SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Sunday saw a large turnout for the annual Father-Daughter Dance at the Walk In Art Center.

Barb Brady, a member of First United Methodist Church of Schuylkill Haven, said 96 people were at the event that started at least 14 years ago and was originally held at the church. She said social media exposure on Facebook helped to make the event, which is sponsored by the church, more popular. Last year, about 60 people attended.

“We wanted to do something for our young girls to show them how they should be treated when they date,” Brady said.

Fathers danced with their daughters and grandfathers with their granddaughters. Refreshments were provided, as was an opportunity for a photo to capture the evening. Girls received a homemade bracelet to take with them.

“It’s just a beautiful evening for them,” Beverly Luckenbill, a member of the church and volunteer, said.

Mike Urban, 50, of Lake Wynonah, danced with his daughter, Violet Urban, 6. This is the third time they have come to the dance.

“I really like spending time with my daughter. She likes dancing. She likes getting dressed up,” he said.

Violet also said she likes spending quality time with her dad.

Maloa Igafo, 35, of Schuylkill Haven, twirled his daughter, Manaia Igafo, 7, around on the dance floor. He then hugged her and kissed her on her head.

“She loves to dance,” he said.

Igafo said his “dancing days are over,” but came because it makes his daughter happy.

James Laux, 54, of Orwigsburg, and his daughter, Aileen Laux, 9, said they were having a good time.

“It’s nice to be able to be together,” James Laux said.

Aileen Laux said she enjoys being with her dad. There is an unexpected bonus however by not being at home.

“I don’t have to spend time with my brother,” she said of her 10-year-old sibling.

Against a red curtain and heart decorated tree, sisters Lilah, 5, and Sophia Berger,7, of Orwigsburg, smiled for a photo with their grandfathers, Bob Harvey, 66, of Orwigsburg, and Jeff Berger, 64, of Schuylkill Haven.

The grandfathers said the girls look forward to the evening — one they want to cherish.

“Time passes fast,” Berger said.

Harvey agreed.

“You blink your eye and they are going to be in high school before you know it,” Harvey said.

Brady said she was happy with the turnout.

“We’re hoping for more next year,” she said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

PINE GROVE — Those eager to learn about human actions and its impact on the forest were at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park on Sunday.

Frank Snyder, a retired forester and member of the Schuylkill County Conservancy, led a hike to see what nature has to tell them.

“Nature is pretty amazing,” Snyder said.

As part of a program called Forest Forensics, sponsored by the Schuylkill County Conservancy, Snyder hiked through the forest showing participants noteworthy finds.

White pine trees, holes in the ground, downed trees and trees that bent toward the light were among the topics Snyder discussed.

“Take a look at where you are standing,” he said.

People said they noticed what looked like a manhole cover in the ground. Snyder said it was the cover to a sewer line that provided service to homes not too far from the park. Looking straight up, several trees were bent inwards, resulting from bending where there is more light.

Stopping at a hole in the ground, Snyder wondered what it was for. The hole appeared to be about 5 feet across and several feet deep.

“This pit kind of intrigues me. This has to be an excavation of some kind,” Snyder said.

He talked to someone who said it might be related to coal activities. However, a man in the audience thought it might be a sign of someone looking for limestone. The man said there were similar holes where he lives in Hegins.

Standing near a large tree that he said was blown over, Snyder said the hole was caused by nature and can have several beneficial effects for species. For example, if it were to fill up with water, it might provide a habitat for salamanders to live. Insects could also multiple because of the fungi that can grow on the tree stem.

“All of the sudden you have a little diner her for animals that like insects,” Snyder said.

Turtles also might burrow under the white pine tree to find shelter from the winter.

“How can you tell the difference between this hole and the hole were just at?” Jim Parnell, 52, of Girardville, asked.

Snyder said the first clue was the large tree directly behind the hole with the roots exposed. The second was the roundness and lack of depth to the hole.

Parnell has attended other presentations by Snyder and found them to be educational. He came out Sunday to learn more about what nature can show people if they know what to look for.

At the waterfall entrance lot and the lower end of the park, Snyder talked about changes that dams generally can have on the ecosystem.

“One of the earliest sources of energy was waterpower,” he said.

Without dams, the water flowed freely and slowly down the floodplain. With dams, Snyder said, sedimentation can built up, causing the water to move faster and make the area more saturated with water causing flooding.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

GIRARDVILLE — The Girardville Borough Council accepted resignations of the mayor and the police officer in charge at Thursday’s meeting.

The first resignation letter read by council President Rob Krick was from Mayor Joseph J. Catizone Jr., who was elected in the 2017 General Election and began his four-year term in January 2018.

“It is with deepest regret I offer this letter as my resignation as mayor of Girardville,” Catizone said in his letter dated Feb. 12 as read by Krick during the meeting. “I feel my current personal circumstances no longer allow me the flexibility to represent the borough and dedicate time to my family. Thank you all for your strong dedication to our community, and thank you to the citizens for your support.”

Council Vice President Charles Marquardt said, “I’ll make the motion with regret. I hope everything goes well with Joe and his family, and hopefully he’ll come back in the near future.”

Councilman Daniel Heiser seconded the motion and said, “Joe did a lot in his short time as mayor.”

Krick announced that residents interested in being appointed as mayor should submit their request at borough hall. Since Catizone was in his second year, the appointment will be until the end of the year. Anyone interested in serving the remaining two full years of his term is required to be placed on the May primary ballot for the General Election in November.

The second resignation letter from police officer Lt. Matthew P. Williams, who also served as officer in charge. Krick read the following letter, which was submitted Feb. 2:

“I am writing this letter to inform you that as of this date, I am resigning the position as lieutenant/officer in charge of the Girardville Borough Police Department. Please let me tell you that I have enjoyed the more than two years I have served with the Girardville Borough Police Department, and also working with borough council and the citizens of the borough. I was recently offered a position as a police officer with the Mahanoy Township Police Department and gladly accepted as it is an opportunity to better myself and my law enforcement career.”

The Girardville St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee made separate requests to hold the annual parade on March 30 beginning at noon, and the second request to close a section of Second Street from B to Ogden streets for the purpose of placing food wagons for the crowds attending the parade.

According to the letter submitted from the committee and read by Krick, “The reason for this request comes from numerous visitors who said they were disappointed in that we didn’t have enough food vendors for them as they walked around after the parade.”

The borough council approved both requests.

A third parade-related request was made to the council by Joseph Wayne to allow Jack Kehoe’s Hibernian House Inc. to extend the liquor license for the facility outside of the tavern for the sale of alcoholic beverages within the confines of Beech and Line streets on parade day. The Ancient Order of Hibernians hold a ceremony that follows the parade, bringing many people each year to the site for an after-parade celebration.

“A formal application will be filed with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and the activities will be within the PLCB guidelines,” Wayne said in the letter.

Again, the borough council approved the request pending the PLCB approval.

In other business, Krick said the borough is applying for a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan for the replacement of the roof on the municipal building.

The council approved reappointing Kate Jones to the Girardville Area Municipal Authority board at the January meeting as the representative from Butler Township.

“Last month we voted to reappoint the person from Butler as long as the supervisors had no objection,” Krick said. “Butler resubmitted her name back along with another (township resident). As far as we’re concerned, that vote stands and she is appointed to the authority.”

At their January meeting, the township supervisors acknowledged receiving two letters of interest to serve on the GAMA board, one from Jones and the other from George Misunas, deciding to send both to the Girardville council for its choice. The GAMA board member from the township must reside in an area served by the sewer authority.

The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians submitted a request to use the senior citizens room in the municipal building to hold monthly meetings on the fourth Wednesday of the month. The request was approved.

Krick read a letter from Schuylkill Community Action recognizing a total donation of $600 from Entech Engineering Inc. to the food pantries in Ashland, Girardville and Schuylkill Haven.

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

Frackville

The Frackville Ministerium Food Bank will be open from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday for eligible Frackville residents. New applications will need proof of eligibility, a Frackville address with zip code of 17931. The bank is at Zion Lutheran Church. People must use the downstairs entrance on South Beech Street.

Mahanoy City

Elks Lodge 695 will fete Elk of the Year Dr. Joie L. Green on March 2 at the East Centre Street lodge. The event will begin with cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. and dancing from 8 to 11 p.m. with music by disc jockey East Side Sounds. Coats and ties are required. The cost is $22 per person and the deadline to get tickets is Feb. 24. For tickets or more information, call 570-467-2612 or 570-773-0467.

McAdoo

St. Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, 210 W. Blaine St., will hold a spaghetti and meatball or sausage dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. Meals will include salad, bread and a beverage. Homemade baked goods will also be on sale; takeouts will be available.

Minersville

A dinner set for 5 p.m. Thursday at the Minersville Fish & Game Club is open to the public. It will include crab cakes, pulled pork, burgers, nachos, smoked mac & cheese, wings and soup. Prices vary. For more information, call 570-544-3155.

Pottsville

A read-in chain at the Pottsville Public Library is set for 6 p.m. Thursday in celebration of Black History Month. There will be storytelling with the read-in chain, an annual celebration of Black History Month. All ages are welcome; people are asked to register by calling 570-622-8880, Ext. 12. The library, in a release, thanked the Martin Luther King Family Enrichment Center and the Rev. Gloria Alexander.

Pottsville

People who enjoy working with the public, have an interest in gardening and value fact-based gardening education may be interested in volunteer work as a Penn State Master Gardener. More information will be available at a free information program from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 27 on the lower level of the Schuylkill County Ag Center, 1202 Ag Center Drive. People will be able to learn about the Penn State Master Gardener basic training classes, instructors, fees and material as well as the requirements of ongoing education and volunteer time. There is no obligation to join. To reserve a seat, call 570-622-4225, Ext. 17 or email schuylkillmg@psu.edu. Recruitment for the program only occurs every two years, according to a Master Gardener press release.

Shenandoah

Registrations for 4K and kindergarten in the Shenandoah Valley School District will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. March 18 and May 13 — by appointment only. Residents must call 570-462-2796 to schedule appointments. A completed packet, three proofs of residency, child’s birth certificate and child’s updated immunizations are required for registration, according to a district release.

Tamaqua

The American Cancer Society is asking people who have empty baskets that are too nice to be discarded but cluttering their homes to donate them for use for the March 24 auction to be held at the new location, the Tamaqua Area High School gymnasium. The auction will have a shop-and-drop from 6 to 8 p.m. March 23. Proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society. People who have baskets that “need a good home” are asked to call Mary Ann Dulaney at 570-645-4228 or email madula@ptd.net to arrange a drop-off or pickup at the cancer telethon office, 33 W. Ridge St., Lansford. Any donations for the Chinese auction will also be gratefully accepted.

William Penn

The William Penn Fire Company will have a cheesesteak sale beginning at 3 p.m. March 2. Hoagies and platters will be available. To order or for free local delivery, call 570-462-0338.

In Pennsylvania, there are thousands of police officers employed by municipalities, universities, transit systems and the state to keep the peace and investigate crimes.

Sixty-seven counties employ sheriffs to guard county courthouses and serve warrants and other legal matters issued by judges.

Amid those layers of badges and guns is another blanket of law enforcement — elected constables and their appointed deputies.

That title is centuries old. But the passage of time, laws and court decisions have reduced the police power of the state’s 4,000 to 5,000 constables. The role in Pennsylvania is essentially one of an independent contractor seeking work as district judges’ warrant servers and freelance “peacekeepers” at polling sites, community events, schools, churches and businesses.

Few do any court work, even though, by statute, that’s their bread-and-butter way of making a living.

Thousands of constables this month let their annual liability insurance and state-mandated firearms training lapse, rendering them ineligible to work for district judges under state law, according to records at the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. As of Wednesday, only 897 constables (about one in five) had met the insurance mandate, and even fewer had current firearms certification.

Statewide there are about 1,200 certified constables and deputies at any given time, commission spokeswoman Kirsten Kenyon said.

To state Rep. Barry Jozwiak, R-5, Berks County, it’s time to retire constables for good.

A retired state trooper and former county sheriff, Jozwiak is seeking support for a bill that would eliminate constables through attrition and transfer their district court duties to sheriff departments. Philadelphia did it in 1970. He argues sheriffs can do the court work better and with more oversight.

“It is time to recognize that the office of the elected constable is a vestige that is no longer needed in the 21st century,” Jozwiak wrote in a memo to lawmakers last month.

It’s doubtful Jozwiak’s bill would pass the House and Senate. It didn’t before. Constables, although short on law enforcement power, still have sway in the Legislature.

“That bill’s not going anywhere,” said John-Walter Weiser, an Adams County constable who serves as president of the Commonwealth Constables Association, one of at least three lobbying groups in Harrisburg.

Ron Clever, an Allentown lawyer who works with constables, also dismissed Jozwiak’s bill.

Clever said the Legislature would be more wise to pass a bill that would allow locally elected constables to work for local district judges instead of allowing district judges to play favorites. Favoritism, he said, is why constables let their licensing lapse.

Constables are elected in every type of municipality, except Philadelphia, in Pennsylvania. Technically, there’s supposed to be one in each township and each ward in each small city and borough.

They serve six-year terms, but are not directly employed by any municipality or by the state or county judiciary, which jointly oversee district judges.

Constables have to pay, or solicit funds, for their guns, badges, K-9 dogs and other gear. They serve warrants issued by a district judge for traffic violations, criminal and misdemeanor offenses, protection from abuse orders, and eviction notices in landlord-tenant disputes.

The fees for performing court-related duties are set by state law and supposed to be paid from ticket fines. Sometimes counties pay constables up front per warrant, sometimes they wait until a defendant pays at least part of the fine.

“I’ve gotten checks for as little as 10 cents,” said Ian Castaneira, a York County constable and president of Fraternal Order of Constables.

Constables who work in district courts busy with traffic and parking tickets can earn six-figure salaries by picking up individuals with multiple warrants.

“We have constables in Berks County, they were making $250,000,” Jozwiak said.

In 2009, Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham, with the backing of county court, recommended doing away with constables serving traffic warrants in Allentown, arguing sheriffs could do it better and cheaper. City council didn’t agree.

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure agrees the constable system needs reforms, but he’s unwilling to part with them because the county would need 28 more sheriff deputies at $1.5 million to $2 million to handle the warrants in 14 district courts.

“It’s not fiscally prudent,” McClure said.

Constables are a taxpayer’s dream, said Castaneira, because government doesn’t pay for salaries, equipment or retirement benefits.

Legal costs are another matter, however.

Allentown taxpayers paid $32,079 in legal fees after a man sued the city after being shot and paralyzed by two constables serving traffic ticket warrants in 2014. The city eventually was dismissed from the lawsuit, which also exposed shortcomings in liability insurance rules for state constables.

That shooting, which led to aggravated assault and reckless endangerment charges against one constable, in part led to complaints that constables lacked accountability or uniform training. They were accused of having quick triggers and heavy-handed tactics in the Lehigh Valley and elsewhere.

In the 1980s through 2017, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency kept a database of media stories involving constables, whether they were killed or hurt on the job or charged with crimes. Most dealt with bad behavior.

To try to rein in problems, the state Supreme Court in 2013 issued uniform conduct rules, and continuing education and firearms and training rules for constables.

“Constables get a bad rap for everything they do,” Castaneira said. “Constables don’t have any more bad eggs than any other law enforcement, but you don’t see people call for the end of state police or municipal police.”

Training records are only part of the problem with the constable system, Jozwiak said. The law is still written so loosely, he said, he gets complaints that some constables are billing themselves as anti-terrorism experts and school-safety officers, and driving around in cars with illegal emergency lights, sirens and decals.

Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan points out the law says constables can be retained to “keep the peace.” That phrase is so broad, Hogan said, some constables become “vigilantes.” One Northumberland County constable was employed by Sunoco to guard a gas pipeline in Chester County.

“They should update the constable law,” Hogan said.

Contact the writer: steve.esack@mcall.com

POTTSVILLE — Sandra Coyle is no longer the executive director of the Schuylkill County Council for the Arts.

At its December meeting, the art center board voted to eliminate the position.

Lisa Gillespie is now the acting administrator of SCCA, having been voted in the position at the Jan. 17 board meeting.

“The action of the board was long overdue,” Charles Daniel Shields, board chairman, said in a statement.

Shields, who is an attorney, was appointed as chairman in January.

Dorothy Stangl, who had been the SCCA chairperson but resigned from the role and is still a board member, said Coyle was not providing financial information as requested. Stangl resigned as board chairperson at its January meeting.

“She wasn’t doing what she was supposed to be doing,” Stangl said Monday.

Kathy Connelly, another board member, said Monday that while Coyle was providing financial details to the board on an occasional basis, it was something the board would have to continually ask for. Coyle would attend board meetings but would not have the financial information often available. Coyle was not often in the Yuengling mansion, something that Connelly said the board thought was needed.

“The mail went over to her,” Connelly said.

She believes that Coyle wasn’t intentionally neglecting to submit the information. Connelly said she does not believe any money was missing or anything illegal took place.

“We reached a point where we needed to stress to her that we needed these things,” Connelly said.

Coyle received a letter notifying her of the board’s decision.

With the change to the board and Gillespie at the helm, SCCA is looking to move forward, Shields said.

He wants to “ensure a firm financial footing for the SCCA.” That can be done by using online banking, streamlining operations, increasing memberships, obtaining grants and funding from different revenue sources and other efforts. Securing money to restore the Yuengling mansion is also a top priority, he said.

In addition to Shields, Tyler Smith was appointed as vice chairman and Mike McCord as secretary-treasurer. Three additional members could also join in the near future, Shields said.

Subcommittee were also created during the change. An advisory board was formed previously to assist the board in bringing fresh ideas to the SCCA.

Connelly was one of three to interview Gillespie. She described Gillespie as knowledgeable, enthusiastic and having a lot of good ideas.

Stangl said Gillespie was the right choice for the job, although she didn’t interview her.

“She has a lot of experience. She is doing very well with the Majestic Theater,” she said.

Shields said Gillespie was hired part time, requiring her to work a minimum of 10 hours per week. A salary was not provided.

Gillespie is the executive director of the theater, having been hired July 2017.

Coyle did not return a call for comment.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

Man charged with retail theft

HOMETOWN — A Quakake man was arrested by Rush Township police after an incident at Walmart around 2 p.m. Feb. 10.

Police said they charged Joshua Baran, 26, with retail theft after he tried to steal items from the store at 35 Plaza Drive.

Baran will now have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, police said.

No one injured

in 2-vehicle crash

DEER LAKE — Three people escaped injury in a two-vehicle crash that happened around 8:55 p.m. Wednesday.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Dianna Kozak, 18, of Auburn, was driving a 2013 Ford Focus south on the off-ramp at Deer Lake, Cottage Lane, stopped at the stop sign and then attempted to make a left turn but was struck by a 2003 Honda Accord being driven east on Cottage Lane by Spencer Welsh, 20, of Orwigsburg.

Both drivers and a passenger in the Kozak, an 18-year-old Auburn man who was not identified, all escaped injury, police said.

As a result of the crash, police said Kozak will be cited for a stop sign violation.

Man charged with assault, harassment

LYKENS — A Wiconisco man was arrested by state police at Lykens and charged after an incident on Main Street in this Dauphin County community around 7:15 p.m. Jan. 23.

Police said they were called for a report of an active domestic assault and learned that Thomas Weaver, 40, struck a 69-year-old Lykens woman in the face with a closed fist.

Weaver also threatened the woman with a metal baseball bat, police said.

Weaver was charged with simple assault and harassment, and will now have to answer before Magisterial District Judge Rebecca Margerum, Elizabethville.

Police investigate theft at Walmart

ELIZABETHVILLE — State police at Lykens are investigating the theft of 29 items from Walmart in Washington Township, Dauphin County, around 11:15 a.m. Dec. 22.

Police said Saturday that two women stole the items valued at $416.72. Among the items taken were women’s and men’s clothing, jewelry items, dog toys and a Steelers team door decoration.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 717-362-8700.

Police investigate surrendered gun

ELIZABETHVILLE — State police at Lykens reported a man surrendered a handgun in December, claiming it belongs to his friend.

Police said Timothy Bopp came to the station on Dec. 10 to turn in a gun his friend, David Pernolia, found about 15 years prior in a dumpster at Lykens Valley Beverage in Washington Township.

Police said the weapon is an Iver Johnson .22-caliber semi automatic pistol and that their investigation is continuing.

4 charged from Walmart incidents

SAINT CLAIR — Saint Clair police reported charging four people stemming from incidents at Walmart.

Police said Brandon Chapman, 24, of Mount Carmel, was charged with retail theft for stealing items valued at $31.80 on Dec. 4, and Heather M. Lackie, 33, of Saint Clair, was charged with retail theft for stealing items valued at $96.11 on Dec. 8.

Amy El. O’Brien, 39, of Berwick, was charged with retail theft for stealing merchandise valued at $114.14 on Dec. 17.

Finally, police said Colby A. Sweitzer, 23, of Mount Carmel, was charged with retail theft and receiving stolen property for taking items valued at $237.85 from Walmart and items valued at $48 from the Smart Style business on Feb. 5.

Sweitzer was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison, police said.

Police investigate theft of package

WILLIAMSTOWN — State police at Lykens are investigating the theft of a package that happened at 118 Autumn Drive in Williams Township, Dauphin County, around 9:40 a.m. Jan. 18.

Police said Jasmine Urrita reported someone stole a package that contained women’s clothing, shoes and lingerie valued at $104.15.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 717-362-8700.

2 injured in

Lykens Twp. crash

LYKENS — Two people suffered minor injuries in a crash that happened around 3:10 p.m. on Route 25, just west of Airport Road, in Lykens Township, Dauphin County.

Police said Richard W. Klare Jr., 30, of Valley View, was driving a 2001 Chrysler Town and Country east on Route 25 when he ran into the back of a 2008 Dodge Nitro driven by Katie A. Snyder, 45, of Gratz, who was slowing down for a horse and buggy in front of her.

Klare and his passengers — two girls age seven and 11, both from Valley View — were not hurt, but another passenger — a 9-year-old Valley View boy — along with Snyder suffered minor injuries.

As a result of the crash, police said Klare will be cited for driving at an unsafe speed.

Pottsville man arrested for theft

SAINT CLAIR — A Pottsville man was arrested by Saint Clair police for a theft that happened at a residence in East Norwegian Township between Nov. 1 and Dec. 10.

Police said that Sean McGowan, 46, entered the home and removed a total of $5,000 in U.S. currency.

The charges against McGowan were filed with Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

HOMETOWN — A Lehighton woman was jailed Monday after being arrested by Rush Township police after officers were called for a suspicion person in the unit block of Meadow Avenue.

Police said the investigation into the 10:30 a.m. call determined there were actually two people who committed a burglary at that location.

One of the two was quickly located on foot in the area by Patrolman Michael Weaver, while the other person fled on foot and is currently being sought.

Police said that all of the stolen property was also recovered.

As a result, police charged Jasmine Conner, 37, with burglary, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property and possession of a controlled substance.

Conner was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $10,000 bail.

Police Chief Kenneth Zipovsky said his department is actively looking for the second person identified as Matthew Haydt.

Haydt is described as being 31 years old, white, 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing about 155 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

Zipovsky said Haydt is facing charges of burglary, criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property.

The chief said that Haydt is currently in the community and is reported to have no permanent address.

Anyone with information regarding Haydt’s whereabouts is urged call Rush Township police by calling 911.

“The Rush Township police would like to thank the members of the public and the officers of the Tamaqua Police Department for their assistance in this incident,” Zipovsky said.

“Although it was an unfortunate occurrence, the swift notification of the crime and the identification of the offenders are just another step in the constant efforts of making a safer community,” he added.

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

CRESSONA — A borough man is concerned about a condemned house across the street from his.

“It’s a dump. It needs to be taken down,” Richard Wright said, referring to the house at 9 Columbia Ave.

Wright has lived at his house at 10 Columbia Ave. for more than two years.

“It’s just gotten worse and worse,” he said of the house, which lacks a window on the upstairs and isn’t secure, permitting people to enter.

“There was a homeless guy living in here,” he said, adding state police removed him last October.

Wright said there were rats, snakes and other animals there before, although he hasn’t seen any rats or mice in his house recently.

Wright lives at his house with his fiancee and three children, 8 months, 16 and 17 years old. He said he told borough officials about the house but not much has been done, he said.

The Schuylkill Parcel Locator lists the owner of the building as Robert E. Reagan Sr. and Christine L. Clarke. No one was at the home Monday. A shopping cart, clothing and other items are visible inside.

Cressona Mayor Gail Knauf is aware of the house.

“It’s a very sad, sad situation for the borough. We have done everything in our power to have something done,” she said

She said the borough hasn’t been successful in tracking down Reagan.

“We cannot locate the property owner. We have liens against him that are enormous. We have come up against a brick wall,” Knauf said.

She conceded the situation is less than desirable.

“It’s a total mess,” she said.

Knauf said she goes to the house especially in the spring and summer.

“I go over at least once every two months,” although she couldn’t say when the last time she was there was.

Knauf advised calling Eric Prock, solicitor for the borough, and council President Robert Barr. Barr did not return calls for comment.

Prock said he is well aware of the building and in his opinion the borough “does a pretty good job of combatting blight.”

He didn’t know the house was not secured and said the council is waiting to see if there is any county funding available for demolition. He didn’t know the extent of the liens on the property but thought they were for cutting grass and other code infractions.

Steve Moyer, borough engineer with Systems Design Engineering, the engineering firm for the borough, didn’t return calls or an email for comment.

A sign on the porch of the house shows Moyer wrote a letter June 5, 2017, saying the house was unfit for human occupancy. Among other comments, the letter says the homeowners had 30 days to address the situation. If not fixed, the borough would condemn the property and place a lien on it, the letter says.

Wright said he noticed someone there between six and seven months ago, who he thought was a codes official.

Cressona Fire Chief Mike Mansell said he knew there was a condemned house in the area near there.

“Anytime there is a condemned house it is a major concern of the fire department,” he said, adding the urgency is heightened when the property is not properly secured.

He said action needs to occur.

“In my opinion, that needs to be taken care of,” he said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

MAHANOY CITY — Two upcoming community events were briefly discussed at Thursday’s meeting of Mahanoy City Borough Council.

Council Vice President Francis Burke announced the events that included requests for additional volunteers to help.

“We’re trying to get organized for the Memorial Day weekend activities,” Burke said. “If anyone would like to come on board and help us out, you’re more than welcome.”

Mahanoy City’s public remembrance of the holiday is for two days. The first is a program held on the Sunday before, which this year is May 26, at the Veterans Memorial at Centre and Catawissa streets. On Monday, the Memorial Day parade is held.

“We’re also starting to get underway for the Mahanoy City Community Day, which is July 13,” Burke said. “We would appreciate your help there, as well.”

In other business, the borough council acted on the following agenda items:

• Approved to allow the borough fire department to submit a solicitation permit application to the state Department of Transportation to hold boot drives on state roads in the borough on May 24 and 25 and on Aug. 30 and 31.

• Approved conducting a 90-day study for permanent restricting of parking on the north side of the unit block of West Pine Street.

• Approved to accept a compromise of taxes for the Citizens Steam Fire Company for the years 2007 and 2008 in the amount of $1,698.47. The property is a former commercial property at Centre and Linden streets next to the fire company and should not have been taxable. The compromise has been approved by the Mahanoy Area school board.

• Approved the promotion of Larry Levy as foreman in the streets department. The vote was 5-1, with Councilman Thomas McCabe voting against.

• Approved the handicap parking applications for 821 E. Centre Street and 323 W. Market St.

• Approved a request from the Citizens Fire Company No. 2 and Mahanoy City EMS for permission to close Linden Street from Railroad to Market streets and Catawissa Street from Railroad to Market streets on May 25 for the annual car cruise.

The borough council approved three repository sales:

• 630 E. Mahanoy St. to bidder Lee Williams for $1,000.

• 400 E. Centre St. to bidder Lee Williams for $1,304.

• 402 E. Centre St. to bidder Gloria Zorilla for $1,354.

During the public portion, resident Paul Zilker spoke to the council about a dilapidated garage near his Spruce Street home, an issue he had complained about for six years. He said there is a new name on the property record with the county parcel locator and asked whether a contact can be made by the borough to get the building demolished.

Borough code enforcement officer William F. Killian III explained that the original owner and deed holder is deceased, and the others listed are not the owners but are relatives who receive correspondence with “In care of” but are not responsible.

Zilker continued to press the matter with the council, with solicitor Eric Lieberman telling Zilker, “We’re going to continue to work on it and look into as many options as possible.”

“That’s all I want to know. I want to know who will clean it up,” Zilker said.

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

POTTSVILLE — An SUV ran into the door of a medical office building on South Centre Street just after noon Monday.

An employee of the Schuylkill County Communications Center said the call came in at 12:03 p.m.

City Cpl. Renee Truscott said an investigation discovered that a 2006 Jeep Liberty owned by a Pottsville woman was parked in front of 101 Mahantongo St. when the 51-year-old Pottsville man who was driving it failed to put the vehicle in park before parking and leaving it.

The unattended Jeep coasted east through the intersection of Mahantongo and Centre streets, went over the curb and struck the front entrance of the doctor’s office at 26 S. Centre St.

Police said the glass doors of the building were damaged but no other vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported, something Pottsville Fire Chief James E. Misstishin Sr. confirmed. The vehicle sustained damage.

Les Miller, who was driving the Jeep before he said he put it in park, was surprised the vehicle hit the Pottsville ENT building. Charlene Hauptly, who was in the car previously with Miller, said she noticed him put it in park.

However, a Comcast employee, who was doing work inside the building and stepped outside for a moment, disputed that account.

“I was getting in my van and heard a big crash,” Steve Clark said.

Upon exiting the van, Clark said he went over and noticed the unoccupied vehicle.

“I saw it was in reverse and I put in it park,” Clark said.

Dr. Mohammad Akbar, who owns the building, said it is “lucky no one got injured.”

The office has been at its current site since 1982 and this is the first time anyone hit the building.

Denise Rich, an X-ray technician, said no patients were inside at the time of the crash because patients are not seen until 1:30 p.m. or later.

“Otherwise this would be full with patients,” she said.

Contact the writers: amarchiano@republicanherald.com; fandruscavage@republicanherald.com

TAMAQUA — A mother and her two children escaped injury when fire broke out in the basement of their home Sunday night.

Tamaqua Fire Chief James R. Connely said firefighters were called at 8:58 p.m. to the 400 block of East Elm Street for a report of a house fire and, arriving in minutes, found a home at 414 E. Elm St. filling with smoke and a fire in the basement.

Connely said Allison Quigg and her two sons lived in the 414 E. Elm St. home and are staying with family members.

Connely said Quigg called the Schuylkill County Communications Center to report the fire before Tamaqua police evacuated her and her sons.

He said firefighters had the fire extinguished in about 20 minutes but remained at the scene for about an hour checking to make sure the fire did not spread to an attached home at 412 E. Elm St.

Connely said the fire started in the basement of the Quigg home and was “accidental, electrical in origin.”

He said the home at 414 E. Elm St. is owned by Joseph Chamoun, while the home at 412 E. Elm St. is owned by Irene Woodring and occupied by Kimmie Linkhorst and her son.

Along with smoke in the 412 E. Elm St. home, two other homes had smoke damage, Connely said.

They are 416 E. Elm St. owned and occupied by Bruce Kunkel and 418 E. Elm St. occupied by Kunkel.

Connely said damage was estimated to be at $10,000 to the property at 414 E. Elm St. and that the property was not insured.

Assisting Tamaqua firefighters were volunteers from Lansford and Coaldale, the Summit Hill Rapid Intervention Team and EMS units from Tamaqua and Lehighton.

The Tamaqua Rescue Squad also assisted at the scene along with Tamaqua police and Tamaqua fire police.

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

Deer Lake

The Deer Lake and West Brunswick Fire Company sponsors bingo games the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Doors open at 5 p.m. and games begin at 6 p.m. in the company hall. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-366-0900.

Pottsville

The Schuylkill County Master Gardener Program has a new coordinator, Steve Daderko, who has been a program volunteer since 2015. Introduced to gardening by his Lithuanian grandmother, Daderko has been involved with gardening since his childhood and has sought in-depth education in various areas of horticulture since joining the program, according to a Master Gardener press release. Daderko is available from 9 a.m. to noon most days in the Penn State Cooperative Extension Office, 1202 Ag Center Drive. He has had a 26-year career based on a Penn State degree in engineering. Daderko’s first objective in 2019, according to the release, is the recruitment of new volunteers to the Schuylkill County Master Gardener program. Every two years, candidates are interviewed, given an entrance exam and reference-checked before acceptance. To reach Daderko, call 570-622-4225, Ext. 17 or email him at sjd5879@psu.edu --- or just stop by his office.

Pottsville

A Mr. Sticky’s fundraiser is set for 6 p.m. March 2 at 12th and Market streets. A single regular sticky bun is $4 and a six-pack of regular sticky buns is $20. Orders and money are due by Sunday. Pickups are March 2 and March 3 before and after services at Trinity Lutheran Church, to which checks should be made payable. For more information, call 570-622-9910.

Pottsville

West End Hose Company, 1217 W. Market St., will have a wing night from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday. It will include boneless wings and chicken tenders and the soup of the month, chicken corn noodle. Take-outs will be available. For more information, call 570-622-5770. Company wing nights are also set for March 23 and April 27. The company also is taking advance orders for Super Bowl wings to be served from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 3. The cost is $10 per dozen. Call the aforementioned number from noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays.

Pottsville

Free blood pressure and blood sugar readings are offered monthly at Diakon Senior Community centers for people 60 and older. Those interested should call for dates and times at the following senior community centers: Mahanoy City, 138 W. Centre St., 570-773-0738; Pottsville, 201 N. Centre St., 570-628-3513; Schuylkill Haven, 340 Haven St., 570-385-5611; Shenandoah, 116 N. Main St., 570-462-1965; Tremont, 139 Clay St., 570-695-3500.

Shenandoah

The Shenandoah Area Free Public Library, Washington and Main streets, is starting a book club. The first meeting is set for 2 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 28 and the first book focus will be “The Library Book” by Susan Orlean. The book, according to a library press release, is a recent bestseller and a Reese’s Book Club pick. “The book begins with the story of the fire at the Los Angeles Public Library and the mystery that still surrounds it,” according to the release. People interested in becoming part of the book club are asked to call 570-462-9829 or 570-889-8685. The library will reserve several copies of the book for those interested, on a first-come basis.

Tamaqua

The borough has an electronic recycling program for residents in response to new regulations that ban placing those items out for regular trash collection. There are disposal fees attached to the program as well as a limit of three items per household per month. The disposal fees are $5 for one item, $8 for two items and $10 for three items. Electronic devices that will be accepted include desktop computers, laptops, monitors, televisions and computer peripherals such as keyboards, printers, mice or other devices connected to a computer. The program is a drop-off setup, so items must be transported to the drop-off site by first contacting the borough hall. For more information, visit the Tamaqua Borough Hall at 320 E. Broad St., or call 570-668-3444 or 570-668-0300 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Update focuses on business progress

SHENANDOAH — Recent business changes in the first block of North Main Street include a relocation/opening and new signage, according to the periodic Downtown Shenandoah Update, which provides word on business, commercial, economic, legal and service developments in the greater Shenandoah area.

Grizzly Exteriors LLC has opened at the former medical building at 25 N. Main St. The site once housed a Newberry’s store in the 1940s and ’50s and later the St. Joseph Hospital Satellite, which was opened by the former St. Joseph Hospital, Hazleton, in the wake of the closing of Shenandoah’s Locust Mountain State General Hospital.

A new Grizzly Exteriors sign has replaced signage that heralded a physician’s office at the site. Grizzly can be reached by calling 570-462-1095.

Across the street on the west side of the first block of North Main, Omar’s Barbershop has installed a bright, new traditional barbershop red-and-white pole sign, attracting attention to the business.

In another development, a new sign has been erected at 229 N. Main St. at the site of the former Attorney Kathleen Palubinsky law office. The sign heralds the Northern Schuylkill Development Office.

At the southwest corner of Washington and Main streets, a full small business plaza is in operation that includes the Two West beauty salon, the R.J. Makuta podiatry office and a State Farm insurance office. The site has a long history in Shenandoah, having originally been the Tom Lewis gasoline station, later Johnny Koury’s Burger Hut and also the start-off site for Capt. Mike’s Seafood and Fish Market, which is now a signature Shenandoah business in the 100 block of South Main Street.

William Kreiger, Shenandoah Valley School District art teacher, is working to gain use of a store front on Main Street for his students to have the opportunity to place their art work on display for public viewing.

Efforts to champion the arts in Shenandoah have deep roots. In the early 1970s, former Shenandoah Borough Manager David R. Heacock spearheaded the arts, including the idea of having a downtown art festival for the enrichment of shoppers.

Other regional communities have well-known sites that champion the arts, including the Tamaqua Community Art Center, the Schuylkill County Council for the Arts in Pottsville as well as the Walk In Art Center and Arts Barn in Schuylkill Haven.

Part of the ongoing renovation/redevelopment efforts involving the former J.W. Cooper High School building at White and Lloyd streets, Shenandoah, focus on development of the arts in hub called the J.W. Cooper Community Center.

On the down side of the greater Shenandoah business climate, the Verizon Wireless center at the former Blockbuster movie gallery building on the Gold Star Plaza campus has vacated the site, although the Verizon signage remains lit at night, still heralding the business.

The old-style street lights installed several years ago in the 100 block of North Main Street as part of the extensive streetscape downtown renovations have been largely nonfunctional for months, with more than half of the lights in the block out.

Fire that ravaged buildings several months ago on the east side of the first block of North Main Street near BB&T Bank has left several blighted, unstable, unoccupied structures standing but seemingly perilously close to collapsing, detracting from the appearance of the downtown district.

Dancing With

the WIAC Stars?

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — The Walk In Art Center, 220 Parkway, will have its first-ever Dancing with the Walk In Stars from 7 to 9 p.m. May 18 in the main gallery.

An event flier banners it as “An evening of dancing and fundraising” asking, “Who will be our contestants?”

For more information, email WIAC at information@walkinartcenter.com.

Auto swap and

car corral set

HAMBURG — An Automotive Swap Meet and Car Corral is scheduled for 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 3 at the Hamburg Fire Company Field House, 127 S. Fourth St. (rear).

The event, according to a release, offers more than 100 indoor and unlimited outdoor spaces. Refreshments will be available, the site is accessible to the handicapped and the action will go on rain or shine.

The cost is $2 for adults and free for children under 12 free.

For vendor spaces or other information, call 610-823-4656.

Peer support, music on tap

POTTSVILLE — The Conversation Café, 110 E. Arch St., provides peer support and features musical entertainment from 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays.

For more information, call Kristin Perhonitch at 570-617-7128.

Shenandoah SLC sets health fair

SHENANDOAH — A community health fair with free health screenings will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 6 at the Shenandoah Senior Living Community, 101 E. Washington St.

The event will include local health care vendors, information about health resources in the community, healthy food choices, benefits of walking, exercising demonstrations and similar fare.

In addition to SSLC, advocates include Healthy Schuylkill, Schuylkill County’s VISION and the Lehigh Valley Health Network.

For more information, call SSLC at 570-462-1908.

Fairlane lists March activities

POTTSVILLE — Fairlane Village mall has announced its March events calendar as follows:

• March 1-2, vendor show/Chinese auction to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

• March 10, participate as a baker or cupcake taster during the “Cupcake Wars” set for 1 p.m. at center court with festivities also including a coloring contest. For more information call 570-366-1638.

• March 16, an American Red Cross blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the storefront next to Super Shoes.

• March 16-17, the Kids’ Closet Connection spring consignment sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 16 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 17.

• March 18, noon ribbon-cutting ceremony for T-Mobile. People are asked to RSVP the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce by calling 570-622-1942 or emailing jgray@schuylkillchamber.com before March 13.

• March 27, learn about local job opportunities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during a job and career fair sponsored by Pennsylvania CareerLink.

For more about Fairlane Village, go online to www.shopfairlanevillage.com.

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 will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Schaeffer’s Harley Davidson, 1123 Brick Hill Road, Orwigsburg. RSVP by calling the chamber.

• The Schuylkill Women in Business luncheon will be held at 11:45 a.m. Feb. 27 at Schuylkill Technology Center South Campus, 15 Maple Ave., Mar Lin. The presenter will be Amy Lafko, Caim Consulting Solutions; the sponsor is the Northeast Pennsylvania Alliance. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by Monday.

• 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.

“You may qualify for WEDnetPA funding if your company is based in Pennsylvania, a manufacturing or a technology-based business,” according to the 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.

Schuylkill Leadership classes forming

POTTSVILLE — Classes for Schuylkill Leadership 2019, sponsored by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, are forming now.

According to a chamber event flier, Schuylkill Leadership “brings together a group of diverse business people from around the area and takes you on a journey through Schuylkill County,” according to the flier, which adds that participants along the way will “learn what makes Schuylkill County a great place to live and work as well as be exposed to numerous hidden gems within the county.”

James DeAngelo of Wegmans, a Schuylkill Leadership graduate, said in the flier he lived in the county his entire life and “was unaware of the many businesses/organizations … that call Schuylkill County home.”

He said Schuylkill Leadership “will give you a new understanding of what Schuylkill County has to offer. The relationships formed with fellow classmates make this experience truly rewarding.”

For more information on Schuylkill Leadership or to get an application, call Samantha Chivinski at 570-622-1942 or email her at schivinski@schuylkillchamber.com.

Sunday brunch at The Maid’s Quarters

POTTSVILLE — The Maid’s Quarters Bed, Breakfast and Tearoom, 402 S. Centre St., will have a second Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 10.

The cost is $14.25 per person and reservations are required. For more information, go online to www.themaidsquartersbedandbreakfast.com or email maidsquarters_1829@yahoo.com.

PHILADELPHIA — The Holy See Press Office at the Vatican announced Monday that Pope Francis has appointed the Most Rev. Borys Gudziak as archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and as metropolitan for the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States.

The pope acted on the recommendation of the appointment offered by the Synod of Ukrainian Catholic Bishops, which met in September 2018 in Lviv, Ukraine.

Gudziak, 58, will be the seventh metropolitan-archbishop for the archeparchy, which includes Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia and Washington, D.C. In Schuylkill County, there are Ukrainian Catholic parishes in Frackville, Maizeville, McAdoo, Middleport, Minersville, Saint Clair and Shenandoah, which is the oldest Ukrainian Greek Catholic parish in America.

Gudziak’s installation will take place on June 4 at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia.

The archeparchy was declared by Pope Francis as “sede vacante” following the resignation of Most Rev. Stefan Soroka on April 16, 2018. The Most Rev. Andriy Rabiy, auxiliary bishop, was named by the pope as the apostolic administrator of the archeparchy (archdiocese) until the appointment of the new metropolitan-archbishop.

The Very Rev. Archpriest John M. Fields, who is the archeparchy director of communications, said in a media release that Gudziak currently serves as the eparch (bishop) of St. Volodymyr the Great Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy, which includes France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg and Switzerland. He is the founder and president of the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, Ukraine, and is the head of Department of External Church Relations of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.

In an interview with the press office of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Gudziak said:

“As a church historian and pastor, I find comfort and inspiration in the twentieth-century salvation history of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. Authenticity in prayer and worship, selfless service and humility are the only possible ways to live the Gospel convincingly in contemporary society, especially amidst the church’s present difficulties. True faith and love prevail, even in unbearable circumstances; so does hope. The three great things of which St. Paul writes bring peace and joy. With God’s help, I hope to testify in Philadelphia and throughout the archeparchy about the witness of our fathers and mothers in the faith. They endured and prevailed spiritually and morally through the power of God. So can we.”

With his appointment, Gadziuk was raised from bishop to archbishop.

In his message to the archeparchy, Rabiy said:

“Dear Fathers, Father Deacons, Monastics and the Faithful of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia,

Today we learned of the wonderful news of appointment of His Grace, Archbishop Borys Gudziak, as the seventh Metropolitan-Archbishop of Philadelphia. Starting today we are to commemorate His Grace Borys in litanies and divine services in the following order:

For our most holy universal Pontiff, Francis, Pope of Rome, our most blessed Major Archbishop Sviatoslav, our most reverend Metropolitan, Borys, our God-loving Bishops, John and Andriy, the reverend priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, and all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

May the good and loving Lord bless our new Metropolitan Borys always!”

Gudziak was born on Nov. 24, 1960, in Syracuse, New York, the son of immigrants from Ukraine. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and biology from Syracuse University in 1980 and then studied in Rome, in the circle of Major Archbishop Josyf Slipyj. He received a STB degree in theology from the Pontifical Urban University in 1983 and then returned to America to pursue a doctorate in Slavic and Byzantine Cultural History at Harvard University, which he successfully defended in 1992. In 1995, he earned a licentiate in Eastern Christian studies from the Pontifical Oriental Institute.

In 1992, he moved to Lviv where he founded and directed (1992-2002) the Institute of Church History. In 1993, he was appointed chairman of the Commission for the Renewal of the Lviv Theological Academy. From 1995 until 2000, he served as vice rector of the Lviv Theological Academy, then as rector from 2000 to 2002. In that year, Gudziak became rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University (founded on the basis of the Academy), and in 2013, its president.

Gudziak was ordained as a priest on Nov. 26, 1998.

In 2012, he was appointed bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg and Switzerland. Gudziak also serves as a member of the Permanent Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and as a head of the Department of External Church Relations. In 2016, with the help of American consultants with experience in church administration as well as business, Gudziak launched a program of strategic pastoral planning to create an eparchial vision for its future activity and growth, increased the number of priests and parishes, established a new financial model for the eparchy’s sustainability and widely engaged the laity.

During the 2013-2014 Maidan movement for human dignity, he was an active supporter and appeared regularly on leading global TV channels and media providing expert commentary.

Gudziak has received numerous awards and distinctions. In 2015, he became a Cavalier of the Order of Legion of Honor (Chevalier de l’Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur), the highest decoration in France. In 2016, he was awarded the Jan Nowak-Jezioraski Award in Wroclaw, Poland, in recognition for his work in shaping civil society in Central and Eastern Europe. In 2018, he received an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, Syracuse University, and a literary award from the Ukrainian chapter of PEN International. He travels globally with lectures and talks on theology, history, spirituality, education, society, and current challenges in Ukraine.

He speaks English, Ukrainian, Italian, Polish, French, Russian and German. Gudziak is the author of a number of scholarly works, among them a doctoral dissertation on 16th century church history, published as “Crisis and Reform: The Kyivan Metropolitanate, the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and the Genesis of the Union of Brest,” as well as numerous articles in European and North American academic journals. He has also penned articles in popular magazines, newspapers, commentary on political, cultural and religious affairs; position papers on academic curricula and educational reform; and introductions to scholarly and spiritual publications. Gudziak is among the authors of “A Pope Francis Lexicon,” edited by Cindy Wooden and Joshua J. McElwee, and a collection of essays about the future of Europe.

He continues to be an active member of the “Plast” Ukrainian Scouting Organization and the head of its supervisory board. Gudziak is an honorary citizen of Lviv.

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

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Veterans have a new place to go for help in Schuylkill County.

A ribbon-cutting was held Tuesday at 355 Saylor St., the home of We Agape You Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit geared toward helping veterans and those less fortunate by providing employment and housing options.

“Thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts,” Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary Hess told Randolph Simmons, president of the nonprofit.

The leased property, once fully outfitted with personnel, will be able to help veterans find employment and connect them with housing. Simmons said they have helped veterans out of the office recently.

This is not the first instance of We Agape You’s work in the county, having rehabilitated homes in Port Carbon, Saint Clair and Minersville.

“I see what the veterans go through,” Simmons said, adding he has veteran family members who have struggled after service.

We Agape You has three more properties in mind to rehabilitate, one each in Schuylkill Haven, Port Carbon and Pottsville. Additional information was not provided. The company gets homes through donations and fixes them up to donate, sell or rent.

“We target veterans,” Simmons said.

For example, if a veteran needs to work, they are connected with different employment options available in the county. They can also clean out homes the organization is renovating.

“We pay up to $50 a day cash and we pick them up,” Simmons said.

A meal is also provided, he said. However, regular attendance is important.

“That’s what we advocate, self-sufficiency,” he said.

Commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. said the assistance the organization will provide is appreciated.

“Taking care of veterans is huge,” Halcovage said.

Robert S. Carl Jr., president and CEO of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, said the mission of We Agape You, “to give back,” is laudable.

“He (Simmons) has a mission to take care of those people in need, especially veterans,” Carl said.

U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-9, said there are about 90,000 veterans in the 9th Congressional District.

“It’s projects like this that make the difference,” he said.

To show his support, Meuser wrote a check for $250 to We Agape You.

Simmons was speechless.

“I’m blown away,” he said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

VALLEY VIEW — Hegins-Hubley Authority Chairman Clark Romberger on Monday recommended the authority conduct an after action review and an internal audit of its emergency plans.

The recommendation came following a Maple Street house fire last month and trouble with two nearby hydrants in Valley View.

Hegins Valley Fire Rescue Chief Chad Richards attended the meeting and explained that there weren’t any difficulties with the hydrants being maintained by the authority. The problem was with the size of the hookup to the hydrants and the adapters that are available, taking a 2 1/2-inch line up to a 5-inch line. Richard had also brought his concerns before the Hegins Township board of supervisors on Feb. 6.

Richards said the Joliett Fire Company, which came in to assist at the Maple Street fire, did not have the adapter capability for those particular hydrants. One hydrant was also frozen.

Richards showed the authority members a Stewart hydrant adapter that would allow a proper connection between the fire hoses and the hydrants. The adapters could cost $150 up to several hundred dollars each.

Romberger suggested the authority do an inventory of all the hydrants in the townships, detailing their age and installation, and also conduct annual inspections.

Authority Manager Demetrius Kasmari said the authority does have an inventory of its hydrants and had an assessment completed a few years ago through the Environmental Protection Agency and the state Department of Environmental Protection. As of November and December, all hydrants had been checked and were in working order, Kasmari said. The hydrants in Valley View were scheduled to be updated, Kasmari said; however, there were two traffic accidents that damaged two other hydrants in the township, so those were replaced first. There are 143 hydrants the authority maintains in Hegins and Hubley townships.

Authority engineer Frederick E. Ebert commended the work of Kasmari and Brent Smith, assistant manager, saying they had updated the location of the valves and the hydrants, and had made sure all the valves had been exercised.

Kasmari said each township has its own valve key. He spoke with Richards and brought up the idea of having all of the hydrants and valves numbered. He’d also be willing to sit down with township officials and emergency personnel to review the emergency plans. Romberger asked Kasmari to bring back recommendations to the board next month. Romberger thanked the emergency responders, township and authority workers for their efforts during the fire.

In other business, Ebert updated the board on the status of the request for proposals for the design of the new sewage treatment and collection system. He said he was impressed with how prepared the engineering firms were who attended a tour of the townships.

Ebert expects the authority will receive five RFPs, with two of the companies submitting a joint RFP. The sealed proposals are due by Feb. 28.

Solicitor Paul J. Datte, Pottsville, said they are proposals and not bids. The authority did not need to bid the project. Datte said the proposals would be an exception to the Right to Know request rules. Datte and Ebert said board members want to be sure they’re comparing “apples to apples” when it comes to the figures presented in the proposals. Once the engineering contract is let, then that information becomes available for public review, Datte said.

In other business, the board:

• Heard from a citizen concerned about the possible location of the sewage treatment and collection system, which could be near his property.

• Approved a FEMA applicant resolution for Kasmari to be the agent involved with any necessary FEMA paperwork.

• Heard Ebert’s report that the authority was awaiting the designs for the Hubley water tank replacement.

The next board meeting is 5 p.m. March 19 at the authority office.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

VALLEY VIEW — Citizens questioned Tuesday the safety, potential noise pollution, environmental hazards and reduced property values that could come along with a proposed compressor station in Hegins Township.

More than 60 people crowded into the Hegins Area Ambulance Association building during the first hour of a two-hour open house for Williams’ Leidy South Expansion Project, part of the Transco natural gas pipeline. Maps that Williams provided showed the targeted site for the compressor station is between Deep Creek Road and Bridge Road. The station is one component of the $500 million infrastructure investment to expand the existing Transco pipeline.

Christopher L. Stockton, Williams spokesman, said the company had purchased a 90-acre parcel and had an agreement with the landowner for the property, which is currently an empty field. The landowner’s name, nor the sale price, were being disclosed, Stockton said.

The proposed compressor station will encompass about 10 acres for the facility itself and is centrally located along the pipeline route in the township. The remaining portion of the 90 acres Williams bought includes a buffer zone to neighboring property. Williams sent a letter to property owners within a half-mile radius of the site’s perimeter inviting them to the meeting, which was also open to the public. Compressor stations are usually built within every 50 miles along the pipeline route, according to Stockton.

“We look at if the area has wetlands, is there a threat to regional species, is it flat, is it on the pipeline route? We don’t have eminent domain,” he said.

About 20 Williams representatives with expertise in engineering, environmental impact, project management and operations, and representatives from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission were on hand to answer questions. There was no speech presented; guests just mingled among the maps and charts presented, and spoke with Williams personnel directly.

“A lot of citizens are concerned about the noise. After a year or two, they want to know if the company decides to expand if the noise is going to get louder,” Bruce Klouser, Hegins Township supervisor, said. “We also asked about this being put along the Donaldson stretch, but were told they needed at least 70 or more acres,” Klouser said.

LeRoy Shuey said there was concern about maintaining quality of life and the environment.

“There was discussion about putting this in a less populated area,” he said. “I’m also concerned about the environmental impact. There’s an approved trout fishing area ... I cannot believe this compressor station will make the equivalent noise of a dishwasher,” Shuey said.

Stockton said the company identifies the nearest noise sensitive area to its compressor station, which could be a home or business, for instance. The compressor station must operate at 55 decibels or below at that nearest noise sensitive area, which is the equivalent noise to a refrigerator or dishwasher running, he said. There may be the possibility to expand, but any changes made must still be below that 55-decibel level, Stockton said.

FERC will also conduct either an environmental assessment or impact statement, and will identify any fish, mammals, bats or birds in the area of impact and any potential danger to them.

FERC will also host “scoping hearings,” Stockton said, which will be another opportunity for the public to respond to the proposal and to see that concerns are being addressed. That would happen after Williams files its FERC permit application later this summer. Interstate natural gas pipelines are regulated by FERC, and Tuesday’s meeting was part of the commission’s pre-filing process. Williams hopes to start construction in 2021.

In December, a group of 25 citizens in the Pitman Valley issued a letter of concern against the proposed gas pipeline compressor station, which had previously been proposed to be erected in Eldred Township. A Hegins Township resident, Bernard Spece, has also started a petition against the project, and was still collecting signatures Tuesday.

Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary Hess acknowledged the county had received the Eldred petition and said it was important to hear more about the project.

“We want to make sure the concerns of people in this area are addressed. Agriculture here is priceless, and we want to see that it’s not disturbed as much, and make sure that it’s taken into consideration,” he said.

Williams installed the Atlantic Sunrise natural gas pipeline across the county and put it into operation in October.

John M. Matz, Schuylkill County Emergency Mangement Agency coordinator, said the county had been in contact with the safety manager of Williams throughout the process of the pipeline construction. Williams personnel have kept first responders “in the loop,” Matz said, and the company has provided several fire departments, and community organizations grants.

Matz said he had the normal concerns about education for first responders and wanting to make sure they’re aware of what’s on the Williams properties, noting the pipeline operation has electronic controls and automatic shut down capabilities, like many other county industries.

“One of the most important things we have is our relationship with these companies,” Matz said.

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MAHANOY CITY — The Missionaries of Charity sisters are back.

Five sisters of the religious order founded by St. Teresa of Calcutta, M.C., arrived around 8 p.m. Tuesday to their convent at South and C streets near St. Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church, accompanied by Sister Dorothy, M.C., who is the order’s regional superior based in the Bronx.

The sisters in their familiar white and blue habits arrived accompanied by two pickup trucks that brought personal and chapel items, beds, books and more to be moved into the convent. Leaving from The Bronx, New York, the sisters first traveled to a convent in Plainfield, New Jersey, where the pickups were packed for the road trip to Schuylkill County.

The trucks parked at the C Street side of the building and the unpacking began immediately in the cold while dealing with ice lingering on the sidewalk and street. Boxes of many sizes were brought in by the sisters and volunteer helpers who drove the trucks.

The convent has been empty for about seven months when the eight resident sisters left in July due to their concern about a possible structural problem in the convent.

At the time, leaving the convent was precautionary as a matter of safety, but the religious order decided to remove the sisters permanently due to the building problem. In the basement, there are two concrete slabs, one of which dropped at the expansion joint about one inch.

When the problem was discover, the Rev. Kevin P. Gallagher, pastor of nearby St. Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church, had structural engineers from two firms come in for separate evaluations, with each determining that there were no structural issues. A third structural engineer from the Diocese of Allentown visited and came to the same conclusion as the other engineers.

Gallagher learned from Sister Dorothy on Feb. 1 that the sisters would return, informing him that the decision to have the sisters return was made from the main headquarters in Calcutta, India.

The original plan was the move happening today, but the snow and ice storm forecast forced the move up one day earlier.

Many people in the parish and Mahanoy City sent letters to Calcutta, which is the headquarters of the religious order, and asked to have them return, according to Gallagher. The order did its own independent evaluation of the Mahanoy City convent and found there were no structural deficiencies.

With the news of the sisters’ return, the basement floor has been repaired. The parishioners have been busy preparing the convent by cleaning and bringing in food and supplies. At the back of the church, sign-up sheets were placed for people to volunteer for driving the sisters to the store, doctor appointments and other places for their personal needs and also to locations where they minister to others.

The convent superior is Sister Maria Gema, M.C., a native of Nicaragua who is one of two returnees, the other being Sister Marcelline, M.C., a native of the Philippines, who lived in the convent for only about a month and a half before moving out last July.

“I am so happy and excited to be back here,” Sister Marcelline said. “This is my first mission.”

The other resident sisters are Sister Augustina, M.C., a native of Bhutan; Sister Tereska, M.C., a native of Kenya; and Sister Maria Guadalupe, M.C., a native of Columbia.

As everyone was settling in, Sister Dorothy walked through a hallway from the chapel and said, “It’s good to see the lights on in her once again.”

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

TAMAQUA — A Coaldale woman charged with causing injuries to her then-boyfriend with a knife inside their home on Jan. 25 waived her right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday.

Irene E. Attiyeh, 30, of 216 W. Howard Ave., was scheduled to appear before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, simple assault, terroristic threats and harassment.

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

Coaldale police Patrolman James Bonner charged Attiyeh with cutting Raymond Rodriguez during a domestic incident at their home around 7:30 p.m.

At the scene, Bonner said, he spoke to Rodriguez, who reported he and Attiyeh were arguing over a custody agreement when she became angry, grabbed a knife off a counter and tried to cut him.

Rodriguez went on to report that Attiyeh was telling him she would kill him and that, when he tried to take the knife away from the woman, he was cut on both hands.

Bonner said he recovered a black knife about 12 to 14 inches long with a serrated edge that had blood on it. There was also blood on the walls and floor of the home, the officer said.

After being advised of her rights, Bonner said, Attiyeh was interviewed and scratches observed on her arms and finger.

In a written statement, Bonner said, Attiyeh reported her ex-husband had taken her children from her and that she was struggling to get them back.

Attiyeh went on to say that the day of the incident Rodriguez, the father of her youngest child, told her he was going to take her son and leave as well.

The woman said she became angry, grabbed the knife and threatened to kill Rodriguez and tried to do the same, Bonner said.

Attiyeh also reported being tackled to the ground by Rodriguez and that in struggle both were injured, Bonner said.

After waiving her hearing, Attiyeh was returned to Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville, where she is being held on $50,000 straight cash bail set at the time of her arrest and preliminary arraignment.

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