Deeds

Foster Township — Michael Karlaza to Richard J. Karlaza; 0.177-acre property on Community Square Road, Buck Run; $1.

Michael Karlaza to Richard J. Karlaza; property in Buck Run; $1.

Frackville — Kathryn Kopey to Paul Kopey and William Kopey, co-trustees of the Kathryn O. Kopey Irrevocable Trust; 142 N. Railroad Ave.; $1.

Mary W. Niedzwiecki, Stephen Gary Shubick and Barbara Houghton to Barbara Houghton; 42 N. Broad Mountain Ave.; $1.

Mahanoy City — Jared Pummer to Debra Albright; 112 S. Catawissa St.; $12,500.

Patrick L. Finneran to Margarita Rubio Adames; 437 E. Centre St.; $7,000.

George E. Jr. and Kathryn T. Price to James Wall; property on Maple Street; $7,000.

Hoppy Properties LLC to Juan Camerino Moreno Salas; 132 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $20,000.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Schuylkill County Land Bank; 502 E. Railroad St.; $500.

Minersville — Damarys Singh to Felix Brian Pepin-Sanchez; 19 Spencer St.; $1,299.

North Manheim Township — Nicholas James Fanelli to Raymond L. III and Carolyn A. Fishburn; 92 Oak Ledge Ave., Sunnyside; $345,000.

Teenager crashes car to avoid deer

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP — A Hegins teenager escaped injury when the 2000 Dodge Caravan he was driving crashed on Route 443, Moonshine Road, just west of Green Point School Road, Union Township, Lebanon County, around 3:30 a.m. Thursday.

State police at Jonestown said the boy, 17, was driving west and was unable to safely slow his vehicle down for a deer that was on the road and decided to turn right to avoid hitting the animal.

The van went off the road, and struck a utility pole, police said.

Police said the teen will be cited for not driving on roadways laned for traffic and that Northern Lebanon and Fort Indiantown Gap firefighters and fire police assisted at the scene.

POTTSVILLE - Yorkville Hose Fire-Rescue has postponed its block party scheduled for tonight until Wednesday.

Food service begins at 5 p.m. and a parade is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Scattered thunderstorms are forecast for tonight and Wednesday morning before skies clear. 

Saint Clair Area Superintendent Sarah Yoder said she is “optimistic” about changes occurring in the charter school funding formula.

Yoder attended a press conference Tuesday held by Gov. Tom Wolf at the Pocono Mountain West High School library in the Pocono Mountain School District as a representative of the PA Association of Rural and Small Schools. Another press conference was held in the Allentown School District.

“I am optimistic, because there is clear research for two decades that changes should occur with respect to charter school funding and education in Pennsylvania,” Yoder said.

Pocono Mountain Superintendent Elizabeth Robison, who is a Pottsville resident, Pocono Mountain West High School Principal Mark Wade and state Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera also attended the Pocono Mountain press conference.

Wolf talked about the need for reform.

“Pennsylvania’s charter school law is unfair for students, parents, school districts and taxpayers. While many charter schools are succeeding, others, especially some cyber charter schools, are underperforming and we are not doing enough to hold them accountable to the taxpaying public and the children they serve,” he was quoted in a press release from his office.

He announced plans for comprehensive charter school reform through executive action, regulation and legislation.

“These changes will level the playing field for all taxpayer-funded public schools, strengthen the accountability and transparency of charter and cyber charter schools, and better serve all students,” Wolf said.

He admitted there are “some high-quality charter schools,” but that his proposal would hold charter schools accountable to the same standards set for traditional public schools. He noted that bipartisan compromise has produced pension reform and liquor reform.

“It’s time to reform the charter school law. That’s good for every child, family and taxpayer in Pennsylvania,” Wolf said.

Improved ‘equity’

Wolf tasked the state Department of Education with developing regulations that adhere to its guidelines: access to high-quality education for all students; transparency and accountability for all school leadership; fair and predictable funding for all public schools; and accountability on behalf of taxpayers. Wolf said he will also put forth legislation that promotes charter school reform.

Yoder said Wolf’s statements were good news for students and taxpayers.

“There are definitely many levels to his charter reform package that are essential to improve equity in finances for taxpayers and improve educational quality for all students,” Yoder said.

She said charter and cyber charter costs have increased for the district. For the upcoming school year, Saint Clair Area School District budgeted $500,000 for cyber and charter school costs. Costs for the 2018-19 school year are not finalized.

Yoder spoke to Wolf after the press conference and thanked him for his “support for traditional public education and accountability financially and educationally for charter schools.”

‘Real revisions’

needed

Wolf introduced Robison, who spoke on the impact charter schools and cyber charters have on the district and increasing costs. She said 473 students attend charter schools and cyber charters, of those 111 attend brick-and-mortar schools and 362 attend cyber charters.

She said a charter school in the district had its charter revoked by the Pocono Mountain Board of Education in October 2010 for “egregious violations of the law and its operating charter.” It took several more years to actually close the school, and millions of tax dollars continued to flow into a charter where children were being underserved and neglected emotionally, Robinson said.

“When the school district finally closed its doors, we found, that many, many of its students who returned to our district schools were so far behind their peers in our schools, they required extensive remediation and services that had been denied to them for years,” she said.

She said “real revisions” need to be made to the law.

“While the governor’s proposal announcement today does not include a specific recommendation for amending how charter schools are funded, it is my hope that when our legislators join together in a bipartisan effort to reform the Charter School Law, they will realize that such reform will require a change to how the schools are funded and how tuition payments are calculated.”

Tobash reacts

Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, Pottsville, said he looks forward to working with Wolf on improving the law.

“His concepts are some of the improvements that we are working on,” Tobash said.

Tobash said “transparency and accountability are important, and we need to build that into our charter school platform.”

The Pennsylvania School Boards Association said in a statement it is “pleased to see the governor take action both by pushing much needed regulatory reform and proposing comprehensive legislation. PSBA has long supported efforts to promote a level playing field between charter schools and traditional public schools and has continually called for desperately needed funding reform.”

The Pennsylvania Coalition of Charter School, in part, said in a statement “we should all support accountability for school academics, facilities and finances. Not one more child nor one more dollar ought to go into a school that is failing or unsafe, nor pay anyone who is ineffective or unethical. And, schools with mismanagement ought to be fixed or closed. Why is it that the multibillion-dollar school district system is never looked at that way?” it said. “Those children count, too.”

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

Ashland

The North Parish Peach Festival is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 21 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 13th and Market streets. The cost is $5 and people may eat at the site or take items out. All are invited to enjoy peaches and ice cream, baked goods and a beverage. For tickets or more information, call 570-429-7107. Shannon Mozdy is the North Parish administrator.

Brandonville

St. John’s Lutheran Church, 15 W. Park Ave., will sponsor a breakfast from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 25 to benefit the general fund. The cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children under 10 and free for children under 5. The menu will include scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, potatoes, toast, coffee, tea and orange juice. All are welcome.

Girardville

The Girardville Historical Society welcomes new members or donations toward its work of compiling and preserving the community’s history. Membership dues are $10 a year and the group meets at 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month at 1 W. Main St. Its mailing address is Girardville Historical Society, 1 W. Main St., Girardville, PA 17935. Information and photos about Girardville are available online at the Girardville, Pennsylvania Facebook page.

Minersville

A St. Matthew the Evangelist theme basket and gift raffle will be held Sept. 14 and 15 in the parish center, Oak Street, behind the church. There will be a shop-and-drop from 2 to 7 p.m. Sept. 14 and 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 15 with the raffle drawing at 2 p.m. Food will be available; all are welcome.

Pine Grove

The Pine Grove Area High School Class of 1967 has luncheons at 12:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month at Dutch-Way Family Restaurant, 649 E. Lincoln Ave., Route 422 E., Myerstown. For more information, call Keith at 570-345-6038.

Pottsville

A Deppen Pie sale is under way by participating libraries in the Pottsville Library District until Aug. 15. Pickups are set for Aug. 28. The cost is $12 per 9-inch pie and all proceeds will benefit the libraries. Varieties include blueberry crumb, apple crumb, strawberry rhubarb crumb, cherry crumb, double crust blueberry, double crust apple, douple crust peach, shoofly, coconut custard, lemon sponge, pumpkin and no-sugar apple. To order, call the library in your area. Participating public libraries and their phone numbers are as follows: Ashland, 570-875-3175; Orwigsburg, 570-366-1638; Pottsville, 570-622-8880; Shenandoah, 570-462-9829; Tamaqua, 570-668-4660; Tower-Porter, 717-647-4900; Tremont, 570-695-3325.

Schuylkill Haven

Fifth-grade and new-student orientation and open house for Schuylkill Haven Area Middle School is scheduled beginning at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in the middle school auditorium. Parents wishing to learn about middle school programs and curriculum and to meet their children’s teacher are encouraged to attend, according to a release from Matthew Buletza, middle school principal. For more information, call 570-385-6709.

Shenandoah

The revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. recently acknowledged memorials for Peter Vernalis from Renee Buchanan and family, Joe and Andrea Pytak, Ron and Mary Luscavage, Al and Diane Bindie, Mary Ellen Matunis, Carol Ozlanski, Jim and Judy Veghte, the Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce, Donna and George Baker, Mike and Mary Ann Micko, Frank and Gail McCole, Frank McHugh, Bob and Ann Kane, Tony and Sharon Gladski, Robert and Joann Medlinsky, Mark and Linda Kowalonek and family, Brian and Kathleen Rooney, Patricia Palubinsky, William and Desiree Dunleavy, Thomas and Geraldine Talerico, John and Lori Ann Rizzo, Joseph and Jean Sherako, Edward and Gloria Gwiazdowski, Charlotte, Lisa and Michael Vernalis, Tom and Pam Twardzik, Robert and Joyce Yudinsky, Jere Darowish and Joe Morgan, Garcia’s family, Kim, Jolene, and Peter Chernewsky and family, John and Kathleen Sluzevich, John Rainis and Patti Chesla, Tom Discavage, Raymond and Arlene Sachleben, Joni and Joe Wallace, Judy Taylor, Dave and Daria Kayes, Angie McAndrew, Mary Balkiewicz, Roger Seibert and Audra Davison, PJ and Mary Ann Rajkowski.

Police investigate crash in Pottsville

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville police investigated a crash that was reported around 4 p.m. Friday at Nichols Street and Terry Reiley Way.

Police said their investigation revealed that Ashley Gilgore, 26, of Pottsville, was driving a Kia sedan south on Terry Reiley Way and stopped at the intersection with Nichols Street.

She then drove into the path of a Chevrolet sedan being driven west on Nichols Street by a 79-year-old Pottsville man, police said.

No injuries were reported and police said both vehicles had to be towed.

Police cite drivers in city crash

POTTSVILLE — Two drivers will be cited by Pottsville police after officers responded to a crash at Seventh Street and Laurel Boulevard on Aug. 7.

Police said Patrolman James Englert determined Arlene Krise, 41, of Ashland, was driving a Ford transit bus west on Laurel Boulevard when she failed to stop for a stop sign at the intersection, and collided with a Ford Fiesta, being driven by Curtis Branch, 36, of Port Carbon. Branch was entering the intersection from North Seventh Street to travel east on Laurel Boulevard.

Both drivers, along with an 81-year-old man in the Krise van and an 11-year-old girl in the Branch car, escaped injury.

Englert said the Branch vehicle was towed.

Englert will cite Krise for a stop sign violation and Branch for driving without a valid operator’s license.

Man charged after traffic stop

McAdoo — A McAdoo man faces charges after a traffic stop in the borough in June.

Gerson Yones Tejeda, 24, was charged with driving under the influence, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and four summary offenses and committed to prison on an outstanding bench warrant from Luzerne County for a DUI controlled substance case, police said.

Borough police stopped Yones Tejeda for a window tint and detected the odor of marijuana, which the man admitted to smoking after work, officers said. He refused a blood test. Police recovered loose marijuana pieces and plastic bag with marijuana.

Woman arrested for trespassing

McAdoo — A Tamaqua woman faces criminal trespass charges for being on the Fegley’s Mini Mart property on South Kennedy Drive in McAdoo, borough police said.

Sarina Gillor, 29, was at the mini mart on July 18 and July 31, and she had previously banned from the property, police said.

Two arrested at McAdoo traffic stop

McAdoo — A Hazleton man faces charges after a traffic stop in McAdoo in June.

Joseph Roman, 22, was charged with corruption of minors, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with evidence and speeding.

Roman was stopped for speeding and police detected an odor of marijuana and a juvenile passenger was asked to step out of the vehicle and was arrested, police said.

Officers noticed a pouch lying on the ground that wasn’t there before, police said. It contained marijuana. Roman was taken into custody and admitted the pouch was his, police said.

Deeds

Port Carbon — Janine A. and Eric J. Wendling to MTGLQ Investors LP; 211 Jackson St.; $1.

Pottsville — Linda Weiss, administratrix of the Estate of John R. Weiss, and Barbara E. Weiss to Linda Weiss, administratrix of the Estate of John R. Weiss; 301 S. Second St.; $1.

William J. and Judith A. Medley to William J. Medley; 407 Main St.; $1.

Ryan Township — Joseph and Monica Alansky to Natalie M. Zawada and Scott J. Alansky; 17 Will Ave., Barnesville; $1.

Schuylkill Township — Ultra LLC to David J. Conville; 306 Woodland Road, Brockton; $1.

Shenandoah — Michael J. Kitsock to Stephen J. Koval; property at East Oak and South Lehigh streets; $135,000.

Washington Township — Jill Stoelzl, individually and as executrix of the Estate of Jay Z. Sticher, to Danita H. Martin; 3697 Sweet Arrow Lake Road; $30,000.

Damian A. Scheer and Tony A. Scheer to Chad and Tiffany A. Maidenford; 20 Wild Cherry Road; $201,000.

Dates incorrect

A St. Matthew the Evangelist theme basket and gift raffle will be held Sept. 14 and 15 in the parish center, Minersville.

The dates were incorrect in Tuesday’s edition.

POTTSVILLE — Employees of a city engineering firm and their families are chasing after Mattel in Russia — and a world record.

Alfred Benesch & Co. will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for “Hot Wheels Longest Track.” Help has been summoned from some of the smallest hands.

Engineer John Knecht, along with his family, came up with the idea for the challenge. The record stands at 1,838 feet and is held by Mattel Inc. in Russia.

“Jack loves Hot Wheels, and we’d watch YouTube videos of setting up tracks and races. He asked me, ‘How long of a track do you think we can make?’ ” Knecht said of his 5-year-old son.

As a member of the Alfred Benesch & Co.’s Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, Knecht thought the record-breaking attempt would be a great “Family & Friends” event and the committee agreed.

Parallels

In the next few weeks, Benesch employees and their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews will make their run at the record books. The company did not wish to disclose the exact location and time of the attempt.

It’s an opportunity for the children of Benesch to practice teamwork and cooperation while developing planning and critical thinking skills. The challenge of building the record-breaking roadway parallels the transportation design work performed by their parents at the firm.

Knecht contacted Guinness and sent in the necessary paperwork to officially start the process.

Benesch management approved and offered to fund the event and planning started from there, according to Mariann A. Grabish, project assistant II.

Workshops

In preparation for the challenge, Benesch held two workshops where more than 40 children, parents and employees participated at various stations at its 400 One Norwegian Plaza office. Stations included track assembly, creating and designing 100-foot track markers, and building toy bridges to hold the markers. Additionally, a test track was set up for the children to compare each car’s speed and stability. The children watched a video of the previous world record holder and enjoyed time with one another.

“The trick is to make the track so that it’s not too fast, or makes too sharp of turns, or goes over too many bumps,” Knecht said. As part of the official rules, anyone attempting to break the record has to use official “Hot Wheels” track pieces that snap together.

Family fun

Theresa Cook and her husband, Daniel, brought their three daughters, Alyssa, 11; Anna, 9; and Alaina, 5; to Tuesday’s workshop. Daniel is an environmental engineer with the company.

“The girls all like dolls, but they also do play with cars and enjoy designing things with Legos,” Theresa Cook, of Minersville, said. “I wanted them to be a part of the process.”

Civil Engineer Kevin Richards, of Schuylkill Haven, helped carry sections of assembled track and was glad to participate with his family, 4-year-old twins, Ellie and Erin, and 11-month-old daughter, Avery.

“I think if we make it, we’ll look back 15 years from now, or however long the record lasts, and say that we were world record-holders,” Richards said.

His older girls enjoy trains, and building with Lego blocks and magnet tiles, he said.

Jennifer Kowalonek’s two children, daughter Alyza, 10, and son Francis, 7, worked on the floor, snapping the track together. Francis has a lot of Hot Wheels at home, his mother said.

“This is a night for them to see what mom does at work and to meet other people. They learn about what goes into building a road,” Kowalonek, of Ashland, said. She works as a project manager at Benesch.

Cars and crafts

A marketing assistant, Brianne Gurniak, of Fogelsville, created a special body design for a White Tesla Hot Wheels car. It featured the company’s green orb and Benesch logo. Gurniak made the design using “Cricut” technology to shape the adhesive vinyl on the car’s side.

As sharp as the Benesch car appeared, Jack Knecht had his own favorite Hot Wheel car he named, King. “He has red, black and yellow stripes, is pointy, and has engines on both sides,” he said.

“I love to craft, craft, craft,” said Allison Knecht, Jack’s twin sister and the daughter of John and Kara Knecht. Allison sat at a crafting table, where children designed the foot markers measuring track distance.

On the day of the event, each child will place a car down the track. The final and record breaking car will be held and passed by each child until it comes to Jack Knecht, who will place the car on the track. The final car will be equipped with a GoPro camera to record its descent down the track.

Guinness must receive photo documentation, video documentation and witness accounts, Knecht said. It can take up to nine weeks to verify the record, he said. If successful, the group will receive a group certificate, and each child can also order one with each participant’s name on it.

Knecht has asked the Schuylkill County commissioners if they’d like to be the impartial witnesses watching the day of the attempt.

Commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. viewed the effort Tuesday.

“I think this is great and is such a family-oriented event,” he said.

Engaging community

Alfred Benesch & Co.’s CSR Committee has made a significant impact on how the firm has been able to support employees’ volunteer efforts and charitable giving, as well as enhance overall engagement with local communities, Grabish said.

In the Pottsville office, the committee collects and reviews ideas, suggestions and comments and works with managers to incorporate those ideas into the culture at Benesch. The work of the committee was recently featured in the national engineering magazine, Engineering Inc.

The committee runs internal fundraisers throughout the year, and all proceeds are donated to nonprofit organizations in the community. Some of the fundraisers included, ice cream sundae social, pancake breakfast, grilled cheese and soup day, summer BBQ, chili cook offs, cutest pet contest, and breast cancer awareness month. A few of last year’s local recipients of the funds were; Hillside SPCA, Port Carbon Library, Tremont Library, Servants To All, Schuylkill YEA!, Schuylkill County Crippled Children, Schuylkill Autism, Hershey Medical Breast Cancer Foundation, Lupus Foundation and the Prostate Coalition.

In addition to monetary donations, employees at Benesch give their time volunteering for Adopt-A-Highway, Schuylkill United Way Day of Caring, Schuylkill Charities Food Drive, and a Holiday Gift Giving Tree for SARCC, the Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

James R. Ferrier

ORWIGSBURG — A Schuylkill Haven man is headed to Schuylkill County Court after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Monday on charges he stole a motorcycle and a quad racer he was supposed to repair in 2018.

Ryan I. Miller, 30, of 223 E. Wilson St., faces charges of theft by deception and theft. Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier bound over both charges for court after Miller waived his right to the hearing.

Schuylkill Haven police alleged that at 12:45 p.m. Feb. 28, 2018, David Flynn brought four Motocross motorcycles and a quad racer to Miller for him to repair. Flynn agreed to give Miller a fifth motorcycle, a CR250 Honda Motocross, as payment for the work, according to police.

Police said Miller repaired three of the motorcycles, but not the fourth or the quad racer.

After a few months, Flynn went to Miller’s then-residence on West Columbia Street and found the fourth motorcycle gone and the quad racer disassembled, police said.

Miller told Flynn that someone had stolen the motorcycle, police said.

Police said the quad racer’s value was $5,000 and the stolen motorcycle’s value was $1,000. Miller paid back Flynn only $300, according to police.

Miller is free on $1,000 unsecured bail pending further court action. He has the option of pleading, guilty or no contest and not going to trial or pleading not guilty and taking his case to trial.

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

Jazmin D. Archilla, 21, of 36 S. Carlisle St., Allentown; receiving stolen property, retail theft and two counts of conspiracy; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge of receiving stolen property and one count of conspiracy withdrawn, other charges bound over for court.

Jorge L. Estrella, 35, of 1328 Turner St., Allentown; fleeing or eluding police, recklessly endangering another person, reckless driving, driving under suspension-DUI related, stop sign violation and two counts of failure to stop at red signal; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge of fleeing or eluding police withdrawn, other charges bound over for court.

Stacey L. Hirschel, 52, of Sammys Mobile Home Park, Schuylkill Haven; bad checks; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.

Christopher J. Miller, 26, of 475 Second Mountain Road, Orwigsburg; driving under the influence, operating vehicle without required financial responsibility, disregarding traffic lane, careless driving and seat belt violation; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges of operating vehicle without required financial responsibility, careless driving and seat belt violation withdrawn, other charges bound over for court.

(Staff writer Peter E. Bortner compiled this report)

Editor’s note: Latest in a series of stories about local residents who attended the Woodstock festival Aug. 15-18, 1969, in Bethel, New York.

Alex Kulbitskas, formerly of Minersville, and this writer, of West West Terrace, went to Woodstock on a lark in his Austin Healey Mark I. I had the Mark II, but left it at home. We headed out just after the rain had hit. On the way, the shelves in the small general stores in the region were almost bare.

We stashed the car in the brush, because the roads were jammed, and walked the last few miles. Some locals were selling peanut butter sandwiches, etc., for 50 cents or a buck. I was most impressed with the number of naked babes washing mud off in the brooklets, and also the number of choppers around.

I brought a backpack with food and also a small pup tent. We camped near the summit of the right side of the bowl, looking down at the stage. Parachuted food was being dropped and I was cooking canned beans with dozens of people around, wanting some while boiling hot.

Music was the backdrop. I remember Sly, Jefferson Airplane, Creedence doing “Green River” within some pond or lake in the distant view. There were lots of repeated announcements about not taking “reds” or “browns.” Rainbow communes were encamped on the grounds.

We didn’t even have our Brownie cameras then. We were Nativity High School grads. I was a Villanova University chemistry engineer and he was at Canisius College in Buffalo, both headed for our junior years.

We had lousy plant summer jobs so we headed out Saturday night for home.

‘Can’t recreate fate’

I also went to Yasgur’s farm in August 1994 for Woodstock II. Even though it was canceled, about 50,000 people arrived, and so did bands like Melanie and Country Joe and even Vanilla Fudge, which passed on the ’69 event. They played on the four flatbed trailers left by the promoter who canceled, Sid Bernstein. He also left 50 or more toilets behind. I saw acts I missed in 1969 and some great local acts for three days, and served food from the Rainbow people to those straying down from Saugerties, New York, where the “official” Woodstock 25th reunion celebration was held. Glad I was there and really enjoyed the 1994 impromptu event.

Alex, now in Gainsville, Florida, and I were talking about doing the 50th this week, but it looks like it ain’t happenin’. Plus, it would be a fake Saugerties-type music event, where the original was a cultural scene with legendary music as a background. You had to be there and can’t recreate fate.

(Jones has done 45 years of music industry work as a major record label style artist manager, agent and promoter of about 100 of his own national artists in many venues. Kulbitskas is a retired high school teacher for hearing impaired.)

ASHLAND — A popular sandwich shop in Ashland destroyed by fire earlier this year will return to the borough in a larger location and with more offerings.

The new location of M&M Sandwich Shop will be the former The Mineshaft Cafe at 1120 Centre St. (Route 61). Closing on the sale to Tom and Lori Kane occurred Friday, and they hope to be open by early October.

As for the name, it will not be M&M or The Mineshaft, though the new name is still being developed.

It’s more about where the restaurant will be reborn, the Kanes said. After the fire, they were inundated with suggestions about possible locations, and Lori Kane, who is a real estate agent, kept a watch for locations.

In the end, however, “We didn’t want to leave Ashland,” Tom Kane said. “They were good to us.”

The Kanes said their plans for this much bigger building, 16,000 square feet, will include dining areas, a bar and a large kitchen on the first floor and a large hall on the second floor.

“This is a leap of faith for us,” Lori Kane said.

M&M, as well as homes from 100 to 110 W. Centre St., were destroyed by an early morning fire on March 24 — M&M’s 10th anniversary.

The community supported the business as it continued to use its food trailer, The Rolling Macaroni, to offer macaroni and cheers varieties at various locations and events. The shop is also known for its sandwiches, pizza, fish, coleslaw and other items.

Since the fire was just before Easter Sunday, the Kanes did their best to honor dinner orders taken in advance. Thanks to the Rev. James Carroll, who allowed use of the kitchen at St. Mary’s Center in Mahanoy City to prepare the dinners, and to the Rev. Dana Heckman-Beil, who allowed the use of the fellowship hall at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Ashland for pickup, there were many satisfied customers.

Mining theme and more

Lori Kane said the anthracite coal mining theme of the former Mineshaft, which was owned by Corey Machese, will remain to some extent as updates are made.

“The mining is in everybody’s roots; my dad was a coal miner. I would never take that away,” she said. “We’re going to update the walls and brighten it up a bit. We have good intentions. We’re combining the miners’ theme with our theme.”

Entering the building, there are small dining rooms to the left and right. Tom Kane said plans for those rooms are set.

“This room is what M&M used to be,” he said, pointing to the room on the right. “Deli, salads, soups — all of the staples we had before. We’re going to do the pizza.”

Looking toward the room on the left, he said it’s going to offer a creamery, coffee and homemade baked goods.

“We’re featuring Milkhouse Creamery ice cream, which is a high-end ice cream, and we’re probably exclusive to Schuylkill County,” he said. “It’s all handmade ice cream” from the West Hazleton firm, he added.

Lori Kane said there will be an old-fashion theme in the creamery, including big milkshakes, with the possibility of hosting birthday parties for children with room for about 25.

‘The place is huge’

While there will be a bar in the new restaurant, that is not the “mainstay,” Tom Kane said.

“It will be a sit-down restaurant like it was before for dining,” with a menu that includes steaks, prime rib and, of course, macaroni and cheese. A smoker will be part of the cooking equipment.

The main dining area will be to the rear.

“The place is huge,” Tom Kane said.

“The dining will start later in the afternoon, but you can still come in the morning and still be able to grab something,” he said about the deli and creamery.

Having a dining area is not something new to the Kanes, who have been married for 27 years.

“A la carte dining is what I did all my life,” Tom Kane said. “At M&M, we had catering and takeout, but this is how I started, with a la carte cooking. I was a chef at Eagle Rock, and that’s where we met and that’s where we started. M&M just fell into the picture later in life.”

The second stage of the project will be to create a farmhouse-themed venue upstairs.

“We’re going to get these two rooms (deli and creamery) running first, and a la carte is going to come next,” he said.

First the Bloomsburg Fair

Tom Kane said no date has been set to opening, but it will be some time after the Bloomsburg Fair. The M&M crew will be spending much time preparing to attend the fair with The Rolling Macaroni.

Last year was the first time at the fair with the trailer, yet it won the “Bloomsburg Fair 2018 Director’s Award.”

“There have been vendors there for 20 years who have not won the award, and we did it on our first time,” Lori Kane said.

Their catering business will continue, too, and in fact has the first wedding reception at the Catalpa Grove Venue, the former Lakewood Park, in Barnesville, at the end of September.

Doing it right

M&M posted the news about plans to reopen on its Facebook page on Friday. As of late afternoon Tuesday, there were 493 comments celebrating the planned return, and 544 shares.

Even though there is about a two-month wait for M&M fans, the Kanes, who are helped with the business by daughters Rylee, Shelbey and Hannah, said they don’t want to rush it.

“We’re going to make the changes,” Tom Kane said. “We want it to be right. We just don’t want to open up.”

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

MOUNT CARBON — A fast moving fire thought to have originated in an area near an outside hot tub destroyed a North Manheim Township home Tuesday morning.

Firefighters were called to 57 Glenworth Road at 9:13 a.m. and found the south side deck of the large, two-story home engulfed in flames, with fire spreading to the home and the front porch.

A supervisor at the Schuylkill County Communications Center said multiple calls were received reporting the fire; he said units were dispatched at 9:14 a.m.

One of the callers reported the blaze appeared in the area of an outside hot tub with flames starting to climb the walls of the structure, located a short distance from Cressona Road, the supervisor said.

Firefighters from Pottsville and Mount Carbon arrived within minutes and were joined shortly thereafter by Minersville firefighters.

No cause determined

Daniel Kleeman, a lieutenant with Pottsville’s Yorkville Hose Company and the duty officer for the department Tuesday, said two state police fire marshals were at the scene Tuesday to assist with the investigation.

Kleeman said no cause has been determined and that those living at the residence were not home when the fire started.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Kleeman said he did not have the names of the owner or occupants of the property. Schuylkill Parcel Locator lists the owner of the property as John M. Scheibelhut.

No injuries were reported.

Firefighters exit home

Crews initially tried to attack the flames from inside but, with the fire spreading fast, they exited the home and began to fight the fire from the outside.

Within minutes of firefighters arriving, a second alarm was transmitted, bringing the Tamaqua Fire Department Rapid Intervention Team to the scene and firefighters from surrounding communities to Pottsville fire stations for standby.

A tanker task force was also activated to shuttle water to the scene, the supervisor said.

Firefighters used hand line hoses and deluge guns that provide a large amount of water to fight the flames.

Road shut down

Crews worked for more than an hour to bring the fire under control but remained on scene into the afternoon hours, extinguishing hot spots and preparing to start an investigation as to the fire’s origin.

The narrow Glenworth Road was shut down for several hours as crews battled the fire.

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

A former Carbon County official pleaded guilty to stealing more than $43,000 from county funds.

William McGinley, 60, of Lehighton, entered his plea Monday, admitting guilt to three offenses — theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received, tampering with public records and obstruction of the administration of law, state Attorney General Josh Shapiro said.

McGinley was arrested and charged in December 2018 and refunded the money along with an additional $7,500 in restitution.

Elected to the clerk of courts post in 1990, he held the seat until early 2018, but his misconduct began as early as 2013.

His plea marks the second time this month that a clerk of courts pleaded guilty to charges — a former Schuylkill County clerk entered a plea in a separate criminal case last week.

The money McGinley took came from bail and fingerprint funds that were submitted to the Carbon County Clerk of Courts typically through the county prison, according to information from Shapiro’s office.

“The people of Carbon County elected the defendant to his position of public trust for nearly three decades, but he abused that trust by stealing from the funds that he was supposed to oversee,” Shapiro said.

“As a result, many individuals experienced delays in receiving the money they were entitled to at the conclusion of their cases. (Monday), William McGinley admitted to his crimes. He no longer holds public office, and he has paid back the funds that he stole from the hardworking people of Carbon County. My office will continue to hold anyone who abuses their position of authority accountable, no matter who they are.”

Commissioner Chairman Wayne Nothstein said policies and procedures were put in place last year when the information on McGinley surfaced, instituted by the county controller’s office to ensure it wouldn’t happen again.

Meanwhile, the county began recovery.

His apparent financial issues not only brought forth a months-long investigation that called for a lengthy forensic audit, caused the county to lose money and trust in McGinley but it also created a ripple effect in other areas.

McGinley wasn’t filling positions in his office, leaving one post vacant for almost two years as office work piled up, Nothstein said. The backlog caused the county to hire several people from Lehigh County to assist them until Carbon County workers were trained. Once trained, those Carbon County workers began putting in an extra hour each day with an option to take up to five hours overtime on the weekend to get the office work up to date, Nothstein said.

He said the county will likely get caught up with work next year.

Under McGinley, warrants weren’t being filed and neither was other paperwork for things like suspended licenses.

The county lost revenue and it affected judges and the court system, which were looking for paperwork on cases that the office didn’t have and the sheriffs department for warrants that were never issued. The prothonotary’s office and district attorneys office were also affected, the commissioner chairman said.

McGinley will be sentenced Nov. 15. His case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Rebecca Elo.

His guilty plea came after a similar one involving a former clerk of courts in neighboring Schuylkill County.

Stephen M. Lukach Jr., 69, of Lake Hauto, pleaded guilty to mail fraud and falsification of records admitting that he created seven fictitious case files to conceal his theft of public money.

Lukach was clerk of courts for over 25 years and also awaits a November sentencing.

He was elected in 1987 and retired April 17, 2014, a day after law enforcement searched his office for money missing from automation and bail accounts. Prosecutors said he took over $15,000 and used the money to pay credit card, vehicle and cellphone bills and meals.

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

Charter school reform legislation

Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed comprehensive charter school reform legislation would:

• Establish performance standards that hold charter schools accountable for the educational outcomes of students and a moratorium on new cyber charter schools.

• Cap student enrollment in low performing cyber charter schools until outcomes improve.

•Require charter management companies be subject to the Right to Know Act, State Ethics Act and post employee salaries on PDE’s website, similar to requirements already in place for public school districts.

• Create fair, predictable and equitable funding for school districts, including in the areas of special education funding and cyber charter tuition payments.

• Establish a charter school funding commission to make recommendations on additional charter school funding reforms.

Source: Governor’s office

POTTSVILLE — State police from Reading were on the scene of a death in Branch Township on Tuesday.

Lt. Scott J. Brennan, crime section commander Troop L, said five members of “partial major case team” were investigating after being called out at 6 p.m. for the death of a man between 55 to 65 years old who lived at 1411 Bunting St. The man was pronounced dead by Deputy Coroner Albert Barnes before the police arrived on scene. Brennan said a time of death had not been determined. He would not confirm if the man was the owner of the property.

“As far as we know, he was alone when he died. There are some things that don’t add up,” Brennan said, declining to elaborate.

He said they were going to obtain a search warrant for the property before moving the body, which was found in a garage, “looking for evidence of some of the strange things” they noticed.

A supervisor with the Schuylkill County Communications Center said they were notified at 3:35 p.m. of a vehicle that was on top of someone at that address. Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David J. Moylan III said the center called about 4 p.m. requesting a coroner.

Schuylkill County District Attorney Michael A. O’Pake said the communications center called him around 5 p.m, requesting he call the Branch-Reilly Police Department. When he called, O’Pake was asked to provide a detective from the office, but O’Pake thought it better to call the state police at Schuylkill Haven. The crime scene supervisor in Schuylkill Haven called Brennan. O’Pake said the state police took over the investigation with the OK of the police department.

A Schuylkill County Coroner Van was on scene as were police vehicles from Branch-Reilly Police Department. Police were still on scene as of 9 p.m.

“We will be here for a few more hours,” Brennan said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — Loretta Murphy rocks a Woodstock vibe with her locks.

For the retired nurse, songwriter and author from Ashland, “Woodstock changed everything.”

Although she was barely a teen in 1969, Murphy, now 63, is co-writing a Woodstock-themed play called “The Message Tree” that will be shown for the first time to a Schuylkill County audience possibly as early as next year.

Murphy was getting her hair dyed Wednesday, before leaving today for a Woodstock reunion trip to Bethel, New York, with her husband, Patrick Birster. Her hairdresser, Danielle Pearce, of Danielle’s Hair Design in Fountain Springs, updated her current color which featured a deep red, with ombre colors of magenta, purple and blue.

She shared some of her thoughts on the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock festival with The Republican-Herald.

“Woodstock changed my life,” she said.

“Was I there? No. Neither were any of my friends in those days. I was 13 1/2, living in Girardville, and it was my generation — but my mother would have killed me. Did I want to go? Yep. Were there other 13-year-olds there? There were. But nobody I knew was going, and I wasn’t brave enough to hitchhike. Like a lot of other young hippies of the day all over the U.S. and the world, we followed it as best you could follow anything back then.”

Woodstock Nation

Despite not being there, Murphy said, she was part of the Woodstock Nation too.

“It impacted me forever. The music was unbelievable but it wasn’t perfect. God knows the weather didn’t cooperate. There wasn’t enough food or other resources. It was in many people’s eyes a disaster.

“But it wasn’t a disaster. It proved a lot to the world. Our generation pulled it off ... The little town of Bethel, in Sullivan County, is ready for the hippies this time. This is anniversary weekend coming up. I can’t wait,” she said.

Last Thursday, she was in Bethel for the Alice Cooper show.

Going home

In the last decade, she began traveling to Bethel for concerts and realized after the first trip, it was only 2 1/2 hours away. Over the years, she became friends with many Woodstock festival supporters and original attendees through the many Woodstock reunion sites on Facebook. She said they call it “going home.”

“My husband and I regularly go up to Bethel for the Anniversary Weekend. We will be heading there for Thursday (today) to see Arlo Guthrie playing his free show and also have tickets to Ringo’s show — not an original Woodstock musician but loved anyway — and to Santana Saturday.

“We go to Yasgur Road as well — the homestead of festival landowner Max Yasgur, now owned by a wonderful lady, Jeryl Abrambson, and her son, Zack. They have hosted reunions for the hippies who have wanted to come home for decades and will continue to do so. The reunion is a festival in itself and carries through with the Woodstock concert in the garden theme. It is going to be a wonderful weekend and there is no telling what’s going to happen up there. I know I’m glad I’ll be there,” she said.

Guthrie fan

Murphy’s been an Arlo Guthrie fan since Woodstock, runs a Facebook fan page for him and is a member of the Guthrie Center, the church where “Alice’s Restaurant” took place in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. “Alice’s Restaurant” is one of Guthrie’s famed songs.

“I go up there to hear Arlo’s concerts a lot as well as volunteer. I dress as a pickle and give out pickles for the center’s annual Huntington’s Disease Walk, the disease that killed Arlo’s father and others in his family,” she said. Pickles are referenced in Guthrie’s “Motorcycle Song.”

“The Message Tree”

Co-playwriter Anthony Kurdilla, of Frackville, and Murphy are finishing the final stages of an original full-length musical comedy about Woodstock called “The Message Tree.” Anthony and Murphy are both board members of the Actors Guild of Schuylkill County.

Their comedy centers around the information tree at the Woodstock festival in ’69 where a lot of attendees left notes to contact each other.

The leads in the play are Nicky and Mary Jane, who conceive a child, named Arlen, at Woodstock. Murphy selected Arlen for the child’s name because it’s a combination of two of her favorite singers, Arlo Guthrie and John Lennon, she said.

Murphy and Paul Noon, of Duncott, perform in an Irish band The Troubles and also in the band Chasing Rabbits. Murphy wrote the lyrics and melodies for “The Message Tree,” and Noon is handling the arrangements. The play itself is completed but the score, which is all original, is in the final transcription phase.

Once the original music they have written for the show is compiled into a score, they’ll begin the production process to put on the show itself.

“Paul and I sang one of our original songs from the show ‘Happy Birthday, Max’ (about festival land owner, Max Yasgur) on the Woodstock field next to the monument a year and a half ago when a group of Max Yasgur and Woodstock followers got together to celebrate Max’s birthday. It is an annual event as long as the Catskill winters cooperate. It is held in early December, although I have heard they may do a second celebration in May next year.”

Murphy knows there’s no recreating the first Woodstock experience, although she’s happy for the opportunity to visit Bethel again this weekend.

“It’s not about reproducing something that was. It’s a time for people to go back, maybe looking for themselves. It’s about the spirit of the people that were there before and keeps the history alive in our culture.”

When she returns from Woodstock, Murphy will be back to work, directing the upcoming dramatic play about Irish sisters called “Dancing At Lughnasa,” slated for Sept. 27-29 at the Majestic Theater in Pottsville.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Mansfield

Leanna Gregas, of Ashland, made the Mansfield University President’s List for the spring semester. A student must attend the university full-time and attain at least a 4.0 QPA for the semester.

Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing

Students made the Director’s Academic Honor List for the spring term at the Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing.

The following were recognized at the completion of the Nursing 102 and Nursing 103 courses: Danj Andrews, Nicole Attinger, Stacie Bray, Kaitlyn Calvert, Jocelyn Darrup, Tina Delbo, Alison Koch, Brandi Lawton, Alexys Long, Brianna Picarelli, Laci Quick, Samantha Riffon, Marissa Slifko, Aleksandra Williams.

Students recognized at the completion of the Nursing 200 course include: Shawna Bernotas, Lauren Gross, Marissa Klinger, Gabrielle Lorady, Corey Pronio, Mary Toolen, Tucker Yost.

Students recognized at the completion of the Nursing 201 course include: Alyssa Abrachinsky, Stephen Bolusky, Callie Edwards, Danielle Favinger, Autumn Maroldt, Jennifer Sanchez, Seth Studlack.

Students recognized at the completion of the Nursing 104 and Nursing 105 courses include: Danj Andrews, Nicole Attinger, Leigh Beach, Stacie Bray, Kaitlyn Calvert, Jocelyn Darrup, Tina Delbo, Anya Essler, Julia Jefferson, Marion Kemfort, Alison Koch, Brandi Lawton, Alexys Long, Amanda Mason, Brianna Picarelli, Laci Quick, Samantha Riffon, Julia Shellhamer, Marissa Slifko, Sean Sloskey, Andrew Turlis, Aleksandra Williams.

Students recognized at the completion of the Nursing 300 and 301 courses include: Alyssa Abrachinsky, Kimberly Baransky, Shawna Bernotas, Stephen Bolusky, Leah Bucher, Mikayla Dietrich, Callie Edwards, Lauren Gross, Michelle Hoke, Alexis Huntzinger, Marissa Klinger, Gabrielle Lorady, Autumn Maroldt, Desiree McHugh, Sarah Palerino, Angelique Pennypacker, Corey Pronio, Jennifer Sanchez, Janine Schaffer, Seth Studlack, Erik Taylor, Mary Toolen, Tucker Yost.

Wilkes

Brian Heckler, of Pottsville, and Caitlin Brossman, Schuylkill Haven, completed internships as part of their academic work in the winter semester at Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre.

Hecklercompleted an internship at Chancellor Financial and Brossman completed an internship at Special Guest App.

Brossman was also one of more than 95 students, faculty and staff recognized at the extracurricular awards luncheon for their contributions to activities outside the classroom. She received the Two Years of Service presented by Wilkes University Student Government and the e-Mentor, Graduating Seniors Recognition presented by the Of-fice of Student Development.

Evan Steward, of Frackville, received the Resident Assistant, Graduating Seniors Recognition presented by Office of Residence Life at the extracurricular awards luncheon.

Steward was also among Wilkes’ electrical engineering majors who presented senior projects and demonstrated them at a spring semester event attended by faculty, friends and family. His project explored power and efficiency telemetry which was applied to model trains with potential for use in other low-cost systems.

Noah Troxell, of Andreas, presented his senior electric engineering project that explored better capabilities for power plant technologies.

Brad Thomer, of Andreas, presented his senior electric engineering project that explored better capabilities for power plant technologies.

Erik Staerk, of Zion Grove, was among the electrical and mechanical engineering majors who presented their senior projects and demonstrated them at an event during the spring semester.

Kylie Dillon and Taylor Dillon, both of McAdoo, were among eight Wilkes students who participated in a LEAP-AB trip to the Carolina Tiger Rescue in North Carolina.

LEAP-AB stands for Leadership, Education, Advocacy and Partnerships-Alternative Break, coined by student leaders in 2016. Students donated their time at the tiger rescue, doing work that addresses animal welfare issues.

Kylie Dillon also received the Wilkes Diversity and Inclusion Student Award at the 2019 Multicultural Awards. The award is given to a student who has contributed to improving the diversity climate.

Sixty-five Wilkes students were inducted into Passan School of Nursing, where they received their lab coats and signed the nursing pledge. Local inductees include: Alanah Guerrero, of Frackville; Katy Petrushonis, of Shenandoah; Gabrielle Reinoehl, of Ashland; Em-ma Staller, of Orwigsburg.

Several local residents were among Wilkes University students recognized for receiving scholarships at the annual scholarship luncheon held during the spring semester. The students, and their scholarship awards, include: Jade Boris, of Kelayres, the Isador and Getha Edelstein Scholarship; Alexander Criswell, of Hegins, the Arnaud Cartwright Marts Scholarship; Madelyn Dolinsky, of Tamaqua, the Charles B. Reif Scholarship for the Biological Sciences; Angus Fortune, of Schuykill Haven, the Cromwell E. and Bery Thomas Outstanding Junior Scholarship; Tyler Martz, of Oneida, the Stanely F. and Helen Stawicki Memorial Scholarship; Matthew Smarr, of Barnesville, the Walter S. Carpenter Scholarship in Engineering.

Wilkes University’s Nesbitt School of Pharmacy matched student pharmacists seeking post-graduate residency. Local residents who were among 26 Wilkes students receiving the doctor of pharmacy degree in May were accepted into programs.

Tyler Bartol, of Auburn, was placed with St. Luke’s University Health Network in Bethlehem and Amanda Boyer, of Ashland, was placed with Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.

More than 60 Wilkes University students were recognized for their achievements during the 2019 Academic Awards Ceremony.

Madelyn Dolinsky, of Tamaqua, a biology major, received the Rosenthal Award presented by the Biology and Health Sciences department.

Scranton

Rebecca Petlansky, of Auburn, a senior pursuing a biology degree, was among the 58 University of Scranton students inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu, the national Jesuit honor society.

Alpha Sigma Nu is the only honor society open to students and faculty in all disciplines of the University. Juniors, seniors and graduate students, including students in doctoral level degree programs, who have distinguished themselves in scholarship, loyalty and service are eligible for membership.

Misericordia

The Department of Medical Imaging at Misericordia University, Dallas, Luzerne County, held its annual Medical Imaging Senior Recognition Luncheon to celebrate the accomplishments of the graduating senior class and to induct students into the Misericordia University Alpha Chapter of Lambda Nu, the national honor society for the radiologic and imaging sciences.

Brittany Cory, of Minersville, was among those inducted into the honor society.

Central Penn

Chelsea Maurer and Peyton Poletti, both of Hegins, were inducted into Gamma Beta Phi at Central Penn College, Summerdale. GBP is a national honor and service organization dedicated to recognizing and encouraging excellence in service, scholarship and character.

Cedar Crest

Kerilyn Mamrosh, of Pottsville, was inducted into Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society at Cedar Crest College, Allentown.

Alpha Sigma Lambda is a national honor society for adult students.

Maxine Erdman, of Hegins, was inducted into the Delphi Society for the spring semester, in recognition of outstanding academic achievements. Delphi is the college’s honor society for undergraduate students.

East Stroudsburg

Melvin J. Mastishin, of Ashland, a senior majoring in political science and environmental studies, was one of 13 new members inducted into the Iota Chi Chapter of the Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, at East Stroudsburg University.

Bloomsburg

The following local residents were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at Bloomsburg University. Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society.

Kathryn Sherry, of Pitman; Andrew Horst, of Pottsville; Angela Peiffer, of Schuylkill Haven; Mikayla Ulicny, of Valley View; Jordan Marlow, of Ashland; Emily Schwalm, of Hegins; Elizabeth Cole, of Ashland; Anne Sweeney, of Barnesville; Blair-Anne Klinger, of Klingerstown, Sarah Brooks, of Pottsville.

Saint Francis

Vanessa Valovage, of Lykens, was among 26 students inducted into the Saint Francis University chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success in Loretto.

Lebanon Valley

Lebanon Valley College, Annville, inducted 80 students into its chapter of Sigma Alpha Pi, the national honor society of leadership and success, as part of Inquiry 2019. Local students include: Colton Butler, of Pine Grove, a graduate of Pine Grove Area High School pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communication science and disorders; Tessa Heim, of Schuylkill Haven, a graduate of Pine Grove Area High School pursuing a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and special education; Ian Rex, of Williamstown, a graduate of Williams Valley High School pursuing a bachelor’s degree history; Chloe Kline, of Port Carbon, a graduate of Pottsville Area High School pursuing a bachelor’s degree in art and visual culture and English; James Garraway, of Frackville, a graduate of North Schuylkill High School pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology; Aimee Walborn, of Tower City, a graduate of Williams Valley High School pursuing a bachelor’s degree in medical technology; Cassandra Thomas, of Ashland, a graduate of North Schuylkill High School pursuing a bachelor’s degree in medical technology; Kylee Petritsch, of Ashland, a graduate of North Schuylkill High School pursuing a bachelor’s degree politics; Bryce Moyer, of Schuylkill Haven, a graduate of Schuylkill Haven Area High School pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology; Edward Kolonsky, of Shenandoah, a graduate of Marian Catholic High School pursuing a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science; Laurel Reynolds, of Pine Grove, a graduate of Pine Grove Area High School pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and psychology; Erica Coles-Dietrick, of Gordon, a graduate of North Schuylkill High School pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology; Jennifer Kaufman, of Pine Grove, a graduate of Pine Grove Area High School pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology; Adam Salazer, of McAdoo, a graduate of Marian Catholic High School pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting; Christopher Miller, of Tamaqua, a graduate of Tamaqua Area High School pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology; Kaitlin Donmoyer, of Pine Grove, a graduate of Pine Grove Area High School pursuing a bachelor’s degree in international business and global studies.

Jasmine Locke, of Ashland, was inducted into Psi Chi at Lebanon Valley during the college’s annual Inquiry celebration. Locke is a graduate of North Schuylkill High School pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Psi Chi is the psychology department honor society.

Paige Mealing, of Schuyl-kill Haven, a graduate of Blue Mountain High School pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology, was one of 10 Lebanon Valley students inducted into Gamma Sigma Epsilon, the national chemistry honor society.