Schuylkill County Judge D. Michael Stine has admitted six local people into the Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition program, including a Tamaqua man who raced off in his car with his young son after a domestic dispute and crashed into a tree. The program is for nonviolent offenders who have no prior criminal records, or very limited ones. In most cases, if the offender successfully completes the program, his or her record is cleared of the offense.

John J. Roberts, 42, was admitted into the program for 24 months. He will also serve 40 hours of community service and pay $350 toward the cost of the program. He was charged on March 31 by Tamaqua police with aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, reckless endangerment, simple assault, disorderly conduct, harassment, disregarding traffic lanes, following too closely, failing to keep right, speeding, and careless driving.Roberts' estranged wife told police he assaulted her and took off with their 8-year-old son. As patrolman Matthew Houser arrived, Roberts was sitting in his car, the boy in the back seat, hanging out a window and yelling for help.Howser ordered Roberts out of the car, but he took off instead, driving onto the sidewalk and leading Houser over several side streets.Roberts finally pulled up to his house and let the boy out. Roberts got out of the car briefly, then got back in and again took off. He drove at speeds up to 90 mph on Route 209 into Schuylkill Township. At one point, he tried to run into a cruiser driven by patrolman Karl Harig.Roberts finally hit a tree, then attempted to run from police. He was captured and arrested.Keri M. Balogach, 33, Coaldale, was admitted to the program for 12 months. She must pay $429.75 in restitution to Tirpak Oil, pay $350 toward the program's cost, and perform 10 hours of community service.She was charged on March 15 by Coaldale police with passing a bad check.Taylor Skwait, 20, Pottsville, was admitted into the program for 12 months and ordered to perform 10 hours of community service.She was charged on Dec. 22, 2013, by Tamaqua police with criminal conspiracy.Skwait was involved in a meth lab operation in Tamaqua last December.Ashley M. Matalavage, 20, Tamaqua, was admitted into the program for 12 months and ordered to perform 10 hours of community service.She was charged on May 5 by Tamaqua police with simple assault, harassment and criminal mischief. She was also ordered to pay $1,167 in restitution to Melissa Duignam and $3,492 to Socrates Inc.Alison E. Taran, 30, Hughesville, was admitted into the program for 12 months, and ordered to perform 10 hours of community service. She will also lose her license for 60 days and undergo outpatient counseling. She was charged on Aug. 30, 2013, by Rush Township police with driving under the influence and restrictions on alcoholic beverages. The last charge was dropped.Gregory Ristila, 38, Tamaqua, was admitted into the programs for 12 months and ordered to perform 10 hours of community service.He was charged on Oct. 19, 2013, by Rush Township police with driving under the influence, careless driving and failing to use safety belts. The careless driving charge was dropped.