FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — Six students at North Schuylkill High School are learning the ancient art of making pottery and ceramics while using modern equipment.

Fine arts teacher Jacob Price has been teaching the advanced pottery class since he came to the district 12 years ago.

“When I was first told I was going to be teaching the pottery classes it just made my year, because that is exactly what I wanted to do,” said Price, who also teaches painting.

One of the oldest human inventions, pottery has been found dating as far back as approximately 29,000 B.C. in the Czech Republic and 18,000 B.C. in China.

But the students in Price’s class — sophomore Michael Galuppi, junior Sarah Wagner and seniors Katlyn Schmidt, Chloe Locke, Angel Farrone and Rachel Knittle — use a kiln that is less than 2 years old and a slab roller that is also new.

“We are being supported by our administration with funding,” Price said. “We’re pretty fortunate for that.”

The class requires the students to do seven projects this semester.

Price said the great thing about clay is that it can be manipulated in any way possible.

“Whatever you want to do, the clay will work for you. It’s therapeutic in a way, throwing it on the wheels,” he said of the technique of creating a pot on the pottery wheel. “I can do that all day long.”

While calming for Price, “throwing” has been a struggle for the students, “but they are getting better at it,” he said.

The class on Tuesday was learning a process called “slipcasting.”

“The students brought something in like a vase or a mug or a glass bunny, and then they learn how to make a two-piece plaster mold of that object, and they will be casting a copy of it,” Price explained.

“Slip” is the watered down clay.

“They’re learning a quick way to make ceramics. They poured the slip and fill the mold and you have to wait a half an hour (and) pour out the rest of the slip. It has to dry overnight and tomorrow they take the mold apart and they’ll have that copy,” he said.

The copies will eventually make it to the kiln.

‘Express yourself’

A separate room in the classroom has the kiln and other items for creation of pottery. Farrone sat down at the throwing wheel with a slab of raw clay to create a small pot.

“I like doing my work out here,” she said. “I like throwing more, and it’s good back here because it’s nice and quiet.”

Farrone began the wheel spinning, controlling it with a foot pedal. She kept dipping her hands into water as she shaped the outside of the clay, and eventually began forming the inside of the pot.

In the main classroom, Locke and Schmidt were painting two figurines.

“It’s really great way to express yourself,” Locke said. “And with a small class, we can bond a lot better.”

“Since the class is smaller, it’s more personal,” Schmidt agreed. “It’s much better to work with the teacher. I’ve had very large art classes when I took sculpting before with 30 kids in the class. It’s kind of hard to talk with the teacher. I like pottery a lot.”

‘Well-rounded’

For Price, being involved in art goes back to his youth.

“I’ve always been good at art since I was a kid and just kept pursuing it,” he said. “It’s just what I wanted to keep doing.”

North Schuylkill’s art department is something that adds to the core curriculum for the students. Even if the pottery they create isn’t perfect, “having an art department gives you a well-rounded education, in my opinion,” Price said.

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

ORWIGSBURG — Brian C. Mullins sits in prison today after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday on charges he assaulted a woman and then tried to burn his residence in January.

Mullins, 55, of 120 S. Margaretta St., Schuylkill Haven, faces two counts of arson and one each of aggravated assault, risking a catastrophe, terroristic threats, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and strangulation.

After Mullins waived his right to the hearing, Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier bound over all charges against him for court. Ferrier then returned Mullins to prison, where he is being held in lieu of $20,000 straight cash bail.

Schuylkill Haven police filed all charges against Mullins as a result of what they said occurred in the late afternoon hours of Jan. 27.

Police allege that, at 4:50 p.m., Mullins assaulted Lisa Keller by flipping a table on top of her and then punching her repeatedly in her face and head.

“Her left eye was completely shut and swelling,” according to the affidavit of probable cause police filed in the case. “Her nose was bleeding and her face was covered in blood.”

Mullins then told Keller that she was going to die that day, according to police.

Keller had to be taken to Geisinger St. Luke’s hospital, Orwigsburg, for treatment, and then was taken to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, to see a neurosurgeon, police said.

Police said Keller had to be taken to the neurosurgeon because a shunt she had in her head was dislodged. That amounted to a life-threatening injury, police said.

Furthermore, according to police, Mullins set fire to the building.

“There was heavy smoke coming from the residence,” police said.

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

Defendant: Brian C. Mullins

Age: 55

Residence: Schuylkill Haven

Charges: Two counts of arson and one each of aggravated assault, risking a catastrophe, terroristic threats, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and strangulation

Work on a project to upgrade a busy part of Interstate 78 and Route 61 is expected to start next month, according to a state Department of Transportation spokesman.

Ron Young, a spokesman for PennDOT’s District 5, said Tuesday he expects the $125.4 million project will begin in early to mid-March. A notice to proceed from the contractor, J.D. Eckman Inc., Atglen, hasn’t been given. He said he expects to have a better time line of when work will begin in the coming weeks. The contractor was awarded the contract Dec. 9, 2019.

The project includes reconstructing and reconfiguring the ramps that connect Route 61 and I-78 at Exit 29 in Tilden Township, rehabilitating and widening the 1,802-foot I-78 bridge over the Schuylkill River in the township and Hamburg, replacing the 160-foot Route 61 bridge over I-78 in Tilden Township and widening and rehabilitating a 143-foot span of the I-78 bridge over Port Clinton Avenue in Hamburg.

Young said the ramps from Route 61 North to I-78 East and I-78 West to Route 61 South will be lengthened coming on and off the bridge over the Schuylkill River.

“It will allow traffic coming off those roads to pick up speed,” Young said.

The new I-78 bridge over the Schuylkill River will have three lanes of traffic on the east and westbound sides, compared to its current two lanes. Young said the third lane will be for traffic coming off the ramps from Route 61. The new Route 61 bridge over I-78 will retain its current two lanes of traffic.

Young said the impact on wetlands and wildlife is minimal, with no replacements of wetlands required for the project.

Gregg Adams, a director and the board secretary for Blue Mountain Wildlife, Hamburg, said he isn’t concerned about how the project will affect wildlife and wetlands.

“I don’t think it will be that great of an impact,” he said.

The nonprofit organization leases a 252-acre property in Tilden Township from the state Department of Environmental Protection as a wildlife area.

For him, there is an upside to the work. Adams said, when the project is completed, he hopes to construct a half mile of new trail along Industrial Drive in the township. He also wants to use the repository of dirt from the project area to create a wildlife habitat, putting in grass and plants. The site is currently a field of coal silt.

The I-78 bridge over the Schuylkill River was built in 1955 and is rated in poor condition. Young said the construction will improve it. It has a daily traffic volume of 39,105 vehicles.

“It should bring it up to satisfactory condition,” he said.

The Route 61 bridge over I-78, constructed in 1954, is rated in fair condition, with an average traffic volume of 21,744 vehicles. The I-78 bridge over Port Clinton Avenue was built in 2007.

Young said, while there might be times traffic is narrowed to one lane, all lanes will be open on the roads during construction. The project is expected to be completed in December 2025.

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

ONEIDA — East Union Township police arrested a Zion Grove man after they said he led officers on a chase last week.

Chief Thomas Rentschler charged Jeffrey D. Grove, 53, of 61 Millers Road, with a felony of fleeing or attempting to elude police, a misdemeanor of reckless endangerment and a number of summary offenses.

Rentschler said the charges are the result of an incident that began around 11:50 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, at Schoolhouse and Nuremberg Mountain roads when he saw a vehicle driven by Grove leave a gas station parking lot and he knew Grove had a suspended license.

After following Grove for a short time on Schoolhouse Road, Rentschler turned on his flashing lights

Rentschler said Grove kept going, drove through a stop sign and turned left onto Nuremberg Mountain Road. He continued at speeds of about 85 mph and passed a pickup truck around a curve, Rentschler said. Grove turned onto Millers Road and continued at a high rate of speed.

Near the intersection of Fellin Lane, Grove came upon and almost struck the back of another vehicle before going around it, police said.

Grove continued driving at a high rate of speed until his vehicle began to smoke and he stopped near lot 201 at Red Ridge Campground and fled on foot, the chief said.

Rentschler said Grove was identified and taken into custody the following day.

He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah and released on $50,000 unsecured bail.

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

POTTSVILLE — Two distinct camps emerged following a public hearing Tuesday regarding a curative amendment to the Schuylkill County zoning ordinance.

On one side were citizens who thanked the county for addressing what they said were needed zoning ordinance improvements to protect public safety.

On the other were citizens who supported alternative energy efforts and who thought the curative amendment was heavy-handed in regard to wind turbines, but very light when addressing natural gas compressor stations and medical marijuana facilities.

The Schuylkill County commissioners are scheduled to vote on the curative amendment at their meeting at 10 a.m. today in the courthouse, which is also a continuation of Tuesday’s public hearing.

Five citizens, as well as representatives from a Waverly wind energy developer — Clean Air Generation LLC, and a county property owner — Rausch Creek Land L.P., offered public comment Tuesday to be entered into the record. Additional public comments can be heard today, according to Glenn Roth, assistant county solicitor who oversaw the hearing.

Commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. arrived several minutes after the hearing began and was the only commissioner who attended, but did not offer any remarks.

“Had wind turbine projects gone forward under the previous ordinance, there was great potential for the county citizens to have experienced significant and deleterious effects to their health, safety and welfare,” Porter Township resident Virginia Morton, of Tower City, said.

Meanwhile, Nicholas Cohen, CAG principal, offered several objections to the amendment, from a proposed wind turbine maximum height of 400 feet, to decibel noise levels not to exceed 45 A-weighted decibels and 55 C-weighted decibels over certain times of day.

“A-weighted is the standard for wind energy projects. C-weighted is not. The fact that it was included in this amendment is a poison pill to make wind (energy projects) difficult, if not impossible, to locate anywhere in the county,” Cohen said.

The A- and C-weighted terms are differentiated by frequency ranges.

Anthracite Ridge

In September 2019, CAG submitted a zoning permit to the county planning and zoning commission for its Anthracite Ridge Wind Energy Project. The county rejected Anthracite Ridge’s permit application in which the company proposed up to 83 wind turbines total in the county — 40 possible in Hegins Township, which has its own township planning commission, and the remaining turbines in Frailey, Porter and Tremont townships, which are served by the county planning commission. The company has proposed turbines on approximately 12,672 acres that CAG acquired through a land lease and wind easement agreement with Rausch Creek. CAG, along with Anthracite Ridge LLC, of Wilmington, Delaware, filed a civil suit in October against the county planning and zoning commission.

Wind energy is specifically allowed under the current zoning ordinance as a permitted use, while compressor stations and medical marijuana are not currently addressed.

Endorse changes

Morton said she wanted to speak on behalf of all of the citizens of Porter, Tremont and Frailey townships who have signed petitions, sent letters and emails, and in other ways have endorsed the county’s curative amendment.

She said the changes suggested greatly enhance the protection to public health.

“More specifically, the height, setbacks from occupied dwellings, noise control, shadow flicker and decommissioning provisions provide much needed and vastly improved provisions that were not addressed adequately in the 2010 ordinance.”

She also supported the provision protecting the military interests of Fort Indiantown Gap, and the change to “special exception use” which provides zoning hearing board oversight for any future wind energy projects.

‘Destroy way of life’

“I talked to hundreds of people in my area and they’re really concerned how this is going to destroy their way of life,” said Ralph Lucht, of Hegins.

He said property values would drop by 40% to 70%, and that proposed wind turbines on the ridge line could be a deadly distraction for motorists on Interstate 81.

“If you do this, I’m not going to rest until your political careers are done. I will go door to door in your areas to make sure that people understand what you’re doing to the public,” Lucht said.

Language ‘kills’ turbines

Three members of Schuylkill Indivisible were present, Lisa Von Ahn, co-chairwoman, and Claire Kempes, both of Pottsville, and Kris Norton, of Pine Grove.

“I hear your concerns. I have the opposite concerns,” Kempes said. “I don’t understand why we have to make this decision tomorrow (Wednesday). I’m also concerned why the commissioners would agree to condemn the process that allows the federal government to work with the military on that issue. I’m also concerned, because it sounds and feels like the language in this amendment effectively kills the use of wind turbines. That to me is a total lacking of vision when we seriously need to be looking to develop renewable energy.

“I would urge the commissioners to oppose the amendment as written and make it that we need to have regulations, but we don’t need to kill this effort,” Kempes said.

Von Ahn noted that other citizens were concerned but it was difficult for them to attend a hearing at 9 a.m. on a weekday.

‘Dislike pipeline explosions’

“I’m also concerned, in looking over the curative amendment, I noticed that there were pages of regulations for wind farms and wind turbines, but just two paragraphs for compressor stations,” Von Ahn said.

“I also wonder why it’s going to a vote so soon after this meeting and am wondering how much weight these comments have. I’d like to know if compressor stations will only be allowed in industrial commercial areas, or could they get into other areas like the proposed compressor station in Hegins’ agricultural zone?” she said.

Williams has proposed a 31,871-horsepower natural gas compressor station for Hegins Township near Bridge and Deep Creek roads as part of Transco’s Leidy South project. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission released its environmental assessment of the project on Feb. 7, which found no significant impact, and Williams plans to move forward with the project.

“I know some people don’t like wind turbines, but I dislike pipeline explosions, the disastrous effects of climate change and other environmental impacts of fossil fuels even more. I hope that these proposed regulations don’t stop the development of clean energy, but now I say I’m afraid they will in this county,” Von Ahn said.

Charlie S. Schmehl, the Bethlehem land use consultant hired by the county to draw up the amendment, said the intent is that the pipeline compressor stations will be limited to the industrial commercial district.

However, there have been some recent court cases where there have been rulings that compressor station locations can be preempted, he said. “We cannot guarantee you that they are going to be limited to the industrial district, but we can only say the county is doing its best to limit them to the industrial district. We can’t control what the courts and FERC may approve,” Schmehl, vice president of Urban Research & Development Corp., said.

‘Veiled attempt’

Randy Gyory, a retired engineer from Orwigsburg who worked for 33 years in the natural gas industry, said he appreciated the efforts to protect county residents, but some of the amendment language was too vague.

“It says a compressor station setback is 750 feet from a dwelling and 500 feet from a residential district. It also states to ‘minimize noise beyond the property line,’ without a definition of to ‘minimize the noise.’

“When putting a regulation out, or ordinance out, you need to define some terms. That’s a very weak term. If you’re putting out 500 decibels of noise, and reduce it to 300 decibels, I have minimized the noise, but is that an acceptable decibel limit? Not at all; 60 decibels is an acceptable limit,” he said.

Gyory also questioned the legitimacy of part of the county’s ordinance. “It’s a very serious consideration to have people’s homes near a pipeline that’s operating at 800 pounds of pressure of gas, especially if there is an incident,” he said.

He doubted the county’s ordinance would supersede federal regulations already in place.

“These curative amendments are actually worthless,” he said. “It seems like a veiled attempt to basically say to the public that we’re doing something about compressor stations because of what’s happening out in Hegins. They’re not going to stop this. FERC has already approved this project. The compressor station is sited. But don’t put something into the ordinance that is basically meaningless,” Gyory said.

‘Exclusionary zoning’

Cohen, and his attorney, Charles B. Haws, of Reading; Rob Feldman, Rausch Creek’s land use developer; and Rausch Creek’s attorney Gretchen Sterns offered exception to what they deemed as “exclusionary zoning.”

They addressed specific changes proposed with the curative amendment dealing with wind turbine height, noise, lighting and military compatibility with Fort Indiantown Gap.

“If we can’t either get an approval of our application under the current ordinance, we’ll have to pursue the mandamus action we currently have pending,” Haws said.

A mandamus action is a civil lawsuit to compel a public official to perform a duty he or she is required to perform.

CAG’s Anthracite Ridge Project has proposed using turbines up to 499 feet, which is higher than the 400 foot maximum height limit in the amendment.

“It’s even harder to get them at 500 feet. So, to put something 100 feet below where we can get them right now, that is in fact a ban on wind projects. You just can’t build a wind project at 400 feet,” Cohen said in regard to manufacturers’ turbine production.

The amendment also adds a military compatibility requirement that the application be provided to the senior military officer commanding Fort Indiantown Gap.

“They’re really important and are a staple of the community. We want to co-exist with them. I’d like to acknowledge there is an actual process that is run by the federal government to help mitigate some of the concerns that wind farms and the military can co-exist. It seems the amendment is putting this responsibility on the commissioners’ or the zoning hearing board’s shoulders. There’s already a process which includes the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense. I object to that part of it,” Cohen said. The DOD’s plan to reconcile energy development with safe and effective military operations is the Clearinghouse Process, according to Cohen and Feldman, who support the process.

Feldman said Rausch Creek initially opened discussion with the county 15 years ago regarding development of a commercial wind energy facility.

In his written comment, Feldman said the company has taken “great pains to ensure all plans would complement the county’s comprehensive plan, and comply with all duly enacted regulation.”

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-9, does not believe in spending taxpayer money for no reason, and the Luzerne County Republican showed recently that he will lead by example in saving cash whenever possible.

Meuser, whose district includes all of Schuylkill County, said he is returning $159,962 to the treasury, more than 10% of the money he received for running his office.

“Bringing a business-minded approach to Congress, I was determined only to spend tax dollars in areas that benefit my constituents,” Meuser said.

The Committee on House Administration allocated $1,353,606 to Meuser’s office. That amount, known as the members’ representational allowance, includes all office expenses, according to Meuser.

A former state secretary of revenue, Meuser said his office spent $1,193,644 of the allocation, enabling it to return the rest.

“By doing this, we were able to provide constituent services at a high level of excellence and prove you can do more with less,” he said.

The 9th Congressional District includes all of Carbon, Columbia, Lebanon, Montour and Schuylkill counties and parts of Berks, Luzerne and Northumberland counties. Meuser won it in 2018, defeating Columbia County Democrat and former state secretary of agriculture Denny Wolff, and said returning the money to the Treasury has not hindered his representation of the area.

“My staff and I maintain a presence in all eight counties in (the) district, and we all stay in touch with our constituents to know and represent their communities, and to earn their trust,” he said.

He maintains permanent offices in Palmyra, Pottsville, Reading and Washington, and also hosts periodic meetings with constituents in Albrightsville, Berwick, Bloomsburg, Dallas and Weissport, sharing office space in some cases with state legislators.

Meuser said his membership on the House Budget Committee also gives him an obligation to lead by example and do more with less.

“We must begin paying off our nation’s debt and set course for a stable financial future,” he said.

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

SHENANDOAH — The importance of an accurate census means the proper disbursement of funding to local communities, a message made clear at the Downtown Shenandoah Inc. meeting on Tuesday.

The revitalization organization’s regular monthly meeting included U.S. Census Bureau Partnership Specialist Corey Nelson, who is part of the Philadelphia Regional Census Center. Nelson spent about one hour speaking to a full room about the upcoming 2020 census, how the count will be taken and the need to make sure everyone is counted for accuracy.

The census is a count of every person who lives in the United States and its territories every 10 years, according to information provided by Nelson. It is mandated and authorized by the U.S. Constitution. The census will count everyone residing in the country as of April 1.

In her introduction of Nelson, DSI President Karen Kenderdine said, “It is so vitally important to our community and our region that we count every person that is here. It is very important for our funding. It is very important for legislative seats. We really need to have a combined effort.”

As a partnership specialist, Nelson said she does outreach in Schuylkill and Berks counties to promote the census and work with local organizations.

“Our focus is to work locally with partners,” Nelson said. “It’s a way for local communities to support the census by getting the word to their residents.”

Nelson said an incomplete count can have an effect all the way to the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C.

“Karen mentioned apportionment of Congressional seats, which is certainly critical,” Nelson said. “If people in Pennsylvania don’t respond as we anticipate, we stand to lose one seat in the U.S. Congress. It could be more if fewer people respond, it could two or three (representatives).”

Nelson added, “More importantly there were $675 billion federal funds annually that go to states, counties and local municipalities as a direct result of census data that is tabulated every 10 years. If a community has a significant under count, that’s going to impact it for the next 10 years.”

She said that the state is taking efforts for an accurate census. In September 2018, Gov. Tom Wolf signed an executive order creating the Governor’s Census 2020 Complete Count Commission, which consists of appointees from the Pennsylvania State Data Center, elected and appointed representatives from all levels of government, business, academia, community and nonprofit organizations, religious communities and health care communities, according to the commission’s website.

“The governor wants the census promoted statewide,” Nelson said. “It is estimated that each person who doesn’t respond to the census has an impact of a loss to a local community of $2,093 per person per year. I can give you Berks County numbers that in the last census, the impact was over $300 million to Berks County alone. It is vitally important that people complete the census.”

Nelson said this is the first time that people can respond to the census online, which is in addition to a telephone response of filling out a paper form.

“We expect that a majority of people will actually do it online, but we also recognize that there are some challenges for some folk, especially if they don’t have a reliable internet service, if they don’t have computers at home. That could be a challenge,” she said. “There are several different ways we’re trying to engage people in completing the census.”

The census bureau will be mailing invitations to respond to the census in mid-March, Nelson said. It will be a one-page letter going to households.

“Most people will not get a paper questionnaire,” she said. “I looked at the data for Schuylkill County and it looks like Shenandoah will be one of those areas where it is called ‘internet choice,’ which means that in addition to getting that invitation to respond, there will also be a paper questionnaire that’s included.”

DSI members discussed with Nelson different ways to not only get the word about the census, but also helping with the completion of the census, information through the schools and other organizations and volunteering wherever needed to get the most accurate count.

For more information, go to 2020census.gov.

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

ASHLAND — Ashland police have filed cruelty charges against two people who allegedly moved from their borough home and left two dogs behind.

Police Chief Gerard E. Daley charged Derrick J. Reese, 23, and Kayla E. Schaeffer, 24, whose last known address was 1412 W. Centre St., with two felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and two summary counts of applications for licenses.

Police were contacted on New Year’s Day by Ann Weikel and William Printy, who said the owners of 1412 W. Centre St. moved, but they didn’t take their dogs.

After several attempts by police and the Hillside SPCA, Reese and Schaeffer were contacted and a meeting set to check on the animals.

Daley said that check found the dogs appearing to be fed, but the home smelled of feces and urine.

He said Reese and Schaeffer were told the animals could not be left alone. The couple said the animals would be gone in several days.

On Monday, Daley said, Weikel and Printy called again and reported the dogs were still in the house and barking nonstop, and that they had not seen Reese or Schaeffer since Feb. 11.

Daley went to the house and looked through a kitchen window and saw one dog in a cage and the other running loose. Urine and feces could be seen on the floor and there were items that appeared to be chewed.

Daley obtained a search warrant on Tuesday and forcibly entered the home.

The chief said police were immediately struck by extremely unsanitary conditions and found a black dog running around and a brown dog in a cage.

The cage was filled, front to back and side to side, with urine and feces that also covered the dog, Daley said.

He said there was no sanitary food or water for the dogs, and the home was in deplorable condition, with the only heat provided by a small propane fireplace, the chief said.

Daley said Hillside SPCA workers removed the dogs.

Charges against Reese and Schaeffer were filed Tuesday with Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, who issued a warrant for their arrests.

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

POTTSVILLE — The superintendent of the Pottsville Area School District said he hopes part of the solar panels being installed on district property won’t be put on a field used for football practice.

But district officials are still figuring out where they will be placed.

Superintendent Jeffrey S. Zwiebel said at Tuesday night’s school board meeting officials were “still in further discussions” to not put the panels on the practice field behind the Howard S. Fernsler Academic Center. He added the decision hasn’t been finalized.

The superintendent told the public at the meeting about the panels in response to a question about them raised by Pottsville resident Dave Swirsky.

“The goal is to remove the field completely out of the project,” Zwiebel told Swirsky.

Initially, the 4,878 panels were proposed for the roofs of all three district school buildings, the bus garage at John S. Clarke Elementary Center, the academic center, half of Martz Hall and on the ground at the athletic field. Business Manager Brian Manning said last month some of the roof areas can’t be used because of space taken up by heating and air conditioning units.

District officials had proposed moving football practice onto Alumni Field, which is used for boys’ and girls’ soccer and youth athletic practices.

Placing panels on the field has been questioned by board members and the public, who fear losing adequate sports team practice space.

Swirsky also asked board members if they were aware of studies showing that certain areas receive more sunshine than others.

“I don’t know if this was looked at,” he told them.

GreenWorks Development LLC, Harrisburg, will work with Solar Renewable Energy LLC, Mechanicsburg, to install the solar panels in the district. It will spend $4,289,000 on the panels over their 40-year lifespan, saving an estimated $7,379,515 in electricity costs during that time.

They will be leased by the district for five years from a group of investors, then a 30-year bond will be issued to buy them. The district would save $40,000 to $80,000 a year in the first five years. Once they buy the system the cash flow will double.

The group will purchase, install, operate and maintain the panels for five years, during which time the district will pay a contract service payment but also save on its electricity costs. Names of the individuals in the investor group would be provided to the board.

In order to qualify for a federal tax credit, the investor group must own and operate the system for the first five years. Work installing the panels would start in the spring and end in the summer.

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

Ashland

The Washington Fire Company is selling 2020 lottery calendars and some remain available. Calendars must match the Pennsylvania Lottery Evening Pick 3 number straight. Daily prizes range from $20 to $500. All winning calendars are honored no matter when they are purchased, according to a company release. Calendars cost $20. To purchase or for more information, call 570-875-4701.

Landingville

An all-you-can-eat beef-and-beer dinner is set for 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Landingville Fire Company, 1 Firehouse Road. The menu will include roast beef, pasta, appetizers and desserts. Beer and wine will be included in the $35 ticket price. There will also be live music featuring Ridgeline plus Chinese and silent auctions. All proceeds benefit the Blue Mountain girls’ soccer team’s trip to the United Kingdom. For tickets or more information, email LadyEaglesUK2021@aol.com or call Tom at 570-990-4545.

Pottsville

The Pottsville Free Public Library, 215 W. Market St., will have a read-in chain from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27. It is an annual celebration of African-American literature and will include storytelling, for children of all ages and their parents or caregivers. In a release, the library expressed special thanks to the Martin Luther King Family Enrichment Center. People are asked to register. For more information, call the library at 570-622-8880. The library will also have a St. Patrick’s Day party from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 12. It is for children ages 3-12 and their parents/caregivers. Activities will include crafts and games. There will also be refreshments and prizes. People are asked to register by calling the aforementioned number.

Shenandoah

The Father Walter J. Ciszek Chapel, 108 W. Cherry St., is open regularly from 2 to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 6 to 8 p.m. the first Thursday of the month. People may visit for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. During Lent, however, the chapel’s hours will be on Wednesdays due to other Lenten services to be held Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. If the nearby Trinity Academy in the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center is closed due to weather, the chapel will also be closed. Candles for the chapel are available at $7 for a seven-day candle. For more information, call the Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Parish office, 108 W. Cherry St., at 570-462-1968. Ciszek, a Shenandoah native and a native son of St. Casimir Church, 229 N. Jardin St., a Divine Mercy Parish sacred worship site, was jailed and detained in the former Soviet Union for more than 20 years before his release in 1963. He is a candidate for sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church. His cause is currently at the Vatican. Anyone wishing to make a donation to help support the chapel should call the parish office at the aforementioned number.

Shenandoah

Copies of the book “Lithuanians in America” are available at the Shenandoah Area Free Public Library, Washington and Main streets. To reach the library, call 570-462-9829 or email safpl@ptd.net.

Tamaqua

The Schuylkill County Agricultural Museum is sponsoring Plow Day 2020 across from Heisler’s Cloverleaf Dairy, 743 Catawissa Road, on Saturday, April 18, with a rain date of Saturday, April 25. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. followed plowing at 10 a.m. There will be plowing demonstrations using antique tractors, horses and mules throughout the day. People interested in demonstrating their plowing abilities are welcome. The event is free and the general public is welcome. Donations will be gratefully accepted. Wagon rides will be available to take those attending to view the activities. For more information, call Craig at 484-955-7652 or Darin at 570-366-1989.

Valley View

An American Red Cross blood drive is set for 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, 1382 W. Main St. 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 arrange an appointment, call 800-733-2767.

The association on Jan. 8 approved a no confidence vote against Superintendent Jeffrey S. Zwiebel and authorized a strike as it continues to work without a contract.

In a statement announcing the action, Babcock she hoped the vote to authorize a strike “sends a clear message that we are worried about the state of the district” and that members are willing to take whatever action is necessary to ensure students receive the education they deserve.

She previously explained that the membership’s authorization allows the union’s officers and negotiating team to call for a strike in the future if desired necessary.

Board member Patrick Moran, the board’s labor relations liaison, said at Tuesday night’s meeting the board and the union are “moving forward” on negotiations for a new contract.

The negotiations last month were the first such meeting since the new board took office last month. In December, members Craig S. Shields, Ashley DeWitt and Linda Wytovich were sworn in to their first terms. Board Vice President Ann M. Blankenhorn was sworn in to a second four-year term and board member Michael Cardamone, appointed to the board in spring 2018, took the oath for his first full four-year term.

The last contract covered the period of July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018. It set a 15-step schedule for raises, with union members placed in the step schedule based on their years of service in education.

Under the previous contract, teachers with a bachelor’s degree earned between $40,500 under step 1 and $42,500 in step 15. Those with a bachelor’s degree and 15 credits toward an instructional certificate earned $47,100 under step 1 to $74,105 in step 15.

Teachers who earned a master’s degree made between $49,100 under step 1 to $76,023 in step 15. Those with a master’s degree and 15 credits toward an instructional certificate made between $51,200 under step 1 and $77,120 under step 15. Those with a PhD earned $54,812 under step 1 and $81,062 under step 15.

Due to a freeze that was negotiated between the district and teachers union, there was no raise in the 2017-18 school year and teachers also didn’t move up on the step scale.

The union represents 181 teachers and school personnel in the district.

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

A man and woman facing felony animal cruelty and other charges were jailed Wednesday after surrendering in district court.

Derrick J. Reese, 23, and Kayla Elizabeth Schaeffer, 24, who both have last known addresses as 1412 W. Centre St., Ashland, were charged Tuesday with two felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and two summary counts of applications for licenses. At that time Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale issued a warrant for their arrest.

After turning themselves in Wednesday morning, both were arraigned on the charges and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post 10-percent of $25,000 bail.

Reese and Schaeffer were charged by Ashland Police Chief Gerard Daley with leaving two dogs inside the 1412 W. Centre St. home since the beginning of the year.

The chief said the animals had no clean water or food, one was in a cage which, along with the first floor of the home, was filled with excrement, urine and chewed up items.

During the arraignment, Hale read Reese and Schaeffer the charges against them and also the entire criminal complaint filed by Daley that explained the extent of the conditions the animals were forced to live in since Jan. 1.

“These are very serious felony animal cruelty charges filed against you,” Hale told the couple.

“The purpose of this law (cruelty to animals) is to protect the animals,” she said.

Schaeffer told the court she and Reese recently moved in with the man’s grandmother in Frackville and that although they took their cats with them, his grandmother did not want the dogs there since she has two pet dogs herself.

“She didn’t allow us to bring the dogs,” Schaeffer said.

In addition to setting bail, Hale also ordered the couple to surrender their two cats.

“Considering what happened to the dogs I’m concerned for the safety of those two animals,” she said.

After being unable to come up with the $2,500 bail needed to remain free, both Reese and Schaeffer were taken to Schuylkill County Prison.

In paperwork filed Tuesday, Daley said he became aware of the situation Jan. 1 when Ann Weikel and William Printy contacted him, saying the owners of 1412 W. Centre St. moved and left two dogs inside.

Daley said that, although the animals appeared to be fed, the home smelled of excrement and urine.

In January, Daley said Reese and Schaeffer were told the animals could not be left alone and said they would make sure the dogs were gone in a couple days.

Weeks passed and on Monday Daley said Weikel and Printy called again to report the dogs were still in the house, barking non stop day and night and they have not seen Reese or Schaeffer since Feb. 11.

At the house Daley said he looked through a small space on the kitchen window and saw one dog in a cage and the other running loose. Also inside were signs of urine and feces on the floor and items that appeared to be chewed up.

On Tuesday Daley said he received a search warrant for the house, forced entry and was immediately struck by extremely unsanitary conditions and found a black dog running around and a brown dog inside a cage.

The cage was filled from front to back and side to side with urine and piles of droppings that also covered the dog, Daley said.

Moreover, there was no sanitary food or water left for the dogs, Daley said.

The home was in deplorable condition and the only heat came from a small propane fireplace, the chief said.

Daley said Hillside SPCA workers removed the dogs from the home.

At the end of the arraignment, Hale ordered both Schaeffer and Reese to appear in court at 10:15 a.m. March 4 for their preliminary hearing.

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

POTTSVILLE — A Pottsville man is headed to state prison after a Schuylkill County judge sentenced him Tuesday for theft and receiving stolen property.

Michael H. Carter, 46, must serve six to 24 months in a state correctional institution, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin ruled.

Dolbin imposed the sentence after revoking Carter’s probation, which the defendant admitted violating by failing to report to his supervising officer, using drugs and failing to complete substance abuse rehabilitation, for the second time.

Carter pleaded guilty on Nov. 14, 2018, to theft and receiving stolen property. At that time, Dolbin placed him on probation for two years, and also sentenced him to pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, a $50 bench warrant fee and $300 restitution.

Dolbin revoked Carter’s probation for the first time on July 17, 2019, but placed him back on probation for two years.

Frackville borough police originally charged Carter with committing the theft on May 16, 2014, in the borough.

Also on Tuesday, Dolbin revoked the parole of Shannon Meyer, 38, of Pottsville, and recommitted her to prison until at least May 18. Meyer, who could remain behind bars until Dec. 4, 2021, admitted violating her parole by failing to report to her supervising officer, using drugs, failing drug tests and not making payments on her court-ordered costs and fees.

“You can’t be using drugs,” Dolbin told Meyer. It’s not normal to be sticking poison into your body.”

Meyer pleaded guilty on Aug. 1, 2019, to retail theft. At that time, Dolbin sentenced her to serve eight days to 23 months in prison and pay costs, a $50 CJEA payment, a $50 bench warrant fee and $165.82 restitution.

Saint Clair police had charged Meyer with committing her theft on June 5, 2017, in the borough.

In another Tuesday case, Dolbin revoked the probation of Yuamir S. Grayson, 23, of Plymouth, and sentenced him to serve three to six months in prison.

Grayson, who admitted violating his probation by failing to report to his supervising officer and not making payments on his court-ordered costs and fees, originally pleaded guilty on April 25, 2019, to possession of drug paraphernalia. At that time, Dolbin placed him on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced him to pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and a $50 CJEA payment.

State police at Frackville charged Grayson with possessing paraphernalia on March 21, 2015.

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

POTTSVILLE — Officials provided no details Wednesday about the reported death of an inmate in January in the Schuylkill County Prison.

In its monthly report to the county Prison Board, PrimeCare Medical Inc., Harrisburg, which provides medical services to the facility, listed one death at the prison during the month.

However, Warden Gene Berdanier declined to provide any further information about the death at the prison, including the name of the person who died.

“It’s under investigation, so I really can’t comment on it,” he said.

Efforts to reach other members of the board Wednesday were unsuccessful.

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

1 injured in crash; driver cited

PINE GROVE — One person suffered minor injuries in a two-vehicle crash that happened around 8 a.m. Feb. 6 on Suedberg Road, just west of Short Lane in Pine Grove Township.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said River J. Dumez, 20, of Jonestown, was driving a 1992 Buick Park Avenue east when he made a left turn across oncoming traffic and drive directly into the path of a 2009 Jeep Wrangler being driven west by Nathan Sattazahn, 37, of Pine Grove.

Both drivers escaped injury but a passenger in the Dumez vehicle — Lake E. Haldeman, 29, of Jonestown — suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital by Pine Grove EMS for treatment.

As a result of the crash, police said, Dumez will be cited for vehicles turning left.

Man allegedly stole beer with deception

POTTSVILLE — A Pottsville man was arrested by state police at Schuylkill Haven and charged with theft by deception after an incident at Scanlan Beverage on Mill Creek Avenue in Norwegian Township on Nov. 9.

Police said Joseph Boris, 29, purchased two cases of beer for $70.99 with a Visa credit card. The business was later notified that the purchase was made fraudulently and that the sale was declined.

Boris was positively identified and charged for the crime, police said.

Man charged with unsafe speed

PINE GROVE — A Pottsville man escaped injury when the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse he was driving crashed on Route 125 in Tremont Township around 2:35 p.m. Feb. 7.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Jacob Zawada was driving north when his vehicle slid off the right side of the road while he was negotiating a curve, struck an embankment and overturned.

Police said Zawada was charged with driving at an unsafe speed and that Pine Grove firefighters and fire police assisted.

Man was allegedly damaging vehicles

SAINT CLAIR — A Pottsville man was charged by Saint Clair police after an incident at 745 Port Carbon/Saint Clair Highway in Norwegian Township around 2:30 a.m. Jan. 19.

Police said Steve J. Steckley, 47, was charged with criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and harassment.

Steckley, police said, was seen by witnesses damaging a vehicle and fled when confronted.

He was taken into custody by responding officers and police said damage to the 2011 Ford Fusion totaled $3,003.18.

The charges against Steckley were filed with Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon, police said.

Two in custody on warrants

SAINT CLAIR — Saint Clair police reported taking two men into custody on Feb. 11 for outstanding warrants.

Police said Anthony C. Martin, 40, of Schuylkill Haven, was taken into custody around 3:15 p.m. at 304 Cherry St. He was found to have several warrants for his arrest and turned over to Schuylkill Haven police who were looking for him.

Police said that Keith Lash, 37, of Saint Clair, was taken into custody in the area of Route 61 and Terry Rich Boulevard around 3:45 p.m.

Lash was turned over to state police who for looking for him on the warrants, police said.

POTTSVILLE — Ahead of the Federal Emergency Management Agency releasing funds to repair a portion of Progress Avenue, officials examined the site Wednesday afternoon.

Nine people from the engineering firm Alfred Benesch & Co., Pottsville, and PPL Electric Utilities were behind the fence surrounding the 200-foot section of Progress Avenue next to the Giant Food Stores parking lot examining the site.

City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said the engineering firm was meeting with engineers from the utility company to determine what needs to be done before proceeding on the project.

The city council voted last August to authorize the engineering company to develop bid documents to repair the damage.

Palamar added the group was specifically looking at issues with the hole, including utilities, water, sewer, electric and gas.

“They have to have an idea of the issues to address for preconstruction and construction,” he said.

The work is being done in anticipation of FEMA releasing funds for the project. Once FEMA funding comes in, the city can advertise bids on the repairs.

Wednesday’s site examination, Palamar added, will allow the engineering firm to assemble a bid package for the project once the funds are freed.

City officials are still waiting on funding from FEMA to proceed on the project. Palamar said Wednesday the project is listed at the “legislative affairs” level on the FEMA website.

“Once the funding from FEMA comes through, we will proceed on the project,” Palamar said.

A section of the road 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 Giant 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, with more than 80% expected from FEMA, Palamar previously said.

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

POTTSVILLE — New machines should be arriving soon for Schuylkill County voters to cast the ballots in the April 28 primary election, county Election Bureau Director Frannie Brennan said Wednesday.

“Machines will be delivered March 4 or 5,” Brennan said.

Voters using those machines, which have a paper trail mandated by the state for each vote, will find contested contests for Democrats in the 9th Congressional District and Republicans in both the 123rd and 125th Legislative Districts, although the GOP winner in the 125th will have no Democratic foe in the Nov. 3 General Election.

Candidates had through Tuesday to submit petitions, which Brennan said had to be filed with the Pennsylvania Department of State.

Laura Quick, Lebanon County, and Gary S. Wegman, Berks County, who each unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination in 2018, again are running in the 9th District, which includes all of Schuylkill County. The winner will face incumbent Republican Dan Meuser, Luzerne County, who is seeking a second term in Congress.

In state legislative races, incumbent state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, Rush Township, has no opponent in either the GOP primary or General Election. His district includes all of Schuylkill County.

Three state House districts, the 123rd, 124th and 125th, are wholly or partly in Schuylkill County.

In the 123rd, former county Prothonotary Peter J. Symons Jr. is the only Democrat to file for the race to succeed the retiring Democratic state Rep. Neal P. Goodman. He will face one of two Republican candidates, former Middleport Mayor John T. Leshko or businessman Timothy F. Twardzik, Butler Township, in November.

State Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124, Rush Township, is seeking re-election and is the only Republican on the ballot. In November, he will face the only Democrat on the ballot, Taylor E. Picone, Windsor Township, Berks County.

The 125th features a four-person race for the Republican nomination: Hervey C. Breault II, South Manheim Township; Register of Wills Theresa Gaffney, Wayne Township; Dauphin County Assistant District Attorney Joseph Kerwin, Lykens; and Controller Christy Joy, South Manheim Township. No Democrat filed to run for the seat.

Brennan also said that people voting by absentee ballot in the primary have until 8 p.m. April 28 to submit their ballots to the bureau.

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

POTTSVILLE — Orwigsburg voters again will cast their ballots at one location, as the Schuylkill County commissioners voted Wednesday to combine the borough’s two polling places into one.

All voters in the county’s oldest borough now will vote at the Orwigsburg Veterans Memorial Building, 300 Grove St., beginning with the April 28 primary election. Some had voted at Borough Hall, while others had cast their ballots at Applewood Circle.

Frannie Brennan, director of the county Election Bureau, said there were problems with handicap accessibility at one of the previous sites.

“That’s why the change is being made,” she said.

In another effort to improve election efficiency, the commissioners authorized the bureau to hire 13 rovers at the rate of $10 an hour and 57.5 cents per mile. The rovers will help to ensure accuracy and efficiency at the polls.

“We’re fortunate that we have good poll workers,” commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. said.

The 13 rovers hired are Mike Botto, Ron Coleman, Carol Cooney-Syzdek, Tony Downey, Georgene Fedoriska, Jim Gustas, Joe Matz, Janet Terefencko, Daniel Wachter, Paula Warmkessel, Annetta Whitecavage, Tim Wood and Julie Zangari.

“We can always use extra volunteers,” Commissioner Gary J. Hess said.

The commissioners also approved the purchase of a 2020 Transit-150 XL low-roof passenger van by the prison from Kovatch Ford, Nesquehoning. Sheriff Joseph G. Groody said the vehicle, which cost $49,765.73, is an all-wheel drive one.

Director of Finance Paul E. Buber said the money, which required the approval of a supplemental budget appropriation, comes from the commissary fund, which is used for prison expenses, and not the general fund.

In other business, the commissioners:

• Approved a contract with Psychological Associates of Schuylkill County LLC to provide counseling services during 2020. Costs under the contract include $400 for a psychosexual assessment or polygraph testing, $90 for individual counseling and $35 for group counseling.

•Approved changes to the Community Development Block Grant stormwater project in McAdoo. The changes will reduce the project’s cost to $89,397 from $98,151. Michelle O’Connell of the grant writer’s office said a culvert was relocated, leading to the cost reduction.

• Approved budget adjustments of $74,330 for Children & Youth and $20,772 for the courts.

“We’re not increasing overall spending,” just moving budgetary authority between line items,” Buber said of the adjustments.

• Approved supplemental budget appropriations of $43,589 and $124,589 for the Drug & Alcohol Program. Buber said the money will be put toward treatment and recovery services.

• Appointed Neil Stefanisko, Gordon, to the Mental Health/Developmental Services Advisory Board. Stefanisko’s term will run through Dec. 31, 2022.

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

PITTSTON — Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey has introduced a resolution aimed at Democratic presidential candidates like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren who want to ban fracking if elected.

Toomey visited Linde Corp. in Pittston Township on Wednesday to talk about the benefits of natural gas and Senate Resolution 411 that would prohibit the U.S. president from banning fracking on state and private lands. The resolution would reaffirm that states are the primary regulators of fracking, he said.

“The fact is that natural gas has transformed Pennsylvania. It’s changing our country,” Toomey said. “It’s now the country’s number one source of electricity generation. It is a tremendously affordable and available source of home heating energy.”

Pennsylvania is second in the U.S. after Texas in natural gas production. Pennsylvania and Texas produce almost half of all the natural gas in the U.S., he said.

“It is very hard to exaggerate how good natural gas been for our economy, for employment, for consumers, for families and for our environment,” Toomey said.

While former President Barack Obama understood the importance of the natural gas industry, Toomey said leading Democratic presidential candidates are competing against each other to see who could be “most hostile to natural gas.”

Warren wants to ban fracking everywhere, saying that on her first day as president, she would sign an executive order that would put a moratorium on all new fossil fuel leases and drilling offshore and on public lands.

Sanders joined New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to introduce a bill that would ban fracking but Toomey said it “doesn’t have any chance of passing as long as Republicans control the Senate.”

“I think it’s essential that we push back on this terrible set of ideas that is gaining traction among some in the Democratic party,” Toomey said.

Toomey said he believes natural gas is “tremendous for the environment” as it is replacing coal as a source of energy.

“It releases far less pollutants into the atmosphere,” he said. “The geopolitical benefits are enormous as well as important allies of us can buy natural gas from the United States rather than authoritarian governments that wish us no good will.”

Scott Cannon, environmental adviser for Action Together NEPA, however, argued the state Department of Environmental Protection website shows 349 confirmed cases of water contamination from fracking in the last 10 years and the number keeps rising.

“Our efforts are best used to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy and clean green jobs that don’t contribute to climate change,” Cannon said.

Toomey said natural gas drilling is highly regulated and using natural gas as a source of energy is “improving the environment.” He said he has received “significant support” among Republican senators for his proposed resolution and is working on drumming up more support from “some potentially like-minded Democratic colleagues.”

He was joined Wednesday by Scott Linde, president of Linde Corp.; U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-9, of Dallas, and David Taylor, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association.

Contact the writer: dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2115

Worcester Polytech

Thaddeus Zuber, of Tamaqua, made the dean’s list for the fall semester at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Lackawanna

CJ Stablum,of Branchdale, made the fall semester dean’s list at Lackawanna College, Scranton.

Muhlenberg

The following local students were named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Muhlenberg College, Allentown:

Hannah Betz,of Tamaqua; Scott Grigas,of Frackville, Paige Jones,of Cressona; Meredith Krewson,of New Ringgold; Jacob Metcalfe,of Hamburg.

Western NE

Jennie Smith,of New Ringgold, and Gabrielle Krause, of Orwigsburg, were named to the fall semester dean’s list at Western New England University, Springfield, Massachusetts.

Northampton

The following local students were named to the fall semester dean’s list at Northampton Community College, Bethlehem:

Jadan Umholtz,of Valley View; Nathan Bender,of Hamburg; Derek Whritenour,of Ashland; Danielle Striesel, of Barnesville; Ashley Ziegler, of Andreas; James Becker,of Ringtown; Michelae Negron,of Girardville; Bailey Pederson,of Andreas; Connor Knowlan,of New Ringgold.

Penn State

The followinglocal students were named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Penn State University, University Park campus:

Emily Demalis,of Shenandoah; Alaina Demalis,of Shenandoah; Nathan Macleary, of Mahanoy City.

Shippensburg

Rachel Idacavage,of Ringtown, made the dean’s list for the fall semester at Shippensburg University.

Slippery Rock

The following local students made the dean’s list for the fall semester at Slippery Rock University:

Justin Fox, of Seltzer; Jacob Gillette, of Schuylkill Haven; Michael Hayes, of Barnesville; Kayla Ray, of Ashland.

SUNY Potsdam

Kristina Matunis,of Mahanoy City, made the fall semester dean’s list at the State University of New York-Potsdam, Potsdam, New York.

Alabama

Logan Derbes and Isabelle McDonnell,of Pottsville, and Callie Dreher,of Schuylkill Haven, made the fall semester at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Scranton

The following local students made the dean’s list at the University of Scranton for the fall semester:

Emily Amershek,of New Ringgold; Abbey McGee,of Mahanoy City; Erin McQuillan,of Pottsville; Autumn Mohn, of Hamburg; Taylor Loughlin, of Shenandoah; Katie Zehner,of Orwigsburg; Kathleen Blozusky,of Frackville; Alexa Romberger,of Valley View; Alexis Wislotsky, of Ashland; Makayla Wislotsky,of Ashland; Emily Zehner, of Orwigsburg; Zachary Turnitza,of Cumbola.

Albany

Schuyler Ossman, of Ashland, made the dean’s list for the fall semester at the University of Albany, Albany, New York.

Delaware

David Zimmerman,of Schuylkill Haven, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at the University of Delaware, Newark.

Rhode Island

Phuong Hodges,of Schuylkill Haven, was named to the fall semester dean’s list at the University of Rhode Island, South Kingstown.

Vanderbilt

Jason Brauer,of Orwigsburg, was named to the fall semester dean’s list at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.

West Virginia

Kate Bolinsky, New Ringgold, a sophomore nursing major, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at West Virginia University, Morgantown,

Kaitlyn Hepler, of Ringtown, and Gabriele Hepler,of Ringtown, were also named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at West Virginia University.

Widener

The following local students were named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Widener University, Chester:

Carter Compinski,of Hamburg; John Hurst,of Barnesville; Autumn Rautzahn-Calnon, of Tower City; Jacob Roos,of Pottsville; Kyle Schaeffer, of Auburn.

Pittsburgh

Meg F. Schwalm, a daughter of Scott and Patrice Schwalm, Llewellyn, was named to the dean’s list for the 2019 spring and fall semesters at the University of Pittsburgh.

She is a senior majoring in speech pathology/communication science disorders.

Dickinson

The following local residents were named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Dickinson College, Carlisle:

Abigail Brickler, a junior biology major, is a graduate of Tamaqua Area High School and a daughter of Matt and Sue Brickler, of Andreas.

Coltin Albitz, a first-year biochemistry and molecular biology, mathematics major, is a graduate of Blue Mountain High School and a son of Kenneth and Donna Albitz, of Pottsville.

Catie Coyle, a sophomore international business & management major, is a graduate of Pottsville Area High School and a daughter of Timothy and Catherine Coyle, of Pottsville.

Leah Guzick, a senior theater arts and international business and management major, is a graduate of Pottsville Area High School and a daughter of James and Lori Guzick, of Pottsville.

Fairleigh Dickinson

Maxwell Babcock,of Pottsville, was named to the honors’ list for the fall semester at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, New Jersey.

Villanova

Jadyn Anczarski, a senior physics major and James C. Curvey Scholar, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester.

He is a 2016 graduate of North Schuylkill High School and a son of Joyce and John Anczarski, of Ringtown.

Pitt-Bradford

Gianna M. Granito, of Orwigsburg, a sophomore criminal justice major, and Kaitlyn M. Marx, of Pottsville, a sophomore athletic training major, were named to the fall semester dean’s list at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

Moravian

Lianne N. Derrick, Pottsville, a freshman majoring in psychology at Moravian College, Bethlehem, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester.

She is a daughter of Frank and Lisa Derrick, Pottsville, and a 2019 graduate of Blue Mountain High School.

Bloomsburg

The following local students earned dean’s list status for the fall semester at Bloomsburg University:

Brett Budwash, of Ashland; David Zienkiewicz,of Ringtown; Brielle Bolinsky,of Ashland; Carley Bonomo,of Ringtown; Derrick Bordner,of Elizabethville; Ryan Davis,of Ashland; Kelly Eichhorst and Michael Gaizick, bothof Sheppton; Alissa Hetherington,of Zion Grove; Andrew Horst and Rachel Hughes, bothof Pottsville; Megan Jones,of Ashland; Isabella Ligenza,of New Ringgold; Amanda Lindenmuth,of Ringtown; Katie Loughlin,of Mahanoy City; Jordan Marlow,of Ashland; Samantha McCarthy,of Coaldale; Christopher McCormick,of Ashland; Angela Peiffer,of Schuylkill Haven; Joseph Peters,of Mahanoy City; Rachelle Price,of Pottsville; Emily Schwalm,of Hegins; Kathryn Sherry, of Pitman; Sara Simms and Waverly Snyder, bothof Ashland; Anya Spotts,of Frackville; Jordan Tellez,of Pottsville; Jacub Ulicny, of New Boston-Morea; Blake Wolfgang,of Hegins; Maggie Cooney,of Ashland; Kylie Atkinson,of Auburn; Rachel Bell,of Ringtown;, Aaron Bensinger,of New Ringgold; Tristan Blasko,of Coaldale; Emily Bruce, of Barnesville; Brett Bulino,of Minersville; Erin Cleary,of Saint Clair; Christopher Davis,of Mahanoy City; Paul Dean,of Ashland; Kayla Drasdis,of Pottsville; Sierra Ferraro,of Port Carbon; Hunter Harner,of Pitman; Sarah Herring,of Barnesville; Marcus Hughes and Mckayla Lally, bothof Pine Grove; Sara Leibel,of Pottsville; Lauryn Lesher,of Lykens; Allison McAndrew,of Ashland; Peter Osifat,of Barnesville; Justin Petrovich,of Mahanoy City; Lucas Rinaldo,of Minersville; David Slotterback Jr.,of Ashland; James Spherely and Caitlin Sternick, both of Pottsville; Sophia Susarchick, of Tamaqua; Maya Throne,of Orwigsburg; Hannah Tobin,of Port Carbon; Katrina Whalen,of Minersville; Emily Zerbe,of Pine Grove; Hannah Zoba,of Tamaqua; Manuel Gutierrez,of Zion Grove; Megan Yurkiewicz,of Ringtown; Cade Bleashka,of Mahanoy City; Kate Canfield,of Ashland; Isabel Casey,of Barnesville; Madison Cavenas and Morgan Dewitt, both of Mahanoy City; Brendan Fox and Hannah Gohsler, bothof Schuylkill Haven; Talia Lewis,of Tamaqua; Joshua Mason and Chase Mazulusky, bothof New Ringgold; Emma Motto,of Pottsville; Wayne Reilly,of Valley View; Jessika Sadusky,of Kaska; Hannah Shissler,of Schuylkill Haven; Rose Ward,of Schuylkill Haven; Alexis Weaver,of Elizabethville; Steven Wolfgang,of Ashland; Tyler Wright,of Elizabethville.

Kutztown

The following local students were named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Kutztown University:

Carla Mae Abrachinsky, of Mahanoy City; Meghan Elizabeth Artley,of Shenandoah; Megan Babinsky,of Barnesville; Mickayla Backo,of Morea; Shane Baddick,of Tamaqua; Mikaylah Bendetti,of Orwigsburg; Kyle Binder,of New Ringgold; Laura Bisco,of Barnesville; Emily Bohn,of Orwigsburg; Detrick Borden,of Tamaqua; Micah Boyer,of Orwigsburg; Nikkole Brown, of Schuylkill Haven; Brandi Cieniawa,of Shenandoah; Kelsey Conroy,of Mahanoy City; Julia Elizabeth Conville and Rachel Conville, bothof Pottsville; Mary Ann Crider,of Hamburg; Natasha Cunningham,of Mahanoy City; Emily Debus,of Pine Grove; Karrison Dubbs and Sophia Duong, bothof Schuylkill Haven; Abigail Elsavage,of Pottsville; Angela Flack, John Franko and Madison Frye,all of Tamaqua; Megan Gregoire, of Frackville; Shane Michael Guers,of Schuylkill Haven; Jackson Gunelson and Roberta Harris, bothof Pottsville; Cheyanne Tehya High,of Valley View; Britney Scot Hirschel, of Schuylkill Haven; Nicholas Michael Houtz,of Cressona; Gabrielle Hoynoski,of Orwigsburg; William Storm Hutchinson,of Pottsville; Amanda Johns,of Schuylkill Haven; Daniel Johns,of Orwigsburg; Helen Kerschner,of Hamburg; Kolby David Kleckner, of Pottsville; Christina Kofchock,of Hamburg; Carly Kozacheck,of Auburn; Jordan Kull,of Orwigsburg; Cheyenne Lehman,of Pine Grove; Alyssa McDonald,of New Ringgold; Samantha L. Mcmullan,of Pine Grove; Hunter Miller,of Hegins; Christina Mott,of Hamburg; Ryan Murphy,of Tamaqua; Kali Muthersbaugh,of Schuylkill Haven; Bailey Nagle, of Middleport; Amber Ney,of Hamburg; Victoria Pascucci,of Auburn; Spencer Paukstis,of Minersville; Jordan Pettit,of Orwigsburg; Tianna Pucklavage,of Coaldale; Andrew Puka,of Frackville; Lindsay Purcell,of Pottsville; Tabitha Rea,of Orwigsburg; Carolyn Rene, of Mahanoy City; Boaz Rottet and Connor Ruch,bothof Tamaqua; Cory Sanko,of Gordon; Taylor Schatz,of Orwigsburg; Madeline Schuettler,of Pottsville; Vincent Schultz,of New Ringgold; Tatiana Shellhamer,of Quakake; Kayla Sherry,of Tamaqua; Hannah Shirk and Sierra Shorts, bothof Hamburg; Abby Shumgart, Trevor Skripko and Tyler Skripko, allof Brockton; Trevor Smith,of Schuylkill Haven; Zoe Snyder,of Tamaqua; Samantha Stanish,of Hamburg; Madison Szczecina and Kelly Thom, bothof Orwigsburg; Jesse Todero,of Pine Grove; Micah Ulicny,of Valley View; Daisy Mae Valentine,of Tamaqua; Nicolas Vaupel and Abby Wertman, bothof Auburn; Anna Whitbeck and Kylie Whitmoyer,bothof Tamaqua; Seth Wolfe,of Pine Grove; Anthony Woodford and Parker Zimerofsky, bothof Pottsville; Elizabeth Zimmerman,Frackville.

Wilkes

The following local students were named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre:

Emma Bertsch, of Pottsville; Brianna Boyer,of Ashland; Elizabeth Brown,of Hamburg; Felicia Clark, of Schuylkill Haven; Trevor Fegley and Sierra Fisher,bothof Hamburg, Erika Gerace and Hannah Gillespie, bothof Orwigsburg; John Hannaway,of Pottsville; Brad Hepner,of Hamburg; Tanner Klinger,of Elizabethville; Devann Malafarina,of Ashland; Jacob Marcolla,of Andreas; Sarah Markovich,of Lansford; Tyler Martz,of Oneida; Collin McLaughlin Moyer,of Tamaqua; Shaylee Miller,of Ashland; Abagail Mills,of Auburn; Brian Misiewicz,of Ashland; Matthew Reed,of Mahanoy City; Caroline Rickard,of Orwgsburg; Matthew Smarr,of Barnesville; Emma Staller,of Orwigsburg; Matthew Stever,of Ringtown; Hoyt Stiely,of Elizabethville; Alyssa Swiezak,of Orwigsburg; Jessica Turnitza,of Cumbola; Andrew Vaupel,of Auburn; Alison Walck,of McAdoo; Elizabeth Walters,of Pottsville; Jacob Wessner,of Auburn; Madison Yeager,of Schuylkill Haven; Luciano Yourey,of Minersville; Molly Yuschock,of Ashland.