ASHLAND — Capt. Scott C. Price of the Pennsylvania State Police was promoted to the rank of major by State Police Commissioner Tyree C. Blocker and assigned as director of the Bureau of Records and Identification in Harrisburg.

A native of Ashland, Price, 52, participated in the promotions ceremonies on April 1 at the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey that included four additional officers promoted to major and eight officers promoted to captain.

Scott had been the director of the Operational Records Division within the BRI. Since the retirement of the former BRI director, Price has been the bureau’s acting director for the past 10 months.

“When the former director retired some time ago, I had been the acting director until the promotions, when they elected to promote me into it permanently,” Price said.

Price said there were two promotions ceremonies, the first in the morning for the promotions of the five captains to majors, and an afternoon ceremony for those being raised to the rank of captain.

“In our rank structure, major is our highest rank with the exception of commissioner and deputy commissioners,” Price said.

Price enlisted in the state police in 1988. Upon graduation from the academy, he was assigned to Troop M, Bethlehem. As he progressed through the ranks, Price served in Troop M, L, R and N and the Bureaus of Integrity and Professional Standards, and Records and Identification. Price held assignments in patrol and criminal investigations and served as both a station commander and section commander in the Systems and Process Review and Internal Affairs divisions. He was a member of the Motorcycle Patrol Unit, as well as the Special Emergency Response Team.

“We didn’t have motorcycles for many, many years,” Price said. “When they were brought back to the state police, they were in high-traffic and congested areas. I was involved relatively early and was in the second or third group that trained. We did all our training with the National Park Police in Washington because they were the pre-eminent motor training units in D.C. and California.”

Promoted to corporal in 1994, he became a sergeant in 2003, lieutenant in 2007 and captain in 2012. Price is a 1981 graduate of North Schuylkill High School, a 1985 honors graduate of Pennsylvania State University, where he majored in chemistry; and a 2011 graduate of the 309th session of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, which is a 12-week, graduate-level training class.

“I went to Penn State at University Park and was a polymer chemist before enlisting,” Price said. “I was interested in the state police from about the time I was 12 years old. I think so many of us who grew up in the coal region realized that state police had their beginnings here. The genesis and history of the state police had been the coal and iron police. It was the strong history of the state police in the coal region that I had always aspired to from a pretty young age.”

After graduating from Penn State, Price worked as a chemist about three years before applying for the academy. When he entered, the academy training was 23 to 24 weeks, though the training is now six months.

“It’s a few weeks longer now and they’ve added some curricula,” Price said.

The Bureau of Records and Identification includes the Operational Records Division, Criminal Records and Identification Division, and Firearms Division.

“I’ll oversee all three of those divisions,” Price said. “One of the tasks we perform is to oversee Megan’s Law, which is the sexual-offender registry for the commonwealth. It includes the Pennsylvania Instant Check System for firearms purchases, so when someone goes to buy a firearm, the dealer phones in to determine if the individual is legally permitted to purchase a firearm. Criminal Records is essentially the central repository for all criminal arrest records and fingerprint repository for the commonwealth.”

Price said the BRI is the second largest bureau in the state police. He oversees 263 people in the bureau.

“I’ve been with the state police for 28 years, and I couldn’t imagine having chosen a better career,” Price said. “I’ve been very fortunate.”

Price resides in Ashland with his wife, Shelley, and a son, Nickolas.

Also promoted from captain to major were David E. Relph, Diane Stackhouse, William P. White and Dante Orlando. Promoted to captain were Jeremy M. Richard, Robert R. Bartal, Bruce W. Williams, Sean D. Georgia, Steven C. Fultz, Thomas E. Dubovi, Jonathan L. Mays and Randy M. Devine.

HARRISBURG — With distracted driving citations on the rise in Pennsylvania, a push continues for Senate legislation to place a ban on drivers making calls with handheld mobile devices.

Sen. Rob Teplitz, D-15, Harrisburg, said Monday that this ban is the needed next step toward achieving distraction-free driving. His legislation would make violations a summary secondary offense with a fine of $50 for a first violation, $100 for a second violation and $150 for a third or subsequent violation.

Sens. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, and John Yudichak, D-14, Plymouth Township, are bill co-sponsors. The bill has been in the Transportation Committee since it was introduced in January 2015.

Drivers are prohibited under current state law from texting while driving and wearing or using headphones or earphones while their car is in motion.

Teplitz said academic studies show that dialing or reaching for a phone are dangerous activities for someone driving.

He said his bill would require the state Department of Transportation to conduct a six-month public education campaign prior to the ban taking effect.

The measure contains exemptions for law enforcement and emergency service providers.

According to the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, citations for distracted driving increased 43 percent statewide between 2014 and 2015.

Statewide, more than 14,800 crashes involved a distracted driver in 2015, with 66 deaths resulting from those crashes, PennDOT said.

“The number of injuries and death attributable to distracted driving is increasing at both an alarming and unacceptable rate,” Sudhir Patel, a Pottsville attorney who is an officer with the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, a legal group supporting the legislation, said.

SHENANDOAH — Structural engineers are reviewing the condition of the northbound lane of the Route 924 bridge south of Shenandoah to determine whether it can be reopened.

Until that determination is made, the bridge will remain closed until further notice.

The bridge was completely closed early Monday morning when a structural problem with the deck was discovered by the work crew from The Walsh Group, which was contracted with the state Department of Transportation to do bridge replacements and major repairs throughout the state.

The “Gold Star Bridge,” as it is identified by local residents, is in the process of being replaced due to overall structural problems. Constructed in the 1950s, it crosses the Kehley Run Creek and a former railroad bed. The construction project began in early March with the closing of the southbound lanes and the removal of that side of the bridge. All traffic in both directions has been funneled into one lane on the northbound side, with signals controlling the traffic flow.

The project plan involved constructing a new two-lane southbound half of the bridge to be opened in early summer, then close the northbound side for similar work.

With the bridge closed, Walsh had employees providing traffic control. Vehicles heading southbound on Main Street were directed right to East Laurel Street, then to Herald Road to return to Route 924 beyond the construction area. Northbound traffic turned right onto Herald Road and headed to East Laurel Street to get onto Main Street.

Public Information Coordinator Rory G. McGlasson for the East Region at The Walsh Group said Monday afternoon by phone that engineers are reviewing the situation in order to take the next step. McGlasson explained the cause of the bridge closing.

“We discovered a hole on the bridge deck and our superintendent looked at its condition and said we should close this bridge and investigate it further,” McGlasson said. “I’m not sure when it was discovered, but it was very early and there was very little traffic at that particular time.”

McGlasson said structural engineers were at the site for much of the day to discover the extent of the damage.

“We’re looking at everything on the bridge,” he said.

McGlasson was asked if there are any contingency plans in diverting traffic around the area if the bridge cannot be reopened.

“We’re looking at all of the routes that are around the area. We’re obviously restricted to the routes that are available,” McGlasson said. “The team is looking at alternate routes. We’re working on that right now. There is nothing official yet, but we’ll announce an official alternate route as soon as we get that.”

A Philadelphia man admitted Thursday in Schuylkill County Court that he committed an assault in November 2013 while imprisoned at a state correctional institution.

Deshone R. Allen, 25, pleaded guilty to simple assault, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of aggravated harassment by prisoner.

Judge John E. Domalakes accepted the plea and sentenced Allen to serve 12 to 24 months in a state correctional institution, concurrent with his current sentences, and pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $148 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.

State police at Frackville charged Allen with committing the assault on Nov. 6, 2013, while an inmate at SCI/Frackville. Allen now is incarcerated at SCI/Mahanoy.

Allen is serving 23 1/2 to 59 months in prison on two separate sentences from Philadelphia.

In other court matters, a Carbon County woman will not go to trial after she and prosecutors agreed Monday in Schuylkill County Court to allow her to enter a special program that will enable her to emerge from her contact with the law with a clean record.

Kati E. Rodriguez, 27, of Jim Thorpe, who had been scheduled for a nonjury trial Monday on charges of driving under the influence and failure to obey traffic control devices, instead will enter the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program, Judge Charles M. Miller ruled.

Miller, who had been scheduled to preside over Rodriguez’s trial, did not say when she would be admitted into the program.

McAdoo police alleged Rodriguez was DUI about 12:50 a.m. March 15, 2015, at South Kennedy Drive and Blaine Street in the borough.

Also in the county court, prosecutors on March 31 withdrew charges of simple assault and harassment against Darrin R. Keip, 25, of Saint Clair.

Saint Clair police had charged Keip with committing his crimes on May 25, 2015, in the borough. Keip still must pay the costs of the case, President Judge William E. Baldwin ordered.

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

Kevin A. Peterman, 20, of Pine Grove; possession of drug paraphernalia; six months probation and $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of marijuana.

Heather L. Pryce, 33, of Ashland; possession of a controlled substance; 12 months probation, $50 payment to the CJEA and $176 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.

Daniel D. Quinn, 36, of Mahanoy Plane; no contest plea to unauthorized use of a motor vehicle; 17 to 34 days in prison and $50 CJEA payment.

Christina Yoza, 38, of Shenandoah; possession of a controlled substance; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment, $50 bench warrant fee and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Prosecutors withdrew charges of delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ashley P. Balsamo, 25, of Tamaqua; possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without a license; 23 months probation, $200 fine, $200 in payments to the SAEF, $100 in payments to CJEA and $226 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Prosecutors withdrew three additional counts of possession of a controlled substance, one additional count of possession of drug paraphernalia and charges of driving under suspension and failure to use low beams.

Mary C. Bechtel, 52, of Ashland; disorderly conduct; 12 months probation. Prosecutors withdrew charges of resisting arrest and public drunkenness.

Jennifer L. Clark, 36, of Shenandoah; two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one of possession of drug paraphernalia; time served to 12 months in prison, $200 in SAEF payments, $100 in CJEA payments, $100 in bench warrant fees and $226 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Prosecutors withdrew one additional count of possession of drug paraphernalia and charges of delivery of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Elias Cortes, 25, of Easton; possession of marijuana and disorderly conduct; 30 days probation, $25 fine, $100 SAEF payment and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.

Saundra L. Hollenbach, 48, of Pottsville; two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and one of possession of a controlled substance; 12 months probation, $200 in SAEF payments, $50 CJEA payment, $50 bench warrant fee and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.

Tyler J. Kline, 23, of Tamaqua; possession of a controlled substance; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Prosecutors withdrew charges of simple assault and harassment.

Amy Elizabeth A. Lordan, 33, of Saint Clair; two counts of theft by deception; 24 months probation, $50 CJEA payment, $50 bench warrant fee, $7,081.50 restitution and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of bad checks.

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

Police seeking

identity of thief

FRACKVILLE — State police at Frackville are investigating a retail theft that occurred at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday at Bon-Ton at the Schuylkill Mall, New Castle Township.

Police said someone was seen stealing children’s clothing items from the department store.

Charges will be filed with Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon, once the thief is identified.

New Castle Township police were not working at the time of the incident. The investigation is ongoing.

Sixteen citations for distracted driving were issued in Schuylkill County in 2015, the most since the anti-texting law went into effect in 2012.

In 2012, 13 citations were given, 6 in 2013, and 12 in 2014, according to information is from InfoShare, from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts at www.pacourts.us. Statewide, 2,857 citations were given in 2015, data show, which is a 43 percent increase from the 1,998 issued in 2014. Philadelphia County was excluded because data is maintained by the Philadelphia Municipal Court, traffic division.

Distracted driving is doing any activity that takes attention away from the road. April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

“Anything that is taking your eyes and your concentration off the road is putting yourself and others at risk,” Minersville police Chief Michael Combs said Tuesday.

He said the department has issued tickets in the past for distracted driving. There is a $50 fine plus court costs and other fees for conviction of the anti-texting law. It is illegal for drivers in Pennsylvania to text while driving and includes sending, receiving or writing a text message. No points are assessed on your license because of the violation.

Data from InfoShare shows that in 2015 Montgomery County had the most citations for distracted driving at 298, Allegheny was second with 235 and York is third with 223. Of those cited, 40 percent were in their 20s, with 26 percent in their 30s as the mostly often two cited groups.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said more than eight people are killed each day and 1,161 injured in crashes involving a distracted driver. PennDOT data show that more than 14,800 crashes involved a distracted driver in Pennsylvania last year and 66 people died. In the last five years, 300 people died as a result of a distracted driver, PennDOT data shows.

“It’s a major problem,” Combs said, although he said it is more difficult for police to see someone texting because of where they might have the phone.

Minersville Patrolman Braden Jones said that text you want to send can have deadly consequences.

“If you’re on (Route) 61 and you have your head down for five seconds you already went a football field,” he said.

The website, www.distraction.gov, the official U.S. Government’s website for distracted driving, said in five seconds driving at 55 mph you can travel the length of a football field blindfolded. The website said in 2014, 3,179 people died and 431,000 were injured in vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver.

Minersville Borough Manager Bob Mahalchick admits that he texts and drives on rare instances, but he generally stops his vehicle on the side of the road before texting. He admitted texting and driving is “not an intelligent thing to do.”

He was unaware the fine is $50 plus costs. The amount of money is small price to pay, he said. The larger ramification would be what would happen if someone were injured or killed.

“You take somebody’s life, that is with you the rest of your life,” he said.

Minersville Patrolman Jeff Bowers said he agrees with the anti-texting law but said the amount should be higher. Restricting the use of cellphones while in the car might be a better way to enforce the existing law, he said.

“To make it easier for the police to enforce, ban it completely,” he said of using phones.

n Deer Lake: The Deer Lake & West Brunswick Fire Company will sponsor bingo from 6 to 8:45 p.m. Tuesday at the firehall, 1 Ash Road. All are welcome.

n Frackville: The Multiple Sclerosis Walk Team “Success with MS” will sponsor the third annual Chinese auction beginning at 10 a.m. April 23 at the Schuylkill Mall. Tickets start at $5. There will be a shop-and-drop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the auction will begin at 3:30 p.m. All proceeds will benefit MS research, programs and services for people living with MS from the National MS Society in the Greater Delaware Valley chapter. For more information, call 570-73-3454.

n Millersburg: Spring bird walks at the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art are slated for 7:30 a.m. to noon April 30 and May 7. The walks are free and registration is suggested. To register or for more information, call the center at 717-692-3699. More information about the center is available online at www.nedsmithcenter.org.

n New Ringgold: The Making it Pawsible semi-annual indoor sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 29, 30 and May 1 at Char Will Kennels & Training, 2 E. Railroad Ave. The event will feature two barns full of furniture, household items, vintage clothes, collectibles, books, tools and other items. Baked goods will be available. All proceeds will be used for reduced cost spays/neuters in this area. For more information, call 570-573-3366.

n Pine Grove: The Pinegrove Historical Society will host a free program by Dave Ravegum, Pine Grove, called “Preservation of the Swatara Iron Furnace and History of the High Bridge” at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Pine Grove American Legion, 42 S. Tulpehocken St. The PowerPoint presentation will depict the furnace, which operated from 1830 to 1860 and includes the pictorial history of the High Bridge. Doors will open at 6 p.m.

n Pottsville: The Nativity BVM High School Theater Arts Club will present “Legally Blonde — The Musical” from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the school. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for students 18 and younger. For more information, call 570-640-1760.

n Schuylkill Haven: St. James Episcopal Church, 100 Dock St. and Paxton Avenue, will have an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday. The cost is $7 for adults and $4 for children. Salad, beverage and homemade dessert will be included. For more information, call 570-385-2471.

n Schuylkill Haven: The Schuylkill Valley Corvette Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at R&R Auto Group, 388 Route 61. Members should bring chairs and canned goods. For more information, call 610-223-8882.

n Shenandoah: The 10th annual theme basket auction sponsored by Trinity Academy in the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday in Annunciation BVM Hall, Frackville. Doors will open at 5 p.m. The event will include more than 100 large theme baskets, class baskets, four one-day Disney Hopper passes and other items. A shop-and-drop will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Food will be available the night of the auction. Cash and credit cards will be accepted. For more information, call the school at 570-462-3927. Proceeds will benefit the school.

n Summit Station: The Summit Station Fire Company will no longer run its weekly Friday bingo games. For more information, call 570-739-4593.

n Tamaqua: St. John United Church of Christ, 150 Pine St., will have a rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 18 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday. The kitchen will be open for food and there will also be a bake sale. April 19 will be bag day for the sale. For more information, call 570-778-1044.

n Tamaqua: St. John’s Lutheran Church, Pine and Mauch Chunk streets, will have a rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 20. Refreshments and takeouts will also be available.

Date incorrect

The dine-out event for Schuylkill Wellness Services is April 19. The date was incorrect in Tuesday’s edition.

PORT CARBON — After hearing complaints from citizens about illegal drug activity in the 200 block of Pike Street, the borough council Tuesday decided to contact the Schuylkill County district attorney for help.

Board President Ray Steranko said at council’s April meeting at the borough hall Tuesday night.

For 15 minutes during the public portion, citizens, including Robin M. Goodman, 227 Pike St., spoke out about the problems they’ve been experiencing with suspicious characters in their neighborhood for many months.

“This thing has escalated to the point where people’s houses are getting broken into. They’re coming with baseball bats and masks on trying to get into people’s houses. They’re walking into people’s houses if the doors are open,” Goodman said.

She said there is a “drug house” on the block, and she has made numerous complaints to borough police.

The borough employs two-full time officers, three part-time officers and one per diem detective, according to Mayor Charles R. “Chuck” Joy.

But the borough does not have a 24-hour police force, Goodman emphasized.

“The times that all this stuff is going on, there’s no police on. I know we have a budget for police, but this matter is out of control now. It started at the end of last summer and it’s just been getting worse and worse,” Goodman said.

She said she’s had problems where strangers have boldly walked into her home thinking they were visiting another property on the block, the problem property she described.

“I live a couple doors up,” Goodman said.

Goodman said she’s been in touch with Schuylkill County detectives, representatives of the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force and Schuylkill County commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr., but asked the council to try to do something more.

“I’m at my wits’ end. Somebody’s going to get hurt. And don’t think it’s going to be one of them who are not obeying the law. It’s going to be one of us. We’re putting ourselves out there. We’re writing down car license plate numbers. We’re taking photos of people. Every one of us have cameras that are monitoring the nonsense that’s going on day and night,” Goodman said.

“The pictures and the license numbers that you’ve taken, what did you do with them?” Steranko asked.

“I gave them to Officer Knepper,” Goodman said, referring to one of the borough’s full-time officers, Patrolman Walter Knepper.

“I’ll tell you what we’re going to do. We’re going to meet with the police department. I want to contact the DA and the drug task force and see what kind of plan we can come up with to stop it. You shouldn’t have to live in an area like this. I apologize,” Steranko said.

TOWER CITY — A Tower City church will join in “World Labyrinth Day” on May 7 and has called in a special facilitator to assist.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church has asked Bonnie Harr, founder of “In His Footsteps Labyrinth Ministry,” to lead a workshop for the public at 11 a.m. May 7 at the church, 449 E. Grand Ave., according to Marie Rodichok, chairperson of St. Paul’s Labyrinth Committee.

A light lunch will follow, then those attending will be invited to the “Walk As One” global event at 1 p.m., where participants at Tower City and around the world are encouraged to walk their community’s labyrinth and take steps together for peace.

A labyrinth is “an ancient geometric pattern with a purpose. It can be constructed of stones, tile, sod, plants or other materials. A labyrinth invites us to take ‘time out’ and give ourselves a gift of peacefulness and well being,” according to St. Paul’s church flier about the pathway.

It is not a maze, and visitors cannot get lost. People can move at their own pace and are free to pause at any place along the prayer path; they may pass others who are moving at a slower pace. When visitors reach the center of the labyrinth, they may wish to sit, kneel, stand, meditate or read something they brought along with them.

Harr’s profound love for prayer labyrinths was generated by her first personal walk on one, she said, as a “cynical skeptic.”

Harr is a Veriditas-trained labyrinth facilitator and labyrinth ministry coordinator at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greensburg. She’s the founder and spirited energy behind the “In His Footsteps” Team. Harr is a retired counseling psychotherapist and nurse professor, clinician, administrator and researcher. She completed credentials in Spiritual Formation at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 2013.

The St. Paul’s Community Labyrinth, was dedicated Oct. 12, 2014, and is open to anyone from the public from dawn to dusk, according to the Rev. Linda Bonfiglio. Visitors to the labyrinth are welcome, regardless of their religious affiliation, or whether they attend a church or not, she said.

The idea of erecting the Tower City labyrinth came about through the “Do What Matters Committee,” according to Rodichok. In May 2011, the committee had a vision to construct the labyrinth in a field adjacent to the church. The 53-foot, seven circle, labyrinth was completely funded by contributions made each Sunday and from local community organizations.

Rodichok said Boy Scout Troop 635 was scheduled to work on the labyrinth this upcoming weekend, as part of a community service project in advance of World Labyrinth Day. Visitors to the Tower City site can park behind the church in the lot, on the old tennis/basketball courts behind the labyrinth, or along Grand Avenue.

To register for Harr’s workshop, call 717-926-7787 before the April 24 deadline.

In late March, Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed House Bill 1327, which supports school funding, because he believed some of its measures were too costly.

This week, the governor unveiled a new education funding formula which will cut a cumulative total of $2,758,013 from local schools in Berks and Schuylkill counties, state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, said Tuesday. “The state budget approved by lawmakers in March included an additional $200 million for public schools. The formula to determine how the money is driven out was contained in House Bill 1327, also known as the budget-related Fiscal Code. The formula was developed after months of public hearings and bipartisan cooperation among lawmakers, school administrators, education advocates, teachers and parents in order to reflect the factors that drive the cost of education,” Jon Hopcraft, a spokesman for Argall, said in a press release Tuesday.

“On April 4, 2016, the governor vetoed the Fiscal Code and created his own formula to drive out public education funding. As a result, 86 percent of Pennsylvania’s 500 public school districts will receive less money under this plan than they would have received under the bipartisan Basic Education Funding Formula. All but one school district in the 29th Senatorial District will receive less money under the governor’s plan,” Hopcraft said.

“Under the governor’s formula, three of the state’s five hundred school districts will receive $100 million of the overall increase. Philadelphia schools will receive an additional $78 million, including $34 million that was taken from rural school districts throughout the state,” Hopcraft said.

If the governor’s formula is approved, Shenandoah Valley will lose $152,179 in the 2016-17 school year, Mahanoy Area will lose $70,113, Blue Mountain will lose $59,618 and Pottsville Area will lose $57,592, according to Hopcraft.

But the governor’s formula gave Williams Valley an additional $49,884, according to Hopcraft.

INFO BOX:

Below is a breakdown of how much school districts in Schuylkill County will lose with the governor’s funding formula as compared to the Basic Education Funding Formula approved by the General Assembly:

• Blue Mountain School District, $59,618

• Mahanoy Area School District, $70,113

• Minersville Area School District, $43,033

• North Schuylkill School District, $6,613

• Panther Valley School District, $96,094

• Pine Grove Area School District, $7,126

• Pottsville Area School District, $57,592

• Saint Clair Area School District, $36,452

• Schuylkill Haven Area School District, $31,659

• Shenandoah Valley School District, $152,179

• Tamaqua Area School District, $78,747

• Tri-Valley School District, $43,366

Source: Jon Hopcraft, a spokesman for state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29.

BARNESVILLE — The Ryan Township supervisors were provided with a summary of probable construction costs on different road program options at Monday’s meeting.

William N. McMullen, project manager with ARRO Consulting Inc., Orwigsburg, gave the supervisors copies of three options to provide some perspective on estimated costs to maintain and repair about 14.1 miles of the township’s 24.59 miles of roads.

“Here is a list of a lot of the major roads in the township and some suggested alternatives,” McMullen said while distributing the information sheets. “I put three different scenarios together.”

McMullen included 10 streets in his calculations: State Road (T-891), 3.91 miles; Chee Street (T-491), 1.2 miles; Hillside Drive (T-380), 1.38 miles; Back Road (T-490), 1.23 miles (paved portion); Ball Diamond Road (T-493), 0.38 miles; Church Street (T-497), 2.28 miles; Orchard Road (T-772), 1.59 miles; Front Street (T-499), 1.42 miles; Williams Street (T-877), 0.51 miles; and Crest Street (T-897), 0.2 miles.

The costs were calculated in the three options:

• Limited leveling and oil and chip — Total for all streets is $516,883.63, or $36,658 per mile

• Leveling and oil and chip — Total for all streets is $839,344.18, or $59,527 per mile

• Leveling and overlay — Total for nine roads (Ball Diamond Road not included) is $1,631,215.15, or $130,497 per mile

McMullen also discussed options on financing using state liquid fuels funding the township receives each year. The 2016 allocation to the township is $121,364.45. By obtaining a low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Bank, which provides low-interest loans for the design, engineering, right-of-way and repair, reconstruction and construction of public highways, bridges, public and private airports and railroads and public transportation systems. It is an agency of the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

The interest rate is a fixed rate at one half prime and is set upon receipt of the loan application. The maximum loan term is 10 years. The current PIB rate is 1.75 percent.

Using the 2016 liquid fuels allocation, McMullen calculated the least expensive road program option would use 47 percent of the allocation each year for a 10-year loan, which would leave the township funding for other eligible road expenses. The most expensive option — leveling and overlay — with a 10-year loan is 148 percent of the allocation, requiring the township to use all of its liquid fuels funds and add from township coffers.

“Obviously, we can’t do $1.6 million,” Vice Chairman Clyde “Champ” Holman said. “This is what we (Holman and McMullen) discussed about where we are and to see what’s out there and go from there.”

When McMullen concluded his presentation, Chairman David R. Morgan said, “We’ll go over it and find out what we might want to spend on a project.”

In other business, the supervisors reviewed a list of garbage collection fee delinquents. Township solicitor Christopher Riedlinger suggested look into collection services of Portnoff Law Associates LTD. Riedlinger said two of his municipal clients use Portnoff’s services for collections. Supervisor Franklin Fetter said the township has Creditech Inc. for collections. Holman suggested the names of the chronic delinquents be published in the newspaper.

Riedlinger asked for the names and addresses of a few delinquents with large balances in order to send letters informing them about the amount due and that liens could be filed if not paid. The supervisors agreed with Riedlinger’s request.

Morgan read a letter from Darlene D. Dolzani, executive director of Schuylkill Keep It Pretty about the annual spring cleanup scheduled for April 21 to 24.

“We want to reach out to the community and see who can help do it,” Morgan said. “If we have any volunteers who would like to oversee a project, please volunteer.”

To contact Dolzani about volunteering individually or as a group, call 570-943-2403.

The supervisors acted on the following:

• Accepted the only bid received to sell the 1984 International dump truck. The sole bidder was Matt Hope at $3,125. The township recently purchased a used 2005 Mack dump truck from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.

• Approved the promotion of part-time police officer Mary Beth Elias to corporal at the recommendation of Chief Richard Sinton. Elias has been with the township police department for more than 10 years. Her salary will remain the same.

• Rehired Joseph Malasavage for the road crew during the spring and summer for about 24 hours per week.

Frackville officials expect a dilapidated house to be sold and torn down as the result of an agreement reached Tuesday in Schuylkill County Court in a public nuisance case with its owner, who last year admitted she set fire to it in September 2014.

Melissa A. Raffensberger, 41, of York, agreed to sell 138 N. Cherry St. to a contractor who is expected to tear down the building, according to Chief Public Defender Michael J. Stine, her lawyer.

“There is a party that is actually interested in buying the property and tearing it down,” Stine told Judge James P. Goodman, who had been scheduled to preside over Raffensberger’s nonjury trial. “She’s willing to get rid of the property.”

Prosecutors said they will withdraw the charge of public nuisance when the sale is completed, since their primary goal is to improve the property.

“We’d like to see the property cleaned up,” Assistant District Attorney Kimm M. Montone said.

Goodman, in turn, agreed to continue the trial until the June criminal court term, which is scheduled to begin on June 6. However, he also wants action in the matter as soon as possible.

“I want to get this taken care of,” Goodman said.

Borough police filed the charge against Raffensberger, alleging she has failed to repair the property since Sept. 18, 2014, when it sustained damage in the fire she set.

“It’s a fire-damaged property,” borough police Chief Marvin L. Livergood said. “Part of the roof was opened up. It’s starting to develop odor.”

Tuesday was not the first time Raffensberger, who used to live at the property, has been in court because of the fire.

She pleaded guilty on June 17, 2015, to risking a catastrophe and recklessly endangering another person, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia.

President Judge William E. Baldwin accepted the plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced Raffensberger to serve 20 days to 23 months in prison with immediate parole, pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Frackville borough police also filed the charges in that case against Raffensberger.

Livergood said he does not mind if the public nuisance case against Raffensberger never goes to trial.

“We just want the blighted houses gone,” he said.

Marriage licenses

Miguel Bautista-Hernandez, Shenandoah, and Azucena Velazquez-Arias, Shenandoah.

Two men are in Schuylkill County Prison on $1 million bail each charged with drug offenses after being arrested by State Police at Reading on Saturday.

Anthoney M. Haughton, 55, of Orange, New Jersey, and David Joseph Bainbridge Jr., Seltzer, 35, were arrested by state police Trooper Troy S. Greenawald, Reading. Haughton was arrested in North Manheim Township. Bainbridge was arrested in Mechanicsville.

Haughton is charged with six felonies, two relating to manufacture, deliver or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, two charges of conspiracy related to the aforementioned charges, and one count each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, and criminal use of a communication facility, and one misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, court documents show. He was arraigned Saturday by Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg, and sent to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post $1 million bail.

Bainbridge also is in county prison after he was unable to post $1 million bail after his preliminary arraignment Saturday in Ferrier’s office. He is charged with 79 felonies, one count of corrupt organizations, six counts of conspiracy, 24 counts of manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, 24 counts of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, 24 counts of criminal use of a communications facility and 29 misdemeanors, five involving conspiracy and 24 counts of intentionally possessing a controlled substance, documents show.

Ferrier had left for the day when called at his office Tuesday.

“In the fall of 2015, Troop L vice investigators uncovered a methamphetamine drug trafficking ring in Schuylkill Haven,” a statement from the state police reads.

A press conference will be held today at 1 p.m. at the state police barracks at Schuylkill Haven, 23 Meadowbrook Drive, Reedsville, to provide information about a drug trafficking investigation, state police said. No names are mentioned on a state police release from Troop L, Reading. The operation named operation Seltzer was a coordinated effort by state police Troop L, the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force, and the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s office.

The entities involved conducted an exhaustive investigation and identified those involved. Search warrants and arrest warrants were served Saturday.

“Significant seizures of methamphetamine, cash and weapons” were confiscated, police said.

District attorney Christine Holman said those involved will have their preliminary hearing at Ferrier’s office. She will attend the press conference.

State police Trooper David Beohm, public information officer for Troop L, Reading, said the names will be released today.

“I know there’s more than two that got arrested. There might be up to eight,” he said.

Deeds

Ashland — Daniel E. and Anna Weikel to Baytay LLC; property on Catawissa Road; $7,000.

Barry, Eldred and Hegins townships — Ellen Miller, executrix of the Estate of Roland Bergner, to Susan Bergner and Ellen Miller; three properties; $1.

Blythe Township — Gregory J. Gustas to Scott Strause; 4.727-acre property on Winfield Drive; $5,000.

Branch Township — Margaret Banez, executrix of the Estate of Michael Timtishin, to EMH Contracting LLC; property on Willing Street, Llewellyn; $20,000.

Butler Township — Kenenth G. and Mary Anne R. Thomas to Kenneth G. Thomas Jr.; 198 Germanville Road; $1.

BWH Properties LLC to Dilenia Ortega and Angel Garcia; 441 W. Main St.; $4,100.

Margaret T. Gergal, successor death trustee under the Andrew E. Gergal Living Trust, to Margaret T. Gergal, trustee under the Margaret T. Gergal Living Trust; 604 W. Laurel St.; $1.

Cass Township — Michael L. and Nora M. Jones to Stone Financing LLC; 19 Mountain View Lane; $181,000.

Stone Financing LLC to Damian F. and Jennifer L. Buggy; 19 Mountain View Lane; $181,000.

David J. Hoenich to Cass Township; 0.6-acre property; $51,000.

Delano Township — Jeanne E. Matz to Brian K. Heffelfinger; 145 Willow St., Delano; $55,000.

East Union Township — Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Jenny Ortega and Arnel Pineda; Lot 246HF3, Eagle Rock; $39,389.

Onofre V. Laminta and Annalie Figueroa to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 279HF4, Eagle Rock; $3,953.41.

Patricia J. Carner to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 150E, Eagle Rock; $9,000.

Sandra K. Kluver and Marvin L. Wagner to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 89WS, Eagle Rock; $9,000.

Craig and Amy Highsmith to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 380WS, Eagle Rock; $8,310.

Teodoro Lantoria to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 246HF3, Eagle Rock; $1.

Mary Grace M. Espino and Michael K. Villacin to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 399HF3, Eagle Rock; $3,651.51.

Francis M. Ngugi and Isabel W. Kimani to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 499HF3, Eagle Rock; $9,203.21.

Josephine Chucuen to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot137HF4, Eagle Rock; $2,920.25.

Chang S. and Mi-Ran Kim to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 227WS, Eagle Rock; $30,199.

Foster Township — Karen Antonelli, executrix of the Estate of Marlin E. Ney, to Karen Antonelli; 107 Valley Road; $1.

Frackville — Margaret T. Gergal, successor death trustee under the Andrew E. Gergal Living Trust, to Margaret T. Gergal, trustee under the Margaret T. Gergal Living Trust; 56 N. Nice St.; $1.

Hegins Township — Ellen Miller, executrix of the Estate of Roland Bergner, to Susan Bergner and Ellen Miller; 36.482-acre property on Legislative Route 53056; $1.

Kline Township — George Gochalla to George and Mary Ann T. Gochalla; 201 N. Kennedy Drive; $1.

Mahanoy City — Michael John Getz, Lucille D. Palmer, Edward Palmer III and Jason Palmer to Peter Bowers; 513-515 W. Maple St.; $1.

Stone Mountain Properties LLC to Timber River Properties LLC; property on Mahanoy Avenue; $12,000.

Jacqueline O. Herrity to Jacqueline Humanick; 535 W. Pine St. and 200 E. South St.; $1.

Timothy P. and Kathleen McConnell to Katherine J. Macaluso; 1318 E. Centre St.; $16,000.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Bank of America NA; 325 W. Maple St.; $1,177.79.

Minersville — Philip R. and Christel S. Forney to Ricky Soto; 500 N. Delaware Ave.; $30,000.

North Manheim Township — Anthony and Sandra Forino to Ryan E. Rhody and Rachel Barnetsky; 4 E. Abby Lane, Sunnyside; $142,613.

North Union Township — Eduard and Marina Vulfson to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 6AV1, Eagle Rock; $3,987.41.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Marical P. and Tommy L. Beals; Lot 6AV1, Eagle Rock; $40,299.

Ralphie J. Feliciano and Wilfredo Ruiz to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 198EA, Eagle Rock; $1.

Carol A. Neidlinger, individually and as executrix of the Estate of Paul E. Neidlinger Sr., to Condeido Flaim and Dawn Dombrowski; 599 Red Ridge Road; $1.

Norwegian Township — Joseph J. Zelinsky, executor of the Last Will & Testament of Vincent A. Zelinsky, to Joseph J. Zelinsky; 3327 Main St., Seltzer; $1.

Orwigsburg — Jarrod F. and Kelli A. Fogarty to David Joseph Jimenez; 415 W. Market St.; $90,000.

Richard J. Deibert, executor of the Estate of Marie C. Deibert, to Chester L. Stoltzfus and Traci L. Bast; 214 E. Market St.; $119,900.

Damian F. and Jennifer L. Buggy to Nicholas R. and Amy L. Marrongelle; proeprty; $160,000.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Secretary of Veterans Affairs; 305 E. Market St.; $1,197.64.

Palo Alto — Lisa Murray to Federal National Mortgage Association; 3238 W. Bacon St.; $1.

Pottsville — Kathryn D. Case to Tarik Belkhoutout and Amy T. Leffew; 216 Timber Road, Forest Hills; $140,000.

Ross W. and Elizabeth A. Rissmiller to Robert A. and Theresa Meade; 7 Overlook Drive, Forest Hills; $150,000.

Geraldine W. Nagle, individually and as executrix of the Estate of Gerald Joseph Nagle, to Kirby Nelson; 719 Seneca St.; $1.

Jennifer and Eric J. Muldowney to Andrew D. and Erin M. Umphrey; 615 W. Market St.; $135,000.

James F. Delacruz Jr. to Stephen G. Hinchliffe; 515 Peacock St.; $25,000.

Bradley A. and Erin E. Schutt to Wes Quirin and Brittany Moore; 1967 Howard Ave.; $89,900.

Lindsay C. Trout to Lindsay C. and Thomas J. Trout; 1610 Mahantongo St.; $1.

Rush Township — Roy L. and Marlene J. Turner and Nancy L. and George J. Ward to Jason Eberts; 1.5-acre property on Tuscarora Park Road; $1,000.

George Price Jr. and Renee Southard, co-executors of the Estate of Philip J. Price, to Brendan D. Kash; 64 Crescent Drive, Lake Hauto; $227,900.

Ryan and West Mahanoy townships — Schuylkill Economic Development Corp. to Eljay Realty Associates; 100 Hollander Drive, Frackville Industrial Park; $1.

Saint Clair — Eleanor M. Ryan, by attorney in fact Kyran Wilson, to Danielle M. Moyer; 565 Fernwood Ave.; $154,500.

Schuylkill Haven — Fabian Manganiello to Joanne Manganiello; 113 Centre Ave.; $1.

Mark R. and Cindy Pielacha to Megan L. Foster; 37 Haven St.; $68,000.

Schuylkill Township — Anna Mae Garber, executrix of the Estate of Kathleen E. Klinger, to Timothy W. Moore and Christina E. Clyde; 210 Green St., Brockton; $1.

Shenandoah — Brian D. Kampsky, Nancy A. Kampsky and Chris A. and Beverly Kampsky to Chad A. Kampsky; 115 S. Gilbert St.; $1.

Robert J. and Lisa Mozdy to Amber E. Boris and Brandon Filiziani; 972 W. Coal St.; $53,400.

South Manheim Township — Roxanne Seltzer and Rodney Blankenhorn to Rodney Blankenhorn and Luke Blankenhorn; 551 Deiberts Valley Road; $1.

George R. Sidella and William E. Sidella to George R. Sidella and William E. Sidella; 89-acre property; $1.

Tamaqua — JCM Reality Holdings Inc. to Miguel Aponte; 423 Glenwood Ave.; $860.

Tara L. Fegley to Christopher D. and Linda Jane Valenti; 26 Hunter St.; $35,900.

Tower City — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Wells Fargo Bank NA; 317 S. Fourth St.; $1,161.31.

Tina M. Koons to Steve N. Jr. and Tina M. Koons; 839 E. Wiconisco Ave.; $1.

Michael J. Keiter and Courtney E. Foreman to Borough of Tower City; 0.15-acre property; $6,000.

Tremont Township — Paul J. Romanko and Susan J. Romanko-Gregory, co-executors of the Estate of Norma Jean Kelleher, to Larry and Bonnie Bender; 57 Lincoln Road, Lincoln; $22,000.

Union Township — Dona Kozlowski and Anita E. Kozlowski to Anita E. Kozlowski; 18 Pump House Lane; $1.

Virginia L. Rumbel to Virginia L. and Paul G. Rumbel; 125 Wolf Road; $1.

Samuel J. and Lorraine B. Hagenberger to Kristopher Hoffman; 4.8-acre property on Legislative Route 53064; $27,500.

Amos Stauffer and Aaron Stauffer to Samuel J. and Lorraine B. Hagenberger; two properties on Legislative Route 53064; $1.

Upper Mahantongo Township — James A. Troutman and Judith A. Shade to Stephen and Susan Zarecky; 140 Main St., Klingerstown; $89,000.

Washington Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Citifinancial Servicing LLC; 997 Mountain Road; $1,279.91.

Norman D. and Violet M. Delp to Timothy J. Delp; 28 Delp Lane; $104,689.20.

Joan Marie Connors to Denise A. Keister; 24 Lowland Drive; $50,000.

Ricky L. Rehrer to Samantha Demancyck; property on Walnut Street; $1.

Wayne Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to LSF8 Master Participation Trust; 62 Papoose Drive, Lake Wynonah; $1,098.99.

Daniel R. Wagner to Laban E. and Myrna S. Riffey; 576 Schwartz Valley Road; $280,000.

Albert H. Kull III and Kathy E. Kull, co-executors under the Last Will & Testament of Rae Anna I. Kull, to Tracy L. Bahm; 1216 Long Run Road; $85,600.

Albert H. Kull III and Kathy E. Kull, co-executors under the Last Will & Testament of Rae Anna I. Kull, to Albert H. III and Sue Ann Kull; 51.65-acre property on Long Run Road; $1.

Lillian K. Music, by attorney in fact Lindy L. Moore, to John C. and Joanne D. Plaxa; 880 Red Oak Cove, Lake Wynonah; $8,000.

West Mahanoy Township — Gertrudys De La Rosa to Jose Paulino; property on Florida Avenue, Shenandoah Heights; $5,000.

Gino M. Tedesco to Patricia Ann Mackavage; 299 Virginia Ave., Shenandoah Heights; $1.

Dorothy M. and John Glinski to Santander Bank; 480 Texas Ave., Shenandoah Heights; $1.

West Penn Township — David C. and Marilyn Henninger to David C. and Marilyn Henninger, Sandra Haney and Catherine Hornung; 283 Archery Club Road; $1.

Kenneth D. Ball, executor of the Estate of Thomas R. Ball and successor trustee of the Thomas R. Ball Revocable Trust, to Kenneth D. and April A. Ball; property on Oak Terrace; $1.

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

Alyssa L. McGurl, 24, of Ashland; two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $200 in payments to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one each of prohibited possession of offensive weapon and criminal mischief.

Lance T.H. Reis, 32, of Minersville; two counts of theft by deception; 24 months probation, $100 in payments to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $299.90 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of bad checks.

Andrea Startzel, 45, of Girardville; possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal mischief; time served to six months in prison, $25 fine, $100 SAEF payment, $50 bench warrant fee and $375 restitution.

Heather Ungood, 34, of Lehighton; possession of drug paraphernalia and retail theft; one to 12 months in prison, 11 months consecutive probation, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew charges of possession of a controlled substance and criminal mischief.

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

Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street

To Mark and Mandy Bixler Donmoyer, Schuylkill Haven, a daughter, April 7.

In response to a press release issued by state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, on Tuesday, the governor’s press secretary said Wednesday every public school district in the state will receive more funding under the governor’s funding formula than they had in 2014-15.

“Governor (Tom) Wolf has been pushing for a fair funding formula to end Pennsylvania’s inequitable distribution of education dollars, one of the most inequitable in the country. The new fair funding formula, which again, he supports and begins to implement in the current distribution of funding, cannot truly be fair unless the cuts are fully restored,” Jeffrey Sheridan, the governor’s press secretary, said in a statement to the newspaper Wednesday.

Sheridan urged the public to read the governor’s April 5 announcement regarding education funding, which has been posted on his website, www.governor.pa.gov.

“Under the governor’s restoration formula, every single school district in Schuylkill County, and every district in the commonwealth receives more than they received in 2014-15. Under the governor’s distribution, the combined increase for all districts in Schuylkill County is nearly $1.9 million. But the amount of total funding in the Republican budget is only half of what the governor proposed in his original budget, and $177 million less in basic education funding than what was included in the bipartisan budget that Republicans jettisoned before the New Year,” Sheridan said.

“It is important to note that with the governor’s distribution, every district in Schuylkill County is more than 91 percent restored from the 2010-11 cuts. Currently, only 4 percent of districts in Pennsylvania have seen their funding fully restored to 2010-11 levels and the commonwealth is currently over $370 million short from fully restoring the cuts,” Sheridan said.

“For Republicans to push around their plan in comparison to the governor’s plan, and compare dollar amounts, conveniently ignores the reality of the devastation they were complicit in causing five years ago when $1 billion was cut from education disproportionately affecting the poorest school districts. Many of the poorest districts have not had their funding restored. In fact, the Republican plan would have taken money back that has already been allocated from some of the poorest districts,” Sheridan said.

After reading the statement from Sheridan on Wednesday, Argall released the following statement:

“The governor’s veto earlier this month coupled with his new education funding formula took over $7.6 million away from Schuylkill County public schools. I supported this latest measure to keep more taxpayer money in Schuylkill County rather than send it to Philadelphia, which is what the governor is attempting to do.”

“As for the governor’s office, they are using a lot of smoke and mirrors in their response. The fact remains that only one person actually affixed their name to document that cut money for schools this year — that was Governor Wolf with his veto pen,” Jennifer Kocher, press secretary for the Senate Republican Caucus, said Wednesday

“The governor and his staff continue to dwell on the ‘what ifs’ of a budget. The fact is that his budget required massive tax increases before his total $400 million package could be adopted. His tax package failed to garner a single vote in favor of it. Senator Argall did vote for a budget that contained a $350 million increase in funding. The measure failed in the House. Why? Because, again, it stops with the governor. The governor failed to show any leadership and failed to garner enough votes from his own party to support the Republicans in the House who were willing to vote for that plan. So for all of the what ifs in the world, the fact remains that the governor can only spend the money he has — no more what ifs. The increase was for $200 million in new money. The governor then picked winners and losers when it came to state funding for schools. And your local schools are clearly losing,” Kocher said.

“The governor’s office continues to mislead about the facts on school funding. The fact is that state funding for education in Pennsylvania has increased nearly $1.5 billion since 2008-09 when state funding totaled $8.6 billion, and it has risen to over $10.7 billion dollars today. In that time frame, the one-time money from the federal government totaling almost $1 billion went away. State monies were never cut, but we also did not raise your taxes in order to make up for a $1 billion shortfall in federal dollars. Even with the stimulus money, the budget passed by the General Assembly and allowed to become law by the governor contains more money than ever for education in Pennsylvania,” Kocher said.

In his statement, Sheridan also made other comments regarding Republicans in the legislature.

“If Republicans in the legislature had supported Governor Wolf’s 2015-16 budget proposal — instead of continuing the status quo of underfunding schools and passing tax burdens onto local homeowners — there would have been $200 million more for education than in the Republican budget. For all of the school districts in Schuylkill County, Republicans cut more than $2.1 million in basic education funding from the governor’s proposal,” Sheridan said.

“As the governor made clear when he announced his formula, since day one, he has been fighting for historic investments in education at all levels, including K through 12 basic education, to restore the devastating cuts that forced educator layoffs, increased class sizes, program cuts, and soaring property taxes,” Sheridan said.

“As a result of the Republican cuts that Senator Argall supported, Schuylkill County districts were forced to lay off the following total personnel over the last five years (source: Pennsylvania Department of Education),” Sheridan said. And he presented the list of districts and the number of layoffs:

Blue Mountain, 359; Mahanoy Area, 191; Minersville Area, 178; North Schuylkill, 270; Panther Valley, 189;

Pine Grove Area, 239; Pottsville Area, 447; Saint Clair Area, 68; Schuylkill Haven Area, 205; Shenandoah Valley, 156; Tamaqua Area, 250; and Tri-Valley, 132.

“Total in Schuylkill County: 2,684,” Sheridan said.

In response, Kocher said, “We have seen this information, but to date have been unable to verify or get a source for it. We do not know if it includes positions lost to attrition or how the fact that school populations in different areas have been decreasing over recent years. So in short, we question the validity of it.”

It may be an uphill battle, but Northampton County Councilman Glenn A. Geissinger said that he can defeat incumbent U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-17, with the support of Schuylkill County.

Geissinger, 50, of Plainfield Township, is seeking the Republican nomination to represent the 17th Congressional District, which includes all of Schuylkill County and parts of Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe and Northampton counties. He will go against Matt Connolly for the Republican nomination in the April 26 primary election.

“When you make the decision to run for an office like the U.S. House of Representatives and look at a gerrymandered district like the 17th District, you realize very quickly that regardless of what you may have done in your home counties, that you are going to need a lot of support,” Geissinger said at a fundraiser Wednesday at The Greystone Restaurant, Pottsville. “You are going to need a lot of help and you are going to need people to step up and make that difference that you can never possibly do alone and it is truly humbling to stand in a room of people who are dedicated to their community, dedicated to their country, dedicated to improving the lives of people around them.”

Growing up in a blue-collar home, Geissinger said he has worked a variety of jobs and taken many risks. He worked installing floor tiles and was a paratrooper in the Army before working in advertising and eventually starting his own advertising firm in Northampton County.

“I know what it means to sign a paycheck on the front. I also know what it means to haul concrete, lay tile and work as a night security guard. Government regulation is destroying us. It is killing small business,” Geissinger said.

Geissinger said Obamacare has doubled the health care premiums of his employees while decreasing the coverage.

“We need to appeal that law,” Geissinger said.

Geissinger said national security is a main priority.

“If we do not secure our borders, if we do not do the things that are necessary to stop illegal immigration, if we do not support our military and give them the absolute best equipment and absolute best training and give them the moral support they need, then we are going to end up just like Rome. We are going to end up with absolutely nothing,” Geissinger said. “We are a target and we need to realize it and we need to eliminate radical Islam.”

Geissinger also said that by reigning regulations in the Environmental Protection Agency, the district can use its energy resources and manufacturing to build real and lasting jobs.

“We sit on some of the biggest energy reserves in the United States,” Geissinger said. “We have coal and we have natural gas in this district and in the neighboring counties. Why is it we have allowed the president to destroy the ability to allow us to use our own energy sources in order to develop our industry? That is insane.”

“Matt Cartwright voted against coal. I will vote for coal. I will vote for energy,” he said.

To create jobs and cut the cost for taxpayers, Geissinger said public-private partnerships should be used at all levels of government. He said Northampton County is piloting a program to bundle 33 bridge projects together to cut costs and create 800 to 1,000 jobs.

“The right candidate with the right message, and I have the right message, and right amount of money, we will defeat Matt Cartwright in the fall,” Geissinger said.