ORWIGSBURG — Borough officials are applying for two state grants to help with future infrastructure improvements.

At the regular meeting of the Orwigsburg Borough Council on Wednesday, Borough Manager Randall P. Miller told the council that he has submitted the applications for two statewide grant programs that will help fund future water and sewer system repair and improvement projects.

Miller said the borough is not a “single municipality system,” because it provides water and sewer services for West Brunswick Township, and that will improve its standing in the grant evaluation process.

“Hopefully it will bring us to the top of the list with evaluations,” Miller said.

On behalf of the borough, Miller submitted a $214,195 grant proposal for the PA Small Water and Sewer Program, with the borough matching funds of up to 25%, as well as $777,625 grant proposal to the H20 PA Water Supply and Sanitary Sewer and Stormwater Projects Program, with the borough matching 50 percent of the grant.

The grants are administered through the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

The PA Small Water and Sewer Program funds projects involved with the construction, improvement, expansion or rehabilitation or repair of a water supply system, sanitary sewer system, storm sewer system or flood control projects.

Projects that have a total project cost of not less than $30,000 and not more than $500,000 are eligible.

The H2O PA grant program provides single-year and multi-year grants for municipalities to use toward the construction of drinking water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer projects; the construction or renovation of flood control projects and the repair or rehabilitation of high-hazard unsafe dams.

Miller said the borough should expect to hear if the applications were approved in about eight months.

In other business:

• The council agreed to eliminate the part-time police officer positions in the borough police department.

After the meeting, Orwigsburg Police Chief John F. Koury said the department is now staffed with six full-time officers, providing the borough with enough manpower for 24/7 police coverage, so there is no further need for part-time officers.

• The council approved a recommendation made by Miller to formulate a policy that would cover social media, email and electronic communications by borough employees and officials to be considered and adopted in January.

• Appointed Brian Baldwin to the Blue Mountain Recreation Commission.

• Approved an updated employee handbook.

• Adopted CBC Gold PPO as the 2020 health plan for borough employees.

Take a step back in time this Christmas season with an old-fashioned celebration — the fourth annual Christmas in the Park.

Jim Reed, Christmas in the Park committee chairman, said the event has been a continuing success.

“It’s getting bigger each year. We try to do little things different each time. The vendors, it’s unbelievable the amount of vendors we’ve had, and we’re going to have even more this year,” Reed said.

The event will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Valley View Park on Gap Street in Valley View. Although the event is free, donation buckets will be set up throughout the park.

Santa Claus will arrive at 4:30 p.m., “escorted by Sacramento and Hegins Valley fire company personnel,” Reed said, adding that Santa will be available for free photos.

Starting at 5 p.m., Running Springs Farm of Spring Glen will provide horse-drawn carriage rides. The carriages will take “a scenic route that we made in the last two years that goes down by the trout nursery, along the creek and through the woods and comes out up in back of the gun club,” Reed said, adding that due to growing attendance, there will be two sets of carriages.

Wagon rides will run every half hour and require registration at the Christmas in the Park information booth, at which time a reserved time will be assigned. A small donation is requested for adults on the rides.

Similar to Santa’s workshop at the North Pole, the stage area will be set up as a craft station for children to make homemade Christmas ornaments and decorate Christmas cookies.

Christmas carolers will be spreading holiday cheer as they travel throughout the park performing holly jolly tunes, as well as a roaming brass band, Reed said.

Warm foods and drinks, including hot chocolate, hot cider, coffee, soups, hot dogs and pulled pork, will be offered for sale in the Eating House, where a Chinese auction will also be held.

Other events include a Christmas village model train display, a petting zoo, Christmas tree decorating and gingerbread house competitions, vendors at the Buck Steward Memorial Pavillion, a live Nativity scene starting at 7 p.m. and more.

Some previous event volunteers who passed away will be recognized in a candle-lighting ceremony. Those being honored are Cathy Zerbe, David Lucas and Jesse Zerbe.

All proceeds benefit the Valley View Park Association.

Volunteers are still being sought to help out with the event, according to the release. Anyone wishing to help, wanting to donate or seeking more information, may call Reed at 570-682-3707 or VVPA President Dave Williams at 570-573-9467.

Contact the writer: cwertz@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6004

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — From aging veterans and their families to flag-waving elementary pupils, hundreds vowed Thursday to remember our nation’s fallen and those military personnel who continue to serve.

Schuylkill Haven American Legion Auxiliary Post 38 coordinated a special service that welcomed the “Wreaths Across America” convoy to the borough.

Supporters lined the borough streets and the entrance to St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church as a six-truck convoy rolled in carrying thousands of balsam wreaths en route to veterans’ graves at cemeteries like Arlington National Cemetery and Fort Indiantown Gap.

Gift

“Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful America. The live balsam wreaths symbolize our honor to those who served and are still serving in the armed forces of our great nation and to their families who endure sacrifices every day on our behalf,” said Cosette Pohronezny, auxiliary president.

“To the children and young adults present, we want you to understand the freedoms you enjoy today have not been free, but have come with a cost that someday you may have to pay yourself,” she continued.

Patriotism on display

Marine veteran Charlie Cinamella appreciated the ceremony and the public support.

“I was so excited to see all the children with the American flags and showing their patriotism,” said Cinamella, of Orwigsburg, who served in Vietnam from 1963-67. “I was impressed with the high schoolers who sat so attentively. It’s good to have the wreaths because I knew some people that aren’t here anymore.”

Cinamella serves as quartermaster for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2198 in Orwigsburg and attended with his wife, Maria.

Navy veteran Andrew Lukach, of Cressona, was among seven veterans who participated in the wreath-laying ceremony at the front of the church. Others were Art Sterner, Rodney Mayberry, Kerry Schaeffer, Harlan Rump, Tom Dayson and Ken Albitz. A special wreath was presented to recognize prisoners of war and those missing in action.

“This means a lot,” said Lukach, who served from 1962-66. “I walked the perimeter outside and all the little kids were saying, ‘Thank you for your service ... This legion really does a fantastic job.”

Message

Past auxiliary President Kathleen Wingle and Kristina Miller served as co-chairwomen for the event, and Guy Widerhold, president of the Veterans of the Vietnam War Post 29, opened with a moment of silence in remembrance of the fallen, POWs, MIAs, and in honor of those serving.

Elle Walasavage, from Blue Mountain School District, sang the national anthem, following the invocation by Pastor Glenn Rarick of Faith Reformed United Church of Christ.

The “Wreaths Across America” story began more than 19 years ago when Morrill and Karen Worcester of the Worcester Wreath Co. in Maine started a tradition of placing wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery.

“Last year, every service member at Arlington was honored with a wreath, which means 230,000 wreaths were placed,” Miller said. “We are fortunate to have the very same wreaths and trucks that are on their way to Arlington stop in Schuylkill County so that we may deliver the same message of thank you to those who served in our nation’s military.”

Remember, honor, teach is the mission of “Wreaths Across America.” The local auxiliary began its efforts six years ago when member Georgia Pastuszek saw it in the news, according to Miller.

“That first year, we placed three wreaths at our local monuments and helped at the Gap to place wreaths on family members’ graves. Only sections of the Gap were covered.

“This year I am happy to report that, on Saturday, every grave will be covered. As each wreath is placed, the name of that veteran is spoken softly and we say, ‘Thank you for our freedom,’ ” Miller said.

Wingle noted that there’s Veterans Day in the fall and Memorial Day in the spring, but our service members sacrifice their time and safety every day of the year to preserve our freedoms.

“In many homes, there is an empty seat for one who is serving or one who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. There is no better time to express our appreciation than during this holiday season,” Wingle said.

Donations

The auxiliary — with assistance from the Schuylkill Haven Business and Professional Women Club, Schuylkill Haven Area Elementary Center and several other groups — collected $3,500 for the “Wreaths Across America” organization. They presented a check to Mike Koury, one of the truck drivers on the wreath delivery this year.

Mina Barket, a fourth-grader in Rhonda Johnson’s class at Schuylkill Haven Area Elementary, also presented a $200 donation to “Wreaths Across America” as a gift from students, staff and faculty.

“We love America,” Barket said.

In their remarks, Schuylkill County Commissioner Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr., Commissioner Gary J. Hess and Schuykill Haven Mayor Michael Devlin echoed their appreciation for veterans and their families and the show of support Thursday.

Young citizens

Students from Schuylkill Haven Area, Nativity, Mahanoy Area, Blue Mountain and Access Services in Orwigsburg attended the service.

Kindergarten through second-graders from Blue Mountain Elementary West lined the circular drive and waved flags as they greeted veterans and the convoy which came from Bubeck Park.

“The second-grade team talked about ‘Wreaths Across America’ and showed them a video about what it symbolizes. They know the importance of this special event,” said Kelsey Peterson, a second-grade teacher.

Peterson said she has family members who serve in the military and, for the last three years, she’s participated in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Gap.

Teacher Nancy Brylewski, student council adviser at Mahanoy Area High School, and Daniel Nester, Mahanoy Area High School National Honor Society adviser, said their students have attended the wreath ceremony for the past few years and have also taken field trips to Washington, D.C., and Arlington National Cemetery.

The joint choir from St. Ambrose Church and All Saints Church in McAdoo offered musical selections throughout the program including the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “God Bless America,” while the color guard from Schuylkill Haven American Legion Robert E. Baker Post 38 and the Veterans of the Vietnam War Post 29 served.

Monsignor Edward Zemanik, with St. Ambrose, offered the benediction, which was followed by a 21-gun salute. Paris Williams, of Schuylkill Haven Area High School, played taps to conclude the ceremony.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

A faulty road marking is being blamed as the cause of traffic accident in which a woman was injured after her car vaulted off Lofty Road and down an embankment Thursday night.

McAdoo Fire Chief Bob Leshko said the car became airborne before going down the embankment near the intersection of Lofty Road and Route 309 at about 5:50 p.m. Thursday.

Kline Township police identified the driver as 72-year-old Shirley Thompson, of Tobyhanna. She suffered pelvic and hip injuries which police said were non-life threatening.

Thompson was flown by medical helicopter to a Lehigh Valley Health Network hospital after the crash, Leshko said.

“There’s a problem with a white line near the Lofty Road on Route 309,” Leshko said. “She was driving south on Route 309, when her car veered off the road, through guardrails and down a 75- to 100-foot embankment.”

The car literally catapulted down the embankment, Leshko said.

“The car became airborne off the top of the road, and hit a tree about 40 feet up,” Leshko said. “It landed against rocks and trees. We had to pop the car door open to get her out. With the help of Hazle Township (Volunteer Fire and Rescue), we set up a rigging system with ropes to get her and the guys to the top.”

Once the woman was at the top of the hill, she was taken to a landing site, and flown by medical helicopter to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest for treatment of her injuries.

“We’ve had six accidents at the intersection,” Leshko said. “The consensus is that people get confused where they are. Kline Township (police) is calling PennDOT tomorrow about it.”

Hope’s Towing of Tamaqua had to hoist the car up the embankment, Leshko said.

Aside from the McAdoo Fire Co. and Hazle Township, McAdoo ambulance and Lehigh Valley EMS responded to the crash. Personnel from the Hometown Fire Company set up the helicopter landing zone, Leshko said.

Contact the writer: jdino@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3585

Marine Corps League Toys for Tots collection was held Thursday at Fairlane Village mall, Pottsville.

The event featured a performance by Dalinda Dance Studio's The Showstoppers.

It’s not every night two rock icons take the stage for intimate acoustic performances.

Eighties singer-songwriters Rick Springfield and Richard Marx will each offer a solo acoustic set on Sunday at F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, 71 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. The show begins at 7 p.m., and tickets start at $39.50. They can be purchased at the box office, kirbycenter.org or by calling 570-826-1100.

During a phone interview from his home in Malibu, California, Springfield assured crowds can expect his hits like “Jessie’s Girl” and “I’ve Done Everything for You” but also storytelling songs.

After Springfield’s autobiography, “Late, Late at Night: A Memoir,” came out in 2010, the musician found an outpouring of requests for a storytelling show. During these performances, Springfield feels he can connect with fans personally. While he’ll playfully call out audience members who are getting up for drinks, he also feels the connection between himself and those in the room. The atmosphere allows for more communication and emotion, which means everything to him as an artist.

“It’s telling stories, some jokes and sort of one-on-one,” he said. “I can actually talk to the audience. It’s low-key, laid-back and completely different from a full-band show. ”

As for Marx, the musician released a string of hits during the late ’80s and early ’90s including “Endless Summer Nights,” “Hold On to the Nights” and “Right Here Waiting.” Springfield said he and Marx have been friends since 1985 and decided to join together to go out on the road. Each will perform his own songs in separate acoustic sets before coming together for the encore. It’s a special night for the musicians and fans alike.

“You get to really hear the lyrics of the songs and the stories behind the music,” Springfield said. “You’re all together, sharing those moments.”

An Australia native, Springfield’s first U.S. No. 1 hit, “Jessie’s Girl,” earned him a Grammy award and solidified his place in pop culture. He followed its success with four more top 10 hits, including “Don’t Talk to Strangers” and “Love Somebody,” and has released more than a dozen albums during his career. He also wrote a novel, “Magnificent Vibration,” which made The New York Times Best Sellers list.

Springfield also has kept busy with acting. He starred in the film “Ricki and the Flash” opposite Meryl Streep as well as on TV, including more sinister roles as Dr. Pitlor in HBO’s “True Detective,” Lucifer on “Supernatural” and, most recently, Pastor Charles on “American Horror Story: Cult.”

“Doing stuff against type is always fun for an actor,” he said. “Showing that dark side.”

Springfield promised fans will see him in more acting roles in 2020, and he plans to release a second novel, a new record and a greatest hits album next year. Springfield also will hit the road with Chicago during the band’s summer tour around North America.

“There’s a lot in store over the next year,” he said.

Contact the writer: gmazur@timesshamrock­.com; 570-348-9127

MAHANOY CITY — Citizens who have complaints need to fill out a form.

Tuesday’s meeting of the Mahanoy City Borough Council included a discussion on an out-of-service fire hydrant. Councilman Scott Kline spoke about the content of a Dec. 4 news story in The Republican-Herald that said complaints had been made to the borough, but he said that no written complaints had been received about the broken hydrant.

During the discussion, Kline and other council members and officials reiterated the need for forms to be filled out for future actions.

Interim Borough Manager Angela Hughes said there are four forms for different types of complaints.

“We’ve had these forms for some time and they are available at the borough hall,” Hughes said. “There is a general form, another for police, one for code enforcement and another form for complaints about employees.”

The standard procedure is to have complainants submit a form at borough hall.

“We would get phone calls with complaints and we ask that the forms to be filled out with the information,” Hughes said. “There are some people who make complaints, but will not fill out a form.”

Hughes said some people hesitate due to a stipulation at the bottom of three of the four forms that if the issue goes to court, they may be required to appear during a hearing. The paragraph reads:

“My signature below attests that the information in this statement is true and correct, and is given of my own free will and without any threats or promises having been made against me. I request that the Mahanoy City Police Department/Code Enforcement files any applicable charges after reviewing the information, and I promise to appear in court when notified to do so on this matter. I am aware that the Pennsylvania Crimes Code makes it a criminal offense to give false information to authorities with the intent of implicating another person in criminal activity.”

“The records are important because they show a paper trail from the beginning,” Hughes said.

Code Enforcement Officer William F. Killian III said the complaint forms are valuable to him in checking and following up on complaints, but they support his job performance. Roughly 75% of the property issues he looks into are driven by written complaints. If a verbal complaint is received about a dangerous situation, such as a building collapse, Killian responds without anything in writing.

“We’ll check on it and speak with those people and do tell them that we need their assistance to put it on paper for us,” Killian said. “When we get past the local non-traffic citations that we issue, and we turn it over to the police and pursue criminal charges, we need to show that this (property) is a public nuisance, that there are many people who have complained about it, and here are the forms. It’s the same with me when I go to the magistrate. I use those as evidence, and I may call those people to testify on my behalf that there really is a nuisance, that it really is affecting the quality of life of someone or the community itself. The more evidence we have towards that problem, the better the outcome can be. It starts a timeline and it’s good for me and the person who complained. If I fail to do what I’m supposed to do, then I’m held accountable.”

Killian said the process is for a complainant to submit the form to the front office. The form is recorded in the computer filing system as a record, and then it is passed along to the proper department head. He said in the case of the fire hydrant, the complaint form will be forwarded to the borough council’s Fire and Water Committee. After the committee investigates, the determination goes to the whole council.

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

United Charities Inc. of Hazleton gives toys to hundreds of children in need every Christmas.

This year, dolls destined for three little girls were swiped from a hallway inside their building in West Hazleton.

Executive Director Jill Zapotocky has the thief on video, but doesn’t want to prosecute.

She just wants the gifts returned.

“If you need help, we’d help you. Why take, when we’d give?” Zapotocky said. “I just want them returned. I want the person to do what’s right in their heart.”

The dolls were sitting in a bag in the hallway of the building, left for someone to come and get them, she said. When the person came, the dolls were gone.

She said the dolls were obviously gifts, because they had tags on them with the girls’ names and ages on them. If someone is that desperate for the holidays, United Charities would help them, she said.

“Return the gifts and come back in a day or two, and we’d help them,” Zapotocky said. “I don’t want people to feel that desperate.”

Thief is known

She posted her plea to return the gifts on the charity’s Facebook page, calling the person a “Grinch,” and that they know who it is, because they’re on camera.

“If you drop the gifts just like you took them, we will not contact the authorities,” she wrote. “SHAME on you!!! WHO steals from an organization who would GIVE IT TO YOU?!?!”

The post, which went up Wednesday afternoon, has gone viral, with an outpouring of support from the community to make things right for the children who were supposed to get the dolls, she said. More than 30,000 people have viewed the post and 500 have shared it, she said.

“It’s all over,” Zapotocky said, adding that schools have reached out to help, along with sister organizations, the Commission on Economic Opportunity, Catholic Social Services and Brandon’s Forever Home. “It’s overwhelming.”

She has thanked everyone but hasn’t taken anyone up on the offers, because she doesn’t want to take something away from someone else who may be in need this holiday.

Plus, she is still hoping that the gifts will be returned. Some people have posted that the charity should contact the police, Zapotocky said.

“People want the law to take over,” she said. “I don’t want that. It’s Christmas. We want to help them.”

Contact the writer: kmonitz@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3589

POTTSVILLE — No easy solution is in sight to overcrowding at the Schuylkill County Prison, President Judge William E. Baldwin said Wednesday.

“Unfortunately, the number of criminal cases is not dropping,” Baldwin, who chairs the county Prison Board, said during that panel’s monthly meeting. “Our county is really up there.”

The prison — which held 243 inmates as of Wednesday — is outsourcing 93 more to prisons in four other counties, Warden Eugene Berdanier said. Centre County leads with 63, followed by Columbia with 19, Snyder with six and Northumberland with five.

Furthermore, the county commissioners recently signed separate agreements with Centre and Columbia counties to continue sending Schuylkill’s inmates to those jails and will continue to do so.

“We have a responsibility to incarcerate” people who need to be locked up, commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. said.

District Attorney Michael A. O’Pake said many of the drug cases are getting more serious.

“The drug cases that are being filed are larger quantities,” making them felonies, he said.

Baldwin said that while the court has cut the backlog of cases, and is dealing with those that still exist more quickly, there is no end in sight to the overwhelming flow.

“Recidivism is a problem,” he said.

Sheriff Joseph G. Groody said his deputies are on the road three or four days a week, and will continue to transport those prisoners to other counties’ jails. He said they already have done 41 trips to Centre County, which is the most distant of the four but also holds the most Schuylkill inmates.

“We are transporting prisoners,” he said. “The expense isn’t going to go away.”

In another matter, the board voted to discharge part-time corrections officer Pamela Smith. It did not specify the reason why it terminated Smith.

Berdanier said Smith’s discharge leaves the prison with eight vacancies among the ranks of part-time corrections officers.

“I continue to screen applications and conduct interviews” to fill those positions, Berdanier said.

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

A bill proposed by state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-121, of Wilkes-Barre, on Monday would give every homeowner in Pennsylvania an $800 school property tax rebate regardless of how much their property is worth. Renters would receive a $50 rebate under the plan.

The $2.8 billion rebate would be paid for by an increase to the personal income tax from 3.07% to 3.49% and a sales tax increase on certain luxury items.

Every wage earner who makes $190,000 or less and pays school property taxes would benefit under the plan, Pashinski said.

The Universal Property Tax Relief Rebate is a “practical and balanced” way to help senior citizens and the middle class stay in their homes and is more realistic than calls to eliminate school taxes altogether, Pashinski said. Total elimination would cost $14 billion per year, he said.

“It’s reasonable and it does not negatively impact any segment of the population. It does help seniors the most, the working class next,” Pashinski said Monday of his bill.

Around the state, the average taxes are between $2,000 to $2,200 per year, so the proposal would be a 33% reduction, Pashinski said.

Since most seniors don’t work and won’t pay the personal income tax increase, they would get the full $800 benefit, Pashinski said.

A homeowner with a $30,000 income would see a $674 net gain, while someone making $190,000 would essentially break even by netting $2, according to a chart provided by Pashinski.

“We wanted to show how this will affect your personal situation,” Pashinski said.

The bill has 18 co-sponsors, including state Rep. Gerald Mullery, D-119, Newport Township. The proposal will now be considered by the finance committee.

The approximately $2.8 billion in replacement revenues to pay for the plan would come from an estimated $2.05 billion in additional PIT revenue and $765 million from the expansion of the current sales and use tax to things such as professional sports tickets, non-health related personal care services and cosmetic services to buildings and dwellings.

Personal care services are defined as hair cutting, styling, shampooing, coloring, waving hair, shaving, beard trimming, providing facials, hair removal services, applying makeup, nail care services, massage, non-medical diet and weight reduction services.

Building services are defined as various maintenance and landscaping jobs.

Pashinski’s proposal comes days after a group a lawmakers unveiled a months-long study about property tax relief including five plans, one that eliminates school property taxes all together.

Pashinski called his bill “a step in the right direction.”

“I believe this is the most balanced and fair plan put forth that provides real relief to property taxpayers without penalizing the very people we are trying to help ... ” Pashinski said. “... Should this program be successfully implemented, it could point us in the right direction for how to provide additional property tax relief in the future.”

Contact the writer: bkalinowski@citizen­svoice.com; 570-821-2055

Deer Lake

The Deer Lake & West Brunswick Fire Company, 1 Ash Road, will have bingo games from 6 to 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, in the firehall. Doors will open at 5 p.m.; all are welcome. The company sponsors bingo games the first and third Tuesdays of the month. For more information, call 570-366-0900.

Girardville

St. Joe’s Community Church will have a free fellowship meal from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, followed by Christmas caroling from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Participants will then return to the church for snacks and hot chocolate. Free coats will be available. All are welcome. For more information, email Karyl Moser at lpndreamer@msn.com.

Harrisburg

The state Department of Education has announced $300,000 in Keystone Telepresence grants to 14 intermediate units for equipment and services to help educate students who are at home recovering from serious medical conditions. Recipients include Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, $14,398. IUs may also use the money to train personnel on how to use the equipment. For more information about Pennsylvania’s education policies and programs, visit the Department of Education’s website or follow PDE on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr or Pinterest.

Orwigsburg

The Lighthouse Church, 10 Hollenbush Lane, will feature Bethlehem Live from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, and 21. All are invited to “experience the bustling inn of Bethlehem with soothing music, tasty refreshments (and) the birth of a Savior …” according to a release. For more information, call 570-366-1300.

Pottsville

An all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner is set for 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, at the St. Patrick Parish Center, 313 Mahantongo St. The cost is $8 for adults and $3.50 for children; all are welcome. For more information, call 570-622-1802.

Pottsville

Christmas at Yuengling Bicentennial Park will feature live reindeer, Santa and performances by Crimson Academy and free candy for children from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22. Organizers, in a release, expressed gratitude to Lasting Legacy and city volunteers. For more information, call 570-628-4417.

Pottsville

Organizers of the Pottsville Lions Club Pennies for People Campaign have issued a release asking people to “pitch in” wherever they see the Lions’ canisters throughout the Pottsville area. Proceeds will go to Schuylkill Community Action Food Drive to help others for the holiday season. “We appreciate your support,” organizers said in a release. To donate or for more information, call 570-622-9510.

Saint Clair

The Saint Clair Lions Club is accepting reservations for its New Year’s Eve bingo at its 259 McCord Ave. site. The cost is $40 per person, which includes dinner, packet, beverage, setups and dessert (BYOB). Extra packets and specials will be available. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. with dinner upon arrival; bingo will start at 9:30 p.m. For reservations or more information, call 570-429-0549. The club will also have a New Year’s Day pork-and-sauerkraut dinner beginning at 11 a.m. Jan. 1. The cost is $9.50 per meal and people may eat in or take meals out. Dinners will include beverage and dessert. For more information, call 570-429-9939.

Tamaqua

Families with babies up to 1 year old and living within the Tamaqua Area School District or belonging to St. John XIII Parish are the focus of the parish baby food ministry. The St. Vincent dePaul Society distributes baby food and cereal on the third Saturday of each month, Saturday, Dec. 21, this month, by appointment only. Proof of residency with photo ID and proof of the age of the child are required. There is no requirement for proof of income or WIC eligibility. Stages 1 and 2 baby food and cereal will be provided each month, depending on availability. For more information or to register, call 570-225-8620 or email tamaquavdp@outlook.com. Registration is required at least three days before the distribution date.

A second wounded Afghanistan war veteran entered the 2020 8th Congressional District election race Thursday.

Earl Granville, a decorated Army veteran who lost his left leg while serving, announced his candidacy in a news release and campaign video Thursday, a day after filing paper to establish a campaign committee.

Granville becomes the third Republican to openly declare his candidacy in hopes of unseating fourth-term U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, a Moosic Democrat.

The others are Luzerne County Councilman Harry Haas, 44, a Dallas middle school teacher who lives in Kingston, and Teddy Daniels, a former security company owner who promotes himself as a wounded Afghanistan war veteran, pro-Trump, conservative Republican. Newton Township resident Keith Eckel, 72, the former head of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, is also contemplating a candidacy.

Granville, 36, a Scott Township resident who runs marathons, lost his leg fighting when a roadside bomb exploded in June 2008. He is studying counseling and human services at the University of Scranton. A retired Army staff sergeant, he said he receives a military pension and earns money from some of his public speaking, which includes visits to various parts of the country.

In March 2015, he sat in Congress at the invitation of U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey when Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani addressed Congress.

Granville, who said people have urged him to run for public office for years, sees Congress as a new way of serving his country. He declined to criticize Cartwright directly, but said he will aim to unite Americans.

“All you have to do is turn on social media and you see how people are just so divided at the moment,” Granville said in an interview. “And, I think it starts with Washington ... Those leaders in D.C., they need to start working together. When they start working together, I think the people work together and bring the unity that we need in this nation.”

Granville said he wants to meet with district residents before announcing his stands on policies.

Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9147

POTTSVILLE — A Frailey Township man will spend time in prison after admitting Monday to a Schuylkill County judge that he was driving under the influence in January in Coaldale.

Matthew W. Elison, 19, of Donaldson, must serve 72 hours to six months in prison, Judge Charles M. Miller decided.

Miller also sentenced Elison to pay costs, a $1,000 fine, $300 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and a $50 bench warrant fee, and perform 10 hours community service.

Elison pleaded guilty to DUI, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of driving without a license, careless driving and minor prohibited from operating motor vehicle with alcohol. Coaldale police alleged Elison was DUI on Jan. 31 in the borough.

On Tuesday, Miller revoked the probation of Bethann Neff, 32, of Pottsville, and sentenced her to spend three to 12 months in prison.

Neff originally pleaded guilty on May 6 before Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, to possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. At that time, Reiley placed her on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced her to pay costs, a $100 SAEF payment and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account.

Pottsville police charged Neff with possessing drugs and paraphernalia on Oct. 29, 2018, in the city.

Also in the county court, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin removed Jeremy A. Wade, 38, of Frackville, from the intermediate punishment program and sentenced him to serve 18 months to five years in a state correctional institution and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.

Wade originally pleaded guilty on Feb. 17, 2016, to two counts of DUI and one each of DUI while suspended and improper turning movements. Prosecutors withdrew charges of careless driving, driving the wrong way and operating vehicle without required financial responsibility.

Shenandoah police alleged Wade was DUI on July 28, 2014, while Mahanoy City police alleged he was DUI on Dec. 21, 2014.

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

Deeds

Ashland — Nationstar HECM Acquisition Trust 2018-2 to Diamond Homes LLC; 1100 Spruce St.; $45,000.

Blythe Township — William L. Guers to GCG Properties LLC; 34-acre property on Route 209; $250,000.

William L. Guers to GCG Properties LLC; 22.458-acre property; $250,000.

Butler Township — Joe and Sharon K. Gushen to Dana Caforio; 124 Country Club Road, Fountain Springs; $1.

Coaldale — Jerzy Senderowicz and Jadwiga Dabrowska Senderowicz to Matthew Nixon; 4 Bull Run St.; $59,000.

William J. and Lisa Marie Price to Brittany and Thomas Devitt; 4 E. Foster Ave.; $86,000.

East Union Township — George and Andrea Andrews to Michael Richards; 180 Fourth St., Oneida; $6,000.

Frackville — Irma Del Carmen Vargas to Darwin Justo; 533 W. Oak St.; $46,600.

Minersville — Linda M. and William R. Spotts to Leon J. Karpovich; 317 Pine Hill St.; $45,500.

North Manheim Township — Michael J. Naydock to Joshua D. and Janelle A. Hooper; 1009 Woodland Drive; $135,000.

Pine Grove Township — Jason M. and Kayong Somers to Richard L. and Rose M. Keller; 85 Sweet Arrow Lake Road; $265,000.

Gary Alan Ramus and Dakota Kyle Ramus to John T. and Ann Stahl; 110 Juniper Court, Swatara Village; $68,000.

Pottsville — Chad Eleia Jarrah to Christian and Megan Roberts; 1702 West End Ave.; $84,900.

U.S. Bank Trust NA to 506 Fairview LLC; 506 Fairview St.; $7,000.

Dale A. and Amanda A. Daubert to Cassidy E. Price and Cody S. Reichert; 1401 Seneca St.; $89,900.

Ringtown — Mary Ackerman to Dwain J. and Maryann C. Barlow; 101 W. Vine St.; $78,500.

Rush Township — Gordon R. Tonkin to Joshua M. and Jeanine M. Benson; 20 Blackwell St., Hometown; $199,900.

Nitin R. Shah to William M. Rose Jr.; 73 Mahanoy Ave., Hometown; $100,500.

Schuylkill Haven — Randall K. Phillips and Melanie J. Reiff to Jesse Kavanaugh; 405 May Drive; $125,000.

Joshua D. and Janelle A. Hooper to Kyle T. Hosler; 218 St. Peter St.; $71,000.

Schuylkill Township — Donna K. Milot to Rachelle M. Bonenr, Ronald J. Kazakavage and James Milot Jr.; 219 Green St., Brockton; $1.

South Manheim Township — Gregory A. Sarangoulis and Justine A. Schade to Cayuga Cove LLC; 829 Cayuga Cove, Lake Wynonah; $1.

Tamaqua — Felipe Carl Schock, attorney in fact for William W. Patterson and Kathleen L. Patterson, to Aisha Page; 311 Arlington St.; $60,000.

Debra A. Keer to Robert D. Hummel III; 209 Gay St.; $15,000.

DSV SPV2 LLC to Kevin Michael Sanders and Shirley Marie Kramer; 508 Arlington St.; $56,000.

Washington Township — Dean R. and Barbara A. White to John K. and Misty L. George; 5 Fawn Drive; $310,000.

Earl L. and Joan V. Knarr to Philip H. and Emily J. High; 60 Martins Road; $565,750.

Earl L. and Joan V. Knarr to Philip H. and Emily J. High; 4.552-acre property on Martins Road; $49,250.

Wayne Township — Edwin W. and Kathleen K. Kline to Jason M. and Ka Yong Somers; 539 Lutz Valley Road; $230,000.

Bernard P. and Phyllis M. Brilla to Mark A. Brilla; 999 Horseman Drive, Lake Wynonah; $146,000.

POTTSVILLE — Brushing aside the defendant’s apology, a Schuylkill County judge on Friday sentenced a Carbon County man to serve at least three decades behind state prison bars for raping two little girls in 2018 in Coaldale.

“It’s not enough to just say you’re sorry,” President Judge William E. Baldwin told Peter J. Sorokaput, 41, of Lansford, before ordering him to serve 30 to 60 years in a state correctional institution.

In addition, Baldwin ruled that Sorokaput is a Tier 3 sex offender under state law and, as such, is subject to lifetime Megan’s Law sanctions when and if he leaves prison.

The sentence pleased District Attorney Michael A. O’Pake.

“This is basically a de facto life sentence for him, and it’s the least of what he deserves,” O’Pake said.

Sorokaput had pleaded guilty to 17 sex-related charges, including three of rape of a child. Coaldale police had charged him with raping two girls, ages 7 and 4, between August and November 2018 at a borough residence.

One victim’s mother wept as she read a statement on how the sexual abuse affected her daughter.

“(She) is extremely defensive now,” the mother said of her daughter. “She has been emotionally damaged.”

Furthermore, the mother said the incidents also affected her.

“I constantly find myself questioning if there was something more I could have done,” she said. “My heart hurts.”

The mother also said she fears the damage to her daughter will be permanent.

“I hope she can go on living a normal life,” she said. “I am fearful she will not.”

Another family member of both victims sent to the court a statement, which was read by Lisa Corby of the victim advocate’s office.

“How can an innocent little girl be put through so much? He stole their innocence ... stole their childhood,” the letter read in part.

Sorokaput himself said little.

“I’m sorry about my actions,” he said before being sentenced. “I take full responsibility.”

Assistant Public Defender William L.J. Burke, Sorokaput’s lawyer, declined to comment on the case.

O’Pake praised Coaldale police Patrolman James E. Bonner for his work on the case.

“He did a fantastic job, and that makes the prosecution much easier,” O’Pake said.

O’Pake said Sorokaput’s case should serve as a deterrent for anyone else who might want to do such terrible things to a child.

“In these types of cases, our goal is to bring closure to the victims as quickly as possible to prevent them from suffering any further heartbreak. But we want to make sure that these types of offenses and the individuals that commit them are severely punished. I think a 30-to-60-year sentence should be a warning to those individuals that commit these types of crimes,” he said.

Baldwin’s sentence included seven separate prison terms that the judge made consecutive to each other.

“I wanted to make it clear that he hurt both of those children very badly,” the judge said.

The Megan’s Law sanctions to which Sorokaput will be subject to once he leaves prison require him to provide his name, address, Social Security number, telephone numbers, photograph, employment, any schools he might attend, registration of any vehicles he owns and other information to the Pennsylvania State Police for the rest of his life. Any further violation of the sanctions would be an additional crime and subject Sorokaput to another prosecution.

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

Defendant: Peter J. Sorokaput

Age: 41

Residence: Lansford

Crimes committed: 17 sex-related charges, including three counts of rape of a child

Prison sentence: 30 to 60 years in a state correctional institution

POTTSVILLE — To U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, the entire impeachment process against President Donald Trump is pure partisanship.

“They provided the president no due process. It was a kangaroo court from the beginning,” Meuser, R-9, Dallas, said Friday during a visit to Pottsville. “It’s a complete waste of taxpayer money.”

As Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee voted Friday to pass two articles of impeachment alleging abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in connection with Trump’s dealings with Ukraine and alleged investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter’s business dealings in that country. The vote on each article was 23-17, exactly reflecting the partisan division of the committee.

Meuser said there is no merit in either article.

“Obstruction of Congress is laughable,” he said. “I think the abuse of power was on the part of the Democratic leadership.”

Meuser said Democrats revealed their partisan motives in the way they kept changing the reasons for impeachment, going from an alleged quid pro quo to bribery to obstruction of justice.

“I think they went through an algorithm to determine what they were going to accuse the president of doing,” he said. “The process was bad. The players are highly corrupt.”

However, that will not affect the vote in the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, Meuser said.

“The House is going to vote to impeach,” he said.

Furthermore, according to Meuser, U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., who chairs the Judiciary Committee, “sold himself as the guy to impeach the president.”

“To this day, there is absolutely no evidence of pressure or quid pro quo with the Ukrainian government,” Meuser said. “No Republicans will vote to impeach.”

He believes Trump will remain in office no matter what, since the Senate, which alone has the power to convict the president and remove him from office, is controlled 53-47 by Republicans. Even if all Democrats vote to convict, 20 Republicans would have to vote against Trump to have him removed.

Republican senators already have said impeachment is dead on arrival from the House of Representatives, Meuser said.

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

KELAYRES — Remember McAdoo Associates?

Monday night, the Kline Township supervisors conditionally approved a minor subdivision that will split off the land where McAdoo Associates created a toxic waste dump that required a Superfund cleanup in the 1980s.

The supervisors conditionally approved the subdivision to split off the six-acre parcel — near the Interstate 81 on-ramp on the east side of Route 309 — from the rest of the former Northeastern Power Co. cogeneration plant property.

“Right now, there is a legal description for a 116-acre tract that should have excluded six acres for the Superfund site,” said Mark Semanchik, the township solicitor. “The attempt now is to correct an error that goes back to the ’80s, and the process under the township’s subdivision and land development ordinance requires the submission of a minor subdivision plan to be reviewed by the township, and also to be reviewed by Schuylkill County.”

Semanchik said he received information from WJP Engineers of Pottsville of a joint application submitted by NEPCO and Reading Real Estate for the minor subdivision and recommended approval by meeting three conditions.

“The application has been submitted, and I have reviewed it with the board,” Semanchik said. “It would be my recommendation that the plan does comply with your (the township’s) minor subdivision requirements, subject to the conditions of comment by Schuylkill, that I be given opportunity to review the deed that would support the division of the property, and the fee is paid.”

Wesner said the township is going to charge a “flat $450 fee” for the minor subdivision. “This is the correction of an error,” Wesner said. “Because of circumstances, we won’t have to convene a board that would cost up to $750.”

Bill Parulis, an attorney representing NEPCO and RCPA LLC, the former Reading Co., said the plan won’t get before Schuylkill County officials until Jan. 15.

So the supervisors voted 3-0 for the plan to be approved once Semanchik receives the letter from Schuylkill County approving the subdivision, and the fee is paid.

Meeting change

The Kline Township supervisors are changing the way they run their meetings.

Supervisor Dale Wesner said the main change — moving public input to the beginning of the meeting — is meant not only to get that comment before action is taken, but also because other municipalities already do it that way.

“We ran an open agenda for each meeting,” Wesner said. “We opened it up for comment as it goes on. But that’s not consistent with how the state recommends it. I’m trying to go by the strictest way. If you do have a question, depending on the situation, we could open it up right there. I want to have it be standard, like you went to any other local meeting. When you come to the zoning or planning meetings, the solicitor will have a sign-in sheet. That’s the first thing they do.”

The meeting’s agenda will be posted in the meeting room in the Kelayres Town Hall so that people know what will be discussed, and questions can be asked before action is taken.

“When you come in, you will know what we’re going to talk about tonight, because it will be all right there,” said Supervisor Matt Corra. “You already know ahead of time.”

“I understand it takes the meeting forever, going back and forth,” said township resident Chuck Matthews. “But if you have a question at the end of the meeting, do you have to hold that question until the next meeting?”

Wesner responded, “Unless we offer additional comment, I am bringing it up now so we can start fresh in the new year.”

Message board ads

In order to help defray the costs of the new electronic message board built along Market Street near the Kline Township Municipal Authority building, advertisements are going to be sold on it.

Wesner said he has discussed running advertisements with the State Ethics Commission.

“The message board is for communication of things going on in the community,” Wesner said. “It was built with just about 100% donations, but we have an electric bill (to run it). We want to do like what West Hazleton does — capitalize on people who want to do some type of ads. We’ve been contacted by someone from Kelayres who does taxes.”

Wesner said he has developed a policy for the message board. A separate bank account will be created for the board, and all advertising will be paid for by checks deposited to that account.

“This is pretty customary to lessen the burden for maintaining it,” he said of the ads. “We”ll look to put basic ads on there for businesses. or for a birthday or anniversary, for a small fee for a couple of days. We will waive the cost for non-profits.”

New authority member

When they reorganize Jan. 6, the supervisors will be appointing a new board member to the Kline Township Municipal Authority.

Corra resigned from the board Monday night, citing personal reasons. Corra holds a full-time job and his duties as a supervisor are getting to be too much with the authority responsibilities, he said.

Wesner and Supervisor Carmen Cara thanked Corra for serving on the authority. Both Corra and Wesner had served on both boards.

Contact the writer: jdino@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3585

POTTSVILLE — City businessman Savas Logothetides said Friday that suitors already are lining up for the $300,000 loan the Pottsville Area Development Corp. received from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“We’re working with two businesses right now,” said Logothetides, who is PADCO’s executive director, at a press conference at the office of U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-9.

Logothetides explained that he cannot yet disclose publicly who the businesses are, but he did say one is new and the other is not. The money must be used for operating capital, he said.

“It will be used for either creation or expansion of a business,” he said. ”It’s only for businesses of 10 or less employees.”

Meuser said the program shows Pottsville is on the right track in redevelopment, which he said is a key issue in the entire 9th District.

“Revitalization is probably our top priority,” he said, noting that it is also occurring in Bloomsburg, Hazle Township, Jim Thorpe, Shamokin and Tamaqua. “These are great investment opportunities. We’re expecting it to pay off. When you have some really good people with a defined mission, it’s a good thing.”

PADCO applied for the loan in the spring of 2018. Officials closed on the loan, which comes from USDA’s Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program, on Nov. 21.

Jeffrey Gatano, USDA rural development area director, said the loan is a 20-year one at 2% interest and is targeted to assist in rural business services. He also said Pottsville can reapply for more money after a certain time.

“Once they draw down 80% of the funds, they can apply again,” he said. “If we don’t spend the money here, it goes to other states.”

Logothetides said that the USDA money will be combined with PADCO’s existing multimillion-dollar Revolving Loan Fund and the city’s Redevelopment Project money to enhance Pottsville’s ability to enhance and develop its central business district.

Meuser said the federal money will help the city.

“This loan will help to spur economic revitalization for the City of Pottsville. Not only will it help to attract new business to the area and further expand current business operations, but it will serve as a springboard for small business development,” Meuser said. “I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will bring to the region.”

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

Taxes will remain stable for Hegins Township residents under a $1.5 million spending plan approved by supervisors Wednesday.

Real estate taxes for 2020 will stay at 5.8 mills. Other levies include a $5 per capita tax; 2% realty transfer tax that is split between the township and the local school district; and a 1% earned income tax, also split between the township and school district.

Supervisors approving the budget and tax levy resolution were Gary Harner, chairman; Bruce Klouser, vice chairman; and Doug Lucas. Supervisors Brad Carl and Mike Begis were absent.

Secretary Gary Hornberger certified the resolution enacted Wednesday.

The 2020 general fund budget reflects total estimated revenues of $1,436,700 and expenditures of $1,506,500.

On the revenue side of the budget, real estate and earned income taxes are expected to generate $360,000 each for the new year, while grants will bring in about $335,300. State liquid fuel allocation is estimated to be $191,000.

The township has an estimated general fund balance of $400,000 as of Jan. 1, 2020, to make up the difference; and an estimated highway fund balance of $37,000.

Meanwhile, on the spending side of the budget, police wages and expenses are estimated at $150,000 and $35,000, respectively; health and life insurance at $95,000; solicitor and engineer compensation at $70,000; and employee pension at $63,000.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

A solution is in the works for a dangerous intersection in Kline Township

Supervisor Dale Wesner said Friday he contacted the state Department of Transportation Friday about a white line that is causing driver confusion, and has led to a half-dozen accidents at the intersection, including one Thursday night in which a vehicle went through guide rails and was airborne 40 feet in the air before plummeting down a 75- to 100-foot embankment, injuring the driver.

“The consensus is that people get confused (by the white line) where they are,” McAdoo Fire Chief Robert Leshko said.

When drivers see the line, Leshko said, they become confused; they are following the line to stay on Route 309, but instead end up driving onto Lofty Road.

“I was contacted by Chief Leshko, and I was also aware of the concerns of the (Kline Township Police) Chief (John Petrilla),” Wesner said. “I reached out to PennDOT, and they inspected it today. They concurred and said they would carry the line through the intersection, so that people know where they are, especially when visibility is an issue.”

Wesner said there is no timetable for the corrective measure.

The new line was painted as part of the resurfacing of Route 309.

Leshko also contacted PennDOT at its Schuylkill Haven office, Petrilla said.

Contact the writer: jdino@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3585