to place into the finals where they lost to the eventual state winner, Lehigh Valley Academy and second place team, West Chester Henderson.

Zimmerman offered special thanks to the Schuylkill IU for the “fantastic” Academic League they have organized for the Schuylkill County competitive teams.

“The competition level is great and many times these students would never have been able to participate in interscholastic activities without teams and leagues like this,” he said. “As an educator, I have immense respect for what these students can do. My only regret is that although some of the brightest students in Pennsylvania were on display in Harrisburg, they competed against each other in front of only a handful of spectators. Our society claims to need and respect education, yet more people might attend a dart match at a local fire station than watch our nation’s youth show off their academic talents.”

HARRISBURG — The state auditor general is criticizing several local school districts’ spending practices while calling for a state law to require competitive bidding on student transportation contracts.

“I want to put more education dollars in our classrooms, not school buses,” Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said Thursday, referring to a series of previous audits showing that 19 districts, including Dunmore, Scranton and Valley View, spent nearly $55 million more in recent years for transportation services than what the state reimburses.

According to audits, he said:

•Dunmore spent nearly $257,000 more from 2010 to 2012.

• Scranton spent $4.2 million more from 2008 to 2010.

• Valley View spent $1.3 million more from 2010 to 2012.

Local taxpayers picked up those costs as a result, DePasquale said.

Dunmore Superintendent Richard McDonald said his district put up the transportation contract for bidding last year following an audit recommendation. The firm holding the contract, Pete’s Garage, was the low bidder and received the contract again, McDonald said.

DePasquale spokeswoman Susan Woods later called that action good news and said auditors will look at that in any future Dunmore audit.

Scranton school board’s decision in March to extend a no-bid contract with DeNaples Transportation in March drew renewed criticism from DePasquale.

Despite being called out in the last audit for not bidding out transportation services, Scranton extended its existing no-bid DeNaples contract for four years, DePasquale said.

“It’s hard to prove a good deal to taxpayers unless you make the effort to solicit bids,” he said.

Scranton school officials said DeNaples Transportation provides excellent services and buses and the contract extension will yield savings. They criticized the state reimbursement formula as favoring suburban and rural districts.

The state formula hurts Dunmore because it has shorter bus runs, McDonald said.

Efforts to reach Valley View interim Superintendent Corey Castellani were unsuccessful Thursday.

The 16 other districts cited for spending above reimbursement levels on transportation are in western and southeast Pennsylvania. Armstrong School District in Armstrong County spent the most above reimbursement levels at $7.8 million from 2006 to 2010.

School officials are offering lame excuses when they cite flaws in state reimbursement to explain no-bid contracts, DePasquale said.

However, the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials said the transportation formula needs to be reviewed because it is based on a one-size-fits-all formula.

“Because the formula applies uniformly to all 500 school districts regardless of their shape, size, location or transportation requirements, there is no mechanism to take into account the differences in transportation program requirements and costs,” the association said.

The state Public School Code provides state reimbursement to school districts for transportation costs using a formula based on the number of students transported, number of miles traveled and district wealth. There is no requirement in the code for districts to bid contracts competitively.

The association said periodic bidding on transportation contracts could be worthwhile.

“While not currently required by law, we certainly agree that periodic bidding of transportation contracts is a best practice that has the potential to reduce costs,” the association said.

“I think this (bidding requirement) is a bipartisan way to get waste out of state government with having zero impact on services,” DePasquale said.

Marriage licenses

Douglas Szechun Wo, Orwigsburg, and Shanna M. Jones, Orwigsburg.

Drew R. Wetzel, Tremont, and Jennifer N. Seladones, Tremont.

Michael D. Kunkel, New Ringgold, and Lynn M. Comisac, New Ringgold.

Jeffrey A. Houser, Hazleton, and Ruth Ann Kotansky, Hazleton.

William Longenberger, Gilberton, and Kathleen M. Green, Hazleton.

Jason M. Pinciotti, Ashland, and Alyson A. Smith, Ashland.

Richard A. Fisher, Aristes, and Tessla W. Cress, Aristes.

Cameron D. Broadhurst, Orwigsburg, and Natalie M. Fulk, New Ringgold.

Elvis A. Wheeler, Wernersville, and Ashley L Costenbader, Robesonia.

Frank J. Bobick, Tamaqua, and Betty Clausius, Tamaqua.

Joshua R. Breslin, Tower City, and Kourtney R. Harkness, Tower City.

Brian J. Ladick, Ashland, and Danielle Wychulis, Ashland.

Russell E. Love, Pine Grove, and Angelene N. Olesh, Pine Grove.

Joshua D. Stephens, Winsted, Conn. and Abigail L. Clift, Winsted, Conn.

Robert J. Long, Tamaqua, and Jessica L. Krcmar, Tamaqua.

Ryan M. Nesgoda, Tamaqua, and Marissa R. Mussoline, Tamaqua.

Kevin F. Maccarone, Port Carbon, and Samantha D. Weikel, Port Carbon.

Randy R. Dengler, Ashland, and Nicole O. Nolen, Ashland.

David L. Cunningham, Frackville, and Muoi Thi Nguyen, Frackville.

Jesse J. Thaler, Hawley, and Dominique V. Ramer, Huntington Beach, Calif.

Jason D. Hartzell, McAdoo, and Traci A. Card, McAdoo.

James L. Hall, Ringtown, and Stephanie M. Coreia, Ringtown.

Divorces granted

Maria Currie, Nesquehoning, from Orlando Currie Jr., Tamaqua.

Laura McKenzie, Barnesville, from Edward McKenzie, Schuylkill Haven.

Carol Maillous, Pottsville, from Martin Mailloux, Virginia Beach, Va.

Joann Maley, Pottsville, from John Maley Jr., Pottsville.

Richard Kocher, Pine Grove, from Erica Kocher, Klingerstown.

Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street

To Kyle and Jennifer Miller Kerstetter, Spring Glen, a daughter, April 18.

PRIMROSE — Penn State Schuylkill Chancellor Kelly Austin said Thursday at a breakfast honoring students who completed a special business-oriented program that the things they learned will help them far into the future.

“You’re now much better prepared for the challenges that will come,” Austin told 282 students, plus teachers and officials, attending the YES Northeast Certificate Program Recognition Breakfast at St. Nicholas Hall.

Austin said Your Employability Skills program will help the students maximize their growth and talents by showing them how to enter and succeed in the workplace.

“You are part of something special,” he said.

Sponsored by the Northeast PA Manufacturers and Employes Council Inc., the program operates in 17 school districts in Schuylkill, Luzerne and Erie counties. An 18th, Lake-Lehman in Luzerne County, will join in 2016-17.

The program offers participating students a chance to tour businesses and industries, prepare resumes, sit through interviews and learn more about thriving in the working world.

“This really puts you guys at an advantage,” state Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124, said.

Students in the program also praised YES for helping them to learn skills, including time management and stress management, that they will need to succeed in life.

“You will use the skills throughout your whole life,” Lenny Dulsky, Mahanoy Area High School student, said.

Loran Garnett, of Pittston Area High School, said the program has helped her with resume preparation, dressing and interviewing.

“It has been nothing but helpful,” she said. “I am positive I will use the skills ... to pave the way for a successful future.”

Fellow Pittston Area student S. Delmar Guziewicz said the learning goes beyond preparing to work by including how to conduct yourself in the workplace.

“We need to know how to conduct ourselves with other people,” he said. “You need to know when to talk, when to listen and when to interact.”

State Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, also stressed to the students that the lessons they learn in the program will help them in many ways, and at many times, during their lives.

“Never stop learning. Never stop taking advantage of opportunities,” Tobash said.

He also said Schuylkill County employers know how valuable the program’s graduates are in a time when those business owners are seeking solid employees.

“They are starving for a skilled workforce,” he said. “This is an outstanding program. We all need to keep advocating for it.”

James R. Ferrier

ORWIGSBURG — Eight people arrested in April as the result of the break-up of what authorities called a major drug ring are headed to Schuylkill County Court after each went before a judge on May 5.

Four defendants, Chad Bainbridge, 39, of 184 Thomaston Road, Pottsville; David J. Botek, 36, of 1121 N. George St. Apt. 1, Pottsville; Brett L. Heinbach, 23, of 237 Mexico Road, Pine Grove; and Wayne T. Lenosky, 35, of 2156 W. Norwegian St., Pottssville, waived the right to a preliminary hearing. In each case, Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier bound over all charges for court.

The other four defendants, Terry L. Dewitt, 53, of 404 E. Main St., Schuylkill Haven; Samantha J. Digilio, 24, of 240 W. Howard Ave., Coaldale; Scott T. Haberstroh, 46, of 75 W. Meadow St., Tremont; and Jonathan M. Spiess, 36, of 902 Summer Hill Road, Auburn, had all charges against each of them held for court by Ferrier after a preliminary hearing.

Bainbridge is charged with three counts each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and possession of a controlled substance and one each of corrupt organizations and conspiracy. He is in prison in lieu of $20,000 percentage bail.

Botek is charged with eight counts each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and possession of a controlled substance, six of conspiracy and one of corrupt organizations. He is free on $50,000 percentage bail.

Heinbach is charged with nine counts of possession of weapons of mass destruction, four of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, three each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, criminal use of a communication facility and possession of a controlled substance and one each of corrupt organizations and conspiracy. He is in prison in lieu of $300,000 percentage bail.

Lenosky is charged with two counts each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and possession of a controlled substance and one each of corrupt organizations and conspiracy. He is free on $50,000 unsecured bail.

Dewitt is charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance. He is in prison in lieu of $10,000 straight cash bail.

Digilio is charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance. She is free on $10,000 unsecured bail.

Haberstroh is charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance. He is free on $10,000 unsecured bail.

Spiess is charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance, two each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility and one each of corrupt organizations and conspiracy. He is free on $50,000 unsecured bail.

State police at Reading have alleged each defendant was part of the ring that trafficked in methamphetamine that was imported from California.

Also in district court, a Schuylkill Haven man is headed to Schuylkill County Court after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday on charges stemming from his alleged participation in a January theft from a store in Cressona Mall in North Manheim Township.

Shawn M. McNulty, 23, of 182 S. Front St., faces charges of conspiracy, theft and receiving stolen property. Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier bound those charges over for court after McNulty waived his right to the hearing.

Prosecutors withdrew three additional counts of conspriacy and one count of burglary.

State police at Schuylkill Haven alleged McNulty stole more than $14,000 worth of items from Sam’s Place Lottery and Tobacco between 1:49 a.m. and 2:04 a.m. Jan. 23.

Police said McNulty helped take $7,700 worth of Pennsylvania Lottery tickets, $6,400 worth of cigarettes and $500 worth of video equipment.

One of McNulty’s allege co-conspirators identified him as involved in the incident, police said. Furthermore, McNulty cashed one of the stolen lottery tickets at the Cressona Mobil gasoline station, according to police.

McNulty is free on $25,000 unsecured bail pending further court action.

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

Shyann N. Boyer, 21, of 117 W. Columbia St., Schuylkill Haven; two counts each of conspiracy and corruption of minors; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Michael P. Brennan, 47, of 230 N. Berne St., Schuylkill Haven; two counts each of possession of a controlled substance and one each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Michael J. Breslin, 54, of 1654 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville; simple assault and harassment; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Ruth Ann Casper, 52, of 208 Dock St. Apt. 6, Schuylkill Haven; simple assault and harassment; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Jill M. Lick, 53, of 66 Avenue C, Schuylkill Haven; driving under the influence; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.

Gerald D. Lightcap, 46, of 36 W. Adamsdale Road, Schuylkill Haven; simple assault and harassment; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Laurie A. Miller, 51, of 534 N. Centre St. Apt. 4, Pottsville; DUI; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.

Anthony J. Kilker

SHENANDOAH — A 27-year-old Schuylkill Haven charged by West Mahanoy Township Police after an incident at 72 Raven Run Road on June 21 waived her right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.

Danielle Townsend, 330 Dock St. was arrested by Patrolman John Kaczmarczyk III and charged with endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, DUI-controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to keep right, driving at an unsafe speed, disregard for single traffic lane and restraint system violations-booster seats.

By waiving her right to a hearing, Townsend will now have to answer to all of the charges against her in Schuylkill County Court.

Kaczmarczyk said he was called to the area of 72 Raven Run Road for a report of a crash and found Townsend under the influence and two girls inside her vehicle — one age 6 and the other age 5 — at the time.

The investigation determined that Townsend was driving, went off of the road and struck several small trees, Kaczmarczyk said, adding that a subsequent blood test revealed the woman had controlled substances in her system. In addition, Townsend was found to be in possession of marijuana at the the time of the crash, the officer said.

Other court cases included:

Nelson E. Febo Pabon, 33, of 214 N. Gilbert St., Shenandoah; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, notice of change of name or address, failure to notify of change of address and driving an unregistered vehicle.

Alexis C. Nevandomsky, 20, of 185 Fourth St., Box 15, Oneida; withdrawn: possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nicholas A. Degel, 23, of 1 Ridge Lane, Box 109, Gordon; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving a vehicle with a suspended registration, not surrendering registration plates and cards on suspension, driving an unregistered vehicle and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Joseph Polaconis, 28, of 1149 W. Lloyd St., Shenandoah; waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Christopher M. Reed, 28, of 2 Grier Ave., Barnesville; Withdrawn: robbery. Waived for court: burglary, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property, simple assault and disorderly conduct.

Vicki Lynn Beury, 46, of 121 W. Pine St., Mahanoy City; withdrawn: DUI-controlled substance. Waived for court: DUI, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, careless driving and disregard for single traffic lane.

Robert A. Sekula Jr., 36, of 208 W. Poplar St., Shenandoah; withdrawn by the officer ad moved to summary charges: possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and sound level volume violations.

Deeds

Ashland — Frances Shirley Fisher, by attorneys in fact Robert Felker and Kenneth Felker, to Michael T. and Lisa Marie Strouse; 1336 Market St.; $40,000.

Butler Township — James L. Snyder to Jason Pinciotti and Alyson Smith; 10 Guy St., Lavelle; $70,000.

Coaldale — Edward and Anne Girard and Andrew Girard to Andrew Girard; 220 Fisher Ave.; $1.

Kadie Surma to Krajcirik Automotive LLC; three properties on Water Street; $56,000.

Frackville — Robert N. and Joanne Dampman to Ernest W. Williams; 414 W. Washington St.; $15,000.

Hegins Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Citifinancial Servicing LLC; 923 W. Main St., Valley View; $1,220.39.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to LSF9 Master Participation Trust; 324 Park Road, Valley View; $1,130.94.

Hubley Township — Federal National Mortgage Association to Kimberly A. Frantz; 2266 E. Main St., Sacramento; $25,500.

Kline Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 18 Grove St., South McAdoo; $1,142.39.

Landingville — Dale R. Fisher to Dale R. Fisher; 11 Railroad St.; $1.

Mahanoy City — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Secretary of Veterans Affairs; 337-339 W. Mahanoy Ave.; $1,375.92.

Christopher and Heather Mlynek to Christopher Mlynek; 402 W. Mahanoy Ave.; $1.

PauL D. and Irene M. Walters to Jason Frantz; 1334 E. Centre St.; $23,000.

Mahanoy Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Christiana Trust; 159 Park Place Road, Park Place; $1,203.76.

Minersville — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to CACL Federal Credit Union; 239 Linden St.; $1,255.36.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Northwest Consumer Discount Co.; 450 Sunbury St.; $1,209.61.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 605-607 Pine Hill St.; $1,308.47.

North Manheim Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to U.S. Bank NA; 3 Mengle St.; $1,268.60.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Kevin D. Miller; 197 E. Second Mountain Road; $166,500.

Robert E. and Joanne Rhoads to Samantha M. Cuff; 22 Sajer Road, Seiders Hill; $260,000.

Colleen Adams to Michael and Amanda Tomeo; 14 Fox Hollow Road, Chestnut Hill; $188,900.

North Union Township — Evelyn H. Krusko, individually and as executrix of the Estate of David Krusko, and Elizabeth Ann Krusko to Evelyn H. Krusko and Elizabeth Ann Krusko; Lot 12WSS7, Eagle Rock; $1.

Pine Grove — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Midfirst Bank; 13 Spruce St.; $1,287.48.

Frank P. III and Sarah C. D’Agostino to Gary A. and Alice M. Budwash; 10 RIdge Vista Drive; $197,500.

Jesse and Shannon Zerbe to Louis J. and Kayla Marie Richotte; 501 American Legion Blvd.; $136,000.

Pine Grove Township — Charles E. Miller, executor of the Will of Emma I. Miller, to Craig D. and Susan K. Lehman; 22.6-acre property on Suedberg Road; $90,400.

Craig D. and Susan K. Lehman to Craig D. and Susan K. Lehman; 40 2 1/2 Mile Road; $1.

Port Carbon — Nancy A. Hrenyo, administratrix c.t.a. of the Estate of Michael E. Hrenyo, to William P. Webber Sr.; 11.1-acre property on Wood Street; $15,000.

Porter Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 179 W. Grand Ave., Sheridan; $1,113.07.

Pottsville — Barry L. Fox to Phoenix Fire Engine Company No. 2 of Pottsville, PA; 322 E. Norwegian St.; $8,500.

Rush Township — Michael and Susan Tyler to Brady A. Forte; 107 Maple Terrace, Lake Hauto; $185,000.

James C. and Jacqueline M. Hoffman to David R. and Tara L. Unzicker; 0.407-acre property on Crescent Drive, Lake Hauto; $158,700.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.; 14 Jones St., Quakake; $1,220.90.

Saint Clair — Francis G. and Diane H. Sylvester to Justin Matz and Elizabeth Green; 404 Fairview St.; $110,000.

Schuylkill Haven — Thomas F. Reider Jr., Judith A. Reider and Cynthia L. Reider to Kevin P. and Karen L. Stramara; 49 Avenue D; $212,000.

Edward Schaneberger to Frank Lombardo; 321 E. Union St.; $8,000.

Schuylkill Township — Annmarie Nortavage, executrix of the Estate of Elizabeth L. Nortavage, to Richard A. Jr. and Jill C. Shupp; 38 Forest Lane, MaryD; $26,500.

Shenandoah — Anthony D. Muntone Family Trust to Antonio Lamanna Sr. and Keith M. Kojeszewski; property on West Coal Street; $16,000.

Edward and Johanna Kolonsky to Edward and Johanna Kolonsky; 508 W. Arlington St.; $1.

Federal National Mortgage Association to Nasseive Shawn Hamilton Jr.; 18 N. Jardin St.; $2,750.

Tamaqua — Edward M. and Patricia A. Dougherty to Elias J. Valentine; 330 Market St.; $32,500.

Daniel W. Smith, executor of the Estate of Daniel L. Smith, to Edward C. Smith Jr.; 329 Willing St.; $1.

Walker Township — Joseph B. and Beth L. Walker to Angela Hine; 2009 Valley Road, Lewistown Valley; $180,000.

Washington Township — Dianne M. Ruscavage to Keith Fessler Jr. and Jenny Labouf; 100 Turkey Farm Road; $180,000.

JMAC Realty LLC and Water Wheel Properties LLC to Jeffrey A. and Terri E. Lebo; 18 Sunrise Road; $209,900.

Wayne Township — George J. III and Deborah A. Skripko to George J. III and Deborah A. Skripko; 1144 Running Deer Drive, Lake Wynonah; $1.

West Brunswick Township — Robert H. and Bettye J. Steuber to Christopher M. and Chasity M. Everett; 72 Happy Valley Road; $300,000.

West Mahanoy Township — Elizabeth Andrefski to Christopher B. Rooney; 196 Ohio Ave., Shenandoah Heights; $45,899.

Address incorrect

The address listed in a court story on Malea Schoffstall was not current, according to Schuylkill Haven Police Chief Jeffrey J. Walcott. The address was incorrectly reported in the May 4 edition.

Equipment current

Lowe’s Home Improvement has offered to repair existing playground equipment in Port Carbon, Warren Thomas, a borough councilman, said Thursday. This was unclear in Wednesday’s edition.

HEGINS — The Tri-Valley school board on Wednesday approved a $13.6 million proposed 2016-17 general fund budget, which includes a one-mill tax hike, and also heard from a worried elementary parent whose child had been transferred.

The mother said her son is currently a fourth-grader at Mahantongo Elementary, having been transferred from Hegins-Hubley Elementary. She said her son is receiving D’s and F’s and has received disciplinary tickets for his behavior. That was not the case when he was a student at Hegins-Hubley, she said.

“The whole situation has been counter-productive,” the mother said.

She said there were eight students, including her son, who were sent to Mahantongo, due to there being a large, fourth-grade class size of 32 children at Hegins-Hubley Elementary in Valley View. She said parents received a letter in the mail during the summer months telling them their child was going to be transferred to the other elementary school in Klingerstown. The mother said she thought parents of fourth-graders should have been asked if there were any volunteers willing to go, before just selecting pupils to move.

“I was told I have no say in the matter,” she told the board. “There was no parents’ meeting, until the parents went to Mr. (Gerald) Anderson and Dr. (Mark) Snyder and requested a parents’ meeting.”

Anderson is elementary principal of both schools and Snyder is Tri-Valley superintendent.

“That was only done because eight parents had a lot of concern. I went along, OK, we’ll do it. I didn’t fight it. He did fine last year. This year’s different. He comes home crying. His emotional health is a wreck and his grades have suffered. I want him moved. Thank you,” she said.

The mother asked that her child’s name not be used publicly due to privacy concerns about her son’s wellbeing and provided no other details to the media.

In other business, by an 8-0 vote, the board approved the 2016-17 proposed general fund budget with expenditures of $13,681,075. Voting in favor were Jerry R. Beaver, Diane C. Dietrich, Kenneth L. Smeltz, John E. Schmeltz, Guy M. Julian, Roger D. Heidlebaugh, Carl D. Shankweiler and Curtis H.E. Zemencik. Director Karrie L. Bowman was absent. Heidlebaugh of the budget and finance committee said the budget reflects a $446,165 decrease from the 2015-16 spending plan. Under the plan, real estate taxes would go up one-mill to 32.252 mills; there would be two, $5 per capita taxes; a $230 occupation tax; a 1 percent real estate transfer tax; a Local Services Tax resolution (previously the Occupational Privilege Tax) of $10; and an earned income tax of 1/2 a percent.

In other business, Shankweiler explained the 2016-17 Chartwell School Dining Services meal prices were listed erroneously in the previous minutes, but correct in the projected budget. The rate increases are as follows: Paid elementary lunch, $2.35 (increase of 5 cents); paid high school lunch, $2.60 (increase of 5 cents); adult lunch, $3.70 (increase of 10 cents); paid breakfast for elementary and secondary, $1.15 (no increase); and milk, 60 cents (increase of 5 cents).

Smeltz was re-elected board treasurer.

Under recommendation by Snyder, the board approved the following appointments for the 2016-17 school year:

• The Gratz Bank as the school depository for the general fund and salary accounts, and for the cafeteria, activities and athletic accounts.

• James P. Diehl and David H. Rattigan of the law firm Williamson, Friedberg & Jones LLC to the position of district solicitors at a retainer of $200 per board meeting.

• Authorizing the pooling of collateral as provided in Act 72 of 1971.

• Allowing the district to continue to participate in cooperative purchasing as provided by Act 31 of 1971.

• Allowing the district to use the same procedures as previous years for temporary investment of school district funds. Investments are made to The Gratz Bank, PNC Bank, PA Local Government Investment Trust, PA Local Government Investment Trust Plus, and PA treasurer’s INVEST Program. Additional investments are made to the PA School District Liquid Asset Fund for the Capital Improvement Account.

• Designating the superintendent as director of federal programs with authorization to execute all necessary forms for these programs.

• Continuing the business manager, secretary and treasurer bonds to be set at $50,000 each.

• Berkheimer as delinquent collector for the per capita and occupation tax.

• Berkheimer, Lehigh Valley, as collector for earned income tax.

• Dr. John Horn as the school dentist at a rate of $1.25 per student in grades 1, 3 and 7.

• The following school physicians and the rate for examinations of $12 per student: Family Practice Center and Dr. Naomi Scearce, both of Valley View.

The board will review several items before the next school board meeting: the revised, proposed transportation contract with Bowman Brothers Trucking Inc. for 2016 through 2021; as well as a field maintenance proposal for the Hegins-Hubley west end field from the Tri-Valley Youth Soccer Program.

Snyder also announced an adjudication of an elementary student was prepared due to a violation of the Tri-Valley School District Code of Conduct. The board accepted the adjudication, which resulted in the expulsion of the student, effective May 5. No other details were released on the reason for the expulsion.

Important year-end dates were released by High School Principal Charles Hall and Anderson.

They include:

• FFA Field Day, May 25 at the high school.

• High School Field Day, May 27.

• Baccalaureate, 7 p.m. June 1 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Valley View.

• Senior Awards Night, 7 p.m. June 2 in the high school auditorium.

• Commencement, 7 p.m. June 3 at the high school stadium, weather permitting.

• Sixth-grade recognition for Hegins-Hubley at 7 p.m. May 26 at the high school.

• Sixth-grade recognition for Mahantongo at 7 p.m. May 31 at Mahantongo Elementary.

• Student awards assembly at Hegins-Hubley at 8:45 a.m. for K-2 and 9:30 a.m. for grades 3-6 on June 1.

• Student awards assembly for Mahantongo beginning at 8:45 a.m. for K-6 on June 2.

n Ashland: The Ashland Area Historical Preservation Society will meet at 7 p.m. May 25 in the society headquarters, 318 Centre St. Speaker Frank Rice will focus on Bernard J. Dolan and the history of Memorial Day. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-590-9044.

n Ashland: Zion’s Reformed Church, 2400 Centre St., will have a free soup-and-sandwich lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church. The free lunches are held the third Wednesday of the month. For more information, call 570-875-2743.

n Cressona: The Cressona Lions Club and Cressona American Legion will sponsor the annual Memorial Day parade and program beginning at 9:30 a.m. May 30. The Blue Mountain High School Band will provide the music for the parade, which will include a variety of local groups. All marchers will begin formation at 9 a.m. at the Sapa Extrusions parking lot. The parade will head west on Pottsville Street and turn right onto Sillyman Street, proceeding under the underpass onto Chestnut Street. Marchers will then turn right onto Fourth Street and right again onto Walnut Street, ending at the Legion Plaza, where there will be a program with featured speaker Larry Williams, Nesquehoning, district governor-elect of Lions Clubs International and an Army and National Guard veteran. The American Legion will provide lunch after the program.

n Frackville: The Frackville Recreation Board has announced details for the annual Frackville Memorial Day Parade to be held May 30. The parade will begin at 9 a.m. on South Lehigh Avenue and will proceed north on Lehigh Avenue to Spring Street, where it will turn left and continue to the Memorial Park. A program will be held at 9:15 a.m. at the park and include selections by the North Schuylkill High School Band and with the assistance of members of American Legion Post 398.

n Frackville: TruBridge will hold a job fair from 8 a.m. to noon today at the Schuylkill Mall. The firm is looking to hire.

n Girardville: The Mahanoy Creek Watershed Association will hold a public meeting at 7 p.m. Monday in Girardville Borough Hall to discuss the proposed acid mine water treatment system for the Packer V Tunnel drainage at Girardville. The mine water enters the Mahanoy Creek at the east end of the borough. A representative from the engineering firm of Shelly & Loyalty will explain the proposed treatment system. A Growing Greener grant announcement for the project will also be made, according to a release.

n Minersville: God’s Bountiful Table provides meals for people who are disadvantaged or in need. The meals are served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month in the Father Anthony J. Ricapito Annex of St. Matthew the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 139 Spruce St.

n New Philadelphia: The AMVETS post will meet at 7 p.m. May 26 at Vetts Inc., 96 McComb St., to discuss plans for the Memorial Day parade and Memorial Day Mass. For more information, call 570-277-6031.

n Pottsville: The Schuylkill County Historical Society, 305 N. Centre St., will feature Ruben Peale from 7 to 8 p.m. May 25. The event will focus on the artist’s life and Schuylkill County connections during a talk and slide show. The session is free for society members and $5 for nonmembers. For more information, call 570-622-7540.

n Shenandoah: A free “Kitchen Kettle” meal is available from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. the third Saturday of the month at Restoration Fellowship Church, 201 W. Oak St. All are welcome.

n Summit Station: The Schuylkill County Fair Premium book will be available for pickup at the Bear Creek Festival to be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Schuylkill County Fairgrounds. Premium books may be found at the FARM Food Stand and 4-H Run activities area. The fair will be held Aug. 1 to 6.

The director of the Schuylkill Choral Society and Anthracite Philharmonic is nominated for the Music Educator Award presented by the Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation.

Mark P. Thomas, who also serves as director of The Minor Notes Chorale, is a quarterfinalist for the award, which recognizes educators who “have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools,” according to www.grammyintheschools.com.

Thomas, 55, of Barto, Berks County, is a supervisor of music at Upper Perkiomen School District, Pennsburg, and an adjunct professor at Alvernia University-Schuylkill Center, Cressona.

Thomas said he found out by email he was nominated for the award and was told to keep it a secret until the official release.

“It’s an honor, It’s a nice surprise,” he said.

It is his first time being nominated for the award. Having been involved in music for at least 30 years, Thomas said he never thought he would be nominated for such an honor.

He is one of 290 music teachers from 264 cities in 41 states that are in the quarterfinals. Semifinalists will be announced in September, with that group being trimmed to 10 finalists. The winner will be honored during GRAMMY Week in February.

More than 3,300 nominations were submitted nationwide. The award is open to current U.S. music teachers and anyone can nominate a music teacher.

Name incorrect

Kenneth L. Smeltz was re-elected Tri-Valley school board treasurer during the board’s meeting Wednesday. His name was incorrect in Friday’s edition.

Date incorrect

A chicken barbecue will take place from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at Newtown Volunteer Fire Company. The date was incorrect in Friday’s edition.

Despite the wet weather, hundreds of people volunteered Friday for the Capt. Jason B. Jones Memorial Day of Caring.

There were 14 sites in Schuylkill County where people showed their dedication to the community and to honor Jones, who died June 2, 2014, near Jalalabad, Afghanistan, in a small arms fight. This was the second year that the event was named in his honor. Sites included Boys Scouts Hawk Mountain Council camp, Schuylkill YMCA and Tamaqua YMCA. The event was hosted by Schuylkill United Way.

The American Red Cross Tri-County Chapter gave out free smoke detectors to people in Pottsville. The detectors were donated by Kiddie and some were provided by the Red Cross. Ten-year smoke detectors with lithium batteries were installed in hallways, while smoke detectors with 9-volt batteries were installed in bedrooms.

Twenty-two volunteers met at the Terry Reilly Community Center in Pottsville before going out to install the life-saving devices for residents who requested them.

“Everybody needs to have them. It’s your first line of defense,” Peter Keitsock, Wayne Township, said.

Patrick Kane, United Way board member, and Jason Kline, Joe Mehalko and Denise Ressler, employees of BB&T Bank, installed eight smoke detectors and changed the batteries in two carbon monoxide detectors at 731 W. Race St., home to eight people including five children.

“That one does not have a battery in it, boss. It’s not going to work without a battery,” Kane told Anthony Patterson.

Patterson, 28, said he removed the batteries because the smoke alarm kept beeping. He was told that is not advisable because the alarms alert you to a fire.

Two of the three smoke detectors in the home did not have batteries in them. Along with installing the smoke detectors, the residents were reminded about the importance of a fire escape plan.

“Before you call 911, everybody gets outside. Make sure the family has an escape plan,” Kane said.

Patterson’s wife, Christina Chen, 29, was almost speechless with the generosity.

“I thought that was so beautiful. It really makes you feel like the community really cares about our little family,” she said.

Patterson said he is also thankful for the smoke detectors.

“I’m just so surprised and appreciative. Everybody’s life matters,” he said.

Sheila Iaconelli, 49, of 720 W. Race St., said she was thankful for the five smoke detectors for the home she rents. She lives with six family members, two of them children.

“I’m not looking forward to having a fire too soon. You never know when it’s going to happen,” she said.

Debbie Bowers, 48, of 290 N. Eighth St., shares a home with two other people, one of them a child. Her home got four smoke detectors Friday, in addition to one that was in the hallway.

“I feel safer, especially with all the fires that’s been going on lately,” she said.

The group installing the detectors didn’t have much luck to start the day. Of the first six houses they went to, only one had someone at home. Information about the other homes was given to the Red Cross so they could make accommodations to have detectors installed at a later date.

Heather Bowman, disaster program specialist with the American Red Cross Tri-County Chapter, said 100 smoke detectors were installed Friday in 21 homes. That amounts to about 83 people having a better chance at being alerted to a fire, she said.

The organization still has smoke detectors for Pottsville residents who need them. For more information, call 610-375-4342.

Kelly Malone, executive director of Schuylkill United Way, said the rain didn’t dampen the spirit of the volunteers at the Boy Scout camp. She said 80 volunteers helped with gardening and painting, among other tasks. PPL also installed an emergency sound system for the camp.

“People didn’t have to help today,” she said.

By doing so, it demonstrated the caring for the community and “it shows the honor and respect to Capt. Jason B. Jones and what he meant to our community,” Malone said.

For the first time, students participated in the special day by writing letters to members of the armed forces. A care box will be sent with the letters.

Michelle Halabura, director of community relations, said about 200 adults participated Friday, as well as the hundreds of children who wrote letters.

For the sites affected by the rain, activities are scheduled to be held next week.

MAHANOY CITY — A West Hazleton man was jailed after being arrested by Mahanoy City police on drug charges early Friday morning.

Ilvin C. Gumbs, 23, of 328 W. Green St., Apt. 2W, was charged by Patrolman Thomas Rentschler with one felony count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; one misdemeanor count each of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and DUI; as well as summary violations of general lighting requirements and careless driving.

Gumbs was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post 10 percent of $25,000 bail.

Rentschler said the charges are the result of a traffic stop about 12:30 a.m. in the 600 block of West Centre Street.

The officer said he pulled over a vehicle driven by Gumbs for not having his headlights on and while speaking with the man saw a burnt cigar blunt on the dash near the speedometer as well as a strong odor of marijuana inside.

Gumbs was taken into custody and a subsequent search of the man found he was in possession of a plastic bag containing a green vegetable substance that field tested positive for marijuana as well as $262.89, Rentschler said.

A search of the man’s vehicle found, in addition to the blunt cigar on the dashboard, a cellphone and $120 in cash in the glove box and in a console a large plastic bag containing six plastic bags packed in a way associated with the distribution of controlled substances.

Rentschler said the bag contained more vegetable material that field tested positive for marijuana along with an additional $35 in cash and two packs of cigar blunts.

Gumbs was then to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street for a blood alcohol test and will now have to appear for a preliminary hearing on the charges before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, Rentschler said.

LOYALTON — Upper Dauphin Area High School Principal Dermot Garrett announced his intent to retire in a letter to the school board Tuesday.

The board unanimously approved Garrett’s retirement request, effective Nov. 22, 2016, and approved a motion to advertise for his replacement.

Garrett had previously worked in the district, left, and later returned to serve the district. He’s been with UDA a total of 13 years, according to Superintendent Evan Williams. The board approved the reinstatement of 87 sick days to Garrett — previously earned and unpaid during his former employment at UDA.

All board directors were present for Tuesday’s meeting, including David Barder, Mills Eure, Jack Laudenslager, Roni Mace, Angela Mattern, the Rev. Nathan Minnich, Kathryn Talhelm, Stephen Welker and Kirk Wenrich.

Three citizens addressed the board. Mary Ann Mattis, and her mother, Anna Mattis, said they were concerned about Bender Street and Spruce Street in Elizabethville and about the school bus traveling on those roads. Mary Ann Mattis said there’s a rotted pipe, the road is narrow, and there’s also a blind spot in that area. She worried about her mother getting struck while walking out to check her mailbox, she said, because the road is so narrow.

Barder said the district would check on the width of the right-of-way there, but said if it’s a public road, the condition of the road would be a matter for the borough to address.

Another citizen, Jerry Stauffer, of J.S. Construction, Elizabethville, asked the board about the status of the building trades program. Stauffer said he has two children in the district, a son who will be a sophomore next year and a daughter who will be a senior. He said his son may be interested in the building trades program. The board said Scott Kreiser runs the course, and Stauffer is welcome to contact him to see what work students have completed. On a related note, the board voted to table taking action on the next building trades home plans until receiving additional information about the plans.

In other matters, Elijah Shutt, on behalf of the Upper Dauphin Area Education Association, encouraged the board to keep the current programs intact when considering the 2016-17 budget. The union suggested the board “look for other options” instead of program cuts when determining ways to balance the upcoming budget.

Business Manager Mary Bateman said the board anticipates voting on a final budget at its 7 p.m. June 9 meeting.

Under the proposed 2016-17 preliminary budget, real estate taxes would increase by the Act 1 index of 3.3 percent from 17.6908 mills to 18.2745 mills. The budget shows estimated revenues of $18,481,578 and $23,824,979 as the fund balance, revenues and total finances available.

The board approved:

• The contract between the Capital Area Intermediate Unit and the Upper Dauphin Area School District for special education services.

• Seeking requests for proposals for surveillance systems for the high school and middle school. Williams said the current systems are aging.

• An infrared roof scan of the high school to check for any leaks, as the roof is coming to an end of its warranty period. The $3,200 scan will cover areas that were coated sometime between 2004 and 2006, including the cafeteria, hallways, gym and auditorium.

• To commit the portion of the fund balance that exceeds the state Department of Education allowable limits obtained from the upcoming June audit allocated at 80 percent to capital projects and 20 percent to the state Public School Employees’ Retirement System reserve.

• An expulsion waiver for a student. No details were released on the reason.

In other business, Laudenslager asked Williams why the district did not approve a visit to the elementary school by Gov. Tom Wolf. Williams said that it was a staffing and management problem. Williams said he received a call on a Thursday from the governor’s press secretary, and that was the first he heard of the matter. Williams then called Elementary Principal Jessica Megonnell, and that was the first she had heard of his potential visit. Megonnell already had a scheduled vacation on that day, Williams said, and about 10 percent of the staff was on leave at the time. A teacher had apparently offered the invitation to the governor to visit a classroom, but hadn’t relayed that message to the administration. Williams said he called the press secretary back and explained that the district could not accommodate the governor’s visit at that time, and offered to reschedule.

“If we had all hands on deck, we could have done something, but we didn’t,” Williams said.

Laudenslager said he thought that would have been a good opportunity for students.