MAHANOY CITY — Many of the best of the best student musicians in Schuylkill County took to the stage Saturday in the 43rd annual Schuylkill County Band Festival hosted by the Mahanoy Area School District.

Musicians from the 13 school districts in the county gathered in the school auditorium for the annual gathering of musical talent, with 119 students taking the stage.

The guest conductor was Christopher J. Heffner, an associate professor of music and director of bands at Lebanon Valley College. The host director was Mahanoy Area director of bands Allison Kline.

The annual festival began in 1975 and was held at Tamaqua Area, and each year it is held at another school. Blue Mountain hosted the concert in 2017. The last time it was at Mahanoy Area was 2004.

Before the concert, Kline spoke about the background of the event.

“It consists of students of all the 13 county high schools. They auditioned for the festival in November, and then we come together in February and March each year,” Kline said. “They (students) have been here since Thursday evening, all day Friday, though we did lose three hours yesterday due to the snow, and then they came in nine o’clock this morning.”

Kline said Heffner chose the repertoire of music, which was forwarded to Kline and distributed to county band directors.

“We work with our individual students between November and now to prepare them,” Kline said.

Band directors from other schools were in attendance as part of the audience. Shenandoah Valley band director John P. Shoener said there were eight musicians from the high school. This was his first time as band director involved with the festival, but he has experience with it from when he was at Pottsville Area High School.

“I was in it four years when I was at Pottsville. I played trumpet,” Shoener said. “By being on the director side, it’s cool to see the inner workings of the organization, doing reauditions and more. It’s cool to see how it all comes together from the adult side.”

Mahanoy Area Superintendent Joie L. Green welcomed everyone and praised the students on stage for the work they do to prepare for such concert events.

“I know you, as parents, know how much work these students put into their music, as well as other activities,” Green said. “I know how hard they have to work with all the things that they do throughout the day, along with keeping up their academics. I want you to know that music is a very important thing in people’s lives, and for the students up here, music can never be taken away from them. Once they learn that instrument, they can pick it up at any time and start playing.”

After the playing of the national anthem and a march directed by Kline, she said, “I’m sure that I speak on behalf of our entire district in saying it has been a pleasure to host your students for the past three days. The young men and women that you see on the stage this afternoon exemplify many outstanding qualities, such as leadership, integrity, class, dedication and musicianship, just to name a few. Because of this, you are in for a phenomenal performance, and you should all be proud of their accomplishments.”

Kline introduced Heffner with his background in music. After directing a song, he spoke to the audience, which filled the auditorium.

“I’m very excited to be here and to work with these young musicians on stage,” Heffner said. “We had a great three days. They were super hard workers and we had a wonderful time.”

Before the final song, Kline announced the annual scholarship.

“Each year, the county Band Directors Association chooses one student or multiple students from the ensemble to be awarded a scholarship of $500 to further their education in a field of music,” Kline said, announcing Andrew Dickinson, Williams Valley, as the recipient.

The concert finished with a performance of “Kirkpatrick’s Muse” by Jay Bocook.

Before the band started, Heffner said, “Thanks again to Allie Kline for the invitation. I had a wonderful time and students on stage really stepped up, given the delay yesterday. We didn’t alter anything and still programmed everything that I had planned to program, so that’s a big deal and they did an amazing job.”

In addition to the above-mentioned high schools, other participating high schools were Blue Mountain, Marian, Minersville Area, Nativity BVM, North Schuylkill, Pine Grove Area, Schuylkill Haven Area and Tri-Valley.

Contact the writer; jusalis@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023

Scranton

The following local residents were named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at University of Scranton:

Alexa Romberger, Valley View, a freshman biochemistry major; Marcella Creasy, Shenandoah, a sophomore mathematics major; Emily Zehner, Orwigsburg, a sophomore biology major; Rebecca Petlansky, Auburn, a junior biology major; Aden Wolfe, Ringtown, a senior human resources studies major; Vanessa Zimmerman, Frackville, a senior exercise science major.

Baldwin Wallace

Tanner McHugh, New Ringgold, a graduate of Tamaqua Area High School majoring in marketing, and Lauren Tidmore, Orwigsburg, a graduate of Blue Mountain High School majoring in acting, were named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, Ohio.

Bloomsburg

Christy Evancho, a graduate of Mahanoy Area High School and a senior at Bloomsburg University, has attained the dean’s list for the fall semester. She is a dual major in early childhood and special education.

Christy is a daughter of Dave and Christine Evancho, Barnesville.

Casenovia

Cazenovia College announces the following student was named to Dean’s List for fall 2017 semester:

Jessica Fairchild, Tamaqua, an English major, and Courtney Miller, New Ringgold, a criminal justice and homeland security studies major, made the dean’s list of the fall semester at Cazenovia College, Cazenovia, New York.

Cedar Crest

The following local residents were named to the dean’s list for the fall semester:

Calista Carl, Schuylkill Haven; Beth Kistler, Tamaqua; Madeline Kohutka, Pottsville; Courtney Kramer, Auburn; Michelle Kunkle, New Ringgold.

Coastal Carolina

Coastal Carolina University announces the following students made the Dean’s List for fall 2017 semester:

Raelinn Carlee Messer, Schuylkill Haven, an English major, and Kylie Sheetz, Elizabethville, a biology major, were named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Coastal Carolina University, Conway, South Carolina.

Dominican

Kelsey M. Weiss, Minersville, Cass Township, made the dean’s list this fall semester at Dominican College, Orangeburg, New York. She is majoring in occupational therapy.

A 2016 graduate of Minersville Area High School, she is a daughter of Charlie and Kathy Weiss and a granddaughter of Joe Baruka.

Grove City

The following local students were named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Grove City College, Grove City:

Deidra Ressler, New Ringgold, a 2017 graduate of Tamaqua Area Senior High School and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Ressler Jr. , New Ringgold; Cassandra Kenville, Orwigsburg, a 2014 graduate of The Charles Finney School, Penfield, New York, and a daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Bryan Kenville, Orwigsburg.

James Madison

James Madison University is pleased to announce the following student made the Dean’s List for the fall 2017 semester:

Kelly N. Romberger,of Valley View, a kinesiology major and a daughter of Clark and Deb Romberger, Valley View, made the dean’s list for the fall semester at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Univ. of Memphis

Scarlett Leigh Hester, Pine Grove, earned a graduate certificate degree in women’s and gender studies during Dec. 17, 2017, commencement ceremonies at the University of Memphis.

Hofstra

Albert Rutecki, Minersville, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in drama during December commencement ceremonies at Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York.

Girardville

People interested in getting an official St. Patrick’s Day Parade T-shirt should email girardvilleparadeshirt@gmail.com. The Girardville parade is set for March 24.

Harrisburg

Grant applications from local governments and recreation and conservation organizations are being accepted through Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program. Funded projects will include improvements to local parks, trails and river access, bringing outdoor recreation and healthier living close to home, according to a DCNR release. The local focus “improves the quality of life for many, while requiring less driving and expense to experience,” officials said in the release, adding that every grant dollar “leverages an additional $3 in local, county and private investments …” The grants are administered statewide by the partnerships program and money comes from the Keystone Fund generated from a portion of the realty transfer tax, the Environmental Stewardship Fund, the ATV/Snowmobile Fund generated through fees for licenses, and federal money. Grants benefit planning, acquisition and development of public parks, recreation areas, motorized and nonmotorized trails; river conservation and access, stream buffers, conservation of open space and regional and statewide partnerships to better develop and manage resources. The 2018 grant application round will close April 11. Money will be awarded for applications that meet priorities established in the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. For more information on the partnerships program, go online to www.DCNR.pa.gov; select Communities, then Grants. For more information on the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, visit http://www.paoutdoorrecplan.com.

Kelayres

The Kline Township supervisors are inviting all township residents and taxpayers to provide personal input on a proposed township fireworks ordinance during the supervisors’ public meeting to be held at 4 p.m. Monday in the township building. Pennsylvania, according to a release, has changed laws on many fireworks products and local municipalities now need to define what is acceptable and what is not. The supervisors’ goal, according to the release, is to have a fair ordinance that allows for personal enjoyment of fireworks while also protecting all residents’ rights to having a safe and healthy living space. Items up for discussion include hours and days of use, by whom, areas not allowed including distances from structures, types of explosives, littering, expended products left in public streets or neighbor’s property and penalties for violations.

Pottsville

Children who are living with critical illnesses need the power of a wish, and Make-A-Wish, the foundations that grants such wishes, needs residents in Schuylkill County to make it happen by “volunteering their time and compassion to assist with fulfilling wishes,” according to a foundation release. As members of “wish teams,” volunteers are the faces of Make-A-Wish in their local communities. The wish team is assigned to a child in its area and meets one-on-one with the family and aids in determining the most suitable wish for the child. To become a wish volunteer, people must be at least 21 years old, pass a criminal background check and attend a one-time, in-person training session. The next training session is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. April 7 at the Comfort Suites, Allentown. For more information and to RSVP, call volunteer manager Amanda Filsinger at 800-676-9474 or email her at afilsinger@pawv.wish.org. People interested in becoming volunteers but who are unable to attend the training session should contact Make-A-Wish. Make-A-Wish Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia is a nonprofit organization that creates life-changing wishes for children ages 2 ½ to 18 with critical illnesses.

Ringtown

The Ashland Area Community Choir will showcase its talents during a benefit concert to support families victimized by recent fires. The concert is set for 3 p.m. March 24 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ringtown. Free-will offerings will be accepted and refreshments will be on sale. All proceeds will be donated to families affected by the fires.

CRESSONA — A meet and greet on Saturday evening provided an opportunity for the public to learn more about a Lebanon County resident working to become a Democratic primary candidate for the new 9th Congressional District in Pennsylvania.

Laura Quick, Palmyra, paid a visit to Hoss’s Steak and Sea House near the Cressona Mall to introduce herself and answer questions about her positions on issues and the changes in congressional districts.

Schuylkill County is currently in the 17th District, but in the next congressional term, the county will be in the 9th District due to the redistricting plan of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court as released on Feb. 19. The new district includes all of Schuylkill County and the counties of Carbon, Columbia, Lebanon and Montour. Portions of Berks, Luzerne and Northumberland are also in the new district.

Quick, who has family in the Ashland area, is working to get the 1,000 signatures in the new district to be placed on the ballot for the primary election on May 15. The filing deadline is March 20.

During the day, Quick and her election staff canvassed Saint Clair, going door to door talking with residents and soliciting signatures.

A major issue for Quick is the availability of health care, noting her own experience in having coverage when her son was born in an emergency caesarian delivery, and then afterward trying to go back to work but not having insurance coverage as a substitute teacher, which led her to change careers and begin working for United Parcel Service.

“That is why health care is one of the big issues for me,” Quick said. “I lived in France where you didn’t have to worry about that. If you got sick, you went to the doctor. Employer-based health coverage is inefficient and horrible.”

Quick said that while she has never held public office, she has considered the idea for some time.

“I originally wanted to be a foreign service officer, so this idea of service was always something I was interested in,” Quick said. “It was always in the back of my mind. I’ve always been listening to NPR, always interested in politics and policy.”

She lived in Dauphin County for some time and when she voted, there was always plenty of candidates on the ballot. When she returned to Lebanon County, there were ballots that had Republican candidates and no Democratic candidates running against them in many cases.

“I could see people struggle every day and how small businesses struggle,” Quick said. “I saw the connection that good legislation can help us and not hurt us. That is something I’d like to do.”

A 1984 graduate of Palmyra Area High School, Quick continued her education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she started her international travels with a freshman spring break trip to Switzerland. In 1986, she participated in a study abroad program in England at Wroxton College and Mansfield College, Oxford University. During her senior year, she became president of the IUP Equestrian Team and finished her studies with an internship in Washington, D.C., with the United States Information Agency. After the internship in December 1988, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies with a minor in economics and a minor in foreign languages.

Quick used her degree to work with an international exchange organization, Youth for Understanding in the Washington, D.C., area. In addition to her paid work in the YFU South East regional office, she would participate in weekend student orientations and volunteer workshops and became a lead facilitator in cross-cultural education. Outside of work, Quick volunteered with a program in Rock Creek Park using horses and horseback riding to help “at risk” youths in the D.C. schools. In 1991, she moved to France, where she taught English and learned to speak fluent French. She continued her work in international exchange as a volunteer for Youth for Understanding in France and organized and led orientations for all foreign exchange students in France. Upon her return to the United States in 1994, she enrolled in university to obtain her teaching certificate, and from 1996-99 taught French in Pennsylvania public schools.

In March 2000, Quick began working at United Parcel Service as a supervisor, and in 2004 became a package car driver. Until 2012, Laura was focused on motherhood and working full time, but the call to community involvement and the desire to help others soon became too strong to resist. In 2013, Laura became a member of the Women’s Leadership Network of the United Way of the Capital Region. Since 2013, Quick has also volunteered for such causes as anti-bullying and teen mentoring and has increasingly been involved with political and labor activism.

Catherine Mahon, Lavelle, came to the restaurant to learn more about Quick. After speaking with her, Mahon decided to help in circulating petitions.

“I’m very interested, especially with the redistricting change,” Mahon said. “I had Matt Cartwright for so long and now he will no longer be my congressman. It’s really more important for me to reach out for candidates now. I’m interested in Laura because she reached out to me through Facebook. I didn’t know any of the candidates running in the Democratic primary until she messaged me. I really want to know where she stands on a lot of political issues. I’m personally very interested in gay rights, freedom to choose and most interested in getting a female congressman elected in the district because it has been notoriously male. I’m very interested to see how a Democrat would fare in the newly redistricted 9th District.”

Additional information about Quick is available at www.quickforcongress.com.

Contact the writer; jusalis@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023

MAHANOY CITY — All officers of the Mahanoy City Police Department are now equipped with body cameras thanks to the efforts of its chief of police.

Chief Kenneth Zipovsky said 15 body cameras were obtained from Axon, formerly Taser International, one for each member of the force.

Zipovsky said despite the department and borough having limited budgets, he was able to get the 15 cameras, the required charging station and also unlimited space on a secured Axon server for free, at least temporarily.

The chief said Axon gave the department the 15 Axon II cameras and accompanying accessories to use for one year without charge.

“They actually let us demonstrate them for a year so it doesn’t cost the borough a penny, it doesn’t cost the public anything,” the chief said. “Everything’s covered and it doesn’t cost us anything.”

He added that the state-of-the-art cameras can be easily and securely mounted on any type of uniform and have a 14-hour battery life.

“If an officer comes in to work a 12-hour shift, these cameras will function through that time without needing to be charged,” Zipovsky said. “The officer can turn it on before they start their shift and when they’re done, put it back in the dock.”

He stressed that the video and audio recorded by the camera during an officer’s shift are automatically and securely downloaded to the server when the camera is placed in the docking station.

Zipovsky said the downloaded video and audio remain on the secure server and cannot be accessed by anyone other than an authorized user, in this case, the chief of police.

Zipovsky said officers and command officers can review recordings during investigations to seek clarification or refresh their memories but the original downloaded video will remain untouched and cannot be accidentally deleted.

“The officer has a verbatim thing, everything is there, it’s part of the evidence,” the chief said, adding that at the scene of a crash the camera can also document the scene, the positions of the vehicles and more.

He said cameras will increase police legitimacy showing the public that officers of the Mahanoy City Police Department have nothing to hide.

Zipovsky said should a citizen have a complaint about the way an officer treated him or her, that video can be reviewed to see exactly what happened and if any action would be needed.

“If there’s an allegation that an officer says something improperly or acts improperly there’s also documentation for that, too,” he said.

The chief also said the cameras are for the safety of officers should a person deny acting out, being disorderly, committing a crime or making false accusations.

“The video and audio can also be used in court working hand in hand with the report submitted by the officer,” he said.

The chief said the body cameras are another tool needed in the fight against crime.

“It helps for accountability. It helps keep the officers safe. It’s a good tool all the way around,” the chief said.

It also works internally as a training tool.

Zipovsky can periodically look at the videos and see of there is improvement needed in an area for a particular officer or if changes are required departmentwide.

The chief said that the body cameras are part of his goal of making sure his officers have the most up-to-date equipment needed to do their job properly, safely and professionally.

Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6013

The night sky is a grab bag of constellations of all shapes and sizes, with civilizations all around the world adding their own spin on the patterns of the night sky.

More than 80 years ago, astronomers all around the world got together and decided on a standard set of 88 constellations to avoid confusion. Here around Pottsville, we can see about three-quarters of them through the course of the year. To view the ones we can’t usually see, we have to travel south to overcome the effects of the curvature of the Earth. Most of the names and best-known tales about constellations have roots in Greek and Roman mythology around the world, especially in the western hemisphere.

At least once a month in this column, I like to feature a particular constellation. Most of the time I put the spotlight, or should I say the night light, on one of the major constellations like Orion, Gemini or Ursa Major the Big Bear, but I also want you to get to know some of the less familiar deep constellations.

Despite the less-than-friendly climate, most clear winter nights you’ll be rewarded by bright stars and constellations. The best of them are in what’s called the winter oval or the winter hexagon. My name for it is “Orion and His Gang” because the constellations that surround the great hunter with his star-studded belt are nearly as dazzling as Orion himself. The major players are Gemini the Twins, Auriga the Chariot Driver, Taurus the Bull and Canis Major and Minor, the big and little dogs of the winter heavens.

One of the minor players in Orion’s gang is literally underfoot of the great celestial hunter, Lepus the Rabbit. As you can see in the diagram, it’s a real stretch to make this disjointed collection of faint stars into a heavenly hare. If you’re ever out stargazing with me and you can honestly tell me you see a bunny below Orion’s feet in the southwestern sky, I want to party with you!

You can see about one or two of the faint stars than make up Lepus in urban or suburban lit skies, but to really see it you have to be out in the countryside, and even then it’s a stretch of your eyesight and especially your imagination to see the celestial rabbit. One thing is for sure, though, whoever came up with the name Lepus (pronounced Leepus) for the celestial rabbit had a sense of humor.

In mythology, Lepus the Rabbit is a fun little story. It reminds me of the classic Bugs Bunny-Elmer Fudd cartoons. Just like Elmer, Orion was a pretty good hunter. Orion could hunt down any beast on his island, no matter how large or ferocious they were. But, just like Elmer Fudd, there was one beast that constantly eluded the mighty hermit hunter and actually took great pleasure in harassing him. It’s Orion’s version of Bugs Bunny, Lepus the Rabbit.

Not only was Lepus a normal pesky rabbit that ravaged Orion’s garden, he would constantly taunt and tease Orion during his hunting adventures, jumping on his head, or biting the mighty hunter in the butt just as he was about to launch a spear at a wild boar. Lepus also liked to leave little round souvenirs on the floors and countertops of Orion’s kitchen. He grew to hate the nasty little hare, but just like Bugs Bunny, Lepus was just too clever and fast to get caught, but Orion was determined!

Orion never got to realize his dream of eliminating Lepus because Orion himself was done in by Zeus, the king of the gods of Mount Olympus. Zeus found out that Orion was fooling around with his daughter, Artemis, the goddess of the moon. Actually it was Artemis who pursued Orion as she deserted her task of guiding the moon across the night sky. It was her duty to guide a team of flying horses that towed a giant flatbed chariot with the moon strapped on to it. She kept seeing this nocturnal hunk of a hunter pursuing his prey night after night and had to meet him. So on a nightly basis, she halted her horses in mid-flight so she could have her clandestine meeting with Orion. Artemis enjoyed her nightly hunting adventures and let’s just say they were having quite a time!

Zeus did not approve of his daughter fooling around with this mortal rough neck hunter and put out a hit on Orion. He sent a giant scorpion who attacked Orion during his daytime slumber. There was a tumultuous battle between the combatants, but alas, the giant scorpion fatally bit Artemis’s lover.

When Artemis discovered her dead boyfriend, she lifted his body into the heavens and magically transfigured it into the constellation we see in the winter heavens. She wanted to be able to see him every night as she guided the moon across the sky. She also placed his hunting dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor, up there with him, along with, yes, that pesky rabbit Lepus tormenting him even in death!

(Lynch, an amateur astronomer and professional broadcast meteorologist,

can be reached at

mikewlynch@comcast.net)

Aiden Gowen, 4, showed Klaus Eroh the project he wanted to build from colorful blocks.

Eroh, 12, a sixth-grade student at Weatherly Area Middle School, shook his head and began helping the toddler.

“Can you get four of these and two of these pieces?” Eroh asked Gowen.

Soon the two, who shared a pint-sized table at a Weatherly pre-kindergarten classroom, finished the project. As they were working, Eroh encouraged Gowen.

“It’s really fun to be with the kids,” said Eroh, who founded a “Pre-K Tutoring Club” at the school.

District officials granted his request, and since September, he and a handful of other sixth-graders have been visiting the district’s two pre-K classes several times each week.

“We play with the kids. We help the teachers. We’ve been helping the kids learn skills like patterns,” Eroh said.

He doesn’t have any relatives in the pre-K class. He said he simply wanted to get involved to make sure the kids had a “good year” at school.

It doesn’t hurt that his mother, Beth Eroh, is a preschool teacher, as is his grandmother and an aunt. Another aunt teaches kindergarten at the school.

“It must have just been born into me to help with preschool,” laughed Eroh, whose father is Matthew Eroh.

The classes of 18 children, ages 3 to 5, can become active, he said. He keeps the pace and tries to spend time with as many of the children as he can.

In addition to helping Gowen with the building project on a recent morning, he pretended to eat play food with some of the children and rolled toy trucks along a course with others.

“They like to put on puppet shows for us,” Eroh beamed. “They even sang a song for us, ‘Five Little Pumpkins Sitting on a Fence.’ ”

Another Pre-K Club member, sixth-grader Chase Veasie, helped children put together a puzzle. He said he enjoys helping the children and their teachers, Megan Wagner and Christine Peiser.

“The children love when they visit,” Peiser said.

John McGee, an elementary/middle school computer science teacher, oversees the club and said teachers appreciate the assistance.

“It can be challenging for one teacher and one aide to do everything. Enter the club,” he said. “They treat the kids like they are their own.”

During a recent holiday party, McGee spotted one of the members holding the hands of two little ones as they walked in the hall.

“What they are doing is awesome,” he said.

The pre-K teachers worked with the sixth-graders to show them what to do.

“It didn’t take long for them to learn,” said McGee, who credited Eroh with running the club.

Eroh is so dedicated, he said, that he recently spent a weekend completing a spreadsheet that details which class each member visits on a particular day.

“To these kids, this experience is literally life-changing. It could influence their career for sure,” McGee said.

Contact the writer: jwhalen@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3592

Boys admit taking

pills at school

ELIZABETHVILLE — State police at Lykens are investigating an incident involving pills that were taken to the Upper Dauphin Area Middle School in Washington Township, Dauphin County, on Feb. 2 by a 14-year-old Lykens boy.

Police said the boy took three Adderall pills to school for the purpose of ingesting and gave one pill each to a 14-year-old Millersburg boy and a 13-year-old Halifax boy.

All three boys admitted ingesting the pills while at school even though they had not been prescribed the drug.

Driveshaft in road

causes car damage

RAVINE — Two Muir residents escaped injury when the 2013 Dodge Dart they were in was damaged in the northbound lanes of Interstate 81, at mile marker 105.2 in Tremont Township, around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.

State police at Jonestown said Carissa N. Hoke, 22, was driving north in the right lane when she struck a driveshaft that was lying on the highway with her vehicle’s undercarriage.

After hitting the item, police said, Hoke drove about a tenth of a mile before stopping on the berm facing north.

Neither Hoke nor her passenger — Eric Nelson, 23 — were hurt in the incident, police said.

Bus pulls pole down;

bystander charged

McADOO — A Hazleton man was arrested by McAdoo police after an investigation into an incident on North Logan Street around 3:50 p.m. Feb. 22.

Police said officers were called to the area for a report of a school bus carrying young children that pulled down a telephone pole and wires.

Students were removed to another bus and at the scene, police said, Clark Gensel, 62, drove up and exited his vehicle in agitated state.

Gensel charged at school officials screaming at them, his arms flailing and did not comply after being told to back away, police said.

In addition, police said, Gensel refused to move his vehicle and was subsequently taken into custody.

As a result, police said, Gensel was charged with terroristic threats, simple assault by physical menace, obstructing the administration of law, disorderly conduct, obstructing highways and harassment.

The charges were filed with Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, police said.

Police probe theft

of fuel from truck

CRESSONA — State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a theft and criminal mischief incident that occurred in the parking lot of the Cressona Mall in North Manheim Township between 4 a.m. Wednesday and 6 p.m. Thursday.

Police said someone damaged a 2017 Dodge Ram 2500 truck owned by a 47-year-old Orwigsburg man and stole diesel fuel from the vehicle by drilling a hole in the tank and leaving the fuel drain out.

Police said about $50 in fuel was stolen and damage to the fuel tank estimated at about $800.

Anyone with information is asked to call troopers at 570-754-4600.

Police probe

alleged assault

WICONISCO — State police at Lykens reported Friday that they are investigated a report of a sexual assault that allegedly occurred in a wooded area near Spring Street in Wiconisco Township, Dauphin County, between June 1, 2017, and July 31, 2017.

Police said a 16-year-old Wiconisco Township girl reported she was sexually assaulted by a 14-year-old Wiconisco Township boy.

No other information on the incident was provided.

Traffic stop nets

drug charges

ELIZABETHVILLE — A man is facing charges by state police at Lykens after a traffic stop at Route 209 and Kocher Lane in Washington Township, Dauphin County, around 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Police said they stopped a vehicle driven by Chris D. Keiter Jr., whose age and address were not provided, who was stopped because the taillights on his vehicle were painted black in violation of the state Vehicle Code.

During the stop, police said, they found multiple weapons inside the vehicle that were all registered to Keiter and while securing the weapons found an orange container containing methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Charges against Keiter will be filed with Magisterial District Judge Rebecca Margerum, Elizabethville.

POTTSVILLE — More than five years after committing the first of two crimes, a Philadelphia man is headed to state prison after a Schuylkill County judge recently sentenced him for a robbery and a burglary.

Justin P. Heacock, 32, must serve three to six years in a state correctional institution, Judge John E. Domalakes ruled. Domalakes also sentenced Heacock to pay costs, $100 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $6,940 restitution.

Heacock pleaded guilty to robbery in his first case and burglary in his second. Prosecutors withdrew a second count of burglary and robbery and two counts of theft.

State police at Frackville filed both sets of charges against Heacock.

In the first case, they alleged he committed the robbery on June 26, 2012, in East Union Township. In the second, they alleged he committed the burglary on June 20, 2017, in Ryan Township.

Domalakes also accepted guilty pleas from, and imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:

Michelle E. Beaver, 59, of Ringtown; harassment; $100 fine. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of terroristic threats.

Robert M. DiLorenzo, 30, of Pine Grove; four counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, three of possession of a controlled substance, two of theft and one each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal mischief; sentencing deferred. Prosecutors withdrew five additional counts of possession of a controlled substance, two of possession of drug paraphernalia and one of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, two counts each of receiving stolen property and criminal trespass and one each of public drunkenness, possession of a small amount of marijuana and scattering rubbish.

Jonathan L. Emerich, 26, of Ashland; possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation.

Raymond H. Gregory II, 28, of Pottsville; two counts of retail theft and one of possession of drug paraphernalia; two years probation, $75 fine and $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund. Prosecutors withdrew a third count of retail theft.

Matthew Hodges, 23, of Fredericksburg; possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension; 12 months probation, $200 fine and $100 SAEF payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of failure to obey traffic control devices.

Michael K. Jessman, 35, of Frackville; criminal trespass, loitering and prowling at nighttime, defiant trespass and two counts of disorderly conduct; nine to 23 months in prison, 24 months consecutive probation, $50 CJEA payment and drug and alcohol evaluation. Prosecutors withdrew charges of attempted burglary and public drunkenness and one additional count each of defiant trespass and disorderly conduct.

Scott Kendricks, 35, of Shenandoah; retail theft; 12 months probation and $46.89 restitution.

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

Contact the writer: pbortner@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6014

Anthony J. Kilker

SHENANDOAH — A 26-year-old man charged by Shenandoah police with a theft at the Turkey Hill store on South Main Street on Aug. 21, 2016, waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.

Nathaniel P. Lehman, 220 W. Atlantic St., Shenandoah, was arrested by Patrolman David Stamets and charged with one count each of retail theft and receiving stolen property. By waiving his right to a hearing, Lehman will now have to answer to both charges against him in Schuylkill County Court.

Stamets said his investigation of the 2:36 a.m. theft led to the identification of Lehman as the person who reached behind a counter and stole 11 Pennsylvania lottery tickets along with “Rave” cigarettes with a combined value of $232.66.

Other court cases included:

Kyle J. Wronski, 28, of 835 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City; waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Freddy Morales Jr., 19, of 120 W. Coal St., Shenandoah; waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Michalene A. Boyle, 41, of 801 Main St., Zion Grove; waived for court: fleeing or attempting to elude police, hindering apprehension or prosecution, false reports and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Eric C. James, 26, of 701 Arlington St., Tamaqua; waived for court: contraband-controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sally Judge, 52, of 779 Main St., Box 142, Nuremberg; waived for court: false reports and hindering apprehension or prosecution.

Melinda J. Wall, 52, of 1034 E. Market St., Mahanoy City; withdrawn: bad checks.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — New radar signs will be coming to Schuylkill Haven.

The council approved the $8,680 project Wednesday evening. The signs will be posted along both the northbound and southbound lanes of Route 61. According to Administrator Scott Graver, they are speed limit signs that show how fast drivers are going through town.

Two of the signs are permanent fixtures, while the other will be portable. The signs still have to be ordered, received and the necessary hardware must be mounted. According to Graver, the signs will be installed “sometime in the spring.”

The council approved a resolution for adjusting the price of bituminous materials. This is a state Department of Transportation requirement which follows PennDOT Publication 408 section 110.04 with two new exceptions. The price of bituminous material will be applicable to all quantities of asphalt cement residue contained in emulsions or cutbacks, will be used in the bituminous materials specified or indicated for placement and bituminous price adjustment will be calculated for any payment or rebate.

Graver called it the “fairest way to handle it” as far as paying for materials for projects.

Work will also begin on the railroad by Union Street beginning the week of March 19. If all goes well, work will progress to the railroad on Williams Street beginning the week of March 26.

Finally, the council declared April 2018 as PA 811 Safe Digging Month, meaning anyone planning to dig in an area should call 811 to prevent damage to underground utility lines such as gas, electric, water and sewer lines.

Contact the writer: dbarr@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6011

SHENANDOAH — A health center will open in a storefront at Boyer’s Food Markets in June and include a licensed clinical social worker.

Primary Health Network, Sharon, Mercer County, signed a lease with HJJT Family Limited Partnership, to which members of the Boyer family belong, to open an office in the former Movie Gallery building on the supermarket property. After the movie rental company left, the building was vacant until 2011, when Domino’s Pizza moved in the eastern part of the building. Primary Health will be in the western half.

Sara Rupp, PHN director of marketing, said the office at 624 W. Centre St. is planned to open June 4. Preparations are being made with a work crew putting up walls for offices and other facilities at the new center, the second one for the company in the county, with the other in Minersville at 210 Sunbury St. There is also a PHN office in Coal Township, near Shamokin.

HJJT President John Boyer said a search for a new tenant has been ongoing.

“Obviously, I’ve been trying to fill the building for quite a while,” Boyer said. “We’ve been dealing with them (PHN) for four to five months to get a lease hammered out.”

Boyer said the lease is for three years with some options after that time.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to keep them there for a while,” he said. “From what I’ve heard, I believe there is a demand for medical services in the town, and hopefully this will fill the void.”

According to its website, PHN began as one small community health center and has grown to become the largest Federally Qualified Health Center in Pennsylvania with more than 45 sites in 16 counties throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio.

The company employs a medical staff of 165-plus physicians, dentists, physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners and other health professionals. In addition, support staff includes more than 600 employees. Each year, PHN reaches more than 118,000 patients through its services.

“We will provide family medicine and have an integrated licensed clinical social worker providing behavioral health assessments and therapy in the office,” Rupp said. “Beginning in June, we will have a part-time medical physician and licensed clinical social worker. In October, we will have a full-time certified registered nurse practitioner. The site will be managed by a practice manager, who is also a licensed nurse. Our staffing will consist of a complement of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and medical assistants.”

People will also be able to get lab testing services at the Shenandoah site.

Matt Eckley, Primary Health Network’s executive director of operations, welcomes the opportunity to serve in the Shenandoah area.

“Primary Health Network is honored to be welcomed into the Shenandoah community, and proud to continue growing our services to the surrounding areas in Schuylkill and Northumberland counties,” Eckley said. “We currently offer integrated medical and behavioral health care in Minersville and Shamokin, including family medicine, psychiatry and behavioral health therapy. Our Primary Care Medical Home treatment model provides a comprehensive approach to the care of the patient. PCMH focuses on coordinating care, improving access to care, and utilizing the entire team, and putting the patient first.

“On behalf of Primary Health Network, we would also like to express our sincerest thanks to The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation for making this location possible,” Eckley said.

Rupp said the foundation provided funding to support operational costs associated with establishing the community health center.

Contact the writer: jusalis@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023

SOUTH TAMAQUA — A 21-year-old Andreas man died from injuries he suffered in a one-vehicle crash on Route 309 in West Penn Township early Sunday morning.

Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner David Truskowsky, Mahanoy City, said he pronounced Matthew Fannock dead at the scene of the crash at 7:10 a.m.

West Penn Township police could not be reached for information on the crash Sunday.

The crash occurred about 6 a.m. on Route 309, just south of the intersection with Route 443 westbound.

Truskowsky said Fannock was a front-seat passenger in a vehicle along with the driver and another passenger.

The driver was traveling south, went off the left side of the road and up a small embankment, causing the vehicle to roll over and come to a stop on its wheels, Truskowsky said.

Fannock was not wearing a seat belt. Truskowsky said he did not know the extent of the injuries suffered by the other two people inside the vehicle.

An Pennsylvania State Police accident reconstruction team from the Schuylkill Haven station assisted West Penn Township police with their investigation.

Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6013

Deeds

Ashland — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Finance of America Reverse LLC; 2501 Walnut St.; $1,347.37.

Auburn — Bruce Heffner, executor of the Estate of Donald W.J. Heffner, to Aaron M. and Samantha Gorman; 404 Washington St.; $20,000.

Barry Township — Anna L. Neumeister to Carla M. Carl and Rhonda C. Carl; property on Creek Road; $1.

Anna Neumeister to Carla M. Carl and Rhonda C. Carl; two properties on Deep Creek Road; $1.

Anna L. Neumeister to Carla M. Carl and Rhonda C. Carl; property on Mountain Road; $1.

Gerianne Oakes, by attorney in fact Cheryl L. Bobb, to Ryan A. Wagner and Amanda F. White; 15.574-acre property on Township Road 401; $75,000.

Branch Township — Edward J. III and Cathleen M. Andrescavage to Cathleen M. Andrescavage; property on Blackwood Street; $1.

Branch and Reilly townships — Ringtown Rentals LLP to Gum Boot LLC; five properties; $100,000.

Butler Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to M&T Bank; 113 N. Sixth St., Englewood; $1,199.96.

Daniel J. Shoop, by attorney in fact Robert Warren Shoop, and Santina Sacavage to Caleb and Sarah Arnold; 278 Main St., Lavelle; $74,000.

Cass Township — Catherine Wyslutsky, by attorney in fact John David Breslin, to Stephen A. Smulley; 475 Forest Lane, Forestville; $110,000.

Coaldale — Goldstein Couriers LLC to Darnell Hernandez; 31 W. Ridge St.; $5,000.

Delano Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Wells Fargo Bank NA; 63 Trenton St., Trenton; $1,236.99.

East Union Township — Ringtown Rentals LLP to L&B Landholding LLC; 33.75-acre property on Township Route 822; $25,000.

Frackville — Marilyn Stefanski to Stacey Sargeant; 440 S. Middle St.; $28,200.

Naomi L. Vigoda and the Estate of Mary Lou Leiby to William D. Hennessy; 119 W. Oak St.; $22,000.

Frailey Township — Hans C. and Amy J. Deibler to Michael and Miranda A. Sandler; 12 E. Centre St., Donaldson; $103,000.

Hegins Township — Rose Ann Miller to Farren Miller and Lyle Troutman; 402 E. Main St., Hegins; $64,000.

Leon I. Kimmel to Tyler B. and Kimberly Kimmel; property on Walnut Street; $185,000.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to PNC Bank NA; 1320 W. Main St., Valley View; $1,328.92.

Mahanoy City — Federal National Mortgage Association to Agustin Alejo; 101 S. Catawissa St.; $5,600.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to The Bank of New York Mellon; 424 E. Centre St.; $1,242.79.

Dennis H. and Donna J. Harbour to Juan Tovar Zamudio; 1115 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $12,500.

Wilbur E. Brokenshire to Wilbur E. Brokenshire and James Brokenshire; 700 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $1.

Minersville — James Slaska to Alan E. and Lori Ann Celmer; 208 Carbon St.; $17,800.

Odell Roy LLC to PCM Real Estate LLC; 204 Middle St.; $1,374.30.

North Manheim Township — Harry R. and Margaret J. Kolbe to Bryn R. and Lisa M. Kolbe; two properties; $1.

Brandon and Chelsia R. Lopez to Chelsia R. Lopez; property on Fifth Street; $1.

James A. Sr. and Nancy L. Kuchinsky to Jeffrey D. and Kelly Hummel; 853 Schuylkill Mountain Road; $185,000.

Norwegian Township — Marilyn Condrack to Paul J. Condrack; 435 Delaware Ave., Seltzer; $1.

Orwigsburg — Todd S. Bartashus Jr. to Kevin Houseman; 412 N. Warren St.; $90,000.

Martin and Jacqueline Stine to John and Barbara Wetzel; property on West Market Street; $20,000.

Akshar Patel and Ravi Patel to Akshar Patel; 3013 Ridge View Drive, Ridgeview; $1.

Pine Grove — Secretary of Veterans Affairs to Ronald J. and Cynthia L. Griffiths; 204 Cherry St.; $175,000.

Pine Grove Township — Eugene R. Sr. and Myrle J. Lehman to Eugene R. Lehman Sr.; 63 Rock Road; $1.

Donna C. Medeiros, Renee L. Heidnik and Timothy D. Schaeffer, individually and as co-executors of the Estate of Donald J. Schaeffer, to T.S.S. Industries Inc.; 404 Oak Grove Road; $120,000.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to 21st Mortgage Corp.; 366 Tremont Road, Ravine; $1,288.42.

Pottsville — Wells Fargo Bank NA to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; 1538 W. Norwegian St.; $10.

Wells Fargo Bank NA to CR 2018 LLC; 307 Nichols St.; $10,600.

Jeffrey P. and Jennifer L. Smilko to Gertrude L. Jimenez; 11 S. 21st St.; $50,000.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to John W. Messner Jr.; 1229, 1231 and 1233 W. Market St.; $17,300.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to U.S. Bank NA; 416 Fairview St.; $1,618.91.

Reilly Township — Stanley Grabowski to Anthony and Patricia Shandis; 191 N. State Road, Branchdale; $5,000.

Ringtown — Kathleen A. Anderson to Sheri M. Dudash, Shannon C. Anderson and Shawn Gibbons; 159 E. Main St.; $1.

Rush Township — Ronald C. and Lou Ann Knittle to Rochelle Cecelia Knittle; 27 Hilltop Road, Barnesville; $1.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to 21st Mortgage Corp.; 3 Oak St., Hometown; $1,150.90.

Dennis J. Rupert and Janet D. Rupert to Joshua J. Rupert; 15 Christ Lane, Barnesville; $1.

Saint Clair — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Branch Bank & Trust Co.; 319 S. Nicholas St.; $1,249.08.

Dorothy Rodrian to Travis J. Rodrian; 438 S. Second St.; $56,000.

Helene P. Coyle to Timothy and Jennifer M. Washburn and Shirley L. Washburn; 406 S. Nicholas St.; $31,500.

Schuylkill Haven — Sherry Peletsky to Cassidy A. Blankenhorn; 207 St. John St.; $48,000.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Navy Federal Credit Union; 115 St. John St.; $1,145.24.

Shenandoah — Cesar Mejia Nunez to Yaniris A. Valdez; property on South Jardin Street; $1.

Pottsville Republican Inc. to Omar R. Veras; 19 N. Main St.; $12,500.

Leona E. Ratomsky to Leona E. Ratomsky and Elizabeth Androshick; 221 S. Main St.; $1.

Michael D. Smetana and Elaine A. Evanowsky, individually and as co-executors of the Estate of Anna Smetana, Ann Krusinsky and Mark S. Smetana to Paul Drake; 521-523 W. Mount Vernon St.; $3,500.

South Manheim Township — Adele Bucci-Machata, trustee of The Adele Bucci-Machata Revocable Trust, to David and Melinda Cope; Lots 2232 and 2233, Lake Wynonah; $13,500.

John and Eugenia L. Root and Laurence Bather to Luann R. Sowers; Lots 727 and 728, Lake Wynonah; $25,000.

Tremont Township — Carol Ann Bensinger and Dale E. Love, co-executors of the Estate of Vincent A. Love, to Dale E. Love; 73 Molleystown Road, Molleystown; $1.

Washington Township — Edgewood Farms LP to Timothy J. and Claire E. Brady; 2.16978-acre property on Birds Hill Road; $33,000.

Wayne Township — Jay and Mary Fenstermacher to Alan C. and Marsha A. Walmer; 937 Wynonah Drive, Lake Wynonah; $180,000.

Gloria M. Valentine, Thomas M. McNulty and James J. McNulty, individually and as co-executors of the Estate of James T. McNulty, to Thomas M. and Betty Jean McNulty; 1147 S. Route 183; $1.

Judy A. Hoffman, executrix of the Estate of Thomas P. Hertzog, to Joan M. Zimmerman, trustee of the Thomas P. Hertzog Trust; 419 S. Front St.; $1.

West Brunswick Township — Janice Heintzelman to Kenneth M. Dahler and Dana P. Blaicher; 230 Red Church Road; $233,000.

LOCUSTDALE — A Pottsville man died in a one-vehicle accident Sunday afternoon in this Butler Township village.

Thomas Barlow, 69, of 383 Peacock St., was pronounced dead at the scene by Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Andrew J. Szczyglak at 2:40 p.m., after being taken from his pickup truck and placed in the Washington Fire Company Community Ambulance Association ambulance.

According to state police Trooper Thomas Powell of the Frackville barracks, the call about the crash was received at 1:49 p.m.

“It appears that he went off the roadway, struck the fence and the Grand Caravan, which was unattended, and struck the house,” Powell said.

Barlow was traveling east on state Route 54 when he apparently lost control of his Chevrolet Silverado, crossed in front of 3114 Main St., owned by Leonard and Debra Revinski, missing their home, then hitting and destroying wooden fences owned by the Revinskis, and continued on to hit a parked Dodge Grand Caravan, owned by Karen Temples, and struck her home at 3018 Main St.

Szczyglak said, “It was a non-witness accident. It look likes he veered off the road, went through that fence and went right into the house. We’re thinking it might be a medical issue that caused the accident, but we won’t be sure until a virtual scan is done on him tomorrow (Monday) at 6 p.m.”

Szczyglak said Barlow was unresponsive in the vehicle, but there was a faint pulse.

“He was still alive in the vehicle,” he said. “When they got him out of the vehicle and onto the litter, he still had a very faint pulse, but he coded when they got him in the ambulance. There was no sign of trauma and no skid marks on the road.”

Temples and her son, Kristopher White, were in the home and were not injured. Both heard and felt the collision.

“I was sitting at the back of the kitchen and I heard cracking outside, and then I heard a loud bang,” White said. “I was on the phone with somebody at the time. I dropped my phone and ran outside. I saw her (Temples) van and the truck (tires) still spinning.”

“He was still accelerating,” Temples said. “He popped a tire and that was the only thing that kept it from going further into the house. I was sleeping in the downstairs bedroom. If my van hadn’t been there, he would have gone right through the house.”

White checked the call log on his cellphone that said it was 1:41 p.m. for the crash.

The virtual autopsy will be performed today to determine the cause of death.

In addition to the state police, fire and rescue units from Butler Township and Ashland responded to the scene. The state highway was closed for more than an hour until all emergency units cleared the scene.

Contact the writer: jusalis@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023

TOWER CITY — A few parents addressed the Williams Valley school board Thursday, with most questions about district safety.

They asked about hand-held versus walk-thru metal detectors; if a detection system would be in place during school hours or other activities; if staff is trained; if an assembly could be held to update students, and how the district teaches students coping and anti-bullying skills.

Superintendent Diane Niederriter said the administration would be trained by state police for metal-detector use. The recent policy adopted by the board is purposely open-ended and does allow for random checks, mass checks, intermittent checks and use of the detectors during school functions, she said. The policy is under review by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.

The district is also watching a legislative proposal that may allow every Pennsylvania school to receive state funding to establish a required primary entrance with a metal detector.

In regard to addressing students directly, elementary principal Stephanie Carl told parents the school focuses on positive behavior programs all year long. They have been counseling classes and have the use of a behavior interventionist.

“There are lots of things we do on a daily basis to counteract that,” Carl said about anti-bullying efforts.

High School Assistant Principal Christine Sisko said they are also implementing positive behavior intervention. Specifically, the district is focusing on the transition of seventh-graders who come to the high school from the elementary.

The positive behavior program will target seventh-graders in fall 2018 and expand to eighth-graders the following year. Sisko said they discuss kindness in the guidance department, and learning effective life skills is a class that has been built into the curriculum.

She and her staff will attend sessions at the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 during an upcoming in-service day to learn more about the positive behavior interventions.

“We’re working as a team to address this,” she said.

“It’s in progress. It’s not happening instantly, but there are improvements,” board President Daniel Stroup told parents. He also commended the administration which he said “has been working diligently.”

In other matters, the board did not publicly discuss a district employee suspended effective March 2, and no one from the public asked about the employee’s status.

Williams Valley Elementary School classrooms will get air conditioning. The board, by a 7-0 vote, approved a proposal from Trane Building Services in an amount not to exceed $565,620 to install Trane ductless heat pump air-conditioning systems for 40 classrooms in the elementary building. Directors Tracey Minnich and John Mika were absent.

The board also authorized the administration to seek proposals for financing options from local financial institutions for the project.

Director David Ferraro announced the district’s archery team would compete March 9 at the PA NASP State Tournament.

The board also approved:

• A retirement incentive for members of Williams Valley Education Association and district administration.

• These coaches for 2018-19 school year: head football coach, Timothy Savage, Lykens; head girls’ soccer coach, Gary Fetterhoff, Lykens; head volleyball coach, Christiana Rodichok, Williamstown, and head boys’ soccer coach, Seth Shuey, Williamstown.

• Hiring Richard Dietrich, Wiconisco, as full-time custodian/maintenance the high school, effective March 6.

• Returning 2017 uncollected real estate taxes for delinquent collection to Dauphin County for Williamstown Borough and Williams, Wiconisco and rush townships; and to Schuylkill County for Tower City Borough and Porter Township.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

VALLEY VIEW — The Hegins Township supervisors Wednesday unanimously approved an intermunicipal transfer of a distributor liquor license for a Pine Grove businessman hoping to establish a new beer distributorship in Hegins.

Matthew Brandt sought the transfer from Mahanoy City to Bulldog Valley Beverage LLC.

There were no members of the public who spoke up in opposition during the meeting. The supervisors’ approval is subject to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board approval for the transfer.

Brandt has been renovating the former Fetterolf’s Meat Market, 110 N. Good Spring Road, Hegins, since last fall. He’d like to operate Bulldog Valley Beverage LLC at the site, selling strictly beer. The business would be open seven days a week.

Brandt already operates several businesses in Schuylkill County. He is owner of G.E.M. Realty, 625 Suedberg Road, Pine Grove. Brandt owns and operates the G.E.M. Plaza, Beer Mountain Distributors in Pine Grove and has 35 residential apartments throughout Pine Grove and Tower City.

Brandt received conditional approval in November for a variance by the Hegins Township zoning hearing board, Larry Umholtz, Roger Wetzel and Todd Bixler, under the condition that there were no complaints from adjoining property owners and neighbors.

The new business is scheduled to have two restrooms, and it will be ADA compliant. Driveways entering and exiting the business are directly onto Route 125, also known as Good Spring Road.

Brandt said Wednesday he was 95 percent complete with the renovations and hopes to open the new beer distributorship by the end of the month.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Ashland

A spring bazaar is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 20 at St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Parish Hall, 1115 Walnut St. It will include a bake sale, white elephant sale, homemade soups, pigeons, halushki, barbecue, sausages, door prizes and other attractions. All are welcome.

Atlas

Open registration for The Atlas Golf league at White Birch Golf Course, Barnesville, runs through April 17. To register or for more information, contact Tom Rabenold via mail at atlasgolfleague@gmail.com or call 334-482-2361. People may also call White Birch Golf Course at 570-467-2525.

Hazleton

A suicide prevention and support program called Help Stop the Silence Suicide Prevention & Support is based out of the Catholic Social Services Greater Hazleton office and currently is the only local program to provide in-school student assemblies, teacher in-services and community and workplace assemblies providing education on mental health awareness, how to identify at-risk behaviors to prevent suicide and where to seek local help free of charge, according to a program press release. Annually on the first Sunday in May, the program hosts the Help Stop the Silence Walk to prevent suicide at Hazleton Area High School aiming to reduce stigma, encouraging people at risk to seek help. All proceeds remain local to provide services to the community. Program officials said in the release that support for people affected by suicide is also provided and the group has a trained volunteer to offer peer support to the newly bereaved. There also is a support group for those affected by suicide loss, a “no-fee open grief group facilitated by a professional and a peer that welcomes survivors of suicide loss at any stage of their grieving process.” For more information, contact Samantha A. Neaman, program and walk coordinator, at Catholic Social Services, 214 W. Walnut St., Hazleton, PA 18201. People may also call 570-455-1521 or email jsneaman@msn.com. More information also is available online at http://www.helpstopthesilence.org.

McAdoo

The Southside Community Partnership will hold a food distribution from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the pantry on Hancock Street. Residents from McAdoo and Kline Township within the income guidelines are eligible to attend. Only one box is allowed per household. First-time participants or those with a change of address must provide proof of residency. All interested are required to call Marion at 570-929-1628 to register by 5 p.m. Thursday.

McAdoo

McAdoo Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6708 will host its annual Easter party from 1 to 3 p.m. March 24 for children 9 and younger. The event is open to members’ and McAdoo area community children only. The last day for signups is March 21. To sign up, call 570-929-1740.

Shenandoah

The Shenandoah Rotary Club will sponsor rabies and distemper inoculations for cats and dogs from 9 to 11:30 a.m. April 7 at the Rescue Hook & Ladder Company, Main and Coal streets. The cost is $10 per inoculation, administered by Dr. Jessica Weiderhold, Brookside Animal Hospital, Orwigsburg. All pets must be kept under control by their owners.

Sheppton

The Sheppton American Legion Auxiliary will hold its annual egg hunt at 2 p.m. March 24 at the Sheppton playground. Children up to age 12 are welcome. There will be a visit from the Easter Bunny, door prizes and refreshments. Children must be present to receive prizes.

William Penn

The William Penn Fire Company, Mount Olive Boulevard (Route 54 just west of Shenandoah), is having an advance-order-only “Almost Armondo’s” unbaked pizza sale with the order deadline March 26 and pickups after 3 p.m. March 30. The cost is $10 for plain, $12 for pepperoni and 75 cents extra for hot sauce. There will be no walk-in sales or deliveries, according to a release from Rich Stevens, president.

POTTSVILLE — It was not so long ago in a galaxy not very far down the street that Schuylkill County libraries met in the annual epic called “Cupcake Wars” at the Fairlane Village mall.

The peaceful battle of the batters was held Sunday to raise funds for the valuable services that public libraries provide to their communities throughout the county.

With a draw like homemade cupcakes, it was not a surprise that many people showed up to taste samples from participating home bakers, look over the creative displays and individual cupcakes, and judge them. Voters decided on first, second and third place.

People crowded around the many displays of cupcakes and talked with the bakers, exchanging tips and ideas on baking, ingredients and methods.

The cupcake event began at the Orwigsburg Area Free Public Library and eventually outgrew the venue, according to librarian Claudia Gross, who was coordinating the event in her official apron.

“This is the Orwigsburg Area Free Public Library fifth cupcake war,” Gross said. “It got so big that we couldn’t hold it at the library anymore, so asked all the Pottsville Library District libraries if they all wanted to participate. There were 17 libraries who had the option of joining.”

In addition to Orwigsburg, the other participants were libraries in Ringtown, Pottsville, Tamaqua and Tremont, and Schuylkill Haven participated in the coloring contest.

“The coloring contest is for all the kids to participate in three age groups — under 5, 5 to 8, and 9 to 12 years old,” Gross said. “They could pick up a coloring sheet at their participating library and color it.”

Colored pages were judged at the local library, and the winners from each age group were to be judged at Cupcake Wars for a grand prize.

When asked what the premise is, Gross said, “Have fun! It’s a fun way for the libraries to come out and let people know that there is so much to do if you just put your imagination to it. Build it and they will come. There are a lot of people who just enjoy being out there, and there are a lot of hidden bakers out there. It gives them a chance to come out there and glorify their love.”

Bakers registered for $10 and were divided in two age categories — under 18 and 18 and over. Each baker was required to bake at least three dozen cupcakes of one flavor.

Gross said each entrant are judged on their display, the appearance of an individual cupcake and the taste.

“I am so proud that there are so many kids under 18 that came out,” Gross said. “It’s a family event.”

At one of the non-cupcake tables, Ringtown Area Library director and tally-master Tanya Savitsky was accepting completed ballots and entering the votes into a laptop.

“We give them three points for first place, then two points and one point,” Savitsky said. “I have this all set up so that it will tally on the presentation, appearance and the taste. We’ll get an overall winner and a winner in each category.”

There were official “tasters” who paid $5 for the chance to sample the cupcakes and choose the winners.

The cupcakes brought for the event had all types of themes. Cyndi Schuetrum, Turkey Run, Shenandoah, brought Hawaiian wedding cupcakes filled with pineapple and topped with coconut and a maraschino cherry.

“I’ve been baking my whole life, and my younger daughter, Melissa, is also a baker and we like to bake together,” Schuetrum said.

Schuetrum has her own recipes, but she looks for new recipes and ideas, many from websites like Pinterest and AllRecipes.com.

“I’m always looking for inspiration,” she said. “I think that makes you a better cook and baker.”

Another interesting table had a “Star Wars” theme, complete with a Darth Vader multi-layer display for the cupcakes that were, of course, dark chocolate. To complete the theme, the baker, Robert Ford, Mahanoy City, wore a costume making him Darth Sidious connected to the Dark Side of the Force. While he did the baking, the decorator and chocolate master was his wife, Joan Ford.

“I’ve been baking since 1986 when Uncle Sam put me through culinary school,” Robert Ford said. “I ended up cooking for the generals.”

Ford said he has many interests, including Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Kiss and NASCAR. He has entered many baking competitions with all kinds of themes.

“We’re not a business. We just do this for fun,” he said.

Any cupcakes left after the tasting were sold. All money raised is distributed to the participating libraries.

Contact the writer: jusalis@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023