Schuylkill County residents can drop off unwanted, unused and expired medication as part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday.

Eighteen police departments are among those participating from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and there are 21 locations in the county. New this year are locations at Hometown Auction; St. Luke’s Hospital-Miners Campus, Coaldale; and Rush Township Police Department, Schuylkill County Sheriff Joseph G. Groody said.

The program grows each year, Groody said, with this year having the highest number of drop-off locations.

Groody, Schuylkill County District Attorney Michael A. O’Pake, and the Schuylkill County Drug and Alcohol Program encourage people to take part. No questions will be asked. Syringes, glass containers and intravenous solutions are not accepted.

O’Pake said the drug take-back is “an integral part of fighting the war on drugs.” Not disposing of the drugs is “an enticement for individuals to get their hands on these drugs and use them inappropriately,” he said.

Schuylkill Haven Police Chief Jeffrey J. Walcott said disposing of medication is “being a responsible adult.”

“Prescription drugs ... can suck anybody in,” Port Carbon Police Chief Joseph Ferraro said.

Those who can’t drop off medications Saturday can visit the Schuylkill County Courthouse and drop the medication at the security area during normal office hours. The drugs are taken to the sheriff’s office and later picked up by agents from the state attorney general’s office to be destroyed. Medication collected during the take-back event is given to the DEA and later destroyed.

Last fall, 456 tons of prescription drugs were turned in during the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, according to the DEA.

You can drop off unwanted drugs at these locations:

• Ashland Police Department, 401 S. 18th St., Ashland

• Butler Township Police Department, 211 Broad St., Ashland

• Cass Township Police Department, 1209 Valley Road, Duncott

• Coaldale Police Department, 221 Third St., Coaldale

• Frackville Police Department, 42 S. Center St., Frackville

• Girardville Police Department, Fourth And B streets, Girardville

• Hegins Police Department, 417 Gap St., Valley View

• Hometown Auction, 125 Mahanoy Ave., Route 54, Tamaqua

• Mahanoy City Police Department, 239 E. Pine St., Mahanoy City

• Minersville Police Department, 15 N. Delaware Ave., Minersville

• Orwigsburg Police Department, 209 N. Warren St., Orwigsburg

• Pine Grove Police Department, 1 Snyder Drive, Pine Grove

• Port Carbon Police Department, 90 Washington St., Port Carbon

• Rush Township Police Department, 104 Mahanoy Ave., Tamaqua

• Saint Clair Police Department, 24 N. Second St., Saint Clair

• St. Luke’s Hospital-Miners Campus, 360 W. Ruddle St., Coaldale

• Schuylkill County Courthouse (security entrance), 491 N. Second St., Pottsville

• Schuylkill Haven Police Department, 220 Parkway, Schuylkill Haven

• Shenandoah Police Department, 15 Washington St., Shenandoah

• Tamaqua Police Department, 320, Broad St., Tamaqua

• Tremont Police Department, 19 N. Pine St., Tremont.

Contact the writer: amarchiano@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6028

MAHANOY CITY — The rehabilitation of Tower Road took a step forward with the Mahanoy Township supervisors opening bids for the project at Thursday’s meeting.

Five bid packages were opened, with the lowest submitted by H&K Group Inc., Skippack, at $109,785. Project manager William N. McMullen of ARRO Consulting Inc. said in his monthly engineering report that construction on the low-volume road is expected to begin in late spring or early summer.

The supervisors accepted the low bid contingent upon review by ARRO and township solicitor Eric Lieberman.

Tower Road is located at the village of Park Place, beginning at Park Place Road (state Route 1014) and going north up the mountain and out of the village, passes a small recreational pond called “The Cementy,” and provides access to communication towers and hunting areas on the mountain and is used by recreational vehicles. The road merges with Girard Manor Road and extends as far as Sheppton in East Union Township.

The road is paved near Park Place, though in deteriorated condition, with the rest being a dirt road. Tower Road was chosen for rehabilitation in order to make improvements involving stormwater runoff, which has been a problem, with runoff water freezing on streets in the winter and entering private properties. The road length that will be rehabilitated is about one mile.

The estimated cost for the project in 2016 was $129,174.60, so the low bid was welcomed by township officials. Part of the road project will be paid using a $58,409.11 state grant awarded to the township in 2016 through the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Dirt and Gravel Road and Low Volume Road grant program.

The project has also involved planning with the Hazleton City Authority, which owns a land parcel north of Tower Road. Through its Delano/Park Place System, the Hazleton authority provides drinking water to the villages of Park Place, Delano, Trenton, Buck Mountain and Vulcan. The water supply comes from three wells located north of Park Place and Delano. According to an authority report, the well water is treated using caustic soda for pH adjustment, chlorine for disinfection, and zinc orthophosphate to control corrosion in the distribution system.

At the March township meeting, McMullen reported that the authority had signed a consent agreement for the runoff measures to be installed on its property as part of the project, which will include the installation of water bars and a swale that are improvements along the water line clearing in an effort to reduce water entering Tower Road. The work will also include installation and discharge points for broad-based dips discharging south of Tower Road. The broad-based dip discharges will replace cross-pipe pipe discharges in an effort to reduce stormwater discharge to the rear of homes located along High Road.

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

FRACKVILLE — It’s the house that “family” helped build.

About 80 firefighters, dignitaries and business leaders gathered Sunday for the dedication and ribbon cutting of the $1.5 million Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Association burn building.

David Sattizahn, president of the Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Association and Pine Grove fire chief, welcomed the crowd to the site at 125 Firemans Road and introduced officers and past firefighters association presidents.

“There’s a lot of contributors who have stepped up to the plate and made this possible. Without those donations, we wouldn’t be where we’re at today,” Sattizahn said.

He thanked the firefighters association board, SF2DO board (the financial arm of the burn building committee), fire companies, municipalities, and several contributors from private, business and foundation sectors for making the building a reality.

Eric Eichenberg, Minersville fire chief and lead trustee with the firefighters association, said if the burn facility wasn’t available here, local firefighters would have to travel to other counties to receive their required training. He described the unique features of the new structure, which replaced the former burn building that was torn down.

“The concrete and the block that was in the previous building was all exposed to the flames and the heat. This building is designed where the whole structure is concrete. The concrete is protected in one way or another. All the block walls are inside the concrete columns that hold it up, so they’re considered sacrificial walls,” Eichenberg said.

“If we have a wall in there that starts to disintegrate due to heat and steam, we can take that section of wall out, replace it and it doesn’t have anything to do with the rest of the structure.”

“It’s a skeleton with block walls in between it. All of the concrete that is exposed in the burn rooms has a high-intensity tile to dissipate the heat and protect the concrete. The floors are all lined with fire brick, so we can build fires on the floors,” he said.

There are nine rooms for burning.

The site was modeled to Schuylkill County construction, Eichenberg said.

“If you look at the front doors, it’s like a double-block home anywhere in Schuylkill County. Some have attached garages, so there’s a garage off to the side. We have the prisons that are in the area and they can come up here to train. In the back corner, there’s a prison cell. If there’s a cell fire, we can train on that.”

There were volunteers from more than 15 fire companies who brought their families to Sunday’s celebration.

“Truly, this is a big welcome to Schuylkill County firefighters,” Pottsville Fire Chief James E. Misstishin Sr., a firefighters association training committee member, said. “This committee worked very hard to get this building and our elected officials ... did a heck of a job for us.”

The building use is free for Schuylkill County fire departments, but it will be available for a fee for departments outside of the county working on their 16-hour, structural burn class training and other skills. Law enforcement and EMS units can also use the building to train their staff. The first structural burn session at the site will be Saturday.

Sattizahn and Eichenberg cut a red ribbon stretched across the front steps, officially opening the facility. Frank Zangari, chairman of the training committee, offered guests a tour.

“I cannot stress how important it was to have firemen, as well as those on the business end to help us solicit funds, control the funds of this organization. We built this building on the backs of everybody who donated,” Tom Slane Sr., SF2DO advisory board chairman, said.

Schuylkill Economic Development Corp. President Frank J. Zukas also served on the advisory board.

“It was a well thought out plan that basically allows for the sustainability of this facility going forward. The last burn building had about a 20-year life cycle to it and served its purpose, but going into this project, I think that everyone realized we needed to go well beyond that,” Zukas said. The new building’s life span is expected to be 75 years.

Offering congratulatory remarks were: state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, Rush Township; Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, Mahanoy City; Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124, Rush Township; and Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, Pottsville. Tobash introduced Michael Atchie, manager of public outreach for Williams, who is building the Atlantic Sunrise natural gas pipeline through the county. Atchie announced Williams will be giving a $10,000 grant to the firefighters association burn building.

The Schuylkill County commissioners, Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr., Frank J. Staudenmeier and Gary J. Hess, also reflected on the valuable resource the building is for the county, its availability for future generations and the dedication of volunteers.

Halcovage called on youth to come forward. Two who stepped up were Colin Kline, 9, of Port Carbon, whose family supports the Good Intent Engine 11, Pottsville, and Abigail Davis, 12, of Shenandoah, whose family supports Good American, Mahanoy City, and the Defender Hose Company, Shenandoah.

“Thank you for your service and thanks for always being that family. We’re all family. We all save lives and we all come together,” Davis said.

RDG Planning & Design, Omaha, Nebraska, designed the building, and Performance Construction Services Inc., Pottsville, a division of Quandel Enterprises Inc., was the contractor for the project.

The Rev. Fred Crawford, chaplain of the firefighters association, offered the invocation, while Monsignor Bill Glosser offered the benediction and blessed the facility. Glosser reminded visitors to look left as they were leaving the site to remember the fallen county firefighters whose names are written on the firefighters’ memorial.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

POTTSVILLE — A Schuylkill Haven woman does not have to spend more time in prison after a Schuylkill County judge revoked her probation in two cases on Tuesday.

Carissa N. Delpais, 30, who admitted violating her probation, was sentenced to time served to 18 months in prison by Judge Charles M. Miller, who granted her immediate parole.

“You’ve impressed me as a good person who did something stupid,” Miller told Delpais. “Take advantage of this.”

Delpais, who admitted violating her probation by failing to report to her supervising officer, committing another crime, using methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, failing drug tests and not making payments on her costs and fees, said she has been clean since Feb. 28 and is taking parenting classes.

“I have a history with depression and anxiety,” Delpais said. “I don’t want to be set back.”

She originally pleaded guilty July 12, 2017, to theft by deception in one case and retail theft in the other, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of receiving stolen property. At that time, Miller placed Delpais on probation for 24 months and also sentenced her to pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, amounts she still must pay under the terms of Tuesday’s sentence.

Pottsville police filed both charges against Delpais, alleging she committed one theft on Nov. 18, 2016, and the other on Nov. 21, 2016. Each incident occurred in the city, police said.

Also in the county court, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin on April 16 sentenced Nicholas Haspe, 37, of Coaldale, to serve six to 12 months on house arrest with electronic monitoring, and spend an additional 12 months on probation, and pay costs, a $100 SAEF payment and a $50 CJEA payment. Dolbin made the sentence effective on May 14.

Haspe, who did not appear for the sentencing, originally pleaded guilty on Nov. 29, 2017, to two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one of possession of drug paraphernalia. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of failure to keep right.

Coaldale police alleged Haspe possessed drugs and paraphernalia on Jan. 7, 2017, in the borough.

In another April 16 case, Miller revoked the probation of Michael A. Klinger, 29, of Coal Township, and sentenced him to serve five to 23 months in prison.

Klinger originally pleaded guilty on April 22, 2015, to two counts of theft and one of access device fraud. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of receiving stolen property and one of identity theft.

At that time, Miller placed him on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced him to pay costs, a $50 fine, a $50 CJEA payment, a $259.20 bench warrant fee and $69.61 restitution, all of which Klinger must pay under the terms of Monday’s sentence.

West Mahanoy Township police charged Klinger with committing the theft on Jan. 29, 2014, in the township.

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

MINERSVILLE — Bob Laughlin has seen drivers and pedestrians act poorly when they’ve come upon an emergency scene.

As Minersville Fire Police captain and vice president of the Schuylkill County Fire Police Association, he said when people don’t follow proper directions it can turn one tragedy into two.

“It’s very common for people to try to sneak around a roadblock,” he said. “People may not see the actual emergency, then they drive or walk down and find fire trucks on the road. They’re putting themselves and firefighters at risk and are impeding emergency vehicles.”

“I’ve had obscene gestures and people who physically want to attack me,” Laughlin added.

He’s seen motorists try to drive over 5-inch hoses; people try to run back into burning buildings; try to take photos; or actually attempt to remove a sheet respectfully covering a deceased person.

As warm weather arrives, more drivers are on the road and may see fire police on duty. Any time, though, is a good time to remind citizens that fire police deserve respect, according to June Allman, president of the Pennsylvania Fire Police Association.

Allman and Laughlin said more fire police are needed, as the number of volunteers dwindles and the average age of a member is in the 60s.

There are about 180 to 200 fire police from 27 companies throughout the county, all volunteers, Laughlin said.

There is a 16-hour minimum basic course, plus additional training some local departments may require their fire police members to have before they even step off the curb, Allman said.

Most have 24 to 30 hours or more of training, including hazardous materials awareness and incident management.

Many use their own vehicles to get to the emergency site, and some have to buy their own equipment, such as reflective jackets and special vests, light wands for directing traffic and vehicle roof lights, all costing several hundred dollars.

Although Allman didn’t have a tally of the number of fire police statewide, rosters are dropping, she said.

As a 30-year fire police veteran, Allman, Bethlehem, is a state-certified service instructor and has taught classes in 22 of the state’s 67 counties.

“We are needed out there all year round, and there is no busy season. We are getting fewer volunteers,” she said.

The economy may be to blame for some of the decline, Allman suspected. Potential volunteers aren’t retiring in their 60s anymore, but are working into their 70s and may not have as much time to donate to community causes.

“I would love to have people in their 20s, 30s and 40s getting interested in this,” she said.

Laughlin said fire police may be one of the most misunderstood members of the fire department.

“We’re back-up singers for the rock stars,” he said.

Fire police are allowed to stop vehicle and pedestrian traffic, and are there to secure the scene, he said. They take direction from the fire and police chiefs.

It’s the law that motorists must obey the direction of fire police, relating to traffic flow. Failure to do so could result in a summary offense, fines or possible suspension of their driving privileges.

Fire police won’t tie up traffic lanes or any larger area than necessary to maintain the safety of firefighters, emergency responders and the public, Laughlin said. A perimeter is established to keep all a safe distance away from a threat that citizens may not realize, such as a hazardous material or threat of an explosion.

Fire police stay on scene until its secure, often spending hours waiting until a state fire marshal arrives or until a tow truck exits an accident scene. They’re there until the fire chief releases them from duty and turns responsibility over to other police agencies or the owner.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Many drivers approaching an emergency scene on the roadway do not know how to react. Confusion can be deadly for first responders, vehicle crash victims and other motorists. The Schuylkill County Fire Police Association shares these tips for what to do when approaching an emergency scene:

· If at all possible, avoid the area and take an alternate route. Do not make an illegal turn to avoid an incident.

· Slow down as you approach and pass the incident. Remain alert for unexpected occurrences, as this is a different situation than normal driving. Do not stop, unless directed to do so.

· Move over any time you approach a stopped emergency vehicle. Move your vehicle over a lane away from the incident, as long as it is safe to do so. This gives first responders room to work.

· If no responders are yet on the scene and you have a hands-free cellphone, call 911 to report the incident. Note the location by mile marker and/or landmark to report it.

· Look for and obey all temporary traffic control signs and direction from first responders, including lane closures. Temporary traffic control creates a safe work area for first responders to treat victims and remove damaged vehicles; motorist cooperation with traffic control is needed.

· Never attempt to go around an emergency scene on the shoulder, drive through it or turn around to avoid it or the traffic queue. These actions put you, other motorists and first responders at risk.

· Do not take photos or video of the incident as you pass it and do not post on social media. This distracts you from driving, which may cause an accident. It is also disrespectful to the victims and their families, who are going through a traumatic experience. There have been situations where families have found out their loved ones were injured or deceased from social media posts, rather than through an official notification from emergency services, who can provide support during the notification. Don’t put a family through the trauma of finding out in a public forum.

· Do not pick up your cellphone to notify family or others of an emergency scene or that you will be delayed. Distracted driving kills 3,400 people annually and injures 390,000, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

· Remain alert, even if you have to sit in traffic. Now is not the time to let your attention wander or use your cell phone. Unexpected events can happen at emergency incidents and you must be alert so you can react.

Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill S. Jackson Street

To Matthew and Kellie Hanrahan Giannelli, Mahanoy City, a daughter, April 4.

SHENANDOAH — Authorities have not determined the cause of death of a 5-month-old boy found inside a borough home Sunday morning or if a crime had been committed or not.

Finding the cause of death of the child, who has not been identified, may take several weeks, according to Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David J. Moylan III.

Moylan said an autopsy was conducted Monday afternoon by forensic pathologist Dr. Richard Bindie, who has yet to determine the cause and manner of death.

“There were abnormalities on the examination, but we cannot come to a conclusion,” Moylan said.

He said the autopsy results are now pending tissue analysis and routine toxicology tests that may take several weeks.

The infant was found around 7 a.m. inside a home at 26 S. Grant St. and pronounced dead at 8:10 a.m. by Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Joseph Pothering, Minersville.

The coroner said a virtual autopsy or CAT scan was completed Sunday night prior to the full forensic autopsy.

Moylan added that his office is continuing to work with state police investigators from the Frackville station and the case remains open.

Trooper Manuel Cabrera Maldonado is the investigating officer and issued a news release Sunday night only saying the death occurred and the investigation is ongoing.

The scene was processed by troopers from the Troop L Forensic Services Unit, Reading, and assisting at the scene were Bindie and Schuylkill County District Attorney Michael A. O’Pake.

Moylan said that any additional information on the case will be released by state police Trooper David Beohm, public information officer for Troop L.

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

SHENANDOAH — The borough council plans to demolish two blighted properties in the near future, including one of the oldest structures in the borough.

At the April 16 meeting, it adopted resolutions to demolish the former Jefferson School and structures at 425-427 W. Poplar St.

The first action was approving acquisition of the two-story school building at Centre and West streets.

“The estate is turning it over to the borough, which has been submitted to the county for the demolition,” council President Leo Pietkiewicz said.

The Schuylkill Parcel Locator shows the current owners as Edward Shomoskie and Virginia Wuttke, both of Frackville.

The council also approved the purchase of the Poplar Street properties through the Schuylkill County Tax Claim Bureau under the county demolition program. The parcel locator shows the current owner is Susan M. Gilroy.

The borough council approved Resolution 4-16-18 to submit a demolition request to the county for $50,000 for the Jefferson School.

The school was opened in 1873 as the West Street School. A separate school building was constructed behind the first structure and later attached to the original building and renamed the Jefferson School. The school was in use as the Shenandoah Valley elementary school until the early 1980s, when it was closed and the students attended classes in the former J.W. Cooper High School. Elementary students were moved to a new elementary school next to the high school in the 1990s

Resolution 4-16-18(1) was also adopted by the council to submit a demolition request to the county for the Poplar Street properties for $45,000.

In another action, the council adopted Resolution 4-16-18(2) to apply for a state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant for the Girard Park-Phase II project, which includes installation of a tot lot for 5- to-12-year-old children that will have a swing set and hardware, a 2- to 5-year-old play structure, spring animals, drainage and mulch.

The council also adopted Resolution 4-16-18(3) for the submission of an application for a Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program grant of up to $250,000 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority for Girard Park.

In his report, Mayor Andrew Szczyglak said items placed to save parking spaces need to be removed: “Hopefully, knock on wood, the snow is done, so no more saving parking spaces. When the police are out and they see a cone out to save a space, the first time the officer will politely remove it and put it on the sidewalk. The second time it’s out, they will confiscate it.”

Szczyglak said an inventory of police equipment is ongoing.

“We’ll get a list together for council that will have what is broken, what can be repaired and what we need new,” he said. “At the workshop, I did bring up about progress in hiring another police officer. Hopefully by next meeting the interviews will be done. Not hiring another officer at the next meeting, but at least have the interviews completed.”

He also said that the police cruiser that was damaged in an accident about a month ago will be back in service.

Solicitor Joseph R. Baranko Jr. said the process for the demolition of 131 Girard Ave. is progressing.

“The quick claim deed is put on record, and as soon as that comes back, I will send that to Gary Bender (county administrator) with the demolition application,” Baranko said.

The property, along with the adjoining property at 129 Girard Ave., which is in West Mahanoy Township, are dilapidated and need to be razed. The borough and township are working together to have both vacant houses torn down. The township supervisors approved on April 17 the submission of a funding application to the county for the demolition.

In other business, the borough council approved acquisition of 30 W. Coal St. by the Schuylkill County Land Bank, which will lead to the demolition and potential revitalization of the property.

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

HOMETOWN — A concerned citizen asked Rush Township supervisors to consider creating an ordinance that would allow residents to breathe air that’s free of odors.

“The primary suggestion I would like to share is for Rush Township to create and enforce a legal, reasonable and enforceable nuisance odor ordinance,” Heidi Kubert said. “According to my research, this sort of regulation is fairly common.”

Township officials, however, said air quality issues are handled by state and federal departments and advised Kubert and other residents to file odor complaints with the township or contact the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Although Kubert did not name the source of the “nuisance odors” Thursday evening, supervisors’ Chairman Shawn Gilbert said she contacted him previously with concerns about Reynolds Consumer Products in the Tidewood Industrial Park, Hometown.

The firm manufactures scented garbage bags, along with other products.

One resident who lives close to the plant, Denise Hafer, said the odor can be so strong in the summer that she has to close her windows.

“It has infiltrated our house to the point that it burned my eyes the one day,” said Hafer, who noted that other neighbors are impacted by the odors. “It’s definitely a problem in our neighborhood.”

Hafer said she’s been smelling the odors for years, but only recently began complaining about them.

Kubert said she has only recently begun to detect the scent on her property and in other areas of the township. She said she’s not alone and that an informal survey of other residents revealed that they, too, have detected a perfume scent.

“When there is an issue, we contact DEP who regulates and controls all air pollution, meaning the state conducts all inspections of companies and their procedures,” Gilbert said.

Since Reynolds has met DEP regulations, he said, “there’s really not much that we can do.”

Township engineer William McMullen said the township’s procedure is to log complaints and send them to DEP.

“This is not a board that can handle that type of thing,” McMullen said.

Gilbert met with Reynolds’ officials earlier Thursday and said he was told there are “no harmful toxins or pollutants emitted into the air.”

Supervisor Robert Leibensperger added that township industries file annual air quality reports and none have been flagged for any infractions.

After a complaint last year, Leibensperger noted that Reynolds installed a filtration system that is supposed to contain the odors to the property.

Kubert suggested that supervisors meet with Reynolds officials to determine whether the system is faulty or in need of maintenance.

Hometown resident Juanita Kubert asked whether she could collect the names of those who have smelled the odor and forward it to the township.

“If there’s any written complaints, we have no problem taking it up to Reynolds or whatever plant it’s issued with, and let them take a look at it and address it,” Gilbert said. “If there’s enough people, we could definitely set a meeting up.”

Another resident said he’s smelled the odors, which he called “sickening.”

Township solicitor Chris Reidlinger said residents impacted by the odors need to be persistent.

“If you don’t feel DEP is either trying enough or trying correctly, you have to basically keep making a nuisance of yourself,” Reidlinger said. “This is a problem that’s way beyond the township’s ability to control, enforce and regulate in any way, shape or form, and that’s why there are things like Clean Air acts and Clean Water acts on the federal and state levels. There are some things that local governments just don’t have the resources or expertise to regulate.”

Contacted by the Standard-Speaker, DEP spokeswoman Colleen Connolly said an inspector had been sent to the plant.

“No violations were identified at the plant,” she said of an early April inspection. “The investigation, however, is ongoing.”

A Reynolds spokesman issued the following statement:

“We place a strong emphasis on health and safety in all our operations and conduct business with respect and care for the environment, complying with all federal, state and local regulations in the communities where we operate. We have invested significant capital in the Tamaqua plant, including in equipment to reduce significantly the impact of any scent in the community. Reynolds Consumer Products is committed to the safety of our products and cares deeply about the communities in which we live and work.”

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

Haven prepares for townwide yard sale

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — The Schuylkill Haven Community Yard Sale, sponsored by the Greater Schuylkill Haven Area Business Association, will be held May 19.

Registration, according to an event flier, is $5 and checks should be made payable to the business association.

People can pick up registration forms at Spotts Insurance Group, Schuylkill Haven Borough Hall or Luckenbill’s Family Restaurant. Completed applications and checks can be dropped off at Spotts Insurance, 19 E. Main St., or Stone House B&B, 16 Dock St., or mailed to the business association at P.O. Box 153, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.

Balloon pickups will be at 6 a.m. on sale day at Spotts Insurance.

The deadline to register is 5 p.m. sale day.

People may look for yard sale listings on the business association’s Facebook page. Maps and listings will be available at Boyer’s Market and Brok-Sel by May 17.

For more information, email gshabainformation@gmail.com or contact the association’s Cecilia Ann Michalik at 248-974-3569.

Students to lead

Planet Walk tours

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Schuylkill Haven Area Middle School students will offer walking tours of the Planet Walk at 10 a.m. and noon May 5 for First Saturday in Haven.

Tours, according to an event flier, are free and no reservations are needed. Walkers will meet at the Little League Park; parking will be available at the elementary school, according to Cecilia Ann Michalik of the Greater Schuylkill Haven Area Business Association.

Business participants that will be open during the event, Michalik said in the flier, include Brok-Sel, 2 E. Main St.; Hess Catering, 1 River St.; Alchemist’s Cove Games & Comics, 25 W. Main St. (Suite 4); Walk In Art Center, 220 Parkway; Lion Launch Innovation Hub, 15 E. Main St.; Lewis General Store, 22 E. Main St.; Downtowne Tavern, 24 W. Main St.; 4Play Moonshine, 101 W. Main St.; The Curious Cat, 20 W. Main St., and The Little Dipper Ice Cream Shoppe (grand opening), 11 E. Main St.

For more information, call Michalik at 248-974-3569.

Drumming event set at Dreamcatchers

POTTSVILLE — A community hand-drumming event called “Everybody’s Drumming With Joe Ciarvella” will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Dreamcatchers Art Emporium LLC, 370 S. Centre St.

The cost is $10 per person.

For more information, see Dreamcatchers’ Christa Miller.

Festival of Arts

planned at Fairlane

POTTSVILLE — ­The first Festival of the Arts will be held at Fairlane Village mall, Route 61, on May 5.

The fest will be an “expo-type” event with “various performances during the day, a free youth theater workshop and a youth vocal competition.”

Organizers hope it will become an annual event.

The Schuylkill Theater Association is the event host and organizers are trying to get the word out on this “first-of-a-kind performing arts event,” according to a release.

For more information, contact the Schuylkill Theater Association.

Sherry Dental PC to open in Shenandoah

SHENANDOAH — With the flow of new and pending business openings in the greater Shenandoah area continuing, confidence is growing for local revitalization officials, according to the periodic Downtown Shenandoah Update, which focuses on Shenandoah area business, economic, commercial and related developments.

The latest announcement concerns the projected November opening of a Sherry Dental office at the southwest corner of Centre and Bower streets, as heralded by a sign at the site.

Sherry Dental PC, according to its website at www.sherrydental.com/index.html, currently has offices in Lehighton, Tamaqua and Mahanoy City.

The firm’s offerings include emergency exams, cosmetic dentistry, fillings, extractions, implants, implant retained dentures, crowns, bridges, veneers, dentures, partial dentures, root canal treatments, TMJ treatment, emergency dental care, child friendly dental care, hygiene appointments, whitening and “all other aspects of general dentistry,” according to the website.

Other developments catching DSU’s eye include:

· Paradise Café has opened at 19 N. Main St. It’s a Dominican restaurant owned by Omar Veras, Shenandoah. Its specialties include smoothies, empanadas and sandwiches. Veras also runs a barber shop and appliance site across the street in a spot that once housed the Aggon and Demalis men’s clothing store.

· The Chill Out Ice Cream Parlor and Snack Shop along the Route 924 just south of the Gold Star Bridge, has opened for the 2018 season, a sure sign of spring.

· In a bid to foster a positive community presentation, Shenandoah Borough and the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. are continuing to ask all business owners and property owners on Main and Centre streets to participate in weekly efforts now through the fall to keep the community clean. They want owners to “please sweep” their sidewalks on Thursdays, pushing dirt into the gutters. The borough street sweeper picks up the dirt on Friday mornings during the early hours.

· Work is continuing on the renovation of 30 N. Main St. where Maria Colon, Shenandoah, a native of Puerto Rico, will open a restaurant serving international and Puerto Rican cuisine. The project may be completed in late 2018.

· Blue Sky, an eatery in the first block of South Main Street that offers Chinese and Japanese cuisine, now also offers home delivery.

Pipeline project topic for Rotarians

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville Rotarians learned about Williams Pipeline and the Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Project during a recent meeting.

Mike Atchie and David Feidt presented the program on the pipeline, which is now under construction in the region, according to the Rotary bulletin.

Williams is a 110-year-old company that focuses on natural gas infrastructure. It owns and operates the Transcontinental Pipeline (Transco), which carries natural gas from Corpus Christi, Texas, to New York City, according to the bulletin.

Atlantic Sunrise is a 187-mile pipeline that will connect the Marcellus Shale gas field to the Transco pipeline. It also will include work on the Transco system to allow gas to be pumped in either direction, enabling the Marcellus gas to extend south to Alabama, Atchie and Feidt told the Rotarians.

The total project is $3 billion and it is expected to inject $870 million to the local economy during construction, they continued, adding that Williams also built a local grant program into the project and has given grants of more than $2 million to affected communities.

The project was first proposed in 2014 and with local and state approvals as well as Federal Regulatory Commission approval it finally got the go-ahead in 2017. Construction started in fall 2017 and the projected completion is in fall 2018.

According to the presenters, the project is being built in four sections. The pipeline is welded steel pipe, 42 inches in diameter in our area and 30 inches farther north, buried a minimum of three feet. The full route of the pipeline will be inspected by weekly by air and continuously monitored when in use.

Pipelines, according to Atchie and Feidt, have been in place for many years with minimal problems, and when completed are not very noticeable. They added that pipelines such at the Sunrise project provide access to cheap, reliable, clean-burning natural gas now and for the future.

Shenandoah ready for 11th Kielbo Fest

SHENANDOAH — The 11th annual Shenandoah Kielbasi Festival, sponsored by the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc., will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 19 on North Main Street.

It will again include Shenandoah’s so-called three Kielbasi Kings — the Capitol Food Market, East Washington Street; Kowalonek’s Kielbasy Shop, South Main Street, and Lucky’s Kielbasi Shop and Deli, West Centre Street.

The festival’s main attraction will be the homemade kielbasa contest featuring private kielbasa makers using recipes that often have been handed down over generations. The contest will have fresh and smoked categories with contestants competing for the “coveted” Pig Trophy, according to DSI.

Judges for the contest will again include commercial kielbasa makers Mark Kowalonek of Kowalonek’s Kielbasy Shop, Mike Stanakis of the Capitol Food Store and Dave Lukashunas of Lucky’s Deli.

The wildly popular festival will also include Ateeco Inc., Shenandoah, maker of Mrs. T’s Pierogies, plus Polish pottery, Matrushka dolls, straw ornaments and various eastern European crafts.

There will also be live polka music by the All-American Polka Band, a wide variety of ethnic and American food plus games for children and numerous vendors.

The Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society’s headquarters and museum at 201 S. Main St. and the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society’s acclaimed museum at 105 S. Jardin St. traditionally are open during the festival and attract numerous visitors.

DSI’s Bob Kane said volunteers are needed to help with the festival, especially with setting up and taking down before and after the event.

For more information, call DSI, 116 N. Main St., at 570-462-2060.

Coal Cracker 10K ready for 2018 run

SHENANDOAH — The 2018 Coal Cracker 10K and Fun Run will be held June 9, beginning in the first block of North Main Street. The well-known run is held annually on the second Saturday of June, according to its Facebook page.

Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the headquarters of the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc., 116 N. Main St. The Fun Run, for youngsters 12 and younger, will begin at 9 a.m.

The 10K — which has a reputation as one of the most grueling runs in the state — will begin at 10 a.m.

Downtown Shenandoah stores, banks, eateries and service outlets will be open; everyone is welcome.

The 10K is sponsored by the Shenandoah Flites Running Club, headed by Tom Talerico and Dan Lewis. After the run, the Flites stage a “Pierogie Party” for participants.

For more information, call 570-462-0389.

Ashland

The Ashland Area Municipal Authority is flushing fire hydrants from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. now through Friday. Residents may experience temporary low water pressure or discolored water during the flushing.

Pine Grove

The Pinegrove Historical Society will host a program featuring Tom Drogalis, executive director of the Schuylkill County Historical Society, at 3 p.m. Sunday in the American Legion post at 42 S. Tulpehocken St. Drogalis, according to a release, will present “My Brother’s War — A Tale of Two Enemies,” the story of the brothers from Schuylkill County whose lives would be changed forever by fighting enemies worlds apart. This year is the 100th anniversary of World War I and of the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic. Drogalis will highlight the harrowing events that changed the lives of people fighting the battles of WWI and the 1918 pandemic. The program is free and open to the public. Parking is available at the Legion and also across the street on Werner’s corner lot.

Pottsville

Providence Place Senior Living, 2200 First Ave., will have a free Lunch & Learn session from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 7 focusing on five ways people can transform their health in three months or less. The presenter will be Buddy Touchinsky of Healthy Habits. All are welcome. For more information or to RSVP, call Shannon at 570-628-6950.

Schuylkill Haven

The South Schuylkill Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 19 at the Schuylkill Haven Seniors/Recreation Center, Haven Street. Offerings will include hundreds of locally grown plants including perennials, shrubs, small trees, vegetable plants and native plants. Club gardeners and Penn State Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions. Light refreshments will be available as will baked goods. For more information, call 570-345-4423, text to 570-640-7551 or email chaldyjr@gmail.com.

Shenandoah

The borough and the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. is asking that on Thursdays now through the fall, all business owners and owners of properties on Main and Centre streets “please sweep their sidewalks and leave the dirt in the gutter.” The borough street sweeper will pick up the dirt on Friday mornings during the early hours. “We are asking the businesses and the property owners to take pride in our community and make it welcoming to our visitors and tourists,” DSI officials said in a release. For more information, call DSI at 570-462-2060.

Shenandoah

The Shenandoah Rotary Club is completing its Student of the Month program for the year, with several more students to be feted, according to Mark J. Bernardyn, club treasurer. The program highlight will be the annual Student of the Year breakfast and the naming of the Student of the Year. For the award, Bernardyn said in a release, the main trait will involve volunteerism, a trait one which Rotarians pride themselves. Marie Poppoff, Rotary president, is the Student of the Month chair.

Tamaqua

The third annual Tamaqua Community Empty Bowl dinner will be held from noon to 7 p.m. May 2 for lunch and dinner. It is part of 2018 Tamaqua Hunger Walk activities that will benefit the three community food banks that serve nearly 300 local families, according to an event press release. The Empty Bowl Dinner will being together restaurants, artists, bakeries, faith communities and neighbors to raise money to help people in need in the community. Zion Lutheran Church, Mauch Chunk and Greenwood streets, is the dinner host. Thirty Tamaqua area restaurants and businesses have been invited to participate by donating soup, bread or desserts. Last year’s dinner featured soups from 11 local restaurants. Participants have three options: The Soup Pass ($5) allows the holder to select one bowl of soup; a Super Soup Pass ($10) allows the holder to sample all of the soups and the Super Soup Bowl Pass ($15) allows the holder to sample all of the soups and select one of the hand-crafted bowls available. All passes include bread, dessert and beverage. Only 50 Super Soup Bowl passes are available. Special bowls will be given away. A complete menu will be posted on the TAFFN and Zion Facebook pages and websites. For more information, call 570-668-4451 or email gtay200@verizon.net.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced Friday that Tamaqua and Tremont boroughs and Foster, Reilly and Frailey townships in Schuylkill County are nominees for the federal Opportunity Zones program.

Enacted by Congress in December as part of The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the Opportunity Zones program aims to generate long-term revenue for low-income communities across the country by using tax incentives to foster private investment.

“Pennsylvania has many struggling towns and cities, both large and small, across the state. Since the 1950s, many of our local communities have struggled,” Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, Rush Township, said in a press release. “This new bipartisan initiative is designed to help employers create more local jobs.”

The importance of creating more local jobs was a topic for Argall during last month’s Senate Appropriations Committee state budget hearings. Argall, who serves as a senior member on the committee, noted many communities in his district continue to look for ways to rebuild. “Breathing new life into old towns is a top priority of mine. I have witnessed firsthand communities such as Tamaqua and Jim Thorpe that have done just this and I believe that the Opportunity Zones program will help other local communities to do so.”

Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, Mahanoy City, also praised the announcement.

“This is very good news for Schuylkill County,” Goodman said in the release. “Out of more than one thousand eligible communities, Gov. Wolf nominated five from our county for this new initiative. The Opportunity Zones will encourage private investment and create good-paying jobs. I commend our local officials for making the case for inclusion and thank Gov. Wolf for listening.”

The U.S. Department of Treasury will have 30 days to review the governor’s submission of nominees for the program.

PRIMROSE — Trees planted Monday at St. Nicholas Picnic Grounds might have extra help in becoming healthy and robust.

Half of the 12 trees received biochar, charcoal that is added to the soil to improve fertility and plant hydration. It is believed that biochar will give the trees a better chance at a longer life.

“It has a lot of benefits for tree growth,” Frank Snyder, volunteer with the Schuylkill County Conservancy and retired state forester, said, adding that includes absorbing moisture and holding in nutrients.

The trees that were planted are about 10 feet tall and 4 to 5 years old. All of the trees were pin oaks except one — a honey locust. The trees could live between 150 to 200 years, Snyder said.

Snyder said it is a controlled study to see if the biochar produces noticeable positive results for the trees. However, time is needed for the tree to re-establish a home at a new location, he said.

“We will come back periodically and check on the trees. The trees are under stress right off the bat because of being transported,” he said.

Snyder said he will return in early fall to examine the trees. He was optimistic that the addition of biochar will have a positive outcome.

“It’s going to work,” he said.

The new trees replaced ash trees that had been there since the 1950s.

Frank Peron, a member of the Pottsville Shade Tree Commission and member of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, said he noticed last summer that the ash trees in that location didn’t look too healthy.

“There should have been leaves on it and they weren’t there,” he said.

Peron examined with the 21 ash trees in the fall with Snyder and Joe Orlowsky, chairman of the Pottsville Shade Tree Commission. They discovered the trees were attacked by the emerald ash borer.

“It’s really sad 70 years ago these original trees were planted,” Peron said.

Steve Ziegler, a service forester with the Weiser State Forest District, said the emerald ash borer is a widespread problem.

“Ash tend to break down pretty quickly” when attacked by the beetle, he said.

A contractor started removing the trees in December and finished in February. The church’s Men’s Holy Name Society paid for the removal of the trees. The new trees came from Schichtel’s Nursery in New York.

Sawdust marked the spots where the trees once were, and holes in the ground signified where the new trees would go.

“Each hole will be made to fit the tree,” Bob Wood, a member of the Pottsville Shade Tree Commission, said.

The biochar was mixed into the soil used to fill the hole.

Today, an 8- to 10-foot tall ivory silk lilac tree will also be planted with the biochar on South Warren Street in Orwigsburg. The tree can live 90 years or more, Snyder said. The borough paid for the tree.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

FRACKVILLE — Catholic Masses this past weekend celebrated World Day of Prayer for Vocations, with St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Parish of Frackville presenting a crucifix to a family to pray for vocations in their home.

The weekend for the Traveling Vocations Crucifix to be dedicated and blessed coincided with Good Shepherd Sunday when the reading of the Gospel according to St. John is about Jesus Christ being the Good Shepherd.

The family of Stefan and Jennifer Kowalonek of Frackville is the first to receive the crucifix, which they will have for a month in their home as a centerpiece for the family, which includes their children Claire, Alyza and Francis, to pray for more people to answer God’s vocational call to serve as priests, nuns, sisters or brothers.

The encouragement of vocations among young men and women is something that is a focus of the Most Rev. Alfred A. Schlert, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown.

Parishioner and Director of Religious Education Carolyn Tenaglia said the parish speaks to children about vocations.

“We have Vocations Awareness Week every year,” Tenaglia said.

The Rev. Robert T. Finlan is the pastor of the parish, which includes the churches of St. Ann and Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The crucifix was blessed at St. Ann’s during the Vigil Mass on Saturday. In a month, the Kowaloneks will bring the crucifix back to a Mass and they will give it to the next family or individual.

During his homily, Finlan said all are called to a universal vocation and to specific vocations.

“We have a universal call to holiness. Our universal vocation is to be holy as our God is holy,” Finlan said. “Then, of course, we are called as baptized members of the Body of Christ to a life of discipleship with Jesus Christ. It’s our path to holiness. And within that Christ calls us to all those various ways to follow him to live out those gifts and talents we’ve been given for particular states of life — the single life, the married life or the religious life. It’s part of that beautiful complexity of the body of Christ.”

Finlan said that everyone — parents, family members, friends, clergy, religious and parishioners — should be open to mention to young men and women the option to enter into the religious life to get them thinking about it.

“Put that invitation out to them to discern a life in the priesthood and the religious life as a viable call of God in their hearts,” Finlan said.

Near the conclusion of Mass, Finlan went to the front of the altar where a small table was placed with the vocations crucifix.

“The traveling crucifix is a way to bring that sense of vocation for the parish community into a home in the parish. It is in the home where vocations are first fostered,” Finlan said.

He thanked the Kowaloneks for being the first family in the parish to host the crucifix, and he hopes that the interest will increase so that more crucifixes are needed to be placed in homes during a month.

“Lord God, we ask you to bless this crucifix, and particularly the families and their homes,” he said. “May their hearts ever be open to your grace and to their own vocations in life. May our parish community go and foster vocations to the religious life.”

Finlan used holy water for the blessing, and presented the crucifix to young Francis, who accepted it with a smile.

After Mass, Jennifer Kowalonek explained how her family became the first to receive the crucifix.

“Mrs. Tenaglia contacted me and asked if we would be willing to be a family that would host the vocations crucifix,” she said. “We’re involved in the church and our kids are altar servers, so we thought we would take this opportunity as an honor to be the first family.”

The Mass was followed by a wine and cheese reception in the church social room to honor and thank Finlan and Sister Patricia Weidman, CSA, for all they have accomplished in their religious life. Weidman was chaplain at the Federal Correctional Institution/Schuylkill until her retirement. She helps the parish with home-bound parishioners and is starting a bereavement ministry.

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

Band misidentified

The After Hours Big Band will perform Friday at the former Porterhouse restaurant at The Ramada in Pottsville during Block of Art festivities. The band name was wrong in Friday’s edition.

A 30-year-old Pine Grove man charged with sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in Washington Township between Aug. 1, 2017 and Jan. 26 is among those scheduled to enter not guilty pleas during arraignments Thursday in Schuylkill County Court.

Bryan T. Raymond, 102 Hentzels Church Road, was arrested by state police Trooper Eric Dreisbach of the Jonestown station and charged with statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse of a person less than 16 years old, aggravated indecent assault of a person less than 16 years old, corruption of minors, endangering the welfare of a child and indecent assault involving a person under the age of 16.

Dreisbach said the victim reported meeting Raymond on the internet and eventually began staying at his house.

The victim said the relationship continued, leading to the two having sexual relations, Dreisbach said.

When interviewed, Raymond admitted to the sexual relationship and that he was aware the girl was only 15 years old.

Others scheduled to appear for arraignment are:

Lisa M. Brown, 40, of 29 Oak St., Tamaqua; DUI, endangering the welfare of a child, reckless driving and careless driving.

Emmanuel Garcia Serrano, 21, of 338 W. Centre St., Shenandoah; DUI, DUI-highest rate, driving under the influence of drugs, driving under combined influence, restrictions on alcoholic beverages and stopping, standing or parking outside of a business or residental district.

Crystal G. Kalchick, 38, of 614 Arlington St., Tamaqua; DUI-highest rate and careless driving.

Eric G. Campion, 66, of 814 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville; DUI and DUI-highest rate.

Robert P. Rothermel, 28, of 9 S. Jackson St., Pottsville; driving under the influence of drugs, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and careless driving.

Ryan S. Gernert, 37, of 85 Oak Ledge Ave., Schuylkill Haven; DUI, DUI-highest rate, not driving on roadways laned for traffic and restrictions on alcoholic beverages.

Curtis R. Bates, 32, of 405 Ridge Road, Orwigsburg; DUI, maximum speed limited and not driving on roadways laned for traffic.

Chelsea N. Lorady, 27, of 281 Park Place Road, Mahanoy City; driving under the influence of drugs, endangering the welfare of children, prohibited offensive weapons, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, drivers required to be licensed, period requiring lighted lamps and restraint system violations.

Isaiah C. Zipp, 33, of 140 Spruce St., Elizabethville; driving under the influence of drugs, not driving on roadways laned for traffic, careless driving and driving a vehicle without an official Certificate of Inspection.

Robert L. Stoudt, 71, of 31 Clelan Drive, Pine Grove; DUI, careless driving and restrictions on alcoholic beverages.

Audie L. Mauldin, 19, of 34 Coal St., Port Carbon; driving under the influence of drugs, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked and general lighting requirements.

Steven G. Matalavage, 32, of 44 Clay St., New Philadelphia; DUI, DUI-high rate, prohibitions in specific areas-sidewalks, obedience to traffic control signals and careless driving

David M. Ballick, 49, of 9A Rear Fourth St., Kelayres; DUI, DUI-highest rate, compliance with established sound levels and unlawful activities.

Jake A. Love, 23, of 30 S. Mahanoy St., Frackville; DUI, DUI-highest rate, not driving on roadways laned for traffic and careless driving.

Bryan S. Dimon, 27, of 14 Dad Burnhams Road, Pine Grove; DUI, DUI-high rate, driving under the influence of drugs, driving under combined influence, not driving on roadways laned for traffic, driving at an unsafe speed and careless driving.

Alicia M. Antalosky, 22, of 319 Penn St., Minersville; DUI, DUI-highest rate, careless driving and not driving on roadways laned for traffic.

Joseph M. Barnyock, 73, of 24 Pine St., Branchdale; DUI, DUI-high rate, not driving on roadways laned for traffic, driving at an unsafe speed and careless driving.

John M. Joulwan, 55, of 2145 W. Market St., Pottsville; driving under the influence of drugs and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

William L. Stevers, 49, of 620 W. Main St., Valley View; driving under the influence of drugs, not driving on roadways laned for traffic and driving at an unsafe speed.

Kaitlyn A. Bertasavage, 23, of 34 E. Main St., Apt. A, Tremont; DUI, DUI-highest rate, not driving on roadways laned for traffic and failure to use safety belts.

Dean Schuster, 50, of 356 S. Wayne St., Orwigsburg; DUI-highest rate.

Jonathan W. Fegley, 47, of 321 W. Spruce St., Apt. 3, Mahanoy City; DUI, not driving on roadways laned for traffic and careless driving.

Edward H. Hauptly, 28, of 152 N. State Road, Branchdale; DUI, DUI-high rate, not driving on roadways laned for traffic, driving at an unsafe speed, reckless driving and careless driving.

Heriberto Rosario-Fuentes, 52, of 301 E. Pine St., 2nd Floor, Mahanoy City; DUI, DUI-high rate, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, maximum speed limits, turning movements and required signals and careless driving.

Jessie J. Weikel, 21, of 1 Upper Railroad St., Girardville; theft.

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

VALLEY VIEW — Water customers served by the Hegins-Hubley Authority will soon have a new online method for paying their bill.

The authority board Monday approved an e-billing process that should be operational within a few weeks. Customers currently can check their accounts online and pay with a credit card, for a fee charged by the credit card company.

The new method will allow customers to pay online without a fee by having their bill amount taken directly from their checking account. The e-billing will also allow the authority to save money in postage fees, however, paper bills will still be available for those not wanting to use the online option. The board discussed a possibility of having an incentive for participation, but didn’t take formal action. A message about the new system will be included within the next bill.

Hubley Township customers are billed monthly, while Valley View and Hegins customers are billed quarterly.

The board approved the system with Link Computer Corp., Bellwood, and also an internet banking application with Gratz Bank. The application will allow the authority to check accounts and to electronically transfer funds.

In other business, the board took no action on a request on behalf of the Tri-Valley School District’s Environmental Site. The district is seeking funds to help defray the $6,200 cost of stilt grass and invasive species control. Directors Kenneth Richter and Thomas Miller said they didn’t think the authority should contribute. Richter said since not all citizens in Hegins and Hubley townships are authority customers, he didn’t think the funds should be donated, and suggested the district raise taxes, if necessary.

Dave Miller, an engineer who is also a school board member, attended the meeting. Miller said he understood, but was disappointed in the authority not taking action on the fund request. He said the school district faces a $800,000 deficit and a tax increase is likely.

Authority Manager Demetrius Kasmari said the Consumer Confidence Report for 2017 is available. It showed there were no violations for the system.

In other business, the board:

• Announced a spring inspection tour of the water system will be May 20

• Approved a retirement agreement update

• Heard Kasmari’s report that the grant application for the Hubley tank had been submitted. The authority may learn in July the status of the grant.

• Approved quarterly manager report and expenditures

• Approved writing off bad accounts, which may have been due to customers not paying their bills for pool fills or for on-off fees. Many of those accounts were too old to file a lien against.

• Heard system mapping is about 80 percent complete, according to Dave Miller

• Heard the authority system received a 5 on an ISO insurance rating, Kasmari said, which is based on fire suppression. Kasmari said the rating goes from the best at 1, to a rating of 10. The rating could be improved by better communication with fire departments on hydrant locations and flow rates, he said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

POTTSVILLE — Breaking on party lines into two distinct groups, the six hopefuls for the new 9th Congressional District seats prescribed vastly different solutions at Tuesday’s candidates forum to the problems their constituents face.

The three Republicans prescribed measures that emphasized free-market solutions to health care and infrastructure, tough measures on national security and immigration, and support for President Donald Trump’s agenda and the right to bear arms.

“I’m tired of seeing the president’s Make America Great Again agenda fall,” said Scott Uehlinger, 53, of Topton, Berks County, a retired CIA station chief and Navy veteran. “I’m very aware of the politicization.”

In contrast, the three Democrats stressed that government needs to play a proper role in helping everyone comply with the law and took a balanced approach to the right to bear arms and more liberal positions on immigration.

“Regulations are sometimes called protections,” said Laura Quick, 51, of Palmyra, Lebanon County, a UPS driver and former teacher. “Consumer protections are smart regulations.”

During the two-hour forum sponsored by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce at D.H.H. Lengel Middle School, the candidates — Republicans George F. Halcovage Jr., 60, of Pottsville, Dan Meuser, 54, of Dallas, Luzerne County, a businessman and former state secretary of revenue, and Uehlinger; and Democrats Quick, Gary Wegman, 61, of Limekiln, Berks County, a farmer and dentist, and Denny Wolff, 66, of Millville, Columbia County, a farmer and former state secretary of agriculture — debated six issues.

The six are running for the new 9th District, which includes all of Carbon, Columbia, Lebanon, Montour and Schuylkill and parts of Berks, Luzerne and Northumberland counties. The old 9th District was centered around Altoona, Blair County; there is no incumbent running.

Schuylkill County had been in the 17th District before the redistricting plan drafted by the state Supreme Court.

Halcovage made several references to being a county commissioner, saying that has given him experience in solving problems.

“Government is best handled at a local basis,” he said. “There’s no one that knows (overregulation) better than local communities.”

Halcovage also stressed that his experience will affect everything he does.

“I’ve already served the people of the district,” having worked with other county commissioners for solutions to many problems, he said.

A lifetime National Rifle Association member, Meuser said new restrictions on the right to bear arms will not solve school security problems, saying existing background checks need to be enforced.

“I’m not for any new laws” restricting legitimate gun ownership, he said.

Meuser also said Washington, D.C., needs to change, that the federal government should follow the Constitution.

“They lost that ‘We the People’ interest,” he said. “The liberal approach to these things is a disaster. Taxing and spending is the easiest thing.”

Uehlinger said his background in the military and the CIA is the best to help ensure the country is secure.

“Serving as the point of the spear (is) my entire life,” he said.

With respect to immigration, Uehlinger said his wife and children are legal immigrants and that illegal immigrants are an insult to people like them. Social welfare programs for illegal immigrants, chain migration and the visa lottery all must be ended, he said.

“Border security is national security,” he said. “We need to build a wall.”

Wegman stressed health care as the dominant problem in the district.

“Health care is the number one issue on our constituents’ minds. The answer here is going to be a single-payer system” not owned by, but with prices negotiated by, the government, according to Wegman.

He said a strong health care system will mean more money for infrastructure, green energy and other needs.

“We have the open space for the solar panels and wind turbines” in the 9th District, Wegman said. “Our priority is going to be to create ... jobs.”

Wolff stressed his experiences as a farmer, saying that he has seen the costs of a crumbling infrastructure and the importance of a government that responds to problems. He also said the construction of a wall on the country’s border with Mexico in order to deter illegal immigration is not a good investment.

“A $70 billion wall just looks a little too expensive,” he said.

Quick agreed with Wolff that a border wall is a waste of money. She said more money should be invested in the border patrol, which also would improve employment.

She also stressed that national security involves more than the military and a strong border. A strong economy, a safe environment, a good food supply also help security, as do cybersecurity and energy independence.

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

POTTSVILLE — Work on a new maternity ward, part of a $15 million project, will soon be underway at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill.

William J. Reppy, president of Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill, said Tuesday patients will like the changes.

“It’s part of our overall integration plan,” Reppy said.

The project, announced in fall 2016, will eliminate redundancies in services between Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street and Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill S. Jackson Street, thus saving costs and allowing for improved care.

The Family Birth and Newborn Center, currently in the South Jackson Street facility, will be moved to the East Norwegian Street hospital, while the advanced wound center and the senior behavioral health unit are moving from there to the third floor of South Jackson Street. The emergency room at South Jackson Street will close, though a date hasn’t been set. The emergency room at East Norwegian Street will remain open. Other services will remain at their current locations.

“Over at South campus, it’s really a retrofit,” Reppy said.

The Family Birth and Newborn Center, which Reppy said is the most significant part of the project, will be on the fourth floor of the East Norwegian Street site.

“It is a complete gut, wall to wall,” Reppy said.

That part of the project amounts to about 75 percent of the cost, he said.

The new unit will feature six labor/delivery suites, triage rooms, postpartum recovery rooms, nursery and in-unit suites for cesarean sections. It will take the space of the senior behavioral health unit, advanced wound center and the former pediatric unit, which is currently empty. Work will start in late June or early July and it can be in use by January 2019. Presently, about 650 children are born at the South Jackson Street site. The new space can accommodate 1,000 births a year.

Reppy admitted people often leave the county for maternity care. The improvements will address a need for care that women are seeking elsewhere.

“About 40 percent of the county leaves to deliver babies,” Reppy said.

The emergency room at South Jackson Street will remain in use until the Family Birth and Newborn Center is moved. State law requires an emergency room in a hospital with a maternity ward. There are nine treatment bays in the emergency room. While surgery is not performed at South Jackson Street, X-ray and other diagnostic testing services are, Mike Peckman, director of marketing and public affairs for Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill, said.

“If we are doing acute care at two campuses, it costs extra money,” Reppy said.

No one will lose his or her job in the ER with the transition. Peckman said all ER staff will move to the East Norwegian Street site.

Meanwhile, two beds will be added to the South Jackson Street senior behavioral health unit, bringing the total to 14. Work started three weeks ago.

Reppy said a “huge demand” exists in the county for behavioral health services.

The senior behavioral health services unit at the hospital involves in-patient psychiatric services.

The advanced wound care center will also move to the South Jackson Street site. The center focuses on slow-healing wounds such as diabetic wounds.

Three treatment rooms will be added to the current two. There will also be patient lounges and an expanded area for the two hyperbaric oxygen chambers.

Work on the wound care center started at the same time as that on the behavioral health unit. Both are expected to be completed by June and in use by July, Reppy said.

“I do firmly believe people want to stay close to home instead of driving an hour,” Reppy said.

He said the mantra of the LVHN is “care close to home.”

Reppy said the pace of the project is “a super aggressive timeline,” but one he believes can be met.

“We’re doing all this work in less than 12 months,” he said.

“This phase of the project was bid out in January and was awarded by early March,” Reppy said.

The general contractor is Alvin H. Butz Inc., Allentown.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

Info box

Services and facilities presently at the following hospitals:

Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street

Advanced wound center, senior behavioral health, Stine acute inpatient rehabilitation unit, medical surgical units, critical care/intensive care, pediatrics, Wall auditorium, laboratory, operating suites, medical diagnostics, administrative offices, emergency department, diagnostic imaging,

The hospital is about 260,000 square feet.

Services and facilities provided at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill S. Jackson Street

A 10-bed adolescent behavioral health unit, 36 bed adult behavioral health unit, family birthing and newborn center, cardiac rehabilitation unit and occupational medicine program, home care services, cat scan services, laboratory, diabetes education program, therapy services, registration and medical conference rooms and emergency room

The hospital is about 265,000 square foot.

Altamont

The West Mahanoy Township Police Department will host a Coffee With a Cop session from 6 to 10 a.m. Friday at the Altamont Fire Company, 209 S. Green St. near Frackville. Township residents are invited to stop by, have their morning coffee and speak with township police.

Auburn

The Auburn Church of God, 230 Market St., will have a free community dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday. The menu will include halupki, mashed potatoes, corn, beverage and dessert. Donations will be accepted but are not required, according to a release. All are welcome. For more information, call Tina Duke at 570-449-9642.

Cressona

The Cressona Community Yard Sale is set for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 570-385-2933.

Frackville

The Frackville Senior Citizens group is accepting reservations for several upcoming trips on its agenda, including a bus trip to Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina, Sunday-May 4. The cost is $750 double occupancy; a bus trek to Montreal and Quebec Canada, Aug. 20-24. The cost is $725 double occupancy, five days and four nights with passport needed; another bus trip, to the Walt Disney musical “Frozen” on Broadway in New York City at noon Oct. 20. The cost is $250 per person, which includes the bus and show. For more information on any of the trips, call trip director Kathy Kraft, who also is the group’s recording secretary, at 570-874-3531.

Pottsville

DVDs of “Centralia, Pennsylvania’s Lost Town,” are available at the Majestic Theater, 209 N. Centre St., on show days, or from the theater office at 1 S. Second St., second floor. The cost is $20 each plus tax. The film is by Joe Sapienza II. For more information, call 570-628-4647. Pottsville coloring books, $12 each or two for $20, also are available at the Majestic as well as at the Pottsville Free Public Library, Something Sweet Candies, The Maid’s Quarters, Pottsville Area Development Corp. and Dreamcatchers Art Emporium, all in Pottsville. The coloring book was created by and for the Majestic Theater Association.

Pottsville

Auditions for the new season of the Spotlight Kids will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday and May 1 in the United Presbyterian Church Hall. Sandy Kost-Sterner is director of the group and Bruce Marianelli is the musical director. For the audition, participants must sing up to 45 seconds of a Broadway show tune and a pop contemporary song and must have singing experience, preferably with a voice teacher, according to a release. Those wishing to audition primarily as actors or dancers should include a brief monologue and a commercial. Dancers must do two 30-second routines to different songs. Auditions are open to children up to age 12. There will be three groups: Children, junior and senior. For information on Spotlight Kidz and audition times, email spotlightkidz@comcast.net or go to Facebook: Spotlight Kidz.

Schuylkill Haven

Liberty Fire Company No. 4, Columbia and St. James streets, will have all-you-can-eat chicken pot pie dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. May 5. The cost is $8 for adult platters, $7 for quarts and $4 for children under 12. Platters include homemade chicken pot pie, salad with hot bacon dressing, bread/butter and dessert, coffee and drinks. Takeouts are available as is free delivery in the Schuylkill Haven area. To order, for delivery or more information, call 570-385-3341.

Tamaqua

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Pine and Mauch Chunk streets, will have a rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today with lunch available and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday. The church is accepting unused items suitable for the sale. However, no computers, TVs or encyclopedias will be accepted. All are welcome. For more information, contact Linda Heigele by calling 570-640-5261 or email lheigele@gmail.com.