Mahanoy City

The St. Teresa of Calcutta Golden Age group is accepting new members, people 55 and older. The group meets twice monthly in the church hall for fellowship, lunch and bingo, leaders said in a press release. Dues are $5. For more information, call 570-773-1753.

Minersville

The Minersville Fish & Game Club, 1 Live Oaks Road, will have “wings and things” from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday featuring wings, burgers, onion rings, fries and mac and cheese among other items. It is open to the public. For more information, call 570-544-3155.

Pottsville

Extended hours for the Schuylkill County Register of Wills, according to a release, will be as follows: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18; 8:30 a.m. to noon Oct. 5 and Dec. 7.

Pottsville

Humane Fire Company, 200 Humane Ave., will have the sixth annual crab fest from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 14 featuring all-you-can-eat crabs, corn on the cob, hamburgers, hot dogs and clam chowder with draft beer or soda. The cost is $35 in advance and $40 at the door. The cost for takeout is $25. For more information, call 570-622-5891. People may go to the company’s Facebook page and “Like” for more information and additional contacts.

Pottsville

The Schuylkill Choral Society — “Love to Sing” — will have auditions at 7 p.m. Sept. 9 and 16 at the Presbyterian Church, Third and Mahantongo streets, side entrance. For more information, go online to www.schchoral.org.

Pottsville

The agenda for the Majestic Theater, North Centre Street, includes a benefit movie for the Hillside and Ruth Steinart Memorial SPCAs will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at the theater. Admission is free with a donation. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” with Shadow Cast by Sweet Translucent Dreams is set for 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the theater. Tickets are $10 each. All are welcome to both events.

Ringtown

Registrations to attend Trinity Academy in the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center, Cherry and Chestnut streets, Shenandoah, are being accepted. Trinity provides “a safe, respectful, Christ-centered environment for students in preschool through eighth grade,” according to area Roman Catholic parishes’ announcements. Trinity Academy is the sole Catholic pre-K to eighth-grade school for all of northern Schuylkill County. It is located in the former Shenandoah Catholic High School building, which underwent a more than $1 million renovation in the 1990s. Tuition assistance is available and the school offers $1,500 in transfer grants. Students who transfer into grades one through seven are eligible to receive $1,000 their first year of enrollment and $500 their second year, according to the announcement. To request a tour of the school, a registration packet or for more information, call 570-462-3927.

Saint Clair

The Saint Clair Lions Club, 150 N. Nichols St., is accepting reservations for an overnight trip to Turning Stone Casino/Bingo, Verona, New York, departing Nov. 13 and returning Nov. 14. The cost is $150 per person, which includes bus, room, taxes and tips “and receive comps.” For reservations, forms or more information, call Grace Karrer at 570-527-8240.

POTTSVILLE — Serious trials, including one for an alleged child rape, will highlight the two-week criminal term that begins today in Schuylkill County Court, District Attorney Michael A. O’Pake said Friday.

“We’ve got some fairly serious felonies” among the 13 jury trials on the trial calendar, O’Pake said.

Perhaps the most notable trial, which is slated to start Tuesday, is that of Keith S. McFarland, 40, of Palmerton, formerly of Tamaqua, who is charged with rape of a child, indecent assault, indecent exposure and corruption of minors.

Tamaqua police allege that between January 2014 and September 2015, McFarland raped a preteen girl on a table at the borough residence the girl shared with her mother and two sisters.

Police said McFarland raped the girl while the two were alone in the house. At McFarland’s preliminary hearing, the girl testified her mother and sisters had gone to McDonald’s Restaurant, Hometown, to get something to eat.

Assistant District Attorney Julie A. Werdt is prosecuting the case against McFarland, who is being defended by Christine A. Holman, Tamaqua, a former district attorney. The case has not yet been assigned to a judge.

One trial starting today is that of John F. Neidlinger Jr., 44, of Pottsville, who faces charges of burglary, criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property.

Pottsville police allege Neidlinger burglarized the WPAM radio station on Sept. 14, 2018, on Lawton’s Hill in the city. Neidlinger took numerous metal items from the building, police said.

Assistant District Attorney David Noon is prosecuting the case against Neidlinger, who is representing himself, with Assistant Public Defender Andrea L. Thompson as standby counsel. As stand-by counsel, Thompson cannot participate directly in the trial, but can give Neidlinger advice if he asks for it.

Judge James P. Goodman is slated to preside over the trial.

Also going on trial Tuesday is Michael J. Vinanskie, 53, of Saint Clair, who is charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, three of possession of a controlled substance and one each of possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

State police at Reading alleged Vinanskie possessed 20.899 grams heroin and 135 grams of methamphetamine, along with marijuana and paraphernalia, on April 26, 2018.

“It’s a very significant” amount of heroin and meth, O’Pake said.

Assistant District Attorney A.J. Serina is trying the case against Vinanskie, who is represented by Hank J. Clarke II, Pottsville. The case has not yet been assigned to a judge.

O’Pake also said there are four nonjury trials on the list, but they have not been scheduled yet.

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

Defendant: Keith S. McFarland

Age: 40

Residence: Palmerton, formerly of Tamaqua

Charges: Rape of a child, indecent assault, indecent exposure and corruption of minors

Defendant: John F. Neidlinger Jr.

Age: 44

Residence: Pottsville

Charges: Burglary, criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property

Defendant: Michael J. Vinanskie

Age: 53

Residence: Saint Clair

Charges: Two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, three of possession of a controlled substance and one each of possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia

TAMAQUA — You can say that Maj. Gayle Luby’s life has been The Salvation Army. Her father was an officer, and so were her grandfather and great-grandfather.

As for her husband, Capt. John Luby, you can say that he’s gotten a second chance at life courtesy of The Salvation Army.

Between them, the couple has 50 years of service to the Army. They began serving the Tamaqua facility last month.

“It’s got a lot of heritage,” John said of the area. “It’s got a lot of history and there are a lot of people in this community that are struggling with the process of reinventing themselves, reinventing the community.”

The Lubys retired to the Harrisburg area last year but decided to answer the call to help again. They’ve served together in Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio; Providence, Rhode Island; Syracuse, New York; and Wilmington, Delaware, but neither of them had been to Tamaqua before.

John was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, graduated from the University of Notre Dame and spent years working high-end corporate finance jobs in New York City. He was also an adjunct professor at Colombia University’s graduate business school.

“All that wonderful stuff. I was married and had three children. And I lost it all to alcohol,” he said. “I literally lost it all. The job, the wife, the marriage, the two German cars in the driveway, the meaningful vacations to Costa Rica in the summers for outreach for my children.”

John was homeless and living on the streets in White Plains, New York, in 2005.

“I was sleeping on park benches, behind churches, on cardboards, whatever,” he said.

He found a Salvation Army that served Sunday lunches. He was hungry.

He returned for lunch each Sunday thereafter. When he got to know the corps’ officer-in-charge, he asked for a meeting to talk about his faith and his circumstances.

The officer scheduled a meeting but purposely showed up hours late, just to make sure that John was serious. John waited.

He got a slot in the Army’s adult rehabilitation program in Mount Vernon, New York. After two months, he asked for a chapel pass to thank the folks at White Plains for their support.

About a half-year later, he met Gayle. And eventually, the couple married and John became an officer.

Gayle was born in western Pennsylvania, in one of the towns her father served. The family didn’t stay long because different appointments brought them to different parts of the country.

“I was doing all that kind of stuff since I was a child,” she said.

Gayle entered the corps when she was 27.

“I was stationed in the Greater New York area for 29 years,” she said.

Coming to Tamaqua, the couple found many in need.

“Gratefully, we have the means to help a great number of people with food, with rental assistance, with utility assistance, with spiritual guidance, with encouragement,” John said.

But it’s not just the officers, he said.

The Army relies on employees, volunteers, an advisory board and other organizations such as the Schuylkill United Way.

“We couldn’t do this without them,” he said.

The Lubys are getting to know local folks, and opened the center as a cooling center during a July heat wave.

They’re already planning for Thanksgiving and Christmas distributions, the Red Kettle Campaign and a kids’ block party featuring food, bounce houses, free prize drawings, games, music and more from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

They’ve been holding free food distributions, too, but said one last weekend brought fewer people than expected.

“It might be because people think that we have closed,” Gayle said.

The Lubys’ appointment followed the investigation — and subsequent arrest — of former Salvation Army Captain Sharon Whispell, who is accused of stealing $116,913.33 from the organization. Despite that, the couple said the nonprofit organization is going strong.

“The Salvation Army is committed to this building, this location and this town. Our leaders have made it clear. We are here to stay,” John said. “We could dwell on the negative. We could dwell on the things that happened. But we’re here to move forward. We’re still open and we’re not closing down. We’re not cutting back. We’re not ignoring what happened but we’re not going to dwell on it, either.”

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

Virginia Morton will present a petition to the Schuylkill County Planning Commission on Wednesday regarding wind turbine operations in the county.

Morton, of Tower City, and the grassroots online citizens’ group she’s formed, Schuylkill County Wind Energy Concerns, want to amend the county’s zoning ordinance to permit industrial wind turbines only by special exception. The petition has been circulating at two locations seeking signatures.

The effort is in response to Clean Air Generation LLC leasing 12,672 acres from Rausch Creek Land LLP in Porter, Frailey, Tremont and Hegins townships for a possible industrial wind farm site, although no specific project has yet been proposed.

Morton said she brought her concerns to two meetings of the Porter Township supervisors and was advised to also bring them before the county commissioners.

She recently met with Susan A. Smith, county planning director, to review the current zoning and permitting requirements that any proposed industrial wind energy installation would have to meet prior to approval for construction.

“After reviewing the Section 402 of the Schuylkill County Zoning Ordinance that pertains to the zoning requirements for wind turbine installations and my discussions with Susan, I learned that the process for an industrial installation will be quite straight forward with quite limited oversight from the county required,” Morton said.

“Since the ordinance was adopted in 2010, many changes to the scope, dimensions and capabilities of industrial wind energy projects have occurred that will impact the communities of the county in much more significant ways than were ever anticipated by the county in 2010,” she said in a letter she’ll be presenting along with the petition.

Anyone wishing to sign the petition can do so between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. at Tallman Family Farms, 31 Schwalm Road, Tower City, or during operating hours at Gary D. Scheib, Public Accountant, 1431 E. Grand Ave., Tower City.

According to the petition, headlined, “Schuylkill Citizens Against Turbines,” the potential installation could impact more than 8,000 residents of Tower City, Reinerton, Muir, Orwin, Sheridan, Porter Township, Donaldson, Good Spring, Molleystown, Joliett, Keffers, Hegins, Hegins Township, Frailey Township and Tremont Township “in an irreversible and negative manner.”

Hegins Township, unlike the other townships and communities listed, has its own zoning board. The other communities use county zoning, which currently permits wind turbines by right in a CM (conservation/mining) zone, according to Morton.

“As residents of these communities, we want the Schuylkill County Planning Commission to immediately take action to amend the Schuylkill County Zoning Ordinance of 2010 to permit industrial wind turbine installations only by special exception,” the petition states.

More oversight must be added such as height, density, noise and setback limitations; decommissioning bonding when a wind turbine is no longer used; and more environmental studies on neighboring communities, which would include noise, visual, property value and avian impacts, the petition suggests.

According to Morton’s observations:

• In 2010, the height of most wind turbines was in the range of 300 feet. In 2019, many industrial wind turbines are of heights exceeding 500 feet. The Schuylkill County Zoning Ordinance does not address any limits to the height.

• The current ordinance does not address FAA requirements for air traffic warning lights or stipulate conditions or types of warning lights that should be used to minimize impacts on surrounding communities.

• The current ordinance does not require computerized photographic simulation showing a fully developed site and demonstrating any visual impacts.

• The current ordinance does not require any environmental impact statements or review ascertaining impacts on visual impacts, noise impacts, electromagnetic interference or avian impacts.

• The current ordinance does not require any engineering reports on ice throw, blade throw, catastrophic tower failure, shadow flicker or potential fiscal and economic impacts on the property values of the communities immediately adjacent to the project site.

• The current ordinance makes no reference to the impacts on Bendigo and Joe Zerbe airports nor does it address flight impacts on emergency services, or Fort Indiantown Gap.

• The current ordinance setback requirements from road, public right of ways and lot lines are less than current recommendations of 1.5 to 2 times total tower heights.

“Until this curative amendment is passed by the Schuylkill County Planning Commission, all permitting of new wind energy projects for Schuylkill County should be delayed, under the ‘pending ordinance doctrine,’ ” the petition said.

Morton will supply the commission with a model municipal wind siting ordinance developed by the Columbia Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University as a guideline.

She said the Tower City Borough Council passed a resolution in support of the county planning commission reviewing the current wind energy policy and she expected Porter Township to do the same at its meeting last night.

The planning commission meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Schuylkill County Courthouse beginning with a workshop, followed by the formal meeting at 6 p.m. The public comment period is before the 6 p.m. meeting, Morton said.

On a related note, CAG is seeking a curative amendment of Hegins Township’s zoning ordinance. A continuation of that hearing is slated for 6 p.m. Aug. 29 at the Hegins Area Ambulance building in Valley View.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

POTTSVILLE — For killing a Berks County man in a January 2018 traffic accident on Route 61 in West Brunswick Township, David C. Zalonka must spend time in state prison and probation, a Schuylkill County judge decided Monday.

“We impose this sentence taking into account what we have heard,” Judge John E. Domalakes said in sentencing Zalonka, 50, of Schuylkill Haven, to spend six to 30 months in a state correctional institution, plus 13 additional months on probation, for the death of Rodney Brown, 59, of Blandon. “We do believe a state sentence is appropriate.”

Domalakes also sentenced Zalonka to pay costs, $50 in fines, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $11,940.98 restitution. He made the sentence effective at 9 a.m. Sept. 19.

Zalonka, who did not react to the imposition of sentence, pleaded guilty on July 31 to homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, recklessly endangering another person, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to stop at red signal and careless driving. Prosecutors withdrew charges of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, which carries a mandatory three-year minimum prison sentence for each person killed, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI and DUI.

“I’m not a bad person. It was an accident,” Zalonka, who had lost his son in a crash in 2017 on Route 61, testified Monday. “I’m sorry.”

State police at Reading charged Zalonka with running a red light at 2:14 p.m. Jan. 5, 2018, at Route 61 and Municipal Road. Zalonka’s blue 2002 Dodge Ram pickup truck struck broadside the vehicle that Brown was driving, police said.

Police also said Zalonka had a bag of marijuana, a cut straw and a small acrylic plate in his truck.

Assistant District Attorney A.J. Serina asked Domalakes to impose a sentence of one to five years in state prison, arguing that calling what occurred an accident was misleading.

“Actions have choices. Choices have consequences,” he said. “Those choices took the life of another human being. He knew, and he chose to go at a high rate of speed, and he chose to go through that red light.”

Matthew J. Rapa, Lehighton, Zalonka’s lawyer, asked Domalakes to sentence his client to the county prison, saying the accident was out of character for him.

“He is truly sorry for what occurred. He didn’t do it intentionally,” Rapa said. “This is not an intentional killing. He’s never been in trouble before.”

Furthermore, Rapa said, a county sentence would allow Zalonka to stay employed and near his family.

The defendant’s son, Neiko L. Zalonka, 25, died Oct. 2, 2017, when, according to state police at Schuylkill Haven, he crashed his motorcycle into a pickup truck at 3:11 p.m. at Route 61 and Cinema Boulevard in West Brunswick Township.

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

Defendant: David C. Zalonka

Age: 50

Residence: Schuylkill Haven

Crimes committed: Homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, recklessly endangering another person, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to stop at red signal and careless driving

Prison sentence: Six to 30 months in a state correctional institution, plus 13 additional months on probation

James K. Reiley

POTTSVILLE — Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley accepted guilty pleas by the following individuals in accordance with agreements with the Schuylkill County district attorney’s office:

Kristopher M. Negron, 24, of 418 Fairview St., Pottsville; possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and no turn signal.

Tyrone E. Bruton, 51, of 403 E. Market St., Pottsville; possession of drug paraphernalia.

Tyler Kasmari, 18, of 723 Laurel Blvd., Pottsville; possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Jeffrey R. Disbrow, 44, of 103 N. Third St., Apt. 1, Pottsville; possession of drug paraphernalia.

Christopher M. Fessler, 33, of 18 S. Sixth St., Allentown; distribution of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Two additional charges of possession of a controlled substance were dismissed.

Zaklya Leisha Jordan, 25, of 1128 Moyer Station Road, Pine Grove; furnishing drug free urine.

Meredith L. Michaels, 49, of 217 Walnut St., Williamstown; possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct.

James A. Hessler Jr., 35, of 236 N. Centre St., Apt. 1, Pottsville; possession of a controlled substance.

Bridget Ann Steffie, 40, LKA 319 W. Market St., Apt./Suite 5, Pottsville; possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jason M. Dougherty, 40, of 596 Godfrey St., Rehrersburg; possession of a controlled substance.

Christina E. Hale

FRACKVILLE — A Ringtown woman charged with stealing money from her employer waived her right to a hearing before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale.

Anna M. Jablonski, 37, of 511 W. Main St., was arrested by state police Trooper Douglas Jennings and charged with 18 counts of felony access device fraud.

By waiving her right to a hearing, Jablonski will now have to answer to the charges in Schuylkill County Court, where she can plead guilty or enter a not guilty plea and request a trial.

Jennings said Jablonski was employed by a trucking company owned by Karen and James Stauffer in Union Township and between Aug. 4, 2018, and Feb. 19, used a company credit card without authorization to make 18 purchases totaling $1,293.91.

Other court cases included:

Dylan D. Jones, 27, of 18 New Road, Box 6, Lost Creek; waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Michael A. Flickinger, 25, of 1902 Centre St., Ashland; waived for court: theft, resisting arrest, flight to avoid apprehension, trial or punishment and receiving stolen property.

Samantha M. Teaschenko, 26, of 129 N. Chestnut St., Shenandoah; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance and driving without a license.

Michael R. Grosz, 36, of 1426 N. Market St., Berwick; held for court: DUI-controlled substance, driving without a license, turning movements and required signals and exceeding the speed limit.

Jonathan L. Emerich, 27, of 157 S. Nice St., Frackville; withdrawn: burglary, strangulation, criminal trespass, criminal mischief and harassment.

Heather M. Wehr, 37, of Box 575, Minersville; dismissed: theft, receiving stolen property and access device unauthorized by the issuer.

(Staff writer Frank Andruscavage compiled this report)

Incorrect age

In a report about a retail theft at the Family Dollar in Tamaqua on Aug. 1, borough police incorrectly reported the age of defendant Matthew D. Barnisky as 49. He is 32.

DEER LAKE — A Pottsville man was killed Monday when the motorcycle he was driving collided with a truck on Route 61 in West Brunswick Township.

The crash happened around 3:15 p.m. on Route 61 in the area of 1120 Centre Turnpike, near the Lighthouse Church.

State police Trooper Michael Stramara of the Schuylkill Haven station said the driver of the motorcycle — Gary E. Purcell, 61 — was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash by Schuylkill County deputy coroners Albert Barnes and Jarrit Geiger.

Stramara said the crash happened as John M. Paduhovich, 29, of York, was driving a 2016 Hino 338 truck and merging from the east shoulder of Route 61 north, just north of Cinema Drive, as Purcell was driving his 2012 Honda Goldwing north at the same time.

Stramara said Paduhovich tried to make a U-turn at 1120 Centre Turnpike and that Purcell attempted to swerve to avoid a collision with the truck but was unable to do so.

The motorcycle struck the truck and became lodged under the vehicle as Paduhovich stopped on the lanes of the highway facing west.

Assisting with the investigation were officers from the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Specialist Unit.

Paduhovich was not injured, the trooper said.

The southbound lanes of Route 61 were shut down into the evening hours as police photographed the scene, took measurements and spoke to potential witnesses.

Firefighters from Deer Lake-West Brunswick Township and Orwigsburg assisted at the scene.

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

Deeds

Ashland — John P. and Cathy M. Kelley to Briannon K. Blank; 1116 Pine St.; $65,000.

John M. Caesar, executor of the Estate of Nilan S. Caesar, to Amy Jo Deibler and Hans C. Deibler Jr.; 334 Centre St.; $17,000.

Butler Township — Joseph Cairo to Charles J. Fowler; 308 Broad St., Fountain Springs; $35,000.

Cressona — Jennifer Stepen and James Close V to Todd Sterner; 31-33 Grove St.; $155,000.

Delano Township — Delano Township Board of Supervisors to Brian D. and Donna M. Pedrick; 80.67-acre property in Delano; $60,100.

East Union Township — Dario and Digna Cruz to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 375HF3, Eagle Rock; $10.

Charles and Marie Dume to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 416HF3, Eagle Rock; $10.

Yolanda Francisco to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 209HF4, Eagle Rock; $10.

Janice Calma Nuque and Gene Gantioque to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 244HF4, Eagle Rock; $10.

Neil and Gemma Solis to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 26WSS, Eagle Rock; $10.

Amador S. and Ida Mondejar to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 163WSS5, Eagle Rock; $10.

Frackville — James J. Kiefer to Andrew D. and Ann P. Rall; 115 N. Center St.; $145,000.

Girardville — Joseph and Marissa Coreia to Michael and Maureen Manbeck; 130 W. Main St.; $1.

Hegins Township — Chad Moser to Michael Masser; property on Township Route 593; $5,000.

New Castle Township — Kathleen Homovich to Thomas S. Stefansky Jr.; property on Chestnut Street, Arnot’s Addition; $9,250.

North Manheim Township — David R. Yoder and Dennis Yoder to Richard W. and Lois J. Forgach; 901 E. Main St.; $124,000.

Orwigsburg — Karen Lambert-Adams, individually and as administratrix of the Estate of Stanley P. Lambert, Sherry L. Davis, Dale D. Lambert, Craig A. Lambert and Paul S. Lambert to Karen Lambert-Adams and Darryl J. Adams; 129 Columbia St.; $1.

Pine Grove — Jonestown Bank & Trust Co. to Bruce W. and Michelle Herb; 154 N. Tulpehocken St.; $50,000.

Port Carbon — Nicholas Steranko to David Van Pelt; 405 Coal St.; $105,000.

Porter Township — Giuseppe Mini and Rosalba Amato to Shannon M. Wright; 1200 E. Grand Ave., Reinerton; $137,000.

Pottsville — B Back to Life LLC to D.C Casper Real Estate and Holding LLC; 324 W. Norwegian St.; $40,000.

John Montgomery, by attorney in fact Debra Montgomery, to Debra J. Montgomery and Jean Ann Montgomery; 403 N. 18th St.; $1.

Michael Cope Sr. to Michael A. Lee; 404-402 Main St.; $1.

Rush Township — Charles A. Hammer to Kevin A. and Georgine E. Sickels; 73 Ryan Ave., Hometown; $179,900.

South Manheim Township — Gregory A. Sarangoulis and Justine A. Schade to William C. and Nancy L. Wert; 2252 Wynonah Drive, Lake Wynonah; $245,000.

Tamaqua — Albert E. Trevorah Jr. to Dana Sytnik; 647 Arlington St.; $55,000.

Washington Township — Clyde R. and Barbara A. Shadler to Clyde R. Shadler; 3700 Sweet Arrow Lake Road; $1.

West Brunswick Township — Punjab Property Inc. to Orpat LLC; 2087 Market St.; $500,000.

Marriages

Robert M. Paul Jr., Hegins, and Ashley M. Hornberger, Hegins.

Michael J. Nelson, Tuscarora, and Billie Jo Unangst, Tuscarora.

Alfred R. Noll, Minersville, and Michelle Ann Wertz, Minersville.

Rudolph J. Feane, New Ringgold, and Katie Marie Grier, New Ringgold.

Edward A. Johnson, Saint Clair, and Sharon C. James, Saint Clair.

Jacob L. Hershberger, Mattoon, Illinois, and Lillian L. Nolt, Pine Grove.

Kurt V. Spieles, Schuylkill Haven, and Angela Fay Brassington, Schuylkill Haven.

Steven F. Singley, Sheppton, and Krystal F. Brennan, Sheppton.

Christopher H. Schank, Pottsville, and Ezra Koury, Pottsville.

Savas G. Logothetides, Pottsville, and Kelly Jo Motuk, Pottsville.

Jermaine Smith, Huntingdon, and Tamila T. Conner-Jones, Pittsburgh.

Jamie M. Putalavage, Pottsville, and Paige N. Catizone, Pottsville.

Bryn R. Bowman, Valley View, and Kendall Ann Devaney, Valley View.

Jorge J. Perez, McAdoo, and Erica L. Cox, Freeland.

Barry J. Gerber Jr., Tamaqua, and Diana Jo Boyle, Tamaqua.

Preston Peel, Schuylkill Haven, and Heather K. Pugh, Schuylkill Haven.

Aaron M. Berger, Tamaqua, and Kristina N. Holmes, Germansville.

Alex J. Jones, Bethlehem, and Madeline J. Surita, Bethlehem.

Adam P. Curran, Pine Grove, and Kristen Elise-Kaufman Yascavage, Pine Grove.

James A. Saltzman, Pitman, and Jessica Lynn Talley, Herndon.

Justin A. Wieand, Tamaqua, and Nicole L. Altemose, Tamaqua.

Arnold R. Schueck, Gilbertsville, and Jill M. Staniszewski, Boyertown.

John P. McMillin, Pine Grove, and Kristen A. Krause, Pine Grove.

Connor W. Reading, Orwigsburg, and Kaitlyn Raineri, Shavertown.

Kintay D. Moore, Pottsville, and Desiree Lynn Neifert, Pottsville.

Alexander Lee Williams, Saint Clair, and Sonja M. Rossi, Saint Clair.

James R. Zarcufsky, Ringtown, and Brittany M. Sickora, Ringtown.

David A. Pitt, Frackville, and Latoshia D. Robinson, Philadelphia.

Timothy Taylor, Boca Raton, Florida, and Maria A. Arroyo Bernal, Boca Raton, Florida.

Brian C. Clark, Hegins, and Ashley M. Miller, Hegins.

Hakim S. Drake, Frackville. and Shana M. Lathbury, Lewes, Delaware.

Yansel Rosario, Pottsville, and Eveddy F. Dominguez, Pottsville.

William J. Leib, Ashland, Heather Ann Jenkins, Ashland.

Scott D. Delinko, Pine Grove, and Lynne M. Deichert, Pine Grove.

James A. Miller Jr., Pine Grove, and Madison L. Miller, Pine Grove.

William A. Tyrka, Leesport, and Marshalee R. Long, Leesport.

Evan J. Bendas, Girardville, and Tracy M. Housand, Girardville.

Kyle R. Kurtek, Pottsville, and Jacqueline L. Bell, Pottsville.

Divorces granted

Jamie Passon, Tamaqua, from Dawn Passon, Tamaqua.

Christopher Riedlinger, Orwigsburg, from Kathleen Riedlinger, Frackville.

Paul Harrison, Pottsville, from Traci Harrison, Auburn.

Chris Klepsch, Mahanoy City, from David Klepsch, Barnesville.

Jennifer A. Valenti, Orwigsburg, from Carmelo Valenti, Orwigsburg.

Nicole Murray, Orwigsburg, from Sean Murray, Pottsville.

Michael Carey, Pottsville, from DeAnna Carey, Minersville.

Edward Snukis, Saint Clair, from Kathleen Snukis, Saint Clair.

Holly M. Gaburick, Schuylkill Haven, from James P. Gaburick, Pottsville.

Kelly Austerberry, Pottsville, from Thomas Austerberry, Pottsville.

Justin Snyder, Pottsville, from Roxanne Snyder, Pottsville.

POTTSVILLE — A man wanted by city police for his role in a gunfire incident last month was taken into custody Saturday in Ashland.

Police said they had an arrest warrant for Isaiah Jared Samuels, 22, of Pottsville, charging him with illegal possession of a firearm, recklessly endangering another person and persistent disorderly conduct.

The charges followed an incident around 3:50 p.m. July 13 when officers were called to the area of Third and Sanderson streets for a report of gunfire.

Detective Kirk Becker said officers found several spent 9 mm casings and damage to several buildings on the west side of the 500 block of North Third.

Becker said witnesses said that about 10 to 15 minutes before the incident was reported, three people were walking south on North Third Street when a black Chevrolet truck, possibly a Colorado, approached them southbound on Third Street.

After a brief argument among parties involved, the three began to run north on Third Street and then west on Harrison Street while a passenger in the truck, later identified as Samuels, fired several rounds in their direction, police allege. They said Samuels fled the area.

Around 11 p.m. Friday, Ashland Police Chief Girard Daley reported receiving information that Samuels was at a home in the 700 block of Centre Street. Becker said that around 1 p.m. the following day, Pottsville police, along with officers from Ashland, Shenandoah, Minersville and Mount Carmel, and state police from the Frackville station, took Samuels into custody.

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

MI Windows/Doors holds ‘signing day’

GRATZ — Two recent graduates of Upper Dauphin Area High School recently participated in a signing day at MI Windows and Doors, inking letters of intent to work at the firm.

“Sitting before a group of friends, co-workers, loved ones and school officials, Kyle Nye and Bradly Byle signed their letters of intent to work at MI Windows and Doors,” according to an MI press release.

After the signing, they headed back to work, MI officials said in the release.

In an effort to stress the importance of high school co-op programs, the two UDA graduates took part in a “simulated signing day” at MI Windows and Doors’ Operations Support building in Gratz on Aug. 13.

“Signing day extravaganzas are usually reserved for athletes who are signing scholarship offers with NCAA programs. But Upper Dauphin officials, MI’s human resources department and the graduates themselves wanted to emphasize the importance of choosing work following high school,” according to the release.

Amy Gehring, UDA co-op coordinator, said the school is “very proud of Kyle and Bradly.”

She added, “We wanted to do this because I’ve formed a good relationship with MI Windows and also because we wanted to highlight the hard work these kids put in during their last year of high school. Taking classes while working is not for every student.”

Nye and Byle started working at MI before the start of their senior year. By the time they received their diplomas in June, they were already working full-time, Nye at MI’s Gratz plant and Byle at the Hegins plant.

“It’s a huge advantage being part of the co-op program,” Nye said in the release, adding, “If I had waited to join MI when I graduated, I wouldn’t know anything. Now, from what I did last year, I know just about every job on my line.”

Gehring has been in charge of UDA’s co-op program for three years. Under her direction, the program has grown to where she now has some 30 students signed up for next year.

“If you build it, they will come,” Jared Shade, Upper Dauphin’s assistant superintendent, said in the release. “Mrs. Gehring has worked hard to develop relationships with our community and companies to really back the program.”

Byle, who works in the shipping department, also was happy to get a head start on his career before graduation: “Co-op was nice because I was able to leave school for half a day and go out and work,” he said in the release. “I enjoy shipping. I get to move around all day; there’s a lot of physical work.”

Gehring, who works with many employers in the area, said she is especially grateful to Joan Cortelyou, MI talent acquisition manager, for accommodating some of her younger students.

“Joan was instrumental in making it possible for our 17-year-olds to work at Hegins and Gratz and making sure it was safe,” Gehring said in the release.

“Instead of just giving me a patented, ‘No, they’re 17, we won’t do it,’ ” Gehring added in the release, “Joan helped break down those walls because I have 17-year-olds who won’t turn 18 until after they graduate high school. But they want to work, and they want to work at MI.”

Rutters gives

check for YEA!

POTTSVILLE — Rutter’s, a chain of convenience stores and gas stations, donated a $20,000 EITC — Educational Improvement Tax Credit — program check to the Schuylkill YEA! program in January and on Aug. 9, Mary Jo Moss, YEA! program manager, with state Sen. David Argall, R-29, and Robert S. Carl Jr., Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive officer, accepted a check presented by Chris Reed of Rutter’s.

YEA! — Young Entrepreneurs Academy — is an approved Educational Improvement Organization, making it eligible to receive donations through the EITC program, a state Department of Economic Development-managed program that benefits students in K-12 public schools.

The Schuylkill Young Entrepreneurs Program “guides students through the process of fulfilling their very own American dream … by bridging business and educational communities,” according to a YEA! Release. Students are taught by trained instructors and are exposed to guest lecturers, successful entrepreneurs and mentors.

Over the course of the program, students: Brainstorm business ideas, write a business plan, interact with business professionals, attend field trips for a behind-the-scenes look at local businesses, pitch their business plan to local investors for startup funding and the opportunity to advance to regional and national competitions, legally register their businesses, participate in a local YEA! Trade show, launch and run their own business or social movement and graduate from the program with lifelong leadership and business skills, according to the release forwarded by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce.

Hydro expansion Argall report focus

CRESSONA — This month’s local TV program hosted by state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, focuses on Hydro’s Extrusion plant, which is one of the largest employers in Schuylkill County with the Cressona facility the largest of its kind in the United States and one of the largest in the world, according to an Argall press release.

“There is no more important issue in the district that I represent than jobs, jobs, jobs,” Argall said in the release. “This plant already employs about 1,200 people but with the expansion taking place here, the opportunity for employment will be open to even more. I should also mention that these jobs will provide family sustaining wages that will leave people better off and help contribute to our growing economy.”

The Cressona plant was recently recognized as the company’s top performing plant for 2018. The company has 100 production sites across 40 countries and more than 22,000 employees.

In 2018, Hydro pledged $100 million to the Cressona plant and a new 96,000-square-foot addition to accommodate growing production, according to Argall’s release.

The latest edition of Argall’s TV report will air on regional cable TV systems in Schuylkill, Berks and neighboring counties and his report also is available online at www.SenatorArgall.com.

Tio Pepe comes

to Shenandoah?

SHENANDOAH — A change is underway in the 100 block of South Main Street, according to the periodic Shenandoah Downtown Update, which monitors developments in the greater Shenandoah area’s business, commercial and professional scene.

The Oyster Bar at 113 S. Main St., originally the site of the Shenandoah AMVETS post headquarters, has become Tio Pepe.

The exterior of the site at street level has undergone a transformation of color that features blues, greens and even a deep pastel pinkish shade, an unmistakable change for the frontage.

And the title Tio Pepe has replaced references to Oyster Bar above the exterior lights and elsewhere.

Although there has been no formal announcement about what Tio Pepe will offer, a Google internet search of the term Tio Pepe brings up numerous references to restaurants — including in Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York — that offer Spanish-, Portuguese- or even Mediterranean-style cuisine. It also refers to a certain kind of sherry.

In Spanish, “tio” literally means “uncle” and “tia” means “aunt,” according to internet sources, including Wikipedia.

Tio is also used “informally to generally refer to another person ... in the same way English speakers use ‘dude’ or ‘guy,’” according to online information.

There has been no formal announcement regarding when Tio Pepe will open.

Burger King

grand opening

POTTSVILLE — A Burger King grand opening celebration is set for 11 a.m. Thursday at 195 Pottsville St.

According to a Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce flier, there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony and complimentary lunch.

Those planning to attend should RSVP by emailing schivinski@schuylkillchamber.com.

Shenandoah set for Heritage Day

SHENANDOAH — The revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. has plans in place for the 21st annual Shenandoah Heritage Day and 20th annual Parade of Nations to be held Saturday in downtown Shenandoah with parade lineup on North Jardin Street beginning at 9:30 a.m. and the parade launching at 10 a.m.

The parade will go south on Jardin Street to Cherry Street, east on Cherry to Main and north on Main through the heart of the downtown district to Washington Street.

More than 20 nations that have made up the Shenandoah mosaic through the years will be represented with participants marching in costumes or colors under their ethnic flags. The parade will also include floats.

Afterward, there will be an ever-increasing variety of ethnic food and music, arts/crafts, myriad vendors and others offering fare of all types on North Main Street.

The festival will also include a wide variety of entertainment throughout the day, including the Shenandoah All-Star Polka Band from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and the Mariachi Rey Azteca Band from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Traditionally, the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society’s history center at 201 S. Main St. and the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society’s museum and headquarters at 105 S. Jardin St. are open during the celebration as attractions for scores of visitors.

Again this year, DSI is sponsoring a house decorating contest in conjunction with Heritage Day. Judging of homes registered and decorated in ethnic themes was held Monday and three prizes will be awarded to winners announced during Heritage Day festivities Saturday.

All are welcome to participate in Shenandoah’s celebration of its history. For more information, go to the DSI website at www.downtownshenandoah.com.

Partnership

celebration

SHENANDOAH — People are invited to a “Partnership Celebration” at 1 p.m. today organized by the Shenandoah Senior Living Community and The Alzheimer’s Association, at 101 E. Washington St.

The event, according to a Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce flier, will include a plaque presentation in honor of the senior living community’s dedication to habilitation therapy.

Lunch will be provided.

People must RSVP to Desiree Dunleavy by calling 570-462-1908.

POTTSVILLE — John F. Neidlinger Jr. broke into the former WPAM radio station building in September 2018 in the city, a Schuylkill County jury decided Monday.

After deliberating less than 30 minutes, the jury of seven women and five men found Neidlinger, 44, of Pottsville, guilty of burglary, criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property. The defendant did not react to the verdict.

Judge James P. Goodman, who presided over Neidlinger’s one-day trial, ordered preparation of a presentence investigation and scheduled his sentencing for 11 a.m. Oct. 3. He denied Neidlinger’s request to be released on bail, and the defendant left the courtroom in handcuffs.

Pottsville police had charged Neidlinger with breaking into the now-closed 299 N. Wolfe St. building on Lawton’s Hill on Sept. 14, 2018. Once inside, according to police, Neidlinger removed scrap metal, which he later sold to Klinger’s Auto Parts and Recycling.

“He admitted going into the building and taking the metals,” Patrolman Joseph J. Krammes, the prosecuting officer, testified. Krammes also said that Neidlinger had no permission to enter the building and that tire prints at the scene matched those from the defendant’s truck.

When cross-examined by Neidlinger, who represented himself, Krammes said the prints from his boots matched those at the scene.

“There is no doubt in my mind that you were in that building,” Krammes told Neidlinger.

Dean H. Klinger, owner of the store to which Neidlinger sold the metal, testified he remembered the defendant’s truck and a furnace police said had been taken from the building, but not Neidlinger himself.

“I deal with a million people,” he said.

Detective Joseph R. Welsh testified he found an oil burner motor from the building in Neidlinger’s truck, and identified photographs of the crime scene, including the tire tracks.

“Those tracks jumped out as having evidentiary value?” Assistant District Attorney David Noon asked Welsh.

“Absolutely,” Welsh answered.

Detective Kirk Becker testified that Neidlinger confessed to committing the crimes and, consequently, there was no need for DNA or fingerprint testing.

The only witness for Neidlinger, Richard Stepp, testified he drives around the area and the building has been trashed for a long time. He said he has never entered the building.

“I don’t need more trouble,” he said.

In his closing argument, Neidlinger said police did not prove he ever had entered the building, did not find burglar tools in his truck and did not show when the damage actually occurred.

“There are no fingerprints,” he said.

However, jurors accepted the closing argument by Noon, who said Neidlinger kept changing his story and knows he is guilty.

“We’re not mad at John Neidlinger. We’re here to hold him responsible,” Noon said.

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

GIRARDVILLE — A section of the west wall of a vacant home on West Mahanoy Avenue collapsed after heavy rain Sunday evening. No one was injured, but neighbors are concerned about what’s to come.

The property at 341 W. Mahanoy Ave. (Route 54) is at the east end of a section of row homes a short distance from the Butler Township line. According to the Schuylkill Parcel Locator, the property is owned by Otto J. and Walter C. Wolfgang.

Dennis and Kandi Cope, who reside next door at 341A W. Mahanoy Ave., heard the collapse around 8:30 p.m. Firefighters from Rangers Hose Company of Girardville responded.

“The storm blew off the one side of the wall and hit my wall and slid down,” Dennis Cope said. “Thank God it didn’t come through mine. Another rainstorm will take more down.”

Standing at the front of the houses along Mahanoy Avenue on Monday, he pointed to where the vacant house and his house meet.

“You can see right here,” he said, referencing a small gap between the buildings. “That’s getting wider and pulling away. It’s supposed to be together.”

‘It’s scary’

Kandi Cope said she called county communications Sunday and “they sent an army here,” referring to the response from the fire department.

She walked through her home Monday and went out to the back porch to show the collapse and the remaining part of the buckling wall.

“When the next storm comes, it’s going to hit my house,” she said. “It’s scary when you first see it.”

She said someone told her the other building might just slide straight down.

“I’m praying for that. Either way, the rest of it is coming down,” she said. “What way it’s going to go, only God knows.”

The Copes and their two dogs were scared when the collapse occurred.

“I did get startled. I’m not going to lie. It’s horrifying,” Kandi Cope said.

She said her one dog, a shepherd, was barking “but it was like she was screaming,” and a neighbor came running out, because he thought it was the Copes’ house.

Borough checks in

Borough street employees came to the site Monday, spoke with the Copes and reviewed the damage to report to borough officials. Council President and Acting Mayor Robert Krick was out of the area for the day. When he returned in the late afternoon, he said he was unaware of the situation and would check into it with borough code enforcement officer William F. Killian III.

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

Ashland

The Ashland Area Historic Preservation Society, 318 Centre St., will meet at 7 p.m. Aug. 28, featuring Allen Ahrensfield with a history of Ashland Boy Scouts. All are welcome; refreshments will be served. For more information, call 570-590-9985.

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.

Mount Carbon

The Mount Carbon Fire Company, 120 Main St., will have an anniversary bingo beginning at 5 p.m. Aug. 25. Doors will open at 3 p.m. The event will include special prizes and other attractions. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-622-1504.

New Ringgold

The West Penn Township Lions Club will host its fall chicken barbecue from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 14 at the West Penn Community Park, Zion Stone Church Road. Meals will include a half barbecued chicken, baked potato, vegetable, roll/butter, applesauce, pickled cabbage, dessert and beverage for $9.50. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-818-7071.

Pine Grove

The Pinegrove Historical Society will host “Restoration in Progress” from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 15, concerning its restoration of the Stanhope School, at the school, 122 Camp Road, Pine Grove Township, at Mexico, Camp and Stanhope roads. People will be able to see restoration progress. The schoolhouse will eventually be opened to the public “as an educational experience for individuals of all ages,” Linda Mills, chairwoman of the project, said in a press release. The society’s fall fundraiser is set for 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 21 at Hoss’ Steak and Seafood, Cressona. Mills said people should obtain a community event coupon from the Stanhope Facebook page during Restoration in Progress on Sept. 15 or by emailing imillsgso@aol.com. They should take the coupon to Hoss’ on Sept. 21 and give it to the server when placing a food order. The school restoration effort will receive a portion of the eatery’s proceeds during the designation hours. The coupons are not available at Hoss’. For more information, call 610-207-9600.

Pottsville

The Schuylkill County Council for the Arts, 1440 Mahantongo St., will have a seedlings open house from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday. All are welcome.

Pottsville

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

Shenandoah

The 2019 edition of Schuylkill County’s oldest continuously running seasonal downtown farm market is underway from about 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Fridays near the more than century-old former Bolich & Burke building at Main and Centre streets. It offers plants, produce and other items from regional growers. It is sponsored by the Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce and Mark Bernardyn is the long-time chairman of the chamber’s market committee. For more information about the market, call Bernardyn at 570-462-2734; also, more growers are always welcome by calling Bernardyn.

Shenandoah

The Shenandoah Area Free Public Library, Washington and Main streets, is sponsoring a trip to the Sands Casino on Sept. 8. The bus will depart from the library at 9:30 a.m. and from the casino at 4 p.m. for the return trip. To register or for more information, call the library at 570-462-9829 or the office of the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. at 570-462-2060.

ASHLAND — The cause of an early morning fire Monday that displaced three people is undetermined.

Firefighters were called to 11 N. 11th St. around 1:15 a.m. for a report of a house fire with possible entrapment. They found fire in the basement but managed to stop the flames from spreading.

The occupants of the home were able to escape safely.

Patty Daley, disaster captain for the Tri-County Chapter of the American Red Cross, identified the victims as Michael, 47, Deniz, 39, and Jacob Pitsko, 4. They are being assisted with lodging, clothing and food, Daley said.

Fire Chief Philip Groody said the fire started in the basement and spread to the ceiling and electrical wiring.

“It was basically contained to the room where it started,” he said.

One firefighter suffered minor injuries, the chief said.

Firefighters from Ashland, Gordon, Girardville, Altamont in West Mahanoy Township, Englewood in Butler Township and Mount Carmel responded to the blaze, which was brought under control within 30 minutes.

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

HEGINS — A new after-school program will be offered in the Tri-Valley School District this year.

The school board Wednesday approved Sarah Bardo at a rate of $25 per hour as site coordinator for the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 Schuylkill ACHIEVE After School Program.

The elementary offering is grant-funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In July, Schuylkill IU 29 accepted the 21st Century Community Learning Center Cohort 10 grant in the amount of $2,630,000 by entering into an agreement with the PDE.

The grant became effective July 1 and ends June 30, 2024. It will facilitate Schuylkill ACHIEVE in Minersville Area, Pottsville Area and Tri-Valley in year one and extend services to Mahanoy Area, Minersville Area, Pine Grove Area, Pottsville Area and Williams Valley school districts in years two to five.

In other business, the board, with director Kelly Carter absent, accepted several resignations and hired new personnel.

Those resigning included Kimberly Roulin as secondary art teacher and Michelle Kaminski, secondary math teacher.

The board approved Denise Williard for secondary math at a salary of $42,380 and Michele Thomas for secondary art at a salary of $47,800. Salaries and benefits may be prorated based on employment date.

Directors accepted the intent to retire from Jackie Deibert, elementary teacher, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year.

In other action, the board approved the following for the 2019-20 school year:

• A special education service agreement with Schuylkill IU 29 for $123,545.

• Providing social work services to the Schuylkill Haven Area School District.

• Purchasing speech and language services from Schuylkill Haven Area School District.

• Purchasing occupational therapy services from Saint Clair Area School District.

• Purchasing speech therapy services from the North Schuylkill School District.

• Granting the administration to advertise and fill vacancies prior to the September board meeting.

• An agreement with JusticeWorks Youthcare Inc. for Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth for the term Aug. 1, 2019, until July 31, 2020.

• A Children’s Service Center agreement for partial hospitalization and therapeutic educational program services.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

LAVELLE — The Aqua Pennsylvania company, and the Roaring Creek Division in particular, are in the process of upgrading water distribution systems to provide better water and better service, including Schuylkill County.

Aqua Pennsylvania President Marc Lucca, Area Manager Steve Draus and other employees gathered in the Butler Township village of Lavelle to speak about a major water main replacement project that began recently in the village and the work Aqua PA is doing in replacing water mains that have been in use for many decades, and in some cases, almost a century or more.

Everyone met at the intersection of Main Street and Dutch Road at one end of the project. That section of road is currently closed to traffic as workers cut into the macadam to prepare for the removal of the old water lines for new ones.

Aqua is replacing 1,400 feet of old leak-prone, 8-inch cast iron water main with new 8-inch ductile iron main, more than 12 new service lines and one fire hydrant at the intersection of Main Street and Dutch Road. The $440,000 water main replacement project started mid-July.

“We have more than $18 million in projects this year, and from 2012 to 2018, we’ve done about $78 million in projects in the Roaring Creek Division,” Lucca said.

The Roaring Creek/Susquehanna Division includes parts of Adams, Bradford, Columbia, Cumberland, Juniata, Northumberland, Schuylkill and Snyder counties. There are 24 municipalities served in the division.

Lucca and Draus showed sections of old pipes and how deterioration and corrosion cause problems involving reductions in water pressure and breaks.

“The break that you see here (cast iron pipe) is a longitudinal break that is indicative to the types of breaks that you can get with cast iron pipe and indicative of what happens when you get pressure surges,” Lucca said.

Lucca showed a piece of the ductile iron pipe that is being installed.

“This is much more resilient to that type of pressure surge,” he said. “As a result, you see our unaccounted-for water come down due to main breaks. We’ve seen our customer service complaints go down for water quality more typically associated with older pipe and not with this. We’ve seen our unaccounted-for water statewide go from the 23 percent range down to where we’re hovering around 18 to 19 percent.”

Being able to reduce the amount of water lost in a distribution system due to water main breaks, be they discovered and repaired or undiscovered, means lowering of costs, but it is also an environmental plus.

“What that means is that we’re taking less water out of our rivers and creeks and groundwater,” Lucca said. “What we see is that more water that we take is getting to the end users, which is our customers. It is environmentally responsible.”

As for reducing costs, Lucca added, “It’s not only the cost of treating the water, but it’s also delivering the water. Power is such a big part in distributing water.”

In a release provided by Communications Manager Donna Alston at Aqua America/Aqua Pennsylvania, Lucca said the need for the infrastructure work Aqua Pennsylvania is doing in Butler Township and throughout the state is well documented by the American Society of Civil Engineers 2018 Infrastructure Report Card for Pennsylvania, which graded the state’s water systems a “D.”

Citing the report, Lucca said, “The report card referenced a 2018 nationwide study that found that water main breaks have increased by 27 percent since 2012. The study also found that breaks on cast iron pipe, which make up the majority of Pennsylvania’s water mains, had increased by 43 percent during the same period.”

Draus said, “By year-end, Aqua plans to have replaced approximately 7 miles of old and deteriorated pipe dating as far back as the 1900s with new ductile iron pipe, which has become the material of choice for water mains in areas with similar geography and climate. Ductile iron is not only strong but has a cement mortar lining that prohibits the build-up of iron deposits inside the main. This enables the new main to retain its original capacity throughout its useful life.”

The project, which will also include milling and paving the side of the street affected by the excavation work, should be completed by late October.

The Roaring Creek/Susquehanna Division provides water service to about 60,000 people in the above-mentioned counties. Overall, the company serves approximately 1.4 million people in 32 counties throughout Pennsylvania. For more information, visit AquaAmerica.com or follow Aqua on Facebook at facebook.com/MyAquaAmerica and on Twitter at @MyAquaAmerica.

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

POTTSVILLE — Schuylkill County residents and their dogs are invited to the Doggy Swim Party from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the JFK Pool, where a major announcement will be made about a new dog park in the city. The rain date will be the same time Sunday.

The cost is $8 per dog, with proceeds benefiting the Pottsville Dog Park planned for an area of the current Peacock Street Playground.

The project would include an area for small dogs where the basketball courts are now and an area for large dogs where swings and other equipment sit. There will be public parking at the site.

City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said the goal is to open the park next summer.

“We are going to make a major announcement about the future of the park,” Palamar said Tuesday, declining to elaborate.

At 3 p.m., the winner of the Top Dog 2019 contest in the city will be announced. The winning dog will receive a one-year membership to the Pottsville dog park. Votes cost $1. Tickets are $2 for 50/50 raffle of dog-related items, vendors and other activities will take place.

Palamar said the park will benefit the city’s pet owners.

“One thing we really do have in common is pet ownership,” he said.

Mayor James T. Muldowney agreed people are looking forward to the park.

“I just think it’s a positive thing for the city,” he said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

POTTSVILLE — Fire gutted a home in the Arch Street projects and damaged an adjoining home Tuesday morning.

Pottsville Fire Chief James Misstishin said the fire was contained to the first floor of the home at 1117 W. Arch St. with an adjoining home at 1119 W. Arch St. sustaining smoke damage.

Misstishin said a woman residing in the 1117 W. Arch St. home was taken to a hospital as a precaution for evaluation and no other injuries were reported.

The American Red Cross Tri-County Chapter is assisting those affected with lodging, clothing and food.

Disaster Capt. Patty Daley identified the occupants of the home at 1119 W. Arch St. as Chanstyn Chambers and Cassandra Tobias.

The name of the occupant at 1117 W. Arch St. was not available, Daley said.

Firefighters were called at 11:26 a.m. for a report of a structure fire with entrapment and found heavy smoke and fire on the first floor of the 1117 W. Arch St. home.

With reports of entrapment, Misstishin said Pottsville police officers tried to gain entry into the building but were forced back by the heat and smoke.

“They tried to get in but couldn’t,” the chief said. “It was just too much.”

Firefighters arrived and searched the buildings but found no one inside, the chief said.

Misstishin commended both firefighters and police officers for their quick action in making sure everyone was out of the two homes and also in extinguishing the flames.

Pottsville Police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky said his department is working with Misstishin and a state police marshal to find out how the fire was started.

He said that as of Tuesday afternoon, no cause or origin has been determined.

“The investigation is ongoing, but the first step is to try and find the cause and origin,” Wojciechowsky said.

Misstishin said that all Pottsville fire companies, Pottsville fire police, Pottsville police and Schuylkill EMS responded to the scene.

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

Centralia

A Marian Pilgrimage Call to Prayer day of prayer and renewal at Assumption BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church, Paxton St., is set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Archbishop Borys Gudziak of Ukrainian Catholics as well as bishops of Eastern and Latin rite Catholics will participate. The site is called the Holy Place on the Mountain; all are welcome. For more information, call 570-339-0650.

Gilberton

American Hose Company No. 2, Main Street in the borough’s Mahanoy Plane section, will have a block party from 1 to 11 p.m. Aug. 31. The event will feature food, including black cauldron bean soup, refreshments and entertainment, featuring the local classic rock band Broken Spell from 6 to 11 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-874-0248.

Gordon

Members of the Gordon Area Hometown Heroes banner program are accepting applications for people to buy banners for display in the borough. The cost for each banner is $225, which includes the banner, hardware, PPL Electric Utilities inspection charge, placement and removal of the banners annually for four years and any additional associated costs. The program group will continue to hold announced public meetings. Applications are available at the borough hall, Plane and Otto streets, and will be accepted through December. An order will be placed in late December or early January so that the banners are available for placement by Memorial Day. For more information, contact the group at gahhbp@gmail.com or call the borough hall at 570-875-4909.

Lansford

Richie Molinaro and Mr. Lou, Hazleton, will entertain from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the gazebo in Kennedy Park adjacent to the Panther Valley School District Stadium in the 2019 finale of the Music in the Park program sponsored by the Lansford Alive Events Committee. Refreshments will be on sale; people are welcome to bring chairs to enjoy the free event. The committee works for revitalization of the park.

McAdoo

The McAdoo High School alumni group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at The Strand Roller Rink. Members are asked to note the change of date. The alumni dinner will be held Sept. 7 at Premier Catering at Genetti’s near Hazleton. Invitations have been mailed; returns were due Tuesday. Anyone wishing to attend who did not receive an invitation is asked to call Geri at 570-454 4322 or Mary at 570-929-3658.

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.

Pottsville

The Pottsville Salvation Army, 400 Sanderson St., will have a no-cost six-week workshop series on Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions beginning from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 5 and continuing weekly. Advance registration is due by Aug. 31. The series, according to a release, is designed for people 50 and older living with chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, COPD and heart disease. Spouses and caregivers may also participate. The focus is improving healthful behaviors. For more information, call 570-624-3017.

Shenandoah

The Shenandoah Community Ambulance Association — which includes the former Lost Creek and Ringtown Valley associations — is holding its 2019-20 subscription drive. “The professionals at the Shenandoah Community Ambulance Association strive to provide the best medical care possible to the residents and visitors in our communities,” according to a drive release, which adds, “They depend on donations and membership fees to staff the ambulances, purchase equipment and train EMTs and paramedics.” Donations may be sent to the association at 229 N. Main St., Shenandoah, PA 17976. For more information, go to the SCAA website at www.shenems.org.