Schuylkill County has a full-time new assistant district attorney, Anthony Odorizzi of Tamaqua.

Odorizzi will be paid $40,000 a year, and begins his duties on March 6.District Attorney Christine A. Holman said Odorizzi, the eighth ADA in Schuylkill, would handle discovery requests from defense attorneys and bench warrant hearings.Holman eliminated a detective position to free money to help offset Odorizzi's salary.His salary is about $1,500 more than the detective job paid. Drug Task Force funds also helped offset the cost, she said.The district attorney's office budget was able to absorb the cost, she said.However, Commissioner Gary J. Hess voted against the salary, saying he was concerned about the cost. He voted in favor of Odorizzi, though.The additional position is needed, Holman said, because drug-addiction-fueled crime has risen by 30 percent over the past two years.The county salary board set his wages Wednesday after commissioners approved creation of the position.