Cressona

The Pottsville Christian Women’s Club will sponsor a “Songs of the Season” luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, at Grace Evangelical Free Church, 101 Graeff St. The speaker will be Doug Dickson, of Powell, Ohio, on “Search for Significance.” Jim Williams and Roger Whittemore will lead a Christmas sing-along. For reservations or more information, call Gale at 570-527-2224 or Sue at 570-617-9490. All are welcome; men are also invited, according to an event flier.

Mahanoy City

The North Schuylkill Landfill Association will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, at American Legion Post 74, 110 E. Centre St. Action will be taken on the proposed 2020 budget; officers will be elected for the coming year.

Minersville

The Minersville Area Food Drive Committee is conducting its 35th annual food drive now through Saturday, Feb. 29. The purpose, according to a release from Chairman Edward M. Butler, is to provide economically disadvantaged people of the Minersville area with food during the holiday season and into the new year. Donations of nonperishable items such as canned goods can be made by calling 570-544-2739. Monetary donations can be mailed in care of the food drive committee at 529 Lytle St., Minersville, PA 17954. For more information, call Butler at the aforementioned number or at 570-544-5604.

Pottsville

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

Pottsville

The American Red Cross has said there is an “urgent need” for people to donate blood, especially during the holiday season. A Red Cross blood drive is set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, at the mall office in Fairlane Village, 7211 Route 61 North. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to donate blood. Walk-ins are welcome; to make an appointment, call 800-733-2767.

Schuylkill Haven

Liberty Fire Company, Columbia and St. James streets, will sponsor an all-you-can-eat chicken pot pie dinner beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4. The cost is $9 for adult platters, $8 for quarts and $5 for children’s platters. Platters include homemade chicken pot pie, lettuce with hot bacon dressing, bread and butter, dessert and a beverage. Takeouts are available, as is free delivery in the Schuylkill Haven area, by calling the firehouse at 570-385-3341. The company will also sponsor chicken pot pie dinners on Saturday, Feb. 1, March 7, April 4 and May 2.

Shenandoah

Columbia Hose Company No. 1, 742 W. Centre St., has spaghetti dinners beginning at 11 a.m. on the first Sunday of the month through April. The cost is $9 per platter, which also includes meatballs, salad, bread and dessert. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-462-9574.

Shenandoah

The Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and is a repository of historical artifacts from the 153 years of Shenandoah’s incorporation as a borough in 1866. Its memorabilia, housed at its 201 S. Main St. history center, provides a glimpse into the Shenandoah area’s past, its cultural and ethnic diversity, its major economic roles in business and industry including anthracite coal mining and manufacturing, sports, entertainment and other areas. For more information about the society or to make a donation, call Andrea Pytak at 570-985-3337, email Andy Ulicny at aulicny@live.com or use the society email at shenhistoricalsociety@yahoo.com. A message may be sent through the society’s Facebook page. Pytak can also be reached at the 116 N. Main St. office of the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. at 570-462-2060.

Ashland

Free community soup-and-sandwich luncheons are held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ, 2400 Centre St., on the third Wednesday of the month. For more information, call 570-875-2700.

Friedensburg

The American Red Cross has said there is an “urgent need” for people to donate blood, especially during the holiday season. A Red Cross blood drive is set for noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at Friedensburg Fire Company, 1357 Long Run Road. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to donate blood. Walk-ins are welcome; to make an appointment, call 800-733-2767.

New Ringgold

The New Ringgold Fire Company, 25 N. Railroad St., will sponsor mackerel breakfasts from 7 a.m. to noon as follows: Jan. 12 and 26, Feb. 9 and 23, March 8 and 22. The made-fresh-as-you-order meals include a full breakfast menu; all are welcome. For more information, call 570-943-2212.

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

The Gabriel Youth Orchestra, under the new direction of John P. Shoener, will perform its holiday concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, in the auditorium of the Pottsville Area School District’s D.H.H. Lengel Middle School. The Gabriel Youth Orchestra was established in 2010 under the auspices of the Gabriel Chamber Ensemble. It provides an opportunity for high school students from throughout the region to play in a professionally managed setting, according to a GCE press release. Shoener is a graduate of Pottsville Area High School who has a bachelor’s degree in music education from The Pennsylvania State University. He is working toward his master’s in music education from the University of Florida. In June 2017 he was appointed as director of bands and music teacher at the Shenandoah Valley School District, where he conducts all bands grades 5-12. Tickets for the concert are $5 for adults and free for children. There will be a complementary post-concert reception. For more information, call Agnès Maurer, executive director of the Gabriel Chamber Ensemble, at 570-943-2558 or via email at gce@gabrielensemble.org.

Ringtown

The 2020 Ringtown Valley Community Fund drive, which started Sept. 1, will continue through Tuesday, Dec. 31, according to a release. A mailing has been sent to all households in the Ringtown and Zion Grove zip code areas. Contributions to the annual fund drive support 10 nonprofit organizations that serve the Ringtown Area, including Avenues, the Schuylkill County Society for Crippled Children, Ringtown Area Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Little League, Library, Recreation Complex, Food Pantry, Senior Citizens and Pastors’ Association. The Ringtown Valley Community Fund Board thanked regional residents for “continued support for the annual fund drive, which has benefited countless area residents of all ages since 1955.” Residents are reminded, according to the release, that contributions should be made on or before Dec. 31. Checks can be made payable to Ringtown Valley Community Fund and mailed to P.O. Box 204, Ringtown, PA 17967. Additional mailers are available at the Ringtown Area Library. There will be no second mailing.

Shenandoah

Exercise in Motion is held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Shenandoah Senior Community Center, 116 N. Main St., for people 50 and older on all fitness levels. The exercises help people improve balance, strength and flexibility. There is no charge; participants must be registered onsite at the center. For more information, call Diakon Community Services at 570-624-3017.

POTTSVILLE — As the year draws to an end, city officials are still waiting for funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency before repairs can progress on Progress Avenue.

City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said Monday that repairs will begin after FEMA releases funds. The project is listed as “pending CRC project development” on the FEMA website.

“I’m hopeful we’ll hear something from FEMA in the next few weeks,” Palamar said. “We’ll keep following up.”

A 200-foot section of the road next to the Giant Food Stores parking lot has been closed to traffic in both directions since August 2018, when water from Norwegian Creek pushed the lid off a stone arch. The pressure caused an underground flood and a hole to form in the street. Motorists drive through the parking lot to get around the blocked portion of the road.

That same month, heavy rain caused basement flooding, with anywhere from 5 inches to 3 to 4 feet inundating basements. The rain also caused numerous road closures in Pottsville. The damage was estimated at $1,479,000.

President Donald Trump issued a major disaster declaration Nov. 27, 2018, for flooding that inundated parts of the county from Aug. 10 to 15, paving the way for federal grant money. City officials started sending information on the damage in February.

Repairing the culvert and road surface is estimated to cost $1.3 million, Palamar said, with more than 80% expected from FEMA.

In August, the city council voted to authorize Alfred Benesch & Co., Pottsville, to develop bid documents to repair the damage. Palamar said the city can advertise bids on the repair once FEMA funding arrives.

“We want to make sure the money comes in,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the federal agency will come through with the funding.

Contact the writer: clee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6028; @Cleespot on Twitter

VALLEY VIEW — The Hegins Township Zoning Hearing Board on Monday unanimously denied the use variance for a Waverly energy developer wanting to erect wind turbines in the township.

Meanwhile, Clean Air Generation LLC is unsure if it will appeal the board’s decision, according to the firm’s attorney.

Board chairman, Larry Umholtz; member, Todd Bixler; and alternate member, Steve Klinger, voted to deny the use variance CAG had requested in a continuance from the board’s Nov. 21 public hearing.

The company has proposed building a wind energy farm, with a maximum of 75 to 80 wind turbines total; up to 40 possible in Hegins Township and the remaining in Porter, Tremont and Frailey townships.

Hegins Township has its own zoning hearing board, while Schuylkill County oversees the zoning for the other townships.

CAG wants to erect the proposed turbines on the ridge tops in the Bear Mountain area on approximately 12,672 acres that CAG acquired through a land lease and wind easement agreement with Rausch Creek Land LP, Valley View.

Nicholas Cohen, CAG principal, and the firm’s attorney, Charles B. Haws, of Reading, told the board they had nothing else to add, other than the memorandums already submitted.

Umholtz said the board considered the memos submitted by all of the attorneys in the case. That included solicitor Donald G. Karpowich, Drums, representing Hegins Township supervisors; Bruce Anders, of Wilkes-Barre, representing Kris Wetzel and Rocky Slope Inc., objectors with adjacent property; and attorney Martin J. Cerullo, of Pottsville, representing the Schuylkill County Airport Authority. Anders said CAG had not met its burden of proof and showed no hardship.

The board Monday also recognized an attorney representing the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

DMVA representatives commented Nov. 21 about the negative impact the proposed turbines could have on training. They are within the northern training area for Army aviators from all 50 states, who fly between Muir Airfield at Fort Indiantown Gap and Schuylkill County Joe Zerbey Airport, Mount Pleasant, according to the DMVA.

CAG was seeking “site-specific relief pursuant to the procedures in Section 803.2 of the Hegins Township Zoning Ordinance and Section 916(f) of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.”

The company wants to develop the wind energy project on property that is also pursuant to the township’s wind energy safety ordinance. CAG’s variance is in regard to permitted uses in the S-3 Special Purpose Mining District, where it wants to build the wind energy project.

The zoning hearing board has 45 days to file its decision, and then CAG would have 30 days after that filing in which to appeal.

The three-man zoning hearing board Monday also denied CAG’s appeal of zoning officer Allan Swab’s decision. Swab had denied CAG’s permit application for the wind turbine project in a letter on Aug. 29.

In a third motion, the zoning hearing board Monday denied the applicant’s substantive challenge and the request for substantive relief. That decision was made on the basis that the zoning hearing board “has no authority or jurisdiction to hear or decide that matter,” the board’s attorney, Linus E. Fenicle, of Camp Hill, said.

The determination of the zoning hearing board’s authority was based on the prior application for a curative amendment with the township and the prior curative resolution that has been adopted by the board of supervisors.

According to CAG, the township’s existing zoning ordinance is exclusionary in that it does not designate any zone within the township as a permitted area for wind turbines. CAG offered a suggestion to the township on a curative amendment, however, the township passed a resolution and decided to come up with its own curative amendment. The township supervisors will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Jan. 23 on adopting its curative amendment.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

LAVELLE — A woman remains hospitalized after fire tore through her Butler Township home Sunday morning, injuring her and her son.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

State police fire marshal Trooper Jordan Hoffman is working with Lavelle Fire Company Chief Jason Reichwein to determine exactly how the fire at 7 Tiley Road started.

Residents of the home were identified as William Coward, his wife, Corrinne, and their adult son, William.

Reichwein said Corrinne Coward was inside the home and rescued by firefighters while her son was already outside when crews arrived.

The woman’s husband was not home when the fire broke out.

Corrinne Coward and her son were flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown.

A spokesperson at Lehigh Valley Hospital said Monday night that Corrinne Coward was admitted to the burn unit and that William Coward has been released after receiving treatment.

A nursing supervisor at Lehigh Valley refused to release the woman’s condition Monday night.

The MedEvac helicopters landed at Memorial Field in Ashland and the helipad at the former Saint Catherine Medical Center Fountain Springs.

Firefighters were called around 10 a.m. for a report of a house fire with possible entrapment and found flames coming from the building when they arrived.

It took firefighters about two hours to bring the fire under control and the property sustained extensive fire and water damage.

Neither Reichwein or Hoffman could be reached for comment Monday as to the status of their investigation.

Assisting Lavelle firefighters were volunteers from Englewood and Fountain Springs, Ashland and Altamont.

Due to the lack of fire hydrants in the area, tankers were called from Wilberton, Shenandoah and Aristes.

EMS units from Minersville and Ashland also assisted.

Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 560-628-6013

MAHANOY CITY — Blaschak Coal Corp. announced Monday that Greg Driscoll will step down as president and CEO effective Jan. 1 after 10 years and will be the new company chairman. Boyd Kreglow will assume the role as president and CEO.

Driscoll has served as president and CEO since Blaschak’s acquisition by Milestone Partners in May 2009. Over that decade, the company experienced growth, earning a spot as one of the top producers of Pennsylvania anthracite, according to a company news release.

The company reported that Driscoll focused his efforts on growth and transforming the company from a family business to an institutionally owned and financed enterprise, as well as establishing a succession plan.

“I am proud of all we have accomplished here during my tenure as president and CEO,” Driscoll was quoted. “We have developed a strong and highly skilled team to lead the company through the next generation, and I am confident Boyd will do a great job taking the company to the next level.”

Kreglow joined Blaschak upon the acquisition by Milestone Partners. The company said that he previously served as chief operating officer and chief financial officer. He has a background in public accounting and construction to his position, and has served in executive positions with Majestic Athletic, Schlouch Inc., Hanes Brands-Morgan Knitting Mills and Bieber Transportation.

“With the growth we’ve been experiencing, and most recently with production beginning at the Mount Carmel site, it’s truly an exciting time to be working at Blaschak,” Kreglow was quoted, referencing a new strip mine operation near the Northumberland County borough.

Blaschak describes itself as one of the few fully integrated U.S. anthracite companies with a large reserve base, multiple mines and preparation plants, a bagging plant, rail and truck loading facilities and extensive marketing operations serving a wide range of end markets, including home heating, steel and water filtration.

MAHANOY CITY — Thom O’Connor was presented with the Mahanoy City Fire Department 2019 Person of the Year Award during a ceremony Friday night.

In his 38th year as a volunteer firefighter in the borough, O’Connor is a member and fire officer with Humane Fire Company No. 1.

He was presented the award by last year’s recipient, Thomas Puidokas of the Good American Hose Company, and borough Fire Chief Dan Markiewicz.

In announcing the recipient, Puidokas highlighted O’Connor’s career with the department, saying that not only has he been a firefighter for 38 years, but for 28 of those years served as lieutenant.

Puidokas said the department has a lot of good volunteer firefighters, but O’Connor’s dedication, training and continued enthusiasm are characters fitting a recipient of the award.

O’Connor called the award “a great honor,” and said being a member of the fire department over the past three decades has made him a better person.

He thanked William Killian Jr., assistant chief of Humane Fire Company, for being a mentor.

“He taught me how to be a firefighter, how to be aggressive,” O’Connor said.

O’Connor also said volunteers with the department should be proud of the department and themselves.

“I think we are the best fire department in the county, and probably the best in the state,” he said.

275 calls

Prior to the presentation, Markiewicz gave a summary of activities in 2019.

He said the department responded to 275 calls, including one fully involved structure fire, and thanks to training and dedication, everybody went home safe.

He commended not only firefighters from Mahanoy City, but from surrounding communities in containing fire in the 400 block of West Spruce Street to the homes where it started, with only minimal damage to two other attached homes.

Again, the chief said, no injuries were reported.

“You guys make my job a hell of a lot easier. You are the Mahanoy City Fire Department,” Markiewicz said to members of the five borough companies — Humane, Citizens, Washington Hook and Ladder, Good American and West End Fire and Rescue — in attendance.

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

POTTSVILLE — While his daughter searched far and wide for a kidney for him, William “Bill” Horning’s gift of life came from someone closer to home — his Pottsville neighbor just down the street.

Shawn Daubert, a husband, father and volunteer firefighter, decided to donate a kidney to Horning on Nov. 6. He saw a plea on Facebook from Horning’s daughter, Taylor Mercuri.

“It hit me in the heart. I’ve been a volunteer firefighter since I was 18 years old. Every one of the saves and the help in the community has always been a joint effort. This was one that was all me,” said Daubert, 43, a member of West End Fire Company in Saint Clair and Port Carbon Fire Company.

“We’re stitched together for life now,” Horning, 51, said as the two recently reunited in his daughter’s city home on Mahantongo Street, along with Daubert’s wife, Stacey.

Horning had been on dialysis and was on a transplant waiting list for four years, three months, due to an auto-immune kidney disease, Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy.

“IgA Nephropathy occurs when IgA protein gets stuck in kidneys causing inflammation. The inflammation causes your kidneys to leak blood and protein (usually immediately) and over the course of many years, your kidneys can lose function and lead to kidney failure,” the site, www.kidney.org, states.

Horning’s health had forced him to quit his job in railroad construction. Today, he’s continuing to recover and no longer needs dialysis. He does have to take anti-rejection medication.

“I just feel a little sore, but I feel a lot better,” Horning said.

Present

Daubert said he planned the timing of their surgery at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Allentown to coincide with recovery before Christmas.

“I knew him, but not real well. We met through a mutual friend, and our kids went to school together. We kept it a secret until the day of the surgery,” Daubert said about him being the donor.

“I had to pick the date. It was up to me because I was the donor. I wanted it early enough to get him to this point for Christmas. I wanted to give him and Taylor and everybody a perfect Christmas present, because he hasn’t had a good Christmas in more than four years,” Daubert said.

Horning said he actually knew Daubert’s wife before he knew Shawn, because Stacey had worked at the office of Horning’s family doctor, Dr. Cristin A. Weicker, of Pottsville.

“They kept it hidden, until I walked into the waiting room,” Horning said.

“I didn’t know what to say. I kept telling her (Taylor), I’m not getting my hopes up until I’m on that table. When I walked in and saw him, I knew it was done,” Horning said.

Mercuri had been posting “thank yous” on social media prior to her father’s procedure, and suspected Stacey Daubert may have known something. For months, Mercuri had placed advertisements in the newspaper, on billboards and bumper stickers seeking a kidney for her dad.

“We were told that there was a kidney and the person was tested and was a match, but we didn’t know who it was. I would post on there to say thank you. I would get messages and comments from Stacey. I thought, ‘I wonder if she knows something?’ The night before surgery, she asked me what time surgery was tomorrow,” Mercuri said.

Stacey Daubert wanted to keep her husband’s secret until surgery day, while also offering some comfort to Bill’s daughter.

“I just had to give her a warm feeling before she went to bed to know that everything was going to be okay,” she said.

Both men arrived at the hospital at 5 a.m. After Daubert’s left kidney was removed for the transplant, Horning received the healthy organ in a five-hour surgery.

Good candidate

Horning and Daubert both gave permission to The Republican-Herald to speak with their medical teams. Daubert’s surgeon was Dr. Patty Liu, and Horning’s was Dr. Michael J. Moritz, chief of transplantation services at LVHN.

Moritz said Horning was a good candidate for a kidney transplant for several reasons.

“He’s relatively young and has no other health conditions, other than his kidney disease. His disease is also well known. He takes care of himself and is a good patient,” Moritz said.

IgA Nephropathy can recur, post-transplant, according to Moritz. However, even if it does come back, kidney failure is uncommon.

Moritz said Horning’s prognosis is “quite good.”

He explained a median survival time for a living donor kidney transplant patient is 20 years. That means since 1999, half of those who received a kidney are still doing well after 20 years and their kidneys are functioning properly; the other half of the patients have either passed away or their kidneys are not working well.

Since 2005, the approach to treating kidney recipients has changed, according to Moritz. Instead of treating them, post-transplant, with three anti-rejection medications, including a steroid, the approach has now been to treat them with only two anti-rejection drugs and to eliminate the steroid completely.

Horning will undergo three biopsies of his new kidney over the course of his first year as a recipient to promptly identify if there is sign of rejection.

“We adopted a philosophy and a regimen, which avoids steroids,” Moritz said. The biopsy will give doctors “a narrow window to get dosing correct,” he said.

By January, LVHN will have completed 1,500 transplants, of all types of organs, according to Moritz.

Horning now has three kidneys in his body.

“We don’t bother removing the old kidneys, unless there are stones, cancer or infections,” Mortiz said.

The technique for installing the new kidney is in a different place than where the old kidneys exist, so there is no need to remove them.

Kidney chosen

The doctors determined which of Daubert’s kidneys was the best to take for the transplant.

“The CAT scan showed both kidneys. Right before surgery, I saw the doctor and the 3-D model came up. She said the left kidney, you have one artery and one vein. On the right kidney, there was an artery and a vein, and there was a second artery that came down. She said she wasn’t going to mess with that one, that I was going to keep that one. So, we went with the left,” Daubert said.

Live with one

Daubert said he wants potential donors to know that they can live a full life with one kidney; that there are no medical, financial charges to the donor; and that if their remaining organ, in this case a kidney, were to start failing, they would jump to the top of the recipient list.

He said he was well prepared for the transplant donation. After a three-month process of medical testing, bloodwork, CAT scans and ultrasounds, Daubert got the green light as a match.

“I spent a Saturday for four hours at the blood place. I had to drink something, then they had to take my blood on the second, third and fourth hour just to see how everything went through the system,” he said.

Stacey Daubert said, “We had to do psychological testing. He had to meet with everybody. They wanted to make sure that no one was there pushing him into doing it.”

The Dauberts didn’t have anyone in their own family or know of anyone who has had an organ transplant.

“Going to Lehigh Valley, there was no stone unturned. Everything was explained to the ‘T.’ This is what’s going to happen,” Daubert said.

“When I went in, they answered every question. They didn’t push me out the door,” Horning added. Daubert’s hadn’t been the first kidney that was available to Horning. Due to the progression of his disease, Horning had previously considered accepting a high-risk organ.

“They called me for a high-risk kidney and I’m glad I turned it down. It had antibodies for hepatitis, but I said that I’d wait. Thank God I waited,” Horning said.

Daubert walked after his surgery, and came into Horning’s room the next day to see him. Daubert was hospitalized for two days and Horning for five. After two weeks, Daubert was able to return to his job as a design engineer for BlueStar Stoves. Both men have been on a three-month lift restriction, limiting the amount of weight they are supposed to lift to less than the weight of a gallon of milk.

“I firmly believe the surgeons put superhero capes on the two of these guys, because they have a very strong will to live,” Stacey Daubert said.

First PA Donor Day

Donate Life Pennsylvania will hold its first “PA Donor Day” on Jan. 8, aiming to unite and educate the public about the need for organ and tissue donors.

The day, 1-8-2020, is symbolic and reminds the public that one person can save up to eight lives as an organ donor.

Last year, national organ donors made 33,000 life-saving transplants possible, yet more than 7,500 people in Pennsylvania are still waiting, according to the donatelifepa.org website.

Mercuri said she will also keep her “A Kidney for William Horning” Facebook page active in hopes of helping others in need of a kidney.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Deeds

Ashland — Gregory W. and Jill E. Fisher to Jill E. Fisher; 222 S. Spruce St.; $1.

Auburn — Luis Alberto Pineros Vergara to William J. Beers; 409 Market St.; $128,800.

Barry Township — Jordan and Heather Reichert to Jonathon Deeter; 1.3-acre property on Legislative Route 53115; $179,900.

Blythe Township — Marie E. Fuss to Alora M. Deleon; 229 Market St., Cumbola; $103,000.

Branch Township — Ann Marie Paredes to Lashea Kennedy; 647 Pine Hill St.; $35,500.

Butler Township — Joanne Fry, Virginia Zerby and Robert H. Eister to Justin C. Eisenhart and Samantha M. Pruce; 200 Lavelle Road, Lavelle; $75,000.

Coaldale — George Chekansky, by attorney in fact Carol Woods, to Ester Medina-Gonzalez and Edwin Gonzalez Jr.; 239 W. Phillips St.; $19,000.

Herbert H. and Suzanne G. Whildin to Herbert H. and Suzanne G. Whildin and Cynthia M. Hassler; 137 E. High St.; $1.

Cressona — Anthony Gasbarra and Kerri Gasbarra to Kerri Gasbarra; 69 Schuylkill St.; $1.

Cressona and North Manheim Township — Charles and Mary Lynn Betack and Robert and Christine Betack to Betack Family Farm LLC; 77.922-acre property on Route 183; $1.

SHENANDOAH — One woman wanted on drug charges was found hiding under a pile of ashes in her home and another sang “Here comes the Bride” as she was led from district court.

Police conducted a series of raids Tuesday in the borough, arresting four during a roundup that began around 7 a.m. The operation involved municipal, county, state and federal authorities. Four were arrested and authorities hope the other six will soon be as well. Also, another woman wanted for a parole violation was found and arrested.

Tabitha M. Murphy, 44, was one of 10 people wanted on drug-related arrest warrants executed Tuesday morning as the result of an ongoing investigation by Shenandoah Police.

Murphy, who left a sooty trail after her court appearance, was arraigned on charges of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police charged her with selling methamphetamine in the 200 block of South Ferguson Street in April.

Murphy, who lives at 217 S. Main St., was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison in lieuof $25,000 straight cash bail.

Murphy was also arraigned on a separate warrant charging her with burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.

For those offenses Kilker added an additional $25,000 straight cash bail.

Also taken into custody were:

Amber L. Weingard, 25, LKA 16 N. Lehigh St., Shenandoah was charged with possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. She left the court singing the traditional wedding march, with handcuffs instead of a ring.

Kevin A. Kegolis, 33, of 1301 W. Penn St., Shenandoah - possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Randall A. Tyson, 74, of 1315 Main St., Gilberton - possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

All three were arraigned by Kilker who ordered Weingard and Kegolis to the Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $25,000 straight cash bail each. Tyson was released on $25,000 unsecured bail.

Police Chief George Carado identified the six still wanted on outstanding drug warrants and their charges.

They are Meagan McCabe, 26, of Saint Clair, delivery of methamphetamine; Charles Williams, 54, of Mahanoy City, delivery of methamphetamine; Michael Kohlepp, 39, of Shenandoah, delivery of methamphetamine; Kiryssa Dettery, 25, of Ringtown, delivery of fentanyl; Cheyanne Sensenbach, 26, of Shenandoah, conspiracy to deliver fentanyl; and, Jessica Burg, 44, of Girardville, delivery of fentanyl.

In addition to those wanted, Carado said Rayna Honsby was taken into custody at the home of Murphy for a parole violation.

Carado said the roundup was made possible with the assistance of the FBI Lehigh Valley Field Office through its Safe Streets Task Force program.

Assisting Shenandoah officers were municipal officers from West Mahanoy Township, Mahanoy Township and Ashland; Schuylkill County Adult Probation, the Schuylkill County Sheriff’s Office, the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force, state police troopers from the Frackville station and FBI agents the Lehigh Valley Field Office.

Carado said that anyone with information on those still being sought on outstanding warrants can contact Shenandoah Police through the Schuylkill County 911 Center by calling 570-462-1991.

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

POTTSVILLE — Spewing obscenities and claiming there is a conspiracy against him, Shawn R. Christy headed to state prison Tuesday, as a Schuylkill County judge ordered him to serve at least a year behind bars for assaulting the mayor of his hometown in March 2017.

“The defendant clearly disrupted these proceedings,” Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin said before sentencing Christy, 28, of McAdoo, to serve 12 to 24 months in a state correctional institution.

Before imposing the sentence, Dolbin had ejected Christy from the courtroom after the defendant tried to read a 10-page statement spouting his grievances against society as a whole but containing few relevant references to the incident and trial before the court.

“It’s not relevant to the sentencing,” Dolbin told Christy about his statement, which he would not let him read but agreed to place into evidence.

However, that was not good enough for Christy, who almost immediately started to unleash a string of curses at Schuylkill County in general and Dolbin in particular. He shouted a common obscenity at least a dozen times before three deputy sheriffs bodily hauled him out of the courtroom at Dolbin’s request.

“Anything he has said so far is irrelevant,” Dolbin said.

Dolbin also sentenced Christy to pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account.

In a one-day trial over which Dolbin presided, a jury of six men and six women found Christy guilty on Oct. 28 of one of two charges of simple assault, while finding him not guilty of aggravated assault and the second simple assault charge. Dolbin found him guilty of a summary harassment charge.

McAdoo police charged Christy with assaulting then-mayor Stephan Holly on March 15, 2017, near borough hall. Police said Christy was angry about the lack of snow plowing in his area and swung his wooden walking stick at Holly.

In sentencing Christy, Dolbin ruled that a walking stick constituted a deadly weapon and justified a higher sentence.

“We find an aggravating circumstance, the deadly weapon was used, the stick,” Dolbin said.

Wearing a prison jumpsuit and leg shackles during the 30-minute hearing, Christy had said, without detailing any supporting evidence, that Dolbin should vacate his conviction and dismiss the case because he was denied due process.

“The tape has been altered. A key witness who was on the scene did not testify,” he said.

Christy then started claiming several members of law enforcement were involved in the conspiracy against him, and tried to read the entire statement into the record. Dolbin, however, declined to allow that, noting that he has the right to control how evidence is presented.

Assistant Public Defender Ashley M. Yagielniskie, standby counsel for Christy, who represented himself, declined to comment on the case after the hearing.

Berks County Assistant District Attorney Jordan B. Fegley, who prosecuted the case due to a conflict in the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s Office, said the result was a good one.

“I’m glad he’s been held accountable for his actions. Mayor Holly is glad he’s been held accountable for his actions,” Fegley said. “We’re appreciative of the time the jury put in in reaching this verdict.”

Fegley said Christy has two more trials scheduled for Schuylkill County, one involving the alleged harassment of McAdoo police Patrolman Frederick J. Lahovski Jr. and the other involving a purported burglary at Skipper Dippers Restaurant along Route 309 in Ginthers, Rush Township. Dolbin scheduled a status conference for those cases for 9 a.m. March 5, 2020, before Judge Charles M. Miller.

However, Fegley said he intends to withdraw the charges in those two cases.

Even if that occurs, Christy still faces several legal problems.

On Nov. 26, a federal jury in Scranton found Christy guilty of 12 charges stemming from his threats against President Trump and Northampton County District Attorney John M. Morganelli in June 2018. Prosecutors said Christy wrote on Facebook he would “put a bullet” in the heads of Trump and Morganelli and threatened “lethal force” against other officers.

Officials also said Christy fled in a stolen vehicle to New York, near the border with Canada, and broke in to several homes and businesses and stole other vehicles as he traveled through West Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland and Ohio before his capture on Sept. 21, 2018, near Columbus, Ohio.

U.S. District Judge Robert D. Mariani, who presided over Christy’s two federal trials on those charges, has scheduled his sentencing for the week of Feb. 24, 2020.

Christy also is awaiting trial on charges in Luzerne County for the theft of guns from his uncle’s home and in Carbon County on three cases involving thefts and a break-in at a private home.

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

Shawn R. Christy

· Age: 28

· Residence: McAdoo

· Crimes committed: Simple assault and harassment

· Prison sentence: 12 to 24 months in a state correctional institution

TAMAQUA — Dr. Gary Wegman said Tuesday evening that his background in the medical and agricultural fields are what residents in the 9th Congressional District need in Washington.

Wegman, 62, of Reading, has announced that he is running for the Democratic Party nod in next year’s primary election on April 28. If successful, he hopes to face off against U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, a Republican who won the seat in 2018 in the newly-formed district.

This will be Wegman’s second bid for the congressional seat. In 2018, he ran against two other declared candidates, but was unsuccessful against fellow Democrat Denny Wolff.

The 9th District includes all of Schuylkill, Carbon and Columbia counties, and portions of Berks, Lebanon, Luzerne, Montour and Northumberland counties.

A native of Berks County and resident of Reading, he is a graduate of Exeter High School, Lafayette College and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. According to his “Gary Wegman for Congress” Facebook page, he has managed a full-time dental practice for 36 years in the Reading area. He has been married to periodontist Dr. Anne Dufour since 1994 and are the parents of three children, Berenger, Margot and Cecile.

Wegman visited the home of his friends, Joe and Joan Deitrich, in Tamaqua to speak about his plans if he is elected.

“I am a firm believer that our elected representatives are not listening to their constituents,” Wegman said. “One big point I’d like to make is that I’m going to represent everybody. I don’t care what political affiliation you are, Gary Wegman is going to run right down the center and take care of everybody. And I really want to tell you what party of people I really want to represent — the billpayers. If you pay grocery bills, health care bills, utility bills, property taxes, you really have a lot at stake in this coming election, and we need to elect representation that is going to work on behalf of these billpayers so that things improve, so that we just don’t have partisan line votes that get us nowhere except gridlock and it’s four years later and nothing has happened.”

Wegman was filming a video where he answered many questions in great detail of the many issues that affect the people of the district. The video will be used on his website for people to hear from him what he believes and how he will address those issues that are important to them.

“I’m going to be putting up some of this information on my website so that the constituents of Schuylkill County can go on and watch some real life conversations that we had on subjects that hopefully are concerns of them,” Wegman said. “At least if you’re curious and want to find out more, you can go. It’s good to get out and talk with people for a change.”

In addition to his dental practice, Wegman is also a fifth-generation farmer with an 85-acre Exeter Township family farm that includes a 20-acre vineyard. He and Anne are also co-owners of Roselawn Investment Properties and Diversified Investment Properties, which specialize in repurposing historic properties. His understanding of the issues that those in agriculture deal with day-to-day, year-to-year does get him focused on finding ways to assist farmers so they can do their best in growing food that nation’s citizens require.

“We have to have representation that actually understands what is going on out in the workplace,” Wegman said. “And I think that’s what our founding fathers had in mind. They wanted people in the twilight of their work lives come to the halls of Congress and solve the problems in the marketplace from the knowledge they gained from a lifetime of working in the market. I have hands-on experience. I’ve worked in slaughterhouses; I’ve shoveled corn. I understand the agricultural community both inside and out. I get up and go every day around 5:30 and 6 o’clock, and I’m going to use that work ethic to fixing health care, and maybe along the way fix Washington, too.”

Keeping the district residents aware of what is going on in government and making sure they know not only on what he supports, but also why he does it.

“We have to do that. I need to know what’s working out here and what’s not working,” Wegman said. “Believe me, the people that it’s not working for are the largest voices that you’re going to hear. I don’t see our current representative asking for that feedback. You need to be able to put yourself out in front of your public and take the heat and answer the tough questions.”

Another important issue with Wegman is education, whether it is a four-year college or vocational school.

“We need to prioritize education. We don’t have elected leaders talking enough about it,” he said. “Education is critical. Nothing changes if we don’t make sure that every pre-K child has access to schooling if they want it.”

The campaign website of Wegman is garywegmanforcongress.com.

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

SAINT CLAIR — Embracing the opportunity to make a difference for other children this holiday season, some Saint Clair Area students grabbed shovels, dusting cloths, laundry baskets and dog leashes for their holiday service project, “Chores for Charity.”

Fourth- through eighth-graders at Saint Clair Area Elementary Middle School completed chores for family, friends or neighbors and earned a donation. They raised $2,100 this year and pooled their funds to purchase items for Toys for Tots.

“Kids that are less fortunate can’t always get what they want, and so it was nice to get gifts for them,” said Dominic Zembas, 12. The New Philadelphia seventh-grader was the top individual collector, donating $150.

Although the project traditionally begins in November, Zembas said he does chores year around to collect for the cause.

“I cut grass in the summer and help my dad take care of the pool. In the winter, I shovel snow. I dusted and cleaned my mom’s car,” Zembas said.

Sandee Mickonis, fourth-grade teacher, and Kathy Blasser, sixth-grade English language arts teacher and Saint Clair Honor Society adviser, oversee Chores for Charity.

Mickonis, who has worked at the district for 24 years, said the project has been ongoing since at least 2003. Instead of hosting a homeroom $5 gift exchange, teachers decided to exemplify the importance of giving something back to the community. The goal was to earn the $5 that would have been spent on the gift exchange and contribute it toward a purchase for Toys for Tots. Participation is voluntary.

“We want to show the students that helping others can be as great a gift as one wrapped in pretty paper and ribbons,” read the letter sent to parents explaining the project.

On Dec. 10, a small group of randomly chosen students accompanied several teachers to Walmart in Saint Clair to shop. Only students who donate are eligible to be in the drawing for the shopping trip, Mickonis said. For every $5 donated, students received one ticket toward the shopping trip drawing.

Fourth-grader Kolten Murray went on the shopping excursion. He said he earned funds by doing chores like helping his “nana fix up her house for Thanksgiving.” He collected $50.

“We got some Nerf guns and Fortnite toys and a lot of stuff. I thought it was really cool and it made me pretty happy,” said Murray, 9, of Saint Clair.

Children were asked to select the kind of toy someone their age would like to receive. Books, posters, movies, board games, make-up sets and sports equipment were among the gifts purchased.

Adelia Sincavage said she thought kids would like hula hoops, jump ropes and sidewalk chalk. The fifth-grader also participated last year. “I was excited,” Sincavage, 10, of Saint Clair, said. “I did laundry, helped with dishes and did some vacuuming.”

Doing the dishes, cleaning her room and walking her Chihuahua Hammy were some of the duties sixth-grader Abby Heiser completed to earn $30 for the project. “I wanted to do something good,” said Heiser, 11, of Saint Clair.

Kyla Bernitsky, a New Philadelphia eighth-grader, has been a strong supporter of the effort. For the past two years, her homeroom has had a 100% participation rate.

“I just kept telling them everyday not to forget,” Bernitsky, 14, said. The homeroom with the highest percentage of participation is treated to a pizza party and chocolate cake, compliments of the Saint Clair Honor Society.

The project also received donations from CACL Federal Credit Union, Saint Clair Fish & Game and from teacher dress-down days.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Orthopedic surgeon joins Lehigh Valley

POTTSVILLE — Karl Helmold, MD, FACS, has joined Lehigh Valley Physician Group Orthopedics-Schuylkill Manor Road, according to an LVPG press release.

Helmold earned his medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, where he also completed his general surgery internship, orthopedic surgery residency and fellowship in hand and microsurgery.

He is board certified in orthopedic surgery by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, according to the release.

“Prior to becoming an orthopedic surgeon, I was a civil engineer,” Helmold said in the release. “I became an orthopedic surgeon as it allowed me to combine my interests in medicine, engineering and helping my fellow man.”

Patient appointments with Dr. Helmold can be made by calling 888-402- 5846. More information about Helmold also is available online at LVHN.org/KWHelmold, according to the release.

Eight hospital campuses are in the Lehigh Valley Health Network, including two in Pottsville and one in Hazleton. The network also has 26 health centers caring for communities in seven counties; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices and 20 ExpressCARE locations throughout the region.

For more information about the network, go online to LVHN.org or to Facebook or Twitter.

St. Luke’s facilities earn high ratings

COALDALE — St. Luke’s Hospital-Miners and St. Luke’s Sacred Heart campuses’ skilled nursing facilities have been named by U.S. News and World Report as “Best Nursing Homes” for short-term rehabilitation care, according to a St. Luke’s press release.

The St. Luke’s Rehabilitation and Nursing Center located at the St. Luke’s Miners Campus, Coaldale, received a short-term rehabilitation rating of High-Performing (4 out of 5) by U.S. News. It has 48 beds.

The Sacred Heart Hospital Transitional Care Facility in Allentown received an overall rating of 5 out of 5 and has a short-term rehabilitation rating of High Performing. It has 22 beds.

The Best Nursing Home designation “is a reflection of the outstanding dedication of the members of our staff and the commitment we make to provide the highest quality care for all of our patients and residents,” Wendy Lazo, president of St. Luke’s Miners Campus and Frank Ford, president of St. Luke’s Sacred Heart said in the joint release.

U.S. News’ Best Nursing Homes ratings draw on data from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, according to the release. U.S. News evaluates more than 15,000 homes nationwide in every state and nearly 100 major metropolitan areas for the data. This year, a total of 2,969 nursing homes earned the designation of a U.S. News Best Nursing Home for short-term rehabilitation and long-term care.

The short-term rehabilitation rating designates nursing homes as High-Performing, Average, or Below Average in the care they provide to patients staying for less than 100 days.

Founded in 1872, St. Luke’s University Health Network is a fully integrated, regional, non-profit network of more than 15,000 employees providing services at 10 hospitals and 300 outpatient sites in Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Montgomery, Monroe, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties in Pennsylvania and Warren and Hunterdon counties in New Jersey, according to the release.

FSA announces election results

POTTSVILLE — The Schuylkill County U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency has announced that Darryl Moyer, of West Penn Township, was elected to represent his local administrative area 3 during the recent county committee election, according to an FSA release.

Lemoyne Eckroth, of New Ringgold, will serve as the first alternate. Timothy Houser, write-in candidate, also of New Ringgold, will serve as second alternate.

“County committee members are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA,” Kelly Sundy, county executive director, said in the release. “They help deliver programs at the county level and work to serve the needs of local producers. All recently elected county committee members will take office in January 2020 and will be joining the existing committee.”

Every FSA office is served by a county committee made up of local farmers, ranchers and foresters who are elected by local producers. Nearly 7,800 FSA county committee members serve FSA offices nationwide. Each committee has three to 11 elected members who serve three-year terms.

For more information, visit the FSA website at fsa.usda.gov/elections or contact the Schuylkill County FSA office at 570-622-1555, Ext. 2.

Geisinger providers earn high marks

DANVILLE — Geisinger recently honored 170 caregivers, including four serving Schuylkill County, for earning high marks from their patients in national surveys, according to a Geisinger press release.

Geisinger providers, including physicians, physician assistants and certified registered nurse practitioners, were recognized for ranking in the top 10% in patient experience nationally at the health system’s annual Top Patient Experience Clinicians Awards Dinner. Scores were based on Press Ganey survey results, which gives patients an opportunity to grade the service and care they received from a provider.

The Schuylkill County providers honored included: Benjamin Darhun, MD, family medicine at Geisinger Orwigsburg; Pamela Gressens, CRNP, obstetrics/gynecology at Geisinger Pottsville; Elyssa Johnson, PA-C, family medicine at Geisinger Frackville, and Marylou Rainone, DO, general surgery at Geisinger Cancer Services, Pottsville.

“To receive such overwhelming feedback from our patients is the highest honor these fantastic providers could receive,” Jaewon Ryu, MD, JD, Geisinger president and CEO, said in the release.

Providers were identified for the honor by results of patient satisfaction surveys. Clinicians were compared to more than 89,000 providers throughout the country that use Press Ganey surveys, according to the release.

For a complete list of the winners, go online to www.geisinger.org/about-geisinger/news-and-media/news-releases/2019/12/12/20/13/geisinger-providers-honored-for-high-patient-satisfaction-scores. For more information about Geisinger, go to geisinger.org.

LionLaunch lists business programs

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs are being invited to strengthen their business skills by attending “information-packed programs” via Penn State Schuylkill LionLaunch, according to a release.

LionLaunch is part of the university’s statewide initiative, Invent Penn State, aimed at spurring economic growth throughout Pennsylvania. With the support of community partners, LionLaunch is helping Schuylkill County entrepreneurs and business professionals find resources and information needed to become successful, according to the release.

The local LionLaunch Innovation Hub is at 154 E. Main St., Schuylkill Haven.

Susan Williams is the LionLaunch program coordinator and is based at 119 Administration Building, Penn State Schuylkill Campus. She can be reached via email at sxw831@psu.edu or by calling 570-385-6065.

LionLaunch’s community partners include the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, Schuylkill Economic Development Corp., Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association, Schuylkill County’s VISION, Berks-Schuylkill SCORE and the Pottsville Area Development Corp.

LionLaunch is participating with the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. to establish a multi-million-dollar innovation hub in the 100 block of North Main Street, an effort that has been lauded by local and state officials as well as revitalization supporters. It’s called the Center for Education, Business and Arts, aimed at supporting and spurring development of regional entrepreneurship.

The LionLaunch agenda includes (RSVPs must be made to Williams, who also has more detailed information):

· Business plan writing workshop, 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18. Evan’s Delivery Training Room, 100 W. Columbia St., Schuylkill Haven, presenter Ryan Bates, The Evans Network of Companies.

· A Supervision Essentials series certificate course aimed at improving management skills has spring and summer sessions on tap with two eight-week sessions via Penn State Schuylkill Campus. Email or call Williams for more information.

So far, LionLaunch has helped start 18 new businesses in Schuylkill County and awarded $63,000 in seed money to entrepreneurs, according to a LionLaunch flier.

Grand openings slated in region

POTTSVILLE — A ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, in Fairlane Village mall for Athletics In Motion Inc.

Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce by calling 570-622-1942 or emailing Samantha Chivinski at schivinski@schuylkillchamber.com.

Other grand openings for which the chamber is preparing include (with RSVPs to Schivinski):

· Jewel Women’s Center, noon Jan. 9, 103 E. Main St., first floor, Schuylkill Haven.

· Barley Snyder, noon Wednesday, Feb. 5, 950 E. Main St. Suite 212, Schuylkill Haven.

In another announcement, another grand opening is set for 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. Loki & Layla Candle Co. made the announcement regarding the opening of hits home store and headquarters at 300 N. Centre St., Pottsville. It will include artisans, artists and music by Pottsville native Terry James. For more information, go online to lokilaylacandles.com.

Chamber updates mixers, seminars

POTTSVILLE — The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce has several upcoming sessions on its agenda. People may register for all chamber programs online at www.schuylkillchamber.com or by calling 570-622-1942. The chamber headquarters and the SEDCO/chamber conference center are at Union Station, 1 Progress Circle, Suite 201, Pottsville, PA 17901.

· Holiday party, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, Schuylkill Country Club, Orwigsburg.

· Economic Forecast Breakfast, “2020 Boom or Bust,” will be held at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at Massari’s Blu Tavern1323 Bunting St., Llewellyn. The presenter will be John L. Naroff, Ph.D., Naroff Economic Advisors.

LVH-Schuylkill offers

cocoa at tree farms

POTTSVILLE — Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill has partnered with three local tree farms to offer cocoa “on us” and cookies through Christmas Eve, according to a release from M. Michael Peckman, LVH-Schuylkill marketing and public affairs coordinator.

The tree farms, which are participating in the effort through Christmas Eve, include:

● Ruff Tree Farms, Ranch Road, Schuylkill Haven/Orwigsburg.

● Buck Run Evergreen Farms, Schuylkill Mountain Road, Schuylkill Haven.

● Levan’s Tree Farm, Spittler Road, Pine Grove.

“There’s nothing better than coming back with your holiday prize and finding a warm cup of hot chocolate or a cookie as a reward,” Peckman said in the release, adding that the arrangement will “help make the holiday at litter cozier.”

For more information, call Peckman at 570-621-5555 or email to Michael.peckman@lvhn.org.

Expressions offers

Bake Shop VI items

SHENANDOAH — Expressions, a thrift/variety store at 114 N. Main St., run by Pottsville-based Avenues, formerly United Cerebral Palsy, is a satellite location for the sale of products by artisan bread baker Bake Shop VI, Pottsville.

Expressions offers Bake Shop VI’s baked goods and breads.

Expressions’ hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. It also has seasonal weekend hours.

To reach the store, call 570-462-6252 or email shenexpr@avenuesofpa.org.

Vending opportunities

at Walk In Art Center

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Vending opportunities are available for 2019-20 at the Walk In Art Center, 220 Parkway, according to event fliers.

WIAC has a wide variety of events on its schedule and “no two are alike,” organizers said in a flier: “Some shows are for strictly handmade vendors and artists, others are open to both artists and direct-sales vendors”

More informationis available by emailing WIAC at information@walkinartcenter.com or going to the WIAC website at www.walkinartcenter.org.

The center’s calendar includes:

● Walk In Wedding Expo, formerly bridal fair, 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 4, 2020, main gallery, for artists and director sales; setup 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

● Second annual Corks & Chocolate, 2 to 5 p.m. Jan. 25, 2020, call is out to wineries, with vendor setup from 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Registration includes three eight-foot tables and two chairs.

● Sweetheart Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 1, 2020, accepting reservations for art vendors, direct-sales vendors and bakeries; each vendor required to donate an item of a raffle to be held the day of the event.

Vendor registration can be done online at https://walkinartcenter.org/events/Event%20Registration/#!/Sweetheart-Saturday-Feb-1-2020-Call-Out-For-Artists-Direct-Sales-&-Bake-Sale/p/75474011/category=15365366. People may also call the center at 570-732-3728.

Tobacco control

program free

LEBANON — Free tobacco control programs are available for workplaces or multi-unit housing complexes via Lebanon Family Health Services.

The service involves free on-site group cessation classes for employees, according to a flier forwarded by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce.

For more information and to participate, contact LFHS by calling 717-273-6741, ext. 224 or emailing to ginny@lebanonfamilyhealth.org.

Arts center has

ongoing activities

TAMAQUA — Myriad arts/crafts, entertainment and other programs and activities are offered at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center, 125 Pine St., on an ongoing basis.

For updates on offerings, schedules prices and other information, call the center at 570-668-1192 or go online to tamaquaarts.org.

Cooper redo is

ongoing project

SHENANDOAH — The effort to transform the former J.W. Cooper High School building at White and Lloyd streets into a multi-purpose community center is ongoing and people are welcome to become in the non-profit restoration and revitalization effort.

Supporters are led by jeweler Kent Steinmetz, who bought the building in 2009, and a board of directors.

Although progress has been slow due to funding restraints, work is continuing thanks to volunteers and local companies who periodically provide material and equipment.

The intent of the local project is to transform the building into a regional hub for business/commerce, recreation, arts and crafts, relaxation and entertainment including musical and theatrical performances.

The J.W. Cooper Community Center is the official name under which the building is listed with the Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit entity under Section 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code, meaning contributions to the effort are tax deductible.

To reach Steinmetz, call 570-617-8920 or e-mail to kent@steinmetzjewelers.com. For more information about the community center, go online to www.jwcoopercenter.org.

Museum displays

firefighting history

SHENANDOAH — The Schuylkill Historical Fire Society Museum, 105 S. Jardin St., is open for fire department, school and private tours.

It also is the society’s official headquarters.

There is no charge for tours but donations are gratefully accepted, according to the society website, which also lists museum hours as 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Appointments can be made for visits at other times by contacting society President Leroy Knapp or Vice President John Kelly. Membership inquiries are welcome. The museum’s phone number is 570-462-4400.

The museum was formally dedicated in 1999 with several commemorative events and a dedication parade. It has become a go-to site for firefighters and fire apparatus enthusiasts from throughout Pennsylvania and beyond, boosting the community’s economy.

Housed in the historic former Columbia Hose & Steam Fire Company station, the site’s collection of equipment and other artifacts is among the finest anywhere and attracts visitors from near and far.

For more about the society and photos of antique equipment, go to its website at www.theshfs.org.

For those in need of hoses, ladders, SCBA jump seats, warning lights, sirens, adapters or appliances, the society’s storeroom can fulfill the needs.

“Check the SHFS Store Room before committing to any purchase,” society officials said in a posting on the website.

The SHFS store proprietor is Pete Rinaldi, who can assist people with fire engine shopping needs. The room features new and old equipment with thousands of items on display.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. People may also make purchases online. All sales benefit the SHFS Museum and are tax deductible.

Call Rinaldi at 570-462-4400 for specific inventory and pricing.

‘Return to Prominence’

goal for Shenandoah

SHENANDOAH — The mission and vision of the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. are to return downtown Shenandoah to “an active pedestrian-oriented business district that will promote and sustain further economic, cultural and civic growth within the borough; to stimulate economic development by encouraging cooperation and building leadership in the business community; to develop a marketing strategy that will provide an improved retail mix, strengthen the tax base and increase investor confidence; to build a viable tourism effort; to promote a unified, quality image of downtown Shenandoah as a center of goods and services; to create an attractive, coordinated visual impression of Shenandoah through facade improvements, streetscape and historic preservation of our existing buildings.”

The group’s motto is “Return to Prominence.”

DSI meets at 5:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month in its downtown center at 116 N. Main St.

Mary Luscavage is DSI’s executive director and Main Street Program manager; Karen Kenderdine is president and treasurer and Bob Kane is vice president.

For more information or to volunteer to help the revitalization effort, call Luscavage at 570-462-2060 or email to dsi@downtownshenandoahinc.com.

Any individual, business or organization wishing to financially back DSI’s ongoing revitalization effort should call the downtown center, stop by during regular hours or mail contributions to: Downtown Shenandoah Inc., 116 N. Main St., Shenandoah, PA 17976.

CDL driver

training at LCCC

TAMAQUA — The Lehigh Carbon Community College CDL driver training program scholarships are available for Schuylkill County residents, according to a flier heralded by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce.

The LCCC Commercial Driver’s License Program is a 172-hour preparation course designed to “prepare the student to take and pass the state written and skills tests and to impart the knowledge to safely and professionally operate at Class A vehicle,” according to the flier.

For more information, call Maureen Donovan at 570-669-6880 or email to mdonovan@LCCC.edu.

Avenues has a

shredding service

POTTSVILLE — West Side Shredding is a secure document destruction service “that can supply your company with cost-effective and confidential services while helping individuals with developmental disabilities,” according to a Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce flier heralding the Habilitation Avenues effort.

Avenues, formerly United Cerebral Palsy, works to help people with developmental disabilities.

“We can benefit your company by saving you money, increasing office productivity, maintaining confidentiality and alleviating the costs of purchasing and maintaining a shredder on site,” according to the flier.

The base is at 1755 W. Market St. and Terri Moyer is the production manager who can be reached by calling 570-628-5316 or emailing to tmoyer@avenuesofpa.org.

Loans available

for projects

Firms looking to expand or to retain or add employees may be eligible for a loan of up to $25,000, according to a Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce flier.

Business loans are available with the following criteria: Use of proceeds must be for job growth or retention and cannot be a working capital line of credit; use of proceeds could be to buy equipment, software programs for training purposes, CRE improvements and similar items; business must be located in Schuylkill County; collateral could be business assets and/or real estate.

For more information call the chamber, Union Station, 1 Progress Circle, Suite 201, Pottsville, Pennsylvania 17901. For more information about the chamber, go online to www.schuylkillchamber.com.

POTTSVILLE — A 2-mill tax increase is expected when the city council votes on the 2020 budget Friday afternoon.

Council members agreed on a tentative budget Nov. 28 that calls for the first tax increase since 2014. Mayor James T. Muldowney said the city has been fortunate to not raise taxes for five years, but things had to change.

“We would have had to cut services if taxes weren’t raised,” he said Tuesday.

The mayor credited city hall staff for their work putting the budget together.

“They did a fantastic job,” he said, adding that everyone on the council is on board with the spending plan.

Average increases

The budget includes $9,261,726 in revenue and expenses. The budget initially included $9,161,904 in expenses and $8,895,204 in revenue, and the gap was closed with $366,522 in real estate taxes, Councilman Mark Atkinson said Tuesday. The increase in revenue comes from the 2-mill tax increase, he added.

The 2020 tax rate will be 21.47 mills, or $21.47 per $1,000 of assessed value. With the average property in Pottsville assessed at $28,111.49, the average tax bill would be about $600. The average increase per property owner will go up $58 in 2020, the councilman said.

The city uses 0.29 mills, or 29 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, for a special purpose library tax.

A copy of the budget is available in city Clerk Lisa Shuman’s office. There will be a final reading and adoption at 4:15 p.m. Friday.

Revenue decreased by $5,280 due to an increase in the number and value of county-held properties, as the county does not pay taxes on those, Atkinson said during the Nov. 28 city council meeting. Expenses will rise by $461,826 next year.

The councilman said Tuesday that, without raising taxes for five years, revenues haven’t increased enough to keep up with expenditures.

“Over the past five years, city council has made cuts to the budget,” he said. “Unfortunately, the city is at a point where we either have to lay off personnel or raise taxes. We went with raising taxes.”

He added that the city would incur “significant” overtime expenses if layoffs took place.

Purchases can’t wait

Atkinson said in trying to keep taxes low, officials have delayed purchases and programs “longer than we should.” An example is a new dump truck to replace one that’s 30 years old. The purchase is included in the 2020 budget.

Increases in health care insurance costs and pensions for police and non-uniform personnel contributed to the rise in expenses, Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said Tuesday.

Health care costs will rise by 5% following a 9.2% increase this year. Shuman said the cost is tied to use by employees. Benefits are also contractually agreed upon in union contracts, she added.

The police pension contribution for 2020 comes to $628,254, up from $625,404 this year. The pension for non-uniform personnel will be $140,269 in 2020 compared to $138,452 this year. The pension payments increased this year due to mortality estimates.

“People are living longer and the pensions have to reflect that,” Palamar said.

Raises for police

The budget also includes contractual raises of 50 to 60 cents per hour for members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union in Units 1 and 2. Members of the Fraternal Order of Police union will receive a 2.75% salary increase.

The raises for the AFSCME unions are detailed in a four-year contract. AFSCME Unit 1 covers six city hall employees, and Unit 2 covers 16 street department employees.

At its Dec. 9 meeting, council members voted on a five-year contract for FOP members, covering Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2024. Under the new contract, the 24 union members will get raises of 2.75% each year. The FOP union covers patrol sergeants, corporals, captains and detectives.

Police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky is not covered under the union, but the budget also includes a 2% management wage increase for the police chief and two captains.

Other vehicle purchases

Atkinson said property and liability insurance premiums increased by $2,077, while worker’s compensation premiums decreased by $10,248, the second consecutive decrease.

The tentative budget includes $100,000 from city reserves for a new vehicle for the police department and a new truck for the roads department.

Additional expenses in the budget are $40,235 for the city Parks Department, $18,000 to purchase a new police car, $22,000 to purchase a drone for the police and fire departments, $5,763 in fire department contributions, $12,824 in management wages and $1,000 to purchase a copy machine. Some items, including the drone purchase, are included in the budget pending a donation to purchase them. If the donation doesn’t come through, Atkinson said, the item won’t be purchased.

The budget revenues and expenses break down to $4,614,146 for public affairs; $1,751,176 for accounts and finance; $496,968 for public safety; $1,544,195 for streets and public improvements and $855,241 for parks and public property.

Contact the writer: clee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6028; @Cleespot on Twitter

Deeds

Eldred Township — Faye R. Lubold and Nancy L. Smeltz to Andrew Schreffler and Eric Schreffler; 79 Main Road, Pitman; $1.

Faye R. Lubold and Nancy L. Smeltz to Andrew Schreffler and Eric Schreffler; 75 Main Road, Pitman; $1.

Faye R. Lubold and Nancy L. Smeltz to Andrew Schreffler and Eric Schreffler; 71 Main Road, Pitman; $1.

Foster Township — Federal National Mortgage Association to Lynn Marie Zerbe; 27 Upper Beechwood Road, Buck Run; $35,000.

Robert J. II and Cheryl L. Dukmen to Robert J. Dukmen II; 0.383-acre property on T-581, Buck Run; $1.

Girardville — George Szejner to John W. Reich; 113 W. Main St.; $37,900.

Mahanoy City — John Peca and Alfred Peca Jr., co-executors of the Last Will & Testament of Stephen Sisak, to Julius Sisak; 420 W. Centre St.; $1.

Julius Sisak to Maria A. and Theodore J. Styka; 420 W. Centre St.; $1.

Theodore J. Sisak, individually and as executor of the Last Will & Testament of Marion A. Sisak, to Theodore J. and Denise M. Sisak; 422 W. Centre St.; $1.

Mahanoy Township — H. Wayne Keyser to Franz and Marizol Ticona; property on Centre Street; $13,500.

McAdoo — Bradley W. Miller to Jennifer Romero and Jose A. Hernandez Perez; 33 S. Kennedy Drive; $94,900.

Minersville — Ryan and Sarah Harter to William Novack; 462 Lewis St.; $13,000.

VALLEY VIEW — The Hegins-Hubley Authority will seek bids to replace the Hubley Township water tank that was built in 1994.

The board on Monday approved putting the project out through PennBid, an electronic bidding system, with bids being due by late January.

Director Kris Wetzel was absent.

The authority had been awarded a $403,118 grant to replace the leaking water storage tank through the state Department of Community and Economic Development Small Water and Sewer program. Although the water tank is leaking, the 150,000-gallon structure is still in usable condition, but has been identified as needing to be replaced within the next few years, according to The Republican-Herald archives.

Because the next board meeting will be held Jan. 13, before the bids are due, directors are tentatively set to award the bid project at the next authority meeting on Feb. 17, according to Authority Manager Demetrius Kasmari.

On a related note, the board agreed to meet quarterly for the rest of 2020.

The meetings will be held at 5 p.m. at the authority office at 915 W. Maple St., Valley View, on May 18, Aug. 17 and Nov. 16, 2020.

After asking if there was any public comment on the agenda items, Chairman Clark Romberger said the board would enter into an executive session with solicitor Paul Datte to discuss personnel and legal matters. Directors returned a half hour later.

In other business, the board approved buying a Wallace and Tiernan chlorine analyzer for $5,142. Kasmari said he spoke to other municipalities about chlorine analyzer recommendations.

He said the authority wanted to stay away from the analyzers that have a lot of maintenance required.

In other matters, Kasmari said the authority repaired a leak at the Tri-Valley Community Pool on Monday. The leak had been between the meter pit and a 2-inch line.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Barnesville

The Rush, Ryan and Delano Senior Citizens Inc. group meets at 1 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at the Ryan Township Fire Company, Route 54. RR&D members usually play bingo and cards following their regular business meetings. Anyone 55 or older is welcome to join.

Cressona

The Cressona Band will present its first-ever Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, at Grace Free Church, 101 Graeff St. The concert is free and the public is welcome to attend. For more information, call 570-622-8784.

Girardville

Rangers Hose Company, 6 E. Ogden St., will have wing night from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11. Wings will be $10 per dozen, fries will be $3 and fries with any wing sauce, $4. Sauce flavors will include hot, mild, honey mustard, house, ranch, spicy ranch, hot garlic, barbecue, garlic parm, hot honey and teriyaki. Beverages will also be available; patrons may eat at the fire house or take food out. For more information, call 570-276-6922.

Heckscherville

Clover Fire Company, 8 Clover Road, will have an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet from 7 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at the firehouse. The cost is $9 for adults and $4 for children under 10. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-294-0612.

Mahanoy City

The second annual Mahanoy City Christmas Pub Crawl, Poker Walk and Ugly Sweater Contest is set for 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. The downtown area event will begin at Red Zone and include Club 54, McGuire’s Eatery and Pub, McNiff’s Irish Pub, the Village Inn and Citizens Fire Company. The first 50 to register will receive a T-shirt. People wearing an ugly sweater will have a chance to win a prize. Proceeds will benefit the annual Christmas tree lighting event. Registration is $10 at the Red Zone on the day of the event. For more information, call 570-778-2256.

New Ringgold

The New Ringgold Fire Company, 25 N. Railroad St., will sponsor mackerel breakfasts from 7 a.m. to noon as follows: Sunday, Jan. 12 and 26, Feb. 9 and 23, March 8 and 22. The meals also include a full breakfast menu; all are welcome. For more information, call 570-943-2212.

Ringtown

The 2020 Ringtown Valley Community Fund drive, which started Sept. 1, will continue through Tuesday, Dec. 31, according to a release. A mailing has been sent to all households in the Ringtown and Zion Grove zip code areas. Contributions to the annual fund drive support 10 nonprofit organizations that serve the Ringtown Area, including Avenues, the Schuylkill County Society for Crippled Children, Ringtown Area Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Little League, Library, Recreation Complex, Food Pantry, Senior Citizens and Pastors’ Association. The Ringtown Valley Community Fund Board thanked regional residents for “continued support for the annual fund drive, which has benefited countless area residents of all ages since 1955.” Residents are reminded, according to the release, that contributions should be made on or before Dec. 31. Checks can be made payable to Ringtown Valley Community Fund and mailed to P.O. Box 204, Ringtown, PA 17967. Additional mailers are available at the Ringtown Area Library. There will be no second mailing.

Saint Clair

The Doris Chizmar Salon, 415 S. Second St., is giving free scarfs to those in need until supplies run out. For more information, call 570-429-0303.

Shenandoah

The Divine Power of Christ Church, 38 E. Oak St., will have a community coat giveaway from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23, in the church hall. In a release, Pastor Marcus Alvarez said all are welcome. He said the coats were donated by the Shenandoah branch of M&T Bank through the bank’s annual coat drive, which was a huge success this year. For more information about the drive, call Mark J. Bernardyn, bank vice president and senior manager, at 570-462-2734.

POTTSVILLE — A Pottsville man was injured when the motorcycle he was driving collided with a car around 2:40 p.m. Sunday at Peacock Street and Walter Griffith Avenue in Pottsville.

Pottsville police said John Davis, 45, of Pottsville, was driving a Volkswagen Jetta west on Peacock Street, when he made a left turn and drove into the path of an eastbound unlicensed motorcyclist, Robert Highsmith, 27, of Pottsville.

Police said Highsmith was injured and transported from the scene to a medical facility for treatment.

Pottsville police along with state police accident reconstruction officers are investigating the crash.

Police said additional information will be provided when it becomes available.

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

The impeachment of U.S. President Donald J. Trump by the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday brought about strong reactions from local residents.

The vote along party lines makes Trump the third president in U.S. history to be impeached, which in this case was for “high crimes and misdemeanors.”

The Fairlane Village mall had shoppers getting their last-minute gifts and other items for Christmas Day that is only one week away. The weather had the mall quiet for the evening, but many of those had opinions of the impeachment effort.

Tamaqua residents June Butala and Dani Davison were walking together and were asked about the matter.

“I just know that they’re wasting a whole lot of money on this against Trump,” Butala said. “Since he got elected they’ve been trying to get him. Whether right or wrong, I think they could have found a different way about going about it.”

“Personally, I don't think we should have ever had a reality TV star for a president anyway,” Davison said about Trump. “It didn’t work out with Reagan. He was a movie star.”

“Reagan was good. Sorry about that,” Butala said to Davison with a smile.

Two Pottsville residents were asked about the proceedings. Both asked only to be identified by their first names.

“I've been following it almost every day,” Scott said.

“We don't agree with the impeachment at all. It’s just a witch hunt,” Carol said. “They just want to get him out because they know he will win the next time.”

“I also think that it because he is not a career politician,” Scott said. “It’s just that he’s a private citizen and they don’t want him in there.”

“Like him or not, this is ridiculous,” Carol said. “I didn’t like Obama when he was in, but I didn’t act like the way they do with Trump.”

Larry Dahm, of Tuscarora, sat near the Boscov’s entrance waiting for his wife, Rose Marie Dahm, to return.

“I like Trump, but I don’t like some of the things that he does,” Dahm said. “He said he thought it was a witch hunt. I don’t like (Nancy) Pelosi and (Chuck) Schumer and I just think that they’re out to get him. If he runs again, I think he is going to win.”

Rose Marie Dahm added, “I feel sorry for the man. I really do. To me, he just has a different way than other presidents. I voted for him and I’ll vote for him again, and I’m a Democrat.”

Ernest Lempfert, of Gilberton, said, “I don’t think whatever he did is impeachable. Why can’t we hold back money from those if we can’t trust them. Why are we always paying for everybody else. These Democrats want to give our money to everybody else. How about bringing the money back? How about we build us? I’m a Democrat. That’s my opinion.”

When asked whether he thought the vote would be for impeachment, Lempfert said, “It’s probably going to, but it’s not going to go through the Senate, you know that. Too many Republicans. They’re just wasting money. They know what’s going to happen, so why do it? Why waste our money. I’d like to see the bill for this.”

Contact the writer: jusalis@republicanherald.com; 570-789-9234