Latest news with #SchuylkillCountyCourtofCommonPleas
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What voters need to know for Tuesday's primary in Schuylkill County
POTTSVILLE — Everything is in place for Tuesday's primary, confirmed Schuylkill County Election Bureau director Albert Gricoski. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 125 polling places across the county. The AccuWeather forecast for Tuesday is cloudy and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, with late showers possible. Election bureau officials will begin tallying mail-in ballots at 7 a.m. Tuesday. The count of ballots cast at polling places begins at 8 p.m. at the Schuylkill Transportation System in Saint Clair. In a primary, major political parties choose their candidates for the general election, which is Nov. 4. SEE WHO IS ON THE BALLOT: Local offices in Schuylkill County For many offices, particularly municipal auditors and judges of election, no candidates are listed on the ballot. Voters have the option of writing in a candidate. It's best to consult an election official at the polls about the procedure for casting write-in votes. Keeping an eye on district attorney and sheriff races During the campaign season leading up to the primary, the most visible contests have been between hopefuls for the Republican nomination for Schuylkill County district attorney and the county sheriff. Given that there are no candidates for district attorney or sheriff on the Democratic ballot, and that registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by more than a 2-to-1 margin, it's likely the Republican nominee will be elected in November. On the Republican ballot, incumbent District Attorney Mike O'Pake faces opposition from John Henry Urbanski, a Pottsville lawyer. FURTHER READING: District Attorney candidate debate Seeking the Republican nomination for sheriff are Shawn Butler, chief deputy to Sheriff Joseph G. Groody, and Frank J. DiMarco, a veteran police officer. District judge races heat up With District Judge David J. Rossi, of Tremont, not seeking re-election, five candidates are seeking the Republican nomination and two are vying to be the Democratic candidate. In their order of appearance on the Republican ballot, the candidates are Christian Lengel, a Pine Grove resident and Bern Twp police officer; Tim Seip, a former state representative; Jennifer Foose, deputy district attorney; Marty Sowers, municipal services manager with an engineering firm; and Guy W. Smith, an employee in the Berks County Prison. Seip and Sowers have cross filed on the Democratic ballot. For all intents and purposes, a vacant position on the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas will be decided in the primary. Andrew 'A.J.' Serina, currently district judge in Orwigsburg, has no opposition for the Republican nomination. No Democrats are on the ballot. The vacancy on the court is due to the retirement of Judge Charles M. Miller, who reached the mandatory retirement age for county judges. Open offices with no candidates Responding to an inquiry by a Republican Herald reporter, Gricoski said there appeared to be a larger than usual number of offices for which there are no candidates on the ballot. In Mahanoy Area, there are only two candidates for four positions on the school board. Both have cross filed. In Minersville, there are three candidates for four positions on the school board. All three have cross filed. READ MORE: Blank spaces fill May 20 primary ballot in Schuylkill County In Coaldale, Landingville, Girardville, McAdoo, Mount Carbon, New Philadelphia and Tower City there are no candidates on either party for mayor. In Pottsville, where Mayor Mark Atkinson recently announced his resignation due to health reasons, city councilman Andy Wollyung is seeking the Democratic nomination and WMCA director Tom Smith is seeking the Republican nomination. Neither has opposition. Kate Staudenmeier, wife of the late County Commissioner Frank Staudenmeier, has opposition on the Republican ballot from Raymond A. Smith for a six-year term as supervisor in Butler Twp. In Orwigsburg, Robert S. Carl Jr. is on the Republican ballot for a two-year term on borough council. Carl, who is unopposed, is president and CEO of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce and president of the advisory board at Penn State Schuylkill campus. In Tamaqua, Jael E. Houser and Daivd S. Clemson are competing for the Republican nod for mayor. Mayor Norman J. Gerace, an aide to U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, is not seeking re-election. For questions about the primary, call the Schuylkill County Election Bureau at 570-628-1467. Find a list of polling places and election results online here:
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Pine Grove man to face charges in ethnic intimidation case
TREMONT — A Pine Grove man accused of threatening a Black female Amazon delivery driver with a knife in Tremont Township will face all charges in the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas. Kevin Zimmerman, 58, appeared Thursday for a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge David Rossi in connection with the March 26 incident. During the brief hearing, state police Trooper Connor Nettles testified to the validity of the charges filed against Zimmerman. He is charged with felony counts of aggravated assault and ethnic intimidation; misdemeanor counts of terroristic threats, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and unlawful restraint; and a summary count of harassment. Zimmerman, who was present for the hearing, has been out on bail since March 27. His bail was originally set at $75,000 cash and was posted by a third party. Police were dispatched March 26 for a report by a Black female Amazon driver who said she was assaulted by Zimmerman while on her delivery route, according to reports. According to police, Zimmerman accosted the delivery driver — brandishing an eight-inch knife, using racial epithets and grabbing her by the face — while she attempted to leave the property after realizing she was at the wrong address. The woman was able to drive away and call 911 after Zimmerman released her from his grasp, police said. Police were waiting for Zimmerman when returned home, according to documents. Zimmerman confirmed his use of a racial epithet to describe the driver, as well as wielding the knife and grabbing her head, police said. He told police he confronted the driver because he had previously had problems with people stealing from his property. Police then found the knife in Zimmerman's truck. Zimmerman continued to express hate and bias toward Black people while saying a racial epithet during his arraignment by Magisterial District Judge David Plachko, court documents said. The suspect's language prompted Plachko — who had already warned Zimmerman prior to giving his statement — to end the arraignment.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Shenandoah man waives hearing in CSAM case
POTTSVILLE — A Shenandoah man charged with possessing more than 200 images of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday. The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office April 16 charged Anthony Cuff, 46, with felony possession of the images and one count of criminal use of a communications facility. The case now proceeds to the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas. Authorities found 201 images of CSAM on devices, documents show. Unable to post $100,000 straight cash bail, Cuff remains in Schuylkill County Prison following his arraignment before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker in Shenandoah. The arrest resulted from a tip reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Cyber Tip Line by Microsoft in October 2024, and forwarded to the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, according to documents. The file contained an image of a naked underage female, documents show. A subpoena served on PenTeleData for subscriber information March 3 disclosed an address of a Shenandoah man, though not the man eventually charged. Investigators obtained search warrants for electronic devices and other information relative to the case. Agents from the attorney general's office appeared at an Oak Street home and spoke with a man who said Cuff has access to the internet. A search of the devices at the house agents visited showed no signs of the CSAM, authorities said. Agents followed up by visiting Cuff's home, where he confirmed he has access to the internet. A search of devices found one connected to the wifi at the Oak Street address. In addition to finding at least 201 images on devices at Cuff's home, authorities said they also discovered a child sex doll in a bedroom.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
Shenandoah man headed to court on multiple charges
All charges were held for court for a Shenandoah man accused of driving a stolen car filled with drugs earlier this month. Michael Rush, 38, of Shenandoah, waived his right to a preliminary hearing which had been scheduled for Thursday morning in Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker's office. The case will proceed to the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas. Rush remains in prison even after Kilker reduced his bail to 10% of $10,000. On Feb. 9, Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli, Frackville, arraigned Rush on $100,000 straight cash bail. He is charged with felony receiving stolen property and misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance and DUI-Unsafe driving; and numerous summary offenses, according to reports. On Feb. 9, Rush was driving a car west on Centre Street in the borough when an officer saw him veer out of his lane of traffic, police said. The officer pulled him over near the Blaschak Coal Company, according to reports. Rush, who was reported to have glassy, bloodshot eyes and incoherent speech, told police he didn't have a valid license. Upon investigation, police determined Rush's license was suspended for DUI-related infractions. The officer detected the smell of marijuana, and when questioned, Rush admitted he had used marijuana that day, according to reports. A green leafy substance, which he said belonged to him, was visible inside the vehicle, according to police. Rush refused police requests for a vehicle search. He was unable to provide information on the vehicle, which police said was reported stolen. After a field sobriety test, police arrested Rush on suspicion of of DUI.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Yahoo
CSAM charges vs. Schuylkill Haven man held for court
All charges were held for court Tuesday for a Schuylkill Haven man charged with possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). A preliminary hearing was held Feb. 4 for Robert Troutman, 57, in Magisterial District Judge Andrew Serina's courtroom. The state Office of the Attorney General (OAG) filed felony charges Dec. 9 against Troutman for possession of CSAM and criminal use of a communications facility for an incident May 24, 2024. The case now proceeds to the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas. Acting on a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding uploaded CSAM, the OAG's office investigated and served a subpoena on Comcast Cable Communications for an IP address showing it belonged to Troutman, according to documents. The OAG served a search warrant, which was approved by Serina, Oct. 17 at Troutman's home. Authorities seized numerous electronic devices. At least 52 images of CSAM were found on his devices, according to documents. Troutman admitted to viewing CSAM, according to law enforcement. Serina previously set bail at $95,000 straight cash, which was later posted by a bail bondsman.
