Happy New Year from the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau!

A new year calls to mind resolutions and at the visitors bureau, our resolution is to work hard at giving you reasons to explore and enjoy Schuylkill County so we’ve created a Skook New Year’s resolution list!

Now, we know most people don’t keep their new year’s resolutions. In fact, 92 percent of all new year’s resolutions are broken with 80 percent of them broken by February, but we feel confident that we’ll be able to keep ours and help you enjoy our community throughout all of 2019.

Keep in mind that this list merely scratches the surface. You can go to our website at www.schuylkill.org to sign up for our e-newsletter and peruse our craft beverage trail, online maps and other resources. You can also stop by the visitors center and pick up the brand new 2019 Visitors’ Guide, the Schuylkill County Outdoor Recreation Map, Schuylkill River Trail Map and Northeast Pennsylvania Hiking and Biking Trails Map. We know that with all of this at your disposal, plus the Skook New Year’s resolution list, we’re going to succeed in keeping our resolution and you’re going to enjoy everything Schuylkill County has to offer in 2019!

• Take a painting, pottery or drawing class at Tamaqua Community Arts Center, Mud & Maker, Pottsville, The Arts Barn or Walk In Art Center, both in Schuylkill Haven.

• Enjoy delicious fresh fruit and vegetables every week at the Hometown Farmers Market, Stone Mountain Wine Cellars, Pine Grove, or Little Peace Farms, Schuylkill Haven.

• Delve deep (1,800 feet deep to be exact) into our Anthracite mining heritage and go on the Pioneer Tunnel Mine Tour, Ashland.

• Test your competitive eating mettle and enter the grilled cheese challenge at Wheel Restaurant, Pottsville, or the pierogie-eating contest at Pottsville On Tap.

• Have a special family photo taken at Hope Hill Lavender Farm, Schuylkill Haven. Details are on their website at hopehilllavenderfarm.com.

• Reach new heights hiking to the top of Hawk Mountain, Drehersville.

• Try something different and camp in a yurt at Tuscarora State Park, Barnesville.

• Improve your putt with a round of mini golf at Heisler’s Dairy Bar, Lewistown Valley.

• Celebrate the 190th Anniversary of American’s Oldest Brewery by taking some friends on the Yuengling Brewery tour, Pottsville.

• Take a relaxing break with java and crepes at Pressed Coffee & Books, Pottsville.

• Learn some innovative ways to improve your health and overall well-being with interesting foods and ideas from Peace Frog Natural Foods and Healthy Habits Market, Pottsville.

• Embrace our community’s eastern European roots with the many delicacies Kowalonek’s Kielbasy Shop, Shenandoah, has to offer.

• Treat someone you love to an indulgence from Something Sweet Candies, Pottsville, C&C’s Candies, Friedensburg, and Momma Millie’s, Pottsville.

• Try your hand at something new at Alchemist’s Cove Games and Comics, Schuylkill Haven.

• Share tapas with friends at The Crimson House, Pottsville.

Enjoy a pint at The Speakeasy Secret Room, a reputed Molly Maguire’s hangout since 1866, at the Wooden Keg, Saint Clair.

• Give your taste buds a thrill with the famous pickle pizza at Roma Pizzeria and Restaurant, Pottsville, or the over-the-top “big mac pizza” at Red Lion Café, Pine Grove.

• Start training for the 2020 Yuengling Light Lager Jogger race in Pottsville and register in early October!

• Take off into blue skies on your own tour with the good folks at the Schuylkill County airport, Mount Pleasant.

• Create your very own pour tour on our craft beverage trail at www.schuylkill.org/pour-tours-and-more.

• Experience the German biergarten atmosphere of Stoker’s Brewing Company, Tamaqua, and fill a growler to take home too!

• Hit the newer completed sections of the Schuylkill River Trail or make tracks with Schuylkill On the Move.

• Get muddy on more than 600 mapped miles of trails with Famous Reading Outdoors.

• Build a snowman at Pottsville Winterfest on Jan. 12.

• Kick up your heels at the annual Girardville St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

• Step back in time at Jerry’s Classic Cars & Collectibles Museum, Pottsville.

• Discover our unique collective history and volunteer at the Schuylkill County Historical Society, Pottsville.

(Gargano is executive director of Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau)

WASHINGTON — State Rep. Jerry Knowles could not pass up a chance to see Dan Meuser sworn in Thursday as the new congressman for the 9th District.

“It’s a great day for Schuylkill County,” Knowles, R-124, Rush Township, said while attending a celebration at Meuser’s capital office with approximately 60 other well-wishers from the district. “Dan will serve us well. We look forward to working with him.”

Meuser, of Dallas, Luzerne County, was one of the 435 representatives to take the oath of office Thursday. His 9th District includes all of Carbon, Columbia, Lebanon, Montour and Schuylkill counties and parts of Berks, Luzerne and Northumberland counties.

He defeated Columbia County Democrat Denny Wolff in November to win the seat, which was created as part of the court-ordered statewide redistricting.

Carbon County state Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-122, is as happy as Knowles to be represented in Congress by a fellow Republican.

“It’s an excellent day to be at the Capitol and watch democracy in action,” Heffley said. “I think he’s going to be a great representative for Carbon County. It’s refreshing to have somebody we can work with again.”

Schuylkill County Controller Christy Joy said Meuser fits in with the county better than the former representative, Lackawanna County Democrat Matt Cartwright.

“It’s a great day for Schuylkill County to have local leadership to match our values,” Joy said. “I hope he takes the time to enjoy this privilege.”

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

A state park conservation group invites the public to come enjoy a post-holiday hootenanny this weekend in southern Schuylkill County.

Vinegar Creek Constituency, a Lancaster-based bluegrass/folk band, will be playing at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Sweet Arrow Lake Clubhouse, 108 Clubhouse Road, Pine Grove, as part of Sweet Arrow Arts in the Park program. The performance is free and open to the public, according to Denise Donmoyer, president of the nonprofit Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation Association, which organizes arts in the park. The program is made possible through an arts grant from the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation, she said.

Vinegar Creek, which just returned from a tour in Europe, “channels the venerable old ghosts of American bluegrass and folk music tradition through imaginative, emotive original songs delivered with rock ’n’ roll intensity,” according to the band’s website.

“They are very energetic entertainers and they do good, traditional bluegrass melodies. … Some foot-stomping is going to be going on,” Donmoyer said excitedly of the five-piece band. “We’ve had a great arts program this past year and Vinegar Creek will probably be the culmination of this year’s round of entertainment.”

And quite a fitting culmination it’s set to be, Donmoyer said, considering the 2018 acts Vinegar Creek is following, which were unique in their own right.

“We try to bring performing arts here that people might not otherwise get to see in the county. The grant funding helps us to do that. But we do go out and scout our groups, so to speak, and try only to bring in the very best for the people. Because of the help with the funding, we’re usually able to offer these programs free to the public. We like to do that since we are a county park. We try to bring in different genres of music and different cultural things” such as Kaska Ukrainian Dancers and Irish dancing groups, Donmoyer said.

In keeping the performances free and the acts greatly varying, Donmoyer hopes the arts in the park program will draw visitors to the park who may not otherwise get to enjoy its serenity.

“Our purpose is to protect and preserve the lake, but also to make it a place for people to come and enjoy, because historically, that’s what it’s always been,” Donmoyer said, adding that she and the conservation group are grateful for the grant from SACF that helps them fulfill that purpose.

“I think we are so fortunate to have the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation here,” she said. “They do a lot of good, and they have certainly helped us out quite a bit to pull off” these performances.

The next Sweet Arrow Arts in the Park event has yet to be announced as the group is awaiting the next round of grants, Donmoyer said, but the Groundhog Day celebration will be held again at the lake in February with musician Matthew Dodd performing.

Contact the writer: dprosick@republicanherald.com

Police investigating an officer-involved shooting following a Dec. 18 high speed chase in Carbon County are looking to speak to a witness, but they don’t know her identity.

Police with the Pennsylvania State Police Major Case Team at the Lehighton barracks are attempting to identify a woman who stopped at the J&N gas station on Broad Street (Route 93) in Beaver Meadows the day of the incident. She reported a white van driving erratically to Beaver Meadows Police Chief Mike Morresi. There is no picture of the woman available, but anyone with information on her identity is asked to call Cpl. Brian Silliman at the Lehighton barracks at 610-681-1850. Police said they just wanted to speak to her as a witness to the incident.

Investigators have already interviewed numerous people, some of them more than once, according to police.

The encounter began in Beaver Meadows with a 5:10 p.m. traffic stop by Morresi for vehicle code violations but the driver of the van, Mitchell L. Knight, 27, of Sun City, Florida, took off and a 17-mile chase ensued on Route 93 south through the borough and onto Route 209, where several local police departments forced them to stop near Court Street in Franklin Township, police said. Knight drove the white 2018 Dodge Caravan with New Jersey plates at speeds up to 90 mph during the pursuit with passengers inside and while passing other vehicles on the road.

An unidentified municipal police officer deployed vehicle spike strips in an attempt to disable and stop the vehicle, according to police.

The occupants refused to get out of the van once it was stopped, so multiple officers approached it to take them into custody. A struggle ensued between an unnamed municipal police officer and a man in the van and the man was hit by a bullet, according to police.

Danny Washington, 27, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, sustained the gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at a hospital that day, according to the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office. Police said he was shot in the torso. The cause of death was a gunshot wound, and the manner of death was a homicide.

Police continue to investigate the incident that involved a vehicle pursuit through multiple municipalities and commercial and residential areas.

Knight was charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police, possession of marijuana, four counts reckless endangerment and one count resisting arrest, among various traffic violations, to include driving without a license. He was taken to jail after failing to post $1 million bail.

Knight and his passengers, Cedric Cason, 39; Tyrone Parker Jr., 19, and Creshaun Caldwell, 23, all of Florida, each face multiple counts of receiving stolen property after police said stolen checks from Mayfield were tossed from the van during the chase and were found on Route 93. They too remain in jail, unable to post the bails against them.

Each of their cases are still pending in Magisterial District Judge William Kissner’s office in Palmerton. The foursome were scheduled to attend preliminary hearings Tuesday, but those hearings were postponed to a date and time not yet set by the court.

Contact the writer: achristman@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3584

Educators and students at Hazleton Area High School had much to celebrate in December.

First, Hazleton Area School District recorded a milestone accomplishment by being named to the ninth annual Advanced Placement District Honor Roll.

The district was one of only 373 in the United States and Canada to be so honored. It’s an elite group, as there are more than 14,000 school districts in the United States alone.

In addition, Hazleton Area is one of only 51 of those districts that have 30 percent or higher underrepresented minority students.

To make the honor roll, a school district must have simultaneously achieved increases in access to advanced placement courses for a broader number of students and maintained or improved the rate at which their AP students earned scores of 3 or higher on an AP exam.

Between 2015 and 2018, the high school added advanced placement courses in psychology, Spanish language, literature and composition, and government and politics to its extensive list of AP offerings.

Principal Rocco Petrone is exploring the possibility of adding AP Spanish literature and culture to that list. Dr. Anthony Conston, the assistant principal who manages the school’s AP programs, is researching AP Capstone, an innovative program that equips students with the independent research, collaborative teamwork and communication skills that are increasingly valued by colleges.

“Our school will return to the AP District Honor Roll often and by doing so will realize the ancillary benefit of adding to our growing list of AP Scholars,” Petrone said in a news release.

Meanwhile, educators at the high school also learned recently that its School Performance Profile has increased by an unprecedented nine points.

The SPP, essentially the school’s “report card” from the state, is a composite measure that considers many factors: graduation rate, attendance rate, AP offerings, student academic growth, Keystone test scores, PSAT participation, SAT/ACT college ready benchmarks, NOCTII scores, and closing the achievement gap for historically underperforming students.

In January, students and staff from the high school buildings will be showcasing to middle school students the four secondary curricular tracks: college preparatory, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), arts and humanities, and CTC programs.

MAHANOY CITY — After about two years of construction, the Lofty Dam reservoir upgrade is completed and the reservoir is slowly being refilled.

The project at the Mahanoy Township Authority reservoir was mandated by the state Department of Environmental Protection and its Bureau of Dam Safety to raise the dam breast by four feet to improve safety during very heavy rain events and make other improvements. The higher dam breast will prevent water from flowing over the wall and forcing the water to use the spillway for better control and safety.

In his December engineering report to the authority, project manager James J. Rhoades Jr. with Alfred Benesch & Co., said, “On Nov. 30, 2018, PADEP Division of Dam Safety notified our office via email that the formal approval of the Operation and Maintenance Permit was issued and that the authority will need to accept the conditions of the permit.”

Benesch project manager Jennifer M. Kowalonek said Wednesday that the reservoir was filled to about 11 feet to date. The reservoir will be considered full when the depth reaches what is called the “Normal Pool” at 27 feet and is at the spillway. The refill time is about 45 days, adding no more than one foot of water per day.

The original project specifications included necessary improvements to raise the dam breast, control seepage, rehabilitate upstream embankment, upgrade the spillway and repair the outlet work. The overall project also includes the installation of modern water meters for customers throughout the authority’s distribution system. The cost of the reservoir rehab, installation of water meters, engineering, permitting, legal and others is more than $5 million, which is paid through a Commonwealth Financing Authority grant of $1,666,667 and a Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority loan at one percent interest.

Performance Construction Services Inc., Harrisburg, was the general contractor.

The work at the reservoir began in June 2017, with work progressing quickly enough that December of that year could have seen substantial completion. However, studies showed that the dam breast needed extensive repairs to bring it to modern standards, which required draining the entire reservoir and rebuilding the breast beyond the original plan to just add to the top.

The dam was constructed about 100 years ago and the foundation was not properly placed, according to Kowalonek.

The Lofty Dam, located in Kline Township, serves as a DEP-permitted public water supply source. It is an earthen embankment 1,100 feet in length and 36 feet high (following the rehabilitation). The impoundment covers 31 acres and contains 118 million gallons of water. MTA public water serves a population of about 7,000 through 2,800 connections in the boroughs of Mahanoy City and Gilberton and the villages of Bowmans, Boston Run, Maple Hill and other areas of Mahanoy Township, including undeveloped residential and commercial properties with potential for growth. A small section of the township is served by the Hazleton City Authority.

Typically, the authority pumps in excess of 60 million gallons annually from the Lofty to meet customer demands. The Lofty Dam area continues to be part of the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Forest-Game Cooperative Program, where the area is open to the public for hunting and trapping.

In 1989, MTA sold the dam and 1,068 acres to the state game commission with the intent to have the PGC rehabilitate the dam. In 1998, DEP’s Bureau of Dam Safety performed an inspection on the embankment and expressed concern with the seepage, and deteriorated conditions of the embankment and the spillway. Subsequently, the spillway was repaired in accordance with the state agency’s recommendations. In 1999, inspections determined that the seepage and embankment conditions continued to deteriorate. Based on this inspection, the Bureau of Dam Safety requested that the seepage and embankment conditions be corrected and stabilized. An alternative to this work was to draw down and breach the reservoir. Since the dam is used as a public water supply source, breaching of the dam was not a viable option.

After years of legal dealings, in 2005 the MTA was forced to take back ownership as the PGC refused to rehabilitate the dam.

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

Vehicle damaged in Pottsville crash

POTTSVILLE — No injuries were reported by Pottsville police in a crash that happened around 10:25 p.m. Thursday in the 600 block of West Race Street.

Patrolman Joel Methven determined that Jodie Blatt, 36, of Pottsville, was driving a 2012 Nissan Rogue east when she struck a 2009 Subaru Impreza owned by a Pottsville woman and legally parked in front of 617 W. Race St.

The Blatt vehicle had to be towed from the scene and police said damage to the parked vehicle was listed as moderate.

Man jailed for domestic assault

POTTSVILLE — A city man was jailed after Pottsville police were called to the 100 block of North George Street around 4 a.m. Tuesday for a report of a physical domestic assault in progress.

At the scene, police said, officers found a 41-year-old Pottsville woman sitting on the stairs outside of a home, who reported that Robert Figueroa, 39, arrived around 3:45 a.m. and started a verbal argument with her.

The woman said that Figueroa became agitated during the argument, approached her aggressively and when she pushed him away he struck her in the face two or three times with a closed fist, police said.

Officers found Figueroa inside the residence and took him into custody pursuant to domestic violence protocol while the woman was transported for treatment at a local medical facility.

Police said that while Figueroa was secured in a police vehicle, he admitted to officers that he “punched her in the face two times.”

As a result, Patrolman Stephen Delinko charged Figueroa with simple assault and harassment by physical contact.

He was subsequently arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post 10 percent of $7,500 bail.

David J. Rossi

TREMONT — Schuylkill County authorities are looking for a Tremont man who did not appear for his recent preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi on charges he assaulted someone in May 2018 in the borough.

Avery A. Gebhard, 23, of 133 W. Laurel St., faces charges of simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. Rossi ordered all charges held for court after the hearing.

Rossi also asked the county court to issue a bench warrant for Gebhard.

State police at Schuylkill Haven charged Gebhard with committing his crimes on May 18, 2018.

Other defendants whose cases Rossi recently considered, the charges against each one and the judge’s dispositions of the matters included the following people:

James M. Bertasavage, 66, of 255 Birds Hill Road, Pine Grove; aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment; charges withdrawn.

Adam L. Bloch, 26, of 1461 W. Main St., Valley View; two counts of criminal mischief; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Kyle J. Castellano, 27, of 370 Valley Road, Pottsville; driving under suspension-DUI related, vehicle registration suspended and driving under suspension; charge of driving under suspension-DUI related withdrawn. Castellano pleaded guilty to vehicle registration suspended and driving under suspension; Rossi sentenced him to pay costs and $300 in fines.

William H. Geist, 64, of 825 Valley Road, Pottsville; simple assault and harassment; charge of simple assault withdrawn. Geist pleaded guilty to harassment; Rossi sentenced him to pay costs and a $200 fine.

Eugene H. Hoy, 57, of 225 Hoy Road, Millersburg; bad checks; charge withdrawn.

Matthew T. Hunt, 26, of 71 Schaeffers Hill Road, Pottsville; theft and receiving stolen property; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Allen L. Johnson Jr., 45, of 189 Hill Road, Hegins; strangulation, terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment; charges withdrawn.

Kaylee F. Kern, 20, of 1217 W. Tilghman St., Allentown; theft and receiving stolen property; charges dismissed.

Alicia Kintzel, 36, of Schuylkill Haven; possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a small amount of marijuana and disorderly conduct; charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a small amount of marijuana withdrawn. Kintzel pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct; Rossi sentenced her to pay costs and a $150 fine.

Jonathan M. Kramer, 39, of 507 Pine Hill Drive, Pine Grove; theft of services; charge held for court after preliminary hearing.

Lane A. Leitzel, 18, of 246 E. Colliery Ave., Tower City; theft; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.

Robert P. Lewars, 43, of Firehouse Road, Summit Station; simple assault and harassment; charges withdrawn.

Victoria A. Livinghouse, 19, of 215B E. Grand Ave., Tower City; possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Harold H. Lucas, 66, of 430 S. Goodspring Road, Hegins; possession of prohibited offensive weapon and harassment; charges withdrawn.

Andrew R. Luckenbill, 32, of 307 Summer Hill Road, Schuylkill Haven; driving under the influence, disregarding traffic lane, careless driving and accident involving damage to unattended vehicle or property; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Barry L. Reed, 43, of 31 S. Crescent St., Tremont; simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct; charges held for court after preliminary hearing that Reed did not attend. Rossi asked the court to issue a bench warrant for Reed.

Cody J. Sauers, 29, of 916 W. Main St., Valley View; simple assault, strangulation and harassment; charges of simple assault and strangulation withdrawn. Sauers pleaded guilty to harassment; Rossi sentenced him to pay costs and a $100 fine.

Gerald A. Sinko, 27, of 346 High Road, Pottsville; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; charges withdrawn.

Michael G. Sinko, 29, of 346 High Road Second Floor, Pottsville; five counts of possession of a controlled substance, two of possession of drug paraphernalia and one each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and improper sale of firearm; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Sonta L. Stefanik, 47, of 307 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City; theft of services; charge held for court after preliminary hearing that Stefanik did not attend. Rossi asked the court to issue a bench warrant for Stefanik.

Clint G. Troutman, 50, of 3103 State Route 209, Millersburg; DUI; charge withdrawn.

TAMAQUA — A second lawsuit was filed against a policy that would allow Tamaqua Area School District teachers and other staffers to carry guns in school.

The plaintiffs in the latest suit, filed Thursday in Schuylkill County Court, are parents and grandparents of district students who allege that the policy violates state law.

They ask the court to void the policy and issue permanent injunctive relief against its implementation.

“The staff in our schools have taken positions to make a difference in our children’s lives. We ask so much of them already. What the school board asks with this policy is just one more weight on their shoulders,” said Angela Flack, one of the plaintiffs. “It’s not just the weight that the staff feels, but also parents like myself who feel they’ll be sending their kids into a risky environment.”

Flack, other plaintiffs and representatives from CeaseFirePA and Tamaqua Citizens for Safe Schools organized a press conference outside the Tamaqua Train Station on Friday to announce the suit’s filing.

Tamaqua Area is the first district in the commonwealth to approve a policy that allows employees to carry concealed weapons on the job. The school board adopted Policy 705 in September as a defense against shooting situations.

The suit alleges that the board exceeded its “authority and endangered their community by enacting School District Policy 705, a manifestly illegal policy that authorizes guns in the classrooms and lethal force in the halls.”

In November, more than 100 people turned out to ask the board to drop the policy and employ other means to keep students and staffers safe. Attendees suggested shooter detection systems, better screenings of visitors, threat assessments and mental health support.

“So many parents and teachers have been vocal against this policy and have tried to work with the board to come to a better solution with many alternatives that have been proven safer in the hopes that they would rescind the policy but we’re still ignored,” Flack said.

Plaintiff Holly Koscak said her high school sophomore worries what will happen if her teachers are armed.

“As a healthcare professional, I’m not asked to carry a firearm in a hospital setting. We have professionals trained to do that. My sole responsibility is the patients’ well being. It should be no different for a teacher in a school setting,” Koscak said.

The executive director of CeaseFirePA said that the nonprofit organization and district parents agree with the board in wanting to keep students safe.

“We just believe that this policy is not the way to do it,” said Shira Goodman, who noted that CeaseFirePA is not involved in the lawsuit.

She said scores of data and research show that arming teachers is not the way to go.

Karen Tharp represented Tamaqua Citizens for Safe Schools, a group that formed in response to the policy’s passage.

“The board’s actions in enacting Policy 705 were questionable at best,” she said. “There were no public readings of this policy. There were no public announcements of this policy.”

The first lawsuit was filed Nov. 14 by the district’s teachers’ union, the Tamaqua Area Education Association, which alleged the policy violates Pennsylvania School Code and other laws that limit the use of firearms by public personnel.

Under the policy, school personnel would volunteer to participate. After mental evaluations, they would undergo Act 235 training — a state requirement for anyone who carries a gun as part of their job. The training is similar to that of state and municipal police officers. Armed staffers would also receive a stipend.

Neither the parents’ or union’s lawsuit is asking for monetary damages — only legal fees.

Last month, the district filed preliminary objections to the union’s suit.

Tamaqua Area School Board President Larry Wittig and director Nicholas Boyle were on hand for Friday’s announcement and fielded questions from the media afterwards.

Boyle chairs the board’s Safety Committee and spearheaded the policy. He has previously explained that during mass shooting incidents, police hadn’t responded until the events had ended. Having someone on the premises, he said, means the threat can be addressed almost immediately.

“If we have a shooter in a building, how are we going to stop that shooter from killing more and more people? You have to have an armed presence there to stop that person immediately once that happens,” Boyle said.

He said the policy is in effect and “we’re heading down the road to armed staff.”

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

POTTSVILLE — Students at Schuylkill Technology Center-North Campus are excited to work on a truck donated by Fanelli Bros. Trucking.

“We need trucks. It’s hard to get trucks,” Tom Buff, diesel technology instructor at the North Campus, said Friday.

He, along with students from the campus, were at Fanelli Bros. Trucking, Highridge Business Park, to accept the 2005 Freightliner diesel truck, which still runs but needs work. There are 15 students in the class, of which five of them have jobs through the school working at places such as the state Department of Transportation, Orwigsburg Service Center.

In the past, students have worked on the vehicles, but this is the first time anyone donated one, Buff said.

Shannon Brennan, STC director of career and vocational education, said Dave Frew, a board member of Schuylkill Technology Center, contacted state Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, Pottsville, for help.

Kelcie Wasser, 14, of Schuylkill Haven, a freshman in the program, said she loves what she does.

“Even though I am a girl, it doesn’t matter. I can be in any field,” she said.

Wasser said she loves getting her hands dirty and fixing things.

Ryan Osifat, 16, of Barnesville, a sophomore, said he enjoys what he does.

“It’s always different. It’s always exciting,” he said.

Colleen Fanelli, vice president of Fanelli Bros. Trucking, said the company wants to provide the tools necessary for the students to get real-world experience. This is not the first time the company has done so. Previously, it donated items such as engines.

Fanelli told the students the trucking industry is in need of good workers.

“Anything you guys want is at your fingertips. The money is there and it’s going to be there for a long time,” Fanelli said.

Students from the program will be able to work at Fanelli Bros. Trucking possibly as early as February, T.J. Fitzpatrick, co-op coordinator with STC, said.

Louis Fanelli, founder, talked to the students about the field.

“Our motto is ‘if you can’t truck it, boat it,’ ” he said jokingly.

He wished the students success. Fanelli told them there is no substitute for hard work.

“What you put into it, that is what you are going to get out of it,” he said.

The diesel program is a popular one, Buff said.

“We have a waiting list of students that want to come in,” Buff said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

MAHANOY CITY — The Mahanoy Area school board finished up some business at its last meeting of 2018 on Dec. 20 that included some purchases for maintenance, sports and classrooms.

Business Administrator John J. Hurst reviewed the purchases before the votes during the workshop. Then, the school board approved them during the regular meeting.

The first item approved was a Scraper System Model 880B Portable FleetPlow from Quinten Machinery, Lancaster, at $30,580, with the purchase retroactive to Dec. 7. The purchase was made through the state’s COSTARS program and did not require the school district to solicit bids.

During the Dec. 5 meeting, the school board requested that the administration seek prices on a machine that would remove snow from school bus roofs. Transportation Director Jason Burke and another employee had been attempting to remove the snow with difficulty, with Burke explaining there are devices that are designed to remove snow from the roofs of large vehicles.

The buses have been parked in the former P&R Patron Supermarket lot near the district campus due to the roof caving in on the current garage that is almost 100 years old. It was the Kaier Brewery truck garage.

The school district purchased the supermarket property in 2014 and demolished the building to construct a new vehicle garage, instead of spending money on replacing the roof on its current garage since it is leased.

The school board purchased new scoreboards for the elementary school gymnasium from Nevco Sports LLC, Chicago, Illinois, at $9,279.79. In a later vote, the school board approved the installation of the scoreboards by American Electrical LLC, Lake Huntington, New York, at $3,400.

Another purchase approved was 30 Lenovo ThinkCentre M720 desktop computers from GDC LLC, Mechanicsburg, at $21,234. The computers will be purchased from the Capital Reserve Account.

In other business, the board reappointed by resolution Hurst and Green as the primary delegate and alternate delegate, respectively, to the Schuylkill County Tax Collection Committee for 2019. If either cannot attend a meeting, North Schuylkill Business Manager Robert Amos can fill in to represent Mahanoy Area in a vote as a second alternate.

The school board acted on the following agenda items:

• Approved the participation in the Lancaster-Lebanon Cafeteria and Food Co-Op collaborative procurement program for food services.

• Approved homebound instruction for an elementary student retroactive from Dec. 3, 2018, through Jan. 15 with Nicole Anthony as instructor.

• Accepted the retirement of Elementary Title I teacher Angela Trainer, effective on Feb. 1.

• Approved Colleen Fanelli as a mentor at a salary of $500.

• Approved a contract with Pro Care Therapy Inc. to provide speech services during the Family Medical Leave Act leave of absence of a staff member from Dec. 3, 2018, through approximately March 8.

• Approved the following “Game Workers” for the 2018-19 school year: Trish Davidson and Paul Babinsky.

• Accepted the resignation of Jennifer Zilker as head varsity cross country coach-coed and heat varsity track coach, effective Nov. 23, 2018.

• Accepted the resignation of Zilker as assistant varsity cross county coach-coed.

• Appointed Zilker as head varsity cross country coach-coed at a salary of $3,861.68.

During the committee reports, board Vice President Steve Gnall spoke during the time when the late board President James A. “Jay” Hanley Jr. presented his reports as the school district’s representative on the Intermediate Unit 29 and Schuylkill County Area Vocational Technical School boards.

“He was a huge asset and his are big shoes to fill,” Gnall said.

The school board workshop began with Gnall presiding. Hanley died unexpectedly on Dec. 12, 2018, at 57. Hanley was elected to the Mahanoy Area school board in December 2013, and served as president from December 2014 until the present. He served as Mahanoy Area’s representative to Intermediate Unit 29 and Schuylkill Technology Center board from January 2014 to the death, and was secretary of the IU 29 and STC board for the past three years.

“He was a great asset to the board,” Gnall said in calling for a moment of silence at the start of the workshop.

Board member Karen Yedsena announced that a memorial account — The Jay Hanley Children Memorial Education Fund — has been established at M&T Bank. Donations to the fund can be made at any M&T Bank.

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

POTTSVILLE — A snowman building contest, ice skating, a beer garden, vendors and crafts are planned for the city’s inaugural Winterfest.

The festivities are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 12 on South Second Street between West Market and Mahantongo streets in Pottsville.

The event is presented by The Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival and the Continued Progress Project.

Deirdre Boris, president of The Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival board, said in a statement, “The Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival is thrilled to be embarking on this collaborative venture with PADCO, the City of Pottsville and the Revitalization Project to bring to the Schuylkill County community Pottsville Winterfest. Winterfest will be a day filled with family fun for people of all ages to enjoy a little bit of winter as we kick off the 2019 Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival ... Surfin’ 2019 Style. Come join the fun.”

If weather permits, an ice skating rink will be set up in the Towne Drugs parking lot on South Centre Street. Craig Shields, chief executive officer of Barefield Development Corp., said Thursday it’s looking like that isn’t going to happen due to warmer temperatures.

“It’s got to be cold for a number of days,” Shields said.

The opportunity to make a snowman is one that will happen, said Joe Drasdis, vendor coordinator for the event.

“We are having snow trucked in from Blue Mountain Resort,” he said.

The snow will arrive in two 10-wheel trailers Jan. 11.

“It’s a good bit of snow,” he said. It will be dumped in the lot on Second and West Norwegian streets.

The snowman building event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with past Winter Carnival royalty to judge the finished products between 2:30 and 3 p.m. Prizes include gift cards to local businesses and items from Blue Mountain Resort, Palmerton.

A free photo booth will be on Second Street to capture memories.

For thirsty visitors, a beer garden featuring Yuengling beer will be set up near Wheel restaurant. Savas Logothetides, executive director of the Pottsville Area Development Corp., said Lager Light, Lager, Golden Pilsner and Premium Light will be available. Cost is $3 for a 16-ounce cup, which is the same price as the Pottsville on Tap event last year.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating on this event with the City of Pottsville and The Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival. After the success of Pottsville on Tap, we wanted to add another great event for people to enjoy. Winter carnival has a foundation of success, and we can’t wait to work together with them this year and in the future,” Logothetides said.

Fifteen burn barrels filled with wood will line Second Street to keep people warm.

Twenty-six vendors will be at Winterfest. Among the vendors in the PADCO building, 1 S. Second St., are King Cole Winery, Schuylkill Haven; 5 Schmucks Winery, Harrisburg; and Pilger Ruh Brewing, Pine Grove.

Tyler Budwash, owner and brewmaster of Pilger Ruh Brewing, said he and others have been home brewing beer for 2 1/2 years and were recently approved as a nanobrewery. He will have five varieties to drink, including Skookin’ Around, a citra pale ale with Guers iced tea.

Other vendors include Skook House of Jerky, Something Sweet Candies, Mud and Maker and Doggie Delights.

Doggie Delights opened in Schuylkill Haven last year and sells pet treats and associated items for fury friends.

“I like to stay local. If there are local events, I love to participate,” Jen Hertz-Schumacher, Pottsville, owner of Doggie Delights, said Thursday.

Entertainment includes Toolshed Jack performing at Good Intent Fire Company; T-102 live broadcast on Second Street; Winter Carnival Royalty Spotlight, where the current royalty and those seeking to achieve the honor will introduce themselves; and dance performances by Crimson Academy and Spotlight Kidz.

The Pottsville Library, 215 W. Market St., is also hosting free events. There will be games, air hockey, a “snowball toss” and winter-themed video games, according to the library Facebook page. Family board games and winter-themed crafts will be available for children 3 and older.

Hot cocoa and cookies are available.

More information on Winterfest is available at www.downtownpottsville.com or on Facebook at Pottsville Winterfest 2019.

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

Six people were arrested Thursday for allegedly supplying pills to a Lansford councilman and a borough woman, who sold them last year, state agents say.

Ellen L. Crowell, 64; Eileen P. Hargett, 65; Janet M. Martino, 47; Kimberly A. Kokinda, 46; and Michael V. Crowell, 60, all of Lansford, along with Nina R. Hofstetter, 37, of Summit Hill, were arraigned Tuesday morning by Magisterial District Judge Casimir Kosciolek, Lansford, who released each of them on $50,000 unsecured bail.

They face felonies for manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to deliver, corrupt organizations and conspiracy by the state’s Office of Attorney General, which says they supplied the prescriptions to Councilman Matthew Walsh, 33, and his girlfriend, Danielle Grochowski, 41. Walsh was elected to a four-year term on the council that began in 2016.

Agents interviewed the six defendants in May and in June, filing the cases against them Dec. 18.

Attorney general agents arrested Walsh and Grochowski on May 18 for drug-related charges including possession with intent to deliver and corrupt organizations. Their cases are still pending in Carbon County Court but both are out on bail, according to court records.

At the time of their arrests, Walsh and Grochowski admitted to working together for six months to acquire pills and medications and then sell them. They would buy the medicine each month for a fraction of the actual cost and re-sell them on the street, making a few dollars for each pill, according to court papers.

The court papers state Hargett supplied Percocet, the Crowells gave them fentanyl patches, Vicodin and Percocet, and Martino supplied them with Percocet.

Hofstetter claimed she “gave” Adderall pills to Grochowski on two separate occasions within the past six months and that she purchased a few 10-miligram Percocets from Walsh and Grochowski for $10 each during that time frame, conducting the transactions at various locations in Lansford and Summit Hill.

Kokinda said she received 120 Oxycodone pills per month and during the last year, sold Walsh and Grochowski 40 tablets two to three times and 50 tablets another time for $6 each.

The Crowells told agents they sold pills to Walsh for about six months. Michael said he sold Walsh 30 to 40 5-milligram Percocet pills for $2.50 to $3 each while Ellen said she sold Walsh Vicodin for about $4 per pill. She also admitted to selling him fentanyl patches.

Hargett told investigators she was selling 90 Percocet pills for $285 to Walsh and Grochowski on a monthly basis for about four months.

Martino was selling and buying. She admitted to selling 15 to 20 10-milligram Percocet pills to Grochowski for $50 twice a month starting in April, and recently purchased 2 grams of marijuana from Grochowski for $25.

Search warrants were served at the home Walsh and Grochowski shared at 362 W. Ridge St. and at Walsh Precious Metals, 28 W. Ridge St., on May 18.

Agents said they found numerous items related to drug trafficking at the business, including 59 Oxycodone pills, eight fentanyl patches, eight Adderall tablets, 165 grams of marijuana, an assortment of empty prescription pill bottles, numerous other pills, one electronic scale and a .357-magnum handgun, along with $1,072.

At the house they found additional empty pill bottles, 31 unidentified tablets, rifles, pistols and shotguns and a small amount of marijuana.

Contact the writer: achristman@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3584

Deer Lake

The Deer Lake and West Brunswick Fire Company sponsors bingo games the third Tuesday in January with the next set for Jan. 15 in the firehall. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and games will start at 6 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-366-0900.

Mahanoy City

Good American Hose Company, 738 E. Mahanoy Ave., will have a spaghetti dinner beginning at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 13. It will include a salad bar, bread/butter, beverage and dessert. Take-outs will be available; all are welcome. For more information, call 570-773-3473.

Orwigsburg

The Orwigsburg Senior Citizens group recently held its final meeting of 2018 in St. John’s Hall, where it has gathered for some 51 years, according to newly installed President Bette Hartung. The group, she said in a hand-written release, was the second of its kind to be organized in Schuylkill County; Pottsville was the first. At one time, the Orwigsburg group had 100 members. Meetings will resume in March, she said, at the newly renovated Memorial Building, Grove Street. During the December meeting, Pastor Preston Brodhurst installed new officers, including Hartung, Vice President Marylin Zerbe, Secretary/Treasurer Beverly Oniskanich plus Fern Schaeffer and Corresponding Secretary Evelyn Jones. The group meets from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday. Dues are $3 per year and new members are welcome. For more information, call 570-943-2820 or 570-943-2246.

Pottsville

The Pottsville Area High School Guidance Department will have an information session at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the high school auditorium for eighth-grade students planning to attend the high school for the 2019-20 school year as freshmen. Officials said in a guidance department release it is “extremely important” that Saint Clair Area and parochial school students register with Pottsville Area before attending the meeting. For more information, contact the guidance department by calling 570-621-2915. The snow date for the session is Wednesday.

Pottsville

A Deppen Pie sale is underway until Feb. 7 by participating libraries in the Pottsville Library District. Pickups are set for Feb. 20. The cost is $12 per pie and all proceeds will benefit the participating libraries. Varieties of nine-inch pies include blueberry crumb, apple crumb, strawberry rhubarb crumb, cherry crumb, peach crumb, raisin crumb, shoofly, coconut custard, lemon sponge and no-sugar apple. Participating public libraries and their phone numbers are as follows: Ashland, 570-875-3175; Orwigsburg, 570-366-1638; Pottsville, 570-622-8880; Ringtown, 570-889-5503; Shenandoah, 570-462-9829; Tamaqua, 570-668-4660; Tower-Porter, 717-647-4900; Tri-Valley, 570-682-8922. To order, contact the library in your area by Feb. 7.

Pottsville

Diakon Living and Learning, 118 S. Centre St., has activities, classes, workshops and creative/healthful initiatives on its agenda throughout Schuylkill County. For more information regarding costs, types of sessions, dates/times and locations call Susan Long at 570-624-3018 or email her at longs@diakon.org. More information also is available online at www.diakon.org/community-services/Living-Learning-After-50.

Schuylkill Haven

The Schuylkill Haven Area School District is conducting its annual kindergarten screening for students who will be age 5 on or before Sept. 1. Parents and guardians are requested to call the elementary center at 570-385-6731 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. to register a child for the screening process, which will be held March 11-15. All children need to be registered before they can be screened, according to a district release.

Shenandoah

In line with a borough ordinance, residents must clear their sidewalks, providing a 36-inch-wide path, within 24 hours of an accumulating snow or ice event. Also, residents may not throw snow onto streets, a practice that is prohibited by the ordinance. People who do not adhere to the requirements can face penalties.

The state Department of Transportation announced several roadwork projects in Schuylkill County this week.

The planned projects include:

• Inspection on Route 309 between Route 54 and Fairview Street/Ben Titus Road in Rush Township from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday with lane restrictions.

• Inspection on Route 61 South between Route 895 and Interstate 78 in West Brunswick Township from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday with lane restrictions.

• Pothole patching on I-81 South between Exit 119 (Highridge Park Road) and Exit 107 (Route 209) in Foster Township from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday with lane restrictions.

• Shoulder work/widening on Route 443 between Pine Grove borough and Lebanon County in Pine Grove Township from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday with lane restrictions.

• Pothole patching on Aristes Road between the Columbia County line and Little Mountain Road in Union Township from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday with lane restrictions.

• Crack sealing on Still Creek Road between Route 309 and the Carbon County line in Rush Township from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday with lane restrictions.

• Work on Mount Laffee Road between Valley Road and Darkwater Road in New Castle Township from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday with lane restrictions.

• Pothole patching on Burma Road between Morea Road and Route 61 in Blythe Township from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday with lane restrictions.

• Crack sealing on Tuscarora Mountain Road between Pine Creek Drive and the Schuylkill Township line in Ryan Township from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday with flagging.

• Crack sealing on Route 61 North between Port Clinton borough and Deer Lake borough in South Manheim Township from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday with lane restrictions.

• Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com.

SHENANDOAH — A fire that damaged a home in the borough Saturday afternoon was ruled accidental.

Shenandoah fire marshal Rick Examitas said the fire started in an upper floor room at 629 W. Penn St. and was caused by an electrical malfunction.

Examitas said that the family of seven — two adults and five children — living in the home were alerted to the fire by an upstairs smoke alarm and all made it out safely.

“Smoke alarms played an important role in this fire,” the marshal said.

Not only did the alarms allow residents to get out safely but it also allowed the fire to be discovered early, allowing damage to be kept to a minimum.

Examitas said a wiring problem started the fire that then spread to several mattresses that firefighters were able to throw from an upstairs window onto the ground below.

Examitas said the fire was contained to the upstairs area, where it originated, and that the family received temporary housing assistance from the American Red Cross.

Firefighters from Shenandoah and Mahanoy City responded along with Shenandoah police and Shenandoah EMS. No injuries were reported.

Ashland

The Shepherd’s Table, a free community meal, is held from 3 to 5 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 35 N. Ninth St. (rear entrance). The meals are eat-in only.

Cressona

The annual take-out soup sale by Bethany Christian Fellowship is set for noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 16 at 102 Front St. Soup varieties will include potato bacon, chicken noodle, vegetable, veggie meatball and bean. The cost is $6 per quart. For more information, call 570-385-0609.

McAdoo

The borough has issued a reminder for residents that one bulk item can be put on the curb with their trash for pickup on the second Monday of the month. The dates include Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 11, April 8, May 13, June 10, July 8, Aug. 12, Sept. 9, Oct. 14, Nov. 11 and Dec. 9. Residents should put trash along with the item on the curb no earlier than the night before pickup. Items that are left on the curb or put out too soon are in violation and tickets and/or fines can be issued.

New Philadelphia

AMVETS Post 256 will meet at 7 p.m. Jan. 31 at the post home to discuss its operating functions. For more information, call 570-277-6031.

Nuremberg

Nuremberg-Weston Volunteer Fire Company is having its monthly breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon today at the firehall, 459 Hazle St., Weston. The menu consists of a choice of eggs and home fries, pancakes or french toast, sausage or ham and a beverage. The cost is $6 for a small platter and $7 for a large platter. Take-outs are available.

Pottsville

An art exhibit titled “Light in the Darkness” is scheduled at the Pottsville Free Public Library as follows: Feb. 7, 6-8 p.m. (black light exhibit and refreshments); Feb. 8 and 9, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Feb. 11, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Feb. 12, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Feb. 13, 9 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Sales are also involved. The exhibit will have a variety of artwork created by regional artists on display in multiple areas of the library. A special section will have artwork that is reactive to black light, according to a library release. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-622-8880.

Pottsville

A support group for friends and families affected by addiction, called Healing with Hope, meets at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday at Freedom in Christ Church of Schuylkill County, 1850 First Ave.

Pottsville

Brad Harris, an envoy at the Salvation Army, recently gave his classification talk to members of the Pottsville Rotary Club. He and his wife, Gina, who also is an envoy at the Salvation Army, live in Pottsville with their daughter, Allison, 13. The Harrises, who have been married 20 years, are originally from southern Ohio, close to Kentucky, according to the Rotary bulletin. They joined the Salvation Army five years ago, first serving in Levittown. They moved to Pottsville 18 months ago. Brad Harris said he decided to join Rotary because “our fingerprints were all over Pottsville” and the club’s mission matches what the Salvation Army stands for. He specifically mentioned the Little League field and scoreboard at the Salvation Army gym. He also talked about current Salvation Army programs, including the Friday lunch soup kitchen, the Monday-Thursday food pantry, Thanksgiving meals and food baskets, a Christmas toy shop in partnership with Toys For Tots, the youth programs four days a week, Monday evening Music and Arts programs and Thursday Teen nights. Regarding the recent Christmas bell-ringing fundraiser, Harris thanked the Rotarians for their participation. He said the Salvation Army had not reached its goal for the season due mainly to a lack of volunteers to man the kettles. He said there were 18 “dedicated volunteers” and needed 30-plus. He said he plans to start recruiting earlier next year. From early numbers he has seen, Harris said, the indication is that donations to Salvation Army were down across the country this Christmas season.

NEW RINGGOLD — Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers and state police at Frackville are asking the public to help find the person responsible for a theft of items from a vehicle.

The crime occurred at Indian Run and Pine Valley Roads in East Brunswick Township between 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30, police said.

Police said someone went on a state game lands parking lot and used a key left in the bed of a pickup truck owned by Joseph Binder, of New Ringgold, to unlock the doors.

The thief then entered the vehicle and stole the man’s wallet and Zeiss binoculars before fleeing, police said.

The binoculars are valued at about $1,000 while the wallet was listed at $10 and contained about $100 in cash, police said.

Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information on the identity of the person or persons responsible for this crime or on any other unsolved crime in Schuylkill County.

Callers are asked to refer to case 01-06-19 when calling with information about the theft of items from the unoccupied vehicle in East Brunswick Township.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 877-TIPS4SC (877-847-7472). All information received will remain confidential.

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

Vito Zaccheo takes his car to Merc’s Garage because he doesn’t get the runaround.

There’s no sign out front except for the state inspection and emissions test placards.

The blue weather-worn keystones hang in the corner of the humble shop at the end of Dorothy Street in West Scranton. The 91-year-old proprietor, Adio “Merc” Mercanti, lives in the second-floor apartment with his wife of 63 years, Anna Jean.

The mechanic with a shock of white hair and hardened hands estimates he’s worked on at least 50,000 cars over the years.

He’s slowed down more recently, but he still might work on three or four cars each day. He mostly does emission and inspection tests now — no heavy lifting.

No more engines, no more transmissions, although he’s done just about everything in the past.

Now, almost 30 years after most people hang it up, Mercanti’s thinking about retirement.

Inside his shop, a gas heater affixed over the front door rumbles on and off again, dulling the outside cold, but not erasing it.

In one bay, Mercanti’s pal, Joe Marianelli, leans under the upraised hood of his own Saturn Vue.

Mercanti lets him use the shop when it’s cold, Marianelli said through gritted teeth as he pulled on a wrench that was buried inside the engine compartment.

Merc’s stays relevant without embracing technology, and the mechanic winces when he talks about the computers so pervasive in modern cars.

Zaccheo, who lives in Clarks Summit, said a few months ago he took his car to the dealership with a problem. The mechanics there couldn’t figure it out, so he went to Merc’s.

“A day later, he calls you with what the problem is and he fixes it,” he said. “I cannot tell you how many times this has happened.”

The most simple auto shops and even do-it-yourself mechanics have digital error readers. They use them to diagnose check engine light problems.

Employees at most retail parts stores, such as AutoZone, will scan error codes for free.

Merc’s doesn’t have a reader. He can diagnose most problems just from his vast experience with vehicles. If Mercanti really needs one, though, a buddy down the road has one he can use, he said.

His prices categorically beat other commercial shops, too, Zaccheo said.

“They’ll be, like, double to triple the cost than he is to do it,” he said, explaining he typically gives the mechanic more than what he bills.

Mercanti wasn’t always in the repair business.

He grew up on Dorothy Street, the same street where he lives and works now.

He graduated from Scranton Technical High School in 1944, although he never worked on cars in school. He worked construction, worked on a coal truck, then in a poultry market.

“Lousy jobs, I had,” he muttered jovially.

He remains an avid pool player and he has more than 1,000 matches under his belt. He downplays his acumen, but the trophies around his shop speak for themselves.

He and Anna Jean raised three girls and two boys. They have eight grandchildren, but no great-grandchildren yet.

Asked why he’s stayed on for so long, he mutters some more.

“My kids tell me to quit, quit, quit,” he said, but quickly adds, “Not the people. They don’t tell me to quit, not the customers.”

A record of his state inspection license hangs on the wall by the door. It expires in July 2020.

He doesn’t plan on renewing it, he said.

Contact the writer: joconnell@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9131

SAINT CLAIR — A Shenandoah man died from injuries he suffered when he was struck by a vehicle on Route 61 in East Norwegian Township late Friday night.

Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Dr. David J. Moylan III said Edward Whalen, 52, was taken to a Pottsville hospital after the 11 p.m. crash and pronounced dead in the emergency room by Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Gail Newton.

Moylan said a virtual autopsy conducted on Whalen on Saturday revealed the man died from blunt force traumatic injuries to his head and that the cause of death was ruled accidental.

Moylan said the crash happened in the area of Pride Mobile Home Sales, 431 Pottsville-Saint Clair Highway.

Whalen, Moylan said, had previously left the emergency room of an area hospital and was walking back to his home when the crash happened. The reason Whalen was at the emergency department prior to getting hit was not known.

“He was walking back to Shenandoah in the rain when he was hit,” the coroner said, adding that Whalen was thrown about 50 feet after impact with the vehicle.

Saint Clair police said no information would be available on the crash until Monday.

However, reports indicated that Whalen was walking north in the northbound lanes of travel when for some reason he crossed into the southbound lanes and was struck by the oncoming vehicle.

The identity of the driver is not known.

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