The spotlight for the Municipal General Election to be held next Tuesday in Schuylkill County centers on the contests for sheriff and district attorney. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Sheriff Joseph M. Groody, Democrat, is seeking re-election to his second full term and is opposed by Patrick M. Reynolds, Republican, a former military police officer with the U.S. Army, who is making his first political bid for an elected office.District Attorney Karen Byrnes Noon, Democrat, is seeking election to her first full term as she was appointed district attorney to fill vacancy when James P. Goodman resigned after being elected a county judge. Noon served for 25 years as an assistant district attorney and was the first assistant to Goodman when the appointment was made. She usually prosecuted the toughest cases.She is opposed by Attorney Christine A. Holman while serving as an assistant district attorney has handled a large number of cases for the Commonwealth. She is a former county prosecutor and currently is an assistant county solicitor.Voters will also be electing a Judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. The candidates are, Vic Stabile, Republican, 56, a resident of Carlisle, Middlesex Township, Cumberland County, is a graduate of Dickinson School of Law. He is the present partner and manager of the Harrisburg Office of Dilworth Paxson law firm. His opponent is Jack McVay Jr., 57, who has been a judge in the Allegheny County Family Division since 2008.The Superior Court hears appeals in criminal and civil cases from county courts.Judicial retentionVoters in this year's election will also be asked to cast a "yes" or "no" vote on five judges seeking retention for another 10 years.Judge John E. Domalakes of the Court of Common Pleas of Schuylkill County, was elected to the county bench in 1993 and was retained in 2003. He has tried hundreds of criminal and civil cases from criminal homicide, rape, burglary, robbery to medical malpractice, negligence, property disputes and custody. A resident of Frackville, he is a member of St. Joseph's Church, is a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, has been married 43 years and has four adult children and five grandchildren.Two justices are seeking retention to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.Justice Max Baer, Pittsburgh area, was elected a justice of the Supreme Court in 2003. He is a graduate of the Duquesne University School of Law, served as a Deputy Attorney General of Pennsylvania from 1975 through 1980, elected a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny Count in 1989 and served as Administrative Judge, Family Division, Allegheny County Court in 1993.Justice Ronald D. Castille. Philadelphia, elected a justice of the Supreme Court in 1993. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, served in the U.S. Marine Corps as rifle platoon commander in the Vietman War, received a Bronze Star Medal for Combat, two Purple Heart Medals, a Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Presidential Unit and Naval Unit Citations and Combat Infantry Badge.Two judges are seeking retention to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.Judge Susan Peikes Gantman, Montgomery County, was elected a judge of the Superior Court in 2003. She is a graduate of the Villanova University School of Law and served as an assistant district attorney of Montgomery County.Judge Jack A. Panella, Northampton County, was elected a judge of the Superior Court in 2003. He is a graduate of the Catholic University School of Law and served as a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County.