Stephen J. Bayer

TAMAQUA — A Tamaqua man charged with intentionally using his vehicle to run another vehicle occupied by four people off the road in Kline Township on July 12 appeared for his preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer.

John D. Bartholomew, 27, of 324 N. Railroad St., was arrested by state police Trooper Shawn Tray of the Frackville station and charged with four counts each of aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment.

Prosecutors withdrew the four counts of aggravated assault and Bartholomew waived the remaining eight offenses to Schuylkill County Court.

Tray charged Bartholomew with driving his vehicle into the side of a vehicle driven by his then-girlfriend, Dana Mease, causing her to go off of the road and into a ditch.

Mease was inside her vehicle and had three passengers with her at the time of the incident, Tray said.

Other court cases included:

Christina Petrosky, 49, of 554 Fairview St., Tamaqua; waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Alexander Elchisak, 20, of 8 Centre St., Box 282, Kelayres; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and periods for requiring lighted lamps.

David M. Bilsak, 41, of 17 Snyder Ave., McAdoo; held for court: DUI-controlled substance, driving with an alcohol level of 0.02 percent or higher while under license suspension, illegal parking between a divided highway, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Carina E. Leach, 21, of 33 W. Main St., Box 108, Quakake; waived for court: simple assault, harassment and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robert W. Barron Jr., 52, of 424 Hazle St., Tamaqua; withdrawn: terroristic threats and simple assault. Waived for court: disorderly conduct, criminal mischief and public drunkenness.

John S. Roberts, 56, of 326 N. Railroad St., Tamaqua; withdrawn: criminal attempt to commit aggravated assault and disorderly conduct. Waived for court: terroristic threats, disorderly conduct, aggravated assault and simple assault.

Albert M. Shaw, 34, of 29 Mauch Chunk St., Tamaqua; waived for court: burglary, criminal trespass and criminal attempt to commit theft.

Vanardi Legrand Jr., 40, of 624 E. Centre St., Mahanoy City; waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Brian K. Woods, 53, of 259 W. Rowe St., Tamaqua; withdrawn: simple assault. Waived for court: terroristic threats, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

Micah A. Young, 20, of 109 Washington St., Tamaqua; waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Brittany Kieffer, 22, of 52 Fifth St., Coaldale; waived for court: retail theft, defiant trespass, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jacob V. Goralewski, 22, of 200 Hudsondale St., Weatherly; withdrawn: arson. Waived for court: burglary, risking a catastrophe, criminal trespass, recklessly endangering another person, theft and receiving stolen property.

Jason J. Cieniawa, 35, homeless, Tamaqua; waived for court: receiving stolen property.

Jeremy Plasko, 41, of 418 Mountain Ave., Tamaqua; waived for court: defiant trespass and disorderly conduct.

Kimberly A. Bailey, 46, of 40 W. Main St., Quakake; waived for court: simple assault and harassment.

Donn M. Walck, 41, of 5718 Route 873, Schnecksville; waived for court: deceptive business practices, theft by deception, theft, receiving stolen property and receiving advance payment for services and failing to perform.

Stephen J. Bayer

Defendants whose cases Magisterial District Judge Steven J. Bayer considered, the charges against each one and the judge’s disposition on the matters, included:

Savanah Searfoss, 21, of 17 Snyder Ave., McAdoo; held for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Enrique Ortiz Jr., 48, of 641 Pine Creek Road, Barnesville; waived for court: DUI, possession of marijuana, driving with an alcohol level of .02-percent or higher while under license suspension, driving a vehicle without a valid inspection and disregard for single traffic lane.

Justin R. Moyer, 32, of 242 W. Ridge St., Coaldale; waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Travis K. Christman, 26, of 223 East St., Coaldale; dismissed: harassment.

Sean W. Snibbe, 35, of 430 E. Broad St., Tamaqua; withdrawn: simple assault. Waived for court: disorderly conduct.

Francis R. Styka, 48, of 233 E. Washington St., McAdoo; waived for court: DUI, DUI-highest rate and careless driving.

Michael A. Mattox, 26, of 324 Hazle St., Tamaqua; waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia and false identification to law enforcement.

Robyn L. Erney, 26, of 423 Hazle St., Tamaqua; waived for court; possession of drug paraphernalia and false identification to law enforcement.

Jacque M. Lehman, 45, of 1720 Running Deer Drive, Auburn; waived for court: retail theft.

Nicole Baer, 30, of 114 Green St., Tamaqua; waived for court: simple assault, harassment, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

David R. Green, 66, of 44 Mauch Chunk St., Apt. 7, Tamaqua; waived for court: possessing instruments of crime, theft from a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property and loitering and prowling at night.

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — A lot can happen in a year, and for Janine Lucas of the Pink Ivory Salon, this past year has been a very good one.

It was one year ago that Lucas, a cancer survivor, opened her shop on her July 24 birthday, and since that time, she and the shop have been doing well, so much so that she held a big festival for the public along Broad Street, state Route 61, from her salon on the corner to Lucas Body Shop, operated by husband Larry Lucas.

Food and craft vendors did not seem to mind the hot summer day as they tended to customers as Janine and her daughter, Taylor Lucas, greeted visitors to the salon and gave tours to show how the business has developed and the services it provides.

However, the focus was on friendship and good wishes from everyone to Janine, her family, and those who make Pink Ivory what it is — a place for good times and great company.

The salon name comes from Taylor due to her concern for elephants and rhinos that are killed for the ivory tusks. An ongoing effort in Africa is to paint the ivory pink on the live animals to reduce the value of and desire for the stained ivory. The color pink and symbols of elephants, such as a light switch cover with elephant ears, are reminders throughout the two-story business.

The Lucases have owned the house and neighboring properties for 25 years. When Janine got very sick due to the cancer, she decided to open a salon.

“When I got so sick and needed something to do, I always wanted a salon and decided to open it,” she said. “We’re small, but we work.”

The full-service salon is a place to be pampered involving hair, nails and massage, among other services.

“It took me three years to open it because I kept getting sick,” Janine said. “I opened it on my birthday so I wouldn’t forget. When we did open, we were booked as soon as we opened because people were waiting because we had signs up. People were so excited and couldn’t wait. And a lot of people knew what I was going through and wanted to help.”

Janine added that a main reason for the success is how clients are treated.

“What we do is that we’re very welcoming,” she said. “I said to my girls that I never want to hear, ‘Can I help you?’ That’s department stores. I want them to say, ‘Hi, Jane, glad you came,’ or ‘You have an appointment.’ As soon as they come, they don’t have to have a $50 service to get a bottle of water. We offer coffee and tea and we usually have snacks. It gets to the point where people sit and don’t want to leave. They can hang out on the porch or sit on the sofa and talk and watch the girls do hair and nails. It’s pretty good. They are our guests, and we want people to feel good inside as well as outside.”

Janine said the social aspects of the business are so very important to her and her staff.

“I have made so many new friends, and my girls who work here are wonderful,” she said. “They call me the boss, and I tell them don’t do that. You work with me. We all work together. We all have the same goal.”

Taylor, who is studying meteorology at Penn State, provides much support when she is at the salon by greeting people, making sure supplies are ordered, clients are being taken care of and other duties. She also depends on her brother, Barry Faust, who lives in the neighborhood and is hands on in cleaning the salon and whatever else is needed.

“He’s always so worried that I will get overworked, because my cancer can come back anytime,” Janine said. “I had a long road to fight, and I’m not completely out of the woods yet, the doctors tell me. My brother cleans the salon from top to bottom every Sunday. If you find dust, then I’ll be shocked. My dad was Bill Faust, and he was the health officer in Pottsville for 34 years.”

Janine had been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, and her husband and brother were told that she wasn’t going to make it. Janine beat the cancer three times. Last Thursday’s PET scan showed she was still cancer-free.

“But it wasn’t up to the doctors. God had other plans for me, and that’s when I got my calling to become a minister,” she said. “I preach at a little church around the corner when I fill in. I’m alive, I’m happy, I feel great.”

The festival included music from the acoustic trio Outta Nowhere, there was facepainting for the children and a vendor made balloon animals. All vendors were able to attend free of charge as a way to give back to the community. The salon also offered a 20 percent discount on all gift certificates and there were door prizes.

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

The state Department of Transportation has several projects planned for Schuylkill County roadways this week, according to a news release from PennDOT District 5, Allentown.

The projects, to be done from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., include:

• Pothole patching Monday through Thursday on Interstate 81 in Foster, Butler and West Mahanoy townships between Exit 112 and Exit 124. There will be a single-lane closure; be alert and anticipate delays on the roadway.

• Tar and chip work from Monday through Friday on Route 895/443 in East Brunswick and West Penn townships between New Ringgold and Route 309 with a single-lane closure and flagging.

• Drainage work from Monday through Friday on Route 61 in Butler Township between Frackville and Fountain Springs with lane restriction with flagging; be alert and anticipate delays.

• Nighttime bridge repair work from Monday through Aug. 10 on Route 901 over I-81 in Minersville and Cass and Foster townships with lane restrictions and flagging from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting 511PA.com, which provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 825 traffic cameras. The 511PA service is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices by calling 5-1-1 or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website. Follow regional PennDOT information on Twitter at twitter.com/511PAAllentown.

BARNESVILLE — A program was held at the Locust Lake State Park amphitheater about how climate change can effect the future of plants and wildlife, with a focus on Pennsylvania.

A presentation about the damage to the natural environment in the beauty of the state park not far from the lake provided an interesting juxtaposition of what could happen.

Presenting the talk using a slide show was Ed Perry, a retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service aquatic biologist who now works with the National Wildlife Federation on its efforts to inform the public on the facts dealing with climate change and global warming. As someone who loves to fish, Perry is interested in educating fellow anglers, hunters and the conservation community to take action.

“I am going to be giving a presentation about how climate change is affecting wildlife and what can we do about it,” Perry said before the program. “We’re in the process of losing our state bird, our state tree and our state fish. They will be likely gone in the next 80 to 90 years. They’re on their way out now. Climate change will finish them off.”

Perry listed several facts to this point that show how climate has been affected:

• 400 consecutive months above long-term average = 33 years.

• 20 of the hottest years occurred since 1995.

• 2016 was the hottest year on record.

• Every decade has been hotter than the previous decade.

• The arctic ice is at an all-time low level in human history.

• Most glaciers are melting.

• Sea level is up eight inches in the last 100 years.

“It is the increase in temperature at a very high rate that has never been seen in history,” Perry said. “Ordinarily when you have a change in climate, it happens over geologic times, sometimes millions of years. This is happening is less than 100 years.”

The upward change in temperatures has caused winters to be less severe with less snow, causing problems for animals who thrive best in cooler climates, causing them to move northward to protect themselves. The warmer temperatures also affect insect populations. While many would die during winters due to the cold and snow, now some survive and their populations expand.

Speaking on the Minnesota moose population that has declined drastically due to ticks, he listed the following:

• 81 percent of the moose born in 2015 died that winter from ticks.

• In 1995, the cow pregnancy rate was 75 percent, but in 2015, the percentage was only 20 percent.

• Twinning has diminished to close to zero.

• A University of New Hampshire study indicates there may be no moose in affected areas by 2045.

The climate change impacts are already affecting the ruffed grouse, the Hemlock tree and the brook trout, the state bird, tree and fish, respectively.

Perry said things can be done, and the past has proven the point with the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act and Clean Air Act.

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

TUSCARORA — Curiosity about flight has led to all types of flying machines in the past century, taking people around the world, but there is still a simple pleasure and thrill of being able to send a model plane into the sky.

That could be seen Saturday in Ryan Township as the Tuscarora R/C Flying Club began its two-day 50th anniversary Aerorama air show celebration at its own flying field near the White Birch Golf Course. The air show, along with a car show, will continue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. Admission is free.

There were plenty of model planes and drones for everyone to see. One youngster got a thrill watching aerial displays above the field, all radio controlled by skilled hobbyists identified as “pilots.”

After so many rainy days, Saturday’s hot sun and today’s sunny forecast had club President Ed Pollack feeling happy. When asked between running from one place and another to get the event ready, he gave credit where he believes credit is due.

“You know what? There is a deity involved,” Pollack said. “We’ve had monsoons the last three weeks. Now we have two good days, and it’s supposed to start all over again on Monday. I asked everyone a month ago to pray. Our prayers have been answered.”

In announcing the anniversary, Pollack said the club is adding to its purpose beyond being an organization for flying model airplanes.

“Our mission this year is to introduce drone flying to the public and generate public awareness of the growing interest and necessity of drone flying,” Pollack said. “We already have made inroads with county officials to begin a training awareness program for any first responders, search-and-rescue teams, fire and police departments at no cost to the community. We realize the impact drones are having on society in search and rescue, police and fire departments as well as recreation. We want to be the first facility to offer this training to the community.”

The club is sanctioned by the Academy of Model Aviation and all pilots and members have mandatory insurance through the AMA.

Pollack explained that the Tuscarora R/C club was formed with the vision of having a club where a person could bring his or her family and friends for a day of fun or flying, learn to fly model radio-controlled aircraft or just enjoy watching others fly their planes. The club’s focus is to promote education, advancement and safeguards of remote control modeling activities and to train people to safely and enjoyably fly their model aircraft. Priority is to be able to give back to the community that has supported us by working with youth groups and community organizations.

“The Tuscarora R/C club began in 1965 and was officially chartered in 1968 formed by a small group of pilots who, through dedication and hard work, were able to secure the land from the Pennsylvania State Park System that we still share, maintain and enjoy to this day,” Pollack said in the history he provided about the club. “The founding fathers came predominantly from military backgrounds and often shared invaluable stories of WWII, Korea and Vietnam with members and spectators as well. Friendships were made through a common passion of aviation. Some members painstakingly constructed R/C planes patterned after the planes they flew in combat with exacting detail that could only come from firsthand experiences.”

He added, “With advancement of technology, newer members embrace aircraft technologies and have advanced the sport to levels deemed impossible a decade ago. Furthermore, the newer members have reversed tradition by taking the skills learned at the Tuscarora flying club to pursue active paths in today’s armed forces.”

Pollack said the club embraces all aspects of model aviation, which includes fixed-wing aircraft, rotary wing aircraft (helicopters) and multi-rotor drones, most using first-person view technologies.

A walk around showed the diversity in the R/C model hobby. Kyle Snyder, who lives near Snyders in West Penn Township, is a helicopter enthusiast and showed his skill in piloting “Whiplash” in many highly interesting and tricky maneuvers. Before his show, Snyder said plans are to build a lightweight foam airplane.

“This is a 700-class helicopter. I got into helicopters because there is nothing really easy about them,” Snyder said. “There are so many mechanical parts and electronics to them. This also uses gasoline (2-stroke), which adds another factor to it. Some look like they can defy gravity and physics. They are much harder than planes. You can’t ever let go of the sticks.”

Snyder grew up with radio-controlled cars, but left those when he got older. In 2012, he became interested in R/C models and went from there.

“It is a lot of fun and a challenge,” he said. “You have to learn how to fly up, upside down, backward and more.”

Some enthusiasts come up with interesting ideas in making planes. David Kessler, Tamaqua, had his newest plane with the theme from Disney’s “Frozen,” complete with characters in the cockpit. He had an extra wing and decided to build the fuselage from scratch.

Kessler, who has been in the hobby for 20 years, flew another plane named “Jerry,” though his first attempt hit a snag. After doing his pre-check with Nancy Steven, also of Tamaqua, the plane was placed on the ground, the engine was revved and shortly after entering the grassy flying field, it hit a pothole causing some problems. After working on it for a time, “Jerry” took to the air for a memorable flight.

Jeff and Melissa Marks came up from Chambersburg with their replica of a Cub Crafters “Carbon Cub,” which Melissa calls “Big Blue.”

“Any planes larger than 80-inch wingspan are considered ‘giant scale.’ That plane is 86 inches,” Jeff Marks said.

Longtime enthusiast and club member John Majikas, Girardville, has enjoy flying model planes since his childhood when he threw a cardboard glider into the air.

“I started when I was 6 years old during World War II. You got the Wheaties and there was a cutout to make an airplane. You had to put a dime into those, but a dime was a lot of money, so we would put in a penny, but that wasn’t right,” Majikas said. “That’s how we got started. Since that time, we had a bunch of guys at the west end of Girardville who flew on Sunday mornings after the 8:30 Mass. We had about a half dozen people.”

Majikas went to the next step in flying models when he was in the Army and stationed in Europe for 26 months.

“A half dozen of us started flying models and that’s when I got into radio control over in the Germany and have been in radio control ever since,” he said. “I lived in Long Island before I came back her 22 years ago and I used to race model planes.”

Majikas’ collection includes a Fokker D.VII (D7), Piper Cherokee and a PT-19 (pre-1940).

“They’re gas-powered, but when I say gas, they actually use methanol with castor oil and nitro-methane fuel,” Majikas said. “I also have electric planes, such as (Grumman) F8F Bearcat, which is very aerobatic. I have a few airplanes in repair.”

There have been changes in radio control model planes over the years.

“When I first started with radio control, we had five channels to use on a 72-megahertz band, but now we’re up at 2.4-gigahertz unlimited. You can put many, many planes up at the same time without interference. That’s changed in the last dozen years. That’s a major, major change,” Majikas said. “It’s much easier to fly today than it was 30 years ago.”

He said there are also model jets, though they are very expensive, and drones have also become a part of the hobby.

“I am a leader member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics, which has 200,000 members,” he said. “We own a 900-acre facility north of Muncie, Indiana. That’s where we have our national model championship that goes on for an entire big thing. It (hobby) is quite a big thing, and it’s quite big worldwide. It made you learn electronics and how to build things in the past, but now things are pretty easy and simple because you buy them ready to go and not have to build them from scratch.

For more information about the club, contact Pollack at pollack@pa.metrocast.net or go to the website at www.tuscarorarcflyingclub.com.

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

Emily Yordy was presented with The Harold J. Rowan Memorial Scholarship during commencement exercises at Nativity BVM High School on June 5.

The memorial scholarship was established in honor and memory of Harold J. Rowan with the primary purpose of providing financial opportunities to academically qualified students from Nativity BVM High School to continue their education in the field of education, social sciences, law enforcement or public service.

Rowan was born in Pottsville of Aug. 25, 1936, and attended Pottsville Catholic High School.

He served his country and was a commissioned officer and faculty instructor in both the Army and the Air Force, including service in Okinawa during the Korean War.

While Rowan initially taught high school and served as a social worker, he had a long and successful career in law enforcement including Sheriff of Schuylkill County.

He also was a founding board member for the North Central Highway Safety Network.

Scholarship overseers said Rowan was a true gentleman, a scholar and a humanitarian.

Rowan died on Aug. 9, 2009, and the scholarship was established to celebrate his love for God, country, family and community.

As school districts struggle with rising costs and diminishing resources, Blue Mountain School District maintained its honor roll status among local schools.

Blue Mountain outperformed 16 others in Schuylkill County, the Times-Shamrock Newspapers’ annual analysis of academic performance found.

The district met or exceeded state averages on 15 of 17 standardized exams and the SAT.

Hamburg Area, Schuylkill Haven Area and Upper Dauphin Area each exceeded state averages on more than half of the tests. However, Hazleton Area and Panther Valley performed the worst, missing all state averages on the 18 tests, the newspaper found.

The newspaper analyzed 2016-17 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment math, English language arts and science tests, Keystone Exams and SAT test scores — the most recent scores available — for 500 districts and more than 3,000 elementary, middle and high schools statewide, as well as other key educational factors as part of its annual report.

Districts are also ranked in some categories against other districts in the state. Test results for the 2017-18 school year will not be available until next year’s report.

Grading Our Schools includes charts on the region’s 16 public school districts and one charter school as well as comprehensive online databases with searchable information on all districts in the state, available at republicanherald.com/features/grading-our-schools.

PSSA, SAT and Keystone Exam scores in Grading Our Schools are for public school districts at least partially in Schuylkill County: Blue Mountain, Hamburg Area, Hazleton Area, Mahanoy Area, Minersville Area, North Schuylkill, Panther Valley, Pine Grove Area, Pottsville Area, Saint Clair Area, Schuylkill Haven Area, Shenandoah Valley, Tamaqua Area, Tri-Valley, Upper Dauphin Area and Williams Valley. The newspaper also looked at the standardized scores for Gillingham Charter School.

“At the end of the day, I think we are very fortunate. We have a wonderful community, supportive students and supportive businesses. And we have a supportive educational foundation. The Eagle Foundation that helps support us with paying for projects that maybe we couldn’t do because of budget constraints and they give us financial support for projects that enhance student learning as well,” Blue Mountain School District Superintendent David Helsel said. “There’s not just a single silver bullet in this. It’s a group effort here. I think we have a dedicated teaching staff. I think we have family support and then a community support that’s there and a great board of school directors, so we are fortunate, very fortunate here at Blue Mountain.”

Helsel and Gwen Belding, director of elementary and secondary education, said SAT scores improved by an average of 75 points in both math and English and ACT scores improved as well. The district was also named to the AP Honor Roll, becoming one of 12 school districts in the entire state to make it two out of three years.

Helsel has a theory that if a district does good things and works hard, the test scores will take care of themselves.

“The tests are not the end-all, be-all. The end-all, be-all is the future success of our students whatever their post-secondary endeavors entail. At Blue Mountain, we are focused on student learning. What’s important is our students,” Helsel said. “We just work very hard and are proud of what we do. We take pride in what we do. Ultimately, what’s important is our students and providing the best educational program we possibly can.”

“We have a very dedicated staff. We’re always trying to improve,” Belding said.

Hamburg’s chief learning officer, Teresa Freiwald, credited the district’s improvement in testing results from the 2015-16 school year to the 2016-17 school year to the teachers’ alignment of the curriculum and lessons to the standards.

“We are pleased that our students are doing well, however, we monitor success by reviewing more data than simply one test in a year. Rather than measuring success through a single test, we are monitoring student progress and making adjustments throughout the year. Hamburg teachers inure students are prepared for all assessments. They have access to several digital solutions which provide information about student progress. These programs allow teachers to diagnose concerns and deliver on-time prescriptive solutions based on the individual student needs,” Freiwald said in an email.

Upper Dauphin Superintendent Evan Williams said the students know it’s in their best interests to do well on the tests and credited them and the staff for helping them.

“Teachers deserve a lot of credit and the principals in the buildings for the hard work they put in. And the kids deserve credit for their efforts,” Williams said.

Shawn Fitzpatrick, Schuylkill Haven Area School District superintendent, credited the early childhood literacy program and other pre-K programs aimed at developing more prepared students.

“We have teachers that they don’t teach to the test. They provide a more well-rounded curriculum that covers what we need to cover,” Fitzpatrick said.

Schuylkill Haven doesn’t just focus on helping struggling students but also on creating a challenging curriculum that adds enrichment opportunities for students who are ahead of the curve.

He also credited parents, especially the ones who take the time to help children with their homework and read to them, since children who are read to early are introduced to 20,000 more words before kindergarten than those who are not read to.

Hazleton Area, which missed all averages, has 16 percent of its students receiving English as a second language services — the largest in the region. The population provides unique challenges to the district.

Reducing class size so teachers can give more attention to each student, which can lead to better test scores, jumped out as the top priority to Superintendent Brian Uplinger when he took the helm of the district this year.

The school board is trying to find more rooms for students and tentatively approved converting swimming pools to classrooms at four elementary/middle schools.

“Everybody learns differently,” said Uplinger, who wants lessons to “catch all the kids at the speeds they learn.”

While the state has seen modest gains in proficiency in tested subject areas the last few years, gains in Northeast Pennsylvania have been small or nonexistent. The federal government once expected all students to score at proficient levels on standardized tests, but the goal was “not attainable or even applicable,” Pedro A. Rivera, state secretary of education, said.

This fall the state will unveil a new system, the Future Ready PA Index, aimed at increasing transparency and accountability and looking at achievement beyond test scores.

“That aligns to the governor’s vision of providing a quality education to each student in the commonwealth,” Rivera said. “When you look at all of the factors, we’re maximizing our investments in education.”

View grading our schools databases here.

STAFF WRITERS SARAH HOFIUS HALL AND KENT JACKSON CONTRIBUTED TO THIS REPORT.

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

Deeds

Ashland — Brian K. Berger, individually and as administrator of the Estate of Robert L. Berger, to Brian K. Berger, Robert L. Berger Jr. and Nelson H. Berger; 204 W. Walnut St.; $1.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Acorn Estates LLC; 416 Centre St.; $9,500.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Gemini Lake; 1702 Walnut St.; $10,500.

Randall N. and Ruth K. Snyder to LTK Properties LLC; property on Route 61; $220,000.

Auburn — Thomas K. Fidler to Robert A. Grout; 202 N. Second St.; $132,600.

Butler Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Acorn Estates LLC; 312 Catherine St., Fountain Springs; $2,900.

Cass Township — Nicholas Pizzico, administrator C.T.A. of the Estate of Stanley J. Costick and administrator of the Estate of Stephen J. Costick, to Jonathan Moddy and Garrett Devitt; 0.77-acre property on Lytle Street; $3,200.

Coaldale — Lawrence Moyer to Roberto Purrone; 19 W. Phillips St.; $52,000.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to John M. Uher; property on East Moser Avenue; $2,284.

Delano Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Lyndsey C. Morgans; 91 Hazle St., Delano; $2,264.

East Norwegian Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Watermelon Realty LLC; 641 Fifth St.; $8,500.

East Union Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Acorn Estates LLC; 893 Center St., Sheppton; $2,134.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Vicki L. and Lewis P. Bevans; property at Kendall Circle and Golfwood Drive, Eagle Rock; $10,500.

Girardville — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Brooke L. Lawson; 2 W. Ogden St.; $2,800.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Sara K. Benjamin; 6 W. Ogden St.; $2,159.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Sara K. Benjamin; 5 W. Ogden St.; $1,964.

Mahanoy City — The Bank of New York Mellon to Bank of America NA; 424 E. Centre St.; $1.

Mahanoy Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Robert J. Wise; 19 Robinsons Road; $2,759.

Minersville — Deborah Ruth Kauffman to Thomas Frank Landers; 562 Lewis St.; $20,000.

Honganh Cunningham to Jamie R. and Keila Heberling; 549 N. Third St.; $21,500.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to R2 Investors LLC; 467 North St.; $2,700.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Adam Eckert; 417 N. Delaware Ave.; $6,200.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to R2 Investors LLC; 517 Pine Hill St.; $6,900.

Mount Carbon — Susan B. Farr to Philip J. Lorman; 72 Main St.; $29,900.

North Union Township — Alison M. Trinkoff to David J. and Sandra S. Parry and Parry Properties LLC; Lot 68B, Eagle Rock; $393,000.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Wezven Dorvil and Emmanuella Durogene; Lot 131EA, Eagle Rock; $45,349.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to E I Sunga Properties LLC; Lot 61EA, Eagle Rock; $45,349.

Orwigsburg — Rachael Zehner, by attorneys in fact Diane M. Brobst and Constance A. Teter, to Atkinson Industries Inc.; 0.709-acre property on Lincoln Ave.; $115,000.

Pine Grove — Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. to CR 2018 LLC; 42 E. Pottsville St.; $6,100.

Porter Township — Guy and Esther D. Lesher to Robert T. and Eva A. Lucas, Paul P. Zaharis and Patricia A. Lucas; 2-acre property on State Route 4011; $32,000.

Pottsville — Kimberly Huffman to Joel Huffman; 310 S. Second St.; $1.

Laura Joy-Salter to Brandon E. Joy; 607 Main St.; $1.

Loran Jay Parker to Michael A. Atkins; 250 N. 10th St.; $500.

Rush Township — Joseph S. and Patricia A. Balascik to Shawn P. and Jillian M. McArdle; 11 Eli St.; $210,000.

Florence L. Kashlak to Nancy L. Kashlak and Gail L. Roberts; 70 Mahanoy Ave., Hometown; $1.

Ryan Township — Elizabeth Mae Chappell to Joseph Shustack Jr.; 5.6-acre property; $1.

Saint Clair — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Gemini Lake; 228 N. Mill St.; $8,500.

Shenandoah — John J. Onisick to Adam Jevelle; 432 Furnace St., Turkey Run; $7,350.

Tamaqua — Debora A. Digilio to Alejandra Benigno DeJesus; 529 Washington St.; $28,000.

Walker Township — Richard S. Sinton to Amanda Brault; 1.127-acre property on Valley Road; $1.

Richard S. Sinton to Richard S. Sinton; 1.035-acre property on Wildcat Road; $1.

Wayne A. and Rhonda L. Zimmerman to Leslie J. and Bethany R. Martin; 153 Mountain Road; $170,000.

Washington Township — Willis W. and Martha H. Martin to Willis W. and Martha H. Martin; 3.0578-acre property on Hickory Road; $1.

Irene M. Heim to Laurie Humphrey; 1086 Rock Road, Rock; $1.

Robert D. and Linda M. Spittler to Willis W. and Martha H. Martin; 178 Hickory Road; $20,936.

Henry Sattizahn to Susan P. Somers; 337 Birds Hill Road; $1.

West Mahanoy Township — John P. and Patricia A. Sundy to John C. Sundy and Jessica A. Germer; 13 Lia Road; $1.

Madonna P. and Stanley Edward Szuler to Marion Renee Moyer; 165 Schuylkill Ave., Shenandoah Heights; $1.

West Penn Township — K. Christopher Weller, executor of the Estate of Emil K. Kunzmann, to Ellen H. Marino; 102 Retreat Road; $189,900.

Joseph C. Jr. and Dawn M. Orsulak to Daniel L. and Bonnie L. Wagner; 495 Rabbit Run Road, Andreas; $285,000.

This month’s article picks up where last month’s left off. I am alone in Tbilisi, Georgia, without money or passport, wondering how I’ll survive…

Puri, tsqali, bread and water. That’s what I had to eat, delicious Georgian bread baked in an oven that looks like a well. My first day in the city, I saw, literally, a hole in a wall. I went up to it and looked inside. I saw a woman bending over what appeared to be a well. When she stood up, she had a loaf of flatbread in her hands. Seeing me, very naturally, she came to the hole in the wall, the “entrance” to her bakery, and handed it to me. I gave her a five-lari bill. She handed me back a lot of change.

That’s how Georgian bread is made, in a well where, in the place of water, very hot embers burn. On the inner walls, the baker slaps strips of dough. After five minutes, with a metal spatula, she peels off a loaf of bread.

As for water, Georgia is known for its mountain springs. Although once considered prison punishment food, a piece of warm “puri,” a glass of Georgian mountain tsqali, bread and water, become a simple, noble meal. For me, it was my “daily bread.”

After another search of my apartment, realizing I’d really lost everything, I canceled my credit card and called a friend in France. He told me he was immediately heading to Western Union to send me some funds.

Money problems taken care of, I moved on to the next challenge: how to get a new passport. I’d traveled to Georgia as a French national although, I’ll admit, I don’t feel very “French.” I called the French consulate and was put through to the vice-consul. She told me the procedure to follow to apply for a new one. I’d need passport photos, a statement from the Georgian police declaring the loss and, most important, 96 euros. Without the money, there’d be no new passport.

When I explained I was waiting for a Western Union transfer, she advised me to go to an agency on Rustaveli Avenue, the “Fifth Avenue” of Tbilisi. There, she assured me, I could get money without a passport. I’d just have to mention the French Consulate had sent me.

Lucky for me, the bus in Tbilisi costs 20 cents and a ticket includes transfers. I took one bus, then another. New streets, new neighborhoods were rushing before my eyes. I saw a big fountain with a statue, Shota Rustaveli, Georgia’s national poet. The vice-consul had told me the bank was nearby. I got off at the next stop.

Inside the bank, I went to the Western Union counter. I explained what I’d been told at the French Consulate. The teller left me alone. When she returned, she said, “No money without a passport.”

I protested, asked her to call the consulate, and demanded to see the manager.

All my requests were granted, but by the time the call was made, the vice-consul had left for the weekend, and her assistant was adamant: without money, no passport, and getting the money was my problem, not hers.

The bank manager, speaking perfect English, also came to talk to me. She told me she’d have to phone headquarters; she could not decide on her own. I was invited to wait; I waited for almost four hours. By that time, the manager had gone home, a new shift of tellers had come on. One was on the phone. She looked in my direction. When she hung up, she approached me and said:

No passport, no money.

That was the final answer. It was 7:30 on a Friday evening. I had less than five dollars. The weekend was about to begin. I felt very alone.

Returning home by metro, I realized my stop was next to a police station. I walked in to make my declaration. I tried to explain in English, in French, in a few garbled words in Russian. The police got the gist; they found me someone who could speak English. She told me I was in the wrong place.

I had to go to another station. I was told to wait; I’d be taken there in a patrol car.

When it pulled up, I got in. A second later, we were travelling top speed, weaving in and out of traffic, running red lights — just like in a high-speed chase in the movies, and, you know what? It was a thrill.

A few hours later, I had my statement. I’d told my tale to an official translator who translated my words from French into Georgian. The document was typed, stamped and handed over to me, and I was very favorably impressed with Tbilisi’s finest.

But I still had no money. When I got back to the apartment, I tried to call my friend in France to give him an update. Except my phone did not work. I’d gone over budget; my provider had cut my service. Now I was cut off from the outside world.

It was almost midnight. I decided to go to bed. Like Scarlet O’Hara, I said to myself, “Tomorrow is another day.”

When morning came, I got up and looked out at blue sky. I breakfasted on bread and water. I counted my remaining coins. Enough for transport, more bread and water. I got dressed, headed out.

I’d come to Tbilisi to explore the city and that is what I was going to do. I climbed to the church of Mama Davidi (mama = papa in Georgian), who brought Christianity to Tbilisi in the sixth century; I visited the remains of a Zoroastrian fire temple; I wandered through streets where, in the 19th century, Russians built elegant summer palaces. I saw the opera, the city’s museums and new glass-and-chrome shopping centers. I also got lost in the labyrinth of the city’s central market, above and underground, around the main train station. I’ve been to bazars in Istanbul and Jerusalem, but never have I visited a market as all-encompassing as this one: it contained the world.

The day of walking exhausted me. That evening, it was bread and water again. Then I was tired and fell asleep.

The next morning, depression got the upper hand: I was alone, with no money, no phone. It was 6 a.m.; another day of bread and water was about to begin. I looked around the apartment. It was a mess. I decided to clean the place.

I started with the bed, removing the quilt. When I grabbed a corner, I felt something solid. I thrust my hand inside the quilt cover, as I thought I’d done the first day. When I pulled it out, I had my passport, my money and my bank card in hand.

Feeling faint, I had to sit down. All along, my identity and money had been nestling comfortably in my bed.

Later that morning, I went to a Western Union agency open on Sundays. I had my passport, now I could get the money, except that I’d declared my passport lost to the police. If I handed it over to a teller, would she have me arrested on the spot? Once again, my throat went dry. Behind her bullet-proof window, she looked at my passport and then made a phone call. I broke out in a sweat. An identity-check. A stolen passport. Jail.

But she returned my passport and handed me the money. I walked outside and took a deep breath. I was free and once again “me.”

In a Turkish restaurant, where I had my first real meal in Tbilisi, I mulled over what had just happened: a nightmare of my own creating, where I’d come as close to down and out as I’ve ever been.

I think it may have been the French passport, the problem of no longer knowing who I am or where I belong. Many dual nationals would understand.

I have long since returned to France, but my identity troubles have not ended. Today, I hover somewhere over the Atlantic, halfway between the United States and France.

(Honicker can be reached at honicker.republicanherald@gmail.com)

Schuylkill County District Attorney Michael A. O’Pake and the Schuylkill County detectives are asking the public to help locate a man wanted for failing to begin serving his prison sentence earlier this month.

Detectives said that on July 16, Dustin Renay Ballard was to begin his prison sentence of two to four years at a state prison followed by 12 months probation.

The original charges against Ballard were two felony counts of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, one felony count of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance concurrent to the other felony charges, two misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and one misdemeanor count of possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Ballard, 29, is described as being black, about 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing about 200 pounds. He has a last known address of 414 Front St., Pottsville, detectives said.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ballard or on any other fugitive in Schuylkill County is asked to call the district attorney’s office at 570-628-1350 or Schuylkill County Tip Line at 570-624-3988.

Information can also be given by email to dadd@co.schuylkill.pa.us.

In addition, detectives said that anyone who may see or come in contact with Ballard should call the Schuylkill County Communications Center or their local police department immediately.

All information received will remain confidential.

Detectives said a list of Schuylkill County bench warrants is available on the Schuylkill County website at www.co.schuylkill.pa.us.

There were 101 fugitive warrants served between July 1 and Friday, bringing the total of fugitive warrants served in 2018 to 677.

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

He was the star of the show during a political rally at the Mohegan Sun Arena leading up to the 2016 presidential election.

Republican candidate and future President Donald J. Trump was on stage, too.

Hunter Tirpak, 2, wowed the crowd dressed like a mini Trump and wearing the candidate’s wavy hairstyle. The Schuylkill County boy instantly got worldwide media attention after Trump held him on stage in front of the capacity crowd.

Hunter earned the nickname, “Baby Trump.”

“I was with him when I was Baby Trump,” Hunter, now 4, said recently, days before Trump readies to visit the arena again to campaign.

So will they share the stage again? That’s a wait-and-see because it’s still undecided if the family will be attending the event, his mother said.

Hunter doesn’t recall his time in the spotlight with Trump. Nor does he remember his media tour that included an appearance on the set of “Fox and Friends,” the morning show broadcast by Fox News. But he regularly watches video of those special moments.

“He says, ‘That was me when I was little.’ He says, ‘That’s me and Donald Trump,’ ” Hunter’s mother, Jessica Tirpak, said. “It’s something we will treasure forever.”

Hunter is attending preschool and playing soccer. His hair is trimmed. He wears eyeglasses. And he doesn’t get dressed up in a suit much anymore.

“Baby Trump now is Hunter Tirpak, but it’s something I want him to remember forever,” Tirpak said. “He’ll realize how unbelievable it was and how it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

During the October 2016 rally, the Tirpak family was in the crowd when a group of people started trying to get Trump’s attention. People helped Hunter’s parents get toward the stage and lift him up in the air so Trump could see. The future president then summoned the Secret Service to bring the boy on stage.

“He’s supposed to look like Donald Trump, but he’s much too good looking,” Trump said.

Hunter’s family was given VIP tickets for future Pennsylvania rallies in Hershey and Middletown, rallies Tirpak thinks pushed Trump over the edge to win Pennsylvania and the presidency.

Tirpak said she proudly is a “die hard” Trump supporter, but dislikes when people criticize her for the Baby Trump concept.

“From day one, when we started Baby Trump, it was to bring something positive to that crazy, negative campaign,” Tirpak said.

Contact the writer: bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2055

Police: Woman had

prohibited weapons

HEGINS — Hegins Township police reported filing charges Friday against a Spring Glen woman stemming from an incident on June 17.

Police said Shelia Hinkley, 28, was charged with prohibited offensive weapons as well as three traffic violations.

Police said Hinkley was stopped for a traffic violation and during the course of the investigation found to be in possession of a prohibited offensive weapon.

Charges against Hinkley were filed with Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi, Tremont, police said.

Woman charged in

theft of stool

VALLEY VIEW — A Sunbury woman was charged by Hegins Township police after an incident on June 1 in the township.

Police said Friday that Sophia Sulouff, 31, was charged with theft and that the charge was filed with Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi, Tremont.

Police said they received a report of the theft of a stool from a laundromat at 1046 W. Main St. and learned through an investigation that Sulouff took the stool without permission.

Police investigate

illegal dumping

HEGINS — Hegins Township police are investigating an incident of illegal dumping that was discovered recently.

Police said many garbage bags were dumped on property along Gap School Road by someone who then fled the area undetected.

Police are asking that anyone with information about this incident to contact them at 570-682-3133. All information received will remain confidential.

POTTSVILLE — A fire that started at 326 E. Norwegian St. left 15 people displaced and a firefighter in need of treatment Saturday.

The fire was called in at 7:12 p.m., and fire companies from Pottsville and other communities responded. It spread from 326 to 328 E. Norwegian St. The fire was contained around 9:20 p.m., Pottsville Assistant Fire Chief Chuck Bauers said. Firefighters were still on scene as of 10:15 p.m.

One firefighter was taken to a local hospital for what was believed to be heat exhaustion, Bauers said. A name was not provided.

Patty Daley, disaster relief captain of the Tri-County American Red Cross, said 15 people were affected by the fire and are being provided, food, clothing and lodging.

The residents at 326 E. Norwegian St. are George Yatsko, 65, and his wife, Colleen Troy, 59, and her mother, Marion Troy, 88. Colleen Troy said they had working smoke detectors but the home was not insured.

“We lost everything,” she said.

Colleen Troy said no one was home at the time of the fire. She and her husband were shopping in Reading when they got a phone call about the fire.

There are 12 residents of 328 E. Norwegian St.: Mark Tray, 52, and his wife, Maureen, 48, and children, Nicole, 27, Tessa, 25, Dakota, 22, Dustin, 21, Megan, 20, Dillon, 18, Mark, 17, Tyler, 16, Joshua, 15, and Tiffany, 12.

Maureen Tray said she called 911 when she saw the fire.

“We tried to put it out with a bucket,” Mark Tray said.

Several pets remain unaccounted for. Colleen Troy said her family’s dog survived but six cats, three birds, a rabbit and two turtles likely perished. In the Tray household, a dog and two cats escaped the blaze. Pottsville firefighter Collin Atkinson found a turtle that survived in the Tray house and gave it to Joshua.

Bauers said the department hasn’t begun investigating the fire yet, and he was unable to provide additional information as of press time Saturday.

Fire companies from Pottsville, Schuylkill Haven, Mar Lin, Saint Clair, Frackville, Tamaqua and Minersville responded as well as Schuylkill EMS and Pottsville police.

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

I love this time of the year because we still have plenty of summer left and the nights are getting a little longer. There is almost another full hour of nighttime and the sky is dark enough for star hunting by 10 p.m. The late summer skies are filled with celestial gems and this August also brings us three great planets!

The Mars show is without a doubt the marquee event this month in the Pottsville sky, despite the historic planetwide dust storm. Normally, Mars is the only planet in our solar system that you can see the surface of through a telescope, but that’s not going to happen as experts are forecasting this dust storm to continues for the next several months.

None the less, Mars and Earth are at their closest approach to each other since 2003. In fact, on Tuesday, Mars will be at its absolute closest to us at just under 36.8 million miles. Mars will be by far the brightest starlike object in the southern half of the sky all night long with an easily seen red-orange glow, although with the dust storm it’s taken on a more salmon hue. It rises early in the evening in the southeast and sets in the southwest during morning twilight.

While Mars is getting all the headlines in August, Jupiter and Saturn are also fantastic telescope targets, with Jupiter’s moons and Saturn’s ring system. At nightfall, Jupiter is shining brightly in the south-southwestern sky and Saturn is just off to the lower left in the low south-southeast skies.

Jupiter is nearly as bright as Mars. Meanwhile, the very bright planet Venus pops up in the very low western sky in the evening twilight, but sets shortly thereafter.

In addition to the planet show, we also have a meteor shower to catch this month. The Perseid Meteor Shower, one of the best meteor showers of the year, peaks early next week around Aug. 11-13. It will be wonderful this year because the moon will be pretty much out of the sky by then, and the meteors or “shooting stars” will be much more visible in the darker skies. I’ll have more on the Perseids in next week’s Starwatch.

Along with Mars, Saturn and Jupiter, the low southern sky this month is also the home of classic constellations. There’s Scorpius the Scorpion with the bright, brick-red star Antares at the heart of the scorpion. It’s one of those few constellations that looks like what it’s supposed to be. In the low southeast sky is Sagittarius, which is supposed to be a half-man/half-horse shooting an arrow. Forget about that, most people I know refer to it by its nickname, “The Teapot.”

The brightest star in the night sky right now is Arcturus parked in the high western sky. Arcturus is also the brightest star in the constellation Bootes the Hunting Farmer. Bootes looks more like a giant kite, with the orange reddish star Arcturus at the tail of the kite.

The second brightest star in the evening heavens is Vega, the bright star in a small, faint constellation called Lyra the Lyre, or Harp. Vega is a brilliant bluish-white star perched high over the eastern sky, almost overhead.

Vega and the small faint parallelogram just to the lower east of Vega are supposed to outline a celestial harp in the sky. If you’re quiet enough, you may even hear the music.

As you continue to look eastward, you’ll notice two other bright stars that form a triangle with Vega. This is known as the “Summer Triangle.” The star to the lower left of Vega is Deneb, the brightest star in Cygnus the Swan, otherwise known as the “Northern Cross” for obvious reasons. The star to the lower right of Vega is Altair, the brightest star in the constellation Aquila the Eagle.

In the northern sky, we have the famous dippers. The Big Dipper, which is actually the rear end and the tail of the Big Bear Ursa Major, is hanging lazily by its handle, or tail if you please, in the high northwestern sky.

The Little Dipper, which is the same as the Little Bear, is standing up on its handle and is much dimmer than the Big Dipper. Sadly, it’s darn near invisible in the metro area, with the exception of the outer ring of suburbs. The only really bright star in the Little Dipper is Polaris, otherwise known as the North Star, at the end of the handle.

Polaris is by no means the brightest star in the sky, but it is the “lynch pin” because every single star and planet, including the sun and moon, appear to revolve around it every 24 hours.

That’s because Polaris is shining directly above the Earth’s North Pole, and as our world rotates all of the stars appear to us to whirl around the North Star.

(Lynch, an amateur astronomer and professional broadcast meteorologist, can be reached at mikewlynch@comcast.net)

POTTSVILLE — Fire damaged a double home in the city late Friday night, leaving seven people temporarily homeless.

Pottsville firefighters were called for a report of a structure fire at 309 N. Seventh St. at 11:23 p.m., a supervisor with the Schuylkill County Communications Center said.

He said all Pottsville fire companies responded along with an aerial truck from the Minersville Fire Department and the Schuylkill Haven Fire Department Rapid Intervention Team.

Pottsville Assistant Fire Chief Chuck Bauers said the fire originated in the basement of 309 N. Seventh St. and that firefighters were able to contain the flames to that part of the house.

“It ended up being a basement fire in 309 and it was contained to the basement,” Bauers said.

The fire was brought under control quickly.

“We had a pretty good hit on it,” Bauers said.

He said the basement of the 309 home had a lot of fire damage but the first and second floors sustained minor smoke and heat damage.

The neighboring home at 307 N. Seventh St. had minor smoke damage and a little water on the first floor due to hoses going through.

“There was no water thrown in 307,” he said.

Bauers said no injuries were reported and that five people lived in the 309 N. Seventh St. side of the home and two people in the 307 side of the dwelling.

Bauers said the 307 N. Seventh St. side of the home only needs the smoke to be cleared while the home at 309, where the fire started, has more damage but can be repaired.

He said all of the occupants were assisted by the American Red Cross Tri-County Chapter.

Crews cleared the scene at 1:55 a.m., the supervisor said.

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

HOMETOWN — Rush Township is asking for the community’s support of a proposed disc golf course at Ryan Memorial Park.

Randy Shreve, of Tamaqua, said plans are to install an 18-hole course by autumn.

“We’re looking for monetary donations for hole sponsorships and course maintenance,” said Shreve, a park volunteer who presented plans at the township supervisors meeting on July 19.

A donation of $250 covers the purchase and installation of a target, or hole. A sign listing the sponsor will be placed at the hole, he said.

Eventually, plans are to install 21 holes within the 26-acre park near the intersection of Keller and Ye Olde Hauto roads in Hometown.

“It’s something that can be played year-round,” he said of the game, which is similar to golf but uses flying discs instead of clubs and balls.

Shreve hopes to start disc golf leagues and hold tournaments at the park. Ryan Memorial also has tennis courts.

Supervisors Vice Chairman Robert Leibensperger said the township intends to install walking trails and a sledding hill.

To donate to disc golf, or toward any township park, call the township office at 570-668-2938.

Volunteers are also needed to help maintain the parks, Leibensperger said.

In an unrelated matter, Police Chief Kenneth Zipovsky said the department has been receiving many complaints about speeding.

“We’re going to have traffic enforcement in those areas to see if there is a problem and what we can do to address it,” he said.

Zipovsky added that the department will use a grant to enhance police services. With the grant, the township will have more officers on the streets but will not need to increase taxes, he said.

Also during the meeting, the supervisors hired Rachael Lenar and Abviud Carvajal as part-time police officers at a rate of $20 per hour.

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

PRIMROSE — It was all things Ukrainian at St. Nicholas Grove on Sunday as people came to enjoy and learn about the heritage and culture during the 84th annual Ukrainian Seminary Day.

Visitors enjoyed a new, more open view of the park with old trees and their roots being removed in order to make the ground more level for easier walking. New trees have been planted for future shade.

As is tradition, the ethnic festival began with the importance of the Catholic faith at the forefront with the celebration of a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at 11 a.m. with the Most Rev. Andriy Rabiy, apostolic administrator of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia. This was Rabiy’s first Divine Liturgy celebrated as administrator after being appointed by Pope Francis to the position following the resignation of Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka, effective April 16.

This year’s Ukrainian Seminary Day commemorated Soroka for his 17 years of episcopal service as the archeparchy’s archbishop and as metropolitan to all Ukrainian Catholics in the United States.

Rabiy was the main celebrant, with priests from the 12 parishes of the South Anthracite Deanery as concelebrants. The deanery (protopresbytery) churches sponsor the event under the leadership of their respective pastors.

As the liturgy began, Rabiy spoke about praying for special intentions: For increased vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and for those who suffered with torrential rains in the area.

During his homily, Rabiy spoke of the resignation of Soroka while he was an auxiliary bishop in Philadelphia, and he was chosen to be apostolic administrator.

“This is how I am actually here and I wanted to introduce myself,” Rabiy said. “My position is apostolic administrator. To understand that, it’s like a substitute teacher basically until someone else comes here to be a permanent metropolitan-archbishop.”

Message in psalm

For Rabiy, this was his first time at the festival and to celebrate the service. The homily focused on Psalm 22, which begins “My God, my God, why did you abandon me?” Those are the words spoken by Jesus Christ while on the cross.

Rabiy read the entire psalm and connected what happened on the cross to everyday life.

“When we consider whatever happened in today’s Gospel, and we consider even our own lives and situations, how many times do we or somebody we know that may be pointing to the same thing,” Rabiy said. “Something very drastic happened, such as suddenly a dear one passed away or someone is very ill. And we are praying and asking God to look down and please heal your servant. I’m pleading and believe so much in you that you can heal me. There are times when things just don’t go right in our lives.”

Rabiy said the difficult times cause many to pray, light candles, go to church more frequently and do other things to ask God for help that doesn’t seem to come.

“And it seems the answer is not coming and you start to wonder how come,” the bishop said. “It’s challenging us. It’s challenging the power of prayer and challenges the existence of God, too.”

He said some people become disheartened when the answer is not heard, but there is always a connection with God, especially at a Divine Liturgy when Jesus Christ is received in the Holy Eucharist to assure God does listen and cares about every one.

Picnic and culture

After the liturgy, many left the hall and headed straight to the ticket booth to buy tickets for the many ethnic homemade food items. There was a long line for the ever-popular bleenies. People also enjoyed pyrohy, halupki, haluski, kielbasi and sausage sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs and soups. There was also a lemko platter, which included kielbasi, sauerkraut, rye bread, a halupki and choice of halushki or pyrohy. There were games for children and adults.

Ukrainian arts and crafts, including embroidery and pysanky demonstrations were available.

The outdoor entertainment began with a live outdoor polka broadcast by WPPA-AM, which was followed by a dance program by the Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble in the open air band pavilion. Brand new this year was the vocal group Spiv Zhytta with “Living in Song.” The vocal group is from Washington, D.C., and performed traditional and classic Ukrainian songs. The entertainment continued with the John Stevens’ Doubleshot Polka Band that entertained with polka and dance music from 4 to 8 p.m. to conclude the festival.

There were many vendors with all varieties of crafts, most related to the Ukrainian culture. Georgine Borchick displayed her works with the art of pysanky (decorated eggs) and held workshops during the day. Kim Fritzges demonstrated the art of writing icons.

Beginnings in park

“Ukrainian Catholic Seminary Day” began in 1934 in Lakewood Park, Barnesville, and continued through the 50th anniversary held in July 1983. Seminary Day was a “coming home event” for many Ukrainians who left to work in defense plants in the larger cities. “Seminary Days” at Lakewood Park ended in 1983, the year the park closed.

“Ukrainian Seminary Day” was revived in 1985 and moved to St. Nicholas Picnic Grove, Primrose. From 1985 through 2017, the event has raised $900,000 for St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Seminary in Washington, D.C., the only such seminary in the United States. As a fundraiser for the seminary, the event is unique in that it is the only one where a group of parishes join forces to raise funds.

The first major immigration of Ukrainians to the United States was between 1870 to 1899, the first of four waves of immigration. In 1884, St. Michael the Archangel Greek Catholic Church, Shenandoah, was the first Eastern Catholic church founded in America. The first Ukrainian American organization in the United States was founded in 1894 in Shamokin as the Ukrainian National Association, which still exist and is based in New Jersey.

This year’s program booklet featured Soroka and his 17 years as metropolitan-archbishop with many photos.

The South Anthracite Deanery includes 12 churches in the counties of Schuylkill (Frackville, Maizeville, McAdoo, Middleport, Minersville, Saint Clair and Shenandoah), Luzerne (Hazleton), Northumberland (Marion Heights, Mount Carmel and Shamokin) and Columbia (Centralia).

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

POTTSVILLE — The cause of a fire that severely damaged two homes in Pottsville on Saturday night remains under investigation.

Pottsville Assistant Fire Chief Chuck Bauers said fire was reported at 7:12 p.m. and brought under control a little over two hours later.

Bauers said the blaze is believed to have started on the second floor of a home at 326 E. Norwegian St. occupied by three people.

From there, Bauers said, the fire spread to 228 E. Norwegian St. where an additional 12 people resided.

Although officials believe the fire started on the second floor of 326 E. Norwegian, exactly how remains under investigation.

The investigation into the cause is being conducted by the Pottsville Fire Department, the Pottsville Police Department and a state police fire marshal, the assistant chief said.

“Right now it’s under investigation,” Bauers said.

None of the occupants were hurt but, Bauers said, one firefighter was taken to a local hospital for treatment of heat exhaustion.

Those displaced by the fire were assisted by the American Red Cross Tri-County Chapter.

Patty Daley, disaster captain, said the occupants are being provided with food, clothing and lodging.

She identified the 12 residents of 328 E. Norwegian St. as Mark Tray, 52, and his wife, Maureen, 48, and children, Nicole, 27, Tessa, 25, Dakota, 22, Dustin, 21, Megan, 20, Dillon, 18, Mark, 17, Tyler, 16, Joshua, 15, and Tiffany, 12.

The occupants of 326 E. Norwegian St. were identified by Daley as George Yatsko, 65, his wife, Colleen Troy, 59, and her mother, Marion Troy, 88.

Bauers said both homes sustained extensive fire, smoke and water damage.

A gofundme page has been set up in order to help the Tray family at https://www.gofundme.com/the-tray-family-lost-their-home.

In addition to Saturday’s blaze, a fire that damaged a home in the city late Friday night also remains under investigation.

Firefighters were called to 309 N. Seventh St. at 11:23 p.m. and found fire in the basement.

Crews were able to contain the fire to the basement keeping the majority of damage to that area of the house.

The remainder of the building sustained minor smoke and water damage, Bauers said.

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

James K. Reiley

POTTSVILLE — A Pottsville woman charged with stabbing her niece with a knife on May 21 waived her right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville.

Lori Ann Hardy, 52, of 727 N. Second St., was arrested by Pottsville police Patrolman Paul Olson and charged with one count each of aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

By waiving her right to a hearing, Hardy will now have to answer to all three charges against her in Schuylkill County Court.

Olson charged Hardy with an incident at her home where she allegedly stabbed Samina Borinsky on her left side. Olson said Borinsky was also bleeding heavily from her face due to the assault.

Other court cases included:

Isaac A. Boom, 33, of 250 E. Liberty St., Schuylkill Haven; withdrawn: defiant trespass.

Kenneth VanHorn, 39, of 39 W. Spruce St., Mahanoy City; held for court: simple assault and harassment.

Robert W. Haines, 26, of 328 N. 12th St., Room 2, Pottsville; waived for court: theft, receiving stolen property, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, conspiracy and driving without a license.

Jessica L. Wenrich, 28, of 63 Dutchtown Road, Ashland; withdrawn: disorderly conduct and public drunkenness. Wenrich pleaded guilty to summary disorderly conduct and paid fines and costs.

Melissa Taylor, 32, of 1942 W. Market St., Pottsville; waived for court: fraudulently obtaining food stamps or assistance.

Tyler M. Olanich, 29, of 55 Caroline Ave., Pottsville; held for court: disorderly conduct, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ashley B. Glover, 28, of 91 Broad St., Ashland; waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without insurance.

Samina L. Vinetti Borinsky, 29, of Box 1079, Pottsville; waived for court: simple assault.

Amber L. Faust, 30, of 10 E. Liberty St., Schuylkill Haven; waived for court: furnishing drug-free urine.

Star Aileen Kline, 23, LKA 219 N. Centre St., Apt. 1C Rear, Pottsville; waived for court: aggravated harassment by prisoner.

Edward J. Polusky III, 29, of 614 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville; waived for court: possession of a controlled substance.

Dylan Dallago, 26, of 216 Birdshill Road, Pine Grove; held for court: defiant trespass.

Tegan L. Olson, 29, of 1001 First St., Mechanicsville; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, careless driving, failure to wear safety belts, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

David C. Miller, 29, of 65 Sunny Drive, MaryD; waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Matthew A. Derr, 40, of 800-9 N. Second St., Pottsville; waived for court: criminal trespass, possession of a controlled substance and public drunkenness.

Joshua T. Whalen, 26, of 134 S. Third St., Saint Clair; waived for court: DUI, DUI-high rate and period for requiring lighted lamps.

Ivana A. Jimenez, 21, of 510 Howard Ave., Pottsville; waived for court: simple assault.

Logan Leigh Webber, 20, of 515 E. Arch St., Pottsville; waived for court: simple assault and harassment.

David M. Bilsak, 41, of 17 Snyder Ave., McAdoo; held for court: criminal trespass, possession of a controlled substance and defiant trespass.

David A. Plachko

PORT CARBON — A man charged with assaulting two Minersville police officers on May 14 appeared for a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko.

Jaime William Falu, 27, LKA 504 Laurel St., Minersville, was arrested by Patrolman Ashley Michel and charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and criminal mischief.

Prosecutors withdrew the simple assault and disorderly conduct charges and Falu waived the remaining three offenses to Schuylkill County Court.

Michel charged Falu with exiting his apartment, chasing two men in the 300 block of North Street and the “jumping” one of them.

Michel said that when she and Branch Township police Patrolman William Kattner tried to take Falu into custody for the assault and also on an outstanding warrant, he resisted and a scuffle began that resulted in Kattner’s glasses being broken.

Other court cases included:

Charles D. Strouse III, 26, of 633 FIfth St., Port Carbon; withdrawn: possession of a controlled substance and DUI-controlled substance. Waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia and no headlights.

Nicholas T. Bowman, 38, of 26 W. Donaldson Road, Tremont; withdrawn: materially false written statements for the purchase, delivery or transfer of a firearm. Waived for court: unsworn falsification to authorities.

Steven Reed, 50, of 38 Washington St., Box 143, Middleport; waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

David C. Miller, 29, of 307 Mahantongo St., Pottsville; waived for court: retail theft.

Traci Ann Dietrich, 50, of 19 S. Sillyman St., Cressona; waived for court: criminal trespass and theft.

David R. Collins Jr., 26, of 345 Prospect St., Pottsville; waived for court: criminal trespass.

Caleb M. Johnson, 18, of 36 Park St., Schuylkill Haven; waived for court: possession of a weapon on school property.

James Schwalm, 45, of 5 Quality St., Minersville; waived for court: theft of services.

Jenny Miller, 46, of 220 S. Morris St., Saint Clair; waived for court: driving a vehicle without a valid inspection, driving without insurance, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Tami Lynn Maurer, 35, of 145 Willow St., Barnesville; waived for court: retail theft.

Scott A. Wagner, 47, of 351 Prospect St., Pottsville; held for court: harassment.

Crystal Barkow, 28, of 314 North St., Minersville; held for court: disorderly conduct.

Robert J. Roundtree, 49, of 49 Water St., New Philadelphia; waived for court: driving with a suspended or revoked license and possession of a controlled substance.

Shane D. Stoops, 29, of 189 Winfield Drive, Box 114, Middleport; dismissed: simple assault and harassment.

Lori Webber, 45, of 204 Valley St., New Philadelphia; held for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Franklin C. Krammes, 37, of 1153 E. Norwegian St., Pottsville; waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia and driving a vehicle without a valid inspection.

Danielle A. Willard, 32, of 210 N. Third St., Hamburg; dismissed: DUI-controlled substance, endangering the welfare of children, possession of a controlled substance, following too closely and turning movements and required signals.

Derek K. Crisafulli, 31, of 140 Carbon St., Minersville; waived for court: DUI, DUI-high rate, disregard for single traffic lane and careless driving.

Kevin A. Reber, 49, of 515 W. Centre St., Mahanoy City; waived for court: DUI, DUI-highest rate and careless driving.

Stephen J. Bayer

Defendants whose cases Magisterial District Judge Steven J. Bayer considered, the charges against each one and the judge’s disposition on the matters, included:

Savanah Searfoss, 21, of 17 Snyder Ave., McAdoo; held for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Enrique Ortiz Jr., 48, of 641 Pine Creek Road, Barnesville; waived for court: DUI, possession of marijuana, driving with an alcohol level of 0.02 percent or higher while under license suspension, driving a vehicle without a valid inspection and disregard for single traffic lane.

Justin R. Moyer, 32, of 242 W. Ridge St., Coaldale; waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Travis K. Christman, 26, of 223 East St., Coaldale; dismissed: harassment.

Sean W. Snibbe, 35, of 430 E. Broad St., Tamaqua; withdrawn: simple assault. Waived for court: disorderly conduct.

Francis R. Styka, 48, of 233 E. Washington St., McAdoo; waived for court: DUI, DUI-highest rate and careless driving.

Michael A. Mattox, 26, of 324 Hazle St., Tamaqua; waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia and false identification to law enforcement.

Robyn L. Erney, 26, of 423 Hazle St., Tamaqua; waived for court; possession of drug paraphernalia and false identification to law enforcement.

Jacque M. Lehman, 45, of 1720 Running Deer Drive, Auburn; waived for court: retail theft.

Nicole Baer, 30, of 114 Green St., Tamaqua; waived for court: simple assault, harassment, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

David R. Green, 66, of 44 Mauch Chunk St., Apt. 7, Tamaqua; waived for court: possessing instruments of crime, theft from a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property and loitering and prowling at night.

FRIEDENSBURG — St. John’s Reformed Church had a very special Sunday as its new pastor became an ordained minister during a rite of ordination service.

The service to ordain Matthew Kenitzer had many people who saw the blessing of having him at their church.

Kenitzer, 37, was born in Greeley, Colorado, in 1981, moved to Saratoga Springs, New York, in 1988, and then to Salem, Oregon, in 1993. He is married to Shea Kenitzer, and the couple has two daughters, Ada and Jovi, and a third daughter, Olive, is expected to be born Sept. 15.

Kenitzer earned a bachelor’s degree in fine art and graphic design from the College of Idaho, Caldwell, Idaho, in 2003, and earned his master’s of divinity degree in Christian ministry and biblical languages from Corban University, Salem, Oregon, in 2018. He also studied at Calvin Theological Seminary.

He was a pastoral intern for 1 1/2 years at Sunnyslope Christian Reformed Church in Salem, Oregon. He became senior pastor St. John’s on June 10.

The church is a member of the Evangelical Association of Reformed and Congregational Christian Churches, also known as the Evangelical Association, which is a growing national voluntary association of churches, ministers and believers networking together to further the cause of Lord Jesus Christ, according to its website. Recognition in the association is fully compatible with the participation in other denominations and associations.

Before the service, Kenitzer spoke of the difference between an ordained pastor and one that is not.

“Basically, being an ordained pastor means that you can do marriages now, which is a big component of it, as well as funerals and that type of thing,” Kenitzer said. “But being able to preach the word of God as a pastor, doing benediction, doing the call to worship is so important.”

Association leadership attended and participated in the service, such as the Rev. Jim Barnes, national minister, who presented the sermon; the Rev. Bill Miller, a board of directors member and the regional representative; and the Rev. Richard Dubbs Jr., board member and secretary.

“If there are any other ordained pastors here today, they will come up and lay hands on me,” Kenitzer said. “Then I’ll get presented with certificates of organization. I feel good. I’m already here as a pastor, so that helps being here for a little over a month. It’s been something I’ve worked for the past six years. I’m just ready for the next step and be fully immersed in the congregation.”

Opening remarks were made by Miller, who has served at the church.

“For our call to worship, I have simply chosen part of what the psalmist said, ‘This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it,’ ” he said. “It’s a day of rejoicing and a big day here at St. John’s Church.”

The next to speak was Bob Stump, the president of the church consistory.

“We are assembled today to ordain the brother, Matthew Kenitzer, to the sacred office and work of the sacred ministry in accordance with the word of God and the order of the Reformed Church,” Stump said. “Let us therefore invoke the aid and blessings of almighty God upon this service. Let us pray. We are thankful God’s salvation in calling Matt to the ministry and building his church in the proclamation of the Gospel. God works mightily in the areas for his glory and the building of his kingdom.”

Barnes presented the sermon and spoke of the importance of ordination.

“It is my privilege and honor for this very important celebration — the celebration of Matt’s ordination,” Barnes said. “Ordination is essentially a once-in-a-lifetime event. So what you are witnessing today is only something that only happen once in Matt’s life. It is very important, therefore, because at this moment you, as a church, are ordaining him into Christian ministry and placing the yoke of Christ’s under-shepherd on him, saying that you have found in him a pastor worthy of carrying that yoke from now up until the day he dies, so it is a very, very important and serious time.”

After the service, the church hosted a dinner for the celebration.

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