SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Sandy Barbour, Penn State University director of athletics, said “impact” is a word she’s going to live by in 2019.

She highlighted the impact intercollegiate athletic programs make on their school and community Wednesday as keynote speaker during the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce’s Business Executive Forum.

“It’s a thrill for me to be on Schuylkill campus,” she said.

About 60 chamber members and community leaders listened to Barbour, one of the nation’s premier athletic directors, as they joined her for a luncheon at the Health and Wellness Center.

Barbour shared information about growing up as a “Navy brat” in Annapolis, the impact of teachers and coaches in her life, the lack of scholarships for female athletes at the dawn of Title IX, and about her progression from an athlete to a coach and director. She directs one of the most successful university athletic programs in the nation with a staff of 300 that supports 800 student athletes and involves 31 varsity sports. Her address was filled with insight and humor.

“We’re nine days into 2019 and many of us had made lots of resolutions for the new year, some which did not survive the fourth, fifth or sixth. Some of us also decide that there’s going to be a word that we’re going to try to live by or focus on.

“Mine for this year is impact. Our vision statement for Penn State student-athletes is preparing students for a lifetime of impact. In order to give them the tools and experiences to impact, we obviously have to impact them,” Barbour said.

Robert S. Carl Jr., president and CEO of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, welcomed guests and offered opening remarks. Joining Carl and Barbour at the front table were Patrick Jones, Penn State Schuylkill chancellor; Madlyn Hanes, Penn State University vice president of commonwealth campuses; Darcy Medica, director of academic affairs at Penn State Schuylkill; Richard J. Wiest, esquire; Jeff O’Neill, of M&T Bank; and Edward Keyworth, of Pottsville Provision Co., chamber member. Cynthia Mensch, director of Alvernia Schuylkill Center, offered the invocation.

“I was impacted by my family’s military background. I was the last of three, all girls. Imagine that, a military guy with three daughters. My middle sister is 12 years older than I am, so they affectionately refer to me as the ‘Oops,’ ” Barbour said.

Barbour did her undergraduate work at Wake Forest; earned her graduate degree in sports management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and her MBA from Northwestern. She has 35 years experience as a college administrator and coach, with stints at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Northwestern, Tulane, Notre Dame and the University of California at Berkeley.

“I’ve now returned full circle to the Big 10, professionally. Northwestern is where I started, and having operated in a few other conferences, I came back to the best conference in the country in the Big 10.

“The one thing I didn’t know about Penn State when I came here was about the service orientation of our campuses. I had never heard of THON. I think that’s the single most impactful thing we do. It’s the largest student-run philanthropic effort in the world.

“People ask me what’s your favorite thing about Penn State ... It would be THON. I have the privilege, and it’s absolutely that, to co-host the student-athlete hour at THON. Every time it blew me away. I’ve now done it three other times. You walk out on that stage at the Bryce Jordan Center and you see the people, and you feel the energy in that building, it’s absolutely incredible.”

Barbour said the value of athletics to a campus and the community include the opportunities for students — who are future employees — to develop grit and resilience, learn teamwork, leadership and problem-solving skills.

The athletic department also offers students a chance to intern or work in fields like sports management, kinesiology, marketing and turf management.

Hanes introduced Barbour, touching on a few of her accomplishments.

“Sandy is entering her fifth year as the ‘visionary and dynamic leader’ of Penn State athletics. I did not make that up. It is a consensus,” Hanes said.

During Sandy’s four-plus years leading the athletic program, the Nittany Lions have won five NCAA championships in wrestling, women’s soccer and women’s volleyball, as well as 23 conference championships.

Barbour’s impact transcends athletics, according to Hanes.

“Under her watch, the number of Penn State student-athletes earning at least a 3.0 grade point average has soared to all-time highs. Three hundred and sixty Nittany Lion athletes earned academic All Big 10 honors in 2017-18 for having a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and the 2018 spring semester, Nittany Lion student athletes achieved a record of 3.15 GPA. That’s quite remarkable, and the credit goes to Sandy and her team.”

During the past two years, Penn State student-athletes earned a record high graduation success rate of 90 percent, and nine Nittany Lion teams earned a perfect 100 percent graduation rate, up from five teams in 2015. Penn State student-athletes participated in 6,000 hours of community engagement projects each year, according to Hanes.

“That’s really part of Sandy’s commitment in helping the university prepare its students for volunteering for community engagement and leadership as they go into their futures,” she said. The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics honored Barbour in 2017 with its Athletic Director of the Year award. Last year, she was one of five finalists for the same honor for the Sports Business Journal.

Meanwhile, Forbes has recognized Barbour twice in recent years as one of America’s top sports executives.

“In April 2018, Sandy was ranked 13th among the most powerful women in U.S. sports. That list includes a few other names — Serena Williams, Billie Jean King and Condoleezza Rice,” Hanes said.

Rice, who was former secretary of state, was also provost at Stanford, a member of the NCAA Commission on College Basketball and had served on the College Football Playoff Selection Committee.

“On a personal note, I will tell you that Sandy is a wonderful colleague. She’s generous, thoughtful and insightful and above all, she’s an advocate for our great university and a champion of achieving academic success for all of its students,” Hanes said.

During part of her address, Barbour offered something she prefaced as being “a little controversial.”

“We are not a football school. We are a school of excellence. Yes, football drives the train emotionally, drives the train financially, absolutely, those are undisputed truths. Our community gets behind our programs that exhibit excellence, our wrestling program, our volleyball program, our ice hockey program, our women’s soccer program. I could go on and on,” Barbour said.

“We’re a very proud community. I love the fact that as I travel through the state, and frankly, throughout the world, Penn Staters will tell me that they’re football season ticket-holders, basketball, hockey or whatever it is. Then I’ll find out they’re not a University Park person, they’re (from) Schuylkill or Wilkes-Barre or Shenango or it doesn’t matter — They’re Penn Staters ... They’re proud of their institution,” Barbour said.

John DeAngelo, manager of asset protection for Wegman’s and a chamber board director, attended the forum. He said he likes the networking opportunities the forum provides and likes to show his support to the chamber.

“I think it’s awesome to bring people in and show them what Schuylkill County has to offer,” DeAngelo, a PSU Schuylkill and Harrisburg campus alumnus in criminal justice, said.

Jones, Medica and Carl echoed remarks about the importance of partnering with business industry leaders who provide educational and employment opportunities for students.

Carl thanked Penn State Schuylkill, who sponsored the event, and the campus and chamber staff for coordinating details for the forum. He presented Barbour with a football signed by Richard “Dick” Yuengling Jr. and a gift bag from chamber member businesses.

Carl noted two members of the chamber staff are Penn State alumnae and told Barbour he was a “Penn State wannabe.”

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Ashland

The Ashland Area Senior Citizens meet Wednesdays at the Masonic Building, 2100 Centre St. Meetings begin at 1 p.m.; coffee and fellowship begin at 11 a.m. The group has a variety of activities throughout the year including monthly birthday parties, special holiday parties and silver auctions. During the summer, the group has three indoor picnics. Special speakers attend events to share information for various special occasions. Each meeting closes with bingo games. People interested in joining are invited to stop by on any Wednesday or call Barbara at 570-875-1149.

Frackville

Elks Lodge 1533 will have its monthly pork chop supper beginning at 4 p.m. Jan. 16 at the lodge. The cost is $9 per meal and people may call ahead for take-outs or eat at the lodge. People may order in advance by calling 570-294-6337. A cash bar will be available. For January, U.S. military veterans will eat for free with proof of military service.

Frackville

Bingo games at the Frackville American Legion are held at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Fridays of every month. There are individual game and package deal pricings. For more information, call 570-874-4750.

Hazleton

A group called Survivors After Suicide meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at Catholic Social Services, 200 W. Chapel St., Hazleton, according to a release. There are no fees charged in the gatherings. Organizers said in the release that the “open grief group” welcomes survivors in any stage of the grieving process. “Participants enter the group, leave and return as they feel the need,” according to a release. For more information, call 570-455-1521.

Pine Grove

The Pine Grove Senior Citizens group is sponsoring a bus trek April 3 to Hunterdon Hills for “Take Me Away,” a musical mystery dinner show. The cost is $99, which includes dinner, the show and transportation plus tax and tips. The deadline to make reservations is March 3. For more information, call 570-345-3106. The group also has a bus trip planned for May 22-24 for a visit to the Flight 93 Memorial, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water, a guided tour of Pittsburgh and a tour of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. The cost is $429 per person, double occupancy three days and two nights plus two breakfasts and two dinners. Call the aforementioned number for more information.

Saint Clair

The Saint Clair Lions Club sponsors cash bingos on Monday evenings at the club quarters, McCord Avenue. Doors open at 4 p.m. and games begin at 6 p.m. All are welcome. People who need rides should call 570-429-9939 before 3 p.m. on game days.

Shenandoah

The Shenandoah Area Free Public Library, Washington and Main streets, recently acknowledged the following memorials: For Mark Chuplis by Charlotte Macker, Debra Tym. The library also acknowledged a donation in honor of Allen Palubinsky on his retirement by the Schuylkill County JPO.

Shenandoah

Columbia Hose Company No. 1, Centre Street and Stadium Road, will have “Sip & Paint a Snowman” beginning at 6 p.m. Jan. 19. Participants will paint a ceramic snowman with friends while enjoying complimentary snacks and beverages. A souvenir wine class will be included. The cost is $40. For more information, call 570-933-4234.

Shenandoah Heights

The Shenandoah Heights Fire Company is having a truck drive fundraiser. Mailings have been made. Anyone in the service area who does not receive a mailing should call 570-462-0256 or contact any officer. The company also needs volunteers, both firefighters and people to help “behind the scenes,” according to a company release. People 18 or older who are interesting in helping are asked to contact the company.

Between the ocean’s bright blue surface and its blackest depths — 660 to 3,300 feet below — is a mysterious, dark span of water. Welcome to the twilight zone.

Recent evidence suggests there are more animals here by weight than in all of the world’s fisheries combined. But who lives here, and in what quantities?

Since August, a group of scientists has been using new technology to better understand the twilight zone’s strange inhabitants. They hope their findings will lead to a more sustainable approach before the fishing industry tries to harvest some of its abundant life as fisheries closer to the surface are diminished.

“The time is right to get this knowledge before it’s too late,” said Heidi Sosik, a biologist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution who is leading the Ocean Twilight Zone project. “This twilight zone region of the ocean is really very barely explored, but the more we learn, the more interesting and more important it seems to be in playing a role in the whole ecosystem.”

Here are highlights of what they hauled up on their first cruise.

Tracking with sound

Each animal in the ocean has its own auditory signature that ships usually detect by sending out sound waves that bounce or scatter off their bodies. It’s how whale-watching cruises often find humpbacks for guests to view.

But the acoustic fingerprints of twilight zone animals are still mysterious because shipboard sonar doesn’t have the bandwidth to distinguish the many organisms living far below the surface in what’s called the deep scattering layer. It’s an area so dense with life that people once thought it was the seafloor.

Around 250 different species of myctophids, or lantern fish, make up much of this dense layer. Though abundant enough to trick sonar, individually they are no bigger than an index finger.

During a 10-day expedition in the Atlantic, the team towed an instrument called Deep-See from the Henry B. Bigelow, a ship from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Inside that deep layer, it detected a range of frequencies that the scientists hope to match with pictures and DNA to create an auditory dictionary of twilight zone inhabitants.

“Acoustics is the most powerful tool to do this, but in order to do so you need to know how these organisms scatter sound,” said Andone Lavery, who led development of the Deep-See instrument.

They collected organisms in trawl nets, on the final day attaching a small aquarium to the back of one net that kept most of the organisms they photographed on the ship alive and in good shape.

Tiny bodies, small appetites

The common bristlemouth is the most abundant vertebrate on the planet.

“Some of them look like crazy monsters,” Sosik said.

But, she pointed out, “most of the animals that live in the twilight zone are really small.”

This size adaptation is vital where food is scarce, because small things don’t need as much of it.

Though small, they’re fierce

One fang-toothed monster, the Sloane’s viperfish (Chauliodus sloani), could fit inside your hand.

“This guy would be considered one of the big, bad predators down there,” said Paul Caiger, a biologist at Woods Hole and the cruise photographer.

It has one of the biggest teeth-to-body-size ratios in the animal kingdom. Its teeth are too large for its mouth to accommodate, so it closes them like a cage, imprisoning its prey before it eats.

“These fish might not see prey for a few days, and when they see something, they don’t want to lose it,” he said.

Making light in the depths

The belly of a hatchetfish contains light organs or photophores. Many animals down in the twilight zone make their own light through a chemical reaction inside photophores of various shapes, sizes and arrangements.

By turning on these lights and regulating their intensity, hatchetfish blend in with light flowing down from the surface, becoming invisible to predators looking up for silhouettes from below.

This hiding technique, called counterillumination, is the most common use of bioluminescence in the twilight zone.

Animals like the hatchetfish also use their bodies as mirrors to hide, or even make themselves transparent.

Bumping in the dark

For sensing a dimly lit environment, animals like the lantern fish may turn their eyes into giant lenses for low light.

Or like the common fangtooth, they opt for other senses. “It relies on kind of just bumping into things in the middle of the night,” Caiger said.

The ridge along its body has pressure sensors that can detect objects, current or animals moving in the water a few body lengths away. A mucus coating enhances the fish’s ability to detect chemicals around it.

An even weirder adaptation

Instead of squirting ink to escape predators, the fist-size glass squid hides in plain sight, pulling its tentacles and head inside its spike-covered body cavity. Then it fills its orb with ink, becoming “an unpalatable, turgid ball,” Caiger said.

The journey of a living wave

When the Navy started using active acoustics to monitor the sea in the 1930s, it noticed lots of sound bouncing off a layer they thought was the bottom. But its depth changed from night to day.

This “false bottom” turns out to be a mass of animals that journey hundreds to thousands of feet from the depths to the surface nightly in a living wave that wraps around the planet.

During the day, surface dwellers like sharks, tunas and swordfish dive down to the depths to eat, evidence shows.

“The layers are not distinct,” Sosik said. “The organisms that live in one layer are influenced by the organisms that live in another.”

Scientists working to untangle this multilayered food chain think it may play a major role in regulating climate by keeping carbon in the ocean. And that’s part of why it’s so important to study these watery depths that we ordinarily cannot see.

“If you imagined erasing the life in the twilight zone, it wouldn’t affect just that layer,” Sosik said. “It would affect the ocean and the whole planet.”

POTTSVILLE — A Minersville man returned to state prison Wednesday after a Schuylkill County judge sentenced him for conspiracy.

Daniel Lopez Jr., 28, must serve one to two years in a state correctional institution, plus an additional two years on probation, Judge Jacqueline L. Russell decided.

“You’re a problem,” Russell told Lopez, who sat through the hearing while wearing a prison jumpsuit. “There has to be a sanction.”

Russell imposed the sentence after revoking Lopez’s probation, which the defendant admitted violating by committing new crimes.

Lopez originally pleaded guilty on Feb. 4, 2015, to conspiracy. Russell sentenced him on April 29, 2015, to spend two to four years in a state correctional institution, plus an additional two years on probation, pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, and $337 restitution, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Pottsville police charged Lopez with being part of the conspiracy on July 16, 2014, in the city.

Russell told Lopez he needed to change his ways if he wanted to be a free man.

“If you get in trouble ... I can keep sentencing you to” the maximum term, she said.

Also in the county court, Judge John E. Domalakes recently revoked the parole of Eric S. Creamer, 28, of Minersville, and recommitted him to prison. Domalakes ordered Creamer to remain in prison until March 16, except if paroled to an inpatient treatment facility.

Creamer originally pleaded guilty on Nov. 15, 2017, to possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. At that time, Domalakes sentenced him to serve six to 12 months in prison and pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, a $50 CJEA payment and a $50 bench warrant fee.

Mahanoy City police charged Creamer with possessing drugs and paraphernalia on Nov. 23, 2016, in the borough.

Creamer could stay in prison until May 15, Domalakes ruled.

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

Winterfest set

by Winter Carnival

POTTSVILLE — Winterfest, presented by the Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival, is set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday on Second Street between Market and Mahantongo streets, according to an event flier.

The event will include ice skating, live music, craft vendors, a beer garden, food trucks and snowman building.

Sponsors include M&T Bank, Pioneer Pole Buildings, Wheel, Riverview Bank and the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau in addition to AAA, Anthracite Abstract Co., Barefield Development Corp., Blue Mountain Ski Resort, Bob Weaver Auto, Bower’s Dunkin’ Donuts, Boyer’s, Charlie’s Pizza and Subs, D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc., Diakon Services, ET Trophy, Fanelli Warehousing, Friends of Neal Goodman, Gownley Appraisal Group, Heaven and Earth, Hiddenriver Bank, Jeremy Buchinsky State Farm, Salonkl, Law offices of Gretchen Coles, Sterns LLC, Leiberman Tamulonis & Hobbs, Marshall Bohorad Thornburg Price Campion P.C., Pottsville Pizzeria, Pride Home Sales, Schuylkill County Democratic Party, Schuylkill Public Adjusting, The Crimson House, Tim Conrath State Farm, Towne Drugs, Victor Muncy Glass, Waddell & Reed Financial Inc. and Yorkville Drug Store.

In conjunction with Winterfest, the Pottsville Free Public Library will have events from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday including air hockey, a snowball toss and winter-themed video games for children 8 and older.

The library will also have family board games and winter-themed crafts for children 3 and older.

There will also be hot cocoa and cookies for families.

Painting on tap

at Dreamcatchers

POTTSVILLE — Dreamcatchers Art Emporium, 370 S. Centre St., will host winter painting class with Maggie Mazloom at 2 p.m. Sunday. The snow date is Jan. 20.

The cost is $30, which includes all material and snacks.

For more information, call Dreamcatchers’ Christa Miller at 570-516-9815.

DSI to sell soup, Burger King reopens

SHENANDOAH — The revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc., 116 N. Main St., will sponsor a soup and sausage hoagie sale beginning at 10 a.m. today.

Soups are $6 per quart and $3 per pint and sausage hoagies are $3.50 each.

The soup variety will include chili. kielbasa soup, New England clam chowder, chicken noodle, split pea and beef barley.

To order or for more information, call 570-462-2060.

In news via the periodic Shenandoah Downtown Update, which focuses on developments in the community’s business, commercial, banking and service sectors, the Burger King restaurant in the 200 block of South Main Street has reopened following an extensive remodeling/renovation project.

Although more work is still on tap pending completion of the redo, Burger King’s reopening has been greeted by a steady flow of regular and new customers.

Walk In to host ‘Corks & Chocolate’

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — An event called Corks & Chocolate will be held in the main gallery of the Walk In Art Center from 2 to 6 p.m. Jan. 26.

It’s billed in an event flier as “a night of wine, inspiration, art and chocolate”; all are welcome.

The cost is $30 in advance and $40 at the door. Participants will be able to sample from local wineries, restaurants and small businesses.

Tickets are available online at walkinartcenter.org or by calling 570-732-3728.

Cooper redo is

an ongoing project

SHENADOAH — The effort to transform the former J.W. Cooper High School building at White and Lloyd streets into a multi-purpose community center is ongoing and people are welcome to become in the nonprofit restoration and revitalization effort.

Supporters are led by jeweler Kent Steinmetz, who bought the building in 2009, and a board of directors.

Although progress has been slow due to funding restraints, work is continuing thanks to volunteers and local companies who periodically provide material and equipment.

The intent of the local project is to transform the building into a regional hub for business/commerce, recreation, arts and crafts, relaxation and entertainment including musical and theatrical performances.

The J.W. Cooper Community Center is the official name under which the building is listed with the Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit entity under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, meaning contributions to the effort are tax deductible.

To reach Steinmetz, call 570-617-8920 or email kent@steinmetzjewelers.com. For more information about the community center, go online to www.jwcoopercenter.org.

Winter Carnival events listed

POTTSVILLE — The list of events for the 2019 Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival has been released.

Events include: Princess Saturday, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Fairlane Village mall; Winterfest, 11 a.m. Saturday, downtown Pottsville; Snowdrop fashion show, 5 p.m. Saturday, Fairlane Village, former Write Craft store; Snowflake fashion show, 7 p.m. Sunday, Lodge at Sharp Mountain, tickets needed; costume fashion show, 6 p.m. Jan. 17, Fairlane Village former Write Craft store; Royal tea, Jan. 19, Walk In Art Center, Schuylkill Haven, tickets needed; Queen fashion show, 7 p.m. Jan. 20, Lodge at Sharp Mountain, tickets needed; Yuengling Night, 7 p.m. Jan. 25, St. Nicholas Hall, Primrose, tickets needed; Snowdrop/Snowflake Pageant, 7 p.m. Jan. 26, Pottsville Area High School, tickets needed; Snowdrop/Snowflake After Party, 9 p.m., St. Nicholas Hall, Primrose, tickets needed; Queen’s Pageant. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2, Pottsville Area High School, tickets needed; Queen’s Ball, 9 p.m. Feb. 2, St. Nicholas Hall, Primrose, tickets needed.

Fairlane Village touts events slate

POTTSVILLE — Fairlane Village mall, Route 61, has released its January calendar of events, headlined by scheduled items in conjunction with the 2019 Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival.

The agenda includes:

•Saturday: The T-102 Job & Career Fair highlighting local job opportunities with businesses located throughout the mall.

•Jan. 19, 12:30 p.m., Cub Scout Pack 604 will hold its annual Pine Wood Derby at the mall’s center court.

For more information about Fairlane Village and mall events or sales, go online to www.shopfairlanevillage.com.

Grants available

to cut violence risk

HARRISBURG — Local municipalities, colleges and community groups may apply for grants to boost safety and reduce the risk of violence, according to state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29.

The grants, according to a release, will be offered as part of a program that was included in this year’s state budget to improve school safety and combat community violence.

A total of $7.5 million will be awarded statewide during this fiscal year through June 30 to support community violence-prevention programs.

According to Argall’s release, during a series of Senate majority policy public hearings on the subject of school violence earlier this year, the funding was “strongly supported by a bipartisan coalition of local schools, state senators and representatives and communities throughout the state.”

Applications will be accepted until Feb. 7.

“It is a sad reality that the risks facing children in Pennsylvania do not end when the school bell rings at the end of the day,” Argall said in the release, adding, “The grants rewarded through this program will aid communities in building stronger partnerships with the hope of creating a safer environment for young people in Pennsylvania.”

Eligible uses for the grants include mentoring services and other intervention services for at-risk children and families; promoting communication between school entities and law enforcement; linking the community with local trauma support and behavioral health systems, and other programs designed to reduce community violence.

An additional $52.5 million in grants will be awarded to school districts to improve school safety throughout this fiscal year. The first round of these school safety grants was announced in October.

Applications and more information about the grants are available on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s website — www.pccd.pa.gov — under the School Safety and Security heading.

LCCC center offers classes in Hazleton

HAZLETON — Luzerne County Community College will offer courses for the spring semester in Hazleton.

Students, according to a press release, can register for courses at the college’s Hazleton center, 100 W. Broad St.

Classes offered at the center include accounting, art, biology, business, chemistry, CPR, early childhood education, emergency medical services, English, first year experience, history and math as well as computer literacy, criminal justice, English as a Second Language, health and physical education, psychology, reading, sociology and speech.

Classes for the spring semester will begin on Jan. 14. Both day and evening classes will be offered at the Hazleton center.

For more information, call the LCCC Hazleton Center at 570-453-3140 or email tbauder@luzerne.edu.

Chamber updates mixers, sessions

POTTSVILLE — The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce has several upcoming sessions on its agenda. People may register for all chamber programs online at www.schuylkillchamber.com or by calling 570-622-1942. The chamber and the SEDCO/chamber conference center are at Union Station, 1 Progress Circle, Suite 201, Pottsville, PA 17901.

• The Business After 5 O’clock Mixer, sponsored by Wells Fargo and the Greystone Restaurant, will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Greystone, 315 N. Centre St., Pottsville. There is no fee but registration is encouraged, according to a chamber flier.

• The Schuylkill Women in Business Luncheon, sponsored by Miners Bank, a division of Mid Penn Bank, will be held at 11:45 a.m. Jan. 23 at Carmelo’s Roman Delight, Route 61. The cost is $20 for chamber members and $25 for nonmembers.

• A Quickbooks seminar will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Jan. 24 and 31 at the Lehigh Carbon Community College’s Morgan Campus, 234 High St., Tamaqua. The cost is $125 for both classes.

• An economic forecast breakfast focusing on the economy in 2019 is set for 7:45 a.m. Feb. 13 in St. Nicholas Hall, Route 901, Primrose. It will feature Edmond J. Seifried, Ph.D., co-chairman of Seifried & Brew LLC, sponsored by the Mauch Chunk Trust Co. The cost is $20 for chamber members and $25 for nonmembers.

• The chamber offers a new-member benefit, a human resources helpline that provides “fast, personal help from real live HR professionals,”according to a chamber flier.

Help is available regarding FMLA, ADA or leaves of absence; employee discipline, termination or employee relations; questions about drug testing or harassment, officials said in the flier.

“Call during regular business hours to speak with an HR expert,” according to the flier. The toll-free helpline is 844-318-0699. For after-hours calls, leave a message and the call will be returned the next business day. People may also email questions to HRHelpline@schuylkillchamber.com.

People may register for all chamber programs online at www.schuylkillchamber.com. The chamber and the SEDCO/chamber conference center are at Union Station, 1 Progress Circle, Suite 201, Pottsville, PA 17901.

• A program called WEDnetPA is funded by the state Department of Community and Economic Development and administered by Lehigh Carbon Community College, according to a chamber flier.

Organizations may be eligible to receive up to $450 per person for essential skills training and up to $850 per person for advanced technology training.

For more information, apply to Maureen Donovan, Center for Leadership & Workforce, be emailing mdonovan@lccc.edu or calling 570-668-6880 or 610-799-1245.

MAEA sponsor variety of sessions

POTTSVILLE — The locally based Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association offers a variety of discussions, training sessions and classes. MAEA is based at One Norwegian Plaza, Pottsville.

For more information or to register, email crobbins@nepamaea.com or call 570-622-0992. More information also is available at the MAEA website at www.nepamaea.com.

• MAEA now offers Concierge Benefit Services (Telemedicine) through R&B Insurance Services. “Concierge Benefit Services, our Group Plan, would like to review how they can decrease your company healthcare cost,” according to an MAEA flier. For more information call Darlene Robbins at 570-622-0992 or email her at drobbins@nepamaea.com or call Debra Carl of R&B Insurance Services at 570-850-3844 or email debc@rbinsuranceservice.com or Fred Reeder at 570-263-0836 or via email to fredr@rbinsuranceservice.com.

• MAEA also offers recorded webinars with agency instructors creating material to meet specific needs. For more about the service, call Christine Robbins at 570-622-0992 or via email crobbins@nepamaea.com.

● MAEA offers forklift training classroom instruction, which is running and accepting additional participants, according to a release. The effort is approved for six HRCI HR credits and is a prerequisite to be an experienced forklift operator. The cost is $435 for MAEA members and $870 for nonmembers. Use the aforementioned registration methods. The instructor is Steve Bair, occupational safety specialist for MAEA.

Expressions offers

Bake Shop VI items

SHENANDOAH --- Expressions, a thrift/variety store at 114 N. Main St. run by Pottsville-based Avenues, formerly United Cerebral Palsy, is still a satellite location for the sale of products by artisan bread baker Bake Shop VI, Pottsville.

Expressions offers Bake Shop VI’s baked goods and breads.

Expressions’ hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. It also has seasonal weekend hours.

To reach the store, call 570-462-6252 or email shenexpr@avenuesofpa.org.

Tobacco control

for worksites

POTTSVILLE --- Lebanon Family Health Services is offering free tobacco control programs for worksites, according to a member-to-member email from the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, 1 Progress Circle, Suite 201 in Union Station.

LFHS offers free on-site group cessation classes for employees. The Freedom From Smoking class is held for one hour per week for eight weeks and includes nicotine replacement therapy (gum, patch, lozenges) and a certificated upon completion.

It also has a tobacco-free policy development effort to assist with writing a comprehensive tobacco-free policy for companies’ handbooks.

To reach Lebanon Family Health Services, call 717-273-6741, ext. 310 or email to holly@lebanonfamilyhealth.org.

Avenues offers

shredding service

POTTSVILLE --- West Side Shredding is a secure document destruction service “that can supply your company with cost-effective and confidential services while helping individuals with developmental disabilities,” according to a Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce flier heralding the Habilitation Avenues effort.

Avenues, formerly United Cerebral Palsy, works to help people with developmental disabilities.

“We can benefit your company by saving you money, increasing office productivity, maintaining confidentiality and alleviating the costs of purchasing and maintaining a shredder on site,” according to the flier.

The base is at 1755 W. Market St. and Terri Moyer is the production manager who can be reached by calling 570-628-5316 or emailing to tmoyer@avenuesofpa.org.

Museum displays

firefighting history

SHENANDOAH --- The Schuylkill Historical Fire Society Museum, 105 S. Jardin St., is open for fire department, school and private tours.

It also is the society’s official headquarters.

There is no charge for tours but donations are gratefully accepted, according to the society website, which also lists museum hours as 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Appointments can be made for visits at other times by contacting society President Leroy Knapp or Vice President John Kelly. Membership inquiries are welcome. The museum’s phone number is 570-462-4400.

The museum was formally dedicated in 1999 with several commemorative events and a dedication parade. It has become a go-to site for firefighters and fire apparatus enthusiasts from throughout Pennsylvania and beyond, boosting the community’s economy.

Housed in the historic former Columbia Hose & Steam Fire Company station, the site’s collection of equipment and other artifacts is among the finest anywhere and attracts visitors from near and far.

For more about the society and photos of antique equipment, go to its website at www.theshfs.org.

For those in need of hoses, ladders, SCBA jump seats, warning lights, sirens, adapters or appliances, the society’s storeroom can fulfill the needs.

“Check the SHFS Store Room before committing to any purchase,” society officials said in a posting on the website.

The SHFS store proprietor is Pete Rinaldi, who can assist people with fire engine shopping needs. The room features new and old equipment with thousands of items on display.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. People may also make purchases online. All sales benefit the SHFS Museum and are tax deductible.

Call Rinaldi at 570-462-4400 for specific inventory and pricing.

St. Luke’s seeks

more volunteers

COALDALE --- St. Luke’s Hospital-Miners Campus is looking for volunteers to help make a difference with patients in the skilled nursing unit, inpatient nursing or emergency department “by spending time socializing, providing comfort items and assisting staff with various supportive duties.”

St. Luke’s volunteers, organizers said in a release, “are greatly appreciated and a valued members of our team.”

For more information or to join the program, call 484-526-4600 or visit the website www.slhn.org/volunteerNOW.

Loans available

for projects

Firms looking to expand or to retain or add employees may be eligible for a loan of up to $25,000, according to a Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce flier.

Business loans are available with the following criteria: Use of proceeds must be for job growth or retention and cannot be a working capital line of credit; use of proceeds could be to buy equipment, software programs for training purposes, CRE improvements and similar items; business must be located in Schuylkill County; collateral could be business assets and/or real estate.

For more information call the chamber, Union Station, 1 Progress Circle, Suite 201, Pottsville, Pennsylvania 17901. For more information about the chamber, go online to www.schuylkillchamber.com.

New funding for

farm succession

HARRISBURG --- With more farmers thinking about how to transition their operations to the next generation, including those who own farms preserved in perpetuity for agricultural production, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is making new funding available to ensure those operations have an up-to-date succession plan.

In a press release, the state agriculture secretary said one in four of the more than 5,000 farms that have been preserved and protected from development has changed hands during the past 30 years. With the average age of the Pennsylvanian farmer at 58, it is expected that this proportion will increase significantly over the next decade.

“Farmers care about the future of their operation, and for many, it’s an open question as to how the farm will be passed on to the next owner or the next generation,” Redding said in the release, adding, “We want to ensure farms have a transition plan in place, particularly those operations in which the public has invested a considerable amount over the last three decades to preserve from development. That was the motivation for us to create the Preserved Farm Resource Center, and now, thanks to Gov. (Tom) Wolf and the General Assembly, we have funding to help farmers develop those transition plans.”

In order to be eligible for a grant, applicants must own land that is subject to an agricultural conservation easement and submit an application to the Department of Agriculture. Applicants must organize a farm succession planning team that consists of professionals in this particular field. Farm owners also must hold regular meetings with their succession team and keep accurate record for reimbursement purposes.

Pennsylvania has preserved more than 525,020 acres on 5,003 farms in 57 counties. It is the largest program of its type in the nation, according to the release.

The formal notice outlining the application process and eligibility requirements was published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on Sept. 10 (Volume 46, Number 37), which is available at www.pabulletin.com.

The department began accepting applications on Oct. 1. Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received; grant funding is limited. Application forms can be obtained from the Center for Farm Transitions, Department of Agriculture, 2301 N. Cameron St., Room 310, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, visit www.agriculture.pa.gov.

NEPA Alliance

provides stats

PITTSTON --- The Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance Research & Information Center provides demographic and economic statistics as well as economic impact modeling services, which all could be used for supporting applications for funding assistance.

Some of the statistical information, according to an alliance press release, originates at the federal level from the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

At the state level, some of the statistical information originates from the Pennsylvania State Data Center and the Pennsylvania Center for Workforce Information & Analysis.

For complete statistics at the federal, state and local levels, the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy is available. The program that is used for economic impact modeling services is IMPLAN®, which is well known in both the economic development and academic communities.

For more information about services provided by the alliance’s center, call Steve Zaricki at 570-655-5581 or 866-758-1929.

NEPA Alliance

loan program

PITTSTON — The Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance has several federal and state loan programs available for small businesses in Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wayne counties.

Small businesses, according to an alliance release, can receive subordinate financing, 50 percent funding or $200,000, whichever is less. The interest rates are fixed ranging from 1 to 4 percent.

The low-cost loans offer lower down payments and standard loan term maturities for machinery and equipment, land and building acquisition and construction and renovation. Working capital loans are also available, according to the release.

Eligible businesses include manufacturers, industrial, agriculture/agribusiness, hospitality and tourism, related enterprises, recyclers, day care, computer-related services, advanced technology and retail- and service-related businesses.

The NEPA Alliance is a regional community and economic development agency serving the seven counties of Northeastern Pennsylvania — Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wayne. NEPA Alliance services include business financing, government contracting assistance, international trade assistance, nonprofit assistance, transportation planning, research and information and local government services.

For more information about the NEPA Alliance, go online to www.nepa-alliance.org or call 866-758-1929. To learn more about NEPA and its loan programs, call Dave Nat or Paul Macknosky at 570-655-5581 or 866-758-1929.

HEGINS — State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating an aggravated assault incident that left a woman in critical condition at an area trauma center.

Trooper Vincent Laselva said the assault happened at Rausch Creek Trail Riders in Hegins Township between Saturday and 5 a.m. Sunday.

Laselva said the victim, a 53-year-old Ephrata woman, was staying at that location for the night and around 8 a.m. Sunday, staff members were contacted by a man who also stays at the camp but was acting erratically and questioned him on the whereabouts of his girlfriend.

Around 10:30 a.m. that day, Laselva said, staff members drove to the man’s camp site and found the woman lying in the passenger’s side of a Dodge Ram truck.

Laselva said the woman had severe head and neck trauma and was bleeding heavily. She was subsequently treated by EMS and then flown to Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center by helicopter.

After arriving at the hospital, Laselva said, medical staff also found that the woman suffered stab wounds and that some of her injuries were consistent with being strangled.

The woman remains in the hospital in critical condition and Laselva said the investigation is continuing.

SHENANDOAH — The cause of a fire that gutted one home and damaged another in the borough Tuesday night was ruled accidental.

Shenandoah fire marshal Rick Examitas said the fire originated in the kitchen area of a home at 238 S. Jardin St. just after 6:30 p.m.

Firefighters responding to the scene were met with heavy fire to the rear of the home that sits along Poplar Street.

Flames quickly spread to other areas of the first floor and then to the second and third floors.

Examitas said crews worked for about an hour to bring the fire under control and were able to contain the majority of the damage to the home where it originated.

He said a home at 236 S. Jardin St. sustained minor smoke and water damage but can be repaired.

“There is some damage but it can be repaired,” Examitas said.

Left homeless were Lorraine Rosario and two children — Isabella Rosario and Gianni Sanchez — who all lived in 238 S. Jardin St.

Examitas said the three are staying with family members but received assistance from the American Red Cross.

A man living in 236 S. Jardin St., whose name was not available, also received assistance from the Red Cross.

That man is temporarily homeless because Examitas said electrical service to the fire building and his home was disconnected by PPL workers.

Examitas said the investigation revealed that the fire was caused by a cooking incident inside 238 S. Jardin St. and deemed accidental.

No injuries were reported. Examitas said firefighters from Ringtown, Mahanoy City, Butler Township, West Mahanoy Township and Frackville responded to assist.

EMS units from Shenandoah, Frackville and Mahanoy City were at the scene along with Shenandoah police and Shenandoah fire police.

The Pottsville Fire Department Rapid Intervention Team was also called should firefighters become trapped or injured but their services were not needed.

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

Deeds

Ashland — Susan A. and Richard J. Melendez to Scott A. and Kathy L. Fisher; 1230 Centre St.; $67,000.

Daryl H. Thompson to Thompson & Shappell LLC; 933 Brock St.; $1.

Blythe Township — Ryan McMullin and Laura Leiby to Robert Richards; two properties on Oak Street, Kaska; $120,000.

Branch Township and Pottsville — Richard T. Fenstermacher and Herman J. Fenstermacher to Long Range Realty Enterprises LP; 5.22-acre property; $1,080,000.

POTTSVILLE — New parking meters and the ability to use an app to pay for parking may be coming to Pottsville.

The Pottsville Parking Authority authorized John Levkulic, parking authority engineer, to solicit quotes for replacing about 400 of the approximate 600 meters in the city. The general area for the new meters will be from Mauch Chunk Street up to Harrison Street and from Progress Avenue up to Sixth Street, Levkulic said.

“Where there are meters, there will be new meters to allow them to put coins (in addition to using an app)” Levkulic said.

If drivers do not have a smart phone, they can call an 800 number and speak to someone giving them their information such as license plate number and credit card information.

Pottsville Mayor James T. Muldowney said it was his understanding that the meters that are not being replaced will also be able to use the app or coins.

Levkulic is calling various businesses for quotes. He will provide an update to the parking authority board at its February meeting. The parking authority would likely take out a short-term loan for the cost, he said.

Of the approximate 600 meters, at least half are mechanical while the others are digital. Time is running out on the useful life of the meters.

“I’m guessing the mechanical meters are over 30 years old,” Levkulic said.

He estimated the digital meters are at least 20 years old.

“If a meter breaks, I do not have a meter to put in its space,” he said.

Replacing all the meters might be very costly, Levkulic said. A figure was not provided.

The parking authority voted last year for an app by Parkmobile. Parking rates will stay the same as they are now except there will be a small convenience fee, Levklulic said.

“On every meter there will be a little app sticker,” Levkulic said.

The sticker might have a QR code that drivers can scan to put in information. The city will be one designated zone, meaning after drivers enter their license plate number and if they leave a space, they can use that remaining time soon thereafter at another area in the city.

“You will have the ability to take your money with you with the app,” Levkulic said.

A date was not provided when the app and meters could be up and running.

There are no meters in Garfield Square. City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said previously the city would not replace the meters in the square. In the area of the square, signs will be posted saying people need to use the app to pay for parking.

Levkulic emphasized, “Every parking spot will be enforced.”

“If we find that an app doesn’t work out, I think that we will make a decision for the future that maybe we should install meters there,” Levkulic said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

POTTSVILLE — A Tower City man charged with stealing a Chevrolet Malibu and then setting it on fire in Porter Township on Sept. 13 is among those scheduled to enter not guilty pleas during arraignments Thursday in Schuylkill County Court.

Lane A. Leitzel, 18, of 30 W. Colliery Ave., was arrested by state police Trooper Stephen Kleeman of the Schuylkill Haven station and charged with arson, theft, receiving stolen property, defiant trespass and drivers required to be licensed.

Kleeman charged Leitzel with taking the car owned by Ronald Kehler as well as a Pennsylvania registration plate owned by Marian Hand.

After driving the vehicle, Kleeman said, Leitzel obtained gasoline, took the car to a field in the area of George and Maple streets and set it on fire.

The vehicle, valued at $2,000, was burnt beyond repair, Kleeman said.

Others scheduled to appear for arraignment are:

Danielle R. Arbushites, 33, of 521 W. Chestnut St., Frackville; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Michael J. Merenda, 33, of 17 Snyder Ave., McAdoo; driving under the influence of drugs, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, obedience to traffic control signals and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Brandon M. Starr, 35, of 511 Fairview St., Pottsville; endangering the welfare of a child, driving under the influence of drugs and resisting arrest.

Bryan P. Botella, 43, of 1971 Howard Ave., Pottsville; DUI, DUI-highest rate and driving under combined influence.

John S. Schropp, 40, of 205 Virginia Ave., Shenandoah; DUI-controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robert J. Roundtree, 49, of 49 Water St., New Philadelphia; fleeing or attempting to elude police, DUI, resisting arrest, criminal mischief, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property, reckless driving, driving at an unsafe speed and recklessly endangering another person.

Daniel L. Hatter, 47, of 31 Vaux Ave., Tremont; DUI, DUI-highest rate, not driving on roadways laned for traffic and careless driving.

Asia M. Banks, 42, of 203 E. Arch St., Pottsville; DUI, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, careless driving and possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Christina M. Dymond, 39, of 300 Hill Road, Hegins; driving under the influence of drugs, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, stop and yield sign violations, careless driving, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

David F. Hampson, 29, of 732 State Road, Barnesville; driving under the influence of drugs.

Craig S. Dewitt, 27, of 10 Deer Lane, Pottsville; DUI, DUI-highest rate and driving at an unsafe speed.

Shenaque D. Anderson, 44, of 316 N. 12th St., Pottsville; DUI, careless driving and restrictions on alcoholic beverages.

Gregory R. Stanalonis, 27, of 211 S. Third St., Frackville; driving under the influence of drugs, careless driving and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Charles W. Stapleton, 51, of 133 Haddock Road, McAdoo; DUI, DUI-high rate and obedience to traffic control signals.

Edward L. Harley, 48, of 35 White Lane, Pottsville; firearms not to be carried without a license, driving under the influence of drugs, display of registration plate, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jamie L. Zipp, 31, of 30 Pear St., Pottsville; possession of a controlled substance.

Zakiya L. Jordan, 24, of 420 W. Coal St., Shenandoah; possession of drug paraphernalia.

Clarence W. Donton, 40, of 132 Albert Blvd., Pottsville; simple assault and harassment.

Juan A. Formoso, 22, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; false reports.

Keith E. Wykle, 30, of 825 Mount Hope Ave., Pottsville; simple assault and harassment.

Shannon M. Stahr, 34, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Alex J. Bulino, 30, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

John M. Parry, 26, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; aggravated assault, strangulation, simple assault and harassment.

Cassandra D. Duffy, 38, of 125 S. Railroad Ave., Frackville; retail theft and receiving stolen property.

Shawna M. Tillman-Zandarski, 27, of 150 W. Ogden St., Girardville; criminal attempt to commit theft and defiant trespass.

Adam L. Bloch, 26, of 1461 W. Main St., Valley View; criminal mischief.

Charles B. Macauley, 24, of 119 E. Pine St., Mahanoy City; possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Angelo Seritti, 33, of 1233 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ronald A. Schwimer, 35, of 205 E. Ridge St., Coaldale; driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jennifer R. McKoy, 34, of 403 W. South St., Mahanoy City; receiving stolen property.

Sabile B. Mehmeti, 35, of 22 N. Greenwood St., Tamaqua; driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robin L. Stayathome, 43, of 259 Lafayette St., Tamaqua; retail theft.

Anthony T. Heffelfinger, 42, of 138 E. High St., Coaldale; possession of a controlled substance and compliance with exhaust system requirements.

Kody M. Frank, 26, of 1218 Pottsville St., Pottsville; possession of a controlled substance and misbranding of a controlled substance.

Megan A. Leymeister, 33, of 304 St. Charles St., Schuylkill Haven; defiant trespass and theft of services.

Joseph P. Julian, 18, of 315 Laurel Blvd., Pottsville; possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Erin M. Hossler, 48, of 802 Seneca St., Pottsville; theft, theft by deception, receiving stolen property, forgery and access device fraud.

Michael J. Whalen, 37, of 170 Hickory Drive, Auburn; simple assault and harassment.

Anthony J. Souchak, 18, of 103 Railroad St., Cressona; terroristic threats, simple assault, harassment, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Clayton R. Pepe Jr., 30, of 358 Green Tree Drive, Schuylkill Haven; accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked and reckless driving.

Christopher J. Blatt, 45, of 102 Spruce St., Cressona; accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property, driving on the wrong side of the road, careless driving and duty to give information and render aid.

Cori W. Sites, 38, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; aggravated assault, strangulation, simple assault and harassment.

Daniel P. Reiley, 19, of 144 Fork Mountain Road, Auburn; terroristic threats and harassment.

Matthew T. Hunt, 26, of 71 Schaeffer Hill Road, Minersville; theft and receiving stolen property.

Matthew Yedsena, 42, of 289 Park Place Road, Mahanoy City; simple assault and harassment.

Amber L. Weingard, 24, of 16 N. Lehigh St., Shenandoah; retail theft and false identification to law enforcement.

Jerry M. Beach, 21, of 747 First St., Pottsville; criminal trespass, criminal mischief and theft of services.

Jeremy E. Hossler, 31, of 513 Baker St., Minersville; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jaime E. Sheriff, 41, of 30 Coal St., Port Carbon; bad checks.

Samantha Wagoner, 30, of 35 Vine St., Tamaqua; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Wendy L. Bianco, 40, of 19 N. Madison St., McAdoo; tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Susan L. Reznick, 34, of 329 E. Union St., Tamaqua; possession of a controlled substance.

Ismael Valentin Medina, 42, of 209 E. Grant St., McAdoo; retail theft and receiving stolen property.

Brett M. Boehmer, 24, of 1938 Tomhicken Road, Rock Glen; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

David E. Ritsick, 57, of 314 E. Blaine St., McAdoo; simple assault, harassment, public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.

Salvadore V. Craig, 44, of 8 Fourth St., Kelayres; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Deborah M. Vargas, 25, of 9 W. Elm St., Tamaqua; obstructing the administration of law and disorderly conduct.

Joseph D. Fritz, 22, of 619 Arlington St., Tamaqua; criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property.

Justin R. Braunstein, 23, of 131 S. Spencer St., Frackville; defiant trespass.

Chase M. Rang, 31, of State Correctional Institution/Mahanoy, Frackville; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Zachary C. Hester, 27, of 1907 Market St., Ashland; bad checks.

Jason L. Yenser, 31, of 322 1/2 W. Penn St., Shenandoah; criminal mischief and criminal trespass.

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

On the heels of a North American tour that celebrated the 20th anniversary of his eponymous debut album, celebrated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright will share his classic hits as well as new material with Northeast Pennsylvania.

The Grammy winner hits the stage at Wyoming Seminary’s Kirby Center for Creative Arts in Kingston at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

During a phone interview from New York City, Wainwright — whose repertoire includes eight studio albums, three live albums, a trio of concert DVDs and a pair of operas he composed — said his NEPA show will reflect a broader scope of his work, including what’s to come, compared to his most recent tour, which focused more on the last two decades and his original, signature songs.

“When I get to Pennsylvania, I will have really dove into my first two albums and reflection on that. A lot of the songs I wrote back then I still sing today; there’s some real stalwart favorites,” he said. “I’m fairly proud of myself for being able to concoct some recipes that still taste good after 20 years.

“A lot of the songs that go along with the show now are new songs. I’m also in the studio working on a new album with the great producer Mitchell Froom. There’s a fair bit of new material to be presented as well as some of the classics. It’s a bit of what’s happening and what will happen.”

A proficient pianist known for his soulful vocals, Wainwright’s sources of inspiration on records have varied, from “Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall,” an album that paid tribute to Judy Garland, to songs that tell epic stories about opera heroines to the cabaret-style elements of many of his other romps and piano rags.

Guests at his local show can expect to hear a range of these influences, he said, and may experience performances that also reflect the news of the day.

“I’ll be coming as myself, to do my night job, which is to be a troubadour that travels the world pushing my wares,” Wainwright said. “I tend to relate to the temperature in the room as a traveling musician. I like to be current and reactive to what’s going on at that moment.

“For me, above being someone who’s socially conscious and feels the need to express themselves politically, I’m very, very grateful (that) at the end of the day, I’m just trying to make people happy with music.”

Wainwright added that music can be used not only to uplift listeners but also to shine a spotlight on the ugliness of humanity for the purpose of educating and enlightening people on global struggles all can relate to.

“I do sing all over the world and in different environments, and while I do think it’s important to bring a message, I also think it’s effective to dip the arrow in love,” Wainwright said. “It’s important to stop and reflect on the beauty of the world and positive aspects, but also to use that to turn a light to the dark.”

Contact the writer: pwilding@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100, ext. 5369

HEGINS — A woman died from injuries she suffered during an assault in Hegins Township over the weekend.

The assault on the 53-year-old Ephrata woman happened between 11 p.m. Saturday and 5 a.m. Sunday at Rausch Creek Trail Riders, according to state police Trooper Vincent Laselva of the Schuylkill Haven station.

Laselva said the woman suffered severe head and neck trauma, and was bleeding heavily.

She was subsequently treated by EMS and then flown to Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, by helicopter.

After arriving at the hospital, Laselva said, medical staff also found that the woman suffered stab wounds and that some of her injuries were consistent with being strangled.

Laselva said the woman, who was not identified, died from her injuries at 3:40 p.m. Wednesday and that the case is now being investigated as a homicide.

Laselva said the woman was staying at Rausch Creek Trail Riders for the night and around 8 a.m. Sunday, staff members were contacted by a man who also stays at the camp.

The man was acting erratically and staff members questioned him on the whereabouts of his girlfriend.

Around 10:30 a.m. that day, Laselva said, staff members drove to the man’s campsite and found the woman lying in the passenger’s side of a Dodge Ram truck suffering from severe injuries.

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

POTTSVILLE — On Saturday, the city will be hosting Pottsville Winterfest.

For this special event Pottsville police said the following parking restrictions will be in effect:

No parking will be allowed on North Second Street between West Market and Mahantongo streets and on West Norwegian Street, between Centre and Third streets.

The restrictions will be in effect beginning at 6:30 a.m. and will remain in effect until about 7 p.m.

In addition, police said there will be no motor vehicle traffic allowed on these roadways beginning at 8 a.m. until about 7 p.m.

POTTSVILLE — Southern Schuylkill County soon will have a hospital, thanks in part to the expansion of public utilities in that area, the head of the authority providing much of that service said Thursday at a meeting of local business leaders.

“I think the collaborative effort is the key here,” Schuylkill County Municipal Authority Executive Director Patrick M. Caulfield said during the 90-minute Manufacturers and Employers Association Executive Roundtable session titled “The Current and Future State of Schuylkill County Economic Development” at its One Norwegian Plaza office. “Our investment was able to springboard the project.”

That project, the 80-bed hospital being built by Geisinger Health System, Danville, and St. Luke’s Health System, Bethlehem, along Route 61 in West Brunswick Township near Orwigsburg, should be ready to open this coming autumn, Caulfield said.

“This is what happens” when the public and private sectors work together, he said.

About 40 business and community leaders attended the roundtable session, which concentrated on developing businesses in the county development. Those leaders agreed with Caulfield that working together is the key to economic development, and the resulting jobs and prosperity, across the county.

“Our success is your success, and vice versa,” with local, state and federal officials working together, commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. said. “That’s how we’re getting things done.”

County Commissioner Gary J. Hess said working together is the only way to progress.

“We’ve seen some challenges and we’ve seen some great successes,” he said.

Several Schuylkill Economic Development Corp. projects served as examples of how to develop properties to accommodate business and provide good employment opportunities.

“What we’re driving for is new job creation,” SEDCO Vice President Brian Hansbury said.

Hansbury said SEDCO is constructing a spec building — one for which it does not have a tenant immediately available — at Highridge Business Park for a manufacturer that can provide approximately 100 jobs. The $5.1 million project includes local contractors, including Quandel, which is doing its largest concrete pour ever, constructing the 117,000-square-foot building, he said.

“It is very important that we all approach this as a partnership,” said Hansbury, who credited state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, Rush Township, and state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, Mahanoy City, with helping the project get off the ground.

Tyson Foods also is building a multimillion-dollar expansion of its plant at Highridge, according to Hansbury. The expansion will be fully roboticized, but still will result in the creation of 114 jobs, he said.

“Those employees will be high-skilled,” he said. “I think this is probably the wave of the future.”

He also said NorthPoint Development, Kansas City, Missouri, is progressing on the distribution center project at the site of the former Schuylkill Mall.

“There will be two individual buildings on the site,” Hansbury said.

County Commissioner Frank J. Staudenmeier marveled at the change, saying that the willingness of a large company like NorthPoint shows the county is turning a corner and becoming a major player in economic development.

Halcovage said the county will benefit financially with increased tax revenue from the New Castle Township site at Interstate 81 and Route 61.

Caulfield emphasized that the authority, which started in 1834, has been expanding its reach, not only by acquiring other utility providers, but also by joining in more projects.

He noted that, as parts of the hospital project, which is the first of its kind in the state, Rutter’s is building a convenience store on the other side of Route 61 and Forino Co. LP is building 168 apartments in the area. Caulfield said that will appeal to millennials and other young people.

“That’s another change that has to be embraced,” he said.

A medical office building will join the one already at the site, while more townhouses and single-family homes will be built near the area, according to Caulfield.

He said the authority has acquired the Butler Township Municipal Authority, will upgrade its Gordon plant, will be buying the Morea Citizens Water Co. and plans to expand its operations in Pine Grove Township.

Caulfield said his authority also is participating in two trail projects, one between Frackville and Saint Clair along Mill Creek and the other linking the Gordon Nagle Trail in Pottsville with Llewellyn and Blackwood.

“Quality of life is very important,” he said.

Hansbury said numerous other SEDCO projects should bring jobs to the county. These include:

• Improving roads at the Delano and Tidewood Industrial Parks. The poor condition of those roads had been a barrier to development at each, Hansbury said.

• Helping Clearly Clean, Orwigsburg, acquire another building in Frackville for immediate growth of that maker of plastic food containers. He said the company also is planning to expand in Orwigsburg and hire another 120 people.

• Seeking a buyer for the former Ashland Regional Medical Center in Fountain Springs, Butler Township.

• Helping Solar Innovations, Pine Grove, expand into a third building to try to accommodate its 180 employees.

“They do not have enough space,” Hansbury said. “We’re doing everything we can.”

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

FRACKVILLE — The borough has a new fire chief with the unanimous appointment of William Lindenmuth by the borough council at its Wednesday meeting.

Lindenmuth was recommended for the position at the meeting by Councilman Charles Berger, who announced at the meeting that he had recently retired as fire chief after 26 years of service. He has been a member of the Good Will Hose Company No. 1 since 1978.

“As not too many people know, I retired as fire chief this year,” Berger said during his personnel committee report. “So at this time, I would like to appoint William Lindenmuth as fire chief for the borough.”

After the voice vote and applause by the council members and the public, council Vice President Peter Zuber, who chaired the meeting, said to Lindenmuth, “Congratulations, sir.”

After the meeting, Berger, 58, said it was time to step down as fire chief, though he will continue to be active with the department and the Good Will Hose Company No. 1.

“It was time,” Berger said. “I’m getting older and there are younger guys who should get a chance. It is one of the best honors that I’ve ever had in my entire life. I appreciate all the people I work with in the borough and the firefighters from the other towns who we work with through mutual aid agreements.”

Berger is going on 41 years of volunteer fire service, with much of those years as a fire department official.

“I was assistant chief for I don’t remember how many years. I worked my way up the ranks and eventually became fire chief,” Berger said, who had nothing but praise for the volunteers.

“This is one of the best fire departments not only in the county, but in the country,” Berger said. “I think we accomplished a lot with all the progress we made in training and the excellent firefighting and rescue capabilities we have.”

As for his recommendation of Lindenmuth, Berger said, “He’s strong and hopefully he’ll do a lot better than me in the position. I trained him, and it’s just like being a parent where you give them the best and let them loose.”

Lindenmuth, 35, said firefighting is a family tradition with his father being a volunteer. He is honored to be chosen as fire chief.

“I’ve been with the fire company since 1997, so it will be 22 years,” Lindenmuth said. “I started as a junior firefighter in 1997, moved to a senior member, and in 2005 I became the assistant chief and have been since then.”

Lindenmuth began as a firefighter when Berger was chief and learned much from him.

“He was a mentor for me,” Lindenmuth said.

Looking to the future, Lindenmuth said, “My goal is to keep pushing the fire company forward, raise the training, improve our equipment, and keep doing our jobs.”

When asked about being a volunteer firefighter for more than two decades, Lindenmuth said, “It’s a great commitment of time and effort with the training, responses, fundraising and all the other aspects that go into it. It’s a big commitment, but it’s great to be able to give back to your community, be part of it and do something good for other people.”

Lindenmuth lives in Frackville with his wife, Vanessa, and their seven-year-old son, Brady.

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

POTTSVILLE — Schuylkill County Prison Warden Eugene Berdanier said Wednesday that he wants eight more people working for him as soon as possible.

“We’ll start to focus on filling those eight spots in 2019,” he said during the monthly prison board meeting of the open part-time corrections officer positions at the county jail.

Those are the only vacant positions at the prison, according to Berdanier. Furthermore, there are no corrections officers on extended medical leave and only three on restricted duty, he said.

Berdanier also is optimistic about the recent state inspection of the facility, saying he believes it went well.

President Judge William E. Baldwin, who chairs the board, shares Berdanier’s optimism.

“I think we’re going to get a good review,” he said, noting that the triple-celling of prisoners, which had been a problem, has been greatly reduced.

Baldwin also credited the sheriff’s office for moving inmates in and out of the prison as quickly as possible.

“I think they probably live in a van,” he said of the deputy sheriffs who transport the prisoners when necessary.

Berdanier said there are now 69 inmates in other counties’ prisons, including 44 in Centre, 12 in Columbia, 11 in Lackawanna and two in Berks. There are none in Snyder County, which, like the other four, has housed prisoners due to overcrowding in the Schuylkill County Prison.

The county spent $1,515,210.26 on outsourced inmates in 2018, Berdanier said.

However, the average number of inmates, which was 270 in January 2018, dropped to 211 in December 2018, with the average inmate stay being 30 days, he said.

Also, the county recently made a number of repairs at its prison, Berdanier said.

Those included, according to Berdanier, completing the privacy/security fence; replacing the floodlight near the inside of the front gate with an LED bulb, which improved visibility; repairing the entrance door to E Block, which is the restricted housing unit; completing the annual cleaning of the heaters in the boiler room; and repairing a leaky toilet, which required replacement of some longer pipes. He said the new security entrance area ramp should be finished this month.

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

Think you have the recipe to take down the reigning Sweet Arrow chili champion, who just happens to be a county commissioner? Well now’s your chance, as a county nonprofit is inviting the public to come join them in a day celebrating this winter’s extended warmth.

Putting the “chill” in chili, Diakon Community Services invites the public to come enjoy its Fire & Ice Fest from 2 to 5 p.m. Jan. 20 at Sweet Arrow Lake, 108 Clubhouse Road, Pine Grove, according to Susan Long, Diakon center services director. Admission is free, but one event does carry a nominal fee, Long said.

In its sixth year, the Fire & Ice Fest “is a feel-good event and gives people in the community something to look forward to in the middle of winter,” Long said.

With the aim of drawing crowds “outside to enjoy the park throughout the year — focusing on winter events — to help with cabin fever syndrome, and to chase away the winter blahs,” Long said, the gathering will feature activities for young and old, the hungry and the healthy, including the traditional Fire Hot Chili Cook-off.

The contest will give entrants the opportunity to dethrone Gary “Hat Trick” Hess, who is looking to get his third win in a row and fourth overall. Advance registration is required by Jan. 18 by calling Diakon at 570-624-3018. Registration to enter a chili is free, but there is a $5 fee to participate in the competition which entitles participants to taste all chilies and cast a vote for their favorite. Organizers ask competitors to donate a large crockpot of chili and come up with a name for it, Long said. Unique chilies, whether by name or ingredients, are encouraged but not mandatory, Long said.

“We have had many types of chili, everything from fiery hot chili to sweet chili, sweet potato and bean chili to white chicken chili, but I must say the most creative name was a tie between “Marriage Proposal Chili” and “Kathy’s Garbage Chili” — she said she had everything but the kitchen sink in the chili,” Long said.

Other food-based fun includes roasting hot dogs over an open fire; a homemade vanilla ice cream-making demonstration with Bob Evanchalk; and, for the second year in a row, a Healthy Chocolate Dream presentation by nutrition adviser Kim Woodford of the Penn State Cooperative Extension.

“Everyone really liked the unique taste of the Mexican hot chocolate, the added ingredients of cinnamon, vanilla extract and nutmeg gives it a spiced-up version from traditional hot chocolate,” Long said. “Everyone enjoyed learning the health benefits of chocolate from Kim Woodford.”

As for other entertainment, Jesse Wade, a one-time chili contest winner himself, will be strumming country tunes for the crowd, and Splash the Clown will be on hand stringing together balloon animals and more.

Unfortunately, one of the downfalls of warm winter weather is the lack of ice, and therefore, a lack of an ice dive presentation by the Schuylkill Haven Dive Rescue & Recovery Team. As an alternative, the team will demonstrate how they use a sonar scanner to inspect the bottom of the lake, and will also perform how to do a dive search pattern in the water near the amphitheater, Long said.

All proceeds will be split between Diakon and Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation Association. Diakon Community Services, 118 S. Centre St., Pottsville, offers a variety of services to help better the lives of senior citizens in Schuylkill County, including Diakon Living & Learning After 50, Health & Wellness and Meals on Wheels.

Contact the writer: dprosick@republicanherald.com

New Ringgold

The New Ringgold Fire Company will have mackerel breakfasts beginning at 7 a.m. Sunday and Jan. 27, Feb. 10 and 24 and March 10 and 24. There will also be full breakfast menus. All are welcome. For more information, call 5470-943-2212.

Nuremberg

The Nuremberg Celebration committee will meet at 6 p.m. Monday at the North Union Township building. This is the 20th year for the celebration and new people are welcome.

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.

Ringtown

The Six-County Fireman’s Association bi-monthly meeting is set for 2 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Ringtown Fire Company, 21 W. Main St.

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

St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, Chestnut and Oak streets, is selling February lottery calendars to match the daily lottery Pick 3 straight. People can win the corresponding monetary prize for that day, 7 p.m. drawing only. The cost is $5 for two chances to win daily. Calendars are available after weekly Sunday liturgy. To buy a calendar or for more information, people may call 570-462-0809. Returns must be received prior to Jan. 30 to be valid. All prizes will be mailed.

Wilburton

A Valentine Day-themed wine festival will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Wilburton Banquet Hall, 302 S. Main St. Tickets are $21 each and people must be 21 or older to attend. Six wineries will participate. Tickets include entrance into the event, wine tasting and a stemless wine glass. A disc jockey will entertain, food beverages will be available and there will be a 50/50 raffle. Tickets on the day of the event will be $25. All proceeds benefit the Mount Carmel Area Baseball Boosters. For tickets or more information, call 570-590-3714.

William Penn

The William Penn Fire Company, Mount Olive Boulevard (Route 54 just west of Shenandoah), will sponsor Trivia Night on Jan. 19 with the firehouse doors opening at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 each and include food and beverages. Proceeds will benefit the Shenandoah Valley High School classes of 2020 and 2022. The event is for people 21 and older; teams are forming now, organizers said in a release. For tickets or more information, call 570-590-9075 or 570-985-9716.

Tamaqua

Lodge 238, Free & Accepted Masons, 7 Shawn Ave., will host a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 19 in conjunction with the Miller-Keystone Blood Center, the only provider of blood products to 22 regional hospitals including the St. Luke’s University Health Network (Coaldale, Palmerton and Lehighton) and the Lehigh Valley Health Network (Pottsville and Hazleton). To donate, people must be 17 or older (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and in general good health. All donors must provide valid identifications. For more information or to register in advance for donation, call 570-668-3582 or go online to donor.GIVEaPINT.org.

Christina E. Hale

FRACKVILLE — A Frackville woman charged by Butler Township police with a trespass incident had charges against her held for court after she failed to appear for her preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale.

Elizabeth A. Treshock, 33, of 803 Washington St., was scheduled to appear on charges of defiant trespass, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia filed by Butler Township police Patrolman Raymond Horan.

In Treshock’s absence, Hale held all charges to Schuylkill County Court and requested a warrant be issued for the woman’s arrest.

Horan charged Treshock with entering the property of Susan Auld at 11 Gordon Road on July 11 despite being told not to do so.

Horan said that Auld found a purse inside her vehicle that was parked on the property and that a subsequent search found a card with Treshock’s name on it and also marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Other court cases included:

Kyle A. Rockwell, 31, of 245 Preston Ave., Girardville; waived for court: unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, driving without a license, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

James A. Swartz, 20, of 525 W. Morris St., Frackville; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance.

Laura Ann Pavloski, 34, of 624 First Ave., Box 89, Wilburton; waived for court: possession of marijuana, DUI-controlled substance and driving an unregistered vehicle.

Henry W. Davies, 39, of 1032 Brock St., Ashland; withdrawn: aggravated assault, simple assault, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct.

Francis E. Ney III, 34, of 246 Ohio Ave., Shenandoah; waived for court: stalking, recklessly endangering another person, harassment and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Jane M. Sondej, 59, of 100 Douglas Drive, Greenfield Township; withdrawn: accidents involving damage to attended vehicle or property, disregard for single traffic lane and failure to stop and give information or render aid. Sondej also pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal mischief.

POTTSVILLE — A Mount Carbon mother of two children in the Pottsville Area School District found out she didn’t have any working smoke detectors Thursday.

“The one we have is chirping, and I don’t believe that it works,” Megan Strohl told Pottsville city firefighters who installed three smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide detector.

Megan Strohl, her husband, Adam, and their two children, Caleb and Samuel, live at the home. Samuel is a first-grade student at John S. Clarke Elementary Center. Caleb is a fifth-grade student at D.H.H. Lengel Middle School.

Steve Karinch, a Pottsville assistant fire chief, told her she didn’t have any working smoke alarms. The smoke alarm she had on the second floor was beeping and installed in Aug. 2003. Firefighters installed an alarm in the attic, second floor and basement above the steps. The carbon monoxide detector was installed in the basement.

The firefighters from Phoenix Fire Company No. 2 were there as part of the Sound the Alarm program by the Red Cross. The program was brought to Pottsville, Mechanicsville and Palo Alto in June 2018. All seven fire companies from Pottsville, the Tri-County Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army teamed up to help saves lives Thursday.

Megan Strohl said she felt “a lot safer” that the smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector was installed. Caleb Strohl said he was “happy” because firefighters helped potentially save his life and that of his family.

“If there is a fire and there aren’t smoke detectors, we wouldn’t know,” he said.

Tarik Belkhoutout, 50, his wife, Amy Leffew, 38, and two children, Mustafa Belkhoutout, 10, and Najlaa Belkhoutout, 8, and Erik Leffew, 18, who live on Timber Road, Pottsville, had working smoke alarms but the two were replaced because they were old. Mustafa and Najlaa go to John S. Clarke Elementary Center.

Tarik Belkhoutout said having the smoke alarms makes him feel safer. He also appreciates the care the firefighters showed by installing them.

Those volunteering to install the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms met at the Humane Fire Company in Pottsville before they left around 5:30 p.m.

Pottsville Fire Chief James E. Misstishin Sr. said 839 alarms were installed in the city Thursday before the volunteers went to the 46 homes. On Thursday, 137 smoke alarms and 14 carbon monoxide alarms were installed, Misstishin said.

“This program benefits all of us in the City of Pottsville. It’s not a good thing to pull a dead body out of a house,” Misstishin said.

He said the installation would not be possible without the support of the Red Cross, who provided smoke alarms, and the Salvation Army who provided the carbon monoxide alarms.

Of those, 40 homes were in the city, one in Mount Carbon, two in Port Carbon, two in Palo Alto and one in New Philadelphia, Misstishin said.

Smoke alarms were installed in more than 20 homes in the Pottsville Area School District. The school sent information home to students at John S. Clarke Elementary last year asking if they had working smoke detectors. This is not the first year the school has done so. The death of children in the school district, who died in a house fire on Mother’s Day May 2013, sparked the attempt to save lives.

Donations have made the annual program possible, Molly Kleeman, a third-grade teacher at John S. Clarke Elementary Center said.

Rebecca Netznik, regional manager of the service extension department for the The Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania and & Delaware Division, said the Lowe’s store in Pottsville donated some of the carbon monoxide detectors and discounted the rest.

“We are glad to jump on board to help out for this good project,” she said, adding they might expand into other areas of the county with carbon monoxide detectors.

Smoke alarms and a limited number of carbon monoxide alarms are still available, Misstishin said. Interested city residents can call Misstishin at 570-622-1234, Ext. 335.

Those outside the program area who want smoke alarms can call 800-RED-CROSS.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028