Christina E. Hale

FRACKVILLE - A Mahanoy City man charged with a theft in Ashland on Jan. 27 had charges against him held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale.

John M. Blashock, 45, of 1031 E. Pine St., was arrested by Ashland police Patrolman Kyle Schauer and charged with one count each of theft of property lost, mislaid or delivered by mistake, theft and theft by deception.

Hale determined the Commonwealth proved a prima facie case and ordered all three charges held for Schuylkill County Court.

Schauer charged Blashock with telling a driver who was delivering tires that the address he had, 710 Brock St., did not exist and that the tires were for his brother at 730 Brock St. Blashock and another man helped the driver unload the tires and place them in the entryway of the home, the officer said.

The tires, Schauer said, were purchased by Frank Menne, 710 Brock St., and were supposed to be delivered there.

Other court cases included:

Samuel W. Leach, 26, of 726 Brock St., Ashland - held for court: receiving stolen property.

Dimetrius X. Crawley, 18, of 236 N. Jardin St., Shenandoah - held for court: disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, public drunkenness and obstruction on highways.

Alex C. Long, 23, of 322A W. Main St., Girardville - withdrawn: possession of a controlled substance. Waived for court: DUI-controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nolan R. Heiber, 20, of 105 N. Railroad St., Frackville - waived for court: possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct and possession of alcohol by a minor.

Dean J. Zelinsky, 48, of 2638 Melanie Manor, Ringtown - waived for court: defiant trespass and harassment.

John Grutza, 35, of 111 Vulcan Hill Road, Barnesville - held for court: DUI, DUI-high rate and not using low beams.

Corey Hopkins, 25, of 1038 E. Market St., Mahanoy City - withdrawn: risking a catastrophe, disorderly and scattering rubbish.

Mary Ann Swartz, 50, of 128 E. Market St., Mahanoy City - withdrawn: causing a catastrophe, scattering rubbish and disorderly conduct.

Dennis J. Brennan, 52, of 1038 E. Market St., Mahanoy City - withdrawn: causing a catastrophe, scattering rubbish and disorderly conduct.

Anthony J. Kilker

SHENANDOAH - An Ashland man charged with making more than $2,000 in unauthorized purchases on another man's VISA check card earlier this year waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.

Michael A. Klinger Jr., 1350 Walnut St., was arrested by West Mahanoy Township police Patrolman Lance Monaghan and charged with one felony count each of identity theft, receiving stolen property and access device issued to another person.

By waiving his right to a hearing, Klinger will have to answer to all three charges against him in Schuylkill County Court.

Monaghan said that between Feb. 18 and 24 Klinger used the VISA check card owned by Robert Arbushites spending $2,414.44.

Monaghan said the card was removed from Arbushites' house and used by Klinger at Wal-Mart, Shop and Save in Girardville and Kmart at the Schuylkill Mall.

Other court cases included:

Alba Ynmaculada, 36, of 132 N. Jardin St., Shenandoah - waived for court: obstructing the administration of law.

Christopher D. Snyder, 41, of 413 Back Road, Barnesville - withdrawn: turning movements and required signals, failure to stop at a red signal, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, reckless driving, careless driving and duties at a stop sign. Waived for court: fleeing or attempting to elude police, resisting arrest and recklessly endangering another person.

Jorge S. Aguilar, 39, of 132 N. Jardin St., Shenandoah - held for court: aggravated assault, simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Kayla A. Weikel, 23, of 107 W. Coal St., Shenandoah - waived for court: retail theft.

John M. Wronski, 27, of 425 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City - waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Stephen Barrett, 42, of 609 E. Pine St., Mahanoy City - withdrawn: simple assault.

Edward J. Polusky III, 25, no fixed address - withdrawn: defiant trespass and theft.

2 escape injury

in Rt. 61 collision

DARKWATER - Two people escaped injury when their vehicles collided about 6:30 a.m. Wednesday in the southbound lanes of Route 61 in New Castle Township.

State police at Frackville said Ronald E. Gubala, 28, of Ringtown, was driving a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta south when he failed to round a right curve on the icy highway, crossed the center line of the road and collided with a northbound 2013 Nissan Murano driven by Thomas J. Kerns, 58, of Saint Clair.

Police said both vehicles were towed from the scene and that Gubala will be cited for driving on roadways laned for traffic.

Saint Clair firefighters, EMS and borough police assisted at the scene, police said.

Woman faces

charges in fight

ONEIDA - A Nuremberg woman will be charged with harassment by state police at Frackville after an incident that occurred about midnight Thursday at 39 North St. in this East Union Township village.

Police said Mallory Johnson, 21, will have to answer to the charges in district court.

Police said Johnson, who was intoxicated, became involved in an argument with Melissa Kovalewski, 22, of Shenandoah, and Brian Mensinger, 24, of Oneida.

The argument turned physical when Johnson pulled Kovalewski's hair and hit her in the forehead. Police said she then pushed and grabbed Mensinger, tearing his shirt.

Reading man

faces theft charge

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - State police at Schuylkill Haven investigated a theft that occurred about 1 p.m. March 22 at the Country Squire Motel in North Manheim Township.

Police said Robert Pruitt, 32, of Reading, stole whiskey without paying for the bottle.

The theft charge was filed with Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg, police said.

FRACKVILLE - An Erie County forensic anthropology team Saturday discovered an additional bone in an area of New Castle Township where numerous other skeletal remains were found two days before.

On Thursday, hikers found the remains in a wooded area to the east side of the northbound lanes of Route 61.

Although investigators have not identified the remains, they are not ruling out that they could be those of Kevin Lucas, Gordon, who went missing on March 7, 2011.

The Forensic Search and Recovery Team of Mercyhurst University combed the area in the rain Saturday and were able to find an additional bone.

Under the direction of Heather M. Garvin, PhD, assistant professor of anthropology, forensic anthropology students took to the woods the same way the team did in November 2012, after a human tibia bone was found in a wooded area a short distance away.

State police criminal investigator Trooper John D. Powis of the Frackville station said the remains found Thursday were taken as evidence and will be sent for forensic analysis, whether it be dental records or DNA testing, and possible identification.

He said the state police are treating the finding of the remains as an "active death investigation."

Lucas' abandoned SUV was located on a pole line west of the southbound lanes of Route 61, about a half mile from the discovery of the skeletal remains, on March 18, 2011.

As the missing person's investigation continued, a person walking a dog on a ridge on State Game Lands 326 on Nov. 2, 2011, found the human tibia.

Deputy Coroner Scott Clews said that location of the tibia bone is about 3/4 of a mile east of where the skeletal remains were discovered.

He said the bone found Saturday will be turned over to the state police and be analyzed along with the other skeletal remains.

Following the 2011 discovery, Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David Moylan said that DNA testing on the bone was compared to that of Lucas' father and confirmed the bone was that of Kevin Lucas.

Moylan said that although he had enough evidence to say Lucas was deceased, there were not enough of his remains to determine either a cause or manner of death.

Causes of death can include exposure to heat or cold, drowning and shooting, while manners of death are usually classified as accidental or homicide.

With little more information to go on about Lucas at that time, Moylan said he contacted Dr. Dennis Dirkmaat, PhD, Mercyhurst University, to try and gain some assistance in the case resulting in the first search.

After the skeletal remains were found, Moylan said he contacted Dirkmaat again Friday and the Forensic Search and Recovery Team was sent to the area.

Garvin said the team is available to law enforcement agencies and coroner's offices throughout the state as a tool to assist in investigations such as the remains found in New Castle Township.

In addition to looking for additional remains, Garvin said the team recorded GPS coordinates and will map out the location comparing it to where the SUV and tibia bone were located.

A combination of bad weather and a huge demand versus a short supply of electricity caused an unexpected upward spike in variable electric rates in January, a PPL Electric Utilities official said.

Theresa M. Bubeck, key accounts manager for PPL, told a Manufacturers and Employers Association energy roundtable group Friday that January's cold weather caused a demand for electricity the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection - the regional power grid - could not meet economically.

"The price of variable rate electricity changes every single month, up or down, depending upon market conditions, weather and demand for electricity," Bubeck said. "A lot of customers were on a variable rate, residential customers as well as commercial, and some of them didn't realize it."

First, the cold caused the demand.

"Depending which article you read, it was the coldest winter in 20 years or the coldest winter in 30 years," Bubeck said. "During the month of January, I don't think my heat shut off the entire month. The same thing probably happened at your house and plant facilities."

Supply could not meet demand because of a malfunction in the power grid, Bubeck said.

"There were supply issues," she said. "From what we understand, there were issues on a gas transmission line that prevented fuel from getting to PPL power plants. In periods of high demand, there are power plants stationed all throughout the PJM territory that come on line when it is very hot or very cold. Those plants are fueled by natural gas. (The plants) couldn't get the fuel, so they couldn't come on line."

Bubeck said the megawatt electric price for PJM was running about $44 in December and about $148 in January - about three times as much in one month.

"You can see how all of those factors play into making that price go up or down," she said.

Bubeck gave an example of how rates went up for one customer.

"We have a large commercial customers on the variable rate," she said. "Their normal bill is around $700,000 to $800,000 a month. Their price changes every hour because of the size of that customer. They got a bill for $1.7 million for one month."

The first way to avoid such a repeat is for each customer - from small residential to large commercial or industrial - is to know whether they have a fixed electric price rate or a variable rate

"If you're shopping, know what you're buying," Bubeck said. "Talk to your supplier. Ask questions. Make sure you thoroughly understand what you're getting before you sign on the dotted line."

There are no statistics that show how many people have a fixed electric rate and how many have a variable rate, either among residential or commercial customers.

Joe Matisko of PPL Energy said the state Public Utility Commission doesn't have a count, either. So there's no way of telling how many were affected by the spike.

Bubeck said more PPL customers shop for electricity more than any other utility in Pennsylvania, 46 percent. She advised those who don't shop to start shopping at www.papowerswitch.com.

During the roundtable, Bubeck also said there are other ways to save on electricity. One way is changing light bulbs from the conventional to the new CFL bulbs. Large commercial and industrial customers can change the lights in their building to T5 or T8 fluorescent lights. Government, nonprofit and institutional entities can change to a ground heat pump.

Such projects qualify for Act 129 rebates. But Bubeck cautioned many of those rebates are now being phased out and will be eliminated by June 1.

There are rebates available for all rate classes. A complete list can be found at www.pplelectric.com/save-energy-and-money.

Bubeck said PPL has been creating internal savings by trimming trees that are around power lines and replacing aging infrastructure and equipment with new technology to the tune of $1 billion a year for the next five years.

Local projects

Bubeck said 48 projects to improve reliability are scheduled throughout the 29-county PPL territory this year, including five in this area.

There will be three projects to relocate and upgrade inaccessible power lines to improve reliability - a half-mile along Diamond Avenue in Hazleton to improve service to 365 customers; a half-mile along Christmas Road to improve service to 300 Drums residents, and a quarter-mile of line in Pardeesville that will improve service to 275 customers.

Also, two aging circuits will be upgraded in Schuylkill County, including replacing insulators and other equipment to improve reliability for 4,000 customers in Hegins borough and Cass, Frailey, Hegins and Reilly townships.

A new line and terminal will be installed from the Blytheburn substation in Mountain Top to improve service for 7,300 customers in Dorrance, Rice and Wright townships.

Several teenagers and adults from Bethesda Evangelical Congregation Church, Schuylkill Haven, gave back to their community March 1 by volunteering time to spruce up the inside of The Community Mission in Pottsville.

As part of the famine effort, children ages 13 to 18 showed their community spirit by fasting for 30 hours, painting the chapel at The Community Mission, 825 Mahantongo St., organizing the food pantry and kitchen and moving four pews from the United Presbyterian Church, Pottsville, to the mission.

The four-hour event started at 9:30 a.m. and ended at 1:30 p.m.

Adults from the church also assisted with the efforts, though only some fasted.

The Community Mission was chosen this year because Bob Alonge, the mission's pastor, is involved in the community with varied efforts including homelessness, Bethesda Evangelical Congregation Church Associate Pastor Mark Brooks said.

"I met Bob because we all have a passion to help the homeless in Schuylkill County," Brooks said.

"I just enjoyed being able to help out," Sara Stoyer, 16, of Schuylkill Haven, a junior at Schuylkill Haven Area High School, said Wednesday.

Stoyer helped to paint the walls and the ceiling of the chapel and organize the food pantry.

She said this is not her first experience contributing to the betterment of the county but doing the outreach was a "great experience."

The teenagers also raised $1,150 for the mission to support the homeless effort, Brooks said.

The effort by the youth group to help in the community has been going on since 2003, Brooks said. About 25 to 30 are involved in the group of a regular basis. More signed up for the community effort but could not attend due to various reasons, he said.

Last year, groups went to The Hillside SPCA, Salvation Army Thrift Shop and other locations during the event.

In other years, they also helped out the elderly with chores and maintenance issues for their homes.

"We live in a world that is very self focused. By doing service work, we are helping other people," Brooks said.

Jeff Colarossi, pastor of the United Presbyterian Church, said the pews were taking up space. Not as many people go to the church as once did, he said. He added that he knows Alonge and wanted to help out.

The men who removed the pews that were affixed to the floor were very hardworking, Colarossi said Thursday.

"We've all been king of working together on this homeless project," he said about helping the homeless.

The pews will go into the chapel at the mission, Brooks said.

Alonge said Saturday he appreciated the help earlier this month.

He said The Community Mission is "an outreach community ministry. We are involved in feeding the hungry, connecting churches and sheltering the homeless," he said.

Church services are held there and will even be held outside when the weather conditions improve.

"We are a private residence here that we do our ministry here," he said.

The painting of the chapel was especially appreciated.

"It's hard to paint a big room," Alonge said.

With the addition of the pews from the United Presbyterian Church, now there are pews in the chapel, he said

Brooks said the youth group members enjoyed the event, and it is a good way to show support for the community.

"I think they learn there's a world bigger than themselves. Their efforts to help others is a blessing," he said.

n Deer Lake: The Deer Lake & West Brunswick Fire Company will sponsor bingo games from 6 to 8:45 p.m. Tuesday in the firehall, 1 Ash Road. Doors will open at 5 p.m. All are welcome.

n Frackville: Applications for the 2014 Helen Everett Merit Award are available to high school seniors. The award, according to a release from Shannon Mozdy, administrator of First United Methodist Church, is given to a deserving graduate who plans to continue his or her education at an institution of higher learning. Preference is given to students who are members of First United Methodist Church or students who are entering the fields of music or theology. For an application and a complete list of award criteria, call the church, 25 S. Balliet St., at 570-874-0792. Completed applications must be returned to the church by April 20.

n Llewellyn: The Llewellyn Hose Company Auxiliary will sponsor a fish or deviled crab dinner from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday at the firehouse, 12 Silverton Road. Dinners will also include cole slaw, green beans, French fries and dessert. Advance tickets are required and patrons may eat at the firehouse or take meals out. All proceeds will benefit the fire company. To order or for more information, call 570-544-6377.

n MaryD: The MaryD Fire Company will sponsor a breakfast and bake sale from 8 a.m. to noon April 6 in the firehall, Main and Walnut streets. Fees are $7 for adults, $8 for mackerel and $4 for children. The menu will include eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, cream chipped beef, French toast, home fries and mackerel plus beverages. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-668-5508.

n Port Carbon: A blessing of the animals, sponsored by Save the Strays Schuylkill, is set for 2 to 5 p.m. April 5 at First United Methodist Church, 211 Washington St. Dogs must be leashed and cats in carriers. Monetary gifts, cat litter, cat food, cat toys and other cat items will be accepted. For more information, call 570-863-8683.

n Pottsville: In Ruby Tuesday's Community GiveBack Program, a percentage of its proceeds on April 9, 10 and 11 will benefit the Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center of Schuylkill County. Fliers for the program are available for diners to present to their servers so that SARCC will benefit. To make a reservation, call 570-624-7795 or go online to www.rubytuesday.com.

n Pottsville: The Pottsville Recreation Commission will host the annual Easter egg hunt and Easter bonnet contest beginning at 2 p.m. April 13. The rain date is April 19. The Easter Bunny will be transported to Alumni Field, 14th Street and Laurel Boulevard, at 2 p.m. by the Humane Fire Company. He will meet with children prior to the egg hunt, which will have age groups 2 and under, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8. The bonnet contest is open to all ages and will feature prizes of more original, funniest and prettiest. The commission will provide pizza, drinks and a chocolate bunny for each child. Peter Cottontail will hide more than 4,500 eggs and be available for photos with the children. People are asked to bring a basket or collection container. Sponsors and supporting businesses include the Pottsville House Authority, Pottsville Lions Cruise, WPPA/T-102 Radio, DeAngelo's Pizza, Flowers by Betty Wagner-Designs by Edie, Burger King, Rita's Italian Ice and Dairy Queen. For more information, call the commission at 570-622-1234, ext. 346.

n Tamaqua: St. John's United Church of Christ will sponsor a soup sale from noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the church, 150 Pine St. The cost is $5 per quart and varieties will include ham and bean, vegetable beef, chicken noodle and turkey rice. The order deadline is Wednesday. To order or for more information, call 570-668-0963.

n Tremont: Tremont Fire Company No. 1 will host a Vera Bradley bingo April 6 sponsored by the Lady Cardinal Softball Boosters. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. and bingo will begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 each. For tickets, call Kelly at 570-527-5627 or Angie at 570-527-0281.

A basketball legend who once played for the Boston Celtics will be addressing students, as well as the public, at DHH Lengel Middle School this week.

Lisa Holobetz, a teacher at the middle school in Pottsville, said Tuesday that the 21st Century Community Learning Center Magic after-school program, in conjunction with the Pottsville Area School District, will be hosting Chris Herren on Thursday.

The basketball legend from Fall River, Mass., will talk about his descent into addiction, a "miraculous" recovery and his new life mission.

Holobetz said that Herren lived the dream of every high school athlete, breaking scoring records, "was courted by top colleges," featured in Sports Illustrated and played for the Celtics in the NBA.

Although he made it to the top, Herren lost it all to addiction, with alcohol first and then cocaine, oxycontin and heroin.

He has been clean and sober since 2008 and has refocused his life to put his sobriety and family above all else.

In 2009, Herren launched "Hoop Dreams with Chris Herren Inc." and has trained more than 200 basketball players. In 2011, he founded the Herren Project, a nonprofit foundation that educates at-risk populations on addiction and helps others in taking the first steps toward recovery and a life of sobriety.

The event is free and open to the public, beginning with a complimentary spaghetti dinner at 5 p.m. at the DHH Lengel Middle School cafeteria with a presentation at 7 p.m. in Martz Hall.

For more information, call the DHH Lengel Middle School office at 570-621-2924.

April starts Tuesday, when we'll celebrate National Landscape Month and National Library and National Volunteer weeks. We'll also recognize Earth Day, Pay It Forward Day and Arbor Day.

Spring has been long in coming and flowers should start budding soon. Warmer weather means more outdoor events.

Last year, the first Yuengling Light Lager Jogger 5K was held in Pottsville. This year, the event will be held April 12. In addition to the run, there will also be a raffle, food and live music. Proceeds will benefit the official race charity, Operation Gratitude, a non-profit organization that assembles and sends care packages to deployed military, their families and Wounded Warriors.

Big events like these would not be successful without the kind spirit and generosity of time from volunteers. Coordinators are turning to the public for help volunteering for some vital positions.

Packet pick-up volunteers will distribute packets to runners Thursday, April 10, and Friday, April 11, at the Ramada Inn. More volunteers would be needed for Friday. Interested volunteers are asked to email volunteer@lagerjogger.com; put "Packet Pickup Volunteer" in the subject box.

Race day volunteers will be needed for several assignments, but a vital one is to man the letter-writing station, where runners can sign a Yuengling Lager Jogger 5k postcard with well-wishes for military stationed abroad. The letters will be included in care packages. Volunteers are needed prior to and after the run. Race day volunteers can register online on the volunteer link at www.lagerjogger.com.

You can get more information about the event at their above website or on Facebook.

The Schuylkill Council for the Arts will host Schuylkill County Artists in High School from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 6, at 1440 Mahantongo St., Pottsville. Eleven schools will submit student work. In addition, there will be refreshments and exhibits of art educators and student musicians will perform.

The Trinity Academy eighth annual theme basket auction will be held Friday and Saturday at the former Cardinal Brennan High School in Fountain Springs. Doors open at 5 p.m. There will be more than 100 themed baskets plus other special prizes. Shop and drop sessions are set for 4 to 8 p.m. April 4 and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 5. Proceeds benefit Trinity Academy. Call 570-462-3927 for details.

The Arts Barn invites you to a spring festival from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. There will be more than 150 artisans and vendors, live music, a petting zoo, kids' crafts, wine tasting, caricatures, face painting, artist demos, "dueling" chainsaws and Caribbean cuisine. Call 570-366-8736 or go to www.theartsbarn.com for details.

For information about volunteer opportunities, call Community Volunteers in Action at 570-628-1426, e-mail jjohnston@co,.schuylkill.pa.us or go to www.schuylkill.us/cvia. Check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/communityvolunteersinaction.

Rain gauge monitor

Times: Monitor daily precipitation.

Responsibility: Monitor and report precipitation to Office of Public Safety. Age 55 and above.

Skills: Ability to perform assigned task.

Location: Tremont area

Contact: Carol Bowen, RSVP of Schuylkill County, 570-622-3103.

When I can't sleep at night, I don't count sheep. Instead, I fill up Pottsville storefronts with the shops I used to know as a child.

Back then, around this time of year, my Aunt Mildred, a former principal of Yorkville school, would take me downtown for an Easter dress and shoes. Sometimes we went to Matt's Kiddy Shop on East Norwegian, sometimes to Wolowitz's on Centre Street or to one of Pottsville's two department stores, Pomeroy's or S.S.Weiss. For shoes, there were Raring's or Puddu's, Triangle or Paramount.

My aunt, who was as generous as she was kind, would then take me out to lunch and on very special occasions, we'd dine at the Necho Allen, where we'd order a "Wimpy," the hotel's famous hamburger. If we were in a hurry, we'd stop by Green's Five-and-Ten and, seated at the counter looking out on Centre Street, order hotdogs and a Coke. Our last stop was at an iron railing overlooking the taxi dispatcher, who had his office beneath W. H. Mortimer Jewelers at Centre and East Norwegian streets. He knew my aunt, who did not drive, and we'd have a taxi in no time.

Of course, I've only mentioned a few of the downtown stores. There were dozens, along with restaurants, diners, movie theaters and bars where the local brews were served, a "Bavarian" from the Mount Carbon Brewery or a Yuengling on tap.

Those were the days … or were they?

By the 1950s, coal employment in the anthracite region (Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Northumberland and Schuylkill counties) was less than half of what it had been in 1917, when the number of workers peaked at 156,148.

By 1960, those figures had dropped to 20,000. From then on, there was only sharp decline. In the year 2000, a workforce of 945 produced about 4 million tons of coal, as compared to more than 100 million in 1920 (all statistics are from government tables reprinted in "The Face of Decline, the Pennsylvania Anthracite Region in the 20th Century" by Dublin and Licht, 2005).

Still, I grew up believing "Old King Coal" ruled in the kingdom of anthracite, home to that clean, slow-burning fuel that made America great. What would my country be without it, I asked myself, proud to be a coal miner's granddaughter.

My father, also proud of his roots, drove us to the edge of the strip mines that were replacing underground mining in the 1960s and together we looked on as giant shovels tore up the earth. In 1963, we went to Sheppton and, standing behind police lines, watched rescue teams at work after the collapse of a mine that left one miners dead.

Our family history and the history of coal were interlocked, tragic and glorious, unique. At least, that's what I used to like to believe.

Now I know that anthracite's history, very interesting and essential, is just one chapter in a long story of industrial decline and decay.

A recent French documentary brought that home to me.

The film, "Braddock America," directed by Jean-Loïc Portron and Gabriella Kessler, is about the western Pennsylvania town of that name. A borough of Pittsburgh located about 7 miles from the city center, Braddock is home to The Edgar Thomson Steelworks, the first steel mill constructed by Andrew Carnegie in 1873. In 1901, Carnegie sold his mills to the group that became US Steel, the biggest steel producer in the world at the beginning of the 20th century.

In 1974, steel production in the U.S. reached a record high - 132.2 million tons. Less than a decade later, that figure dropped to 66 million and at Edgar Thomson, the massive layoffs began - 1,000 workers lost their jobs at the end of 1981.

During the following three decades, as China climbed to the position of number one steel producer in the world, Braddock saw its population drop from about 6,000 to 2,000, a tenth of what it had been in 1920, the heyday of both steel and coal.

"Braddock America," currently playing in movie theaters across France, gives a voice to those who chose to stay in what has come to be known as a "shrinking town," as stores and services close (most recently the local hospital) and many move away, simply abandoning homes they cannot sell.

Standing in the middle of a street lined with homes and a couple of brick warehouses, a setting that could just as easily be found in Schuylkill County, a local history buff proudly proclaims that Braddock's steel made America strong.

Seated in his living room, a former steel worker recalls his pride and that of his father. They did a hard, dirty job that paid well. During WWII, the same man points out, the Pittsburgh mills produced two thirds of the steel for the Western European front.

The work was dangerous, too. Accidents and death were common but the man who worked in the steel mill took care of his family, earning union wages, offering his children a better life. Many were immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe who became proud Americans while keeping their traditions alive.

All in all, it's a story that sounds a lot like those told in Schuylkill County. Once you've substituted "coal mine" for "steel mill," there's little else that needs to be changed: the same pride in a hard job requiring skill and strength, a belief in the industry's role in making America great, similar risks and dangers, labor strife and a long struggle for decent wages and finally, dramatic and lasting decline.

In "Braddock America," where film footage from Braddock's past is artfully interwoven with shots of Braddock today, we see a booming town, a crowded, prosperous main street, payday at the mills - and then a long strip of boarded-up shops and empty lots. Braddock then, Braddock now, two different worlds.

Yet, there are a few dedicated community activists who hang on, organizing volunteer crews of street-cleaners, sprucing up the local ball field, participating in local government, fighting for a better future, the way their parents fought before.

Ultimately, "Braddock America" holds up a mirror reflecting an image I'd rather not see, one of a very wealthy nation that has let the "little guy" down.

Americans should be grateful, then, for people like Mike Stout and his sister, Nina, two dedicated activists from Braddock. They keep on fighting, losing battle after battle against the rich and powerful, but that doesn't stop them. Who knows? Maybe someday they'll win the war.

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

Deeds

Pine Grove Township - Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Steel Mountain Capital Management LLC; 21 Second Mountain Road; $1,185.74.

Mary J. and Franklin G. Lucas, Robert D. and Linda M. Spittler and Elizabeth Ann Freeman to the United States of America; easement on 48-acre property on Spruce Drive; $157,814.

Pottsville - Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to U.S. Bank NA; 710 W. Market St.; $5,000.

Christopher J. and Bobi Lee Hallick to Christopher J. Hallick; 329 Laurel St.; $1.

Charles and Jeanette Sophy to Charles A. Sophy; property on North Second Street; $1.

FRACKVILLE - It was a hopping good time at the Schuylkill Mall on Saturday as the Easter Bunny arrived in all his furriness to the delight of children.

The traditional arrival at the mall was preceded by a special guest appearance by balloon artist extraordinaire John Cassidy and his "Balloon Freak Show."

Children, accompanied by their parents and grandparents, were excited about the chance to meet with the long-eared celebrity. In some cases, some were still in strollers and were encountering the Easter Bunny for the first time.

Before the Easter Bunny appeared, children waited to get a balloon animal or have their face painted. Behind the stage, Cassidy was preparing for his show, blowing up many balloons of all sizes.

According to his website, Cassidy holds several Guinness World Records for balloon sculpting speed. His records include most balloon sculptures completed in one hour and most balloon sculptures completed in one minute. He has appeared as a guest on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," "Martha Stewart Living," "The Weakest Link," NBC's "Today Show," "Live With Regis and Kelly" and the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon four times.

At noon, with the pit area at center court filled mostly with children, Cassidy came out to begin his show, handing out balloons of all types - balloon flowers, balloon worms, balloon motorcycles, balloon trees, a balloon cow, a balloon red-nosed reindeer and more. The show was also interactive, with children standing with Cassidy and participating with funny activities. The show was fast-paced, frenetic, frantic and just plain fun for everyone, children and adults alike.

After Cassidy's show, which lasted slightly longer than a half hour, the Easter Bunny arrived, going directly to the main chair in front of a huge Easter basket to greet his adoring fans, who received an Easter treat and posed for photos by Mike Bailey Photography. Cassidy performed a second show at 1:30 p.m.

DEER LAKE - Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers and state police at Schuylkill Haven are asking for the public's help in identifying a man who posed as a police officer and pulled a woman driver over earlier this month.

Police said the incident occurred about 10 p.m. March 22 in the southbound lanes of Route 61, just north of Penn Street in West Brunswick Township.

Police said a white man in his late 30s or early 40s used a vehicle with red and white lights to stop a vehicle driven by a woman, approached her, inferred he was a police officer and asked for her driver's license and other credentials.

The man told the woman he pulled her over because she was flicking cigarette ashes out of the window and that he was giving her a warning for littering. He then left, making a U-turn and traveling north on Route 61, police said.

At no time did the man attempt to lure the woman to another location or take her into custody.

He is described as being between 6 feet 3 inches and 6 feet 4 inches tall, having a medium to muscular build, a bald or clean-shaven head and no facial hair. He was wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans.

Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information on the identity of the man impersonating a police officer or on any other unsolved crime in Schuylkill County.

Callers are asked to refer to incident 03-30-14 when calling with information about the incident in West Brunswick Township.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 877-TIPS4SC (877-847-7472) or call state police at Schuylkill Haven directly at 570-739-1330.

All information received on this or any crime will remain confidential.

PINE GROVE - A two-vehicle accident on Interstate 81 claimed the life of a Schuylkill Haven man driving a sport utility vehicle without a seat belt Saturday, according to state police at Jonestown.

State police did not release the name of the 42-year-old man who died in a public information release report issued Saturday.

"The names of the driver and passenger in the SUV are being withheld pending notification of their family," police said in the release.

The passenger in the SUV, a 45-year-old man from Schuylkill Haven, suffered severe injuries and was flown by medical helicopter to Penn State Hershey Medical Center, police said.

At 8:26 a.m., the two men were traveling south on the interstate in the right lane when, near mile marker 99.5 in Pine Grove Township, they were struck from behind by a southbound tractor-trailer driven by Roger Porras, 49, of Summit, N.J., police said.

The SUV spun counterclockwise approximately 90 degrees and struck the end of a guide rail. The SUV overturned several times. The driver and the passenger were not wearing seat belts and were ejected, police said.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene by a deputy from the office of the Schuylkill County Coroner's Office, police said.

The crash is still under investigation, police said.

Dr. David J. Moylan III, Schuylkill County coroner, said Saturday he planned to conduct a virtual autopsy at the Simon Kramer Institute, New Philadelphia.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call state police at 717-865-2194.

CRESSONA - Before a crowd of more than 100 people, including dozens of children, the spirit of Easter rolled into the Cressona Mall parking lot Saturday morning in a chrome-laden, burgundy convertible 1966 Chevrolet Impala.

"It's the Easter Bunny!" youngsters shouted as the costumed character with white fur, who was more than 6 feet tall if you count the ears, stepped out of the car, waving its paws.

Cynthia Huntsinger, mall manager and promotions coordinator, said an average of 100 people come out to this event, and on Saturday, she said, "we had at least 110."

The first two children to sit on the character's lap for photos were Jessica Vargo, 3, of Pottsville, and her brother Jaiden, 1.

This is the first time they and their parents, Jed and Lori Vargo, came to see the Easter Bunny at the Cressona Mall.

"It's really nice. And it's affordable. For the pictures, it costs five bucks. And you can also take your own pictures with your cellphone," Jed Vargo said.

The Easter Bunny's arrival has been a tradition at the Cressona Mall for at least 11 years, according to Huntsinger.

"I came here 11 years ago. It's been a tradition since I've been here," she said.

It might be more than 20, according to Gerald L. "Jerry" Enders, owner of Jerry's Northeast Auto Sales, Route 61, Pottsville, who drove the convertible.

"I've been driving the Easter Bunny down here about 20 years," Enders said.

"For as long as I've been coming here, I always remember the Easter Bunny coming here," Danielle Sallada, 39, of Pottsville, said.

The Cressona Mall has always been a part of her life. She said she cherishes memories of when it had a two-cinema movie theater in the 1970s and 1980s.

On Saturday, Sallada was there with her daughter, Marlena Cartwright, 22, of Pottsville, and her three "grandbabies," Cartwright's children, Gabriel Hickey, 3, Balin Hickey, 2, and Maryonna Hickey, 1. Also there was Cartwright's boyfriend, Gary Yenilaitus, 24, of Pine Grove.

Sallada said she brought Gabriel to see the Easter Bunny at the Cressona Mall last year.

"It's very family-oriented. And it's an actual event. It's not just 'come in and get your picture taken.' It's an Easter egg hunt and there's an opportunity to sit down and do crafts. It's a good time for the kids," Sallada said.

Ninna Lesher, Hegins, was there with her son, Brody Lesher, 3, sitting at the craft table, adding construction paper ears and eyes to a white paper plate to make it look like the face of the Easter Bunny.

"This is our first year here. I read about it in the newspaper. It's a nice idea. It's cute. And it's something to do," Ninna Lesher said.

Easter is April 20.

MAHANOY CITY - A woman collided with another car, killing its driver, Saturday in Mahanoy Township, shortly after she struck a pedestrian.

Both accidents occurred on Route 54 about 12:30 a.m., according to state police at Frackville.

Killed in the crash was James Hossler, 62, of Shenandoah, who was pronounced dead at the scene by Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner David Truskowsky, Mahanoy City.

The incidents began in the area of the St. Nicholas Bridge where Shirl M. Mumie, 37, of Shenandoah, driving a 1997 Chevrolet S1500 pickup truck east on Route 54 toward Mahanoy City, struck Joseph Minnich, 41, of Mahanoy City, who was walking east on the eastbound shoulder.

Trooper Michael Breznik said Minnich tried to avoid being hit but was struck by the left side of the vehicle.

Mumie left the scene traveling east toward Mahanoy City. About 1 1/2 miles down the road, she lost control of the vehicle, causing her truck to cross over the center line and collide head on with a 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by Hossler.

Trooper Mike Van Buskirk said the truck came to a stop in the westbound lane facing east while the Cavalier was found a short distance away, also in the westbound lane facing east.

Mumie was treated at the scene by EMS and then taken to the Schuylkill Mall, Frackville, where she was placed aboard a Life Flight helicopter and flown to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, for treatment of non life-threatening injuries.

Route 54 was closed for several hours while police, along with a state police accident reconstruction expert, conducted their investigation and the vehicles were removed.

Hossler was trapped inside his vehicle and removed by Mahanoy City firefighters who worked for about 20 minutes to free him from the twisted wreckage.

Mahanoy City EMS, ALS units from Shenandoah and Pottsville-Schuylkill Haven Area EMS and Shenandoah fire police assisted.

Police from Mahanoy City and Shenandoah were also at the scene to assist.

Pennsylvania drivers will be paying higher vehicle-related fees starting Tuesday.

Mandated by the transportation funding legislation approved by Gov. Tom Corbett in November 2013, the higher fees and an increase in per-gallon gasoline tax will help generate billions of dollars for infrastructure improvements.

The first set of higher fees go into effect Tuesday with a second group slated to rise July 1. It will be the first time the fees have gone up in 17 years.

"People are going to be upset when they see what the costs are," Robert W. Wachter, chief executive officer of AAA Schuylkill County, said Thursday.

"When they see an increase by more than 100 percent, it is certainly going to set off some anger I'm afraid," he said.

On Tuesday, the fee for an identification card and a duplicate driver's license will increase from $13.50 to $27.50. The fee for a title certificate will increase from $22.50 to $50. Title security interest document fees will rise from $5 to $23. The fee for driver and vehicle information will increase from $5 to $8. Certified copies of records will go up from $10 to $30 and manufacturer-dealer notifications will go up from $3 to $5.

Wachter said Pennsylvanians have had lower fees than a lot of other drivers in most states.

"Now we are going to be paying a lot more for things," Wachter said. "It's definitely going to have an impact."

Starting July 1, vanity license plates will increase from $20 to $76. It is the first increase on the plates since they were introduced in the 1960s.

Special zoological and railroad license plates will go up from $35 to $54.

While some fees are unavoidable, Wachter said the higher cost of vanity plates may result in less people buying them.

"Perhaps it is going to put a dent on the money going to the state for those kinds of things," he said.

Also on July 1, the fee for replacing a regular license plate will increase from $7.50 to $11. The cost of transferring a license plate will rise from $6 to $9. Inspection stickers will go up from $2 to $5.

Increases in driver's license and annual vehicle registration fees won't take effect until July 1, 2015, when both will rise by $1.

"It's important to note that Act 89 represents an investment in Pennsylvania's future: increasing public safety, driving commerce, creating jobs and providing reliable funding for our transportation needs without leaving the bill to our future generations," Rich Kirkpatrick, a state Department of Transportation spokesman, said in a press release.

Act 89 also gives county commissioners the option of adopting an additional $5 fee on vehicle registration. The Schuylkill County commissioners have not yet made a decision on the fee.

According to the PennDOT, there were 150,723 registered vehicles in Schuylkill County in 2012. A $5 fee on each of those vehicles would have generated another $753,615 to be used on local roads and bridges.

The earliest the $5 fee can go into effect is Jan. 1, 2015. PennDOT only requires a notice of 90 days before the fee goes into effect.

The cost to register a vehicle is already set to increase, even if the county commissioners do not impose a new fee. Act 89 will increase vehicle registration from $36 to $38 by 2017, then it will rise based on the inflation index.

While the Earth continues on its never ending journey around the sun, our evening view of the heavens is turning away from the bright winter constellations and toward the less-than-awesome spring star patterns on the rise in the east. The bright winter constellations are still hanging in there in the west, but this is their swan song.

Next month, most of them will be gone below the western horizon, and we won't see them in the evening again until late next fall.

To be truly honest with you, many amateur astronomers, including this starwatching lover, agree that until the summer constellations like Cygnus and Scorpio make their appearance, we are officially in the spring doldrums of evening stargazing.

Even though we're kind of in the stargazing doldrums, it's still worth your time to make the stars your old friends. For one thing, it's a heck of a lot more comfortable out there, and the mosquitoes haven't even begun warming up in the bullpen.

Without a doubt, the best thing to gaze at through your telescope this month is Jupiter still sandwiched in the constellation Gemini the Twins in the high southwest at the end of evening twilight. Even though it's a little farther away at nearly 490 million miles and not quite as bright as it was at the start of 2014, it's still a wonderful telescope target.

Even with a smaller scope, you can see up to four of Jupiter's brighter moons depending on where they are in their individual orbits around the big guy of the solar system. You might also see a few cloud bands on Jupiter.

The Big Dipper is as high as it gets in the sky and it's upside down. The old lore about the upside down Big Dipper is that it means we get more rain because the Dipper is unloading on us. It's easy to see how that rumor got started in the days of old because, at least in the upper Midwest, we get most of our rainfall in the late spring and early summer.

Use the "pointer stars" on the pot section of the Big Dipper opposite the handle to find Polaris, the North Star. Polaris is about three fist-widths at arm's length down from the pointer stars. The North Star is the last star in the handle of the much dimmer Little Dipper. Polaris is also a very important star in our sky. Since it shines directly above the Earth's North Pole, all of the stars in our sky appear to revolve around the stationary North Star once every 24 hours while the Earth rotates on its axis.

Over in the eastern sky, there's a sideways kite on the rise. It's the constellation Bootes, which according to the Greeks is supposed to be a farmer. Seeing Bootes as a farmer takes one heck of a sense of imagination.

I prefer the easy way out on this one. Look for the sideways kite with the bright orange-tinged star Arcturus at the tail of the kite. Arcturus is easy to find. Not only is it the brightest star in that part of the sky, but you can also extend the arc made by the Big Dipper's handle to find it. Just arc to Arcturus.

There's even a brighter reddish star on the rise in the east, but that's no star. It's Mars, and it's the closest it's been to Earth in almost two years. I'll have much more on Mars in next week's Starwatch column.

There's also going to be total lunar eclipse this month in the early morning hours of April 15. It'll be the first one in more than two years. Stayed tuned for more on the great income tax day lunar cover up.

(Lynch is an amateur astronomer and author of the book, "Stars, a Month by Month Tour of the Constellations." Contact him at mikewlynch@comcast.net.)

To donate

Anyone to support Chancellor Kelly M. Austin can donate by going online to http://heroes.setjude.org/kellyaustin.

Deeds

Cass Township - Jon and Patricia Leonard to Jon C. Leonard and Patricia E. Leonard, trustees under The Jon C. Leonard and Patricia E. Leonard Revocable Trust Agreement; 0.29-acre property on Middle Jonestown Road; $1.

Frackville - Kathryn Chuma and Kristopher Chuma to Kathryn Chuma; 14 S. Second St.; $1.

Minersville - Jon C. and Patricia Leonard to Jon C. Leonard and Patricia E. Leonard, trustees under The Jon C. Leonard and Patricia E. Leonard Revocable Trust Agreement; 0.059-acre property at Jones and Water streets; $1.

New Philadelphia - Paul P. Sleva and Steven J. Sleva to Brenda R. Hartman; 4 Macomb St.; $17,000.

Pine Grove - Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Tadd W. and Jamie A. Shiffer; 50 Mifflin St.; $4,395.

Pine Grove Township - Harold C. Burdon to Sarah Hetrich; 828 Canal Drive, Swatara Village; $87,000.

Pottsville - Charles L. and Mary L. Sterner to KRC Home Solutions LLC; 916 W. Race St.; $17,500.

Rush Township - Robert M. and Evelyn C. Adams to Mark Adams and Michael Adams; property in Ginthers; $1.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 202 Claremont Ave., Hometown; $10,000.

Ryan Township - Katie Mroczka to Michael Mroczka; property on Route 54; $1.

Michael J. and Karen Louise Lorady to Michael J. Lorady and Anne Lorady; 16 N. Fifth Ave., Barnesville; $1.

Shenandoah - Phillips Property Management LLC to Gregory Jean; 218 W. Coal St.; $4,000.

Tamaqua - Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Bank of America NA; 418 E. Elm St.; $1,142.82.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to OneWest Bank FSB; 120 Patterson St.; $5,000.

Tower City - Karen M. Bopp, executrix of the Estate of Ross A. Baker, to Brandon R. Buffington; 39 W. Grand Ave.; $30,000.

Wayne Township - Steven D. and Eleanor P. Lundy to David A. and Margaret S. Nester; Lots 2501 and 2502, Lake Wynonah; $138,000.

NEW PHILADELPHIA - Prosecutors and officials will gather at 10 a.m. today at Simon Kramer Institute to seek the answer to a single question: How did Matthew Koncsler die?

Exactly one year after Schuylkill County Prison guards found Koncsler dead in his cell, a coroner's jury of three men and three women will listen to evidence in an effort to determine how the inmate died.

"We undertook this inquisition really to do what the law is designed to do," District Attorney Christine A. Holman said Friday.

Holman, who, along with Assistant District Attorney John Fegley, will question the witnesses, said she expects the inquest to last one day.

In fact, Holman said she already has questioned two doctors, whose videotaped depositions will be played to the jury.

She said Dr. Wendy Adams testified Koncsler had heroin introduced into his body one hour before his death, and that he also had codeine in his system.

Prison guards found Koncsler, 21, of Shenandoah, dead in his cell about 7:30 a.m. March 31, 2013.

Koncsler had pleaded guilty March 20, 2013, to delivery of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. At that time, President Judge William E. Baldwin sentenced him to serve three to 18 months in prison, pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Koncsler reported to prison on March 27, 2013, to begin serving his sentence.

Schuylkill County detectives had charged him with delivering drugs and selling paraphernalia on Jan. 21, 2012.

An autopsy conducted April 2, 2013, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, did not reveal an immediate cause of death, according to Holman.

Coroner Dr. David J. Moylan III, who will preside over the inquest, said he wants answers to questions surrounding Koncsler's death.

"This was an unusual death. I think we need to shine some light on it," Moylan said Wednesday.

He said scheduling was a major factor in holding the inquest at the institute, where his office is located, instead of the Schuylkill County Courthouse.

State law requires the inquest to be open to the press; however, Moylan will have the option of closing it to other members of the public. He had said Wednesday that he intended to have it open to the public.

Robert E. Matta, Shenandoah Heights, the lawyer who represents Koncsler's family, said he will attend the inquest.

"The family is really just trying to find some answers related to the young man's death," Matta said. "They're grateful that the district attorney has taken the initiative, along with Dr. Moylan, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the events that led up to his death."

Matta said the family has not yet filed a lawsuit in connection with Koncsler's death.

Holman said that under state law, the jury is to determine the manner of Koncsler's death and whether any criminal act or neglect by known or unknown people caused the death. The coroner is to determine the cause of death and whether it might have resulted from criminal acts or criminal negligence.

In addition to the doctors' videotaped testimony, Holman said she intends to present 12 other witnesses, including Koncsler's two cellmates, another prisoner, two Pottsville police officers, three corrections officers, a medical intake employee, a licensed practical nurse and two of Koncsler's family members, mother Sherry Koncsler and stepbrother Vincent Eroh.

The law does not say if the jury's vote needs to be unanimous, Holman said.

She said any answers reached by the jury or Moylan will not be final ones; a trial in the county court would follow in order to fix legal responsibility for Koncsler's death on any person or persons.

"An inquest is only a preliminary investigation, and not a trial on the merits," Holman said.