The following public school meal distributions include breakfast and lunch and are Monday-Friday unless otherwise specified.

Blue Mountain

Finalizing plan to offer to students who qualify for free and reduced lunch.

Mahanoy Area

Anyone 18 years and younger.

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Transportation parking lot and East End Park.

Minersville Area

Open to all children present under 18. Walk up or drive up.

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. starting Monday, March 23: elementary school, 300 N. Fifth St. Lunch for current day and breakfast for following day. Friday distributions will include breakfast and lunch for weekend.

North Schuylkill

Free to anyone under age 18; no ID required.

11 a.m. to noon in communities that meet income guidelines: Washington Fire Company, 1307 Centre St., Ashland; Good Will Hose Company, 225 S. Balliet St., Frackville; Rangers Hose Company, 6 E. Ogden St., Girardville.

Panther Valley

11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at elementary school, Panther Valley stadium, Coaldale borough hall, Batter’s Box restaurant.

Pine Grove Area

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: North End Volunteer Fire Company parking lot, 118 N. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove, and Tremont Borough Building, 139 Clay St., Tremont.

Pottsville Area

Students 18 and younger.

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Behind D.H.H. Lengel Middle School at the team entrance to Martz Hall.

Saint Clair

Open to all district students.

11 a.m. to noon: Elementary/middle school.

11:30 a.m. to noon: Cherry Street parking lot in Arnot’s Addition.

11 to 11:30 a.m.: Outside Cumbola Goodwill Hose Company, Water Street, Cumbola.

11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Outside Good Intent Fire Company, Macomb Street, New Philadelphia.

12:30 to 1 p.m.: Schuylkill Valley Falcons Teener League Field, Middleport.

Schuylkill Haven

Open to students who qualify for free and reduced school meals.

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays: high school entrance. Week’s worth of meals provided.

Shenandoah Valley

Open to all district students through March 27.

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Elementary parent drop-off area.

Tamaqua

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 23-27 (for now): Rear of the high school/middle school campus.

Tri-Valley

Open to all district students.

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, March 23 and Thursday, March 26: Sacramento Community Fire Company, 2206 E. Main St., Sacramento. Meals, prepared by district food service provider Chartwells, include breakfasts and lunches for several days. Students must be present in vehicles for grab-and-go service. No further dates provided at this time.

Upper Dauphin Area

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. weekdays, high school cafeteria entrance, Elizabethville, and middle school main entrance/bus circle, Loyalton. Child must be present to pick up meals via drive-through process. Remain in vehicle. Lunch and breakfast for following day in each bag. Friday bags include meals for weekend. Either location can be used. For access issues, email batemanm@udasd.org or call 717-362-6555.

Williams Valley

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: high school; Wiconisco Fire Engine Company, Arch Street, Wiconisco Township; Williamstown Borough Hall, Station Street, Williamstown.

The following events, activities, organizations and businesses have been affected by the coronavirus:

Mr. Anthracite bodybuilding show, scheduled for April 4, at Ramada Inn, Pottsville, has been rescheduled to July 12.

Ashland Area Historic Preservation Society meeting, scheduled for March 25, at 318 Center St., Ashland, is canceled.

Tremont Fire Company Lenten Fish Fry event, scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Fridays during Lent, are canceled for the rest of the season.

St. Matthew’s last Lenten Food Sale, scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. Friday, March 27, is canceled.

Port Carbon Public Library’s Chinese auction, scheduled for Sunday, March 29, has been postponed.

Ss Peter & Paul Orthodox Church Paska Bake Sale, scheduled for April 1-3, has been postponed.

Mock lobster and ham dinner, scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 3, Friedensburg Fire Company, is canceled.

South End Field & Stream Kielbasa Sale, scheduled for April 10-11, at Whippoorwill Dam, Frackville, is canceled.

Sportman’s bingo, scheduled for March 22 at West End Fire and Rescue, 700 W. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City, rescheduled to June 7. Tickets purchased will be honored.

■ Dramatic Stations of the Cross, scheduled for Palm Sunday, April 5, and Good Friday, April 10, at St. John the Baptist Church, Pottsville, canceled.

■ An Evening with Psychic Medium Kimberly, scheduled for March 28 at West End Fire and Rescue, 700 W. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City, canceled. Ticket money will be refunded.

■ Vietnam veterans breakfast, scheduled for March 30 at Lewie’s Restaurant, Frackville, canceled.

■ St. Michael’s Church Fish Dinner, scheduled for Friday, March 27, Saint Clair, and halupki sale, cancelled.

■ Girl Scout cookie sales, scheduled for Friday, March 20, at Turkey Hill, Minersville, and Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22, at Walmart, Saint Clair, canceled.

■ North Ward Easter Egg Hunt, scheduled Saturday, March 28, at Willow Street Playground, Schuylkill Haven, canceled.

■ Schuylkill Keep It Pretty roast, scheduled March 25, canceled. Goal is to reschedule.

■ Greater Shenandoah Area Senior Citizens, 220 N. Market St., monthly meeting, bingo, anniversary party. Plan to open May 6. Call Mary Ann at 570-462-0883.

■ Ham and dandelion meal, scheduled March 27, Lions building, Hegins, canceled.

■ St. John’s Church basket bonanza, scheduled for Saturday, April 4, Port Clinton, tentatively rescheduled for April 25. Call 610-207-3075.

■ Spaghetti dinner, scheduled for April 4, at Covenant United Methodist Church, Schuylkill Haven, canceled.

■ Great Shenandoah Area Historical Society’s basket auction, scheduled for April 18 and 19, postponed.

■ Altamont Fire Company all-you-can-eat-breakfast, scheduled March 22, canceled.

■ Greater Hazleton Concert Series “Doo Wop Project” concert scheduled March 24, canceled.

■ St. Nicholas Holy Name all-you-can-eat-breakfast, scheduled March 22, Primrose, canceled.

■ Schuylkill Haven Senior Citizens Association meeting, scheduled for March 23, canceled.

■ Soup and pretzel sale, scheduled for March 28 at Tremont Area Free Public Library, postponed.

■ Rumpsch match, scheduled for March 29 at Auburn Game and Fish, canceled

■ Ringtown Rotary seafood supper, scheduled for April 3, canceled.

■ Lenten dinner, scheduled Friday, March 20, at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville, canceled.

■ Cornhole tournament, scheduled for April 25 at Williamstown American Legion, canceled.

■ Saint Clair Area School District PTO Chinese auction, scheduled for March 26 and 27, canceled.

■ Schuylkill Valley Food Pantry distribution postponed. For more information, call Schuylkill Community Action, 570-622-1995.

■ Scholar-athlete banquet, scheduled for March 29, postponed. Schools will be notified of new date.

■ The Mahoney Brothers concert, scheduled March 29 at Mount Carmel Area High School, postponed.

■ Steve Burton appearance, scheduled for March 21 at Walk In Art Center, Schuylkill Haven, rescheduled Saturday, Sept. 26.

■ St. Teresa of Calcutta, Mahanoy City, all non-sacramental activities postponed or canceled until further notice.

■ Ukrainian Catholic churches, no obligation to attend Sunday Divine Liturgy. All regularly scheduled liturgies will remain open for those who wish to attend.

■ Little League International, temporary suspension of all league activities until April 6. Start of regular season delayed.

■ Chicken potpie dinner, scheduled for March 21 at Friedens Lutheran Church, New Ringgold, postponed.

■ Choral Evensongs Vespers, scheduled for March 22 at First United Methodist Church, Pottsville, rescheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday, April 26.

■ Pottsville American Cancer Society Relay for Life kickoff, scheduled for March 28, canceled.

■ Haddock or pork chop dinner, scheduled for March 20 at Pine Grove Masonic Lodge, canceled.

■ Pottsville mayor’s state of the city speech, postponed on March 12, will be rescheduled.

■ St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Port Carbon, services for March 22, canceled.

■ Girardville’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, scheduled for March 28, postponed.

■ Minersville Area High School Drama Club’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” rescheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, April 23, through Saturday, April 25, auditorium.

■ St. Patrick Soup Kitchen serving meals by takeout. However, if someone needs to stay and eat, they will not be turned away.

Government

■ Frackville Borough Office is closed. Mail your payments or put through mail slot during normal business hours, after hours put in the black box in front of the borough hall. Phone calls will be answered during normal business hours. All borough parks will be closed until further notice.

■ Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124, Rush Township, no walk-in service at Tamaqua district office. Staff available by phone and online. Paperwork can be dropped in mail slot in lobby. Call 570-668-1240 Monday through Friday. Knowles’ district office in Hamburg Borough Hall shared with state Sen. David G. Argall, closed to walk-in service.

■ State Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, Rush Township, district offices in Pottsville, Hamburg and Harrisburg, closed until further notice. Mahanoy City office remains open. Call 1-877-327-4255 or go to www.senatorargall.com.

■ Ashland Borough Hall, closed until further notice. Staff available by phone. Utility payments can be paid by mail or in mailbox in front of borough hall.

■ Frackville Area Municipal Authority office, closed until further notice. Staff available by phone, 570-874-3589 (office); 570-874-4421 (plant).

Payments can be mailed, deposited in drop box outside borough building or at the FAMA Office door mail slot, or with a credit or debit card at fama874.com (look for the Municipal Pay link). Call office to pay over phone.

■ Frackville Borough Tax Office closed until further notice. Janice Huth, tax collector, can be reached at 570-874-4670. Payments should be mailed or placed in mail slot at tax office. If return receipt is requested, a self-addressed postage paid envelope must be included.

■ Mahanoy City Borough office, closed until April 1. All essential workers in place to take calls. Community Day meeting this week and Home Rule meeting March 24, canceled.

■ Minersville Borough Office, 2 E. Sunbury St. closed until further notice. Call 570-544-2149 during normal business hours, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Applications for compost cards, occupant permits, rental registration available at minersvilleonline.com. Options for paying utility bills available at https://wipp.edmundsassoc.com/Wipp/?wippid=MNRV, mailing check and money orders to office, 2 E. Sunbury St., Minersville, PA 17954, or at the drop box on Sunbury Street side of building.

■ Orwigsburg Borough Office, 209 N. Warren St., closed to non-essential persons until further notice. Staff available by phone Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., by calling 570-366-3103. Borough parks, fields, recreation centers closed to external functions; rentals will continue on case-by-case basis; limit 10 people.

■ Pottsville City Hall, closed to public. Employees available via phone or email 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Call 570-622-1234 or go to www.city.pottsville.pa.us. Payments may be mailed or placed in drop box outside city hall.

■ Schuylkill County Housing Authority main office and development offices, closed to public. Applicants for public housing and Section 8 will be processed by calling 570-385-3400, ext. 111. For other business, call the same numbers.

■ Schuylkill County Prison, no visitors except legal defense and official business.

■ Schuylkill Haven Borough Hall, 333 Center Ave., closed to public until further notice. Make utility payments via drive-through in back of borough hall, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in the night deposit box or by phone, online or mail. Phone payments can be made during business hours or after via toll free number, 1-833-201-5693. Merchant fee for all phone payments is $3. All other borough business requires appointment; call 570-385-2841 during normal business hours.

■ State driver’s license/photo centers, closed through at least March 29.

Businesses/organizations

Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce office is closed as of Monday, March 23, all events and committee meetings from March 16 through April 1, canceled.

■ Diakon classes, clubs, programs, canceled; senior centers closed. Diakon Community Services discourages walk-ins to main office. Call 570-624-3010. AARP tax preparation, canceled. APPRISE telephone counseling only, no face-to-face appointments. Call 570-624-3026.

■ Lykens Valley Children’s Museum, Elizabethville, all programs canceled.

■ Schuylkill County Historical Society, closed to the public until further notice. Artist Lori Quinn program on Pottsville buildings, scheduled for March 25, postponed. April 7 meeting, canceled.

■ Sweet Arrow Lake County Park, all public and private events, canceled or postponed until April 2. Bruce Schneck Memorial Fishing Event rescheduled to April 18. “What’s invading my backyard? Spotting the spotted lanternfly,” rescheduled to April 8. Call 570-527-2505.

■ Redner’s Markets hours, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Convenience stores open 24 hours.

■ Friendly’s, Route 61, Pottsville, closed through March 27.

■ Mountain Valley Pete Acquarola Senior Golf League Early Spring Fun Tour, cancelled. Call Bill Kaczmarczyk, 570-778-6206, John Bashago, 570-233-1713, or the pro shop, 570-467-2242, Ext. 1.

■ Fighter’s Heaven, Deer Lake, closed to off-season tours. Scheduled May 1 opening tentative.

■ Mid Penn Bank, drive-thru only during normal banking hours. ATMs, online service remain available 24 hours. Call 1-866-642-7736 or email questions by visiting midpennbank.com/contact-us.

■■ Explore Schuylkill (visitors bureau), closed. Spring Restaurant promotion, scheduled March 22-28, postponed.

■ Fairlane Village mall, events canceled through March 31 (including arrival of the Easter Bunny March 28).

■ Dine-out, scheduled for March 28 at Vernalis, Shenandoah, to benefit the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society, canceled. Will be rescheduled.

■ D.G. Yuengling and Son Brewery, Pottsville, gift shop, tasting room, tours closed until further notice.

■ Crystal’s School of Dance, Orwigsburg, closed through March 27.

■ Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce, next meeting April 15.

■ Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, visitor services and programs canceled, trails closed through March 30.

■ Pottsville Free Public Library closed through March 29 as encouraged by Office of Commonwealth Libraries for all public libraries in state.

■Empire Beauty Schools closed student salons to the public March 13. Students will continue training.

■ Penn State Schuylkill and all PSU campuses in-person classes suspended.

■ Luzerne County Community College in-person classes suspended. See luzerne.edu for information.

■ Schuylkill YMCA closed through March 22. See website and social media for updates.

Report any cancellations and closures to editorial@republicanherald.com.

POTTSVILLE — A Schuylkill County manufacturing business that closed last week because of Gov. Tom Wolf’s statewide restrictions will resume operations today.

Rick Zelley, manager of the Auburn facility of OMNOVA Solutions, said corporate officials decided Thursday to shut down until further notice to be in compliance with the law.

However, after a better review of the categories company officials said OMNOVA was not affected and could remain in operation as a plastics and rubber manufacturer.

Zelley said the Auburn facility provides critical supplies to various medical facilities as well as other items used by various industries.

He said the company produces the outer layers used for medical trays and cabinets as well as complete examination room units.

Zelley said a lot of the products are not only used in hospitals but also in mobile facilities often set up to provide additional spaces for medical facilities when needed.

On Friday, Zelley said the decision to reopen today was made after operations had already shut down.

While the plant was down, Zelley said the company took the opportunity to have the facility sanitized before operations restarted.

Zelley said the decision to reopen was good news for the 199 employees at the Auburn plant.

He said should the shut down have happened, only two employees would have been needed on site and a handful working from home dealing with customers, suppliers and more.

“We went through an awful lot on Friday telling employees and suppliers we were shutting down,” Zeller said.

However, shortly after the bad news was delivered it was followed by good news that the plant was able to remain operational.

Zelley said the company was prepared to shut down according to state mandates but the fact it can remain operation is good news to the employees as well as everyone service by OMNOVA Solutions.

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

Shenandoah

The 108 W. Cherry St., office of Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Parish is closed until further notice in connection with the bid to halt the spread of the coronavirus. However, parish business can be done through the mailbox next to the office door, according to a bulletin announcement. Divine Mercy Church, Cherry and Chestnut streets, will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays for private prayer. Confessions will be heard at 6 p.m. Mondays at Divine Mercy Church. Parish bulletins are available at the parish website at dmparish.com. Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, pastor, is saying private Mass each day for the scheduled Mass intentions as recorded in the Mass book. The parish’s homemade three-cheese blend pierogies are now available only from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays via door service. For more information, call the parish office at 570-462-1968.

Shenandoah

Knights of Columbus Francis Cardinal Brennan Council 618 has bingo games at its 201 W. Cherry St. headquarters. Doors open at noon and bingo begins at 2 p.m. Food and refreshments are available. Bingo dates still on the schedule for 2020 include (with changes possible in connection with the coronavirus situation): April 19, May 3 and 17, June 7 and 28, Aug. 9 and 23, Sept. 13 and 27, Oct. 11 and 25, Nov. 8 and 22 and Dec. 6. For more information, call 570-590-3270 or 570-590-1188.

Whitehall

A stained-glass sale by the Office of Pastoral Planning of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, 618 Fullerton Ave. Stained glass will be available from several churches on a first-come basis including from St. Joseph, Girardville; Our Lady of Good Counsel, Gordon; St. Katharine Drexel, Lansford; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Minersville; St. George and St. Stephen, Shenandoah, and Sacred Heart, Tremont.

School lunches

The following public school meal distributions include breakfast and lunch and are Monday-Friday unless otherwise specified:

Blue Mountain

Meals distributed to students who qualify for free and reduced lunch program. Deliveries 10 to 11 a.m. Monday and Wednesday at designated locations using drive-thru style distribution in order to comply with social distancing.

Mahanoy Area

Anyone 18 years and younger.

Distribution 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at transportation parking lot and East End Park.

Minersville Area

Open to all children present under 18. Walk up or drive up 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. starting Monday, March 23: elementary school, 300 N. Fifth St. Lunch for current day and breakfast for following day. Friday distributions will include breakfast and lunch for weekend.

North Schuylkill

Free to anyone under age 18; no ID required.

11 a.m. to noon in communities that meet income guidelines: Washington Fire Company, 1307 Centre St., Ashland; Good Will Hose Company, 225 S. Balliet St., Frackville; Rangers Hose Company, 6 E. Ogden St., Girardville.

Panther Valley

11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at elementary school, Panther Valley stadium, Coaldale borough hall, Batter’s Box restaurant.

Pine Grove Area

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: North End Volunteer Fire Company parking lot, 118 N. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove, and Tremont Borough Building, 139 Clay St., Tremont.

Pottsville Area

Students 18 and younger welcome 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Behind D.H.H. Lengel Middle School at the team entrance to Martz Hall.

Saint Clair

Open to all district students at the following times and locations:

11 a.m. to noon: Elementary/middle school.

11:30 a.m. to noon: Cherry Street parking lot in Arnot’s Addition.

11 to 11:30 a.m.: Outside Cumbola Goodwill Hose Company, Water Street, Cumbola.

11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Outside Good Intent Fire Company, Macomb Street, New Philadelphia.

12:30 to 1 p.m.: Schuylkill Valley Falcons Teener League Field, Middleport.

Schuylkill Haven

Open to students who qualify for free and reduced school meals. Distribution will be 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the high school entrance. Week’s worth of meals provided.

Shenandoah Valley

Open to all district students through March 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the elementary parent drop-off area.

Tamaqua

Meals available from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 23 through 27 (for now) at the rear of the high school/middle school campus.

Tri-Valley

Open to all district students from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, March 23 and Thursday, March 26: Sacramento Community Fire Company, 2206 E. Main St., Sacramento. Meals, prepared by district food service provider Chartwells, include breakfasts and lunches for several days. Students must be present in vehicles for grab-and-go service. No further dates provided at this time.

Upper Dauphin Area

Meals available from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. weekdays, high school cafeteria entrance, Elizabethville, and middle school main entrance/bus circle, Loyalton. Child must be present to pick up meals via drive-through process. Remain in vehicle. Lunch and breakfast for following day in each bag. Friday bags include meals for weekend. Either location can be used. For access issues, email batemanm@udasd.org or call 717-362-6555.

Williams Valley

Meal distribution from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: high school; Wiconisco Fire Engine Company, Arch Street, Wiconisco Township; Williamstown Borough Hall, Station Street, Williamstown.

At a time when sharing information is imperative, Comcast customers in the Tower City and Porter Township areas garnered some good news — they’ll be able to keep most of their current television stations.

Tower City Mayor Dan Daub and Porter Township supervisors Chairman Gary Bender received notice Thursday that Comcast had opted not to make changes it had previously proposed.

“Thanks, in part, to the efforts of Porter Township solicitor, Jim Diehl, Comcast has decided to reverse its decision for the channel changes slated for March 24. The Porter Township supervisors appreciate his diligence in this matter.

“Porter Township and the surrounding communities affected by the decision will be absolutely thrilled,” Bender said in an email. Bender also serves as Schuylkill County administrator.

At least 50 people showed up at the Tower City Borough Council meeting earlier this month, with many customers dissatisfied with the proposed changes, especially the impending loss of the Harrisburg-based channels to affiliates based in Scranton.

“Pursuant to our conversation yesterday, Comcast will not be making any of the lineup changes originally set for March 24. I hope this eliminates the need to address the other concerns raised last week,” Jennifer Fees, manager of government and external affairs for Comcast, wrote Thursday in a letter to Daub.

Bender shared information that Daub had provided on social media.

Daub thanked citizens who attended the council meeting and thanked Comcast for its consideration, but called Comcast’s action a “partial victory.”

“On behalf of the citizens of Tower City and the surrounding areas, we appreciate the fact that NBC8 and CBS21 will remain in our channel lineup. That is very good news for all of us, and I applaud that decision,” Daub said.

“However, please be reminded that the loss of ABC27 (Harrisburg) was the major stimulus for my request to engage in discussions with your organization.

“Ratings in our local area will reflect that the best watched, most informative news and information — and the station that has by far most engaged our community is ABC27. The station is 30 miles from us, versus 100-plus miles to the ABC16 affiliate in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” Daub said. “I respectfully request that Comcast restore ABC27 to our lineup, especially in light of the ongoing crisis our nation is facing.”

WHTM is the ABC27 station out of Harrisburg.

“We have not had the rights to provide WHTM in those lineups since late January. At that time, we were already providing the in-market ABC affiliate, WNEP,” Robert Grove, vice president of communications, Comcast Keystone Region, in Pittsburgh, said Friday in an email.

Contact the writer: vterwilliger@republicanherald.com

POTTSVILLE — Coronavirus has hit Schuylkill County, as authorities announced Sunday that a resident has tested positive for the virus that has swept the state, nation and world.

“Eventually, we were going to have something that occurred here,” commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. said after learning of the first county case. “It is pretty well hitting every county around us.”

Officials are not releasing the name, sex, hometown or any other details about the resident who tested positive.

Originating in Wuhan, China, the coronavirus has hit many countries around the world, and there is at least one case in every U.S. state. The number of cases in Pennsylvania continues to grow, with the state Department of Health reporting Sunday that there are 479 confirmed cases of the virus in the Keystone State.

That number represents a quick increase of 108 and highlights the importance of measures being taken to fight the virus, according to state Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine.

“Our notable increase in cases over the last few days indicate(s) we need we need everyone to take COVID-19 (the disease caused by coronavirus) seriously,” Levine said. “Pennsylvanians have a very important job right now: Stay calm, stay home and stay safe. We have seen case counts continue to increase, and the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to stay home.”

Halcovage recommended that everyone follow the guidelines and advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Department of Health. Those measures include washing your hands often, wiping down counters and other surfaces and practicing “social distancing” by remaining 6 feet away from other people, he said.

“Follow good practices,” Halcovage said.

Furthermore, Halcovage is not the only local official talking about the virus.

State Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, Rush Township, whose district includes the entire county, announced that his offices will be closed beginning today. Constituents who have issues or concerns can contact him through his website, www.senatorargall.com, or his toll-free telephone number, 877-327-4255.

Also, the Pottsville Parking Authority has announced that it has ceased until further notice all enforcement for parking lots and on-street parking.

Halcovage said Lehigh Valley Health Network has established a place at its Cressona site where people can get tested for the coronavirus.

“You have to make an appointment,” he said.

For Halcovage, an important factor in fighting the virus is for people to do the right things.

“I want people to stay positive, be vigilant and follow what the Centers for Disease Control and Department of Health are telling us,” he said. “There are a lot of rumors. Make sure your source is an accurate one.”

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

Deeds

Branch Township — Monica Massari to Deborah Massari-Onest; property on Route 901; $1.

Cass Township — Christine M. Lord to MJL Unlimited LLC; 827 Forest Lane, Primrose; $23,000.

Coaldale — Debra K. Binder to Nathan Binder; 108 E. High St.; $1.

Delano Township — Julia Majetsky to Joseph L. Majetsky; 33 Trenton; $1.

Gilberton — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to M&T Bank; 600 Water St.; $1,482.88.

Mahanoy City — Hoa Tran to Cynthia Cattley; 1301 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $18,000.

Minersville — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency; 442 New Castle St.; $1,288.99.

North Union Township — Elizabeth Ann Krusko, by attorney in fact Evelyn Krusko, to Evelyn H. Krusko; Lot 12WSS7, Eagle Rock; $1.

Palo Alto — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency; 8 E. Bacon St.; $1,332.10.

Pine Grove Township — Robert A. Schwalm and Annetta J. Pastucka to Robert J. and Michelle A. Schwalm; 1.769-acre property; $1.

Robert J. and Michelle A. Schwalm to Robert J. and Michelle A. Schwalm; 67 Clubhouse Road; $1.

Robert A. Schwalm and Annetta J. Pastucka to Annetta J. and Richard C. Pastucka; 51 Clubhouse Road; $1.

Legal challenges to Gov. Tom Wolf’s unprecedented order to shutter non-life-sustaining businesses across the state are mounting, with two separate actions filed seeking the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to intervene.

Wolf’s sweeping order initially directed businesses ranging from legal services to the timber industry to shutter their doors or risk penalties beginning at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. In the face of an intense backlash, Wolf late Friday rolled back some of the restrictions, granting exceptions to the timber industry, coal mining, hotels, accountants, laundromats and law firms permitted by the courts.

Wolf also delayed enforcement from Saturday to 8 a.m. today, and opened a path for businesses to request a waiver through the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

In one action brought by gun-rights groups, the Elizabethtown-based Trop Gun Shop asserts it would have to lay off roughly 30 employees as a result of Wolf’s order.

Attorney Joshua Prince of the Prince Law Offices in Bechtelsville argues in the filing that Wolf has overstep-ped his legal authority by im-posing such a sweeping mandate, which he said infringes on the right to bear arms.

“Against the backdrop of growing uncertainty, the right of law-abiding commonwealth residents to keep and bear arms, as guaranteed by both the Pennsylvania and U.S. Constitutions, is the epitome of life-sustaining,” Prince wrote. “The fundamental right to self-defense ... could not be more clear. Nothing could be more directly relevant to sustaining life than the right to defend it from mortal threat. Given the uncertain times which prompted the order, it is as crucial now than at any time prior to ensure the ability of the citizens of the commonwealth to be able to exercise their right to bear arms in self-defense and the defense of their loved ones.”

In an unrelated case, a Harrisburg-area law firm is also challenging the governor’s power to shutter law offices throughout Pennsylvania.

By ordering law firms to close, Wolf deprived citizens of their right to counsel, lawyer William Costopoulos argued in court papers. Costopoulos’ petition noted that the high court, in ordering the closure of state courts this week, created exceptions for emergency petitions involving custody, protection from abuse and other matters.

In an interview, Costopoulos said the executive branch doesn’t have a right to meddle in the judicial branch.

“The governor, though his intentions are well meaning in light of this pandemic, does not have the authority to usurp either the Supreme Court or the Constitution when it comes to the practice of law,” Costopoulos said.

Contact the writer: jhalpin@citizensvoice.com,570-821-2058

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)

SUMMER HILL — St. Paul’s United Church of Christ wants to make sure its members and others can watch its services even during the coronavirus pandemic, so it is streaming them live on Sunday mornings on Facebook.

“Things are different in today’s world,” Pastor Ken McDowell said in opening the 45-minute 10:30 a.m. service from the sanctuary of the 1235 Summer Hill Road church. “What we hope to do is provide you with a normal worship service.”

With only three other people present in the sanctuary, McDowell succeeded, reading the Bible passages, preaching the sermon, leading the prayers and conducting the rituals as if the church had been packed with worshippers.

He even sat on the floor during “my favorite part of the service,” the children’s sermon, addressing the youngsters following on Facebook as easily as if they had been gathered cross-legged around him in a semicircle. He spoke of Fanny J. Crosby, who became a prolific hymn writer in spite of being blind since she was 6 weeks old, setting an example worth recalling in these troubled times.

“Instead of feeling bitter and sorry for herself,” she wrote more than 8,000 hymns, McDowell said. “We can use these things to show how much Jesus loves us. Help us not to grumble and complain.”

One of those actually helping McDowell at the church was organist Bonnie Light, of Bethel, who has been playing for 50 years, including approximately 20 at St. Paul’s.

“It’s the first time I’ve played when nobody’s been here,” she said.

The lack of a live congregation did not deter Light in the least from doing what she loves.

“I love it. I knew I wanted to do it when I was in second grade,” she said. “I love to hear the choir sing.”

In his sermon, McDowell returned to the theme of blindness, citing the story of Jesus healing the blind man in the Gospel of John and noting that not everyone believed what had occurred.

“The blind man is able to see, but those who can see are blind” to the truth of God’s miraculous works in the world, he said.

McDowell then turned to the current state of affairs, saying that just like 2,000 years ago, the world needs God and exhorting the virtual congregation to live their faith.

“It’s obvious our current situation is not good,” he said. “We can use the situation to shine the light of the word of Christ to a world that needs it more than ever. Now is the time for all of us to be the body of Christ in our community and the world. Go and be the sign of Christ’s love in this world.”

Craig Borger, of Schuylkill Haven, who filmed the Facebook broadcast, said the church actually started putting its services online on Christmas Eve.

“We had some members who had moved away,” he said.

McDowell said he is delighted that the arrangements were in place before the virus made it essential for the church to do the broadcasts.

“I’m so glad we’re doing it,” he said. “This is when they need it the most. Let’s make it as normal as possible. Because everything is not normal, we need normalcy whenever you can find it.”

He also said the broadcasts are not yet perfect, but that will come.

“We’ll see how this works. We’ll get feedback. We’ll make adjustments,” he said.

The Facebook broadcasts are not the sole way the church plans to help the community, according to McDowell.

“We’re trying to find other ways to help,” he said. “All the churches ... we’re all sharing notes ... and pulling the resources together to help.”

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

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright is self-quarantining at his Moosic, Lackawanna County, home after interacting with a family friend who tested positive for the coronavirus.

He began his self-quarantine last Sunday after learning the friend began showing symptoms consistent with the COVID-19 virus, the Democratic congressman’s office said Wednesday. He will remain in self-quarantine for the next two weeks under doctor’s orders, but has not yet developed any symptoms.

Cartwright said he hasn’t been shaking hands for the past week. An “elbow bump” is the extent of contact he had with the person in question. He declined to divulge where it took place.

While disappointed he won’t be in Washington, D.C. during the government’s on-going coronavirus response, he said it’s import-ant everyone heed the advice of doctors and public health experts to slow the virus’ spread.

Contact the writer:

jhorvath@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9141

Thanks to a newly formed Lackawanna County neighbors Facebook group, face masks were made and donated to health care workers, senior citizens received needed essential items and parked truck drivers feasted on homemade meals.

“We’re trying to keep everyone together and encourage everyone to be positive,” said Sarah Worden, page administrator of the Lackawanna County Covid-19 Neighbor Assistance public Facebook group.

The page, created Friday, now has more than 12,000 members. It strives to connect the community and neighbors in need while many services and businesses are closed to stop the spread of the coronavirus. The response surprises her.

“We weren’t expecting it at all, maybe a few people,” said Worden, 32, of Throop.

Worden’s cousin, Nancy Shea, had the idea for the page. Shea reached out to Worden, a nurse with Caregivers of America who works with a variety of charities through her husband’s Scranton business, Slingin’ Ink Tattooing. They worked with Shea’s brother-in-law, James Shea of Dickson City.

Shortly after creating the group, members were alerted about a resident in need of food and supplies, said Worden. Within an hour, the resident received about six separate drop-offs of items on her porch, she said.

A major goal of the page is also to provide information on where items are available, including food, toilet paper, antibacterial wipes and cleaning products.

“The site is to help people who can’t get out of their house or, if they really need something to help them, be able to find it ... and not have them to go to three or four different stores,” James Shea said.

A member of the group asked Monday where ground beef was available. Within 16 minutes, 16 comments directed her to Schiff’s in Scranton, Trovato’s Meat Market in Clarks Summit or Redner’s Markets in Scranton, among other options.

They also shared a post about tattoo artists and aestheticians donating their plastic gloves to hospitals while their businesses are shut down. Other members posted that they had unused baby diapers and food items available for those in need.

James Shea, 37, an electrician at Commonwealth Energy Group, said they’re keeping the group specific to Lackawanna County. Because of that, a Luzerne County group was created.

They’re encouraging members to drop off items on porches instead of meeting up or giving rides. He also encouraged members to use electronic forms of payment, including Venmo.

“It’s nice to see that other people are willing to help others,” said James Shea. “Hopefully, after this is over, people still help each other, they don’t need to wait for a major problem.”

Contact the writer:

kbolus@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5114

HUNLOCK CREEK — Instead of closing, State Correctional Institution at Retreat will be quarantining.

Due to the coronavirus, all newly sentenced state inmates and parole violators will be filtered through the Newport Township prison for a quarantine period before being transferred to SCI/Camp Hill — the normal first stop for inmates, the Department of Corrections announced Monday.

“Currently, we have no positive cases of COVID-19 in our state prison inmate population, and we are working to delay the virus entering our system,” Department of Corrections Secretary John Wetzel said. “This change in how we receive newly sentenced inmates and parole violators will reduce the number of ways individuals enter our system. With this plan, moving forward, only one facility will be involved, greatly reducing the ways the virus can enter our system.”

Department officials said the move is temporary and didn’t say how it affects Gov. Tom Wolf’s plans to shutter SCI/Retreat. After months of debate, Wolf announced in January his final decision to close the prison, which employs about 400 people, by the end of June.

Wetzel sent a letter to all county prisons informing them that the department is pausing new commitments for several days to prepare for the transition.

In preparation for the influx of inmates to SCI/Retreat, officials are transferring SCI/Retreat inmates to other state prisons, while leaving a number of inmates to work in dietary and maintenance areas. Officials also are increasing the medical staff and medical supplies at SCI/Retreat.

“As always, the good people of Newport Township and Luzerne County step up in a time of need, and this time it is the Department of Corrections that needs to put SCI/Retreat back in service to house state inmates who are currently being housed at county correctional facilities,” state Sen. John Yudichak, I-14, Swoyersville, said. “The Pennsylvania DOC has assured us all precautions will be taken to ensure the employees of SCI/Retreat and the public will be safe during the transfer and housing of these inmates. We are all in this crisis together, and together we will come through it stronger than ever.”

Mark Truszkowski, eastern vice president of the state corrections officers union who served for nearly two decades as an officer at SCI/Dallas, said the union has asked Wolf’s office “for all inmate movement to stop period.”

“The governor’s office was asked on Saturday and as of today our request has not been answered,” Truszkowski said.

New female inmates and parole violators will continue to be received at SCI/Muncy and SCI/Cambridge Springs.

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

News on Monday of a worker at the MI Windows and Doors Hegins’ plant testing positive for COVID-19 led to a social media petition asking for a temporary facility closure.

The petition had more than 1,700 signatures as of 6:45 p.m. Monday, but the plant remained operational.

Enhanced cleaning procedures had already been implemented in early March and exceed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention specifications, and no additional remediation is required, Tony Matter, director of marketing at the MI (Metal Industries) operations support center in Gratz, said Monday.

The case at MI comes as the state Department of Health reported Monday that Schuylkill County now has three confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. The county’s first case was reported Sunday. There were 644 confirmed cases statewide as of Monday.

It’s not known if the worker at MI is from Schuylkill County and is one of the three county cases.

‘Essential’ business

As for the petition, Matter said employees have a right to pass that along. It is not known how many of those signing it are employees.

Matter noted MI does have “relaxed policy and leave options” available. Employees may contact their local human resources department or their department head if they have policy questions

Under Gov. Tom Wolf’s statewide classification, MI is considered an essential, life-sustaining business and can continue operating.

“We meet those guidelines and those standards. We look to monitor the safety of our team and run our business while keeping them safe,” Matter said.

The company employs more than 1,000 people total at its Hegins and Gratz locations, he said.

Notified Sunday

A letter was sent Sunday from CEO Matthew D. DeSoto and East Division President Stan Sullivan to all employees with a company-issued email address and to those on the private MI Facebook page, according to Matter. Not everyone has an email or is on the Facebook group, though.

“When the third shift team came in last night, they were notified,” Matter said Monday. “The teams at all of our locations have been doing a great job.”

According to the letter, the affected team member was last at work Friday, March 13, began experiencing symptoms on Sunday, March 15, and did not return to work.

“We are providing our full support to this team member as they recover at home with their family,” the letter said. “Upon notification of the positive test result on Saturday evening (March 21), we immediately contacted an expert remediation contractor to analyze the situation. Based on the time since the team member was last at work along with our cleaning practices and adherence to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, the remediation contractor considered the work area safe to occupy.”

“During these turbulent times, we will continue to follow the recommendations and precautions outlined by the CDC to help us make safe and practical decisions. We encourage everyone to be heads up to the risks associated with COVID-19 and at the same time remain optimistic that we will prevail. Be smart, stay safe and remain confident,” wrote DeSoto and Sullivan.

“Like most businesses, we’ve stopped vendors and guests from coming into our facilities without the proper protocols in place. We’ve limited face-to-face meetings for a couple of weeks.”

CDC, OSHA advice

The CDC has posted advisories for workplaces, which Pennsylvania’s Health Department also recommend. They include practicing good hygiene — regular hand washing, disinfecting surfaces and not sharing food — and having sick employees stay home.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration wrote a manual for dealing with COVID-19 that builds on those recommendations. OSHA suggests that businesses form a plan that puts distance between workers by staggering shifts or using smaller crews, encourages people to stay home when sick and provides sick pay for those who are sick or home caring for sick relatives.

OSHA’s manual encourages employers to develop ways of identifying sick workers, move them quickly away from others and it makes recommendations for disinfecting contaminated areas after clearing them.

Protective equipment is discussed for cleanup workers and workers at high-risk, including doctors, nurses, medical laboratory workers and morticians.

St. Luke’s University Health Network announced Sunday that it is preparing for the future by accepting donations at its nine urgent care centers of medical and cleaning supplies needed to fight the coronavirus.

Although the network has an adequate supply of necessary items at the moment, it said it wants to ensure it does not run short, especially in light of nationwide shortages of surgical masks, cleaners and other things.

Therefore, St. Luke’s is accepting donations of numerous items, most notably surgical masks, N95 masks, goggles, face shields, vinyl gloves, hand sanitizers, and Clorox and Lysol products, including wipes. Other wanted items include hospital-grade cleaning supplies and disinfectant.

Additionally, the centers are accepting fabric from which the network can make its own masks, including cotton, denim, duck cloth, canvas, twill, silk or other tight-woven fabrics, along with elastic and rubber bands.

The network has set up donation drop-off centers at the urgent care centers, including the ones at 9 Dave’s Way, Hamburg, and 575 S. Ninth St. Suite 7, Lehighton. The drop-off centers are open during the same hours as the urgent care centers.

POTTSVILLE — A former Philadelphia man will spend more time in state prison after a Schuylkill County judge sentenced him recently for setting fire to his cell at State Correctional Institution/Frackville in December 2018.

Dashaan Smith, 25, must serve 21 to 42 months in a state correctional institution, President Judge William E. Baldwin ruled. He also ordered Smith to pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $157 restitution to SCI/Frackville.

Furthermore, Baldwin made the sentence consecutive to the one from Philadelphia that Smith already is serving.

In a one-day trial over which Baldwin presided on Feb. 6, a jury of eight men and four women deliberated approximately two hours before finding Smith guilty of arson, institutional vandalism and criminal mischief. Jurors found Smith not guilty of risking a catastrophe and a second count of arson.

State police at Frackville charged Smith with setting fire to his cell in the restricted housing unit at SCI/Frackville on Dec. 27, 2018. Police said the fire was intentionally set and started on the bottom bunk.

A video of the event that was played at Smith’s trial showed smoke coming from the defendant’s cell. Prosecutors also pointed out remnants of the mattress they said Smith burned and said there were no electrical outlets in the cell.

Smith testified that he wanted to commit suicide, not set a fire.

Assistant District Attorney Thomas P. Pellish prosecuted the case against Smith, who was represented by Adam R. Weaver, Lehighton.

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

MINERSVILLE — Employees at Federal Correctional Institution/Schuylkill may be at risk after the federal Bureau of Prisons began busing in inmates on Monday, some of which showed symptoms of having the coronavirus, against a memo sent out two weeks prior, the local union president said.

Jonathan Madonna, president of Local 3020 of the American Federation of Government Employees, said the move is a total turnaround of an internal memo released earlier this month by the bureau.

Madonna said that memo stated that the busing of inmates to the prison was to stop due to concerns of the spread of the coronavirus but on Monday a bus of inmates arrived to be incarcerated there.

“They’re (the BOP) violating their own rule,” he said.

The inmates were transferred to Schuylkill County from the Metropolitan Corrections Center in New York City, Madonna said.

He said that in the past, federal BOP policy stated inmates were supposed to stay at the facility that they entered the system in, but that apparently has changed.

Moving prisoners, especially ones who show signs of the coronavirus, to FCI/Schuylkill presents a host of dangers, not only to prison staff but the public living in and around facility, Madonna said.

Madonna said that the prison is not equipped to deal with those potentially infected with coronavirus, placing the 292 staff members, including 125 corrections officers, at risk of contracting the disease.

He said FCI/Schuylkill is a medical care Level 2 facility, which means anyone showing signs of the coronavirus, or other life-threatening ailments, has to be transferred to local hospitals, including those in Pottsville, Danville and Hershey.

“These inmates could potentially be transferred to local hospitals further endangering the public,” Madonna said. “We don’t have the medical resources to handle it.”

He also accused the Department of Corrections of not taking measures to ensure the safety of staff members and the outside public.

Knowing the dangers of the coronavirus, Madonna said the jail is still not adequately prepared to protect its staff.

He said personal protective equipment is scarce and the BOP is not saying if or when any will become available.

“They’re actually denying staff PPE, saying you don’t need it,” Madonna said.

Those actions, he said, are in complete violation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

With that, Madonna said he will be filing a complaint with OSHA “as soon as their offices open” this morning.

“This is something that has to be taken seriously and they are not doing that, not considering their employees,” he said of the federal BOP.

“They are not taking any precautions to help stop it (coronavirus), the staff is equally contacted and can take it (coronavirus) with them when they leave,” Madonna said.

Although the new prisoners are isolated in the Special Housing Unit, disposal of their materials leads to another issue.

He said the items that came in contact with anyone suspected of having coronavirus should be termed as biomedical waste and disposed of as such.

FCI/Schuylkill, he said, does not have the ability to do that.

Attempts to contact the federal BOP for comment on the situation Monday night were unsuccessful.

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

The following public school meal distributions include breakfast and lunch and are Monday-Friday unless otherwise specified.

Blue Mountain

Finalizing plan to offer to students who qualify for free and reduced lunch.

Mahanoy Area

Anyone 18 years and younger.

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Transportation parking lot and East End Park.

Minersville Area

Open to all children present under 18. Walk up or drive up.

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. starting Monday, March 23: elementary school, 300 N. Fifth St. Lunch for current day and breakfast for following day. Friday distributions will include breakfast and lunch for weekend.

North Schuylkill

Free to anyone under age 18; no ID required.

11 a.m. to noon in communities that meet income guidelines: Washington Fire Company, 1307 Centre St., Ashland; Good Will Hose Company, 225 S. Balliet St., Frackville; Rangers Hose Company, 6 E. Ogden St., Girardville.

Panther Valley

11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at elementary school, Panther Valley stadium, Coaldale borough hall, Batter’s Box restaurant.

Pine Grove Area

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: North End Volunteer Fire Company parking lot, 118 N. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove, and Tremont Borough Building, 139 Clay St., Tremont.

Pottsville Area

Students 18 and younger.

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Behind D.H.H. Lengel Middle School at the team entrance to Martz Hall.

Saint Clair

Open to all district students.

11 a.m. to noon: Elementary/middle school.

11:30 a.m. to noon: Cherry Street parking lot in Arnot’s Addition.

11 to 11:30 a.m.: Outside Cumbola Goodwill Hose Company, Water Street, Cumbola.

11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Outside Good Intent Fire Company, Macomb Street, New Philadelphia.

12:30 to 1 p.m.: Schuylkill Valley Falcons Teener League Field, Middleport.

Schuylkill Haven

Open to students who qualify for free and reduced school meals.

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays: high school entrance. Week’s worth of meals provided.

Shenandoah Valley

Open to all district students through March 27.

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Elementary parent drop-off area.

Tamaqua

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 23-27 (for now): Rear of the high school/middle school campus.

Tri-Valley

Open to all district students.

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, March 23 and Thursday, March 26: Sacramento Community Fire Company, 2206 E. Main St., Sacramento. Meals, prepared by district food service provider Chartwells, include breakfasts and lunches for several days. Students must be present in vehicles for grab-and-go service. No further dates provided at this time.

Upper Dauphin Area

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. weekdays, high school cafeteria entrance, Elizabethville, and middle school main entrance/bus circle, Loyalton. Child must be present to pick up meals via drive-through process. Remain in vehicle. Lunch and breakfast for following day in each bag. Friday bags include meals for weekend. Either location can be used. For access issues, email batemanm@udasd.org or call 717-362-6555.

Williams Valley

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: high school; Wiconisco Fire Engine Company, Arch Street, Wiconisco Township; Williamstown Borough Hall, Station Street, Williamstown.

Camp Hill

The Pennsylvania Cable Network has a daily 30-minute update on how the coronavirus is impacting various aspects of life in Pennsylvania, according to a PCN release. The updates air at noon and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday on cable and “streaming free on our apps and online.” In touting the updates, PCN officials reviewed that, as COVID-19 began to spread across Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf announced a state-wide shutdown of schools, social gatherings and non-essential businesses in a bid to slow the spread of the virus. In the updates, PCN viewers hear from journalists, legislators, officials and community and business leaders on health, education, restaurants and other topics. Also, PCN is airing all Pennsylvania Department of Health daily coronavirus response press conferences, streaming free, live. The most recent press conferences are available on demand, free, at pcntv.com/coronavirus.

Cressona

A takeout-only dinner to benefit Jamie Edwards, a Hydro employee who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at the Advance Auto Parts parking lot, Cressona Mall. The cost is $10 and meals will include a half chicken, baked potato and a roll. All are welcome.

Girardville

The Girardville Ambulance Service membership campaign is underway. Anyone in the ambulance service area who did not receive a subscription paper and would like one should call 570-205-6205.

Harrisburg

The state Department of Revenue has issued a reminder that the deadline for taxpayers to file their 2019 Pennsylvania personal income tax returns has been extended to July 15, meaning taxpayers have an additional 90 days to file from the original April 15 deadline. The Internal Revenue Service has also extended the federal filing deadline to July 15, according to a Department of Revenue release. The department has also waived penalties and interest on 2019 personal income tax payments through the July 15 deadline. The extension applies to both final 2019 tax returns and payments and estimated payments for the first and second quarters of 2020. The action is in conjunction with the COVID-19 crisis. The department is encouraging taxpayers who are able to file returns electronically, which will enable department processing as commonwealth offices are closed. To reach the department for information, taxpayers may use its online Customer Service Center, available at revenue-pa.custhelp.com. People may also visit www.revenue.pa.gov for free tax forms and instructions, or to the department’s pages on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Mahanoy City

The Mahanoy Area School District Food Service Department is serving lunch meals Mondays through Fridays at the following sites: MASD pool doors (a change from the bus lot), East End Park, Gilberton Playground, Delano Playground, Park Place Playground, New Boston Playground, Grier City Playground. Lunch meals are served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Weekend breakfast meals will be provided only on Fridays with the lunch meal. All meals are grab-and-go — no congregating. For more information, email Jack Hurst at jhurst@mabears.net.

School lunches

The following public school meal distributions include breakfast and lunch and are Monday-Friday unless otherwise specified.

Blue Mountain

Finalizing plan to offer to students who qualify for free and reduced lunch.

Mahanoy Area

Anyone 18 years and younger.

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Transportation parking lot and East End Park.

Minersville Area

Open to all children present under 18. Walk up or drive up.

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. starting Monday, March 23: elementary school, 300 N. Fifth St. Lunch for current day and breakfast for following day. Friday distributions will include breakfast and lunch for weekend.

North Schuylkill

Free to anyone under age 18; no ID required.

11 a.m. to noon in communities that meet income guidelines: Washington Fire Company, 1307 Centre St., Ashland; Good Will Hose Company, 225 S. Balliet St., Frackville; Rangers Hose Company, 6 E. Ogden St., Girardville.

Panther Valley

11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at elementary school, Panther Valley stadium, Coaldale borough hall, Batter’s Box restaurant.

Pine Grove Area

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: North End Volunteer Fire Company parking lot, 118 N. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove, and Tremont Borough Building, 139 Clay St., Tremont.

Pottsville Area

Students 18 and younger.

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Behind D.H.H. Lengel Middle School at the team entrance to Martz Hall.

Saint Clair

Open to all district students.

11 a.m. to noon: Elementary/middle school.

11:30 a.m. to noon: Cherry Street parking lot in Arnot’s Addition.

11 to 11:30 a.m.: Outside Cumbola Goodwill Hose Company, Water Street, Cumbola.

11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Outside Good Intent Fire Company, Macomb Street, New Philadelphia.

12:30 to 1 p.m.: Schuylkill Valley Falcons Teener League Field, Middleport.

Schuylkill Haven

Open to students who qualify for free and reduced school meals.

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays: high school entrance. Week’s worth of meals provided.

Shenandoah Valley

Open to all district students through March 27.

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Elementary parent drop-off area.

Tamaqua

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 23-27 (for now): Rear of the high school/middle school campus.

Tri-Valley

Open to all district students.

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, March 23 and Thursday, March 26: Sacramento Community Fire Company, 2206 E. Main St., Sacramento. Meals, prepared by district food service provider Chartwells, include breakfasts and lunches for several days. Students must be present in vehicles for grab-and-go service. No further dates provided at this time.

Upper Dauphin Area

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. weekdays, high school cafeteria entrance, Elizabethville, and middle school main entrance/bus circle, Loyalton. Child must be present to pick up meals via drive-through process. Remain in vehicle. Lunch and breakfast for following day in each bag. Friday bags include meals for weekend. Either location can be used. For access issues, email batemanm@udasd.org or call 717-362-6555.

Williams Valley

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: high school; Wiconisco Fire Engine Company, Arch Street, Wiconisco Township; Williamstown Borough Hall, Station Street, Williamstown.

POTTSVILLE — State police have the authority to enforce Gov. Tom Wolf’s mandatory business closures amid the coronavirus outbreak, but education, not punishment, is the immediate goal.

“Our troopers are your neighbors; we don’t want to have a heavy hand,” said Ryan Tarkowski, communications director for the state police. “It’s a matter of education but also knowing the power is there and we can use it.”

State police and other state agencies were authorized to begin enforcement of the closure of businesses deemed non-life-sustaining as of 8 a.m. Monday.

If a business is found to be non-compliant, fines and penalties could be imposed. But that’s unlikely the first step, Tarkowski said. Instead, police will have a conversation with the owner about what’s expected and the importance to overall public health.

“You won’t see troopers going door to door,” he said. “We’re hoping for voluntary compliance because most people want to do the right thing. Our goal is not to jam anybody up in the legal system.”

He said no additional manpower is being allotted to state police stations and that the enforcement became part of the regular duties of state police.

“The day-to-day work of the state police continues,” Tarkowski said. “We will still be arresting drivers for DUI and investigating burglaries.”

Tarkowski said later this week he expects to have information on any citations or warnings issued by police.

Don’t call 911

Authorities do not want the public to call 911 to report businesses they suspect are flouting the rules. Reports can be made to the local Pennsylvania State Police barracks. In Schuylkill County, these include PSP Frackville at 570-874-5300 and PSP Schuylkill Haven at 570-754-4600.

Along with state police, Wolf has given enforcement authority to the Pennsylvania National Guard, various state agencies, including the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and municipal police departments. However, many municipal department heads say their lack of manpower and funding will limit their ability to enforce business closure violations.

Police need ‘PPE’

Ashland Police Chief Gerard Daley said it would appear that area businesses are abiding by the closure mandates.

“I have been following this and see on social media that the businesses are posting that they are closed,” Daley said. “I think education is important at this time; I don’t think we’re in the enforcement mode.”

He said he plans to be in communication with state police to see how things develop.

“We’re taking it on a day-to-day basis,” he said.

One thing with which Daley’s department is struggling is making sure officers have enough personal protective equipment — PPE, which has become a familiar acronym during the outbreak.

“We are in constant contact with people; we don’t have a choice,” Daley said.

Daley said he called area businesses Monday seeking donations of items ranging from protective masks to sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizers.

He said everyone’s objective should be to take preventive measures, obey the state mandates and stay at home as much as possible.

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

POTTSVILLE — A Tamaqua man will not have to spend time in prison after admitting Thursday to a Schuylkill County judge that he resisted arrest and damaged a state police car in July 2019 in his hometown.

Jordan M. Ohl, 24, pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and criminal mischief, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of aggravated assault.

Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin accepted the plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, placed him on probation for 24 months and also sentenced him to pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $509 restitution to the state police.

State police at Lehighton charged Ohl with resisting arrest and damaging one of their cars on July 2, 2019. Police said Ohl kicked one of the officers during the struggle.

Other defendants who pleaded guilty Thursday before Dolbin, the charges against each one and the judge’s dispositions of the cases included the following:

Jessica M. Accardi, 34, of Tamaqua; possession of a controlled substance and improper turning movements; 12 months probation consecutive to Dauphin County sentence, $25 fine, $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew a second count of improper turning movements.

Stephanie Barron, 38, of Nesquehoning; two counts of possession of a controlled substance; 30 days to 13 months in prison with immediate parole, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, one additional count of possession of a controlled substance and one count of speeding.

Edward W. Hancock III, 25, of Shamokin; retail theft; two years probation consecutive to Northumberland County case and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of receiving stolen property.

Kayla M. Hoover, 29, of Tamaqua; possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and public drunkenness; 12 months probation, $50 fine, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew charges of disorderly conduct and scattering rubbish.

Keyshawn S. Navar, 21, of Kelayres; driving under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence-DUI related; 30 days in prison, 120 days house arrest with electronic monitoring, seven months strict supervision, four years probation, $2,500 in fines, $100 SAEF payment and 20 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of no rear lights.

All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.

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